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It's In The (Tea) Bag by Phil On our month-long launch into the new year, we've looked at our approach(focus), attitude(joy) and assurance(eternal security). Let's wrap up with the grease that keeps the wheels turning - adaptability. For that, let's look at the humble tea bag. If you've been following me for a while, you already know my feelings toward this most divine of all drinks. Real tea should be brewed (it's in the Bible, just read HeBrews), instant tea is a cruel joke of the evil one, and herbal tea is just a cup of wet weeds. Hot or cold, dark and bold, I love my tea! Here's an interesting tidbit about my beverage of choice you may not know. The tea bag which is so common today, was actually an accident. For most of history, people made tea by pouring boiling water over tea leaves and then using a strainer. Sometime around 1908, American tea importer Thomas Sullivan sent samples of tea to potential customers in small silken bags. He assumed his recipients would be smart enough to pour the leaves into a kettle. WRONG. They just dunked the leaves, bag and all, in hot water and voilà, the tea bag was born! Now ol' Tommy had a dilemma. He could grumble and complain about how dense people are and write detailed instructions on how to empty the bag and make tea the "right" way. Instead, he chose to adapt and improve the design. The silk wasn't loosely woven enough for optimal infusion, so he tried gauze and settled on the fine paper we use today. Because of his adaptability, millions of people around the world are blessed with convenient, leaf-free mugs of freshly brewed tea. Thank you Mr. Sullivan, I salute you! So what does a tea bag have to do with our plans for the new year? I'm glad you asked! No matter what plans we make for this year, we have no idea what God has planned. When the unexpected detour comes along, we can either grumble and complain because things aren't going the way we want, or we can go with God's flow, adapt to the new circumstances and continue allowing God to lead and work through us. (I've found drinking a cold glass of tea while obeying the Lord makes the experience much more enjoyable, but that's just me!) So there you have it, a successful plan for the new year. Set your eyes on Jesus (approach/focus), run with perseverance toward the finish line (assurance/eternal security), even when there are divine detours (adaptability). And don't get so wrapped up you miss the fun and beauty along the way (attitude). May your cup of blessing (and tea) be continually full this year! Drink up! Click Here to Check our Concert Schedule! Check us out on Facebook! - http://www.facebook.com/PhilandPamMorgan |
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Do As The Romans Do by Phil In their heyday, the ancient Romans had several military formations for soldiers going into battle. One of these was called the Testudo (or tortoise). The soldiers would march in rows in the shape of a square, with the first row holding their large shields in front. The sides and back would also hold their shields to the sides and behind, while the inner soldiers would hold their shields overhead. In this formation, each soldier was not only covering himself, but...
The Path by Phil We are a couple of weeks into the Lenten season. Believe it or not, Lent is not just about Friday Fish Frys at the Catholic church (although I do appreciate some tasty filets!). It is a 40 day focus on seeking God, denying self, and serving others in remembrance of Christ's 40 days of temptation in the desert. The purpose is to prepare for the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter through repentance, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Some denominations observe Lent and others...
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