Hello Friends....
For those that have spent any time with me, you know the "Table" holds a special place in my heart. Not just because it's where we've entertained many or have cleaned many play dough messes. To me, the table represents a place of great rest, intimacy, forgiveness, restoration and friendship; To those that live in my home daily and to those we extend invitation. Over the last few years, I've learned and experienced personally the power of "The Table" and had to share these few blogs and insights. There is something so powerful that happens in our hearts when we gather around a table for a simple cup of coffee or the grandest diplay of a buffet. A few weeks ago Pastor Troy at Freedom House Church taught on "The Table" over several weeks. What a display of God's covenant over us! (Check out
http://www.freedomhousechurch.org/ to hear the podcast! It was awesome!)
Several years back, I first heard a life changing teaching on "The Table" principle and how as women we can extend the environment of grace to others in our home. No matter the decor, size, demographic type... your home and your table can invite restoration, love and grace in people - all around your table. There is a lot rooted in the blogs below and I know I'm not including all that's in my heart on this right now. There's so much God desires to do in the lives of women and the influence we bring to "The Table" to influence others.
This has ingnited my heart once again to extend invitation to others around my table as I enjoy the grandeur and grace of My Fathers. Be on the look out...you are invited to join me at "The Table"!
Love you all! Come sit with me at my table and enjoy a cup of tea!
Nickie
Compiled By: Michelle Hoefflin Additional Thoughts: Nickie Haas
Recently, a pastor and friend blogged about a piece of furniture which in turn got me thinking once again about the importance of this piece of furniture that graces each of our homes......”The Table”. Whether yours is a grand dining room piece, a kitchen or morning room breakfast table, or for the newlyweds or college student a coffee table (until you can afford the one you want) the significance of “The Table” does not change.
Over the years I have come to realize, understand and receive multiple revelations about “The Table”. The Table has come to mean many things to me:
• As a decorator, I learned God was the first furniture designer. He was the one who gave the instructions for the design and construction of the Table (Exodus 25:23-30). He gave the Table significance and a place of honor in His house and presence. (Added by Nickie - This table also represented where the show bread was placed, which represented the presence of The Holy Spirit. No wonder there's such an intimacy with us from our God when we are seated at His table! No wonder there can be restoration offered in relationships, and lives changed when others sit around our tables. His presence is there! Just as all of us have different decor likes and dislikes, preferences that attract our personality, things that draw us to be "at ease", comfortable and at peace, God knows this too and He draws us in with His Table, things that catch our hearts, our spirit man!)
“You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around. You shall make for it a frame of a handbreadth all around, and you shall make a gold molding for the frame all around. And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that are at its four legs. The rings shall be close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear the table. And you shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried with them. You shall make its dishes, its pans, its pitchers, and its bowls for pouring. You shall make them of pure gold. And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.” Exodus 25:23-30
• As a daughter of God, I have come to realize that he continually invites me to His Table, “As often as you do this....”, (Luke 22:14-20, l Corinthians 11:23-26) for communion with Him. This Table has been prepared and provided for through the greatest of sacrifice and there is a place setting at this Table with a place card that has my name on it. (You always have a reservation ready!)
“When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:14-20
“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” I Corinthians 11:23-26
• As God’s Friend, I am invited daily to fellowship with Him. He knocks on the door of my heart (Revelation 3:20) making my heart a Table of fellowship with the Best Friend I could ever have or ask for.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20
• As a Wife, Mother, and Friend the table(s) that grace my home can be used as a place of communion, restoration, and fellowship with the ones that are dearest to me. (Nickie - This is one of my favorite things to do in our family! We love having everyone over, but also enjoy those quiet moments one on one with others. There's intimacy and discussion that takes place here that in no way can occur in a restaurant! It just doesn't work the same!)
• As a Minister, the Table represents a place of restoration. Mephibosheth’s (2 Samuel 9:1-13) life was redeemed and restored to a place of honor and covenant. (Nickie - Mephibosheth, David, Saul & Jonathan's story fill's me with a reminder of God's covenant over me! I am thankful for the covenant love from my God! He restores when I lack! He redeem's when I'm weak!)
Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “At your service!” Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.” Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” Then he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?” And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.” “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micha. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.” 2 Samuel 9:1-13
The Word, God Himself, sets the example of what the Table can be if used properly and with purpose. For this reason it is so important that we come to the Table....”As often as you do this Remember Me”. In remembrance of Him is where we will find restoration for the Mephibosheth’s in our lives, communion (which brings a host of blessing), and fellowship with God our Father and those that He brings into our lives.
The Table is a place of transformation.....Lives are changed at His Table and Yours! I ask you, have you come to His Table lately? Have you invited family or friends or new acquaintances to the Your Table lately?
Come to the Table.
Blog link
http://pennymaxwell.wordpress.com/2009/12/23/carried-to-the-table
) but by stopping her when I catch it, and simply demonstrating a more controlled response helps her to train herself to display self-control. And, beauty of motherhood, if I’m aware of my job to teach these traits to them, I must, myself, be given to exercising self-control and gentleness.
