Everyday on my vacation I’ve been at the beach.  It’s been so amazing, beautiful, and sunny.
I’ve read, talked, prayed, ate, enjoyed the company of friends, and wrote down many of my thoughts.
I’m excited about leaving, but thrilled that I have a few more days.
I’m in a sort of limbo where there are few things scheduled, and a lot I could do.
And this is the only thing I know:
I want God to work through me, to use me for His glory and honor

Everything else can fit into that category.

How does a phenomena that reaches the many reach one heart?

A song that becomes popular resonates with me so strongly that I can feel the pain or joy of that song?

A movie that thousands, hundreds of thousands and in some cases, millions of people will see brings me to tears and laughter like it was about me?

A book or series of books that hang onto the bestsellers lists makes me want an 7th sequel when it stops at the 7th book.

It’s simple really.  The reason a phenomena reaches out and affected me after it’s touched the many is because it has affected  me.  And I am more alike with someone who lives in Orange County, or the boroughs of Louisiana, or downtown Tokyo than sometimes we’d care to admit.  There’s not a lot, but there are some things that speak to us universally.  Why?

Because that’s how God made us.

I’m feeling quite lazy today concerning writing, but I’m all about reading, and Katie brings it in this essay on theological musings about salvation.

Read it and conversate!

God,

Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m good enough. And sometimes I feel like there’s not enough time in the day, and then I feel like even if there was enough time in the day, it wouldn’t matter, because it would feel like I wouldn’t be good enough for it to really matter.

And sometimes I get so confused.  Confused because some people say I’m not into you enough, and some people say I’m into you too much.  Some say word for word and line by line and others say it’s the thought that counts, and I constantly question whether I’m doing this whole thing right.

Then sometimes it doesn’t seem fair.  It doesn’t seem that way because life seems easy for some and hard for others.  Honestly, it seems easy for me when some people go through so much more, and I don’t know what to think about that.

So I guess I just want to tell you that I’m thankful that I don’t worship my own feelings and talents, or other people’s opinions on my relationship with You, or the circumstances of this life, but I worship You, and who You are, through the good, the bad, the seemingly inconsistent, the people-on all “sides” of the issues, and through everything that ever happens.

Thanks for listening.

We tend to look at how successful something is or isn’t in the context of time.  How was your summer?  Your semester?  Your school year?  Your year?

One month of 2009 is now finished and we are into month number 2, typically known as February.  So I’ve begun to think of the first month of my 2009, and asked myself how my year is going?

Am I reaching my goals?  Building relationships?  Forming new ones?

I don’t want to waste a year of my life, and wonder what happened to it.  I want to live the way I’m called to live.  With a calling from God to connect and point people to God through Jesus!  I want to make the most of my time.  I want to fall more in love with Carie.    I want to love you as myself. I want to see the beauty of God’s creation, and see things through His eyes.  And…

I want to say “GO STEELERS!  World Champions baby!

A good Lutheran thinks social justice is the way to go.

A good Methodist believes holiness is what it’s all about.

A good American Baptist loves the ACLU.

A good Independent Baptist despises the evil Michael W Smith.

A good Catholic focuses on subsiding his guilt.

A good Puritan enjoys that same guilt.

A good Calvinist lifts up praises to Paul’s letters.

A good Evangelical lifts up praises to pop songs.

A good Maverick avoids the institution of church.

A good Quaker does not give up meeting together.

A good Charismatic feels like God is moving.

A good Presbyterian orders her life to understand God.

A good postmodern thinks a little of this and a little of that.

A good Congregationalist can’t wait to vote.

Your turn.

Thanksgiving with my small group - November 20, 2008

May this holiday not only remind you of our responsibility to be thankful, but make you more thankful than you already are.  I’m thankful for:

My God.
My wife, Carie.
My church family.
My family (including my friends.).

To you, for being a part of my community.

It’s Monday, almost a week since my last post, and I admit that it has been a nice break from the norm of daily blogging.  But I’m also glad to be back.  Thanks for not giving up on Marty Holman or his blog.  I’ve learned a lot in the last week.  I can’t wait to share and hear your feedback.  I’ll just say this about where I’m at in my life right now.  I love it!

I have a great wife, family (including my church family), and situation.  Yesterday’s service at Fellowship only materialized what I already know about where we’re headed.  Before it’s all said and done, God is going to bring a whole part of the country toward Him like never before right in front of our very eyes.

Notice I didnt say to a subculture or a style, but to Him.  I’m pumped for my friends and family and church because they get to be a part of this amazing time in New England history.  I’m pumped for you.  Because you can be a part of it too.  How?

Just ask.

God, help me to care for the people you’ve put in my life.
You have been incredibly gracious, loving, loyal, forgiving, and soveriegn, guiding me and moving me.
And all I want is to surrender to You.
Unfortunately, if I was being honest, I would say that these incredible feature I have just described you as having have also made me complacent at times and unloving to others at times, not because of who You are, but because of who I am – selfish.
So with the same discipline that I must use to exercise or eat right or not waste my time, help me to love others.  Not only by the likeable qualities of kindness and peace, but also truth and faithfulness and courage.
Then, and only then, will I know what it is to be like Your Son, Jesus Christ.
And that’s what the people in my life need.

It’s 12:29 am.  I have just arrived home from watching the Celtics/Lakers game at a friends house, and I’m pleased to announce that today is the Holman’s 3rd and 37th wedding anniversary.
My parents were married in Birmingham, Michigan on June 11th, 1971, and Carie and I were married on June 11th, 2005. 
I love being married to the most wonderful woman of all time, and I thank God every day that He brought us together.  We compliment each other in so many ways, and even though it’s only been a short time, our marriage has gotten stronger each and every day.
So thank you Carie for putting up with me and for your unconditional love,

and by the way, we’re going to Vermont for our anniversary.