Jesus Knew It; So Should You

(Matt. 7:6) (ESV)“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (Matt. 7:21) These two scripture references go with yesterday’s post. I wanted to add them for you, so you can see that the LORD takes these things seriously. We should also. We need to be alert and aware. Alert to what someone may be trying to pull off (mockery, trickery/deception, etc.) to get us into compromising positions. We need to be aware of where people are coming from; their backgrounds, their beliefs, etc., so that we can better ascertain and discern their intentions.

We can see throughout the Gospels, how Jesus walked out His purpose. He knew who He was, and, whose He was; very early in life. (Luke 2:42-50) (Matt. 1:21) (Mark 1:8) It was Jesus who said, “And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” (Matt. 23:9) There’s a powerful statement that reinforces the fact that we are to go by God’s Word, and according to His will and way. As I said before, when you know whose you are, you will know who you are. If we’re very fortunate, we have fathers and mothers who know the Lord, and live according to God’s Word. Some of us aren’t so lucky. We grow up in homes that have been marked by generational curses, and sometimes serious damage to self-esteem and personal power. Satan has wreaked havoc in them for years upon years. Fortunately, and thanks to our Lord, Jesus, we can be born again, and we can overcome the damages and regain our self-esteem and personal power. We can break off the generational curses, and give our children (the next generation) a better start in life.

(Mark 1:12-13) Interestingly, most of us are in our forties before we really get serious about life. Some do get it earlier, but it usually takes us until then to begin to really realize what’s going on, or has gone on, to understand how our lives have been affected, and to seek change. Usually, that change is being born again, or coming to Christ Jesus. Then, we can begin to apply spiritual truths faithfully. Those of us who are raised in Christian families get it a little earlier, and handle those temptations much better. Then, the next forty years are about walking out our faith, finding and stepping into our purpose(s), and not falling away from either.

Your purpose can usually be found by looking at the things that interest you, the things that you seem to have a natural knack for, etc. But, you can also find clues about your purpose when you look at the things you have survived. Look at some of the hard lessons you had to learn. The treasure in those times of darkness are things that point you to your purpose. (Romans 8:28-29) Remember, it’s about every single human being from the beginning of time to the end of the age.

Your purpose may have you doing many different things at different times. Look at Jesus. He was healing, casting out devils, teaching, raising the dead, even rebuking the Pharisees and Chief Priests, etc. And that was all part of being the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world by dying on the cross at Calvary. (John 10:10) (John 9:39) (John 1:21) (Luke 6:46) (Matt. 26:26-28)

Love you from Café du Mondieu Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, April 17, 2023, 11:42 a.m.

Truth Is On Both Scales

(Matt. 15:21-28)(ESV) And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly* (from that hour).

Jesus does not entertain evil. What? The woman is only asking for her daughter to be healed. Let’s take a closer look at this passage of scripture. The Canaanites were idolaters. They worshipped Baal and Asherah. Jesus ignored the woman because, as the scriptures say, “what fellowship does light have to do with darkness?” (2Cor. 6:14) Jesus was calling her out. The woman knelt before the Lord, and admitted her sin when she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs…” Her daughter was healed. As I said in yesterday’s post, Jesus never compromises His authority. When we apply this principle to ourselves, we can better set and enforce personal boundaries. We need to set boundaries to remain in authority over our own spirit, as well as over the unclean ones.

There are a few other things we can learn from this passage of scripture. First, we aren’t to have any dealings with evil. People who are actively participating in idol worship, witchcraft, and other things in the occult, are not like us. We are spiritually endangered when we associate with them. It opens the door to unclean spirits. Secondly, we can see that even those who practice those things are in danger. You’re not safe from Baal just because you worship him. In fact, you’re in more danger than we are as Christians. (Matt. 10:28) (Matt. 10:16,28)

Last but not least, we need to see God’s great mercy and grace toward all. Jesus com-mended the woman for her faith. And, He did heal her daughter. Can you see how much of an impact this might make in someone’s life? “I see you’re trying to do right. And, I know you know who I am,” is, essentially, what Jesus said to the woman. This just might tip the scales and bring that woman home to the Lord, where we all belong. Part of mercy and grace is proper acknowledgement of the truth on both scales. (This is what you did wrong; but I see that you also did right). We need to remember this in our dealings; not only with one another, but with all.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Put On That Crown!

(Romans 13:14) (ESV) “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” The first thing I want to say, here, is that Jesus Christ was not ever a victim. He is a king; the Son of God Almighty, and in authority over life on Earth. (John 10:17-18) (Matt. 26:53) (John 2:19) (John 19:11)

Changing our thinking, our mindset, from victim to victor is the key to overcoming adversity. This is the second treasure in any darkness, or adversity. The first, of course, is that we’ve survived it. We have authority over every unclean spirit. This means when any evil comes against me, I have the power to stop it. It also means when I have a bad attitude, a sinful thought, or a negative thought, I can change it. I need to change it. Unclean spirits feed on these. That’s why we’re to stay positive, and walk according to the Word of God. (Matt. 12:33) (Matt. 1:23-26) (Mark 9:17-26) (Matt. 9:4) (Matt. 12:24-26) (Luke 9:46-48)

(Matt. 4:4) “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” This tells us that all scripture is God breathed and profitable to us. (2Tim. 3:16) Having read the Tao, and scriptures from the Quran, and Jewish texts, my personal belief is that we should not discount any of these. There are also a number of inspirational works based on scripture, that merit reading. (Deuteronomy 29:29)(Romans 15:4) (2Peter 1:20-21) When we read the gospels, we can see that Jesus checked everything against the Word of God; and followed that word staunchly. We need to do the very same thing. (Matt. 21:42)

When I first began to walk out my healing from the incest, I had prayed and asked the LORD to show me what was going on. I was having nightmares about killing my husband, but in the dreams, I was a nine year old girl. The LORD revealed to me that the nightmares were connected with the incest. Then, He actually led me through several different avenues of information that helped me to make sense of the emotions I was experiencing, the fears I’d had, etc. There would be a talk show that was dealing with the subject, a magazine article at the doctor’s office that caught my attention, a person in a support group, or even at church, that would say something that clicked in my mind. Now you can see why you have to keep your eyes and ears open to see and hear the LORD’s prompting.

When we go to the scriptures and read the things God says about us, and the things He promises us, we can use these as positive affirmations to strengthen us spiritually. Everything starts and ends in the spirit; so, this is important. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read through the Psalms and the Prophets. Unfortunately, when we’re first starting out, we so want to be perfect for our Heavenly Father, that we go right to Proverbs and try to do, do, do what the Word says will make it all right. Jesus didn’t say “Do everything perfectly, like your Father in Heaven.” He said, “BE perfect, therefore, as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” God is love, and is perfected in love. This brings us right back to the two most important commandments: Love the LORD, your God with all your mind and heart. And, love your neighbor as you love yourself.

I don’t know who I’m talking to today, but it was really heavy on my heart that somebody out there needs to see this. I hope and pray, that if it’s you, you’ll be helped by it. Love you from Café du Mondeiu

Saturday Silly-April 15, 2023

Those of you who know me, know I like to get my projects done ahead of time. I’ve decided what to do for my daughters for Mother’s Day. As I was thinking about this project, I was reminded of a stunt one of my adopted little brothers pulled a few years back. Oh…little brother; I do believe you should have thought that one over a little harder.

This little brother loves electronic gadgets. One Mother’s Day, he had a bright??? Idea; and I just have to share with you. His wife is always whistling at him when she sees him in the shower. She’s the biggest flirt with him, and he loves it. She was going through a little “Mama’s lost her figure blues” thing about that time, so, he decided he’d return the favor. Unfortunately, he got a little carried away. First, he installed a hidden camera in the bathroom. Then, he set things up to have a few of his buddies come right over when he texted them. Finally, he was ready. As soon as my sister in law stepped into the bathroom and started undressing to get into the shower, his buddies arrived, and they all went to stand outside the bathroom window. Yes, the shades were drawn; but do you think you’d remember that if you were in her situation? just as she was about to step into the shower, she heard a bunch of whistles, whoops, and clapping outside the bathroom window. Needless to say, my little brother is grounded from gadgets for life. I asked my sister in law what she was getting him for Father’s Day. She replied, “a dog house.”

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Treasures of Darkness…

I want to post an encouragement to every victim and survivor of, not only sexual assault and abuse, but survivors of domestic abuse, and any other violence. Also, survivors of any trauma (illness, accidents, etc.) that has seriously impacted your life.

(Isaiah 45:2-3) “I will go before you and level the exalted places*(mountains), I will break in pieces the doors of bronzeand cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.”

Victim! Survivor! Your life is about to get better! Your life is about to change! Regardless of what you’ve suffered, or are suffering from/struggling with, if you’re alive, you’ve already won! May I tell you, the above statement in Isaiah, is also made in the Gospel of (John 11:43) by our Lord, Jesus Christ. “He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” He’s talking about that prison cell of Iron bars around your heart and soul; and that door of bronze. He’s going to destroy them so you can be free! Those mountains of confusion, pain, fear, self-loathing, and regrets (all the fallout accumulated) will be made into level paths for your feet. And, the Lord will show you the treasures you will take with you out of that darkness; and the joys they will bring; to you, and to others

Whenever we go through turmoil, tribulation, suffering and sorrow, we are imprinted/scarred by them. We are also left with treasures, though. We see it all the time. Rape and incest survivors become advocates and counselors. Survivors of cancer become doctors and medical researchers. They have the knowledge and skills to help countless numbers of people. This was demonstrated by Jesus when He fed the thousands with just a few fishes and loaves. And, there were leftovers! Those people went home and shared with others. Probably both; the material bread; but the spiritual bread too.. There was more left for another day, too. (Luke 9:17) (Mark 6:43) (Matt. 14:20) (John 6:13)

. (Isaiah 45:4) goes on to say that it is the LORD who names us. Of course, when God looks at us, He sees Jesus Christ. Here’s what’s so awesome about that. It is the “Christ” part of that Name that falls on us as well. It means the Anointed One, and His, or Her, Anointing. Whenever you read what Jesus did, you can do it too! (John 14:11-13) Is that awesome?!

May I give you a few things God says to you, and about you? (Matt. 3:17) “This is my beloved Son,*( my Son, or my Beloved) with whom I am well pleased. (Acts 13:33) There is now no male or female in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28), so, yes, ladies; we’re included! God says that to each and every one of us when we are baptized into Christ Jesus. He also says, “Because you are precious in my eyes,and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.” (Isaiah 43:4) The whole 43^rd chapter of Isaiah is awesome. So is the whole 45^th one. I can tell you from personal experience, the Prophets, especially Isaiah, and the Psalms give so much comfort, inspiration, and strength! In them you can find a host of affirmations and love from our Heavenly Father. Read them often, and write them out and post them where you can see them daily. Let Him lavish His love on you! Then, just dare yourself not to grow into the beautiful creation He made and calls you to be.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. Those of you who know me, know that I am a survivor of, both, incest and rape. I’m posting some links that may be helpful to you if you are a victim, a survivor, or a perpetrator. It is my firm belief that earliest intervention should be available to both victims and perpetrators of incest (child molestation). My abuser (stepfather), for whatever reason, could not distinguish between affection and sexual impulse. The two were connected in his mind. While not all child molesters (perpetrators) are former victims of sexual abuse, a large number of them are. If you are a perpetrator, please seek help from your local sexual assault resource center, mental health center, and social services administration. The sooner you seek help, the better intervention and recovery will be facilitated for both you and the victim. RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) organizes the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. RAINN Their number is 800-656-4673. When you call them, they can route you directly to a local affiliate center. They also have a live online chat service available; as well as a national state law database so you can find out what rights you have in the state you live in. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center website also provides a list of victims rights.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

RALIANCE also has a directory of local rape crisis centers and programs for each state. RALIANCE

As a parent, our responsibility to protect our children from sexual assault and incest is of the utmost importance. My mother was unable to do that; I believe, because she, herself had been a victim. She was also uneducated about her rights and whatever help was available to her and us. We need to, first, allow our children to choose contact. By this, I mean don’t make the baby go to Uncle if he/she doesn’t want to be picked up and held by him. When we intervene immediately by taking that baby from Uncle, and comforting him/her, we are reinforcing their sense of danger, and their personal power. Natural instinct when we fear something or someone, is to avoid contact. Maybe Uncle looks scary; maybe he’s just a stranger to Baby. But, baby is right to fear contact either way. When we allow Baby to get used to Uncle’s presence and make contact once Baby feels comfortable doing that, we’re making Baby stronger, and better able to stay safe from harm. We also need to teach our children about appropriate touching and behavior. We do this when we intervene between the two seven month olds who keep pulling each other’s hair, or biting. We need to do it as soon as the child is old enough to understand.

If you are a victim, or a survivor, YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT!! If you’re struggling to overcome the effects of a rape or other sexual assault, there is help available to you at all rape crisis centers, as well as local domestic violence centers. Hang in there; don’t give up! It’s a lifelong walk. But, it gets more and more beautiful as we go.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Healthy, Wealthy, And Wise

You have to be wise to be healthy and wealthy, and stay that way for life.

(2Chron. 1:7-10)(ESV) “That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied to God, “You showed great and faithful love to David, my father, and now you have made me king in his place. O LORD God, please continue to keep your promise to David my father, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth! Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly,*(or go in and out before them), for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?”

I remember praying, and asking the LORD for the very same thing. As a matter of fact, the prayer consisted of Solomon’s very words. I wasn’t made queen over a multitude of people; I was the single mom and head of the household. Something I learned over the years is that it doesn’t matter if you’re ruling over a household full of people, or over just yourself. You still need to know how to reign. We are, as I’ve said before, kings and queens in the Earth. We aren’t just ruling, or running, the house. We are leading a people; and, future generations.

We can find “the beginning of knowledge” in (Proverbs 1). The beginning of knowledge, of course, is the fear (honor, respect) of the LORD. Some things that Solomon found are necessary for wise living are: discipline, understanding words of insight, insight, righteousness, justice, equity, prudence, discretion. Another, is diligence; which careful and persistent work and effort. I’m going to let you look up the meanings of the others.

If you just type the word “wisdom” into the search bar at biblehub.com, you’ll get a nice long list of scripture references. (1Cor. 1:24) tells us that Christ Jesus is, or embodies, not only the power of God; but also the wisdom of God. That’s why the Gospels are so important. (I know you all know that). (1Cor. 1:30) (Col. 2:3) tells us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ Jesus. We are also told, in (1Cor. 2:16) that we have the mind of Christ. We just have to want it, and want to use it. (Col. 3:16) I’m going to let you find the rest; and, at your own pace. You can also find more collections of King Solomon’s sayings in Sirach and Ecclesiastes.. Books titled Wisdom, and Sirach were removed from the “Protestant” Bible, but you can find them in the Catholic Bible. “Wisdom” was not written by Solomon; but is still awesomely poignant and inspiring. It was authored about 50 years before the birth of Christ; and is believed to have been written by a member of the Jewish community in Alexandria, Egypt.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

How ‘Bout Those Stones…

First, let me clarify a couple of things. When I say things that bind you, cause you to lose personal power, etc., are an abomination to God, the abomination is the loss of your authority over your life, your power to choose, and all the things that you can potentially lose-especially progress and spiritual ground. Secondly, when I say that we should be more worried about whether or not we are in the will of God, and living the way He wants us to, that about what’s going on in the world, or the “signs” of the times, I mean we aren’t to be obsessed with trying to figure out dates and times, or fearful to the point that our lives are disrupted and in disarray as a result. We are supposed to take note of current events, and keep in mind that the coming of the lawless ones is nearing. Yes, be ready to flee, in case you must. Yes, be prepared to have to take people in when they lose their homes. Yes, be prepared to act. But don’t panic; and, don’t let that throw you into despair. God’s got us! God’s got us! Remember who’s going to win! And, really, that battle was won on Calvary 2000 years ago.

Now, let’s talk a bit about the stones. Jesus said “Not one stone would be left upon another that will not be thrown down.” (Matt. 24:2) (ESV) Imagine being betrayed by your husband, wife, sibling, best friend, etc. Trust is “thrown down.” Imagine becoming jaded by all the stuff you’ve seen and experienced. You develop this attitude that, “everybody else does it…” Your integrity can be thrown down. Maybe you’re so stretched and so afraid to say no that you’re getting grumpier, even angry, and resentful, and it’s robbing you of sleep, and you can’t concentrate on anything anymore. Your peace can be thrown down. Personal standards and boundaries (that line up with God’s Word) are the mortar that hold the stones together and in place. When we’re diligent to enforce and protect these, we are fulfilling God’s law about loving ourselves; which then empowers us to better love others. Some other stones may be joy, appreciation or gratitude, openness; even kindness and compassion can be stones.

(Proverbs 4:24) (ESV)” Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Romans 8:6) “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Galatians 5:22) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Love you from Café du Mondieu Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, April 10, 2023, 2:06 p.m.

So, How Is Your Temple?

(Matthew 24:15) “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

I touched a little bit on this, in Friday’s post. May I tell you, anything that destroys your will, your personal power (choice), integrity, your life, is an abomination to God. No, you aren’t an abomination; but anything that takes power over you to destroy you is. Think about what alcoholism and drug addiction do. A person loses their job, can’t keep a job, pretty soon everything in his/her life falls into disarray and chaos. Most die from the addiction to the alcohol and/or drugs. Depression can do the same thing. Addiction to pornography has destroyed marriages, and, yes, even lives. So has addiction to sex. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Anything that masters us, has the power to bind us and pull us straight down into hell; here on Earth, and then eternally. Remember, in (Mark 13:14) Jesus says, “when you see the abomination that causes desolation standing where it ought not to be.” Spiritually, that’s a warning to us, to be vigilant about the relationship we have with certain things; and, that some things really are better avoided altogether. (Luke 12:39) (Matt. 24:43) When you see that something’s got a hold on your heart and your common sense, you need to know that’s your wake-up call! It’s time to do something to save yourself NOW! May I make a suggestion? RUN, don’t walk, RUN to Jesus! Call upon the Name of the LORD! He can, and will save you! (Isaiah 27:9-13)

Now, I want to talk about (Matthew 24:29-51) In this passage of scripture, Jesus ends by telling us that the day or the hour isn’t what we should be worried about. What we need to worry about is whether or not we are in the will of God. What we need to worry about is whether or not we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing. Are we living the way we’re supposed to be living; and, loving the way we’re supposed to be loving. There are a number of parables that Jesus told, that tell us this exact thing. (Luke 12:35-38) (Matt. 13:23-30) (Luke 10:25-37) (Micah 6:8) (John 13:14-16) (Eph. 5:2)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

He Is Risen! Glory To God!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu