Give Them By Bringing Him Into Them

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to give God the moments. A moment here, giving thought to His goodness, brings Him into it for us, too. A moment there, reflecting on the beauty of the afternoon spent with family and friends, reveals His Presence in the whole afternoon. When we give, even just one thought, to God’s love and the joy it brings to those moments, the moments become sublime.

This works quite well when we have our “moments,” too. You know…Monday morning, and everything that can go wrong is doing exactly that…and you are not having this today…you work too hard…OMG…oh, yes, God…JESUS…Oh, JESUS…and the “Peace; be still,” comes over you…and it all comes out okay. I have to laugh at myself when I think of poor Jesus up there watching me in some of those moments. I’m pretty sure He’s had some good laughs over them too.

We have the power to bring God into somebody else’s moments-be they good or bad. If we just stop and step into His presence in that moment, we can change that moment from a bad one to a great one. We can turn that good moment into a joyous celebration.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Preparing The Soil

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to spend more time preparing the soil. Jeremiah 4:3 tells us to break up our fallow ground and don’t sow among thorns.

There are two things that come to mind when I read this scripture. First, fallow ground is unplowed. That means the seed won’t get into the soil because the ground is unpenetrable. If the seed doesn’t get into the soil, it doesn’t get the nourishment required for it to take root and grow. It will just lie on the surface of the ground and be blown away by the wind, or scorched by the sun. It’s important to create the right environment; one that will promote growth and success. This works in every aspect of life; breaking generational curses included. Secondly, we’re told not to sow among thorns. Those thorns represent nay-sayers, or unbelievers, those that keep pulling us back into destructive ways and things, etc. This, also, is very important when we’re breaking generational curses off, and/or breaking bonds of addictions and dysfunctions.

When we spend time preparing the soil, we’re sure to reap the blessings we were ordained to reap.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – August 1, 2020

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Happy August, one and all! August is Romance Awareness Month. I mentioned this to a friend of mine. She told me she’s known this for awhile. “As a matter of fact,” she said, “I mentioned this to Archie (her husband), when I first found out about it.” Then she laughed and said, “He must have thought I was hinting for more romantic attention. That evening, we were watching television, and when I said, “dip, please, he got up, took me in his arms and dipped me.” I thought, well that’s a new way to enjoy your chips, isn’t it?

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Thank You, Heavenly Father; Thank You !

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to be brave and thankful. And this in the midst of COVID -19! Just in case you’re heart’s a little weary and weak at the moment, thankfully, we have Psalm 104 to stir us up. It’s a reminder of all that God is and does for us. I hope you’ll be as blessed by it as I am. I always get so excited by the time I get to the end of one like that! Hallelujah! Praise the LORD/Lord!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Faith Is Also Its Own Reward

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us of God’s promise that our faith will be rewarded.

As I read the message, in the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic and everything that’s been affected by it, I must say some thank yous. Thank you, Lord, for keeping us in the palm of your hands; first of all. Thank you, to all those who keep right on giving, right on caring about the rest of the world, and right on doing your best to help everyone get through this thing. I’ll never be able to express how much I appreciate you, and how deeply grateful I am to you.

I also think about Noah, Abraham, Moses…and our Lord, Jesus. What awesome faith they showed us! I’m always blown away when I think about Jesus; about the strength of His faith; and His love. He could have called the whole thing off at any given point in time. But He didn’t. And when I think about that, I think about the times I’ve trudged onward. I don’t know how I got through any of it, except by God’s grace strengthening my faith as I went along. The Bible does say we reap what we sow, right? Yeah, that little faith seed becomes a beautiful and majestic tree over the years, doesn’t it? Faith is its own reward. Isn’t it cool how God works all that stuff out so perfectly?!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Oh, The Wonder& Joy In Those

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that life is not all toil and tribulation. God, who has fashioned us -that’s in Psalm 119:73 – makes sure to put those restful places on the paths for us.

When I read this message, I think about living in Virginia. There was a trail, through the forest, that led to a riding arena. I loved to walk that trail! It was my place of refreshing, of quieting my soul. I didn’t think about it that way then, but that’s exactly what God was doing for me. He was refreshing my spirit and quieting my soul with each step I took. I can almost still smell the scent of the trees and the stables as I would near them.

Sometimes we have to seek out those places. I’ve always found that the farther away from the city’s hustle and bustle I get, the easier it is to find them. If you can’t get out into nature, try a zoo, or other nature exhibit. We do have some awesome ones right here in Las Vegas. Shark Reef and Sigfried & Roy’s Secret Garden are two that come to mind. I’ve been to both places, and absolutely loved them! Taking some walks on those quiet paths is a good habit to get into, for refreshing and quieting your soul.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Go, And Sin No More

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, gives us a powerful revelation about Jesus’ words in John 8:11 – “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” The message bids us to “feel that between us and all scorn and indignity is a strong shield.”

We are also reminded that we are to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. Being human, we are bound to do things imperfectly at times. We are limited in patience, and even in perseverance at times. Of course, it’s always easier to give up, isn’t it? That’s because we have a tendency to be self-condemning. Sometimes, we’re even harder on ourselves than others are.

Jesus spoke those words to a woman caught in the act of adultery. The whole scene changed from one of self-righteousness and condemnation to one of self examination, repentance, and opportunity. The men who were ready to stone the woman to death had to admit their own sinfulness, and repent of their condemnation of her. The woman was saved from them, and forgiven by Jesus, and given the opportunity to correct herself. Jesus didn’t require anything from her, but to get up and go forward; onward.

We can do that very same thing when we miss it. We can do it each and every time, if we just determine to step up and forward into the opportunity, learning from the mistake, without judging or condemning ourselves. Psalm 119:1 says it like this: “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.” (NIV) Now, if you give it little thought, you’ll realize that can also be applied to being non-judgmental, non-condemning…to learning what caused the failure, and correcting it, rather than focusing on who caused it. Remember, God does not impute wickedness to us. We ought not to either, then. I, for one, do not attempt something with the intent of failing at it; do you? Yeah, I didn’t think so either. *Something I learned from my son when he dropped the bag of cookies at the store is that that’s the way the cookie crumbles. LOL PS – they’re just as good crumbly as they are whole.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He Loves You More

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God loves us, and longs for our love and companionship, as much as we do (or should) His.

I began to see God’s way of reaching out to me in the little birds I love so much. I’ve shared some of the funny things that have happened-and I just know He was behind them. Then, there are those quiet interludes of peace. He makes His presence known in so many ways, if we just pay attention-look, listen, and live with our hearts. I believe the best way to cultivate that intimacy with our LORD/Lord is to make time to seek Him; time to be alone with Him.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Forgiving Is The Easy Part

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to forgive and forget, if we want to move on. I’ve said it before; forgiveness is for us, the “wounded.” It is for our benefit, so much more than for the benefit of the one(s) who hurt us.

Forgiving is the easy part. Forgetting is what’s hard. It’s also the obstacle that gets in the way. This is especially true when we’re dealing with generational curses. It’s often not even the old wounds that cause the problem, but the old ways of dealing with them, that keep us on that vicious merry-go-round-and round, and round. They call that PTSD in the secular world. A similar situation, or one that triggers those same feelings of fear, helplessness, etc., can cause us to lose so much ground. One minute can undo six months or more of progress, if we’re not alert to the dangers.

Here’s where God comes in, though. Isaiah 40:10 tells us – “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule.” God will take all those old things, show you the truth in, and about them, and then destroy their power over you completely. I’ve been there. We develop ways of coping, adapting, surviving. Unfortunately, they’re not always the right ways. God’s way is. He not only will destroy those old strongholds, but He will teach you the right ways to think. Our attitudes toward the sin in our lives-whether the sin is ours or belongs to others-are what affect our living. God will give you some great attitudes!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Sentimental Silly-July 25, 2020

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is the boss-the controller of every second of every minute of every day. We are asked if we can see how wonderful life really is with Him.

It got me thinking back to our military days. We don’t always like what’s happening. I hated having to move away from friends; and it seemed as if that’s exactly what we were always doing…moving, moving, moving. I was the oldest kid in the family, and, naturally, not very impressed with some of the stuff my younger siblings pulled. My mother was always good for embarrassing this teenager too. But, just when you think you’re at the end of your rope, God throws the curve ball…and everybody’s roaring with laughter. This very thing happened on one particular journey. Six women in the family; and all had to use the restroom. At this particular place, there was ONE restroom for ladies. Also, we were on a time constraint; my dad did not like to get off schedule traveling. So, there was I, on the potty, while my sister was washing her hands-both of us crammed into this little stall. My mother was supposed to be holding the door ajar slightly, so the next girl could duck in quickly when ready. Something happened, and she got distracted and let go of the door, which opened wider all by itself. Just at that instant this gorgeous guy happens by. He’s looks in at me, and says, “Hi.” I’m smiling at him, thinking how cute he is…”Hi,” I said back to him. That’s when I remember I’m on the potty with my pants down around my ankles. Needless to say, I didn’t need any blusher when touched up my makeup.

It gets better, we had dinner there. After dinner, we all piled into the car, and Dad had to go into the restroom. He came out of the restroom, and headed straight for this station wagon that looked exactly like ours – but wasn’t. We were all roaring as he started to tell the poor lady in that car she needed to get out; just before he realized she was the only one in it, and he was at the wrong car.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu