Love The Lord With All Your Heart 9/30/2017

Good Morning,

I am headed out to hunt ducks on the river with a good friend and our dogs. I have been looking forward to getting out all week. I have been pretty sick these last few days and it probably would be wise to stay home. But my shot gun and a cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee keeps calling my name.

I am closing the month out with another Godly principle and one that could have easily gone first in our exploration of the Word of God. All the other principles we studied this month are good but without this one they are just good practices.

Deuteronomy 6:5New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

 

 

To love the Lord with your all in all means to put Him first in all that we say and do. He is to be first at church, first in our marriage, first at work, first, first and first. When God becomes an option He is really no option at all. Test this statement and see how many times God wins out over something that comes up and causes you to choose between Him and doing that something else. How many times does sleep come before prayer or Bible study? How many times do we continue to argue with our spouse when God has pointed out that anger with sin is wrong. We choose our own desires over His.

 

 

So what can we do about this? Make a conscious effort to change and have someone hold you accountable. Make a list of the times God loses to our own desires and display it on the refrigerator door.  Work hard to change.

 

 

Enjoy your weekend. They end too quickly.

 

Marty

No Whining! 9/29/2017

Good Morning,

Happy Friday to all of us. We made it another week and the world is better for having you in it. My choice of my morning brew is Door County Maple Coffee. That's a good kick start to the day.

We picked the last of the tomatoes yesterday and I will need to make salsa this weekend. What a blessing those tomato bushes were this year. They will keep blessing us through the winter with all the sauces we were able to store.

Now making salsa or tomato sauce is not exactly my favorite chore. But I need to remember the prayer that was said over the garden and asked that it would be blessed by God. Now God answered our prayers, more than abundantly. We have actually been able to share of the bounty and still have more than enough for ourselves.

My point, God blessed and I felt like grumbling and whining about the large amount of tomatoes. Now how stupid is that? God blessed and I answered with a complaint. I basically insulted God and I am now ashamed. God expects more of His children.

Philippians 2:14-15New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

 

 

 We are a society that likes to complain. Nothing ever seems to be right with life. It's too hot. It's too cold. I wish it would snow. I hate shoveling snow". We never seem to be happy with what we have.
Not everyone is truly content with his or her life. Often times we are unsatisfied and seek more for what we don't have and who we are. Through scripture however, we are commanded to be content with all we have in life.

 

Philippians 4:12-13New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ,  who gives me strength.
 

We need to be grateful and take on all things without grumbling about it, especially blessings.

 

Have a great day!

 

Marty



 

 

 

Try To Stay Debt Free 9/28/2017

Good Morning,

I hope this day finds all of you healthy and whole. I just finished brewing some Door County Autumn Spice Coffee and I sliced a Honey Crisp  apple into wedges, I am debating as to whether or not to add some peanut butter to the slices. Now on to another Godly principle for September.

In todays world it is very hard to stay out of debt. I believe the cost of a home prevents most people from purchasing a home without a loan. That's too bad. But we can control our spending by asking ourselves this one question before we jump into a purchase. "Do I need that? Or is it just something I want?" We often purchase out of impulse instead of need. Even if we do need an item, can it wait? If it can wait until it can be purchased with cash instead of a credit card, then we should wait. Keep an eye on your finances. Look them over weekly and examine any purchases that do not seem wise, six days later. Then learn, not to make the same bad choice.

Emergencies come up and surprise us when we can least afford them. I know of a young man who just had to purchase a car out of "need". If he took the bus for another six months he could have had enough money down to obtain a 0% loan. He would have still borrowed money, but at 0% interest. His impatience cost him 4.5% on his loan.

Did we buy a home we can afford or a home we just had to have, but can't really afford? When we default because of our own fault, we do not represent God to others in a good way.

God's Word has a lot to say about debt.  But It doesn't say … it's a sin to borrow. While the Bible offers many warnings about the dangers of debt, it never says that you are out of God's will or violating one of God's commandments when you borrow. We can debate the wisdom of incurring debt under certain circumstances, but it's never a black-and-white issue. And there are cases where debt is simply unavoidable - medical emergencies, job layoffs, and death, for instance. Sometimes debt cannot be avoided.

However it does say this. It's wrong not to repay debts. Psalm 37:21 states, "The wicked borrow and do not repay." The conclusion is obvious: if you don't repay your debts, you're what the Bible calls "wicked." Does this mean that it is always wrong for a Christian to declare bankruptcy? Not necessarily. Our legal system allows individuals and businesses in distress to regroup and re-establish themselves under the protection of bankruptcy laws. Ultimately, however, a believer has a moral obligation to repay his or her creditors to the best of their ability.

Money issues have ruined many lives. It is best to be wise stewards over God's gifts to us. Practice honesty in your business dealings and teach it to your children.


