Good Morning,
Today is another dreary day in Wisconsin. The rain continues to fill the skies. My cup of Door County Raspberry Crunch Coffee is all but done. So with today looking the way it is. I think I have time for another one.
This weekend many of the colleges and high schools will be celebrating their graduation days. New young adults will be entering the work force, new students will be headed off to college, some will enter the military.
It made me think about my graduation days from many years ago. I never realized how big the world could be until I had to really deal with it by myself. I had been prepared to go out on my own through education and the things learned at home. The one bit of advice that was given but not taken was to in all things follow God. I learned that lesson the University of Hard Knocks and Adversity.
If I were to be able to address all the students leaving school today with their diplomas in hand, this would be my speech.
Matthew 6:33King James Version (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
That statement from Matthew 6:33 stands by itself as the best advice one can give. It is better than silver or gold.
Think about that one today. It serves all men and women of any age. God first, life in general "second".
Love you all.
Marty
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Full House 6/13/2015
Good Morning,
As I look out of the window in my den I see fog, rain, and for sure a lock of sunshine. My Door County Cherry Crème Coffee is doing the double duty of waking me up and warming these old bones.
We have been blessed to have one daughter. Over the last couple of days she has been able to visit for an extended weekend. I titled this "Full House". With Kristy visiting this weekend our house is far from full, but it is for a little while back to what was so many years ago "normal". I have enjoyed the last couple of nights with our after midnight chats. When Kristy was in high school we served in a late night teen crisis call center and would often go to breakfast on the way home at 4:00 AM. We would talk about the people who called for help, and if we helped them or not. Actually we did that last night talking about how we could help or not help others.
Kristy is a "doer". That is how she was bent as a kid. There was no stopping her, so what was best was to feed the appetite she had for others. So that was what we did. But we did it together and that made it best.
Friends, find out which way your child is wired or bent. Help them to go in the direction God made them and wants them to go. Drop your own agenda for them and allow the natural flow of goodness to come out.
When we talk on the phone from long distances away with each other, I actually listen to Kristy and it 90% of the time as to how she is helping someone. I pause for a moment and think, "Our house is still full".
God bless,
Marty
As I look out of the window in my den I see fog, rain, and for sure a lock of sunshine. My Door County Cherry Crème Coffee is doing the double duty of waking me up and warming these old bones.
Psalm 127
127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
We have been blessed to have one daughter. Over the last couple of days she has been able to visit for an extended weekend. I titled this "Full House". With Kristy visiting this weekend our house is far from full, but it is for a little while back to what was so many years ago "normal". I have enjoyed the last couple of nights with our after midnight chats. When Kristy was in high school we served in a late night teen crisis call center and would often go to breakfast on the way home at 4:00 AM. We would talk about the people who called for help, and if we helped them or not. Actually we did that last night talking about how we could help or not help others.
Kristy is a "doer". That is how she was bent as a kid. There was no stopping her, so what was best was to feed the appetite she had for others. So that was what we did. But we did it together and that made it best.
Friends, find out which way your child is wired or bent. Help them to go in the direction God made them and wants them to go. Drop your own agenda for them and allow the natural flow of goodness to come out.
When we talk on the phone from long distances away with each other, I actually listen to Kristy and it 90% of the time as to how she is helping someone. I pause for a moment and think, "Our house is still full".
God bless,
Marty
Friday, June 12, 2015
Walking With God 6/12/2015
Good Morning,
This is a happy day for me. Friday once again, and our daughter will be here for a short visit. That makes this cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee all that much better.
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Amos 3:3
“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?
Today I wanted to take a look at what God wants from us. He agrees to meet with us in prayer, His actions and through His word. In order to do that we need to walk with Him. If we are to walk with Him spiritually than we should expect to meet with Him. We cannot say that we walk with God if we do not actually spend time acknowledging His presence and listen to Him. God wants us to walk with Him all the days of our life and for eternity.
I think what we should all desire is a walk that is so close to God that nothing can come between us.
In order to have a good walk with God He needs to be the priority. Many people these days are now very good at multi-tasking. God cannot be given second place when we are meeting with Him. Once He becomes an option, He really becomes no option at all.
So put down the cell phone, drop the remote, mute the television and spend time walking with God.
Have a great day.
Marty
This is a happy day for me. Friday once again, and our daughter will be here for a short visit. That makes this cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee all that much better.
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Amos 3:3
“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?
