When You Wake Up The Morning 7/28/2026

 Good Morning, 

My mug is filled with Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee and it is going down just fine. It is time to write. 

When you think about it, your day doesn't really start off until you release it from resting/ You actually wake up your whole day when you start to move about and kick off your routine. 

Waterfowl hunting season is just around the corner. I have enjoyed this sport for at least 40 years now. One of the things I enjoy most about waterfowling is to be the only one out there and watching the sun come up on the water. 

God has the sun rise and I have the job of starting my hunt. You could say "I wake up my morning". 

Psalm 57:8 I will awaken the dawn.

I have the responsibility of setting my frame of mind and heart as to how I will greet the day. Will I be thankful? Will I be prayerful? Will I be kind? Will I be approachable? Will I be a blessing to others? Will I fear? Or will I be brave? Will I be ready to embrace the day with gusto?

Friends, turn up the lighting. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee and wake up your day!

God bless,

Marty 

Waiting On A Storm 7/27/2026

 Good Morning,

There is a hot mug of Door County German Chocolate Cake at my side and it is time to write. 

Proverbs 27:1 Don not boast about tomorrow. For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

The weather forecasters are predicting some heavy storms to hit our area today. I for one will welcome the rain which is much needed. The storms I can do without. I do appreciate the technology that helps to keep us safe. Reacting quickly to an advancing storm has probably spared many a life.

My point for today is this. We go through seasons of storms in our own lives. I am not talking about the rain, hail, and wind type. I am not talking about a snow storm that that buries our home. I am talking about the inevitable storms of reality that arrive when someone you love passes away. I will be attending the funeral of a friend today and I did so the other day as well. Both of these families had advance warning as to when their loved one would pass away. 

The funeral I attended the other day was also one where the family was prepared and there was of course some sorrow and mourning, but yet there was peace. They had taken time to prepare their hearts for the loss. 

Here is it is folks. Death will come to all of us, with at times a predictable time. Then there are the times that are not expected and are a total shock  to the family and friends. 

So obtain favorite recipes now. At all times, visit while you can. Don't pass up the chance for one more outing with your families and friends. Say what needs to be said now. Don't wait to make someone else smile. Death always comes, and is not always predictable.

Marty

Beat Up In My Own Back Yard 7/26/2026

 Good Morning,

Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee filled my mug with gusto this morning. 

Yesterday I noticed a small hornet fly into a container I use to house small pieces of wood to burn in our fire pit out on the patio. When I got closer to the box of wood I saw about 5-6 hornets come out to let me know that I was not welcome near the box. 

2nd Corinthians 11:14 ESV And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

I retreated with my two furry Springer Spaniels into the house without getting stung. Hoorah for me. I waited a half an hour and returned to the battle ground with a can of spray touted to be the best for fighting with wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. I sprayed right into the wood container. 

The fight was on! Soon I found myself surrounded by these terrorists and it did not take too long (30 seconds) to see that I was almost out of ammunition (spray) and they were not playing defense, they were on the offense! My right arm was the first casualty in this war. A retreat was in order. What at first was 5-6 hornets, turned into a cloud of the crazed attackers.

After a trip to the battle implement emporium I was re-armed with plenty of spray and a high pressure hose. Both weapons were needed and as of this morning I believe  I won the war for control of our back yard.  My arm still stings but a little more Benadryl will assist with the first aid. 

My point for the day is this. Sooner or later our two dogs would have ended up sticking their noses into that box of wood and they would have ben hornet fodder. Or my unsuspecting wife while, watering her plants might have been attacked. This had all the warning signs of being a danger to my family or visitors. So the danger was eliminated and I replaced the box with one that has a snap on cover and now I will watch closer to see if the flying terrorists come back. 

But what other dangers do we bring into our homes that are disguised as good, yet when over done become a battle for control in your home. Too much unneeded debt can sting when the bill is due. One two many nights drunk and inebriated allows for other bad choices to come into the home, like wandering eyes, uncontrolled anger and lack of respect for your family. 

Food for thought. Are you willing to fight for your family and home or do you allow invaders to run rampant?

Have a great day!

Marty

A Little Thing Called Doubt 7/25/2026

 Good Morning,

May your coffee be hot and your day be blessed. 

  "He is faithful—even when you’re not feeling it."
2 Timothy 2:13 – “If we are faithless, He remains faithful…”

This morning I would like to talk about when we begin to doubt in God.  First of all when doubt begins to creep in and you begin to doubt in God and His word DON'T TRUST YOUR FEELINGS! 

Feelings are often misleading and lead to decreasing faith. I don't always feel like writing,but somehow, someway God led me to write daily and every day He supplies me with something to write. 

Keep a prayer journal and go back and read when God provided in your life and how He supplied your needs each and every time you needed help. 

And even when our faith is weak, God is still faithful and has no intention of letting you fail.

Food for a Saturday thought.

Marty

Is There An Artist In The House ?7/24/2026

 Good Morning,

My hot mug of Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee is just what I needed this morning. 

If you are this type of person or you live with one or more who show immense patience and choose to be kind at all times. You have an artist in your home.They choose to color the day day with peace, love grace, and joy. Their paint brush colors their world in a way that makes you feel good just by being around them. They leave many situations painted with hope, where there was none. Their work is a beautiful thing that  brings music to the soul where there was none. They change the dark colors of life into brighter amd joyous colors.

If you know someone like this you will find their color palette has all the colors of someone who loves God and has a close relationship with Jesus Christ. They paint with peace, not anger or vengeance. 

Romans 12:12 NIV Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Maybe today we can put away all forms of evil and malice and concentrate on painting our world with all the colors of love, peace, joy and happiness.  Food for thought!

Have a great day. God Bless.

Marty

Star Gazing 7/23/2026

 Good Morning,

I am sitting upright and enjoying a hot mug of Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee and it's time to write. 

Photo Credit Dominick Doyle. 

Last night before I went to bed I let both of our dogs outside for a few minutes to roam around and do what dogs need to do. 

For the first time in weeks it was actually cool outside and the lack of smoke from wildfires to our North enabled  me to see a few stars. I spent some time out there just looking at the stars. It was a good show and the price of admission was free. While being quiet and watching the stars my ears were more in tune with the evening as well. The owl who now resides in one of our bigger trees was hooting and making his presence known. 

When my soul is troubled or I am emotionally drained I tend to gravitate to spending a little more time outside. I see the stars at times. I can hear an owl. I can feel the rain. I can listen to thunder and experience a lightning flash. Or I can just sit and listen to my own heartbeat. 

Genesis 15:5 And the lOrd brought Abraham outside  his tent into the night and said "Look now toward the heavens and count the stars, if you are able to count them.". 

I believe that when we devote time to prayer and reading God's word we experience God and He brings out the family miracles and reminds us just how awesome and powerful He is.

So maybe tonight, if the skies are clear , get out there with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a  little bit of quiet time with God and His miracles. 

Have  great day! 

Marty

Change Your View. 7/22/2026

 Good Morning,

The desk chair seems a little stiff today as I write and sip on some Door County Irish Cream Coffee. 

If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within you'll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest. Corrie Ten Boom

It doesn't take long for me to listen to the news and then walk away depressed and distressed these days. Wars, natural disasters, and hatred abound. It just makes you want to be a recluse and build yourself a shelter and only come out if it is absolutely needed.

But there is one constant that we can count on and that is Jesus Christ. He told us we would see days like this and we should find comfort and safety for our souls in him.. The more time I spend in prayer with Jesus, the less the world seems to depress and distress me. 

Matthew 6:33 ESV But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. 

The lesson today is this. God first and when we look to Him  we cannot see through Him, around Him, over Him or under Him . His awesomeness blocks out the view of hatred, anger , lack of harmony,, lack of peace and offers hope for hope for tomorrow. But we must seek Him first.

Food for thought!

Marty