Locali-TEA : neighborhood

Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
(Proverbs 27:10b)

How much fun we had last night as new neighbors, a soccer coach from Brazil and his precious family, came trick or treating at our front door. With his 2 daughters, we now have 5 little girls on our street and 1 little boy "on the way." They, too saw the big "Pumpkin Speak" announcement and were thrilled to be a part of our "hood."

Young families are a breath of fresh air, and life, for us----the resident grandparents!
May we share "life" with them as well!

A NEIGHBORHOOD ANNOUNCEMENT......

AS ONLY THE YOUNG AND CREATIVE COULD DO!!!

A cuppa locali-TEA is usually best served in one's own neighborhood and often served right at the threshold of one's doorway.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : Locali-TEA----Aus-TEA-ralian Outback

One of 150 recopies of this historical fiction---not even a copyright. The book was the result of Amereon LTD in order to keep availble unusual copies.
Written by Norwegian author, Nevil Shute, the book is based on the Japanese invasion of Sumatra and the journey of 80 women and children in a forced 2 1/2 year journey around the island. This vast journey ended with only 30 of them alive. The Author's Notes are a MUST!
The chapter designations start in the middle of a page. Not dust jacket. A gentle find.

Time frame--World War II. 

Setting--Malaysia, England, Australia, with a brief visit to Scotland in the beginning.

To find "A Town Like Alice," and fully understand the title----read to page 162....and there are only 277 pages in the book. An intriguing book which I happen to like.

His Sovereign-TEA = my locali-TEA

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, (Acts 17:24-26, ESV)

Last Sunday's sermon (8/31/14) at Allen Bible Church, "Addressing Atpopia," gave me lots of food for thought. Atopia, a placelessness, somewhere between utopia (idyllic) and distopia (danger). It was another in the series of "Our Locality, His Sovereignty"---and a good one it was! God determines our times and our location. Wherever we are at this season of life, we're right where He wants us to be.
Location! Location! Location! He's put us in the dwelling place of His choice.
The crux of the message to me:

• There is a spiritual art to neighboring.
• Can ask, Why here, Lord?" but better to ask, "For whom?"
• When everyone is our neighbor to love, no one is your neighbor. (Too broad---ask God for focus.)
• Love locally. 
• Start by knowing your neighbors names so your neighborhood isn't a "strangerhood."

My notes spilled over from the pages offered. So much seemed so important. Then I lost my "important" notes. So typical---but God confirmed my remembrances as later hubby found those notes under his car seat.

My notes were numerous and yet the New Century version summed up my focus, "God decided exactly when and where they (Dotsy included) must live."
His sovereign-TEA sweetens my cuppa locali-TEA, as I seek to feel compassion for my neighbors and continue to move toward them as I get to know them and share God's grace---beyond the fences.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : locali-TEA

A pleasant experience with an author, especially in a series, can have me looking for more of his/her titles. Recalling a place I have visited before, can also be a draw when its the setting of a book. Author Lisa Wingate, author of the Tending Roses series, which I liked,  and the Outer Banks setting were a draw to her book,  The Prayer Box.  (2013)

The  plot was somewhat predictable, but Wingate has a way with words and her books are always "clean." I admit to skimming and scanning at times and though I thought it was predictable, the last chapter offered a surprise. Maybe, during some of my scanning, I missed the foreshadowing...but I did appreciate the unexpected ending.

My "Book Stock"---most from the public or church library.
The Prayer Box can now be returned by this avid "public" patron. 

Another extra benefit was the Author End Notes in which Wingate explained the importance of a "prayer box" in a world of fractured thoughts, hurried moments and scattershot prayers--akin to my friend Margie's arrow prayers.  Such a box become a repository for those written down thoughts, both jumbled and clarified. Thoughts of gratitude, petitions, troubles, fears and hopes. 

A great reminder to me of such a purpose for "the box."

• Write them (your prayers) down.
• Put them (your prayers) in the box.
• LET. THEM. GO.

That reminder was worth the read. "Let. Them. Go."  Whatever your locale, Outer Banks or home.

"locali-TEA"

Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary. (1 Chronicles 16:27, Amplified)

Entering the psalms this year in a "fresh" way has added vitali-TEA to my times of prayer and scripture meditation.  Med-TEA-tation might be a bit of a stretch for a "tea" word, but it's what my "Tea with Thee" time has become. It's all about thinking through & pondering old favorite psalms in a new way with both a cuppa and my Bible close at hand. More of a heart connection. Tho, the prayer chair is still the location I'm drawn to for quiet times.  My locali-TEA of choice. My sanctuary, of sorts. I realize the true location is "in His Presence" (Psalm 16:11) and reading & praying thru the Psalms seems to propel me there more quickly. Scriptural focus helps me to be fully present.

The psalms have proven to be my sanctuary of prayer---a place where my heart is nourished. Where I can bring the realities of my life in to His throne room and cry out for help as the psalmist did. Fears. Doubts. Grief. Physical struggles.....knowing that He hears. (Psalm 34:17 & Psalm 116:1)

It's still a quiet time and yet in ways it's become a BIG adventure because God is there waiting to meet me right where I am---and I'm not always in a "pretty" place. But God....stirs my soul.

His word begins teaching me, once again, not to repress the emotions that are plaguing me. His word offers hope as well as comfort. Just read the psalms to see how often those words are used.
I just finished meeting God at my prayer chair with an open heart & a cuppa Harney and Sons Organic English Breakfast----a rich black tea brewed in a cup that evokes great memories of a favorite British locali-TEA---The Shop on the Corner in Royston, England.

Time with Him seems to carve out space in my soul, not only for more of Him but for prayer for others in my life as well.

His Presence---a locali-TEA we can always take with us.