God Had A Surprise Planned 10/24/2026

 Good Morning,

I am goose hunting this morning and my insulated bottle is filled with Door County Irish Creme Coffee and here's hoping for the hunt to be safe and productive.

Roman 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love Him, who have been called to His purpose.

I want to talk about yesterday. I have been putting some time in as a poll worker in my city for an upcoming election. The early voting has begun and we have been quite busy. 

I have been praying daily for an old friend who I have known for a long time but haven't seen for just as long. Facebook allowed for our paths to meet up. 

Today we were pretty busy and when I looked up from what I was doing, this lady was in front of me. She was smiling and grinning and said "Marty it's me:::::. "We were both in shock to meet up in a public area during an election. We hugged and as tough as I think I am, my eyes sprung a leak or two. She has been on my mind for a few days and I have been praying for her since we chatted on instant messenger.

God knew that this meeting was needed and He showed that He is constantly working behind the scenes for His children. But yesterday, He showed us what He was thinking and He in my mind provided a small miracle.  

I am looking forward to see what He will do for my friend. It doesn't sound like much, but today in the town hall heaven moved a little.

Have a great day!!!

Marty

Enjoying A Mild Night 10/23?2026

 Good Morning. 

I am enjoying a very hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee and I will be taking some with me today as a have some work to do. Nothing like some hot coffee when you are taking a break. 

Philippians 1:3-4 NIV I thank my God every time I remember you. 4. In all of my prayers for all of you. I always pray with joy. 

Last evening found me outside in the spotlight of a bright moon doing some dog training with our two English Springer Spaniels, Gibbs and Leo. It was a good night to be outside and the boys got a good workout. Leo is still in his prime and Gibbs is very old and deaf. Last night he was running with purpose, chasing the bumpers I threw for him. I was recalling some of the nights spent in our yard training both of them when they were young puppies. 

We live close to a set of train tracks and many a night while training I can hear a train sounding the crossing horn as it approached the road crossing just East of us. I especially like to hear the sound of th horn in the dead of winter as it starts blowing 3/4 of a mile South of us. 

For some reason the horn seems peaceful on a cold winter's night. On the cold cold nights it reminds me to be thankful for a warm, populated home that is truly a gift from God. It reminds me to load my arms with more firewood for the night. It's funny how the sound of a train is peaceful to me. 

What reminds you to be thankful and pray? For me. It is a train, a backyard, and a dog at work/play. I am so grateful for that time and for the One whom I am thanking for the blessings bestowed on me. You never know. That train call to prayer might have me praying for you. 

Food for thought!

Marty

Pulling Their Own Weight 10/21/2026

 Good Morning,

My mug was just filled with Door County Irish Cream Coffee and itis time to write. For the past couple of days I have been working with a team of poll workers hired by our city to assist with a big election.

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his act, by whether his conduct is poor and upright. 

I have observed a team of people who all carry their own weight and more at times. They come to work and work they do. Their parents raised some kids with epic work ethics. I would bet a few dollars that they come from a family that believed in working hard and setting an example of how to do it without complaining. 

They don't hoard knowledge and set a great example of teamwork.

Here's a question with a challenge. What work example have you set for your children and grandchildren? Are their ethics reflective of what you have taught them to do? Now remember the flip side. Are their work ethics full of sloth and inability to work without supervision?

Spiritually do they follow the gold standard of serving God and living a life worthy of being called children of God? Or are they the type that shows up late, leaves early and really can't be counted on to be used by God.  

Children are very often a product of their environment. Food for thought!

Marty

The Hand Changed.10/21/2026

 Good Morning,

I woke up to the aroma of Door County Maple Coffee brewing in the kitchen. It is time to write. 

1 Peter 4:10 ESV As each of you has received a gift, use it to serve one another , as good stewards of God's varied grace. 

Yesterday I made the statement that if someone is in need of a helping hand, that hand might be attached to your arm. I am not retracting the statement, but applying it in a different way. You might be in a position to help others. 

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. 

I believe in helping folks when they are in need of a hand. But in some instances, people become dependant on others for help and never really walk on their own. In these instances some folks need to look at end of their own arm for a helping hand. Help is not to be a substitute for hard work and determination. 

When accepting some help, always be grateful, and start developing a plan to drop being dependant on others. If at all possible  be the one who breaks the chain on dependency. 

Be sure to add prayer to your plan and share your plan to be victorious with someone who will hold you accountable for achieving success.  

There is nothing like the feeling of setting a goal and then achieving that goal on your own. 

God is your biggest cheerleader and it is His pleasure to see you succeed. 

Food for thought!

Marty

The Voting Begins 10/20/2026

 Good Morning,

My insulated bottle was just filled with Door County Spiced Apple Pie Coffee and in a few minutes I will be heading out to perform a small job I have taken on for the next two weeks. 

I was hired to serve as a poll worker for the city I live in for national, state and local elections. It gives me a paycheck for my time worked and allows me to serve my country, state, community and the voters. 

Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched  and one who waters will himself be watered.

The folks I have been working with over the past two years are all top notch folks with a desire to serve others. Our leader is passionate to get the voting done on time and correctly. As it should be. 

My thought for the day is this. There are a lot of small jobs that can be done in your community, neighborhood, church, and schools. In some instances they are looking fo very part time workers. 

For instance we have been advised to keep the tree leaves out of the storm sewers in our city. What does it take to sweep off the top and bag the refuse? Not much effort at all or do you wait for someone else to do it? My wife Rene and a few folks at church save aluminum cans for recycling. The money earned goes to a cause of their choice. Right now it is being given to a young couple with needs. They volunteer their time collecting, crushing and then redeeming them for cash. 

Food for thought. The helping hand some city or individual needs might be attached to your arm. 

God bless, 

Marty 

Looking Forward And Not Looking Back 10/19/2026

 Good Morning. 

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Spiced Apple Pie Coffee and it is really tasting very good this morning.

2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV as we look to not to the things that are seen but to things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but things that are unseen are eternal. 

Bacon Wrapped Turkey covered in maple syrup.

As humans we spend a lot of time reminiscing the past. We look at photos of people, places and things that had an impact on us so much that we capture the photo so we can look back at it and recall the person, place or event that is special to us. This is a nice way to appreciate the moment or the person. 

Unfortunately in some instances the memory vault holds painful memories, hurts and sorrows. I am like every other person in having a spot in the memory vault that is a place I don't like to go, yet it is still a part of my life. I really don't have a cure for the memories that hurt. We won't really be able to blot them out completely and maybe we shouldn't. It's sometimes good to remember where you came from in life. 

The one recommendation I do have and I follow is to look forward at the next good event and enjoy the planning of it. Then take part in it. Afterwards take the good memory and catalogue it in your memory vault. Add a photo or two or fifty to your collection. But remember the planning can be sometimes just as nice as the event itself. 

We have been included in the plans for a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. I have taken this event to prayer so as to protect the day from not happening. 

Look ahead my friends. Don't let the past anchor you in mud. Don't dwell too long on those who have gone on but live for the living. 

Food for thought!

Marty

Some Things Can't Wait 10/18/2026

 Good Morning,

I woke up this morning to our two dogs wanting to be fed and then let outside. After I finish writing I will make a pot of Door County Maple Coffee. It is time to write. 

Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

This world moves so fast these days and I am just as busy as if I were working full time, even though I am retired. If I could take things as they come it would be extremely difficult to keep up with the pace of things needing to be done. Unfortunately, even at my age I have to sit down now and then to prioritize what needs to be next and what can wait. 

Somethings can't wait and even those items of urgency need to take a number and wait. For instance automobile maintenance is important but quite often it can wait a few days or in some instances a little longer. But when the engine light comes on or the brakes feel spongy, it is more of an immediate thing and shouldn't wait. 

I can't give you a list of priorities, that would be up to you to do. But a life that just takes what is next and does not prioritize will be hectic to say the least. 

For me, my list has a top three that do not change. And actually it helps me to stay focused  for the rest of my to do list.

#1 Is God and He needs to stay number one at all times.

#2 My family is next and as long as God is number one they are more secure. 

#3 Is me. I need to stay healthy spiritually, emotionally and physically to the best of my abilities. 

Everything else can still be prioritized and should be. It makes life less hectic and confusing. 

Food for thought. 

Marty