Croley’s Corner @ Chicklit Power

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As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (2nd Samuel 22:31)

Welcome, Coffee Hour friends. Let’s not waste a minute! Grab your drink and journal and let’s discover great truths for today for God certainly has our steps ordered; they are already established and our part in this is to learn to walk it out, to learn to hear before we move. So often don’t we move before we hear? Psalm 37:23. 

There are days when discouragement rears its ugly head, days when all I want to do is pull the covers up over my head and enter back into peaceful sleep, days when I’m not sure my brain will last until afternoon, let alone the end of the day! And today was one of those days. Discouragement reared its ugly head. As my feet hit the floor, the immediacy of my need for supernatural strength became overwhelmingly clear. “Lord, I need you!”

You may be asking yourself “where on earth is she going with this?”  We’ve had many inquirers about our daughter and how’s she’s doing these days so I thought I’d answer by way of faith, if you don’t mind! For the Hall of faith certainly is an arena I visit quite often. Yet I know this one thing that had we listened to the doctors a long time ago, discouragement and our faith would have been immersed by the enemy and yes each day brings sometimes incredible pain, and times that she suffers with great difficulties and challenges. BUT God, He has definitely has used her pain coupled with our faith to reach the lives of many, to speak hope when life seemed hopeless, to trust when no one else trusted and to have faith when faced with discouraging news when all else failed, yes, even when man has failed.

Sometimes we act upon our reaction of the things we see in our flesh and of course that can be a natural response for any parent, or for that matter, anyone who may be suffering or dealing with an unexpected circumstance. I truly understand the journey of those that have traveled along challenging and difficult roads; it can be lonely and ominous and discouraging day in and day out. However, you do not walk alone! Joshua 1:5

Yes, our faith can be stirred, moved and questioned and at times be discouraging, yet when faced with these challenges, my heart has always been moved to Hebrews 11, the “Hall of Faith,” even when I haven’t felt like it.

These believers of the Old Testament were imperfect, weak and needy. But God, in His great mercy, revealed Himself and His strength despite their weaknesses. In the same way, God does not require our strength in order to work because we have no strength in ourselves. He delights in us just being that pot of clay in order to mold us for our own good, for His purpose and His glory. He is a God of mercy, grace and compassion.

Although her diagnosis has not changed -- in fact, her recent test revealed further damage to both her legs -- He is perpetual in His word; He is the same “Yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

She knows there’s no denying He loves her like no other!! Yes, we are going to have those days of discouragement and days we feel our faith is weak but we have this knowledge and hope…And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

Until next week, exchange your discouragement for encouragement in that your faith will let you face your tomorrows and remember, keep Him close to your heart.

Love, Deb

Paws for Coffee Hour

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Thanks for joining us for our PAWS for Coffee Hour! Grab whatever you’re having and come on in and take a load off. We are going to be talking about something that doesn’t normally come up in everyday conversations, but oh, how I love the way Jennifer ties another knot in our Strand of Faith by bringing in the spiritual significance! Did you know we all have a spiritual fragrance? Come join us!

Our scent

Dogs have a keen sense of smell. They rely on this to interpret their world, in much the same way as people depend on their sight.  A dog's brain is specialized for identifying scents. The percentage of the dog's brain devoted to analyzing smells is 40 times larger than that of a human! It's been estimated that dogs can identify smells somewhere between 1,000 to 10,000 times better than humans can.

My dogs can sniff out a treat or follow random smells around the back yard.  It is amazing what they can smell.  They can sense fear and identify their humans by their individual scent.

God created every creature with such care and detail.  I know that each of us have our own unique scent (dogs too).  We also have a spiritual fragrance.  It is not made up of spices or flowers, it is made up of all of our life’s experiences, the Word you study, the prayers and the tears cried out to Him.  It is blended together with your God-encounters and the many obstacles you have overcome.  Your unique perfume also permeates the way you respond to others.  They may not be able to smell it but it influences them nonetheless.

How you respond to situations will become part of the other person’s fragrance.  “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” 2 Corinthians 2:15.  What is in your fragrance like?  Is it a fragrance that is sweet with peace, full of wondrous joy; or could your fragrance use some healing Frankincense?

Share your thoughts…

Jennifer

Trench Lesson, Cont.

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Thanks so much for joining me today for the conclusion to Tuesday’s Trench Lesson! Oh, how fun it is to laugh…at ourselves, and those things we’ve feared! Before you join me, and before I forget, I need to wish a very special girl who’s like a little sister to me a very happy birthday! Yvette Sanchez, I pray that your day is filled with love and laughter from memories that fill your heart for years to come! If any of you reading this know her and see her today, be sure and give her a birthday hug for me!

Grab your coffee and let’s get back to where I left off yesterday, which is at Knots Berry Farm, about two-thirds of the way into our day. Let’s go have a little fun with fear! :-)

So Dillan and Papa had just gotten off of Silver Bullet – Tyler wasn’t tall enough and Dillan says, “Nana, I want to ride that next.” I looked to where he was pointing and my mouth dropped, and I was literally stopped in my tracks! “Really?” I asked. He nodded his head adamantly.

“What, Dill, what do you want to ride? Show me,” Tyler jumped up and down, pulling on her big brother, begging to be included.

He pointed to a green track with loops, yes, plural, loops…now loops are not a real big problem for me but what is problematic is the speed with which the car goes towards those loops and the direction it begins. See, it starts out backwards…ever so slowly, inching up, and I mean literally inching up a very high track, finally stopping at the tippy-top and for one-thousand one, one-thousand two and one-thousand three – yes, I counted – it stays like that, suspended in the air while you are hanging on for dear life, feeling as though you are half out of your seat, dangling and then all of a sudden…BOOMERANG! Yup, that’s what it does, at the speed of lightning, it hauls down the track, up one loop, then another, then up another hill, only to stop AGAIN, and then BOOMERANG, down the track…are you ready for this…backwards!

Now I just knew Tyler was going to say no way, Jose…so imagine my surprise when she declared, “Oh, I want to do that, too. I’ve never done loops before!”

Well, I just couldn’t disappoint either one of these precious people, so off we walked toward the line. I was expecting to have to wait for a long time, and maybe they’d change their mind, but nope, as luck would have it, we walked right up and only had to wait ten minutes. By the time I got in and sat down, and Tyler was right beside me, I was in full-blown panic mode, heart beating hard and fast, and loud too, mouth dry, body breaking out in a sweat…and then I tried something: I redirected my thoughts and you’ll never guess where I sent them? Scurrying towards scripture! And guess what I heard first? “Surely I am with you even to the ends of the earth.” (Matthew 28:20) I smiled and then froze inside. Wait a minute; are you saying I’m going to the ends of the earth on this ride?

I literally felt Him smile and say: No, silly; it will just feel like you are going to the ends of the earth!

By now, the people working this ride had come and put the harness down, and pulled up to check that it was locked. I looked over at little Tyler, as best as I could as the harness really makes it hard for your head to move – thank God! – She looked so brave, obviously quite unsure of it all but determined at the same time. I squeezed her little leg, smiled and told her: “We got this!”

As the ride began to move…or should I say creep backwards, I told her I loved her and returned to my sidetrack of scripture. As the car inched, and I mean inched – did I say it was going slow, like turtle slow – up the track, I racked my brain for more scripture, my eyes squeezed shut, a death grip revealed by my white knuckles on each side of my harness and one leg straight out, the foot up against the floorboard, pressing harder and harder as we went higher and higher…backwards. Oh, yeah, I thought, like I’m going to hold back gravity. I started to do Lamaze breathing, my mind racing back and forth from scripture to the present, from scripture back to reality…and my reality was I was literally dangling and we hadn’t made it to the tippy-top yet. I squeezed my hands tighter, my eyes were glued shut and the next scripture my thoughts landed on was “The Lord God is my strength. He will make my feet like deer’s feet and He will make me walk on my high hills.” (Habakkuk 3:19)  

Click…I heard a voice in the distance, “Evinda, you breathing?”

“Barely,” I gritted through clenched teeth – heck, everything was clenched on my at that point! :-)

And just like that, we dropped…down the track, up one loop, then another, and before I could catch my breath, we were climbing the last hill, this one not quite as long, but definitely as high, and again, BOOMERANGED into the air held by the track, going backwards…all over again!

We did it; we conquered it…and I’ll never forget what got me through the fear of that ride: HIS PROMISES! Not to mention the fearlessness of a ten and seven-year-old!

Until next week,

Learning to be fearless,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Lesson

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Are we there yet…or should I say has the season of fall arrived? This is my favorite season of all, when we see so many color changes in creation…well, maybe not so much in California, but you know what I mean! There’s a sense of crisp newness anticipated as this season reminds us that the holidays are just around the corner! Grab your pumpkin Latte, or whatever you’re having, and let’s go “fall” into this next trench lesson. Oh, and grab your SOF (strand of faith) so we can tie some knots in it! Believe it or not, we’re going to have some fun with “fear” today!

Last week we talked about fear and how it can turn a little disagreement into a full-blown fall-out with another, especially those closest to us emotionally, and this week, I’d like to talk some more about fear, especially considering it coincides with where I am with the Transformers in this session’s Trench Class.

It seems as I get older, I get a little less fearless and a lot more timid when it comes to conquering my phobic-type of fears, for example, the fear of heights, or my fear of small spaces, aka, claustrophobic, fear of not being able to breathe because of an awful sinus infection, and even a fear of roller coasters, which is really weird because when I was younger, especially growing up with my son, I loved the thrill of a good roller coaster! Isn’t it funny that running from these fears, or refusing to face them gives us a sense of … well, like maybe we’re in control…NOT! I am learning as I get older that the more I let go of control, the more in control I am. And boy have I been tested in that reality lately.

First, a couple of weeks ago, and I almost forgot about this, I was in an elevator making my way up to our client’s office to take a deposition. I only had to go up two floors. Well, this elevator looked old, smelled old and…well, it was old! I pushed the 3, the door closed and it was just me, myself and my court reporting machine. SILENCE…I heard nothing, felt nothing…except the beating of my heart that was getting louder and louder as the fear set into my bones. My internal faucet turned on, full blast and I broke out in a sweat, tried to gasp for air but failed.  I am so glad there was no one else in there sucking up any of the air I needed or listening to the words running around in my head that erupted into a chant: God is with me; God is with me; whom or what shall I fear? I mean it’s not like the door closed and He was left out, right? 

Without warning, no bump, no sound, no nada, the door opened and I was free!

A huge sigh of relief escaped me and I tried to steady my beating heart and my shaking body and compose myself before walking into the attorney’s office, looking like I had it together and was ready to work!

Come to find out, they get complaints about that elevator all the time! Needless to say, when it came time to leave, I took the stairs, me and my heavy court reporting machine!

And just last weekend, we had the pleasure of spending time with two of my favorite little people, aka, my oldest grandson, and my grand-daughter. We took them to Knotts Berry Farm for what I thought would be a day of riding things in Camp Snoopy. I don’t think I’ve been so happily wrong in my life. These kids were/are fearless! I mean we started out with Sidewinder…and if you’ve never ridden that, well allow me to try and describe it for you after I tell you that the closer we got to it being our turn, the more dry my mouth got and the faster my heart beat! But, hey, my almost-eight-year-old granddaughter was conquering her fear, so I had to, too!  Sidewinder is a roller coaster but with a bit of a twist: as it goes up and down the track, it moves side to side, and what makes it even more frightening is only half of your body is secure! And you know what that means? Well, I saw the video of us afterwards and there’s only three words that come to mind that I thought of as I watched Tyler and myself on the screen during the ride: crash test dummies! There I was being thrown from side to side, my eyes completely frozen shut, breathing as if I were having a baby! I did NOT look happy! :-) And there my little Tyler was, her head bobbing up and down, side to side, smiling from ear to ear! I laughed so hard my abs got a workout!

I was in no way prepared for what we conquered a few hours later…

Join me tomorrow for the conclusion to this trench lesson…

Fearlessly,

Evinda

Jenn’s Journey

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Happy Monday! How is everyone? I hope you are all well and ready for a new week. Thanks for coming back to meet with me to share a cup of coffee and some thoughts.

Last week I shared how I can look into myself and see a tight ball, a ball encased in darkness, hesitant to let light in for fear the light won't last. A couple days after I wrote that, I was reading a chapter in a book where the author challenges women to understand who Jesus thinks we are. (Men need this too; it's just that this particular book is written for women.) She mentions how the Bible says we are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but that she has never met a woman who thinks highly of herself…in fact, it's most often the opposite.

I may have mentioned this book before; it's called Becoming Myself by Stasi Eldredge. Here is an excerpt from the chapter I was reading: "God names you 'beloved.’ What does beloved mean? It means greatly loved, dear to the heart. It means admired, adored, cherished, darling. Beloved means dear, dear one, dearest, esteemed, favorite, honey. Beloved means YOU. (emphasis mine) It means who you are to Him."

As I read this, I felt my stomach tighten. When this happens, I know it means I need to stop and listen to myself, and figure out what it is I am feeling. This time it hit me like a freight train! That kind of love scares me and I don't believe that I can be loved like that. I am just being honest. I do not know how to relax into it and just trust. This reminded me of something.

My boyfriend and I knew each other when we were kids. He has told me often that he had a crush on me back then, at age ten. When I hear him say this, my first thought is "He must have me confused with someone else." That's rather sad, really.

Wow. I must admit I am still digesting this. I do not know what to do with it, honestly. I know I have sought love and ran away from it at the same time. I know that the key lies in being able to accept what Jesus says about me, failures, weaknesses, bad choices and all. Stasi points out that our eyes need to be on Jesus...and that 'we move toward what we focus on.'

How about you? Can you rest and trust in who He says you are? Or are you like me, still not quite sure you can believe it? Let's pray that our hearts be opened to this kind of love.

Until next week, be blessed,

Jenn

Croley’s Corner @ Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Glad we could get together for a few short moments. I’m hoping you’ve come prepared to see what He has in store for us here at Coffee Hour.  Let’s get started.

So often we find ourselves running in many directions without a cause or even strength to push through it all. Our lives can be so consumed with the need to push ahead and most times we feel we are running uphill never gaining ground;  we’re so tired and feeling…well, undone! Sound familiar?  As any athlete knows in training there has to be a goal to work towards! They must calculate each course of action in their sport. They eat, breathe and sleep what they’re devoted to, just to get up the next day and start all over! This is repetition. We all need repetition in order for it to become a part of our everyday life, and as the ol’ saying goes, practice makes perfect or at least perfected in Christ.

In the world of an athlete, balance is a key factor they have to consider achieving while exercising other factors in to see the end results of their endeavors. A healthy and happy athlete not only performs better, but has the ability to give time and energy to others as well. One would ask, how do they find balance?

Discipline and accountability certainly is another key factor, however they must consider other elements to increase their endurance: hydration, nutrition, posture, stretching, Myofascial Fascia massage -- myofascial fascia is a band that supports connective tissue -- and last but not least, sleep: a time of rest, to name a few, thus balance is obtained to get the desired results.

Now if you take this further into a spiritual aspect, here are seven ways we as believers need balance in that we may be happier and yes healthier (A merry heart does good, like medicine, Proverbs 17:22) to execute His Word in us in order to have the ability to give of our time and energy to others that are in need of Jesus; that we may see the end results without growing weary.

Hydration:  “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

Nutrition: Sustenance; He is the Bread of life. John 6:47-51

Posture: For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1Timothy 4:8

Stretching: For great is your love, reaching to the heavens your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:10 Sometimes we must stretch our hearts to feel it!

Myofascial Fascia is a band that supports connective tissue: For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,’ Luke 4:10

Heat Ice and Compression: Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  Ephesians 4:31 Let it go!!

Sleep: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; Proverbs 24:33

When we can practice these simply yet powerful principles in our lives daily we can and will find balance in our walk of faith, and how wonderful our experiences will be when we see the end results of our triumphs. Remember, keep Him close to your heart!

Until next week.

Love Deb

Paws for Coffee Hour

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Thank you so much PAWS-ing  and joining us for Coffee Hour!  I love Thursdays as I sit and reflect on my four-legged friends.  Over the last couple of months there has been a lot of reflection, tears and joy shared about our furry children.   Today, I just want to have a little fun.

Most pet owners will agree that their animals have personalities.  Those personalities vary from breed to breed.  Often we select them for the personality traits that we like best.  I think to some degree we do that with our friends as well.  Whether canine or human, our personality is one aspect of our character that defines who we are. 

There are five distinct dog personality types.  I wanted to share the m with you briefly and then give you a fun little link to assess your dog personality.  Can you see yourself in any of these dog types?

The Confident Dog is a natural born leader of the pack. He’s a team player and more than ready to take charge of a situation.

The Independent Dog is more standoffish. This personality is perfectly happy being away from the crowd. He space, and trying to force him to do something he doesn’t want to do will backfire.

The Laid Back, Happy Dog is always ready to greet everyone he meets. He gets along well with other dogs and cats.

The Shy/Timid Dog doesn’t like being in uncomfortable situations. Yelling and harsh training methods or discipline can cause this type of personality to shut down, and you risk losing his trust.

The Adaptable Dog is eager to please, cooperative, gentle and affectionate.  Not as outgoing as the happy personality, this dog gets along well with other dogs, cats and people.

Now it’s your turn.  Click here http://www.playbuzz.com/johnny14/what-is-your-dog-personality to find out what kind of dog you are.

I took the quiz and found out I’m a husky (big surprise).  The website stated “You got the Husky! Gentle and dignified, you are a dog that prefers an equal partnership. You are fiercely independent”.  Those who know me shouldn’t be surprised.  Have fun with the quiz, and then post the results on Facebook or Twitter so we can all join in the fun.

Jen & Logan

Where do you go for Answers?

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Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Thanks for stopping by for our Coffee Hour.  Today is a WOW day, Words of Wisdom and Weapons of Warfare. I pray it will give you answers to some pretty profound and tough questions that arise from time to time in our lives and that it would comfort you in time of troubles. Grab your coffee, your journal and your SOF (strand of faith) and let’s go tie some knots in our faith. Remember, the more knots you have is analogous to your faith; it times of trouble, how likely will you become unraveled?

Just last week, someone who is like a little sister to me reached out to me, completely and utterly at a loss because of a loss. Her cousin, who was so, so young, had passed away unexpectedly. They were like BFF’s, close in heart, close in thought, close in age…they loved each other deeply. There was a history with them and of course that history had a bit of struggle, but as she shared with me, I couldn’t help but get the chills when she told me the what and when of their very last conversation: it was just the night before, and their last words to each other…”I love you.” No regrets there, right?

“But why,” she cried out? “I just don’t get it! I just can’t get over this. This hurts too much.” These were some of the cries of anguish she shared with me. My heart ached for her…truly.

She, like you and I, wanted to understand why she was left to endure this pain. She wanted to be able to wrap this tragic ending up with a nice bow and put it in the closet of her mind and heart and be content with her understanding, but understanding evaded her like an illusion of an airplane in the sky getting smaller and smaller with each cloud it passes while her despair and sadness loomed larger and larger.

What do we do when we just can’t make sense of life and what it hands us and sometimes throws at us? Where do we go for the answers?

Well, after listening to her, comforting her by just listening I felt an answer stir within me that would help her find an answer. I shared with her that sometimes, in some circumstances, we aren’t going to understand and we have to be okay with that. This is when our faith is truly tested; when we can’t understand why He’s allowed something to happen, where do we turn, what do we do? If we truly believe that He works ALL things for our good…how do we get through the pain? Psalm 119 is replete with the phrases: “Revive me, Oh, Lord…through thy Word, through your loving kindness…revive me. 

I then told her to go to the Psalm for the day, meaning whatever date it was, to go to that one, to meditate on it after reading it at least twice and then to re-write it with her pain and confusion and questions in there.

You may be wondering why. I’m glad you asked: We need an eternal perspective for external circumstances. When things happen that just don’t make sense, the only way to maneuver through them is to get a spiritual perspective and what better way to do that than through the Love Letters of God?

The next day, I was thinking about her and praying for her and He gave me this verse in Psalm. I was so excited for her, to be able to share with her that though she was having a difficult time seeing Him in all her pain, He had spoken through others to let her know He was/is near to those with a broken heart, who are overcome with troubles.

Guess what? It didn’t answer all her questions, but it went a long way in easing her pain, getting her through the next hours, and days, and granting her an eternal perspective for her internal pain caused from an external loss.

Sometimes the best answer is no answer at all but a changed perspective!

Love,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Lesson

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Welcome to Coffee Hour and Tuesday’s Trench Lesson. It’s crazy to think that after all these years of peeling, revealing and healing that I could still experience breakthroughs and revelations, but hey, isn’t that what He says in Philippians 1:6, that He will be faithful to complete the work He began in each one of us…until the time of Christ? He never ceases to amaze me while humbling me as I am in the trenches with those who wish to transform from the inside out! Grab your coffee, your strand of faith and come with me into the trench for just a few minutes. I promise not to go too deep!

So our Transform class began two Thursdays ago. It was so exciting to see all the new faces! The first week is just an introduction and then we begin getting to the roots of any wound, weakness or worry, of which there are eight, and the first root is the root of fear. Each of the roots has several symptoms and the curriculum is full of others’ stories of struggles and/or victories in each of the symptoms, which really serves in encouraging transparency for each of the Transformers.

Fear is a gigantic problem but often minimized in the lives of many. It’s not just a false expectation appearing real, but it’s a thief, coming in like a bank robber and stealing anything valuable. Fear also paralyzes us, keeping us frozen in our unhealthy behaviors. Fear is like a snake, squirming itself into any situation, circumstance and every relationship…if we let it, and unbeknownst to us, strikes at an unsuspecting time, inflicting its poison into our lives, infecting our souls. Fear must be stopped in its tracks, but how do we do that? The real simple answer is to feed our faith, not our fears…but I’m sorry, while fear screams and faith whispers, we must make the time to take the time to learn about all the sneaky things fear does and how it works its way into our being. We cannot disown something we haven’t owned; we must become familiar with our emotional dashboard, aka, what we are feeling so we can then determine why before it wreaks havoc in our lives and spreads to the lives of those we love and care for.

Trust me when I say that you can’t teach something effectively unless you yourself have learned it and are living it. Maybe that’s why He has me doing this; so I will stay in the work He has begun, remain teachable because left to my own desires, I may just disappear to a deserted island, me, my Bible, my dog, my computer, oh, and my husband could come too! :-) Hmmm, hmmm, where were we?

Oh, fear, that’s right! Speaking of fear, one of my transformers posted two cool acronyms for fear: forget everything and run, or face everything and rise!

Well, the very first symptom in the root of fear has to do with a preoccupation with others’ problems and or lives, and one of the ways you can tell you have this symptom is by the sub-symptom, if you will, which asks: do you struggle to see others struggle? Now, that “struggling” comes in all sorts of ways, for example, if you are a mom of a child in school, more often than not, there is homework to do, right? I remember those days of struggling to see my son struggle through his homework, it turning into a huge thorn in my side and the temptation to just do it and get it done more often than not won out. Now that’s a minor example, but a common one.

There are all sorts of struggles that happen when someone we love is struggling. For example, for those of us who have had or still have a child who has gone off track and is self-destructing. When they come back, do we try and pay their consequences? Or do we let them struggle through to pay their own? In other words, do we help or hinder? Do we enable or empower?

But then there are the struggles that are not so obvious, for example, a disagreement with someone: are you able to disagree without an attitude, without struggling while allowing them to struggle? My good friend and former therapist labeled it “letting them behave.”

The week after our Trench Class started, my inability to let my husband struggle in a struggle revealed I still had some work to do in this area and I have no choice but to face everything and rise!  Oftentimes, we as couples can get all wound up and worked up because we’re not on the same page or thinking alike or agreeing with the other’s choice. We must stop, pay attention to that emotional dashboard and make sure the “fear” light isn’t flashing; if it is, it’s time to stop, as if at a red light, and ask: What am I afraid of? See, fear sends us chasing after the delusion of control…and if I am truly surrendered to my Loving Father, what am I trying to control and why?

Oh, to express my concerns before they morph into fears, before they go too far and drive 

my emotional car…and to reach for that “perfect love that casts out all fears.” (1^st John 4:18) Yes, I can face everything and rise!

Until next Tuesday,

Evinda

Jenn’s Journey

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Good morning! I just finished an early morning walk in the rain washed air. It was very weird to be wakened in the night to a thunder and lightning storm, but, oh, how nice to have the rain! While on my walk, I was mentally preparing my blog for you all, so thanks for stopping by to join me!

The other day I was sharing with a friend a question I have. That is, at what point is looking at the past too much, and where does "What's Next" really begin? I am a member of several abuse survival groups, private ones, where people feel free to share their stories. People from all stages belong to the groups, those who are actively in abusive relationships, those who are just getting out, some who've been out for years…and I have found it to be helpful to know I am not alone. It's not just me! There is something cathartic about sharing stories and growing from the knowledge and support of others. At times, however, I wonder, does it benefit us to rehash those stories forever?

Anything from our past does affect who we are in the present. There is no doubt about that. As I've said in my other blogs, understanding this has made a great difference in my journey towards healing. I have a quote -- yes, me and my quotes -- which I have in plain view, which says "Stop replaying the old painful story. Choose actions that create a better outcome."

The friend I was talking with the other day pointed out something that I think is brilliant. She's younger than me, and yet so wise!! She said that we can divide ourselves up into parts…for example, there's the mom part of me, the friend, the caring hygienist part, and a daughter…you get the picture? Some of those parts I have down pat; for instance, I know what I am doing as a caring hygienist, and I have been told I am a loving, caring friend. However, because of things from the past, our 'parts' can be affected and some of the pain in one of them can spill over into other parts or relationships. So, then, instead of being in balance, one part can dominate the others.

See, the woman side of me, the emotional part, is wounded, obviously. I believe it was wounded long before my marriage though; that added a whole other dimension. Close, intimate relationships have not usually been supportive for me, and I have been trying to meet my own emotional needs for years, to no avail might I add. Often, in close relationships, I see the person as an enemy rather than an ally. I react defensively, especially when I feel I am not being validated in some way, or if I feel attacked. I also have a very hard time giving emotional support in relationships…so those close to me can feel I do not give back.

Here is where I think I go from here: acknowledging that the wounded part of me runs a lot of the other parts. This is not to put myself down at all; it's just a realization. If I were to look into myself and see what that looks like, I see a tight ball encased in darkness. Once in awhile, it sees light, gets afraid that the light won't last, so it tightens itself up even more.

So, what do I do? I have to give those wounds to the ultimate Healer. It's easy for me to think Jesus is the same way towards my emotions as I have experienced from people. But that is not true. His word says "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

Sure, wounds leave scars. Even Jesus carries scars in His hands. Part of moving forward for me is allowing Him into those broken parts and allowing the Light in.

Until next week, be blessed,

Jenn

Croley’s Corner @ Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Direct my steps by your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm 119:132

Hey, it’s Friday and boy am I thankful as I’m sure you are too! Grab your journal, something soothing to drink, ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to receive what God’s word has for us today. We’re going to talk about the three T’s: Trials, Tests and Temptations!

The challenge of being a believer is that we face the 3 T’s every day and resisting them is a very important part of our life. God does not promise that we will never be tempted, but that when we are, He will provide a way of escape. The 3 T’s are set up with the purpose of inflicting an intense pressure. Often they can come right after a time of great joy or even small victories.

There have been times I have tossed and turned at night, wondering how and why I’ve allowed these things to work their way into my thoughts and into my dreams and cross over into my daily living! It starts to feel like I’m in a batting cage struggling to hit the balls being fired at me and it gets exhausting. And then how easy for iniquity to sneak in…in fact, and for the most part, it can be pretty blatant!! And right there…in that very moment…right smack in our spiritual faces, that’s where the spiritual battle begins! In that exact moment, keeping our faith means everything!

We can ask ourselves can I believe God in the 3 T’s and know God’s got this, or should I believe what I see based on the day-to-day advice that the world screams at you and me? We either choose to stand polarized, or we move forward, but moving forward often feels as though we have to go against everything that feels natural within us.

