The Sharp Sting Of A Skinned Knee 2/26/2026

 Good Morning,

I am moving kind of slow this morning as I sit down with a hot cup of Door County Raspberry Almond Coffee and write.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17. pray without ceasing. 18. In everything give thanks. For this is the will of God  in Christ Jesus for you. 

My mind took a trip down memory lane today and it stopped on a typical hot  summer day back in the 1960, s. The day might consist of a cold popsicle or a drink from the garden hose. It almost always had meeting with friends to play some baseball or some touch football. Chores were worked into the daily routine and almost always were completed before the daily summer olympics started. 

Most all of my activities were held on our school playground or in the sort of dead end street near our house. Later in the 60's I noticed that girls just seemed to be abundant and all of a sudden they were part of the summer escapades. My bicycle was as my mode of transportation and believe it or not we walked most everywhere. 

But somehow, some way, reality set in and at least once a summer or more than once your, knees or elbows were introduced to the concrete of your summer. I can still recall the sharp sting of my knees scraping across some concrete and coming up with a severe case of "road rash". Skinned knees and healing wounds were just some sort of Red Badge Of Courage. Although that fresh wound stung like all get out, you went right back and played on the unforgiving slab of torture. 

My point for the day is this, Even though some days hurt and  the roadway rises to introduce itself to you, sometimes the bruises are worth it. I always found that on a hot day, I would be wearing shorts. And the positive of that was I did not put another hole in my pants. My knees would heal, but the torn blue jeans always needed and explanation to my parents. They didn't seem to mind a little blood. 

Friends, take time to relive those popsicle, hot sunny days, and by now you should be able to afford some knee pads. Most of all,  look for the positive in each day. 

God bless,

Marty

Everyone Needs A Friend. 2/5/2026

 Good Morning, 

A hot cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee is in front of me and it is time to write.

Hebrews 13:2 NKJV Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 

A few weeks ago we made a day trip to an antique shop that was about an hour and a half away from home. I made mention to my wife Rene that I was hers for the day and we could browse antique shops until she was tired. 

By the end of the antique hunting we found ourselves in a shop that had a rest area and a nice couch to sit on. Usually I am the tired one and I need the rest. But Rene was shopped out at the last stop. She spied the couch  and sat down. I was making arrangements to place one large item into our truck with some help, when I noticed a small dog had crawled up on Rene's lap and both were starting to fall asleep. It seemed like these two were long lost friends. Yet they had just met and formed a friendship.

My point for the day is this. We encounter people wherever we go. And sometimes strangers are our new best friends, even if our encounter is for just a few minutes. So don't always shun strangers. A stranger might be a friend you haven't made just yet.

Food for thought.

Marty

Thank You Lord 2/4/2026

 Good Morning,

A hot mug of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee is warming my body this morning and it is time to write.

Let me go down my morning check list. 

1. I woke up. I am not in hell and it is more than I deserve. 

2. I am walking upright.

3. The coffee tastes great. Breakfast iwas simple.

4. Medications taken.

5. Dogs have been outside and were fed.

6.The house is still standing and is warm. 

7. My wife is still asleep and seems to be fine,

I have concluded that I need to be thankful for another day on this planet. As I look at my list of things, all of my duties are blessings that I don't deserve and really can't earn. For sure, I can't buy my way into heaven. I can't earn enough points to be allowed in. I am probably not good enough to be worthy of entry. No one can pray me into heaven. Without God, my life would be short on hope for today and eternity.

Once again, I cannot gain entry into heaven on my own, It is a free gift. God has secured my future.

Ephesians 2:8-9ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing.; it is the gift of God, 9. Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

I think I will drink a big glass of shut up juice and just be thankful for today and make the best of it! 

God bless,

Marty

Tough To Chew 2/3/2026

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee and it is going down in fine fashion. It is time to write. 

1 Peter 4:10 ESV As each has received a gift , use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. 

                                                            freepik.com

It  has been a long long time since I have made Beef Jerky or jerky from wild game. But I tried it anyway the other day. I used to make some pretty good Beef Jerky back in the late 1980's and I don't know why I stopped. In over 30 years the equipment sat until I started drying apples in the last few years. 

