Saying Goodbye To 2017 12/31/2017

Good Morning,

My mind seems to be all over the place today and gathering it in will take some Door County White Christmas Coffee and prayer to do the job.

The year 2017, like any other year brought to some, joy, tragedy, death, peace, fear, uncertainty, change, (wanted or unwanted). I for one experienced a little bit of each of those items above.

Isaiah 41:10New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

I do want to talk about some of the joys I witnessed. I saw a drug addict overcome her addictions and become a poster child for change. I saw a family or two reunited after times of turmoil. I saw cancer victims stricken with that evil disease be pronounced cured. I was able to witness people at their best, helping one another, easing a burden, or just plain old being nice. There was the young man who suffered a severe stroke and his young pregnant wife had to stop life support. But the life did not stop. He was there to see their child be born and is almost 100% recovered. I watched a premature baby who defied all odds fight for life and make it.

In all that I saw beautiful, peaceful sunrises and sunsets. I enjoyed great coffee every day and I heard the words "I love you" from my wife and family. I heard the announcement of an upcoming birth from a couple who I had officiated at their wedding. I tasted and stored the fruits of our garden and was able to share plenty with friends. I dined on a few things that I hunted and was blessed to see our dog retrieve his 1000th bird. Some of my friends left this world and went to heaven. They are missed, but they are better off. I went to work and received a pay check for doing something I like.

Friends I chose today to count my blessings and celebrate the good things of 2017 instead of recalling some of the hurt, pain and sorrow. I choose to be thankful for what I was given, not miserable for the tings that made me cringe or sorrowful.

So today, for a moment or two, how about spending some time counting your blessings and being thankful for each one. Raise your coffee cup or juice glass and say out loud "Thank You God for 2017. I made it through and I am counting on You for 2018. I will face the new year and I know I will never be alone".  Look for God in the good and the bad.  He will be there as always in 2018.


Have a great day!

Marty

When Failure Causes Paralysis 12/30/2017

Good Morning,

I am looking out of the window in our den at the frozen ground and I can hear the wind blowing. I am safe and warm inside of the house. My mug is filled with Door County Christmas Coffee and I think staying inside sounds like a good idea.

I believe that everyone fails at something now and then. The best of bakers from time to time will have a cake flop and they just cannot serve the less than stellar dessert. Let's face it, we are not perfect and sometimes we fail to achieve a goal or fall short of a task. The outcome is less than desired. But a good baker starts over and soon again a masterpiece is coming forth from the oven.

All too often when someone fails in their personal walk they give up and basically become paralyzed in the heart and mind and some never get back on the horse to give it another try.

For instance some have been spurned in their love life. That ,can really hurt and it often leaves emotional scars that are deep and not easy to forget. Many people will go for long periods, unable to truly love others because they fear of being hurt again.

I recall joining our grade school football team in 6th grade. I had been watching football on television, playing pick up games with my friends and my desire was second to none. But then I stepped on to the real field and in my first practice was hit so hard by a fullback with a head of steam that the wind was knocked out of me and I puked on the sidelines. I did not quit, but for several days I just did not engage fully during practice. I felt like a true failure and did not want to take the chance of being humiliated by this full back again while trying to make a tackle. A coach took me aside two weeks later and literally told me that my fear had me paralyzed and that I wasn't much use to the team.  He spent some time showing me better ways to tackle. I listened, and at the next practice tried the techniques shown to me and was able to make a tackle or two. My confidence grew and I still failed from time to time, but used each failure as a lesson to get better.

Eventually grade school ended and many of us went on to different high schools. It just so happened that my full back friend went to a school that had to play my school  during the football season. I had been blessed to make our team and knew the showdown was coming. Our coaches had scouted their team and kept telling us that this fullback was going to run all over us. I remembered the lick he put on me several grades ago and started to concede the fact that he probably would have a great game and we would lose the game. But something, made me get up at a practice and say " we can beat this guy." I played with him before and I know his moves. This is what we need to do. Funny thing, he was held to minus yards for the day and he took a pounding like he had never seen before. What hadn't killed me in sixth grade made me stronger and wiser. Had I quit I would have never experienced the win.

2 Timothy 1:7New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

My point is this. When we fail, or life fails on us, God is there, to pick us up, brush us off and then help us to continue on. He helps us overcome our fear of failure and we try again and again. We become better than our failures. We are bigger than our fears. God made us that way. With Him on your side you are a majority.

 

Philippians 4:13New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Don't let the fear of failure stop you from trying. Don't let failure paralyze your life.

God bless,

Marty

Jewelry Here. Jewelry Later 12/29/2017

Good Morning,

I hear the Door County Spicy Nutcracker Coffee brewing in the kitchen. One of my co-workers has decided that this is her new favorite flavor. I have to agree. I think it is pretty good myself.

In our lives we all tend to hang on to momentous, or we collect things that we enjoy. Rene has a couple sets of antique dishes that she has collected throughout the years and I have a collection of dead animals hanging from my wall to help me remember my escapades in the wild.

I also from time to time just do not know what to get Rene for special occasions like her birthday or our anniversary. We are not rich, but if I save diligently, I can afford to purchase a piece of jewelry from the local gem emporium. This was the year for a bracelet that I have been saving for. Rene has never returned any of the items I have brought home and she faithfully wears them when appropriate. She has plans to leave them with our daughter some day when she passes on. We all know that we can't take our collections with us to heaven and they might as well do some good for someone else when we leave this Earth. We store up treasures on Earth, yet Jesus tells us to store up treasures in heaven. Let's look at that.

 Jesus told us to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” Matthew 6:20. He linked this command to the desire of our hearts: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Matthew 6:21.

The Bible mentions rewards that await the believer who serves the Lord faithfully in this world Matthew 10:41. A “great” reward is promised to those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Various crowns are mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8 Jesus says that He will bring rewards with Him when He returns Revelation 22:12.

We are to treasure the Lord Jesus most of all. When Jesus is our treasure, we will commit our resources—our money, our time, our talents—to His work in this world. Our motivation for what we do is important 1 Corinthians 10:31. Paul encourages servants that God has an eternal reward for those who are motivated to serve Christ: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:2324).

When we live sacrificially for Jesus’ sake or serve Him by serving the body of Christ, we store up treasure in heaven. Even seemingly small acts of service do not go unnoticed by God. “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” Matthew 10:42

We all have something to give away some day when we leave this world. But what have you set aside in heaven. We are saved by grace  not by works, yet God wants to reward us for the good we do for others as ambassadors in His Kingdom. Food for thought as you walk today. Are you mining diamonds for God?

Marty

Pretzels In The Park Part 2. Saying Yes To God. 12/28/2017

Good Morning,

Hey! I hear some snow might be coming our way this afternoon. We could use some and it won't hurt my feelings to see some fluffy joy fall from the sky. I enjoy snow and cold weather. I am excited to possibly try out the new snow blower tonight. So I raise my mug of Door County Jingle Bell Java in a salute to snow.

Yesterday we discussed having each of us to humbly ask God to show us the things that we need to remove from our lives. So, hopefully you followed the advice given in the Scripture and asked. God is faithful and He no doubtfully obliged your request. So the big question of the day is "Now what"? Answer to that. Do exactly what He pointed out.

When we obey the Lord, we can live a life of joy, without shame, rooted deeply in the Lord and confident in our eternal hope. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom”. Our obedience is actually part of our assurance that we truly know God.

1 John 2:3English Standard Version (ESV)

³ And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

When God’s children obey their Heavenly Father, He is glorified. Jesus told us that the plan is for others to “see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Of course, performing “good deeds” requires obedience to the One who calls us to good deeds. A Christian’s testimony of holiness is a strong witness that God is at work in the world.

“Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him” Psalm 128:1.

The Bible often tells us that God blesses and rewards obedience. James 1:22-25 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. . . . Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” See also Psalm 119:1-2

God is gracious. If we haven’t been living for Him, if we haven’t been following His commandments, if we’ve been living in and for the world, we can be transformed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We can ask God for forgiveness, and He will give it. And He will choose to forget the sin, just as if we had never committed it in the first place. God is glorified when He extends forgiveness, because it is written, “I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. . . .

 

Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more” Hebrews 10:16-17.

 

To become untangled by the way we allowed our lives to be twisted into a knot like a pretzel we need to submit humbly to the guiding hand of God. He is faithful to complete what He starts if we let him.

 

 Philippians 1:6New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

 

So go ahead and say yes to an overhaul of the soul and be ready for a new year. God bless.

Marty

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretzels In The Park 12/27/2017

Good Morning,

The cold weather has a grip on us and my wool coat, gloves and hat will be working overtime to keep me warm. My travel mug was filled with Door County Christmas Coffee and I will be headed off to work when this is finished.

