PODCAST TRANSCRIPT | EPISODE 376: LIVING THE BLISSFUL LIFE, No. 10
LIFE TO THE FULL w/ Nancy Campbell
EPISODE 376: LIVING THE BLISSFUL LIFE, No. 10
Continuing the “koinonia” lifestyle. How do we share our Table (hospitality) and our Talents with others?
Announcer: Welcome to the podcast, Life to the Full, with Nancy Campbell, founder and publisher of Above Rubies, a magazine bringing strength and encouragement to families across the world.
Nancy Campbell: Hello, ladies. Always great to be with you. We are continuing our series called “Living the Blissful Life.” At the moment, we are talking about the eight points of LIVING THE KOINONIA LIFESTYLE. This is Podcast No. 10 in this series. We started last time on the points, and we talked about OFFERING UP OUR TIME. Then we began the second point, OFFERING OUR TABLE. We began to talk about hospitality.
There are three important things to remember about hospitality.
Firstly, that is, hospitality is a biblical doctrine. It begins in Genesis and weaves its way through the pages of the Bible right until the last book of Revelation.
Secondly, hospitality is an extension of our mothering and homemaking ministry. I believe it’s one of the greatest ministries that we can have as mothers.
Thirdly, hospitality is not an option. It is commanded in God’s Word. It is the lifestyle of the kingdom of God.
So, I thought we’d look at a few Scriptures. It’s always good to talk about things, but it’s always greater to see what the Scriptures say, isn’t it? I wonder, lovely ladies, if you know what is the first time that God says, “Come,” in the Bible? I think “come” is one of God’s favorite words. But do you know the first time that He said it?
All right. I’ll tell you. I’m sure some of you got it right. It was when he told Noah to “come” into the ark. Do you remember? Genesis 7:1: “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” We read down further: “And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark.”
Isn’t that such a beautiful thing? God didn’t say, after all the years of Noah building this ark, and now it’s ready, He doesn’t say, “Noah, OK, time to go into the ark which you've built. You’ve done a great job. You can go in now.” No, He says to Noah, “Come, Noah, come into the ark,” because the ark was a type of our salvation and our deliverance from sin and evil.
Everything in the Old Testament is a type. In this amazing story we read about the flood and God providing a salvation for Noah. God says, “Come.” God still says “come” today.
Isaiah 55:1: “Ho, every one that thirsts, come to the waters, and you who have no money come, buy, and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
We get to the New Testament, and Jesus says: “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” When Jesus was gathering His disciples and was talking to them, one time He says: “And Jesus turned and seeing them following, said to them, what do you see? They said to Him, Rabbi, where are you staying? And He said to them, come and see. They came and saw where He was staying and remained with Him that day.” Jesus’ words were “come. Come and be with Me.”
We go right to the last book of Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the Bride say come. Let him who hears say come.” The voice of the Holy Spirit is “come.” But God wants the voice of the bride. He wants our voice to also have that same language, that language of saying, “Come. Come to my house. Come and have dinner with us. Come. We’d love you to come.”
We should make that part of our vocabulary, because hospitality is meant to be a lifestyle. There’s a great difference between entertaining and hospitality. Some people think of times when they’re going to put on a very special meal and entertain guests. But that’s usually trying to impress people.
Hospitality is not trying to impress. It is serving. In fact, it’s not so much what we do. It’s who we are. We are hospitable because God, who is hospitable, lives within us. He wants to reach out to His people, to His loved ones. He wants to show them hospitality. But how can He do it, except that He does it through us?
How often did the early church show hospitality? Well, we read how they showed hospitality every day. “Daily they met together at one another’s homes, and daily the Lord added to the church such as should be saved.” Well, today, I don’t think there are many who are offering hospitality every day. But I think you should always be open and ready to receive someone in need. Let’s look at some Scriptures, shall we?
Romans 12:13 says we are to be “given to hospitality.” That word “given” in the Greek is dioko. It means, “to pursue, to follow after, to press forward.” In fact, it even means “to persecute.” In fact, it’s actually translated “persecuted” more than any other word. Wow, that’s pretty amazing! That means that we don’t give up on asking people to our home. We persecute them with love, kindness, and hospitality. That’s how much we are to be given to it.
1 Corinthians 16:15: “You know the house of Stephanas. They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” They were given to it. It was their delight to minister to the saints, and to show hospitality.
Getting back to that word, “given to hospitality,” we also read in 1 Timothy 3:2 the same phrase again, but this time it’s speaking specifically to elders and pastors. It says if they desire to be an elder, or a pastor of a church, they must be “given to hospitality.”
Then again, over in Titus 1:8, once again it keeps talking about the elders and pastors, and the criteria, the character that they must have if they aspire to that position. It says: “they must be a lover of hospitality.”
That’s interesting, isn’t it? There are some pastors who never invite anybody to their homes. They’re not fulfilling the Word of God. God says a pastor must be open to hospitality. More than that, he must be a lover of hospitality. More than that, he must be given to it. Of course, we then get the Scripture which I read before, which is given to all of us. We are all encouraged to be “given to hospitality.”
We can go over to 1 Peter 4. I love this passage. It begins with the words: “But the end of all things is at hand.” Wow! That’s a pretty important statement, isn’t it? We would think, after Peter writing that, that he would have something very, very powerful to say about how we should be living our lives.
But what does he say? “Be therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent love among yourselves, and practice hospitality one to another without grudging. Did you get that, ladies? “The end of all things is at hand.” OK. “Show fervent love to one another, and practice hospitality to one another without grudging.”
It reminds me of that Scripture where it says that we are to “not neglect the assembling ourselves together, and so much the more, as we see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). The closer we get to the end, the more we should be showing hospitality to one another, and gathering with one another, and experiencing the koinonia lifestyle, which is fellowship, and ministering to one another.
Let’s see, what else did I make a note of here? Yes, I think those are just a few reminders of hospitality. I’m not going to make it the subject of our series today or we’d be spending the whole time, because hospitality goes from the beginning of the Bible, right to the end of the Bible. It’s revealing the heart of God. His heart reveals a hospitable God.
Let me just read to you this poem, a poem I wrote many, many years ago. It’s called “At the Table,” and I think it gives us a vision for our table, not only for our family, which is where it begins, but also extending our family to others\ so we can bring others around our table also.
AT THE TABLE!
Where can you communicate while you eat?
Where can you enjoy real fellowship sweet?
Where can you laugh with friends who are neat?
At the table.
Where can you pour out your heart and soul?
Where can you explain what is taking its toll?
Where can you share your vision and goal?
At the table.
Where can you dialogue and sift through ideas?
Verbalize thoughts and yet still be at ease?
Discover new subjects to debate if you please?
At the table.
Where can your hearts be knitted as one?
Where can you yarn and old stories be spun?
And feel accepted so you don’t have to run?
At the table.
here can your children learn to sit still?
Acquire eating habits that won’t make them ill?
Be taught good manners of which some have nil?
At the table.
Where to imbibe values and ethics for life?
Learn to eat correctly with fork and knife?
Observe how “to father” and be a good wife?
At the table.
Where can you reveal God’s ways to your kin?
Teach them His Word will keep them from sin?
And to follow God’s laws is the way to win?
At the table.
Where can you encourage your children each day?
And boost the confidence of these “jars of clay”?
Give counsel that will keep them from going astray?
At the table.
Where can you make your house feel a “home”?
With a lovely warm ambience and happy tone?
From where your children will not want to roam?
At the table.
Where can you show love to God’s special “flock”?
Feed those who come to your door and knock?
Even those who don’t know God can be their Rock?
At the table.
Where does God love His presence to fill?
Where does He want His blessings to spill?
Where does He want restless hearts to be still?
At the table.
Dear father and mother, look again at your table,
Family meals together will make your home stable!
Make it a priority--your God will enable!
Sit at your table!
All right, ladies, let’s get onto No. 3 of the koinonia lifestyle. Remember we’re starting them all with a “T.” So, the next one . . .
