Camping Out 7/7/2022

 Good Morning,

This day began after a night of some of the best sleep I have had in a long time. I woke up thankful for the rest. A hot cup of Door County Christmas Coffee is sitting next to me and it is time to write.

It has been many years since I have been camping and it will be a long time before I camp out again. My idea of camping now is staying in a cabin with running water, heat, or air conditioning, and having a bonfire later at night. Tents and camp stoves with cold showers or a bath in the lake don't cut it for me anymore. Those experiences are in the past, best not resurrected for this old guy. 

I want to use the metaphor of camping to paint my word picture this morning,  Some of my camping memories include the never ending bonfire. You stayed up late enjoying some music after cooking a tasty dinner outside. When you woke up, the ashes were stirred in the fire pit and the fire was started again so the coffee could be brewed. There was always a chair that offered a comfortable place to sit. At night you watched the stars and in the morning you greeted the sunrise. Breakfast was also cooked outside and my best memories included bacon and eggs from a cast iron skillet. Most of the time my camping experiences were designed to be a get away for a day or two. Once or twice I camped for a week and to be honest I came home rested and better for having taken the time to get away from life's hustle and stress. I didn't even miss my microwave or my coffee brewer. Coffee was made the old fashioned way. So you could say I "camped out over a rest area." There is a lot to be said for peace and quiet and doing nothing but praying and gathering my thoughts. 

This leads me to my thoughts for today. Life has been really stressful for a couple of weeks now and it has taken a toll on me and my family. I don't have a desire to go camping and get away from it all but I have decided that I need to camp out over some of God's Word and take in the aroma of their soothing tones. I will be up early tomorrow and the next couple of days doing so. I will be outside tonight enjoying a bonfire and taking in time with the Lord. 

I have copied a few of my go to verses for you to "camp over" for those times when peace seems to be elusive. 

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. each day has trouble of it's own.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or be afraid. 

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who will be against us?

Hebrews 13:6 So we can confidently say, " The Lord is my helper; I will not fear, what can man do to me? 

Take some time and camp over these verses if you need them. Be still before the Lord and heal your wounds. Don't let the fire go out.

God bless,

Marty

Much Needed Rain 7/6/2022

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to a hot cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee and it is time to write. 

The morning is cool compared to yesterday and the sidewalks and grass are still wet from the rain we received last night. At this time last year we were in the middle of a severe drought in this part of the world. This year we are on target to have a normal amount of rain and make up a little of the deficit from last year. I found myself praying for some rain last week when things seemed to be a little too dry once again. God answered those prayers with a couple nights of rain.

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

As I look out at the green grass and the trees that are reaching up to the sun, I am once more assured that God is on His throne, willing to listen and and in His time will answer all prayers with a yes or a no answer. You might be in a season of personal drought and wonder if God hears you. He does. Hang in there and wait patiently for His answer. Trust in Him to do what is best for you and others. 

Dear Ones, know that you are loved and I once again am praying for all those who read this will be comforted today.

Marty

Let Us Reason Together 7/5/2022

 Good Morning,

I will be leaving our house just a little later this morning. The day began with prayer and a hot cup of Door County White Christmas Coffee. 

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.  

The colorfast nature of scarlet and crimson dyes is similar to our sins, and “the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” ( “According to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish”)

God calls us to sit down and listen to reason, Our sins and mistakes are our own. And they discolor our life. Yet the stain does not have to be our end all. Yes there are consequences to sin, but because of God's plan the penalty was paid at the cross of Christ. God uses the metaphor of two dyes that back then and even now are considered permanent. This shows the great power of the Savior. Although we are consumed by our sins and their consequences the love of Jesus washes away the stain of sin in the eyes of God. We become washed as white as a new fallen snow. This only comes with a true desire to repent and at all costs avoid staining our lives again.

Friends, there is hope for tomorrow and it all starts for some at the cross of atonement, 

Food for thought.

Marty

The Day The Music Ended 7/4/2022

 Good Morning,

I am listening to the birds sing outside the window of our den and their music makes my cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee taste even better. So, that being said it is time to write.

My wife has a love for antique shopping. She can spend hours going through an antique shop and looking at each booth with great attention. She enjoys her time looking back in time though the pieces for sale. I am being very honest when I say that I don't mind going with her and spending the day doing something she likes to do. Yesterday was one of those days and it also included stopping for an ice cream cone. We found ourselves in a two story antique mall in a small town in Wisconsin.  

It wasn't too long until I saw Rene holding a piece to a dish collection she has and there was a smile on her face as she proclaimed that this one was the last of this style she needed. I wandered around and actually found a hat that I thought that a dear friend of ours would like. After a few photos were exchanged through text messages a purchase was made for our friend. I would call that a productive day. 

When I wander through these emporiums of history and some piece catches my eye it starts me to wondering about who might have owned it in the past. Were there different owners over time? Where did this come from and what were the people like. 

Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground. For out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you shall return.

Yesterday was no exception. I found two antique accordions. They were very old and not in condition to produce music anymore. I started to wonder about the people who owned them and composed a lot of questions in my mind. Was this instrument played in a tavern, church, a beer garden or a band? Was the owner male or female. Was it played on happy occasions? When the accordion stopped producing music was it because it could not be repaired? Was it handed down and forgotten in a closet until an estate sale was had and it was discovered? So many questions and no answers. I like to make up the answers to my questions,  I decided the original owner was a German farmer who was an early immigrant to the United States. He brought the accordion with him across the ocean when he came to the US. His name was Hans and he was married to Anna. They had 6 kids and Hans played the accordion as Anna taught the children how to dance the waltz. They sang songs together from the old country and Hans would play for weddings and other celebrations.  

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is there also will be your heart. 

I let my imagination stop there as I did not want to finish my concocted story with anything that included the day the accordion stopped producing music. 

So my thought for today is this. All things come to an end and sometimes the story of a man or woman ends up in an antique mall, with people wondering about the history. So my friends we need to remember that some day we will not be with our possessions and some might be tossed away after we pass on from this world. But what lies ahead for those who have placed their faith in Christ Jesus will be still singing for eternity.

Have a blessed day.

Marty

 

All Storms Come To An End 7/3/2022

 Good Morning,

May this day be kind to you and may your prayers be answered. I just sat down to write. Next to me is a very hot cup of Door County Jingle Bell Java. Our two Springer Spaniels have me surrounded at the desk and this day has begun. 

1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

One thing about storms, whether they be rain, dust or snow, they all eventually come to an end. There might be times when on consecutive days different storms come through one right after another. I have noted hurricanes can last a few days. The impact of the storms can last a lifetime, but all storms end. 

Today might find you in a "stormy situation". This type of storm is not weather induced, but is of a personal nature. Your situation might have you believing that this storm will not end and that life is just not worth the effort anymore. I am here to say that all problems eventually  come to an end. And life is worth living just because God is still there and knows the storm you are in. He is there upon request to carry us through the storm and helps to clean up the debris of life. Sometimes the after effects of a life storm last a long time. The days grow long and there seems to be no end in sight. But the storm has ended and like every hurricane that brings damage, the clean up begins immediately after the hurricane passes on.

Today if you are in a storm and it seems never ending. it will come to pass. But know this, if you are reading this today or a month from now I have prayed for all who will read this. You are loved and the end of the storm is in sight. Hang in there, stay true to the Word of God. Love Him and count on Him to help you heal. 

God bless,

Marty

Wintry Saturday Thoughts In July 7/2/2022

 Good Morning,

This day began with a small custom I adopted just to bug me wife a little. Her favorite thing to watch on television is the Hallmark channel. The whole month of July is devoted to Christmas movies. They celebrate Christmas in July as well as December. So just to needle her a little I drink some Christmas Coffees and tell her I have been adopted into Hallmark by my coffee choices. I now say good morning to a hot cup of Door County Jingle Bell Java. 

Today I find myself in a mellow mood and I really just wanted to sleep the day away. My thoughts are turned to the Book Of Psalms and I found some solace there in the following verses. 

Psalm 118:4 Let those who fear the Lord say, "His steadfast love endures forever."

There is no doubt that God is to be feared, respected and loved. Yet despite ourselves and the world's ability to surround us with heartache, hurt, and fear. we can know the God still loves us and that love cannot be taken away.  As I move into this three day weekend I am going to remind myself of the presence of God's love and mercy. 

Enjoy the day my friends. Each one is a gift from God.

Marty

What You See And What God Sees. 7/1/2022

 Good Night,

July first and if my usual way of starting the month of July off will be to celebrate Christmas tomorrow with a hot cup of Door County White Christmas. Saturday will afford me more time to dig out a package of their White Christmas Coffee. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.

I had a lot on my mind last night when I went to bed and I was very surprised to find that despite my need to pray and a part of my soul that is filled with some worries I fell asleep and slept through the night. Right now I have a ton of things going on in my mind. Yet God led me to sleep and a sound sleep it was.

Yesterday was a very long day of work and much longer than usual. At first thought I was complaining about the hours and the pace of the work. I now believe that God provided that pace and strain knowing that I would have a lot on my mind later. I was exhausted when I went to bed and I was able to recharge my body with some solid sleep. 

God took a rough day at work and additional hours used it to wear me out so that sleep was the only option. So in retrospect I see God's hand in my life providing what I needed before I knew I needed it. 

We have an awesome God. So before you condemn a day, know that what it looks like through your eyes isn't what God sees.