A Husband And Wife Need To Work Together 8/30/2026

 Good Morning,

I have a cup of Door County Bourbon Vanilla Cream with me and it needs to be warmed up. It seems as if this one has grown cold. It is time to write. 

Proverbs 19:21 NLT You can make many plans.  But the Lord's purpose will prevail.

If I were to offer some advice to couples who are planning to wed this year or couples who have been married for a long time, it would consist of two thoughts.

1. Devote yourselves individually to God and keep Him as Lord over your marriage. Your walk is yours and yours alone. If each of you is walking with God, He will always lead you to a stronger marriage even during trying times. 

2. Then as a couple form a plan for now and the future. Let the plan be understood fully. Focus your part of the marriage on the plan. Now and then plans will be interrupted by events that need to be attended to. Sit down together, pray and adjust the plan.. I will give some examples.

1 Continued education. Yes but for how long?

2. Children. Yes or no and how many?

3. Rent or purchase a home. When? Build or buy a finished home?

4. Retire or keep working?

5. Is God still using us and if so what is the plan for ministry service?

Bathe your plan in prayer and adjust only if the two of you agree. 

My wife Rene and I when we were first married planned on building a home in five years. We purchased a small home that was more than affordable and it was PLAN ON. Yet the move in for the home we built took seven years, not five. There was a building boom and every piece of land was snatched up before we could act. We started looking again at newer and bigger existing homes, but yet nothing happened. We stayed patient and we were able to add money to our Building Savings. We followed the plan to stay in that little house and scroll away some more cash. Once committed to build we needed to sell the old home. That home was sold to our neighbor with a hand shake. He gifted his daughter our home. We did not have any real estate commissions to pay. What we saved in commision fees we actually needed for handing unforeseen issues in our building process. 

God was in our plan from conception to finish. We both worked to attain the goal and God has used this home to accomplish His work. 

Back to the plan. Either one of us can call a meeting to discuss the plans. But both of us need to know the plans clearly and and change nothing unless the plan has been saturated with prayer. 

A home without a plan that includes God as the "CEO" is set up to fail. Do you have a plan? Did God stamp the plan as approved? 

Food for thought?

Marty

Getting Ready To Hunt Some Geese Very Soon 8/29/2026

Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee and it is time to write.

Hunting season crept in and it will be here in a couple of days. Our season in Wisconsin starts with doves and geese. Later this morning I will be joining some friends to put the finishing touches on a goose blind that we started a couple of months ago. 

Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God in all remembrance of you, in every prayer of mine making my requests for you with joy. 

There is nothing like a few hunting buddies getting together to work on anything that has to do with hunting. If you have experienced hunting with a group of guys that you look forward to being with and sharing stories, and shooting fowl. you have been blessed by the Almighty. 

An occasional donut can make it your way while sitting and drinking a cup of coffee. It never fails. The minute you pour that hot liquid into a cup, the geese start coming in. I have had many hot cups of coffee be tossed just in time to shoot. There have also been times that the cup spilled on my leg. Hunting, can sometimes be a circus. 

You get out of bed very early to be there on time. A nap later is a must. Getting out there early affords you the luxury of seeing some mind blowing sunrises. 

My point for the day is this. If you have a hobby that can include others, don't forget to thank God for that blessing. I know for sure that I am blessed to hunt with some great guys and family members. 

And I witness some great hunting dogs work at their craft. Have you ever considered that you are your dog's hobby? The dogs get together like every day is a great day, no matter how many geese we shoot. 

Food for thought!

Marty

Yesterday I Saw A Smile 8/28/2026

 Good Morning,

I am sitting at my desk with a hot cup of Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee and I am very content this morning. The coffee is just what I needed!

Psalm 77:14 NIV You are the God who performs miracles.Y0u display your power among the peoples.

I have been busier than normal lately and it looks like today will be a little lighter on the schedule. I have been working on hauling home some firewood that my brother helped me to cut last week. I have a large amount that needs to be split yet. I have enough already for this winter and I am actually working on the wood for next year. I like to be a year ahead. 

Our nephew and his family live about 15 minutes away from us and they gifted us a tree that had fallen down for the "Let's keep Marty and Rene warm foundation." I will be splitting firewood later in the month when the new log splitter arrives. Yesterday found me hauling the wood home. I was still at their home when my nephew came home from work and had their baby with him. She is just a wee little one. I peeked in at her sitting in her car seat and saw a smile on her little face for the first time. 

I was all sweaty and full of saw dust and I did not realize just how much a little smile from a baby could make a difference in an attitude and impact a heart like that one did. 

I took the wood home and while driving and recalling the smile I found myself smiling as well. Her smile is contagious and God used hers to impact a grumpy old man. God knew what I needed for the day and He delivered it though the smile of a baby.

Today my friends turn your frowns into a smile. It just might have an impact on the world!

God bless.

Marty

Like It Or Not. We Need A Ladder 8/27/2026

 Good Morning,

I just started to drink my cup of Door County Bourbon Vanilla Cream Coffee and it is time to write. 

