A Night Of Prayer 6/30/2024

 Good Morning,

My mug was just filled with very hot Door County Irish Cream Coffee on this fine morning, and it is time to share my thoughts. 

Matthew 18:20 KJV Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them. 

Last night after our weekly Saturday night church service several of us gathered to pray. We do this once a month and the length of time spent praying varies. We don't set a time limit on how long we will pray together. We let the Holy Spirit guide us as to who or what we are praying for. Some how we just know when to end the sweet hour or two of prayer. The group shares prayer requests and whoever wants to pray aloud goes ahead as led by the Holy Spirit. 

This little band of warriors at first, doesn't look like much to the eye. But if I were in a spiritual battle I would want them at my side. They don't know the word retreat, and fear of the world is not found within them. I wish there were more people like these who faithfully gather to seriously pray and intercede for many people and their causes. 

I for one leave the prayer gathering fulfilled and content every time. What and who is prayed for is kept confidential as it should be. Many people will never know that on a Saturday evening a small band of people prayed for them. Very often someone in the group requests prayer for people I don't even know. But no prayer request has ever gone without someone praying over it. 

Give me a small group of prayer warriors who are willing to pray regularly and I will show you truly holy ground. I consider it a blessing, and an honor to gather with these battle hardened warriors. Last night heaven came down and it's glory filled my soul.

As the world turns each day and wars abound, elections are on the horizon and sickness still is flourishing, we need more and more prayer. I for one know where I will be on the last Saturday of July. Who knows, if you are reading this you might be one of many who are or were prayed for.

God bless,

Marty

Sacrificing Your Freedom 6/29/2024

 Good Morning. 

I have with me at my side two Springer Spaniels and a hot cup of Door County Irish Cream Coffee. It is time to write. 

Proverbs 25:26 Like a muddied spring or polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 

In this country we are allowed to legally own and in most states carry a firearm. I will openly admit that I own a few weapons myself. I purchased them legally and have a permit to carry one for protection. The others in my vault are used for hunting or target shooting. They are individually locked and kept in a vault. This is a safe practice for gun ownership. There is no excuse for a child to find and play with a loaded gun. 

The last thing I ever want to do is to have to use one of my firearms against anyone. But I have the freedom to protect myself and my family. I will do so if and when the need should arise. I pray that it doesn't. 

Here's a thought about freedom. We should place great value on being free. What I am seeing every night on the news are examples of people not placing value on their freedom or the freedom of others.

Young thugs just the other day shot up a vehicle at a fuel station and killed two children. The children had all of their potential accomplishments and their freedoms ended by someone who doesn't value their own. These thugs if caught will hear the jail door slam and it will be the start of their freedom-less life.  Besides that, the freedom to have a clear conscience was stripped  from them when they loaded the gun, which was probably obtained illegally.  I for one value being able to be free to own a home, fly a flag, attend a church, love my neighbors and celebrate  what God has given us. People talk freedom, freedom, freedom, when at any given moment they are willing to jeopardize their own freedom and the freedom of others. 

Food for thought!

Marty

Worldly Treasures 6/28/2024

 Good Morning,

I made it to my desk finally this morning and it is a good start to a Friday. I have a hot cup of Door County Grasshopper Coffee at my side and it is time to write. 

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20. But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal, 21. For where your treasure is m there your heart will be also.

This is a simple lesson for Friday.  Take a look at your bank ledger sheet and see where the majority of your dollars go each month. Examine the time it took for you to start and complete each of your entries. This is the first way to see if anything goes to God. 

If you are honest, you will find that there are at least two things that take up most of your time. Your profession will be number 1 and number 2 should be family. Then comes the hobbies and it will cut into family time if you let it. Your list will include daily living chores as well. Somewhere on that list needs to be time allotted for your walk with God. In that walk time should be allotted for prayer, study, and service to God.  A simple spread sheet will reveal to you where your heart is. In you daily speech, don't tell others that God is first when on the ledger He comes in last. 

Food for thought on a Friday.

Marty 

Diligence With Your Finances 6/27/2024

 Good Morning,

My desk seems to be a little more of a nice place to be this morning. The sun is pouring through the upstairs window and it is time to write. My mug is filled with Door County Grasshopper Coffee. 

Proverbs 10:4 A slack hand produces poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 

A few weeks ago I retired from a job that I held for almost five years. Prior to that I worked in health care for 38 years. I am happy to say that both places had a retirement plan that I participated in. As I retired from the latest company I decided to access the money in the account and reinvest it with a reputable company. You could say that I am managing my money. We planned ahead to greet our old age. Just like squirrels we took money a little at a time and put it away for this day. 

The point for the day is this. Time stands still for no one. Sooner or later you will need to leave the work force and then survive. It is perfectly fine for people to work well beyond retirement age if they can do so. But , it is also a good idea if you are able to, participate in a savings plan for retirement. 

Pray over your investments and your finances in general. Check out every angle before you invest. Test the company out with a little before you give them a lot to work with. 

So that is what we are doing today. My wife Rene and I are entrusting the smaller amount now available to me with a company that comes highly recommended and is not who handles the larger portions of our finances. You could say we are are adding some diversity to our bank our accounts. 

Thank God if you have money to invest and pray for the people who manage the account and ask God to bless them with wisdom and honesty. 

Food for thought!

Marty

A Lesson From Dad 6/26/2024

 Good Morning,

There is a hot cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee siting on a plate next to me at my desk and it is time to write. Yesterday would have been my parents 69th wedding anniversary. Although they have passed on I still celebrate the day a little, by just remembering them on their big day. I promised to share something I learned from each of them and now it is Dad's turn to have one of his many lessons shared. 

Matthew 23:3 ESV So do and observe what they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach but do not practice. 

Proverbs 16:18 ESV Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 

I received the assignment from my dad to paint the exterior of our home when I was about 13 years old. Dad went to Sears and purchased enough paint for me to start and finish the job. He said with weather permitting I would be done in five days. Our home was a small single story Cape Cod type house, so it really wasn't a large task but just enough to keep a 13 year old busy for 5 days.  You still needed to use an extension ladder at the the peaks of the house. The paint job also included the trim work in white and that was a little more detailed. In order to do the job correctly removal of the old flaked paint required scraping the house and cleaning up the paint chips. So the house looked a lot worse before it looked better. 

I started in on the scraping portion of the work and found out that a thirteen year old will sooner than later decide that moving a ladder is a pain and reaching beyond safe limits is an approach to finish the work quicker and more efficiently. 

Everything was going smoothly until the ladder I was using tipped and slipped a little, causing me to fall from the ladder and land on my backside. Dad heard the noise and knew what happened and the ensuing chewing out of a 13 year old began. Physically I was fine, but after hearing what the cost of paint was at least 5 times, and then how to safely use a ladder to OSHA standards and how my unsafe use of the ladder would be the cause of the next 5 wars, I was humbled beyond belief, yet allowed to safely paint the home. It was an experience in ladder use I never have forgotten.

Now here is the lesson for the day and I wish Dear old Dad were here for me to give that lesson right back to him . Many, many years later Dad needed to do some roof repairs on his home at the lake. He told me by telephone of his need to do those repairs. Dad was 84 years old and I told him that I could do those repairs on the weekend when I came for a visit. It would be best for him to stay off of a ladder. I was reminded of who brought me into this world and that he had been climbing ladders before I was born and my insult of his abilities would be the cause of the cause of the next 4 wars and two financial crashes. I was reminded of who taught me ladder safety after I fell ( I did not spill any paint. That detail was added to the story as years went by)

This story has an ending. Guess who did not secure the ladder from sliding on the gutter? Oh yes Mr. OSHA approved Senior Schutte had his ladder move while coming off of the roof and my cousin's husband found him the next day, dead from the fall. 

Lesson learned Dad. Practice what you preach and "there are no short cuts to safety."  At least that was the lesson I learned.!  Friends, there are no short cuts to safety and pride goes before the fall. 

 Love to all,

Marty

Remember The Day 6/25/2024

 Good Morning,

I am sitting at my desk drinking a cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee and it is time to write. 

Today would have been my parents wedding anniversary. That grand total of years would number 69 now and even though they have both passed on I still try to observe that big day each year with a cup of coffee and a smile. 

Colossians 3:20 ESV Children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Today and tomorrow I will take a lesson I learned from each of them and pass it on. Today would be Mom's day to pass on some wisdom. I figured it out at a very early age one thing Mom insisted on was having the right tools for us kids to learn with. It was Mom who made sure we had library cards and the valuable lesson of returning books on time. Mom saved up enough money to purchase a full set of the encyclopedias. Then when we had some question about anything we were sent to the book shelf and we were taught how to mine for knowledge. When it came to history and if it were possible, all of the questions on ancient history and the years that were associated with our question were coordinated with dates in history within the Bible. 

I for one was bored just by the word encyclopedia, yet my sister thrived on straight A's and this approach worked well with her. As for our younger brother he was more into science and experiments. I wasn't around much for his formative years although I was blamed for being a bad example to him. But I am positive that Mom made sure he had the latest calculator or whatever he needed in the arena of learning.

My point for the day is this. There is so much to know now, and I thought it was bad back in the day. There are conveniences now like Google, the web in general, and my favorite "YouTube". I don't watch much in the way of television but I have been known to spend some time perusing the History Channel.

Parents need to be even more diligent in keeping the kids focused, interested and assisted at times so they can say later in life, "I had the opportunity to learn. Thank you Mom and Dad, Even for the discipline". 

Hang in there parents! Children obey your parents!

Your kids need you.

Marty

Going My Way? 6/24/2024

 Good Morning,

It is a beautiful morning in our part of this world. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee and it is time to write. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. 23. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The sunrise has begun and there isn't a could in the sky. God has constructed a beautiful morning complete with music. The song birds are filling the air with a concert from heaven. If I were to order a day like this from Amazon, it would start just like this when I opened the box. 

Now I really can't order up a day and have it delivered to me. I can however decide as to how I will greet the day given to me. 

1. Be thankful for another day.

2. Be content in all things during the day.

3. Accept the things you cannot change.

4. If anything needs to change from the menu of this day and you can change it. Do so.

It's a day given to you, make the best of it and pass on goodwill to those you encounter on this day.

God bless,

Marty

A Thought For A Rainy Sunday Morning. 6/23/2024

 Good Morning,

 I just sat down at my desk and next to me lying on the floor are our two English Springer Spaniels . They were outside running in the rain laden grass and have been fed. Pretty soon they will be asleep, but ready to roll the minute I move.  I am drinking a stiff cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee. Life is good. 

About forty five minutes ago I placed a pork shoulder roast in the smoker closed the lid and I will check it in about five hours. If my calculations are correct the large roast will be done in 8-10 hours. I am taking it very slowly and am in no rush to be finished. 

Rene and I will be attending a wedding today for two good friends of ours and that also is very low key and I am looking forward to a great time celebrating with them. 

My point for letting you know what we are doing this morning and today is just to help set a pattern of having us all enjoy our Sunday. If you did not attend church last night , make sure that your Sunday includes the Lord and worship with your friends and family. 

Take some time to pray for peace in the world and specifically for peace in your own home and your own life. Enjoy your coffee, tea or juice slowly and be thankful for all of your blessings. 

Last but not least. Take some time away from trying to prove yourself to the world. Your accomplishments, although important, do not make you or break you. You are already significant in the eyes of God. He sent His Son to die in your place. That is what makes you significant! Not what you accomplish today. Everything that sits in front of me at this desk or on the walls could all be gone tomorrow. But no matter what calamity or my own death can rob me from being a child of a King. 

Romans 8:31-39 NLT What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32. Since He did not spare even His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, won't He also give us everything else? 33. Who dares accuse us, whom God has chosen for His own? No one,- For God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34. Who then will condemn us? No one. -For Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. 

35. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it  mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  36. As the Scriptures say, ("For your sake we are killed every day, we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37. No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 

38. I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love. Neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, - not even the powers of hell, can separate us from God's love. 39. No power in the sky above or in the earth below, indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us, from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Food to munch on this morning. You are loved. Even the silly hat my mother dressed me in can't separate me from the Love of God. 

Marty

Thankful For The Rain 6/22/2024

 Good Morning,

I have a hot cup of Door County Sunrise Roast Coffee next to me and it is time to write. 

I woke up to the sound of rain coming down on the house. It wasn't rain from a powerful storm, but it was enough to water our property. We needed the rain, and all around us, it has been raining except for our little area of the world. So the sound of the rain coming down was like good music to my ears. 

Psalm 30:12 That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. 

Usually on Saturdays or Sundays I reflect on the last week and find a blessing or two to be thankful for. Today that rain is the source of praise as well as many other things. But it is the rain that waters our land and keeps our flowers and vegetables growing. I am looking forward to the first tomato that will be cleaned on my shirt and eaten in the garden. I have a small camping salt and pepper shaker I use to help me enjoy my walk to the garden, and it will help me to celebrate that first tomato. I have been doing that for so many years that I can't recall just when that ritual began. A little seasoning on that tomato and I am in veggie heaven. 

In closing, I believe that all things taste better when we are thankful to the One who created gardens and blesses us with the fruit of our labors. 

Have a great day. Pick out something and to be thankful for and let God know that you appreciate the blessing. Thankfulness is fruit for the soul.

Have a great day!

Marty

The Road Can Be Long. Don't Make It Longer. 6/21/2024

 Good Morning,

I just sat down at my desk with a hot cup of Door County Sunrise Roast Coffee. It is time to write.

Hebrews 10:26 ESV For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.

Yesterday I met a lady who actually knew me from my past. I worked for the same Health Organization as she still does and she recalls seeing me at the hospital where she works. You never know who you will meet while training your dog. During the day, I noticed she was limping a little and I inquired about it. She told me that she has two bad knee joints and she will be replacing them very soon. I remarked that I was very familiar with that process, as I had my two knees replaced a few years ago. She inquired as to any advice I could offer.

I replied, "Yes ! Just do everything the care team tells you to do. Do it just like they explained it to you. Do it as often as they would like for you to do. Don't do the things they tell you to stay away from. Be diligent in your therapy and know that the therapy will be uncomfortable. But do it! You own your knees and it is up to you to desire and pursue the healing."