Any how I started a small batch of beef jerky with some new equipment and I have to say that the first batch was terrible. I know jerky is supposed to be a little tough to chew, but this first batch was like plywood and shoe leather in a spicy mixture. I believe where I went wrong was with the temperature and the time. 

My point for the day is this. If you have a skill set and you don't use it, it is bound to whither a little by the next time you need it. In other words, practice makes perfect. I have never claimed to be good at carpentry and I avoid it at all cost. The other day my week skills had me using a saber saw, drill, screw gun and glue. I told myself that my efforts to make a repair to shelving had me looking like a bear cub with boxing gloves on trying to pick up marbles. 

Don't put your skills on a shelf and take the risk of losing them. Use your skills to enjoy having them. If possible use them to bless others. Keep the skill set sharp and usable. It makes for a great day to see your work and someone else enjoying it. 

God bless,

Marty

Charging Ahead 2/2/2026

 Good Morning,

My insulated cup was just filled with Door County Bourbon Vanilla Creme Coffee and my goal is to drink it while it is still hot. It's time to write.

Our youngest dog Leo has been a hard charger since the day we brought him home a few years ago. He only knows one speed and that is "wide open". Leo had a great competitive career and aced what we had set as goals for him. He could and still can hunt with the best of dogs. 

Isaiah 30:20-21 NKJV And though the Lord gives you. The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore. But you eyes shall see your teachers.

21. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it. Whenever you turn to the right hand . Or when you turn to the left. 

Then the set back came. Leo contracted a dog type of covid and lost his sense of smell for quite awhile. He could walk right by a pheasant on the ground and not smell it. I could tell that losing his sense of smell was driving him crazy. We worked diligently to assist him in recovering from his plight. It took a month or more to get him back to form. During that process Leo had to rely on me for more directions in the field and trust that I was directing him to a bird or practice dummy. I am happy to say that Leo recovered and is doing well once again in the field. 

During the time when Leo could not smell anything he had to trust and know that I was there to help him pull through. For once in his life Leo needed me to show him the way. As his master I did not let him down. 

Friends, there are times when life sets us back right on our butts and we wander around with despair and lack of purpose. It is at theses times that we need to go back to the basics and trust God to lead us, guide us, and help us through the tough times. It is in that trust that we can forge on and run like a champion through the obstacles of life. Our Lord and Master will not let you down. He is there to cheer you on, feel your pain, and show you the way.

Run on my friends and look to God for the directions and soothing care He has for you.

Marty

How Great Thou Art 2/1/2026

 Good Morning, 

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Bourbon Vanilla Creme Coffee and it is time to write down my thoughts. 

The alarm clock sounded off and the song How Great Thou Art is what was playing to wake me up.I guess you can't ask for a better way to be roused up and out of bed. The coffee is just another added pleasure to the day. 

The music immediately made me think of some of the beautiful things I have seen in my walk around this earth. It also made me feel pretty small to know how great our God is and and how much and how many He has created. And then somehow, He knows my name and yours. It humbles a person to consider it all. 

Then there is the promise "I am with you always." It just adds security and knowledge that we are loved. My desk is a little lonely on some of these very early mornings, but am I really alone? No, I am never ever really alone. 

Isaiah 49:16 See, I have carved you on the palms of My hands. Your walls are continually before Me.

Deuteronomy 31:8 It is The Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. 

Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

So friends, take the promise of not leaving us or forsaking us with you today and try to remember just how great God is.  Give Him a wave!

Marty 

Can't Take A Break. 1/31/2026

 Good Morning,

Wow! My mug of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee is truly super hot this morning. It is time to write. 

Galatians 6:9 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Last night as I was thinking about the blog for today I tool a stroll down Social Media and stopped to read a few posts and comments. After about ten minutes of it, I decided that my goal for today was to watch and see what God is doing and ask if I can join Him. So a few minutes ago I finished praying and nothing has landed in my lap. But God is faithful and I believe He will have something for me to do and no matter what it is, I will follow through. 

The main thing I need to be careful about is not quitting once I start the task.  I look forward to sharing what God called me to today. I know of one thing for sure. I will be praying for guidance as to how to navigate my walk in life while I wait.  

I am praying for all of you readers. I pray that God will lead you and guide you as well. A life worth living is worth time in prayer. 

Food for thought,

Marty