1 Peter 5:6 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under, God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 

Yesterday I started moving things around in our garage to accommodate the installation of a new garage door next week. Several items have graduated to the "We Don't Need This Anymore List" and either have found a new home or are headed to the town dump. 

In our garage we have three ladders an each one serves a purpose. We actually use all three, so they get to keep thier happy home. I am not very tall and find that 4-5 inches more on my stature would make life a lot easier. But I am what I am. 

Where am I going with this? Every now and then one of our ladders comes into play when I need a lift up to help me with whatever I am doing. I can't get up into the rafters of our garage to obtain some hunting equipment without the use of a ladder. I can stretch and jump all that I want, but nothing goes up into the rafters or comes down without the help of a ladder. 

As I age, the need for a little assistance now and then for things I used to be able to do without help gets to be more and more every year. Emotionally what never bothered me before, but now gets to me is more every year as well. 

On those particular days when my mood is pensive or withdrawn I find I use my Bible more and more to give me a spiritual lift. I guess I need a spiritual ladder to keep me headed in the right direction and not become a lump of uselessness to others.

I believe we all can use a spiritual lift at times and should never stay low and forlorn when a lift is there at our fingertips. Friends use the spiritual ladder God gave us to assist us on those days when we seem to be low enough to play handball with a curb.

Food for thought!

God bless, Marty

Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavor On The Bed Post Overnight? 8/26/2026

 Good Morning,

Door County Irish Cream Coffee is steaming next to me in one of my favorite mugs  and it is time to write. 

Hebrews 13:16 ESV Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.  

In 1959 the novelty song Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavor On The Bedpost Over Night? was released to the public. And for a short time it was high on the charts. 

Yesterday I heard the song on the radio while working in the garage. It made me smile and chuckle. Why you ask? Well there was a time when a stick of chewing gum was a real treat for me. Or better yet a big wad of Bazooka Bubble Gum was a downright delicacy. I actually recall getting two days out of one stick of gum. Or breaking it in half to share with my sister. The custom of placing the gum on the bed post came to an end when I woke up with gum in my hair. 

But just the thought of sharing a stick of gum with that three your old nuisance makes me smile and say. "Ah the good old days!"

What's my point for today? We all have done what some folks would say is crazy. Or you have worked some crazy just to make it in this world. But whatever the reason for being wise or frugal, it made you stronger and it taught you to share with others. 

Have a great day and share a piece of gum with someone. Comment if you have a story to tell about being frugal or sharing. 

God bless,

Marty

Don't Trust The Garage Door Pray Instead. 8/25/2026

 Good Morning,

Door County Irish Cream Coffee swirled in my cup a few hours ago. I am overdue to write. 

Forgive me please for this being written and published so late today. We are experiencing some issues with our home and they required my attention earlier this morning.  

Proverbs 12:15 ESV The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

We had to make a decision as to what to do with needing a new garage door and it took some time and prayer to decide what we are going to do. Our garage door has come off of the tracks twice since Saturday. Yesterday it was repaired and the repairs lasted about a half an hour. We were able to get the door down ourselves with a lot of pulling and pushing. The garage is secure and the wait time for a new garage door is until next week Wednesday. A little inconvenience for seven days and after prayer we decided to go that route. It will give us time to clean out items that can be tossed and that will make the installation easier. 

We have two other doors in the garage to gain access to the house. We just have to use a key instead of an auto opener.

In the process of the battle with the garage door, no one was injured. Nothing landed on our car or truck. So all in all we look at this as a testing of our patience and protection at the same time. The mishap did not take place while we were out of town and a house/dog sitter left wondering what to do.  Nor did we have to come home early from a trip.

The door company was willing to send a tech back out to get the door operational again yesterday. After praying, the common sense thing was to replace the door which was going to be done next March anyway. I have peace in the decision.

Food for thought. If time allows, to pray before a decision is made, take that time. I bounced the idea over to my wife and she concurred that the plan was a good one. Next if time allows get an opinion from someone you trust. (My wife Rene)

So I am sorry for being so late in the day with this. But, better late than never.

God bless,

Marty

Baby Dedications And Your Part 8/24/2026

 Good Morning,

My Coffee today is hot and I am ready to write. My flavor for today is Door County Irish Cream. 

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

Yesterday my wife Rene and I attended the Sunday service at our church. Yesterday our church held a baby dedication Sunday. It was especially nice to see these young folks stand before the church committing their child to the Lord, with lots of friends and relatives in attendance to show their support.

I found myself praying this morning for the little ones and their parents as well as the church body.It is a blessing and a chore for the parents, grandparents other relatives and friends to make sure that these little ones are  prayed for and good examples of a Christian life are displayed. 

What the little ones should see and witness in those who stood with them yesterday are a non wavering belief in God. Lives that emulate the life and message of Christ are most important. 

You might have attended a church service somewhere yesterday and maybe there was a baby dedication that took place. Did you accept the challenge to do your part, big or small to be there in prayer, service and support for a child?

You have accepted a life long role. 

Food for thought,