I am Here

At his birth he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
As a boy at the temple he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
At the wedding he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
To the blind, deaf, and mute he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
To the lame and sick he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
To the dead he proclaimed."Behold I have come."
At the "Sermon on the Mount" he proclaimed. "Behold I have come."
At the transfiguration he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
On the road to Jerusalem he proclaimed. "Behold I have come."
At the temple, whip in hand, he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
At the dinner, his body and blood, he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
In the garden, sweating blood, he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
Beaten and whipped he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
Before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
On the Via del LaRosa he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
Nailed to the cross he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
Giving up his spirit he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
Buried in the tomb he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
Raising from the dead he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
Appearing to the disciples he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
Ascending into heaven he proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
At pentecost Pentecost he proclaimed, "Behold I AM here!"
To billions he's proclaimed, "Behold I have come."
To billions he's proclaimed, "Behold I Am here!"
For six month's he proclaimed to me, "Behold I have come."
On a rainy night, loye filled my heart when he proclaimed, "Behold I AM here!"
In my heart, I AM proclaims, "Behold I AM here!"
Jesus proclaims, "Behold I AM here!"
Tilley 042, John Miller

Listen

Listen, Listen,
Listen to me!
That is what I always say,
I talk to you and talk to you,
Never waiting for your say.
Telling you my joys,
Telling you my griefs,
Telling telling,
Never listening to you.
Why? Why do I not listen to you?
Am I afraid of what you'll say?
Am I selfish and uncaring?
Why? Why do I not listen to you?
Yet you love me,
You love me.
Tilley042, JohnMiller

Evil

I have been asked if there is a God why is there evil. If there was no God we would not know what evil is. Man can not have right and wrong on his own, for each man will do what was right in his own eyes. To admit there is evil, is to admit there is a God, for God shows us what is right.

My Fantasy, the Truth

I’ve been told I live in a fantasy,
Because my outlook is for the best, 
For what seems to be impossible,
I’m blind to the troubles around me.
Let me tell you this fantasy I live in
In my fantasy, as a child, I’ve known what it was like,
To be harassed by my peers, to the point 
I believed no one loved me,
Missing the truth.
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy students come to me, eyes brimming with tears,
Going though the same as I did.
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy students come to me eyes brimming with tears,
“My parents are divorcing, what do I do? What did I do?”
Their hearts breaking, tears flowing,
My heart breaks with them.
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy I see students who are or been abused,
By family, peers, boyfriends, girlfriends,
The abuse was physical, mental, emotional, and sexual.
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy teens, just ending childhood, are having babies,
The choices they have are abortion, adoption, or keeping them.
The choices are murder, not knowing, or not knowing how. 
Still being so much yet a child.
What a fantasy
In my fantasy many students think suicide, or cut themselves,
Some commit suicide, this year 3 of them.
Try giving comfort, or be comforted for that.
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy, while we’re on death,
Students die from car accidents, disease and bullets.
Giving comfort there is no easier.
No parent should outlive his or her child
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy I work with people,
Whose problems are very real.
Some are crass, some angry, some helpless,
Some just don’t know how to deal with them.
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy I’ve watched people die,
Most from afar, some up close.
Some from disease, some from heartbreak,
Some without purpose, Some in fear.
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy I became a parent to a parent.
I watched Dad die, it started years before he died.
I held his hand and talked to him 2 hours before he died,
Why did he have to die?
What a fantasy.
In my fantasy I know what it is to be looked down at,
That I don’t know what is around me,
That all is peaches and cream,
I don’t see the hurt around me.
Those people don’t know me, they don’t know the truth,
What a fantasy
I could stop here in this fantasy, but won’t, can’t.
You see what’s been said, this fantasy is all true,
But it is not the truth.
The truth, God loves me, 
So much his son died for me,
When I did not deserve it.
The truth,
God has a plan for me,
Plans to prosper me not hurt me.
The truth, he knew me before I was born,
My life was already written.
The truth, I was not an accident of evolution.
The odds of evolution actually working are literally beyond astronomical,
And beyond our time.
The truth, I was a gift to my parents as my siblings were,
We had great parents
The truth, God is always with me,
He promises that.
The truth, my life outlook,
It is based on those promises.
The truth ,
He loves you too.
The truth, all this and more,
Can be yours too.
The truth, its your choice,
He gives us that opportunity.
The truth, you can choose to believe Jesus died on the cross for your sins,
As he did mine.
The truth, sin is living your life,
Outside of what God wants.
The truth, you can choose to believe he rose form the grave,
Conquering death and sin.
The truth, you can choose him as Lord of your life,
Living on the precepts of his word.
The truth, he designed and wired you,
He knows what is best for you.
The truth, confess what you believe in your heart,
And choose to follow him.
The truth, he will be with you,
Forever then.
The truth, if you are reading this,
God is already leading you to these choices.
The truth, without him leading you,
You will never make this choice.
The truth, only you can prevent this choice,
From being made.
The truth, it was the nost import and awesome choice,
I ever made.
The truth, you’ll still feel pain,
I do.
The truth, I never want to be immune to pain, 
To be numb.
The truth, bad stuff will still happen,
It’s where we live.
The truth, I was once told get used to it, 
May I never get used to it.
The truth, this world gives us challenges,
Greater than you or I can handle.
The truth, greater is he who is in me, 
Because I made that choice, than he who is in the world,
The truth, I have a Brother, a Helper, a Father, a Lord, a God, 
Because I made that choice, who will never leave me.
The truth, because of the choice God offers you,
You can spend an eternity with Him.
The truth, or you can spend an eternity, 
Very apart from Him.
The truth, 
It is either Heaven or Hell.
The truth, my outlook on life is because,
I know who loves me and where I am going.
The truth, I want as many people going with me,
As can possibly happen.
The truth He gave me a love,
I never knew before.
The truth, 
I’m not perfect.
The truth, 
God knows that.
The Truth, 
I know the Truth.
The Truth,
He is the way, the light, and the truth.
The Truth,
Know the Truth
The Truth, 
The Truth is Jesus.
The Truth,
Do you know the Truth?

Tilley042, John Miller

Stinkin More Snow

It occurred to me the other day how much I just love snow. I thought of this as I was shoveling a sidewalk in Stroudsburg. One side of the house is always light fluffy snow…even if a bit wet. The other side is always heavy as 5th street slosh splashes up on it. Yet I love it.

I hear many people complain about the amount of snow, or for this year how often it snows, griping…muttering, yet I love it. I have suggested too many they move south….further the South Jersey. I have been envious of them for 2, maybe three years now as they have been dumped on by amounts not equaled since I lived there as a child. I suggest they move to Fla. Where if they get some snow, it is rarely greater then a few flakes. Some give me dirty looks, some just bemoan…yes just bemoan…and moan…..and…………..yes seem happy miserable as they complain.

They say its to dangerous to drive in, I love driving in snow. The new cars with these automatic straiten the car out gizmos ruin the some of the fun. I still love skiing, sledding and dodging snow balls. Yes, I even still love shoveling.

But I love the white stuff. It is far better than dandruff or soapy foam, cleaner than the whitest of sheep, so clean and crisp looking.

I like it most of all for what it reminds me of…

Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,”

says the LORD.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

 It reminds me of what God can do, cleans us from our sin. Cleans us of all those times we have ignored God, and done what we have wanted. It is a gift, to remind us of the forgiveness God offers us, and has provided us.

Maybe, just maybe the effort to clean up the snow is to remind us, just a bit, of what Jesus had to do for us to be our Messiah.

His willingness to become a man.

His willingness to tortured and crucified.

His giving His life so we may be forgiven of our sins,

Maybe cleaning up snow after God whitens the ground isn’t so bad after all. He gives us snow to remind us what he can do for us and has done for many. It seems a bit foolish to complain about the snow when you see it as a reminder of the work of the cross done for us, no?

Well, I  had rode my bike 400 miles plus, trained, prepared, then noticed a need to go visit the doctor. After some cautionarey tests, they found a tumor in my colon:, not ;. Since my body was already prepped we went to Poc med Center for surgery that took the next day. The tumor and a few other things were found with cancer.

According to the Oncologist, a dozen rounds of chemo should take care of the problem.

First, all that training for the bike ride, a waste? Not at all, as the doctors could not believe my cardio conditioning. I was training for a bike ride, God was training me to fight cancer. Oddly, as I look at the past sevral months, I feel somewhat prepped to attack it. I do have fears, I have stressed in ways that shows my faith weak, but in the end I trust in God.

Second, O my, the support of people praying. Family, friends, those I've met once those I've never met. Thanks all. Please don't stop. Please uphold Shell in prayer as well.

Finally, just the number of those willing to stop in, help, wow... It is great having the support we have had. The soreness of my staples is kicking in. so I am ending this.

Thank You

Thank You God

John

Bittersweet

The past weekend was a bittersweet weekend as I attended the memorial service for Keith Grey. As I listened to people give some memories of Keith I saw nothing but consistency in his life. He was the same from person to person in how he lived his faith. Can I say that about myself? Can others say that about me?

Another aspect of Keith I was not really aware of was how important relationships were to him. He would drive miles, to see people he had met 20 years ago or more. He took trips to Texas, Chicago and right down the street to keep in touch. It is not my nature to do that, but is that really any excuse?

His testimony, the pastor shared, was simple and to the point. He thought that by being good enough, heaven would be open to him. Then someone took the time to show him the truth, that no man can fulfill God’s law, therefore no man can enter the kingdom of heaven, but for the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah. And he choose to not just believe in the resurrection of Jesus, but to be a disciple of Jesus. I have no doubt that Keith is worshipping perfectly in the presence of God right now.

For many years now Keith had kidneys that were failing, but came back some… Apparently he was never known to ask, “why me God?” but to ask, “What is God trying to teach me?” As I go through cancer treatment, this question has really not been on my mind until Keith’s service. Since then it has been brought up by 3 other sources.

Keith, I miss you, hopefully I will take these thoughts further than FB. Look forward to seeing you again.

The past 7

  I was asked by Streamside Camp and Conference center to share about the past 7 months at a friends and neighbors dinner the have most every year before Christmas. After checking my calendar and seeing there was a bit of a challenge, I gave a doubtful answer, I think anyway, but promised to pray about it. God started tugging at my heart to do it really before I got off the phone. So I prayed talked with Shelly and said yes to it. The challenge for me was the dinner fell on the bad day of chemo. I requested a stool and warned I might not make it. Well, I made it and spoke, then thought this morning maybe I should share a bit of what I’ve learned for the past 7 months. This is the story, more or less of what was said last night….

  Life always has challenges, some planned some unplanned. I had planned one for June 25th, just before an YFC conference in Wildwood NJ. My challenge was to complete a 200 mile bicycle ride from Reeders PA to Wildwood NJ in one day. I had spent the spring training, riding 30-70 miles a day between rain drops. I was I believed ready for the trip. I lined up a driver for a support vehicle, and had a second rider; we were all I believe ready for it.

  About 3 weeks before the ride I found a problem with my body, the type my doctor said, come in right away if I have such a problem. Shelley made the appointment and I was there in the doctor’s office 48 hours later. My doctor was away so I got to see an associate of his.

  I told the associate doctor the symptom, and some family history he inquired about. After he got his information together he said he really didn’t think there would be any worries, but after giving on test to verify my symptom, we scheduled a pet scan and a colonoscopy.

The PET scan was done first, that takes a few days for the results. Then the colonoscopy was scheduled for the 22nd of June. The colonoscopy found a tumor; I was in surgery on the 23rd and was informed that the tumor and PET scan confirmed I had stage 3 colon cancer. According to the doctors the odds of me having this, in their technical terms was one in a gazillion. The good news was the believed the got all of the cancer. They had removed the tumor with a few inches of large intestine, and a whole bunch of lymph nodes. The bad new the 12 rounds of chemo once every 2 week to be sure all cancer was going to be gone. At this point I have one more round to go, and should be declared all clear.

I know many people say there first thoughts were why me. My first thoughts were why not me. I know that stuff, considered good and bad happens to everyone. Why should it avoid me? For that matter, though I forgot to mention this at the dinner, I believe God had prepared me ahead for this news. I believe that if you listen close enough, God does prep you for such things. Shelley and I went into fixit mode. Both of us were ready to make changes to help this time of chemo go as smooth as possible.

After the surgery, at some point, I had to go to the bathroom. I surprised the nurses by not needing any help, something most patients need, especially when their gut was split open for surgery. In my morphine dazed mind, I realized what timing this was for this to happen now. I was perfectly healthy but for the cancer. I was in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in, including high school. I was riding with better endurance and at nearly the same speeds, but with 30lbs more on me. Even my insurance was, and still is, about the best insurance you can have. God’s timing is perfect. If this was to happen to me, this was the best time in my life to happen. Not that I want this, there really seems to be no better time.  

  Recently I wondered if I would say the same thing if all this other timing stuff did not seem so good to me, would it still be God’s perfect timing. The answer I come up with is yes, God’s timing is perfect, even when I can not perceive how His timing would be perfect. God has a reason for this to happen, even if I cannot perceive why.

I was and still am amazed at how many people were willing to help in so many different ways. This encouraged me about people in general, and God’s church. Many offered to help with repairs around the house, food, and rides if I needed them. The most awesome help is those who have been praying for me, and have spread the word. There are literally people and churches praying for Shelley and me in Europe, Asia, as well as North and South America. In this country I cannot say how many different states there are that people are praying for us, any better than I can say how many churches in PA, or even Monroe County. I know there is allot praying, and for who, a school bus driver, and insurance agent. This excites Shelley and I the most, it is the best help we can get.

  I have thought how important it is to wait on God’s timing to receive the best He has for us. I say this in looking at my bride. I was not looking for a bride, and he gave me the perfect bride for me. I am sooooo

  My next chemo and a few tests should be the end of chemo for me. My brain however goes back to the beginning of the challenge. The doctor said I had a one in a gazillion of this being cancer. I beat the odds. Recently I found a lump above my collarbone, by the shoulder blade. I must admit this has my a bit scared. I really want to be done with this.

  I have had to already make a decision about this. If I am done with cancer officially by the end of February, I will praise God; I will give him the glory. I have decided that if there is more cancer to fight, I will praise Him, and give him the glory. Of course, I want this to be done by the end of February, if not I will hold on to Him for he will not let me go.

  One final thing, I have been asked how I can believe God is love, with my cancer and all this other bad stuff going around. It is simple. God is love because of the Christmas child, the Son of God who came to earth with one goal, to die, then rise from the dead, that we may have the opportunity to know him forever.

John A Miller

Thankful

For My Wife 
My Family
My kids
Most thankful for freedom
Not political freedom. That comes and goes, and comes again.
But for freedom of heart for
I am laid low in the dust; 
Preserve my life according to your word. 
I recounted my ways and you answered me; 
teach me your decrees. 
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; 
then I will meditate on your wonders. 
My soul is weary with sorrow; 
Strengthen me according to your word. 
Keep me from deceitful ways; 
be gracious to me through your law.
I have chosen the way of truth; 
I have set my heart on your laws. 
I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD? 
do not let me be put to shame. 
I run in the path of your commands, 
for you have set my heart free. (Psalm 119:25-32)

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

I am thankful for the freedom, of knowing truth.
I am thankful for knowing the truth.
I am thankful He came to me that I might know Him.