Fixing Up A Cookie 3/8/2022

 Good Morning,

I am headed out for a long day with a lot of miles to travel. My cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee will be my companion for half of the trip. 

Last night I felt like trying my hand at making some cookies. Macadamia nut cookies seemed to be a easy chore while the directions were in the cook book! I wanted to surprise my wife who has been feeling poorly the last couple of days. 

Well those cookies resembled small cow pies and horse apples more than they did a cookie. Two out of 24 turned out good enough to eat. They didn't look the greatest. So I decided to hide a few blemishes by spreading peanut butter over the top of the cookies. Later I took one to Rene with a small glass of milk. I quote "You have to make these again." I said to myself, "Not in a million years". 

I am still not sure if she meant that statement or not. My point for today is this. Not all cookies, even though they look good are tasty and worth eating two. Some are just not that good and frosting (or peanut butter) just disguises a bad cookie. 

Some choices that we have to make come decorated with the frosting of life and although attractive, they are ugly through and through. How do we know a choice is a good one. Simple answer!

Ask for wisdom in making the choice. 

James 5:12 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 

Don't get caught with your knickers down while making a decision. Pray and ask God for wisdom and choose wisely. 

Marty

The Radio And Me 3/7/2022

Good Morning,

I just poured myself a hot travel mug of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee. I feel the need to be warm today and awake. This coffee should do it. 

I am traveling North for work today and have about a two hour trip ahead of me. And let's not forget the return trip. I am not sure what today will bring today, but one thing for sure is this. With my early start and  my desire to be spiritually fed, I will be tuning in my car radio to whatever Christian station I can find that will be featuring some old time radio preachers. I have the need to go old school this morning. 

I will be listening for four hours today and I am sure that I will hear something God wants me to hear and I will be better for having tuned in. I know that whenever those old school guys preach they saturate their messages with Scripture. And that is just what I need. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

My soul will be well fed today. I recommend when having some down time like I will today, everyone can fill the void with some preaching and some Scripture.

God bless.

Marty

More Than I Deserve 3/6/2022

 Good Morning,

Morning has come and it is time to pour a hot mug of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee. The day will be a busy one and I look forward to the challenge. 

I woke up this morning and put my two feet on the floor. Once I established that feat (LOL) I determined that I was not dead. Our two dogs were using my feet as a launch pad for their morning antics so I did some math. 1 I was alive, and I wasn't in hell so I was two for two and thought that it was more than I deserve. I truly believe that.

As a human, I realize that we all sin and there is a price to pay for not living up to what God wants for us.

Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The first part of Romans 6:23 is really scary and yet never were any words more true than those. We all have sinned. And I am among all. It was God's plan that no one should perish and He offered a solution to our sin debt. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you been saved through faith. This is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so no one can boast. 

I certainly could not earn this gift, or be able pay back the heavy price that was paid for by Jesus Christ the day He he was crucified, died, and was buried. In proof of His victory over sin He was resurrected three days later by the Father. I could not do this for myself, nor could anyone else do it for me. 

Every morning I am humbled by the fact that if it weren't for that sacrifice and the grace of God, I could die and spend eternity in hell. 

Acts 4;12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved. 

Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved".

So each day that I wake up, I will remember the One who died for me.

Have a great Sunday.

Marty 

Forged In The Fire 3/5/2022

 Good Morning,

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee. The aroma from the brewing coffee woke me up before the alarm kicked off. I am awake now!

One definition of the word forged is this. "Make or shape ( a metal object) by heating it in a fire or furnace."

Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. 

As I look back on life and look at where I was when I was in my early twenties and now in the latter half of my sixties I can see some emotional, spiritual, and character growth spurts. As I recalled the times of growth, I also saw that they were often during times of difficulties. 

I asked myself this question. Why did I grow the most during difficult times? The answer was simple. Prior to the difficulties happening, I was self content, self motivated, and did not desire to improve relationships including especially my  relationship with God.  But when difficulties or calamities struck, I went running to God for hope, direction , assurances, and love. You could say that God took my troubles and while in the furnace of the forge, He pounded me into shape, making me useful and stronger to withstand the next calamity. He did his best work on me when I was in the fire of despair. 

Sometimes the forging was painful to the heart and mind, yet when it was finished I was spiritually stronger and emotionally recharged. 

So if you are in that fiery forge and the hammer is coming down on you, let God have His way and let Him do a good work in you. Whatever He hammers out of you is something holding you back in your relationship with Him and others. 

God bless,

Marty

21 Years Ago 3/4/2022

 Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee overflows with good taste, literally! I spilled some coffee this morning and that hot liquid did not exactly tickle my leg. Now with the cup refilled to a level of reason, it is time to write. 

Proverbs 4:2 For I give you good precepts, do not forsake my teaching. 

21 years ago God blessed us with a grandson. From day one, he was a fire ball of energy. He still is the same today as he was many years ago. He goes and goes. I wonder where he get's that from? It certainly isn't me. Truth be known he is just like his mother. She goes and goes and goes. 

I recall a day when my nephew and I were teaching the kid how to shoot. It was a warm day and the idea of some lunch with a cold Coke sounded good. When we took a break for lunch, my grandson was already planning the rest of our day, which did not include any rest. 

Our grandson is still always on the move and is often pulled in a few different directions. But what I am glad to hear is that as he goes and goes, he goes to church. 

If I taught him anything, it is that a man should attend church and be active within it. So we will call him later with our "Happy Birthday" salutation, and my prayer will be that he always makes the roll call on Sundays!  

This should be the prayer of all grandparents and parents. Lead them to God early and often. We are very proud of him. Happy Birthday Grandson. 

Marty

Just A Little Slow Today 3/3/2022

 Good Morning,

I am blessed to have borrowed a coffee grinder so I can grind the beans for a hot cup of Door County Highlander Grog. It worked so well that I might put one on my Christmas list. 

Today is my sister's birthday. This is the second birthday that she is not with us anymore. As a toddler she used to just bother me to no end. Everywhere I went she was bound and determined to go with me. I would purposely walk faster just to make her not want to go with me,. She would say "Mar, you walk too fast for me". Now I wish she were here so we could take a slow long walk together and hear her laugh with her robust gusto. 

Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone. 

If I were to give some advice to all of you today, it would be to slow down and let others be in step with you, especially those children. Believe it or not, your kids and grandkids want to be with you and many times they don't care where you are going. Take them along. Our daughter was just fascinated by a car wash when she was little. I might be going to the store from some milk and she would ask if she could go along. Once in the car she would ask. "My go to the car wash?" She had my and me messed up for about a year. My heart would melt when I would see her asleep in the car seat. A carwash would put that kid to sleep faster than a shot of Nyquil. 

So before you are sitting in front of a computer wishing you hadn't shewed one of those toddlers away, just take them along. It makes for some good memories instead of some bad ones. 

Marty

Sharing A Cup Of Coffee 3/2/2022

 Good Morning,

It is very quiet in our house this morning.  Both dogs have ben outside. Both were fed and now they are happy, content and curled up on my feet. My feet are the warmest place in the house. 

I poured myself a cup of Door County Lighthouse Blend Coffee a few minutes ago. My wife is not a coffee drinker and I have nowhere that I need to be today. So there in no possibility to share a cup of coffee with someone else and just enjoy some morning banter. 

Leviticus 19:34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as a native among you, you shall love him as yourself. For you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am The Lord your God. 

Titus 1:8. Be hospitable, a lover of good, self controlled, upright, holy and self disciplined. 

For years while in the full time work force I would start my day somewhere, or as I liked best, was to start it in my office. I always had a pot of coffee brewing or a Thermos bottle filled with my blend of the day. It was just plain nice to be able to share a cup with another person, say good morning and welcome them in. Many planning sessions took place over a cup of Door County Coffee. 

My work setting has changed and although retired I work part time. My day starts on the road and ends coming home from the road. I do travel with a mug of coffee , but hardly ever do I start my day with handing someone else a cup of morning java.

Friends, this is not a cry from someone who is lonely and in need of a coffee buddy. I am the one who chooses to get up early, work and not have an office anymore. I do miss that first five minutes of work, or those guests that came to the office for something I could do for them. That friendliness of sharing a cup of coffee is what I miss. 

God tells us to be hospitable to people and welcome them into our homes, which also could be our office spaces. I am not advocating for people to be slacking at work, but much more work can be accomplished when your office door is open, you are approachable, and the coffee is a good. 

I wonder what would happen if Russia and Ukraine sat down to start a day with a cup of coffee and were approachable? Even my worst critics were always offered a cup of coffee and a chair. Once we listened to each other we very often found the common ground of agreement. The coffee always tasted better when it was shared.

Marty