Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that, often times when we feel as if God’s not there, He’s there in a big, big way.  Quoting directly from God Calling: “Remember that if sometimes there seems a shadow on your lives is not the withdrawal of My Presence. It is My shadow as I stand between you and your foes.”

As I read this, the first thing I thought of was, “This is a wake up call!”  Somebody’s on the prowl after you, and trying to make you afraid.  Remember Thursday’s post admonishing you to immediately attack fear when you sense it?  This message tells me that when I feel like something’s between me and God’s Presence, I need to look for the adversary.  It’s a heads-up to something going on in the spirit.  It’s also time to hold fast to the promise Jesus gave us.  “I will never leave you, nor forsake you, even unto the end of the age.”  I hope you’ll read the entire God Calling message at Two Listeners

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 11, 2019, 3:21 p.m.

A friend of mine asked me what today’s holiday or observance is.  She knows I do the Saturday Silly around them sometimes.  I said, “today is Roast Chestnuts Day.”  She laughed and replied, “Every guy in America ought to be getting roasted today then!”  And I thought I was a smart aleck.

I don’t know about you folks out there, but one of my favorite treats is roasted nuts, still warm from the oven.  My grandmother and I shared some a couple of times when I was a little girl.  It was during the Christmas season, and such a treat!  I felt so spoiled, and I can still see the smile on her face.

Speaking of holidays…all those holiday gatherings are happening this month.  Aren’t they just wonderful? -Well, mostly.  One of my favorite things about gatherings is all the treats; sweet treats, salty treats, munchin’ treats, and crunching treats.  Another, is the jokesters.  Recently, at our weekly gathering, somebody put out some Planters Cheese Curls.  A few of us were enjoying them, and it seemed as if all of us were crunching in unison.  We were comparing them with another brand name, and someone said, “These have been around a long time, though.”  “Oh, oh,” replied one of the guys.  “What’s the expiration dated on them?”  I couldn’t resist.  I held the can up, and looked at it for a minute.  Then I said, “1963.”  One guy stopped crunching immediately, and the other one’s face was just priceless.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 11, 2019, 3:11 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that our lives have been planned from beginning to end, with every need thought of, every need already met in the Spirit.  The answer to every prayer is already out there in eternity; it has been from the beginning.

We are bid to strive to understand and accept this truth; to wait for guidance from the Lord.  We’re bid to wait to be shown God’s way in all things.  Quoting directly from God Calling: “Wait for Guidance in every step. Wait to be shown My way. The thought of this loving leading should give you great Joy. All the responsibility of Life taken off your shoulders. All its business worry taken off your shoulders. It is indeed a Joy for you to feel so free and yet so planned for.”  When I read this part of the message, I think of (Mathew 6:31-33)  “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  We are promised, both in the message, and in the Bible, that when we do this, nothing is impossible for us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 11, 2019, 2:50 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that fear and love cannot live together.  There’s a good revelation about domestic violence.  Perfect love casts out fear, and, unfortunately, perfect or absolute fear can cast out love, as well.

The very first thing we need to do when we experience fear of any sort, in any situation, is to recognize that we are under attack.  Fear is a spirit; it is an evil spirit, and it’s one that will return whenever it sees an opportunity to assail us.  Quoting directly from God Calling: “Evil is powerful, and fear is one of evil’s most potent forces.”  Check the fear out.  What’s it coming to you as?  What’s it trying to keep you from?  What’s it trying to get you to do?  There would be the goal of that evil spirit.  Remember, Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy.  When  you figure it out, attack immediately.

“You can only banish fear by My Presence, and by My Name,” says the Lord-quoting, again, directly from God Calling.  The Bible also tells us that at the Name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord/LORD.  Everything that can be named has to bow to His Name.

Freedom from fear is the very first thing we should strive to attain.  This comes as a result of spending time with the Lord.  As we get to know Him more and more intimately, we get a very clear picture of who and what we are to Him.  We get a strong assurance of His love for us.  He died for us!  Also, the very first fear we must fight, is the fear of being unacceptable to the Lord, or of being unforgivable.  Fear would have killed the woman with the issue of blood.  She refused to be stopped by fear.  She pushed through the crowd and just touched the hem of His garment.  She was healed instantly.  Instantaneous freedom from fear does not come in every situation, but the stronger our relationship with the Lord is, the less able fear is to sneak in.  That’s because it becomes easier to recognize the fear.  It’s also easier to deal with it when you know you’re going to win.  The stronger our relationship with the Lord is, the more solidly the assurance that “I can do all things in Christ Jesus, who strengthens me,” stands in your heart.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 10, 2019, 1:47 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that time we spend working for the Lord is not spent in vain.   When God put a 120 year limit on your body, He had no intention for you to spend that 120 years in pain, sickness, or chronic fatigue.  That’s why Isaiah 40:31 tells us that those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength and soar with the eagles.  In living our lives for the LORD, those things are healed or made manageable.  I am living proof of that.

Sometimes, the most wearying thing is the feeling that you’re not doing enough, or not doing it right, or just plain tired, tired, tired, and not seeing results, or tired of not seeing any results.  Quoting directly from God Calling, “Your simple daily tasks done in My strength and Love will bring the consciousness of all your highest hopes.”  That means we don’t even really need to seek out opportunities to do something good for God.  He provides them.  It means that just living your life for Him is, in itself, ministry to the world around us.

I remember the study I did on salt.  One of the qualities of salt is that it preserves and prevents from decay.  It also has antiseptic qualities.  That’s why the doctor tells you to gargle with salt water when you have a sore throat or rinse with salt water for a sore mouth.  It’s also interesting that salt stings just a bit when it comes in contact with a wound.  Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth.  Our lives, lived for the LORD/Lord, have immense and profound impact on the world; especially in the spiritual arena.  We do preserve the goodness of the Kingdom of Heaven, here on Earth.  Preventing decay is as simple as turning someone toward the Lord, leading them to Him.  Jesus said that God sent him to bind up the broken hearted, to set captives free.  There would be the antiseptic quality of salt.  Your words of encouragement, your support in various ways, and your example, are all ways in which healing can happen, and cleansing within can become desirable.  Remember the top three things: Love the LORD, your God with all your might, heart, mind, and soul, Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Experiencing the love of God can create the desire to be healed and set free in someone.

Finally, there is no time in eternity.  So, smile, baby!  You are absolutely ageless.  If you think I look cute in the flesh, you should see me inside!!  Moivelous!  Simply moivelous!

That being said, I couldn’t resist.  This message makes me think about God’s love and goodness toward me.  That took about thirty years off me, right there.  So…hit it, Ringo!  C’mon, everybody, time to dance before the Lord/LORD!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 10, 2019, 1:22 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, speaks to us of quiet time with God.  Jesus said, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

As I think of that scripture in regard to this message, I think about quiet family meals.  Everyone’s tired, nobody’s really talking, but there is a peace and strength that resonates among that family unit.  The warmest, safest place is right there in the quiet and unspoken bonds of that group.

In all their time together, do you really suppose that Jesus was teaching the disciples 24/7?  No, I’m pretty sure He wasn’t.  He, Himself had to retreat and get alone time with our Heavenly Father.  He needed quiet time away to rest His soul.  We need the very same time.  One’s mind and soul cannot rest if there is constant activity.  In mind and soul that’s constant thought processing and emotional impact; constant receiving and sending.  The message tells us that: ” Only friends who understand and love each other can wait silent in each other’s presence.  And it may be that I shall prove our friendship by asking you to wait in silence while I rest with you, assured of your Love and understanding. So wait, so love, so joy.” -quoting directly from God Calling.   Just the very presence of that friend or loved one is reassuring, strengthening, and comforting.  It is that quiet time in one another’s presence that brings rest to our souls.

After I practiced this for awhile, I realized that, often times, when I get on a music binge, it’s almost always because I’m actually in desperate need of quietness.  The music is my way of trying to fill that void of peace and strength within.  Some of us do that with television, food, exercise, even studying or gaming.  I’m posting the link to an awesome quieting album.  I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.  It’s actually Native American Flute music; but music like this helps to bring your focus back to your inner self-which is, really, where we all live from.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 9, 2019, 3:44 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that not everyone is ready to hear about Jesus.  Quoting directly from the message:  ” Did I know that there must be no rush into the Kingdom, that the still small voice, not the shoutings of a mob, would alone persuade men I was the Son of God?  Why be surrounded by multitudes if the multitudes were not really desiring to learn from, and to follow, Me? Follow the Christ into the quiet places of prayer.”

There’s a very powerful revelation there, about the power of prayer, and the wisdom of timing.  Very often the hardest hearts, are the most vulnerable.  We must tread carefully, because there is, quite often, a very thin line between doing good and doing damage.  Some of the greatest sermons preached about Jesus and his love, were those in which no mention of His Name was even made.  I’m choosing “Word of God Speak,” to go with this message.  When we find ourselves, hearts breaking for someone who needs Him so much, but is not willing yet to seek Him, this is exactly the place to run to, and seek Him ourselves.  In seeking God ourselves, we can help those others to find Him…

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 5, 2019, 12:19 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are, in reality, living in the Kingdom of Heaven, right here on Earth.  As children of God, we are to live according to the laws of Heaven.  Jesus gave us those laws when He was here, on Earth.  He said He’d come to fulfill the law; and He did, in more ways than one.  He made them personal to each and every one of us.  He also showed us the power of living in love.  Love, really is the only law of Heaven.  As Romans 13:10 tells us, “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

As He hung on the cross and took His last breaths, Jesus said, “It is finished.”  That means His Kingdom is come.  He said, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 10:7)   One of the definitions for the phrase, “at hand,” is readily accessible when needed. -(Oxford Dictionary)  Another is, “happening, or present at this time.” –(Cambridge Dictionary)  In, and through those twelve disciples, Jesus Christ, our Lord, established the Kingdom of Heaven, for us, here on the earth.

