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.

Celebration of a Homecoming

Anna's homecoming memorial service was truly a celebration. Her family was full of the grace of God, not without sorrow but sorrowing with hope. Everyone connected with Anna, whether family, friends, coworkers was deeply affected by her life and thus also her death. To see her precious parents graciously greeting hundreds of people and even giving comfort to others was amazing. The greatly participated in the service with reflections and songs. Displays of Anna's saddle and pictures and drawings in frames, some from Anna's bedroom, notes to her fiance, her Bibles and study books.

I think just now of the song "Oh may all who come behind me find me faithful" There is a verse that talks about after I am gone and all I've left behind is sifted through, may the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover lead them to a life of Christ. That was certainly true in Anna's case.

I believe God placed the thought in my mind to get, not a sympathy card, but a congratulations card on your new home. Since Anna's obituary was written in the first person as though she had written it herself, I addressed our card to Anna to give to her parents. I wrote: "Anna,  Most parents have a hard time when their child moves out on their own.  But since you have moved in with Someone they trust it makes it a little easier on them." With a PS "See you at the family reunion."

Please continue to pray for Anna's family. She has 3 precious brothers and 1 sister who shared a room with her. They will have a sink hole in their lives for many months to come. God bless you Coons family.

Tea Time Tuesday & Prayer for Friends

I put the draft for my post together on Saturday. But I can't keep from adding a prayer request for our dear friends. Their 18 yr old, Christian, sweet Anna got thrown from her horse on Friday. Her injuries were so severe that she died in the hospital on Sunday morning. She was well loved by family, fiancée, friends, coworkers and those who didn't even know her personally. It is such a shock to all. See my previous post.

With that said here is my Tea Time Tuesday. For sharing tea and conversation with others go see Katherine at Tea Time Tuesday

The weather is warming up enough for me to enjoy my favorite spot. This is what I call my prayer bench.

I don't usually dress it up this much when I come out here. But I thought since I was inviting guests to my private garden I would pretty it up a small bit. I usually just grab a hot mug of tea and my Bible and say

 "I'm goin' to my bench."

Saturday when I went down the road to a country store to get earthworms for the garden I found this jar of "Wild Maine Blueberry Preserves". I thought that looked like a great tea time treat. A lot better than worms!

My hyacinths are starting to bloom at the ends of the bench.

Good thoughts, memories and meditations are always blooming out there.

This is my view looking out over the neighboring field.

...and thanks for visiting with me!