Our Tree. Make Markers Of Your Life 4/5/2025

 Good Morning,

A hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee is helping me to start this day off in a good fashion. 

Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life that He has given you under the sun, because that it your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 

My wife Rene likes to watch movies shown on the Hallmark Channel and the GAC Family Channel. It just so happened that one day I sat down to watch one of the movies she was engrossed in. The movie was 75% finished when I took a break from whatever I was doing. Of course an estranged couple who had been apart, somehow found their way back to each other and it so happened that they renewed their love to each other by the tree where they carved their initials in many years ago. Being retired I am in and out of the house and a lot of times Rene has the television on and she isn't even watching it. But for a couple weeks I saw as I was being like an annoying 6 year going in and out of the house a couple of instances where they showed the initials in the tree scenes. 

I asked Rene how many movies has she watched where there are initials carved in a tree or into an old bench seat or painted on a rock. She thought about it for a minute and replied, "I am not sure, but I think it would be a fair amount of scenes like that." Then I said, "You and I have been married for 1000 years now and we don't have a tree with our initials in it. Rene looked at me wit her usual stare of "Only you would think of that." I continued my thought process as I went back outside and it went like this. "I love her and she loves me, but yet we have no tree".

Being at home and we have a few trees, I was able to stretch out a cord and plug in a wood burning tip, and engrave my "sappy" (Pun intended. The sap oozed from the tree as I burned my message of love into it.) marker on a tree in our front yard. I did not tell Rene about it and just waited to see when she would notice it. She actually saw it the same day and was all smiles when she said "We have our own tree. When did you do that?"

M point for today is this. You are never too old to celebrate the markers of your life. It could be a photo or a Christmas ornament, or a tree with your initials in it. Some people measure their children each year and mark the wall with their height changes. Whatever  you choose to celebrate and remember, should be important to you and shared with each other. 

Have a great day and make memories to cherish.

Marty

An Easter Expectation Thought 4/4/2025

 Good Morning,

Sitting to my right at my old desk is a hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee and it is helping to make this day start with gusto.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our wrong doings and He did so with grace as He suffered one terrible beating and then was crucified. He was silent before His accusers. He was hung on the cross before His mother. I can't imagine that experience at all. I would have been fighting, complaining and cursing my captors all the way to my death. But even in pain and in agony, Jesus was concerned for others. He made arrangements for His mother to be taken care of after His death. He pardoned a thief who was next to him on Golgotha as He was dying. He asked the Father to forgive those who tortured Him and nailed him to the rough wood. He cut them some slack saying "They know not what they do". 

Jesus set the example of love for all of us. Paul wrote in the book of Romans an expectation, which I believe is good guidance to a successful Easter for each and every one of us. 

Romans 12:16 ESV Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty , but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

Easter Journey 4/3/2025

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Sunrise Roast Coffee and it is doing a mighty fine job of removing the chill in my body this morning. 

As we journey to Easter Sunday let me remind us all that it is a journey of faith, which is of the utmost importance to the beliefs of every Christian. As we head toward Easter we must remember the incredible sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us. 

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners Jesus died for us."

We see His love for us in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate sacrifice and should be remembered in preparing our heart for every day, especially Easter.

His sacrifice compels us to live each day in manner that honors Him and His sacrifice for us. 

More tomorrow. 

Marty 

If Looks Could??? 4/2/2025

 Good Morning,

I am really enjoying a hot cup of Door County Sunrise Roast Coffee this morning. It is time for me to write. 

Proverbs 21:4 ESV Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. 

Yesterday I had the privilege of  working at one of the election poll sites in our town. A statewide election was held yesterday and the turnout of voters was amazing. People took their right to vote yesterday seriously, and showed up to make their voices heard. It made me proud to be an American.

During this long day as I served in a few different roles on the team I made some observations. In general and it isn't anything new, people do not like standing in lines. Our team worked very hard and swiftly to keep the waiting to ten minutes or under. I would have to say we were successful in doing so. But even a five minute wait showed up on some faces with frowns and at time some crossed eyes. The other observation was the reaction to a question that those who are setting the stage for others to be able to vote was almost humorous, yet got under my skin a little. Now being a civil servant does not allow for me to voice what I was thinking and express myself except with a smile and politeness. Anyone who really knows me can tell you that putting up with nonsense is just not my style. Those complaining eyes and quiet comments really had me saying in my mind "Suck It Up Buttercup" . My friends would be proud of me for smiling during the process and thanking people for coming to vote.

