Thursday’s Trench Truth

Some of us have to be taught how to love and how to be loved. Sounds crazy, right? Thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Thursday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United.

The other day, my girlfriend was sharing about a family conflict that kept rearing its subtle but ugly head over the Thanksgiving holiday, and how it saddened her that the parties involved weren’t able to talk about it healthily. She was able to recognize that the reason they weren’t is because one of them is self-aware and emotionally healthy; however, the other has an inability to socialize lovingly without alcohol.  In other words, the one who is emotionally healthy did not allow the other’s inability to become her disability, and yet she yearned to be able to resolve the issue.

How often do we allow someone’s inability to become our disability by lashing out, reacting instead of stepping back and thinking about it and then responding? Could it be that how we love is based on how we were loved? Perhaps loving requires learning how to unlearn! In order to work through the conflict that threatens to divide, we’ve got to be on the same side…emotionally willing.

The good news is we can re-train our brain to love like He loves us.  We are wounded in relationships…and healed in relationships, one of God’s most important ways to teach us how to love in the classroom of life!

Thoughtfully,

Evinda 

Wednesday’s Word

It’s that time of the year…already! In addition to the other hats we as women wear, now we get to add to our responsibilities in the name of “Christmas,” which can really send us in a tailspin if we are not careful! Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United

I don’t know about you, but this is where I struggle, staying in the moments because of all my responsibilities, especially at this time of the year. But is that a crutch of an excuse? Is that just a pass to remain busy, and often too busy? Oh, if we were just given the perfect equation for balance in our lives, huh, some sort of recipe to follow that we would achieve that ability to consistently stay in the present so as to not be ripped off in the future while soaking up regrets from the past.

I think I found it…yes, the answer to this dilemma!! But I must confess, it sounds easier than it is but it really is possible! I’ve already tried putting it into practice and I’m telling you, it works! See, this life is just temporary, a sort of practice run to learn how to dwell in eternity with the One whose perfect love will carry us there, so whatever we endeavor to do, wherever we put our most energy, whatever rents the most space in our head…must have eternal value!

Pouring truth into the mind is necessary to keep out the lies that keep us chasing after another thing to check off on our to-do list, or trying to control circumstances, situations or even worse, others. We must discipline the mind with spiritual truths which will then feed the soul so as to not be caught off balance like that of a double-minded, wobbly-legged weakling struggling to stay afloat while grasping for air, or for a future that is secure.

So as we enter into this holiday season, my prayer for you and for me simply stated are the words in Isaiah 26:3: He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You…because he/she trusts in you!

Oh, that we would live in the moment, one moment at a time; that we would recognize and learn to trust that Your hand goes before us, protects all that is behind us, and provides for us all that we need in this moment and the next.

Love,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Have you ever experienced a clogged sink or a malfunction in your garbage disposal? It can be a bit frustrating and puzzling at the same time, and if you have ever experienced this, you know you have to stop what you’re doing, slow down and fix the problem…or it will only get worse! Welcome to Tuesday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United. Come on in for a moment of truth.

It was towards the end of a class and I felt led to share this analogy of a clogged sink and/or a broken garbage disposal, trying to paint a visual of clogs in the pipes preventing the water from flowing freely and setting the clog free. Then I shared that the heart sort of works the same way. If we’ve come to believe negative things about ourselves, told to us by whoever and for whatever reason, there begins to be a clogging in the heart that prevents the love of God from coming completely in and allowing us to live that abundant life.

It’s not that His love isn’t powerful enough, because it is: but it’s only when we face the lies and begin to denounce them with His truths for us and about us that His love for us begins to move ever so freely from our head to our heart!

Are there negative things, aka, lies, that you’ve come to believe about yourself as truth?  What causes a lie to flee: A truth! Here are just a few of the hundreds of truths that God says about you and about me:

We were created in His image and surely God doesn’t despise Himself! Genesis 1:27.
We are His children, precious in His sight John1:12

We are accepted-Ephesians 1:6

He calls us friend-John 15:15

We can’t out-sin His love for us! Oh, that you would begin dispelling the lies with new truths that His love would flow freely in your heart

Truthfully,

Evinda

Monday’s Mantra

Could the very thing we complain about actually be a blessing? According to a sermon given by Pastor Greg Laurie – You betcha!

Welcome to Coffee Hour at Chicklit Power and Megan’s Monday Mantra with Trench Classes United.

‘Tis the holiday season! Before we’ve barely begun to digest Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas is upon us.  Our intentions of loving our neighbors as ourselves and allowing the peace of Christ to rule our hearts seem to woefully recede into the background while the fanatic push of finding the perfect present and holiday parties thrust to the forefront of our focus. Thus the beginning of grumbling and complaining…

You have a Christmas party to attend at 7:00 pm. You can’t believe it! Of all days, your boss asks you to stay late to tie up a last-minute project. As you leave work, you realize you left your car keys in the office. You hurriedly grab your keys and rush to the grocery store to pick the dessert you promised to bring to the party. Of course, you hit every red light on the way. You dash into the store, snatch up the dessert, and head to the “15 item or less” check-out line … and you wait… and wait. You anxiously start to fidget, looking to see what is taking so long. Promptly you identify the culprit. “That lady at the front of the line has more than 15 items! Can’t she read? This is the 15 item or less line. I only have one item,” you complain.

Let’s evaluate the above scenario from the perspective of blessings.

1) You have been invited to a Christmas party and you get to attend.

2) You have a job and a boss who evidently trusts you to get a job done in a timely manner.

3) You own the car those misplaced keys belong to.

4) The Lord is using the red lights to teach you patience.

5) You have the financial resources to pay for the dessert.

6) Knowing you did not absorb the previous red light lesson of patience, the Lord, because He loves you, used the “lady with more than 15 items” to provide you another learning opportunity.

Wow - from stressed to blessed!

In Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, she writes,

“Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you. Thankfulness opens the door to my Presence. See how many times you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings.”

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians5:18 (ESV)

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

Faith Filled Friday with Ashley

Waiting…

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United and Ashley Zito, our new writer for Fridays! I’m so excited to have her on the blog team! She truly writes Spirit inspired from her heart to yours! Grab your favorite break-time drink and come on in.

Just the other day, my heart and mind were focused on my husband’s current working situation, and as I began my devotional for the day, I couldn’t believe how He met me there, in the midst of my questioning and wondering about our current situation. I was reading in Genesis 22:2 (ESV) where God spoke to Abraham and told him “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Here’s what struck me: When God called Abraham, he went without any hesitation, without questioning. He faithfully went. When God promised Abraham a child and then He told him to wait…and he waited…and waited…and waited.

What do we do when God tells us to wait? When He says wait, we must do so. Why? It’s God’s simplicity. See, He says, “Trust and know – through experience – that I am God for I see and think in ways you could never comprehend. Wait!

Oh, but Lord, our hearts cry! How much longer? And yet, His answer is simple: trust. See, our flesh gets in the way of God’s simplicity. Oh, if we would only take God’s commands to heart and do as He says, for His heart’s desire is the very best for you and me. The enemy, our adversary, uses our own flesh against us, so what must we do? Take up the full armor of God and defeat the lies of the Beast that we would not let him hide the blessings and promises of God from ourselves.
One of the most powerful pieces of that armor…The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God. Why do we shy away from it when It’s for our wisdom and guidance…to use in walking toward any victory! For Jesus has already conquered the ultimate obstacle that was meant to separate us from Him forever: death.

As I finished up my devotional, I was filled with such a presence and couldn’t help but saying, Oh, Praise You, Yahweh! We will wait or go when you command us to for there is none like you. Use us Lord to spread your love and glory even though we can’t see where we are going.

I am comforted knowing that His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8) and I am encouraged to take up the whole armor of God that we may be able to withstand any temptation to move before He commands, to stand firm in His calling, fastening on the belt of truth, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for our feet, putting on the readiness which comes from the gospel, and in all circumstances, in every time of waiting, taking up the shield of faith for it is then that we can extinguish all flaming darts of the adversary. We will keep on our helmet of salvation and live by the sword of the Spirit, praying at all times…even in the waiting.

Ashley

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power & to an amazing Thankful Thursday with Trench Classes United.
I love poetry; it has always brought comfort in hard times.  It’s the thought that goes into the lyrical rhythms that occupies my heart.  Writing has always been my happy place where I can sink in and express myself without judgment.  So enjoy a little magically delicious melody. Put on some comfy clothes (preferably yoga pants, an old comfy shirt and some fuzzy socks… my personal faves), grab a venti extra hot Hazelnut Latte and stay a while.

My Happy Place

The best kind of magic is faith;

It’s where I dwell, where I feel safe
It’s where my heart can just be

It’s where my eyes can see

It’s where my life feels whole

It is the comfort where I just know

The solidarity within Him, and the love that surrounds Him

It’s a gift of hope a treasure to be hold

A love to be shared a story to be told

Of solace within Him for a weary heart

And aspiration for the burden, a light in the dark

Yes, the best kind of magic is faith

It’s where I dwell, where I feel safe

It is with faithfulness in Him I take refuge; for He is my anchor; He is my glue

My roots run deep in the soil of God’s love
Built up in Him acknowledging true trust

Strengthened in the heart; overflowing with thankfulness

A love, a respite, a hope, a life truly blessed

Thank you so much for stopping by…

Love, Kat

Wednesday’s Word

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United. It’s that time of year again, the time where families are planning get-togethers, menus, and activities…my favorite holiday…Thanksgiving. Instead of a moment of truth, I thought I’d invite you in for a giggle or two! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the house

Every creature was stirring, including the mouse

Everyone was working on all of the fixings

The noise and smells were coming from the kitchen

The children were busy with their tablets and toys

Captured in their games, they made not a noise

While the adults laughed and worked all collectively

What a beautiful sight it was for onlookers to see

When all of a sudden there arose such a clatter

Mom ran to the kitchen to see about the matter

She looked to the left and she looked to the right

She just couldn’t believe what was in plain sight

There was broken glass from a favorite platter

And at first glance, she knew it didn’t matter

Everyone was frozen, waiting for her reaction

But she didn’t give the devil that satisfaction

The counters were a mess, preparations everywhere

It looked as though a tornado had just gone thru there

The turkey had flown from the platter to the floor

The poor thing looked like it just couldn’t take no more

The stove was a disaster waiting to happen

full of pots and pans, handles overlapping

The old mom would have immediately gotten on her broom

And painted the atmosphere with a bit of doom and gloom

But the new and improved mom was no longer that way

For she had learned the true meaning of Thanksgiving Day

She stared at each of them and the mess they surrounded

Knowing her response would leave each one of them astounded

Now sons, now daughters, in-laws and friends like family

Is this ever a sight for the eyes of my heart to see?

More than the chaos, the mess on the floor

The memories we’re making are worth so much more

Mom calmly spoke: Grab a rag, and a dishtowel too

Because it looks like we have a bit of cleanup to do

Let’s work together in cleaning up this mess

It will only take a few minutes or less

Pick up the turkey, and we’ll wash him off

We’ll stuff him but good and put him in the trough

We’ll baste him all over, and get him ready to eat

No one will ever know we stepped on his feet

And when the morrow comes and we gather for the meal

We’ll be able to discern what matters and what’s real

Faith, family, friends, love and laughter

Help to bring us all the happily ever after

She looked to each of them with tears in her eyes

And said something that she had just realized

Oh, why can’t it be Thanksgiving every day?

Loving each other in a Christ-like way

Patience, self-control, love and joy too

Are there for the asking for each of you

We don’t have to wait for a holiday to see

That Christ’s greatest gift is that of family

Praying you enjoy your Thanksgiving, no matter what circumstances you are in, no matter who you are with … or not with!

Thankfully,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Thoughtful Thankfulness

I love this time of year, when the weather begins to cool down, creation’s colors change and bright oranges, reds and yellows burst forth upon the leaves of the trees.  There’s a sort of fall scent that comes with it all, too.  This harvest season is the beginning of the holiday season and while I’d rather stay in this “thankful” season, I’ve come to realize that we don’t have to have Thanksgiving to be thankful.

Every morning, I begin my quiet time by being still and inviting Him into the rewind of my previous day. Together we go through the things that happened and the moments where He was blessing me, or trying to get my attention, and/or moments that make me super thankful I am His and He is mine. As I am still, I can recognize all kinds of things to be thankful for, and I do acknowledge them through journaling and prayer.

For twenty-two days now, I’ve seen posts on Facebook talking about the things they are thankful for because this is the “month of thankfulness.” Every day brings a new thing to be thankful for and I absolutely love the simplicity of many of the things that others are thankful for. As this month seems to hurry into the next, I can see that the attitude of gratitude has diminished, like so many other good intentions.

Could it be to practice thankfulness is a challenge? I think that it can be and that being thankful requires more than written or spoken works. It requires action. Do my actions line up with my words of thankfulness? Am I living like I’m thankful? What does it take for an attitude of gratitude to be my constant companion?

Here are some truths that I’ve learned and am trying to live about thankfulness:

Learning how to be thankful for the little things gets us through the big, difficult things.

Thankfulness is a choice!

Thankfulness can pull us out of the pit of depression and brighten perspective.

Thankfulness is an act of worship and blesses God!

Thankfulness is an anti-inflammatory that decreases pride.

Thankfulness is an antibiotic for negativity.

Thankfulness opens the door to more blessings.

Thankfulness can turn a frown upside down!

Thankfulness helps us stay in the moments instead of living for the next.

A little thankfulness goes a long way!

Now it’s your turn; what does an attitude of thankfulness do for you? Remember, we don’t need to wait for Thanksgiving to be thankful!

Thankful,

Evinda

Monday’s Mantra

Today, I want to share with you a previously posted blog because I believe it’s worth remembering where we started in our journey with our God.

Is it mandatory to experience an “AH HA” moment when you commit your life to Christ? I sure hope not, because I didn’t!

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Megan’s Monday Mantra with Trench Classes United. Warm up that cup of coffee you’ve been carrying around all morning and join me in my salvation story.

***********

Jesus knew how much I needed Him, so He snatched me up early…

My Mother thought our neighbors were undereducated. In other words, STUPID!

She reluctantly let me play with Bobbie and Tom because they were the only kids in our neighborhood close to my age. I thoroughly enjoyed their company but Mom always wished I had someone more my “equal” to play with.

One Sunday morning, Bobbie and Tom’s parents asked my Mom if I could go to church with them. To my surprise, she allowed me to go. I will never forget pulling into the parking lot of a pink brick church. At the impressionable age of 6 years old, I had never seen a pink building let alone a pink brick church!

There were no Sunday School classes, everyone just filed into the church and filled the pews. I can still distinctly remember where we sat – 5^th pew from the front on the left side facing the altar.

No one could ever accuse my neighbors of being a traditional prim and proper type of Christian family. They worked hard, played hard, and then some. My playmates, Bobbie and Tom, were always into some kind of mischief, which was what I liked most about them. Today was different though. Today they all sat in a neat row, backs straight, hands folded in their laps, and feet firmly planted on the floor, waiting expectantly for the sermon to begin.

The most colorful character I had ever encountered, up to this point in my short life, confidently approached the pulpit. His presence was so huge that the pink brick church could hardly contain it. His booming voice filled the city block surrounding him and he wore the largest cowboy hat I had ever seen. His name was Preacher Cowboy George!

I know he delivered a great sermon because the congregation was on fire. The only, and most important, part I remember is when Preacher Cowboy George asked, “Have you committed your life to Christ? Have you asked Jesus into your heart? If not, then come on up and we will do it together here, today!” My first reaction was to jump to my feet and head straight to the altar, but not before looking to my neighbors to do the same. There they sat, calmly watching and smiling at those who were making their way to the front of the church. UH OH! I didn’t know anything about asking Jesus into my heart, yet clearly my “undereducated” neighbors not only already knew – they already had! I felt ashamed.

I lagged behind on my way out of church. I had been too afraid to stand up in front of the congregation, to accept Christ, all by myself.

That lone “UH OH” moment led to a nightly prayer asking Jesus into my heart for the next 16 years.

That lone “UH OH” moment led to some very spectacular “AH HA” moments throughout my lifetime. That lone “UH OH” moment changed the path of my life forever.

So, as you navigate your way through the highs and the lows of the coming week, please keep in mind ...

Oftentimes God’s “UH-OH” moments are actually “AH-HA” moments in disguise!

Enjoy this day that God has given you.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan,

Faith-Filled Friday

Oh, I’m so thankful for weekends…and for you for taking the time out to join us for Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Faith-Filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Grab your coffee and your Strand of Faith and let’s go tie some knots in our faith with this Vlog! I’m sure you’ll be able to relate to it.

Just click on this link and enjoy!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0X9vrdrYrmTZVBaM1psYngwZjQ/view

Love,

Evinda

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power & to another beautiful & Thankful Thursday with Trench Classes United.
This is Kat Lange again…Let’s get real.
Put on some comfy clothes (preferably yoga pants, an oversized sweater and some fuzzy socks… my personal faves), grab a venti extra hot Caramel Brulee Latte and stay a while.

Grudges, gossip, animosity, resentment...I don’t think any of those solve any problems. 

Has it helped you?  I am just curious to know if you have ever felt better after holding a grudge?  Has anyone ever said, “Yeah, I don’t like that person” and then been content with themselves in that moment?  Has anyone’s heart been fulfilled when bad-mouthing his or her enemies?

The way I see it is… what’s the point of holding on to the hurt?

Let us not get so caught up in cultural conversation that we forget our true calling. Instead, may the peace of God saturate our hearts and tender our words to one another in kindness.  Not forgiving others leads to instability, in relationships and within our own selves.  Bitterness makes the bones and heart rot.

“In fact, not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.” Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith (1999)

Like anyone else, I have hurts from my past.  To be honest, learning to love and let go is such an emotionally arduous task.  Trying to anchor myself in forgiveness is a hard pill to swallow.  I have to learn that in the end what they did says more about them as a person and I will no longer play into that selfishness.  It is an uphill battle for sure but one that my faith in the Lord is helping me to climb.

I have had to come to terms with how I hurt myself in my past and who I am today and the beauty is: I am ok with me!  My goal is transparency and my hope is for healing.  And as I go through my struggles I realize that there is no way I can move forward with this bitterness in my heart.  Forgiveness is a hard journey, for sure, but one that is so worth it.

Joy cannot thrive in a bitter heart.  Hope cannot flourish in a toxic mind.  True happiness cannot be present where anger resides.  Optimism for a better future can breed the desire for forgiveness.  Do not dwell in the dark places of your pain instead lift your eyes to the light and to the love.

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Thank you for reading friends…

Love,

Kat

Wednesday’s Word

dil·i·gent·ly

Characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort

Have you ever searched for something steadily and earnestly, almost to the point of frustration? I know as I get older I have these brain toots that often send me on an energetic search as I try to find something I put in such a safe place…so safe I can’t find it!

When I think of this word, I can’t help but stop and ask myself, what is it that I pursue “diligently”?

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word @ Trench Classes United.

Hebrews 11:6 says: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. “

I can think of a few things I search for diligently. Just a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I decided to take my writing chair out of the writing room and put it in our living room to add seating for our growing connection group. Ever since then, I’ve been searching with consistent effort for a new chair for my writing room. Or how about that perfect gift for someone; we don’t know what it is until we see it so our search is pretty steady, earnest and energetic, right? How about this one: For some reason, the face of an old high school friend keeps coming into your mind and so where do you go to search him/her out? Well, now we have Google and Facebook, right?

Now let’s keep that type of diligent searching in mind as we think of the things of God. What kinds of things should we be searching for as it relates to our spiritual nourishment?

Coffee Hour Friend, I don’t know about you, but sometimes life can be so fast, that we forget to slow down and search for the things of God, for those God winks, those God-incidences that have His handprint all over them. We can get going so fast, even doing Kingdom work, that we forget to stop and fuel our faith with the things of God, like spending time in His Word, and/or talking with Him first thing in the morning. And later in the day, taking a time out to just sit through an entire worship song and tuning into Him while tuning out the distractions.

Oh, to diligently search for opportunities to be with Him and not be so busy doing things for Him…

Love,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Did you know that one of the Hebrew translations for the word “truth” is “an unveiled reality”? Thanks for joining me today for Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Tuesday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United. Come on in for a moment of truth that I pray will become your unveiled reality.

Have you ever been at a party and they broke out the limbo stick and suddenly before you knew it, you were in line and it was getting close to your turn to twist and contort your body into some form of a pretzel so it would go under the bar without touching it? And when you made it through that first time, you breathed a huge sigh of relief and began planning how you would twist and contort to get under the bar this next time around which would be harder because it was lower, right?

Well, when someone lets us down, do we fall down, like we do in that limbo line when the bar is just too low, or do we get up and rise above the hurt and disappointment?

If we don’t rise above it, is it because we don’t know how to?

Perhaps it’s time to lower our expectations, just like in the limbo line…now, not all the way to the ground, but seriously, think about it: oftentimes we are let down because our expectations are too high.

See, hurt people hurt people…but found people find people! Health recognizes health!

Mark your calendar for January 18, 2018, and join us to learn how to live with expectations that set your relationships up for success!
Love,

Evinda

Monday’s Mantra

I met an elderly lady while grocery shopping for a Thanksgiving turkey. She told me she had lost her husband a year and a half ago and how horribly difficult it had been for her to be without him. She would get up every morning and just go through the motions of her day. Until one day, while listening to her favorite Country Western radio station, she heard Carrie Underwood’s beautiful voice belt out, “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”

Welcome to Coffee Hour at Chicklit Power and Megan’s Monday Mantra with Trench Classes United.

The, now impassioned, elderly lady continued to tell me she had started to ask “Jesus to take the wheel” all of the time, and even though she still missed her husband, she had places to be … like sharing her story with me in the middle of a busy grocery store aisle!

It all sounds so simple, too simple…but, it works! I’ve tried it J

Truthfully, it is simply too easy to lose sight of Jesus. A difficult decision, running behind schedule, reshuffling of plans, an unexpected emergency, even a misplaced cell phone, can easily distract our focus away from Him. Yet, these are the very times we need to call on Him. Truthfully, all times are the very times we need to call on Jesus.  He promised to keep our steps steady by His word. He promised that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

All we need to do is ask...

“Jesus, take the wheel; take it from my hands

Cause I can’t do this on my own. I’m letting go,

So give me one more chance and save me from this road I’m on …

Jesus, take the wheel”

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

Faith-Filled Friday

It’s Faith-Filled Friday! Grab your coffee and your strand of faith for some great knot-tying in and for your faith! Jennifer has a thought-provoking question to ask us…and an answer, her answer to that same question! Come on in for a few!

How would it change your mindset if you suddenly realized that you were born to solve a problem? 

When I was young I would read history books or stories of people who did great things and marvel at what they were able to accomplish.  If only I could do great things.  If only I had a special purpose in life.  That hope was tossed aside by the realities of my life: Parents who often worked late and weren’t home, bullies at school, an abusive husband.  I have often felt unworthy, not good enough and that having a purpose in life was for someone else and not me. 

Then one day I heard… “You are a solution to a God problem.”  It wasn’t a voice from on high but from the pulpit. I had just moved to Florida and it was the second or third time attending this church.  The pastor went on to explain that all of us were created to solve a “God problem.”  Every hard situation, every joy was meant to fulfill that purpose. 

Every person is born with purpose, to solve a God problem.

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” (Proverbs 20:5)

All people are made in the image of God. Each of us are born with a purpose and calling that we can discover… or completely miss. The influence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers gives us insight to His purposes for us.

I have an assignment from God specifically for me.  Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This truth opened up a world of hope and a resolve to discover that plan and achieve it.   I no longer feel like someone tossed about by my experiences.  I feel free to walk out what God has called me to do.

How about you?  Do you feel bound up by the past and/or how you view yourself?  Do you believe God has a special assignment for you?  He does, and He is waiting for you to accept it.

Jennifer

Thursday’s Triumph

When someone steps on your foot, what do you say? Hopefully you say ouch, right?! But what do we do when someone steps on our emotions, our emotional foot, per say?

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Thursday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United. Grab your coffee and come on in for a moment of truth.

After so many times of getting your foot stepped on without any sort of relief, one of two things will happen: Your foot will be so pained, you won’t be able to walk, or…you will finally say ouch and stop people from stepping on it and recreating the pain.

The key is not just in when we say ouch, it’s how we say ouch.

Join us to learn how to live life forgiven and forgiving…for a life lived forgiven is worth living.

Love,

Evinda

Wednesday’s Word

per·spec·tive

“The interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed; also: point of view; the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.” 

Did you know that your perspective can be affected by your perception?  I know; I see you scratching your head so let me make a confession: I honestly thought they were the same thing! Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United. Come on in for what I hope will be a powerful blog that will clear your perception to positively affect your perspective, no matter where you are in life!

I can’t take credit for this breakthrough; it comes from Jason Frenn, the author of Power to Change.  Let me see if I can explain it to you in a way that brings clarity. As the definition states, perspective is where you are physically, emotionally and spiritually when you view something, or someone, and perception is how you interpret what you are looking at, perceiving with your mind and soul, from any given perspective.

For example, we have all read or heard of those amazing stories of a person born into poverty, or a not so positive generational cycle of any type; this equates to their perspective, position and/or placement in life. Now, how they rise above it and make something of themselves because of how they viewed and interpreted their circumstances is their perception. In other words, perception is how we take in whatever we take in. 

Let me share a word picture that comes to mind: There are many arteries and blood vessels (little pipes) that carry oxygen and blood to and from the heart but they can’t do that if there are clogs in the pipes, so to speak. Life can clog those pipes –perspective—and receiving God’s love becomes really difficult, if not impossible for many. (John 3:16) It is NOT because God’s love isn’t powerful enough to clear the clog, but more because their perception needs to receive truth in order to unclog the perspective.

His love is what changes our perception so that no matter what perspective we are viewing our life’s circumstances from, or those of others, our perception doesn’t waver.

Perception can change your perspective.

But how do we change our perception despite our perspective?

God knew there would be so many of His kids born into unhealthy cycles,  incredibly unpleasant circumstances, which is why He left us the precious gift of His Spirit: to change our perception, despite our perspective.  Could it be that when we feed our faith, our perception is able to rise above our perspective?

What will you do today to positively affect your perception in a way that lifts you above your perspective?

Thoughtfully,

Evinda 

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

When someone you look up to lets you down, what in the world do you do?

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Tuesday Trench Truth with Trench Classes United. Grab your coffee and come on in for a moment of truth.

Recently I experienced a disappointment as it relates to a very influential person, but what sickens my heart even more is this person is the most influential in “the church,” and I know what that can do to the perspective of newcomers. 

Why do we fall so hard when those we have esteemed let us down? Could it be that perhaps we have put them on a pedestal that no one should be put upon except our God? Could this be why He tells us to not put our faith in man but in The Son of Man? Could it be that our pride is wounded for having been so deceived and now this person becomes just “another wolf in sheep’s clothing”?

Coffee hour friend, many times when we are let down by those we lifted high, it’s because we see their error as an extension of ourselves! Instead of focusing on the problem we need to kneel to the solution and pray our own souls into transformation as well as the one who has let us down. There truly is no other way.

On that note, if you’ve ever been let down by someone you held up high, why don’t you plan on joining us for the orientation to Living Forgiven, and Forgiving, because a life lived forgiven is worth the living!

I am so excited to meet you there!

Evinda 

Monday’s Mantra

Have you ever told a lie? That is one of the questions on a sales assessment test. If you answer no, you are lying. If you answer yes, you are a liar. The best case scenario…you are an honest lair!

Welcome to Coffee Hour at Chicklit Power and Megan’s Monday Mantra with Trench Classes United.

When I was the age of five, my mother decided it was time to teach me about the consequences of dishonesty. One morning at breakfast she said, “Megan, do you know God knows every time you tell a lie?” “How does He know?” I asked. She answered, “because every time you tell a lie, there is a light that blinks on and off in Heaven.” I had to take a few moments to think about that … and then I asked, “Mom, do you ever lie?” “Of course not!” she proclaimed. “Mom,” I replied, “I think there is a light blinking on and off in Heaven!”

A comical childhood memory, yes, but not without thought-provoking implications. What is the difference between a half truth and a white lie? Are we able to speak the truth if we are not able to be truthful with ourselves? Can we be totally honest without sacrificing the feelings of others? Does saving someone’s feelings actually save them from the truth?

I am currently studying “Speaking the Truth in Love; How to Be an Assertive Christian” in my Stephen Ministry class. Speaking the truth in love means being genuinely honest, direct, and open when relating to others. Assertive behavior is built on the principles of respect, truth and honesty. We are called to be honest with God, ourselves, and those with whom we love, live, and work. When we express our thoughts, feelings and preferences, in an honest, direct, and respectful manner, we empower others to do so as well. The Christ-centered, assertive Christian is one of wholeness and integrity; a person whose words and behaviors are consistent with his or her beliefs and values – a person who accurately reflects on the outside what is on the inside… a person who lives his or her truth out of love and respect for God, themselves, and others.

I pray, Dear Lord, that we may grow and blossom into this kind of Christian, so that our behavior may bring honor to You and to the whole Body of Christ. 

“But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head – Christ” Ephesians 4:15 

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan