Ministry Update - Awkward Moments, Fuel For The Devil’s Fire

Awkward Moments

Things have been very busy and we are excited to see what the Lord is doing. This last Sunday we had planned to have a meal and then a second service around 2:00 where we would observe the Lord’s Supper. Because we had the flu earlier in the week and it was going around town we decided that we would postpone the second service and Lord’s Supper. Becca began calling people on Friday afternoon to inform our Church people about the change in plans.

Sunday morning was running just as smooth as could be when one of our ladies showed up late with a crock pot full of noodles and chicken. I was standing in the front directing music when she walked in the back. Because of physical layout of our church the only way for her to get to the kitchen with the food was to walk from the back of the church down the center aisle to the front and go through a door just to the right of the platform. As she walked down the aisle with her crockpot you could see everyone’s response. I think everyone felt a bit awkward. I opened the kitchen door and continued to direct music as if nothing was wrong but when we finished the song it was time for the announcements. The only announcement this Sunday was the postponement of our second service, meal, and Lord’s Supper.

For those of you who have experienced situations like this before you realize the potential problems a situation like this could bring. After making the announcement and apologizing for the lack of communication the lady who brought the food simply chuckled and laughed. There were  grins and smiles all across the auditorium and I couldn’t help but smiling. My wife had left a message on her home phone but do some technical issues with her answering machine she did not get the message.

I was very pleased with the gracious and loving response of our people. It turned out just fine because she was visiting some of her family that afternoon and had intended to make a meal for them. She graciously left enough for our family to have a hot lunch and then took her noodles to her family. Her noodles being plugged in simply stayed warm during church until they could be taken. It all worked out and it didn’t appear that anyone was offended. All I can do is praise the Lord.

Fuel For The Devil’s Fire

Situations like the one just described often become the basis for the Devils accusations. The Devil will whisper in your ear, “They didn’t think enough of you to call you.” or to someone else “If I was in charge that would never happen.” After the Devil plants seeds in our thoughts we can let the grow and develop until everything that is said or done is colored with dark negative colors. As believers we are called to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Our minds, if not submitted to the Spirit, will curve everything to the negative and destroy our fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ and with God.

Has anyone ever ignored you or gave you a cross look and you thought they were anger or upset with  you? Do you respond by assuming they are upset? Do you begin interpreting their actions through that glass? The person who ignored you or gave a cross look may have been oblivious or deep in thought and if they knew how you interpreted their actions would have apologized profusely because they meant no such thing. This only shows the desperate need for us to exercise the Love of Christ. Love, as a gift of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 13:7, “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” The essence of 1 Corinthians 13:7 is that Love does not assume the worst but it assumes the best.

Have you allowed the devil to create mountains out of mole hills in your mind? Churches have been split over minor issues and livelong friendships have been destroyed over frivolous misunderstandings. Try, through the Spirit’s enablement, to bring every thought under the captivity of Christ and show the love of Christ.  

Awkward moments are the Devils fuel for the fire unless they are soaked with the Love of Christ.

“UPON THE FROG” By John Bunyan

 

UPON THE FROG

  The frog by nature is both damp and cold,
  Her mouth is large, her belly much will hold;
  She sits somewhat ascending, loves to be
  Croaking in gardens, though unpleasantly.

 

Comparison

  The hypocrite is like unto this frog,
  As like as is the puppy to the dog.
  He is of nature cold, his mouth is wide
  To prate, and at true goodness to deride.
  He mounts his head as if he was above
  The world, when yet ‘tis that which has his love.
  And though he seeks in churches for to croak,
  He neither loveth Jesus nor his yoke.

John Bunyan, vol. 3, A Book for Boys and Girls (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2006), 758.

The Horse that was Established

 

There was a little boy converted and he was full of praise. When God converts boy or man his heart is full of joy—can’t help praising. His father was a professed Christian. The boy wondered why he didn’t talk about Christ, and didn’t go down to the special meetings. One day, as the father was reading the papers, the boy came to him and put his hand on his shoulder and said: “Why don’t you praise God? Why don’t you sing about Christ? Why don’t you go down to these meetings that are being held?” The father opened his eyes, and looked at him and said, gruffly: “I am not carried away with any of these doctrines. I am established.” A few days after they were getting out a load of wood. They put it on the cart. The father and the boy got on top of the load, and tried to get the horse to go. They used the whip, but-the horse wouldn’t move. They got off and tried to roll the wagon along, but they could move neither the wagon nor the horse. “I wonder what’s the matter?” said the father. “He’s established,” replied the boy. You may laugh at that, but this is the way with a good many Christians.

D. L. Moody, D. L. Moody’s Child Stories Related by Him in His Revival Work, ed. J. B. McClure (Chicago: Rhodes & McClure, 1877), 106-09.

Elizabeth And Becca Have The Flu

Please pray for our family. Elizabeth and Rebecca have come down with the flu. Andrew and I have have not gotten it yet, but who knows what will happen.

Soft and Sweet Homemade Ice cream

This last week I bought two ice cream makers at the auction barn. One is an old wooden hand crank and the other is a tall 5quart with a motor. Since we had some company over on Friday I decided to try them out and make some Ice cream. I started using this recipe in college when my roommates and I wanted to make some ice cream. I called my Aunt JoAnn and here recipe has proven to be a winner. Everyone seems to love this ice cream an I thought I would share the recipe.  Unlike most homemade ice cream recipes, this recipe will stay soft in your freezer for months on end.

Ingredients

• 4+ Cups Milk
• 3 Cups Sugar
• 3 Eggs
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/3 Cup Flour
• 3 Tablespoons Vanilla
• 1 Pt. Half And Half
• 1qt Heavy Whipping Cream

Directions

1. Scald 4 cups whole milk (Basically, warm the milk until it starts to foam or bubble. Don’t let it boil!!!)
2. Mix and then add to milk
   1. 1 ½ Cups Sugar
   2. 1 Teaspoon Salt
   3. 1/3 Cup Flour
   4. 3 Eggs
3. Stir until custard like (thick and creamy)
4. Add another 1 ½ cup of sugar and stir until gone
5. Turn off the heat
6. Add
   1. 3 table spoons of vanilla
   2. 1 pint of Half & Half
   3. 1 quart of whipping cream
7. Put in ice cream maker and use whole milk to fill the container to the full line

Optional

Ingredients

• Crushed Candy
• Fruit (mash up as small as possible or add just before serving)Chocolate/Strawberry/Carmel Syrup
• Chopped Nuts
• Flavored Coffee Creamer (Use this in the place of the Half and Half)

Low Sugar

Only use 2 cups of sugar. Using less sugar will make it harder for the leftover ice cream to stay soft in the freezer.

“Do As Thou Hast Said”

“Do as thou hast said.”

2 Samuel 7:25

God’s promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; he intended that they should be used. God’s gold is not miser’s money, but is minted to be traded with. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see his promises put in circulation; he loves to see his children bring them up to him, and say, “Lord, do as thou hast said.” We glorify God when we plead his promises. Do you think that God will be any the poorer for giving you the riches he has promised? Do you dream that he will be any the less holy for giving holiness to you? Do you imagine he will be any the less pure for washing you from your sins? He has said “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Faith lays hold upon the promise of pardon, and it does not delay, saying, “This is a precious promise, I wonder if it be true?” but it goes straight to the throne with it, and pleads, “Lord, here is the promise, ‘Do as thou hast said.’ ” Our Lord replies, “Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” When a Christian grasps a promise, if he does not take it to God, he dishonours him; but when he hastens to the throne of grace, and cries, “Lord, I have nothing to recommend me but this, ‘Thou hast said it;’ ” then his desire shall be granted. Our heavenly Banker delights to cash his own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the word of promise out of its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. Think not that God will be troubled by your importunately reminding him of his promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries of needy souls. It is his delight to bestow favours. He is more ready to hear than you are to ask. The sun is not weary of shining, nor the fountain of flowing. It is God’s nature to keep his promises; therefore go at once to the throne with “Do as thou hast said.”

Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, Complete and unabridged; New modern edition. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006).

Starting The Year Strong

As we rejoice over what God accomplished last year we press forward to the new year expecting God to work. We had between 20 to 21 present for our first two Sundays of this year. This last Sunday we had two first time visitors. I am continually reminded of my weakness and inability to meet the spiritual needs of our little community. This year, although it has started strong, will be an utter failure if God does not sustain the work. Please pray for us as we labor for the Lord here. Here are some specific areas that you can pray for..

1. Pray for power in preaching
2. Pray for divine appointments in our community
3. Pray for guidance concerning housing
4. Pray for spiritual growth in the lives of our immediate family as well as our church family
5. Pray that as God works people will recognize that it is Him and not us
6. Pray that God’s will would be accomplished this year

A Revival Account: Asbury 1970

This video is about 40 minutes long, but it is worth it. It will stir your faith and give you a thirst for what God can do. We need God today more than we realize. We don’t just need verses cut and pasted onto cute pictures that we share with our friends on Facebook, Twitter, and more as inspirational reminders to trust God. We need God’s active presence in our lives now! If believers would live with God’s hand on their life think of the difference it would make in our cities, states, country, and World. Let this account from the not so distant past stir you to faith in what God can and want’s to do to day.

