By the way… is my personal blog. The majority of the posts here will address various aspects of being a Christian ambassador, but it’ll also include whatever’s on my mind at a given time. I will also post about practical aspects of wise and godly living as I learn them. It’s basically a place for me to dump my thoughts, but there may be something of value to be found here.
I’m Jono Martin. Since I started following Christ in November of ’92, I have learned a ton about what it means to be an ambassador of Christ and to promote and proclaim his kingdom. These lessons are better solidified in my own mind when I write them out.
On occasion, you will see posts about other things that are simply of interest to me. There will even be an occasional political post, but written from a biblical viewpoint.
I hope you find this blog to be beneficial. Thanks for dropping by and taking a look!
Oh, and about the ads:
On some of the pages you will see some crazy ads. I’m truly sorry about that. The ads that appear on some of the posts are not mine. I don’t endorse, in any way, what may appear or may be promoted in those ads (I mean, really, even Hillary’s presidential campaign was seen promoted here ::shudder:: ). It’s the price I pay for having a free blog.
Click here to go to the blog pages.
By the way... 
Resounding YES to all three! Looking forward to getting to know you and your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks dawnlizjones!
LikeLike
The Pharisees were interested in these three areas and Jesus Christ called them Vipers! oh yea and lest we forget John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
LikeLike
Hello culbertloretta. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment. Do you mind elaborating a little bit on what you said?
You said, ‘The Pharisees were interested in these three areas and Jesus Christ called them Vipers!’ I’m assuming that since this comment is on my About page, you’re referring to Biblical literacy, sound theology, and thoughtful apologetics as the three areas that the Pharisees were interested in. (1) Can you point out where in Scripture it says that the Pharisees were interested in these three areas?
Also, (2) can you point out where Scripture says that these three areas are bad things? Certainly you’re not suggesting that Biblical literacy, sound theology, and thoughtful apologetics are bad, are you? In fact you’d have to use Biblical literacy, sound theology, and thoughtful apologetics in order to even refute the point. Please explain.
Thanks again for your interest in my blog.
LikeLike
I am not interested in your blog or in you. I stumbled across a post you wrote about a two way conversation with God. You are an idiot! Just what do you think prayer is? It is a two way conversation with God, my God walks with me and talks to me everyday. You must be serving some other god. Not sure what god, maybe Baal?1 Kings 18:24-27King James Version (KJV)
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. My God answers me each and every time without fail.Matthew 28:20King James Version (KJV)
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. If your god doesn’t you need to be looking for the real one. I don’t mean any of this to be mean or hateful but a god who doesn’t see doesn’t hear who doesn’t answer?? 1 Thessalonians 5:17King James Version (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing.1 John 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. So prayer is: We ask, He hears and He answers. John 10:27King James Version (KJV)
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: He is not some distant god uninterested in us. He is here with us each and every day that was the whole point of Jesus, to bring us back to the Father.Romans 8:34King James Version (KJV)
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. I have to go but I just can’t imagine my life without God with me, it would be empty and meaningless. I hope you find Him I hope you get to know Him. His presence fills my heart with joy. He is good, He is here, He does hear and He does answer…..
LikeLike
Thank you, again, for taking the time to express your thoughts on prayer. I did see your many comments on the post regarding Lysa TerKeurst and I understand that a lot of people disagree with me (though I feel you’ve greatly misunderstood and misrepresented my view).
On this page, however, I was specifically interested in why you think Biblical literacy, sound theology, and thoughtful apologetics are areas that the Pharisees favored and that Jesus chastised them for. To quote you directly, you said, ‘The Pharisees were interested in these three areas and Jesus Christ called them Vipers!’
(1) Can you point out where in Scripture it says that the Pharisees were interested in these three areas?
Also, (2) can you point out where Scripture says that these three areas are bad things? Certainly you’re not suggesting that Biblical literacy, sound theology, and thoughtful apologetics are bad, are you? In fact you’d have to use Biblical literacy, sound theology, and thoughtful apologetics in order to even refute the point. Please explain.
If you don’t think these three areas are bad, please explain what you meant when you said, ‘The Pharisees were interested in these three areas and Jesus Christ called them Vipers!’
Though you said that you have no interest in my blog or in me, thank you again for taking your valuable time to correspond in a polite and civil manner, without name calling or misrepresenting.
LikeLike
Hi Joni,
About four years ago I learned about contemplative prayer and bubbles began to burst. God awoke me to the fact that those I believed were today’s heroes of the faith were so often false teachers. I learned my denomination’s leaders were leading churches into apostasy. I learned people in my church and Christian friends didn’t want to know what I had learned. Stating the truth about a celebrity Christian was like blasphemy against God. I had letters sent to Southern Baptist pastors in two mailings each with booklets about apostasy in the church. It is a heartbreaking fact that pastors don’t want to know. But it is our duty to be in the business of warning others whether they heed the warnings or not. More would understand but they would rather enjoy the here and now than open their eyes to the truth. I ask God to bless you in the good work you are doing. I know it is a labor of love for God’s glory or you would not open yourself to the negativity of those who think you have to be so negative toward fellow Christians.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lettie, for your comment. I certainly understand what you are going through with your church and your denomination. It’s sad that people are more interested in protecting their favorite teachers and their particular beliefs than to seeking and protecting the truth. And you’re right, they will demonize you for pointing to the truth. I thank you for striving after Christ and for holding on to the truth despite where it may lead you relationally in your church and denomination.
I know you didn’t ask for any advice, so please take this for whatever it may be worth, but I learned the hard way that tact is vital in discernment encounters. Peter says we’re to defend the truth gently and with respect. I failed in that area and had to learn more indirect approaches when that type of tact was necessary. 1Pt 3:13–15 says, “Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Anyway, stay in the Word and keep defending the faith, but only when it’s needed. Christ’s two-fold mandate to us as his followers is to (1) Worship God and (2) Make Disciples. Strive for that first! People need the Lord and Christmas is the perfect time to share with unbelievers why Jesus came as that baby in the manger. He came to die to save his people from their sins.
Mt 1:20–21
An angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Merry Christmas, Lettie!
LikeLike