Last Day In March 3/31/2022

Good Morning,

I let two clean and dry dogs out for their morning business and two muddy and wet dogs returned. I didn't see that as a fair deal. Somehow today feels like it should be Friday but it isn't. My mug is full of hot Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and now it is time to write. My intentions are to enjoy this mug full of hot java and then decide if I have room for one more.

We as a family have been praying for one of our family members to obtain a new job. We have been in prayer for quite some time. Yesterday we received the news that an excellent job offer was made to our loved one and accepted! 

I remember starting this prayer request over a year ago and at times it seemed like every door was closed and not much was going to open if anything at all. Now and then there would be a glimmer of something happening but to no avail. I am grateful for those who have joined me in this petition to God and for their faithfulness in prayer. 

I would be truly out of line if I didn't thank God publicly for his provision and His timing, Thank you Father. Always, always, remember where all answers to prayer come from. 

Luke 17:11-19  11. Now on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border along the border of Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy, met him. They stood at a distance. 13. They called out in a loud voice, " Jesus, Master have pity on us."

14. When he say them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests," And as they went they were cleansed. 

15. One off them, who when he saw he was healed came back praising God in a loud voice. 16. He threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. This man was a Samaritan.

17. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18. Has no one else returned to give praise to God except for this foreigner?" 19. He said to him, "Rise and go. Your faith has made you well." 

I learned a lot in this last year of being patient when God does not seem to answer. His timing is best and often waits for us to have our backs up against the wall so that our faith can truly be placed in Him. His timing is always best for us. 

Micah 7:7 But as for me I will to the Lord. I will wait on the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

Making Decisions 3/29/2022

 Good Morning,

My day has started with a bang and I need a hot cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee to push me on ahead today. 

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. 

I will be starting my time as a juror in the county where I live. I do not know what the day will hold but I know Who holds the future. I have been in prayer regarding the case I could get assigned to and have been asking for wisdom as to what to do. 

So for today, I have to cut this short and head down town to the courthouse. I will have some quiet time to myself during the day and I will use it for prayer and some study while I wait. 

My point for the day is this. Use your time to the best of your ability. Any decisions to be made should be prayed through and through.

Food for thought. 

Marty

The Slap That Was Heard Around The World. 3/29/2022

 Good Morning,

Tuesday it is and it has the makings for a busy day. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee and not it is time to write. 

Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath, do not fret, it only leads to harm.

Thee Academy Awards (Oscars) were broadcast on Sunday night. I used to watch the show now and then way back when. I haven't tuned in for a few years now. As soon as I turned the radio on yesterday the announcer was talking about the incident that took place at the Oscars the night before.

In a nut shell, one of the presenters (a comedian)  told a joke addressed at another actor's wife. The names of the participants are not important. What ensued was the offended husband rose from his chair, walked on stage and slapped the comedian and then walked off the stage. Then he started  shouting expletives at the comedian . This incident was viewed in a lot of homes around the world. 

Ephesians 4;29 Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such that is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may be a blessing to those who hear. 

I am not choosing sides here at all. I believe true comedy ended in the 1960s and early 1970's. What we have now are comedians that bash, poke fun and say humiliating things to people or about them to large crowds and they call that entertainment. Now if that joke had been intended for my wife I am not sure what I would have done. I hope and pray I would have acted differently. 

So today, I can sit on the sidelines and talk about how both parties were wrong. This actor has a huge following and he just showed all of his followers and peeps the wrong way to have handled the situation. Now, no one was shot or stabbed so it ended up being a slap in the mouth. But still, he lost his cool. They both have paid publicists that could have arranged a meeting for the two of them discuss the insult and ask for a public apology. It would have been the manly thing to do. Now for the comedians who earn a living humiliating others I suggest they learn to be funny without hurting others. 

For the rest of us. If we don't watch or listen to those who get down right mean to others with their act, maybe they will get the message. Have you ever thought that we as viewers could be the blame for some of this nonsense? 

Food For Thought

Marty

Jury Duty 3/28/2022

 Good Morning,

My dad and grandfather used to say "Rise and shine. It is daylight in the swamp". That meant, it was time to get out of bed and get going. So I am up, prayers lifted up and a cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee is trying to straighten me out. 

Proverbs 18:17 The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him. 

It looks like I am in line to possibly be a juror this week. I received my letter of call to duty a few weeks ago. I will admit this. Once I saw the letter I can't say that I was thrilled to be called. Our county does not make it easy to be a juror, including no where to park without paying a heavy monetary price. It seems as if they work hard to have the jurors inconvenienced while they serve their duty. Probably not a good thing to tick off the jury before they even hear a case. 

But with all calls to perform a duty, we need to put it in the right perspective and prepare our hearts and minds for the task. If chosen, one needs to be impartial and listen to the facts and the facts only. You must be able to decide if the person is guilty or innocent beyond any doubt. No assumptions should be made without hearing both sides and convicting with any prejudice. Remain prejudice free. 

This call to be a juror has me thinking about how we might be jurors all the time. We listen to the news and form opinions, usually without all the facts and all we hear  is one side of the story. So we make a decision without all the facts. For instance, your teenage daughter or spouse gets into a car accident and the auto it totaled. The other driver was faulted with speeding or something like that. You see your kid or spouse all banged up  and you are angry. In your heart and mind you have convicted the other driver as a moron, and a speeding idiot. But later you find out that your beauty queen was driving while applying her make makeup and drinking a cup of iced macchiato. No way could she be paying attention to the road ahead or driving defensively.

As humans we play judge and jury all day long and we tend to jump to conclusions and assumptions before we speak or react. It is better to wait a little bit before handing down the sentence in your mind to consider all the facts and then act accordingly or maybe not react at all. "A foot is best left on the ground and used to walk with, instead of inserting it into your mouth."

You work hard enough already, It's not in your job description to play God, judge and jury as well as hangman. Slow down before making any rash remarks or decisions. There might be more to the story.

Marty

Guys Like Me 3/27/2022

 Good Morning,

It's a little after 5:am as I write.  It has been a productive morning so far. I have a turkey breast in the oven and two seasoned pork shoulders in the smoker. I have been working to have meals made for this week ahead of time. The turkey breast will be used in a pot pie as well as meat for salads and sandwiches. It is very cold for March this morning and while lighting the smoker I caught a chill that my mug of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee is having a battle with. The mug is almost gone and I am still cold. 

I titled this "Guys Like Me". I have a few friends who think like I do. We are early risers and also believe in going to bed early.  We work hard and appreciate a smoked piece of meat. We don't mind braving the cold, to get outside and smoke up the neighborhood. We tend not to sleep in and feel like we missed something if we get going after 5:am. 

Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weaker, and remember the words of Jesus Christ, how he himself said," it is more blessed to give, than to receive." 

I also believe that it is easiest to sleep when it is dark and not too much good comes after midnight. So I am in bed, prayers said, Bible read by 10:pm. The first thing when waking up every day is to go to prayer for the day, get the dogs out and grab that cup of coffee and write. 

What does this have to do with motivating all of us this morning? Guys like me have God first, family second, and we are third in the importance of our lives. I think we find it easier to keep it this way, when we get all we can obtain from every day. I believe it is our duty to be the first one up every day, to pray for our families and others. I wouldn't have it any other way. 

God has given us every day and yes there are times for vacations not doubt! But here is the kicker. Guys like me might be going to see caverns in a different state, but we were up first keeping this routine, because it is hard wired within us, by repetition. 

So if you want to create a good habit make an attempt to do it every day and before you know it, you will hard wire it into your lifestyle and it becomes part of your DNA and you have made a good thing routine! Our own good habits are usually used for others. Think this one through. 

May God bless your day. Love to all.  

Marty

Some Of The Best Medicine Is Home Made Recipe Included. 3/26/2022

 Good Morning,

Saturday is here and I am happy to see it. I have sitting next to me a steaming cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee. The aroma is good and strong.

Isaiah 55:2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 

Last night I took three chicken thighs and placed them in a soup kettle with the rest of items needed to make a batch of chicken soup. Before too long I had a pot of soup that would make anyone proud. It would be easy to open a can of soup and call it a meal, but nothing in a can, compares to what can be made at home with some time and some love. 

It is just my wife and I at home now and I do about 95% of all the cooking. I consider whoever dines with me as worthy of my best. Although chicken soup is a nice, yet a humble supper, it will warm my wife up tonight, taste good and be a comfort to both of us. 

So, whenever possible do your best to make it at home. "Homemade" is medicine for the soul. Most of the recipes I use come from cook books we have purchased. I like to use The Taste Of Home books that were gifted to me. Today I have included my favorite chicken soup recipe for you.

Have a great day and be blessed. 

Marty

Ingredients For The Ultimate Chicken Soup

• 2-1/2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 10 cups chicken broth
• 4 celery ribs, chopped
• 4 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 cups uncooked kluski or other egg noodles (about 8 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Optional: Additional salt and pepper

Directions

1.    Pat chicken dry with paper towels; sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken in batches, skin side down; cook until dark golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken from pan; remove and discard skin. Discard drippings, reserving 2 tablespoons.

2.    Add onion to drippings; cook and stir over medium-high heat until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add broth, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Bring to a boil. Return chicken to pan. Add celery, carrots, bay leaves and thyme. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until chicken is tender, 25-30 minutes.

3.    Transfer chicken to a plate. Remove soup from heat. Add noodles; let stand, covered, until noodles are tender, 20-22 minutes.

4.    Meanwhile, when chicken is cool enough to handle, remove meat from bones; discard bones. Shred meat into bite-sized pieces. Return meat to stockpot. Stir in parsley and lemon juice. If desired, adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Discard bay leaves.

For the broth, I make my own and freeze it. When I desire chicken salad I will boil some chicken thighs and save the broth for soup time. If you like a richer broth, add two bullion cubes to the pot. 

 

Restless Days 3/25/2022

 Good Morning,

The alarm clock announced that dawn is upon me and it is time to taste some hot Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee.

I took the picture of this eagle while I was hunting in the North woods of Michigan about 12 years ago. I knew it would come in handy someday. 

I have been restless in my heart, mind, and soul, for the last few weeks and whenever that happens with me I know the winds of change are blowing once more. We have been talking more and more at home about the possibilities now that full retirement will be upon us by next year February. I am not sure what God has planned for us or if He has any plans at all. I have petitioned God as to what it could be that is causing me to be restless and there has been no reply.

Why am I writing about this? Because I am sure others go through periods like this. It is awful tempting to try and manufacture a pathway, but then that would be me trying to play God with my life. I have learned this over the years. Until God clearly directs my path in different directions I just need to keep doing what I have been doing and wait on the Lord to show us the move to make. No need to pester God and ask over and over what He wants from us. He gave us a direction for now and that is what we will do. And we will do it with contentment. 

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not faint.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 

The key to happiness, is waiting on the Lord with contentment. 

Marty