Saturday Silly-February 18, 2023

Hmmm…I ran into an old friend recently, who asked me if the FBI had contacted me yet. I said, “Why, no; what do they want with me?” He said they’re investigating me in regard to the murder of my late husband. What?! That’s what I said. I said, “Okay, first of all, the last time I saw him, he was alive. Then there’s this: Have they investigated all those other women he was cheating on? Yeah, they were all back stabbers! And, here’s the bottom line-and, you can tell them that for me-I am not in the habit of murdering my husbands! I like to let them live so I can watch them suffer.

I’m pretty sure it’ll all be cleared up when he goes back to that FBI office and tells them that; he’s an agent too. -Oh, wait! He’s a travel agent. He’s not even in the homicide department. Oh, well…guess I’ll just wait and see what happens.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

From Generation To Generation

(Exodus 20:12) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”

To honor someone is to show great respect for them. In this sense, it is more than just basic respect we show to all others. We esteem this person as an authority, and value their input on things. We also respectfully submit, or defer to them, because they are in authority, and are considered to be an authority on life. When we put this in the context of our elders, and especially in regard to God, we can see how this is beneficial to us. Grandmas and Grandpas are usually given preference by being served first, having doors held open for them, etc. That’s just one example.

This commandment is one with a promise, or perhaps a warning attached to it, specifically. I believe it to be both a promise and a warning. When we think about this in terms of generations and generational curses it makes sense. The land the LORD has given us, in this case, is our family. Your children and grandchildren, siblings, even cousins and in-laws are included in this. When we honor our elders, we learn from them. You’re not going to learn much from someone you don’t respect, are you? No; you’ll more than likely defy them in every way at every turn. If you’re like me(like I used to be, anyway), you’ll learn the hard way. There’s a saying: “We learn what we live, and we live what we learn.” When we learn the right things, we’re much more apt to live successfully. When we learn the wrong things, we’ve got the odds stacked against us before we even get out there on our own. This is precisely why we must be born again. When you’re born again, God becomes your father, and He teaches you, guides you, comforts you, and “grows you” up into the image of Jesus Christ, our Lord. That’s why the Bible tells us that He is the first-born of many. With God, we can grow into the image we were created in, and possess that divine nature God intended for us to have.

As parents, we teach our children what we have learned;. whether it’s on purpose or unwittingly. When I think about this, I think about alcoholic, drug addicted, or otherwise dysfunctional households and family situations. In those cases, the parents’ “days” were not long in the land God gave them. Those children grow up, hopefully see the problems that existed, get the help they need, and overcome the dysfunctionality; along with whatever wounds and scars they may have accumulated. We ;need to break the cycles, disrupt the behavior patterns, and disarm the havoc wreaked in our lives. The way we do that is by learning new things; right things, and the right way to do things. When we overcome the old ways, heal the wounds and scars, we can then teach our children the right things, and the right way to do things. Hopefully, this, then, is passed on to their children and grandchildren. This is what it means to have our days be long in the land that God is giving us, in terms of generations being blessed rather than cursed. In (John 12:25) , Jesus said, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (Matt. 16:25) (Mark 8:35) When we look at those scriptures in regard to generations and generational curses, we can see they make sense. If you want to hold on to your old life, you won’t be able to grasp your new life. It is when we let go of those old things and put them away, that we are become able to grasp the new ways, new thoughts, new things. As with all the commandments, obedience to God’s Word brings great blessing. We will live long in the land God’s given us through our obedience to Him. Think about Moses, the Prophets, Jesus. They’re all still just as alive in our day, as they were then; because their memories live on through each generation.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Enter In, Enter In

I am continuing with the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. I always read from the ESV –English Standard Version, because it is the most accurate up-to-date translation.

(Exodus 20:8-11)(ESV) “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

In (Mark 2:27) Jesus tells us that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. That tells us that we are to utilize the Sabbath day, to give rest; and, even to the creation. God, Himself, rested on the Sabbath day. If hunters aren’t out there hunting for game, all the wildlife gets to rest from fear of being shot. Even the livestock owned by us gets to rest from its labor. (Exodus 23:11-12) (Exodus 35:3) “You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.” – That’s just the dwelling places. Now, think about the Ozone layer, and how air pollution is destroying it. Do you think God knows what He’s talking about? I do!

God blessed the Sabbath Day, and made it holy. What does that mean? To be blessed means to be consecrated, made holy, endowed with divine favor and protection. Something that is holy, is to be regarded with great and deep respect. Oxford Languages We are to remember the Sabbath Day; meaning that we are to keep that seventh day for resting. We are to keep it holy. That means we are to set the day aside for rest and refreshment; for time with family, and especially the family of God.

So, why were the Pharisees berated by Jesus because they were trying to “catch him” working on the Sabbath? (Eph. 4:18) gives us the answer: “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” (Mk. 3:1-5) (Luke 6:6-10) (Luke 13:10-16) This goes back to the fact that God is love, and “love is…”, in (1Cor. 13) Jesus tells us to “judge rightly.” That means look at all sides and discern the truth; the whole truth. The passage in( Luke 13-10-16) illustrates that very clearly.

Most Christians celebrate the first day of the week, or Sunday, as the day set aside for the LORD. But, is that really a Sabbath day? If you rest from your labors, and use that day the way God ordained it to be, then, yes. In today’s world, with all the different work schedules, each one of us has to discern when and how to keep that Sabbath day. (Hebrews 4:1-16) My personal belief is that God’s asking for one day. Rest from your survival in, and from this world, and seek that life that only God can bring to our lives. –Whether that be on a Friday, Monday, Sunday, or midweek; whatever day of the week. Set aside that one day just to spend it with the LORD, resting in praise, worship, and in His love for us. We can enter into that Sabbath rest anytime we seek the LORD in praise, worship, prayer, or contemplation. But, oh, how wonderful it is to spend a whole day with Him! (Eph. 3:12)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

The Name

I’m studying the Ten Commandments; this one being the third commandment God gave to Moses. Again, I use Bible Hub to access the scriptures. I want to thank them for making this available to us.

(Exodus 20:7) (ESV) “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

If we look through the Bible, we can see that names are chosen for specific reasons. The angel Gabriel told Mary, “You shall call his name Jesus, because he’ll save his people from their sins.” Emmanuel means, “God with us.” Moses, also, chose the names of his two sons for specific reasons. That tells us that a name tells you where you came from; and, it also tells you where you’re going. A name can have influence over what kind of person you are, what kinds of things you do, what things you like or dislike, etc. How many “Jr.” s have you encountered, and everybody says, “He’s just like his dad, too.” (Isaiah 62:2) (Rev. 2:17) (Rev. 3:12)

What does that have to do with taking God’s Name in vain? First, if God doesn’t want us to take His Name in vain, we can probably be pretty sure He doesn’t want us to do that to one another either. We all have heard that song, “There’s Power in the Name of Jesus.” Names do have power. God’s Name is connected to His being Almighty, our Healer, our Banner, our Provider, etc. When we speak things that are contrary to that, about God, we’re using His name in vain. For instance, a big one is “God damn.” God is not the one who damns us. He is the one who saves us. We damn ourselves, when we refuse to obey God’s Word, and when we choose to live contrary to God’s Word and Way. (Matt. 25:31-45) (Matt. 7:21-23) (Isaiah 43:7)

The term, “in vain,” means “unsuccessfully, with no likelihood of fulfillment, in a way that produces no result, or pointlessly.” –according to Oxford Languages/Google Interestingly, “vainly,” means with excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth. That tells me that I really do want to remain humble; even though I am a child of God Almighty. The Bible tells us that too. (Micah 6:8) (Matt. 5:3, 5, 7, 9,) (Matt. 118:4)

When I think about using God’s Name without the likelihood of fulfillment, I think about not believing I’ve received something when I ask for it. I also think about just going through the motions with someone in prayer. You know, talking the talk because that’s “what we do,” kind of thing. –Yes, there are people who do that. I think about fearful worrying, as well as disobeying God’s Word, when you know darn good and well, He just told you not to do that thing you’re about to do. Finally, I think about conniving, manipulating, and scheming to get whatever it is you’re wanting, instead of working it out and walking it out with God. That’s how many relationships fail; and, also how many that should never have happened get started. So, we can see it’s not just a matter of speaking or uttering God’s Name in vain. We’re supposed to do everything as if unto the LORD. (Philippians 2:14) (Col. 3:16-17) And, we know that God sees, hears, and is privy to everything we do. And, we will reap what we sow. (Gal. 6:7) It’s just like growing up on the military bases. “You know what we expect from you. Don’t mess up, and we won’t have any problems,” said Dad. Yes, Sir! PS-Thank you, LORD, for your mercy, grace, and patience with me.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Idolatry Is Dangerous

(Exodus 20:4-6) (ESV) “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands(or, to the thousandth generation) of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

According to dictionary.com , one of the definitions of a graven image, is “an object or image such as a statue, that is worshipped as a deity or representation of a god.” I was surprised when I looked at my list of things that can, if I let them, become idols, or graven images to me.

There’s that Lamborghini Countache, the Corvette Stingray, and that Ford Mustang Mach I. Oh, yes. Then, there’s that designer label that I just have to have hanging in my closet. There’s also that sport, that “look,’-you know; the latest superstar or model. Another biggie now-a-days is that video game hero or villain. People get caught up in those, sometimes to the point of losing touch with reality. This is a relatively short list, but I’ll add one more: MYSELF.

How much time do you spend in front of the mirror, posing and trying out different pouts? Who has to rush like crazy to finish getting ready because you took up too much time in the bathroom? How many extra jobs do you have to do, or extra hours do you have to work, so you can pay for that glamor-girl manicure, or the spa, or that stuff in the list above? And, how many credit cards are you carrying and bouncing one debt onto to cover another? That’s where all that idolatry gets us.

When we allow those images, people, things, and cravings/lusts, or feelings of desire or need to dictate our behavior, our time, our lives, we are operating in idolatry. It’s very easy to slip into that bondage without even realizing it. That’s exactly why God doesn’t want us to operate in idolatry. Women starve themselves to look like a “cover girl image.” Men actually have lost relationships because of that car or those games, or even “the buddies.” Yes, family and friends can become “idols” if we’re not careful. Have you ever heard that saying, “When Mama’s not happy, nobody’s happy?” Or, maybe you’ve heard this one, “Well, you know what Daddy says goes; no ifs, ands, or buts.” Really? What if Daddy tells you to go jump in the lake; and, you can’t swim? And, there’s also that girlfriend or boyfriend who can, and will manipulate you if you allow him/her to become an idol to you. This is a good clue to us that we need to check our relationships, and keep them in the right context and spirit.

When we diligently seek the LORD, and serve the LORD, even, and especially in our relationships with others, we can more easily avoid all those pitfalls and stumbling blocks. We can keep things in their proper place and order. And, we can avoid being manipulated by people. We can also more readily catch ourselves when we get off balance, and make the necessary corrections.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Consecrate Yourself To It

In Exodus 19, we read about the Israelites being consecrated, or set apart by God. We also see that the mountain, Mount Sinai was set apart, or consecrated. God had Moses consecrate the people, and wash their garments on the preceding two days, and then on the third day, the LORD came down on Mount Sinai in sight of all the people. (Verses 16-20) After the LORD has spoken there with Moses, He called Moses up to the top of the mountain. Moses went up, and the LORD had him go down and warn the people and the priests not to try to come up the mountain. The priests who would serve the LORD were also to consecrate themselves, and Aaron was to come with Moses when Moses came back up the mountain. Priests who serve specifically in the church, apparently have a separate consecration, according to the scriptures here.

There are a couple of things we can learn here, about setting ourselves apart for God. In Verse 6, the LORD said, “…and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” He was talking to the Israelites (through Moses). That means anyone who chooses to serve the LORD, and obeys His voice, can be consecrated. Jesus consecrated us all to the LORD when He took the punishment and died for us on the cross. He not only paid the price for our sin, He made the way for us to be set apart for the LORD. (John 1:12-13) (1Peter 2:7-9) (1Thes. 5:9)

So what does this mean to me and you? Well, first of all, it means you are a child of God if you’ve been reborn; baptized into Christ Jesus. You are consecrated and set apart for eternal life, instead of eternal damnation. Secondly, it means you have the power to overcome anything this world can throw at you. Finally, it means you have the way to do it. Consecrate yourself to victory over whatever it is you’re facing. This means we get what we need, do what it takes, for however long it takes. We are set apart to life; life in the fullest. That means we don’t have to settle for mediocre or mere survival. We don’t have to settle for anything. We can have the best. Now, mind you, I am not speaking about luxury and oodles of money and other stuff. I’m talking about health, peace, personal power, and real wealth. Real wealth, in material terms, is that which will sustain your health and well-being, and your family’s for a lifetime. Investments, property, etc., are real material wealth. That $400 jogging suit is just that; a jogging suit. When we determine to seek real wealth, which starts, by the way, with the LORD, we consecrate ourselves to whatever goal, victory, recovery, etc., we’re seeking, and follow through, we will get to the top of that mountain.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Who’s Your Daddy?

You shall have no other gods before/besides me…

Affluence can become a god to a person. We end up working to serve the wealth, or money that affords us that social status. There’s nothing wrong with being wealthy; but when it’s costing you everything, and everyone, to be affluent, maybe you need to check your priorities and your heart.

Attention can become a god, especially to women. We can find ourselves creating situations, even crises, in order to get the attention we crave.

Doubt can become a god to us, without our even realizing it. This is seen in negativity, fear, or loathing to try new things, refusal to make efforts to succeed in things, etc.

Fear is a big one in some people’s lives. They literally are held prisoner by it. Fear can cause you to pass up, even on love; fearing that you’ll be hurt.

Food can become a god to us. This can work both ways, too. Some people overeat and/or binge eat, and gain weight to hide behind, or within, while others vomit what they eat, or refuse to eat because they don’t want to be fat, or even to be seen.

Any emotion can become a god to us, if we’re not careful. When we check our emotions against the reality of whatever situation we’re in, and then check them against the Word of God, we’re more apt to get a handle on things, and prevent that thing from binding us, or enslaving us. Jesus said, in (Matt. 15:11) “it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (Romans 14:17) –Actually, the whole 14^th chapter of Romans is a good lesson regarding this.

Most of the time, when things start to become gods to us, it is because we’re lacking something in our hearts. If we look within, and deal with ourselves honestly, we can remedy the situation. When we get caught up in serving other gods, we are actually being pulled away, even lured away, from our Heavenly Father. Satan is behind this; we’re lured away by our “lusts,” or perceived needs. (James 1:14) Of course, the farther away we get from God’s protection, the more danger we’re in. This is how some people end up living lives that their families and friends would say are completely uncharacteristic of them.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Saturday Silly-February 11, 2023

I happened across some signs that struck me as funny on my morning commute recently. I thought I’d share them with you.

Friar Tux – OMG! I can just see the prices at the restaurant that hires these guys. I mean, if you have to wear a tux to fry food…Wow! Only in Vegas.

The Roadkill Café – Hmm, has anyone seen Jimmy lately?

Helena Handbaskets – This is the company I’m going to start up when I get back to Montana. Ready to serve picnic baskets for those lakeside vacationers and fishermen. –Just in case you didn’t catch that big one.

