More Precious Than Gold 1/31/14

Good Morning,

Friday I knew you would return to us. So to celebrate I am having a cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee this morning. Looking forward to church Saturday night and a hockey game this weekend.

Psalm 19:7-10

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
⁸ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

We look at today's passage and it really puts life in perspective for us. We can see that whatever God says or does is perfect. His perfect will is to save our souls. His laws are for our own good. His commands to us are pure.

So why is it that attendance in Christian churches is down? The simple answer is this. God is not a priority for many. A simple way to put it is this way. When God becomes a choice among many, He really is no choice at all. God is always to be top priority for the Christian. We are to place a value on our relationship with God which is to be much more valuable to us than a pot of gold.

Take a calendar and start marking down the days you attend church. If you miss a day, write down why? At the end of the year you will see the value you place on God.

Have a great Friday,
Marty

God Sings? 1/30/14

Good Morning.
On the road this morning early with a cup of Door County Highlander Grog to warm me and keep me awake.

I was thinking about music and God the other day. God has inspired many people to invent and build many musical instruments that when played by a musician  produce wonderful music. God has also created people with talent who can sing with passion. A beautiful voice is to be cherished. I however do not have talent to sing or play an instrument. I play the radio fairly well.

I wish I could tell you how many references to music there are in the Bible. But the number is not important. In Zephaniah I find reading  that  God sings over us  just amazing. I have never heard God actually hum a tune for me , but just knowing that He is singing and providing me with a song in my heart absolutely makes me feel blessed. I like all forms of music. But when I hear a duck quack I thank God for that sound. To me it is another form of music that only God can send.

Zephaniah 3:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

 

Psalm 40:3                    

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord

When I think of all that God does for me, it makes me want to praise Him. Because of His love for me it puts a song in my heart.

Music is a gift from God. Enjoy the thought that God is singing over you!

God Bless,
Marty

Milwaukee Wisconsin and the Old South Side 1/29/14

Good Morning,

Drinking my cup of Door County White Christmas Coffee slowly today. I am taking in the aroma and the taste.

I was driving through the old neighborhood where I grew up yesterday. It was 7 below zero and everything was frozen to the maximum. The streets are the same but very few of the old businesses remain. The houses are a lot older now and the neighborhood is well worn. I stopped for a moment to look into a vacant lot that actually was vacant when I grew up. It was the 35th street Field of Dreams. It is where the kids in the neighborhood played pick up games of baseball or kickball. Hank Aaron played there, Babe Ruth knocked home runs out toward the water tower. Eddy Matthews made an appearance or two. Of course this was all in our minds. These were the guys we claimed to imitate when we played. As I sat there my mind went back and I could see all my friends in my memory. I could hear us all yelling and arguing with each other over a disputed bad call. "He was out". "No he wasn't". This would go on for awhile and then someone would say "Do Over!" Then everyone would return to their spot before the play and the pitch would be thrown and however the play ended was how it ended. 99% of the time the do over or our version of instant replay was the final verdict. Very seldom did we need two do overs. It was simple back then. We were just there to have fun. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all stopped being so serious and realize that sometimes the best of friends get it wrong and all you need is a do over and then go on.

Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

I still keep in touch with some of baseball's greatest from the 35th street Field of Dreams. You see none of us took ourselves that seriously on that field. An argument never lasted. It wasn't part of our game.

God bless,
Marty

When Hell Freezes Over 1/28/14

Good Morning,

The headlines for today in the Midwest read "Severe Cold Embraces the Midwest."! How can anything so cold be considered an embrace? My coffee this morning is a hot cup of Door County Cherry Creme.

The expression "when hell freezes over"  has been used to basically say, I will never, not a chance, don't even think about it, and not likely at all.  If we are waiting for hell to freeze over, even this cold spell is not going to do it.

Let's look at what the Bible has to say about hell. I am 100% SURE IT WILL NEVER FREEZE OVER.

Punishment in Hell is Eternal

Isaiah 66:24
"And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind." (NIV) Daniel 12:2
Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. (NLT)Matthew 25:46
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (NIV) Mark 9:43
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. (NLT) Jude 7
And don't forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God's judgment. (NLT) Revelation 14:11
"And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." (NKJV)

Hell is a Place of Separation from God

2 Thessalonians 1:9
They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. (NLT)

Hell Is a Place of Fire

Matthew 3:12
"His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (NKJV) Matthew 13:41–42
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (NLT) Matthew 13:50
... throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (NLT) Revelation 20:15
And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (NLT)

Hell Is for the Wicked

Psalm 9:17
The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. ESV

Well after reading this, could anyone really want to go there instead of heaven?  Could anyone really turn down the invitation of Jesus to /////

Matthew 11:28-30New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Could anyone really want to follow Satan to eternity in hell?

Think about it. Jesus and heaven, or Satan and hell. If you choose the latter of the two I will be praying for you. You my friend are not the sharpest tack in the drawer. If you choose Jesus and heaven I will rejoice with you.

Have a great day.
Marty

Comfort Zones? Leave Them? 1/27/14

Good Morning,

I am starting early today. I am not really sure what this next cold spell has in store for us. I know the temperatures are now considered dangerous. I might have to look into that phrase "when hell freezes over for tomorrow's devotional". My coffee this morning is Door County Highlander Grog. It is a blessing to have a hot cup filled with goodness and a warm car today.

We all have our comfort zones in life. Jobs. marriage, family, ministries, hobbies, church, and the list could go on for many more. In the title today I asked a question. Do not take this message out of context.

Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)

²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.

Let's examine the family. So let's say you are married and have 3.2 kids. The kids are in middle school and grade school. Maybe one reaching high school. You now have become busier than ever. You are balancing jobs, a home, cheer leading , football, church and flute lessons with the kids. And then a season changes and it is swimming, baseball, and not harp lessons.  You gotten into a comfort zone of survival. Eating pot pies in front of the television or eating in bedrooms while doing homework without any interaction as a family. But it works for now. The kids have learned to text each other to say "hey send the ketchup to my room please". Oh but that won't do. Let's get each kid a bottle of ketchup and a frig in their room.

You begin to wonder and pray. " God help us. This is not good". It's time to leave the comfort zone.
You know you have to limit the extra curricular activities. NO!! This will be a battle with the kids. We'll just have to limit or miss church to make up family time with a pancake breakfast for the family. Oh no! .2 kid has Sunday bowling and he is good at it. He only threw 6 gutter balls last week.

You see leaving what you have developed as a comfort zone is sometimes hard. But God will always lay out a plan that is better than what you have. When He calls us to leave a comfort zone, He will also require an adjustment of our lives to make it work. What's better? A dysfunctional family with a .2 kid that can bowl and play the harp or a family living for Jesus and pulling together in love?

Leaving this comfort zone will be hard. Baseball or football? Cheer leading or swimming? Flute or harp? Keep the harp! I like harp music. You will have resistance, but gain a family life that allows for time to worship, pray and serve a little.

This can be said for work, maybe a job change is in order to save your life, marriage and family? Maybe your marriage needs a spark. But no time to date your spouse is available. Time for a comfort zone change. So maybe a hobby has to go. Call to ministry and serve in a church? God requires us to leave our comfort zones and step out in faith. YOU CAN DO THIS. GOD SAYS SO.

1 Peter 2:21 God Calls Us

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 God Equips Us   

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Here's the skinny on the whole thing. At times our comfort zones are actually ruts in our lives. We just don't want to change and do better. So today sit back and think. Is this what God wants for me?
You might find yourself leading in church, eating ice cream with your kids, dating your spouse, and learning a new hobby.

God bless,
Marty

Make Me A Blessing Today 1/26/14

Good Morning,

Early riser today for a Sunday. The fireplace is glowing from last night's logs with just a few hot remaining embers. Some kindling and new logs and the warm fire will heat up the house. A pot of minestrone soup has been started and my coffee this morning is Door County Candy Cane.

         

3 John 1:11                     

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God

Yesterday I was blessed to go to breakfast with some of the men from our church. The plan was to arrive at the diner at 5:AM where a young lady from church works. In Bible study this week we heard about our sister in Christ who could not attend church due to circumstances in her life. We also were told that she needed a better job as working in the diner on third shift did not bring in a lot of tips. So the men prayed and said "why not visit her Saturday morning before her shift is done, eat breakfast and pray that God will bless us to be able to over tip"?. 

That's all it took. One good man came to me after Bible study and said "I can't go Saturday but here is money for the tip." As it went 8 of us were able to go. This young lady was elated to see the men of her church. We told her we cared and that we had her back. We were able to pray with her and tell her also that we loved her but God loves her more. Of course there were tears and maybe a few from the guys. We paid our bill and left a tip. I won't say the amount but there were guys at that table that could not afford to give what they gave. But they gave from their heart and the tip was huge.

So who was blessed? I believe both parties were. We had a great time at breakfast. We also saw God bless us enough to be able to give back.

