Just A Little Cold 12-13-2025

 Good Morning,

My insulated bottle filled yesterday with Door County White Chocolate Cranberry Coffee is doing overtime in warming me up. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  16. Rejoice always, 17. Pray continually, 18. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

I traveled to Upper Michigan last night to attend the funeral of one of my dear cousins.

The weather report warned me of colder weather and snow. They had the forecast correct. The snow wasn't the worst I have encountered. It wasn't a heavy snow. But at times visibility was zero because of the blowing gusts. As far as the cold goes I awoke to the hard cold fact that the temperature is currently at ten below zero.

My point for the days is this. We never know what a day will have in store. I am blessed to have many folks praying for my travels. It warms my heart to know that I am covered in prayer. 

I count my blessings. I am warm. I have some great coffee and later I will be with relatives remembering one of our loved ones who will now is in heaven with other members of the family. She is in the presence of the Lord.

God bless. Count your blessings.

Marty

Gain Control Of Yourself 12/12/2025

 Good Morning,

The liquid in my mug is Door County White Chocolate Cranberry Coffee and it is time to write. 

I take advantage of any discounts I can these days. And at times they are really worth leaving the house for.

It just so happened this week that there was a discount at a local store for people 65 years of age and older. I went to seek out a savings with a shopping list in my pocket. We did not need much and most of everything we needed was to be found in two adjacent aisles. At the head of one of the aisles were four guys about my age. They obviously knew each other. It seemed that meeting at the store on this one day of the month with the discounts was normal to them. They were pretty loud with their conversation. But what stood out was the foul language that was spewed about like a vomit factory. 

I was not offended by the language and I am a big boy, but I was embarrassed by it. A young lady with two small children in her cart had to walk by this gathering of dim wits. They did not curb their speech one bit as the lady with the little kids walked by. You could see that this lady was offended . I said I was embarrassed. I was embarrassed because at that moment  they were representatives for my generation. One of them actually noticed the disdain on her face,  as she moved on shaking her head. 

Not one to hold back, I did walk by them and said "Nice job fellas" and they knew it was sarcastic and not a compliment. None of them said a word to me as I went by.  I wondered if they spoke that way around their own grandchildren at the Christmas dinner table. They were probably the class bullies when they were younger. 

Kids are known to repeat everything they hear and I hope these four guys would not want their three year old grandchild to repeat what I heard come out of their mouths.  Imagine a three year old asking Grandpa for some more F- - - - -G mashed potatoes at the Christmas Dinner Table. Kids will be quick to repeat Mom or Dad or their grandparents and show the world the hearts of their relatives. These guys showed no respect for children and their mother. 

We own what comes out of our mouths and for these guys it was embarrassing to be from their generation. 

James 3:9-10 NKJV With it we bless God and Father and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things not ought to be so.  

Food for thought!

Marty

Hang In There 12/11/2025

 Good Morning,

I hoisted a hot cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee to my mouth and it did the trick to wake me up and push me outside.

We are 11 days into December and only 14 days from Christmas. I have taken notice, that as hard as people try to get the maximum Christmas experience, they cannot stop the rest of the world from spinning. Despite that this is the Christmas season, car accidents still happen in December. People are still shooting others.  Prices are still too high and our money does not go as far as it used to. There will be funerals in December. Miscarriages still take place. Jobs are lost and divorces still go through. 

God does not take December off, nor does He rest. One thing we can count on is for God to comfort us when the world attacks. We are never alone nor are we ever defeated. 

Jeremiah 31:25 NIV I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. 

Christmas is for the happy, for the sad, the lost, or the unsure of tomorrow. Because He lives we can face tomorrow. And I hope you can turn your eyes upon Jesus and be refreshed,

Marty

The Slippery Road 12/10/2025

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot mug of Door County Wisconsin Cherry Pie Coffee. And it is time to write. 

Where we live, you just never know what you will wake up to. Just 30 miles away or even less can have drastic changes in the weather. I just returned inside from checking out the weather. Our driveway has a thin coat of ice on it and it is a little slippery. The forecast is calling for a light snow later this morning and temperatures will be dropping drastically.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

You did not sign in just to read about the weather in Oak Creek Wisconsin. But here we go. 

My wife Rene is supposed to pick up her mother this morning and the two of them were to attend a gathering at Mother's church an hour away from us. Mother is now 98 years young and looks forward to these luncheons and the fellowship. My mind tells me that it is best for them to stay off of the roads and plan to attend the next one. My heart feels bad that they can't attend. 

