Tuesday’s Trench Truth

If we’re not willing to grow individually, how can we grow together? Without a healthy you there can’t be any healthy us Join us to learn how to Embrace your identity and rise above relational chaos [link]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zflj8Qe_ofQ&feature=youtu.be

Monday’s Mantra

Hurrying up to Wait

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. It’s Monday’s Mantra! Grab your coffee or your favorite break-time beverage and join me.

I was going to ask you if you have ever had to wait for something, but then I thought how silly of me; of course you have! Everyone has had to wait for one thing or another, and the intensity of the wait, I think is defined by the intensity of the thing we are waiting for. Does that make sense? Now, there are the everyday things we wait for: waiting in line at the grocery store, at the bank, the gas station, fast-food place, and even in restaurants we wait for them to come take our order. How do you handle the waiting? While technology has crippled us in some ways, I have to say I’ve learned to make good use of my handy-dandy cell phone; it’s like having an office in my hands…at my fingertips. I might check my email, return an email, send out an encouraging text message as someone comes to mind, or even play a quick game of solitaire or candy crush! This makes the waiting so much more productive and much less irritating…unless I’m getting my butt kicked in a game of course! J

But what about those real life-changing things we wait for: a grade from a test, a job, a promotion, a diagnosis, a cure? And many times there’s a not-so-obvious thing we wait for…others to change. Now that’s some serious waiting. How do we wait?

Well, as I write this, from my heart to yours, I am actually waiting for an MRI result for my husband. For the most part, I’ve done okay before the MRI, but as the hours slipped by ever so slowly after the MRI, which was done on an emergency basis, by the way, I became a bit derailed in my waiting, wanting to go to any other waiting room in life but this one. The anxiety came and went, and as the day ended with no answer, my anxiety lessened because of knowing WHO I wait with.

Over and over His Word would dance into my mind, beating on the doors of my heart: I know the plans I have for you (Jer. 29:11)…The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. Do not be discouraged or dismayed (Deut. 31:8)…In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome them all! (John 16:33). Coffee Hour friend, can you see what I see? Do you see what these three (and any other promise) has in common? HE’S WAITING WITH US! We do not wait alone!

So in the waiting rooms of life, whatever they may be, the waiting is made easier when we remember WHO waits with us! I truly believe that WHO we wait with definitely affects what we wait for and how we wait for it!

Waiting,

Evinda

Faith Filled Fridays

Hello and welcome back everyone to Faith Filled Friday. How's everyone doing out there? I really mean that. How are you? I often wonder about people I see walking to a destination or driving on a road to come to the same red light and wait, driving the same bridge as our minds mindlessly ponder many things. Have you ever pulled up to someone and watch their expressions as they sit and wait? I see so many different facial expressions and feelings on people's faces when I do this. Something in me wants to reach out and just ask: "How are you?" I love it when someone takes the time to ask that of me. I often feel that so many people have something truly burdening them, yet they still function day to day. I myself admit to being one of these people. So are we controlled by our fears? Again I find myself admitting that yes I am one of these people. 

I once read: "Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness." I often wonder what my life would be like if I could just jump over the things that developed these fears within me. What would it be like to enjoy a new epiphany of freedom and happiness? Is this the kind that our God above would love to see us live and explore?

It has taken me years of this life to understand more of just what kind of love God has for us. I find a freedom and happiness knowing that I never have to question God like I used to; that his freedom and ultimate happiness is with us. If God can love us, shouldn't we be able to love ourselves?

This year I am already taking on new tasks like learning how to organize time and certain aspects of my life a little better, things that might not be incredibly life-changing as much as they are more life-helping. So far I have found a lot of happiness in it and, yes, even a freedom in it.

Join me in praying this week that we may find the strength to take the smallest of steps because I suspect that when we look back, we just may find that they were bigger than we originally thought and recognize the beautiful bridge that spans the in-between of heart and soul.

Much love and heartfelt freedom, everyone!

John Tam

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Do you think that what is wrong in your significant relationships is all about the other person? Join us to learn how to be a better  you in any of your relationships!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvZyy0wCC6w&feature=youtu.be

Wednesday’s Word

I Can See Clearly Now

“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8

Welcome to Wednesday’s Word with Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. Grab your favorite break-time beverage, and your Strand of Faith, and let’s go tie some knots in our strand of faith. I don’t know about you, but I yearn to see things more clearly.

I woke up to the sound of rain and my mind filled with dread. It was event day and though we had heard about these storms coming, I had prayed that He would hold them back, not let them interfere with people coming to our Night of Purpose. I sat up and willed myself to begin the day on a positive foot, to step down in faith and not let this rain consume me. I actually love the rain; it’s one of my favorite writing ambiances, but NOT TODAY, my mind screamed! My husband’s words of “I’m not going to drive all the way to Chino in this rain” threatened to send me back upstairs to bed…but I slowly descended the stairs one stair at a time, my only goal: The Keurig coffee maker!

My husband made it first and I got distracted by my phone, which is normally off but it was going off! So I dared to look at it and the first message: “I’m sorry but if it’s pouring down rain tonight, we will not be coming.”

See, Lord! I told you if it’s raining people aren’t going to want to come, let alone make any effort to come.

I got my coffee and went into my writing room, the place where I sit still with Him daily. Again, my daily devotional is talking about seeking His face…but all I can see is the rain! I kept reading and something turned the light on in the darkness of my soul:  “I am the goal of all your searching. When lesser goals capture your attention, I fade into the background of your mind.”

BINGO! The light is on; somebody’s home. The possibility of rain, as well as other concerns, worked like an invisible hand moving my head in the direction of my fears and away from His face!

Here’s another a-ha that my soul received and one for your to check out for yourself: many scriptures speak of His glory when referring to His face, reminding us that because of His glory we can’t really see His face so could it be that in ALL things He just longs for us to long for His will, His glory which is revealed when we seek His presence?

Oh, my goodness, I get so excited when His word comes alive in my life! Oh, and by the way, He did hold back the rain – it was supposed to rain all day – and we had an amazing event with 17 new sign-ups for our next Trench Class! That has NEVER happened before and I know that I know why it happened: Because I sat in His presence and saw His glory and He changed my heart and I can see clearly now!

Love,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Relationships can really rob us of our serenity! Join us to learn how to accept others and yourself…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGHc-v1aEqs&feature=youtu.be

Monday’s Mantra

What Do You See When You Look at Me?

Welcome to Monday’s Mantra @ Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. I’m delighted you could join us for a bit of encouragement for the journey. Grab your break-time drink and your strand of faith and let’s go tie some knots together.

When asked if you know someone, and you don’t really remember if you do, usually we ask what they look like, right? Or when a guy or girl is going to meet a possible candidate for a date for the first time at the insistence of a “caring” friend who wants to set them up, usually the first question out of their mouth is, “What do they look like?” Oh, I just had another thought: what do people see when they look at me and how do they describe me? Yikes…let’s not go there! J J J

Have you ever wondered what Jesus looks like? We know Hollywood paints him as a guy with close-to-shoulder-length brownish hair, a beard to match, prominent cheek bones, beautiful gently piercing eyes and an incredible smile. I really don’t buy into the depictions of others as far as what He looks like, but maybe it’s time I start seeking His face more.  “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8

Too many times to count I’ve ready scriptures that instruct on seeking His face and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever taken any scripture concerning this subject literally. I mean, it’s not like He’s a stranger to me, but how can we seek His face when we don’t really know what He looks like?

And then it hits me…it’s not His appearance you’re seeking, silly, but His presence! Ohhhh, ding, ding, ding! The light is on!

Abba, teach me how to seek Your face as I strive to turn off the distractions that often interfere with my vision of your presence!

Love,

Evinda

Faith Filled Friday

Hello and welcome back everyone. Good to be back after being under the weather last week. Today I had a friend that typed up on social media that she had a smog test and had inadvertently taken in the wrong car. I wondered how that could happen, but I think her and her husband switch out which car they use frequently. It seemed so funny to me as I could envision the smog tech looking at her like she was really out of it for the day. I have come to love people who are not afraid to let the things they do that are a bit silly hang out for others to laugh. These things can cheer me up when I am quite down. After reading her post, I caught myself wondering if God has this clever way of letting us be the silly humans we are just so that we can make another person smile or laugh. 

To me that's the magic of life. We don't always need the cruise, or the concert or the expensive outing. Sometimes life is just great when we have friends that share life with us. Sometimes they share things with us that are sad as well. It's all a wavelength that I believe God wants us to ride, to be there for one another, but also to laugh with each other.

I am trying to overcome my isolation bit by bit. I want to be part of this network... the one where I not only inhale oxygen, but emotions, things that are funny. I have still maintained some form of networking to the world and friends, but it's been so long since I made new friends out there in the world. It's been so long since I dipped my feet in the cold water of a lake or even the ocean. It’s been so long since I absorbed in the way that I once did. I want to take it all in. I want to feel it not only in the heart but on the tips of my fingers all the way down to my toes. 

It's so funny how something someone wrote can make us think, and drive us to get out in the car and write a blog to the sound of the rain pitter-pattering on my car. Oh, it’s so peaceful. It feels good to write to you all in a different light, under a different roof, right in the middle of a storm. Isn’t it funny the things that can set off a wave of thought and send our thoughts scampering all over the place. And isn’t it remarkable the things we do that can have an effect upon others’?

Life is so much better when we don't miss these moments of expression and absorption. So please share those moments with your friends and family. They might seem small and irrelevant but they are truly the great little spices of life.

Much love to inhale and take in from above my friends... Be well.

John

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Do relationships interfere with your peace? Tonight’s the night! Join us for A Night of Purpose and learn how to live in peace!

https://youtu.be/r57y5GI16LQ

Wednesday’s Word

Walk Like a Blind Man

Deuteronomy 5:33: “You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.”

It’s hump day! Only a couple days before the weekend! Welcome to Wednesday’s Word, a time of sharing from my heart to yours some way in which the scriptures came alive for me and in me in this journey that seems to pick up speed the older I get! Grab your drink and your strand of faith and come on in!

So I have another train story for you from last week. It would seem that that is one of my major classrooms in the playground of life! Come with me to Los Angeles again. 

She was already on the train by the time I got on. I saw her struggling with her phone and heard her saying “Is it on? Is it on?” I walked to her seat, bent over to glance at her phone and saw her walking stick first. Then I looked at her phone that she was holding up, and I could tell it wasn’t charging, so I checked the plug. It was plugged in but it wasn’t talking with her phone. I unplugged it and re-plugged it into the other plug. It worked! Her smile was my reward. “Thank you.” “You are so welcome” I offered as I made it back to my seat.

I didn’t give her or anything else much thought as I sat down and pulled out my laptop…and worked up until the second to the last stop and I put my computer away and sat back to relax for a bit. The conductor’s voice startled me because it wasn’t over the speaker; nor was it giving instructions to us about the upcoming stop, with reminders to look around and make sure we have everything. No, instead I opened my eyes to find him right there…almost in my face!

“I need a favor.”
“Sure!”

Do you know Kathy?”

“Who?”

“Kathy,” and he pointed to the blind lady.

“Oh, no, why?”

“Oh, I saw you talking with her earlier so I assumed you knew her.” I just smiled

“Can you walk her to the tunnel so she gets to where she needs to go?”

I didn’t hesitate a bit. “Absolutely.”

He made his way to his speaker phone and I got ready to help Kathy.

I walked up to her seat and announced I was there to help her get to the tunnel. “Oh, great, thank you,” her joy evident in her voice. I watched her ever so methodically unplug her charger, wrap it and feel in her bag for its spot, zip up her bag and then she fumbled, hunched over for her walking stick. I almost bent down to get it but she found it right before I did.

She stood up and for a moment I felt awkward; after all, I had never helped a blind lady before. What made it even more challenging is I had all my court reporting gear in my roller-bag but it’s quite heavy and bulky. I wasn’t sure if I was to grab her by the arm or her grab me but when I felt her grab my arm, the unasked question was answered.

We hobbled toward the door of the train, and I almost tripped, and she asked “What was that?” I explained that I had a case I was trying to drag along that had all my court reporting stuff. Well, that opened a door for the awkwardness to leave and conversation to take place, arm in arm, her walking stick swaying in front of her, assuring her of her next step.

We entered the tunnel, arm in arm, her asking questions about court reporting and sharing with me that she had actually looked into it. “So is that what you do with your days,” she asked. “Some days,” I replied. I asked if she was going to work or was there some other reason she was on the train and she told me she was down here applying for jobs. She had to get on the Red Line and take it all the way to the last stop. I had to get on Red Line and get off on the fourth stop. This was no coincidence but a God-incidence!

As we made our way down one escalator, then another, and then one more before getting on the Red Line, it became apparent to me that she was walking as though she undeniably trusted me and it caught my breath for a moment and I couldn’t shake that thought as I got her situated in the handicapped seat and stood close to her until it was my time to get off.

Her presence never left my mind that day as I pondered the whisper: That is how I want you to walk…with Me, totally dependent on Me, even though you know not where you are going!

I am left to wonder, who got the greater blessing, her or me?
Blindly,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Everyone has a “love-hurts” story; join us to explore yours!


https://youtu.be/8hvONU7V0X8

Monday’s Mantra

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. I’m incredibly grateful that you chose to join us for Monday’s Mantra. Grab your coffee, or whatever you’re having, and grab your Strand of Faith © and let’s go tie some knots in our faith together.

Have you ever had to be reminded of something over and over again? I really hate that feeling of forgetfulness which in a split second turns to frustration. Do you know what I’m talking about? When I think back on the recent times this has happened, it usually has something to do with humility! 

Without going into explicit details, I’ve had this “issue” and of course it involves another person; how could it not?! J But for years, I’ve determined in my heart that they were the problem and recently I discovered that I am actually a big part of the problem too! Oh, the sting is still there as I write this and yet, there is hope for this particular situation, now that this has been unveiled and become my truth. Oh, that word just reminded me of something and we must take this little detour: Did you know that one of the translations for truth in Hebrew means “unveiled truth”? See, what my truth is for me may not be your truth, but if one is earnestly seeking our Father for truth, He is faithful and just to unveil it for us…and when that unveiling happens, humility swoops down, ever so gently to clean up the mess that living a lie left.

Maybe that explains it for though I’ve had many lessons in the classroom of life on this very deep subject, I’ve come to realize that humility is like an ocean…never-ending. It’s like a must in the tool-belt of life, a condiment to have in all conversations and interactions. Humility, like an ocean, can soothe the hurting soul of both the giver and receiver. Humility has the power to ease tension, to crash into walls and bring them down, to build bridges where there is a chasm.  Humility is accepted everywhere all the time. What if…we were to humble ourselves in times of frustration, and just give the other person the benefit of the doubt, reminding ourselves that they are doing the best that they can with their truth? Oh, Coffee Hour Friend, then we would be walking scripture!  1^ST Peter 3: “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit…” and “walk humbly with your God.”^{Micah 6:8c}

Walking humbly,

Evinda

Faith Filled Friday

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and thanks so much for taking time out of your day to join us for our Faith Filled Friday, which really is about strengthening our faith in the journey of life. IF you’re new to this blog, grab yourself a red piece of yarn about 18 inches long; this is your Strand of Faith and every time you read something that encourages you in your faith, tie a knot! After a few weeks of joining us for Coffee Hour, you can hold up your Strand of Faith and hopefully it will be filled with knots; just like your faith, unlikely to unravel! Let’s get started.

There is a double edged sword to being in ministry because what I teach, I must live and as I write from my heart to yours, I have to tell you, I have told/taught my trench students over and over again to pay attention to the emotional dashboard, analogizing it to the dashboard in our cars! Well, hello! A couple of weeks ago, my car was trying to tell me something and I was too busy to listen! Really!?!  Yes, because I was too busy, and didn’t make the time to take the time, I blew right by the warning signs.

A few days after telling my husband the first time, I got in my car…in a hurry, and saw the light again. Hey, at least I was slowing down enough to see it! I dug into my memory bank, deeper … farther … oh, yeah, there it is! I remembered! This light was trying to tell me something about my tire; that’s right. I breathed a sigh of relief and pushed it back, though not as far down, but still down the hallway of my mind, moving on to my next destination. It could wait for later, I thought. Besides, the car felt fine. I didn’t feel anything different.

Well, later didn’t come until a week later, and only after my husband had asked me, for the “inth” time, if I had gotten it taken care of and got tired of hearing me say, “I haven’t had time,” did he take it to our local tire place. When he came home, he was a tiny bit irritated with me, letting me know that, unbeknownst to me, my tire was screaming for help and what apparently started as a little hole, became a bigger one and had to be replaced!

How in the world did my car even know that? As I realized the possible ramifications and just how many angels He must have had watching over me as I went here and there and everywhere on the crazy freeways of California, and how wonderful my husband is to take care of things I just don’t make the time to take the time for…my heart squeezed with humble joy, knowing I am loved that much. Oh, how I take so many things for granted.

I hugged my honey, and thanked him for taking care of it for me, for making me feel taken care of as well, and didn’t think too much more about it…until the next day when I got in the car to go to a meeting that required some freeway driving.

I don’t even remember where it was I was going; all I remembered noticing a difference in how the car drove! It was ever so slight, but I noticed that the ride was smoother and there wasn’t this pull … to the right.

That made me think; wow, life can be like that, right? Little by little, day by day, if we don’t do our tune-ups, do our maintenance, meet with our Maker, aka the Tour Guide, life can tend to pull us off track, off the narrow road and onto a path more traveled, and before we know it, we are going with the flow and against God’s will. When that happens, Coffee Hour Friend, stop, right where you are and allow yourself to be guided back to the narrow road!

Love from above,

Evinda  

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Troubled people stir up trouble. Join us for A Night of Purpose to discover why! [link]

Wednesday’s Word

Humility Brings Redemption

1^st Peter 5:6-7: Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you

Happy Wednesday and thanks for joining us for Wednesday’s Word @ Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. Grab your favorite break time drink and your strand of faith. We’ve got some knots to tie to insure our faith doesn’t unravel in the process of achieving humility.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a true story that told on myself, that I was so focused on my own agenda that I only half participated in a divine appointment, missing the opportunity to really share Jesus with a 14-month cancer patient, a lady who seemed so vivacious, joyful that learning she had cancer was almost incredulous…but after listening to her for several stops on the train ride, I knew she was being truthful. And her good-bye really clinched it when she got off earlier than I suspected and thanked me for listening…but I hadn’t given her both ears!

Anyway, I did reach out to her via text and voicemail but have not heard back. Talk about a dose of humility. But this mistake has been bathed in God’s grace, and no, I haven’t been given a second chance with that lady,; however, a week later, while getting ready to board the train, focused yet again on all I wanted to accomplish, He interrupted me, reminding me of my missed opportunity the week saying, not if I have another divine appointment for you and a different plan. Enter humility and please, sit for a while!

My attention went to an African-American guy who approached me asking if I would buy his ticket for cash as he was now getting a ride. “I already purchased mine. Thank you.”

I watched as he got his cash from someone else, and then tried to bamboozle somebody else and then a young lady went up to the machine and he followed her. I watched him and you know how you get that gut feeling that something isn’t right? Well, that overwhelmed me and moved me at the same time. I looked down and immediately recognized her case; it looked like a court reporting case. I tapped her on the shoulder. “Are you a court reporter?”

Her smile warmed my heart and answered my question. She quickly affirmed me and I whispered to her to keep getting her own ticket; that this guy was up to no good. I stayed with her and we walked toward the train together. I explained that I had witnessed that guy approaching several people and heard him lie differently each time. She was very thankful and followed me to the car I chose, and sat right across from me. We talked the ENTIRE way to Los Angeles! I wasn’t about to miss this divine appointment! I was blown away by her story. It always amazes me that I don’t need to look far to discover stories of wounding, addiction, failed relationships. And her story involved all of that and more.

She had obviously worked through a lot of her stuff but still has doubts, concerns and relational struggles, all things that a relationship with Christ could/would heal. I did share the reality of the necessity of a loving God, His grace that had gotten me thus far. We exchanged numbers just before arriving at L.A. Union Station, and as I said good-bye to her, I knew in my heart that it wasn’t good-bye, that I would be seeing her again, because I had not missed this appointment, there was a dual blessing: hers and mine!

Incidentally, we have been in touch, several times and she is coming to our Night of Purpose on January 19^th. I can’t wait to see her and share how she was an answer to one of my cares that appointment day!

Humbled,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Love is the greatest debt to be in…but is not meant to bankrupt you!

Join us for A Night of Purpose [link]

Monday’s Mantra

Humility Brings Victory

1stPeter 5:6-7: Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. We are off to a great start for a great year. Did you know that 17 is a number that means overcoming and victory? Whew, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a year of overcoming and victory! Grab your coffee, or whatever you’re having, and your strand of faith and let’s go tie some knots together.

What’s the first thing you think or feel when you read/hear this word, humility? My guess is your first instinct may not be so positive, at least not as beautiful as humility was meant to be. Years ago, I prayed for this virtue…whew, what a season! J J I’ve come to learn that this fruit of the Spirit is one that tries to sneak away…often, and I do mean often!  Why is that? Because we have this house of flesh that consistently needs to be shushed!  It’s not something that you just tweak your nose, snap your fingers, or push a 30-second button and voila, we are humbled! I mean, we can be humbled that quick; but the problem is pushing the pause button so humility stays with us in and through all circumstances. Yes, I have learned, albeit the hard way, that humility is like salt to a tasteless meal; it adds flavor; it makes everything better!

In fact, humility helps me to hang on to my Christianity and prevents me from getting on my broom and rising above others as I take a fast spin around my circumstances.

What does “humbling yourself” look like?

I’ll never forget an experience I had when I read 1stPeter 5:6. The crazy thing is I had read it a year prior, even wrote a blog on it as I was struggling with wondering why my first book wasn’t being picked up by an agent/publisher so I thought He was saying in due time. But months later, when I was brought back to it, He gave me another meaning that spoke much louder than the first one. What He was speaking this time literally rendered me humbled: In due time, through this season of seeking humility, He would lift me up and out of… myself! Yes, the scriptures are God-breathed and useful for teaching and correcting. The only way we can know this is by showing up each day to have our eyes and ears opened, offering up a sacrifice of time.

The Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines humility in this way: “The quality or state of not thinking you are better than others. A couple weeks ago, I shared a painful truth about staying focused on my own agenda on my train ride to work and how I only half-participated in a divine appointment. Because I was not humble, I missed out, and have felt the sting of that since it happened. I can’t wait to share with you the redemption of that humbling mistake.

I have learned firsthand that God will humble us not to hurt us but to help us. He is more concerned about our humility than our happiness… and He will do what He needs to do to achieve this virtue in us. Join me Wednesday for a sort of redemption of my mistake and Him giving me a “retake”!

Humbly,

Evinda

Faith Filled Friday

Hello and welcome back to Faith Filled Friday's.

I find myself thinking back over the last year. Surely it’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, not only for myself but many others. As we walk into the freshness of a new year I reflect on the things I have learned, felt, struggled, and come through with a newer perspective, through prayer, a trench class, and even some from heartbreak. With every breath, there’s been a healing. God provided us not only 365 days to wake into, but walk, run, think and feel through. I can't help but feel grateful for the every breath of life. 

I ask you my friends, what might you gather from 2016, good or bad; how has it changed you? Despite so many events that we have not seen at the levels they rose too, I pray that we all can rise into a place where we put it into a spiritual perspective and ultimately grow from. That ability to do so means we have loved ourselves enough to grow not only for ourselves but for God as well.

For 2017, let us commit to pray for the world, our loved ones and for ourselves; that peace can reside within each of us; that we gain empathy and understanding for others; that we lose not our gratitude.

I cannot wait to kick start 2017!

Much love and God bless my fellow Trencher's! Here’s to an amazing 2017 for you and your family. Happy New Year!

John

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. Click on the link for a one-minute message and special invitation, from my heart to yours...
https://youtu.be/ExsbkC48yiA

Wednesday’s Word

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. It’s our first 

Wednesday of the New Year and I’m so happy you chose to set aside a couple of minutes for some encouragement in your journey from my heart to yours.

This time of year always leaves me a bit nostalgic. Now, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, per say, but I do choose anywhere from one to three words to live by for the year, and they usually involve areas of my life that need improvement. This year I have two: balance and gentleness – that last one has been a work in progress for over five years now! There are certain times when I dare to look back on how I handled a trouble or trial and I still see a bull in a china cabinet! J So until that vision is no longer there, gentleness will be something on my “to-learn” list.  

Balance is something I yearn for, and I love one of the Merriam Webster’s definitions for it which is: “mental and emotional steadiness.” We can’t have emotional or mental steadiness when we are not staying in the moments. The older I get, the more I want to stay in the moments, not only that, but while in the moments, I long to push pause so I can enjoy them even longer, like when my son and daughter-in-law came out the day after Christmas with our grandchildren. Oh, I can still hear the echoes of their laughter, such a beautiful noise.

