FAITHFUL FRIENDS

Trustworthy. Encouraging. God honoring. Others before self 

Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. (Ephesians 4:32)

COLLECTIVE NOUNS!

Friend, ljj, has introduced me to many collective nouns.She has peaked my interest for animal groups.

One of my favorites is this "sparkle" one. A "sparkle" of fireflies!

Don't we all want to "sparkle."

Another fun fact I learned from a 1985's park ranger's talk about Synchronous Fireflies, indigenous to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is they are monogamous. Of course we're talking days or weeks, not years. 

But, I digress from collective nouns---so typical for an "always distracted one."

Congregation of alligators--but don't think I want to go to their church.

A shiver of sharks seems about right as I get the shivers thinking of encountering them.

Squad of squid.

Flamboyance of flamingos.

Collective nouns have become a real find---so I decided to create one of my own!

"Giggle of girls." Female "girls" in their 70s who travel together, when they remember to "show up" and often have to cross their legs when the laughter of sharing old memories begins. This "tea towel" alway brings laughter to my grands when they see it hanging by the oven. Even they know how true that can be for me!

CSB and CEB versions of Psalm 139:3, state that the Lord observes (CSB) and studies (CEB) my travels. In other words wherever we are, whether traveling or resting, He is aware of the paths we are taking. He indeed is aware. Thoroughly familiar with all our ways.

The LORD God made us all, each with a unique purpose. (Psalm 139:13) May we live it out collectively with others in the faith. 

LOST VOICE!

This morning I awakened with NO voice?

Sometimes in a group I might sense I have "no voice" in certain discussions. 

This new voice omission is not social; it's physical.

Today, long-time friends had "lunch and love" at Beth's. I couldn't even squeak out much that was discernible, so I laughed and  "listened."

 

LISTENING! Understanding dawned! 

Listening was the answer, literally.

Be still....listen to God and others had been a heart prayer of mine recently.

Quietude.

Faith strengthening increases as one seeks to listen the Lord in order to know him better. (Romans 10:17) Evidence of the strengthening in that relationship is seen as one chooses to listen! To God first and then to others.....looking not only to his/her own interest, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4)

A "lost voice" was the perfect answer to my prayer! A blessing for me!

TESTIMONY OF AN UBER DRIVER

Do we speak it or do we wear it? Our testimony, that is!

Sharonda literally wears hers---on her ears. JoLynn pointed that out to me and then I saw the crosses dangling from her lobes. My ears had already heard the kindness in her voice.

This morning as I was having my cuppa, the word "tes-TEA-mony" came to mind followed by thoughts of Sharonda, our "Sha-Sha full of sunshine." (Matthew 5:16)

I wonder if she knows the T-Cups dubbed her that?

What a reminder that it is for our actions to share Jesus, not just our words.

In our daily lives it's so easy to relegate Jesus to the back seat.

Jesus rode in the front seat with Sharonda. I know because I noticed her pink Bible right up there with her. How grateful I am to the Lord that he allowed our paths to cross with hers! One who not only loves the Lord but goes above and beyond & sometimes even out of her way, to bless others.

"Question to Self"---is Jesus seen front and foremost in my life? 

Does he ride alongside throughout the day?

Have I moved Him to the backseat or shoved Him in the trunk where He is unseen.

Not Sharonda! Our "ray of SONshine" has Jesus in the driver's seat right along with her, as she allows Him to steer her way!

CHOOSE: FRIDAY FUN

It's easy to choose Friday Fun when you're with friends---especially when it has been Friday ever since Tuesday!

God's Word says there is a friend who sticks closer than a bother. (Proverbs 18:24) I have GREAT brothers so these special friends stick with me just as my brothers do. Friends who are there through thick and thin. Friends who "nurse" you through your cancer journey.

Friends who often put your needs above their own. Friends whose very presence blesses your that you might bless others by their example.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

What fun it was to celebrate Friday together for 4 days this week!

FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS

Fellowship. A step up from friendship!
Fellowship among God's children begins with Christ (Romans 8:16) as they share a heart's message motivated by the "mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)

Sharing and caring are the manifestations of such a fellowship; it's life sharing!
With this group, FUN would be added-----------
----------along with a cup of tea for the T-Cups!

Home Again!

2015---T-Cups "take" Natchez. Trip #15 May 26-29

NOT to be confused with "red hat" gals---ours were color co-ordinated.

What a great trip---thanks to Peggy, our fearless & fantastic leader

....friendship, fun and of course ---food.

T-CUPS' Girl Trip #15

And.....so we go......on girl trip # 15----tho we know not where, until today's BIG reveal. I think OS but this year for girls trip # 15, our fearless leader has not given us a clue or answered questions so......I'll let you know when I return.

 T-Cups Trip #8 to Snug Hollow, KY 2008---the year before my cancer journey. These gals were part of my nursing team.

A friend loves at all times, (Proverbs 17:17)

"Def-TEA-nition"

A friend is always loyal, and a brother (sister) is born to help in time of need. (Psalm 17:17, NLT)

This pass week has had me experience many kinds of family. None were the family of blood relation, but family all the same!

My long time trekking T-Cup friends with whom I travel once a year. My former university office mate, (UM) who is so MUCH more than a professional friend. My HHS friends who are great for laughter and tears and sometimes both at once.

Like family, they have all been there for me in time of need. During my 2009 cancer journey, they clothed me, fed me, and nursed me. Friends going beyond measure of simple friendship. Becoming family.  

Proverbs 18:24 says, "..a real friend sticks closer than a brother." In my life, I'm not sure that's possible because my brothers are my cheerleaders and have always been there for me---but these real friends do the same!

"Flowers are like friends, you get to pick them."

Starla, the young protagonist in Whistling Past the Graveyard, defined family well. "The  people who look out for me. The people I look out for." (p. 308)
I'm grateful God provided me all these beauties ---I got to choose from the best of the bunch! Friends who are like family! A true def-TEA-nition of family, at its best!

"When we consider the blessings of God—the gifts that add beauty and joy to our lives, that enable us to keep going through stretches of boredom and even suffering-friendship is very near the top.

Donald W. McCullough, Mastering Personal Growth

"Felici-TEA"

 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:.....a time to laugh; (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4, KJV)

Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart.....(Jesus Calling 6/17)
Laughter is a powerful antidote for stress, anxiety, pain, and sadness.
Sometimes getting away with friends can provide that by-product of felicity known as laughter.

Laughter, an over flow of a close friendship, is good for the soul and blesses even the on-lookers, because laughter is contagious!

Pleasing and well chosen....cuppa of felici-TEA, poured out to friends.

"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.

On the Road Again

6/6/13 Hooray Hooray, it's finally the day.! T-Cups Trek #13 begins today. It's my annual girls' trip with five FUN friends---can it still be called a "girls" trip when all are in their 60s and at least 3 are Medicare card holders!!!

Each year it is like a "great escape" for us---no responsibilities, errands, babysitting or  work. This year it's a "mystery trip" and I'm the only one who knows where we are going---scary thought.

Blues Highway Trip started with lunch at The Gallery in Merigold, MS (chocolate cobbler for dessert) & shopping at  McCarty's pottery.

Hot tubs at the Shack-up Inn come with an "outward motor" & guess who has to crank it??? 

A cold cokey cola at the Crossroads of the Blues---Highway 61 S and 49 E---think Delta Blues singer Robert  Johnson. Do you know his story? We do!

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: A Mountain Journey, from treetops to rivers below

6/10/12 Trekking "from the treetops to the rivers below" with a friendly bunch of sisters in the faith is a great eye-opener to the hand of God in every facet of life. 

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. (Proverbs 18:24, The Message)

Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it!
 Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel.  (Isaiah 44:23)

Flame azaleas growing wild

A Day Lily for my "Day Lilies" a common mispronunciation

Henize Pavilion at Buzzard Rock---what a view!

Mountain rhododendron, often confused with mountain laurel, especially in the Great Smoky Mountains

Clingman's Dome viewed from a zip-line platform 85' up with 12 folks on a zip-line platform built for 4!

Though we were the oldest in the treetops, we had the most fun on all 13 zips.

Isaiah 43:2 came to mind on the Nantahala raft trip. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." We might have been the oldest on the river, but that could have been the reason we had the most fun in 48° water or at least the reason we made the most noise.

Cullasaja Falls on Hwy 64 outside Franklin, North Carolina

Methodist Church in The Highlands. Our host was a retired Methodist pastor and his wife.

Saturday's Post----------More Than Words……

3/12/11……that’s what encouragement often is. Caring people who “bear one another’s burdens.” (Galatians 6:2) My life has been filled with these “who are more than cheerleaders” my “T-Cups” with whom I shared a 1,000 laughs last night, my “lunch bunch,” my “dining divas”, my Hoptown chums, college chums, Pi Phis, my dancers, neighbors, my Mary Flo, my Michèle etc., etc., etc. As many of you know these were the ones who “fulfilled the law of Christ” as they bore my burdens through my cancer journey. They carried my family and work responsibilities while feeding, nursing and baby sitting me. These folks in the land of the living showed the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 27:13) and therefore I was not dismayed.

All of us of the community of faith are called to do likewise.

Caring people (those "helping" others in need) bring to mind today's Scripture text which is a powerful rule for the earnest follower of Christ. We are to "bear one another's burdens." To "bear" means to carry or endure. A "burden" means a weight that is heavy or crushing. We have all had experiences in life when others have some alongside and borne our burdens. We are called to do likewise. GAL 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

What does "burden bearing" and "doing good" look like? Phone call or e-mail. Errand running. Intercessory prayer at 3am. (Thanks, Bernie) Mail pick-up. Babysitting.

This verb, “bearing” is both imperative (a command) and continuous action. (on-going) Writing that card, making that phone call, picking up that RX or praying for those who need relief from their hardship or difficulty, can be a way to bless them. This has the power to lighten burdens and encourage beyond positive words.

Encouragement is more than words.