Marti Martin

Wow! What a week! I have been reading a book by Andy Stanley about Pathways. In the book it explains how we make daily choices and do not always consider the long term outcome based on those small daily choices. Re- evaluating our direction at times can be good and bad. Bad because it can force us to make an extreme decision based on what we discover. Good because it can tweek our course straight onto God’s path for our lives.  When we look at our life from a panoramic view it does tell the tale. What are we doing everyday, all day and how effective are those things  in fulfilling our purposes. We must not compromise or bury our talents, remember we have to answer to God on how well we used the gifts that he has given us! These gifts that are so precious to God will  force us to change our course at times provided we are brave enough to launch out into that world of risk taking and hope for something we cannot see.  I know that sounds like a really long term type decision but to be real honest it may be “big splat” as I like to call  quick change. It can be that moment in time where suddenly everything lines up and you have perfect clarity that where your headed has to change. I experienced that this week and it shocked me. I am still reeling from it because I felt that I had my future all figured out and it was lining up perfectly to head into a direction of comfort.  But suddenly I came  down to the final wire of a decision and within a few hours it made no sense.  It was made perfectly clear to me that I had made a plan of subtle convenience that could be completely undetected by me as a compromise until God opened my eyes and clarified this as a fact. No matter where you think you may be headed directionally, when we know God  has a specific plan for us he has every right to  surprise us and change the path . It was hard for me to do, but I did it and now I have to trust because my way was far easier and more comfortable but God’s plan is bigger and riskier and faith filled. But, better is  one day in your house than a thousand elsewhere! Amen!  It may mean a job change, moving or some other decision that completely effects everyone in your family. When some sudden directional change is made clear to you don’t disregard. God still does the “suddenly’s”. God is still God and we must stay open to Him despite the fact that we may be judged by some as being impulsive.

Today was rather ordinary as I worked in ordinary ways common to man. I couldn’t help but think about the book The Shack and imagine how it would be to sit through days of meetings and process through problems with God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. I loved that particular part of the book that talked about how there was complete trust because of perfect unity among them. How short would our meetings be if we were unified and trusted one another? I guess thats a dream way out there because we are in a fallen world after all! We judge and criticize and accuse each other of impure motives. By the time we process the junk stuff we are finally able to move forward and accomplish something worth while. After the message on Heaven at church this week, all I can say is what a place that will be!!!!!

Wow, the conference was a great event because God showed up! AMEN! When I see one of these evenings come together and actually attract a great crowd I am overwhelmed at how God chooses to use people. The worship was awesome Rebecca and Jenny were superb. I enjoyed preparing the message but mostly the delivery because I love to watch people as they process and learn a new truth to apply to their spiritual walk. The top of the night was watching the Holy Spirit heal hearts at the prayer call. I wish I could do that everyday. I live for seeing people give their all to the Lord and in response watch God move in the hearts of people. It’s the most I get to see that gift flow. When I see a heart turn toward God and the emotion overtake the moment. I’m still in awe of His power to change the human heart!

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting Kay Warren because one of my fellow workers at Grace  is actually a relative of hers. At first we thought it may be a formal time. But when we arrived she was warm and friendly and welcomed us with a hug. She was so real and reachable and it was so special. She encouraged us in our work in the church to reach out to those who need the Lord. She was funny and even cried with us once. She is the real deal and God allowed this time which encouraged my heart so much! Thank You Lord!

What a wonderful day to see so many people at church sitting with their families together at a service that was intended to unite all generations. I often have the thought while watching people on Sundays interact and greet each other , look how long we have been doing life together. Our kids have grown up together and we are all getting our gray hair together! What a joy. The weeks have turned to months and the months into years. It means so much to have a church family since I have very few relatives. The few I have are distant because my faith in God has seperated us. Although it is painful at times it has happened gradually as lifestyle, values and choices have performed the seperation naturally. To compensate however, God created a place for me to do life with others that have like hearts toward Him through church membership. So tomorrow starts a new a new day and a new month that challenges more toward reaching the goals God has for my life. Sometimes its fun thinking about the future while remebering the past. But sometimes its lonely wondering what sacrfices will take place along the way. What other natural divisions will take place becasue of the purposes God has called me to, who would ever think that making a firm decision to follow Christ almost 16 years ago would evolve into me entering into ministry and my family thinking I’m crazy for the most part. So many choose to chase the mighty dollar…but me I’m a hopeless romantic and when I fell in love with Jesus he truly became Lord. My heart is secure my mind is made up, the challenges will come but it is all good and I wouldnt exhange how I do life or my decision! Its a good day when you lay down and realize that life sometimes hurts, but you wouldn’t change it because you know you chose the better thing