Thursday’s Truthful Humor Welcome to Thursday’s Truthful Humor where we pull truth from humor.
A husband visited a marriage counselor and said, "When we were first married, I would come home from the office, my wife would bring my slippers and our cute little dog would run around barking. Now after ten years it's all-different. I come home, the dog brings the slippers and my wife runs around barking." "Why complain?" said the counselor, "You're still getting the same service." Oh, my goodness, it’s all about perception, right? But honestly, friends, when needs are being met with integrity on both sides, no one goes without. But how do we do that? When we embrace our God-given identity, we are able to serve those we love without any negative thoughts or emotions, and marriage doesn’t feel like a trap that we wish to escape but rather a haven to grow in and stay in. For more encouragement, take a tour at www.trenchclassesunited.com and join our Insta Fam and Facebook community at www.facebook.com/trenchclassesunited Love Kim Evinda
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Wednesday Word The tears came trickling down as the words she read went through her mind, seeping into her soul. Her thoughts seemed to scream: I want to live this, Lord, I really do, but how? She continued reading, yearning for more insight so as to be free from the fury that would rise up every time, any time thoughts of this person who had taken so much from her came to mind.
Welcome to Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United and Kim-Evinda. Has this ever happened to you, conviction mixed with frustration? Where you read truth and it seeps into your soul and calls you to rise to the change? We pray this blog will open up the eyes of your heart and bring you freedom to love those who have hurt you. I continued to read…and to cry tears of conviction, refusing to stop reading until I had finished. It was the daily devotional from my pastor, Pastor Ken of ACTS Center Church and the title of his devotional: The Explosive Power of Love. It started off with the command from Jesus Himself found in Matthew 5:44 directing us to love our enemies. Oh, I’ve had to deal with many an unlovable, in fact, just the other day while court-reporting a deposition thru Zoom I truly wanted to reach through cyber space and wring the neck of the questioning attorney and the doctor for making my job nearly impossible. But I’m not talking about those type of unlovable people, no; the ones I’m speaking about are those whom our hearts are more invested in. As I continued to read this devotional, I realized that I am stuck…any time I think of this person, I struggle to find anything positive. But…I won’t stop trying to rise to this challenge of applying and complying with this incredibly demanding verse. I can’t, especially if I call myself a child of God. I continued to read…”loving our enemies is not an optional request but a command”!!! (emphasis mine) I stopped for a moment and thought, how all-knowing of our Abba that He knew there would be more than one enemy! 😊 ☹ 😊 What “the enemy” uses for evil, God will use for my good came running from my heart to my mind. We must remember that “the enemy” we are dealing with is Satan himself, not the one(s) he uses as his minions to promote his agenda. “Love can undermine the plans of the enemy and overturn his works.” Again, I stopped and thought, wow, I/we have that kind of power in us? And I hear, “Yes, you do for you were made in My image. I looked up the Hebrew definition for “image” and immediately understood its meaning and in today’s Hebrew “image: refers to a physical image or picture, it also means “likeness” Likeness is not restricted to outward appearance but more about the characteristics of Christ, the inner Christ. The Biblical explanation for “image” says: “To say that humans are in the image of God is to recognize the special qualities of human nature which allow God to be made manifest in humans. One of God’s greatest characteristics is His unconditional, unfailing, unprovoked love! As I close my Bible, I realize I am not left alone to love the enemies in my life but as long as I am abiding in His word, seeking Him, He will continue to pour HIS love into me that it may be poured out to others, including my greatest enemy at this season of my life. Thoughtfully, Kim-Evinda Tuesday Truthful Humor Thanks for joining us for Thursday’s Truthful Humor where we pull truth from humor.
Okay everyone, said the instructor at the birthing class trying to get everyone’s attention. We are going to do an exercise and the purpose is to help the men sympathize with their partners. The couples looked up expectantly at the instructor. We have here a “pregnancy suit” she said, holding up an artificial stomach with a strap. This imitates the feeling of being pregnant. Who would like to volunteer to be the first husband to try it on? “I will,” said one of them. He took the suit and tried it on. “This isn’t too bad he said as he walked around. I think I could get used to this. Okay, said the instructor smiling. She dropped her pen on the floor and said, “Now I’d like you to bend down and pick up my pen from the floor. You want me to pick it up, he asked, hesitantly, with this pregnancy suit on? Yup, that’s right. The husband looks to his wife, “Honey, would you mind picking up that pen for me?” Ahh, isn’t it so true that until we are walking in someone’s shoes, in other words, experiencing what they’ve experienced, we don’t truly understand their struggle. The next time you see someone struggling, instead of pretending you understand, ask if there’s any way you can help share their burden. Read more at: www.cleanjokes.com For more encouragement, take a tour at www.trenchclassesunited.com and join our Insta Fam and our Facebook community www.facebook.com/trenchclassesunited Love Kim-Evinda Monday Message In the end does it really matter?
Does it really matter if you fall forward Or backwards? Does it really matter If everything you have built Will eventually shatter? Well daughter let me say In the end The pieces you have played Are more than just a part of this proverbial game The parts you moved And the mountains you proved You could stand upon And not lose Are those defining moments When you showed up You showed up When you felt like you were not enough You showed up When the world felt like it was crumbling And you would rather feel nothing but the mind numbing Agony and pain Are those feelings all a part of this game? No, my friend Those feelings are real The feelings of "I can't" To breaking out in a joyful dance Because you can Because in this game you are the board And the pieces keep moving As you have a part in the ultimate undoing You have no reason to feel a constant need to be proving Because you are in control Of so much more than you could ever know So know this: You are not a piece in a game Or a player who is at stake But the board that makes waves To create a conundrum A ripple Beyond the humdrum Of everyday tasks The musts of the path And because you have mastered the mundane You have an abundance And you laugh Knowing that what you have Is a peace beyond measure As you float light as a feather Living without blame All because of the Lamb that was slain. “When you identify yourself as a single chess piece - and by analogy, as an individual in a particular role - you can only react to, complain about, or resist the moves that interrupted your plans. But if you name yourself as the board itself you can turn all your attention to what you want to see happen, with none paid to what you need to win or fight or fix.”
Abigail FAITH-FILLED FRIDAY When you think of loving your enemies, what do you think about doing?
Thanks for joining us for Faith-Filled Friday with Debra Dolce and Trench Classes United. One of the hardest things to do, whether you’re a Christian or not, is to love those who have hurt or betrayed us. Today’s love letter gives us some beautiful guidance in how to do just that. ~Love Letter~ My dear one, love your enemies and continue to treat them well. When you lend money, don't despair if you are never paid back, for it is not lost. You will receive a rich reward and you will be known as true children of the Most High God, having My same nature. Be like Me, your Father who is famous for My kindness to heal even the thankless and the cruel. As you walk in My ways you will develop My nature. If I would heal others, would I not heal you? What do you need today? Are you seeking after Me and My desires? My desires may be different than yours. Can you compare the two? Then you will have the opportunity to choose a better way. If you are struggling in your life, perhaps you missed the way I had for you. As you spend time with Me each day, seek out My way, My direction. Then when the path is difficult you can hold onto Me and walk through it. Develop a steadfast relationship with Me that no matter what comes your way, you will not be shaken. Beloved, do not look to the left or to the right because your help comes from Me. ~DebraDolce THURSDAY TRENCH TRUTH Thanks for joining us today for Thursday’s Trench Truth.
Let’s be honest and look at the ways fear is manifesting itself: anger, anxiety, depression, suicide, relapses, child abuse and domestic violence have risen to unprecedented levels, all driven by fear. Social media has become flooded with fear-based posts, and even those of us with good intentions and desires to encourage others need to be mindful of what we are posting. We are watching as fear divides homes, organizations and our country. But what is fear doing internally inside of you? Fear wreaks havoc internally and manifests itself externally in our attitudes and actions. If you would like to learn how to Live Fearlessly, then sign up today at a trench near you for this powerful ten-week class. Invest in yourself and lose the fear The link is below: https://www.trenchclassesunited.com/events.html Fearlessly, Kim-Evinda WEDNESDAY WORD It’s easy to feel that sense of belonging and camaraderie when you’re all agreeing, but why can’t we have that when we don’t agree about things, whether they be politically, spiritually, relationally or anything in between?
Thanks for joining us for Wednesday’s Word with Kim-Evinda and Trench Classes United. My mind rewound to a couple days prior when a long-time friend and I were out in my backyard talking, and of course all that’s happening around us came up. Her and I are on different sides, so to speak, on several things, but the cool thing was, I listened to her; she listened to me, and there was no anger involved, no name calling, no hate. In fact, it was very fulfilling to be able to agree to disagree. Isaiah 1:18 says: “Come, let us reason together…” so let’s look at the word “reason.” In the Hebrew translation, it means “to explain, argue, substantiate, motivate.” I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word “argue,” my defenses go up. This holy-inspired scripture is not permission to argue with anger; however, I do believe that God gives us permission to agree to disagree with grace. That’s healthy arguing. How do I know that? So glad you asked. In 1st Peter 3:15, we’re instructed to give our answers with gentleness and respect. Respect does not mean you agree with them; in fact, to truly respect someone is to be okay with the differences, and when it comes to any moral issues, remember Who has the camera into the heart; you and I don’t! Don’t spend positive time on negative thoughts-meaning don’t spend time figuring out how you can win someone over to your opinion no matter what the situation; just take the time to appreciate the differences. Thoughtfully, Kim-Evinda TUESDAY TRENCH TRUTH Fear produces anxiety and severe anxiety causes more anxiety which causes more fear. it’s a nonstop cycle.
Thanks for joining us today for Tuesday’s Trench Truth. Fear and anxiety are connected to Predictability. Predictability creates stability. Anxiety sucks the life out of stability. Small things become big things. Fear sucks the life out of you. That’s why it’s important to have a support system to share with and pray with, hence the Trench classes which help with learning how to Live Fearlessly! Join us in a trench near you. Sign-ups close this week. [https://www.trenchclassesunited.com/events.html] Fearlessly Kim-Evinda Monday Message Talking to Jesus:
It is all there Within us The ability The words Even when you feel the fault lines crack Shifting beneath your feet and you take a step back Your breathing gets heavy Your thoughts run deep That, my friend, Is only the beginning The beginning Of what it looks like To just keep swimming To wade out from the shallow waters And into the deep Where your heart and soul meet And as your mind shuts off you begin to breathe And as you breathe You speak The name above all names Jehovah Jireh Yahweh The Great Are you bold enough to go Into the depths of the unknown? Can you hold on When your heart just wants to go home? Back to a place of comfortability Releasing thoughts of tranquility Craving peace But needing sleep Rest Rest deep Fall into His arms As His presence speaks Lifting you higher Where the moon and stars sing The light beams that never dull Only tucked away Embracing their short lull Going back to their home Where to us it is unknown Hidden they may be But their words still speak and their light still sings Songs of praises of The Magnificent and The Meek Where in the end Will it really matter The words you spoke The songs you wrote The new car, the big home If you never once shared your thoughts With the Maker of your soul? If you never took that step forward Into the deep The possibility of the unknown? No. Talk to Jesus and let Him know How grateful you are for the gifts He's bestowed How angry you are for the lies that are constantly thrown Around like confetti This world so unsteady Shaken and stirred By media And false slurs Talk to Jesus and let Him know You are here for long haul The battles the brawls The long nights and early morning calls Call on Jesus and see how much your soul really, truly, needs Him. ~ Abigail Rice FAITH FILLED FRIDAY Have you ever looked at your possessions and wondered if they possess you or you possess them?
Thanks for joining us for Faith-Filled Friday with Debra Dolce and Trench Classes United. There is a beautiful Biblical principle that says to much is given, much is required. For example, let’s say you want out of your apartment and into a home; do you take care of your apartment, treat it as the gift that He’s blessed you with? What about your car? Would you like a nicer car, a bigger car, a more dependable car? When we take care of what we have, He blesses us with more. This principle applies to our spiritual well being as well. Today’s Love Letter speaks to this very principle Love Letter~ My dear one, when you are faithful to manage the little you have been given, then you will be promoted and trusted with greater responsibilities. But those who cheat with the little they have been given will not be considered trustworthy to receive more. Some want these big fancy things or have visions of grandeur, but have you been faithful with what I have given you? Have you taken what I have blessed you with and shared it with those around you? Do you plant seeds where I show you the need in others? My desire is that your life is consistent with your words. I cannot pour into you when you're greedy or selfish. I listen to what you say. Some think it doesn't matter but they are completely wrong. I am watchful over My children. I am generous, a good, good Father and I want you to be the same. Such joy comes from blessing others, from being My hands and feet. When you bless Me in any way, I minister to you in the ways that only you know. I love to bless you in such special ways. Beloved, you are Mine and My banner over you is love. ~DebraDolce |
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