Acts 20:35 (NKJV)

³⁵ I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

We also saw Holy Spirit at work by leading us to her. I believe the young lady was blessed to be reminded that God loves her. So I was hoping for a great Saturday. God exceeded my expectations.

There is an old hymn about being a blessing to others. Please make this hymn (copied below) your prayer for today.

Make Me a Blessing

1. Out in the highways and byways of life,
     Many are weary and sad;
   Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
     Making the sorrowing glad.

 

         Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,
         Out of my life may Jesus shine;
         Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
         Make me a blessing to someone today.

 

2. Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,
     Tell of His pow’r to forgive;
   Others will trust Him if only you prove
     True, every moment you live.

3. Give as ’twas given to you in your need,
     Love as the Master loved you;
   Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
     Unto your mission be true.

       God bless,
          Marty

How to Enjoy Saturday and a Saturday Morning Recipe 1/25/14

Good Morning,

Had a quick cup of coffee today. Now I am off to meet some buddies for an early breakfast and then it is off to work.  My coffee today is Door County Apple Cobbler.

Each person is different from everyone else. We might enjoy some of the same things in life but we are all uniquely different. So for me to say to you that in order to enjoy your Saturday start by having breakfast with your friends would not work too well for some. Or for me to say that in order to enjoy your Saturday you all should get up early. That would not work for my sleep in late wife or friends.

But I can tell you that each day is a blessing from God.

Psalm 118:24 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

I can also tell you that a good way to enjoy the day is to pray early.

Mark 1:35 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

So with that in mind, start by rejoicing that when you woke up today you weren't in hell. Pray early and read your Bible for awhile. When you start the day on holy ground it just has to be a day you will enjoy.

God bless,

Marty

I have used this recipe for camping . I call it Corned Beef Hash In a Tin with Eggs

Ingredients

1 (15 1/2 ounce) can corn beef hash  

6 eggs

salt and pepper       

1 (8 1/2 ounce) box
Jiffy corn muffin mix
(or other corn bread or muffin mix)

1 egg

1/3 cup  milk

Directions:

   1 Heat oven to 400 degrees.

2 Grease 12 muffin cups well and press about 2 tablespoons of hash in 6 muffin cups.

3 Make a deep indentation in center of hash.

4 Break an egg into eash hash cup and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

5 Prepare corn bread mix according to package directions using the egg and 1/3 cup of milk.

6 Fill remaining 6 muffins cups with batter; about 2/3 full.

7 Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until muffins are golden brown and eggs are a desired doneness.

Roe V Wade What Does God Say? 1/24/14

Good Morning To All

Another cold day in Wisconsin. My coffee today is a steaming hot cup of Door County Christmas. I woke up to that wonderful aroma at 4AM.

Today's devotional might not be pleasant to read. Some may find it offensive, but probably not as offensive as the sin I will describe in the message today. Below is an article that just staggered me

Report: 54,559,615 Abortions Since Roe v. Wade in 1973

"As the nation marks the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the National Right to Life Committee estimates that 54,559,615 abortions have been performed in the United States since the Supreme Court guaranteed a woman’s right to the procedure."

The organization compiled its data from the Centers for Disease Control and the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion group that once served as Planned Parenthood’s research arm, Lifenews.com reports.

Guttmacher’s numbers come directly from abortion centers and serves as the prime source for more current figures because the CDC has never tabulated accurate numbers of abortions, Lifenews reports.

 In addition, the CDC relies on figures from state health departments, some of which rely on voluntary reporting — “and it hasn’t had data from some states such as California and New Hampshire for more than a decade,” Lifenews reports.

"The number means there are more than 3,300 abortions daily and 137 abortions per hour every hour in the United States,” Lifenews reports. “Translated another way, an abortion is done about every 30 seconds in the United States.”

Leviticus 18:21-22

²¹ And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Moloch, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
Moloch, also rendered as Molech, Molekh, Molok, Molek, Molock, Moloc, Melech, Milcom, or Molcom (representing Semitic מלך m-l-k, a Semitic root meaning "king") is the name of an ancient Ammonite god.^[1] Moloch worship was practiced by the Canaanites, Phoenicians, and related cultures in North Africa and the Levant.
As a god worshipped by the Phoenicians and Canaanites, Moloch had associations with a particular kind of propitiatory child sacrifice by parents. Moloch figures in the Book of Deuteronomy and in the Book of Leviticus as a form of idolatry (Leviticus 18:21: "And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Moloch"). In the Old Testament, Gehenna was a valley by Jerusalem, where apostate Israelites and followers of various Baalim and Caananite gods, including Moloch, sacrificed their children by fire (2 Chr. 28:3, 33:6; Jer. 7:31, 19:2–6).

