Perhaps you’ve said or thought these words before. “But God.” I am almost certain that I have. Sometimes, it was at a time of disappointment over a situation that went bad. Perhaps I had prayed that someone might get well. Instead, that person died. I have asked at times, “But God, why did this have… Continue reading Navigating Life With Your Desires
Author: Jim Martin
Why Do I Do This?
Why do I drive on the Interstate at 80 mph while I look at Facebook on my phone? Why do I ignore the misbehavior of my child and then expect her to do better? Why do I gripe and complain throughout the day and then wonder why I feel so lousy? Why do I not… Continue reading Why Do I Do This?
Do You Know that Today Can be Better?
1. Today, I can choose to stop trying to be the perfect parent. Instead, I can choose to respond to these children with the energy and wisdom that God provides. 2. Today, I can choose to stop wishing for the perfect Christmas. I don’t have to spend my energy being resentful of the Christmas that… Continue reading Do You Know that Today Can be Better?
So What is a Parent to Do?
Most of us who are parents have asked this at one time or another. Last weekend I was in Waco, Tx. where we lived for 20 years. During those years, I served in a church. Yet, probably the most difficult job Charlotte and I had was raising children. Last weekend, I remembered numerous conversations that… Continue reading So What is a Parent to Do?
Thinking About Sunday Mornings
(I posted the following article on Facebook yesterday. You might enjoy this.) Many of you are preaching tomorrow. Know that God is at work in you. Pray that he might strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Know that in this power, you are doing a work that is beyond your… Continue reading Thinking About Sunday Mornings
Avoid These Roadblocks to Progress
Perhaps you have been there. Someone wants to talk with you about a problem. This person is asking you for suggestions. You silently pray to God that you might say the right thing. You begin to speak. However, the conversation does not go as you expected. This person has a strenuous objection for most everything… Continue reading Avoid These Roadblocks to Progress
5 Ways to Jump Start Your Day
Every morning, you and have the opportunity to jump start our day. Yet, far too many people waste this opportunity. The following are five practices that have been helpful to me. I am not prescribing these to you. Rather, I am simply describing what has been helpful to me. Perhaps one or more of these… Continue reading 5 Ways to Jump Start Your Day
Ten Reasons for my Thankfulness
This morning as I drove to work, I thought about some of the blessings I have and how thankful to God I am for various people and places. I am thankful for Charlotte (my wife), for Christine and her two boys, Brody and Lincoln. I am thankful for Jamie and Cal and their little boy… Continue reading Ten Reasons for my Thankfulness
Are You Listening or Talking to Yourself?
This afternoon, I read a portion of Jon Gordon’s book, The Power of Positive Leadership. (A friend had recommended this and I was eager to read something that would be motivating.) I love this particular section (p. 51): Dr. James Gills accomplished the remarkable feat of completing a double triathlon (two triathlons back to back… Continue reading Are You Listening or Talking to Yourself?
What I Listen To (Podcasts)
The following are some of the podcasts I listen to on a regular basis. Including these does not mean that I literally listen to each new podcast under each title below. (I don’t.) I might look at the subject matter of a particular podcast on a given day and decide that it just doesn’t interest… Continue reading What I Listen To (Podcasts)