Friendships. Need Them. Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 

June 11, 2025 Greetings to you once again. “For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, Complete Jewish Bible   On occasion, I will turn on the TV to the horse races (Laurie says it happens when I get really bored), but I really enjoy it when the jockeys bring their challengers up to the gate, load in, and hold. They wait for the starting bell to ring, tensed up and ready to bolt. They are “chomping at the bit”, for which Ai says, "Chomping at the bit" means to be eager or impatient to do something. It's a figurative way of describing someone who is very anxious to start or move forward, similar to how a horse might repeatedly bite or chew at its bit when eager to go.” And then those heavy doors swing wide open, and they are off. That for which they have trained has now arrived. They are off. With all their might, having completed all those days and months of training, they run hard. Their goal is the finish line. And it will only take them a few minutes. "...This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming." 2 Timothy 4:4-78 (The Message) When those times come in our lives, when the Lord is giving clear directions, preceded by His Holy Spirit’s prompting, each will get the opportunity to be “chomping at the bit.” As we let Him lead us step by step, we will complete the mission and the adventure laid before us by arriving at the destination He has in His eternal mind. May He be your guidance today. Step by step. Be blessed in all your blessings, Ahava and shalom,  Steve Martin Love For His People Ministry P.S. Today’s communication includes a message I wrote, entitled “Friendships. Need Them.”, and a three-part video series of David Peterman and me after we returned from Israel on our May 2026 Ahava Adventure. Plus, a “cute” video, the Lord reminded me of at 2:32 am on Wednesday, to share with you.

The photo of Laurie and I above is, I admit, a few years old...But I like it! Steve David Peterman and I visited the Christen Friends of Israel in Jerusalem, Israel, on the last day of my visit on May 13, 2025. We were delighted to get the "best tour" of the facility, and also getting to spend an hour with Galya Hall, along with son Hosea. Todah rabah! (Thank you very much.) Friendships. Need Them.   “A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24   One thing I have valued in life is having at least one good friend. The Bible warns against having too many friends, which can lead to ruin. (I guess Solomon’s downfall was having too many wives. Imagine that!) When I was a freshman in high school, back in 1969, I attended Columbus High School (Catholic) in Waterloo, Iowa. This kid had his locker underneath mine, as the lockers were arranged in double rows along the main corridor. I was annoyed each time he came to his locker when I was at mine. He would be in my way. By the end of our high school days, he had become my best friend. Denny Brennan. He ended up marrying the daughter of the local TV channel’s newscaster (two years younger than him, from the same high school) and becoming a butcher with his shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I am not sure whether the two situations, the newscaster’s sweetheart daughter and butchering, are related. But it is a fact. Reflecting on my life of 70 years thus far, I recall some other treasured moments, new beginnings in fact, when the Lord brought someone to me to be together for His plans and purposes. Of course, I must begin with my beautiful wife, Laura Jean Unzicker Martin, who came to the former Baptist church every Sunday night in her hometown of LaSalle/Peru, Illinois, with her high school senior best friend, Sue. The “Holy Ghost, Pentecostal-driven, demon-deliverance, powerful worship times with guitars” service was the hottest one in the town of 10,000. Pastor Stan Buren had it going, along with the young men’s worship team of Ron Wey, Bob Smith, Mark Buren, and Mark Rummler. I would think the high school girls had other reasons for coming, in addition to wanting more of the Lord Jesus in their lives. Stan, himself a former Southern Baptist who had been kicked out of his independent church by the one vote of a 12-year-old, had been “baptized in the Holy Spirit” years earlier. That didn’t mix well with the Baptists—just a fact. More commonly known as Laurie, I admired this 17-year-old with her Dorothy Hamill haircut (an Olympic skater gold medalist in 1976) and her white painter pants. Sue, her friend who brought her, had an eye for me. Mine eyes went to Miss Unzicker. You can read the full story in my book, The Promise: The Journey of a Lifetime, if your curiosity gets the better of you. For the rest is history. Our Lord, the Living God of Israel, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, brings people together for His eternal plans and purposes. Sometimes, in fact almost always, we never realize the importance of those moments when friendships start, but looking back, we can be amazed at the goodness and love the Lord has for each of us. I personally love His plans. They are always the best. Treasure the friendships, the relationships, He gives you. While it will be a “give and take”, as two or more walk together, the destination will be awesome, as you seek Him in all that you do. Ahava and shalom, Steve Martin Above photo: "It's the smile." Below image: In Israel, on the top of the Mount of Olives. The camel asked us to help him get food tonight by working for his master. So we did. Nice fella.

My good friend David Peterman and I present a 3-part report on our recent trip to Israel, May 4 to 14. Watch all three. See which one tells about the journey on the light rail.

As in many of Steve's previous 36 books, he continues to share experiences and inspiration in being faithful in the Christian walk - hearing the voice of the Lord, knowing His written Word, adhering to the teachings of those who have gone before - to stand firm in the midst of societal changes with the truth of the Lord Jesus, Yeshua. As you read these chapters, may the Lord's encouragement through His Holy Spirit strengthen your inner being to walk out the calling He has on your life, among your family, and others surrounding you. Being faithful to the end is possible only because of His grace and mercy at work within us daily. Buy now on Amazon HB $14.95 PB $9.95 Kindle $2.99

As promised. The cute video to share. Talk about celebrating. At the time of this video, our grandson Jack was two. Now he is 12 and just completed 5th grade. Family and friendships. We need them in our lives in order to flourish. Do what it takes to establish and keep friendships.

Visit our Website Love For His People Ministry | 12120 Woodside Falls Rd | Pineville, NC 28134 US

"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

My beloved.

She is my beloved.

Laura Jean Unzicker Martin

Saluda, NC Oct. 18, 2015

Yeshua (Jesus) is our Beloved 

and

we are Yeshua's (Jesus') beloved.

Mutual Delight in Each Other - Song of Songs 6

1“Where has your beloved gone,

            O most beautiful among women?

            Where has your beloved turned,

            That we may seek him with you?”

      2“My beloved has gone down to his garden,

            To the beds of balsam,

            To pasture his flock in the gardens

            And gather lilies.

      3“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,

            He who pastures his flock among the lilies.”

      4“You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,

            As lovely as Jerusalem,

            As awesome as an army with banners.

      5“Turn your eyes away from me,

            For they have confused me;

            Your hair is like a flock of goats

            That have descended from Gilead.

      6“Your teeth are like a flock of ewes

            Which have come up from their washing,

            All of which bear twins,

            And not one among them has lost her young.

      7“Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate

            Behind your veil.

      8“There are sixty queens and eighty concubines,

            And maidens without number;

      9But my dove, my perfect one, is unique:

            She is her mother’s only daughter;

            She is the pure child of the one who bore her.

            The maidens saw her and called her blessed,

            The queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying,

      10‘Who is this that grows like the dawn,

            As beautiful as the full moon,

            As pure as the sun,

            As awesome as an army with banners?’

      11“I went down to the orchard of nut trees

            To see the blossoms of the valley,

            To see whether the vine had budded

            Or the pomegranates had bloomed.

      12“Before I was aware, my soul set me

            Over the chariots of my noble people.”

      13“Come back, come back, O Shulammite;

            Come back, come back, that we may gaze at you!”

            

      “Why should you gaze at the Shulammite,

            As at the dance of the two companies?

Song of Solomon 6 (NASB)

My wife Laurie (Laura Jean Unzicker Martin) - a poem "My Good Wife"

Laurie

My Good Wife

A pretty lass, of her father's German decent,

That of Otto for sure - 'twas heaven sent.

Lorraine her Mom, now of 54 and more,

Thank you Lord, for sharing her. 

Got married (to me!) at 18. I prayed!

Had firstborn Josh on her 19th b-day.

Then came Ben, and Hannah and Christen, it's true,

Notice the eyes? Green, not blue.

She's made each house a nice, pleasant aroma;

Be in Illinois, Michigan, Florida or Carolina.

Has worked hard an annual 12 at Calvary Daycare,

Now has five, plus one, of own grands we share.

No special day, as I share now with you,

Just wanted it be known her heart is true.

Loves the Lord - and full of life,

Blessings on her, my lovely and good wife!

Steve Martin

July 15, 2013