My View Of The World Cup 6/18/2026

 Good Morning,

Romans 12:18 ESV If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

The inside of my cup is decorated with Door County Peanut Butter Cup Coffee and I think it is time to write. 

Photo credit Dicks Sporting Goods

I wrote yesterday that my wife Rene and I are giving our home a little bit of an update. This upgrade includes a large screen wall mounted television. Rene and I are not known for keeping up with the times. We drive cars until they can't be driven. We watched a small television for 20 years and we just don't keep up with the times. You could say we are frugal.

One of the things I tried watching on the new addition to our living room was some soccer or as they say in other parts of the world "football". My version of football will be played this fall! 

But I want to say this about the World Cup. The television coverage shows the world enjoying a sport that has people getting along and having fun from all parts of the world. Soccer is played around the world and it is enjoyed by all of the ages. I don't know one thing about soccer except that the world now has a new epidemic (soccer) and it has been good for the heart and soul to see people laugh, cheer and enjoy themselves for a time. 

To coin a phrase I would like to buy the world a Coke right now and save some of this good will for later date!

Food for thought!

Marty

Agree To Disagree 6/17/2026

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to write and I have in front of me a hot cup of Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee and a head full of ideas.

For the past few weeks we have been doing a small uplift to our home. It started with painting on the first floor. New carpeting is coming on Thursday and some new furniture will be here as well as a large screen television. But right now the place looks like two teenagers just moved in and need to wait to fill the house with possessions. 

Proverbs 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips, comes to ruin. 

So far we have done all of this and haven't disagreed much during the process. Our kitchen is the source of contention between my wife and I. Our home is filled with antiques and the kitchen has many old utensils and dishes mounted on the wall. We are at the point where things are going back on the wall. 

Before we removed everything from the walls I asked my wife to take pictures of where every thing goes. I thought she did. But last night I found out she did not take my request seriously. I started to ask her where things get mounted on the wall. She replied totally wrong. The magic words for disturbing the sleeping giant came out of her mouth. "I think this goes here, no maybe it goes higher.." I knew right then and there she hadn't taken pictures and was winging it by memory. It is true that many items come down at Christmas for the holiday season and other festive things go in their place. "I remember where they all go. I take them up and down every year."

I wanted to dig in and dig in hard as I dislike painting and decorating with a passion. My reply was "when you know where you want this stuff let me know. Because it is only going up once". I couldn't resist saying "just look at the photos."  There was total silence and as of this morning there are still a few kitchen pieces left to be put up. What was in place last night was assured to me that they were in the correct spots. "I know where they hang." 

Funny thing though as I was preparing for my blog I scrolled through the archive of the pictures I have used to make my point of what I wrote for the day. . Guess what I found? Yes! a photo showing the wall I was working on and the placement of the bowl of greatest contention last night. 

I love my wife and according to her mother. Out of six kids I married the stubborn one. Rene will not admit a mistake and will dig in when she believes she is right and according to her she is always right. 

So here is the point of the day. Who really cares where a dish from 1930 hangs.? It is not a ditch to die in. Sometimes you have to just agree to disagree.  When Rene crawled out of bed this morning she came to the desk to tell me that she knows where the bowl goes. I replied. "Too late it it has a new home on the wall and it is staying there. No wall will be patched and repainted." She replied "That's ok." I just wanted to let you know so it did not keep you awake." She told me where the old location was and I showed her the archived photo. "Oops" was all I heard and by later this morning I will be back to hanging things up and hopefully in the correct place. Tomorrow this whole thing will be forgotten. 

Now no one died in this exchange of wills and all is well in our home. So learn this. A picture speaks a thousand words and if you want something done!! You know the answer!!! Do it yourself.

Treat things as important only if they really are and don't let mistakes rule over you. 

Have a great day.

Marty

You Don't Know What You Don't Know In Business 6/16/2026

 Good Morning,

It is a pleasure to say that I am enjoying a coffee with our daughter this morning. Those of you who know me, know that she lives elsewhere and no she is not here visiting. And I am not in Georgia. We just finished talking on the telephone and she was drinking a crappy cup of Coffee and I am still drinking Hazelnut coffee. But hearing from her this morning and sharing a cup of coffee via telephone towers . The only thing missing from making this perfect is the fact that I can't be eating at the Waffle House.

I am led to discuss, business for some reason or another. I applaud those who are entrepreneurs  who are called to be self employed and independent. My advice to them is, before you take the little lemonade stand and turn it into a food truck find out everything that you don't know. Codes, taxes, licensing, insurance and safety plans all need to be followed explicitly. Good intentions are great, but what you don't know or don't follow can be failure in a can waiting to be opened. A solid business plan with a small board of advisors which can be as few as one other person who knows what you don't know or a board of many people. 

The main board member is God, who is the author of all things. Prayer for your business should be daily. During that time always asking God to show you the right way from the wrong way. In business, short cuts are a cancer waiting to run rampant through your dreams. 

Authorities are put in place by God for our own good. 

Romans 13:1-7 NKJV Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2. Therefore whoever resists authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. 3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  4. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5. Therefore you must be subject , not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake. 6. Because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7. Render therefore to all their due; taxes to whom taxes are due , customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Dear friends, young and old, this passage of scripture should be on page one of any business plan.

Food for thought! God bless,

Marty

Yesterday's Silence 6/15/2026

 Good Morning.

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee as I write this morning. A great way to start the day.

Psalm 46:10 NIV He says."Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."

Th Sound of Silence is the title to a song written by Paul Simon and performed by him and his singing partner Art Garfunkel. The song reached number one on the charts back in the 60's. I heard the song once again just the other day and it caused me to think. 

Silence is something you can't capture. Yesterdays silence, is just that, silence owned by today, but not tomorrow. You don't hear of anyone recording silence and selling it. It is owned by no one and yet belongs to everyone. You can't bring it back to enjoy. Each day has it's own silence. 

So, today if you have the luxury to be in total silence, take advantage of it and enjoy the gift. Remember you can take a photo of anything that happens, but not the sound of silence. Take some time to clear your mind of the clutter each day brings and  is accumulated in your brain.

Food for thought,. Be still and you can hear silence. Have a moment with just you and God. That is perfect silence and peace.

Marty

Sending Them Off. 6/14/2026

 Good Morning,

I know for sure right now, that once I finish this cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee I will be headed back downstairs to retrieve another one. It's a two cup of coffee day!

Yesterday our church youth group left for a short retreat to Western Wisconsin. Four of us men went to see them off and pray for them. We covered spiritual needs and safe fun in our prayers as well as safe travel to and from their event. 

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

Marty with two former youth group members who turned into youth group leaders. This is from a mission trip in Peru. Yes  wore the hat of youth pastor for many years. 

It was a privilege to pray for them and their leaders before they left. I know the other three guys very well and I am sure they prayed again this morning for the teens and leaders.I know my prayers will continue this morning for them.

The job of being a youth pastor is not an easy one, especially now in this time where it seems that growing up is more challenging than ever. I commend our Youth Pastor, his wife and all the assistant leaders for giving up their weekend to spend time with the teens.

My wife and I chaperoned a youth group canoe trip many years ago as friends and soon theire after w started dating. I wonder if anyone prayed for us that weekend? I do believe someone did, because I am still reaping the blessings a thousand years later. 

You just never know what can come about when you spend a little time away from home doing God's work! Pray for the kids in your church and in your life!

Marty

Make It Go Away Please 6/13/2026

 Good Morning,

My mug was filled with some Hot Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and a portion of hope for today.  It is time to write. 

Romans 12:12 NKJV Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer. 

Yesterday our Men's Ministry hosted a steak feed for the guys at church and friends. My family and a few close friends all were in attendance. Heaven came down in the form of a message, delivered by our Senior Pastor. One man decided to turn his life around and place his faith in Jesus Christ and we all rejoice for him. The message challenged many to think about who they are and what they believe. 

I titled this blog, "Make It Go Away Please" because we have been doing this for 26 years now on an annual basis. 26 years ago, I could work the set up, starting early in the morning and then be the last one out of the door at midnight after the clean up was done.  Now I never did this alone. I was blessed with a team who had a vision to serve God by serving others. 

What I want to go away is this "Old Age". The day after this steak feed, I find myself reaching for the Tylenol this  morning to take the pain of arthritis and old age away. I am not asking this so much for myself but I ask this for all the guys who busted their butts that others might have a good time and possibly be challenged by a great message. 

But most of all I am praying for the one guy who served all day long with the others, and he had just had his knee replaced a couple weeks ago. He has been with me for all 26 years serving above and beyond yesterday.  I watched my friend hobble around and show others what to do, help make the side dishes and direct the set up and clean up. As I write this my eyes have started leaking a little and I don't know what the leaking is for. Real men don't cry. I saw love for God, other men and their boys in action yesterday from all those who served a good 12 or more hours. I saw the example of one man suffering for the good of others. I can only imagine how he feels this morning. 

So I ask for prayer for every guy who served and a couple ladies who helped out as well that they recover quickly and are given rest for their bodies. Most of all I ask for God to bless them for their hard work, but if the Good Lord is passing by the home of the wounded man of God, please stop there a little longer and help my buddy out. 

Have a great day!

Marty 

Peace, It Starts With Me And You 6/12/2026

 Good Morning,

My hot cup of Door County Bourbon Vanilla Creme Coffee is really making our home smell like a classy coffee shop today. It's time for me to write.

 Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, 

For they shall be called sons of God

One of my worst traits is my quick temper. I can entertain nonsense for a maximum of ten minutes. After a large dosage of someone in my face or spouting off with what I think is an attack on my family or me, or if they propose some type of danger to me or my family I am either late for the door or I am contemplating placing a boot where I think their brains are nesting. 

This has been a struggle for me, because most of the time I can just walk away, but there are times when someone will just push it too far. I then have to make a choice. Ignore the problem in my face, or go on the very active defense. I don't believe that I have ever really gone out looking for an issue to take personal and then lose it when someone goes on the attack verbally. But!!

We, where I live, will start seeing more people canvassing our neighborhoods for votes for their party choice in our election for a state governor. Just yesterday while doing yard chores and trying to beat the rain, I was surprised to see a young lady in my driveway. I asked if I could help her and she replied "I Have a couple of questions for you. I am representing this candidate for election this fall and can I have your support." I was very polite and responded that I was not interested in doing so. I would be supporting another person. 

Her response to me, uninvited was to say this."Oh you are one of those". Now believe me when I say that her reply had me just about ready to chew her out like she never heard before, but I had been praying for peace in a hot spot in the Middle East. I was reminded in my soul that peace is a choice and I could choose to battle with this young lady or show her that I could hold it back. I thanked her for stopping by. I asked her if she wanted a bottle of water and actually manufactured a smile. She did respond with a thank you and left. 

So today as you go about your business, or interact with your family, know that sooner or later today you will have to make a choice on how to react to someone who has pushed your hot button. Try to remember this.  It's your choice on how you react. 

I came inside to grab a cold drink of water and told my wife about my interaction. She kept waiting for the rest of the story. She said, "And then what happened"? I replied "Nothing and it felt good not to wage a war of words and I  made the choice to not let her ruin my day. 

It's your mouth, your anger, and your choice to pursue peace especially on your own turf. You make the rest of the story. 

Food for thought! Learn to agree to disagree and show respect toward one another. 

God bless,

Marty