My Tea Time With Jesus

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT - For God has not given us a Spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. MSG - God doesn't want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. NIV - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. Ok - here it is - a big question: How powerful is God? He created the whole world and universe and everything in it, right?! He parted the Red Sea, right?! He made plagues and cleared them, right?! He rose Jesus from the dead, right?! Plus tons and tons of other impossible things over the course of history.... Now, in your life - what miracles has He done? How has He provided when you didn't see a way? The bible tells us, that Jesus told us (the disciples at the time) that when He left to go sit at the right hand of God, He would send a Helper who would dwell (live) in us. In other words: Jesus/God would now not only have come in the flesh, but now come in Spirit and li...

Proverbs 27:5 "A spoken reprimand is better than approval that's never expressed." Have you ever heard the expression, "Any attention is better than no attention" or how about "publicity is publicity no matter if it is good or bad - it is still publicity." This verse reminds me of several people we know, that share their past as NOT having love expressed in the home by their family or parents. They confess that they WANTED love and affection SO badly, that they acted out and misbehaved - because then their parents actually paid attention to them. Sad. God's design is for us to want and seek each other. Companionship. Relationship. I think this is why it is so hard for some people to believe and understand that the relationship with Jesus is NOT like ANY human relationship we know, see, or experience here on earth! Nothing can compare to His great love! We are ALL created in His image - and that image is perfect. Yes, I know, none of us are perf...

Galatians 6:1-3 "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. YOU might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived." This reminds me of how people are with people that are trying to lose weight. It also reminds me of  when I was climbing the scales in the 100's. When "I" felt overweight, and would say something out loud, someone else would always make a comment to the effect, "Oh you don't need to lose weight. You look great just like you are." Now, they didn't mean any harm! I believe they really believed I was 'good where I was' - however, for me, the extra pounds were too much. Fast forward to having weight loss surgery. People assume it is the "easy way out" (if you th...

Proverbs 21:20 "The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get." Ok - ouch! This is super personal to me, about me. I don't have wealth and luxury as I picture it in my head, like a mansion and money to burn.... However, I WAS a "fool" before!! I wasn't taught to 'save' money really. I followed the old saying, "You let money burn a hole in your pocket" and sure enough, as soon as I had 'money in my pocket' I would find something that I just "had to have". Unfortunately, I didn't understand what being a good steward of money was. I also never seemed to 'get ahead' - I was always living paycheck to paycheck. My instant gratification was more important than my long term wants and dreams. Until, I met my husband. I witnessed that you can do things and even have things, and yet not spend beyond your means. I watched as he had goals to have certain amounts of money saved in the bank - and he d...

Proverbs 20:3 "Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling." (NLT)      Well, then I must have a big halo of honor LOL I have avoided conflict as much as possible, all my life! Really though, I know several people that I consider of good character. It truly is an honor to be around them and witness how they handle conflict. They don't even raise their voice when someone is bating them to argue. Calmness, evenness, and even silence is what I witness. I strive to be like them. The difference I see is that they do not "run" from conflict, but they address it with truth. Not in a controlling way, but in a soft yet direct way. I notice that they are also really gifted at knowing when to turn away from an argument or conflict. I am reminded to look at what Jesus did in those types of situations. One thing that just popped into my memory, is that there are several times in scripture where Jesus just up and disappears! Right in what seems to...

Luke 15:4-7    4 " If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?   5  And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.   6  When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'   7  In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!"      Wow, the MEF (minds eye flash - dream) on this one!! From the view point of the lamb.     One day, life is good. Following my family around and doing what we always do. No cares or worries. The leader, the Shepherd, always guides us to good spots to eat, run, and play. He sings songs of praise and thanks to His God. Then one da...

Proverbs 16:4 "The Lord works out everything to its proper end - even the wicked for a day of disaster."      Well, this popped out at me a bit different today. I totally understand the beginning of this verse, have heard it many times. The last part, jumped out at me in such a way, that I had to read it over several times.      I understand that God made everyone and everything. I understand that He gave us all "free will" where we get to choose what we do and say, how we act, how we respond.... This verse gave me a different insight to the people that are choosing to NOT follow God, and work against His will. The ones that are following the devil and are a part of his army. Reading this verse, and having it sink in - I see that even those who are following wicked ways, are used for Gods glory! I had a memory flash of times when people who DO have a relationship with Jesus, have been tested by people who are wicked. Not only do I remember that their fa...

Psalm 34:4-6 (MSG) 4-5 "God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him." (NLT) 6 "In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all of my troubles." Today I had a MEF (minds eye flash) that made these verses come to life! I'm walking on a road, on my way to somewhere, in a hurry and with the feeling of nerves, fear, worry... I look up, and the place where I am going seems super far away. I then am drawn to look to my right. There is a beautiful open field with a big open space, surrounded by trees. Along the road, there is a fence that has bushes (or weeds) blowing in the breeze. It almost looks like wheat blowing this way and that in the wind. The beautiful colors of so much contrast between the ground, the field, and the trees - catches me off guard. I look up just a bit more, and there is a Man, standing at an opening in the fence. His sm...

