Profundi-TEA

Profundi-TEA--I'm steeping a big cuppa to share the deep (for me) insight which the Lord has shown me to aid my knowledge of John !5:1-17.

Irish Breakfast is a good strong black tea---perfect to jog "profound" thoughts!

THOTS as I have dubbed it---Trusting Him On This Subject!

This past week in response to a valid question asked by BSF friend, Jackie, I shared with her how John 15 had changed my "spiritual" life. Then, she asked me how many verses were in the book of John.  I realized that I had not a clue.

So, last Wednesday, I opened my Bible to the book of John (27 verses, by the way) and realized it was not the entire chapter that had so impacted my "first" journey into Bible study. It was the "abiding" passage in the first 17 verses which the Lord used to draw me unto Himself.

As I returned to the passage, I began to use the "precept" method of inductive Bible Study re-introduced to me by Marilyn LeBlanc in our "Summer Refreshment " study of the book of Esther.
I began to look for key words.

As I meditated (and counted # of times certain words were used) I found abide (11) love (9) & bear fruit (7) Arranging  them in descending numerical order put them in alphabetical order----which spells alb.

Alb---a white linen robe worn by a priest at mass.

For the first time in 40 years, when I was first introduced to this passage by Bible teacher Kay Arthur, I saw those words becoming my personal "alb" as the white robe (Psalm 51:7) of His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) of "my high priest" (Hebrews 4:14) covered me as I worshipped!

I'm not sure the "steeping" is complete in my cuppa profundi-TEA as there still seems to be a few thoughts "brewing" in my head. But....I decided to pour out what I've learned so far. (before I forget it) 

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ABCs......(A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H)........ XYZs of the Beach!

ABCs of Liles' Family Beach vacation---aka "Big Water!"
Starting at the very beginning, a very good place to start!

A---Acceptance of long auto trips and airline cancellations

B---Birdwatching & broad jump event

From youngest to oldest, their strong broad/long jump attempts left a blur!

C---COUSINS (with cute "handmade" bracelets)

D---"Dip-tation"---we dip in the ocean, dip in the pool, we dip into the Pancho's cheese dip and into the Donut Hole boxes.

E---Eating and Eating and Eating some more!!(Peeling shrimp can be hard work)

F---Fish---Amberjack is pretty yummy when Uncle Josh & the boys grill it!

G---Grandparents

H---Hunting hermit Crabs

A.B.C.......(I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q)......X.Y.Z. at the beach!

I---International Meals---USA, Italy,  Mexico and Canada

J---javelin throw event and jellyfish (hooray we had none except a piece of one found while crabbing

K--kite flying and kelp (hooray, this year no kelp either)

L---lakes and lagoons

M---Majestica Beach on 30A, our favorite

N---Natural beauty from God's hand (Psalm 24:1 & Psalm 95:5)

O---lympics at the beach---broad jump, hurdles and relay

P---Pelicans, piers and palm trees

Q---Quiet moments

A.B.C. ......(R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z).....X.Y.Zs at the beach!

Entries (3) will be entered starting from the end of the alphabet----weird, idiosyncratic person that I am--will want the entries to flow from top to bottom (A-Z) as they are read, when completed.

Thus, today's alphabet focus letters are R-Z.  Updates/replacements may be added as I find other photos.

R---reading, relaxing and ripcurrents 

S---sandcastles, sea oats, sandy burials, snorkeling and "Shark Shot Put" (an olympic sport of our own making)

 

T---Tea Times

U---USA "Beach"Team---pre-olympic trials

V---vacation for 17. How blessed it is when the brethren dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133:1)

W---white sand beaches and white foamy surf

X---xtraordinary extras---laughs known & understood only to those who were there!

Y---yoga on the balcony, on the sand, on the boardwalk & inside for the grannies

Z---Zephyr---ah-h those beach breezes during picture night

SPECTACULAR SUNSETS

God's glory fills the sky. with every sunrise and sunset, His mighty works are there for all to see!!!

Sunset in Memphis at tthe "M" bridge over the "Mighty Mississippi" River

....where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy. (Psalm 65:8b)

Over St. Andrews Bay Florida

The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. (Psalms 19:1)

Over the East Bayou in Callaway, FL

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised. (Psalm 113: 3)

 Gulf sunset---a beautiful end to a perfect day with family at the beach!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ASHLEY BRYAN!!

Dear, dear friend, Ashley Bryan, is 93 today!!

We have been friends for 25+ years---a friendship that continues to inspire and bless me!!

A birthday kiss for Ashley as hubby and I went to "his island" 3 years ago for his 90th birthday!

Today's morning "birthday call" to him ended up, as always, being a blessing to me---a real cause for celebration, as he celebrates life daily better than anyone I know.

As I was sharing that his birthday card might miss today's "mailboat," but that is was on the way, he said to me, "Dotsy, we always keep in touch even without letters or phone calls.....because you are always in my heart."

Happy Birthday, Ashley---you are always in my heart as well!

Opportuni-TEAs

Each "day the good Lord gives us" (Daddy) is full of opportunities to be salt and light in this world.

As beloved "sheep" of the Great Shepherd, believers need to rise and shine and serve Him and others.

How does one know God's will in this time of much trouble, tragedies and  unrest in our world? Our country? Our state? Our city?

God's word holds the answer. (1Peter 2:13-17)

• Do good. (v. 15)
• Live as servants of God. (v. 16)
• Honor everyone.  (v. 16) "Honoring others involves maintaining respectful consideration." (Cole Huffman, 7/10/2016) 
• Love the brotherhood. (v. 17) 
• Fear God. (v. 17)

"Rise and Shine" and sip and savor a cuppa opportuni-TEA to glorify God and serve others----remembering that "Righteousness exalts a nation!" (Proverbs 14:34)

Cer-TEA-tude

Certitude (aka cer-TEA-tude in my "Tea with Thee" times) is a condition of certainty that provides complete assurance. Think "Blessed Assurance."
So...this morning a BIG, strong cuppa certain-TEA is steeping.

Blaise Paschal wrote, "Certitude. Certitude. Feeling Joy. Peace......Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except God." (Love Aflame, p.3)

I know, that I know, that I know....nothing is more important than knowing God.
God is sovereign!
Thus, there is nothing more important than knowing Him, being His and accepting His sovereignty!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

Happy 240th birthday, USA!

Friend, Gayle, created this "masterpiece"---an America's birthday cake for her family's Pickwick 4th of July weekend celebration! I can't begin to imagine how she did that!

FREEDOM: A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION....for both our country and one's own soul.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

CANADA DAY!

What fun to celebrate a "cuppa" on Canada Day with "new" Canadian friends and sing their anthem "O Canada" together!.

Sweet Charlotte sharing her Scottish recipe oat cakes---which I love.

Allison from Ottawa read John 4:21-24,  our morning scripture, from 2 languages, no less?

How good and how peasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133:1)