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

SUPER BLUE MOON!

AUGUST 30, 2023---how many ways can we say it!

Creation speaks loudly of a creator.

God said, Let there be lights in the sky. (Genesis 1:14)

The heavens declare the glory of God! (Psalm 19:1)

BLUE SUPER MOON ARISING!

Sometimes we can let creation speak for itself tho my picture doesn't do it justice.

This combo is not suppose to happen again until 2037.

Hmmmm......wonder if I'll be looking up as hubby & I did last night from the patio at 1152 or if i'll be looking down from heaven. 

I'm sure that Super Blue Moon view would truly be spectacular!

US!

US! A pronoun, A plural pronoun for believers in the church. God's church.

A representative! In word and deed.

Christ's representative. Think ambassador.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (1 Corinthians 5:20)

My H.O.G. (Hand of God Prayer List, 73) finally caught my eye. 

Us became noticeable along with ambassadors. Plural.

Shake us. Give us. 

What do we need? God's Word. 

I went back to card # 1. There it was. Us.

....give us one simple ambition....to live for Your pleasure. Make this the consummate passion of us.....! 

Enough said for all us.....ambassadors of Christ.

SIMPLY SAVOR!

Savoring! I'm not talking chocolate truffles here!

Tho, I have trouble enjoying just one without being overwhelmed by guilt.

I so easily wear guilt these days. It's like I can never do enough for the Lord and others. 

But God in His love and mercy continues to remind me that I need to let go of anxiety, guilt and busyness and lean in to Him. (Jesus Listens, August 29)

Fret not, Dots.(Psalm 37)

Relax. Enjoy the moment in His Presence! Have a truffle.

Savor the Savior!

REVIVAL!

Group name in my contacts says REVIVAL! 

To me it is descriptive of the group I pray with on certain Mondays each month.

Over 25 years of praying together. 

First we communicated via Ma Bell. Texting not an option. I was only a summer participant due to work committments.

Scripture has become the springboard of our prayers.

We are transparent with each other. What is prayed in the room, stays in the room.

Our goal---revival among God's people, the Church. Our church. Our city. Our country and beyond!

God's people, who are called by His name, humbling themselves to pray. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

REVIVAL begins there.....and it blesses my heart beyond measure!

BEHOLD!

BEHOLD! Behold has been My One Word for 2023! 

Until then, I had not given the word much thought. In my head I saw it in all caps followed by at least one exclamation point! BEHOLD!

Premier Christianity's definition was enlightening to me. 

Behold means “look!”, “open your eyes!” or “pay attention!” I’ve started to notice how it’s so often paired with an exclamation mark – the grammatical equivalent of a slap in the face. It’s not a gentle request. It’s a command. When God uses it, he’s grabbing us by the collar, urging us to notice something incredible that we’re currently ignoring.

Knowing Jesus noted 1527 occurrences of behold in 12 translations.

"Be sure to see" is the literal translation of the Greek word eido.

'Behold' is used 1,298 times in the King James version of the Bible. It is derived from the Greek word 'eido,' which has the literal translation of: be sure to see.

I had never really given the word much thought. But it actually appears in the scriptures about 500 times depending on the translation, so it’s probably worthy of a bit of consideration.

Behold means “look!”, “open your eyes!” or “pay attention!” I’ve started to notice how it’s so often paired with an exclamation mark – the grammatical equivalent of a slap in the face. It’s not a gentle request. It’s a command. When God uses it, he’s grabbing us by the collar, urging us to notice something incredible that we’re currently ignoring. https://www.premierchristianity.com/columnists/god-says-behold-1500-times-in-the-bible-heres-what-it-means/6136.article

For me, it's the personal aspect of God's Presence that is something to behold!

And behold I am with you always even until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20, ESV)

Sarah Young certainly shared the importance of peace in His Presence when she served me tea, 10 years ago today.

Today, O Lord may I BEHOLD! and focus on your Presence in my life. It does bring peace as Sarah knows first hand!

CULTIVATING COMMUNITY!

"Cultivating Community" communicates relational identity that requires deposits from participants. Plural. Think reciprocity.

A continual devotion to apostles' teaching and fellowship of believers.

Cultivating Community in no way negates getting alone to spend time in prayer or meditating on God's Word.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states that the "Lord has placed eternity in our hearts." Embedded in each of us is a sense of something more..... a longing.

Two needs of life resonate with each of us....to belong and to matter. Fellowship supports those truths. Longing for belonging.

Long to belong--a bedrock for Christian fellowship

Theology of Togetherness. Made to be known. Knowing we matter to God. 

NO "I"-dentity.

"We"-dentity. In Christ together.

Sounds like fellowship at its best.....aligned with awe and one purpose.

Single-mindedness in worship; yet, unity in diversity. Practicing/preserving that diversity without slamming another's politics or opinions on social media. Do unto others....for their benefit. (John 13:34)

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. (John Bunyan)

A community coming together to know Him and make Him known not in words alone but in our actions. 

Cultivation that bears fruit of awe and purpose that blesses community.

MIRACLES!

I believe in miracles. Or do I?

When things in my life seem so apparently from the hand of God....that's a miracle for me.

I might not have a bumper sticker proclamation.....

"MIRACLES HAPPEN"

 .....But God showed me this am through my H.O.G. (Hand Of God prayer card) that it can be the small faith that keeps us (God's Ambassadors) from experiencing the genuinely miraculous. (Jim Fleming #67)

Maybe I need a "miracle" bumper sticker reminder for my head...and my heart! (Ephesians 2:4) 

FORGIVING FRIDAY!

Mr. Snarky on the back row did not even know he had offended me.

"TIT FOR TAT" is the idiom that came to mind. I wanted to repay in kind.

I had to appropriate restraint--not in words spoken but in nasty, impure thoughts.

I needed to practice kindness.

Timely Scotty wrote, which I did not read until I returned home from the gym, "Jesus doesn't repay in kind but in kindness."

CONVICTION!

Forgiveness needed. I asked the Lord to forgive my own snarky thoughts. 

I'm not sure what the next step will be but I hope it's wrapped in kindness!

GRACE-FORGED FRIENDSHIP DAY!

In our culture there are days for everything, even food! 

January 12-Hot Tea Day. January 26-Peanut Brittle Day.

April 5-Caramel Day. 

June 10-Iced Tea Day. July 1-Pecan Pie Day.

October 28-Chocolate Day. 

Yesterday was National Lemon Meringue Pie Day.

You get the idea---or at least an idea of those I celebrate "in the flesh."

What about more significant days for believers???

Scotty asked, "When is "Grace-Forged Friendships Day?" 

EVERYDAY! 

It makes everyday "gospel-icious." (Cole Huffman) especially as we desire to age gracefully. 

"A gospel-posse." (Scotty)  Dynamic Duo. Terrific Trio. A Quad Squad.

Christians on the same side of the struggle. (Ellen)

Believers who have been there, i.e. experienced that, can offer deep understanding, like-minded prayers and comfort so one does not lose heart. (2 Corinthians 4:16) 

A Fellowship of Believers' Day......

.....grace-forged with hope-filled prayers.(Romans 15:13)