"TEA-raining"

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:2, NIV)

When I teach, I can go to preaching so this verse seems appropriate for today as I go to share with the St. Luke's Methodist Day School Teachers.

What a privilege. What a responsibility! 

Kids count---a lot. Teaching counts---a lot. My words need to count---a lot.

Words to be useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)

A cuppa "TEA-raining" served in my sheep mug and tempered with responsibili-TEA, as I go forth to feed His sheep, to those who will be tending His lambs. What a privilege. What a BIG responsibility!

LILES LEARNINGS FROM THE TRENCHES OF PRE-SCHOOL

(nothing earth-shattering, just observations)

• ·      Don’t rob a child of his childhood.
• ·      Allow children to think outside the box.
• ·      Allow children to color outside the lines or create their own lines.
• ·      First impressions have lasting significance.
• ·      Never do anything for a child that he can do or learn to do (with developmentally appropriate guidance) on his own.
• ·      Separate and simplify. (Break down into doable steps.)
• ·      Train the eye, at an early age, for the reading experience.
• ·      Without comprehension there is no reading.
• ·      The more one reads (or is read to) the more one knows when he reads.
• ·      Don’t stop reading aloud. Pass it on, even at home.
• ·      It does matter what one reads.

Dicot-TEA-my of me

15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. (Romans 17:15-21, NLT)

"The devil made me do it is," what Flip Wilson said, as his character, Geraldine Jones. According to these verses, Wilson got it right. This scripture rings true just as Wilson's quip. It is the sin within that can negatively influence the lives of believers, especially their good intentions.

These verses reflect a part of life that all of us experience but rarely talk about when we come to church on Sunday morning. They're also not easy to include on a blog. Even Pogo (Comic strip) “We have met the enemy and he is us.” 

The law certainly convicts of sin. It feels like a war within. Guilt occurs. I, like many Christians, wear guilt well. 

But God, in his mercy, has made His righteousness available for us, apart from the Law. No more "legalistic" law keeping,---just allowing Christ keeping us.

I needed to remember that today as I set aside my quiet time to pursue projects. The struggle has continued most of the day. The good news is.....the day is not over. I'm heading to my prayer chair to unwrap a new cuppa faith.

entrea-TEAs

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV)

The first Monday of the month is the day I meet with a small group of like-minded pray-ers in the prayer room at our church. Prayer for Revival is the official name of our cadre. Much of the prayer focus is for our church, our city and our nation. These prayers of people, called by His name, are more than just petitions. These earnest and humble prayers are for the healing of all the aforementioned communities.
Scripture passages are chosen for meditation. Psalm 9:1-10 was the morning's selection. Appropriately chosen because all of us wanted to "enter into His gates with praise," as "God inhabits the praises of His people." (Psalm 22:3) The first verse of Psalm 9 does just that.

Our heart felt prayers easily segue into prayers for each other and our families because this is a "safe place" to share the desires of our hearts.

What a privilege to continue in prayer throughout the day with entreaties for those with whom we have knelt (in our hearts) before His throne of grace.

A cuppa entrea-TEA that lasts throughout the day.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : hones-TEA of commi-TEA-ment

Kyle Idleman, in his book, not a fan., asks the reader for an honest diagnosis of his or her commitment to following Jesus. Even the prologue is gripping in its frankness. Fans want what their "team," group or person to "do" for them. Win for them. Entertain them. Feed them. Christ wants more than that. He desires a deeper level of commitment.

Fans have a tendency to confuse their knowledge for intimacy. They don't recognize the difference between knowing about Jesus and truly knowing Jesus. (p. 44) Fans are more focused on the "outside" than the inside. (p.72) 'Everything they do is for show.' (Matthew 23:5, NLT) (p.73)

Throughout the book, the author includes stories of others who wear the label of "not a fan." Real people. Real stories of real commitment.

No Reserves. No retreats. No regrets. (p. 209)

If you want to know if you are a "self-empowered fan" or a spirit-filled follower, Idleman's book will help you answer that question.

Thanks to brother Buddy's gift of this easy to read, yet convicting book, written by the teaching pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY where he attended for several years.

A book that goes great with a cuppa hones-TEA of spiritual introspection.

"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