God has a lot to say about child sacrifice. I am not going out on a limb when I say that when an abortion occurs a child is then sacrificed to Satan. Only Satan would desire to see babies executed. When a person consents to abortion a life is taken and the only one rejoicing is Satan. This practice is a sin and every Christian in the world should be on their knees praying for this to stop. Look at the number again. Friends that is almost 55 MILLION. We cry when children are killed in their schools and we should. That too is evil. Yet 55 MILLION did not get to school. 3300 per day are murdered and it does not make the news.

Well enough said. Please join me in prayer today. I am glad my mother did not think that way!

God bless.
Marty

Miracles! Do You Believe?

Good Morning,

I am slurping down some very hot Door County Maple coffee this morning. Nothing like a hot cup of coffee on a frigid day. Funny thing, I drink coffee all year round even on hot days. I guess I will have to come up with a different excuse for coffee during the summer.

I have to say that I have witnessed my share of miracles to this point in my life. I believe God is still in the business of miracles.

 

I would like to share one that I witnessed a few years ago. I was on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and the weather was hot and humid. There was very little relief from it. A couple of us got together and expressed that we were worried about several in the group that just seemed to be beat. I went back to a chair in the shade and began to pray. I remember the prayer well. "Father God, if it would be your will would you please provide some comfort from this heat for my friends.?"

I did not think about it too much and went about doing some work that needed to get done, That evening a motor scooter pulled into our camp. It was the local Pastor who also was worried about us. On the back of his scooter were two 5 gallon containers of ice cream. Now the closest city where one could purchase ice cream was 35 to 45 minutes away by scooter. I asked where he had picked up the ice cream and he told me that he had gotten it from the city and drove it to us. I expected that when we opened it that the ice cream would be melted from the heat and would be more like cold soup.
Much to my surprise the ice cream was still frozen so hard that we had difficulty scooping it from the container. I smiled and looked up. I said to myself "Only You God could deliver frozen ice cream to a hot steamy jungle."

Friends I believe God is the God Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega. I believe that our Creator loves us and still provided miracles for us to see and be blessed with.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

³ ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

 

God chose to amaze that day and reward some tired workers. How about you? Want to share a miracle you have witnessed. Let's share these by commenting. But in all, we must give God the glory.

 

God bless,

Marty

 

 

Fishing 101 1/22/14

Good Morning World,

Frigid air here in Wisconsin USA. My coffee was warmed just a little more. I chose for my flavor today Door County Coconut Crush. I have decided that spilling is ok as long as it warms your body. That's my excuse for coffee stains on my tie.

My grandfather loved to fish. He would spend hours fishing and then would make sure that my Aunt Betty and my Dad both had fish for their families to eat all year long. I ate many a fish supper on Fridays as a kid. My grandpa fished alone the majority of the time in his little honey holes. But he especially enjoyed having some of the family fish with him when we would come for a visit. As a young boy I learned how to bait a hook, cast a fly rod, work a lure, what time to fish according to the lunar cycles, where to cast your bait, and why the road was wet even in the hottest July days. ( underground springs). He was a teacher. I really believe he was pulling my leg about cigar smoke keeping mosquitoes away. I still like to fish occasionally and it all comes back to me and I can usually come up with a fish dinner at the end of the day. You see, besides giving us some fish, he taught us how to fish that we might enjoy a fish fry long after he was gone.

I teach a Bible study for men on Tuesday nights. My goal is this. I want the men to learn how to study the Bible not just listen to me. I have begun teaching them to use the references in their Bible, use commentaries, use multiple versions of the Bible, and then read forward from a verse and backwards if need be to get the whole meaning and context. As we have done this I see their eyes illuminated to things they have never heard or seen before. I am teaching them to fish! They then can teach their families to not only read the Bible but study it. What we are doing is clearly scriptural. Below are some references as to why we should STUDY the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17                    

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

         

2 Timothy 3:14-17                    

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

         

Psalm 119:11                    

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

         

2 Timothy 2:15                     

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

We would all do well to fish instead of being a life long sponge hoping to soak up some wisdom from other's studies. After awhile sponges fall apart and smell.

Fish On!! Oh that's fisherman talk to say "hey one's on the line. Just taught you something!

God bless,
Marty

Crying Over Spilled Milk 1/21/14

Good Morning.

