A True Confession

Posted: Tuesday, January 17, 2012 | Author: Marti Williams | Filed under: 2k12, Louis and Me! | Tags: being missional, confession, exodus 33, exodus 33:17, golden arches, grace and mercy, john marshall high school | Comments Off

“…for I know you well, and you are special to me. I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17

Wow! I think about branding and marketing. How we all know the swoosh of Nike and the golden arches of McDonald’s, right? And if you hear the term Shaq, Tiger, Cher, Madonna – there’s no second guessing who they are. Now…I hesitate to write this…because I nowhere near compare to the people of this popularity or status. No way! But, it is humbling when people don’t know you or your story….say….”OH…so YOU’RE Miss Marti!?!?!” Who knew?? It’s happened a few times lately. Most recent was a teacher who is new to JM (John Marshall High School). I met her recently at a dinner party in the community. She shared how one of her students told her at the beginning of the school year that she used a phrase was like something “Miss Marti” would have used. Again…who knew?

I tell this not to brag or point toward myself. I share this because it is humbling and scary….to know that what I am doing really makes an impact. What I say…how I react….how I act IS in fact being noticed…..whether it is good or bad. OUCH! I need to step up my game….for real. I confess that I lack in areas of patience, tolerance, and sometime grace and mercy. Thankfully, Louis makes up where I lack…in spades!

So…I need to step up my game….for the sake of my witness…AND because God knows me better than anyone. He knows not only my name, but my heart. And that can be much worse than the outside!

God forgive me…and thanks for sending me Louis and using him to teach me patience, tolerance, grace and mercy. He models it better than most! Amen.

Trying Something New

Posted: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 | Author: Marti Williams | Filed under: 2k12 | 1 Comment

For those who follow Miss Marti’s House, I am making some changes. It’s a bit of an experiment.

Miss Marti’s House tells our story. It’s about our life in Southern Barton Heights in Richmond, Virginia. For more on our personal story, you can always check out Miss Marti’s House.

But, I’m starting something new ~ a new resource called …into the neighborhood. It is about living missionally, incarnationally, on mission. Whatever you want to call it. It’s how we do it. How others do it. And how you can do it. I get the question a lot and have been asked to mentor/coach others and to speak at conferences, to missions groups and to churches. This will be a dialogue on the gift of hospitality and loving your neighbor. I am not an expert in the topic and am still learning. So, I am exploring what it means to love your neighbor as yourself….and in the process hope to help us think about practical and creative ways we can get to know our neighbors, our communities, those around us…and love them, because He first loved us.

So…check it out. Maybe even subscribe. Hope to see and hear from you over there, too.

2011’s Top Posts – if you care

Posted: Tuesday, January 3, 2012 | Author: Marti Williams | Filed under: 2k11, 2k12 | Comments Off

I’ve seen a number of people share their top posts, so I thought I would take a look at what was most read…or at least viewed. Not sure if people actually read it or not. I’m still trying to decide what to do with this whole blog thing. Should I keep writing and sharing? Not sure. It’s a great way to share information, events, pictures, etc., but not sure if I really have much to share these days. Is it something I am still called to do? I guess we will see.

In the meantime…here are the top 15 posts from last year, based on the number of views. Maybe you missed one of them. Maybe you want take a closer look at and order one of Adrianne’s handmade Anglican Rosaries (Down2EarthDezign’s). Or maybe you read about Cassie and Hands Up Ministries and wanted to serve or donate (“Feeling Grateful For all He Has Given to me!” Cassie Matthew). Or maybe you want to read my failed attempt at trying to participate in a book discussion/review (MissionSHIFT – Part 1 ~ What WAS I thinkin’???). Or maybe you are interested in learning more about CCDA (Go to the people Live among them….Chinese Poem, a picture = 1000 words and 1276/27=47.259259). Or maybe you wanted to buy and read Wayne “Coach” Gordon’s book (who’s ur neighbor? – a series I started, but never finished…..ooops! Neighbor 7: Someone Who Is Naked, Neighbor 5: Someone Who Has Been Robbed and Neighbor 6: Someone Who Is Half Dead ) Based on the fact that 4 of the top 15 viewed posts were from this book, maybe I need to pick it back up again and keep sharing….Regardless…here’s the list (1-15) if you are interested.