Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to stay calm.  Actually, quoting directly from the message: “Keep your Spirit life calm and unruffled. Nothing else matters.”  -is the statement made.

This goes back to guarding our hearts vigilantly, and implementing and enforcing standards and boundaries.  We are bid to stop and check ourselves immediately when we lose that peace within.  When I read this, I think about getting a little rock or piece of glass in my shoe.  It makes it hard to walk, so you have to immediately stop and get it out of there.  When I first began practicing this principle, I actually made a list of questions for myself.  How am I feeling, what’s going on, etc.  I’d go over that mentally, and then proceed accordingly.  Before you do that, though, it’s a good idea just to sit quietly for 10 or 15 minutes and just breathe…and think about the Lord.  Jesus said, “When these things begin to happen, look up for your salvation is near.”  He was talking about signs of the end time, but it works here too.  Actually, when you’re about to lose it, the end of your inner peace is happening, right?  Yeah, but He is our salvation.  When you get into the habit of doing that right away, it gets easier and easier to regain that calm within, and to deal more effectively with whatever might come at you.  For those of you who are in recovery from addiction or other dysfunctions, I recommend actually writing your lists out and filling them in when you feel overwhelmed.  It helps to see things in writing, and you might recognize some patterns there.  You may also discover some boundary markers and standards that need to be put back in place, or removed.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 23, 2020, 2:59 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is in communion with Him, that happiness grows.  This is because our relationship, our intimacy with God grows.  The same is true of our earthly relationships – or should be.   We are bid to surrender every moment to God’s love.  God is love, so that should be easy to do, right?  It is when just let go of everything else, and embrace the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, if you don’t change, and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt. 18:3)  There’s the key.  Children live moment by moment, trusting us.  They don’t worry like we do; they are who they are, who they are…no matter who’s watching, right? -Ooh, and usually in the most unconvenient places and at the worst times…LOL!  Yeah,  they’re totally unabashed and unashamed in their love for us too.  That’s what God wants from us.  We are His children.  When we surrender our ego, and walk in obedience to His voice, our relationship with Him gets stronger, our faith grows, and we become more powerful and effective in the temporal things.  Letting go and getting into communion with Him involves more than just prayer or praise and worship.  I was amazed at how much peace I gained, just by sitting quietly and absorbing His creation around me.  Meditation is another good way to get quiet before the Lord, and commune with Him. It is in those silences that one can hear Him speak.  I hope you’ll read the message at twolisteners.org   It’s inspiring.  I chose MercyMe to help us get into God’s Presence today.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 23, 2020, 2:32 p.m.

 

I just had to compliment that cook on the great job he did with those Drop Biscuits!  I said, “They were so light and fluffy.”  He thanked me, and said, “It’s really not that difficult to make them.”  I said, “Maybe for you, but I gave up on them.  The last time I made Drop Biscuits, twelve people in my family got paperweights for Christmas.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 23, 2020, 3:26 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that, while we are unlimited in vision and power in spiritual things, we are still subject to human limitations.  Those limitations are there for our own good.  If we never slept, we’d soon succumb to exhaustion.  Yet, the Bible tells us that God never sleeps.  Jesus slept while He was here in human form.

We are bid not to seek to know the future too much; and to trust God step by step.  Cultivating a step by step faith is not as hard as one might think it to be.  Three keys I found are 1. Simplicity  2.  Routine and Order  3. Honor and keep your heart with all vigilance.

Simplicity has to do with cutting things down to size.  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own. ” (Matt 6:34)  Jesus addressed it in Matthew, Chapter 6.  The entire chapter addresses straightforwardness, clarity, and simplicity.  Even in our giving, we can get so complicated that nobody benefits from it.  Matthew 7:13 is another good reference . “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”  This speaks of focus.  Finally, in Matthew 11:30 Jesus summed it up for us: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  This speaks of working from simplicity, clarity, and peace within.

Routine and order are necessary to keep us on track.  God is not a God of chaos or confusion, but He is a God of order.  (1 Cor. 14:33)  This is what gives us the rhythm of our faith.  One day at a time, one step at a time, season by season, life unfolds.  Routine and order also help to pull us back and keep us going, when things are falling apart, or have fallen apart.

Honoring your heart helps to reveal your calling to you.  That’s why God has given us gifts and talents.  These help to show us the way, and to allow us to grow into our calling, and to expand in it.  This is who you were meant to be.  Honoring your heart empowers you to be the real you.  That’s what God wants.  Keeping your heart with all diligence means implementing standards and boundaries, and enforcing them.

Some other scriptures I found helpful are: Matt. 7:7, Matt. 10:29-31, Matt. 12:33, Psalm 37:3-6

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 23, 2020, 1:26 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to abide in His Presence.  When I thought about this, I thought about underwear.  Really; don’t laugh!

Here’s what came to mind:  Nobody sees your underwear, but it’s there, isn’t it?  Yep.  Next, I thought about the full armor of God.  (Ephesians 6:11) “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  This brings us back to standards and boundaries again.  (Ephesians 6:14) “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”  Can you see the Lord there?  “I am the life, the truth, and the way.”  Interestingly, the truth is buckled around your waist.  That’s your core, and it supports your entire body, making you able to stand and walk.  Righteousness is God’s way.  Peace is what we strive for, because peace facilitates all life, empowering righteousness and truth.

We also have our boundary marker in these three.  Truth, righteousness/justice, and peace.  We must accept nothing less, and we must strive for nothing less-within and round about us.  This is how we abide in His Presence; He is our standard, and our boundary marker.  It’s a simple checklist to go over when things don’t seem quite right.  When it comes to the peace thing, it’s important -and helpful, to remember you’re not the only one the devil’s after.  Now we have our underwear – or under armor on.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 21, 2020, 3:43 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to be thankful-and we can be thankful, even during the gray and dark days.  When all hell is breaking loose, you can still thank God, just for being there with you.  He does so much more than just stand by, though, doesn’t He?  Yes He does.  Time after time, I’ve weathered the storm, looked back, and seen God’s hands busy at work through it all.  Thank you, Lord/LORD.

Isaiah 41:10 is referenced by the message: “So do not fear; for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  I discovered some time ago, that, starting the day out with “thank you,” puts me in a frame of mind to look for the blessings, for the love, for the joy…and it keeps my mind in faith mode; ready to just trust in God’s goodness, regardless of what’s going on.  I lost fear and gained a lot of peace, joy, and power, actually.  All that fear and worry is like a heavy coat, and as you’re trying to get across the river, that coat is pulling you under.  “Thank you,” helps you to let go and let God.  Please read the message at twolisteners.org – it goes with the message and my post from yesterday.  I thought of Casting Crowns when I read this message.  I hope you’re as blessed by this song as I am…time and time again.  Praise music is one of our greatest weapons against fear and doubt.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 21, 2020, 3:18 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to stay strong in faith and persevere, no matter what the day is like.  I hope you’ll read the message at twolisteners.org.  It ties in with yesterday’s message.

Once again, I’m going with Casting Crowns, to remind us that He is the God of all our days!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 16, 2020, 2:37 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that being of one accord with our Lord Jesus, and our Heavenly Father, is a privilege that comes with responsibility.

We’re told that when we live in Christ Jesus, dwelling in thought on the material, immediately calls it into being.  “Believe you’ve received it…” This is privilege.  The responsibility in this comes in the thoughts we entertain.  We’re to be careful to only think about things that will help our spiritual growth, and not hinder it.  “Think Love, and Love surrounds you, and all about whom you think. Think thoughts of ill-will and ill surrounds you, and those about whom you think. Think health – health comes. The physical reflects the mental and spiritual.” -quoting directly from the message.  Please read the entire message at twolisteners.org  It really is a revelation, and a challenge.

Colossians 3:2 is referenced: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”  2Corinthians 10:5 tells us exactly what we need to do:  “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  This is another area where we have to apply that “stop, drop, and roll” principle.  Stop your flesh in it’s tracks, because we’re operating out of the Spirit.  Drop all the anger, frustration, attitudes, etc., and roll with the Word of God, and the Love of God. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)  And, if you’ll pray for me, I’ll pray for you.  LOL  I pray for you daily, anyway.  I’m going to keep my book marker in 1Corinthians 13…and in Galatians 5:22 -my two lists for this exercise.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 16, 2020, 2:29 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that love anticipates the needs of others.  It’s about more than needs, though.  Love anticipates how someone might feel in, or about, certain circumstances, etc.  For instance, I am really a pretty private person when it comes to deep emotions.  I’m not a good person to pull a public surprise marriage proposal on.  I prefer such intimate moments to be private.

As we practice God’s anticipatory love toward us…we are predestined, blessed coming in, going out, etc., and God goes before us and He is our rear guard…we begin to grow in faith, peace, and patience.  We also begin to manifest anticipatory love toward others.

I started at home with family, then friends, co-workers, etc.  Making lists helps; in time, they’ll be ingrained in your memory.  I thought about what Jesus said to Peter in regard to forgiveness.   “Seventy times seven,” or, until it becomes as natural as breathing does.  This takes us from doing nice things, to being mindful and anticipatory in attitude, or mindset.  Jesus told us to be perfect, as our Heavenly Father is perfect.

Anticipatory love involves being mindful of others, and of the sowing and reaping principle.  Jesus said, “whatever you would have men do unto you, do to them.” Wouldn’t it be nice if a co-worker brought in a Starbucks for you, for instance? Or what if you finished your work early, but instead of going home, you stop to see what you can do to help that co-worker finish?  Planning a celebration for a graduate, or a baby shower for an expectant couple, are good examples too.

And it goes deeper still.  It is, as the message tells us, just “like a mother preparing birthday or Christmas delights for her child/children.”  That means if I’m in a position of having extra, or getting extra, I might take thought to a neighbor who has a houseful of children.  Those two for one deals at the stores are great for that.  Don’t forget the power of a prayer, either.  Make a list of likes, dislikes, needs, wants, and ways in which you might expand your spirit in this.  Remember, we’re walking it out.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 16, 2020, 1;50 P.M.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is our faith that is required in all our dealings with the Lord/LORD.  (Matt. 9:21, Luke 8:50, John 20:29, James 2:20)  Those are just some scriptural references regarding faith.  Nothing works without faith.

This message ties in with yesterday’s message, and is so encouraging in regard to it.  It also makes reference to faith being the envelope that all our requests/prayers should be placed in.  Jesus said it this way: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)  This is one reason I usually just thank the Lord for what I need or want, right after I ask for it.  I hope you’ll read the message in full at twolisteners.org  It will have you praying, walking, and talking faith-filled and faith fanatically all day.  And, that’s a start.

I hope this inspires you as much as it does me.  Thank you praise team; and thank you, Lord!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, January 15, 2020, 4:15 p.m.