Saturday Swap-Sept. 10, 2022

Ah, September holidays and observances had me coming up with some ideas. It’s better breakfast month, apple month, self-care awareness month -that’s important. Today is Swap Ideas day, so I thought I’d share one that covers all the others I mentioned.

You’ll need some toaster waffles, some diced apples or apple pie filling, some brown and serve sausages, sliced, a little cinnamon and sugar, and maple syrup, or caramel syrup. You can use little smokies sliced, if you like instead of regular sausage.

Toast the waffles. On each waffle, sprinkle some diced apple, or spread a little apple pie filling, add some of the sausage slices, sprinkle with a little cinnamon and sugar, and drizzle with a little maple or caramel syrup. It’s a yummy weekend breakfast treat. Mmm, of course, don’t forget that cup of Espresso or Latte.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

In Meekness Lies Victory

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that it is the meek who inherit the earth. Meekness is willingness to be taught, or guided/led. It is the stopping all thought, all action, and laying down our will and our understanding. It is giving ourselves over to God’s Will.

Do you know that we cannot fail when we do that? In that meekness, we gain strength, we gain knowledge, we gain courage…whatever it is you need in those moments, God’s got it for you. He can’t give it to you, though, if your hands are tightly clutching everything you know, everything you think, everything you feel. I wrote a psalm once, and one of the lines comes to mind as I read this message. “You could have left me there, in my own understanding, but you took my place for me…” When we yield our will, God can step in and do exactly that. His mind (the mind of Christ) takes the place of ours. His courage comes to your heart. His peace and faith wash over you. It is in that meekness, that our victory lies. “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” (2Cor. 12:9) Whenever self decreases and allows God to increase, strength comes…perfectly.

This is one of my favorite songs; especially when I’m in need of laying down my will and letting God work in, and through me. Thank you, Gaither family.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Walk In That Promise

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is the only source of supply. Everything else is a resource. We are bid to hold fast to that truth, and to trust and walk in God’s promises. Isaiah 45:22 is referenced; but I found some verses that outline that promise to provide for us.

(Isaiah 45:1-3) Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” *(Yes, we are anointed, and He has grasped our right hand.)

By this, we can clearly see that no nation, nor any king can stand against our God. He goes before us to open doors and prevent access from being cut off to us. That means you’re going to get where you need to be to be helped. He levels the exalted places; which are not only places that may try to keep us out (the exclusives), but also included are the thoughts and attitudes of others, and ourselves, that would prevent us from getting our needs met. Doors of bronze and bars of iron keep us in and out. Doors of bronze represent judgment against us. Bars of Iron represent imprisonment; in a certain class, or place (keeping you in your place), and in certain mindsets. (lack of self esteem, lack of education, etc.) God will illuminate truth for us, and reveal whatever information we may need to get where we need to be, are called to be, want to be. Yes, even our wants are of concern to Him. (Psalm 37:4) “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” When we see God as the source of all we need, and seek Him for all we need, God reveals Himself and all we need to know, in order to receive what we need.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Every Day It’s There For Us

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that for every task given us, God supplies all that we need to get the job done. We are admonished not to fear, and to claim the wisdom and strength we need; sure that it is there for us.

There’s a statement in the message: “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” That’s a powerful revelation about choosing to have a good day, or a bad one. One thing that helped me so much to have the day, instead of the day having me, is my morning time with the LORD/Lord. Whether it’s in prayer or praise, make time for God first thing. That sets the tone for the rest of the day. It’s like giving, and receiving that all important hug! I hope you’ll be as blessed by this song as I am. There truly is nobody like our Lord, Jesus! Thank you, Paul Wilbur.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Oh, That Touch

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that our Lord is ever present with us. We are reminded that His touch brings, not only healing, but guidance, and comfort. It isn’t just healing, guidance, and comfort that that touch brings us. Sometimes, I feel that touch as I’m doing my Bible study. I always come away with a wonderful little nugget of truth that empowers my walk with Him. I hope you’ll read the message for yourselves at twolisteners.org

That little nugget of truth came through that touch recently. I was doing my study on generational curses, and was led to Genesis 2:15-17. I believe, since we are created in God’s image, after His likeness, we already have the knowledge of both good and evil within us. (Genesis 1:26-27) We just didn’t have the wisdom we needed in regard to good and evil. Remember God walked and talked with them in the cool of the day. So, it is possible that Satan thought he’d get a head-start on destruction.

One of the keys to overcoming generational curses is mastering the knowledge of good and evil. It is not the knowledge of good and evil that will kill you. It is eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil that will either kill you, or bring you life. Eating the fruit of the knowledge of good will destroy your fleshly, worldly, and evil tendencies. It will also destroy the fallout, or spiritual damage to you caused by the evil in the world around you. Likewise, eating the fruit of the knowledge of evil will destroy good in your life, and even the desire in you, to do good.

Example: You see someone homeless on the street. You’ve just purchased breakfast, and got a two for one deal. The fruit of the knowledge of good is your desire to offer this person the other breakfast. (compassion) You do (partaking of the fruit), and a little faith and hope comes alive in that person. (There’s somebody who does care) The other example: The scenario is the same. Only this time, you think about being able to sleep in, and having this extra breakfast tomorrow morning. You won’t have to stop for it on the way to work. (Self, Selfish) You do not offer it to that person, but go on your way (partaking of the fruit of evil) Not that thinking about yourself is evil, but when you see a person who’s homeless and obviously hungry, and you do have enough…isn’t ignoring that and walking away what Satan would do?

That little “touch” made me realize how much easier choosing is when we see exactly what it is being offered us.

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

Learning Restraint

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there’s a time, a place, and a way. God, knows all; especially all hearts. We are told that His power to save increases as our understanding of His Salvation increases. He never forces Himself on anyone; never rushes in too soon to save us. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t want to help us. It simply means that we will be helped more by learning and doing ourselves. It’s the “hands on” learning experience that strengthens us; building up the confidence, or faith, we need in Him and in ourselves. Part of being a child of God, a parent, a friend, is exercising that same restraint.

We are reminded that God’s power is limited only by our lack of vision. This makes me think of Jesus and the man at the pool at Bethesda. When Jesus saw how long he’d been lying there like that, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6) There’s a powerful revelation in that; especially when we’re dealing with generational curses. We have to ask ourselves that same question.

There’s another statement Jesus made that comes to mind here. He said to a lame man that He had healed, “See, you are well.” (John 5:14 ESV) If you take the comma out of that sentence, you get this: See you are well. This has to do with vision. It has to do with a new horizon for you. Look forward to where you want to be (your horizon), and see yourself well, successful, etc. This is the transformation part of being saved. (Romans 12:12) We change our thinking and walk in the new ways. We don’t have to wait to walk in the new ways. God sees us as righteous, victorious, and glorious the instant we accept Jesus as our Lord, and become God’s children. However, restraint is also necessary here. We need to learn to wait on the Lord, and let Him lead us at times. We also need to keep in mind that He may withhold things until we are ready for them.

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

Saturday Silly, September 26, 2020

I was on the bus recently, and passed a little place that reminded me of my drinking days. It also reminded me of an old friend. She had a real funny sense of humor…and it never failed; she always got me with it! Always!

One night, she and I were out and about, in a little town not far from Billings. We were looking for a place to have a drink and maybe shoot some pool. As we pulled up to a local bar there, my friend read the sign in their big front window, and said to me, “Crafty Beer Liquor? Wow! Wouldn’t it be cheaper if they just used bar mops? I mean, they’re a dollar a dozen. They have to pay that guy or girl $7.50 an hour to lick that beer up!”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Work At Resting

Today’s message from God Calling – A. J. Russell, bids us to come unto Him; and to stay with Him. The Lord’s presence, you see, is our Sabbath rest. The Sabbath is holy to the LORD/Lord; and that holiness surrounds us as we rest in Him.

It is in the resting in the presence of the LORD/Lord, that power comes to us. “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) “…in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15) My life changed completely, when I learned to just walk in that rest. I learned to stay there at all costs. No, things still don’t always go right; yes, I still get angry, frustrated, upset, etc. But, I can, and do, go right back into that rest immediately, or asap, when I do lose it. It’s a matter of working at it, until we get it so right the devil can’t pull us out anymore. It’s just like that seventy times seven forgiveness thing – in other words, “do it until it comes naturally to you.”

Happy Birthday, my love! My first baby girl is celebrating her 40th birthday today. May your day be blessed with all the love, joy, laughter, and beautiful memories your heart can hold…and then some. And may I tell you, you are my “and them some!” Love you!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu