Sharpening The Knives In Our House 10/29/2026

 Good Morning, 

My insulated bottle will be filled with Door County Irish Cream Coffee in aa few minutes. I will have a travel mug in my truck. Hot coffee and some easy listening music will give me a few minutes of travel peace. 

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of a friend. 

While watching the Baseball World Series last night I sharpened a few knives while I was enjoying a great game. 

A dull knife is very irritating when you are in a hurry and trying to cut something. I had noticed a few knives in our home that needed attention.

I could not help but think about friends that I have who in my lifetime have challenged me to stay sharp and positive instead of  just the opposite. A good friend tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. They will stand up to you when you are wrong and let you know that you are walking afoul.

Just like sharpening a knife uses iron or a stone to hone the metal of the knife blade, a good friend might need to be abrasive in his quest to keep you at your best. 

Do you accept the honing of a friend as accountability or do you resist it? 

Are you willing to speak up and challenge a friend who needs to straighten up?

Food for thought.

Marty

Tracing Your Tracks Back To Safety.10/28/2026

 Good Morning, 

It's Door County Cherry Creme in my cup this morning and a mini orange for breakfast. 

I wish I could remember all the lessons I learned from my grandfather and my dad. They were all about making sure that I knew how to handle myself in the woods while hunting or foraging. One lesson was easy to learn and trust. When walking in snow, stop now and then to make a cross in the snow every 100 yards or so, Make it deep and distinct. Then walk in the direction you need to go. Then use your tracks connected to the cross rest points to find your way back. Basically it was "Mark your tracks and use them to trace your way back to your starting point."

Job 32:7 I said, " Age should speak. And a multitude of years should teach wisdom. 

My point for the day is this. We can always learn from those who are older than us.  And believe it or not, you can also learn from someone younger than you. Don't be too stubborn to learn about life from other's experiences. What someone can share might just save you from a lot of grief or danger . 

Are you willing to swallow your pride and learn from others? God sends others our way to teach us.

Food for thought!

Marty

Satisfied With The Status Quo? 10/27/2026

Good Morning,

It's very early and my mug was just filled with Door County Cherry Creme Coffee and it is time to write. 

One thing that shows love for God is to ask Him to show you how you can improve  your lifestyle or your walk with Him. You attend church. You are a good family man or woman. You serve God, family and friends. You are known as a good person. 

But would you be willing and bold enough to see what you can improve on, or get rid of within your life?

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24.See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

The invitation for God to scrutinize is also an invitation to God to show you what you need to change or what you need to add to your life. It takes some true love for God to ask He who is perfect to show you how much and when you need to improve or toss away. 

How deep is your love for God? Are you willing for Him to show you just how deep it is? What little sins do you like to keep?

God bless,

Marty 

Don't Shrink Your Spouse Or Partner . 10/26/2026

 Good Morning,

I thought I would make a point right after I have a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee and some prayer time. 

Hebrews 3:13 ESV But exhort one another every day. As long as it is called today.

There are certain clothes that do not belong in the dryer so as to avoid shrinking. Most shrinking incidents are just accidents that if more caution was taken there wouldn't be an incident at all.

Very often in relationships, especially marriages, one of the partners is the alpha person and the other is quiet, not always heard or in some instances not seen much. This often happens when the dominant personality forgets that there are two in a relationship. The terms my, mine, me, and I are applied when referencing our home, our cars, our kids, our our grandchildren, our church, our vacations. 

It is not always meant to be said that way. But it is a habit that does not shine with inclusiveness. After not sharing your life experiences as ours, and we long enough we tend to dominate the attention. 

Just a reminder if you are a "we" work at including your spouse in all the credits of your life movie as ours. You are here to build each other up. 

Food for thought!

Marty

What You Wake Up To 10/25/2026

 Good Morning,

The day begam with prayer and a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee. It is time to write. 

My wife Rene calls my morning routine not a routine but a ritual. I call it a good habit.

I believe my morning ritual, routine, or habit begins the night before. I always set the coffee maker to start brewing when my alarm goes off. My cup sits atop the coffee maker and is warmed up when the coffee is ready. I then place the filled cup into the microwave and heat it up for another 19 seconds. By this time our two dogs have been outside and are hungry and that are the first to eat. Happy dogs, happy life. 

I dry a lot of fruit, vegetables and some meat. If possible I do that in the fall and throughout the winter. I woke up to Maple coffee and apples drying in the house. The food dehydrator emits enough heat to have the kitchen warm and then the apple aroma this morning found it's way to my nostrils. 

But before one foot hits the floor, my first prayer of the day is said. It is always started with thanks for another day, for my family, and friends. Later when I hit the desk to write this blog, I go through my prayer list of individuals, world events, and praise. 

My point for the day is this. Your morning can be set to give you peace and a routine that makes you content. My  morning begins the night before. Breakfast is planned according to my activities for the day. It depends on how much time I have before walking out the door.

This morning will have some French Toast a little later with my wife and my most loving critic.

The most important part of y morning is my prayer time. I do my Bible reading at night before going to bed. 

I forgot to mention. My morning consists of kind and prayerful thoughts about all those who will read this. 

I wonder what tomorrow will bring? 

Blessings and love to all of you.

Marty

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