Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others

Practical and thought-provoking:
I appreciated the emphasis on orderliness rather than perfectionism in the home, the importance of establishing family traditions, and the many practical tips to prepare ahead for unexpected guests. I also valued the information about the cultural differences to consider when sharing my home with internationals. Suitable for individual reading or group study, this meaty book presents the why of hospitality as well as practical how-to suggestions. The authors encourage you to pray, plan, organize, and serve. No matter what your age or stage of life or how much you've already practiced hospitality, you're certain to glean new insights from this useful tool.

Hospitality Is a Little Bit of Heaven!:
While it is said, "You can't tell a book by its cover," the unique cover of Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others certainly hints at its contents. When I first saw this wonderful book, I did a double-take. Pictured on the cover is a house, with a door opening to the inside. Surprisingly, rather than glimpsing walls or furniture, I saw a cornflower-blue sky punctuated with white cotton-puff clouds. Authors Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock understand that biblical hospitality is not the art of entertaining in elaborately decorated houses, but rather, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the art of offering our guests generous portions of "heaven on earth in our homes." Now that should cause a double-take in your attitude, and free you from the burden of worrying over expense and perfection. When we offer hospitality in the Lord, He frees us to serve others not just with an open door, but an open heart. Practicing Hospitality helps show you how, because it is firmly founded on Scriptural principles sure to guide you in bestowing God's hospitality to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. What I loved about Ennis's and Tatlock's concepts is that they serve hospitality whole on a platter of Scriptural principles and simple practices. I learned so much, and I'd be hard-pressed to know what they might have left out. Their comprehensive compendium covers numerous aspects of hospitality,from how it relates to character, culture, ministry, managing one's home, and welcoming family, friends, and strangers in Christ's name. Moreover, Ennis and Tatlock are hospitable themselves in how they write from both a warm and wise perspective. As an extra bonus, they even offer scrumptious recipes to try out on your guests. What's not to like? Buy this book for you, your friends, and those strangers who will become friends as you open your heart and home to them, in the name of Christ. --Lynn D. Morrissey, CLASS/AWSA speaker and author of Love Letters to God: Deeper Intimacy through Written Prayer

A Hospitality Handbook:
These gals have done it! They have written an encouraging, easy-to-read book on hospitality that is both spiritual and practical. With plenty of biblical examples for the spirit and delicious recipes for the tummy, you'll be armed with everything you need to offer hospitality to whomever God brings your way!!

Practicing Hospitality: The joy of serving others:
This is a well done work, balancing Biblical principles and practicle ideas. It is a good reminder and text for those who desire to follow a Biblical approach to demonstrating hospitality as God designed.

Incredible book!:
This book has me thinking about entertaining and hospitality from a totally new perspective, which is exactly what I hoped for when I purchased it. I have a very small home, am usually busy with my 1.5-year-old (who has special needs), and often experience great anxiety when people just "stop by." I really wanted to ease that anxiety and follow God's numerous commands to practice hospitality. I now realize that I don't need a large home with a guest room, loads of fancy food, or every beverage under the sun ready and waiting. The scriptural references throughout the book helped make my heart open to the suggestions of the authors, and I am now feeling much more confident about not only making my home available to those who stop by of their own accord, but actually reaching out on my own and inviting people over. I will be recommending this book to lots of friends and family!