Cleaning Up A Mess Together. 3/14/2023

 Good Morning,

This old guy just poured a hot mug of Door County Toffee Pretzel Coffee and finished my prayer time. It is time to write. 

Yesterday morning had me being greeted with a surprise. The surprise was not exactly a pleasant one. Over the last few days we have endured some major snow storms as well as ice storms. When I looked outside from the porch yesterday morning I saw that one of our flowering trees had succumbed to the weather and a large branch was hanging and resting on the house. This tree was originally planted in 1994 and has always been a pleasure to see it blossom with crimson red flowers. I do believe the tree will blossom one last time this year before I cut it down. 

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

I made plans that after work I would play lumber jack and cut the branch loose so that we did not sustain any building damage. So with my chain saw in hand and a ladder I started the process. I knew for sure that our two dogs would be outside watching me, to make sure I was doing it correctly! I turned around to make sure they were out of the way and I bumped into Rene my wife. I asked her what she was doing and her reply was "I just came out to help. These broken twigs are a mess to clean up. I remember planting that tree with you and I will help clean this mess up. I will be helping you when you take the rest of the tree down this summer. I am hoping to plant a new one." She said all of that with an assertive tone. 

That being said she jumped right in and we were finished in an hour. We came inside from the cold and we treated ourselves to some hot chocolate. We both looked at each other with our cold red cheeks and I said, "It could have been worse". We both agreed that all we lost was a tree and that it could have caused house damage. Better to discover that the rest of the tree needs to come down before a storm takes it down. 

My point for the day is this. My macho almost kicked in and chased her inside. I did not really need any help, but for some reason Rene just wanted to help. I just decided to not question her reasons for being out in the cold. I just appreciated the help and let it go. To the point. Don't overthink things. Take a blessing when it comes and just say thank you. Some things need no explanation and should just be left alone. And guys!!!! Don't let that macho get in the way of letting your wife spend time with you. It makes the hot chocolate taste better. 

God bless,

Marty

Taste And See 3/13/2023

 Good Morning,

Monday arrived and it did so right on time. I celebrate a new week with a hot cup of Door County Cherry Creme Coffee and prayer. I am always thankful for another day.

Elk Herd Wisconsin 

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

To taste means something more than a fly by night relationship. It means to feed on The Lord. It means to pray and take time to devour the Word of God.  Feeding on the Word means also to accept it as the deepest of truths. We not only read the word and absorb it, we take time to mull it over. Everyone who does this as a faithful practice learns and realizes that the Lord is good. They find blessings and true happiness. 

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Deep thoughts for a Monday.  Have a great week!

Marty

God Gave Us A Circus And A Lesson 3/12/2023

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to write and next to me is a large , hot, mug of Door County Hawaiian Hazelnut Coffee. I plan on having two cups today and then see where the day takes me.

Not too long ago my wife Rene and I purchased a bird feeder. It is nothing elaborate but is does the trick. Yesterday Rene remarked that it would have been nice to have had that bird feeder when the big Covid attack started and paralyzed the world for a year. She has been very faithful in filling the bird feeder with seed and every now and then I see her at the window chuckling while watching the birds feed and chase each other. 

I asked her what she was laughing about yesterday and she said she was laughing at the "circus God gave us" outside our window. Of course when you feed the bird, the squirrels arrive and one of the squirrels was attempting to climb a 1/2 inch wrought iron staff and get to the bird food. He wasn't content with eating the droppings. The squirrel actually made it to the top and when he jumped to the bird feeder the unit swung (as designed) and he would fall off. The process was repeated several times and it was hilarious to watch. During this acrobat act more birds gathered and ate in harmony while the class clown kept trying to climb the pole. 

Now I am not against squirrels at all. There is a large oak tree next to us and the acorns are plentiful. The squirrels around here are well nourished and their plump bodies testify to the fact that they dine very well. However they are still greedy and want more of the free food that is available and not content to eat what is left for them. The acorn tree droppings are just pretty  much eaten by the squirrels. They have exclusive rights to some great food and I know they store those nuggets up. But they always want more than their share of the food in the neighborhood. Their greed lands them on their backsides as they flip off of the pole without any extra food. 

Proverbs 22:9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. 

I haven't really ever written about greed in my daily rambles. I believe in working hard for what we have ,but yet I am content with what we have. There is nothing like being given the opportunity to share what we can with others. I watched yesterday as a man in the grocery store was purchasing a large amount of Girl Scout Cookies from these little girls who had set up a table inside the store to sell the cookies as people came and went from the store. He had purchased $200 dollars worth of the cookies. That is a lot of cookies!!! 40 boxes to be exact. But he did not take the cookies. He was asking the girls to take the cookies to a food pantry and donate them to the folks in need. The girls were just thrilled to do so. 

So my thought for today is this. That man was blessed to be able to afford to help others. He used a portion of his blessing to help. He taught the girls and those around them a lesson. My wife has reached out to feed God's creatures and has received a daily circus to watch while she has breakfast. Today if you can share with others, you are already blessed and the joy in giving is reward in itself.  

The smile you harvest from others is priceless. Make a difference. Don't be like the squirrel who lets greed turn them into a circus. 

Marty

One Duty For God 3/11/2023

 Good Morning,

I have pair of English Springer Spaniels at my feet, one is snoring, a small fire in the hearth and a large cup of very hot Door County Cherry Creme  Coffee at my side. It is time to write. 

Throughout my life I have used a measuring tape and I don't think I will really ever stop using one. I use it less now, but I still need to see how things measure up when working on a project.

Photo credit Airgas

God doesn't really ask much from us. We are to love Him, and our neighbors. We are to believe that Jesus came from heaven , born of a virgin. We are to believe that He died for all of our sins. He was buried and was resurrected after three days in the grave. Lastly we are to call upon His name in faith and we will be forgiven, and upon our death we we be with Him in heaven. We are to serve Him and be obedient to His Word. 

How do we know how we are doing in these categories and what is a measurement of our love for God and our neighbors.? What is a good measurement tool to use? I believe in setting goals, but goals should always be measurable. 

Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise-- The fruit of lips that openly profess His name. 

These lips of ours are a good gauge or measurement on our love for God. We can easily measure our love, obedience and our faith by that which comes out of our mouths. I believe that the second gauge or measuring tape of our faith comes from our actions. Our own words and actions that affirm those words show us just how we measure up. It is a pass or fail. Either you are or you aren't praising God with our lips or our actions. A piece of wood, measured and cut for use, is either right on the money or it is too short. You can't ever be too long in praising God. There is always room for more. 

So my food for thought today is this. How are you measuring up? Don't know? Listen to yourself. What comes from the lips is usually generated from the heart. Your own words can be used against you or for you. Be honest with yourself and change what needs to get in line with God's measuring stick. You can't praise God in one minute and be unkind to a neighbor or family member a minute later. 

Have a great day!

Marty

New Every Morning 3/10/2023

 Good Morning,

Friday it is and I am glad it arrived. Lots of snow to shovel this morning and I just filled my cup with Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee. It is time to write. 

I recall the way we used to make a decision about a play in a pickup baseball game in the local field. Of course the game was played with intensity because we as kids were competitive. We did not have an umpire to make the calls of an out or a foul ball. Even the best of friends could disagree. What was decided if there was a disputed call is that the play would receive a do over. You just replayed the at bat and whatever happened in the replay was considered the final story. The previous play or at bat was forgotten and not brought up again. 

I would never compare the Lord's love for us to a pick up baseball game but there is an analogy that can be made. In Lamentations 3:22-23 we see the example God sets with forgiving, forgetting and granting a do over. If men and women could just learn from this passage life would have a lot more happy music written into it every day. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. 23. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. 

Every morning God packs us up a bag of His love, patience and mercy. As a mere imperfect human, I am sure that I run afoul enough that I need a do over on some of my mistakes, So that bag of mercy needs to be replenished. If we were to treat others in the same way we are treated by God we would instantly forgive and not let a day go by with hurt and anger taking away from experiencing a walk with God. In turn we would seek a do over, a replay of the day where we screwed up and make amends, learning from our mistakes. I am so glad God is faithful to us and never stops loving on us. 

Have a great weekend!

Marty

The Sign On A Wall. 3/9/2023

 Good Morning,

Some snow is headed our way tonight and I have a big day of work ahead of me. My mug was just filled with Door County Cherry Creme Coffee and I am ready to write. 

Back many years ago, when my wife and I were still in youth ministry we would have the teens sign up and we would arrange to take them on a winter retreat. Usually a female youth leader and myself would take them to a Christian College in Northern Wisconsin for three days of spiritual growth and fun. We enjoyed the tubing hills and of all things human foosball. The time spent in study and encouragement was priceless. 

On a wall in the college cafeteria a Bible verse was painted on the header of the dining hall.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 

There is a lot of gusto to this verse. When a truly repentant believer decides to be baptized, he or she is symbolically baptized into the death of Jesus. As Jesus suffered and died for our sins we too must put to death the old self and our sins and live with Christ within us by faith. The life we once lived is gone and buried. 

I read that verse one cold winter day and underlined it in my Bible. A day ago while listening to a pod cast "Verse Of The Day", Galatians 2:20 was the focus. Later while looking for something in my Bible the page fell open to the passage. I recalled the good times spent with the kids at the retreat and this verse just stood out and it was a strong reminder to live a life worthy of someone dying for me. 

The passage hit home like a kick from a mule, right in the gut. I thought I would share this reminder to all, to live the life you have been called to. 

Have a great day!

Marty

Cleaning Up The Place 3/8/2023

 Good Morning,

My cup was just filled with Door County Cherry Creme Coffee. The house is warm and I am ready to write.

Psalm 51:10-11 Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11. Do not cast me away from your presence. And do not take your Holy Spirit from me. 

I don't know how it happens but each spring our garage needs to be cleaned out. I surveyed the garage yesterday and this year will be no different. Things just seem to accumulate from the fall until spring. Once again I will be making a trip to the dump with things that need to be thrown away. 

I liken the garage to our lives and now and then we need to stop and survey the condition of our hearts and minds. A quick survey by asking God to create a clean heart within me usually shows what has crept in and needs to go. One would never wash their clothes, dry them, fold them and the put them away with a stack of dirty clothes. 

When we ask God to create in us a clean heart, there is no room for the "dirty clothes of life". Those need to go and be replaced by clean, honest and pure thoughts. 

As Easter will soon be upon us in about a month, now might be a good time to start cleaning out the heart. I find that when I clean out the garage and I debate on whether or not to toss something, I usually find it in my way later just cluttering our garage and it wasn't or never will be useful. 

If you struggle with things of the heart that should go and you debate as to if they are bad for you or not, the fact is this. If you even have to struggle with the thought of tossing it aside, you should get rid of it. 

God Bless,

Marty