It is time to push

It should not be to much longer. We will post some pics when he gets here.

Still Waiting for Cohen

Ann is doing great while we wait for the baby to arrive. Her induction is going well and all platelet counts were good so she received her epidural! She is quite happy to say the least.

Thanks to everyone who is praying with us and we will let you know when the new littel Miller arrives!

Baby Cohen is on the way.

Learn from the first, succeed in the second. Thoughts from 1 Samuel 12

Most of what we struggle with today is the effects of yesterday. Poor decisions, lack of integrity, or flat out disobedience to God's Word leads us down paths that produce more heartache than they are worth. Simply put we find ourselves looking for answers to problems that honestly should not have been there in the first place. Yet you are in that problem and you still need an answer.

This sounds a like a group of Israelites who desperately wanted a King because they were scared of some enemies that were bearing down on them with threats. So God heard there request and gave them a king, Saul. After repeated warnings from the prophet Samuel Israel still wanted a human king. So after God supplied, Samuel responds with a warning in 1 Samuel 12:13-17,

And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king.” 18 So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

In asking for a king Israel insisted on making a wrong decision. Yet notice that that Lord gives them a second chance after failing in the first. "If you ... will follow the Lord, (then) it will be well." God takes the new set of circumstances, though they were not ideal and says, start again, at this moment, serving me and it will be well with you.

Notice now the people's response. 1 Samuel 12:19:

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.

The people acknowledged that they were wrong. They admitted their failure before the Lord without knowing what would happen next. Now notice Samuel's response in 12:20-24:

And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.

The Lord simply said, then faithfully serve me now where you are and in what you are doing. He did not ask Israel to remedy the past, they couldn't. They were to just be faithful in the situation they were in and the future would go well with them. However if they decide to follow the same old path of disobedience then verse 25 tells the outcome.

But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.

Same decisions and actions lead to same results. Learn from former mistakes and choose to be obedient where you are. Succeed in the second chances that God offers. The answer you need is to be obedient to the Word of God this day. And as your pastor let me know how I may pray for you in this time that I may not sin against the Lord by failing to make petitions for His mercy and grace on your behalf just as Samuel.

Kindergarten Prayer

Dear Father,

Today I watched as my first son started the next chapter in his life. I know it is not that big of a step for him since he can't even jump more than three feet yet, but for me I already realize that I am preparing him to be on his own.

Watching as he walked confidently into the classroom while others were crying, taking initiative to introduce himself to others, and respectfully taking his place in his seat, made this Father proud but ever knowledgeable of Your grace afforded to me and my family for a child so precious. May his years of education be sweet, may he grow in understanding, may he make many friends along the way, but of greatest importance my he become a beacon of light for Christ in a fallen world, the greatest of challenges. My hearts desire is captured by John Piper in his prayer for his own sons in Taste and See.

I pray Lord that you will turn his heart towards you, even as he walks with soon to be new friends. Take your Word and sow that seed in open humble soil, send its roots down to the inner heart and make an oak of faith. Oh, Christ take all my sons for your servants, obliterate rebellion from their hearts and grow them into godly manhood, full of love to you and love to men. Let them not love the world, not give a hoot for things or praise. But may Your glory be their passion day and night until the Kingdom comes. Amen

Solomon my son, have a great first day of Kindergarten! You are in His hands and always will be. Live out Proverbs 3:1-12