Elbows on the Table

Judy Russell

Description

Are you petrified with the thought of hosting people in your home? Instead, do you call to make reservations at a favorite restaurant? Since hospitality is rare today, Judy Russell wrote Elbows on the Table to encourage and help those fearful of being hospitable.

Are you afraid to have people in your home for dinner? Overnight? The Bible tells us to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.



In the early years of marriage and ministry, hospitality wasn’t Judy’s strongest gift. But over the years, she practiced and became good at hospitality and entertaining. There have been some funny and edifying times around the Russell table. As well as times that were somewhat nerve racking.



This book is full of stories about hospitality and entertaining. Everyone is real. Included are lots of little tips, tricks and recipes to make entertaining more pleasurable and hopefully to erase the fear one may have about extending hospitality.

Sujets

• Cuisine
• Cuisine par repas
• Religion
• Christianisme
• Holidays
• E.S.P.
• Overnight
• Hospitality
• Recipe
• Entertainment
• Cooking
• Table

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 02 septembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781664274617
• Langue: English

Extrait

Endorsements
“Judy Russell writes from a deep and intimate relationship with God, who invites us all to His table of grace. Having lingered long, and with much laughter, at Judy’s long table with her family, I found the same joy, the same hospitality, the same welcoming Jesus on these pages. Judy’s heartwarming stories and her winsome wisdom is a feast for the soul!”
—Ann Voskamp, author the New York Times Bestsellers, The Broken Way and One Thousand Gifts
“It has been my joy to know Judy and Bob Russell for over a couple of decades. It has been my greater joy to sit at their table. I am a beneficiary of Judy’s kind hospitality. We are grateful that she has gone to the time and effort to compile these invaluable stories and memories. They will be treasured for generations to come.”
—Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author
“The root of hospitality is hospital , and that is exactly what being a guest in Judy Russell’s home is—a healing experience for mind, body, and spirit. As a physician, friend, and appreciative guest, I can attest that fellowship around the Russell’s table offers medicine our world desperately needs.”
—Matthew Sleeth, MD, executive director of Blessed Earth and author of Hope Always: How to Be a Force for Life in a Culture of Suicide
“Having experienced Judy Russell’s grace-filled hospitality countless times, I can’t think of anyone more qualified to write this book. Elbows on the Table reveals that the core of all hospitality lies not in striving for perfection—but in expressing God’s love to all who sit around our tables. Or as Judy puts it, people over perfect . This book is well-written, funny, touching, and full of practical wisdom. Buy it by the case and distribute it widely!”
—Rebecca Manley Pippert, author of Stay Salt and Out of the Salt Shaker
“Romans 12:13 entreats us to “practice hospitality.” With her trademark humility, honesty, and humor, Judy shares decades of practical wisdom on how to be a thoughtful and loving host. Elbows on the Table is a must-read for anyone seeking to transform their home into a place of shalom.”
—Nancy Sleeth, managing director of Blessed Earth and author of Almost Amish: One Woman’s Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life
“Judy’s book is a must read for anyone intimidated by the idea of hospitality. It is charming and inspirational. Wisdom, humor and charm fill this book and will have you throwing open your doors to practice the art of hospitality. I highly recommend it.”
—Angela Correll, Co-Founder, Wilderness Road Hospitality, Author of the May Hollow Trilogy
“I’m blessed to call Judy a dear friend and mentor. Her unshakable dedication to her husband Bob during the many decades of his ministry became her own as well, not only regarding Southeast Christian Church, but also with her Sweet Spirit Singers, women’s ministry, and The Living Word Bookstore—all the while being a mother, grandmother, and devoted friend.
“A fellow Butter Babe—we Babes call Judy “Butter Superior” as we all know she’s the Queen of Hospitality—so who better to write a book on it? Judy’s taught me and many others how to hunt and gather. This is one of dozens of ideas on hospitality you’ll gain from reading this book, plus, don’t miss the recipes! Tears of laughter and joy just may splash onto your book.
“Getting a peek into the Russell’s lives around their dinner table is an added bonus. Elbows on the Table will be an invaluable resource you’ll return to time and time again. The extra elements on faith and prayer woven throughout Judy’s life are heartwarming, inspirational, and an encouragement to us all to pray about everything .”
—Elizabeth Hoagland, author of Let’s Be Friends—What My Sister-Friends Taught Me About Faith, Food, and Fun
ELBOWS on the TABLE
 
 
Simple Ways to Make Gathering Fun
 
 
 
Judy Russell
 
 

 
Copyright © 2022 Judy Russell.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Managing Editor: Patt Alderdice Senseman
Cover Design: Karis Pratt
Photographer: Nick Bonura
Illustrations: Martha Brammer
 
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®
 
Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
 
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.
 
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture marked (KJV) taken from the King James Version of the Bible
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7462-4 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-7461-7 (e)
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 10/04/2022
Dedication
Thank you to my sweet husband, Bob, who has patiently read these pages many times and encouraged me not to quit.
To my son Rusty and his family: thank you for waiting with patience, teasing and encouraging me to continue, and loving me.
And to my son Phil and his family, who have lived a lifetime in the shadow of parents and grandparents and yet encouraged and always loved me.
Thank you, each one. I love you all dearly.
In Honor of Debbie DePorter
This book is in honor of my friend, Debbie DePorter, who was a gal that said yes to entertaining and hosting guests often. Her husband Eugene, is our churches’ pastor for new church plants throughout America. Debbie and Eugene hosted ministers and missionaries that came to visit our church for years.
They hosted small groups, class parties, and Bible studies. People loved being in their home, and Debbie loved people.
Sadly, Debbie battled cancer. Yet she still worked and served, loving on folks and opening her door often.
Debbie is home with Jesus today. I’m sure she is helping to greet and host people coming through the gates of Heaven. I look forward to sharing with her again. I miss you, Debbie.
 

A Tribute to Preachers Wives
I never wanted to marry a preacher. Growing up across the street from our small church and watching how some church members treated the preacher, I didn’t want that for my life. But I fell in love with a man called to preach. When he asked me to marry him, I said yes.
Here I am, 57 years later, writing about hospitality. And guests are coming for dinner in three hours. Once again, I said yes.
To be honest, we’ve had a wonderful life. In my wildest dreams, I never would imagine all the places we’ve traveled and the people we’ve met. Hundreds of preachers, missionaries, college kids, authors, politicians, sports figures and special people that walked through our front door. The hundreds of people who graced us by putting their elbows on our table. I’m glad I said yes to being a preacher’s wife.
But it’s not always been easy. There have been countless hours of serving with my husband, caring for our children and volunteering at the church. Most people don’t have a clue what preacher’s wives and their families do. You seldom hear a thank you be spoken. It’s easy to get frustrated when you are expected to do everything.
We know we’re supposed to be supportive and respectful of our husband but sometimes it’s difficult.
Pastor’s wives, you are special women. There are times you said yes to a specific task, because years ago you said yes to the man beside you. God chose you and equipped you to serve along with your husband.
Thank you for continuing to serve, even though it can be difficult enduring the tough times of ministry. Thank you for saying yes to loving your husband and thank you for respecting him, regardless of the circumstances.
Dear One, thank you for saying yes to God and following through with His plan.
I will meet you in the morning, my friend, Just Inside the Eastern Gate.*
 
*Albert E. Brumley https://hymnary.org/text/i_will_meet_you_in_the_morning_just_insi#authority_media_audio
Contents
Dedication
In Honor of Debbie DePorter
A Tribute to Preachers Wives
Introduction
 
Chapter 1       People Over Perfect
Chapter 2       1000 and Counting
Chapter 3       Simplest Hospitality: It’s Not Always About Food