We have to look into the pain to see the beauty on the other side -EL

^{Galatians 2:20} I have been crucified with Christ…

I remember when I first read that and thought what in the world? How in the world?

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith-Filled Friday with Trench Classes United.

Have you ever seen that movie The Passion? I’ll never forget when I did and how I finally understood why all the bad that happened on crucifixion Friday really led to what we celebrate as Good Friday. It is true that we won’t ever endure what He has in all aspects of life; however, we are afforded, on a daily basis, at a minimum, the opportunity to partake in His crucifixion.

How? I’m glad you asked.

Each and every time we die to the desires of our flesh that are not pleasing to Him, in other words, things that we wouldn’t do if He were in front of us, things that we would never do, say or even think if we saw Him looking, we participate in that crucifixion and validate the necessity of all He did on the cross and off!

When we participate in His crucifixion, we can say with joy the rest of this verse: “--and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

May this Good Friday be the beginning of a true understanding of what it is to be crucified with Christ.

Love,

Kim-Evinda

Why do we wait until things are bad to try & make them better?

“I didn’t know that things were so bad that we had to take a class,” she repeated for me. I sat and listened as she recounted the rest of her reasons for not returning to our current class, seriously wanting to scream with exasperation…but I didn’t. J

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Invitation Thursday with Trench Classes United.

What came out of my mouth was the cry of my heart: Why do we think we have to wait until things are really bad to try and make them better?

The truth is we can never over-understand the ones we love, and there’s always someone in our world needing a little bit more of our understanding. There’s no such thing as a “perfect” relationship, but there are tools to use to get you closer.

Join us for a eye-opening, heartwarming, life-changing relationship event:

A need to talk about others is a reflection of what’s going on inside of us! -EL

It’s that time of year when we look to the cross with more intensity and appreciation to reflect upon all that our Father sacrificed, all that Jesus endured before getting to the cross, on the cross and even afterwards as He descended into hell to pay, once and for all, the debt for us despite us. Why? So we may dwell with Them when we finish our race here on earth.

Thanks for joining me today for Wednesday’s Word and our Coffee Hour! Grab your Coffee, journal and your Strand of Faith and join me for what I pray will be a knot-worthy sharing for you in your faith journey!

Have you ever said you’ve forgiven someone for an offense only to find that the next time that anything that even remotely reminds you of it, resentment, re-ignites the flame of un-forgiveness? Of course, it was all in the name of “just sharing,” right?

And what about challenging circumstances: when something comes up that reminds you of your current dilemma and frustration takes the reins of your thoughts and runs like a champion thoroughbred, do you ever realize that before you know it, everyone knows about it? And suddenly that little hill of a trial becomes a mountain!

If there’s one lesson I seem to be forgetting more than I’m getting, especially lately, is that the more I talk about a problem the bigger it gets until I no longer see the Cross!

Oh, don’t you ever feel like your mind and heart need to be spiritually, scripturally sanitized? That’s what is so awe-inspiring about His Word, because it not only sanitizes, but revolutionizes the soul and brings all that was accomplished on the Cross back into focus.

In the beginning of this week, I used this same verse to talk about gossip, but then He gave me this life application as it relates to faith-ing through our circumstances. What a beautiful way of saying let go, let God, and gently but quite firmly reminding me that I don’t need to keep adding wood to my tough circumstances by talking about them – in the name of venting. Sometimes we can get so caught up with venting that we lose sight of all that was done on the Cross to provide, protect and prevail over each and every one of our circumstances and relationships!

Let’s have some fun with the NIV version of this verse, Proverbs 26:20a:

Without wood a fire goes out – think about it; can a fire burn without wood? Of course not! This part of this instruction is telling us to minimize what we tend to maximize, and it can be applied to relationships and circumstances!

Maybe it’s time to minimize what I tend to maximize, and keep my eye on the Cross!

Oh, the beauty of scriptural sanitization and the power of His Words to us underlined with the gift of grace, all to bring us closer to Him, not push us away.

He loves you and me so much, He died for us!

Kim-Evinda

GOSSIP IS POISON; WE EITHER SPEW IT BY SPEAKING IT OR DRINK IT BY LISTENING TO IT!