Today I wanted to take a look at what God wants from us. He agrees to meet with us in prayer, His actions and through His word. In order to do that we need to walk with Him. If we are to walk with Him spiritually than we should expect to meet with Him. We cannot say that we walk with God if we do not actually spend time acknowledging His presence and listen to Him. God wants us to walk with Him all the days of our life and for eternity.
I think what we should all desire is a walk that is so close to God that nothing can come between us.
In order to have a good walk with God He needs to be the priority. Many people these days are now very good at multi-tasking. God cannot be given second place when we are meeting with Him. Once He becomes an option, He really becomes no option at all.
So put down the cell phone, drop the remote, mute the television and spend time walking with God.
Have a great day.
Marty
Thursday, June 11, 2015
God Knew What I Needed 6/11/2015
Good Morning,
I have started my day by being happy to be alive. I woke up with a job to go to. My wife was by my side. The dog was wagging his tail and happy to be with us. The coffee pot was perking with Door County Raspberry Crunch in it.
Psalm 37:5New King James Version (NKJV)
I have started my day by being happy to be alive. I woke up with a job to go to. My wife was by my side. The dog was wagging his tail and happy to be with us. The coffee pot was perking with Door County Raspberry Crunch in it.
Psalm 37:5New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
There is a whole lot of things in life that will depress a person. Yesterday was one of those days for me. I think we all have them from time to time. What should not go wrong will. What shouldn't break does.
I have too many bad habits but one good one I have is to listen to good preachers each morning on the radio. I was a little down and out as I listened. I was praying "Lord say something, please." The Lord spoke through the preacher, encouraging all listeners to keep committed to the Lord during trials and trust Him. And sooner than later some how, some way, He brings it to pass. Psalm 37:5
God's number one way of speaking is through His word. It can be read, listened to or memorized. But when you need it most He speaks. We need to listen for Him. This was what I needed to hear, from the One who loves me most.
Isaiah 30:20-21 NKJV
20 And though the Lord gives you
The bread of adversity and the water of affliction,
Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore,
But your eyes shall see your teachers.
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.
The bread of adversity and the water of affliction,
Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore,
But your eyes shall see your teachers.
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.
Go ahead and listen. God has something to say. It just might be "I love you".
Marty
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
When You Are Troubled 6/10/2015
Good Morning,
I just filled my cup full of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee. It is what I need to get going today. There is a lot on my mind today.
We all are troubled from time to time. Troubled and worried are two in the same. I for one am troubled for someone who is having difficulties right now. The world seems to be a lot to bear. It grieves me to see this happen. Normally I am a "fixer". But in this one I seem to have no clear direction.
Last night I decided that I needed some advice and reassurance. I turned once more to fill my spiritual cup.
I just filled my cup full of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee. It is what I need to get going today. There is a lot on my mind today.
We all are troubled from time to time. Troubled and worried are two in the same. I for one am troubled for someone who is having difficulties right now. The world seems to be a lot to bear. It grieves me to see this happen. Normally I am a "fixer". But in this one I seem to have no clear direction.
Last night I decided that I needed some advice and reassurance. I turned once more to fill my spiritual cup.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He is.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, I have and I need to now.
he leads me beside quiet waters, I need these waters to slow down.
3 he refreshes my soul. Reading this did. I know He loves me.
He guides me along the right paths I need wisdom and guidance now.
for his name’s sake. His name is at stake.
4 Even though I walk I need to keep moving forward.
through the darkest valley. It is not dark. He lights my pathway with His word.
I will fear no evil, I should not be afraid.
for you are with me; I am not alone.
your rod and your staff, You will keep me straight.
they comfort me. Be firm with me it is a comfort.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, I have and I need to now.
he leads me beside quiet waters, I need these waters to slow down.
3 he refreshes my soul. Reading this did. I know He loves me.
He guides me along the right paths I need wisdom and guidance now.
for his name’s sake. His name is at stake.
4 Even though I walk I need to keep moving forward.
through the darkest valley. It is not dark. He lights my pathway with His word.
I will fear no evil, I should not be afraid.
for you are with me; I am not alone.
your rod and your staff, You will keep me straight.
they comfort me. Be firm with me it is a comfort.
5 You prepare a table before me You set this day in front of me.
in the presence of my enemies. There will be a victory.
You anoint my head with oil; You soothe the burns of life.
my cup overflows. I am blessed.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me. I need to keep moving forward. You are behind me.
all the days of my life, Always.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord I DWELL WITH YOU NOW AND WILL FOREVER.
forever Amen
in the presence of my enemies. There will be a victory.
You anoint my head with oil; You soothe the burns of life.
my cup overflows. I am blessed.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me. I need to keep moving forward. You are behind me.
all the days of my life, Always.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord I DWELL WITH YOU NOW AND WILL FOREVER.
forever Amen
This helped me as I prayed this last night. Pass it on to others.
God bless,
Marty
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Rise Up Early 6/9/2015
Good Morning,
Mark 1:35New International Version (NIV)
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
I have always been one who wakes up early. As a little boy I would love to wake up early on Saturday to catch a full morning of cartoons on television. My morning cup of Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee tastes better to me in the morning than it would in the evening. In the fall I prefer to hunt the early morning instead of the evening. Lying in bed wasting the day away holds no attraction for me. There is always something to be done or someplace to go.
My morning quiet time with prayer and reading my Bible is important to me. I have tried it at night and it just isn't the same for me.
I would suggest to all Christians that unless sick, or work hours are such that you need to sleep in later that we should all be up and about doing what the Lord has planned for us.
The Israelites gathered manna in the morning. Jesus ministered early in the morning. The women went to Christ's tomb early in the morning. This is a good habit to teach children. Kids who wake up early tend to go to bed earlier. Not too many families that practice responsible sleeping are ever late for appointments and church. Get them out of the bed and on their feet. Now adults you need to set the example for this. So practice what you preach.
Proverbs 26:14New International Version (NIV)
Have a great day. Get some sleep tonight and enjoy a sunrise tomorrow.
Marty
Mark 1:35New International Version (NIV)
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
I have always been one who wakes up early. As a little boy I would love to wake up early on Saturday to catch a full morning of cartoons on television. My morning cup of Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee tastes better to me in the morning than it would in the evening. In the fall I prefer to hunt the early morning instead of the evening. Lying in bed wasting the day away holds no attraction for me. There is always something to be done or someplace to go.
My morning quiet time with prayer and reading my Bible is important to me. I have tried it at night and it just isn't the same for me.
I would suggest to all Christians that unless sick, or work hours are such that you need to sleep in later that we should all be up and about doing what the Lord has planned for us.
The Israelites gathered manna in the morning. Jesus ministered early in the morning. The women went to Christ's tomb early in the morning. This is a good habit to teach children. Kids who wake up early tend to go to bed earlier. Not too many families that practice responsible sleeping are ever late for appointments and church. Get them out of the bed and on their feet. Now adults you need to set the example for this. So practice what you preach.
Proverbs 26:14New International Version (NIV)
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.
so a sluggard turns on his bed.
Have a great day. Get some sleep tonight and enjoy a sunrise tomorrow.
Marty
Monday, June 8, 2015
Wear Your Safety Belt 6/8/2015
Good Morning,
The work week is upon us and Monday always seems so far from Friday. But when you think about it, wishing it was Friday instead of Monday is just wishing your life away. Who knows what Tuesday or Wednesday will hold? My coffee this morning is a big cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch.
When iron workers walk structural steel beams they wear a safety belt that is harnessed to the structure to keep from falling. When a deer hunter climbs into a tree stand he or she should at all times be wearing a safety belt to keep from falling out of the tree.
Biblical knowledge, applied, is a Christian's safety belt in life. Put that safety belt of wisdom, love and advice to the side and ignore it and you have just wandered into a collision zone. Once that Biblical safety restraint is off temptation after temptation will start to seem like a good idea. There is nothing there from stopping a Christian from experiencing the deceitful lie of Satan who wants the Christian to stumble.
Deuteronomy 8:3New King James Version (NKJV)
3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Friends, stay loyal and disciplined to God's word. Dine on it daily. Leave the safety belt on.
God bless,
Marty
The work week is upon us and Monday always seems so far from Friday. But when you think about it, wishing it was Friday instead of Monday is just wishing your life away. Who knows what Tuesday or Wednesday will hold? My coffee this morning is a big cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch.
When iron workers walk structural steel beams they wear a safety belt that is harnessed to the structure to keep from falling. When a deer hunter climbs into a tree stand he or she should at all times be wearing a safety belt to keep from falling out of the tree.
Biblical knowledge, applied, is a Christian's safety belt in life. Put that safety belt of wisdom, love and advice to the side and ignore it and you have just wandered into a collision zone. Once that Biblical safety restraint is off temptation after temptation will start to seem like a good idea. There is nothing there from stopping a Christian from experiencing the deceitful lie of Satan who wants the Christian to stumble.
Deuteronomy 8:3New King James Version (NKJV)
3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Friends, stay loyal and disciplined to God's word. Dine on it daily. Leave the safety belt on.
God bless,
Marty
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