Simply Put

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 116. It’s one that reminds us to just stand up and tell the truth. Simply put, “Get real,” it says. LOL I want to focus on verses 5-7, but I hope you’ll read the entire psalm for yourselves. It’s a good check point.

“Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.”

Did you get that part about God being righteous and merciful? The one reason we’re afraid to get real with Him, I think, is because we don’t get that. God always judges rightly. He sees our hearts. God is always merciful. It may not seem like it when the stuff hits the fan in your life. but God is always merciful. All that stuff is what you’re reaping from something you’ve sown. Even then, God is merciful to us and deals bountifully with us. He gives us the strength to get through it, and the wisdom to learn from it, if we allow Him to. That’s where that “get real,” thing comes in. You can’t play games with God; He knows everything! So, if you’re not fooling Jesus, who are you fooling? That’s right; you’re fooling yourself. I’m speaking from personal experience. It works so much better and so much faster when you just get real; with Him, and with yourself. Then, your soul can be at rest (peace) to learn, correct, and overcome that thing that got you. Before you know it, the mess is cleaned up, God loves you and has you loving yourself even more than you did back then, and it’s all good. LOL

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

New Year…New Poetry

I had just thought about how nice it was to have the warm Spring weather break, and thought how I’d love it to stay. I looked up at the sky, and there were the clouds, streaked with light pink, and stretched out as if they were making their exit…perhaps to let me have my way…LOL They inspired this little poem. They also made me think of a message from God Calling, that tells us that Jesus is Lord of the moments…this was one of mine.

Clouds at Play on a January Day…

The clouds are playing tricks again; they do it every year…They convince us that they’re moving on, but end up staying here.

My Dear, you cannot fool me anymore; I know that Spring is nowhere near the door just yet; so, just forget it darlings.

But, I do appreciate your trying to cheer me with those soft pink hues; ah, yes, I do. You know how much I cherish them. And, oh, my fluffy, floating loves, I also cherish you.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He Can Clear The Blockages

I said that to say this…

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that self kills power. When we operate in the wrong spirit, we block the Holy Spirit. Operating in the wrong spirit includes things like anger, fear, frustration, greed –this includes those attention grabbers, etc. This is all the flesh trying to be in control.

I anagrammed the word “SELFISH” once. It comes to this: FLESH IS – SELFISH, or SELFISH – IS FLESH. I recall many holidays spent sort of like Sadie’s Granny…family gatherings are the perfect setup for the flesh to get in the way of the spirit. In terms of generational curses, they’re also the perfect excuse for the addict, the alcoholic, the people pleaser, the person who just can’t be pleased, the fixer, and the martyr; just to name a few. The stage is set as soon as the invitations go out, and the “play” begins as soon as the first guest walks through the door.

When we let God work in us, and through us, we can begin to see how all the players are connected. We can begin to see the connections we, as individuals have to the alcohol, the drugs, the fear, the frustration, etc. God’s love empowers us to overcome the fear of seeing the truth(s) within. When we can do that, we overcome the fear of seeing the truths in our little world(s). The connections can be clearly seen.

I used to drink to excess out of anger, frustration, and pain. Of course, I never saw the connections between my excessive use of alcohol and the consequences of losing control. I saw those things as separate events-before I was able to look at the truth. When we become able to see the truth(s) and make the connections between our emotions, our behaviors, and the consequences, changes can begin to happen. We become empowered to recognize triggers (emotions), make better choices (behaviors), and have better consequences (peace, progress, power). Don’t forget the joy, joy, joy! That’s what life should be; joyous, even in the midst of the storms.

When we can come to the point where the Holy Spirit can flow through us, we can truly become powerful forces to help others rise up out of those pits of generational curses. I’ve been able, for some time now, to laugh at the spirit of those old “drunken sweet potato” holidays. But before I was able to make the connections, there were a lot of tears, and some horrendous encounters with my flesh.

Happy Birthday, Katrina! I hope your day was blessed with all things beautiful. I know it’s coming a day late for you, but I’m going to try to get back on track with this stuff.

Love you from Café du Mondieu

Limit Yourself – Limit God

And vice versa. Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we “have not because we ask not; or because we ask amiss.”(James 4:2-3)

There’s a statement in the message (quoting directly): “I desire to give you a gift, and if you are content with the poor, and the mean, and the sordid, then you are insulting Me, the Giver.” When I thought about this, I thought about all the scriptures dealing with money, and about what Jesus said about overly worrying about things like food, clothing, etc. (Matt. 6:30-32) He said that the pagans/gentiles run after all these things, and our heavenly Father already knows that we need them. We are to seek first, the Kingdom of Heaven. All that other stuff comes with it.

I believe the gift(s) God desires to give us are the many knacks, talents, ideas, strengths, and joys of creativity, peace, love, and joy He has put within us. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) How much we cheat ourselves out of when we settle for mere survival. Jesus said, “I’ve come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” That’s the difference between two plates of food and two beverages on the table…and the same meal served on a table bedecked with a tablecloth, and perhaps a little candle light and/or a vase with a rosebud or some other flower(s)…perhaps a little music softly playing in the background to create an ambiance. There’s a glimpse of that creative and romantic spark within.

We limit ourselves when we don’t open ourselves to possibility, because God is possibility. Without Him, it would not be possible for us to be saved, and saved daily from so much. We limit God when we limit ourselves. Jesus said all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27) Our poor world has such great needs; only a great, great God can meet them. We do Him a great injustice when we limit Him by limiting our vision, and our faith.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Let It Play Within All Day Long

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is the prayer of faith that rises to God’s ears. The real prayer, we’re told, is the one that celebrates God’s love for us, and our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org “The prayer of real faith is the prayer of joy.”

Some days are tougher than others to get through. Something that has been of such a great help to me on those days, is to hear, and stir up that beautiful praise within throughout the day. I sing it, I hear it in my mind…all day long. The lord inhabits the praises of His people; and this is one of those songs that just explodes strength within. I hope you’re reminded of, and blessed by this on your next tough day. Thank you, Third Day; you make that walk so much easier and more beautiful for us all.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – August 15, 2020

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A friend and I were discussing recent news headlines. This included the Corona virus relief plan negotiations and Nancy Pelosi. The lady definitely does play hardball, doesn’t she? My friend-not a fan of Ms. Pelosi’s either, said, “Somebody needs to put that woman into a suitcase, and send her into outer space on the next rocket they launch.”

Being a Christian, I really don’t get too excited about politics. I try to stay aware of what’s going on, but I trust the Lord. God’s got it under control. I believe that with all my heart. Anyway, what came to mind was this image of all these little demons and devils and such, on all the planets out there, packing their belongings up and heading for the Black Hole in outer space… can’t you just hear them…-“OMG! They’re sending her out here! Oh, HELL NO!!” I laughed out loud; because the next thing I thought of was Hebrews 12:26, where God says, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

A Freewill Offering Of Prayer

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to pray for a situation to be righted, or for a person to be changed-immediately as an adversity is occurring. We’re told that it’s our responsibility.

I never really thought about it like this before, but it’s just like stepping in between the bully on the playground and your brother or sister. Only the fight is in the Spirit, isn’t it? Hosea 14:2 (NIV) says it this way: “Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.” Isaiah 58:12 (ESV) tells us, “your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” When I think of this, I have to rejoice; especially in today’s hurting world. We have the power to change the tide for someone in a future generation, just by praying for someone. That brings me to what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matt. 5:9 -NIV)

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