A Hallmark Moment 11/2/2016

Good Morning,

I am brewing up some Door County Maple Coffee to start the day. It might be a long one. I have most of my day done already and it is still very early.

John 6:38New International Version (NIV)
³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

There is a television channel that we receive into our home. I guess from a manly man's point of view the Hallmark Channel might seem like a chick channel. They just started their Christmas movies that will run up until Christmas. My dear wife likes to listen to the Christmas movies while she does chores around the house. I have found her asleep in the chair, her Bible laid in her lap with a Christmas movie playing on the television.

Now I must admit that all the movies are pretty wholesome and pretty much have happy endings. I see no problem in her watching them. I did ask her what she finds so appealing about these movies.
Her response did not surprise me. "I love Christmas" came out loud and clear.

I started to think about how happy she is wrapping presents, decorating the house, organizing Christmas Caroling, sending cards, and placing all the ornaments on the tree. The first thing she sets up is the Nativity set. When she is done arranging the placement of Jesus and the shepherds she stands back with her arms folded and smiles. This all came back to me after her answer. I can see that big smile as I write. I guess, all said and done, we have our own Hallmark moments each December.

To me, it seems a bit early to be talking about Christmas, but in our home it gets discussed more than in December. We both are in awe that our Savior Jesus Christ would leave Heaven and come to Earth to save a lost world and two sinners like us. When you look at it that way, Christmas should be celebrated every day.

Merry November,

Marty

Feeling Foolish. We All Do It. 11/1/2016

Good Morning,

Time to wake up and stumble out to the kitchen for a cup of Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee.

1. Proverbs 26:11-12 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, a fool does the same foolish things again and again. People who think they are wise when they are not are worse than fools

Have you ever listened to a question, thought you understood it and then answered with a totally off the wall answer? This probably left people wondering what planet you are from. How about the times you went to the local county fair of the big craft show and watched a guy with slicing machine cut perfect French Fries, peel hard boiled eggs and then use the blade to cut copper pipe? Only to get that same machine home to find out that each egg has to be a certain size, you can only use potatoes from Transylvania or you only get mashed potatoes instead of fries. You take these crazy purchases and wait for the next White Elephant gift party so you can drop the piece of junk on to someone else.

We have all done things that left us feeling foolish and possibly embarrassed. We vow never to be that dumb again but there we are at the next fair purchasing the best spot remover in the world. Only to find out that plain old bleach will do the same thing and cheaper.

Here is our point for today. We have all done foolish things and can't believe we did them. We all make mistakes but the wise person learns from the mistake and makes a plan to avoid that same mistake like the plague. The unwise person repeats the mistakes adding to his or her list of foolishness.

So once a mistake is made, learn from it and form a plan to avoid doing it again.

For me, it is too go to the fair but stay next to Rene so I am not buying a cruise on the Titanic. I learned the hard way when I signed us up for a free cruise to the Bahamas. I have seen bigger duck hunting boats. But it was free.! Did I feel foolish while at the harbor looking for our cruise ship. I asked someone where it might be. They laughed and pointed. There it was, a bigger version of the USS Minnow. Right then and there I started hoping it was only a three hour tour. I forgot to bring my own oars. So I learned that nothing is free and if it is, it might be best to avoid it. But I learned from my mistakes. Rene has taught me how to stay away from the signs that catch my eye,  Free, Free, Free, and to read  the fine print. I have been doing pretty good.

So for today. Think twice. Have you done this before? Why do it again?

Love to all.

Marty

God's People Do Good Works. 10/31/2016

Good Morning,

Monday came in as expected but I will bet many of us did not roll out the welcome mat. I just filled my cup with Door County Harvest Blend Coffee and now it is time to write.

Nehemiah 2:17-18New International Version (NIV)
¹⁷ Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” ¹⁸ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.
They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

We see in this passage that Nehemiah knew that the walls of Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt. The task was monumental to say the least. But the call came from God and Nehemiah shared the word. The people of God responded and began to rebuild the walls.

The church where I worship and serve is a lot like that. We needed a worship center and it was laid on our hearts to build one. Collectively the funds were raised ( No Loans). Once there was enough money to start we pitched in and together we built a large auditorium while not failing to perform ministry duties. I am proud of what God built through all those volunteers.

Friends, pay attention within your churches. There are needs there that you can meet. You either have the skills and ability or you are able to help and pay to get it done. But are you waiting for someone else to do it. Someone else does not exist. If God has shown you the work, it is intended for you to help.

If the Bible were written today, what would it say about all of us? Are we wall builders and hard workers for God?

The answer to that question lies in our hearts. What did yours say?

Marty

If You're Happy, Show It 10/29/2016

Good Morning,

Where's my Door County Caramel Apple Coffee? Well it is in the shooters bag that I am taking out for a little duck and goose hunt. Probably will regret it later. I am still fighting off this small bout of pneumonia. But the hunt goes on.

I am happy to get out in the field today. It has been a long week and I feel truly blessed to be able to at least try and get out there.

Proverbs 15:30New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁰ A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health.

How many of us are happy today? If you are and you have been blessed with happiness from above smile and let God know you are thankful. Let others know Who blessed you.  There is way too much to frown about these days. Let's take even the small blessings and celebrate them.

Smile God deserves it and you will feel better.

1. Neurotransmitters called endorphins are released when you smile.

These are triggered by the movements of the muscles in your face, which is interpreted by your brain, which in turn releases these chemicals. Endorphins are responsible for making us feel happy, and they also help lower stress levels. Faking a smile or laugh works as well as the real thing—the brain doesn’t differentiate between real or fake as it interprets the positioning of the facial muscles in the same way. This is known as the facial feedback hypothesis. The more we stimulate our brain to release this chemical the more often we feel happier and relaxed.

   

2. Endorphins make us feel happier and less stressed.

They also act as the body’s natural pain killers. For sufferers of chronic pain, laughing and smiling can be very effective in pain management, as can laughing off the pain when you bump an elbow or fall over.

3. While the release of endorphins is increased, the stress hormone cortisol is reduced.

Cortisol is more active when we feel stressed or anxious and contributes to the unpleasant feelings we experience, and by lowering it we can reduce these negative feelings.

Who would have thought that praising God and smiling about it would have a physical impact on our bodies?

Smile Friends. God is good!

Marty

Built From The Ground Up 10/28/2016

Good Morning,


Door County Autumn Spice Coffee is the flavor of the day. Let's spread some sunshine and happiness today.

 

I was recalling the when we built our home 1000 years ago. After the land purchase was competed and we decided on what our home was to look like we checked or available dollars and selected a contractor to build the home.

The first event that took place in the building project was to excavate a hole in the ground for the foundation and basement. I remember driving out to the construction site and when I saw that hole it looked like the Grand Canyon to me. I never thought that hole in the ground would amount to anything. The builder came over to talk to me whole I was gawking into the hole and recommended that we spend some more money to add extra gravel to better ensure a strong foundation. We did as he asked and it really did not add much to the cost. I am glad we did. The house although needing some remodeling has not had any issues with the foundation. It seems to be still standing firm after 1000 years.


But there is more to a house becoming a home. Each home needs a solid foundation. The Builder of the home has the Master Plan.


Psalm 127New King James Version (NKJV)

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.

So if the family is to stand. God needs to be the builder of the family. He is the great foundation.

Have a great one!

Marty

When The Load Is Too Big To Carry 10/27/2016

Good Morning,

I woke up to the almost painted kitchen. One more day and that project is complete. I am celebrating with a big cup of Door County Caramel Pecan Scones Coffee.

 

Hey ever feel like all the potatoes piled into your life basket are piled just a little too high? We all need to remember that we have Someone who cares for us. We just need to humble ourselves and ask for Jesus to help carry us through the tater fields of life.

1 Peter 5:7New King James Version (NKJV)

⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you

Why go it alone and let the weight of cares take you down. A tough task is always a little easier with a friend at your side helping you along. I know it has been said that we all need to hoe our own rows. But from time to time the field of life seems to be planted on an hill and we are trying to plow our way up. 

What do you say? Swallow the pride and run for help. Call on Jesus because He cares for you.

Marty

Now What Do We Do? 10/26/2018

Good Morning,

Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee is decorating the inside of my mug, and pleasing my palette as I write. Let's get started.

Have you ever been put into a situation that seemed impossible to solve and you even started wondering as to how you ever got yourself into this mess anyway? I know that I can say, "I've been there". Time after time one fine predicament after another I have found myself in some pretty impossible situations.

The picture above shows former members of our youth group working on a team building obstacle course. They are all stranded on a platform. The goal is to get as many kids off of the platform and on to the tire swing as they can in ten minutes. Any kid that touches the ground is disqualified. The task is quite difficult. Have you ever been stuck on the platform of life wondering what to do next?
Sure you have. Everyone of those kids had an idea on how to do it. Not many of the ideas were alike. It's the same way for us. When in a jam, we will have many people tell us how to handle it. They all sound like good ideas but we are still fighting uncertainty.

Well, we could always pray and seek an answer for the directions we need. God is always faithful to provide wisdom and guidance.

Jeremiah 33:3New International Version (NIV)

³ ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

 

 James 1:5New International Version (NIV)
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

We can go to the Almighty God through prayer and He will answer and show you the direction through the dilemma or life choice. We just have to trust Him. Why fall in or stay stranded when the answer is just a prayer away?

Marty