positivi-TEA: A FRIDAY FOCUS

Positivity---I'm not talking conjuring up thoughts as you unfold your body from a yoga bend or depend on your own might. I'm talking about a lifestyle as a Jesus follower which allows others to be encouraged as they see Christ in you.

Is it a mindset? I think of it as a discipline. A choice made easier for me to make as I'm in the presence of those who already practice positivity and allow it to spill over to me. 

Or chat and pray with me over a cuppa.....of positivi-TEA.

Pic from my cuppa file

Ten years and one week ago today, August 25, 2013, a cuppa positive-TEA happened in my life in a special way.

Friend and prayer warrior, Sarah Young served me tea. But.....she served me much more than that. 

We lingered. 

She listened. Sarah is good at that. 

She comforted. She encouraged.

She exuded positivity, tailored for me. 

She was radiant. She shared how to take refuge in Him, never omitting pains and struggles but sharing coping strategies in a way that blessed me beyond measure. 

Sarah has prayed daily for years for those who read her books. Many us have been blessed by her writings as she, being still before the LORD and seeking the truth from his Word, has shared with us. 

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:4–5, 8)

This is a a positive, encouraging verse of peace, joy and hope for Sarah.

Won't you join me in praying it for herald her and her family? 

Positivi-TEA---a great cuppa shared.

**I received this message from Sarah's family.

Thank you for prayers. Sarah graduated to heaven yesterday at 5:31 and in the presence of Jesus. 

I sought the LORD

CHOOSE: FRETLESS

To be "Fretless in Memphis," one has to fret less and trust more. 
Cut out the worrying. That means fret NOT, Dots! (That's scriptural---just read Psalms 37: 1, 7, 8! Okay so it doesn't say Dots---feel free to insert your own name.

Choose faith not fretting.
Easier said than done, sometimes. Maybe if I were "more" fretless it would render me less sleeplessness. What a praise that would be!
But God....through Cole Huffman's  Philippians 4:4-7 sermon (3/19/17), reminded me of 2 things I know. Two things that give me peace.

1. I know I am not in control. (God is)
2. I know that I am cared for.  (By God)

Knowing those 2 truths reminds me that in the midst of fears (basis for much of my fretting) the Lord is at hand! (v. 5, ESV) Therefore, I not only can lean into His control but I can also lean into His care.

Fretless hot tea drinkers see their cuppa as 1/2 full, NOT 1/2 empty. A cuppa positive-TEA!

at-TEA-boy! At-TEA girl!

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29, NLT)

As all teachers know, it takes at least 10 "attaboys" or "attagirls" to temper one "now-now" negative. 

Kids need encouragement.....but then, so do adults. Heart to Heart Bible study teacher, Crickett reiterated that last night as she shared a great model for a "Ministry of Encouragement" from 2 Timothy 1:1-7.

5 Ways to Encourage Others

(as Paul encouraged Timothy)

1. Love them- (v. 2 & 4) & show that love.
2. Pray for them- (v. 3) & keep on praying.
3. Affirm them- (v. 5) in their faith walk.
4. Exhort them- (v. 6) to be all that God has called them to be.
5. Remind them- (v. 7) of all the Lord's resources that are available to them.

What a great reminder that spiritual at-TEA-boys are good for spiritual health as well as emotional health. 

Each at-TEA-girl fills someone's cuppa with much needed positivi-TEA. Thanks to Crickett for filling our cuppa week after week!

"Positivi-TEA"

I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things. (Isaiah 45:7, NLT)

Positivi-TEA. Sounds like a made up word to me. But....I knew that I had spent enough time on the negativi-TEA of darkness so a check with Merriam Webster showed that positivity is indeed a word.

Actually, it was an email last night from my son-in-law which reminded me of Corey's surety that God uses darkness. He began with his memories of night-watch comfort words from his dad and then went "fast forward" to the memory of hearing a radio pastor speaking on WCRV/Bott Radio about darkness being a result of the absence of light. Then Corey concluded with some physical "uses" of the dark.

"I am sure The Lord has alot of reasons for darkness,...rest, cooling the earth and vegetation or to see His heavenly handy work." Corey even ended his email with Isaiah 60:20, and this comment, "a great verse that speaks about the two great lights, greater and lesser and how they won't be needed anymore because He is sufficient."

Those "dark affirming" reminders had me thinking of the importance of embracing darkness as from God's hand and to look for it in a more positive light. Certainly the darkness of the night sky provides the perfect backdrop to showcase the splendor of His "starry" creation.

Then, a scripture search offered a little more light on darkness....and I loved it!

And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:21)

עֲרָפֶל, the Hebrew word for that thick darkness is araphel: cloud, heavy cloud. But it was there in that dark cloud that the Presence of God dwelt. God in the darkness!

Darkness is as sure a sign of God's Presence as is the brilliance of His glory.

My cuppa positivi-TEA was all the sweeter when combined with "collects" (prayers) from my Common Book of Prayer and night prayer, compline 133, " Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne and illumine this night with your celestial brightness,"

My cuppa didn't allow much light but I appreciated the rich darkness of both the tea and its translucent container. A step toward positivi-TEA.