Jim Martin's Encouragement Note #148

(Unsplash - Jon Tyson)

It was March, 1988. My grandma Burks had just died. At the time, we were living in Florence, Ala. We drove to Monticello, Ark. and checked into the Hampton Inn. We then drove to the white frame house, set off Arkansas Highway 4 (later became Highway 278), with the sweet gum trees in the front. For many years, my grandparents lived here.

When we arrived at my grandparents’ house, it seemed so empty. After all, my grandpa had passed away, years earlier in 1969 and now with my grandmother’s death, the house was empty. The house would probably be sold in the near future. I knew this was probably the last time I would walk on their land and see the familiar sights that I experienced as a child.

I grew up in Dallas, Texas. When I was growing up, we would usually make two trips to Arkansas every year. One trip was at Christmas and the other was in the summer.

I loved going to my grandparents’ house. My grandpa drove a pick-up truck and worked for a lumber company. My grandparents had a tractor, chickens, and a vegetable garden. They had a barn and a shed. For a kid like me, who grew up in the city, this was so much fun!

The death of my grandma marked the ending of the memories made with my grandparents that had been so important to me as a child.

Lately, I have been thinking about the importance of making intentional, meaningful memories for my family. These memories don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Sometimes, the best memories can occur when I am fully present, thoughtful, and deliberate.

I want to be intentional about making good memories with my spouse, my children and grandchildren. (Grandparents can have a powerful impact on their grandchildren by simply being attentive and engaged with them as much as possible. Our grandchildren are 15, 12, 10, 6, and five months.)

What is an intentional move that you could take either with your spouse, children, or even grandchildren that might bless and encourage?

Sometimes, the last person that we are willing to extend grace is to ourselves. I’ve noticed that some people who are so hard on other people are also very hard on themselves.

I often encourage ministers to lighten up on the self-condemnation. Measuring yourself and your ministry against others are dead-end streets. Your own worst critic may be your inner-critic. This is not a path to joy or greater effectiveness.

God’s tender mercy is needed by all of us - dads, moms, and even ourselves.

Life is hard at times. You will make mistakes.

Consider the following:

1. Thank God for his grace. He forgives us and cleanses us each day (I John 1).

2. We can be forgiven by others. We can’t demand forgiveness from others. Nor are we to act as if we are entitled to another’s forgiveness. However, we can both forgive and be forgiven by others. This is grace.

3. We need to accept God’s forgiveness and his redeeming grace. I don’t want to be someone who continues to rehearse my sins, my failures, and my blunders. Some of us, instead of focusing on God’s grace, focus on self-condemnation. “What’s wrong with me?” “I am a loser.” “I am such a bad person, etc.”

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Ray Ortlund writes (Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: A Gospel Call to Bold Ministry, pp. 64-65)

“I wish I could go back fifty years. I’d take more chances. Maybe old men like me always feel this way. But if so, it only reinforces the urgency of your moment now. What would you really like to attempt, now while your options are wide open? Want to run for political office, or launch a crusade against the porn industry, or adopt a child out of poverty, or invent an alternative to the addictive smartphone, or hike the Swiss Alps just for fun? What good and bold thing do you long to do, as an offering of thanks to God for his grace toward you? Why not try? If you fail, it’s okay. But try! And give it your best. See what God does with it.”

You might enjoy the video below. (The message begins at 35:06). The message was preached at the Highland Church of Christ in Memphis on July 5, 2026. I have thinking about Psalm 100 for sometime. You and I can live with gratitude in spite of the obstacles we experience.

1. I am reading Margaret Marcuson’s new book, Sustainable Ministry: How to Lead (and When to Nap). Excellent! (If you want a very readable and applicable book which applies Family System’s Theory to ministry, this is excellent!)

2. If you are a fan of Frederick Buechner, you might enjoy looking at this website and the Buechner Review.

3. Some of the newsletters I receive and enjoy include: Austin Kleon (an author and very creative person from Austin, Texas); Shane Parish - Brain Food (often has very good nuggets using few words); Billy Oppenheimer (another Austin, Texas based writer. Often has a post that makes me think.); James Clear (Author of the best selling book, Atomic Habits.

   

   I formerly served as Vice President of Harding School of Theology, Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to this, I served as a minister in various congregations for 36 years.

   Much of my time is spent in conversation with ministers and other church leaders. I do mentor/coaching each week. I continue to teach and preach in various congregations by request.

   I am a husband, father, and grandfather. One of my favorite things to do is to come alongside another person and encourage her or him.

   My e-mail address is: jmartin9669@gmail.com. Feel free to write. I would love to hear what is encouraging. — Jim Martin