Ep 262 Inviting the Stranger, All For Heaven’s Sake with Sue Donaldson

2025-11-10

One way to please God and show his heart for all people is to invite. To ask a simple question: “Would you like to come for coffee?” can negate a lifetime of rejections. To think, "they aren't like me" can make us hesitate to invite. The biblical definition of hospitality means to invite the stranger and some may be a little strange! At least different from how we live, that's for sure. Jesus told us what love is when he told the story of the good Samaritan. I love that story and I'm always a little convicted! How about you? Is ...

One way to please God and show his heart for all people is to invite. To ask a simple question: “Would you like to come for coffee?” can negate a lifetime of rejections.

To think, "they aren't like me" can make us hesitate to invite. The biblical definition of hospitality means to invite the stranger and some may be a little strange! At least different from how we live, that's for sure. Jesus told us what love is when he told the story of the good Samaritan. I love that story and I'm always a little convicted!

How about you? Is it a risk to invite someone you don't know? God will give you the courage if he is leading the way.

Some thoughts from today's podcast

What kind of courage does it take to invite a stranger? It takes a Paul-courage, a Peter-courage, a Samson-courage, a Joshua-courage.
You might think hospitality means having your friends over. It does. But it’s so much bigger and grander.
Another way to explain what God means by hospitality is to give without a thought of receiving anything in return.
Someone said, “Share the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” I would add, “Share your life. Make soup and maybe brownies.”
To invite a stranger into your home and out of their life—for just a few hours—creates a sacred space and isn’t far from holy living.

We miss you, Doug!

From Never Alone: Stories of Invitation and Connection

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