The First Robin In The Tree 2/28/2018

Good Morning,

I woke up to the aroma of Door County Irish Cream Coffee brewing in the kitchen and a dog sleeping on my feet. Life is good and I am glad to be here.

Yesterday when I arrived home from work I happened to look up into one of our  trees and there it was, my first robin. From the time I was a little boy until now I always watch for my first robin of the spring and I announce it to the first person I see. My mother and I played that game until I was about twelve years old and we would see who could spot the first one. The robin I saw yesterday actually was a little chubby and looked like it had wintered very well. It hopped from branch to branch eating something off of the bark of the tree. It might be a female looking for a place to nest. I am  not sure, but we usually are the home to three or four nests every year.

Seeing that robin was a treat for me and took me back to the early 1960s and being outside when my mother knocked on the window to show me the robin in our neighbor's plum tree. That started the tradition. I have been working some long hours and it has been a struggle. But God knew just what would cheer me up. He sent that robin for me to watch and then flooded my mind with fond memories. 15 minutes spent outside and I reviewed half of my childhood. I recalled my prayer of earlier in the afternoon and it went like this. "Lord I need a break". God not only caused me to slow down, He sent some entertainment and just every now and then even old tough guys have to think about their mother.

Matthew 6:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

It was time well spent and I am better for it. God knows what you need better than you do. Let Him help you rest.

God bless.

Marty

The Spirit Led Life 2/27/2018

Good Morning,

My day began earlier than normal today and now it is time to take a break and pour myself a cup of Door County Private Reserve Coffee. I will add two small biscuits and some honey. My breakfast is now complete.

I have a friend who I believe lives a Spirit filled life and he does it better than most people. He always is in tune with God. And it just seems that God is able  to use this fella more than most people. He is the type of guy that just goes where God leads. I asked him what the key to living a spirit filled  life is.

His reply did not surprise me. "I had to die. I gave my heart and my life to God through Jesus Christ. I no longer live for myself. My goal is to live for Jesus. I have learned to be obedient to God. I try never to question Him".

I think we would do well to follow the example this man has set. I asked him if he would share hi isb life verse with me and he gave me two.

Galatians 2:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me

Matthew 6:33 New King James Version (NKJV)

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

So today, live a life that is connected to God and enjoy the walk.


Marty

Put A Fork In It. The Meat Is Done 2/26/2018

Good Morning,

Monday arrived and I guess it is welcomed. Always hard to get fired up when the weekend seemed too short.  So the Thermos bottle was filled with Door County Mocha Mint Coffee and I am ready to write. Then it is off to work.

Disagreements, and issues of the heart, we all have them. But there comes a time when we have to let go and let the disagreement, argument or hurt go away. I would recommend that people do this right after an occurrence, but we all tend to let them tag along with us, without an end in sight.

We tend to load the back packs of our lives with burdens that weigh us down and when another hill to climb comes our way we cannot handle it because we haven't let go of the past.

This is like watching a roast overcook because no one has declared it as being done. The overcooked meat can burn and become unworthy of a plate. It was done hours ago and should ha of had a fork in it and then placed on a plate.

We keep waiting on what we deem as justice and even have our own ideas on how justice should be delivered. But Jesus tells us to forgive and leave justice to God.

Romans 12:19 New 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,”^[a] says the Lord.

It's time my friends to put a fork into the burning meat of your lives. Let go and let God take care of those who you have differences with. If you ask Him what you are to do about it, it's forgive and move on.

Ephesians 4:32 New King James Version (NKJV)

³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Have a great day,

Marty

Say Something Funny To Me 2/25/2018

Good Morning,


Hear I sit at my desk with a cup of Door County Vanilla Crème Coffee and a smile on my face. This is a good way to start a morning.

Yesterday morning I was able to spend some time with a few friends shooting clay targets at a local shooting range. My score was so bad that all I can say is that a skunk stinks less than I did.

The morning was spent shooting these targets, but what I remember most about it was the solid laughter we had for an hour. It was a good time and the laughter was needed. There just seems to be a person or two that can bring wholesome laughter to a day and we had a few of the best there. My ribs were a little sore later from the hard laughter we had. I knew I had enjoyed myself.

Laughter when wholesome just seems to brighten the day. All too often we adults forget what it is like to laugh. I envy the baby who has just learned to laugh and just about anything is funny to them. Laughter actually is an exercise that uses different muscles and releases stress. So yes laughter is medicine for the soul and the body.

