Charlaine Martin

Charlaine Martin

Charlaine Martin
Cardboard Clothes and Sandpaper Towels - Charlaine Martin
My continued God-Adventure with Idiopathic Angioedema and Chronic Urticaria by Charlaine Martin I thought I should update you on my progress with idiopathic angioedema and chronic urticaria. What is God doing through it? I shared the last time in "Learning to Live Simply" about the spiral downward into the horrible agony of feeling like I I want to share with you about my slow and steady progress after one month on a biologic my immunologist prescribed and what God is doing through it now.
7 min read
Charlaine Martin
Loving Our Church Leaders - A Nighttime Prayer
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV)Please Pray:Father, I sometimes forget that our pastors...
1 min read
Charlaine Martin
Loving Our Church Leaders
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV)She narrowed her eyes, scowling, “I was here...
3 min read
Charlaine Martin
God Sings Over Us Like a Loving Parent - A Nighttime Prayer
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)Please Pray:Lord, I’m sorry when I look to all the wrong places...
1 min readMotherhood Parenting Comfort Delight Prayer
Charlaine Martin
God Sings Over Us Like a Loving Parent
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)I climbed up with my chubby little legs into my mother’s lap....
2 min readMotherhood Parenting Comfort Devotional
Charlaine Martin
Easter: Dinner and a Show or Worship Jesus? - A Nighttime Prayer
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. -- John 6:35 (NKJV)Please Pray:Lord, my soul longs for you. Let me not come for dinner and a show this Easter and...
1 min readfaith Easter Worship Salvation Prayer
Charlaine Martin
Easter: Dinner and a Show or Celebrating Jesus?
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. -- John 6:35 (NKJV)Have you attended church on Easter, savored breakfast, and enjoyed the music, yet didn’t grasp the message? It was...
3 min readfaith Easter salvation worship Devotional
Charlaine Martin
Called Out: The Courage to Fully Follow Jesus - Charlaine Martin
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Matthew 14:27 NIV Adding our family to the tiny congregation doubled attendance. These sweet senior church members had been praying for a pastor to lead and grow their church. They couldn't give up. On our end, we had prayed for a church who'd
4 min read
Charlaine Martin
Having the Courage to Go When You'd Rather Stay
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -- Joshua 1:9Have you ever moved far from your home, friends, family, and favorite places—and hated it? Moves can be debilitating...
3 min readfaith Moving trusting God fear Devotional
Charlaine Martin
Having the Courage to Go When You'd Rather Stay - A NighttimePrayer
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -- Joshua 1:9Please Pray:Lord, moving is difficult and painful. But if you want us to go, we will go. Please show...
1 min readFaith Fear Moving Trusting God Prayer
Charlaine Martin
Learning to Live Simply - Charlaine Martin
My God Adventure with Severe Allergies and Learning to Live Simply Clean I found myself fidgeting in the hardwood chair. Then it dawned on me: Dust mites! That cushion I took off the chair is made of fabric. I should have cleaned the chair seat. That itchy, irritated feeling on the backs of my thighs Sometimes, fresh, clean nothingness is what we need. Learning to living simply.
8 min read
Charlaine Martin
Why Widows Who Wait for their Boaz are Blessed - A Nighttime Prayer
And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. She replied, "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle...
1 min readdating remarriage widow purity Prayer
Charlaine Martin
Why Widows Who Wait for Their Boaz Are Blessed
And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. She replied, "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle...
3 min readwidow remarriage dating purity Devotional
Charlaine Martin
Praising God for Not Getting What We Deserve - A Nighttime Prayer
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.-- Psalm 103:8, 10Please Pray:Dear God, I’m sorry when I do or say things You have shown me are wrong. Thank you for...
1 min readgrace sin God's love Prayer
Charlaine Martin
Praising God for Not Getting What We Deserve
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.-- Psalm 103:8, 10 (NIV)There’s no hiding it now. I shrieked, holding my hand as blood poured from where a glass shard stuck out....