No. 3. WE OFFER UP OUR TALENTS
Once again, we read this in the Word. 1 Peter 4:10: “And as every man hath received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
This is now talking about the talents and the gifts that God has given to us. He’s given to each one of us different gifts, unique gifts. In fact, He’s given different gifts to each of our children. Isn’t it amazing to watch our children grow and begin to see the gifts that God has put in them? Sometimes gifts that neither you nor your husband have.
As we watched our children grow, we began to see them moving into gifts that we didn’t have ourselves. We didn’t give them to them. God gave them to them. It is God Who puts these wonderful, unique gifts within us. He puts them in us for a certain reason, to minister to one another, to bless one another.
Let’s look at some other translations, shall we?
Christian Standard Bible: “Thus, as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the very grace of God.”
The Berean Standard Bible: “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gifts he has received to serve one another.”
The Living Bible: “God has given each of you some special abilities. Be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.”
The Goodspeed Translation: “Whatever the endowment God has given you, use it in service to one another.”
OK, I think we’re getting the message, don’t you? Now, what often happens is that people will take the gifts that God has given to them and use them to make money. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that, especially as the men in the house, who are the providers use their gifts to be the providers for their home.
It’s a wonderful blessing when a man is able to use his gift to provide for his family. There are many men who are working at jobs and they’re not really having the opportunity to use the wonderful gifts God has given them. When a man can do that, and provide for his home, that is wonderful.
DON’T EXPECT MONEY FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO
Many mothers too have wonderful gifts, and they’ll begin a home business and help to provide for the family with those gifts that God has given her. But I do have to say, ladies, yes, gifts are for the provision of our home, but did you get that Scripture? The Scripture here says that ultimately, we use our gifts and talents to serve others. So, don’t always expect to get money for doing the gifts that God has given you.
Now, there may be a place for that, and you will do that. That’s fine. But don’t do it to not just do it for love, to serve others. That’s God’s heart, and this is part of the koinonia lifestyle where we offer up our talents and our gifts to serve people, to bless them. It seems that more and more, in our “me” generation, nobody wants to do anything unless they get money for it. I’m surprised. I see that even in young people today. They don’t want to do anything unless you give them money for it.
Oh, what happened to serving one another with love according to the gifts that God has given us? It’s such a beautiful thing. I think we need to get this message because this is what the Word says to serve others. Often, I get ladies writing in to me and many times they’ll write beautiful poems. I can’t always print them in Above Rubies. I don’t always have room to print them. I’m always running out of room when I’m doing a new magazine.
In fact, the new magazine, No. 103, is now at the printers. We’re just waiting our turn to get on the big presses. Hope I don’t have to wait too long. However, I will often write back, and say to these lovely mothers, “I’m so sorry. I haven’t been able to use your poem. But don’t waste it. Use it to serve others.”
We don’t have to wait to have an article, or a story, or a poem printed. We can bless others with it! There are so many hurting and needy people around. If you've written a beautiful poem of encouragement, write it out beautifully, or type it, and put it in a card. Give it or send it to someone who needs encouraging. Use it to serve others, even your own family.
If you have a gift for writing, you can use it. Don’t think, “Oh, well, I’ve got to be a great writer. I’ve got to get a book published.” Well, start with little things. I believe in starting with little things. “He that is faithful in that which is least will be faithful in much” the Bible says. We start with the little. Start it with your family. Begin to write things for your husband, for your children.
WRITE SPECIAL PLACE CARD FOR YOUR FAMILY
A beautiful thing you can do, you don’t do this every night, but when you have a special meal, you can write PLACE CARDS for your children. Don’t just write their names, but you can write a little two-line rhyme, or a limerick, or maybe two lines or four lines. Write about their lives. Write about something to encourage them and put it at the table by their plate.
When they come to the table for a special meal, there will be a special thing for them. They’ll want to keep it. I should read you maybe a few of these little name places I have done throughout the years for my own family as they were growing up. And then for the grandchildren as they came around.
Let’s see. I don’t think I’ve got some of when they were really young. Oh, here we are. This is Haven’s, Serene’s daughter. I’ve written a limerick here.
This is just a name place . . .
There’s a girl with bright shiny eyes,
When she walks, she literally flies,
She’s a little sparkle,
And quite a marvel,
Our Havey with the bright shining eyes.
Here’s one for Cedar. I think I wrote this as a teenager. Cedar is now a married man with two children. But I wrote here . . .
This young man’s growing tall and straight,
He has strength of character and is great,
He will never give in
To the devil’s grin,
Our Cedar who stands tall and straight.
Here’s another one. This is Arden’s, Serene’s eldest son.
There’s a man who goes out with his bow,
To hunt the stag and doe,
When he takes aim
He gets the game,
He’s an expert with arrow and bow!
So, you can just write these little limericks and these little lines, to bless your children. Write about what they’re doing and write about their character. As you do that, it goes into their lives, and you can use your gift in these little ways to bless your family. Sometimes I would get a bit longer. In fact, oh, here are some that I wrote for my husband. Well, actually, these are just some place cards.
The most wonderful husband on this earth.
There’s no one better from here to Perth!
Well, Perth is a city down in Australia. Here’s another one:
Helping and going the extra mile,
And always doing it with a smile.
Another one:
He has a great big kind and loving heart.
He likes things big, and he likes them smart.
I like this one:
I love you much more than words can say,
Please live to one hundred, for this I pray.
And so, as you can see, they’re not great, exceptional lines, but they’re from the heart. I’m sure you’ll love doing them. Here’s a longer one I wrote:
He came from a home always perfect and clean,
Not a speck of dust could ever be seen!
And then he got married—and what did he get?
Papers here, papers there, and more papers I fret!
And in the middle of the night the bed is an office!
Perhaps we should call his home a “Hoffice”!
Or even a “Boffice” seeing the bed became an office!
So, there we go. Oh, and usually, on Christmas Eve, Colin and I will go over to Serene’s and have Christmas Eve with them. Then I will usually write a little two line, sometimes they get longer, for everyone in their family. I don’t buy gifts. Can’t afford it. So many presents to buy now.
If we count up all the children in our family, our children, their spouses, our grandchildren, their spouses, and their children. And now the great-grandchildren, it comes to over 100. So, in the early days, Christmas time was always a great time of great gift-giving, giving to every single person. But as the family kept growing, it just got far too much. So now, when we pop over there for Christmas Eve, I just write poems.
What have I got here? Oh yes, here’s another one, about Havey.
Never have I met such a glorious little girl,
She just makes you want to do a twirl!
She is full of life and twinkles and smiles,
She makes everyone happy for miles and miles!
Here’s Breezy. This was back when she was twelve years.
Oh, what a wonder is our beautiful Breeze,
There’s not an opportunity that she doesn’t seize!
At only twelve years old she purchased a horse trailer
To make her own coffee shop which won’t be a failure!
She’s already a barista, a coffee-maker pro,
Working at THM with her personality aglow!
She blesses everyone who comes in the door,
Her smile lights them up whether they’re rich or poor.
At every occasion she watches out for others,
The widows, the lonely, and especially the mothers,
To make sure they have a drink or something to eat
Which she runs off to do, oh, she is so sweet!
She is full of vision and creative glory
For all the things she will do to make her story.
And now Breezy is 16, and she and her cousin Ikara have their coffee-making little caravan. They already have their business called “Milk and Honey.”
OK, here’s one. Oh, time is going! But I’ll just read you one more. This is Sheppy, (Shepherd) another one of Serene’s sons.
One thing about Shep, he knows how to work,
And from it he doesn’t ever shirk!
He’s learning and growing to be a man
And knows how to fix things with his hands.
He works fast and quickly and doesn’t muck around,
But does it with a smile instead of a frown,
Even today he fixed the hole in Granddad’s tire,
In no time at all the job was no longer for hire.
It’s sure great to have a handyman around the place,
Who knows how to get “stuck in” in every case.
OK, so there’s a few little ideas, just to use your gift right there in your home, and to bless others and share it with others.
Some of you are the greatest cooks, and some of you even do a business with your cooking, making bread, whatever. But once again, don’t always do it for money. Remember those hurting people, those people who are sick. They need some of your lovely cooking or a loaf of your beautiful bread.
Some of you have other gifts that you love. You are artistic, you paint. Maybe you can share your paintings. But once again, make sure you do some just to serve others. Don’t wait for the big. Start with the little.
I think of one of my Above Rubies helpers, Kerry Friedman. In fact, three of the Friedman sisters have been Above Rubies helpers. Kerry loves to paint. So, often in the evenings, she would go to her room and paint beautiful pictures. In the morning, she would come out, give one to me, all ready for me to put on my wall! And now, actually this Above Rubies magazine that will be coming out soon, No. 103, I have used a painting of Kerry’s on the front cover. But she didn’t wait to get on the front cover. She just gave them to me to bless me.
I think of Acts 9:36-42. It tells the story of Dorcas. You remember her? She was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. The word “almsdeeds” mean “compassion, especially for the poor.” Dorcas made coats and she made dresses. She didn’t do it all for money.
No, when we read The Passion Translation, it says: “There were many widows.” Now, you remember Dorcas died. All the people came. They were so sad. “There were many widows standing next to Peter weeping. One after another, they showed him the tunics, and the other garments that Dorcas had made to bless others.”
You notice those words? She made them to bless others. Maybe you have a beautiful sewing gift. Maybe you’ll use it to help financially in the home, but once again, make sure you also use that gift to bless others as well. That word, yes, I told you the word “almsDEEDS” means “compassion, especially to the poor.” That’s why it’s called “almsDEEDS.” Did you notice the word “deeds” in it? That means “action,” doesn’t it?
Anyway, ladies, we offer up our talents to the Lord. Whatever talents you’ve got, offer it up to the Lord to bless others. Maybe you’re a great singer. Wow! And you haven’t even yet been asked to sing on the worship team. Well, don’t worry. Sing to your family. You know someone who is sick. Visit them. Take something. Sit by her bedside and sing to her. Sing a beautiful worship song. Sing a hymn to her. Whatever gift you have, offer it up to bless others.
How’s our time going? Oh yes. Maybe we’d better not start another one. We’ll start next week with some others of the koinonia lifestyle.
“Dear Father, we come to You at the end of this session. We want to thank You again for Your precious Word. It reminds us of how You want us to live, the lifestyle You want us to live, the koinonia lifestyle. This is the lifestyle of the New Testament.
“Lord God, we need to learn how to live it, because it’s also the lifestyle that causes us to live a blissful lifestyle, because Your ways are the best ways. They fill us with joy and peace and rest. We thank You.
“And Lord, I pray Your blessing again today on all the families listening. Pour out Your blessing all over them. Fill their homes with joy and with Your beautiful Presence. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.”
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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Transcribed by Darlene Norris
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DON’T FORGET TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT THESE PODCASTS AND TRANSCRIPTS.
“LIFE TO THE FULL w/ Nancy Campbell, Above Rubies”
DON’T KEEP THE BLESSINGS TO YOURSELF.
IT IS ENCOURAGING FOR ALL WIVES AND MOTHERS.
MY HEART IS FULL
I trust you love the new song introducing this podcast. Well, it’s not a new song. Serene and Pearl wrote it many years ago but the words are still so anointed for every mother in her home.
You can download the full song from www.aboverubies,or from the Book and music store. Go to: Above Rubies Bookstore
The following is the link for the single:
MY HEART IS FULL - Music Single from Peace All Over Me - Downloadable MP3 Format Album
Here are the words for you:
MY HEART IS FULL
Little arms reaching for me,
Grubby fingers touch my face
And love is what I feel.
Little eyes looking at me,
Chubby cheeks burst with smiles
And joy is what I know,
Peeking in while they sleep at night,
I thank God for the gift of life,
I thank God for more that I deserve.
CHORUS.
My heart is full, my heart is full,
Why would I want for more?
When my cup overflows?
My heart is full, my heart is full,
This much I know.
Strong arms reaching for me
Circle my waist for the millionth time
And love is what I feel
Sometimes I watch him sleep at night,
I thank God that I am his wife,
And joy is what I know.
CHORUS.
Sometimes when discontent creeps into my soul
A still small voice reminds me of the ones my arms can hold.