Applying What You Learn 9/30/2025

 Good Morning,

I started this day with prayer and thanksgiving for another day to walk in this world. I just poured a hot cup of Door County Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Coffee and it  time to write. 

Philippians 3:10 NKJV That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

Tonight our Men's Ministry Group at our church will start a new Bible Study, The study should last about three to four months. We are studying "Experiencing The Resurrection" written by Henry and Melvin Blackaby. The book is 212 pages long and filled with material regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My goal for choosing this study for the men is to have them store up the knowledge they will learn. But more importantly take that knowledge and apply it to their lives and use it to enhance their walk with the Lord and with others. 

Knowledge stored and never applied is basically useless and not much good for anything. We are only on this earth for an appointed time. We only have so long to learn about God and then apply it. What life will be like in heaven with God will be more than wonderful. Yet we pass up seeing Him at work in our lives and the lives of others while we are on Earth.

Point for the day. Stored knowledge left unused is a great waste of a life. Don't waste what you have learned. Share it and most of all put it to use. 

There is nothing like studying about God with a good group of men. Consider joining a Bible study. You will never regret it.  

God bless, 

Marty

My Cup Runs Over 9/29/2025

 Good Morning,

I just sat down to write. My cup is filled with hot Door County Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Coffee so Monday here I come. 

Psalm 23:5-6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil, my cups runs over. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

My wife Rene and I had a great three days relaxing and celebrating our wedding anniversary in Door County Wisconsin. The weather was perfect for three days straight and if I were to complain about anything it would be a sin.

While driving home yesterday it was pretty quiet in the car and I began to recall the weekend and the many things we did and the people we encountered as we picked apples and shared a slice of cherry pie while sitting on the back bumper of Rene's car. 

This year has had many twists, turns, bumps and and illnesses to contend with. But at each turn  in the road we new that God was with us and that despite the challenges He saw us through. For the first time ever we had to purchase apples. Our trees heavy laden with blossoms in the spring failed to produce even one edible apple. Some major pruning will occur in a couple of months. In the meantime we picked apples together at a farm. We were warm and happy. 

I looked over for a second at my wife who was sound asleep in the passenger seat and said a small prayer of thanks. We have food, shelter, family and friends. We have each other and we have our God to guide us, carry us, correct us, protect us, comfort us, love us and bless us in ways that are too wonderful to comprehend. 

Friends, it is good now and then to reflect in the silence of the day and look up and say thank you despite how it might look at the time. Thank God for the silence as well. Acknowledge all of His blessings and presence.

Have a great day,

Marty

A Hat For All Times 9/28/2025

 Good Morning,

A little Door County Maple Coffee extra hot is kicking off my day.

My wife and I are practical in our approach to life. Very seldom do we purchase gifts for each other that won't be used. 

The hat pictured above was a gift from Rene for our anniversary. I do need another blaze orange hunting hat. In addition to knowing that I needed another cap she knows what is written on my camo hat. So she added that same passage to my new hat. 

So my point for the day can be used by married couples, good friends and children. Be observant! Listen and watch for hints that shows you are attentive and you think about those other folks who are important to you. Nothing says love like attentiveness and then acting on it.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Have a great day!

Marty

Thank You My Lady 9/27/2025

 Good Morning,

As I sit in our hotel room this morning I have at my side a hot cup of Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee.

We are actually in Door County for the weekend. My wife Rene and I are celebrating our anniversary. According to the woman who tracks everything, we have been married for over 1000 years.  It takes a team effort for us to be able to travel. We are grateful for my brother who house sits and keeps our two dogs in line. Our neighbor helps when my brother is running late. They are both true blessings. 

James 1:17 NKJV Every good gift and any perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is variation or shadow of turning.

Psalm 84'11 NKJV For the Lord is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory;. No good thing will he withhold from those that walk uprightly. 

We met at work and Rene who isn't talkative would smile and exchange greetings with me and that was about it. I started work at the hospital in 1983 and a friendship eventually developed. I invited my friend to help me chaperone a canoe outing with 75 teenagers in 1984. Rene agreed and that night after getting all the teens home, she agreed to a late night pizza. I asked if she would consider an actual date and hoping that I wouldn't hear "No thank you". The rest is history. We were married in 1986. God has blessed our little family of three and if I had to do it all over again, I would have asked her out on a date sooner. 

My point for the day is this. My wife is a gift given to this old guy and I need to acknowledge God and give thanks for the blessing to be able to call her my wife. She is the butter on my biscuit.

Have a great day. God bless. 

Marty

Last Tool In The Box. 9/26/2025

 Good Morning, 

I will be traveling with a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee as my wife and I drive to Door County. We will be celebrating our anniversary this weekend,

What a blessing I received yesterday!!! My phone rang as I was pulling into the driveway with a load of groceries. I didn't recognize the number and the caller ID was blank. The voice was somewhat familiar but I drew a blank until the caller said. "Hey Marty this is Hank!" I knew right then who it was and my heart felt good. Hank was a fella that I went to high school with and somehow we just lost touch with each other. Another buddy of ours got us in touch with each other after 50 years. We talked for about 30 minutes about our families, jobs, buddies, and girls we used to know. It was like old times. Except now, we have a greater common denominator, we both follow Christ. I asked Hank if back in the day if he ever thought we would be on the phone someday talking about spiritual things. We both cracked up with that one.  That alone is a miracle.

I will get to the lesson for today. I always feel it is good for us to share blessings when we receive them.

today is the last day on tools for your spiritual tool box.  

Fellas and ladies. Everyone should have this last tool.  It is in fact  an accountability partner. Someone who knows you well. Someone who isn't intimidated by you. Someone who will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Someone who will pray with you and for you. Someone who also walks with the Lord. 

Proverbs 27:17 NLKV As iron sharpens iron so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. 

James 5:16 NKJV Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed . The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 

It would be good if you both could get together weekly in person or on the phone. Weaknesses should be shared and then accounted for in those meetings. 

Have a great day my friends. You are loved ! Get an accountability partner! You don't want to end up in one of my sermons. 

Marty

Important Tool For Your Box 9/25/2025

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Maple Coffee and it is much needed this morning. 

Yesterday we discussed the importance of having Scripture in your spiritual tool box, to fight off temptation and attacks from Satan.

Today, another tool I want to mention, is the need to have a steady prayer life in the tool box. 

Psalm 145:18 NKJV The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.

Jeremiah 29:12 NKJV Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me. And i will listen to you.

Prayer is our God given right to call upon God on behalf of ourselves and for others. It is communication with God the Father, through His Son. Miracles come in moments spent in prayer. 

Tomorrow we will look at my thoughts on the last tool in your box.

God Bless,

Marty

Tools For Your Walk 9/24/2025

 Good Morning,

There is still time for this writing to be considered morning. I will not be drinking any coffee for awhile due to some medical testing that needs to be completed yet today. I think I will be stopping for a hot cup later this afternoon.

Last night at our Mens Bible Study it was mentioned that there are tools for keeping our walk with the Lord sharp and on point. We all agreed that the most important tool in your box is a healthy diet from the Word of God. There are 66 books in the Bible and I believe in every word that is held within those books. 

Not only are they there for instruction, advice, and reproof but they are the number one way that God uses to speaks to us. 

In our box of tools the Bible is also there as a first aid kit that we can use to help mend broken hearts, ours, and the hearts of others. Every good tool kit always has something that is there to mend wounds after an accident, or an attack. A good way to keep the your tool box clean is to memorize passages of Scripture to help keep you on the right path.

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart , That I might not sin against You. 

You are never too old to memorize a passage or two to help you in your walk. Your mind becomes a quick access to your tools. Tomorrow I will write about some other tools that are Spiritual and useful in keeping your walk with God on track.

Marty