Morning Tea

     Each morning, I enjoy two cups of hot tea to go along with my whole grain cereal and blueberries.  It's a breakfast that's healthy and filling - and tasty too.  While I was sipping on my hot tea this morning, I was thanking God for blessing me with this abundance of good food and I began thinking of the many people who were involved in getting this food to my table - especially the tea.

    As I enjoyed the smooth, rich taste of the Darjeeling tea in my cup, I imagine a woman walking along the rows of Camellia sinensis bushes, grown on steep hillsides of the Eastern Himalayas in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal India.  I've seen pictures such as the one below (from Wikipedia) of women working on the tea plantations there.

    I picture this woman plucking the top two leaves and a bud from each bush and placing them in her basket.  The woman is most likely a Gorkha Indian and a Hindu (70% of the people there are Hindu, 27% are Muslim, with less than 1% claiming Christianity).

    Hand-picking tea leaves is far superior to machine picking.  Each tea picker's careful selection of leaves adds a personal touch to the final product.  And so, I thought about the young woman who  plucked the leaves that made up my lovely cup of Darjeeling tea.

    I wonder, what are the needs of this woman?  What about her family life and her dreams of the future?  Part of her work and the leaves she touched traveled many thousands of miles to America, ending up adding flavor and enjoyment to my cup of Darjeeling tea.  What an amazing journey for those tiny little leaves that grew on the hillside of the Himalayas, basking in the sunshine and rain of that faraway place.  

    I prayed for this woman - living a life far different than my own in a place far different than my home -- and yet, as women, not so very different.  I prayed for her needs and for God to bless her.  You see, God knows who this mystery woman is, and He loves her.  He knows every beat of her heart and, I believe, He is pleased that someone is praying for her.

    In fact, I have added her to my prayer list and I hope someday in Heaven that I might meet her, because I'm praying for her salvation too.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will work a miracle in her heart and show her the way to eternal redemption through Jesus Christ.  God is able and I'm trusting Him to take these prayers and work a work that would blow my mind!!

"Look among the nations and watch - be utterly astounded!  For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you," Habakkuk 1:5.

"Many, O LORD, my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered," Psalm 40:5.

"This was the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes," Psalm 118:23.

 

Theo of Golden

 

    This is one of those books that has depth and message, along with a good story about people and lives.  Theo is a fascinating character - in a quiet way.  It's a bit unusual to have an 80+ man as the main character of a book, but it works well in this novel and I'm grateful for the inspiration in Theo's life.

    A dear friend of mine Greta very highly recommended the book to me and even said she bought two copies - one to share and one to keep for herself.  That is high praise for a book!

    The book is thick and it's not a mystery or thriller or romance or spy novel - or any of my normal "reads," but I'm always game for something different and I dove into the book.  I was not disappointed!  It's a delightful book   It inspires, entertains, pulls at the heart-strings - and so much more.  I gave the book the full five-stars and felt it needed more.  

    If you like to read and you care about people; if you are interested in learning about people's lives and have a desire to encourage them along -- this book will appeal to you too.

    I've included an excerpt below, but it will reveal a bit about the end which you will probably figure out as you go along anyway, but I just want to warn that it's a bit of a spoiler so you might want to stop here.  If you decide to read Theo of Golden, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

An excerpt from the book describes a bit about the kind of man Theo was.  The words are spoken by Father Lundy as a eulogy:

       "In Theo's honor, and in keeping with the hope that expressed itself so radiantly in his life, I read these words of promise from Another, a far greater One who lived obscurely among His neighbors long ago, an Artist Himself, the One who, for Theo, defined life and love and goodness.  The One who alone makes us good and wise and happy."

       After the priest read from the gospels of Matthew and John, he prayed, "...And if it is true that begging is our only wisdom, then we beg, dear Lord, that this man's presence in our lives will not have been in vain but instead that we will perpetuate the obedient faith, the cheerful hope, and the generous love that he made so beautifully visible while he was here among us.  Might the light of his countenance, how he loved, and who he loved, inspire us to follow him, even as he followed the Christ in whose name we pray.  Amen."

Our Assignments

 

"...you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry," 

Numbers 4:32

    I only have three chapters to go before I complete another read through the Bible.  My reading this morning included Numbers 4 (yes, I saved Leviticus and Numbers for last).  

    This chapter lists duties of the Levites when the Israelites break camp and the tent tabernacle is broken down to carry to their next location.  There are many parts to this tabernacle that must be carefully packed and carefully carried since it is holy to Almighty God.

    Every task was important -- even gathering the "sockets, pegs, and cords," (4:32).  Each man had a specific job and if he failed to complete his assignment, the tabernacle transfer would be incomplete -- and God would not be honored.

    Each piece in a jigsaw puzzle is important.  If one is missing, you have a gaping hole.

    We who are saved by grace are tabernacles/temples where the Holy Spirit dwells.  He has specific jobs for each of us.  If we fail to complete our assignment something or someone will suffer for our neglect -- and God will not be honored.  Another brother or sister may be required to finish our job and that person will then receive the reward and satisfaction of a job well-done.

    God created each of us with certain abilities and He is keenly aware of both our limitations and our capabilities.  God never asks us to do something that He does not enable us to do.

--Parable of Talents

    In the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the master gives each servant a task according to his abilities.  He gives five talents to one servant, two to another, and one to the last servant.  The master knew his servants abilities and did not ask for more than they were capable of handling.

    Two of the servants doubled the amount given to them to work with and they were each rewarded equally, because they performed to the full extent of their abilities.  "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required," Luke 12:48.

    The third servant, however, failed to grow his talent to honor his master.  Instead of growing his talent and using it to further his master's kingdom, he hid it and let it basically stagnate.  His master was displeased, to say the least.

--Our Talents

    Our Master did not give us talents to hide.  They are meant to grow, to spill out, to bless others as well as ourselves, and to bring glory and honor to our Master.

    "...you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry."  God has assigned each of His children "the items he or she must carry."  Are you carrying the items (talents/abilities/jobs) He has assigned you to carry?

    God wants us to grow -- to add to His kingdom, not subtract from it by dropping our assigned items.  

    If you're not sure what your "assignment" is, ask God to reveal it to you and then, work to grow it through the power of the Holy Spirit.  "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:19.

Miracle of Music

 

                            This picture represents powerful music from the Lord God Almighty

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly 

above all that we ask or think… Ephesians 2:20 NKJV

          I usually get out of bed each morning with a positive “this is a day the Lord has made, we will be glad and rejoice in it” attitude.

One morning, I got up and felt unmotivated and a bit anxious. I attributed these unusual feelings to a program I’d watched on TV the previous night, about a dysfunctional, pill-popping, alcoholic family who led a miserable life. They were the epitome of Thoreau’s statement, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

I knew I should not have watched such a dreadful show. I felt like I’d failed God by planting the wrong thoughts in my head.

To encourage my heart and draw closer to God, I told Alexa to play the song, Let it Be a Hallelujah. As I listened to that wonderful song of praise, I was uplifted and blessed.

Since I didn’t tell Alexa to stop the music, it continued.  That’s when God took over the playlist and gave me just what I needed to hear for the next eight songs.

Heaven Changes Everything was up next and my thoughts turned to three people I’ve been praying for who need salvation and freedom. When Chain Breaker started echoing my thoughts on freedom, I had to laugh. God has such a sense of humor!

I prayed for my friends as I imagined their chains being broken. Then God sends the song, Somebody Prayed, and I just shook my head in wonder and awe at my Father’s encouragement not to give up on prayer.

The song, Desperate, began playing and I began to weep, because yes, I was desperate for God – for myself and for my three friends. I felt so unworthy and needy for God’s help. So, I wasn’t surprised when God followed up with The Truth, a tender song about God’s love for me, especially when I’m feeling unworthy. I was reminded that I need to refuse the enemies’ lies and embrace God’s truth that He surrounds me with His grace and I am His child.

He followed that with Strong, to remind me that I am strong in the Lord even when I feel weak. Then God played Still Waters (from Psalm 23) and my heart melted into the sweet embrace of my precious Lord and I felt such peace.

About this time, I was wondering when I should tell Alexa to “stop.” Would God make it clear to me?  Why, of course, He was going to let me know – and He did. When Shout to the Lord began to play, I knew that was the grand finale of this amazing playlist. It was the perfect ending of praise to Almighty God since, “Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.”

This was nothing less than a musical miracle from my loving Father. He sent me a string of nine powerful songs that formed a progression of just what I needed to speak to my soul in that moment.

“Oh, Lord, please help me to walk in your power and on your path to fulfill your purpose for me. Help me to carry a heart of praise and purity, depending on your provision and not my own pitiful pursuits. I am weak, but you are strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong.”

 

Note:  I chose pictures of fireworks to represent the wonder of God's working through the music He chose for me in my Miracle of Music.  I took these fireworks pics at Epcot in Disney World when we were there in February.  They were so beautiful!

 

 

You Can't Take it With You

 

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU

   When I was in Italy last year, my sister and I visited the Etruscan Necropolis in Tarquina, Italy.  A necropolis is a cemetery.  The tombs there are dated back to 700 BC.  There are around 200 painted tombs in this particular cemetery, which are considered the most beautiful and best preserved painted tombs in the ancient world.

   I'm pictured here on the steps going down to one of the tombs.  Each tomb is underground and reached through a small house and a set of stairs.  Visitors look through a window into the ancient tomb.

  The picture below is an example and shows a two-room tomb.  There would have been a number of sarcophagus holding the deceased in the tomb, along with all kinds of treasures belonging to the deceased.  

       

   You see, the Etruscans thought they could take their treasures with them into the next world after their death - much like the ancient Egyptians did.  As I looked into their tombs and later at their treasures in the nearby museum that displayed items from the tombs, I was saddened at the thought of what their reality would have been when they opened their eyes after they took their last breath.  Imagine their shock when they woke up in hell instead of the lovely tomb that had been prepared for them.  It would have been a horrifying discovery -- and too late to change the outcome.

    

   Here is one of the sarcophagus taken from a tomb.  We saw many of these carved effigies of people buried in the tombs - each one representing a soul who went into eternity without God.  I say that because the Etruscan people believed in false gods, like Tinia, Uni and Menrva.  They had temples dedicated to these gods, along with other deities.  The key aspect of their religious beliefs focused on the afterlife and elaborate burial rites.

    Scripture clearly tells us, "...he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God," John 3:18.

     While it is too late for these poor Etruscans who are already in the afterlife, if you're reading this post, you still have time to make sure of your eternal destination.  Jesus said, "he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life," John 5:24.

    "For God so loved the world, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3:16.

    When you join the family of God, I guarantee that you will never regret it, but you find a joy and peace that you never knew before.  God bless you, my friend!

   

Anticipation

 ANTICIPATION

This statue of a little girl sitting on a bench in the Great Hall of the Omaha Union Train Station captured my imagination.  The title of the statue is "Anticipation," which further intrigued me.  Here are some thoughts this sweet picture inspired in me.

So many hopes and dreams are wrapped up in that small nicely wrapped gift box nestled in the little girls hands.  The definition of "Gift," is - a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present.  

Then, we have the idea of "Anticipation," which is defined as the act of looking forward with pleasurable expectation.

There are a number of things this little girl might be looking forward to as she waits in the train station -- who is she waiting for?  And, what is she carefully carrying as a gift for that person?  From her expression and body language, it looks like a positive outcome is anticipated.

As we travel through life, there are numerous events that we eagerly anticipate -- things that will bring lovely gifts into our lives.  With that in mind, I'm going to offer my own spin on this wonderful statue.  As you might imagine if you know me, I'm going to hone into a gift that brings along with it a great anticipation for something yet to come to us.  

The gift I speak of is the one that Jesus offers us -- a gift given willingly and without payment to us.  It's a free gift to us, but one He paid a great price to offer us.  For we know that, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights," James 1:17.

Jesus paid the ultimate price (His life) in order to offer us an eternal gift.  The gift in the little girl's hands is wrapped with a red ribbon.  Jesus' gift to us is wrapped with a red ribbon of blood that flowed from Him at His death when He made the payment for our sins.  That cleansing blood is memorialized in numerous songs. such as Power in the Blood, Nothing But the Blood, There is a Fountain, Are you Washed in the Blood, and a more recent song by Chris Tomlin, At the Cross - Love Ran Red.

The little girl anticipates giving the gift to someone she loves.  When we accept the gift of life given to us by the One who loves us, then, we can anticipate a whole new world opening up to us -- a world of hope and joy and peace, not to mention the promise of an eternal home in Paradise with God, for which we are "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" Titus 2:13.

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15. 

Flipping this tableau to another angle, if you are a Believer, imagine yourself as this little girl.  We're waiting in this vast world for our beloved Savior to appear -- not from a train, but in the sky, calling us up to join Him.  He has promised He will come soon and we are anticipating His arrival.  As we wait, we are dressed in our best -- symbolizing our desire to do the best we can to faithfully live for Him as we await His return.  

And what about the gift?  We are carefully holding the gift of our love and the works we have done for Him, all tied up with the red ribbon of His shed blood which made it possible.  This gift is comprised of the acts of kindness and obedience and ministry that we have done through the power of the Spirit and in the name of our Holy Lord.  We will lay this gift at His feet in thanksgiving as we worship Him on that great day.

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope," Psalm 130:5.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit," Romans 15:13.

Note about the Artist of this Beautiful Statue:

Omaha artist John Lajba created more than a dozen life-size sculptures for specific spots in the Great Hall of Omaha Union Station.  The station closed to trains in 1971 and Lajba's first statue was completed in mid-1990s.  The statue of the little girl was added in December 2012. 

Behold His Beautiful Creation

 

BEHOLD HIS BEAUTIFUL CREATION

   These delicate pale purple wisteria blossoms hanging elegantly down over a rough wooden fence create a beautiful picture fashioned by our heavenly Father - "He has made everything beautiful in its time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11.

                      The Lily, by William Blake

                The Lily white, and the Rose red

                Are pale in the sight of God,

                For His love is pure and rare,

                And His spirit is in every flower.

            Awestruck by the Sight, by Catherine Pulsifer

            Walking through a garden,
            I am awestruck by the sight,
            The beauty here is unmatched,
            And I bask in its light.

            The colors are so vibrant,
            And the flora abound,
            Each petal perfect and shining;
            It's breathtaking to gaze around.

            I'm reminded that this beauty
            Isn't by random chance:
            God's creativity has created
            This garden of grand splendor at glance!

            God's Garden - by Robert Frost

            God made a beauteous garden
            With lovely flowers strown,
            But one straight, narrow pathway
            That was not overgrown.
            And to this beauteous garden
            He brought mankind to live,
            And said "To you, my children,
            These lovely flowers I give.
            Prune ye my vines and fig trees,
            With care my flowers tend,
            But keep the pathway open
            Your home is at the end.

    

    The flower photos in this post were all taken by me in Williamsburg when we visited there a few weeks ago.  They all fall under the truth we find in Psalm 104:24 & 31:  "O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions...May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works."

    As I stood in front of the pretty pink blossoms of the dogwood tree, I felt the joy of God's amazing creation surrounding me.  We are so blessed that He created such a beautiful world for us to enjoy!

        "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!"

                                                    Psalm 103:1