"longevi-TEA"

• For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. (Proverbs 3:2, KJV)
• For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. (Proverbs 9:11, KJV)
• The fear of the LORD prolongeth days:.... (Proverbs 10:27, KJV)
• Thou shalt come to [thy] grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. (Job 5:26, KJV)
• You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer. (Job 14:5, NLT)
• So Job died, [being] old and full of days.  (Job 42:17, KJV)
• "Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.(Psalm 39:4, NIV)
• Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16, NIV)
• Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6:2-3, KJV)

Pick a verse. Any verse.
Understand that one's days are in the Lord's hands. What one does with those days is a matter of choice. Choices played out in the "dash" on your tombstone. The dates are God's. The dash is yours.

Even toward the end of his 89 years, Daddy said, "I'm grateful for each day the good Lord gives me."

Trusting in Him can make God-ordained time into days of peace. Fearing God and sharing those days with ones of the younger generation can encourage them to choose wisely and live well. 

"Longevi-TEA"* shared is a great cuppa poured out for others.

Owen and his great, great, Aunt Nettie share time together on her 90th birthday!

Thanks to Bonnie K. of Hickory Wythe for the "longevi-TEA" suggestion.

"cul-TEA-vate"

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7, ESV)

Ah-h-h reaping what one sows---pretty sobering thought. As an adult, we often "spew" words from our mouths that we later regret, especially when we hear those words coming from a child. The "words of one's mouth should always be acceptable unto the Lord." (Psalm 19:14) 

The "S" word for our kids was shut-up---that disrespectful word was not to be used. We said "hush," if deemed necessary. Our "adult children" seem to be sowing that same "seed" in their own homes. 

Seeds of kindness in word and deed. (DotsyDetails, 2/24/09) Fruitful seeds. As Michèle Phoenix says, "Kindness is the fruit salad of spiritual gifts."

Those are the seeds we should all cul-TEA-vate* in our homes.

Serve a cuppa kind words to others today so that they, too, might "cul-TEA-vate" that fruit on their own lips.

*How fun it has been to receive "tea" words from blog readers---cul-TEA-vate was Carolyn's (Batesville, MS) contribution.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : "med-TEA-tations" for 5th Sunday of Lent

Prayers for Memphis pastors are a part of our church's monthly intercessory prayer program, "Warriors on the Wall."  This month the featured pastor-friend of our pastor is Christ Methodist's Shane Stanford, so it seemed appropriate to share some of his Lenten insights from his book, Mosaic, on this fifth Sunday of Lent.

His alliterative headings keep the flow of each chapter very consistent---Rebellion, Restlessness, Regret, Rejection, Responsibilities, Resources, and Relationships for each of the six Sundays.

The one on "Regret" really spoke to my heart. 

Regret is heavier, more encumbering.......when allowed to grow and take hold, it will choke not only our potential but also our joy. (p. 27) But Stanford's scripture selections and meditation insights takes one to the "place of confidence, our place of no regret." (p.33)

With selected scriptures and the same study format in each chapter, (Reveal, Reflect, Refine, and Respond) one is taken from revelation to insight for practical application. In other words, hope is always given showing how God can use all these "broken" pieces of our lives to conform us to the image of His Son.

Mosaic has provided quite a journey for many Christians......aiding their soul searching med-TEA-tation times as Easter approaches.

"Prosperi-TEA for Posteri-TEA"

So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:18, ESV)

Prosperity means many things. For most it indicates affluence based on a healthy bank statement. In both scripture and Winnie the Pooh, it can indicate "milk and honey." For the Christian, prosperity goes beyond one's calculated financial wealth. Prosperity for all Christians is made up of faithfulness to and trust in the Lord----regardless of their bank statement. Most of us know believers who have eked out , scratched by and suffered "lack" most of their lives, yet lived lives of utter fidelity to God. How prosperous are they!!

A "Prosperity Gospel" imagines the Lord as a "vending machine" God. This health and wealth gospel teaches that all one has to do is believe and receive, as they ask for God's blessings. The prosperity gospel is a half-truth, perhaps less.
Yes, God is good. God is faithful and God does bless His people, but God.....the one true God of the Bible is the God who will see us through regardless of the circumstances. Sometimes blessings are obvious and it is easy to thank Him. Other times when it seems times are so hard that one is not experiencing the blessing of God, one can still trust that God is there,  just waiting for us to turn to Him, and learn that in loving Him we have life's deepest blessing.

Posterity, on the other hand, indicates a future generation of people. People who need to know the truth of God's faithfulness. Who will tell them? Who will pass on the prosperity that accompanies a life of true faithfulness to the Lord?

As Crickett teaches," God is more interested in our character than our comfort." Our faithful character will be our legacy for posterity.

If one wants to pass on prosperity for posterity, he/she needs more than a T-shirt to tell of God's truth. The whole truth will be told by their life.

Serve a cuppa of true prosperi-TEA for the posteri-TEA of the next generation.

"complexi-TEA"

   "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26, NASB)

Some passages of Scripture are more difficult for me than others. But God, in His word reminded me that His Spirit can teach me all things. Not only that, but as I reread scripture and meditate on it, God often shows me Truth in a new way---not antithetical, just different. It's usually in a very practical way that meets me right at my point of need on that day. Not truth that contradicts earlier understanding but expounds upon it with refreshing new insight.......because, He will guide you into all the truth; (John 16:13)

 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1 John 2:27, NASB)

Simply abiding----that's not hard to understand.

Today's Tea with Thee time has provided simplicity of thought from the seeming complexities of His word. All because I had the "right" Teacher! " 

Notes in Mama Davenport's Bible help my understanding, as well.

Sipping "complexi-TEA" with the "best" of them because ultimately we all have the same spiritual teacher.

"thirs-TEA"

...If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. (John 7:37, NASB) 

A new RX has left me with a dry mouth. I'm always thirsty. I crave liquid and more liquid. Tho I love my morning cuppa, it only satisfies my taste buds, not my dry mouth.
Nothing seems to quench my thirst, not even ice cold Memphis water. I need a 7-Eleven® BIG GULP size slurpee. If it satisfied my thirst, I'd be willing to risk the brain freeze.....but there's not a 7-Eleven anywhere near my neighborhood. 
Hopefully this malady is temporary---just enough discomfort to make me open to life lessons from scripture and more sensitive to those for whom hunger and thirst are daily occurrences.

How grateful I am that God's word reminds me that one day believers will hunger or thirst no more....(Revelation 7:6) (physically or spiritually)

And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of life freely. (Revelation 21:6) 
Thirs-TEA no more. Eternity will be spent with the One who gives the living water. (John 4:4) For with you is the fountain of life. (Psalm 36:9)

Fountain: a rich metaphor for Jesus

"Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; 

streams of mercy never ceasing call for songs of loudest praise." (My favorite hymn)

"heart-TEA-ly"

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. (Colossians 3:23, KJV) 

Wholeheartedly. That's the way a life of ministry should be lived. My ministry "appointments" seem insignificant if balanced on a scale of greatness, But God.....in His word, reminds me that all things done for His sake should be done enthusiastically----with all my heart. 

Changing diapers on a baby or a grown-up. Feeding one or feeding many. Donating little or giving lots.

Even my morning cuppa for my "Tea with Thee" time---a heart-TEA brew of rich black assam tea leaves. May I celebrate each moment I have with Thee, regardless of the time frame. 

May I continue to savor and serve "heart-TEA-ly today as I venture out on my "small" missions. May they be divine appointments that honor the Lord.

"stabili-TEA"

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: (Job 13:15, KJV)

That verse was given in today's (4/1) Streams in the Desert entry. Beside it I had written, "Prayed this as I walked in for the first of many surgeries"--- for my MAC cancer. Baylor Hospital, Dallas (3/16/09)
It's hard to believe that it has been 5 years since the beginning of all those surgeries---even as I reread some of my first pre-surgery entries, I saw that I fully trusted the Lord as my anchor, regardless of the outcome. Why does it seem easier somehow to trust Him in the big things than all those "little daily storms" that come our way?

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews, 6:19, NIV)

One must anchor themselves on to the Lord when in a hard place. Just as an anchor adds stability to a boat or ship, the Lord as our anchor holds us---"come what may---whether wind, waves, rough seas.."
One's confidence in His faithfulness is the true anchor. 

When Darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil ("Cornerstone"Lyrics)

"Stabili-TEA" is a cuppa available to all believers. Hold fast to that firm, secure cuppa.

by permission of T. Parlow as this scriptural art graces the entry to his condo. Terry, who is blind and paralyzed from the chest down, lost Claudia  (his wife, high school sweetheart and caregiver)  4 months ago, after her two + yr. battle with cancer. He has known the Lord as the only anchor for his soul, through all these storms. My Bible marginalia quote (source unknown) Fellowship = "Jesus is the fellow in your ship." When one's life boat hits strong winds, and capsizingly high waves & swells, he/she is desperate for an anchor that holds. 