Friends this process also goes hand in hand when overcoming addictions or relationship repairs. If you have the habit of lying for instance, even one little lie taints the whole recovery process. One little lie takes you right back to square one and before you know it, you are back to lying repeatedly and at will. Omitting the truth is a form of lying or sugar coating the "actual" with a pleasant story.

Beating an addiction of substance abuse does not allow for even a little white powder or whiskey. God does not bless efforts that allow for sin to be mixed in with the actual healing process. Right is always right. Correct is never filled with anything contrary to correct. And a road filled with excuses is never a smooth haul.

Like knee replacements, once committed to healing of the heart and soul, it is up to you to follow the "plan of care" to obtain optimal results and a better life. Anything less than following God's plans will not be successful.

Food for thought on this Friday!

Marty

Sometimes Ice Is Your Friend 6/20/2024

 Good Morning,

The day ahead is starting with Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and a small breakfast of peaches and melon. It is time to write. 

Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that you be not judged, 2. For what judgement you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 

On Friday our daughter will be having shoulder repairs done, so you know what I will be praying for. Of course I will be praying for a quick recovery and minimum pain. She and I were talking about the post operative pain and since I am a veteran of the shoulder repairs I cautioned her against letting the pain get out of control. I did say however that ice packs on my shoulder did wonders for my pain control. In this instance a cold shoulder is therapeutic. 

When it comes to relationships, a cold shoulder toward someone is a basic way of letting them know that for the immediate time or for the long haul they are not your favorite person. We snub them socially and it usually is apparent to other folks as well. 

I have been taught by experience, it is easier to forgive than to administer the cold shoulder treatment to others. Sooner or later the cold shoulder boomerangs to us and we are known as one who cannot forgive and we think that we are perfect. People decide that we are not worth the risk in friendship and we begin to get the cold shoulder. We lose out on social invitations, and find ourselves lonely just because we carry a grudge.

Learn to forgive and withhold the cold shoulder treatments from others so you don't have to experience what you practice. 

Have a great day!

Marty

Don't Blame Your Shoes 6/19/2024

 Good Morning,

Today is beginning with a hot cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and prayer. It is time to write. 

Proverbs 26:11 NIV As A dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.

Well I am still retired and so far I am doing pretty well with it. I have officially retired my work shoes. You might laugh, but here is a little story about my work shoes. Shortly after starting work for this last company I cracked a bone in my foot. It bothered me for quite some time and I had to spend a ridiculous amount of money for a really good pair of shoes that offered stability and support. I wore those shoes for 4 years. I always said to my wife that when I can't polish and shine the shoes anymore it will be time to retire. It was definitely time to retire or purchase new shoes. 

Romans 14:12 ESV So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. 

Galatians 6:5 ESV Each will have to bear his own load.

In the last two weeks I have received 3 pretty good job offers and all have been turned down. But, I sat down and really thought about one of them. The temptation was truly powerful. I will be tossing out those old work shoes today. It seems like those shoes just keep walking me back to working.

I will blame the shoes for my mind puzzle. But here is the lesson. I can't compare wanting to work as a sin. But for now it is not where God wants me. We cannot blame anyone or anything for going back to the sins we need to leave behind. Going back to what is not good for us or others, cannot be blamed on someone else or on circumstances. It is our choice and only our choice to walk back to things best left behind. My worn out shoes were beginning to hurt my feet, yet I was still going back to them. Going back to sins you left behind can be hurtful to yourself and others. 

Where do the shoes of your heart keep you walking back to?

Food for thought. 

Marty 

Ripe Peaches And A Time To Be Thankful 6/18/2024

 Good Morning,

Door County Highlander Grog Coffee made a splash down into my cup and now it is time to write. 

Psalm 136:1 ESV Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever/ 

The other day I was able to purchase some Georgia peaches which always is a highlight to my summer. Those peaches were ripe, sweet and ready to eat. Yesterday I made some sun tea and added some peach juice to the tea. I refrigerated it and had my first glass of Sweet Peach Tea for the summer. 

For our area of the world, yesterday was quite hot outside and it looks like today will be the same way. Every television channel made sure to advise us all to stay hydrated and as cool as possible. I plan on going about my chores today and some of them will be outside in the heat. I can tell you already that I will follow the advice and stay hydrated with that naturally sweet tea. I will look up toward heaven and say, "Thank you Lord for hot days and sweet tea." We are to be thankful in all things even for the simple things like sweet peach tea, a large glass and a hand full of ice cubes. 

So in heat or cold always look for a silver lining and enjoy that hot coffee or that cold tea with thankfulness in your heart!

God bless,

Marty

Be Careful. God Is A Jealous God

 Good Morning,

My desk is welcoming me this morning as a place of peace and tranquility. My cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee is a friend to me. It is time to write.

Joshua 24:19 NKJV But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve the Lord, For He is a holy God. He is a jealous God, He will not forgive your transgression nor your sins."

Exodus 20:3 NKJV "You shall have no other gods before Me."

