(Romans 5: 17)   For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.    I believe the key words here are receive, abundance, free gift of righteousness, and reign.   We have to receive the truth. Jesus is the truth.  Every word of God’s is truth.  When you take a closer look at what it means to receive truth, you’ll see this:  You will choose to be truthful, sincere, real.  You will not allow any untruth(s) to remain in your heart, mind, soul, your life.  You will insist on truth and integrity.  You will work until the untruth(s) are cleared away and replaced with truth(s).  An example would be that instead of saying, “I just don’t have time to…,” to “I will, and I am making the bed every morning.” 

Abundance is an awesome word.  It makes me think of limitless supply, many sources, and endless creativity.  When we get this mindset, we begin to get creative.  We leave off worrying, and seek the Waymaker.  We stop surrendering to the problem(s), and start getting creative about solving them. 

The free gift of righteousness that allows us to reign in life is the examples and lessons Jesus left us with.  It is the authority Jesus endowed us with, and it is the birthright as a child of God that Jesus restored to us.  That birthright is access to the throne of Grace, and all it holds.  It is the divine nature that our Heavenly Father put into us when He created us.  Finally, that free gift is the gift of choice.  We don’t have to be victims of our circumstance(s).  We can be victors in them, and over them.  We can choose to be better.  (Romans 6:12-23)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 9, 2022, 10:41 a.m.

I have heard so much, and so much garbage, by so-called “Christians,” and “Godly People.” Everyone’s GREAT at pointing fingers, and I’ve even been battered by electronic means (tazers, cell-phone apps) by some people who actually believe they have the right to “punish” people they perceive to be disobedient to their idea of what God wants from us. I have pictures of the damages they’ve done to my face and breasts. I’ve heard some say it’s because I’m not married or willing to be. I’ve also heard it’s because I won’t have sex with a “nigger.” That’s a direct quote, by the way.

I hope this post will help clear up any misconceptions and confusion anyone may have. God expects us to love one another. He expects us to be helpful to one another, and not hurtful.

(Romans 3:20) For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.  The law is one of sowing and reaping.  Jesus said, in (Matt. 7:12), “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  (Luke 6:31)  When we read the Prophets, we can see some of this sowing and reaping taking place.  Thank goodness, we also get a picture of God’s plan for our redemption in them. 

The law, which we find in Exodus 20, Deuteronomy shows us how we ought to act and interact with others.  When we read them, we can see that it all ties back to reaping what we sow.  Clearly, you wouldn’t want someone to do those things to you, or not to do them for you.  So, why do them to someone.  Why not do them for someone?  Why be hurtful and not helpful? Sow peace, love, and progress into someone’s life, and you’ll get peace, love, and progress in your own.* (Galatians 6:7)   *Please note: you may not reap these from those in whose lives you plant them; but you will reap them.  There are blessings for obedience to God’s Word.  They are also listed in Deuteronomy.  The curses for disobedience are also listed there.  If things are going haywire in your life, you might want to check that list out. 

(Romans 3:31) Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.  –When you read Romans 3:20, you can see right away, that it is our heart condition that is crucial.  Mere doing, or going through the motions isn’t going to cut it.  That’s because when your heart is not in it, it isn’t  right before God.  That puts you in conflict with yourself, and with God.  Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48)  I have to tell you, there have been times in my life that I’ve had to check myself and pray for forgiveness and strength to “be right” in my heart over something or toward someone.  We’re all human beings, and limited at times, by our flesh.  But the more we catch ourselves and correct ourselves, the stronger we get in spirit and our heart. 

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 8, 2022, 10:51 a.m.

PS – Get out there and vote! Today’s Election Day!

Today’s post addresses the company we keep, and especially in our inner circle, when we’re trying to make changes in our life.  As always, I’m reading from the ESV.  Everyone knows that if you want to stop drinking or using drugs, you don’t go hang out with your old drinking buddies, or the friends you used to get high with.  Having the right support is crucial for your recovery.  It’s also important, just in daily living.  Can you imagine having someone you cannot trust involved in your marriage and family life?  What if this person is someone who undermines everything you’re trying to accomplish?  Think about that mother-in-law who always has a better way to show you, or who “never insisted that her children ate vegetables”, etc.  True, everyone is different, and entitled to be.  But, when those differences undermine what you’re trying to accomplish, it’s time to put a little distance and boundary into effect. 

What we want, is what Paul is talking about in (Romans 1:11-12)  “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.  We need to surround ourselves with people who are like-minded, who have been there and done that, and who respect and encourage us.  If you’re a Christian, a Believer in the LORD/Lord, your faith is of utmost importance, isn’t it?  Of course!  it’s what we live by!  (Romans 1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.  (Romans 1:20) 

When we’re in the wrong crowd, with no support, we’re in danger of losing our way, our wisdom, and our will.  How many times has an alcoholic fallen off the wagon during the holidays because the family drinkers came to visit?  Until you’re strong enough to “STAY NO,” don’t go!  Don’t undo everything you’ve worked for. 

Romans (1:18-32) gives us a picture of what happens when we are surrounded with people who don’t agree with us, and who don’t support us.  I hope you’ll read it for yourselves, and be encouraged by it.  It is an awesome affirmation of your conviction of the Truth, and determination to turn your life around. 

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 7, 2022, 10:51 a.m.

I had some trouble in this department for awhile after I started to actually work with the Word of God to change my life. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again now: You must know who and whose you are! The proper order is to know whose you are. From this, you can begin to realize and grow into who you are; and, who you are meant/created to be.

(Acts 10:14-15) But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”  And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”  

Can you see now why we need to get a different mindset?  Yes, we need to see ourselves the way God sees us.  We need to believe what God says about us.  This is why we need to find out what God says about us.  That will be our list of affirmations and encouragements.  In order to believe, though, we need to receive the things God says about us.  Often times, when we’ve got some wounds and scars, we have a tendency to listen only half-heartedly-even to a good report about us.  But we need to take each affirmation personally; and make it our own.  God is no respecter of persons.  He loves His children, one just as much as another. 

When we get the heart and mindset that we are not common, that we are on a higher level of mindset, thought life, heart, speaking, and doing, we can truly begin to walk in that newness.  When we change our hearts from victim to victor, helpless to being in authority, etc., we begin to see things differently, and judge them differently, and do them differently. 

We are kings and queens in the earth.  We were ordained to fill the earth and subdue it (harness its power); to be caretakers of God’s creation.  Jesus gave us authority over the spirits; they are subject to us.  We have the power to make choices regarding our lives.  Let’s strive to make choices that are in keeping with the power and authority we have been given.  When I read the scripture referenced above, I think about Jesus calling Lazarus out of the tomb. (John 11:43)  God told Abraham to go out from his country, his father’s house, his people. (Genesis 12:1)  And, God told him to go out from them “to a land I will show you.”  That makes this statement:  There’s a better place than where you are now!  That promised land is filled with the blessings listed in (Deuteronomy 30)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 6, 2022, 11:00 a.m.

(Acts 3:6) (ESV)  But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”   (Matt. 15:32-34)

Again with the holiday season coming up, right?  Yes!  This isn’t just another thankfulness post, though.  You see, in real life, it isn’t what you don’t have that causes you problems.  What causes you the problems is what you do, or don’t do, with what you do have.  In the event referenced above, the man didn’t have the faith in God to be healed.  But he had the faith in men to be treated charitably by them.  God is greater; and so is independence.  Peter used his own faith to heal the man.  In doing that, he also gave the man a glimpse of the power of God. 

So often, and especially when we’re under generational curses, we forget to look at what we do have.  We mistakenly believe that lack is what holds us back.  But the real lack is within the soul. (3John 1:2)  We see ourselves as victims of circumstance.  We believe all the negative things we’ve heard about ourselves.  We even tell ourselves all kinds of negative things.  See what you’re doing with that beautiful and capable person you have?  See what you’re doing with your heart, mind, and soul? 

This is where all the affirmations we find in the Bible come in.  Just like we encourage our children, God encourages us.  He dotes on us like we dote on our children.  “You’re beautiful,” we say to them.  “Sure you can do it; just think about it for a minute,” we say; and then we help them.  We walk them through unfamiliar territory.  We soothe them and comfort them when they’re unsure, or when they’ve messed it up.  God does the very same thing.  He starts by telling us who and whose we are. (Matt. 3:17)  (Psalm 2:7)  You may need to keep a list of those affirmations handy so you can read them anytime.

Jesus taught us how important our faith is; and how important it is that we know who and whose we are. (Matt. 5:14) –The light of the world.  Are you a member of the human race?  Then you’re in the world.  You have the power to be your own light; especially, in Christ Jesus.. (John 9:5)  (John 12:36)  What it boils down to is that we need to look within and see what we do have.  Do we have the desire to rise up? (John 5:5-6)  Do you have the skills to do what you want to do?  The education/knowledge?  Do you have the means? –No?  But you do have, can get, access to information that can help you get them.  The bottom line is still faith in God.  We can be sure that He will make a way. (Isaiah 43:19)  We can trust that He’s for us, and not against us. (1 Sam. 2:9) (Psalm 37:23) (Psalm 25:11) (Romans 8:31) 

Overcoming those generational curses, and recovering your life requires that we look at what we have first, that we don’t want, and then, those that we do want.  An example would be, “I have determination, I also have a drinking problem.”  Obviously, you don’t want the drinking problem.  It has to go.  So we access the information we need to get help to overcome that drinking problem.  The determination you have will be very helpful to you; keep it.  When we begin to inventory our lives in this way, we can begin to see where changes need to be made; because we now know the truth.  Then we can find a way, ways to make those changes, and recover our life…and sustain that new life. 

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 4, 2022, 12:01 p.m.

I read from a book titled “Simple Abundance.” It’s author is Sarah ban Breathnach. It’s a must have for any woman out there! What a wonderful inspirational little book! The messages in it this past week have been about seasons changing, soul nurturing, and creature comforts. I’m all for creature comforts. I love to make ordinary things a little more special. It gives life a celebratory air.

November is the time the cold really begins to settle in around us. November is also Healthy Lifestyles Month. One of my favorite things to eat when the weather is cold is Cream of Tomato Soup and Grilled double Cheese Sandwiches. I’m a veggie lover, and one of my favorites is Spinach. Stirring a little Spinach into that Cream of Tomato Soup is a wonderful twist on the ordinary. It’s also a way to honor your healthy lifestyle. Have a pumpkin spice cupcake for desert, and send the meal over the top.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 4, 2022, 12:23 p.m.

I’m moving on to Acts to continue my studies. There is so much information given in the letters of the Apostles that’s crucial to us in our walk with the LORD/Lord. Not only that, but that information is extremely helpful when it comes to breaking generational curses and recovering one’s life. I hope you’re helped by this, and all my posts.

(Acts 2:28)  “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” 

(Matt. 7:14)  “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”   -The reason is that we are in the world, in which we have tribulation because of the unclean things and people in it.  The choices are narrowed down for us.  God’s standard is different from the World’s standard. We have to make choices according to God’s standard, if we want true life-both here, and eternally. The World’s standard makes the way hard for us, because unclean things and people are glorified, and God’s people and the things of God are jeered at and mocked. This is why Jesus warned us that we would have tribulation in the world. (John 16:33)

(Proverbs 16:17) The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.  –Guarding my way means I check myself, and if I’m not where I need to be, where I should be, I get right back on track.  An immediate turnaround is in order.  It also means that we keep the unclean out of our way.  We don’t’ let them into our inner circle.  Look at Jesus’ example.  He didn’t reject the sinners, or the unclean.  But they were not among the ones in His company. He didn’t pal around with the Pharisees. He called them on their ways. And, He didn’t chat with the demons.  He took authority and dealt with them immediately.  (Luke 8:27-33) (Matt. 23:1-36) (Matt. 15:1-20))

(Isaiah 35:8)  And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.   –Nothing shall pass over or take over my way.  When I choose God’s Way, I need to make that choice and declaration. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD,” said Joshua. (Joshua 24:15)  This means that we have to be on our guard against anything that would try to throw us off and cause us to go in the wrong direction. 

Even something as seemingly small as an unmade bed can pull us so far down it’s not funny.  It’s just the beginning.  Then, you have the clothes piled up in the corner(s) instead of in the hamper.  Then, you have the bathroom, etc., etc., and on and on it goes.  Pretty soon, you’re buried under it all.  Your house has become your tomb.  But, refuse to give in to the temptation(s), and the house becomes, and remains, a home.  It is always a matter of choosing life; of choosing what will bring, and sustain life.   (Psalm 16:11)  is one of my favorite verses of scripture: You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.   When we stay on the Way of Holiness, which I believe is also Wholeness, God is always present with us. He lives with us. (John 14:23)  and we are able to take joy in most everything we do.   The pleasures at His right hand are the beauty of the growth of love, peace, and power in your life, and the lives of your loved ones.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 3, 2022, 11:25 a.m.

With the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Season coming up, almost all of us will be remembering loved ones who are no longer with us.   Depression and suicide rates rise during the holidays.  We don’t always have the answers to the trials and tribulations we go through or the losses we suffer.  I found some scriptures that I hope will help. As always, I’m reading from the ESV (English Standard Version) 

(Acts 1:7) “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” 

(Deuteronomy 29:29) “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

(Matt. 24:36) “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

 (Luke 12:27) “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.”  – This is the most important scripture in all of these.  The key, whenever we’re going through something, is to stay awake.  This means we stay in the Word of God and stand on the promises of God.  You can’t find anything in that “field” is you’re asleep.  But, stay awake and keep digging, and you will find what you need.  The Lord will give it to you. (Luke 11:9) 

Sometimes, the only answer is :”Trust.” Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)  The longer we live with Him, the more we learn about Him, the easier it is to trust Him, and the stronger our faith becomes in Him.

(Deuteronomy 31:6) God will neither leave us nor forsake us. (Matt. 28:20) Jesus is with us, even unto the end of the age.

PS Someone zapped my page out earlier, so I had to redo this.  If you see something very similar to this elsewhere, you’ll know who it was.

Love you from café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 2, 2022, 12:21 p.m.

Today’s post is the final one in the “Jesus said, “I am”, lessons.  I hope you find as much inspiration, strength, peace, and joy in them as I do.  Something we may not often think about is that we, ourselves, can be someone’s beginning and/or end.  Your presence, your testimony, and your love might be the beginning of someone’s search for God, and his/her life with Him.  It might just be the end of someone’s choosing to live as a victim of his/her circumstances and a life of defeat. 

Rev. `1:8  I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come. (John 1:1-5) (John 11:25) (John 3:3-5)

When I read this scripture, and the ones referenced, I think about looking back on my life.  I think about all the things I survived, all the things I’ve gotten over, all the things I learned to do, and all the things I learned to undo. (Matt. 6:33) (Job 38:2) (Zechariah 7:12)  The LORD/Lord is our beginning (Alpha).  He’s there all through our lives (Matt. 28:20).  And, He is there at the end of every tunnel, every storm, every mountain’s climb.  He’s there at the end of your time on Earth; hopefully, to welcome you into His loving arms and into His Paradise.  (Revelations 1:17) “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”  (Luke 23:43) (John 5:24) (Romans 6:22)

God is the way maker, when you don’t think there is a way. (Isaiah 43:19)  God makes all things new.  We learn new attitudes, think new thoughts, speak in new ways, and do new things, and do the old things in new ways. (Rev. 21:5)  (2Cor. 5:17)  (John 3:6-7) (Ezekiel 36:26) (Ezekiel 11:19)  

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 1, 2022, 10:53 a.m.