Please Help Me I Am Falling 12/14/2024

 Good Morning,

A very hot cup of Door County Mistletoe Mocha Coffee is resting next to me at my desk. I have a few chores to do today and I think the Thermos bottle will be filled with the rest of the coffee as I move about today. 

Hebrews 13:16 Don not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 

As we continue into the Christmas season we need to be more sensitive and aware of folks that are not seen as much as they should be. Christmas has a way of drawing us to social activities and family gatherings. This includes church attendance. For some, December is just a reminder how lonely they are and how withdrawn they are from society. So when you gather for for family events, work events, and church, take note of who is there. Just as important take a memory shot of who isn't there. Call on those who might be shut in, or just too lonely and depressed  to make an appearance socially. Reach out to them if possible ahead of the events and extend a warm invitation to them to attend whatever has been planned. 

When was the last time you reached out to someone who has not been in church for awhile? How about the family member that has to conveniently work and can't gather with the clan? What about that expensive work party your employer throws? Can you say thank you just by attending if possible? Is your neighbor alone without somewhere to go?  

As  we get busier over the next two weeks can we slow down just a little for those who get lost in the shuffle? 

Food for thought! Don't let an empty chair stay empty.

Marty

Answered Prayer 12/13/2024

 Good Morning, 

I will be headed out this morning with two friends of mine to purchase some smoked meats at a place in Wittenberg Wisconsin. I will be drinking a hot cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee as I drive and thinking about some Nueske's bacon and smoked sausages. 

There have been a few noted miracles over the last few days. Three friends of mine requested prayer from many people for major health concerns and their prayers were answered as the doctors shared good news with them. What impressed me was they all remembered to thank God as the Author of their good news. Before anything was said about doctors, nurses and their hard work, God was given credit for the good news. 

Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. 

Romans 8:27 And He who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

I believe in prayer and there are times that God says no to our requests. Why? I do not know, but I will always pray and trust God's perfect will for my life and for others. To God be the glory in all matters. 

Marty

Let The Fire Of Anger Burn Out 12/12/2024

 Good Morning,

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Mistletoe Mocha Coffee and I believe it is the solution to a cold house and a cold body. 

I know one sure way to ruin Christmas for yourself and for others. Seek revenge toward someone who has wronged you, or at a minimum try and get the last word in on a disagreement. That last word could be a huge mistake. Until the Lord calls us home we will tend to get into spats between friends, neighbors, and relatives. We tend to disagree with others and then we seek revenge or the last word. I have to tell you when it comes to getting that last word in, it often backfires leaving you with the desire to get one more last word. 

It is best to leave revenge and judgement up to God. It is also best to not say anything at all while angry. The fire of anger is best left to burn out. 

Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord."

Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath. Do not fret. It only causes harm. 

Have a great day!

Marty

A New Beginning Quit Making Christmas Stink. 12/11/2024

 Good Morning,

I just filled my cup with Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee and I am sipping it slowly to enjoy it much better. 

I was thinking about an old friend I went to high school with back in 1973. We were looking forward to the Christmas break and being away from school for 10 days. I mentioned to him that I was looking forward to being with my family near and far. He then said to me. "I wish I could look forward to some nice traditions with my family. I hate Christmas!" 

I asked him why he was against Christmas and he didn't hesitate to unload his feelings. "My dad just uses Christmas to get sloppy drunk, and then he starts in on us kids and then my mother. I never know if the police will be coming to our door to break up the arguing or take my dad to jail. My older sibling sneaks out of the house and spends the holiday with friends and their parents. I am left to console my mother who always says she will leave my dad but never does. Last year I ate peanut butter and jelly for Christmas dinner. My mother worked and my dad, well I don't really know where he was.  Just once I would like a Christmas tree that doesn't get thrown out on to the lawn. I don't even want any Christmas presents. The present I want is to have peace in the family which includes a sober dad."

I did not know what to say to him. I asked him if he would like to come over and eat and spend Christmas with me and my family. My dad always welcomed our friends to our table. I knew it would be ok to ask my friend to come to our home. I left the invitation open and said, you know where we live and this is when we will be eating. 

He did not show up Christmas Eve nor Christmas Day. My mother packed a couple plates of food and cookies and on Christmas day I went to look for him. I found him asleep in the family car. He was covered in blankets. I knocked on the window and woke him up. We started the car and just talked while he ate. "I can't believe you came to look for me on Christmas Day. This is the best Christmas food I have ever eaten." was his comment. 

The lesson isn't about reaching out to others who are suffering through Christmas. This message is for that person who just always ruins Christmas or other occasions by getting drunk or high. The person who can start an argument that cause everyone to dread the holidays or birthdays in the year. 

The best Christmas present you could give yourself or others is to seek God for a new beginning. 

Psalm51:10-12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

Give yourself and your family the gift of peace that only God can bring. It's time for a new beginning. 

Marty

Prayer With A Family. Christmas Love In Action. 12/9/2024

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot mug of Door County Mistletoe Mocha Coffee and it is warming me up from the inside out. 

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for a friend. 

On Sunday evening my wife and I were blessed to be included in prayer time for a dear friend's family  member. We made the short journey to their home and visited with the family and prayed with them. This relative of hers will be undergoing a major transplant surgery this week. One of the other family members is donating an organ for his family member. 

Now if that isn't love in action, I am as dumb as they come. What a Christmas blessing it was for us to be included in this prayer time. I do believe that I will never forget the love I witnessed in that living room. God joined us there and it was an amazing time and you could just sense His presence. 

A gift of life will be given tomorrow and my prayers will be for successful surgeries and for the family members who will be sitting at the hospital waiting for hours.

My wife and I saw the best of Christmas Sunday evening. 

Marty

If You Seek, You Will Find 12/9/2024

 Good Morning,

My mug was just filled with Door County White Christmas Coffee and Monday here I come. 

Last night I put the finishing touches on our Christmas tree and it felt good to be done with the decorating. I have been studying the three wise men in Matthew chapter 2 as I prepare my heart and mind for Christmas. They followed a star to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem. They brought gifts to the Messiah the new newborn King. They traveled to worship Him. 

I was reading in Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. As we often look to get that Christmas feeling we overlook the fact that Jesus is the reason we have Christmas at all. If you want that Christmas feeling, you need to seek out the King and take time to worship Him daily. It is not found in a tree or a wreath, or a slice of ham or a swig of eggnog. It is found when we sit at the foot of the King. 

So as you seek that Christmas feeling, seek and you will find. But seek with your whole heart. 

Marty

 

You Are As Lonely As You Choose To Be. 12/8/2024

 Good Morning, 

I will be in my truck very soon and headed out to goose hunt in Illinois this morning. I will pack a Thermos bottle filled with Door County Vanilla Crème Brulee Coffee and I plan on enjoying every cup of it. 

Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends, must himself be friendly. 

Last night we had a taco fellowship after church and I was able to sit with a very nice couple who have become regulars at church. They are quiet and very polite. They are bee keepers and they give us bottles of honey now and then. They are kind and always thinking of others. It seems that I know quite a few people like them. Kind, polite, considerate people seem to populate our Saturday night church services. 

They were interested in my blog and seemed amused as to how I drink a different Door County Coffee flavor every day. It's easy to do when you like their coffee. 

My point for the day is this. You can't get to know someone unless you  take time to sit down and chat. We probably have a lot of differences, but we share a lot of common interests as well. People relationships have one requirement and that is it takes time and effort to get to know others better. So, if you are sitting at home with nothing to do, and you are lonely, make a call, invite someone over to your place. Make the investment of time spent with others, fill your calendar. You are as lonely as you choose to be. 

So choose to be out there. You are a blessing to others if you choose to be.

Marty