The Queen Of My Heart

Good Morning,

Friday can be seen just over the top of my glasses. Mix that with a cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee and I must say that this day has great possibilities.

 

 

 

Pictured above is the Queen Of Hearts. I was rearranging some old treasures of mine and I came across this antique deck of cards from The Chicago Northwestern Railroad. The deck belonged to my grandparents. Many a night was spent playing cards with them and other family members. So the deck of cards took me on a trip down memory lane for a short time last night. I took this picture and Rene asked me what I was doing. I told her that I was going to display it on my blog, but I did not tell her that I would be writing about her today. She will find out later.

 

Rene and I both know that in order for us to be solid as a couple our first love needs to be God. Our second love needs to be family. As my wife for the last thousand years Rene has played many roles within the role of being a wife. She plays the role of partner in good or bad times, family nurse, gardener, laundry person, advisor, gardener, jokester, delivery person, point of inspiration, mother, ministry partner, correspondence expert, and Santa Claus. The list of her roles in this marriage could go on and on.

 

Her main role is Queen Of My Heart. She captured that title a thousand years ago. I am not writing this on an anniversary for us, but it is to be a reminder to be thankful for that special partner God shared with you every day.  If you have been blessed with a spouse that completes you and makes you a better man or a better woman, BE THANKFUL. Tell them that they are the "cream for your coffee, the ketchup on your fries, the candy bar on your shelf, whatever hokey line you use, tell them.

 

Tell them that you are thankful to God for them and for Him arranging for you to meet. Celebrate your blessing and enjoy. Pray for them and pray for blessings over them. Praying over your spouse is not only a necessity, but it is also a privilege. God loves us so much, and he loves to hear our hearts for our loved ones. Praying Scripture over them is a wonderful way to bless our husband or wife, because it speaks prophetically over them. Here is one passage that I like to pray over Rene.

Just a little food for thought. Try it. You may like it.

 

Numbers 6:24-26New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ “The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”

 

 

 

God bless,

 

Marty

Maybe They Don't Know 6/8/2016

Good Morning,

It sure is good to wake up and see the roses blooming and then smell the Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee brewing in the kitchen. Time to write and pray.

We all have family, friends, and acquaintances that we interact with daily. There are those who inspire you, some who you can't imagine life without them, some you love dearly, and some you appreciate for who they are or what they do. It would be a shame for them not to know how you feel about them. We are verbal people who talk and were made to be relational. Yet we struggle to communicate our feelings of love, admiration, pride and appreciation. I have a friend who is a missionary in Haiti and often sacrifices all that he has for others. Every now and then I need to let him know that I am proud to know him and that it was a blessing to serve with him. he needs to know that. My wife needs to hear how much she is the love of my life. My daughter and her family need to know that Grandpa prays for them because he loves them and can't imagine life without them. They need to know they are loved. Friends need to hear that they are loved and needed. We are representatives of God on this Earth. Shouldn't we speak the language of love to others and mean it?

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:18 NLT)

I think we can all do better. When was the last time you told God how much you love Him? If it was more than a day ago, you need to get on it!

No one important to you should go into a love drought because you did not express verbally your love for them.

In case no one told you today that you are loved. I love you all. God bless. Have a wonderful day!

Marty

Time For A New Song In Your Heart 6/7/2017

Good Morning,

I just woke up to a barking Springer Spaniel and a cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee. I checked outside and saw what Gibbs was barking at. Seems to be that our yard attracted a doe and her young fawn. Now that's a first, in a very long, time.

Today we will talk about the music of the heart. So here's a question for you. Do the words that come out of your mouth sound like a violent rap tune? Do the words that come from your mouth fill the air with constant complaints and whining? Are the words spewing forth from your mouth full of negativity and despair? Do the words coming from your mouth build up or tear down?

If you answered yes to even one of those questions it is time for a change of  music within your heart. Now we can't just plug a quarter into your mouth and request a new tune like a jukebox in a burger palace. No, we can't do that. We need to change the music player entirely. We need to change the attitude of the heart.

This is done by spending time with Jesus. He changes dispositions. We can soften our attitudes with prayer and time spent in the Bible.

Luke 24:13-35New International Version (NIV)

On the Road to Emmaus

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

 

 

We find two men confused and in mourning. Just some time spent with Jesus and their hearts were set afire.

Time spent with Jesus changes the music coming from the heart, which in turn changes what people hear coming from our mouths.

 

Don't like the music? Well, you can change it.

 

Marty

The Two Shriners Grow Older 6/6/2017

Good Morning,

Here's to drinking a hot cup of Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee and eating a few grapes for breakfast. This is shaping up the day nicely.

On Sunday I needed to carry into our home  a very heavy piece of furniture. Heavy is an understatement to say the least. I was wise enough to call for some help and my help was wise enough to call for one more good friend to assist us inside, and then up a flight of stairs. My back is still a little tender.

Two of my helpers I have known since birth. They are our nephews Nick and Matt. When I needed help and called on them they showed up on time and went right to it. I worked with them and with four guys, a tough job was made a little easier.

I sat back later and recalled watching those two guys grow from babies into the men they are today. I remembered wrestling with those two munchkins on the floor when they were small enough to throw around and tickle. Now here they were, helping this old uncle wrestle furniture. I am proud of those two guys and I don't tell them that enough. Somethings never change though. One of them still spills things and the other needs to have keys tied to his wrist. But they turned out to be loyal to family and always have a little time to visit their aunt and uncle. They know that God, Family and they are Third.  We have been blessed to be a small part of their lives and look forward to seeing them someday with their own kids. Never give up on a kid! Always be willing to work right beside them. They turn out pretty to be good men.

Proverbs 22:6King James Version (KJV)
⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

God Bless,

Marty

A Prayer In The Sun 6/5/2017

Good Morning,

Monday arrived in a flurry, or so it seems.  I awoke to the sound of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee brewing in the kitchen. So the day begins with prayer and a banana for breakfast.

I am a little sore this morning. Our nephew Matt, Rene and I went out to play cow pasture pool yesterday afternoon. (Golf) It has been a few years since I broke out the golf clubs and endured the torture of having Rene out-golf me once again.

It was very warm out yesterday and as I looked up into the sun, I wiped my brow and started to think about someone a few states away. I wondered how he was doing and what his day was like. Lately I have been praying without ceasing for this same person. So just before we started to chase the ball in the cow pasture I prayed again.

I prayed for a blessing from God for this person and a cool place to rest. I can be assured that God heard my prayer, and in that I am content.

We don't need a special place to pray, and we can launch into prayer at anytime. I believe the Holy sprit prompts me to prayer. When I think of that person , it causes me to pray. It doesn't take long and you can walk and pray at the same time. I think we need to spend more time in prayer and especially when the Holy Spirit prompts us to. Who knows? Someone might be praying for you right now.

Philippians 1New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons^.

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Have a great day. Pray for someone.

Marty

Wisdom. The First Step. 6/4/2017

Good Morning,

My day began with computer issues and even my cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee wasn't helping. But it seems as if the issues have been resolved and I can write once more without using my telephone.

Last weekend our local news was full of talk and alarm about the gun shootings in our area. People were appalled, and rightfully so. A quote that was heard over and over again was "why is this happening"?  To me the shootings did not come as a surprise. The quick answer is this. We have lost our regard for life. Life ceased to be precious in 1973 in the United States when abortion was legalized. This will be a huge debate today with a few emails railing me. But it is a fact. We mourn adults and children gunned down but still allow abortion mills to operate killing thousands of babies daily. The first step to wisdom in this matter is to acknowledge God as God and to fear Him and his judgement.

Proverbs 9:10New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

What once was thought as appalling is now an accepted practice and has now turned to the streets in nightly killings. It seems that our acceptance of murder has blossomed into a total disregard for life. God keeps His word and it seems that we have been turned over to the lifestyle we have condoned.

Romans 1:28-32

²⁸ Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. ³² Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

God will judge our actions and it is a fact. So this violence does disturb me, but does not surprise me at all. There is a decreased healthy fear of God. As a matter of fact many churches do not teach the first step to wisdom, which they seem to believe is a better way to fill the pews.

2 Corinthians 5:10New International Version (NIV)
¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

I suggest for everyone to take a healthy read through the book of Proverbs, reading 1 chapter per day. Read the first chapter of the Book of Romans. prior to reading Proverbs. Allow God to piece this together for you. I am sure He will enlighten you, as to His opinion.

God bless,

Marty

Listening To God's Symphony

Good Moring,

There is nothing like waking up early on a Saturday morning, grabbing a hot mug of Door County Swedish Lingonberry Tart Coffee and the heading outside to enjoy it.

I am seated in our front yard and I am listening to my part of the world waking up. It is amazing when the worldly noise is absent ( traffic, lawn mowers, radios) how much of God's early morning concert you can hear. I am admiring Rene's garden handiwork. It really just started and I can't wait to see it in two weeks. But God's concert is what I hear right now and what I want to share it with you. I can't even begin to tell you how many birds are chirping right now. There are several different species singing away and blending into this God sent chorus.

Psalm 121:1-2
I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 

When I first ventured outside I heard the base voice of a toad croaking. A squirrel has started a rap song with his chatter.  I am applauding the performance sent from above.

I have much to pray about and many to pray for. I will join this concert with spoken prayer. I will be praising God for the many things He has done this week. A teen we have been praying for is now cancer free is one of my praises. Just being able to sit in God's outdoor arena and experience this symphony has me prapraising Him.

I found peace and happiness in an old chair today. I let God play the music and I sang along from my heart with prayer.

When was your last God given concert?  The tickets are cheap and the musical makes you want an encore.

God bless.

Marty