“Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.…” Philippians 2:1-3 Berean Study Bible

Seems  a little strange to me that in the above passage we are finding a man, an apostle of Christ asking the church to make his joy complete by virtually being nice people. I must say it’s worded a little odd to me.  Yet, as I continue to work on a new habit I hopefully have now formulated of ‘talking to scripture’ it’s not so odd.

You might ask? What about my conversation with the Apostle Paul changed my thinking? Paul was speaking to the church as an authoritative parent. I often find myself speaking to my two grown sons, just as I did when they were young children, in much the same way. When my sons play nice in life my joy is complete. I feel the same about being connected to the church. I need to play nice as well.

It just seems like our hearts intone like a harp when all the conditions Paul speaks of are embedded in our sheet music. If we are as skilled as little David aka King David on the harp while singing and dancing like Miriam, the art sister of Moses, our inward person would overflow with being a part of the music written by St. Paul.

I hear, Sara, “…in humility consider others more important than yourselves.…” Thank you, Paul for inviting me to be a part of your symphony. I’m just a coffee carafe with a single rose as my staff!

This “Tea Set” stamped made in Germany was given to me many years ago by my friend Kathy Wellde with her husband,  an Ambassador.   Over the years she and I shared many stories over tea and her delicious baked breads. She later wrote her very own cookbook which  one stays close by me. The Ambassador died young leaving Kathy with 5  precious children to rear. We had much to share with and about her  children. At this particular time I didn’t have children so I spent much time being a part of their lives. I always loved hearing about the times she got to dance with King Hussein among other notable happy times as they served America as an Ambassador and family.

So many in my story including the  Ambassador and King among many others have been dead for many years. I often stop and wonder at times if I even remember her stories correctly or if and why I even heard and commented on them. Yet, the “Tea Set” remains just as beautiful as it was when the giver and stories of that day were still  earth living.

Another great ONE, another KING, “that was and is” lived long before the Ambassador and earthly King in my “Tea Set”  story was even born. He told us an even greater story about Himself and baked bread; Jesus, the King of Kings said, “I am the bread of life.”-(John 6:35) He goes on to say if you eat of this bread you will live forever. Awesome story!

What does this all mean, kings, breads, dances and giving and sharing of story. Kathy, told me many stories about her faith, her husband, their children and the life of a working woman, artist and writer. She was a mentor in many ways. What does  King Jesus telling me, one of His ambassadors,*that He is the bread of my life mean? His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) His words of forgiveness and the heaven-earth-cross connection has nourished my wounded soul in times when wounds just did not want to heal. He is a healer. I think we have found the connectors: just as Kathy’s homemade baked  bread, story  and tea satisfied and nourished my body,  Jesus satisfies and heals our souls when we allow Him to be Our Shepherd. He sets a table before us in the presence of our enemies. (Psalm 23)

We gather at tables, enjoy tea and bread, share stories of The King, desiring to know how to be better Ambassadors* for Him. Sharing stories of our lives and lives of our families and friends until we join The King of Kings, other kings and ambassadors to live out the vision set before us. Have you noticed stories seem to take us back to a life no longer with us but we have a small token of their life to remind us of a lesson taught, and a lesson learned. Do you have a “Tea Set” story?

*2 Corinthians 5:11-21

“In your minds you must be the same as Jesus Christ: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God” —Philippians 2:6, Jerusalem Bible

Recently as I meander along through a well-kept small fruit field  in NC, as long as I kept my eyes focused on the field acre or so that was  well kept and diligently showing beauty in its summer season I was energized with hope and joy. When I allowed my eyes to roam in the field adjacent to my walking path I saw an unkept field where weeds  were almost my height and its friends seem to lurk in my mind. My mind said weeds in a field might bring mice, 🐀 snakes🐍 and pricks from bramble and briars. My steps slowed, heat from the day seemed unbearable and my body just wanted to run and hide.

