Just A Little Sunshine Needed 10/3/2019

Good Morning,

Today we started off with a cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee with a side order of prayer. It's time to write so let's go.

Our area of the world has been just hammered with rain and then more rain for the last couple of weeks. The rivers are swollen and ponds are filled to the top. There are other areas of the world who could use this extra water that we have. I wish I could ship it there.

Matthew 6:33. Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all things will be added unto you.

What I have noticed through this wet spell is that people's moods are really impacted by the weather. Things that normally aren't a big deal, seem to grow in magnitude when the weather feeds the disparity. There are more negative comments than normal. But with some sunshine, despite the temperature, the mood of the dwellers of this land seems to improve,

My thoughts will be short and to the point. If the sunshine and stable weather can give us a change in attitude, just think about how much more the mood climate would improve with some Sonshine. Yes a daily  helping of Sonshine can calm a nervous stomach. This is time spent in prayer and listening to Jesus. Time spent with Him is medicine to the soul and a stimulant to the brain. We open our Bibles and the words of God are there to lighten the day.

So instead of letting the weather get you down. Change the attitude of your heart, soul, and mind today with prayer and time spent listening and talking to God.

Marty

Tangled In A Check Cord 10/2/2019

Good Morning,

I  poured a small cup of Door County Autumn Harvest Coffee and sat down to a breakfast of bananas and apples.  What a night we had and what a morning it was.

My day started at 5:00 AM.  and it was a continuance of yesterday. Tuesday found me seeing a doctor for an injury to my left foot which finds me reliant on crutches. I slipped off of the step to my truck and caused a soft tissue injury.  Last night was followed up by severe thunder storms and threats of flooding.
This morning I went out in a light but very cold rain. My crutches and two dogs went with me for their outside business, The puppy still needs to be on a long check cord. He has a tendency to run and does not like to always come right back when commanded to. So there we were in the rain and cold, when the little one decide to run a couple circles around me. The check cord became wrapped around me and soon my crutches  were packaged with  me. Leo the puppy found this amusing. So he ran harder and my restraints got tighter.  It was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened. I toppled to the soggy ground and I was fortunate not so injure anything worse than it already is. I just laid there for a moment and gathered my thoughts when both dogs started licking my face. I figure they thought they were Olympic judges and had just given me a score of a nine. for my dive. Most of the points were given for being helpless and hilarious. I managed to get back up, untangle myself and  make my way to the door. I was covered in mud and soaked.  By this time my wife Rene heard the commotion and met me at the door saying " we have a situation here". She tended to me. I cleaned up and we fed the two Judges from Springer Land. Soon I was back to bed packed with ice and trying to laugh this whole thing away, It was just then that I heard a scream from the living room. Rene had just returned from taking the dogs back out to finish their morning exercise. When Leo came back in he dropped a big night crawler on to the carpet. The severe rains have forced many worms out of the ground and he must have picked one up on the sidewalk to play with in the house. Or he was bringing Rene a gift, I am not sure what he was thinking. It was just the third act from the comedy of our lives. We have no choice right now but to bear with what has been three rocky weeks and try to laugh when we can. We laughed very hard until my foot was aching.

So to make my point. If possible, try to find the good in a situation and give it a smile or a laugh. Rally with one another and grow stronger as couples.

Job 8:21 He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

Marty

Coyotes Be Aware Very Aware 10/1/2019

Good Morning,

A cup of Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee is siting in front of me, two dogs are sleeping near my feet and it is time to write.

In our part of the world we have a coyote problem and we are not allowed to discharge a firearm where I live. So shooting them would be illegal. I have done combat with one of them and he met the sharp end of a garden shovel. It was a battle I prefer not to have to do again. The coyotes are always on the prowl looking for smaller creatures that they can carry away, kill and eat. This includes family pets. The coyotes were actually brought into the area to control the skunk population. The skunks are controlled and now the coyotes are flourishing. They have become a dangerous nuisance. What started out as a good solution isn't and we have ourselves a bigger problem.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober. Be vigilant. Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking those he can devour.

We have two dogs and our yard is not fenced in. The older dog knows the boundaries and does not wander. The puppy on the other hand, well let's just say this, he has a lot to learn. So when they are let outside to play and to do dog business I am out there with them and at night our property is well illuminated. But like a shepherd is to his sheep I am the "dog shepherd" and my job is to protect them from hazards.

Both dogs know my voice and can tell when I mean business. The older dog comes to me right away, but that puppy has a mind of his own yet and hasn't given in to my will needs to be his will. This means I need to be more vigilant until he learns to listen to the master, because his strong will puts him in harms way.

Friends, we are all a lot like puppies. We venture off the path that God intends for us. We head into things that seem to be no danger at all and we end up surprised when the traps of life entangle us and bite hard. It is the evil one who lures us into complacency and a false sense of security. I was just listening to a story about a new widower who removed all alcohol from his house. He was afraid to have the temptation of a drink to ease the pain of loss and loneliness and end up being an addiction. This was a smart move. He took what seems harmless and removed it from becoming s debilitating crutch that won't work anyway.

We need to be careful and acknowledge that Satan wants to ruin lives and he does it by sneaking in and goes unnoticed until it is too late. The bright lights in our yard light up the night and give me the ability to see any dangers in the yard. They also scare away the predators lurking to make my dogs their dinner.

The best way to avoid the attack of the evil one it to be closer to the Light. John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke and said. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

So my friends be aware of allowing what seems to be harmless into your homes and lives. If it is harmful Jesus will show it to you and call you away from it. You need to learn to respond to the call of the Master and make His will yours.

Have a great day.

Marty

When God Paints A Picture 9/30/2019

Good Morning,

Fog and dreariness seem to have a hold on our part of the world today. I am cutting the fog in my head with a cup of Door County Caramel Latte Coffee.

Today I was led to talk about opening your spiritual eyes to what God does around you. If you have been blessed with sight and good vision you are able to see the Great Painter at work.

Psalm 139:7-10  7. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8. If I ascend to heaven you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. 9.If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the see, 10. even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me.

Each time you see something from where you are positioned only you see it from that view. If there is a person next to you they see it from about one foot differently right or left of you. Our Father In Heaven, knows exactly what you saw and at what moment. He painted the canvas of that moment just for you.

So for instance I like to see the sun rise and then set later in the day. God knows where I will be and just how it will look for only me. What you might see is different from what I see. It might be equally beautiful, but from my vantage point only I saw what He painted.

It could be the moment you saw your first and only child come into the world. It could be the gift of a grand baby and grandma embracing him or her. It might be the gift of seeing that puppy finally flush and retrieve his first bird.

We were supposed to get away with two other couples this coming weekend and see the Fall colors in Door County Wisconsin. Circumstances will keep us from joining our dear friends. I can only imagine what they will see when the venture North and take in God's brush strokes of Fall.  He will paint a glorious picture for them to see and each one of them will know that they are special and He created a scene that even a photo will not do justice to.

Friends, you might be in the scenes of life that are not all that beautiful right now. War, loss of a loved one, lack of a job, a home split with fighting and arguing, or health that is failing. I ask you this. Open your spiritual eyes and watch for something of beauty God wants you to see and you will be the only one who sees it from where you are standing or sitting.  In the midst of war God may have one flower blooming on the battle field and it is telling you He is there. You might be sitting at a funeral and you see someone come through the door, someone you haven't seen in a long time. It is someone you love. Capture that moment. God painted it for you. He is there. There might not be a job today, but the puppy at your feet is glad you are home. He is there. In a home full of strife, just maybe God will plant one kind word or a hummingbird at your window or geese flying in formation for you. He is there. It might be that as your health has failed or is holding you up from doing the things you desire, you see a rabbit munching on grass outside and he is at peace just eating. He is there.

Rene and I will take a short drive on Friday and go North of our home just to see the colors  of fall before the winter art work of God takes over.  We can't be where we wanted to be but we can and will see what God will paint for us to see. He will be there.

Friends, open your eyes and see what God shows you today. Take a picture of it if at all possible. He painted it just for you an no one else.

Marty

A Chicken Soup Kind Of Day With A Recipe 9/29/2019

Good Morning,

I started this day a few hours ago and it was raining very hard for my wake up duties to get our two dogs outside for their morning business. I was grateful for the hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee that was waiting for me inside.

Jeremiah 29:13 If you will seek me with all your heart you will find Me.

I decided a couple hours ago that it was going to be a chicken soup day and I can honestly say that there is a crock pot full simmering in the kitchen. When I went out earlier with our dogs Leo and Gibbs I too returned inside wet and cold. The soup will be comfort food for us today.

There are times when you just have to give in and rest a spell, feeding your soul and your body with good things like soup. Rene and I both appreciate the simplicity of the soup pot and how something so easy can be so good. We will add some crackers to the soup later and drop some lemon slices into our water glasses.

Today I will keep up in my Bible study and stir the soup a little now and then. Life is not stopping today but for me there will be no work outside on the monsoon type of day. Sometimes you just have to slow down, and spend more time with our Creator. He promises that if we seek Him He will be there. So as good as the soup will be for our bodies, extra time with God will rejuvenate the soul.

So if a rainy day or a case of the blues has slowed you down today. Take my recipe for success and put it into practice.

God bless,

Marty

Crock Pot Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 lb. 

boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 

large onion, chopped

3 

carrots, peeled and sliced into coins

2 

stalks celery, sliced

4 tsp. 

sprigs fresh thyme

4 tsp. 

sprigs fresh rosemary 

3 

cloves garlic, minced

1 

bay leaf

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

10 c. 

low-sodium chicken broth

8 oz. 

egg noodles

DIRECTIONS

1. In a slow cooker, combine chicken, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and bay leaf and season generously with salt and pepper. Pour in broth. 
2. Cover and cook on low, 6 to 8 hours. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Discard herbs and bay leaf. Return chicken to slow cooker and add egg noodles. 
3. Cook on low, covered, until al dente, 20 to 30 minutes.

Sitting This One Out 9/28/2019

Good Morning,

A hot dish of oatmeal will be on my breakfast menu and to wash it down a hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee will be called on for that duty. I see the wind  blowing pretty hard today as I sit in our den. It can blow those falling leaves right away as far as I am concerned. The picture below is one taken by my nephew on a cold day a few years ago. I am setting out duck decoys for us and it is hard to tell but there is a thing layer of ice that I am wading through. That was a morning to remember. 

Today is the opening day of duck hunting season in Wisconsin. I have taken part in many of the openers for a lot of years. Opening day usually brings out two kinds of hunters. Both are dedicated to their sport. One is wise and the other is not.

One is the dedicated experienced hunter that isn't going to miss this day for anything. They are safe, considerate of others, own a trained dog, and are very very unlikely to wound a duck and not get it retrieved. They make sure the shot they are going to take is close enough and within the kill zone for a productive shot and a retrieve. They know it is a long season and there isn't any reason to shoot at something too far away and possibly hit the duck and then not be able to retrieve it.
They were out there early enough to set up and if they have to show up late they stay home. This is just ethical hunting. They do not disturb the guys who were out there on time. They know their shooting vectors and don't shoot just to be shooting. They can call ducks and know when to call and when not to call. The second kind of hunter I will describe drives these  experienced guys crazy.

Number two is also dedicated but can easily wear the title of "Idiot". They show up late and talk way too loud. They shoot at anything that is flying and often will use up boxes of ammunition wasting time and money. If they do hit a duck it is often crippled  and doesn't get  retrieved by their dog that hasn't seen a duck or a swamp yet. They blow their duck calls at anything that is within eyesight and tend to blow until their lips are chapped and bleeding. They usually make sounds that scare the ducks  away instead of attracting them. They don't pick up after themselves and can also wear the title of "Litter Bug".  They also tend to rain down pellets on other hunters as they shoot at ducks way out of reach.

My point is this. Today I am sitting out the opener and I would like to think that I fall into category number one. I have had way too many experiences with the "Sky Busters" on opening day. Most of those guys die out three weeks into the season to hunt other things. The category one hunters will duck hunt until the last day of the season wearing frozen waders, snot dripping from their noses, fighting the snow and sleet to do it right on last time and to have some duck for dinner. And to admit it and be truthful it's not always the duck dinner that is important. They are out there with their buddies, fighting the elements and enjoying the company of their dogs.

My health has been a little sketchy these days and my patience for the "Village Idiots" is short to say the least. So as I thought it through sitting one out seemed to be best for me. I intend to try it tomorrow when there will be less hunters out there, many who will be sleeping off an alcohol induced coma. Here is what I have to say about hunting or doing anything and it comes straight from the Bible.

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Proverbs 14:7  Leave the presence of a fool. For there you do not witness knowledge.

Marty

A Day That Lasted Forever 9/27/2019

Good Morning,

I would love to be sharing a cup of Door County Mocha Mint Coffee with all of you today. I could see us munching on some freshly baked rolls lightly buttered and with honey dripping from the sides. I dream a lot and someday I believe it will be in heaven where I sit and eat breakfast with many of you and people I miss so much. But time to stop dreaming and time for writing.

On this date in 1986 it was rainy, very warm and humid. It seems like that day was just last year instead of 33 years ago. When Rene and I are asked how long we have been married we both reply "1000 years".  It seems like just yesterday our calendar was booked with church, school, softball, football, volleyball, bowling and hunting. We were very active with sports individually and together. Now just the thought of going out on a football field and getting hit makes me cringe and break into a cold sweat. We just watch football now and attend more baseball games when they have a Senior Citizen discount.

On 9/27/1986 we both agreed to share our lives together. We made sure that our vows clearly stated that each one of us was OK alone, but we chose to take our individual lives and make them one. We made a decision to share our lives together. It was the most unselfish choice we ever made. We did not know the future at all. No promises of prosperity or perfect health were written and guaranteed on that day. And to be honest there have been sometimes when things looked very bad, It was during those times, being alone did not seem like it would have been the best choice. The strength of two was better than one, We never have doubted our faith and we know that as two, we are strong, but the third cord in the marriage is God and a cord of three strands is stronger.

Ecclesiastes 4:11-12  11.If two lie down together they will be warm. How can one be warm alone?
12. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a cord of three cannot be easing broken. 

Ruth 1:16-17 Entreat me not to leave thee and return from following thee. For wither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodge, I will lodge; Thy people shall be my people and thy God shall be my God. Where thou will die, I will die, and there will I be buried: The Lord do so to me and more if anything but death part thee and me. 

Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 were part of  our wedding ceremony and Ruth 1:16-17 were our vows. So today if you ask me how long we have been married I will reply "1000 years and working on the next 1000." I am grateful for life and more grateful because of the partner who decided to share hers with me.

Marty