3 min readGrace faith relationship Devotional
Charlaine Martin
A Merry Shattered Christmas - Charlaine Martin
Eventually, we must put the past where it belongs because God has something better for us.
5 min read
Charlaine Martin
Beauty from Brokeness - Charlaine Martin
My shells represent us—broken people. Often discarded as ugly, useless, and therefore unwanted, God showed me their beauty. My shells represent us—broken people. Often discarded as ugly, useless, and therefore unwanted, God showed me their beauty.
5 min read
Charlaine Martin
An Unexpected Gift - A Nighttime Prayer
"I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. -- Malachi 3:1 (NIV)Please Pray:Jesus, I expected a Savior who would save...
1 min readFaith Salvation Blessings Life Prayer
Charlaine Martin
An Unexpected Gift
"I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. -- Malachi 3:1 (NIV)Have you ever received a gift far better than...
3 min readChrismas Faith Salvation Blessings Devotional
Charlaine Martin
Standing Firm in Battle - Charlaine Martin
What if a ninja went tearing up the center aisle of your church and hammered down on your pastor with his sword? Pretty shocking, wouldn’t you agree?
8 min read
Charlaine Martin
A Crisp Winter's Peace - A Nighttime Prayer
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -- John 14:27 (NIV)Please Pray:Lord, Your Word says I can have peace because you give me peace. I...
1 min readpeace worry faith Prayer
Charlaine Martin
A Crisp Winter’s Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -- John 14:27 (NIV)My husband called, “Honey, the roads are awful here at work. I’ll be late coming...
3 min read
Charlaine Martin
Our Father's Lavish Love - A Nighttime Prayer
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. -- 1 John 3:1Please Pray:Thank you, my perfect Heavenly Father, for...
1 min readFaith Devotion Love Family Bible
Charlaine Martin
Our Father's Lavish Love
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. - 1 John 3:1 When I was five, my parents divorced....
3 min readFaith Bible Love Devotion Family
Charlaine Martin
From Char’s Desk: Living the Retirement “Dream” - Charlaine Martin
One stark realization we’ve had in our retirement dream is that what we imagine never happens the way we thought it would. One stark realization we’ve had in our retirement dream is that what we imagine never happens the way we thought it would.
6 min read
Charlaine Martin
Don't Give Up! - A Nighttime Prayer
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. -- Galatians 6:9Please Pray: Lord, thank you for the children you’ve brought into my life. Help me to trust that you will guide me as I nurture my...
1 min readPerseverance Patience
Charlaine Martin
Don't Give Up!
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. -- Galatians 6:9Do you wonder if your children or grandchildren will become the responsible, faith-filled adults you hope for? Do you think your efforts are in vain? I...
4 min readPerseverance Patience Prayer Devotional
Charlaine Martin
The Impact of a Church - Charlaine Martin
A friend and I were talking the other day about how churches have impacted us, and today’s passage in Ephesians 2:19 got my brain gears churning. We both concluded that we go because God’s Word tells us not to forsake the gathering together of believers (Hebrews 10:25), but also because of how we should do God’s people’s misbehavior has greatly wounded our lives. Yet we go to worship and serve God as we should.
2 min readChurch Articles
Charlaine Martin
Spiritual Disciplines: Simplicity and Solitude - Charlaine Martin
When you put Simplicity and Solitude together and anchor them with prayer, this hub hold s all the other spiritual disciplines in our lives.
6 min readSpiritual Discipline Articles
Charlaine Martin
Free to Serve Together in Love
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. -Galatians 5:13 “Amen!” “Alleluia!” “Preach it, brother!” Enthusiastic words punctuated a seminary graduate’s message—a pastor with his heart on fire for God. Worship...
3 min readfreedom worship criticism community
Charlaine Martin
Wisdom to Do the Right Thing - A Nighttime Prayer
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. - James 3:13 Please pray:Heavenly Father, I sometimes find myself in situations where I feel unfairly treated. In these moments, I often believe that the...
1 min readwisdom peace
Charlaine Martin
Wisdom to Do the Right Thing
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 NIVExhausted, I hauled myself out of the pool after spending four hours straight in the water as a swim instructor. My weight had...
3 min readwisdom peace humble words Devotional
Charlaine Martin
Spiritual Discipline: Fasting - Charlaine Martin
Fasting is simply a spiritual discipline, another way we may place ourselves in a position for the Lord to transform us.
6 min readSpiritual Discipline Fasting Articles
Charlaine Martin
Free to Serve Together in Love - Nighttime Prayer
A Verse for Reflection:You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. - Galatians 5:13 Please Pray:Lord, I’m sorry for hurting others in my church when we disagree. Please, give me Your...
1 min readprayer freedom serving others community
Charlaine Martin
Charlaine Martin When God Works in the Not-So-Normal - Charlaine Martin
Charlaine Martin There is nothing we can do in our own power that can compare to what God can do through us by His power. Even so, God has victory through us and despite our circumstances. So, I thought I’d share some of what’s happening in my world with you because God was already working in the background of our tenth honeymoon when things were already going terribly wrong.
9 min readTravel Trust God Devotional
Charlaine Martin
Spiritual Discipline: Prayer - Charlaine Martin
Prayer is an intimate connection to our Heavenly Father, God Almighty.
8 min readSpiritual Discipline Prayer
Charlaine Martin
Lectio Divina: Christian Meditation - Charlaine Martin
So you find a dress like your husband's frineds's wife and wear it on your date when you give him the aftershave you liked on his friend, and then tell him how much you love him. How well would that go over with your husband?.. Why would we offer God something that He doesn’t like or want? Why would you offer God something He doesn't like or want
9 min readSpiritual Discipline Christians Relationship with God
Charlaine Martin
Thrive in Living Water - Charlaine Martin
Do we listen to Holy Spirit, or do we listen to Satan? Do we trust God to give us what we need and bless us for our obedience? We are no longer of this world, yet we are tempted to be like the world. We are called to be different, peculiar,
6 min readObedience Articles The Love of God
Charlaine Martin
Family Health History Matters - Charlaine Martin
Knowing your family health history is like a time capsule that unfolds in your life and future generations. This information can equip you to speak with your doctor productively and prepare for, avoid, or manage serious health problems.
5 min readFamily Health Self-improvement
Charlaine Martin
Plant Me Where You Want Me, Lord! - Charlaine Martin
My roots had been ripped apart with each move too many times. I suffered transplant shock. A part of me was left behind. But then, a new friend gave me a lovely plaque: Bloom Where You are Planted. I cried. How, Lord? It hurts too much. My roots had been ripped apart with each move too many times. I suffered transplant shock. A part of me was left behind. But then, a new friend gave me a lovely plaque: Bloom Where You are Planted. I cried. How, Lord? It hurts too much... #I suffered transplant shock.
6 min read
Charlaine Martin
Advent Devotion: Christmas Day - Charlaine Martin
Not everyone loves the Baby in the Manger who grew up as the Savior of the World, and not everyone will love us because of Him.
4 min readDevotionals Christmas & Advent The Love of God
Charlaine Martin
Advent Devotion Week 4: Joy - Charlaine Martin
I’m essentially nobody, but when my name appears with one of my essays in a book. I’m overjoyed that my name appears alongside some incredibly gifted authors. It feels good, but I hardly feel worthy to have my name printed inside because I’m serving God by following His call on my life.
3 min readChristmas & Advent Joy
Charlaine Martin
Advent Devotion Week 3: Hope - Charlaine Martin
We needed to do this for us. Why? Because Jesus came anyway.
3 min readChristmas & Advent Hope Jesus Christ
Charlaine Martin
Advent Devotion Week 2: Love - Charlaine Martin
A Love Letter from God 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in
4 min readDevotionals The Love of God Christmas & Advent
Charlaine Martin
Advent Devotion Week 1: Peace - Charlaine Martin
Where is peace? We’ve been led to believe that peace is the absence of conflict and violence. Yet the truth is there is peace in the midst of all of this.
2 min readDevotionals Peace Christmas & Advent God's Providence
Charlaine Martin
Pro-Active Aging & Chronic Illness - Charlaine Martin
Indeed, the holidays are not easy with chronic pain and fatigue after 50! But we can find ways to do so, even in winter with snow flurries and bitter cold.
6 min readAging Health Fitness
Charlaine Martin
Halloween and the Encounters with the Unholy - Charlaine Martin
Have you ever felt the hair rise up on the back of your neck and experienced a horrible sense of dread you couldn't wait to escape from, but you didn't know why? This season is filled with horror, evil, and the unholy. If it doesn't make you shudder, then you might want to read about some of my spine tinglers, brushes with the unholy, otherworldly beings who come against the Kingdom of God, and that the power of God is greater still.
14 min readHalloween Spiritual Warfare Spiritual awareness & Enlightenment
Charlaine Martin
Help! There’s the Snake! - Charlaine Martin
Yet believers are hoodwinked by the Serpent, who slithers in under the radar, into believing these classes have no religious teachings. Worse yet, some use religious lingo that sounds Christian but is not. Believers are often hoodwinked by the Serpent, who slithers in under the radar, into believing New Age teachings in classes have no religious teachings. Worse Yet, some religious ling that sounds Christian, but is not, poisons their minds and hearts.
9 min readSeek God First God's Protection Spiritual Maturity
Charlaine Martin
To Supplement, or Not? - Charlaine Martin
Supplements have garnered so much attention and praise I thought it would be a good idea to share with you what I've learned as a fitness pro so you can make a relatively well-informed decision about them.
6 min readFood Health
Charlaine Martin
Menopot Meltdown Recap - Charlaine Martin
. It’s as if we are in junior high again but of the older adult variety. We aren’t old, but we aren’t young either. Our bodies go haywire when adjusting between childbearing years and becoming “elderly.” What do we do now? Thriving in midlife boils down to attitude, lifestyle changes, and looking forward to what God has in store for you.#
5 min readHealth Journals Self-Improvement Spiritual Health
Charlaine Martin
The Lamb’s Blood Covers Us - Charlaine Martin
The Lamb of God shed His blood for us, preserving us for eternal glory, passing us through judgment as clean.
6 min readDevotionals Sacrifice
Charlaine Martin
God Reveals Himself through Jesus Christ - Charlaine Martin
Much like a groom anticipates what the bride looks like for her wedding day and what it will be life will be like with her, we often wonder what God is like. What does He look like? What will it be like to see Him face to face, living with Him in eternity?
3 min readDevotionals The Presence of God
Charlaine Martin
Week 2: God Reveals Himself to Us - Charlaine Martin
Rather than deconstructing our faith, let’s only strip away anything that doesn’t match His Truth.
7 min readDevotionals Seek God First The Love of God The Word of God
Charlaine Martin
Week 1: God’s Creation of Us - Charlaine Martin
It’s as if God lifts us up on His shoulders..,”This is all yours. I give it all to you.”
5 min readCreation Devotionals Goodness of God
Charlaine Martin
Live Love Out Loud - Charlaine Martin
Love means meeting each other’s heart needs so we never run dry.
7 min readDevotionals Love The Love of God
Charlaine Martin
Learning to Age Wisely - Charlaine Martin
Yet even in our short time on earth, we can trust God’s unfailing love for us.
1 min readAging Devotionals Prayer
Charlaine Martin
Praise God, I Didn’t Get That! - Charlaine Martin
Sometimes, the gifts we ask for are meant to make us happy rather than what we really need. If we got what we asked for, we might be sorely disappointed or devastated.
5 min readDevotionals God's Will
Charlaine Martin
Looking Forward to Our Gift - Charlaine Martin
We long to see Jesus in all His glory. To see His face. To be welcomed into eternity by Him. Christmas is not only here, but Christmas will come again. This time, He will be in His glorified state, and so will we–clothed with His righteousness radiantly beaming. Do you look forward to this Gift?
7 min readChristmas & Advent Devotionals
Charlaine Martin
Feeling Stuck? Find Out What’s Causing You Weight Loss or Gain Problems - Charlaine Martin
As the holiday season approaches, we battle through the grocery to snag the ingredients for our Thanksgiving feasts. Ruminating in the backs of our minds: I’m going to gain ten pounds again. Ugh! Why does Char have to bring up our WEIGHT right now? Well, I don’t, I suppose, but I have a question: When
5 min readArticles Health Lose Weight
Charlaine Martin
Purity of Body and Spirit - Charlaine Martin
It is far better to offend people by politely refusing to participate than to offend God by blindly following the trend… God has called us to greater purity by coming back to our faith in Jesus Christ and loving Him while accepting the Truth of His Word.
9 min readDevotionals Purity Soul & Spirit
Charlaine Martin
Sharing Christ from a Yin Yang - Charlaine Martin
Did this title grab your attention? I bet it did! In my previous posts from my martial arts days, Harmonious Living and Ch’i Whiz!, we discussed balancing energies, what the Yin Yang stands for, and why it’s incompatible with our Christian faith. Here I want to give you a tool to share Christ with people
2 min readArticles Faith Spiritual Awareness & Enlightenment
Charlaine Martin
Ch’i Whiz! - Charlaine Martin
By Sensei Charlaine (Engelhardt) Martin, 3rd Dan American Stratiotia Christou July 1999 edited 10/19/2022 In our last article, “Harmonious Living,” we apologize for the delay (we were in the middle of moving). I promised to cover the concept of Ch’i since this permeates the martial arts and is part of the doctrine of the Yin The concept of the Yin Yang is confusing for Christians and is not compatible with Christian Faith…we rely on God alone for all things.
10 min readArticles Healing Health
Charlaine Martin
Are You Ready? - Charlaine Martin
Just as we had the warning of imminent danger, Christians have the warning about end times with Jesus’ return for us.
7 min readArticles End Times Spiritual Awareness & Enlightenment
Charlaine Martin
Dummy-Proofed? Showing Myself Grace - Charlaine Martin
If Jesus could give me grace, then I realize I should extend grace to myself.
5 min readGrace Journals Self-Improvement
Charlaine Martin
Eating Healthy without Going Broke - Charlaine Martin
Every time I buy groceries anymore, I get severe sticker shock! You, too? How can we be good stewards of our finances and our health? I discovered a game-changer that I’d like to share with you.
7 min readArticles Finance Food Lose Weight
Charlaine Martin
Waiting for God’s “Yes!” - Charlaine Martin
You can’t go wrong waiting for God’s “Yes!” Taking your future into your own hands might mean God could give you what you want. Wait for God’s “Yes!”
3 min read1 Samuel Devotionals Walk by Faith
Charlaine Martin
The Power of Our Words - Charlaine Martin
Hurtful and gracious words should not come from the same mouth as Christ-followers. One destroys while the other brings life. Therefore, our relationships flourish when our responses are gracious and helpful to those we answer.
3 min readDevotionals Spiritual Awareness & Enlightenment
Charlaine Martin
Resuming Exercise after COVID-19 Infection - Charlaine Martin
As you survey the damage, whether short-term or long-term, you can understand better what may limit your exercise. Whatever you do, avoid pushing your body to comply with your desire to become fit in a day or two.
7 min readArticles Covid-19/Pandemic Fitness Health
Charlaine Martin
Living this Crazy Life - Charlaine Martin
Yet God opened my spiritual eyes to see Him blessing my Boaz’s prayers…My heart is full.
10 min readArticles Faith Struggle & Pain Trial
Charlaine Martin
Best Practices: Preventing Rotator Cuff Injury - Charlaine Martin
God’s unique design of the human shoulder allows us to do complex movements, making it imperative that we protect the rotator cuff by avoiding specific exercises known to cause damage, doing the preliminary work before moving on to advanced exercises, and executing exercises properly.
5 min readArticles Health
Charlaine Martin
Bunnies and the Cross: What Makes Resurrection Day So Special - Charlaine Martin
As my Boaz and I were driving home, I read a sign at a local daycare, “Silly Bunny! Easter is for Jesus!” I loved that statement. Why do parents and grandparents insist on teaching the kids to believe in the Easter Bunny rather than the glory of our Resurrected Lord? Emotional connections. That’s it. We Uncategorized Let’s use Easter to prepare the way of the Lord for children’s hearts.
9 min readArticles Easter & Lent Parenting Resurrection
Charlaine Martin
God’s Adventures in Our Move - Charlaine Martin
Muscle exhaustion is a sign to stop. I had pressed the muscle fibers to keep going too many times, so they went on strike.
12 min readEncouragement Journals Struggle & Pain
Charlaine Martin
Workout Before You Move Out - Charlaine Martin
Original post from November of 2014 on www.totallyfit4life.net Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash My family and I have moved so much that I could probably write a book about it. However, I have noticed an interesting yet disturbing trend over the years. Many people nowadays are so physically out of shape that they cannot handle
2 min readArticles Fitness
Charlaine Martin
Eating Disorders: A Slow Suicide - Charlaine Martin Charlaine Martin
Original post-2015 Reposted 3/2022 Photo from modeling class, 1982. Weight 110 pounds after God’s miraculous healing. You joined the gym and started that diet, but you and your body aren’t good friends. Your scale hates you because the numbers aren’t going your way. So how do you get the muffin top and saddlebags to disappear? Your value is not in your weight nor your appearance, but your identity in Jesus Christ.
8 min readHealth Journals Lose Weight
Charlaine Martin
From Where Does Your Healing Come? – Charlaine Martin
(Photo: Unsplash) Read: John 5:1-18 Focus Verse: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8 NIV Recently we read an announcement about a sound healing...
10 min readArticles Bible Healing
Charlaine Martin
Better Ways to Measure Your Weight – Charlaine Martin
5 Ways to Measure Weight Loss Success (Other Than the Scale)
6 min readArticles Health
Charlaine Martin
The Importance of Plumb and Square – Charlaine Martin
We are on the home stretch finishing our house. The door handles are on the doors, the lights hung, and walls painted inside and out. It seems as if we are done, but whoa! No garage doors until mid-to-late January. Bummer! But then, my Boaz surprised me on Christmas Day with a present: the hardware for our garage doors. We get them TODAY! Awesome! Without them, the building inspector won’t let us move in before those are installed. Next, we are finishing up the hangar door insulation and metal covering. Now for the sod. Everything is finally lining up. It’s been quite an ordeal, as you will soon discover.
10 min read1 Corinthians Home Journals Marriage
Charlaine Martin
Eating Healthy During the Christmas Season
This is an encore post from a couple of years ago which was wildly popular. Enjoy! I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed that most Christmases start around Thanksgiving and finally end around Valentine’s Day. Why? Because we get hooked on hyper-flavoring, fats, sweets, and salts. Our notion of veggies looks more like mushy
6 min readArticles Christmas & Advent Food Health Lifestyle
Charlaine Martin
Be Totally Fit for Life! RESET
Get Back to Basics Whew! How did we get so bogged down that we don’t have time for exercise, rest, Bible study, or couple time? My Boaz and I have been reeling in overwhelm this year. Preparing for retirement was more work than we anticipated. On top of it all, our retirement house is being
5 min readArticles Christians
Charlaine Martin
Manage Your Weight the Easy Way
This past year has been challenging with my mother’s death and my illness, which makes weight management difficult. It’s a fallacy to think fitness pros never have problems keeping their weight under control and maintaining a muscular physique. Still, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s especially true for those with chronic fatigue and
4 min readArticles Health Lifestyle
Charlaine Martin
Your Inner Health Reflects on the Outside
6 Ways to Improve Your Hair, Skin, and Nail Health In the early 2000s, when I worked at a YMCA, my complexion was horrible. I had what appeared to be cystic acne that left huge scars on my face, shoulders, and chest. Since I worked in a swimsuit teaching water exercise and swimming, I was
5 min readArticles Health
Charlaine Martin
Living in Limbo
We are currently living in our camper as our house in Florida nears completion. Everything is jumbled in our tiny pop-up Trail Manor. It’s tiny, cramped, and overwhelming with all of what we need, not having a designated place. Ugh! I hate being in a limbo state. Sitting in our transitional state is exhausting. Some
6 min readArticles Stress
Charlaine Martin
Hiding From Daddy
Read:Jonah 1 Focus Verse:Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:24 NIV Daddy was getting ready for us to go to the grocery store to pick up some much-needed groceries. Since he was divorced from my
6 min readDevotionals Faith Father's Day Parenting
Charlaine Martin
8 Ways to Manage Brain Fog
Photo byDevin JustesenonUnsplash My Boaz and I were camping out in Florida while working with the builder on the details of our house. Unfortunately, I’ve had too much stress, not enough sleep, and storms swept through Central Florida that triggered flares, including brain fog. It’s challenging to think through a troublesome issue, write coherently, and
10 min readArticles Depression Stress
Charlaine Martin
Judge Not: A Story Behind Every Body
Encore post from www.totallyfit4life.net 2013.Photo byEmiliano VittoriosionUnsplash. Since I’ve been in health and fitness for a long time, I’ve learned not to judge anyone by appearance. However, a conversation with a woman who struggled with her self-image and weight brought several people to my mind. This discussion inspired me to write this post. People with
3 min readAddiction Articles Stress
Charlaine Martin
Is There a Veil between the Living and the Dead? – Charlaine Martin
Why Halloween Isn’t a Holy Day for Christians Children skitter from house to house with parents happily chattering with each other about their child’s choice of costume, vigilant for their safety. Churches host Trunk or Treat festivals to reduce the hazards of children getting tainted candy while hoping the families...
7 min readArticles Life after Death
Charlaine Martin
A Story Behind Every Body *Updated* – Charlaine Martin
As many of you know, I’ve been blogging about health and fitness since 2013. I wrote a blog post that year entitled, “Judge Not: A Story About Every Body” which you can click the link to read, about a woman who wanted to lose weight badly judged me about having her idea of the “perfect body”. She discovered in our discussion about her misconceptions of me. Today, I’d like to revisit that topic from a different perspective—midlife with health issues while living a healthy lifestyle. The judgment fingers have been pointed at me lately, including my own. We become our own harshest critic when others’ criticism sinks down deep into our hearts.
6 min readArticles Fitness Health
Charlaine Martin
Permanently Inked – Charlaine Martin
Read: Revelation 22:1-5 ESV Focus Verse: and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 1:22 ESV My husband and I had been married for quite a while, but we had a couple of problems: he injured...
5 min readDecision Making Identity in God Intimacy Journals Marriage
Charlaine Martin
Hiding from God – Charlaine Martin
Read: Jonah 1 Focus Verse: Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:24 NIV My father was getting ready for us to go out to the grocery store to pick up...
5 min readDevotionals Obedience The Love of God
Charlaine Martin
Heading UP! – Charlaine Martin
Insights from Our Trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan My Boaz and I recently ran away from home for our seventh honeymoon. Seven years? Where has the time gone? We needed a break from our day-to-day stuff. We usually want to get away together for our anniversary. It was...
9 min readJournals Marriage Travel
Charlaine Martin
Following God in His Work – Charlaine Martin
Read: John 21 Focus Passage: Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do...
8 min readResurrection Sermons Work
Charlaine Martin
Helping Missionaries Reach the World for Christ – Charlaine Martin
All photos, unless otherwise noted, are property of Charlaine W. Martin. All rights reserved.
16 min readEducation Journals Ministry Missions
Charlaine Martin
Playing Catch-Up – Charlaine Martin
Photo by Ross Parmly on Unsplash Hi, Everyone. I’m playing catch-up after being gone for two weeks, then coming home sick with a stomach bug—one whole year of the Pandemic, not even a sniffle. We got our Covid vaccines and went to see family in Florida and Colorado. Boom! A...
6 min readFamily Health Journals Lose Weight Travel
Charlaine Martin
Canned Chicken – Charlaine Martin
Pandemic Blessing: Canned Chicken Posted: April 23, 2021/Under: Uncategorized/By: But who am I, and who are my people,That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?For all things come from You,And of Your own we have given You. 1 Chronicles 29:14 NKJV During the Covid-19 Pandemic, my husband...
3 min readCovid-19/Pandemic Grace Journals
Charlaine Martin
Managing Sun Sensitivity/Photo Sensitivity in Autoimmune Diseases – Charlaine Martin
(Also Preventing Melanoma for Skin Cancer Awareness) I’ve been sun-sensitive since I was a teenager, before the advent of sunscreen. Remember that baby oil tanning? Whoa! I’m surprised we survived that experience! I used to break out in a terrible red itchy, burny rash wherever my skin was exposed to...
8 min readArticles Education Health
Charlaine Martin
Give Jesus Center-stage in Your Totally Healthy Living Plan – Charlaine Martin
You’ve probably heard the adage that lightning never strikes twice. Well, there is also the thought that no one ever gets struck twice with life-altering chronic illness, but it did. It happened to me. Once with fibromyalgia in 2002, and then mixed collagen vascular disease in 2017. My life came to a screeching halt twice. Then I had to reconsider my course of direction. God used those events to give me a whole new perspective on healthy living and weight management.
7 min readArticles Health Inspirational Lose Weight
Charlaine Martin
St. Valentine’s-Style Love – Charlaine Martin
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 NIV
6 min readUncategorized
Charlaine Martin
Make Your Heart Jesus’ Home – Charlaine Martin
I was ecstatic! Finally, I got the two-wheeled bicycle I begged for after two years. All my friends already had theirs. My eight-year-old self squealed with glee one fine summer day. I hopped onto it, wobbling along our gravel-and-tar road way out in the marsh countryside. I became a two-wheeled pro in a matter of days—no training wheels for this girl! Nope. One day, in my mother’s last month of pregnancy for my brother, I decided to show off my new-found talents. “Look, Mom. No hands!” I shouted.
8 min readUncategorized
Charlaine Martin
Our Healthy Lifestyles Intro Class and Giveaway – Charlaine Martin
Hey, I wanted to let everyone know about our special Intro Class for Healthy Lifestyles: Let the Adventure Begin! This introductory class rolls out UPDATE: Monday, 2/1 at 7 pm DST, and Thursday, 2/4 at 2 pm DST (Michigan time zone). It lasts roughly an hour. Register on our website at the Be Totally Fit for Life! Page or email me at totallyfit63@gmail.com to let me know if you are coming and which day/time. You get a real feel, except for the number of participants, what this first in our series of three Healthy Lifestyles focus groups is about. You will get some basic foundational truths about health, weight loss, and how Christian faith and relationships are part of living a totally healthy lifestyle focused on Jesus Christ is all about. I am so excited to share this with you!
5 min readUncategorized

Charlaine Martin

Charlaine Martin loves showing women how every day is an adventure with God. She and her Boaz love sharing tickle bugs with their grandchildren, cycling on Florida bike trails, and putzing the skies in their single-engine plane. She is a contributing author in Love, Joy & Peace and other compilations, a speaker, and a Christian wellness coach. Some of her work has appeared in several online magazines and guest blog posts. Her book, Twice Blessed, is due for release late 2025.