Job 1:21 NKJV And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb. And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord"

Many people run the risk of making God jealous and angry, by simply placing other people or things in a priority where God is not number one. It is easy to see by just looking at your personal calendar and see if church attendance or service to the Lord is even there. 

When we think of having no other gods, before the Lord God Almighty, we think of little statues that people bow before and pray to that piece of decorated clay. In reality it could be hobbies, other people, jobs, egos, pets, alcohol, drugs, or things such as cars, or homes. 

Things that cause a person to not serve or worship God are the idols that come first in our lives. We then pray and ask God to bless us and we will all admit that God knows what is best for us.  So we run the risk of God taking away what hinders us from serving Him and gathering in worship. If God is to bless us, it might be that He needs to remove the barricades we have erected that keep us from Him.

At times we really just need to rearrange our priorities. God first, family second, and I am third. 

Matthew 6:33 NKJV But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added  to you. 

Food for thought.

Marty

Fathers Day 6/16/2024

 Good Morning,

Door County Cherry Creme Coffee is in my Thermos bottle and it is time for me to write.

Psalm 103:13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

In the United States we are celebrating Fathers today/ I took some time to thank God for all the things my dad did for me and my siblings. He died few years ago and at times I miss him dearly. I could draft a long list of the things Dad taught me and a long, long list of what he did for me. 

The one thing he taught me and did for me was to set an example of "being there". Us three kids all had a run in with the world now and then and somehow, someway, Dad would show up and try to help us out of a mess, provide a chewing out when we needed it, and showed his love by just being there. 

I recall being 4 or 5 years old and I was severely ill. My predicament led to me being hospitalized. At that time our dad worked second shift. I woke up one night as sick as good be in the hospital, and looked over to the chair next to my bed and there was my dad. He came to the hospital after working 8 hours and sat with me through the night. He saved a half of his lunch sandwich (bologna with mustard)  on white bread. Swallowing was difficult for me. Dad took little pieces of the sandwich and dipped them into water to soften the bread. A little later I fell asleep with my dad holding my hand. Somewhere in the night I woke up again and that tired man was asleep in the chair but still holding my hand. In the morning my aunt came and relieved my dad so he could go home and catch some better sleep before going back to work. My mother asked him what he would like in his lunch box and he told her to pack another bologna sandwich as well as another half sandwich because he had a man he wanted to share it with. I was that man. One day when I was older she told me the story of the man and the boy and how the man shared his lunch with a man to be. I will never forget that act of compassion. 

So dads as best as you can with however you can, let your kids know how much they mean to you and if it came to them surviving you would give them your lunch and go without. Happy Father's Day!

God bless,

Marty

Slinging Mud Not A Good Idea 6/15/2024

 Good Morning,

Door County Cherry Creme Coffee is in my cup and the time has come for me to write.

On our recent vacation, our travels took us to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The park is full of God's wondrous nature. On one particular day we stopped in the park to see natural steam and mud which were like small volcanos. That mud was intensely hot and did not have a pleasant odor. However it is  good fodder for my message today. The little volcanos were not controlled as to when they would flow. They were unpredictable but somewhat regular. It reminds me of a person who does not think before they speak and you never really know what will come out of their mouths, especially if they have a little anger within them urging them to speak.

I learned a long time ago that you cannot take back the words that fly out from your mouth. The words are often like that steam heated mud. They can burn relationships and they provide an odor that is pungent and sickening. 

I think if we practiced self control over our mouths, the world would be just a little bit better of a place. The mud flow never returned to it's cave, once out, it heated the land and air  around it and left an odor that we could still smell on our clothes later on in the day. 

My friends a little mouth control goes a long way in keeping the peace. Kind words or no words at all are a better self policy and make for a sweeter aroma in life.

God bless. 

Marty

When Lies Become The Truth 6/14/2024

 Good Morning,

It's good to be back at my desk not only writing, but also enjoying a hot cup of Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee. 

I was led to get very serious today for some reason and here it goes! People who are habitual liars run three risks in practicing the sin of lying. 

1. They tell so many lies and tell the same lies so often, they begin to believe their own lies. After performing cover up after cover up, they can't really remember the truth and decide that it is just easier to keep up with a a lie, than to come clean as to their untruths. Lying basically reconstructs the memory and not in a good way.

2. Lying is a sin and when we lie we separate ourselves from God. 

Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies. 

3. God does correct the liars, but at the same time He might give them what they were lying about.  For instance, when we use work as an excuse for not serving the Lord, and saying to others, "I would serve but I just don't have time." "Or I don't feel good." It could be that God snares us in your own lies. You could lose your job and in all reality you just used the job as your excuse. Now without a job you are less busy and no longer have an excuse. God has confronted you!  Using your health as an excuse when you really are fine, could cause God to allow you to be really ill. Once again He has confronted you. 

Proverbs 6:2 You are snared by the words of your mouth, you are taken by the words of your mouth.

God takes lying seriously. 

Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies, will perish. 

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight. 

 Some serious food for thought!

Marty

When It Is Hot, Go Swimming 6/13/2024

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to write and next to me is a hot cup of Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee. It is time to write. 

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

Yesterday the weather heated up and it is supposed to be hot today as well. I decided yesterday afternoon that after dinner I was going to take our two dogs swimming. In addition to our two dogs we have our nephews' dog also staying with us while he is out of town. So after dinner I packed up some training dummies and headed to a local pond. I wasn't really interested in any training of the dogs, I just wanted them to play and enjoy the cool water. 

Those three were bundles of energy and they ran and swam for about thirty minutes. I dried them off with towels and took them home. All three of them were asleep by 9:00 PM . They were content, cool and secure.  Those dogs are like children to us and my point for the day is this. I threw dummies into the water for them to retrieve and all three experienced the fun of playing fetch. On the way home I had the windows open on the truck and of course they had their noses into the wind like dogs do.  Sometimes dads have to stop being serious for awhile and just play with the kids. I can vividly remember the times my own dad stopped what he was doing just to play a little basketball with me and my friends. All three of those dogs are well trained to hunt and last night just needed to be play time.

So dads, now and then you just have to be a kid again yourself. The water is always more refreshing when dad is in there with you. There is a time to be serious and then there is a time for fun.

God bless,

Marty

Strength Of The Heart 6/12/2024

 Good Morning,

I once again am sitting at my desk drinking a hot cup of Door County Irish Cream Coffee and I am enjoying every drop of it.

Psalm 72:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

I have watched and participated in many sporting events long enough to be able to spot a person, or animal that competes with their heart. They might be a touch weaker or slower, but they give all they can to an event and even though the skill level might be lower, they participate with all the heart they have. 

They somehow dig down and have more energy, strength, and guts than you would expect from them. I listened to a young man talk about his wife, who is battling cancer. He told me that she is fighting off this deadly disease with everything she can muster. She told him that although in reality it does not look good,  each day she just asks for the strength to make it one more day. She does not anticipate healing, but wants to be a mom and wife each day until God calls her home. Bed ridden, she still reads to her two children nightly and is writing a book of advice for them and her husband. 

She credits God for the time and extra needed strength. You might be in some battle during this day and it might be stealing all of your strength, but remember who strengthens your heart. God is in the fight with you and gives you more strength of heart. Let Him be the Lord of your heart today.

God bless,

Marty

A Little Late Today 6/11/2024

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to a hot cup of Door County Irish Cream Coffee and it is time to write. 

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 

My wife Rene and I just returned home late last night or you could say early this morning from an extended vacation to see some of the Western states in America. To say the very least the last day was a long travel day and I for one am still pretty tired. 

We were able to visit some close friends at the same time which is way overdue. I would have to give this vacation an A Plus grade. So this will be short and sweet for today. We spent quality time together, pouring over maps and routes to take and what we would like to see during our trek to the national parks. Anything that was desired to be seen was planned into the days we had and our days also held some surprises. 

It was funny to be looking one way at a herd of buffalo and then just to see one of them right next to the car. That and a bear that was too close for comfort worked to raise the blood pressure and pulse rate a little.  Everyone of our meals left nothing to complain about and our accommodations were perfect. 

We are praying as to what and where is next on the list, Lord willing. Now it is time to get back into our routine at home and to be grateful for what God allowed us to do and see. 

Tomorrow we will be blogging on strength of the heart. God bless.

Marty 

Making The Moments Last 6/10/2024

 Good Morning,

I started this day early with a hot cup of hotel coffee and soon we will be headed to the airport. Our last night was spent in Park City Utah at the Grand Summit Lodge. 

Yesterday was really the last day of our vacation and we are both sad to see it end. We have a lot of people to thank for making this a holiday to remember. We will reach out to them individually this next week. We took a lot of photographs each day so as to keep our memories alive and well until we make some new ones. 

Retired now for two weeks and besides seeing the sites I was able to catch some reading time at night. I got caught up with a Bible study I am in and it feels good. My reading seemed to enhance my prayer time and my prayer time enhanced all of the memories. The natural sites seemed better when my heart was in the right place. Nature always reminds me of our Creator, and Father God. 

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

We will leave for home tomorrow and my heart will be full of God's majesty and the peace He gives.

Seek God with all your heart and enjoy walking with Him.

Marty

Sometimes You Just Need Some Inspiration 6/9/2024

 Goof Morning,

My last day in Cody Wyoming has me drinking some more hotel coffee. I must admit that I am a little spoiled with my supply of Door County Coffee. It is time to write. 

Yesterday we continued our exploration of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. We decided to see The Grand Canyon Of The Yellow Stone

My wife Rene and I didn't do much talking yesterday. I think the fast pace of this vacation caught up with us. We both lacked an ample supply of energy.

