Faith-Filled Friday with Brandi Linai Have you ever searched in a crowd of people for a familiar face and when
you saw them, were you relieved? Thanks for joining us for Faith-Filled Friday with Brandi Linai, Founder of Ignite Radio! Today’s blog is a fantastic reminder that in the crowds of life, Abba stands ready for us to recognize Him. The power of showing up… Recently I watched a video that was circulating the internet, showing a little boy’s reaction to spotting his mother in the crowd. He and his classmates were marching onto the stage for a performance and you could see his eyes intently scanning the faces in the audience searching for the one he would recognize, the one that would bring him comfort, confidence, and reassurance. And then he saw here. When this little boy laid eyes on his mother, he was overwhelmed by emotion. His smile was enormous, but at the same time he was almost moved to tears. What a beautiful thing to witness. My 11-year-old-niece had a similar reaction the other day when she spotted all of us family members in the audience for her school performance of Aladdin. Though not quite as emotional, you could see her face light up and she seemed relieved once she found us in the crowd. That’s the power of showing up. Showing up to root for our kids gives them the assurance that we will always be their cheering squad, their support. It reminds them that they are not doing life alone. But then, I realized something about our Heavenly Father: God shows up for HIS kids, too. He’s there in all of our challenges and struggles, in the midst of our storms and dry places. He’s always there to root for us, reassure us, cheer for us, support us, and provide for us. Even though it took a minute for that little boy to find his mom in the crowd, she had been there the entire time. God promises us HE’s always there, too. If you look for HIM, you’ll spot HIM. Love, Brandi Linai
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Thursday's Trench Truth Did you know that there are at least 69 contributors to chaos and confusion? Most of them are internal, meaning what is happening inside of us because of us or others close to us. Watch this FREE segment of our next trench. Wednesday Word The pull was on so many levels that made it so difficult to ignore, let alone not give into
it. This had definitely been a birthday celebration to remember. Thanks for joining us for Wednesday’s Word with Kim-Evinda and Trench Classes United. As usual, she shares from her heart about a real-life experience with the hope that it will encourage you in your life’s day to day temptations and struggles. She was on the dance floor dancing with a couple of her girlfriends from her community group and she saw him… He was standing at the bar and dancing, staring at her. She didn’t even think about it before she motioned over the music and said, “Get out here!” He came immediately, and they danced, and laughed, and danced and laughed. She didn’t think anything about it at first, especially after a good look at him and thinking, “he looks so young!” She told herself she was just having fun doing what she loved, dancing like no one was watching. But by the third dance, there was no denying the attraction. When the band announced a break, she took him back to the table and introduced him to her friends while swallowing a couple big gulps of water to replenish what she had lost through sweating . As she sat down, indicating she was taking a break, he told her he’d come find her after checking on his friends. Shortly after the band started up again, he did exactly that. They danced just about every dance after that. The night was nothing less than magical, especially realizing that what they were both experiencing was being taken in by others as they videotaped them dancing. It was like an attraction that attracted the attention of everyone close to the dance floor. In the days that followed, he was definitely taking up a lot of space in her head and not paying much rent! And yet, that night had definitely served to remind her of yet more things that were missing in her last marriage. It wasn’t until a few days as she was filming for a new promo for her republished book, The Men in and out of Her Life that a revelation hit her and hit her hard. As she was re-familiarizing herself with the words on the back of the book, she couldn’t help but chuckle at God’s sense of humor, especially all these years later, sixty-something and single…again. “With the help of her counselor, girlfriends and ‘The Voice’ within her, Lacey learns the most valuable lesson she could: She didn’t need a someone to be a somebody; she didn’t need another man in and out of her life to know she was loved.” It was a reminder that God was with her then and definitely with her now, and she was learning to recognize that sometimes an attraction is merely a distraction from all things good that God had for her. Friend, when life hands you things that attract your attention, can I encourage you to determine if the attraction is merely a distraction from His will for your life? Love Kim-Evinda Tuesday Trench Truth So many people have asked, what’s a trench, or why do you call it trench classes? The short answer: A TRENCH can be defined as Together, Receiving Extraordinary Nurturing, Coaching, Hope. In other words, a TRENCH is a safe place to be real with ourselves, God and others. Watch this introduction to our next trench, Rising above Chaos and Confusion and consider joining us. Monday Message Where do you go when you need rest, emotionally and physically?
Thanks for joining us for Monday’s Message with Debra Dolce and Trench Classes United. When we’re tired, we go to bed for rest; when we’re emotionally tired, which can also exhaust us physically, where is it we turn? Today’s love letter is a reminder that God, Jesus, Abba want us to rest in Them, Their promises to us and for us. ~Love Letter~ Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to Me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with Mine. Learn My ways and you'll discover that I'm gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in Me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear. This is a good Word for you who are struggling and gives you hope at the moment when you need it. Memorize this good Word, repeat it often to yourself so that you don't forget all My goodness to you. do not want you to become weary or burdened down with the cares of this world. This is why I say come to Me and I will refresh you. Remember that I am your oasis as you join your life with Mine. When you surrender all of your ways to Me, you will find that I am gentle, humble, and easy to please. People run around trying to do all kinds of things for Me but did I ask them to do that? Did I ask you to exhaust yourself trying to prove your worth to Me? You never have to prove anything. Remember, I came and died for you long before you were ever born so you don't need to prove a thing. My child, if you're struggling with a heavy burden, then stop, step back for a moment and examine all that exhausts you. Did I call you to do all the things you're struggling to do? Probably not. I will never ask you to do things that weigh you down because My burden is light. Things are light when you let Me carry the heavy stuff. Beloved, all the things that you desire, surrender to Me and in due time I will cause things to happen as they should. ~DebraDolce Wednesday Word The pull was on so many levels that made it so difficult to ignore, let alone not
give into it. Thanks for joining us for Wednesday’s Word with Kim-Evinda and Trench Classes United. As usual, she shares from her heart about a real-life experience with the hope that it will encourage you in your life’s day to day temptations and struggles. She was on the dance floor dancing with a couple of her girlfriends from her community group and she saw him… He was standing, and dancing, staring at her. She didn’t even think about it before she said, “Get out here,” and she motioned over the music for him to join them. He came immediately, and they danced, and danced, and danced. At first, she didn’t think anything about it or him, except he looked so young; she was just having fun doing what she loved, dancing like no one was watching. But by the third dance, there was no denying the attraction. By the end of the evening, they had exchanged numbers. Faith-Filled Friday with Brandi Linai In our social media world, why have we become less sociable?
Thanks for joining us for Faith-Filled Friday with Brandi Linai and Trench Classes United. Today’s blog points us to some good reflection time as we ponder how we can be better together outside of social media. Recently, I had the honor of speaking at a Christian women’s conference. The conference theme was “We are better together.” Ever since speaking, I’ve really been thinking about what it means to be better together. When we have good news, there’s immediately a friend or family member we think of to share it with. Likewise, when the news is not so great, we think of a person who is always a strong shoulder to lean on and comfort us. It’s because we are hardwired to connect. These days though, it seems like we are doing a lot less connecting and sharing less time together. Our schedules are crammed with business, our work hours are blending into family and rest time, and in the age of “social media” we seem to be less social than ever. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 we are instructed in this way: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” And I love Proverbs 27:17, it says “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” These verses are just a few good reminders of how important it is to encourage and support one another. We have to be intentional about it. We have to make time in our day to check on one another. It only takes a few minutes to call someone and say how can I pray for you today? Do you need anything? How are you feeling today, and really REALLY hear what they are saying. We can also do a little self-reflection and ask ourselves, have I been that shoulder to lean on, the friend who celebrates with others? How have I responded in the past when loved ones reach out for comfort or just a little conversation? We can all start doing a better job of being there for one another starting now. Because we truly are “better together.” Thursday's Trench Truth Thanks for joining me for Thursday’s Trench Truth.
Honestly, I still ask myself that question, especially as it relates to relationships. As my marriage crumbled before my eyes, for a nano second, I questioned “will I ever be normal, able to have a healthy and loving relationship after all of the work you and I have done, God?” The word “normal” means “conforming to a standard, typical, usual, or expected.” But how is it that we define “normal” anyway? By the world’s standards or God’s? Join us to learn a healthy normal and rise above chaos and confusion coming to a trench near you in September! Thoughtfully, Kim-Evinda Monday Trench in Redlands CA (3) Rising Above Chaos and Confusion Monday Trench | Facebook Tuesday Trench on Zoom (3) Rising Above Chaos and Confusion - Tuesday Trench | Facebook Thursday Trench in Banning CA (3) Rising Above Chaos and Confusion- Thursday Trench | Facebook Happiness And Hope In Relationships | Reveal The Secret - TRENCH CLASSES UNITED, A DIVISION OF CHICKLIT POWER MINISTRIES Wednesday Word After she asked the question, she stared at it, allowing it to seep into her
soul for processing. She tuned into others’ answers but felt like there was a disconnect of sorts. The question asked: “How has busyness impacted your relationships?” Thanks for joining us for Wednesday’s Word with Kim-Evinda and Trench Classes United. Today, another blog from her heart to yours gets us thinking about the subject of busyness. Her community group was discussing the questions posed from the message titled “The Essentials” which differentiated between what is deemed important. When the room got quiet, the last response settled and she spoke up. “I think the question is asking us to go a bit deeper. As I sit here, I’m reminded of comments made by friends who have shared, well, I didn’t want to bother you; I know you’re busy. I mean years ago, yes, I was out of balance and always doing instead of being, but it hurts my heart to realize I still give off that impression. This question is making me realize that busyness doesn’t draw them to you; it pushes them from you.” The room was silent for a moment. She looked at each of them as that truth settled in, grateful that her transparency and vulnerability was being used in their own individual journeys. As this revelation settled in her own soul, she vowed that the next time someone reached out to her, she would make a conscious decision to answer the call, fully present emotionally, pushing her busyness aside to make the time to take the time to care. What about you; if someone reaches out to you and interrupts your plans, what is your first response? Perhaps it’s time to get back to the essentials of being a Christ follower: to love the Lord our God with all our strength and to love others. Love, Kim-Evinda Tuesday Trench Truth Thanks for joining me today for Tuesday’s Trench Truth.
In a world full of so many choices, so many things to try for this issue, things to do to feel better, ways to become successful, ways to feel accepted and not rejected, is it any wonder that we chase solutions without really understanding what we’re feeling. Feelings are need-driven. What does that even mean? When we “feel” hungry, we eat to satisfy our hunger. But when we feel pain, especially emotionally, what do we do? Our human condition says run, and fast so as to not feel it. Feelings are not wrong or right; they just are; we can’t let them drive the car! Perhaps it’s time to stop, turn around and not just face the feeling but sit in it, not stay in it, to understand what we need. When we do this, we will no longer be controlled by our feelings which can cause chaos and confusion. Join us to learn how to identify those need-driven feelings to rise above chaos and confusion coming to a trench near you in September. Monday Trench in Redlands CA (3) Rising Above Chaos and Confusion Monday Trench | Facebook Tuesday Trench on Zoom (3) Rising Above Chaos and Confusion - Tuesday Trench | Facebook Thursday Trench in Banning CA (3) Rising Above Chaos and Confusion- Thursday Trench | Facebook Happiness And Hope In Relationships | Reveal The Secret - TRENCH CLASSES UNITED, A DIVISION OF CHICKLIT POWER MINISTRIES |
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