CUPPA GENEROSITY

Generosi-TEA! Let's start our last day in 2021 with that cuppa!

As we turn the corner to a New Year, lets turn from getting to giving!

Robert Morgan would punctuate the above sentence with a divine exclamation point! (All to Jesus, Day 365) 

Where do you find yourself? 

I have to give. GRUDGINGLY

I Need to give. UNDER EXTERNAL COMPULSION

I want to give. CHEERFUL, EAGER & READY TO GIVE

How is your spending trending?

A year in Paul David Tripp's, New Morning Mercies has kept me focused on More of Thee and less of me......aka give to others more than to self. "Give us the grace to look at ourselves in the mirror of God's word. Powerful redeeming grace to remove of our heart of stone and replace them with hears of flesh"----giving hearts. (New Morning Mercies, December 10)

TAKEAWAYS:

Give self first to God.

Generous Giving is rooted in the grace of God.

Generosity is about Spirit, not resources.

Donate to your church or favorite charity. Give your time to pray for others.

Keep sipping your cuppa generosity-TEA throughout the coming year!

UNFORGETTABLE!!

Remembering Dr. Louis Carter........who passed away yesterday, December 25, 2021

Five decades of service with wife Anne at his side, even in remote mission hospitals.

Founder of Plastic Surgery Group for Missionary and National Doctors

Co-editor of Principles of Reconstructive Surgery for Surgeons in Africa

Awards;

• McCallie School Alumnus Award, 
• Wheaton College Distinguished Humanitarian Award, 
• American College of Surgeons Surgical Humanitarian Award, 
• Christian Medical and Dental Society Educator of the Year, 
• Crichton College Doctor of Humane Letters,
• UT Medical School induction in Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

What more could one say about Dr. Carter?

I say....."Dr. Carter saved my life as he blessed me and guided me through every step of my rare facial disfiguring cancer journey. He will forever be in my heart!"

NOEL

NOEL....NOEL from the Latin phrase, "natalis dies Domini" is also a biblical name meaning "the Lord's birthday." It's a short form  of Hebrew "NOrad EL" meaning born of EL"" or "born of God." 

"Noel, noel......born is the King of Israel!" Enough said. 

BEHOLDING WONDER!

Christmas Eve journaling.....

Hark (Behold) Pay attention.

Dr. Luke invites us to behold the birth of Jesus. Behold God's mercy in the manger.

Christmas Eve Service @ Allen Bible Church

Unwrap Jesus in His humanity.

Unwrap Jesus at the cross. 

At the cross, He was wrapped in our sins, to give us His righteousness.

Come let us adore Him.

Changing gloom to gladness.

"The essence of the Christian message is not Behave! but Behold!" (Jared Wilson)

Beholding changed to wonder is where life begins!

SECRET SANTA

What a privilege to be a "tiny" part of "my" Molly's Christmas Joy Project which she shared with many of her friends & social media contacts. Unbelievable response. Toys, clothes, shoes, monogrammed Bibles, small gifts, big gifts, some that had to be put together to gift cards & all the stockings stuffers. 

Some from folks she didn't even know. 

Generosity galore. 

Many of her friends & neighbors had their own children participating as well. 

A lot of God pleasing, cheerful giving going on this Christmas in Memphis! 

(Hebrews 13:16, 2 Corinthians 9:7)

It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:30) 

One person gives freely, yet gains even more....(Proverbs 11;24a) 

I've been blessed watching those blessed on both sides of this Secret Santa spectrum.

FAITH AGAIN!!!

I need any mnemonic, acronym or acrostic that helps my memory, especially in the spiritual realm!

My recall and retrieval are flagging.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

But.....when I'm lagging a bit in my zeal, one quick glance at this faith reminder, which has been hanging askew for years, I'm back on the faith trail!

MEET THE SHEEP--FAITH

Faith is the sheep at the far left on our mantle. He is the starting place.

Just like in life. Faith is the beginning point.

F ast forward

A ll

I ssues

T o 

H eaven

Unwrap faith anew this Christmas and spread it abroad! (Romans 5:5)

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS...........

Indeed it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

from the porch....

....to the kitchen table

....to the buffet

to the Manger in the front yard.

Reason for the Season. 

Christ gave that we might share the true gift!

PREFIX PERFECTION!

Prefix perfection, or as wordsmith friend, farmer Doris, reminds me---a segue to goodness from reality when God uses them in our lives for His glory.

What a wonderful reminder on Wordsmith Wednesday! (2 Corinthians 2 :14a)

HOLE-IN-ONE!!!

FINALLY--hubby's longtime dream has come true.

Hole-in-One

River Bend Links

Tunica Resorts 10:30 AM

Hole #4

December 14, 2021

WOOHOO! CONGRATS, BABY HONEY!

STEAKS FOR SUPPER!!

ADVENT SUNDAY #3

How refreshing to pick up the morning paper on this third Sunday of Advent and read a very appropriate "published" scripture.

Titus 3:4-7 reminds us of the ,joy believers have because of the LOVE of God' who gave His son---His indescribable gift, (2 Corinthians 9:15) the hope of eternal life! Thanks be to God!

MEET THE SHEEP---ZEB

Zeb is the Christmas drummer in the Really Woolly sheep series. Zeb  sits above the stocking of #3 grand who came into the world just 26 days before Christmas in 2005, the year this sheep appeared in th Collectors' Edition Series 1.

The Hebrew meaning for Zeb is a gift of Jehovah. 

In the Really Woolly story, Zeb plays the drum as a way to remember the little heartbeat of love he heard on that Christmas once so long ago. (Luke 2:17-20, NIV)

generosi-TEA

It's December.

Christmas is just around the corner.....a great time of year to sip a cuppa generosity-TEA, sweetened with a heaping spoon of God's grace. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Allen Bible Church 12/5/2021.

• All is God's, we just give back.
• Generosity is rooted in the grace of God.
• Generous people change the world.
• Generosity is about our Spirit, not our resources.
• God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Thanks be to God for HIs inexpressible gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15)

2nd ADVENT SUNDAY

Why does one  Light the Candle of Peace during this time of "waiting" known as Advent?

 

Amen to the One who is the "Perfect" answer to the Advent of Peace!

MEET THE SHEEP--HOPE

Hope is the sheep that sits above the youngest grand's stocking.

Hope is holding on to unopened gifts of possibilities. After all that's what hope is.

Is peace a possibility in our world today? I hope so!

Does the power of love reign in our own families? I hope so!

Are our prayers laced with hope and love? I hope so.

He                       Harness                    Hold

Offers                  Omnipotent              Onto  

Peace                   Power of                  Prayers

Eternal                Emmanuel                Everyday

I hope we all unwrap these gifts* from the heart to share with one another this Christmas!

*At Allen bible Church the Advent candle of hope was lit.

MEET THE SHEEP........

Meet the sheep.........the ovines that bedeck my mantle once a year. 

(Fresh magnolia leaves will be added soon.) 

This intro is to hold my place and my thoughts until my energy returns and I can complete entry.

Pic with magnolia still in process.

Would love for "Santa" to bring me Jake for one of my "J" boys!

MEDITATING MONDAYS' MOMENTS

When a Monday begins with a continuation of Saturday and Sunday sickness one, at least this one, can lose her focus. My body was out of steam. There was no zip or zest, just weariness. But God....brought a verse into focus.

"Don't burn out; keep yourself fueled and aflame." (Romans 12:11, MSG)

How does one do that when she is physically spent? Start where you are. 

Look for God's hand.

Be fully present in the present so God can present His perfect present. (Taylor Park)

God's grace is our best present.

Remind me daily that even the smallest of moments do matter.

NOVEMBER FROST MOON

A picture for the ages (11/19/2021 5;34 am CST).....because the next Frost Moon/ partial lunar eclipse won't be seen in North America won't be until 2100! It was the longest partial lunar eclipse since 1440, and the longest until 2669.

Glory....to the one who made the moon for the seasons. (Psalm 104:19) 

COMING and GOING

Some days I feel as if I "meet myself coming and going!" (an idiom from my Hoptown hometown days)

On a recent road trip to visit family, a food replenishment stop, gave a positive meaning to that saying, 

Location: THE BURGER JOINT, New Boston, Texas

As we were coming in we were greeted with God's Word! What an auspicious beginning for one who was having trouble holding her head up because of pain. (Philippians 4:6-7)

As we had our rr break and waited for our food another "timely" message helped endure the wait. (Colossians 3:15)

More relevant scripture was visible upon our exit---a great "going out" reminder. (Exodus 14:14

Did I mention that whether we were just coming in for refreshment or going out to return to our car, every employee was smiling and helpful!!

As we drove off, my mind was flooded with scripture that would sustain me the rest of this somewhat arduous trip. 

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:8, emphasis mine)

LINGO of the LAND, TIME & NEED

Language, lingo, vernacular, slang, southern speak. Jargon of the people. In other words.....WORDS. 

To the unfamiliar ear, words and phrases can seem to be mumbo jumbo,

Many terms/phrases are regional. As I never understand half of the words my teenage grands use, I'd say age is a demographic factor.

Today I feel knackered! (a Brit term for tired or worn out)  

Some words, toot berries comes to mind, are family specific.

New words/phrases are added yearly. One add to the OED in 2020, which I like, is adj. awesomesauce, for extremely good, excellent. (Siri doesn't know it yet and chooses to underline it or respell as she does often with my southern dialect when I talk my text.) Certainly the pandemic has added terms; anti-vaxxer, & pandemic brain, which often refers to fogginess when trying to focus, concentrate or make decisions along with 

But I digress as I often do. Think excursus....a digression in a written text. (Latin-"excurrere") 

I often think of it as allowing my mind or mouth to go on an excursion away from a main idea. 

But God....in His word simply reminds me---let my yes be yes and my no be no as no other oath is needed. (James 5:12) I mean what I say and say what I mean when sharing God's truth. 

Ecclesiastes 5:2 reminds us to let our words be few.

No fancy words or lingo needed just simple truth. (Proverbs 17:27)

Walk the talk of gospel truth.

Monday Meditation

Mondays are for meditation at my house. All who know me know that.....so why am I muddling in my maladies today? Distraction reigns. Disillusionment is trying to creep in. I need to return to meditation afresh.

Jack, a budding paleontologist, calls this one Tri-Larrytops!

God is not a God of chaos, confusion and disorder.....but of peace! (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day!  (Psalm 119:27)

Therefore.........I'm heading to church for a time of meditation with some prayer warriors.

May we all be revived by the Lord of peace.

GUESS-S-S-S WHAT DAY IT IS?

The pictures should be your best clue!

Treats from Memphis, New York and Texas!

ALL......SAYS..........IT..........ALL!

All says it all. The dictionary defines "all" as an indefinite adjective. In Scripture, I see all often used as complete, definite. In English, all has several functions---as an adverb, noun or pronoun. Most often I think of "all" as completely.

"That's all she wrote." That could mean something is finished and that is all there is to be said. For me,  it could mean, if I were the "she" that tonight I'm finished typing. Nite. Nite.

It was all I could do not to get up in the night to finish this because thoughts were whirring.

As thoughts are still whirring about current circumstances, I went back to Robert Morgan's All to Jesus Day 297, whose thoughts were not whirring but were clear and concise.

With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and...be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18, NASB)

All kinds of prayers---arrow prayers (Margie Hornor) "HELP, THANKS, WOW prayers, (Anne Lamott) silent prayers, spoken prayers, travel mercies prayers, walking prayers (JoLynn)

All hours of the day---morning, noon and night.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16, KJV)

With all perseverance.....Keep on keeping on....(I Thessalonians 5:17)...for all the saints as many as possible specifically and by name. (Morgan, Day 297) 

All to Jesus I Surrender!

All says it all! That's all I have to say---today.

FAREWELL TO A FRIEND.....

Farewell.....for now. Too many tears to type at the moment....but I will return when I can fully honor her!! 

I feel as If I have lost a part of myself. 

Tuesday Truths. 24 hours since I heard the news. A roller coaster of emotions. A "walking in fog" of sorts. "Sadness and joy all mixed together" as one of her sons recounted. 

May I not forget truth and become overwhelmed by my sorrow. Sorrow is not the only reality there is. 

God's word in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that there is a time and a season for everything. Grief is one of those seasons. This time yesterday I began such a season when I learned of Ann's passing.

"A time to keep silent." (Ecclesiastes 3:7) I knew my inner spring would come from solitude. Time with the Lord and in His word. Time to drink it in. 

Joy is hidden in sorrow. (Henri Nouwen, my Bible marginalia) I need to remember truth and not be overwhelmed by my own sorrow. May my sadness be fertile ground for truth of God's ever presence. His strength. His consolation. 

May I not lose sight of the joy of the Lord because I have lost her. God Himself used Ann so many times in my own life to see His goodness. (Psalm 27:13) Today may the LORD loose my sackcloth and clothe me with gladness. Turn my mourning into dancing once again. (Psalm 30:11, paraphrased) 

There is a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:4) This is such a time. 

Lord, I ask You to be my choreographer once again as this unique dance of loss has me stumbling. (Psalm 37:24) I know you hold me because you now hold Ann. She has been a friend who has loved me well at all times. So....I must sing your praise (even if off key) and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever (Psalm 30:12).........for my deep and abiding friendship with Ann.

Annabelle, Mamaw, Mommabelle, Mrs. Martin. 

Ann----my mentor, my Proffitt's shopping guide for funeral attire, my grandson's school supporter, my water aerobics pal, my scrabble hero, my New Year's Eve game winner, my favorite cook, my tea brewer, my sidekick, my travel chum and my dear, dear dog-loving friend for 20+ years!

Thx Ethel, an angel of a caregiver, for this pic!

Oct. 2,  I was with Ann as she had her lunch. (It would be the last "real" conversation I had with her as COVID complications sent her to the hospital in the wee hours the next morning.) 

As she ate her dessert, her fave part of any meal, I told her it was "her" Dotsy behind the mask and when I pulled it back for her peek, she said, "No it's not! It's an angel." I'll take that. 

We all need to be angels for each other. She certainly has been there for me.

A fond farewell to Ann today. Farewell filled with sweet memories knowing she is with the LORD!

R - WORDS STILL RUMBLING

Monday's Prayer for Revival group's passage was Titus 3:1-8.

The very first word was Remind----that started those "R"s rumbling in my head again. Part of the reminder from Titus was "be ready!" God had my attention first with remind and I was rapt when a few words later, ready appeared. Rapt. (Was my rapt fascination about to "rapture" me.) BTW, Webster has rapture as an "archaic" term.....he must not have ever gone to my church. But I digress.

More R words that readily jumped off the page, into my heart and out through my praying mouth were righteousness, regeneration and renewal. Repentance was in my marginalia. I think my most comforting "r" word was an adverb, (v.6), referring to God's  richly pouring out on us the Holy Spirit...richly (ESV) ie. abundantly, (NKJV) freely, (NIrV) generously (NLT)

After listing readiness ways in the first 7 verses, verse 8 states, "The saying is trustworthy..." Of course it is, it's God's word. Let's all REST in that truth! 

Thanks to Lisa Dufur who shared her "R" appreciation for the original R word entry, RRRRRRRRRR with some useful "u" words. Would love for others to share as well. (underlines are mine)

I read it and I loved it.  Love the U words too. Where do you get these cool ideas to worship and remind us of his Unfailing love for us? It helps Us Understand his Unlimited power which is so Uplifting. 

NEWNESS OF LIFE

NEWNESS...lots of synonyms for this noun. Freshness. Originality. Uniqueness. Newfangledness. (an old school word) For me, newness can connote brightness/shininess. Something can be "brand spanking new" or "bright as a newly minted penny." In scripture, how is newness expressed? Anyone in Christ has a newness to his life. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV) A new way of  living has come into existence. (GW translation)

I like Robert Morgan's spiritual list from his All to Jesus, Day 291.

A few "new" insights on Morgan's list with my inferences;

• A New Name---Saul became Paul (Acts 13:9) Believers are called Christians.
• A New Nature---created according to God's likeness. (Ephesians 4:24)
• A New Motto---to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
• A New Lifestyle---we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4b, ESV)
• A New Future---eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)

A shining bright witness. Aglow with the Spirit! (Romans 12:11)

Newness---New every  morning! 

PEACEFUL PONDERINGS

Lysa TerKeurst has faced the realities of suffering in her life, from physical to emotional betrayal. She expresses these in seeing beautiful again. 

It's not always an easy read, but she weaves hope and peace in her entries.

• In the midst of struggles, others watch our reactions. (CONVICTION, mine) Responding in gentleness is a better reminder. (Philippians 4:5) (p. 48) Responding in peace is always preferable.
• When  something moves our focus from right to wrong....a slight and seemingly innocent amount of skewed thought can take root. (p.50) Skewed thoughts will rob us of our peace. (DAL)
• Your hurt will not be wasted. (p.56)
• Though others hurt you deeply, allow peace to flood your heart. "Peace that allows you to live like you are loved." (p. 62) God's word reminds us of that in Zephaniah 3:17.
• "Fear, pain, and insecurities can really do a number on our hearts." (p. 64) As Jesus said to the disciples,  "My peace I give you." (John 14:27b) As His present day disciples, we have access to this peace as well.
• THERE IS A PLACE TO ATTACH OUR HOPE, BUT IT'S NOT TO OUR DESIRE FOR CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES, Mark 14:36.... ends with strongest statement of trusting God that I can find in the whole Bible: Yet, not what I will but what you will. (p. 70)
• When TerKheurst wrote of her emergency colon surgery she learned that, God loved her through the life-saving pain. God's silence was part of the rescue. Psalm 145:18. (p. 75-76) Relief is a peaceful response.
• "His words are a lifeline to me. A whisper from my God. A personal note. A treasure......More important than just reading (just, my addition) His words, we must choose to receive them and live them! (p. 77, 80)  (emphasis, mine)

May these words and scriptures bring you peace and comfort this weekend.

AN APPLE A DAY---GIVE ME 2 OR 3!!

I never know what will attract me to food I've never tried before.  Usually it's affordable price. Yesterday, that was the "lead in" at Aldi for my purchase. The second draw..... the USA product was from New York, a state dear to my heart as it's home to my "grandgirls." Seasonal hankerings also clicked in! 

APPLES! God created fruit. (Genesis 1:29)

Apples @ $1.49 a lb with variety of sizes---I know "our" Jack likes small ones..  Loved the 100% recyclable bag concept. SweeTango was a catchy name for an apple new to me. The description almost sealed the deal.

A SWEET CRISP APPLE

with a lively touch of

CITRUS, HONEY and SPICE

The real deal sealer was my first bite!

YUM!!!!! CRISP in all caps!

I went back again---2 more times!

I have never advertised anything on this blog. This is not an ad and no profit will be gained be me. You're the one who will profit....if you hurry to buy your bag of SweeTango apples!

I bet you can't eat just one...................

MY, MY, MY, MY, MY

Before breakfast this morning, I picked up "my" Bible and "my" cup of tea. (literally)

It's the best way to start "my" day! A quick count in Proverbs 4 showed 9 "my" pronouns in the 27 verses. 

"Hear "my" son," (daughter) -------How personal  is that!

...and accept "my" words."  (Proverbs 4:10)

I am His and He is mine. Comforting words this Wednesday morning. 

"My" son, be attentive to "My" words. (Proverbs 4:20)

"My" God you are "my" God....(Psalm 63:1)

"MY" is a personal pronoun BUT it's called a possessive  adjective. 

My, my, my..............how special is that! He possesses me and I possess Him! 

* My Cup of Tea written on my mug, a gift from "my" dear friend Ellen, is a product of My Cup of Tea ministries in Orange Mound.

TUESDAY TRUTHS

Trio of Tuesday truths taken from Paul David Tripp's New Morning Mercies........my own paraphrasing.

1. True prayer is more than a "Wish list" from God the Deliverer.
2. Prayer is abandoning a life of demand and complaint....giving myself to a life of thankfulness.
3. True prayer happens at the intersection of surrender and celebration.

May the Lord use our submission (our proper place) to His purpose/His will (His proper place) Those "proper" positions will release us from our own bondage to SELF!