Generations Behind You

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 112. It gives us a picture of just how much our faithfulness and obedience to God means to our children and grandchildren…and even theirs. Generations behind us can be blessed by our faithfulness and obedience. The psalm is a short one, so I posted the whole thing.

“Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!
His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!”

Boy, am I humbled reading this! And, boy, am I grateful when I read this; for those in the generations ahead of me, who were faithful and obedient. Thank you, LORD/Lord, for my grandmother! Thank you, Oma, for teaching me about God’s love, and for showing me His love in you!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Sowing & Reaping

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 85. It’s very encouraging, and hopefully, it will strengthen your faith and your commitment to God.

“LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.” These are verses 1-3 of the psalm. (ESV) This is a reminder of our salvation; of God’s love for, and toward us. Look closely. God covered ALL of our sin, and withdrew ALL of His wrath, turning from His anger. That means when you do mess up, you can go boldly to the throne of grace, confess to Him, and be, not only forgiven, but be instructed and helped to make it right. (Heb. 4:16) Is that awesome?! Yes!

Verse 5 asks the questions: “Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?” That was answered in part, in the first three verses. God does not punish the generations behind us for our sins, or for the sins of our fathers, and so on. (Deut. 26:24) There’s a promise regarding generational curses in (Jeremiah 31:29). “In those days they shall no longer say: “‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’” That’s a promise that we can, and will overcome those generational curses, and all the dysfunction that comes with them, in our own generation, if we’re willing. Yay, for me and my kids, and so on, and so on!

Verses 8 & 9 are the key to making that happen. “Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.”

The last four verses of the psalm show us the sowing and reaping part. “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.” When we show steadfast love, we reap faithfulness, because we’re empowering trust. “Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.” The world around us (from inner circle to community) reaps the benefits, as well. “Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. When we follow in God’s footsteps, which Jesus gave us a picture of, we’re leaving footprints for others to follow.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – January 9, 2021

My cousin’s wife has been wanting breast implants for about the last three years, now. He said it’s all he hears about. My cousin is kind of a smart aleck, so when he saw this certain billboard, he couldn’t resist. The billboard read: “Growing healthcare options right in your own backyard.” He called his wife on his cell-phone, and asked her if she’d like him to pick up a pot of breasts. Needless to say, he was in the dog house with his wife. When he told me what he’d done, I said, “Gee, I should see if they have some teeth.” My cousin replied, “you better wait till you have a home again. Now, you’d have to carry them around in your cart; and they’d be rattling all the time over the bumpy sidewalks. Besides, that, there’s not much room in your little “tent.” They might bite you in the butt.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – August 22, 2020

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day! I wonder if I knocked out the rest of my teeth, would the tooth fairy keep the dime and bring me some dentures instead. Something to pray for….since today’s message from God Calling bids us to offer up our troubles daily, for some soul in need of help, or for some special prayer.

Today in history, 1911 to be exact, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre museum. That’s really encouraging to me. I bet the tooth fairy took her to get her some dentures. That’s probably why she never smiled; she didn’t have good teeth anymore, either.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – September 14, 2019

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The husband woke up with a start as his wife poked him in the ribs, almost shouting, “Honey, it’s time; the baby’s coming.” As soon as he was dressed, and the “delivery day,” suitcase was in the car, along with mommy and baby, they headed for the hospital. How exciting!

About 3 1/2 hours later, the labor pains increased in intensity. Mommy was already tired of this ordeal. “Oh, I wish this baby would hurry up and get here already,” she said. “Where’s your faith,” asked Daddy. “Hang in there, Honey; God’s got perfect timing,” he said. She gritted her teeth, moaned, and squeezed Daddy’s hand as hard as she could when the next pain came.. “Ouch,” exclaimed Daddy. “Do you have to squeeze that hard?” Mommy wasn’t impressed with Daddy’s attitude. You promised you’d be here for me, Honey,” Mommy said. “Remember, we’re in this together.” “I know, I know,” said Daddy. “I just need a little break. Think I’ll go get some coffee, if you don’t mind.” Then Daddy realized that he’d forgotten his wallet. “Honey, do you have any cash on you? I forgot my wallet in the rush to get here,” said Daddy. Mommy, still a little miffed, and very much in pain, replied, “Silver and gold have I none, but what I do have, in Jesus’ Name, I give to you.” Daddy doubled over instantly, and dropped to his knees, clutching his tummy. There he was, in pain as that stomach flu hit him and caused those awful cramps. Daddy woke up from his dream with a start. He looked at Mommy, who was sound asleep and smiling. “Lord,” Daddy prayed, “please don’t let me forget my wallet when it’s time…and please help me be a good helper in the delivery room.” LOL

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, is about when faith fails. It’s a good one, and I hope you’ll check it out at twolisteners.org. When I read it, I thought of Peter trying to walk on the water…and later, healing a crippled man with those very words: Silver and gold have I none, but what I do have, in Jesus’ Name, I give to you. That inspired this little story. I wish I’d thought of that when I was having my babies…I’m kidding, their dad was awesome in the delivery room.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Your Second Childhood Awaits You

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we must be born again to enter the kingdom of Heaven. We are bid to become as little children. Quoting directly from the message: “Seek in every way to become child-like. Seek, seek, seek until you find, until the years have added to your nature that of the trusting child. Not only for its simple trust must you copy the child-spirit, but for its joy in life, it’s ready laughter, its lack of criticism, its desire to share all with all men. Ask much that you may become as little children, friendly and loving towards all — not critical, not fearful.”

Remember when you were invincible? I have a few scars to prove I was. LOL We’re told that faith is a child-like attitude. What gets my attention in this message, is that statement that tells us to seek until the years had added to our nature, that of a trusting child. Remember when you were afraid to raise your hand and give the answer? Yeah, how embarrassing if you were to be wrong, right? That’s an especially tough one in junior high school. Doubt and distrust are very insidious. They’re very sneaky, and have many faces.

I remember the day I said, “no more of this!” I can’t tell you how many opportunities I had to slip back into doubt and distrust. I lost count some time ago, how often the opportunity to get depressed over everything that’s gone, or is going wrong. And, I’m proud to tell you that I started winning those little battles awhile back. I had to remind myself daily that I was choosing peace, joy, and positive thought and attitude. I have to laugh, because there were some times when I was positively dragging my feet or clenching my jaw and talking through gritted teeth…But, I’m doing it God’s way, even when I’m positive it’s going to kill me; just kill me. Nope, it hasn’t yet. Actually, that’s not entirely true. You see, it does kill me. Then, I’m reborn, and can enjoy the childlike trust, joy, peace, and power of a child of God. Yes, I did say power. “Created in His image, after His likeness…” Go ahead; step into your second childhood. It’ll be awesome!

If you’re not already, I want to encourage you to read the actual messages from God Calling, at twolisteners.org for yourself. You’ll get so much more out of these posts, and vice versa.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

God Inspired Attitudes and Thoughts

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that was we look to God, and walk in His ways, our attitudes and thoughts become God inspired. Sometimes it takes a deliberate choice-gritting your teeth and seeking His face, and then going through the motions-not just for show, but making yourself do the right thing, think the right thing, etc. In the end, it’s all worth it; and I’ve found that most of the time I have to laugh because it suddenly doesn’t seem like such a big thing after all. There have been times in my walk with the Lord when I actually had to read the list in 1 Cor. 13, regarding love, to get myself back in the right frame of mind and on the right path. Do whatever you have to do, and no matter what, don’t give up on your faith, or on yourself!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu