Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus is where we find all the answers we seek.  We are bid to seek to know Him more and more, and all the answers will be found in that knowledge of Him.

We are also told that when we meet Him face to face, in spirit, we will need to ask no more, for the answers, again, will all be in Him.  At first glance, that would have you thinking about Heaven, right?  But stop and think about spending time alone with the Lord.  What happens in praise and worship?  We enter into the Holy of Holies in spirit; we come in to the presence of God.  There, we are face to face with our Lord, Jesus.  This revelation connects with the message about being thankful and praising God in all circumstances.  Thankfulness and praise lead to worship, and worship leads to the Holy of Holies and the presence of God.

There is a difference between theology and intimacy with the Lord.  Jesus said to the pharisees, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40)  That tells me that there’s a study of words, and then there’s a study of The Word.  Jesus is the Word of God, made flesh, and dwelling among men through the Holy Spirit.  Theology has to do with religion; faith has to do with relationship with the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.  “Blessed, rather, is he who has not seen, yet believes.” (John 20:29)  That’s because we are then in relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through faith.

Finally, the message addresses unresponsive hearts.  Unresponsive hearts are those that are confronted with theology.  Someone, just this morning, was talking about some of the street preachers who shout at the crowds passing by.  They quote scriptures and tell people they’re going to hell.  Of course, people aren’t very responsive to this.  Jesus said, “First go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” (Matt. 9:13)  That tells me there’s a way that’s better than condemnation.  The Bible also tells us that there is now, for those in Christ Jesus, no condemnation.  (Romans 8:1)  This is a statement with a revelation about what our mindset as Christians should be.  In other words, it’s not God’s will that any should perish, so we need to lend a helping hand up.  We need to find a way to bring the lost to Christ.  (2 Peter 3:9)  I’ve found there is no greater testimony than that of what Jesus has done, and is doing in your own life.  Coupled with prayer, and just walking out your faith, that’s the greatest weapon we have in this war of salvation.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 19, 2019, 11:38 a.m.

Brandon Heath with one of my favorites: Give me your eyes…says it perfectly!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 19, 2019, 11:11 a.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are to look to the Hills of Heaven.  It is from these that all things, for a child of God, flow.  There, we see our standard, our banner.  There, we see our strength, our wisdom, our peace, passion, and power.

Learning all the things that flow from those hills, involves some time spent in the Word of God, especially the Gospels.  It involves getting to know our Savior and King, Jesus, a little more intimately.  It was in studying Jesus’ dealings with us all, while He was down here, that I learned about courage, tenacity, faith, patience, peace within, etc.  it was Jesus who taught me about fearlessness.  It was also Jesus who taught me about compassion that causes one to weep for others.

When we lift our eyes from the pains, coldness, and disgrace of the world, to the hills of Heaven, we are infused with hope; or should be.   When we purposefully choose to raise our line of vision to them, we can more clearly see the standard of God, and His will for mankind.  Then, we rise toward that standard as we step forward into the higher things we see there…the abundant life found in living with and for God.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 18, 2019, 11:37 a.m.

I chose Todd Agnew’s Grace Like Rain to go start the work-week out for us.  It goes with today’s post perfectly.  So many times, at my wit’s end…and the glory rises…and then I’m dancing!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 18, 2019, 11:24 a.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to “Arise, shine; for your light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”  We’re told the glory of the Lord is the beauty of His character.

We’re also told that that glory is risen upon us when we realize it.  That’s not an odd a statement as it looks to be at first glance.  What it comes down to is the difference between victim spirit and victor spirit.  The spirit of a conqueror banishes fear and doubt.  That spirit, in the deepest darkness, searches for the light.  When I think about that, I think about the light that is within each of us.  That would mean the victor spirit would search himself/herself for the things he/she needs to get through that darkness.

That light within each of us is The Word of God.  Therein lie the promises of God, the truths that will free us, and the way(s), or directions, or steps we must follow out of the darkness.  There may be things we need to pick up along the way (lesson learned, new strength, something that increases faith or resolve, etc.).  When we realize all these things are there within us, peace within is empowered.  When peace takes hold, we begin to see more clearly who we are in Christ Jesus.  As we do that, we step more firmly into that image and likeness; especially into our authority in His Name.  That’s the crux.  He came to give us back that authority and power; power to walk through the darkness in peace.  When we can do that, love comes out pretty much unscathed; just like Jesus did.  “In the world you’ll have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 14, 2019, 12:49 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, speaks to us of living quietly; living quiet lives.  We are told that it is to those followers who follow and serve quietly, remaining faithful regardless, that divine joy comes welling up within.

As I think about quiet living, I think about people I know who seem to always need to compete with everyone.  Everything becomes competition or contest to them.  I’ve seen relationships ruined by this attitude.  It’s a very insidious destroyer, this.  First, peace, trust, and confidence within are destroyed, in those who feel this insatiable need to compete…and in those they compete with.  Secondly, relationships suffer, and even are destroyed in the heat of competition-because, as the Bible tells us, “where there is envy, and strife, there is all manner of evil.”

As I thought back to the quiet and divinely joyful times in my life, my grandmother came to mind.  This lady had the faith, and heart of a lion.  She lived her life for God, according to His Word.  Come what may, she just kept right on going on that path.  Her feet refused to falter, her faith never faded.  She never felt the need to compete with anyone.  She never felt the need to put anyone down, but was always there to lift someone up, or to lend a hand-gladly.  And, there was this joy in her that radiated outward to all around her.  She had true joy in living, in spite of all the things life handed her.  She took the greatest joy in the smallest things…and sometimes, the smallest things took the greatest joy in her…I was one of those small things back then.  I still thank God for her daily.

Over the years, I learned that when you know who, and whose you are, you don’t feel the need to compete with, or to prove yourself to anyone.  There is a powerful joy within, in that knowledge, and it empowers peace in daily living.  When you have that peace within in your daily living, you truly can experience that fullness of joy.  It all comes from that knowledge of who and whose you are; and knowing who is yours, or who is for you.  Jesus always is!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 14, 2019, 12:34 p.m.

Yay!  Today’s is National Fast Food Day…perfect day to have a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and cherry coke…

While we’re on the subject of food…There’s a wonderful group of people who come to what we call, “The Field,” to feed the homeless people in the area most mornings.  You can usually tell who the newbies are.  They’re going all over the place looking for eating utensils, bumping into people, getting in the wrong line, getting out of the wrong line and into the right line, etc.  It’s pretty amusing to watch sometimes.  But, I -and, of course, God would send this person to me, right?  I had the joy of meeting one such newbie on a recent morning.

She actually was walking toward the field, and just a step behind me.  As we approached the field, a Marshall’s car went by us.  “Oh, my God,” she said, “You know things are getting bad in the world when a Marshall has to come to the homeless breakfast.”  I was already scanning the field to see what the trouble was.  Her next words caused me to almost run right of the sidewalk with my little cart…Ready?…The woman said, “You’d think they pay those Marshalls better than that, wouldn’t you?!”  By the time I finished laughing, my breakfast was almost cold.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 14, 2019, 12:14 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is by God’s Spirit that we accomplish every good work.  I say every good work because I’ve had to live with some of the stuff I did “on my own.”  Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace.  LOL

Some people don’t think miracles happen anymore.  They’re very quick to blame it on coincidence.  Coincidently, did you know that waking up is a miracle?  Yes, you see, God holds every beat of your heart, and every breath you take in HIS HANDS.

One thing about miracles that some of us don’t think about, is that they are a natural occurrence to a child of God.  It’s not a miracle; it’s the way God works.  That’s what blessed assurance is.  I can rest assured that God’s got me, so I don’t have to fear.  I don’t have to scurry here and there and everywhere trying to cover all my bases.  I can walk in the way that God would have me walk, without veering off one way or another.  That means, I can go about my daily routines, handle the business of living my life, and enjoy myself while I’m doing it-because I know God loves me, and I know that I am blessed coming in, going out, doing, and being.  (Deuteronomy 28)

I spent some time practicing the consciousness of God’s blessings over my life, before I got to the point where I don’t even have to question His love and provision for me.  God’s got me.  I can just be about my business for Him, and in Him, resting assured in His promises.  I know that I know that I know that He has plans to prosper me, and not to harm me.  So, I can go about my days in a spirit of gratitude and faith.  It takes some diligence and perseverance, but if you turn the slightest doubt or inkling of fear out immediately, and replace it with “It is written,” -and affirmation of God’s promises and mercy, grace, and love toward us, it begins to stick to your spiritual ribs.  *That Deuteronomy 28 list of blessings is a good one to hang up by your bathroom mirror, or in your kitchen-right by the coffee pot.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 12, 2019, 12:40 p.m.

As promised, this is an updated picture of me.  I’m already for the colder weather.  Are you?

Yes, kids, this is Mom at 60…Can’t wait to see that face with a little lipstick and eye glam on…hmmm!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 14, 2019, 1:04 p.m.

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, remind us that God makes our ways straight.  God makes things clearer, not cloudier.  God brings us to truth, to life, and to the straight way; the higher way.

I’m going to quote directly from God Calling: “Life is not easy, My children.  Man has made of it not what My Father meant it to be.  Ways that were meant to be straight paths have been made by man into ways devious and evil, filled with obstacles and stones of difficulty.”  That is the entire message today.  Isaiah 42:16 is referenced.

As I read the message, I have to think about stumbling blocks.  Some people put them in front of others purposefully, and with malicious intent.  The Bible warns us against putting stumbling blocks in front of others.  We need to be careful to keep our hearts from envy and malice.  Envy and malice go hand in hand, and are very insidious evils.  In Matthew 23:13, Jesus warns “”Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”   In Romans 14:13, Paul writes this: “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”  

When we find ourselves tempted to “test” one another, especially in our walk with the Lord, we need to STOP!  Romans 14:4 reminds us, ” Who are you to judge the servant of another?  Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. – And the Lord is able to make him stand.”  As children of God, we are to walk in the light, and we are to give light.  “Let your light so shine before men…”  We are to live peaceably with everyone, and we are to love one another, building one another up, and edifying one another.  That means I’m going to help you out and/or up, not push, pull, or knock you down.  It means I will work with you toward your progress, and not against you-and against you especially, for my own desires or progress.    (Romans 14:19)  How quickly we could bring unity into the body of Christ, if we all made up our minds to celebrate each other’s victories, pray for one another’s needs, and reach out helping hands instead of feet to trip one another up with.  OMG!  I think Jesus might fall over in shock!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, November 12, 2019, 12:26 p.m.