Advice At A Funeral 3/7/2020

Good Morning,

Saturday arrived and it was right on time. I am enjoying some extra time in prayer accompanied by my mug of Door County Highlander Grog.

Last night my wife Rene and I attended a "Life Celebration" for a young friend of ours. This 24 year old mother of one little girl passed away last week and is now at home in heaven with Jesus Our Lord.  The crowd of hundreds were there to honor her, mourn, grieve, and also celebrate her new home. Rene and I stood in line to offer our condolences and say whatever you can say at a time like this.

My heart was breaking for all of them. She was the middle child of six and the middle child of triplets. I am sure the family has attended a funeral or two but not one for an immediate  family member. This grief hit home and it hit hard. I don't care what anyone thinks, but at times like these the fact that you showed up means a lot to people, but those meaning well never really know what to say. As we stood in line, my eyes fell upon the dad, husband and grandpa of the family. I prayed especially for him. He has a big job ahead of him as the leader of the family. When I reached him and offered my pledge of sympathy and love, we hugged and I could feel his pain. I said what I had to say what to me felt like trying to fill a swimming pool with an eye dropper. I have been on the mission field with this guy and we served the Lord with vim and vigor. To see him in this type of emotional pain was hard to do. Later last night, I was praying for the family and especially Dad.

Friends we all know someone going through a season of grief. Some of those folks will be the leaders of the clan. They will be strong in front of the team and try to lead without showing the hurt and pain.  Last night was no time to give advice to anyone. Last night was a time for mourning and celebrating. Last night all I could do was to hurt with my friends and that was more than appropriate.

This morning I sought God and asked for His thoughts on someone being the leader of their clan and how they might do it. As I was praying and studying the answer came from God's Word as I figured it would. God spoke clearly and the answer was one that gives hope. My friend is the one God gave to the family to lead them through this. He Is God's man for the job. Joshua was God's choice to lead the people of Israel to the promised land. God had given instructions through Moses for them to follow. God encouraged  Joshua with these words so he could be successful. I believe these words will apply to my friend. The road will be long and bumpy, but with God's plan in hand they will make it.

Joshua 1:6-7  " Be strong and courageous. because YOU Will Lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be CAREFUL to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you, do not turn from it, to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Friends this is great advice for all of us going through a time of despair, especially when in addition to your own grieving you are to lead others through to a land ( grief) they have never been before. God has given us advice in His Word and nothing needs to be added to it and definitely nothing should be taken away from it.

Friends, many of you are going through a rough spot right now and although I can't see all of you or converse in person, know that I pray for all those who read this. God is that big that I can pray for those unseen and in many cases unknown. The prayers are heard and answered.

God bless,

Marty

Clam Chowder Is What I Need 3/6/2020

Good Morning.

Happy Friday. My coffee is Door County Jingle Bell Java.

My wife and I plan on enjoying a bowl of clam chowder tonight. Our regional temperatures are supposed to be cool tonight. What does this devotion have to do with clam chowder. Nothing, except that clam chowder is good. And now and then it's just nice to sit back and enjoy something you like. I see clams as a good gift from God.

James 1:17

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Clam Chowder Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter  God made cows, milk and ultimately butter.
• 1 medium onion, finely diced God gave us the sun to grow onions.
• 2 celery stalks (reserve tender leaves) trimmed, quartered lengthwise, then sliced into 1/4-inch pieces God gave us the rain to water the Earth that produces celery
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour  God gave us the farmer that grew the wheat for flour
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock God saved the chickens via Noah from the flood.
• 2 (10-ounce) cans chopped clams in juice God filled the oceans with clams and other delicious items.
• 1 cup heavy cream God again made the cows that gave us the milk.
• 2 bay leaves God knew what Bay leaves would go good with.
• 1 pound Idaho potatoes, cut into 1/2- inch cubes God gave us potatoes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper Seasoning reminds me of a parable and Jesus.

Pan Toasted Croutons:

• 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Heat the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery and saute until softened, mixing often. Stir in the flour to distribute evenly. Add the stock, juice from 2 cans of chopped clams (reserve clams), cream, bay leaves, and potatoes and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, stirring consistently (the mixture will thicken), then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook 20 minutes, stirring often, until the potatoes are nice and tender. Then add clams and season to taste with salt and pepper, cook until clams are just firm, another 2 minutes.

For the Pan Toasted Croutons:

Melt the butter in a large skillet and toss the bread cubes in the butter until browned and toasted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add parsley and season with salt and pepper.

Happy Friday. Enjoy something God gave you.

Love ya
Marty

Mother's Rolls 3/5/2020

Good Morning to All.

I am starting today with a hot cup of Door County Caramel Pecan Scones Coffee and prayer

The picture above is a sample of the rolls my Mother used to bake.  These were just some of the good stuff that would await us when we would go to visit my parents. Our Mom passed on to heaven a few years ago. But I can still smell these rolls. When my wife and I would finally arrive after the 5-6 hour trip to their home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, usually late at night we would be welcomed with a hug, and a roll ( or two). The light was always on and there was love to be had and conversation until we all just could not stay awake any longer. My Mom and Dad never slept until we arrived.

Did you know that God is always ready to hear from us and welcomes a visit with Him anytime of the day or night?  And He has plenty to say and He has an ear that hears us. Next time you can't sleep, God has the light on and is ready for a visit. All you need to do is knock and come in!

Deuteronomy 8:3

New King James Version (NKJV)

³ So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

Isaiah 59:1
The LORD is not too weak to save or his ear too deaf to hear.

Psalm 121:3
 He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber;

Have a great day.
Marty

A Goal That Was Short 3/4/2020

Good Morning. Blessed be your Sunday. I am starting today with a couple biscuits and some Door County Highlander Grog Coffee.

When I was a young teenager I used to love to listen my grandparents 8 track tape player. Now for you younger folks that was the next thing that came out after vinyl records. While other kids were listening to the Rolling Stones or Bobby Sherman I would be listening to Dean Martin and Tom Jones. Both artists performed a version of a song called The Green Green Grass of Home. It basically talks about a man knowing that he will be executed in prison and then finally reach his home town where he will be laid beneath the green grass of home. He does not talk about reaching heaven for eternity. His goal is short of what is truly needed. (Lyrics posted below)
As I am writing this I can look out my window and see the grass of my lawn turning green. We have been blessed for many years to have a home and yard we love. Today has me thinking about my own mortality and that some day I will be laid beneath the grass in a cemetery within my town. But I really won't be there. What is left of my used up body will be. But I won't be there and I really don't care.. I will have joined my Lord and Savior in heaven. That's where you will find me.

Revelation 22:3-5
And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever.

Philippians 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has.

So my wife might plant me in a beautiful spot and there will be a stone to say where this heap of flesh was buried. But I won't be there. Your desire should be to spend eternity with God not just to visit me in heaven. So if you have not invited Jesus in as Lord and Savior do so today.

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Acts 4:12
"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."

Invite Him in today. I will see you on the green green grass of heaven!

God bless,
Marty

"Green, Green Grass Of Home"

The old home town looks the same,
As I step down from the train,
And there to meet me is my mama and my papa.
Down the road I look, and there comes Mary,
Hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.

The old house is still standing,
Though the paint is cracked and dry,
And there's the old oak tree that I used to play on.
Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary,
Hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.

Yes, they'll all come to see me,
Arms reaching, smiling sweetly.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.

Then I awake and look around me,
At the four gray walls that surround me,
And I realize that I was only dreaming.
For there's a guard, and there's a sad old padre,
Arm in arm, we'll walk at daybreak.
Again, I'll touch the green, green grass of home.

Yes, they'll all come to see me
In the shade of the old oak tree,
As they lay me 'neath the green, green grass of home.

The 5th Commandment Is #5 For A Reason 3/3/3020

Good Morning,

My day started with a hot cup of Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee.
Hang in there. Tuesday is here! Here comes Wednesday next.

I thought we could look at the fifth commandment today. In order to do that we need to take a quick peak at all ten.

1) I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

2) Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

3) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

4) Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

5) Honor thy father and thy mother. And it will be well with you.

6) Thou shalt not murder.

7) Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8) Thou shalt not steal.

9) Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor.

10) Thou shalt not covet anything that belongs to thy neighbor.

Did you ever wonder about the order of the commandments? I have. Here is what I noticed . The first four lay out the fact that God is God. There is no other. We shall not have idols in our life. We should never use God's name in vain, and He means business when He said we should keep the Sabbath holy.

Then comes the fifth one. Kids honor your mother and father. I wondered why thou shall not murder did not come before honoring mom and dad?
The answer is found here.

Leviticus 19 New King James Version (NKJV)

19 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

³ ‘Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

Notice that the first four deal with God and the way He is to be treated. Next in the order is the importance that God places on the importance of children honoring their parents. But here is the real lesson. God expects the parents or parent to lead the children to understand and revere the first four commandments. The parents are to be the example of all ten of the commandments. There is no doubt. But the importance on teaching a child to have a relationship with our Holy God comes first. Once that is established the others will fall into place. How can a child honor a parent when they are not taught first to honor God, praise Him, Love Him, and to hold Him as holy?

God places great importance on this. Friends don't skip Sundays in church with your children, open your Bibles with your kids, worship with them,  and lead them to love God.

After all it is a commandment! Not an option. When God becomes and option, most of the time He is no option at all.

God bless,
Marty

Working Two Jobs For Nothing 3/2/2020

Good Morning,

Sunrise will be here soon and I will welcome it with open arms. I just finished some of my prayer time and now it s time to settle in and write. The house is quiet and warm. a cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee is sitting next to me. All is well.

We all have a calling or two in our lives and having one job as well as keeping up with home chores keeps me busy enough. There have been times in my life where I had to pick up some extra work to build up the bank account or pay off some unforeseen bills. I was fortunate enough to be able to perform some plumbing work for people and it paid enough to get us where we needed to be in our finances.  There were times that working the two jobs had me just more than exhausted. But yet, I would take on a third job, that i was not qualified for and had no business doing at all.

Let me explain, and I think many of us do this. We try to play God and judge the world. We see an injustice or we are wronged and we rise up and start a crusade of judgement, exercising our anger or disdain. We decide that we should carry out what God isn't doing in the way or time we would have it done.

This second or third job that we take on weighs us down and an already tired and weak body becomes more worn and haggard. We lose the ability to focus on anything else and lack the drive to let it GO!!  God is the One who sits in the judgement seat and clearly warns us to stay out of  His chair.  We will never be able to carry the weight of righting the wrongs and handing our or not handing out punishments for the things others did. We are not God!

Luke 6:37-38 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give and it will be given to you. For the measure you use will be used to measure you. 

We cannot assume we know what  the correct amount of judgement or sentence is or should be. We can lessen our load in the world, by letting God handle the wrongs of others. We should spend more time keeping ourselves free from sin and self made troubles.  There is a Country Western Song that says "Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy."  I think we should all retire from trying to run the world and lose the job of self righteousness. We can all use a vacation from the job taken, but not needed.

God Bless,

Marty

Just A Walk In The Valley 3/1/2020

Good Morning,

Sunday it is and it is well with my soul. My caffeine source for this morning is Door County Roasted Praline Coffee. It is serving me well as I warm up.

At 6 AM this morning 11 prayer warriors went on a prayer walk. They went to what we call "Miller Valley while it was still dark outside.  Miller Brewery was the site where a mass shooting took place last week. 1 gunman took the lives from 5 of his coworkers and eventually killed himself. So 6 lives were lost due to evil, It was eerie to be there knowing that this huge plant was shut down. What is normally a 24/7 operation of hustle and bustle was all but silenced except for some plant utilities like the boilers. The valley except for a couple of workers and security members was deserted. Satan made his mark on the plant and the community

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil,  for you are with me. Thy rod and thy staff comfort me.

But a band of 11 people met in the parking lot on the West side of the campus and walked the streets within the Miller Valley. During the walk they prayed for peace in the valley, emotional healing for the victims families as well as the family of the shooter. The team sang hymns, read Scripture aloud, and prayed for those returning to work this week. Prayers for strength, and to remove the emotional distress of all those who work there were lifted up. In the name of Jesus and His power, prayers were said to bind Satan from the buildings, the entrances, the hearts and the minds of the people who will enter the work gates. They prayed for healing from any anger that would arise from this tragedy.

This little army did not have a general or an admiral in charge. They were banded together by the Ultimate Commander in Chief. God their Father sent them out to reclaim this valley and there was no fear or shyness whatsoever. God led this band of prayer warriors who took the battle from the comfort of their homes right to the streets, and buildings in the valley. Only God could embolden a team like this. I am proud of everyone of them. God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

Friends get into the battle. Fight evil with prayer and action. Nothing to fear except fear itself.

Marty