It seems as if much of the United States is dealing with some very cold weather for the next few days. Well toughen up buttercup and pour yourself a hot cup of something. My cup is filled with Door County Candy Cane Coffee.

Last night did not work out exactly like I hoped for. On Sunday I grilled some Italian sausages for supper Monday night. My goal was to come home after work and eat a light supper of Italian sausage and baked beans. We hardly ever eat while watching television but last night we broke our rules and grabbed our plates so we could see Honey Boo Boo's family on Family Feud. My wife and I  both grabbed a glass of milk and a plate of food and went to the living room. Remember I said it was cold outside and my brain must have had frost bite to make me watch Honey Boo Boo take on the Cake Boss. Anyhow I reached over for my milk and over she went, all over the carpeting. A week or so ago I wrote about making the best of circumstances. My wife is good at that. She said "finish supper and we'll tackle that spill. It's time for the carpet to be cleaned anyway. You move furniture and I will clean the carpets."

I was still staring at the cup of spilled milk thinking that my anger would make it disintegrate and dry up while she sat munching on a sausage. Long story short. Accidents happen to all of us. My wife could have said don't worry that's where you spilled Dr. Pepper once also. No she chose to make light of it and help make a bad situation better. I thought to myself,  this is what a marriage should be. And then I reminded myself to remember this and laugh it off when she tries to fix something and then makes it worse.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

 

Now for another cup of coffee. I think I will drink that from a tippy cup!

 

God bless,

Marty

Does Satan Have a Goal? 1/20/14

Good Morning Dear Friends,

Happy Monday. Rushing off to work with a cup of Door County Highlander Grog coffee in the console of my Jeep.

Have you ever wondered why Satan likes to work so hard at giving Christians grief? The answer is very simple. He knows where he is going to end up and he wants to take as many people as he can with him.

I guess people who worship Satan want to spend eternity with him. But have you seriously thought about eternity in hell with the devil? What would it be like?
Eternal Punishment
After judgment, sinners will be cast into the lake of fire to live with the devil.

• "Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:14-15).

This punishment is for eternity, not just for a short while as some religions teach.

• "'Then He will also say to those on His left, "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels"'" (Matt. 25:41).

Anyone who is cast into hell will be there forever. There is no escape from hell, or the punishment of hell.
For me, that's a scary thought I never want to experience!
Package Deal
Eternity in hell comes as a package deal. Not only are people in hell forced to live with the devil, they also live with the demons and vilest people of earth.
Today we live in a world where Satan is restrained by God. Like in the days of Job, Satan was permitted to go just so far in persecuting him.
But imagine a place where Satan is unrestrained. And imagine that place, not only with Satan running wild, but all the wicked people of earth running wild, able to hurt others to their heart's desire, because God isn't there to stop them.

The old saying goes like this. "Misery loves company". There are people you love who don't seem to care where they end up for eternity. With what you read above shouldn't we be on our knees for our friends and family that do not have Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

This is serious business. This message is lost on most of the world. It is not for the faint of heart. When we fail to intercede in prayer and preach the Good News of Jesus we confuse ourselves that Hell isn't real.

Well Satan has a goal. What's yours?

Marty

NFC and AFC Championship. Who Will Win? 1/19/14

Good Morning,

Blessed be your Sunday. Make sure to rest awhile in the arms of worship to God today. My mug is steaming with Door County Christmas Coffee.

Later today the National Football League will have a couple of games being played to determine who goes to the Super Bowl for the NFL Championship game. All four teams playing today are very good and deserve to be where they are. But unfortunately only two teams will move on, and only one can win the Super Bowl. In September all the teams had a chance to be playing in the Super Bowl, but one by one through game losses they eventually were eliminated from the main goal. Many player lockers have been emptied out and the players must wait to see if next year is the year for them. It is a long "off season" for them. Some might not ever play another game due to retirement or diminishing skills.

Fortunately God does not operate like the world or the NFL. He desires that all Christians are in the game and scoring touch downs. There is no "off season" He is in the game with us and yet is our biggest Cheerleader. No one who serves the Lord in the name of Jesus is ever a loser.

John 12:26

"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.

 

But, not many want to get into the game for God. They choose to sit on the bench or in the stands watching others. No one ever scores a touch down from the stands. So, today stand up and commit.  Say " put me in Coach I am ready to play and I will play whatever position has the need." You will see that God is ready to have you experience working along with Him. It is experiences you will never forget. And you never have to retire until God calls you to something better. Heaven! It's the Hall of Fame" All Christians will go to heaven but God says He has a reward for those who serve Him. Wow.

