Livabili-TEA

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34, NIV)

Livability is the sum of the factors that add up to a community's quality of life including—

1. both built and natural environments, 
2. economic prosperity, 
3. social stability and equity, 
4. educational opportunity, and....
5. cultural, entertainment and recreation possibilities. 

For the community of faith, livability, which includes awareness and aspects of the above list, is anchored in one of the verb tenses of life.

Not past tense---Too full of regret.
Not future tense----Too full of fear. 

But......the pleasant present tense. Livability resides in the moment!

Make the most of each moment. Help others in the household of faith to do the same......

• This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, ESV) 
• Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…(Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV)
• Enjoy the blessing of each day! (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, MSG)
• Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)

.......and encourage your friends in the faith communi-TEA to do the same. 
Liveabili-TEA served to all in God's household.

Pittsburgh Possibili-TEAs

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 

(Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

So many possibiliti-TEAs for our 24th annual amigas trip. Barbara, concierge at the William Penn in Pittsburgh, said our proposed schedule was a little too ambitious. Watch out Barbara!
We are on plan G---and God's plans are always exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or hope. (Ephesians 3:20) Plus, factoring in a touch of "female rebelness" virtually assures an all-out effort.
Hysterically funny play at the Cabaret theatre. Christmas Events---lights EVERYWHERE. The Nutcracker. Wintergarden exhibit at PPG w/ around the holiday displays, think Santa in every language.

Wintergarden's Ukraine  tableau celebrates Holy Supper, a family feast, on January 6.

Creche at US Steel Plaza ; only authorized replica of Vatican's creche in St.Peter's Square in Rome, Italy

The Cathedral of Learning's national rooms (actual classrooms used by the students) were all decorated for Christmas on the University of Pittsburg Campus.

Romanian Room
Click for unforgettable tour of any of the 30 rooms of your choice.

Of course, the Ukraine room (above) was my favorite.
Carnegie Museums of History and Art. Andy Warhol museum.Phipps Conservatory with 14 rooms of Christmas blooms and vignettes.Heinz Center.

Bonnie & Rosie the Riveter at the Heinze Historical  Center

The weather might have been overcast and drizzly and the hotel room a little WARM on occasion, at least for post-menopausal women, but the FUN and FRIENDSHIP trumped it all. Who says we can't find our way across the street to a restaurant---or at least have an adventure trying!

As always, we ate our way thru the city----Downtown, Oakland, The Strip, Mount Washington and Station Square, to name a few. Everything from Southie drink & fried pickles at Meat and Potatoes, and Desserts at The Porch to fancy meals with sensational seafood at Grand Concourse with river view seating and pierogies and great entrees at the award winning Carlton. Plus, the BEST Eggs Benedict ever (Baltimore style, with crabcakes) in the Terrace Room at our hotel.

Pamela's in "The Strip" w/ nostalgic photos on the wall and crunchy edge hotcakes loved by me--
and Obama, too, according to the autographed wall art photo!

Gigi holds all "the goods."

Primanti Bros. even had "sweet tea" on the menu---imagine that! They also serve french fries and slaw on the pastrami/corned beef sandwiches and have fried dill pickles that are nuclear HOT!

This trip there was lots of "tea" for me. I sipped tea, (via an incline for a cuppa at the Grand Brew) bought tea in The Strip and was served tea by my friends when I was having a bit of a tummy issue.

We certainly sipped a BIG cuppa all the possibilit-TEAs on our Pittsburgh Neighborhood's Bucket List.

But Mr. Roger's Neighborhood is still my favorite neighborhood.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : spor-TEA

Charles Martin, usually a fave author for me---didn't disappoint most of his fans with his latest, A Life Intercepted. For me, it's not a typical, "I loved it.....but more of an "it's okay."

It's about football, a sport which I'm actually a fan of, but for me, Life Intercepted seemed to bog down a little with the details. Yet, as always, Martin is a storyteller extraordinaire----especially when love is a part of the plot.
Falsely accused of a heinous crime,the protagonist, Matthew, lost everything precious when he was sentenced to prison and never gave up proclaiming his innocence. (The mystery of what really happened is woven into the story.) Now, his goal is to do whatever it takes to find his wife and win her back, even if it means reincarceration.

I looked into her eyes and knew that if my wife was in there, she was buried beneath a world of pain. (p. 101) 

The author's notes help explain the importance of the football focus in Martin's own life and how that "game" metaphor is a lot like life, with forgiveness and redemption seen as crucial in relationships.

Cuppa Vague Spirituali-TEA

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 

(2 Timothy 4:3, NLT)

These days many people sip from a cuppa vague spirituali-TEA. A "spirituality" that never says NO to their own whims or behavior. There is no big fat no-o-o for any spirituality, which actually condones their chosen lifestyle. 
A spirituality often more interested in the environment than in God, who created it. Loving creation more than the creator.
Saving an obscure species or protecting the oceans can become their religion, because it's what they love. 
Vague spirituality is self-love---NOT love of the Lord.

To put it in "southern speak," folks seek a spirituality which allows them to harken after their own hankerings. 

Choose NOT to let the world serve you a cuppa vague spirituali-TEA. Rather drink deeply form the well of "living water." (John 4:10)

Gra-TEA-tude---how BIG is your cuppa?

 Give thanks to Lord Jehovah, because he is good, and his grace is for eternity. (Psalms 107:1, Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

I don't think any devotional book speaks more to my heart about trust and thankfulness than Sarah Young's, Jesus Calling.

It is a rare person who, when his cup frequently runs over, can thank God instead of complaining about the limited size of his mug! —Bob Russell, retired pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.

I am grateful to brother Buddy and Charlotte for introducing me to Bob Cherry, who inspires me to add lots of sweet gra-TEA-tude to my BIGGEST cuppa.

Chari-TEA : a cuppa true love

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, (love) these three; but the greatest of these  is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:13, KJV)

There are many kinds of relationships. There are two relationships which involve love---consumer and covenant.

• A consumer relationship is the relationship one will only "buy into" if it provides a self-serving benefit. It is modeled after self and asks, "What do I get out of this relationship." "What can it do for me?" 
• A covenant relationship is a disposition of the heart modeled after the Lord's example.  In the Greek, covenant basically means to order or dispose of oneself for another. Moving self out of the way and putting others first.

Covenant love---just as the Lord did for each of us. It loves regardless---in a self-sacrificing way.

Covenant relationship demonstrates Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud....is not self-seeking, ....keeps no record of wrongs,....always protects....always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Chari-TEA is the cuppa we serve to others in love, expecting nothing in return. It is poured out in benevolence because it comes with God's supreme blessing.

Hospitali-TEA

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9, NIV)

I have a plethora of friends who have the gift of hospitality. Not only do they have this spiritual gift, but they use it often to bless others. They put it into practice as they share it with the Lord's people (Romans 12:13) and sometimes even strangers. (Hebrews 13:2)

With them it's not an option. Often for me, they even "tailor" their gift to my personal preferences.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" rolls off their tongues when I visit.

This day was no different as Ann, offered a warm cuppa for me as I walked in the door. Plus, it was a "new to me" tea---from Suttons of London. Probably a gift from Marika---it seems every "Martin" household has the same gift....like it's in their spiritual DNA. 

Tea and a chat---a great cuppa hospitali-TEA served on a chilly day.

Negativi-TEAs

whose god is their appetite, ……. who set their minds on earthly things. (Philippians 3:19, NASB)

There are several lists of negatives in scripture---some seem "BIGGIES" to us---but to God, each of them are just plain ole sin. (Proverbs 6:16-20 & Romans 1:29-32)

Gluttony is one of them. Greedy or excessive indulgences. 

This past Thanksgiving weekend it took on the piggishness in "food" aspect---at least it did at our house. Food, even the ooey gooey leftovers sabotaged us. Finally, I had to do as the "Proverbs 31 Woman" suggested and tell my taste buds, "You're not the boss of me." A hands on my hips, "I mean it " stance!

Little piggie that I am, I need to say "You're not the boss of me." to all the extra "stuff" in my house that has been amassed.....often for no "reasonable" reason.

Insatiabili-TEA is the cuppa one drinks from when extravagance and "wanting more"....or newer....or bigger and better....or the next upgrade! Nothing fully satisfies but the Lord. May a bitter taste remani until that cuppa is set aside for a cuppa sa-TEAs-faction in Him

Insani-TEA

7:02 am Insani-TEA is trying to post a blog on Cyber Monday---folks must start shopping early in Europe and the far east, Australia,  or wherever the clocks are ahead of us.....and to think California isn't even up yet.
I'll finish editing and post when every jot and tittle doesn't take 30 minutes to load. 
8:09 pm I'M BACK!!

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; 
(Psalm 127:1, NASB)

Insani-TEA---a bitter cuppa defined, but not cured. Yet! 

Excess is insane---where is moderation?

Just this past week, 11 books have been transported from the public library to my house in my latest "book bag" a Buddy and Charlotte gift---and that doesn't count the 4 returned, the one ebook or the latest Louise Penny's The Long Way Home CD.

Excess in books is just an analogy of the real harmful excesses in my life. Excess of my own efforts in problem solving, seemingly for everyone I know. Excessive overplanning. 

Problem solving and overplanning  are the real insanity issues in my life.

Sarah Young's recent Jesus Calling entry was spot on for me----even mentioning habitual problem-solving mode as a distance separator from the Lord.

"Don't weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own." (Jesus Calling, 11/29) 

What an eye-opener---Seeking to fix everything by one's own efforts, is an exercise of futility. It's also a "lack of trust indicator." Pure insanity.

Don't engage in any activity or planning without input from God. Otherwise, you'll be gulping from the cuppa insani-TEA......which will only give you a headache. I know because I've tried.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : simplici-TEA of prayer

Readabili-TEA is a cuppa which Max Lucado's books always offer. He is the consummate storyteller. His latest, before amen, is no different!

Simplicity of prayer, for the author, comes in the form of "The Pocket Prayer."

Father,

      you are good.

           I need help. Heal me and forgive me.

                 They need help.           

                         Thank you.

                               In Jesus' name, amen.

                    
Each chapter expands on a segment of the prayer with great stories interwoven. There is also a study guide provided to aid folks in spanning the gap between "prayer in theory and prayer in practice." (p. 101)

Naturally, the "Thank You" chapter was my favorite with its "alphabetized blessings." N was for naps---that would certainly make my list!!

In Scripture, giving thanks is not a suggestion; it is a command. (p. 83) I especially appreciated Lucado's explanation of ingratitude as the original sin.

Adam and Eve had a million reasons to give thanks. They lived in a perfect world. Then Satan slithered into the garden and, just like that, Eden wasn’t enough. Oh the hissing we hear. “Don’t you want more?” (UpWords, 11/26/14*)

"Gratitude is a dialysis of sorts. It flushes the self-pity out of our systems." (p. 82)
For me, the "Thank You" chapter alone makes the book worth the read.

*Thanks to Linda Johnson, my ljj, for this on-line affirmation.