Trick Or Treat 10/31/2024

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee and an apple before I head out to work the election polls in our city. I am proud to be helping out for the early voting and looking forward to the main election day. 

Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer them. "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least, of these my brothers, you did it to Me."

Last Sunday afternoon/evening our city observed Trick Or Treat. Our neighbor Donna and myself set up a table between our two yards and handed out candy to the children and some parents as they went trick or treating from house to house. We encountered all different kinds of costumes and some were quite ingenious. I will say this. Just about every child who was old enough to speak said thank you after they received their candy. Only a few took the candy and departed without acknowledging the gift. It was a pleasant experience for my wife Rene and I to be joining our neighbor once more to take part in a neighborhood event. Rene would come out and visit us and resupply me with candy. She would also ask us if we needed anything else. 

In a world where there is so much strife, bitterness and rage, it was nice just to see folks be generous and for others to appreciate it with a "Thank You".

So if you have the opportunity to pass out some candy and show kindness to strangers, take a chance and participate. Be hospitable. 

Marty

Sharing Breakfast Is A Big dream 10/30/2024

 Good Morning, 

I am looking at a tired dog and sipping on a hot cup of Door County Autumn Spice Coffee. As for me, I am a little tired myself. It is time to write. I am blessed to say that my blog gets read in several countries and the readership varies daily. I will never meet most of the readers and it seems a shame that it can't happen on this side of heaven. But it is just another good thing I have in store for me in when I get there. 

I often think about how nice it would be to sit down with some of the folks who read this and prepare for them a breakfast and pour them a cup of coffee. These folks and I might not even speak the same language, but we have this blog in common and who doesn't like to eat breakfast? Our countries might even be enemies, but in my day dreams we sit in peace and break bread. (Preferably biscuits, smothered in gravy or jam). God would meet with us as well and then breakfast takes on a whole new meaning. 

John 21:9-13 ESV 9. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread 10. Jesus said to them, "Bring some fish that you have just caught." 11. So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12. Jesus said to them. "Come and have breakfast" Now none of of the disciples dared ask him "Who are you". The knew it was the Lord. 13. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 

But what I can do on this side of heaven is to occasionally invite a friend over for breakfast or go out to a restaurant for a meal and leave all of our troubles at the table for an hour. We could take time to pray and share our troubles if desired. 

I guess I am a dreamer and I dream big. But just the thought of my breakfast dream makes this heart smile.

Have a great day!

Marty

Making Repairs To An Old Friend 10/29/2024

 Good Morning,

This day started with prayer and a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee.

Colossians 3:17 NIV And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Yesterday I was outside i to our back yard and I went to sit down at our picnic table. I noticed that some of the nails that hold the boards together were coming loose and they needed attention from me and my hammer. This picnic table was built for us by an old friend of ours when we first moved into our home in 1994. It has withstood all the snow, rain, one tornado and hot weather that came it's way for 30 years. I seal the wood every other year and sit on it almost daily. Many times the thoughts for my blog are written at that table. That table is an old friend. It has hosted good times and times of sorrow. 

When our friend was building the table he exclaimed " It is finished and this one with a little sealer now and then should last a lifetime." The table outlived our friend who passed away a few years ago. As I sit here this morning I can't help but think about my friend and the  table and what a craftsman he was. He took a lot of pride in his work and had a smile that could move any heart to join in with his smile. 

Today as you might be going to work or out for chores. Does your smile go with you? Is whatever you are doing today receiving your best effort?  Does your work receive the extra it might need to last a life time? Do you practice being a craftsman for your life? Will you be remembered fondly when you are long gone?

Take your life and build it right. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord.

Happy Tuesday!

Marty

A Fork In the Road 10/27/2024

 Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee is steaming in front of me and it is time to write. 

Now and then life leads us to a fork in the road and a decision needs to be made as to what direction is best for you. I have had that happen a few times in my life and I am at a fork in the road now. I know one thing for sure, there are two directions I can choose from. But until I hear clearly from God I will not choose on my own. I have lived long enough to know that God's choice for me will be the best. 

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but it's end is the way to death. 

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

If life has you at a fork in the road. Stop and make sure your choice is what God wants. Don't move forward until you know for sure. A record of bad choices, all too often decorates a life forever. 

The wrong road can be a long, unforgiving route to destruction.

Marty

Sunday Morning Thoughts. Sentimental? Not Me! 10/27/2024

 Good Morning,

I am leaving to hunt ducks again in a little while. I will be filling my Thermos Bottle with Door County Pumpkin Spice Coffee and enjoying it in the cold morning air. 

Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. 

My wife and I are looking forward to a family weekend in November. Our only niece is getting married that weekend and our small family will hopefully all be together for a couple of days. Just thinking about it makes me smile. As I age these get togethers seem to mean more and more to me. 

It's hard to fit all the things we hope to do and say into one weekend. It will be nice just to have all of us in one building and not for a funeral. My wife Rene said something that should never be said to an old tough guy. "You are getting sentimental!" I refuse to admit it and there is no way I am getting sappy in my old age.  Real men do not shed tears. If by chance our eyes begin to leak, it is from terminal hay fever. 

So my thought for the day is this. Don't hesitate to gather together, especially for celebrations. Don't wait for a funeral to get together. There is one person less at those. 

God bless,

Marty 

The World Just Keeps Spinning Faster 10/26/2024

 Good Morning,

My day began with some Door County Breakfast Blend Coffee and a dash out of the door. I am hoping to get a little duck hunting in and then head home for a nap. 

I was discussing the fact that there just isn't time enough in one day to accomplish all that I want to do. It could be that as I get older I cannot keep up with the world or I am not really trying to do so. Even my short naps are rushed now. 

I will be looking for things to trim from my plate and praying about them. There is a strange restlessness in my spirit and I need to spend some time on a quiet lake and have God sort them out for me. 

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way. 

When in doubt seek the Lord and be still. He is God.

Marty 

A Change Of The Seasons 10/25/2024

 Good Morning,

I am packing up soon and heading to work the voting polls in my city. I will for sure have a Thermos Bottle packed with hot Door County Caramel Apple Coffee. It is time to write. 

Ezekiel 17:24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish; I am the Lord, I have spoken. And I will do it."

One thing I like about living where we do is the fact that we have distinct weather changes with four different seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall are definitely for me a true wonder of the world. We planted a maple tree two years ago and it is shooting upward with each year. It is colored out now and soon all the leaves will fall while it sleeps through the winter. With enough sun and water this tree has the chance to reach quite high toward heaven. As long as I am around I will tend to all of our trees and learn by their example of reaching up and establishing strong roots. 

For me this means I am to be rooted in the Word Of God, and look up to God for direction, and make sure I get enough time with the Son. 

I will miss those colored leaves, but with God's blessing they will bud again in the spring and there will be more of them. 

Have a great weekend and grow where you are planted. 

Marty