Jenn’s Journey from Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Good morning! I am happy to be here with you today. Grab your coffee and let’s chat a bit about rest for our souls.

We just had a weekend but how many of you are still tired? I don't mean the kind of tired where you didn't get enough sleep, but the tired deep down in your soul, the weariness that never seems to go away…perhaps even a feeling of hopelessness? Let's talk about that for just a few minutes.  "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.” (Matthew 11:29 NASB)

Rest for our souls. Doesn't that sound inviting? It is so easy to become bogged down with all the things we carry in our souls. In fact, Matthew 11:28, says, "Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest." I have often thought this verse was referring to being tired from physical work, but there is more to it and that is what I want to share with you today.

At the time Jesus uttered these words, He was desperately trying to show the people of Israel why He had come. He knew that the people were carrying heavy loads of 'work' oriented religion. The commentary I read said that the “rabbinical requirements were so many that an ordinary lifetime was too short to learn them all." Now how discouraging is that? Sadly, most of the people either gave up or became rigid in trying to follow all the rules that would supposedly bring them salvation. I am sure they, like us, became good at pointing fingers to all who weren't following the rules, and yet deep inside, carried the stress of knowing they couldn't possibly do them either.

Jesus' way is not our way. What does He mean when He says, 'take my yoke upon you'? A yoke, as we know, is what goes around the neck of animals when they are pulling a wagon. At first glance, this imagery can seem negative. It seems something like that would be binding, and if the two animals pulled in different directions, it would make for a difficult situation. Again, we need to look a little deeper.

A yoke is used to ease the load so neither animal bears the weight alone. When we allow His yoke to be on us, we are joined with Him.

There is even more significance to this verse and this is what is exciting to me. The verse says 'learn from Me.' When we have chosen to take the yoke and join in working with Him, we have the opportunity to learn new ways of life.  We may still walk along paths that are difficult; remember Jesus also tells us "In this world you will have trouble" (John 16:33). However, learning His ways gives us the chance to learn better responses to the troubles life throws at us. And that, my friends, is where the rest for our souls lies.

I find this encouraging. I want that rest. I've looked for it all my life. I am great at 'reacting' to the problems life throws at me. That rarely results in peace. Jesus is teaching me how to respond, WITH Him...and I am here to tell you, it is worth it. I still mess up, often. But the beauty is, He's right there, gently pulling me back on the right path!

Until next week, be blessed,
Jenn

Paws for Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

The expression “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” originated in 1534, in a book John Fitzherbert's The boke of husbandry.  The meaning behind it is that puppies are teachable and trainable while older dogs are unwilling and less apt to be trained.  Many have used this phrase to illustrate how getting people, especially seasoned ones, to change their habits or acquire new skills is impossible.

My four-legged babies have definitely proved this statement to be false, and I challenge you to do the same.  Through them I have discovered that this statement simply isn’t true if your heart is soft and willing to learn.  I have also learned that life is an experiment, to push the limits and test what is possible.

I have seen this first-hand with my 12-year-old Golden Retriever, Corey.  In dog years, 12 is pretty old.  He has cataracts and sometimes walks with a limp; recently he barks randomly like he hears a mailman somewhere.

When Logan (my husky) was smaller I started to train him to sit, stay, and speak.  You may have seen the video of him saying “I Love you” in my first blog.  It took him many tries and lots of treats to say the phrase.  Corey sat through the process but started to notice that Logan got a lot more treats than he did.  Corey wags his tail and sits still, sometimes lays down on command but that was about all he wanted to learn…until he noticed MORE TREATS for the dog who could talk.  Huskies are vocal because they are friendly, pack animals.  Golden’s are friendly too, more loyal and watchdog like. They prefer back-scratches to conversation, until talking = more treats.

Corey interrupted our training by growling, then barked three barks – 1 short, 1 medium and then a longer one for emphasis.  I was shocked; he was proud.  He also got a treat.  Logan has moved on to more tricks and Corey tries to keep up. 

The lesson here is never stop learning and growing. Try something new or refine a skill by:

• Reading
• Researching
• Volunteering
• Taking a class
• The list goes on….

A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel (Proverbs 1:5).

Don’t wait to create a bucket list; seize the moment!

Jen, Corey and Logan

Tuesday’s Trench Lessons 4 Life

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Hello again friends! Thanks for returning for this hopefully thought-provoking topic. As I write this, I want to let you know that I am going to be speaking in generalities. It may not apply to you, but I think we can see how this may apply to many in the world we live in. Please grab your shovels and your water bottles as we climb down into the trench today.

There is a term used when a child is undernourished, and does not grow and develop properly: “Failure to Thrive.” In general, babies who fail to thrive don't receive or cannot take in, keep, or use the calories that would help them grow and gain enough weight. One of many causes that doctors have discovered cause this is lack of touch. Babies need touch to survive. It helps them grow, develop, adapt, trust, and feel secure and comforted. It decreases the probability of illnesses and promotes good health emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Touch helps babies bond to Mom, Dad, and other family members. What amazing powers touch has!

As we grow, often times the amount of touch we receive dwindles. We become big kids and think we don't need comforted when we get injured. We don't want our friends to see Mom or Dad giving us a hug either! How embarrassing! Then we hit the teenage years, with our attitudes, and looks to kill. Some days, the only time our parents want to touch us is to wring our brat necks! Many parents still show love, and still give us touch, but compared to our infant days, there is pretty much no comparison. After all, we don't fit comfortably in their laps anymore. :-)

Now we are into our adulthood. We might not see our family too often anymore. Mom might only be able to give us hugs once a year because she lives so far away. We may have had a falling out with our Dad, and no longer receive any type of touch from him at all. As an adult, we may have a significant other that we receive loving touch from. We possibly have good friends that we also receive touch from, the hugs when we greet, or when we are having a bad day, their arms around our shoulders while sitting together watching movies or sharing a laugh.  Then there are times in our lives we may not have a significant other, or might be low in the friend department. What does our physical touch look like then?

There is the handshake when meeting someone new, the occasional brush of hands when paying for something, the accidental bump on a crowded street. In some cases, the touch in our life may have turned from positive to negative, i.e., an abusive relationship or a mate that ignores our needs, sexual harassment at school or in the workplace.  With all the negativity in the world, we have been set on edge. What secret motive does that person have, or what horrible thoughts are going through their mind as they are attempting to touch us?

Think of the last time a stranger touched you. How did you feel? Now think of the last time that you touched a stranger. What caused you to do so? How was it received?  I thought that I mostly enjoyed touch. I like to be hugged. I like to shake hands. Sometimes I like an arm around my shoulder. I have become more aware of myself these past few months, and I realize that I am not as comfortable with touch as I thought. I don't feel comfortable with people walking directly behind me. I dislike when someone has their hand on my shoulder for an extended period of time. I feel unnerved when a hug continues after I have tried to pull away.

For the most part, a stranger’s touch just seems, well, strange! But what would this world be like if the touch of a stranger felt welcomed? Imagine if embraces and gentle slaps to the back or shoulder felt natural. Better yet, what would it be like to not question why someone touched you?  The peace that we would feel from everyone's healing touch would be overwhelming!

Jesus physically touched everyone He came in contact with. He healed with touch. He touched the untouchable and the unlovable. In Mark 8:22-25, we read of the blind man that was healed by Jesus' touch. Touch is so vital in this story. Lack of sight increased the blind man's sense of touch. Jesus lead him out of town with touch, healed him with touch, and comforted him with, you guessed it, touch. So this week, let us strive to be like Christ, and share positive and comforting touch.

Until next week, I love you.

~Lea

Jenn’s Journey from Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Another week has passed.  I spent a few days away, in the mountains. There is something about being in nature's beauty that gives a new perspective. Every now and then, we need that. Thank you for joining me for a few minutes away from it all this morning!

There was once a man who had 100 sheep. His job was to shepherd these animals and watch over them. Each day he led them to pastures plentiful with grass, and to streams of cool water. He kept a watchful eye out for wolves who might hunt them. If a sheep was hurt, he bandaged the wound. Each evening he rounded them up and took them home, to shelter and safety. At the gate, he counted the sheep to make sure each one was back where it belonged. One night his count came up short by one. He counted again. Sure enough, only 99 had come home.

Of course, he was immediately concerned. He hurriedly locked up the 99 and went out, weary though he was, to search for the lost. Frightened cries led the shepherd to a ravine, and a mass of thorny bushes. Finally, the lamb was rescued, comforted, cleaned up and home safe with the other sheep.

As the story goes, the lamb had wandered away from the flock and ended up lost. Has this ever happened to you? Have you felt separated and lost from what is safe and familiar? Do you ever feel you are down in a ravine, trapped with no way out? I certainly have. Life has a way of doing that to us...sometimes by our own choices, and sometimes by way of others foisting their choices on us. Whatever the situation, it can seem hopeless and as if those thorny bushes are closing in.

I am here to tell you, it is not hopeless! There is Someone who notices that you or I have gone missing. He knows our stories…the good, the bad and the ugly. He is out looking for us and He wants to bring us home. He longs to bandage up our wounds and set us back on the right path. He has done this for me so many times. If you've ever been crying out, and a friend calls at the right time, or a touching song plays on the radio, inspiring words jump out at you from a book you are reading, or you just feel a comforting Presence, you've been found by the Shepherd.  He will treat and heal that which has wounded us. He does not leave us alone, or afraid.

The story above can be found in Luke 15:1-7. It's one of Jesus' parables. It is a beautiful story. Wherever you are today, may you be blessed, knowing He has found you!

Until next week,

Jenn

Jenn’s Journey from Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Good morning everyone! Happy Monday once again. Thank you for stopping by and having a few moments with me. I hope this new week holds some good adventures for you!

Speaking of adventures, I had one this past week. I've talked often here in my blog of being a recovering perfectionist. Life is full of opportunities for improving upon this aspect of my life. I've slowly but surely been practicing letting go of my high expectations, trying to give myself credit for the things I do right.

Back to my adventure. I promised to check on my parents’ home while they are out of town, to water their indoor plants and make sure all is in order. They live about 45 miles away, so it's a bit of a drive. I planned out my week; notice how I say, 'planned,’ figuring that Tuesday was the best day for this trip. I prepared my daughter for the excursion, promising a treat for both of us and charged up her DVD player. She let it be known this was not how she wanted to spend her day…but I assured her we'd have fun and make some memories along the way.

For once, we sailed right up the hill with no traffic and pulled into the driveway. I stepped out of the car, and with a sudden sinking feeling, realized I had the wrong set of keys with me. The house key to my parents’ house dangled safely from its hook 45 minutes away. Normally, this would really set me off, either I'd be mad, or be in tears. Instead, I laughed.

If you know me, you probably have your chin on the floor right now. My daughter asked me "Mom, what is so funny?" I told her the situation and she just looked at me, standing there, in the driveway, laughing. I explained that we would go to the backyard, pick the plums as promised and then we'd go get some lunch and take go to the park.

We did just that. You know what? We had fun!  I didn't spend time beating myself up for this mistake. I was able to stay in the moment, and make some memories with my girl.

To some, this would seem a small thing. To me, it is huge.  The still small voice of God says "Jenn, slow down; enjoy what is around you. I will help you handle whatever the day throws at you" Oh, may I count on Him more.

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

Until next week, be blessed.

Jenn

Jenn’s Journey from Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Good morning! Happy July. Celebrating freedom is always a good thing isn't it? It seems nowadays it is even more special as this world heats up with more tragedy and unrest.

The other day I went to see the movie "San Andreas." Typically, these types of movies are not my thing, as they usually strike fear in my heart. However, I am glad I took a chance on this one, because I got a reminder during this movie of where I need to place my hope.

If you know anything about the movie, you know a 9.8 earthquake hits California, with San Francisco being the hardest hit. It's really quite sobering to think that anything like this could happen; the devastation is unreal. Of course, the movie has a hero, a firefighter who has the highest number of dangerous rescues under his belt. He's incredibly smart, strong and daring…I'd sure want him around if a tragedy hits!

He was everywhere, rescuing people, hurrying them to safer ground, pulling them out from under fallen debris. In one scene he gets a group of people up against a building, and they survive. One woman asks him, "How did you know we'd be safe?" His answer, "Get up against something strong and stable and you'll be ok."  The ultimate goal is to find and rescue his daughter who is in San Francisco. The daughter has paid attention to things her dad has taught her, and throughout the movie, she is trying to get to higher ground.

I found myself in tears, and not because I was afraid, but because of the spiritual lesson I took away from the movie. I often feel chaos all around me, falling debris, and fear of what will happen next, the struggle to get to higher ground. This is when I have to ask myself: have I been listening to what my Father has told me?

Words from a hymn came to my mind:

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.”

I/we have Higher Ground to run to, and though He does not always stop the chaos, He helps me/us rise above it. He is the ultimate Hero and one day He will take us far above and beyond this crazy world. I leave you with this verse, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

Until next week, be blessed,

Jenn

Faith Filled Fridays From Croley’s Corner of Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Welcome to Faith Filled Friday’s Coffee Hour. Today’s blog may seem simple yet for certain we are always in need of a reminder that our words are powerful in that they can bring life or death. Grab your favorite beverage, journal and join me for a moment as we look into God’s word together.
Proverbs 18:21 teaches us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Our words have a tremendous ability to heal and bring peace or to destroy and hurt others. We also find in Matthew 12:34–35 Jesus reminds us that the words we speak are actually the overflow of our hearts.
I have five amazingly talented, gifted, beautiful grandchildren, I guess I’m a bit partial, then again, what Grandma or Grandpa wouldn’t be? We have three girls and two boys, the ages ranging from 12 to 7. The two boys are 7. Now mind you, I love them dearly; however when they are together, it seems like there’s an army of them…literally! They seem to multiply right before my eyes! I find it funny that the boys seem to emulate one another more so than the girls, maybe because of their ages, yet I’m not convinced, (girls do as well; however, we’ll leave that for another time of blogging.)
One thing for sure what one boy does the other will soon follow, repeat or even act out. I recently bought them some Lego’s. Soon after they opened their packages they began comparing each item, one was better, bigger, more pieces, and had more men. As we watched them interact you could sense the atmosphere changing and quickly a verbal argument broke out. Of course at this young age the worst word one could hear was, at least from our grand boys, was ”That’s stupid,” and I’m keeping the name confidential for the sake of privacy. :)
He quickly turned and looked at us, to see if we were going to react. He definitely had a look of ‘uh oh’ I’ve just said something that wasn’t nice. Immediately you could see the reaction on the other boy’s face. He, too, was surprised, hurt and then angry. Yet within a few minutes the offender said, "I’m sorry". He recognized he brought brokenness between the both of them. Even at the age of 7, they recognize that their words can harm one another and bring improper actions.
The power of our words can actually rescind one’s spirit. It could have been a whole lot worse; however, I was thankful for the tender-heartedness of our grandson to ask for forgiveness and yes the other grandson responded…. “I forgive you.” They hugged and played on.
We find in Ephesians 4: 29 that Paul warns us “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Here Paul is emphasizing the positive over the negative. The Greek word translated “unwholesome” and means “rotten” or “foul.” It originally referred to rotten fruit and vegetables. Yet another blog for another day!
Although Paul was speaking to a mature church, we find that it’s not impossible to be equipped and empowered by what is good, acceptable by the power of our words... at any age, for that matter. How blessed are we when we use our tongue to lift up and encourage the people around us. Simple as that!!!
Prayer: Father continue to show us in your Word that our mouth would be a means of grace… a tool that would bring You glory and that the hearer will know that our words are covered with Your love. Help us to be reminded whose got their eyes on us that they would find we are able to control our actions, our words that may feel like it requires us to respond in a corrupt way. We recognize that the fight for purity of mouth starts in the heart… in that we should emulate the example of Jesus whose words were so filled with grace that the multitudes were even amazed. Amen!!
Have a wonderful weekend… and keep Him close to your heart.
Love,

Deb

Thanksgiving Praise from Alex Trevino and Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Thanksgiving Praise-Thinking our Loud with Alex Trevino @ Chicklit Power

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power…

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you so much for stopping by for Coffee Hour, especially on such a special day! This is another “Thinking Out Loud” piece that I found while on my newsfeed from a new friend all the way from Texas, one who has been healed in the fire of cancer and has a heart full of thanksgiving, so grab your coffee and come share this victory with Alex Trevino.

I feel I need to share this with family and friends. Two years ago I started feeling a big change in by body. There was so much hurt and pain and I was worn out with no energy. It’s true what they say; that pain is exhausting. I had no desire of any kind to go on … anywhere for anything.
Finally, and only because I couldn’t take the pain any longer, I went to see the doctor. That first doctor told me I was fine but my body was telling me no, I wasn’t fine. I got a second opinion. I’m so grateful to Dr. Brian Kansas who took his time with me, checked me and quickly found something was not right. He gave his radiologist an order to scan only my pelvis area.

On the day of the scan, the technician said to me, “You know, Mr. Trevino, I’m not sure why I feel this but I feel like I need to scan your whole body, against the doctor’s order. Well, she did just that. I’m ever so thankful that GOD used her as the start of what would be the most devastating news… Cancer! I’ll never forget the words: “You have kidney cancer.”

I can’t begin to tell you how I felt. I walked out to my car and just sat there. It took me an hour before I could even start the car and drive off because of the tears, the shock. I do remember that the first thing I did was ask GOD why? I was so angry, but one day at a time, one foot in front of the other, I began to plan for their course of treatment.

I scheduled my surgery to have part of my left kidney removed. I won’t lie; it was the most scared I’ve ever been. I didn’t know if this was the end, the beginning of the end or a new beginning.
On the day of surgery, while in surgery, they discovered other issues that caused the surgery to go even longer, but they corrected the unexpected. But one thing that they were not prepared for, and that they couldn’t fix when they had me on the table that first surgery was the tumor, and not a tiny tumor; a tumor the size of a grapefruit!

They closed me up and planned for another surgery, giving me some time to recover from all they had just completed. Two days after my first surgery was the worst pain I have ever experienced, next to the death of my father-in-law. It was the second time in my life in which I experienced the darkest place in my life. But God didn’t leave me in that dark and desolate place alone; He had many praying for me, family and friends and I know in my heart if it weren’t for my wife, my kids and seeing my little grand kids, I don’t think I could have survived it all.

The second surgery was scheduled for October 7th. Much to their surprise, the tumor wasn’t a grapefruit; it was a tumor the size of a small watermelon! We were all in shock, and I was in sooooo much pain, so much so that I even called my cousins David C Edwards & Pamela Kay Edwards on the worst night of pain. I asked them for prayer over the phone and I prayed for me, too. I asked the Lord for peace. David and Pam prayed a powerful heartfelt prayer. I remember closing my eyes while they were praying, and I saw a vision of a bearded man holding a lamb. I knew that lamb was me and right after we hung up, I quickly fell fast asleep, something I hadn’t been able to do much of because of the pain.

I know that I know that that was GOD and the power of prayer. My wife never left my side and took care of me so faithfully. I know GOD had my back and took care of me. Yes, cancer, you are not bigger than GOD. The C in CHRIST is so much bigger, more powerful than the c in cancer!
Thank you all so much for the love and care you showed me. I love you all so much. I now pray blessings on your lives. May GOD bless you with good health, and the love of family!
GOD, I don’t think I’ve said this enough but I thank you for your saving grace, your love for me and for carrying me through this as a wounded lamb. I give you all the glory. Through it all, you have increased my territory of friends. I am thankful, so, so thankful.
Sincerely

Alex Trevino

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Power Friday from Croley's Corner of Chicklit Power

Jesus has a Table Spread

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...

Good morning… Super glad that today’s Friday, and the weekend will soon be upon us…. Oh yes, Thanksgiving is right around the corner and for many they’re virtually into full swing. Like most, we‘ll be busy scurrying around purchasing all our Thanksgiving dinners and no doubt with excitement as we’re visualizing the end results of all our preparations and the satisfying looks on each face when they finally push away from the table with the guise of gratefulness and full belly’s….whew…. that was a mouth full!!

I had a hard time writing this particular blog. I sat for a few days writing, deleting, writing and praying that the Lord would give me a clear vision of what needed to be written. Oh I had a great depiction of my own family Thanksgiving but I believe the Lord wanted something else from me. I squabbled a bit with Him but as you will soon read, it wasn’t me who won. I pray you read with an open heart and please know it’s not to bring scolding or to make you change your plans as a family; it’s just another perspective on Thanksgiving.
So here goes…..

In my mental thoughts of my preparedness of cooking Thanksgiving dinner, it occurred to me how many dinners I have prepared over the years. And for the most part it’s been 43 years of which I have prepared, not that I’m complaining; I’m thankful that I’ve been able to do so…. Besides, it’s not always about preparing everything myself, even though I am a person of order and…. okay…control…but not in a bad way. I do however have in my mind how it’s supposed to look and the way it should flow. I really don’t want it to be...”I gotta have it my way” kinda feeling....however,

I’m learning in my older years that I really need to release and let go of what I think is important to me and in doing so, it has given freedom for my girls to step into their own potential. And if that means stepping back, then I’m okay with it! It’s called “passing the baton.”

The query is… when we all pitch in doesn’t it always turn out fine anyway?

Talking about pitching in, there have been a few Thanksgivings that we’ve been involved in serving others and what an amazing opportunity to do so. Certainly for the most part my home is busy preparing dads favorite dish and grandma’s favorite recipe, yet on this day our expectations turned from setting a table of splendor to a table of necessity. As we experienced serving others the eager faces that were lined up ready to embrace blankets and food were expressions filled with gratefulness. No there weren’t tables set in splendor, nevertheless there definitely were tables set in love. We talked and listened to many stories yet the one thing you walked away with was they were truly thankful for the genuine love they felt, the unpretentious love that some had never experienced before. It left us with a joy unspeakable and with grateful hearts.

Giving up one day really wasn’t a sacrifice; it was an act of obedience, honor and blessing. We have taught our family, although they are grown now and have their own families, the practice of… “Give unto others.” Yes, we have had many wonderful Thanksgivings together and how sweet it has been. We have prepared delicious dishes and set a beautiful table. Yet the question was, “Are we giving our best to those in need?”

Thanksgiving is only six days away. May our days be marked with humbleness and love. Let us be thankful not only for the things we have but also for the things we no longer have to have. And as each member of your family, whether young or old, gathers together to reflect of your thankfulness this past year, may you be knitted together as you purpose in your hearts…. in thinking of others.

Jesus speaking said in John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
There’s an old hymn that we used to sing called “Come and Dine’ and I’d like to leave a portion of this song with you today…

“Jesus has a table spread where the saints of God are fed. He invites His chosen people, “Come and dine;” With His manna He doth feed and supplies our every need: ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time! Come and dine,” the Master calleth, “Come and dine. You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time; He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine, to the hungry calleth now, ‘Come and dine.
Reservations have been made and the table has been set! Let us invite those who are hungry for His great love. The experience of someone being saved…. well, should make us very Thankful!
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 NKJV

Make it a glorious weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving, until we meet again.
Being ever so thankful

Debbie

Power Friday-@ Croley's Corner of Chicklit Power

Power Friday-from Coffee Hour @ ChicklitPower

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power…

Good Morning Power Friday readers

I am so excited that you have taken the time to join me today. It’s not by circumstance that you just happened to stop by, for today is my “Welcoming Basket Debut” so to speak. Many years ago it used to be when a family moved into a new neighborhood they had an official neighborhood greeter and it was their responsibility to help them feel welcome and create a desirable sense of community. It fosters a feeling of belonging and to help put a face and name to each neighbor. And for the most part the “Welcoming Basket” would sometimes include home baked goods, some kind of house-warming gift and a swarm of hospitable handshakes. As the new neighbors move in, all eyes of anticipation are on them…that’s just the nature of humans. They want “to know” if they have children… how many, how old…..if they have animals and their curiosity in them arises wanting to know what the inside of their home is going to look like… and for the most part, the men would eyeball what kind of car or truck they’re driving and what kind of work they do, if their into sports and the list goes on!

