Let's Be Real 9/30/21

 Good Morning,

I am up early and headed out on a short duck hunting trip with friends to North Dakota. I just drank a quick cup of Door County Lighthouse Blend Coffee and I am ready to ride. 

Whenever I prepare a short term mission team to travel and serve the Lord one of the things I stress to them is to "be real" with each other. Knowing you will spend 7-10 days as a team together 24/7 and admitting that someone will inevitably offend another person or persons in the group which can easily become a mess and steer the team off target is an important and noteworthy statement. Different personalities after spending time together can begin to rub on each other and friction begins. 

To cure this ahead of time has always been my goal. I explain that this friction will occur because Satan wants it to and it is an easy way for him to disrupt the good work being done. This works the same at home. Be real! You aren't perfect and you shouldn't expect perfection from anyone else. In many instances it is just better to overlook the small irritations others bring to the table. Let it go! Look for the good qualities in others and bypass the irritating ones. Be real. Maybe you irritate them. 

No need to tell anyone you forgave them for something. Just forgive, and move on. Then forget it as God does. It does help to say you are sorry if you become aware of the fact that you have offended someone. 

Hebrews 8:12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

Enjoy life. Getting all worked up over the minor things of life and for the actions of others just leads to self torment.  Food for thought!

Marty

Even In The Pumpkin Patch 9/28/21

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee while I write. I just finished watching our two dogs trying to catch rabbits. Rabbits 2 - Springers 0. Those two will never learn.

My wife and I just returned from a three day getaway. We like the 3 day thing now and then. We start out with a plan or two, but are always flexible to changes along the way, if something strikes us a fun or very interesting. We just never know where we will detour to or what we might discover along the way. We always pray before we start out and we know that God travels with us. We thank Him for the downtime, rest and the adventures. 

Matthew 18:20 Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there with them.

Thought for the day. God would love to vacation with you. He responds to that invitation with a hearty yes!

Marty

A Path Worth Finding 9/28/2021

 Good Morning,

This day has begun and I am striding with it hoping to keep up with the schedule it las laid out for me. A hot cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee is at my side. It is time to write. 

I see way too many people these days who seem to be wandering in life. They are the ones usually looking for shortcuts to success and hop from idea to idea, searching for a plan for their life. Contentment is not going to be found in wandering, from idea to idea and not sticking it out when wishes do not become reality.

The first mistake and an important step into finding your calling or purpose in life, is to be humble. Humility is a virtue, not a weakness. One must acknowledge that they don't know everything. Once that is done, God becomes bigger in their life and they become smaller. Trying to run your own life leads to making mistakes in their choices and then running on to the next quick option or returning to an old option, still not knowing which one is the correct path. This leads to jumping when you should stay put, or staying where you don't belong. 

Once we allow God to direct our path we learn not to place our trust in ourselves but to lean on Him to direct us. This makes for less ulcers and less sleepless nights. 

Until that is done, the worrying, wandering and quick success schemes will keep pulling us away from God's directions for us and contentment will never be found. 

This takes trust, and many people would rather trust in their own minds than to place trust in God. God does not always reveal His plan fully to us. He sometimes will ask us to just trust Him as He reveals the answers a little at a time. Unfortunately, in these days of hurry and bustle we want the answers and we want them now. Patience is a word that is not found in many vocabularies .

My advice today, if you are wandering like a ship without a rudder and being anchored seems impossible, follow the instructions given in this Scripture passage. 

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Food for the wandering soul!

Marty

A Day In September 9/27/2021

 Good Morning,

A good day to start with a cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and some prayer. 

In 1986 on this date I was blessed to have my wife say I do. We have been celebrating for three days. We were able to have some great days in Door County Wisconsin as a precursor to the actual anniversary. We enjoyed some downtime, good food, and the outdoors. 

If I were to say what I believe has gotten us this far and will keep us for the future, I would quote 

Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.               3. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

So I will keep it short and get going to work in a few minutes. Have a great day!

Marty

Having It Your Way 9/26/2021

 Good Morning,

It's nice and quiet in the resort where we are staying. I feel like I am at peace and rested. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Wisconsin Harvest Blend Coffee and it is time to write. 

It has been a long time since I had the battle of wills with a two year old. But one thing I recall vividly, whether it was our daughter or our grandson, two year old kids can be strong willed and usually want things done "their way". They develop very soon in life the desire to control their surroundings, eating habits, bedtime, and what they want to wear. I have witnessed a temper tantrum or two when these little ones don't get their way and decide to let you know who's boss, despite the fact that you know better. These outbursts of will may have been responded to with a swat on the backside or a stern talking to in the grocery store. 

I am not sure that we ever completely lose the " I know better syndrome" in our lives. We are especially stupid when we believe that God (Our Heavenly Father) does not get miffed when we disobey and want things "our way."

Let me give you some breaking news. God does know better on everything than we do. In addition, He is a patient loving God. But you can only push Him so far. Like every good parent, He instructs us on what is right and wrong and He warns us of the consequences and what not to do.

Hebrews 4:7-11 God again, set a certain day, calling it today! This he did when a long time later, He spoke through David: "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts."

God warns us and we are expected to listen and obey. 

Nahum 1:2-6  The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose Him and continues to rage against all who oppose Him. 3. The Lord is slow to anger, but His power is great, and He never let's the guilty go unpunished.  He displays His power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust at His feet. 4. At His command oceans dry up and rivers disappear. 5. In His presence the mountains quake, and hills melt away, the earth trembles. 6. Who can withstand His fierce anger? Who can survive His burning fury? His rage blazes in the fire. The mountains crumble at His will.

I believe we have been warned. But we will look at others and their sins instead of looking at our own unchecked wills and the sins we like to keep. We want it our way!

Marty

Waltz Across Heaven 9/25/21

 Good Morning,

This morning finds me in Door County Wisconsin drinking a cup of Door County Brownie Batter Coffee in a resort setting. 

My wife Rene and I took the opportunity to get away for a couple of days. This coming Monday will be our wedding anniversary and we chose to rest and celebrate in a spot we have grown to love and enjoy. 

Proverbs 5:18 May your fountain be blessed and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 

While driving to our destination, we talked in between Rene's naps . She is a very quiet traveling partner. It seems as if the hum of the car engine puts her right to sleep. But in between her hibernations we chatted about how nice it would be to get away and relax. It has been a very busy month so far. The subject that came up next was one I think we have been avoiding.

We both expressed that we wished we had done some of these short getaways more when we were younger. I said that "I hope we will be able to do this annual trip for a long time." Oddly I knew I had to say something more, because thinking about your own mortality and the fact that someday one of us will be alone for awhile was a sobering thought. I knew Rene had the same thing on her mind.

So in my attempt to say something funny and inspiring I came up with "I should probably brush up on a few dance steps." Rene asked why. My reply was this. "Someday I will waltz across heaven with you". Rene laughed pretty hard and I asked her what was so funny. "I am picturing a bear with waders on, dancing in a swamp. But I will take that dance any day."

Friends, heaven awaits us some day and we will take that dance. But in the meantime waltz through life with a smile and dance with the love of your life, if you are able, before you can't.

God bless,

Marty

Be Wise. Not Too Much Good Happens After Midnight 2 Samuel 9/24/21

Good Morning,

I am wide awake after enjoying a good seven hours of sleep. My mug is next to me and it is filled with Door County Chocolate Caramel Truffle Coffee and I am ready to greet the day.

2 Samuel 2-3 One evening, David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "She is Bathsheba. the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite"

Being up late and filled with boredom can lead to unwise choices and mistakes. David should have been off with his army, but stayed home. This led to a lot of sin and misery for his family. 

Proverbs 19:23 Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security, sleep and protection from harm.

Every morning when I turn on the news I hear about speeding cars, causing accidents that kill people, and gun battles between people on the streets. These usually happen around midnight and up to 3am. Then the evening news shows us the aftermath of these night time atrocities with the candlelight vigils at the scene of the accident or the shootings. 

I often think to myself, especially when the victims are young and in their prime that the tragedy might have been avoided if people stayed home at night especially between the hours of 11pm and 3am. Maybe if they were home in prayer, reading a bible or even watching television instead of caving into the temptations of the night, we might have less senseless deaths on the morning news. How about trying something new.? Go to bed and get a good night of sleep. Nothing good happens out there at night.

David could have avoided some major problems if he "went to work" stayed in bed, slept and  kept his nose out of his neighbors window. 

Food for thought! Get some sleep, leave evil to it's own self. Stay busy doing good. 

Marty

Glad To Know Some Experts 9/23/2021

 Good Morning,

In a few more minutes my pot of Door County Wisconsin Harvest Blend Coffee will be finished brewing and I will be smiling. I looked over the top of my glasses and I see Friday coming in like a locomotive.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, he will also reap.

Last night I had a question about health issues and even though I worked in healthcare for 36 years what I know about medicine can be written on the head of a pin. I had my role and my expertise and others had their roles and were experts in their field. Google wasn't too much help and just left me with more questions. I had been praying about finding a path of help. After more prayer an answer popped into my head and of course "I knew a guy who could send me in the right direction". I worked with this lad for a few years and always found him to be  a man of integrity, and a guy you could count on. I placed a call to him and he listened to my concerns and then communicated a good plan of direction to follow. He volunteered to do some leg work on the solution and for that I am extremely grateful.

My point of the day is this. When someone calls you at 8pm looking for advice, are you one who listens and even offers to help? Can you be counted on by friends or work mates to use your expertise to assist others? I am blessed to have met many people who are always there when you need them. I do believe you reap what you sow. We might not be able to repay the kindness, but we might be able to extend kindness to someone else. Are you that kind of friend? 

What a blessing you might be to someone else! 

God bless,

Marty

Grandma Will Let You Know. With A Recipe 9/22/2021

 Good Morning,

The day began with our two dogs barking up a storm next to the bed. They were running to the front door and wanted outside. I looked into the yard to see what the ruckus was about and I saw the culprit. There was a cat on our porch crying out for something. I opened the door a little and the cat took off down the street. Just then the coffee maker kicked in and it was time for a cup of Door County Cherry Creme Java.

Matthew 5:37 But let your yes be yes and let your no be no. For whatever is more that these is from the evil one. 

About five days a week we call on my wife's mother just to chat and check in on our 94 year old family matriarch. Last night I placed the call. She likes to discuss the Packer game with me and they played on Monday night. 

Whenever Rene visits her mom, I try to send a couple of meals with her for Grandma. Last night while I was chatting with her I let her know that Rene would be coming out today and I made two chicken dinners for her. She thanked me for the meals and said, "It's been a long time since I have had some type of spaghetti to eat." I can take a hint and so I started an Italian pasta dish from one of my cookbooks and now she will have three meals and it was complete by the time I went to bed last night.

My mother in law is about one of the most honest people I know. She speaks her mind openly and you don't have to wonder about what she is thinking. She tells it like it is and does it with kindness and respect. I like that kind of person. Her yes is yes and her no is no. She still cooks and makes most of her meals. But after 94 years, six kids and a husband, I believe she deserves a rest from making all of her meals. 

So today, as you interface with others, be a straight shooter. Don't be wishy washy and make people wonder where you stand. I left you with a small recipe below. Enjoy

God bless, 

Marty

BAKED ZITI

TOTAL TIME: 50 MINUTES

Ingredients

1 pound ziti (or penne)

3 cups marinara sauce

1 large egg

1 cup ricotta (whole or part skim)

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

½ cup fresh parsley, minced

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Fill a large sauce pan with water and a generous amount of salt. Bring it to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package's al dente directions.

Drain the pasta, rinse and add it back to the pan.

Add the sauce to the pasta, stir to combine well, and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl whisk together the egg, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and parsley.

Spoon half the pasta into the bottom of a 9 x 13" baking dish. Then spoon 6 dollops of the ricotta mixture onto the pasta. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the pasta and repeat all steps to make a second layer.

Bake the pasta uncovered for 30 minutes at 400 degrees or until the cheese is bubbly.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes before enjoying

An Outward Expression Of Love 9/21/2021

 Good Morning,

My day is starting early this morning and it will be a long one. I am blessed to have a hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee in a mug next to me and I will be taking a Thermos bottle filled with this java with me to work today.

I would like to talk about obedience to God this morning. Have you ever thought that your obedience to God is an outward expression of your love of God?

John 14:15 "If you love me, keep my commandments. 

John 14:24 "Anyone who does not love Me, does not keep My words"

I think about those who volunteer to clean our church which includes the restrooms. They are loving their neighbors by doing so. This is an outward expression of keeping the command Jesus gave us of loving your neighbor as yourself. 

Yet there are those who go to church and yet live an unruly life at home. They claim to love God, yet any chance they get, they backslide into the dark side of life. 

If you have an obedience problem living a peaceful and civil life, you have a love problem.

Your experiences with God revealing Himself to you become less and less and strife becomes more and more.

Food for thought! Could people tell your love for God by your outward expressions of love to Him, your family and your friends? Sometimes God's command is so simple to understand, when He says love your neighbor, which could be those of your own house. It just means "Be Nice".

Marty

Just Luck? Or Was it God? 9/20/21

 Good Morning,

A busy week is in front of me and I look forward to completing it with gusto. I pray this morning for God to lead my path this week and bring it to a successful conclusion. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee and now it is time to write. 

Ecclesiastes 11:5  As you do not know the way the Spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. 

Last Saturday night was just like most Saturdays. At 5:00pm we were in church and I was to deliver a message like most of my Saturdays. Nothing out of the ordinary took place. Our plan was to return home after church and and fire up the new grill and cook a couple of hamburgers. As my wife Rene and I were walking to our car after the service and our usual few minutes chatting with friends I said to her, "For some reason I don't want to go home and cook" I thought some laziness had crept in as my desire to cook was gone, completely gone. Rene responded with " then let's not go home.. I asked her where she would like to go for a bite to eat and she mentioned one place that we are fond of and I agreed that it sounded good.

Surprise #1 We went in and one of the servers was a young lady that always takes great care of us. The surprise was this. She had just moved away for college and we thought we wouldn't see her working there. But, because of needing a little cash and some normalcy, she came home for the weekend and was able to work. The surprise was a blessing to us. 

Surprise #2 We were just about finished with our dinner when a lady and her family walked in. We both had worked with her at the medical center and her husband used to repair our cars. She stopped to talk and share pleasantries. That exchange was very nice. But during the chat she told us that they had just finished placing her husband in hospice care. Rene and I both looked at each other and I said " we weren't supposed to be here, according to plans made earlier." We told our friend that same thing. She explained to us that this stop was not their first choice. They had first gone to a different restaurant and it was too crowded and they needed a quieter place. So here we were. I asked her f there was anything we could do for her and she said they needed prayer. We agreed to pray for her. But there was more. I said. "Lets pray now." We joined hands in the restaurant and prayed. As of the time of this writing, my friend's husband has passed away. God knew the urgency for our meeting. 

Now was that what some would say "Good Luck"? I say no! I believe God arranged both meetings to bless those we would see and for us to see Him at work. He invited us to join in. I don't care what some people might have thought about us stopping to pray at our table with a dear friend. God put us in the right spot at the right time. God always knows where He wants us and knows what will happen when we are there. 

He arranged the two meetings and we saw Him work out the details and He filled them in later. Oh. By the way, I had prayed in the morning for God to author our day, I believe He did. 

Marty

A Blessing You Might Not Have Counted On. 9/19/2021

 Good Morning, 

The house is quiet and our two dogs are on the floor next to my feet. My cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee is soothing a headache this morning and now it is time to write. 

Psalm 112:1-2  1. Praise The Lord.! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands. 2. Their children will be blessed everywhere, an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 

In this house we fear and love the Lord. That has been the foundation of our marriage  for the last 1000 years and with a little fortitude it will remain that way. I have no doubt. Until it was pointed out to me that fearing God and serving Him has a benefit outside of blessing others,

I never gave a thought to this one.

In Psalm 112:1-2 we see that God lays down blessings to our children because of the actions we do to love and serve Him. Now listen a little further here. Blessings are bestowed when the right heart is behind them. We are to be joyful in fearing the Lord and be delighted when He gives us something to do that He wants done. He bestows blessings when we follow His commands and commandments with a joyful heart. You can't buy or work enough to have blessings bestowed all the way down to your family if your heart isn't in it. Placing $1000 dollars into the plate for the poor isn't going to do a thing if you grumble about it or just need a tax deduction. Blessings are not necessarily monetary. The family might be blessed with good health, children, or a harmonious home. Following in your footsteps to love, fear and serve the Lord is another form of blessing. Maybe calamity strikes, and they are not impacted. Tornado? They swim in the ocean and are not bitten by sharks. Who knows what form the blessings come in.

Again, we love and fear the Lord in this home and are delighted when He points the way to serve Him. That is the number one reason we attend church and serve the way we do. If God blesses our daughter because of it, so be it. I say thank you Lord!

Have a great day.

Marty

Still Time For Grilling 9/18/2021

 Good Morning,

Welcome to my thought for the day. I just sat down with a hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee and it is time to write.

Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 

Last night I tackled the task of assembling a new gas grill and despite, a hot garage, clouds of mosquitoes, and wearing repellent I finished the task. I am proud to say that I navigated the poor drawings and directions for assembly with only two spare screws and who cares where they belong. I did however save them just in case there assigned destination becomes painfully aware to me after using the grill a few times. 

I am writing today not to talk about my ability to read a bad blueprint and navigate directions in three languages. I want to talk about grilling some food. 

It won't be too long before the frost hits our ground and snow paints the scenery and although many people still cook outside in the winter or enjoy a tailgate at football game, most folks store away the grill until next spring. 

I for one have a small cook out planned for New Years Day (God willing) to have family and friends over for a grilled pheasant dinner. It seems to me that whether it is two people enjoying some grilled meat and vegetables or more people, the grill seems to bring out the best in comradery and fellowship. 

So if you are one who puts the grill away when the leaves start to turn colors and you are done for the year, turn on the crock pot and make some chili or soup, but share it with someone and show hospitality. A pot filled with potato soup on a cold night. ( It must be know that I do not like making potato soup) but my wife enjoys it immensely. To see her smile light up the room with her cup of soup in her hand on a cold day is what this blog is about today.

Use the table, the grill, the crockpot or the wok to make others happy and for you to be able to enjoy fellowship with those you care about. 

Our daughter is good at planning events for friends and neighbors. She is happy to carry on an old family tradition. Proud to say she is mine!

God bless,

Marty

You Can't Eat A Cookbook 9/17/21

Good Morning,

Friday arrived, right on time and I for one am glad it did. A great aroma is coming from the kitchen as I brew a pot of Door County Bourbon Pecan Pie Coffee. So here is my thought of the day.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a Light to my path. 

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourself. 

I have a large collection of cookbooks and very often I go to them to find a new dish to make for my wife and I or guests who come to dine with us. I browse through the books and try to figure out what I want to make. I have new cook books and some ancient hand me downs. By now my buddies are all laughing as they are picturing me in an apron sweeping the floor. Buzz off pals. 

I however like cookbooks where the recipe is printed next to a picture of how the dish should look when done. Some of those photos are mouth watering testimonials of some great cooking. But no matter how many books I look into for the next family dinner, nothing happens unless I put some traction toward making the meal, I found out a long time ago that you "Can't eat a cookbook!!!? You have to open it , purchase the ingredients and follow the directions perfectly. 

Many a Bible sits on a table or mantel on display for the world to see. Some folks actually open them now and then. You can glean a lot from just studying God's Word. This is true! You can do more for yourself, your family, your friends, and the world if when studying you follow the directions given within. It is a recipe for success in your walk with God. 

So tonight, open your Bible and follow through on what it says. 

Have a great day.

Marty

Lone Ranger Christians 9/16/2021

 Good Morning, 

I am ready to write and drink a little Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee . Let's get this day started. 

From day one, the Scriptures from first to last teach us that the Christian life is to be lived within the family of faith. (Church) . The Bible does not say anything about Lone Ranger Christians. Born again, we are rebirthed into a body of believers of which Jesus is the head. 

Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.

Spiritual growth is next to impossible or down right impossible apart from membership in a healthy , well balanced Bible believing church. Within the church we are to receive the Word, be taught the Word, and teach others. It is vital that we emulate the first Christians, serving each other. 

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the entire fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 

Church membership itself does not save us. Church membership with attendance, leads us into worship, fellowship and equips us to witness to the world. It has been said that "walking into a church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than entering a garage makes you a car. We are rescued from God's wrath, forgiven all of our many sins and declared righteous before God only by His grace, through faith on Jesus Christ. 

Romans 1:17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed - A righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written "The righteous will live by faith."

By grace we were saved and not by works. Yet once saved the desire for belonging to the family for the by products of the faith should grow stronger. The desire to serve God within the family (church) is an expectation of God for us. 

Hey, not only attend a church, but join it and become part of a family of believers.

Marty

Just A Little Sugar Goes A Long Way 9/15/2021

 Good Morning,

I just settled in to the chair at my desk. There are two Springer Spaniels at my feet asleep, with full bellies and I have a hot cup of Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee at my side. 

Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

I have written before about how much I like sweet peach iced tea in the summer. Once the tea is brewed in the sun, I bring it into the house a refrigerate if for a couple hours. I bring the pitcher out to the kitchen table or counter top and begin to add sugar until I get that perfect balance. It doesn't take too much sugar to get that fruitful pitcher of summer delight just right. I add the sugar slowly and taste a little tea and add more sugar and stir. Once it is sweet enough, my world is happy happy happy. 

I liken my sweet tea experience to life for spouses, families. and friends. Every person needs some sweetness now and then. A kind deed done in love is a sweet treat for anyone. Yet there might be something still missing. A kind word goes a long long way. Like sugar that sweetens the tea, a kind word  does the same for the hearts of those around us. Please, thank you or "I appreciate all you do for me" is sugar for the heart. 

All too often our spouses, family and our friends are starving for affection, praise, or affirmation of our love for them. A spouse neglected by lack of kind words feels the need to "shake the sugar tree" and often this is done by shutting down communication, then hanging out with those who do appreciate them. Children will do the same. Friends who do not feel appreciated or important, find new friends. 

So today, don't make others shake the sugar tree. Let them know they are important by just complimenting them or just telling them how much they are appreciated. 

It doesn't take much to sweeten the pitcher of life.

Marty

Dog Tired 9/14/2021

 Good Morning,

I woke up and our two dogs decided to start playing asap. Their playfulness at 4:30 am is unbelievable. I do not possess that kind of energy anymore. I will start my day with a cup of Door Count Caramel Apple Coffee and hope for the best!

I came home from work and used an expression I heard my grandpa say after a long day of work on the railroad.  " I am dog tired and need a nap" Dogs like to sleep for about 8 hours a day. They sleep their day away, waiting for you to come home and play with them. So the expression "dog tired" eludes to the fact that they like to sleep. 

Mt wife Rene said "dog tired? You should be dog tired. You have been growling for a week. By now you have to be tired." I will admit that I have been very crabby lately and to be honest I don't know why. I didn't need to be reminded of it. I already knew that I have been out of sorts. 

I have a lot on my mind, all at one time, and I spend too much of my sleep time thinking about some of the things on my mind. I am not worrying, about anything, just working through processes for the things I need to get done. But this is no excuse for growling at people. 

I went to God's Word and found something this grumpy guy needed to hear.

John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give, So don't be troubled or afraid.

If you are dog tired, it might be because you were growling all day. Think it through or your spouse will remind you! No one likes a grumpy, crabby, guy. 

Marty

Your Ears Are Clean And Fine 9/13/2021

 Good Morning,

It's time to write again and welcome all of you to Monday. I am headed North this morning for work and it will be a long day, so my Thermos bottle is filled with Door County Caramel Latte Coffee for the long haul.

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, Do what it says. 

I do believe that at my age a hearing check up is necessary every year or at least every other year. At this time my hearing is still very good. So take care of your ears! 

That's not really the lesson of the day. I want to talk about those who attend church and listen to well prepared anointed sermons. Maybe on weekdays these same folks tune into the radio and listen to Bible passages as they drive. I would also like to include reading a Bible in these thoughts. Think about it like this.  We hear or read the Word of God, yet we nod our heads in agreement and then never do what it says to do. 

Gaining knowledge or a word from God and not applying it or using it as specified, is merely deceiving yourself into believing that you are walking with God in close fashion.  Instead you are very far from the Truth. You are as close to God as you choose to be. No one puts toothpaste on a brush just to look at it. Your ears are fine. They listen, but you lack the motivation to apply what you hear. 

So today, apply what you hear or read from God and see if all of a sudden you aren't walking a lot closer with Him

Food for thought, 

Marty 

We Can Be Sure Of One Thing. 9/12/2021

 Good Morning,

I have to dogs asleep at my feet and a hot cup of Door County Perfectly Pistachio Coffee in my mug. It is time to get this day going.

Things are forever changing in the world these days and changing so fast that a person needs to take notes just to stay sane. A few for instances. Where I live, you don't need to take a drivers education course. You pass a written test and you get a license. They wonder why we have so many terrible automobile accidents. You can steal a car and be out of jail and on the streets stealing again in 72 hours. There is a shortage of workers, not a shortage of jobs. That's a new one! History is being erased because we can't learn from our mistakes. This list could go on and on and on. 

I for one am grateful that I can grasp on to one thing that never changes and will never change.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ, is the same yesterday and today and forever.

He still is my Shepherd,  my Savior, my Lord, my Helper, my Shade. He does not sleep and is there for me 24/7, This will never change and is the one thing you can always count on. I wake up each day and know that I am loved.

So start your day with that thought.

Marty

A Home Should Be Lived In, Not Be The Source Of The Next Virus 9/11/2021

 Good Morning,

Saturday arrived, and it was right on time. There is a lot to do this weekend and just a little time to get it done. I am trying a new flavor of Coffee this morning, and It is going down smoothly. Door County Perfectly Pistachio is sitting right next to me as I write. This is the last of my series on harmony in the home. I am remembering the fallen of 911 today and their surviving families as well as those who lost their lives fighting the terrorists who orchestrated the attack God bless America. 

1 Corinthians 14:40 But all things should be done decently and in order. 

1 Timothy 3:5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?

When it comes to our house we are pretty neat people and we strive to make sure our home can accommodate unforeseen guests at most anytime. However, when we are busier than normal, things get a little cluttered. Before it gets out of hand, we both work together to de-clutter and get the place looking ship shape. If anything gets to me it is a stack of dishes left on the counter or the sink overnight. Not very often at all, but that happens in our home. This was more common when my wife was working full time working lots of extra hours at the medical center. I prepare all the food in the house and our deal for 1000 years is that I cook, she cleans the kitchen. But due to me being busy now and then I start the cooking prep the night before the meal. Thus, some dishes and pans might be left until the next morning. But to be very honest, it sets me on the course of a foul mood when I wake up and see a dirty kitchen. So we compromised. If I cook very late we both tackle the kitchen before going to bed. 

A cluttered home full of dirty dishes, a stove that needs a good cleaning, newspapers stacked and things in disarray is not an inviting place to come home to and often sets the wheels of depression in motion.  The same with a yard. If your property looks more like a junkyard than a home fitting for company, you have a problem. A home should be lived in and not necessarily be a show piece. But it should appear welcoming within reason. This is important to you as even more than it is for guests. But they do form an impression of you. Depression often leads to conflict when you have to look at the same mess day after day. 

So my dear friends, this might be a real problem in your home. Remember, you are part of a team and you need to clean up after yourself. Think it through and get on it! 

God bless,

Marty

The Home. You Are Part Of The Team 9/10/2021

 Good Morning, 

I have a busy weekend ahead and I am looking forward to seeing the outcomes from some labor of love. I have next to me a hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee and a little extra ambition.

Romans 12:10 Love on another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 

Our local NBA basketball team the Milwaukee Bucks won the championship earlier this year. I watched the team play on television and to the best of my recollection  when the ball was in play, there were always 5 players on the floor. They did not go out there with one player and expect to win the trophy.

As a team of two or ten, we must remind ourselves that we are a team in our homes. When one hurts we all should hurt. In the basketball game they pass around the ball and look for the best shot to take. Every player on the floor is important. A team that works unselfishly to put others first in being a winning team always succeeds. Everyone involved in our personal team needs to sacrifice at times for the good of the team. Isolating ourselves from the team for whatever reason, leaves one spoke out of the wheel of success and the wheel begins to wobble. Smaller problems become a bigger deal than they should be and conflict arises. The blame game begins and once that happens the defense of self starts and the old devil has the home on the rocks tilted for a landslide. 

Being a team that wins has no room for pettiness, selfishness and spite. When the team is on a losing streak, each member should go back and take note of what they have done to contribute to the losses. This means taking stock of your own deficiencies and making corrections that are best for the team.

Have a great day. 

Marty

Harmony In The Home Or Civil War? 9/8/2021

 Good Morning,

I started this day later than usual and so my blog has been delayed for a little while. My cup is filled with Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee and it is time to write.

I never was much of a musician and I really can't sing very well either. I played the accordion for a few years when I was a little boy. I played good enough to get into a band at the age of 6 but my desire soon fizzled. It's a shame that I did not continue, because I really do like hearing an accordion being played. A waltz or a polka are my two favorites. Blend the accordion in with a drum, and a few other instruments and you can have some beautiful music. The instruments played together in harmony produces some of the best music around. Have one instrument play off key, or get ahead on the music sheet and you have some pretty nasty music coming from what should be a beautiful sound,

Today my thoughts turn to harmony within a home. The harmony I speak of is the ability of a family to function in harmony together. More and more homes are shattered or riddled by lack of harmony or the ability for people to just "get along" together. 

The home should be a nurturing environment, full of love and peace despite circumstances. Many times it is anything but! The enemy is bent full throttle to destroy a family environment. The devil works hard to destroy marriages and pit spouses against each other. 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lions roams about seeking whom he may devour.

This is a sad state of affairs when a family or couple continually are torn apart. One method the devil uses to destroy a family is selfishness. We all were born with a selfish nature, and when that nature is out of control, you have a band from hell. There will be constant bickering, unkind words shared with each other and even the little things in life cannot be accomplished. Everything becomes a battle. Husband and wife are explosive. Then throw the children in the mix and you have a family at each other's throats without any fear of the consequences. You have "Civil War" Family members firing verbal assaults' at each other in unison is not a beautiful melody. 

James 3:14-16  14. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts DO NOT BE FALSE AND BOAST IN THE TRUTH. 15. This is not wisdom that comes down from above., but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16.For where jealousy and self ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 

I will be writing on harmony in the home for the next two days. I will start offering a path to a harmonious home by saying this. Unless Jesus "The Prince Of Peace" is at the center of the home all attempts to survive in the home are futile. 

Acts 16:31 And they said "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved you and your household."

This gets us pointed in the right direction. Start with your own relationship with Jesus and let Him clean up your part of the home. If this is truly done by faith, immediate fruit will be shown. If not don't, tomorrows blog will just cause you to look at the faults of others instead of your own, and cause you to not seek reconciliation.

Marty

Tomatoes For This Winter 9/7/2021

 Good Morning,

I woke up ready to start the day and I am looking forward to it. I have a plan to get my Jeep fixed today and be ready for the rest of the week. A hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee is steaming next to me. 

Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh!

Last night before going to bed my wife Rene and I finished putting up a few quarts of tomatoes for the winter. We have been blessed with enough to share with a few friends and yet we will be blessed to be eating them in chili in October. My  plan is to make some pasta sauce as well as some salsa to freeze and eat this winter. 

Just before I use some of our pantry products, I think about how Rene starts the plants from seeds and now we are dining on them and we will later. I didn't write today to brag about tomatoes in, but to commend my wife for her gentle hand on the plants and her weeding and watering. 

I asked her how and why she is so meticulous with her seedlings and she replied," Adam and Eve were placed in the garden of Eden to work. I am just carrying on an old family tradition" She thought she was funny as she laughed herself into another room. I told her to stay away from our apple trees and she laughed even harder. 

So this blog wasn't about tomatoes or apples, or Adam and Eve. The point is, we worked hard together. Then we laughed. Laughter is so important in the home. Take time to laugh with someone today. Not at someone, but with someone.

Happy Day!

Marty

What If? What Will We Do When it Happens? 9/6/2021

 Good Morning,

I am off to the field soon for some hunting. I just filled my Thermos bottle with Door County Caramel Apple Coffee and now it is time to write.

"I am an old man, and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened."                             Mark Twain

I can say for myself that I have spent many nights worrying about things I have no control over. Many times I would surpass the reality of a situation and imagine what would happen if this or that happened. I would try to solve every worst case scenario. I believe that men and women both do this.

Then either the situation dissolved itself, or there was never a situation to begin with. We worry about thigs that in many instances never happen.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Matthew 6:27 Can any one of you by worrying, add a single hour to your life?

When you find yourself worrying, is the worry actually reality or just your vivid imagination?

Have a blessed day.

Marty

What Is More Important? 9/5/2021

 Good Morning,

My head is clouded with hay fever this morning. This ailment will be gone with the first frost, and I am looking forward to that morning for sure. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Vanilla Creme Brulee Coffee and it is time to write. 

Deuteronomy 3:16 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear, it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus slipped away to a solitary place, to be alone and pray. 

When a first woke up today I heard the horn from a distant train moving closer to our home. The sound of the horn sounded lonely for some reason. I went to the kitchen and let our dogs out and poured myself a cup of coffee. Our two Springer Spaniels were looking for their food and some dog treats they receive every morning. I took care of that and then wandered to the den to write. 

I had intended on writing something else for today, but wasn't comfortable with the topic. Something just wasn't right with me. I had all ten toes, and both hands and I could see after I put on my glasses. No fever, and really not too much arthritis for the day. So then I sat down to write and there was nothing to write about. 

What was wrong with me? As I sat down to write I looked over to my right a little and there is a picture of my family. Then it came to me. I had started this day without prayer. My morning prayer time starts with being thankful and then I move on to pray for my family. If you are reading this right now and it is before you have prayed. Stop reading and go and restart the walk of this day with prayer. Time with God in prayer is much more important than reading this daily spewing of inspiration,

Once I prayed, my direction to write was given. My goal for tomorrow is to write about my first intention of  this day, not my sub standard performance today. 

Make morning prayer time a part of your wake up call. 

God bless,

Marty

Feeling Like The Out House? 9/4/2021

 Good Morning, 

Saturday it is! I am writing from inside our home today. Normally on a Saturday I write from the picnic table on our patio. The weather this morning will not allow me to do that. So with a hot cup of Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee next to me, I will begin to write.

I am going to get right to the point today. Have you ever or are you feeling like an out house? I will define out house. It is a toilet without plumbing. It is a small building without plumbing, placed over a deep pit and people go there to dispel waste from their bodies. How' is that coffee tasting right now? 

The pit is not something you would want to fall into for sure! You also would not want anything of value to fall into the cavern of poop! Recently I was told about a lady who dropped her cell phone into the cesspool and was seen trying to retrieve it by hand. I am not sure I could ever do that. 

But yet at times many people feel like the out house. The world seems to be depositing it's human waste on us. You lose a job and that isn't nice. You receive divorce papers or news that a spouse it cheating. Your new car gets stolen. You hire someone to provide a service and the service costs more than expected or the service stunk. You are feeling fine until your body lets you down. 

I am here to tell you that you are of value. And there is One who desires to reach in and pull you out of the out house. You are probably stuck with the bad service. You car might be returned or not returned. But yet Someone is willing to rescue you from the emotions of you feeling like your up to your neck in refuse and no one cares. You are worth more than a cell phone and as a matter of fact you are priceless.

Ezekiel 34:11-12 11.  "For thus says the Lord God. Behold, I, myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.  12. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep who have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 

Friends, you are loved and if you are reading this, you were prayed for this morning. I am here to say that you are loved.

God bless,

Marty

A Tradition Continues It's A Good Thing

 Good Morning,

This day will get going very early this morning and I am happy it is. I am greeting this morning with a Thermos bottle of Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee and a smile on my face. 

Genesis 27:3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. 

I will be leaving the house today with my hunting license, my shotgun and my goose calls. Yes, hunting season has begun and I am meeting up with two good friends to see if we can bring a honker or two home for the freezer. 

I started hunting at the age of ten, by walking along with my dad or grandpa. At twelve I was slinging my own gun, (not hitting much) but I was out there. It has become a tradition with me. The first real sign of fall for me. There is a time for every purpose under heaven! 

I won't shoot anything I won't eat and I enjoy watching dogs work at retrieving downed game. I like to shoot and get out of bed early! I like drinking hot coffee and a eating cookie with my friends. Most of all I will see a sunrise this morning and whatever else God has planned for us. Lord willing I will be eating goose on Sunday!!!

The point is this. Hunting is a passion of mine. I don't over hunt and I know my physical limits which are becoming less and less. I want to publicly thank God for giving me the drive to hunt and the passion to stay with it. I want to thank God for every man and woman I have ever hunted with and for every dog who gave it their all to work hard with us.

The tradition continues and I am thankful. What are you thankful for?

Marty

A Great Warrior 9/2/2021

 Good Morning,

Dawn is still escaping the horizon, yet I am wide awake and ready to hit the day hard. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee and now it is time to write. 

My computer went trough a diagnostic check the other day and the usual. "Do Not Turn Your Computer Off until completed" warning came on. Twenty minutes later it shut down after the check up was done. I then turned it back on and it went into another slow warm up and checked a few more things. Finally after 45 minutes of not being able to work, all was well and the computer was back to normal speed.

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer.

I needed to get some work done and it was the end of the day when this all started. I did walked away for a few minutes during the reboot and then came back and just watched and waited. I decided to experiment a little. I took my pulse heart rate at the start of the process. It already was higher than normal. I could feel the tension as I looked at the clock, knowing I wanted to be done with the work I needed to do and go to bed. So I checked my blood pressure on our little meter and it was also high. My blood pressure has been pretty static and now it was elevated.

Once the computer decided that ruining my health was finished my blood pressure went down and my pulse rate was back to normal. Friends I had just fought with a great warrior. PATIENCE. 

That ***##** X** is fierce in battle. My patience with being interrupted  is short to say the least. My patience with things that slow me down id even on a shorter meter. But as I proved in my primitive experiment, it had a bad impact on my body and brain. We all have to learn that in time things move on, but too often or not, they move at their pace and not ours. At times we just need to slow down and wait on things, especially the ones we do not control. 

If I had taken the time away from the computer and watching it in the spin cycle, I could have spent 20 minutes just talking to my wife, or taking the dogs outside. I bet that even while talking to my wife or being outdoors I would have been wondering if the diagnostics were finished. Instead of being frustrated and impatient, I could have viewed this time down as a blessing and time to walk away from an already frustrating day. Patience beat me up pretty badly and I lost the battle to this vicious warrior.

I could have also taken the time to pray. When fighting with patience or the lack of. Slow down and wait it out, take your turn when it comes, pray and you'll find that you beat up on Patience.

Have a great day,

Marty

Back To School 9/1/2021

 Good Morning,

Yesterday ended in prayer and this morning started in prayer. With my cup of Door County Creme Coffee at my side and two dogs sleeping on my feet, it is time to write.

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.

I don't know where the summer went, but it's time to go back to school in the United States. Reading, writing, and arithmetic will be some of the subjects kids will be taught. Some things neve change. Let us not forget those older kids starting college or returning to school. Then there are those adults, pursuing higher knowledge or are retraining to find new employment.

New back packs filled with new crayons, books and other supplies are headed to school busses. Breakfast is eaten in a hurry and young girls tie up the bathroom just to make sure they look perfect. I for one always enjoyed the start of the school year and learning wasn't always number one on my agenda, I liked to see the friends that I didn't see through the summer and get reacquainted. 

My point is this. It isn't quite the same as when I went to school. Some things are. But now the kids have to practice active shooter drills as well as tornado drills. Politics have entered the school system as we endure yet another year of Covid 19. Vaccinate, or not vaccinate? Mask worn or not worn? Go to school or learn virtually? 

I will not open a debate on these subjects today. I will however call on people of prayer to pray for the kids across the street from you. Pray for you kids and grandchildren. Commit to prayer for this school year and the people in our schools, young and old alike. Pray for the teachers who are in the same boat this morning. Our future rests in the next generations and they deserve for us to have their backs.

God bless,

Marty