Is Your Fear Louder Than Your Faith? 11/3/2026

 Good Morning,

I will be going to work the voting polls for the last time this year. We will see what the election process will need next year. Anyway though my Insulated Bottle is filled with Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee.  I think it will come in handy later tonight. 

One thing I don't like is loud sound that blocks me from hearing other things. Loud tractors, televisions that are way too loud get to me. Too many voices at one time where it is impossible to sort out what they are saying just helps me to disengage.

1Kings 19:11-12 ESV.

And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord" And behold, the Lord passed by. and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.

This brings me to the thought of the day. We might be going through tight times or times of stress. Times when our own anger compels us to be loud. If we are constantly talking, we at times cannot hear when God is directing us. Some people when they get nervous are another form of noise. They are waiting on God, yet chatter with negative comments, like."How can this be? Where is God? What do you think I should do?" Most of the time when the conversation with God is not really happening it is because our fear has taken over. We tried God and nothing happened in our time frame. So we move on, chatting up anyone who will listen. We place our faith in man and ourselves. Soon, we just can't find our faith and we blame God for becoming distant. The noise we raise just drowns out the voice of God. 

My friends. God hasn't moved. But we have, out of fear drowned Him out. We are are own worse megaphone..A sign of faith is often how quiet you are as you wait on the Lord

Food for thought!

Marty 

Say Something Funny To Me 11/2/2026

 Good Morning!

My chair is holding me up this morning, The lights in the den are turned on and they are bright. My Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee is ready to drink and it is time to write.

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Tomorrow I will be working the voting polls for the last election of the year. In the United States we are holding what is labeled as the "Mid Term Elections."

For the last month our radios, and our televisions have been captured with advertising, mud slinging, and other voter campaign jargon. The Nightly News broadcasts have all been centered on the elections and who is who. They make predictions on the outcomes to the point that I would rather watch reruns of old sitcoms. Some of the rhetoric is down right nasty and if you weren't worried about the world, you are worried, depressed, angry, and doubtful after an hour in front of the television.

So today, I challenge you all and those from other parts of the world to make this "Say something nice to someone day.  Or make someone laugh today. Share a story of good. Go out of your way to be nice. If you like being sick to your stomach, watch television. One more day of tearing people down verbally and visually. Listen to music of your own choice and commercial free. 

God bless,

Marty

Changing The Time On The Clocks.11/1/2026

 Good Morning,

Colossians 3:13 ESV Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 

Last night in the United States we turned back the clocks 1 hour until we set them ahead in the spring. My wife Rene and I have our assignments as to who sets back certain clocks. She resets the kitchen clocks, wall, stove and microwave. She then resets the alarm clocks. My job is to reset the clocks in the truck and her car. Last but not least is the clock over my desk. This clock was given to us for a wedding present. It needs to be disassembled to do the chore and then reassembled. So that one has been my responsibility to change the time as well as the battery twice a year. So 80 times I have changed the time on this clock. 

What's my point for the day? Time does not stop for anyone and this clock has been faithful to point that out. 

With each day that we neglect to forgive one who needs to be forgiven we waste another day not being whole ourselves. Some day the clock of your life will stop and you leave behind the hurt of not forgiving. The one who needs to be forgiven  will never know the freedom that you can give now by truly forgiving them. The clock ticks on and another day goes by and you carry the burden of a heavy and possibly angry heart. 

Lighten the load of your heart  and forgive today.

Marty

That One Uncle Or Aunt 10/31/2026

 Good Morning!!!

I will be heading out soon to meet with friends todo some goose hunting, I have been looking forward to drinking some hot Door County Cherry Creme Coffee from the inside of the goose blind we built a few months ago. 

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

I was listening to a radio station in my truck and the song that was playing  spoke about an uncle. In the song Memphis by Johnny Rivers is a line about a man who missed a call from his daughter. He knew about the call because his uncle took the message and wrote the message on the wall.

That song always reminds me of an uncle of mine who would have no problem writing on the kitchen wall because of lack of paper. The call was important so the uncle sacrificed the wall. 

Everyone should have an aunt or uncle who at times bends the rules a bit. Then helps you try your first Pepsi. Aunts like the prodigal uncle make you your favorite dishes. They too break a few rules now and then. 

If they are believers, watch them as they pray and take care of you. 

Everyone should have some relatives like that. You never have to second guess their love for you. They show it by just showing up when needed. They will tolerate 4 hours of Lizzy McGuire tunes while driving to deer camp.

When it comes to fighting the world, you want them on your side. Parents are always first and should be. But when needed, the uncle and aunt that just defies others to mess with you is a handy pair of Aces

Just remember, God loves You and by his design He has shown you how crazy can be appreciated. 

God blessed you and your relatives. 

Pray for them. 

Marty

Some Heroes Are Never Acknowledged 10/30/2026

 Good Morning, 

I am really going to enjoy a hot cup of Door County Spiced Apple Pie Coffee in a few minutes from now. 

I mentioned this week that I have been working the early voting at our town hall for a few shifts. I have seen a lot of people who have amazed me and then the others who just seem to complain no matter what you do. 

I shared an observation with one of my co-workers as to how impressed I am with the elderly and older generation. Some of our aged friends are crippled up and obviously in pain. Yet their commitment to our country, state, and city runs so deep that they endure this pain to practice their freedom to vote. They do not take voting for granted and by gosh they walk or ride in a wheel chair and never really ask for help. They don't complain and are thankful for whatever we do to make voting easier for them. 

I wonder about those who do not have a reason to skip voting and take advantage of our freedoms. This is surprising, especially for Christians. No. The Bible does not tell us to vote. But it does tell us to be good citizens. And being a good citizen in my mind is for believers to vote. 

Esther 10:3 NIV Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by many of his fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. 

Food for thought. Your missing vote just shows yourself to be selfish.

God bless,

Marty

Sharpening The Knives In Our House 10/29/2026

 Good Morning, 

My insulated bottle will be filled with Door County Irish Cream Coffee in aa few minutes. I will have a travel mug in my truck. Hot coffee and some easy listening music will give me a few minutes of travel peace. 

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of a friend. 

While watching the Baseball World Series last night I sharpened a few knives while I was enjoying a great game. 

A dull knife is very irritating when you are in a hurry and trying to cut something. I had noticed a few knives in our home that needed attention.

I could not help but think about friends that I have who in my lifetime have challenged me to stay sharp and positive instead of  just the opposite. A good friend tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. They will stand up to you when you are wrong and let you know that you are walking afoul.

Just like sharpening a knife uses iron or a stone to hone the metal of the knife blade, a good friend might need to be abrasive in his quest to keep you at your best. 

Do you accept the honing of a friend as accountability or do you resist it? 

Are you willing to speak up and challenge a friend who needs to straighten up?

Food for thought.

Marty

Tracing Your Tracks Back To Safety.10/28/2026

 Good Morning, 

It's Door County Cherry Creme in my cup this morning and a mini orange for breakfast. 

I wish I could remember all the lessons I learned from my grandfather and my dad. They were all about making sure that I knew how to handle myself in the woods while hunting or foraging. One lesson was easy to learn and trust. When walking in snow, stop now and then to make a cross in the snow every 100 yards or so, Make it deep and distinct. Then walk in the direction you need to go. Then use your tracks connected to the cross rest points to find your way back. Basically it was "Mark your tracks and use them to trace your way back to your starting point."

Job 32:7 I said, " Age should speak. And a multitude of years should teach wisdom. 

My point for the day is this. We can always learn from those who are older than us.  And believe it or not, you can also learn from someone younger than you. Don't be too stubborn to learn about life from other's experiences. What someone can share might just save you from a lot of grief or danger . 

Are you willing to swallow your pride and learn from others? God sends others our way to teach us.

Food for thought!

Marty