There Has To Be More…

Hi friends.

There has to be more than us coming together for about an hour on Sundays.
There has to be more than creating a nice/welcoming/safe environment.
There has to be more than singing a few songs corporately.
There has to be more than listening to a good sermon.
There has to be more than drinking a cup of coffee and catching up with the same few friends.
There has to be more than being temporarily convicted and walking out the door.
(These are all good things)…

I don’t know how it became like this, but it’s all we (in American Christianity) seem to know and care to know. It’s so predictable. We love knowing what’s coming. We love knowing exactly what to expect. We love that pretty much everyone is pretty much like us. We love it, and if it isn’t “broken” why would we consider fixing it? We’re comfortable and we’re terrified of being uncomfortable. We’re scared of most things that don’t look and sound like us. And as a result, we’ve become pretty ineffective for the Kingdom of God. I’m guilty. I like how things are… But I feel unsettled.

As our church is going through the book of James, it has never been more clear to me that in order to follow Jesus, more is required of us than the half-hearted devotion that has become the norm. It starts with you. It starts with me. The world isn’t changed by our beliefs; it’s changed by us doing something outside the walls of Sunday morning. We’re really great receivers, but we’re not great doers. There has to be more…

Keep it real,

Jeff M.
@thisjeffmartin

United

Hi.

I like Hillsong. You don’t. You like loud worship music. She doesn’t. You like 45 minute sermons. He doesn’t. I voted for Obama. You hate democrats. I’m not too worried about immigrants. You despise them. You’re pretty passionately anti-gay. I think they’re still humans who need love and acceptance. You protest outside of abortion clinics. She sees it as something that isn’t so black and white.

We all have our preferences. Many of us have an extreme bent towards certain issues…

But let’s remember the thing we can agree on. Let’s remember what unites us: JESUS.

Why can’t we as Christians unite around Christ? Why can’t we remember and set aside how incredibly secondary almost everything relating to our preferences is. We’re becoming a movement that’s focused on the wrong things.

So many people see Christians as against everything, and I can’t blame them. I’d rather the world see us as FOR God and FOR loving people. Let’s unite around Christ. I think we’ll have more of an impact… TOGETHER.

Keep it real.

Jeff M.
@thisjeffmartin (twitter/instagram)

Find Rest

Hi. 

We’re so busy. Somehow, many of us find our identities in how busy we are.

We’re anxious. We never ever feel settled or relaxed.

We’re fearful. We obsess about what others think of us or what the future holds.

We’re searching. Many of us in our late 20s/early 30s wonder if we are where we’re supposed to be, when we’ll hit our stride.

We’re exhausted. We say yes to everything.

We’re weighed down. Not only do we try to carry our stuff, but we try to carry the burdens of others.

 

But Christ offers us REST. He says, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” But here’s the key: We have to come to Him. We need to draw near to Him. 

 

About a year and a half ago, my current band (pompton lakes) released an album titled Rest. In the title track of the album, I sing “Find rest, O my soul, in Christ alone.” This line is basically a plea to myself, “Come on, Jeff, you know where real peace and rest comes from.” We need to get to this place. Because we’ve tried everything else. We’re prone to wander. We’ve tried to find our own types of “rest,” but they’re empty. (Empty rest could be binging on a TV show, excessive eating/drinking, idolizing a vacation or day off, isolating yourself, shopping, etc…)

 

In Jesus, there is fullness of joy and peace. But we must PURSUE it. When we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. And that is where we’ll find true rest. You don’t have to let your busyness/anxiety/fear/burdens win. There’s a better way.

 

Enjoy today.

 

Jeff M.

@thisjeffmartin (twitter > facebook)

 

ps: If interested, Rest by Pompton Lakes can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon. 

Junk in, Junk out

Hi. 

What did I just say? What did I just think? What did I just do? What did I just desire? 

 

Why am I surprised?

 

I’ve somehow convinced myself that I can listen to and watch pretty much anything. I can squeeze in some Game of Thrones real quick. I can listen to the “edited” version of Kanye West’s album. Even right now I’m having a battle. I don’t want to mention my favorite shows (Breaking Bad, House of Cards, Dexter) because they’re not THAT bad. I don’t want to think too long about what I’m allowing in because I might then have to cut it out. But the truth is, we’re far more affected by the garbage we watch and listen to than we think. It’s impacting our hearts and souls in one way or another; that’s for sure.

 

I heard a quote earlier this year that won’t stop rattling around in my head: “Are the things you’re living for worth Christ’s dying for?” If that question doesn’t punch you in the face I don’t know what will. How can I say I’m willing to do anything and go anywhere for Christ if I can’t stop watching a TV show? I don’t want to do anything that will hinder me from drawing near to God immediately after I do it.

 

One of my favorite, most repeated prayers is: Create in me a pure heart. I want my thoughts, actions, and motives to be pure, for them to honor God. Well, I think step one might be sitting in my Netflix / iTunes. 

 

Keep it real,

 

Jeff M.

@thisjeffmartin  

I’ve Spent Enough Time In My Pride (Quick to Listen / Slow to Speak)

Hi friends.

My pride wants to be heard. My pride wants to be noticed. My pride wants you to be impressed by me. My pride wants to be defensive. My pride wants you to know that you’re wrong. My pride wants you to know how busy I’ve been. My pride wants you to see my side. My pride doesn’t want to listen. My pride wants you to know all about my good deeds. My pride wants to win.

 

But what if we took James 1:19 more seriously, more literally? What if we forced our pride to take a back seat? What if we listened more than we spoke? What if we were more available? What if we weren’t so quick to becoming angry? What if we weren’t soooo concerned about ourselves? 

 

I have a feeling that when we’re quicker to listen and slower to speak that we’ll learn more about others, and in the process learn more about ourselves. I have a feeling we’ll be much better friends to our friends. I have a feeling that we’ll be better spouses. I have a feeling we’ll desire to serve more and be served less. I have a feeling we won’t be so obsessed with what people think about us.

 

When life isn’t all about me, things begin to change. I begin to see, hear, and love people differently. I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent enough time in my pride.

 

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. -James 1:19

 

Have a great week. Thanks for reading!

 

Jeff M.

@thisjeffmartin 

Grace for me, you, and Tiger Woods

Hi friends,

I love golf. I play golf about once per week. I coach golf at Valley Forge Christian College. And even as much as I love the game, I’m not quite as interested in watching it when Tiger Woods isn’t in the mix. He is 4 majors away from tying Jack Nicklaus’s incredible 18 major wins. But with already missing this year’s Masters and just announcing that he will not be in next month’s US Open, it isn’t looking good for Tiger. Often, I hear people say, “He deserves it,” or “This is what happens when you make bad choices,” or “I’m glad that he isn’t winning after what he did,” or “Shame on him!”

Wow. 

 

Ok. So now we’re talking about what he deserves. Do you want to talk about what you and I deserve? I don’t know about you, but when I mess up, I’m so thankful for grace. I long for grace and forgiveness the most in the moments when I fail. But what about Tiger? Where is the mercy for him? It breaks my heart when I hear Christians slam this guy. It’s just another poor example to the world and a complete lack of grace. It seems like we long for mercy for ourselves but want justice for others. It literally removes the CENTRAL piece of our faith, which is the grace of Christ. In order to follow Jesus, we are supposed to both give and receive grace… and I think we could do a much better job of both. We can’t give God’s grace, but we can reflect it.

 

For you, it may not be Tiger Woods. Who do you need to have way more grace for? Mom? Dad? Wife? Husband? Your boss? Yourself? Are you living a life that reflects the grace you’ve received in how you respond to those who’ve hurt/wronged/disappointed you?

 

Keep it real.

 

Jeff M.

@thisjeffmartin

 

Compelled

Hi. Something is happening in me. Something that feels unsettled. Something that is no longer ok with the standard middle-class, suburban life that is centered around comfort. I think it’s Christ’s love. I don’t think we can stay the same once we truly let Him in. It compels me to do something new. It compels me to change.

 
Christ’s love compels me to:

-Serve

-Live for Him

-Love my family well

-Lead my family well

-Live a better story

-Not live for my own comfort

-Be humble

-Be hospitable

-Be creative

-Be encouraging

-Be generous with my money

-Be generous with my time

-Be generous with my talents

-Talk to my neighbors

-Love my neighbors

-Pray for my neighbors

-Not sit in front of the TV all week

-Worship passionately

-Work hard

-Avoid gossip and complaining

-Seek authentic community in my local church

-Give tons of grace

-Receive tons of grace

-Have faith

-Make disciples

-Love God

-Love people

 

I started this post a couple days ago and there were just a few items on this list… And every day, in my quiet time, new items would pop up in my heart. I genuinely think this list could be a book before I know it… So I think it’s time to post 🙂

 

All I know is that His love is compelling me to change and truly live for Him. Here we go…

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Jeff M.

@thisjeffmartin

ps: Inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

The Balancing Act

In many ways, life is all about balance. How much we enjoy life, how effective, how loving we are could possibly be impacted by how well we manage the balancing act of life. Here are two areas where I struggle to balance… Areas that I’m hopefully growing in.

Talent vs. Heart: What do you do when someone has a great heart but doesn’t have the talent? What do you do if someone is wildly talented but has no passion? What do you do if this absolutely wonderful person gets on stage on Sunday morning (fill in the blank with your area of employment) and plays so terribly that it distracts people from entering into worship? This is hard. This is not black and white. I believe it’s possible for some people to be passionate for things for the wrong reasons. I believe some people have been misled and, as a result, believe they are gifted in an area where they aren’t.  I believe some people try to muster up passion only because of their undeniable talent. If you care about someone, don’t they deserve to be told the truth in love? And here’s an important note: Let’s not confuse personal preference with lack of talent (I’m guilty of this). Someone might be working or playing in a way that is foreign and we interpret it as “not good.” Let’s not allow someone’s talent to blind us from their lack of passion. Let’s be honest and loving. Let’s work with each other, even if it’s different from what we’re used to. But let’s also help people find their gifts.

 

Being serious about work but not about myself: Sometimes I take myself too seriously… Especially when it comes to work. I feel this weight of responsibility. But often, it comes with the apparent cost of joy. Where did my joy go? When did I get so serious? I see these things in me, these moments that I’m fully aware of but can’t seem to stop. I see this demeanor that, in certain settings, is far too heavy. Where is the balance? I know that “light-hearted Jeff” is in there, but for some reason hides. My job (your job) is supposed to be taken seriously; we’re adults now… But if I love it like I say (and know) I do, where is the joy? I genuinely believe that if we’re called to do something, we should approach it with passion. In the same breath, I want to be someone who can take work seriously, and myself not so much. This is my confession (Usher). We’re all changing… Whether we want to admit it or not, we’re changing. Some change is good and some isn’t. This is an area where I see a change in me, and I’m not wild about it. I need to find a balance. We Christians are all talk unless we’re filled with joy and grace.

 

Where do you struggle to find balance? Thanks for reading.

Jeff M.

@thisjeffmartin

Busy Busy Busy (How predictable) / Ready for a Change

Hi. How are you? 87% of us will have the same, predictable answer: BUSY

I’m just going to ask some questions that have been on my mind lately, because something needs to change:

 

Do I even allow time to be the type of Christian that Jesus has called me to be? Is there any margin in my life? Margin for spontaneous plans, margin for unexpected, extended conversations with my neighbors where I can actually get to know them instead of rushing to my next thing. Is there any margin to do something surprising and thoughtful for my wife? Is there margin to be creative, to dream, to listen? Is there any room for life to happen? 

 

I think in order to be a better Christian, husband, friend, employee, leader, neighbor, son, brother, and soon-to-be father, I need margin in my life. I think in order to “live a better story” I need the pages of my life to have more space. I’ve felt this way before… And maybe it’s not that I need to slow down (I’m sure that’s part of it). But I think more of it is not filling up every free moment. Maybe it’s allowing my calendar to be more of a canvas, as opposed to a carbon copy of the previous month. I don’t think I’ll make much of a difference for Jesus by being so busy that there is no time or energy remaining to be used by Him. 

 

Maybe next time someone asks how we’re doing our answer might be slightly less predictable. I’m ready for a change… Are you?

 

Worship Leading (Lessons Learned) – Part 1

Hi friends,

 

After leaving This Day & Age (former band), I felt a musical hole in my soul. Because I was a Christian and could sing and play guitar, I thought it was only natural and logical that I should enter the interesting world of worship music. Looking back, I started for the wrong reasons. I had a heart for music and writing, not necessarily a heart for worship. Since then, I volunteered as one of the worship leaders at Spring Valley Community Church where I now work full time. My mentality, attitude, approach and heart are changing. Being a talented musician is helpful, but it should not be the only reason you want to lead worship. I still have so much to learn, but here are a few things I’m working on…

 

1. It’s more about serving the people of my church than serving my preferences: Man, did I have this backwards for a while. If it were all about my preferences, I would kick off  the service with “It is well with my soul” or “Knowing You;” it’s just the way I’m wired. I don’t need an upbeat song to get started; I’d rather reflect. But for many, a faster song of praise is helpful. For the church I serve, this is more beneficial. It is less about our preferences and more about how we can best serve our church.

 

2. Talk, don’t preach (But say something):  As a worship leader, I try to remember that my Pastor is going to be preaching for about 45 minutes immediately following worship, so we don’t need another message. I used to overcompensate for this mentality and not say a thing; that was wrong too. Now, I try to encourage people as we sing, read a few scripture verses, or introduce a new song. It seems that a lot of worship leaders think they need to talk and it just turns into a confusing and drawn out speech. Have an idea of where you want to talk and what you’re going to say.

 

3. Connect with people: There are a couple ways this can happen. It can happen in your little talk (mentioned above). As a worship leader, you should come across as sincere; you should come across as someone who loves God and loves people. You should come across as real. You should come across as encouraging, not condescending. You should come across as a worshipper, not a performer. The more your church sees you as authentic, the more easily they’ll be able to follow your lead.

 

4. Spend more time preparing your heart: The musician’s tendency is to prepare musically (this is important), but the worship leader’s tendency must be to prepare their heart. How can we worship a God who we barely know? How can we call ourselves worship leaders if Sunday morning is the only time we spend with God? Yes, that refers to the entire band; we are ALL leading worship. We are all called to live a life that is centered around Him for more than just 25 minutes on Sunday. 

 

I have SO much to learn. I walk away every Sunday at noon with a new lesson, and only about half of these lessons happen on stage. It’s important to grow. It’s important to learn. But most importantly, our worship should be a continuation of how we live all week.

 

Have a great day! Thanks for reading.

 

Jeff M.

@thisjeffmartin