Do They Have Scrabble In Heaven 8?/7/2026

 Good Morning!

The Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee just finished brewing and I am looking forward to my first cup. It is time to write.

As a family we enjoy playing the board game named Scrabble. There have been times when we play too late and are tired the next morning. There is nothing like trying to think when our daughter and my wife get going as they talk through their next steps on the Scrabble board. 

Ecclesiastes 9:7 ESV Go. Eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. 

But for me, just being around the board with two that I love so much  makes it even better. If Kristy comes to Wisconsin we have a fire going in the hearth and some munchies for three people who really don't need any. Pretzels always taste better when your are sharing with loved ones. 

For me, those late night games let me experience the love of God for who he put in my life. On a recent trip Kristy found the perfect Scrabble board so that you get some physical exercise as well as exercise for your brain. I believe when we are together at her house or ours, we are experiencing just a little heaven on Earth.

Can't wait for November. We will use our old board. We would need a ladder for Kristy with the big one she found. She is height challenged. Let the battle begin!!!!

Have a Great Friday.!!! 

Marty

Conceding To Age 8/6/2026

 Good Morning,

It's a tired morning in our house. My cup of Door County Bourbon Vanilla Cream Coffee is working hard to wake me up. It is time to write.

Isaiah 46:4 NIV Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and rescue you. 

I have been working the last few days for our city as a poll station worker for an upcoming election. It is easy work but yesterday was a twelve hour day. I am basically out of shape for work. I can recall working many twelve hour days back in my prime and they never tired me out like they do now. 

The good old days!

I have been struggling with not being able to split firewood like I used to. I need a right shoulder replacement and an hour on the wood pile has me feeling the pain for two days. I am holding off as long as I can before I go under the knife. I have been shopping for a hydraulic log splitter and the trigger date on that purchase might just be today. I have conceded the battle with age and if I want a nice hot fire in our home the log splitter is now going to be my buddy.

My point for the day is this. We all get older and we just need to accept it and work smarter not harder. For our own good, there are times when we just have to find a work around or accept some help. Accepting help is a humbling moment that most men do not enjoy. But there comes a time when you just have to admit that the splitting axe just doesn't fly through the air and deliver a split piece of wood like it used to. 

That's enough whining for one morning. I have some shopping to do. And no. I am not shopping for fire wood!

Have a great day. 

Marty

Every Word. Every Word. 8/5/2026

 Good Morning, 

My day started extra early today and mu insulated bottle is filled with Door County Bourbon Vanilla Cream Coffee for later. But for now it is time to write. 

Matthew 12:36 NKJV But I say to you that for every idle word that men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgement. 

God has recorded every nasty thing we have ever said. Angry words and curses are on our personal list of stupid things that we said. Every lie, big or little will be recorded. On the day that our every word is reviewed and taken into account we might want to pack a lunch because it is going to be a long day for some of us. 

So before you spout off today with filth, fits, tantrums and cursing, think ahead. Is what you are about to say worth having God review it on a later day? Is it worth being embarrassed by your own words? 

Food for thought. Try to avoid shifting your mouth into high gear. It might seem like today is a great day until it is reviewed on judgement day. 

God bless,

Marty

What Do You Expect When You Pray?

 Good Morning,

I have in front of me a hot mug of Door County Highlander Grog Coffee and it is time to write.

Quite often I am asked to pray for people who have a specific request and it is usually for them but also very often it is a request made on behalf of others. The request might be health related, jobe related, financial, or problems in the home. You name it and I have prayed for it.

This morning I am not bragging as to who or what I pray for. But the point is simple. No matter what I pray for I can always call on God to answer this way. Yes, No, or Wait. 

But! There have been times when I am praying for myself or others that His answer to their prayers is this. God places a call on their lives in His answer, which might just not be the answer you wanted, but despite your needs God has a plan for your life. Most of these calls on your life require action. The best thing you can do is to respond affirmatively.

Never are we to answer wait Lord or play let's make a deal with God. Our answer should be yes. Not "I will do what You ask if you answer my prayer the way I want it to be answered."

1st Samuel 3:9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel. "Go lie down and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say. 'Speak Lord, Your servant hears.So Samuel went a lay down in his place. 

We don't usually expect God to answer our prayers with a command to go and serve. 

But our thoughts are not His. Just remember the right answer is Here I am send me!

God bless, Marty

Not Really A Guest Anymore. 8/3/2026

 Good Morning,

My mug is still steaming after being filled with Door County Turtles In A Cup Coffee and it is time to write. 

This morning I have three English Springer Spaniels nudging me for attention, our two Gibbs and Leo. In addition we are watching our nephew's dog Waylon while he is working in another country for awhile. 

1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV But if anyone does not provide for his own, especially  those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 

We do this now and then whenever we can help out. In the beginning when Waylon was just a pup he was very skittish around our two dogs and would often sit away from all of us. He would get homesick within a few hours. Waylon would stare out of the patio door window or the front door window. I believe he was looking for our nephew to come and pick him up. 

Well things have changed now and Waylon figured out that he is part of our family and what goes for our two dogs applies to him also. He has his own bed here and lines up for chow with Leo and Gibbs. He understands that Gibbs is ancient and both younger dogs treat him with dignity and respect. They watch out for him and Waylon accepts that duty like they were brothers. 

He knows he can count on Old Uncle Marty and Aunty Rene to keep the dish full and hand out treats like any uncle and aunt should. He finds this old dude on the floor for some affection and play time and the Springer wrestling begins. 

My point for the day is this. Those who come into your home for a visit or extended stay should feel like they are family and welcome at any time. They should be able to count on being loved and cared for. Do the neighborhood kids know that in an emergency your home should be considered a shelter? Do your neighbors know that they are important and are family members also? 

Food for thought.! We will leave the light on.

God bless, Marty

Vacation Bible School And The Will Of God 8/2/2026

 Good Morning, There is a hot mug of Door County Toffee Pretzel Coffee next to me on this rainy Sunday morning and it is time to write. 

This week our church will be hosting Vacation Bible School and the last I heard there was over 80 children signed up to attend. I am proud to say that our church has a strong children's ministry. Many volunteers are giving their time to the cause. 

There will be Bible lessons taught and games played. The fruit of the  event might not be seen in the children for a few years. But who knows how even one child can be impacted for Jesus and avoid mayhem later in life. 

The volunteers might not ever see the fruit of their labors. But yet they have answered the call to serve the Lord. I pray for good weather, great attendance and hearts to be touched. 

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

My point for today is this. Give of your time at your church. Volunteer to help in endeavors like Vacation Bible School. You just never know who it will impact.

God Bless,

Marty

A Steady Guide 8/1/2026

 Good Morning,

My ug was just filled with Door County Toffee Pretzel Coffee and now it is time to write. 

I am listening to a much needed rain hit our roof and the sound is soothing to the soul. 

Psalm 23:3 He guides me in the paths of righteousness.

One thing you can count on in life is that God will never lead you astray. When we submit to His leadership, He is there to help us navigate our days here on Earth. He lights the way with His word. His leadership keeps us from the pitfalls of life. 

A lot of our personal disasters are products of us making the wrong choices. We trust in ourselves and the advice of others before we go to God and ask for guidance. 

God is gracious and even after not consulting Him He will guide us through the consequences of our choices. He does not always eliminate the consequences. We learn a lesson or two from the consequences. And sometimes the consequences of a bad choice hurt deeply But a good guide is a teacher as well as a guide. 

My grandfather was very good at teaching me the "Whys and the Why Nots of life. He took the simple days of life and used the choices needed to be made as teaching moments. There are still things that he taught me that I observe to this day. 

So the point for the day is this. What is God warning you about? Are you listening? Will you follow the Guide or follow your own thoughts? 

Have a great day! God bless,

Marty