Take A Deep Breath Tuesday

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 52. It’s a rebuke to evil and evil doers, and a reassurance to us, that God does see and hear, and He is on the throne! I hope you’ll read the psalm for yourselves. This song comes to mind as I’m struggling my way through some things. I hope it blesses you as much as it does me. Thank you, again, Tasha Cobbs and friends, for a wonderful, wonderful inspiraton!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Until The Aroma Permeates Your Life

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we can sing, even in the darkness, just like Paul and Barnabas did. We are bid to stay strong, be of good cheer, and be courageous. We’re bid to turn to the Lord, always, even in the darkness. I would say, especially in the darkness.

Mark 14:3 is referenced by the message: “While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” I hope you’ll read the message @ twolisteners.org, because it’s awesome. When I read the message, I thought about “monster spray.” Monster spray was my perfume. I sprayed it in the kids’ closets to keep the monsters away at night.

When that woman poured that Spikenard perfume on Jesus’ head, I bet the whole room was filled with the aroma. That stuff was the very best gift the woman had to give. Our trust and love for Him, is the very best gift we can give Jesus, and our Heavenly Father. When we turn to the Lord, praise the Lord, pray to the Lord, and walk with the Lord, we are getting that perfume, that aroma, all over us. Remember when Mom hugged you and you could smell her perfume on you? That’s what faith does for us. That living with the Lord infuses our lives with that same aroma. That aroma brings joy, peace, comfort, power, and love, doesn’t it? Yes, it does; just like Mom’s did. Just like the monster spray did.

When that aroma fills your life, it permeates even the darkness. It’s our favorite scent; but it is to the forces of evil, like the scent of a snake to a rodent. The aroma of the Lord’s love and presence is an awesome thing. You can’t smell it with your nose, really. But you sure can pick up that scent, ever so faintly, in your spirit. And, it really does dispel the power of the darkness to disarm fear and doubt.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He Is The Source From Which It Flows

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is our only source of salvation. We are to see Him as our only supply. Everything else is a resource and/or a channel through which that supply flows.

Salvation comes daily, and it comes in many ways and from many things. Poverty of spirit, lack of desire or energy, lack of love or peace within, etc. These spiritual needs are as important to God as our physical well being is. If God can send ravens to feed a prophet in the wilderness, He surely can send provision to us through whatever channels are available to Him. All channels are available to Him, because the earth is His, and the fullness thereof. (Psalm 24:1) “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”

Deuteronomy 28:8 is referenced by the message: “The LORD will decree a blessing on your barns and on everything to which you put your hand.” All the blessings listed in Deuteronomy 28 are the result, or fruit, of our obedience to God’s Word. They go hand in hand. This means that whatever I work at, or whatever effort I put forth in accordance to God’s Will and Word, will bring results. This is also true of spiritual needs. Whatever spiritual need I have, God will meet it. Jesus promised us that if we ask, we will receive. Just the other day, I had to ask the Lord to help me pray, because I really didn’t feel like praying for anyone or anything that morning. I wanted to scream until the world just exploded. I asked; I received. God’s a good God! Amen!

When I read Deuteronomy 28, I get a picture of how things operate in the Kingdom of Heaven. Seed time, and harvest is the modus operandi. That means that I have to sow something (time, effort, prayer, etc.,) in order to harvest something. The really cool thing is this: God not only gives us the harvest, but He also gives us the seed to sow. We just sometimes miss it, because we’re looking for a harvest when or where we have not sown…or because we have sown in fallow ground. (Jer. 4:3) Basket and kneading bowl suggest gathering and working with what’s gathered, or working with what you’ve got. Trust is the key to prosperity; prosperity of spirit, which is most important, and physical, or material prosperity as well.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Yea, Tho I Walk Through The Valley…

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are human, fallible, and that our steps will falter at times. When I read the message, I thought of Peter walking on the water.

