SABBATH SNAPSHOT : historical reali-TEA

This is NOT a work of fiction. The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman is a well-written, non-fiction narrative of the horrors of WWII. Set in Warsaw Poland, the story was taken from the journals of Antonio Zabinski. Antonio and her husband, Ian, were Christian zookeepers, horrified by Nazi racism, yet able to use the Nazi's obsession of rare animals as a way of saving over 300 "doomed" Jews, during a time when even handing a thirsty Jew a cup of water was punishable by death. (p.11)
Holocaust literature, at its best, is a "tough" read but Ackerman, in this poignant story, was able to combine the scholarship of documentation of these atrocities with the kindness and daring of Christians. In an odd way, it was a celebration of life among the dying.

The audio version of the book was the right choice for me. The narrator was excellent with all the Polish names, which added to my understanding. Yet, the documentation "Details" section in the print copy were eye-opening for me!

Even amidst the starving and suffering children who compared their ills, "like old people in a sanitarium," they sang and prayed prayers of thanksgiving. 'Thank you. Merciful Lord, for having arranged to provide flowers with fragrance, glow worms with their glow, and to make the stars in the sky sparkle.' (p. 284)

Definitely not a book for everyone....but following a Friday night dessert at the Sanborn's with Viktor from Cherkassy Ukraine, I saw the frightening similarities of their situation and the ones the Poles had faced. He gave a clear  "political and spiritual climate" update from his country, and I was shocked at how it mirrored my recent reading. 

Realities of war stories are not easy reading but....needful, " lest we forget."

"sinceri-TEA"

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3, NIV)

Clothing oneself in the attributes of God is a worthy pursuit for all mankind. Too many leave these spiritual character traits on the shelf. Like an unwrapped gift, they wait to be opened and experienced in one's own life and then spill over to touch the lives of others.

May today be the day to "open" those spiritual fruits of love, graciousness, goodness, mercy, kindness and sincerity.

Sinceri-TEA. A great cuppa to start the day. 

Sincere and pure devotion to Him easily flows through us to others. 

A shared cuppa.

"Mortali-TEA"

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2, KJV)

No, I have not been sipping a cuppa "morbidi-TEA." I've actually been celebrating life with friends. But.....last week's trekking with said comrades, in my same "aging" season, had us exploring some final resting places. 

Famous people. War heroes. Pastors. Pets.

Ellen Wilson, wife of the 28th US President, is interred at Myrtle Hill in Rome , GA--a cemetery whose tiers look like a stacked wedding cake, rising out of the dirt. Trust me, the way to the top is precarious, especially for a wide mini-van.

Both known & unknown soldiers.

An elite cemetery in rural AL reserved specifically for the burial of coon dogs. Blood line certification required. Well loved dogs named Ranger, Skid, Squeak and Old Roy are buried here.

Medicare age folks are not like young people, especially teens, who think they are immortal. We know that man is appointed once to die. (Hebrews 9:27) It's not morbid, it's just an awareness. Death is inevitable for mankind---and even their coon dogs. There is nothing that man may do to change or affect this. Such an awareness has each of us carefully choosing how to live. 

When sipping a cuppa "mortali-TEA awareness," one begins to discern the essential versus the non-essential in her life! Cemeteries have a way of bringing that thinking to the forefront of ones thoughts.

"Quotabili-TEA"

Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. (Ruth 2:15, NKJV)

Ruth's gleaning was a harvesting---all a part of her plan to obtain food. In Bible Study one often looks for nourishment from God's word in much the same way. Often the truth that sticks is a quip or a pithy grabber that nourishes my memory.

Indulge me in a few snippets of truth taken from my Bible marginalia. Three Bibles in all; NASB, (birthday gift from hubby, 1977) NIV, (Christmas gift from Diane A, 1995) & NKJV. ("Cove" gift from Lo, 11-4-04) 

Just my succinct notes that come from others, often not identified, that carry a life message gleaned* from Scripture, & given in user friendly terms, so I clearly "get" the idea! 

*Gleaning or extracting information from various sources collected & recorded gradually and bit by bit since 1977 have given me lots of "food for thought."

Pithy with a punch, as I like to say. Messages of wisdom and knowledge with practical applications. 

(NASB)

• There are no atheists in foxholes.
• Bible is the textbook for relational living. (L. Crabb)
• Sorry looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up. (C. Swindoll)
• Is it right? (Yes) Should you do it? (Yes) Will you do it? (Probably not) "Probably not" hardens one's heart.
• When there is sin in our life, God has to work "on us" rather than through us.
• The "will" can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.
• We worship our work, work at our play and play at our worship.

(NIV)

• All want deliverance from hell but few want the deliverance from sin---we clutch the pleasures of it.
• A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in a little thing is a big thing. (Hudson Taylor)
• Humility is a right estimation of our life (self) toward God and others. (B. Liles)
• Purpose of prayer is not to change God but to change us.
• Satan doesn't make you do anything; he just fluffs the pillows.
• Ether sin will keep you from this book, or this book will keep you from sin. (D.L. Moody?)

(NKJV) 

• Bible is not an answer book---it just leads you to the One who is the Answer.
• Giving is living the gospel, not just believing the gospel.
• Growth is the only evidence of life. (Growth is visible.)
• Hearing is "seeding" for obedience.
• In fellowship, Jesus is the "fellow" in the ship with you.
• Prayer is the God-ordained alternative to worry. (C. Swindoll)

No special order for gleanings---just a cuppa quotabili-TEA to sip and share.

"Def-TEA-nition"

A friend is always loyal, and a brother (sister) is born to help in time of need. (Psalm 17:17, NLT)

This pass week has had me experience many kinds of family. None were the family of blood relation, but family all the same!

My long time trekking T-Cup friends with whom I travel once a year. My former university office mate, (UM) who is so MUCH more than a professional friend. My HHS friends who are great for laughter and tears and sometimes both at once.

Like family, they have all been there for me in time of need. During my 2009 cancer journey, they clothed me, fed me, and nursed me. Friends going beyond measure of simple friendship. Becoming family.  

Proverbs 18:24 says, "..a real friend sticks closer than a brother." In my life, I'm not sure that's possible because my brothers are my cheerleaders and have always been there for me---but these real friends do the same!

"Flowers are like friends, you get to pick them."

Starla, the young protagonist in Whistling Past the Graveyard, defined family well. "The  people who look out for me. The people I look out for." (p. 308)
I'm grateful God provided me all these beauties ---I got to choose from the best of the bunch! Friends who are like family! A true def-TEA-nition of family, at its best!

"When we consider the blessings of God—the gifts that add beauty and joy to our lives, that enable us to keep going through stretches of boredom and even suffering-friendship is very near the top.

Donald W. McCullough, Mastering Personal Growth

"Maturi-TEA"

"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity," (Hebrews 6:1, ESV)

Maturi-TEA is a cuppa that requires brewing. For some it takes longer than others. The longer the brew the stronger the tea---the deeper the flavor.

Yesterday's Jesus Calling entry reminds each of us that as God's children we begin our walk with Him by "teething on the truth." But....maturity continues, NOT with independence or self-reliance BUT with dependence on Him. "In the world, dependence is seen as immaturity." (Jesus Calling, 6/24) 

But God.....desires our dependence. In the margin of my JC journal, I had written D2D.
Dare 2 Dance!
A reminder to Depend on Him in order to (2) Dance with Him. In '09, I began to dance with the Lord. My depen-DANCE. (Play on word with apologies to my English teacher friends.) 

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking.........but in your thinking be mature. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

Mature thinking, like maturi-TEA, requires deep steeping in God's word.

"Hos-pi-tal-i-TEA"

......Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13, NIV)

Within the realm of Christianity, believers are called to hospitality. 

• Show hospitality to strangers. (Hebrews 13:2) 
• Share with the Lord's people. (Romans 12:13)
• Include one's family. (1 Timothy 5:8)
• Don't forsake friends. (Proverbs 27:10)

Some folks seem to have an uncanny ability for making others feel welcome. My Atlanta friends have that knack. Their home becomes my home. I am lavished with hospitality.

How does one know that she has been served a cuppa hospitali-TEA? 
She feels loved and special. 

And in my case, many "teas" were ready and waiting for my arrival.

Here a cuppa, there a cuppa, everywhere a cuppa cuppa.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : locali-TEA

A pleasant experience with an author, especially in a series, can have me looking for more of his/her titles. Recalling a place I have visited before, can also be a draw when its the setting of a book. Author Lisa Wingate, author of the Tending Roses series, which I liked,  and the Outer Banks setting were a draw to her book,  The Prayer Box.  (2013)

The  plot was somewhat predictable, but Wingate has a way with words and her books are always "clean." I admit to skimming and scanning at times and though I thought it was predictable, the last chapter offered a surprise. Maybe, during some of my scanning, I missed the foreshadowing...but I did appreciate the unexpected ending.

My "Book Stock"---most from the public or church library.
The Prayer Box can now be returned by this avid "public" patron. 

Another extra benefit was the Author End Notes in which Wingate explained the importance of a "prayer box" in a world of fractured thoughts, hurried moments and scattershot prayers--akin to my friend Margie's arrow prayers.  Such a box become a repository for those written down thoughts, both jumbled and clarified. Thoughts of gratitude, petitions, troubles, fears and hopes. 

A great reminder to me of such a purpose for "the box."

• Write them (your prayers) down.
• Put them (your prayers) in the box.
• LET. THEM. GO.

That reminder was worth the read. "Let. Them. Go."  Whatever your locale, Outer Banks or home.

"Finali-TEA"

They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. (Psalm 65:8, NASB)

There might be sadness when a cuppa finali-TEA is served at day's end knowing friends must depart. 

But God reminds us, even in a glorious sunset that even when leaving an area of such beauty, we can all smile because we’ve been there. Together.

"Pi-e-TEA"

"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; (Matthew 6:1, RSV)

Sweet JoLynn is often on her knees for others. Upstairs out of sight at her prayer bench, the kneeling variety, she communes with the Lord.

Yesterday I watched her read from Bible at the altar in the Frost Chapel on the Berry College campus in Rome, GA. Even in the chapel, she quietly stole away from view and prayed.

Her fingers found and smoothed the tails of the red satin ribbon bookmark, her eyes found the Psalm 119:89-90 passage in the open Bible....."Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations;"....

....... and her heart found its way on to prayers for family members who had married at that very altar.

Pi-e-TEA poured out prayerfully.