God Bless,

Marty

Don't Be Afraid To Work 9/27/2017

Good Morning,

Happy Anniversary to the lady who allows me to call her Hon. I raise my cup of Door County Red Velvet Mocha Coffee to my better half.

I am continuing to finish out this month with Godly principles for life. This is my quest to keep things simple. I for one come from a long line of hard working men. I have tried to fill those shoes to the best of my ability hoping that my ancestors would be proud of me. Those ancestors who I actually knew always seemed to work harder than those around them. I was always proud to say that they belonged to my family. The sun went down many times on their labor and they earned their sleep. I discovered as a young boy that if I wanted to be warm the firewood needed to be split.

I have watched people work very hard at getting out of work. The effort they put into avoiding work is more labor than the actual work. I see some folks who expect a bigger pay check, yet they still can't get my burger order correct. God has simple principles for work. Work for your pay. Do it to honor Him. And whatever you do, do it right.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-11New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

 

Colossians 3:23English Standard Version (ESV)

²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Proverbs 14:23English Standard Version (ESV)

²³ In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to poverty. 

 

1 Timothy 5:8English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 

 

 

It is plain to see that God expects us to work if we are able. He has no use for laziness. You wouldn't find Him hanging around the coffee pot when there is work to be done. He does however require us to observe the Sabbath and keep it Holy. So yes, God does ask us to rest. He made us so that we get tired. He allows us to sleep. But He expects us to work and represent His name by being people worthy of our wage. 

 

 

Simple, simple, simple.

 

Marty

Honor, Respect With Chicken And Dumplings 9/26/2017

Good Morning,

My ambition already left today. I have been fighting a cold that has kicked my butt for three days now. I haven't felt like this for a long time. I apologize for not writing yesterday. It was just too difficult. I just poured an extra hot cup of door Count Wisconsin Harvest Blend Coffee and peeled an orange for breakfast.

I want to continue through to the end of the month looking at Godly principles that can make life easier and less confusing.  Here is one more.

It's funny, but when I get sick and I am sixty years old now, I still think about my mother and how she would always be there if one of us kids needed her. She would strive to make a dish that she was sure had the cure for what ailed us. Mom went on to be with the Lord a few years ago. But I still think about her and my Dad and wish that I had the chance to say a few last words to them. I would tell them thank you for a whole lot of things and I would probably apologize for being the knucklehead I was and still am. I would be more grateful for a big bowl of chicken and dumplings. "The cure all"

If I had been accustomed to giving them unconditional honor and respect from childhood on, I wouldn't be writing about regrets. That was a hard lesson for me to learn. If I were to pass on some aged wisdom I would advise young people to really live this commandment. It will help you to realize that you are never too old to be worried about. You are never too old to be hugged. You are never too old to be corrected. You never too old to be loved. You will never have enough time with your parents. You think you've had enough until you can't have anymore. You never really know as much as your parents. Remember, they taught you how to wipe your butt and they would always do it again.

Exodus 20:12New International Version (NIV)

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Once we establish and practice honoring our parents we will find it easier to get along with others. God never said in Exodus 20:12 that we should honor only perfect parents. Perfect parents don't exist. Parents make mistakes. The first time they raised a child was with the firstborn of your family. The first teenager in the family was their first chance at raising a teen. Some parents are far from perfect, yet God said to honor them. Without them you wouldn't exist. This does not change with age.

So today I would welcome that bowl of chicken and dumplings from Mom, advice from my Dad to slow down and rest, and I would remember to say I love you and thank you.

Have a great day,

Marty

Be Thankful 9/24/2017

Good Morning,

Headed home today from Upper Michigan and I want to get home. No Door County Wisconsin Harvest Blend Coffee today. That will have to wait until tomorrow.

When I look back on my life and then take a closer look, I have so much to be thankful for. I really don't do a good job of expressing my thanks for all the blessings God has given me. I believe the beginning of contentment starts by being thankful for what we have been given. Being thankful in feast or famine is the key to contentment.

Do you have family? Some people don't. Do you have friends? Some people don't. Are you going to eat today? Some people won't. Will you be sheltered today. Some people won't be. Are you feeling fine today? Others are ill? Do you have a job? Others don't. Do you have a little money in your pocket? Others will find only lint or a hole in their pocket. We have much to be thankful for and yet we forget to say thank you to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

All good things come from God. Have you said thank you for what you have or does your prayer start with what you don't have? Don't forget to tell others thank you today for what they did for you. Kindness goes along way.

Not much more can be said about it. Being thankful for what we have put's our emphasis on God and takes it off of us.

Happy Day!