Proverbs 14:10 (NLT) Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy. (MSG) The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends will be an outsider at their celebrations. This jumped out at me for just how personal it is. I mean, deep down, inside the inner most private parts of us, our heart, is where this hides. Even if we are able to share with another person our inner-most feelings, we REALLY don't! Deep down, we seem to hold on to a bit of our feelings and emotions, our fears and trust. Why? Perhaps it is from past life experiences. Perhaps it is from not really knowing how to open up. In either case, it is deep inside. Only YOU truly KNOW how you are feeling in a situation or circumstance. Now, when you DO get brave, and actually SHARE your feelings with someone, it is incredible to have people in your life that are there through thick and thin! Your ups and your downs. My mother used to say that we each have someone in our life called a ...

Proverbs 13:12 "Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around." Boy, this sure is true in the world of weight loss! When you are doing everything you are supposed to be doing: eating right, sleeping right, getting in enough water, moving more.... and then that scale doesn't budge. Talk about frustration and disappointment! Ok, one week, not too bad. But then 2, 3, 4 weeks go by - nothing. We can get discouraged and fall into depression. Perhaps even a little resentment at the food plan or diet (or the person who is coaching you through it lol). This moment in time, is where the heartsickness comes in. Perhaps even the mourning of the loss of "old favorites" comes in. For those of us who have been yo-yo-dieters, our poor body is just trying to "catch up" to us. Not to mention, it is seeing if we "really mean it" this time. Or are we just going to go back to our old habits at this crossroads in ...

Malachi 3:15 "Those who take life into their own hands are the lucky ones. They break all the rules and get ahead anyway. They push God to the limit and get by with it." Oh boy, how I used to think like this verse! It seems to still ring true for SO many in our world today. We all see people in our lives and around the world, that seem to 'fall into a pile of poop and come out smelling like a rose' (as my mother used to say LOL). I heard a pastor preach on this many years ago, and he said something that has stuck with me all these years. He was questioned why bad people seem to get away with everything and even turn against God, then why should we keep following Him? Here was his answer... Here, today, on earth - this is the only "heaven" some will ever see. For us who believe in Jesus and follow Him: here, today, on earth - this is the only hell we will ever see. Well, that made SO much more sense than all of the other explanations I had ever heard....

Proverbs 9 tells of two different women: Wisdom and Folly. What jumped out at me today, was that BOTH "seem" to be doing something nice: "inviting people in". However, it is the wording as well as the outcome that are VERY different! Wisdom is going to bring clarity and life. Folly is saying she offers the same thing, but uses words that we all KNOW are triggers to selfishness and wrong. She offers to "steal away" "in secret" enticing with "you'll have the time of your life" which ALL of these ways of doing things lead to destruction and even death. How do we "know the difference" when faced with two different types of people or situations? Well, first off - if you HAVE to make a decision right then and there, on the spot or "you'll never get this offer again" then RUN!!!!!!!! If it is "secret" or offers something way too good to be true, it usually is 'too good to be true'. Not always, bu...

Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand." Exodus 15:6 "Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy." Psalm 136:12 "He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 118:6-7a "The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; He will help me." Proverbs 3:21, 23-24 "My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment... Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Isaiah 12:2 "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation." Matthew 10:29-31 "...

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 "That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 'No eye has seen, no ear has hear, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.' But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets." I remember before I accepted the free gift from God of salvation - when I would read the bible or go to church and hear a sermon.... I didn't understand it at all!! Not one bit! Sure, some of it sounded like the old quotes my Grama used to say. I have even seen some of the old sayings in pictures hanging on her walls. However, none of it made any sense to me! A lot of what I would hear, seemed SO far-fetched and unimaginable, like a really creative fiction novel. Well, all of that changed, when I actually said yes, and received the free gift from God! When I actually understood that Jesus is God in the flesh, sent here for my future. He was treated ...

Proverbs 29:17 "Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad." Proverbs 29:15 "To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child."      Well, this jumped out at me in an unexpected way! When my Hubby, Todd, and I go to Knott's Berry Farm with our season pass, we see lots and lots of different people and families. It always amazes us, no matter the time of day or night we go, that some people are just not happy to be there. Some parents are scolding their kids. Then there are a few that seem to have no control of their kids and the running around they are doing. From lines, to rides, to the food stations - some families are calm and collected, while others seem to be this little tornado of chaos.      Unfortunately, when this happens, people (us included) look to see where the mother is. Not the father for some reason. Maybe because that is the way we are wired? I'...