A Chicken And Dumpling Day 11/7/2023

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to write and next to me is a hot cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee. Our two dogs have been fed and the house is warming up. It is time to write. 

Job 1:4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their sisters to eat and drink with them. 

Our mother had a few recipes that we as siblings agreed were her best meal delights. One of those dishes was her chicken and dumplings. When she would ask me what she could make when I visited my parents, I would always ask for chicken and dumplings. Our dad always agreed with that choice. The chicken and dumplings were one of his favorites as well. 

Today we would be celebrating our dad's birthday. When we were younger and his birthday came around he never really made a big deal out of it. As he aged I think he realized that celebrating his birthday was more important for us, than it was to him. He stopped objecting to making attempts to celebrate and show our love for him. He would let us take him out for a nice prime rib dinner or a pizza. He never objected to having a cake. Dad had a sweet tooth. In his later years when we would gather for His birthday, Dad would say, "If your  mom were still with us, we would be eating chicken and dumplings." Myself and my two siblings should have sat down and learned just how she made that dish. Better yet we should have had her write down her recipe.

My points for today are this. If there is something you like and it requires mom's recipe, take the time to learn. Write it down. There are recipes for chicken and dumplings, but they aren't the same as mom's. Point number two is this. Take time to celebrate with your family. Let them celebrate you. You might not like to do it, but honor their love for you and celebrate. 

God Bless,

Marty

Waking Up To A Song 11/6/2023

 Good Morning,

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee. I have to work today so I will be taking some more coffee on the road with me. 

When the radio alarm clock shouted at me this morning it was playing Christmas tunes and it set my mind in motion. I am sure many of you have experienced hearing a tune and then it stays with you all day. What this song reminded me of is my wife Rene. She likes to listen to her music with the volume cranked up. She really never sings along to a song unless she believes she is alone.

I recall walking into the house many years ago and the music was blaring a Mariah Carey Christmas tune. Rene had no idea I was in the house.  I made it to the loft of our home and watched her dance and belt out that tune for a minute. She still had no idea that she was not alone. She happened to look up to the loft and I waved to her. I asked her if she really liked that song and she replied " I just Love Christmas". 

My point for the day is this. I am not sure what today will bring to anyone. But it never hurts to revive a good memory and have a laugh or enjoy a smile.

Philippians 4:8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. 

Enjoy that special place in your memory vault and pass on a smile to others.

Marty

A Blanket Of Frost 11/5/2023

 Good Morning,

The cup of Door County Country Morning Blend Coffee that I filled up a little bit ago is almost gone. It is time to write. 

Overnight the temperature dropped enough to give is a blanket of frost on the roof tops and on the ground. It reminds me that despite the affairs of the world, our God is still in control and he blankets us with His love. Today my message will be short and sweet. 

It is one thing to be loved. It is another to know you are loved. God proved His love for us when He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our wrongs and provide eternal life for those who place their faith in Him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. 

These three passages written above prove God's love for us and are most reassuring to me as I sit in the quiet and thank Him for answered prayers.

Marty

Good Old Elvis 11/4/2023

 Good Morning,

I pray this day is a blessing to all who are reading this today. I am very content while drinking a hot cup of Door County Country Morning Blend Coffee. 

Psalm 71:23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. 

November is upon us now and the radio in my car has and will be playing Christmas music for the next two months. Some say that this is too early for the Christmas tunes. But as for me and I stand alone on this  in our home, I enjoy Christmas and I like the music it brings. 

There aren't a lot of new Christmas tunes being written anymore. So the old ones of my childhood are still being played. So not only do I get to enjoy the music, I also can get pretty nostalgic during a song. Sometimes the song will remind me of the people of my past or a time that was so nice you wish you could go back and do it again one more time. 

The first tune of this season that I listened to was Silent Night and it was sung by Elvis Presley. This particular song has been recorded by a myriad of music artists. But listening to Elvis croon his way through Silent Night made me stop and think. It also made me count my blessings for the week, one by one. 

I challenge all of you to enjoy some Christmas music. For a minute or two my mind was cleared of the worries and woes of the day and  there was peace on my mind. Take a Christmas escape and clear your thoughts. The music was a resort for the mind!

Marty

Drought Recovery 11/3/2023

 Good Morning. 

My day started slowly this morning. For some reason I just can't seem to get myself into faster motion. I am sitting at me desk with a large mug of Door County Toasted Praline Coffee and it is time to write. The area of the United States where we live had been in a rough drought. We were many inches of rainfall short of what was needed. But, little by little and at times with some heavy rain storms our land recovered from the drought. As we head into winter and I look outside the grass is still green. Last week despite the cold my wife Rene had to mow the lawn. I spent some time in prayer asking God for more rain this summer and He answered the prayers of many people. 

What I want to talk about today is the spiritual droughts that we endure. A natural rain drought is something that we have no control over and there isn't much you can do about it. But a spiritual drought is something you control and most often it is by your own choice to be spiritually barren. We are as close to God as we choose to be. Yet, there are times when a spiritual drought is sent to us by God. Like plants, the roots grow in deeper to the ground seeking moisture and food. In a drought of loneliness and spiritual wandering we encounter a deeper thirst for God.

Psalm 63:1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek you. My soul thirsts  for you.; My flesh longs for You, In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. 

As if we were wandering in a hot desert, our body and soul would seek water with a great passion. Only water can cure a thirst. If we are in a time of spiritual drought, do we seek sources of relief from the world and our own desires? Or do we seek out the One who can end the drought in our hearts. Do we seek Him 24 hours a day with an unquenchable passion for spiritual peace and satisfaction? 

We are as close to God as we choose to be. 

Marty

There Was Snow On The Roses. 11/2/2023

 Good Morning, 

A hot cup of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee is steaming next to me while it entertains my taste buds. It is time for me to write. 

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

I took this photo yesterday morning after a mild snow storm from Tuesday visited our area of the world. The last flowers in my wife's garden belonged to a pink tea rose bush. All summer long it blossomed on and off. It was always overshadowed by the larger plants. Now at the end of the fall season and headed toward winter, the littlest plant is still blooming. It fought right to the end and still blossomed with snow decorating its leaves and branches. It will be trimmed a little today and covered up to rest through the winter. 

My point for the day. Don't overlook the smaller and younger folks that are stuck in the middle of the more powerful and louder folks. They can be, and often are great contributors to any cause. The little rose wasn't seen much this last summer. But it was the last one to make me smile. Appearance doesn't  always tell the whole story. 

Marty 

The Snow Came And It Was Good 11/1/2023

 Good Morning,

I was outside for a few minutes with our dogs and happily retreated inside to a hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee and the warmth of a fire. It is time to write.

Yesterday and last night we experienced the first snow of the season and it was enough to measure. Our two dogs enjoyed being in it and it was good to see them run and play. The snow was like a white blanket when I stepped outside with my cup of coffee this morning. For me, I felt like it even made the air smell better. It really emphasized the beginning of a new day. 

I am sure there will be a few people who will agree with my thoughts today. That blanket of snow covered anything that was on the ground and now is under the snow. You might be over burdened today and a new start is what you need. It is time to push the restart button in life. Make the things of the old days disappear and start anew this day as fresh as the snow. Bury old habits and mistakes and commit to new good habits and other wholesome actions. If a new location in life is warranted make sure to have God show you where. If new thoughts are in order ask God to share his thoughts, but surrender to having God wipe away the mistakes and ask Him to show you the way of life and His thoughts on your life and it's goals, purposes, and directions.

Isaiah 55:8 -12 8."For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," Declares the Lord. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 10. As the rain and snow come down from the heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and make it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11. so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you and all of the trees will clap their hands. 

In order for this to happen you must be humble and let God show you where and what He wants you to do. Go to the land that He will show you. Make this day a new one. Hit the refresh button. 

God bless,

Marty