An Unexpected Visit 8/23/2026

 Good Morning,

I just poured some Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee into my cup, and it is time to write. 

Romans 15:7 therefore welcome on another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 

Earlier last week our niece sent us a message saying that she and her husband would be in town for a wedding. She thought it would be nice to get together for lunch. It did not take but a minute to confirm the idea with my wife Rene and the date was set in motion. 

Yesterday we met at a local restaurant to eat lunch and chat. The wedding they were going to wasn't until later in the day. We suggested they come back to our home to change clothes and visit. For me, the afternoon visit went too fast and before I knew it the time had come to say farewell. 

This visit was an unexpected gift and both of us appreciated the time spent here. It was a nice surprise and could only have been a gift  from God. 

Sometimes the most simple gift, like a visit means a lot. My point for the day is this. Always have an open door and be ready to enjoy what God places on your porch. 

Marty

Time To Change The Radio Station 8/22/2026

 Good Morning,

I awoke to the aroma of a pot of Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee brewing in the kitchen. I have a hot mug in my hand and it is time to write. 

I am seeing once a again a world that has become selfish, unwilling to share with others, just because they consider what they are doing as more important than what someone else is doing. 

Selfish people very often reflect the attitude of a radio station that is no good for anyone. They look at life just like the radio station from hell. 

WIIIFM What's In It For Me? We look at opportunities to serve others as "Resume Builders" This will look good when I apply for a new job. We visit elderly relatives and consider it a chore, helping to look good with our siblings. 

Maybe we donate money to a cause just to have a tax write off. We look at what we do for others and subconsciously say. "This is good. Now they owe me one!" You volunteer hoping to be recognized and use your work time to be able to brag on how you helped someone.

When your tasks have nothing they can do for you, you in turn find an excuse not to help. 

Food for thought! Change Your Radio Station

Marty

Waiting Patiently For The Seasons To Change. 8/21/2026

 Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Maple Coffee is kicking the cob webs out of my head this morning. And it is time to write. 

Psalm74:17 NIV It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;You made both summer and winter. 

Yesterday I was gifted a large tree that was cut down months ago and now just needs to be cut into usable firewood. I have  pretty good amount of wood ready to be split into 17 inch pieces for this winter. I just purchased a hydraulic log splitter for the task. It was ordered and paid for but won't be here for another few weeks.  I normally split all our firewood by hand, but those days are gone now. My right shoulder really barks when it is overused and abused anymore. Once the splitter is here I will have two days of splitting and stacking to do. Once September rolls around and makes it's entrance, I will be ready for winter. 

I am waiting patiently for the temperatures to drop a little at a time until that first fire is needed. 

My point for the day is this. One thing you can count on is a change of seasons. God has built within the world it's own calendar. I especially love where we live because the change of seasons are totally noticeable. My attire changes and my food menu changes as well. Chili and stews become a weekly routine and my bald head goes from wearing a baseball cap to a wool hat. 

One thing man has probably tried to control and can't is God's calendar. The change of seasons is God's way to show us He's in charge and He and only He can bring the seasons to open and close.

There is an awesome display of His power and majesty in every change in the seasons. we just have to wait patiently for the Artist to paint our view on a new canvas.

Food for thought.

Marty

No Defense For Lawlessness 9/20/2026

 Good Morning, 

It is a good morning for Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee and it is time to write. 

A lawless person is someone who breaks rules, ignores legal limits, and refuses to obey established authorities. They act as their own master, trating public codes, societal norms, and moral constraints as if they do not apply to theme

This last weekend our State Fair was coming to an end and on the last night fights broke out and for a few minutes the authorities lost control of the fair.. I watched the news channel to see or hear what started the mess to begin with. There was total disregard for authorities and mathem was the flavor of the evening.

1 John 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. 

One person tried to defend  the actions of all these young thugs who were fighting, kicking and punching as having a need "to express themselves." In my mind the wilding was an expression of being lawless and having no regard for others and authorities. 

Now, I am sure that there will be a few comments back to me for not understanding the reasons that these acts of stupidity are relevant. 

A two year old is taught right from wrong and a first grader can tell you what is right and wrong. The lawless combatants were well above the age of two.

Right is right and wrong is wrong. A lawless person is one who promotes wrong (sin and evil) and is comfortable spreading wrong, disobeying the laws and then using weak excuses as to why they acted like a scourged bull in a fine glass shop. 

What you can do is to insist on stronger penalties for such actions. Let the police do their jobs, well supplied and elect officials that will help to enforce the laws. Let the judges know that it is wrong to tolerate crime and to sentence violators with tougher penalties.

Let your money talk and boycott spending money where you don't feel safe. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

A New Thought For The Hunter 8/19/2026

Good Morning. 

May cup was just filled with Door County Bourbon Vanilla Cream Coffee and it is time to write.

I have always thought it is good practice to pray before you hit the woods, swamp, or lake. A prayer for safety, our families who are back home sleeping, and good weather. We try not to be too greedy while praying by asking God for a bounty of fowl or game. 

Psalm 13:6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. 

Just the other day I was doing some dog training with my dog Leo and my nephew's dog Waylon. I prayed before we started and it wasn't until we were finished training, that the light went on in my head. 

The training session was a lot of fun. My goals were accomplished and a couple of rough spots were worked out. I was very happy with the experience. I found myself thanking God in prayer for our two dogs, some sunshine, and the land I used to train on.

 

I closed the event in prayer. Most of the time when I am out and a event comes to an end, I am busy picking up decoys, eating a donut to curb my appetite, and draining the last of my coffee from my insulated bottle and hurrying home.

 Food for thought. Prayer before and after?

I am going to make an attempt in remembering to be thankful at the end of training and  hunting sessions.

God Bless.

Marty

When The Day Is A Mixed Bag 8/18/2026

 Good Morning,

I am ready to pour myself a hot cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee and then start to write. 

One thing I can say is that I am never bored. My life can be quiet one moment and then turned over like a tornado hit it. If I were to write an autobiography I could not describe my life as dull or boring. 

Psalm 16:11 ESV You make known to me the path of life; In Your presence there is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

God has blessed me with a life that is filled with something happening almost every day and at times hour by hour. The book would be "scatterbrained" at best with at times no rhyme or reason. But it is my life and God has blessed me with ups and downs. It has been a rollercoaster ride of ease at times, fear at other times, stress, hurt and rest all in one day. 

I have had blessings and corrections at the same time.  But the last thing I have ever been is bored. How can one be bored when God leads you through the life He has given you.?

Here is how you can be bored. Don't share your life with others. 

Some of the more beautiful things I have seen have been seen with my wife or daughter next to me. Some of the morning sunrises that take your breath away I have witnessed with family and friends.  

God gave you a life to share with others. Good or bad. It is the day God has given. And even bad times are easier to bear when you allow family or friends to travel that day with you.

You have been given a life. Enjoy it. Look for God in the good and the bad. Every day is a blessing!

Marty

More Than You Think 8/17/2026

 Good Morning.

My hot cup of Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee is at my side. I have three Springer Spaniels at my feet. It is time to write. 

I have written many times on the thought that God is always near us and is faithful. Today I will use that reminder once more. I will share a thought on just how close and special we are to God. 

Isaiah 49:16 Behold I have carved you on the palms of my hands, your walls are continually before me. 

My wife and I often leave notes for ourselves reminding us to do things that need to be done or an appointment to be kept. I have many times thought to myself "Hey that could be shared in your blog." But by the time the next morning comes, I have forgotten what it was that I was going to say and write about. I should have made myself a note to remind me of what I was thinking at the time.

God never forgets us and He doesn't need a post it note to remind us of our existence. He uses the statement in Isaiah 49:16 to let us know just how much we are loved and that we are forever in His heart and on His mind. His care for us is permanent, like a scar that never fades. 

An engraving is deep and does not fade. Hands are always near and easy to see showing that God keeps us on His mind.

Food for thought. God loves you with a love that is ever present.

Have a great day.

Marty