High Tea

Delicate finger foods, exquisite little sandwiches, flavorful teas, and great company with friends all make for a wonderful afternoon high tea.  I attended a high tea this afternoon for the first time in my life, and my friends and I had a fantastic time.

Photo courtesy of: www.lastminute.com

What is High Tea, or Afternoon Tea?  As a bridge between lunch and dinner, tea time is a mid-afternoon break.  Having tea used to involve eating veggies, bread, cheese, and meat.  The British upper classes indulged in High Tea and delighted in this extensive snack time while socializing at a formal table.  The lower classes ate in comfortable and at informal settings.  Now, everyone just partakes in afternoon tea.  But if you prefer to feel pampered, you can say, "I'm going to a High Tea this afternoon."  It just sounds really special that way, right?  Rather than just having "afternoon tea."  I'll tell ya, I sure enjoyed having tea this afternoon with my friends.  You can click here to find out more about High Tea and maybe find a restaurant in your area that puts on "teas" now and then.  They're fun!  Afternoon Tea



"For the sake of my family and friends, I say, “Shalom be within you!" 

(Psalm 122:8)

Bye for now, and have a God-inspired day.

J.P. Osterman

What Kind of Pizza Is Your Favorite?

Today is National Pizza Day ... so Eat up!

Whatever pizza you like, it's gotta be hot, right?

However, I remember eating cold pizza.  When?  At slumber parties, of course. Here's a picture of what looks like my favorite pizza:

Photo courtesy of: www.en.wikipedia.org

Pineapple, sausage, thick tomato sauce, lots of cheese, mushrooms, and a bam of black olives.  Yes!

Yet, when I need spiritual advice, I turn to God for help, as I have today when I discovered my husband has to go back to the emergency room.  I'm a bit despondent.  Yet, I can't let turmoil win.  God can put all my fearful thoughts back into a sea of calmness.  I can't be any good to anyone when I'm feeling and acting "scattered."  

"A tranquil mind gives health to the body" (Proverbs 14:30).

Bye, and have a God-inspired evening!

J.P. Osterman

Best Friends

While on car rides, our dog Sparky always shares peaceful moments with our son Andrew.  He'll nudge Andrew's hand and stick his head over his arm.  Sparky is so full of love and caring.  Have you noticed, pets love people unconditionally?

  

God loves us unconditionally, too.

"God loves justice and will not abandon his faithful; they are preserved forever" (Psalm 37:28).

Nice to know we'll one day exist with Him forever.

Have a God-inspired day...

J.P. Osterman

Keep Your Heart Healthy

February is Heart Healthy Month!

Photo courtesy of: www.multicare.org

A Document About Heart Healthy Month

What are some ways we can protect our hearts?  Watch our weight, quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke, control cholesterol and blood pressure, drink alcoholic beverages in moderation, and get active with exercise.

Easy to do?  Sometimes yes; sometimes no.  But we have to stay well for those who love us and count on us.

God also cares about our health.  He asks us to care for ourselves, even though self-care might be difficult at time, so we can be the best for others.

"Don’t forget doing good and sharing with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Hebrews 13:6).

Have a God-inspired day.  Until next time,

J.P. Osterman

Groundhog Isn't the Only One With Shadows

Everyone has a shadow, and everyone has parts they want no one--and I mean absolutely no one--to see.  Famous Swiss psychologist Carl Jung once said about shadows: "Everyone has an unknown 'dark side' to their personality."  You can find the link below to read more details about the source of the quote.

Yet, God sees everything.  He tells us in Revelation 2:19 the following:

"I know what you are doing, your love, trust, service and perseverance."

I think that God's ability to see everything and to see (and know) us for who we really are is a great wonderful attribute.  In every micro-second of our days and ways, He's there in all the spaces around us.  What's He doing?  Loving us, listening, waiting for us to ask Him into our lives.  "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to die for us" (John 3:16).  You've probably seen this quote plastered in many places because it's the basic tenets of Christian faith.  It means that I don't have to hide from anyone because God sees everything anyway.  We can simply talk to Him, and know He's listening ... and watching.  

You can find out more about "the shadow" by following this link:

The Shadowy Sides of Our Personalities

Have a God-inspired day today...

J.P. Osterman

Yesterday's Winners and Losers

After yesterday's caucuses, can we finally take a break from politics?

Photo courtesy of:  www.todayinsci.com

As long as we're alive, we're going to be part of a government system.  I don't know about you, but I'm so thankful to God and grateful that we living in a Democratic Republic and have one of the best governments in the world.  Our country, the United States of America, is not perfect; but nothing will be perfect until we arrive in our ultimate destination--Heaven.  One day, we'll have the greatest leader of all.  We'll share eternity with God.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no one’s heart has imagined all the things that God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Today, we'll see and read in the media, some presidential candidates dropping out of the race.  Gradually, as time ticks forward, more candidates will dwindle toward the quitting line.  There can be only one winner, right?

As we watch them experience their successes and losses, we'll have our own successes and losses--struggles and wins--happening in our own lives.  However, we can know for certain that God is preparing a wonderful place for us.  He's in control, and He can re-mold a success out of any loss.  One needs only ask: "God, please help me."

Bye for today, and have a God-inspired day.

J.P.

Happy Black History Month

Photo courtesy of:  www.percaritatem.com

We can look to Frederick Douglass (February 1818 - February 20, 1895) for inspiration today.  Here are a few facts about Mr. Douglass that will amaze you.  He actually escaped from slavery!  And did you know, in 1845, his book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, was a bestseller?  He was also the first African-American nominated for Vice President of the United States, and he advised President Lincoln during the Civil War.  He was also married to an underground railroad worker, Anna Murray Douglass, who helped slaves escape to freedom.  And he supported the women's rights movement.  What a trailblazer for his time.  Thanks, Mr. Douglass.

"Without a struggle, there can be no progress." -- Frederick Douglass

If you're struggling today, know that hard times will life, and you'll rise out a different and stronger person.  How do we know that hard times improve us, even as we look to Mr. Douglass for inspiration, hope and encouragement?

The Apostle Paul tells us:  "We know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope; and this hope does not let us down, because God’s love for us has already been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:3-5).

Be God-inspired today, and have a great day!  And don't forget to sign up to receive my inspirational right into your email box.

J.P. Osterman