Count your days

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As I sit in my Pineville, North Carolina home (located where I call the “Bethlehem of Charlotte” if you are aware of the Israel map) in the front room, in the black “fake leather” rocking chair (because it is too cool outside temp wise at 6:20 am in March), I begin praying. In tongues as normal. It helps get my spirit focused and my mind not wondering.

These are critical times we live in. Not to be wasted on frivolous days and weeks of self-pleasure and “happy” seeking, but to keep our eyes on Jesus and what He is doing. We all will give an account of how we spend our time here on this planet.

I know. I wrote earlier that this “Morning Place To Be” with me is supposed to be on the lighter side, but I just sense that maybe each of us needs to more consider our ways, to ask Him if they line up with His.

Can I get an amen?

Be blessed as you drink your coffee. After prayer I am headed out for the additional blueberry bagel that the staff knows awaits for me.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Open Doors

       A friendly cat in Jerusalem. Nice kitty.

                              OPEN DOORS

I have a good friend whom I call the “Open Door Prophet”. From time to time Mordecai will give me a word, and it usually goes something like this, “I see two doors. The Lord is closing two doors but He is opening other doors.”

So I graciously say thank you and ask the Lord to show me more clearly. What doors? People? Places? Opportunities?

“Do not despise small things” is a Bible verse which too often we don’t know, hear, or believe. We want the biggest and the best right away, and may miss an “open door” when it is open with a small crack and we aren’t aware of it.

Our Lord will give us glimpses of things to come, and if our heart is not open to receiving it, we will miss it.

Normally a freight train will not go by with a big sign saying, “Go this way.” Usually the Holy Spirt will whisper, “Go this way” and we need to know it is Him.

Open doors are given for us to walk through. When the next one comes your way, go through it. It is the next step to the bigger adventure awaiting you.

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin, waiting for my Colombian dark roast coffee and blueberry bagel to come this morning.

Be sure to “Walk With Me.” Almost 400 videos of the places and people seen when the Lord gave me another open door.

Two of my latest “Walk With Me” playlists on YouTube.

A bit disappointed…but hopeful.

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We each have disappointments. Some more deep than others. So what do you do?

My first reaction, as I have learned over the decades of trying to get it right, is to say, “Lord, my times are in Your hands.” And then my spirit and soul settle down.

As I sit drinking my Colombian dark roast and enjoying the raisin and cinnamon bagel (they were out of blueberry!) my trust remains firmly in the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. So it is no big deal for Him to make a way when there seems to be no way.

Trust Him with your life. Daily. He is the Big God to whom no one can compare.

Enjoy your bagel. A spread of whipped butter is good on it.

Ahava and shalom.

Steve Martin

P.S. I will keep them packed for the month!

It’s a man’s world. At least in my garage man cave.

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Come walk with me as I reveal some hidden gems in my converted garage “man cave”. A few mugs collected from my youth, ministry jobs, USA famous locations, and international trips.

Also one corner of the wonderful “museum” as a few have called it!

#museum #mugcollection #coffeecups #walkwithme

Choices by Steve Martin

Our young friend Grace, whom we met in Jerusalem last December, came to our home for a visit last week. We love Grace! (She works with YWAM/David’s Tent in Washington, DC. You can support her, too. Ask me.)

CHOICES

So I get in the car to get my coffee, Colombian dark roast in honor of Camila, our daughter-in-law, and the blueberry bagel, which has now become my “norm”, and the adjustments are needed.

Since we have downsized to one car (another story), Laurie and I each have our own seat settings, mirror adjustments, and, of course, the radio. The routine each time now.

I don’t know about you, but the radio choices include music, news, comedy, and sports. Especially on XM, which I have managed to trim down to only $4.98 a month. (Ask me how to use the contact form.)

Today I chose The Message Worship, which they say is a temporary choice. I hope they keep it on. No DJ. No commercials. All worship music. From the past and others known by even the youth today.

More choices will come our way today. Experience helps in those decisions. And so does wisdom from above.

Carry on. Have a coffee and a bagel.

Steve Martin

#choices #SteveMartin #MessageWorship #Columbia #coffee #blueberry #bagel

Where it began...I can't begin to know it. But come and see!

                       

Where it all began...must have been in Lawrence, Kansas, in August of 2025. My good wife Laurie and I flew to Kansas City to be with one of my sisters (I have 5), Janet, and her husband, Nate. It was a very pleasant time of touring the city, the countryside, the small towns, and the parks found in central Kansas.

When Nate told me about his "$4.95 Sip and What Not" (not the real name) at the local coffee-and-bagel restaurant, I just had to do it. I was raised looking for the "good deals".

When we got back to Charlotte, North Carolina, I checked out the local one. And sure enough, every morning I could get a cup of coffee (limit one every two hours, mind you), and I liked adding a blueberry bagel just to ease my conscience.

Lo and behold, this website began with that theme. "Morning Place To Be."

I like to write, so this will be one of those "not so heavy with all the news" places to go, as you, too, enjoy your coffee every morning.

As they say (sometimes, though it gets worn out), "Enjoy."

Be blessed,

Steve Martin

P.S. Nate in the top photo is on the left. More grayer, though a wee bit younger, than I am. Ha!

And of course, we went to the Wizard of Oz Museum! Click the photo to watch the video.

Dorothy's Epic Journey on the Yellow Brick Road | The Wizard of Oz Adventure Join Dorothy on her epic adventure down the Yellow Brick Road in this magical retelling of The Wizard of Oz! From the winds of Kansas to the sparkling Emerald City, follow her journey alongside Toto, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion as they seek courage, heart, brains — and a way home. This timeless tale is brought to life with new storytelling and vivid imagination. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering The Wizard of Oz for the first time, this is the perfect place to relive the magic!

#WizardofOz # Dorothy #Kansas #Morningplacetobe #SteveMartin

Birds - they sure do abound. Beautiful creations.

 

Birds - photos I have taken over the years.

Steve Martin

#Birds #Beautifulcreations #travel