What Impatient People We Have Become 7/13/2026

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee and it is time to write.

"Everyone knows that the length of a minute depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on:  Quote Credit Tales from the Outhouse.

I am old enough to remember life without microwaves. For instance pre microwaves you either boiled a hot dog, or if you cooked by gas, you stuck your hot dog with a fork and burned it at the stove using the gas flame.

Romans 5:4 ESV And endurance produces character and character produces hope. 

Imagine having to wait for your hair to dry after rubbing your head with a towel. Or hanging your freshly washed sheets outside to dry or hanging them in the basement and finally getting to use them the next day. Oh let's not forget that walking was never a quick way to get to the library. We now have scooters parked about cities ready to rent just to get to the library instead of taking a hike. Why even have libraries at all when within seconds we have all the information we need via the internet? 

If things weren't fast enough already we complain when the computer we use is a little slow. We cuss out the microwave because it took 45 seconds to warm up the coffee. Too slow!!!!

We really have become impatient people who when needing to wait on something we get irritated and lose our temper. I am guilty of being agitated when things don't move fast enough.

My point for the day is this. Stop the rush. Roast a hot dog on the patio using wood or charcoal. Sip your coffee and enjoy some quiet while reading. No need for audio books today. Dry your sheets outside and discover what clothespins are for.  

Maybe the good old days really were the good old days. 

God bless,

Marty

Nature Is The Art Of God 7/12/2026

 Good Morning,

It is time to refill my cup with some Door County Old Fashioned Coffee. And it is time to write.

Hebrews 1:10 In the beginning, Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Earlier this morning as I took a moment to gaze out from our kitchen window I saw two cardinals munching on breakfast from bird seed that fell to the ground yesterday. I couldn't capture a photo quick enough, so the picture will just have to be my memory.

I spend a fair amount of time outside and I am often afforded the luxury to see nature at work.

Nature Is The Art Of God

Dante

I feel blessed to see all that God in nature has made and shared the splendor with all of us. 

No one advocates for church attendance more than I do. Besides just attending a local church you can find a place to serve the Lord and make a difference in the lives of others there.

But I also look forward to God's display of His art work when I am outside breathing air that hasn't been breathed before and where the scenery can change within minutes or even seconds. 

Point for the day. God has a picture He wants to show you. Get outside and visit the cathedral of God.

Love to all,

Marty

 

Some things Just Go Together 7/11/2026

 Good Morning,

My day was planned out for me and it is going to be a busy one. I just sat down at my desk with a very hot cup of Door County Old Fashioned Coffee. It is time to write 

"A positive attitude and a sense of humor go together like biscuits and gravy"Dolly Parton 

Marriages, as well as other relationships are often lacking in harmony. We all too often take ourselves too seriously  and then add some negativity to the mix and you have nothing but problems. 

 Ecclesiastes 4:9. Two are better than one. 

A "can do" attitude brought to the table each day is always welcome around me. It is nice to know the risks and longevity of any project in life. But add a negative attitude to the situation and the task seems unattainable. 

A sense of humor added to a positive attitude should some day be bottled and sold. Being able to grin and maybe even laugh at yourself during a relationship is priceless. 

One day late in November when I was a teenager my cousin and I became lost in the woods and we were really lost. We decided that walking through the dark was not going to be a good idea. We stopped just before it turned too dark and took stock of what supplies we had for the night. I recall both of us saying at least there are two of us in this mess together. We had some candy bars we could eat. Matches to make a fire and a deadfall tree with plenty of accessible fire wood  right where we stopped.  The sense of humor came in when we both said "I have toilet paper"   Her tears were turned to laughter and we knew that someone would be looking for us and the worst case scenario is that it would have to wait until morning. 

Short answer. We were found about an hour later by two guys who were out looking for us. We were in a warm truck headed back to our dads. My cousin was the one with a great sense of humor. She said just before we were dropped off to our families. "I never thought I would look forward to being chewed out" Yes, we were chewed out, but we were headed to a warm house and a turkey dinner served with some humble pie.

We still catch a little flack now and then when we get together for a family funeral. But our positive attitude and sense of humor  helped us to have a full heart of "we can do this"  

My point for the day is this. Try to surround yourself with people who can see the positive in any moment. Add someone with a positive sense of humor and you most likely joined a  winning team.

Have a great day!! God Bless.

Marty

One Good Reason 7/10/2026

 Good Morning,

I am awake and ready to write. My cup of Door County Country Morning Blend Coffee is plenty hot.

The blog is running way late this morning and I am not happy with that fact. My alarm did not sound off at 5:00AM as it should have.I am usually up and awake before the alarm sounds the wake up call.But not today. I need to look at what happened later today.

I was out to the hardware store yesterday and placing a bag of bird seed in my truck. The tail gate was open and there was a man parked next to me. As he approached the back of our two vehicles He saw that I had some equipment in the back of the truck and he asked me if it was for dog training? I relied "yes it is." I was rearranging some items in the back and just happened to also have my Old Bible with me. I had been reading it at the dog training grounds the other day while waiting for friends. 

The man was about my age and he asked where I trained and we began to talk about where and what kind of dog I had. But his eyes wandered to my old beat up Bible several times. He then said to me. Do you believe in the Bible and if  you do give me one good reason why you do. 

I explained that I believe in the Bible and all 66 books within it to be God's inspired Word. But most of all It saved my life one night and gave me hope for tomorrow. 

I quoted the verse. Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV Come to Me, all you who labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. , and you will find rest for your soul.

The man thanked me and said this. "You do well speaking your faith and a I see the Bible is well worn. Keep the faith sir. Keep the faith." Then he left.

I am not sure if that was a test from some angel or just a man making conversation. I guess I will never know. 

Hebrews 13:2 NKJV Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 

Point of the day. You just never know when or where you might have to justify your faith in God. Be prepared to give an answer, even at the hardware store.

God bless.

Marty

Beware Of Beauty That Can Sting You. 7/9/2026

 Good Morning,

I just warmed up my cup of Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee and it is time to write. 

This morning I would like to spend a moment delivering  a message that is good for both genders and all ages. 

                                                    Photo Credit Ray and June Puls

At one time or another in life our eyes have seen something desirable to us and our minds wander toward obtaining the object despite the dangers of possessing it. 

Men, God has created woman to tbe please to our eyes. But those married or in a committed relationship, wandering eyes can lead to hurt, sorrow or at times even danger. This goes for the ladies as well. The stud on the Hallmark channel never seems to burp or fart nor do they smell from mowing the lawn. Wandering eyes and then acting upon those thoughts of "Life could be better if I had that one next to me," has ruined many many relationships. 

That purse which costs a months rent and the matching shoes can deplete a monthly budget in a fast minute. The truck which you own and is paid for, doesn't look that great anymore, but is faithful to start and works just fine, doesn't need a loan or a monthly payment.

All things might look good and are enticing to the eye, mind or heart , but they have hidden circumstances /costs that come with looking first and then acting upon your lust and desires. But like the beautiful flower in the photo above there are hidden thorns and a sore thumb is the first step in being warned of the danger in pursuing your desires and lust. 

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed,which is idolatry.  

Colossians 5:16 So I say,"walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

Debt, lust, anger, and greed often come wrapped in attractive packages but buyer beware, there is always a cost to your desires. 

God bless. 
Marty

Advice Given. Advice Not Taken 7/8/2026

 Good Morning,

I am having drinking some of the last of my Door County Christmas flavors . It won't be too long before I run out of the Christmas brews.  So today I salute Christmas in July with a hot cup of Door County Naughty Or Nice Grog.

Proverbs 18:2 ESV A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. 

Galatians 2:10 ESV Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. 

One thing that gets me irritated is people who just pounce at any opportunity to hand out advice. Now advice is a good thing, but at times it is not solicited for. There are people who pass by and hear part of a conversation and then feel that they should jump in with their opinion and their solution to your issue. It doesn't even really need to be an issue. They throw in an opinion to any situation you are in. They are those folks who, start in the conversation, with "You could do this. You should have done this. Did you try that? Or why not do it this way.?

These are the folks that surgeons can't wait for the patient to be asleep because they don't need advice from the patient and his or her peanut gallery.

These same folks are never seen actually in the mud with a shovel, but they have a plan on how you can remove it. Or you can't take them seriously because they are habitually late, but yet they have an answer and a comment before they are even greeted.. This is what I call "All hat and no cattle." Or another one. "All skirt and no knickers."

My good friend and buddy shared a quote with me from an unknown author.

"Why would I take criticism from someone who I would not take advice from?"

During a murky situation a wise person offers help by saying. "Is there anything I can do to help.?"It's hard to take them serious when all they offer is criticism and unsolicited advice".

Food for thought today. Are you a helper or a yelper? If you just can't resist criticizing another person's efforts make sure your own grass is dog poop free.

Have a great day. 

Marty

Time For A Self Examination 7/7/2026

 Good Morning,

My Door County Christmas Coffee is tasting mighty fine today. Nothing like a hot coffee and a fire to start your day. It is time to write. 

In today's medicine you can check your own blood sugar levels with a small meter. You can monitor your blood pressure also with a small meter. Your body temperatures are very easy to take now. There are a lot of things you can do to monitor your own health. This information helps your physician to adjust medications if needed. It also let's you know if your body is functioning properly. It is amazing what you can do for yourself in managing your health care. 

Our hearts are the main muscle that keeps blood flowing and is vital to many facets of our physical health. Our heart is also our emotional gauge. 

One other thing that we should monitor now and then is how our heart loves others. There is a self test we can perform to see how our heart is functioning and treating others. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy. love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5. does not behave rudely, does not seek it's own, is not provoked, thinks no evil. 6.does not rejoice in iniquity; but rejoices in the truth; 7. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

If you take this passage and look at each love category within the Scripture and score yourself honestly on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the high score and 1 being the lowest score, you will have done a "Love examination"

If there are areas where you need improvement you can ask God Our Great Physician to show you your issues and also show you how to improve.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties: 24 And see if there is  any wicked way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting. 

Food for thought. Are you brave enough, and tough enough to let your spouse or family score you on their clipboard of your heart?

Have a great day! Gos bless.

Marty