The more we talk about somebody to somebody when that somebody isn’t there, the more wood we add to the fire of unhealthy relationships. How does gossip contribute to unhealthy relationships? Those who speak it spew out the poison of gossip for the listeners to drink it.

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Invitation Tuesday with Trench Classes United.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just go right to the person we’re talking about and share what we’re talking about? Why stops us from doing that? Why do we feel the need to gossip? Is it to “feel” accepted, part of something bigger than you? Perhaps the way you were loved didn’t prepare you for healthy relational interaction. It’s not too late to learn! Join us for this one-day seminar that is guaranteed to better your significant relationships through understanding your own story!

The more we meet with Him, the easier it is to hear Him in the loudness of life -EL

“How did you end up here?” the Oncology Nurse questioned, after reviewing my unremarkable medical history. “Divine intervention,” I replied. Her eye brows frowned at me over the rim of her glasses. “You must have had some symptoms,” she replied...

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

Truth be known, I did have one significant symptom – and that was the Lord prompting me to get off my hind-end and go to the doctor for a chest ex-ray!

My seasonal allergies did feel worse than normal and I was a bit more tired than usual, but

 “In the World According to Dave” (that would be my husband), these were just normal signs of aging. Plus, I was still mourning the loss of my Mother. I credited feeling less than my best to emotional distress or depression - until one early morning, when the Lord’s prompting broke through.

After a heated argument with my Doctor who believed that my stuffed-up nose and congestion-free lungs did not warrant a chest ex-ray, he relented and wrote the order. Forty-eight hours later I was summoned back for more tests. The diagnosis of probable early stage non-smoker’s lung cancer and major lung surgery was the result.

I was healthy - I was symptomless - and it is rare to detect early stage lung cancer.

WHAT IF I HAD FAILED TO FOLLOW THE PROMPTING OF THE LORD? I would not be cancer free today.

How do we know it is God prompting us and not just something we conjured up ourselves? That is always my biggest concern. Scripture tells us we were created to know God in a personal way. In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” We were created to have a relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Everything starts and ends with our relationship with Him.

It is through our personal relationship with God, that we become sensitive to the promptings of His Spirit. 

“I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”  (Psalm16:7-8 NASB)

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

Name Calling!

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United and our Faith-Filled Friday. I decided to have a little fun with you today and give you an exercise that’s sure to change your perspective. Come on in.

It was a Thursday morning, trench class day, and as I not so springy sprung out of bed, my mind began racing with the ‘to-dos’ for the day, so much so that by the time I made it to the coffee pot, my adrenalin was already running as if I’d had my morning dose of caffeine!  I made my two cups anyway, grabbed my rice cake with almond butter and raspberry jam, and off to my writing room I went.

I sat down, grabbed my little I-Pod, scrolled through the list of music, chose an album and as the music filtered out into my soul I realized I needed my quiet time more than anything. So I just sat, allowing the words to penetrate and thereafter flood my soul, inviting the presence of the very One I was there to worship. As I called out for Him, I began to call Him names…names that had significant meaning to me! Surely you didn’t think I meant naughty names? J Speaking these names of adoration out loud is a form of a powerful creation within us, just like when God spoke creation into existence (Genesis 1:1-5)

This name-calling type of worship not only ushered in His presence, it reassured my soul while reminding me of all that He has become to me, through it all, every single circumstance, life change, trauma, illness, birth, death, and despite having my almost two cups of coffee, my soul began to quiet down and my mind’s focus redirected to the moments with Him. The funny thing about this exercise is if you’re really in it, you don’t want it to end!

So can I encourage you to try and sit through one song, write down the names you have for Him, names that have significance to you, names to describe His love for you, or even names that express your need in certain areas, names that describe how He’s provided for you what He has provided for you. My name calling session went something like this: Abba, because He is my ultimate Daddy! Lover of my soul, because I truly love Him above everything, my Mountain Mover, because He has and will continue to move mountains that rise to block me in any area of my life, Provider, because He does provide for all my needs, Dependable because I can always count on Him to be there, even if I’m not always there.

I could literally go on for hours, but it’s your turn. Spend some time calling Him names, and feel your soul fill with quiet strength and confidence and your spirit lift!

Kim-Evinda

Gentleness is strength clothed in grace! EL

gen·tle·ness

What does that word even mean? Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.

Gentleness: (Noun): ^1.The quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. ²Softness of action or effect; lightness.

Have you ever wanted something so bad, and gotten so close to receiving it and then swoosh, just like that, in one circumstance, what was within your grasp moves farther and farther away like a balloon flying higher and higher until it is removed from your sight?

As I let my eyes stare at the entire word and focus on each syllable, I am like a child wanting one thing with all of my being, praying for the ability to not lose sight of this word, this characteristic I have longed for all of my Christian life. Sometimes I can come so close only to forget about it as circumstances pull it into the background of my life and then in a blink of an eye, the bull-in-the-china-cabinet mentality overtakes me. Why, I wonder to myself, and how do I grasp this concept of gentleness and not let it go?

Philippians 4:5 gives this instruction: ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

In other words, He’s right there with me, with you…not like a detective waiting to catch us doing something wrong but one who guides us from wrong.

Philippians 4:6 gives us the reason behind the inability to be gentle in our interactions: ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God 

Ugh, anxiety…a real thing, right?

And Philippians 4:7 gives us the why of gentleness, the reward, if you will: ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Could it be that when I’m feeling the least gentle I am so busy doing me I forget about Him?

Longing for gentleness…

Kim-Evinda

Unanswered prayers could be blessings in disguise

                                                 

               

“Dear Lord, if you will grant me this one request, I will never ask you for anything again.”

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

How many times have you made this bargain with God?  I certainly have. Like most of us, my life has been littered with unanswered prayers: prayers for the health of a pet; prayers for an important job, prayers for a relationship, or prayers for the outcome of a circumstance.

At times, I have felt like God turned a deaf ear to some of my most desperate pleas, yet, with the perspective of time, I learned many of those unanswered prayers were blessings instead of disappointments. If God had answered those prayers the way I asked him to, I would not be enjoying the life I am today. I am thankful.

God wants us to bring our every need to Him. Our unanswered prayers can simply mean He has something better planned for us. That relationship we wanted, that neighborhood we wanted to live in, that career we wanted to pursue, whatever it is, it’s not meant for us or it is not where we are needed. Our loving God does not settle for second best when it comes to our welfare. He wants greater things for us than we are able to ask for. Can we trust that God has reasons beyond our reasons? Can we trust His plan is better than ours?

“Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs,

That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care.

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”   - Garth Brooks

When was the last time God closed a door and you thanked Him?

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

Gather your thoughts up and dump them out…to Him who cares for you!

Happy Friday beloveds and thank you in advance for faithfully joining me each Friday for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United.

I love this truth from 2nd Timothy1:7 (NLT) ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

What a beautiful verse that I need to tie around my fingers to help remind my mind and flesh to stay in line with God’s truth.  The enemy is seeking and prowling to destroy, tear down and devour us. Have you ever noticed that it only takes one little thing for him to come in and wreak havoc over our minds and emotions? The smallest comment and/or mistake can send us down a downward spiral of lies.

This verse reminds us that we are to also take all our thoughts captive before the Lord and let Him sort them out. In other words, gather them up and dump them out because our chaos is better dealt with in His hands than in ours. A spiritual war is raging all around us and though we can’t see it, we surely can feel the blows of it. 2nd Corinthians10:3-6 reminds us of this very truth:  ³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

 Are you experiencing spiritual warfare that has come out of nowhere? Is it bringing you down or causing you to just feel down, and/or speaking negative things over yourself?  This has happened to me. I have fallen prey to his many lies and the constant storm cloud over me. The Lord reminded me of His perfect truth of what he has given us: He has given us His perfect word that is equipped with the Armor of God for you and me.

Coffee Hour friends, we are adored, loved, and cherished by our Abba. He gave us His only son; He gave us His perfect word equipped with the Armor of God to keep us safe and protected. We all forget, goodness, I forget all the time. He is so faithful to remind us and to encourage us. He speaks life and love over you and me. He is our beloved and we are His.

Ashley

Gather your thoughts up and dump them out…to Him who cares for you!

Happy Friday beloveds and thank you in advance for faithfully joining me each Friday for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United.

I love this truth from 2nd Timothy1:7 (NLT) ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

What a beautiful verse that I need to tie around my fingers to help remind my mind and flesh to stay in line with God’s truth.  The enemy is seeking and prowling to destroy, tear down and devour us. Have you ever noticed that it only takes one little thing for him to come in and wreak havoc over our minds and emotions? The smallest comment and/or mistake can send us down a downward spiral of lies.

This verse reminds us that we are to also take all our thoughts captive before the Lord and let Him sort them out. In other words, gather them up and dump them out because our chaos is better dealt with in His hands than in ours. A spiritual war is raging all around us and though we can’t see it, we surely can feel the blows of it. 2nd Corinthians10:3-6 reminds us of this very truth:  ³For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

 Are you experiencing spiritual warfare that has come out of nowhere? Is it bringing you down or causing you to just feel down, and/or speaking negative things over yourself?  This has happened to me. I have fallen prey to his many lies and the constant storm cloud over me. The Lord reminded me of His perfect truth of what he has given us: He has given us His perfect word that is equipped with the Armor of God for you and me.

Coffee Hour friends, we are adored, loved, and cherished by our Abba. He gave us His only son; He gave us His perfect word equipped with the Armor of God to keep us safe and protected. We all forget, goodness, I forget all the time. He is so faithful to remind us and to encourage us. He speaks life and love over you and me. He is our beloved and we are His.

Ashley

Sometimes we need to focus inward to realize we need to look upward! EL

Reflecting on how you treat others is a form of propelling you spiritually forward ^EL

“You’re so uptight”; “You need to loosen up! “People are afraid to come to you because you always seem so stressed.” “You’re always so busy”! These are the comments I have heard consistently over the last two weeks. I think He’s trying to tell me something and using several people to bring the message!

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

Have you ever received honest criticism from more than one person but about the same thing? If so what do you do? I know for me, the first time I heard it, my tendency was to defend myself, but after the third and fourth time, I took a step back and realized maybe there was something to learn from in all of this. I began to banter back and forth with God in the days that followed the last critique. This is what I read one morning as I was pondering this dilemma of loosening up without letting go of my convictions: Psalm 106:3: “Blessed are those who keep justice; and he who does righteousness at all times!”

Uh, how in the world is that supposed to help me my soul cried out. At all times means all the time; sounds pretty rigid to me and yet, our God is not rigid, I argued with myself. If people see me as rigid, then they may see my God as rigid. Ugh, I could just groan without ceasing because of the picture that began forming. In many instances, I was handling situations like a bull in a china cabinet! Isn’t that a scary but funny picture? I must admit, my first glance at this picture didn’t make me laugh.

I realize I may sound a bit crazy having this conversation with myself, but that’s why I’m writing from my heart to yours, Coffee Hour Friend, because if you don’t understand the depth of the dilemma then you won’t appreciate the victory I’m beginning to experience.

Over the last few weeks, our organization has gone through something pretty difficult, something that would destroy most organizations, but we have come out of it more determined than ever, and stronger in number. But – this is a big but – unconsciously it has buried my joy and my love for laughter.  It was as if, for a short time, I had the weight of the world in my heart and it pushed all the joy out of sight.

How did I get my joy back? God used others to speak into my life and He does the same for you. They may not always be people we trust for whatever reason; and that may be why we don’t hear the message at first, but if we quiet our souls, and seek Him with our whole heart, we can hear the message He’s trying to convey. 

Hearing these things from others did help to snap me out of myself and make me realize that I needed to focus upward instead of inward and yet, I needed to focus inward to realize how desperately I needed to look upward. In other words, taking time to reflect on how you may be coming across to others can be spiritually healthy. How else do we learn and move forward.

Learning and unlearning

Kim-Evinda

Love overcomes all things…even religious skepticism.

The young male stranger sharing a table with my husband looked at him and shyly said, “I know this may be out of context, but I love you.”

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

My husband almost choked on his BBQ chicken wing. He was on a business trip and stopped at a fast-food restaurant to grab a bite to eat. The restaurant was busy, so customers were sharing tables. He could have sworn he just heard the young boy proclaim his love for him. Perhaps he heard wrong; after all, he is deaf in one ear. J Did he somehow give the wrong impression? Should he get up and leave? Should he say something? How was he supposed to respond? Observing my husband’s internal turmoil, the young male stranger repeated, “I know this may be out of context, but GOD loves you!”

I give this young boy a lot of credit. He was taking his faith seriously and being obedient to Jesus’ command: “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

(Mark 16:15 NKJV)

Many Christians understand the importance of sharing the Word of God, but most Christians struggle with actually doing it. In today’s climate of religious skepticism, preaching the gospel to a stranger can be a daunting thought. Fear of rejection, being mocked, and not knowing what to say are reasons Christians shy away from sharing the Word. Even Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, denied Him three times because he was afraid he would get killed for being one of Jesus’ followers.

One of the final commands Jesus gave to His disciples before He ascended into Heaven was, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 KJV)

God assures that when we take the step of faith to share His Word, He is always with us. In allowing Him to work through us to help others, our lives are enriched as well.

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

A shift in the wind could be a reminder of WHO’S in control! EL

I don’t know about you but I am not a fan of change, even if its small change. It throws me overboard and wrecks my nice smoothing ship. Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United

As the Lord creates change in my calm and routine life, I tend to think: what now? What I am going to do? What am I supposed to do? Recently He brought a change and it didn’t just affect me but someone else, and while I was worrying for this person I must confess that I was more consumed with how it was going to affect me.

Realizing this was an eye-opening experience and reminded me that I need to keep my eyes on Him so He can help me focus on others instead of so much on myself. God is so gentle and loving that He met me right there with love and guidance and helped me bow down and pray my heart out for this person. Doing this also reminded me that God will take care of me; He always has and always will. 

Matthew6:26-34 New Living Translation (NLT) ²⁶ Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? ²⁷ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

When God shifts the wind and brings change or storms, it’s to grow us and remind us of who’s in control. The goal: To take our eyes off ourselves and to get them fixed completely on Him. I pray, that I may have the sight and perspective that Jesus gives me and that it wouldn’t be of my own, and that each time my eyes begin to focus on me that He would bring the wind to realign my vision, to always be fixed on my Heavenly Father and how He sees things.

Let me encourage you Coffee hour friends, if God has shifted the wind in your sails it’s because He’s beginning a new work in you and wants to show us areas that need improving or maybe, He’s getting ready to shower you with an abundance of blessings. Praise Him through the change and know that He wants the very best for His sons and daughters

Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Love, Ashley

The heart reveals and yet conceals our true character EL

Have you ever misplaced something and found yourself retracing your steps and coming back empty of what you lost? And the harder we look for it, the more frustrated we become, right?

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.

In those moments of sheer exasperation, what is it we do? I have learned to step away from the angst and redirect my focus, and sometimes, I’ll even ask God to reveal that which was lost.

So what does the phrase “do not lose heart” mean? How can we lose our heart if it’s beating inside of us? How does that happen? When I read Paul’s instructions in 2^nd Corinthians 4:16 – and I’ve read this verse several time in my life – I decided to look up what that phrase means to see if there is a mystery behind the phrase, a diamond to behold in this walk of faith on our way to heaven.

How I’ve interpreted it in the past is “Don’t give up”! But this particular morning, while I was feeling as though I lost my heart, I felt a little nudge to dig a little deeper, which confirmed that my heart was still beating within me J  So I went to my Hebrew and Greek Concordance.

Wow, talk about a landmine! Did you know that the word “heart,” and all its forms, is in the Bible over 1000 times? Here’s a couple of really inspiring definitions for this word heart: “it represents man’s true character but conceals it”—we could literally stay on that definition for a while but let’s keep going.

It is the seat of physical life, moral nature, spiritual life, the seat of grief and the seat of joy.  Again, we could stay in these “seats” for a while and feast upon the meanings, but let me give you the final one that is the context for our Wednesday’s Word:  Understanding, reasoning powers, conscience, intention, purpose and…faith!

So if I were to rewrite this verse with its Greek translation, it would read something like this:

Therefore, I do not lose understanding, my reasoning abilities, my conscience, my intention, my purpose or faith in this trial, for even though my outward man is perishing, yet my inward man (the heart) is being renewed day by day.

Oh, Coffee Hour Friend, do not lose your faith, your ability to reason, to live intentionally in your purpose no matter what you are going through, for all of this is preparing us and renewing us for our heavenly destination.

Finding my heart,

Kim Evinda

Coincidence…or God-incidence?

God –the one Supreme Being, the omnipotent, omniscient creator and ruler of the universe.

Wink - to open and close one eye deliberately, as to convey a message, signal, or suggestion.

God Wink – a uniquely personal experience or event, often mistakenly identified as a coincidence.

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

I am not a believer in coincidences. Oftentimes, when I am in need of direction, reassurance, or a solution, it unexpectedly comes through a radio broadcast, a stranger’s comment, or a turn of events. I get so excited when I “catch” one of these moments, because for me it means God really cares and He is hearing me! I was blessed with one such moment last week …

I’ve learned asking the Lord for help is the best way to tackle any dog training challenge. Since He is the one who created the dog, I’m sure no one knows better than He, how to train one. I am currently training my young, enthusiastic Boxer for competition obedience. Competition obedience demands an exorbitant amount of focus from the dog. Requiring my highly distractible Boxer to keep his undivided attention, solely upon me, is proving to be an arduous task. After a particularly frustrating day of training, I came home and opened up Sarah Young’s daily devotional, “Jesus Calling”. It read,

“I am intimately involved in all of your moments, and I am training you to be aware of me at all times. Your assignment is to collaborate with me in this training process.” I stared at the devotion in disbelief. “WOW”, I blurted out loud, “The Lord is teaching me the exact same thing I am teaching my dog!”

A mere coincidence – what are the odds of that?

I shared this experience with my friend and work out instructor, Cheryl. She told me her family calls these special moments “God-Winks.” I am not familiar with the expression, but the visual it represents is powerful. Through a mindful observation or a moment of recognition, we have access to God’s guidance. All He asks of us is to be aware of Him at all times. Imagine the countless blessings - the gift of peace, once fear is dispelled, the clarity of mind, once doubt is negated, the certainty of love, once faith is restored … all in the wink of an eye – God’s eye!

Are you aware of God’s winks in your life?

Has God winked at you today?

Dear God, let us have the eyes to see…

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

Jesus is in love with you!

Happy Friday, Beloveds! Thank you in advance for faithfully joining me each Friday for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United.

Time with the Lord is so very important to me. If I don’t start my day with Him I find my days long and my patience short. All in all, my day just isn’t great. I start my days out pretty early in the morning and I have found that I am waking up before my alarm, but finding it hard to get up and turn the light on, pour a cup of coffee and begin my time with my Abba. I have found myself missing my time with my Abba because my tempter sleep has gotten the best of me. Deep time with the Lord, this is what my heart craves deeply. Yet, I find myself dozing off on the couch then taking the precious time He has woken me up for.

Coffee hour friend are you finding yourself in this rut that I am finding myself in?

Can I encourage you as I the Lord has encouraged me? He reminded me of this song and I’d like to share a small piece of it with you.

What can I do for You
What can I bring to You
What kind of song would
You like me to sing
'Cause I'll dance a
Dance for You
Pour out my love for You
What can I do for You
Beautiful King

Then I hear You say
You don't have to do a thing
Simply be with me and
Let those things go
They can wait another minute
Wait this moment
Is too sweet
Please stay here with me
And love on Me a little longer
'Cause I'm in love with you

You see He just wants us to sit with Him. He loves us so much, He asks for nothing but our time. Yet, this seems at times a task too grand, but is it? Oh I encourage you to turn on some praise and worship music and sit at His feet and just praise Him. He just wants our undivided attention. Come, Coffee Hour Friends, let’s sit and  praise our King Jesus just as Martha chose to do.

Luke 10:42: 41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. 42But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus, thank you for your unfailing love and patience with us, as we fall short every day.. Forgive us Lord, for putting us first. Lord, put our priorities in order. Lord, when you call us to a quiet place with You, help us to hear that we would take the time to stop and sit with you. Thank you for all You've done and continue to do for us. I pray that each day we would grow deeper and closer to You than we were the day before. Build us up to be willing vessels for You for whatever You call us to. Lord let us have ears to hear You. Help us, Oh Lord, to stay on the path you have called us too. We love You and dedicate ourselves and our time to You.

In Jesus' Mighty Name Amen

Ashley