"blus-TEA-ry"

....... for the wind was against them. (Matthew 14:24, ESV)

Three weeks ago in Brooklyn, with 2 yr old Lucy, we experienced a "Winnie the Pooh" kind of day. Blustery! BIG winds! Cutting winds! Biting winds! Wind chill of 17º!

I wanted to "retreat" to books and an indoor tea party but......son Josh just bundled up Lucy and went forth, noting that in New York one doesn't give in to the weather, but "dresses" appropriately and rides it out. Just another "winds-day."

Winnie the Pooh: Happy "Winds-day", Piglet."

Piglet (being blown away) "Well... it isn't... very happy... f-for me."

Life can send winds that seem to blow against us. Strong winds that threaten to blow us over. Stormy seasons. Often, when that happens we have a "Piglet" approach of negativi-TEA.  But God....can use those storms to drive us to Himself-----with an increased intensity in our prayer life.

This was brought home to me this morning as I opened sweet Katya's email sent from Ukraine:

From one side it is such a hard time of uncertainty and inability to make plans and look into the future. It’s been hard for me to think and also explain to other people why we are bringing a new child into this world that can outburst with a war any minute. But from another side it’s a perfect time to practice out trust to God and to see how real our love and faithfulness to God. It a wonderful time when many Christians are expecting and looking thoroughly to see the Lord in each day! It’s a wonderful time when the Lord is stirring hunger and thirst for Him! It’s a wonderful time with many opportunities to be real in Christ and to show it to those who are close, by serving to them! So our nation and we, as a family, are very blessed as God is at work with us! HE is close and He is Real and Faithful!

Well said, Katya.
Truly a warm cuppa of good at-TEA-tude during one's "Tea With Thee" time can turn a blus-TEA-ry day into a "positive" event.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT: "tea" titles

3/30/14 The proverbial, "You can't judge a book by it's cover," is a way of warning us that outward appearances are NOT necessarily indicative of inward quality. (i.e. true character of a person) Even knowing this truth, I realize how easily I'm drawn to an actual book by not only it's attractive cover but also by its catchy title, specifically certain words in a title. The words "tea" or "dance" are real hooks for me.

Friend Tricia is even drawn to books for me in this same way---thus my acquisition of these two books from her.

The Tea-Olive Bird Watching Society was a little mawkishly predictable but who can resist a book with this blurb about a story replete with coconut cake, grits and bird-watching: "These resourceful women....know the proper social response to any situation----what casserole to bring after a wedding, what pie to bring to a funeral, and what kind of soup works best to poison your best friend's husband.....Trobaugh transforms what appears to be a cozy Southern novel into a darkly humorous tale of women who take care of their own." It 's reminiscent of Arsenic and Old Lace and one is left to draw her own conclusion of the outcome!

Teatime for the Firefly takes place in India in 1943. That alone is a draw for me as "spiritual sisters" from Memphis and Ukraine have traveled to this country to minister to women there. Plus, the story is set against the backdrop of Assam tea plantations.  A cuppa black assam, my fave, is a perfect reading accompaniment for this somewhat poignant story enriched with culture and history of the Hindus, Muslims and British colonists during the WWII era.

Layla, the protagonist, raised and educated by her grandfather recalls her first sight of the tea plantation. "It came upon me like a breathless surprise. the tangled beauty of the Assam countryside parted to reveal waves upon waves of undulating green. so pristine, so serenely beautiful that my senses were shaken. (p. 173)

Later on the veranda, the author sprinkles in a lovely image of the fireflies, the source of the title:

“A handful of fireflies descended from the sky and winked softly around us,” Layla tells us. “I watched a firefly land on a teacup. It pulsed softly, lighting the translucent bone china with sharp flashes of ethereal life.” Manik’s reaction, after letting the firefly crawl on his finger until it winked away, “I love sharing my teatime with fireflies.” (p. 189)

Trobaugh's writing is lyrical and I found the love story element unique in spite of the cultural "norm." Yet, the tone of the writing changes somewhat as it mirrors those changing times in India, especially the transitional time in Indian society for women.
The story takes place 4 years prior to the nation's independence from British rule. Violent riots were already beginning on the tea plantations of Assam and casualties began to occur as the British companies removed their protection. Wives of the planters had choices to make---most of the wives were British....but Layla and her husband were both "educated" Indians, which was unique.

I enjoyed my teatime with this book except for some of the realistic "language." There wan't much considering it was a 427 p. book. However in the last chapter I had to read over words that I don't use, don't like to hear used, and don't want to read them. I was grateful for the epilogue which brought resolution to this story, while leaving the door open for a sequel.