The Results Are In 11/6/2024

 Good Morning,

A hot cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee is sitting next to me and it is time to write. 

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV First of all, then, I urge supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, Godly and dignified in every way. 

Yesterday November 5th was election day in the United States and as of right now we have elected a new president and many other new leaders into offices of service. They will start their new jobs in January. My thoughts on this are, I am happy just to have this election over. The process was nothing less than disgusting at times and it seemed as if this election would never end. 

So today my prayers will be for those who have to finish out their terms to be able to do so with dignity and without major issues to deal with before the January hand off.  The world is a hot bed of strife and turmoil right now. My second  set of prayers will be that the new administration will be able to take the responsibility of administrating their offices with dignity and respect and without calamity.

My point for today is this. Christians in the United States need to pray for both parties and not discriminate with their prayers. The finish and the start has to be treated equally in our prayers. 

I for one will pray that way and Lord only knows, we need it. 

God bless,

Marty

Who's In Charge? 11/5/2024

 Good Morning,

I have a Thermos bottle of very hot, very strong, Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee ready to travel with me. I will be working at our city election polls today and some strong coffee is in order. 

Sometimes in life we hit road blocks and detours that were unexpected or planned. Things just don't seem to fall into place and peace is not on the horizon. God seems to be silent and not pouring out his wisdom or directions. 

I have been the recipient of times like those and it always comes back to me. I can usually go back in time and see where I started doing everything my way and without consulting God. During those times my closeness with God was distant at best. I had to stop and remember the key to life and my relationship with God depends on my attitude.  " Not my will, but your will be done Lord" 

In order to have that Spiritual attitude, it requires humility and trust in God. It also requires obedience to not only cast your concerns to God, but trust that His way is best. 

1Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

If God isn't speaking, may be He is tired of us not listening. 

Food for thought!!!!!

Marty

Unwilling To Bend 11/4/2024

 Good Morning,

I am looking forward to that first cup of Door County Irish Crème Coffee with some Cheerios smothered in yogurt for breakfast. 

What would it take for you to compromise your morals? What or how much would it take for you to look the other way out of convenience or pressure. When does wrong, become right for you. 

In the book of Daniel we read about three friends of the prophet Daniel who were also taken captive and taken to Babylon where they were eventually given jobs of importance. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a huge golden image made and all of his Kingdom and their slaves were to bow to it. Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to an idol. They held tight to their faith in God " Yahweh. For them to bow to a pagan idol was not acceptable and they refused to partake in idolatry. At the threat of death they still refused. Their choice was not to sin. When brought before the king they spoke on their faith in the One And Only God. Failure to bow was a death sentence from the King. They would rather die than bow to a false God. 

Daniel 3:16-18 16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to him. "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.17. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand . 18. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. 

The three men were obedient to God. They refused to bend a knee to pagan idols and they were tossed into a raging furnace. They lived through that experience without a burn or a scar. They chose to do right, no matter the cost. 

Sometime today or this week you will be asked to bend your morals, give in to pressure, to condone evil, or turn a blind eye to justice and righteousness. It will be your choice as to Who you worship and serve. How quickly will you bend?

Marty

When Your Day Begins To Dance 11/3/2024

 Good Morning,

I will be drinking some very hot Door County Irish Crème Coffee as I drive to meet with some friends this early AM.

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am going to take a chance that some of you can identify with what I am trying to explain this morning. In reality some of us know deep down inside that we can't dance. Our rhythm just doesn't exist. But!!!! Give us "OUR" song on the radio in our car and we have moves that no one else sees as we bounce and twist around in our seats. We start to wonder why Dancing With The Stars hasn't called on us to entertain the world. Then we remember that we aren't celebrities.  

Maybe you are one who has to have some music on while you shower and when you step out of the tub and onto the floor you "Twist" your way across the floor and imagine yourself on American Bandstand twisting with Chubby Checker. Then you do the moonwalk across the bathroom to retrieve your arthritis medication, because all that dancing now has you sore.

Now and then you have one of those days that just makes you want to dance. There are more wanna be closet celebrities than you can imagine. 

As people drive by your car and you are dancing the Macarena, they might wonder why you are so happy. You can share with them if you desire or you can not share and make them wonder.

But don't forget Who made this day and who gave it to you. God is the Author and Finisher of each day. Be sure to thank God for giving you a day that dances. 

God bless,

Marty

Pot Pie On The Table 11/2/2024

 Good Morning, 

I will be headed out to the goose blind to hopefully shoot a honker or two. some Door County Caramel Apple Coffee will be with me. 

Philippians 4;19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory, in Christ Jesus. 

 Last night my wife Rene and I dined on a pheasant pot pie. I had some frozen pheasant left over from a meal I cooked a few weeks ago, emptying our freezer of the "old stuff". Pot pie is just one of those meals that you could call comfort food. So I whipped a pot pie up yesterday and baked it to completion last night.

Later while I was working at our desk, I noticed that both of our dogs were asleep and Rene was sound asleep in her favorite chair. I hope that we will have many more years of a warm home, firewood burning in the hearth, and a meal now and then of comfort food. As I surveyed that scene last night I was content and happy. I went to bed, counting my blessings and looking forward to another day. 

My key takeaway on this is "keep it simple" and life will be a lot easier. Find peace in the simple blessings and be thankful. Be the one who is content with what the day brings and harvest from your own garden in life. 

Have a great day!!!

Marty

An Empty Glass 11/1/2024

 Good Morning,

I am ready to drink a hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee and then I shall begin writing. Happy Friday to all of you. 

Psalm 94:1 When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.

I have been working on a small refinishing project of a sewing machine drawer that will hold some cordial glasses. It looks nice and the glasses have a special meaning to two of them. These two were handed down from my great grandmother, to my grandmother, then to my aunt and then to my wife and I. The others were purchased by Rene and I in antique shops so there would be a set. The drawer is from an antique sewing machine given to us in parts from another relative. 

This ornamental set up is just that. Ornamental, until someone fills the glasses and shares a beverage or a cheer of celebration and raises the glasses in a toast. 

My point for today is this. Empty glasses are pretty much useless unless filled and then shared with others. You might think you don't have much to share and you feel like an empty glass. You have talents that only you possess. You are the only one who might be able to brighten the day for someone else. Remove the cork from you life and pour goodwill from the bottle of your heart make it known that you care.

Use the glass of life that God gave you.

Marty

Trick Or Treat 10/31/2024

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee and an apple before I head out to work the election polls in our city. I am proud to be helping out for the early voting and looking forward to the main election day. 

Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer them. "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least, of these my brothers, you did it to Me."

Last Sunday afternoon/evening our city observed Trick Or Treat. Our neighbor Donna and myself set up a table between our two yards and handed out candy to the children and some parents as they went trick or treating from house to house. We encountered all different kinds of costumes and some were quite ingenious. I will say this. Just about every child who was old enough to speak said thank you after they received their candy. Only a few took the candy and departed without acknowledging the gift. It was a pleasant experience for my wife Rene and I to be joining our neighbor once more to take part in a neighborhood event. Rene would come out and visit us and resupply me with candy. She would also ask us if we needed anything else. 

In a world where there is so much strife, bitterness and rage, it was nice just to see folks be generous and for others to appreciate it with a "Thank You".

So if you have the opportunity to pass out some candy and show kindness to strangers, take a chance and participate. Be hospitable. 

Marty