 

Oh by the way. The title of today's message eluded to a prediction of today's game winners. Here is the absolute truth. The two winners advancing to the Super Bowl will be the two teams who scored the most points in their respective games today.

 

God bless,

Marty

God and the Internet 1/18/14

Good Day,
This is coming to you late today. Our Internet and phones were down. This morning I was blessed to have a dear friend make a pot of Door Count Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Coffee while a we made pot pies at our church for our Brazil Mission Team.

Our Internet access went down yesterday when work was being performed next door at the neighbors house. It seems as if the work crew connected them and disconnected us. I won't use this media to bash a company. But after being on hold and speaking to people who really did not care if our telephones or computers worked until late Monday I had run out of patience. My neighbor works for the company that caused all the commotion and she pulled a few strings and our service was restored. Of course she was rewarded with a big thank you and a pot pie,.

Now that brings me to the message. While I was using my cell phone to create a work request from the phone company, who does provide our Internet service, they kept telling me to go online to monitor the request. No one seemed to understand that I could not access the Internet to accomplish anything.

Aren't you glad that when we pray to God, he understands and knows what we need even before we ask? He doesn't put us on hold but listens to our prayers immediately and starts action that is best for us.

Matthew 6:5-8

Prayer

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

God does not need the Internet. He is available 24/7 without any down time. And He has all the answers without transferring you to another department.

Have a great day and better tomorrows.
Marty

The Price of Prayer 1/17/14

Good Morning.
Friday has arrived and it sure took it's time to get here. Today I am having a cup of Door County White Christmas Coffee. It snowed here last night and it looks so quiet and peaceful.

It makes you just want to pray and have God whisper in your ear. I think many of us forget the price of prayer. No, it does not cost anything to pray. You don't have to stuff coins into a meter. Prayer is a holy privilege. It is a gift given to us so that at anytime we can call God on to the scene for ourselves or on the behalf of others.

But there was a price that was paid that we might be able to pray directly to God the Father. Jesus came to Earth and was killed for our sins that we could with boldness approach the throne of our Heavenly Father.

Romans 5:6-11

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
⁹ Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
¹⁰ For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
¹¹ And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement for our sins.

Jesus died that we might have life. Our acceptance of Jesus and forgiveness of sins through Jesus allows us access to God the Father. We can approach His throne and know we belong there.

Hebrews 4:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need

So when you decide to not pray, or get lazy in your prayer life, think of the price that was paid that gave you the right to pray.

God Bless,
Marty

Spouse Abuse 1/16/14

Good Morning,

I am not feeling all that well today. So my coffee is going to be a cup or two of water. But if I weren't feeling down it would be a big cup of Door County Highlander Grog.

This is the second day on this subject. Yesterday the title was spouse neglect. But soon after one starts neglecting their spouse it often may turn to abuse. You might think that this is an exaggeration. Not really. It doesn't take long before a spouse who is being neglected talks to someone about it or mentions it to their mate. It goes from small arguments to larger blow ups. Many times when one is confronted with their sin, out of guilt they respond harshly. Things are said or done in anger that cannot be taken back or undone. This is abuse.

So for instance when a spouse is left alone all the time because their mate would rather be out with friends or has to watch television all the time, the spouse starts to wonder "what's wrong with me"? This plays games with their mind and often causes depression. This again is just the abuse Satan hopes for. Many times in what I call guilty rage the neglected spouse can become the target of verbal barrages better left unsaid or worse the abuse become physical.

Genesis 2:18-25

The Message (MSG)

^18-20 God said, “It’s not good for the Man to be alone; I’ll make him a helper, a companion.”

Man and woman were made to desire companionship. Satan has worked hard to substitute companionship with addictions to hobbies, video games, porn, drugs, alcohol, or work. He wants people to feel neglected. He wants people to be abused by those that are supposed to love them.

Friends if this is you on either side of this coin let me know so I can pray for you. Seek help in your local Bible based church.

God loves you and you can call on Him for help. Please do so today.

God bless,
Marty

Spouse Neglect 1/15/2014

Good Morning,

Today I am starting out with one of my favorite mugs filled to the top with Door County Cherry Crème Coffee. Many people ask me where they can obtain Door County Coffee. I will be happy to share the link. www.doorcountycoffee.com

I want to launch a short series on a topic that needs to be discussed. "Spouse Neglect"  I believe we are in the age of "what's in it for me" and "it's all about me". There are so many forms of entertainment or hobbies available that I believe Satan uses them to distract us from enjoying the company of our spouses. You all know that I love to hunt. And I hunt hard. But I structure a lot of my hunting so that I am home by the time my wife is getting out of her jammies. I hunt while she sleeps. I then devote the rest of the day to her, chores and family life. I don't come from the field and attach myself to the boob tube for a Packer game. Sorry Packer fans. I may watch the game with her because she is the bigger football fan.

