Taking In The View 10/15/2026

 Good Morning,

My morning is slow to develop today so my cup of  Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee is working hard to make that happen

Yesterday my wife Rene and I made a day trip to Door County . This wasn't our usual fall trip of three days but any day relaxing and taking in some fresh air is better than none at all. Both dogs went for the road trip as well

As we traveled and shopped to pick up a few things from the area we were in awe of the trees and their fall display of color. On the back roads there was hardly any traffic, so we took our time munching on apples and commenting on the colors

My wife remarked how she wished we could stay for at least two days. Due to commitments and appointments we could only do a long day trip. I replied "1 day is better than none."

We both agreed and set our sights on the colors surrounding us

We were in an area that God knew we would be and the display He put on was  tremendous.

I felt short changed when we had to head for home but that soon dissipated and turned to gratefulness. Rene, remarked that while traveling down that old road, we were in the presence of God. I agreed and then shared this Scripture with her

Psalm 84:10 NIV Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper  in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked

We came home tired but fulfilled. We spent the day together and our stomachs were full of some Door County specialties. God put on a display of His majesty and power for sure.

One day is better than none

Marty

 

Let's Help Those Kids Out 10/14/2026

 Good Morning,

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee and it is time to write. 

I was reminiscing about my teen years. I just attended the funeral visitation for one of my childhood friends last Saturday. She was the younger sister to one one of my buddies. There were four of us back in the day who hung around together. We played a lot of sports and worked on our old cars which kept us pretty busy. We were always doing something together.

Romans 15:7 ESV Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 

Occasionally we would meet some girls now and then take them to a movie, Big Boys after the movie.And if we could get some wine "Boones Farm"was always a very good year! We might have imbibed a little. The flirting would begin long before we even picked them up for a date. One of my dates worked at the neighborhood pharmacy and emporium of soft drinks and gum. Do you have any idea how much gum I purchased, jut to get a smile? 

I won't rant about the need for chaperoned activities. Kids now days are surrounded by security, cell phones ("the ultimate kid tracker") . 

But plan some family outings and if possible allow them to bring a friend. Even if that friend is of the opposite gender. Set the rules but invite them along.   Kids aren't fussy and just about everyone of them eats pizza. But wouldn't want them along with you then having them on their cell phone with all the friends they left behind? 

I recall our daughter signing up to man crisis hotlines . There were five of these kids.  The shift started at 11:PM and ended at 4:AM. They needed an adult chaperone and of course a ride home. We stopped at an all night greasy spoon for eggs and toast at the end of the shift. If I could or had to, I would spend those sleepless hours all over again. 

As teens think, at their age, their friends are most important. Let them see that you love them and their friends are important to you as well. You will be the winner.

Food for thought!

Marty

Popsicles For A Hot Day 10/13/2026

 Good Morning,

The Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee is still brewing, but I am ready to write. I will enjoy theI'm coffee later.

Revelation 3:15-16 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish that you were cold or hot. 16. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot I will vomit you out of my mouth.

 

                                                    Photo Credit Face Book

It was a little warmer outside than normal for this time of year yesterday. It's wasn't terrible, but a cold drink sounded like a good idea to quench my bout with the heat. As I went to the freezer for some ice cubes, I recalled that we had a box of Popsicles in there and they have been there all summer. It was time to unleash the cold treat. It did the trick so I ate two. 

My point for the day is this. We need to quench ourselves as to not overheat while working outside. Fortunately for me, I was home and the freezer made the cool down easy to do. 

On the other side of the spectrum some things are better warm than cold. All too often we put our faith in a position that it is cold , not hot. Our spiritual temperature if not maintained through prayer, study, and service to God cools down and we find ourselves useless to God and others.

Our laziness puts out the fire of faith that once was on fire for the Lord like a candle on a windy night. Ignoring our faith causes us to have hearts that are cold toward God and others.

Food for thought??

Marty 

Chicken Soup, The Ultimate Comfort Food 10/12/2026

 Good Morning,

I just poured myself a hot cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee and it is time to write. 

Psalm 107:9 For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things. 

I have a little celebration taking place at my desk this morning. Today's blog is the 5000th time I have written since the conception of this daily effort. It's a quiet celebration with our two dogs, me and a cup of coffee to toast this achievement. 

