Don't Take Friendship Lightly 12/31/2025

 Good Morning, 

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County White Christmas Coffee ad I am ready to write. 

Today I want to talk about friendship. My first statement is do not take being a good friend lightly. Many a grudge is carried into eternity because of a "friendship failure" 

Psalm 55:14 NKLV We took sweet counsel together , and walked to the house of God in the throng. 

The psalmist in Psalm 55:14 speaks of a deep broken friendship, lamenting that the betrayal comes from someone whom the psalmist shared close, sweet fellowship, often in worship at God's house, and walked within the crowds, highlighting the pain of a trusted companion's treachery. It has been said that this statement refers to Judas and his betrayal of Jesus in his last hours. There are thoughts that this is a betrayal that David endured. He had many trusted advisors and this could be Ahithophel who sided with Absalom David's rebellious son. 

My point for today. Don't take being a friend lightly. A good friend is honest. Has your back at all times. Never works behind your back. Tells you what you need to hear. Would give you his or her last dollar. A good friend would never ask you to do anything immoral. A good friend will always push you toward God.  You can trust a good friend. A good friend can keep a secret. 

But fail in one of these areas and the hurt of being let down lasts a long time and is hard to mend.

Better to be no friend at all, than to be a poor example of a friend. 

Food for thought. 

Marty

Prayers For Mikey 12/30/2025

 Good Morning,

I will be enjoying a hot cup of Door County Mistletoe Mocha Coffee very soon. I am skipping breakfast today. My brother, me and our ladies will be trying a restaurant which serves Polish style food for lunch. This has the beginning of a nice day.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. And be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 

Our neighbor Mikey lives at the assisted living home next door to us. Back in early November Mikey fell and broke his elbow. 

We are good friends with Mikey and help him whenever we can. So you can imagine, that he has needed a few trips to the ortho specialist. Yesterday was one of those days. My wife Rene went along with Mikey and me.  

When we received the news that we would not have to come back to the clinic for 6 weeks and that the bone is healing about as good as it will ever get, I saw relief in Mikey's eyes and a smile as big as Texas. Mikey thanked everyone from the doctor, nurse, desk clerks, therapists and the parking valet as well as Rene and I for being part of his healing process.

Mikey suffered some strokes about 8 years ago and this elbow set back seemed to depress him like never before. He was limited already from the stroke. The fall and arm damage took away a little more spring in his step. This accident was tough for him to bear. The stroke disabled his speech abilities and often I had to answer for him and then he would nod yes during the clinic visits. But those "thank you's" rang out as clear as a bell. Lastly Mikey prayed and thanked God for healing him at least to where he was before the fall. I quote Mikey. "I have lots to be thankful for." 

Can you, despite continued suffering, say thank you for even a little reprieve? Can we praise despite the circumstances and thank God for what He has done as well be content with what He hasn't done?

You go Mikey! You go Buddy. Thank you Lord!!!! 

Marty

Not Feeling It Today 12/29/2025

 Good Morning,

I am enjoying a hot cup of Door County Christmas Coffee. The roads are wet and slippery and I will take that into consideration as I travel this morning,

A year ago we suffered a family tragedy and we lost our grandson. We tried removing a lot of the memorabilia from the walls and tables in our home, but that made it worse. We restored the pictures and ornaments within our home. Our consolation is that we knew his faith and because of ours and his, we know we will be reunited with him in heaven. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with a voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

It takes time for this type of peace to settle in, but I am better today than I was a year ago. God is good and is a source of assurance that we who believe do not believe in vain. 

Peace and love to all today.

Marty

A Light On A Dark Stormy Night 12/28/2025

 Good Morning,

I am slowly sipping on a hot cup of Door County White Chocolate Cranberry Coffee on a cold rainy morning. The coffee seems to be good for my body and my soul this morning. It is time to write. 

I find that God comes to us in many ways and during different seasons in our lives He becomes not only Our Father, He becomes the Director, Comforter, Supplier of Peace,  The Almighty and so much more as our needs change and cries for help fall on His ears. 

Psalm 119:105 KJV Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

I often think of God as a light house of safety for me in the storms of life. For me, God seems to shine brightest in my darkest hours. I rely on His directions and words of comfort, care, instruction, and assurance. I run to the light of safety and covers when the night gets cold and lonely. 

Today, I just want to say thank you to God who is my light house through the storms of life. He is always there to light the way.

Food for thought.

Marty 

Waiting For The New Year 12/27/2025

 Good Morning

I just finished brewing a hot pot of Door County White Christmas Coffee and it will be leaving in my truck with me in a few minutes. 

Psalm 102:27 But you are the same and your years have no end. 

When I was a young boy, my parents would try to celebrate New Years Eve with friends or other relatives. I would often think about the future as I sometimes was allowed to stay up until midnight and sing a song that did not make any sense to me at the time. I had my first official New Years Eve plans already in my mind by the time I was 16 years old. So do the math I am 69 now. Take away 16 and that makes 53 years of New Years celebrations. 

Honesty is everything here. I can't remember one of those 53 years  that held a New Years Eve celebration that would make me want to go back in time and do it all over again. By the time I was forty, New Years eve meant a new start to taxes, a new health care deductible to pay, and a whole lot of unknowns. If I were out celebrating I was ready to go home long before midnight. 

The best celebrations I have ever had were the ones that included board games with close friends, steak on the grill and a bed time of 12:10 am. Or just my wife and I with a fireplace that glowed with some dry logs burning, a pizza and a bedtime of 10 PM .

I am not knocking those who like to party hardy and enjoy doing so. Good for you. No matter what is done, the New Year and what it brings is under the hand of God and it will be what it will be. That is one thing you can count on.

Marty

The After Taste Of Bitterness 12/26/2025

 Good Morning,

Sitting on a plate at my desk is a hot cup of door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee and it is time to write.

                            A Myrtle Tree                                    

It is going to be the start of a new year in a few days and I have a thought or two about that. When I choose a coffee to drink what happens after I drink it, is important to me. I like the immediate taste of the coffee I choose, but if I can still taste it an hour later I will probably not drink it again. I don't like to carry the taste with me all morning long. The after taste is not something I want on my palette much after the coffee warms me up and pleases my senses. 

Where am I going with this? It is simple. As the new year starts there is probably still something that occurred last year or many years ago that is still there leaving a bitter taste in your heart. You carried it for some time now or even just for a short time it does not allow you to taste and see what God is doing each day. 

Psalm 34:8 ESV Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good ! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him

Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste and sweeter than honey to my mouth.

The bitterness of the wound stirs up anger, mistrust, and causes you to build upon the pains of your heart. Even the best of times keeps you from enjoying anything good. You wouldn't wash a tasty prime rib down with a cup of one year old muddy coffee. So instead of enjoying a fresh cup or a cold glass of water you choose to not even enjoy your plate of delicious steak at all. We find it hard to celebrate the joy of others. 

God never barges in to heal your plate of hurt. He respects and loves us so much that He waits for us to call upon Him. Once we do call upon Him, there is strength anew to move on, forgive if needed, and enjoy life once more. I needed to do that myself and I did about two hours ago, when I saw that my hurt and anger is not doing me or anyone else any good. I needed to have  my trust in God reinstalled to accept that He has a plan for my life and in the  pains of life He can pick me up, brush me off and take away the bitter taste if I let Him. He puts the song of forgiveness in my heart where a heart of concrete has set up a wall that is not healthy nor good for anyone else. 

So if I am going to carry anything into this next year I am going to carry peace, joy. love and trust. 

Food for thought. My you be blessed this day and every day!

Marty

Merry Christmas If You Don't Show UP You Don't Have To Leave 12/25/2025

 Good Morning,

I have a hot cup of Door County Christmas Coffee in front of me, and now seems to be a good time to write. 

From Rene and I, we want to wish all who read this daily blog a Merry Christmas. Our prayers are for all of you to have a blessed day. One that is filled with some friends or relatives to share YOU with them. You are important to someone. Their life would not be the same without you. so share yourself with them. 

I heard a quote last night that struck a chord with me. "Those who don't come, don't have to leave." In a gathering there are two things that happen. People show up and are greeted. Then when the gathering ends, people say farewell . Those who don' show up never experience either one. 

The door opens and people are happy to see you, You exchange a greeting that says "Come in and share what we have and please enjoy your time with us. Then when a time of love, laughter, and memories are shared and probably some good food. You get ready to leave and experience the "plan" for the next gathering. For a short time the cares of the world are less. You are appreciated for coming to the gathering and you might have made someone else's day a little brighter 

If you don't come, you don't get to leave either. Food for thought, 

Merry Christmas,

Marty

Food for thought.