Here is the complaint. During the process of voting the voter is asked to produce a photo identification. Then the poll worker asks them to recite their full name as listed on the card and their address. This is a step to eliminate any voter fraud and has been part of the process for a long time now. So when the poll workers are holding your identification card, you are reciting what is on it. The worker is also checking to see if the picture on the card matches your face. This really irritates some folks up to actually making a verbal comment. "Just read it. It is in front of you" was the comment I heard just a  time or two , but in general the worst was a rolling of the eyes and a huff from their lungs. Most people were polite, patient, knew the process and came prepared. Many expressed thanks toward the poll workers. 

My point for the day is this.  Mom always said "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." That won't work when you have questions to answer. But when things are not exactly to your liking, what do your eyes say? You can leave an impression by breathing loudly and just rolling your eyes. In that moment, you without saying a word can let your true feelings be known and they give you away. You, just without saying anything can insult someone's abilities, intent, and goals. 

Do your eyes give you away.? How many fiery darts will you throw today with your haughty eyes? 

Food for thought.

Marty

Opening Day 4/1/2025

 Good Morning,

I am working the election polls today and although I agreed to do it, my heart isn't all that fired up over it. I will definitely need a Thermos bottle of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee to help with the long day. 

Colossians 3;14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Yesterday was opening day for our local Major League Baseball team. The weather was cold. Yet a lot of people attended and made a full day of it, tailgating and taking in the baseball game. 

There was a time when, if I could get my hands on opening day tickets and get off from work, my wife and I would celebrate a new season with the best of them. There is something about the grills, and a festive atmosphere that makes you want to attend. 

What is my point for today? Well, nothing too serious. My wife and I will take in a couple of baseball games this year and I am sure we will talk about past games and friends we were with as well as some snowy weather for the opener. We will relive some memories on a warmer night and wish we were younger while sitting on some aged chairs. But here is the point for sure. Men, make sure to date your wife now and then and thank them for all the outings they went on with you over the years. Wear the hat she purchased for you that is faded with age and cook those sausages just the way she likes them.  Take a jacket for when the weather cools off and she needs your coat. You know how she never needs a jacket until she needs one. So men, "Batter Up."

Marty

Changing Your Tune 3/31/2025

 Good Morning,

I just finished pouring myself a hot cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee and It is time to write.

Psalm 144:9 I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten stringed lyre, I will make music to you.

Life can be a drag at times and we all have experienced the downside of it. We certainly know how to sing the blues during times of lacking, hurting, or anger. Yet when the circumstances change we forget to sing a new tune  of thanksgiving and praise. It's not that we aren't happy when things are going well, but we have come to expect things to be peachy and sweet all of the time. Our expectations have led us to not be appreciative of the good or great days. Then when things change, and they always do, we are wiped out by life and the misfortunes that come along. We then sing a tune of woe, hurt, blame, or anger which we sing loud and clear. 

We fail to see God's hand in the bad times and never begin to think that God sees what we see and desires to be our Tune and carry us through the struggles. The struggles don't disappear, but the load is shared and carried by God when we run to the One who can put a song back in a heart that has it's guitar stings knotted up. Nothing will satisfy us when we are a one man band. Friends, family and coworkers won't do it. Only the Leader Of The Band can help us retune our life and get on the right key.

Food for thought. Are you stuck on the tune of woe? Can you see that you are needed by others? Is there someone you need to forgive despite them being hard to forgive?

God bless,

Marty

Sleeping In A Hammock 3/30/2025

 Good Morning,

My hot cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee is tasting mighty fine this morning. It is time to write. 

Romans 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!

Last night during our Saturday evening church service we had the privilege of praying over a short term mission team headed out to Brazil later this week. Each team member was introduced and then some of us men prayed over them. They will be headed out to follow God and serve in ministry performing tasks as needed. I know most of the group members fairly well and I am impressed with the team God has assembled. 

They are leaving the comforts of home for ten days and will be sorely missed by their families. I knew ahead of last night that their sleeping accommodations included resting nightly in a hammock. I have been on a lot of short term mission trips and have always had the the luxury of sleeping on a flat surface. I have slept on roofs, on concrete, on air mattresses, and even once on a round bed. But never in a hammock. 

I will specifically be praying for their rest and comfort as they rest. I have heard that a hammock can be fairly comfortable but I have no intention on finding that out first hand. 

If you have a spare moment in your prayer time please remember all of those who for the Love of Jesus leave their homes and families behind to minister to others around the world. I never once regretted the time spent doing so. 

But here is a thought. When you leave your home and go about your normal day aren't you really on a mission trip? Shouldn't you be ministering and interacting with others as you go about your normal activities? Remember to treat others as if you might not ever see them again and leave them with an impression of God that is kind and considerate. 

Food for thought!

Marty