I saw something on Facebook last week as I was scrolling through my newsfeed and I thought it was worthy of sharing with you. It’s from a sweet sister, Diane Huntsman who definitely has a gift for sharing her heart:

“I'm one of those who love New Year’s resolutions. The fresh start and motivation to make changes just gets me super stoked. I don't go into the New Year expecting to fail; I go in eager to try to make needed change in my life. I think where we tend to fail or fall off the New Year’s resolution wagon is keeping the patience it takes to really bring about true change. Think about this: when a doctor gives a diagnosis for a heart that's in bad shape and in danger of heart failure, the patient has to get serious about life changes, changes that take time, dedication, and include daily choices to eat different, exercise, get rid of as much stress as possible, on and on.

“Most change does not happen at the push of a button, a snap of the finger or even a twinkle of an eye or twitch of the nose J  When we want that beach body, we can't just eat right and work out for a week; it takes a lifestyle change, tons of workouts and daily denying self of unhealthy eating habits. Changing our spiritual heart is no different; it takes time, time spent in the presence of Christ, time spent renewing the mind in truth, time spent with Christ-like individuals who mentor us in the ways we are to emulate.

My long-winded speech here is simply this: Our instant society has convinced us that change can occur instantly; however, that is not the case for so many things. So many really important changes take time, dedication, denying self and patience in the process. We can't just give up when we don't see the results as fast as we want to”…

Yes, I agree with Diane, that we’ve become a microwave society, push a button and get it done! And when it doesn’t happen, oftentimes we throw in the towel. But I have such good news for you: whether making New Year’s resolutions, or wanting to focus on a word or two to bring about change in our lives and hearts, we can succeed if we take this truth in and let it root in our heart and bloom in our life. It has to do with the root word for resolve, which is also part of the root for resolution: reso, and its meaning in Hebrew is astounding, the best kept secret ever. “reso” means: To partner with the Holy Spirit!

So whether it’s a word or two or a resolution, why not invite Him into the change…you will be amazed and that’s a promise!
Love,

Evinda

Tuesday's Trench Truth and special Invitation

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. Click on the link for a one-minute message and special invitation, from my heart to yours...

https://youtu.be/a_lsefRgoY8

Monday’s Mantra

Your ride is coming to an end.

Please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened.

When the clock hits 12, you will be allowed to exit to the right.

You will then take the first day of this New Year and follow the line to the 2017 track.

As you make your way over to the New Year’s track, please remember to do the following:

    Let go of bitterness and resentment.

•  Leave past failures behind and take only what you learned from them with     you.
•  Drop negativity in the trashcan to your right. And if you didn’t quite get rid of it all, no worries; there will be another trashcan on your left just ahead.
•  Look through old wounds and weaknesses. For some of you, you only need to resolve to dump the old wound or weakness and it will be gone. There will be a dumpster up ahead to throw it in. Remember to not look back. For those of you who have a hard time letting go and require more work than that, we will be exploring that in the new ride.
• Any doctrine that doesn’t line up with His love letters has got to go. If you still have questions, there will be a few tracks to explore the truths in the new ride.
•  Let go of that attitude of poverty and throw it in the burning bush just before you enter the car for the new ride. His monetary and non-monetary blessings await you in and through every new circumstance you will encounter on our ride in the New Year.

Some things you will want to take with you as you enter this new ride:

•  Faith; it only needs to be the size of a mustard seed, but remember, that means “pure” faith with no mixed doctrine!
•  2016’s greatest memories.
•  Any valuable lessons you learned from your previous rides/years
•  Your favorite life verse, and if you don’t have one yet, get one before entering. Ask a friend for help or just open up “the Book!”
•  Resolve realistically. Don’t make resolutions you have no intention on keeping but when you resolve – which is to partner with the Holy Spirit—you will succeed in all you endeavor on this ride through 2017.
•  An attitude of gratitude- it will take you up the impending hills of the new ride.
•  Kindness- you will need this for the strangers you will meet as well as for the people who are unkind.
• Peace is essential and cannot be found on the side of the track but it is within you as you take time to sit and be still in the ride.
• Joy-though it may tend to get a bit buried with the upcoming twists and turns in the New Year, just remember to stir it up with one of His promises and/or your life verse.
•  Grace-there will be many people in this ride with you that will need your unmerited favor, just as it has been given to you. Take plenty of this with you before you get in the ride! There will be grace stations along the way to replenish.
•  Love-this is the greatest and most important virtue to bring with you as we enter into the New Year for to love others is to have accepted His gift of love and grace to you.

Fasten your seat-belts, friends . . . Here we go!

Love and laughter,

Evinda