Just Laugh It Off 1/21/2019

Good Morning,

This day started early for me. As usual it started with prayer and a cup of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee. The temperature outside is frigid and I wanted to start my wife's day with a hot breakfast. So as I am writing she is eating some hot hopple popple and fruit.

Colossians 3:12-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

Character of the New Man

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Everyone has an opinion on everything under the sun. This includes opinions on people also. For instance some people will favor a particular athlete over another one, just because one of them has "won enough games already" and others prefer the winner  just because he is a winner.

Unfortunately people often share their views openly which causes a "difference of opinions" and leads to more opinions being formed. My mother always said, "if you don't have anything good to say, then it is best to not say a word.

We should work to build each other up. It only takes one bikini clad celebrity bragging about how she controls her figure to tear down people who have some extra weight around the middle. The world tears down people all day long. Shouldn't we work to build each other up, using our words as a bridge of peace, hope and love? Sometimes opinions are best left to one's self or shared privately to the individual they are intended for. If the opinions shared are about you, laugh it off and let them go in one ear and out of the other unless there is something to glean from the statements. Getting angry is falling for the bait that Satan put in front of you to create barriers and ill feelings towards others.

People choose your words carefully. What you sow, you just might reap. Words that cause harm are words hard to digest.

Happy Monday!!

Marty

Some Things Never Change Sharing Is Caring 1/20/2019

Good Morning,

I just sat down after prayer to a cup of Door County Dublin's Delight Coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs. This man is blessed to be able to enjoy

Luke 3:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

Winter finally hit our portion of the world and it left us with a pile of snow and now some very cold weather. The fireplace is providing some extra heat to our home and I have concluded that the best place to observe the cold weather is to observe it from the inside of a warm building.

Cold weather can be dangerous if one is not dressed properly for it. More automobiles experience cold weather failures than on any average summer day. I have made too many cold weather mistakes in my life that could have been avoided had I heeded the warnings and not challenged the weather. If one can avoid going outside, it would be a wise choice to stay indoors. Nothing about cold weather has changed in my life time. I for one dress to be warm. I wouldn't say that I am a fashion statement.

We need to respect the weather elements that God gives us and if needed or possible help those who are less fortunate. Two blankets might be needed, but if a person has none or only one they will suffer. If you have extra, please help those who are less fortunate. This goes with cold weather as well as severe summer weather. If you can share during a hurricane or extreme heat, wild fires or flooding we must do so.

Blessings are meant to be shared. Warm hats, gloves and coats are made to be worn in the cold weather. Watch and see how you can share and impact the environment or situation of another person or family.

Simple message for today, but one we need to hear more often.

Marty

Sitting Here Resting My Bones 1/19/2019

Good Morning,
My view from the window shows me a winter scene that came in fast last night and now looks like it is going to stay for awhile. I poured myself a hot cup of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee and I will let these bones rest a little longer.

Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

In my therapy for knee replacements I have progressed to more of an aggressive plan now. Yesterday was the first time I was allowed to get on to a stationary bicycle. I gave that bike a long look before I ventured on to the seat. I have been on many stationary bikes in my day, but with these two surgeries, the one I was facing yesterday was a bit intimidating.

My wonderful wife Rene was there, my physical therapist and her intern were there also. All three were like Mom's cheering me on like I was the last batter who could win the Little League Baseball World Series. "You've got this, you can do it" is all I heard.

Once on the bike, the goal was to not make full revolutions, just half trips. Forward and backwards, nice and easy were the instructions. Each time as I warmed up I was to see if I could take the "semi revolution" just a little further. Then it happened. As I pushed myself further along, the travel measurement was almost a full turn around. My next spin took me to the edge of no return. I couldn't stop the bike from following through and we made a full revolution all the way around. There was silence in the room. My knees were singing the Hallelujah Chorus, but it was definitely off key, because they were barking from pain. The knees went all the way. I continued slowly then, making several full cycles on the bike that goes nowhere. It didn't take too long to wear me out and it was very soon after I was off of the bike they packed my legs in ice to control the pain and swelling.

It was a long day and the pain lasted well into last night. Friends I am not complaining. I knew this would be a long haul before we began. I have been praying through this ordeal, including therapy trips. Things are looking good. Without some pain there will be no gain. Today we will do a couple flights of stairs. Tomorrow I will be back on a bike.

God has carried me this far and I am counting on Him to continue. He has given me the strength to go when I did not want to. He has delivered excellent caregivers to me and has given Rene an extra dose of patience to be able to meet my needs. We go through things together.

I pray before every therapy session. Skilled hands guide the steps. But it is God who oversees all healing.  Friends this may sound trivial, but pray about everything that you have to encounter. Let God be the guide to buying a new refrigerator. Which person should you date. Ask Him for protection while driving. I will swear to it until I die. I believe an angel gave that bike pedal a little push yesterday just to help me go further than we all thought I could.

Friends, pray, pray and pray again. This fear conquered. I just might try ice fishing next year.

Marty

Your Plans Or God's Plans? 1/18/2019

Good Morning,

This day began a few hours ago for me and it was greeted with prayer and a cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee. I needed more time to pray today before writing. Now it's time to write.

Proverbs 19:21 New King James Version (NKJV)

Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

²¹ There are many plans in a man’s heart,

Proverbs 28:26 English Standard Version (ESV)

    but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

²⁶ Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,

According to scientists there are four personality/style  types. Aggressive/Drivers, Passive/Just go with it, Data/ I need proof, and Expressive, Lets Talk it through. These four have been renamed in many booklets and most people in management know where they sit on the chart and they then learn how to work with the other style types.

 I want to talk today about God, church and leadership. The first style Aggressive Drivers are needed in many instances to get things done. But very often they will arrive at a decision without all the facts and most importantly without God's plan that has been prayed out and needs to be followed. If the plan fails the driver, is then sent into reactionary mode and will often again make a decision without prayer. They often will pair themselves with another reactionary to balance out their decision with numbers agreeing, but still  in lack of prayer and direction.

Passive church members are always needed and they go with the flow and allow others to direct them. In many instances though they become people followers instead of God followers. When things just aren't right, they will leave a church without asking God if they should leave, nor do they want to fix a problem. They leave, "not wanting to make waves or speak up".

Data driven people are a good check and balance group. They will look at facts before committing dollars to a project, check Scripture for accuracy, yet they are hard to lead into a decision that counts entirely on faith.

Expressive people love to involve everyone and this is a great trait. But they also like to talk, and then talk some more which often holds up progress or decisions with a time frame.

A church is made up of many members and all the members provide a talent or function. Each one is important. Yet God does not always disclose His plan for individuals to the whole church, until it is needed.

The church though must be reminded that there is One Head and that is Jesus Christ. Any plans prayed about and agreed upon, which are Scriptural and providing good fruit should be the course to follow. God lays out the plan but not always does He reveal the next steps until we are faithful in our ability to follow what He last instructed. Next steps should be prayed about and not rushed into as a reaction to a perceived need. When we go outside of God's plans without prayer, data, and agreement we become our own little idols. Little idols like to take charge and alter a course even when the course has been successful. They lack data, and knowledge from heaven. They react without inviting prayer into the camp and clear direction.

Friends, God is very clear on making plans without Him and seeking Him in prayer.

Be careful the steps you take could be the wrong ones. Like antique dishes, a broken plan can't always be fixed when it breaks.

Marty

Nehemiah And A Day Of Prayer 1/17/2019

Good Morning,

My day began with prayer and a small cup of Door County Highlander  Grog Coffee. My night was long and lacked enough sleep for me to be too chatty this morning. We will continue with part two of the prayer life of Nehemiah. You can refer to yesterday's blog to assist in your prayer venture.

Nehemiah 2

New International Version (NIV)

Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem

2 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, ² so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, ³ but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
⁴ The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Notice! Nehemiah's prayer was answered. His petition for others was granted.
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, Nehemiah was in constant prayer (spiritual prayer). I am sure he did not call a time out to pray for an hour and then answer Artaxerxes. But before speaking he prayed. Do you and I do that or does our mouths run ahead of our prayer life? Are we pompous and rely on our own wisdom before consulting God? ⁵ and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”
⁶ Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. With every petition comes an answer. Then a call. Notice Nehemiah had no idea all that would encounter him on his journey yet he did not hesitate to set a time and then go.. His answered prayer gave him extra faith in what God would and can do.  
⁷ I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah?  ⁸ And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” God also provided wisdom for Nehemiah to ask for the papers he would need. God provided those provisions. And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. He acknowledges who performed the miracle. ⁹ So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
¹⁰ When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. Of course with a call answered by prayer and endorsed by God we will continue to need to rely on God.

Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem’s Walls

¹¹ I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days ¹² I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
¹³ By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal^[a] Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. ¹⁴ Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; ¹⁵ so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. ¹⁶ The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.
¹⁷ Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” ¹⁸ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. Faith in answered prayer can be contagious. Prayer often requires the action of follow through.
¹⁹ But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?” When people scoff at your call and answered prayer, do you stop. Often times we will be ridiculed by our own friends, family or church members. We must be faithful to God who spoke to us and follow through.
²⁰ I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. Faith in answered prayer builds confidence. Not in our abilities but in God's promises to follow though. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

Friends when was the last time you had a Nehemiah type day? My advice is to get going. The day has already started and it will be tomorrow soon and you might just miss out on God at work.

Love to all.
Marty

Lessons From Nehemiah 1/16/2019

Good Morning.

Starting what will be a long day with a hot cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee. I pray that your day will be one of peace joy, and happiness found in the Lord.

Today I am going to try something different. I am going to print a passage from the book of Nehemiah and then add my comments between verses. Then I am going to ask you to see where you fall in line with the Scripture and comments. This is the Marty Commentary!

Nehemiah 1

New International Version (NIV)

Nehemiah’s Prayer

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, ² Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. This was what was left after 100 years of exile.

³ They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” Their city was in ruins.
⁴ When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. ⁵ Then I said: Notice that Nehemiah went to prayer for days and he fasted. His prayer was filled with emotion.

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, Nehemiah knows who he is praying to. The custom of pagans was to pray to many Gods. Many Israelites had fallen into that habit. Nehemiah prayed to the one and only God.  ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. Notice as he interceded that he admitted being in sin as well as the sins of others. He knew how holy he wasn't. ⁷ We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
⁸ “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, ⁹ but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ He knew God's promises.
¹⁰ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Nehemiah knew that he would be going before the king and needed the help of God. He asked for what he was afraid about.

Friends what type of prayer life do you have? Do you intercede for others with a "High and Mighty Attitude? Or do you remember that you too are imperfect before God and admit it. Where do you draw the line on prayer time? Notice Nehemiah prayed day and night before God.  

Makes you wonder what our world would be like if we all prayed like Nehemiah.

Tomorrow I will continue the story of Nehemiah. Let's see how this ends.

God bless,
Marty

Notes Under A Rock 1/15/2019

Good Morning,

It is a cold damp day here where I live and my cup of Door County Frosting On The Cake Coffee is hot and tasty. It is working to fight off the chill in our home.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing

As I recuperate from knee joint replacements, the kitchen table has become my desk. I haven't graduated to moving back upstairs to my den. The kitchen window has gifted me with being able to observe more people  and their daily routines.

I have been watching all kinds of things from joggers, to dog walkers, kids waiting for school buses and one young lady who receives a ride to school. A van with a female driver picks her up. This just looks like one family helping another. Prior to the van pulling up, the young lady walks down to the end of the street and waits on the corner for her ride. This does not happen every day. Yesterday I happened to be outside with our dog when she made her morning trek to wait for her ride.

I have been noticing that this young lady takes a very small package and places it in the landscape rock of the yard bordering the street corner. Later another young lady comes by to catch a ride about twice a week and she retrieves the little package.  I believe they must attend different schools.

So my curiosity got the best of me. I asked the young lady what she was doing and she said "my friend struggles with school and when I know she is ride sharing I leave her a note of encouragement in the rocks. I read a daily devotional and I share a page or two with her. I cut the message from my book and save it for her. We study hard and do not have time during the week to chat and be friends". She showed me the contents of the package. It was exactly what she said it was.  I thanked her for being a good friend to her pal. " Before her ride came, she went on to explain that the receiver of the note also shares the message with other teens who enjoy an encouraging word.

I see in this last couple of weeks, teenagers caring for others. They are not hurting the landscape. But they are making the world a better place one little page at a time. When was the last time you sent a note of encouragement?

Marty