You Old Salt, You!

(Luke 14:25-34) (ESV) These verses not only speak of what the cost of discipleship is in terms of relationships, material possessions and temporal acquisitions (necessities), and your time and energy. There’s also a warning here, regarding holding back when it comes to the things we need to confess and give up to the LORD/Lord.

Verses 28-33 tell us why. “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

This takes us back to my post about making a firm decision to make changes. First, you have to consider what it’s going to take, and what you’re willing to give. You have to be willing to give all you’ve got to it, or is won’t work. You can’t put two tires on a car and expect to get anywhere in it. You’ll either be tipped over to one side and get stuck, or you’ll be dragging the rear end. Neither way will get you very far; and pretty soon, that part of the car will be destroyed.

There’s a clue in here about the number of Satan’s minions you’re up against. You’re outnumbered 2 to one, at the very least. The other clue in this verse has to do with God’s power, His protective possessiveness over you, and His steadfast love for you.

When I read this, I think about Mom listening to you whine and come up with reason after reason…and steadfastly, Mom says, “I’m sorry, dear, but my decision is final.” You know you’re not going to win that one, don’t you? Yeah, God’s just like that. “Okay, you asked me to help me, so I’m helping you. And, no; I’m not helping you your way, I’m helping you to do it my way because I know my way works best.” I have to laugh now, but back then it was the most frustrating thing in the world to me. Not the part where God’s going to make me do it His way; but the fact that I’d keep falling back into that mindset.

That brings us to renouncing all that we have. In the Spirit, it means you STOP thinking you have the answers. STOP making the excuses. STOP holding back the confessions and questions. STOP holding on to the pain, anger, self-loathing, etc. All that stuff does is serve the devil and defeat us.

The last verse is about the salt. When I read this, I think about an old Salt (sailor). They do not change their ways! They’ve learned it, they’ve got it down to a science, and you’re not going to throw a monkey wrench into it! That’s exactly the attitude we have to take when we’re making those changes. In the end, it will be so well worth it! You’ll recover your life as it was meant to be; real life. You’ll have so much peace, progress, and power, and so much of it to give to others like you.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Love Them Like He Does

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God provides for his children and the unbelievers alike. We are to do the same; blessing all we can with the temporal and material things as we are blessed. All must, of course, be done lovingly and compassionately. And we must live in true forgiveness. Jesus said, “A new command I give you; love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) “Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.” (Romans 12:8) Jeremy Camp again with “Christ In Me.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Greatest Gifts

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that spiritual giving-of thought, prayer, comfort, love, compassion, etc., is the first level of giving we must attain to. Giving of these spiritual things (they’re needs everyone has), is the very best we can give. These gifts come from within us, as the Holy Spirit has shed His love abroad in our hearts. It’s only after we understand this giving, and practicing it comes as naturally as breathing comes to us, that we can truly understand what giving on the material plane is and does. Material blessings are temporal and temporary. Spiritual blessing is everlasting, and has everlasting effects, on both giver and receiver. “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matt. 6:19-20)

As I’ve been practicing giving on the higher plane, I have realized more readily and powerfully, the presence and working of the Holy Spirit within and round about me. It’s such an awesome thing; and so strengthening.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly-December 5, 2020

I was talking to a friend earlier, about today’s inspirations post from God Calling. It has to do with giving of spiritual things first; then material things. We were also discussing holidays and observances for the month of December. I said, “The 27th is National Fruitcake Day, you know.” My little friend said, “Oh wow, you got your own holiday!” “Ha ha,” said I. “That means I get more gifts, doesn’t it? What are you going to give me for National Fruitcake Day?” She never missed a beat. “Oh, I think I’m going to get you one of those pretty little jackets that buckle in the back,” she replied.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Feeling That Feeling

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to feel the plenty in God’s Kingdom. We are assured that the storehouses of God are filled to overflowing with all of God’s goodness. – For us!

We’re told to walk by faith, not by sight. So, that feeling of plenty is really not a feeling, but a knowing. It is a matter of changing one’s thinking from supplication to thanksgiving. I believe that when we do that, we begin to grow, not only in faith, but in relationship with God. We begin to see that there is much more to God’s supply than material blessing. There is wisdom, courage, creativity, delight, humility, inspiration, joy, knowledge, laughter, love, passion, patience, peace, power, rest, security, steadfastness, strength, talents, understanding, zeal, or excitement. This is all WEALTH! And, see how wealthy you really are?! Yeah! God’s really, really good! My whole being was changed, merely as a result of giving thanks to God each morning, instead of a to-do list. Not that we shouldn’t make our requests known to God, but we should also-and this ties in with yesterday’s post-settle it in our hearts that it’s a done deal. God answered in the beginning! When we can accept that it’s already been done for us, we can start each day with a grateful heart, and the assurance that God’s got us covered.

This is an old one, but such a good one! Thank you, Michael English and the Gatiher Family.

How To Work In Peace

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that disorder and chaos, within or round about us, does not foster effective and successful work. It also stifles and squashes creativity.

The way to work in peace is to have a peaceful work space and atmosphere. That means organization and clean work area(s). Making sure all needed materials are at hand, and organized, and work tools are at hand and ready to use is the next step. Sometimes you may even have to send calls to voicemail, so you can work uninterrupted. This is what God did for us in the Garden of Eden. He put everything needed there, and helped Adam put it in order (naming the animals is labeling everything).

Creating order and peace within is a little harder to do; especially when there are issues you’re dealing with. One of the challenges I had as a battered woman was keeping my mind on task, and not getting ahead of myself in the project I was working on. You’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop then, so your mind races over a million things all throughout your work time. Praise music, or music that soothes your soul and slows your mind down helps quite a bit. it’s also important to continue to increase your spirit in the Word of God, and in positive activities and things that give you energy and increase your self-confidence. As we grow in these, we’re filling up the empty spaces and replacing the negative thoughts and attitudes we’ve had in the past.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:12 ESV) This scripture comes to mind when I read this message. The “world” refers not only unbelievers. It’s also “your world”, and all the things that are going on in it; especially the negative and/or unsettling things. That’s why we’re told: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He Cannot Fail You

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God has promised to provide all we need, every time we need, no matter what we need. (No, I’m not talking about that cold beer, the weed, speed, and what have you. He will provide a way for you to free yourself from the bondage of those things, because He loves you, though.

The Bible tells us that all God’s promises are yes and amen. The message tells us that Jesus, as our Lord, is sworn to protect and provide for us. It took me some time to learn this lesson. When we ask, it is promised that we will receive. However, God uses many channels, God knows what we need most (Father knows best, you know). God also has perfect timing. When I figured that out I realized that I was, either not ready to handle what I was asking for, being averted from a disappointment or disaster, or I was looking in the wrong places for it. Have you ever looked all over the house for your glasses, only to find them on your nose? Yeah, that would be me, if I had to wear them all the time.

The message tells us that we need only a grateful spirit and loving heart to unlock the vastness of God’s provision. I’m not just speaking of material needs. I’m also, and especially speaking of spiritual needs. I think those are even more critical to us, to our success in life. If you’re spirit is lacking in any way, that lack manifests itself in every part of your life. I’m not talking about religious things, here. I’m talking about your confidence, your knowledge, your peace within, your tenacity, your joy and love-of you, of your life, and of life in general.

Sometimes I make a little list of things I’m grateful for. I used to do that daily. Now, I do it when I’m needing a little lift, or when it’s something special that touches me. But, I do start my day with Thank you, Jesus. I have found that the prayers for this or for that, have become fewer, and the supply-especially in spirit, has become greater and greater. “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you,
if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. … ” (Deuteronomy 28:22)

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Give God Some Room

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, brings us a lesson on the law of Divine Supply. We are bid to empty ourselves. We are bid to trust, or rely, on God alone, seeking no other help.

The message bids us to empty our vessels quickly to insure Divine Supply. We are also warned that the more that’s retained by us, the less to be gained from God. That’s because we need to make room for God in our hearts, minds, and hands, in order for Him to be able to work through us. I’ve covered this before from a physical, or material viewpoint. But, God want those who worship Him, to worship in spirit and in truth. We also know that everything manifests first in Spirit, then outwardly. So, this is the spirit part of the lesson of Divine Supply.

When I read the message, I thought of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5-3) Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to poor in spirit. The hungry and thirsty for righteousness will be filled. The pure in heart will see God, and the peacemakers will be called children of God. There’s more, but these points are the ones I want to focus on in this message. They all have to do with emptying ourselves. I have to empty myself of pride to be humble before God, or anyone else, for that matter. Being poor in spirit is exactly that; humility. I have to empty myself of an evil-doer’s mindset, of anger, envy, hatred, dishonesty, etc., to become hungry and thirsty for righteousness. I have to empty myself of doubt and fear to become pure in heart, so I can see God working in my life, and in all that’s around me. I have to empty myself of indifference. laziness and selfishness, to become a peacemaker. Peacemaking not only entails non-violent solutions and such. Peacemaking also entails ensuring the best possible environment for success. Taking dinner to a home-bound senior, or cleaning house for someone who is ill and cannot, is also peacemaking. You are bringing peace to that person’s soul by relieving him/her from loneliness, anxiety, etc. Those things all trouble one’s spirit.

The second thing I thought about when I read today’s message, was something else Jesus said. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Have you ever had a disquieted soul? “What am I going to do now?!” “How are we going to manage without that job?!” “What?! How am I going to feed four more people on such short notice?” -They were in the living room and my husband invited them to stay for dinner. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of time spent with them. But I knew the roast I’d planned for that evening wasn’t going to feed us all. This is where that “Come to me” comes in. Instead of roast, we had stir fry-enough for all, and we feasted. I didn’t know Jesus likes Chinese food, did you? LOL The idea came to me after I looked up and whispered, “Lord, help me feed these people.”

The problems come when we become dependent on material supply. When we do this, we fall into doubt, anxiety, even greed and envy. That’s when we disable Divine Supply. I’m not talking about needing help with basic human needs. This goes much deeper. We cannot measure our ability, or judge our ability according to material supply. When we do that, we’re allowing the supply to rule over us. We are supposed to rule over the supply. The roast turned stir fry is an example of that. It isn’t needing the material supply that’s the problem. The problem is allowing the supply, or lack of it, to control our lives, or dictate to us who we are. We are children of the Most High God. We can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Coypright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, August 7, 2019, 2:52 p.m.

You Must Prepare to Feel the Abundance

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that life can feel like painful preparation. It really isn’t as painful as we like to make it out to be, though, most of the time. This message ties in with Saturday’s message which speaks to us about cultivating and maintaining a feeling of plentiful supply; abundance of life, as well.

Cultivating this feeling is a matter of preparation. Prepare to find the best deals. Prepare to feast, rather than just eat. I wrote about this in a previous post. Little things can make big differences. This feeling is brought to life and kept flowing through our lives when we seek the best in everything; whether it be in material things, or in others around us. As we cultivate this feeling of blessing, rather than one of enduring the “curses” of living, we begin to find more and more blessing, feel more and more blessed, and become more and more blessing to others.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu