"Commi-TEA-ment"

 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord,.....(Colossians 3:23, KJV)

Commitment is necessary for fruitful growth in both the physical and spiritual realms of life. No where is this seen more clearly than in the physical realm of a garden.

Anyone can plant a garden. I plant. My neighbor Lynda plants. Yet,.....what a difference in the "fruit" of our labors. We both plant---BUT she tends. Faithfully tends. Consistently. Think daily!

Planted, but not "tended."

Well tended.

Our spiritual growth needs tending as well. Too often, in our spiritual lives, we can become self-absorbed, even during time spent with the Lord. Focusing more on our pleas for self than seeking Him. "Self" needs weeding in order for truth to flourish.  Extraneous thoughts need weeding as well. Needless clutter can occur and choke out truth. Tending to our thought life is crucial for spiritual growth.

Commi-TEA-ment is a blend of hear-TEA-ly and consis-TEA-ntly.

Headed back to my prayer chair with my refilled cuppa commi-TEA-ment.

Dichot-TEA-my of Prayer

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6, ESV)

Prayerfully mulling this..............Quite a conundrum for me at this point.

Continued mulling into the night.

How does one (a pray-er) reconcile this with other scripture?

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV) *

Isn't telling someone you have prayed for them a form of encouragement? But...doesn't sharing with others reveal the secrecy of the prayer?

Doesn't the apostle Paul, himself, write the people of Colosse that he gives thanks for them and will always pray for them?

...will not cease to pray for you, (Colossians 1:9)

Isn't intercessory prayer Paul's first exhortation to Timothy, as a leader of the church in Ephesus?

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1)

The epistle scriptures seem inconsistent with Jesus' instructions in Matthew's verse, on the how to's of prayer.....but maybe it's not an "either /or" determination. Maybe they aren't mutually exclusive or contradictory. 

A true dichotomy? Maybe not opposites....just different??

Still mulling over my questioning cuppa dichot-TEA-my.

* 8/2 received email from Wynellen that answered one aspect of my questioning.

For me, encouragement comes when I know others have prayed for me. Pasted below is just the beginning of the email that listed prayers lifted not only for me but for each of my children and their families as well. I'm encouraged!!

Just finished praying for you.  I always catch up on your blog bf I pray so I can know what might be on your heart. Not sure about the emotions and tears Sunday, but thanked God for being El Roi- the God Who sees you and knows our cries. And then for the heritage you are leaving your children and grandchildren.......

commonali-TEA

The Lord is your keeper; .....The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5, 7-8, ESV)

A commonali-TEA often shared by parents and grandparents is desiring God's best for their offspring, which they hope includes their longevity as well. But, too often, fears of the "what if" can creep in and rob them of their peace. 

Last week's large powerful waves at the beach and the accompanying rip tide had me on a constant "fearful alert." Knowing I had prayed for safety did not provide the unwavering confidence that "all would be fine." 

My heart's desire was that the Lord, who is my Keeper and my Protector, would keep us all safe. I certainly prayed for safety and had other prayer warriors praying as well. But God...keeps us. Safety, as being vigilant, was in my hands, both prayerfully and physically. But security was in God's hands. 

Regardless of circumstances, (even those that appear life-threatening)...He is our keeper for eternity. The crux of keeping is in soul keeping. 

"If our soul is kept, all is kept." (C. H.Spurgeon)

A cuppa fearful commonali-TEA needs to be exchanged for a cuppa securi-TEA, which only the Lord can provide.

Propensi-TEA : a Heredi-TEA additive

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, ......... And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2 Peter 1:12-15, ESV)

One's inclinations or propensities are often passed down to his/her children and grandchildren. Not necessarily intentionally. At our house we use the idiom "by osmosis" when the kids have learned something by watching or listening. Maybe that's how are own leanings and proclivities have been passed down. More "caught" than "taught."

Owen's comment at the zoo today seemed to support such thinking.
"Shug, I'm good at maps like you---I'm really good at maps."

Are map skills inherited? 

What about a fascination with birds? "Pop-Pop and I are good at feeding birds." 

Pop-Pop feeds the blue parakeet and Owen feeds the green one.

The way we live, what we believe and care about are all apart of the heritage we leave. "If we don't intentionally pass on a legacy consistent with our beliefs, our culture will pass along its own." (Focus on the Family, notes)
Love of the Lord, love of maps and love of birds are just part of the legacy passed down from this house.

Heredi-TEA: a shared cuppa blended with propensi-TEA, procivit-TEA and spirituali-TEA provided by family.

"Op-TEA-ing Out"

Do all things without complaining...(Philippians 2:14, NKJV)

Glancing through our "vacation pack" of newspapers, I was intrigued by a headline in the "Local" section, above the fold.

"Can't Complain"

It was a heading for a picture of a man enjoying the weather as he painted by the Mississippi River.

Actually, he could have chosen to complain about the mosquitos or the wind whipping at his drawing tablet. But he chose not to....he opted out of complaint.

Just two weeks ago as I was in the chair of my beau-TEA benefactor, Janine, she too, made that same "I can't complain" response to my "how are you doing" question. 

In my opinion, she could easily choose to complain as she leaves a "special needs" son at home, drives a great distance to a job that keeps her on her feet and then gets my un-cooperative head of hair to try and tame. Yet, she chooses NOT to complain.

"Do not complain" is a simple command from scripture that is hard to follow. In our self-indulgent, narcissistic culture, we seem to be breeding discontent with our own expectations of personal perfection in every aspect of our lives. Disillusionment occurs. Complaint begins.

Complaining when things don't go "our way." Result: An ever complaining society. 

Just think of things that seem to trigger complaints in life. Traffic jams. Weather. Crying babies on an airplane, especially seated near you. Long lines. Full carts in the express line. Any line at all. Cell phone conversations in a restaurant. Neighborly lawn mowing at 6:30 am. Compile your own list.

This morning, as hubby drove us to the dentist, a young lady almost clipped us as she cut in front of us in order to be one car ahead. We "griped" about Memphis drivers the rest of the way there and even in to Dr. Heros' office, where others joined in our complaint.

Complaint seems contagious. I need to opt out of complaint before I emit a spirit of complaint that can spread to others.

Why should any living mortal, or any man, Offer complaint in view of his (own) sins? (Jeremiah 3:39)

As I pour my "choice" cuppa, may it be an "op-TEA-ing out of complaint." Serving an "op-TEA-ing in" of contentment" to others.

Dis-TEA-pointment in self

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalm 56:8, NLT)

As Pastor Cole prayed for "some of you this week who have experienced disappointment," the tears started welling up. In my case, I was still dealing with it. I wanted to bolt from the sanctuary while heads were bowed, so no one would see me holding back the sobs. I'd already cried two times that morning, one of those being as we were driving to church. My bottle of tears was filling up.

Granted emotions are still all over the place in my life, but the disappointment comes as I reflect on a week with family when I spent more time "doing" than "being." I don't want busyness (though some of it was needful) to define who I am as a mother and grandmother. "Doing" becomes such a poor use of time when more of said time is spent on accomplishing results than on enhancing relationships. 
Even in times of recreation and vacation, I can become stressed and overwrought--trying to "do" it all right---and then fail because "doing" should NOT have been the goal. Doing can make one feel devitalized. Void of the enjoyment and relational renewal which is so desired.

But God....once again, had a valuable life lesson for me. Restoration comes from Him. Resting in Him and resting with others requires "being." It takes a risk to invest a significant amount of time with God and people in what might be seen by others as non-productive.

I want my grands to see my heart, so-o-o I'm willing to take the risk. 

I just need the power to "stick to it." Power comes from God....thru His Son, and delivered by His Spirit, straight to my core. 

                  Lord of the Powers from an old Byzantine chant.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)

I need to relinquish my cuppa dis-TEA-pointment to Him

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : Hesi-TEA-ation

A beach read---who was I kidding! I never even had a chance to read at the beach until Friday---and then, we assume, the ocean ate my glasses, prescription bifocals, no less. On These Courts, by former Memphis Wayne Drash, was my beach read choice. The book is listed as a biography of Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, a Memphian and former NBA player.

Not a typical beach read either----but one I was drawn to because of it's locale and time frame---from both the 80s to 2012. Plus, Penny was in hubby's classes at the University of Memphis and he later gave Penny private swimming lessons. Penny reciprocated by speaking to the 400 kids from Chickasaw and Cyprus inner city schools who attended the summer National Youth Sports Program which Larry directed.

But....it's much more than that. It's a book about caring, compassion and giving back to an impoverished neighborhood. A story replete with failing grades, gang pressure, incarcerated or non-existent fathers and violence on the crime-ridden streets of a Memphis neighborhood. A book that took place just two years ago within a stone's throw of some mid-town friends and the Binghampton Christian Academy, where my sweet friend Nancy is a dorm mom.
A book about the discipline and love that is learned by street kids through the game of basketball.

Hesi-TEA-ation is another stretch for a "tea" word play but very necessary for this book review.

Hesitant because I have only read 2/3 of the book....though personally remembering this time has me aware of the very probable ending. An outcome of hope.
Hesitant because the book is full of "street language" blasphemy and brutal "child" abuse. Though all is true and well documented, it's hard to read of such.

Hesitant because this review is not necessarily a recommendation, even though I have enjoyed much of what I have read. Yet, it's certainly full of violent reality and harsh way of life in the "hood" of Lester Street.

"TEA-reasures left"

Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. (Proverbs 3:23, NIV)

Molly/ Corey crew pulled out at 5:50 am. Texans left at 6:15 am. I cried. 
Headin' to take New Yorkers to airport. I'll cry again. Such an emotional time. Good memories are left....

I just saw the significant word in the above "early in the day" entry---"left." It has a dual meaning. Family is such a treasure for me. This morning when they (family) "left" the beach house, I felt so-o-o sad and let down. I cried as they pulled away and I could only see their license plates. 

When "left" connotes departure, esp of family, I "suffer" greatly---being left behind starts that emotional roller coaster because I'm not sure how long it will be before I see them again. 

Having the New Yorkers with us helped tremendously.....until....after our Donut Hole* stop, we had to drop them off at the airport. Even Lucy's jovial chatter from the back seat made me feel worse, because I knew it was almost over and it would be months before I would see her again.

Morning prayers for safety had been lifted for each family, but once I saw the backside of the only three "left," that big ole "loneliness lump" seemed to lodge in my throat and accompany me all the way on the road trip home and into the night.

But...."left" can also mean that which remains. Good memories of fun times at "Big Water." **

A cuppa TEA-reasure at my fingertips when I choose to focus on the great week at the beach, with ALL the family.


*Newly opened Donut Hole at Inlet Beach is oh so convenient to folks heading to Panama City International airport.

** When I arrived home, I opened this Margie H. note (e-mailed 7/25, the day before we left) ----so grateful for prayers of faithful friends who "get it."
Praying for safety for all tomorrow on the dreaded return day.  Such a letdown after a week with the family but one that I know you are prepared for after years of practice.  One time on the drive home, sister started crying and we decided we had to do better so we focused on trying to remember the things that happened during the week that made us laugh the most.  It worked, as well as prayers of thanksgiving for having the week together.  
Safe, safe travels for all the travelers and I’m sure many, many thanks are in order for Shug and Pop Pop for making  it all happen! 

"Uni-TEA"

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1, ESV)

From early morning kiddie-poo games...think, "Memory," checkers & blocks

to journaling/coloring...

as well as rocket launching instruction and....

"scum-screening" (a Lucy word)

to mid-morning painting by the sea, 

sand play (burial)

boogie boarding veteran (10) & first timer (age 3) & 

to afternoon naps & pool time, 

and reading

with lots of snacking and eating in between

.......to night time crabbing, (side pic) to games---to Boggle, You've Been Sentenced & Scattegory/Category with tubby time, storytelling and ice cream at bedtime.

Uni-TEA is the cuppa all (the Liles crew) are sipping at Majestica Beach in Seagrove, FL.

"Ecs-TEA-cy"

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,...(Psalm 127:3, ESV)

A cuppa ecs-TEA-cy is sweetened during time with family, especially 7 little (& not so little) grands---

“A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living.”  Chuck Swindoll

Pictures on the beach feels like a lot of "hammering" and sometimes requires a little solace from one's thumb!"