Give Them By Bringing Him Into Them

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to give God the moments. A moment here, giving thought to His goodness, brings Him into it for us, too. A moment there, reflecting on the beauty of the afternoon spent with family and friends, reveals His Presence in the whole afternoon. When we give, even just one thought, to God’s love and the joy it brings to those moments, the moments become sublime.

This works quite well when we have our “moments,” too. You know…Monday morning, and everything that can go wrong is doing exactly that…and you are not having this today…you work too hard…OMG…oh, yes, God…JESUS…Oh, JESUS…and the “Peace; be still,” comes over you…and it all comes out okay. I have to laugh at myself when I think of poor Jesus up there watching me in some of those moments. I’m pretty sure He’s had some good laughs over them too.

We have the power to bring God into somebody else’s moments-be they good or bad. If we just stop and step into His presence in that moment, we can change that moment from a bad one to a great one. We can turn that good moment into a joyous celebration.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – August 1, 2020

eden08122015

Happy August, one and all! August is Romance Awareness Month. I mentioned this to a friend of mine. She told me she’s known this for awhile. “As a matter of fact,” she said, “I mentioned this to Archie (her husband), when I first found out about it.” Then she laughed and said, “He must have thought I was hinting for more romantic attention. That evening, we were watching television, and when I said, “dip, please, he got up, took me in his arms and dipped me.” I thought, well that’s a new way to enjoy your chips, isn’t it?

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Count Your Blessings

eden08122015

Happy September! Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us realize how rich, indeed, we really are. We have Jesus, all His love, grace, patience, kindness, strength, power, authority, peace, and joy…the list goes on and on. How can we fear the future, when Jesus holds it in His hands?

When I read the message, I thought about how blessed I was to listen to some good music over the last two weekends. There were free concerts on Fremont Street Experience, here in Las Vegas. I had to thank God, when I read this message, that I am able to hear the music. I also think about how much I enjoy the taste of my morning coffee; especially when it’s a good cup of coffee. Being able to take deep breaths is another treasure, after my ordeal a few summers ago, when my lungs crashed.

I don’t really fear the future. There are things I want to get done while I can do them; but I know God’s got my life in His hands. He holds the future. All of that peace and joy came through Jesus Christ, our Lord. While we can’t just wander aimlessly through life, we can be sure we’re going to survive it. LOL There is truly so much to be grateful for. When we pay attention to those little things we often don’t think about, we can realize that we have been blessed and given such treasures. I think of that “pressed down, shaken together, and running over,” scripture. Our God is a good God!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – August 31, 2019

eden08122015

A friend of mine has a daughter who just got her first apartment. Her daughter insisted on looking for and choosing her own place, without any help or “input” from mom and dad. My friends said that her daughter checked into about 50 places before she finally found the apartment she wanted. She said her daughter sent her this picture from the pool nearby. Thanking God this place is not in Las Vegas…LOL

do-not-breathe-under-the-water-play-you-got-232440

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Giving To The Stuff In Your Life

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we’re supposed to be givers. Our Heavenly Father is a great giver. He gives generously, and adds no sorrow to it. We’re bid to give abundantly, feeling that we’re rich.

We’re bid to give of our thought, our time, personal ease, warmth, give of all we have. Give, give, give. We often don’t even realize that we’re giving, as we interact with others. That smile and greeting is a gift to the one it’s intended for. One never knows how much that might mean to that person, either.

What we often forget to do, is to give to the stuff in our lives. I’ve been designing my future home; shopping online for the things I’ll be putting into my home. I’m finding the longer I’m at it, the more of myself I’m giving to it. I mean, my joy in certain things, my ideals, my pet things, etc., I’m finding is spilling over into my search. As it does that, the whole thing is taking on a life of it’s own-that radiates my personality, my warmth, joy, peace, etc. It’s so exciting! I’m looking forward, joyfully, to bringing the whole thing together.

It made me think about how often we forget to give-of ourselves, our personal joys, pleasures, ideals, etc., to the things we surround ourselves with. How often do we sort of just go through those projects, events, etc., without really being present in them. I’ve done that at times, and ended up wondering what was I thinking when I was working on this? It didn’t even come close to reflecting me!

When we’re mindful to give of ourselves to the stuff that makes up our lives, we can create much better, much more uplifting, much more powerful and effective environments for ourselves. That then empowers us to be even greater givers to others and the stuff in their lives.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

His Name Shall Be Called…

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to breathe His Name. Jesus…As I think about that, being so aware of the power, peace, passion, presence in that Name, I don’t feel like I can breathe it nearly deep enough. I need more and more. That being said, let me share this song with you. The Gaither Vocal Band says it beautifully…and one day, every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…This song became a favorite of mine some time ago. I love to hear it, and I love to sing it. I hope it blesses you as it does me.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Make Sure It Serves You

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that a life with God is one of continuous service. We are to serve God, are to serve others as if serving Him, and we are to strive to serve the cause of Christ Jesus in everything we do.

