Connecting The Steps To The Summit

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Today’s message from God Calling -A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to take our eyes off the problems, long enough to see how they’re leading us to the goals.

Each day brings with it little irritations, little chances to give up, little difficulties to excuse doubt. The list goes on and on. We’re not to pay too much attention to those little things. We’re not to allow them to throw us off track, that is. We are to connect them to the goal we’re trying to reach. The ultimate goal is to maintain our authority over our circumstances, and to remember we are kings and queens in the earth. We rule; the circumstances don’t. They shouldn’t, anyway.

The way we connect those little things to the goals, is by building a stairway leading upward to the goals. We do this when we see those little irritations, difficulties, etc., as opportunities to practice our authority wisely. Remember Solomon? He asked God for wisdom. He wanted to rule over his world wisely. That attitude, or mindset, changes us immediately from being victims of the circumstances, to being masters over them. *We practice this best when we slow down long enough to remain in the driver’s seat. All that rushing, rushing, rushing, can throw you right into the rumble seat, if you don’t watch out.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Suffering That Saves

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that sorrow and suffering don’t have to dictate who we are.

We’re bid to offer up our suffering and/or sorrow to the Lord. Use that suffering to help another, and it becomes a pleasing sacrifice unto the LORD. Help another, bless another, love another, in spite of your sorrow and/or suffering, and it becomes a gleam of joy and pride in His eyes. It becomes a seed sown into eternity; a treasure laid up in Heaven. “Behold, my son/daughter, in whom I am well pleased,” He says.

That’s the suffering that saves, not only others, but our own soul; our own spirit. Jesus never stopped blessing, never stopped praying, never stopped teaching, never stopped being Jesus…no matter the rejection, the doubt, the scorn, the sorrow. He prayed, even on the cross, “Father, forgive them.” The whole world, every human being ever born, was, is, and will be saved from eternal damnation-if they choose to be.

What that does for our own soul or spirit, is immeasurable. It brings peace, strength, joy, love, freedom, and life. That’s just part of the list. We don’t really think about those little things we do for others, even when we’re hurting ourselves, in terms of the ways in which they might come back to us. As Jesus said, some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred fold. Now He said this about grasping and living out God’s Word. But it is that very Word, that very love, that empowers us to give in such ways, and at such times. “He sent His Word and healed them,” applies to every sinner that gets saved. Finally, there are the words of our Lord, Jesus. “Give, and it will be given unto you; pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will men give into your bosom.

This is an oldie, but goodie! Steven Curtis Chapman, thank you for this old favorite of mine.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Every Day Is A New One

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God does, indeed, make all things new.

That might not fully hit you until you take a minute to think about those days you finally got there, it finally all came together, it went right this time! “Behold, I make all things new,” said the Lord. When I thought about that, and all those times, I realized I’m a new me every day, too.

What I mean is that, even though I’m the same person, I’m growing and gaining strength, patience, wisdom, all kinds of stuff. So, really, I’m not the same as I was yesterday. Today, I’m even better than I was yesterday. You might not notice it at first, but it’s true.

The message speaks of becoming free of poverty and worry/fear. That makes me think of Jesus’ words about worshiping God in spirit and in truth. I also think about His question: “If the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness?” We are rich or poor in power, according to our poverty or wealth of spirit. “As a man thinks, so is he,” is a very powerful truth. If I’m new every day, even better than I was yesterday, perhaps I can do today, what I could not do yesterday. Don’t give up! Get a little newer, better-with your attitude, your patience, your perseverance, your love and joy of, and in life.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Press Onward…It’s Really A Key

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we’re running an endurance race, and not a sprint. We’re bid to hold onto our courage, and press on to the next level.

The message speaks to us of being protected, shielded from self-loathing, from bitter remorse, and from self-defeat. When I read it, I think of Peter, of Judas Iscariot, who committed suicide over what he’d done. Peter wept bitterly over betraying Jesus. I bet he had some serious struggles within himself during the following days and weeks. We go through the same struggles with ourselves; especially when we feel like we’ve failed the Lord. It’s so easy, when we fall down, to just lay there and wallow in self-pity, bitter remorse, self-loathing…yeah, that’s the very stuff that leads us right over that cliff called self-defeat.

The way to overcome that stuff is to open our eyes to the truth about that short-fall, that failure, that weakness. What it really is, is a KEY that opens the door to learning, gaining strength, improving, and stepping up to the next level. Jesus said, “I’ll give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. That truth is a key to freedom from all that self-defeating stuff. It will open the door to courage, to boldness, to confidence, self-assurance, and most importantly, PEACE within.

This song by the Gaither Vocal Band is so precious to me! I can’t even begin to tell you what it does for me. I’m always so moved by it. I think it fits perfectly.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Holy Of Holies Wrapped In Flesh

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Today’s message from God Calling – A. J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus took on our humanity, so that we can take on His divinity. That means we can live in divine power, peace, love, joy, unity, etc. All the Fruits of the Spirit are ours in Christ Jesus. In essence, when the veil was torn, the gates of Heaven opened wide to us.

I wrote this psalm some time ago, 2009, in fact. It came to mind as I read the message this morning.

How Beautiful is the Love of my Savior: How beautiful on the mountain are those nail pierced feet…and the hands, scarred and calloused, that reach for me. How beautiful is the voice that says, “Come unto me.” Oh, how beautiful is the love of my Savior. How beautiful, the precious blood shed on Calvary. How beautiful the prayer He prayed for you, and for me. How beautiful is the life He gave to set us free. Oh, how beautiful is the love of my Savior. How beautiful is the heart that’s filled with mercy and grace. How beautiful the day when we shall see His face. How beautiful is this King that opens wide Heaven’s gate. Oh, how beautiful is the love of my Savior…

I used to walk and collect cans and plastic bottles on Sunday mornings back then. I would walk and praise the Lord as I went along. the more I praise Him, the more praise He gives me. I got this one started one Sunday morning, and finished it under a little shade tree at the shelter I was living in, later that afternoon. God never fails us. Thanks to Jesus, we can live in divine power, in every sense of the word. We just get so distracted, overwrought, and overwhelmed, that we forget that-and all too often.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Greatest Distance

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, speaks to us of the distances between souls and hearts.

We’re bid to abide in God’s love, in His presence, to remain close to Him. We’re told that false words, fears, doubts, etc. are the things that keep us distant from Him. What we don’t often think about is that the very same things hold true in our human relationships. Angry words spoken in haste, fear instilled in someone-and that includes insecurity about being loved, these things create distance between two hearts. They tear souls, and tear souls apart.

The message in the book is really powerful, so I hope you’ll visit their website, and read it for yourselves. twolisteners.org

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – August 16, 2019

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I was doing some reminiscing about Montana the other day. I had been checking out the Wolf and Bear Center up by Yellowstone Park. I love the wildlife and wide open spaces in Montana. One of my loves as a teenager there was a Native American boy. I loved his sense of humor most. Most Montanans have a pretty good sense of humor…and they love to tell those “Big as the Big Sky” stories.

One beautiful Saturday morning, He and I headed out to a little butte just outside of the reservation. His grandma and grandpa lived on the reservation. We were going to spend the morning exploring, and then have a nice picnic lunch. After lunch, he said he’d promised to send a smoke signal message to his grandpa, at home. He built a fire, took a blanket out of the back of the truck, and sent some smoke signals up. Then he asked me if I would like to learn some smoke signals! “Won’t that be fun,” he asked. I thought that was awesome. I thought anything he did was awesome. He gave me the blanket, and said, “Okay, you’re going to signal the word, “butte.” Then Grandpa will know where we’re at.” Then he said, “Just kind of swoop it down, and sweep it slowly over the fire. That’s “butte.” I did as he told me to. He said, “Hmm, I don’t think you got it quite right, honey. You swept too fast. Try again.” Again, I swooped and swept-slowly, of course. “No,” said he. “This time, swoop just a little bit slower. But the sweep was good there.” Again, I swooped-slowly, and swept. Right about that time, we heard sirens. Up the hill came this little fire engine. I thought, “Oh no, we’re in trouble for having a fire up here.” The fire truck stopped and a couple of Native American firemen got out. “What’s the trouble,” one asked? “there’s no trouble”, I said. “I was just learning smoke signals. I signaled “butte” to tell my boyfriend’s grandpa where we’re at.” “No,” said the fireman. “You signaled, “My butt’s on fire!” Some of those Native American boys are real pranksters! Those firemen were his cousins. I used to be soooo gullible! That was my “Big as the Big Sky” story.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Rest in Work, Work to Rest

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that forced, or tired work never shows the best within us. We’re told that it is wrong to force work.

As I think about the message, I think about all the times Jesus withdrew to be alone. I’m sure He needed rest from all the activity, the stress of dealing with the haters, and of the upcoming events that He knew He would have center stage in.

Our lives are no different. We have all kinds of acitivity going on around us all the time. We’re involved in all kinds of activities. We deal with haters, nay-sayers, doubt, and fatigue at any given point in time, too. It’s stressful. We have upcoming events like deadlines, finals, presentations, etc. The spot-lights will be on us then, won’t they? That’s stressful too. It can be, anyway. It can make the projects, the problems, and the prospects seem overwhelming.

That’s when we need to step back and recharge. We need to work, then, at resting in quietness and confidence; strengths we’ve already gained. We need to draw on our knowledge of who and whose we are, and all the gifts and talents He’s given us. He never calls us to do anything without empowering us to do it. When we work to rest in those truths, and in the peace of confidence in Him, and in ourselves, the tables turn in our favor. We are rewarded then, with restful work. No flurry, hurry, worry, etc. Just a peaceful and restful soul at work. I’m smiling now, because of Jesus’ words: “Come to me all ye, who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” Also, “Greater things than these shall you do because I go to my Father in Heaven.” I know, that’s taken a little out of context; but, it’s true. He does go to the Father and intercedes for us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

No Punishment For Past Sins

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is no punishment for our past sins. When we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, all of that is removed-as far as the East is from the West-from us. They’re gone!

However, their impact and effects on us, our character, attitudes, choices, lives, have not been removed. They will be gradually wiped clean, and/or smoothed and polished into a beautiful soul. One that manifests it’s true being -created in the image and likeness of God, Himself-more and more.

Remembering that we go from strength to strength and glory to glory, we can begin to understand the admonition of the Lord. God brings us up in the admonition of the Lord, just as we are to bring our children up the same way. When a child errs, we help him/her to correct that error. We teach our children how to clean up messes, and how to do things correctly. This isn’t punishment; it’s training. God does the same with us. We can only act/react according to what we believe to be true. When we come to the Lord, we’re operating out of old truths-usually untruths, about ourselves and the world around us. God patiently works with us, allowing us to come face to face with the consequences of our actions, and face the truth that we need help to change things, or to do them correctly. When we turn to Him for that help, He’s always ready, willing, and more than able to teach and train us in the correct ways. King David wrote often about being taught the Lord’s ways, and His paths. And, remember, King David erred-and even sinned knowingly. But, King David also repented, went boldly the throne of God, asking forgiveness. God called King David a man after His own heart. We can learn and be inspired and encouraged by that.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Eden’s Breakfast On The Grill

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Ingredients: 1- 9×13 cookie sheet or baking pan… 1 LB. Bulk ground Pork Sausage, 1 med. bag frozen O’Brien Potatoes, 1 dozen Eggs, 1 eight ounce package Sargento Cheddar Cheese slices, Butter, Salt, Pepper

Make a nice bed of coals, and get them good and hot. When the coals are hot, your grill’s ready. ***Please keep in mind that when you’re working on a grill, temperatures vary, and you need to check frequently to make sure the food is cooking correctly, and not burning.** Place cookie sheet or baking pan on the grill, and add the ground sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Cook the sausage until near done, stirring well to prevent burning. The meat should be pale pinkish. Now, move the sausage to the cooler side of the pan, and melt about 3-4 T. butter in the cookie sheet or baking pan. Spread the melted butter around evenly. Now add the O’Brien potatoes, tossing them lightly to cover with the butter. Next, spread them out across the pan, incorporating the cooked sausage into them. Cover with foil and let cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring about halfway through cooking time. At 20 minutes, they should be tender. Crack the eggs over the top of the sausage and potato mixture, one at a time, covering the mixture evenly. Now’s the time to add a little salt and pepper, if you like. Cover with foil and let cook another 10-20 minutes, until the egg yolks are set. Uncover and top with the cheese. Cover and let the cheese melt-about 5 minutes. I put two strips of cheese “diamonds” down the pan. When the cheese is melted, remove the pan from the grill, uncover and let sit 3-5 minutes. Serves 6

Serve with some red grapes or canteloupe melon on the side if desired.

What a great way to end the summer!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu