The Meat Of The Word 10/11/2017

Good Morning,

Hey feet on the floor and let's go! Praise God for another day and a cup of Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee. Lot's to be thankful for.

November 3rd will find me at church enjoying our Men's Ministry Annual Steak Feed. You will find a couple hundred men grilling an 18 ounce steak and then getting dessert from the Word of God delivered by Pastor Joe.  There's nothing like seeing men and boys chow down to a steak with all the trimmings and washing it down with Sprecher Root Beer. I like my steak hot and cooked medium well. That's how I like to receive the Word of God, fresh from the preacher and hot to the touch! Life changing and challenging to my soul is the powerful Word of God.

I was praying about the blog today and I will share a couple of thoughts on the church and the world. As Christians we are to embrace the worldly and show them the love of Jesus without judging. But I believe within the universal church there is this thought that we have to become like the world to reach the world. Oh, there is a fine line in becoming all things to all people to reach them with the Gospel. One cannot violate God's Word to reach others. Bending the Word is not setting captives free, it takes the Christian captive to the world. Once the Word of God becomes an option it is no option at all. We need to fellowship with the world but on our standards, not allowing the world to believe that we have become tolerant of sinful behaviors which are outside of God's established behaviors. God gives us clear warning to stay within the Word.

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.

2 Timothy 4:2-4New King James Version

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

We must hold true to the Word of God. We can reach the world without segregating ourselves. Over exaggerating the point would be to have your wife become a prostitute tp reach the prostitutes. The better way would be to bring the prostitute to a better and Godly way of life through love, compassion and example. This does not mean that the prostitute should not be welcomed or sought out by caring and loving people. There is a fine, fine line in reaching people without condoning the sin or becoming part of it. We have to decide if we as Evangelicals are filling the seats in church through plain popularity or building an eternal kingdom based on the foundation of Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

Lot's of meat in this message today, inspired by a friend.

Marty

A Cup Of Soup Goes A Long Way. With A Recipe 10/10/2017

Good Morning,

My day is beginning with prayer, Door County Autumn Spice Coffee and a Springer Spaniel parked on my feet. Someone wants attention today.

I keep waiting for the weather to turn real cold and call me to action. When the frost comes and it is cold and damp, I retreat to the kitchen and out come the soup, and stew recipes. I was talking with my Aunt yesterday. She lives in Florida where the weather tends to be much warmer than Wisconsin. She informed me that she eats soup even on hot days.

That doesn't work for Rene and me. The fireplace  with some crackling logs and a large cup of soup with oyster crackers are what we crave when the weather puts a bite in the air.  One of our favorite soups would be split pea and ham. Now what does that have to do with a devotional/blog?

Soup is easy to make and can be frozen and noodles added later to actually have a good meal in minutes. It can be thawed out and given away to someone who needs a hot meal and might be laid up with an injury or ailment. You can meet someone at a church service and you might notice that they look like they could use some fellowship. It's not a full blown seven course meal, but an invitation to a wholesome soup and bread lunch is easy to do and just might make their day. They might not remember the soup, but they will remember the invitation to your home. Rene and I think that hot soup and a fire go well with reading our Bibles and enjoying the quiet.

This coming Saturday night after our church service, those attending will partake in a simple soup fellowship. Nothing fancy, just some hot soup and love to share.

Have you ever thought that a container of soup just might make someone's day better or easier? Your special recipe might just be the blessing they needed. The recipe below is one of our favorites. I have substituted bacon  for the ham hocks on occasion and it is awesome.

Have a great day. Someone is counting on you.

Marty

Smokey Split Pea Soup Recipe       By Deb Wise

1 pound dried green split peas, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potatoes

5 garlic cloves, chopped

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped peeled carrot

1 large bay leaf

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 pounds smoked ham hocks

6 cups water

1/2 cup light sour cream

 

               

How to Make It

Step 1

Layer peas and next 9 ingredients (through ham) in order listed in a 6-quart electric slow cooker. Gently pour 6 cups water over top. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Step 2

Remove ham hocks from slow cooker. Remove meat from bones, and cut into bite-sized pieces; discard skin and bones. Discard bay leaf.

Step 3

Coarsely mash soup to desired consistency, adding additional hot water to thin, if desired. Stir in chopped ham. Divide soup evenly among 8 bowls; top each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream.

Next!!! Enjoy

The Cheese Castle And The Old Clothes10/9/2017

Good Morning,

The Thermos Bottle will be filled with Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee in a few minutes and then I will hop into the Old Ford and drive into work.