Proverbs 15:13 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed

Proverbs 17:22 English Standard Version (ESV)

²² A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Enjoy a good laugh today and smile whenever you can. It is ok to laugh and enjoy good clean fun.

Have a great day.

Marty

Smoked Salmon, Friends, And God 2/24/2018

Good Morning,

I am out of bed and on my feet waiting for my pot of Door County Turtles In A Cup Coffee to finishing brewing. Our dog Gibbs is sitting by my feet and he would prefer that I start our Saturday morning bacon instead. But. it s time to write.

Yesterday afternoon I was able to join one of my old friends on a pheasant hunt. It has been a long, long time since I have had the time to do so. I have been putting in long hours at work and I just made some time to go and enjoy some time off for a few hours.

I have had some great times hunting with this guy, but we have had even greater times when we just chatted for awhile over a cup of coffee. The talk is always wholesome and uplifting. There was a time when for several years his sister was battling cancer and we would talk about her battle and her walk with God. The Lord call her home not long ago and we talked about her yesterday again while munching on smoked salmon. The afternoon was authored and completed by God.

Dear readers, yesterday afternoon is just a snippet in a life time but one that I cherish. I came home and before going to sleep I prayed for my friend and offered up a prayer of thanks. Having a few friends is a gift from God, and the land we walked is a gift from God. The dogs who worked so beautifully together are a gift from God. Being able to afford to pay my way is a gift from God. And that piece of fish we munched on is a gift from God. The afternoon was authored and completed by God.

All good things come from God and we need to take time to send Him some thanks for the blessings he bestows on us.

 

James 1:17 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

I pray that everyone who reads this is befriended by someone and that they can be a friend to someone. Friendship is a gift from God and should be treated as such and never to be taken for granted.

So today as you have some time, call an old friend and later thank God for the experience.

Love to all,

Marty

Listening To The Wind 2/23/2018

Good Morning,

I see Friday made it to my doorstep right on time and if I could, I would offer Friday a cup of My Door County Mocha Mint Coffee and we would celebrate the day.

Last night while studying I found it totally quiet in the house. It was so quiet I could hear the wind howling past our windows and I really enjoyed hearing it. It wasn't very strong but just enough to hold my attention. I couldn't help but to think about God and His voice.

1 Kings 19:11-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Revelation to Elijah

¹¹ Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
¹³ So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

This passage reminds me that we have a great God who still speaks to us. But we need to slow down and take time to listen for God. Very often we want God to storm in like something from a Hollywood film and speak in a spectacular way. He has and He still can. But for me, I would rather wait for that moment when it is just God and me and He speaks in a still small voice. Even this intimidates me. Just to think that God would speak to me is amazing. I cherish those times and I write them down in a journal. I call these moments my golden nuggets from God. Be still, and listen. Know that He is God and He still speaks.

Are you letting God speak to you? Do you listen and do you obey? Food for thought.

Marty

Prayer In The Middle Of The Night 2/22/2018

Good Morning,


A little Door County Caramel Latte Coffee came my way this morning and to say the least it has been a long night.

Work duties called me in at 2:AM and I just took some time for breakfast and I need to get back to work. On my drive to work this morning my mind went to kind thoughts for several people and I knew t was time to pray for them. I finished my personal prayer for each of them when I turned into the driveway of the hospital where I work.


They will never know that they were prayed for and they really don't need to know. The important thing is that they were prayed for. I know there are people out there who pray for me and it is nice to know.

Luke 6:31 New International Version (NIV)

³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.

So as God leads you today to pray for someone regardless of the time. Someone might be praying for you.


God Bless,


Marty

Food For The Soul With A Recipe Minestrone Soup 2/21/2018

Good Morning,

I have to chuckle a little as I begin this morning. I chose Door County Irish Crème Coffee today just to irritate a buddy this morning. He wishes I would just say coffee with cream.

The subjects of my blog have been pretty heavy lately and I thought I would soften it up a little today and post a thought or two about encouragement. The best place to start is with some Bible verses that warm the heart and feed the soul. Sometimes life has a few bumps in the road and it is important to know Who is in your corner and Who has your back. When God is for you, who can be against you? Anyone who will be at my side through life just plain old must love me. Thank you God for your love.

1. Isaiah 43:2

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

2. Proverbs 3:5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

3. Psalm 16:8

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

4. Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

5. 1 Corinthians 16:13

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

6. James 1:2-3

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

7. Exodus 14:14

“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.”

Well, it's time for me to go to work now and I leave you with this thought. Read these verses and know that God is with you and you are loved. I have attached a recipe for one of my favorite soups. Make some soup and dine on the Word of God. Your soul will feel better.

Marty

 

Minestrone Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Yield: Serves 6

You can use canned beans (use a good quality brand, I recommend S&W or Bush's) or you can cook dry beans.
If starting with dry beans, soak about 3/4 cup of dry beans overnight in cold water (or pour boiling water over the beans and soak for 1 hour). Drain. Cover with a couple inches of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for an hour, or until tender enough to eat. Then drain and use in this recipe as directed.

 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped carrot
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme or a teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
• 1 yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
• 2 cups sliced savoy or curly cabbage
• 1 zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
• 2 medium fresh ripe tomatoes (romas if available), cored, peeled, chopped
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 15-ounce can of cannellini or great northern white beans, drained (about 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Parmesan cheese, grated for garnish

Method

1 Sauté onions, carrots, celery, garlic in olive oil: Heat oil in a 4 to 5 quart thick-bottomed pot on medium high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute more.

2 Add herbs, potato, vegetables, stock: Add the bay leaf, thyme, fennel seeds. Add the potato, cabbage, zucchini, and tomatoes. Add the chicken stock.

3 Simmer until vegetables are cooked through: Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and cooked through.

4 Add beans, parsley, salt, pepper: Add the beans and parsley to the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes. Remove bay leaf and thyme sprigs.

Serve with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese 

 

A House Divided 2/20/2018

Good Morning,

This day has begun with a big pot of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee and a prayer. Let this Tuesday begin on a happy note.

All too often we see families who just seem to argue about everything. We see parents working day and night to satisfy the different opinions and desires of each child. In some instances the kids determine what they will eat or not eat and the parents start running a short order grill in their home.

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Last night on the news the main story was about teens vaping in school. They didn't know what to do about it. In my day there were kids who would try to sneak a smoke in the bathroom. If they were caught there were consequences to their actions.  Now if you single a kid out and levy a form of punishment you are accused of not engaging the poor teen. If a child skips school now, the parent can be fined. Yet the parent isn't allowed to put a boot in the rear end of the truant. That would be abuse. So instead put the parent in jail. This is idiotic.

When in my title I said "A house divided" I meant that many homes are divided by what's right and wrong and the right and wrong isn't Biblically based. We have taken God and prayer out of the schools, discounted the Bible as just a nice book and we wonder why families rage against one another and teens rebel and get away with it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We murder babies every day in abortion clinics and then want teens to respect life and not shoot people. For years they have been taught that life doesn't matter. We need to take the blinders off my friends and get back to basics and not allow our homes to be divided.

We seem to want to run the world with our ideals and so far I am not impressed and neither should you be. We fell for the lies again and who is the father of lies? Certainly not God.

Wake up my friends, it's not too late. Take your family and your lives back.

God bless,

Marty

Cream Of Pheasant And Wild Rice Soup Keeping Your Word 2/19/2018

Good Morning,

The alarm went off our dog was barking at a rabbit he saw outside and just then the last of the Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee started to brew. It must be Monday.

Yesterday Rene and I planned a date to spend the late morning and afternoon together. Her idea was to do something that she liked to do and then we would do something I like to do. So we shopped for antiques to appease her desire and then I took her pheasant hunting to meet my needs.

Now I need to admit to everyone that I like to look at antiques so the shopping was not a big sacrifice for me. Later, Rene put on her snow boots and a blaze orange vest and trudged behind our dog. It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday, but by late afternoon the wind had a bite to it. She never complained a bit about chasing birds or gun fire or stepping in some dog poop. I even offered to have her sit in the truck and read her book. She declined and said that a deal was a deal. Half way into the hunt I started to feel a little guilty for making this deal with her. She was slowing down a little and after we bagged some pheasants I called it quits. We stopped for a burger and I asked her how she was holding up and she said a nap would be in order and soon after we were on the road she fell asleep.

While driving home I was thinking about what I would do with the pheasants. Rene loves two pheasant dishes that I make. One is cream of pheasant soup and the other is pheasant and biscuits. We had enough pheasants to make both of the dinners. We will be eating pheasant soup tomorrow. I told her about my menu idea and she smiled and said, "I  enjoyed being outside and the exercise was great. I will enjoy eating them much more".

Matthew 5:37 New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

What does this have to do with a devotion for today? I am sure Rene was hoping to hear me say that after antique shopping that my idea for our date would be to go to Cabelas and look at hunting and fishing gear. But she kept her word and it was important to her to not back down even though I gave her an out.

We need to keep our word to our spouses and children. It is important that they know what we say, is what we will do. It is important that they know we can be counted on. When we learn to keep our word in the little things, they know we can be counted on for the big things.

Food for thought!

Marty

Stop The World And Let Me Off 2/18/2018

Good Morning,

I just brewed a pot of Door County Private Reserve Coffee, poured a big cup into a favorite mug of mine and opened my Bible. Now and then you need your coffee in a feel good mug.

From where I sit in the second story of our home I can see the bright sunshine glistening on the icy landscape. Several of our neighbors have their fireplaces lit and the smoke is going straight up into the air. My plan is to imitate them tonight and light a fire a couple of hours before going to bed and enjoy the warmth. This sounds crazy, but I will go outside for a few minutes after the fire is going strong and just take in the smell of some hard wood smoke. I have personal reasons for doing so and the smoke will fill my mind and heart with memories that are never to be forgotten.

Earth spins on an axis that allows us to orbit the sun and that gives us day and night. That's about as far as this non-scientific brain wants to go with this knowledge. I just need to know that the sun comes up in the morning and it sets in the evening. I know that many people have volumes of knowledge stored within their brains about the Earth Sciences and I am glad that they do.

One thing I am sure they know is just how fast the Earth is turning each day, each hour and every minute. What I am about to write about to us today is that I feel like the Earth is spinning too fast. It just seems as if there is never enough time in one day to accomplish all that needs to be done. Friends, this is a play on words and the Earth hasn't sped up, but we have. I feel like I want to treat the world like a bus and get off at the next stop for awhile and just watch it drive by for a day or two.

I was just thinking about a family from church who I have not seen or heard from in quite some time. I sat in shame thinking that I just haven't had the time to call on them. They gave me the mug pictured above. This is inexcusable as we are to care for one another. The world is not going to slow down or stop for me to catch up. If it could, I would be slamming the brakes on it in a heartbeat.

So here is what I did. I looked back on this last week. I keep a pretty good calendar record and I saw the problem. I overloaded my own calendar. There were double bookings all week long at work and in my personal life. Some of those things that were double booked were choices I made just to satisfy others and they really could of waited a few more days. I actually put my own world into overdrive and hit the gas. Proper meals were not prepared and eaten because of a lack of time. All that did was shorten this already busy life by eating junk.

So my administrative assistant and I will talk tomorrow and there will not be any more rushed double bookings. She will have permission to say no to those requiring attention or refer them to me. A sensible calendar will be kept by priority and first come basis. She does a great job of this. I am the one who double books. Then for my personal calendar I have made the decision to drop a couple of things from my list and learn to delegate to others. For instance a friend of mine thinks we should have a reunion of old friends. Sounds like a lot of fun to me. But any more than a couple hours of planning heaps way too much on an already full plate at church. I can offer a couple hours and if it is to be, a committee will need to be formed and they will have to run with it.

Luke 14:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—

Priorities my friends, priorities. As much as we need to balance our budgets to not get overdrawn at the bank, we need to balance our schedules in the same way. We can't borrow time from the next day. It just gets us more behind.

Think about it. Is your world spinning too fast? You can slow it down. Ask yourself questions. Do I have enough time for this? What needs to go in order to take this on? Why does this need to be done by me at all? Can this or should this be done by someone else? Am I teaching others to fish for themselves or am I teaching them to learn to be helpless? Tomorrow I will talk to parents, pastors, and grandparents who are teaching "applied uselessness". That subject is long overdue.

God bless,

Marty

The Fall In The Garden 2/17/2018

Good Morning,

Saturday arrived just in time to save my sanity. Saturday came as promised and now my treat of the morning is a big, big, cup of Door County Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Coffee and a banana. That's living life large!

Genesis 3:1-7

3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

² The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, ³ but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

⁴ “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. ⁵ “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

⁶ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves

Way back, when man inhabited the garden of Eden there was a day that we all have lived to regret. It is a day that I wish would never have come. It was the day that sin entered the world. Now we all like to blame Eve for eating of the forbidden fruit.  I like to lay a little blame on Adam for not being a good leader of his home. Once Eve ate the fruit Adam should have refused to eat it and then he should have taken Eve before God and begged for mercy. Instead he proved weak in his leadership skills, caved in and the rest is history. The actual fruit is unknown. Some believe it was an apple. I imagine it to be a peach, because I long for peaches and believe that I would cave in for an ice cold peach.

I would like to believe that I would not have been as dumb as those two clowns but let's face it. We all have fallen to temptation and if it hadn't been those two, it would have been someone else who fell to sin.

I am not condoning sin, but the upside to the garden fall is that we have the opportunity to meet Jesus and experience his love. Jesus is the ultimate example of love.

Romans 5:7-9 New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

The sin in the garden was ugly and the impacts are long lasting. But God's plan for the redemption of man is beautiful, a beauty like no other. That name is Jesus.

Have a great day,

Marty

Another School Shooting 12/16/2018

Good Morning,

My eyes are looking ahead to Saturday and I can't wait. My mug was just filled with Door County Swedish  Lingonberry Tart Coffee. It's time to write.

Friends, my heart is heavy today with grief and sympathy for those who experienced loss in the most recent school shooting. The State of Florida is reeling from this attack on life and the whole nation is numb.

Psalm 23 New King James Version (NKJV)

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^[ in the house of the Lord
Forever.

I have no sure fire solutions to these acts of evil except to say that it is time for the local churches to reach out to those who are grieving at this time. I have no doubt that they are working as direct extensions of God's hands. It is now time for the churches around the world to pray and lift these people up, and assist the local churches if they have needs in assisting those hurting families.

What is unusual about this tragedy is that the shooter survived. Most of the time, they take their own life or are shot by law enforcement during their capture. This young man is behind bars and from what has been in the news he has lived a troubled past. There is no excuse for what he did. But as Christians we need to pray for him also. I can't imagine what went through his mind at the time of his rampage or what he is thinking right now. This will be hard for those who are closest to the disaster. No one who hasn't experienced this type of loss can even identify with them. I hope I never have the ability to say "I know how you feel". So for those of us miles away we should stay vigilant in prayer, listen for needs of those grieving, and fulfill those needs.

Then, watch for the one person who doesn't fit in. We need to be inclusive to those who seem odd and are loners. We need to show them the love of Jesus. We can impact the world one person at a time. Be a parent to the parentless. Make sure that no lonely teenager stands alone.

God bless,

Marty

2018 Winter Olympics 2/15/2018

Good Morning,

The alarm clock interrupted some serious sleep this morning. The redeeming factor though was that I could hear the Door County Caramel Latte Coffee brewing in the kitchen. Yesterday is gone and I can't say that I miss it. It was a tough day at work.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Last night Rene and I took some time to sit down and watch the 2018 Winter Olympics. While watching some of the ladies downhill skiing we both remarked at how fast the course was and that the women really were attacking it. You could see their knee joints taking a pounding as they flew down the hill. It was extremely sad to watch when a couple of them fell while giving it their best. Regardless of the fact that we were cheering for the USA we both felt bad when someone from any country experienced a wipeout.

We were discussing just how long we would last on that course and I was proud to say that I thought that I would make it about 100 yards before I fell, never to ski again. Rene however thought that she would finish the course, but stopping at the bottom probably would not be an option. We both laughed and said "Our better days are behind us".

Here is the point of the day. We watched many athletes compete over the last few days. It seemed to us that each one came and gave it their best shot. Some are going home with medals and many are not. But the real win is the fact that they were there and competed. That alone is worth applauding for them. They have put in years of practice and in many instances this has cost them a fortune. But for a few days when we watched the Olympic competition we were entertained by the world's best. The show was wholesome and not filled with vulgarity. It was something a family could watch together. I think the world needs more of this. It was easy on the mind and you could cheer for the favorite, root for the underdog, and pray for those who took a tumble.

So as for Rene and me, we salute the athletes and want to thank God for the wholesome entertainment. 

God bless,

Marty

Spaghetti Sauce And Marriage. 2/14/2108

Good Morning,

May your day be blessed with love from heaven today. I am enjoying a cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee as I write and I am content.

My Italian lineage has directed a few plates of pasta my way throughout the years. I believe that I make some pretty good pasta sauce myself. The sauce all starts late in the summer when we begin harvesting tomatoes from our garden and start to put them up for the rest of the year. We grow our own oregano, peppers and garlic. These items are also put up to use throughout the year. Making the sauce takes time. I believe in letting the sauce cook slowly. This allows the meatballs, chicken or sausage to add some flavor to the sauce and in return the sauce is soaked up and absorbed into the meat. For our sauce, patience is the key. I add just a little sugar to the sauce to produce a sweeter flavor. A few special spices added later and we have a meal fit for any pasta lover.

But as I said before this takes time to produce. This includes nurturing the tomatoes, making sure as they grow on the vine that they receive enough sun, and just the right amounts of water. The garlic needs to be dried and peeled. We then mix it with olive oil after it is chopped and refrigerate enough of it for a year.

This all takes time and effort. As we celebrate a love holiday today known as Valentines day I think of love relationships and marriage as spaghetti sauce. You get out of a love relationship what you put into it. Marriage like pasta sauce takes time to perfect. Marriage needs nurturing, a little sweetness and now and then a little spice to keep things lively. All good marriages are an investment in time and commitment by both partners, working toward the best marriage they can obtain. Patience with each other is the key and most of all just like tomatoes the marriage needs to be bathed in the Son. In this instance, Jesus is the key ingredient to the marriage. There needs to be time spent together with the Son of God .

Proverbs 3:3-4: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

There is nothing like a fine pasta sauce and there is nothing sweeter than a man and woman in love, who both center their life around Jesus Christ. With Jesus as the main ingredient to the marriage, you have a no fail recipe for a life long walk with each other.

Enjoy this day. It is a gift from God.

Marty

Paying Bills, Not A Chore I like 2/13/2018

Good Morning,

This day started a long time ago, or at least it seems that way. My cup of Door County Irish Crème Coffee is already cold and needs to be warmed up. It might just be that kind of day.

Last night I sat down and finished paying the last of the bills from my Dad's estate and it was a chore that is bitter sweet. The estate is almost closed now and the we have just a few more steps to go until finished. Our dad always took pride in paying any bills on time and the duty in his passing fell to me to close it out. In the year and a half since I took over every bill was paid on time just as if Dad were doing it. Actually Rene and I always do the same thing and take great care to pay bills off and on time. We have been blessed to be able to do so.

I hope you do not think we are bragging. My dad set up a tradition of having your word represent your credit. There were times that he and my mother went without things in order to pay their bills. They did not make impulsive purchases and then worry as to how they would pay for it later. The credit statement says a lot about a person and their reputation. Yes people fall on bad times and I have been there. Most creditors are willing to make payment arrangements as long as you hold to them. I had some bills a long time ago and right when I was getting ahead my employer closed the doors. I found myself paying a doctors bill by sending five dollars a month until I could send more. The doctor sent me a thank you note a year later when the bill was paid off thanking me for my payments.

So as I wrote the last of those checks last night I knew I was carrying on an old family tradition that was worth keeping.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

When we make a vow to pay our debts, God sees that vow and we forget that he does when we default on the payments.

Remember Who we represent.

God bless,

Marty

Time To Take A Stand Acts Chapter 4 2/12/2018

Good Morning,

The kitchen has an aroma coming from it and I do believe It is Door County Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Coffee. I would recognize that smell, even with a head cold.

In Acts Chapter 4 we see the Apostle taking a stand for his faith. This is the same guy who only a few chapters back in the Bible was denying his relationship with Jesus. Once Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit he rose up and took his stand, never again to be the one who backed down. And my friends look at how he took that stand. He spoke clearly and laid down the Gospel message boldly  without fear or shame. There is no beating around the bush in his statements.

Acts 4: 1-12 New International Version (NIV)

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. ² They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. ³ They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. ⁴ But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

⁵ The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. ⁶ Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. ⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! ⁹ If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, ¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Peter was like an avid big game hunter here. He had one good shot and he took it. He laid it out on the line, resurrection and all. Jesus and only Jesus was the center of credit. Notice He did not have a band, or a fancy stage. He was just hauled out of jail and He was ready to preach.

How about you? If someone was to try and convict you of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to do so. Who do you say Jesus is? The messages you hear in your churches, are they proclaiming the Good News of Jesus? Do you even hear His name? Is the message sifted in a way that Jesus is forgotten?

Food for thought,

Marty

Pizza And The Kid 2/11/2018

Good Morning,

One more day without some Door County Coffee, but tomorrow morning will be different. I write today with joy and some agony.

Rene and I were able to spend the weekend with our grandson Dominic and later today we will fly home and he will be back to his school routine. The visit was awesome, but I don't look forward to the goodbye at the school. Saying goodbye is always a heartbreak.

Last night the three of us went for some pizza as we have done for many years. My mind started to wander back to the time when I referred to Dominick as the "Little Crapper" and how that little guy would smile while eating his pepperoni pizza. I recalled a cruise we were on and how he and I would sneak out of the cabin and eat pizza for breakfast. I will never forget doing that.

During our dinner last night I watched a 17 year old attack a pizza and garlic bread and all of a sudden this muscled six footer was a little boy again. I wondered where the years have gone and if he would remember the things we as grandparents have taught him. We started making plans for a return trip and we are already looking forward to it.

Deuteronomy 4:9   Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children

So how does my story impact you? Here is the thought for the day. Spend as much time as you can with those grandchildren. They grow up too fast and before you know it you  too are different. You grow old and the energy level just isn't the same. We talked about God and will attend the church Dominic found tomorrow. He really likes this church. So yes we have our God in common and for as long as possible we will have pizza in common. You do have an impact on those kids and it is important that you do so. They never really grow up because you never quit being a grandparent.


God bless,

Marty

Rest Relaxation, Family And God 2/10/2018

Good Morning,

I find myself without my usual cup of Door County Coffee today. Rene and I are taking a short weekend away from our normal routine and traveling with coffee did not work.

Back at home our dog Gibbs and our house are in good hands with our nephew Nick and we are taking some time to visit our grandson Dominic at school in Atlanta Georgia. What does this  have to do with inspiring all of you? Let me try to explain.

I have been burning the candle at both ends again and I am tired, beyond tired. I need some rest. But most importantly we haven' seen the youngest grand kid in a year due to schedules and school changes. Dom is in school pursuing a military career after high school and visiting isn't always on the school's schedule either.

When this grandpa announced that it was more than time for us to visit, the family wheels kicked in. Our daughter verified a date that we could visit and remove Dom from school for a weekend. She found us a place to stay, Grandma made arrangements for us both to be off from work yesterday. Our nephew jumped in and said "I have the house and Gibbs covered". And I forgot to mention I enlisted some prayerful friends to pray and make sure this weekend would happen.

Yesterday in the Midwest 1000's of flights were canceled due to a snow storm. When I checked the flight status at 4:AM I expected to at least see our flight delayed. When I looked out the window of the house I saw fresh piles of frozen fluff on the ground. But the flight status was ON TIME!

We drove in four wheel drive all the way to the airport and still expected a delay. The airport had dozens of trucks clearing snow off of the runways and it was still snowing. Our status was still ON TIME. Despite the mess outside that plane took off de-iced ON TIME.

The three of us were united by 4:PM and the fun has begun. I am writing now and the other two are sound asleep. The fun and nonsense went pretty late. This weekend will go too quickly but the cadet will be with the grandparents , steak and pizza are on the menu and all three of us will be better because of the hand of God.

Did I mention that we prayed about this trip.?Yes God allowed a snow storm to come in. But only God could have gotten that plane up in the air ON TIME yesterday.

Philippians 4:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Friends, when a plan comes to mind, it is time to start the prayer process. Not later but right at the moment of thought conception if not before hand. I have been praying about this for a few months. God knew my heart and decided to jump in and then show me some of His power. What a day!!!
Pray my friends, pray!

Love to all,

Marty

When The Night Is Long 2/9/2018

Good Morning,

A cup of Door County Lingonberry Tart Coffee would go good right now but it's not going to happen today. Instead, I am pouring a little Door County Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Coffee. I ran out of the Lingonberry. I swore I had some more stored away.

Have you ever had one of those nights that just seemed like it would never end? Last night was one of those for me and I can tell you this, I can definitely wait for the next long night to come along. I had way too much on my mind and as hard as I tried, sleep just wasn't there. I prayed to God for some sleep but like a toddler in a crowded parking lot, it just escaped me time after time.

I prayed on and off and many of you who read this were prayed for. I have no idea why I could not sleep. So I got up and decided to accomplish something. I wrote my next sermon which I will preach on the 17th of February. It was then that I discovered why I was awake. The thoughts just seemed to roll onto the paper. God for some reason wanted those thoughts written down last night. Once I was done with my work. I fell asleep for an hour and woke up somewhat refreshed. I was going to question God as to why this was so important when He spoke.

