Stopped For Prayer 3/21/2026

 Good Morning,

I woke up and realized that I had not set the timer on the coffee maker. It did not slow me down too much,but it is something I don't want to become a habit. I like my coffee very hot and on time. Soon I will be drinking a hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee as I begin to write. 

Romans 12:12ESV 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

Yesterday while picking up some supplies at a farm store, I was stopped by a young couple in the parking lot. At first I thought they were selling something. They assured me that their only goal for the day was to pray with people. I can't say that this approach is new to me. I have seen this ministry in public areas before. Politely they asked for my name and if there was anything they could pray about for me. I chuckled and said that I could hand them a laundry list of things, but I confided that I wanted prayer for our country, the war and the politics. We bowed our heads and we prayed. Once they finished praying I asked if there was anything I could pray about for them. They were happy to announce that they were just married a few months ago and they are now headed on a medical mission trip to Africa. Both of them are nurses and they will be assisting a surgical team for 6 months. They desired prayer for safety and for God to eliminate the worries their families have about them going so far away.

After praying we hugged and I went on my way, they went to pray with others. Before we prayed I asked them how the praying was going. The response was this. "Many people don't want prayer or are too busy to stop and pray."

This answer did not surprise me much. I often see our monthly church prayer gathering barely being attended. It seems that even times of turmoil aren't bringing people to their knees as much as I thought would happen now. 

So my point is this. When you pray, stay a few minutes longer on your knees and include prayer for those folks "who don't need any." Pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. 

God is waiting to hear from you.

Marty. 

Sitting At The Window 3/20/2026

 Good Morning,

I am waiting for the Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee to finish brewing. It is time to write.

It is still dark outside as I ponder things as they wake up and have me observing some of the antics at the bird feeder. Right now there is a squirrel cleaning up some of the bird seed that was spilled out by some small birds yesterday. Two rabbits are chewing some of the wet grass in the yard. All this action and more yet to come just because we spent a little money on wild bird seed and now enjoy a morning cartoon provided by nature. Our bird feeder and pole are nothing fancy, yet they feed one and all who come to the it. I especially think it is odd how the bigger birds who can't perch on the feeder have to wait for the tiny birds to spray the seed to those below with their little wings. The larger birds rely on being fed by the little ones.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on the appearance or the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

My point for the day is this. You might be in a position to recruit people for a project or hire them for work at your place of employment. Yet the candidates might be a little short on experience. Their resume seems weak. Pray about it and see if they have "Heart, Desire, Determination, Drive and Dedication." Ask questions that would have them answer things regarding the terminology above. 

Don't let a lack of a piece of paper or them looking too young to be any good impact your decision. You might have a great worker wrapped in a weak resume and young stature. Don't let that keep you from not trying them out. Of course there are minimum requirements and education needed for most positions. Those must be met, But a lack of experience gives you the opportunity to give them some. You can be part of the process that helps them to build their experience resume.

Be a big bird that watches the younger ones soar. You might learn a trick or two from someone half your age and with half of your experience.

Food for thought,

Marty

I Tried To Think And Nothing Happened 3/19/2026

 Good Morning,

The alarm went off and the Door County Cherry Creme Coffee is ready. Time to write.

Last night I was looking up the name of a restaurant / supper club that my wife and I used to visit a couple times a year or more 30 years ago. I was trying to remember the name and it took me awhile for my brain to kick in. Have you ever tried to kick start your brain and nothing happens?

I finally remembered the name "Ray Busslers" of Oak Creek Wisconsin. I could recall the many times Rene and I enjoyed the antique atmosphere, great food, and located close to home. It was our place to go on "Date Night" 

Now and then it takes some time to get the brain functioning and once it starts it can be difficult to shut down. I recalled a passage of Scripture to support my wandering mind trips back in time. 

Photo Credit nwitimes.com

Philippians 4:8 KJV Finally, Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Just now and then when you have memories like this to cherish, You just have to say, "It has been a wonderful life. "

Take time to enjoy a memory and share it with someone!

God bless. Have a great day!!!

Marty

Taking Care Of My Wife 3/18/2026

 Good Morning,

The hot Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee in my cup is just the right temperature to enjoy and it is time to write. 

Genesis 2:18. And the Lord said "It is not good for man to be alone"

Over the last couple of days we have endured wind storms, snow storms, cold weather and injuries to our little kingdom. While assisting me with snow removal Monday,  my wife Rene twisted and her knee did not twist with her. Now her knee is swollen and painful. We sought medical attention and now are seeing a specialist this morning. I want to thank those who have been praying for her.

I have been promoted to "Chief Cook, and Bearer of Ice Packs". I learned a little something over the last couple of days. I now know where we purchase our dog food and not to throw out the receipts. You get a free bag after you buy ten bags. I have learned that we have a washing machine. Those things are quite handy. The dish washer is another appliance that does not fill with dishes itself.  In order to keep the lights on the bills have to be paid and then taken to the post office on time. We don't do auto pay or electronic services. 

Then I have learned that my wife is not a good patient. She doesn't follow orders. This is most perplexing. She is supposed to stay off of her leg and now I know that she must not understand or be fluent with the English language. I have to articulate all my instructions slowly and use Pig Latin as our language of choice. Yesterday I discovered that freshly washed underwear has a proper way to be folded after leaving another appliance called the clothes dryer. This injury must have also caused her to go back in time and stop right about in her teen years. She has developed the "Look" that I witnessed once or a million times from our daughter. You know "THE LOOK"

We have been blessed to be married for a thousand years and it hurts to see Rene in pain. My prayers for her are constant. I love her to the moon and back and hope this heals soon. But in the meantime she has hidden the mop (I now know we have one.) When I inquired as to where it is, she replied you mean "Waldo" I replied what?  Her reply was "He's on first." You are old if you understand  that one.  

I put my Ecclesiastes and King Solomon hat on and pondered my plight as he would do. I just have to say that I Have a great wife and I have been spoiled by her.

Have a blessed day.

Marty 

Fix Your Face ??? 3/17/2026

 Good Morning,

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

Proverbs 15:13 NKJV A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance. But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 

Isaiah 3:9 NIV The look on their faces testifies against them, they parade their sin like Sodom, they do not hide it . Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves. 

We often have a dear friend of ours who betrays us and gives away our thoughts to others; That friend is our face. You can almost always tell what a person is thinking by the expression that comes from our faces It is a direct giveaway to our minds and our hearts. Some people wake up with a scowl on their face and condemn the day just by their facial expression. Especially watch the faces of people who when asked their opinion on an idea or suggestion who say "I don't care what we do, I am good." Then watch their facial expression and it contorts in a way that reminds me of a two year old tasting medicine "liquid 1960s penicillin" after being told it is good for them. 

I am not suggesting that we lie, but our face is expressing  our attitudes that some times need a fixing. You might say you are fine with something but your face tells the truth.  So plain and simple fix your face by looking into your heart and understanding that the sun rises on you as well as others. Your face might need an attitude adjustment. 

Just a little food for thought!

Marty

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 3/16/2026

 Good Morning, 

I an sitting at my desk staring at the blizzard outside enjoying the warmth of the house and a hot cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee. It is time to write. 

I call any snow storm in March the "second winter". Well our second winter arrived last night and is supposed to last until late this afternoon. We have every thing we need to stay inside and dig out later today. 

Ephesians 5:19 ESV Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart. 

My day began with prayer after my radio alarm woke me up to an old hymn. And I can't get it out of my head. 

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 

1.O soul are you wearied and troubled? 

No light in the darkness you see?

There's light for a look at the Savior. 

And life more abundant and Free

Chorus Turn your eyes upon Jesus 

Look full in His wonderful face 

And things of the earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace,

2. Through death into life everlasting ,

He passed and we follow him there;

O'er us sin no more hath dominion

For more than conqu'rors we are!

3. His word shall not fail you, He p[romised;

Believe Him and all will be well;

Then go to a world that is dying.

His perfect salvation to tell.

This hymn was written by Helen Howarth Lemmel. It has soothed the heart of many troubled souls since it came to the attention of the public. It is a beloved hymn of the sick, the stressed , the bereaved and all that need rest from our stress filled life on earth. 

So may your coffee be hot, your troubles small, and keep a hymn in your heart today.

God bless.

Marty

Being Polite Isn't Totally Lost Yet

 Good Morning,

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

Ephesians 4:29 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

Last Friday we had some strong winds blow through our state. Once again we had some damage to our home due to the wind storm. I happened to be out and about picking up supplies for a church dinner being held on Saturday. That wind was "rocking". A young lady was in the parking lot of the food emporium trying to gather the shopping carts that had set themselves free to roam the parking lot. It was a losing battle for one person. As one of those runaway carts was headed to smash into the vehicle parked next to me, I was able to grab on to it and give it to the cart gatherer. I was able to fetch a few more with her and help her back into the store. 

The young lady was wind blown and a little tired. As I handed off my stack of shopping carts she looked  me straight in the eye and said, "Thank You Sir. Have a great morning despite this storm." I replied "Good Morning  Mam, You are welcome. Have a better day"

As I walked away I recalled some training I received during my work years when I was cautioned not to use the term "Mam" as it could insult some folks.   A cloud of doubt entered my mind. Did I just ruin a good deed by saying Mam?  My thought as I tried to justify my use of the term Mam was this. She called me sir first. I thought her polite greeting could be answered using politeness in return. I did not know the lady's name. Although addressing her by name was not called for. I am sure I was about fifty years older than her so she probably wrote me off as being old fashioned and not knowing better. I will probably make that mistake again and sometimes the way I was raised clobbers me when the world declares a change.  It's a shame when this world even impacts a civil response or greeting. Or makes you stop and think on how to respond so no one gets hurt.  The world has made a lot of changes in etiquette over the last ten years. I don't always roll with the changes so if we meet and I say good morning Mam or Sir just consider me the old goof who just can't change.

Have great day. 

Marty