All Fur Coat And No Knickers 11/7/2017

Good Morning,

The sound of the Door County Candy Cane Coffee perking in the kitchen woke me up today. The air is crisp and cold, so the coffee is much needed.

The expression "All Fur Coat And No Knickers" is one I heard when  my wife was glued to the Hallmark channel while watching some holiday movie. The line was used  by one gentleman who was addressing a very stuffy and pumped up young lady. In the movie she was pointing out the faults of another family, and being quite mean.  The young lady was a rich, over privileged aristocrat who needed to get her attitude in check. The older gentleman told her that although she had a title, she was "All Fur Coat And No Knickers".

Galatians 6:3English Standard Version (ESV)

³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

This implied, that although she dressed like royalty and was quite wealthy she  had faults as well, just like everyone else. She might be important and privileged, but under her coat of self righteousness she was missing her underwear. Not to be too forward here, but the implication was not about her undies. Although she was rich and treated well because of it, she had her own issues that were hidden because of her place in life. What people saw was not what she really was like. She was two different people. One who demanded respect but certainly did not present herself worthy of it. She my friends was a hypocrite.

Luke 6:46New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

We can't preach one way and act another way. We need to be real and live the way we preach it. We can't act one way on Sunday and lead a hidden life the rest of the week. We can't follow God just on Sundays. God knows the real us.

Luke 12:2New Living Translation (NLT)

² The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.

Don't forget your knickers.

Have a great day!!! God bless.

Marty

Turn Back The Clocks. But I Can't 11/6/2017

Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee just seems to be wasted on me this morning. I can smell and taste it, but the desire within to enjoy it, is null and void.

This morning I find myself listening to the news and they are rehashing and giving updates on the mass shooting in Texas that happened yesterday. Once again many in this nation are numb and bewildered as to why anyone would want to attack people in their church.

My hometown suffered the same tragedy a few years ago when a man filled with hatred opened fire at a church. The officials will piece this thing together and fill everyone in and we will have some knowledge as to why. But any answers will not stop the agony of the little Texas community. I wish we could turn back the clocks and start Sunday all over with the knowledge of what we know now. But that is not possible.

I saw other churches reaching out to the Baptist church that was riddled with bullets and disaster. I know that our church is praying already, but we will get down to it with a group of men on Tuesday night. God will step in and will use other churches to administer love and care. The love of Jesus will show loud and clear.

There are two Bible verses I go to when things just don't make sense and I need to know that God cares and loves me. I have to be truthful, I went to them before I shared them with you.

Zephaniah 3:17English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

 

 1 Peter 5:10Living Bible (TLB)

¹⁰ After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you stronger than ever.

My prayers are with those in Texas who are grieving. We grieve with you. You are not alone.
It wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if Jesus came back today.

Amen,

Marty

Money, Money, Beware!

Good Day!

I am running late this fine foggy day here in Wisconsin. I started the day with Door County Autumn Spice Coffee and a peanut butter cookie.

Today I would like to take a look at money and how in some instances the desire for more, can ruin a person or family.

Hebrews 13:5New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

 

I don't believe anyone actually is in love with money. I think the love relationship is the love of what money can do for us.

 

Money can take us places.

Money can but better homes.

Money can get us fancy clothes

Money can afford us the luxury of buying lavish gifts.

Money can get us the best seats at a sporting event.

Money can take us to restaurants instead of cooking at home.

 

Let's look at what else money can do for us when we fall in love with the money.

 

Money can help us to work longer hours and be away from our families/

Money does take us places  like divorce court.

Money can purchase fancy clothes for us. When we love money we are more likely to walk past someone needing clothes on our way to shop.

Once we start purchasing lavish gifts, ordinary just won't do anymore.

The best seats might just be at home with our family and some popcorn.

Money might help us to forget how to eat healthy. It's easier to enjoy a home cooked meal when you are sick. Most restaurants don't deliver broth and Jello.

Is your house a home where people flourish or is it just a show piece? Does it feel like home?

 

If the love of money walks you away from God you might just want to be poor. When loving money and what it can do, makes you choose money over God, you are spiritually poor already.

 

Food for thought.

 

Marty

 

 

 

 

Just A Little Bit Of Heaven 11/4/2017

Good Morning,

Normally I am hunting by now. But the old legs just won't go this morning. Tomorrow for sure will find me in my waders, the dog right beside me and a cup of Door County While Chocolate Cinnamon Dolce Coffee in my hand.

The reason I am nursing some sore bones is that our church held it's annual men's steak feed. The preparation for the event started Thursday and then again yesterday morning. Once we had the cleanup complete it was midnight and the day had taken it's toll.

But to a man ,who gave up two days, I am sure each one would say that they would do it again. After the steak meal where each guy has to go outside to cook their own steak, and then dine on potatoes , garlic bread and our world famous beans, we head into our church sanctuary for a message from a speaker. We have been doing this for twenty years. I can still hear the crowd of men singing in 

acapella "How Great Thou Art" You had to be there.

A call from the speaker was made for men to make changes in their lives. For some, their names were recorded in the Lamb's Book Of Life, others made recommitments for some things that needed to change in their lives.

 

Luke 15:7Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁷ I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

For a few it was long over do. But here's the story for the day. A few men answered the call to serve the Lord and work toward His goal. It was a labor of love. But what the small band of steak hosts saw was " A Little Bit Of Heaven". We were joined by God in that auditorium last night. The Holy Spirit rained down and eternity was changed for some. The full results will carry on through those called to make changes in the lives. Jesus and His Gospel message went out.

Matthew 18:20New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

But that small band of men who worked long hours and through some adversity saw what God wanted to do through them. Heaven visited and they saw the fruit of their labors.

If your church has active ministries, won't you consider getting involved? The life you change just might be your own. God is calling, won't you answer?

God bless,

Marty

His Endless Love 11/3/2017

Good Morning,

Friday arrived right on time to start off a very busy weekend for us. Our Men's Ministry Team is hosting the annual Steak Feed tonight and it only gets busier from there on out. So for me it is time to relax and write. I will savor a hot cup of Door County Wisconsin Harvest Blend Coffee as I pray and think.

I see winter on the horizon. Once where there were gardens lush with flowers we see the dried remains of dead plants. I saw a funeral procession travel down the road to a cemetery where loved ones will say goodbye to friend or family member. The leaves are falling off of the trees never to return. We have to sat goodbye to fall and embrace the winter.

One thing that never changes though is God's endless love. This is a thought that can carry us through the autumns of our lives. It is something we can count on that does not have highs and lows like the stock market. No matter where we travel or work, His love is endless. Everyone needs a bit of encouragement from time to time. Like a child we reach out to have our hand held by our Heavenly Father. In His grasp we feel loved and protected. Thankfully we have the Bible as our ultimate source of His encouragement! Take some time to read and meditate on His love for you.

Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps
covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness

Have a wonderful day. You are loved.

Marty

Christmas On My Mind 11/2/2017

Good Morning,

I can smell the Door County Candy Cane Coffee coming to the den just to remind me to finish writing and get myself to work.

John 6:38New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁸ For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

I have Christmas on my mind a lot lately and I am not sure why. I always talk big about Christmas being a hassle and how much work it is. But in all truth I am a "Christmas Softy". I do 90% of all the cooking in this house and I have already started planning my Christmas Brunch menu. The menu will probably change about 15 times before Christmas but never too early to start. Our Christmas cards are printed and we have purchased two gifts already.

Rene has started to pull the Christmas decorations out of storage. Once Thanksgiving is over it is time to start transforming the house into the winter collage known as our home.

I said that I have Christmas on my mind and I do. My memory has taken me to past Christmas days and Christmas Eve nights. If I close my eyes I can see all of those relatives of mine gathered together taking Polaroid pictures and then gathering around the table to eat a feast. I can feel my Grandmother pinching my cheeks and calling me some affectionate name in Italian.

I can see the Nativity scenes placed in spots of prominence in our homes. They were there to remind us of how Jesus left Heaven to come as a baby to Earth, suffer, die and then be raised from the dead by the Father. The sacrifice of Jesus is the true gift of Christmas. But I believe every Christmas spent with family is another gift we should cherish. So with all that is going on in the world and families, who wouldn't be looking forward to Christmas?

I know that I am! Love you all.

Marty

Terror In Manhattan 11/1/2017

Good Morning,

Today I will keep it short and to the point. My day began with prayer, the same way my day ended last night. I awoke to the smell of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee reaching  my will to sleep longer. So up and at it we go.

Manhattan suffered a terror attack yesterday. Lives were lost and others were hurt. I watched the mayor of New York hold back the tears as he spoke and inspired his constituents. The media flashed the picture of the terrorist on the television screen. His eyes were cold and I couldn't muster any emotion one way or the other for him. But my gut was retching from his actions. I felt sorrow for the victims and their families. My heart aches for them.

What I know of Scripture is this. Jesus also died for the sins of the terrorist as well as the rest of the world. If he turns to Jesus in sincere repentance he can be forgiven. I also know the words of Jesus. And He holds the keys to Hades and Hell,. Without Jesus this man is doomed for eternity in hell.

Revelation 1:17-19New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,“Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. ¹⁹ Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

I will leave this man's punishment up to God and the authorities He placed over us. I will trust in God to deal with the terrorist. If the terrorist  chooses hell, it was his choice and that is what he wanted.  His eternity will not be a good one.  What I will do is lift up our nation, New York, the victims and their families in prayer. I will be vigilant and do my part to watch for these types of attacks in my part of the world. and prevent them if possible.

Love to all.

Marty