What If The Goal Is One Step Away?

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the hardest, most grueling part of the race, is the last yard. When I read this message, I think about Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. To everybody watching, it might have seemed as if He’d resigned himself to death. To the two in the know (Jesus and God), it wasn’t the end at all. It was the beginning of the battle for our freedom, and for the restoration of our authority and power here on Earth.

I’m posting the link to my February 11th post, because it applies exactly to this situation. There are so many people who have lost, God knows what treasures, because they stopped running…with only one yard left to go…only one step…one prayer, etc., etc., etc. Never give up; never! Remember that even when it seems as if you’re not going anywhere, the Spirit is always moving and working-within you, and around you. Smoothing The Paths

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Staying Conscious Of His Presence

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to cultivate and maintain our consciousness of God’s Presence with us, and within us. As I’ve said before, it involves looking and listening with your heart, letting go of fears and pretenses, and embracing love, wherever and whenever possible.

I chose this song to get us into the consciousness mode. Thank you, David Crowder!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Smoothing The Paths

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we have to, at all costs, keep our faith, and stay on the path laid out before us. The message bids us to remember how Jesus came walking on the waves to the disciples. The instant He was aboard ship, they were at the other shore. We’re also reminded that a lot of God’s work has been hindered, or even marred, by our activity.

When I read this message, I think about the woman with the issue of blood. She stayed on that “path” to Jesus. She didn’t look left or right, she swallowed her fear, she got to Jesus. She could have been stoned to death for even being in public in her condition. I also think about Jericho. The walls came down when they shouted. God led them on a march round and round that city…going in circles…by all appearances, anyway. That’s a lesson about trust, perseverance, and obedience. It really doesn’t make sense to go round and round an enemy’s city, allowing them to see you, and giving them access to you, does it? “God, we’re marching ducks here!”

When you look at that in the Spirit, though. That’s a fierce, fierce army! Psalm 8:40-42 comes to mind. “You have made my enemies retreat before me…I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets.” When we are on a difficult path-and we’re fair game down here-(John 16:33), we have to put a battle plan into action to overcome the difficulties. I came up with five keys to overcoming and gaining the victory. 1. Keep your standards and boundary markers in place. 2. Be proactive in affirming your faith, and staying filled with God’s Word. 3. Maintain your routine(s) and schedule(s). *This is an order vs chaos thing 4. Persevere; keep going forward, or holding steady. *Even when you feel like you’re just going in circles, or not moving at all, God’s still working it out within, and round about you. 5. Prayer, praise, and obedience are killer weapons in the Spirit. *That’s where Jericho comes in-march and shout, even when it doesn’t make sense. Obey God’s Word and His Voice-even when that doesn’t make sense. And, don’t delay on that one. God will tell you to give your last pair of shoes away or your last dollar…but you can’t see the blessings coming down; He can. When you know it’s Him talking, obey.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

OMG! Please! Not From Myself!

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus is our life line. He is our savior from everything, including ourselves.

I can never get through this message without laughing. You see, it makes me remember the pity party, the whining, the whimpering, and all that other good stuff…when God gets to dealing with Moi?! LOL

Quoting directly from the message: “Think of My trees stripped of their beauty, pruned, cut, disfigured, bare, but through the dark seemingly dead branches flows silently, secretly, the spirit-life-sap, till, lo! with the sun of Spring comes new life, leaves, bud, blossom, fruit, but oh! fruit a thousand times better for the pruning. Remember that you are in the hands of the Master-Gardener. He makes no mistakes about His pruning. Rejoice. That part in italics is Jesus’ voice in the midst of my “MOI?! and OMG, WHY ME?!” Notice that pitiful looking little tree. Can’t you just see my limp little branches, and imagine my pitiful little face contorted in the pain of it all?!

This is where that weekly once-over comes in handy. It’s soooo much easier to deal with it when it’s little. I get a cup of coffee, find a quiet place, and just sit and check things over within. I go over my attitudinal moments, my hurt feelings, my raised hackles incidents, etc. over the past week. Then I look at each one a little more closely, looking for my “self” in that picture, and checking that against God’s Will and Word. Be prepared; sometimes it ain’t pretty. If you’re really having a hard time with negativity or disliking everything (we can get on some benders), it helps to do this daily-at the end of the day. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to pull that proverbial thorn out of your paw. The most important thing here, is to remember that God loves you; He’s for you, and He’s there to help you. He’ll even laugh with you when it’s over.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Listen With Your Heart, You’ll Hear His

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, speaks to us of God’s Heart. God does not always speak to us in an audible voice. But if you look around you, and listen with your heart, you can, and will, hear God’s Heart. It is always with, and for us.

I think this song expresses that heart bond between God and His children (Yay, I’m one!), so beautifully! Thank you, Amy Grant for a wonderful job on this song.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – February 8, 2020

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“What seems to be the trouble,” the officer asked the complex manager. “Well, Sir, somebody broke into my little convenience store. They came right through the window, and took a bunch of stuff,” replied the manager. The police officer looked around for a few minutes. Holding up the electric open sign he found on the floor, he asked the manager, “Did you have this sign in the window?” “Why, yes,” the manager said. “Well, there’s you’re problem! They must have thought it meant open the window and come right on in,” said the officer. The manager, looking a little peeved, replied, “That’s stupid! How can I remedy that?” “Simple,” said the officer, “add two little words to the sign: WE ARE.” With that, the police officer gathered his investigative notes and left.

A couple of weeks went by, and the little apartment manager was on the phone to the officer who had investigated the break-in. He said, “I’m not sure what’s going on, officer. I changed my sign, like you told me to, but I haven’t had a customer since then.” The officer asked him, “Did you add the two words?” “Not exactly,” replied the manager. ” I combined them because I’m on a tight budget, and could only pay for three letters.” “Which three letters did you add,” asked the officer. “WER,” replied the manager; “like in “We’re Open.” The officer laughed and said, “I see you’re problem. You forgot the apostrophe, and everybody reads that you “were open.” **This was inspired by a real open sign in a real window, at a real little convenience store.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Deliberate Patience & Joy

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Today’s message from God Calling – A. J. Russell, reminds us that God is our supply. We are to rely on Him alone. Keep in mind that God uses various channels to get our supply to us. We’re bid to depend on “divine power” only, and to “possess our souls in patience and rejoice.”

I began to grow in this principle when I deliberately chose to thank God, no matter what was in my wallet, cupboard, gas tank, etc. I also deliberately rejoiced, praising His Name, and loving Him, regardless of my circumstances. I’m telling you, there must have been angels dispatched immediately to help me find money, extra work, etc. Once, there was a lady that needed a ride to work and offered to fill my gas tank for me. That got me through till payday. I always had enough-and sometimes even had some to share, when it comes to supply. And let me tell you, it works the same for spiritual supply. God’s always there, ready, willing, and more than able, if we just turn to Him. Just the right word at just the right time will come to you. Sometimes, when there are no words, you can feel God, Himself hovering over you. The message says, “You cannot be anxious if you know that I am your supply.” That’s a word of truth! I couldn’t be anxious today, if I tried to be; no matter what!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Mindfulness Prepares Us

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are to be lights in the darkness, and, “that to hear with God, is to answer.” It is mindfulness that prepares us to shine as the answer in someone’s darkness.

Mindfulness includes things like stocking up to have extras on hand, starting out the day with prayer and a few minutes in the Word of God, etc. I was offered two pairs of new socks one day. At first, I wanted to turn down that second pair, because I really mostly wear flip flops in the summer time. “No,” I thought; “I’ll take both pairs, and then I’ll have them if someone needs them.” A lot of those guys out there go through socks like crazy in the summer time. Sure enough, the next day, I happened upon a man who was literally almost peeling his socks off of his feet. I offered him one of the pairs I had. He was so thankful; obviously glad to get them. He didn’t have any clean ones with him, which meant he would have had to wear his shoes without socks. Ouch! Getting in on specials (bogos, 2fors, etc.) also helps us to be prepared to help someone else. This is part of our standard, in case you haven’t realized that yet. I’ve talked mostly about boundary markers, but there are certain things, like this one, that are part of the standard God has set for us. (Matt. 5:13-15) (Deut. 15:7) (Matt. 5:42)

As we practice mindfulness, or consideration of others’ needs, we are polishing that light shining within us, and growing in good stewardship. Remember that good stewardship includes giving according to your ability to give. Don’t cut yourself so short that you’re left lacking.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He Wants To Be Loved, Just Like You Do

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to draw near to God, just to be near to Him. Quoting directly from the message: “The longing of the human heart to be loved for itself is something caught from the Great Divine Heart.”

This is the message that inspired me to practice agape love more diligently. Shortly after I began to practice that, I was able to let go of so much in the way of expectations, perceived “rights”, so many misconceptions about real love. It was, and continues to be, a beautiful release; a wonderful freedom for me-just in living my daily life. And, the longer I practice that, the more beautiful life gets. It does come from loving, and being loved, by our Heavenly Father. I will tell you, and proudly, that I am head over heels, 100 percent, and then some, in love with my Heavenly Father, and with my Lord, Jesus Christ…I cannot even imagine my life without them now. And, thank you, Lord, and Father, for loving me. David Crowder expresses it so well!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Have You Learned Anything?

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that “life is a school, and we have many teachers.” There’s a common belief among some Christians that BIBLE stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I am one of those Christians. I also know from personal experience that God uses all kinds of things to teach us what we need to know.

Sometimes, when things don’t work out the way we think they should, or as quickly as we think they should, there’s a lesson we’re supposed to be learning. I’ve had that happen, gone back and started over, and lo and behold, come out even better, and better off. Patience really is a virtue; and a great, great tool in this life. I think the reason it comes first in 1-Corinthians 13:4, is because it’s most important for us to learn and master. We are, after all, eternal creatures. That’s a long, long time to live. Oh, Lord, please increase my patience! Thank you, and amen.

That brings me to this: Since we are created in God’s image, and after His likeness, and God is love, perhaps those lessons, for the most part, are centered on what love is. That makes 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 a good checklist for finding the lesson(s)…and for passing them on, as well. Patience remembers not everyone is on the same level. Kindness dispels fear and empowers fervor and fortitude. Love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (NIV) It protects dignity and self-respect/self-worth, works at face value, always believes the best, and continues until “it is finished.” This is a great list for yourself, as well. Are you respecting and protecting your spirit? Perhaps that’s the lesson-and the big picture-for now.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu