Fun With Grandma 4/21/2025

 Good Morning,

There is a sweet aroma in the house this morning and it originated in the kitchen from the Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee brewing a little earlier. 

Hebrews 10:25 Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching. 

 

Yesterday we celebrated Easter combining some of my family and some of my wife's family. Despite the combination of families it still was still only six of us. My mother in law will be 98 years old in July and yesterday she ate well and added to the conversations and the jocularity that goes along with a group just talking and having fun. I haven't seen her laugh that much in a long time. 

I told my mother in law that I would have a surprise for her on Easter. I explained that the Easter Bunny had left her something. The table was set and ready for us all to eat when the last dish was done baking. Mother walked around the house and saw the table all set with plates and silverware. She saw her surprise. I had constructed a little rack of  block  letters from a Scrabble game. I found a large bowl of them in an antique shop. Also on her plate were some canvas miniature carrots and an Easter Bunny figurine. She had a chuckle and you could also see the wheels churning as to how she would do something like that back at me. 

Mother has always been pretty good at pranking me for many years. And she enjoys seeing the look on my face when she gives me a jab. 

At her age of 98, we really can't take for granted one more anything with her. My point for the day is this. If you celebrated Easter with others recall in your mind who was there. Lord willing that same group can be there next year. But don't take it for granted. Don't wait to gather for a year. Take advantage of every opportunity to assemble and enjoy one another. Life literally changes in a heart beat.

Take advantage of time before it takes advantage of you.

God bless,

Marty

I Believe 4/20/2025

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to write with a hot cup of Door County Sunrise Roast Coffee and it is soothing right down to the marrow of my bones. 

Acts 2:32 God has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of it. 

Today the Christians of this world celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from His tomb. He was crucified on a cross and absorbed the punishment for our sins. Three days later He was raised by Father God and went about a short ministry time visiting and serving others once again. God showed the power He has to change the dead back to the living. He restores souls that once were without purpose, music within, and hope. One of the hardest things for people to believe is that the tomb of Christ is empty and He now sits at the right hand of the Father.

I am trying to keep this short. I  believe! Jesus is still changing lives, and resurrecting souls that once were dark, hurting, without purpose, hope, and in danger of spending eternity in hell. Why do I believe? Because I once was lost and now I am found. Only a powerful God could change this life from what it was to what it is and what it will be. 

Happy Easter and blessing to all. 

Marty

Guarding The Tomb 4/19/2025

 Good Morning,

My old desk is occupied with an old man drinking Door County Sunrise Roast Coffee this morning, and it is time to write. 

John 4:34 Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." 

Last night I had the great honor to be part of an Easter drama. My wife Rene and I used to attend the sponsoring church many years ago. The outdoor drama depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, His death, burial, and the resurrection. It lasts three days and the tomb of Christ is guarded by people dressed as Roman soldiers. I have been blessed to be a part of this for many years. The guards are there around the clock and the shift changes every three hours. The tomb is always guarded. They battle with the wind, rain and sometimes snow. Last night it was raining so hard I had to step away for a quick cup of coffee. That was a first for me. 

The drama takes place on the church grounds, and people come from all over to see the display. The cars stop on the road and pull over to observe the live drama. The guards will send one or two people to the road to invite the occupants of the car to the resurrection, Easter breakfast and the church service. The guards will pray with many people on their shift and evangelize a little with the occupants of the cars. 

I will say this, it was a busy night for prayer. I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 hours last night despite some nasty weather. It is amazing how many people desire someone to pray for them or with them. 

My point for the day is this. Don't make prayer for people an annual outing. Be ready at all times to pray with folks in need of prayer or if they desire to be prayed with. I know heaven smiled down on that site last night, and I know lives were impacted by a three hour shift. Lives will be impacted all weekend. 

God bless,

Marty

A Man Was Saved Today 4/18/2025

 Good Morning,

I am happy to say that the Door County Country Morning Blend Coffee has finished brewing and I am ready to write. 

Today, Christians around the world observe "Good Friday" the day Jesus Christ was crucified and died. Jesus spoke 7 times that were recorded from the cross. As a young boy I recall a year that on Good Friday the weather was just beautiful. It was unusually warm outside and the lilacs and one rose bush in our yard had blossomed out. I recall this because I had been sent outside to cut just a few lilacs off of the bush for my mother. The lilacs were very fragrant. If I close my eyes right now, I can still see the roses and the lilacs. I can still find the beautiful fragrance catalogued in my memory vault. 

I recall my mother listening to Billy Graham on the radio the day before and Reverend Graham spoke about the thieves hung the cross next to Jesus. That message stirred the heart of a young boy in the third grade. 

Luke 23:39-43     39. Then one of the one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him saying, "If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 

40. But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying. "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this Man has done nothing wrong. 42. Then He said to Jesus. "Lord remember  me when You come into your kingdom."

43. And Jesus said to him. "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise".

My spiritual journey in life began that day and it was a long time before I found Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, but prior to that night this "jerk and rebel" never forgot the day the yellow roses and lilacs bloomed early. Each Easter I would remember that day and the lesson of Christ's compassion to one man, despite being in tortuous pain Himself. 

I used to wonder if that message could even apply to a sinner and scoundrel such as I. But finally, in 1981 I did find our Lord and Savior and my heart claimed Him for redemption. God still isn't finished honing me into the man I ought to be, I am not what I will be yet, but thankful I am not what I used to be. It all started with a radio, roses, lilacs and a pocket knife. I will never forget that day for as long as I live. 

The roses were a "wild variety, that spread along the back fence in our yard. In 1986 Rene and I  purchased my parents home and the roses and lilacs were still there when we moved 1994 But I never recall them blooming early like that again. 

Marty

Out Come The Decorations 4/16/2025

 Good Morning, 

A hot mug of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee s doing it's best to warm me up and wake me up. It is time to write. 

I never say much when my wife Rene decorates the house for a season or a holiday. Making small changes to the indoor scenery is something she enjoys as she works hard to make the seasons and holidays nice for others and herself. 

Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove his people's disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.  

The reason for Easter is not lost on her at all. She loves her Lord and Savior. She says Easter is a time of reflection, but Easter Sunday should be celebrated in a grand way. She makes Easter baskets for shut ins and gives me directions as to what she might want constructed. Pictures of my latest endeavor will be posted on Monday. "Jesus died for me, and God the Father raised Jesus up from the grave to save us all and show the power He has over death. She says," Just knowing that we are loved that much is a reason to celebrate." 

Some folks might feel that her decorations are a wee bit much and she might be a little soft in the head. But Rene has a soft heart and it shows with the work she puts into a basket or a gift. She works hard to celebrate a the gift of freedom from sin and a future that holds heaven. 

Have a great day! Bring out the decorations!

Marty

Jesus Walks With Us 4/16/2025

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee and it is time to write.

Today I am writing from the heart for a loved one. We all at one time or another have something occur in our lives that takes away even our breath. I have experienced this a few times and I have felt devastated to say the least. I found myself living in the Word of God a little more than usual. I recall reading this passage while wondering if I would survive my anguish. 

John 5:8 Jesus said to him "Get up, take up your bed, and walk."  Shortly after that, I read Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

God never said to me "Get up and run". He said to get up and walk. I am to keep walking with Him and I am never alone is what he said. He gave me time to rest and eventually He led me back to being part of His work. He then showed me the plans He had for me. 

I pray for all of those who are hurting now and cannot see the light leading them on.

I love you all.

Marty

Good For At Least One Business 4/15/2025

 Good Morning,

I have the spell check turned on and a hot cup of Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee in front of me and it is time to write.

I have a friend who manages a custard restaurant. It's a place where you can get a tasty cold treat and it also serves some good food if you choose to have a meal before you imbibe on a frozen delight. 

My wife Rene and I stopped into his emporium of treats not long ago and my friend was there and had some time to talk. I asked him how his business was doing. I was thinking that the stock market swings and unsteadiness in the world might be hurting his volumes. He informed me that when the stock market swings low the amount of frozen custard he sells goes up. "People drown their misery in sweet things". That certainly amazed me to hear that the stock market and it's woes are good for a least one business. 

Now, I am not so sure that custard sales are a barometer for your personal financial moves but I know this. People look for comfort in trying times. I find that for me, the trip for an ice cream cone is always better on a Tuesday night after studying my Bible with guys at church. This study time also includes some intense prayer time. Of course I go home and bring my wife along and it is basically a short date night.

My point for the day is this. Yes the cold sweetness of a dish of chocolate custard is always nice and tasty, but add in some prayer and the Word of God and it ends up being soothing for the soul as well. 

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said. "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

Have a great day and don't let the custard drip on to your shirt!

Marty