The What Ifs - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

The What Ifs

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

"…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV)

We all have asked the “What if?” questions. Usually they come after a major tragedy in our life, or before a long anticipated event is about to happen, and we start asking the question.

Our son was involved in a single car accident very recently, resulting in the hospital ER and the ICU; with one surgery completed and another yet to come. On top of that, no insurance was in place by him to cover anything. No auto coverage except the bare bones, and no medical insurance either. It didn’t take long for the “What if” questions to start coming, both of those that came inwardly to our minds and the ones that came from without, from others who heard of the tragedy.

After seeing the mangled 2009 Hyundai Elantra he had been driving, just bought the week before, at its final towed location, the questions really started to flow in my brain.

“What if he had hit that tree head on?”

“What if there had been a passenger on that side, which took the major blunt of the horrible wreck?”

“What if another vehicle had been coming head on the other side of the median which he had crossed over during that midnight moment, which normally has much traffic on that city street?”

More and more they came, as further observations were made of Ben lying in the hospital bed fully sedated, the vehicle and the tree.

But then there was the tree. We most certainly know of the other tree, the one which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ hung on, to save us from the world which seeks to kill and destroy, and the eternal damnation hereafter for those with no hope.

Paul put it this way, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then the Messiah has not been raised; and if the Messiah has not been raised, then what we have proclaimed is in vain; also your trust is in vain; furthermore, we are shown up as false witnesses for God in having testified that God raised up the Messiah, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

For if the dead are not raised, then the Messiah has not been raised either; and if the Messiah has not been raised, your trust is useless, and you are still in your sins. Also, if this is the case, those who died in union with the Messiah are lost.

If it is only for this life that we have put our hope in the Messiah, we are more pitiable than anyone. But the fact is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a man, also the resurrection of the dead has come through a man.” (1 Cor 15:13-22, Complete Jewish Bible)

So I am most grateful for the “what” that did occur. I am most grateful that our son’s life was spared, to fulfill the call on his life which began 37 years ago at birth. I am most grateful for the uncertainties that will become certainties – being certain because His Lord still has him in the palm of His hand, directing his steps along the way, using His guardian angels to cover the missteps with their protection assignments on that path.

Both Ben, Laurie and I and his family will face a lot of “what ifs” in the coming days, but we are standing on solid ground that our Lord Jesus’ grace, provision and assurance will always be ours, as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

The “what ifs” have, and will yet to be, the completed “See what the Lord has done.”

For this and all things we certainly give thanks to the Lord for His abundant grace and His ongoing mercy and love daily in each of our lives.

You can be certain of that too.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

  

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

We are blessed when the ministry receives gifts to support the families that we do, primarily in Israel, Hungary, India, Pakistan and the hurting ones here in the USA. You also can share out of the abundance you have been given.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Blogs: Love For His People,   Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This - In the Year of our Lord 02.04.17 - #274 – “The What Ifs” – Saturday 8:30 am

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Levi Zachary - Hebrew "Attached - Remembered by God" - Our 7th Grandchild! (01.16.16 - added photos)

Levi Zachary - Hebrew "Attached - Remembered by God"

Our 6th grandson, 7th grandchild, was born to Hannah Elizabeth (Martin) and Jonathan Avalos on January 13, 2016 around 12:30 pm in Charlotte, NC. He came out "weighing in at" 5 lbs. 6 oz. and 20" long. 

We are so blessed, knowing that Hebrew origin names have been given to this little boy, chosen by the living God of Israel to do mighty exploits in the life the good Lord has planned for him. 

Little Levi was born with no radius bone in either arm, having what is known as the TAR syndrome. (See below). We will be amazed at how the Lord will give much grace to Levi and his family as He demonstrates His creative wisdom and full understanding of all things.

Both Laurie and I were able to hold this newborn joy of our hearts just hours after coming forth. We look forward to seeing him grow in the faithful and believing care of his parents, brother Payton, and all of his extended family surrounding him, all in the wisdom and understanding of our Lord Jesus (Yeshua) in his time on earth.

Bless you little Levi Zachary - attached to us now and remembered by God!

Steve Martin

Proud Grandpa

Love For His People

Levi Zachary (Martin) Avalos!

(a few hours and just beginning...)

Mama Hannah and sister Christen one week before delivery

Levi with father Jonathan and big brother Payton.

Levi's Grandmother Grace Avalos holding him.

Also pictured - Grandma Laurie Martin, 

Uncle Ben, brother Payton, Dad Jonathan

Little Levi - He will  make it!

Jan. 16, 2016 - 3 day old photos of Levi

 

 Mama Hannah & Grandma Laurie 01.16.16

What is TAR syndrome?

Thrombocytopenia-absent radius (TAR) syndrome is characterized by the absence of a bone called the radius in each forearm. Affected individuals also have a shortage (deficiency) of blood cells involved in clotting (platelets). This platelet deficiency (thrombocytopenia) usually appears during infancy and becomes less severe over time; in some cases the platelet levels become normal.

Thrombocytopenia prevents normal blood clotting, resulting in easy bruising and frequent nosebleeds. Potentially life-threatening episodes of severe bleeding (hemorrhages) may occur in the brain and other organs, especially during the first year of life. Hemorrhages can damage the brain and lead to intellectual disability. Affected children who survive this period and do not have damaging hemorrhages in the brain usually have a normal life expectancy and normal intellectual development.

TAR syndrome is unusual among similar malformations in that affected individuals have thumbs, while people with other conditions involving an absent radius typically do not. TAR syndrome is also associated with short stature and additional skeletal abnormalities, including underdevelopment of other bones in the arms and legs. Affected individuals may also have malformations of the heart and kidneys. TAR syndrome is associated with unusual facial features including a small lower jaw (micrognathia), a prominent forehead, and low-set ears. About half of affected individuals have allergic reactions to cow's milk that may worsen the thrombocytopenia associated with this disorder.

How common is TAR syndrome?

TAR syndrome is a rare disorder, affecting fewer than 1 in 100,000 newborns.

Source: TAR syndrome

"Bells of Bethlehem" - Painting by Otto Unzicker

"Bells of Bethlehem"

Painting by Otto Unzicker 

of Peru, Illinois

1988

Yeshua (Jesus), God Incarnate, was born in Bet-lehem (House of Bread) in Israel, the eternal promised land of the Jews.

This original painting by Otto Unzicker of Peru, IL was done after he had made his amazing, once-in-a-lifetime, delightful trip to Israel in the early 90's (I believe it was around that time.) He was a very gifted painter, choosing to use acrylic paints and watercolors as his preference.

All of his paintings now reside in the homes of his three daughters, Linda, Judy and Laurie, as part of their inheritance, with the passing to heaven of their mother Lorraine on July 31, 2014.

Otto & Lorraine Unzicker

(The photo on the right 

is Otto in the US Army in World War II. 

He served in Europe.)

Otto's painting, depicting the peace dove, is of the Church of the Nativity bell in Bethlehem, Israel, where Jesus (Yeshua), Otto's Lord and Savior, was born on that very spot covered by this Christian church. This location in Israel was one of his favorites. He had climbed the bell tower steps of the church and beheld this awesome view, which we now share.

Otto touching the Church of the Nativity bell in Bethlehem, Israel.

A great heritage passed on for his children and grandchildren.

This beautiful painting (measuring 33" x 34" framed) by my father-in-law Otto Unzicker, "Bells of Bethlehem" was done in his Illinois basement in winter, around 1995. Otto is the father of Linda Baker-Skaggs, Judy Anderson, Laura Jean Martin and grandfather of Josh Martin, Ben Martin, Hannah Avalos, Christen N Andrew Blade, and many of our nephews and nieces.

We know that this specific painting of Otto won 2nd prize in the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria, Illinois, date unknown. The 14" ribbon hangs behind the painting. I believe it also won first place in a Mendota, Illinois fair contest. I know some of his other paintings certainly did!

His artwork, including three other originals, now so gratefully hang in our home in the Charlotte, NC area. It won 2nd prize in the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria, Illinois, date unknown. The 14" ribbon hangs behind the painting.

Thank you Otto, my father-in-law, and Christian brother, above all! Blessings are certainly on ye head in heaven now, since 2006!

Blessings on ye heads!

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

"Bells of Bethlehem" hangs in our home.

- painting by Otto Unzicker

The Steve & Laurie Martin Family - 15 plus Levi THANKSGIVNG DAY

The Steve & Laurie Martin Family

 - 15 plus Levi

Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 26, 2105

Charlotte, NC

Left to right, by rows: 

Front Row: Jonathan & Hannah (Martin)Avalos (with Levi within), Laurie Martin holding Jack Blade, Payton Avalos, Jensen Martin

Back row: Andrew & Christen (Martin) Blade, Chelsie and Josh Martin, Dylan Joy Martin, Logan Martin, Daniel Martin, Ben Martin, Steve Martin

Blessed Man - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Blessed Man

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

‘Tis a blessed man of God I am;

So much of life I have to share.

Salvation came from my Lord above,

Now known by Him - my every hair.

When but a lad of five or so,

When Jesus came into my heart;

A Catholic boy in Iowa’s glow,

He’s blessed me from the very start.

Columbus High was where I went,

An education for life to come.

My teachers gave, and then was sent

To seek the Lord, and then some.

My wife to be was but a teen,

I had to wait for her - as us.

October’s light that 8^th was seen,

No worries Mom, don’t make a fuss!

Soon came forth the quiver full,

With Josh and Ben to start.

Then Hannah, Christen – there ain’t no lull!

A family now will never part.

First Derek, then Mahesh and Bonnie served;

Then came Barry & Batya - both Jews.

My fruitful work, for Him deserved,

Eternal reward – now that’s Good News!

I bless Chelsie, Andrew, Jonathan. When?

Spouses for my kids they are;

Plus Daniel, Logan, Dylan, Jensen,

Jack, Payton and Levi - by far!

Continues on my life these days,

To know His will and walk therein.

A blessed man in all His ways,

I love my Lord. Thus all for Him.

THANK YOU YESHUA (JESUS)!

And I love you too,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

Now Think On This #211 “Blessed Man” by Steve Martin on my 61^st birthday!

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (11.23.15) Monday at 6:30 am in Charlotte, NC

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Happy Birthday to our son Ben!

We celebrate our son Ben's birthday today! 

(Nov. 18, 2015)

We are thankful for his life, 

his giftings, his heart for kids, 

and his desire to 

know the Lord 

in a real, personal way.

We love you Ben!

Dad & Mom

 Israel - Negev Desert  Nov. 2013

An Ahava Adventure!

Ben and brother Josh - 2014

Father/Sons/Grandsons campout

Before baptism in the Jordan River, Israel

Nov. 2013

Uncle Ben with nephew Daniel

Greek Festival, Charlotte

Uncle Ben, Laurie and newborn nephew Jack Blade

As a young one in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.

(Probably around 1992?? Dad is guessing.)

May the good Lord 

give you the desires of your heart, Ben,

as you seek Him in all your ways.

Love,

Dad & Mom

I Wish We’d All Been Ready Now Think On This by Steve Martin

I Wish We’d All Been Ready

Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“Upon being told what Ester had said, Mordekhai asked them to give Ester this answer: “Don’t suppose that merely because you happen to be in the royal palace you will escape any more than the other Jews. For if you fail to speak up now, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from a different direction; but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows whether you didn’t come into your royal position precisely for such a time as this.” 
(Esther 4:12-14 Complete Jewish Bible)

As we drove back from the Wednesday night  Bible study at MorningStar, where Tom Hardiman had begun a month long series on eschatology (end times), my son Ben spoke of waking up the previous morning with the DC Talk song in his head, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.” That was cool. I remember waking up 46 years ago with the Larry Norman song in my head, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.” (Larry wrote that classic way back in 1969 and had it first recorded on the album I bought in 1970 called Upon This Rock. I then bought the cassette. Probably the CD too. And yes, the MP3 is on my smartphone.)

Be that as it may…I hope you and I are ready.

These times are a changin’. Somewhere that sounds like another song lyric. (If you know, please fill me in. Thanks.) We are living in times like no other. The world as we once knew it is gone. What used to be is no more. What will come, well, you better find out so you too are ready.

In Esther’s time (her Hebrew name was Hadassah) she was placed in a strategic appointed position by the Lord God to help save the Jews from extermination. Today that day of deliverance is annually celebrated as Purim, in the spring by the Jewish people. It once again acknowledges another time of protection and deliverance, given for and to them by the awesome Living God of Israel. 

Often throughout the recorded documents of truth, found in the historical centuries of life beginning with Father Abraham, living in the very promised land of Israel, Yahweh has kept in existence His chosen people. They have been revealed as demonstrations, testaments and further undeniable proof of His own existence (as if creation itself was not enough) and for this current time, during the fulfillment of His end time plans and purposes.

No other nation or people group, since the creation of the world, has survived the destruction, displacement, or rampant displeasure placed upon them. And yet, as another living reality of His immense heart, their God, the same for those of us grafted into their olive tree, has returned them to that land given to them by Himself, the Eternal Father.

And now too, for such a time as this, Christians are being called upon to stand beside our brothers and sisters in the Land of Eretz Israel. We have been chosen to support and defend, with our mouths, with our written words, and no less our wallets, the Jewish nation, both in Israel and those yet to return (by making aliyah).

Because of the tremendous debt we owe to the Jewish people we can do no less. Through them was birthed the Messiah, Jesus the Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, born in Bethlehem as prophesied by Micah centuries prior. Through them, the Bible (Torah), inspired by the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh), came to us. Moses (Hebrew - Moshe), the prophets, Daniel (Hebrew - same), Ezekiel (Hebrew - same), Matthew (Matityahu), Mark Mordechai), James (Yaakov), John (Yochahnahn) and Paul (Tzuar) – all Jews – heard the word, wrote the word, and because of their faithfulness we have it in our hands today, bringing life in our daily faith walk.

These times we live in are the fulfillment of the prophetic events they saw and declared. We get to experience what it is to be a part of the One New Man, the future Bride of Christ, that Jesus (Yeshua) is coming back for. After gathering many peoples, from all the nations around the world, our hope and trust is founded on that, His Word revealed to us.

I ask you to be saved in your spirit, soul and body, through the salvation only found in Jesus’ atoning Blood, sacrificed on the cross for each of us. Then you too will be ready, for such a time as this.

That is my prayer for you today.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People. Inc.

P.S. We sure could use your help to bless the families we do in Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the hurting ones here in the USA. Please give out of the abundance you have been given.

P.S.S. Thank the Lord too for Larry and the former members of DC Talk!

In May, 2106, my wife Laurie and I will be traveling to Israel to spend time we our friends. We support them in word and deed.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

  

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Click here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People. If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc.  P.O. Box414   Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

Please share Now Think On This with your friends.

Email: loveforhispeople@gmail.com  

martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and  Love For His People  

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople 

Blogs: Love For His People,   Now Think On This

Full website: Love For His People

YouTube: Love For His People Inc.

Now Think On This #194 “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2015 (10.22.15) Thursday at 7:15 am in Charlotte, NC

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

I Wish We’d All Been Ready – Larry Norman, 1969

Life was filled with guns and war
And all of us got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready

The children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind

A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and
Turns her head, he's gone
I wish we'd all been ready

Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and
One's left standing still
I wish we'd all been ready

There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind

The father spoke, the demons dined
How could you have been so blind?

There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind
There's no time to change your mind
The son has come and you've been left behind

I hope we'll all be ready
You've been left behind
You've been left behind
You've been left behind

The Big 60

Family gathering to celebrate my 60th birthday - Steve Martin

(Birthday was Nov. 23, 2014)

Laurie and Hannah - wife and daughter

Cake by Mary Ann Blade

Jonathan Avalos - son-in-law

Ben Martin - son

Lila Parker (Mom), Mary Ann & Michael Blade

Jack Blade - grandson

Mom, Bill Parker & Ben

Steve & Michael Blade

 

Steve & daughter Christen

Daughters Hannah and Christen

Payton Avalos - grandson

Family gathering to celebrate my 60th birthday - Steve Martin

(Birthday was Nov. 23, 2014)