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