Grilled Chuck Roast And The Bible? 8/29/2016

Good Morning,

Here comes Monday and it has a full head of steam. I will meet it whole heartedly with a prayer, Bible verse and a cup of Door County Frosted Cinnamon Buns Coffee.

Tonight I will be grilling a big beef chuck roast for dinner and for our lunches tomorrow. I like grilled foods and this particular recipe was given to me by a wonderful lady from the South Side of Milwaukee. I personally have used this recipe since 1976. It is a winner for sure.

Like all good things, this one takes a little work, You first have to mix up a marinade and then place the liquid and the beef in a pan, turning it every couple of hours. It then can sit over night and later be grilled over hot coals.

The marinade tenderizes the roast and makes a crunchy coating on the meat when grilled. It adds great flavor to that big chunk of beef.

God's Word (The Bible) is like a great marinade. It often softens and tenderizes the heart of man when read. Now I can wish for roasted chuck roast all day, but unless I marinade a roast and then grill it up, my desires will never be met.

The same goes with wanting a deeper relationship with God. We need to be deep into His Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to marinade and tenderize our hearts and listen and be obedient to God.

"Create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."
- Psalm 51:10-12

"Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes from worthless things (idols); Preserve my life according to your word."       - Psalm 119:36-37

"Give me an undivided heart."       - Psalm 86:11

"Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."     - Joel 2:12-13
What do you say now? Do you allow the Word of God to pierce your heart? Do you seek more of it? Do you desire to be softened and develop a caring and sharing heart?


Tomorrow we will study the heat of a grill.

Have a great day.

Marty

The Tradition Continues 8/28/2016

Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee is just what I needed this morning. Our Springer Spaniel Gibbs was a little lazy today and did not wake me up before dawn. I just caught the last of the sunrise, but that extra sleep felt pretty good also. I don't know where you are this morning, but It would be nice to share a cup of coffee and I would be happy to make breakfast. We could have a really big crowd here. I wonder what my neighbors would think? They could join us. But not too many people are up this early. So it might be just a few of us.

Next weekend our hunting season in Wisconsin begins once again. It will be time to pursue and hopefully bag some geese. Several of my younger partners have been scouting for flocks that have patterned themselves into fields which we have permission to hunt in. So now it begins. A license must be purchased, gear needs to be accounted for and ready for next Saturday morning. The excitement will brew all week and work will just be something to do until the crack of dawn on the weekend. Then the pick up trucks will roll, loaded with dogs, decoys, guns, men and women dressed in camo clothing, donuts, coffee and good intentions will gather in a field that has been dreamed about since last January.

Spouses will only laugh as they basically watch adults gather their toys to go out and play nice. At least that is how Rene looks at it. But the annual tradition will begin. Before the hunt begins each one of us with gather with our hats off and we will pray for safety and if my friend Jim prays he will go greedy and pray for a huge bounty for us. I think we all secretly pray that way. But those family members that we left snuggled in their beds, the ones who laugh and tolerate our pursuit of wild game are prayed for. Not many of them even know that early in the morning they are prayed for. Now that's part of the tradition that needs to stay.

We all have traditions that we enjoy. For some it is a Sunday dinner table that is filled with family and friends. For some it is the annual picnic or Christmas shopping trip. Does it begin with prayer? Are those who aren't there prayed for?

Now we can't count on bagging geese and from time to time we have been shut out. But we can count on a few guys gathering, sharing goodies that we don't need, delivering a little smack talk, and we can count on those hats coming off and for a time it will be very quiet except for the voice of prayer.

Matthew 14:22-23New International Version (NIV)
²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

Jesus spent time in prayer and in this passage we have no idea what He was praying about, but how wonderful it would have been to be on that mountainside hearing His voice in prayer. That's how I feel, when I am in the dark and that prayer is lifted up before our hunt and I know that God has joined us in that field or marsh because He keeps His promises.

Matthew 18:20New International Version (NIV)
²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

How's that working for you?

God bless,

Marty

Hanging With The Boys 8/27/2016

Good Morning,

I woke up this morning to the rhythm of rain drops on the house. We seem to be making up some of the rain we haven't had all summer. It's a good sound except that my next activity today has to be outside. We will see how that goes. I better pack a Thermos bottle of Door County Red Velvet Mocha to go along with me.

Later today I will be headed out to participate in a Sporting Clays competition. This one finds a few churches competing in shooting our shotguns at little clay targets which are zipping through the air at different angles, distances and speeds. We have a few guys from our church going and it has always been a great time and I think today will be the same. My skills seem to be going downhill in this event. I am hoping to shoot like days of old but I will be content to see the team have a good time and hang in there with the other churches. I will probably just shoot like I am old. We will play hard and compete with intensity. We will have great fun.

This will be good clean fun and I wouldn't hesitate once with the thought of bringing a young boy or girl along to this event. This day is open to both genders and the ladies have been known to out shoot the guys quite often. Our grandson has competed in this event.

But here's my point. We will be walking a course that is spread out. ( Good physical exercise). We will be starting with prayer. (Good Spiritual Exercise) We will be practicing a skill. ( Good exercise for the mind) And we will be bonding in a safe, clean, atmosphere. ( Good exercise in character).

There are so many things out there for anyone to get caught up in that would not be honorable or moral. I give these churches a high five for planning events that are of good moral character. I went out of my way to invite some of the younger guys at church to come along. We really don't care if they shoot well or not. Our goal is to fellowship with them and eventually pass on the torch of the men's ministry to them. But most of all we just want them to have some fun with us.

What events are you going to this weekend? Would God go along? If not, look us up we have some more events coming along and would love to have you.

God bless.

Have a great day.

Are Your Kids Driving You Crazy? 8/26/2016

Good Morning,

Happy Friday to you. Let's raise up a cup of Door County Country Morning Blend Coffee and toast ourselves. We made it to Friday! I am rejoicing for two friends of mine. Their daughter has been missing since June and she was found alive yesterday.

Proverbs 29:15   
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

If any two parents had a kid that could drive them crazy my parents had the prize. I was always into something and just could not be taken seriously especially while in  high school. I have attached a picture which is too old to be clear, but in it you can see my mother holding her head in sorrow as I posed for a picture before heading out to a dance.

Maybe you have a kid who is driving you nuts and you often wonder how you ever gave life to him or her. One thing I can say about my parents is that they did not give up on me. I would make mistake after mistake, learn the hard way, catch their correction and sometimes some well deserved wrath, but they never quit on me. I am sure they wanted to throw in the towel many times. But for some reason they didn't. I am glad that they didn't because I am sure it would have only gotten worse. They did not leave me to myself. I was my own worst enemy at times.

So when the days turn into long nights, remember to pray for those kids. Leave a light on and always hope. Maybe you will be blessed enough to have your drunken son eat the dish of dog food by mistake, because you placed it on the stove like a plate left for a hungry son. We still laugh about that one. Well the family does, I just bark.

Hang in there if it is real bad. Join a prayer and support group. Fight for your kid. Never quit.

God bless,

Marty

Truth In A Sunset 8/25/2016

Good Morning,

Waking up was hard to do this morning. I was fighting a life and death battle with my pillow. it had my head in a lock hold and was telling me to sleep a little longer. I wrestled myself loose and made my way to the kitchen for some Door County Raspberry Butter Crunch Coffee. Now it's time to go to work.

Truth be known I have watched many sunrises and have matched it with just as many sunsets. Rene thinks that watching a sunset together is romantic. I for one think a sunrise is more exhilarating. Either way I see truth in a sunset or a sunrise. When I watch the sunset I know that the Earth is still revolving and that another day is coming to an end. As I have read Scripture through the years I see a sunset and I know that God keeps His word. Who hasn't stood in awe of a sunset? We see the sunset and we are amazed. It's like they shout to us, "See what God has done". So when I see that and experience the peace, thrill and power of a sunset I see the truth come to life.

Psalm 65:8Living Bible (TLB)
⁸ In the farthest corners of the earth the glorious acts of God shall startle everyone. The dawn and sunset shout for joy!

Take some time to watch a sunrise or sunset. See the truth that God speaks through His word.

Have a sunny day!

Marty

New Boots Are Just Like Marriage 8/24/2016

Good Morning,

I awoke today with a song in my heart and it has been a long time since that has happened. I went to sleep listening to some Elvis Gospel music and the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" and when I awoke it was the tune I was singing in the shower. It made my cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee taste all that much better. Music and coffee, what a combination to start the day!

I was taught long ago to take care of what you purchase, buy the best you can afford and it should last a long, long time. So whenever I buy new hunting boots, which is very seldom I always coat the leather boots with a preservative. I have one particular brand that I prefer and have used it since I was about 12 years old. I always brush on three coats of the preservative before I wear the boots for the first time. I usually will apply three to four coats during each year that I have the boots. My last pair served me well for twelve years.

You could say that I had a long lasting relationship with my boots until death parted us. My boots were finally laid to rest about a month ago. So if my boots which are well worn can last twelve years by taking care of them with preservative and they are only boots, why do marriage relationships fail? Marriage vows are supposed to be "until death do us part".

I think we forget to add preservatives to marriage. We forget to coat our relationships in kindness and sacrificial acts of love. We let the raw weather of life hit and abuse the unprotected skin of our marriages. We take for granted that they will last without taking care of the marriage.

 "Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace."- Ephesians 4:2-3

- If a husband and wife are humble, patient, gentle, and selfless in a relationship this will cause less confrontation and arguments. This verse reminds us to keep calm and do as Jesus would do.

There are many more "Marriage Maintenance" Scriptures we could mention,  but this one should be sufficient for this morning. But like my boots that don't oil themselves, you have to put some effort into preserving a marriage.

Have you been preserving your marriage or letting the world whip and beat on it? I always say that preserving is easier than rebuilding. Just saying???

Have a great day.

Marty

1. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."- 1 Peter 4:8

- This is a very important life verse for marriage because marriage is a unification of two sinners. No one is perfect in a marriage. There will be times that a husband or wife may fail each other, mess up, or do something hurtful. It is important to remember God's definition of love and know that loving each other deeply can cover all those sins. This verse reminds us the true power of love!

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/buzzvine/5-bible-verses-that-will-help-strengthen-your-marriage-107307/#OXF7saLPMAWRIATA.99

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/buzzvine/5-bible-verses-that-will-help-strengthen-your-marriage-107307/#sD13r5YwdmbjIS7v.99

1. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."- 1 Peter 4:8

- This is a very important life verse for marriage because marriage is a unification of two sinners. No one is perfect in a marriage. There will be times that a husband or wife may fail each other, mess up, or do something hurtful. It is important to remember God's definition of love and know that loving each other deeply can cover all those sins. This verse reminds us the true power of love!

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/buzzvine/5-bible-verses-that-will-help-strengthen-your-marriage-107307/#jI7Wzjc6Vcbz941R.99

1. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."- 1 Peter 4:8

- This is a very important life verse for marriage because marriage is a unification of two sinners. No one is perfect in a marriage. There will be times that a husband or wife may fail each other, mess up, or do something hurtful. It is important to remember God's definition of love and know that loving each other deeply can cover all those sins. This verse reminds us the true power of love!

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/buzzvine/5-bible-verses-that-will-help-strengthen-your-marriage-107307/#jI7Wzjc6Vcbz941R.99

 

Pain Should Not Be An Identity 8/23/2016

Good Morning,

I sit here looking at the computer screen and my mind seems miles and miles away. I am here but my prayers are for a friend who has a missing daughter. Now that is emotional pain and to be written about for another day. My mug of Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee is getting cold. It is time to get moving.

This is the last day that I will be writing about physical pain and how others endure and seem to overcome their plight.

About four years a go a friend of ours was spending his last days on Earth with cancer ravaging his body. I sat with him for a couple nights and it was obvious that he was in immense pain. He asked me if I could do a favor for him. I asked what it was and the answer surprised me. He asked me if I could arrange to have the member directory from our church delivered to him. He was going to pray through the directory for each person and as God led, he would call them and ask for prayer requests.

This was done and he made several calls. My home happened to be one of them. My friend asked me if we had any prayer requests. I told him I had one and it was for a man with cancer who was in a lot of pain. He knew I was talking about him. He told me the prayer would soon be answered and there would be no more pain for him. He passed away about five days later.

This man did not let pain and suffering become his identity. It had not defined his life. It easily could have and no one would have blamed him at all. But he was not going to be the one who complained all the time. He was a joy to sit with. The thought of him praying for me still warms my heart. What I remember of him now is not how he played the drums but how he prayed for others through the pain. I remember him as a warrior who was running the race to achieve the prize and he was sprinting at the end. His love for God and others defined him and his legacy.

Revelation 21:4New International Version (NIV)

⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’^[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

My friend was healed the moment he took his last Earthly breath. It wasn't exactly how we prayed for him, but in God's time he was healed beyond all measure.

How are you to deal with when you are in pain? Could you take time during your crisis to pray for others?  My friend's pain became a ministry.

God bless,

Marty