That Greatest Commandment 4/12/2026

 Good Morning. 

The Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee is tasting pretty good this morning and it is time to write. 

Matthew 22:34-40 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35. One of them, and expert in the law, tested Him with this question. 36. Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?

37. Jesus replied. " Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. 38. This is the first and greatest commandment . 39. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. 40. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. 

Jesus sets our priorities straight with just a few words. God needs to be number one in our lives. As long as God is number one and we love Him with all we say, do and live by, everyone else that is important to us is a solid number two. If God is our first love our wives and husbands, and our kids are in a better standing. God is and should be our loving moral compass. If we love God with a our hearts, souls and minds, we then know how to truly love others. If God is first, our families are on solid ground and should never need to wonder how much we love them. They will always be treated with love, respect and kindness. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

How To Greet The Morning 4/11/2026

Good Morning,

My coffee choice this morning is Door County Pumpkin Spice . It is time to write.

I like mornings better than any other time of the day. If I am afforded the time, I like to watch the sunrise in the East. Of course there is always a hot cup of coffee with me. 

Psalm 143:8 Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning. For in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to you. 

The best way I have observed for greeting the morning is to let it touch my knees for a time of prayer. Greeting the morning on bended knee sets my day in motion and touching God's creation and seeking His blessing is a sentimental and yet powerful way to begin another day. 

I then sit myself down to read a devotional and take in what God has to say to me. Here in this world, I choose to connect with God and let Him know how grateful I am for all that I have and experience each day.

How do you greet the morning?

Food for thought,

Marty

Making A Change Is Easier Than You Think 4/10/2026

 Good Morning,

My mug was filled with Door County hot Cherry Creme Coffee and it is time to write. 

My wife Rene injured her knee a few weeks ago while shoveling snow with me. At first it was diagnosed as a meniscus tear and we were sent from urgent care to an Orthopedic doctor. I am not a trained physician by any means but I have been around the block with many knee injuries, surgeries and two replacements. The approach "take two Tylenol  for pain" and do these these certain exercises has been the approach with another follow up appointment in three weeks.  Ice was recommended and Rene has been diligent to perform all the prescribed duties requested. The knee is getting worse. 

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV But if anyone does not provide for his relatives and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 

I for one am not impressed with this cavalier and slow approach to pain. The overall experience with the doctor has been less than stellar.

Now here is the difference in Rene and me. She is passive and avoids all conflict or hurting anyone's feelings. Me? On the other hand I can be a vicious junk yard dog when it comes to my family. I can tell Rene is hurting and has no faith in this physician. Just by this. "Hey JYD it's ok for you to fire up and growl a little bit. I sent the provider an email and he has until Monday to respond. I have already secured his replacement because I believe this inept physician will fail to respond by Monday night. 

My point is this. I have been praying for him to at least act like he cares. Just because he attended medical school, doesn't mean he has honed his people skills. 

If you aren't satisfied with the way you are treated by a physician, be sure to fill out the survey at the end of the mess. Don't wait to express yourself in a way that is respectful and yet with authority. No one cares as much for you as you do. If you have doubts in  the care being given, speak up early and try to avoid using your Junk Yard Dog? 

God bless,

Marty

A Little One For My Friends 4/9/2026

 Good Morning,

It's a good morning when I wake up and hear the Door County Vanilla Creme Brulee Coffee brewing in the kitchen. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down the other is there to pick them up. 

Tomorrow, friends of ours will be welcoming a  new baby and grandchild into this world. I am praying  that there are no complications with the delivery and that this bundle of joy is just that. We already know that the baby is a boy and will be welcomed by his older sister. I have this feeling that his big sister will be the type to be a little watch dog for her brother. 

He might not always appreciate his sister watching over him, but later on in years he will appreciate the guidance and protection. I believe she will be a lot like her grandma who watches over the clan with eyes like an eagle.

Where is my point in all of this? Sometimes a little guy has to have a peer to look up to and you can't do any better than having a sister or brother to watch over you. They have already trained the parents!

God bless,

Marty

Being Thankful For The Little Things 4/8/2026

 Good Morning,

My day started with prayer and a hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee. 

Psalm 34:8 ESV Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

I just came inside from being outside with our two dogs Leo and Gibbs. You could call the weather a "wintry mix." A few snowflakes painted my face as well as a few rain drops. I had in my hand while out there an insulated mug of coffee. That mug is filled with memories. I was not really ready to face the day just yet. I was out there in a hooded sweatshirt that is like a comfort blanket to me. The hood was up. I had on a heavy duty pair of sweatpants that have also been a morning companion for quite aa few years.  The house was warm inside and my two furry alarm clocks had me out of bed right n time. 

My point is this. In just a few minutes, I experienced several things to be thankful for. I believe setting the tone for the day, being thankful for even the little things like a hooded sweatshirt can be a good way to warm the heart and produce that first morning smile. And coffee always tastes better while smiling. 

Have a great day! God Bless. 

Marty

A Goal For Today 4/7/2026

Good Morning,

My day began quite early with a hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee and prayer. 

I am working today at one of the voter polling stations for our city's spring election. Most of the time people are polite and grateful for those working the polls. 90% of people will greet you nicely and then cooperate without complaining. 

But then there is the other 10% who can barely get out a good morning or good afternoon. It is their right to be quiet, shy and crabby or all three.

My goal is simple for today. My job is to be accurate in all that I do. I also will practice the golden rule. 

Matthew 7:12 NKJV Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you. do also to them.

A persons demeanor might be a reflection on the rough time they are going through. You never know what drives the train of not being friendly. Their circumstances might be dictating their emotions. 

So folks, before you blow the horn on your car with impatience, think twice.

Marty

Trip To The Moon 4/6/2026

 Good Morning,

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee for myself nd it is time for me to write. 

Job:26:7 NKJV He stretches out the North over empty space.; He hangs the earth on nothing. 

Currently the United States Of America has a space capsule traveling around the moon with 4 astronauts inside. I have watched a few minutes of the space travel on television and I can't get over how small the earth looks from the moon. 

I am fully amazed at the beauty of the world we live in and just how small it is compared to the vastness of outer space. 

The views shown to us on the evening news show the beauty and not the violence, wars, and the walls man has built to keep others from entering their land. It doesn't show the hatred of mankind toward each other. I like to think that the view is more like God intended when He created the heavens and the earth. 

Just a short point for today. From where you sit, what is your view of the world and are your eyes clouded with hatred and scorn? What would God see if He was looking at the world through your heart and your eyes?

Food for thought. 

Marty