Not A Battle Zone 11/10/2026

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying the quiet with a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee and it is time to write. 

Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. 

The global covid epidemic made a lot of changes in the world and some my friends are still with us. In an effort to keep the world supplied and the economy flourishing, instead of closing the places of employment that could have their workers and management work offsite from home was developed and quite successfully. 

Many still are partaking in the "work from home"  model. After I retired from full time employment I took on a part time job for a few years. I am grateful for that opportunity and not here to bash their work model. 

50% of my work was done at home and my den really became an office. I would come home from a difficult day and then be in front of a computer for an hour or two, sometimes more. My wife would be reminded now and then to be quiet while I was deep into my work. What was a source of refuge now  turned into a battleground for the evening or Sunday morning. My wife knew what I was ordering, and had to be quiet during ZOOM meetings. I was working in the world and now brought the world home. My desk was no longer a refuge. My wife shared in the meetings of the day and work came home.

Now if the work model enters the home I am here to say, your work will follow you to dinner, rest time will be easy to interrupt, and your private life becomes compromised. You brought your battle zone into the home. I am not condemning it, but just here to say when does the phone stop ringing? When does the lap top shut down. Does the family know the ins and outs of your corporate life? When does your brain rest? 

Try as much as possible to keep the world out of your home. Too much money is spent on Tums or Omeprozole.

Food for thought. Don't let your home become a battlefield. 

Marty

Christmas Music On The Radio 11/8/2026

 Good Morning, 

A hot mug of Door County Cherry Cream Coffee awaits me in the kitchen, but for now it is time to write. 

I do believe that when two people are married for a long time, the traits of one rubs off on the other. This works in both directions. 

Take for instance my wife Rene and I have exchanged some traits. One of which is this. Rene just loves Christmas. The manger, the Christmas tree, and as many seasonal decorations are to be displayed  that can fit into one house. For me it is the fact that I like Christmas music and old Christmas movies. 

Just two days ago I tuned into one of the radio stations that now plays Christmas music 24/7. I cranked up the sound and listened to "I'll be home for Christmas." That made my day. Until I met Rene, Christmas was not all that much of a big deal for me. I believe Rene's love for Christmas has rubbed off on me. 

My point for the day is this. Sometimes we change and don't even know it is happening. I allowed the change into my life just because I want to share in observing Christmas with her.

So don't resist change, if it is for the good. Or if it helps someone else to feel important in your life, go for it.

God bless,

Marty 

Fighting With Yourself 11/8/2026

 Good Morning, 

I am sitting at the kitchen table this morning drinking a very hot cup of Door County Spiced Apple Pie Coffee and it is time to write.

Fighting with yourself is not a winning proposition. No matter the issue, declaring war on yourself is a fight you just cannot win. 

Romans 7:15 NIV I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do. But hate what I do. 

We just have those issues or choices arise that make us battle with ourselves. Basically it comes down to choosing right from wrong. One choice is the right one. The other choice although attractive is the wrong choice. This internal battle rages and often we find ourselves later regretting the choice and we are miserable. 

You might even find yourself asking "why did I do that again.?" It is the same bad choice that has plagued you for a long time. But you always default to the same bad idea or action. 

Here's the answer to the question. It is the company you keep. You walk without God.

When Jesus was fasting for forty days and nights. He was tempted by Satan to do wrong. His companion was the "Word of God" and Jesus fought off the wrong choice by speaking back to the tempter with Scripture.

We as mere mortals are tempted to do wrong and have no victory over the bad choices we habitually choose. This is because we fight a spiritual war with the same losing battle plan over and over again. 

Instead of winning the fight we give in and then are miserable because of the choice. We could have had a victory just by memorizing a Bible verse to say out loud to chase Satan away and from guiding us to the wrong choice again.

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I ight not sin against thee. 

You and I must fight the fight not with our weak wills. We do not have to fight temptation alone. More time spent in the Word of God always makes for better choices later.

Food for thought.

Marty

I Can Still Hear You and See You. 11/7/2026

 Good Morning,

A little goose hunting is waiting for me today. I packed a hot bottle of Door County Spiced Apple Pie Coffee and it is time to write. 

Today we would be celebrating my dad's birthday. There isn't much left of the old regime. Mom and Dad are both gone. One sibling went early and many aunts and uncles are now gone as well. So for the immediate family of old, my brother and I are all that's left. We have 3 children between the two of us. 

I wouldn't say today is a day of sorrow. Because for some reason. I am blessed to have many good memories of my Dad. He was not easy on us, yet He was there whenever needed. 

He shaped our work ethics and respect for the outdoors. He was a proud American and made sure we knew where Bataan was. We knew enough about Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, Korea, and what a concentration camp was. If a movie had John Wayne in it, the movie could be watched at least 50 times. You are not warm unless it is 85 degrees in the living room. Anything less than that is cold. 

Popcorn was best eaten with a spoon so as to not get your fingers greasy.  I said I can still hear him and see him. I am not talking about ghost sightings. But every now and then I will say something that Dad would say. My brother often walks fast like the old man, with a penguin hitch. When I throw a log on the fire. I judge the log as to if it will last all night or not. A"Polee" is good for the night. Why he referred to an unsplit log as a polee I will never know. But I would bet I could trace that title back another generation. 

So later before going to bed tonight, I will throw a "Polee on the hearth and then "brew a batch, which means make some popcorn. He left a lasting impression. 

God bless. If you still have your parents be sure to visit often, If not, let your memories be sweet.

Marty

Operation Christmas Child 11/6/2026

 Good Morning,

I just poured a large, hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee and it is time to write. 

Mark 9:37 NIV Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me, does not welcome Me,but welcomes the One who sent Me

Last night I attended a meeting at our church and when I left I grabbed three shoe boxes designated for "Operation Christmas Child".I brought them home as I have in the past and gave them to my wife Rene to fill with things like pens, pencils, small toys, note books , jump ropes, tooth brushes. The list and one can use their imagination  as to what else can go into the boxes is endless. The boxes are then collected at church and our boxes join other boxes from other churches and are then given to less fortunate children around the world. 

It's nice to see how Rene really embraces this act of charity and kindness. It starts the Christmas season off right for her. 

While on a mission trip to a foreign nation filled with poverty I have seen the boxes in action. Even the boxes are used by families for storage of dried beans. 

My point for the day is this. If you are searching for the "Christmas Spirit" look into the eyes of a child who has nothing and then is given a box that says you care. You might never see or meet this child your box was given to. But what this box says to an impoverished child is "Someone Cares".

Food for thought!

Marty

Marty

Every Answer Is Made To Order11/5/2026

 Good Morning,

My cup was just filled with Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee and it is time to write. 

Yesterday while I was online my wife Rene asked me to purchase some new bed sheets. She said "The color doesn't matter, they are seen until the covers are pulled back. Use your head."

I thought some sheets that matched the wall paper and paint would be nice. So I spent more time searching the right color. Much to my surprise this morning, the online mega store sent the wrong color. Now I either accept what they sent or go through the problem of returning them or not returning them. The time and effort just isn't worth the hassle. Lesson learned. Some things are best purchased from a store where you can see what you are purchasing. 

I sure am glad that I serve our God who when you pray and ask for something, your order or request is answered each and every time. The answer isn't always exactly how we want us and it is better to have God sort the answer by what we actually need.  You never need to stand in a return line nor are you ever sent the wrong answers to your requests. 

We all need to trust God to b the qaulity control over our prayers and requests.

Food for thought. Isn't life better because of God sorting the requests? Just think about it. What if your requests were just sent in and we say to God. "Please order for me'? Instead of "I will have it my way please"

God bless,

Marty

Just Do A Good Job 11/4/2026

 Good Morning,

It is a quiet morning and my cup of Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee is keeping me company at our desk. It is time to write. 

Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons. He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge  to those who have understanding. 

Major elections were held in the United States were held yesterday and there are alot of politicians crying in their beer today. I have a message for all of them. If you want to keep your jobs you have to remember who your bosses are. It is the people. And as with any job, in order to keep it, your performance counts. Also perception is 90% of doing a good job. If a refrigerator is empty, it is not perception but a fact. People vote on their stomachs and what they believe is right. I will keep my beliefs to myself and just say this. If you lost the election it is because your bosses are not happy. It is as simple as that. 

So my point for the day is this. Despite who won the winners must be prayed for. And as you gear up for the future truly look for the men and women who love God and are respectful of Him. See how they treat others and vote as God would lead you. 

God bless, 

Marty