Turn It Into Love

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that only love lasts. Only those things done in love will remain. If it isn’t inspired by love, then it is not of godly quality, we’re told.

The message references (1 Cor. 13:1) “f I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” That shakes things up a little every time I read it.

When I read the message, I thought of Jesus and the crippled man He healed. (Matthew 9:1-5) “Which is easier to say, “your sins are forgiven”, or “get up and walk?” Both got the man up on his feet, but one is inspired by love (mercy and grace) – the gift. The other is impersonal and uncaring; and, in that context and tone, demanding. Said the way the Lord, Jesus said it, it inspires hope, peace and courage, and faith. The message tells us that the true test of all our works is this: Is it inspired by love? I had occasion to pray and ask God to strengthen me in this area, just this morning. “Go first and learn what this means: “I desire mercy; and not sacrifice.” (Matt. 9:13)

It’s not easy, and getting harder and harder, to walk this way without faltering, isn’t it? The message bids us to turn out everything unloving in our hearts and lives, so that we might bear much fruit. That’s a two-fold statement. First, we are to strive to always be loving; to let our words and actions be inspired and measured by love. But, what goes in comes out. Therefore, we must also turn out everything that is in our heart, thought life, encounters with others, the television, etc., that is not loving. There are people you may need to spend less time with, there are things you may need to put away, and there are things you may need to change in order to keep unloving things out of your way. This even translates to our home environments and routines. All that negative stuff, and negative energy is distracting and destructive of peace; which is essential for love to thrive. We can get all caught up in hectic and half-hearted spirals of “living” if we’re not careful.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Quicker To Turn To Him

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, assures us that God does not intend for trials and difficulties to arrest our progress. Rather, God uses them to increase our speed.

When I first read this message, I was a little confused; to be honest. Reason being, is that God does not do things in a hurry! He has perfect timing. He also knows how discombobulated I get when I’m rushed. I discovered, through trial and error -(keeping it real), that the increase in speed is meant for our turning to Him in those times of difficulties. God is talking about the little difficulties in daily living, in this message. We’re admonished that we must never let any difficulty conquer us. Rather, we must conquer it.

We’re bid to call on new forces and use new powers in those times. What are those forces? Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ the Lord, and the Holy Spirit. They’re all we need. Our Heavenly Father is sovereign and in control of it all. Jesus gave us His Name, and made known to us everything the Father has given Him. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, sent especially to teach, lead, guide, convict, and comfort us. What more could a girl ask for, eh? What more could a man ask for, for that matter.

There’s always a new power to be discovered within. In the message, we’re told to call them into action; and speedily. You might not think of these as powers, but they really are powerful weapons and/or tools in the spirit. There is the power of prayer, praise &worship, sacrifice – you know, when you give up that Prime Rib dinner so the kids can enjoy Pizza out, during their sleepover party. There’s the power of laughter; which keeps your little sis alive after she spits a wad of bubblegum into your hair-in the middle of the Tokyo airport, in front of about a half troop of soldiers who will be on the same plane as your flying on. LOL

(Luke 21:28) “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” When we lift our heads, we can see a little higher up, and a little farther out. (Philippians 4:8) “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” When we speedily turn to the Lord, and do things His way, calling those powers into action, we can see the pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy…and the most excellent way to handle things. (1 Cor 12:31) “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” -And that would be love.

Jodi, I will get this thing back on track. Happy Belated Birthday! I hope your day was blessed with everything wonderful!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Lord, Help Me To Be Weak

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2Cor. 12:8-10) I posted not too long ago, about asking the Lord to strengthen our faith. “Help my unbelief, Lord,” cried the man whose son was demon possessed. (Mark 9:24) Over the years, I’ve found that He also answers when we ask Him to help us to be weak…in order for His strength to come to, and through us. I know how hard it is at times, in those times, to be the weak me, the real me-even before Him. But, thankfully, He does see our hearts; and rushes right in the instant we cry out to Him. I found this song as I was submerging myself in praise and worship recently. Once again, Thank you, Hillsong, for your faithfulness in helping us to praise and worship the LORD/Lord. I hope you are as blessed by this song as I am!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Tender Lights And Restful Shades

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we walk the same path Jesus walked while on Earth; and still does today, really. I encourage you to read the message yourself, at twolisteners.org – Let your spirit absorb all that it means to have that closeness with the Lord. It really does make living for Him sublime.

The longer we walk that path with the Lord, the more beautiful those tender lights and restful shades become. I find myself caught up in them more frequently as the years go by. I shared a beautiful praise song with you recently. “Show Me Your Face,” is the name of it. You all know that I’m homeless, right? Actually, I’m only houseless. Anyway, one morning last week, after I’d put my bedroll together, I said my morning prayer, and sang my Hallelujahs to the Lord, as usual. And then, I sang just the first line of that beautiful song…”Show me your face, Lord, show me your face. And then gird up my legs so I can stand in this Holy Place…” I’d no sooner sung that line, when a man came around the corner, drove down the street. And, turning around, he pulled up right where I was sitting, and handed me a twenty dollar bill. He said, “God bless you, Sister.” He wished me a good day, and drove away. Ladies and gentlemen, if you don’t think I was basking in those tender lights of Jesus’ love just then…

Same day, a little later, and I was waiting for the bus. I’d been waiting for quite awhile, and I do try to keep a sense of humor. “Oh, Lordy, I’m in fear of that blister, and I can’t walk very far…Oh, Lordy, please have mercy on this sister; send the bus or send a car…” I kind of rewrote a couple of lines from the Renegade song. (It’s an old rock song). Then I said, “Uncle Pete, please turn on the fan and give that bus a tail wind. Please send that bus now. In Jesus’ Name, I ask it. Please, and thank you, Lord.” I looked up, and the bus came around the corner just then. I couldn’t help but laugh…and I could almost swear I heard someone laughing far away, up above me…LOL

That secret path is the one on which all those little joys and treasures, and intimate moments with the Lord are to be found. I wouldn’t want to walk any other path on Earth…and I’m so grateful that He loves me enough share that path with me.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Service-The Privilege Of Kings

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to serve all; to never think any job beneath our dignity. We are reminded that we are showing our love for our Lord, Jesus, in our service to others.

As I read the message, the words of Mother Theresa came to mind: “If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.” That’s such a powerful revelation! That tells me that in serving, and thereby serving the Lord, I am freed, first from the fear of man’s disapproval, and then from the need for his approval.

Service is the privilege of kings and queens. We are crowned with responsibility, hopefully, humility, and leadership. As children of God, and brothers and sisters in the Lord, we all take that leadership role at various different times, and in various different ways. But, the kings and queens who humbled themselves to serve with love are always the ones whose kingdoms endure. When you think of this in terms of your personal kingdom of family and close friends, you can see how this affects the legacy we leave behind. My Dad was one of the greatest examples of humility and service I’ve ever known.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Who Are You?

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to trust Him; to know His divine power. We are to seek safety in the secret place, where His glory dwells.

I was studying Isaiah 51 this morning. Verses 12 and 13 come to mind. “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy?” That’s such a powerful revelation; not only about God’s power, but about who you became when you became a child of God. Did you notice how he’a asking us about being afraid of man-as if there is a differentiation between man and us (the children of God)?

When that hit my spirit, it almost knocked me over. I thought about Jesus’ words: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24-ESV) There is no evil that can defeat us. Jesus has given us power over all the enemy; even death. Our God is an awesome God! By the way, that whole chapter in Isaiah is awesome too.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Know That It’s All Yours & Thank Him

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God’s children are, indeed, very rich. We’re bid never to think or say we can’t afford it. Always, instead, focus on God’s faithfulness to us.

When we say we can’t afford it, we’re actually cutting off supply. We really do need to get those negative words out of our vocabularies! But, what if we say, “I will need to save up for that. Maybe I can change some things in the budget. Maybe I can take on a little extra work.” That’s possibility thinking, or hope. Then, we follow through; putting our faith into action, and trusting God to bring it all to pass. The heart of man plans his course, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Prov. 16:9) (ESV) Notice that you must plan in order for God to work it out.

Something I’ve found to be helpful in trusting God for supply, is to affirm to myself daily that in Christ Jesus, it truly is all mine. The second thing is to just thank God daily for it. Healing in my body, heart, mind, and soul includes adequate nourishment-and folks, I FEAST! I really do. It never fails that some of my favorite things, and good for me things are marked down when I get to the store. Sometimes, I’ve even had a craving for something in particular, and sure enough; someone drives up and hands it to me. God’s awesome! As long as I have wholeness/soundness in my body, heart, mind, and soul, I know I’ve got what I need. The rest manifests as God chooses to give it; and He does know best. He has perfect timing, too.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

It’s About The Beauty Of The Lord

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that everything we need can be found in our Lord, Jesus Christ. That statement carries the most powerful revelation you’ll ever get in this life. Ready?

God is love. (1John 4:16) Jesus said, “when you see me, you’ve seen the Father.” (John 12:45, 14:9) Thus, Jesus is LOVE, personified. Everything love is, is Jesus. (1 Cor. 13:4-13, Gal. 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:8-10)

Psalm 27:4 – “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” This Psalm is referenced by the message in the book. All of the above scriptures tell me that love is my most crucial need. It tells me that love is my most powerful weapon, tool, medicine, nourishment, shield, comforter, and inspiration. It’s all I need, and the rest will follow. (Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and all these shall be added unto you as well.) – Matt 6:33 And, all the other things of the Spirit, can, and will be found by you, in Christ Jesus, as well.

That’s the revelation. Seek Him first. Seek out everything about Him; all He is and all He has. That’s what you are meant to be, were created to be, and what you have, and have had from the beginning. It is rightfully yours as a child of God. Take it, hold fast to it. Don’t let go of it, no matter what. Just like he did with Adam and Eve, Satan is trying to get you to turn loose of it. They already were like God. “Let us make man in our image (LOVE), and after our likeness (LOVE).” (Genesis 1:26) Once you see, and experience the beauty of love, as it is meant to be, there is nothing more desirable.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Other Version

eden08122015

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

eden08122015

“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