"TEA-rip" with friends

I have called you friends, (John 15:15, NIV)

Our annual T-cup trip begins today. Destination unknown---until the BIG reveal later....after our sweet treat and joint tea---whatever joint tea is.

It doesn't really matter where we are going. We're just going as friends on a "girls' get-a-way." And of course we'll probably have tea somewhere along the way.

The BIG plus of this T-cup TEA-rip is that we are not only "girlfriends" at a similar season in life, but we are friends in the faith. 

That means Jesus goes along for the ride.

"identi-TEA": a Re-brew

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; (Jeremiah 1:5a, NIV)

Those words were spoken by the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah. They are true for us today, as well.  God, as creator, even knows and names the stars. (Isaiah 40:26.) But as our creator, God factors love into His relationship with man.  We are known and personally loved by our Good Shepherd; (John 10:14) He calls us friend. (John 15:15) He calls us by name. (John 10:13) He has set us apart for the plans He has for us, as Jeremiah continued in the verse.
Therefore Our true identity is in Him.

This morning's cuppa of identi-TEA was my third one. In October of 2010, I began with the many ID badges I had worn in my life time and concluded with, "I plan to savor my identi--TEA with a “cuppa”----Lyons Gold Blend---as I begin my day with Him, because that’s the identity that counts for eternity. In July 2011, as I was entering a new season in life, I had begun to reflect on and rethink my identity---wondering how others might "see" me.

Now-a-days,  I ask, "Do my actions allow others to "see" my true identity? Child of God.

Once again, on this snowy February morning in 2014, I'm spending "Tea With Thee" time with my Lord sipping a cuppa true identi-TEA. A cuppa poured into my heart by the One whose sacrifice gave me that identitiy. My ID is really His ID imparted.

Remember---the Lord calls you by name, even your nickname...
 or your grandparent one!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1) 

Wednesday Walkabout

10/12/11 Merriam-Webster defines the term walkabout as “a short period of wandering bush life engaged in by an Australian aborigine as an occasional interruption of regular work.” For Ellen and me it was a running together of words as we estimated the number years we’d been walking. “Let’s see, we’ve “walk’dabout”---well it was the year John and Josh turned 15 so that’s 1990---Wow, we’ve been “walkin’about” 21 years and mostly on Wednesday. I remember that because she would drive to my house and then have to get back in time to work in Christ Methodist’s church library. Most of those years we both worked full time so it was a great interruption for both of us---a time to move our feet and our mouths. Wednesday is always the day I pray for Ellen too so that evens it all out nicely.

John15:15b….I have called you friend, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

This fall I’ve been going to her house to walk. Her “hood” has more trees and manicured lawns than my “hood” so our walks have been a vibrant visual feast. Do you have a friend like that? One with whom you share faith, friendship, the ups and downs of life, lots of stories and lots of years? If so how ‘bout starting a walkabout with them? Certainly burns more calories that “doing lunch.”

Enjoy today’s pictorial stroll---we don’t exactly burn up the pavement but we’re still “walkin’about”--- ‘cause that’s what our Wednesdays are all about.

Saying Good-by

5/24/11 At the high school level, retirement parties are simple affairs, usually done at a faculty meeting with some cake and punch. And maybe that's a good thing because then the emotions don't take over.
But sometimes when an E-Team (encouragers, extraordinare) gets hold of an idea, surprising things can happen. Food and fun is shared and a good time is had by all. The fun overshadows the saying good-by. When you've shared life with folks through one of the toughest seasons of life, it's hard to say farewell, even when promises of keeping in touch are on one's lips.

.....I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

So to these stalwart faithful peers, I say adieu, which translates to "God be with you," because it's too painful to say good-by.