A Lonely Cross 3/31/2026

 Good Morning,

My day began with prayer and a hot cup of Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee. 

I will be working today at the early voting poll center for our city, so I had to pack a small lunch for break time. I impressed myself with the lunch. Dried fruit chips, 1 small sandwich, a small bag of fruit and nuts and an energy bar. There should be quite a bit left for tomorrow's lunch. And my goodness I did not forget to pack my Thermos bottle of coffee. 

When I surveyed my break and lunch effort I started to feel guilty for having it so good to be able to eat like I planned.

Romans 5:8 NKJV But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

On Friday we observe the death and burial of Jesus Christ. Jesus was beaten and spat upon before He dragged himself and a wooden cross up the Golgotha hill. There wasn't a lunch break or rest time. The day was sheer terror and torture. 

I will take some time today to reflect on how blessed I am and how nice my wife and I have it. I will pray on bended knee to clean my heart of being ingenuine and weak in my appreciation for the One who endured what we call Good Friday and lived to the end of it. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

A Level Of Excellence 3/30/2026

Good Morning,

I filled my cup with Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee and it is now time to write. 

This morning has mee headed out later in several directions. I have a small plumbing job to do for a neighbor and I started it already by praying about it. It really should not be a big issue and should not capture much time. But no one who ever does any plumbing work ever wants to see a water leak when they are finished. 

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

I am asking God to grant me the skills I need to do this job once and then walk away pleased with the work. I for one will say this. If a task or job is worth doing, it is worth praying about it. 

I suppose you never thought about God being involved in the plumbing of your home. But He is. If you are doing it and you prayed He is there in all you do. God even cares about the little things in your life and wants you to do all things with a level of excellence.  Any job, big or small, do it right or not at all. The first tool I will use today will be to reach into my heart and pray. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

In The Garden A Mother's Heart 3/29/2026

 Good Morning,

I just poured a hot cup of door County Highlander Grog Coffee and it is time to write.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Yesterday I had the honor to deliver a sermon at a funeral for a young man. We have known the grieving family for a long long time. This young man suffered the impacts of tumors for many years and they finally took their final toll and he now is residing in heaven free from any pain or sorrow. Earlier last week the church pastor, myself and the family met to discuss the order of the service and the desires of the family. They had some music picked out that was just right. Then I was surprised to hear that his mother was going to sing one of the hymns by herself. I thought to myself that this would be  huge undertaking by her. I couldn't imagine her being able to carry this through without breaking down.

Yesterday as Mom approached the microphone to sing, you could hear a pin drop. This little lady with a very beautiful voice began to sing the song "In the Garden". It was beautifully done. As a matter of fact her voice got stronger with every verse. 

I witnessed two things yesterday. I saw how God carries us through times of sorrow and the strength He bestows during those times. I saw the strength and love of a mother for her family. 

My point for today is this, God is good and gives us what we need, when we need it. I have witnessed twice now the love of grieving mothers and I will never underestimate their strength.

Have a great Sunday. 

Marty

It's Your Dream 3/28/2026

Good Morning, 

I woke up to a very cold house this morning and my cup of Door County Cinnamon Hazelnut Coffee  is working overtime today. Spring cannot make up it's mind as to when it will really arrive.

Jeremiah 23:28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell the dream, and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?

We would all be lying if we say we never transposed ourselves into a movie we are watching. In some instances you become the villain and at other times you are the hero. 

I have been known to be listening to some music and then turn the music into a video in my head. I write the video to match the tune. I am the main character in my dream video.

We must remember that dreams are just that, "Dreams". 

Sometimes dreams can be used to set legitimate goals of success for us. To know if a dream is legitimate as a goal, check your dreams against the skill set you were given by God. If the skill set has you bent toward the dream you just might be on the right road. 

No matter the dream or skill set, asking for a direction in prayer is very prudent. God knows how He wired you and will always send you out as He wired you. Test a dream against Scripture. Scripture never contradicts itself. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

 

Happy Thoughts For A Friday 3/27/2026

 Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee is hot and ready to be tasted. It is time for me to write.

Numbers 6:24-26. The Lord bless you and keep you. 

25. The Lord make His face shine upon you. And be gracious to you.

26. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you. And give you peace.  

I am up early this morning and I don't have a lot planned for today. My first goal after I complete my daily blogg is to start my smoker and slowly smoke a pork loin. The loin will take several hours to complete, but hopefully will be ready for a late dinner tonight. I look forward to the smoke from the cooking meat to fill the patio area with a sweet aroma. I might have a second cup of coffee outside at the table closest to the smoker. I have already pulled a bottle of y favorite barbecue sauce out of the cupboard. Life is good. 

My point of the day is this. Take some time to treat yourself well. You are important to others in your life. But you should also remember that you are important to yourself. There is only one you and you should treat others as you would have them treat you. But you also need to treat yourself to a nicety now and then. Pray for others today and don't forget to pray for yourself.

Have a wonderful Friday. May your heart be filled with joy, peace and happiness.

Marty

Preparing For The Annual Turkey Hunt 3/26/2026

 Good Morning.

I am on my way to deliver my nephew to the airport with a hot cup of Door County Toffee Pretzel Coffee in the console of my truck. I was moving by 3AM and I have a lot planned for today.

Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 

My first item on the list to complete is to renew my state hunting license so my trek into the woods in a couple weeks is legal. The next item on the list is to dig out the turkey blind, decoys and blind char. Once that is done I will go through my turkey bag of tricks such as three faithful calls and a small telescope.  I will set up my blind and make sure it is is in good shape. Rain gear is a must as well as a small cooler and a camouflage Thermos brand bottle. For sure, I will verify that I have ammunition packed. An extra battery pack for my electronics and then all I have to do is pack a lunch before I hunt in April.  The hard part is letting the dogs know that they are not going anywhere just because a blind is in the driveway. 

My point for the day is this. "If something is worth doing, do it right and do not procrastinate" until it is almost too late. The fun is taken out of any adventure when you discover your turkey calls were stepped on and ruined because they were not stored away properly and kept safe, and you are hunting the next morning. You are now already a morning or a whole day behind. 

So be ready at all times. Lose the words "I will do it tomorrow" especially if you can do it today. A few minutes of work today, can make for a less stressful day tomorrow. 

God bless,

Marty

Celebrating Gibbs 3/25/2026

 Good Morning,

My cup is full of Door County Toffee Pretzel Coffee and I am enjoying it immensely. It is time to write.

Proverbs 12:10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast. But the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 

This morning. ^

In our home we look at each day as important. We try to celebrate life in different ways each day. I often write about our dogs and for the last few years the youngest one "Leo" has been the center of most all I have written. But today our oldest dog "Gibbs" is celebrating his 14th year as a member of the family. 

Gibbs is deaf now and still enjoys having things thrown for him to retrieve and bring them back to you. Although 6-7 throws wears him out he still looks forward to being outside. He sleeps a lot now but is always there right on time when the clock strikes 4:30 PM for feeding time. 

There was a time when this dog filled with heart could flush and retrieve, upland birds, and fowl with the best of them. He has his share of geese on the ledger as well. 

My point for today is this. A good dog is a prize to be cherished. He stole my heart the day we brought him home. As I write he is on the floor next to me snoring. I pray that he has some happy dreams today and there will be a small cheese burger in his future tonight. Gibbs never competed in dog trials or hunt tests. His only trophies are a few taxidermied ducks on the wall. No ribbons for this boy. His only trophy is my heart. I dread the day when He moves on over the rainbow bridge. But until then, Happy Birthday Gibbs Boss Schutte. Dream a few sweet dreams today.

Marty