Traveling on cold icy roads has it's pitfalls for sure. Once you start sliding on an ice covered patch you very often can't right the vehicle or stop until something stops you.

Life is the same way. Some things that have disaster written all over them are best to avoid and stay away from. Get rich schemes come to mind and how easy it is to scam people out of their money. It seems honest and righteous, but in the end you lose your money and are poorer than when you started following a slick scam artist. Nothing in life is free and easy when it comes to money. Greed is a slippery path and often leads you down a road of no return. It's not just the older folks who fall for these buffoons' who say if you are not satisfied you can get your money back. Or for those who gamble too much in a casino. No money back guarantee there!

So for today, note that a sure thing is not always a good thing. Beware, it can be ugly out there. Check and consult with someone reputable before taking a trip on a slippery road.

Marty 

Dress For The Weather 12/9/2025

 Good Morning,

I am really enjoying the cup of Door County Christmas Coffee in front of me and it is time to write. 

                                     

As a young boy and even on a little later in life I did not heed my parents advice when they would say to me "Where are your boots? Or that jacket isn't warm enough for winter weather. Go and get your parka." 

Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.  

It only took me one time to learn this lesson for good. It was a March or April snow storm that surprised everyone. "Back in the day" School was not canceled for just anything or everything. So I left the house ill prepared for school to be let out early that day. The snow was so heavy at times that even the city busses were not able to travel. So I walked home from high school which for many of us was a long haul. My sneakers were soaked in the first five minutes. My winter boots were safe in my closet back home. My baseball style cap did not cover my ears. My warm hat, parka and gloves were keeping my boots company back home in my closet. It took me a little over an hour and a half to make it home, only to hear my mother say, "You should have worn your winter stuff"

Yesterday I relived that memory as I watched a lady walk through a slushy parking lot in a skirt, light coat and high heels. Obviously she was dressed for some type of professional work. She was tiptoeing around slush piles. She was not dressed for common sense but for show. I am not sure what the cost of her shoes would be. I know this, whatever the cost of ruining those shoes was, it just showed lack of care for herself and the fact that she wastes money. 

God gave us a brain and sometimes does not activate the common sense mode in teenagers for a little longer in life. They need to experience a mistake or two so that they recall what their parents advised. And parents need a chuckle now and then They get a gut buster when they realize that they now sound like their parents. 

The thought for the day is this. Dress for the weather. Be warm and dry instead of being cold and wet. Remember what your mother said. "Lay out your clothes the night before." Don't let laziness dictate your comfort.  I might look like Elmer Fudd now when I go out in the winter, but I am warm and content. 

God bless. 

Marty

Final Touches Made 12/8/2025

 Good Morning,

I am slowly waking up this morning with the help of a cup of Door County Naughty Or Nice Grog Coffee. I am a little tired yet from pheasant hunting yesterday with two of my nephews. My body does not recover as quickly as it used to.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Last night I repaired a wooden Christmas decoration for my wife. It is amazing how an item which neatly packed away after Christmas and was working fine last year, can come out of the attic and not work. I wonder if we had left the decoration out and displayed it all year and used it every day if it would have still broken. What causes a break down of something not being used? Do we have an evil gnome in our attic?  Ha!

My point for today that we can apply is this. Many people try to have a "Faith Experience" during the Christmas season. Their plans for Christmas include going to church because it is a tradition. Once that need is fulfilled they pack their desire for a faith experience away until Easter.

A life not experiencing God daily and not building upon it is pretty much like a decoration that is used once a year. Somehow when it is really needed it is broken and we either fix it or toss it aside. Christmas is a great time to kick start a heart that has gone cold, doesn't beat for others, and looks for God once or twice a year. Consider giving your faith a boost that lasts longer than a month. That church is open year round. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

A Day To Remember 12/7/2025

 Good Morning,

The coffee in my mug is Door County Naughty Or Nice Grog and it is time to write. 

Today in the United States we observe the attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941. It was the final straw that drew the United States into World War Two.

John 15:13 NKLV Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Those who were there that day are a number that is very few anymore. But today I will honor those who served in WW2. They were a generation of "Can Do and Will Do people. I want to publicly thank them for the gift of freedom they fought for. Who knows what life would be like if we had lost that war?

God bless America,

Marty