tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169738942024-03-23T10:44:17.793-07:00Until Jesus Returns In Glory...Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-80941481699608713112012-09-30T22:41:00.000-07:002012-09-30T22:41:23.750-07:00I Stand Amazed...<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Another look at a song proclaiming Christ!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I Stand Amazed</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Author: Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (1856 – 1932)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Scriptures: Matthew 26:43; Luke 22:41; Romans 5:6-8; Ephesians 3:18-19</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Themes: Love of Christ, Passion, Gethsemane, Praise</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I stand amazed in the presence</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Of Jesus the Nazarene,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And wonder how He could love me,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A sinner, condemned, unclean.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">- Jesus came to this earth to be a human. Philippians 2 (Nazarene)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">- He was despised and rejected. Is. 53:3, Jn 1:46. Can anything good come from Nazareth. Even despised by his hometown.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">- Rom 5:8. And while we were yet sinners (haters of God, insubordinate, lovers of iniquity and darkness)...Christ died for us.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">- Truly an awe inspiring verse. It is only possible that we can be saved and know God because of His great love. It is a wonder.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">How marvelous! How wonderful!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And my song shall ever be:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">How marvelous! How wonderful!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Is my Savior’s love for me!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Just a simple, yet profound response to Christ's actions. Verse 1 pictures His coming to earth as the Nazarene. Verse 2 highlights His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane praying for God's will to be done. Verse 3 is the conclusion of His prayer in the garden when the angels came and ministered to Him. Verse 4 focuses on the cross and the fulfillment of His purpose here on earth...to die for sinners. Verse 5 culminates the story and fast forwards our own soul to heaven where we will see our Savior face to face and what a joy it will be to thank Him in song and praise for the rest of my days because my soul has been purchased and redeemed out of the pit of hell.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The chorus is a simple refrain of the fact that the song that we sing to Christ now on this earth and forever in heaven is so marvelous and wonderful...because the Great love that Jesus had for me to humble Himself to become a man, suffer hardship, die alone, so that I can know Him and be with Him for all eternity.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">For me it was in the garden</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He prayed, “Not My will, but Thine”;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He had no tears for His own griefs,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But sweat drops of blood for mine.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Verse 2 is omitted from many hymn books because of the second phrase "He had no tears for His own griefs, but sweat drops of blood for mine." The reason being Hebrews 5:7. "In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety." This verse clearly states that Christ did cry tears for His own grief...the fact that He asked the Father if God would allow this cup to pass from Him, meaning the death upon the cross and the separation from His Father. Luke 22:42</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Yes, Jesus did die for the unjust...and if the word "griefs" here is in reference to sin...then yes, Jesus shed no tears for His own sin because He never sinned. 2 Cor 5:21. However if sin is implied there for the word griefs, the it would imply that He could have sinned, or had sinned in other instances, which is not true.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Probably a good idea that this verse is left out...however I would love to know what the original intent of that line was. It is usually the case in songs that there is some "bend" to Scripture in songs in order to have words or phrases that rhyme...however, that line in no way rhymes anyway. You could put any clearly truthful line in there and still finish with "but sweat drops of blood for mine." A line like "He kneeled and cried to the Father...and sweat drops of blood (or like blood) for mine." Pretty simple fix...but I think the author was placing the focus on the believer (himself personally), and contrasting that with the thought that Jesus was not doing this for Himself (His own griefs), but for the sinner (1 Pet 3:18-just dying for the unjust). You see that from the first line of the stanza, "for me it was in the garden". This sets up the thought that Jesus was thinking of the sinner. However, with verses like Hebrews 5:7, and the idea that Jesus' grief was more for His coming death and separation from God than because mankind was sinful...I think this verse is better not sung, or tweaked some, which some hymn books have done. (ie. "He cried with tears in His sorrow but sweat drops of blood for mine.")</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In pity angels beheld Him,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And came from the world of light</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To comfort Him in the sorrows</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He bore for my soul that night.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This entire stanza is born out of one verse in Scripture, found in Luke 22:43. This verse isn't even cross referenced in any other gospel account. It is one line that says that an angel ministered to Jesus while he was praying in order to strengthen Him. This is similar to the account in Matthew 4 where angels ministered to Jesus after the 40 day temptation in the wilderness. This shows the great compassion of the Lord that while in Isaiah it says that it pleased the Lord to crush Him (speaking of the Messiah), that He still dispatches His angels to minister to His Son during His most trying times on Earth.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He took my sins and my sorrows,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He made them His very own;</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">He bore the burden to Calvary</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And suffered and died alone.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">2 Cor 5:21- He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Isaiah 53:5- By His wounds we are healed</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Luke 22:33-49- Christ bore the cross and died a sinners death</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This verse speaks of the death of our Savior on the cross. The main passage being out of 2 Cor 5 where Jesus is the one who had never sinned, and yet became sin, to bear sin and die in my place a death that I deserved.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">When with the ransomed in glory</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">His face I at last shall see,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">‘Twill be my joy thru the ages</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To sing of His love for me.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">John 3:16- Eternal life for all who believe in Jesus</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">1 Cor 15:50-58- Those who know Jesus as their Savior will all be changed and resurrected in the last day</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Rev 4 and 19- Picture of a scene in heaven that shows that we will sing and worship the Lamb forever</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The last verse has me excited for what is to come. Glory will be for all who trust in the Name of the Lord. The ransomed, the ones that are there who have believed in Christ, will be there...and we will see Him face to face. And we will sing...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Wishing this song had a verse on the resurrection as well. Starts with Christ's humanity, then suffering, and death...to skip the resurrection to jump directly to glory seems to be a bit off...however, the song still brings serious praise!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">How can we help but “stand amazed” in His presence? How marvelous! How wonderful!</span>Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-16997396414299430692012-07-01T23:10:00.002-07:002012-07-01T23:10:55.463-07:005 years...What on earth?! 5 years? Tonight as I was putting Cade to bed...I watched him fall asleep, with flashlight glowing in hand. There I sat, watching him drift off to sleep, utterly humbled by the grace of God. It was 5 years ago that Julie and I tried to fall asleep at the hospital, with her due date still 2 months away, not knowing that our baby boy would be born the next morning, and that it would change our lives. We knew having a baby would change our lives...but the timing wasn't ours, but it was the Lord's.<br />
<br />
As I think back to all the thoughts and feelings that flooded my mind in the days and hours leading up to the arrival of our little boy...there are certain memories that stick:<br />
<br />
-Convincing Julie not to find out what the gender of our baby was. We had decided not to find out, which was such a joy, but the circumstances were pressing on us to find out early. So glad we didn't. Hearing, "it's a boy" from the doctors and nurses was a moment I will not forget. Especially since I was pretty sure we were going to be having a girl.<br />
<br />
-Texting Julie's sister Laura, who was nearing the end of her vacation in Australia.<br />
<br />
-Knowing the prayers we were receiving from family, friends, and the church body at Calvary Bible Church (especially the Young Marrieds group).<br />
<br />
-Meeting NICU families and nurses that would soon become good friends (and still are) even though I had no idea what I was being prepped for.<br />
<br />
-Reading sections of the Book of Romans to Julie. She was having a tough time concentrating on anything due to the drugs that were trying to stop the contractions she was having. God's Word was a refuge and a comfort and did not return void. We were blessed and refreshed by the truth of God's Word that He cares for us and has a reason for everything...and that all things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose.<br />
<br />
So...as I think back to that time, I fast forward to this evening, sitting at the bedside of my son, who is turning 5 tomorrow. The boy who was 3 lbs, 15 inches long, was hospitalized for 56 days, had apnea, and we had no assurance of anything...is now a thriving, 40 lb, 42 inch, healthy boy. I am overwhelmed by the goodness of my God. Overwhelmed by His faithfulness. Overwhelmed by His grace. It is not because the story ended well that God is good. He is always good. Recognizing that the trials and struggles are for our good, because we were drawn near to the precious side of Christ is why it is good.<br />
<br />
Tonight's takeaway for me: I have as much control today in keeping Cade alive as I did on that first day...none. Humbling. Completely humbling. God not only sustains my children, but me as well. It is that indicative truth that leads me to worship Christ imperatively with my life.<br />
<br />
Praise Jesus!<br />
Until He comes again...<br />
ipmIan Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-10852517655558228242012-06-03T00:16:00.000-07:002012-06-03T00:16:42.959-07:00Worship Review - Glory to God ForeverSo...a while back I was thinking, I want to start blogging about some of the worship songs that are really striking me and are growing me in my walk with the Lord. Since worship music is something I have a great zeal for...because my God is so great and worthy to sing about...I thought it would be fitting, especially given the fact that this is how I have been blessed to serve in church. By God's grace only (this is in no way an attempt to brag), I have been blessed to be a part of music ministry for about 12 years now. That is crazy to me. It is something I hope has been a blessing to the Lord, and a blessing to others. All that said...while my grand plans are to write a blog post as often as I am diving into these songs, it likely won't be...but we'll see.<br />
<br />
The most important part about a worship song in general...is that it be about the right things. The tune can be catchy but if it says nothing...it means nothing. This is not to discount music...as you can worship the Lord without any words at all, with any instrument at all. However, when it comes to your traditional corporate worship, there must be truth. The focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ is where we need to be.<br />
<br />
That being said, the first song I am choosing to write about, and much of it is my notes from researching the purpose of the song...is Glory to God Forever, by Steve Fee.<br />
<br />
GLORY TO GOD FOREVER<br />
By: Steve Fee<br />
<br />
Scripture (song purpose):<br />
-1 Cor 10:31: In whatever we do, give glory to the Lord.<br />
-Eph 2:10: We are His workmanship, created for good works.<br />
-2 Sam 7:22: For this reason You are great, O Lord GOD; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.<br />
<br />
Scripture (song lyrics):<br />
-Eph 1:3. Before the world was made<br />
-John 1:1. There was nothing before God<br />
-Psalm 118. We join the angels as we sing as one chorus in a symphony to the Lord.<br />
-Psalm 139. God created me and formed me in my mothers inward parts. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.<br />
-Gen 1:1. God is the Creator<br />
-Rom 12:1-2. Offer your bodies as living sacrifices - Take my life and let it be...consecrated Lord to Thee<br />
<br />
Purpose: Bringing glory to God is the core of worship and the core of life.<br />
<br />
The world gives praise and glory to many other things aside from the Lord, which is why 2 Sam 7:22 rings true for this song, that no one is like God. This thought of bringing glory to God and taking my life captive for the Lord is counter to our culture. The world tells us to take our life and make it about ourselves, and what we want, and our mindset is...what do I want to do today or what do I need to do today? Instead, our hearts and minds should be wrapped around, what am I doing for the Lord today? How am I going to dwell on the Lord today? How am I going to remember Him? Worship Him? If we aren't dwelling on the Lord and finding out what He wants from us...then we have replaced God...usually with ourselves. Say it out loud...if God is not your God, then it is very likely that YOU are your god. And that ladies and gents...is not a good place to be.<br />
<br />
So...fill your day with prayer and ask God to help you with that...setting Him before you. Then, take a look at your day and ask, why am I doing what I am doing today? How can I remember, and bring glory to the Lord with what I have planned for today? Maybe something is there that would not bring glory to God...DONT DO IT! The believer has God's spirit convicting me and you of sin with the purpose of repenting and turning to the Lord once again.<br />
<br />
EVERYTHING YOU DO IS WORSHIP! Think about that...Keep thinking...every single thing you do, say, think...is an act of worship. The question is...what are you worshipping? When you bring every action, word, and thought back to that question...that will tell you who/what you are living for.
<br />
<br />
Lastly, a plug for the band who recorded this...Fee. Although no longer together...they are fantastic! A littler more alternative if you are used to a more folk-like acoustic worship. However, the words of their songs are very clear...very motivating...and very God-glorifying. Their albums "We Shine" and "Hope Rising" are both great listens.<br />
<br />
Short video of lead singer/author Steve Fee describing the song:<br />
<a href="http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=295">http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=295 </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=295#_"></a>
Song via YouTube:<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/h64opCwLZCw">http://youtu.be/h64opCwLZCw</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/h64opCwLZCw"></a>
Song Lyrics:<br />
Before the world was made,<br />
Before You spoke it to be<br />
You were the King of kings,<br />
Yeah You were, yeah You were<br />
<br />
And now You're reigning still,<br />
Enthroned above all things<br />
Angels and saints cry out,<br />
We join them as we sing<br />
<br />
Glory to God, glory to God
Glory to God, forever<br />
Glory to God, glory to God
Glory to God, forever<br />
<br />
Creator God, You gave<br />
Me breath so I could praise<br />
Your great and matchless name,<br />
All my days, all my days<br />
<br />
So let my whole life be<br />
A blazing offering<br />
A life that shouts and sings<br />
The greatness of our King<br />
<br />
Take my life and let it be<br />
All for You and for Your glory<br />
Take my life and let it be yours<br />
_____<br />
<br />
Hope you enjoy the song!<br />
<br />
Until Jesus returns...<br />
ipmIan Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-42801499200807467832012-03-13T22:00:00.001-07:002012-12-23T23:08:02.557-08:00AMAZING! Discipline and Diligence AMAZING! Discipline and Diligence<br />
<br />
Hello out there! It's the other Martin here...blogging about something my wife would probably want to keep hidden...but I just can't! For those of you who don't know, my wife recently gave a talk to the MOMs ministry at our church. The title of the talk is "Discipline and Diligence".<br />
<br />
I have had the pleasure of hearing from many so far in the ministry that the Lord was able to use my wife in a big way already. I also have had the distinct pleasure of listening to it myself, both before in bite size pieces as she worked through her outline, notes, and trial run...and after the finished product. Now...I know my wife pretty well...but this was a whole new way of seeing her. I have seen the changes God has made in her life, specifically in the last year, and this is a culmination of that. <br />
<br />
I was personally blown away by the message, not just because it is my dear bride speaking...that helps...but because I got to watch this journey first hand. I hope you are blessed by it as well...so without further adieu...<br />
<br />
http://yourlisten.com/Embed.swf?id=117687<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
IanIan Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-12807271591550838482011-08-10T22:24:00.000-07:002011-08-10T22:44:46.425-07:00Ah...another 4 months down...but more frequent than the last update...haha.
<br />
<br />This one will likely be short. I just want to share a portion of a book that I have been reading called, Uneclipsing the Son, by Rick Holland. Found on page 67...talking about love and affections for Christ and how they flow together. Wow, life changing!
<br />
<br />"The whole reason you have affections is to enjoy Christ. And everything recorded about Christ in Scripture was specifically put there to draw out your affections, to discover His attractiveness, to make your love more deep and intimate. What does it look like when Jesus controls our affections? He Himself will be the object and focus of our love; our hopes will long for Him; our desire will be for Him; our hate and anger will be directed at sin because it offends Him.
<br />
<br />Thoughts of Him will be our favorite thoughts. Remembrances of Him will be our most precious memories. Our conciences will be tuned to His heart. Every sense and ability will be at His disposal; eyes to see His glory, ears to hear His Word, tongues to proclaim Hs praise, feet to serve His mission, awareness to give Him attention.
<br />
<br />Our gifts will be used for Him, our talents displayed for His glory. Our resources and possessions will be at His disposal. Every relationship will be regulated by our greater love for Him. Every moment of life will be about Jesus. He will come to have first place in everything (Colossians 1:18).
<br />
<br />True love for Jesus will then control all our human affections."
<br />
<br />Not even going to attempt to pick something out of this...this is so well written and convicting. Thank you Rick, for calling my attention to this wonderful thought. Everyone go follow him on Twitter...@Rick_Holland
<br />
<br />...until His glorious return...Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-86172039993915815652011-04-13T21:51:00.000-07:002011-04-13T22:40:36.162-07:00Well, another 6 months down...another post...hope you haven't been holding your breath. <br /><br />I wanted to get some thoughts down from attending the Chris Tomlin concert last night at the Gibson Amphitheater over at Universal CityWalk. It was such a blessed evening that Julie and I got to share not only with each other, but with some dear friends. <br /><br />First off...I am not an avid concert-goer. I am not sure why...because there is so much music that I enjoy. So, for whatever reason, this was the 3rd concert of my life...and was definitely one to remember. <br /><br />I had no idea who was opening for Chris Tomlin and was pleasantly introduced to a band from Ireland named REND COLLECTIVE. A great band with a lot of spunk and a huge heart for the Lord. By far the best thing they did (aside from having an actual trashcan Oscar the Grouch style as an instrument) was do a familiar yet new rendition of the famous hymn "Be Thou My Vision". They changed a few of the words of the hymn (for all you purists...I know that is sacrilegious to you)...but it made the song very personal and intimate, in plain modern English, between you and the Lord. Hands down their best song, but maybe just because it was familiar. Check them out.<br /><br />As for Chris Tomlin and his band...A-MAZ-ING! I honestly expected nothing less...because I know what professionals they are, but I was still blown away. It could have been the fact that I knew every song that was being played, but it was like each word, phrase, and refrain were magnified and I saw a refreshed meaning to it...not a different one...but just brought to life even more. <br /><br />Louie Giglio, one of my favorite speakers, spoke passionately from Psalm 148. He is a big astronomy nut, as I am...especially now that Cade pretty much works for NASA as far as I am concerned. But anyway, he just speaks on my level, making it super practical, putting the cookies on the bottom shelf (thanks Dr. McGee). Especially one part where he spoke on a segment on "hand-raising". Now, typically during praise and worship, I am not a big hand raiser. But Louie put it on a whole new level. He sampled a bunch of situations (with pictures) as to why and when people raise their hands. Kids going to school, a city hearing they got the Olympics in the near future, a Coldplay concert, a hot dog eating contest...etc. The same result (hands raised), happened because of something intensely exciting...but not only that...something exciting that those raising their hands cared about passionately. The challenge to me was that I kept asking myself...do I care about Christ as least as much as some crazed teens care about a secular artist? What would make me raise my hands? Better yet...what HAVE I lifted my hands about? A sporting event? A concert? Do I lift my hands in intense praise to my intensely awesome God? What am I scared of? What is holding me back? Obviously, I don't want to be a distraction...but I have been set free! I have been saved! I gain Christ and a glorious eternity! That's hard to keep inside. That said, that doesn't mean I am going to be a wheat stalk in the wind...but it broke me of my own pride and legalism in that area.<br /><br />Lastly, and probably the most meaningful part of the evening, was standing next to my best friend...my bride. Getting to worship alongside her and have her hold my hand made the whole evening. Just praising the Lord that He gave me a mate that loves Jesus!<br /><br />All in all, a great night of fellowship and worship. So much more than a concert.Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-52330842862015297612010-10-03T00:10:00.000-07:002010-10-03T00:58:14.574-07:00So...I lied...I haven't been any better at this. My sincerest apologies to both of you that follow me. :)<br /><br />Anyway, I have recently been feeling overwhelmed. However, not in the way you might think. It isn't that I am fretting or concerned with all the responsibility I have, all that is on my plate, or even all that is required of me on a daily basis. I have full and complete trust in the God I serve to guide me through that...<br /><br />...What has been overwhelming is God. I will never understand why...He cares for me. I thought about just writing about what God has done for me until my fingers fell off from typing, my head hit the desk from exhaustion, or I died of starvation. None of those are on my "Top 10" list (amputation, exhaustion, starvation)...so I'll bullet point a few things that blow my mind about God:<br /> - Creator - getting a heavy dose of some creation videos that Cade loves - talk about an immense and transcendent God. Why create me?<br /> - Love - "But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners...Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) - Why love me? nuff said<br /> - Patience - as a parent, you get a ton of practice in this category. I wish practice made perfect. God is so perfectly patient with me. Why be patient with me?<br /> - Physical Provision - Jehovah Jireh - He gives the ability to make wealth and in America, we are incredibly wealthy. Why provide for me?<br /> - Spiritual Provision - Jehovah Jireh - He gives us everything pertaining to life and godliness. Why provide a way of salvation for me? Why provide sanctification for me?<br /> - Protection - shield of faith, belt of truth, sword of the Spirit. We are armed for battle in a spiritual warfare. Why equip and protect me?<br /> -Compassion/Mercy - No reason to...but He shows it. Why?<br /><br />So that's just a few. SOME questions about God are fairly clear. But any time you get into a discussion at church, in a small group, at home, or out and about and the questions comes up of..."Why would God..." or "Why did God...", you are entering a new stratosphere. Anyone can have a knowledge of what God does, or what He is capable of, or facts about Him. But those people are the same ones that truly ask these "Why" questions and are not only befuddled but extremely frustrated by the answer. Most of the time, the answer is quite simple: "Because that's who God is" or "Because that's what God does" or "Because that's what God wanted to do" which all end up at the core answer of: "Because that is what brings God the most glory".<br /><br />That drives an unbeliever NUTS! The natural person cannot understand the things of God. Look people, the Psalms say that God sits in the heavens and does whatever He pleases. This life...this existence...is NOT about you or me. It's about God. It's about God getting glory. It's about God being on display. If you can't be satisfied with the answer to the "Why God?" question for your life, there is something wrong with YOU...not God. More than likely, it is because YOU are trying to be God...or you are trying to tell God what is supposed to happen or how things are supposed to be done. Rant over.<br /><br />To sum it all up...I am overwhelmed in a good way because I cannot fathom WHY GOD does what He does. I know that the same God I described above...cares for me, loves me, provides for me, and brings me joy...joy incomprehensible. The best part is...I know I'm in a good place in being overwhelmed of these WHY GOD thoughts and questions...because I trust Him. I have full confidence that God knows exactly what He's doing. This may be a completely obvious conclusion...but it was one I needed to come to. When faced with this...you can respond in 1 of 2 ways...either trust or distrust. The way you respond to those situations in life, tell a lot about you...and about where your hope is fixed.<br /><br />The ending wouldn't be fitting without leading into a song that has warmed my heart:<br /><br />"Trust and obey...for there's no other way...to be happy in Jesus...but to trust and obey."<br /><br />Until His glorious return...Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-46197703414813664892010-08-15T22:29:00.001-07:002010-08-15T22:56:28.725-07:00I promise I am going to get better at this...<div><br /></div><div>Well, not much has happened since my last post. HA!</div><div>-My wife went on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bed rest</span> in April</div><div>-My daughter was born prematurely in June</div><div>-My son turned 3 in July</div><div>-My daughter was released from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NICU</span> in July</div><div>-My wife's birthday...our 6 year anniversary...</div><div><br /></div><div>So...that's my story.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, back in action...hoping to make this a weekly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">occurrence</span>, if not more, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. Low expectations and then be surprised. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>What is it like to have a daughter? Well, as my wife can attest to, I was apprehensive about having a daughter. It wasn't the cost of a girl, the hair that will be clogging our drains, the makeup, the drama, or even the excessive amounts of pink and purple. It wasn't that I was scared of girls or anything like that...but scared of <i>my</i> girl who will one day possibly be out from under my care and in the arms of another. Yes, I am getting way ahead of myself...</div><div><br /></div><div>Once Reese was born though...all those thoughts about how <i>I </i>would feel went away. I was no longer worried about her leaving me on a white stallion with her Prince Charming into the sunset. My cares turned to doing everything in my power possible to care for her physically, mentally, emotionally, and most of all spiritually. I am her dad and she is in my care, (as are Cade and Julie) and I want to flood her mind with as much of the gospel and our precious Christ as possible. Who cares about academics and sports and looks and accolades when a soul is at stake? This is a radical change for me since I have been saved, moreso since I've been married, and even moreso since having kids. Do I want my kids to do their very best and excel in what they do...absolutely. But what does it profit a man to gain the whole world yet forfeit his soul? That applies everyday. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, growth is happening all over the place. Our family is growing in number, my son is growing in knowledge, my daughter is growing physically, and love is growing in our house. Julie and I are growing most of all, I think, in our trust of the Lord. As a parent, you feel very "in control" and responsible for all that goes on in your household. Continually though, we are reminded to let go. Not to "let go and let God" to it's extreme, but to let go of our pride and our Vulcan death grip we think we have on our life and our happiness and let God lead us in the everlasting way. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, I want to live for Jesus...and have my family follow me all the way to the Celestial City. Lord, I need you...</div><div><br /></div><div>...until His glorious return...</div>Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-1721003157293743632010-04-06T20:03:00.001-07:002010-04-06T20:11:10.399-07:00Wow...2 months gone by already?! Well, I have had this blog post on my mind for about a week now and was really relishing this thought the entire Passion week.<br /><br />There is a new band on my radar that I found out about by listening to Pandora. Now...I can't get enough of them. The band is "Fee". The album I am listening to right now is "We Shine". The song I have been listening to the most that reminds me of the glories of Easter and the Kingdom to come is "Happy Day". A simple song about salvation...past, present, and future.<br /><br />HAPPY DAY by Steve Fee<br /><br />Verse 1:<br />The greatest day in history, Death is beaten, You have rescued me<br />Sing it out, Jesus is alive!<br /><br />Empty cross and empty grave, Life eternal, You have won the day<br />Shout it out, Jesus is alive!<br />He's alive!<br /><br />Refrain:<br />Oh happy day, happy day<br />You wash my sin away<br />Oh happy day, happy day<br />I'll never be the same<br />Oh no<br />Forever I am changed<br /><br />Verse 2:<br />When I stand in that place, free at last, meeting face to face<br />I am Yours, Jesus you are mine<br /><br />Endless joy and perfect peace. Earthly pain finally will cease<br />Celebrate, Jesus is alive!<br />Yeah, He's alive!<br /><br />[REFRAIN]<br /><br />Bridge:<br />And oh, what a glorious day!<br />What a glorious way! That you have saved me.<br />And oh, what a glorious day<br />What a glorious name, yeah<br /><br />[REFRAIN]<br /><br />I hope you are as blessed by this song as I have been. I'm telling you...if you don't have this album...you are missing out.<br /><br />Until my Master returns...Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-82676970901217511682010-02-05T23:30:00.000-08:002010-02-05T23:51:04.351-08:00The soft sound of rain hitting the roof...<div>The water heater making noise in the wind...</div><div>The fan in our son's room coming through the monitor...</div><div>The sound of my fingers tapping on the keyboard...</div><div>My wife breathing as she sleeps...</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>...thankful for it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is easy to say thank you when you get something unexpectedly great. It just pours out of you in exclamation, "Thank you!" It is important to say thank you, especially for gifts and kind gestures. I truly am thankful though for all the pleasantries listed above. The unnoticed...unappreciated...un-thanked.</div><div><br /></div><div>But why...what is so special? God allows me to hear sound. God brings rain. God provided the job with a gracious boss which provided the money for the roof over my head right now, and the water heater, fan, monitor, laptop. God causes the wind to blow. God causes friction. God made our son and formed his inward parts. God allows my fingers to move, my brain to work, and my eyes to stay open. God provides breath. God provides sleep. God gave me my wife. </div><div><br /></div><div>With so much more that could be mentioned and implied from those few lines, most of all, God gave me the grace to realize that it's Him, not me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I rely on my hearing. I rely on the rain. I rely on the job with the gracious boss and the money to pay for those luxuries. I rely on friction (wrap your brain around that concept). I rely on DNA strands working together, molecules forming, the human body working as it is supposed to, in order to create human life. I rely on the tools needed and the doctors used that worked together to allow my son to live. I rely on breath. I rely on sleep. I rely on my wife.</div><div><br /></div><div>With all that said, most of all, I rely on the grace of God and come to grips with the fact, that I am nothing but a humble slave of Christ, not myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>So praise God for the mundane, the granted, the ordinary...along with the extraordinary, because it is the same God and the same grace that provides the ordinary as well as the extraordinary. I resolve not to miss seeing the grace of God in my life daily...and I resolve to be thankful for it, knowing where and who it comes from.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until Jesus returns in glory...</div>Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-80119213569316544002010-01-23T23:32:00.000-08:002010-01-23T23:57:59.909-08:00The holiness of God. An amazing subject, and one that is often neglected from the pulpit and from worship leaders. Why? Is God's holiness not talked about in Scripture? Is it covered in metaphorical language that is difficult to understand?<div><br /></div><div>Leviticus 11:44 and 1 Peter 1:16 are fairly clear: "You shall be holy, for I am holy."</div><div><br /></div><div>So what is it then? Why, as Christians, is the thought of God's holiness being abandoned? The reason I believe that it is being forgotten and brushed aside is because that holiness of God, requires something from us...if we claim Christ. Just as the verse said, "You shall be holy, for I am holy," God requires holiness from His creatures. It is not optional. We MUST be holy because our God is holy. And we MUST proclaim the holiness of God as one of His many attributes because of two reasons: </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1) God must receive glory from us for being holy. We cannot fully praise God without recognizing His holiness. We would not be proclaiming the whole counsel of God by ignoring that important fact.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2) To encourage, exhort, and admonish people to know how high the calling is to be a follower of Christ. We must count the cost and be willing to lay everything bare at the foot of the cross. </div><div>Understanding the thought of God and His holiness will bring you to your knees. Not SHOULD bring you, but WILL bring you. The fact will always be that we fall short of God and His holy standard. It isn't enough to be better than the rest, or as most of us live, be better than some of the rest. The thought of God being holy will allow us to recognize our own sin in our life and hopefully, prod us to rid our lives of that sin and praise God for how great and mighty He is. </div><div><br /></div><div>Humility and brokenness over my sin is all I can think of when pondering the holiness of God. And to think, that same God crushed His Son for me?! This just makes the words in 1 Corinthians 6:20 that much more powerful to me..."You have been bought with a price, you are not your own, therefore, glorify God in your body." Sometimes we try and close the gap in our minds between us and God thinking that we aren't as far apart as we are...but we kid ourselves. His holiness and our wretchedness are infinitely and eternally opposed...which makes the cross that much more lovely.</div><div><br /></div><div>And Oh...the glory of the cross...</div>Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-71737142352623639452010-01-04T00:02:00.000-08:002010-01-04T00:21:45.143-08:00It's a new year, new decade, new blog post...blah blah blah. So HOW is 2010 different so far for me? Well...I've spent more time watching Blue's Clues and Yo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gabba</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gabba</span> then I have watching football. Oh, and I just got finished watching Confessions of a Shopaholic with my wife. I feel my manhood slipping right through my fingers. Maybe I should go get some beef jerky...<div><br /></div><div>There, that's better. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ok</span>, so today was a new day for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Veritas</span> (Calvary Bible Church College Ministry)...at least for the music ministry...we added drums a la Calderon. Sounds special huh? They are. It was our first Sunday playing with drums and it was such a great kickoff to a new year. The song set seemed to tie in perfectly with what Pastor Jack Hughes was preaching on in "Big Church". Pastor Jack is beginning a 3 month series on faith from Hebrews 11. Today was the first message and it blew my mind. The line that stuck in my head was "It is smart and wise to trust in a faith that cannot fail because it comes from the God who cannot fail." The songs we highlighted this morning (below) are all about the great and awesome nature of our great God and how He is worthy to be praised. What a joy and pleasure it is to sing to and for him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lord I Lift Your Name On High</div><div>Lord Most High (Be Magnified)</div><div>Our Great God</div><div>How Great Is Our God</div><div><br /></div><div>All these songs place God on a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pedestal</span> where he belongs...magnified, lifted up, glorified...placing us in our rightful place...humbled, prostrate, and broken.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am so thankful to serve with a group of people in Veritas and the band (Corio 2 shout out). It is a joy to sing...of course...but it is a joy to serve with people who love Jesus...and that's why we're here. So, to Greg, Angel, Steve and Tony...Danny, Ryan and Charlie...and of course, my gracious wife...thank you for serving and loving Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2010...love Jesus while expecting Jesus. He's coming back. Heaven awaits.</div><div><br /></div>Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-14589172559490162362009-12-23T23:25:00.000-08:002009-12-23T23:40:52.688-08:00Well, it's almost Christmas. I love Christmas. What better than to celebrate the great humility of our awesome King, Jesus, who bore our sins? I love the time with family and friends. I love to take this time of year and meditate on all the Lord has done in the past year and spend time just thanking Him and praying for 2010, that I would follow His Word with all diligence and lead my family in grace.<br /><br />One year ago, we were just about to close escrow on the house we are in now. In fact, I remember the first thing we did was on the weekend between Christmas and New Years of 2008, we picked up the mounds of dog poop in the backyard. I've never seen so much poop except in Jurassic Park. January marked 10 years since Julie and I have been together. Wow...crazy to think that God had all that planned out. We had no idea. Marriage, a son, a house, a career?! Sure we hoped...but were clueless. God knew. He always knows. April marked the start of a business venture for Julie. RubyLove Designs...catch the fever. July, Cade turned 2. Nuff said. He has grown so much in a year. He teaches me more about me than I think I ever impart to him. I see my behavior in him...the extreme sadness...the extreme joy...awe...wonder. It's like looking at your own life with a magnifying glass. Everything is so heightened and maximized and right there before your eyes. Sometimes...you wish things weren't so magnified. All in all though, Julie and I are so blessed by him. He gives us so much joy. The culmination of that was in September when we went for his 2 year checkup to his Occupational Therapist from the hospital and he passed every test with flying colors. God's faithfulness is extreme. His power is limitless. Our thankfulness fails in comparison to what He has done. Now here we are in December again. Knowing where we've been...looking forward to what is to come. And, if I can quote from Cade's favorite movie "Cars" from Mater (like Tuh Mater, 'cept without the Tuh): "Don't need to know where I'm going, just need to know where I've been." I love no idea how that fits in...but I love it.<br /><br />Glory to God...simple as that.Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-46070815504882700792009-12-20T23:55:00.000-08:002009-12-21T00:07:09.863-08:00Here we are again. Wow...been tooooooo long. Yes, this is my first free moment in the last year and a half. :) Just before midnight, on a brisk December evening here in SoCal. Sweet bride is away on a couple day getaway with her sisters. My awesome kiddo is asleep...my God...never sleeps.<br /><br />I find my emotions overflowing at times like these. In the midst of any circumstance, my God is faithful. In the midst of any trial, my God is faithful. In the midst of any joy...you got it, my God is faithful.<br /><br />Focusing my attention the past week on music. I could probably say the same about every week...but for some reason...it seems most evident now. Not just music in general...that's just silly. Music...must have purpose. Now, of course I don't mean that all music must be serious or even theological. No, music can be spontaneous, goofy, and childish...but the motivation, is to praise God. I know I'm probably breaking every sacred code of music-dom, but hey...that's a you problem. Anyway, being involved in music at church, my mind is constantly thinking about chords, beats, rhythms, but most of all...motives. I want the music I listen to, and in turn sing, stir my heart to love God more, hate my sin more, and draw others to Christ...to the joy of my Savior.<br /><br />Artists that I am absolutely digging at the moment:<br />-Casting Crowns: "Until the Whole World Hears"<br />-Switchfoot: "Hello Hurricane"<br />-Sovereign Grace: any album<br />-Angel Taylor: "Love Travels"<br />-Chris Tomlin: "Hello Love"<br />and certainly not least...<br />-Steven Curtis Chapman: "Beauty Will Rise"<br />-Rick Horio: EP is still in the works...will rock your mind.<br /><br />Take a listen.Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-62099484909864554712008-07-20T21:34:00.000-07:002008-07-20T21:58:12.606-07:00Here I am, sitting at my house, the waning hours before I lay my head down for another evening. Thoughts are flooding through my tiny finite head about what to write, if I should even write, and if any of this is going to make sense or not...but hey, it's my blog...so there.<br /><br />Well, my heart is full of thankfulness at the moment. My wife is enjoying a favorite TV show of hers. My son is fast asleep for the night (Lord willing). And I had a bunch of time today to be with the people of God at my church, sing praises to my King, play with my son, and still have time to be alone and relax and write. I rarely have this kind of time to do something like this so I felt the need to capture it and just put some of my thoughts down.<br /><br />Two thoughts have really hit me lately and they aren't really related. First, my tiny time as a parent for this past year has taught about how much MY parents did for me. It is so hard for me to think that my mom and dad made the same huge sacrifices for me that I do for my son. Did they really have those nights where they were so exhausted because I was crawling and walking everywhere and getting into everything? Did they really have to pull my hands away from sockets and cords and other "No" things? It is SO true that you truly don't appreciate what someone has done for you, until you have to do it for someone else. For this reason, I know that I will never understand the full power of the cross of Christ because I will never be sinless, I most likely will not die of a death as gruesome as a crucifixion, and I will never have the weight of the world's sins on my shoulders. Sure, the time will come when I too will die, and maybe it will be "saving" someone else's life. But the saving grace of Jesus Christ can only come from Him, and I can't be more thankful for that.<br /><br />The other thing that has been on my mind, truly does come from the fact that I am tired. CJ Mahaney said in his book, Humility, that part of being humble, is accepting the fact that each night, we need sleep and should humbly accept it. This is a daily reminder of why God is so much more powerful than the human race that He created. He NEVER needs to sleep. He always has a watchful eye and never grows weary, but every single night, I need to rest my head from weariness. Sure, I could probably stay up for 48...maybe 72 hours straight, but God NEVER sleeps. What an amazing God we serve! With that, I am going to bed...Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-76653384707328957182007-10-25T22:09:00.000-07:002007-10-25T22:12:31.218-07:00We have a new website for our little family. Here you can read the whole story about Cade's little life as beautifully told by my wife. It is a detailed description of Cade's time in the hospital.<br /><br />http://web.mac.com/ianandjulie<br /><br />Praise God...always.Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-7079981952429794942007-08-28T11:02:00.001-07:002007-08-28T11:02:51.400-07:00We have good news!!! Our sweet little Cade boy is finally HOME! :)<br />After 8 weeks (56 days) in the NICU, our precious boy is home! Cade<br />did marvelous this weekend with all his feedings and for the past week<br />has been doing especially great! So, this afternoon, we said our<br />goodbyes at the hospital (which was hard!) and packed the little guy<br />into his carseat for the first time!! He is up to 6 lbs 12.1 ounces<br />and is 19 1/4" long! He passed his developmental, hearing, and eye<br />tests with flying colors!! He is just the sweetest thing, he just<br />wanted to meet us 9 1/2 weeks early!<br /><br />You can continue to pray for us as we adjust to life with a baby at<br />home! Having the nurses and doctors always available to answer to our<br />every question was nice, so it will be an adjustment being home! We<br />will just have to continue to trust the Lord with Cade's life! It has<br />been a blessing because Julie has had 8 weeks to fully recover from<br />the surgery and rest up (even though she was still up every three<br />hours! Now, it will be waking up to a baby, not an alarm clock!)<br /><br />We are so thankful for our little boy and even though this road has<br />been tough, we praise the Lord for what he has done in our lives and<br />the things he has taught us throughout this experience... Thank you so<br />much for all the love and support that you have shown to our family...<br />Thank you for the prayers! We greatly appreciate it!!<br /><br />As for visitors, just give us a call. We are going to have to be very<br />conservative with people holding and touching him, so you can come and<br />look at him if you'd like!! :) Just call Ian and arrange a time! Thanks!<br /><br />With Love,<br />Ian, Julie, and Cade MartinIan Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-33360950961543528662007-07-28T18:40:00.000-07:002007-07-28T18:41:08.555-07:00Cade is 34 weeks! (well, 26 days old, technically! :)<br /><br />Who knew the month of July would be so eventful!!! Everyday Ian and I just stand in amazement of what God is doing in our lives... Our precious son has made us so thankful for the gift of life and the blessing of children. Though he is not at home in our arms, we praise the Lord that He has given Cade the gift of life and is being cared for by an amazing group of doctors and nurses for now.<br /><br />Cade is 34 weeks gestational age (Full Term babies are born around 40 weeks, so he "should" have 6 more weeks to cook inside of me!)... They attempted to bottle feed our sweetie yesterday for the first time. We knew this would be a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs and we just prayed for Cade in this area... Well, the Lord answered our prayers and Cade did amazingly well! The Occupational Therapist that works with the preemie babies was shocked at how well he did! He took in half his feeding (15 mL) in 20 minutes and burped a ton! This may seem like something so trivial, but we PRAISE THE LORD for allowing Cade to do so well and we KNOW it is a gift and blessing from Him! Today, on his second day He did just as well!!! He took in 21 mL and burped a ton!!<br /><br />God is so awesome, babies don't develop the suck/swallow/breathe reflex until about 34 weeks and Cade picked it up marvelously, just around the time a baby still in the womb would start. God truly knits us in our mothers wombs and sustains us outside the womb!!<br /><br />As for stats, he is 17 1/4" long and 4 lbs. 5 oz!!! It is amazing, he looks like a totally different baby from when he was born! He is absolutely adorable! He is getting chunk on his little legs and even has a little double chin!<br /><br />Thank you all for praying for us and please continue to do so! We know Cade's life, and our lives are in the Lord's hands and we are so thankful for where He has put us right now. We have met many people that we can minister to that we never would have met if we did not have Cade in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)... The Lord knows best!!<br /><br />-Ian, Julie & Baby CadeIan Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-29909556230409504142007-07-20T09:28:00.000-07:002007-07-20T09:31:15.032-07:00Well, it has been quite the roller coaster ride for the Martin family, but the Lord has sustained us through it all! Thank you all for praying for us during this time and we would ask that you continue to pray!<br /><br />For a little update, Cade is doing well! He has been in the NICU for 18 days and our little man is growing!! When he was born, He was 3 lbs. 0.7 oz, 15 1/2" long... As of Thursday night, he was 3 lbs. 10.7 oz. 17 1/4" long!! The growth might seem small, but for the little guy, it's a big deal! We praise the Lord that he is growing and know that Cade is completely in the Lord's hands! The apnea (pauses in breathing that is very common in premature babies) that he was having is greatly decreasing and his IV should be coming out tomorrow! <br />The doctors are increasing his feedings to 1 oz every three hours and they will start to bottle feed him next week. Please pray for Cade with the bottle feeding as they say that is one of the hardest things for the little ones to get the hang of. <br /><br />As for the question everyone is asking, "When will Cade be home?!" We don't know!! Pray!!! :) But, they say in order to be released, a baby needs to be gaining weight, maintaining their own body temperature, feeding completely through bottle/nursing... <br />So, Cade is gaining weight, he is able to maintain his body temperature on his own, he just needs to get the bottle feeding down (which will start next week, Lord willing!)...<br /> <br />As for Julie, she is still recovering, but the Lord has really given her the strength to be at the hospital with Cade during the day. Thankfully, she has had very little pain from the surgery! Praise the Lord! It will be nice when she can drive herself to and from the hospital, but praise the Lord for gracious parents (chauffeurs)!! <br /><br />So, thank you all for praying for us and serving us in various ways! We praise the Lord for the body of Christ!! Please continue to pray for strength for us as this is just a very emotional experience that does have its ups and downs! But, we know Cade is completely in the Lord's hands and we have to trust God's perfect will for our lives and for Cade's! <br /><br />Until His Glorious Return.....<br />Ian, Julie & CadeIan Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-64726009896793329312007-07-03T13:09:00.000-07:002007-07-03T13:10:17.718-07:00WOW! What a couple days this has been! Well, for those of you who haven't heard....we have a baby BOY!! Yesterday morning, July 2nd, 2007 at 744am, the Lord brought us Cade James Martin. The official stats on Cade are 3 pounds 0.7 ounces, 15 1/2 inches long. He is doing excellent and is breathing on this own. Julie was just able to get up today and go down and see the little guy. A little overwhelming but she did great. <br /> <br />Julie started having pain with the contractions again at 5am yesterday morning and by 730, I was standing outside the C-Section room in scrubs wondering what in the world was going on. What an amazing experience. God has been so good and He's allowed us to get rest and have a ton of visitors so far and also get some good sleep. We are going to be at the hospital for at least 2 more days, maybe 3. Cade on the other hand, will be here a little longer. He will be in the NICU for about 7 or 8 weeks and then we will be able to take him home. That is good for us because that will give us time to get ready at home because nothing is ready to go right now. <br /> <br />Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. You are all welcome to come by and see us at Glendale Adventist. Please call before you come. Praise the Lord!!!<br />-- <br />Until His Glorious Return.....<br />Ian Paul Martin & Julie Elizabeth Martin & Cade James Martin <br />http://Abort73.com<br />We Dare You to Know!Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-88822061176736067552007-07-01T21:38:00.000-07:002007-07-01T21:39:22.537-07:00Well, we made it to the month of July! We are still about 9 weeks out from Julie's actual due date so we still have a ways to go. The past 2 days have been a bit tougher than the first 2 days. Julie is doing really well hanging in there but the baby seems to have other plans. The contractions she was feeling have picked up again and now instead of being 1 or 2 contractions an hour, she is feeling them about 4 or 5 times an hour. The drugs they are giving her to help the muscles relax and the contractions to slow down are not working as well as they did at first. <br /> <br />We had a great conversation with the doctor today about different things we can expect. He said that we are going to try and keep this baby in as long as possible but we know that the Lord is in control and has a time set for that baby to be born. It was neat to talk about the Lord with the doctor since he is a believer. <br /> <br />We've talked with a nurse from the NICU where our baby will be if born prematurely. I got a chance to go up and see all the premature babies that they have here right now. I got to speak to the parents of a baby who was born at 25 weeks and is now 10 weeks out of the womb and doing very well. We have also had a couple ultrasounds just to check on the baby which was neat. Julie is starting to crack though and wants to find out what we are having. <br /> <br />Continue to pray for Julie just that she can be as comfortable as possible and just have a peace that only God can give. Pray for our little one that it comes to know the Lord at an early age and that it is healthy. Pray for me that I would be a servant to my wife. Again, all the phone calls, emails, text messages, gifts, flowers, food, Jamba Juice, and especially love are very much appreciated. Thank you SO much! You can see all the blogs at ianpaulmartin.blogspot.com.<br /><br />-- <br />Until His Glorious Return.....<br />Ian Paul Martin & Julie Elizabeth Martin & Baby<br />http://Abort73.com<br />We Dare You to Know!Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-16548559898277105212007-06-30T13:05:00.001-07:002007-06-30T13:05:59.353-07:00Hello all,<br /> <br />Sometimes I wonder if I'm in the right room are not. Some of the rumors we hear back about what is going on with Julie are pretty funny. I just want to expose the rumor that Julie is NOT 9 cm dialated and about to give birth to triplets. Here is what is really going on:<br /> <br />Since the email from yesterday, things are going really well. The contractions that were at one point pretty painful and coming every 3 minutes, thanks to the drugs, have now calmed down considerably and she is having 1 or 2 contractions per hour and they are usually not very painful. The doctor is still having Julie on complete bed rest so going home doesn't look favorable. The only way we would be able to go home is if the contractions completely stop and stay stopped for a long period of time. Other than that happening, we are still hanging out at Glendale Adventist.<br /> <br />Visitors are still welcome really at any time but please call me before just so I can make sure its a good time. Your phone calls and text messages (as long as you have Verizon) are more than welcome to me and they are not a burden to me. They are actually a really huge encouragement. So thank you for all your phone calls and emails and text messages. We thank you for your prayers and we look forward to what the Lord has in store for us. We are just taking this one day at a time and we know the Lord has a plan so we are trusting in that. Be encouraged that the Lord is our God and we are trusting Him!Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-22629396588486047802007-06-30T12:59:00.000-07:002007-06-30T13:07:26.503-07:00Well, this blog is going to be the email updates I am sending around about my wife who is currently 31 weeks pregnant and is in the hospital due to early contractions. I will keep this updated as the emails go out. <br /><br />We figured with all the baby noise being made this week at Calvary, we<br />thought we would add to the fun!<br /><br />Yesterday morning Julie was having some tightness in her belly which <br />we thought may have been contractions. She went to the doc to get<br />checked up and everything was fine so they told her to go home, drink<br />plenty of fluids and get some rest.<br /><br />Last night about 1030, the contractions came back stronger and this <br />time, were very painful for Julie and they were as close as 2 minutes<br />apart. She tried to go to sleep but to no avail, so at 4 this morning,<br />we made our way back to the hospital and this time, the doctor decided <br />it would be a good idea to admit her.<br /><br />The doctor said she needed to stay on bed rest and to try and get the<br />contractions more spread out. He also said that if the contractions<br />don't slow down, the baby could be born as early as today but as far <br />in the future as 6 weeks. After a serious of IV's, shots, and my<br />personal fav...steroids, they are now pretty spread apart at about one<br />every 20 minutes, and Julie is not in really any pain at all. Julie is<br />at 31 weeks tomorrow so the longer the little one stays in the womb,<br />the better.<br /><br />We will be at Glendale Adventist until the doc says otherwise. We<br />would appreciate your prayers greatly. Julie is doing very well right <br />now and the baby is doing fantastic as well. We know that we serve a<br />great and gracious God who does exactly what He pleases on His own<br />timing. :) We are planning our ways, and the Lord is directing our<br />steps. Visitors are welcome, but it would probably be a good idea to <br />call first. You can call me on my cel phone or on Julie's<br />phone.<br /><br />We are looking forward to adding to the group! I'll keep y'all updated<br />as much as I can. God bless.Ian Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-1128625794807692712005-10-06T11:41:00.000-07:002005-10-06T12:11:39.000-07:00In light of the recent tragedies that have happened in the United States over the past weeks with the hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, namely Katrina and Rita, it is hard not to think of the memory of 9-11. So many people have been affected and have been looking around for answers to questions like, "Why did this happen?" or "What are we going to do now?" Even further, you begin to hear questions from people you never thought to have an interest in religion such as, "Where is God now?" or "Why does God allow things like this to happen? Doesn't He care?! How can God exist and all this trajedy come upon us? Isn't He watching?" Sometimes these events actually bring people to their knees and allow them to realize their desparate need for a Savior. They begin to understand that they are completely bankrupt without him and no pleasure or financial security in the world could ever give them eternal joy. Why are their eyes opened? For the first time, everything is stripped away and it's just them and God, and they can't put their agenda in the way anymore because all is lost. So why doesn't everyone turn to the Lord in times of peril and great need? Because their hearts are desparately wicked and so hard that they do not want to release their grasp on their suppression of the truth.<br /><br />I do want to answer the question of "Why does God allow things like this to happen?" The answer to that question will continue to circle around the issue of why God does anything. The easy answer is, "for His glory." But why? How in the world does God get glory from watching people suffer? That's the wrong question. God doesn't get excited by watching people suffer, it doesn't give Him some sort of boost of energy when He is about to send something that is going to wipe out people. God exercises His judgement on things because the end result will ultimately give Him the most glory, whether WE see it or not. Why is there a hell? Why is there sin in the world? Didn't God know Adam and Eve would sin? Of course He did! God knows all things. Then why? Think of it this way, if there was no sin in the world, would we be able to know everything about God? We would know nothing of God's judgement, and on top of that, we would know nothing of His great mercy and grace. If there was no sin, Jesus never had to come, and if that didn't happen, we would have no salvation. God is receiving the glory by revealing Himself fully to mankind.<br /><br />In essence, God is more concerned for His glory than our comfort and He receives just as much glory by exercizing His judgement by someone burning in hell as He does by granting salvation to an unworthy sinner and having them rejoice eternally and praise God for the rest of time. Sound harsh? Remember how small you are in comparison to the eternal Godhead, and His plan for the world. That makes the picture a little more clear. If God did not bring justice to an unbeliever by having them go to hell, He would be not only compromising the purity of heaven, but He would no longer be a perfect God and we would all be dead in our sins. Praise God for being in control because if anyone else were, we'd all be in deep trouble.<br /><br />I once was lost, but now am found. I once was blind, but now I see. I once was dead, but now I live. Hallelujah! Praise be to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ now and forevermore.<br /><br />May we only desire to give glory to God and enjoy Him forever.<br /><br />In the Master's Service,<br />IPMIan Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16973894.post-1127426753101077492005-09-22T14:45:00.000-07:002005-10-06T12:17:30.243-07:00The beginning of a beautiful friendship<br /><br />First time on here and I have no idea what to say. All I can think of is quoting something either very trite or something that will leave an impression on your mind that will probe your intellect in order to get you to return. Odds are I will most likely just continue to ramble until one of 3 things happens, A) something incredibly awesome or memorable comes to mind, B) I get bored, or C) I run out of room on this page. My guess is B will happen first.<br /><br />I am just constantly reminded of the great and glorious truth that this life is a vapor and a passing pleasure. Sure, I am so grateful and stoked that the Lord has chosen me to continue to live and breathe on this earth for the "blink of an eye" that we call life. But I can't help but think of the future that awaits me and everyone else all over the world, past, present, and future who believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, humbled Himself to come to this earth and be the perfect example of a human being. Also, that this same man died and was resurrected on the third day and by placing our faith in Him and abandoning our sin, we are able to have eternal life! This is what keeps me going and pressing on to live for Jesus, is the thought that MAYBE NOW, as I write or as you read, the Lord Almighty could come back in all His glory and call His church home. There and only there can we be without sin, sorrow, and all other plagues of this earth. Praise God that we don't have to live in these sin cursed bodies for all eternity, but that we will received a glorified body, a glorified mind in order to understand and praise God forevermore with the clearest mind and the purest heart. My soul longs for this day! Does this not cause your heart to be stoked?! It does for me. Oh what a day that will be!<br /><br />I once was lost, but now am found. I once was blind, but now I see. I once was dead, but now I live. Hallelujah! Praise be to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ now and forevermore.<br /><br />May we only desire to give glory to God and enjoy Him forever.<br /><br />In the Master's Service,<br />IPMIan Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07994970904451531442noreply@blogger.com0