TEA-ditions

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (Ecclesiastes 3:4, ESV)

In the fall we Liles have lots of "fall" traditions. Tonight we're having chili because it's Halloween---even son Josh in Brooklyn has his pot cooking as I type. It must be an innate thing.

In the garden, cool temps bring out the pansies for my garden. This tradition was started as my two nieces, Polly and Allyson, became Tri-Delts at the University of Kentucky and the pansy was their sorority's  flower. A flower of friendship thru membership. A flower of loving thoughts. After Allyson's death in 1995, the gentle flower took on the horticultural symbolism of remembrance.
Tonight we warm ourselves as we share that warm pot of chili with friends and sweet memories of her.

Thus, the two traditions meld as the pansies in my garden remember Allyson and the ones on my table celebrate a belated birthday dinner with dear friend, Diane.

Blending loving thoughts of both remembrance and celebration in my cuppa of tea-dition today!

A Grande Cuppa Gra-TEA-tude

And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 
(1 Chronicles 29:13, ESV)

Big things.  Favorable carotid artery report. Good hospital care for relatives. Answered prayers. Seeing a 7 yr old "king" at Kids' Karnival. Lesson input from a daughter-in-law.

Little things. A "positive" phone message. A relevant bookmark. Rye bread for a pimento cheese sandwich. Finding one more Tesco decaf teabag. A quote in a note.

Hard things. Suffering that draws others close. Privilege of praying God's word for others with difficult and challenging prayer needs.

"Giving thanks always and for everything..." as it says in Ephesians 5:20.
Malcolm Muggeridge, who came to know the Lord later in life, says it well, “Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message.”

Perfect quote in a note to enjoy with a cuppa gra-TEA-tude, brewed with Tesco decaf, compliments of son, Josh.

Mys-TEA-ry of Prayer

My sheep listen to my voice; (John 10:27, NIV)

It's been said that the only way to really get to know some one is to "shut-up and listen." At our house "shut-up" is considered an "S" word, so we say "hush" or in this context, "Be quiet and listen." 

I think that bodes well for our prayer times as well. God already knows us---inside and out. But, if we want to really know Him, maybe we need to say less and listen more.

Prayertime isn't just some grocery list where we go thru the quick check with our items---cross them off our list and hurry on to "our" real agenda. 

God's children have ears to hear---the question is, "Will they use those ears to hear the voice (Word) of God? (Amos 8:11-12)

Listening requires one to "tune in" to Him, which for me means "tuning out" the audible distractions of the world (“Take heed what ye hear.”--Mark 4:24-25) & even the whirring thoughts that can creep into my thinking. Thus an open Bible--a tool used to keep me focused on His word as I meditate and pray. 

Meditation helps this sheep stayed "tuned in" to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who will enable me to hear the very, and often exact, word I need to help get through my day. Mysterious, I know......but when God's Spirit speaks, we need to be still and "tuned in" in order to truly listen.

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)

As I sip my cuppa, filled with the beauty and mys-TEA-ry of prayer, I pray “give me, thy servant a hearing heart,” just as Solomon prayed.* (1 Kings 3:9)

*In the Hebrew, "understanding heart" is literally translated as "a hearing heart."

Palette of Plen-TEA -ful Beauty

The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:12, NASB)

Dropping temps once again prompted our "favorite season" discussion at water aerobics. Most tended toward the temperate months tho there were a few "hot-weather" die-hards. 

A last vestige of summer against a brilliant fall sky.

Among the temperate climate lovers, autumn seemed to be the winner. Color being the reason.

Certainly there is much beauty to behold this time of year, especially if you, as friend Jerrie, are a fan of orange. 

This past week in the mountains, I once again had my eyes wide open to God's offering of "fantastic foliage n the foothills." It seems in the fall that even if you're just squinting, there is color everywhere, even in flat Memphis, where pumpkin orange is prolific! Pumpkins on parade. 

