Monday, August 12, 2013

Reunionize Time! - Small Beginnings!

On Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, we held our 1st annual "Reunionize Time!" gathering, in Pineville (Charlotte) NC. Our heart's desire is to reconnect with those we know from former cities we had lived in, churches we had been members of, and ministries we have served with. We know others want the same.

I hope John O'Leary makes it next year!

(All Nations Church 1997)

We believe the Lord is rejoining people with each other, to "regather" those that have been apart, as a result of many and various situations. We hope these events will be a time of encouragement, healing and renewed fellowship annually.

Thus, in the small town of Pineville, NC was birthed the "Reunionize Time!"

The open invitation had been posted on my FaceBook page, along with this blog and our "Love For His People" Facebook page for several months. Another specific invitation went out to 258 friends on Facebook the week before, as a reminder. (I wasn't wanting to inundate the e-mail Inboxes of friends! And snail mail gets expensive.)

Laurie and I are grateful that even though this first one was rather small (I myself was expecting and planning on between 30-50 people, but thankful for the eight who did come!), I know the Lord's ways are usually brought about through "small beginnings". We do not despise that, as the following Scripture verse says:

Zechariah 4:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices
to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

I also want to share a few photos I took, which follow. And...while I
was sitting there at the 2 pm official start time, I took some
video shoots. Those links are at the bottom of this blog, after the
notes from friends who responded later on the event.

You can check those out too.

Once the next date is determined for 2014, we will let you know
in plenty of time, so you can get it on your calendar. Possibly in
mid-May or mid-October, when the weather is a bit cooler than
the "hot August night" time, or in this case, day!

Signs, signs everywhere!

Pineville Lake Park west end entrance

I parked my car in the shade...

...to help keep the flag from fading.

All set up for the grand event!

Park shelter reserved sign posted.

The wind was a blowin', so I used the H2O bottles

to hold down the table cloths.

(The Scotch tape wasn't working either.)

Prizes for the winners of the Quiz Game!

Photos displayed included ones from

Derek Prince Ministries staff (2004)

and All Nations Church "Barn" in 1998.

Music was brought to us by Ted Pearce,

Kim Walker-Smith, and more!

Beautiful Pineville Lake!

Fun place for the kids and grand kids to play.

More prizes - from my friend Morris Ruddick especially.

Self-portrait (Steve Martin), wearing my new "Ahava Love Letters" shirt.

Book will be released in mid-Nov through Xulon Press.

A CD recording from the last worship time

of All Nations Church

on Granite Street, Charlotte NC

- in 2000.

Administration building at Pineville Lake Park.

Almost 2 pm! (Start time)

When will they all get here??!!

The ones who made it for this 1st "Reunionize Time!"

(L-R) Sandra McCain, Josh Martin, Susan & Mike Greene, Laurie Martin,

and three grand kids Jensen, Dylan Joy and Logan Martin

Here are a few notes from some who responded afterwards:

From Lincolnton, NC

Bro Steve, Shalom.

I trust that you are having a blessed day/ night! Truly, I have to say that we are deeply sorry that we missed being there on time for the fellowship that you kindly invited us to. We both were excited to have been invited and was looking forward to be there!

I know how you must have felt when you realized no one was showing up; and we both can relate to that sort of thing ....has happened to us multiple times and it makes you think why folks do that. Anyways....

So, you are not alone...We've acclammated ourselves, in any case, to not be upset or overreact but instead release it into the Father's mighty Hand. I reckon you already have. The Lord bless you and may He give you a peace about it altogether.
The Lord never disappoints His beloved ones, so be encouraged today.

From Jerusalem, Israel:

Shalom Steve,

Just a quick note to say so sorry about the poor turnout for your event. Been-there-done-that as they say. It is a little confusing isn't it? BUT Abba always has lessons.

I organized a Support Israel Day on her birthday one year (during the last Intafada~ my son was in the IDF at the time and we were back in Virginia) LOTS of planning and organization~ T-shirt, a raffle, entertainment, felafel stand... etc. I was so shocked a the turnout! Especially from the Messianic community~ the Christians were better.....

Have to admit~ having a son in the army with his life at risk~ I tended to take it a little more personally than I should have BUT it started a trend and after we left they continued the Israel Independence Day celebrations and eventually even the regular synagogue down the street joined in!!

It's tough and rather lonely at times and very confusing being a 'pioneer'.... hard part is by the time everyone else 'discovers' what you've known.... you've moved on to the next frontier

Anyway.... Shavuah Tov

From Rock Hill, SC:

"Just a note to say I was not able to get to the park until a little after 4:30 pm because I had to work. However, when I arrived I only saw a few cars and people whom I didn't know so I thought everyone must have left. So sorry I could not get there sooner. Would love to connect with you all another time."

From Charlotte, NC

Thanks Steve,

Sad we weren't able to stop by. We had special guest speaker at the church on Sunday, but as you know, had things to do in preparation on Saturday! Hope there is a next time -- maybe at the holidays?

From Charlotte, NC/Rock Hill, SC

Hey Steve,

I never got an email (I don’t do Facebook) after the original one about the 6^th which had other people’s email addresses so I never knew it had been moved. I’m thinking there may have been a number of others who never got the word and that’s why we didn’t show up.

Thought I would let you know so maybe this helps the disappointment.

We would have loved to come had we known.

Steve's video shoots from the park shelter:

Video: One Thing I Ask

- sung by Be'er Sheva worship team

from Tubingen, Germany

Video - All The World Will See - Ted Pearce

So until next year...

Be blessed in your

goings and your comings!

And plan on coming next year!

With our ahava love,

Steve & Laurie

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Leadership Through Love (Chapter 12) - "Another Man’s Vineyard (…and now my own.)" - Steve Martin

Editor's Note: This is the final chapter of my book, "Leadership Through Love." If you have missed any of the previous chapters, you can search this blog using the Search box in the top right hand corner, inserting "Leadership Through Love."

I hope you gain useful insights for yourself from reading this chapter, and all previous ones.

Shalom, with continued blessings on ye head.

Steve Martin

Chapter 12

Another Man’s Vineyard

(…and now my own.)

- Follow & help fulfill their vision

- Faithful with another’s

- Learn and growth until your time

- The proper way of moving on

For 23 years I served as the Administrator or Director of Operations & Finance for three different ministries, doing that which I knew to do. Together with the leaders of those respective ministries, we laid foundations and established further the “vineyard” that the Lord had entrusted to the founders.

As a vital part of the work, being faithful in adding to the building and the ongoing structure, it did enable me to do my part in seeing the work of the Lord done. The Lord was glorified, people were “built up” in the faith, buildings were restored and placed into the work of the kingdom, and the living spiritual vineyard produced lasting fruit.

My heart was given to the Lord through these ministries, but as time passed, there were things the Lord had been calling me to do, which my heart’s cry was to see them fulfilled. Beginning with what He had put in my heart, even as a young child, to be a missionary and take the gospel to the nations, and with ongoing prophetic words, the desire to have my own vineyard grew evermore present.

My natural gifts, which to me are an expression of the spiritual gifts He had given me, were in administration, accounting and general management of inventories, staff and daily tasks, but my heart so longed to “not sit behind a desk 40 hours a week”, but to travel and take His love beyond the local setting. Often I expressed that desire to those I was under, and to fellow workers. At times the desire was so intense, and I repeatedly asked the Lord when I would be delivered from the desk job to something that I knew for me was more.

During this time, the ongoing struggle to be faithful with the daily tasks, while at the same time praying and yearning for the adventurous tasks, was very difficult. Trying to keep focused on the maintenance of the ministry, when I wanted so much to be in the movement of the ministry, reminded me of Joseph in prison. He was in the Lord’s will I am sure, and yet the constant waiting of when that time would be over and he would be out of prison was something I could very much relate to.

At times I was even resentful of those who had the opportunities to go, while I stayed home and manned the fort. When I would hear them speak of the strain of travel and that type of ministry, my silent response was, “Then you stay and let me go instead”, but it never happened. I didn’t want to have the inner struggle of believing the grass is greener on the other side, but I honestly longed for the opportunities to travel in ministry.

Even more discouraging during the years when I was the administrator of one ministry where the leaders were often traveling, people would ask me if I went along to the distant lands and people. I had to respond “No.” It was hard to continue convincing myself that this was the place the Lord has for me, and I needed to be fulfilled in doing what I had been given to do. My job was to take care of the office and staff, while it was their job to go.

After many years of this struggle, I finally had to do something, and so asked if I could at least go once a year on an international trip with them. When the response came back as no, then to keep my having the ache of the heart continue, I gave my resignation notice, and began looking for the next position I believed the Lord would give me.

