In full transparency, I totally spaced posting the blog this week. So, as I used to tell my high school English teacher, “better late than never!”
There’s something about warmth that draws people in. A campfire on a cool night. A kitchen filled with laughter and the smell of bread baking. A church where you know you belong.
That’s what the early church looked like. The picture painted in Acts 2:42-47 should inspire us to find ways to “be” the church today! Before they had buildings or budgets, they had warmth. They devoted themselves to teaching, prayer, and shared meals — and they did it “with glad and generous hearts.” Their community wasn’t flashy or polished, but it was real. It was love made visible.
That same kind of warmth is still what our world longs for. In a time when so many feel unseen, unheard, or unimportant, warmth is more than friendliness — it’s a spiritual practice. It’s a way of saying, “You belong here. You matter.”
This week, what if we all took one small step toward creating warmth?
- In our homes: Turn off the screens for a while and share a meal together. Ask about each other’s day — and really listen.
- In our church: Learn someone’s name you don’t know. Sit somewhere new. Invite someone to coffee or lunch after worship.
- In our community: Offer a word of encouragement to a neighbor or coworker. Send a note of gratitude. Pray for someone who’s struggling.
Each of these small acts adds another log to the fire — the fire that’s been burning since the days of the early church, passed down through the saints who welcomed and loved us first.
When we practice warmth, we reflect the very heart of Christ — the one who welcomed us without condition, who made space for everyone at his table, who turned strangers into family.
So let’s keep the fire burning — not with flash or perfection, but with presence, prayer, and love. Because when the church is warm, the Gospel feels near.
