ACRONYMS OF ADVICE

In times when one is overwhelmed---even trying to read a newspaper or text full of acronyms---of which one doesn't have a clue---KISS comes to mind.

K eep 

I t

S imple

S weetie

Just yesterday a friend sent a text explaining acronyms for "senior" (OLD) citizens. I needed a laugh so the timing was perfect.

Will continue this thought on more of a spiritual realm as I recall and reflect on two personal acronyms as I have focused meditating on words lately---SEEK & FOCUS!

I will share those two acronyms of advice soon. 

CHOOSE: SIMPLICITY

Preparing for this week's Bible Study teaching at Town Village, I have prayed for clarity of message from God's word and application of those truths to shine relationally in their own lives. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

Basically it all boils down to the "simplicity and purity of knowing Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) 

Loving God and sharing God's story in one's life with others. 

God's affirmation came yesterday as I was driving my grandson, O, to school---at the corner of Poplar and Shady Grove/Ridgeway, no less.

Simple truth----Simply put---Shared with others!

What a great reminder to me, as I sip my cuppa simplicity-TEA this morning, to continue to choose simplicity as I prepare to share my story. 

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : simplici-TEA of prayer

Readabili-TEA is a cuppa which Max Lucado's books always offer. He is the consummate storyteller. His latest, before amen, is no different!

Simplicity of prayer, for the author, comes in the form of "The Pocket Prayer."

Father,

      you are good.

           I need help. Heal me and forgive me.

                 They need help.           

                         Thank you.

                               In Jesus' name, amen.

                    
Each chapter expands on a segment of the prayer with great stories interwoven. There is also a study guide provided to aid folks in spanning the gap between "prayer in theory and prayer in practice." (p. 101)

Naturally, the "Thank You" chapter was my favorite with its "alphabetized blessings." N was for naps---that would certainly make my list!!

In Scripture, giving thanks is not a suggestion; it is a command. (p. 83) I especially appreciated Lucado's explanation of ingratitude as the original sin.

Adam and Eve had a million reasons to give thanks. They lived in a perfect world. Then Satan slithered into the garden and, just like that, Eden wasn’t enough. Oh the hissing we hear. “Don’t you want more?” (UpWords, 11/26/14*)

"Gratitude is a dialysis of sorts. It flushes the self-pity out of our systems." (p. 82)
For me, the "Thank You" chapter alone makes the book worth the read.

*Thanks to Linda Johnson, my ljj, for this on-line affirmation.

"Pouring Out ......

6/28/13 What is a life of simplicity? To the Christian, it boils down to "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) How does one "share" that life with others?
For over a month, I scripturally explored such a life in order to "pour out" into the lives of others. Pouring out those truths which the Lord had shown me.  Though the group represented only 

1½ generation span, my desire for each was similar to Paul's for all God's holy people "......you will shine among them like stars in the sky."(Philippians 2:15)

My prayer for the group is "that their life is "played out" before the world-----fully lived and Spirit-filled." Then, others might see folks who love the Lord more, and love others better while blessing Him and benefitting others through God inspired service.

Pouring out a full-bodied pure assam leaf tea from the Brahmaputra Valley of India to promote the  rich,  refreshing  enjoyment of a cuppa and the practice of hospitali-TEA! 

 Service is the "pouring out" (practical application) of one's life to profit others. It flows from the heart.

Simplici-TEASession #4 practicali-TEA w/ generosi-TEA & hospitali-TEA Notes
Fosters's Outward Expressions of Simplicity Notes

Hones-TEA

6/19/13 Rummaging through a friend's "fridge" I found a "tea" that I had never seen before. Though I was taken back by this discovery, I loved seeing one more affirmation from the Lord. He continues to teach me in such creative ways---even through word play on "tea."

Our summer refreshment group, dubbed "simplici-TEA," has been doing a lot of that.  Fellowship has occurred in an unusual way as we have been seeking clari-TEA from God's word on living a life of simplicity and devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthinas 11:3). It has become for me a "safe" group. A group which allows its members to be honest with each other. Uni-TEA has resulted in honesTEA!

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

For those "accepting" group members, the links below are for the 2 forms I neglected to pass out last night. Hopefully, 6/18 lecture notes will be added by Friday.

Simplici-TEA Bibliography
Sweet Tea ABC's---A few examples are given, but please add to this list as "tea" words come to mind.
Dregs ABCs---A few examples are given, but please add to this list as "dreg" words come to mind, even if not ending in "ity or TEA. 

Life of Simplicity: a "re-brew"

6/12/13 Trying to "brew" up a life of simplicity?  Life changes require infusions of new ingredients in much the same way a cup of tea needs to be infused with just the right blends.Often times a little serenity is needed for a lifestyle 0f satisfaction.  Last night's discussion on contentment led to that conclusion. But.....also as in a cup of tea, there are dregs/dissatisfactions that need to be discarded in order to diminish any bitterness.

In life, some of those are anxiety, comparison (which can lead to envy)   fear, (of an unknown future) and greed. All of these "poisons of discontent" can stymie ones life of simplicity and thwart spiritual growth, as well.

 

There are also those dregs from the past that hold us back & keep us prisoners to those "if only" thoughts........ ; diasppointments,  failures,  regret and unforgiveness. 

Rob Bugh, pastor at Wheaton Bible Church, says, "A lack of forgiveness keeps you walking through life backwards and you miss what is in front of you----the joy of the present,"

Trying to brew life afresh so that you con enjoy the moment............... discard those dregs!

Sweet TEAs of life

6/8/13 Tea words have been whirring in my head as I've tried to squeeze in a few simplici-TEA thoughts while on my "Great Escape" weekend. Some teas just aren't sweet. Anxiety being one of the first that comes to my mind. I certainly don't need to brew up any of that. If it does start brewing in my mind I become crotche-TEA---and the irritabili-TEA that flows forth is bitter and that's hard to swallow especially for those closest to me.

My morning quiet time, on the terrace of the Alluvian, with the hotel's Gideon Bible open to Psalm 16 had me meditating on verse 8---a great antidote for anxie-TEA.  Ringing of the nearby Episcopal church bells turned my thoughts away from negativi-TEAs to one of the sweet teas in my life.

Securi-TEA.

I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8)

That's real security......and that's sweet!!!

Simplicity TEST

6/4/13 "Simplici-TEA begins tonight. In order to allow the participants access to materials, I have "tested" adding an established a link for them from the blog. Hopefully, by clicking on the warning link below this will allow them to choose the item/items needed and then "save as" a Word document or PDF file on their own computer which they can then manipulate without changing my original. For those not in the group, items might not make much sense though they might be open at a later date to anyone interested.

WARNINGS

Remember this is just a test.......do you feel like you should hear beeps and hear the Emergency Broadcast System of the 60s
announcer saying....."This is only a test!"

SIMPLICITY: ART OR DISCIPLINE?

6/4/13 My "working" definition of simplicity is a freedom from worldly values which allow a person to fully embrace a life with the Lord at its center---loving Him, and loving others by blessing (praising) Him and benefitting others---which will overflow in true joy and balance in one's life. This "overflow" will be unique to every individual. This simplicity, when seen as a spiritual discipline, will manifests itself as one does the right thing, at the right time for the right reasons.

On the other hand, simplicity can freely express the diversity, imagination and creativity of each unique individual, created by God.

Art of Simpicity by Candy Paull, 2006

Art or discipline? Maybe simplicity is a little of both.

serendipi-TEA "Heads Up"

6/1/13 "Deer on the Hill!" the biker called out as he passed Ellen and me on our morning Wolf River Greenway walk. 

As we rounded the corner, we looked up.

"Majestic," was Ellen's comment as we saw the doe on the hill, soon joined by another.

I was grateful for the "heads up" given by the biker. Too often, as I walk (as in other areas of my life), I look down or straight ahead toward my self-imposed goal. I can only imagine the beauty (deer, roses or whatever) I have missed in those moments of my journey.

My study of simplici-TEA is so-o-o teaching me to savor those moments!
Sometimes I get a really big sip of sereni-TEA or serendipt-TEA when God gives me a "heads up."

In training.....

5/29/13 My morning walk started off briskly and then faded into meandering rather quickly as my mind wandered. Good thing I'm not in training for a 5K or any other kind of athletic endeavor. Yet, the meandering allowed me to reflect on the "training" that has been part of my schedule these last few weeks. As I've studied for my upcoming simplici-TEA sessions, I've seen the importance of "training" for life----the life I want!. An "in Him, I live and move and have my being " type of life. (Acts 17:28)

I like the way John Ortberg encourages "practice" in living. He suggests that one should train in order to be able to "celebrate and to seek out joy, live in the moment, reflect on God’s attributes. Such training according to him might require one to unplug from TV and technology, and to train one’s mind to think on things from a biblical perspective."

Spiritual transformation takes wise spiritual training. 

So....I'm in training. Join me???

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: s...l...o...w...i...n...g

5/26/13

In  Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted, John Ortberg states, "One of the greatest illusions of our day is that "hurrying" will buy us more time.” (Ortberg, p.84) He proclaims “slowing” as a sensible approach to our harried, often overwhelming life. To me, "slowing" sounds like a component of simplicity.

Slowing for someone with a type A, multi-tasker, goal- oriented nature requires "big sips of intentionali-TEA." Slowing doesn't just happen. 

A semi-traditional Memorial Day weekend trek for hubby and me is a l-o-n-g drive out Hwy. 14 for the annual Herb Festival. (#24, this year) Not sure when we first started going but nothing much seems to have changed out on narrow two-laned Brighton Compton Road.

Our invite came via  "snail mail," of course!

As Peter “tarried in Joppa with a tanner," we tarried in Brighton w/ goat cheese makers, potters, canners & gardeners. 

Refurbished sign is a nice touch!

Where else can my "city" grand feed or milk a goat---tho he opted out of milking, we saw what held said milk.

Paper receipts were written out with a snub nosed pencil & "cash" was placed in a semblance of a money box by Mrs. Anthony herself.

Slow walk to the car caps the end of this lady's day.

All involved in the festival do “slowing” well. It’s a great experience. 
Just don’t be in a hurry. 

Saturday Snippets #4

5/25/13 Things tend to come in 3s in order to get my attention. A morning email from my Saturday prayer warrior, Wynellen, was first affirmation that I was tracking with God in my lesson prep for simplici-TEA.

Couldn't help thinking that its really no accident you are so busy and your life is so interrupted because that is the real place to learn and practice simplicity  Yes, we need to get rid of things God has not called us to do,  but real people have interruptions.  The secret is a singleness (simplicity in a way) of mind and heart in the whirlwind. 

Secondly, the NYTimes  listed The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan as an advice-type bestseller. The pithy synopsis read, "Narrowing your concentration and becoming more productive." My spiritual take on that would be the same--simplicity requires a narrow focus in order to be productive in the simplicity of "kingdom living."

Then as I reread the familiar scripture of Martha and Mary in Luke chapter 10, one thought jumped off the page. One thing is needful! Maybe the analogy was to reinforce to Martha that one simple dish for the Lord would have sufficed instead of her trying to "serve" Him in an elaborate manner. (She must have lived in "the South" of Bethany, to have such a southern mentality.) But I think He was commending Mary as well for focusing on one thing as she sat at His feet.

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42, KJV)

Underlining brings that snippet into focus for me---with singleness of mind and heart, I narrow my concentration to focus on the one thing that is needful. Time at His feet. That's simple enough.

reali-TEA

5/23/13 Pursuing info for my simpici-TEA sessions, I have realized that there are some things that people need to let go of in seeking a simple life. Perfection would be at the top of the list. Such a list could be entitled "Unrealistic Expectations." If one is truly seeking a life of spiritual simplici-TEA, adjustments in expectations are one of the beginning steps in order to waylay frustration.

For me, finding a perfect cup of tea is  an unrealistic expectation.
Close, but NOT perfect, so fruitless searching continues.
Not even sure what perfect would look like.
Just too many variables!
Adjustment needed---let go of this "silly" pursuit.
I need to let go and just enjoy the "cuppa" at hand!
What are yours?

Reali-TEA of unrealistic expectations is pretty much the same for all of us and the result is frustration!

Frustration: the difference between expectation and reality. 

Adjust your unrealistic expectations! 

Neccessi-TEAs

5/20/13 Remember the "Bare Necessities" song from the 60s? 

The tune randomly came into my head as I drove home from Mary Flo's today where we had been discussing "simplici-TEA and humili-TEA." In my head Louis Armstrong was singing but I don't know if he was the one who sang it in "The Jungle Book." Regardless, those lyrics had me thinking about choosing today's verse for meditation  from ones that are "neccessities" in my pursuit of simplici-TEA study.

Look for the bare necessities The simple bare necessities Forget about your worries and your strife I mean the bare necessities Old Mother Nature's (Our Lord's own) recipes That brings the bare necessities of life

My "simply necessary" choice for today:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

The Lord's recipe for simplicity is located right between the cover of the Bible, His recipe book for life. It's simply a necessity.

NO Wi-Fi!

5/10/12 NO Wi-Fi----at least no wi-fi without paying at this classy golf resort. My frugal self would not let me pay for this "necessity" especially when the manager explained that wi-fi was available at no charge at all of their other lodgings just NOT their resorts! I could have stayed frustrated or even gotten angry, but God.....had a life lesson for me. I, who am trying to learn to apply simplicity to my life, just needed to put the computer aside and enjoy the time at hand. Live in the moment. Embrace contentment   regardless of the "inconvenience. (Philippians 4:11)

Enjoy life & when it gives you lemons, make lemonade or in this case use them in your sweet tea!

And......enjoy it..........I did!

Saturday Snippets.....

5/4/13..............posted on Sunday. I know. It goes against my somewhat compulsive nature to post "late" but the alliterative aspect of the title won out.

Simplistic snippets, those pieces of info, often just bits or scraps have been whirring in my head ever since I volunteered to create & teach a "Summer Refreshment" course at church.

simplici-TEA---a guided study to unjumble our lives and clear out our stuffed and cluttered minds, hearts, and souls....practical and spiritual approach to living out 2 Corinthians 11:3, with "the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." 

It will be similar to joining a friend for a "cuppa" as we take our "simplici-TEA together, one "sip" at a time.

Time has come to put said snippets in some kind of order---to turn scraps into morsels, worthy of sharing with others. A daunting task. But  God.....reminded me that this is to be His work. So....I'm back to the THOTS department of organization--Trusting Him On This Subject!

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me strength, because he trusted me and gave me this work of serving him. (1 Timothy 1:12, NCV) 

Simplici-TEA

3/7/12 Sometimes it’s good to ease up on the accelerator in life. (1,000 words, Commercial Appeal 2/26/12)

Hearkening to those words, after my “retreating” has me hankering to do just that.

It’s the “cuppa” I hope to drink great draughts from this month, especially in my blog. May it be good medicine for my soul and yours as well.

Saying more with fewer words. Slowing down to consider big ideas from small portions of passages, etc.

Simply tea---though a stronger tea for energy

Flying to Texas today. The next 10 days will be spent with all my Texans in Allen, TX and then driving with them back to Memphis on Saturday. They will be here for Spring Break so-o-o today is probably a great time to start. I also hope to plan more moments of solitude and to find a quiet place where I can focus on God. In the past, sitting with one of the little Texans in my lap during my quiet time has given me a great focus and understanding of the simplici-TEA of His love. A love, that when fully accepted, overlows to others.

TEA WITH THEE.....

3/6/12….in Psalm ninety. (nine-TEA) Nothing much better than a morning with the psalms and a cuppa---both tend to soothe the soul.

Psalm 90 is where I found myself as I am trying to “steep” myself in the Psalms this year. Reading through it the first time, the “tea” elements jumped off the page. There was much to “sip-on”---eterni-TEA, (v.1-2) frail-TEA, (v. 3) gravi-TEA (v.7-8 ) of our iniqui-TEAs, etc.  When I got to brevi-TEA, (v.10-22)I thought what a hard cuppa to swallow for those who don’t know the Lord. Perfect "cuppa" (v.17) is a believer's cup of tea.....favor of the Lord our God, resting upon us and establishing the work of our hands.

Tea with the Lord and my cuppa satisfied.  The simplici-TEA of it all---God’s unfailing love, as shown in His word, satisfies. (Psalm 90:14)