Dream Tea

If I had my choice of a beautiful sofa on which to invite you to share 

   tea it would be this one. It is the Savannah Sofa in the Carol Bolton line made by E. J. Victor. 

And I would place this Elizabeth Cocktail Table  right in front of the sofa with a tray of tea..

And I would add this Flip Top End Table and this Stairstep Table.

And I would serve you stuffed cucumbers and tea on my very best china.

All furniture is made by E. J. Victor and can be found at  ejvictor.com. You may take a tour of teas at Tea Time Tuesday hosted by Lady Katherine.

Tea Party Birthday Cake

I had to share a picture of the tea party birthday cake my sister made for her grandaughters 3rd birthday.

If you enjoy tea parties take a peak at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor. There are many tea sippers linked up there with beautiful china on the table or in the garden.

Appearances Versus Intent, Part Two or Whitewashing

 Continuing in the study of making sure my intent is pure and not just for appearance sake.... 

I was thinking today of whitewash. Here are some definitions I looked up about whitewash:

It is a cheaper way of cleaning something up. It can rub off easily. It is just a coating.Whitewash aids in sanitation by coating and smoothing over the rough surfaces. Successive applications of whitewash build up layers of scale which flake off and in the process remove surface debris with it. It is used on farms and in barns and typically the application is an annual process.Lime wash is pure slaked lime in water and produces a unique surface glow.

So to sum it up, it can clean or disinfect some but not permanently or deeply, it flakes off and can produce a temporary "glow", it's cheap. So you may guess where I'm going with this: spiritual application :)

• Whitewash reminds me of the old testament sacrifices for sin. They weren't sufficient. Those sacrifices had to be performed daily and yearly. Hebrews 7 states why Christ's sacrifice was so much better than those sacrifices. His sacrifice went clear to the depth of my and your heart.

• Whitewash reminds me of humans trying to find a cheaper way to be spiritually clean. Habits can be changed, physically we can "fix up" the outside, work on good manners, etc. but unless there is a heart change from God those deeds just remove surface debris. They only produce a surface "glow". They're flaky. 

• Whitewash reminds me of how a church can have a nice building, well mannered people, fun programs,  a great website and good singing. But if there is a suppressing and hiding of sin it is worth nothing to God. 

Jesus puts it this way in Matthew 23:27-28 "you are like a whitewashed burial place which appears beautiful on the outside but inside is full of dead bones and uncleanness. you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." 

At revival last night it was said how we don't see conviction and crying out to God like we used to. It is because men are content with a little cheap whitewash, willing to play the game of church.  It is so much harder to keep an  appearance than to have the real thing in our heart from Jesus. Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

I keep asking God to search my heart and see if there is any sin there and keep me ready and genuine every day.  The recent unexpected loss of 2 saved friends, one 18 and the other 70 brings it closer to home. I don't want to be whitewashed. 

Appearances Versus Intent, Part One

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 13 "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with who we have to do."

Selah or stop and think it over. As I do, it lets me know that I must allow this scripture to check my appearances and intents. My actions, my words must be monitored by this scripture. If I speak love and I perform acts of love, is it for appearance or is the intent real? If I must speak correction and rebuke, is the intent love or revenge?

If we look at the words and recorded actions of Jesus and the Christians in the Bible, we see both love and rebuke. Yet I do not doubt that their intent was anything but a pure love and rebuke because of that love.
They loved, not fake actions for appearance sake and they rebuked to let people know of the danger to their souls, not for revenge.

Matthew 23:34-39 These are words in red, words of Jesus. He loved that rebellious generation enough to tell them, "I've sent Bible teachers, those with wisdom, messengers to you and you either killed them or thrashed them in your churches and troubled them from city to city." And He cried out "Oh, oh I sure wish I could have just gathered you and loved on you and hugged you. But instead I'm leaving you alone. And you won't see me anymore until you can bless those that come to you in my name, the name of the Lord."

His actions and words would appear harsh but he did it not for revenge. His intent is love.