Wednesday’s Word

Philippians 4:12: 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.

As much as I tried not to, I wound up pulled into the craziness of the season…but only for a couple of days. It was definitely a challenge season, trying to juggle it all. What pulled me out? Reminding myself that I don’t want to start the New Year like I was beginning to end the old one!

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and the final Wednesday’s Word for 2017 with Trench Classes United.

Just like the Season of Christmas, we experience “seasons” in life, seasons of plenty, seasons of scarcity, of trials and of victories, seasons of desert valleys and seasons of streams of refreshment and revival. It’s not so much the type of season that matters, but how we walk through that season.

The reality is that without sadness, how would we know happiness? Without pain and suffering how would we experience with all of our being well-being? Without times of scarcity, how could we really appreciate times of abundance? It is the not-so-good that helps us to appreciate the good.

Have you ever seen two children laughing incessantly with those sweet childlike giggles that just warm the soul as they ride a teeter-totter? Often the laughter of the child on the top is suspended…for just a moment until it’s their turn to descend.

Life is like that, a teeter-totter that is. We must find our childlike joy to enjoy the ride, through the ups and downs, with our faith unwavering, because when all of our seasons run out, the only thing that will matter is how we walked through them and “Who” we clung to.

As this year comes to a close and 2018 is now within our sight, may we learn to hang on through all the seasons He brings us to and through, and may we remember, we are not on the ride alone.

Love,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Christmas is over but S_ _ is still causing many to be naughty and not nice!

Why is that? Why is it so difficult to stay out of bed before marriage and even harder to get in bed when married? Let’s face it; for many of us, sex has become a chore…but why? Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and a moment of truth today with Trench Classes United.

If you are anything like me, you may cringe just hearing the word SEX, but why is that? Why do we dirty it with our junk and misunderstand and therefore misuse its purpose? For me, it’s a myriad of reasons, the first of which is the way I was raised, believing it was a shameful act, and then being molested compounded that belief. But I know better now, and yet…

Why have we become so complacent about the gift of intimate connection? Do we use sex as a weapon, a way to withhold and/or punish instead of the gift it’s meant to be? Many of the problems with sex are rooted in misperceptions which if we traced them, go a long way back in our genealogy. 

Oh, Coffee Hour Friend, I am so excited about our upcoming Facebook Live tomorrow and I am excited to learn that I may have freedom in this area and begin to experience it the way God intended it inside the protection of marriage: beautifully and uninhibitedly!

Join us tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. PST for what we know will be a thought-provoking time on Facebook live!
Truthfully,

Evinda 

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

Thursday’s Trench Truth

Life’s not perfect; just breathe!

Have you ever been told to just breathe, and then do this: hmmmmmmmm? Ah, the power in relaxed breathing and what we can learn! Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Thursday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United and Jenn Woosley who shares Lessons from Yoga!

Yoga is not about holding a pose perfectly. It's about focusing on breathing in the moment. The poses are challenging, difficult, yes, but the key is paying attention to your breath coming in and going out. And what is breath? The life that God breathed into us…and graciously allows us to have every new day we're alive.
Life is not about having things perfect, though we hear a lot about that. Perfect behavior, perfect families, perfect relationships, perfect holidays; the list could go on. Let's be honest; none of that exists. Living in expectation of perfection or how things “should” be leads to tears and disappointments.
Instead, focusing on the One who gave us our breath in and through the hard times in our lives is what counts. In so doing, we'll find the strength to hold on to our faith when it's dark, when we're challenged and when hope seems far away.
Just like in yoga, one day the pose that seemed so difficult will come more naturally…and so will hope, smiles, and joy if we just focus on and breathe in the moment.

Jenn

Wednesday’s Word

Gifts that don’t cost money? Or Give the gifts that don’t cost …$!

The best gifts don’t cost $!

Okay, let’s keep it real…are you enjoying everything you’re doing to celebrate this season? Oh, how I pray you are; otherwise, why do it, right? I wrote this little jingle a few years ago to help us stay in the right frame of mind for this beautiful season. Thanks for joining me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and for Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United. I hope you enjoy the jingle!

The Gifts of the Season

It’s not about the presents under the Christmas tree

But the presence of love we feel for friends and family

It’s not about the shopping that we feel we must do

But about the gift that’s already been given freely to me and you

The gift is a gift that your money can’t buy

The birth and death of Christ was and is for you and I

It’s not about making a list and checking it twice

Or buying countless gifts for the naughty or nice

The reason for this season isn’t about all of the debt and stress

It’s the season to offer simple gifts such as patience and forgiveness

Or how about the gift of time with one whose time is running out

A meal for a family in need to encourage hope where there is doubt

Or maybe someone needs a helping hand to accomplish a tedious chore

And don’t forget your lonely neighbor down the street or right next door

Oh, if we would take the materialism out of this special season

And in its place find ways to make redemption as our reason

To offer the gifts that money can’t buy, this requires a sacrifice

Slowing down and paying attention, and practicing just being nice

Yes the gifts of the season come freely to and from those walking in His spirit

For they will always outlive materialism, though the world doesn’t want to hear it

Just remember that love, joy, peace and patience, no these gifts don’t need a season

Nor do the gifts of kindness, gentleness or self-control have to have a reason.

May the gifts of the season carry you to and through the New Year!

Much love,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

When let down, we can’t give up!

Have you ever anticipated something with such excitement only to be let down? Oh, but the let down can be a bit of a bummer…and yet there is always beauty if we look! You’re going to love today’s Trench Truth with a former Transformer so grab your favorite break time beverage and join me for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Tuesday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United and Jenn Woosley.

All week V and I looked forward to Thursday evening, because we were going to decorate the house for Christmas. We'd decided to get a white tree…for something different. I knew she had this plan in her head, and I had my fingers crossed and prayers going up that we'd find what she hoped for.

Instead, as is often life's case, we didn't find a tree in the right price range. I watched my daughter go through a range of emotions. First anger, then tears, the “oh let's just forget it all,” then resignation that we'd just get one she'd “settle” for. I told her that I understood her feelings and that I felt bad too. I also encouraged her to think past getting one that was 'okay' to perhaps ordering one that was what she really wanted. After minutes of this emotional storm, she calmed down and we decided to order a tree from Amazon -- might I add in a very good price range. She told me, “Mom, it's ok. I can wait to decorate until that tree comes. I was just disappointed.”

I see myself in this: Expectations dashed which bring on a full range of emotions: a sense of having to just settle, anger and tears to God that what I wanted didn't happen. And yet…I also see Him wrapping His arms around me whispering that He has a different idea in mind. In some circumstances of my life, I am still waiting for that something better. I'll dry my tears, and make the best of what is, in anticipation of what’s to come.

Jenn