It's Not Complicated 6/3/2026

 Good Morning,

I am at my desk and the sun is coming up. It looks to be a very nice day. I think I will have another cup of Door County Bourbon Vanilla Creme Coffee and then I will write.

In my den are many books that have been read for sheer entertainment , knowledge , and spiritual growth. There are a few there to improve my hunting knowledge and to make me laugh. I enjoy reding a funny book now and then. 

I have many books written to improve my Christin walk or to help others. There are books on prayer, grieving, forgiving, and living a walk worthy of a Christian. They are all good books and I spend a little more time in the winter reading than I do in the summer months. It seems that cold weather, fireplaces and a book just go together. 

But in all those books on "The Christian Walk" There is nothing like reading the BOOK. 

The Bible is God's inspired word on paper.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

Another passage that makes it simple for me to know what God desires from us is found in the Old Testament. 

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercy,and to walk humbly with your God. 

Food for thought. What really matters is not the size of the library, but what matters is one book and one book only. The rest are just there to decorate a book case.

Food for thought!

Marty

Gone Too Soon. Enjoy Them While You Can. 6/2/2026

 Good Morning,

I said to myself a few minutes ago "This Door County Toffee Pretzel Coffee tastes mighty fine this morning. It must be time to write."

When we layed out where our flower gardens would go it was decided to place the largest one so it could be seen from the road that passs by our home. This way those walking by or driving to and from their destination. We get a few compliments now and then from people who enjoy the view and fragrance from our work.That is all well and good. But!

Psalm 104:24 ESV O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all.; The earth is full of your creatures.

One plant in particular is now in bloom and soon it will be once again dormant, not to bloom until next year. It happens to be a favorite for both of us. The flowered site is also located in a way that we really cannot view it unless we go outside. In a few more weeks some wild flowers will be visible from our window. But the real beauty is hidden away from us. My wife Rene always says "Enjoy them while you can. Walk out and see them and enjoy the lavender fragrance as well." 

If I could redo the placement of the flower bed it would be right outside our kitchen window, very visible to us. The cost to move it would be too expensive to do so, and too late in life to disrupt the yard. I guess I will live with my mistake  and yet still beautify the scene from the road for others.

My point in all this is for us is to take some time and smell the flowers, before all the petals have fallen. Take an extra moment to enjoy the beauty given from above. And then look forward to next year and maybe plant some bulbs closer to the window!

God bless,

Marty

How Is The Welcome To Your Home? 6/1/2026

 Good Morning,

My cup was just filled with Door County Toffee Pretzel Coffee and it is time to write.

Philippians 2:3 NKJV Let nothing be done through selfish ambition and conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 

Today as I write I am challenged by my own thoughts. I believe that the one person this is intended for is me. How do we  or just me greet those who come to your door? Do they get the impression that they are an inconvenience to your day or do they feel welcome enough to stay for awhile? Do you answer the door with a smile or a frown? Do your neighbors know that your home is open and can be a source of help and refuge? Does a stranger feel like they would want to come back after visiting with you?

As you read this and I write this, you and only you know if it truly applies to you. That is between you and God. But it is truly truly food for thought.

Hebrews 13:1-2 NKJV Let brotherly love continue. 2. Don't forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some unwittingly have entertained angels. 

I will leave the porch light on!

God bless, 

Marty

Judge Not. 5/31/2026

 Good Morning,

The air is cool and crisp this morning. My hot cup of Door County Hazelnut Coffee stepped up to warm up my morning. It is time for me to write.

Quite a few years ago I went to pick up my wife Rene from work. We were going to shop for a new car for her. The day was super hot outside and before I picked her up I decided to purchase a cold Dr. Pepper for her.

Matthew 7:1 NKJV Judge not that, you be not judged .

I pulled into the parking lot of a Walgreens and as I approached the front door a man with a sign greeted me. The sign said "In Need Of Food. Please Help." 

I had a five dollar bill in my pocket and felt that I should help this man out. He had a white cane and was wearing dark glasses. He played the role of being totally blind. When I greeted him, he asked me how much I was dropping into his collection can. He said, "I cannot tell how much you have given me. So I don't know how much I have to spend for food. I am blind. Change is easier to tell how much is in the can by the size of the coin." 

I did not have any change and offered to go into the store to obtain coins. He told me not to bother, just knowing there was five dollars was good enough. He thanked me and I went in for the Dr. Pepper.

When I came back outside I now had 50 cents in change and was going to donate that as well. But my blind poor soul was driving away on a bicycle into extreme traffic. He wasn't blind at all. I was scammed. 

My wife was happy to have that cold soda. She listened to my account of the smarter than me beggar and how I was angry. "I said to her "this guy is probably just going to buy some drugs or alcohol with my money." Rene said to me. "Just be glad that you never had to ask for money and scam other people. Don't be so quick to judge. You don't know what brought the man to need to beg. Just be glad that you never knew what it was to be addicted to something or just plain out of work and needing something to eat." 

I never knew that my kind act to the not so blind guy was going to get me chewed out by Rene.

The point for the day is this. I jumped to a conclusion without knowing why a man was desperate enough to lie and beg. It really was none of my business. I was out 5 dollars or was I? I helped someone for the right reason and learned a lesson on not judging others. The whole scenario was between God, the beggar and I believe I was included to see what kind of heart I had without writing my own conclusions.

Look before you leap.!!

Marty

Credit Given Where Credit Is Due

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Hazelnut Coffee and it is enticing me to a pour a second cup. I am positive I will cave in to the pressure.

Proverbs 3:27 ESV Do not withhold good to those to whom it is due, when it is within your power to do so. 

Our yard has started to take shape as far as the the greenery and shrubbery is concerned. My wife Rene has been working on it at a steady pace. Our grass is another story. For some reason or another the harsh winter caused a lot of lawn damage. That will be fixed in the fall and that is my job. 

Back to the flowers. I cannot take any credit for the way the flowers turned out. Rene did all of that on her own and the best is yet to come. She worked diligently and all I was there for was to lift the potting soil bags from the truck to a work table in the garage. She pots the flowers in junk she has collected. She has an eye for repurposing things. 

The point for the day is this. when someone does something and it turns out great, make sure to give them some credit or applause for what they accomplished. Always share a compliment and a thank you for a job well done. Most of the time, people will not blow there own horn and are pleased just to admire their own work. But extend a word of praise and gratitude and watch the smile you receive in return. 

I am enjoying a great view this morning and all I can say is this. "Nice job Babe.

 Marty

You Are Missed 5/29/2026

 Good Morning,

My coffee mug ws just filled with hot water this morning. I am doing a medical fasting for some routine blood work so no coffee for me until later. The hot water is a placebo and is warming me up on this cool morning. 

Yesterday I attended a retirement celebration for a former coworker of mine. I am so glad that I attended it, and to say the least I had a very nice time. Also attending were many other former coworkers of mine. It has been a few years now since I have seen some of them. The farewell was more of a reunion. 

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 niv  I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13.That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil. This is the gift from God

As a drove home from the party, I could not help but to pray and ask God to bless that group as only He can. There were a few empty places from some who decided not to attend or just could not make it. I can say this, until last night I never really thought too much about being retired from a company who employed me for 39 years. My job was a good one and the pay and benefits were nice. 

But last night made things clearer for me as I pondered the event. The best part of the job was working with good people. It was the  interactions with all those who crossed my path. As I sit here writing today, I see now, more than ever that it was those folks and there were many who I interacted with over the years that God blessed me with experiencing. The party was nice, but it also triggered the emotions of just how much I miss working with those folks. 

I look up with a wet eye this morning and a smile. If I worked with you, you were and still are a blessing to me.

Have a great day!

Marty

Are You Anchored? 5/28/2026

 Good Morning,

My mug was just filled with Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee and it is time to write. 

Our neighbor is a lady of prayer and yesterday she sent my wife and I a quote she came across. 

"I want to be so anchored in Christ that chaos around me does not produce chaos within me." Mindful Christianity Paul Bane.

In today's world it can be so easy to come unglued from the stress of world events, such as wars, civil unrest, monetary woes, and danger from plain old lawlessness. 

A few years ago while vacationing in Virginia, we toured the USS Wisconsin. The Wisconsin is a World War 2 battleship docked in Virginia and is by far one of the biggest ships I have ever seen. I was amazed at the size of the sea anchors and chains that were used to stable the ship when needed and hold it in place. 

This quote made me think about the anchor that Christ is in our lives.It wouldn't take too much for people to spin out of control these days and then be fodder for chaos to enter our hearts, minds, and souls. Yet we are wrapped in the arms of His love and guided through troubling times. Jesus can keep us steady during times of despair, anger, doubt and fear. 

But in order to have that stability we  need to let Jesus drop His anchor and let Him steer the ship of our days, weeks, months and years. 

Hebrews 6:19 NIV We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

Food for thought. Are you anchored in Christ Jesus? 

Marty