Chelsea Allie Bender

09/12/2024

We are in a marriage small group and our assignment for the first week was to go on a date. We explored the quaint little town area of Mount Dora + randomly checked out a flee market. The last time I remember exploring this area is when I was a kid. We tried setting my phone up on a palm tree branch sticking out to get a photo. That wasn’t working so we ended up setting it up on Jeff’s truck handle very carefully .If you’re looking for a yummy spot to eat in Mount Dora go to Eden Abby 👌🏼 amazing. Now I’m passing on the assignment to you! Go on a date together! if your not able to go out do something creative at home :)

09/06/2024

One day we had to take two cars to get to a destination because of vehicle space. We were following my husband’s truck and also had the location put into the GPS.

Through the GPS, Siri was telling us when to make turns. As we were driving my youngest daughter yells out “Siri! We don’t need to listen to you. We know who we are following!”

My first thought, was “yes girl! that could be made into a whole message right there.” I thought about how we can ask God to go before us. We can follow his direction, staying focused on him and not listening to unnecessary voices.

Just like she told Siri to be quiet, we sometimes need to be careful about what and who we are listening to. Too many voices can cause confusion. We already have God who we can trust to lead us the right way.

Sometimes there could be “Siri’s” in your life who might say “turn left.” But God is saying, “nope, keep going straight down this path. Follow me.”

God will show you which path to take (read Proverbs 3:5-6)

Making the “Siri’s” around you in charge of your path leads you astray from the destination God has.

Maybe you’ve taken turns that have caused you to become lost, scared, anxious, or confused. Know it’s never too late to “shut off the GPS” to instead follow him. He is always there to re-direct you down the path he has for you.

09/04/2024

I’ve had many thoughts I’ve wanted to share, but haven’t been in a hurry to write and get it uploaded. I will. Soon 😊. In the meantime here are some photos from life lately.

09/01/2024

Many times people are told not what to do without a proper why. It’s fills the mind with a list full of don’t, don’t, don’t with no understanding or alternatives. Leaving people with the reason “don’t do it because it’s bad” is unhelpful. Explaining the why and healthy alternatives from a place of love helps to bring clarity and understanding. It opens up to conversation, connection, and questions. 🫶🏻

08/30/2024

Some quotes I’ve saved that have stood out to me this year ☺️. Share your fav.

06/09/2024

This tour is a gift to so many. Thank and for sharing so much wisdom and for using your gifts to point others to Jesus. The podcast has been one of my favorites to listen to. I’m grateful I was able to go. Every time I listen I’m inspired to go deeper with God and learn more. It was an honor to also get to serve. and I had fun working the merch, which is so good 👌🏼

06/01/2024

06/01/2024

I don’t know about you, but I’m a words nerd and loved learning what the names of God in Hebrew mean in English. Here ya go! Make sure to save so you can come back to it 🤓

05/29/2024

A few years back I was praying in my closet. I would go there when I needed to get away from the noise. I remember one night God spoke two things to me I’ve never forgotten. The first thing was to go out and make whatever I was doing about Him and the second thing was to learn to be okay with people not liking me.

Around that time I was focused and determined on how I could reach my goals. I also struggled deeply with rejection and what people thought.

No wonder why he wanted me to work on these two things, because how I could I ever walk in who he created me to be if I’m wrapped up in that?!

It’s been a journey of overcoming. Allowing God to correct, prune, purify, and, sanctify is one of the most difficult things I’ve allowed him to do. He corrects us out of his kindness. He sees what is best, what we need to learn, and what we need to let go of.

I’m grateful for the hardships. We rarely see the good in it at the time. If you are going through something difficult, remember that God loves you, he sees you, and he wants to help you overcome.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