PITHY WITH AN RCK PUNCH!

Son-ln-law, RCK. has a way of saying the most with the fewest words!

First he practices keeping his ears open and his mouth shut. That's scriptural. In His quiet times before the Lord, I imagine he is still to listen first. He ruminates. 

Think----Meditate. Concentrate."Chew the cud." 

He also practices that with people.

The result is saying the most with the fewest words. 

Concise. Succinct. Terse---but without the sting.

Pithy with a punch as I so often say!

Even in his work conferences he knows how to be brief because he has prepped and prayed. He uses kind, bright words to explain and encourage. 

He doesn't just babble and blather on and on.

He physically leaves but his words stick. 

Pithy with a punch of truth are left for others to consider.

SATURDAY SUNSHINE!

What a way to start the day!

Quiet time with the Lord, sun in the blue, blue sky, breeze in the air......

....and time with JLK!

VIEW FROM A PORCH SWING

Today is Wednesday. Wordsmith Wednesday.

Words fail me. Words escape me.

Others' words are necessary.

 

In quietness and trust is my strength. (Isaiah 30:15)

Cool breeze. Tinkling of chimes,

Seeking that calm posture of prayer while sitting on a porch swing. 

A time of quiet repose. Letting go of fears.

Words from an old hymn come to mind.

For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies,

Lord of all to Thee we (I) raise 

This our (my) hymn of grateful praise.

Enough said...thought and hummed, 

Just stillness from a porch swing.

QUAD SQUAD

Praying friends come in many combinations and from different seasons in life. 

I'm blessed to have family, along with friends from elementary school, widows, neighbors, Sunday School, H2H, church, mission and transition "zoom" prayer teams, Prayerful Wonderwomen for Ukraine and college & Pi Phi chums. 

I need lots of prayer warriors.

Praises for a recent retreat with my "Quad Squad" college chums at Full Circle Ranch---

.....&  my own bedroom sanctuary with all the accoutrements for my morning cuppa before..... 

....a morning walk to the sounds of goats, chickens, cows and birds in flight! Later a bull strolling behind his keeper, Sam and a ride on the "whoopie"* acting like teenagers!

Did  I mention surrounded by 600 acres. with the original log cabin (circa, old) a "She" shed which became a garden room, great for devotional times......

a home with 6 fireplaces, 4 "sitting" porches, one with a bed swing and lots of rocking chairs, a wood burning fireplace and lots of comfort....

....calmed by a serene view of horses.

From almost an entire day in PJs to lunch at Marcy Jo's and a 3 hour Bible Study led by Dr. Mark Houston.

Thank you Doris, Winslow and Joyce Ann for this much needed respite for your ailing friend. God's Quad Squad....always there for each other!(Acts 2:42)

*whoopie --ATV often called a quad bike; how about that!

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.

CHOOSE: STILLNESS

This snapshot says it all.

My plan for today's quiet time. To sit before the Lord and allow Him to guide my thoughts.

In stillness. With an open Bible and an open heart. 

Speak (LORD) for your servant is listening. (1 Samuel 3:10)

If I can't be still and listen with my heart, how else will I know Him?

CHOOSE: PONDERING ON THE PATIO

Sanctuary---a sacred place of sorts. My patio is such a spot when neighbors aren't out, hubby's not home and extraneous noises are kept at bay. A place to think and ponder on "Meditation Monday."

This morning was such a time. (Psalm 5:3) A time when I pondered my saying, "I don't have time" as a sign I'm running on my own schedule and not God's. Think frantic, frustrated, and harried.
"There is always enough time to do the will of God." (E. Elliott, Discipline, p. 99)
Frustration is NOT the will of God, I know that. I just don't live like I know that.

Choosing to "ponder" on the patio has allowed me to put my time in His hands. How refreshing!

CHOOSE: TEA WITH THEE

"Shall we have some tea and talk about it?"

Doesn't that sound as if it's from the mouth of Miss Marple or some other sleuth in an English cozy mystery? You know, the ones known for crimes "served" without sex and violence, which are so hard to find nowadays.

Tea is the British version of our  "chicken soup." 

For me, a black assam is my chosen morning cuppa and often it's served from a teapot kept warm by another type of cozy----those padded covers placed over the teapot to keep the tea hot. 

My morning cuppa is enjoyed with my Bible and journal open as I sip. Even a few devotional books are usually at hand. Some mornings are 2 cuppa mornings,  when I need extra tea and extra time to speak with the Lord about what's on my heart. It's also a time to search His word for answers and guidance, especially for others so dear to my heart. (Psalm 5:3)

It is a cozy time----there's no mystery to that. 

Tea with Thee aka a quiet time----a time to sit with the Lord and talk and pray about whatever is on my heart. 

It's the best choice of the morning.

choose quietness

Choose quietness---I do. 

"A place of quiet rest. A place of comfort sweet. A place of full release." (Near to the Heart of God)

How much easier to choose quietness when the Lord sends enough snow to "white out" a busy agenda. 

"Snow" angel to beckon me----"Nearer my God to Thee."

"Schedules. Commitments. So much to do, so little time" is how LaGard Smith puts it in Meeting God in Quiet Places.

I choose to linger, to tarry and to move into God's Presence. Usually that results in prayer---a sort of "tarry one for another" moment. (1 Corinthians 11:33)

I'm not sure where this tarrying will lead, I just know that today..........

I choose quietness near to the heart of God.

Quotidian Quest

Alliteration strikes again. Of course, it's Wordsmith Wednesday.

Quotidian. A great word that keeps popping up lately in my reading.

Mr. Webster defines quotidian (kwōˈtidēən/) as an adjective---- occurring every day. Many think of it as the ordinary----the everyday---possibly occurring so routinely that we don't give it much thought. 
Mundane is probably a synonym of quotidian though I haven't confirmed. 

A quotidian schedule. A ritual. A routine.

A quotidian cuppa is certainly a part of my morning ritual.

As far as routines go, I learned those from a master---Daddy. You could set your clock by him. The sense of routine and order bode him well, especially as he aged. Routine offered security. Habits long practiced kept him focused. 

• ....LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you. (Psalm 88:13)
• My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; (Psalm 130:6)
• In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3)

Quiet time with an open Bible, more that a morning ritual-------scripture is more of a love letter from God to our quotidian lives which give hopes to our little corner of the world.
A Quotidian Quest of Quality.

TEA WITH THEE Finali-TEA: a farewell cuppa

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, (1 Timothy 1:12, NASB)

This year, "Tea with Thee" has been my way of sharing my quiet times with blog readers. Thine and Mine. He and me. I know a blog isn't typically seen as service or ministry but for me it was just that. 

From His hand to mine. His strength---because it was wearisome at times. He was faithful to keep me going.

Today, 12/31/14, is the end of that endeavor. 

It doesn't mean that I will quit having quiet times. It just means that folks will no longer be privy each day to all my foibles.

A year ago when I sensed God's prompts to blog daily, I began with a "way out" proposition, of sorts. "Lord, I will blog as long as I sense your leading." 

But God.....continued to provide THOTS (Trusting Him On This Subject), ideas, words, "tea words," verses, and WiFi, (many times "iffy, especially on trips") so......

....here I am 365 days later---sipping a cuppa finali-TEA. Farewell to daily "tea" blogs----hello to sporadic blogs of varying topics. 

It's been a year of stretching for me and I hope someday to edit the entries for a tea type book for my Lucy----so that she might know this--- her grandmother loved the Lord, loved her and loved tea!

Sharing Thee and tea with Lucy is this Shug's delight!

TEA WITH THEE : a TEA-sentation

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

TEA-sentation might be a bit of a s-t-r-e-t-c-h but what else would you call a presentation about taking tea as part of one's quiet time. He Cares, a special ministry of First Evangelical Church, is designed to meet the needs of our homebound seniors as well as giving care givers a break. As always, the "senior" audience, some who are younger than yours truly, was gracious as I sought to encourage them during their worship time.

TEA-sentation set-up

I'm sure that I left them with "tea" words whirring in their heads but hopefully they realized the importance of daily time with the Lord. Seeking Him first. Allowing Him to fill their "cuppa." Otherwise, the "world will fill their life's cuppa.

The world often pours out---stressors of anxi-TEA, feelings of inferiori-TEA, negativi-TEA and hoi-TEA, Toi-TEA attitudes of people who think that they are better than others.

The Lord pours out---chari-TEA (love) generosi-TEA, humili-TEA, integri-TEA, sensitivi-TEA, and sereni-TEA....to name a few.

Daily choices---cuppas brewed afresh---and served by the Lord are an encouraging way to start one's day. 

My encouragement came after the presentation when Charlie Martin told how Terry Parlow, my blind paralyzed friend, whom Charlie had assumed was too sick to attend, made an effort to come so he could hear, Dotsy. When the van lift would not work, his care giver "Miss Ronnie" pushed him in his wheelchair from his condo all the way to church. The distance isn't far UNLESS you're the one pushing big ole Terry in the wheelchair---"uphill" most of the way according to him.

I "puddled." 

I can't remember when I've been so encouraged. Isn't that so like God---we try to minister to others in His name BUT we are the ones who are truly blessed!

Intentionali-TEA

'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.' 

(Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Last night after H2H Bible Study, several of us discussed the importance of "intentionality" as a part of our spiritual growth. Intentional seeking of Him---which involves spending regular time with Him. For me, it's my "Tea with Thee" time. By whatever name it is labeled, such a quiet or devotional time helps one intentionally focus on knowing Him and His agenda for one's day. Offering "my" plans or schedule to Him for His direction or altering as needed. (Proverbs 16:9) He knows the plans He has for us, thus we can trust His interruptions.

Fast forward to this morning....I had a packed agenda. Meditation reminded me that if I was going to be accountable to my spiritual sisters, I needed to slow down and refocus. Intentional slowing coupled with prayer. Walking my talk.

Intentional about seeking Him first, not just spur of the moment. (Matthew 6:33) Intentional = God's way. Driven =  my way, too often. But....not today!

My timetable was altered several times. God's interruptions allowed me to laugh & "catch up" on the CANDY aisle, with dear friend Margie. Adding fun to my day and 1/2 price chocolate to my basket. 

Several schedule shifts, coupled with that delightful aside, altered my intended hair washing before meeting Katherine, another dear friend now living in Atlanta. But God....reminded me of Katherine's gift of dry shampoo she provided for all the ladies on our church's Mexico mission trip 6 years ago. I don't have that shampoo but I had something similar. 

So....I didn't have shiny clean tresses for our lunch---think the old "mini-poo" look---BUT I knew Katherine would not care. She cared about our time together---and so did her sister Kristi. River Oaks' "Chef's TV Dinner" was a sumptuous treat...unlike any TV dinner I've ever had. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had anywhere! 

A delightful time was had by all, especially me!

A cuppa intentionali-TEA blended with accountabili-TEA---a necessary priori-TEA for spiritual growth. Also...a whole lot more fun than my original schedule! Go God!

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : sal-TEA and luminosi-TEA

Today, brother Buddy and I (via Ma Bell) discussed the availability of devotional books---from Sarah Young and Billy Graham to Mrs. Charles Cowman's, Streams in the Desert. So many choices. So many varying lengths.

At Blackberry Farm last week I came across a new one, new to me, at least. Salt and Light by Memphis CUMC pastor, Shane Stanford, had only 25 entries. Could be used during Advent. (Seems perfect for our friends who have taken those 3 week river cruises over these last few years.) Not overwhelming. Refreshment from a new perspective in a given time period that would fit with those travel plans----as 4 days would be left over to cover the 2 travel days bookending the trip.

Also a good starting point for folks trying on "quiet time" ideas. Written with Dr. Ronnie Kent, two perspectives are given on the "devotional" experience. My favorite part was the emphasis on God's Presence!

Division, of 4 "alliterative" sections,----Watch, (Recognizing God's Presence, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9) Wait, (Being in God's Presence, 1Peter 3:8-15a) Witness (Sharing God's Presence, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, & John 1: 6-8, 19-28) Worship (Celebrating God's Presence, Luke 1:26-28 & Romans 16:25-27) gives an overview to the reader and are seen as the natural progressions of our relationship with God. (p.12)
Consistency of time in word and prayer are given, along with life objectives and things to consider and principles to live by.....along with a "warning"---"If you have a time with God each day to prove your devotion to Him, It will not work!

 I appreciate an honest man of the cloth.

rou-TEA-ine

But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40, ESV)

Routine enhances order---at least these days that is true in my life.
Is that an aging thing? A "sot in your ways," control issue. Is it hereditary?

Certainly a cuppa rou-TEA-ine is preferred by lots of my family members, especially my brothers. It was modeled by our parents, whom you could set your clock by. As Daddy aged I watched him put his day in order more than ever, as if routine helped him keep a handle on things, that were trying to slip away.

Walking with Ellen has been a part of my exercise routine for over 24+ years. It's a routine that goes beyond physical exercise because I never know what gem I will glean from her. This morning was no different as she shared a Shane Stanford "jewel" from her last night's CUMC Bible Study. A reminder that being in His presence is a "spiritual routine" one should not neglect.
"One's joy is directionally proportional to the amount of time spent practicing the Presence of God in the midst of all his /her circumstances."
That's certainly biblical---Fulness of joy comes from being in His Presence. (Psalm 16:11)

The Bible----a great threshold that leads one into God's Presence.

A 3/2/10 original “Tea with Thee” blog, described my best “routine” for  morning quiet times----"like my tea---steeped just right, not rushed. An ordinary cup of tea, my daily Jesus Calling reading, simple scripture verses at my fingertips----ordinary beginnings can make a day extraordinary."

Now,  I would add.....a cuppa "rou-TEA-ine" in His Presence over flows into joy for a truly extraordinary day, regardless of the circumstances.

"Proximi-TEA" : a 3rd cuppa

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; (Psalm 73:28, NASB)

"Tea with Thee" is all about verse 28 in Psalm 73.

I am no where near Memphis at the moment---think, a rainy PGA championship in Louisville, Ky......but during my quiet time, my location doesn't matter. 
All that truly matters is my proximi-TEA to Him.
Proximini-TEA---an intimate cuppa.

"Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer, to Thee." (Cokesbury Hymnal (1923), 83)

Dicot-TEA-my of me

15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. (Romans 17:15-21, NLT)

"The devil made me do it is," what Flip Wilson said, as his character, Geraldine Jones. According to these verses, Wilson got it right. This scripture rings true just as Wilson's quip. It is the sin within that can negatively influence the lives of believers, especially their good intentions.

These verses reflect a part of life that all of us experience but rarely talk about when we come to church on Sunday morning. They're also not easy to include on a blog. Even Pogo (Comic strip) “We have met the enemy and he is us.” 

The law certainly convicts of sin. It feels like a war within. Guilt occurs. I, like many Christians, wear guilt well. 

But God, in his mercy, has made His righteousness available for us, apart from the Law. No more "legalistic" law keeping,---just allowing Christ keeping us.

I needed to remember that today as I set aside my quiet time to pursue projects. The struggle has continued most of the day. The good news is.....the day is not over. I'm heading to my prayer chair to unwrap a new cuppa faith.

Regulari-TEA

And they devoted themselves to.....teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul,.....And all who believed were together...... And they were selling their possessions......and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received......with glad and generous hearts, praising God....(Acts 2:42-47, ESV)

Many aspects of regularli-TEAs beneficial to a believer's life are listed in this section of Acts 2---

• Devotion to teaching
• Devotion to fellowship
• Prayer
• Sharing with others
• Attending "temple"
• Praising God

Along with regular quiet times, I see the need in my life for regular times of interaction with other believers, as well. Times of fun and fellowship hemmed in prayer. For me the best result would be service to others. Service which leads to a soul full of awe and a grateful and generous heart which praises the Lord.

A cuppa regulari-TEA, a perfect blend of Acts 2.

Creativi-TEA: a re-make

Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. (Jeremiah 18:2-4, KJV)

Recently I went  to the Potter's House at Miracle Pottery in Mentone , AL. I heard the story of his wife's art depicting the jug similar to the one that Rebekah might have used in Genesis 24: 43-45.

Though I purchased said jug, it wasn't the pottery itself that stuck with me as much as the sign. 
What a great reminder, as the prophet Jeremiah observed, that the pot in the hands of the potter was his own creation. I, too saw myself in the hands of my Creator realizing He sees the flaws that others don't notice. At His discretion, He can remake or recreate in my life that which seems good to Him. In my life, He allowed cancer to take my smile, but He remade my heart in the process.

How like our Creator, our own personal potter, to see our need for a makeover. The blemishes that are weaknesses, the cracks that need rubbing out. In His masterful hand, we can be made new each day when we choose to go to our Potter/Creator's house/sanctuary and submit to His hand shaping our lives.

What cracks I have! How desperately I need to position myself daily at the hand of my potter, that He might re-create in me a clean heart, as I allow Him to pull and prod and mold me. 

For it is He who created me----HE who "has made us and not we ourselves." (Psalm 100:3)

"Tea with Thee" time draws me to the place of quietness, (like the Potter's House); a place where the voice of the Lord can speak to my inward parts in order to bring about the change I need. As I sip from my cuppa filled with His creativi-TEA, I can trust His re-shaping.

"vi-TEA-mins"

O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. (Isaiah 33:2, NIV)

For physical health, my counter is lined with vitamins and supplements to be ingested daily for my well-being. Some are big and yuky but I choke them down because I "know" they are good for me.

A fatigue induced "two-cuppa" day--

Years ago, I even made sure our children had a daily dose of a multi-vitamin. Their's seemed to be tastier than mine because Josh called his Flintstone vitamins, "bi-TEA-yums." He actually "semi-overdosed" by taking more than the RDA. Such an event can be dangerous if the "chewables" contain iron. Fortunately, Josh drank almost a half a gallon of milk as he "chewed" them. The poison control center said that he would be fine because "milk binds iron. Who knew?

When asked why he did that, his reply made sense. His rationale was that if "just one bi-TEA-yum would build strong bones, the entire bottle of them would make him even stronger."

Josh had yet to learn that a vitamin's renewed strength came with only "one" daily. Spiritual vitamins dispensed from God's word are the same. One get's strength from seeking the Lord and being in His Presence daily. (Psalm 105:4) His strength--- available and renewable each day

...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31)

Pour the cuppa adversi-TEA of life at His feet during your "Tea with Thee" times. 

Refill your daily cuppa with hope in the Lord. Continual sipping is needed, especially when enriched with His vi-TEA-mins which provide His strength for the storms of life.