Lately it has been really cold on KY. More cold than I would have liked, however, the huge ice and snow storm we had not to long ago was wonderful! It brought me back to a winter in MI! Many lost power in the storm and I certainly don't wish that on anyone, but I was fortunate to not have lost power thus allowing me to enjoy it more.
The semester started recently and glad to be learning at a seminary where the truth is sought for and held to the highest standard. What a blessing it has been in my life. The class I am taking isn't what I thought it was going to be, or at least not to this point it isn't. However, it is still a great class to take; Biblical Hermeneutics. Just by pure science, I am learning, that we can rely on and know that many of the good modern text of scripture are accurate to what the original authors wrote.
My new job is kind of crazy, my facility is really busy. I am enjoying learning a new Computed Tomography(CT) scanner. As well as developing my skills as a CT technologist. I am gearing up to and working toward taking a test that would certify my in CT. It will be some grueling studying after I get all my competencies fulfilled. I will have to re-learn my physic and math portion plus learn new physics and math portion specific to CT scanners. As well all the other things I will need to refresh on. That stuff should be easier since I use it all the time in my day to day working environment.
I have been losing weight! which is a wonderful thing. I am trying to get my life into healthy limits again. This is my second attempt this school year to lose weight, the first time I was around 255-260. I dropped down to 245ish and then the holidays hit. I went back up to 250. Now I am down(as of this am) to 235.5. This time though I have a commitment to getting healthy that I have not had in along time. The realities of my life are hitting me harder as I get older. I don't want to be an unhealthy father or husband.
This semester I am all going to start going to biblical counseling. There are alot of issue in my life that I think come from my life growing up. My issues are negatively affecting how I view my family(the hills)/my wife/my birth family/God/friends/fellowship of Believers. Anyways, I am both super excited to start dealing with this stuff and very much nervous and afraid of what is ahead of me.
Our vacuum died a couple of weeks ago. So I took some pieces off it to discover that our belt had broke. So like a responsible husband I went on-line and ordered a new belt for it. When they came in I put the new belt on and tried it out. Just seconds after turning it on we were again smelling burnt rubber. I looked again at the belt, it too was broken. I ventured to touch the motor the belt was connected to and it was HOT. All this to say, we got a new Vacuum this past weekend. It is a DYSON! We had been research them for awhile and have been keeping out eyes peeled for a good deal on one for quite some time. Although we did not expect to buy a new one for awhile. needless to say, we did find a great deal on one at target and bought it. the bad part about it....it is pink. That is why we got a good deal on it. It is a special addition for breast cancer. Anyways, they seemed to have an over abundance of them, thus the really good sale. Needless to say, it is a great vacuum! Far greater sucktion power than our previous vacuum. I wont mention the brand we previously had, **cough, cough, bissell, cough, cough** as we were not happy with it at all as far as it's cleaning abilities.
how about that for a new blog.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Traitor
So those of you who do read my blog if you just happen to take a look because I never post anymore, this blog is for you. Haha
Although, I think all of you are pretty current as to what has been going on in my life so maybe this will just be boring to you. I do however have alot to blog about, however I do not feel like blogging about all of it. I will just get started and see how far it goes.
So last week I started seminary, which by the way was a huge blessing. I have been nervous and excited about the whole thing. I did have some new student issues to work through (i.e. getting registered for classes properly, getting my student id(which I have already lost and need to get a new one), buying my books, etc.) So far things are going ok with it, I did have a few obstacles but I am making through. I started out going to take Personal Spiritual Disciples and I even started reading for the class, but I had to make a switch at the last min. and now I am taking Systematic Theology 1. Which by the way is and awesome class. Oh and one of the people I went on summer project with her dad is my prof. Small world?! Anyways, I will admit that it is strange to go to a class where we pray before class and we open our bibles all included with information that I am interested in. It is way different than undergrad so far. I have to read alot but the thing is I want to read this information, so it does make it so bad. As far as other feelings about the class, I feel very unlearned. I feel somewhat out of place. Seminary is a culture shock to me. Alot of people who know alot about alot of things. ( i know there were alot of "alots" in that sentence). It is funny also that there tends to be name dropping. You know the type, "this professor, this", or "this professor, that". I have decided to do my best not to be a name dropper. These profs are great men to lookk up to, but they are just as human and fleshy as me. Anyways, I do like my class thus far.
I am also in the process of transitioning to a new facility with in the jewish system. I will be moving to the medical center that kirstin is working at. It is called Jewish Hospital Medical Center East. I am very excited to make the move, as it is very close to my home, kirstin and I both work there, and I will have a more opportunity to learn. I have been taking alot of flack at work about it. They have been calling me a "traitor". Oh well, all in good fun.
Ok...my wrist and fingers are starting to hurt...I think I will end this blog for now. I have no typing longevity. haha
You all have a great day.
Although, I think all of you are pretty current as to what has been going on in my life so maybe this will just be boring to you. I do however have alot to blog about, however I do not feel like blogging about all of it. I will just get started and see how far it goes.
So last week I started seminary, which by the way was a huge blessing. I have been nervous and excited about the whole thing. I did have some new student issues to work through (i.e. getting registered for classes properly, getting my student id(which I have already lost and need to get a new one), buying my books, etc.) So far things are going ok with it, I did have a few obstacles but I am making through. I started out going to take Personal Spiritual Disciples and I even started reading for the class, but I had to make a switch at the last min. and now I am taking Systematic Theology 1. Which by the way is and awesome class. Oh and one of the people I went on summer project with her dad is my prof. Small world?! Anyways, I will admit that it is strange to go to a class where we pray before class and we open our bibles all included with information that I am interested in. It is way different than undergrad so far. I have to read alot but the thing is I want to read this information, so it does make it so bad. As far as other feelings about the class, I feel very unlearned. I feel somewhat out of place. Seminary is a culture shock to me. Alot of people who know alot about alot of things. ( i know there were alot of "alots" in that sentence). It is funny also that there tends to be name dropping. You know the type, "this professor, this", or "this professor, that". I have decided to do my best not to be a name dropper. These profs are great men to lookk up to, but they are just as human and fleshy as me. Anyways, I do like my class thus far.
I am also in the process of transitioning to a new facility with in the jewish system. I will be moving to the medical center that kirstin is working at. It is called Jewish Hospital Medical Center East. I am very excited to make the move, as it is very close to my home, kirstin and I both work there, and I will have a more opportunity to learn. I have been taking alot of flack at work about it. They have been calling me a "traitor". Oh well, all in good fun.
Ok...my wrist and fingers are starting to hurt...I think I will end this blog for now. I have no typing longevity. haha
You all have a great day.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Shaken tea
So I am not sure how I am going to start this blog off so maybe I should begin with the events of the day. I had today off from work, which was really nice! I slept in until 11am or so. When I sleep-in I usually do not sleep in that late. However, this week I will be working some third shifts so I am trying to get my body on that schedule a little more before I have to actually work. Once I got up from bed I bummed around a bit just doing small things, but really I didn’t do much. I did get into my bible and studied the first part of Philippians 3, which we studied last night in small group. I wanted to hit back on it again as well as write a little about it in this blog. It will help me meditate on it more and thus being able to focus my thought on things above.
Back to the event of the day before I get back into Philippians 3, after my pretty uneventful morning I got ready for my 3 o’clock interview at the University of Louisville Hospital for a full time CT position. I should know by the end of the week if I got the job. Anyways, once I got home my wife and I talked some and I read some article in a magazine and kirstin messed around on the computer. I took her to work and then went home to eat as I watched a episode of Extreme Home Makeover on the computer. Then I went out and brought kirstin some food to her at work. Followed by some good old exercising at the gym. Now I am at Starbucks drinking some wonderful tea, listening to some awesome music, and writing a blog.
I got their “shaken tea”, which I have never gotten before and let me tell you…IT IS AMAZING! Some of the best iced tea I have had. I am so glad that I found out about this creation because every time I come to Starbucks and get a coffee based drink I am usually disappointed, as I do not like strong coffee. All of Starbucks’ coffees are strong blends. So this usually leaves me with only a few options. Now I can add more items to my list of things I like at Starbucks.
It is interesting to come to Starbucks by the way. Because we are relatively close to the Seminary I usually see a lot of Southern Seminary students here reading/studying and socializing. Really, I think at the various Starbucks near the Seminary they are the most concentrated places to find students other than the actual school. Just something interesting I observe every time I come here. Also, the staff are really nice here like tonight I was given not just ONE free drink but TWO! Can you believe that? Awesome!
Anyways, I think I will stop talking about Starbucks since I have written almost as much on Starbucks as I did on the rest of my day. I will get back to Philippians 3. I want to add the scripture I was reading today but since I do not want to pay for the Internet here at Starbucks I think I will just type a section of it.
(2) Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. (3) For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh – (4) through I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: (5) circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; (6) as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. (7) But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (8) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ (9) and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. (10) I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
The first thing that stands out is the instruction to “watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil”, but what really gets me is the reason Paul uses. It is the next verse that Paul makes a distinction between a christian and a non-christian. There is a sense of pride in identifying with Christ. It gives us the feeling that we are set apart for something different. In contrast to what we might be set apart for Paul writes that he had every reason to put his confidence in his flesh and not to believe in Christ. He was a Jewish stud. He was passionate, smart, born of the best blood line, and he followed the law to the T. In his day he was at the top of his game, with a brand new car, nice home, people liked him, he had valuables, he was looked at as someone to imitate, the grass was defiantly greener on his side of the fence. But Paul writes, “whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” Isn’t that interesting, he understood that he was set apart of Christ. He had it ALL, but he considered it a “loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus”. Literly he lost it all. Paul was sitting in jail with no possessions, no nothing. Because of what?, because he identified with Christ and he understood that he was set apart to “glory in Christ Jesus”.
His sole desire was not doing the God things, but God Himself. I think the conviction behind Pauls words in verse 10 say it all. “I want to KNOW Christ”. I don’t know, Paul is one crazy dude and intense. I certainly hope that I can be just as crazy and intense. I think that Paul is still a stud, not because of all his fleshly qualifications but because he has ONE desire; Jesus Christ. Can you really count all of life’s stuff as a loss to knowing Christ? What a stud.
I certainly want verse 10 to be true of me.
“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Back to the event of the day before I get back into Philippians 3, after my pretty uneventful morning I got ready for my 3 o’clock interview at the University of Louisville Hospital for a full time CT position. I should know by the end of the week if I got the job. Anyways, once I got home my wife and I talked some and I read some article in a magazine and kirstin messed around on the computer. I took her to work and then went home to eat as I watched a episode of Extreme Home Makeover on the computer. Then I went out and brought kirstin some food to her at work. Followed by some good old exercising at the gym. Now I am at Starbucks drinking some wonderful tea, listening to some awesome music, and writing a blog.
I got their “shaken tea”, which I have never gotten before and let me tell you…IT IS AMAZING! Some of the best iced tea I have had. I am so glad that I found out about this creation because every time I come to Starbucks and get a coffee based drink I am usually disappointed, as I do not like strong coffee. All of Starbucks’ coffees are strong blends. So this usually leaves me with only a few options. Now I can add more items to my list of things I like at Starbucks.
It is interesting to come to Starbucks by the way. Because we are relatively close to the Seminary I usually see a lot of Southern Seminary students here reading/studying and socializing. Really, I think at the various Starbucks near the Seminary they are the most concentrated places to find students other than the actual school. Just something interesting I observe every time I come here. Also, the staff are really nice here like tonight I was given not just ONE free drink but TWO! Can you believe that? Awesome!
Anyways, I think I will stop talking about Starbucks since I have written almost as much on Starbucks as I did on the rest of my day. I will get back to Philippians 3. I want to add the scripture I was reading today but since I do not want to pay for the Internet here at Starbucks I think I will just type a section of it.
(2) Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. (3) For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh – (4) through I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: (5) circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; (6) as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. (7) But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (8) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ (9) and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. (10) I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
The first thing that stands out is the instruction to “watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil”, but what really gets me is the reason Paul uses. It is the next verse that Paul makes a distinction between a christian and a non-christian. There is a sense of pride in identifying with Christ. It gives us the feeling that we are set apart for something different. In contrast to what we might be set apart for Paul writes that he had every reason to put his confidence in his flesh and not to believe in Christ. He was a Jewish stud. He was passionate, smart, born of the best blood line, and he followed the law to the T. In his day he was at the top of his game, with a brand new car, nice home, people liked him, he had valuables, he was looked at as someone to imitate, the grass was defiantly greener on his side of the fence. But Paul writes, “whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” Isn’t that interesting, he understood that he was set apart of Christ. He had it ALL, but he considered it a “loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus”. Literly he lost it all. Paul was sitting in jail with no possessions, no nothing. Because of what?, because he identified with Christ and he understood that he was set apart to “glory in Christ Jesus”.
His sole desire was not doing the God things, but God Himself. I think the conviction behind Pauls words in verse 10 say it all. “I want to KNOW Christ”. I don’t know, Paul is one crazy dude and intense. I certainly hope that I can be just as crazy and intense. I think that Paul is still a stud, not because of all his fleshly qualifications but because he has ONE desire; Jesus Christ. Can you really count all of life’s stuff as a loss to knowing Christ? What a stud.
