The Morning Circus 8/31/2019

Good Morning,

Door County Black And Tan Coffee just graced my cup with it's presence and I am enjoying a nice slow sip as I write. Somethings never receive justice when written about, you just have to be there in that moment.

I have been writing a lately about our adventure with a new puppy in the house. The older dog Gibbs is starting to be more tolerant of Leo the new ball of energy.  But we still have a long way to go. It is quiet in the house right now, but an hour and a half ago it was a circus on steroids. Our morning routine had me out of bed as usual to let Leo out to do his morning constitution. The potty training isn't going too badly.

Matthew 18:10. 

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels always see the face of My Father in Heaven.

I get him from the kennel and rush outside with him loading my pockets with some training treats. Once Leo does his business both dogs come for a small treat. You see Gibbs who has been house broken for years now thinks he deserves a treat also.

Then we go into the yard and this morning both dogs decided to flush the morning doves resting in the garden. They had no regard for the old guy who was out there in a pair of shorts and slippers. Thus both dogs hit me like a train and I got knocked off balance and went down into the cold. dew filled grass. The three of us are at times a big stooge fest to watch. This morning we a perfect example.

I let them play for a good long time, and also did a little hunting training with both of them. A little while later I brought them into the house where Leo ran to my sleeping beauty wife and sat on her head while she was trying to sleep. I found this amusing, but I can say that Rene did not. The little guy was met with correction and set straight. Rene appreciates this little guy and he just follows her around all the time. So the little foul was corrected but understood as an example of affection. No one was scarred for life over a miscue.

So what is the point in my babble today? Our morning circus would not be for everyone and I myself can't wait until the puppy days turn into a more mature, less hyper hound.  But the circus is ours and we own it and are glad to bestow a lot of love on our two canine family members.

Last night two of my buddies and I went to a local county fair to see a monster truck rally. These trucks have 1500 horse power and are so loud that you need good hearing protection to enjoy the rally safely. While we were there all three of us noticed that some parents had their kids in the grandstands without any hearing protection. Once the trucks cranked it up these little ones started to cry because it was just too loud and it hurt. I can only imaging the damage done to those young ears.

Then we watched a family of three with a little girl about six years old sit down in front of us. I am a good judge of behavior and this little girl was very well behaved. But it turned a little colder as the sun vanished. The little girl tried to snuggle up to her mother and was met with a verbal outburst that would make any grown person want to wet their pants. Anytime this kid moved she was berated without mercy. I just about had enough of this and was considering my options and the best one I could come up with was to take both parents aside and open a 10 pound can of whoop butt on them. I made sure to mumble my displeasure loud enough so that these two could hear the promise. I never threaten without keeping the promise. They toned it down and were behaved for the rest of the night.

Here is the main point. These kids are gifts to the parents and should be protected from harm and cherished. If like is such a circus that you can't do right by your kids and at least put cotton balls in their ears you should adjust the circus. Our two dogs are treated better than that little girl. We protect them from harm and do not put them in situations where they can get hurt.

Friends, I couldn't sleep last night worrying about that little girl. I prayed though the night that something would change in the family and that this girl has a peaceful life. I don't believe the authorities would have helped me out because of verbal abuse. But I should have done more. A night in jail would have been worth it if somehow that child would have escaped the mayhem of moronic parents.  I rambled on and on this morning, but our kids deserve to wake up in safety daily. If you don't like the circus you chose, adopt them out to homes where they can be loved and cherished.

Amen,

Marty

Personal Foul, Clipping 8/30/2019

Good Morning,

Friday came in today like a cold drink on a very hot day. I really need a break this weekend and  a three day one it shall be. I just poured a cup of Door  County  Birthday  Cake  Coffee and now it is time to write.

In the National Football League a foul that is committed by one player against another player such as grabbing the face mask on a helmet is called a personal foul. Clipping or a block in the back is when a player blocks  another player from behind. The player who the foul is committed on can't see the hit coming. It is a dangerous hit and receives a large penalty.

In life we can be blindsided by those who talk about us behind our backs. This can be known as gossip or slander, When we don't see it coming and it arrives we are devastated or hurt. This form of attack in many instances wasn't meant for us to hear, but sin is always exposed and sin doesn't care who it hurts.

Psalm 101:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

                                        

Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly

    I will destroy.

Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart

    I will not endure

So if you have to tell someone "don't repeat this". Then don't say anything at all. Gossip, slander and backbiting are all forms of sin and should be avoided. So before you speak about someone ask this?
Does what I have to say about someone exalt Jesus? Do I have permission to tell this? Could my statement harm someone? Is what I am going to say supported by the Bible?  If all the questions are answered no. Take a big drink of shut up juice and avoid the sin of the gossiper,

Good advice? I think so. Have a great weekend.

Marty

Tell Them You're Proud Of Them 8/29/2019

Good Morning,

The morning crept up on me out of no where. I just came inside from taking our two dogs out for their morning business. They are fed and the Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee just started brewing.

Last night I spent some time cleaning a couple of my shotguns to be used tonight at a Sporting Clays charity fundraiser tonight. Some members of my work team accepted the challenge to get involved with the community. They artanged this shooting event that will support a non profit organization which obtains medical equipment for those who can't afford it. Items like wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches are a few of the things that this organization supplies to the needy.

If the weather holds out, I am sure their fund raiser will be a hit and raise some serious money for this good cause. It has been nice to see others in the work team get behind these guys and support them by signing up to shoot and compete with others.

I have a great team at work and they constantly amaze me with their abilities and dedication. I can tell you for sure that they will be told in no uncertain terms that I am proud of them. It is important to praise others for doing a great job. "Thank you and job well done" should be the norm, not a big surprise when it is said.

Matthew 25:21 KJV

21 His lord said unto him, Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 

I know that some day I hope to receive a pat on the back from our Lord and Savior as I enter Heavens gates.  My hope is to be worthy of a compliment.

Pass on a little sincere praise today and say it like you mean it. I sure am proud of those guys.

Marty

Through The Eyes Of A Child 8/28/2019

Good Morning,

In a little while I will be pouring a very large cup of Door County Cherry Creme Coffee to help me wake up and smell the roses.

Ecclesiastes  3:1.
There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

Having a new puppy in the family is like having a new baby. They are cute, playful, and definitely  full  of energy. Our neighbor's little girl came over to meet our new furry addition. It was funny to watch the puppy and a little girl bond immediately. She stopped way down and mer the puppy at his level. He wasn't  afraid of her and she did not fear him. They both just wanted to meet each other.

Just before going outside with the puppy I had been listening to the local and national news on the radio. The stock market lost a ton of points. World leaders couldn't  agree on how to address fires in the rain forest  and countries were still aiming missiles at each other. It was to say the least "unhappy news". But in our garage the puppy and the child didn't  care about the dingy world we live in. They both saw an opportunity  to play and make a new friend. All the bad news is important  I guess. But every now and then we all need to look at life through  the eyes of a child and a puppy.

Have a great day.

Marty.

The Fruit From The Garden 8/27/2019 With a Recipe

Good Morning,

I just heard the sound of my Door County Mocha Mint Coffee brewing in the kitchen. I might indulge on a biscuit to go with the coffee.

The harvest has begun on our property and it is a joy to be eating tomatoes fresh from the vine as well as preserving some for this winter. Last night we dined on some smoked pork loin which was accompanied by some spaghetti squash.

Before eating as usual, we stopped to pray and be grateful for the bounty we were dining on. We gave praise to God for the squash and the marinated tomatoes we were eating because of the garden that He blessed. We gave thanks for our jobs that allowed us to smoke some pork. I must say that it was a dinner fit for a king. We topped it off with ice cold watermelon slices for dessert.

But later as I pondered the blessings of the garden I was humbled like I haven't been humbled in a long time. I did say to my wife that the meal was fit for a king. That statement haunted me all night. When you think about it, our meal was provided by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I felt blessed, humbled and I was in awe that My Lord would care about what Rene and I had to eat.  I thought to myself. "Who am I"? Then it went deeper and I asked out loud "who am I" to deserve a King who would die on the cross for me? I had to answer and say that all in all I should be the least of the least and don't deserve the blessings I have been given. I can never repay God for all He has done for me and all that He will do in the future. He will some day welcome me home to be with Him in heaven. It is a struggle for a prideful man to not be able to pay God back. I wouldn't know where to start. So I looked for the answer and found it within God's  Word.

Ephesians 2:8-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

John 6:33 New International Version (NIV)

33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.

In these passages I see the answer. God loves us and has a plan for us that goes beyond this worldly life.

Who am I? Who Are you?

Marty

ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH

INGREDIENTS

2 large spaghetti squash, halved

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed

1/2 c. tomato sauce

1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

COOKING DIRECTIONS

1.    Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Clean squash removing the pulp and seeds.Cut in half lengthwise  Rub the inside of the two pieces with olive oil. Salt and Pepper to tast.

2.    Bake until tender, 55 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from oven and heat broiler.

3.    Once cool enough to handle, shred spaghetti squash with a fork.

4.    Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage until browned.

5.    Divide tomato sauce and sausage among halves and top with cheese.

6.    Broil until cheese is browned and squash warmed through, 4 to 5 minutes. Serve hot.

My House Shall Be A House Of Prayer 8/26/2019

Good Morning,

Monday arrived and it came in quietly. I hope when it leaves, it leaves quietly. I am praying for a quiet day today and then a night of rest. I just filled my mug with Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee and now it is time to write.

Isaiah 56:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁷ Even those I will bring to My holy mountain

And make them joyful in My house of prayer.

Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar;

For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”

When I think about a "House Of Prayer" I quite naturally defer to a church. Churches are supposed to be a house of prayer. In addition they should be leading the prayer. People should always feel welcome to enter a church to pray or ask for prayer. Visitors to a church should be able to see a "House Of Prayer". 

But what about our own homes?  Would people say that they know for sure that your home is a house of prayer and that you are a praying person? If you were on trial for being a person of prayer would there be enough evidence to convict you? Would people say that they know they can count on you to pray even when it is inconvenient? 

Make time to pray.  God wants to hear from you. And you need to hear from Him.

Marty

Not Quite Synchronized Yet 8/25/2019

Good Morning,

The weather in my part of the world is a little cooler than normal. It's just the way I like it and the sunrise is just plain old beautiful. I salute this morning with a big cup  of  Door  County  Brownie  Batter  Coffee.

I might have mentioned this earlier. My wife Rene and I brought home a new English Springer Spaniel puppy last week Sunday. (Leo) Our whole world changed quite a bit with this little ball of destructive energy flying around like an out of control train. Our older dog Gibbs hasn't been all that welcoming to his house mate either. Meal time is a tense standoff and has to be done in a way that allows Little Leo a space to eat without infringing on Gibbs.

I would post a picture of the two of them but it has been impossible to capture one. Leo doesn't sit still long enough yet.. So to say the least our home is not synchronized anymore and our routine needs a lot of practice. It does however at times show progress and hope.

Both dogs are with me as I write getting along just fine and Leo hasn't run off to explore everything that is new to him. He is responding to a whistle pretty well and comes back when he is getting out of range on his limits in our yard. Slippers are still unsafe.

Romans 12:18 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Friends, my point is this . What we knew as normal in our home when we brought someone new into it. Leo has accepted us as his new family and we need to adjust to some of the differences he brings to the household dynamics. Everyone we meet in life is different and as long as the differences are not harmful we should try our best to tolerate them and make some accommodations. I  can see the compromises working their way out in the two dogs a little. So my friends as school begins and there is a new kid at the lunch table , or others move into our neighborhood, let's try to see life from their eyes and be inviting and friendly. Let's practice the "Golden Rule".

Luke 6:31 New International Version (NIV)

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

God expects it and wants us to be a friendly synchronized team in the  world we live in.

God bless,

Marty`

Just A Little Cooler 8/24/2019

Good Morning,

This morning sees me heading into work earlier than usual and way before sunrise. I will need my Thermos bottle of Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee to keep me awake this morning.

I couldn't help but to embrace the cool weather this morning and some would say it is a little too cool. It reminds me that fall is on it's way. I am hardly ready for the fall but I am as always looking forward to it.
I am a hunter and I enjoy being out in the marsh or on the river hunting for ducks and geese. I guess it's just the way God wired me. I have always liked  Fall most out of our four seasons. I really like drinking coffee while in my boat, eating a doughnut with our dog and watching the sun come up or set into the West.

I really enjoy being outside, wearing warm clothes and watching the sky for the game I am pursuing. I rarely hunt alone anymore, so I am usually with some friends or at least one other person. Hunting buddies are a true blessing from God. The jocularity, prayer and companionship is priceless. If we are blessed to shoot something, our trained dogs retrieve the game for us. There is nothing like watching a man's face when his dog comes through in a big way. It's just plain nice to watch them glow with pride. We all appreciate a good dog.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

What I am trying to say can be summed up like this. I am blessed to be alive.

Marty

Great Day To Be Friendly 8/23/2019

Good Morning,

My mug was just filled with Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee . I feel pretty good today and I want to finish the day strong. I have a busy weekend with a project at work on Saturday and that will tie up one my weekend days.

Proverbs 27:19 English Standard Version (ES.    

¹⁹ As in water face reflects face,do the heart of a man reflects the man.

I have never experienced a day that wasn't made to be friendly. However, I have experienced people who are not friendly and they let you know it. They refuse to make eye contact and they do not acknowledge a hello or a good morning sent there way. I can understand someone being preoccupied and in deep thought causing them to look unfriendly. But I believe it is always best to attempt to be friendly even if the friendliness it not returned. Hello and have a nice day are ways of just being polite. A smile and a friendly face can go a long way in making someone feel better about their day. Our face is a direct picture of our hearts. Our face let's everyone see how we feel?

So I am going to practice smiling today and greeting people with a genuine hi, good morning, buenes tardes, whatever it takes to be satisfied that I attempted to be friendly. How about you? Let's make this a day to extend friendliness on those we meet.

Happy Friday!!!

Marty

Road Construction Headache 8/22/2019

Good Morning,

I am looking forward to Friday already, but Thursday will have to do for now. I just poured a big cup of Door County Turtles In A Cup Coffee to start my day. I am praying that someone I know has a nice day.

We are surrounded by road construction where we live and it is more than a nuisance. At times it is a nightmare just to get home. The current state of the construction on the roads I need to travel to get to work has added 35-45 minutes to my daily commute. I tried listening to more talk radio and that worked for a little while. I recorded some music to play in my Jeep but that got old real quick.

Then I remembered that I have the whole Bible on CD. I find it easy to slip in a CD and have the Bible read to me.  It has made the commute more bearable and I am combining the reading with prayer. Listening to God's Word soothes my soul and helps me to unwind. My relationship with God has intensified due to "Road Construction". God has taken a head pounder and turned it into a blessing. I highly recommend it.

Have a great day!

Marty

Try it. I think you will like it.

Marty

Tell Me What To Say 8/21/2019

Good Morning,

I need to pray this morning for a loved one and I will then enjoy a big cup of Door County Maple Coffee. Prayer and then some coffee. That's a winner every time.

Luke 12:12 The Voice (VOICE)

¹² The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them.

Have you ever been faced with a difficult situation and wondered what you should say? I know I have been in that spot many times. I know for sure that when I relied on my self for the words my own tongue dug a hole for me that I could not get out of. I ended up saying something that I could not take back, showed no wisdom and ended up regretting it for a long time.

I have learned to pray in everything and give up control to God. I ask for wisdom and then for God to give me the words to say. I wait on Him to lead me in the answers I need. When I wait on Him and rely on Him the outcomes have been much better. I also ask God if He wants me to say anything at all. Many times He has advised me to be still and just speak politely without expressing my emotions or feelings.

I pray that if you are in that situation today that you will look to God for the answer. He will provide it.

Philippians 4:19 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Don't think it through. Pray through it.

Marty

No LIghtweight. 8/20/2019

Good Morning,

Here am I use me Lord, is my prayer today and my Coffee is Door County Peanut Butter Crunch. Tuesday it is and I hope it is a good one.

I Did you ever have one of those dreams where you find yourself either fighting with someone or running away from someone. No matter how many times you punch them or escape they just seem to return and nothing you do keeps them down.

Satan Tempts Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. ³ Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
⁵ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’

and,

‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not ^[a]tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

⁸ Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, ^[b]“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
¹¹ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Today I want to talk about fighting with Satan. We are fighting spiritual warfare constantly and just when we think we have laid him out he returns. That should be no surprise to us. An example would be fighting off an addiction. Let's say alcohol is one that had you in it's grip and now you have been sober for a few years. Then someone in your life leaves you and you find yourself alone. The emptiness hurts and all of a sudden the urge to deaden the pain with one drink comes. You haven't wanted a drink in years, but now the urge is back. Give Satan his due. He knows you are hurting and are vulnerable right now. He waited a long time to throw this next punch in the battle for your life.

Satan decided to take Jesus on in the battle of wills and temptation. Jesus is the Son of God. Satan was so bold that he not only tempted Jesus once he had at it three times. So don't be surprised if Satan comes at you more than once and with consistency. But fear not Jesus fights for us and if we use the same battle implements like memorizing Scripture and reciting it while being tempted. we can chase Satan away.

John 16:33 New International Version (NIV)

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

So my friends don't give in or give up. You have within you the Holy Spirit and all you need to keep fighting and not lose the battle.

Have a great day.

Marty

What Did I Get Myself Into? 8/19/2019

Good Morning,

I will be eventually starting this day with a cup of Door County Cheery Creme Coffee and a couple of oranges. It was a long night at work and the oranges are a good way to stay healthy.

Yesterday Rene and I brought our new puppy home. Now keep in mind as many of you know a new puppy needs time to adjust to different surroundings. They also need to find the potty spot outside. Our new puppy is named Leo and he did very well riding home in the Jeep. Once we arrived home we kept him on a leash and introduced him to our older dog Gibbs. As puppies will do he approached Gibbs and jumped up at him. Unfortunately for Leo his jump was met with a snarl and then a full retreat on his part. He was scared out of his mind and hid behind Rene, Then he was introduced to the inside of his new home where everything was NO!!!!

Later the little guy found out that it is also not good to bother Gibbs while he is chewing on a bone. By 8:PM our new furry family member was exhausted in his kennel sound asleep. Earlier I snapped a photo of him after he had just tangled himself up in between Rene's legs and had the garden hose drip on him at the same time. He had that look  that said "What did I get myself into"?

Isaiah 40:31 -"but they who wait for 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."

From time to time we all start something new like a marriage, new job or a new location and soon after the change occurs, we want to scream, "what did I get myself into"?  We need to remember that every day is new and that with time all things can work out and sometimes we just need to be patient.  Most of us forget that if God leads us to it, He will lead us through it.  So for today, before you quit on something, turn it over to God and ask for wisdom, patience and strength to keep going until it works out.

God bless,

Marty

I Don't Want To Play House 8/18/19

 Good Morning,

I just filled a mug with some Door County Birthday Cake Coffee and turned up the lights a little. Now it is  time  to  pray and write

The house is quiet and sunrise hasn't  happened yet. My wife is sound asleep and our dog Gibbs disappeared  to another room. I would bet that he went back to sleep  after eating

Proverbs  22:6 
Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old he will not depart from it.

I was listening to some very old classic country  music tunes yesterday. One old song described a mother listening in on a conversation her little girl was having with a little boy. They were discussing " playing house". The little girl was telling the boy that she did not want to play. She stated " I know it can be fun. I have watched Mommy and Daddy and if that's  the way it is done. I don't  want to play house". If you ever want some self induced sadness listen to some of the old country classics. But this one made me think.

The rest of the song describes a crying mommy because of a dad who left. Now we are not going to judge two fictional  characters here this morning. We will take some time to remind ourselves  that we are to set good examples for the children set into the places of our lives. This could be our own children, grandchildren, nieces  or  nephews. What we do leaves a mark on their hearts in either  a good  or  bad  way.

Little children form opinions  on what the see and experience.  If a home is led by violence a child might be prone to reacting  violently. If a child witnesses  a mom and dad praying together and is invited to join in, they are more likely to be a person of prayer. If a child witnesses  others being treated with dignity  and  respect  they are more likely  to repeat the process. If children witness truthful  parents they are more likely  to be truthful  also.

We set the tone for these kids and they should see  us reading our Bible  and be asked to sit on our laps and read along. We do need to juvenile  it down a little. But they should start experiencing  God at an early  age.  If they witness  Godly Biblical principles  being used in the home they are headed in the right direction.

Friends  we owe it to the children  of the world especially our portion of it to set a Godly example for them. We owe it to ourselves to do this. These kids will be the next family leaders.

What do you say? I think we can do this. I know we should. Let's  not wait for tomorrow. Let's  start  today.

Marty

The First Fire 8/17/19

Good Morning.

Time for a fast cup of Door County  Highlander  Grog  Coffee and then it's  time to head to church to roast corn for our annual picnic. Everyone just loves a picnic

Last night my wife Rene and I inaugurated  our new fire pit with it's  first fire. We purchased  the  pit earlier in the spring and every time  we wanted to light it up there was some reason we couldn't do it.  Weather and timing were against us all summer until last night.

We sat outside for about an hour with a small fire burning. Mosquitoes  were not invited to our simple inaugural fire. They stayed away and did not disrupt the party.

It was quiet out in our yard and neither  of us spoke very much.  We both agreed that it was a great night.  Sometimes simple is the best. Friends, now and then you just have to take a moment to enjoy the simple things  in your  life.

Ecclesiastes 4:6
 Better a handful with quietness.  Than both  hands full, together with toil and  grasping  for the wind.

So today. Keep it simple. Don't  let your first fire be the last fire.

Marty

Making It Work 8/16/19

Good Morning,

This morning finds me working on a project that will last through the weekend. So I drink my cup of Door County Cinnamon  Hazelnut  Coffee  with a smile and a prayer in my heart.

1 John 3:18/18
17. But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

18. My little children let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

I can't  recall a year in my life where some type of change occurred.  Some changes were desired  and others weren't.  This coming Sunday we will be bringing home a new puppy. Leo will be joining the family. We have been a one dog home for about 6 years now. Gibbs has been the top dog and only hunter. Now he will have to share his space, his training time and knowledge with Junior. It is our job to help both dogs adjust to an environment change.

Friends this self induced predicament  is really not an issue. It is an example. Our beloved buddy Gibbs will need some help through this as well as Leo who will wonder how he fits in.

Someone you may know might have just become widowed. They might have just lost a child to early death. A child might have moved away. Maybe after years of marriage a spouse has walked away and now one has a lonely home. It might be that a military man or woman is home alone due to a deployment  that has taken their spouse away to a foreign  land.

These friends or family of ours are going through a tough adjustment  period.

We are to care for these folks during a transition. Maybe it's  a meal that needs to be delivered or an invitation to dinner. Someone might need a babysitter. Others might need an auto repair or something fixed on the house. They might just need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on.

That's  why we are here and they are a part of our lives. We can talk about caring and give all kinds of advice and lip service. The scale of love is when we show how much we care.

Pass on the love by putting love into action.

God bless.

Marty

Counting The Good 8/15/19

Good Morning,

I just filled my cup with Door County Caramel  Pecan Scones Coffee. My tastebuds are happy to be a part of this day.

Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul. And forget not all of His benefits

There are days when life gets the best of me. I for one don't  like having my happiness  frozen because I can't  get over the immediate  circumstances.

I think we can all speak of days, months or even years like that. When I encounter that emotion or mood I need to take action. The action I take is to concentrate  on what I have and not on what I don't  have.  Basically I go and count my blessings.  Did you know that I count everyone  who reads  this as a blessing and I am grateful  for you.
Last night as I was thinking about what to write I focused on an antique ice box we repurposed to be a kitchen cabinet. The memory helped me remember buying it in Door County  at an antique  shop with my wife Rene. Our car was too small to bring it home. We returned  the following Saturday to pick it up with our truck.. I recall the trip and the conversations we had. We stopped for a dish of custard  and the day was marvelous. The blessings I counted were these.

We found what we wanted. We were together. We had jobs that allowed us to purchase the item. We have a truck that allowed us to pick it up. We traveled to and from Door County safely.

My point is this. Once you ask God to show you your blessings the list grows and grows. Once you see all the blessings your mood changes to an attitude  of  gratitude.  Bye bye blues. The formula works for me. Try it you might like it.

Marty

Let It Be. 8/14/19

Good Morning,

Wednesday is here and it seems like Monday and Tuesday some way figured out how to come and go faster. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Vanilla Cappuccino Coffee. Now it is time to pray and write.

One more day talking about wisdom.
Last week my wife and I traveled  to  Hawaii for a vacation. Part of our vacation was spent hiking around lava flows, volcano craters and sulfur pits. The sulfer pits were active with steam and smoke  rising up from cracks in the scorched ground. The smell alone without disturbing it was putrid  to say the least. Signs warned us to stay on the trail and not to wander off. Leaving the trail could stir up a whole pot of trouble. Leaving the trail could cause one to stir up the sulfer  and pollute the air one would breathe  even more than what it was.

We as people always like to get in the last word or dig up old facts or rumors and repeat them. Then we sit back and watch the calamity or rise we obtain in others by not letting it just be.

Proverbs 16:27-28 

27. An ungodly man digs up strife. And it is on his lips like burning fire. 28. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends

Just traveling  through those pits without tangling with one made both of us stink. Imagine if I just couldn't  "let it be" and I had decided  to go off the trail and explore an area I shouldn't have. I might have tripped  and fell into a hot quagmire. I would have gotten involved  in something I shouldn't  have. Thus the stink would have rubbed off on me. People, whatever it is, sometimes  it is  just best to "let it be:.

Marty

Saving For A Rainy Day 8/13/2019

Good Morning,

I just decorated the inside of my mug with some Door County Country  Morning  Blend Coffee.  With my mug next to me I am ready to share a thought .

As I continue sharing messages on wisdom it's time to talk about saving money.

My wife would say and I agree with her that we have lived a frugal  lifestyle. Some years have been easier to save some money and others were difficult. But we always tried to put away some dollars for our retirement  years and for days when things break or need to be replaced. Some believe that saving money is not Biblical. We do support our church and some other charities as God has directed us to do so.  The key is to save some ig possible of anything leftover
 At times you have to choose between frivolous  spending and saving.

Contrary to some beliefs the Bible does advise us to share and yet save for the future. It might be that God is leading you to save so you can help someone else in a greater way. Or it might be for you to have and take care of your family and yourself. Friends it is Biblical to save and we should all try to do so.

Proverbs 6:6-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief, she provides her supplies  in  the  summer and gathers her food in the harvest.

Ants work without being told to and they gather food in the harvest after putting it away in the summer

It simple you can't  spend or eat what you haven't  put away
 So saving is another example of wisdom

God bless.

Marty

Road Rage 8/12/2019

Good Morning,

Monday arrived and it could have stayed away for another 24 hours as far as I am concerned.  I just poured a cup of Door County  Cherry  Creme Coffee.  So it is now time two write.

There have been more and more violent incidents  of road rage  lately.  Road rage is when someone in another vehicle does something which angers another driver in their vehicle.

The offended driver then does something back to the offensive driver in anger. Lately there have been  incidents  where both drivers shoot  at each  other.  One incident was over a parking space. Families  joined in and there was a full blown brawl  in the parking lot. People are being killed over offending another driver.

I find this senseless  and appalling.  How dare someone take a life over a parking space?

The problem is this. We take ourselves too seriously.  We can't  see beyond our own needs and wants. God has something  to say about  it.

 Micah 6:8Version (NIV)

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly[a] with your God

My friends road rage is unacceptable  in thought or  deed. When we go off on someone over a driving encounter or a parking space we show our own hearts to the world. We could be described as lawless. Yesterday I promised to continue writing about wisdom. A wise person cares about their reputation.

Proverbs 22:1 New International Version (NIV)

22 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold

Friends keep your good name today. Keep any or all rage caged in.

God bless. 

Marty 

Not An Odor I Liked 8/11/2019

Good Morning,

I just started my day with prayer and a cup of Door County Chocolate  Cherry  Coffee.

It feels good to be outside sitting at our  patio  with your dog Gibbs and my coffee mug. Rene and I returned home last night from a week of vacation in Hawaii.

The trip was a lot of fun for us and was overdue. We packed a lot of adventure and sightseeing into a week. So much that after attending church today this will be a day of rest, as it was meant to be.

One of our day adventures took us on a volcano tour. This including hiking through sulfur pits that are still burning off. The tour guides and park rangers  give you plenty of warning that the hike has plenty of hazards and you hike at your own risk.

The waking wasn't  hard and the fumes weren't  too bad. But it was best to stay a good distance away. They were hot and noxious.

Later that night when we returned to our hotel we could still smell the sulfer smoke on our clothes and back packs. I blew my nose into a tissue and my tissue was filled with stench. That odor lingered in my nose for another whole day.

My point if the day is this. During our trip to and from the volcanoes we smelled like everyone else and really didn't  notice it until later when we rentered a clean environment. We had become polluted and fit right in.

Friends our chosen environments can be a polluted pit that over time become the accepted norm. We need yo from time to time examine the state of our hearts, motives and actions in life. We can become what we entertain as good, when it really isn't. Soon that once thought good. environment leaves us stinking from our choices. We need to stay away from the folly of the world and use Wisdom to direct our paths. The first step in obtaining wisdom is to fear God.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning  of wisdom.

Friends, I will be taking the next few days to write about Wisdom and the pursuit of ut and the consequences  of leaving it behind. So as I close for today, May God bless you and keep you. Amen

Marty

Thoughts On Pearl Harbor 8/10/2019

Good Morning,

I needed a cup of Door County Black and Tan Coffee and I found it brewing in the pot. I am blessed.

On the USS Arizona 1,177 crew members perished, making it the greatest loss of life on any U.S. warship in American history.

On December 7th 1941 The United States Pacific Fleet was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Thus fully committing the United States into World War Two. We are grateful to those who fought for our freedom.

It's hard to find many people now that can tell you where they were and what they did on the day that the attack on December 7th 1941 took place. I remember asking my grand parents what happened that they could remember.

They explained that most people sat around the radio waiting for news to come through. They also said that since it was a Sunday most people went back to church and the church was crowded. Many people were there, more than on other Sundays. It seems as if this great tragedy caused more people to seek refuge in God.

Why wait for tragedy to strike? We can make God our daily refuge. You know we are as close to God as we choose to be. I challenge all of you to spend more time in prayer today. Embrace the Mighty Fortress. Be as close as you can be to the Great I Am.

 Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

God bless,

Marty

Heaven. Just Think About It 8/9/2019

Good Morning,
Door County Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee filled to the rim of my cup. Is going to start my day
Christmas is just a few months away!!!

Revelation 21:4-8

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

My wife and I travel to see our daughter and her family every year. We travel from Wisconsin to Florida. The planning is always exciting. What are we going to do? What are we gifts are we purchasing for Christmas? Then comes the drive to Florida. It always seems that on the way to Florida the trip goes faster than the return trip home. The homeward bound trip seems to take forever. I think the reason is that we are looking forward to getting to Florida to see our family. The excitement of talking about it makes the trip go faster. When we return home all we have are memories and laundry to do. Not too exciting.

If you have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, repented of your sins, and accepted the free gift of forgiveness then you know for sure you are going to heaven eternally some day. No tears, no crime, no lust, no liars. What a place!!!! And best of all Jesus will be there. I think we should talk about heaven more. Many are on the trip. It sure would be a great way to pass the time just getting excited about it.  If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior do so today. Pray and invite Him in. If you do let me know!

God bless,
Marty

Driving In The Snow 8/8/2019

Good Morning,

I certainly could use a cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee right now, but I have to wait until later.

 Living in Wisconsin does allow me to experience snow storms. My vehicles of choice have four wheel drive. And believe me it comes in handy. During those storms I try to travel roads that are well known to me. The four wheels keep me on the right path. But I could choose not to use the four wheels and drive roads that are not familiar. I would be on the WRONG path and headed for trouble.

— Psalm 16:8 —
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

By saying I "will not be shaken," David was talking about the unique sense of security felt by believers. God does not exempt believers from the day to day circumstances of life. Believers and unbelievers alike experience pain, trouble, and failure at times (Matthew 5:45). Unbelievers have a sense of hopelessness about life and confusion over their true purpose on earth. Those who seek God, however, can move ahead confidently with what they know is right and important in God's eyes. They know that God will keep them from being moved off of his chosen path.

How many of your wheels are engaged with God? Are you on the right path today?

God bless,

Marty