That Would Have Hurt 2/5/2018

Good Morning,
Took a little extra time to sit and enjoy my coffee. The coffee seems to taste better when you are not rushed. Very thankful for a cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee.

Yesterday the National Football League played the Super Bowl and sometimes Super Bowl Sunday is like a national holiday in the United States. Where I live we also were receiving a few inches of snow. This made it perfect for all the arm chair quarterbacks to get out there and play a pick up game of football. My phone rang and an old friend of mine was inviting me to play in one of the games at the local park. Now it tempted me for about 20 seconds and then sanity kicked in. My two knees that are on the verge of being replaced would have lasted about one or two plays. My glory days are over. I am in no shape to play football anymore. Instead, I spent some time reading my Bible after I finished shoveling snow. While reading I was reminded that as I used to practice for long hours playing football in my younger days. Now I need to spend more time reading God's Word in order to become all that God would desire from me. Just like practice for football.

 As much as I study God's Word even at my age I need to study more. Below is Scripture that should motivate us to study more. We should all be in a Bible study with others. We can learn from others and we need to share what we have learned when the call is made and you are thrown into the Super Bowl of God's work. You see that Super Bowl, is God working in other peoples lives and He has called you to carry the ball. I have  a pretty good (God ) game but got stopped short of the goal line on a couple of carries God had for me. I need to stay in Spiritual shape.

      

2 Timothy 3:14-17                    

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.  Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

         

Psalm 119:11                   

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

         

2 Timothy 2:15                   

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

         

Joshua 1:8                   

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

          

Proverbs 3:1-2               

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

I wonder if God is ready to drop kick me through a heavenly goal post when I can't find Bible verses  I am looking for?

Hey Friends,

Have a wonderful day. Make every day a run for the end zone.

Marty

Breakfast. There Is Just Something About It 2/4/2018

Good Afternoon,

I am running very late on the blog today. I had to start work very early on a special project and before I knew it the my day had elapsed into the afternoon. I did however find time to squeeze in a hot cup of Cherry Crème Coffee from the Door County Coffee Company.

Later this morning when I took a little rest from my labors, only to go home and dig out our house from a snow storm, I stopped at a restaurant for breakfast. I treated myself to a small steak, hash browns, eggs and toast. It was a breakfast fit for royalty. It was about 10:AM when I sat down to order my morning feast. For me eating breakfast at 10 in the morning is too late. But it was what it was and that breakfast soothed my hunger and just made me feel good. I noticed that the customers in this food emporium were all chatting at their respective tables and everyone seemed happy.

Acts 4:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus met the apostles on the seashore after they had been fishing and He cooked them some fish for breakfast. So we know that Jesus ate breakfast. What a morning that had to be. There were a few people who were reading their Bibles at their tables. As I looked over at a group of 8-9 people I could see that they were eating and discussing their Bibles. It looked to be like a Sunday School class that went out for breakfast. It seemed to me that Bibles, Breakfast and Jesus just go together. There's just something about breakfast and there's just something about Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 3 King James Version (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

I guess anytime is a good time to eat breakfast and  anytime is a good time to read and study your Bible. Jesus isn't picky about what time you choose. He is available 24/7


God Bless,

Marty

Nice Four Letter Words 2/3/2018

Good Morning,

Nice cold snowy weekend here for us and it makes my cup of Door County Lighthouse Blend Coffee not only taste better but it makes it feel better going down..

I looked up positive, nice four letter words and decided that I would share them today and then find a Bible verse that we can use to accentuate the word.


LIFE, LIKE, LIVE, LOVE, are the four I chose this morning.

Life:  John 14:6 New King James Version (NKJV)
⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Like: Mark 4:30-32 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

Live:  Philippians 1:21 New King James Version (NKJV)
²¹ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Love: 1 John 4:19 King James Version (KJV)
¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.

God uses many positive words in Scripture. These four show us that Jesus is the source of eternal life, The kingdom of God is immense and it will be comfortable. They show that as long as we live we should serve Jesus.  And we love Jesus, because He loves us.

I think we can take these verses and like them, love them, live them and use them for life! Try it!

Have a great day.

Marty

Adapt And Overcome 2/2/2018

Good Morning,

Here comes the cold weather again and this time with some snow. Looks to be an interesting weekend and I just started this one with some Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and a prayer.

Sometimes we see life throwing us a curve that ends up staying with us for the rest of our Earthly lives. The event changes our way of life as we know it and not always for the good. I watched this happen to our dad. There they were, chugging along through retirement and out of the clear blue God called our mother home. After well over a half of a of a century of marriage he found himself alone and with a whole different way of life. Life changed and it took dad a long time to  figure out his new way of life. Eventually he found ways to compensate, adapt and overcome different circumstances. He couldn't sew, but he found a way to hem a pair of pants with some iron on glue that held the pants in place. In some instances we kids intervened and sent fresh baked goods from our homes to his. He couldn't bake. We noticed though that when he started grocery shopping alone he eventually found the bakery and needed less assistance. But baked goods sent in the mail was always a treat for him.

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

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

My point is this. We as humans are resilient and can adapt to changes on our own. But from time to time we need just a little help. God cares about us and wants us to lean on Him. It's at those times He often uses others to provide that uplifting hand. We just need to say yes and help those He leads us to. We can't be everything to them , but we can give that extra push to get them on their feet.

Ephesians 4:32 New King James Version (NKJV)

³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you

So as God leads you to that one person who is struggling, say yes to the task. The one receiving the push is blessed. You will be as blessed as they are to be helping someone. It's a two way street.

Have a great day!

Live LikeYou Were Dying 2 2/1/2018

Good Morning,


Dear Friends  I have a cup of Door County Cherry Creme Coffee in my hand as I write this. I am preparing for a long day. I wrote this one back in 2012. I decided it was time for a replay.

Psalm 56:8

You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?

Yesterday was a tough day. I watched as my wife and her family had to make the decision to place her Dad into Hospice care. All the school and classes in the world did not prepare me for this day. I really was at a loss as to what to say. Earlier in the day my Father in Law and I had a discussion about eternity with Jesus. He reassured me that there was Jesus in his future. He and I reminisced about that Christmas Eve when he accepted Jesus as his Savior.
Yet I was confronted with my own mortality. I have received Jesus and have made Him Lord and Savior of my life 31 years ago. The above Scripture reminds me that my days are numbered and God knows when He will call me home. I am ready to go. But here is what I learned today.

Tell your family that you love them.

Be kind today. Don't wait for tomorrow.

Scratch your dog's ears.

Hug more.

Pray often.

Feed a family.

Say please and thank you.

Read your Bible more.

Live like you were dying.

God bless,
Marty

Psalm 103 OneTo Remember 1/31/2018

Good Moring,

I wish I could send all of you a cup of my Door County White Chocolate Cinnamon Dolce Coffee and we could sit and chat for awhile. That would be a great day.

 

 

 

This morning I want to take a look into Psalm 103. I go to this Psalm when I feel like no one cares or the world is dumping too much on me. If I am throwing myself a pity party I go to Psalm 103 and I am reminded of God's love and all He does for me. Print this one and post it in a spot that will be easy for you to view.

Psalm 103 New King James Version (NKJV)

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
⁷ He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
⁹ He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
¹² As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
¹⁴ For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
¹⁸ To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

¹⁹ The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
²¹ Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
²² Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

 

I ask that you share this with someone who can use an assist to leave their pity party. This just might help someone in need.

 

God Bless,

Marty

He Calmed the Sea And Still Does 1/30/2018

Good Morning,

I am just sitting here waiting on a cup of Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee. I forgot to set the timer on the coffee maker. So I write without my coffee. Who knows what might be penned without caffeine?

I am still reading the Book of Psalms and through years of study I have read the following passage many times. Today I will correlate it with the New Testament prophecy of Jesus.

Psalm 107:28-29 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
²⁹ He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.

 

This same scenario played out many years later in the book of Matthew.

Matthew 8:23-27 New King James Version (NKJV)

²³ Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. ²⁴ And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. ²⁵ Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

²⁶ But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. ²⁷ So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

It is thought that the book of Psalms, written by many authors was composed between 1500 BC and finished around 450 BC. Although some scholars disagree, the vast majority of researchers believe that Mark was the first Gospel to be written, sometime around the year 70. This scholarly consensus holds that the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke were composed, independently of one another, sometime in the 80s or 90s.

What is amazing to me is how God predicted what Jesus would do. For some reason this makes these verses mean so much more to me. They not only tell me that He clams storms, but it confirms that Jesus is the Savior, the Son of God.

We still call out to Him during the storms of our lives and He calms the waves of strife and struggle. He is in the middle of our storms right next to us.

Friend, is your life a sea of storms? Has a tsunami hit you? Cry out to Jesus and He is there riding in the storm. Take His hand in assurance and the storm will be calm. He doesn't want you to be overcome by the storms of life,

God bless,

Marty