One Wish. And It Was To Go To Church 3/15/2022

 Good Morning,

I will be leaving soon for work and I will enjoy some time behind the wheel with a travel mug of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee at my side. 

Luke 2:49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? 

I want to say that we have two heroes who live next door to us. Our neighbor Eddie is suffering from ALS. He has been in and out of the hospital lately and times are tough. His wife Donna is by his side through thick and thin. She works tirelessly to take care of Eddie. 

It just so happened that as things were getting worse for Eddie, a few changes in medications at least got Eddie feeling a little bit better. As I was talking to Donna in the yard last week, she mentioned that Eddie would like to try and go to church. Now remember I said he was a little bit better. He still can't move his arms, his legs are week and his head needs to be held up and moved so he can see. Now just a tiny improvement in that lifestyle gave him the motivation to want to attend church. 

So on Saturday night Donna and my wife Rene got Eddie down a set of stairs, loaded him into Rene's car and packed a motorized wheelchair into the trunk and brought Eddie to church. Eddie spoke in church, thanking everyone for their prayers and for some of the kind actions like meals and gift cards that the folks had given them. We belong to a wonderful church and that Saturday night flock has some of the kindest people in it. 

After church Eddie and Donna chatted with a few folks and soon enough it was time for the ladies to pack them up and return Eddie to their home. You could see that the whole event had tired him out. Once home, the ladies took Eddie in and I helped get him up the stairs. 

My point is this. Given a very small improvement in pain and muscle atrophy and seizures, all my neighbor wanted to do was to attend church. 

I have to ask, would that be your choice? What keeps you from church attendance? What dang lazy excuse could we even begin to think warrants staying home. Yes, there are shut ins and those hospitalized and they have good excuses. But I need to say this. Sleeping in, cold weather, a long work week, are not excuses for not attending church and being part of the body of Christ. 

I said it and will defend it. There is a time and place for a video production of church. But most people do not qualify as needing it. It's time to return to church in person and not use lame excuses for not being there to worship and serve. 

Have a great day. I am proud to say that we have two fighters living next to us. 

God bless,

Marty

Saying Goodbye To An Old Friend 3/14/2022

Good Morning,

Monday rolled in like an extra guest that wasn't expected. I am headed out early today for work so this one cup of Door County Cherry Creme Coffee has to be the last one for the day. 

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like sifting shadows. 

On Sunday I had to say farewell to an old friend.  Years of hard work and long days that sometimes ran into the night took it's toll and it was time to lay my friend to rest. That old body was worn beyond worn and it was rested on a frame that has seen better days. So my friend was put out to pasture and will spend it's last days on a farm, never to roam the highway with the radio blasting and taking us to hunting destinations.

I am talking about my old Ford F250 Pickup Truck. You probably just tuned me out about now, thinking that I have gone nuts. Not really.  I bought the old work horse used, and gave it a good home. I took care of it as needed and I drove it to destinations of happiness and some of despair. Many times I was alone, except for a dog or two as I traveled. There were other times that I shared the front seat with a companion. The old truck witnessed me at my best and at my worst. It heard laughter and prayer for the last 8 years. It also heard some crying and had some tears drip down to the seat. The old truck was the first place I wanted to sit when I had both knees replaced. I knew when I sat in that seat and could crawl back out, I was on the mend. 

So why all this sentiment about a truck? I am just sharing my heart and want to thank God for the blessing of the Old Ford. I needed a deal on a truck 8 years ago and God provided one. We never experienced a crash in the vehicle and I was never left stranded by it. So I need to thank God for taking care of both of us.

Food for thought. All good things come from God. 

Marty

The Best Coffee Is One With A Buddy 3/13/2022

 Good Morning,

Once again a small fire is in the hearth warming up the house and my cup of Door County Chocolate Caramel Truffles Coffee is warming my insides up. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has no one to lift him up. 

On Friday I received a call from a close friend. He was having difficulty entering his garage because the door was jammed due to heaving concrete. It needed two people to solve this one. I was off of work and could do what I did need to do for my employer from home at anytime during the day.  This miscue in life would need two guys to solve it and so I packed my sledge hammer which he requested and drove over to his house. We prayed about what we needed to do, asking God for some help, safety and wisdom. We tore into that project like two well oiled machines and within about an hour and a half we were putting the finishing touches on the repairs.  We thanked God for assisting the two of us who are proclaimed to be the "Two Village Idiots" 

One thing we lacked, was to consider the outdoor temperature. We were dressed a little light for the wind and cold. So, by the time we were finished I suggested that he brew a pot of coffee and we warm up before I left. My friend was all for that idea. As we warmed up we talked and refilled our mugs. We chatted for about an hour. 

My friend has been laid up on and off for the last three years. And there are mornings when a cup of coffee will make him vomit. He spent the better part of the last three years in pain. So for us to be able to tackle an emergency repair project together was a gift given to us by God. Then to sit like days of old and drink a cup of coffee, and solve world problems at his kitchen table was especially nice. That cup of coffee not only warmed me up physically, it did a lot for my soul. "Coffee For The Soul" 

The day will come when we will be too old or one of us will be gone home to glory and we won't have coffee time. This cup was a long time in arriving. As I went home, I was grateful for a broken garage door and some frozen concrete. 

Covid has put a lot of dampers on close relationships. And while it is somewhat at bay, do your best to visit one another and share a treat. It could be coffee or pastry, it's your call. Don't let time fly by without living your life. It is best lived when it is shared. 

God bless,

Marty

Marty

A Nice Word Goes A Long Way 3/12/22

 Good Morning,

I have a warm fire burning in the hearth this morning as I work to warm up and wake up. A hot cup of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee is steaming next to me and it is time to write.

Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you. 25. The Lord make His face shine upon you., and be gracious to you. 26. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. 

As far as my blog goes my wife Rene is my biggest critic and my biggest supporter. Yesterday, as she commented on my latest morning words of inspiration she said, "how about some word on encouragement tomorrow." My wife doesn't say much and when in a circle of friends she is always the least talkative. But when she speaks, I listen. 

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. 

So today I want to be more medical than anything. I want everyone to look in the mirror and do a self examination. Look to see if you still have your mouth. Then open your mouth and try to speak. If words come out of your mouth, you have passed your examination and are declared fit to speak physically. Next look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are loved. If you can do that, you are mentally fit to speak to others. 

You have the equipment to speak. You know how to say something nice. So for today, work at saying affirmative, loving, encouraging and kind words to those in your home, travels and on your heart. If need be, pick up the telephone and exercise your vocal cords by affirming your love for someone. Hand out a compliment. If you decide to (and you should) to reach others with warmth and love today exercise your face as well. SMILE while being nice to others. Now, that mask wearing is becoming less and less, enjoy seeing the faces of others and smile back. Not all that long ago and I am included in this, we whined about not being able to see the full face of the people we were talking to. Now that you have the freedom to see a lot more of those faces, take advantage of it, less it be gone again. 

 I declare this day to be "Say Nice Things To One Another Day" by the authority given to me by the committee of Me, Myself and I. 

So I will start it off by saying you are loved to all of you who faithfully read my jargon, and I ask God to bless you all in a special way.

Marty

Placing Blame 3/11/2022

 Good Morning,

Friday arrived right on time and I greeted this morning with gusto. I thoroughly back Friday as the precursor to Saturday and I am good with that all day long. My mug was filled with some hot Door County  Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee. Talk about gusto. That mug of java is full of it!

Titus:3:10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once, twice, have nothing more to do with them. 

Have you ever been around that one person who is always quick to point out blame for a situation gone bad? They are quick to fire the loaded gun of accountability without thinking it through and without accepting any of the responsibility for the situation. 

We all know that one person and they often sling the gun of blame without seeking to help or to offer good solutions to the problem.

Matthew 12:36 I tell you , on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak. 

Not much can be done with them and at best I say to avoid them and ignore them unless they offer assistance or a great solution. Tangling with them often causes more issues of which you will be blamed for. They threw you under the bus once, why go back to be run over again? 

Most important to know is this. Do your best to not be like those who feed off of the misery of others. Be quick to love, forgive and assist others. 

Someone else's problems should be an opportunity for you to help, not to sit in judgement or assign blame.

Happy Friday. 

Marty

I'll Be There 3/10/2022

 Good Morning,

The week began with gusto and will go out with gusto. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee and now it is time to write. 

Ephesians 5;25 Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

It was somewhere around 1970 and the Jackson 5 had a hit song called "I'll be there". I wasn't too much of a fan of the Jackson 5. I was born too late to really be a part of the music I loved at that age. I was more of a Doo Wop guy and enjoyed Dion and the Belmonts as well as Connie Francis more than some of the hits coming out at the time. But I had a crush on a young lady and one night while sitting and talking to each other she played "I'll be there" on the record player. 

For some strange reason that song kind of clicked in my head and I at times will find myself humming that tune. I will be forever grateful to the young lady for playing that song. I heard the song once again yesterday and it made me smile. 

Now for the neat thing about this. The same day my wife and I had our first date over a thousand years ago I recall the Jackson 5 playing on the radio when I dropped Rene off and I was driving home. I drove home to 'Ill be there". 

Rene asked me a question not long ago as to when I knew that I was in love with her. I replied boldly, "On the way home, from our first date." I knew I wanted to be there with her and for her. She wasn't my first crush, but she is my last one. Last night she thanked me for taking care of her these last few days as she nurses a very sore arm. I said, "you bet! I'll be there as long as God has me here."

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, girl, is all I'm after
Whenever you need me, I'll be there.
I'll be there to protect you 
With unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name and I'll be there 

Kind of  sappy story for today, but I woke up this morning and Rene was on my mind. I told her last night that if she needed me, just call and I'll be there. She is doing much better today and I think she is on the mend. I will never get tired of hearing her call my name. 

Marty

Never Had The Chance To Say "I Will See You Again" 3/9/2022

 Good Morning,

The day began awhile ago for me and my blog is running late. I poured a mug of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee and now I can write.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor, and slander, be out away from you, along with all malice. 

32. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 

I don't have much of an excuse for writing later today, except that I wore myself out over the last two days and I am moving slow due to being tired. The other reason for being late is that I have been avoiding this subject that God laid on my heart to write. This one is difficult for me. 

Both of my parents at two different times passed away unexpectedly. In both instances we were only days away from seeing each other. We were to celebrate my mother's birthday with her and she fell ill with a cold and she went septic in three days and died. It was just supposed to be a cold. A few years later we were to go and visit my dad for his birthday. He decided to do some roof repairs and the ladder moved. We still aren't sure exactly how that happened, but Dad fell, landed on his head and died suddenly. 

In both instances we were surprised and shocked at the news. We did not get there to celebrate those birthdays.  We did not know that when we said our last good bye on our last trip for a visit , that it would be the last time. We thought there would be another one.

Why am I writing this? I was in good standing with my parents, and all was good between us. My only regret is that I didn't visit more often. I can't do anything about that now. My goal today is to reach those who for probably good reasons have placed some relationships on hold or have walked away from some, due to emotional pain and sorrow. I can understand that, I guess. They might not be ready to forgive, forget and work things out. Readers, there is nothing worse than waiting on something you can't control. Waiting to forgive and reestablish a relationship is like spinning the wheel on a revolver and placing it to your head and pulling the trigger, hoping that your one chance in six is not a loaded round in the chamber. It is a very dangerous game to wait on working things out. You take for granted that there will be another day. There just might not be. So before you sit at a funeral, angry that the person who died did not reach out to you and angry for yourself for not doing the same, reach out before it is too late. You have no control over God's timing. 

Carrying the burden of a grudge or inability to forgive will hamper other relationships in your life. A regret is something you carry with you to the grave. Live to love. Love to live and Live with no regrets. If you are reading this today and you need to forgive and reestablish, move on it. You never know when the call will come that stops your breath for a couple seconds and life changes in a big way. Worse yet, if it is you who pass away first, the one not forgiven lives with that hurt for the rest of their life. Do you really want to award them a life sentence of guilt? A  sign of maturity is to not carry the burden of grudges. Living with the inability to forgive and carrying a grudge is not living a real life. 

I used to call my dad every day after work. I miss those calls. I find myself wanting to call him every day at 5:pm. We were in a good relationship. If I could go back and place one last call to him before his accident, I would have said. "I love you and stay off of that roof!"

Food for thought. 

Marty