The Fire In Your Eyes 11/21/2023

 Good Morning.

The day began with a hot mug of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee and it is time to write.

I need to keep it short today due to a work assignment. I will be headed out soon to perform my job for the day. When a person gets overly angry you can almost see fire in there eyes. They are heated up and ready to boil over at any moment. Without them even saying a word, their face gives it away. Their eyes are in support of the mood. 

On the other hand, and a good thing are those who are experiencing God on a daily basis and their relationship has them with fire in their eyes. The fire of love, respect, kindness, patience, and the assurance of heaven. Mention God and they light up just at the sound of His name. You find yourself wanting to be around them as they are fire for God.

The question you must ask yourself today is this. Are you on fire? And if so, is it a fire of anger, disappointment, sorrow, pain or just plain old life kicking your butt? God wants to wipe away every tear, every ounce of anger, and disappointment. He desires to be your all in all and be the stimulus of your every moment. Times get tough and God is tougher. You are as close to God as you choose to be. 

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. 

Luke 12:7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid you are  more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. 

Psalm 34:5 Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Feel like you are walking alone? You probably are. God never goes where He is not the first choice, the only choice and the One who waiting to be called into your life in a big way.

Have a blessed day.

Marty

Even The Dog Was Smiling 11/20/23

 Good Morning,

After being away for a few days, it is good to be back home today at my familiar desk drinking a cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee. It is time to write. 

My nephew and I arrived back to our house yesterday afternoon after a few days of duck hunting in Iowa. His dog and my dog were pretty tired from a a few days with very early starts and a long time between meals and rest. 

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of a man plans his way. But the Lord establishes his steps. 

Of course there was the unpacking to do and putting things away in their proper place that needed to be done. On this trip there weren't a lot of ducks at the end of each day. But guns were fired and the dogs retrieved a few mallards. Stories were told in the duck blind, the food was good and the accommodations were 5 star. Just the being there with four guys with a demeanor of team work and support was all a guy could ask for. The laughs were a bonus. 

Now if dogs could talk I sure would like to hear their thoughts. Each day, all those dogs wanted was a little action, and time to be spent with their "dads". A little beef jerky was shared with our furry family members and they were content. 

If dogs are an indicator of love for you, think about the rest of your family and friends. They too want to spend time with you. If at all possible don't turn down invitations for a visit or making it to a Thanksgiving dinner. No one really invites anyone to dinner if they don't desire for them to be there. 

Last night, after all had calmed down our daughter called and we started making plans for Christmas and being together. It warmed my heart to think about it and I prayed that nothing would stop us from gathering with her in December. 

I attached a photo from the duck blind and to me it seems as if my dog was smiling. He knows the value of time spent together. Make plans to share your time and the time of others together. After all the gift of time, family. friends and dogs are given to us by God. Use it to the fullest. 

God bless,

Marty

Thank God For A Good Wife.11-19-23

 Good Morning.

I am still on a duck hunting  in Iowa with Friends and family. Duck hunting has been real slow. There has not been much action as far as hunting goes. But we have had plenty of time to discuss major topics. Four of us are married and we have one single man with us. One subject that we all agreed with is the fact that we are all happy to have a wives that are agreeable people. All of us could speak of guys we know who have a nagging and contentious wives.

We all were in agreement that to have a contentious wife is trouble in overdrive

 So today if you have been blessed with wife who is a true partner, tell her how much you appreciate her. 

Count your blessing and make sure she knows that she is a blessing.

Proverbs 21:9 Better to live on the corner of  a roof,than to live in a house with a quarrelsome woman.

Let your wife know how much you appreciate her. Make her feel special

God bless,

Marty

Working Hard 11/18/2023

 Good Morning,

Saturday arrived and I am still away from home duck hunting with friends and family.

James 4:17. For him who knows to do right and does not do it. To him it is a sin.

Everyone of our hunting team is working hard to make this outing a good one. The dogs are doing their part and our guide is doing his part. The four of us hunters are also working hard  to be attentive and to be patient. Each fella looks after their dog and also watches out for the other dogs. Everyone pitches in to help with chores and carrying things into the field. 

I am in great company and each man takes pride in contributing to the team.

 So whether it be family, work, church, or friendships always do your part and contribute to the betterment of all.

Marty

The Boys Had A Visitor 11/17/2023

 Good Morning,

I find myself in Iowa this morning without the capability to brew some Door County Coffee. So today I will drink whatever our host has for us to brew. I am thankful for that. 

Romans 12:8 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

On Wednesday night my nephew Nick stayed with us so we could get a faster start on our Thursday evening trek to Iowa. Nick is also taking  his young puppy Waylon with us. I will be bringing my youngest dog Leo along for the hunt. Our oldest dog Gibbs will be resting at home and remembering the hunts of old. 

Waylon on the other hand will be along to learn and absorb all that he can while being with three experienced dogs. 

The first lesson Waylon learned was that you just don't mess with the older dog. There was a little growling experienced. But by the next morning the circus of dogs started to become normalized and everyone was getting along. Our two dogs became more hospitable and they all observed boundaries very well. 

My point for today is this. A stranger is just a friend you just haven't made yet. Although at first you don't have much in common. But as a little time goes by you will find that there is always a common ground to be found. Your negative thoughts can be made positive by just getting to know someone. 

If dogs can learn to tolerate a visitor, don't you think as humans we can do better? 

This lesson was brought to you by the three ring circus. Have a great day!

Marty

The Garden Is Going To Sleep Soon. 11/16/2023

 Good Morning,

The house has the aroma of Door County Wisconsin Harvest Blend Coffee and it is time to write. 

I was preparing a big pot of chili to eat this weekend while I am away on a hunting trip with friends. I was pleased to say that some of the ingredients were from our garden. I canned some tomatoes, harvested the onions and peppers and dried them to use for dishes like this. It is a good feeling to be able to share this with friends and family. 

Jeremiah 29:5 Build houses, and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. 

Last night before it was dark outside I looked at the garden that produced our veggies. It was turned over and fertilized a couple weeks ago. The little veggie patch is resting and will sleep through the winter. It seems a little funny but that time looking over the bare garden caused me to say a prayer of thanks to God for blessing that dirt. I am already looking forward to eating fresh tomatoes and squash once more next summer. I asked God to bless our plot again. I left the back yard content and in awe of what can grow when God blesses the field. 

If you want to see God at work, plant a garden and watch things grow. They come in handy in the winter. 

God bless,

Marty

Don't Write A Check That Can't Be Cashed. 11/15/2023

 Good Morning,

I have a long day ahead of me and I will need my Door County Caramel Apple Coffee to wake me up for sure. 

Matthew 5:41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 

I am always cautious to think things through before I commit myself to be stretched with my time and resources. There is only so much time in one day. There are only so many resources at one's disposal. When we over commit because of our willingness to be kind and helpful, we can easily become weighted down with more than we intended it to be. 

It doesn't take too long for a good thing to become an anchor. To avoid sinking your own ship. Consider your time needed to invest in someone, the resources it might cost and the inconvenience of changes to your own lifestyle. Spell out the the amount available and how much time you can spend investing in others. Know your limits and set them without assuming something was understood.  Never say what you don't mean. But never renege on your word to others. Broken promises are hard to swallow. 

Better to not have promised than to promise and then renege. This often happens in the work setting, when you are one of those who can never say no. This occurs in volunteer situations also. When you can't say no, people will always assume you are ready to say yes. 

My point is this. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Never assume anyone knows your heart and your true intentions. Don't write a time and resource check if you can't cash it. 

God bless you all. 

Marty