Peace what does it mean? 2/28/2013

Good Morning,

Starting today with a huge cup of Door County Hazelnut Creme Coffee.

When I think about peaceful places three come to mind for me. 1. Anywhere I can duck hunt early in the morning. 2. My deer stand in Michigan. 3. This desk where I am writing to all of you. Note each of the three always have three things in common, quiet, coffee, and a Bible.

But what does peace really mean?

For the Christian it is inward peace which Jesus gives when we obey instruction. 1 Peter 5:7 is one of my favorite verses that gives us instructions for inward peace. "Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you." One of our strongest witnesses to the power of our faith is this inward peace of which I speak of.

It is a peace that words cannot do justice. Jesus promised peace to His disciples before He died. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

He said it would not be like a peace the world has to offer. It would not be a temporary  peace like alcohol, lust, anger or drugs may give. Because these only deal with our feelings and not with real problems.

His peace on the other hand would be an underlying sense of power and confidence that all our issues and circumstances are in God's loving and powerful hands. It allows us to know that His purpose and will for us are always good even if it is tough or painful.

The Jewish word for peace is shalom. It has the meaning of wholeness and tranquillity. It tells us that peace is reliant on our relationship with Jesus Christ. We already have peace with God. In the sense that that our sin which made us enemies of God has been dealt with by Jesus dying on the cross.
Romans 5:1-5 

Peace and Joy

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

What does this mean? Answer. When troubles are all around us, we have a a way to witness.  How do we do that?  1. Experience the peace given to us as a gift of the Holy Spirit within us.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  

2. We can use the peace within us to help us become peacemakers in the stressful situations helping others to be at peace with each other.  Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Are you at peace today? If not obey one of the many Bible Commands to turn it over to God. Are you at peace with God? Have you invited Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior? If not will you do so today? Do you have the peace of eternal life in heaven? You can ask right now. The following prayer is an example of a prayer you might say. The prayer is not what is important but rather what is in your heart. Your own words in prayer are just as good.

 

Salvation is a requirement to enter into Heaven. Salvation is for all who believe on Christ Jesus.

John 3:16-17 says: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Romans 10:9-10 says: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. This is why we say the Sinner's Prayer. The following is an example of a Sinner's Prayer that is used by many, however, you may use your own.

The Sinner's Prayer
Lord Jesus, I come before you and confess that I am a sinner. Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross, and that Almighty God raised you from the dead. I pray that you forgive me of my sin, and be my Lord and Savior. In the name of Christ Jesus I pray this request. Amen.
After saying the Sinner's Prayer, and meaning it with your whole heart, you are made anew in the spirit and your sins are instantly forgiven, simply because you have confessed and asked for forgiveness

 

God bless,

Marty

 

The Nature of Faith 2/27/2013

Good Morning,

My Coffee is Door County Cherry Creme today. My cup is full!!!

Jesus' friends once asked him to increase their faith. His reply was not what they were expecting.  If they had faith as tiny as a mustard seed, he said they could move mountains and displace trees.

Luke 17:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
⁶ He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Matthew 17:20

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

The apostles had actually asked the wrong question. Faith is not something that grows in quantity. It really is not something that we can possess more or less of; That would make faith dependent on us. This may be confusing some of you. Hang in there. It is actually our faith in what God can do. So what seems just a "little" faith can achieve much because it knows that nothing is too great for God.

Genesis 18:14

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

The apostles should have rephrased their question to be "please improve our faith". We need to learn how to trust God in a simplistic way.

Matthew 8:5-13New International Version (NIV)

The Faith of the Centurion

⁵ When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. ⁶ “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
⁷ Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
⁸ The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. ¹¹ I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,⁽ and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹² But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

In this passage a soldier recognized that our Lord only needed to say a word of authority and his request would be granted.

Are you asking for faith in yourself or in God?

