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.

"Twis-TEA" Turning Thoughts

My sheep listen* to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27, NIV)

How appropriate to have a cuppa tea with a wooly sheep on it and read the day's Jesus Calling entry (4/22) and realize that I can be as deaf and hard-headed as sheep. That's why they (& I) NEED a shepherd! Sheep need to continually listen to their shepherd. Uh-h-h, me too!

"Mind spinning," according to Sarah Young, comes from a multitude of thoughts that block out God's voice. "No mind spinning" was written beneath my tornado sketch. That's what my whirring mind looks like to me as I try to make all things (people, places, & events) fit "my"plans, even God.

Too often, my mind reflects Young's words, "pre-occupied with planning,"---even in the night watches.

But it gets worse. Compulsive planning, is not only a form of bondage, it's an "idol of control." 

I don't want any idols in my life---I didn't even consider that control (an extension of self) would be labled as such. To rid myself of this idolotry, I need to turn toward Him with a listening ear in order to "still" my "twist-TEA" turning thoughts and allow His voice to "control" my mind.

*NASB translated "hear" but I want to do more than hear-. I want to listen and recognize the voice as His and "respond" to it as the God's Word translates it.

Felici-TEA

Let every individual be obedient to those who rule over him; for no one is a ruler except by God's permission, and our present rulers have had their rank and power assigned to them by Him. (Romans 13:1, Weymouth)

Happy 88th Birthday to Queen Elizabeth II. Hoping this has been a day of felicity for her.

Those Brits love their royalty.......so much so, that a second birthday will be celebrated in June when the weather is more likely to cooperate for her BIG "official" birthday parade. 

I KNOW she started her day with a cuppa. It's the British way. According to the BBC, the rest of her day was marked with gun salutes. (41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London) 

Gunfire-----not exactly calming to me, but I had a British blend cuppa felici-TEA, just to commemorate her day and to praise the Lord for assigning her to this monarch because of her stated fundamental beliefs and commitment to the Lord. Such awareness certainly brought me real felicity.

For me, the teachings of Christ, and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example. (Queen Elizabeth II, 12/25/2000)

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : stories of "des-TEA-ny"

We all have a story. We all have a destiny.

The Presbyterian pastor at today's Memphis Botanic Garden's sunrise service told the story of two men who lived a lesser story. 

One man gave himself to a zealous story of athletic pursuit, naming his daughter Crimson Tide and poisoning the iconic oak trees at Auburn University, a rival university. The pursuit of his story ended in capture. His destiny was prison.

In 2008, another man gave himself to the pursuit of money only to lose it in the plummeting stock market. The pursuit of his story ended in death. Broken down emotionally and financially, he shot his wife, three sons and mother-in-law. His destiny was suicide.

Then there is the great story. HIS story. The Bible story. A life not jaded by sin. A life freely given on behalf of all sinful men. Jesus Christ died for all; that we who live, may not now live to self, but live for Him and should make Christ, the end of our living and actions----for He died and rose again on our behalf. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) His destiny---an on-going heavenly destiny, eternity.
Resurrection. The Easter reminder that there is no end to His story.

The timely dogwood blossoms continue to remind us of HIS story.

Jesus's story fulfilled his earthly destiny for our sake.

That's the des-TEA-ny cuppa I want---an eterni-TEA filled with Him.

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!

"par-TEA"

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, (Ephesians 4:32, NKJV)

Many outlandish thoughts can can come to mind when someone says, "Let's party!" 

But, friend Mimi told me of a simple invitation she had last week from a dear friend and neighbor. 
"Can you stop by for a cup of tea around 2:00?" 
An invitation of kindness.

When Mimi arrived, she was served "party fare" in the sunroom, replete with candlelight, and yummy sweets and savories, accompanied by delightful tea. The perfect setting for a time of sharing both self and food over steaming cuppas.  

The pleasantry and conversation lasted for over two hours.

Friends......content to sit and chat----not outlandish or raucous but a par-TEA all the same. 

A party of the genteel variety.