What we don’t often think about is whether or not certain things serve us. We often get ourselves into situations that end up having us serving them. When I speak of this, I’m talking about bad situations, things that aren’t really good for us, people who really don’t have our best interests at heart. These situations serve to enslave us; distract us from our life with God. Those things that aren’t good for us serve to put us into bondage to them if we’re not careful. Those people are usually using us for their own interests and ends. Paul said, “all things are lawful, but not all are helpful.” (1 Cor. 10:23) We are to be mastered by none but The Master, Himself.

That scripture goes on to say that not all things edify, or build up. We are to build one another up, and we are to build ourselves up, as well. “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” That’s in the 10 Commandments. Therefore, I need to survey the situations, the things presented and offered to me, and the people I involve myself with. Then, I can best measure the distance I want to keep between myself and them. When we do this, we’re also serving God by setting an example and bringing encouragement to others who see us. We are building up the weak, the fearful, the shy, etc., and shining a light for the lost to see. “Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He’s Really Good With Tangles

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus can do what seems to be the impossible. We are reminded that it is in quietness and trust that our strength lies. We’re also promised that from the second we put it into God’s Hands, the working out, the cure, the victory is being brought forth.

When I read this message, I think back to the one that was illustrated by a skein of yarn in Mother’s hands. I had to laugh, recalling how often my skein of yarn would get tangled, and I’d have to work that tangle out before I could go on with my project. When you’re a child, you usually have to take those tangled things to Mom or Dad. But there’s never any doubt in your mind that they can fix it, is there? That’s the way we’re supposed to trust God. I’ve had occasions to pray, and then stand silently and trust God. You know what? God always speaks back with His Word. There’s always the assurance and the reassurance-that He hears, He sees, and He’s on it!

That being silent, and the being still-meaning, don’t put one end of that skein in His hands, and then run off with the other end in hand, and try to fix it yourself…that’s the toughest thing to do sometimes. “Just be still and know that I am God.” And, you’re still His child. And, He’s still in control-not only of your life, but of all life, and all of life. That means God’s got His Eye, and hand, on the trouble, the trouble-maker, AND, on every single reason to doubt, to fear, to give up, to let go. Take that, you tangle!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

That Kingdom Is Yours Here Too

eden08122015

“Behold, the Kingdom of Heaven/God is within you…”

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we will have trials and tribulations…but we are still kings and queens in the Earth, even then. The message bids us to accept the trials and tribulations, and to step into the kingdom that’s been prepared for us-even in the midst of them.

I don’t know how many times I’d read that same message before I finally caught that. That Kingdom has been prepared for us, right here on Earth too. Jesus, although He came in human form, was still God. He was King of kings when He was making His way through the birth canal. He was Lord of Lords hanging on that cross, and dying on that cross. If He wasn’t, He wouldn’t have risen from the grave.

Just as Jesus defeated, even death, we can defeat every dead thing in our lives. We can defeat death; break it off of our families, our marriages, our own souls. “Behold, the Kingdom of Heaven/God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) Nobody can take it away from you! No trial, no tribulation, no sickness, no death can take if from you! That’s what Jesus did for us, even long before He died on the cross. Just think, you were a king or queen in the making, from the very beginning!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – August 24, 2019

eden08122015

I was having a little talk with the Lord yesterday, about some things that were on my mind. I mean, sometimes I really have to wonder, you know?

God is supposed to be omniscient; all-knowing. Well, then I really have to wonder, God, what were you thinking when you gave whoever that person was, the idea for sports bras?! Good Heavens! I just know my girls are plotting murder! After having them in that thing all day, I’ll have to be afraid to go to sleep tonight. God! You had to see that coming, right?! What were you thinking????

I was telling a friend of mine this stuff. Boy, I thought I was a little flaky sometimes. When I told her about my sports bra ordeal…getting into that thing, then getting back out of it…I thought we were going to the Olympics when I saw my breasts looked like two Shot Put discuses. I thought to myself, “you know, God, if I could throw that far…guess what I’d be aiming at!” Yeah, that person that invented these things! Anyway, she said to me, “You know, that makes me wonder about something, too! I mean, what was God thinking when He put hair on women’s legs?! You know He knew we’re just going to shave it all off! I mean, what woman wants to be a Clydesdale?!” “Yep,” I thought, “dear God, what were you thinking?!”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu