Thursday’s Trench Truth

Some of us have to be taught how to love and how to be loved. Sounds crazy, right? Thanks for joining us for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Thursday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United.

The other day, my girlfriend was sharing about a family conflict that kept rearing its subtle but ugly head over the Thanksgiving holiday, and how it saddened her that the parties involved weren’t able to talk about it healthily. She was able to recognize that the reason they weren’t is because one of them is self-aware and emotionally healthy; however, the other has an inability to socialize lovingly without alcohol.  In other words, the one who is emotionally healthy did not allow the other’s inability to become her disability, and yet she yearned to be able to resolve the issue.

How often do we allow someone’s inability to become our disability by lashing out, reacting instead of stepping back and thinking about it and then responding? Could it be that how we love is based on how we were loved? Perhaps loving requires learning how to unlearn! In order to work through the conflict that threatens to divide, we’ve got to be on the same side…emotionally willing.

The good news is we can re-train our brain to love like He loves us.  We are wounded in relationships…and healed in relationships, one of God’s most important ways to teach us how to love in the classroom of life!

Thoughtfully,

Evinda 

Wednesday’s Word

It’s that time of the year…already! In addition to the other hats we as women wear, now we get to add to our responsibilities in the name of “Christmas,” which can really send us in a tailspin if we are not careful! Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United

I don’t know about you, but this is where I struggle, staying in the moments because of all my responsibilities, especially at this time of the year. But is that a crutch of an excuse? Is that just a pass to remain busy, and often too busy? Oh, if we were just given the perfect equation for balance in our lives, huh, some sort of recipe to follow that we would achieve that ability to consistently stay in the present so as to not be ripped off in the future while soaking up regrets from the past.

I think I found it…yes, the answer to this dilemma!! But I must confess, it sounds easier than it is but it really is possible! I’ve already tried putting it into practice and I’m telling you, it works! See, this life is just temporary, a sort of practice run to learn how to dwell in eternity with the One whose perfect love will carry us there, so whatever we endeavor to do, wherever we put our most energy, whatever rents the most space in our head…must have eternal value!

Pouring truth into the mind is necessary to keep out the lies that keep us chasing after another thing to check off on our to-do list, or trying to control circumstances, situations or even worse, others. We must discipline the mind with spiritual truths which will then feed the soul so as to not be caught off balance like that of a double-minded, wobbly-legged weakling struggling to stay afloat while grasping for air, or for a future that is secure.

So as we enter into this holiday season, my prayer for you and for me simply stated are the words in Isaiah 26:3: He will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You…because he/she trusts in you!

Oh, that we would live in the moment, one moment at a time; that we would recognize and learn to trust that Your hand goes before us, protects all that is behind us, and provides for us all that we need in this moment and the next.

Love,

Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Have you ever experienced a clogged sink or a malfunction in your garbage disposal? It can be a bit frustrating and puzzling at the same time, and if you have ever experienced this, you know you have to stop what you’re doing, slow down and fix the problem…or it will only get worse! Welcome to Tuesday’s Trench Truth with Trench Classes United. Come on in for a moment of truth.

It was towards the end of a class and I felt led to share this analogy of a clogged sink and/or a broken garbage disposal, trying to paint a visual of clogs in the pipes preventing the water from flowing freely and setting the clog free. Then I shared that the heart sort of works the same way. If we’ve come to believe negative things about ourselves, told to us by whoever and for whatever reason, there begins to be a clogging in the heart that prevents the love of God from coming completely in and allowing us to live that abundant life.

It’s not that His love isn’t powerful enough, because it is: but it’s only when we face the lies and begin to denounce them with His truths for us and about us that His love for us begins to move ever so freely from our head to our heart!

Are there negative things, aka, lies, that you’ve come to believe about yourself as truth?  What causes a lie to flee: A truth! Here are just a few of the hundreds of truths that God says about you and about me:

We were created in His image and surely God doesn’t despise Himself! Genesis 1:27.
We are His children, precious in His sight John1:12

We are accepted-Ephesians 1:6

He calls us friend-John 15:15

We can’t out-sin His love for us! Oh, that you would begin dispelling the lies with new truths that His love would flow freely in your heart

Truthfully,

Evinda

Monday’s Mantra

Could the very thing we complain about actually be a blessing? According to a sermon given by Pastor Greg Laurie – You betcha!

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

‘Tis the holiday season! Before we’ve barely begun to digest Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas is upon us.  Our intentions of loving our neighbors as ourselves and allowing the peace of Christ to rule our hearts seem to woefully recede into the background while the fanatic push of finding the perfect present and holiday parties thrust to the forefront of our focus. Thus the beginning of grumbling and complaining…

You have a Christmas party to attend at 7:00 pm. You can’t believe it! Of all days, your boss asks you to stay late to tie up a last-minute project. As you leave work, you realize you left your car keys in the office. You hurriedly grab your keys and rush to the grocery store to pick the dessert you promised to bring to the party. Of course, you hit every red light on the way. You dash into the store, snatch up the dessert, and head to the “15 item or less” check-out line … and you wait… and wait. You anxiously start to fidget, looking to see what is taking so long. Promptly you identify the culprit. “That lady at the front of the line has more than 15 items! Can’t she read? This is the 15 item or less line. I only have one item,” you complain.

Let’s evaluate the above scenario from the perspective of blessings.

1) You have been invited to a Christmas party and you get to attend.

2) You have a job and a boss who evidently trusts you to get a job done in a timely manner.

3) You own the car those misplaced keys belong to.

4) The Lord is using the red lights to teach you patience.

5) You have the financial resources to pay for the dessert.

6) Knowing you did not absorb the previous red light lesson of patience, the Lord, because He loves you, used the “lady with more than 15 items” to provide you another learning opportunity.

Wow - from stressed to blessed!

In Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, she writes,

“Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you. Thankfulness opens the door to my Presence. See how many times you can thank Me daily; this will awaken your awareness to a multitude of blessings.”

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians5:18 (ESV)

Your comments are always most welcome.

Lovingly in Christ,

Megan

Faith Filled Friday with Ashley

Waiting…

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Faith Filled Friday with Trench Classes United and Ashley Zito, our new writer for Fridays! I’m so excited to have her on the blog team! She truly writes Spirit inspired from her heart to yours! Grab your favorite break-time drink and come on in.

Just the other day, my heart and mind were focused on my husband’s current working situation, and as I began my devotional for the day, I couldn’t believe how He met me there, in the midst of my questioning and wondering about our current situation. I was reading in Genesis 22:2 (ESV) where God spoke to Abraham and told him “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Here’s what struck me: When God called Abraham, he went without any hesitation, without questioning. He faithfully went. When God promised Abraham a child and then He told him to wait…and he waited…and waited…and waited.

What do we do when God tells us to wait? When He says wait, we must do so. Why? It’s God’s simplicity. See, He says, “Trust and know – through experience – that I am God for I see and think in ways you could never comprehend. Wait!

Oh, but Lord, our hearts cry! How much longer? And yet, His answer is simple: trust. See, our flesh gets in the way of God’s simplicity. Oh, if we would only take God’s commands to heart and do as He says, for His heart’s desire is the very best for you and me. The enemy, our adversary, uses our own flesh against us, so what must we do? Take up the full armor of God and defeat the lies of the Beast that we would not let him hide the blessings and promises of God from ourselves.
One of the most powerful pieces of that armor…The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God. Why do we shy away from it when It’s for our wisdom and guidance…to use in walking toward any victory! For Jesus has already conquered the ultimate obstacle that was meant to separate us from Him forever: death.

As I finished up my devotional, I was filled with such a presence and couldn’t help but saying, Oh, Praise You, Yahweh! We will wait or go when you command us to for there is none like you. Use us Lord to spread your love and glory even though we can’t see where we are going.

I am comforted knowing that His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8) and I am encouraged to take up the whole armor of God that we may be able to withstand any temptation to move before He commands, to stand firm in His calling, fastening on the belt of truth, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for our feet, putting on the readiness which comes from the gospel, and in all circumstances, in every time of waiting, taking up the shield of faith for it is then that we can extinguish all flaming darts of the adversary. We will keep on our helmet of salvation and live by the sword of the Spirit, praying at all times…even in the waiting.

Ashley

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power & to an amazing Thankful Thursday with Trench Classes United.
I love poetry; it has always brought comfort in hard times.  It’s the thought that goes into the lyrical rhythms that occupies my heart.  Writing has always been my happy place where I can sink in and express myself without judgment.  So enjoy a little magically delicious melody. Put on some comfy clothes (preferably yoga pants, an old comfy shirt and some fuzzy socks… my personal faves), grab a venti extra hot Hazelnut Latte and stay a while.

My Happy Place

The best kind of magic is faith;

It’s where I dwell, where I feel safe
It’s where my heart can just be

It’s where my eyes can see

It’s where my life feels whole

It is the comfort where I just know

The solidarity within Him, and the love that surrounds Him

It’s a gift of hope a treasure to be hold

A love to be shared a story to be told

Of solace within Him for a weary heart

And aspiration for the burden, a light in the dark

Yes, the best kind of magic is faith

It’s where I dwell, where I feel safe

It is with faithfulness in Him I take refuge; for He is my anchor; He is my glue

My roots run deep in the soil of God’s love
Built up in Him acknowledging true trust

Strengthened in the heart; overflowing with thankfulness

A love, a respite, a hope, a life truly blessed

Thank you so much for stopping by…

Love, Kat

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