"sal-TEA"

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16, NASB)

Part of a Christian's identity is being salt and light. Being salt and light is not optional. It's a way of saying that our actions should show what we believe---so much so, that others are drawn to the Lord.

During recent travels, I witnessed 2 shops, one in Sand Rock, AL and one in Dahlonega, GA  that not only sold gifts, but also provided salt and light for their community through a prayer wall. Prayers needed. Prayers answered. Posted for all to see---even out-of-towners. 

"Salt" and "Light" in a gift shop to draw others in their community to the Lord.

All of our lives should be so "sal-TEA" that others become thirsty and desire to sip from whatever our cuppa holds. Living water.

"At-TEA-tude of Gra-TEA-tude

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! (Psalm 30:12, ESV)

Chairs were spared. Not just any chairs....but my quiet time chairs. "My" chair. "Thy" chair. Chairs for "me and Thee" as we "commune."

The neighbor's tree trunk was struck by lightening and split in half....crashing past our pine trees  Not hitting our house. Not causing our pine trees to hit our house.

In the scheme of last night's heavy winds and scary thunderstorms, it wasn't a biggie. I know that. Yet, I am grateful my chairs were spared.

If the circumstances had been different, I hope I would have still remembered to be grateful. 

Gratitude. An attitude that needs to permeate my heart.

Not just for now---but for forever.

Regardless of the circumstances, may I continually sip a cuppa gra-TEA-tude, until it becomes my at-TEA-tude of choice.

"Affini-TEA"

Yet he proved he is real by showing kindness, by giving you rain from heaven and crops at the right times, by giving you food and filling your hearts with joy (Acts 14:17, NCV)

Affinity---I have lots of "tastes" which I see as good---and frequently refer to these affinities on this blog---namely God's word, tea, both hot as in my cuppa, and sweet tea, iced.

This time of year I have an affinity for peaches. I just can't seem to get enough. But....I'm picky about my favorites. Georgia's nickname, the Peach Tree State is based on claims of this high quality fruit grown in their soil. They are good. Clanton, AL dubs itself as its state's largest producer of peaches and even crowns a "Miss Peach" each year. Also tasty.

But...in my opinion, the BEST peaches are grown right here in West Tennessee near Reelfoot Lake in the town of Troy. Today, I  found them at the Agricenter. YUM!!!

Throughout the entire year I have an affinity for God's Word and appreciate new versions introduced & re-introduced by others; New Century Version--Susan Duntsch, Contemporary English Version--Marje Andrews and The Message--Mary Minor.

Regardless of the version, I see the Bible as the standard for living a life which would please Him. As a "lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," (Psalm 119:105) His word instructs and illuminates truth for me. Not, as John Stott says some folks do by "using Scripture as a drunk uses a lamppost, namely for support rather than illumination.” I truly "treasure His word"---for real! (Psalm 119:11) 

Today I enjoyed a cuppa "peach flavored" affini-TEA for His word with Flippen's peaches.

Oh my....Batesville, MS blog reader, CMF, just sent this pic. Be still my heart--- I may have a new affinity!

SABBATH SNAPSHOT: beach book possibili-TEAs

DISCLAIMER: I HAVE READ NONE OF THESE BOOKS. 

Most of these books were recommended by my "water buddies." 

Who am I kidding! Look at all these books.

 I am a reader...but my time for reading at the beach is more limited than most folks because of 7 grand kids----which is the REASON we go to the beach. So....I know I have to make choices.

Already the Steeped in Evil title is out because I started it yesterday and I'll finish it before we back out of the driveway. Chestnut Street is also out---for 2 reasons. In the first place, it's a "7 day checkout." It's due date is before I return. Former librarians DO NOT return a book late. Also, it's a Maeve Binchy book and since she's been dead for 2 years, it's authenticity is a little bit suspect. 

One book I chose to peruse because it had book club in the title and it's a Thomas Nelson publication, so I know it will be clean. Just hope it's not hokey. Surprisingly, I'm actually leaning toward, On These Courts which is non-fiction.

I'll let you know which one or ones make it into my beach bag (and are actually read) when I return.

"Fideli-TEA" in Worship

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3, KJV)

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me" is the first of the 10 commandments---with good reason. All the other commandments are predicated on this one's call to fideli-TEA. Without this one, there's no "standard" for the others. It is the starting point because relationship with the LORD God is where true faith starts.

These commandments from Mount Sinai, accompanied by smoke, earthquakes and the blast of a trumpet emphasized the importance of the words of the law from God which Moses recorded in Exodus 20. Important enough to remember.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

Though under the law of grace, one still needs to heed God's Word and be faithful to Him. 

Brewing a cuppa fideli-TEA today to sip as I savor words from my faithful Heavenly Father, who commands that I have no other gods before me. For good reason---

Idola-TEA-ry

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 
(Romans 1:25, KJV)

Current gods are more subtle than ancient ones. (Jesus Calling, 7/11) The subtlety of sin and idols has darkened our foolish hearts (Romans 1:21)

Idol Indicator Gauge: (Jan Carrier's gOds of the Culture notes)

• Anything that substitutes for God in my life
• Anything that is the center of my attention
• Anything that takes the place of God becoming essential to my fulfillment in life
• Anything that replaces what only God can give me(i.e. self-worth)
• Anything or anyone that gets from me what God alone deserves  (i.e. attention & worship) 

Those personal pronouns, me and my, are obvious in the list. 

Read the underlines of the list.  If they, become the end in itself, then self begins to replace God or delete God from the equation. The idol of self is the remainder.

I don't know which generation was dubbed the "ME" generation but they must be procreating. If you don't believe it, just check out the number of "selfies" on-line. (I"m beginning to sound like my grandmother.) 

May I choose NOT to drink from this cuppa "idola-TEA-ry."

When God is no longer the central factor in his life, one needs to ask, "Who is sitting on the throne of "my" heart? Savior or SELF?

"rep-TEA-tition"

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do it: (Psalm 37:5, NASB)

Dr. W. Kay's version of the Psalms gives the Hebrew for "committing one's way." The "way" is the worn down trodden path of our life's journey. (Edges, p. 100) But, committing is the idea of rolling---rolling everything that is to heavy to lift. Roll thy way upon the Lord. Over and over again, anytime His strength is needed. An act of repetition.

Such repetitive action is not boring to Him. He wants us to continually cast all our cares upon Him. If it concerns a child of His, It concerns Him. 

Recent physical therapy, coupled with traction, has had me struggling with the repetition and the not so desired results---then, voilà. Behold, not only was the prayer for diminished pain answered, but God provided the $$$$ instrument from dear, sweet Drenda's attic. He did it---exceedingly, abundantly above all I could ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) 

Thank You, Lord. I will gladly sip the cuppa rep-TEA-tition with my traction gizmo! 

Relief is the kind of repetition I like.

"cov-e-TEA-ous"

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, ........deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.  (Mark 7:21-23, NASB)

What was a gal, who doesn't know the difference between a stock and a bond, doing reading the CA's business section? Perusing. Just an "at a glance perusal," not a careful examination. 

Sam Ray's,"Business as Usual" cartoon caught my eye. Obviously, in the business world a euphemism for sin is the term "inappropriate." Sadly, the one frame cartoon reflected the truth of greed in our world. 

Individual greed....greedy man curses and spurns the LORD. (Psalm 10:3)

Corporate greed...in their greed they will exploit you with false words; (2 Peter 2:3)

Rampant greed.

"Inappropriate Prayer" Title....as executive kneels beside his desk praying, "PLEASE, LORD, I WANT MORE!

Too many folks sip from a cuppa "greed." Always wanting more. It's not only inappropriate, it's a sin. The 10th commandment reminds us of that, telling us NOT to covet. It gets to the heart of the matter of sin. It looks at our motivations showing how God wants us to think. (Deuteronomy 5:21) 

A cuppa cov-e-TEA-ous should be set aside. A cuppa generosi-TEA should be picked up instead as one remembers, "it is more blessed to give than to receive."(Acts 20:35)

elemen-TEA-ry

He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8, ESV)

Hubby and I are both Sherlock Holmes fans. We don't belong to the Baker Street Irregulars nor do we don deerstalker hats to celebrate His possible birthday of January 6. After all he is a fictional character. But....we appreciates both the written and television works based on his detection skills. BBC/PBS is filmed in London. The locale is familiar. The acting incredible. Even the CBS contemporary update, set primarily in NYC is enjoyable. Plus, Watson is a female. A novel approach.
Film and TV productions have used the Holmes line, which he uttered to Watson, that is recognized by anyone over 60. "Elementary, my dear Watson." 

Elementary. The obvious. The basics. Simple truths. Recognizable by those truly seeking. Foundational for deduction and spiritual understanding.

All this to say, that in the Christian faith, there are some elementary truths that all denominations hang their hats on.

My favorite "BASIC" verses (emphasis, mine):

• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
• Serve the Lord with gladness. (Psalm 100:2)
• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and (love) your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
• Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. (John 6:47)
• Serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:3)
• Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• In everything give thanks....(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• All scripture is given by inspiration of God...(2 Timothy 3:16)

Just the basics---elementary truths. A cuppa elemen-TEA-ry sweetened with God's truths which Christians should sip every day.

"pellucidi-TEA"

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrew 4:13, NIV)

Pellucidi-TEA. How's that for a ten-dollar word? Synonymous with transparency. Our lives and hidden motives are all transparent before God, whether we like it or not. So, why aren't we transparent before each other, especially those who are of the household of faith? Why is it so difficult to feel free to be honest, open, genuine and transparent with God and men. 

Transparency sets one up to be vulnerable and that's a "risky" place to be. Certainly if one has been "burned" by openly sharing with another, it's even more difficult.

But God, challenged me through Taylor Park's recent sermon, "A Fellowship of Fellow Strugglers" to examine the church as a fellowship of transparency. 
Transparency is sometimes necessary if one is to truly minister to the "body." Pride has to be set aside. The "I'm just a very private person" excuse must be shelved if one truly wants to help others in a similar struggle. 

"Deep Fellowship" is experienced by the sharing of believers on the same side of the struggle. The been there, done that, experience that one can choose to share in order to offer comfort and hope to another. It's the living out of 2 Corinthians 1:4.

I admit that I have trouble picking up the cuppa pellucidi-TEA, much less sipping from it. That cuppa transparency that houses the hurts and struggles of my life. I keep those very close to my chest. Afraid of the ramifications.

But God....recently allowed me a front row seat of one who shared a struggle with deep hurts. Transparent before a friend in the faith with a similar struggle and all the residual hurts from feelings of comparison and NOT measuring up. A risk taken. A transparency of heart to minister and to show love as Paul did in 2 Corinthians 2: 2:4. (Italics, mine)

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote  (spoke) to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I (and God) have especially for you.

A love for another believer. A love which enabled one to take a risk and become transparent. A transparency that ministered the gift of hope to a struggling friend in the faith.

A cuppa "pellucidi-TEA at its best---steeped in love and overflowing to another. It's worth the risk!