I quickly gave my mind full permission to send my eyes back to the butterflies I saw often in the field where fruit,  berries and blooms were frames and sustenance for butterflies and bees 🐝alike. The sights, sounds and smells were just to wonderful to tell. As I sheep-graze my eyes upon the butterfly and flower in our photo I am filled with the sweetness of honey singing from my heart;  “O taste and see that the Lord is good to you… and See the Lord is Good…The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, …And rescues them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! “(Psalm 34:7-8 NASB)

When we allow the mind of Christ to seasonally shape our viewpoint, we follow His path into the treasure- trove of a creative creator, displaying glorious sightings all around us. O Look and see and dare yourself to take a test taste.  And, let us  complete His joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, 💟 being in full accord and of one mind. 👨‍❤️‍👨Philippians 2:2 ESV

“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law? 37) Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38)  is the first and greatest commandment.…” Matthew 22:37

I have come to understand in order for me to obey the greatest commandment ever I need to love myself! Yes, love myself. I have lassoed this command by understanding  the second command of importance. “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:39

Have I listened to my heart recently? What is it telling me?  Do I  have an  open, and seeking heart that is willing to listen, hear, and acknowledge the joyful, beautiful, loving SOUL that I am?  Do I love my neighbor as myself? Is this the water that floats my boat 🚣🏽of showing if I love the Lord  my God with all my heart and soul and mind?

Would love to hear how you self-talk with your heart and show your beauty for others to enjoy. I know I have published Violette’s art before but this hearing heart surely keeps speaking to me. Listen in!💟🕊

“One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.” – Proverbs 17:9 (NRSV)

As I thought on this wisdom provided by the Book of Proverbs I tried to interpret the action that comes with the wisdom from an all inclusive perspective. I was delighted that this wisdom speaks to friends and the cycle of friendship. Thinking from this point I don’t think it would call for to much effort not to dwell on a dispute or not forgive an affront.

I tried to arrange a beautiful bouquet from this understanding. A single fragrant Southern white Magnolia floating in an oblong water bowl with their leaves of shiny wax green floating near by with a few unscented small candles lite and glowing and directing light showing it’s dignity and beauty. In my mind this gives a perfect photo of a friend and shows the harmony of a friendship. A friend and friendship is value that only becomes devaluated when one allows unforgiveness which might just happen when one dwells on a dispute.

When I feel to enter the mind spin zone of dwelling on the negative and causing the wind of my words to blow out the candles and open my mouth to affront a harmless negative I run into Colossians 3:12-17. It is a great Book to find directives to redirect my thoughts and continue to enjoy the magnolia fragrance of friendship!

Rest awhile

Psalm 42:1, NRSV “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.”

Do I even know how a deer longs for a flowing stream? Do you? Share your story of a longing deer for a stream.

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. . . . Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” – Matthew 7:18, 20 (NIV)

“Fruit takes time to develop and grow. Over time we will get to know others by the fruit that the Holy Spirit grows not only in them but in us as well. The apostle Paul lists that fruit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23, CEB).”

*art by Rena Oynes -garden fruit grown by Chris Holton 2016

June, you remind me of flash cards.
You flash into our lives with a host
of flair and fanfare!
Birds sing with summer flowers
harmonizing; signaling summer
fruit is just a pick away!
June, the brightest card of your flash
is when graduates show us their
embossed diplomas making
12, 14, 16 or even 18 years
of study
look like a flash of lightening!
Congrats are in order for
all our Grads.
You have done your family, community and
Nation Proud!
We stand and applaud your June, 2016,
With Hope for all your June’s!
Thank you, June
for stopping by each year.
Our hearts are lighter,
our eyes are brighter
when June greets us
each and every year!
Sara Craddock M (c)2013

“[The righteous] will bear fruit even when old and gray; they will remain lush and fresh in order to proclaim: “The LORD is righteous. He’s my rock.”- Psalm 92:14-15 (CEB)

“In all your ways acknowledge [the Lord], and he will make straight your paths.”

– Proverbs 3:6 (NRSV)