Goose, Pheasant, And Duck Pot Pie 9/12/16

Good Morning,

Wake up and smell the coffee. Mine is a hearty cup of Door County German Chocolate Cake. Time to get rolling.

My wife is an avid football fan and she can watch a whole game without batting an eye. I on the other hand, watch the game but need to multitask by doing something else at the same time. Yesterday while Rene was cheering on the Green Bay Packers I was watching the game from the kitchen. I had decided to pull out some of the wild game I had left in our freezer from last season and cook a multi-meat pot pie.

I for one will not hunt for anything that I will not eat. I was also raised not to waste anything and that part of my upbringing has done me very well. Everything was seasoned just right. The vegetables, gravy and meat were placed into a super pie crust and baked slowly. It was a great dinner accompanied by fresh apple juice made from our apple trees. We juiced the weak ones that fell from the tree already. Again we wasted nothing.

Where am I going with this? Well we are not all that frugal but what we both learned as children stuck with us. We ate very well and actually shared a piece of the pie with a neighbor who was working hard in her yard. She hinted that she could smell the dinner coming from our window. By not wasting things we had an abundance. But the lesson is what we teach our children, both good and bad, does stick with them.

We need to teach lessons like, waste not want not. Work hard and eat of your harvest. Share with others. These lessons take time and need to be taught with consistency. I remember watching my parents strip a turkey carcass clean after Thanksgiving dinner just to make soup from the meager left overs. That soup sure was good on a cold Wisconsin winter day.

Now where is this going for you? All of you will be nodding your heads in agreement that these are all lessons that kids should learn. But what about the lesson of wasting time?

It's Monday and we are all headed to work or working in our homes. How much time gets wasted each day that causes us to work too late and then robs us of family time and personal time with God?

Ephesians 5:15-17   
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

We each should take a little survey of our day and be honest. Write down everything we do and log in the time spent doing it. I think at the end of the day we will see where we can make some cuts and improve our lives. It's not just the kids that need a lesson or two. Practice what you preach.

God bless,

Marty

Stop To Remember 9/11 9/11/2016

Good Morning,

My mug is filled with Door County Cherry Crème Coffee, my heart is in prayer and my day has begun.

I just let our Springer Spaniel Gibbs outside for him to do his morning business before being fed. The spotlight that shines on our American flag illuminated the driveway and as I looked up I stopped for a moment to take in the cool fresh air. It disheartened me to see our flag at half mast which signifies a nation honoring a day dedicated to those who died 15 years ago in a terrorist attack on our country. Things have changed a lot since then. Going anywhere by airplane is a hassle to get through security now. There have been other attacks including one where the terrorists used pressure cookers as the casing for bombs.

I now go to theaters and make sure I know where the exits are. There is a gun strapped to my leg for protection while I am in  large groups. Other countries have experienced the same type of attacks. I find it now hard not to profile people of certain ethnicities. I never had that problem before. Air attacks and bombs are launched daily at the terrorists to curb their treacherous activities, yet it goes on.

I said in the beginning that I was disheartened to see our flag at half mast today. This is true. So before writing I turned to my Bible for comfort. I sought out God. Yes, things in the world changed 15 years ago but He hasn't. The sun still came up, the world still spins, babies were born, it rained somewhere, snowed elsewhere, and people still fall in love. Despite the bombs and attacks God still reigns on high and the good things still outweigh the bad. Some day this will all end with a shout and Jesus will return. The world will still spin, the sun will come up, but the fighting will stop immediately. Everyone will be there. What our enemies do not realize or acknowledge and many of us forget is that it will stop. The return of Jesus will stop the nonsense. The world will be judged.

Matthew 25:31-32   
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Romans 14:11New International Version (NIV)
¹¹ It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.

 

I for one can't wait until this day comes. Everyone is going to be there and all will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Flags and countries will disappear, fighting will cease, fear and awe will be within the hearts of those who have been enemies of God. Those who passed on the salvation of Jesus Christ will be tossed into the lake of fire with Satan who authored all this mayhem and hatred.

 

So I will raise my flag again tomorrow but I will mutter out load, "Come Lord Jesus come. Only you will stop this mess".

 

Marty

All The Ingredients To Life's Cake 9/10/2016

Good Morning,

Today I woke up to a little rain coming down outside and Door County Apple Cobbler Coffee brewing in the kitchen. The rain is not supposed to last very long and then it's outside for me to  shoot my shotgun at some clay targets. Hunting season is already here and I need to get a little sharper with my shot. The picture below is a cake we purchased recently to celebrate the years of service some of my co-workers achieved.

Life, now there's a subject. In one person's life span each day, each hour is different. There are good days, great days, fair days, terrible days. Mix in those days all the different emotions and feelings one person experiences and you have a kaleidoscope of joy, pain, fear, anger, frustration, excitement, exhaustion, peace and some love.

Life is like a cake. In order for it to be a true cake all of the ingredients have to be mixed together and baked in order to have a cake. Now if my imaginary cake were to be chocolate, the chocolate might taste OK by itself. But I surely would not want to eat a tablespoon of flour and wash it down with some vegetable oil.  But I know that when all the ingredients are mixed together and baked I will have a cake.

In my life I have lived the kaleidoscope experience. It could be called the " The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly". But it was the tough times that led me to appreciate the good things more. I can remember being able to run like the wind and now these arthritic knees need to be replaced. But I sure appreciate those days of old and remember them fondly. But I ran. Some may never experience the gift of running.

Friends life is a cake. And we can wish all we want to that the rough days would not be there, and that is normal for anyone. But they come and some last longer than it seems they should. It's during these times that we have to trust in the Great Baker (God) that two things will be achieved.

1. We can expect that the trials will produce strength and patience.

James 1:2-3
² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

2. The second profit to us if we trust in God that He is in charge, knows best and carries us through is Contentment.

Philippians 4:11-13
¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Mixed all together the good and the bad, just like a cake baked in the oven the sweetness will always come through. But the cake has to be baked. Cake that has not been completely baked is just a gooey mess. It has to come through the heat. It is completed in the oven.

Isaiah 48:10

¹⁰ Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction

I am not sure what today will bring to anyone including me. Some of you might be in the oven of life, or being mixed like a cake and some of you might be eating a great cake today. But I know this. Each day ends and it is all part on one life. Trust in Jesus and some day each day will be permanently sweet.

 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosever would believe in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

 

Have a cup of coffee and a piece of cake today and celebrate the coffee.

God bless,

Marty

Blessing Others With Your Speach. 9/9/2016

Good Morning,

I missed writing to all of you yesterday. Things are somewhat back to normal so I will celebrate Friday like I usually do. I raise a cup of Door County Frosted Cinnamon Buns Coffee to salute making it through to another Friday. I praise God for the stamina. I thank a close friend for the cup he gave me.

Numbers 6:24-26New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ “The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”

We all have a few. We all know that someone. The one who is a blessing to you. You see them coming toward you and they bring a smile to your face. They can be family. They can be friends. They can be co-workers. They are one of those people that give you their best and they bring the best out of you.

We say thank you. We return favors. We admire them. But do we say a blessing on them? How about our children? We tell them we love them. But do we pray a blessing on them, face to face?

Why not? What is our problem with stopping and saying this? You mean a lot to me. I want you to know that you are loved. Here is what I pray for you right now and we repeat a verse like Numbers 6:24-26.

I haven't figured out why we don't. We spend money on gifts but we don't give our beloved the best we can give.

Next time the opportunity comes about. Give them a blessing. Wish them the Very Best. Pray that on them.

It's the right thing to do.

Have a great day.

Marty

Technical Difficulties 9-8-2016

Good Morning.

Due to flooding in our area and my need to be at work very early. I will not be able to post a daily devotional.

You have a great and dry day. Back to normal tomorrow.

God bless.

Marty

A Dangerous Hike Down Part Two, The Battle Plan 9/7/2016

Good Morning,

We are midweek already. The weather is unusually hot here and I for one am looking forward to a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee on a cold day!

Today we will continue with the subject of how sin is a slippery slope. This morning we look at two elements of forming a plan to defeat sin and temptation. Yesterday we spoke about accountability.

The second element of a good plan is consistent prayer.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

 

When we are tempted and facing failure we need to turn to God in prayer. But better yet we should pray when not tempted. We should be in prayer for protection and guidance daily, even when things are going fine.

 

 

Lastly our next plan element is to admit that we are fighting a spiritual battle and we need to memorize Scripture to say out loud when facing a fight. Turn the defense into offense. Go on the attack.

Hebrews 4:12New International Version (NIV)
¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

 

Ephesians 6:10-18New International Version (NIV)
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Fight the good fight. But fight to win. A fall into sin can hurt you and others. Fight to win. Use everything at your disposal to fight. God has equipped you for the battle and we do not battle alone.

 Isaiah 41:10New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

 

God bless. You can do it!

 

Marty

A Dangerous Hike Down 9/6/2016

Good Morning,

My cup will soon be filled with Door County Apple Cobbler Coffee and it will be time to get ready for work.

Last month while I was on a short term mission trip we had to hike up and down a hill from our base camp to the ministry and work sites. The trail down the hill was anything but a well laid sidewalk with ADA compliant stairs. At times it could be described as a "slippery road". One wrong step and you could have road rash on your legs or butt.

The climb down reminded me of a Bible passage.

James 1:13-15New International Version (NIV)
¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

We are never tempted to do wrong by God. Yet when we allow our own desires  to rule us we are dragged further into sin like the one bad step on our trail in Haiti. The consequences on that hill were that you would fall further down the hill and could hurt yourself. I did notice however that once someone slipped the fall was not immediately to the bottom. In one instance the first fall led to a second one for a friend of mine.

Sin is the same way. It can convince you that you are ok after your first fall, but the self induced security always leads to another fall. Sooner than later it is a complete fall which is harder to return from.

We need to walk with our spiritual eyes open and avoid temptation by knowing and admitting our own desires and weaknesses. Once we know our weaknesses we can develop a plan to avoid putting ourselves into the path of temptation. We really have to own our weaknesses and evil desires. We cannot blame God for our choices that lead us down the wrong roads in life.

I suggest you meet with an accountability partner and write down your weak spots. Share them with one another and use each other to help in times of struggle and temptation.  This is the beginning of a good plan.  Tomorrow we will talk a little more about two more of our plan elements.

God bless,

Marty