God bless,
Marty



 

Puppy Poop and The Tongue 2/26/2013

Good Morning.
God bless your day. I started mine with a hot cup of Door County Hawaiian Hazelnut Coffee.

Well at least once a year we have to go over this one. My analogy is gross but here goes.

Picture a very hot day and you have been outside for an hour or so. Someone brings to you an ice cold bottle of fresh water. Can you taste it???? Oh man it goes down so good and you want more. And you ask, " please sir or mam may I have another"? And they reply "yes just a minute". They pull a bottle from an ice filled chest and open it. You can just taste it. But they stop and reach down on to the lawn and pick up a small piece of puppy poop left on the grass and place it into your water, shake it up and hand it to you. "Whoa you say, that ruined the water and I don't want it.!!!" They reply "it's just a little". Gross analogy I know. But sometimes you just have to make a point. Let's look at what Scripture has to say.

James 3:2-10

² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people ⁽who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

So as just a little puppy poop ruined the water, small things that come out of our mouths change the flavor of how we  are perceived and received by others. I often think that if we could all learn to tame our tongues first, we could have victory over almost everything, like alcohol, pornography, lust, lying, weight management and a host of others. Your words today may be the puppy poop in someone's day.

Mind your tongue!

Love you all,

Marty

Count your blessings. Day 3. 2/25/2013

Good Morning,
I must admit I am looking forward to Christmas again. I broke out my emergency stash of Door County White Christmas Coffee today.

Well this is the third and last day for our series on count your blessings. I hope it made you think. God's word is living. When I open it and study it I expect it to do something. It is God's number one way that He communicates to us. The word can correct us, comfort us, guide us and instruct us. So always pray before reading and spend time afterwards in prayer listening. But expect God's word to do something when you are faithful and read it.

On to the series.


Psalm 103

1 A Psalm of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Praise God Everybody!!!!!

Praise can't always just be a private affair. Everybody must know and acknowledge the greatness of our God who is in absolute control and all powerful. God deserves honor, praise, thanks and worship from everything He created. He deserves it from you. (vs 19-22)

Action Point:
Slow down and list all that God has done for you. Not only specific answers to prayers, but for all His gentle, strong ruling in your life, which is often behind the scenes and out of sight. Spend some time thanking God for all of these.
This has me laughing. For all of you who are data driven I may never hear from you again because you will be strapped to a lap top trying to record the impossible. No one can measure all that God does for us.

God bless,
Marty

Count Your Blessings Day 2 2/24/2013

Good Morning.
May your Sunday be blessed with praise, worship and rest in Jesus Christ. My morning is starting off with a cup of Door County Coconut Coffee.

Today is day two of a study and application of Psalm 103. If you missed day one it can be viewed at www.martyschutte.blogspot.com. Day three will be posted tomorrow.

Psalm 103

1 A Psalm of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Feeling weak??????

God does not expect from us more than we can give. He is like a father making allowances for his little kids. (vs 13)  He knows that we are dust, pitifully weak and so temporary. (vs 14-16) But wonderfully , those who trust Him can face both time and eternity. ( vs 17-18 )

Now that makes me want to praise Him and worship Him.

God bless,
Marty

Count Your Blessings Series Day 1 2/23/2013

Good Morning,
Happy Saturday to you. I am drinking a hot cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee. One of my last winter coffee flavors.

I know Saturdays can be busy. But I am asking each of you reading this to stop and study awhile. This won't take long. Then pass it on to someone else. I will be doing a three day series on Psalm 103

Psalm 103

1 A Psalm of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 103 is pure praise to me. There are times when it is good to stop asking God for things, and start thanking Him for who He is and what he has done. This psalm is praise from start to finish. There are no requests found in the writing at all. The word bless is often translated as praise. (Bless the Lord oh my soul or praise the Lord oh my soul.)

Count Your Blessings
The writer begins by listing some of the ways in which God has helped and blessed him. (vs 1-5). He reminds us to be thankful for material and physical blessings as well as the spiritual ones. They all come from God. Many times we take these for granted until they are lost or taken away.

