Tea Talk - 06.21.12

1. I'm having...today, I'm starting my day off with iced tea with lemon.  It has been hot here!

2. I'm feeling.... blessed!

3. On my mind.... the cares and concerns of both the churches where I work.  I feel like Paul! Both are so different in size and temperament, and yet some of the same issues are before each one. I need to be interceding for them.

4. A verse to encourage:

Lamentations 3:22-23 New Living Translation (NLT)

²² The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
²³ Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.

I know our Tea Talk hostess, Ruth, used this scripture recently, but it is a great one to encourage in any situation we are going through.  Searching for answers? Needing direction?  Feeling bad because you've messed up?  He is faithful and He has new mercy every morning! In fact, His faithfulness and mercy are forever and ever.  You will never get to the end of it!

If that doesn't encourage you, I don't know what will!



Please visit our Tea Talk hostess, Ruth, at Celebrate Friendship

Last May 2012 Tea Talk

I'm having my usual Irish Breakfast tea.

I'm feeling tired - I stayed up too late reading.

On my mind - thoughts of how I can increase my prayer life and bible study time.  I was thinking of how I heard the story that Susanna Wesley (mother of John Wesley AND 18 other siblings!) used to sit in the corner of the room and throw her apron over her head to have some alone time to pray.  Pretty radical!

A quote to encourage:

Our goal should be to use "when," not "if," in referring to our prayer life. … David Jeremiah, Turning Point Devotional, 05.25.12

We should be intentional about scheduling prayer time into our busy schedules!

God bless you all this week and remember to pray!


Tea Talk is a meme hosted by Ruth at Celebrate Friendship.  The goal is to make hearts light and encourage.

Tea Talk - 05.24.12

Today, I'm having my usual Irish Breakfast tea.  I'm sharing a picture of my new Blue Willow cup, again.  This time, my cup is posing with my favorite white ironstone pitcher.

I'm feeling a little tired, but happy!

On my mind is the news that last night we elected our new pastor unanimously.  I'm excited that our church is in unity.

A scripture to encourage:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

One of the enemy's biggest tools is causing strife and discord.  I love to see when unity prevails! Something can then be accomplished.





Tea Talk is a meme hosted by Ruth at her blog, "Celebrate Friendship."  Visit her soon!

Tea Talk-05.10.12

1.  I'm having tea in my new Blue Willow cup!  (Finally, I own one of my own.)

2.  I'm feeling happy!

3.  On my mind - my to-do list.

4.  A quotation to encourage us to pray:

“If you cannot find time to pray, ask for forgiveness. Ask to be cleansed of the sin of having no time to pray … It could be that Satan is pushing you into too much work so that you cannot take time to pray.”

– Corrie Ten Boom

No matter how busy I am, praying time should be on my schedule!  Actually, I need to be in a constant attitude of prayer, not with my eyes closed praying, but ready to breathe a prayer in between every task I undertake. I think of that as doing life with Jesus, talking to Him about everything and anything I do.  Is that not like what Brother Lawrence wrote about in his book "The Practice and Presence of God?"  Something to think about ...

Tea Talk is a meme hosted by Ruth at Celebrate Friendship.  Why not visit and see what all the "tea ladies" have to say this week?

Thursday's Tea Talk - 05.03.12

1. Today, I'm having Irish Breakfast tea in my mug my Malia bought me.

2.  I'm feeling fine!

3.  On my mind ...all the things I want to do, as usual.  I have a perpetual "to-do list" in my brain, it seems.

4.  A quotation to encourage: 

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa

Life is a beautiful gift - don't waste it.  - (Me!)


Tea Talk is a meme hosted by Ruth at Celebrate Friendship. Go by and have a cup of tea with her!

Tea Talk - 04.26.12

1.  I'm having my usual Irish Breakfast Tea in another teacup that I found at the antique mall in Monticello, Arkansas.  (I found FIVE different teacups that day.)  I love the colors in this cup and saucer.

2. I'm feeling happy and content. I am blessed!

3. On my mind .... thoughts of life and eternity.  This week, for some reason, I have been pondering the meaning of life and the realization that life is a proving ground for eternity.  What choices we make here have eternal consequences.

4.  A quotation to encourage:

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'.
Erma Bombeck

I love this!  I think God would be pleased if we all use the talents He's given us.  Sometimes it takes us a lifetime to discover what they are ....but as long as you are alive, He has something for you to do!


Tea Talk is a meme hosted by Ruth at Celebrate Friendship.

Tea Talk- 04.19.12

1. I'm having...Irish Breakfast tea in a cute cup that I found at an antique mall in Monticello, Arkansas.  I just paid 50¢ which pleases the bargain-hunter side of me very much!

2. I'm feeling....fine!  I'm in a good place right now.

3. On my mind....some projects I want to do around the house this Saturday.


4. A verse to encourage:

Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. 1 Thessalonian 1:2-4 (The Message)

Take heart!  Your work is noticed and God loves you and has planned something special with you in mind!


Tea Talk is a meme hosted by Ruth at Celebrate Friendship.  Go visit and be encouraged!

Tea Talk - Thursday, March 29, 2012

 

I'm having coffee today with my favorite creamer, Cafe Mocha. I'm using the cup I inherited from my mother-in-law.

 

I'm feeling fine and happy.

On my mind are all the things I would like to accomplish - if I only had the time!

A scripture to encourage:

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love …  Let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
~ Hebrews 10:24-25

Encourage someone today!  Send a card, make a phone call, email or just go out of your way to speak to someone.  Your kind word may be the only bright spot in their day.

Tea Talk is a meme hosted by Ruth at Celebrate Friendship.

Tea Talk - Thursday, March 22, 2012

1.  I'm having ... once again, my Irish Breakfast Tea.  So comforting! Instead of showing you, yet again, my SEMO mom's cup, I thought I would dream build with a photo from E-Bay of a cup I would love to own.  I love all blue and white china!

Royal Copenhagen Teacup and Saucer Blue White Denmark # 1870 -E-Bay

2. I'm feeling.... in need of a break!

3. On my mind.... heavy decisions ...

4. A quotation to encourage:

".... the ways of God. 'You can only hear your life sing — when you still.'   Be still, and know that I am God. Ps. 46:10 - Ann Voskamp - Holy Experience "The 1 Reason Why You Have to Slow Down"

I'm challenged by this thought - slow down so you can hear God.  It's very tough to find time to be still, but so needed!

Tea Talk is hosted by Ruth at Celebrate Friendship.  I'm linking up with her today.

Tea Talk - Thursday, March 15, 2012

1. I'm having...today, it's coffee with Cafe Mocha creamer.  It is so good!

2. I'm feeling....good today!  No worries.

3. On my mind.... change looming on the horizon ... I am not afraid because my steps are ordered of the Lord ... He has only in mind what is best for me.

4. A scripture to encourage:

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:10)

I thought of those who know Your name (not just know OF God but have a relationship WITH Him), and what it means, to put their trust in You. (Remember the names of God are also descriptions of His Character)

Jehovah Jireh – the Lord is my Provider

Jehovah-Rapha – the Lord is my Healer

El Shaddai – the God Who Is More Than Enough

Elohim-Supreme Power

Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace

Yahweh Nissi:“The Lord is my Banner.”  God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people (Ex. 17:15).

If you believe He has all those characteristics, then of course, you can trust!

Ruth is our hostess at Tea Talk. You can link up with her at Celebrate Friendship.

Tea Talk - Thursday, March 8, 2012

Have you had your morning "cuppa" yet?  This morning, I woke up late and had to rush through my morning ritual which includes a cup of Irish Breakfast Tea in my SEMO mom's mug.  I'm a very routine person, so being in a rush makes a bad start to my day.

To redeem the day, I'm still going to participate in Ruth's "Tea Talk" because I need a little bit of encouraging ... and because it's part of my Thursday routine!

I'm feeling....a little groggy and not fully awake yet.

On my mind....deep concern over decisions to be made, priorities, an examination of my calling.  Heavy stuff.


A quotation to encourage (or challenge!):

God has given you the entire universe of your home to manage and “subdue.” - Jennie Chancey

Quite thought-provoking, isn't it?

I'd like to pair this quote with one from Elisabeth Elliot:

Let us recall that the task is a divinely appointed one, and divine aid is therefore to be expected. Expect it! Ask for it, wait for it, believe that God gives it. Offer to Him the job itself, along with your fears and misgivings about it. He will not fail or be discouraged. Let his courage encourage you.

We can expect God's help with our little "universe of our home."  Thank God! It's too big a job without His help!


God bless you all, and if you'd like to see other Tea Talk posts, visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship.