Assumptions. You Know What They Say!

Good Morning,

This one is running way behind and I believe it is for a good reason. This story had to be completed before written. My Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee went really well with my bowl of dried Honey Crisp Apples and bananas. That was quite a treat this morning.

 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.

This story started yesterday. I just had to wake up early today and find out how it ended. On Saturday it was cold and rainy. I decided to dust off my membership card to the local fitness gym and go for a work out. I thought that it was a nice enough place to have a heart attack. So I found my work out clothes and shoes and went to the place for some pain and torture before I collapsed from not being in shape. My good friend Steve always says as long as round is considered a shape. "We are in good shape".

It was only a minute or two that I had been on the tread mill, surprisingly I wasn't experiencing chest pains yet, when this younger lady in her matching outfit and shoes came bounding up on to the tread mill next to me. Sweat had begun to pour out of me like a drippy faucet on steroids. As she reached a speed on her tread mill that I am sure was going to set a world record for the mile she turned to me to engage in conversation. "Do you come here often" she asked? Now what went through my head was not nice. My thoughts were (which I kept to myself) "she must be blind, or the dumbest person on two legs in tight pants). I replied through my gasps for air "oh once in awhile, not enough obviously". She then advised that I try a lower speed and go a little slower. I excused myself wished her a good day and went to a weight lifting bench to nap.

I talked about my experience in church last night and we all chuckled about it. One lady did say however that it could be that the young lady was hitting on me. We all laughed about that one and concluded that the girl was probably without sight and we should pray for her.

Well Rene enjoyed that laugh at my expense. "Maybe you should not have worn the sweat pants with the holes in them. You might have been leading this young lady on. Maybe I should go with you to work out. Seems like you must have a girlfriend there." Oh how she laughed on that one.

So I decided that working out two days in a row might create a good habit. Off I went at the crack of dawn, not expecting to meet anyone at that time of the morning. I did not wear my sexy Browning Camouflage sweat pants. I wore the ones that had paint dripped on them. I did not want to tempt any young ladies.

No sooner than two minutes into my early morning dodge with a heart attack on the tread mill, guess who popped up on to the tread mill next to me? It was the perky little lady once more. " You do come here often" was her greeting. "Good morning, do you ever smile"? My thoughts again went straight to King David and his experience with Bathsheba. "Fight her off boy set her straight said the little angel on my shoulder." " I saw you drive in today." Now I had a stalker on my hands!!!!! Soon she was running at high speed and I was planning my exit strategy. Fake chest pains and leave? That wouldn't be lying because the chest stress could be real. "Oh Lord what to do? Don't fail me now"!!!  She then politely said "Can I tell you about a decision I made a couple years ago?" I replied between gasps for air "sure". I was planning on showing her my wedding ring on advice from the women at church last night. But I decided to let her speak. "I made a choice to follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I was wondering if you have ever thought about that and where you would spend eternity when you die?"

I hit the stop button on the tread mill and started to laugh. She looked hurt and I quickly explained that I had made that decision in 1981and could assure her of my spot in heaven. I then assumed that she went to exercise gyms looking for people most likely to collapse on the floor so she could witness about eternal life in Christ to them before they died on the tread mill. We both laughed, prayed together and I went away after thanking her for taking time to care about my soul. It was refreshing to see how she turned her work out routine into a mission field for Jesus. I left with my ego bruised but my heart was renewed. I guess I can wear my Browning sweat pants and sleeveless shirt again.

Have a great day. Now you know the rest of the story.

God Bless,

Marty

My Browning, My Dog, And Me

Good Morning,

My goodness, it is cold and rainy today. This reminds me of a cold day in November. I would be out duck hunting right now and would be thinking "perfect weather for a duck hunt". My thermos bottle would be filled with Door County Maple Coffee. By the way a full mug is sitting right next to me as I write.

It's funny how time just slips away and one season runs into the next. Before you know it you are in the autumn of your life. More funeral home advertisements arrive in the mail and everyone want to sell you a burial plot. They all tell you how nice they will make it for you when you pass away. I find that kind of funny. I won't be there. What is left of this relic of a body will be but I won't. So I don't really care how I look or what they bury me in. By that time I will have crossed the Fox River  my last time with my Browning shot gun, my dog and me. I have saved some dollars for the family to be cared for when I am gone some day. But what's most important is that I have my eternal reservation made like we all need to do. So someday when you pass by and my wife has me dressed in flannel holding a Bible and my duck calls don't look for me I won't be there. When they lay what's left into the ground I won't be there either.

Romans 10:13King James Version (KJV)
¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.


Revelation 22:1-2New International Version (NIV)

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

 

Revelation 3:5   

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,

The beautiful, the beautiful river;

Gather with the saints at the river

That flows by the throne of God.

Have a great day. Make sure to have your eternal paper work in order. See you at the river.

God bless,

Marty

Where's Wilson? 5/29/2015

Good Morning,

Last week, Friday promised to return seven days later and it did!!! I have to say goodbye to a co-worker today. I haven't known him for too long but he is headed off to a new adventure and I wish him well. My mug is filled with Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee today and I toast a hard worker and say farewell.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12New King James Version (NKJV)Friend

⁹ Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
¹¹ Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 

Two of my close friends are working on a short term mission trip as I write this in Brazil. Ryan and Zach are father and son. Zach is a teenager who has been called by the Lord to be a pilot. Our church is one of the sponsors for a "Pilot Missionary". The opportunity arose for Zach to go to Brazil and be mentored by our good pal in the Lord Wilson. Now that I read this I am picturing Zach on a deserted island holding a volleyball named Wilson. Wilson is a real person who loves the Lord and serves with his wife Lori.

After much prayer Ryan consented to God's call for Zach. Again after some prayer it was obvious that Ryan was to travel there with Zach and stay for a week or more. Zach would return later with assistance from Wilson. We don't want Zach at 15 to wander off and get married or something. I need him to run the sound system for our Saturday night services. Who would screen his sister's suitors that will be arriving any day?

 

Now I am sure that God has His big boy pants on and could have delivered Zach and brought him back without Ryan or Wilson helping. But look at what God did. He provided dollars for the travel. He provided for Ryan to be able to go along and minister with his son. Wilson is receiving some much needed help and can mentor a very nice young man in his call from God.

 

I agree two are better than one, no doubt. But in verse 12 of our text today it speaks of a threefold cord. If Zach is one fold of the cord and Ryan is the other, who is the third cord spoken of? The third line in the cord is the Holy Spirit. The Author, Provider Director, and Finisher of this adventure from God. That is a cord that cannot be broken.

 

Have a great Friday,

 

Love you.

Marty

Goodbye World 5/28/2015

Good Morning,

I have overfilled my cup with Door County Raspberry Butter Crunch Coffee. Now the game begins. Will I spill or won't I spill? That is the question.

Psalm 27:4King James Version (KJV)
⁴ One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

I rode my bicycle last night before sunset and watched people walking their dogs, kids playing basketball, a dad trying to teach his son to catch a baseball and some others finishing their yard work.

Overall I have to say it was a lovely evening. All this took a walk in my mind and I had to admit it to myself that I was enjoying the evening. A nice sunset topped it off. I came home to Rene standing in the driveway holding a nice cold glass of iced tea for me. Nothing could be better than that I thought.

Then I recalled that as beautiful as the evening was, something better awaits us in heaven.
C.S. Lewis wrote "Has the world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind."

I saw a little bit of heaven on Earth last night. But deep down inside I can't imagine what waits ahead. I know this for sure. When I get there I want to meet the One who died for me.

Have a great day. Take a walk in the sunset.

God bless,

Marty

God's Glory, Where Is It? 5/27/2015

Good Morning,

Short week, due to the Memorial Day Holiday. I find myself in prayer for a couple of my dear brothers in Christ who are on a short term mission trip to Brazil. I am sipping a cup of Door County Highlander Grog coffee. Deep in thought, I think I see God's glory. Let me explain.

Isaiah 6 King James Version (KJV)

6 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

² Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
³ And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

You sense the glory of God and catch hold of it when you gaze in awe at His presence in nature. I faced in two different directions within a minute and snapped these two pictures. From the Southwest was an approaching storm. The sky was turning red. From the Northeast the sky was clear and was still shining on some flowers that Rene had just planted. He is in a flower with all it's color, and in the breathtaking storms.

His glory is also in the work of hands that He sends in a life totally devoted to love and service. I see that in my two brothers who jus arrived in Brazil.

Take time to absorb the beauty around you. Pray for those He sends, and are obedient to go. Join in with the chorus that praises Him, in which we can take part with nature and the angels.

Have a great day!

Marty

Planting The Tomatoes 5/25/2015

Good Morning,

I am a little tired from the work we put in yesterday. We were up early an attended a service to honor the fallen members of our armed forces. Then it was off to work in the yard and get some planting done. Thus my Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee is more of a medicinal brew than a breakfast beverage.

Rene and I planted some tomato plants yesterday and then moved on to the flower garden. Rene loves to see flowers in the yard. For me it isn't really done until I see the flowers flourishing in full bloom a few weeks from now. Right now they look kind of puny and rather hopeless. But with some sunshine, water and vitamins, I am sure the garden will be a rainbow of color soon. The vines on the tomato plants do not have any tomatoes on them yet, but there are blossoms. Hope springs eternal.

People do the same thing with other people. We tend to want to see production before we give them a sign of positive worth to the world.
Usually every professional baseball player played little league baseball. I have watched plenty of those games in my life time. You see more ground balls going through their legs than into their gloves. But by the time the kids are older they really develop into  good ball players or move on to another hobby they are better at. But they need time and we need to show patience. We have to look at the heart and be willing to teach and nurture.

1 Samuel 16:7English Standard Version (ESV)
⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Give each other a chance!

Have a great day.

God bless.

Marty

In Flanders Fields. Remembering Our Fallen. 5/25/2015

Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee this morning. I am sipping on it slowly and enjoying it because I can.

I am free today and have been all of my life. It is because of those who fought hard for my country and other countries. Today in America we honor those who have fallen in battle for freedom. They gave the ultimate sacrifice.

John 15:13New King James Version (NKJV)
¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Inspiration For Flanders Fields During the early days of the Second Battle of Ypres a young Canadian artillery officer, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed on 2^nd May, 1915 in the gun positions near Ypres. An exploding German artillery shell landed near him. He was serving in the same Canadian artillery unit as a friend of his, the Canadian military doctor and artillery commander Major John McCrae.
As the brigade doctor, John McCrae was asked to conduct the burial service for Alexis because the chaplain had been called away somewhere else on duty that evening. It is believed that later that evening, after the burial, John began the draft for his now famous poem “In Flanders Fields”.

Today take time to honor the fallen. Pray for their families. Thank God for the brave men and women of our past and present who have given it all for us.

God bless,

Marty

When The Flame Goes Out 5/24/2015

Good Morning,

This morning I find myself talking up where I left off last night. My cup is filled with Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee. I am located on the patio listening to Old Gospel Hymns with our dog Gibbs at my side. The aroma from the last of the lilacs is permeating the yard. I am blessed.

Last night found me sitting out here listening to Old Country Tunes. Rene has to work this weekend and her shift at the hospital starts at 4:00AM . So after church we had a quick supper and soon it was off to bed for her. Even when the weather is snowy and cold you can find me out here when time affords me the luxury to be here. I love a slower pace and the peace and quiet I find in the yard.

I sat here last night until my oil lamp ran dry and the flame flickered out. Which made me think about what I would write today.

I have lived a life that has been full of adventures. It has been a full life. I am sure there are a few adventures left in this one. Just waking up and going to work is a daily adventure. But there is one final adventure that I will make some day.

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 King James Version (KJV)

5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
³ If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
⁴ For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
⁵ Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
⁶ Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
⁸ We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

1Thessalonians 4:13-18
¹³ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.^[b]
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Some day the flame of this Earthly body of mine will run out of oil and burn out. My soul will then be present with the Lord. Then some day after that when the trumpet sounds my soul will be reunited with my resurrected body. This will happen for all believers in Christ Jesus. Those still alive will be raised up to the clouds with Jesus. We will be reunited with family that have gone on before. The Lord may come back today, if He does the believers who are alive will be reunited with our Christian loved ones in God's presence. Our separation is not permanent! (and then secondly there will be a reunion with Christ). One day the Lord will come back and Christians who are alive will be caught up to join the resurrected bodies of those who have died. "And so shall we ever be with the Lord."

But as with most adventures we need to be prepared. That preparation starts with a life that has been surrendered to Jesus Christ and who have asked to be forgiven for their sins. The realization for the need of a Savior and the acceptance of the free gift of Christ's death, burial and resurrection as pardon for our sin comes first. Then and only then are you ready for your lamp to flicker out.

Hope to see you there. It's a choice for all to make. Well a little rain has decided to rearrange my morning.

God bless,
Marty

What Is God Doing Today? 5/23/2015

Good Morning,

A beautiful morning has just popped up in my part of the world. All is quiet here with just the birds letting their lungs exercise with an orchestra of cooing and chirping. My mug is filled with Door County Coconut Crush Coffee.

Psalm 121:3–4
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep

John 5:17New King James Version (NKJV)
¹⁷ But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working

We can see from the verses written above that God never sleeps and is always working. God is busy doing something right now as I sit here plucking at keys on the computer. This weekend is a three day holiday weekend in the United States. It is devoted to remembering our fallen men and women who have fought for our freedom and for the freedom of others.

So it seems that many of us have some extra time to observe God and see what He is doing. So now I am looking out my window and I am not seeing God do anything but raise the sun. That is a huge feat and He certainly does not need me to help him perform that.

But what I can do is be prayerful the next few days (HOPEFULLY EVERY DAY)  and ask God to show me what He is doing and inquire to see if I can join in. For instance you might be enjoying a picnic somewhere and you see some people walking by. Does God want you to offer a drink and some food? Ask Him! The Holy Spirit will let you know in your heart. My friend Steve and I once went to a local area where homeless people congregate after God laid it heavy on my heart to share some food and coffee with them. It wasn't a huge amount of people we encountered that day, but a couple received a sweet treat and some coffee. We were obedient to what God wanted done. Maybe someone needs a ride to church. God wants them to be there, you could assist.  While walking and getting in your cardio workout for the day, maybe God tugs at your heart to turn left instead of turning right. You might encounter someone who needs a smile of encouragement.

In order to do this you have to pray, listen and be obedient to the call from God.

Your day could be  "ordained from above" if you want it to be. You might be the answer to someone's prayer if you are willing to ask.

How about putting this in your "day planner"? God can do all things without us. But wouldn't it be nice to be working right along side of Him?

God bless,

Marty

Wasted Times, We All Have Them. 5/22/2015

Good Morning,

Friday at last has popped just over the horizon. My mug is filled with Door County Raspberry Butter Crunch Coffee.
This weekend could not come too soon.

