Excellent! Surprised me in that the part about opening our homes didn't come in until more than halfway through the book. Deals far more with our hearts than with the practical aspects of having people in, but isn't that appropriate? Because hospitality should be heart motivated, and unless we start there, having people in will just be going through the motions. I highly recommend to all members of the body of Christ old enough to read and understand the concepts presented here. ( )

The book I have selected for this month's book
review has been around for quite a while. And it
deserves to have a long life. Engagingly written,
it covers a topic not often seen in Christian
books, that of the gift and practice of
hospitality. It is not a book about entertaining.
It is not even a book about having people in your
home for a meal, although that is part of the
author's discussion. The author takes a much
broader look at hospitality. She is really
talking about a lifestyle of hospitality, or put
another way, a lifestyle of welcoming. She talks
about developing an openness in our homes and
hearts that welcomes people in. Even more, she
talks about an openness of heart that enables us
to be available to those in need of a homey
atmosphere, a meal, an ear, a place of respite.
Hospitality is not just about having company, it
is about developing community; it is a starting
place for ministering to others. Within the
church, it is a way to build authentic community
and body life. In other arenas, it can be an open
door to a seeking heart. It can be a place where
a wounded heart finds comfort. While not everyone
has the gift of hospitality, everyone can learn
and grow in being a welcoming person. And
everyone can find a small way to practice
hospitality. I highly recommend this book.
(Carolyn Vance)

Can a simple dinner party for the neighbors change the world? Karen Mains says, "Yes!" And in Open Heart, Open Home she shows how. In this classic on Christian hospitality, Karen Mains steps far beyond how-to-entertain hints to explore a biblical and spiritual approach to using your home to care for others. This approach to hospitality can literally transform the fabric of your community and your world. She offers fresh and inspiring ideas for using your own resources to serve rather than to impress with new "opening the door" activities in each chapter. You will discover how the Holy Spirit can work in and through you to make others feel welcome and wanted.

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