SABBATH SNAPSHOT : Anonymi-TEA a delightful cuppa Generosi-TEA

In September 2011, I began what became a year of anonymous gift giving. Seeking the "gift" that the Lord would have me give each day became a real lesson of both trust and delight for me. The anonymity of the giving was part and parcel of the delight. Having that in my background, I easily understood the premise for this book, which is based on a true story.

My "pay it forward" connection, along with this being the 1st of the 12 days of Christmas, seemed like the perfect day for a book review of The 13th Gift, a "Pay it Forward" type book....by Joanne Huis Smith.

Following the tragic loss of her husband, a now single mom tries to provide some semblance of the joy of Christmas for her children. When gifts start appearing on her doorstep, her shattered world seemed to fade somewhat as she saw her children begin to thaw. What she couldn't fathom was "the identity of the giver." Once she even risked breaking into a car to see a label on the first gift in order to narrow the search for this "true friend giver."

"Thanks to our true friends, Momma Bear is back. My gusto for Christmas might not be the same, but my kids will know they're not on their own." (p. 98) 
True friends gave us kindness, unsolicited, but desperately needed ...and had broken the hold that grief had on us." (p.188)

A great reminder for all of us---we all possess the ability to give. More than money, one just needs a kind and compassionate heart to share---in this instance, a legacy of generosity was "handed down."

Even the acknowledgements included a "wrapped" gift. Wrapped in words of inspiration. Thirteen years for a 13th gift.

"Finally, I send out a prayer of hope and gratitude for gift givers everywhere. Your generosity of spirit fuels us all forward. (p. 204)

Vic-TEA-ry

For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. (Deuteronomy 20:4, NASB)

I know placing "tea" in the middle of victory is a bit of a stretch----but I so needed a cuppa vic-TEA-ry today so I decided to s-t-r-e-t-c-h it to suit my purposes.

Recently an “invisible” enemy has tried to conquer more areas of my mind. Captivity of thoughts. A real tug-of-war. I need God to go to the frontlines for me.

Today’s Edges of His Ways devotional helped me stay the course reminding me that I need to remain constant and draw my battle lines. I know where the victory lies----triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Regardless of clamoring thoughts, possibility of misery, injustices or pain, I, with God’s help can be more than a conqueror.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Knowing the outcome, makes my cuppa vic-TEA-ry quite tasty!

Personali-TEA : NOT an individual cuppa

That they may be one, even as we are one. 
(John 17:22, KJV)

At our house, in the “kid raising” years, personalities were as unique and diverse as the number in our household. But….that’s the way personalities are. Yet, over the years they have changed for each of us. Some traits seem very similar---along the Liles/Adams bloodline characteristic. Others have emerged with maturity.

Praises for kindness, a trait I see in each of my ”kids,” though it certainly was not learned from me. I was the disciplinarian. I still seem to struggle with kindness---I want things done the right way….at the right time…for the right reason. This tenet needs to be tempered with kindness. So….I pray.

And….I open today’s entry of My Utmost for His Highest. Oswald Chambers delineates the difference between individuality (all elbows, which separates and isolates, 12/11) and personality which, when combined with love or the Spirit of God, transforms.

As we give up ourselves to God, “Love is the overflowing result of one person in true fellowship with another.” (Chambers, 12/12)

Enough said.

Tea with Thee time served me a cuppa “We are one” personali-TEA, to savor throughout my day.

Perplexi-TEAs of Life

There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

(Luke 21:25, NASB)

Dismay among nations. Dismay everywhere. The words of Luke 21:25 sound like our nightly news segments. Such dismay can have one asking, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Such events could trouble one’s soul. But God, in His Word has shown that He was---He is---and evermore He shall be.

"He is God and there is none like Him declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done." (Isaiah 46:9)

Nothing takes Him by surprise. He is not perplexed. I find comfort in that truth when I have questions that "seem" to have no reasonable answer.

“In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.” (Robert E. Lee)

I don’t know the answer but….I know the One who is the answer.    

Such knowledge makes a cuppa perplexi-TEA a lot easier to swallow.

Adversi-TEA

But in our trouble God has comforted us—and this, too, to help you: to show you from our personal experience how God will tenderly comfort you when you undergo these same sufferings. He will give you the strength to endure.

(2 Corinthians 1:6-7, TLB)

Some cuppas in life, no matter how needful, are hard to take or ingest. So, the question is, "Why so many cuppas in life----which we had rather not sip?" 

Today's Streams in the Desert entry answered that question. Needful cups of adversi-TEA, often overflowing with suffering, prepare our hearts to share with others when they go through similar trials. A new cancer diagnosis can turn one toward a cancer survivor friend for understanding comfort. Being on the same side of the suffering adds validity to her words.

"They have watched the lamp of life's silver cord slowly unravel. They have seen the golden bowl of joy smashed at their feet, and its contents spilled.

So suffering is rough and hard to bear; but it hides beneath it----discipline, education, and possibilities, which not only leave us nobler, but perfect us to help others. Do not fret, or set your teeth, or wait doggedly for the suffering to pass; but get out of it all you can, both for yourself and for your service to your generation,......" (Streams, December 10)

And His grace will be sufficient,

When your heart is pierced with pain.

Will you live to bless His loved ones,

Tho’ your life be bruised and torn,

Like the bird that sang so sweetly,

With its heart against a thorn? (Ibid, p.460)

May one's cuppa adversi-TEA go down a little easier as one considers all the possibilities of benefit to others.

Livabili-TEA

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34, NIV)

Livability is the sum of the factors that add up to a community's quality of life including—

1. both built and natural environments, 
2. economic prosperity, 
3. social stability and equity, 
4. educational opportunity, and....
5. cultural, entertainment and recreation possibilities. 

