Expensive Perfume 10/7/2014

Good Morning,

The coffee that fills my cup is Door County Maple today. I always look forward to that first cup and then the second one.

My wife does like to wear just a dab of perfume after work. With her job in health care and being close to patients she can't wear perfume to work. Fragrances can be hard on patients and some are allergic to perfumes. Being the duck hunter that I am, leads me to tell Rene that she doesn't need to spend a lot of money on perfume. I always tell her to just put a dab of gun oil behind her ear and I'll love her forever. But she chooses to wear more delicate fragrances. I will be the first to say that I do enjoy most of them. As for me I am an Old Spice kind of guy. Lucky for Rene!

One day Rene was a little down and I asked why. Rene replied with "I left the top of my perfume open and it spilled out". Well once a bottle of perfume spills you can't put the perfume back in the bottle. The top needs to stay on to save the fragrance. Good advice for teens too.

Young people are under such pressure not to save themselves for marriage. Many teens lose their virginity by the age of seventeen. Once that is gone, like perfume spilled, it is gone forever.

The Bible has much to say about chastity and abstaining from sex outside of marriage. Here's a few verses to help those young people in your life.

 2 Timothy 2:22

 

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Psalms 119:9
                         
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.


1 Thessalonians 4:3

 

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.

Hey, love those teens. Reach them right. Most of all be there if they slip. Life isn't usually the same for them, but let them know that no matter what happened Jesus still loves them and so do you.  Pray for those kids without ceasing.

God bless your day.

Marty

Say Your Prayers 10/6/2014

Good Morning,

Monday and I am headed to work early in anticipation of coming home late tonight. I am blessed with a cup of Door county Maple Coffee in my hand and a job to go to.

Philippians 2:3-4

                        

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

I find myself in prayer for someone today that has blessed me in the past. That person will not know that they were prayed for today. It is a joy to be able to pray and reach out to the hand of God for others.

As you look at your prayer list and read over the tings and people you pray for is there one name that overrides the names of others by repeatedly being there?

Is your prayer list filled with the name  ME, ME, ME, ME, ME, ME??????????????

How about placing the focus on others? Let's not be selfish at prayer time and reach up on the behalf of others. That is truly loving others more than ourselves.


God Bless,

Marty

Men And Steak 10/5/2014

Good Morning World.

May the peace and love of Jesus be with you today. This cold morning finds my cup filled with Door County Pumpkin Spice coffee.

This cold Sunday morning finds me going to church with a grill and some beef steaks. You say "What"???? Each year the Men's Ministry at our church sponsors an event called "Men's Steak Night". Men gather for a steak large enough to feed a horse, potatoes, beans, garlic bread and root beer. We also enlist the services of a speaker to inspire us with a word from God. This year we will be enjoying a word from Pastor Tim Hall. Pastor Tim is the shepherd of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Christian Motor Cycle Association. He has a powerful testimony and is a Spirit filled speaker. The Gospel message always goes out.

The event is always a highlight of our year. Men share in fellowship, grill their steak over hard wood fires and then listen for God to speak. It allows for men to bring their sons, sons of others, friends or Dads to a "guy night". It also allows for men to share by purchasing a ticket for someone who might not have enough money to buy their own. No man is left behind here!

Today we will be grilling steaks outside of church and handing out samples ( even to the ladies) to promote our carnivore evening. Many of the ladies recognize the importance of sending their men to this event and will often purchase a ticket for the men in their lives.

Two things are accomplished Biblically by this event. Evangelism and fellowship are the goals completed by us grilling some beef.

1 Corinthians 9:16-17 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me -


1 John 1:3          
That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

        

 

Have a great day. Reach up and then reach out. Exercise your soul.

 

Marty

Putting Away The Summer 10/4/2014

Good Morning.

I took the luxury of sitting outside in the cold Wisconsin air before writing today. The coffee that fills my cup is Door County Harvest Blend. I toasted some apple spice English Muffins to go with the coffee and now I am ready to face the day. My Bible is open and ready to give me something from God. This is a good day.

Today is the opening day of the duck hunting season where I live and the cold weather will make it perfect for the guys and gals out there. You'd think that I would be out with them today. Well to be honest most everything I do today will be in preparation for 7 days of hunting starting next Saturday. I need to be diligent also at what needs to be done at home so the Mrs. isn't left with a pile of work while I am gone. Winter can set in pretty early here. I admit I that I would like to be out there with my nephew Nick, but I must keep focused.  And there will be a little hunting tomorrow afternoon.

Some of my chores for the next couple of days will be to winterize the yard and put away the summer things like planters and picnic tables. I am hoping to rake some leaves up today before that becomes a chore and a half.

One season always leads into another here. That's what I truly love about Wisconsin. But with the leading in, always comes with a good-bye to the last season.

It is the same with life. We need to be ready for the season changes. This is a bad word called aging.
I have heard some people say lately that it is stingy and not Biblical to save some money if you can. That is totally wrong. We are to save what we can for later years or to give to our family. I can just see arms going up all over now. "That is not Biblical. We are supposed to share". This is also true. We should share as we are able. But how can you share later if you haven't saved for it?

Here is the deal. It is Biblical to save. But if God tells you to give away all your possessions, then be obedient and do so. I was there once in my life and it was difficult to do. But it made me stronger and more able to trust God to provide. So pray and read Scripture to know if that is what God really wants. For the rest of us pray, share, and save as you are able.

Proverbs 21:20 - [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Proverbs 13:22 - A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.

Remember God provides us with all we have. We are to share and love our neighbor and save for that season in life called old age (Winter)

God bless,
Marty

Just a Few Stiches Needed 10/3/2014

Good Morning.

I am a little sleepy eyed today. Last night Rene and I went to our nephew's high school football game. The weather was warm but rainy. My coffee this morning is Door County Pumpkin Spice. That should wake me up in a hurry.

The game was a good one and our nephew Matt played well. Early in the second quarter we saw that he wasn't getting up very fast from the ground after a play. Then the athletic trainer went out on the field and they took his football helmet off. There was a good cut over his eye. I couldn't see what was going on from where I sat. I murmured a quick prayer from my seat asking God to not let the injury be too bad. Later we found out that a few stiches were needed to close up the wound and Matt would be fine. So his Mom and Dad would be taking him to urgent care for a sew job over his eye.

It could have been worse. Not what we wanted to see but it could have been worse. I am thankful for a good outcome. Although the circumstances were not perfect I find myself praising God for a great nephew, an eye that will heal quick and for a night spent with family enjoying a football game.

Psalm 13:6New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

 

God bless,

 

Marty

 

 

 

 

Looking Ahead 10/2/2014

Good Morning.

I am expecting this day to run well into the night. As I leave for work my cup is filled with Door County Autumn Spice Coffee. Finally the cool weather is returning.

Last night I spent some time getting ready for a duck hunting trip. I was busy choosing the right decoys and packing my duck and goose calls. Some last finishing touches on the boat and some paint on the oars topped off the night.

Our daughter Kristy called yesterday to schedule a visit with us for our grandson. She has blessed us in many ways but most of all the visits from her and the family are the best treats of all. So Dominick will return later this fall to partake of some cold weather, along with some goose and duck hunting. There will be plenty of chicken wings to eat ( his favorite) and a lot of laughs.

 





But with that comes a week of responsibility for me. We don't get to see Dom too often as the miles apart are many. So along with the fun, hunting, prayer and food I get to talk and teach a few things about life that only grandpas know. As I write this my eyes get a little heavy as I think ahead to the good times coming.  What will warm us for the rest of the winter are the memories and photos.

 I have a photo of Kristy when she tried hunting with me many years ago. She might have been a freshman in high school about then. Hunting really wasn't for her. We went shopping on the way home and that was a little more in line with her tastes. But I still remember that day like it was yesterday. You can see from the picture above the "joy in her eyes" as we prepared clothes for her hunt the next day. But I do remember what we talked about on the ride to the marsh and on the return ride home. I wonder if she does?

Deuteronomy 4:9  “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Off to work with a grin on my face.

God bless,
Marty

God Gave Me You. 10/1/2014

Good Morning,

Just a little chilly here this morning. My cup is filled to the rim with Door County Jamaican Blue
Mountain Blend Coffee. I can't help but smile this morning as I think about today's Bible verse.

Psalm 103:2-5, NLT Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The picture above was taken in South Dakota a few years ago after a long day of pheasant hunting. I was blessed to hunt with a large group of friends and acquaintances. After the hunt we gathered together for some refreshments and snacks on the prairie. It was a very nice time that I will always remember. I don't see many of them too often or for some of them this was a first and last time we met and hunted together.

In my life I have met many people and I am related to quite a large group too. I have worked with hundreds of people throughout my life and in my career. I have met hundreds of people through church and mission trips in many places throughout the world. In some instances I was taught by some of you. In some cases we might not have agreed on things. But knowing you improved me or impacted me in a way that made me stronger. Some people taught me to hunt better. Some people I only interacted with for a short time. In plain words we all meet people, work with people, worship with people, play with people, live with people, argue from time to time with people. No matter the case you and others have been a part of my life as well as people have been a part of yours.

So when I think about it, I really believe that God knows who we will meet. I now see all the people I meet, or have met, are a blessing. God gave me you, for a moment, or a lifetime, for a fun time or a disagreement. God gave me you. You are a blessing. Just wanted you to know that!

Have a beautiful day.

Marty