Neither Do I Condemn Myself

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus. We are bid to remember that faith, hope, and charity, or love, are what remain…”but the greatest of these is love.”

“Remember now abideth these three, Faith, Hope, and Charity. Faith is your attitude towards Me. Charity your attitude towards your fellow man, but as necessary, is Hope, which is confidence in yourself to succeed.” -from the message in God Calling.

The really powerful revelation in this is that it’s not over when we falter, fall, or even fail. There really is no such thing as failure in Christ Jesus. It stops being falter, fail, and failure, the instant you get back up. The very instant you begin to get up, or turn around, or cry out to Jesus to take it off of you, it’s gone…as far as the East is from the West…it’s in the past…and you’re still in the race. Isn’t that awesome?!

I can’t tell you how many times I tried to quit cigarettes, because I lost count sometime after about 20-30…maybe even more than that. But I can tell you that I never heard Jesus say, “well, you wouldn’t be hooked on ’em if you’d never started smoking them.” He never said, “It’s about time you got smart.” He never even said, “Finally! I wondered how long it would take you to realize you can’t do this without me.” You know what I did hear? I heard, “I love you, Marina.” I heard, “I am the truth, the life, and the way.” -yes, the way. I heard, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go and sin no more.”

Sometimes, I think I’ll probably get to Heaven, and Jesus will ask me if I want a cigarette just to see the look on my face. I’m kidding-Jesus wouldn’t ever do that. Oh, my God! -That last cigarette…I can just imagine what my face looked like. I lit up a cigarette right after walking out of church where I’d prayed, not a half hour earlier, and asked the Lord to help me. It tasted so nasty…but I smoked it to the filter. My very last cigarette, I lit later that day. I couldn’t get past the second puff because it tasted so bad. You see, I’d told the Lord, “You know me, Jesus. You’re going to have to make them taste and smell so nasty that I can’t smoke them.” Do you all know that God answers prayer? I’m sure Jesus and I will have a great laugh when we talk about my eyes being big as saucers -and that “deer in the headlight look,” when I realized Jesus really did it. But there was no condemnation when I lit up the second to the last cigarette, or the very last one. That’s what we need to realize, and put into practice whenever we’re struggling, faltering, falling, or failing!

Don’t beat yourself up; pick yourself up by lifting yourself up. Lift yourself up to the feet of Jesus. It’s there you’ll find the mercy and grace, and the fierce, fierce love of the One who’ll get you across the finish line – Victoriously! -No matter how long it takes!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Every Little Minute…

eden08122015

Today’s song for you, and, yes-it goes with today’s message. This is “With Lifted Hands.” Thank you, Ryan Stevenson, for this awesome lift for our spirits.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Take Time For The Little Things

eden08122015

Praise God with me; the doctor found no disease in my arteries-which is awesome considering my diet at times, and the fact that I was a chain smoker for so many years. Thank you, Father, for your unfathomable mercy and grace toward me!

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we rush, rush, rush, far too much. We’re bid to “delay action in the little things until we get God’s guidance.” We always run to Him when the waves are about to overwhelm us, but we really don’t even think much about Him in the little things of daily living. It is those little things in our daily lives that empower abundant living, or living abundantly in love, peace, joy, laughter, power.

There are mornings when I have to ask Jesus to help me get up. Then, there are mornings when the chirping of the birds wakes me, and I think God’s alarm clock really rocks! Such a little thing, a bird, but so much joy they give me. Have you ever looked closely at your table when there’s a little vase of flowers on it, or maybe just one budding rose? It takes a minute or two more to set the table with flowers, candles, and the good dishes, but isn’t it worth it? Aren’t you worth it? C’mon, you know you are! I learned the connection between these “little things” and the increases in peace, joy, love, laughter, powerful living.

I have to address those little nuisances and little glitches, etc., that pop up through the day. I often have to remind myself I’m bigger than that person’s bad attitude or crabby mood. -Well, not so much anymore as I used to’ I’m getting better. My washer broke down once. Not really a big thing, considering things like catastrophic illnesses, fatal accidents, and the like. I had to take time out to get to the laundromat once a week for a couple of months. It turned out to be an opportunity for me to spend a little extra time with my kids, and we had some great fun playing the one of the games at there. When we stop and look to God for guidance in those moments, we’ll often find that mountain is really just a little ol’ molehill, after all. And God always blesses us in awesome little ways, just for seeking Him.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Praise God For His Goodness!

eden08122015

Here’s the song for the day! This one works perfectly with today’s message. When we get this attitude to stay in our awareness throughout the day, we’re sure to remain in that Sabbath Rest in His Presence. Bethel Music does such an awesome job here!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Sabbath Rest Empowered

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s friendship is truly deep, intimate, and abiding.

Quoting directly from the message: “But to My subjects I have given the right to enter My Presence when they will, nay more they can summon Me to bedside, to workshop – and I am there.” We have access to Him any time we want or need it. We have but to call Him, and He’s there. Isn’t that a wonderful assurance?!

When we cultivate a constant awareness of this truth, all fears, worries, doubts, etc., truly do vanish. The Sabbath rest of walking in God’s abiding love, His presence, is empowered. The longer and stronger our walk in that Sabbath rest is, the more our faith is empowered.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Day by Day by Day…That’s the Way

eden08122015

I know you’re all waiting for today’s song. I found just the one for today’s message. This is Goris Suri’s version of a golden oldie. Great job, Goris! Thank you.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Remember Where Your Strength Lies

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we will not always be aware of God’s guiding and leading. There will be times when we won’t feel those wings beneath us. We are bid not to panic or fear, but to continue on with our daily duty (s) in quiet trust.

This is where our strength lies; in quietness and trust. Our daily duty(s) are not just in the church, per say. We are not in the church, really anyway, because we are the church. What this means to me is that whatever I’m given or called to do, I do as if unto the Lord. It means that I allow the power of God to help me -because I can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens me-do everything excellently; to the very best of my abilities.

God always shows us the very best way, and always magnifies what we give Him to work with, multiplying it, even to a hundred fold. That fulfills that rule of progress in the Kingdom of Heaven. Progress may entail a more streamlined and organized way of doing something; which results in time and money saved, and maybe increased production. Think of how many areas of work, and even daily life we can apply that to. You see, there is no limit to progress, because it leads us to more doors, and more creativity, etc. So, whatever you’re task, do it as if unto the Lord, and allow the power of God to work through you…when you’re His child, that’s a given that comes naturally. Just trust and press onward.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Our God is a Way Maker

eden08122015

This goes with today’s message, so well. Can you see the whole church moving across that desert and into the promised land? – As one mighty throng? YES! Thank you, Michael W. Smith and companions for a beautiful rendition of this song!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Sea Will Part For You-Trust Him

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to cling to the Lord/LORD, much the way a child clings to his or her parents. The closeness that one thinks about when you think of a clinging child, is arms wrapped around your neck and body snuggled as closely to your own as possible. Can you imagine clinging like that to the Lord? It is exactly that, that is meant. But we are not to cling fearfully or as if we were helpless.

We are to cling in intimacy and trust, or confidence; as two being one. This message goes hand in hand with Saturday’s message about having confidence that the Red Sea-whatever it may be for your or me, will surely part when we reach it. We’re not to even think about it until we get there. Once we’re standing on its shores, we are promised passage through the parted sea, and on into our promised land. That’s the reason we must cling so closely that we move as one being. This is where we find our strength, our courage, our peace, and our power.

Whether it is a month of total chaos, day after day, or a battle with weight, anxiety, depression, etc., or some health crisis that represents your Red Sea…God leads us by a cloud during the days, and a pillar of fire by night to show us the way we should go. That tells me that I’m going to survive the heat. It tells me also, that nothing can obscure the path in front of me, or stop me from getting to my promised land. The chaos will not prevail, but order will be restored. I will not lose the battle of the bulge. I will not be afraid. I will not be immobilized by fear, anger, or doubt-but I will have strength to rise and praise the Lord upon rising! I will overcome and win the battles; because the Lord and I are as one. I move in Him, and He moves in me. This, by the way works one dependent on the other. When I move in Him, He is more able to move in me. As He moves in me, the more able I am to move in Him.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – June 22, 2019

eden08122015

bb04e6109a02681586e08ae274c2e94b_with-two-daughter-clipart_1468-1600 The doctor said he found a heart in my chest, girls, so I don’t want to hear anymore of that “Mom, you’re heartless!” Your brothers? Umm, I’ve cut them out of my will! LOL Just kidding, kids. I love you.

Husband to surgeon: “Well, doc, tell us the truth; there’s no heart in there is there? Wife to husband: “Knock it off, Aaron!” Surgeon to husband: “I’m sorry, Sir, but there’s definitely a heart in there…and it says, “I love you forever, Enrique`!” Ha ha!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu