Painting The Duck Tub 9/30/2016

Good Morning,

I heard the wind blow well into last night. The dampness in the air makes my Door County Cherry Crème Coffee important for the tired bones. Time to wake up and greet the day.

Last night I started the annual painting of my small duck boat. I am getting ready to head out with a group to North Dakota for a week of serious hunting. Each year I scrape the boat and touch up the paint. In the beginning of the season that old Sears aluminum boat looks great. But by the end of the season after being thrown into the back of the truck, hauled on a trailer, smashed into a few rocks in  the river the duck tub looks weathered and worn. Some of the new paint is chipped off and the shine of the aluminum comes through. You basically can see what the boat really looks like under the paint.

Rene has equated the annual touch up to "putting lipstick on a pig". She just doesn't understand the attraction between a guy and his boat.

But back to my point. Many people go to church on Sundays and from their looks and behavior one would assume that all is well with their Christian walk. But within a day or two or maybe even an hour or two their true self breaks through the paint of the church service they wear for awhile.  They are convinced that a little church will carry them through the day or week. Soon more of their real self is apparent to others that the disguise they try to portray. Their lives are seriously lacking a true relationship with Christ. My boat was intended to be bright and shiny. To disguise it from the ducks I have painted it green. But if I truly want to restore it to the life it was made for I would have to sand blast all the paint off and shine it up.

That's what a true life which is engaged with Jesus does. He washes away our sins and works to restore us to the life God intends us to live. Jesus sees the inside past the paint of church and the portrayal of a life in Christ. His shine up of our lives lasts for eternity and will never decay.

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

“Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.” Psalm 97:11

This is for those who are fooling others and believe that God is fooled by their Sunday paint job. When even a little bit of bright aluminum shows and the sun hits it, ducks will flare away because that bright shining object is not what is supposed to be in the marsh. You can't fool a duck with just a little paint job. The paint needs to be addressed weekly, sometimes daily. I carry a can of spray paint with me to keep it fresh. Reading God's word daily and having a solid prayer life keeps us whole until church comes around. It helps us to keep the shine of Jesus looking good.  The more we are in God's word, the more we desire to please Him and love Him. The more we communicate with Him and listen in prayer the more we desire to be like Jesus. Now that is not an imitation, it is really being the real thing! Now we are shining for God!

Are you willing? The way to start is to say yes and get going.

What say you?

Marty

A Sight For Sore Eyes 9/29/2016

Good Morning,

I woke up and I heard the Door County Maple Coffee brewing into the pot. I heard it before I could smell it today. That is highly irregular for me. I usually pick up the aroma before I hear anything.

Last weekend Rene and I went away to celebrate our anniversary. Traveling brings us to the decision of "what to do with our dog"?  Gibbs does well when we take him to a kennel that actually runs the hunting dogs in the fields. That's one option. The dogs are well taken care of and I trust the owners explicitly.

The other option is to leave him at home. Our nephew Nick has watched Gibbs for us before and once again Gibbs is very well taken care of. This time Nick was willing to watch Gibbs and we agreed that it was a good idea for Nick to duck hunt with him.

Opening day came Saturday and there were no posts on Facebook to read or pictures to see of dogs, young men, and dead ducks. My mind started to go places it shouldn't. For instance I was a little worried that Gibbs would not listen to Nick. He is a one owner kind of dog. I then thought. "Well Nick lost another phone somehow to damage or water. Maybe they aren't seeing ducks at all. That would be bad for both of them."

Later pictures and texts started rolling in. It seems as if my two compadres were so busy shooting ducks that they did not have time to send a picture. Nick and his buddies hit 21 ducks and that kept the pooch pretty busy. Worrying did not do me any good and as a matter of fact a friend of mine called me a "helicopter parent". Argh!

All the worrying did for me was to raise my blood pressure and drive Rene nuts. I did pray for them a few times and should have known that Gibbs would behave, Nick would take great care of him and if at all possible those two would get some ducks. They are a proven twosome.

We tend to worry about nothing at times and nothing eats us up. Besides praying I should have read my Bible and looked up worry.

Matthew 6:25-34New International Version (NIV)
²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I needed to check the blueprint for life. Instead I worried. Sure was proud of those two.

Marty

Prairie Party With Hors d'oeuvres 9/28/2016

Good Morning,

The old provider of coffee just delivered a big cup of Door County Frosted Cinnamon Buns to my mug, so I assume it is time to get ready for work.

Last week I was able sit and chat with a good friend about his sister and our answered prayers regarding her health. It was awesome to hear how God has extended her life and it is no less than a miracle.

But as two old boys will do our conversation turned to hunting pheasants in days gone by. We used to chase them around in South Dakota with some other guys and our trusty dogs. One of the other highlights of our trips besides the dog work, adequate shotgun prowess and pheasants crashing to the ground was the one night called the "Prairie Party".

We would go out to the prairie in our trucks and get up on a ridge with a valley below and position ourselves to watch the sun go down. Large speakers were put out and Willie Nelson tunes were played. I recall sitting in my lawn chair listening to Willie sing "Always On My Mind" thinking about the Mrs. and wishing she could see what I was seeing. Each guy was to bring a "munchie" to pass around. Some of the best and most expensive cheese I ever tasted were served by the boys. Each guy was proud to have brought something to share. They took special care to make sure they were bringing some good stuff! I remember some of the salsa dips and elk jerky that was served. Cheese and crackers with about 10 different kinds to choose from. I was glad to be there.

While taking it all in and feeling blessed to be with good friends and thinking that this scene would make a great Terry Redlin picture I remembered My Creator and thanked him for the day.

Now everyone can't make it to the prairie for a party and not everyone likes Willie Nelson, but we all need to escape someplace now and then just to unwind, breathe deep, enjoy friends and eat some     hors d' oeuvres. Why? because there is a time for every purpose under heaven. And it was God that gave you the ability to stop and rest. He showed you a favorite place.

 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8New King James Version

3 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
³ A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
⁵ A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
⁷ A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
⁸ A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace

No doubt at all we had a great time. Eventually we all went back to the lodge to play some cards, eat some more and woke up refreshed then next day for another hunt. I was glad to be there for sure.  Where is your prairie? How do you relax? Is God allowed to go with you? Is He always on your mind?

 God Bless,

Marty

Poutine And The Bible 9/26/2016

Good Morning,

Yesterday I was able to stop in at the Door County Coffee Company to visit and shop. I did however leave with some of their Ethiopian Coffee. So guess what's in my cup this morning?
 Great coffee to say the least!

I recently traveled to another city and while there one of the local fellas who comes from Canada asked me to try some poutine. I asked what it was and he smiled and said "try it you'll like it."

Poutine (/puːˈtiːn/; Québec French: [put͡sɪn]  is a Canadian dish, originating in the province of Québec, made with French fries and cheese curds topped with a light brown gravy. This fast-food dish is typically found across Canada and in some places in the northern United States, less often elsewhere and is still considered 'exotic' in such places.^[ In Canada it is sold in small "greasy spoon" type diners (commonly known as cantines or casse-croûtes in Québec) and pubs, as well as by roadside chip wagons (commonly known as cabanes à patates, literally "potato shacks") and in hockey arenas

He asked me to try it without knowing what was coming. Once I saw the poutine I knew I would like it. I just never heard it called by that name. I have eaten poutine before and liked it. So to me it was a treat that was not foreign at all. This young man is proud of his heritage and it would be completely wrong of me to not have eaten  what he had brought for me. We should at all times consider the graciousness of others and do our best to not hurt any feelings with a picky appetite. People tend to give visitors the best that they have to offer.

Luke 10:8English Standard Version (ESV)
⁸ Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.

This lesson needs to start at home with the children. I don't see in the job description for mothers and dads the title "short order cook". Kids can learn more  about contentment with the simple lesson of "Eating What Is On The Table". They might learn to stay at a job longer than 5 years. When kids learn that they can rule the table it will soon lead to other battles that aren't needed. Adults, practice what you preach, set the example.  The broccoli you eat just might lead to peace and quiet!

Have a great day!

Marty

Plastic Models Are Models. You Are Not. 9/25/2016

Good Morning,

I just filled a cup with Door County Caramel Apple Coffee and it is just what I needed. I have a touch of a head cold that I am fighting off and sleep has escaped me a little.. So it's time to coffee up!

As a young boy  I would receive model kits of airplanes, cars, battleships, or movie props as gifts. It would take hours, if not days to construct these things, then paint them and add decals to make them look real. They were scaled down replicas that would sit on a shelf or dresser just waiting to collect dust and then be cleaned. It was fine if you were the person dusting them off. They were very delicate and just glued together. If not handled correctly they would break. I constructed a replica of the USS Missouri a famous World War Two battleship. When it was completed I tried floating it in the kitchen sink it turned on it's side and sunk. The models were very nice to look at, but they didn't do anything. They were plastic and glue. When they were completed people would say "Oh what a nice job you did". Really?? There were explicit instructions in every box, piece by piece blueprints designed for a 10 year old to follow. At that time in my life these models weren't made to move yet. Small airplane models were just then receiving engines so they could fly, tethered to a wire. The Jetsons were on television then so they only drones we knew of was George's flying car. "Radio Controlled" back then meant the teenager with the AM transistor radio held tight to his or her ear waling down the street.

These models were just models. They were made to occupy the time of young kids or those older folks who built them as a hobby. Except to be looked at later, dusted off or brought to school for show and tell they really were kind of useless. A lot of hard work went into these things and when completed correctly they were something to see but still really could not be used.

Matthew 25:35-40  
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

Where am I going with all this babble about my child hood?  Well here we go. We were all created by God and each of us has our own physical and mental differences. We are wonderfully made and have a purpose in life. We may not be equally physically as capable as everyone, but we have a purpose and we are to perform it. For instance.

Joni Eareckson Tada, the Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities. A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then 17, a quad­riplegic in a wheelchair, without the use of her hands. After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations.
During her rehabilitation, Joni spent long months learning how to paint with a brush between her teeth. Her high-detail fine art paintings and prints are sought-after and collected.
 She also has a radio show where she gives Godly advice and inspiration to others. I for one listen to that show. She helps others and serves the Lord despite her disability.

Many people who are very capable have glued their joints and mouths together and have become "Shelf Models". Nice to look at but useless. As long as we are here on this Earth we have a commandment to love one another. To love one another also means to make sacrifices by doing things for others. Being kind is an action. Love is an action. Service requires action. Respect is an action. Are you on your own shelf? Some people only come off of the shelf for those they know very, very well. That's nice, but we are to love all. Do you jump in to serve a stranger or do you shelf yourself with others in "Holy Huddles" just serving those you know?

It's time to come off of the shelf and get into the game. I do not have even one of those old models. I outgrew the need for them when I started a phase where model rockets came about and they could be launched and manned by mice. my King Kong model became a target for my BB gun.  If we sit too long we might not ever be used by God to help, inspire and love others. What a waste of life.

Don't be a shelf sitter. Dust yourself off. God gave you life. Use it for others. Try working in a soup kitchen and feeding others. Let God show you what to do. You will never run out od services to do.

Marty

Prayer For The Boys, It's Automatic 9/24/2016

Good Morning,

This morning finds me drinking my Door County Frosted Cinnamon Buns Coffee actually in Door County.

Rene is still asleep and I have been awake and up for some time. Duck season opened today in the Northern part of our state. You might not be able to tell, but I am not hunting. In a few days we will celebrate a milestone anniversary and we decided to get away for a weekend. Duck season went on the back burner for a week.

So for me to sit one out and not be goose or duck hunting seems odd, but it is soooo right. The two that I hunt the most with are out in a swamp right now. Those two are my nephew Nick and our dog Gibbs. When I awoke at 4:30AM I rolled over and smiled and began to pray that the ducks would be flying for them and that all those in their hunting group would have a safe day. They should be wet, full of mosquitoes and have bagged a few ducks by now. If those two were cards in a poker game I would bet on them every time. The two that I raised to hunt are out together enjoying a swamp together.

To some of you it might seem silly to wake up at 4:30 and pray for a dog and a nephew.  Well I pray for many people at times like that. When I wake up and the Holy Spirit has laid someone on my heart I immediately pray for them.

Ephesians 6:18New International Version (NIV)
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Do you respond automatically for prayer when called or is it only at a scheduled time? I see a few more people are ordering cars with manual transmissions again. I had plenty of those in my old jalopies when I was younger. Four on the floor baby is how we rolled back in the day. But with these arthritic elbows and knees now I really enjoy an automatic transmission. I like my prayer to be like that too. "Automatic". Right now, not later, less I forget and right to God we go. The prayer gears never grind, I can go from rest, to full speed prayer in a second or two.

Who is on your heart right now? Quit reading and pray for them. Then go back to reading.

Have a great day!

Marty

Don't Forget The Classics 9/23/2016

Good Morning,

I was on the road early and had to stop for gas station coffee. Definitely not as good as a cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee. I have to quit whining.

I recently had the opportunity to view some old classic cars which have been restored to look and run like new. Of course there was one or two that I was drooling over. I could just see Rene behind the wheel of this 1950 Ford Sedan. Man that would be nice. As much as I looked them over I never received the keys to drive any of them. To me they were things to see but not to touch. I am sure the owners drive them now and then. I am sure when they do, the drive is a thrill. What once was ready for the junk pile is being used again.

I think we often do that with our senior citizens. We treat them as if they are classics to be visited but not very useful. Remember this, long before there were seat belts and front wheel drive these older folks were running the world. They have experiences we will never have. Their advice and experience is invaluable. We need to have them be a vibrant and useful part of our lives. We need to replace the value of our seniors right back on them where it belongs.

 Job 12:12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?

Think about it. These older folks are one of our most valuable resources. We need to treat them as valuable and precious.

Hey! Someday you will be old too!

Marty

Forced To Rest 9/22/2016

Good Morning,

I pray your day goes well, your Coffee is as good as my Door County Caramel Apple and you grow closer to God. Amen!

I have a confession to make about the night before last night. I am out of town and when I got back to the hotel where I am staying after a camp meeting at a rural church, I answered some emails and while doing so I fell asleep only to wake up three hours later in the chair with my head on my computer. If my forehead somehow managed to send you a whacky email during that time I apologize.

After waking up, I washed my face and sat down on the couch to have a drink of water. I never made it to bed.  I woke up again sitting on the couch and it was morning. I had slept for 8.5 hours. This is highly unusual for me. I remember praying for my family and that was the last thing I remember. I woke up refreshed and hungry. I must be truly honest. That extra sleep did make me feel a little guilty for having slept that long. But then I thought about it and decided that someone either had been praying for me to rest or God  decided to make me rest. Either way His hand was on my sleep.

Psalm 23:1-3

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.

God allows us to feel tired. That is His way of telling us we need rest. It is a way that He tells us that we are His children. With the built in fatigue alarm we have, our Heavenly Father tells us it is time to go to bed.

So when fatigue speaks and tells you that you are tired. Obey the Creator and go to bed.

God bless,

Marty

Families Are Made For Love 9/21/2016

Good Morning,

I just made a little pot of Door County Maple Coffee and now it is time to write. I chose a picture today from my Dad's home. The water is so still that it reflects the trees that are on shore. It has a lot to do with our message today.

I want to devote today to the subject of families. Every family is different. Some are large and some are small. Some have all the typical members and some have members that are missing. Some families have grandparents living with them, aunts have taken the place of missing mothers. Uncles substitute as dads. But no matter what the family dynamics are the one thing that all families are made for, need plenty of, and can always use more of, is love.

Families are where you run to when the chips are down. Families are where you celebrate births. Families are where you share memories and make new ones. Families gather around the sick and down trodden and help each other. Families share the good and the bad. Families laugh and cry together. Families love to eat together.

Maybe you are a family of only two and you have close friends that are just like family. Despite not being blood relatives these people are what you have as your closest companions. They are like family to you and you share the same things as blood relative families do.

Love can be a noun and a verb. Today we described the noun with action phrases. Love in motion is what I see in most every family. The parents that work to pay the bills. The meals that are made. Hours rocking a small baby who has their days and nights mixed up. Watching soccer games in the rain, when a hot bath sounds better. Listening to the stories of the elderly, even though you heard them a thousand times before. Forgiving without being asked to forgive. Families with love in action sacrifice for others. Grandparents who babysit or raise children left to them are love in action. Brothers and sisters who help teach the younger children, so as to give the parents a break, love in action again!

Families are best at love when their First Love is God. A Pharisaic lawyer once asked our Lord, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 22:36-40

So if the family in your circle is low on the love gauge it might be that the First Love is missing or is not at the head of the family. Families often struggle even though they are doing their best to make it as a family, when God is not the love of their lives.

When children are younger and they catch a cold, it usually spreads like wild fire through the family. If just one family member can be on fire for the Lord it might just be enough to spread through the others. Love in the family starts with you. You love as much as you choose to. Does your family reflect the love of God?

Choose more,

Marty

Running And Being Tired Is A Gift 9/20/16

Good Morning,

I am traveling this week and a coffee maker is available where I am staying. It was a good idea to bring some Door County Highlander Grog with me. The drive from last night has me just a little tired today. This hot cup of coffee should have me awake soon enough.

Not too long ago I was reading about a young boy who is stricken with Muscular Dystrophy. He lives life from a wheel chair. During a conversation with his mother he made this very profound statement.
"I wish I knew what it was like to be tired from running".