I certainly want verse 10 to be true of me.
“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day Blog
So yesterday Kirstin and I went to the movie theater to watch the new Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian. I throughly enjoyed the movie. It was good not only for entertainment purposes but also for spiritual reasons. There were several lines in the movie that were very convicting. At one point I broke into tears not because of a sad scene or the expression of love between two lovers or the intense joy of character, but because the Lord reminded me of my relationship with Him. He reminded me of truths I so easily forget. Even the character development in each of the four kids portrayed aspects of my self as I have related to Christ. There were displays of ungodly pride and unbelief. There was scene where susan depicts the idea of getting comfortable back in england, just as I am so often comfortable with the worlds way of living. However, there were displays of lessons learned, courage, faith, and focus on the one who really takes helps us win our battles and not our selves. At times these things have been true of me and I long for a day where they are true of me again. Needless to say it was a good movie. I have never read the actual books, so kirstin and I started reading them together last night. I want to have the entire story not just the movie version.
In other information, kirstin has a few people interested in her night shift position so hopefully she will soon be able to move to a day shift. The new person would still have to get trained and all, but it would be nice have someone in place so we can get a date in place. Kirstin is really getting tired of working the night shift and it is really taking a toll on her body. Plus it would be nice to see each other more.
As far as jobs go I have an interview on tomorrow(Tuesday) for a full time CT Technologist position, first shift at the University of Louisville. For several reasons I want to land this job. 1-It is a first shift position. 2- It is full time job. 3- It is in CT (Advanced training). 4- There is probably no better place to learn this modality. However, the hospital is not somewhere I want to work. I do not like the facility at all and it seems really dirty. I am willing to forgo that concern to become a good CT technologist. So I am hoping I land this job.
Kirstin and I are moving on June 21. We are moving to a bigger apartment with-in the same apartment complex. It has a kitchen twice the size and storage as our current kitchen which I am super excited about. Also, it has a fire place and a much bigger deck than I current apt as well. However, the real reason we are moving is because my brother in law is coming to live with us so he can go to school down here. We need more space and we needed rooms on opposite sides of the apartment for privacy sake. Long story short...we are moving. Oh and I getting a grill for my birthday so I can enjoy the large patio with some awesome food!
You know there are so many things I want to blog about and I often tell kirstin that I want to blog about whatever it was we just experienced. However, most of the time I think about the blog in my head, but when it comes to writing it I just don't want to think about it anymore. So there are ALOT of blogs that have been written in my mind that you all never see. oh well. To bad I forget what most of them are or I would give you a snippet for the sake of having a laugh or two, but I just can't think of the anymore. Oh oh, I almost forgot I also this past week sent in my application to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. We will see how that goes. I still have to get one letter sent out for a recommendation as well as request my transcripts to be sent to the school but other than that I have done most of the leg work needed to apply to school. Which by the way my last blog entry was something I had to write for the application. I just though I would make a blog of it just so you could have something to read because I blog so few and far between. Ok I think I am done for now.
In other information, kirstin has a few people interested in her night shift position so hopefully she will soon be able to move to a day shift. The new person would still have to get trained and all, but it would be nice have someone in place so we can get a date in place. Kirstin is really getting tired of working the night shift and it is really taking a toll on her body. Plus it would be nice to see each other more.
As far as jobs go I have an interview on tomorrow(Tuesday) for a full time CT Technologist position, first shift at the University of Louisville. For several reasons I want to land this job. 1-It is a first shift position. 2- It is full time job. 3- It is in CT (Advanced training). 4- There is probably no better place to learn this modality. However, the hospital is not somewhere I want to work. I do not like the facility at all and it seems really dirty. I am willing to forgo that concern to become a good CT technologist. So I am hoping I land this job.
Kirstin and I are moving on June 21. We are moving to a bigger apartment with-in the same apartment complex. It has a kitchen twice the size and storage as our current kitchen which I am super excited about. Also, it has a fire place and a much bigger deck than I current apt as well. However, the real reason we are moving is because my brother in law is coming to live with us so he can go to school down here. We need more space and we needed rooms on opposite sides of the apartment for privacy sake. Long story short...we are moving. Oh and I getting a grill for my birthday so I can enjoy the large patio with some awesome food!
You know there are so many things I want to blog about and I often tell kirstin that I want to blog about whatever it was we just experienced. However, most of the time I think about the blog in my head, but when it comes to writing it I just don't want to think about it anymore. So there are ALOT of blogs that have been written in my mind that you all never see. oh well. To bad I forget what most of them are or I would give you a snippet for the sake of having a laugh or two, but I just can't think of the anymore. Oh oh, I almost forgot I also this past week sent in my application to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. We will see how that goes. I still have to get one letter sent out for a recommendation as well as request my transcripts to be sent to the school but other than that I have done most of the leg work needed to apply to school. Which by the way my last blog entry was something I had to write for the application. I just though I would make a blog of it just so you could have something to read because I blog so few and far between. Ok I think I am done for now.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Spiritual Autobiography
Spiritual Autobiography
My spiritual autobiography begins with one word: providence. Throughout my Christian life, I have always felt that I have been graciously chosen to serve the Father. It is clear to me that God had my story mapped out before I was born. Even my name, Joseph Martin, demonstrates His providence. Joseph means “increasing faith,” or “God will increase,” and Martin means “from another place or planet,” much like the word “mars” or “Martian.” I do believe that God is constantly increasing my faith—just as he did with Mary’s husband Joseph during the difficult circumstances they had with the Virgin birth. I also firmly believe that I have been made for a different place than this earth and that I am not to conform to the ways of this world but to anticipate the life I will live with with my Father in heaven.
I did not, however, always live with that mindset. From the beginning of my life, it seemed I was headed toward destruction. Born into a drug addict’s home, I had a few years with my biological parents; shortly thereafter, my father divorced and remarried. I continued to live with him and his second wife, but it was not much later until he went to jail for shoplifting and his second wife divorced him.
I was in second grade when I went to go live with my aunt in a small town. Things were going to be okay. I had a cousin my age to play with, and my aunt had a college education and a job to support my cousins and me. That only lasted four years, which took me to sixth grade. I was twelve when my aunt lost her job. She was worsening as an alcoholic and finally went into a mental health rehab facility. My cousins had a father to go to; I had no one left—or so it seemed, but God had a plan.
During the four-year period in which I lived with my aunt, I was introduced to church. A kid I did not like very well asked my cousin and me to go to Sunday school with him. It was a strange experience, but it was a place where my cousin and I found love and attention, so we continued to go. At the church we met a particular teacher and his wife and their three kids. Ironically, the three kids were the same kids my cousin and I used to throw snowballs at when walking home from school. One day, their mom had a talk with us, and she had her kids pray for us. Little did any of them know what God had in mind: it was this family that took me in after I had to leave my aunt’s house. They became my family. And because of their influence in my junior high and high school years, I came into contact with a real God and a real Jesus. I learned what it meant to become a real Christian—however, I did not become a Christian during this time. I wanted nothing but to be a part of the world and its idea of fun: drinking, smoking, sex, and etc. I remember times in which my youth pastor would walk in the front door of the house and I would walk out the back door—all so I did not have to talk to him. I still had much to learn.
During my senior year of high school, I went on a trip with Youth for Christ. After one of the group gatherings, we had a cabin discussion just before bed. At this time I confessed to my group, friends, and youth pastor that I would be willing to go to the lowest place in life if that is what it would take for me to follow Christ. It was the same year that I stayed up at night crying before God because He was calling me to follow Him and I just could not do it. My friends were way too important to me, and I could not give up my lifestyle. I told God, “No.”
My freshman year of college (about a year after the Youth for Christ trip) found me depressed and feeling lost. I had just gotten out of a really bad relationship, I was getting drunk all the time and I was experimenting with marijuana. I was at the lowest place of my life. I remembered that a classmate had invited me to Bible study one particular week and decided that I would go. It was during the closing prayer that I unexpectedly gave over my life to Jesus. I didn’t expect my response to the gospel! My life has been changed from that point on. It is because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that I was instantly given a new life and new desires. Over the course of the next several years I plunged into the Christian life: leading small groups, attending prayer meetings, going to campus ministry events, sharing my faith with non-Christians, and discipling and encouraging other Christians to seek after God. I am a perfect picture of God’s grace and how He can work through anyone, no matter where they come from.
Since the very beginning of my conversion, I have felt a strong leading to do God’s work. It was about a year after becoming a Christian that God started stirring within me a desire to do full-time ministry. I developed a passion to see adult Christians being continually transformed by God. Seeing people’s lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus brings abundant joy to my heart; that is why I am pursuing higher education at Seminary. I chose Southern because I learned of the quality of faculty. I feel very strongly that I have much to learn from these leaders. I want to develop deeper disciplines, while also learning ministry essentials. I believe an education at Southern Seminary will aid me as a man of God who will lead others in ministry. I trust God’s providential handiwork to continue to increase my faith as I follow in obedience to His commands, and I anticipate what God will do in and through me at Southern.
My spiritual autobiography begins with one word: providence. Throughout my Christian life, I have always felt that I have been graciously chosen to serve the Father. It is clear to me that God had my story mapped out before I was born. Even my name, Joseph Martin, demonstrates His providence. Joseph means “increasing faith,” or “God will increase,” and Martin means “from another place or planet,” much like the word “mars” or “Martian.” I do believe that God is constantly increasing my faith—just as he did with Mary’s husband Joseph during the difficult circumstances they had with the Virgin birth. I also firmly believe that I have been made for a different place than this earth and that I am not to conform to the ways of this world but to anticipate the life I will live with with my Father in heaven.
I did not, however, always live with that mindset. From the beginning of my life, it seemed I was headed toward destruction. Born into a drug addict’s home, I had a few years with my biological parents; shortly thereafter, my father divorced and remarried. I continued to live with him and his second wife, but it was not much later until he went to jail for shoplifting and his second wife divorced him.
I was in second grade when I went to go live with my aunt in a small town. Things were going to be okay. I had a cousin my age to play with, and my aunt had a college education and a job to support my cousins and me. That only lasted four years, which took me to sixth grade. I was twelve when my aunt lost her job. She was worsening as an alcoholic and finally went into a mental health rehab facility. My cousins had a father to go to; I had no one left—or so it seemed, but God had a plan.
During the four-year period in which I lived with my aunt, I was introduced to church. A kid I did not like very well asked my cousin and me to go to Sunday school with him. It was a strange experience, but it was a place where my cousin and I found love and attention, so we continued to go. At the church we met a particular teacher and his wife and their three kids. Ironically, the three kids were the same kids my cousin and I used to throw snowballs at when walking home from school. One day, their mom had a talk with us, and she had her kids pray for us. Little did any of them know what God had in mind: it was this family that took me in after I had to leave my aunt’s house. They became my family. And because of their influence in my junior high and high school years, I came into contact with a real God and a real Jesus. I learned what it meant to become a real Christian—however, I did not become a Christian during this time. I wanted nothing but to be a part of the world and its idea of fun: drinking, smoking, sex, and etc. I remember times in which my youth pastor would walk in the front door of the house and I would walk out the back door—all so I did not have to talk to him. I still had much to learn.
During my senior year of high school, I went on a trip with Youth for Christ. After one of the group gatherings, we had a cabin discussion just before bed. At this time I confessed to my group, friends, and youth pastor that I would be willing to go to the lowest place in life if that is what it would take for me to follow Christ. It was the same year that I stayed up at night crying before God because He was calling me to follow Him and I just could not do it. My friends were way too important to me, and I could not give up my lifestyle. I told God, “No.”
My freshman year of college (about a year after the Youth for Christ trip) found me depressed and feeling lost. I had just gotten out of a really bad relationship, I was getting drunk all the time and I was experimenting with marijuana. I was at the lowest place of my life. I remembered that a classmate had invited me to Bible study one particular week and decided that I would go. It was during the closing prayer that I unexpectedly gave over my life to Jesus. I didn’t expect my response to the gospel! My life has been changed from that point on. It is because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that I was instantly given a new life and new desires. Over the course of the next several years I plunged into the Christian life: leading small groups, attending prayer meetings, going to campus ministry events, sharing my faith with non-Christians, and discipling and encouraging other Christians to seek after God. I am a perfect picture of God’s grace and how He can work through anyone, no matter where they come from.
Since the very beginning of my conversion, I have felt a strong leading to do God’s work. It was about a year after becoming a Christian that God started stirring within me a desire to do full-time ministry. I developed a passion to see adult Christians being continually transformed by God. Seeing people’s lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus brings abundant joy to my heart; that is why I am pursuing higher education at Seminary. I chose Southern because I learned of the quality of faculty. I feel very strongly that I have much to learn from these leaders. I want to develop deeper disciplines, while also learning ministry essentials. I believe an education at Southern Seminary will aid me as a man of God who will lead others in ministry. I trust God’s providential handiwork to continue to increase my faith as I follow in obedience to His commands, and I anticipate what God will do in and through me at Southern.
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