(1Cor. 6:12-20) (ESV) “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.”

Paul starts out talking about food here; but, in the end, he addresses sexual immorality; saying that sexual sin is sin against one’s own body.  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and, as Christians, one in spirit with Christ Jesus. 

When we look at who the ruler of this world is, we can better understand what Paul means when he says all things are lawful for us; but not all helpful.  I’m reminded of what my Dad used to say.  “If everybody’s jumping into the lake, does it mean you have to?”  I used to get so irritated over that.  Today, I realize the power in that question.  It’s one we should ask ourselves whenever we’re faced with the opportunity to disobey God’s word, to sin, or to accept sin in our lives.  In the world, pornography is accepted because it’s been deemed acceptable by those in power.  But, according to God, sexual sin is not acceptable for us.  The marriage bed is to be undefiled; when you come into it, and when you go out of it. (Heb. 13:4)  Is there a law against refusing to participate in sexual sin?  No; thankfully.  So, we have a choice!  And, if there ever is a law against refusing it, oh, well…I guess I’ll see you all in prison. 

When we look more closely at anything that goes against God’s word, we can see that it really is all dangerous for us to participate in.  As I said before, if you can get hooked on it, you’re in danger of being in bondage to it.  That’s being dominated by something.  Something as simple as food can destroy your life.  There are people who are dying because they can’t stop eating; and, eating all the wrong stuff.  That does, by the way, go against the commandment that we should love ourselves.  Oh, yes, if I want to, I can eat cheesecake every day, and at each meal.  It’s not against any law.  Or is it?  Is that going to help me stay healthy?  Am I loving myself by making choices that I know are going to be harmful to me?  And, of course, when we get accustomed to having something, what happens when we don’t get it?  Now, who’s in charge here?  Me, or the cheesecake?  (1Cor. 6:13) Food is meant for the stomach; not the stomach for food.  We need to be discerning regarding our choices.  And, if you know that it’s something you’re going to have a hard time resisting and saying no to, RUN!!!  I run past the pastry aisle so fast if I’m hungry, or angry, and have to go through the bakery section. 

We can choose to say no.  When it comes to anything, and everything that goes against God’s word,  we don’t have to look at it; listen to it, touch it, or do it, if we don’t want to.  Jesus, when He’d had enough of Satan’s game, sent him packing. (Matt. 4:10)  When you read that passage, you’ll see that Jesus was just up there, in the wilderness, minding his own business.  Satan came looking for Him. (1Peter 5:8)  Let me tell you from my personal experience:  Satan knows when I’m going to that store with that awesome bakery!  Don’t tell me he doesn’t have an army watching us and reporting to him.  LOL  Thank you, Jesus, for your Holy Spirit!  He doesn’t eat cheesecake!  So there, you devil, you!

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, May 7, 2023, 2:45 p.m.

Unclean Spirits – Part Two (Matthew 12:43-45) (ESV)

Let’s take a look at how those unclean spirits get a foothold.  Of course, it all starts with what we receive in our hearts.  You can see an advertisement for a pornographic show, and not be phased by it, because you believe that stuff goes against God’s Word.  It’s demeaning and degrading; not only to the men and women involved in it, but to those who choose to view such things.   You can also see that same advertisement, and, because you think there’s nothing wrong with that kind of “entertainment”, choose to attend that show.  You’ve just allowed an unclean spirit in. 

When God says something’s wrong, it is.  When He says something’s dangerous, it is.  When He tells us something will kill us, it will.  That unclean spirit you let in by watching that show, is going to prompt you to check out tan adult channel on TV at some time.  Of course, Satan will make sure you find something intriguing to watch there.  Next, you’ll be surfing the internet for adult websites on which you can view all kinds of nudity, debauchery, perversion, etc. 

