Change Your View. 7/22/2026

 Good Morning,

The desk chair seems a little stiff today as I write and sip on some Door County Irish Cream Coffee. 

If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within you'll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest. Corrie Ten Boom

It doesn't take long for me to listen to the news and then walk away depressed and distressed these days. Wars, natural disasters, and hatred abound. It just makes you want to be a recluse and build yourself a shelter and only come out if it is absolutely needed.

But there is one constant that we can count on and that is Jesus Christ. He told us we would see days like this and we should find comfort and safety for our souls in him.. The more time I spend in prayer with Jesus, the less the world seems to depress and distress me. 

Matthew 6:33 ESV But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. 

The lesson today is this. God first and when we look to Him  we cannot see through Him, around Him, over Him or under Him . His awesomeness blocks out the view of hatred, anger , lack of harmony,, lack of peace and offers hope for hope for tomorrow. But we must seek Him first.

Food for thought!

Marty 

Everything Tastes Better In A Mug

 Good Morning,

My day began with prayer and a hot mug of Door County Irish Cream Coffee. It is time to write. 

Today I just want to share my thoughts on favorites. I have said it before and I am sticking to my statement.  I prefer spring, fall and winter. Summer is just something to fill the gap between spring and fall.  

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in it's time.

A few cookouts in the summer and I had my fill of sausages, burgers and chicken on the grill. I have been known to grill out even in the dead of winter. So summer just occupies calendar space for me. I have had enough attacks from over populated mosquitoes. 

We tend to eat more cold food in the summer on chilled plates. But for my money give me a serving of hot soup, chili. stew, oven roasted beef roast and oatmeal for breakfast. 

We have all kinds of dishes to eat from for any season. But to me everything tastes better in a large mug. A mug tends to old the heat longer and has a handle. 

So right about now you are asking yourself, "What is wrong with this clown this morning?" No, I did not bang my head or anything like that. I haven't suffered a heat stroke. I know that this is the day the Lord has made and I am to rejoice over it. But if I had my choice it would be colder as far as the climate goes. I would be wearing flannel and have both hands on my mug of coffee for warmth. 

Here's my point for the day. We can do nothing to control the weather. We get what we get and we need to make the best of it. Fall will be here soon and then winter. The mugs in our home as well as the crock pots will be getting a workout. Some of you will be saying, "why doesn't he move to a colder climate?" 

Well we can't have everything our way and a move is out of the question now. And then I would not have anything to whine about. So for now. Everything tastes better in a mug!

Know this. You were just prayed for and are loved. So enjoy that mug of coffee and have a blessed day.

Marty

I Run For Help 7/20/2026

 Good Morning,

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Irish Cream Coffee and I am now ready to write. 

Psalm 46:1 NKJV God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

New born babies cry out  wen they are hungry and for a short time in life they cry out when they need to be cuddled by one of their parents. Or just when something has changed in the order of what life has been for them. 

A toddler who is running and falls and scrapes a knee will immediately look for Mom or Dad to ease the sting of their wound. They trust that mom or dad will know how to comfort them.

I learned a long time ago, that our parents are here to be the comfort you can actually see and touch. But then the toddler grows up and when there is trouble in life such as pain, sorrow,or loss we are to run to God and He supplies the comfort and support we so need desperately.

Good parents are there in the moment to comfort their child. As adults, God is there to supply needs, physical and spiritual. He is ever present with the first aid station open 24/7.

Friends, don't go through tough times alone. Don't let your pride keep you from calling on the ever present God. 

Food for thought. In reality I guess we never grow up! I am thankful for that!

Marty

Looking Through The Eyes Of Others 7/9/2026

 Good Morning,

A quick cup of Door County of  Cherry Creme Coffee is helping me to get underway this morning. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant. 5. or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful. 

At times two people can look at a problem and see two opposite ways to approach and solve the problem. It is not until we know all of the facts about the situation and the circumstances for the person who thinks differently, for reasons unknown will we be able to uniformly solve anything.

I once chaired a small work group with a very diverse make up. We had an issue to solve and could not agree as to how long we should be spending on the solution. One of the members of the group wanted to stay super late for the next two days and finish the problem early. He was adamant as to finishing before Friday. The rest of us were content to be finished by Friday afternoon. The one person who was becoming a pain to work with finally confided in me. "I can't work Friday. "I promised my spouse that I would be home for three days straight and then  we would take a mini vacation with us and the kids.

Once he told me what the rush was, and to be honest, vacations were few and far between for all of us at that time.  We saw his plight and we understood by looking through his eyes and knowing how we all needed some time off, we dedicated ourselves for him and we had the job finished and he went on vacation early!

Is an unruly child a product of bad parenting? Or is that parent single, and working two jobs just to pay the rent? 

It's easy to become unglued at people who don't share our same vision. But if we listen and ask about their reason for driving everyone else batty we then begin to see things through their eyes. 

Food for thought. To enlist help from others we need to see why they can't give over 100%

Don't believe people walk around aimlessly looking how to help you. And they have nothing better to do. Food for thought. Look at each other in a work group and be honest. Listen as to what slow downs might arise as to block their ability to conform to your ideals.

Form opinions on facts only aad look at their productivity through their eyes. Show patience and love . Some day, it might be you who needs a little grace.

Food for thought.

Marty

Married And The Plan Is To Stay That Way 7/18/2026

 Good Morning,

My cup is close to running over with my Door County Country Morning Blend Coffee and it is time to write.

Later today I will be officiating a wedding vow renewal ceremony. Two friends of ours are celebrating 40 years of marriage and today is also their anniversary. It is an awesome privilege to be doing this on a hot Saturday in July. 

So for today I will be short in the mouth for the blog. I want to just say a word about vows in general.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 ESV  when you vow a vow to God , do not delay in paying it, for He has np pleasure in fool. Pay what you vow. 5. It is better that you should not vow, then that you should vow and not pay.

Everything we vow is said before the Lord. Our word should be good whether it is made to God or others. God requires us to keep all vows we have made. It is better not to vow at all than to break a promise.

Today's lesson is to remind us to all think before we speak. You are only as good as your word is blameless.

Food for thought!

Marty

Does Forgiving Make Sense? 7/17/2026

 Good Morning,

I will be stopping for a Door County Coffee to go in a few minutes, I will be grabbing a cup to go from the home of Door County Coffee. I am not sure what flavor or specialty I will order just yet. I will let you all know tomorrow. 

In a perfect world, filled with peace and harmony a person would not forgive another person or group because no one in a perfect world would hurt anyone else. 

We don't live in a perfect world and people will be wronged by others or by one person. The natural response to a hurt is to hurt back. Turning the other cheek or ignoring the hurt just does not make sense in the real world. Once hurt, we want revenge or we want to slap back to even the score. 

God is specific as to how we are to treat injustice in our life and how we are to react to emotional hurt, physical pain and unwarranted suffering.

WE are to forgive without keeping score. We are not to take revenge, We are to forgive as we have been forgiven.

Romans 12:17-19 ESV Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19. Beloved , never avenge yourselves , but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord.

Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV  Then Peter came to Him and said,"Lord how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? 22. I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

We are to forgive freely as God forgives us. I know it does not make sense but God gives us very clear and emphatic instructions.

If we are forgiving in love, We don't keep score. We don't rejoice when our foe stumbles. We don't have evil thoughts toward them. Love is not easily angered. Love protects us and our enemies. Love does not seek evil. But rejoices in good. 

The prodigal son came home broken and worn. His father threw him a party and rejoiced that he was lost and now was found. When was the last time that someone wronged you, saw the light, and you rejoiced in front of others and threw him or her a party?

Food for thought, Christianity does not always make sense, but the last time I checked God still calls the shots and not us. We are to follow directions.

Have a great day. Take a mini vacation away from the extra jobs you have appointed for yourself. It is tiring playing God, judge, and jury. 

Marty

Staying In Shape 7/16/2026

 Good Morning,

I just sat down at my desk with a very hot cup of Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee. It is the last of my Christmas flavors so I guess Christmas in July is over for me. 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful , for building others up according to their needs , that it may benefit those who listen .

People spend a lot of money on gymnasium memberships and exercise equipment to stay healthy and in shape. The real serious people attend classes designed to keep us fit. One lady told me that she has a personal trainer who gives her inspiration to run. I think this is all good and if it works for some that is even better. 

One tool we could use to stay in shape is to run like we run off at the mouth.

If you ran like your mouth does, you would be in great shape. Author Unknown.

I am touching on the subject of gossip this fine Thursday morning. A gossiper is someone who has or believes they have private or privileged information about someone or a situation and reveals that information to others. Maybe you have been the subject of gossip or you have talked about someone else, the fruit of slanderous words results in broken trust, hurt feelings and sometimes even disastrous consequences.

So if you tend to listen to gossip or spread it like a disease  ( diarrhea of the mouth) note. You are participating in sin and like any fault we should run from it and the impact it has on us and others.

 Food for thought. When in doubt, as to if something is gossip just take a big drink of shut up juice. and you will be safe.

God bless, Marty

Marty