Spending time with God is a rhythm, not a requirement! MF

 Thursday’s Trench Truth

Thought to ponder: You are as close to God as YOU choose to be!
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Hope to see you there!
Kim-Evinda

When we think of ourselves better than those who serve us, we tend to not be so generous.

Thanks for stopping by for Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United. Grab your coffee and come on in.

How many times have you sworn you were right only to find out you weren’t? Well, I’m about to share one of those a-has with you!

Just the other day in my own coffee hour with our Father, I was sitting in the Beatitudes – Matthew 5:1-13 and reading about the eight profound principles, each with an eternal reward. What’s cool is if you’ll notice, the first one’s reward is “the kingdom of heaven,” and the very last one, “those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,” is also rewarded with the kingdom of heaven.  

For the sake of time, let’s talk about just the first one; after all, there’s enough in that one to chew on for a while and strengthen your Strand of Faith with more knots. J

Just chewing on this first beatitude, I recognize a misunderstanding I have always had when it comes to “Blessed are the poor in spirit”…STOP!

When I say “Poor in spirit” to you, what do you think it means?

I thought it meant those less fortunate in all aspects…but I was so incorrect. It means humble and charitable!

Humility leads us to generosity!

Now I don’t know about you, but I used to cringe at the mere thought of humility, but I’ve come to welcome it for humility is necessary in the journey of faith. True humility is not thinking we are better than others. For example, have you ever taken a shuttle with a group of friends, or gone to dinner with a group? Well, those are services. I remember one time mentioning how much I wanted to tip someone for their great service they did with such sweet humility while with a group of friends and one of them said “They weren’t that good!”

When we think of ourselves better than those who serve us, we tend to not be so generous.

And did you know that charitable is not just referring to $$$$? Nope, charitable also refers to the generosity of our time, talents and treasures.

So who do you know that could use some of your charitableness today? Maybe a kind compliment, a word of encouragement, or a thoughtful gesture, whatever the deed, practicing this will keep us “poor in spirit,” for we can never out-give when we are relying on the Giver of all good things to sustain us and take us to our reward of the kingdom of heaven.

Love,

Kim-Evinda

P.S. Don’t forget to join me live at 5:45 tonight @ www.facebook.com/trenchclassesunited

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

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!

Wednesday’s Word

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

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the house

Every creature was stirring, including the mouse

Everyone was working on all of the fixings

The noise and smells were coming from the kitchen

The children were busy with their tablets and toys

Captured in their games, they made not a noise

While the adults laughed and worked all collectively

What a beautiful sight it was for onlookers to see

When all of a sudden there arose such a clatter

Mom ran to the kitchen to see about the matter

She looked to the left and she looked to the right

She just couldn’t believe what was in plain sight

There was broken glass from a favorite platter

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

Everyone was frozen, waiting for her reaction

But she didn’t give the devil that satisfaction

The counters were a mess, preparations everywhere

It looked as though a tornado had just gone thru there

The turkey had flown from the platter to the floor

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

The stove was a disaster waiting to happen

full of pots and pans, handles overlapping

The old mom would have immediately gotten on her broom

And painted the atmosphere with a bit of doom and gloom

But the new and improved mom was no longer that way

For she had learned the true meaning of Thanksgiving Day

She stared at each of them and the mess they surrounded

Knowing her response would leave each one of them astounded

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

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

More than the chaos, the mess on the floor

The memories we’re making are worth so much more

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

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

Let’s work together in cleaning up this mess

It will only take a few minutes or less

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

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

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

No one will ever know we stepped on his feet

And when the morrow comes and we gather for the meal

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

Faith, family, friends, love and laughter

Help to bring us all the happily ever after

She looked to each of them with tears in her eyes

And said something that she had just realized

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

Loving each other in a Christ-like way

Patience, self-control, love and joy too

Are there for the asking for each of you

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

That Christ’s greatest gift is that of family

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

Thankfully,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Tuesday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United. I’d like to introduce you to our new Tuesday Trench Truth blogger, Megan Pilarcik:
Megan Pilarcik has been journaling her life experiences since she was 13 years old and when she was diagnosed with cancer, she didn’t stop journaling the journey. After a major lung surgery, thanks to the Lord, she is now cancer free.
Megan spent 25 years in media advertising sales and management. She has been a dog trainer and handler for competitive dog sports for the past 20 years. Megan feels the Lord most often teaches her through her dogs so I’m so excited to see what she brings to us each Tuesday! Without further ado…Megan’s first blog…ALL THINGS!

Stunned, I navigated my way through the Medical Center corridors out to the valet area and found a seat. “After all, I rationalized, world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeons aren’t known for their skill in sugar coating the facts.” Yet, I was not ready for this. I was positive God had a different plan for me. I was wrong.

I’m not sure what upset me more, the fear of my uncertain future or the sudden evaporation of my trust in the Lord. Up to this point, my promise to trust Him no matter what direction my path took had been remarkably effortless. From scans and biopsies, to expedited appointments and test results, the Lord had held me up and carried me through these frightening experiences. I felt at peace, even euphoric at times. My friends and family could not believe how strong I was … But now, I was facing a major lung surgery and the removal of 17 lymph nodes to determine if I had cancer, what stage it was in, and what treatment I would need. I was scared, my faith was weak, and I had just broken my promise to the Lord.

My deep apprehension was interrupted by a sweet voice with a smiling face. “Is this seat taken?” she asked. I scooted over to make more room. Looking straight at me, she pointed to the Medical Center and said, “Those people are not in charge of your future. HE (now pointing to the sky) IS and He’s got this!”

WOW – the moment my fear sabotaged my faith, the Lord sent this gift of a woman to deliver His message to me. Even though I had doubted, He continued to make Himself known though His gifts and intervention.

Five days later I had my surgery followed by six days in ICU and a twelve week recovery period. My diagnosis was Stage I non-smokers lung cancer in my upper left lobe, which was removed. No cancer was found in my lymph nodes which meant no chemotherapy or radiation. I WAS CANCER FREE!

After my first post-op appointment with my surgeon, I thanked him, expressing how grateful I was. He humbly shrugged his shoulders and said, “I just do the work, God does the healing.”

This is not something I would prefer to ever go through again, although I am honestly grateful for the experience and thankful that it happened. It has changed me, my life, and the way I view things. It has given me a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Lord and I often thank Him for it. Yes, God uses all things…good, bad, painful, ugly…for our benefit and His ultimate glory. Are you going through a difficult situation, circumstance or relationship right now? Then I invite you to A Night of Purpose, a night sure to answer many questions and meet you right where you are!

 

Looking forward to sharing more of the journey with you!

Megan

Foster’s Faith-filled Fridays!

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United and welcome to our first Foster’s Faith-filled Friday! You are going to love this girl’s transparency!

Emotions are good! It's okay to feel. 

If you're like me, you have a hard time allowing yourself to feel emotions. For me, I used to suppress my emotions -- angry, sad, upset -- and then try to drink them away; the result, I usually ended up exploding!

I'm learning that it is good to allow yourself to feel every emotion you are experiencing. Emotions trigger our will; they get us moving in a certain direction, and in that aspect, our feelings can be good or bad since they are essentially leading us toward the Lord or away from him.

It's essential to be aware of our feelings even if they are moving us in a sinful direction. Not to repress them or deny them, but admitting and confessing them. Our feelings can be healthy or unhealthy but they are not sinful in and of themselves unless we allow them to control us and thereafter indulge in them. Like holding onto grudges or acting out when angry.

Once we are aware of our feelings we are able to start developing self control. 

It’s best to understand feelings as coming from our mind.  A good rule of life is to always think and feel (back and forth and prayerfully) before you decide to say or do anything of significance. 

One of the hardest things to experience is the way people will invalidate others by telling them how they should feel about something or that there is something wrong with them if they are having the feelings they are having. Don't allow someone to do that to you.  I see now that the times in which I have struggled most have been when I felt something that someone told me I couldn’t. Someone deemed that thing unworthy of feeling bad for and inadvertently (or not) made me feel as though I was unworthy for feeling it.

You know what happens when you let people do that to you? You don’t work through your experiences, let alone your feelings. You let them stay with you. You throw them on top of the already heaping pile of a storm life has you perched on; you sculpt it into another pillar and forget about it. It’s only after enough are built that you realize you’re trapped.

Remember having emotions are good; allow yourself to feel. And remember that your emotions are gauges not guides. Let them tell you where the attack is being made so you can fight it with the right promises. And go to a trusted friend for prayer, perspective, and counsel if you need to.

Mind: “A cheerful mind works healing” (Proverbs 17:22, AMP).

Heart: “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

Body: “Your sensual desires… are ever warring in your bodily members?” (James 4:1, AMP).

Social: “You’re… showing such strong concern for me… You came alongside me in my troubles” (Philippians 4:10, MSG).

Soul: “My soul faints with longing for your salvation” (Psalm 119:81).

Monday’s Mantra

Take Him at His Word!

Welcome to Monday’s Mantra and Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. I’m so glad you could join me today. Grab your coffee, or whatever your favorite break-time beverage is, and let’s talk about change.

When I say the word “change” to you, what comes to mind? Do you tense up at all, or does your heart kind of skip a beat, or tighten? Can you tell I’ve experienced so many side effects from the challenge of change? I used to wonder what it would be like to be able to embrace change, to ride it like a surfer rides a wave, sort of like poetry in motion, or to be unmoved as a branch abiding in a tree on a windy day. How can one go through change without allowing our faith to waiver?

Recently our church announced it was changing its 50+ year-old name and when I talked with one of the associate pastors about it, he gave me a great example: When God was doing a new thing within the Biblical giants, and wanted to establish a new identity, He changed their name: for example, Abram became Abraham and he went from “high father, prophet” to “father of many nations.”  His wife, Sarai, (dominative, my princess) became Sarah, which translates to “mother of nations.”  Simon, which means “God has heard,” became Peter, which means (a piece of) rock, i.e., stable, firm, steadfast in his faith. Then there’s Saul, which translates to uproar, as in destruction, who was changed to Paul, which means “pause, desist, refrain,” i.e., a man of self-control!

But in order to receive their name change, their story had to change; God had to do a new thing.

It’s no different today. For our stories to change, we have to let the Author do the changing, the re-writing and the editing for He owns the copyright! We must take the risk and take a leap of faith by taking God at His Word. His promises never lie, never fail and never bounce and they’re all for our good!

So when change comes your way, do you want to ride the change like a pro surfer, looking like poetry in motion, abiding in Him as a branch on a tree on a windy day? Find a promise in His Word and make it yours! Begin to take Him at His Word!

Bending like a branch in the wind…

Evinda