TEA-scriptors

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV)

Grandson Owen is only in first grade but already he is learning about the importance of descriptors. Words that describe a person, place or thing---thus giving said noun, a deeper meaning.

Adjectives. Descriptors. Choice words to modify that noun of a person......or a tea.

A name describes who a person is; a title relates to some office that person may fill, whereas an appellative, such as believer, beloved of God or God's chosen ones describes some distinctive characteristic of the person. Just as Paul was encouraging Timothy, as a believer to set a distinctive example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.

Those "choice" examples can be modified for deeper understanding thru the use of descriptors. Speech free of obscene talk. Exemplary conduct. Unconditional love. Continual faith. Sheer purity.
Such descriptors are sought by those who desire to "walk worthy of one's calling." May the descriptors in your life have others see you as humble, loving, gentle, patient, _______. (Ephesains 4:1-2)
Fill in the blank with your name if your desire is to live this "worthy" example.

As I go to my pantry to select from an array of tea, each with a different TEA-scriptor for my cuppa, I make a choice. Just as in life. It's all about the life (example) I choose to brew and pour out to others.

Pho-TEA-graphs in the mind

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. (Psalm 107:29, NIV)

Word Pictures. Auditory to visual. Sometimes a single word or phrase evokes mental pictures. Certainly in God's word there are terms that remind us of life in all its forms. Warring. Race. Wrestling. Journey. Climb. Voyage. Storm.

Life:

• a fight or a race as Paul describes in (2 Timothy 4:7), 
• a wrestling match for Jacob, a man of never ending life struggles who wrestles with God, until God blesses Him after the "divine encounter," (Genesis 32:24-30)
• a journey as Abraham followed God's leading away from kin and kindred, (Genesis 12) 
• a climb "surefooted upon the heights" as Habakkuk 3:19 relates, 
• a voyage as Jonah in the whale's belly (Jonah 1:17)
• a storm--as the disciples experience in the stormy seas, (John 6:16-21) 

Of all the word pictures, storms and whirlwinds seem to resonate loudest with me, thus producing striking images. Storms of life agitate me---then grow. Just as the stirring waters in the ocean, can bring about ferocious storms when churned by the fierce winds.
That's when I have to call out to the One who is in the whirlwind, (Job 38:1) and recall the words of the psalmist in Psalm 89:11, "When the waves arise, Thou stillest them." His calm....deep within each human heart. An undisturbable calm available when one is in His Presence.

And no storm, however fierce or violent,
Disturbs the soul that dwells, O Lord, inThee. ---Harriet Beecher Stowe.

A cuppa served with pho-TEA-graphs of the mind to soothe a soul.

Prac-TEA-cing Hospi-tali-TEA

Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13, NIV)

Some people just exude hospitable kindness. They make hospitality look easy, when I, for one, know it tain't always so,........easy that is.

Their door is alway open. One feels welcome. Breakfast. Lunch. (& Dinner)

There are even "pillow prizes"....and when a senile relative leaves their's behind, they bring it to her, without murmuring and disputing. (Philippians 2:14) No complaints ever. 

Service is taken seriously----whether it's to family, friends or strangers from the household of faith. All are treated royally. Isn't that what the "Good Book" teaches! They don't just know it----they practice it.

Always a cuppa hospitali-TEA is served, whether at the table or on the balcony--and they're not even cuppa consumers!

I  got to keep my cuppa!

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : fan-TEA-sy

Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore A Novel by Robin Sloan---

Not exactly my kind of book, even though “Bookstore” in the title was a draw. 

Yet, fantasy spine label was my first hesitation. But, intrigue was my 2^nd draw. I was intrigued by the great reviews and the awareness that area book clubs have chosen to read it, thus group guides are available. Draw #3 was availability of "free" eAudio book for trip to Texas--and main driver, hubby, does love fantasy. The reader was excellent, actually adding a little understanding for this gal who was so out of her league in a "fantasy" genre.

The story seemed somewhat YA-ish to me, with their "crazy" wild language, even though all characters are adult and some adult situations are alluded to. It probably would appeal to those 40-some folks who grew up in the era of Douglas Adams, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, & the Dragonriders science fiction series of Anne McCaffrey.

Plot deals with arcane fellowship of book-lovers (aka bibliophiles of the Unbroken Spine) seeking the key to immortality through the imprints of A. Manutius (1449-1515) with internet-savvy characters coming on board to join in the pursuit. Did I say very savvy. Google must love it.

"Googler" terms fly and at times it seemed like a tech book as the googlers "play in the Big Box" plugging into power and fiber optics, flexing their fingers as "they" (think thousands worldwide) log on---as if "practicing an algorithmically generated waltz." (p. 222)

If you do decide to read it---be sure to read it at night and watch what happens to the cover when you place it on your bedside table and then turn off the light.

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.

Puri-TEA

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:3, NIV)

Am I practicing the presence of God in such a way that believers and non-believers alike are able to catch, at least, a glimpse of Him? Visibili-TEA of the risen Lord n my life.

Lately, as I have once again intentionally looked for His hand in circumstances, I'm seeing His love written on human hearts. Clearly the goodness of the Lord is in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)

But.....I feel as if my own efforts are but ink smudges when I should be leaving the sweet, pure, aroma of the living God. Ah, but to be able to say as Paul did, "imitate me." (1 Corinthians 11:1) Follow my example. Read the letter of my life. To stand before Him and serve others with clean hands and a pure heart.

Sipping a cuppa puri-TEA today as I continue to bask in His love so pure, allowing Him to write His love letter on my heart. A letter I can share with others.

Heri-TEA-age : a memorable cuppa

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (2 Timothy 1:5, ESV)

I spent way too much time on the computer this morning. I was beginning reading 2 Timothy in prep for my church's "Leaving a Legacy of Eternal Significance" study and............... 

Following the assignment to read through the entire book, I went back to chapter 1 to answer questions. Then, a "reflection" question led me to google. I have always known of the sincere faith of my grandmothers---though one had a more grace-filled approach than my (possibly a little more legalistic) other one. But, for years I had also heard of the faith of Uncle Mabry's sister, Anna (aka "Stockade Annie") and the googling began.....and 3 hrs later...... I am filled with awe of a woman who had no children but became surrogate mom/grandmom to many. 

At Fort Campbell, KY, formerly Camp Campbell built on the Mabry's family farm land, Annie began a ministry. A ministry based on the mission stated in the New Testament for all Christians---visit the sick and those in prison. And that's what she did from the opening of the base (101^st Airborne Division) in 1942 until her death at 93 in the post hospital in 1969.*                                  

I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. (Matthew 25:36)

That's the cuppa heri-TEA-age I want to leave for my children and grands. A living faith. A faith that serves others.

Maybe I will use "Stockade Annie's" teaspoons at my next tea party with my grands. The silver was a gift to her, Anna Mabry Barr of Clarksville, TN---given to her  by the New Orleans parish of Layfayette Presbyterian Church to welcome her, the bride of their pastor, Dr. John Barr. (February 5, 1901)

*So much brewing on this "spirited" and spiritual relative, that another entry will probably be served.

Synchronici-TEA

My soul rests quietly only when it looks to God; (Psalm 62:1, NIV)

"The Soul Needs Rest" is the title of chapter 11 in John Ortberg's book, Soul Keeping. 

My first thought was that my soul needs a nap.....or at least some spiritual whitespace. Some much is coming at me lately that a little quietude would be welcome.

Ortberg contends that if one is in need of time and space to let his soul catch up with his body, then that's a good indication that your soul needs rest. (p.130) 

Soul fatigue can set in.

Some things just seem to go together. Soul rest and solitude come to mind. Solitude is needed. Without the solitude, one struggles to live in harmony with God and man---especially family, in my case.

Synchronicity occurs when two meaningful events occur simultaneously. The world might call it a meaningful coincidence. I see it as a God-incidence. Me and Thee. No productivity required.

When your cuppa soul-rest is depleted......

....fill it with some chamomile and take a nap!

A cuppa synchronici-TEA of soul rest and solitude is necessary as one's soul will never find its rest unless it find's its home with God.

A quie-TEA-tude of soul goes well with a little tea and solitude---that space where we get healing and needed "catch up" rest for our soul. 

"Op-TEA-mistic" View of Growth

I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things. (Isaiah 45:7,)

I could easily blog on lessons learned, or needed to be learned, by one who gardens with a brown thumb. But this entry is looking for the bright side of darkness. This entry is about the darkness that provides growth. A bit of darkness is required by some plants in order to flourish. The same could be said of the similarities found in the spiritual world. Often are biggest life lessons are learned in seasons of darkness.

Due to 35 years of tree growth since we first moved into our home, we have limited sunshine in our yard. Thus, the need for flowers that can actually grow in the dark corners of my beds.

Even last night's reading in 2 Timothy reminded me of the lessons the apostle Paul learned and shared from the darkness of a dark and dingy Roman prison. Yet, thousands of years later, those lessons speak to my heart as I prepare to teach on "seasons." Seasons of life, even those which include times of darkness and solitude.

Darkness in both life and a flower bed are ordained by our creator. My Lenten rose plant was a gift from Mimi and has proven both drought resistant and shade tolerant. Plus, it's a perennial! Even my coral bells (heychera) need the darkness provided by shade due to heat of Memphis summers. Sometimes shade can offer relief from the "heat" of life's circumstances as well as the outside temperature, which can exacerbate problems, both physical and spiritual. 

I think I'll put an ice cube in my "op-TEA-mistic" cuppa while I ponder more of the positive lessons that I can learn about darkness.

Receptivi-TEA

The prophets tried to learn about what the Spirit was showing them, when those things would happen, and what the world would be like at that time. It was shown (to) them that their service was not for themselves but for you, (1 Peter 1:11-12, NCV)

As the prophets of old sought to learn from God, I, too "search intently" (NIV) or as the NASB states, "with careful searches and inquiries" as I pray.....that I (and my church) might be receptive to what God would have us do. 
How to serve. Where to serve. Whom to serve?

I sometimes feel like my old rabbit ears on our first portable TV or even our"newer" TV digital converter box. When I have problems and can't get the signal, I have to start moving and repositioning those new fangled "ears." Channel 5 even suggested I might need "help with antenna placement."

That comment says it all. I might need "help"---even help with my spiritual ears. A little fine tuning is needed for clearer receptivity. I need to put my self in a better place in order to "pick up" the offerings. 

Got it! Tweaking of "ears" to hear during prayer time will be enhanced with self situated in "prayer chair" placement and Bible open on knees to get BEST reception. Now, maybe signals from God's Spirit can come through "loud and clear."

Receptivi-TEA blended and brewed and served with sensitivi-TEA to others.