A Day For Sweethearts 2/14/2026

 Good Morning,

 I have with me a hot quick cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee and it is time to write. 

Today is Valentines Day in the United States. Although with a little research I found out some knowledge on Valentine's Day

Philippians 2:3 ESV Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  

Valentine's' day is celebrated in many countries around the world , not just in the United States.  While the traditions may vary, the day is recognized as a time to express love and affection in various cultures. 

My wife Rene and I have been married for over one thousand years now. Earlier in our relationship the Valentine's Day gifts were a little more extravagant than they are now. After eating a few bad dinners in crowded restaurants where the prices reflected the holiday as well,or get aways that just seemed to lack the hype of the day. We discussed the future observance of Valentine's Days. We decided to keep it simple yet make an expression of love within the day. 

Rene is diabetic and my box of Sugar Free Valentine cookies for her arrived yesterday. My favorite Jello is the lemon or lime flavor. I saw two boxes of lemon Jello in the cupboard two days ago, Guess what my gift will be? 

It is not the extravagance of the gift, it is what comes from the heart. Valentine's Day is a day set aside to express love. But shouldn't every day recognize the love between two people? If we need a reminder to be nice, caring, and loving, we are in a world of hurt. 

Food for thought???? 

Marty

Time For The Weekend 2/13/2026

 Good Morning.

Friday arrived right on time and I can see Saturday just over the top of my spectacles. The Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee is keeping me alert and ready to face the day. 

It looks as if the weather in my part of the world will be making it nice for everyone who wants to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. I have two nephews who will be out ice fishing this weekend and it doesn't seem like it will be too cold to enjoy it. There are a lot of things one can do outside in the fresh air as long as the weather allows for it. It's nice when you can enjoy air that hasn't been breathed before and spend  time with friends and family doing so.

 Job 12:7-10 NKJV. 7. But now, ask the beasts and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you. 8. Or speak to the earth and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. 9. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10. In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?

I ask though, for everyone to adopt this policy. Enjoy nature and always leave it as good as you found it, if not better. Leave  nature untarnished with litter or damages to the infrastructure God created. Protect it from harm and preserve it for the next generation. Nature is God's gift to us. Cherish it, guard it, be thankful, use it, and by golly take some pictures and pass them on.

Have a great weekend. You have been prayed for.

Marty

Observing The Olympics 2/12/2026

 Good Morning,

Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee is in my cup and it is time to write. 

Last night I took some time to watch the Winter Olympics and eat a little popcorn and rest up for today. 

                                                               es.headtopics.com

Proverbs 24:17 ESV Do not rejoice when your enemy falls and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles. 

Proverbs 17:5 ESV Whoever mocks the poor , insults his Maker , He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

My observations from the comfort of my chair was this. The world possesses a lot of people with strength, skills and determination. There wasn't one event last night that except for being a spectator, that I could even do. Anyway, I am not sure the world would be ready to see me in a spandex uniform. 

My country, The United States was the obvious team that I was supporting. Note! Supporting. Not once will I rejoice when an opposing team has a miscue or falls while performing. I do not wish for misfortune to fall upon anyone. If the United States loses, I applaud them for trying and giving it their best. It is completely wrong to wish and then worse yet pray against another country's athletes, hoping calamity befalls them,

I do pray before I sit down and ask God to help each athlete to be able to give it their best. I believe in praying this way, I see the best competition that one could hope for. I appreciate all the hard work that is put in at practicing and living a sport that takes hours and hours to perfect. 

This is especially important when observing an event while you are with young children, or grandchildren. Teach them to support others with class, dignity and respect. 

Food for thought! Cheer on world! Enjoy some great sports!

Marty

Don't Make It Bigger Than It Already Is 2/11/2026

 Good Morning,

The day has begun in fine fashion for me. I have a hot cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee at my side and it is time to write. 

Psalm 19:11 NKJV the discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

  Last night in our Men's Bible Study we touched on the subject of minor issues in life. especially the small issues between two people. For instance, your spouse does something like forgetting to turn on the dishwasher again. You were expecting to use one of the dishes inside this morning, I will admit that it is an inconvenience, but is it worth even going so far as to point out the mistake? 

We has humans have a tendency to make big issues out of minor mistakes, which leads to anger over nothing. These minor infractions raise our blood pressure as well as occupying our mind with thoughts of revenge or disgust in the day which is waiting to be a blessing to you.When I am truly irritated with something it tends to consume my thought and then I become unusable by God. 

Too much time is spent making mountains out of ant hills. 

My point is this. Why make a bigger issue into a a truly ugly situation? Gauge the issue and see if it is worth escalating and building it into a point of no return. Most issues are small and could remain that way.

Food for thought.

Marty

Thankful For You 2/10/2026

 Good Morning, 

So nice, so quiet, so warm is how I would describe our den this morning. It is populated with myself, two English Springer Spaniels, and a hot cup of Door County Blackberry Shortcake Coffee. It is time to write. 

Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV "The Lord bless you and keep you; 25. The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. 

The one thing I did not mention as populating my den is all of the readers who read on a daily basis this blog from my heart. Some readers are just passing through and read now and then. I want you to know that I do not make any money from writing this. So if anyone in my name ever asks you to send money or use your credit card to support me It is a scam. There is no need for financial support here. 

I very often pray for all those who read this and do so happily. I ask God to bless the readers in His way as only He can. Today was one of those days when I just needed to say that you all are loved, prayed for and this fella is thankful to be able to share our den, my thoughts and my prayers with you. 

Point for the day is this. I am glad to be here and Lord willing I will be here tomorrow. 

From the bottom of my heart, have a blessed and happy day.

Marty

There Is A Good Reason 2/9/2026

 Good Morning, 

It is time to enjoy my hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee and write down a couple of thoughts.

Psalm 28:7 ESV  The Lord is my strength and my shield; In him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults. 

First let me state that I believe that God has a reason for everything. Since 1981 I have tried to accept all that happens, or is allowed to happen, has a God given reason that it occured. I have been asked many times "why does God allow bad things to happen to good people"? Honestly I don't have a good answer for that. Sin entered the world with the fall of Adam and Eve and nothing short of heaven will ever be right again until Jesus comes back and takes us to heaven where there is no sorrow, no tears and no pain.  

I know that I am to trust in the Lord fully in all things until the day of no sorrow. That is some pretty heavy thoughts to start a week, but as you go through today and the rest of the week, know this, trust in the Lord and know that He will carry you through.

Be kind to each other and pass the meatballs.

God Bless,

Marty

 

There's A Melody That Needs To Play 2/8/2026

 Good Morning,

There is a hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee sitting in front of me and it is time to write.

Philippians 4:8 NKJV Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever thing are noble,whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, what ever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy , meditate on these things.

Sunday morning arrived right on time. Last night a couple of inches of snow blanketed the area where we live, which means once it is daylight I will need to clean up the driveway and sidewalks. 

I really don't mind cleaning up snow. I actually enjoy being outside with our dogs and every now and then I toss a snowball their way just to see them run and bark at me. There is a song lyric that says "life is a dance that you learn as you go". Well, in order to dance there needs to be some music. Within each person there is a heart and the easiest way to dance is to a tune that you like. Your heart stores the melody within you and the outlook you have for the day. 

Think about a happy time in life , or how you want to rejoice in this day. Let your heart play the melody that surrounds your happiness. Zone into that happy place and let your heart provide the music for you. Be grateful to God for this day and the fact that you reunited with Him this morning and let that melody play loud and clear.

Food for thought,

Marty