God is kind and compassionate.
The writer's conclusion. God looks after those who cannot take care of themselves. (vs 6) He guides his people in his own loving purpose for them. (vs 7) He forgives and restores us, when we go astray.
(vs 8-12). The greatness of His love can only be compared with the length He goes to pardon us from our sins.

John 3:16

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

 

More tomorrow. God bless,

Marty

Hitting What You Aim At 2/22/2013

Good Morning,

My cup is filled with Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee!

This picture is of my older dog Fritz and me. Fritz has retrieved 4021 birds in his life time. Pictured are 4000 and 4001. Fritz will be 12 years old this year in July. Many people contributed to his total number of bird retrieves. I wish I could say I shot them all. The truth is that if we had actually hit every bird we shot at, Fritz's total would be much greater and he would have had that 4000th bird much sooner. But we did not always hit what we aimed at. Many times when we missed a bird Fritz would growl at us and shake his head. But that only lasted a moment and he never ever turned me down when I said "let's go get some birds". He forgot the miss and off we went again.

The Christian life is like that too. Many of us strive for perfection but we miss. (Sin) But we can't let that ruin us to where we do not want to try again and again.

God has a bit to say about that. He may correct us, but think about it. He does not give up on us. He corrects us expecting that we will do better. His correction is to move us forward not backwards. Like Fritz he is always willing to forgive and work hard with us to get us where we need to be spiritually.
He corrects us because He loves us!

Check this out!!!!!!!!!!! See how much God loves us. God Bless Marty

Deuteronomy 8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; Psalm 119:75 I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Proverbs 3:11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, Proverbs 3:12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Child Training 2-21-2013

Good morning to all.
Starting my day with a hot cup of Door County German Chocolate Coffee.

Child training? The Bible has much to say about the subject. One particular verse that I like to look at with young parents comes from the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 22:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

Most people would interpret this verse in this way.

Child training works! A properly trained child will fear God and live a wise and righteous life as an adult. An untrained child will not fear God or live a wise and righteous life as an adult. Only a miracle of grace can undo poor child training. God is faithful. His Word is true. Do not question this promise. Exceptions do not alter the rule. Believe it! Do it!

 

Or this way.

Solomon said, "Train." He did not say raise. We raise vegetables, but we train children. Feeding a child nutritious meals, providing warm clothing, giving him his own bedroom, and kissing him good night is not training. Most every species of animals does these things for their young. Training a child is calculated instruction and discipline to form long-term character and wisdom in the fear of the Lord and knowledge of Scripture.

 

Now I actually agree with both stances on this view. But I would like to add a third.

Train up a child in the way he should go! I argue that both stands above are correct. But doing that takes time. In spending that time and we should, we can learn how our child is wired. By doing that we can learn and see where their passions are. We then can determine where they want to go in life and how we can assist them in getting there. If we train them up to live a righteous life they will be righteous in anything they do. It is what they do, that they need us to assist them, help them and teach them so they are prepared to be what God wired them to be.

 

Spend time with your child. Learn how God wired them and then direct them in God's ways to be what He wired them to be.

 

God bless,

Marty

Tax Preparations 2-20-2013

Good Morning,

My coffee today is a hot cup of Door County Cherry Creme.

In America it is time to pay our taxes. I assume many are not overjoyed at doing so. Paper work, paper work, receipts, statements, argh. I sure am glad my wife has them all organized. She does a great job of having everything ready. Did you know that paying tax and submitting to the government is Biblical. This might help as you pay!

Romans 13:1-7

New American Standard Version

vs1 "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
vs2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
vs3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; vs4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.
vs5 Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake." vs6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. vs7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

 

Be Godly in all actions with the Government. It is an expectation of God.