While driving to the canyon to see another of God's beautiful creations, I was praying about today's blog. That is when another sign jumped out and I knew that my focus would be on what I saw of the canyon.

We viewed the canyon from the top and it did remind me of the Grand Canyon in Arizona,  There was beauty to be seen from top to bottom. I imagined what it would be like to be stranded at the bottom of the canyon. I knew for certain that without more gear, food and water that if I were stranded down there I would probably not make it out. I would have to look up and figure out my step by step moves to even attempt to get out of there.

Friends, we all go through canyons or valleys of pain, doubt and fear. They seem to have us looking up for a way out. The key is that we need to look up, and seek God in prayer to bring us through and up out of valleys of depression, doubt, fear and uncertainty. Prayer and faith in God are the supplies we need. When we call upon the Lord, we can see the love of His care  for us. The valley walls remain high, yet when we look for God and He caries us, we can see the beauty of the canyons we are in.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, conviction of things not seen,

Jeremiah 33:3 Call out to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. 

God can take dark valleys and turn them into beauty when we see Him at work in our lives. 

God bless,

Marty

Climbing Higher 6/8/2024

 Good Morning,

Three more days and we will be home and I will be drinking some Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee. It is time to write. 

Yesterday while visiting Yellowstone National Park our day took us into traveling at night. We packed a lot into one day. Exiting the park had us driving up one mountain and down another. Evening seems to bring out more animals to the roads. As we rounded a curve and started out descent to a lower elevation, we encountered 10 mountain goats blocking the road. They were a humorous bunch of little clowns. They had come up from below the mountain and were playing at the top. 

My point for the day is this. God created the goats with the ability to climb mountains. The goats are sure footed and where we would stumble and crash many feet below, they are able to play.

We face many trials in our lives during our walk through this world. The trials might seem like mountains that we need to climb. We aren't always equipped to conquer those mountains alone. The death of a loved one,  bitter divorce, or the loss of a job might keep us in the valley of despair. But with every mountain there is a hand available to help us climb to higher ground.

Isaiah 41:13 NIV For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear, I will help you."

The climb might be steep and long but we are never alone.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. 

If you are reading this today, you have been prayed for.

God bless,

Marty 

Growing Straight And Tall 6/7/2024

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of coffee. It is not my usual brand but one should be content with what is served.

In our quest to visit some of the United States National Parks my wife Rene and I have logged plenty of time in our car. We have discussed many subjects while traveling and have listened to the radio just enough to hear the national and world news a few times a day. During one of our travel stretches in the Rocky Mountains the subject came up as to how amazing it is to see the forest growth and the trees on the side of mountains. Back in Wisconsin where we live there really a just big hills and a small mountain or two. What had us talking about the trees on the mountains was their growth on a steep incline. 

Although a mountain side can be very steep the trees grow vertically and very straight toward the sky. It is a beautiful thing to see. I can't even guess as to how old these trees are, but they all are reaching upward. I know that the sun and the trees need for sunlight has them reaching up to grow and get all the sun nutrients they need. 

Point of the day is this. As long as we live on this planet we are to be growing spiritually in our relationship with God. It is hard to grow when our eyes are not on God and we get consumed by our daily activities, work, family, and just plain old being too busy. Our growth gets stunted and we are likely to bend in the wrong directions in our lives. 

Psalm 92:12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar in Lebanon. 

The trees do not possess a brain to make choices. They know what they need and they pursue it. We on the other hand allow our choices to dictate just how we grow. Unfortunately once we begin to bend, the results of bending can have a permanent damage on our lives. Every day wasted in pursuit of laziness or evil is not a day that we can get back. A tree that is bent for some reason or another will show that something drew it away from a straight growth. Our lives are often a reflection of the times we looked away from God and did not spend enough time in the Son. 

Which way are you growing today? It might just be that you need to stop and refocus and look up.

Food for thought. 

Marty

It Took More Than A Spray Can 6/6/2024

 Good Morning,

It is our last day in Kalispell Montana. We have to say goodbye to Glacier National Park and head to Cody Wyoming. Hotel coffee just isn't cutting it. It is time to write. 

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth.

We have been traveling by car from Parker Colorado to three national parks on a route that will end in Salt Lake City Utah. Needless to say we have driven by countless freight trains with box cars that seemed to be strung together a hundred or more in a line. My wife Rene remarked at how much graffiti has been painted on the side of the box cars. I can't imagine how much spray paint it took to paint up the sides of a box car. The time it took to criminally paint the cars has to be mind boggling. 

Some of the graffiti actually showed some talent, but what did it accomplish except to damage private property? 

Then once we reached three national parks we saw how God decorated His earth for us to see. His brush stroke gave us beauty beyond belief. God is the ultimate artist.

I believe these misguided artists would do well to put their thoughts on canvas, and then share them at an art show. They soon would find out that graffiti is not really art and accomplishes nothing. As the trains rumble through road crossings we all have to see damage done to private property, we watch a crime pass by. 

