The Richest Girl In The World

…Is Daddy’s girl! Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to “lay up treasure in Heaven,” and to set our affections on those things. They are higher than anything we’ll ever find here. And, they are the ones that will endure forever.

My first treasure is my Jesus and my Heavenly Father! Then, there’s the privilege of communicating with them; the privilege of prayer. My children, grandchildren, family and friends are great treasures. I have some beautiful people in my life! There is the sun to warm me, the wind to cool me, the stars to count -because sheep can’t jump that high, the moon to dream over, the water to hydrate, wash, and entertain me. (I love to swim and fish) I know, I know-those are temporal things; but God sends them at exactly the right time, every time.

There are those few moments in the morning, as I’m saying my prayer…this warm hush comes over my spirit, and I can almost feel the Lord wrapping His arms around me. What a way to start the day! I could go on with this list, but it would never end. When I think about having to fight for every breath I took, and being able to breathe deeply now, I’m overcome with tears of gratitude. Healing and health are two great treasures. And, I’m not getting old; just older. See, already I’m winning that battle! LOL

I have the peace and joy of the Lord, within, and once everything gets down to a dull roar, round about me too. That’s the second most awesome thing to possess in this crazy world; the peace and joy of the Lord. Peace and joy in the Lord, all the time, is the most awesome! We walk by faith; and when you have that, you’ve got all you need.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – August 29, 2020

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to breathe Jesus’ Name. That Name strengthens us and banishes all fear. Proverbs 18:10 is referenced: “The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it, and is safe.” As I thought about how many times I’ve run into it, in terror, in dejection, even in anger…and ended up holding my sides and laughing as I came out…

That leads me to this little treasure. On this day, August 29, 1964, Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins was released. It’s one of my favorite Disney movies! I’m posting the link to one of my favorite scenes below. It reminds me exactly of how strong we ladies really are…in all our own silly ways…and, yes, I’m pretty sure I, for one, give poor Jesus some good laughs…Just keep breathing His Name! That’s were we get that power, isn’t it? Oh, we’ve come a long way, Baby; haven’t we? LOL I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you, Disney, for sharing!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

What Praise Unlocks

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is an order to all things; even approaching God. The message bids us to seek first something we can be thankful for-even in distresses, and then praise God for it…then approach boldly with your cry for help.

I learned some time ago to just live in a state of thankfulness. Even in the darkest moment, the most outrageous distress, the most dire circumstance, you still have at least one thing to be thankful for. That one thing is God. If that’s all you can see that you have to be thankful for, so be it. Thank Him for being Who He Is. The instant you do that, the floodgates open, and the blessing flows. Worry, doubt, fear, anger, bitterness, resentment all dam up that flow. Praise breaks up the “log jam.” Praise unlocks the door of the storehouse where your treasures are kept. The next thing you know, the darkness is dispelled, the fear is gone, the shame and distress are both disarmed, and you know where, exactly you’re going. “First right with Me, then righted in the eyes of men, too.”

Psalm 26:6-7 is referenced by the message: “I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.” There is a powerful revelation in this scripture. Washing your hands in innocence suggests that you aren’t going to allow a spirit of shame or fear to stop you from going to God’s. When we proclaim aloud God’s praise and tell of His wonderful deeds, we are putting the forces of darkness on notice that we’re standing on God’s promises and His Word – “It is written!” We are also stirring our own spirits up by recounting our victories in Christ, and our state of blessedness through Him. “I am a child of God Most High; and an heir with Christ Jesus!” Hallelujah!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

What You Need For It Is There

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God gives us everything we need for every task He assigns to us. We are bid to “face each difficulty sure that the wisdom and strength will be given you for it. Claim it.”

Wisdom is found all through the scriptures. Two of my favorite books are the Psalms and Proverbs. But, if you read carefully, you can learn tremendously awesome things from every book in the Bible. And, it is like that field the man found a pearl in; filled with all kinds of treasure. It’s truly worth every minute you set aside, so you can spend time digging up all the good things in that field.

Psalm 90:12 is referenced by the message: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Numbering our days is good stewardship. It has to do with scheduling; budgeting our time so that we have time to spend with the Lord.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Suffering That Saves

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that sorrow and suffering don’t have to dictate who we are.

We’re bid to offer up our suffering and/or sorrow to the Lord. Use that suffering to help another, and it becomes a pleasing sacrifice unto the LORD. Help another, bless another, love another, in spite of your sorrow and/or suffering, and it becomes a gleam of joy and pride in His eyes. It becomes a seed sown into eternity; a treasure laid up in Heaven. “Behold, my son/daughter, in whom I am well pleased,” He says.

That’s the suffering that saves, not only others, but our own soul; our own spirit. Jesus never stopped blessing, never stopped praying, never stopped teaching, never stopped being Jesus…no matter the rejection, the doubt, the scorn, the sorrow. He prayed, even on the cross, “Father, forgive them.” The whole world, every human being ever born, was, is, and will be saved from eternal damnation-if they choose to be.

What that does for our own soul or spirit, is immeasurable. It brings peace, strength, joy, love, freedom, and life. That’s just part of the list. We don’t really think about those little things we do for others, even when we’re hurting ourselves, in terms of the ways in which they might come back to us. As Jesus said, some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred fold. Now He said this about grasping and living out God’s Word. But it is that very Word, that very love, that empowers us to give in such ways, and at such times. “He sent His Word and healed them,” applies to every sinner that gets saved. Finally, there are the words of our Lord, Jesus. “Give, and it will be given unto you; pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will men give into your bosom.

This is an oldie, but goodie! Steven Curtis Chapman, thank you for this old favorite of mine.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Don’t Discount Your Power, or Value!

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us of the power of a praying soul, and of it’s value to the Kingdom of Heaven and the world around us.

We tend, all too often, to forget that the battle is in the Spirit. We don’t give much thought to the powers and principalities, and host of spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12) There are some other scriptures that refer to these, and to what Jesus did for us in regard to them. Look them up, and you’ll get a better picture.

When we get a clear picture of the Spiritual things, we get a clearer picture of where the battles really are fought. We also get a clear picture of just how powerful prayer and praise and worship are. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, we’re told in 2 Cor. 10:4. What we don’t often see, are those little prayer warriors, who sit in their rooms or homes praying for the world we live in. Some pray in the wee hours of the morning, some at night. We don’t see a thing, we don’t hear a thing, but in the Spirit, there’s the roar of a mighty army doing battle for us.

We often discount the value of the prayers, the behind the scenes work, the hugs, the little words of encouragement, etc. When a crisis comes, we feel overwhelmed because we forget the power of these things. They’re all seeds, did you know that? Yeah, you did, didn’t you? You just forgot for a moment. I used to all the time. They’re seeds sown into hearts, lives, souls, and into the Spirit. Remember what Jesus said about sewing into the Kingdom of Heaven? (Matt. 6:20) Those seeds are spiritual treasure. You know what else? All those things are like war medals that decorate your uniform. Oh, my! Just look at you now! So awesome, worth everything, everything, to the world around you, and to our Lord, and our Heavenly Father. Go get ’em, honey! ROAR!!

I want to take a moment to thank all who have prayed for me, all who have encouraged me, cried with me, and laughed with me…all who have walked with me. You have helped to get me this far. Thank you!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Until It Becomes The Air You Breathe

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Today’s message from God Calling – A. J. Russell, bids us to seek God, to commune with Him, and to dwell with Him. We are bid to dig deep into the soil of the Kingdom of Heaven.

I always pray before I read my Bible. I always have. The reason I bring it up is because I can’t imagine not doing that. But, I remember how much effort it took back in the beginning, to get into the presence of the Holy Spirit. I would get distracted by outside noise, totally thrown off by someone talking as I’m trying to praise the Lord, things like that. Sometimes it would be so hard to stay focused on even my prayers, let alone my Bible study. I’ve learned those are some of the enemy’s tricks and ploys. I’m glad I pressed on. I want to encourage you today – whoever you may be, not to give up. If it takes you three hours of praise music, do them. If you have to start your prayer over ten times, do it. Don’t let the distraction win, by causing you to stop your pursuit of the Lord’s Presence. It is all worth it in the end. The more time you spend in His Presence, the more treasures you find in the soil of the Kingdom (His Word), and vice versa. The more wisdom, peace, truth, love, that you find in that Kingdom soil, the bolder you get about going to the Lord. The easier it is to be in His Presence…just like the little child he scooped up and took onto His lap. He did say we must become as trusting and free as children are, didn’t He?

My song choice is and oldie but goody called The Air I Breathe:

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Preparing the Soil

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that the ground must be readied before God can drop seed blessings into it. I’m reminded of the parable Jesus told about the sower and the seed, and the different kinds of soil.

Prayer and praise does much to prepare the soil, or one’s heart. That’s true whether it’s our own heart or someone else’s we’re trying to open to the Lord. Then, I think about Abraham, too. And before him, Noah. These two men believed, and walked in obedience to their calling. How many know that whenever God tells you to do something, that’s a calling? Steadfastness, diligence, and discipline in faith and obedience to whatever God calls us to do, even in our daily living, also prepare the soil for blessing. That soil can be a heart, a place, an upcoming event, etc.

It all happens in the Spirit/spirit. When I think about that, I think about Jericho. How many times did God have them march around that city…before the final time, and that shout? Soil preparation is kind of a wind up or warm up for the actual game, in some ways. The blessings come in the form of readiness, growth, maturity, confidence, fitness, or ability, peace, and joy, or excitement. If you can’t get excited over what God’s called you to do, you better make sure it was Him who called you. God not only gives us the desires of our hearts, He gives us the heart to desire good things. Anytime God calls you to do something, you know it’s got to be a good thing. You can’t help but get excited about it.

Finally, I think about tilling and weeding, and plowing a garden. That readies the soil for the seeds. I remember finding all kinds of things as we worked the ground. People have found arrowheads, awesomely shaped rocks, old coins, wonderful little treasures. One of the greatest treasures you can find in preparing the soil, or your heart, for God’s blessing, is yourself. You might discover some wonderful things you never knew were in you.

Here’s a great song for today’s post: Again, Third Day is the group to thank for this awesome song.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Thank Him Until It Becomes You

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us to be thankful. Just face each day gratefully, and, quoting directly from the message: “Seek diligently for the something to be glad and thankful about in every happening, and soon no search will be required.” I hope you’ll go to the twolisteners website and read the entire message.

I’m adding this song to the post, as it fits perfectly…even the scars are treasures to be grateful for, when we allow God to touch them. This song is done by I AM THEY…

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

It’s Not a Mistake; It’s an Opportunity

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is a good God, loving, kind, and so very patient with us.

The message speaks to us of mistakes. We sure make a lot of them, don’t we? Sometimes they’re pretty embarrassing. Sometimes they’re costly to us, especially in the way of spirit. I’ve made a few I didn’t know how I was going to recover from; they took me a pretty piece downward. I’ve even had some roadrash on my face.

Here’s the good part about those mistakes. They are opportunities to learn and grow; and to grow in our relationship with the LORD/Lord, and in faith-in Him, and ourselves. God’s love shields us from the power of the pain, the embarrassment, the shame, guilt, and the fear that comes when we’re overwhelmed, and it all comes crashing down. The problem is that we don’t step into that little space that is enclosed roundabout by that love of God. We all too often choose to suffer; to allow the mistake to torture and immobilize us.

The thing to do is to seek God in the mistake. Seek the things He’s put there for you to learn and grow by. Seek that little mirror shard, that will show you just how loved and believed in you still are-by God. These are the treasures in your mistakes that turn the disaster into a springboard for you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, have a good cry, or better yet, a good laugh…and carry on, my friend. Carry on. God’s still right there with you, and ready to keep walking it out with you, until you get where your’e going. When we allow ourselves to be held by the mistakes and their fall-out, we become blinded to the possibilities, and the power to be found through them.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu