Only Wide Enough For Two

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us, as Jesus did, to enter by the narrow gate. Actually, the message speaks of walking a narrow way, or path.

When you put this together with the rest of the message, which is about physical weariness, frustration, and mind and soul weariness, the narrow gate and path make sense. The narrow gate is one that only opens wide enough for one to pass through. That one is you. The narrow path is also only wide enough for you to walk down. But, in terms of your spiritual well-being, and the growth of your faith, you need to seek the Lord alone. That’s true especially when one’s soul is troubled. Jesus deals with everyone, one on one. You need to leave the crowd on the boulevard, and travel that narrow path to the narrow gate alone. It’s there that you’ll find the Lord waiting. It’s there that you can enter in to the healing presence.

Even in the midst of the largest congregations and meetings, you must enter in to the presence of the Holy Spirit alone. God want those who worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth. So, while the entire congregation is there in the meeting, each one must seek Him and enter in, alone. Finally, the path to healing, for anyone, must be walked alone-with the Lord. Even the path the leads to the narrow gate is not too narrow that He won’t walk it with you. He’s the one who will give you the courage and determination to walk it. He’s also the one who will give you the courage and determination to walk the path to victory. You are the one who needs to walk it out, so naturally, it’s only wide enough for you and Jesus.

All those well-meaning family members and friends can be a hindrance on that path to healing. They can trip you up because they don’t want to hurt you; or, sometimes because they do. They’re famous for allowing you to keep those rose colored glasses on-when you really should take them off. Sometimes, that’s because they’ve got their own pair of rose colored glasses on. That’s why you need to walk it yourself. When you get honest with yourself, that wide way you’ve been going and living, begins to narrow down pretty quickly. Sometimes it’s painful, but Jesus is right there with you. And, as your healing progresses, you’ll find the new path ahead of you will widen as you’re ready to handle it.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Every Day Is A New One

eden08122015

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

Press Onward…It’s Really A Key

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we’re running an endurance race, and not a sprint. We’re bid to hold onto our courage, and press on to the next level.

The message speaks to us of being protected, shielded from self-loathing, from bitter remorse, and from self-defeat. When I read it, I think of Peter, of Judas Iscariot, who committed suicide over what he’d done. Peter wept bitterly over betraying Jesus. I bet he had some serious struggles within himself during the following days and weeks. We go through the same struggles with ourselves; especially when we feel like we’ve failed the Lord. It’s so easy, when we fall down, to just lay there and wallow in self-pity, bitter remorse, self-loathing…yeah, that’s the very stuff that leads us right over that cliff called self-defeat.

The way to overcome that stuff is to open our eyes to the truth about that short-fall, that failure, that weakness. What it really is, is a KEY that opens the door to learning, gaining strength, improving, and stepping up to the next level. Jesus said, “I’ll give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. That truth is a key to freedom from all that self-defeating stuff. It will open the door to courage, to boldness, to confidence, self-assurance, and most importantly, PEACE within.

This song by the Gaither Vocal Band is so precious to me! I can’t even begin to tell you what it does for me. I’m always so moved by it. I think it fits perfectly.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Rest in Work, Work to Rest

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that forced, or tired work never shows the best within us. We’re told that it is wrong to force work.

As I think about the message, I think about all the times Jesus withdrew to be alone. I’m sure He needed rest from all the activity, the stress of dealing with the haters, and of the upcoming events that He knew He would have center stage in.

Our lives are no different. We have all kinds of acitivity going on around us all the time. We’re involved in all kinds of activities. We deal with haters, nay-sayers, doubt, and fatigue at any given point in time, too. It’s stressful. We have upcoming events like deadlines, finals, presentations, etc. The spot-lights will be on us then, won’t they? That’s stressful too. It can be, anyway. It can make the projects, the problems, and the prospects seem overwhelming.

That’s when we need to step back and recharge. We need to work, then, at resting in quietness and confidence; strengths we’ve already gained. We need to draw on our knowledge of who and whose we are, and all the gifts and talents He’s given us. He never calls us to do anything without empowering us to do it. When we work to rest in those truths, and in the peace of confidence in Him, and in ourselves, the tables turn in our favor. We are rewarded then, with restful work. No flurry, hurry, worry, etc. Just a peaceful and restful soul at work. I’m smiling now, because of Jesus’ words: “Come to me all ye, who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.” Also, “Greater things than these shall you do because I go to my Father in Heaven.” I know, that’s taken a little out of context; but, it’s true. He does go to the Father and intercedes for us.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

No Punishment For Past Sins

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that there is no punishment for our past sins. When we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, all of that is removed-as far as the East is from the West-from us. They’re gone!

However, their impact and effects on us, our character, attitudes, choices, lives, have not been removed. They will be gradually wiped clean, and/or smoothed and polished into a beautiful soul. One that manifests it’s true being -created in the image and likeness of God, Himself-more and more.

Remembering that we go from strength to strength and glory to glory, we can begin to understand the admonition of the Lord. God brings us up in the admonition of the Lord, just as we are to bring our children up the same way. When a child errs, we help him/her to correct that error. We teach our children how to clean up messes, and how to do things correctly. This isn’t punishment; it’s training. God does the same with us. We can only act/react according to what we believe to be true. When we come to the Lord, we’re operating out of old truths-usually untruths, about ourselves and the world around us. God patiently works with us, allowing us to come face to face with the consequences of our actions, and face the truth that we need help to change things, or to do them correctly. When we turn to Him for that help, He’s always ready, willing, and more than able to teach and train us in the correct ways. King David wrote often about being taught the Lord’s ways, and His paths. And, remember, King David erred-and even sinned knowingly. But, King David also repented, went boldly the throne of God, asking forgiveness. God called King David a man after His own heart. We can learn and be inspired and encouraged by that.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Until It Becomes The Air You Breathe

eden08122015

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

The Greater Works

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us of Jesus” words: “Greater works than these shall you do, because I go to my Father.”

As I read the message, I thought about Jesus’ words to the woman at the well. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” The issues of life flow from the heart. The good man, out of the good stored up in his heart, brings forth good things; and the evil man, out of the evil stored up in his heart, brings forth evil. When you add this truth from Romans 12:21 to the mix, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” you can see where the greater works need to be done. Your body is just your vehicle. Actually, it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. God breathed His life into every single soul that ever has, does now, and ever will, walk this earth. That tells me something about what I need to put into the hungry, the hurting, all I minister to.

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” This is from Luke 7:28. It ties in with the truth part. I see so many Christians trying to “look” perfect, or perfected. You see them in every church. But let me tell you something about humility. It takes a courageous person to tell the truth on himself, or herself. And, you have to humble yourself to do that when, really, what the world expects, is that your life is perfect because your’e a Christian. It must be, right? I mean, God’s supposed to be good, isn’t He? What about all that blessing stuff, Lady? Oh, yes, dear, God just happens to be the One who got me through all that ugly stuff, all that hurt, fear, anger, etc., etc., etc., But I am a work in progress; and will be till the day I arrive at those pearly gates. Do you know why John the Baptist didn’t have any problem with sin? He didn’t live with anybody; he was alone in the wilderness. It was just him and God. See, when he came to town, he started shouting and telling people the truth about themselves, didn’t he? LOL

Seriously, though, John preached repentance from sin, and baptism. Jesus came to show us how to walk after God. He gave us back our authority over sin-or, the author of sin. But, we are still in the world. He said we would have tribulation here in the world. He also said, “be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, though. That’s why we’re told to put on the full armor of God. We need to lift one another’s spirits, bear one another’s burdens, share one another’s concerns. As I’m writing this paragraph, I’m thinking about the disciples in the boat during the storm. You know what? There was only one boat. That tells me we’re all in the same boat. When one team member gets tired or discouraged, the whole rest of the team encourages and cheers that one on. They minister to that one’s spirit. That’s where the greater works are done.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

It Isn’t Painful; Just Let Yourself Go

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are to walk humbly with our God.

When I first read this message, I didn’t really get it. I thought my humility was just for Jesus, and for the Heavenly Father. I didn’t think about humility before all those other people you’re walking around down here with. Then I fell in love. Ladies and gentlemen, I would have eaten dirt for that man! That’s pretty humble, don’t you think? Yeah? Not really, because you know why I would have eaten dirt for him? I wanted him to be in love with me in return. Ulterior motive, in spirit. Hmm…ouch, ouch, ouch, that truth hurt when I finally could admit it. Yeah! I was far too vain to like having to cop to being flawed in any way, shape, or form. LOL

Let me tell you what happened to that vanity when I fell in love with Jesus. Our Lord just kind of sand-blasted that thing off of me, right then and there. And, He has polished that roughness, little by little as the years have gone by. I’ve gotten those polishings whenever I did let Jesus take it over. Let me tell you, those are the most humbling instances-in the circumstances and events that you know it had to be Jesus, it just had to be-because you are not capable of that kind of grace, patience, quick thinking, whatever it may be. Believe me, when Jesus works it, there’s no mistaking Him for someone else. You cannot fool yourself into thinking it was you. To see what God’s grace, compassion, love, peace, just speaking His Name can do, will bring you to your knees. We can be humbled by seeing that at work in others. We can also be humbled when God shows us how much of those things we lack in our own spirit.

Oh, God, that polishing used to hurt in the early years. Now, whenever I am humbled in some circumstance-and not by another person, but by the Lord, Himself, it is a sweet, sweet moment between me and Jesus. That’s because now, it doesn’t feel like He’s rubbing off the rough stuff. Now, it feels like He’s bringing out the glow; the shine.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Here’s to That Hush Within

eden08122015

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to just determine to get peace and be still within. That’s where the storms are, really, aren’t they?

When I think back on some of the worst times of my life, I find they were times that I didn’t walk away and get quiet within. I didn’t take time to stop and regain my inner peace. It doesn’t matter what it is, loss of a job, argument with hubby/wife, argument with your child, whatever crisis-and yes, those arguments are crises in your relationship because they can strain and even break the bond that’s crucial there, whatever it is, you need to just stop and regain your inner peace. Just a quickly as you realize it’s going downhill, you need to step away and let God take the wheel.

He’ll remind you who and whose you are. He’ll remind you how much strength and power you do have. But, strength and power are not ours to rule over one another with. Rather, the strength and power are ours to use to overcome the evil, the fear, the anger, the doubt, the loudness of the friction and strain on spirit-yours and theirs. The Bible tells us that our strength lies in quietness and trust. It’s hard to trust God when you’ve lost sight of Him within you. When the “whatever” is screaming in your spirit, His Word in your Heart is pretty much inaudible; and your brain just freezes. I know, I’m living proof. And I’ve been on both sides of that fence.

Sometimes, you can’t walk away physically right then. That’s one of the reasons the kingdom of Heaven is within us. It’s one of the reasons His Word is to be written on our hearts. It’s also one of the reasons we need to know our limits. We need to know when we’re heading for the cliff, long before we get there. I’ve found it’s a lot easier to just pray and kind of “refuel” with that Word, right when I suspect things are not as they should be. In relationships, especially, it involves integrity and truthfulness. It all really goes back to your standards and boundaries. Peace is important to everyone’s well being, and also essential to promote progress and success. Chaos makes it impossible to get things done, to learn, to teach, etc. That’s why it’s one of Satan’s favorite games to play.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Lo, I am With You Always…

eden08122015

I chose this song to go with today’s post about Jesus being our Savior everyday. We can laugh at some of our foibles. But the truth remains, Jesus is there to save us every day, every time, every cry…be they big or small. I love Josh Groban’s version of this.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu