"curiosi-TEA"

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17, NIV)

"Curiouser and curiouser !" remarked Alice, as she saw how small her feet looked through the "end" of the telescope. Saying "Good-By" to her feet, she begins a management plan to keep in touch with her feet. (Alice in Wonderland, chapter 2)

"Good-by, tea cup." Aren't you curious as to how I "shot" this photo?

To all but curmudgeons, curiosity in a child is endearing. A part of childhood and learning. A positive.

Not so much with old folks. With them, curiosity has the negative connotation of being nosey. But....if curiosity is the beginning of leading an adult to a personal management plan for finding the Lord, then that is a positive. Seeking Jesus, from a deep curiosity, to know Him better, that too is positive!
To that end, we should all seek to keep in touch with the Lord---to know Him in a deeper way. To be curiouser and curiouser about His life (and death) and what it means to each of us. That's curiosity at its finest.

In a "Rabbit Hole" as visited by Alice, nothing is quite what it seems. That sounds a bit like life in many ways. The only true constancy of truth that one has is in a growing relationship with the Lord.

So here's to "curiousi-TEA"----serve me a BIG cuppa that I might "seek and find out" more about Him as I study His word and embrace it in my life.

"Creativi-TEA"

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (Luke 12:27, NIV)

Today is May 1. 

Growing up in Kentucky, the first week of May had most folks looking forward to Derby parties because those thoroughbreds ran at Churchill Downs (and still do run) that first weekend. I, on the other hand, was looking "under" the leaves of my Mayapple plants to see if those little white flowers were there yet. 

Along with a few Jack-in-the Pulpit, Dutchman's breeches, red columbine, trillium and a Johnny Jump-up, I had scads of mayapple. All my wildflowers grew among the roots of the big tree in our back yard, that bordered the Madduxes' side, at 2211 South Virginia Street 

At age 10, I had a wildflower garden and I loved it. I guess that's why, to this day, I can remember those strange names ---nothing botanically correct, just what Mother and Mama Davenport called them. 

Those memories always seem to come flooding back this time of year......tho I have to travel to the Dixon Gardens to "look" for my little white flowers under those umbrella plants---and later the little green apples tucked in under those leaves. There's nothing like a garden to allow one to marvel at the handiwork of a creative God. 

Nowadays, I realize that the "mul-TEA-plying" of my "scads" of mayapples was His doing. A creative "doing" that allowed underground runners to produce plants for a very young gardener's joy----His creativi-TEA, not my horticulture prowess. 

"God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:12) and I did too!!!

"Tea-dium"

In the morning, O Lord, you will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. (Psalm 5:3, NASB)

In response to a recent question, "Are you always drinking tea?" (Possible underlying question, doesn't it get a little monotonous to "sip" something without much "kick" to it?) 

Do you change flavors with the seasons? (Possible underlying question, doesn't it lose it's appeal after awhile?) For answers, see below......

Most every day, I drink a morning cuppa or two, usually a good black tea. Assam loose leaf comes to mind. (Sameness and routine are okay with me.)

As the Mad Hatter says to Alice, in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, "It's always tea time." (chapter 7) 

For the March Hare and the Hatter it was always 6 o’clock and they were always drinking tea---certainly no TEA-dium at their tea party. 

Possibly, I enjoy my morning cuppa, even if it's not at 6:00, because I see it as my time with the Lord---"Tea with Thee."

My morning, or sometimes afternoon, “tea party” only has one invited guest.....who always shows up. It's the time when I can lay out all the pieces of my life before Him. The good. The bad. The ugly. Often, the same-o-same-o.

How grateful I am that He doesn't see this same-0, same-o time with me as "TEA-dium," regardless of the time of day.

Certainly for me, it's NOT a tedious time, but a glorious time.

"frui-TEA" cuppa choice

Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don’t compare yourself with others. (Galatians 6:4, CEV) 

"Commit to be Fit"---was my month pledge to exercise classes at GAC, a health club. 
I've been very diligent-----because there's a prize that will benefit my grands. 
Others are doing it better than I, without regard to the prize. They actually go beyond the facility with their "Bit- Fit" that continues to monitor their fitness level. But God....says "Don't Compare."

In my daily life maybe I need an exercise that will please Him. A spiritual "Boot Fruit" to give me a kickstart and a monitor that would include a read out of verses to keep me motivated. Motivated to: Love God; love others; serve God; serve others. All fruit bearing exercises!

Reminders that apart from Him I can bear no fruit, (John 15:5) fruit bearing is in His time, (Psalm 1: 3) a good tree bears good fruit.., (Matthew 12:33) what "good" fruit looks like, (Galatians 5:22) love is the fruit that sets Christ's disciples apart. (John 13:35)
"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." (John 15:8)
Is a fruitful life necessary for bearing the right testimony to others? The oh so quotable John Bunyan says it well.

So......with my morning cuppa "frui-TEA," I had a choice to make, fruitless or fruitful. The criticisms of those who don't understand the "shape" of my ministry don't count. Only God's approval matters. A raised fruitful cup of praises to the One whom I represent. 

"liber-TEA" is a cuppa relief

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14, NIV)

One can not wait until the one who offended him asks for forgiveness. Forgiveness is a heart issue. An unforgiving heart remains in bondage to the offense.

One needs to forgive for his own sake. May each one, struggling in this area, begin with remembering that the basis for one's own forgiveness was established 2000+ years ago.

Forgiving isn't about the other guy. Typically, they don't "get" the depth of the offense or realize the damage it has done to the relationship. Sometimes, said offender doesn't care whether you forgive him or not. 

Therefore, the offended one must forgive for his own sake. Carrying such anger can eat away at his insides, and steal his inner peace. 

Christians forgive because it's spiritually healthy and because "God says so." There are no exceptions. When the infraction has caused a chasm in a relationship, one must still forgive. Nothing imprisons quite like a grudge. When one has stolen the innocence of life and hope as you once knew it, remember to forgive the thief, not the theft.

Forgiveness has the benefit of personal freedom.

A cuppa liber-TEA is warm and soothing, washing relief over one's insides----yet, invigorating life at the same time. 

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : peculiari-TEA"

Folks who know me, know I have a peculiar way of reading---especially a work of non-fiction. If I'm using a book in preparation for a literature-type workshop or a Bible Study lecture, I begin with skimming and scanning. That method, coupled with a Table of Contents or a good index can get me to what I need quickly. The downside---missing out on "goodies" that aren't on my "need-based" reading. If I'm reading a work of an author who is grounded in God's word, writes well & often infuses her writing with personal reflections, I end up reading beyond my need......and that can be entertaining.

I might have missed Lysa TeKeurst's  Made to Crave-satisfying your deepest desire with God not food, account of taking out her pony tail holder on "weigh day"& saying, "hey it's gotta weigh something." Or "Two and a half cinnamon rolls later, I decided tomorrow will be ... better day.....to eat healthier." (p. 27) Wow, can I relate to that struggle. I still remember her "tankles" story. (p. 78)
Relating to the reflective aspects of an author's life in a work of non-fiction, are a plus for me. I prefer "realness" to dryness. 
TerKeurst is NOT dry. Just reading her "Contents" will draw one in. I went first to "The Curse of the Skinny Jeans chapter. I skipped around to a few more chapters with notebook in hand and then realized that this was a come back to "cover to cover read---without my notebook.....but maybe a few © Post-It bookmarks.
Personal and practical while interspersed with God's truth. A good combo.

As I often do, if I find an author whose work seems to "speak to me," I check out his/her works. That's how I found TerKeurst's Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed. This small practical book had just the chapter I needed on "Hearing God's Voice" that offered 5 questions" I could offer to some gals who continue to need answers to hearing God's voice. 

But a further perusal led me to Chapter 5, a chapter "just for me." Dealing with "Foes of Grace (naysayers) "The Great Dance" and Choosing to Worry or Worship" those sections spoke to my heart. That's "my" chapter but I'm sure there is a unique one for each reader.....or, I can share mine, if your need-based reading peculiari-TEA is to discover what keeps you from radical obedience.

"Sinceri-TEA"

Above all, brothers, do not swear oaths by heaven, by earth, or by any other object. Instead, let your "Yes" mean yes and your "No" mean no! Otherwise, you may fall under condemnation. (James 5:12, NIV)

Sinceri-TEA is a special tea blend that most of us desire not only in our own lives but in the lives of others as well. Naturally, a little hones-TEA and dependabili-TEA are blended in this cuppa. Probably sweetened with a heaping spoon of trust too.

For the Christian that should be A man can be taken at his word. Daddy said that years ago that's all it took----your word. As Horton the Who said, I "meant what I said and I said what I meant...."
Do I? Do you? Or are we saying just what we think others want to hear? If so, our words of sinceri-TEA have just sloshed in the saucer and are getting stale and cold. Not very palatable.

Truth be told: Extra sloshed tea added for effect.

Sinceri-TEA, a cuppa we all want in our relationships.

"frugali-TEA" BUSTED!

.........the righteous give generously (Psalm 37: 21, NIV)

Today's Commercial Appeal Baby Blues cartoon gave an example of frugal, that spoke to my economically sparing heart.

"Market price" means we've wandered into the wrong restaurant." 

I tend to sip from the melmac cup of frugali-TEA. My kids say I can easily wander into the "cheap domain." Even friend Terry P. asked me if I had Scotch blood in my veins. I do admit that I watch my pennies and I don't like waste. A "repair rather than replace" mentality.

Granted, frugality, in and of itself, can become an idol of its own. Sort of like a shopping martyr persona. On sale or with a coupon or NOTHING. More frugal to a fault than generous to a fault, maybe?

I don't want a "stingy" mentality----I want to give generously. I hope that's why I'm careful with my money.  I rationalize that I practice the frugal life so that I can give. Yet, if that's not what others perceive then obviously there's a problem here. A"trust" issue? Pride?

May I daily sip the cuppa God has for me---whether it's a cuppa generosi-TEA, sipped & served to others spontaneously or the cuppa frugali-TEA that allows me to give generously to others in a God-directed "measured way."

Generosi-TEA---from a God-filled heart.

Serenditpi-TEA

...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, (Ephesians 5:18b-19, NIV)

Today was Elnora's day---it's always the last Thursday of the month. A member of our family for over 35 years, Nora "raised" our babies. On her day, activities vary but always include food and often one of those crazy Madea movies, if one is showing. Today included a Whimsy Cookie Co stop. It was also going to include Bears, a nature movie because Elnora loves animal shows.

But....the time was different than we planned so we went "Heaven is for Real." The movie has gotten a lot of "rotten tomato" reviews so there were no high expectations. But then isn't that what serendipity is.....desirable discoveries, by accident. 

Any movie that starts out with a choir practicing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" has a favorable start----since that, as most readers know, is my favorite hymn. Having read the book,  the storyline was familiar, but the scenery was a surprise----Nebraska panoramic at its best. Plus, the youngster who plays 4 year old, Colton was boyish adorable, with eyes that "talked."  It's the kid who steals the show.

If you don't believe me, ..... 90,700,000 results came up when I googled---adorable Heaven is for Real boy.

Nora, who always talks during a movie, was silent throughout. I who can't sing, sang along as it ended with my favorite verse of that favorite hymn of mine.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

An afternoon of serendipit-TEA, sweet tea at Soul Fish and a movie served with buttered popcorn, as an after thought. 

"Brevi-TEA" : a rebrew

Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool. (Ecclesiastes 5:3, NLT)

Terse verse. I'm an admirer. Always have been. It's fun. it became a car game for us on long trips. We called it stink pinks. (one-syllable) A rabbit seat.....a hare chair. Stinky pinkies (two-syllables)  A witty hare....funny bunny  Stinkity pinkity (three syllables) An earth day promise? Pollution Solution.

Just a two-word poem that rhymes. One phrase is given as an explanation. The answer is the rhyming synonym with appropriate number of syllables. The kids were great at this game, aka "hinky pinky."

Think of it as a texting type poem. Fun but not true writing.

Poets. These true writers can say the most with the fewest words. It's as if depth of thought resonates with each single word choice. A rare breed. An admired  breed by me. As I've blogged before, that "pithy with a punch" kind of writing is difficult for me. But.....for the sake of blog readers, and because of conviction from the above verse, I do keep trying to pare the words.

Dog Songs celebrates small everyday moments with canines in this book of "dog poetry" provided by friend Ann M.

My great and lordly satisfaction at her splash
of happiness as she barged
 through the pitch pines swiping my face with her
wild, slightly mossy tongue. (p. 25)

Wow---what a great relationship picture in 26 words. Brief but comprehensive.

My writing is neither concise nor lyrical. It's just words on paper which help me organize my thoughts. But God......seems to keep me writing to extend my "Tea With Thee" time with Him. So....though the blog entry words need to be condensed, my time with Him does not. Writing/blogging keeps me more focused. 

Brevi-TEA of words might come with time....BUT don't "count" on it.