A Day To Remember 12/7/2025

 Good Morning,

The coffee in my mug is Door County Naughty Or Nice Grog and it is time to write. 

Today in the United States we observe the attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941. It was the final straw that drew the United States into World War Two.

John 15:13 NKLV Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Those who were there that day are a number that is very few anymore. But today I will honor those who served in WW2. They were a generation of "Can Do and Will Do people. I want to publicly thank them for the gift of freedom they fought for. Who knows what life would be like if we had lost that war?

God bless America,

Marty

A Real Heartbreaker 12/6/2025

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Alma Brand Coffee and the aroma goes through your nose and warms your heart. 

Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

A loved one of ours received a text message while visiting us last week from her neighbor back home. She was informed that another neighbor was in very critical condition and was and still is on life support. The neighbor battling for her life is very young and has three small children.

This young mom and wife struggles with an alcohol addiction and has done some serious damage to her body and it isn't looking all that good . We prayed as a family and I am still praying that she can survive. In my prayers I have included prayer for the family which includes her husband, children, parents and her in laws. I pray that they will hang on to all hope and strength as they too go through the trial of a lifetime. 

When I think of alcohol addictions I picture an older man with a brown bag clutched tight and a bottle of Ripple inside, not a young mother and wife. All addictions are heartbreakers, but this one is getting to me. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that may be able to bear it. 

If you are reading this and you struggle with alcohol, love yourself enough to give yourself a Christmas present. The present is not what you give others, but what you take away from your life. Take away the addiction that impacts you so hard and take away the poor wretched soul that your family is watching die day by day. Get help and base that help with the love of  Jesus. You can do it. There is a beautiful world out there and don't miss another day of a better life. 

Friends if you know someone fighting this addiction or any addiction, pray for them, pray with them and help anyway you can to show you care. 

God bless,

Marty

A Friday Thought In December 12/5/2025

 Good Morning, 

I just poured a hot cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee and it is time to write. 

Philippians 2:4 NKJV Let each other look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. 

I have a short message for today before I take a friend to a doctors appointment. He lives just to the North of us and attends our church. After that my wife and I have a meeting with our insurance representative. My wife also will be headed out to assist her mother at a craft fair that her mother signed up for. 

Why am I pointing out all this business? It's just to show you all that retirement doesn't mean you get to sit at home and not be involved with the rest of the world. I find myself more involved with helping others than ever before So the thought for the day is this. God isn't done with you yet. He has a plan for you right up until that last breath of yours. I am not blowing my own horn here, but just to remind you that God is at work and He would love to have you join in. 

Many Christians like to sing the hymn "Standing on the promises" while sitting on their backsides. 

Food for thought. Give others the gift of you this year at Christmas. 

God bless,

Marty

A Christmas Miracle 12/4/2025

 Good Morning,

My mug is steaming from the hot Door County Wisconsin Cherry Pie Coffee I just poured and it is time to write. 

Psalm 77:14 NKJV You  are the God who does wonders. You have declared your strength among the peoples. 

I was in the 2nd grade when tough times hit my family. Mom had to have an open heart surgery about a year before and the surgery was considered experimental at the time. Thus, it was not covered at all by insurance. When we needed to move into a smaller home it seemed like things could not get worse. During the move my parents and my sister were involved in a car crash. They were hit by a drunk driver. All three were hurt and the other driver did not have insurance or anything worth suing for. 

One night just before Christmas I was not asleep, but I could hear my parents talking and my mom was crying. My dad was explaining to her just how bleak the financial situation was and that there would be no presents for the family. Maybe the grandparents or our aunt would help out. Christmas cookies were nixed for oatmeal, and eggs.  His goal was not to lose our home.

I heard my mother praying for things to turn around and that my dad could keep up the pace of two jobs.

 My dad was a United States Marine and was active in the local VFW post and the American Legion. One of my uncles was also active in the same organizations. He spread the word that my folks could use some help.

It was a Saturday morning and it was cold in the house. I was up and watching the Saturday cartoons on the black and white tv. I hadn't been sleeping well. I too was worried that we would have our home taken away. As a second grader your imagination can run wild. The doorbell rang and I went to answer the door. There were several men and women at the back door. I opened the door and they asked for my Dad. I slammed that door and locked it. No one was going to take our home, or send me and my sister to an orphanage. I was ready to go all "Home Alone" on those creeps. I did own a sling shot!  Within a few seconds my heart sank as my dad opened the door. I thought to myself  "What the hell." I used to swear quite a bit by the time I was in second grade. My dad seemed to know the guy. He addressed my dad as "Hey Marine, We heard that one of us needed a hand." I looked out of the window and there was a line of women and men with boxes of groceries, toiletries and presents. My dad sat down at the kitchen table and there were tears running down his face. I saw my dad shed tears only twice. It was when my mom passed away that he cried for the second time. 