I spend a lot of time walking through the hospital where I work. We take pride in greeting each person we encounter. Those that I know a little better might get this greeting. "Good morning, how are you?" Very often the reply comes back with a sigh and these words. "Very Tired".  My hunting buddies will often state how tired they are from getting up in the middle of the night to chase waterfowl. I am also known to complain about being tired after having a good time walking through a swamp so my freezer has a duck or two in it.

That statement from the little boy struck me to the core. I said a prayer for him and thought about days of old when I ran just playing a game of tag. The little guy just wants to be tired from running. I think many of us take being tired for granted. We work hard or play hard and we sigh because it tired us out. We forget that there are those who might not ever be able to do what we did. We complain about a gift given to us that others might not experience.

I think we need to try smiling when we say we are tired from performing activities that  tire us out. We need to see that weariness as a gift that others wish they had. We need to be thankful every day for a day that has not confined us to a wheel chair. I for one look forward to heaven some day and seeing those I have known crippled with disease running free and hard. Even then they won't be tired. But they will know what it is like to run! I know that God will keep that promise.

Isaiah 40:28-31New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Enjoy all you are able to do today!

God bless,

Marty

Spiritual Battle For Our Kids 9/19/2016

Good Morning,

I am reaching for my cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee and munching on a cold peach for breakfast. It's still too warm outside to break out the oat meal and dried cherries. Soon, very, very soon.

Today I will walk the road of opinion. The Christian Church is struggling to reach the "Millennials, the youngest generation." I am not even sure that the "Millennials" will know what they want or what will reach them. There are many opinions and none are wrong. But here's my shot at it. This generation has all the excitement they need at their finger tips. They no longer have to wait on anything. When I was a young child I always wanted to go to Disney Land. This was in the 60's. Those cards never presented themselves to my life's card game until I was 22 years old. I had to wait. But the excitement was still there. It was awesome. Millennials can arrange a trip within an hour on their phone. They can be there in hours!

I have heard that the kids want a "real church". They want Starbucks and mood music. Nothing wrong with that. But let's give them content. Let's start by going back to the basics that there is a heaven and a hell and what awaits the Saved in Jesus, no internet picture will do justice to. The music in heaven will not be boring. The colors will be better than any paint store pallet can produce. It will be exciting, beyond the imagination.

They want real, then let's tell them real. The REAL Fact is that someone loved them so much that He died on the cross for them. That is a real love, a beautiful love, a love without boundaries. Want to get them excited then tell them the truth about hell. Someone is going there and it could be them. Hey! Want real then tell them what the Bible says about hell. Don't candy coat it. You are doing them an injustice by disguising the truth. Help them to fall in love with the Savior, and then they have HOPE for eternity. When this world let's them down, and it will, they can look forward to something they cannot attain on an IPOD. The greatest revivals took place long before the internet and there have always been deep intellects drinking coffee. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the hope of heaven with the Father was good then and is good now. Satan has delivered a message to us through the Millennials to stop what is true and give them feelings instead of Faith with feelings.  He is using our own kids to pollute Hope.

These kids need something and it is Jesus and hope for eternity, not just a feeling to carry them through tomorrow. They want real and we are giving them a white wash, because a few of them said that's what they want.  We are in a battle with Satan for these kids. I believe we win when we speak the truth.

Isaiah 55:10-13New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
¹² You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
¹³ Instead of the  will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”

So that's my opinion. They need excitement and Jesus is the Ultimate in Excitement and Hope.

Marty

The Stars, The Moon, And the Sun, Assurances From Heaven 9/18/2016

Good Morning,

What a nice morning to be outside with a cup of Door County Red Velvet Mocha Coffee. The temperature is cool and it would be a perfect morning to be hunting. I had to take a pass on the hunt today. I have a list of chores to do that require them being done today. From where I sit outside right now I can smell the pork loins I have in the smoker cooking ever so slowly.  This is a great spot to be!
    
Jeremiah 31:35

 

Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name:

I went to bed last night with the light of the moon shining through our windows from the East. It was huge and to say the least, it was a spectacular sight. It was important for me to get up before sunrise and see the moon again while facing West. The moon was further away, but still very bright. It takes about 27 days for the moon to complete it's full orbit around the Earth. But we cannot forget that the Earth is orbiting also. Thus we have night and day. I took a picture with my phone this morning of what I saw. It did my heart good to see the Old Moon in it's orbit. The picture isn't the greatest but it meant a lot to me.

From watching the moon from the East and then seeing it again hours later facing the West surrounded by some fading stars and the sun rising in the East I felt God's hand on the Earth. We take for granted that He put the universe in motion. He created the sun, the moon and the stars. He set the pace for the orbits. Now since we know He did all that we surely can know that He is still in charge and sits on His throne.

You are probably thinking that any guy who stares at the moon before going to bed and then wakes up to see it again has too much time on his hands or is one French Fry short of a Happy Meal. This might be true. When I see the evidence of God's existence and I know can face today, and tomorrow because He lives,  and it can be visibly seen. I know He lives another way too. He lives within my heart. This morning my heart was in tune with what I saw.

Know this dear friends. You are loved. Share something good with someone today and pass on some love. God shared the moon, the stars and a sunrise with me.

Marty

Heroin, Heartbreak And You 9/17/2016

Good Morning,

I started today with a cup of Door County Red Velvet Mocha Coffee and prayer. Prayer is always a great way to start the day. I am outside in our yard, it is cool and damp. I declined hunting today which hardly ever happens but I have plenty of that coming up.

Last night I made a visit to one of the local county jails. I went to visit a young friend who resides there for now. Crime was the reason this young person is behind bars. But the true culprit who has a hold on this life is the drug heroin. This young lady was a member of our youth group way back when I was still doing youth work. She is I'm her mid twenties now. We lost her at about 17 years of age to the world. Recently she had been missing for months and I truly believe our prayers were answered for her to be found when she was arrested.

My motto is this, "Once a member of the youth group, always a member". So I went to visit her and she was quite surprised to see me. And then she said. "I really am not surprised to see you, although this is very hard and I am ashamed, I am not surprised". The visitation coordinator let our visit run longer than usual, (another answer to prayer). We talked about Jesus, drugs, her kids, a shopping trip we did together in youth group, and hope. I asked her if anyone told her that they loved her today and she replied "no". I told her that Rene and I did and that if she would allow me to come back I would. I will be going back.

This young lady is a shell now, her eyes are distant and she has little trust in anything or anyone. We started with the basics of the love of Jesus and I left her with Scripture to read. We prayed together and I left.

Isaiah 55:10-13New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
¹² You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
¹³ Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”

But I left a piece of my heart in that jail. I now can only imagine the heartbreak, her parents, children, and siblings are going through. I feel like that empty shell myself today. But I know she has decisions to make and healing is one of those. It's times like these that I too have to go back to basics. Faith is the key component to keeping the ship sailing straight now. I have faith, but I am weak like most. My prayer journal is my visual chart of what is going on in this case and what needs to be done. I am old and need visual aids now. This works for me.

1. Love my neighbor. Done
2. Rely on the Holy Spirit to work where we can't. Done
3. Leave someone with God's Word and know that it is true and will accomplish what it God desires it to. Done
4. Pray, pray, and pray again. Not compete yet, Must be daily.
5. Then continue to do what I can to help. Started, but incomplete.

Drugs have destroyed many families and it seems this heroin thing is really out of control. You might know someone who is struggling with this, or you know a family that is torn apart by situations like this. Believe me, they are hurting more than anyone else can imagine. If you know about someone in this battle it is because God wanted you to know. If He wanted you to know, it is because you are to act. It might be that he just wants you to pray, or send a meal to a family in strife. But if you know about it, God wanted you to know. Let's see how big your heart is.

This plan God laid out for me might be different than the one He lays out for you. But it is a simple place to start.


So start!

Marty

Laughter, Forever Young 9/16/2016

Good Morning,

The old pot is perking up some Door County Maple Coffee today. I was going to wait for this weekend to brew some, but I gave in to myself.

The one thing I have noticed in our home is that Rene still laughs the same way she did when we were much younger. It's that laughter that I truly believe keeps her loving funny commercials with little kids or dogs as the main characters in the advertisements. She laughs and I smile. It is one of the sounds that I would miss if I lost my hearing.

I think healthy laughter can be a common ground that can be used for emotional healing or stress. Now I don't believe it is appropriate to laugh at someone unless they are laughing too. But a good clean joke that causes a few folks to chuckle is more than appropriate. Often times of laughter are frowned upon in some instances and that is a good thing. Some times are just meant to be somber.

But I do recall going out for a bite to eat with a few of my cousins during the wake for our grandfather many years ago. We were to return to the funeral home for the service a little later.  We were all kids and were sitting in a diner away from the wake. It was definitely not a good day for us, but as kids will do we were getting silly in the restaurant and someone and it might have been me laughed so hard that a Coke came right out of their nose. Well, we all cracked up. But for a few minutes it made a bad day a little more bearable. No harm, no foul.