But what I am seeing and hearing is this. People keep score now.
1. You did this or went there, now it is my turn. This is contrary to Scripture. Therefore the family structure suffers and each person learns to be selfish.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

2. I see many people that allow hobbies to consume hours and hours of time. During this time kids go to bed without prayer, family suppers are skipped, spouses are left to be alone and silent. This is contrary to Scripture. Our hobbies have become our idols. These idols rob us of what God truly meant for marriage to be.

Mark 10:8

⁸ and the two will become one flesh.’^[a] So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

What is worse is that we don't see this as a sin. This is contrary to Scripture. The sin of neglecting your spouse in over indulging in your hobbies is like cheating on them.

1 Corinthians 6:16

Or do you not know that he who is joined^[a] to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”

Yes we join ourselves to other friends, hobbies, work or television. We then have prostituted our marriage for a substitute.

Dear Friends. "all things in moderation". There is time for all things but if your choice is destroying your family then it is time for your choice to go! Don't keep even a little bit. It will come back stronger and the desire will be overwhelming. Would you drink just a little poison? I doubt it.

I have been blessed with a wife who understands my hobby. Yet I know when enough is enough and I go antique shopping, or watch the Packer game with her. I know the flowers need to be planted Memorial Day weekend. And in return she never schedules things in October or November. She does however say. "Hunting geese this weekend?" Goose is her favorite wild game meal. That is a hint for me to drop the pheasant hunt and chase down some geese. I like pheasant. The freezer is full of geese.

Your spouse chose to spend their life with you. How about honoring that with spending your life with them. Stop the neglect, it turns to abuse.

God bless,
Marty



 

Citizens of Heaven 1/14/14

Good Morning World!!!!!!!!!!!

My coffee this morning is a hot cup of Door County German Chocolate Cake. It is going down just fine!

Hebrews 13:14

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

Christian! Have you ever felt like there you just don't belong here on earth? The writer to the Hebrews describes such a feeling. He knew that Earth was not his real or final home. The New Testament urges us not to trust and put all our efforts into material belongings or treasures. For we must realize that this earth is not our home. We Christians are like foreigners, with our permanent home elsewhere.

Christians will not and should not feel at home on Earth. Our permanent home still lies in the future. But many of the privileges and full membership of our future home are with us now every day.

We are ambassadors to Earth. We are on loan and some day will go home to heaven to be with God. But in the mean time we can have a very close relationship with God. Or job is to serve the Lord while we are here. We can get a glimpse of His glory while we serve.

Jeremiah 33:3

³ ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

We can know that our heavenly citizenship is ready for us.

John 14:2

² In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Just don't fit in anymore? Amen, Amen. This is not your home!

God bless,
Marty

Pot Pies for Brazil, a Labor of Love 1/13/14

Good Morning,

Door County Highlander Grog fills my travel mug as I head out of the door this morning. I really had a nice weekend. I hope you did also.

This coming weekend is already planned. Our church is sending a team to Brazil to work with our full time missionaries this summer. They will be in Brazil for 10 days. Their goal is to pay for and erect the start of a building that will be the church for a small village in Southern Brazil. The team has been raising funds in many ways. This weekend however is their big "fund raiser". They will be making large pot pies of chicken or beef. As of yesterday the count is close to three hundred pot pies. This is a huge task that takes place over several days.  A few people from church also volunteered to assist them in this huge endeavor. I am assisting by cooking all the meat throughout the night so it can be chopped when they come into church Saturday morning. This is pretty much a thoughtless job of which I qualify for.

But why do they work so hard and want to go and sweat in Brazil? First off, God called them to go. And they are obedient to His call.

Matthew 28:18-20

 

The Great Commission

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore^[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Secondly they love God and this is a labor of love for people far away from their homes, families, and normal comforts that they will not have while they are in Brazil.

 

Hebrews 6:10

For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.
So next time you see a pot pie, or eat one. Think about how God sees a pot pie and pray for this team leaving for Brazil in June 2014.

God Bless,
Marty

Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus 1/12/14

Good Morning,

Can't say I started my day with coffee from The Door County Coffee Company. But I caught up and I am warming up with a cup of Cherry Crème Decaf this afternoon.
I was up and out early guiding for pheasants today. Somehow I forgot to set the coffee maker for the correct time. I was a little hurried and ended up drinking gas station coffee. The hazmat team should be called if anyone spills that stuff! Just goes to show that you can't even trust your own memory anymore.

But there is one you can trust at all times. His name is Jesus. He is the Son of God.  I would have to say that someone who lays down their own life for us out of love can be trusted. Shouldn't we trust Him to lead us in all things then?

John 3:16                     

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

         

John 1:12                    

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,           

Romans 5:8                    

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

 

There is an old hymn that I like to hear. I have copied the lyrics below for you.

 

1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just to take Him at His Word;
   Just to rest upon His promise,
   And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
   
   • Refrain:
     Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
     How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
     Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
     Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
2. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just to trust His cleansing blood;
   And in simple faith to plunge me
   ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just from sin and self to cease;
   Just from Jesus simply taking
   Life and rest, and joy and peace.
4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
   Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
   And I know that Thou art with me,
   Wilt be with me to the end.

I have trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. But there is more. When the road gets rough I know I can go to Him for advice and help.

Won't you trust Him today?

God Bless,
Marty

The Old Man Grows Older1/11/14

Good Morning,

Saturday and It's going to be a good one. Doing a little pheasant guiding with Gibbs for another church at a game farm. So I need to coffee up and it will be a big cup of Door County Apple Cobbler.
I really like that one.

My desk has a few pictures on it. Each day when I look at the pictures I go back in my mind to a fishing trip or a couple mission trips, a great day duck hunting, or two portraits of my daughter and grandson.

I like the two with the kids. They were taken about 6 years apart. Dominick will be thirteen this year. To see the difference in the pictures is amazing. He towers over his mother now who I still remember as being "my little girl". It makes you say, "where did the time go?" You admit to yourself that "this old man is getting older".

From that thought it usually takes me to reality. Most of my life is over. What is really important?
Solomon writes about that in the book of Ecclesiastes. This really isn't written for my old friends. It is written for my younger readers.

Advice for Young and Old          Ecclesiastes 11:7-10

⁷ Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.

⁸ When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.
⁹ Young people,^[d] it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. ¹⁰ So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 12

New Living Translation (NLT)

12 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” ² Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. ³ Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.

⁴ Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
⁵ Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.
⁶ Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. ⁷ For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Dear Readers. What is most important is your relationship with God? He is the first and the last.
Embrace Him today. Jesus is calling. Don't turn Him away.

John 14:1-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;^[a] believe also in me. ² In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that 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 will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.”^{[c] 5} Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.^[d] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

God Bless.
Marty

Want to be Rough and Tough? 1/10/14

Good Morning,

Man this Friday took forever to get here. But it's Friday and I will rejoice in the day that the Lord has made. My coffee today will be a large cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler.

Little boys are expected to play rough, be tough, and always come back for more. Deep down inside each grown man also aspires to have that same macho image of rough and tough ascribed to their name.

I have read the formula for developing that rough tough unstoppable attitude. I thought I would share it today. One needs to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders and carry it uphill. But in order to do that one needs to start out with a simple exercise. This exercise requires kneeling down. Once through with this exercise and after making this part of every day one can take a beating without complaining, carry heavy loads, be tougher than nails, still take care of their mother, and have a sweet spirit of forgiveness. Let's see how this is done.

Matthew 26:36-46

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus Knelt and Prayed

³⁶ Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. ³⁸ Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
³⁹ And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” ⁴⁰ And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Mark 15

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Jesus before Pilate

15 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole ^[a]Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. ² Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He *answered him, “It is as you say.” ³ The chief priests began to accuse Him ^[b]harshly. ⁴ Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!” ⁵ But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.

John 19

Common English Bible (CEB)

Jesus is whipped and mocked as king

19 Then Pilate had Jesus taken and whipped. ² The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple robe. ³ Over and over they went up to him and said, “Greetings, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.

⁴ Pilate came out of the palace again and said to the Jewish leaders, “Look! I’m bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no grounds for a charge against him.” ⁵ When Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here’s the man.”

Luke 23:34 Jesus is Tough Enough to Forgive

King James Version (KJV)

³⁴ Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

John 19:25-29 Jesus on a Rough day Still Took Care of His Mother. This proves He was tougher than nails.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Behold Your Mother

²⁵ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

The King on a Cross John 19:17-18

¹⁷ And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, ¹⁸ where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 

Being tough starts with kneeling and prayer. Only God can equip and carry us through the worst of days. In other words a manly man is a man of prayer.

God bless,
Marty