Forgiving Is The Easy Part

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to forgive and forget, if we want to move on. I’ve said it before; forgiveness is for us, the “wounded.” It is for our benefit, so much more than for the benefit of the one(s) who hurt us.

Forgiving is the easy part. Forgetting is what’s hard. It’s also the obstacle that gets in the way. This is especially true when we’re dealing with generational curses. It’s often not even the old wounds that cause the problem, but the old ways of dealing with them, that keep us on that vicious merry-go-round-and round, and round. They call that PTSD in the secular world. A similar situation, or one that triggers those same feelings of fear, helplessness, etc., can cause us to lose so much ground. One minute can undo six months or more of progress, if we’re not alert to the dangers.

Here’s where God comes in, though. Isaiah 40:10 tells us – “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule.” God will take all those old things, show you the truth in, and about them, and then destroy their power over you completely. I’ve been there. We develop ways of coping, adapting, surviving. Unfortunately, they’re not always the right ways. God’s way is. He not only will destroy those old strongholds, but He will teach you the right ways to think. Our attitudes toward the sin in our lives-whether the sin is ours or belongs to others-are what affect our living. God will give you some great attitudes!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Sentimental Silly-July 25, 2020

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is the boss-the controller of every second of every minute of every day. We are asked if we can see how wonderful life really is with Him.

It got me thinking back to our military days. We don’t always like what’s happening. I hated having to move away from friends; and it seemed as if that’s exactly what we were always doing…moving, moving, moving. I was the oldest kid in the family, and, naturally, not very impressed with some of the stuff my younger siblings pulled. My mother was always good for embarrassing this teenager too. But, just when you think you’re at the end of your rope, God throws the curve ball…and everybody’s roaring with laughter. This very thing happened on one particular journey. Six women in the family; and all had to use the restroom. At this particular place, there was ONE restroom for ladies. Also, we were on a time constraint; my dad did not like to get off schedule traveling. So, there was I, on the potty, while my sister was washing her hands-both of us crammed into this little stall. My mother was supposed to be holding the door ajar slightly, so the next girl could duck in quickly when ready. Something happened, and she got distracted and let go of the door, which opened wider all by itself. Just at that instant this gorgeous guy happens by. He’s looks in at me, and says, “Hi.” I’m smiling at him, thinking how cute he is…”Hi,” I said back to him. That’s when I remember I’m on the potty with my pants down around my ankles. Needless to say, I didn’t need any blusher when touched up my makeup.

It gets better, we had dinner there. After dinner, we all piled into the car, and Dad had to go into the restroom. He came out of the restroom, and headed straight for this station wagon that looked exactly like ours – but wasn’t. We were all roaring as he started to tell the poor lady in that car she needed to get out; just before he realized she was the only one in it, and he was at the wrong car.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Be His Shadow

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the way to know the way to go, is to stay very, very, close to the Lord. He is the Way.

I had to laugh when I read the message, because it made me think of me with my grandmother. I was her shadow. The poor woman couldn’t make a move without me from the day I was born. I had a sister that was that way with me. We were like two peas in a pod for quite some time. That’s the way we need to be with our Lord.

When we practice that consciousness of Him in the world around us, we begin to sense His presence more and more. As we do this, we do find ourselves “shadowing” Him. LOL I’m pretty sure He loves it, too…because He sure can get some good stuff over on us, can’t He? He does on me, all the time!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Interludes Of Peace

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to protect our peace at all costs. We’re told to stop everything and regain our peace whenever it’s been disturbed. As I read this message, I think about Proverbs 4:23, which tells us to guard our hearts above all else because everything we do flows from it.

I found, some time ago, that little interludes of peace throughout the day help to keep me unruffled. These can include a few minutes of some quiet instrumental music-I love bamboo flute music for calming and refreshing my spirit. I used to take a short 30 minute “awake nap” after work each day. This helped me to switch gears and get back into Mom mode. Of course, an evening drive after dinner, or even a sunset picnic out in a quiet area make for a wonderful interlude of peace. I wrote a song titled “Little Wild Rose,” after a drive in the country with my then husband. See how that works? Creativity is always refreshed after an interlude of peace.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

And The Miracle Is…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, is an encouragement to abide in God’s Presence, and be joyful. The message speaks to us about miracle of being able to do the greater works that Jesus said we would do, because He went to the Father. So what, really, is the miracle?

The miracle is God’s power manifest in, and working through us. The miracle is that there is always hope-even if all you’ve got is a prayer. The miracle is that we are unlimited in creativity. You can make a molehill out of somebody’s mountain, with a little creative thinking. You can make a mountain out of a molehill-or a feast for a crowd-out of a few fishes and loaves, when you’re working with God. The miracle starts with switching your brain train over to possibility thinking. Always looking for the possibilities, teaches us to no limit ourselves or God.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

I Am Thankful For…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that praise is the way to move mountains. Praise can make a molehill out of a mountain.

I used to write down ten things that I was grateful for, every evening, before bed. I learned this from a book titled “Simple Abundance,” by Sara Ban Breathnach. From this practice, I began to discover some beautiful simple pleasures, like that first sip of my morning coffee-especially Amaretto Coffee. LOL

What does this all have to do with praise moving mountains? Well, I got into the habit using that same technique, only, saying “thank you, Lord,” when faced with a difficulty-great or small. If you make the same list, citing the little difficulties that were smoothed out for you, the things God does that we take for granted…like waking up and having one more day here with loved ones, etc., you’ll see just how much God is there for us, and does do for us. This helps to get you into the habit of, not only blessing consciousness and thankfulness, but also of God consciousness and gratitude. You begin to become more and more conscious of His Presence in your day.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Foretaste of Divinity

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s standard is the only standard we are to strive to live by, and up to.

Isaiah 53 comes to mind when I read the message. It speaks of Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is the firstborn of many. That many includes you and I…because, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12-13) (ESV)

Isaiah 53:2 is a powerful revelation about how God can take you, from the dry ground of living under a generational curse, or under sin, and cause you to be the root of a new generation. A new generation under the love and admonition, and walking in the power and authority of Jesus Christ. Isn’t that awesome?! You can have a better life; your children, and their children…generations after them, can have better lives. Isaiah 53:11 is a confirmation of that: “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” (ESV) That means God can take all that turmoil and pain within you, and give you His knowledge. That will give you the power to help others to stand and walk uprightly (in power and authority). That’s what it means to “bear the iniquities” of others. We help them to overcome the adversities and barriers that keep them from living successfully.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

They Become Simply Marvelous

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that stepping into, and walking in our authority and power, our divine nature, happens neither instantaneously, nor is it a one shot deal. It’s a daily thing; a one-step-at-a-time thing. I hope you’ll read the entire message yourselves at twolistners.org – it’s a goodie!

When I think back on all the things I used to really struggle with, and things that would just almost shatter my heart, I think about the way God brought me through them. I thought about how God teaches me out of His Word. And, yes, He does have a sense of humor-as you saw in yesterday’s post.

As we learn to walk fully in God’s love, His admonition, according to His will, and His Word, those things that seem like miraculous happenings – (you know, when you finally get it right, and it works easy as pie, and blows you away?) – become more and more natural, and naturally, expected. ..and marvelous; simply marvelous!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – July 18, 2020

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to walk humbly with our God…which had me reminiscing about a little reminder God gave me about that.

I’d spent a few hours in the park that day. I needed to use the restroom before I left, so I did. As there were no paper seat protectors, I took some toilet paper and laid it on the toilet seat. I was more than a little disgruntled. I thought to myself, “Now why can’t they budget to provide the seat covers in the park restrooms?” I finished by business, but, as I got up, I lost the toilet paper that I’d put on the seat. It wasn’t there. I finally figured it just fell into the toilet. I flushed the toilet and headed out of the stall.

Now, there’s an apartment complex adjacent to the park. As I was strolling by on my way “home,” this nice little lady pointed out to me that I had toilet paper hanging out of the back of my shorts. It’s a good thing stuff like that makes me laugh. And, laugh I did. See; and some of you think God lets me get away with stuff. LOL

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Hush, And You’ll Hear Him

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to just hush and trust the Lord. He’ gets us through the storm; and then, when it’s quiet-and we’re quieted, He will teach us His Word and Way.

I’ve proven Him on this so many times. I’ll get so worked up and upset; and then just one minute in prayer, and the storm’s gone. “Help me, Jesus; I need to pray,” I’ll say. And, when I’ve prayed, I’ll pick up my Bible, and there will be that beautiful little nugget that will stay with me from then on. This is one of my favorite songs. I hope you’ll be as blessed by it as I am. These are some folks with the Gaither family.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu