He Makes You Want To Sing!

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 81. It’s a long one, in which you can see God admonishing His people, through Asaph. Verses 1 & 2 tell us: “Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.” (BSB) He is our strength. Let me tell you, I am living proof of that. I cannot tell you how, but by God’s grace and His hand, that I made it through some of the things I’ve come through. And every time, I come away with some new treasure or two, and an even deeper trust and stronger faith in Him. And, I can’t even express how much I love Him. He makes you want to sing; right in the midst of the storm, with the wind whipping around you, and the waves trying to swamp the boat.

I hope you’ll read the whole psalm. You can see God’s heart for us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Let Him Encamp Around You

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 53. It was written by King David. I have to wonder if it didn’t come to him the way it comes to all of us; after the fact. You know, you’re going through the storm, waves coming over the edge of the boat, wind tearing the sails apart…JESUS where are you?!!!!! All of a sudden, it’s over, and you don’t know how. And, here you are, still in one piece, still breathing, and the enemy is seen in the distance…limping away with his tail tucked between his legs. Praise God! That’s when it hits you: “O you of little faith…” And you realize just how awesome God is; how fiercely protective of you He is, and how swiftly and silently He can get the job done. He’s the original stealth bomber. LOL

As I read the psalm, I couldn’t help but look to time ahead, when there will be only a remnant left to deal with the evil. That remnant will be those who perhaps heard the gospel and came to believe when the church disappeared into thin air. As I think about that time to come, and the present darkness we live in now, I’m inclined to bow my head and pray even harder for those who will be left here. I’m also finding myself so very grateful for those who taught me about Jesus; from my grandmother, to the Sunday school teachers, Summer Bible Camp teachers, pastors, etc., and most of all, Jesus, Himself. Just think, if He hadn’t come and talked to us…If He’d only come and died for us…what we would be missing in terms of love, peace, power, and joy.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Ah, Peace, Be Still!

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are sure to go through some storms in life. We’re told that the enemy attacks the fortress, the stronghold, and not in the desert waste. (quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org)

In my study on Generational Curses, I’ve come across some examples of how Satan works his wiles on us. Adam and Eve are the first example of how Satan veils his true self. First, he veils the anti-Christ. He’s envious of us because we are created in God’s image and after His likeness, and Satan hates Jesus. Secondly. he veils the author of confusion/chaos regarding God’s word. Then, the liar tells Eve she won’t die if she eats from the tree. Next, Satan causes Eve to doubt God’s love for her; His intentions toward her. Satan is the author and director of fear; not God. God is love, and perfect love casts out fear. Finally, we have the deception that the tree will make her wise…Wisdom comes from God, not from a tree. Oh, oh! Next came the storm that had both Adam and Eve hiding and trembling in fear of God.

Can you see the waves coming to buffet the ship here? Yes, it does happen this way all the time. But, when we learn to recognize the one stirring up the storm(s), we can quickly ride the waves to shore. An added plus is that we have Jesus in the boat!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Feeling His Healing Touch

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to wait quietly before the Lord, until we feel that healing power of His touch flowing into, and through us. The only way I can describe that feeling is that it’s as if your entire being is vibrating and glowing with a wholeness and joy that’s unimaginable. It’s almost unbelievable; this feeling.

I learned, some years ago, not to wait until things are overwhelming, or I am at the very end of my rope, with the knot coming undone. Rather, first thing daily, I seek the Lord’s face. I sometimes don’t get to my daily prayer until later, because I’m wrapped up in that time with the Lord. I also learned to turn into that place and wait there the very minute I feel as if the boat’s swamped.

When I read the message, I thought about the woman with the issue of blood. She only touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, and was healed. She touched the Lord. I believe that His Presence there strengthened, not only her resolve, but her efforts to be healed. Have you ever needed peace in the midst of a tumult? And the minute you turn toward the Lord, seeking His Presence, you feel strength come to you. Now, you’re determination to get through is strengthened. Now, you can almost see the sharpness of the Word, as you open your Bible. Now, your voice is strong and clear as you speak to your mountain. John 17:26 – “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” No wonder that strength is there almost immediately…actually, it’s there all the time. We just forget, or lose our connection to it.

I chose this wonderful old song by Tata Vega to go with today’s post. It still fills me with such joy!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Other Version

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So, I there I was, in the ladies room at the courthouse, when I heard this lady singing, what I thought, at first, was Blessed Assurance. But she sang, “Triple insurance, the Countach is mine…I’m a rich woman, because you crossed the line…I got your mansion, the boat, and the car…Oh, thank you, Jesus, it’s been a good day so far…” I almost laughed out loud, but I managed not too.

I don’t think she knew I was in there, because she went on to pray. “Thank you, Lord, for blessing me so richly today. But, Lord, when you said blessings would overtake me, I sure didn’t think you meant that guy would almost run right over the top of me in that intersection. I’m just glad I had the car in park, or I might have rear ended someone too. I almost choked on my handbag! It was the only thing I could find to stuff in my mouth, so she wouldn’t hear me laughing. OMG!!!!!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – September 21, 2019

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“I’m going to sue you to death,” said the woman to the guy who’d just rear ended her. “When I finish with you, I’ll have your mansion, your boat, and that Lamborghini Countach!” The man, a prominent attorney, and the woman’s ex-husband, shook his head in disbelief. “We’ll see about that,” he replied. “You aren’t getting one more red cent out of me!”

The police officer stepped in between the two and said, “Now listen, you both need to calm down so I can take your statements, and get the reports done. You, first, Maam. Tell me what happened.” “Well,” replied the woman, here I was waiting for the light to turn green, when he came roaring up from behind me, crossed over into my lane, and just smashed right into me!” The police officer said, “that must have been scary, to get rear ended like that.” “You bet it was,” replied the woman. “I’m just glad I had the car in park, or I might have gone right into the intersection and hit somebody too.” “Like I said,” said the woman’s ex-husband, “You’re not getting one more red cent out of me!”

I was walking along and I started singing this silly song about a Countach, and the next thing you know, I had this Saturday Silly for you.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Yea, Tho I Walk Through The Valley…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are human, fallible, and that our steps will falter at times. When I read the message, I thought of Peter walking on the water.

If Peter had never taken another step, his life would never have turned out the way it did. Before his life was over, Peter’s mere shadow falling on someone was powerful enough to heal them. Then, there was Peter, denying Jesus. He betrayed the Lord just as much as Judas had. Judas killed himself…never too another step. Peter wept; his heart wrenched with the pain of his cowardice and shame. Then, Peter jumped out of the boat to swim to Jesus on the shore. He was filled with joy at the Lord’s presence. What a beautiful moment! Breakfast with Jesus; I can’t even begin to imagine what that joy bursting within Peter might have felt like…after all that stuff…Wow! Peter might never have known that joy, had he not taken another step after those faltering steps on the water.

The message is that the 23rd Psalm is so very true. The Lord does lead us beside still, or peaceful waters. He does restore our souls. He does lead us in paths of righteousness. His rod and his staff do comfort us when our steps falter. Faltering steps are found in the Valley of the Shadow of Death-especially in the spirit. The shadow is the temptation to quit, to give up, to curl up, and to end up right back where we started from, or someplace even worse. Judas is the prime example. But Jesus is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins. His strength is made perfect in, and through our weaknesses – when we allow Him to save us and bring us through. Remember Peter’s words? “Lord, save me!” We can do the same thing, and boldly; because there is now no condemnation in Christ. We need to take a hint from that. There should be no self-condemnation in us then, either. Remember Jesus’ words to all he healed, and to the woman he save from being killed? “Go in peace.” Go means take steps; keep heading for your horizon, your goal. You are on your way to somewhere, because this is not your home.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He’s in the Boat With You!

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Yes, I’m still smiling…still praising the LORD…and I want to encourage you today, no matter what’s going on around you, how dark it might look, or how wild the wind and waves may be…Jesus is right there in the boat with you. Oh, my soul, be still and know that He is God.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu