The End

Well, I'm ending this blog. I feel that I can no longer honor God with it and it is just an unfinished work that is giving no fruit. As now this blog is closed. I thank all of my readers of the last two years and I hope to stay in conntact with you via email. Thank you again and God bless. In Christ alone, Josh Martin

Update

Hi everyone,
I didn't forget about you or the blog challenge, but there are three weeks left in the semester which means that it is finals time and I need to do schoolmost of the time. I will post again soon. In three weeks at the latest. I have found a little time to skim your blogs and attempt to keep upish with them.
Anywho, that's all I have.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

A Craft Tutorial

Alright,
So to make kraft you go to the store, buy a kraft dinner and come home. Turn on the stove and boil water. Put the kraft in the water and let it cook. then you eat it.
Wait, what?
Oh....
That kind of craft. Got it.
Alright, so you take the box from your kraft dinner and you cut it up till it looks like something and then you throw it away. Thats what you do with regular crafts, right?

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

A country I would want to visit some day

I don't want to leave America. Honestly, I would be fine never going to another country.
If I had to go, I would want to go to England. To go antique book shopping would be one thing I would love to do. I have a great love for books, contrary to popular belief. Books really are wonderful and even though I cant fly through a 300 page book in a day, reading is one of my absolute favorite things to do.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

A tradition or custom that I think should have survived till today.

On word:
Jousting!
That was a great idea. Two guys want a girl, they, decide to grab long pointy sticks get on horses and charge at each other as fast as they can, and so it ends. Winner gets the girl.
Okay, maybe not the best idea ever, but still exciting.
Alright, the one that I think should still be around is Courting!
Yes, there are people who still court, but dating is so rampant, its ridicules. I went to Elitch Gardens a few years ago on homeschool day when all the "good" kids were supposed to be out. I saw two kids who couldn't have been older than 10 making out in line for the Ferris wheel. It was the worst thing I had ever seen. What happened to the days where I guy would nicely ask a girl to court him and they wouldn't kiss until their wedding? I think it would be fine for the two of them to still get together and have a jolly old time, but do so morally.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

Post some of my own art

I don't draw and I don't paint. The only art I do is Martial.
However, I did have to do a drawing for a class last year, and I did a doodle for my french class this year.

Tell me what you think. I know they are awful, but that's all I draw.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

Write about something you feel strongly about.

Hi everyone,
I'm back. It hasn't been as long this time, but I'm still getting back into school, so I'm still fixing my schedule.

Seeking Wisdom and Counsel:

I'm sure we have all come to a cross roads before and didn't know what to do, right? Should I go to college? Should I get a job? Should I get married? No matter what the cross roads you have been at, it never hurts to have help. There are always people to turn to.

No. 1. If you don't know who to turn to, God is always ready to help. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrew 4:16 He will never turn you down. He wont always answer right away, but wait upon the Lord.


No. 2. Your Pastor/Elder or a teacher you really respect. I have done this many times and I always enjoy the counsel they give me.

No. 3. Lastly, a close friend. They wont have as good of answer as God, and probably not as good as your Pastor/Elder/Teacher, but they can offer great advice. And you might feel more comfortable talking to them.

I'm asuming that you talk to your parents about whatever this is anyway.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

Very late, but it did happen.

Hi,
Sorry I haven't been around much. With Christmas and and new years, I was really busy, then school started again and I had to get back into the swing of things. Now I am here and will hopefully be doing the challenge every two days again.

This time instead of saying what God has showed me over the last year (which would be enough to fill books) I am going to share what my theme for this semester is going to be.

Psalm 56

1 Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up;


Fighting all day he oppresses me.

2 My enemies would hound me all day,

For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
3 Whenever I am afraid,

I will trust in You.

4 In God (I will praise His word),

In God I have put my trust;

I will not fear.

What can flesh do to me?
5 All day they twist my words;

All their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They gather together,

They hide, they mark my steps,

When they lie in wait for my life.

7 Shall they escape by iniquity?

In anger cast down the peoples, O God!
8 You number my wanderings;

Put my tears into Your bottle;

Are they not in Your book?