 

Taxes here I come,

Marty

Events that happened on 2/19/2013

Good Morning,
I am starting this day with a hot cup of Door County Marshmallow Mocha Coffee this morning.

John 14:1-4

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions;^[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.^{[b] 3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

 

Acts 1:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ “Men of Galilee,”^(A) they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back^(B) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

 

 

Looking back at History for this date I was able to compile a few historical days. You will see some pretty big events.  Some had a huge impact on the world and some did not.  But each is a moment in history. Many people who were involved with the date's events are no longer alive. Many of the things I mention below might not even mean anything to you. Some no longer have any impact on anything at all. Some still do. But in the end when Jesus comes back the only thing that will matter is your relationship to Him as Lord and Savior. But there is only one February 19th 2013. What will you do that will have an impact on eternity? Will you choose Jesus today, will you lead someone to Him. Make today last for eternity?

Lead Story

Donner Party rescued, 1847

American Revolution

Congress overlooks Benedict Arnold for promotion, 1777

Automotive

Yarborough wins fourth Daytona 500, 1984

Civil War

Yankee General Francis Preston Blair Jr. born, 1821

Cold War

United States calls situation in El Salvador a communist plot, 1981

Crime

Angry San Francisco vigilantes take the law into their own hands, 1851

Disaster

Tornadoes strike the Southeast, 1884

General Interest

Copernicus born, 1473

Aaron Burr arrested for treason, 1807

Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9066, 1942

Solzhenitsyn reunited with family, 1974

Hollywood

Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade, 1934

Literary

Amy Tan's birthday, 1952

Music

Thomas Alva Edison patents the phonograph, 1878

Old West

Rescuers reach Donner Party, 1847

Presidential

FDR signs Executive Order 9066, 1942

Sports

Patrick Roy gets 300th win as NHL goalie, 1996

Tiger Woods apologizes for extramarital affairs, 2010

Vietnam War

South Vietnamese coup unsuccessful, 1965

Chicago Seven sentenced, 1970

World War I

British navy bombards Dardanelles, 1915

World War II

Marines invade Iwo Jima, 1945

God bless,
Marty

Maple Cheese 2/18/2013

Good Morning.
While shopping this weekend in a small town named Three Lakes Wisconsin I found one last package of Door County Egg Nog Coffee. So guess what is in my cup this morning.

We usually make a short stop to pick up some Maple Cheese in Three Lakes. You might say "Maple Cheese"???. Yes it is made from maple syrup and is quite sweet. We have found nothing better than the maple taste on a grilled ham and cheese. It also does wonders between pancakes! The aroma it has when melted is unbelievable. Uh UMMMMM GOOD!

The following Scripture talks about how we are to be a sweet aroma to others sending out the beauty of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

What aroma are we? I know of some cheese that has a pungent odor and to me just is not appealing at all. I remember telling my mom after smelling Limburger cheese for the first time that the cheese needed deodorant! How does our life stack up? Can it represent Jesus or is it smelly?
Do you need some spiritual deodorant today? Get in the Word and pray. God will show you what to trim away!

God bless,
Marty

Fourteen Below Zero 2/17/2013

Good Evening,

No coffee tonight. My wife and I just returned from a visit to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan tonight. We went to visit my Dad and spend some time away from the city. We had a nice time and we were able to do a little shopping for maple cheese and watch some old western television shows with him.

This morning when we came out to the kitchen for some blueberry muffins and milk my Dad looked concerned. The first words out of his mouth were "it is fourteen below zero outside". I looked at our Jeep and said a little prayer that it would start easy in the cold. I knew the day before that it was supposed to get pretty cold so I purchased some gasoline additive to keep the lines from freezing. It is supposed to aid in starting cold cars also. So I hit the remote start and watched as the Jeep chugged a couple times and then started up and within seconds was purring just right. I said to myself, "it's good to be prepared to leave."

Well that brings me to my point for the day. Many people do not prepare in advance for eternity. They always think they have more time. Well unless they are God, they do not know the exact time or day they will die. I knew it was going to be cold, but not that cold. I was prepared no matter what.

Job 7:1

"Is there not an APPOINTED TIME to man upon the earth? Are not his days also like the days of an hireling?"

Yes there is an appointed time for all of us to die. And no one knows when.

So wouldn't be a good idea to be ready. Where will you spend eternity? Heaven or Hell.

God desires that all should be saved.

“… God our Savior, who desires ALL MEN to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For WHOEVER calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:12)

The only way that I have found in Scripture to be saved from the condemnation of my own sin is Jesus Christ.

1. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
2. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all …” (1 Timothy 2:5)
3. “There is one body and one Spirit … one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4)
4. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
5. “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and find pasture … I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:9)
6. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25)
7. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
8. And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

1. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)
2. “… whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:15-16)
3. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
4. “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
5. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24)
6. “… And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; He who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11)
7. “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:14)

Well God loves us all and does not force Himself on us. It is a choice. Whom will you choose? As for me I chose Jesus.

Think about it. But not too long. You can't be sure of a tomorrow.

God bless,
Marty

Bitterness Is A Four Letter Word. Yuck! 2-16-2013

Dear Friends,
Good morning and happy Saturday to you. Drinking some Door County Cherry Creme this morning! Cold air in Wisconsin makes the coffee even better.

When I was a child most all medicines for kids came in liquid form or an injection. I remember one time when after I spit out the liquid my mother gave me she said "come on now this doesn't taste that bad"!
Then she tasted a little to show me that she liked it. I remember the look on her face. Ha! Her face gave it away. That stuff was bitter and awful. Isn't it funny? The medicine was good for me yet I spit it out.
But many people love to hang on to bitterness. I heard someone say "Bitterness is like drinking a cup of poison and hoping it kills someone else." I do not think that would work!
Bitterness eats away at us. We need to spit it out!!!! So to say.
Unlike medicine God advises us against bitterness.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Hebrews 12:14-15
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

A heart that beats best beats for others. Don't let bitterness grab hold of your heart.
Nowhere in the Bible do I find where love hurts anything. Spit out the bitterness and let your heart be full of love for God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The love you find with them will carry you past the bitterness and allow you to love others even if they have wronged you.

God bless your day!
Marty

Light of the World. 2/15/2013

Good Morning.
Happy Friday to you. I am celebrating with a a hot cup of Door County Hawaiian Hazel Nut Coffee.

While vacationing, my wife and I will drive out of our way to see old light houses along the Great Lakes or the oceans. We like to take the tours and listen to the history. We imagine what it would have been like to be light house tenders before they were all modernized and automated. We have heard many stories as to how the lights have guided sailors and their ships to safety.

Jesus calls us to be light house tenders. He wants us to lead people to Him and to safety for eternity in Him.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

What is that light? Jesus said "I am the light of the World". Christians the light of the world is Jesus and people should  see the happiness of the Gospel Message received  within us. Our works should be reflective of a life that is happy in Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, and looking to and in touch always with the Father.  That being said. How can we not not shine?

Shine on friends, shine on!

Love you all,
Marty

Antique Desk 2/14/2013

Good Morning. It is Valentines Day today. So for my Coffee today I will have some Door County Cherry Creme.

When I write the postings for this blog I sit at my desk in our loft. I am surrounded by our books and a lot of taxidermied animals. All of the pictures and prints in the loft are outdoor scenes, hunting memories and mission trip photos.

The desk is an antique that my wife found a few years ago. It was found in a small shop in Northern Wisconsin. It dates pre-World War Two. Someone estimated that it was made during the depression of 1929. The day we were shopping and I saw her talking to the antique dealer, I knew soon that we would be the owner of something. I asked "what did you purchase"?  She replied, "that desk". My reply to that was. "What desk"? All I saw was an old table with a top that looked like a cabinet. My wife told me that it was perfect and with a little work it would look great. I did remind her that at our vehicle we were driving was a Ford Escape. I thought I could stop the sale by reminding her that the "so called desk" would not fit in the car. "No problem" she answered. "I told them you would be back next Saturday with a truck to pick it up!"

When we got outside I told her what a pile of junk that desk was and that it would take forever to get it to look half way decent. She reminded me of her confidence in my abilities and told me that there was more to the desk than just wood.

A week later I was home with the piece of junk. I did not have much to do for the rest of the weekend so I started in on the desk. About that time my wife came home from work and said "Stop'! She started looking through the drawers and then pulled one apart. You see, this desk was from an old post office and telegraph station. Stuck in the back of the desk was an old news paper article dated December 7th 1941 "Pearl Harbor Attacked". Also there was a an old telegraph statement. We believe it was from the person who worked the desk. It was dated December 18th 1941.  It read, Dear Mom, Pearl H. bombed. I am fine. I have left off the names to protect privacy.  I did end up working on the desk and a chair purchased two weeks later for two months. I must say it is really beautiful.
My wife reminds me that it wasn't the beauty of the desk but what was inside that was important to her.

I think we need to look at people that way. After all it is just how God want us to do it.

1 Samuel 16:7- God looks at your Heart
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

God Bless,
Marty

Summer Picnic with a recipe. 2/13/2013

Good Morning,

Wednesday. Step up on your toes and you can almost see Saturday. My coffee is Door County Coconut today.

I was thinking about planning a summer event already. My wife and I will host the family picnic at our house this summer. I do most of the cooking in this house and have many cook books. I never like to serve the same thing two years in a row. For Christmas I received the gift of a new cook book. While browsing through I made some notes on a couple recipes that will be on the menu that day.

So being content with that I started to day dream a little. I was thinking well before that I need to get the yard in shape. Bad drought last year, must patch the dead spots in the lawn! Before I knew it I had a ten item list to do before I can even have the cook out!

Actually taking care of those things will get done and they should be! This is being a good steward of what God has given me. But I had to scold myself. I did not take the time to pray for those who will be coming. I got too wrapped up in details. What if this picnic never happens for some reason?
Aren't the guests more important today? So important that I should pray for them as I make out the invitation list?

Luke 10:38-42

New King James Version (NKJV)

Mary and Martha Worship and Serve

³⁸ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

I just did a Martha. Too busy planning and I missed the spiritual side of things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Argh

Don't miss time with God and pray for others. The picnic will be better that way.

God bless,
Marty

Barbecued Ribs

Original recipe makes 8 servings

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

• 4 poundsbaby back pork ribs
• 4 clovesgarlic, sliced
• 1 tablespoonwhite sugar
• 1 tablespoonpaprika
• 2 teaspoonssalt
• 2 teaspoonsground black pepper
• 2 teaspoonschili powder
• 2 teaspoonsground cumin
• 1/2 cupdark brown sugar

• 1/2 cupcider vinegar
• 1/2 cupketchup
• 1/4 cupchili sauce
• 1/4 cupWorcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoonlemon juice
• 2 tablespoonsonion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoondry mustard
• 1 clovecrushed garlic

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Place ribs on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Scatter 4 cloves of sliced garlic over ribs. Cover, and bake for 2 1/2 hours. Cool slightly.
2. In a small bowl, mix together white sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and ground cumin. Rub spices over cooled ribs. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
3. In a small saucepan, mix together brown sugar, cider vinegar, ketchup, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion, dry mustard, and 1 clove garlic. Simmer over medium-low heat, uncovered, for 1 hour. Reserve a small amount for basting; the remainder is a dipping sauce.
4. Preheat grill for medium heat.
5. Place ribs on grill. Grill, covered, for about 12 minutes, basting with the reserved sauce, until nicely browned and glazed. Serve with remaining sauce for dipping.