Yesterday we worked a little on helping a friend overcome a nasty, nasty cold. It's early in the fall and our friend already was battling an illness. So we broke out the  soup kettle and produced a pot full of what I believe is a recipe sent from above. I was able to deliver the soup to our dear friend yesterday morning. I used the kettle we purchased at a flea market for a dollar back in 1994. We spare no expense when it comes to decorating the kitchen. Ha! I have no idea how many pots of soup have been simmered in the "family heirloom". 

Funny thing though. I came back home and made another pot for us. We dined on the soup last night and rested contently. I love the fall and winter weather and to me there is nothing like a hot mug of chicken soup, a fire in the fireplace, and the Good Book to warm the soul and body. 

I always say. "God made you. God made chicken soup. So go ahead and treat yourself good as well.

Have a great day. 

Marty

Watch Out For Sabotage 10/11/2026

 Good Morning,

Today has my cup filled with Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee and it is time to write.

I love to hear success stories from those in life who started at rock bottom and climbed the ladder of success. It could be a businessman who started producing a product in his garage and turned it into a million dollar  enterprise. Or the athlete who just won a Gold medal and then tells the story of how his family or her family had to sacrifice to pay for time on the ice and how much they spent on ice skates for 18 years. How about someone who was saved from death in an accident and now is a movie star? The world is full of success stories.

Satan does not like to hear about success stories especially when the successful give all of the glory to God. In some ways Satan will try to sabotage the success with an attack of amnesia. The successful forget Who granted them the skills they possess. In other words they forget where they came from. Success alone can be sabotage of the memory

James 1:17 NIV Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Just a little food for thought. Don't forget your Creator on the way up in this world. What goes up, might just come down

God bless

Marty

Show Us You Dear God 10/10/2026

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee and it is tasting mighty fine. It is time to write.

To seek God's Glory

Is to pray, Let your nature spill forth. 

God show us God

Maz Lucado

A couple years ago m wife Rene and I took a self guided tour of the Mountains and parks of the Western United States. To say the least, these two Wisconsinites were in awe of God's Mountain Displays including the wild life. 

Each turn in the roads offered another view of His glory. We drove through the scenery and stopped when we wanted to take more in. It is a trip I will never forget. 

Back in the day of Moses. After the incident with the Golden Calf, Moses requested to see God's glory. My interpretation of this request was that Moses was seeking a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. Moses was making sure that God in His anger did not abandon the people of Israel. 

Exodus 33:18 NIV Then Moses said, "show me Your Glory.

Back to our trip. I recall stopping along a cliff laden road to watch the mountain goats climb the side of a mountain. Once again I was in awe of God's display of glory, power and majesty.

While resting from hiking a little, I sat and prayed a prayer of thanks. Thanks for a safe trip, thanks for friends we visited and to God for putting Himself on display through His creation.

Point for the day is this. Open our eyes Lord we want to see your beauty, love and grace. Thank you God for the sunrise I just witnessed. The sun, the moon and the stars are all yours and you share them with us. 

Food for thought. God loves you enough to show you a glimpse of Him through His creations. If at all possible take in as much as you can. And stop to pray.

Marty

It Is Not About Me 10/9/2026

 Good Afternoon!

My cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee was finished about 8 hours ago. This blog is way overdue so let's have at it.

The phrase "It's not about me should be written on our hands as a reminder that although you are important and I am as well, the world dies not spin just for us. If we allow it, we can become self centered and it happens in a way that creeps up on us. 

The first sign of being self centered is when invitations to do things with old friends become less and less. You might be self centered if in a discussion your opinion is not asked for, but you give it anyway.  Another way to be aware of being self centered is that you get your way by just pestering people to do things your way. You wear them down with annoyance. 

Another trait of being self centered is you receive an invitation but then start to change the event that isn't your to change. 

This verse Philippians 2:4-8 if taken seriously can help self centered folks come back to the reality of "It's Not All About You."

Philippians 2. Not looking at your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. 

5. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset, as Christ Jesus 

6. Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used  to his own advantage.

7. rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness.

8. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, by being obedient to death, even on a cross. 

There are two ways to read this next statement. When you arrive on the scene and someone whispers but you can still hear them say. "Oh God, (he or she ) is here." I am here to say that they are not calling you God. 

God bless 

Marty