What Are You Doing It For?

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us the we need to check our motives from time to time.  It’s easy to get caught up in the “keeping up with the Joneses” game; easy to get caught up in all the right things, but for the wrong reasons.

The Bible tells us that we cannot serve both God and Mammon (money).  Yet, the Bible also tells us that money answers everything.  No, that isn’t a contradiction.  Money does answer everything in this world.  We need it to survive in this world.  There’s rent to pay, bills to pay, we need food and clothing, etc., etc., etc.  The world operates on money.  The reason it’s called currency is that it keeps the economy flowing,  The economy is part of life in this world.  It’s the base from which society operates.  However, in God’s plan, money is to serve us.  We are to master our money, and not vice versa.

When we master our money, being good stewards in regards to tithing, giving, being financially responsible, etc., we are serving God with our money.  God knows we have to have it to survive down here.  But, God is till God over us, and over our money.  God sends the supply; He is the source.  The money is just a resource to be used as needed.

It’s easy to get caught up in the competitions for titles, in the race to “fit in” with the affluent crowd, and the putting on of all kinds of airs.  That’s when you know it’s time to recheck your motives, and time to line yourself back up with God’s will for you and your money.  I’ve known people who had to cut up the credit cards and take on a second or even third job because the clothing bill maxed out the cards…because it just wasn’t acceptable to be seen wearing the same outfit or even the same piece of clothing twice.  What kind of people are you hanging around with?  And what are you trying to prove?  That’s living by the world’s standards; not by God’s.  And, right there, you are serving Mammon-which also, in, and according to the world, signifies affluence.  Yes, God does want you to have that beautiful dress, girlfriend.  He doesn’t want you to be enslaved to a second or third job to get it, though.  That’s why we have things like budgets, savings, and the like.  Don’t get so caught up trying to “fit in,” in this world that you become a slave to it’s standards.  Remember, you are the head, and not the tail.  You are the master over the money; not vice versa.  Make it serve you, so you don’t end up serving the wrong god.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 9, 2019, 11:22 a.m.

Cultivating The Treasures Within

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are a work in progress.  We are not to be stagnant.  We are bid to cultivate ourselves.

“Remember your great field of labor is yourself. That is your first task, the weeding, the planting, digging, pruning, bearing fruit. When that is done I lead you out into other fields.”  This is a direct quote from the message on the twolisteners website.  I recently posted a list of books that I’d read over the summer.  They were all inspiring to me as a poet and a story writer.  One, in particular, was quite inspirational to me as a Christian, and as a woman.  I’ve also spent some time researching articles on how cancer cells fool our immune system, how they communicate with each other, and how they shut down communication between healthy cells, even blocking communication from healthy cells.  This all has to do with DNA glitches.  Lastly, I’ve been designing homes, clothes, and great food offerings.  I do the designing in theory, as I am still homeless at the moment.  I shop online, sketch things in my notebook, and combine some different things when I’m putting my lunches from the supermarket together.  This is how we cultivate ourselves. I love to do all these things.

So many of us don’t really take the time to spend time doing things we love, at home, or away.  We attend events, we volunteer time, we give of our resources.  But we don’t give back to ourselves in the way of time and discovery.  Of course, the best canvas you have to paint you on, is yourself.  God doesn’t need cookie cutter Christians.  God needs each and every one with all your uniqueness, your talents, your strengths, your joys, and even your weaknesses.  Yes, He does.  Once again, one of my favorite inspirational books is Simple Abundance by Sara Ban Breathnach.  It got the juices flowing for me, and I will cherish it forever.  She also has one for men.  There is also God Calling, by A.J. Russell.  And, there are so many things out there to inspire us.  Look at some of the beautiful floral creations out there.  Check out some menus online.  Go windowshopping, or even browse some online shops.  Whether you’re into home design, or clothing design, they’re a great way to get some ideas and inspiration.  You’ll be surprised at how much fun you can have.  You’ll also be surprised at the beautiful, wonderful treasures within.  You know, God puts them there because He knows each one of us.  He loves to see us excited and loving ourselves.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 8, 2019, 12:17 p.m.

 

Walking In Love Is A Twofold Thing

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to walk in God’s Love.  We sometimes forget that this is a twofold thing, and that we must put first things first.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30&31)  We all do our best to walk in love toward our fellow man.  We pray for them, we give where and what we can, we try to lift others up, etc.  But, we don’t often really think about exactly what that second greatest commandment says-about loving ourselves.

That’s step one in regard to this commandment.  The most important part of loving yourself, is to love the LORD/Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  But, do you know that you are also to walk in His love toward you?  We don’t really give that a lot of thought; because we’re usually busy trying to do good things, to do the right things, etc.  That’s one of the reasons we get weary and suffer from burnout.