If Peter had never taken another step, his life would never have turned out the way it did. Before his life was over, Peter’s mere shadow falling on someone was powerful enough to heal them. Then, there was Peter, denying Jesus. He betrayed the Lord just as much as Judas had. Judas killed himself…never too another step. Peter wept; his heart wrenched with the pain of his cowardice and shame. Then, Peter jumped out of the boat to swim to Jesus on the shore. He was filled with joy at the Lord’s presence. What a beautiful moment! Breakfast with Jesus; I can’t even begin to imagine what that joy bursting within Peter might have felt like…after all that stuff…Wow! Peter might never have known that joy, had he not taken another step after those faltering steps on the water.

The message is that the 23rd Psalm is so very true. The Lord does lead us beside still, or peaceful waters. He does restore our souls. He does lead us in paths of righteousness. His rod and his staff do comfort us when our steps falter. Faltering steps are found in the Valley of the Shadow of Death-especially in the spirit. The shadow is the temptation to quit, to give up, to curl up, and to end up right back where we started from, or someplace even worse. Judas is the prime example. But Jesus is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins. His strength is made perfect in, and through our weaknesses – when we allow Him to save us and bring us through. Remember Peter’s words? “Lord, save me!” We can do the same thing, and boldly; because there is now no condemnation in Christ. We need to take a hint from that. There should be no self-condemnation in us then, either. Remember Jesus’ words to all he healed, and to the woman he save from being killed? “Go in peace.” Go means take steps; keep heading for your horizon, your goal. You are on your way to somewhere, because this is not your home.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

What Are You Doing It For?

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us the we need to check our motives from time to time. It’s easy to get caught up in the “keeping up with the Joneses” game; easy to get caught up in all the right things, but for the wrong reasons.

The Bible tells us that we cannot serve both God and Mammon (money). Yet, the Bible also tells us that money answers everything. No, that isn’t a contradiction. Money does answer everything in this world. We need it to survive in this world. There’s rent to pay, bills to pay, we need food and clothing, etc., etc., etc. The world operates on money. The reason it’s called currency is that it keeps the economy flowing, The economy is part of life in this world. It’s the base from which society operates. However, in God’s plan, money is to serve us. We are to master our money, and not vice versa.

When we master our money, being good stewards in regards to tithing, giving, being financially responsible, etc., we are serving God with our money. God knows we have to have it to survive down here. But, God is till God over us, and over our money. God sends the supply; He is the source. The money is just a resource to be used as needed.

It’s easy to get caught up in the competitions for titles, in the race to “fit in” with the affluent crowd, and the putting on of all kinds of airs. That’s when you know it’s time to recheck your motives, and time to line yourself back up with God’s will for you and your money. I’ve known people who had to cut up the credit cards and take on a second or even third job because the clothing bill maxed out the cards…because it just wasn’t acceptable to be seen wearing the same outfit or even the same piece of clothing twice. What kind of people are you hanging around with? And what are you trying to prove? That’s living by the world’s standards; not by God’s. And, right there, you are serving Mammon-which also, in, and according to the world, signifies affluence. Yes, God does want you to have that beautiful dress, girlfriend. He doesn’t want you to be enslaved to a second or third job to get it, though. That’s why we have things like budgets, savings, and the like. Don’t get so caught up trying to “fit in,” in this world that you become a slave to it’s standards. Remember, you are the head, and not the tail. You are the master over the money; not vice versa. Make it serve you, so you don’t end up serving the wrong god.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

You May Not See It, But It’s All There

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“No! Abide in Me. Not for one moment losing the consciousness of My Strength and Protection.” This is a quote directly from today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell.

The message bids us to live in the unseen, or, as we hear so often, to walk by faith. We have legions of angels dispatched to guard, guide, and keep us. We have every promise a child of God is promised. You’ll find them in Deuteronomy, among other places in the Bible. When we keep this in mind, we can lift our eyes to the glories and gloriousness of the Kingdom of Heaven; which is ours through Christ Jesus. As we step up into these, walking by faith is easier and easier to do. I hope you’ll go to the twolisteners.org website, and read the entire message for yourselves. It’s an awesome one.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

He’s Really Good With Tangles

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus can do what seems to be the impossible. We are reminded that it is in quietness and trust that our strength lies. We’re also promised that from the second we put it into God’s Hands, the working out, the cure, the victory is being brought forth.

When I read this message, I think back to the one that was illustrated by a skein of yarn in Mother’s hands. I had to laugh, recalling how often my skein of yarn would get tangled, and I’d have to work that tangle out before I could go on with my project. When you’re a child, you usually have to take those tangled things to Mom or Dad. But there’s never any doubt in your mind that they can fix it, is there? That’s the way we’re supposed to trust God. I’ve had occasions to pray, and then stand silently and trust God. You know what? God always speaks back with His Word. There’s always the assurance and the reassurance-that He hears, He sees, and He’s on it!

That being silent, and the being still-meaning, don’t put one end of that skein in His hands, and then run off with the other end in hand, and try to fix it yourself…that’s the toughest thing to do sometimes. “Just be still and know that I am God.” And, you’re still His child. And, He’s still in control-not only of your life, but of all life, and all of life. That means God’s got His Eye, and hand, on the trouble, the trouble-maker, AND, on every single reason to doubt, to fear, to give up, to let go. Take that, you tangle!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Press Onward…It’s Really A Key

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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

Perfecting It All

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are works in progress. We are told to strive for perfection, by taking inventory at least weekly. We are to check our attitudes, character, shortfalls, weaknesses, etc. We’re also to look at that in regard to everything about our lives; from housework, or homemaking, to even self care. Now, here’s a surprise. You already are perfect in God’s eyes. (John 17:22) You’re precious and honored in His sight.

When Jesus says, “Be ye perfect, therefore, as your Father in Heaven is perfect,” we all skip over that word, “Be,” and we start frantically doing. Did you forget that God sees Jesus when He looks at us? Yes, He sees Jesus’ righteousness, Jesus’ love, Jesus’ compassion, mercy, etc. He attributes perfection to us the instant we come to Him. (Hebrews 12:1-24) is a wonderful piece that speaks to us regarding this. Verse thirteen tells us to make level paths for our feet. This is what that inventory is about. You check for any place, anything, that can be improved upon-even, and especially within. The outward often manifests where the inward (spirit) is…be it depressed, anger, sloth, confusion, etc. When we deal with those things, and include discipline and perseverance to correct them and the outward situations created by them, things change. This is called progress, which is the rule of the Kingdom of Heaven. 2 Cor. 3:18, in the New Living Translation Bible says it this way: “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” Also, Psalm 84:7 tells us we go from strength to strength until we appear before God in glory.

Sadly, I must tell you that we are all “only human.” This is to say we are subject to fatigue, depression, laziness, confusion; all those things that clog up the spirit within, and weigh us down. God knows that, though. He’s given us the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer. We can go boldly to the throne to confess and to get help. He doesn’t love us any less at any given point in time-not one second of our lives! You are already perfect in His eyes. His love, grace, and mercy are going to help us manifest that-in this life. As we manifest that glory to glory progression, it becomes the testimony that draws others to Him; and to Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Preparing to Enter In

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to regularly set aside time to enter into the sanctuary and spend time alone with the LORD.

I spent an hour this morning listening to Native American drum and flute music, and even listened to some native songs and chants. It was my preparation time. Music is a good way to quiet one’s spirit and prepare to enter in to the sacred space. There are many different kinds of music that can reach the spirit; it’s not always only praise and worship music. That sacred space is the place where our spirit meets the Holy Spirit. It is in these quiet times that we commune with and rest in the divine love, grace, peace, and joy of God. You’ve all read plenty about spending time alone with God. I thought I’d share a short list of some of my favorite music. This is the stuff I listen to at the end of a long day, or even before I really begin my day-before a project, etc. It’s a pretty good mix, so there’s something for everyone; and they’re all instrumental, words won’t distract you. I hope you enjoy at least one of my picks.

Carlos Nakai – Earth Spirit -He also has a greatest hits album out-Native American flute music
The Elegance of Palchelbel -Serenade -Piano music
Rachmaninoff – Rhapsody -Classical music, and very beautiful
Trail of the Angels – One of my very favorites – Chinese Bamboo flute music
Leo Rojas -Pan flute music

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu