Hi. My name is Marty Kaarre (pronounced CAR-ee), and I live with my wife and daughter on a mountain in northwest Montana — an hour and a half from the nearest traffic light. Our house sits by Pinkham Creek on a few acres originally homesteaded in 1903 by my wife’s great-grandfather. Because of its remoteness, this area became a hideout for outlaws, moonshiners, and rascals, so we don’t feel that our moving in has entirely ruined the neighborhood.
At present, I divide my time by serving as a pastor to a group of loving free spirits at a community church, writing, and leading wilderness retreats.
I spent my first four years of college getting a teaching degree. My B.A. in education taught me what you probably know instinctively: that we learn best through stories. Abstract truths are difficult to digest, but stories help us remember and apply principles in our daily lives. Armed with a degree in education, I spent the next four years at a seminary — learning to read the Bible in Greek and stuffing my head with useful information.
As a pastor, I suppose I should seize the high ground and tout myself as an expert in theology. But there’s a world of difference between knowing a lot of starchy facts about theology and feeling the wind in your face as you learn the life of following Jesus. I’m not an expert; just a learner.
In this blog, I want to supply you with thoughts to ponder by slipping them into a story. Some of the tongue-in-cheek stories include obvious exaggerations, but I work hard to verify that my content is as accurate as possible — and appreciate your corrections if you spot an error.
If you consider yourself very religious, and feel superior to others because of it, you won’t find much of interest here. I write for those of you willing to embrace me as a fellow misfit. I write for all you who have been burned by judgmental Christians who have sold you a story different than the one Jesus tells.
My tireless wife posts the “Story of the Day” five or six times a week. If you would like to subscribe, we will automatically send you each new post. There’s no charge and your subscription information will never be shared with anyone else.
I enjoy hearing your comments to the posts and will do my best to respond to them. If you ever want to carry on a private conversation, my e-mail address is: mckaarre@gmail.com. Just be sure you don’t sound as if you’re trying to sell me a vacuum cleaner because my spam filter is wrenched down pretty tight.
Background Information and Hobbies:
- I was born and raised in Michigan; my wife was born and raised in Montana.
- We have five kids, two sons-in-law and a daughter-in-law.
- I’m an introvert and my wife is a social butterfly.
- I’m Finnish by background. My parents spoke Finn from childhood but didn’t teach us kids. I do know one cuss word: haista napa, which means “smell my bellybutton.”
- I like to play guitar (mostly in an altered tuning called DADGAD). I used to play fiddle and mandolin at a weekly barn dance.
- My wife and I love to live off the land. We hunt, fish, garden, pick wild berries, and make homemade wine.
- We make an annual pilgrimage to northern Wisconsin to ski a 31 mile marathon called the Birkebeiner.
- We avoid wealth by stuffing our horses full of hay. My youngest daughter has three cats and two dogs: Mona, a neurotic husky, and Koira the Wonder Dog. She used to have a pet slug, Doofus, but it died.
- Go Packers!!!
- We love to take hiking trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
- I don’t know how to yodel but think it would be a great way to drive my friends crazy.
Disclaimer
This blog is a compilation of my personal insights and opinions. I make no claim to be a licensed physician, psychologist, or counselor. I make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.
And that about covers it.
i don’t know when you updated this “about” section but randy and i thoroughly enjoyed read it – we even laughed out loud a few times 🙂 appreciate your honesty!
~carrie
Thanks. Just updated within 24 hours of when you read it.
Marty
I also laughed out loud. We LOVE you!
Wow! what a refreshing story teller you are..My kind of person. Made my day. Thank you.
I laughed and read it intently, you are a great guy Marty Car-ee aka Kaare
Thanks, Jan HALL-mun.
I appreciate you Marty.
Witty and amusing introduction to yourself, as usual. You forgot to mention, in a humble way, that you are a remarkable, thought-provoking, compelling preacher–with just the right words to say and mood to convey. Thank you for your honesty and humor! And, thought I’d let you know, I put a link to your site on my blog–just to share the wealth.
Came Across your blog pretty randomly , glad I did. I gave you a follow so i’ll be sure to come back to your blog.
India and I enjoyed laughing over your welcome. “We avoid wealth by stuffing our horses full of hay.” Hahahaha! Miss you and Darla! Caroline Men-DELL
So where is your “Contribute” button by which a person might support this good work?
I have reading and grinning over your (or your wife’s) post for a long time. I even thought her name was Marty! Didn’t know you were here! 🙂
Keep up the traffic and make my day! Blessings.
Now I know lots more about my pastor! I don’t know about the “free spirits” thing though…I think some of us are pretty tied down!!!! Maybe we will eventually unwind!
Great job Marty! What a joy, it has been to read through your stories in your book and now this… a blast w/ some meat.
Thanks! Appreciate your encouraging words and glad you have been enjoying the book!
My mother is a resident at Hope Village. Funny story – her mother was your Dad’s Sunday School Teacher. Your dad kindly lent me your book, and I would love to order some as gifts. Please let me know how I can do so. Thank you!
Hi! This is Darla, Marty’s wife…Dad Kaarre called me yesterday to tell me this story about you (Marty was out) and your Mom and Grandmom…he thought that was pretty cool. The easiest way for you to get some books for gifts is to ask Reuben. I am sure he still has some to sell. If not please send us your address to ddkaarre@gmail.com and we will send out however many you need. They are $19.95 each plus $4. 95 shipping if we have to mail them. It would save you shipping costs if you were able to obtain them from Dad Kaarre at Hope Village. Thanks for taking the time to tell us your story. This is always encouraging!