9 When I cry out to You,

Then my enemies will turn back;

This I know, because God is for me.

10 In God (I will praise His word),

In the LORD (I will praise His word),

11 In God I have put my trust;

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God;

I will render praises to You,

13 For You have delivered my soul from death.

Have You not kept my feet from falling,

That I may walk before God

In the light of the living?
 
God showed me this one Sunday morning and I latched onto it. I am making this my theme for the semester. Verses 3 and 4 are my favorite! I can't find words to explain, by they really speak to me.
 
In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

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

Some things that I am afraid of

One Word...


FINALS





I have 5 to do, so this is going to be a short post.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

Dessert Tutorial

First off, I don't eat dessert. (with few exceptions)
I don't eat chocolate at all. (with the exception of the recces piece) Don't ask me why, but for some reason I like those.

However during thanksgiving I do eat pumpkin pie.
So here is the tutorial on pumpkin pie:
Step 1: Go to the store and buy a pumpkin pie.
Step 2: Come home and follow cooking directions on the box.
Step 3: Wait.
Step 4: When it is done, eat the pie.
Step 5: (As was reminded me by a reader) add lots of whipped cream. (Thank you)

There you go. I know that was pretty sad, but I leave the actual pie baking to my sister and my best friend. :)

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

My Favorite Season

This was a tough one. I like two seasons, fall and spring. I like fall because my birthday is on the first day of fall. (That made it easy to remember) Also football season is going and the trees are quite lovely (What? I'm not saying I want to build a summer home) Some of you might get that. Leave a comment and tell me if you do.
On the other hand there is spring which I'm going to have to say is my favorite. The joys of the greenness and rain and such. I am not the best with words, so I will use a quote of a very dear friend of mine.

"I love the smell of rain; how earthy and fresh it will leave everything. I love how it brings lovely thoughts of tea. I love walking in rain and getting all soaked. I love hearing the drops go pitter patter against my window. I love feeling the water on my face. I love having an umbrella to twirl around like Gene Kelly. In short: I LOVE RAIN! It’s the best part of spring."


Perfect way of putting it Rose :)
And yes, I did copy paste that strait from your blog. If any of you out there want to read it it is here ... http://throughmyrosyeyesi.blogspot.com/

That is my favorite comic strip.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

Poll Answers

Real quick,
The answers for the polls I put up are...
Q: How old do you think I am?
A: 18
Good job!
70% of you got it right.

Q: What was the first sport you think I played?
A: Soccer
Sorry. You all missed. I started playing soccer when I was 5. I didn't start karate till I was 10, but I see how it could be hard to know that since I have never mentioned it and I always talk about karate.

Thank you for participating and good luck next time.
In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

Something that I could eat or drink every day for the rest of my life.

Chicken Tenders!

I could eat these forever.
The rich succulent white chicken and the crisp flavorful breading with just the right amount of spice and seasoning.
If they are warm.... Oh, now I'm really hungry.

In Christ alone,
Josh Martin

A Favorite Memory

There are so many memories that I love to relive. My graduation, piano recitals, playing hide and seek with neighbors, any class I ever had with Mr. Whalen. The list goes on forever. But here is one that I will always remember. I will try to get pictures as soon as I can find them. This was back in the day when only the rich people had a digital camera : )

My First Black Belt Test!
Date: February 9th 2008
Place: Grelley Colorado
Time: 8:00 AM- 5:30 PM
People Testing: 54
Level of Excitement: Off the Chart!

That day was the longest day of my life. 8 and a half hours of physical torture. But there were a few thing that were very interesting about that day. #1 If you know me and have been around me in a setting of high stress, you will know that I am the most nervous person on the face of the planet. However, that day, I was as calm as I have ever been. God really helped me and kept me safe and from hyperventilating (Which I do a lot!) #2 I got to do it with my little big sister. (3 years older, 5 inches shorter) That was fun.
Overall it was a really good day.
And there you go.

In Christ Alone, Josh Martin