WORDS TO LIVE BY...........

WORDS TO LIVE BY---from your wedding day, June 15, 2024.........

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

12) Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. 14) And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful, 16) Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

17) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the 

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

.......until the day you die!

EARS TO HEAR!

Ever had a friend who speaks in italics. Voice inflections control the snippets of thoughts that are important to her. Think "PITHY" in all caps! YOU THINK!.... is what she would say! 

UH, HELLO! REALLY?! That is so-o-o you! IMAGINE THAT! Oops that sounds like me! Pull-eese, I feel like I'm getting surrounded by hyperbole.....then I realize I'm the one doing the talking.

There in lies the problem. Too much talking---NOT enough listening! For me, it's also too much interrupting....way too often! 

Fearfully, it's as if I don't blurt it out right then, I'll forget it. Maybe God wants me to forget it as a way of learning to be patient, to be considerate and to be silent.

Give ear to what God says. Put down your iPhone and truly listen to Him and others. 

Have ears to hear and then respond with words from the heart. 

Addendum--Snippets from Lester Holt's 5/20 Commencement Address at Villanova weere shown on tonight. (NBC's Nightly News) Holt's words were validating to me as he too emphasized,"sometime a little less talking might serve us better...searching for the truth, asking smart questions....listening is short-tripped....listening is more than hearing words;...it's the meaning, the perspective, and the experience of others. Learn to listen with your mouth closed...All that said, we do need your voice. We need your voice to speak for knowledge....we need your voice to speak for justice and truth...civility...and know that not everything requires an instant immediate response. Take a chance; Learn to pause; be silent...... 

CLOTHED IN HUMILITY!

Clothed in humility. What does that look like in today's world?

Is it so rare, one is shocked when they see it?

How does one ...accept situations as humbling as a "pie in the face?"

Regardless of the approach??????

How does one ...tie on the servant's apron, as ταπεινότητα, the Greek word for humility indicates?

Humility is the "tea" of our souls which nourishes and enriches others!

Humility....a choice of all Christians who desire to serve others!

This group earned a big cuppa humility-TEA---make that 2 cuppas!

CHURCH ATTIRE

Church attire has absolutely nothing to do with the clothes you wear when you attend Sunday services. It has everything to do with the spiritual clothes believers don.

The church is the "body of Christ" and as such the spiritual wardrobe is to be worn daily. (Colossians 3:12-17)

A recent sermon by son, Buddy brought this wardrobe to mind. Click link below to listen.

Wanted Worshippers:Church Clothes January 13, 2019 

So.....don't use this blog entry as an excuse to go shopping. Rather go to your closet for the clothes of your choice----just wear them with the right attitude, especially when you join others in worship.

CHOOSE: TO SEE

Choose to see what's right before your eyes even if it's in an unusual place in the morning paper.

How blessed we are to have a newspaper that still print's God's word----at least it did today! 

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

One thing for sure, humility is at the opposite end of the self-promoting spectrum and today's verse said absolutely nothing about fame, power or stock market portfolio.

I think a cuppa humil-TEA will go well with today's Bible verse in the Commercial Appeal.

May I choose to ponder what I have seen in print this morning.

CHOOSE generosity

During the recent snowy/cold/rainy days, I decided to offer Maurice, our mailman a cup of hot chocolate. It's easy to offer him bottled water or cokes, his favorite----but to offer something cooked in our home is going out on a limb. Folks are understandably very leery these days of accepting home-made goods.

Relational fostering precedes such acceptance.

Easy also to choose bestowing generosity on Maurice, whom I like and then blogging the results, whatever they are! He's such a friendly, nice guy; whether he accepts it or not, will not change that.

However, notice in the entry title, "generosity" is written in lowercase letters as well as throughout the entry. That's because sharing this "generous" act was similar to "touting" which is rampant on all forms of social media.

True GENEROSITY is preceded by humility, is God-directed and is usually done anonymously.
I know that.
My cup of hot chocolate is a step in building a relationship of one who is a part of my life only because of my address. Ones's generosity to another is to benefit the receiver.
For me, that requires knowing a bit more about my mailman than his truck number or mail route times for my street.

RESULTS: I'm glad I offered Maurice a warm cup of chocolate.
He did not accept it, saying his stomach couldn't tolerate chocolate.
However, his refusal was gracious with a smile that warmed my heart.
Then, he added, "you know those cokes are still my favorite."

He's right I do know that cokes are his favorites. For that reason, I will keep them on my grocery list.

And if I'm not going to be home, I can just leave his "treat" in the mailbox.

He'll know who put it there.

Holiday Humili-TEA

Humili-TEA---a great cuppa to serve for the holiday.

Humility is the "tea" of our souls which nourishes and enriches others.

Humili-TEA, anytime of year is a great cuppa to serve others but especially during the Christmas Season as it personifies our Savior.

Sereni-TEA : a BIG cuppa

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
(Philippians 2:3, NASB)

Do you know someone who sips from a cuppa humili-TEA everyday? I do.
The Henizes---who put others first---always. Their door is aways open. Their humility spills over into the lives of every one they know.

They practice Ephesians 4:32. Kindness to others! Marge and Larry Henize exude it!

They embody the gospel and live it every moment of every day---at least every moment I've ever been with them.

For us, visiting in their home is as close to heaven as one can be. It's like a retreat. Blessings abound! Open-eyed prayers so you can face the ones you love. Yummy food. Table talk. Stories. LAUGHTER! Sharing. Peace. Serenity.

Reading aloud caps off a day in the mountains---nothing like it!!!

No better place---to sip a cuppa sereni-TEA. For me, it's the BIGGEST cuppa sereni-TEA available this side of heaven. 

"sui-TEA-ble"

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3, ESV)

In desperate need of something to write info on, I picked up a copy of "The Memphis Flyer" (4/24/14)  stacked on the counter at Lost Pizza. Normally, the "Flyer" is rarely on my reading radar. But....the need for paper was great.

With said paper in my carseat (after garnering my info) and me with some waiting time, I started thumbing 'til a verse of poetry caught my eye. I began to read......

Like the author, Bruce VanWyngarden, I agreed that Walt Whitman's poem, "Song of Myself" (1855) gave "an uncanny descriptive definition of Facebook" and other social media sites.

No need for end of year family review letters,* we now have daily "reviews at our fingertips" thru a barrage of tech blitz. We're bombarded with INFO. 

This personal marketing blitz allows each to present self as he/she wants others to see him/her and Twitter and Instagram allow photographic proof of  good times, proud mommy moments and photo-shopped pix of our almost "true self."

"I celebrate myself and sing myself" penned Whitman. VanWyngarden suggested that if Whitman had posted his work on-line today he could call it, "Song of My Selfie."

But God.......showed me that I cannot smugly stop here just because I don't FB or "tweet" and instagram, .......'cause I do blog. 

I blog what I think, feel, and believe. I post pix of lots of teacups that don't show the rest of my messy countertop. Isn't that like a partial truth?

All that to say, I want a mea-TEA blog---meaty with God's truth. NOT a ME-tea blog that's all about me.

A blog that serves the reader a "sui-TEA-ble "cuppa of God's word. A cuppa that meets him at his point of need. Suitable and significant for giving God's grace, unique to each reader!

*BTW, If I'm on your Christmas letter list, please keep me there. Remember, I'm "old school."

emp-TEA-ing

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:7, ESV)

All of us have dregs in our cup of life. Such a cuppa is usually filled up with SELF and needs to be emptied. Otherwise complaint seems to permeate and spill over to others. 

Complaint, the antithesis of contentment, comes when the goal of self, in its many forms, is blocked. Self-gratification. Self-fulfillment. Self-aggrandizement. Self-advancement.

How does one go about emp-TEA-ing all this self-centeredness?

David McCullough Jr. said it well in You Are Not Special: (Parade, 5/4/14, p. 4)

...The great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself!

A re-brew is needed. Emp-TEA self. Re-Brew selflessness.

A BIG cuppa selflessness is good for all....because it spills over and blesses others in our path.

"sen-TEA-ment"

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself....(Acts 20:24, KJV)

Sipping my morning brew from a cuppa with much sentimental value had warm nostalgia tugging at me as I began my Tea With Thee time. Certainly, there is a place for sentimentality in our lives. My "stuff" reflects my sentimental nature. I have LOTS of sentimental "tea" items.

But God....through today's My Utmost for His Highest entry, "Could This Be True of Me?" (3/4) got my attention. "It is easier to serve God without a vision (or call) because then you are not bothered by what God requires." Oswald Chambers likened such behavior as "actions guided by common sense, veneered over with Christian sen-TEA-ment."  Not focusing on "what God requires." Service for the Lord is NOT a place for sentiment. Sentiment can give a distorted spiritual picture. More me than Thee. Just a veneer to make my service look pretty.

Chambers' entry spoke to my heart because I am so influenced by my emotions and feelings----that it can become a detriment. Plus, I'm pragmatic to the core and both emotions and practicality can be a deterrent to "abandonment to God." (Chambers)

May I pray, as Chambers concluded. "Lord may I not consider if I am of use but may I only consider that I am Yours. May I serve You and do only what you require---act with justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you, O God." (Micah 6:8)

Papal Wisdom

7/25/13  In Rio de Janeiro today, the Pope (Francis) said, "....we must do more to end the culture of selfishness." That's the only part I heard and I don't want to take it out of context. However, that reference to selfishness resonated in my own conscience. Working with high schoolers for several years opened my eyes to their expectation of instant gratification and their perceived unfairness if they were ever on the short end of any "they have, I want" stick. I blamed it on their self-centered age.

Not today. Today I saw myself afresh.  SELFISH (in all caps) brought me up short.

Philippians 2:3-4 is my defense. My weapon. I will use God's word to fill my mind. Hopefully, that will cast out all those ungrateful, selfish thoughts and allow me to see the Lord's truths in a fresh way.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

I'm not Roman Catholic, but I thank the Pope for his wise words. Words that took me to the Word. God's words that I need to keep at the forefront of my mind.

Aspects of Simplicity: Slowing

6/5/13 "Simplicity" has been an often recurring theme in my blog posts this year as far back as March 12. At least that's what a "Dotsy Details simplicity" google search indicated. For the next 3 weeks I hope to share more snippets of simplicity from the specifics of a "Summer Refreshment" study,  "simplici-TEA."

"Slowing" snippets from last nights study group:

• All true and lasting simplicity will be an overflow of one's central (heart) relationship with the Lord. 
• To simplify, Dallas Willard says one must, "Ruthlessly eliminate "hurry" from your life. 
• "Multi-tasking" is the newly coined word for "hurry sickness." Americans always seem to be in a hurry to accomplish more. 
• "Hurry sickness" is not about having a disordered schedule; rather it's about having a disordered heart. (John Ortberg) 
• Hurry is an inner condition that is fear-based. 
• Moving quickly while walking in-step with God is NOT "hurrying."
• Everything we do must come forth out of love NOT just from following rules or checking off a to-do list.
• My cuppa "simplici-TEA" could use a little brevi-TEA, and humili-TEA blended in as well a BIG scoop of "intentionali-TEA" as slowing doesn't come easy for me.

For info and assignments needed, simplici-TEA participants may click on these links and sign in with own email address and own email password when prompted. Protected because only you know your own email password.

Slowing

Simple verses

Tea With Thee
WARNINGS from yesterday, in case you missed it.

Today's "simple truth" (for me) came in this morning's Commercial Appeal.   "Labor intensive" value of a great caramel cake caught my eye. Well, that's my all-time favorite cake---I could just suck the icing right off of it. But, who has the time to make it & caramelize all that sugar. At my house, BURNING would come into play.

What I loved was the simple solution given----one with a punch. Just order one from Sugarees, in New Albany, MS makes them, which a previous blog stated but.....according to the CA article, you can request EXTRA icing. So-o-o grateful for that tasty tid-bit!!!

Oh my........ that's worth "slowing" for!  If I practiced "slowing" by taking 5 minutes to walk from my kitchen to the living room with a piece of caramel cake in hand, I'm sure just focusing on & savoring that icing would simplify the process.

"a spot of tea"

11/17/12 humiliTEA---I still need a few more little sips. 

As I was closing my NIV Bible this morning, I noticed on the frontispiece a "defining" note. Son Buddy's definition for humility, which he called the "key to life."

Humility is a "right" estimation of our life/ self toward God and others. Eyes to see eternal perspective is key to humility. Self turned toward God and others so affirmed what I sensed the Lord started teaching me as I prepared the James chapter 4 lesson. He continues to "show" me that true humility doesn't conclude with a life turned toward God.....but God would have my love and esteem for Him to continue to turn toward others. 

It's a reiteration of my "roots and fruits" musings. A heart "rooted" in humility of love and esteem for the Lord bears the fruit of love and service to others.

"Still sipping on that truth, today."

HEART OF HUMILITY: H2H lesson on James 4:1-10

10/27/12 Because you asked.......at least some of you did, I have posted the link to the Bible Study lesson I taught 10/23/12. Clicking the link should take you right to my voice. Hopefully it will sound familiar to my Ukraine girls. Hopefully, also, being able to pause and use with Google translator might help. I do have notes if that would help. Just let me know.

It's called An Obstacle of Worldliness and Pride though I used "Heart of Humility" as my title. (32 min.)

http://www.firstevan.sitewrench.com/media#!/swx/pp/media_archives/127169/episode/35429

Blessings to all who hear.

CROSSWORD CLUES

10/8/12

2 Down. Self importance. 3 letters.

Last weeks USA Today’s crossword puzzle clue had an easy answer. EGO.

This week as I have been preparing a lesson from James 4:1-10, I’ve come face to face with the sin of prIde, which is the result of an over-inflated ego.

An ego, simply stated, that……..

Edges

God

Out

The remedy for that sin, given both in James and Philippians, is humility. A “more of Thee and less of me” concept.

Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. ;(Philippians 2:3, CEB)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; (Philippians 2:3, NASB)

Putting self before God and others is sin---the clues to that truth are found in God’s word. 

Who inspires all scripture?

Three letters. Starts with G.

Humili-TEA: a cuppa worth pursuing

7/2/12 Being a tea gal in a coffee world has its moments---many of which are disappointing. However, one of my most affirming moments in my last-minute decision to go to Ukraine was the revelation that tea, the hot variety, would be available 24-7. I’m sure that revelation seems pretty insignificant to most folks, but to me it shows just how personal God can be in his care for us.

Today's morning cuppa  jogged that memory for me and I spent time praying for my “new-found” Ukrainian friends. I thanked God for the privilege of being found faithful and put into ministry at Kompas Park  by Him.  In Ukraine, which I first considered uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8) because it was so far from my Memphis address, I felt at home---a home full of good neighbors---always reaching out and caring for you.  Neighbors of joy, unselfishness and love, united in Spirit and bound together by a single purpose: to know God better.

I was humbled by God’s goodness for me during those 12 days abroad. I was humbled by the acceptance of “hard places” by many of the women at the Mom and Me Camp. I was humbled by the generosity of time and energy that the Ukrainian leadership "babies team" used to benefit me. I was amazed at their “humility” reservoir.

HumiliTEA, needs more than just a sip or two. HumiliTEA is the cuppa all should drink deeply from because our Savior was humility personified.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:3-5)

I mulled over this scriptural definition of humility with my  cuppa at my fingertips. I encourage you to do the same!

As Isaiah 57:15 reminds us: God dwells with those who have a humble and contrite spirit and revives both the repentant heart and the spirit of the humble. Glory to God.

Слава Богу!   (For Ukrainian sisters) When I hear you praying this, it sounds like Slava bohja----but regardless of the language, may we all choose to glorify the Lord.

Glory to God who showed me more of Himself, through the humility in your lives, which I saw so clearly last week.

Humili-TEA---a great cuppa for us all!

humiliTEA

1/24/12 It's official---Micah 6:8 is going to be my focused verse for 2012.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

When it became part of Pastor Cole's message on January 15, I felt that strong NUDGE to take this verse to heart. I also was convicted of not only a lack of kindness in my heart but also a need to get a better grasp on humility.

So....this week I'll be serving up a cup of humiliTEA for self and any readers needing to imbibe. Hopefully even our individual hearts will begin to absorb it.

For too long my life progressed in a carefully planned (by me) venture. Concentration was on accomplishment of goals, all usually written down, for self and children. Right times, right ways, always safe, always under control. (my control, so I thought) Lists were made, checked off (even prayer ones) and I moved on. Then came a period of the realization of how off-course I was. What was I thinking?

God was in control----had always been and would always be. His will was being done. I needed to align my will with His. I needed to "walk humbly" with my God. Bendable and flexible for God's purposes. (Huffman, 1/15/12)

A cuppa of humiliTEA with a bit of humble pie sounds like a good start.

Dotsy's "Verse" Quandry

1/2/12 Yesterday's calendar box read, January 1. I know that's New Year's Day---but it certainly didn't feel like New Year's Day. There was no "Rose Parade"---a MUST for me. No big bowl games. I observed it with church attendance, a long afternoon nap and the requisite black-eyed peas. Yet, somehow the day was off-kilter for me.
New Year's Day is a time for selecting my year's verse, for selecting passages for Allen Bible Church and for organizing my prayer plan and starting a new journal. None of that got done.

Why not? I honestly don't know. Maybe my structure doesn't fit His plan for my new year. Maybe it's to be more about His ways than mine. More of Thee and less of me comes to mind.
With what shall I come to the Lord? (Micah 6:6a)

For today, I'm "trying on" Micah 6:8. If it fits, maybe it will become my year's verse.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and for what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)

Just 3 aspects of life that are biggies in one's walk with God---justice, kindness, humility. Three infinitives, to do, to love and to walk---all requiring humility of spirit.

C. H. Spurgeon states, .....humility here prescribed involves constant communion with God (the preposition "with", speaks volumes to me)..... this humility implies constant activity (walking in humility is good spiritual exercise).....humility here prescribed implies constancy (it's continual, not just sometimes) and delightful confidence. (because "your" is the pronoun for "my" God) (Sermon #2328, 8/22/1889) Parenthetical additions are my THOTS. What are yours?

Meditation for Monday

6/20/11 Son, Buddy sharing his Grandaddy Brud's story gave lots of "food for thought" from God's word.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11: 28-30)

How like God to take the very words that I had included for last Monday's meditation to be used today at Daddy's funeral with different implications---that's just like I asked you blog readers to consider (6/13/11).
Buddy used the words humility and gentle as two words that others often used to describe Daddy but shared that those two descriptors were the only ones found in scripture that the Lord used to describe Himself.

What a testimony to lead a life in which those adjectives come to mind as others remember you! What a blessing to have called such a man, Daddy!