Marty

Marty

Don't Exaggerate 9/23/2017

Good Morning,

Headed North with a cup of Door County Maple Chocolate Cherry Coffee in my hand, a prayer on my lips and some more than qualified help to tackle a project in Michigan. I do foresee the shooting of a duck or two.

Saturday's Godly principle is plain and simple. Don't exaggerate. If I were to tell people that I have the world's greatest duck boat for sale, worthy of rowing up and down the Mississippi river, it would be more than a slight exaggeration. Even if I put a paint job on this relic, it would be like putting lipstick on a pig.

Psalm 120:2English Standard Version (ESV)

² Deliver me, O Lord,
    from lying lips,
    from a deceitful tongue.

People exaggerate to puff themselves up to others, make what they possess look better, or to make a profit on some unsuspecting buyer. The boat is what it is. You have what you have. You are who you are. When we exaggerate we are actually lying.

An old detective television show from the 1960's would find one of the detectives taking notes and trying to sort out the facts from exaggeration while interviewing a witness or a victim. He would say, "State the facts Mam, just the facts."  Exaggeration has caused many folks to have their blood pressure sky rocket over statements which add untruths to a circumstance.

Hang around with a enough fisherman and when they tell a story the fish is always bigger the next time the story is told. But any way you fry the fish it was a fib. And a lie is a sin.

God bless,

Marty

Accepting Others 9/22/2017

Good Morning.

We are approaching Saturday. I see it in the head lights. I just made a small travel pot of Door County Swedish Lingonberry Coffee and now it is time to write. Let's look at the Godly principle of accepting others.

Have you ever wondered how a certain person ended up on your team at work, at church,  or socially?  They just don't fit in, aren't your first choice or even your 100th choice.  They are too different and maybe a little difficult at times.

Jesus addresses this in a very simple way. He basically says "get over it". We all are different.  We all act differently. Jesus  knows where we are and what we are doing. He knows who joins the team of our life. Or are we joining their life?

Romans 15:7English Standard Version (ESV)

⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Jesus taught and demonstrated "acceptance of others" by having one of the most hated people  join his team of fisherman and nationalists.  He brought in the tax collector Matthew. He certainly did not fit in with that group in the beginning.  The other apostles probably wondered if Jesus had lost his mind. But when all was said and done, look what Matthew accomplished. He penned one of the four gospels through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave Him a chance.

We don't see his not being accepted by the original team in Scripture. Yet it bothered others that Jesus hung around with the tax collectors. Jesus set the example and expects us to accept others and work with them.

Matthew 9:11New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Do you need to give someone a chance today? Is there someone just sitting there wanting  to be included?

If this is you, get going. God bless.

Marty

Jealousy Can Be Like A Cancer 9/21/2017

Good Morning,

That cup of Door County maple Coffee sure did taste good. I have time to pour a road cup and go. So here's my Godly Principle for today.

No one ever want to hear the word cancer come from the mouth of a loved one or from a physician. No one recalls those who are healed and living a normal life. We jump to the conclusion that this probably is the kind that only gives us a short time to live. We have all witnessed those eaten up by this disease which seems to spread at will if left untreated.

James 3:14-15 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Jealousy can do the same thing. Left unchecked it can worsen and cause a lot of damage.
Jealousy” is the name of the uneasiness and despair that a person feels when they suspect their significant other may be cheating. Jealousy is a very complicated emotion that someone may experience when they feel that someone is taking something or someone that is their “property”. They may also feel jealousy or envy for the success or things that other people have that they want for themselves. Either way, jealousy is not one emotion we want to make part of our life.

These emotions have caused people to murder others, commit suicide, or retract from life itself and live like hermits.  Bodily, it makes you feel like you’ve been infected with the rage virus — radioactive, indestructible, decomposing, inciting strong aversion to any human interaction that does not meet your singular end: “Envy makes the bone rot” Proverbs 14:30; cf. also Song of Solomon 8:6. “jealousy is fierce as the grave”). Relationally, jealousy knows no moderation; it is domineeringly exacting, exhaustive, unaccepting of excuses: “For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge” Proverbs 6:34

Here's what God has to say about jealousy and envy. It can be overcome.!The key to biblically overcoming jealousy is to discern the roots of your jealousy and then battle them with the truth of God's Word. Put into practice the challenge in Romans 12:1-2: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Use Scripture to reassure yourself of God's love and His support as you fight off the attack of jealousy or envy.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me Psalm 13:5-6.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul Psalm 143:8
For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own 1 Samuel 12:22
Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me Psalm 27:10.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light 1 Peter 2:9

We can all do it. Let's put this one into practice asap.

Marty

That's Not Really Stealing? 9/20/2017

Good Morning,

Although I am away from home I was smart enough to pack some Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee along to make mornings a little more like home.

