Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 11, 2023

What Is Real

“…we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Don’t you love old photos? I have photos from my mother’s album that are 70 and 80 years old. To me, they are priceless.

My late husband, who had children from a previous marriage, was a camera nut. He loved to snap photos of his children and told me a story about when they were small. He was having financial difficulties, and while he stretched his budget to buy film (remember film?), he couldn’t afford to have it processed. So he had eight or nine rolls of exposed film in a box, waiting until his financial situation improved.

One day his younger daughter found the box and wondered what was inside those little canisters. Looking for some privacy to explore this treasure, she took the box behind the couch and pried the film rolls open, one by one, pulling out the film in long, curly black strips, exposing them to the light that destroyed the pictures. When she was finished without finding anything that interested her, she left them all behind the couch and went about her playtime.

Of course, when her daddy discovered what had happened, he was grieved that all those memories had been lost forever.

Fast forward about fifteen years, to the year 1995. By this time, he had married me and we owned a photography business. Digital cameras were on the market. At that time, it wasn’t a “real” camera for professionals, of course, because it held no film, but it was the wave of the future, and my husband acquired his first digital camera. He took photos everywhere, of his kids, his mission trips to South America, the beach, the theme parks, and eventually for paying customers. The volume of photos overwhelmed our computers back then, so we transferred them all to CDs and external hard drives.

He passed away suddenly in 2001.

For the past few days, I have been going through all the old CDs trying to find photos for his children, and to my grief, the CDs have deteriorated until most of them are too corrupted to let me open them. My computer doesn’t read the old external hard drives. All those thousands of photos are lost forever.

Isn’t this a picture of our lives? We spend time and energy earning money to buy the latest stuff that won’t last when the things that are real—the things that last – seem old-fashioned and out of date. Things like the Bible, salvation, forgiveness, and love. In the meantime, everything we are striving for and lavishing our energy on, like the latest model car, the newest smartphone or up-to-the-minute fashions (and there’s nothing wrong with those things) – they last only a short time, then deteriorate and decay.

To what, then, should we devote ourselves?

“Dear Lord, open my eyes to what is eternal, and help me to realign my heart and mind to the values you would like me to live out. Show me where I am coming short of Your best for me and help me to follow Your leading.”

For His Glory

Cherie Williams (www.cherieharbridgewilliams.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 10, 2023

A Reminder From A Reluctant Prophet

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Like smoke from a smoldering campfire, hate seems to be rising to permeate the air. The media message repeats, “division, division, division,” generating an underlying drumbeat to inflame anger where there once was peace. We’re being relentlessly pitted against each other—black versus white, woman versus man, left versus right. The list is seemingly endless today.

Although I stay far away from the news, I’m not completely ignorant of what’s going on—especially in my own state. See, while our attention has been focused on the fires (figurative and literal), my governor has been plotting and scheming for fundamental shifts in the landscape of morality and liberty.  And, although I usually give a nod of acknowledgment to what’s going on “out there,” and then quickly turn back to God’s Sovereignty and His Truth, I’m finding it harder and harder to do so.

I’m feeling upset and angry—dare I say it: hateful.

But, as I sat down this morning to read the Bible, Jonah’s saga read me. As usual, God’s Word is active, sharp, and heart-judging (Hebrews 4:12). See, the Ninevites were brutal—torturing and murdering Jonah’s people in unimaginable ways. And Jonah wanted God to take them out—not redeem them.

Much like Jonah’s aggravation at God’s desire to deliver Israel’s merciless enemy, I had to reflect on how obstinate I’m being about my own antagonist. This wild adventure of a reluctant prophet piercingly reminds me of a few key Truths:

  1. I was once an enemy of God.
  2. God was patient with me (for 30 years), extending mercy, grace, and forgiveness for my salvation.
  3. He’s still patient with me and still extends mercy, grace, and forgiveness every day—because I sin and fail Him. Every. Single. Day.

And these Truths beg one big question: How dare I think that God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness stop at me and “my people” (whatever that means)?

God’s lesson to Jonah reminds me (again) that instead of anger toward my perceived enemies, I need to pray for them. (And that means praying for them to turn to the Lord—not for the Lord to turn on them!) I need to stand firm on God’s Word, speaking Truth in love, despite how counter-cultural (or counter-state-law) it may be.

I was once lost, but now I’m found. “They” (pick your “they” here) are no different. Thanks for the reminder, Jonah.

“Lord, remind me daily to replace anger with prayer, division with peace, fear with love.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Ministry

 

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Posted in Attitude, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 9, 2023

Glimpses of His Love & Kindness

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34 (ESV)

Glitter, glitter, glitter – there’s a little bit of glitter everywhere even though Christmas has been packed up and put away.   Who knew that glitter sticks so easily?  Regardless of my efforts to vacuum, sweep and dust it away, I’m still seeing glitter.  Just a little bit of Christmas lingering in the air.

While none of us want to find those tiny little slivers of shiny pieces after December, it would definitely be great to have some Christmas throughout our year. Now I’m not suggesting Christmas carols or holiday movies 365 days of the year.  I’m an after-Thanksgiving girl who doesn’t want to hear Jingle Bells until shopping on Black Friday.  What I do mean is I love the holiday spirit – every inch of it.

Amazing how kindness appears during those days.  Holding the door for someone whose hands are full of packages.  Baking a loaf of yummy bread for a neighbor.  Reaching out to those in need.  Wishing Merry Christmas to total strangers.  Paying in forward in the Starbucks line.

Wonder what our 2023 would look like if we were more intentional in caring about others?

Like those tiny slivers of shiny glitter, our human touch would stick everywhere reminding others they are seen by their Creator God.  Glimpses of His love and kindness would illuminate even the darkest of days.  Dismissing distractions and busyness for the sake of reaching out to those in need would be commonplace. The good news birthed in Bethlehem would become a reality to a world desperately in need of daily hope.

Sweet friends, what are we waiting for?

We have plenty of days in 2023 to really make a difference.  To leave an imprint on the lives of those God brings into our path. Our own agendas may sideline us if we aren’t intentional, therefore, we must seize divine appointments as gifts from our God to be stewarded. We will have incredible opportunities to introduce those we meet to the hope of Jesus which lives within us. It may be while we are serving in a homeless shelter. It may be while we are standing in line at Target. It could be while we are doing our normal eight to five.  It possibly might be while we are standing with hands raised in worship.  It even could be a moment when we are at our lowest.  Whatever the circumstances or timing, our reaching out and sharing at pivotal moments could draw someone’s heart to God.  What a joy it would be to play a part in seeing someone’s prayers answered.

The flipping of the calendar goes ever so quickly.  The moments of our lives evaporate fast.  Let’s choose to intentionally be the hands and feet of Jesus to our world.  Let’s sprinkle the glitter of God’s love all around us – leaving no one out.

“Father, help us to reflect Your love to our world.  Show us how to seize opportunities to serve others.

For His Glory

 

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 6, 2023

When Weak Invites Strong

“Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10 (NIV)

Don’t know about you but there are lots of moments in my day when I feel utterly powerless. Life gets crazy, chaotic and overwhelming. We get out of bed ready to conquer our day and within moments it all swirls out of control. Our superwoman cape slips off, and the reality of our vulnerable weaknesses hits us square in the face. Emotional eating doesn’t fix it. Crying doesn’t solve it. Outrage only makes it worse. And wallowing in self-pity pretty much stinks. Just keeping it real here – pride would easily slip in if we thought we had it all covered all the time.

So what’s a girl to do when authentic self unveils her weaknesses? We could just keep pressing thru relying on self but eventually, burnout will win and exhaustion will seep in. Perhaps we might consider hiding behind our weak spots allowing them to sideline us and cower in intimidation. Shrinking back rather than stretching forward.

Not quite the solution for brave, courageous women of God. Absolutely love these words from the Apostle Paul reminding us that weakness isn’t to be ignored or dreaded. Delight and joy should rise within us when we allow God to transform our weaknesses into strengths. He is our true power source, and we can depend on Him to empower us to do what only He can do.

We all have weaknesses and like Paul, those rough spots are what keep us humbly dependent on our mighty, gracious God. We can resist the independence urge and allow His strength to enable us to do more than we dared imagine. So glad, God sets us up to need Him more and more each day – the perfect place for His glory to shine through us. For when we are weak then we are strong in Him alone.

“Father, too often we run from our weaknesses or attempt to outplay our own strength. Teach us the value of viewing our lack from your perspective and reap the benefits of Your strength.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 5, 2023

Historic Moments

“It is He who changes the times and the epochs.” Daniel 2:21 (NIV)

 

To make history is to do something that is remembered in or influences the course of history. People can make history. Since October 30, 2022, the people of Brazil have been in the streets to bring awareness about the corruption that has been eating away at not just the monies of the treasury, but (even more worrisome and dangerous), the freedom of the people. The colors of the flag, green, yellow, blue, and white have been worn in what seems to be a sea of patriotism. People kneeled in the streets and prayed together for justice and for the right to keep their nation free from corruption and robbery.

Sometimes, nature makes history as well. This holiday season, I drove to Buffalo, NY, to spend Christmas and New Year’s with my youngest son and his family. Little did I know I would be part of a historical time in Western New York, as a severe blizzard blasted Buffalo and its adjacent towns with snow and ice, while also blowing 50 to 60 MPH winds. While snow is beautiful, too much of it at any given time, especially when accompanied by harsh winds, can become a dangerous thing.  Fortunately, the winds are dying down and the temperatures are not so low in the negatives starting tonight. It seems like the worse is over and the clean-up is going to start.

As for the people of my native Brazil, faith has been the foundation for their strength to remain in the streets for nearly two months, accompanied by the elderly and young children. We pray justice will prevail and corruption will be brought down.

Two very different places; two very different demonstrations of history being made. The strength of the people of both places is shown by how they react to adversity. In both cases, clean-up is necessary. In both cases, the community needs to stick together. And in both cases, God is their source.

“Father, Your people cry out to You. We believe in You. Always. Thank You.”

For His Glory

 

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 3, 2023

His-Story

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20-21)

As 2023 kicks off, you may have decided on a few resolutions—bad habits you’d like to stop or new ones you’d like to start. It may only take a few days for you to have broken one or two. But that’s ok. Just get back on the horse, so to speak, forgive yourself, and start fresh again now (not “tomorrow,” mind you, but right now). You can do it!

Regardless of how long you have been a follower of Christ, here is a New Year’s question for you: What is your Bible-reading habit—is it a habit at all? Maybe you read a verse or two from an emailed devotion each morning, or you open the Bible and randomly choose a couple of verses to read. Once you spend those 5 minutes with the Word, you call it “good” and get on with your day. Maybe you have go-to verses you like to lean into, like a particular Psalm or passage from one of Paul’s letters—going to Leviticus or one of the minor prophets seems, well, “unprophetible” (lol).

But friend, “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 timothy 3:16-17). It is Truth, living and active. Every word of God’s Word—not just the pillow-stitching verses. The Bible is His-Story (Jesus) and our story.

Have you ever challenged yourself to read the whole Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation? How about doing it in one year? Why not make 2023 the year to do so? It may require getting out of bed a few minutes earlier, taking your Bible to work and reading on your lunch break or turning off the TV sooner than usual to spend time in the Word with your spouse or kids. But you can do it! This is one habit—I promise—that may require discipline at first…but soon it will be the desire of your mind and heart. And you won’t want to miss a single day.

One approach that’s really cool is to read through the Bible in chronological order—the order in which Biblical events happened. There are lots of websites and apps out there to help you find a plan, but here is one for you now! So, get your copy of the Bible now, opening up to Genesis 1:1. You may have a few days of catchup to do, but you’ve got this! This will be the best investment you’ll make this year…the best habit you’ll form—in fact, it will no doubt positively impact all your other resolutions and habits.

“Lord, You promise that Your Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). May I diligently seek You in the Bible each day, learning more about Your love for me and growing deeper in love with You.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 30, 2022

Thankful For The Littles In Our Lives

“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

The blue-eyed 4-year-old approaches the area where I stand and announces to me that when we get ready to eat dinner, he will be the one sitting beside me. With much delight, I nod a ‘yes’ and smile at him. He is wearing a red Power Ranger costume, which has stuffed cotton sewn into the sleeves to give an impression of large muscles. He flexes his arm as if to say, “I’ve got the power,” and exits the area smiling.

That little guy’s name is Kylar Beckham, and he is my grandson. No need to say how special he made me feel with his affirmation that my presence at the dining table is wanted. I live in another state and don’t get to visit too often.   When I am here, I try to savor each moment I have with my son Lukas, daughter-in-love Jesie, and their three munchkins, my grandsons Tristan, Kylar and Adriel.

This Christmas season, mother nature chose to dump an obscene amount of snow in WNY, and here in the outskirts of Buffalo, we are snowed in and unable to leave home, as we have been assigned code red for this area concerning the danger due to ice, harsh winds and zero visibility.

It may be windy and cold outside, but no one in this family is complaining. We have each other, and we have what we need to feel contentment.

Life is full of choices, and we are given opportunities to choose between one thing and another; we are given opportunities to feel joy or to focus on misfortune. We can look out the window and feel bad because we cannot go outside or we can focus on what is inside and feel blessed that we have people we love around us.

My little Power Ranger has reminded me that the most precious things are not those that money can buy. Oftentimes, they come in a costume worn by a small child who thinks he has superpowers. Ahhh…. If we only were more like the little ones!

“Father God, thank You for the innocent minds of little children with big hearts.”

 For His Glory

 

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 29, 2022

Beating The Winter Blues

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

If you are like me, once the holidays are over, you are ready for Spring. But why would we want to skip over a quarter of our lives! God made this time of year just like He made the rest of the year, and I want to find joy in this season too.

What can we do to feel better when dealing with winter blues? Here are a few tips:

1)     Plan something to look forward to. Perhaps something in the near future and something farther away. Our plans don’t have to cost a whole lot of money. Planning will keep us busy, and we will have something on our calendar.

2)     Do something “spur of the moment” when we are feeling kind of “blah.” Visit the library. Rent a movie. Get some cleaning around the house done. (It’s amazing how accomplishment can cheer us up!) Bundle up and go for a walk. Call a friend. Visit a family member. Read some Scripture. Pray. Journal. Volunteer. Do something that will help us feel better…and do what we can to encourage others who are struggling too.

3)     Focus on doing things we can only do in the colder weather and enjoy those moments. Build a fire and drink hot chocolate. Snuggle under a heated blanket. Take a long bubble bath. There is a lot to do in the winter! We just have to get creative…and search the internet.

This day, this week, this month, this season will all too soon come to an end. Why don’t we all try to enjoy it? Enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy time with one another. Relish in it until the days get longer and the sun gets warmer….and then relish those days too!

“Dear Lord, Thank You for this season. Help me to appreciate the beauty and serenity…and to find JOY in each and every day You have given me.”

For His Glory,

Laurel Shaler(www.drlaurelshaler.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 27, 2022

New Year’s Evolution

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

If you’re a New Year’s Resolution kind of person, then during this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day you may be mulling over the changes you’d like to make in 2023 (still hard to believe another year has come and gone!). Perhaps you’ll write a list to post on your fridge or tuck away in a drawer. Maybe you’ve purchased a fresh journal in which you’ll decree your “to-dos” and “not-to-dos” for the year, with the intention to fill its pages with your 365-day journey. Or maybe you’re a “word-of-the-year” person—choosing a single word for 2023 to intentionally drive your thoughts, words, and actions.

Maybe, though, you think New Year’s Resolutions are for the birds, and January 1 is simply a flip of the digital calendar page.

Whatever your perspective on one year’s end and another’s beginning, time is undeniably ticking for all of us—whether you’re 18 or 88. And life’s passage, dear friend, requires growth and development. In fact, as followers of Jesus Christ, we Christians are made to be transformed. At the moment of salvation (surrender to the work of Jesus on our behalf), we are made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17)—the old nature passes away as we are forgiven and set free from the shackles of sin. Then, our life task is to be continually conformed into the image of Christ, day by day. To progress in holiness and righteousness, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, as we walk through this life toward heavenly glory (Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). We are called to spiritual evolution.

But how do we accomplish this? We have all the instructions we need in the Bible! God’s Word is a light to our path (Psalm 119:106), the bread of life (Matthew 4:4), the truth (John 17:7), purposeful (Isaiah 55:11), and eternal (Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 40:8). God’s Word teaches, corrects, and equips us (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12). And that’s just the start. For a full description of the power of God’s Word, check out Psalm 119!

Reading and meditating on God’s Word keeps us focused on truth—it informs us who we are in Christ, what is right amid this upside-down world, and how to keep from falling prey to the enemy’s schemes. God’s Word is powerful—in fact, “by the Word of the Lord the heavens were made” (Psalm 33:6). And it will convert, convict, console, and conform us. Most importantly, God’s Word keeps us from believing the pervasive cultural lies that constantly bombard us. Through reading and studying the Bible, our minds are renewed daily and stay clear, rather than being dulled and lulled into succumbing to the wide path of worldly ways. It’s so much easier to go with the flow than to swim upstream. But God’s Word roots us in truth, strengthening us to stand firm and walk in wisdom, not as a fool.

So, for 2023, consider making a New Year’s evolution—a commitment to grow deeper in your faith and knowledge of God through the study of His Word. Day by day, plunge into the amazing Truths laid out for us from Genesis to Revelation. I promise, friend, whatever your personal vision for next year may be (or if you don’t do resolutions at all), if you consume the Daily Bread of the Bible each day, you will be changed for the better. And, if you haven’t yet experienced the freedom offered by Jesus Christ—reconciliation with God, forgiveness, and new life—why not make today that day? There’s no better way to kick off the New Year than with an entirely new you.

“Lord, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Thank You for clearly providing Your pure and powerful Truths so I can walk in wisdom, live with righteousness, and experience Your peace.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 26, 2022

2023 Best Year Ever

“But they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.” Luke 19:48 (HCSB)

Smooth talk .. persuasive words – we’ve all heard them. Sometimes it’s the caller asking for a donation or a salesman trying to convince us their product is the one we can’t do without. Regardless, they attempt to move us toward belief in what they have or motivate us to give to what they need. Words that seek to birth their desired reaction.

Flip back through the pages of scripture and we find One who didn’t need smooth talk or persuasive words. Jesus, the living Son of God, spoke only the truth and the people were captivated. They listened and hung on His every word as He taught in the temple.

The Chief Priests, Scribes and leaders didn’t like the appearance of Jesus in their space. When He came on the scene and threw out the sellers cleansing was not an element they desired. Monetary gain and control were their driving force and now the center of attention was clearly focused on someone else. Jesus’ captive audience was temporarily derailing their plan to destroy Him.

Wonder what impact God’s word has on our lives? Are we captivated, motivated and inspired to obey His truths? Do we cling to every word seeking to understand His message? Or perhaps we are more interested in what makes us feel good. As seasoned believers, do we long for the spotlight of self-righteousness wrapped up in our hidden agendas and the message we long to convey? Or do we simply embrace familiarity while excusing our response?

Threatened by Jesus’ appearance and His words, these religious leaders missed the blessing found in embracing the truth. Let’s not join them. Let’s determine in 2017 to be captivated by God’s word. Let’s commit to being doers of the word and not just hearers. Let’s be intentional about obedience and promoters of His agenda and not our own. Let’s approach His words with awe and anticipation. Let’s welcome transformation and never forget the power of His words to birth change and holiness in our lives. Let’s pray His words, hold them tight to our hearts and be amazed, captivated and challenged by the very words of One who loves us more than we could ever imagine.

“Father there will be many things to keep us from Your word…distractions…. pursuits…many other things to do – empower us to choose the best – to gather at Your feet and listen closely to Your words.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

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