A true palette of plen-TEA-ful color served in a cuppa beauty. 

All by God's design. God saw that it was good and I do as well.

A Cuppa Necessi-TEA

......And what does the LORD require of you But....to love kindness, And to walk humbly.... ?(Micah 6:8, KJV)

A cup of tea, fast internet connection and a trustworthy best friend are some of the bare necessities of modern life, according to a Daily Mail internet survey. Also included were television, iPhone, and a car. Naturally, a cup of tea was #1, as the survey was done among the Brits. As a tea lover, I concur. I would also add a crossword puzzle to my list and a FRIXiON Clicker 07 erasable pen. 

This past week I have experienced life in a place with no daily weather reports, (unless one requested them)----we just walked outside for a temp ck and looked up to see the cloud cover---or lack there of. At home, the weather can tend to rule conversation and scheduling. 

I knew little of the world's happening---Seattle slayings or Ebola possibility until I returned home. It was a welcome respite from the barrage of negative news which tend to overtake our media and can make me feel sad and helpless.

No cell reception, limited TV (by choice) and a car that stayed "mostly" parked was very welcome. We tooled around in a golf cart. Even food, which is a universal necessity, was "eating what was at hand." (OK, so much of what was "at hand" was delivered by Chef, Simon.) But....bacon and eggs and a simple grilled cheese are equally good to curb one's hunger.

Much of the preceding list was "tongue-in-cheek" as a way of emphasizing some of the less important things which many folks consider physical necessities. What about spiritual necessities?

But God.....has a way of narrowing down true necessities to kindness and humility----using those "times away" to draw one unto Himself. Heart preparation can occur in the still moments so that the bulldozer of God's Spirit can arrive and begin to touch our soul each day in a new way. True relational necessities linked and strengthened with those spiritual chains of shared-faith.

Sharing morning devotions around a table after laughing over unique breakfast choices, think "sweets." Sharing and caring. 

Celebrating life.....whether in song and dance with "toasts," or in the simple acts of a Scrabble game or singing hymns with lots of la-la-las when no one can quite remember all the words.

Doing dishes together at the sink. Pooling our minds together to come up with a crossword answer or just a random fact that somehow escapes our memories.....until later. Then, we're free to shout it out, without condemnation.

A cuppa spiritual necessi-TEA sweetened with relational integrity and served with kindness and humility.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : Locali-TEA----Aus-TEA-ralian Outback

One of 150 recopies of this historical fiction---not even a copyright. The book was the result of Amereon LTD in order to keep availble unusual copies.
Written by Norwegian author, Nevil Shute, the book is based on the Japanese invasion of Sumatra and the journey of 80 women and children in a forced 2 1/2 year journey around the island. This vast journey ended with only 30 of them alive. The Author's Notes are a MUST!
The chapter designations start in the middle of a page. Not dust jacket. A gentle find.

Time frame--World War II. 

Setting--Malaysia, England, Australia, with a brief visit to Scotland in the beginning.

To find "A Town Like Alice," and fully understand the title----read to page 162....and there are only 277 pages in the book. An intriguing book which I happen to like.

A Cuppa Mountain Majes-TEA

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. (1Chronicles 29:11, NIV)

How much easier for me, it is to praise the Lord when surrounded by the glory and grandeur of mountains!

Those feet would be mine but the colorful trees, majestic mountains and fluffy clouds are all HIS!

A cuppa majes-TEA that is filled with praise for HIS creation!

Clari-TEA of Hearing

And He was saying, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 4:9, NASB)

Scripture teaches much about the Lord, our creator. From Genesis 1 to Romans 1:19-20. Words of truth can jump off the pages. Often the wonder of creation jumps out at me the minute I open my eyes in the morning.......if I "have ears to hear and eyes to see."

This week those truths have been exemplified visually and aurally as I have walked through the fields and in "The Garden" at Blackberry Farm. From pigs and birds to rustling wind and babbling brooks. What awesome reminders!

"This is my Father's world and to my listening ears, all nature sings and round me rings, the music of the spheres..."
from memory----also found in hymn 144 of the Cokesbury Hymnal.

May the Lord grant clarit-TEA in my cuppa as I walk among the sights and sounds of His creation, wherever I may be.

This is my Father's world----oh let me ne're forget! 

Quotabili-TEA : a Visual

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: (Proverbs 17:27, KJV)

In my opinion, folks with top-notch writing ability can say the most with the fewest words.
Pithy with a punch. For me, nothing jogs my memory better than a pithy quote......whether it's written in my Bible maginalia, my journal or seen on a creative craft.
Quotabili-TEA---good quotes, great pithy quotes, quotes worth sharing. From spiritual or intellectual to relational and funny.
Often, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a 1,000 words.

• We must allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. (Bonhoeffer)
• All of life must be given to the Lord----spiritual and secular are not separate. (1/1990 Serendipity Bible)
• I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth (Martin Luther)

Humility---this highway doesn't have too much traffic in politics (7/2006, Howard Clark)

• Sooner or later even the upbeat soul gets beat up by life (R.Morgan, The Promise, p,.2)
• "Life huggers"--people who hang on to this world because they think this is it. (Richard Paul Evans)

Somethings do require cake---but at Blackberry Farm one might substitute pecan pie, fudge, iced brownies or Dove Bars.

Cuppa Locali-TEA in a quote---

Tea definition--

• No two persons ever read the same book. (Edmund Wilson)
• There's no such thing as a good book written just for children. If it's good, any age can enjoy it. (Dotsy)

So many quotes so little time and space----My Bibles are filled with quotes.....as is the internet. But.....these are the ones that ring true with me and my cuppa quotabili-TEA to share with others.

"Divini-TEA" of only One

...we know that "An idol is nothing at all in the world" and that "There is no God but one." (1 Corinthians 8:4, NIV)

In all the world, there is but one true God. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. 

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: (Deuteronomy 6:4)

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5)

Nothing says it better! 

Only fools say there is no God. (Psalm 14:1)

Share a cuppa divini-TEA with one who might doubt the truth.

Sagaci-TEA and Serendipi-TEA : a perfect blend

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; (Proverbs 3:21, NIV)

According to YourDictionary.com, sagacity is the quality of being wise or having good judgment.

Serendipity is an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident---or as I call them God-incidences. The unexpected beneficial moments of life.

God's Word is THE book for wisdom in living. Its truths are sound judgments needed to live our lives by.....so, my Serendipity New Testament is a perfect blend of sagaci-TEA and serendipi-TEA! A great cuppa; it provides the unexpected, yet beneficial extra.

Boun-TEA-ful Harvest

While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22, NASB)

Autumn is visually my favorite season---the cooling temps also add to its seasonal charm, especially in the mountains. God's offering.
Roasted veggies. Caramel apples. Gingerbread. Pumpkin Roll. An autumn abundance.

What a bounty---apples , nuts and a canopy of leaves in the mountains of western North Carolina this past week. Everything in abundance.

Honey Crisp apples offering a snap and tingle in one's mouth from Barber Orchard off of Hwy 74N on Old Balsam Road just south of Waynesville, NC. Pecans and almonds from the "nut man's" white panel truck at the corner of Hwy 19 and Hwy 276 at the turn to Lake Junaluska, NC and a carpet of leaves as well as a canopy of color above us on the Henize property off of Walnut creek Road and Hwy 64 between Franklin and Highlands, NC.

"The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us." (Psalm 67:6) 

How this verse rang true for us and dear friends as we soaked up the crisp, clean mountain air of North Carolina. Carolina blue skies seem to emit a keeness of sorts as the temps begin to fall.

A boun-TEA-ful cuppa blessings for me......and my dear friends!

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : heartfelt hilari-TEA

Bob Goff's NYX bestseller, Love Does, is a book which celebrates the ordinary and the whimsies of life. 

I loved this book---to pieces and in pieces. Part was shared in an after dinner read aloud. Part was read alone. Part was read to hubby. It's a perfect book to read in parts! 

Each of the 31 chapters are a complete story---perfect for a bedside table. You could go to school, especially Sunday School, on the chapter subtitles. "I used to think........but now I know.....!

• I used to think....you had to be special .....but now I know....you simply need to say yes.
• I used to think.....religion tasted horrible....but now I know....I was just eating the fake stuff.
• I used to think.....I could shape the circumstances around me......but now I know God uses the circumstances to shape me.
• I used to think.....I had to be somebody important to accomplish things....but now I know....Jesus uses ordinary people more.

Chapter 10 alone, is worth the price of the book to me. (And I'm frugal---I use the library!) "The Interviews" is worth a read by all heads of state.

Chapter 11, "Wow, What a Hit," was a favorite because it emphasized the importance of using encouraging words throughout life. It tugged at hubby's heart as well as mine. 

"Words of encouragement are like that. They have their own power and when they are said  by the right people, they can change everything.....Words people say to us not only have a shelf life, but have the ability to shape life." (Goff)

One review stated, "Its like you are just sitting there having a cup of tea with him (Goff) while he describes for you how he feels he is supposed to live like Jesus."

This book, a quick, easy read grabbed my funny bone, my heart and my tear ducts! 

That my friends is a recommendation!

Fideli-TEA : a re-brew

I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. (Luke 22:32, NASB)

Faithful in faith. One needs to remain true to  the calling of his faith. A faith secured at the cross.

Such faithfulness keeps the lines of communication open----think prayer---between earth and heaven. Without faith there is a BIG block in the communication between my soul and God's heart.

Faith is active. A cuppa gramma-TEA-ically correct "active" verbs overflows from loyalty to one's faith.

• Faith leans.....on God.
• Faith links....the Lord.
• Faith clothes......with the righteousness of Christ.
• Faith defends.....with the sword of the Spirit.
• Faith gives......victory to His own through His love.
• Faith honors.....God.

So.....fideli-TEA needs to be a regular cuppa for all believers.

"eterni-TEA" : a Re-brew

 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13, NIV)

How does one "stamp eternity on my eyeballs" as Jonathan Edwards was purported to have asked the Lord?

Start your morning with a verse of eternal significance to accompany your cuppa eterni-TEA!

"res-TEA-tution"

My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. (Psalm 55:21-22, ESV)

Have you ever stolen someone's joy? Their encouragement in life? Has someone ever robbed you of your joy as his/her action took life, as you had known it and turned it upside down? Was a relationship damaged?

What does it look like to say you're sorry and try, in as much as you're able, to do right and make up for it?

Memories stolen  or stained them. Stolen hope. Stolen encouragement. Stolen joy.

What does restitution require? 

Zacchaeus’s story in Luke 19 gives us a godly pattern for restitution. He admitted his sin and guilt of defrauding people, having cheated them out of what was rightfully theirs. He was truly remorseful over those past actions. Not just in admittance.....but in willingness to change. Such repentance led to restitution.

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'

As a tax collector, he had been 1) guilty of defrauding people, 2) remorseful over his past actions, and 3) committed to making restitution. 
Restitution that demonstrates repentance. (when possible)

We should do the same.

Repentance and restitution are two more tenets of the Christian faith. Fundamentals. Basic Truths.

Repentance + Restitution = Rejoicing.

Repentance served with a cuppa res-TEA-tution brings rejoicing. 

Nos-TEA-algia

A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: 
(Proverbs 13:22, KJV)

Memories can warm you from the inside out. Other memories hold the pain of loss or loneliness.
Today's arrival of my class of '64 group picture, had recent memories of that "fun" event flood my mind. But recalling those whose faces were missing from the picture, tugged at my heart.

Not only that, but the memories, from that place where so many of my yesteryears were spent, are buried deep......but not so deep that they don't surface. Family memories.

Those memories had started surfacing as we turned toward "home" at least 24 miles out. I felt them in the pit of my stomach. No longer was a family home available in "my hometown."
No longer would Daddy dance with me at my reunion as he had done just 5 years earlier. I would visit Riverside Cemetery, not 2211 South Virginia though I would drive by.

Yet, when I visited the Christian Village homes of my parents' friends, we shared memories of happy times with Mother and Daddy. Bittersweet, yet somewhat healing. I indeed had a rich inheritance and it was therapeutic as I shared and recalled special events and funny times with their friends. Sharing was a two-way street and I think each of us took a little edge off the loneliness we all felt.

Sometimes a cuppa nos-TEA-algia is easier to swallow than at other times. 

Sharing that cuppa with "old" friends helps.

Sereni-TEA : a BIG cuppa

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
(Philippians 2:3, NASB)

Do you know someone who sips from a cuppa humili-TEA everyday? I do.
The Henizes---who put others first---always. Their door is aways open. Their humility spills over into the lives of every one they know.

They practice Ephesians 4:32. Kindness to others! Marge and Larry Henize exude it!

They embody the gospel and live it every moment of every day---at least every moment I've ever been with them.

For us, visiting in their home is as close to heaven as one can be. It's like a retreat. Blessings abound! Open-eyed prayers so you can face the ones you love. Yummy food. Table talk. Stories. LAUGHTER! Sharing. Peace. Serenity.

Reading aloud caps off a day in the mountains---nothing like it!!!

No better place---to sip a cuppa sereni-TEA. For me, it's the BIGGEST cuppa sereni-TEA available this side of heaven. 

Selectivi-TEA : a re-brew

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:12, NIV)

"Listening to the Lord" has continued to be in my musings. Is His voice so gentle and soft that I need a hearing aid? Or....am I not being still enough to sense His words?

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. (Psalm 37:7, NIV)

A chapter in book, Love Does, which Marge, my mountain hostess, shared with me, had a chapter dealing with this topic. Maybe, God speaks loud and clear through others.

Author, Bob Goff, definitely gave me some food for thought---or ear drops to clear my ears to aid my hearing. The intro to his "Hearing Aid" chapter said, "I used to think that God wouldn't talk to me but now I think I'm just selective with what I hear." (p. 137)

Other Goff gems:

• God doesn't speak in a voice into make audio needles move. 
• No cosmic whispers. No movie reels with subtitles.
• Sense something down deep like a tuning fork to "ping" my soul.
• God doesn't pass us messages, He passes us each other.

A great question is, "Am I just being lazy as I sip a cuppa selectivi-TEA while tuning out anything I don't want to hear?"

May I sit and "listen" just as Sarah Young did while writing Jesus Calling. She shared with me that it took lots of time sitting quietly and waiting.

Her cuppa selectivi-TEA provided impressions and scriptures on her heart and she jotted them down. A word. A phrase. a verse. A thought. She listened intentionally. Expectantly. Selectively. Blocking distractions. He filled her cuppa.

That's the best cuppa selectivi-TEA!

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : gra-TEA-fyingly wholesome

Jan Karon's latest in her "Mitford series," Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good is indeed gratifyingly wholesome. Since it's been a while since a Father Tim book was set in Mitfor, Karon provides some flashback moments to jog our memories and give us insight, as we recall characters and situations of old.

Possibly, Father Tim's "station of life" as a retiree speaks to me. He desires to serve others but sometimes takes on too much, trying to do it all. Many retirees can relate to that. His friend Hoppy reminds him, "To do it all and deprive others of doing---is a misguided notion." (p. 163)

Few writers can weave a prayer into a well crafted book without it looking like an afterthought, as well as Karon. So many tenets of  faith are the fabric of the "less than perfect town" of Mitford---but Father Tim offers hope to many.

Yet, even he has to learn that, "Love is an act of endless forgiveness." (p. 511)

Dooley was their hope---a door opening to all that could be healing and genuine.

'Take it from here, buddy,' he said. 'Take it from here.' (p. 511)

Sounds like a sequel or a new series in the making----for which I am gra-TEA-fyingly excited!

selectivi-TEA

....and the sheep listen to his voice...(John 10:3, NIV)

As I prepare to teach from 2 Timothy, I'm trying to come up with an intro which will grab the attention of my audience. Nowadays in our techy culture just getting anyone’s attention can be virtually (pun intended) impossible.  
Just as Paul was trying to get Timothy’s attention---or as a preacher teacher tries to get attention of his audience---iPhone vibrates---even if it is on mute and that little "tink" that indicates a text seems LOUD.
  
So many distractions it’s hard to tune in to God’s word. Hubby has lots of trouble hearing me--but has no trouble hearing that little “tinging” when he’s getting a text message on his cell phone ---now, at least he has it turned off between 10 and 7.

Do I tune out the Lord? Do I "listen" for Him only when it is convenient for me---not interrupting my schedules or distrubing my sleep?

One comes to know Him by tuning in at all times---by listening to Him through His word. Listening that penetrates the heart!

 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me," John 10:14

As John 10:27 states, we, who are His sheep, listen as to obey.
If we're choosing (selecting) NOT to listen, is that disobedience, in and of itself?

Is selectivity a euphemism for disobedience?

May I pour my self a cuppa selectivi-TEA today. A cuppa sweetened with obedience to His Word and accompanied by prayer, as Mother Teresa prayed.

Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts. ~ Mother Teresa

Sweet Divini-TEA

 Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13)

The most heavenly candy for me is divinity! Put a few pecans in it and I like it even better. Now I know that divinity candy has absolutely nothing to do with the Christian faith---though it tastes divine. But....this morning as I saw it right next to my Jesus Calling "Daybrightner" which I can conveniently flip to each day's entry...as it's right by my kitchen table, I set my cuppa down to get out a piece and some how saw the entire tableau as spiritual.

A three-fold draw to a sweet time in the Presence of the Divine One.
Even my cuppa was a Fortnum&Mason  royal blend that reminded me that I was a child of the King!

Divinity of Christ is like the skeleton key that opens the door to this foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. This tenet of the faith is non-negotiable and is sweet truth to every believer.

All believers should continually sip from a BIG cup of divini-TEA, served by the Lord Jesus Himself.

Communi-TEA TEA-ableau TEA-reat!

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16, NIV)

A tableau is defined as a striking or artistic grouping representing a period of time. Like a picture.

In our neighborhood, it's more than that. It's a charming way of extending blessings.

TEA-ableau TEA-reat for the entire communi-TEA

I was so "taken" by it that I had to set down my cuppa.....

   ......and take a picture of this community TEA-reat!

Thanks to these London Dr. neighbors for sharing their harvest tableau with us.

God's Word : His tes-TEA-monies

Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season.
(2 Timothy 4:2, NASB)

How can one preach or teach God's Word if they don't know it?

Maybe a BIG cuppa of commitment (commi-TEA-ment) to unearth truth (tea-ruth) by beginning to study the Bible is the first step. A desire to seek the treasures (tea-reasures) within. God's Word is his tes-TEA-mony cuppa. A cuppa purity. (puri-TEA) (Psalm 119:140)

In Psalm 119 one can discover many aspects of God's word, whether it's called the commandments, law, precepts, statutes, truth, or testimony----foundational for understanding the importance of knowing and keeping God's word. Knowing His word can enable one to "teach" or share with others.

In season and out of season is the "readiness" aspect of one's sharing of truth---occurring in God's timing.
Readiness is an offensive maneuver. As Katherine A. reminded me that in the description of "the full armor of God" in Ephesians 6:13-17---all are defensive weapons,  EXCEPT for God's Word. It is the sword of the Spirit and it is our tactical (Tac-TEA-cal) gear for offense.

God's word is the whole counsel of God. It is needed in its entire-TEA---not taken out of context.

God's tes-TEA-mony, a cuppa shared fully with others in His timing.

propinqui-TEA

Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: (Ruth 4:14-15, KJV)

Prayer times yesterday with a prayer partner and today, on my own, had me continuing to pray thru Psalm 73:23-28. "Nearness of God is my good." So many who are dear to me need to embrace that truth. 

It is during those times of nearness to Him that He restores and nourishes. He becomes a refuge and a guide. He holds us (especially needed during dark times) with His right hand, providing peace in the midst of the trial.

How does one close the "spatial gap" between heaven and earth in order to be near the Lord? A close proximi-TEA is needed.....but how does one get closer?

That's why propinqui-TEA was my "tea" choice during my "Tea with Thee" time today, because propinquity is more than just close in distance----it is a close kinship. Such a kinship is established as one is in God's Word discovering who He is. Triune God. Father. King. Brother.

As hubby and I have been reading from the book of Ruth, we have seen the importance of that kinsman (Hebrew go el) who acts on behalf of a relative. For Ruth it was Boaz, who "closed the  gap" when she needed someone near to her to be designated to deliver and rescue her.

Jehovah is Israel’s Redeemer, the one who promises to defend and vindicate them as they draw near to Him in worship.

In the New Testament, Christ is often regarded as an example of a kinsman-redeemer because, as our brother, He is the true kinsman-redeemer of all who call on Him in faith. Today I have been calling on Him for others....that a close relationship might be established with Him as they pour out their heart, seek to know Him thru His word and trust His goodness.

Proximi-TEA. Propinqui-TEA. 

What ever cuppa I choose, I need to sip it with my Bible open that I might draw near and get better acquainted with my Kinsman Redeemer and continue to pray for others---that they too might realize that nearness to Him can also be their good.

Reliabili-TEA

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: 

(Luke 16:10, KJV)

Some people can be counted on---by family, by friends, by co-workers and by sisters in the faith. Lisa is such a gal. She must have stated sipping from a cuppa reliabili-TEA at an early age. A solid family member, watching out for parents, siblings.....everyone. 

She takes her responsibilites as a wife and mother very seriously as well.This weekend her dependability was so-o-o evident at her daughter's wedding. She had been faithful in attending to every little detail.

Congratulations to Danielle and Brad!

When Kevin had questions, Lisa had it covered. When Danielle r-e-a-l-l-y wanted lots of flowers----flowers, gorgeous flowers, were everywhere---in baskets, in small containers, in large urns, on table tops and hanging on gas-lit walkways, to mention a few. All details were seen to and taken care of "ahead of time."

But, more than that, she was there emotionally---for both, while having fun with them in the midst of the support. 

Like mother, like daughter---both can be counted on, even to have fun..........
after all the "i"s are dotted and the "t"s have been crossed.

She had a "bubbly" cuppa reliabili-TEA making the evening fun for everyone, especially in the barn at Heartwood Hall.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : legali-TEA

Through all of his bestselling books, faithful fans of John Grisham's legal thrillers tend to esteem all of them. I am more of a reluctant Grisham reader and when his first books started becoming very predictable, I slowed down with his books. The Litigators in 2011 held my interest but

one of my favorites was far from a courtroom drama. I liked Playing for Pizza about football in Italy---maybe it was because of all the mouthwatering descriptions of Italian food.

This past week's read, Sycamore Row, was a result of an e-Audio book available from the public library for last weekend's road trip to my 50th class reunion in Kentucky,

Though I can languish with law research and lengthy litigation, much of this was helped by the reader, who was excellent. If I had been reading from the book, I might have done some scanning. Like most of Grisham's books which I have read, this one has some profanity.This one also had a lot of racial tension with references and a few of the characters from his previous story of retribution and justice, 1998's A Time to Kill, namely Clanton, MS attorney, Jake Brigance.

The plot: A wealthy white man hangs himself in a very deliberate and planned fashion. There is no question about his death, but there are a lot of questions about his estate. Days before his suicide, he changed his will, cut off his children and grandchildren and left the bulk of his estate to his black housekeeper/nurse. So begins a rather long story.

Maybe not Grisham at his finest but his die-hard fans will like it.

Autumn TEA-reats

And he changeth the times and the seasons: (Daniel 2:21, KJV)

....and aren't I glad for seasonal changes. Cold and heat. Seedtime and harvest.

Ah-h-h.....harvest means autumn and all its colors. One of the crowning glories of God's creation.

These fall days I am thankful for:

• Cool temps. Long sleeves coming out of storage.
• Tea with hints of cinnamon.
• Brilliant color for "leaf peepers."
• Fresh greens. Crisp apples. YUM! 
• Pumpkins on doorsteps.
• Fall sports. Football on TV. Soccer games for grands.
• Warm cuppas.

This morning I was grateful for holding my daughter's warm cuppa, needing a sweatshirt for my grandson's soccer game and the distraction from losing once again,.....

.....as a dragonfly took up residence on my purse strap. Owen loved it. Score forgotten.*

*Pop-Pop, a competitive sort, probably didn't forget.

Beau-TEA-ful Blossoms

and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD,....
(Exodus 16:7, NASB)

I know this verse goes on to talk about grumbling but these words jumped off the page after my Thursday morning walk with Ellen. Passing my next-door-neighbor's house, as we winded down from our walk, we were both in awe of the blossoms on the vine covering her mailbox!
Morning Glories---in more ways than one!

Each day, I have a "morning cuppa" and then because I live next door to Master Gardener Lynda, I also have my "morning blossom." There is always something blooming at her house. What a great neighbor to have. What a blessing!

Yesterday's "morning blossom" was a Flying Saucer variety, which really stood out to me in the midst of her Grandpa Ott's & those heavenly rich blues.

Such "morning blossom" views sweeten my "morning cuppa" All the sweeter yesterday because I got to share it with a dear friend. GLORY! 

In-TEA-macy of Marriage

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. (Psalm 31:9, ESV)

Sometimes there seems to be no cuppa to serve, no words to say....in the darkest times of grief. Losing a spouse is such a time. Prayers. Comfort foods. Words of comfort. Nothing assuages the grief like being there for them.

They feasted on love; every mode of it---solemn and merry, romantic and realistic, sometimes as dramatic as a thunderstorm, sometimes comfortable and unemphatic as putting on your soft slippers. (C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed)

Melody and Ronnie had such a marriage....filled with love! 

Commi-TEA-ment to Ministry

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. (2 Timothy 4:5, NLT)

How does one know if she is fully carrying out her God given ministry? She just keeps loving Him and serving Him by loving and serving others.

Sometimes ministry goes beyond one's street to meet someone at her point of need elsewhere in the community. The cuppa minis-TEA-ry might look a little different at each turn but if one seeks to bless those whom God has put in her path, even 45+ years ago,  she will serve them on their terms, according to their needs and their desires.

A cuppa minis-TEA-ry might be sweet, iced and served with 2 slices of lemon if one really seeks to serve another according to the recipient's pleasure. Whatever it takes. Whatever it looks like. Pleasing others in the household of faith pleases Him.**

**This blog was written early today as a result of a hospital visit yesterday. This afternoon I received a call from that long-time friend and sister in Christ, Melody. Her hubby died this afternoon. Such a shock. More ministry is needed for this "young" widow---young enough to have been rice girl at our '69 wedding. I don't know where to begin except on my knees seeking His mercy, comfort and guidance.