I promised last week that I would finish off the month of September with some basic God given principles for us to live by, thus reducing the confusion of the world! Or at least a few of us.

Exodus 20:15New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.





Many years ago I was invited to eat a hot dog in a home where I was changing out a hot water heater for a family. This family was a friend of a friend and I was happy to help. The work took a little longer that I had thought and my host decided to grill up some hot dogs to feed his family and the plumber. They handed me a plate and directed me to a basket with condiments. There were ketchup, mustard and relish packets in the basket. I was expecting bottles of ketchup and mustard instead of the packets that were noticeably from a local burger establishment. I mentioned to the family that they sure had enough ketchup. They all laughed and said, "whenever we go there, all of us take four or five extra packets to bring home. We do pretty well on taco sauce too".

I know a lot of people who believe that the pens at work are to be taken home. They believe these pens to be a perk for working. They don't see them as company property. We view stealing as someone who robs a bank or takes a car, not the great ketchup bandits of the world.

What do we teach our kids? Even these small acts of larceny are stealing. So when the teenager lifts a pair of sunglasses from the over priced boutique and gets caught, we nail him or her to an ant hill and put honey on her ears. But we don't lay down next to her and say', "smear some honey on my ears too, I taught you how to steal".

Stealing is stealing. Put that in the playbook of life and chew on it. No matter the amount, stealing is wrong. How much of a work break do we take? We might get fifteen minutes but we stretch it to twenty. If we do that by five minutes each day we have stolen 25 minutes of pay for doing nothing. We rob our employer. But we claim that it isn't stealing. We need to be clear on this. There really isn't a gray area to stand on.

Tomorrow we tackle jealousy.

Marty

We Need To Forgive Part 3. Why?. 9/19/2017

Good Morning,

Here's to Tuesday and a big cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee. Let's get right to part three of "We Need To Forgive". Today we are all about the business of learning.

When it comes to forgiving others we often have a desire for revenge. This is not a choice that God gives to us. When we even ponder revenge we are making us into our own personal god, implementing the punishment of others. God has a definite no here to follow.

Romans 12:19New International Version (NIV)
¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord.

Forgiving others may seem to be a choice, and in one sense it is a choice, but God has been very clear about forgiveness. He has given us specific direction in many Scriptures, all of which can be summed up in just one word -- forgive! God's Word says, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins" Mark 11:25. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" Luke 6:37

God is saying that it is in our own best interest to forgive! He is not talking about what is in the best interest of the person who needs to be forgiven. We are the ones who God is trying to protect. We are the ones who receive the most benefit from forgiveness, not the other person. A spirit of unforgiveness complicates and compromises our daily walk with God. Our walk suffers and at times is non existent. Forgiving others releases us from anger and allows us to receive the healing and peace we need. The whole reason God has given us specific direction is because He does not want anything to stand between us and Him. God's love for us is beyond our imagination.  Forgiving others keeps us  from the consequences of living out of an unforgiving heart. This is a sin, yet we neglect to see our inability to forgive as a sin.

Forgiving others does not carry with it a single decision that we need to meditate on. God has not graded one sin as being worse to Him than another and He has not graded one sin committed against us as warranting forgiveness and another not. For example, God is not saying, "If a person lies to you or steals from you, you should forgive him, but if they abuse you or harm your child, you can hold them in unforgiveness." He is saying to forgive everyone, always, and do it immediately. When we forgive ,we unlock the chains that are wrapped around our heart and our heart starts to beat again for others. Our heart beats best when it beats for God.


May God bless, your day and let forgiving others be a habit you learn.

Marty

We Need To Forgive. Part Two. God's Example 9/18/2017

Good Morning,

I for one am glad that Monday arrived as planned. It is going to be a busy day and then a busy night. I will be traveling for business this week and will certainly miss Rene, our dog Gibbs and our home. But at the same time, it will be nice to get away. I do my best thinking when I am on my own. But I always look forward to coming home.
Driving up and seeing the light on and knowing that Rene is sleeping on the couch waiting for me with Gibbs guarding her, is always worth the drive home.

Today we look at the example of the ultimate forgiveness that God has set before us. I will attempt to tell this story using Scripture.

John 3:16New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

Let's take a look at the whole picture. God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross as atonement for our sins. Jesus received our punishment. He left heaven to become a baby, live with siblings, and work as a carpenter. This is a big contrast to life in heaven.

Our sins were represented at the cross where Jesus died. Basically we hung the Son of God there with our sins.

But if we call on the One who died for us we are saved from Hell.

Romans 10:13New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Jesus now resides in Heaven and is preparing a place for those saved by grace in heaven.

John 14:2-3New International Version (NIV)

² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Now look at this. 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.

