God's Word : His tes-TEA-monies

Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season.
(2 Timothy 4:2, NASB)

How can one preach or teach God's Word if they don't know it?

Maybe a BIG cuppa of commitment (commi-TEA-ment) to unearth truth (tea-ruth) by beginning to study the Bible is the first step. A desire to seek the treasures (tea-reasures) within. God's Word is his tes-TEA-mony cuppa. A cuppa purity. (puri-TEA) (Psalm 119:140)

In Psalm 119 one can discover many aspects of God's word, whether it's called the commandments, law, precepts, statutes, truth, or testimony----foundational for understanding the importance of knowing and keeping God's word. Knowing His word can enable one to "teach" or share with others.

In season and out of season is the "readiness" aspect of one's sharing of truth---occurring in God's timing.
Readiness is an offensive maneuver. As Katherine A. reminded me that in the description of "the full armor of God" in Ephesians 6:13-17---all are defensive weapons,  EXCEPT for God's Word. It is the sword of the Spirit and it is our tactical (Tac-TEA-cal) gear for offense.

God's word is the whole counsel of God. It is needed in its entire-TEA---not taken out of context.

God's tes-TEA-mony, a cuppa shared fully with others in His timing.

propinqui-TEA

Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: (Ruth 4:14-15, KJV)

Prayer times yesterday with a prayer partner and today, on my own, had me continuing to pray thru Psalm 73:23-28. "Nearness of God is my good." So many who are dear to me need to embrace that truth. 

It is during those times of nearness to Him that He restores and nourishes. He becomes a refuge and a guide. He holds us (especially needed during dark times) with His right hand, providing peace in the midst of the trial.

How does one close the "spatial gap" between heaven and earth in order to be near the Lord? A close proximi-TEA is needed.....but how does one get closer?

That's why propinqui-TEA was my "tea" choice during my "Tea with Thee" time today, because propinquity is more than just close in distance----it is a close kinship. Such a kinship is established as one is in God's Word discovering who He is. Triune God. Father. King. Brother.

As hubby and I have been reading from the book of Ruth, we have seen the importance of that kinsman (Hebrew go el) who acts on behalf of a relative. For Ruth it was Boaz, who "closed the  gap" when she needed someone near to her to be designated to deliver and rescue her.

Jehovah is Israel’s Redeemer, the one who promises to defend and vindicate them as they draw near to Him in worship.

In the New Testament, Christ is often regarded as an example of a kinsman-redeemer because, as our brother, He is the true kinsman-redeemer of all who call on Him in faith. Today I have been calling on Him for others....that a close relationship might be established with Him as they pour out their heart, seek to know Him thru His word and trust His goodness.

Proximi-TEA. Propinqui-TEA. 

What ever cuppa I choose, I need to sip it with my Bible open that I might draw near and get better acquainted with my Kinsman Redeemer and continue to pray for others---that they too might realize that nearness to Him can also be their good.

Reliabili-TEA

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: 

(Luke 16:10, KJV)

Some people can be counted on---by family, by friends, by co-workers and by sisters in the faith. Lisa is such a gal. She must have stated sipping from a cuppa reliabili-TEA at an early age. A solid family member, watching out for parents, siblings.....everyone. 

She takes her responsibilites as a wife and mother very seriously as well.This weekend her dependability was so-o-o evident at her daughter's wedding. She had been faithful in attending to every little detail.

Congratulations to Danielle and Brad!

When Kevin had questions, Lisa had it covered. When Danielle r-e-a-l-l-y wanted lots of flowers----flowers, gorgeous flowers, were everywhere---in baskets, in small containers, in large urns, on table tops and hanging on gas-lit walkways, to mention a few. All details were seen to and taken care of "ahead of time."

But, more than that, she was there emotionally---for both, while having fun with them in the midst of the support. 

Like mother, like daughter---both can be counted on, even to have fun..........
after all the "i"s are dotted and the "t"s have been crossed.

She had a "bubbly" cuppa reliabili-TEA making the evening fun for everyone, especially in the barn at Heartwood Hall.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : legali-TEA

Through all of his bestselling books, faithful fans of John Grisham's legal thrillers tend to esteem all of them. I am more of a reluctant Grisham reader and when his first books started becoming very predictable, I slowed down with his books. The Litigators in 2011 held my interest but

one of my favorites was far from a courtroom drama. I liked Playing for Pizza about football in Italy---maybe it was because of all the mouthwatering descriptions of Italian food.

This past week's read, Sycamore Row, was a result of an e-Audio book available from the public library for last weekend's road trip to my 50th class reunion in Kentucky,

Though I can languish with law research and lengthy litigation, much of this was helped by the reader, who was excellent. If I had been reading from the book, I might have done some scanning. Like most of Grisham's books which I have read, this one has some profanity.This one also had a lot of racial tension with references and a few of the characters from his previous story of retribution and justice, 1998's A Time to Kill, namely Clanton, MS attorney, Jake Brigance.

The plot: A wealthy white man hangs himself in a very deliberate and planned fashion. There is no question about his death, but there are a lot of questions about his estate. Days before his suicide, he changed his will, cut off his children and grandchildren and left the bulk of his estate to his black housekeeper/nurse. So begins a rather long story.

Maybe not Grisham at his finest but his die-hard fans will like it.

Autumn TEA-reats

And he changeth the times and the seasons: (Daniel 2:21, KJV)

....and aren't I glad for seasonal changes. Cold and heat. Seedtime and harvest.

Ah-h-h.....harvest means autumn and all its colors. One of the crowning glories of God's creation.

These fall days I am thankful for:

• Cool temps. Long sleeves coming out of storage.
• Tea with hints of cinnamon.
• Brilliant color for "leaf peepers."
• Fresh greens. Crisp apples. YUM! 
• Pumpkins on doorsteps.
• Fall sports. Football on TV. Soccer games for grands.
• Warm cuppas.

This morning I was grateful for holding my daughter's warm cuppa, needing a sweatshirt for my grandson's soccer game and the distraction from losing once again,.....

.....as a dragonfly took up residence on my purse strap. Owen loved it. Score forgotten.*

*Pop-Pop, a competitive sort, probably didn't forget.

Beau-TEA-ful Blossoms

and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD,....
(Exodus 16:7, NASB)

I know this verse goes on to talk about grumbling but these words jumped off the page after my Thursday morning walk with Ellen. Passing my next-door-neighbor's house, as we winded down from our walk, we were both in awe of the blossoms on the vine covering her mailbox!
Morning Glories---in more ways than one!

Each day, I have a "morning cuppa" and then because I live next door to Master Gardener Lynda, I also have my "morning blossom." There is always something blooming at her house. What a great neighbor to have. What a blessing!

Yesterday's "morning blossom" was a Flying Saucer variety, which really stood out to me in the midst of her Grandpa Ott's & those heavenly rich blues.

Such "morning blossom" views sweeten my "morning cuppa" All the sweeter yesterday because I got to share it with a dear friend. GLORY! 

In-TEA-macy of Marriage

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. (Psalm 31:9, ESV)

Sometimes there seems to be no cuppa to serve, no words to say....in the darkest times of grief. Losing a spouse is such a time. Prayers. Comfort foods. Words of comfort. Nothing assuages the grief like being there for them.

They feasted on love; every mode of it---solemn and merry, romantic and realistic, sometimes as dramatic as a thunderstorm, sometimes comfortable and unemphatic as putting on your soft slippers. (C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed)

Melody and Ronnie had such a marriage....filled with love! 

Commi-TEA-ment to Ministry

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. (2 Timothy 4:5, NLT)

How does one know if she is fully carrying out her God given ministry? She just keeps loving Him and serving Him by loving and serving others.

Sometimes ministry goes beyond one's street to meet someone at her point of need elsewhere in the community. The cuppa minis-TEA-ry might look a little different at each turn but if one seeks to bless those whom God has put in her path, even 45+ years ago,  she will serve them on their terms, according to their needs and their desires.

A cuppa minis-TEA-ry might be sweet, iced and served with 2 slices of lemon if one really seeks to serve another according to the recipient's pleasure. Whatever it takes. Whatever it looks like. Pleasing others in the household of faith pleases Him.**

**This blog was written early today as a result of a hospital visit yesterday. This afternoon I received a call from that long-time friend and sister in Christ, Melody. Her hubby died this afternoon. Such a shock. More ministry is needed for this "young" widow---young enough to have been rice girl at our '69 wedding. I don't know where to begin except on my knees seeking His mercy, comfort and guidance.

A Local Cuppa Minis-TEA-ry

and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, (Acts 17:26, NASB)

Continuing to ponder, "How does one "bloom where planted?"...spiritually, that is. Since God has determined that at this time I will live in Memphis, TN in Eastwood Manor area, specifically at 1152, then I know that I am here in this locality for ministry.

How does one do that? Minister in their neighborhood? 

In a nutshell, "Be open to others." (notes from Allen Bible Church 9/14/14)

• OPEN EYES--observe needs--see as God sees
• OPEN EARS--listen with all ears and you'll find commonalities
• OPEN HANDS--be receptive & responsive to both give & receive help when needed
• OPEN LIVES--be relational, move toward them, feel compassion and share life's moments

Jesus came and dwelt among us; (John 1:14) or as Eugene Peterson describes, "He moved into the neighborhood." That's where He ministered. We should do the same.

Next time you serve a cuppa fill it with minis-TEA-ry for your neighborhood friends.

Timelessness of God's Word : Essential guide for all humani-TEA

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2, NIV)

Dusting the console cabinet in the den, I reset my Pap's Illinois railroad pocket watch for the umpteenth time. It's stemwound and though it's old, it still works----for awhile. Actually, it would probably continue to work if I would continue to rewind it. The watch's timekeeping is dependent on my efforts, because it does not plug-in to any source. It is such a picture to me of my own inability to be consistent in my spiritual timekeeping. If I'm not "plugged in" to the word of the One who is my source of power and hope, my hope for spiritual growth is stymied.

The Bible is by no means a book just of the past. It contains a timeless message of hope. Hope for the day and hope for the future. God, the author of the Bible, (2 Timothy 3:16) is timeless and wishes to share eternity with the people who love Him.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

God's truth is always relevant. Even, many of God’s promises recorded in the Bible are relevant for all times.

God's Word is timeless (Psalm 119:89) and therefore the Bible is still humanity’s most essential guide.