Gossiping says more about us than the one we’re gossiping about! EL

What do you feel when you hear/read the word gossip?  Most people when asked that question say they don’t like it; they think it’s wrong. The word gossip is a noun and means: “Idle talk, rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of another.”

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

Recently I was at a function with people I’ve known for a while, people that I truly care about – I have to be careful here because I don’t want to go down that slippery slope of gossiping! Anyway, one person in particular began the gossip fest with “What do you think of your new church”? The tone was one of sarcasm and I know it’s based on her own experiences with the church and the pastor. As I write this and rewind the evening, I remember I started to go down that slippery slope with her…but stopped her gossip train by sharing with her this truth: “As I’ve said before, I have based my opinions on him, and the church on my own experiences.”

As I went from group to group, there were a couple of people who every time I went around them, they were talking about someone different, and it was like they were pulling from each other what they could to find out what the other thought of the person they were talking about. I sat in silence with another bystander and said absolutely nothing at all. AWKWARD! The truth is oftentimes, people are talking about others because of their own need to fit in, feel as though they belong. It doesn’t make it right but it helps to understand this so as to not participate in it. I’ve been the recipient of the harsh harm that gossip can cause; and though I’m not completely rid of this sneaky, slithering tendency that creeps in at the most unsuspecting times, I’d like to think that He and I have a better grasp on it rather than gossiping grasping me.

As the evening progressed, one of the party of two was sitting next to me and before I knew it, she leaned over and began to whisper about the other’s son and asking if I had seen the post on Facebook having to do with what she was talking about. I let her finish and then I looked her straight in the eyes and just said gently but matter-of-factly: “What if that was his need at the time and he didn’t do it with the intention that you’re implying? What if what you’re thinking isn’t accurate?”

Well that was like a splash of cold water on a cold day!

Why do we feel the need to talk about others? Is it really about the other person, or more about us?

When we gossip about another person, it says more about us than about the one we’re talking about!

Gossip is like alcohol, legal but deadly! It causes so much damage. Father, help us to live by the golden rule: If we don’t have nothing nice to say about another, let us say nothing at all. Set a guard, O Lord, over our mouths. Help us to keep watch over the door of our lips.

Learning and unlearning

Kim-Evinda

We can get so busy being busy that we lose our balance! EL

Wednesday’s Word

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you felt as though you were juggling so many things that your brain would burst and surely something important would fall through the cracks?  And when everything was all said and done, your body collapses but your mind keeps running around like mouse in training for a triathlon?

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

You know, there’s nothing like scripture to rein it all in, mind, body and emotions! And yet, scripture needs to be our first go-to daily in order to accomplish any and all things that we do throughout the day, whether you’re a mom of little ones, teenagers, or someone who has the freedom to enjoy volunteer work for a cause or causes, and then of course, if you’re married, maintaining that marriage in a way that we are called to.

The truth is, we can get so busy being busy that we lose focus and when that happens, it’s time for a three-point balance check:

1.     Why am I doing what I’m doing?

2.     Do I need to be doing as much as I am doing?

3.     What are my motives for doing what I’m doing?

Here’s what we discover when we answer these questions:

What we are doing reveals who/what we are pursuing!

Seek Him first…and all other things will be will be added. (Matthew 6:33); in other words, you will never be last as long as you put Him first!

Love,

Kim-Evinda

What’s the temperature of your significant relationship?

 Invitation Tuesday

Maybe, just maybe, you and your significant other are in a good place right now, or maybe, just maybe, your child or children and you are enjoying a great parent/child relationship. That’s great! Then join us for a great temperature-taking event that will test the temperature of your significant relationships.

Is it lukewarm, cold or sparked by understanding, great communication, and respect?