For the community of faith, livability, which includes awareness and aspects of the above list, is anchored in one of the verb tenses of life.

Not past tense---Too full of regret.
Not future tense----Too full of fear. 

But......the pleasant present tense. Livability resides in the moment!

Make the most of each moment. Help others in the household of faith to do the same......

• This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, ESV) 
• Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…(Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV)
• Enjoy the blessing of each day! (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, MSG)
• Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)

.......and encourage your friends in the faith communi-TEA to do the same. 
Liveabili-TEA served to all in God's household.

Pittsburgh Possibili-TEAs

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 

(Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

So many possibiliti-TEAs for our 24th annual amigas trip. Barbara, concierge at the William Penn in Pittsburgh, said our proposed schedule was a little too ambitious. Watch out Barbara!
We are on plan G---and God's plans are always exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or hope. (Ephesians 3:20) Plus, factoring in a touch of "female rebelness" virtually assures an all-out effort.
Hysterically funny play at the Cabaret theatre. Christmas Events---lights EVERYWHERE. The Nutcracker. Wintergarden exhibit at PPG w/ around the holiday displays, think Santa in every language.

Wintergarden's Ukraine  tableau celebrates Holy Supper, a family feast, on January 6.

Creche at US Steel Plaza ; only authorized replica of Vatican's creche in St.Peter's Square in Rome, Italy

The Cathedral of Learning's national rooms (actual classrooms used by the students) were all decorated for Christmas on the University of Pittsburg Campus.

Romanian Room
Click for unforgettable tour of any of the 30 rooms of your choice.

Of course, the Ukraine room (above) was my favorite.
Carnegie Museums of History and Art. Andy Warhol museum.Phipps Conservatory with 14 rooms of Christmas blooms and vignettes.Heinz Center.

Bonnie & Rosie the Riveter at the Heinze Historical  Center

The weather might have been overcast and drizzly and the hotel room a little WARM on occasion, at least for post-menopausal women, but the FUN and FRIENDSHIP trumped it all. Who says we can't find our way across the street to a restaurant---or at least have an adventure trying!

As always, we ate our way thru the city----Downtown, Oakland, The Strip, Mount Washington and Station Square, to name a few. Everything from Southie drink & fried pickles at Meat and Potatoes, and Desserts at The Porch to fancy meals with sensational seafood at Grand Concourse with river view seating and pierogies and great entrees at the award winning Carlton. Plus, the BEST Eggs Benedict ever (Baltimore style, with crabcakes) in the Terrace Room at our hotel.

Pamela's in "The Strip" w/ nostalgic photos on the wall and crunchy edge hotcakes loved by me--
and Obama, too, according to the autographed wall art photo!

Gigi holds all "the goods."

Primanti Bros. even had "sweet tea" on the menu---imagine that! They also serve french fries and slaw on the pastrami/corned beef sandwiches and have fried dill pickles that are nuclear HOT!

This trip there was lots of "tea" for me. I sipped tea, (via an incline for a cuppa at the Grand Brew) bought tea in The Strip and was served tea by my friends when I was having a bit of a tummy issue.

We certainly sipped a BIG cuppa all the possibilit-TEAs on our Pittsburgh Neighborhood's Bucket List.

But Mr. Roger's Neighborhood is still my favorite neighborhood.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : spor-TEA

Charles Martin, usually a fave author for me---didn't disappoint most of his fans with his latest, A Life Intercepted. For me, it's not a typical, "I loved it.....but more of an "it's okay."

It's about football, a sport which I'm actually a fan of, but for me, Life Intercepted seemed to bog down a little with the details. Yet, as always, Martin is a storyteller extraordinaire----especially when love is a part of the plot.
Falsely accused of a heinous crime,the protagonist, Matthew, lost everything precious when he was sentenced to prison and never gave up proclaiming his innocence. (The mystery of what really happened is woven into the story.) Now, his goal is to do whatever it takes to find his wife and win her back, even if it means reincarceration.

I looked into her eyes and knew that if my wife was in there, she was buried beneath a world of pain. (p. 101) 

The author's notes help explain the importance of the football focus in Martin's own life and how that "game" metaphor is a lot like life, with forgiveness and redemption seen as crucial in relationships.

Cuppa Vague Spirituali-TEA

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 

(2 Timothy 4:3, NLT)

These days many people sip from a cuppa vague spirituali-TEA. A "spirituality" that never says NO to their own whims or behavior. There is no big fat no-o-o for any spirituality, which actually condones their chosen lifestyle. 
A spirituality often more interested in the environment than in God, who created it. Loving creation more than the creator.
Saving an obscure species or protecting the oceans can become their religion, because it's what they love. 
Vague spirituality is self-love---NOT love of the Lord.

To put it in "southern speak," folks seek a spirituality which allows them to harken after their own hankerings. 

Choose NOT to let the world serve you a cuppa vague spirituali-TEA. Rather drink deeply form the well of "living water." (John 4:10)

Gra-TEA-tude---how BIG is your cuppa?

 Give thanks to Lord Jehovah, because he is good, and his grace is for eternity. (Psalms 107:1, Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

I don't think any devotional book speaks more to my heart about trust and thankfulness than Sarah Young's, Jesus Calling.

It is a rare person who, when his cup frequently runs over, can thank God instead of complaining about the limited size of his mug! —Bob Russell, retired pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.

I am grateful to brother Buddy and Charlotte for introducing me to Bob Cherry, who inspires me to add lots of sweet gra-TEA-tude to my BIGGEST cuppa.