The man who seemed to be the leader also handed my dad an envelope with $250 in cash. He also had his hand on my dad's shoulder. He explained where all the money and food came from. It was collected at a dance held at the post as a fund raiser for our family. The kitchen was filled with these Marines and their wives until it spilled into the living room. Once they were assembled, they all on cue shouted in unison "Semper Fi" They shook dad's  hand and hugged mom,.

My point for the day. I believe in miracles and that God listens to prayers. I believe God also uses the good hearts of men and women to be a part of the miracles. If you are down and out, pray for that miracle and hope in the love of Christmas. 

If you hear of a genuine need and you can help, be part of a miracle.

God bless,

Marty

A Month To Celebrate. 12/3/2025

 Good Morning,

My cup was just filled with hot Door County Christmas Coffee and it is time to write.

Winter has set in and right after some snow, the temperatures and the wind chill let us know that winter is everything that it is said to be. That is just fine with me. We have been shortchanged by the last few winters and it is about time to get some snow and cold weather. A great bonus for me is that all the mosquitoes are no where to be found. 

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder, And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,

As I sit in the warmth of our home, with a fire in the hearth I can't help but feel good about today. I have a few early morning errands to do and then it will be "Outside" to string some Christmas Lights. The inside of our home is being transformed into a Christmas chalet. My wife has been one busy gal with hauling out all of her Christmas decorations.

Notice! I don't say Holiday decorations. I am strictly a "Merry Christmas" kind of guy. Tis the season of Christmas and we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. No one ever woke up and said let's celebrate a Holiday. This time has been set aside for one reason and one reason only. It's all about Jesus.  

It just so happens that for me, we celebrate in my part of the world in the cold and hopefully some snow. But as long as I live, I will love wearing warm clothes, and fixing up out home with Christmas decorations, And I will respect God the Son, by calling this time of the year as Christmas. 

God bless,

Marty

Making Your Day Special 12/2/2025

 Good Morning,

Today I am trying a new coffee flavor from the Door County Coffee Company. White Chocolate Cranberry has filled my cup and I will say this, it might just be one of my favorites. 

I was thinking about how God gives us one day after the other and some days are just a repeat of the day before. Today I am taking charge of my day. I have a tendency to complain every day about something. I am going to try and reduce my complaints or eliminate them for today. 

Next I am going to take a moment here to list and share my top three favorite Bible verses with the world. 

1. Matthew 11:28-30 NIV "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give your rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

2. Psalm 46:10 NIV He says "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations' I will be exalted in the earth."

3. Isaiah 41:10 NKJV Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,"

The point for today is this. Share something with someone else today. Share a kind word, a cup of coffee, a phone call, some time in prayer, or a meal. While making your day great, you can also brighten the day for someone else. 

Food for thought.

Marty

Guilty As Charged 12/1/2025

 Good Morning,

I am happily drinking a hot cup of Door County Candy Cane Coffee and it is time to write. 

Matthew 7:12 NKJV Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them., fore this is the Law and the Prophets.

I broke out the Christmas flavors of coffee to help support my goal of being "Mr. Happy" for December.

I have a little ritual that I do each week. My mother in law lives in an assisted living complex due to just getting older. She will be 99 years old this year and I am her only son in law. Every Sunday I call her and chat about just anything and everything. We especially like to talk about the Green Bay Packers after their Sunday games. 

But last Sunday I was traveling to Iowa to hunt and the call slipped my mind. So when I called her last night Mother reminded me that I missed a call last week. "You haven't called in some time!" was her minor scolding. I was guilty as charged and I will be making an in person stop there this week. 

My point for this fine day is. As we approach Christmas don't forget yo make an extra attempt at visiting the elderly who are shut in. Make a deliberate attempt to send an extra card, stop by for a visit, and for sure, call more than once a week. 

The last time you call, might just be the last time. Take advantage on making someone's day by visiting or calling on that loved one.  Time catches up on all of us and it might be you staring out of a window waiting for someone to remember you. 

Food for thought!

Marty

God bless, 

Marty