Isaiah 55:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Once I heard that message, I knew that only God knows what my week will be like next week. Only God knows what the 17th will be like. I needed to trust and obey. Obviously this will be for the good of His Kingdom and for my own good. We will have to wait and see why God denied that sleep. I trust that He is protecting me for something or preparing me for something. The what, we will have to wait to find out. God is good! all the time!

God bless,

Marty

A Life Without Prayer 2/8/2018

Good Morning,

I pray that all who read this today are well physically and spiritually. I wish my table was big enough to invite all the readers to come and join me for breakfast and for a cup of Door County White Chocolate Cinnamon Dolce Coffee. That's a big dream of mine.

I will get right to it. Can you imagine trying to build a relationship with God without prayer? I once heard a preacher say that prayer is the God given right of each Christian to call on God for themselves or for others. Prayer is a lifeline for Christians. Yet some people will go for weeks, months or years with a weak prayer life. To some, prayer is like an after thought to the day. I see this as dining well on rich foods and then going for antacid tablets because you are miserable. Why wait for misery to turn to prayer? Why don't we call on Him before we lose our way? Why don't we count our blessings during our prayer time?

I can't imagine a life without prayer. Some of my best times were spent in prayer to God and then listening for the answer. Prayer is the one thing that cannot ever be taken away from a person. That just proves how important God thinks prayer is.

2 Chronicles 7:14 New 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.

Jeremiah 29:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Food for thought. Have a great day,

Marty

A Walk With God 2/7/2018

Good Morning,

Where did the night go? It seemed to fly by faster than I could sleep. Now I understand what my mother meant when she said "sleep fast". I can smell the Door County Vanilla Crème Brulee' Coffee brewing in the kitchen. First I will write and then make my way to my morning java.

Roy Lessin wrote " A man who walks with God is always moving in the right direction".

In today's times of doubt and fear there are those who are unsure which direction to take in every decision. They become frozen when it comes to making a choice in anything. The world seems to confuse them. But on the other hand we see those who despite the storms of life seem to be navigating through this world much easier or to say it this way "better".

I find that those who seem to have all the sails on their ship of life full of air and sailing through storms are those who have chosen to make God Number One in their lives. Through faith they accept and claim the promises of God. Here are some of those promises.

Isaiah 41:10 New 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.’

Psalm 73:24 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.

 

Psalm 23:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

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.

 

They do not walk alone. They walk with God and they know they can count on Him to carry them when times are tough.

 

Romans 8:31 New King James Version (NKJV)

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

 

God allows us to call on Him to lead us. He will, but we must obey the directions and submit to His leadership. We fail to do this when we start to rely on our own thoughts and do not take time to consult with God. We rush a decision and then live to regret it, just because we want to trust our own ego or instincts instead of relying on God to lead.

 

Today, choose this day who you will serve, you or God.

 

Marty

 

 

Spin Outs In A Snow Storm 2/6/2018

Good Morning,

It is morning in Wisconsin and my mug was just filled with Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and now it is time to embrace the day!

Yesterday as I drove home from work the skies were dumping white fluff all over the highways and streets. Due to the weather being pretty cold the snow was light and fluffy. The salt that was laid down on the highways could not work due to the low temperatures. This made for some very slick roads. There is always those drivers who ignore the elements and drive too fast for conditions. I affectionately call them the "village idiots". They drive like they are untouchable by the road conditions and just don't pay heed to warnings. One fella in particular passed me on the highway. He reminded me of a kid running for the ice cream truck. I have never witnessed an ice cream truck running  out of frozen treats. So what's the rush? Anyway it was just about a mile down the road when I saw this same guy facing the wrong way in traffic. As I passed him in my four wheel drive truck I could see the fear in his eyes. The spin out must have been an experience he won't forget.

Folks that is how life can be when we get into the fast lane, a lane best left untraveled. We get into things that are not good for us and before we know it they suck us into more trouble and life seems to spin out of control. For instance a little flirting at the lunch table that goes unchecked and unhedged can lead to mistakes further down the road and before you know it you are in divorce court. There are many examples of spin outs in life. The Bible has a few things to say about it and advises us to "hedge our eyes and our thoughts". This is very good advice. However, you must choose to walk in that victory. Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). Every believer needs to make that decision as well. God promises, “If from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29).

We can drive through life sensibly and safely when we choose to. But it is our choice to make.

Marty


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