Now if we have called upon the name of the Lord and then die, Jesus comes back for us to be in Heaven with Him.  Jesus is taking the same sinners who's sins nailed Him to the cross, home to be with Him. And don't forget, God the Father is there also. The One who suffered immensely for us now brings us home to be welcomed by the Father. Now when people say that they can't forgive others, look at these passages. God set the bar high. He welcomes into His home those who actually with their sins abused His Son.

Could you welcome someone into your home who wronged your family member, when the family member says. " I forgave them and brought them home for dinner"

God didn't ask us to do something that He hasn't done and in a great, great way. In our acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith we are asking to be forgiven and we accept that forgiveness. God sees this and immediately our name is reserved as welcome in Heaven. Immediately, God didn't make it a big process that lingers for years. Once you claimed Jesus as Savior, that was all it took.

Luke 10:20

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

Not us though, we like to extract a pound of flesh out of people when they wrong us. We desire to hurt those who hurt us and hold back forgiving. This action is actually sin in itself. We then, are hurting ourselves.  We will talk about playing God on Tuesday. God forgave the ultimate.

God bless,

Marty

We Need To Forgive. Part One 9/17/2017

Good Morning,

Greetings from the patio and our trusty picnic table. It is a beautiful morning to be outside drinking a big cup of Door County Maple Coffee. Our Springer Spaniel Gibbs is patrolling the back yard for rabbits and birds that taunt him by their presence. It is quite the circus out here today. Gibbs is the ring leader. I am watching a few leaves fall to the ground already. It is quite peaceful here.

Yesterday I promised that we would take some fundamentals of Christianity and explore them through to the end of this  month. One fundamental that is often the most difficult to do, fathom, and obey is that of forgiving others. Forgiving others for doing wrong or causing harm just doesn't make sense. Turning your cheek after someone slaps you a good one and asking "Please sir may I have another," doesn't line up with how we are wired. I know my first feeling would be to unload this right hand of mine that I have nicknamed "Thunder" and knock that person into next week. I believe this subject will take two to three days worth of writing. So today is Part One.

But God has a different thought and plan on the subject. God has just one plan for forgiveness. Man has added to the plan, to give it multiple parts, but that isn't God's plan. He expects us and literally commands us to forgive and move on. He also expects us to draw on a well of forgiveness that has no limits. He has also set the ultimate example for us in forgiving. First off the inability to forgive does harm to us.

Consequences of Bitterness  This is taken from The Institute Of Basic Life Principles

How a lack of forgiveness affects body, soul, and spirit.

Harboring bitterness in your heart brings consequences that affect you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Physical Consequences

• Chemical imbalance

Resentment causes imbalance in the hormones from the various glands of the body, producing many physical symptoms and diseases.

• Weakened immune system

The stress of bitterness weakens the immune system and heightens your susceptibility to physical ailments. Often doctors can trace physical disorders to a point in time when bitterness began to develop.

• Diminished comeliness

Refusal to forgive causes fatigue and loss of sleep. Soon your eyes and facial features reflect your inner distress.

Mental and Emotional Consequences

• Depression

It takes emotional energy to maintain a grudge. When your emotional energy is exhausted, you become depressed.

• Stress

Hating someone produces stress hormones in your body. You become worn out and unable to cope with daily challenges.

• Detrimental emotional focus

Bitterness and resentment create an emotional focus toward the person who offended you. This focus causes you to become like the one you resent. The more you think about his actions, the more you begin to reflect the basic attitudes that prompted his actions.

Spiritual Consequences

• Inability to love God

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also” (I John 4:20–21).

• Doubts about our relationship with God

Jesus said, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15).

• Major hindrances in the spiritual development of others

Bitterness is easily passed from one generation to another, and it will have a significant impact on your children. (See Deuteronomy 5:9.) Attitudes of bitterness also cause your family, friends, and acquaintances to discredit your Christian testimony.

Scripture relates bitterness to gall and describes it as something that can grow and spread to hurt many people. (See Acts 8:23 and Hebrews 12:15.) When Jesus instructed His disciples to forgive again and again, “until seventy times seven” (see Matthew 18:21–22), He challenged them to a lifestyle of forgiveness that offered freedom from the consequences of bitterness.
“Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:30–32).

We all know someone who is struggling with the inability to forgive, or it could be us who are fighting this battle. Tomorrow we will look at the example of forgiving that God gave us and then look at how we can have the desire, strength and power to forgive and obtain the victory.

God bless. This might be a series you want to save or pass on.

Marty

We Make Life Too Complicated 9/16/2017

Good Morning,

I wish it were just a little cooler outside today. If it were, I would be goose hunting and drinking my Door County Maple Coffee in a field or in a marsh. Hunting in the heat just seems to lack the pizazz that hunting in the cold offers.

I for one am waging war on how complicated life is now days. It seems to me that life in these times has become like a complicated Broadway play that some egg head wrote with fifty shades of stories wrapped into it and we are supposed to follow along with the paper program that you can't see in the dark, with print that is too small to read. Then at the end of the play we are supposed to applaud and claim how we thought it was the greatest written score we have ever watched and listened to. But no one in the exiting audience says what they really think, like what was that stupid play really all about? Or are you kidding me? We fear saying the wrong thing, or having it explained in such a way that only the insane can understand anyway.

Here is a simple example. Many years ago I used to coach Little League Baseball. Back then we used to play to win. We taught how to be a good sport about losing, by always shaking hands with the team that may have just beat you on the baseball field. Or encouraging the team we just beat by shaking hands with them. We had three outs , four balls, three strikes and a set amount of innings. I a instructed the parents to always cheer their team on without negatively tearing down the other team. For instance if their team were batting, they should encourage their players to get a hit, keep their eye on the ball etc. Not encourage the kid by saying "hit it hard to the chubby kid in right field, he can't run fast." But now I hear that some leagues have everyone bat in an inning, and they don't keep score. This is designed to have no one feel bad. I wonder what happens on school tests? Does everyone get an A just for signing the paper? I wouldn't know how to behave at a game anymore. I would need to take a class on Little League etiquette. What would be easier it to not go to the game, or just read a book during the game so as not to get a headache from trying to figure out how a game that is over a century old has changed to the point of what we are teaching today. I wouldn't want to applaud at the wrong time. I need to scold our local Major league team today. Obviously they were going to win the game last night, but they kept hitting the ball anyway. Shame on them.

Life has become one drama after the next without and rhyme or reason some time. "Do this for a limited time, but only if the clouds form a baby lamb today? Don't do this unless it is the 31st day of February. Argh!!!

I am going to take one Godly principle from Scripture for the rest of the month and publish it to help take the complications out of life. Maybe we together, can take some of the drama in our lives away.

Number one. You reap what you sow. If you sow chaos you will have a chaotic life. If you avoid telling the truth, your life lies will ensnare you and you will be lied about. This is called the law of the Harvest.

Galatians 6:7-8New King James Version (NKJV)
⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

So this is the course I have set for the rest of the month. Stay tuned tomorrow as we cover forgiving.

God bless,

Marty

The Couple Who Prays 9/15/2017

Good Morning,

Friday is here and I am embracing the day with gusto and hope. My mug was just filled with Door County Caramel Apple Coffee and I will need it to stay awake. My day ran into the night a little late yesterday.

Matthew 6:9-13New International Version (NIV)

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

I am proud to say that we are personally friends with a couple who just celebrated 60 years of marriage. I think 60 years of marriage is a huge blessing and an accomplishment worth mentioning. I was having a cup of coffee with my friend and I asked him what he enjoys about being married. He laughed when I asked that question and said to me "There are so many things, that I can't pick just one. But if I were to choose one it would be prayer".

My friend went on to explain how when he was single he used to pray for a job, a wife and a family, in that order. He said that he enjoyed a pretty good prayer life when he was single, but he enjoyed praying much more after he and his wife met. Before going out on a date they would pray together with her parents and ask God to be with them on their date. Imagine that parents of teens!!! Once they were married, he still had time alone in prayer, but he and his wife would find time each day to pray together. They still do this today. He teared up a little as he recalled them praying over the bed of each of their newborn children asking for their health, welfare and life's choices. "I remember praying and holding my wife's hand as we were told that one of our babies wouldn't live longer than 24 hours, I was never closer to my wife than at that time. We just celebrated his 57th birthday. God heard us and granted our pleas."

He went on to say. "We had times when we were both cross with each other, but we always prayed together before bed. We both admitted that it was impossible to pray with each other if we were angry. You can't go before God with an angry heart. You have to be right with God to pray. So we got over ourselves before we prayed and whatever we were upset about just seemed to fade. It still does".

My friend is one who I go to for prayer now and then and he always asks if he can share my request with his wife. They can be counted on for prayer. My friend has a fear though. "I dread the day when one of us has to pray alone. But I have no doubt that whatever circumstance we face alone, the one surviving will still pray.

Now, why aren't more couples praying together?  Couples share intimacy and that is an expectation of marriage. But I do believe that a couple who goes to God together, shares times that are so special that the word intimate cannot describe it.

Now there's some Friday food for thought.

Marty

Eat Your Frog Early 9/14/2017

Good Morning,

The old kitchen is spewing forth the call for me to come and get my cup of Door County Wisconsin Harvest Blend Coffee. I really like this new flavor that they came up with and I can picture some of it with some bacon and eggs this coming Saturday.

How many of us have a chore that we just plain hate to do? I for one love the warmth of a fire place but I can't stand cleaning out the ashes. Or how about the conversation you need to have with someone and you know they aren't going to like it? I also do not like filling up the car with gasoline. I wait until it's almost empty and then my wife takes it and gets it filled up. This in turn causes her to not make popcorn. I suffer for my procrastinating.

We all have things that need to be done and we work very hard to avoid doing them. I for one believe I have had the measles 5 times and it causes me not to clean the fire place. But if I want to be warm and enjoy our living room in January I need to get it done. Waiting will just make it more of a chore. If I would do it in the morning , I could enjoy a fire all day. My procrastinating robs me of a nice warm fire all day long.

No one likes to swallow a live frog. But the frogs in our life that we continually avoid, don't go away.  We need to eat that frog early, get it done, and move on.

God has something to say about procrastination.

Proverbs 20:4English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ The sluggard does not plow in the autumn;
    he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

We all pay dearly when we procrastinate. We waste time and cause harm to our self and others. If you are a terminal or perpetual procrastinator and always wait to be forced into action or then rush through the object of your procrastination, admit it. Once you admit it, make a to do list, and  put it in a public place. Every time you do not eat your frog, put a predetermined dollar amount into a jar and then donate your money to a charity. Ask God to show you how to improve. If after a month you do not see an improvement, double the dollar amount. When you are eating bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches without the bacon, you will work to improve.

Don't wait. Get on it.

Marty

The Church Pot Luck And Hungry Men 9/13/2017

Good Morning,

How many ways can I say that I enjoy writing in the morning, drinking some Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee and spending some time in prayer?  In many ways these early morning jaunts in my mind are the highlight to my day.

Last night at Men's Bible Study we started the evening with a Pot Luck Dinner. Everyone brought something and as always we had too much food. It was a blessing to be studying God's Word with other men and seeing the delight in their eyes as the Holy Spirit illuminated their study time.

Every man went home with a full belly and plenty of things to think about. The Bible study opened their eyes to some things to ponder and study until we meet next week. Our classroom and the food are both modest. We certainly did not serve prime rib last night. But we all experienced God's presence and received a glimpse of what heaven must be like. To be with God, good men, and to learn more about Him is an experience I wouldn't trade for anything.

I challenged the men to not only learn, but to apply what they learned to their lives and the lives of those they encounter. Knowledge without application is useless knowledge. It accomplishes nothing and has no impact on anyone. I would rather be with men that only know three Bible verses, but apply them liberally, than to be with Bible scholars who impress only themselves with knowledge and lack sincere application.

Applying the Bible is the duty of all Christians. If we don’t apply it, the Bible becomes nothing more to us than a normal book, an impractical collection of old manuscripts. That’s why Paul says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” Philippians 4:9. When we apply the Bible, God Himself will be with us.

Hey! Have you ever been to a church Pot Luck Dinner? If not, next time you are invited, go! It is the best buffet in town!

God bless,

Marty

Whatever You Do 9/12/2017

Good Morning,

Here I come Tuesday, and I am armed with prayer and a hot cup of Sunrise In Door County Coffee. I think I am ready to face the day and make a difference somewhere, somehow.

Throughout the last weekend I was worried about friends and family living in Florida. Hurricane Irma, which was very unpredictable unleashed a lot of fury across the Caribbean and then into Florida. This is a message to those who helped a neighbor or a loved one. Some of those I am writing about have a deep place in my heart. The majority of people try to do good and it is at times like this when we can see the best and the worst of people. Some people become hoarders and plain nasty when they are needed to help or to share. Others give of all that they have to protect, assist and render aid to those in need. I want to remind those who went above and beyond that when they open their homes, share their good fortune with others and show compassion, they are the examples who Jesus spoke of in the parable of the sheep and goats. Whatever you did to be kind and show love you did for Jesus.

Matthew 25:31-45 New International Version (NIV)
³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Those who looted for things they did not need, turned their backs on others, refused to share or erupted in anger at people who had needs ,you too are examples of the others who Jesus spoke of in the parable of the sheep and goats. In all honesty you passed up doing something for Jesus. If you are reading this, and it bothers you, I am not calling you out. It is the Holy Spirit asking you to change your attitude and follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Sheep or goat. Which one would you rather be?

Marty

Waiting Through The Night 9/11/2017

Good Morning,

Monday arrived, right on time and I for one was looking forward to the morning. The aroma coming from the kitchen tells me that the Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee has perked and it is waiting for me to pour my first cup.

Last night before I went to bed I took a look at the weather news coming from Florida. Rene and I have family there as well as many other people do. Not much had changed since I looked at 6PM.
I was hoping to see some improvement. There wasn't much to smile about.

This morning finds me looking for a signal from our family that they are ok. So, last night was a long one for those in the storm and a long one for those of us waiting to hear from them. About 1AM while in prayer God spoke to me through a Psalm.

Psalm 127:2

It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

 

I was reminded that I am not the One who moves storms and if God wants to move it He can. If He doesn't, I still need to trust in Him. It was vain for me to sit up late and worry. I had prayed many times yesterday and God said that if I placed my trust in Him, His desire for me was to sleep. I prayed once more and when signing off on my prayer said "Your Will Be Done Lord". I fell asleep and now I am waiting for good or bad news from the family. Whatever God has led us to, He will lead us through it.

 

I followed my own advice last night and spent time at the feet of God and poured out my heart. Once I had done all that I could do, a sense of peace that surpassed all understanding came over me. It was as if my heart had been resurrected. Because Jesus lives we can face today and we can face tomorrow.

 

If the path is long and it seems darkest before dawn, run to the Lord and then find rest for your hearts in His presence. God loves you.

 

Marty

 

 

Worry Always Shows On The Face Of My Wife 9/10/2017

Good Morning,

Oh if everyone could have even half of the peace that I found this morning out in the back yard of our home today they would be doing well. My steaming mug of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee is next to me and our dog is busy chasing birds around the yard. The birds are winning and I believe they like to annoy him. This game of chase amuses me immensely.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12New International Version (NIV)

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

Normally my wife likes to sleep in a little longer than she did today. I was surprised and then I wasn't surprised to see her out of bed at dawns early light. She is very quiet this morning and she is somewhat glued to the television although she is busy with small chores at the same time. Her mind seems to be miles and miles away right now, and it is. Our daughter and other family members live in the path of a hurricane that is bearing down on them. So my better half has a somber demeanor about her today. Now and then she looks over at me and I can see her thoughts on her face. They aren't here right now, they are in Florida.

Rene is used to having me take charge and seek out God and then follow His plan. We are 1300 miles away. I did seek out God and there isn't one thing we can do except to keep praying and wait and see what happens. Then if needed, we can respond.

This time is hard on her and as she put it. "The waiting is tough, but not as hard as what they are going through down there". No doubt about it, the Mrs. has a case of the worries. I too, am concerned and will let her keep me up on the news. I will be praying with her and by myself today. We will draw on strength from the Lord and from being together. I know my Florida family will do the same. They will be in prayer, draw on strength from the Lord and from each other. They will be a team and work together.

The other thing that I will do is to be thankful today for having a spouse that I can go through these things with. We share in the good and the bad times of life. My job today is to help carry her through this time of waiting and worry. Whether you have a spouse or not, learn to be a good family member, or to be a great friend. Be there for others. You are at times the messenger from God who brings support in the storms of life. Share a word of Scripture with them. Openly pray with them. Let them draw on your strength as well as you may need to draw on their strength. Be patient with each other and remember God has wired us all differently and we all respond to strife the way we were wired. I need to remind Rene that Jesus is out in that storm and He knows her worries. He is the third cord in the strand for the Family.

God bless,

Marty

Nothing Like A Fool Who Trusts Himself 9/9/2017

Good Morning,

I count it a blessing to wake up and have both feet hit the floor. 20 steps away I can hear the caffeine dispenser brewing a pot of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee. The coffee is always placed in a mug with a picture on it and today the picture reminds me of my wife who went to work this morning at the medical center hours ago. The picture hangs on our wall and is now on a coffee mug. Rene and I have always liked biscuits and we have made thousands for mission fund raising at church. The frame is from and old biscuit jar found in an antique shop. She repurposed the lid and now it has her and her favorite Dough Boy inside!

Enough biscuit talk, let's take a look at what God has to say about trust and a fool.

The Who we are to trust is simple. We need to place our trust in God, His unending abilities, wisdom, and love.

God's Plan   Jeremiah 17:7-8New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit

God's View Of The Fool   Proverbs 28:26New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

 

 

God's Plan   Psalm 56:3New International Version (NIV)

³ When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.


God's View Of The Fool   Ecclesiastes 10:1-3New International Version (NIV)

10 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
    so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
² The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
    but the heart of the fool to the left.
³ Even as fools walk along the road,
    they lack sense
    and show everyone how stupid they are.

God's Plan For Wise Counsel    Proverbs 11:14New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers.

 

God's View Of The Fool Who Does Not Listen  Proverbs 12:15New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ The way of fools seems right to them,
    but the wise listen to advice. 

 

 

God put both of my feet on the floor today. He gives me each breath. When I think of Him creating everything and the fact that I cannot grow a tomato without His blessing, I ask myself who should I trust? God or my own plans? Who gave me the ability to dig a hole? Who gave me the ability to earn money to purchase land? As for me and my house we will trust in God and His wisdom. 

Have a great day!

Marty