"Gaie-TEA

This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, NASB)

"Good news, John Parker has a birthday!
Good news, John Parker has a birthday!!
Good news, John Parker has a birthday----He's 6 years old today!!!"

We all sang around the kitchen table at breakfast this morning. It is indeed good news when the day is blessed with family gathered, scripture read, prayers given and a grandson honored on "his" day. 

Lots of cuppas of gaie-TEA to be shared these next few days as we, grandparents, celebrate moments one-on-one with our son and his number 4 son. 

A cuppa gaiety with a baseball cookie because John Parker doesn't like cake, as he is quick to remind us!

There's even celebratory gaiety with a stinky fish, especially when it's caught at Pickwick on Pop's dock.

Frivoli-TEA & Gaie-TEA

Each of us will be a blessing to the other. (Romans 1:12, TLB)

Today's the day! Lauren and Spencer's wedding.

Many scriptures come to mind on this day when two godly young folks will stand before the Lord and others and declare their vows. "Equally yoked" in true communion. (2 Corinthians 6:14) 

The invitation verse offered hope of both a ceremony and a marriage that will glorify the Lord as the bride and groom continue to be a blessing to each other.

Truly a sacred time--a time of mutual encouragement. 

A time for merriment----for believers to raise a cuppa of frivoli-TEA and gaie-TEA in celebration!

Steeped in Excellence

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

Regardless of what cuppa life serves us, each of us should steep it in excellence. Whether circumstances of disturbing dispari-TEA, unfamiliari-TEA, unclear directionali-TEA, lack of sereni-TEA or frivoli-TEA and gaie-TEA are poured out, one must measure these "thought" events by today's verse. 

As Kay Arthur taught me years ago, if you can to know if a thought is excellent and praiseworthy.....just "Philippians 4:8 it!" If one's thoughts don't t measure up to the excellence put forth in that verse; true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good repute, don't dwell there. Don't "brew" unwholesome thoughts in your mind. Steep goodness----it might take time, but it's the key to allowing God to make any cuppa (circumstance) palatable. Similar to looking for beauty.

Hm-m....covering a cuppa when steeping tea can keep the flavor in and the "bugs" out--
just like in our thought life when we steep it by covering it in the excellence of God's Word.

Keep those good thoughts brewing. Steep all thoughts in excellence. Cover them with God's word.

Steeping releases flavor for us and favor to God from us. A worthy cuppa.

From Solemni-TEA to Gaie-TEA....

This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:23-24, NASB)

Solemn vows and joyous celebration are all part of a wedding celebration Gladness which is emphasized when two believers vow, "I do" and mean it. Congratulations to Abbie & Zac Diltz!

An A to Z (Abbie to Zac) wedding
which honored the one who is the Alpha and Omega. (Revelation 22:13)

Vows spoken in Driftwood, TX in the Texas Hill Country & "sealed with a kiss."

"The Bread and the Cup"
Celebrating the sacrament of communion for the first time as Mr. & Mrs.

The Happy Couple---even tho pic is clipped, the smiles say it all!!

Beginning the path to married life, paved with lots of prayer.... 

Happy parents of the groom. (Texas)

Equally happy parents of the bride. (N.H.)

The Texas Liles 

Beautiful pictorial way to save guests' comments

Barn dancing--groom with his mom.

Wedding dinner of delicious fajitas---just like on their first date. 

Smiling bride with her father-in-law

"Rejoicing and glad in this day which the Lord hath made"
77º and sunny for an outdoor wedding at Wildflower Barn---a perfect expression of God's goodness!

So many wonderful thoughts to ponder as I reviewed pictures and sipped my "Capital Tea" from the Tea Embassy, based in Austin, the capital of Texas.
Solemni-TEA, sweetened & blended with Gaie-TEA---a perfect cuppa for both a wedding and a marriage.

guil-TEA

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1, KJV)

I'm already sipping from that guilt cuppa as I realize my lack of planning has meant I can not post a complete blog entry in a timely manner.

However, I don't plan on drinking the entire cuppa because hubby and I are going to a dinner for our dear friend, Katherine, who is visiting from Atlanta. Such a visit is certainly nothing to feel guilty about. Maybe we'll all have a sip of gaie-TEA when we get together.

Original entry will be served as a second cuppa at a later date. Though a cuppa guil-TEA has enough "bite" on its on, I can only imagine how bitter a re-brew will be.