Tough To Chew 2/3/2026

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee and it is going down in fine fashion. It is time to write. 

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

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It  has been a long long time since I have made Beef Jerky or jerky from wild game. But I tried it anyway the other day. I used to make some pretty good Beef Jerky back in the late 1980's and I don't know why I stopped. In over 30 years the equipment sat until I started drying apples in the last few years. 

Any how I started a small batch of beef jerky with some new equipment and I have to say that the first batch was terrible. I know jerky is supposed to be a little tough to chew, but this first batch was like plywood and shoe leather in a spicy mixture. I believe where I went wrong was with the temperature and the time. 

My point for the day is this. If you have a skill set and you don't use it, it is bound to whither a little by the next time you need it. In other words, practice makes perfect. I have never claimed to be good at carpentry and I avoid it at all cost. The other day my week skills had me using a saber saw, drill, screw gun and glue. I told myself that my efforts to make a repair to shelving had me looking like a bear cub with boxing gloves on trying to pick up marbles. 

Don't put your skills on a shelf and take the risk of losing them. Use your skills to enjoy having them. If possible use them to bless others. Keep the skill set sharp and usable. It makes for a great day to see your work and someone else enjoying it. 

God bless,

Marty

Charging Ahead 2/2/2026

 Good Morning,

My insulated cup was just filled with Door County Bourbon Vanilla Creme Coffee and my goal is to drink it while it is still hot. It's time to write.

Our youngest dog Leo has been a hard charger since the day we brought him home a few years ago. He only knows one speed and that is "wide open". Leo had a great competitive career and aced what we had set as goals for him. He could and still can hunt with the best of dogs. 

Isaiah 30:20-21 NKJV And though the Lord gives you. The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore. But you eyes shall see your teachers.

21. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it. Whenever you turn to the right hand . Or when you turn to the left. 

Then the set back came. Leo contracted a dog type of covid and lost his sense of smell for quite awhile. He could walk right by a pheasant on the ground and not smell it. I could tell that losing his sense of smell was driving him crazy. We worked diligently to assist him in recovering from his plight. It took a month or more to get him back to form. During that process Leo had to rely on me for more directions in the field and trust that I was directing him to a bird or practice dummy. I am happy to say that Leo recovered and is doing well once again in the field. 

During the time when Leo could not smell anything he had to trust and know that I was there to help him pull through. For once in his life Leo needed me to show him the way. As his master I did not let him down. 

Friends, there are times when life sets us back right on our butts and we wander around with despair and lack of purpose. It is at theses times that we need to go back to the basics and trust God to lead us, guide us, and help us through the tough times. It is in that trust that we can forge on and run like a champion through the obstacles of life. Our Lord and Master will not let you down. He is there to cheer you on, feel your pain, and show you the way.

Run on my friends and look to God for the directions and soothing care He has for you.

Marty

How Great Thou Art 2/1/2026

 Good Morning, 

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Bourbon Vanilla Creme Coffee and it is time to write down my thoughts. 

The alarm clock sounded off and the song How Great Thou Art is what was playing to wake me up.I guess you can't ask for a better way to be roused up and out of bed. The coffee is just another added pleasure to the day. 

The music immediately made me think of some of the beautiful things I have seen in my walk around this earth. It also made me feel pretty small to know how great our God is and and how much and how many He has created. And then somehow, He knows my name and yours. It humbles a person to consider it all. 

Then there is the promise "I am with you always." It just adds security and knowledge that we are loved. My desk is a little lonely on some of these very early mornings, but am I really alone? No, I am never ever really alone. 

Isaiah 49:16 See, I have carved you on the palms of My hands. Your walls are continually before Me.

Deuteronomy 31:8 It is The Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. 

Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

So friends, take the promise of not leaving us or forsaking us with you today and try to remember just how great God is.  Give Him a wave!

Marty 

Can't Take A Break. 1/31/2026

 Good Morning,

Wow! My mug of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee is truly super hot this morning. It is time to write. 

Galatians 6:9 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Last night as I was thinking about the blog for today I tool a stroll down Social Media and stopped to read a few posts and comments. After about ten minutes of it, I decided that my goal for today was to watch and see what God is doing and ask if I can join Him. So a few minutes ago I finished praying and nothing has landed in my lap. But God is faithful and I believe He will have something for me to do and no matter what it is, I will follow through. 

The main thing I need to be careful about is not quitting once I start the task.  I look forward to sharing what God called me to today. I know of one thing for sure. I will be praying for guidance as to how to navigate my walk in life while I wait.  

I am praying for all of you readers. I pray that God will lead you and guide you as well. A life worth living is worth time in prayer. 

Food for thought,

Marty

Nothing In Return 1/20/2026

 Good Morning,

I hot cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee is steaming in front of me and it is waking me up with a punch. There is nothing like a good cup of coffee early in the morning or late at night. It is time to write.

When we go out of our way to perform an act of kindness for someone, if we get our nose out of joint after the act, we have an addition problem.

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

If we don't feel so great about what we have done for someone else, it might be that we performed the act and added a condition or expectations to our kindness or generosity. We make the mistake of having a hidden agenda for our kindness. This addition is "expecting something in return." 

When we do something for someone else and we expect something in return we often run amuck with hurt feelings or possibly anger. Keeping score as to kind acts within relationships can lead to total frustration. 

Imagine all the things God does for us daily and does not keep a score as to what we do for Him. God sets the example with giving His Son to die for our sins.

Keeping score in a relationship is selfish and childish behaviors. With kindness loaded down with the chains of selfish expectations, the true love is hidden and not often appreciated.  

So today, before you do something nice or out of the way for someone, examine your motives for doing so. Food for thought!

Marty

If You're Not On Your Way. You Are In Your Way 1/29/2026

Good Morning,

I was able to re-stoke the fire this morning in the hearth and it is just nice and toasty in the house. My cup of Door County White Chocolate Cranberry Coffee is doing me just fine!

 I will get to my point quickly today. There are some things in our lives that either need to be accomplished or need to be set free. We all have a grocery list of things that we would like to see finished or at least started with a fervor. 

Psalm 118:25 NIV Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success.

For example we might be needing to forgive someone, or praise someone. We might need to get serious about spending more time with our family or on  the quality of our health. We might need to end a relationship that is unhealthy for us. We want to get closer to God, yet we are absent from the Bible study we signed up for. 

I could compose this list all day long. We make excuses for not starting and moving forward. When the only real excuse is that we are the ones blocking our advancement or even starting out on our quest.

"If You Are Not On Your way. You Are In Your Way."

We have road blocks arise to stop us from achieving our goals. Friends, road blocks are made to be moved or removed. We hold the key to their strength.  We are at times our own worst enemy. 

So starting today ask God to center you in on succeeding. Pray for strength not to block yourself from the road of success. As you pray, ask God to remove your fears of starting out on your goals. Then my friends, "Full speed ahead."

Marty

Leadership Ready? 1/28/2026

 Good Morning, 

My cup of Door County Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Coffee  is almost empty now and it is time to write. 

Psalm 78:72 NKJV So he shepherded according to the integrity of his heart. And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

Every Tuesday I attend a Men's Bible Study and I really enjoy the time studying and sharing in God's word for an hour or so. It is a bunch of faithful guys who assemble each week. I used to lead this group, but as an elder in the church I just slightly oversee it now and teach if needed. It is now being led by a younger fella and he is taking the reins and leading the group.

As also in the work setting, or at home, there comes a time when we realize that we are not always going to be in our positions. It should be our goal to always be looking for our replacement  and training them to take our place. Some of the best knowledge shared is your experience. Whether it is preparing your family for when you are no longer able to lead the clan, or nurturing a potential new person to relieve you at work or church. You should always be looking for your replacement. Taking your knowledge and experiences to the grave and not sharing them does not allow for others to see how God has worked in your life. 

Our life is an open book and should always point to God's glory in and around our life. There is no bigger mistake that can be made than handing over control to someone who hasn't learned anything while you led the endeavors of life.  Time to share????

Marty