Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Tree of Heaven

What do you hope is under your Christmas tree this year? I

want share the blessing of some words from the book A Tree

Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Let me be something every minute of every hour of my life.

Let me be gay. Let me be sad. Let me be cold. Let me be warm.

Let me be hungry. Have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed.

Let me be sincere. Let me be deceitful. Let me be truthful. Let me be a liar.

Let me be honorable and let me sin.


Only let me be something of every blessed minute.


And when I sleep, let me dream all the time that no piece of living is ever lost.

The tree in the novel is called; Ailanthus Antisana or the Tree

of Heaven. The story is a parable on how to thrive in a harsh

setting. There is a reason the Christmas tree is an Evergreen; it

never dies, it always grows. You can see it growing out of a

rock in the mountains or in the desert struggling for life. But

ever growing and being green.

Christmas is a celebration of the tree of Heaven. The law is not

based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things

will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law

by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone

who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing

given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ

Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Galatians 3:12-14

My Christmas prayer is simple, that all who do not walk with

Jesus, may find the tree of heaven. It is only in Christ, I have

found that I can truly be something every blessed minute!


Have a Blessed Christmas,


Pastor Roger


 

 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

GOD'S MERCY

Ps 51:1a  Have Mercy on me, O God,
I am not sure if you heard, but a Skunk shut down Fox 21 New station

for a full day in the Springs. Seems the poor little skunk got cold, so

he found his way into the foundation of the TV Station and made his

self-warm and comfy. But somehow he crossed his wires and got a

nasty shock. And well the skunk did what skunks do create a stink. The

spray soaked the transmitter and tripped the breakers causing the

outage. I understand it still smells.

Turning the tide on our sin, man must consider the question what will

God ‘s response be to our stink. Because man does what man does

create a stink of sin. Have you thought of David’s Stink?

What sins was he guilty of? See, we must put our thinking cap on and

ask ourselves what hope do we have to be forgiven if God is Holy and

pure?

Let’s go to scripture to see how creative of an odor he created.

Before we do anything else; let me ask you does David deserve the

mercy he is asking for? We will be in 2 Samuel 11. Let’s just go over

the basics, what we think of as David’s sin is Adultery and Murder

Both are punishable by death in the Old Testament law. David

deserves death, but he is asking for mercy. Let’s begin in verse 1 In

the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab

out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They

destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained

in Jerusalem. What I want you to notice is the tide of sin started by

the single drop of abdicating his responsibility or laziness. He was

supposed to be leading the troops, instead he is lounging on a rooftop

in Jerusalem. Look at verse two One evening David got up from his

bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he

saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful. It is one

thing to look at a beauty, but to look, look and look some more is

another matter. It is obvious David is at this point coveting another

man’s wife. Moving on to verses three and four. . . and David sent

someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn’t this

Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the

Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. The

messengers that David sent, probably did not have flowers, but armed

guards. If a king wanted to bed a woman, if she refused it was her

head. This was more than likely not consensual sex, so add possibly

rape to his sins.

Let’s go on to verses 14-17; In the morning David wrote a letter to

Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 In it he wrote, “Put Uriah in the

front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him

so he will be struck down and die.”

So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place

where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of

the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in

David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died. What we

often even fail to register, is not only did David kill Uriah, he killed

some of his own men in the process! If you think the Obama’s

administration lies about what went on at Benghazi is a big deal, it is

nothing compared to David’s sin. He is now committed treason and mass

murder to the list.

As a believer I would have to forgive David. But if I was

Bathsheba’s father or the father of one of the men who was killed in

battle; I do not believe I could be merciful?

If I had this laundry list of sins; I would be tempted to run from God!

But David must know something I do not, he runs to the Father instead.

What David knows and we often forget is that God’s Character is

Mercy! In fact the Hebrews words used in this text suggests God’s

mercy is something He feels. He Senses our Shame, our Guilt and

Failure and instead of kicking us while we are down, he extends a hand

to help us up! In fact, in these verses it gives a glimpse of who god is .

God is Mercy! We are Sin!

Let’s look specifically how God extends mercy to David. The word

mercy is from the Hebrew word (chanan), it simply means to be

favorable or act favorably toward, to bless, to come to one's aid." It is

the word used when one would ask, "Would you do me a favor?"

The very fabric of God’s being is merciful. God's mercy is the quality

of his character by which he seeks not to punish the sinner. Because he

is merciful, he withholds punishment. Forgiveness is the act of

canceling guilt, replacing punishment with blessing that is undeserved.

Forgive-ness is mercy in action. ( Jon Weatherly) So I am

not sure what you are trying to hide from God-but from this passage I

can tell you if you would only turn to God He will take your punishment

and turn it into a blessing. He will take your shame and guilt and

resurrect it into life. Please bring your sin to God the Father!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Reaching my Muslim Brother and Sister

During the past year,I have been blessed with multiple examples of God's Kingdom growing in

the Muslim world.  The one example I want to highlight is an effort by one of my former

professors at Cincinatti Christian University;  Don Tingle.  He was able to use both the Koran

and the Bible, to affirm Jesus and encourage Muslims to become disciples of Christ.    I am

asking you to view his website; which shares some of his work that is being done to share

Jesus with the Muslim world; http://www.comenserv.net/

   I believe this website will bring you a greater insight into how some are sharing Jesus with

the Muslim.  If you just want more information, from the Standard Archives is an article that

gives insight into a seminar they have hosted in the past ;

http://christianstandard.com/2006/01/cs_article-192/.  Would you join me in praying for

those who are sharing Jesus in the Muslim world?

Be God's

Roger Miller











































































Monday, October 29, 2012

Helen Hunt Falls




''O suns and skies and clouds of June,

And flowers of June together,

Ye cannot rival for one hour

October's bright blue weather.''
 
Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885), U.S. writer ("H. H."; "Saxe Holm"). October's Bright Blue Weather (l. 1-4). . . Family Book of Best Loved Poems, T... 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

What does God Say About Tithing?

Last week was time for another oil change; Jiffy Lube informed me I needed a new battery and

an air Filter. Since I have been preaching on God’s financial wisdom I have been in the saving

mode. So I figured I could easily install a car battery and an air filter in my truck. The battery

was slick as snot, fit right in there, hardest part was scraping off all the old corrosion. Now the

air filter became another story. The air filter is located in a hose off the carburetor, but the

hosehas no give. There is just no extra room, I get the filter out, I could not see how it was

put in. So I stuck the new filter in and was able to close the clamp assuming it since it fit it

was in right.

Then I became concerned when I could not get the truck to start. It would crank right up but

only run a second or two. So I called my old friend Vince, asked him if he could figure out

what I did to the truck. We first checked the fuses and then made sure I had not detached any

wire to the carburetor. Then he undid the air filter and discovered what I had done wrong,

I had put it in backward and had cut off all the air to the motor, so it would not run.

I have found in the area of finances when we put it in backward, we cut off all the air and our

relationship suffocates. Preaching on what the bible says about tithing is a tricky air filter. If we

apply it wrong we shut off air and become rigid. Also, if we ignore a dirty air filter, we get less

and less miles per gallon until things do not run right. So I think it is important we ask what the

bible says about tithing? Realize it is important to keep an open minds and open ears or the

air may shut off.

Some feel all the church asks about is money, they are right to be offended if that is true,

because that is a worldly attitude. Second, This preacher included, seldom talks about money,

because you don’t talk about money, religion and what? Numerous studies have put the

average Christians giving at about 2%, that should tell us something’s not running right.

I want you to keep you minds and open ears, so you get enough air. The point is not the

church needs your money. The point is not that you are commanded to give. The point is

not that God needs your money. The point is: For where your treasure is, there your

heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21 Over the years I have had many questions about tithing and giving,

I pray my angst will not drive you crazy. But my first question seems almost heretical. . .

1. Is Tithing Biblical?

Is Tithing Biblical? Tithing does appear in the Bible. So yes, tithing is biblical. But it is not

Christian. The tithe does appear and is practiced by the nation of Israel. The problem I

have is I ask too many questions. One question that has plagued me is; why is tithing not

mentioned in the New Testament?

The closest you come to is Matthew 23:23,24 which is an actual rebuke of the practice of

a legalistic tithe. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a

tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters

of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without

neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Notice to

Jesus justice, mercy and faithfulness are more important than tither. The truth is this verse

takes place while God’s people are still under the law, Jesus has not gone to the cross.

Christians are under a different covenant with God, called the New Testament. We must

remember with the death of Jesus, all ceremonial codes that belonged to the Jews were

nailed to the cross and buried to never rise again. This is what has bothered me and

where my questions come from; we never see Christians tithing in the New Testament,

Just as we don’t see them sacrificing goats and bulls to cover their sins.

This is tremendous freedom we have iin Christ; Old Testament legalistic practice has been

done away with, it no longer condemns us. But this scares me to death because it seems

Many in our day seem to be afflicted with that terrible disease known as Cirrhosis of the

Giver. This terrible malady renders the afflicted person’s hand incapable of moving from the

wallet to the offering plate. The only known cure is to remove the sufferer from the Lord’s

house, where the condition seems able to cure itself. This is seen in the fact that the

sufferer is more than willing and able to spend money at restaurants and in all sorts of

mindless trinkets. As I said earlier, the average giving for church attendees is about 2% .

I happen to think that percent is a reflection of how much we value God!

But Jesus in John 8:36 makes it clear: So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Jesus came to put in a eternal promise that from now on man was to relate to God in a

relationship, not rules! But that is exactly the frightening part; as human beings without

rules we tend to be lazy and take advantage of others! So I believe guilt latent tithe become

the norm, because in the American Church we are very poor givers compared to the

blessings we have been given.

But time and time again in the New Testament it is made clear that Love not the law brings

God’s desired transformation.

In fact Paul makes clear in Galatians 5:3You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Paul is telling us the freedom from rules, is not for selfish indulgence, but an opportunity to

serveone another in love.

As Christians it means we have a choice; we can continually operate in the law and

guilt people into giving. But Paul would tell us instead set people free by telling them, what

Jesus has done for them and others on the cross, and as peoples love for Jesus grow their

service to others will grow through their giving. I have decided as a leader by examining my

questions; I will present Old Testament tithes as a great example for us to follow from a

willing heart. I also am committed to the weightier matters of the law justice and mercy

fulfilled by Christ faithfulness on the Cross. We must motivate today to the giving to the

kingdom of God by lifting up what Jesus has done for us all. I am convinced our

Relationship to Christ and not the rules of old will motivate us to serve one another in

love by our generosity. I came to this conclusion by also asking. . .

2.What is the Tithe?

This is a very good question because I believe most Christians are clueless what the bible

says about tithing and giving. The word tithe simply means the tenth part or what we would

say is 10%.

Let’s begin in Leviticus 27: 30 Why do you not turn their. That is Leviticus 27:30 In this

chapter the Lord is commanding Israel to do certain things, he is conveying this to Moses

who goes on to teach this to Israel. Notices Verse 30 says: A tithe of everything from

the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is

holy to the Lord. So everything that was grown in Israel, the first 10% was given to

the Lord. But what was it used for?

Anyone? Let us turn to Numbers 18:21-24 where the Lord is telling what the offerings

are to be used for. Numbers 18:21 starts by saying: I give to the Levites all the tithes in

Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.

From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the

consequences of their sin and will die. 23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the

tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it.

This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance

among the Israelites. 24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that

the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them:

‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’”

So the crops of the land were tithed to support Israel’s National workers the Levites,

because they had not inheritance in Canaan. This maybe hard for you to add up but just put

10 down to add to later.

We will now turn to Deuteronomy 14:22; to study what is called the Festival tithe. The

passage is Deuteronomy 14:22 Part of the festival tithe was if you lived to far from the temple,

you could sale your goods and convert it to money to be put into a money box.

 Deuteronomy 14:22 says; Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each

year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and

flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for

his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. But if that place

is too distant and you have been blessed by the Lord your God and cannot carry your

tithe (because the place where the Lord will choose to put his Name is so far away),

then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the

Lord your God will choose.

Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or

anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the

Lord your God and rejoice.

I want to point out that even in the Law God’s desire was a relationship that helped you

come into his presence so you could rejoice according to verse 26. Now for all the

mathematicians you still have the 10% in your head, now add this additional 10% and 10

plus 10 equals what? 20. Guess what we are not finished. Let’s skip down to verse verses

28 and 29 in Chapter 14: At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s

produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or

inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in

your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may

bless you in all the work of your hands.

Do you have a the 20% still in your head? Well according to this we have more

arithmetic to do-every three years Israel tithed an additional 10% to support the helpless!

So if we broke it down to one year over three it would be 3.3% each year, correct? So

the actual tithe Israel was to give the Lord was 23.3% annually.

Are you asking like me why? We are forgetting Israel was a Theocracy! A Theocracy is a

form of government in which official policy is governed by immediate divine guidance or

by officials who are regarded as divinely guided, or is pursuant to the doctrine of a

particular religion or religious group.

Tithing was not only a religious practice it was Israel national tax policy. So if are going to

preach that we must tithe like they did in the Old Testament, we had better up the ante

and start asking for about 25% percent of everyone’s wealth.

This is always the danger of taking what God commanded in one covenant and trying

to make to work for God’s children living in another covenant! Just like an air filter put in

wrong, it cuts all the oxygen of God’s love off! This is not God’s design it is manmade

religion. First we do not live in a Theocracy, we live in a republic that demands it’s far share.

Second the laws tithe is not just 10% but closer to 25% We are not going to Canaan but to

heaven. Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom in the heart he rules in, not a physical

theocracy in the middle east! Lastly, it was an agrarian society and it was crops to be brought

in not dollar bills. I saw no one place a chicken in the offering. We do not have national

priesthood, although we do have preachers, teachers and missionaries to support. The tithe in

the law is an air filter installed the wrong direction cutting off the air of God’s love.

There is similarities between Israel’s tithing system and modern taxation methods in America.

The Jews supported their national workers the Levites thru the tither, just as government

workers are paid today. There was also national or religious events supported by the

tithe; the way national events or projects are supported today. Israel also had a national

welfare state even back then that helped the poor and destitute like widows, strangers

and aliens. If you think about it , most modern tax systems support the same things.

But those of us who love Jesus; do we want a tax on our love for him?

But this is not the only issue we should think about. Historically down thru the ages

as countries debt has increased, so has the rate of taxation. I would say Roger Miller

is about average U.S. tax payer: my income tax rate is about 15%, My social

security part is 7.5% and the Churches portion is 7.5%; so 7.5 plus 7.5 equals 15.

So 15 plus 15 equals what? 30% I want you to think about this for a second;

just income tax and Social security tax is one third of an American Workers pay.

At that rate I am certain we are not up for a 23% tithe to the church.

I want us to put on our thinking caps on for a second. Colorado’s state

income tax rate is 4.3 so we are not up to 35% tax rate. Studies estimate the

average American pays about 9% in sales tax so we are now up to 45% taxes.

Property tax about 2.5% okay 47.5. A half percent goes to pay for taxes for

gasoline and lastly all other taxes usually are hidden about 5%. So my calculations

are about 53%. http://www.nowandfutures.com/taxes.html estimates the average

American paid 54.5 in 2005 and 57.7%. We must wake up Taxes are not a political

issues for us they are a stewardship issue! Who would you rather spend your money

the local Church or Washington? Every dime the government gets, we have less

disposable income; less to be generous with! Right now we are 16 Trillion in Debt,

America has almost always had a national debt, but we have never been at the place

where the interest on our debt is the third highest expenditure in the federal budget.

So let me ask you based on where we are at; do you think our kids will pay more

or less tax than we do? Will they have more disposable income to give to causes

that honor God? A vote to reduce taxes and national debt; is a honor to God

and His kingdom. If you do not get it: I am telling you if you follow God

you should vote!

In 2011, about 49 percent of the population lived in a household where at least one member

received a direct benefit from the federal government. I know our money says we trust in

God; but the facts suggest we trust the government to care for us. The National Health care

initiative was a wake up call for me. If we trust in government to provide for our health care;

they not the individual will decide the ethics of our health care decisions. The Catholic

Church and other religious organizations find themselves being forced to provide

funding for abortions. Every entitlement we receive from God, the less trust we have

in God’s provision. Once again the nature of entitlements means as Christians we

must vote in a thoughtful way. Boy that sounds legalistic! But entitlements effect how

we walk with God, so we should vote. My mind came up with another question:

3. What Does the New Testament Say about Giving?

As a whole I think we as Christians have a poor attitude toward giving. Preachers are

afraid to preach about money and Parishioners think the offering makes pastors rich. It

reminds of the old joke. . . Two men have ended up marooned on an island in the South

Pacific. You can fill in the blanks as to how they got there.

So they are on the clichéic deserted island, one palm tree, nothing to see but the ocean. One

guy is in a complete panic, pacing back and forth, ranting about how they are going to die,

hungry and alone, that nobody will stumble on them until they are nothing but bones. The

other guy is sitting under the tree snoozing.

Finally the first man can't stand it anymore and he demands "What's wrong with you,

don't you understand the situation?"

To which the reply came "Sure I do, we are stranded on this island hundreds of miles

from anywhere"

"Well aren't you worried?"

"Nope" came the reply "I make $10,000.00 a week."

The first guy was at a complete loss, "What does that have to do with anything, you have

no access to the money and no place to spend it if you did."

To which the second guy replied "No you don't understand, I make $10,000.00 a week

and I tithe, my pastor will find me."

We must wake up-we do not give to pay the pastor, to keep the church building we

should give because we love Jesus and want to share him with others.

Planned ability

One of the clearest scriptures on New Testament giving is 1 Corinthians 16:1 Paul

is talking about an offering being given by the Macedonians to believers in Jerusalem.

Let’s look at this scripture: Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do

what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each

one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving

it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Notice in verse two the offering was totally an individual choice, Paul only asked that it would

be planned and in accordance to their wealth. Can I ask a question; if tithing was to be

carried over to New Testament practice would this not been the perfect place to

request it? What we need to underline though is giving was a weekly planned practice

based on one’s income.

To plan based on one’s income does that not seem to imply a percentage? That is why

I am going to contradict myself and say 10% is a good bull’s eye to aim for. 10% is

a percentage with  a little sacrifice we can all afford. Bob Russell in one of his greatest

stewardship sermons gave the illustration that if American Christians Tithed we could

end welfare and hunger as we know it. Bottom line, sacrificial giving in the church can

and will change a society! In our love for Jesus this is a good reason to be generous.

But what I will not do is to live under condemnation, guilt and self-flagellation; when I miss the

mark of 10%. Romans 8:1 says Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in

Christ Jesus. How many have gone into their accountants to pay their taxes and thought

they had tithed, finding they fell short? Did you go home beating yourself up, because

you fell short? Do you legalistically fear financial disaster would befall you at inability

to meet a percentage? I refuse to do that. As one who has been set free I will be

generous to a fault, but I will not let guilt motivate my giving. Love from now on will be

my motivation. I believe Jesus has given me much, so I believe I need to give much but

not out of obligation. So if you have missed this: listen I want you to give generously,

but with the motivation you love Jesus and others.

Sacrificial

Some may fear the biblical teaching on tithing, because if there is no percentage some

will give nothing.

That may be true; but if someone makes this response one is denying Jesus Lordship

in a very important area of their life. New Testament Christians example is the exact

opposite; freed from Old Testament Law they were generous beyond the word sacrificial.

The scary freedom we have in Jesus, simply commanded the New Testament believers to

give according to their ability. Christians in the early church gave to help starving Christians,

to support apostles in their work, enabling them to travel and plant churches. One of the

most winsome parts of the early church was how they sacrificed for the poor and needy.

For example philosopher Galen wrote. Behold how they love one another. They loved

and sacrificed for others so much they are the ones who invented orphanages and hospitals.

Best example of this is Acts 2:45 which states; They sold property and possessions to give to

anyone who had need. I think we can all agree signing away a house or property is sacrificial.

So I see the early churches example is that this new found freedom in Christ gave

motivation to sacrifice for other people’s needs! By the way most people do not carry

the deed to their house to the church. But I am certain the Trustees John, Thirston and

Robbie would be willing to wait for you to go home and get the deed to your property,

so you could sign it over! Acts 5 is very enlightening Ananias and Saphiras gave property

and laid it at the apostles feet. The problem was their motivation was to appear holier to

others than they were, not because they loved Jesus! Peter makes clear they were under

no obligation to give, but they were to be truthful. Since they lied to man and god about

the price of the property; they died on the spot. Seems to me this was a gift better not given!

It also tells me not only is New Testament giving sacrificial, it is to be a sacrifice for the

right reasons. And appearances are not one of the valid reasons for giving.

Joyful

New Testament giving is to be Joyful. If you remember this is an attitude that ties both

the law and grace together. Deuteronomy 14 they gave to support the Lord’s holy days;

but it closes by saying the purpose was so they could sit in the presence of the lord and

rejoice. Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:7 says Each of you should give what you have decided

in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

How do we know as believers if our giving is honoring God; one sure sign is that we

will have joy in the gifts we give!

Over 10 years ago I met a young man through family friends; his name is Garret. I

had lost track of him over the years; when Ashley went to York college we were

reintroduced.

Part of the education at York was to have him take a couple of mission trips.

He sent me a letter asking for support for both trips. I sent a donation both times;

with a smile. Why? Because it gave me joyful satisfaction that on the mission field I

might be sharing with him the love of Jesus. It gave me delight that just maybe

someone he ministered to might come to Jesus!

I think that is why Paul writes in Acts 20:35: It is more blessed to give than receive.

Just think about how you felt at some time when you sacrificially gave a gift to someone

who did not expect it and the delight they showed when they saw your gift. You can’t

tell me you did not have joy in your heart.

That’s the picture of NT giving in Joy; we sacrificially give to see the delight on our

Fathers face.

Conclusion: In whom do we trust?

As we have learned, tithing is Biblical; it is not for Christians under the New Covenant.

Jesus did not teach it to His disciples. The first century Christians did not observe it,

in fact it was not practiced until the time of Constantine. Yet they gave so sacrificially

the gospel was carried to the known world and the Kingdom of God grew daily.

Truth be known most New Testament Christians probably gave more than 10%.

The found Joy in the fact that we are all priests now-free in Christ to be a part of God’s

family! The, Law, the priesthood, and tithe have been nailed to the cross! There is now

no temple, temple curtain or temple tax. There is not even a special priesthood that stands

between God and man.

You and I in Christ have been set free from the bondage of tithing and every

unbiblical practice. May you to be as generous as Jesus and as wise as Paul. May you

become like the Corinthians who gave freely out of a Joyful heart, without one shred of

guilt, obligation or manipulation to help those who were in need!

Bottom line our finances and giving are important because They reveal who we put our trust

in. So, Give today, but give freely, in a planned manner, sacrificially so you may experience

the joy of God’s love being shared.

If you have not given your life over to God’s love, would you come up front so I may share

God’s love with you!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Night Intercession

Sunday Intercession
The Kingdom, The Power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
Great beyond all question is the mystery of our religion;
Christ was manifested in the body.
Vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels
Christ was proclaimed among the nations,
Believed in throughout the world,
Glorified in heaven.
(Let us take a few moments to share our praise for God) ETC Praise God he is Powerful.
A grain of wheat is a solitary grain, till it falls to the ground and dies.
A grain of whet is a solitary grain, but dead it bears a mighty harvest.
Praise to Jesus, the resurrection and the life.
All who have faith in Christ, though they die, they will come to life; and no one who is alive in faith will
ever die.
For the Son of Man was raised up so that everyone who believes in Jesus may have eternal life.
Look on Jesus, lifted up, lifted high to redeem the world.
Silence for Meditation.  1 Minute
May the death of Peggy’s K Father Produce much righteousness in the life’s of those around him.  Comfort them in their loss.
May the sense less violence In the mall shooting in WI, cause us to see the reality of death and the reality of eternal life in Jesus.  Use tragedies like this so people my come to know Jesus.
May the death of 4 Americans in Benghazi Libya and the death of soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, be seeds of faith, that will mature into a revival in Muslim world that accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.
My we lift Jesus High to redeem the world.
All we long for is to know the Christ and the power of His resurrection, to share in the sufferings of
Christ and become like him in His death.
For anyone united to Christ the world is new.  The old order has gone; the new has already begun.
So we press eagerly towards the goal in order to win the prize, the call that comes from God to life
with Christ in glory.
During this political season my we know the truth, may we seek the truth and may we vote according to truth.  Give us government officials who are truthful and trustworthy.
Our Father in Heaven,
The Kingdom, the Power and the glory are yours now and forevermore. Amen
May God move the president and congress not to waver in American support for Israel.
God you are our beginning and you will be our end; we are made in our image and likeness.
We praise and thank you for this day.  This is the day on which you created light and saw it was good.
This is the day in the early morning light we discovered the tomb was empty, and encountered Christ,
the world’s true light.  For us your acts are gracious and your love endures forever
May the light be shed on who killed Jessica Ridgeway, and may your justice be done.
May the person who took the lives of those in Wisconsin, be found.
O Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood
as to understand. To be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive; it is in the pardoning
that we are pardoned.  It is in the dying we are born to eternal life.
May you bring healing to Don Brazelton
May you bring healing to Mike Fisher
May you Bring Healing to Don Brazelton
May you Bring Healing to Pappa John
May you bring healing to Bucky Benham.
Jesus our inspiration, you come in the evening as our doors are shut, and bring peace.  Grant us sleep tonight, and courage tomorrow to go wherever you lead.  Amen
Bold is a clue that all should respond.
(Much is borrowed from a New Zealand Prayer book PG 107,108)

Thursday, October 18, 2012

I Know You'll Miss This Man


October 10 my grandfather a month short of his 99th birthday passed away.  He mean’t so much to me; word’s can’t begin to convey the value he put in my life.  This Poem was a balm to me, may it bless you as well.

I Know You'll Miss This Man

By Baxter Black

The Lord spoke to the heavy hearts that stood with hats in hand
“Your sadness pains me deeply and I know you’ll miss this man
But, it’s true what you’ve been hearing, Heaven is a real place.
That’s no small consolation. You should use that fact to face

The emptiness his parting left that seeps into your bones
And draw on it to ease your pain. For he is not alone.
You see, all his friends are up here and all his loved ones, too,
‘Cause it wouldn’t be a heaven without each one of you.

 And heaven for a cowboy is just what you might expect,
It’s horses that need tunin’ up and heifers that need checked.
It’s long rides with a purpose and a code that lights the way
And a satisfying reason to get up every day.

 It’s the ranch he’s always dreamed of and never knew he’d find
And if you think about it, you can see it in your mind.
Him, leanin’ in the saddle with his ol’ hat on his head,
Contentment set upon his face like blankets on a bed.

The leather creaks a little as he shifts there in the seat.
The bit chains give a jingle when his pony switches feet.
And you somehow get the feelin’ that he’s sittin’ on a throne
A’gazin’ out on paradise just like it was his own.

I can promise you he’s happy, though I know you can’t pretend
You’re glad he made the journey. It’s too hard to comprehend.
The earthly way you look at things can never satisfy
Your lack of understanding for the answer to the ‘Why?’

So, I offer this small comfort to put your grief to rest,
I only take the top hands ‘cause my crew’s the very best.
And I know it might seem selfish to friends and next of kin
But I needed one more cowboy and Woodrow fit right in.”

Nobody knows how to say it better, do they? Thanks, Bax.

Be God’s    Roger Miller

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

I HATE BANK OF AMERICA!


NEVER EVER, EVER GET A HOME MORTGAGE FROM BANK OF AMERICA!!

To the honorable Congressman Mike Coffman;

January 18 2012, I had a water leak at my residence at 22631 Eagle Drive, Elbert Colorado, 80106. 

Nationwide Insurance was my carrier.  They did what they were supposed to do, covered my losses

of over 20,000.  I have received a total of three checks and the last one is the depreciation check of

$2302.55.  The two previous checks I called into Bank of America and gave them my loan #________

and they gave me a commit number so I could have the local Home Mortgage office endorse my check,

because they have no bank branches in Colorado.

                March 15, I received the check for $2302, so I called in to get the commit number they told me

the Fannie Mae rules have changed I would not be allowed to receive a commit number unless I had an

inspection and certification of completion.  So I set up the home inspection and certification of

completion.  After both were completed, I called back in to Bank of America they informed me that the

inspector had not sent in a report yet, but they would give me the commit number when they received,

the report.  So I called back the following day. BOA had everything, but was informed Fannie Mae policy

had changed and I would have to send in the check for them to endorse.  So I spent $10 to send it first

class priority with a receipt that they had received.  I received a call from Bank of America that I would

have to sign it before they would endorse it and they would need a revised estimate from the contractor

in order to make an exemption to release the funds.  So Last Monday the 16th of April one month later

and hours and hours on the phone I spent another $18 to overnight it.  But before I sent it, I spent one

hour on the phone with Bank of America Property Claims going over to ensure I had fulfilled all

requirements.  The document request they sent me said they required a W9 from my contractor.  I

asked them about it and the representative( I could tell did not know what I was asking about), so I asked

for a manager.  They informed me Fannie Mae only required a W9 if the money was going directly to my

contractor.  So I had not heard anything for 5 business days, so I called today to the Bank of America

Property Claims office in Fort Worth Texas and talked to Dwayne Jackson, he informed me, I would not

be getting my depreciation Check of $2302, because they had not received a W9 for my contractor, the

home inspection showed it was only 85% complete, and the check would be held in a non-interest

bearing account because I was thirty days late last July.  They would not issue payment, until the project

was completed, they received the W9 form from my contractor and they had received one year of on

time payments, then they would kindly release the money by August, If I had Complied with all of their

requests.  When I blew a gasket and said some unkind things they informed me they were simply

following Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac procedures.  I told the manager he was lying, he said he was not

he was just following procedure.  So I asked to talk to his boss after many minutes finally get from him

his boss was Kim Estev.  I asked repeatedly to talk to her, I was told I could only talk to him.  I asked how I

know you are telling the truth; he Mr. Jackson replied I am simply following Fannie Mae guideline.  I then

asked how do I know that;  when you are contradiction what other Bank of America Representatives

have told me.

I was brusquely told I will be the only one you talk to and I am following the guarantor’s guidelines.  So

I then asked for a copy of the Fannie Mae guidelines to be faxed to me;  at first he said he could not do

that.  Then he said he would check into it; put me on hold, and either my phone died or he hung up on

me.         

What I am requesting is twofold is to either have Bank of America release my $ 2302 or the

actual guidelines of   Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, so I can know my rights as a borrower.   It saddens

me that my contractor a small business  owner is being penalized by government beau racy. One last

piece of information that I think that is important is I had my home mortgaged with Countrywide when

they went bankrupt without asking me, my loan was assumed by Bank of America.  Somehow in the

process we ended up one month behind in our mortgage, I spent hours trying to work out a payment

system and was told it had to be full payment or it would not be credited to our account.  It took over a

year to get current with an $1800 loan payment.  I would like to add that we have been current since last

August.

Respectfully

Roger Miller

22631 Eagle Drive,  Elbert Co 80106

303 648 0175

Friday, January 6, 2012

Let Go

Let Go


To “let go” does not mean to stop caring.

It means I can’t do it for someone else.



To “let go” is not to cut myself off.

It’s the realization I can’t control another.



To “let go” is not to enable,

But to allow learning from natural consequences.



To “let go” is to admit powerlessness

Which means the outcome is not in my hands.



To “let go” is not to try to change or blame another,

It’s to make the most of myself.



To “let go” is not to care for, but to care about.



To “let go” is not to fix, but to be supportive.



To “let go” is not to judge

But to allow another to be a human being

To “let go” is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcome,

But to allow others to affect their destinies.



To “let go” is not to be protecting,

It’s to permit another to face reality.



To “let go” is not to deny, but to accept



To “let go” is not to nag, scold or argue,

But instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.



To “let go” is not criticize and regulate anybody,

But to try to become what I dream to be.



To “let go” is to not regret the past,

but to grow and live for the future.



To “let go” is to fear less and LOVE MORE.