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

Oh, The Wonder& Joy In Those

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that life is not all toil and tribulation. God, who has fashioned us -that’s in Psalm 119:73 – makes sure to put those restful places on the paths for us.

When I read this message, I think about living in Virginia. There was a trail, through the forest, that led to a riding arena. I loved to walk that trail! It was my place of refreshing, of quieting my soul. I didn’t think about it that way then, but that’s exactly what God was doing for me. He was refreshing my spirit and quieting my soul with each step I took. I can almost still smell the scent of the trees and the stables as I would near them.

Sometimes we have to seek out those places. I’ve always found that the farther away from the city’s hustle and bustle I get, the easier it is to find them. If you can’t get out into nature, try a zoo, or other nature exhibit. We do have some awesome ones right here in Las Vegas. Shark Reef and Sigfried & Roy’s Secret Garden are two that come to mind. I’ve been to both places, and absolutely loved them! Taking some walks on those quiet paths is a good habit to get into, for refreshing and quieting your soul.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

It Might Just Be For Your Tomorrow

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell reminds us that we are athletes in training. We are not running a short sprint race. We are running a much greater, and longer race than that.

We are supposed to reach the whole world, you see. That means we have a long way to go, don’t we? It’s a lifelong race, and sometimes grueling and painful. I learned something looking back over my life one day. So many things I had gone through prepared me for so many people and places I would find myself dealing with and working in, in the future. This is what God means when He says He’ll give us treasures in darkness, and rivers in dry places.

In looking back, I also discovered something else. Those wonderful play-times with my grandmother, the games and puzzles, and all those other things I loved so much, and was encouraged in, were things that played a part in my calling(s). As I’m studying out how God deals with us, how He draws us, calls us, and prepares us, I see why God puts all those little interests, gifts, and talents within us. Theses are the things He uses to draw us to the paths we are to walk in life. That’s why it’s important to foster creativity in our children, and to help them develop their interests and talents.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Only Wide Enough For Two

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us, as Jesus did, to enter by the narrow gate. Actually, the message speaks of walking a narrow way, or path.

When you put this together with the rest of the message, which is about physical weariness, frustration, and mind and soul weariness, the narrow gate and path make sense. The narrow gate is one that only opens wide enough for one to pass through. That one is you. The narrow path is also only wide enough for you to walk down. But, in terms of your spiritual well-being, and the growth of your faith, you need to seek the Lord alone. That’s true especially when one’s soul is troubled. Jesus deals with everyone, one on one. You need to leave the crowd on the boulevard, and travel that narrow path to the narrow gate alone. It’s there that you’ll find the Lord waiting. It’s there that you can enter in to the healing presence.

Even in the midst of the largest congregations and meetings, you must enter in to the presence of the Holy Spirit alone. God want those who worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth. So, while the entire congregation is there in the meeting, each one must seek Him and enter in, alone. Finally, the path to healing, for anyone, must be walked alone-with the Lord. Even the path the leads to the narrow gate is not too narrow that He won’t walk it with you. He’s the one who will give you the courage and determination to walk it. He’s also the one who will give you the courage and determination to walk the path to victory. You are the one who needs to walk it out, so naturally, it’s only wide enough for you and Jesus.

All those well-meaning family members and friends can be a hindrance on that path to healing. They can trip you up because they don’t want to hurt you; or, sometimes because they do. They’re famous for allowing you to keep those rose colored glasses on-when you really should take them off. Sometimes, that’s because they’ve got their own pair of rose colored glasses on. That’s why you need to walk it yourself. When you get honest with yourself, that wide way you’ve been going and living, begins to narrow down pretty quickly. Sometimes it’s painful, but Jesus is right there with you. And, as your healing progresses, you’ll find the new path ahead of you will widen as you’re ready to handle it.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Staying Close To The Lord

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us to stay very close to the Lord; to remain always in His Presence.

This is going to be a short and sweet one. As I’ve said before, that closeness comes from seeking God in everything around us. It comes by staying in His Word, through prayer, and through praise. It also comes through that joy we carry within as a result of our seeking Him and abiding in His Presence.

Whenever I feel as if there’s a distance between my spirit and the Lord, I look around to see where I’m at, what am I doing, what am I not doing. Usually, I find that I’ve gotten off the path and am slipping in my standards and boundaries things…my diligence is lacking, etc. That’s when it’s time to turn and start seeking Him like a little child that’s lost his/her momma would.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu