CHOOSE: GRATITUDE

Daddy used to begin his day, "thanking the good Lord for everyday He gave Him."

That's not a bad idea as everyday is a gift from Him. 

I sip from my cuppa "graTEAtude" as a reminder.

Today is indeed God's gift.

Choose "Gratitude" as an expression of that and live it out for the rest of the day!

"PERFECT GIFT"

All perfect gifts come from God. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Crickett's Christmas table says it  well!

Thanks be to God for giving His Son, who is the "Perfect" Gift for all mankind.

Safe-TEA, Securi-TEA, Sereni-TEA : a peaceful blend

May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity. (Psalm 122: 6-9, NIV)

When Seth Stevens taught in August on this "song of assent," he emphasized the Jews were walking up to Jerusalem to the house of the Lord. Each year when they made their trek together the goal was the same---to draw closer to the Lord.

Four months later, I'm reminded, especially through church services and Christmas carols, to be grateful for that gift which I have received. Immanuel. God with us. God with me. It's a spiritually internal (now) / eternal (one day in the future) experience. Peace.

"I don't have to let pain and hurt form my theology." (B. Liles, 12/7/14)

He is my peace. 

It's the gift I want to give to everyone this Christmas. Everyone needs it and His "God size" fits all---His peace forever! 

The Lord be with you. Peace be with you. And also with you. (Episcopal liturgy/Book of Common Prayer)

He is with me. His peace is available for me. His peace is available for all.

He provided the perfect gift----His Son.

Cuppa peace all wrapped up for the season---just serve yourself

For those who receive Him, we are served a deep abiding peace .......a cuppa PEACE blended with safe-TEA,  securit-TEA and sereni-TEA that warms us within our hearts!

"Generosi-TEA"

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (1 John 1:9, NASB)

God is certainly a bestower of gifts to His children. A loving and generous God. 

Over the past 5 months I have been a recipient of a full measure of that generosity. For a season I was served cup upon cup of generosi-TEA through a God-given friendship. Claudia and Terry's neighbor, Julie.

Julie who brought light and hope and fun into the lives of both Claudia and me, especially during Claudia's last few months. She added "sparkle" in  the dark spots of the struggle. She was part of my tag team in Claudia's care. We laughed. Talked. Shared. Cried. She understood.
Just as the Lord generously blessed both Claudia and me through Julie, Julie also generously gave of herself. In time, relationship and care, Julie gave a much needed energy to those difficult days.

The three of us realized that the placement of each of us in one another's lives added real understanding of rule #1 in Robert Morgan's, Red Sea Rules. "Realize that God means for you to be where you are." Right where you are. Right at this time.

Now that season of relational proximity is over. The moving van arrived today.

Julie's job has her relocating to a new time zone, almost 900 miles away. The friendship and sisterhood will last, but the ease of personal connection will be more difficult. 

My heart is sad. Yet, how grateful I am for the Lord's generosi-TEA in having our paths cross "for such a time as this."

Gift to Self

9/13/13 Friday the 13th----not always a bad day. Today it's been an especially good day because I have decided to give myself a gift. A nap!! A nap without guilt attached.

Our H2H (Heart to Heart) Women's Bible Study this year is so-o-o timely. For everyone, old and young alike. The topic is "The Gift of Rest" written by our director, Crickett Keith.

Already I am gleaning info about true rest. There is no true rest apart from Him.

So far, we've discussed various kinds of rest. Earlier this week, I had rich times of "soul rest" as I spent time in God's Word and Prayer. (Matthew 11:29) On this Friday the 13th, I'm dealing with a lack of physical rest. There is a "need" for this rest. 

Today I'm greatly feeling that need. So, I'm seeing some available time as a gift from God (Matthew 11:28) and I'm "opening" that gift of time and re-gifting it to myself in the form of a nap.