Handles Messiah

So this week I had an opportunity of a lifetime. My old highschool choir was invited to sing Handles Messiah. The College I go to sings in it as well, so on Sunday I and many of my good friends sang in it. It was a day I will never forget for a few reasons.


#1 I had the stomach flu. That made life fun. When I woke up on Sunday I was so very sick that I couldn’t even go to church. I was on deaths door. Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I was sick. When 3:00 rolled around I pushed myself up and took a shower and got dressed. On the way to the concert I started feeling better and better. I know God had something to do with it. By the time it started I felt %100 fine. It was amazing that I made it through without collapsing. 3 other people fainted during the concert. God really protected me.

#2 It was such a wonderful experience being able to sing to God in front of so many people. When you get 300 people singing the Hallelujah chorus it is really amazing!!

#3 The reception afterward was really fun. I got to talk with some friends and a lot of people tried to get me to join the advanced choir. That was a shock. Also they had free drinks and after the concert we all needed them.

That’s about it.

In Christ alone,

Josh Martin

Write About a Favorite Hymn

My favorite hymn is "Amazing Love", or "And Can it Be." Same song, two names.

1 And can it be that I should gain

an interest in the Savior's blood!

Died he for me? who caused his pain!

For me? who him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be

that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be

that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?



2. 'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!

Who can explore his strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

to sound the depths of love divine.

'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;

let angel minds inquire no more.

'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;

let angel minds inquire no more.



3. He left his Father's throne above

(so free, so infinite his grace!),

emptied himself of all but love,

and bled for Adam's helpless race.

'Tis mercy all, immense and free,

for O my God, it found out me!

'Tis mercy all, immense and free,

for O my God, it found out me!



4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

fast bound in sin and nature's night;

thine eye diffused a quickening ray;

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

my chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed thee.



5. No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in him, is mine;

alive in him, my living Head,

and clothed in righteousness divine,

bold I approach th' eternal throne,

and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach th' eternal throne,

and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

 Verse 4 is my favorite. "My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee." That was what the experience of salvation felt like to me.

In Christ alone,

Josh Martin

An Interview with a Fellow Blogger

So, for my interview I did my once mortal enemy, but now very good friend, Katie Ong. Again, thank you Rose, for making us not hate each other.


Here it is….

#1 What is your name?

Katherine Ong

#2 Why did you start blogging?

So That I could help teenagers out in their walk with the Lord.

#3 How often do you blog?

Once a month

#4 Who are your two biggest inspirations for your writing?

Oswald Chambers, Paul from the Bible

#5 What do you plan to be when you grow up?

A paramedic

#6 What do you like most about your best friend?

How she is always ready to laugh

#7 What do you like most about the person giving you this interview?

His want to improve him self

#8 What do you like least about your best friend?

I like everything about my best friend

#9 What is your favorite past time?

Piano

#10 If you had to either watch “every girl should be married” or wear only the color hot pink for the rest of your life, which would you do?

If I only had to watch the movie once I would pick that first but if I had to watch it more then once I would rather wear pink.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

A Movie Review

Letters to Juliet


Review by Josh Martin

The movie “Letters to Juliet” was filmed mainly in the USA, but was partially shot on location in South Korea. The film was released May 14th 2010. The studio it was filmed at was, Bryant Park, Manhattan, New York City, USA. The music is excellent and has many popular numbers such as “I’m A Believer” sung in Italian. There were no special effects used in this film unless it was on the fantastic scenery.

The movie takes place in the broad countryside of Italy, although it starts in New York City. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is a young girl working as a fact checker for the New Yorker who is engaged to a new restaurant owner named Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal). A trip to Italy is required to find suppliers for Victor’s business. While he is traveling to visit different food merchants, Sophie meets a group a ladies who call themselves Juliet’s secretaries. A wall with letters pinned to it more plentifully than the bricks catches Sophie’s eye as she goes sightseeing. She stays to try to find out what the purpose of the letters are when she sees a woman come and take the letters down and put them in a basket. Sophie follows this girl and meets four women called the secretaries of Juliet. They explain the purpose of the letters is to ask for advice on what to do with a relationship. Sophie falls in love with the idea and offers to help. The next day she goes to collect the letters and finds a loose brick. Behind the brick is a letter dating back fifty years. She answers the letter, not expecting a response, but ends up meeting the girl who wrote the letter. Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) and her grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan) come to try to find a man that was a teenage flame of hers. Claire, Charlie, and Sophie scour the Italian countryside looking for the man from fifty years ago. After doing some searching briefly, they find out there are more than seventy men with the same name. Throughout the trip Sophie and Charlie argue as to whether or not the journey is a good idea, because Charlie doesn’t want his grandma to experience anymore heartache. Over time the tension starts to give and they become fast friends. Overall this was a very good movie. It was a typical chick flick, while still being enjoyable. It wasn’t very compelling at the beginning, but as the plot thickens it becomes hard to move from your seat. The romance and views of the Italian landscape keep one very captivated. This happy love story which has many different aspects including humor is a great family film that comes highly recommended.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

Write about a Sibling and what I appreciate about them

I think I will write about my favorite bestest most wonderful and amazing (not to mention only) sister.
Jenny!
She is 21 years old and a senior in college. She's a second degree black belt and could own any martial artist except me. (and Chuck Norris)
She is 5' 6" and 5' 5" of that is sweetness.
What I am thankful for about her is...
Other than almost everything...
She's rich and gives me lotsof money!!!
Ok, maybe not.
She has been not only a sister, but a really good friend. She has a good sense of humor and knows how to give a world class message. That came in handy after football practice. (thats where I learned how to give one) From Jenny, not from football practice : )
And there you go.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

Poetry that I have writen

The Unspoken

When thou walketh in sunlight,

the rays dance upon thy brunet locks.

Never had I gazed upon one so fair,

nor seen one so, in such radiance.

Thou speech and manner doth baffle my comprehension,

I become flustered when thou art near.

Much travleth unsaid that wishes to be spoken,

and doth lay to rest in the depth of my heart.

My silence echoes the joy that I find in you.

If I speak, the echo is shattered as to be unpleasing to thou.

When will my heart find the sign?

It yearns for the day of grace fulfilled.

What some view as a pebble in the heap,

I view as a diamond in the rough.

Josh

Martin

In Christ alone,

Josh Martin