Jim Martin's Encouragement Note

You and I made it! 2021 is here. After a year like 2020, turning this page on the calendar is nothing to take for granted. In this first issue of the “Encouragement Notes,” I hope you find something thoughtful and encouraging for this New Year. The List of Five What Do You Expect in 2021? For those of us who missed attending funerals and weddings, experienced sickness, or lost a job, we might espe...

Some people spend much of their lives waiting for life to happen. They wait and wait, thinking that one day, life is going to finally happen. Right now, it may be particularly tempting to see life this way. For Christian people, we live with the conviction that Jesus is Lord — right now, even in very difficult circumstances. I hope you find the following list of five encouraging or even helpful: T...

Tired? Weary? Discouraged? If these words resonate with you, you have plenty of company! These words may describe your life at work, at church, as a married person, or as a parent. The following “Encouragement Note” may be helpful and hopefully encouraging. Each issue offers “The List of Five.” The List of Five A Prayer for Sunday Nights (Take away: One can feel alone, and yet God reminds us of hi...

“Will this Encouragement Note be valuable to me?” I hope the answer is “yes.” My intent, as I prepared this “Encouragement Note #10” is to offer you something you might find valuable. Perhaps in some way this will be helpful and encouraging as you navigate your life and work with its whirlwind of challenges. Each issue offers “The List of Five.” The List of Five What you are learning right now may...

In a few seconds, you will decide whether or not to read any further. I understand. I make a similar decision each time I open a newsletter. Before publishing this Encouragement Note, I read through it one last time and asked, “Will those who read this really find it helpful and encouraging?” Each issue offers “The List of Five.” The List of Five Add Value to Your Day by Getting Clear About Your P...

Do you have more questions than answers? During this COVID-19 virus outbreak, you may feel this way as you attempt to navigate your business, your congregation, or even your life. How do you make concrete plans in this climate of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety? Perhaps you, like myself, long to experience more calmness during such a time. Many of us are just trying to navigate life in a whirlwind...

I would love for the following words to be encouraging and helpful to you. We are living with constant uncertainty and anxiety about COVID-19. "As America is shutting down" (to quote one reporter), may we be reminded that almighty God himself is NOT shutting down. He is still present with his people. This is a moment for faith in God. What I write is intended to be helpful or encouraging to you. Y...

I hope this is helpful to you. Inside this e-mail is today’s “Encouragement Note.” My intention is to publish one of these every other Monday. Each note will contain thoughts, quotes, and suggestions. At times, I will simply be communicating to you what I have read or a podcast I heard. I see myself as ordinary. As I write, I particularly have in mind other ordinary people - perhaps like you. In f...