I was looking for some places to travel to recently, and came across the city of Charleston, South Carolina. My dad was stationed in North Carolina for a couple of years. I loved it, and have some good memories of friends there. I love the old South, and would really love to tour some of the historic places there. Charleston actually has a walking ghost tour you can go on. I don’t mind walking, but I’m not so sure I want to walk around with any old ghosts. Don’t you people do exorcisms to keep them in their graves? They also have a day drinking tour for you hardcore drinkers. I’ve never tried drinking all day. Is it the same amount of time as when you drink all night? Oh, my! There’s a Bay Street Bastard’s Pub Crawl down there. You know, first of all, children born out of wedlock don’t need you to call them names. And secondly, it’s not a very wise thing to have babies crawling around in a pub! Hmm, maybe I’ll just stick with the old plantation tours. I’m kidding! I can’t wait to come visit you, Charleston!

PS – I just finished reading “She Came To Slay, The Life And Times Of Harriet Tubman”, by Erica Armstrong Dunbar. Absolutely fabulous; so inspiring, and so necessary! What a wonderful job you did, Ms. Dunbar! When we forget history, we’re doomed to repeat it.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

The LORD Is My Banner

(Exodus 17:8-16) (Verse 14) “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” This is because the Amalekites attacked Israel after they had just escaped from Pharaoh’s onslaught at the Red Sea. They apparently attacked the feeble, elderly, and weak stragglers at the back of the ranks. You can read more about Amalek at Chabad.org According to their essay, the attack on Israel was a surprise attack, too. This is a solemn warning to us today; and, especially to those who choose to be evil-doers. Don’t think that God can’t put you out. And, don’t think that He won’t.

Moses built an altar to the LORD there (at Rephidim), and called it, “the LORD is my banner.” (Verses 15-16) He also said, “the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. That’s a warning to us, as well. Spiritually, you’re going to have to fight for your children and grandchildren; for every generation behind you. That’s one of the reasons I pray for my children and grandchildren, “born and unborn.” The LORD gave me the morning prayer I pray daily. (Isaiah 11:12) (Psalm 60:4) (Isaiah 18:13)

(Isaiah 66:1-2) lets us know that there is nothing you can do for God, really, except obey Him and His Word. “All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (Matt. 5:3) (Luke 18:14) (Isaiah 57:15) (Isaiah 11:10)

One of the best places to find confirmation, and affirmations, or God’s protection, love, and devotion toward us, is in the Psalms that King David wrote. When you’re besieged by the enemy, it’s a good thing to stir yourself up, and build up your spiritual strength with those affirmations.

In the account of Amalek’s attack, we can see that they may have surprised Israel, but they didn’t surprise God. There’s a powerful, powerful revelation in that about just how protectively God watches over us. And, I can tell you from personal experience, that when you tune your ear in to hear the Holy Spirit, you will catch God’s warnings and whispers to “be careful,” and “proceed with caution.” There was a time when I even heard, “RUN! RUN NOW!” Yes, I did run. That’s why I’m still here today, I believe. (Isaiah 59:19) (Psalm 23)

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Think It Over Thursday

February is Cancer Awareness Month. Here, in the desert, one of the most common cancers we see is skin cancer. Actinic Keratosis, or Solar Keratosis, is a precancerous condition, caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays. All those years of fun in the sun come at the price of damage to your skin.

I recently was diagnosed with Actinic Keratosis. Thankfully, the lesion was not cancerous yet. My doctor counseled me to be very vigilant about protecting my skin from the sun by using a sun block. I found Banana Boat’s SPF 50 to be very nice. it doesn’t feel as if you’re wearing plastic wrap, like so many others do. I also wear a hat that shades my face and ears. The lesion I found was on my ear. I will be monitored now, so that we can, hopefully, stay a step ahead of cancer.

I wanted to share this with you so that you can stay a step ahead too. I believe paying attention to your body’s signals and making a point to be informed about health risks help us to be on top of our well-being, and a step ahead of the things that would destroy that. I lost my mother to lung cancer because she chose to ignore the signals and warnings.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu