Four Generations: A Journey Through Life - Paperback

by Marvin J. Martin (Author)

"From Grandpa With Love" is a five volume series written by an aging Grandpa to pass on an inheritance of life experiences and learning to the children, grandchildren and succeeding generations who are following. The series opens with Volume I Four Generations, in which "Grandpa" traces 85 years of life and concludes we are all on a common journey. As a result, many of us will have similar experiences at predictable times in our lives. In order to personalize the experience of having an "Adventure" to prepare us for the mature time of life, he includes a World War II Diary, describing his experience as a B-29 crew member who participated in the last bombing mission against Japan in 1945. Using a Biblical pattern of "sins" and "blessings" to the "third and fourth generation", "Grandpa" divides life into four generations of about 25 years each. In Generation I, we "Learn". In Generation II, we "Do". In Generation III, we "Teach". And in Generation IV, we "Finish". Once that pattern becomes apparent, we begin to see a rhythm in our own life and in the life of history, that helps us see where we are, where we have been, where we are going-and how we can pass on more "blessings" to those who follow. Drawing on his experiences as well as lessons he has learned from others, he uses four more volumes to consolidate the material from numerous booklets he has been writing for the past 35 years that amplify the more general overview presented in Four Generations. Volume II is about Faith-the foundation for everything else we are and do, both now and for eternity. It opens and closes with some comments from a talk given to a group of college students entitled From Grandpa With Love, which became a pseudonym for some of his writings and the title of this series. Volume III discusses many of the experiences and conclusions God has given "Grandpa" in over 60 years of sharing life in Marriage, the most intimate relationship ordained by God. In addition to personal anecdotes from his own life, he sets forth some of the reasons for marriage, the biblical roles of husbands and wives, and closes with the loss of his own dear wife and the preparations and lessons he hopes will be helpful for others as they or their loved ones go through this beautiful but very stressful time. In Volume IV Vocation, "Grandpa" draws on over 40 years of representing law clients in personal and business matters, and gives some concrete ways he found to use our God given gifts and talents to project His Kingdom into the world around us. "From Grandpa With Love" concludes with Volume V Passing It On, emphasizing the need and the opportunity we have to invest in other lives, both in our family and all the other relationships we have. Walking through his chapters and experiences may help readers capture and better share the joy and fulfillment that comes from seeing others experience the wondrous life God offers to everyone who is willing to receive it. The purpose of all the books is first and foremost to convey what God has taught "Grandpa" on to the fourth generation (great grandchildren) in his own family. Because God's family is much broader and wider it is his hope that children and grandchildren everywhere, both now and in years to come, will enjoy taking "Grandpa" off the shelf and vicariously relive some of his experiences and learning that may be meaningful as they come to their own choppy chapters in life. Perhaps other grandparents will sense a kindred spirit and find it helpful to pass on these books to those in their own families, and the family of God around them. To God Be the Glory!

Author Biography

Marvin J. Martin Marvin J. Martin is a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and a retired attorney and lifelong resident of Wichita, Kansas. A member of the Depression/World War II Generation, he entered the Army Air Corps (which later became the Air Force) in 1943 and served as a Radar Operator and Navigator with a B-29 Group in the Pacific. After participating in the last, and longest, air bombing mission against Japan in August 1945, he returned to Kansas University where he graduated from Law School in 1951. He and his wife, Ellie, were married from 1948 until her death in 2009. During these 61 years their lives became increasing filled with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He practiced law for over four decades, concentrating in Labor and Employment Law as he represented companies in Wichita and elsewhere in the country. In his forties Martin experienced a life changing spiritual event. As he moved into his early fifties he felt the urge to speak and write booklets for clients and later for his family and friends to pass on to others what God was teaching him about life-particularly about living out his faith not only in church settings but also in his family, workplace and community. For over 35 years he has continued to speak and write in a wide range of venues. For several years his writing have been available free of charge on www.fromgrandpawithlove.com. More recently he has completed the five volume "From Grandpa With Love" series consolidating this material and making it available through Amazon.com and bookstores. Now retired, remarried and approaching ninety, he continues to write and meet with various individuals and groups, in an effort to complete the work God has given him to do.