So Much Better To Trust Him

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 118. It’s a long psalm, and I hope you’ll read the entire thing for yourselves, but I want to focus on just a few verses.

Psalm 118:5-9 (ESV) “Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.”

it truly is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man, or princes. When I read that, I think about our ways of doing things, of handling things, even of processing things internally. Jesus always judged rightly. He was always right on target. Jairus and his daughter come to mind here. First, Jesus assured Jairus that his daughter would be alright. Then, when they got to Jairus’ house, Jesus put all those unbelievers/doubters out of the room where the little girl lay dead. There’s one key for us. We have a tendency to run to family or friends, to seek their opinions, approval, support, etc., and all too often, right when we need to be turning to the LORD/Lord instead. Then, you get fifty different opinions, a whole bunch of weird looks, and confusion…LOL. That’s exactly what the LORD sets us free from when we’re dealing with adversity. He sets us free from all that confusion that causes chaos within us.

Sometimes it’s very hard to just hang in there and walk it out with Him, but believe me, it’s worth every effort. And, you shall look in triumph on those who hate you-which would be those powers, principalities, and hosts of spiritual wickedness. Yes, I know; sometimes it is other people too. Turning to the LORD in those situations, we truly can find a refuge. In prayer and praise, peace and power are released to us. These two are critical when we’re dealing with any adversity; any crisis. And, when we’re working out a life recovery, (addiction, abuse, weight struggles, etc.) they are equally as important to have on a daily basis. Peace empowers clear thinking and strength to follow through. Therein lies our victory.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Yes, Over ALL The Earth!

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 47. It is a praise offering to the LORD, by the sons of Korah. The psalm is a short one, so I’ll post the whole thing here.

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah God has gone up with a shout,
the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!

Does that stir you up? It fills me with a deep and awesome joy; and I can’t help but praise Him! Verse 1 tells us God is a great king over all the earth. That means there is nothing outside of His control; nothing. Verse 4 confirms that God chose us! Not only that, but He chose us to be His children! Is that awesome?! Hallelujah! In verse 8 we are assured that He reigns over all the nations, and that He is definitely on the throne! In verse nine our royal status is confirmed. But, when Jesus died and rose again, He raised that status. We are kings and queens in the earth. We are, in Christ Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father. That’s both awesome and more than a bit scary, isn’t it? It lets us know though, that we have a responsibility to the earth and its inhabitants. Remember Jesus’ words? He came to serve; not to be served. There’s a reference in this verse to the shields of the earth. When I researched it, I found that Jupiter, the magnetosphere, and the atmosphere are called shields of the earth. Here, actually on Earth, “a large area of exposed Precambrian crystalline igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks that form tectonically stable areas. These rocks are older than 570 million years and sometimes date back 2 to 3.5 billion years.” These are also called shields. They have to do with the earth’s crust, and plates that shift or don’t shift. Can you imagine God’s workload? These things are changed every time there’s a fire, flood, earthquake, or tornado and hurricane. (volume and weight) He has to adjust for all the depletion of the forests, the strip-mining, etc. WOWWWWW!!!!! Just think, if the weight of the earth was thrown all to one side? We could be careening through outerspace at breakneck speed and on a collision course with another planet. We might even be shot straight into the sun. No God? I beg to differ with you! This made me think of Psalm 104-a must read! That one will leave you awestruck and breathless.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Which One Will You Be?

Today’s message is Part Two of Yesterday’s message from Psalm 35. We’re picking up at Verse 10, and I’m reading from the ESV. “All my bones shall say, “O LORD, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?”

I want to focus on the words, “poor,” and “needy.” I also want to focus on that “from him who robs him,” part of the statement. Do you know that being poor and needy in this psalm means you are lacking something spiritually? King David was not a poor man materially. In (3 John 1:2) we read, “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you (you may prosper) and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul (as your soul prospers). ” That lets me know that I might be, (actually, I am) either my own best friend, or my own worst enemy. My soul is my responsibility. Remember the parable of the sower and the seed in (Mark 4)

How do you deal with the relapse, the slip, the stumble, etc.? (Matthew 9:5) “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?” Yes, rise and walk you must. But when you take on guilt, shame, fear, embarrassment, you are taking on so much weight spiritually, that you cannot get up. That’s what the pierced head, hands, and feet of Jesus freed you from. When your mind/spirit/heart/soul is hedged in (crown of thorns), your hands and feet are pretty much powerless. You’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Take responsibility instead. Acknowledge the truth of the situation, but do what you must do to correct it.

When we mess up, we have to speak salvation to our soul. When we speak God’s Word, we are sowing seeds of life giving power into our spirit and soul. Do you remember Jesus’ words on the cross just before He died? “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” God’s Word is God, Himself, coming to your rescue! Be your own best friend, and find every scripture that tells you what you are in God’s Sight! Precious, honored, the head and not the tail, etc. Write them down, and read them out loud’ every day, all day long throughout the day if you have to. Do not take the embarrassment, guilt, or shame! Jesus took that to Hell when He died for you!

This song never ceases to fill my heart with gratitude to the LORD/Lord. I get teary-eyed when I think of Jesus’ love for us. It’s the very same love the Heavenly Father, Himself has for us! Love yourself like they do; you’re worthy! Jesus did that for you! Thank you, Gather Vocal Band! I don’t know where I’d be without you.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – January 16, 2021

My goodness, what a week it’s been! I had my cardiology appointment; hit the floor running to make it on time. I don’t know why, but it seems as if the buses are crawling along at fifteen miles an hour whenever you need them to hurry. Then, some of them go at breakneck speed, only to jump on the brakes with both feet and all their body weight behind them. Passengers and baggage come up out of the seats. LOL I think they need to serve cocktails on some of those buses, just like they do on airplanes. Speaking of airplanes, I was on a bus the other day, and there was a car wash just short of the stoplight. This guy was out front waving a white rag like crazy. I couldn’t figure out if he was trying to flag us down, or land a plane…we are right by the Air Base.

There are some characters on the buses, too. We passed a construction site, and someone asked what they were building there. A lady on the bus said, “Its an Amazon Warehouse.” “Oh,” replied the guy, “what’s if for?” “It’s where they’re going to lock up all the strong and angry women,” replied the lady. LOL

I got my ID renewed recently. I couldn’t believe it when I got the new card. My goodness; I need to get some good facial serum and face cream. My grandbabies will be calling me Grandma Sharpei. Sure enough, I sent a friend a selfie – of myself, and he texted me back: “Can she sit up and beg?” Hmm, maybe I could get one of the kids to take me to the dog shows; I could use the money. Ah, never mind…I can’t wag my tail like that anymore. Besides that, I’m not going to sit up and beg for anybody!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – September 5, 2020

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that progress is the law of the Kingdom of Heaven. We are bid to rise ever higher and to strive to be ever better. Be better today than yesterday -this mindset actually freed me from fear of other’s opinions, from the competitive spirit, and from being a “cookie cutter” copy of everybody else. Only compete with yourself; then you’ll always be better. Don’t measure yourself up against anyone; measure yourself up against yesterday’s you. And don’t be so hard on yourself.

I was discussing this with a friend of mine. I said to her, “The message made me think of Lot and his family. He was the guy living in Sodom and Gomorrah. Try as I might, I just can’t figure out what happened with those two girls. I mean, talk about going two steps forward and three steps back! God sends two angels to save them from the disaster, rains down fire and brimstone and totally demolishes, not one, but two towns, and what do these two do on the mountain? It never occurred to either one of them to ask God to send them husbands. They could have had a Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt! God can do that!!!” My friend said, “Yeah, and don’t forget about their mother. She was the pillar of the community; worth her weight in salt.” Hmm…I’m sorry, I had to laugh! She’s a Bible study leader. My friend, not Lot’s wife.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Dropping Them Frees Your Hands

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to drop our burdens at Jesus’ feet. This causes me to think of the woman who wept at His feet. Think she had some burdens? Yeah, and let me tell you, I’ve been there. I don’t know about her, but I wept and wept; and couldn’t stop weeping that day. She walked away free from the weight of those burdens. My life has never been the same since that day. And, it gets sweeter as the years go by. Thank you, Lord, for loving me. And, thank you, Lord, for the beautiful gift you gave me on this day 33 years ago…Happy Birthday, Son! I love you.

It is when we drop those burdens at Jesus’ feet, that our hands are freed to pray and praise Him. It is then that our hands are freed to reach for Him. I don’t know about you, but I have thrown myself into Jesus’ arms so many times I lost count! He’s never failed me yet. It is when I drop those burdens at the Lord’s feet, that I realize perhaps I’ve wandered off track a bit…and gotten just a little lost in the wilderness.

This song is one of my very favorites. It expresses exactly what the message speaks to us today. If you’ve got a burden pressing down on you today, sing along. Just drop it all at the Master’s feet, and reach up…He’ll lift you in His arms. Thank you Gaither Family.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

The Sea Will Part For You-Trust Him

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we need to cling to the Lord/LORD, much the way a child clings to his or her parents. The closeness that one thinks about when you think of a clinging child, is arms wrapped around your neck and body snuggled as closely to your own as possible. Can you imagine clinging like that to the Lord? It is exactly that, that is meant. But we are not to cling fearfully or as if we were helpless.

We are to cling in intimacy and trust, or confidence; as two being one. This message goes hand in hand with Saturday’s message about having confidence that the Red Sea-whatever it may be for your or me, will surely part when we reach it. We’re not to even think about it until we get there. Once we’re standing on its shores, we are promised passage through the parted sea, and on into our promised land. That’s the reason we must cling so closely that we move as one being. This is where we find our strength, our courage, our peace, and our power.

Whether it is a month of total chaos, day after day, or a battle with weight, anxiety, depression, etc., or some health crisis that represents your Red Sea…God leads us by a cloud during the days, and a pillar of fire by night to show us the way we should go. That tells me that I’m going to survive the heat. It tells me also, that nothing can obscure the path in front of me, or stop me from getting to my promised land. The chaos will not prevail, but order will be restored. I will not lose the battle of the bulge. I will not be afraid. I will not be immobilized by fear, anger, or doubt-but I will have strength to rise and praise the Lord upon rising! I will overcome and win the battles; because the Lord and I are as one. I move in Him, and He moves in me. This, by the way works one dependent on the other. When I move in Him, He is more able to move in me. As He moves in me, the more able I am to move in Him.

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Keep the Faith- Keep the Miracles Coming

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that Jesus cannot work miracles in our lives if we don’t believe in Him. “Be it unto you according to your faith,” and, “Your faith has saved you,” are two things Jesus spoke.

I found out when I began to pray, just lifting everyone up to the Lord, and thanking Him for all He’s given me-and all He’s withheld, my walk changed. By that, I mean that it sort of set the tone for the whole day to one of faith. I stopped waiting for the other shoe to fall. Worry, anxiety, upset over little things just went out the window. Here’s the awesome part. As I grew into this attitude of faith, I found more and more things to be thankful for, because God’s got me. Let me tell you what a weight comes off your shoulders! You find yourself smiling more, frowning less, and laughing so much at some of the little stuff that used to send you over the edge.

This attitude is the same attitude those two women in the Bible had. “I know who you are, Lord, and I know who I am! I know you are my miracle!” Note, please, that I said, He is your miracle. Guess what; when you got saved, you got your miracle. You got all the miracles in that one! You have to but trust the Lord, and walk in His promises. “I will never leave you or forsake you.” “Ask, and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it will be opened to you.” When we walk in an attitude of faith, and, I believe, thanksgiving and praise, that door stays open to us.

Keeping that thankfulness, praise, that faith, is part of the battle. -The greatest part of the battle. Do what you have to do to stay strong in your faith!

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Saturday Silly – May 11, 2019

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Isn’t the warm weather wonderful?! Finally! Time for shorts and bathing suits, etc. I am feeling so strong; and the curves are finally going in the right direction again. LOL! I’ve had to be really disciplined about my diet and exercise, though. I walk as much as I can. My diet is pretty good, all things considered. I mean, I remember the days when I ate fast food constantly, and really wasn’t exercising at all.

Let me tell you, that middle age spread was beginning to look like major property. And gravity was sure beginning to take it’s toll, too. Seriously, I felt like I needed a lift on both ends! Even my husband was aware of it. One day we were at the grocery store, and he kept running into me with the shopping cart from behind. I finally asked him what the heck he was doing. He replied, “I’m just trying to hold up my end, Dear.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu

Focus on the Right Stuff

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, encourages us to persevere. The message addresses our focus, or consciousness of our shortcomings at the expense of our progress, and the lesson(s) and blessing(s) surrounding us.

Quoting directly from the message: “When climbing a steep hill, a man is often more conscious of the weakness of his stumbling feet than of the view, the grandeur, or even of his upward progress.” God sees everything we do for Him as an offering of love. -Provided we are sincere, that is. Jesus spoke about those who do things for show and to get man’s rewards. (Matthew 23)

The message speaks to us, not only about ministry and the Christian life. We can also apply this to our daily living, our struggles, projects, and pursuits. I was thinking about working out the other day. Walking is a great workout for strength, stamina, and cardio-pulmonary too. When I first started to workout, I couldn’t go for very long, because I was out of shape. I started with ten minutes, and increased the time by just five minutes after a week. I worked out every day, doing aerobic walking.

Ten minutes may seem like nothing to some of us. But when you’re out of shape and/or just beginning, and especially if you’re overweight, ten minutes is AWESOME! Are you kidding? You feel like you’re about to die after three minutes! And you went the whole ten?! YAY! Celebrate every step because every step is a step forward. We have to deliberately focus on the progress, and the spiritual victory becomes ours. When we focus on the weakness we feel, or even on the failure to make the whole ten minutes, -maybe you only made it five minutes. Focus on the truth, which is, YOU MADE IT SOME MINUTES. Yesterday, you had no minutes under your belt. Today, you have five; that’s a gain for you. Whatever the struggle, whatever the project, focusing on the progress, no matter how small, empowers success. Focusing on the weakness, the setback, the “failure,” enables an attitude of defeat and feeds hopelessness.

1 Samuel 16:7 is referenced today: “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Love you from Cafe du Mondieu Copyright by Marina Morrison (aka) Eden Stillwater, March 30, 2019, 12:41 p.m.