Tea Time Tuesday: God's View of Hospitality

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Tea Time Tuesday

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It's about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.”

Shawna Nyquist

This morning I am sitting sipping in my Colorado home, praying for you, my friends. Life is made up of many “stretching” days. I was remembering one today and it set me to praying for you.

Crawling out of bed one morning, I was already weary and in deep need of my morning brew. As I walked from my bedroom to the kitchen, tension grew. Clay was concerned about our finances. Pressure! 

One of my teens was teary-eyed about a circumstance with a friend. More pressure. The other teen was grumpy. My third child was particularly loud, chasing the dog. My little one kept tapping on my leg to ask me to sit with her in her closet to play "beanie babies." This, before I had my first sip. I was spent to my toes. A little cloud began forming around my heart. I wondered if anything I did mattered. Many times I felt discouraged along the way. Have you ever felt that way?

My friend invited me to her house to meet her for a cup of tea. I entered her home, she had candles lit, music playing, a small cinnamon bun and a cup of tea waiting for me. I didn't know I needed kindness and sympathy. It was like a soothing balm to my sore heart. After an hour of pouring out my heart and being loved back, hope slowly filled my heart. She saved my emotional life that day and helped me to keep going. 

Teatime Discipleship is about the hospitality one friend offers another, to link arms, to say, "I am here for you" in a world that is draining and isolating. This week, could you offer "just one cup" to someone in need of encouragement and in doing so, you have done it unto Jesus.

More on today’s podcast:

Music: Horizon is acoustic piano Gabriel Saban

How many times are meals mentioned in scripture? How many times did Jesus eat with someone? 

God's heart for biblical hospitality. 

Get your copy of Teatime Discipleship!

Mentoring with Grace

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From the very beginning of their time together, Jesus called his disciples to a life apart from the crowd. He called them to great purpose, meaning, promising to make them “fishers of men.” Even before that, He called them into relationship with Himself. He extended the grace of His fellowship, His companionship, His love, His instruction. He was patient, encouraging, loving, forgiving. His relationship with them was built on a foundation of intimate friendship. He gave them the gift of Himself. Then He asked them to pass along that gift to the world.

We see this more clearly as Jesus' relationship with the disciples progressed. He wanted them to be His representatives on earth, to tell everyone the gospel of the kingdom of his Father. But He wanted them to do it through His strength, grace, given in love—not through their own force or legalism.

As mothers, we are called to take this lesson of grace to heart. Like Jesus, we are to draw our children to a life apart from the rest of the crowd. Each of us is designed by God to whisper His words to the hearts of our children so they will feel the call of God in their own lives to become “fishers of men.” Yet, we must always remember that our children will never be perfect. Each of them needs for us, like Jesus, to extend to him or her the gift of constant love, grace, and forgiveness as they grow little by little. And we can only do this by relying continually on the grace of our own relationship with the Lord.

Since the beginning of our ministry, Clay and I have felt a passion to teach, inspire, and encourage parents over the world to understand their biblically significant role, the importance of mentoring their children to know and love Christ. It is the intent of our books, conferences, and podcasts. We could never have done it without the most wonderful team of like-minded people who companion us in this task. Many of our co-workers are spread over the world. Many are in cyberspace and our membership. I am grateful to God for each of you who shares these messages. Today, my national team shares their passion about our message, our commitment, what we have learned along the way. May you be encouraged.

Cultivating Peace in the Trenches of Motherhood

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Right in the middle of Jesus loving, teaching, encouraging, training his disciples, they embark on crossing the familiar lake where they have lived all of their lives. Suddenly a life-threatening storm overtakes them.

What could Jesus possibly be thinking? Does he want to lose all of his disciples at once? Is he trying to discourage them? After all, they gave their whole lives to follow Him. Really, now this? Is this any way to treat those who are following you? Sometimes the "whaps" on our lives feel personal, invasive, like too much.

Have you ever felt that way? The reality of being in the trenches of motherhood can seem too much at times: I have cooked and washed dishes. I have lost years of sleep. I have loved, served, given. Does it matter? Now, this? Another storm? Another problem? The relentlessness of life is about to drown me.

"Do you not care that we are perishing, Lord?" This is the question that we, like the disciples, have on our hearts. Just when we have the ideals of our lives in place, we have defined what the Kingdom of home is, and we determine to commit to creating our homes as a place where the life of Christ will flourish, storms and battles begin to overtake us. We feel that we may be overcome: “I can’t create space for ‘Teatime Discipleship.’ It is frivolous. I can’t add one more ideal!”

My contention is that if you want to last through the battles, not give up hope, you cannot ignore your need for regular refreshment, rest to maintain peace.

Weariness & discouragement signifies you are engaged in the battle. These are signs of exhaustion, not success or failure. How you respond will determine the outcome. Often, people have said, "Well, I am glad Sally has ideals, but that is not what my life looks like. I don't even know how to get there."

My life was a constant swirl of ideals, reality, grace and storm, walking in faith, & railing against heaven.

Lyndsey Mimnagh, #treehouseschoolhouse, joins me today today to find some answers to bring peace to the trenches of life. And be encouraged in the trenches through Teatime Discipleship. Order your copy today.

Tea Time Tuesday: Aging Gracefully and With Vision

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"Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old,"

says Job 12:12

Tea Time Tuesday

Life is a long-distance run, a marathon. When I was young, I did not realize that the legacy of my life would be over a lifetime, faithfulness through so many decades of seasons. Single years where I wondered if I would be married. Early marriage and babies that I had never been prepared for and didn’t know what to expect. The golden years of childhood, the hormones and pushing back of teen years as children strain towards adulthood, self-actualizing of young adults and straining towards finding footing in a problematic, expensive, and challenging world, grandchildren. Add to this, moves, hospitalizations, church splits, great joys, and family intimacy that makes us all “Clarksons” in the most satisfying ways. Faith stretched, marriage partnership learned over time—soooo much.

Today, I will open what scripture says about aging graciously, living faithfully through all seasons. If you have a vision for being steadfast into old age, you have an intrinsic strength to make it through all the years and seasons. Ponder your life through all the seasons, friends, and know you are living your story you will tell to generations.

Last week, many asked me to show you my travel kit with my tin can. You can see in my photo. Tea, teacup, sugar, spoon, chocolates, and a scarf for decorating the table.

A lot to share with you today. Food! A hero to emulate, some goals to make, and little tidbits from my life.

I hope you enjoy my podcast. Be sure to order your copy of Tea Time Discipleship—it is like a warm, cozy tea time Tuesday with me over stories, recipes, and Biblical encouragement.

My tea quote:

“A great idea should always be left to steep like loose tea leaves in a teapot for a while to make sure that the tea will be strong enough and the idea truly is a great one.” -Phoebe Stone

How can one steep ideas, form an excellent self over time?


Building a Legacy of Faith Takes Relentless Forbearance

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“The giants of faith all had one thing in common: neither victory or success, but passion.”

-Phillip Yancy

I couldn’t put my finger on it. There was something deep inside that changed. I felt supported, strengthened, hopeful.

As it happens, I decided spur of the moment last week to visit a dear friend of mine who encouraged me in life, my faith, and served me tea and love over years. She gave me courage to keep going forward in my walk of faith. Phyllis is her name. She is 83 and still, she talks of the Lord, His love, His preciousness.

As I was sitting with her, a knock came to her front door. A dear friend of both of us walked in unexpectedly. We 3 had not been together for years. It was Linda, our mutual friend, who served God for 60 years, about to celebrate her 80th birthday. All of us had lived in Vienna.

Phyllis’s husband directed the ministry to communist countries in Europe for 15 years for the Navigators, a real hero of faith. She served by his side, taught, hosted literally hundreds of people in her home.

Jody, Linda’s husband, was the head of Biblical Education by Extension, a movement of 150 people who traveled into Communist countries to train believers to become pastors to start churches. I had known them for decades. Linda wrote books, spoke, discipled, hosted. Somehow seeing them together, remembering what they had done, quietly, with little worldly notice, that they sacrificed, how they still cultivated love and passion for God, went deep into my soul. It lifted me up. I was in the company of spiritual giants. Their faithfulness through many hard years gave me courage.

I remembered the verse:

“Therefore, my beloved brothers & sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Cor. 15:58)

Life is a marathon. Keep your legacy going. My friends, never give up, never give in. Your labor is not in vain. You matter. Stay steadfast. God sees you, He cares for your life. I pray you and I may be firm, and immovable now during this time in history. I could see how much the faith, and faithfulness of my friends mattered.

Godly friends sustain, hold us!

May you and I be that to one another. Praying for you today. Enjoy my new podcast episode and be sure to order your copy of Teatime Discipleship.





What Does It Mean To Make Disciples?

“Go into the world and make disciples of all nations.”

Matthew 28: 19

“When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, the workers are few."

Matthew 9

What does it mean to make disciples? It was my primary goal with my children. Disciplemaking is drawing others to become followers of Christ, to pass on a love for their God, to teach them His ways, to show them His purposes, to guide them in wisdom. 

Many women have told me they wish someone would disciple them—mentor them with wisdom through their seasons of life, help them, give wisdom. 

Where have all the disciplers gone? Those who could come alongside and help, give comfort and sympathy through the hard passages of life, those who can lead us closer to God and to know how to grow spiritually intimate with Him?

Jesus is a God who has had compassion for his beloved children through all generations. He sees that they are harassed, helpless, lost, lonely. It seems a fitting definition of many at this time in history—living harassed by life, by news, by finances, pressures. And feeling helpless to know what to do. 

Do you feel like this? Do you know anyone who feels like this?

Jesus asks us, His children, his committed followers, to be the ones who would give his love, show compassion, teach his ways, and give leadership to those who long for help. 

Discipleship has been what my life has been about for almost 50 years, to come alongside those who are yearning for friendship, help, a way forward in their Christian life, because He is my Lord and love. 

Women tell me all the time that it is rare to find someone to mentor them. 

This is why I wrote this Teatime Discipleship. It is why I do podcasts, blog posts, and speak at conferences. Because I want to please the heart of Jesus and help fulfill his calling on earth, and I love helping women. 

If you want to learn more about discipleship, mentoring your children, growing in Christ, helping others, finding spiritual friends, then I think you will be encouraged by Teatime Discipleship. Order your copy today.

Tea Time Tuesday: Cuddle Your Tea Pot

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Tea Time Tuesday: Cuddle Your Tea Pot

“Making tea is a ritual that stops the world from falling in on you.”

-Jonathan Stroud, author

Don't we all need the world to go away for just a few? So, take time today for a cuppa and close the world out in your mind and breathe in peace. 

Isn’t this the cutest, this loving, cuddly teapot? After my last Monday play time with my grandkids—sticker books, playground, legos, puzzles, and picking flowers in my garden—we all snuggled down on the couch for a little tea time. Then sheepishly, Sarah announced that they had picked out something for me: "Queenie, here's a little friendly soft teapot to stay with you while you are gone when you miss us." Don’t you love it?

Today, I have been pondering friendship, travel, the marathon of mothering, and an amazing accomplishment we celebrated this week—a new doctor in our midst.

A question for you: if you could travel anywhere, where would you go and what would you do? Leave a comment.

I have always wanted to go on a river cruise so you could unpack, drift down the river by castles and have someone feed you, or a trip to Provence for delicious food, a cooking class and walks in the beautiful hills—you? 

So much more on Tea Time Tuesday today. Hope you enjoy it.

Teatime Discipleship is about the secrets of building community. Building long-term intimate friendship in a lonely world for all who feel isolated. Making time for your emotional and spiritual needs by creating rhythms and rituals of relationship. A peek into the secret nooks and crannies of my own home where I befriended my children. Recipes for special times. I hope this book will refresh you, bring light to your day, and give affirmation to you as a woman.

Ending on thoughts of friendship today—and some C. S. Lewis stories. Plus his view of friendship: “Life has no better gift to give than friendship.”

Celebrate my newest book with me and order your own copy of Teatime Discipleship.

Light Outshines the Darkness

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“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5: 16

The battle is still raging.

Many of you precious ones are heartbroken, discouraged, alone, and deep into the battle of faith. I understand. I am praying for you. I wrestled with my faith over years, but in doing so, I came to a deeper understanding of this fallen world, the nature of evil, that God’s light was stronger than the darkness, that we are all heading to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. It is not “bad” to doubt, it is the pathway to understanding. And of course, as was in the garden, Satan is there to whisper lies. My children doubted but eventually became strong in their faith, too. And I walked beside them with love and encouragement because I understood.

One means of reaching their hearts, though, was by creating a beautiful life where they could better imagine God’s goodness, His love, His justice.

Why did I sacrifice my time, make space to develop deep friendships? Create a beautiful place for all to dwell? Cook delicious meals, light candles each night, and play music all day long? Why late-night back scratches, reading literally hundreds of books about heroes, courage, sacrifice and love? Why the daily devotions, the bedtime prayers? The hundreds of tea times and talks and comfort given over endless stages of life for countless hours?

Because beauty, love, serving, encouraging, living out my faith in all the mundane moments of my days was my defense against the darkness, my defiance to the world’s lies and fears. It gave them scope to believe in God’s goodness, to hope for his justice in a broken place, to believe and wait for His redemption.

Recently, my granddaughter awakened very early, just before sunrise and wanted to go to “our special place” to have our tea time together. I lit the candles, made tea.

As I was doing so, she actually said softly, “Queenie, You are a light-maker in the dark this morning.”

My friends, go be a light-maker where you are.

Be sure to get your copy of Tea Time Discipleship and be inspired to be a light-maker in your world.


Don't Ever Stop Listening for the Music or Dancing to His Songs

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"If we're not supposed to dance, why all this music?"  

- Gregory Orr

Dear Friends,

I have you on my heart. Today, I am flying thousands of miles back to my home in Colorado for spring break in Oxford. Clay and my Darcy dog await. Can’t wait to sleep, refuel, spend cozy times with Clay in our home that always embraces me. And we shall drink tea often.

My childhood piano stood in the middle of our foyer near the front door. Often, whoever passed by, sat down for a few minutes to play a tune, to figure out a song. All four children can play piano to some degree because music was a mainstay of our lives, piano and guitar were always nearby. I love this photo: a child playing, and even our beloved dog sitting at her feet, happy to be there.

Sometimes when I am grumpy or critical, I look inside to see what has replaced His melody, His voice. Usually, I have been too busy, carrying too many loads.

I used to tell my children that underlying everything, in mysterious corners of life, where angels watched over us, God was singing a song of joy, of peace, comfort, beauty, grace, that part of our goal was to hear His gentle voice, to find rest in His presence.

At times the melody is hidden, overpowered by noise that surrounds us, is it not? World News brings fear, dread, soul noise.

Who makes noise of the world so loud that, we do not even notice the music or acknowledge it's reality?

Who would want us not to dance, not to listen, not to engage in joy?

If you are one who is too hard on yourself, tired to the bone, critical of your imperfections, stop where you are. Take time to hear God’s gentle voice tell you He loves you, your life matters, your heart and feelings are important to Him. Take time to unload.

We must not give in to the dark side, that creates the cacophony to blot out all of the alluring, heavenly music of His voice, words.

May God grant us ears to hear, hearts to listen.

There are piles of work to be done this month, but I am taking a break—why? Because sometimes my weariness hides music and light. I know He wants me to come back to celebrate life, to breathe in peace.

Praying for you today, my friends, that you will be refreshed.

Please order a copy of Tea Time Discipleship, my most personal book.


Tea Time Comes in Many Forms

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“Tea is one of the main stays of civilization in this country.” ~George Orwell

 ​Language as mind control: ​One of Orwell's most important messages. Biblically, what we think, what we learn and know is what leads our life. Fun to see he was a tea person.

Today, I have so many fun subjects on Tea Time Tuesday. Of course music for this season of Lent, food from Mary Barry, who used to be on The Great British Bakeoff, and so much more.

I am receiving so many stories from you about those you are having tea with. And I even have a sweet memory of my own. When one of my sons was a teen and fraught with hormones, teen anxiety, and all sorts of life questions, I got in the habit of taking him out once a week during a season, for coffee and breakfast. He would drive and get up to the speed limit on our freeway as quickly as humanly possible. Loud music accompanied our ride as he share with me his favorite songs. Then Starbucks drive-through became the source of our tea food—an egg white sandwich for him, a gouda egg for me, and strong coffees.

These times gave me the right to be his friend, to ask questions, to shape input into his life in a palatable way—to mentor him invisibly when he didn't even know what was going on. I used tea time discipleship in the lives of all of my teens. One-on-one time with each one gave me more entrance into their hearts. Often, we ended our time by a hike in the mountains with our thermos of hot stuff. Sweet memories and my son said it gave his life-centeredness and a sense of deep friendship with me. What a win.

Help me share the joy by sharing my book with others, Tea Time Discipleship, and take a load off and enjoy Tea Time Tuesday today.