One thing that I enjoy are soft dough baked pretzels, served warm with a side cup of cheese or mustard. There is a park that I have visited which has a street vendor who serves them to the park patrons. I won't be dining on any of these doughy delights very soon. So why am I writing about them? Good question.  My mind was wandering today and I thought I could smell one of those summer delights in the hospital cafeteria at work. I was mistaken, but allowed myself a 15 second day dream to my place in the park and sharing a pretzel with Rene.

 

 

I am a mustard type of a guy and Rene is a cheese gal. Notice in the picture above the way the pretzel is twisted and pressed together. Once the dough is baked the only way to get it apart is to pull and break off pieces. You could say that once twisted together and baked, the pretzel is set in it's way.

Psalm 139:23-24New International Version (NIV)

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Friends, we all started life as soft doughy little babies and somewhere along the line we started to form opinions and habits. In some ways these choices twisted us into believing that these choices were the right ones and nothing can change our minds. We become set in our ways and the only way to change is to break our habits, actions or thoughts.  For many, this is a difficult choice to make and would really cause us to "break the mold". It might require a change of venue or friends. I know that if I try to twist my legs together and then keep them that way for a long time, when I unwind, it actually hurts to bring them back to the correct position for healthy legs.

Jeremiah 33:3New International Version (NIV)

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

Today's challenge is for each of us to ask God to show us the pretzels in our life. What needs to break? What needs to go? What needs to change? What has us wound up in a wrestling hold, keeping us from experiencing God? Our God is faithful and if we ask Him sincerely He will answer and show us.

Then  tomorrow we will discuss what we should do with the things God shows to us.

God bless,

Marty

A Cold Spell In The Midwest. 12/26/2017

Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Spicy Nutcracker Coffee is extra hot and is perfect for a cold day.

An artic cold spell just arrived to our area. The temperatures started to drop yesterday afternoon. What does this mean foe Rene and me? Not much! We have firewood for the fireplace and plenty of hot chocolate. There is a can of whipped cream and I just might over indulge when I put some on the hot chocolate. I anticipate a little fun in the snow and cold too! A time for everything!

Ephesians 5:16English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Cold weather doesn't bother the two of us very much at all. We put on more warm clothes and eat more oatmeal for breakfast. I for one love to wear my winter clothes. It does however push us to stay inside just a little more. That is not a bad thing. It seems that the Holy Spirit urges us during this downtime to use it wisely. I have a book that I am reading for our next Men's Bible Study and that will be completed during the cold spell. Rene will finish out reading the Bible through in a year.

So, here's the lesson today. Use your time wisely and make sure to complete your spiritual goals. Let the Holy Spirit be your Time Keeper. You will find that the fruit produced is priceless.

God Bless,

Marty

Merry Christmas. God With Us 2017

Good Morning,

My old mug is filled with Door County White Christmas Coffee and my heart is filled with peace, love and joy.

I am still like a little boy when it comes to Christmas. I need to be awake early, as if I were anticipating Santa leaving presents under the tree. But, unhappily I aged and Santa doesn't come to our house anymore.  My surroundings are peaceful. The Christmas tree is illuminated and the fireplace is crackling. There is gentle Christmas music in the background playing all of my favorite songs. The dog wants to be fed and he is looking for his weekly egg. I know God joined me here this morning.

Matthew 1:22-23New King James Version (NKJV)

²² So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Last night we were blessed to be able to have family here for dinner. Memories were made once more. Later this morning, more family will arrive for brunch and the house will be filled with happiness, but the quiet will be gone. I don't mind the quiet leaving for awhile because the laughter and love of those gathering together will take it's place.

As I gaze out of the window in my den I see a frozen tundra with a snowy landscape. I have been sitting here counting my blessings and at the same time, my heart is a little heavy. There are family members that because of the great distance that separates us we, won't be together. We will talk on the phone later and exchange a picture or two via text messages. It will just have to do.

I have been thanking God for all of my blessings. If you are reading this today I want you to know you were just prayed for. I just asked God to bless all of you with what you need. I asked Him to bless you as only He can. In return I am asking you to do something. Please pray for others today. Spread happiness, peace and joy to someone. Be humble and kind, share what you have and make Christmas a better day by being there for others. Say a prayer and ask God to make you a blessing to someone today.

Merry Christmas to all of you. I love you lots.

Marty

Christmas Eve Best Gift I Ever Gave 12/24/2017

Good Afternoon,

I am a little behind today, but that's ok. I took some time to chase pheasants with our dog Gibbs. II grabbed a cup of Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee earlier and headed down the highway to our hunting spot.

The trip usually takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. When I left the house it was cold and dark outside. I decided that I needed some alone time and against my wife's wishes I hunted alone. She is getting protective of her guy these days. She is the commander and I was and always be a little bit of a rebel.

Philippians 4:8New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

As I traveled down the quiet highway, I was praying and my mind wandered to Christmas Eve's of long ago. I have many fond memories to think about but one in particular stood out.

It was going to be one of those years when our healthcare careers would hamper our getting together with our families. We had started making arrangements for "Christmas In January". My dad was still recovering from surgery and it did not look like we could make the 5 hour trip to Michigan until after the holidays. Rene could not leave town and I only had Christmas Eve to be able to do so. Other family members also could not get to Michigan for a visit. Out mother was understanding, but I knew she was depressed about it. I did not want to leave Rene alone either. Rene also understood and said for me to try and get to Michigan.

So the night before Christmas Eve I started for Michigan hoping to visit in the morning and then travel home. My goal was to be home by seven PM. I did not tell my mother I was coming, so as to surprise her and also not have her get her hopes up. Wisconsin winter weather can stall most any trips. I made arrangements to sleep at a motel just down the road from my parents house. As my luck would have it, half way into the trip a snow storm graced me with it's presence and it slowed down my travel speed immensely. Late, late that night I pulled into the motel and fell asleep within minutes. I set my alarm for 5:30 AM . When the alarm went off I hustled for a quick shower and was in my truck by 6 AM. I decided to call them first. My mother answered and I asked her what was for breakfast? She then went on to tell me that not every person is up at 6 AM and just because she raised an idiot who hunts early in the morning, that idiot should wait to call at a more reasonable hour. I told her I would call back when she was less crabby and said Merry Christmas. I laughed myself silly as I headed toward their home which was about five minutes away. I couldn't wait to surprise her. I pulled into the drive and heard my mother say to my Dad "some moron just pulled in, now what?" I had just purchased a new truck and she hadn't seen this one yet. She made my Dad answer the door, because she was still in her nightgown and robe. He took one look at me and said "Jean this one is for you". She came to the doorway and I said "Merry Christmas, what's for breakfast"? I saw my mother tear up, she knew I had made the long drive that night and I explained that I could only stay for a couple of hours. I needed to get home so Rene would not be alone on Christmas Eve and I could keep my work commitment for Christmas day.

Sausages, toast and eggs were hustled up toot sweet and hugs were exchanged. I left gifts for my parents to open later and soon I was saying goodbye. Mom teared up again and said that coming home even for a couple hours was the best present I could give.

That night, when I was home and Rene was sitting by the fireplace, she said, "Thank you for traveling like a mad man. I really do appreciate you being home tonight." We ate some grub and washed it down with hot chocolate. I did not give, expensive or fancy presents, they were content with a gift from the heart. I shared myself, which I don't see as a prize, but to them it was.

Friends, don't forget to visit your loved ones. The best gift you can give, is yourself. My memory of that day, warmed my heart again once more. I would do it all again in a heart beat.

Merry Christmas,

Marty

You Make The World A Better Place 12/23/2017

Good Morning,

I decided to ring in the morning with a cup of Door County Jingle Bell Coffee. Two more days until Christmas and I for one am lighting up the Christmas tree all day long.

We all know this type of person. They are the ones we see as lighting up the room with their personality and charm. They are the ones you always want to have around, especially in a crisis. You look forward to seeing them. They are the one's who always say the right thing and just seem to make the world a better place by being here.

All too often though we don't see ourselves as that person. We aren't filled with wit and charm. The personality bus seems to have left the stop without us. We have screwed up a few times in life and seem to be labeled at best as a mediocre person. We don't like to believe that about ourselves but it seems that we have clung on to that label and at times made it a safety zone. A safety zone we created against getting involved or getting our feelings hurt is not really safety at all. It is Satan's way of robbing the world us us being in it. When we crawl into the hole of self mediocrity we are robbing the world of experiencing us. Everyone has or can have someone who needs us and wants us to be around. For them the world would not be a better place without us. One thing, something, makes us important to them. But the self made hole of misery and mediocrity has us hiding inside not wanting to come out and be part of this world for those who count on us. This is actually a form of selfishness. Life might have burned us once or twice so we withdraw not making ourselves available to others. The mediocrity hole make us our number one priority. Out heart stopped beating for others.

If you make yourself your number one priority, everything else will fall in place. Selfishness never leads to serenity for yourself and certainly not for others. Yes, we should take care of our bodies, soul, and minds as they are a temple unto the Lord. However, our temple is not a shrine and our chief aim is not the satisfaction of ourselves.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:4-7, ESV)

Maybe you burned some bridges in life that should be mended or maybe it's time to build bridges of relationships. I once heard a man say "I have no family and I have no friends. No one needs me." I pointed out to him a veterans home, full of lonely old guys that could use a friend. I said to him, there's a building of friends to be made in there. He has since been visiting there for 10nto 15 years. He is there when one more older man passes from this world. They do not die alone. He makes the last part of their world a better place.

Friends, God created us and knows just where we are. He made us to be relational people. Satan on the other hand would rather see us holed up and miserable, not sharing your life with others. If people invite you out, it's not just to fill a seat at their table. It's because they really want you there. No one is an obligation to anyone. Satan plays tricks with our minds and want us to be miserable and withdrawn. Don't fall for the trick. Get out this Christmas and bless others by just being there. You are part of their world for a reason. Enjoy the days given to you and them.

Marry Christmas,

Marty

A Cup Of Christmas Cheer 12/22/2017

Good Morning,

I had a long night last night and I need my cup of coffee. Today's cup will be Door County Dublin's Delight Coffee.

Throughout many, many, years I have heard the expression of "Have a cup of Christmas cheer". I never quite understood that statement and for years I thought that it meant a cup of an alcoholic beverage. Which I am sure is what many people believe it means. Or it could be a cup of anything. But what about the cup that never runs dry?

I want to propose a different thought.

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Friends, those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior always have a cup of Christmas cheer. They are saved and will spend eternity with God. In fact their cup of cheer runs over. They know the true meaning of Christmas. They experience a daily cup of cheer.

Merry Christmas, May your Christmas last for eternity.

Marty

It's Only A Yes Away 12/21/2017

Good Morning,


It was one long night at work and it carried into this morning. But for some reason I am bright eyed and ready to embrace the day, at least for now. I just poured a cup of Door County White Christmas Coffee and now it is time to write.

I have used this expression before. "If you say you can, you will. If you say you can't you won't" I hear a few people now and then say "I can't enjoy the holidays. I want them to be over. I will be miserable, why try?"

When I think about Christmas, I am reminded of a King who left His home in Glory to come to Earth as a baby. I am reminded of what kind of love that it took to leave heaven and know that His ultimate mission was to die on a cross for us.

When people spout off and can't get beyond circumstances and celebrate the birth of their Savior it is not the Savior who needs to do something, it is the one with the bad attitude that needs to change. They are as close to God as they choose to be. All it takes is a "Yes I want to change. Lord help me"

My friends, Jesus is still here to straighten out lives and provide salvation. He knows those who are just fine and get the reason for the season. He comes yet to save a lost world. He is their for the sick of heart.

Luke 15:1-7New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. ² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

³ Then Jesus told them this parable: ⁴ “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ ⁷ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

You can enjoy the holidays, you just need to accept the help of the Shepherd.  Merry Christmas.

Marty

The Gift The Baby Gave 12/20/2017

Good Morning,

Today started earlier than normal and is going to run into tomorrow morning before it is over. That's life in the healthcare business. So it's time to pour my first cup of Door County Christmas Coffee and embrace the day. It's nice to be needed.

At Christmas we all see nativity scenes with the Baby Jesus as the center of attraction. The baby, born of a virgin, sent to die on a cross for our sins that we might be forgiven is why we celebrate Christmas. The baby, then man, came to give us a gift. This is the gift of eternal life once we call on Him to be saved. We are then pardoned of our sins and seen by God without blemish.

What a gift to be given! But there is a valuable lesson to learn here. Jesus paid the price and then forgives us. We all gladly embrace this idea of eternal life and not having to pay for our sins. But how do we forgive those who trespass against us? Do we give the same gift. Let's see what Jesus taught.

Matthew 18:21-35New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.^[a]
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold^[b] was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.^[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

When we give gifts to others at Christmas, should we expect one in return? Jesus died freely for us to be forgiven, Neither Jesus or God hold a grudge. They teach us the ultimate gift of forgiving.  Here it is. Our sins sent Jesus to the cross. Basically Jesus was abused by us. But He forgives and takes us home to His Father who then opens the door to the abusers of His Son. That is the ultimate example of undeserved, unconditional forgiveness without expecting anything in return. Are you a gift receiver or a gift giver? How do you forgive?

Marty

A Little Boy And Blankets 12/19/2017

Good Morning,

The day has started and it's going to run into the night. I have a mug of Door County White Christmas Coffee at my side and our trusty dog sitting on my feet. I am blessed.

Yesterday morning while listening to the local newscast I heard about a young boy who turned down some type of electronic video game that his grandmother was going to give to him at Christmas. Instead he asked grandma to take the money she was going to spend and purchase blankets for homeless people.  I was hoping to hear some more stories about people dong nice things for others at Christmas. This one is special.

The story went on to say that this little boy was homeless himself once and knew what it was like to receive a blanket at night but then he had to give it back in the morning. He wanted some homeless people to be able to keep a blanket. What a kind heart this little boy possesses!

 

Hebrews 13:16English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁶ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

An electronics store heard about what he was doing and went and gifted him the game he gave up. They came through with more blankets also. It seems as if kindness can be contagious. Christmas brings out the best in people. He gave from the heart and was willing to go without his own gift for Christmas. That had to be hard for this little boy. If only more people would do the right thing when given the choice. We need to sacrifice for others. That is what love is.

Have a great day!

Marty

Where Did The Organ Music Go? 12/18/2017

Good Morning,

Back to work I go with a full plate of thoughts on my mind and a heavy slate of meetings and work to catch up on. My Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee will do the trick to wake me up. I already can't wait to return home!

Back a thousand years ago when I first can remember attending church as a child we would enter church very quietly and take a seat. A little old lady would walk in by the organ about fifteen minutes before the service started and she would play some music. The music she played was slow, quiet, and soft. The mood was set for prayer and solitude.

I attend quite a few different church services around town, and very few if any still play music with an organ, let alone quiet, peaceful chamber music which promotes a time of prayer and soul searching.

Sunday morning, I was awake about Two AM and decided to retreat to the radio and my Bible. I tuned into a Christian Station in Milwaukee 107.7 FM  They have a radio program "Music Till Dawn" which consists of hymns quietly played along with an occasional tune from an organ. The music was food for my soul.

Isaiah 29:13New International Version (NIV)

¹³ The Lord says:

“These people come near to me with their mouth
    and honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me    is based on merely human rules they have been taught.

I realize things change, but in my opinion, not always for the best. Music is still played but with a more upbeat tempo and very loudly as well. A chatty time of gabbing takes place in the sanctuaries which are now called auditoriums. People stroll in late, clutching their coffee and have not done one thing to engage or prepare their heart for worship. Then if they don't like the service, they complain and it is someone else's fault for not jarring their soul or giving them a warm fuzzy. Not good. Even Jesus refers to the gathering of believers as "the church". But what happened to the church? Where did it go? Did church become a show when the organ music left? 

I say my friends, church should be uplifting but at what cost? Where is prayer before church? Where does a heart go to unscramble and be fed before church?  Just some food for thought? Anyone biting today?

Marty

Held Hostage 12/17/2017

I wrote this back in 2012 and being very late today with the blog I have elected to repurpose this script. It is fitting for the day and the season.

Good Morning,

My coffee today is Door County Highlander Grog. My day will be filled with family and friends. I am looking forward to seeing my daughter in a few hours. All will be well with the world.

2 Chronicles 7:14New King James Version (NKJV)
¹⁴ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

As it gets closer to Christmas I want to start preparing our hearts for the day. Christmas is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior.

People will miss another Christmas just by being held hostage with sickness of the heart and soul. A hostage situation that can end either good or badly.

Homes torn apart by impending divorce, siblings no longer speaking, children estranged from parents, marriages ending in violence, hard feelings toward others, an unwillingness to forgive, bitterness, lies, and blame, sin at the core of every wretched, unresolved conflict.

It's time to be cured of these issues. The first step is to seek help in prayer for each other. Serious prayer that cries out to God for help in resolving the issues of the heart. Prayer that asks God to show you your own wrong doings. Ask Him to forgive you for your short comings. Ask Him what He can teach you and what you are to learn or do.

The second step is to take the prayer power forward and seek peace with those that have offended you and you have offended. Your peace effort might be turned down, but you will know you have tried.

Giving it the true effort will give you the peace of Christmas. being outside of God's will does not lead to peace. It is a disguise that Satan uses to give momentary happiness or peace.

Matthew 5:9New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    For they shall be called sons of God.

Don't you want your "personal land" healed from anger and strife? Call out, look up, and reach out.

Get ready for the last few days before Christmas. Let's prepare our hearts, minds, and souls.

God bless,

Marty

Always Bittersweet To Leave 12/16/2017

Good Morning,

My cup of  Door County Spicy Nutcracker Coffee has warmed my body but isn't doing much to warm my heart. Vacation has come to an end and we will be headed home tonight.

We were blessed to be able to visit with family and we are grateful for a guy who gives of himself and watches over our home and our Springer Spaniel Gibbs. We are able to leave and travel worry free. There is a Christmas blessing, if there ever was one.

The weather here in Florida just warmed up yesterday and now it is time to go. The family dinner and gift exchange was completed and the food was great. The gifts are always nice,  but having to leave the family now is bittersweet. It's always nice to return home, and get back to a normal routine, but for me returning home always leaves me feeling like something is missing. I figured out what it is. I leave a piece of my heart here every time. The family wasn't complete this year. Due to school and work two of the members could not be with us. That's understandable and is to be expected as families age. It's bound to happen. There will always be the dynamics of change. Family dinners are great, but not as good as a cup of coffee or a soda, with a chat and time spent together. If we lived closer the Sunday afternoon dinners would be more often. There would be more banter as to which football team was better or fun arguments over who's team was the more terrible as is the case this year. Rene's golf game might improve and our son in law might not lose as many balls. But that's not the case, thus the visits are awesome but they always dissect a piece of me when I leave. Who knows what next year will bring, or if our trip will happen. I have already started planning it but that is pretty vain of me. So my advice to all is this. Take what God gives you and make the best of it. Enjoy what you have been given and do your best to partake. Let the little things stay little. I injured my foot this week and on some days moving around was a chore, but no matter what, I was going to do my best to not let it ruin my time. Our flights were abominable, our rental car broke, the company of course says it is our fault, two shirts ripped on me, I forgot to put the radishes on the table and some of my baked buns went flat. The weather in Florida was cold and my heavier coat is in my truck at the airport in Milwaukee. I had thought about stopping the trip before leaving Milwaukee more than twice. But ask me today and tomorrow if I would do it again, and the answer would be yes. Why? Because I love my family and they love us. And that's just what families do.

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;^{[b] 6} it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Writing tomorrow from Milwaukee. Hopefully!

Marty

One Beautiful Voice 12/15/2017

Good Morning,

My day is beginning with spending some time with family and it will end too soon for my liking. I hear the Door County White Christmas Coffee brewing a few feet from me and soon I will be waking up my Aunt and wife so we can get going. This is a day that I look forward. Our little family will gather for a holiday dinner. Tomorrow we will be flying home, looking at pictures of today, planning if the Lord wills our next time together.

Last night we went out to dine at an Italian restaurant, which has become our favorite place to go. The food as always was excellent and I was proud of myself for avoiding the one pound lasagna dinner. It tempted me beyond measure. But I withstood the temptation barrage with whimpering and whining.

Proverbs 11:25New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

During our dinner a customer at a table across from us was celebrating a birthday. The customary way to acknowledge a birthday in this emporium of calories is to have several of the wait staff come and sing "Happy Birthday". We saw the celebratory mountain of ice cream sundae arrive to the table in the hands of a waitress. But the singing gang of coworkers did not come with it. Then we saw her take in a deep breath and begin sing all alone. The music that came forth from this skinny lady was awesome. She had a voice worthy of show business. She then returned to our table to close out her service with us and we complimented her on the beautiful way she sang. She shyly thanked us and wished us a Merry Christmas. Now it was my turn to do something nice for someone during the Christmas Season. As I was preparing to pay our bill I wrote Merry Christmas God Bless on the invoice and doubled the amount on the tip. I haven't done this in a few years. I used to go out for breakfast with a friend and we would leave a large tip for our waiter or waitress at Christmas. It was time to do it again. As we walked away I saw her open the folder with the bill and the tip. She looked up and around and we were already just about out of the door. The smile on her face was huge and worth every penny. If you haven't experienced surprising someone like this, do so. It is a heart warming time and in most cases can be done anonymously.

Christmas has a way of bringing out the best in people. Have a great day!

Marty

Christmas Card From Heaven 12/14/2017

Good Morning,

I am listening to the quiet being disturbed by my Door County Spicy Nutcracker Coffee perking in the kitchen. It is so quiet where we are staying and the sun is just coming up. The noise from the coffee maker almost seems like a crime. It's not very often that I sit in such silence.

Rene is very diligent about sending out Christmas cards. Some of our cards are actually purchased in July. Every year a cause which we support by purchasing Christmas cards, sends out a flyer with this year's options for Christmas greetings. It takes us a couple of days to decide which ones will be  sent out in December. Yes it supports wild life.

We take an annual trip to Florida in December to visit our daughter, son in law and grandkids. My aunt lives there also. It is sort of a mini reunion every year. While in Florida, Rene finishes writing all the cards and then mails them from the local post office. She thinks it's cool to have them stamped and sent from another state. I just laugh at her and tell her she's "something else". But if it floats her boat and makes her feel good, so be it.

We do receive a good amount of cards ourselves. I look forward to reading them each day after I come home from work. They are uplifting and in some cards we actually catch up on the news from our friends and their families.

But today we find ourselves concerned with the health of three of our relatives and two friends who are like family to us. I will keep their names and titles out of the story to protect their privacy. We received unexpected news from two of them yesterday and have been in prayer for them as well as the others. All of them are weighing on my heart heavily.  I also received the news that someone who had a huge impact on my life passed away. Earlier this morning as I was thinking about each of them and praying, my heart opened a Christmas card from heaven. In my daily reading of God's Word it directed me to a passage that was definitely signed, sealed and delivered from Heaven.

1 Peter 5:7New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you

This passage was an open invitation to just talk with God and let Him know my feelings and ask Him to take care of our loved ones. In this verse we find that God knows our weaknesses and how we often can't cope as well as we should with circumstances. He will be there to take care of these who we love and He also wants us to lean on Him.

Friends, God is able and willing to send out love notes, Christmas cards, and invitations through His Word every day. We just need to take time to sit and communicate with Him. Basically we need to open the mail from His heart to ours

Psalm 139:4New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

He delivers through rain, sleet, snow, and through all the storms of life.

Marty

What I See In Our Christmas Tree 12/13/2017

Good Morning,

I have extra time on my hands today so my script will be a little longer. It is quiet and peaceful as I write and my head is not filled with the thoughts of going to work today. This short vacation is much needed for this worn body and tired soul. I will refresh the soul with time in The Word of God and I will refresh my body with a cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee.

Rene and I love to put up our Christmas tree. If I would agree to it, she would leave it up year round. On the tree I see many things. Our collection of ornaments do not match. They are memories, collected one by one as we have traveled to places in the world. Some are memories of parents, and our dogs. There are plenty of homemade ornaments given to us by our daughter and grand kids. I actually made a couple with pheasant feathers. So the ornaments are a potpourri of our life together. The tree has plenty of lights to shine on each memory and illuminate the blessings God has given us.

On the other hand I see a tree. A tree that came into the world for a purpose. A tree that would bear the sins of the world. A tree of love that stood tall during persecution and death. A tree that would rise up again and bring the gift of eternal life to the world if the choose to accept the gift. A tree that doesn't need lights, It is the Light of the World. For this thought I turn to the Old Testament.

Isaiah 11:1-10New International Version (NIV)

The Branch From Jesse

11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
² The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
³ and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;
⁴ but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
⁵ Righteousness will be his belt
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

⁶ The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling^[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
⁷ The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
⁸ The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
⁹ They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea.

¹⁰ In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

 

I see in our tree a symbol of Jesus Christ and His love, peace, hope and joy. I see in our tree His strength to stand and judge the world, yet have compassion to light the way for those who seek Him. I see gifts beneath the tree and they remind me once again of the gift Jesus gave to us, by dying for our sins.

 

I am one who likes to light up our Christmas tree at night and enjoy the glow of the fireplace. I like to sip on some hot chocolate and rest while thinking and praying. It is a place of respite for me. I look up at the tree and I ask myself this question. Who am I that a King would come to Earth to bleed and die for me? And then I am reminded of His compassion and love, and the Light of the world came for all, even me.

 

God bless,

 

Marty