My travels yesterday took me in a direction where I could shop at a few of the nice Wisconsin cheese stores. I was looking for dessert cheese and what I wanted was either maple cheese or cinnamon apple cheese. I was blessed to find both and then wouldn't  you know I also bought some horseradish cheddar cheese. The last one is quite a contrast to the other two. We love Wisconsin cheese.

Rene and I like to slip sweet cheese shavings between our pancakes or French toast. I guess it is a guilty pleasure of ours. I shopped at three stores and found what I was looking for at "The Cheese Castle".

But what I encountered was more precious than the cheese. I had been duck hunting and just pulled myself out of a muddy river an hour before.  My attire was less than desirable. I was wearing camo sweat pants that have seen better days. I took some old slippers along to wear after I removed my waders. My old camo shirt had a few holes in it. I was not the best dressed hunter. Rene has been asking me to throw those old clothes away. But they are comfortable and they have some memories attached to them. I do have some new stuff set aside and some day I will break them out of storage.

Proverbs 22:6New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it

While shopping for cheese I must have looked like I really just hitch hiked in. I was a little hungry so the sample cheeses were there and I tired a couple or four. Then I went to look for the cheese I wanted. I could not find it at first. I was looking at the packages of cheese and then putting them back until I found my prizes. It must have looked like I was reading the price and then deciding that I could not afford them. One family in particular assumed that I was a homeless person that just wandered in from the highway. They sent their little girl over to offer to purchase some cheese curds for me along with some crackers and a coffee. She addressed me as sir and was very polite. I assured her and her listening parents that I had just stopped in and really wasn't properly dressed, but I could afford the cheese purchase. I thanked them for being so kind and concerned.  I purchased my cheese and left. They actually followed me out to the parking lot. Once the saw me climbing into the Old Ford they felt better. I waved and the Old 250 roared down the road.

What made me smile was this. They were teaching that five or six year old a lesson on compassion and kindness. They were teaching her to share.  I for one learned not to shop on the way home from duck hunting. I tossed out the clothes later yesterday.

Have a great day. Train up those kids.

Marty

No Gossip For The Guys. Nacho Recipe As Well 10/8/2017

Good Morning,

Treating myself well today with a hot cup of German Chocolate Cake coffee from the Door County Coffee Company. Joining my nephew Nick for a little waterfowl hunting today.

One thing I love about Tuesday nights is that I head off to church for Bible Study with the men.  The guys in there range in age of 22 through 90. We enjoy the study and each other's company. And of course from time to time we munch on some pretty tasty stuff. This week we will be celebrating October with Smoked Sausages and Saur Kraut. We laugh and study and at times get pretty serious. The guys chip in and look up verses, speak about what they have learned from life and other studies. It is a group effort.

We always start with prayer and end by sharing prayer requests or praises. One guy will ask for prayer and another will respond by saying "I will pray for that." Before we leave each man is allowed some time to express that petition for the other man to God. One rule we have is that it is OK to be open and honest and share what is on your heart. The second rule is this. What is said and prayed for in Bible Study stays in that room. No one repeats what is said inside that room during that holy time. In other words "no gossip". This allows the men to feel safe expressing their needs and hurts. They can ask for accountability. I want to say this. I study God's Word with stand up God fearing men.

Gossip can ruin other people and is a sin. God warns us to stay away from it and those that partake of it.

Leviticus 19:16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.

Proverbs 11:13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Proverbs 20:19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 26:20-22 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.  As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Well we can see what God has to say. Just think about it. If God were to start talking about you to others, what could He say? Notice He doesn't. He loves you and treats others as they would want to be treated.

God bless. Have a gossip free day!
Marty
Macho Nachos For Bible Study

Ingredients

• 1 can refried beans
• 1 large bag white corn tortilla chips
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack
• 1 jalapeno, sliced crosswise, plus extra for garnish
• 1 can chili, or your favorite chili recipe
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup green onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced

Directions

Have all the prepped ingredients easily accessible to assemble nachos.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small saucepan over low heat, cook refried beans until they are loose enough to spoon onto nachos. On a large ovenproof platter, spread out a layer of tortilla chips and quickly put a teaspoon of hot refried beans on each chip. Working quickly, sprinkle with some onions, jack cheese, and jalapeno slices. Spoon on chili and top that with Cheddar. Repeat this layering process until ingredients are used up. Save some of the jalapeno slices for garnish. Place platter in the oven and bake until cheese has melted, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a trivet or heatproof surface. Top nachos with sour cream, green onions, diced tomato and jalapeno slices and serve hot.

