Hope Can Be Found 8/9/2026

 Good Morning, 

I am enjoying some quiet this morning to g along with my hot mug of Door County Black And Tan Coffee. It is a good time for me to write.

I do the preaching for our church's Saturday night service about 90% of the time. I pray and choose the topics coming from the pulpit. For the last month I have been speaking on hope and what the Bible has to say about it. It is the first time in a very long time that I have done a series for more than two weeks. I enjoyed it and I think it was well received by the church members who attend on Saturdays. God speaks and gets all the credit for impacting hearts souls and minds. 

What most attenders don't realize is that the lesson or sermon I deliver starts with me and is often something I need to hear for my life. The message often applies to me most of all. You can't deliver a message without it having an impact on your own heart and life. 

After four weeks of looking into the subject of hope I can summarize what you need to find hope for the day, month, year, future. When looking for hope in any situation get down on your knees, pray and dive into the Word of God. Surround yourself with other believers and exercise your faith. Note that God hears your prayers and encourages us through His word.

Faith Does Not Operate in the realm of the possible. 

There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible.

Faith begins where man's power ends. 

George Mueller

So here is another note to share today. 100% of these blog statements apply mostly to me, for me and  to help me through a day, troubled times and happy times. I just share them with you. If they apply to you , help you, encourage you, instruct you, God gets all the credit. Basically He does the writing. He finds your heart!

Proverbs 4:20-22 NKJV My son give attention to my words; incline you ear to my sayings.

21. Do not let them depart from your eyes.Keep them in the midst of your heart.

22. For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. 

Food for thought on this fine Sunday morning. 

Love to all,

Marty

Don't Take Yourself So Seriously 8/8/2026

 Good Morning, 

I just poured  hot mug of Door County Black and Tan Coffee and I believe it is time to write. 

The reason angels can fly is

 because they take themselves lightly

G.K. Chesterton

Sometimes we like to put ourselves first in everything and soon we are weighted down with the fact that we always have need for attention. We thrive on being first in all things and when that is not achieved we throw ourselves a pity party. 

Those who have a heart that beats for others have a heart that beats best. If God never did another thing for you, wouldn't the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and I be enough?Yet in addition to that He has his angels watching over us. 

 Psalm 91:11 NKJV 

For He shall give His angels charge over you. To keep you in all your ways.

Food for thought! Lighten your load. You are too heavy to carry! Why be anchored to a need for attention? That need holds you back from experiencing others. 

Marty

Do They Have Scrabble In Heaven 8?/7/2026

 Good Morning!

The Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee just finished brewing and I am looking forward to my first cup. It is time to write.

As a family we enjoy playing the board game named Scrabble. There have been times when we play too late and are tired the next morning. There is nothing like trying to think when our daughter and my wife get going as they talk through their next steps on the Scrabble board. 

Ecclesiastes 9:7 ESV Go. Eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. 

But for me, just being around the board with two that I love so much  makes it even better. If Kristy comes to Wisconsin we have a fire going in the hearth and some munchies for three people who really don't need any. Pretzels always taste better when your are sharing with loved ones. 

For me, those late night games let me experience the love of God for who he put in my life. On a recent trip Kristy found the perfect Scrabble board so that you get some physical exercise as well as exercise for your brain. I believe when we are together at her house or ours, we are experiencing just a little heaven on Earth.

Can't wait for November. We will use our old board. We would need a ladder for Kristy with the big one she found. She is height challenged. Let the battle begin!!!!

Have a Great Friday.!!! 

Marty

Conceding To Age 8/6/2026

 Good Morning,

It's a tired morning in our house. My cup of Door County Bourbon Vanilla Cream Coffee is working hard to wake me up. It is time to write.

Isaiah 46:4 NIV Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and rescue you. 

I have been working the last few days for our city as a poll station worker for an upcoming election. It is easy work but yesterday was a twelve hour day. I am basically out of shape for work. I can recall working many twelve hour days back in my prime and they never tired me out like they do now. 

The good old days!

I have been struggling with not being able to split firewood like I used to. I need a right shoulder replacement and an hour on the wood pile has me feeling the pain for two days. I am holding off as long as I can before I go under the knife. I have been shopping for a hydraulic log splitter and the trigger date on that purchase might just be today. I have conceded the battle with age and if I want a nice hot fire in our home the log splitter is now going to be my buddy.

My point for the day is this. We all get older and we just need to accept it and work smarter not harder. For our own good, there are times when we just have to find a work around or accept some help. Accepting help is a humbling moment that most men do not enjoy. But there comes a time when you just have to admit that the splitting axe just doesn't fly through the air and deliver a split piece of wood like it used to. 

That's enough whining for one morning. I have some shopping to do. And no. I am not shopping for fire wood!

Have a great day. 

Marty

Every Word. Every Word. 8/5/2026

 Good Morning, 

My day started extra early today and mu insulated bottle is filled with Door County Bourbon Vanilla Cream Coffee for later. But for now it is time to write. 

Matthew 12:36 NKJV But I say to you that for every idle word that men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgement. 

God has recorded every nasty thing we have ever said. Angry words and curses are on our personal list of stupid things that we said. Every lie, big or little will be recorded. On the day that our every word is reviewed and taken into account we might want to pack a lunch because it is going to be a long day for some of us. 

So before you spout off today with filth, fits, tantrums and cursing, think ahead. Is what you are about to say worth having God review it on a later day? Is it worth being embarrassed by your own words? 

Food for thought. Try to avoid shifting your mouth into high gear. It might seem like today is a great day until it is reviewed on judgement day. 

God bless,

Marty

What Do You Expect When You Pray?

 Good Morning,

I have in front of me a hot mug of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and it is time to write.

Quite often I am asked to pray for people who have a specific request and it is usually for them but also very often it is a request made on behalf of others. The request might be health related, jobe related, financial, or problems in the home. You name it and I have prayed for it.

This morning I am not bragging as to who or what I pray for. But the point is simple. No matter what I pray for I can always call on God to answer this way. Yes, No, or Wait. 

But! There have been times when I am praying for myself or others that His answer to their prayers is this. God places a call on their lives in His answer, which might just not be the answer you wanted, but despite your needs God has a plan for your life. Most of these calls on your life require action. The best thing you can do is to respond affirmatively.

Never are we to answer wait Lord or play let's make a deal with God. Our answer should be yes. Not "I will do what You ask if you answer my prayer the way I want it to be answered."

1st Samuel 3:9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel. "Go lie down and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say. 'Speak Lord, Your servant hears.So Samuel went a lay down in his place. 

We don't usually expect God to answer our prayers with a command to go and serve. 

But our thoughts are not His. Just remember the right answer is Here I am send me!

God bless, Marty

Not Really A Guest Anymore. 8/3/2026

 Good Morning,

My mug is still steaming after being filled with Door County Turtles In A Cup Coffee and it is time to write. 

This morning I have three English Springer Spaniels nudging me for attention, our two Gibbs and Leo. In addition we are watching our nephew's dog Waylon while he is working in another country for awhile. 

1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV But if anyone does not provide for his own, especially  those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 

We do this now and then whenever we can help out. In the beginning when Waylon was just a pup he was very skittish around our two dogs and would often sit away from all of us. He would get homesick within a few hours. Waylon would stare out of the patio door window or the front door window. I believe he was looking for our nephew to come and pick him up. 

Well things have changed now and Waylon figured out that he is part of our family and what goes for our two dogs applies to him also. He has his own bed here and lines up for chow with Leo and Gibbs. He understands that Gibbs is ancient and both younger dogs treat him with dignity and respect. They watch out for him and Waylon accepts that duty like they were brothers. 

He knows he can count on Old Uncle Marty and Aunty Rene to keep the dish full and hand out treats like any uncle and aunt should. He finds this old dude on the floor for some affection and play time and the Springer wrestling begins. 

My point for the day is this. Those who come into your home for a visit or extended stay should feel like they are family and welcome at any time. They should be able to count on being loved and cared for. Do the neighborhood kids know that in an emergency your home should be considered a shelter? Do your neighbors know that they are important and are family members also? 

Food for thought.! We will leave the light on.

God bless, Marty