Looking forward to seeing you

Kim-Evinda

An attitude change can change everything in the moment! EL

Just last week I was trying to turn in my assignment online – I’m not sure if that’s up- or downloading -- J but I managed to get locked out! For the next hour I wrestled with passwords, technical support and finally, after remembering that I forgot to pray and ask for help, I offered up a quick and frustrated cry for help. It worked, but that was just the beginning.
Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United.
When I finally got into my email, and then the campus’s online site to turn in my assignment, I noticed that there was a test due the next day…I swear it hadn’t been there all week and now, here it was, plain as day. I’d like to say my first response was to just be chill, not complain and just take the test…but I’d be lying.
I got lost for a moment in my fit and falling in it, complaining and carrying on until I got myself so worked up that even I didn’t recognize me. I had my day planned and taking a test was not part of the plan. I didn’t have time for a test. My thoughts teetered on over to blame where I began to want to give my professor a lecture on how to manage his class! Ugh, I cringe in humility just remembering how frustrated I was. L
And then the quietest thought danced across my mind…so fast I almost missed it, but it veered on over into my heart and suddenly I heard myself say: I can either spend all my time and energy on being ticked off over this or I can invest my energy and just take the stinking test!
I chose the latter.
I mentally rearranged my day and determined in my heart to move forward and move well as I logged back in to the test site. Now, me and test taking…well, we don’t get along too well. See, these tests are 60 minutes long and there are 50 questions! And they are not true/false questions; they are very specific with answers that all look the same until you stop, and really chew on each of the choices. But you have to chew fast because you’re on the clock.
The first few questions actually began to send me into a panic but then I stopped, asked God to help me and kept clinging to the promise “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” like a mantra for momentum and I finished the test with only ONE minute to spare! 
I pressed submit and held my breath waiting for my results. I didn’t have long to wait: 40 out of 50! Not bad, and don’t get me wrong, I was grateful, especially considering the surrounding circumstances, but I did take the time to look at the ones I got wrong for two reasons: one, I really do want to understand what I’m learning, and two, we get two chances each test and I usually take advantage of this opportunity, not because I’m an over-achiever or anything -- J -- but I do like seeing a score closer to the 50 than 10 away.
I quickly looked over the ones I had missed and determined to come back in a couple of hours and retake it.
God honored my attitude change because when I returned to the test, I let out a “Thank you, Jesus” when I saw they had actually given me the same one! That NEVER happens…well, almost never, because it just did. J
So guess what happened?
Give up? Okay, I’ll tell you: I finished the test in 13 minutes and only missed 2!
Now brings Philippians 2: 14-15 to life in my life: we do the task at hand without grumbling, He will make us shine like a diamond in the sky! 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” (NIV)
An attitude change can change everything in the moment!
Learning and un-learning
Kim-Evinda

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

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

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

Faith Filled Friday

Happy New Year, friends! Thank you in advance for taking time and joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United. Grab a warm cup of coffee and come sit with me.

We are just days into the New Year, a time for new beginnings, and today I want to share a new perspective on a familiar verse. God opened up this verse in a way I’ve never looked at before. Take a look at this verse with me….

Luke 17:6  New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!

Now see where it says, “’if’” you had faith”… “…you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you”!

That begs this question: Are we speaking with faith over our circumstances, for example, a new job, finances, marriage, or our children? I know I try to, but if I’m honest with myself, and you, I usually let the situations or my emotions cloud out all of Gods truth that He has so perfectly ready for me.

Our lives get so busy, and unknowingly we let the enemy sink his teeth into our faith with all his lies. Yet, God gave us His perfect word to sustain us through our days. However, I didn’t realize that I was needing to do more than just read my word but to also speak His word over me, my family, and my friends.

 As we start to speak Gods truth out loud over us, we are covered with His perfect truth, and it’s much more difficult for the enemy’s lies to penetrate our emotions and sink deep into us. I was floored as I read this verse with a new pair of heavenly eyes.

Let’s take a look at how John Courson sees it. He writes: “How did God make the world? He spoke it into existence. So, too, Jesus altered the course of the world and eternity when he spoke… “Waves be still” (Mark 4:39), “Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43), “It is Finished” (John 19:30).

John also reminds us that we also speak our individual worlds into existence and alter the course with our words. This is confirmed in ” Joshua 1:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

^“8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

WOW!! Wasn’t that powerful?

So when we are faced with doubt or fear, let’s speak Gods word over these emotions and put them into check with God’s word. There are so many powerful reminders in His word that we can speak into ourselves and our world!

Let me leave you with this powerful example: Matthew 6:31-34

³¹ “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ ³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.³³ Seek the Kingdom of God^[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ³⁴ “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

WOW! I am in awe of our Great Abba, and how great His love is for us. Jesus knew just how hard it would be for us, and so, He left us His perfect truth to read, meditate and speak over ourselves, our families and friends. Don’t forget when you’re having a hard or bad day to ask God for a verse, He knows just what you need, and when you get it, faithfully speak it over yourself and your situation and let Gods perfect truth work for good for you.

Love,

Ashley

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Have you ever known someone who lost a loved one whom they were angry with at the time of their departure from this life? Many think the opportunity to forgive dies with them…but not so. I’m so excited to share today’s trench truth with you written by a former trench student, Annette Corona. I found this on Facebook and quickly reached out to her to ask for permission to share. I was so proud of her! Grab your coffee and come on in for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Thursday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United.

Vulnerability is here folks! Read on if you’d like…

I originally started making this blanket for my sister about 5 years ago. These were some of her favorite colors (colors are purple, lavender, and turquoise but the camera isn’t picking up their true beauty). It was supposed to be her 32nd birthday present from me.

I was never able to give it to her because…well, allow me to explain, first.

We had a difficult relationship for many years. One time in particular, we got in a huge fight, and as a result, I became very angry and held a grudge along with some other not-so-nice feelings. Months went by; her birthday came and went. The unfinished blanket and the yarn to make it sat tucked away in a closet.

For the next few months, we hardly talked, didn’t see each other at all. In fact, I purposely avoided her at ALL cost...until... I got a phone call from my dad that my sister was unexpectedly found deceased in her bed.

For the next four years, the blanket sat going from closet to closet with the few moves we’ve had. Every time I dared to look at it, it would remind me of those bitter feelings I had and still may. As abruptly as the relationship ended, that’s how abruptly I would close the closet door to my yarn closet. And when something is needed from that closet, I would purposely avoid looking towards the corner the bag sat in that held this unfinished blanket.

Today, my heart is calling to hold this blanket and feel the soft texture in a new gentle way. As I hold it, I feel as though I am being cleansed with a feeling inside of me of forgiveness, forgiveness for her, forgiveness to myself.

These past few years have definitely been a whirlwind of emotions that need to be reconciled. Full forgiveness is not complete yet. It’s a daily mindset until the day comes when there is no longer bitter associated with any thought of her…or myself.
So I’ve decided to crochet my way towards forgiveness and finish this blanket. But that’s not all. Though my sister is no longer here for me to give it to her, I know in my heart I need to give it as a Christmas gift to the person who is hurting the most in all of this; my mother.

There is freedom in forgiveness

Annette

Wednesday’s Word

Enjoy the Ride!

Your 2017 ride has quickly come to an end, and 2018 has already begun.

Please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened; let’s prepare to have some fun

As we move slowly though quickly into the 2018 track,

We are headed forward and learning from looking back

Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United. Grab your coffee and come join me for some instructions for the ride ahead into the New Year, a few of which are accompanied with scripture references.

As we creep up the track in the first month here are some things to do before we reach the top, the end of January, and the ride begins picking up speed, as it always does:

·       Let go of bitterness and resentment. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

·       Leave past failures behind and take only what you learned from them with you. [Isaiah43:19]

·       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.

·       Old hurts, habits and/or hang-ups. For some of you, you only need to resolve to dump an old habit or hurt or hang-up and it will be gone. There will be a dumpster up ahead to throw it in. Remember every time the enemy gets you thinking about it ask God to change your thoughts…and trust me when I say HE will! For those of you who will require more work than just “letting it go,” 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 up ahead to explore the truths and learn how to apply them to your life in the journey ahead.

·       Let go of that attitude of poverty and throw it in the burning bush just ahead. 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!

·       2017’s greatest memories. [Philippians 4:8]

·       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 2018.

·       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.[Ephesians 4:32]

·       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. There will be grace stations along the way to replenish. [2^nd Corinthians 12:9]

·       Love-this is the greatest and most important virtue to bring with you as we begin the ride into the New Year for to love others is to have accepted His gift of love and grace to you. [1^st Corinthians 13]

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

Love and laughter,

Evinda

P.S. may I challenge you to look up some scriptures to confirm these things to let go of and to bring in the year ahead?  Just look for key words or phrases and ask Google to help you find scriptures pertaining to that word or phrase. Have fun!

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Church bashing… it’s become even easier to do, especially on social media platforms, but how do we respond when we see comments on the various platforms that are riddled with negativity and resentment?

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

I was scrolling through my feed the other day and the eyes of my heart caught a post that was written by someone who obviously had some resentment towards a certain church. I read through the comments, most of them encouraging this person didn’t need to go to church, others empathizing with her sharing their “bad” experiences with church.

Now, I know it wasn’t her motive to do harm to the “Church,” and that’s the deposit I started with. I then went on to validate her “feelings” which are rooted in a lot of her own unresolved stuff and suggested she go straight to the person or persons who had apparently offended her; that perhaps that would be a more direct route towards resolution instead of using a social media platform, which would only serve to taint the reputation of all churches even worse.

When Jesus confronted others with their “sin,” He didn’t get on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or Linkdin…or any other public platform. He did it one on one, like the “ho” at the well! He showed love and respect while pointing out her sin, not attacking her character. See, the more people we involve in the conflict, the bigger the conflict becomes.

When confronted with a conflict, friend, why not take the direct route to conflict resolution?

Truthfully,

Evinda

Monday’s Mantra

“I think you’d get a laugh, if you saw a tall giraffe, swinging by his tail from a tree,

I think an octopus would look quite ridiculous knitting sweaters at the bottom of the sea …”

Did I get your attention? Great! Mission accomplished.

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

The above ditty is from Danny Kaye’s “Tubby the Tuba at the Circus” It was on the very first album I had as a child. I memorized every word of it.  I caught this catchy little tune playing around in my head a few days ago and I realized its message is just as important today as it was then.

The song, being sung by a sympathetic elephant to a disenchanted Tubby, continues …

“Be yourself - you can’t be anybody else.

Be yourself, is my advice to you or else you’ll always be a nobody so, be yourself, or else!”

How many times, in my past did I observe someone and wish I possessed a quality they had? How many times did I wish my life was more like someone else’s life or wish I was more like someone else?

When I was 17, I was the fastest hot dog maker at the Sea World in Ohio. I could steam, bag, and load the hot dog into their bins in record time, which kept me in the hot and humid main snack bar for the duration of the summer. I seriously doubted this talent would ever serve me well. I longed to be gifted like the animal trainers, or accomplished like the managers. Yet, this seemingly insignificant skill-set, in all of its various forms, has weaved its way through my life, blessing me and making all the difference.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV) “Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”

I have often wondered why it is so easy to recognize other people’s gifts and talents but not our own.

Tubby the Tuba wanted to sing like a piccolo and fly like an acrobat, never dreaming his “Um-Pah” could make the elephants dance as they have never danced before!

Are you aware your own gift or talent could make the elephants dance as they have never danced before?

“BE YOURSELF …

I think that you’d be happiest by being no one else but you.”

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

  

Monday’s Mantra

Did you know …

The word Christmas comes from the Old English “Cristes Maesse” meaning “Christ’s Mass.” The holly in a wreath symbolizes Christ’s crown of thorns, while the red berries symbolize the drops of His blood.

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

Most of us grew up believing the Twelve Days of Christmas is nothing more than a song about the days leading up to Christmas. Some believe the Christmas carol was written in code, with a hidden message. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. It was during this time of severe religious persecution that The Twelve Days of Christmas was written. Each verse refers to a teaching of church doctrine. Each element in the song is a code word for religious truth.

Every verse of The Twelve Days of Christmas begins with “my true love gave to me.” “My true love” is a reference to God the Father;

Day 1: The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus Christ.

Day 2: The two turtle doves are the Old and New Testaments.

Day 3: Three French hens stand for faith, hope, and love.

Day 4: The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

Day 5: The five golden rings represent the first 5 books of the Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Torah or the Pentateuch.

Day 6: The six geese-a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

Day 7: The seven swans-a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Day 8: The eight maids-a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

Day 9: Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Day 10: The ten lords-a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

Day 11: Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

Day 12: Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

The Twelve Days of Christmas actually starts on Christmas Day and ends with the arrival of the gift bearing Wise Men (The Epiphany) on January 6^th.  The total number of gifts given and received in the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, is 364 – only one fewer gifts than the number of days in a year! 

 Imagine giving and receiving a gift a day, every single day … except for your one annual day off! Yet, the gift we are able to both give and receive daily resides in our very own hearts – His love, and there is no greater gift than this.

I pray this Christmas Day will find your hearts overflowing with His divine love for you.

The famous composer, J.S. Bach, inscribed most of his musical scores with “In dem Namen Jesus” translated; In the name of Jesus.

So, with the same heart and spirit, In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

Megan 

Faith Filled Friday with Ashley

He’s able to take you out of your mind!

Come grab a warm cup of coffee and sit with me. Last week I shared a struggle I was going through and the how it taunted me. Today, I want to share with you how the dreaded event went.  Thank you in advance for taking time and joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United.

I prayed the night before for all the strength and courage for the next day. I woke up filled with unexplainable peace. I just knew today wasn’t going to be as bad as I dreamt up, although I was still a bit hesitant of what to expect, I put on the Armor of God and trusted this peace that I know only comes from our Abba Father.   

I was greeted with love and kindness. I was a bit baffled to be greeted so lovingly and it showed me that I had really allowed the enemy to fill my head with dreamt-up things that just weren’t true. Every day, I learn to take my thoughts before the Lord. I ask, “Is this true, Lord?” And when He takes these thoughts from me I know they are from the enemy. I realize now that as far as this situation, that as He was telling me they weren’t true, I was taking back the lies and digesting them. The devil is a vicious beast out to turn us against each other, using his lies to make us feel less than, unwanted, or unlovable.

We’ll it worked for a bit, but our God is great! I stepped out in faith trusting and knowing I wasn’t alone; that my Abba was right beside me. That day that I dreaded so much that it kept me up at night, well, it turned out to be a wonderful day.  A day where I met new people and spent time with people I feared. I went in with God’s love and trusted Him. And you know what? He provided all the love I needed.

The Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from evil one.  

 2nd Thessalonians3:3 tells us this.

He always wants the very best for us. He wants us to feel loved and cherished. He sees all the good in you and me. He knew that day was not going to be easy for me. He knew that my going was a huge step of faith for me, and because I was obedient and went, He blessed me more than I could have ever imagined. He gave me a great compassion for someone who has always been so difficult for me. Now I pray each day that I could love her today more than the day before.

Pursue the things which make for peace and the building up one another. Romans 14:19.

Coffee Hour Friend, I learned a big lesson with this past struggle: Don’t consume and digest the lies of the enemy. Don’t allow him to have that power over you. You see, he wants us to be divided, to dislike or hate one another.

Remember, we are broken vessels being restored by a great Father, and every day His grace, mercy and forgiveness are new to us. Why then shouldn’t it be given to those who once have hurt us? Prayer wakes us up with mercies from God that are “new every morning” Lamentations 3:23

We are called to love not just those who love us back, but the unlovable. I encourage you if there is someone who has hurt you and still does today show them God’s love and compassion. Give them that grace and mercy that you think they don’t deserve and watch what God does. It’s an amazing thing, but please know that I know just how difficult a task this is because I have been called to do the same. It is not by my strength or my love that makes this possible but through the Father’s love. All we need to do is ask and He will provide more than you could ever imagine.

Can you take this step of Faith with me today, and don’t forget to look up Ephesians 6:13-24 and apply Gods Armor over you today! 

Love,

Ashley