I walk a little at night and on a cool summer evening I can hear kids playing and laughing. It does my soul good to hear the laughter. Don't you think the world would stay a lot younger and be less crabby if we all could enjoy a good, proper laugh? I sure do believe that at times "laughter is the best medicine".

So today, listen and laugh if you can. Don't be so touchy that one of your pratfalls might be funny. Laugh at yourself. My wife does and her laugh still sounds young.

Laughter is a beautiful gift from God. It can be medicine for the soul. If you are in no laughing mood and life has you down, we tend to shut ourselves in. We should do just the opposite. We need to get out there and experience a day and a laugh that might come our way.

 Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
 Proverbs 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but with a heartache comes depression.
 Proverbs 15:15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual  feast.

Get out there and if you can, go ahead and make others laugh. it just might save a life.

God bless,

Marty

Gold Medal Winner 9/15/2016

Good Morning,

Time to wake up and smell the roses. Thursday has arrived and I have a full day on the menu. I will start the morning with a hot cup of Door County Frosted Cinnamon Buns Coffee. After some prayer I will head into work.

Hebrews 12:1-2New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let me introduce you to my friend Max. We call him John and that is a long story I guess. John is a pastor in Haiti and hosts mission teams in his home throughout the year. John walks just about everywhere he goes. The trip from his home is downhill at a steep grade and when he returns, well ???? The grade is reversed. John runs a school, assists an orphanage and has dreams to do more. The list of what He does with God and all that he does for the church of Jesus and the people of Haiti is too long for me to write.

He always greets you with a smile. He is always the last one to eat. He is a husband and a father. This is a busy man who walks and at times runs for God. The world just witnessed the Summer Olympics and many gifted athletes ran fast, jumped high, swam like fish and lifted a ton of weights. Some received medals for their achievements. In my mind John is a gold medal winner for God. He endures the race each day. He works unto the Lord with passion and long hours. He loves his neighbor. I will bet we all know a God Olympian. Shake their hand today let them know that you are cheering them on.  It might just be what keeps them going today.

God Bless,

Marty

Malt Shops, Doo Wop, And Poodle Skirts 9/14/2016

Good Morning,

I have Door County Autumn Spice Coffee on my tongue, a song in my heart, and a prayer to be said. This is a great way to wake up.

I love listening to old music from the forties through the sixties. I have said many times before that I was born too late. I really would have fit in with malt shops, hot rod cars and girls wearing poodle skirts. I love the old Gospel hymns and find myself surfing Pandora from station to station creating a mix of both genres. Mix in a little Country Western tunes and we have music Xanadu for me.

Last night while driving home from church one of my favorite Oldie Doo Wop tunes came on. In the lyrics a young man is singing about his undying love for some girl. He promises to adore her till the tropic sun goes cold, which implies always and forever.

I was pondering these lyrics and thought about God's love for us. He loved us before we were born and will love us through eternity. The sun that beats down on a hot day and never seems to cool off will long be cold and God will still love us. The thought of someone loving me so much that He can put up with me for that long shows me what heaven will be like. It is permanent love at all times. This gives me hope that what awaits me is perfect. This thought is backed up by Scripture.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to die on the cross that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

I like to take the word world out of this passage and substitute my name. For God so loved Marty or I add the word me. It makes it so much more personal and gives me hope of love and life eternal.

Try it. Add your name. Say it out loud. What a feeling it is!

Love you all!

Marty

Compassion And The Grocery Cart 9/13/2016

Good Morning,

Nothing like waking up to the sound of Door County Raspberry Crunch Coffee perking away in the kitchen. This has the beginning of a great day.

Yesterday I had to stop and do a little grocery shopping at the local food emporium. As luck would have it I ran into a lady I recalled seeing in the store a few years ago. I don't know how I remembered her but I did. I believe it was what I saw her do that helped me to recall her. As before there was a young lady shopping with two little kids. Both kids were acting up a little and you could tell that the young woman was at the end of her rope.

Along comes our other lady who is about 65 years old and she sees the situation and offers to hold the baby and push the other little guy in her cart and assist the mom with her shopping. I have witnessed her doing this before. About 10 other people had passed the young mom without asking if they could help. I actually was thinking about offering some type of help but our hero beat me to it. I doubt the lady would have accepted help form a strange man.  What I saw was compassion at it's best. It wasn't asked for , yet it was offered. The young lady happily accepted the help and as I was leaving the store I saw the family and our hero loading groceries into the car.

We all have been in the situation where we say to someone, "let me know if you need anything". We usually never hear from the person the statement was offered to so we really don't need to show compassion and help. But real compassion is the type that is gut wrenching. For instance, Someone dying on a cross for others. It was never asked for by anyone who benefits from it but it was done anyway.

True compassion is seeing a need and going ahead without anything stopping you from helping.

Luke 10:25-37New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

If we are walking with God's eyes we will see those needing help and we will assist without being asked. This lady had God eyes.

Have a great day! Go shopping.

Marty

Goose, Pheasant, And Duck Pot Pie 9/12/16

Good Morning,

Wake up and smell the coffee. Mine is a hearty cup of Door County German Chocolate Cake. Time to get rolling.

My wife is an avid football fan and she can watch a whole game without batting an eye. I on the other hand, watch the game but need to multitask by doing something else at the same time. Yesterday while Rene was cheering on the Green Bay Packers I was watching the game from the kitchen. I had decided to pull out some of the wild game I had left in our freezer from last season and cook a multi-meat pot pie.

I for one will not hunt for anything that I will not eat. I was also raised not to waste anything and that part of my upbringing has done me very well. Everything was seasoned just right. The vegetables, gravy and meat were placed into a super pie crust and baked slowly. It was a great dinner accompanied by fresh apple juice made from our apple trees. We juiced the weak ones that fell from the tree already. Again we wasted nothing.

Where am I going with this? Well we are not all that frugal but what we both learned as children stuck with us. We ate very well and actually shared a piece of the pie with a neighbor who was working hard in her yard. She hinted that she could smell the dinner coming from our window. By not wasting things we had an abundance. But the lesson is what we teach our children, both good and bad, does stick with them.

We need to teach lessons like, waste not want not. Work hard and eat of your harvest. Share with others. These lessons take time and need to be taught with consistency. I remember watching my parents strip a turkey carcass clean after Thanksgiving dinner just to make soup from the meager left overs. That soup sure was good on a cold Wisconsin winter day.

Now where is this going for you? All of you will be nodding your heads in agreement that these are all lessons that kids should learn. But what about the lesson of wasting time?

It's Monday and we are all headed to work or working in our homes. How much time gets wasted each day that causes us to work too late and then robs us of family time and personal time with God?

Ephesians 5:15-17   
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

We each should take a little survey of our day and be honest. Write down everything we do and log in the time spent doing it. I think at the end of the day we will see where we can make some cuts and improve our lives. It's not just the kids that need a lesson or two. Practice what you preach.

God bless,

Marty

Stop To Remember 9/11 9/11/2016

Good Morning,

My mug is filled with Door County Cherry Crème Coffee, my heart is in prayer and my day has begun.

I just let our Springer Spaniel Gibbs outside for him to do his morning business before being fed. The spotlight that shines on our American flag illuminated the driveway and as I looked up I stopped for a moment to take in the cool fresh air. It disheartened me to see our flag at half mast which signifies a nation honoring a day dedicated to those who died 15 years ago in a terrorist attack on our country. Things have changed a lot since then. Going anywhere by airplane is a hassle to get through security now. There have been other attacks including one where the terrorists used pressure cookers as the casing for bombs.

I now go to theaters and make sure I know where the exits are. There is a gun strapped to my leg for protection while I am in  large groups. Other countries have experienced the same type of attacks. I find it now hard not to profile people of certain ethnicities. I never had that problem before. Air attacks and bombs are launched daily at the terrorists to curb their treacherous activities, yet it goes on.

I said in the beginning that I was disheartened to see our flag at half mast today. This is true. So before writing I turned to my Bible for comfort. I sought out God. Yes, things in the world changed 15 years ago but He hasn't. The sun still came up, the world still spins, babies were born, it rained somewhere, snowed elsewhere, and people still fall in love. Despite the bombs and attacks God still reigns on high and the good things still outweigh the bad. Some day this will all end with a shout and Jesus will return. The world will still spin, the sun will come up, but the fighting will stop immediately. Everyone will be there. What our enemies do not realize or acknowledge and many of us forget is that it will stop. The return of Jesus will stop the nonsense. The world will be judged.

Matthew 25:31-32   
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Romans 14:11New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.

 

I for one can't wait until this day comes. Everyone is going to be there and all will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Flags and countries will disappear, fighting will cease, fear and awe will be within the hearts of those who have been enemies of God. Those who passed on the salvation of Jesus Christ will be tossed into the lake of fire with Satan who authored all this mayhem and hatred.

 

So I will raise my flag again tomorrow but I will mutter out load, "Come Lord Jesus come. Only you will stop this mess".

 

Marty