That changes the view of the whole playing field a little bit, doesn’t it?!  “Wait just a minute, there, Sir!  You’re on my field; my home field.”  In essence, Jesus was telling Satan, the He, Jesus, was, is, and forever will be, the owner of this little planet, and everyone on it.  “Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Romans 14:11)  There would be the very reason we can say, “My father owns the Earth, and the fullness thereof!”  Does that change the reflection you see in your mirror just a little bit?  Oh, my!  I see a crown on my head!  Satan, GET BEHIND ME!!!

PS – Remember Solomon?  Yeah, he prayed for wisdom to rule over his people.  That’s a prayer I like to pray every so often, too.  God knows I need all the help I can get!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 3, 2019, 12:25 p.m.

Oh, I hope you’ll visit the twolisteners website and read the message for today; it’s powerful.  It also is exactly why I pray this little prayer daily.

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I lift my children and grandchildren, born and unborn, to you.  My brothers and sisters by blood or by circumstance, and their children and grandchildren, born and unborn.  My neighbors, my friends, and my enemies, and their children and grandchildren, born and unborn.  Lord, I lift myself to you.  You know my heart, Jesus.  Give me yours, it’s the only one that’s true. (meaning like a plumb line)  Thank you, Lord, for healing in my body, my heart, my mind, and my soul.  Thank you for peace to find strength within, and for the strength to seek your peace in my life.  Thank you, Lord, for your mercy, grace, and your amazing and mighty love.  Thank you, Lord, for everything you’ve given me, and for everything  you’ve withheld.  Father, put your hands around everyone who believes in your Name and calls on your Name.  Work you perfect will in each of our lives.  And, manifest your love, mightily and powerfully, in each life that doesn’t know you; so that all might come to the knowledge of your saving grace, your tender mercies, and your amazing and mighty love.  I ask all and receive all in Jesus’ Name, and I thank you for it.  Amen

PS – I do pray the Lord’s Prayer before I pray this one.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 3, 2019, 12:00 p.m.

My, my, my…December is a busy month.  So much happening, and that’s just in the first week!  Yeah, I’ve been planning my month’s activities.  I always like to check out the holidays and observances calendar when I do that.

December is write a friend month.  I have made Santa Claus my new bff.  Hopefully, that’ll put me on his “Nice List,”-did you know that he tries to have that finalized by the 4th of December?…yeah, but he does make adjustments right up until Christmas Eve, I hear.  I’m going to ask him for that 4 bedroom house I’ve been praying for, when I write him.  -just in case Jesus is too busy this month to answer my prayer…Hello, up there, Lord…I’ve been calling and calling…Well, I can see how Jesus would be very busy all of December; EVERYBODY’s having Christmas pageants!  The roads are slick in a lot of places, and people are cranky and crochety…He’s probably worn out just from sending all those angels out…and the poor Holy Spirit…I wouldn’t want his job this month.  Cranky and crochety people EVERYWHERE!  He’s probably working triple overtime hours.  Anyway, back to my calendar…December 5th is Repeal Day.  That’s when the 21st amendment ended Prohibition in 1933.  Somebody said, “I’ll drink to that!”  It’s also Bathtub Party day, so I was thinking…Bathtub Gin…Oh, wait, I don’t have a bathtub…I don’t even have a roof over my head.  National Roof Over Your Head day falls on December 3rd.  See where I’m getting with that letter?  I can’t do a darn thing this month except write that letter…December 6th is Saint Nicholas Day in some places in the world.  I hope that dude brings wrapped chocolates this year.  Last year nobody could eat the chocolates, because they were unwrapped, and he sprinkled foot powder in everybody’s shoes first.  One guy didn’t notice the chocolates in his shoes.  He was complaining all day about calluses hurting his feet.  The 6th is also Mitten Tree day.  Man, oh, man!  Here I am crocheting my little fingers off!  I could just have grown a darn tree!  I love to garden!  I’m writing Santa’s letter on the 7th; that’s letter writing day.  December 7th is also Madame Marie Tussaud’s birthday.  There are 21 Madame Tussauds around the world.  Yes, we have one here in Las Vegas, Nevada!  Well, that wraps us the first week of the month.  I’m off to write that letter.  I hope the fireplaces in that house are working.  Santa’s going to need a chimney to bring the rest of my gifts.  Of course, the greatest gift was the one lying in the manger long, long ago.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, December 3, 2:58 p.m.