Guide And Guard Them Well

(Genesis 47:27-31) The time was drawing near for Jacob/Israel to die. He made Joseph swear not to bury him in Egypt, but to bury him with his fathers in the land of Canaan. In chapter 48, Joseph brings his two sons to Jacob to receive his blessing. Jacob also blessed Joseph at this time. He then placed his right hand on the younger son, Ephraim, and his left hand on the firstborn son, Manasseh. When Joseph tried to argue, Jacob assured him that it was to be so. He said that the older son would become a great nation, too, but that his younger brother would be greater, and that his offspring would become a multitude of nations. Again, the younger son is blessed with the blessing that usually goes to the firstborn. This time, though, it is not by accident; nor, as a result of a grievous sin committed by the elder son. The chapter ends with Jacob giving Joseph a portion of the land he took from the Amorites. (Gen. 48:21-22) Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers. And to you, as one who is above your brothers, I give the ridge of land that I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow.”

(Genesis 49) is where Jacob pronounces to his other sons what will happen to them, “in the days to come.” There’s a lot of revelation here. Children, if you think that your parents don’t know you, you’re mistaken. They may not know everything you’re up to, but they do know your heart. –Most of them do, anyway. Parents, there’s a lesson here about the things we speak over our children. These were grown men, with wives and children, probably grandchildren by now, as well. But, when we look back to the envy and anger, and malice there was toward Joseph, one has to wonder what, exactly, was spoken over and to these young boys. We know that Jacob was openly more affectionate toward the two sons of Rachel. That’s a no-no. And, who dealt with the boys during their arguments and fallings-out? It’s easy to get caught up in their “drama,” if we’re not careful. We have to be like God; fair and just. God is no respecter of persons. Neither can we be. Furthermore, we have to be careful not to draw our children into our disagreements and/or dislike of others. That’s why we really have to be careful to have the right attitudes.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

The Making Of A King

And, yes; a queen, as well. The same principles apply to us. Don’t they, ladies?

(Genesis 47) tells us how, because of Joseph’s integrity and wisdom, Pharaoh put his own livestock in the care of Joseph’s family. They were all shepherds; and shepherds were an abomination to Egyptians. (Gen. 46:33-34)

The chapter continues with the famine becoming so severe, even in Egypt, that the Egyptians had to sell their lands to Pharaoh, and become his servants. Joseph, being a man of wisdom and integrity, gave them seed with which to plant crops, and made it a mandate that Pharaoh would receive 1/5^th of their harvests, and they would keep the other 4/5^th s. What?! Is there something wrong with this picture-according to ‘worldly ways”? Isn’t it always the poor guy that gets the shaft? Not with God, he doesn’t. Whether it be 1/5^th, or 1/10^th, the king always takes the lesser amount and gives the greater amount to the ones serving him. Why would you starve your horse? He has to carry you. (Gen. 47:13-26)

When we think about this in terms of running businesses, and even running our homes, we can apply the same principles. We are, after all, put in charge of them in order to serve. Jesus said, “I’ve not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matt. 20:28) When you think about it, don’t parents give the greater part of their income to caring for their children? There’s rent or mortgage, and utilities, for a home, there’s food, there’s clothing, medical care, and even school tuition, in more and more cases. All those sports and extracurricular interests cost money, too.

The principle is that when we do it right, it works right. When we take others’ needs into consideration, and respect their lives, God blesses that. It’s the principle based on sowing what we wish to reap, and reaping what we sow. Joseph had that kind of wisdom and integrity. He humbled himself actually, to serve the people. He didn’t have to do that; he could have let them starve to death. That’s why God exalted him.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Saturday Silly-January 7, 2023

The first week in January is “Someday we’ll laugh about this” week. This reminded me of some of my travel experiences while I was growing up in the military. It was about 1:30 a.m. somewhere on our way to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Everyone in the car was famished, and Dad finally agreed to pull off the road at a Stuckey’s restaurant. Let me tell you, folks, travel with five other youngsters, a mostly irritated mom, and a dad who thought he was a long-haul driver, is challenging. We had had to pull off the road for an emergency potty break earlier. Everyone had to go-yeah, remember that long-haul driver? Okay, so now we’re in the Stuckey’s parking lot, and I am looking for my sandal. I’d taken my sandals off, pretty much right after we’d hit the road again, earlier that afternoon. I was almost always barefooted in those days; it was the “in thing” with kids my age. Anyway, I could not find that sandal anywhere. It turned out someone must have kicked it out of the car when we stopped for the potty break. Thank goodness for those wide-legged bell-bottom pants. I had to pinch the bottom of the left leg between my toes to cover my bare foot when we entered the restaurant. Of course, the five little monkeys had great laughs over this, but I was not amused. Yeah, I did finally have a giggle over it some years later. I’ve decided to write the president. I think that the oldest child in every military family should get what is equivalent to combat pay payed to them.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Oh, Yes! It Is The LORD Up Ahead

(Genesis 44-45) (ESV) Give us the story of Joseph’s revelation to his brothers about who he is. Remember they had not recognized him. After he revealed himself to them, he sent them back to Canaan to bring his father and their families down to Egypt. There were yet five years of famine to get through. Pharaoh was in agreement, and even sent wagons and provisions for the journey. We can see how God sent Joseph ahead to make provision for them during the famine. (Verses 4-8) So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”

When I read this story, I’m reminded of my days as a military family member. I was none too happy to have to leave my grandmother’s side; first as a seven-year-old, and then again as a twelve-year-old. I never did get back to Germany to visit with her in person. I remember whenever we complained during our travels, my father saying, “You should be thankful; you’ve got miles of education.” I said that to say this: Had I had my way, Heaven only knows what I may have gotten myself into! Furthermore, had I not experienced those “miles of education,” I would not have met the people I met, I would not have learned some of the things I learned, I may not have become the person that I am today. As a matter of fact, had I not gone through some of the things I’ve gone through in my lifetime, I know I wouldn’t be the person that I am today! And, let me tell you, I have had to thank God for every single ordeal! Every single ordeal netted me precious treasures in the way of spiritual growth, strength –as a woman, and as a human being, compassion, humility, and a stronger and stronger faith in God. My grandmother used to say that God can see around the corners; we can’t. (Deut. 1:30) –The fight is with the evil that would destroy your soul in those adverse circumstances. (Deut. 31:8) “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” The Word of God always, and forever, confirms His loving kindness toward us; His love for us.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Forgiveness, Not What You Think

It’s much more important for your well-being than you may have thought it was.

(Genesis 42-43) (ESV) Here, we have the story of Joseph’s reunion with the brothers who sold him to the Midianite caravan all those years ago. They’ve come to Egypt to buy grain because of the famine. Benjamin, his younger brother, stayed behind with Jacob. Jacob, remember, thought Joseph was dead. Benjamin was the other son born to him by Rachel.

Joseph didn’t let the brothers know who he was. They didn’t recognize him. He recognized them, though. He insisted they return with their brother, Benjamin. He also kept Simeon back and in custody until their return. They finally got Jacob to agree to let Benjamin go with them. They made a second trip to Egypt; this time brining a gift for Joseph as well.

We can see that Joseph was not one to hold grudges. We’re told that he wept over his brothers. He also had their money put back in their sacks when they left the first time. (Matt. 6:12) “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matt. 18:21-27, 34), (Luke 11:14) “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” It would have been evil for Joseph to refuse them grain. It would have been evil for Joseph to have them killed or incarcerated. (Matt. 6:14-15) That part of the Lord’s prayer tells us that, as God has said, “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay.” (Heb. 10:30)

It’s very easy to want to exact vengeance on those who hurt or harm us. It isn’t easy not to want to. That takes a heart that just looks to God, and refuses to be swayed by the evil they’ve done us. (Luke 21:28) tells us to “look up for our salvation, or redemption, is drawing near.” Pain, anger, mourning, and the like, can all cause extreme turmoil within us. The heart of man is, really, a fragile thing. It’s also a fickle thing. It will trick even its owner. That’s why we’re to look at God’s heart. His heart for us is the same heart He wants us to have for one another. When we determine to follow God’s Word and His Way, we may still hurt, we may still be angry, we may still mourn the losses. But, the turmoil will not be able to affect us adversely. It will have no power over us. (1Cor. 10:23) (Psalm 4:4) “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah” Verse 5 says, “Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD.” Is that awesome?! (Eph. 4:26),(Psalm 119:161), (Job 28:28), (Proverbs 3:7), (Proverbs 16:6, 17), (2cor. 13:15)

**Please remember that forgiveness does not mean you have to allow someone to continue to hurt or harm you; nor do you have to allow that person back into your inner circle if they’re going to continue to do those things. Your safety is important!

Love you from Café du Mondieu Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 4, 2023, 11:11 a.m.

Go, You! Go, You!

(Genesis 41:50-52) Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.”The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

There’s a powerful revelation in these three verses. Joseph ended up being in Pharaoh’s service because he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream. It foretold that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all the land of Egypt. He was second only to Pharaoh. He also was given Asenath as a wife. We can see how God is at work, not only grafting in peoples, but preparing to rescue, or save Joseph’s Hebrew family from the famine. I think it must have been even more than just them, too, because verse 57 tells us the famine was severe over all the earth. They were coming from all over the earth to buy grain from the Egyptians.

We can apply the powerful statements in verses 51-52 to ourselves today. God will make you forget all your hardships and all your father’s house. Whatever you went through, will be changed by God (if you let Him) to treasures in the darkness of those days. The treasures are the knowledge, wisdom, strength, and ability to help someone else going through the same thing(s). May I tell you that the fact you survived whatever may have happened to you, is your first treasure. Forgetting all your father’s house doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll forget all the people there. But you will forget all the wrong stuff you learned and move on with the new stuff God teaches you.

Whenever we’re going through some changes, we can feel like we’re seriously being afflicted. When we read Chapter 40, we can see that Joseph was forgotten by the cup-bearer, until Pharaoh had that dream. That’s when he told Pharaoh about Joseph. The rest is History. And, God did make him fruitful in the land of his affliction. God will do the same for us. All that treasure will come to you, and you will be able to use it to rise above whatever it is you went through. You’ll be able to use it to help somebody else; and, you’ll be able to help many more people. That treasure is yours forever!

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Go, Joseph! Go, Joseph!

And, Go, You!

(Genesis 39:2-6) (ESV) The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

If you remember, Joseph was sold to a Midianite caravan that was on its way to Egypt. I love it when the Bible says, “the LORD was with him.” There’s a revelation in this story. Verse 5 tells us that God will bless someone you’re working for, for your sake. Because God’s blessing was on the house of the Egyptian master, that master left everything in Joseph’s charge. He didn’t concern himself in the least. Isn’t that something? The man trusted Joseph completely.

The Egyptian’s wife, however, ruined that for Joseph. He was a hottie, apparently. She was bound and determined to have him. Joseph kept refusing her advances, until one day she took hold of his garment while she was trying to seduce him. He ran, leaving the garment in her hands. She seemingly had all the proof she needed; and who would argue with her anyway? Joseph ended up in prison. But, there again, the LORD was with him. The prison master put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners there. Verse 23 says, “The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.”

If we look at Joseph’s character, we’ll see he was obedient to God. He was a man of integrity and good character. This story is a lesson, and an encouragement to us. When we’re following God’s will, His way, and we’re being obedient to Him, He is with us! (Deut. 28:6-7) come to mind. We’re blessed coming and going, and our enemies are defeated before us.

I thought this would be a good way to start the new year. Let’s remember that we are blessed. We also get blessed; but that’s because we are blessed. (Matt. 25:34) (Genesis 24:31)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Familial Spirits

(Genesis 37) (ESV) Familial Spirits and families…These tend to run in families, and, of course, be passed down from one generation to the next.

(Genesis 37:3-4) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors *(or with long sleeves). But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. That old spirit of envy is making trouble again, isn’t it? Cain had the same problem with Abel, didn’t he? This is the reason it is crucial not to show favoritism between our children. Each one is loved exactly as much as the others. Favoritism is actually sometimes used by parents to manipulate their children. That’s a no-no too. That’s actually putting a stumbling block in front of your children. We don’t incite envy or competition in our children. We instill encouragement, or lifting up of others, and cooperation between the siblings. Families are teams, and every member is important.

(Genesis 37:12-36) Joseph’s brothers actually plotted to kill him. Reuben, however, being the oldest son, rescued him from their plot. So instead, they sold Joseph to a caravan that was on its way to Egypt. Joseph, then, was sold to Potiphar in Egypt.

Meanwhile, those other sons of Jacob’s slaughtered a goat, dipped Joseph’s coat of many colors in it, and deceived Jacob by telling him that they’d found it out near Shechem, where they were with the flocks. Jacob naturally thought Joseph was dead. We can see how favoritism sets us up for envy, which then sets us up for all manner of evil. Murder and deception were the two other familial spirits in this story. (James 3:16)

That kind of competitiveness is actually also a familial spirit. We see children striving all the time to get that pat on the back from Mom or Dad. Sometimes we actually can strain their relationships by instilling and/or supporting that competitive spirit between them. It’s alright to strive to do your very best; but, we don’t always have to win to be important to someone. When we instill a team spirit, one of an encourager and helper, in our children, we’re actually making them stronger people. They won’t be as easily swayed by “opinion,” or become addicted people pleasers.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Welcome, 2023!

Happy New Year

You ladies who are “a little older,” like I am, remember what our friend, Maxine, once said: “Any woman can have the body of a 21 year old as long as she buys him a few drinks first.” Just kidding, kids! Really, Mom’s behaving. LOL

Thank you, Clipartix.com for sharing with us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 30, 2022, 11:46 a.m.

Goodbye, 2022

Ah, another year is closing…

The world and I bid farewell to two of my favorite ladies in 2022. Miss Loretta Lynn, I will be listening to your songs until the day I die. Your Christmas Album brought me so much cheer over the Christmas holiday. Our beloved Queen Elizabeth II, departed from this world, and left an empty space in my heart that I don’t think anyone else could ever fill.

I want to thank you, Lord, for another wonderful year. Please keep my family, friends, and most especially my children and grandchildren safe in your hands over this holiday. May their celebrations be filled with joy and laughter, peace and precious memories; and may you all be healthy, and around to celebrate again next year. My prayer for all of you, my readers, is the same. God bless you all!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu