Richard Martin 

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16, NIV “What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears.” James 4:14, CEV If you are reading this, then you are still alive. Since I am writing this, I am still alive. Three o’clock in the afternoon came and went, and we are still alive.

“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.” Genesis 7:11-12, NIV While our contemporary eyes have seen larger sea vessels, Noah's ark was a spectacular sight for his time. But why would anyone need so much space? To this question was added an onslaught of sarcasm, ridicule,

It was an untimely and unlikely baby shower. Untimely, because neither of them should be pregnant. Unlikely, because neither of them could be pregnant. Yet, somehow, this providential rendezvous defies all assumptions. Although each occupies a separate end of the age continuum, their current sitz im leben binds them together with a miraculous cord that would not be broken. Mary was probably between 13 and 16 years old. She was engaged to an older man, which was culturally cus

As we approach the wintery holiday season, I am reminded of this fact of life: seasons change. How would you describe your current season? Perhaps it is bright and sunny. Maybe it is cold and dreary. Is it a season of worry or a season of peace? The wise King Solomon said, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). While we cannot stop seasons from changing, we can choose to maximize the potential of every season. T

I believe parents play an integral role in the spiritual development of their children. I believe this in part because of my personal experience. My parents were intentional about teaching my sisters and me about the Lord, His love, His Word, and His will for our lives. During my devotional time (this morning), I was drawn to one of the passages of Scripture my mother rehearsed almost everyday. It was Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety? If so, you are not alone. Feelings of uncertainty, uneasiness, worry, and fear come to us all. The Bible offers an antidote for anxiety: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7, NIV (check out this v

Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise. This statement emphasizes the benefits of proper rest. Adequate rest does wonders for your mind, body, and heart. Lack of rest can lead to irritability, irrationality, and even insanity. Ok, the last one may be a stretch, but sufficed to say sufficient sleep enhances the quality of life. While 6-8 hours of sleep will positively impact your life, what you do with the remaining 16-18 hours also matters. What do

Is it really 2018? Seems like the "Y2K" craze was yesterday. In many ways this year will be no different than previous years. Annual life events will continue without coercion. We'll witness graduations, engagements, and weddings. New homes and first cars will be purchased. Best-selling books and blockbuster movies will be released. There'll be hirings and firings, tidings of birth and, sadly, announcements of death. What about you? How will this year be different for you?

I write a weekly devotional for my church which is inserted in our church bulletin. This week, I wanted to thank my church for their warm, thoughtful, and kind "Pastor's Appreciation" gifts. So, I used the "Pastor's Pen" to do so as well as request their prayers in 4 areas of my life. Here is what I wrote: "They tell me October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month. Many have taken time to share thoughtful gifts, cards, and other expressions of gratitude with Kylah and me. Thank you

This past weekend, I was afforded the opportunity to preach for my high school alma mater’s annual alumni weekend. This weekend was especially significant to me because it marked 10 years since my class graduated, even though it feels like last week. It was a joy to reunite with professors, classmates, teammates, and close friends. Quite a bit of “life” has transpired in 10 years. Many of us have completed college and are settling into the very careers we set our eyes on whi