After the settling-in period, the new neighbors usually want to return their warm welcoming. Now with any good hostess that has invited her guest to her home, she always has something wonderful to offer. Many times there are coffee cakes, muffins, granola or maybe some yogurt with a serving of fresh fruit on the side. On the invitation it reads “Please bring your favorite cup or mug” and her preparation has been well calculated to embrace her new welcomed friends. She has eagerly invested her time in preparing her dishes in that they would know the warmth and kindness of her heart; in hopes the sweet aroma will permeate and embrace their senses that it will express the motive of her heart as it engulfs each guest when they enter into her home.

As each neighbor arrives; the whiff is distinctively an aroma of a house filled with love…. Her home has been saturated with this sweet aroma, which identifies her of who she is within her home.
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 NKJV

I pray that today as you welcome me into your community, you grab your favorite beverage, find a comfortable place to sit and relax as we begin building a relationship together and that your soul will be filled with a sweet savoring aroma; may it be a fragrance that will permeate the very presence of our Heavenly Father…from His heart to yours…to share with others..

As far as God is concerned, there is a sweet, wholesome fragrance in our lives. It is the fragrance of Christ within us, an aroma to both the saved and the unsaved all around us. 2 Corinthians 2:15 TLB
Have an awesome weekend and I’m looking forward to sharing with you next Friday and don’t forget to bring your favorite cup!!

Debbie

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Secret Faults & Presumptuous Sins-from Coffee Hour @ ChicklitPower

Psalms 19:12-14

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. ¹³ Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.

Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power…

Welcome to Chicklit Power and our Coffee Hour. If you’re new to our blog, you’ve come right in the midst of our November’s WOW, which stands for weapons of warfare and words of wisdom. It’s a time of month where we take a verse, or two, of scripture and really chew on it. So that being said, this is the third part of it so you may want to scroll up to Tuesday’s blog so you don’t feel like you are jumping in the midst of a pool of confusion! Grab your coffee and come on in. We are about to get to the presumptuous sins but we have to finish up with secret faults! And no, this isn’t a steamy chapter out of an R rated book!
So now to answer this question: Is there a big jump between errors and secret faults? Was David distinguishing between the two? Let’s check out the Hebrew translation for errors and then we can get to the wrap-up of the whole “secret faults” context.
So I found a “Biblical Study of Sin” on this very issue and after confirming definitions in the Hebrew concordance, I just have to take a couple of excerpts out of it to hopefully shed some light on the ever so slight difference(s):
Error, translated to “shigiah” refers to “sins of ignorance under the Mosaic law.” The author of this study goes on to say, and I’ll paraphrase for clarity’s sake — that while there may be a lot of middle ground between complete ignorance and absolute arrogance in our own experiences and from our own point of view, in God’s perfect way of looking at things, there is no gray area at all. Either we are essentially deceived in our sinning as Eve was – and he distinguishes hers as a sin of ignorance — or we sin in full knowledge that what we are doing is wrong as Adam did – and he refers to Adam’s sin as one of arrogance. Oh, dear, we best not go there, because that sounds like an opinion that we could really get lost in for a while. One thing for sure is this: whether a sin of ignorance or arrogance, the result is guilt.
He goes on to describe that the word “errors” refers to sins which are on the impulsive side and which are not crimes or willful violations of God’s known will.
Well to me, that wasn’t very clear, but I continued to read:
“That is to say, it” – the “error” – “is more than an ‘honest mistake’ – but it is a sin.” And I love the example he gives: “like a lie of no great consequence that you didn’t have to tell but you let slip out for convenience sake or the like and immediately forgot about.
What it comes down to is that whether an error or a secret fault, they both required the death of Jesus for atonement. They both beg for the reality of the necessity of the love and grace of Christ!
We will move on to “presumptuous sins” next week! For now, think on this thought and answer this question: When Godly people do ungodly things, do you compound it with an error or a secret fault?
Transparently,

Evinda

Coffee in Cabo-from Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Thanks for joining me for more Cabo highlights and revelations. Grab your coffee and come on in.

When I woke up on Tuesday, the ocean’s voice beckoned me to be still. This was book signing day. I fixed our coffee and went to sit on the couch, the place I came every morning to be still, work on my Bible study, and journal. George had turned on the IPod and Michael W. Smith’s voice rose above the sound of the ocean.

George came and sat beside me as “Your Grace” began to play. Suddenly, yet ever so naturally, we both began to sing the lyrics, lost in worship song after song. Oh, how I had yearned for connection like this and it happened. I could have stayed there like that for hours.

We made our way to the lobby for the morning session of the book signing. My heart dropped a bit when I saw that I would be sitting by the back sliding doors again. That is where I was last year, and it was really difficult to engage with anyone because most people are walking in and out so fast that they don’t look to the right or the left; they just keep going. I could fill pages and pages full of all the emotions I kept finding myself stuck in, but suffice it to say, at this point in the day, I am hiding behind my tablet playing solitaire, looking like I’m having fun as I relentlessly remind myself that it’s not about books but about hearts.

To be perfectly honest with you, that truth is still making its way down from my mind to my heart, but I am determined

Book signing day!

to push it on in there! 

But despite my inabilities and flaws, God showed up. He brought a couple of divine appointments that reminded me of His purpose. There was a lady who came in from the pool purposefully to purchase all three of the books and she let us know that she was there because of what she had read on Amazon about the books! I was so encouraged! Shortly thereafter, Dinorah, a young lady who headed up the tours for the Solmar Helping Hands charities, came over to check the books out. She said she had heard about the book signing from several people and wanted to come take a look.

We talked about the Helping Hands foundation which opened the door for me to share each of the books and the respective charities that they are dedicated to. She nodded her head in open appreciation and picked up A Cup of Hope, exclaiming how cute the cover was. She glanced through it and got so excited. “These look like what I would like.” She picked up A Cup of Encouragement and then handed them both to me.

I had my first sale in pesos! I got so excited figuring it out I could have sworn I had a hot flash, but then just as quick as it came on, it was gone! I signed them both, and thanked her. When she asked if we came every year, I assured her that we did. “Well we need to stay in touch through email and I will bring you out to all the timeshare representatives and the helpers for the charity. They love to buy and they need your books.”

I had to remind myself to shut my mouth before a Cabo mosquito flew in it! Talk about an unexpected gift! By now, it was just about time to wrap the morning session up, but before we packed it up, Rodney and George suggested that I ask Paula, the Chief Concierge, if there was any way we could move to a better location. I prayed for courage as I made my way toward her across the lobby. I don’t know why I felt so inept and awkward, because she really is the sweetest and most accommodating concierge I have ever met.

For those of you who were with me last year, do you remember the fiasco with the books being stuck in customs and not making it to us? Well, she was so incredibly helpful through that whole thing.

Anyway, she stood as I approached her and we hugged, and then I asked her, “Paula, is there any way that we can move for the afternoon session?” I went on to share with her about the first year I was in the lobby and where they had put me, which was an amazing spot at the end of the resort receptionists and definitely a prime location in comparison to where we were now.

“I understand, Ms. Lepins. Let me talk with my manager and see what we can do. I don’t think it will be a problem as long as the spa staff does not mind.” I thanked her and walked back to our table.

Rodney and George could tell by the smile on my face that the attempt had been well-received, but I still couldn’t stop from exclaiming how incredibly understanding and receptive she had been.

Cheryl and I began to pack up the books, and we agreed to leave the signs out with a “Back at 3” sign taped to the table. We were about to leave and Paula came over with the General Manager, Rodrigo. We all shook hands and he then went on to say that Paula had told him we wanted to move the table. He said, “It will be no problem to move you, Senora Lepins. I will see to it myself that we move everything by this afternoon.” Talk about humbled. Rodrigo’s kindness rang a bell of truth in my heart: You can’t be genuinely kind without humility!

Please join me tomorrow for more Cabo highlights and revelations. And I can’t wait to tell you who I met at the pool!

Joyfully,

Evinda

Coffee in Cabo from Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power

Thanks for joining me for coffee hour and more Cabo highlights. I hope you are enjoying them as much as I am enjoying reliving them! I may keep you a bit longer today, so grab your coffee and get comfortable.

They say things come in threes, and there definitely is a third one that happened our first day, a heart-squeeze that made us all laugh in the days that followed. Let me share it with you and maybe you will find yourself laughing at the irony of the blessing.

For us, Cabo is a yearly thing because we have a timeshare there. Back in November, we invited Rodney and Cheryl to join us and even offered one of our weeks so they could have their own place if they wanted. Once flights had been booked and both our places confirmed, I began to pray that they would get a suite like ours – it’s a one-bedroom with a kitchen, living room and two bathrooms but the best thing is it’s right on the sand. I did add in my prayer to make their room as close to us as possible.

Well, as soon as Javier finished our check-in, he began to look for a suite for Rodney and Cheryl. He kept pushing buttons on the computer and shaking his head, then suddenly he smiled. “There is one like theirs in the next building” – it was only a couple hundred yards away. Rodney wanted to know where that was so Javier pulled out the map and showed him. Rodney asked if there was anything closer. Javier turned his focus back to the computer, his head shaking no, and then he smiled again because of other possibilities but they were on The Ridge, which happened to be on the other side of the resort. In other words, you couldn’t get any further from us! 

My eyes got real big and so did George’s as we realized what Javier was offering our dear friends. Rodney thought about it for a minute and then decided on the one closest to us. I offered up a silent thank you to Abba for watching out for them and then noticed Javier was again shaking his head in the negative. “It’s gone!” Just like that, bam! Gone!

He pulled out the map again and showed them the other two possibilities at The Ridge. Now, let me explain something

view from The Ridge

about The Ridge. You need a special key to get up there, first of all, and it’s pretty much like the penthouse area of the whole resort. The only reason George and I have ever seen the rooms is because of the member update, which includes a tour of The Ridge! Ramon handed Rodney and Cheryl a key and invited them to go take a look so we all headed up there to check it out.

OMG, you talk about a prince and a princess in a palace! Seriously, friend, I’m sharing this not to boast about this blessing but in the Giver of the blessing. When God is serving, it’s filet mignon, not hamburger! I was so happy for them because these are two people that do for others with servants hearts 365 days of the year without any expectation. Now here in Cabo, they were going to be served! This was way above and beyond all of our expectations! It was like a honeymoon suite and a presidential suite all wrapped up in one package, and with an amazing view of the marina!

So that was the third blessing in our first day! And again, let me emphasize, I am boasting on our Father’s goodness, not on ours or theirs!

Monday: I woke up to the sound of the crashing waves that put a smile on my face and cleared the cobwebs out of my mind as I remembered where I was. I made my way out to the kitchen but first went to the big sliding glass window in our living room and opened the curtains wide, allowing the beauty of the ocean to fill our room with its majestic sound. Then I headed for the coffee pot, poured two bottles of water into it, several scoops of Mexican coffee and pressed the “on” switch. The day had officially started! Not too long after that, Rodney and Cheryl knocked on our door to join us for George’s famous chorizo and egg breakfast!

We had agreed to participate in the “Update for owners” so we could get a $50 certificate per couple to use for an

a quick pose in the amazing tub!

activity, like parasailing, a sunset cruise, a spa treatment! They would be taking us next door to the newest resort called Grand Solmar, which George and I saw last year. Let me give you a little Cabo insight: The word “timeshare” is both a joke and a cuss word out here because everyone is pushing them from the moment you step foot in the airport to the walks you take out on the boardwalk! But, hey, we were on vacation and we had the time, so since Rodney and Cheryl hadn’t been here or to the Grand Solmar, we thought it would be something fun to do, kind of like checking out new homes.

We showed up in the lobby as instructed at 11:15. The receptionist introduced us to Ana Begonia, the one who would be conducting our tour. She was beautiful, and very friendly. By the time we got into the shuttle, Cheryl had already given her a flier for the book signing and I watched as she read it. Something she read on that flier really got to her because she looked at me, and smiled an intriguing smile, one that made me want to ask her what she was thinking about, but I didn’t have to. “Evinda – is that how you say your name?” I nodded my head. “– I need books like this. You have no idea.” She shook her head as if to shake away tears, even turning to face the other side for a few seconds. Then she looked back at me and she began to confide in me that just the night before she was crying – she said, “I was crying so hard, and I was like yelling at God, asking Him if I am supposed to stay at this job or not.”

Well that was an open door inviting encouragement, and so that’s exactly what I did because I so understand how it feels to be in that place of discouragement and confusion. I told her that God loves her so much and has a plan and that our meeting was no coincidence.

We arrived at Grand Solmar and Ana took us to three of the floor plans, each one more beautiful, extravagant in all its

The view from Grand Solmar

décor, lavish with amenities, and views that take your breath away. It was fun to pose in different places, pretending we lived in them, and yet, I know in my heart that this kind of lavishness is not what I or Cheryl desire!

We finished up the tour with Ana, and though we didn’t upgrade or purchase, I had come away from that experience a bit richer in a different way, knowing in my heart if all I had was all money could buy, I would be poverty stricken.

That evening was Fiesta night at the resort and there were a couple of significant blessings: One was running into someone I had met last year, a sweet gentle soul named Carol. This time she had brought her daughter, Laura and so we sat with them at the Fiesta and it was time that squeezed my heart as I learned more about them. I asked Carol about Pat, her friend who had come with her to Cabo last year. I learned that she’s been in a lot of pain lately and vowed to pray for her. So, Pat, if you are reading this, know I am praying for you and missed seeing you in Cabo.

Cheryl had us roaring!

The next blessing was the laughter we shared that night at the Fiesta. I don’t think I have laughed so hard in a very long time. I so needed the laughter, and even more than the laughter itself was whom I shared that with: Not just Rodney and Cheryl, but my husband, too. It’s been a long time since we laughed, a very long time and that night as I lay my head down on my pillow, I savored the sensation of true, deep-down from the gut laughter, the kind that makes your abdominals hurt, in a good way, of course!

The next morning when I woke up, my first thoughts were of the laughter we all shared from the day before. I don’t think I’ve ever realized its healing power, and maybe that’s because I’ve been in a tough and painful unpeeling process for a very long season and haven’t really laughed much, if at all. But then again, there is beauty in that as well, for I appreciate the gift of laughter so much more. That is the inspiration of these words:

Laughter from yesterday that makes your heart giggle today brightens the perspective for tomorrow!

Laugh today!

Evinda