So what do you do as the administrator, or key person in an organization, and though you are good at what you are doing, your heart is just no longer in it? For me, I knew I had to move on. Otherwise my attitude would have become very bitter, and I would have brought harm to the ministry, rather than being a constructive part of the work.

When you are faced with this decision, the Lord will give you the proper way to leave a situation. In the times when I left two business and three ministry positions, He had generally given me a year’s notice prior to the course change up ahead. In my desire to then bless those whom I was leaving, I gave a three to six month notice, in order for them to find the right replacement and have training done for my position.

Even when I didn’t have another position lined up, the Lord honored my commitment I had with current leadership, to not leave them in a precarious place in their own work. And for each of these five job changes, He had brought a good replacement person for the work, and then led me to the next place that I was needed at.

There is always a proper way to leave one situation for another. As hard as change can be, and yet necessary, the Lord will reveal His plan if asked, and if each party is open to listening. I am thankful that that has happened in each case for me. I believe my honesty and faithfulness throughout the years at the job was a key factor in how the leadership blessed me in my leaving, and how I had blessed them.

During the transition time, the company or ministry had time to find another person to take my place. On two occasions I was able to recommend an assistant whom I had trained properly, and so the transition went very smooth. On two other occasions I recommended those I knew who had the skills to take over as I was leaving. They were hired, based on my recommendation.

I in turn had time to prepare my family, and to search for the next location of employment. Knowing that indeed it is true, “For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity”, gave me confidence that I was hearing the Lord during this transition, and that He was going to direct my steps. Even when I didn’t have the next position in place at the time of my resignation notices, my faith in the Lord’s provision was constant. He had proven Himself trustworthy to me, and thus I was able to put my trust in Him.

And Now My Own

On November 23, 2009, on my 55^th birthday, I gave my resignation notice to the president and founder of the third ministry I had then served with, after a period of five years with them. This decision was based on several factors, including the first being that of the Lord, having put a desire in my heart, since I was ten years of age, to go to the nations.

Several prophetic words had also been received over those many years, which brought encouragement and built up my faith. I knew the time had come to step out and start my “own vineyard”.

So began the new ministry of “Love For His People, Inc.” Along with other believers, we primarily seek to bless the people of Israel with support, encouragement, and humanitarian aid. You can view our full website: www.loveforhispeople.org

It was, and continues to be, a time of needed faith, mindful that my trust rests on solid ground - the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

As a final thought, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord in all situations, and you will see Him direct your steps into His full purposes for you. I for one can testify of His faithfulness and His provision in all.

Carry on!

Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a monthly charitable gift of $5-$25 each month to help us bless Israel.

You can bless this ministry work now, through: Online PayPal gifts

You can also send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter

Blog: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com

Full website: www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Note: To read the Intro, Chapter Listings and first 11 chapters, please use the Search Box in the top right hand corner of this Blog. Enter "Leadership Through Love." Be blessed in your reading!

Leadership Through Love

Chapter Listings

1. A Gift for His Purposes

- The Early Years

- On the job training

2. Use the Tools You Have, But Not the Staff

- Treasure the people, while digging the foundations

- Do unto them as you would…

- Bless and curse not: honor those who serve with you

3. Right Man (or Woman!) for the Job

- All are created equal – make the most of this!

- If the Shoe Fits, Have Them Wear It

4. Train and Let Loose

- It IS Who You Know and Are Known By

- Hire To Complement Your Strengths

- if you are weak, then they are strong

- Outsource as needed

5. Burn Candles At Both Ends? – NOT!

- Rest and Sabbath Days

- Mornings with the Lord

- Trust in Him at all times

- We all are given 24 hours each day

6. The Visionaries Need You!

- They dream it - you make it happen

- It takes a team

- Head Won’t Get Far without the Neck

(or heads will roll)

7. Field Trips and More!

- Staff Retreats

- Party Time!

- Birthdays and BBQs

- After Hours

8. It Doesn’t All Depend On You

- The Lord is the Rock – Not You

- Whose strength - yours or His?

- Key Staff to Lean On

- Trustworthy managers and assistants

9. Practically Speaking…and Walking

- Handle each piece of paper once

- File so you can find it!

- Early morning – before the others come

- Take a Break

10. Meetings – Time-manger or Time-waster?

- Do you really need all those meetings?

- Group or One-On-One?

- Why Morning and Mid-Week?

- Prov. 24:6 “By wise counsel…multitude of counselors

11. Acknowledge Him in All Your Ways

- Heart of Thankfulness

- Heart of Worship

- Heart of Service

12. Another Man’s Vineyard

- Follow & help fulfill their vision

- Faithful with another’s

- Learn and growth until your time

- The proper way of moving on

"One Thing I Ask" (music video) - Be'er Sheva worship team from Germany (TOS Fellowship in Tubingen, Jobst Bittner, Pastor)

Video: One Thing I Ask - Be'er Sheva

The song is also on Ted Pearce's CD entitled "Hallelu et Adonai" with Be'er Sheva.

Olaf Krüger - Intimacy

"In early 2008, I expanded my times with God and experienced his presence entirely new. This resulted in, among other things this instrumental? Album. Was recorded live during a personal worship time. Many pieces are developed only on the day of recording. Wishing you special times at heart of God. "

Olaf Krüger

With the purchase of this CD will support the work of TOS Ministries International, among street children in Latin America.

BE'ER SHEVA

BIOGRAPHY

Ted Pearce

"I met Be'er Sheva in May of 2006 and they have rocked my world big time! The prophetic cry of their music speaks to my soul like nothing else these days. The waters from these wells never seem to run dry. Go deep!"

Arni Klein, Israel
"From the time Be'er Sheva began ministering in Israel in 2003 the Lord revolutionized this worship band taking them to new heights and depths. They are unique in that they are equally at home with tight arrangements as with flowing free in the Spirit. A major contributing element to the power of the Spirit that flows through them is that they are part of a healthy ministry family committed to following hard after Yeshua wherever He might lead."

Pastor David and Karen Davis
"Be'er Sheva is a prophetic, cutting edge worship team that is preparing the way for the Lord's soon return. As lovers of Jesus and true intercessors, Be'er Sheva is carrying God's eternal love for the Jewish people, and bringing living waters from the wells of salvation to the deserts of Israel. This breakthrough team, as the "warrior bride" of Messiah, is rising up out of Germany's past with new resurrection life to bring restoration and healing to many. "

Pastor David and Karen Davis
Senior Pastor / Worship Leader
Kehilat HaCarmel (Carmel Assembly)
Mount Carmel, Israel

Avner Boskey, Be'er Sheva , Israel
"Be'er Sheva is a German band with its roots solidly connected to Abraham's Well. The worshippers draw their passion and adoration through connecting with the God of the Jews and in blessing His people. Their mix of rock, worship and Middle Eastern sounds brings a smile to the mouths of Israelis, and their zeal and devotion to God delight the hearts of all who worship the God of Israel."

Liz Fitzgibbon, Ireland
"Having had the opportunity to worship with Be'er Sheva, I have been so blessed by their attitude and their heart for worship. They just give it everything and they have fun. In everything the desire is for the Holy Spirit to be central. Getting to know Ted Pearce has been fun too and these guys and girls just flow together with power. They are all anointed and I just love to stand and sing and flow with them."

Ana Mendez
"They have a prophetic anointing that make us touch heaven."

Ahava Love Letter - “Disappointed with Small Beginnings?” (Steve Martin)

“Disappointed with Small Beginnings?”

“The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment.

He saves those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:18

Dear family of friends,

Disappointments happen to each of us. We work long and hard for a special event, a needed life change, a relationship gone sour needing to be rebuilt…and yet we so often experience hurt and frustration when it doesn’t happen the way we had hoped. And even expected the way it should have.

Then we want to blame God, while asking the question which often haunts many, “Why God?”

It happened to me again. But by this time I had learned not to question the One who loves, the One who cares, the One who I know had asked me to do something, and so I did. It didn’t turn out the way I had expected, or at least had hoped it would. But then after many starts and finishes now, you get back up and go on. Persistence will pay off if we don’t quit.

When only eight people showed up for the event (and five were from my own family), for which I had been planning for months, and had spent time, energy and money on while expecting at least 30-50, I was truly disappointed. As I sat there on the table, before the cars would start pulling up, after the final two hour long decorating and other preparations had been done, I fought against that which I knew wanted to attack me.

Disappointment. Rejection. The lying voice whispering, “You really didn’t hear His voice, did you?”

Several times over the years, I knew that I knew - in my “knower” as one Bible teacher used to say – that I had heard the Lord, did what He asked, and then didn’t get the expected results. At least not at the start.

Whether it involved a ministry job change, a major move for the family, a purchase of great value, or sharing a word with someone and then getting some backlash, it took time before the real purpose of the Lord was understood and the promise fulfilled.

I have learned, after much practice of course, that His ways are not our ways. He led Moses to the Red Sea, with what seemed to be an impossible way of crossing, after leading the Hebrews out of bondage. Joshua had to march his army around a stronghold city seven times. What was he thinking after the 6^th lap? Daniel was placed in the lion’s den. Did it at any time first cross his mind, “If only I had obeyed the king and avoided this.”

Really God? Is this how you operate?

It sure is. They were able to face that because of the lessons they committed themselves to learn in the long process leading up to that point.

The Lord God Almighty wants to teach us to simply obey His word first. He wants us to step out and do what we believe He has called us to do. The results are to be left in His hands; not in our well planned out ones. As we learn to walk through that which we face today, the bigger giants yet coming will be looked at with faith and courage too.

It may be years before we realize that the seed planted in the dirt will become a mighty tree, or the word spoken to that person will long settle in their spirit, and they become the next Billy Graham.

(Photo by Steve Martin - in Charlotte, NC)

The Lord is not short on time, or bringing about His planned purposes. He knows the beginning from the end. After all, He IS the Father of time, the Creator of all things. And His plans and purposes will come about, even as He truly has spoken. After all, Jesus (Yeshua) rose from the dead, proving that He is true and we can eternally believe His word.

Take courage in hearing His voice. Don’t give up or allow disappointments in small beginnings to keep you from seeking the Lord with your whole heart, mind, will and emotions. He is the Rewarder, and you will see the good results.

It just takes a little more time.

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.

Please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless Israel with our humanitarian ministry. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards:

Love For His People, Inc support

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. Box 414 Pineville, NC 28134

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

Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter

Blog: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com

Full website: www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (08/11/13 Sunday at 7:30 am in Charlotte, NC)

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog:

http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com

Here are the last few:

Rise Again (#66)

The Cities (#65)

How can You Mend A Broken Heart (#64)

Anxious (#63)

Hidden (#62)

Get Back in the Boat (#61)

Need Money? (#60)

Rejected? (#59)

In Your Building – Guard Against Distractions (#58)

Connections (#57)

Your Name (#56)

Lost, But Not Forgotten Friends (#55)

The eight who came! (L-R) Faithful friends Sandra McCain, Josh Martin (our oldest son), Susan & Mike Greene (blessings on ye heads!), Logan Martin ( a fun-loving grandson - in front), Laurie Martin (my good wife!), Dylan Joy and Logan Martin (grand kids whom we love!)

Now is the Time to Bless...

My watch. Always time to bless Israel.

Ted Pearce (TX) & Beer Sheva (Germany band)- Hallelu et Adonai

Ted's CD "Zealous Over Zion"

Friday, August 9, 2013

Shabbat Shalom - Alex Levin painting

Dream Turns Hate-Filled Muslim into Lover of Israel

By Julie Stahl and Scott Ross CBN News
Friday, August 09, 2013

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Umar Mulinde was a Muslim who hated Israel until Jesus appeared to him in a dream. After that, he became a Christian and started a church in Uganda.

But his new found faith cost him.

On Christmas Eve 2011, Mulinde, now a pastor, was attacked by two Muslims with buckets of acid. The acid ate away his skin,
his eye, and his ear.

"I felt fire from up to down to my toes and I was like, 'Something's cooking me,'" he recalled about the attack. "And they shouted, 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar' three times. I realized I have fallen into the ambush of Muslim terrorists."

Mulinde now wears a special pressure mask to aid the healing process.

"My conversion from Islam and my love and promotion of the love of Israel in my community taught the people on the other side to haunt me and to hunt me for a kill," he said.

In a recent interview with CBN News, Mulinde gave the account of his conversion to Christianity, the details of the attack on him, the lessons he has learned, his forgiveness of those who attacked him, and his message to the West. Click play to watch his remarkable testimony.

CBN News Scott Ross interviews Pastor Umar Mulinde

Scott Ross - CBN News

CBN News Scott Ross interviews Pastor Umar Mulinde