Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are!  May today and every day be a day that finds you with plenty to be thankful for.  Be safe.  Be blessed with much love, peace, and beauty.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are to live from the inside out.  The message is a very powerful one.  By it, and through it, one is blessed and assured that time spent wholly with the Lord, and making that priority-especially in the beginning of our relationship with Him, is not a crazy thing to do.  Rather, it is the smart thing to do-because all else flows from this relationship…and so much more than ever could on our own, I’ve found.  I’m posting the link to the twolisteners website so you can read the entire message for yourselves.  It will give you cause to thank God, when you think back on all the things you never even knew you’d love, until God somehow brought them to your attention.

Two Listeners Website

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 25, 2019, 12:01 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, speaks to us of laying our will down, and embracing God’s will for us.  It is therein that we find our happiness and spirit rest.

All God’s promises are yes and amen.  That means that, just as Jesus said, “ask whatever you will in my Name, and it will be done for you.”  (John 25:7)  The key here is to steadfastly and stubbornly refuse to look for, or at, anything else.  Jesus first talked about, in that very passage, His Word remaining in us, and us remaining in His Word.  That means hold on to the promises of God, and to God’s will for us-which is abundant life.  Abundance comes not only in the form of material things.  Keep in mind that God is concerned with your spirit.  (John 4:24)  Do you have abundant joy in what you’re doing?  Do you have abundant peace in your life?  Do you have abundant confidence in your abilities regarding this thing?  These are the questions we must ask ourselves.  These things are true wealth.  They empower us to manifest material and temporal abundance here on Earth.  Altogether, the end result is true happiness and spirit rest.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 25, 2019, 11:36 a.m.

Here’s Jason Upton with one of my most favorite songs.  Every time I hear this song, I’m overcome and in tears of gratitude and love for our Lord.  Take this song with you through the whole week and weekend; the Thanksgiving holiday too.  Let the freedom of, and in, the love of Jesus Christ reign in you and through you every day!

PS  Thank you, Jesus, for my Oma (grandma)!  Today’s her birthday, so give her tons of hugs and kisses up there in Heaven for me, please…and thank you!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 26, 2019, 11:07 a.m.

 

Today’s message from A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is inner beauty that is true, and lasting beauty.  And inner beauty radiates outwardly having a much different effect on those around us.

Quoting directly from the message: “The God who was to be born upon earth was not to be housed in a body so beautiful that men would follow and adore for the beauty of His Countenance.  No! He was to be as one whom the world would despise, but to the seeing eye, the Spirit that dwelt in that body should be so beautiful as to lack nothing. “Yet when we shall see Him, there is no Beauty that we should desire Him.”

The spirit that lacks nothing is the most beautiful and most powerful spirit, indeed.  When I read this message, I think about the word, “Shalom.”  This word is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye. – according to Wikipedia.com  Note the words wholeness and completeness.  Wow!  Knowing me like I do, I’m pretty sure I’ll probably be about 484 years old before I finally attain that state.

Here’s a key I found:  When we live with the attitude, mindset, that we already have that wholeness and completeness -because we do, in Christ Jesus-the time we spend trying to look whole, complete, “got it going on,” etc., decreases more and more.  And, the time we spend just being the best we can be wherever we are, and whatever we’re doing, increases more and more.  Keeping that mindset and attitude empowers us to step in to the fullness of Christ’s promises, being who we are, and perfecting that person as we go along.  Isn’t that beautiful?!  Yes, it is-and so are you!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 25, 2019, 11:25 a.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us the Jesus stands at the door, knocking, like a beggar…or, humbly.  He doesn’t force His right as King of kings on anyone.  There’s a country song, Tanya Tucker sang it: “My Arms Stay Open All Night.”  That song came to mind when I read today’s message.

When I read the message, I think of the thief on the cross at Calvary.   Jesus, humble and compassionate, told him he’d be in Paradise with Jesus that very day.  The thief was, by his own admission guilty, and deserving of death.  True to what the Bible tells us, our Lord is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him, and repent.  Jesus could have told that thief, “I’m paying your debt for you as I hang here on this cross.”  But He didn’t even say that.

I thought about some of the people out on the street where I’m at.  Sometimes you’ll see someone who is very nasty to everyone.  All of a sudden, one day he or she is in need of something.  People get hurt, they’re betrayed by those they thought they could trust, they get beaten, raped, robbed.  It’s a vicious merry go round ride, most of the time.  When someone is hurting, even though they’ve been nasty or they’ve maybe done their share of beating, robbing, maybe even rape, would Jesus turn His back on them?  No.  He’s always reaching out, arms wide open.  We live in a dark world, getting darker every day.  But Jesus’ arms stay open all night.  So then, should ours.  Sometimes you have to fight-it is a fight for your life out there; and if you want peace, you have to be ready to fight for it.  But don’t ever turn away from offering someone a little caring and compassion, a little help; even if they’ve been your enemy.  “If your enemy is hungry feed him…”  It’s a rough place, this world.  But, we’re all in the same boat, really…so, why not just row together, instead of beating each other up with the oars.  That gets nobody anywhere.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 25, 2019, 11:12 a.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to “take each day’s  happenings as work we can do for Him.”  -quoting directly from God Calling – A.J. Russell

As I think about that, and all the things going on out there, I could be, and was at one time, almost overwhelmed.  The message goes on to say: “Offering your day’s service , thus to me, you are sharing in my Life- work, and therefore helping me to save my world.” -quoting directly from the message.

Jesus said, “I’ve come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”  So whatever situation I may find myself in, wherever I may find myself, and whomever with, I know what my job or “calling” in that moment is.  I am to bring beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning.  I am to bring light into the darkness of that situation, place, or that person’s circumstance.  I am to bring life to a dying world system, and resurrection power to the “deaths” I encounter.  Death comes in all forms-divorce, failure of some sort, unfulfilled dream, unrealized potential-(aka) stunted growth of a person or endeavor, etc.  We not only have the power to do all those things, but we have the authority, and the responsibility to.

Remembering God’s words, “I know the thoughts I have toward you; plans to prosper you, and not to harm you,” is a great thing to give thought to as we start each day.  We need to put on the same attitude.  In reality, that’s our banner, our standard.  We are to do all the things Jesus did, and we can do them more powerfully than when He was on Earth, because we have the help of the Holy Spirit.  Changing negative thoughts to positive ones, possibility thinking, etc, falls into the category of doing Jesus’ work.  We are to inspire and empower folks to rise to their best yet.  We are to build them up, just as we build one another up as believers; instilling, not only hope and faith, but faith in themselves, as well.  This really isn’t suffering on our part.  It should be, and can be, a way of life.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 20, 2019, 4:10 p.m.

Whoooo, when the temps drop in the desert!  I have to share this with you all.  The approaching cold weather was the topic at “our gang’s” weekly gathering. -This was a couple of weeks ago.

The Polar Bear Club came up.  They are those folks who like to swim in the icy waters in Winter.  I think there are clubs worldwide.  A friend of mine, who happens to be a black man, remarked, “Now, you know black people do not like to be cold, right?  So, tell me what color these polar bear people are?”  I couldn’t resist.  I said, “Well, blue when they get out of the water.”   LOL  They can have their Polar Bear Clubs…this little girl will be swimming in a heated pool…and indoors.  

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 21, 2019, 11:17 a.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that everything in our living should be inspired by love.  1Corinthians 13 is referenced by the message.

The message bids us to turn out all that is unloving from our hearts and our lives, in order that we may bear much fruit.  That’s a tough assignment!  How, when I live where I live, am I supposed to find the time to do that?!  I’ll be at that all day long, every day.  “Yes,” said the Lord; “you sure will.  And, that’s the point, Dear.”  I thought of Jesus’ words to the disciples: “In the world, you’ll have tribulation.  But, be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”  Then that one in Romans 12:21 – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Turning out all that is unloving requires that we raise a standard, and set boundaries.  Not only set them, but enforce them.  “There’s a certain way we talk to one another here.  Certain things are unacceptable here, to me, in this family, etc.  I’m sorry, I cannot allow you to…”  I’m sure you get the picture.  Putting this into practice daily requires honest communication; even, and especially with  yourself.  “No, I will not indulge in this, or that, because I love myself more than that.   I used to be really bad about indulging myself with anxiety and bitterness.  I could drive myself crazy trying to out guess somebody, outmaneuver them.  I did rob myself of a whole lot of joy because I indulged in bitterness.  That’s a steep hill, and it’s all downhill into a pit of apathy and depression.

When we set standards and boundaries, we are creating a loving atmosphere for ourselves and loved ones to live and function well in.  We also have an obligation to others, to make them aware of our standards and boundaries.  That’s honest communication.  It is the loving thing to do.  It also serves as an inspiration and aide to others who may be struggling with their own issues.

“If I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I’m a ringing gong, a clanging cymbal.”  Words are not enough.  Sometimes we have to get in there and show somebody the way by walking it with them.  I found that checking that list (love God, love yourself, love your neighbor as yourself) whenever there’s an issue to deal with, really  helps in terms of the standard I’m living according to, and the boundaries I need to put in place and enforce.  It is a daily thing, choosing love, speaking truth in love, living truthfully even in unloving circumstances or in the face of unloving people.  Sometimes, you just have to accept the truth about the world you live in, and walk that line anyway.  Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for someone is to pray for them.  God knows so much better than we do what they need, and just when they’re ready for it.  Did you know that walking away is also a loving thing to do-for God, for yourself, and for the other person(s)?  It leaves room for God to do His thing.  It relieves you of responsibility-you’ve done what you could do.  It leaves that person, or those persons, alone with themselves…and the truth about themselves and their situation.  That just might make them seek the help they need.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 20, 2019, 3:34 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, remind us that we should radiate joy.  We’re told, “Not only must you rejoice, but your Joy must be made manifest.  “Known unto all men.”  -quoting directly from the message.

The scripture about lighting a lamp and putting it under a basket is used to illustrate the point. (Matt 5:15)  That joy is meant to lighten up the whole house, so all who are in it can be touched by it; just as the light is to give light to all in the house.  When I read this, I think about my home, my work space/workplace, my church, my communities.  I say communities because we all have different groups of people that we come in contact with.  When we purposefully make manifest our joy and our joy(s), in our surroundings, we can make some very positive impacts.

I’m not talking about putting on airs.  I’m talking about putting on the joy of the Lord; making a garment of it, so to speak.  That means I take all those talents, knacks, and little things that touch me, and share them.  Part of manifesting that joy is creating beauty, peace, joy, and a loving atmosphere in my spaces, my surroundings.  The rest involves just being who I am and letting that joy flow outwardly.  This is why God loves it when you get over your shyness.  He likes bold lovers!  I use the word “lovers” because we are to love, and because love empowers boldness, and freedom.  Putting on the joy of the Lord comes when we put on the promises of God.  These empower a quiet spirit, as well as the fruits of the Spirit.  (Col 3:8-13)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 19, 2019, 12:00 p.m.

I chose this golden oldie to go with today’s post.  It speaks to us about how much light the Lord really can shed on life and our living…

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 20, 2019, 3:05 p.m.