DARE TO LIVE LIKE HE’S ENOUGH! EL

 Monday’s Mantra

One of my closest friends called me the other day to tell me she sent me an email containing a blog post that she thought would speak to me. She’s really sweet like that…and yet, there are times that I wish she wouldn’t be so sweet, if you know what I mean? She speaks truth into my life, and there are times when that truth just hurts! Are you catching what I’m throwing at you? Well, those types of friends are the best for us, truly, especially if our heart is after God’s heart. Well, hers is and she knows mine is too.

Thanks for joining me today for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United.

This blog post by Rebeka Lyons started with her experiences as a speaker/author, and her striving to get where she thought she should be and how one night in her hotel room after a speaking engagement, that ultimately led her to her knees, a most painfully beautiful place to land. As I read of her experience, I could feel every feeling she was writing, as if I was right there with her, down on my knees! Because when it’s all said and done, I know that there are just those times when we have to bow down in order to get up!

As I read her blog, I nearly stopped breathing as the truth of her words hit a bulls-eye, right smack in the middle of my heart, and conviction began to ooze out and a holy presence filled my space. My eyes filled up, blurring my vision but still I could see: “I don’t live as if You are enough.” Ouch!

I so related to her confession of counting the “likes” or “hearts” on her stuff she puts out there, her heart soaring when there were many, and plummeting when there were few.  Why is it we base our self-worth on how many “likes” or “loves” we get on something we post on social media? Where does our confidence truly come from? It’s a frustrating conundrum truly, because my editor from New York actually told me last week, “Your platform’s too small. You need to get your numbers up because your social media platform has become just as important as what you write”!

So how does one get away from the necessity of social media? Well, maybe we ought to consider why we’re posting what we’re posting. Is it for attention, popularity, to fulfill a need, such as being liked, loved and accepted? Or is it simply to encourage, lift up, inspire and motivate?

We have got to remember who we’re really posting with! See, we can’t do it for Him because if we do anything “for” Him, it’s in our own strength and often for own need or purpose; but to partner “with” Him before we hit that “post” button, well then we’ll never run out of strength…or words, and the “likes” and “loves” won’t matter because our Audience of One loves it and isn’t that all that really counts?

As I finished reading Rebeka’s blog, she cited something that she heard Ann Voskamp speak, and the echo of it is still speaking to me as I write this for you:

“Those who keep score in life just want to know that they count. When you work for an audience of One, you always know that you count.”
My Coffee Hour friend, maybe it’s time to stop counting the “likes” and “loves” and trust that if we’re trying to send a message of encouragement to anyone, He will carry it right to the hearts that need it, and in the process, as it picks up speed in cyber space, the seed will scatter and reach many unseen “likes” and “loves.”
Love,

Kim-Evinda

Happy 8th Birthday

​8 years ago God begin the wildest roller coaster ride I've ever been on! I wouldn't trade it for the world and I'm still seat-belted in looking forward to many more years of serving him and others that they may thrive in life and love.
Love,
Kim-Evinda

A prayer can be as easy as a high-five! EL

Monday’s Mantra

Thanks for joining us for Monday’s Mantra & Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United! Grab your favorite break-time beverage and let’s go ties some knots in our faith through a five-finger prayer!

I love learning new things, especially when it comes to growing my spiritual self.  And then, of course, I love to share what I’ve learned with a heart that hopes to encourage you in your journey in the classrooms of life. Psalm138:8 tells us that he will perfect that which concerns you and me, and that He will not forsake the work of His hands, meaning us! What a comfort.

So, first, to make this even more real for you, get a piece of paper and a pen and then trace your hand…go ahead, do it! It will be fun.

Okay. Now, looking at your hand-traced hand, right or left, let’s start with your thumb. Thumbs up, those we pray for first are usually the ones closest to us, so inside the thumb, put “those closest to me.” Then the next finger is your pointer finger, which represents those people in your life who point you in the right direction, so write “Leaders in my life” in that finger. Now that third finger…uh-huh, that’s the middle finger, and that finger is to remind you to pray for your…enemies! So write “enemies,” or even personalize it and put a few unlovable people’s names in that finger. And then the ring finger, did you know it’s considered the weakest finger? Oh, my goodness, what beautiful symbolism, especially if there’s a wedding ring on it! That finger is to remind you to pray for the weak, those less fortunate than you and I so in that finger, write “Weak, those in need.”

And then finally we have the pinky, which is to remind you to pray for yourself, so write “self” in that finger.  Do you pray for yourself, friend? Many of us are so concerned about others that we may forget to pray for ourselves, but just like the fingers on a hand, every one of them has a purpose…and so do you!

So next time you get ready to pray, remember all of your fingers to accomplish your five-finger prayer; it could be as easy as offering a high-five to God!

Love,

Kim-Evinda

We are more likely to hear His whispers while being vs. doing. EL

Wednesday’s Word

Driving while not knowing where I’m going, aimlessly, until I reach a dead-end and there’s nowhere for me to go but to turn around and look for the turn I missed…

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

There’s something that comes over us when we realize we’re lost, especially in the world of Siri, GPS, and any other navigation system coming from our phones and/or our cars. Some of us may experience frustration, especially if we’re in a hurry; and some of us may be more easy-going about it, and still yet, this feeling of being lost may push the panic button. But eventually, we find our way, right?

What about in life, when we feel unsure with the direction it’s headed, not confident with the last important choice we made, or a turn taken? What do we do when we find ourselves in front of a dead-end, with nowhere else to go, no turn to make, and no moving forward? The only choice we have is to do a complete turnaround…or sit and wait for instructions.

We can either sit in peace trusting while waiting that He’s working everything out for our good, ^{Romans 8:28} that His plan is not to harm us but to build us up, ^{Jer. 29:11} or we can fight it, squirming within ourselves, stressing instead of chilling in the warmth of His love, our anxiety rising louder than the quiet of His whispers, risking the possibility of missing our next instruction.

There is something to be said about a peace that transcends all understanding that guards the heart and mind ^{Phil. 4:7} in a fast-pace world; holding us steady while waiting for a way out of the dead-end, a new direction, all the while enjoying being…versus doing; after all, as Jesus says in Matthew 6:27: Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his/her stature?

Waiting…

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

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

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

Monday’s Mantra

Five-Finger Prayer

Thanks for joining us for Monday’s Mantra & Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United! Grab your favorite break-time beverage and let’s go ties some knots in our faith through a five-finger prayer!

I have had the privilege of being a table leader for our Discover class at our church and I have to say, I think what I’m enjoying the most is the nuggets I am getting in the classrooms of life and in this classroom! I love learning new things, especially when it comes to growing my spiritual self.  And then, of course, I love to share what I’ve learned with a heart that hopes to encourage you in your journey in the classrooms of life. Psalm 138:8 tells us that he will perfect that which concerns you and me, and that He will not forsake the work of His hands, meaning us! What a comfort.

So, first, to make this even more real for you, get a piece of paper and a pen and then trace your hand…go ahead, do it! It will be fun.

Okay. Now, looking at your hand-traced hand, whether it be your right or left, let’s start with your thumb. Thumbs up, those we pray first are usually the ones closes to us, so inside the thumb, put “those closes to me.” Then the next finger is your pointer finger, which is analogous to those people in your life who point you in the right direction, so write in “Leaders in my life” in that finger. Now that third finger…uh-huh, that’s the middle finger, also known as the middle finger and that finger is to remind you to pray for your…enemies! So write “enemies, or even personalize it and put a few unlovable people’s names in that finger. And then the ring finger, did you know it’s considered the weakest finger? Oh, my goodness, what beautiful symbolism, especially if there’s a wedding ring on it! Anyway, that finger is to remind you to pray for the weak, those less fortunate than you and I so in that finger, write “Weak, those in need.”

And then finally we have the pinky, which is to remind you to pray for yourself, so write “self” in that finger.  Do you pray for yourself, friend? Many of us are so concerned about others that we may forget to pray for ourselves, but just like the fingers on a hand, every one of them has a purpose…and so do you! So next time you get ready to pray, remember all of your fingers to accomplish a five-finger prayer!

Love,

Evinda

Faith Filled Friday

Welcome back everyone to another Faith Filled Friday.

Last night I watched the 11pm news, just like I have for years. I watch to see the weather so I know how to proceed with the night of work ahead of me. After a couple weeks of rain, finally there was a dry day in the forecast. This makes my job so much easier and tends to put me in a better mood as I prepared for work.

I was an hour in to work when the raindrops started falling and I had to go back and redo some of my work to prepare for the rain. I let it bug me and really get under my skin. I blamed the weather man for not doing his job and making mine harder. I was just irritated the rest of the night. 

I was so happy when I finally finished and was driving home. As I pulled onto my street I saw a man wrapped in a blanket walking in the rain. I looked at his face as I pulled in to park in front of my home. He looked so lost and worried. The look on his face was very familiar to me. I myself had been there before and in fact I still spend much of my days wondering if I too will once again be homeless. The feeling of "What do I do?" "What is going to happen to me, become of me?"

As I struggled with my thoughts, I witnessed him pace back and forth not knowing where to go. I felt incredibly sad for him. Part of me wanted to invite him to come inside my home. But I decided I just couldn't do it because I also didn't get the best vibe. 

But I knew I could not ignore him though.  I hurried inside and even though I didn’t have much food in the home, I had gathered some of the food I did have, grabbed an old rain jacket and some garbage bags for him to put some of this things into to keep them dry. I had to hurry because I didn't want him to get too far. I hopped in my vehicle and drove up around the block and came back. When I stopped and asked to speak with him he was so upset because he said he was not ready for the rain that had started. Oh, how I could relate with that one!

When I was homeless the weather was always the hardship I could never fully prepare for. It's unforgiving. To be cold, wet, hungry, and to have no resources with you that are your own is the most despairing feeling. I will never forget it no matter how long I live. Perhaps that’s what moved me to do what I did next.

I opted to let him sit in my vehicle with me and we talked and talked. Over the course of that conversation I came to understand a few things about him. He did not hide the fact he was an alcoholic and had some other issues with addiction. I admired the fact that he could be transparent to a stranger and that I genuinely felt he was trying to find his way back like I once had. So I gave him some ideas and gave him the name of some resources. But I also told him that despair doesn't have to be a negative thing either; that it can drive us to do amazing things. It can teach us to never stop being humbled by the events in life, some good; some bad. I could see so much of myself in him when I was younger. I mean there before me was my younger self. I never dabbled with addiction like some did. I have been able to stop drinking when I saw that it could have been leading me down a bad road. But oh that despair, that feeling of hopelessness!

As we parted ways I felt the need to ask him if I could pray with him. I had never asked anyone before in a situation like that if I could pray with them. It felt almost alien to me for it to even pop into thought. But it did and I rolled with it. While praying, he started crying. My eyes watered so hard for him amidst that prayer.... But during that prayer, something sovereign happened: the rain stopped!

It was the coolest feeling! He was so happy to see it had stopped raining and it did something for my soul as well. On the drive home I had thought about how bugged I was that I had to go back after the rain had started and how petty it really seemed in comparison to this man's days as living homeless, and to be clothed in such despair.

Let's all remember to be grateful for the shelter over our heads, to thank God above for it. If you all don't mind, please join me in prayer for this young man. He did not want to give me his name which I respect but, please, let's pray that he finds shelter for his mind, body and soul.

Much love everyone

John Tam