Author: tameasa

Azalea Trees and Tea Rooms was born out of an idea from a dear relationship I had with a Sister in Christ. We would walk the streets of Richmond, Virginia to exercise after work and during that time we spent much time praying and growing in Christ Jesus. We would frequent Mrs. Morton's Tea Room, along with other restaurants in the Fan area of Richmond and would admire the beautiful Azaleas along Monument Avenue. I mistakenly called them Azalea "Trees" one day and well, there you have it. I invite you along for stories, lessons, and a holistic approach to living organically and authentically in the HOPE of Jesus, as I experience through the Gospel and life and share my heart with you.
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His Will vs. Our Will

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For every action we take there is a counter action…or for every decision we make there is a consequence. Therefore, our decisions or actions should be weighed carefully, as there will always be a consequence, good or bad.  I am reminded of kinetic balls — you cause one to hit against the other and the one on the opposite end moves — you move two and two on the opposite end move and so on.

We all have to make daily decisions that always effect self, but sometimes (or maybe most times) also effect those around us. Some decisions we make are spur-of-the-moment while others are weighed heavily in our minds and hearts.  Each made either understanding and caring whether it effects others, or not.

Most decisions have an immediate consequence while others do not manifest consequences until a later time.  Often times we can stop the action, if we act quickly and other times,, no matter how much we want to stop it, we cannot…and so it goes.

I have a sweet friend who set a series of events into motion awhile back that will have lasting consequences to herself but mostly to those she loves.  Had she acted immediately she could have possibly stopped the consequence, but now it is impossible.  Her decision was not made out of selfish gain or ambition but out of desperation and fear.  However, regardless of the why…she is left with the consequence.

In Ephesians 5:17 it tells us, “Therefore, do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  Sometimes discerning God’s will is difficult, even for a mature Christian.  However, I believe that it can always be discerned through His Word and through Godly counsel.  It is important to remember that when you are uncertain of the path you should take, and the consequences of taking the path not in His will.

I pray that you will be discerning and not faced with same consequences that my friend and her loved ones will have to accept soon.  Seek God’s will above all else.

swinging balls 2

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To Live is Christ…To Die Is Gain: He Is No Fool

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“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen:”

Milad Makeen Zaky

Abanub Ayad Atiya

Maged Solaiman Shehata

Yusuf Shukry Yunan

Kirollos Shokry Fawzy

Bishoy Astafanus Kamel

Somaily Astafanus Kamel

Malak Ibrahim Sinweet

Tawadros Yusuf Tawadros

Girgis Milad Sinweet

Mina Fayez Aziz

Hany Abdelmesih Salib

Bishoy Adel Khalaf

Samuel Alham Wilson

Worker from Awr Village

Ezat Bishri Naseef

Loga Nagary

Gaber Munir Adly

Esam Badir Samir

Malak Farag Abram

Sameh Salah Farug

“13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.  39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Hebrews 11:1, 13-16 and 39, 40

Even so, COME LORD JESUS.

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How To Catch A Drowning Fish?

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I remember well the hot, lazy days of summer growing up in my native Virginia … although, some days it seems like those memories have melted into centuries.  We would work hard in the gardens…weeding…picking…digging and there were chickens to feed and hogs to slop…along with the other chores Daddy and Momma had allotted each of us for the day.

Once the work was done, Daddy would say, “Let’s go fishin’!”  He would gather the fishing rods together with his tackle box and ice cooler and down we would all trod to the lake.  He and Momma would get in his John boat inviting us younger girls, Angela and me, to go out with them.  Of course, we would jump in with glee and eager anticipation of the fish we would soon catch for supper.

Once we were in and seated, Daddy would turn on the troll, and off we’d go!  That little troll motor didn’t make that boat travel very fast; however, I could still feel a warm breeze on my face, and even, as I remember, I can almost smell the sunshine.  The lake was still, like glass except for the tiny wake our troll motor was making and Daddy would remind us to be very quiet so we wouldn’t scare the fish away.

Once we were off to the appointed destination that Daddy had in mind, he would help us bait our hooks with our little red and white bobbins and we would cast our line in the water.  It was ever so hard to sit there and be quiet willing fish to bite your fresh caught worm.  After what seemed like endless hours (really only resulting in about five minutes), one of us would exclaim, “Daddy, the fish aren’t biting today!” or “Daddy, are you sure the fish are all over here?”  We had such impatience with the whole process and were ready to quit.

Daddy always encouraged us to keep trying and not give up knowing full well that we would be bellyaching again in a few minutes.  I never could figure out who was more long-suffering…Daddy or those fish who refused to be caught!   However, after a while one of our bobbins would start moving and then with a start…would be jerked under neath….oh how we would squeal at the thought of a Big Mouth Bass being on the end of our line when we brought it in.  The sheer joy of it was more than we could handle at times.  Daddy would help us “bring’em in” and invariably it wasn’t the anticipated Big Mouth Bass we had hoped for but a small little brim hardly worth keeping.

One such outing that stays fresh in my memory bank is the day Daddy caught a drowning fish!  It was a particularly hot day and swimming really sounded a lot more fun than fishing…but fishing we went.  On this day it was only Daddy, Momma, and me, as Angela didn’t want to tag along.  I wasn’t having a great day and a lot was bothering me that day.  It seemed no matter the task I had to do was met with problems and I was certain fishing wouldn’t be any different.

Daddy put the worm on my hook and off it went into the water.  I sat there, quite disinterested in the fish that may or may not be eyeing my worm, pondering all that happened earlier in my day.  All of a sudden my bobbin didn’t bob…it went right under….gulp!  My eyes about popped out of my head, as I swallowed hard and started reeling it in.  I wound and wound that reel with all my might and could tell that whatever kind of fish decided my worm looked appetizing must be BIG!

I begged Daddy to help me and he laughed and took the rod to help.  When I saw that fish come up out of that water, I felt like the best fisherman on earth….it was a Big Mouth Bass!!  Daddy exclaimed, “Well, looky there!”  He pulled into the boat, took the hook out of its mouth, and handed it to me proudly.  I went to take it and it slipped right out of my chubby hand and back into the water.  I cried to Daddy, in the greatest disappointment, that my fish was drowning!  Before he could begin to console me, off I went into the water to catch my drowning fish.  I heard my Momma shout, “Jim, catch her!”

I was thrashing in the water, choking, gasping, and screaming for help when my Daddy’s huge hand scooped over that boat and lifted me effortlessly back into it.  I was so wet with disappointment, Momma was crying still from fear, and Daddy just laughed and said, “Now that’s how you catch a drowning fish!”

The fish are drowning

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A Polish Dance in Time

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The house was quiet, so I took an opportunity to play my piano.  I always enjoy sitting down and playing when my family has gone out…this is the time I can allow myself to become totally absorbed in my music.  I want to feel the “story” the composer is telling and unless there are no distractions, it is lost to me.  I enjoy the story and get caught up in its rhapsody and I can feel the composer’s thoughts, his loves and his hates…if I take the time to listen, while I am playing, I can feel all of it.

Today, as I went to the piano, I was not sure what I wanted to play…to be honest, I almost did not play.  However, it is rare to have the house to myself or even have the time to sit down and play the piano.  I let my fingers sift through the sheet music until I ran across my favorite composer, Chopin!  He is my favorite because of the passion he had for his native Poland.

I rested the music on the stand and opened to the first page.  I quickly glanced over the notes and expressions…this piece should be played, “allegretto” (moderately fast)…then, I gently lifted the cover, which so gallantly protected the keys.  As the cover came off, the polished, smooth keys begged for me to caress them.  I obliged their wish, and placed my fingers lightly on the creamy ivory.

First, I warmed up by playing the scale…up and down the keys…then, I was ready…….

I began to methodically pull from the piano’s soul a melody that sang sweetly from its lips…much like honey dripping from the honeycomb.  My fingers were dancing a Polish dance across the ivory and rich ebony.

I progressed deeper into the composition…I lost myself in the rhapsody.  I felt like I was no longer in the room…I was a Sea Gull flying over the sea…the sea mist was spraying me in the face, as I floated on the wind.  I soared with each crescendo, as the breeze pushed me higher in the heavens.

Then suddenly, I was no longer alone.  I was no longer just a student of this brilliant man…Chopin leapt from the yellowed pages and possessed me.  He took complete control of my fingers…I played with more intensity than I ever have before…my breathing became labored and my heart was beating fervently.  As my soul climbed higher and higher with each measure, my ears were ringing with commands of softer, louder, faster and slower…like soldiers marching across a concourse … I could not keep up and yet, I did!

Then, we reached the climax and began our sweet descent back down.  Chopin held me closely to his bosom and the breeze stroked my hair, as we descended.  At, first it felt like a free fall, but then I knew I was being carried on the wings of exhilaration.  As we drew closer to the end, I felt his soul slowly withdraw from mine and then I saw the words, “molto retardando” (much slowing)…I felt an emptiness grip my heart, as I reluctantly played the final note.  The note hung in the air and lingered there, as I sorrowfully sealed the cover over the mute keys…like the closing of a casket.  I slowly arose from the stool and returned it to its dwelling place.  I placed the music back in the stack from whence it came…next to the other, silent compositions and left the room.  As I did, I heard a soft, almost ghostly, “well done.”

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It’s About a Babe

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Feeling weepy today — not necessarily a bad thing — the happenings around me and in the world always cause me to ponder life. I’m really missing my parents today — this was Daddy’s favorite time of year — I’m looking forward to Dave reading the Christmas Story tonight and the account of Jesus birth. I’m struck by all the sadness and chaos in the world — in our United States — I’m looking forward to Christ’s Second Coming…come quickly, Lord Jesus. My heart and prayers are with Pastor Saeed Abidini and his precious family — this is their third Christmas without Pastor Saeed — I’m praying for the homeless in our community and that God will visit CHRISTmas on them in a way that they will know that Jesus has come to seek and to save. I have managed to ignore the commercialism of Christmas this year — I purposed in my heart to do that this time. I’m trying to do a better job of recognizing that Christmas isn’t about America’s illusion of Christmas — I don’t know of very many churches that will come together Thursday morning, as a Body of Believers to worship Christ — Pastors want congregants to “be with their families” — what happened to the family going together to worship the Christ?? That is a part of the fibrous break down in America — we see church as a social event rather than a worship event.

Jesus is Christmas

I don’t know if this will be the first of many more Christmases for me or the last — but whichever it is — I bow down and worship CHRISTMAS — Christmas isn’t a day that we made up and put on a calendar — it isn’t a card with a snowy scene — it isn’t over-excited children ripping open packages on Christmas morn — CHRISTMAS is JESUS – God becoming man and dwelling among us — the Second in the Trinity dying on a rugged cross to redeem us — that ONE rising from the grave on that third and glorious day declaring, I AM — won’t you worship CHRISTMAS with me this year? If you have not received Jesus as your personal savior — I invite you to come before Him today and receive Him — that is why He came — He is your GIFT! That is my prayer today! Merry Christmas.

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I know that we have all been overwhelmed and extremely frustrated by what is taking place in Ferguson, MO since August and also last night after the DA’s announcement that the Grand Jury has voted not to indict Officer Darren Wilson. Will you indulge me for a minute or two to express my heart on this matter? This is how I see things:

Racism and hatred have existed since the beginning…in Genesis Cain hated Abel and killed him. Cain was angry that God accepted Abel’s sacrifice to the LORD, so rather than repenting and being obedient…he chose to hate and then murder.

The Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt for 430 years (Exodus 12:20). The Pharoah’s worked them extremely hard and many where killed during that time by the Egyptians. While they were able to escape slavery by God’s grace, the Jewish People (Hebrews) have remained hated throughout the centuries. Why? Because God shows them favor and loves them. In fact, in Scripture He calls Israel (its beautiful Jewish People) the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8).

Sin causes people to do terrible and awful things. Sin breeds hatred, jealousy, resentment and those feelings, if fostered, cause us to hurt people. If we allow sin to take root, it will destroy us and those around us. As such, if Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman would have BOTH chosen to go home, Trayvon Martin would still be alive today. In my opinion, they are both at fault. Further, if Michael Brown had listened to Officer Darren Wilson and moved to the sidewalk, he would still be alive today. For every action of sin there is a consequence. Sometimes an ultimate consequence, as we see with Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown.

It is very tragic that two young men lost their lives. It is disheartening that George Zimmerman chose to pursue Trayvon Martin, even after calling the police to handle the matter…he took matters into his own hands. However, I feel Officer Wilson was put in a vulnerable position.

My father, Jim Shook, and several of my uncles and a cousin were policemen. I know that my Daddy would have never shot anyone unless provoked and he had no other choice. My cousin, Robin, shared her thoughts this morning with us cousins about our fathers. She shared something my Uncle Tommy said, “My Dad told me this morning that every day or night before he went to work he prayed Lord don’t let me be in the position to have to hurt someone and please don’t let someone hurt me.” That statement from my uncle embodies the heart of a policeman. Yes, there are corrupt policemen and racist policemen however, that is not the norm.

Our fathers would work crazy, long shifts to protect all of us…white, black, hispanic and so on. They put on the uniform, kissed us goodbye and went to work. I remember many times when my Daddy worked his shift how my Momma would fret until he was home. There were no cellphones where he could call her and check in. Even if there were, his work ethic would not have allowed him to. I am proud of my family who have served in the police force and it breaks my heart when lawless people accuse all police of being racist because of a few. It angers me that President Obama would stand up, face the nation and say police need more training. The public, at large, does not realize the ongoing training they already receive. The time spent at the shooting range to re-qualify to shoot their firearms. My Daddy had excruciatingly painful rheumatoid arthritis and was always concerned that he would not qualify at the range and thus lose his job; or that his arthritis would cause him not to be able to protect the public, if he had to shoot. President Obama spoke out of pure ignorance and only to appease certain people.

The only solution to sin is turning toward the Savior. We have turned our backs on God…children are not being raised according to the Scriptures. They are thrown into public schools that are teaching them that Islam is right….what are Muslims doing….killing. They are taught that it is wrong to submit to authority, it begins in the home when a mother undermines the father’s authority in the home. It continues when a teacher disciplines a child at school for doing something wrong and the parents go up to the school and have the teacher disciplined for correcting and embarrassing their child and so it goes. It begins in the home….

Sin is not a discriminator…its target is whites, blacks, hispanics and so on. God is not a discriminator either…He sent His son, Jesus, to die on Calvary for us all…Praise His Name! That’s my nickle’s worth today. Thank you for reading.

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TRADITIONS OLD AND NEW

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I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed tonight by the upcoming holidays. I’m so wishing I could be in Virginia and see my sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends…I am missing my Momma and Daddy, Grandparents…..just family. I would give my eye teeth to go for a walk around the lake with you,Christie….or play board games and drink hot, yummy coffee with you Rene! I would love to smell my Momma’s turkey cooking all night in the oven and waking up Thanksgiving morning smelling the delicious aroma permeating the house! I would give just about anything to have just one of my Aunt Scarlett‘s meatballs or my Aunt Lorraine‘s potato salad. I would love to have a big bowl of beans and cornbread at Momma’s kitchen table. I long to sit around the piano with my sister, Angela or my friend, Wanda and sing hymns while Daddy comes in with a little bass. I want to taste snowflakes melting on my tongue and feel the leaves crunching under my feet.

thanksgiving-quotes-for-family-and-friends-3

Each year I think it will get better and I will be a bit less homesick than last year…but it never works out that way. Life is so short and time isn’t always our friend…our loved ones pass on, siblings lose touch, cousins become strangers and we wake up and realize we are our parents now.

Dave‘s parents will be here on Dec. 11th, but they will be leaving before Christmas…and just like Thanksgiving…it will be Dave, Joshua and me…so, I’m trying to find new traditions that we can celebrate, as a family of three. It doesn’t make sense to cook a big ole turkey for us…but there IS a need for traditions. The traditions we started as a young family, when Momma was still here and we traveled to Virginia twice a year have faded. I know for Joshua the need to form new traditions is so important for him…but it is difficult to embrace.

I am so grateful that God put Dave and I together…to make a life. I’m looking forward to seeing where he will take us in life…will it be Israel…will it be here…I look forward to the coming years when Joshua becomes a pastor, takes a wife and starts filling our lives with grand-babies to love and kiss and hold and begin again…NEW TRADITIONS.

It is difficult to let go of the traditions your parents established and create your own…but it is needful. So, I embrace the holidays and look forward to the lessons God will teach me and the new traditions we will form. After all, God is in the details and I have entrusted all the details of my life to HIM. There is no other way.

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Three Steps Forward…Two Steps Back

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Most days life can be an outright struggle…the news promises to overwhelm, the pressures of teaching, the endless, mountains of housework and Satan constantly barking at my heels to just, “give up.” Giving up, I believe, would be the most simple thing…to lay down and quit breathing…yet, as soon as the thought floods my mind, God starts whispering His Word to me…like a babbling brook that I have known for so long…it floods my heart…tinkling over the overwhelmed places and hurt places in my soul. Reminding me that Philippians 4:8 says,

…whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.

There is nothing true, noble, pure, lovely or of good report in contemplating when will be your last breath…there is no virtue in deciding where or how. There is nothing romantic in jumping off of an overpass or into an alligator infested lake…these types of thoughts only bring more pain and anxious thoughts, and Paul reminds me,

Be anxious for nothing , but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…

My requests? Through prayer and supplication? “Oh, dear Heavenly Father…please take away the anxious thoughts, the delusional thoughts that my world would be so better off without me…take away the darkness of depression that snuffs out any light…YOUR light, Father. Forgive me for not trusting you at all times, and wrap me in Your Peace…”

…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts AND minds through Christ Jeus.

So, then, belief is an action…to believe what He says is true..I believe, Lord, help my unbelief. Then to put my belief into action, I must…

…forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead.

A lot of action…a lot of working…a lot of “choosing”, as my friend, Terri, would say…it will require endurance. If I do not put my belief into action and press on, Satan would love nothing more than to destroy me and in so doing, destroy those around me. In Hebrews it tells me that…

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

His will is not for me to take my life…it is for me to trust Him…even in the dark and anxious times…for He has not forsaken me….He has not forsaken you. Pressing in and pressing on, In Jesus Name.

broken-beautiful

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NO LONGER A YOKE OF BONDAGE

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How the Lord’s Yoke Guides and Comforts

As a woman, I fulfill many roles – daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher, nurse and the list follows. Each role that I embrace imposes upon me certain dictates. For instance, as a daughter I am to honor my mother. I also glean from her wisdom, and learn from her continued instruction. As a sister, I listen and encourage my sisters. We learn from and share our life experiences with one another. And, finally as a mother, I nurture, teach, doctor “boo boos,” and love my son as no other person can love him. However, the most important role I have is that of servant and child of the Lord. This is a role of submission, obedience, learning and humility. When I asked the Lord Jesus to come and live in me and be Lord of my life, I submitted all of me to Him. This submission placed a yoke upon me, as no other role I have to follow. A yoke, according to the Dictionary.com, is something that couples or binds together; an emblem or symbol of subjection, servitude, or slavery.

My first instinct is to resist this yoke. Much as oxen resist the yoke placed upon them, I have the same urge to shake it off and to rid myself of it. It is heavy, and I often look at it as a burden that I cannot carry. However, as I ease into the yoke and accept it – ever yielding to it – I find comfort and security in it. Lamentations 3:27 says, “It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth.” After reading that verse, I thought it did not apply to me. I am no longer a youth, and could not see how the verse could be applied to me. As I considered it and prayed about it, I then replaced the word “youth” with the word “beginning.” As I looked at it that way, I began to see that the yoke is foundational – it contains me and keeps me from wandering. It was necessary to place it upon me, in order for me to grow and mature. The yoke is becoming lighter and easier to bear, as I recognize that my submitting is needful, and so it has become a comfortable place – one I enjoy.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:29 and 30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” What a joy it is to take on and submit to His yoke. I am now longing for and desiring it. His teaching is faithful and true – His yoke is easy for me. Submitting to the Lord is uncomfortable at first, because we have to put away the sins that keep us from serving Him faithfully. Think of an uncooked egg – when you crack it open, you can see that the yoke is holding it all together; however; when you break that yoke, it falls apart. When we shake off the yoke He has placed upon us, we fall apart too. I do not enjoy being all mixed up like that egg. When you start to recognize that the yoke is not meant to hurt you, but it is to guide you and keep you secure, it is easier to bear it, and becomes a joyful experience.

yoke_is_easy

I cherish the many roles I fulfill every day and I humbly thank Him for each role He has entrusted to me. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to instruct me and allow me to bear His yoke. I encourage you to not be fearful or reluctant to submit to His yoke for it will guide you faithfully as you serve Him.

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Taste and See …The Lord is Good

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My son, Joshua, came to me this morning and asked, “Momma, do you sometimes wonder if God really exists?”  

I knew that question was coming from somewhere deep within his soul, as Joshua has accepted Jesus as Savior…there was no doubt about it!  I understood it was coming from a longing to know Him more, know Him deeper…a need for sweeter communion with His God.  I told him that all of us, from time-to-time, have those questions…those longings…a desire for a deeper understanding…more importantly … GOD.KNOWS.

I said,

“Joshua, if you remove your shoes and walk through the grass, can you not feel each blade as it sneaks up between your toes?  How about when you walk on the beach and the hot sand warms you all the way up to your nose?  Do you remember how the ocean tastes when it breaks against your face?  If you remember these things, sweet boy, you have experienced what David talks about in Psalm 34:8, ‘Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!’  God has demonstrated Himself in all of creation…in each blade of grass, every granule of sand and in the saltiness of the sea.  He has evidenced His great love for you in all of these things, from the great to the minuscule because He knew your heart would wonder from time-to-time.  So, each time you see a bird gliding gracefully across the sky, the breeze on your face or a funny little sand crab making his way across the morning shore…remember your Creator and His amazing reminders to you that HE DOES EXIST and He loves you with so great a love.”

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I love Joshua and I especially love his tender-heartedness for God … I do not doubt that God will do great things in Josh.  I am so grateful that when I die and Joshua cannot come to me and ask, “Momma, do you think God really exists?” he can look to the sea or the wind or the grass and see his Creator.  More importantly, he can go to God’s Word and listen to the Father say, “Oh, yes, Joshua…I AM!”