This is when we can apply that, “look up, for your redemption draws nigh.” (Luke 21:28)  Jesus was talking about the tribulation in that passage.  But, let me tell you, He also said that in the world we would have tribulation.  And, when you’re being assaulted by an unclean spirit that’s trying to get you into bondage to sin, you’re in the midst of some tribulation.  It works the same way with cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, anything that you can get hooked on, will put you into bondage to it.

Now, let’s look at how that thing can come back to us with all those buddies in tow.  You give up smoking cigarettes.  Now, you’re chewing gum round the clock, have a sore jaw, are crabby as all get out, and everybody in the house is on a diet with you-because you’re not going to start gaining weight from quitting cigarettes.  And, by the way, nobody can leave a cup sitting anywhere without losing his/her head for it; because your house is cleaner than it’s ever been in the last ten years.  You’re so grumpy over everything, your hubby’s afraid to get in be with you at night; so you begin to get suspicious that something’s going on somewhere-and, you’re questioning his faithfulness.  See, how they whip us up into a frenzy of frantic activity that looks to us like control.  Only we’re so out of control that it’s not funny.  The one who’s in control is the devil; with all those unclean spirits.  You’ve replaced the cigarettes with gum, you’re grumpy and short-tempered, you’re suspicious and insecure about your relationship with your hubby, you’re not at peace or at rest, and nobody else in the house is either. Nothing in your behavior remotely resembles what God is; what love is. 

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, May 5, 2023, 11:17 a.m.

Ah, did you all know that May is Recommitment Month? Yes; it is. Man, when I read that, I could hardly believe it! I mean, do you really think if all those crazy people are escaping the asylums, that we should only do a round-up during one month of the year?! What?!!!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu -and don’t you dare tell anybody I’m out here!

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, May 4, 2023, 12:14 p.m.

(Matthew 12:43-45) (ESV)  “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” 

When we look at this passage in regard to humanity, we must associate the term “spirit” with motivating emotion, attitude, state of mind.  Jesus said out of the heart come those things which defile us. In (Matt. 15:19)  Jesus citedmurder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness (lying), and slander.  In (Mark 7:21), we’re told that greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness will also defile us. 

When we look into all of these, we can see how they can be rooted in attitude, emotion, and state of mind.  Somebody’s at the end of their rope with a spouse’s attitudes and behaviors (frustration), becomes lividly angry by his/her latest “escapade,” and murders him/her.  The state of mind is frustration. The motivating emotion is anger. The attitude is “I don’t have to take this anymore!”  The attitude is correct.  You don’t have to allow the other person’s behavior to continue to harm you and/or destroy your home, life, family, etc.  The state of mind and the motivating emotion are certainly understandable.  But, when we give in to them, and act destructively on them, we are making ourselves victims of unclean spirits.  Frustration and anger are unclean spirits.  Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matt. 11:30)  We’re also told in the Bible to “be angry, but sin not.” (Eph. 4:26)  Anger is indignation; and there is a difference between righteous indignation and unrighteous indignation. For instance, Jesus was incensed by the money changers and those who sold pigeons in the temple.  They were robbing people; making prey of the poor. (Matt. 21:12-13)  That’s righteous indignation. (Hab. 3:12)  But, if you or I get angry because that woman in church has a new dress on every Sunday…and we can’t afford a new one every week, well, that’s not righteous indignation; it’s envy. 

We don’t often take the time we need to discern some things correctly; especially in the heat of a moment.  I used to try to eat my husband whenever I got angry at him.  I still try to eat people at times; but I don’t let them make me fat anymore.  I eat salad!  So there!  LOL  When we stop and check our state of mind and emotion(s), we can better discern whether or not our attitude(s) are lined up with the Word of God.  We can sift out the unclean spirits more readily and easily.  And, as often as we do this, we are strengthening our hearts, minds, and souls.  The more we do that, the harder it will be for those unclean spirits to come back with a party crowd in tow. 

I’ll spend a little more time on this subject next week; but I think this is enough to get you thinking about some of the “party” guests in your house.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, May 4, 2023, 12:04 p.m.

You are the first line of defense!

(Matthew 12:22-32)  In this passage of scripture, Jesus healed a demon possessed man by casting out the evil spirit.  The Pharisees insisted it was only by Satan that Jesus was doing this; or could do this.  First, Jesus makes this statement: “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.”  That’s a very powerful statement in terms of parental authority.  I heard a teenager once say, “Who is that drunken *&$#@% trying to teach about responsibility and sobriety?”  The message is that if you’re doing it, you’re really  not in any position to tell someone else not to do it.  You’re contradicting yourself.  Our children are not blind, deaf, or dumb.  They see and understand a lot more than we give them credit for.  (Matt. 7:5) (Romans 2:21) What they’re seeing is the bondage(s) we’re caught up in, and the fallout of those bondages-that they have to live with, and try to live in spite of.   Sin never affects just the sinner.  Even if you don’t hurt anybody but yourself, there’s still someone grieving over your sin;  that’s God. 

What happens when we do this, is that we are putting our children in precarious and vulnerable positions.  Jesus says that in Verse 29.  “Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.”  This lets us know that we are the first line of defense for our children.  They are the goods Satan wants to plunder!  If someone broke into your home the first thing you would do is protect your family; especially your children. We know this is true, because we already strive to protect them in other ways  We make sure the bills are paid, we take them to the doctor when they’re sick, we strive to feed them nutritious meals, etc.  But, we don’t often give a lot of thought to the things that we do, and how our engaging in them affects our children. 

In Verses 33-37, Jesus talks about making the tree good.  That tells us that we can overcome any sin and bondage.  It also tells us that we are responsible for making the change.  “The good person, out of his good treasure, brings forth good treasure.  The evil person, out of his evil treasure, brings forth evil.”   There’s a warning in that statement.  What goes in comes out.  So, if we’re feeding our minds and hearts on pornography, drunkenness, drugs and the whole scene, etc., that’s what’s going to lead us, or drive us.  Even adultery becomes a generational curse.  If you look at statistics, in all these cases, the children/the next generation usually follow suit. 

God doesn’t contradict Himself.  And, the one reason why He doesn’t – besides the fact that that just doesn’t work, is YOU.  Satan went after Adam and Eve, he went after Job, and, he even went after Jesus.  You see; he’s no respecter of persons either.  He wants to kill every one of us. (1Peter 5:8) (Job 1:7) (James 4:7) (2Cor. 4:4) (Luke 22:31) 

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, May 3, 2023, 12:26 p.m.

(Matthew 11:28-30) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

There’s a powerful revelation about peace in this statement.  Jesus is the truth, the life, and the way; to peace, to power, and to progress.  Think for a minute about what happens when we’re caught up in some form of bondage and sin (addiction, adultery, even playing hooky from school or work).  Is it really easy to do those things?  You have to sneak so you don’t get caught.  You’re constantly on edge wondering if somebody else knows what you’ve done, or are doing.  And your conscience gets heavier and heavier; the guilt begins to really weigh you down.  Pretty soon, you’re an emotional and spiritual wreck.  This, then, begins to manifest itself physically.  Sometimes, the behaviors that we’re bound by increase in intensity and/or frequency.  Often, everyone in our inner circle(s) suffers the fallout of our falling apart. 

Truth is easy on your conscience; and, even strengthens us.  It builds our integrity and courage.  Truth almost always leads us back to life.  Actually, always it does. Some folks  just don’t always want to go there.  The way isn’t always easy; and sometimes it’s even painful.  But, it is always worth it!

Jesus is the way to truth and to life.  Jesus builds us up in spirit.  Through Christ Jesus, we have peace and reconciliation with God; so that we can have it with ourselves.   Self-loathing is like a second skin for anyone caught up in addiction, bondage, and sin. You can’t escape it, except through Jesus.  He’s faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him. (1John 1:9) (Jeremiah 31:25) (Isaiah 45:22-25) (Matt. 23:4) (Psalm 94:12-14 (Psalm 65-2-4) (Psalm 38:4) (Psalm 40:12) (Psalm 51:12) (Psalm 54:4) (Jeremiah 15:19)  These are just a few references; but I’m sure you can find more.  When you’re striving to make those changes, write down scriptures that are encouraging and strengthening to you.  Post them where you can see them, and/or take them with you.  They are the Word of God, which is also the Sword of the Spirit.  Nothing can stand against that! (Isaiah 55:11) 

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, May 2, 2023, 11:56 a.m.

(Matthew 10:34-38)  “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.  Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Spiritually, this passage speaks to us of the seriousness of God’s intent to save us from eternal damnation.  In body, heart, mind, and soul, this passage also tells us that the way to break off, and put an end to generational cursesis to disinherit the people who brought them on us.  We don’t necessarily need to do this in actuality; although, there are some cases in which that’s a good measure of self-preservation.  Sometimes, for one’s own safety, that’s necessary. 

What we’re actually disinheriting are the mindsets, methods, and measures that we grew up with in these homes, and with these people.  A mindset is an attitude of firm belief in, or about something.  Methods, of course, have to do with how things are done, or handled.  Measures, first, have to do with intensity, length, or degree, which someone will go to get what they want.  Also, to do what needs or be done.  Secondly, measures have to do with seriousness of expectations and infractions of standards and rules.

When we’re trying to make positive changes we need to be born again-(and, this is true whether you’re talking about becoming a child of God or not)  You need a different set of parents, if the ones you grew up under were dysfunctional, addicted, abusive, etc., and hampered, or hindered your growth, or scarred you.  We do this by becoming our own parent, after God’s Word and Way.  We may need to do this even if we had wonderful parents, but we got off track somehow, and lost our way. 

Whether you’re a Christian or not, what the Lord says is absolute truth.  If you don’t love the “right way”, freedom from fear, abuse, bondage, etc., peace, promise, and power more than you love the old ways, with their confusion, futility, and powerlessness, you will not overcome them.  Nor will you be able to break that curse off, as long as you hold on to the old stuff and old ways.  You have to lose, or give up, all that old stuff in order to find and establish your new life, and your freedom from all that past stuff (the curse).  You won’t be able to understand, learn, and develop new mindsets, methods, and measures. (Luke 14:26)  You have to loathe that old life. The sword Jesus is talking about is the Word of God. (Deut. 33:9) (John 12:25) (Rev. 12:11) (Deut. 13:6-8) (Luke 9:62) (Romans 6:11)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, May 1, 2023, 12:06 p.m.

(Matthew 9:20-22) “And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”  Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.” 

When we’re dealing with generational curses, faith is crucial.  Of course, we need to have faith in God.  If we don’t have faith in God, we won’t believe His Word; and, we’re not likely to act on it.  We’re not likely to even seek God’s face and word.  There’s a second faith factor, though.  That’s YOU.  In (Verses 27-30)  Jesus is dealing with some blind men.  There are two key statements Jesus makes in this passage.  First, He asks, “Do you believe that I am able to do this.”  Then, He says, “According to your faith be it done to you.”  You also have to believe that YOU are able to do it. 

One of the most important things – and, this can take us some time to get down – one of the most important things you have to believe is that you are someone else’s child now.  When you get saved; and, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you become God’s child.  Jesus said that all things are possible with God. (Matt. 19:26)  That means all the power you need, all the knowledge, wisdom, strength, and encouragement you need are yours for the asking. (Matt. 7:7-8)  (Psalm 37:4)  I can tell you from personal experience, that asking does not make the answer come falling out of the sky into your arms.  You may have to seek the information out.  You may have to look for some places where you can get support and help, and for some people who can help you. 

Now, lets’ get back to your faith in you.  The biggest help to me when I am in any transition, and trying to make changes, is to not even question whether or not I am able.  God is able. (Psalm 34:4) (Matt. 21:22)  I know I can trust Him to lead me to just the right place, person, etc.  He’s never failed me.  When I’ve made the choice to do it, I strive to put into place, whatever I need to help me make that change, to achieve that goal, to overcome that –whatever it may be.  The mindset needs to be, “that’s behind me.”  “That was then; this is now.”  (2Cor. 5:17) (Isaiah 43:18) (Ezekiel 10:31)*- This is a great one!  (Philippian 3:12-14) 

(Luke 9:62) “Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  This is because if you’re looking back, the plow’s going to go left, right, and all over the field.  You won’t get a straight line/row.  Everybody knows the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  I’m smiling because I’m remembering myself going all over the field; and, having to start over and over again.  And, when I remember those days, I have to thank the Lord for His grace and mercy; and, His patience.  Thank you, Jesus!

The Psalms and Proverbs are filled with encouragements, admonitions, and affirmations for us.  They’ve never failed me either.  I don’t know who I’m talking to today; but, you are so loved!  You can; you are able!  Don’t even worry about it; God’s got you!  Ask, believe, receive; and step up to the next level. 

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, April 30, 2023, 12:38 p.m.

(Matthew 7:1) (ESV) “Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”  (Lev. 19:18) is what this passage of scripture is based on. (Luke 6:37) also adds, “do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven.”  -I’m laughing right now; because I just typed “foregiven.”  That’s got to be Jesus telling us that’s for giving somebody the benefit of the doubt (don’t impute wicked intent to them); and, a chance to resolve the issue, and/or make it right. So, just get it in your heart and your head that holding grudges and seeking revenge has no place in your vocabulary. “Vengeance is mine”, is what the LORD says; “I will repay.” (Romans 12:19) (Hebrews 10:30) (Romans 14:13) (Romans 2:1)  (1Cor. 4:5) (Ezek. 16:52-56)

I believe that judgment happens immediately in the Spirit.  If we’re very fortunate, we’ll receive that in this lifetime, and learn the lesson.  I’m not sure why we feel the need to do such things to one another; but I have a feeling it may be a learned behavior.  We hear gossip, tale-bearing, and “opinion;” and start to believe we need to have one. (Matt. 12:36-37) tells us that we will give account, on judgment day, for every careless word we’ve spoken. (Proverbs 13:3)  Jesus tells us to judge (discern) rightly. (John 7:24)  In (John 8:7)  He says, “let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”  That lets me out.

We need to see clearly, not only regarding the situation we’re dealing with, but also the Word of God.  He doesn’t impute wickedness to His children.  He doesn’t want us to seek vengeance.  He does send His rain on the just and the unjust.  (Proverbs 18:21) tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue.  We have the power to stop death (fear, loss of self-esteem, self-loathing, defeat, erosion of your relationship) in that situation by speaking words of life.  Two stories come to mind when I think about this.  The first one is the one in (Matt. 9) where Jesus asks, “which is easier to say-your sins are forgiven, or get up and walk.”  The second is in (Matt. 8) when the leper comes to Him and says, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”  But, when we read all the accounts of Jesus healing people, we can see that He always speaks truth, and life, into the situation.  Even when He was berating the Pharisees, He spoke life by warning them; saying, “Woe unto you…”  (Matt. 23) 

Of course, a good judge always looks at all sides of an issue.  We need to take all sides of any situation, especially one of offense to us, into consideration.  As parents, we need to consider things like the age of the child we’re dealing with, and that child’s ability to understand and communicate.  Mostly, children just want to be like Mom or Dad; and, of course, please Mom and Dad. 

In doing this study, I was reminded that Jesus, who knew, and knows, everything from the beginning, often went off alone to regroup and spend time with the LORD.  That’s a good reminder to us that we need to take time out in the heated situations; to retain our composure and weigh things out by getting a clearer picture of them.  (James 1:19)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, April 28, 2023, 12:26)

(Just a little) April is Move More Month; and, today is International Dance Day. One of my favorite tunes to dance to-and favorite guys to dance along with, is Baillando by Enrique Iglesias.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, April 28, 2023,