Rainy Day Sofa 10/7/2017

Good Morning,

It has been one long week and Saturday arrived just in time. My Door County Maple Coffee is just what I needed to kick start the day. Just call me Sleepy.

I put in a large amount of hours at work this week. I am truly thankful for the great job I have, but with the long hours and fighting off a flu bug, my energy is depleted.

Our living room has a beautiful fireplace and a sofa made for rainy days. It just invites you to nestle up, grab a light blanket and experience a happy nap. This is part of my plans for the day. A one hour happy nap on the rainy day sofa. I will pray before the nap and I will find peace. I'll bet the dog is napping close by.

Psalm 4:8New International Version (NIV)

⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety

Now some of you might be thinking, "suck it up butter cup and don't be lazy". I had that thought for a half of a second myself. But I learned a long time ago to rest when I am too weary to go on and take care of myself. Resting is not laziness when rest is needed. It is our duty to take care of ourselves.  Don't be ashamed when the bodily gas tank is on empty and it needs to be replenished. Enjoy a nap and be happy. Naps don't cost a thing and those around you might enjoy the peace and quiet.

God Bless,

Marty

You Never Forget Those You Love 10/6/2017

Good Morning,

 

Friday is here just as it promised and I for one am looking forward to a break. This morning found me with a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee and a bowl of cereal. Good enough for today. But I foresee some apple pancakes during the weekend.

 

 

Love is a very powerful emotion that for me is very hard to explain. I am not an expert on love but there are a few things that I have picked up along life's trail that I can share.

 

True love is best described in the following passage found in the Bible.

 

  1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

I find that if I am living out this passage in my life, those who I love know it. They are told of my love and can see it through my actions toward them. If we practice this passage and live it out, those we love are never forgotten or placed on a back burner. But it takes practice and a "stick to it attitude".  So for a Friday we all have something to think about and put into practice. Love so as never to forget.

Have a great day.

Marty

 

 

 

When You Just Don't Want To Do Something. 10/5/2017

Good Morning,

This is going to be one long day that will last into the next morning. So I will cherish this cup of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee and my time with Rene and our dog Gibbs.

We all have had those times when we are asked to do something and just the thought of doing that task  makes us angry or sick to our stomach. We all have been asked to do something that we just don't like.

Two years ago while driving, I was pulled over by the local police. The police officer told me that the center brake light on  the hatch of our Jeep was burned out.  He asked for my drivers license and registration. I politely handed them over as well as my card for the right to carry a weapon in the State of Wisconsin. The officer asked me if I had a weapon on me or with me. I told him no, which was the truth. My hands were on the steering wheel where they were supposed to be. He asked me to turn the engine off and I did as I was asked. It was raining outside and he asked me to exit the Jeep and place my to hands on the hood of the Jeep. He patted me down and did not find a weapon. He then asked me if he could search the Jeep. I granted him permission to do so. No weapons were found. In the end, the officer thanked me for my cooperation and let me go without a ticket to comply. I asked him if I was going to receive a ticket and he said "No. You were totally cooperative and very polite. You told the truth and I believe someone that stood in the rain, was polite, and cooperated with all that was asked will take care of a burned out brake light." I told him I would be doing it the next day, thanked him for his service, and we both went on our way.

Now while I was standing in the rain, without an umbrella or a raincoat I wasn't really wanting to cooperate. I was much bigger than my police friend and about the time that I was really getting wet, the thought of spanking him crossed my mind. But a Bible verse ran though my head and I realized that I was not following what God would have me to do.

Romans 13:1-7English Standard Version (ESV)

Submission to the Authorities

13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. ⁷ Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

 

I repaired the brake light the next day. Two days later while exiting a Walmart I noticed a guy waving at me while I was backing out of my parking space from behind my Jeep. I stopped and got out. It was the same policeman who was now off duty. He recognized me and just wanted to chat. He said "I see the brake light is fixed." I laughed a little and then he said this. " I respect your right to bear arms and you did everything correctly and you were very polite. I am sorry it seemed like I was being a jerk, but I am just protecting myself. Two other people that I stopped that night lied to me about having a weapon on them." He then went on to say thanks for being a good sport about it. Have a nice weekend". We shook hands and we moved on.

 

It was at that moment when God spoke and said. I provided an officer and he made sure that you knew your Jeep was not in working order, which is not safe. I spoke to you and reminded you to show respect. You are safe and I used you to show this young man that not all people are liars.

 

Here's my point. We all have authorities over us and many times they ask us to do things we don't care to do. But we are to respect them, none the less and cooperate.

 

Food for thought!

 

Marty