I couldn’t believe how much my life changed-for the better-when I made time every day, just to be with Jesus.  Just to bask in His love for me wipes the whole world away from my spirit.  It fills me with such strength, with peace, and with joy.  There is a joy that nobody can take away from you.  It’s the joy of knowing how very loved and cherished you are by God Himself.  Yes, God Himself loves and cherishes us.  One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 8.  It tells us about God’s love for us.  Sometimes, it still leaves me awestruck.  I encourage you to make a little time each day, just to be with the Lord.  Read about His love for us.  Listen to the praise music that tells us of His love.  Just bask in the knowledge, the peace and joy, of being a child of God Most High.  Then, walk in that knowledge, staying mindful of it always as you go along.  It makes the second part of that commandment so much easier!  It also makes loving yourself, being good to yourself, and making better choices for yourself easier.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 7, 2019, 10:36 a.m.

For My Girls Out There

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This is just for my girls out there…Saturdays are when we get the chores caught up, get some spa time in, and get that intense workout done, right?  This goes with the Saturday Silly, and it’s one of my favorites.  Celebrate every year, ladies; every day!  Thank you, Mr. Tim McGraw!  I, for one, love you!  PS:  This is a GREAT workout song!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 7, 2019, 10:13 a.m.

Saturday Silly – September 7, 2019

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My, my, my!  Lot of things to celebrate in September.  Two of my babies were born in September; one at the beginning of the month, and one at the end of it. The first Miss America, Margaret Gorman, was crowned in New Jersey, on September 7, 1921.  Among other things, this is Chicken month, and Self-improvement month.  And, September 7th is the great Buddy Holly’s birthday.

Those of you who know me, know that I like to streamline, so often I combine tasks into one smooth operation.  That’s what I did with this bit of information.  For my self-improvement project, I started working out to get rid of those chicken wings on my arms.  I happen to be a Buddy Holly fan.  So, I was doing my workout to “Oh, Boy,” one of his hits.  Now, being homeless, I don’t have any dumbbells to work out with.  Well, not the kind you lift, anyway.  Anyway, I do carry a couple of bags that contain my water and stuff.  So, here I was, listening to Buddy Holly, and working those arms.

The trouble started when I got to the exercise where you’re reaching behind you with the weights.  The very first rep I did, I reached behind me, bags in hand, and some guy snatched one of my bags and ran off with it.  One of the guys at Catholic Charities tried to chase him down, but couldn’t catch him.  He gave up and came back to where I was standing.  He asked, “What were you thinking, anyway?  What were you doing, lady?”  I said, “I was trying to exercise my arms so I can keep them firm.  Older women like to look sexy too, you know.”  He broke out in the chorus of, “That’ll be the day.”  LOL  ** This is a work of fiction.  I’d never have let either one of those guys get away with that in real life.  LOL

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 6, 2019, 1:06 p.m.

They’re Just Gone From Here…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that our loved ones are not gone.  They are just gone from here.  But they are freed from all human limitations, rejoicing, and serving the Lord in Heaven.

The message tells us that they can also protect us, minister to us, and even intercede for us.  This is where all kinds of arguments get started, isn’t it?  I believe this is true.  In the Bible, we can read about the rich man and Lazarus.  The rich man asked that someone be sent to his family members on Earth, to warn them.  Another Lazarus in the Bible died, and his sisters, Mary and Martha were quite upset with Jesus about it.  Jesus told them Lazarus was only sleeping.  He told Jairus the same thing about his daughter.  The Bible tells us that Jesus conquered death and the grave.  We’re told that He has the keys to death and Hades.  Those are just some examples of scriptures that tells us death is not final.

I have had countless experiences such as hearing my mother’s voice-from memory, warning me about something, as I’m trying to decide what to do, whom to believe, etc.  There have been times when I was sick, and heard her voice in my sleep, comforting me like she did when she was alive.  There isn’t a holiday that goes by without my feeling her presence in the kitchen as I’m cooking.  Whenever I see a bouquet of red carnations, I can see her smiling; they were her favorites.  Those are some of the ways in which our loved ones stay with us.  We also keep them alive here with us when we share memories of them with friends and family.  It’s especially important to share those with the next generations.  But, have you ever just had this feeling, or something just told you not to go somewhere or do something, etc.?  Could that have been dear old Mom or Dad?  I can’t say for sure it was.  But I can say for sure that God can do anything; and will do whatever He has to, to protect us.  As for that interceding part…well, all I have to say is, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Gramps, and all of my buds who got that before me, if you do.  I need all the help I can get!”  I believe with all my heart, they’re not gone; just gone from here.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September, 5, 2019, 1:21 p.m.

 

I Believe

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I chose this song for today’s musical post.  It’s by Diamond Rio.  Whenever I hear it, it’s a comfort to me, and inspiration, and a source of strength to me.  I played it for my children when their father passed away.  If you’ve lost a loved one recently, I hope this brings you some peace.  God bless you!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, September 5, 2019, 1:26 p.m.