Fear Has A Big Appetite 2/21/1024

 Good Morning,

I just poured a large mug with very hot Door County Cherry Crème Coffee and it is time to write. 

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 

Most all people have a fear of something. Try giving  your fear level a score by number 1 being the least and 10 being your maximum fear level . Obviously when fear starts out at a1, our response is also minimal. I have concluded that fear has an appetite and it is fed by more fear.  "Fear Feeds Fear." It is very easy to let fear overcome us. And the way to beat the fear is to take it in small portions, and see that you can overcome the fear. Panicking and freezing in place only adds to the fear.

A simple way to fight off the fears of the day is to start every day with prayer and time in God's Word. When we fully realize that God is with us and does not want us to fear, we can face the fear that evil seeks to use as a battle implement on our day and night. 

If as a parent you show and share fear with your little ones you have just increased the fear in the room. 

When you are afraid or going through an anxiety attack, slow down. Take out your Bible, read and pray. Do this out loud. So not only does your mind know what you are saying but your whole body hears it as well. 

I could speak on this for days. but I won't. Just remember fear feeds itself with more fear. Nip that fear in the bud!

God bless. 

Marty

Peace, Keep It True At All Times 2/20/2025

 Good Morning,

I just sat down at the desk  with a hot cup of  Door County Country Morning Blend Coffee and it is time to write. Zechariah 8:16 These are the thing that you shall do. Speak the truth to one another.; render in your gates judgements that are true and make for peace. 

The world is watching the peace talks that are going on regarding the war in the Ukraine as well as other parts of the world. . I for one have been praying for peace since day one. I am not launching a blog today about specific details about any certain countries, their leaders or issues. 

I know this for sure though, that the peace hoped for will never come if truth is avoided. This goes for our personal lives as well. If we seek to make peace with an individual or group, it is necessary to deal only with the truth and not a manufactured peace based upon nothing but the truth. 

For instance a wife has a cherished heirloom on display and it gets broken when a Springer Spaniel runs into the curio cabinet while chasing a ball. The truth is, the accident shouldn't have happened. It was decided a long time ago that there would not be any throwing of anything in the house. In my simple attempt to defend my actions I could have tried to switch the blame for the incident to my wife. "That is a dumb place to put a curio cabinet." The truth is avoided by shifting blame. Now I added to the pain of the situation by avoiding my responsibility for the actions causing the mishap. Fortunately the heirloom was not a family relic and it can be replaced by touring antique shops until I can  pay my reparations. 

Any peace situation t that is hoped for by not professing the truth will not last. Personal, or world peace is anything but on solid ground when the truth is not part of it. 

God bless, 

Marty

You Just Never Know Who, When, And Where 2/19/2025

 Good Morning,

I just sat down at my desk with a hot cup of Door County Country Morning Blend Coffee and it is time to write. 

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. 

Yesterday I was working at the election polls in my town for a primary election. I was not working in my usual spot within the city. I agreed to be flexible when hired and there was a need to fill some absences in another district. So I volunteered to slide on down the road to that particular district. My wife joked about it the night before and challenged me with. "Now enjoy yourself and make new friends". I replied with "Yes mother. I will play nice and maybe even be approachable." I have been told for a long time that I am not approachable. And to be hones, it is probably true. 

So off I went with my little lunch box and met my coworkers for the day. They were a very nice group and made the new kid at school feel welcome. During the day my leader and I exchanged pleasantries . During our exchange she mentioned working in a camp as a volunteer. It sounded familiar to me and I said that I believe that some people from our church are connected with the camp. She asked me the name of our church and I told her. I did not expect the look on her face that I received. She asked me if I knew a particular lady from our church. This particular lady can't be mentioned in the same breath without mentioning her husband. They are a duo and when you think about them you always refer to both of them. I said I knew them both and that they are near and dear to me. They are a little bit older than my wife and I and my new leader just gushed with kind things to say about them. I added to the conversation to say that I admired their tenacity for loving God and taking care of others. 

My point for the day is this. You just never know who you will meet in any given day. You don't know how much you might impress others with your kindness and devotion, or not.  I would not have expected any less praise for my two friends than what I heard. Their reputation was and is impeccable and will be long talked about once they leave this world. I am proud to call them "My family from church."

What do people say about us when we aren't there?

Have a great day. 

Marty

Things Are Not The Most Important 2/18/2024

 Good Morning,

I am off to work the voting polls today with an insulated bottle of Door County Black and Tan Coffee and a small lunch. 

Most people understand that the important things in life are not things at all. What is most important in life are the relationships we build and endure. We were made, created, or wired to be relational beings. We have a desire within to be in relationships. These needs are met with relationships with others. 

But the most important relationship we need, is our relationship with God. It is our most personal relationship we will ever have. God created us. He knows us inside and out. He has numbered the hair on our heads. He knows are thoughts and our actions are never hidden from Him. Yet being as mortal and imperfect as we are God still wants a relationship with us. 

He never forces us into that relationship. On our part it is a relationship of choice and faith. Romans 5:8 But God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 10:9 Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with Me.

The invitation to Christ is always available 24/7. The most important step anyone will ever take is to start and maintain that relationship/  

Have a great day!

Marty

Looking Through The Window 2/17/2025

 Good Morning, 

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Black and Tan Coffee and it is time to write.

Yesterday morning while while I was studying and praying, I looked outside at our back yard and the wintry landscape. I was glad to be viewing it through the window in my den. The climate inside was warm for sure. The den is right above the fireplace and I was going to add  two more logs to the fire . The fire was almost out and the dogs hinted that a stronger fire was needed.

Romans 12:8 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  

We have our nephew's dog Waylon staying with us for a few days. We added a third dog bed in front of the fireplace. All three dogs meet at the warm spot and rest together. 

My point for the day is this. The dogs had just come in from playing around and training in the cold snow. They then took advantage of a warm solution to their snowy bodies. We as well should always take advantage of good things offered to us and share with others if possible. They exhibited the attitude we all should have. "Always Make Room For One More".

Keep that in mind this week as you travel your part of the world. 

Have a great day. 

Marty

No Meal There 2/16/2025

 Good Morning,

My cup was filled with Door County Hazelnut Crème Coffee and it is time to write. 

I had a young lady ask me a question regarding her recent Valentines Day experience. Her boyfriend proposed to her and wants to marry her in this upcoming fall. She asked me if I thought they were a good match and if she should marry him. I was flattered that she would seek my advice. I have only interacted with the couple a few times but had already witnessed some things I did not like. It always seemed to me that she was the target of some cruel jokes and the way he talked to her was not uplifting or endearing. 

Proverbs 23:8 You will vomit up the morsels you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words. 

I asked her this question. When you are together do you walk away feeling good about yourself? Do you feel important to him. The answer was a flat "No". I then asked her why she would want to marry someone who already does not treat her like she was loved. " No one else asks me out" 

Sometimes people can be so desperate for love and any affection at all, they settle for second best. I am hear to tell you this. No one ever grabbed a spoon and a plate and made a meal out of someone else's vomit. 

I will say this. If you are dating someone and you can't see any relationship that places God first in their life. Walk away. If God is first, you will be treated like the important person you are. The experience of the courtship will let you know that you are loved. It will be an uplifting time and will make you want to return the kindness and affection. 

If there is emotional hurt in the dating process, what will a marriage bring? And like cancer it spreads eventually to the children. This goes for men and women. 

My message for today is this. Be picky about who you date. They might become your mate. You are important to God and you should be treated that way!

God bless.

Marty

Put Another Log On The Fire 2/15/2025

 Good Morning,

Saturday it is and it would not be a morning if I did not have a hot cup of Door County Coffee next to me. My flavor of the day is Inn Keepers Blend. It is time to write. 

Proverbs 16:20 Whoever gives thought to the word, will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. 

Our house was a little cold inside last night. My wife Rene asked me to add another log to the fireplace and soon after that, the homestead was a degree or two warmer. The dogs like to curl up in front of the fire and stay warm. They have adopted that space as theirs. I was able to catch a few embers that were still glowing. It made it easy to stoke a fire and warm us this morning.

So I took a look at our blessings last night. I have ample wood to burn and I enjoy cutting firewood. We have a home, and there is food in the house. I have a wife to cut wood for. We have clothing for winter and blankets to spare. Last night I spent an hour or two in an upper den, reading my Bible and preparing a Bible lesson. Some snow came down last night and It was a beautiful sight to see. Our daughter is healthy and that has been a prayer request from last year. 

We have some bread rising in the pan and sometime today we will be baking it. Just a simple seat, at a simple desk surrounded by photos and memories, reminds me that I am truly blessed.  Counting your blessings now and then takes your eyes off of what you don't have, but what you have. I see so many happy memories with bread that will send it's beautiful aroma through the house, I am content.

So the message for today is to count not what you don't have, but what you have or had at one time or another. 

God bless,

Marty