In the trails, tests and temptations to not believe God’s word can breed havoc in our lives. Let me simply remind you that when things aren't going the way you think they should and you're facing a test by which temptation comes to you,  learn to watch how you respond to it.

Just as we prepare for a plan of escape from a fire in our home, so we too need to execute a plan of escape spiritually in order not to be engulfed. "But how do you do that?" you ask. The keys are so simple yet powerful enough to push you through the 3 T’s: Pray by meditating on and using the Word of God Psalm 119:11. Create an accountability network, someone you trust to stand with you and remember, count it not strange when these things happen to you.1 Peter 4:12.  Paul reassures us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Oh Hallelujah, that promise should truly encourage our hearts and help us do the happy dance! When the trials come, turn to the Word. When the tests come, turn to your Father in prayer. When the temptations’ come – and they will --take up the shield of faith by daring to trust God no matter how the fiery darts may be whooshing towards you. Look to Christ, the faithful One who will encourage, support and develop you into a mighty warrior. Persevere in your faith. Understand that God has a purpose and we must trust God for that purpose.

Romans 5: 1-5 simply sums it up that faith triumphs in tribulation because tribulation produces perseverance, character; and hope; hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts.

Have a mighty weekend...for you ARE an over-comer of all three of the T’s!! Remember to keep Him close to your heart.

Love Deb

Paws for Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Welcome to PAWS for Coffee Hour! I am so excited to share this one today which is from an amazing lady I met through an organization NAWBO-IE! She had actually posted on F.B. a little bit about this situation so I asked if she would mind sharing with you for our PAWS Hour! So, grab a cup of coffee, some tissues, and yes, your strand of faith because there is some spiritual significance here with which you can tie a knot in your strand of faith!

Good morning sisters. I know we can get caught up in trying to 'love someone to wholeness' and that should fix things. However, over and over and in my own life I've grown to understand until someone has a 'moment' of understanding, they can be stuck in low thoughts of themselves. My moment came when my dear dog, Kersee, of 15 years was attacked by another dog and sustained punctures to her throat and a broken neck.

Let me share a little bit about her first: When I met Kersee in the pound she had a pup with her.  The person at the pound gave her a treat then began talking to me.  That sweet dog waited patiently, then sighed and bent down and gave that treat to her puppy.  I could not get that sweet dog out of my mind and went back after the 14-day hold.  I knew the pup would be adopted quickly but older dogs are harder to place.   She was such a gift in my life during a time I was trying to figure out how to face each day with unrealistic fear.  Years later, I became a mother and on two different occasions, I went to the stairs for a time-out and to breathe because my patience was at its end.  Kersee met me on the stairs sitting straight in front of me then placed one paw on my heart while I calmed down. J

When I calmed down she buried her head into me as I told her I was okay now.

As the years passed, she began to really have trouble with her arthritis, especially when the weather got cooler and she also lost her hearing.     Now let’s go back to that horrible day of her mauling.

While at the vet’s I had to make the decision to say goodbye that morning.  Her wounds were just too much. When I had my last moments with her at the vets, I told her how precious she was and I knew she was a gift from God and I was so grateful for her love and care. I assured her that I was stronger now and I was going to be alright now.  She mustered strength to move her head closer to mine and closed her eyes as if to say 'I know' and 'I'm ready.'

Two weeks after, I was reflecting upon the events and missing her terribly and just blurted out “not one molecule of her had less value” and the still small voice chimed in, “just like you.”

Until that moment, no amount of words and/or actions by my husband, my daughters, my friends or family could penetrate the definition of “damaged goods” and how I was convinced no one could truly love me. But the situation of loving my precious dog and experiencing her mauling and never seeing her as less helped me to understand others could see me the same way.

It was a turning point in my life that was difficult but I wouldn't trade the turn for anything. I can let love in now, and it has been life-altering. I was praying for insight and change. Some walk through life having no clue that they have that underlying philosophy of worthless. Your love and words might not be able to penetrate their self-induced mental definition. Pray for them, and take care of your journey and growth. Blessings and have the best one possible,

Inger and Kersee