They’re Just Gone From Here…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that our loved ones are not gone. They are just gone from here. But they are freed from all human limitations, rejoicing, and serving the Lord in Heaven.

The message tells us that they can also protect us, minister to us, and even intercede for us. This is where all kinds of arguments get started, isn’t it? I believe this is true. In the Bible, we can read about the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man asked that someone be sent to his family members on Earth, to warn them. Another Lazarus in the Bible died, and his sisters, Mary and Martha were quite upset with Jesus about it. Jesus told them Lazarus was only sleeping. He told Jairus the same thing about his daughter. The Bible tells us that Jesus conquered death and the grave. We’re told that He has the keys to death and Hades. Those are just some examples of scriptures that tells us death is not final.

I have had countless experiences such as hearing my mother’s voice-from memory, warning me about something, as I’m trying to decide what to do, whom to believe, etc. There have been times when I was sick, and heard her voice in my sleep, comforting me like she did when she was alive. There isn’t a holiday that goes by without my feeling her presence in the kitchen as I’m cooking. Whenever I see a bouquet of red carnations, I can see her smiling; they were her favorites. Those are some of the ways in which our loved ones stay with us. We also keep them alive here with us when we share memories of them with friends and family. It’s especially important to share those with the next generations. But, have you ever just had this feeling, or something just told you not to go somewhere or do something, etc.? Could that have been dear old Mom or Dad? I can’t say for sure it was. But I can say for sure that God can do anything; and will do whatever He has to, to protect us. As for that interceding part…well, all I have to say is, “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Gramps, and all of my buds who got that before me, if you do. I need all the help I can get!” I believe with all my heart, they’re not gone; just gone from here.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Count Your Blessings

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Happy September! Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us realize how rich, indeed, we really are. We have Jesus, all His love, grace, patience, kindness, strength, power, authority, peace, and joy…the list goes on and on. How can we fear the future, when Jesus holds it in His hands?

When I read the message, I thought about how blessed I was to listen to some good music over the last two weekends. There were free concerts on Fremont Street Experience, here in Las Vegas. I had to thank God, when I read this message, that I am able to hear the music. I also think about how much I enjoy the taste of my morning coffee; especially when it’s a good cup of coffee. Being able to take deep breaths is another treasure, after my ordeal a few summers ago, when my lungs crashed.

I don’t really fear the future. There are things I want to get done while I can do them; but I know God’s got my life in His hands. He holds the future. All of that peace and joy came through Jesus Christ, our Lord. While we can’t just wander aimlessly through life, we can be sure we’re going to survive it. LOL There is truly so much to be grateful for. When we pay attention to those little things we often don’t think about, we can realize that we have been blessed and given such treasures. I think of that “pressed down, shaken together, and running over,” scripture. Our God is a good God!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Giving To The Stuff In Your Life

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we’re supposed to be givers. Our Heavenly Father is a great giver. He gives generously, and adds no sorrow to it. We’re bid to give abundantly, feeling that we’re rich.

We’re bid to give of our thought, our time, personal ease, warmth, give of all we have. Give, give, give. We often don’t even realize that we’re giving, as we interact with others. That smile and greeting is a gift to the one it’s intended for. One never knows how much that might mean to that person, either.

What we often forget to do, is to give to the stuff in our lives. I’ve been designing my future home; shopping online for the things I’ll be putting into my home. I’m finding the longer I’m at it, the more of myself I’m giving to it. I mean, my joy in certain things, my ideals, my pet things, etc., I’m finding is spilling over into my search. As it does that, the whole thing is taking on a life of it’s own-that radiates my personality, my warmth, joy, peace, etc. It’s so exciting! I’m looking forward, joyfully, to bringing the whole thing together.

It made me think about how often we forget to give-of ourselves, our personal joys, pleasures, ideals, etc., to the things we surround ourselves with. How often do we sort of just go through those projects, events, etc., without really being present in them. I’ve done that at times, and ended up wondering what was I thinking when I was working on this? It didn’t even come close to reflecting me!

When we’re mindful to give of ourselves to the stuff that makes up our lives, we can create much better, much more uplifting, much more powerful and effective environments for ourselves. That then empowers us to be even greater givers to others and the stuff in their lives.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Every Day Is A New One

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God does, indeed, make all things new.

That might not fully hit you until you take a minute to think about those days you finally got there, it finally all came together, it went right this time! “Behold, I make all things new,” said the Lord. When I thought about that, and all those times, I realized I’m a new me every day, too.

What I mean is that, even though I’m the same person, I’m growing and gaining strength, patience, wisdom, all kinds of stuff. So, really, I’m not the same as I was yesterday. Today, I’m even better than I was yesterday. You might not notice it at first, but it’s true.

The message speaks of becoming free of poverty and worry/fear. That makes me think of Jesus’ words about worshiping God in spirit and in truth. I also think about His question: “If the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness?” We are rich or poor in power, according to our poverty or wealth of spirit. “As a man thinks, so is he,” is a very powerful truth. If I’m new every day, even better than I was yesterday, perhaps I can do today, what I could not do yesterday. Don’t give up! Get a little newer, better-with your attitude, your patience, your perseverance, your love and joy of, and in life.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu