Hospitality seems like one of those things that most people either eagerly embrace or fearfully avoid.

If you already love and practice hospitality, this book may provide inspiration, encouragement, and perhaps some fresh ideas in how to continue welcoming others into your home.

If you avoid, fear, or even dread hospitality, this book may help you take baby steps toward embracing an open home with more joy.

"This lovely little book is one gigantic resource on the whys and hows of Christian hospitality." ~Ann Tatlock, novelist, editor and children's book author

In Embracing Hospitality, Brenda Shipman gives an engaging presentation of Christian hospitality and provides helpful insight into these common questions:

     ~How can we create an ambiance that reflects the character of God?

     ~Why do we often shy away from hospitality?

     ~How do we become better conversationalists, listening and speaking with grace?

     ~What are the blessings and benefits of serving as a host?

     ~How can we more eagerly embrace the work involved with hospitality?

Being an introvert herself, the author also addresses the realistic struggle of reaching out to others when one is not naturally outgoing, and how shy people can be effective hosts.

Through examples found in the Bible and an array of whimsical literary characters, this book offers practical principles and lessons on hospitality. Brenda also shares engaging stories from decades of hands-on experience, along with pointers for meal and home preparation.

After presenting the why of hospitality—God's amazing hospitality extended to us through Christ—this book then gently helps the reader move from avoidance of hospitality to a greater joy in making the home a place of sacrificial, generous welcome.

If you are a hesitant host, this book just might be the nudge you're looking for to open the front door.

Brenda Shipman is a native of Lubbock, Texas, and grew up in Yuma, Arizona. She graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1979 with a dual degree in elementary and special education and married Greg Shipman in 1980. Brenda taught the third and fourth grades for several years before having two children, whom she homeschooled from preschool through high school. She has enjoyed teaching women's Bible studies throughout the years, as well as sharing devotions for bridal showers, baby showers, and women's ministry events. She was a mentor mom with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) for five years and delighted in getting to know and support the young moms in her group, as well as occasionally speaking on the topics of parenting, homemaking, hospitality, literature in the home, and heartache.

Brenda has had two articles, "The Heart of Hospitality" and "How to Host a Literary Tea Party" published in P31 Woman magazine.

Brenda and her husband, a retired dentist, live in the high desert of southeast Arizona with their two canine companions, Sophie and Gracie, and hope to soon move closer to the grandkids in the beautiful Arkansas/Missouri Ozarks. Brenda considers herself a classic introvert and recovering hesitant host.