Let's Reason This Out 4/14/2023

 Good Morning, 

Friday arrived and it was right on time. The beverage of the morning is a hot cup of Door County Inn Keepers Blend and it is time to write. 

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 

I have a friend who I touch base with almost every day via text messaging or through a phone call. This friend has more going on in life than one person can handle. At times he is faced with decisions that are either thrust upon him or some are brought into the mix by his own choice. 

Each day we both will try to sort out the answers he needs to to be successful. It usually does not take long to reason things out. Our first step is to pray and seek God's wisdom. I pray for him every morning and he prays for me. Our next step is to see if the decision being made is biblical. Then we reason it out pro and con, cost and effect. There is good reward for seeking counsel and I am happy to assist him. 

If by chance there are no decisions to be pondered we just chat for 5 minutes and talk about anything under the sun. I usually am on my second cup of coffee by then and might be running off to work. Many times I converse with him while driving to a work appointment. 

If you have decisions to make, and can bounce them off of a friend who will give you sound biblical advice do so. Take time with the decisions to reason them out by praying and listening. If you are the one supporting a friend in some decisions take time to pray and be willing to tell them what they need to hear, not always what they want to hear. It is also ok to say "I m not sure, or I don't know. " Honesty in decision making is always the best policy. 

The last thing to do when giving advice to someone who asks for it is to write down some notes. Someone who is bombarded by decisions and woes has a lot going on in their mind, Later when they cannot recall what they were thinking or said about the subject, you can refer to the notes. 

Food for thought!

Marty

Losing Yourself For A Short Time. 4/13/2023

 Good Morning,

This day began with prayer and a hot cup of Door County Pecan Cinnamon Ice Cream Coffee. I am ready to write.

Leviticus 26:12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you will be my people.

Every now and then the world seems to pile up on your shoulders. I find that when I am overwhelmed with responsibilities, work, or problems, that is the signal for me to go and get lost for a breather. I did not say to run from responsibilities, ignore issues. and quit work. I said get lost from them. Getting lost often implies that one will eventually be found. There are times when I find a secluded trail and just hike where no one else is there. I can sit by my favorite duck hunting spot on a river and just take in air that hasn't been breathed before. Sometimes you just have to "walk it off".

When I am getting lost or walking it off I do pray and ask God to bless my runaway respite. Usually on my walk back I am praying and listening to God. I blew off some steam and filled my lungs with fresh air and knew I could not run from God. I pray and ask Him to walk or run with me. It is an exercise that I do quite often and just being alone with God helps to set me back on the right path. 

Run on!

Marty

Are You A Star In Your Own Home? 7/12/2023

 Good Morning,

I just poured a large cup of Door County Pecan Cinnamon Ice Cream Coffee and now t is time to write. 

Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

One place that we should always try to be a positive influence is in our own home. I am not saying that we should ignore the outside world. But who knows us better? The strangers on the street or those within our own home? Of course our family and good friends know us better and they should be our first step of influence. We all feel most comfortable with our own family and close friends. But, a word of caution! They are used to you. They know the real you and our reputation with them might not be bright and shiny,   You are always building a legacy with those who are close to you. If we continually violate what they expect from us, we risk having them become people who regard us as foolish and hypocritical. In other words are we walking the talk?  Are we a resource of positivity, humility and  love? Do their eyes roll when we speak and do they shake their heads when we walk in the door? Do we put people on edge, not knowing what our response might be in any situation.? Are we on the invitation list and truly wanted or are we on the list of "duty invitations". Do people hope that we don't show? If we do miss a gathering, does anyone care? Have our mouths and actions caused us to be isolated? 

The best place to be a shining star is within our own family and friends first. Then tackle the world. 

God bless,

Marty

I Remember Mom And Straight Laces 4/11/2023

 Good Morning,

It is very quiet this morning as I sit at my desk to write. Next to me is a hot cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee. On the floor to my right our two dogs are once again sleeping. 

Proverbs 31:31 Honor her for all her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

Today is my mother's birthday and if she were alive she would be 86 years old. She went to heaven 14 years ago , when a simple cold went bad and laid her to rest. I think about her very often and especially when I am doing something she taught me. I recall her teaching me how to tie my shoes and how particular she was about having the laces perfectly even. It was mom who taught me how to swing a baseball bat from both sides of home plate. "You have more power when you swing opposite of your dominant hand". She was correct on that one and I still swing my axe as a lefty. You can't imagine how long that took to learn.

I could make a list of the things she taught me and it would be a long one. But that is not the point I hope to make today. All the things she taught us kids took time and the lessons learned sometimes had to be gone over and over again. But mom persevered and when necessary could be very strict. She would communicate and never glossed over the truth. She would let you know when you were headed for trouble or when you did a good job. You always knew where you stood with her. Our ages did not matter to her. Even as adults she would correct our way of thinking, pass on a new recipe, or call you with a word of encouragement. She spent her time on us. She prayed for us and when teaching us how to cross the street, the path she took led you to walk to church and back. Who knows how many hours she spent praying for this black sheep of the family. 

So what lessons are you teaching the children of your life? It could be your children, grand kids, nieces and nephews. Are you taking enough time to tell them what they need to know or what you have learned? So today, I will tie my shoes, brush my teeth, brown the garlic first before I make spaghetti sauce, and say please and thank you. I will thank God for my mom and look forward to seeing her again some day. I wonder if she will scold me that day for "being late"?

Marty

A Nice Day For A Visit. 4/10/2023

 Good Morning,

The den in our house is quite comfortable this morning. The house smells like Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee and lilies. It is time to write 

Jeremiah 10:6 There is none like you O Lord. You are great and your name is great in might.

Yesterday as we observed Easter Sunday the weather was perfect. A warm spring day, sunshine and a small breeze just added perfection to a great day. We had family visit us and we shared a nice dinner with them. I wasn't really into the dinner as I am recovering from some surgical work on my jaw that took place Friday. But listening to the family banter was entertaining and refreshing. 

Later in the day, I took a ride to visit a dear friend who is residing in a nursing home. She is in rough shape. Her speech is reduced to one syllable at a time. But when the conversation turned to her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, she could say his name as clear as a church bell ringing through the neighborhood, loud and proud. What other name is there that can bring a smile to a worn out body? What other name can be said clearly from the bed of a nursing home? 

Do you smile when you hear the name of Jesus? Do you want to talk about Him while struggling in pain? I am so glad I went to visit her yesterday. In that short little visit I saw the power that is just in a name. I don't know what the immediate future will be for my friend. But I know who holds it. 

Have a great week.

Marty

An Easter Thought On The Power It Took. 4/9/2023

 Good Morning,

I just poured myself a large cup of Door County Blackberry Shortcake Coffee and it is just what I needed to wake up. 

Today we observe and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This day God raised Him from the dead and was seen by many eye witnesses to be alive. Jesus prophesied many times  that this would be. He came from heaven  to be born in a manger, a birth though a virgin who conceived by the Holy Spirit. He lived as a human, and later  bore our sins on the cross after being beaten and whipped mercilessly. he died on that cross and was buried. 

On what is now known as Easter Sunday the stone which was placed in from of the entry of the tomb rolled away and out from the grave He came. He came from the grave and sits at the right hand of God the Father. 

I have seen my share of dead bodies in my lifetime, lifeless, and wilting. What amazes me is the power of God to raise the dead, roll away a stone and Jesus walked and talked and ate fish by the sea side. Power to put a life back together! It is very easy to end a life and anyone of us can do it. No one but God can restore a life. There is much more power needed to restore a life. God is still in the business of restoring lives. Lives dead in sin or tied to addictions can be saved and resurrected. He can restore families to a loving group. He leads the way to forgive us of our sins. He alone can save a marriage, or carry us through dark times.  Where there was once no hope he brings peace to families. 

There is no way I can do a good enough job of bragging on God. He certainly doesn't need me. I am only here because He came for me many years ago and helped me to put my life back on the tracks. I am not what I was, not yet what I will be, but I am so thankful that I am not what I used to be. I celebrate Easter every day!

Luke 24:5-8 Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying " the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. 

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me for I am meek and lowly in heart: For you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden id light.

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

God bless you all on the Easter Sunday.

Marty

Thoughts For The Saturday Before Easter 4/8/2023

 Good Morning,

My hot mug of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee will be a close friend to me this day. It is time to write. 

This morning finds all Christians in between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. In many homes, preparations are being made to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ tomorrow. Many will attend church and then eat a celebratory meal. Kids are anticipating a visit from the Easter Bunny and the potential to eat some jelly beans or a chocolate or two. So typically this Saturday is spent in expectation of Sunday.

Those disciples of Jesus really weren't expecting a resurrection even though Jesus spoke of it many times. The authorities brought it up because they were worried about a theft of the body of Christ and a fake resurrection. They knew what Jesus proclaimed. Today we have the luxury of knowing better. The resurrection happened!!! There were eyewitness accounts of Jesus appearing to a few and many. 

Romans 10:13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, will be saved. 

Acts 1:10-11 And while they were gazing into heaven, as He went m behold to me stood by them in white robes. 11. And said," Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will return in the same way you saw Him go."

Matthew 24:42 Therefore, stay awake for you do not know what day your Lord is coming.

Because of the triumph over sin and the grave, Jesus has provided atonement for anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. And with that gift comes another promise. Jesus will come again! Do we live our life, expecting His return? Do we look forward to that day? Or is every day just another day? And in reality, we say "not today Lord, I know you are coming some day, but not today Lord. I'll get right tomorrow." Do we place faith in the promises or do we live life really not expecting Jesus to return? Do we treat the future like the Saturday before Easter. Would we have expected the resurrection? 

Food for thought!

Marty