Can't Stop The Music 10/17/2024

 Good Morning,

Yesterday we experienced our first freeze. To say the least it was a bit of shock to wake up in the cold since our weather has been warmer than usual. A hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee is next to me. It is time to write. 

Psalm 95:1 O come, let us sing to The Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 

This morning I woke up to a song on the radio, and it is one of those times in my life where the song melody and the lyrics are still tumbling through my mind. Maybe you have experienced it yourself. A song is played and you are either singing or humming to that tune all day. It seems that at times my mind takes over the play list and I can't get the tune out of my head. 

If you are reading this and are wondering why I am writing about this dribble, to be honest so am I. The point I am making is that just maybe someone else has the tune takeover experience as well. As people we have a lot of differences and just as many commonalities. We are surprised while conversing with someone and we talk about a destination we like to visit. The thought spurs smiles and soon we are exchanging information about that place or where we found some great food. 

I see parents walking their children to the bus stop and they chat while waiting with Little Johnny and Gertrude. They have in common that one thing, and that is they want an education for the kids and they want them to come home safely. If we can concentrate on the commonalities and less on our differences we might find our part of this world to be just a little more pleasant. So if you have a tune in your head or a jingle from a commercial the fact is, we have something in common. 

I hope yours is a happy tune today. God bless,

Marty

Thankful For The Rain 10-16-2024

 Good Morning,

There is a pot of Door County Maple Coffee brewing in the kitchen and soon there will be a cup next to me. 

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmuring or complaining. 

Our area of the world has had us experiencing a short drought. Everything had turned brown and there were even forest fire warnings and some restrictions on burning for the last month or so. We reseeded our lawn last Saturday before winter sets in. I anticipated the need to water the new seed. Since we reseeded it has rained just enough each day for the seeds to set into the plugs removed from the lawn. The rain has started to refill ponds and rivers just enough to do the job. 

One can only be thankful for this blessing and make the most of it. I pray for those who have experienced some real nasty weather as of late and suffered through hurricanes. I pray for those who lost family members in those storms and flooding. We should do what we can to help, and not complain about anything. Those suffering folks have plenty to complain about.

Complaining has become an incurable disease. People complain at times about anything or every thing. It is a bad habit and as I said it is a disease of the heart. Check yourself to see just how much you complain and about what today. Is your selfish attitude and hard heart keeping you from experiencing some joy and peace? If you are a terminal complainer, just hope God doesn't give you something to cry about and complain. 

Food for thought,

Marty

Using What You Have 10/15/2024

 Good Morning,

The old mug was filled with some very hot Door County Old Fashioned Coffee and it is doing a great job of warming me up. The coffee and a fresh crock pot of potato soup have this house smelling pretty nice. 

Genesis 1:11 And God said "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit, which is their seed, each according to it's kind, on the earth." And it was so. 

Yesterday I was able to take some more of our apples and dry them, and I will use them when I hunt to munch on in the field or the boat. They are a nice way to eat healthier and they are easy to share with your hunting partner, including that faithful retriever. 

We were blessed this year with an abundance of apples and we are also a family that doesn't like for things to go to waste in this house. We have been able to give plenty of apples away and some of our friends have turned them into bakery. I foresee an apple pie being baked tomorrow in our own home. 

My point for the day is this. Use what you are blessed with. Take some and share it with friends, family or strangers. Use what you have been given to bless others. This abundance of apples also reminds me of of the years when the apples were scarce. There is a sad feeling when hail comes down so hard that the baby apples on the trees are knocked off the branches and in the fall you barely have enough apples for one pie. 

I also trim our trees and the apple wood is used to smoke meats throughout the year.  Once again the trees provide a sweet aroma while the smoker is hot. The aroma from drying apples, baking apples, or smoking meat some how reminds me of the blessing God has given us. One of my favorite times of the year is to wake up and see the trees fully blossomed out in the spring. I have been watching for that morning for over 30 years and it never ceases to amaze me. So as the trees get ready for a long winter's rest, I look forward, (God willing) to a cup of coffee and some pink blossoms again in the spring. 

God bless,

Marty

The Wrong Sign At The Wrong Time 10/14/2024

 Good Morning,

The day has begun and there is a definite chill in the house. It just might be time to make a small fire in the hearth this morning. My Door County Old Fashioned Coffee is not quite warming me up all the way. 

Matthew 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?

Ephesians 4:6 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath. 

At this time in my country our presidential election is only a few weeks away. This election was born in strife and has definitely created a lot of tension. You can just feel it in the air. I actually believe it is bringing out the worst in people. The radio and television have been invaded by advertising campaigns for the candidates and none of them are flattering. As much as I try all the gimmicks to block unwanted phone calls, a few are still getting through to me. The door to our house seems to be the landing pad for advertisements reminding us to vote. If by now you don't know what day it is and that it is your duty and privilege to vote, you have successfully isolated yourself from the world. 

While vacationing a little last week and enjoying a get away, I stumbled upon the sign seen in the blog today. It describes just how I feel about the constant bombardment from both political parties. It is the sign of my heart and mind right now. This is not good. 

Just the other day a neighbor of ours stopped by to ask a question and when the door bell rang my first reaction to it was not nice. I immediately assumed it was a traveling contractor seeking to rip us off or another person coming to tell me who to vote for. As I approached our front door I was already in battle mode. The political rhetoric shown and or listened to has become irritating and sickening. Maybe that is the response both parties are desiring. Not too sure. But it has impacted the way I respond to people, and I need to work harder at keeping my heart clear of ill will thoughts for the process and the candidates. This includes the campaign workers. They make it difficult to listen to them and even be polite. For those who arrive at the doorstep, I will try to make sure they are offered some coffee or water even if they cross the line of badgering me. 

So my theory for surviving this onslaught is to treat others as I wish to be treated and listen politely. It's up to the callers at the door and on the phone to do the same. As I watch television I can easily change channels during the commercials or to be honest just not watch television until election day. 

Do your best to be kind even when you don't agree.

Marty

Shadows Of The Night 10/13/2024

 Good Morning,

I am sitting at my desk and the house has a little bit of a chill to it this morning. A hot cup of Door County Old Fashion Coffee will be coming my way very soon.

We have two English Springer Spaniels residing in our home and both of them are from good hunting lines and have proven themselves in the field. What I find to be a little bit funny is that when they go outside at night and actually see their shadows, they come in a little closer to me and aren't so willing to move on ahead. They are spooked by their own shadows and mine.

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

In this world we raise our children to be fearless and to be able to forge ahead in any situation. I believe that raising them to be fearless and to have a staunch attitude is a good thing. But I also believe that we should be teach them to fear the consequences of the shadows of evil. One step in the wrong direction at a party of kids just hanging around, can be fatal. Illegal drugs laced with Fentanyl are deadly and the drug should be feared.  We should teach our children to run from the dark shadows of the drug world.

Damage done by drug use has a long lasting impact and some kids never bounce back. Worse yet they become property owners in a cemetery. Parents, don't be afraid to show your children the statistics, photos, and any other sources you can find to get the point across that drugs are illegal and dangerous. It is better for them to be called a sissy than to be called deceased.

Have a great day and keep your children close. 

Marty 

A Sweet Disposition 10/12/2024

 Good Morning,

It is a great day to be alive. I just poured some Door County Cherry Creme Coffee into my cup and it is time to write. 

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; 23. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. 

Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

When we look at ourselves in the mirror in the morning, what do we see? Does our imagination take over and convince us that the person we see who just woke up is a sweet, mannered, loving and a cuddly person? Or do we see a hard to start, crabby individual who should be avoided until fed and sweetened by some coffee?

In this world we will all encounter a morning or two that finds us out of sorts and unapproachable. This my friends is not a way to start every day. Times can be tough, but those around us were not sent our way to be a verbal punching bag. When we start our day with making someone else feel small and unappreciated we forget that God placed that person in our path and every morning is a gift from God. If people have to wonder when our disposition will improve, we are not appreciating another new day for ourselves. But worse yet, we are ruining the start of the day for someone else. We rain on their morning parade. No where can I find supporting literature that says we should wake up and start ruining another persons day, just because we are not happy.

So, suck it up and before you ruin the day for someone else by waking up the monster within, add more sugar to your coffee and pray to take away the ugly side of your disposition.

Marty

Surrounded Isn't Always A Bad Thing 10/11/2024

 Good Morning,

My choice of coffee today is Door County Cherry Creme and it is time to write. 

I have watched a lot of movies in my life time and not one of the action thrillers ever shows being surrounded as a good thing. For instance a movie about World War Two might have a platoon surrounded by 500 of their enemy soldiers and I never heard one of the outnumbered group say " What an opportunity to be brave and fight without enough ammunition." Usually they have a somber attitude and realize that they might not make it out alive or they might be captured. 

Let's not dwell on the negative this Friday, but lets think about being surrounded by God's presence. glory, peace, provisions, and love. We might be between a rock and a hard place in life, yet God is with us. His glory goes through the rough times with us and we are never alone nor are we without hope. 

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 

John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart I have overcome the world."

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ. 

Hebrews 13:14 For this is not our home, we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven. 

Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold you with my righteous right hand." 

Food for thought, 

Marty

The Right Road Might Have Some Hills 10/10/2024

 Good Morning,

I am very satisfied to be home and drinking a hot cup of Door County Inn Keepers Blend Coffee.

For the last three days my wife Rene and I have been traveling in Door County Wisconsin. We were taking our annual fall trip to the area. We had no specific plans and just managed by heading North and taking roads that were filled with fall colors. We made random stops here and there to take a picture or explore different things we encountered. 

The scenery on the country roads was perfect and Lake Michigan did it's part to add a shimmer to the sunrise and sunsets. Now country roads are nothing like a highway, and more often than not they are hilly, with many turns.

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life, in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more. 

We spent an hour or so in a small town and enjoyed their farmers market. Again we had no idea when we stopped that we would dine on some home made Swedish meatballs, purchase an alpaca sweater and talk duck hunting with a local hunter.  Everything we did was pretty much at random. We consulted a GPS to occasionally get back to the road that led us to our hotel, but mostly we just found our way by knowing the position of the sun.

The beautiful roads reminded me how much God has allowed me to see, and witness during my life. But as with the roads, life's journey has had some hills to climb. But even while climbing the hills of life, God was there to show me the way to the end. He is there from the beginning to the end. The right road isn't always the easiest, yet God's road is best. Even during a climb, we should stop and take in the experience. In His presence there is joy despite the climb.  

Food for thought!

Marty

It Is Important 10-9-2024

 Good Morning, 

I am awake and at it early this morning. I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee.

God has a lot to say within the Bible. He especially has written many assurances of His love for us. If God states it and especially over and over we should pay heed to His claims.

In Zephania 3:17 we find that God is in our midst and He rejoices over us. God actillually sings.

Zephania 3:17 The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. 

So today as you go about your business, know that you are loved more than you can imagine. 

Have a great day.

Marty 

Answered Prayer 10-8-2024

 Good Morning.

My wife Rene and I are visiting Door County Wisconsin. As I sit here in the dark writing my blog, I am enjoying some hot Door County Cherry Creme Coffee. 

We have been praying for a dear friend to be able to obtain a job for few months. Today, he starts a new job and I just finished praying for him. 

For a long time he was turned down for even the most menial labor. He stayed patient and waited for God to provide.

My friend kept busy with chores around his home. We would chat almost every day and pray for him to find a job. 

God gave him a good job with decent pay. It is made for him.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call out to me and I will answer you. I will show you great and mighty things which you have not known.

So as I close this for today, I say never give up and pray often.

God bless.

Marty

Starting The Week Off Right 10/7/2024

 Good Morning, 

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

Monday arrived as promised and it did not surprise me at all to the fact that I feel tired after a weekend filled with hunting and chores. We also helped to host a dinner at church on Saturday evening. I think I need a weekend to relax from this last one.

My day began with prayer and a Scripture verse that I want to share. 

Psalm 4:8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. 

So to begin my week I promise to do my best not to worry about things I cannot control. I will pray before I fret, not after the fretting has started. I will be more appreciative of what I have been blessed with. I will thank others for their role in being part of my new week. 

I will count each minute of this week as a blessing. I will find my rest in the Lord.

Have a great week,

Marty

The Older The Violin The Sweeter The Music 10/6/2024

 Good Morning,

Once again I am headed to the duck hunting spot of my choice with a nephew and a hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee. 

2 Corinthians 4:16 GW That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. 

Yesterday while running some errands in my truck I heard a song on the radio sung by Hank Thompson. Country music always sounds better when you are in your truck. The title of the song was "The Older The Violin, The Sweeter The Music"

I am not a young whipper snapper any longer, but I am not exactly ancient yet. My wife remarked just the other day how much she dislikes getting older and what getting older brings with it. I told her about the song by Hank Thompson to make her feel better about our senioritis. I am not so sure that my attempt was appreciated, but it did wonders for me. I found a list of things that get better with age. 

1. Whiskey at a minimum is aged at least three years. 

2. Cheddar Cheese

3. Jeans, get softer with each wash and look better when they are a little stretched out.

4. Cast Iron Skillets.

5. Beef dry- aged beef's enzymes break down fibers to make beef more tender. 

6. Balsamic Vinegar. Similar to wine the vinegar is aged and sometimes not bottled for twelve years. The vinegar becomes stronger with age. 

7. Fine leather becomes softer with time and wear. That's why the old sofa feels so good during a nap. 

8. Pickles. This dill delight lasts for at least a year and with the aging allows them to soak up more nutrients. 

9. Flannel sheets. These sheets lose their scratchiness with more washes and then become a good friend to us on a cold snowy night. 

10. Wine is always better when it is aged to perfection.

My friends, you become better with each day. You get smarter, wiser, thriftier, more successful, more patient, and you might just be able to dance better. You have more advice to give, and you don't get worked up over rumors. You my friends are a fine vintage.

God bless.

Marty

Sometimes It Is Better To Walk Away 10/5/2024

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Autumn Spice Coffee. I was supposed to have imbibed on this yesterday while duck hunting. I left my Thermos bottle in the truck and much to my disappointment I was in the swamp minus my coffee. Not one to waste anything, I reheated the contents of the Thermos bottle and yesterday's coffee is still good today. 

Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath, it only causes harm.

Just a thought for today. In a city not too far away, an argument between two people expanded to include a few more angry people. The end result was two people were killed and a few wounded. The news releases never tell what started the argument. They did not say how many people were shooting guns. But it all started with two angry people shooting off their mouths. This is a prefect example of "Better to walk away". This applies to life in general and most arguments do not end in a shooting. But we tend to want to have the last word in a disagreement that has turned into an argument. Our anger is hot and ignites our mouths into word weapons that are intended to hurt the other person. The "word shot" comes out of our mouths and lands a heart crippling blow to the other combatant. 

So here is my point. When an argument is getting heated and you are forming sentences in your head to say that will hurt, or your plans include never backing down from your stance, you should just walk away and cool down. Spend some time in prayer and seek the counsel of God. Ask Him to help you cool down. If the anger is at this point you have probably already said some things that even if you meant them were said with added anger from within. Nothing positive is accomplished after an angry tongue lashing. The added anger tends to have people say things that come from deep within and should never be said. 

So my friends, you can tell when the anger meter is pegged in a discussion/argument. Stop, walk away and seek time in prayer and Scripture. Keep the dangerous tongue in it's holster. An uncontrolled tongue only leads to murder in the heart. 

Marty

Is There A Draft In The House? 10/4/2024

 Good Morning,

I hot cup of Door County Caramel Apple Coffee will be with me in the duck blind this morning. It is time to write. 

1Peter5:8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

We experienced a couple cool mornings, but nothing that was very cold as what we are accustomed to at this time of the year. Our house is pretty well sealed up for cold wind, snow and rain. The cold air is pretty much kept away from us. A couple nights ago however, I was asleep,  it felt cold and the air had a little nip to it. The back door had popped open. I believe that it did not get closed all the way after our dogs came in from being outside. So basically, we let the cold air in, by leaving a door ajar. 

My point for the day is this. All too often we leave the doors open to our homes spiritually. We allow junk to come in and pollute our minds, hearts and souls. We have become desensitized to the media and entertainment that we tolerate filth and less wholesome entertainment in our homes. We allow the seal to be broken on our hearts, and minds. It is important that we guard our hearts against the cold of sin and close the door on evil. 

Food for thought on a Friday. 

Marty

Make Sure To Clean Your Ears 10/3/2024

 Good Morning,

My day began without any coffee. I will be having my annual laboratory tests taken today and it is fasting for me until early this afternoon. 

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that may now how to answer each person.

As a child, and when I was able to take a bath for myself, every adult who had any  authority over me was always concerned as to whether or not my ears and their surrounding skin was washed and cleaned.  "Did you wash behind your ears?" was the announcement just before the inspection took place. I swear that in those days people were OCD over ears. 

Now, over sixty years later I find myself at times wondering if the people I am talking to, have washed behind their ears and if the crud of the ears has overrun their ability to hear and listen. People are so opinionated and stubborn now that they just don't listen to others who also have a valid point. Interrupting one another while we should give time to listening, is just plain rude.  I watched a televised debate between two men vying for the position of vice president of the United States the other night. I spent a lot of time checking out my television. I wasn't hearing the sound very well. No one was talking over the other candidate and shouting at each other. No name calling was taking place. I thought I had tuned into the wrong channel. They were professional, listening to the other candidate and then responding when it was their turn. The moderators were just that, "moderators" not referees to a shouting match of non professionalism. 

Better rebuttals were given by both candidates because they listened and at times agreed. Or disagreed in a way that was not nasty. 

There is a time to clean your ears and listen and a time to respond. Let's make today a day when we listen more and speak less. 

God bless,

Marty

A Short Thought For Wednesday 10/2/2024

 Good Morning,

As I sit here at my desk with a hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee I am deep in thought and prayer. 

James 4:13-15 ESV Come now, you who say, " Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit-" 14. yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

Photo Credit. Bonnie Ritter, 

If I were to give some advice and share my thoughts it would be for everyone to take a moment today and hug your family, and let them know they are loved. You as well are important to someone and if they desire to treat you nicely, accept the gift and say thank you. 

Tomorrow has a way of sneaking away from us and for some tomorrow may never come. So eat well, pray often and share a kind word with those you love.

God bless,

Marty

Marriage Is Not A Tennis Match 10/1/2024

 Good Morning,

My pot of Door County Cherry Creme Coffee is finished brewing. I filled my cup and it is time to write. 

I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking. it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Back  up a few months ago a young man asked me if there were any lessons learned from our marriage of over 1000 years. I told him that I have been the recipient on many lessons learned in marriage. I asked him if either of them was competitive. He smiled and said that they were both competitive.

I then asked him if they played any board games and if they kept score to see who won. His reply was this. "The games are fun until we have to keep score. Once the game gets close to being over we tend to challenge each other more. The results have been nasty at times".

I gave him a little advice. "Never keep score in your marriage. Don't keep an account of wrongs or rights. Once the score keeping starts, the sacrificial love between the two is over, "It's your turn to watch the kids after you do the dishes." You spent how much money on a hat? Well I want new car seat covers.  It will cost less than your hat:" 

Keeping score will always remind you when you were on the short end of the marriage partnership. Keeping score brings back anger, hurt and bad memories. When you keep score in a marriage, someone always loses. 

Food for thought. 

Marty