"HOUSE RULES"

6/18/13 Rushing in the door after our simplici-TEA session, I heard "The Voice" blaring from the TV so I knew I had made it home in time to hear the winner announced. This is the first season I've ever watched the show but when 4 singers from Memphis were selected, I was hooked. 

As I dropped my bags on the couch, 4 of the former guys sang "Ain't Too Proud to Beg".....so-o-o-o hubby and I danced. We always do when "our" dancin' song plays. It's the rule---no matter when or where it plays, we dance. We hadn't  heard it in a good long while, but we got our groove back.

Tonight it was a house rule! What a fun rule!


The Voice Update: Danielle Bradbery, a 16 yr. old from Cypress, TX, won. She and the other top 2 contenders also won a car, whic is sort of ironic since she doesn't even have her driver's license. At least she's from another favorite state (5 of my grands live there) and Sarah and Kris, two Memphians were also featured in the finale.

Sarah Simmons was a student at the Visible Music College on Madison Ave., a school that not only trains vocal artists in music, but in discipleship, worship and ministry as well. Kris Thomas grew up singing in his church choir where is father was the preacher. Grateful for the exposure of these two and hope they remain true to their "roots."

DREGS

6/18/13 In previous blog entries I have given a variety of euphemisms to the word "dregs." Dissatisfactions. Disappointments. Leftovers. Remnants. Worthless parts.

Last weeks simplici-TEA assignment /discussion encouraged looking at a specific "dreg" in one's own life. Identifying and dealing with dregs in our lives is one part of the meditation process. This week the focus was to be on that component. Component #3.

Using the Tea with Thee form, to aid in the blending, brewing, steeping and serving of our scripture meditation we were to ask God to show us our hearts....to see if there be any hurtful/wicked/offensive way in us. (Psalm 139:24) Allowing God to investigate/ cross-examine/test us can be so revealing, and even painful. But God....can use it to bring one to the point of crying out to Him, to "create in me a clean heart, O Lord" (Psalm 51:10) which can lead to a renewed Spirit within, i.e. a change in attitude or behavior.

1. Sip---find a verse or passage of scripture and "steep" it in prayer
2. Savor--think on it with prayerful guidance of God's Spirit 
3. Discard the dregs--eliminate the distasteful parts shown in your life
4. Pour out--not only to yourself but share what God has shown you thus benefitting others as well

The dreg, which God brought to my mind, was EXCESSIVE PLANNING. Though difficult to savor (think on) something so "bitter" in one's own life, it is necessary in order for God to teach truth and for change to occur.

I had to ask myself these hard questions:

• What brings on this distasteful "driven" attribute? 
• Am I still desiring  perfection, even though I know that's unattainable? 
• Is it fear based? 
• Is there a root of unbelief?

In Jesus Calling entry 4/25, author Sarah Young states, "fear often manifests itself in excessive planning." Christians know that fear is not from God because He has said, "I will always be with you." (Hebrews 13:5) Do I truly believe that? If I do, then my actions are not showing trust. Certainly a lack of trust can thwart intimacy with Him.

This dreg my friends is nothing but sin. By any other name, it's still sin. 

It's taking God out of the equation of my life's activities and actions.

It's a lack of trust. Lack of trust is rooted in unbelief.

That's not just a bitter dreg. That's sin.