Here Comes The Cold 10/31/2014 With A Recipe

Good Morning,

Happy Friday to each and everyone of you. The coffee filling my cup today is Door County Autumn Spice.

Well the weather forecast was correct and the temperature dove towards "cold". It isn't as cold as it will be but we have seen our first snow flakes. The timing is just a little earlier than usual.

The cold weather really doesn't bother me. I like wearing warm clothes with hats and gloves. I like sweaters and wool socks. I like a small fire in the hearth. I like extra blankets and a hot beverage. I prefer hot soup over most other foods. I like seeing snow fall.  I like sitting in a chair bundled up to stay warm with a study book and my Bible. I guess I was made for winter.

I read my Bible all year long in all different climates but it just seems to warm my heart more in the winter. The fireplace seems like the best place to talk with Jesus.

Whether or not you have a fireplace, like or dislike soup, prefer to live in the tropics instead of the frozen tundra, all of us need a chat with Jesus in a spot we can call our quiet place. Where is yours? Maybe you prefer a crowded area where you can sit and watch people while  you read and pray. It doesn't really matter what you drink, wear, or reside. Find time and a space. If you aren't where you would want to be, imagine yourself there and open the Good Book.

Matthew 24:35         
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

One of the drinks I enjoy during the winter is Wassail. Below I have attached a recipe that a youth camp way up North serves to it's winter campers.

Have a great day.

Marty

Old English Wassail

ingredients

3 cups sugar
1 quart water
12 whole cloves
6 allspice berries
2 tablespoons ground ginger
4 cinnamon sticks
8 lemons squeezed
10 oranges squeezed
1 quart cider

directions

Heat sugar and water; stir to dissolve sugar. Boil 10 minutes. Remove from heat; add all spices and let stand covered 1 hour in a warm place. Add all squeezed juices and cider. Bring to a boil. Serve at once.

Fear, The One Thing We All Have In Common 10/30/2014

Good Morning,

The week is over half way finished. My morning is starting with a big cup of Door County Maple Coffee and I am moving slow. There is a little discomfort in these old legs today. My doctor injected my knees yesterday to extend the life of the joints. This is an annual thing and will be better in a few days.

Yesterday morning I completed my usual morning ritual of feeding our dog and then posting the blog. Gibbs ate and went back to sleep. I was very quiet as I went about my business. I was working from home for a bit so that changed my timing on getting him outside for some exercise and his restroom time. I was upstairs and could then hear him as he awoke running around looking for me. He was a little afraid that he missed his morning vitamins and his time outside. I whistled and he ran upstairs to my desk to be reassured that all was well, but just a little late. He experienced fear.

The one thing all mankind has in common is fear. We have all been afraid of something. The dark, spiders, loneliness, lack of work, illness, the future, and the list goes on and on.

A true fear for many is "what happens after I die"? Is that the end for me?  Jesus has the answer to that. The answers are found in the Bible. I have copied just a few verses that might ease your fears. But the first step is to call upon the name of Jesus and believe. Ask Him into your heart and accept the gift of eternal salvation and forgiveness of sin. There is a lot to fear in life. Why not eliminate one from your list?

John 11:25- Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Bible gives the directions for an eternity spent with God and no fears. Now it's your choice.


Have a great day,

Marty

Sweet Like Honey 10/29/2014

Good Morning,

Peace, love, and joy to you this day. My large mug is filled with Door County Caramel Apple Coffee. A smile is on my face and a prayer in my heart for some people dear to me.

Proverbs 24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;

My stomach has me planning ahead to the weekend. I'm not sure what day it will be just yet but some freshly baked rolls will be coming out of our oven on one of those days. The aroma of the baking rolls will anoint our home with comfort. One thing that I like to drizzle on to a warm roll just removed from the oven is fresh honey. Add a cup of coffee to it and I am one happy camper! To me this is a meal and dessert all in one. The sweet honey drenching the roll is a masterpiece that not much can compare to.

While munching on a roll with honey, drinking my favorite coffee, I plan to be reading my Bible. I am hoping and praying that the time spent with God's Word will provide me with some answers that I am looking for. The time alone spent in the Word actually is sweeter than honey. A word from the Lord cannot be compared to anything this world has to offer. There is nothing sweeter than hearing from God.

Psalm 119:103New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰³ How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

I hope that your weekend plans include a dose of "Spiritual Honey". 

Plan ahead. On second thought, why wait?

God bless,

Marty

The Comfort Of Church 10/28/2014

Good Morning.

My cup is filled with Door County Apple Cobbler Coffee. My day will be busy as usual right up until the last minute. I am looking forward to making a difference for someone today.

Many Christians every Sunday leave comfortable homes, ride in comfortable cars, to sit in comfortable churches to hear comfortable sermons.

Look out if a preacher let's loose with a subject that makes folks uncomfortable. Certain topics are never popular with people that do not want to be convicted by the Holy Spirit of their need to do something or quit something.

These same folks are usually the ones who are afraid stay when the sermon heats up. Many of these comfortable folks also believe in  "church hopping", moving from church to church seeking "warm fuzzies" but nothing of substance.

Hebrews 4:12        
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Give me a preacher unafraid of preaching repentance and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My hat is off to the preachers who aren't afraid to tackle the touchy subjects. Most of all my admiration to those who preach what God desires them to speak.

I think it is good for us to have our blood pressure rise in church or even for us to break a sweat when the Holy Spirit breaks our hearts.

Ask God to send you the message you need, not the one you want.

God bless,

Marty

I Still Believe In Wedding Rings And Bibles 10/27/2014

Good Morning,

Monday starts the week off with a temperature change here. According to the weather forecast we are headed out to be colder by the end of the week. That's fine with me. I have plenty of coffee and the cold weather always improves duck hunting. This morning finds my cup filled with Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee.

 I usually get referred to as "Old School" when describing me and the way that I do things. That's fine with me. I take it as a compliment even when it isn't intended that way. I also know that it means that I usually won't bend on my ideals. That's fine too. Two things stand hard with me now, long after my foolish young days.

I believe in Wedding Rings and Bibles.

I believe wedding rings stand for marriages that are meant to last.

Genesis 2:22-24

Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man."  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

 

I believe that the Bible was, is and will be God's Word to His people. I believe that it is the book of Truth and is without flaw.

 

2 Timothy 3:16New King James Version (NKJV)¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,


Isaiah 40:8King James Version (KJV)
⁸ The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

I believe that a marriage which combines the Bible with a couple's love for one another and follows Biblical principals can stand strong during temptation and trials.

That's my story and I am sticking to it!

God loves you.

Have a great day.

Marty
 

Life After Fritz 10/26/2014

Good Afternoon.

Once again I am writing late due to duck season. My coffee this morning was Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend. It sure tasted good in the goose blind today.

1 Samuel 16:7New King James Version (NKJV)
⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;^[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I am posting two pictures one of our dog Fritz who had to be put down in early 2014 and the other is of our two year old replacement Springer Gibbs. Fritz ended his life with 4031 retrieved birds. It was just a natural thing for him to do. As he was slowing down quickly we purchased Gibbs. It wasn't long after, that we knew Gibbs was not going to be a s big as Fritz. I was somewhat disappointed with Gibbs at first. I never thought I would see him do tough retrieves let alone handle a Canadian Goose. Well he has proved himself to be quite the hunter. What he lacks in size he overcomes with heart. Rene said many times "just give him a chance".

I believe we all need to do that with others. We often look at the stature and make up of a person and decide that they aren't fit for what the aspire to do at work or in ministry. But most of the time they just need a chance to prove what they can do. We should all be training our replacements at work and in ministry.  We see the resume, God sees the heart.

Have a great day!

God bless,

Marty

Duck Hunting And The Opposite Sex 10/25/2014

Good Morning,

My coffee this morning was Door County Pumpkin Spice. Notice I write this in the past tense. I am writing from the comfort of home after the morning duck hunt. My one wood duck is cleaned and in the freezer. The dog is cleaned up and we downed a couple of eggs together.

The only surprise I had today was that my nephew brought along a friend. I have hunted before with some of his friends, but today was different. The friend was a young lady who owns her own gun and camouflage clothing. This was a shocker to me.  It did not take me too long to decide that she was more than welcome to come along and hunt. What a I saw was a very polite lady, willingness to jump in and help, and very pleasant personality. By the way she handled her gun very well.

In closing, we all need friends. The Bible gives us some great advice on having friends.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

If bad company ruins good morals, than good company must preserve them. I think my nephew has chosen a good friend.

God bless,
Marty

It Started With A Whisper 10/24/2014

Good Morning.

This guy's mug is filled with Door County Caramel Apple Coffee this morning. What a great way to start a Friday. Hot coffee, a prayer on my lips and a song in my heart sends me on my way.

1 Kings 17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Elijah Predicts Drought

17 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of ^[a]the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” ² The word of the Lord came to him, saying, ³ “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is ^[b]east of the Jordan. ⁴ It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” ⁵ So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is ^[c]east of the Jordan. ⁶ The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook. ⁷ It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

1Kings 18:41-45

⁴¹ And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.”
⁴² So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.
⁴³ “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.
“There is nothing there,” he said.
Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
⁴⁴ The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”
⁴⁵ Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.

Elijah was given a word form God to predict a drought and that it would end when Elijah would be given the command from God to say it was going to rain.

The important thing here is that Elijah was willing to listen to the voice of God. Elijah was also obedient to God's word and God was faithful to keep His word to Elijah.

When was the last time you "heard the rain"? What I am trying to say is this. When was the last time God asked you to do something and you obeyed? Do you actively listen for God to speak to you?  Elijah went out on a limb with this one. But he trusted with faith in God to for God to provide. God came through.

I believe if we were all to be ready, available and obedient to God when He speaks we would all have some great "rainy days".

Rain or drought in your spiritual life is your choice. What choice will you make?

God bless,

Marty

My Illness, A Blessing To Others?

Good Morning,

It is Thursday and I can see Friday over the top of my glasses. My mug is filled with Door County Apple Cobbler Coffee. I will be enjoying this cup with an apple spice English Muffin, then off to work.

James 5:13-15English Standard Version (ESV)

The Prayer of Faith

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

No one likes being sick or in pain. My heart goes out to those suffering today. As I was reading through this Scripture with a friend the thought occurred to me that when I am sick, or injured and people pray for me, my injury or illness has blessed them. When they graciously pray for me, my illness or injury and their friendship for me has caused them to go before God on my behalf. They spend time with God which deepens their prayer life. They spend time with our Creator. They show Him their true heart and He shows them His.

So next time someone says "hey I am praying for you," you can say thank you and you are welcome.

Be willing to pray for others. Their illness or injury is good for your soul. Your injury or illness blesses others!

God bless,

Marty

Turn My Mourning Into Dancing 10/22/2014

Good Morning Dear Friends,

My day has started with my coffee cup in hand, filled with Door County Harvest Blend. Wednesday has arrived and it seems like this week is traveling through like a tornado. Where has time gone?

Psalm 30:11-12New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
    You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
¹² that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

 

Last night I spent some time with a dear friend who's Dad died yesterday morning. There is not much one can say during these times of grief and despair. Another good friend came along and before we knew it they were remembering fond times spent with their Dad and friend.

 

We had prayed before going to their home for peace and comfort. While listening to their memories and some laughter I knew that the Holy Spirit was providing comfort beyond all understanding. Only the Holy Spirit could bring a smile to faces in mourning. This was a true miracle. I thank God for doing what none of us were equipped to do. He provided comfort in the midst of the storm.

 

Just a little something to think about today. The power of the Holy Spirit and God's unfailing love were all my friend needed.

 

God bless,

Marty

Only Two Ways To Live 10/21/2014

Good Morning,

This morning I am drinking a cup of Door County Maple Coffee to warm up and get going. I will head out of the door soon, off to work.

Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever.

Albert Einstein was quoted as saying "There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle".

I choose to live as if everything is a miracle. As I sit in the marshes of Wisconsin and watch the Canadian geese fly South in the annual trek to warmer climates and I see those grand birds fly in a v formation I am in awe. To me the miracle of a goose in flight is only from God.

 

 

When I walk along a beach and witness the setting sun I choose to believe that God painted that moment just for me. A sun that sets and rises each day is a miracle and amazes me today as much as it did when I was a little boy. Every day millions of people feel the warmth of the sun. Some choose to take it for granted. I choose to believe in miracles.

 

When I hear a baby cry, I choose to believe in miracles. I am given 24 hours each day and they are filled with miracles. God is good and His love endures forever.

 

Have a great day. It is all about how you look at it.

 

Marty

Praying Together 10/20/2014

Good Morning,

I am leaving for work a little earlier than normal today. Being off from work for ten days has me a little behind in my duties. I must say the vacation or as some put it "extended holiday" was much needed and every moment was enjoyed. My coffee this morning my coffee is Door County Harvest Blend. It fills my cup and my thermos bottle.

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." Psalm 145:18

Yesterday in church our Pastor challenged couples to pray together. His message was right on and I enjoyed listening to the Holy Spirit speak through him. At our church I am the elder who oversees the Men's Ministry. As I was listening to our Pastor I could not help but wonder how many couples prayed together. I then wondered as to how many women had husbands in our church that do not pray with their wives.

Here are my thoughts and advice, if prayer is somewhat lacking in your home. Join a prayer group, be a person of prayer yourself by committing to pray more. Pray for those who's prayer life is non existent. Set the example of prayer by being openly involved in prayer.

Men step up and lead as you have been asked to do. Ladies do the same. If the husband won't pray, make sure you are and teach the children to pray.

If you don't know who to pray for, well, remember me. I will never turn down prayer.

God bless,

Marty

What Lays Beneath 10/19/2014

Good Morning,

Today finds me at the comfort of my desk with a hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee right next to me. The aroma is soothing and being here is more than one can ask for.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

I just returned last night from a duck hunting trip to North Dakota. I spent a week with seven other great guys and four dedicated hunting dogs. The trip was all that I hoped it would be and more. There were laughs, ducks, great retrieves by the dogs, and some "fowl weather". The pun is intended.

We battled high winds for several days which did not stop us from hunting the large lake we were  set on. We had to alter our style of hunting. If anything at all, duck hunters are flexible.

One particular evening we all partnered up and headed in different directions. I headed out with Gibbs and Bill Jones Senior. The whole time we were going out to a spot on the lake to hunt from shore I had an uneasy feeling. We tried to find a spot where the wind seemed less brutal to set our decoys.

We picked a spot and we set the decoys. The high winds and waves just got worse and pounded our decoys. While making an attempt to straighten them out I found that some underwater logs with branches had moved in and the decoys were tangled up in the hazard. You could feel it there, but could not see it because of the turbulence. When the waves would hit from time to time they were strong enough to move me and I am no small guy. 

Eventually it happened. The water hazard moved and I became tangled in the branches and decoy lines. I lost my footing and went down into the water. My waders filled with ice cold water. I wasn't in danger of drowning but "oh baby that was cold". I could not get untangled from that mess. My pocket knife was coming out to start cutting the lines if I could not get free.  Bill came out and helped me out of my predicament and the lines let loose. I had already tasted enough lake water for my liking. I needed a helping hand. He immediately started picking up the decoys, and packed up the rest of our equipment. His goal was to get me back to the house where we were staying and out of the wet cold waders and warmed up. This all worked as planned. I know my friend Todd is busting out in laughter as he reads this one. I am no stranger to sinking boats, tippy canoes and the occasional slip into ice cold water. My life is an adventure for sure.

Friends, we all encounter unforeseen hazards in life that cause a bump in our road. They are out there like the tree branch and we can't see them coming. They hit and cause calamity. But a good friend and duck hunting partner will run in and help to pull you through the mess. We all need friends and partners like that. For Bill, the wise thing would have been to stay on a dry shore where there was no risk at all of getting wet or tangled in the mess that I was in. But he came out with the chance of getting tangled up and went to work.

We all need to be that kind of guy who comes in to help out another when unexpected calamity strikes. What kind of friend are you?

God bless,
Marty

If God Is With Me??? 10/10/2014

Good Morning Dear Friends,

My coffee this morning is Door County Maple. I will enjoy every last drop with a heart full of anticipation as to what tomorrow will bring.

My blog will be silent starting tomorrow through October 19th when I will resume writing. I am taking some time to recharge and pray. I will be asking God to fill me with rest and most of all messages to share. I look forward to sharing with you some stories from my days of rest and mind repairs.

Romans 8:31New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Everlasting Love

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Many times the beautiful words of Romans 8:31 are used to inspire us to not fear those who are standing in our way of success. Or they are used to encourage those who the world is beating on to forge ahead and know that God is on their side.

I am not going to argue against or explain the theology behind the text. But if we use this text to encourage those who are beaten down by the world or Satan we should ask this question. Is it the world or Satan causing the problems? Many times the biggest stumbling block to Spiritual victory and peace is ourselves.

We like to hang on to sins that deep down inside please us. "The sins we like to keep". We hide them and pull them out when it pleases our own selfish sinful nature and then wonder "where is the victory, where is the peace?"

We are like gunfighters who fail to shoot the target but yet manage to shoot ourselves in the foot. We are our own worst enemies. It is very human to blame others for our problems and not take responsibility for our own faults. If God is for me, why should I be against me? That is the question we need to ask ourselves. You will find the answer is that you truly do not love and fear God.

Proverbs 1:7New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

So quit joining the team that desires to beat you down and join the One who loves you most.

 

God bless. See you all on the 19th.

 

Marty

The Cure For a Cold With a Recipe 10/8/2014

Good Morning,

I am writing to you very early today. I need to get moving and finish strong at work today so I can duck hunt for the next 8 days. My coffee this morning is Door County Autumn Spice.

I will be in hot pursuit of some ducks, Bible time, prayer time, good fellowship and some rest away from work over this next week. I am anticipating the weather to be cold. I will be wearing my warm weather gear, trying to stay warm and dry. My goal is to drink plenty of healthy juice and rest as needed.

But with all the precautions that I will take for my hunt and throughout the winter I probably will catch a cold sooner or later. Here's my cure for a bad cold.

Psalm 107:20
He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction.

1. Admit you are sick.
2. Take time to heal.
3. Rest as much as you can.
4. Drink plenty of juice.
5. If you have a fever take some fever relief medicine.
6. Break out your Bible and catch up on your reading.
7. Pray and ask God to heal you in His way and His time.
8. Use common sense and stay warm, and ride it out.
9. Wash your hands so you don't spread the illness.

Then I always make chicken soup. It has a warming effect, makes you feel good from head to toe and is a reminder that God is with you. He made all the ingredients. I have attached one recipe that I like to use below. My prayer for you is that you don't need this, but only make it because you like soup.

God bless, Be healthy.

Marty

Wild Rice and Chicken Soup

  Ingredients     

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 pound fresh sliced mushrooms
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked wild rice
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 3 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 cups half-and-half

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion, celery and carrots and saute for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute for 2 more minutes. Then add the flour and stir well. Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly, until all has been added. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat to low and let simmer.
2. Next, add the rice, chicken, salt, curry powder, mustard powder, parsley, ground black pepper, almonds and sherry. Allow to heat through, then pour in the half-and-half. Let simmer for 1 to 2 hours. (Note: Do not boil or your roux will break.)

 

Hope In Jesus Christ, When Scripture Leaves You Breathless 10/8/2014

Good Morning World,

I am sipping on a cup of coffee this morning from the Door County Coffee Company. The flavor of the day is Harvest Blend.

There are many verses in the Bible that hold me breathless when I read them. Revelation 20:12  and Revelation 21:27 are two of those.

Revelation 20:12King James Version (KJV)
¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.


Revelation 21:27New King James Version (NKJV)
²⁷ But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Some day a roll call will be called by God and the books will be open and all will be there.

Those names who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be found written in the Lamb's Book Of Life. Those people will spend eternity with God in heaven because of the price Jesus paid by dying on the cross for us. 

What makes me breathless as I read those verses above is that when that roll is called I will be there as well as many others. It also takes my breath away thinking about those who will be there and not go to heaven because of their own choice.

There isn't much that can be said to compliment the verses above. The finality and awesomeness of that day leave me breathless.

Below I attached the lyrics of one of my favorite hymns that describe that last day.

God bless.
Marty

When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder

1. When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
   And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
   When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
   And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
   
   • Refrain:
     When the roll is called up yonder,
     When the roll is called up yonder,
     When the roll is called up yonder,
     When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
2. On that bright and *cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
   And the glory of His resurrection share;
   When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
   And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
3. Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
   Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
   Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
   And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Expensive Perfume 10/7/2014

Good Morning,

The coffee that fills my cup is Door County Maple today. I always look forward to that first cup and then the second one.

My wife does like to wear just a dab of perfume after work. With her job in health care and being close to patients she can't wear perfume to work. Fragrances can be hard on patients and some are allergic to perfumes. Being the duck hunter that I am, leads me to tell Rene that she doesn't need to spend a lot of money on perfume. I always tell her to just put a dab of gun oil behind her ear and I'll love her forever. But she chooses to wear more delicate fragrances. I will be the first to say that I do enjoy most of them. As for me I am an Old Spice kind of guy. Lucky for Rene!

One day Rene was a little down and I asked why. Rene replied with "I left the top of my perfume open and it spilled out". Well once a bottle of perfume spills you can't put the perfume back in the bottle. The top needs to stay on to save the fragrance. Good advice for teens too.

Young people are under such pressure not to save themselves for marriage. Many teens lose their virginity by the age of seventeen. Once that is gone, like perfume spilled, it is gone forever.

The Bible has much to say about chastity and abstaining from sex outside of marriage. Here's a few verses to help those young people in your life.

 2 Timothy 2:22

 

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Psalms 119:9
                         
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.


1 Thessalonians 4:3

 

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.

Hey, love those teens. Reach them right. Most of all be there if they slip. Life isn't usually the same for them, but let them know that no matter what happened Jesus still loves them and so do you.  Pray for those kids without ceasing.

God bless your day.

Marty

Say Your Prayers 10/6/2014

Good Morning,

Monday and I am headed to work early in anticipation of coming home late tonight. I am blessed with a cup of Door county Maple Coffee in my hand and a job to go to.

Philippians 2:3-4

                        

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

I find myself in prayer for someone today that has blessed me in the past. That person will not know that they were prayed for today. It is a joy to be able to pray and reach out to the hand of God for others.

As you look at your prayer list and read over the tings and people you pray for is there one name that overrides the names of others by repeatedly being there?

Is your prayer list filled with the name  ME, ME, ME, ME, ME, ME??????????????

How about placing the focus on others? Let's not be selfish at prayer time and reach up on the behalf of others. That is truly loving others more than ourselves.


God Bless,

Marty

Men And Steak 10/5/2014

Good Morning World.

May the peace and love of Jesus be with you today. This cold morning finds my cup filled with Door County Pumpkin Spice coffee.

This cold Sunday morning finds me going to church with a grill and some beef steaks. You say "What"???? Each year the Men's Ministry at our church sponsors an event called "Men's Steak Night". Men gather for a steak large enough to feed a horse, potatoes, beans, garlic bread and root beer. We also enlist the services of a speaker to inspire us with a word from God. This year we will be enjoying a word from Pastor Tim Hall. Pastor Tim is the shepherd of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Christian Motor Cycle Association. He has a powerful testimony and is a Spirit filled speaker. The Gospel message always goes out.

The event is always a highlight of our year. Men share in fellowship, grill their steak over hard wood fires and then listen for God to speak. It allows for men to bring their sons, sons of others, friends or Dads to a "guy night". It also allows for men to share by purchasing a ticket for someone who might not have enough money to buy their own. No man is left behind here!

Today we will be grilling steaks outside of church and handing out samples ( even to the ladies) to promote our carnivore evening. Many of the ladies recognize the importance of sending their men to this event and will often purchase a ticket for the men in their lives.

Two things are accomplished Biblically by this event. Evangelism and fellowship are the goals completed by us grilling some beef.

1 Corinthians 9:16-17 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me -


1 John 1:3          
That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

        

 

Have a great day. Reach up and then reach out. Exercise your soul.

 

Marty

Putting Away The Summer 10/4/2014

Good Morning.

I took the luxury of sitting outside in the cold Wisconsin air before writing today. The coffee that fills my cup is Door County Harvest Blend. I toasted some apple spice English Muffins to go with the coffee and now I am ready to face the day. My Bible is open and ready to give me something from God. This is a good day.

Today is the opening day of the duck hunting season where I live and the cold weather will make it perfect for the guys and gals out there. You'd think that I would be out with them today. Well to be honest most everything I do today will be in preparation for 7 days of hunting starting next Saturday. I need to be diligent also at what needs to be done at home so the Mrs. isn't left with a pile of work while I am gone. Winter can set in pretty early here. I admit I that I would like to be out there with my nephew Nick, but I must keep focused.  And there will be a little hunting tomorrow afternoon.

Some of my chores for the next couple of days will be to winterize the yard and put away the summer things like planters and picnic tables. I am hoping to rake some leaves up today before that becomes a chore and a half.

One season always leads into another here. That's what I truly love about Wisconsin. But with the leading in, always comes with a good-bye to the last season.

It is the same with life. We need to be ready for the season changes. This is a bad word called aging.
I have heard some people say lately that it is stingy and not Biblical to save some money if you can. That is totally wrong. We are to save what we can for later years or to give to our family. I can just see arms going up all over now. "That is not Biblical. We are supposed to share". This is also true. We should share as we are able. But how can you share later if you haven't saved for it?

Here is the deal. It is Biblical to save. But if God tells you to give away all your possessions, then be obedient and do so. I was there once in my life and it was difficult to do. But it made me stronger and more able to trust God to provide. So pray and read Scripture to know if that is what God really wants. For the rest of us pray, share, and save as you are able.

Proverbs 21:20 - [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Proverbs 13:22 - A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.

Remember God provides us with all we have. We are to share and love our neighbor and save for that season in life called old age (Winter)

God bless,
Marty

Just a Few Stiches Needed 10/3/2014

Good Morning.

I am a little sleepy eyed today. Last night Rene and I went to our nephew's high school football game. The weather was warm but rainy. My coffee this morning is Door County Pumpkin Spice. That should wake me up in a hurry.

The game was a good one and our nephew Matt played well. Early in the second quarter we saw that he wasn't getting up very fast from the ground after a play. Then the athletic trainer went out on the field and they took his football helmet off. There was a good cut over his eye. I couldn't see what was going on from where I sat. I murmured a quick prayer from my seat asking God to not let the injury be too bad. Later we found out that a few stiches were needed to close up the wound and Matt would be fine. So his Mom and Dad would be taking him to urgent care for a sew job over his eye.

It could have been worse. Not what we wanted to see but it could have been worse. I am thankful for a good outcome. Although the circumstances were not perfect I find myself praising God for a great nephew, an eye that will heal quick and for a night spent with family enjoying a football game.

Psalm 13:6New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

 

God bless,

 

Marty

 

 

 

 

Looking Ahead 10/2/2014

Good Morning.

I am expecting this day to run well into the night. As I leave for work my cup is filled with Door County Autumn Spice Coffee. Finally the cool weather is returning.

Last night I spent some time getting ready for a duck hunting trip. I was busy choosing the right decoys and packing my duck and goose calls. Some last finishing touches on the boat and some paint on the oars topped off the night.

Our daughter Kristy called yesterday to schedule a visit with us for our grandson. She has blessed us in many ways but most of all the visits from her and the family are the best treats of all. So Dominick will return later this fall to partake of some cold weather, along with some goose and duck hunting. There will be plenty of chicken wings to eat ( his favorite) and a lot of laughs.

 





But with that comes a week of responsibility for me. We don't get to see Dom too often as the miles apart are many. So along with the fun, hunting, prayer and food I get to talk and teach a few things about life that only grandpas know. As I write this my eyes get a little heavy as I think ahead to the good times coming.  What will warm us for the rest of the winter are the memories and photos.

 I have a photo of Kristy when she tried hunting with me many years ago. She might have been a freshman in high school about then. Hunting really wasn't for her. We went shopping on the way home and that was a little more in line with her tastes. But I still remember that day like it was yesterday. You can see from the picture above the "joy in her eyes" as we prepared clothes for her hunt the next day. But I do remember what we talked about on the ride to the marsh and on the return ride home. I wonder if she does?

Deuteronomy 4:9  “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Off to work with a grin on my face.

God bless,
Marty

God Gave Me You. 10/1/2014

Good Morning,

Just a little chilly here this morning. My cup is filled to the rim with Door County Jamaican Blue
Mountain Blend Coffee. I can't help but smile this morning as I think about today's Bible verse.

Psalm 103:2-5, NLT Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The picture above was taken in South Dakota a few years ago after a long day of pheasant hunting. I was blessed to hunt with a large group of friends and acquaintances. After the hunt we gathered together for some refreshments and snacks on the prairie. It was a very nice time that I will always remember. I don't see many of them too often or for some of them this was a first and last time we met and hunted together.

In my life I have met many people and I am related to quite a large group too. I have worked with hundreds of people throughout my life and in my career. I have met hundreds of people through church and mission trips in many places throughout the world. In some instances I was taught by some of you. In some cases we might not have agreed on things. But knowing you improved me or impacted me in a way that made me stronger. Some people taught me to hunt better. Some people I only interacted with for a short time. In plain words we all meet people, work with people, worship with people, play with people, live with people, argue from time to time with people. No matter the case you and others have been a part of my life as well as people have been a part of yours.

So when I think about it, I really believe that God knows who we will meet. I now see all the people I meet, or have met, are a blessing. God gave me you, for a moment, or a lifetime, for a fun time or a disagreement. God gave me you. You are a blessing. Just wanted you to know that!

Have a beautiful day.

Marty