James 4:14   
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Last night I traveled over to a house where I have spent some really good times through the years. My nephews used to live there. As I pulled up there were some little boys playing in the street with a soccer ball. My mind went back 12 years or so and it seemed from a distance that I was watching the boys with their friends once more. We used to shoot baskets in the drive way, throw the football, or play kick ball. Many a night was spent wrestling with those two Shriners on the living room floor. Birthday parties and other milestones were celebrated there. Christmas and Easter dinners were a hoot. We would all bet as to exactly when the younger one would spill his Mountain Dew.  I can still see the older one wearing shorts and cowboy boots asking me when I would take him hunting some day.

Now the house is for sale and the boys are headed in two good directions in their life and I am proud to be their uncle.

I have wasted a lot of time in my life, but none was wasted when it was spent with "the guys".

Time spent with family is never wasted.

God bless,

Marty

How To Have Healthy Teeth. 5/21/2015

Good Morning,

Wow another cold May day in Wisconsin. Still wearing a coat to work and drinking some hot Door County Highlander Grog Coffee to warm up.

I think that there are only three basic rules for having good teeth. I am sure many dentists would add a few more but I think that for today's blog, this approach will make it's point.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12New King James Version (NKJV)
¹¹ that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, ¹² that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

How to have good teeth.

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
2. See your dentist twice a year.
3.Keep your nose out of other people's business.

Wouldn’t it be great if everybody would mind their own business?
Wouldn’t it be great if everybody did what he or she was supposed to do?
Wouldn’t it be great if there weren’t so many busybodies?
People who were more concerned about your affairs than their own.
I believe that more could be accomplished and more would get done if people would learn to mind their own business.
It is amazing how much wisdom people have about other people’s affairs and so little interest in their own.
God actually tells us to mind our own business. Why?
Because there are too many are busybodies meddling in the affairs of others.

Try today to mind your own business and refrain from butting into others. See if at the end of the day you aren't happier and more at peace?

God bless,

Marty

All Dressed Up And No Place To Go 5/20/2015

Good Morning,

How about a big cheer for Wednesday? I am so looking forward to the weekend. I believe my cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee was the perfect choice for this cold May morning.

  John 3:16New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world ( ME YOU US) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

This verse says it all for me. This world is not my home, I am just passing through. Some day I am heaven bound. I believe in God there is no doubt.

When I look at nature I know God created all. There is no such thing as goo that turned into you.

 

My heart goes out to atheists. I wonder if their tomb stone will read?

Here Lies An Atheist

All Dressed Up

And No Place To Go

 

Pretty sad statement. But God said it best when He said I Am.

 

Have a great day. If you know where you are going after death and it is heaven, rejoice. If not, take Jesus at His word and call out to Him.

 

 

Romans 10:13King James Version (KJV)

¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

God bless,
Marty

Nudity And Television 5/19/2015

Good Morning,

How are you all today? My coffee is a fresh cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler. It goes down smooth and is just right with my morning devotional.

Comedian Phyllis Diller once said "there's so much nudity in films that this year's Oscar for clothing design will probably go to a dermatologist."

Modesty, is a word that I believe will soon be extinct in the dictionary. I am an older guy and not too old fashioned to understand the need for a swim suit or shorts. I really do believe people should wear underwear. but I don't believe that seeing a model or celebrity in theirs will persuade me to purchase one brand over the other. The commercials have gone from "Hey all under garments on sale this week" to models strutting their assets on stage leaving nothing to the imagination.

While we are on the subject I have been thinking of turning to a life of crime. I could easily rob most young men of their money and they couldn't catch an old dude like me because their pants will fall down. Come on guys, we are all tired of looking at your underwear. Be big boys and wear a belt. Pull up your pants.

Christians have a greater responsibility to dress in a modest way. As a Christian your behavior sets the tone for how others see you and your faith. Being modest in your appearance is just as great a witness to those around you as your words. One issue many non-Christians have with believers is that they tend to be hypocritical. If you are preaching purity and modesty to others while wearing revealing clothes you may be seen as a hypocrite. By being modest you allow people to see your inner faith rather than your outer appearance.
1 Peter 2:12 - "Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." (NLT)

Well that's my blog for today. And I am sticking to it.

Have a fun day.

Marty

Without Love, I Have ? 5/18/2015

Good Morning,

I need to rest from this weekend, but that just doesn't seem to be in my sights just yet. So time to put on my big boy pants and coffee up. My coffee of choice this morning is Door County Blueberry Crunch.  Now for a question. Without love??? I have what???


1 Corinthians 13 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Greatest Gift

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
ANSWER
I have nothing, Nothing at all do I have.

Have a great day and pursue love.

God bless,

Marty

Alive And Well 5/17/2015

Good Morning.

This is running late today. Last night was a long one. It was the first time in many years that I had to pull an "all nighter" at the hospital. Our project went almost perfect but this old body needs some Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee in a hurry and three Advil. I am not as good as I once was!

Song of Solomon 2:11-12              
For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

We have many flowering trees, shrubs and fruit trees that each spring have gifted us with what I call "blossom time". It is a time that I look forward to every year. It signals that winter is gone and that we  have a crop to look forward to. The property smells of lilacs. It is a pleasure to open our bedroom window. A lilac bush was planted right near my head. I go to sleep with a beautiful aroma and wake up with the same. It only lasts about a week and then I start watching for fruit on the other trees. I know January 1st is always the start of the New Year for the world. But this time of the year is my New Year. This small retreat seems to put the world on hold for a week and reminds me that even through all the calamity going on in the world I can see God at work in my own back yard and rest my soul with a cup of coffee, taking in the view and sweet aroma. My wife says that she thinks I hide in the back yard. Well. I do. I look at the trees and lilacs and remember being younger, planting those with my daughter and Rene and then waiting for them to bloom. So when I see the blossoms they always take my heart right to the planting team and I pause to say thank you for my family. I look to the apple trees and say thank you for the upcoming fruit and the family that helps us harvest each year.

So much to be thankful for and I never left our property!

Have a great morning. I did.

Marty

Plugged Gutters 5/16/2015

Good Morning,

Happy Saturday to you. I hope your weekend finds you doing something you like. I like starting my day with a cup of Door County Raspberry Butter Crunch Coffee and that is just what I did.

John 13:34-35   
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Thursday night I was watching a pretty heavy rain pelt our home and yard. The view from our kitchen window told me a story I did not want to hear. I saw the rain spilling over the gutter along the North side of the garage. This told me that spring debris from our white birch tree had blown off of the tree and had plugged the flow of water from the roof, through the gutter and into the downspout.
Left plugged, the gutter would eventually cause a roof leak.

Last night I dragged out the ladder and proceeded to start my chore. The gutter as I expected was plugged with debris. But something more seemed to be holding the water from flowing, something a little more stubborn than tree debris. I finally reached the end where the gutter attaches to the downspout, and there it was. And old beehive must have blown from the tree or off of the house and made it's way to the gutter. No way was water going to flow through that woven mess.  Once I removed the hive the water and all the smaller debris flushed away right down the storm drain.

Our ability to love others can often seem like a plugged gutter. Something very stubborn blocks our path. Pride often gets in the way. "They don't deserve my efforts." Anger is one culprit that plugs the heart. "They hurt me so why should I love them?"

Friends, a heart that does not have love flowing from it for others is like a plugged gutter. Eventually the blockage causes damage. The damage to the heart is that it learns to close down to love easier with each experience that doesn't go just exactly the way we want it to. Pretty soon we find faults with everyone except ourselves. That leads to a pretty lonely existence.

So perform your own heart surgery and clear the blockage in your hearts. Ask God to show you how to lose your pride, forgive if needed and move on to a heart that overflows with love for others. A hearts beats best when it beats for others.

Have a great day!

Marty

Men, Love Your Wives 5/15/2015

      Good Morning Friends,

Friday arrived in a hurry this week. Where did the time go? My Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee is hot and ready to go. Time to leave for work in a few minutes.

I was talking to a young man this week who is contemplating marriage with a nice young lady. I asked him this question. "How should you love your wife". He gave me an answer that left me less than impressed.

"I would love her through leading the family and her. I would let her assist me when needed as I plan on having her be a stay at home mother to raise our kids." So I asked him what his thoughts were as to how she should love him. That reply left me speechless for about thirty seconds. "She would be submissive to my leadership, raise our children and home school them. Our house would be clean and kept and meals wouldn't need to be perfect but at least they should be balanced."

I then asked him what he thought about the following passage.
Ephesians 5:25English Standard Version (ESV)
²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Again he replied, "Christ loves the church and leads it. And the church in turn follows."

I agreed but then went on to explain that Christ loves the church, but the church is us. People are the church. Jesus died out of love for the people who He came to save. He was the ultimate Servant. A husband who loves his wife is a strong leader, a hard worker, a tender hearted man, who has learned to serve his wife and family. To be a loving husband one needs to also be a servant. Jesus came to serve not be served. Men we need to be the first out of bed and the last one to sleep. It isn't just mom's job to assist with homework. Any guy can fry some eggs and make pancakes once in awhile. This young man had the wrong idea about loving his bride.

I advised this young fella to hold off on marriage until he could see his wife as more than a servant to him.

We'll see what happens.

Have a great day.

Marty

Train Wrecks, Riots, Shootings And Earthquakes. 5/14/2015

Good Morning,

My day will run long into this evening. My coffee this morning is Door County Highlander Grog. Groggy seems to be the word I would use to describe my mind today.

I went on a bicycle ride last night in our neighborhood. In the distance I could hear a dog barking, geese honking and kids playing. People were walking and I stopped my ride long enough to chat with my neighbor and find out how her husband was feeling. He has been quite ill. When I returned home I watched our dog Gibbs run around the yard chasing the small birds who seemed to be teasing him by landing in his space. The apple blossoms are in bloom and the lilacs are giving off a sweet aroma. All seems well in my neighborhood. But miles away a train has crashed killing many people, a gun man shot and killed a young lady today only an hour from our house. Baltimore just finished living through tension that caused rioting and lawlessness. Nepal just suffered another earthquake. I have a friend who has family in Nepal. He hasn't heard from them in a long time.

Weekly a good friend of mine emails a few of us and asks us to send her our prayer requests. Of course personal requests are made. But this week I am just going to tell her that besides all the personal requests that will be sent to her, just watch the news  and pray for the world. If ever there was need for a country, a city, and a world to be in prayer it is now.

We need to ask God to intervene in the violence and lack of peace. Seems simple, not really. We need to be obedient to His laws and statutes. I believe that we are seeing that God loves us so much that He is allowing us to experience the things we would not take a stand against. If we condone evil it is a choice we made and He has told us that He would turn us over to our desires.
I have copied a short passage from the Bible found in Romans 1. I would highly suggest that all of us read the entire chapter of Romans 1.

Romans 1:28-32

²⁸ Because those people refuse to keep in mind the true knowledge about God, he has given them over to corrupted minds, so that they do the things that they should not do. ²⁹ They are filled with all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and vice; they are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, deceit, and malice. They gossip ³⁰ and speak evil of one another; they are hateful to God, insolent,^[b] proud, and boastful; they think of more ways to do evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no conscience; they do not keep their promises, and they show no kindness or pity for others. ³² They know that God's law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things, but they even approve of others who do them.

God bless, and make you think through this one.
Marty

Rag Doll. I Love You Just The Way You Are. 5/13/2015

Good Morning,

Before the thought escapes me, I want to let you know that you are loved. This morning started with a cold blast of Northern air coming through the door as I let our dog outside. That cold air just made my Door County Raspberry Butter Crunch Coffee taste even better.

I like all kinds of music. To say my taste in music is set on just on one genre would be totally incorrect. I will admit that it might be only one song or two that appeals to me in any certain style, but for the most part I can find a few songs in most styles that I will enjoy listening to. I do love traditional Gospel hymns and Country Gospel. I however, have a sweet tooth for the old Doo Wop music.

Last night while returning home from church I tuned my car stereo to Pandora and listened to some Doo Wop Oldies. The song Rag Doll by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons was played. The song tells the story about a rich boy who could not state his love for a poor girl. The people in town called her "Rag Doll". The boy sang "I love you just the way you are".

This song got me to thinking about God's love for me. I wish I was taller. God loves me as I am. I wish I had hair again. God loves me as I am. I wish I was younger. God knows I am older, but loves me as I am.  I really have nothing to give God. He doesn't care. Whatever I have He gave to me.
It made me think. I am a "Rag Doll". But I am a rag doll made by God, loved by God, Earth is not my home, and I am passing through on my way home to live with the King of Kings.

Psalm 139:13-16

¹³ You created every part of me;
    you put me together in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because you are to be feared;
    all you do is strange and wonderful.
    I know it with all my heart.
¹⁵ When my bones were being formed,
    carefully put together in my mother's womb,
when I was growing there in secret,
    you knew that I was there—
¹⁶     you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me
    had all been recorded in your book,    before any of them ever began.

When I doubt my self worth or begin to think that God made a mess when He made me I read Psalm 139. I am assured over and over again that God is always with me. He formed my bones and knew just how long they would last. He knows my homecoming day. If He had a refrigerator my pictures would be on it. It is the same for you also. You are loved and were loved before you knew what love was. His hand was on you in your mother's womb. He visited you there.

Have a great day with blessed assurance from above. You are loved.

Marty

 

Love Lifted Me! 5/12/2015

Good Morning Friends.

I hear the coffee perking away as I write to you. Friends I want to wish you all a day of peace and contentment. My mug will eventually be filled with Door County Cherry Crème Coffee.

Yesterday morning while driving to work I was listening to my favorite morning radio station. It was early and it was during the time that they devote to traditional hymn music that I heard a hymn that I haven't listened to in a very long time.

Love Lifted Me. By James Rowe.

1. I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
   Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
   But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
   From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
   
   • Refrain:
     Love lifted me!
     Love lifted me!
     When nothing else could help,
     Love lifted me!
2. All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,
   In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing,
   Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
   Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs.
3. Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves,
   He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves;
   He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
   He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.

The first verse and the chorus take me back to a time long ago on a night in July when I was the one with the despairing cry. No where to turn, no hope, friends and family tried to help but couldn't. Then it happened. Love lifted me. Jesus was there and extended His hand. That same hand continues to lift me each and every day.

Matthew 11:28-30 Good News Translation (GNT)
²⁸ “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. ³⁰ For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.

To me Matthew 11:28-30 are the most important passages in Scripture. Those verses sent from above lifted me.

God bless,
Marty

Climbing The Bluffs In Door County 5/11/2015

Good Morning,

I took a couple days away from writing to all of you so I could spend some family time with my wife Rene and her mother. So as I sip on my cup of Door County Coconut Crush Coffee my mind is still refreshed from having committed this rest and family time to the Lord. When I manage to do that, I always come back inspired and ready for the next small vacation.

2 Corinthians 12:9Good News Translation (GNT)
⁹ But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

We took three days together and were also able to join two very close friends for a great time in Door County Wisconsin. Door County is a beautiful place nestled on a long peninsula in Northern Wisconsin. It is comprised of many small bays and islands that comprise one of the most amazing spots on Lake Michigan. Each little town caters to tourists with different specialty foods, arts, crafts, coffee and wine. It is very quiet there and most peaceful.

While I was sitting beside the lake shore freezing, (it was very cold) I looked up and noticed the bluffs surrounding the bay that I was in. I saw a man and a lady climbing the bluff. They were struggling in the wind and half way up realized that they were not going to reach the top and proceeded to come down.

My focus then turned to the heavy waves rushing to the shore and then collapsing upon the sand, their journey had ended in futility.

Their are certain bluffs that only God can climb and only God can keep the waves rolling if He wants to. God has designed the plan of eternal salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. His birth, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection are the plan. Nothing can be added. Nothing can be earned. Nothing can be strived for. You cannot attain eternal life on your own. It is a bluff you cannot climb. It is a wave that you cannot keep rolling. People try, but it is no use. Savior of the world is not found in your job description. God's grace extended through Jesus is enough. Not only is it enough, it is the only way. It's all anyone needs. But it has to be accepted.

Revelation 3:20English Standard Version (ESV)
²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Answer the call. stop relying on being able to climb "Mount I Did It Myself". Like the couple in Door County, you won't make it on your own. Why struggle?

God bless,

Marty

Only One Way To Heaven 5/8/2015

Good Morning,

I apologize for not writing yesterday. I was away celebrating the life of a loved one who passed away this week. I missed my cup of Door County Coffee yesterday. I will make up for it by having another cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch as I head for work.

At the church service for this life celebration, the preacher was very clear in his message of consolation to all the friends and family that were present. For my aunt, her Earthly life was over and her new eternal life has begun. He was very clear that she was saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ in whom she believed, trusted and loved. He challenged everyone present to think that through and make sure they knew where their personal eternal destiny would be.

John 14:6New King James Version (NKJV)
⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus is the one and only way to heaven and eternal life with God Our Father. I will get right to the point. Notice for justice to be served God sent His Son to die and pay the price. This was for our sins.


John 3:16Good News Translation (GNT)
¹⁶ For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Our loving God paid the price himself as a gift to those who would accept it. In no way does He ever say we can earn our way, pay our way, or kill others and ourselves to attain heaven. Jesus is the one and only way.

Argumentative? Yes, that's the truth and I am sticking to it.

Happy Friday!

Marty

Dear God I Just Want To Take a Minute To 5/6/2015

Good Morning,

My body is rejecting some long hard hours this week. It makes me look forward to this coming weekend all that much more. My shot gun rider this morning is a hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee.

Dear God, I want to take a minute not to ask for anything from you but to simply say thank you, for all those I have met, or ministered to, or worked along side of over the years on short term mission trips. I want to take some time to say thank you for all the pens I lost and for all the pens provided by a young lady named Christy.

Philippians 1:3-11King James Version (KJV)
³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
⁴ Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
⁵ For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
⁶ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
⁷ Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
⁸ For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
¹⁰ That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
¹¹ Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Christy also came into our lives during the time we spent working with the youth group at Faith Bible Church. Not an easy kid to work with at first. Christy wanted nothing to do with youth group or any of the leaders. At the threat of being kidnapped ( Joking) she came and tried it. During her "try us " period a young female youth worker befriended Christy. Game on! Christy grew in the Lord with the friendship and mentorship she was receiving. Then it happened! Christy tried a short term mission trip. I immediately saw some leadership skills and a willing ness to serve. Christy has been on numerous trips since then, usually in a leadership role. She is quite meek, but filled with the Holy Spirit and can have a take charge attitude in seconds. She leads with love. Christy desires to see others hear from God and obey. She has this uncanny ability to think like I do and anticipate my moves. The minute I am looking for the pen I lost, she pulls out another one out of her back pack for me. I tend to use about 15 pens per trip. She always has an endless supply of chewing gum, Pepto Bismal and toilet paper. When things are very tough on a trip Christy can make us laugh.

I wonder what or how she would have turned out if it weren't for the leader who took interest in her? I am so thankful she did. Christy has been like a right hand to me on many trips. You just never know when you will need a safety pin in the Lima airport. Christy will have one. Who can you reach out to that might just be the next Christy? Who are you thankful for?

God bless,
Marty

The Smallest One With No Fear 5/5/2015

Good Morning,

This week has started with a bang. It's going to be one full of adventure, with God needing to balance this schedule for me. Coffee, coffee, coffee, just enough time for one big cup of Door County Chocolate Caramel Truffle.

I am keeping with the theme of remembering many of those who have trod the short term mission field with me. For instance Mrs. Miller is one small little lady who if she is lucky weighs 90 pounds. She too, started as a teeny bopper in youth group where Rene and I were so blessed to be part of her life. From day one she was chomping at the bit to be allowed to go on a trip with the high school group. I like calling her Mrs. Miller now because she always swore that she was never getting married and would never have children. I am happy to say that she was wrong and of course I was right. And I know how to get under her skin. She has a hard time telling me I was right.

Mrs. Miller was and still is one of those people who just never fears anything. At a young age she was called for a month to travel the Amazon River ministering along the way to many, many people. This trip proved to be very hard on her as she suffered from  bacterial and parasite issues for a long time afterwards. Yet she was able to make it on another trip to Guatemala and she was still very ill. She tried to serve and did as much as she could until illness laid her low. I have no idea how many people Mrs. Miller has led to Jesus. I can't count that high. She still to this day shows no fear in the face of many adversities. Mrs. Miller trusts the Lord with all she has.

Psalm 23:4King James Version (KJV)
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I understand that presenting the Gospel of Jesus to others can be an experience that causes fear in many. Now if this little lady can do it, straddle wooden joists to pay her way, fight with me in her sickness to let her go, anyone should be able to overcome the fear of sharing Jesus with others.  Best of all, our Lord goes with you at all times. What is there to fear?

God bless,
Marty

Jesse And Katy 5/4/2014

Good Morning,

My day is starting and my brain is trying to wrap itself around the weekend and all that I saw God doing through others, for others. So as I sip my Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee I must also smile and look up. Our God is an awesome God.

The weekend was busy performing a fund raiser for our church's mission team and their summer mission trip. I have been on too many short term mission trips to keep count now. But as I prepare for another one this summer my mind wanders back to a lot of the people I met or ministered with.

There are two that Rene and I had in youth group many years ago who went on short term mission trips in high school and  later on agreed to help me lead a trip to Peru. Both are a little older now and have turned out to be just what I thought they would be. Fine Christian women is a description that applies in so many ways. They always had a heart for the lost, the underdog, the misfit, and both were not afraid to work. One still goes on mission trips and uses the skills she picked up over the years to benefit the Kingdom. The other one is on a mission at home raising her children and supporting her husband in ministry. Much of her younger years were spent serving the Lord in children's camps. Both are, two very busy people for the Lord.

I am not writing this to brag on them. I had a little influence in their lives, but not as much as their parents who raised what I call Proverbs Kids.

Proverbs 22:6New King James Version (NKJV)

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

 

Their parents saw which way they were bent in ministry or wired and did all they could to support and nurture them toward that service. How about you? Have you figured out your child? How are they wired for the Lord? How are they wired for a vocation? Are you nurturing the way they are to go or are you leading a direction of your desire?

 

It all started with the example set at home.

 

God bless,

 

Marty

Ham And Rolls For Missions 5/3/2015

Good Morning,

Pardon my short message this morning. I am headed out the door with a cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee in my hand. I have to get to church early. Our mission team is working on selling hot ham and rolls to assist in funding this summer's mission trip. Later this week I will focus on what we will actually be doing.

 

In leading mission trips for quite a few years and knowing that relative strangers will be staying with each other for several days I like to perform fund raisers to see how the team works together. The funds raised also help to offset the dollars each team member needs to raise. But I like to see how they function as a team. Who works without needing too many directions? Who stands in the gap? Who can lead? Who is the weakest in the bunch? It helps me to pray and to be able to correctly match team members to a task. In ministry, team work, unity and looking out for the other person at all times is extremely important.

1 Corinthians 12:20-25
              
As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our un-presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it.

Philippians 2:1-30

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus

I have used these two verses and prayer to lead and develop teams in the past. If you are contemplating a short term mission trip, read these verses. If God is calling you to go, seek to develop the heart that is needed to live these two verses. In ministry, especially short term mission trips a diverse armory of talents is often needed. But most of all people that are willing to serve the Lord, and the other members of the team is the greatest talent or gift needed.

I can smell that ham with cloves all the way to my house.

Have a great day.
Marty

Did You Die Today? 5/2/2015

Good Morning.

Happy weekend to you. I pray you will be blessed and rested. My early morning cup of coffee is Door County Cherry Crème. It is going down very well.

If you have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you have died. Did you know that?

Romans 6:4Good News Translation (GNT)
⁴ By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.

Because you died with Jesus, you are no longer alive to the things that Jesus opposed. You can regard yourself deceased to the power of sin. You have victory. The worst thing that could happen to you never can. You will not spend eternity in Hell.
Your former life died with Jesus on the cross. You are identified with Christ totally in His plan of salvation. When He died so did you. When He was buried, our old lives were buried with Jesus. When He was raised from the dead, you were raised with Jesus. It's not really your life anymore, but Jesus living in you.

Have a great day. Enjoy the victory.

Marty

All In A Day 5/1/2015

Good Morning,

Friday at last! This is going to be one hectic weekend with a Mission Ministry fund raiser and the Men's Ministry breakfast and trap shoot.
My coffee pot just brewed my morning treat of Door County Mocha Mint.


Genesis 1 New International Version (NIV)

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

³ And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

It has been said that right after God created day and night and angel turned to God and asked. "What are we going to do now?" God replied "Let's stop and call it a day"

To think that God created the first day and then all the days ever since is just amazing. Even though we weren't there on that first day God knew that He would be giving us this day. God saw the light of day as good. So today, on this day given to you and me let's find the good in the day.

God bless,

Marty