I am not sure what can be done with this. But if you have a child at home and they smell like spray paint, you might want to find out why they smell like paint. 

If they were to try and imitate God, they would paint a canvas that the world would want to see. Not their vandalism.

God bless, 

Marty

Wisdom Says "Don't Mess Around" 6/5/2024

 Good Morning,

I am taking some time this morning to drink a hot cup of  hotel coffee. I am having a great trip but I sure could use a cup Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee. I need to quit whining!

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

On our tour of United States national parks we stopped in to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Park in North Dakota. I was  driving the car through the park on a steep road with many hills and twists and turns. Just after taking a curve slowly, to my left was a decent sized herd of buffalo grazing in some sweet grass.

There wasn't anyone but my wife and I on the road, so we stopped to view those bison and capture a couple photos. I opened the car window and shot a couple of photos through the window opening. . I was going to stay put and take a couple more when a big one which had been lying down stood up. I never thought an animal that big could stand up that fast. It was time to move on and not upset that big boy. 

Later while listening to the radio in the car, a news caster spoke on "National Park Safety". "If you are visiting a national park this summer, give the animals room to roam and stay in your vehicles." He then explained that an 82 year old woman was gored by a buffalo recently at one of the parks. 

My point for the day is this. Sometimes things just scream "Leave It Alone". We need to exercise caution and common sense when interacting with wild animals. The parks are dotted with reminders to only view the critters from a safe distance and not to approach them. I feel bad for the family of the lady who was killed and I pray for them. 

I always say "Good advice given and not taken" is a fools own folly." And at times the cost of our foolishness is deep and wide.

God bless,

Marty

Feeling Kind Of Small 6/4/2024

 Good Morning, 

Hotel coffee again for me as I prepare to greet this day. It is time to write. 

My wife and I continue our travels to experience several of the National Parks for a few days. After seeing and experiencing snow covered mountains in the Rocky Mountain Range it became difficult for me not to feel small and unworthy to even see the beauty held within just one of the parks. My wife Rene volunteered to help with the driving later yesterday and she asked me what was on my mind. I explained  that I was in awe of the splendor we saw up close. It made me feel small and insignificant. I have never created anything and then arranged it so that photographers flock to capture the beauty on film. 

The park was very busy and photos were being taken by the hundreds.  I realized that on one of the mountain sides was a horned sheep. As big as it would be experienced close up, it looked like a moving speck on the mountain.  That describes  just how I felt. There is non other like our God, who created everything including you and me. 

Isaiah 40:12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

Food for thought?

Marty

Not One Nasty Person 6/3/2024

 Good Morning,

The day began with hotel coffee,  you can't take Door County Cherry Creme Coffee everywhere you go!

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Yesterday my wife Rene and I continued our vacation visiting  United States national parks in the western part of the country.

Our first stop was Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. During the day we traveled from site to site in the park, either by car, shuttle or by foot. We encountered elk and deer on the road in quite a few spots. We caught a glimpse of a long horn sheep toward the end of our day. What a nice day! We also were blessed with sunny skies, rain, snow, and fog. The weather made it more interesting. 

Throughout the day we encountered many people. Different races, and nationalities were mixed in with our great day. The one  thing that was especially nice was all the greetings we received while sharing a shuttle or a trail. Everyone and I mean everyone was very pleasant. Men gave their seats up for women and children on the shuttles. People held doors open for one another as well as opening the doors for each other. People would ask you if they could take a picture of the two of us at a photo op. Thank you were not uncommon words. Mix those niceties in with the majesty we saw, and you could say that God blessed our day. Wouldn't it be nice if throughout the world we just were polite and nice every day?

My hope is that today is just as nice. 

God bless,

Marty

Food Coma 6-2-2024

 Good Morning, 

Coffee can wait for awhile. I will get around to it when I feel like it. I think I might be embracing this retirement thing with the right attitude. But when I do get around to it. I will be drinking Door County Highlander Grog Coffee.

Our vacation has our first couple of days staying with friends. They have been more than hospitable. On Friday evening after spending some time during the day seeing some sites we went to dinner in town. These two treated us to a dinner fit for a king. Throughout the years my buddy Mark has often recommended different restaurants or dishes he has experienced in his travels. You can trust that if he recommends something, it is foolish not to try it.

Mark ordered a pork chop dinner and I followed his lead.  I really did not get a pork chop. It was more like, I received a pork roast. I did my best to try and eat all of my dinner. I turned out to be a pork chop wimp. We left the restaurant with a good sized portion of left overs. Needless to say, the dinner was delicious.

My point for the day is this. There is nothing like dear friends. We have been reliving some memories with Mark and Mary. But we have created some new ones as well. 

Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasant essence of one's friends springs from his earnest counsel.

Friends, relive memories, but always  live to make new ones. Cherish old friends.

Marty