Teach Children To Pick Up. 12/14/2016

Good Morning,

My day has started early and I am sitting outside on a patio drinking some Door County Hot Buttered Rum Coffee. It has a distinct flavor that I think would go great on a Saturday morning with our fireplace glowing on a cold morning in Wisconsin.

We enjoyed a wonderful day with our daughter and son in law yesterday, but I think we "over indulged". I should have skipped the Red Velvet Cupcake. When we arrived back at the resort I was feeling a little guilty so I returned to the basketball court for a work out. This resort has four basketball courts with plenty of basketballs for everyone.

On the court next to me, a family of four was shooting baskets, and playing a game of horse. They finished their game and started to leave. Now each one of them had a basketball. There is a ball rack for the basketballs to be put away neatly. When this family started to leave the mother asked the father "should we pick up the balls"? His answer stunned me. "No, people get paid to pick up things here, they can earn their money." Later, I was the last one to leave and I went and put away all the basketballs. I was still in awe of his answer. That dad just taught his kids to disrespect other people. I prayed for them and just shook my head. As I was walking back to join Rene I saw the same family leaving in their van for somewhere. There must have been some family squabble and I heard the dad say "Why don't you kids listen to me"? I laughed so hard inside that I almost laughed out loud. The table had already turned on  dad. He received the law of the harvest. You reap what you sow!

Galatians 6:7-10New International Version (NIV)
⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

If we want our kids to respect us, we need to teach them to respect others also. You can't teach them with a double standard. It just won't work.

This basketball court has been great for blogger fodder. Swimming pool today???

God bless,
Marty

Playing Basketball With An Antique 12/13/2016

Good Morning,

The Door County White Christmas Coffee just finished brewing and my cup awaits me. This looks to be a fine day for weather, About 83 degrees will come our way. Only a few more days and we head back to the frozen tundra.

Yesterday I had a lot of paperwork to do regarding our Dad's estate and it went pretty well. Rene wrote out some Christmas cards and then decided she was going for a work out. The resort we are staying at has a more than adequate fitness center. She asked me if I wanted to come along and I declined. My goal was to complete my work and then take this antique body of mine and go to the basketball court to shoot baskets in the sun.  Rene gave me a funny look, I am sure she was wondering if I would survive the heat, basketball, and my age.

I was the only one there and my first shot went right in. But to my surprise they had just changed the nets and the ball would not come all the way through. The basketball was stuck! In my younger days I would have jumped up and swatted it, thus causing it to come down. I knew one attempted jump like that and my old knees would pop for sure. But stupid is as stupid does. I tried reliving the old days and gave it a try. Well I made it and am truly sorry today that I did. My knees did not pop but I am as sore as sore can be today. I continued shooting some baskets on another hoop with an old net. And let's just say that my shooting percentage showed it's age also.

I think we all do things like that from time to time, pushing the limits when we actually know better. So this morning I am washing down Ibuprofen with my coffee and oatmeal. The Holy Spirit warned me but my ego got in the way and now I am paying for it.

We need to heed advice given. When sound advice is given and we don't take it, we might just have to suffer the consequences. This blog is my testimony to foolishness on my part.

Proverbs 12:15English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

    but a wise man listens to advice.

It is hard to admit that I can't do all the things I did when I was younger and the Holy Spirit gave me an out and a way to get the ball down, by just throwing another basketball at the net. My stubbornness gave me a set of sore knees today. I will be fine. The sore knees just remind me of being a fool. When I get home I might sell my basketball, but not my football!

God bless. Listen to good advice today.

Marty

Marty

Put Those Away Before You Hurt Yourself 12/12/2016

Good Morning,

Wow, it felt weird to wake up in a strange place today. I couldn't figure out where I was for a few minutes. But then I could smell the Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee brewing and this strange place now started to be familiar.

Today I want to talk about those little sins that people like to keep. For instance messing around with gossip. What starts as a small conversation about someone can lead to more of the same and before you know it there is hurt, anger or resentment knocking on your door.

Or the harmless flirting that starts out so so innocently but turns into a little more after a few beers and then Zappo we have guilt and shame.

Or the little white lie that is meant to make things easier, but then explodes and the poop hits the fan.

I could write this list all day long and you could all add to it. But here's the point. When we knowingly mess with even the little transgressions, they all can lead to worse. Instead of running from them, we embrace them and before too long we are in bad shape and in need of serious spiritual repairs.  For instance King Davis was lazy and did not go off to war. He wanted some air and just took a peek at the lady taking a bath. One bout of laziness, one little peek at the nude beauty and then Zappo!! Spiritual ambulance needed.

2 Samuel 11New International Version (NIV)

David and Bathsheba

11 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

² One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, ³ and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” ⁴ Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. ⁵ The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”
⁶ So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. ⁷ When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. ⁸ Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. ⁹ But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.
¹⁰ David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?”
¹¹ Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”
¹² Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. ¹³ At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home.
¹⁴ In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. ¹⁵ In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”
¹⁶ So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. ¹⁷ When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.
¹⁸ Joab sent David a full account of the battle. ¹⁹ He instructed the messenger: “When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, ²⁰ the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? ²¹ Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then say to him, ‘Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’”
²² The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say. ²³ The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance of the city gate. ²⁴ Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.”
²⁵ David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.”
²⁶ When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. ²⁷ After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

From the account of king David above, do you still want to take a chance on the sins you like to keep? We will talk about the rest of the story tomorrow!

God bless,

Marty
 

When The Whiskey Talks 12/11/2016

Good Morning,

This fine morning finds us in the beautiful state of Georgia resting before we continue our trip to Florida. Our room afforded us the luxury of a coffee maker. So it's almost like home as I sit and drink a cup of Door County Christmas Coffee. I had a good friend give me some travel packs on Friday and I am very grateful for them this morning.

The holiday season for some people isn't always a cheerful time. For whatever the reasons, they are depressed and in some instances will try to drown the pain and sorrow in alcohol. The time of year spent remembering the birth of Jesus Christ has them wishing that their own lives had never happened. What starts out as an office Christmas party or an after work get together ends up in a twisted mess when too much alcohol is consumed. Family gatherings can get ugly when things that would not be said normally are let loose because alcohol or drugs loosen the lips of anger, hurt and despair. They seek to be numb from their situation, but only increase the pain.

One thing I have learned is that you cannot reason with someone who is under the heavy influence of drugs or alcohol. But during their time of inebriation you can hear directly from their hearts. They will tell you or say things that show the ugliness of what is going on inside. You can hear their pain, sorrow, disgust, fears, anger or shame. The time to deal with any of these is when the person is stone cold sober, not while they are drunk. Unfortunately for those around this, it also turns anytime into a nightmare.

If you find yourself in this situation the only solution is to get help from a qualified individual or organization. But the first step is to seek out God for His help.

Matthew 6:33New King James Version (NKJV)
³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

The inner strength you will need to survive this spiritual battle comes from God. This is a battle that can be won.

1 John 4:4New King James Version (NKJV)
⁴ You are of God, little children, and will have trials, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

There is victory in a relationship with Jesus, one that is not found within a bottle or glass.

John 16:33New International Version (NIV)
³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Friends if you find that you cannot rejoice in the season and things are too much for you to handle, throw away the bottle and call on a Bible believing church. Don't be ashamed to come in and lay it on the line. The church is a collection of saints who have all had their lives restored from sin. No one there is above anyone. The church is and should be like an emergency room ready to help restore lives. And you are not beyond restoration. God loves you and wants more for you.

Before the alcohol or drugs gets any worse, run to the arms of God. If you are dealing with a friend or family member who is drunk, do not confront them while they are drunk. Listen to what they say and write it down. In today's world use your phone and record their words. This is not to be published on social media, but to be used to have them acknowledge what they said, When they are sober, read or play their words back to them and let them hear from their own hearts. Then offer help with love, but start with Jesus the Author and Finisher of help. The ultimate choice is their own.  You too need support during times like these. Run to your church, small Bible group and family for support. But always make sure that they are pointing you to God for your ultimate help.

I pray this day finds you in peace. If not, message me and I will be happy to pray for you. With God at our side we together can find the help you need.

God bless,

Marty

No Room At The Inn 12/10/2016

Good Morning

Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee filled my cup this morning. One more for the road and I will be as fine as frog hair.

We are taking a week for some rest, relaxation and for visiting family. Last night we pulled into a motel for some rest as we travel. Thanks to our house sitter we were able to leave fairly early and put on some miles. It was very late and we were tired. We noticed that all the motels had full parking lots. We tried a couple and there was no vacancy. We found out that the area was hosting a huge racing convention and rooms were more than scarce. Finally we found one. Someone had just cancelled their reservation and we just happened to be there at the right time.


We had prayed for provisions and safety for the night before we left. God came through for us and we found a room. We are grateful.

Here is my point for the day. If God cares if we had a place to rest how, much more does He care where we spend eternity? God not only cares but He paid the price of our stay in eternity.

Romans 5:7-9New International Version (NIV)
⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Have you made your eternal reservation in Heaven with Jesus? Why wait, you just never know if or when you will be traveling to eternity. You'd hate to not be staying in the right place.

God bless,

Marty

But As For Me And My House 12/9/2016

Good Morning,

This Friday has begun and it crept up on me. I wish I had an extra Thursday so I could catch up. It would make Friday a lot easier. Well every day deserves a great cup of coffee and my choice is Door County Inn Keepers Blend.

Joshua 24:15New International Version (NIV)
¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

I was talking with a young couple yesterday.  They are working hard to restore a broken marriage and I believe they are headed in the right direction. I see the husband a lot and can always tell how things are going by reading his face. He wears his heart on his face. We chat often, pray often and seek God's plan for their day. As they develop individually in their relationships with Jesus Christ, they develop more as a couple. You could see hope in their eyes yesterday. They do have a long road ahead but I believe if they continue to put God first in their lives they will make it.

This journey they are on is a spiritual battle and they need to load up their spiritual guns. Rene and I learned a long time ago that as a couple we needed to take a stand very early in our marriage. The choice was clear. Do we choose to love and serve God as a house united? Or do we become a couple of "church convenience" and have a lukewarm relationship with God. We chose to love and serve the Lord together. This is a loaded spiritual gun!!

There have been ups and downs for us like every marriage experiences. But the word divorce just isn't in our vocabulary. Loving each other and serving one another is a form of serving the Lord. We take care of one another, provide comfort and support to each other. We worship and pray together. We serve others together. In that way we stay spiritually strong for the battles that choose to come our way. A whole marriage is serving the Lord. A whole marriage should lead always to a  greater opportunity to serve God in other ways.

Do you want a great Christmas present? Choose this day Who you will serve, and see if Christmas just isn't a little sweeter?

God bless,

Marty

Cooking With Love 12/8/16

Good Morning,

The cold weather is here and I for one find it refreshing to be outside this morning with the dog and a hot cup of Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee. The cold truck awaits me, but I will have another mug to travel with. Bring it on!!!!!!!

Our nephew Nick will be watching our house and rooming with our dog Gibbs while we are away to visit our daughter and family in Florida. Those two are a winning combination. When Nick watches our house for us and takes great care of Gibbs, we like to leave the house stocked with some home cooked meals. I ask Nick what he would like and he is always to humble to really tell us what he would prefer in the frig. "Whatever you make is fine with me. I am not picky". Last night I started cooking and in a few hours had three big meals made which should provide leftovers for his lunch.

Rene remarked how quickly it went and how smooth the process was. You see I do all the cooking in our home and consider it a blessing to be able to cook for Rene also. It is easy to do a task when you are doing it for people you love. The people God places in our lives who are close to us are His blessings for us. It's one thing to show them your love through actions, but it always important to verbally let them know how you feel.  I love you should not be hard to say. Your actions then back up your words.  Tell someone close to you that they are loved today. It might be the three most important words of their day.

Mark 12:31New International Version (NIV)
³¹ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

God bless,

Marty