Roger Martin

My name is Roger Martin, Jr., and I’m a rambling man if there ever was one. I’ve lived in 17 different houses in 13 different cities in 8 different states. I am a father, a roofer, a teacher, a reader, an husband, a Jesus-follower, a carpenter, a thinker, and a lifetime member of "Sinners Anonymous." I love my family, Taco Bell, music, New England, God, Dr. Pepper, Ethiopia, games, driving, a great question and anything outdoors. For better or worse, I almost always have something to say. Like I said; I’m a ramblin’ man.

When Old Glory Gets Too Close to Jesus…and the Christian Church Doesn’t Notice

  This is a heartfelt word to my Christian brothers and sisters. If you’re reading this, I consider you brave, because I’m finding few Christians who wish to consider whether their devotion to country could ever become unhealthy, much less evil. It’s inconceivable. So I thank you for giving me a 5-minute read. Below are …

Jesus Won’t Let Me Look Away As Black Lives Are Choked Away

  Who knew that Jesus’ feel-good story about the good Samaritan would wreck me?  In a recent video, Bishop T.D. Jakes reminded me to look more closely at the story. He said that we focus so much on the good Samaritan that we look past the other two men. Do you recall the story? A …

Was Ahmaud Arbery Just a Jogger? The Sad Story Behind a Second Video

  On February 23 of this year, Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year old black man, went out for a jog in the Satilla Shores area of Glynn County, GA. Two white men, Travis McMichael and father Gregory McMichael, who later said they believed him to be a burglar, chased him down in a pickup truck, got …

Is the Love of God Reckless?

  Cory Asbury’s song, Reckless Love, has created quite a stir in describing God’s love as reckless. Reckless is a strong word, an adjective with the idea of “not thinking or caring about the consequences” (Oxford Dictionary). We think, perhaps, of reckless driving, which is both thoughtless and dangerous. Describing God’s love as reckless, for …

What God Whispered When I Said Life Wasn’t Fair

  “That’s not fair!”   I’ve said that a fair number of times in my life. Just ask my parents, teachers, or brothers. I’ve always had my justice binoculars handy, scanning my life for unfair, and I’ve found plenty. One day, however, God gently reminded me that I was looking through the wrong end of …

My Pressing Concern About Christianity Today

  You can be sure that more people today know about the magazine, “Christianity Today,” than knew about it a week ago. In a December 19 editorial, Editor Mark Galli issued a call for President Trump to be replaced on the basis of moral failings, quoting the statement they made 20 years ago when the …

Two Fallacies About Racism That Are Making Everything Worse

  It was a northern city, Chicago, I believe.  A white evangelist and his team entered a local restaurant for a meal. The manager approached them with obvious concern. He was honored they chose his eatery; However, the black man in their party would not be served and would be asked to leave. The evangelist …

Should a Loving God Punish a Nice Person Like Me?

  I’ve made the point that if a country that had no laws against—or punishment for—evils like child abuse, rape, murder or battering, that country couldn’t possibly be considered good or loving. Laws and punishment are a reflection of goodness and love.  Similarly, God couldn’t possibly be loving if he had no laws against evil …

The Dilemma of Hell and a Loving God

  God is love, right?  At least that’s a core claim of the Bible and Christians. But in the Bible’s pages, Jesus warned people that God would punish evil. Specifically, he warned people about hell as a punishment for evil.  A loving God who condemns people to hell feels inconsistent, maybe even offensive. Some have …

Colin Kaepernick, President Trump and John McCain

  More Conversations That Matter. The name of my blog. I want to engage conversations about important things. Sometimes, that starts with a question, and I have one that has been stirring in me the last few days. This particular question takes us into some deep waters of heart motive, but it’s important for us …