Good Morning.
Door County Mocha Mint Coffee swirls in my cup today. The aroma woke me up well before my alarm clock.
I want to apologize for not posting yesterday. My day did not allow for any time to be able to do so.
Let me explain. Monday night found me coming home from work to my wife who had experienced some type of a small misstep and had an extremely sore leg. After looking at her leg I knew that a trip to the hospital was inevitable. The night went into the morning and being tired the blog did not get written. At first the diagnosis was thought to be a blood clot. It wasn't. But we are facing the need for a leg muscle repair with an orthopedic surgeon. I thought about giving in and asking God "why us"? But then I thought about it and who am I to question what happens. But I did ask God to help us get through this. And He will help us, this I have no doubt.
My dear wife is in pain and not really comfortable. As I helped her to get cleaned up last night and brought her some milk and a peanut butter cookie she said "thanks, if you get me an ice pack there is only one more thing I need." I asked what that could be? Rene replied "all I want to see is you headed to bed. You are exhausted. If I need something I will call out to you. Please take care of you!"
Ok a bad thing happened to a good person. But in that I see that she lives her Bible.
Philippians 2:1-11 ESV
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
So I do ask for prayer for Rene. But I must say once again. I am blessed to have someone worry about me while she suffers. Thank you all.
God bless,
Marty
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Candy Bars May 5th 2014
Good Morning,
Monday already. Where do those weekends go. My coffee today is Door County Blueberry Cobbler. Already looking forward to next weekend. But what will this day bring?
One of the main staples of duck season are the snacks one takes along to sustain you, your partner, and your dog during those long cold days. Each year I usually end up leaving a snack or two in my shooters bag at the end of the season and then forget about them until the following year.
One of the things I really like to munch on for energy are candy bars. I am very fond of Almond Joy bars. I will usually have a couple in my snack bag. My dog is fond of beef jerky. But to be very honest with you, I can go the rest of the year without eating a candy bar. They just seem to go better in the fall.
Getting back to the shooters bag and my annual surprise. When I get ready for the following season to start I always find "left overs". The candy bar has melted a few times during the summer heat, the wrapper is stained from last years swamp water encounter, and some have been messed up with blood from the ducks we shoot. Not one to waste anything, the thought has occurred to me that when I discover it I should munch it on down. Now no way would this be good for me. I have been able to toss the old bar without too many tears and replace it with new.
Our lives are like that. We need to clean out the old from time to time to make room for the new. That old candy bar can really stink up a bag, make a mess and not provide any sustenance at all. Each day is a new experience with God. Shouldn't we provide a clean place within our hearts for Him to reside?
Think this one through. What are you carrying from last year in your life that should be gone?
God bless,
Marty
Monday already. Where do those weekends go. My coffee today is Door County Blueberry Cobbler. Already looking forward to next weekend. But what will this day bring?
One of the main staples of duck season are the snacks one takes along to sustain you, your partner, and your dog during those long cold days. Each year I usually end up leaving a snack or two in my shooters bag at the end of the season and then forget about them until the following year.
One of the things I really like to munch on for energy are candy bars. I am very fond of Almond Joy bars. I will usually have a couple in my snack bag. My dog is fond of beef jerky. But to be very honest with you, I can go the rest of the year without eating a candy bar. They just seem to go better in the fall.
Getting back to the shooters bag and my annual surprise. When I get ready for the following season to start I always find "left overs". The candy bar has melted a few times during the summer heat, the wrapper is stained from last years swamp water encounter, and some have been messed up with blood from the ducks we shoot. Not one to waste anything, the thought has occurred to me that when I discover it I should munch it on down. Now no way would this be good for me. I have been able to toss the old bar without too many tears and replace it with new.
Our lives are like that. We need to clean out the old from time to time to make room for the new. That old candy bar can really stink up a bag, make a mess and not provide any sustenance at all. Each day is a new experience with God. Shouldn't we provide a clean place within our hearts for Him to reside?
Think this one through. What are you carrying from last year in your life that should be gone?
God bless,
Marty
Matthew 9:17(NIV)
17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Spring is Coming May 4th 2014
Good Morning,
I find myself content to move slowly today. I am enjoying some sunshine and a cup of Door County Raspberry Butter Crunch Coffee.
I was reading the headlines today and it seems as if Northern Michigan is experiencing an "ice tsunami" . Large mountains of ice are being pushed ashore from Lake Superior and causing severe damage. This is one last reminder just how harsh this last winter has been.
Our property shows evidence of the hard cold winter also. We had soil brought in to replace damage soil and grass. It will be a lot of hard work to get the property back into shape. What I did notice however is that all of our apple trees are ready to blossom soon. Each branch is loaded with buds. A few weeks ago I pruned the trees cutting away all the dead branches and those others that would interfere with the sun being able to shine onto the fruit producers. Not one of the branches I removed was going to bear any fruit. Some would actually interfere with the fruit production of the other branches. They needed to go. Receiving the right amount of sunshine is critical to apples. It is much like that in our Christian walk. From time to time God needs to prune us and keep us in a position to be close to the "Son". There are times that God needs to remove the dead branches around us so that they do not block our view of the "Son". These dead branches are the sins that creep into our lives and choke off our view and desire for Jesus. God loves us and we are His. He takes us seriously and allows the Holy Spirit to expose and work to remove the sin in our lives. From time to time I miss a branch that should have been cut down or trimmed. 100% of the time this branch either produces bad apples or no apples at all. God desires for His children to produce good fruit through our works.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Friends, as a tree reaches toward the sun for the nutrients that it receives from the warm rays, won't you look toward the "Son Jesus Christ" for your spiritual nutrients? Aim high and seek Him out today, trim the bad habits before the Divine Gardner has to do it for you.
Be blessed,
Marty
I find myself content to move slowly today. I am enjoying some sunshine and a cup of Door County Raspberry Butter Crunch Coffee.
I was reading the headlines today and it seems as if Northern Michigan is experiencing an "ice tsunami" . Large mountains of ice are being pushed ashore from Lake Superior and causing severe damage. This is one last reminder just how harsh this last winter has been.
Our property shows evidence of the hard cold winter also. We had soil brought in to replace damage soil and grass. It will be a lot of hard work to get the property back into shape. What I did notice however is that all of our apple trees are ready to blossom soon. Each branch is loaded with buds. A few weeks ago I pruned the trees cutting away all the dead branches and those others that would interfere with the sun being able to shine onto the fruit producers. Not one of the branches I removed was going to bear any fruit. Some would actually interfere with the fruit production of the other branches. They needed to go. Receiving the right amount of sunshine is critical to apples. It is much like that in our Christian walk. From time to time God needs to prune us and keep us in a position to be close to the "Son". There are times that God needs to remove the dead branches around us so that they do not block our view of the "Son". These dead branches are the sins that creep into our lives and choke off our view and desire for Jesus. God loves us and we are His. He takes us seriously and allows the Holy Spirit to expose and work to remove the sin in our lives. From time to time I miss a branch that should have been cut down or trimmed. 100% of the time this branch either produces bad apples or no apples at all. God desires for His children to produce good fruit through our works.
John 15 (NIV)
The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.James 2:14-26 (NIV)
Faith and Deeds
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[b] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Friends, as a tree reaches toward the sun for the nutrients that it receives from the warm rays, won't you look toward the "Son Jesus Christ" for your spiritual nutrients? Aim high and seek Him out today, trim the bad habits before the Divine Gardner has to do it for you.
Be blessed,
Marty
Saturday, May 3, 2014
One Corner In the House 5/3/2014
Good Morning,
It's Saturday and I see some sunshine peaking through the branches of our white birch trees. I just finished a breakfast of Cheerios smothered in bananas. My coffee is as sweet as my wife today. The old mug is filled with Door County Cookie Dough Coffee.
Psalm 103:2, NLT Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Our house is filled with many antiques. The two main antiques are the two of us. My wife loves to antique shop. Most of the time she doesn't purchase anything, but she loves to browse and look for ideas and specific items that seem to still elude her eagle eye and my wallet.
She has antiques in every part of the house. Our kitchen has a corner filled with her treasures. I asked her what she likes about that corner that is mixed with a lot of things and she replied "The memories. I can remember where we were when we purchased each one, bringing you lemonade as you framed some in the garage or were refinishing them. I see all three of our dogs on that wall and the competitions you were in with them. I see you coming home with game and a muddy dog, both of you wanting your picture taken. I hear you explaining how your great grandfather made chairs for little children. I never met him but I can imagine what he was like just by looking at you and that chair. I remember where the picture of the two of us was taken and what a great time we had. I remember the teens we worked with in youth group and baking hundreds of biscuits for church breakfasts. I remember finding a train ticket in one of your grandfathers old books, which he used for a book mark and how it brought tears to your eyes. I remember a wedding where we purchased the phone and your best friend was there also. He has passed now but it causes me to remember him. My faith is strong but when I look at these things they remind me that I have been blessed beyond measure with a beautiful life ".
As long as she still likes antiques I guess my spot in her heart is secure. LOL
Have a great day. Have a fond memory today. But most of all remember Who gave it to you. Count your blessings.
Love to all,
Marty
It's Saturday and I see some sunshine peaking through the branches of our white birch trees. I just finished a breakfast of Cheerios smothered in bananas. My coffee is as sweet as my wife today. The old mug is filled with Door County Cookie Dough Coffee.
Psalm 103:2, NLT Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Our house is filled with many antiques. The two main antiques are the two of us. My wife loves to antique shop. Most of the time she doesn't purchase anything, but she loves to browse and look for ideas and specific items that seem to still elude her eagle eye and my wallet.
She has antiques in every part of the house. Our kitchen has a corner filled with her treasures. I asked her what she likes about that corner that is mixed with a lot of things and she replied "The memories. I can remember where we were when we purchased each one, bringing you lemonade as you framed some in the garage or were refinishing them. I see all three of our dogs on that wall and the competitions you were in with them. I see you coming home with game and a muddy dog, both of you wanting your picture taken. I hear you explaining how your great grandfather made chairs for little children. I never met him but I can imagine what he was like just by looking at you and that chair. I remember where the picture of the two of us was taken and what a great time we had. I remember the teens we worked with in youth group and baking hundreds of biscuits for church breakfasts. I remember finding a train ticket in one of your grandfathers old books, which he used for a book mark and how it brought tears to your eyes. I remember a wedding where we purchased the phone and your best friend was there also. He has passed now but it causes me to remember him. My faith is strong but when I look at these things they remind me that I have been blessed beyond measure with a beautiful life ".
As long as she still likes antiques I guess my spot in her heart is secure. LOL
Have a great day. Have a fond memory today. But most of all remember Who gave it to you. Count your blessings.
Love to all,
Marty
Friday, May 2, 2014
Pain Management 5/2/14
Good Morning,
Friday and word has it that my region might have sunshine today and Saturday. That is a relief from all the rain we have been experiencing lately. My coffee this morning is Door County Mocha Mint. Great way to start a day.
Recently I have had to deal with some physical pain that at times makes sleeping next to impossible. I read that Psalm 91 is a great one to read if you are in pain and suffering. This is my plan for today.
I thought I would share this with all of you.
Friday and word has it that my region might have sunshine today and Saturday. That is a relief from all the rain we have been experiencing lately. My coffee this morning is Door County Mocha Mint. Great way to start a day.
Recently I have had to deal with some physical pain that at times makes sleeping next to impossible. I read that Psalm 91 is a great one to read if you are in pain and suffering. This is my plan for today.
I thought I would share this with all of you.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Have a great weekend' Love to all.
Marty
Thursday, May 1, 2014
A Kiss On The Lips 5/1/2014
Good Morning,
Thursday and I am looking forward to Friday and the weekend. My coffee this morning is Door County German Chocolate Cake.
Thursday and I am looking forward to Friday and the weekend. My coffee this morning is Door County German Chocolate Cake.
Proverbs 24:26 (NIV)
26 An honest answer
is like a kiss on the lips
is like a kiss on the lips
Honesty, where do we find it? Do we find it on television? I wonder how many women purchased the famous "tighten your butt just by walking shoes"? A couple of months later the shoes were branded a farce and you don't see them on the shelves anymore.
I have a lot of fishing lures in my tackle box that guarantee that I will catch more fish. Just try to return those dead beat lures.
I watched a guy munching on grapes in the grocery store. He ate about a dozen then wipes his mouth on his sleeve and started to leave. I asked him if he was going to pay for the grapes he ate. He replied, "every now and then I get a rotten grape in my purchase. I figure they owe me this many".
I went back to McDonald's to pay for the extra food that was in my drive through order. I explained that I figured I owed them some more money for the food that I received and did not pay for. The young lady at the counter looked at me like I was nuts. She said " I am not used to that type of honesty. Don't worry about it, I am sure we have messed up plenty of orders that we should have fixed." She was cheating her employer.
Honestly, where do we find honesty anymore? Well the one place that can always be counted on to be honest is God's Word the Bible. I truly believe it is the source of all truth and it is filled with honest Godly answers. It is the one thing we possess that can be counted on to be true at all times.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
The Bible also instructs us to be honest. No one is perfect, no not one. But we can try. If we live by Biblical rules, we won't cheat, we despise lying, we won't hold back the truth, and we will conduct business in an honest way.
Honestly, can't we try honesty? And ladies please don't ask us guys to go shopping with you while you try on clothes and then ask us "how does this look on me"? For us, honesty could be detrimental to our health?
Have a great Thursday.
Marty
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Prayer, Lest We Forget 4/30/14
Good Morning,
My coffee today is Door County Highlander Grog. My cup has a picture of my Dad, my grandfather, my great grandfather and me on it. I look at four generations of Martins when I raise my cup. Each time I look at it I see four hard workers and it reminds me to go to work and give it my best. I do this because it is Biblical and also because it is part of my heritage. So off to work I go.
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Today I can't help but have a heavy heart. I have watched the news this month and April has been a tough month for the world. A ferry sunk in Korea with hundreds killed, a mudslide in Washington killed more and just over the past couple of days tornadoes ripped through the Southern United States killing more.
Friends what can we do? The answer is now to pray for those injured, those left behind after the death of a loved one and for those who lost their homes and all their possessions. We must pray that the Christian church will rise to the occasion and pray for those in these predicaments. We must ask for Christian workers to come along side of those in distress and give comfort in the name of Jesus. We must pray for God to sustain them through the hurt and loss. We must pray and ask God what we can do. If you can offer kindness in any of these situations do it in the name of Jesus. Show love for your neighbors. Show love for those across the sea by getting on your knees in prayer.
My coffee today is Door County Highlander Grog. My cup has a picture of my Dad, my grandfather, my great grandfather and me on it. I look at four generations of Martins when I raise my cup. Each time I look at it I see four hard workers and it reminds me to go to work and give it my best. I do this because it is Biblical and also because it is part of my heritage. So off to work I go.
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Today I can't help but have a heavy heart. I have watched the news this month and April has been a tough month for the world. A ferry sunk in Korea with hundreds killed, a mudslide in Washington killed more and just over the past couple of days tornadoes ripped through the Southern United States killing more.
Friends what can we do? The answer is now to pray for those injured, those left behind after the death of a loved one and for those who lost their homes and all their possessions. We must pray that the Christian church will rise to the occasion and pray for those in these predicaments. We must ask for Christian workers to come along side of those in distress and give comfort in the name of Jesus. We must pray for God to sustain them through the hurt and loss. We must pray and ask God what we can do. If you can offer kindness in any of these situations do it in the name of Jesus. Show love for your neighbors. Show love for those across the sea by getting on your knees in prayer.
Luke 6:31(NKJV)
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
We can make a difference in a hurting life. You are as involved as you choose to be. Pray my friends pray.
Won't you join me today?
Marty
We can make a difference in a hurting life. You are as involved as you choose to be. Pray my friends pray.
Won't you join me today?
Marty
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