Take A Kid Fishing 4/30/2018

Good Morning,

May your morning drink be as good as my cup of Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee. May the road of your day rise up to meet you.

Yesterday as Rene and I were driving through the country I noticed that the warm weather brought out the fishing poles and people were standing on the river banks trying their skill or luck at landing some fish. The river I drove by is the one that I do a lot of duck hunting on. It seems to sustain life in the spring, summer and fall.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of fishing with my dad and grandfather. I can still smell their cigar smoke which they swore was for warding off mosquitoes. The cloud of smoke just made my young eyes burn and I still came home with mosquito bites. The result of our fishing labor always resulted in a Friday fish fry the following week. They didn't talk much while we were fishing, but on the drive to the lake and then back home the talk was filled with a lot of old folk lore and a wild fishing tale or two. When we arrived back to the house grandma always wanted to see what we caught and there was  a slice of cake and some cold iced tea when the fish were cleaned and in the freezer. We washed up with a bar of Lava soap. After using that soap on just about everywhere, you didn't need to scratch any mosquito bites.

Psalm 71:18 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

While fishing, both men were quick to point out things in the wild that I did not notice, like a fawn following it's mother through the cedar trees. If they hadn't shown it to me I would not have seen the little deer. I believe that teaching me to walk slowly and observe my surroundings has afforded me well. I tend to not miss seeing too much in the woods and fields. These two guys taught me to appreciate the nature God has blessed us with.

The point of the day is this. Spend time with your kids and grandchildren. They won't forget it and long after you are gone they will still practice the things you taught them.

Take a kid fishing!

Marty

It's Nice To Be Prayed For 4/29/2018

Good Morning,

The perfect setting for writing is where I am located once more. Our den is warm, my  Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee is next to me. Our dog is sitting on my feet, light Gospel music is playing from the antique radio and the sun is coming through the window. God is good!

 

Last night after our church service we held our monthly prayer meeting. Prior to starting the prayer time I asked for everyone to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to direct their prayer requests. Basically I asked all of us to let God direct our prayer time. We really don't go in order for prayer. Those who are there just take turns and ask for prayer as they are led, or they just begin praying when someone finishes their prayer. Many follow along and pray silently in agreement with the request that is being lifted to heaven.

The requests vary and are usually for others. That was the case last night. Very seldom does someone request prayer for themselves. The miracle is this. You can be sitting there and someone will begin praying for you. The Holy Spirit laid something on their heart for you. A lady was there who's husband just had a stroke. She is disabled herself. She did not request any prayer, but yet prayers for her and her husband were rattled off in high gear. Do you ever struggle with how to pray? Do you ever struggle with what words to say or knowing if you’re praying exactly what God’s will is? We all have those times. This occurs when we are praying under our own power. The Bible gives us some advice on prayer.

Romans 8:26 New International Version (NIV)
²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 

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

Jude 20 New King James Version (NKJV)
²⁰ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

I was surprised however with the prayer subject that came from the mouth of a friend. His prayer request was for this blog and me. He asked God to continue to give me the time each day to continue writing. He asked God to continue to give me the subjects to write about. I thought to myself, how did he know that my daily blog has been a struggle? How did he know that I have been considering changing it from daily to weekly? The Holy Spirit led him to the knowledge, because no one knew that except God. It was nice to be prayed for and I walked away in peace knowing that God would answer his prayer somehow.

Friends, prayer is always a blessing to someone whether they know that they were prayed for or not. But, so you don't miss praying for anyone ask the Holy Spirit before you pray to show who, what, and how to pray. If you are not part of a prayer meeting now and then, join one. If you need prayer comment below and you will be prayed for. If the prayer is private just leave a note and ask for prayer. The Holy Spirit will lead me to the need and you will be prayed for.

Have a blessed day!

Marty

Mothers Day. Something To Look Forward To. 4/28/2018

Good Morning,

This morning finds me needing the fireplace to warm up the house. The sun is shining but there is a definite chill in the air. My mug is filled with Door County Chocolate Caramel Truffle Coffee and the dog is sitting on my feet like always.

Proverbs 31:10 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁰  An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.

My mother in law will be 91 years young soon and she puts the A in active. She still lives in her own home, can drive safely, cooks her meals and still wins 1st place ribbons at the county fair for her canning, and crafts. She attends church and still serves others in the community.

For the last couple of years she has been going with us to Door County Wisconsin for a long weekend on Mothers day. We make arrangements for a house and dog sitter and off we go. The house sitter is another blessing I will write about soon.. My goal in the trip is to see these two classy ladies have a good time. They already have their weekend itinerary worked out and I just hope the car can hold all the things they plan on bringing home. They both like a good fish fry and we will be sure to have one on Friday night. One will have baked fish, the other fried. They both will say "Oh that's so much fish". But there won't be any left.

I watch the two of them and although they can't see it, my wife and her mother are a lot alike. It is fun to watch them go from one antique shop to another and they both let me know exactly where the ice cream emporium is. It does my heart good to be a part of their weekend. I am thankful for Rene and the gal that raised her. How does one repay someone for giving you the gift of a Godly wife? When my wife was born I am sure the last thing on her mothers mind was Rene's future husband. How can you ever repay God for the blessings of a Godly partner? I have come to this conclusion, you can't. You can only appreciate who was given to you and be thankful and treat them as a cherished gift. God makes it impossible to repay blessings. I will never know why He does it that way.

 

Psalm 116:12 New International Version (NIV)

¹² What shall I return to the Lord
    for all his goodness to me?

I am looking forward to that weekend when I can participate, but more so, watch and be thankful for what I have been blessed with.

Marty

The Kingdom Of God Is..... 4/27/2018

Good Morning,

Friday arrived and I have embraced it with gusto. Gusto is a word that isn't used too often anymore but it sure applies to how I feel about this day being Friday.  I just sat down with a cup of Door County Strawberry Smoothie Coffee. Gusto!


Luke 17:21 New International Version (NIV)
²¹ nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

There are three popular interpretations of Jesus’ words in Luke 17:21 that the kingdom of God is within you (or among you): 1) the kingdom of God is essentially inward, within man’s heart; 2) the kingdom is within your reach if you make the right choices; and 3) the kingdom of God is in your midst in the person and presence of Jesus. The best of these interpretations, it seems, is the third: Jesus was inaugurating the kingdom as He changed the hearts of men, one at a time.

Those saved by their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior have heaven waiting for them, there is no doubt. But the Kingdom of God is spiritual and it reigns in the hearts of those saved by grace. We can't see it but we experience it in those hearts changed by an encounter with Jesus.

Luke 10:17-24

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
²³ Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Jesus sent out the 72 on the first mission trip to declare His Gospel message and when they returned they were ecstatic with what they saw and what had happened.

We forget that the Kingdom of God is all around us and we take for granted our prayer time, and our intimate walk with God. We need to embrace the Kingdom daily. Heaven is heaven and it is a real place. But we can experience the Kingdom now by embracing the reality of it and by seeking God's will daily.
There is so much we miss out on experiencing because we forget to embrace God and His closeness every moment of every day.

Food for thought!

Marty

Thankful For? 4/26/2018

Good Morning,

Thursday is letting me peek over my glasses and look at Friday. This day began with a cup of Door County Lakeside Fuzzy Naval Coffee and an apple. The apple was great after it was dipped in a little peanut butter.

Last night after dinner I went to our back yard with our dog Gibbs and while we were doing some training for hunting I was noticing just how nice it was outside. It wasn't too cold and it felt really nice to be outside getting some fresh air. I said to God, "thanks for letting me get home early enough from work to enjoy this.

Philippians 4:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I started a short time of prayer just saying what I was thankful for. It started with friends and family. I gave thanks for my trusty sidekick dog. I then was thankful for the ability to attend church and serve.
The list went on for a good while and I could have gone on for an hour longer. I ended on being thankful for our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. He should have been the first on my list to be thankful for.I found that when I spent time on being thankful for Jesus and His love, the time just seemed to go on and on. The sun started to set and now I had one more thing to be thankful for. I felt content spending time with God, praising Him with thanks. I discovered that during this time I did pray for others and their needs, but I didn't have any needs of my own. I was thankful for that.

When we start being thankful for what we have, we tend to not concentrate on what we don't have.

Contentment is the key to praising God.

Marty

It's Simple. Follow Directions 4/25/2018

Good Morning,

If I could have one wish today, it would be to share a cup of Door County Vanilla Cappuccino Coffee and some breakfast of biscuits and some Nueske's Cherry Wood Bacon.  That would be nice. But it is almost time to go to work so I must finish writing.

Deuteronomy 12:28 New King James Version (NKJV)
²⁸ Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.

God makes is very simple for us to be in His good standing. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.  I don't think anything could be more clear than that.

There is no wiggle room here. Either you do or you don't. When we choose  parts of God's directions we really don't treat God as God.

Food for thought!

Marty

Wild Roses And The Fence 4/24/2018

Good Morning,

It's time to wake up and face the morning! Let's make ourselves gifts to all the people we meet today. I just poured a cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee for myself. I wish we could be sharing this pot of java together this morning.

When I was a kid a black iron fence separated our back yard from the neighbors yard. The fence was lined with a wild yellow rose bushes that often was used as a backstop for errant balls that were headed over the fence and into the neighbor's yard.  Our dad used to work at trimming those bushes from spreading and he would cut them back to almost nothing. But they would come back stronger than ever and bloom, making a yellow wall for our homemade stadium.

The point for today is this. Be resilient. When life knocks you down bounce back and bloom again. Those little roses are still blooming at the old house where I grew up. They survived football games, baseball games, snowball fights, and a guy who just wanted them to look neat and orderly. Don't let life rob you of being all that you can be.

Isaiah 40:31 New King James Version (NKJV)

³¹ But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

When we wait on the Lord and trust Him to renew our strength, we can not only bounce back, we know we can make it and not fail.  Like the rose that was trimmed and left to vanish, we can endure and carry on. I left that home in 1994 and last year when I drove by those roses had spread everywhere.

God bless,

Marty

Life Changes Require A Good Farmer 4/23/2018

Good Morning,

Another Monday has arrived and by tonight it will be completed and recorded in the book of our lives. So I have decided to kick it off right with a cup of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee and some prayer.

From time to time we face life changes that we don't really have much control over. There are times when changes come about and we are bewildered as to what direction to take. These times call for a good farmer. We get set in the routines of our lives and we think we have the future all planned out. But then, along comes some change and it seems that we must navigate a new path or journey. Like a farmer does with his fields we need to cultivate the change and turn over the soil of our lives. We need to turn over our souls with fresh ideas, or changes. We need to seek God's life changing seeds through His word and look at how change might lead us to a new adventure with Him or how a good plowing of our hearts can help us to deal with change or deal with moving. We have to seek what fruit will be produced for us and through us with the call to change or move.

Cultivation also requires water and we should always look for renewed hope like a parched land looks for a soft rain. Our hope is in God to direct us and lead though change no matter what. Some change is hard to deal with, Like a farmer rests his soil from time to time it might be that we are to plow other fields or just rest for awhile and wait for the time to plant again. Two Bible verses come to mind on cultivating change. A farmer does not act on emotions. The farmer deals with the facts and makes decisions to plant, not to plant or to move to another field by knowing the facts. For those going through change and needing to know how to deal with it we need to rely on God and His Word to speak to us.

Luke 8:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵ But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who,

having heard the word with a noble and good heart,

keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.^[

Dealing with change? Wait on God for the answers. Be patient, He will direct your paths.

Marty

Even If The Golden Streets Are Paved With Dirt. 4/22/2018

Good Morning,

Wake up it's time to smell the roses or the wood in the fireplace. Which ever you choose its what is right for you. I am enjoying a cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee and it is very early as I write.

Hopefully you have all heard about how gloriously beautiful heaven is. I can't even imagine the streets being paved with gold and the beautiful lights.


Revelation 21:4 New International Version (NIV)

⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’^[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

 

 Revelation 22:1-5 New International Version (NIV)
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever

Revelation 21:21-27 New International Version (NIV)
²¹ The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
²² I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. ²⁵ On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. ²⁶ The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. ²⁷ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
 

After reading this, who wouldn't want to go to heaven. I know my final travel plans take me there someday. I do want to say this. If the streets were paved with dirt and I had to use a flashlight to get around I would still want to go to heaven. It's not the scenery I want to see. I want to thank the One who died for me in person. I want to thank the One who loved me so much that He suffered and died for me. Let me see Jesus will be my cry.

Food for thought.

Marty

Jesus And Little Children 4/21/2018

Good Morning,

May your day be blessed with enough to eat. May your day be safe and your heart be filled with love from above. I just sat down with a cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee next to me and it is time to write.

Yesterday I was listening to a Christian news program on the radio while driving to work. The radio news announcer was informing the world that a new law was being enforced in a certain country. ( I will not name the country to avoid giving those readers living there any problems) It was reported that the country is forbidding Christians from taking their children to church in hopes of curbing the
spread of Christianity.

This did not sit well with my soul and I am asking all who read this to take a moment to pray. The world's most precious commodity are the children given to us. The basic ability to meet and embrace God together as a family is being taken away. Time for prayer please!

For those of us who are free to worship and raise our families in Christianity we must make it our priority to do so. I am seeing way too many substitutes for church. Sunday sports, laziness, potential weather issues, the ability to go to the church of pajamas at home watching pod casts are all robbing our children of true worship experiences. We are showing them that God and church are an option to life. Once God becomes an option, He really is no option at all. I have three portions of Scripture  I want to share today and I am asking that you read them, share them, and absorb them. I believe they are an urgent matter of the heart.

Mark 10:13-20 New International Version (NIV)

The Little Children and Jesus

¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Matthew 18:6 New International Version (NIV)

Causing to Stumble

⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Deuteronomy 6 New King James Version (NKJV)6 
“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, ² that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. ³ Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’^[a]
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!^{[b] 5} You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Choose this day whom you serve.

Marty

Time To Be Young Again 4/20/2018

Good Morning,

One hot cup of Door County Chocolate Caramel Coffee has taken up residence beside me and I will very quickly make it disappear.  Here comes Friday and I am ready for it.

Rene and I were just talking about the need to get away for a few days. I know part of the getaway will be a stop at  a few of our favorite places in Door County Wisconsin.

Psalm 90:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

For about an hour during our visit I will be able to feel young again. We will stop at one of our favorite places to munch on some ice cream. I have always liked a good ice cream cone for as long as I can remember. When I have one of those frozen treats I take a little time to remember the people who took me for an ice cream cone when I was a little boy. Then I will take in a memory or two of eating ice cream with the friends I hung around with in high school. My mind will wander to the many dates with Rene that ended with ice cream, even in January. I can still recall cleaning sprinkles off of my daughter's face who just had to cover her ice cream with those "sugar pills'.

I don't know what Rene thinks about during our ice cream rest stop, but I know that I like to see the smile on her face while she eats ice cream and enjoys our time away together. When I see her dipping her spoon into the dish of ice cream , I don't see my wife of 1 million years. I see that young gal that for some reason said yes to marrying me.

We all need to take some time and slow down, before the days of old age set in and we are back to having others take us for ice cream. We need to take time to taste the vanilla or chocolate. We need to be generous and take those who cannot get out for a frozen treat on a short trip for some memories of their own.  Life is too short to let a good ice cream day go unused.

God bless,

Marty

Life Isn't Always A Piece Of Cake 4/19/2018

Good Morning,

The old mug was just filled with Door County Red Velvet Mocha Coffee. My day started with prayer and some Cheerios. We are ready to face the day.

 

It can be said that I know my way around a cake and have enjoyed a few good ones in my life. I am partial to carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Now, enough said about my appetite and my favorite cake.

I want to talk about "cake days". Some days are just like a slice of great cake, washed down with a cold glass of milk. They are the type of days that you wouldn't mind having another slice of.

But then there are the broccoli type of days. Nothing personal, to broccoli lovers, but I would prefer the Bubonic Plague over eating broccoli. To me "broccoli days" are tough to chew and give me indigestion. They are days that are often full of problems or relational issues.

Here is where we can learn. God sets the table of our days. Some days are cake days and other days are broccoli days. Like a good parent He gives us some broccoli days to increase our growth, make us stronger or to learn to rely on Him more. He knows what we need when He sets the table of our day. The expression "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" can be applied here.

James 1:2-4 New King James Version (NKJV)² 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

A good parent would not give their child cake every day as a steady diet. The child would suffer from the lack of meat. God knows that from time to time we need a struggle or two to help us develop strength through Him.

Today might be a broccoli day. Or is it a cake day? Regardless of the type of day, rejoice and learn from the experience.

Marty

Searching For Real Joy 4/18/2018

Good Morning,

Just waiting on my Door County Vanilla Cappuccino Coffee to finish brewing. My mind is telling me to get going and my body is telling me to stall for a few minutes and enjoy the coffee and the dog sitting on my feet.  Decisions, decisions.

 

Psalm 16:11 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

 

Many people are searching for joy in their lives. I believe, actually I know I have found the answer. Time spent with God is the source of true and real joy. It's that walk while praying, or that time sitting under a tree and thanking Him for the scenery. It's the time you spend praying over a new born baby and thanking God for the miracle of life. It's the knowledge of knowing that you have an eternal home with Him through Jesus Christ. Nothing like a cold day, a long walk, and time spent in prayer.

 

 Psalm 4:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ You have put gladness in my heart,

 What is keeping you from the joy of spending time with God? What holds you back from a joy that cannot be measured?  God wants to spend time with you and we all could use more of that. I have never experienced joy, that I have not always experienced peace at the same time. Look up, reach out and grab onto the joy of spending time with God. It's indescribable!

 

Have a great day!

 

Marty

 

 

 

 

You Make It Easy 4/17/2018

Good Morning,

I can smell the aroma of the Door County Lakeside Fuzzy Naval Coffee brewing in the kitchen.. Soon it will be time for a cup full and my breakfast of biscuits and honey.

Today I want to try and tell God why it is so easy to love Him. He does make it very easy to love and serve Him. I think from time to time we should take the opportunity to praise Him early in the morning.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.






Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life

John 15:9-17 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Romans 5:8 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.2

Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 8:37-39  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.2




Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, evenwhen we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.

1 John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 4:7-8  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.


1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another

So many reasons to love God and the main one is Jesus. It's easy to love Him because He loved us first.

God bless,

Marty

Own Your Own Crazy 4/16/2018

Good Morning,

A little more Door County Mocha Mint Coffee will do me just fine. Prayer time was sweet this morning and my lunch is packed. Time to write and then hit the road for work.

Psalm 118:24 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Yesterday I attended a birthday a 50th birthday party. I can call the birthday boy young man because of our age difference. Anyway, part of the birthday party consisted of those who wanted to share a memory of their times with the birthday boy could take the microphone and tell their story.

Family and friends took time to say some very nice things and a few told stories that were pretty funny. The funny stories consisted of some of the crazy things that the birthday boy had done with them during their years together. Basically they gave him a loving roast.

What I noticed was that our birthday boy was really enjoying the fond memories even when his family and friends were ribbing him a little and poking fun of him. He has learned to not take things too seriously and can laugh at himself.

I believe that the world would be a better place if we could all laugh together and not take ourselves too seriously. We all do some crazy things now and then and we need to own our own crazy. Rene and I once started out to go find a pizza for dinner. The town where we live has many great Italian restaurants, but we ended up driving 110 miles one way before we stopped and ate at a chain pizza place. The crazy thing was that we have two of those same pizza emporiums 15 minutes in two different directions from our home. Once we arrived at our destination the chain restaurant was the only pizza place still open in the town we traveled to. We still laugh about it and because it was just totally crazy behavior. But we did it and we own it. When we told family about our pizza adventure one day, they all laughed so hard that they almost wet their pants. Just laughing with family made us laugh also. It didn't hurt our feelings because we don't take ourselves seriously at all.

So my friends, my goal today is to say this. Lighten up! Learn to laugh at yourself. You are your own  best comedian.

God bless,

Marty

April Showers Bring May Flowers? 4/15/18

Good Morning,

As I sit in our den located on the second story of our home I can hear the wind howling as it goes between the house and an apple tree outside the window. It is snowing outside this morning and it is cold and damp. I truly appreciate my hot cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee today and the fireplace that is glowing with heat.

Proverbs 25: 11-13

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

There is a phrase that I have heard since I was a little boy. " April showers bring May flowers". My mother would say that to me when our April plans would get rained out. It is a nice phrase but it really did not appease a little boy who's baseball practice just got cancelled because of rain. Back then I didn't give a hoot about "May Flowers".

It really doesn't do any good to whine about the weather. But there are things you can do to help when plans go awry because of foul weather.

1. Accept that there is not a thing you can do about it.
2. If the weather keeps you inside take a little more time to pray and read your Bible.
3. Go through your home and find one or two things that can be thrown away or donated to someone else.  'De-clutter".
4. Write a letter or a card of encouragement to someone. Don't send an email! People really like getting cards in the mail.
5. Take some time to make a pot of soup or chili. Make enough to share with someone.
6 Clean your home. Clean something that you have been putting off. Plans are made for changing!
7. Learn to anticipate. The weather is usually forecasted. I laid sown fertilizer on Friday and now the snow is holding it in place and when it melts it will take the fertilizer into the soil. If April showers bring May flowers, what will April snow bring? I hope it brings bigger apple blossoms.
8. Watch an old movie, one that makes you laugh. Laughter is good for the soul.
9. Take a nap. I have never experienced a bad nap and storing up energy doesn't hurt.
10. If it is that bad and none of the above bakes your cookies. Then finally take that stack of photos and put them into the book that has been sitting there for the last 3 years.

Take time to refresh your soul or help to refresh the souls of others. After all your plans were rained out or snowed out. You have plenty of time.

Happy day!

Marty

Duck Boats And Buddys 4/14/2018

Good Morning.

Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee filled my mug this morning. It is cold and windy outside and a good day to stay inside the garage and start a couple of projects.

This past week I started the process of getting my two duck boats ready for next season. I am blessed to have two boats. One is smaller for little ponds and dragging to a river. The other is bigger for larger bodies of water.

I was able to purchase the smaller one at an estate sale one year. Once I got it home I quickly cleaned it, sanded it and sprayed a coat of duck boat paint on it. I knew it would be OK for the season but it really needed two coats. Well the second coat was finally applied over a few days. We used the boat quite a bit last year and I really enjoyed the time spent in it with friends and my dog Gibbs. As I was staring at  the boat and thinking about  the repainting process, I started to think about every guy who went out with me in that boat. They are all good men, honest and hard working. I am blessed to call them friends. I stopped planning for awhile just long enough to say thank you to God for those friends. I stopped to count my blessings.

Psalm 103:2 ESV          

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

Today. Count your blessings. And I bet when you count them you will find that you count someone!

God bless,
Marty

What's Your Marriage Grade? 4/13/2018

Good Morning,

Wake up and smell the coffee. My cup is filled with Door County Cherry Crème Coffee. It's Friday and it's time to write.

Today I am going to try and get any of us that are blessed to be married to see how our marriage holds up under God's scrutiny.  As you look at the Scripture statements give yourself and only yourself a grade of 5 being great, 4,3,2, 1 being poor.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

patient

envy

boast

proud

dishonor

self-seeking

angered

record of wrongs

evil

truth

protects

trusts

hopes

perseveres

Each person in a marriage owns the marriage. So each of the words listed above is found in today's Scripture verses. After reading them in context, grade yourself, not your spouse. There are 14 words. Add up the score of all the words and divide by 14. You will receive an average of the scores. If it averages out to five, you are the perfect spouse. But if it doesn't and you have been truthful it will reveal an area that you should work on to become the spouse you need to be. If you are comfortable in your marriage you and your spouse could do this together. Do not grade each other. You might not be married long.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be truthful!!!! Enjoy the exercise.

God bless,

Marty

Look At The Heart. God Does. 4/12/2018

I wrote this a few years ago and thought that I would post it again. I think the world is judging way too many people without knowing their hearts these days.

Good Morning,
That old mug of mine is filled with Door County Harvest Blend Coffee and I am on the road again. My truck, my Browning, Gibbs and me.

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

Duck and Goose hunting requires that we be camouflaged in order to blend in with the local foliage and fool the ducks or geese into landing in a decoy spread. I really don't like wearing a face shield. I prefer to use face paint. Now when I am hunting with friends the face paint is accepted as normal and a few of them wear it also. The face paint is hard to wash off and I usually do that after I arrive home.

You should see the looks I get if on the way home if I stop at a diner with my friends for breakfast. I walk in and people give me the strangest looks and some I am sure, assume that I am a terrorist on the loose. They assume the worst. They don't know that I am a God fearing man, read my Bible, love my family, work hard, and enjoy a good laugh. They read me by what they see. I think we all have done that at least a few times in our lives. We look at the appearance and then we miss out on meeting the heart of the man.

I wonder how many great hearts I have missed out on meeting because I looked at the outer appearance? I think we need to follow God's way of looking at people. He judges the heart and makes no assumptions.

Have a great day!

Marty