Weekly Newsletter Jan. 21

Back in the day Center City Philadelphia was THE place to be for shopping, fine dining, night life, culture and to work! Tall buildings and not-so-tall buildings were filled with businesses! Chestnut, Walnut and Market streets were always abuzz with people...especially at lunchtime. Just about everyone would run out to grab a bite to eat, do some shopping, or just walk around and enjoy the sights. 
 
I worked in an office building on a charming street lined with quaint shops, smaller office buildings, residences, and nice eateries. My coworker and I would go out to lunch every day to grab a bite or just to walk aroun. Woolworths was one of our fave spots.
 
One day we decided to walk around and check out some of the eateries closer to our office. I don't recall the exact name of the restaurant but the words "Tea Room" were in the title. So we decided to go in -- the place was really cute! The furniture looked to be maybe early American or Colonial and each table had a setting for tea, lovely silverware, and dessert plates. None of the dishes or cutlery matched but that sort of lent to the uniqueness. Tea was served using loose leaves that were in the bottom of the cup...I found that a bit odd (I'm strictly a tea bag person). We dined on little pastries along with the tea -- everything was delicious. 
 
After we finished our meal a woman came over to our table -- she asked if we wanted our leaves read. I was hesitant but my co-worker wanted to give it a try. So we did. I don't remember everything that was said but it made me uneasy. I remember her speaking of goddesses and fairies to protect me and then read my palm. At that point I could not wait to get out of that place. Unfortunately, my coworker was taken in by what had been told to her. She wanted to know more, she wanted to go to this place once or twice a week. On the walk back to the office she shared that she did not believe in the Bible and was not convinced there was a God. 
 
That evening I kept thinking about what had happened earlier that day -- the more I thought about those events the more I felt they were wrong. The next day my coworker told me that she wanted to go back to the Tea Room for lunch on a regular basis. She tried to convince me that I could still go to the restaurant but not participate in the readings...we never went to lunch together again. I didn't give up my daily lunch walks. I just did them alone and had great fun! I did not compromise!

The Bible tells us that seeking advice from psychics and fortune tellers is wrong. Leviticus 19:31 states, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them." 

Before I offer a prayer, below, here are some ways you can stay confident in your faith with Jesus. 

We are here to love God and all people so that all people may experience the

life-changing love of Jesus!

LOVE - We meet every weekend to experience God's love for us and show His love for others.

SERVE- We use our abilities, talents, skills, and passions for the good of others.

ENGAGE - We engage with friends to care for one another and to make new friends so they may experience God's kindness too. 

Heavenly Father, we want to live before You completely without compromise. Help us to turn our backs on the world and all that is evil and keep our focus on You. In Jesus' name we pray,  Amen.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

- Lynne Poindexter, Serving Ministries Dir.