Tea Talk -- Surely I Will

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!
Click on Ruth's button above to participate with me.

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

I'm having...Irish breakfast tea in my Polish pottery mug, as I do every morning.

I'm feeling...fine, healthy, no cold, no sickness, for which I'm thankful.  :)

On my mind...is my sweet Joseph, who is 23 years old today.  Despite the challenge of autism and the struggles and roadblocks he faces every day, he is a sweet, thoughtful young man who is happy to be sheltered in love at his dad's and mom's house.  I can't believe I have a 23-year-old!  Many twisty-turny roads lie ahead for Joseph as he (and we) contemplate his future, but for right now I'm resting firmly in the Lord's hand for the future of the amazing gift He gave us so many years ago.  Joseph has made our lives rich beyond comprehension.

I leave you with...two passages of Scripture.  This first one is a claim as a promise for our son.

 Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 NASB

This second one is a reminder to those of us without disabilities.

Now we who are strong ought to bear

the weaknesses of those without strength

and not just please ourselves.

Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good,

to his edification.

Romans 15:1-2 NASB

Joseph and a sunrise in Florida (May 2011)

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

Proverbs 4:18 NASB

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Something New

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!
Click on Ruth's button above to participate with me.

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

I'm having...a cup of Irish breakfast tea in my Polish pottery mug.

Creamer {coneflower} with teapot in background {blue poppy}

I'm feeling...pretty good after a few nights of good sleep.  It has been so warm--summer-like temperatures have reigned for over a week!--that it has been hard to get sleep.  I'm wearing short-sleeved shirts and my hair up off my neck, and bare feet around the house.  I even weeded my gardens this week!

On my mind...all those appointments and dates and events are starting to stack up again.  I'm staying upbeat about them all, though this warm weather is making it hard to get anything done.  I've also been preoccupied with our anniversary trip coming up in September.  I know it's a long way off, but it's now official--we've purchased plane tickets and are now researching accommodations to make sure we can get a good deal early.  And that means time to research, read, email, ask, etc.  Here's a hint:  think cafés and coffee, narrow streets and amazing architecture, and too many places to see in one week's time.  :)

I leave you with...a Scripture verse containing the word spring (even though it means something different).

Behold, I will do something new,

Now it will spring forth;

Will you not be aware of it?

I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,

Rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19 NASB

Spring daffodils in my neighborhood!

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Oaks of Righteousness

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!
Click on Ruth's button above to participate with me.

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

I'm having...a cup of Emerald Isle tea, which I bought at our farmers market last summer.  I've been enjoying tea in my Polish pottery, a gift from Jacob.

I'm feeling...tired.  I haven't been getting enough sleep lately, and life is crazy right now.  I have way too much on my mind!  Speaking of which...

On my mind...helping Jacob get all his paperwork, essays, applications, etc. done by their respective deadlines.  Transferring to WIU is crazy!  Then, there's Joseph's possible employment, which he's now balking at; Fernando and I have begun a discussion about implementing a plan for "a future and a hope" for our autistic son.  Plus, Danny is suffering through a bad cold while trying to keep up with college classes, and Thomas is home with me working with a haphazard, slightly crazy homeschool schedule.  There's other stuff, but really, I can't handle any more right now.  :)

I leave you with...this verse of Scripture.

...Giving them a garland instead of ashes,

The oil of gladness instead of mourning,

The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3 NASB

A tree at North Central College

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Examine and Probe

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!
Click on Ruth's button above to participate with me.

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

I'm having...a cup of tea with honey and half-n-half, in Fernando's Stone Mountain Park mug.

I'm feeling...pretty good.  My neck has had some pulled muscles for a while, but things are getting better.

On my mind...continues to be Jacob's internship issues at school.  He is handling things very well by himself, and he lets me know everything that is going on.  No matter how this turns out--whether or not he actually receives an internship--we know the Lord will be honored.  Also on my mind is losing my mind!  This week Joseph and I drove to an "expo" featuring community service organizations.  We pulled up to the recreation center where the expo was being held, and I glanced at the article again--the day was wrong.  Then I glanced again.  The expo is in February.  How could I have missed that??  Joseph was very patient; he hardly ever gets mad.  Then we enjoyed a nice ride home.  :)

I leave you with...a short passage of Scripture as our country is getting into gears with upcoming primary elections, and then the presidential elections this coming autumn.  We need, so very much, to return to the Lord!

Why should any living mortal, or any man,

Offer complaint in view of his sins?

Let us examine and probe our ways,

And let us return to the LORD.

We lift up our heart and hands

Toward God in heaven...

Lamentations 3:39-41 NASB

 

• examine (2664)--search, ponder, ransack (there's an interesting connotation!)
• probe (2713)--ascertain, examine, investigate, make a search, ponder, taste

The Lord had Jeremiah use these two words, not just one.  To me, both of these words lend emphasis to the importance of making sure our hearts are indeed turned toward the Lord in everything and in all areas.  It doesn't mean a quick check to see if something is there.  It is a thorough search!  I loved reading that one of the translations was ransack.  This word gives the connotation of tearing the place apart to find every little thing, such as a burglar ransacking a house to steal every single item of value.  This is what I am exhorted to do with my ways!  And taste--I've "sampled" a leftover dish in the fridge, just to make sure it's still edible.  I mean, it looks good.  But how does it taste?  This refers to a second examination of something that may, at first glance, appear to be okay.  Again, I need to apply this to my ways--my time, my money, my thoughts, my actions, my words...

Lord, is there anything--anything at all--that is hindering my relationship with You?  Help me to search, probe, and ponder, and expose those areas one by one.  Purify my heart to keep it turned toward You!

Snow on our lawn

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Make Your Way Known

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

I'm having...a mug of Irish breakfast tea in a big "hot chocolate mug."  I made pancakes this morning for the guys.

I'm feeling...fine.  :)

On my mind...is/was trying to create a new Facebook page for my business.  I thought it would take just a few minutes, but alas, I ran into problems, including somehow creating two pages!  I have spent the morning working on it.  Hopefully it's fixed now.  I also have to type out the cars' schedule--where the cars will be when, and who will be in them--so that Fernando can coordinate his therapy sessions and I can coordinate simply having a vehicle for errands and such.  Busy days are coming!

I leave you with...a passage of Scripture that is fitting as we look forward to a new year.  I pray that this Scripture is fulfilled in both my life and yours as the new year progresses!

Psalm 67

(NASB)

God be gracious to us and bless us,

And cause His face to shine upon us--

That Your way may be known on the earth,

Your salvation among all nations.

Let all the peoples praise You.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;

For You will judge the peoples with uprightness

And guide the nations on the earth.

Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You.

The earth has yielded its produce;

God, our God, blesses us.

God blesses us,

That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.

This is not a selfish blessing.  There is a purpose to the Lord's blessing:  That His way and salvation may be known to others.  And the last two verses sum it up again:  He blesses me so that others may fear Him.  May I be useful to the Lord so that others are drawn to Him this new year!

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Today!

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

I'm having...a mug of Irish breakfast tea in my new Polish pottery bubble mug (as they call it).  I love my mug and this tea!

I'm feeling...fine and healthy.  :)

On my mind...is a little bit more baking that needs to be done for the weekend, and then the rest of my focus will be on Christmas Day!  Our extended family will be spending the afternoon and evening in our home, and we hope to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for everyone.  This includes cleaning and all the other preparations that need to happen!  I'm mentally making my lists, and I need to get it all written down in order to sort out all the logistics.  But--I love logistics!

All my snowflake ornaments--I purchase one or two each year--are on our tree!

I leave you with...another appropriate verse for this season of joy, hope, and peace.

...for today in the city of David

there has been born for you a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11 NASB

Merry Christmas, dear Tea-Time friends!!

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- This Will Be A Sign

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

I'm having...a mug of Irish breakfast tea in my new tea mug!

On one of my extremely rare "window shopping" adventures, I spotted this Polish pottery.  After oohing and aahing and practically drooling over the various pieces and patterns, I was persuaded by the shop owner to fill out a gift wish list.  She then proceeded to hand me a $10 gift certificate to her store!  But wait...  there's more to this story...

Last week I spent a massive chunk of time typing up a school project for Jacob.  He usually pays me in peanut butter cups, but seriously--I had spent over 14 hours and typed 87 pages of information.  This project was big.  In thanks, Jacob accompanied me back to this shop, where he chipped his "payment" and, along with some money I had saved, we purchased the teapot and mug in the blue poppy pattern, and the sugar and creamer in the cornflower pattern.  Jacob was so sweet to go with me, since window shopping is complete foreign to his character (I pray frequently for his future wife!).  At one point, after browsing for several minutes, Jacob leaned over to me and whispered, "I'm trying, Mom, but this is really hard!"

I'm feeling...fine and dandy.  :)

On my mind...are details of Christmas.  I'm guessing Christmas is on your mind as well!  I'm trying to enjoy the whole process, instead of becoming frenzied with preparations for just one day which will pass as a vapor.  Today I plan to enjoy hand-addressing envelopes in which we will send out our annual Christmas letter (which is written but not yet copied).  I enjoy this activity because it gives me time to think about each person and/or family we send a letter to.  I think back on the blessings of each person, and thank the Lord for all of them.

I leave you with...a passage of Scripture fit for this season.

This will be a sign for you:

you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there appeared with the angel 

a multitude of the heavenly host 

praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

Luke 2:12-14 NASB

 "A shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse..." [Isaiah 11:1ff]

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Inscrutable

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

To participate, click on Ruth's button above.

I'm having...a cup of my regular tea in Fernando's Stone Mountain Park coffee mug.  He came down into the kitchen, saw his mug with my tea in it, and exclaimed, "Hey....!!!"  We stuck our tongues out at each other, laughed, and that was that.  ;)

Fernando bought the mug during our weeklong visit with the T. family in Georgia several years ago.  He had wanted to visit Stone Mountain, so our two families went together.  It was the very end of December, so the park was almost empty.  The carving in the mountain was awe-inspiring, thus inspiring Fernando's gift shop purchase.  It's a large mug, and you know how I like to have a nice, big, hot, steaming mug of tea every morning!

I'm feeling...my achy back is much better (thank You, Lord!).  Why does it seem that as I age, this little section of "Tea Talk" becomes about my aches and pains?  I don't really want to start talking about backs and muscles and bunions...  So--I'm feeling FINE, rested, and hoping to find some energy for my day!

On my mind...oh, my to-do list, you know, is always there.  This week, I'm focusing our June 2012 state homeschool convention.  As ICHE's coordinator for special and struggling learners, for each year's convention I organize speakers to address the needs of families who are (or who are considering) home educating their special and/or struggling learners.

I leave you with...yep, a passage of Scripture.  I just love Ruth's Tea Talk time!  I usually pull out my Bible and look up a verse that I've recently read, or that our family has covered during devotions.  I love digging deep--remember the word study in my last Tea Talk post?--to find the meaning of words, subtle nuances, and further insight into the Lord's character.  So here is this week's passage, which begins a familiar section of Scripture:

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of

the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired.

His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might He increases power.

Isaiah 40:28-29 NASB

[Side note:  The rest of the passage--and the familiar part--continues, "...those who wait for the LORD will gain new (renew their) strength..."]

I discovered that the word inscrutable is used only once in Scripture--right in this passage.  It is a compound word, consisting of two Hebrew words: 

• from 369--a primary root:  nothing, nought
• and 2714--a searching, a thing searched out

The compound word then becomes "nothing searched out."  The idea is that we can't even begin to search out or examine His understanding.  We can't even put a dent in trying to gain His understanding!  We think we know so much; we think we're so wise!  But His understanding is so much more.  He just laughs at what we think is lofty knowledge.  Far from making me feel insignificant, this passage helps me to realize that the Lord, with His unsearchable knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, gives me strength (power, ability, might) when I am weary!

Autumn leaf (coral bells)

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Rejoice and Rejoice!

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

To participate, click on Ruth's button above.

I'm having...a cup of Trader Joe's Irish breakfast tea in what has become my regular morning mug.

Yep, it's a "Grad" mug!  Danny received it this past June as a high school graduation gift, and he doesn't drink coffee.  Or tea.  It's a pretty hefty sized mug--I guess they figure those college kids really chug down lots of coffee!  It's a great size for a big mug of hot tea in the morning.  So it's my new "regular."

I'm feeling...better, in a few different ways.  Last week I had laryngitis, which is finally gone.  This past week, I had dental work done on Monday morning, and suffered the lovely after-effect of an aching jaw for a few days.  Needless to say, I haven't eaten much lately!

 The front porch garden in autumn

On my mind...is new-found time!  A few photos will explain:

Danny got his driver's license!  I'm thrilled for him.  A few hours after he got it, he was driving away to biology class, and I was left behind.  I was slightly anxious but felt amazingly FREE.  :)

I leave you with...a passage of Scripture that my dear sister-in-Christ and I studied over the phone a few days ago.  What a treasured time of in-depth word study we had.

The LORD your God is in your midst,

A victorious warrior.

He will exult over you with joy,

He will be quiet in His love,

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Zephaniah 3:17 NASB

Because it's so amazing, I'll type it straight from the Hebrew (interlinear):

Jehovah your God in your midst (is) mighty.

He will save He will rejoice over you with joy.

He is silent in His love; He rejoices over you with a shout of joy.

The first rejoice (Strong's 7797):  to exult, rejoice.  Translated delight, exult, glad, rejoice, rejoice greatly.

The second rejoice (Strong's 1524):  a rejoicing.  Translated exultation, greatly, joy, rejoicing.  From #1524--to rejoice, translated cry, exult, glad, rejoice.

From the dictionary:

• exult:  to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be highly elated or jubilant.  To leap, especially for joy.
• delight:  to have great pleasure; take pleasure.
• rejoice:  to be glad, take delight.  To make joyful; gladden.

Sorry that's so long!  If you skipped over it, that's fine, too.  The Bible verse is complete in itself!  But the in-depth word study is amazing, since we're not the ones who are doing this action.  God is.

The Lord is exulting over me.  With joy.  He is showing a lively and triumphant joy over me.  He is rejoicing exceedingly over me.  He is highly elated and jubilant, even to the point of leaping, over me.  He is taking great pleasure, gladness, and delight, in me.  Me.  This lowly sinner, a teeny-tiny one of over four billion people, not accomplishing great things for Him, not one of astounding faith.  But the Lord acts this way over me, His child.  I am simply amazed.

Honeybee in my backyard

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- In Peace

Welcome to my home for Ruth's Tea Talk!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

To participate, click on Ruth's button above.

I'm having...a cup of my regular Trader Joe's Irish Breakfast tea, in my regular mug.  I took a [small!] number of photos of my tea mug and cozy from my recent upstate NY "retreat" vacation, and I'm sharing the below one with you today.  My older brother had no idea why I was taking photos of my tea mug; it was very humorous to hear him question my dad! 

See that tall, skinny tree in the upper center of the image below?  That's what it looked like on our first morning at Lake Bonaparte; you'll see this tree again at the end of this post...

It was a chilly morning, that first morning.  But my mug of tea warmed me up nicely.  So did the sun.  Oh, I can't stand it--I'm sharing two tea mug photos today.  I'll save the last of the Lake Bonaparte "mug shots" (and my favorite image) for next week's Tea Talk.  So stay tuned!  ;)

I'm feeling...still full from dinner last night.  We feasted on a meal gifted to us in exchange for flute lessons, and the M. Family sure know how to satisfy a household of guys! 

Leaf on the lake

Before my sweet retreat vacation, I felt a little like the above leaf, adrift on the water and pushed in whatever direction the wind blew.  Even though that water looks still, there was enough motion in wind and water to slowly move that leaf beyond my camera lens.  Now, though, I'm abiding in His peace, and trying to be still and know that He is Lord.  I am not adrift; my anchor holds in Him.

On my mind...my to-do list is shrinking!  Today I have tomatoes on my mind.  Specifically in the form of a 44-quart Rubbermaid storage tote mounded way over its brim with overripe, ripe, ripening, and green tomatoes (from top to bottom).  Today is Tomato Day!  I'm going to attempt to can, in some way, shape, or form, all of the red tomatoes.  Well, I might set aside two or three beautiful ones for a salad.

I leave you with...a few verses of Scripture that is keeping my heart steady today.

You have put gladness in my heart,

More than when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:7-8 NASB

Remember the tall, skinny tree in the first photo above?  I took another photo of that tree just four little days later, before we left the beautiful Adirondack foothills.

Four days and the handiwork of God

Back to life,
Christine

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Remembering

Welcome to my home!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

To participate, click on Ruth's button above.

I'm having...black tea, wild berry, in my floral china mug from Florida.

I'm feeling...okay, here's a change from my usual "fine."  I've had a stomachache all morning.  Must have been something I ate for dinner last night, though everything tasted wonderful (chicken tacos!).  I was awake throughout the night, too, listening to the constant thunder and the pouring-down rain.  I'm trying to take it easy, doing things when I can.  There is a lot to do, but I think the Lord is telling me to rest, and to rest in Him.

On my mind...more preparations!  I'm still on a "high" from last week's state convention, but I'm also now focused on Danny's graduation celebration this Sunday.  I have been coordinating this celebration for 11 homeschool graduates (all families within our church), and I have several emails and phone calls yet to make.  However, Danny's graduation display is coming along, and we have had fun traveling down Memory Lane together all morning (when my tummy allowed me to!) as we browsed through baby pictures and images from throughout his life.

Putting Danny's display together

I leave you with...a short Scripture I read today as I take things easy and think about my Danny as he prepares for his graduation ceremony this Sunday.  I pray that he continues to seek after the Lord, acknowledge Him in all his ways, delight in His law, and remember His Word.

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

I will meditate on Your precepts

And regard Your ways.

I shall delight in Your statutes;

I shall not forget Your word.

Psalm 119:14-16 NASB

My back yard garden bench on a hot June day

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- Praise the Lord

Welcome to my home!

Sit and share a cup of tea with me as we encourage each other in the Lord.

To participate, click on Ruth's button above.

I'm having...Earl Grey tea sweetened with raw honey.  Perfect in the afternoon!  Below is an image of my favorite tea mug, which I'm no longer using.  I posted its fate here; for now, I'm enjoying being able to see it whole and useful with this image taken before its demise.

I'm feeling...It's funny, I don't usually think about how I feel.  I always have to pause and think about what to share here.  :)  Happy or sad, healthy or sick, peaceful or overwhelmed?  I feel fine, though I am getting a cold, I think, with fighting a headache and general lethargy which I know is not laziness.

On my mind...Oh, lots of things to do this week.  Doctor appointment today (nothing serious), "date" with my parents tomorrow (they invited me to a Home & Garden show!), "fashion show" at Christopher & Banks on Saturday (I get to "model" two outfits in the store).  A busy end-of-week but hopefully a peaceful weekend to rest, recuperate, and accomplish some goals for school and cleaning.

I leave you with...Psalm 117.  Yes, the whole Psalm.  (It's only two verses.)  My head isn't thinking clearly enough to post anything "deep," but these two verses are deep enough!

Praise the LORD, all nations;

Laud Him, all peoples!

For His lovingkindness is great toward us,

And the truth of the LORD is everlasting.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 117:1-2 nasb

Praise Him; His truth stands forever.  He is my Rock.

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk -- His People to Deliver

Welcome to my home!

Sit and have a cup of tea with me and share a little time of relaxation and encouragement.

To join, click on Ruth's button above!

I'm having...a cup of Earl Grey decaf at my dad's and mom's house (this past Sunday), in one of my mom's mugs.  She has a nice variety of tea/coffee mugs that she has pulled together over the years.

I'm feeling...pretty good.  I actually went out for a walk yesterday in the 15-degree (F) weather to the bank to open a business account for  Christine Anne Photography.  I was glad to hang out at the bank while working with an account representative just for the chance to get warm again!!  :)  I love my bank--they offered me the use of a "business table" in their lobby that I can reserve for free for two weeks to display my business!  So last night I ran out to Kohl's with a $10 off coupon and bought a couple of photo frames for display purposes.  And frames were 50-60% off!  Yah-hoo!  I love sales with coupons.

On my mind...oh, you know me; I'm always making mental lists, and I don't think that will ever end!  My mind is always thinking and organizing; sometimes I do wish I could turn it off!  I do have a couple of books to read to consider whether our state homeschool organization (ICHE) should carry them in our bookstore.  And winter is a great time to read!  I'm also looking forward to Jacob's and Danny's college semester ending next week.  Poor Jacob got a nasty cold/flu bug this week, so we "drugged him up" and sent him to those classes he couldn't miss.  He is feeling much better now, thank the Lord!

I leave you with...two verses of our church's "hymn of the month."  We are singing this hymn each week as we await the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  I love these words!

Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light

Break forth, O beauteous heav'nly light,

And usher in the morning;

Ye shepherds, shrink not with affright,

But hear the angel's warning.

This Child, now weak in infancy,

Our confidence and joy shall be.

The pow'r of Satan breaking,

Our peace eternal making.

He comes, a Child, from realms on high,

He comes the heav'ns adoring;

He comes to earth to live and die,

A broken race restoring.

Although the King of kings is He,

He comes in deep humility;

His people to deliver,

And reign in us forever.

God's goodness and blessings to you during this special time of waiting!

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk--A Child Will be Born

Welcome to my home!

Sit and have a cup of tea with me and share a little time of relaxation and encouragement.

To join, click on Ruth's button above!

I'm having...a cup of  Provence rooibos, a "red bush" tea with fruity flavors.  Yum!  I'm using a winter mug that I think my mom gave me for Christmas.  I've had it for a while and it's nice to have a little bit bigger mug of hot tea on a c-c-cold day.  :)

I'm feeling...okay but I know I have lots to do.  There's something niggling at the back of my mind, and I keep feeling that there's something I forgot to do, someone I forgot to call...  Maybe that's just me, though.  I have a pretty detailed to-do list, which I check often.

On my mind...are the bags of gifts sitting in front of our fireplace, and our bare Christmas tree in the front living room.  Most of my family (extended) gathered here for dinner on Tuesday, then headed out to Target en masse to purchase gifts for two needy families for Christmas.  My dad chose two families from a program (at his church) which helps needy families at Christmastime.  We had fun going all over the store, looking for shoes and coats, then some fun things for the seven children on the list:  boys and girls, ranging in age from 22 months to 16 years old.  Boy, was that interesting trying to figure out what a typical 16-year-old young lady would like!  Now we need to wrap the gifts and get them to my dad so he can bundle them all up and bring them to his church.

We were so excited about participating in this program this year, since the whole family decided to not exchange Christmas gifts this year.  What a peaceful feeling I have, knowing we don't have to figure out what people want, search all over, spend a ton of money, etc.!  We will enjoy this quiet and thoughtful advent of Christ's birth.

I leave you with...Scripture for the advent season.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God,

Eternal Father,

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 nasb

Back to life,
Christine

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Tea Talk--"Doers and the Deluded"

Time to share a cup of tea with Ruth, the lovely hostess for this meme.

Please click on her button above to find out how to join us!

NOTE:  I create blog titles that catch your attention and make you wonder, and want to read further.  I hope this particular title causes you to do that.  :)

I'm having...a cup of Trader Joe's organic decaf tea, with honey and cream.  And a bowl of popcorn.  ;)  Actually, this was what I had last night for our family movie night.  (Of course I shared the popcorn with everyone!)

I'm using...an everyday ceramic mug, four of which were given to our boys for Christmas by my mom several years ago.  She filled each mug with packets of hot chocolate and other goodies.  Yum!

I'm feeling...tired but productive today.  Planned for the rest of the day around homeschooling:  laundry, bread baking, and sewing.

On my mind is...ministering to an acquaintance this evening by helping her de-clutter her condominium.  That's the really big task for today, and I'm praying for energy for both of us!

I'd like to share with you...a verse from our studies at dinner a few nights ago.  Fernando leads devotions at that time, and we have been working our way through the book of James.  He is reading a lot of the side notes from his study Bible, and I have been abundantly blessed by them.  He pauses patiently while I write notes, underline words, and circle key phrases in my Bible.  He calmly repeats a definition, a word, or an explanation as I try to soak it all in.  I love "dig-deep" Bible study!

But prove yourselves doers of the word,

and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

James 1:22 nasb (emphasis mine)

Doers of the word stood out to me, and in the Greek, the connotation of this phrase is that the entire personality of a Christian should be characterized in this way.  Someone should be able to look at my life and say, "It's obvious she's a Christian."  Oh, that it may be so!

The word delude was used in mathematics to refer to a miscalculation.  This implies that if I think I can just hear the word, and not do anything with what I've heard, I've made a serious miscalculation.  A sober thought to ponder.

Back to life,
Christine

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captured by Christine Anne