Hummingbird Lane and Heaven 4/7/14

Good Morning,

I hope your weekend was as nice, maybe even better than mine was. Mine was filled with blessings. Today my coffee choice is Door County Blueberry Cobbler. Two cups and headed to work. Counting my blessings to have a job I like.

Yesterday as I had my morning coffee outside in thirty degree weather. Yes spring has come to Wisconsin. Thirty is a heat wave. I was surveying the winter damage and the work that is ahead in a week or two. Again I had to stare at our street sign. I was hoping the winter snow plows knocked it down.

 

One thing that always bugged me is that this macho, duck hunter, boat owner, dog lover lives on a street named Hummingbird Lane. You would think I would live on a street like Duke, Mallard, Goose Avenue or Shoot Them In the Lips Lane. But no I live on Hummingbird Lane. Sounds way too feminine for me and my wife won't let us move. Oh! What did I say? We choose not to move! There just went another ounce of my masculinity! Argh.

This may seem funny to you. And I really don't have time to get a petition going to rename our street. There would be only one signature on the page. My neighbors would be weighing the cost of purchasing new return address labels that could have ducks or dogs on them against flowers and hummingbirds. So I must suffer on.

But here is one thing I am proud of. I won't live here forever. Some day I will reside elsewhere in a mansion with streets of gold. And it's name is heaven. No shame there in that name. Yes, don't look for me at the wake, or the cemetery, I won't be there. Just a body will be there, but even that will be resurrected on the last day to go to "Heaven". No hell or Hummingbird Lane for this guy. Let's look at some Bible verses on heaven and dream.

In heaven, there will be: No power shortages, for God is all powerful; no bumping into things in the dark; no sleepless nights (there is no night there, Revelation 21:25). Nor will there be: Bills; hospitals; bank accounts. In fact, heaven will have: No complaints; no back-talk; no hate; no fear; no crime.
Are you really ready to live in heaven? Now, let's take a close look at what heaven will be like: Heaven will be a place of fellowship. "I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you unto myself" (John 14:3). The children of God shall "meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thessalonians 4:17). "He who overcomes, I will give him the Morning Star." "I am Jesus. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and Morning Star." (Revelation 2:26-28; 22:16). "And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).
Heaven will be a place to worship God. When Isaiah speaks for the Lord of the new heavens and earth, he prophesies that "all flesh shall come to worship before me" (Isaiah 66:22,23). The Apostle, John, also predicts the same thing saying: "For Thou only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee" (Revelation 15:4; 21:24).
Surely heaven will be a place of joy and productive work. We can be sure that in heaven we will be like God and Jesus, and they have always worked. Jesus said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). We find this same description of the new heavens and new earth in Revelation 21:1 and Isaiah 65:17. Isaiah describes it as a place of joy where there will be no tears nor the sound of crying. This is in Isaiah 65:19, and also in Revelation 21:4; 7:17. Isaiah continues to show us it will be a place where one can labor and see his labor bear fruit. This is in Isaiah 65:21-23.
Heaven will have a beauty beyond our imagination. The best John could do to describe heaven was to say it was like an entire city of transparent gold. He says: The walls of the new city are precious jewels. The gates are twelve single pearls. The city itself and its streets are pure gold, yet like transparent glass. This is found in Revelation 21:18, 19, 21.
And the whole city is lighted by the glory of God. Heaven is a place of matchless blessings. Jesus has prepared a mansion for us there. Great treasure is stored up for us; in fact, the saints "will inherit all things" (Revelation 21:7). The leaves of the tree of life will guarantee our health. and the crystal pure water of the river of life will flow from the throne of God to the tree of eternal life. For the first time since the Garden of Eden, God's children may eat out of this tree in His paradise (Genesis 3:22 and Revelation 2:7).
In heaven we will be given new names, new imperishable bodies. and we will be clothed in the white robes of righteousness. We will be glorious living stones; pillars in the eternal temple of God (I Corinthians 15:52; 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 3:12).
Best of all, heaven with God and Jesus will be a place of love. God in tender love will wipe away all our tears (Revelation 21:4). The angels will rejoice as heaven fills with righteous Christians (II Peter 3:13). Those spirits who have hungered and have thirsted to humbly live with God; those with pure hearts; those who have willingly endured persecution; and those who have lived for God's peace, will live together in life and love forever and ever.
This place is heaven. Will you be there?

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Seek out a personal relationship with Jesus. He died on the cross for us in atonement for our sins.
John 3:7

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.

 

Romans 10:13

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

 

Invite Jesus into your heart today. Change your eternal address.

And also, I could not find any street names listed in the Bible. So goodbye Hummingbird Lane!

God bless,
Hope this brightens your Monday.
Marty

Civil War 4/6/2014

Good Morning,

Sunday and the coffee flavor today is Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti from the Door County Coffee Company. The noon dinner with friends will be old fashioned Milwaukee South Side Mock Chicken Legs, garlic roasted potatoes, homemade bread rolls, green beans, and Racine Seven Sisters Cake for dessert. I am looking forward to spending time with Rene and two dear friends. It has been a long time since we did anything like this.

Two of my nephews live very close to us. I have watched them grow from diapers to suits. When they were little you could tell them anything and they would believe it. I used to pull their legs on a lot of stuff. One of them was doing something for school once on America's Civil War. The war took place in 1861 through 1865. Our nephew was proud of what he was learning in school and he asked me if I knew what he was talking about. ( Testing my history knowledge). I pretended to tear up and say that I knew more about the civil war than I cared to. I explained to him that I was just a young boy and had fought in the war as a drummer. (I was born in 1957) He then asked "what side were you on?' Both was my reply. "I was so scared that I switched sides daily to be on whatever side was winning".  This same kid also believed that I was on the Titanic later in his history training. Now I don't condone lying, because we did tell them the truth after they asked in what year I was born. They also took math classes.

But friends I have witnessed civil wars. Wars in the homes of many who come to the church for help. I have seen marriages torn apart, teens out of control, raging parents who beat their families. fortunately they turn to our church and other churches for help. We always start by turning them to Jesus. But just like the American Civil War, although the battles stopped the healing takes a long, long time. I love the ministry I do, but the civil wars within homes are one part of the ministry that I dread at times. Many times the war rages on for months or even years. It causes so much damage that it takes forever to repair. A broken heart mends slowly.

If you are in the midst of a war right now. Choose today to stop the bleeding. Get help from a local Bible believing church. Do what they tell you to do. Unite and turn the war around and know that you are fighting against Satan not each other. Join in with God and give Satan a butt whooping.

Psalm 37:8 (NKJV)

⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;Do not fret—it only causes harm.

 

 

2 Corinthians 10:3-4                        

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

 

 

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

It is time to save your family. It starts with you and Jesus.

Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)

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

God bless your day.

Marty

"Just Don't Bore Me" 4/5/14

Good Morning,

Saturday morning and it will be a busy day with some chores to be performed. My cup is filled with Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee.

There is a line from the Clint Eastwood movie that goes like this.  "You can rob me, you can starve me, and you can beat me, and you can kill me, just don't bore me." I love that line.
I liken that to my Christian attitude sometimes. In a leadership role within the church I  meet many people looking to learn together, pray together, serve together, and experience God together. I really enjoy all of those encounters. To be with people who truly want to do any of those things is exciting beyond belief.

But what I don't like are those who want prayer but won't pray seriously, want life changes but won't listen, want to be a godly person but won't do anything to grow or better yet those who want to complain about different ministries yet are not involved. I was taught to be kind and listen anyway, but within an encounter or two I find that listening to these people bores me. They really don't want to change, they really don't want to grow and they think prayer is a good luck charm. They give you all the right answers, "I need to pray more, I need to read my Bible more, can you meet with me more, I want to go to every prayer service, (these are one hit wonders) or better yet, let me know when you are doing that again I want to be there."

These poor souls limit God as to what He can do. They really don't expect God to meet with them speak to them, or direct them. They are actually Christian robots just going through the motions, never experiencing the power of a resurrected life and seeing God at work. They are bored, looking for an emotional high, not increased faith.

Isaiah 61:1-3

 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

 

 

Folks I am nothing special and believe me when I say that I do pray for those who won't engage in  a Spirit filled walk, and my walk is far from what I want it to be. I hope and pray that I can write next year and say that my walk has grown in love and service to God. That is my goal. Any less and I would bore myself. Think about it. God has so much, that He desires to do through you and with you. It just takes a sincere yes and obedience, and you will live a life that is never boring!
 

 

God bless,

 

Marty
 

Stray Dogs and My Wife 4/4/14

Good Morning.

Oh yes it is Friday and that makes me happy. I have a long day ahead so one more cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch coffee and I am out the door!

Proverbs 17:22 - A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Psalms 126:2 - Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

One of the greatest parts of our marriage is that we like to laugh with each other. I do believe that if heaven has television, my wife and I are on the comedy channel. We both do some real funny things at times and very often we just think our actions are hilarious.

So let me tell you this recent story. As I have said before Rene is a quiet lady and does not say too much. She was raised to be polite and put others first.

The other day we scheduled a contractor to come to our home and give us a bid on a project. Rene was home waiting and the contractor called to let her know that he would be there in a minute but wouldn't be coming to the door first. He wanted to go around the house and take some exterior pictures and then come in. Rene saw him pull into the driveway and he went to the back yard. Later she noticed that a Yellow Labrador was following him as he measured and took pictures. Now this is what went through her head. "That's odd that he would bring his dog with him on a call." A little while later he came to the door with the dog. Rene opened the door and they both came in. Of course the Lab and our Springer Gibbs started to play rough in the house and the two dogs were running around the inside. Rene was correcting Gibbs when the contractor said, "they are just playing". Her thoughts were, "why isn't this guy controlling his dog and why did he bring it in the house?" Well the contract bid was finished and was waiting for me to review and approve, when the contractor said that he was leaving and would wait for my call. Rene thanked him and walked him to the door. As he left she called out to him. "Hey aren't you going to take your dog."? He replied "that's not my dog, I thought it was one of yours." They both laughed and realized that a stray dog had followed him into our house.  They looked over the dog's collar and were able to call the owner and the Lab was reunited with a tearful owner.

As Rene was telling me this story we were laughing so hard together, I had tears in my eyes. She was telling me that she had decided not to hire the contractor because he seemed pretty dumb to bring his muddy dog into our house. She said the whole time that he was explaining the bid she wasn't even listening because of the dogs "running and barking." I can only imagine her face as this was going on. But once again I fell in love with her once more. She was willing to clean up a mess, rather than offend someone. She cried when the owner came and claimed her dog. "It was so nice to see the lady with happy tears" she said.
And yet she shared in her stooge event and we laughed together. I did not laugh at her but with her. Rene said, "I could not wait to tell you about my day. How was yours?" I smiled and replied, "much better now."

Live, laugh, and love.

God bless,
Marty

Marriage and the Bible 4/3/14

Good Morning,

My coffee pot is spewing forth the aroma of some Door County Raspberry Butter Crunch Coffee. Time to rise and shine and embrace the day.

I was doing a search and decided to challenge you all. I have listed Bible verses that relate to marriage. I want you to read through them today and ask God which one you should take and apply to your marriage. Then if you desire comment back and share how God's word  impacted you today.

Bible Verses About Marriage - Marriage is a sacred vow between a man and woman and the Bible offers many verses that offer guidance for married couples, husbands, wives, newlyweds and engagement. Read verses from the Holy Bible about marriage in relation to God, Jesus Christ, and the Christian faith..

• Genesis 2:22-24

  Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man."  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
   

• Proverbs 5:18-19

  May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.  A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.
   

• Proverbs 12:4

  A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
   

• Proverbs 18:22

  He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
   

• Proverbs 19:14

  Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
   

• Proverbs 20:6-7

  Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?  The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.
   

• Proverbs 30:18-19

  "There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand:  the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.
   

• Proverbs 31:10

  A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
   

• Deuteronomy 24:5

  If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.
   

• Matthew 19:4-6

  "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'  and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ?  So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
   

• 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

  Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.  But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.  The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.  The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.  Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  I say this as a concession, not as a command.  I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.  Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.  But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.  To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.  But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.  To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.  And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.  For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.  But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.  How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
   

• Colossians 3:18-19

  Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
   

• Hebrews 13:4-7

  Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"  Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
   

• Mark 10:6-9

  "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'  'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,  and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
   

• Ephesians 5:22-33

  Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,  and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--  for we are members of his body.  "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."  This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

I hope this helps someone today.

 

God bless,

Marty

Take Good Care of My Family 4/2/14

Good Morning,

Wednesday and I can see Friday coming just over the top of my glasses. My fine emporium of coffee today produced a hot cup of Door County Cookie Dough for my pleasure.

Two of our nephews Nick and Matt experienced the loss of their grandmother this week. Barb was very good to all of her kids and grandchildren. Rene and I witnessed this first hand on several occasions for family gatherings. The boys are going to miss her for sure.

As I thought about what to say to them about their loss, all the usual mundane thoughts came to mind.
"My deepest sympathy, sorry for your loss, she is in a better place, she isn't suffering anymore, none of it seemed to say what was on my heart. I did talk to Nick and left a message for Matt. It seemed hollow to me. yet I know that what was said was said with love.

What I did do though, was go to God and tell Him that I did not have the right words to say and I asked Him to please watch over those boys and carry them through.

1Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings, be made for all people.

When we don't know what to say, we can pray. When words aren't enough we can intercede in prayer. We can do all we can to offer comfort, but only God can heal broken hearts. We love those two guys a lot. But God loves them more. So we ask for comfort for them.

Friends, someone in your life needs prayer today. Someone hurts today. Pray for them and tell them you care and love them. It might be all they need to know.

God bless,
Marty

Setting Goals 4/1/14

Good Morning.

Tuesday and I am starting today with prayer and a hot cup of Door County Mocha Mint coffee. Bible study on Tuesday nights is always one of my favorite days. A long day of work ahead  and I have set some goals to finish today.
 I think setting goals in life is important. School, marriage, house, kids, jobs, vacations, sporting goals,  and retirement can all be found in my personal goal list.

I think it is always important also to set spiritual goals.

Acts 20:24

New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

 
For me this verse sums up my goal. Many different opportunities have come and gone. Many different ways to serve God, but I find that each one I embraced all were led by the same goal. The task of testifying to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope I can maintain that goal until my last breath.

Have a great day. Reach for your goals.

Marty