In Awe Of God 12/29/2018

Good Morning,

Door County Chocolate Cherry Creme Coffee has just filled my cup and I am ready to write. Our text today is one that is meant to be a reminder to all of us.

Habakkuk 3:2 New International Version (NIV)

    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.

Repeat them in our day,

    in our time make them known;

    in wrath remember mercy

² Lord, I have heard of your fame;

We have all heard of the works of the Lord. I like to recall the parting of the Red Sea for Moses to lead the Israelites across to safety. Then the sea closed drowning the pursuing army. In the recollection of that awesome display,  I see God's power, His compassion and His wrath.

When was the last time you you stood back in awe of what God is doing around you? Maybe the birth of a child? Maybe the healing of cancer? How about the rising sun? How about the food on your table?  When I take a look at all God does daily in my life I cannot help to not be in awe. Before we head into 2019, recall 2018 and see where God carried you through a rough spot. Look at 365 perfectly planned sunrises. So much we take for granted and should not. What if He stops?

Let God know you love Him and are in awe of His work.

Love to all,

Marty

The Day After Christmas 12/28/2018

Good Morning,

The day  started for me with some Door County White Christmas Coffee. Nice! I am up early hoping to get outside for a short time. I need some fresh air.

Many people will are still out returning gifts or looking for bargains as stores try to empty their shelves.I will be staying at home working on the rehab process of two new knees.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁴ There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,

On Christmas Day we did a gift exchange with Rene's family. Many years ago Mother began to give each child a can of vegetables after she removed the identification label. Each kid owned a can and had no clue what was inside, Mother started to include me in on the  "Mystery Can". This is her little "Christmas Gag" to all of us. So as like every Christmas we all received one one mystery can. Rene and I will decide one night to open our cans and try to make a meal out of the contents. We will report back to her siblings next Christmas.

Why am I writing about this? It is harmless fun, the food all does get used and it has become a tradition. Friends do not forsake gathering together with family. New Years is coming and you might make the choice to "Party like it's 1995 or you might just decide to "hermit up". Let me suggest a small family get together with good food and some games. Start a tradition that lasts. Enjoy the simple.

God Bless,

Marty

New Lesson From The Old Knees 12/27/2018

Good Morning.

I am not back to my routine yet, so the daily blogs might be a little sporadic over the next few days. I did however enjoy a cup of Door County Bourbon Pecan Pie Coffee this morning.

For a few years now, it was apparent that the time was coming to get my knees replaced. A week ago we tackled the job and the progress is looking good. I have clinicians and therapists coming to the house to check on me and assist with therapy. They all ask a lot of questions and it helps to gauge my pain levels. One surprise to the trip of pain is that my back and hips hurt, quite a bit. I asked why that might be. The answer was simple. As my knees continued to get worse and I had to adjust my walk, my back and hips compensated along with them. In other words, my bad knees impacted my hips and back, not in a good way.  The knees are straight and working now. So the back and hips need to adjust with the new knees. Since the knees were done in one day, the back and hips had to start adjusting immediately and it is painful.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

One Body with Many Parts

¹² The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. ¹³ Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

¹⁴ Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. ¹⁵ If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
¹⁸ But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. ¹⁹ How strange a body would be if it had only one part! ²⁰ Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. ²¹ The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
²² In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³ And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, ²⁴ while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. ²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

So what can I apply to life from this? Our actions in life impact others. Although we may stop and recover from our errant ways the impact to others might last longer. They need more time to recover and readjust. When we make the wrong choice, we are only thinking of ourselves, we forget or neglect to see the impact our choices have on others. If we would stop long enough to think about the future and others we might do things differently. If I had thought about damage to my back, I probably would have had these knees replaced sooner.

Food for thought today.

Marty

When You Can't Celebrate Christmas At Home 12/25/18

Good Morning,

Merry Christmas to all of you. I kicked off my day with a big cup of Door County White Christmas Coffee and a small fire in the fireplace. The weather is very damp outside and the coffee and the fire are helping this sore hunter to get going.

Rene and I both chose our health care professions a million years ago. Needless to say that along with hospital duty comes weekend and holiday work hours. Everyone takes their turn working Christmas and the other holidays. While many are waking up to the sound of Christmas presents being opened, someone is answering the call of duty in many ways this morning. Our military does not take a day off for Christmas, the police and fire departments are there 24/7 and aren't we glad they are! Air traffic controllers keep the skies safe. There is a long list of people that are working today to serve others. Now there are those who are forced to work for instance in grocery stores and liquor emporiums to make sure you have your egg nog and rolls that you forgot. I for one say that if you forgot the butter, too bad! Stay home. It should have been on your list. You forgot it and now do without.

There have been quite a few Christmas mornings when either Rene or I were away from home because it was our turn to pull hospital duty. I went through that a couple of years ago. Instead of moping, I prayed about having a plan to make Christmas for others better.

Here is what I did a couple years ago to enjoy Christmas?

"I forgot to mention that this place smells great. Why you ask? Well an hour ago I started baking ham that is seasoned just a little, and soon I will be taking it to the hospital where Rene works along with some hard rolls, and a cake. Now I am not competing for the husband of the year award here. I already won that too many times!! LOL. But when our heart beats for others it beats best. Have you considered taking some cookies to the fire department today? You see that is what Christmas is all about. Christmas is best when you make it about others. Jesus did."

John 3:16New International Version (NIV)
¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


"Jesus came on Christmas day so others might live. He set the example for what Christmas should be. You are only as lonely today as you choose to be. I for one get to visit a bunch of well fed care givers who are serving others by choice. You can do the same. Someone is serving us somewhere and you can say thank you.  Our church helped to stuff shoe boxes with gifts for children around the world as well as other churches and organizations have done. Some kids somewhere are opening two that we sent. We might not be there in person, but our hearts are."

You have a choice today. You can make Christmas great for someone else or not. I tell you the truth. I am the winner. Our house smells awesome, and in an hour or so I get to see my wife for a couple minutes. Eventually she will be home today and later we will start the grill. But as for me and the dog, we will serve today and enjoy what Christmas really is.

Have a Merry Christmas! I am!!!!

Marty

They Stopped A War To Observe Christmas 12/24/2018

Good Evening,

Door County Spiced Gingerbread Latte Coffee was my morning treat and a cup of the same brew in decaffeinated might send me off to be later tonight. It has been a busy day with Dr's appointments and physical therapy. My writing needed to wait until tonight.

A lot of people have favorite things to read at Christmas, such as "The Night Before Christmas" or account of the birth of Jesus. I always read the birth story. But I have one more that I like to read. It reminds me that differences can be set aside and that humans actually desire to do good. Peace does have a chance. This account is taken from the History Channel.

On December 7, 1914, Pope Benedict XV suggested a temporary hiatus of the war for the celebration of Christmas. The warring countries refused to create any official cease-fire, but on Christmas the soldiers in the trenches declared their own unofficial truce.
Starting on Christmas Eve, many German and British troops sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines, and at certain points the Allied soldiers even heard brass bands joining the Germans in their joyous singing.
At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out “Merry Christmas” in their enemies’ native tongues. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and songs. There was even a documented case of soldiers from opposing sides playing a good-natured game of soccer.
Some soldiers used this short-lived ceasefire for a more somber task: the retrieval of the bodies of fellow combatants who had fallen within the no-man’s land between the lines.
The so-called Christmas Truce of 1914 came only five months after the outbreak of war in Europe and was one of the last examples of the outdated notion of chivalry between enemies in warfare. It was never repeated—future attempts at holiday ceasefires were quashed by officers’ threats of disciplinary action—but it served as heartening proof, however brief, that beneath the brutal clash of weapons, the soldiers’ essential humanity endured.
During World War I, the soldiers on the Western Front did not expect to celebrate on the battlefield, but even a world war could not destroy the Christmas spirit.

One, needs to have hope, without hope, there is no love, where there is no love, there is no hope.

Psalm 147:11New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love

 Put hope for peace on your Christmas prayer list. However short lived it might be, it is worth the prayer time.

Marty

On The Rehab Road 12/23/2018

Good Morning.

I just had my second cup of non hospital coffee since last Tuesday. The old Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee was a a treat to say the least.

Here is the update and what I have learned so far since having both knees replaced last Wednesday. I learned to appreciate people. This would not be a journey that I would want to make alone. I believe God places miracle workers of compassion in our road to show us His love and care for us.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 New International Version (NIV)

    because they have a good return for their labor:

¹⁰ If either of them falls down,

    one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

    and has no one to help them up.

¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

    But how can one keep warm alone?

¹² Though one may be overpowered,

    two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken

⁹ Two are better than one,

My wife, Rene has been a warrior through this all. She just completed my morning therapy despite my whining. God blessed me with a wife beyond measure. Family has reached out with visits and help. Friends have been there right along with Rene. One close brother agreed to watch the therapy so he could coach me and push me along. He had to see me at my worst. It wasn't pretty. There is a commitment from other friends to bring meals by to help Rene as she concentrates on my therapy and the chores of the home. One friend brought a thermos bottle full of non hospital coffee yesterday to my hospital room. Was that a treat! Gifts of prunes and magazines were given to me. The prunes are now very handy.The surgeon has a sense of humor which I will leave for another day.

 The surgery team took "my time out call" to pray before they launched into their work with dignity for me and later I was visited by two who appreciated the prayer time. We held a little prayer service in the operating room. God is good.

My caregivers while in the hospital ranked "TOP NOTCH" . Compassion and drive to get me on my feet drove them to reach far and beyond.

God does some of His greatest work through willing servants. I want to thank the numerous people who texted, emailed or called. But the greatest glory goes to God for the army He assembled for my care. As I sit here with ice packs on my legs I see the forethought of a friend who said, "take these you will need more".

I did not want to take this journey of surgery and rehab. No one would, but it will be worth it.  I learned much so far. I saw God at work last week.

Have a great day.

Marty

Unequally Yoked It's No Joke 12/19/2018

Good Morning,

Skipping the java today. But if I were to imbibe it would be a cup of Door County White Christmas Coffee.  I hope today is a day without surprises for me. I will write about this subject later this week.
I am taking off from writing for a few days while I recover from knee replacements. A rest is in order. I will get back to it as soon as possible.

This subject might not be too popular for some folks but it needs to be talked about and I never shy away from a rough subject.

I believe in all sixty six books of the Bible and believe the Bible is God's Word in written form. The Word is to be taken as a whole, not to be picked apart and then applied as a human sees fit. So when I hear of someone deciding to get married against God's instructions I wonder just how much they believe in the God of the Bible.

God's instructions for settling on a mate are very clear.

2 Corinthians 6:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14  is the most quoted verse calling believers to be “equally yoked”. But many believers fail to see why this command from God, written by the Apostle Paul is so important. Others disregard it completely. This is not written to stop people from dating, but it is meant to stop people from dating the wrong person and eventually being yoked in marriage.

In Deuteronomy 7 Moses is instructing the Israelites  in their responsibilities as God's people. They have been freed from slavery and are now free men, about to enter the Promised Land. But Moses gives a warning:
“You shall make no covenant with [the people of the land] and show no favor to them. Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them… for they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods…” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4

I compare this total disobedience to a parachute. People put on a parachute when told that the plane they are riding in might crash. They put that puppy on and cling to the cord. But then the plane lands safely and off comes the chute. People do they same thing with God. They often claim to have a relationship of love with Him while they have a need. People run to Jesus as a Savior only to reject Him by being disobedient to God's Word.They used Him as a parachute and now the desire to date outside of Biblical context causes them to toss the "Chute" and serve their own desires.

If Christ is truly King of our lives, our most intimate selves should be submitted to His influence. How then can we unite a Spirit-led soul to one in rebellion against God?
This irritates people in a big way, because no matter how respectful, sweet, or “loving” an unbelieving partner is, he or she  is at odds with Christ – he or she  is in rebellion. But if we call ourselves Christians, we’re saying we believe the Bible is our final authority. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that without Christ we are “[unresponsive] in our transgressions”, conformed to the world, “living by the cravings of our flesh” and “by nature, children of wrath”.  This is who we are without Jesus. This is who everyone is apart from Christ.
Therefore, those of us in Christ cannot be in a harmonious, God-pleasing relationship with an unbeliever. There is no fellowship between light and darkness (2 Cor. 7:14)!

Being unequally yoked is total disobedience and is more dangerous than you think. We see this dangerous act in  Scripture, we see this theme repeated. One is Samson, who continually sought out unbelieving women, a choice which in the end destroyed him (Judges 14), The other is Solomon, the wisest man in the world – until his many wives led him to worship other gods (1 Kings 11).

Is God a parachute that is only worn when you need Him? Or is He the Lord and final authority of your life?

Marty