Remember God’s nation, Israel, experienced revival at the lowest spiritual points in their history. Yes, America has given way to abortions, gay marriages, and so many other moral issues. But, it is not our job to determine when God is finished dealing with our nation. Our job is to live holy lives that are a living reality of the God of the Bible.

Pastor Ron VanderHart Hands Off Runnells Congregation To His Son

The turn of the  year was also a turnover of leadership at my home church. The following is an article from a local paper about the change.

Pastor Ron VanderHart began seminary without a GED or high school diploma. But he knew how to fly airplanes — and build them — and that’s what brought him back home to Iowa.

The congregation at Adelphi Calvary Baptist Church in Runnells parted with its pastor of 33 years on Dec. 30. The church accepted VanderHart’s retirement as head pastor, and appointed another VanderHart in his stead: Ron’s son Scott.

“I just felt it was time to relinquish the daily responsibilities of carrying on the church,” Ron, 71, said last week, adding that retirement does not mean departure from the ministry for a lifelong pastor. “I’m not interested in playing golf or any of that. I have to keep active in the Lord’s work.”

Ron, originally from Pella, said he will continue hosting his weekly radio program “Key to Life” on 940 AM and plans to frequently travel around the state and country to fill pulpits as needed on Sunday mornings. When he is not on the road, he will attend Adelphi Baptist and continue living in a home on the church property, 7925 S.E. Vandalia Drive, Runnells, with his wife, Donna.

After 33 years, Runnells has become his home both relationally and geographically.

“I’m so close to these people,” Ron said, recalling countless births, deaths, battles with sickness and moments of joy that defined his time as pastor. “I’ll never lose their friendship.”

The church — now drawing between 150 and 180 people each Sunday morning — has come a long way since the Vander­Harts arrived in October 1979. Adelphi had gone through three pastors in two years. It was an intimidating congregation for any pastor, let alone one with only a few years of experience, Ron said.

“It was totally and completely different than anything I had been a part of … and after about 15 months, I really couldn’t take it anymore,” Ron said, remembering a defining conversation with a pastoral mentor that sealed his commitment to Adelphi, for better or for worse. “He said, ‘What’s wrong with just staying there and teaching these people the Bible?’ ”

Prior to arriving at Adelphi, Ron spent four years leading a rural church in eastern Iowa, fresh out of seminary at Bob Jones University in South Carolina. As a student — and pilot with his own aircraft — Ron visited the small Round Prairie Baptist Church as a guest preacher one Sunday to help fill a pastoral vacancy.

He viewed the trip as a chance to gain some much-needed flying time on his path to becoming a missionary pilot. But that long-term plan deteriorated the moment he arrived at the church, just as his pursuit of farming and a career in tool and die making drastically changed when he encountered Jesus at a “gospel preaching church” in Pella years prior.

“I immediately knew my missions days were over,” Ron said of the visit to Round Prairie Baptist Church. “Our hearts knit so close together on that one Sunday. I just knew that that was my church.”

After working through the trials and challenges of the first few years at Adelphi, those familiar relational ties began to form in Runnells.

“(Ron) has been a good friend for one thing, and he’s been such a blessing to our community,” said Raymond Battles, who has attended Adelphi for about 70 years. “He’s done a wonderful job. He knows his Bible, and he has compassion for his congregation.”

Church members said they share the same affection for Ron’s entire family, including his wife and five children. Ron and Donna’s son Shawn runs a home-school academy based out of the church, and Scott, who was unanimously approved to replace his father, has been the church’s youth pastor for 23 years.

Those in the congregation said they expect a seamless transition into Scott’s new leadership position.

“I’m thrilled with the prospect of Pastor Scott taking over,” said Scott Strait, who began attending the church several decades ago as a Southeast Polk High School student. “I was able to almost grow up with him as a young fellow … He can talk to the youth and he can talk to the adults, so it’s a great blend that he has.”

Scott VanderHart, 44, said he offers a different teaching style than his father, but plans to carry on the guiding principles and ministries that define Adelphi.

The church designates more than 40 percent of its budget to foreign missionary work. With 77 families receiving aid from the church, Scott said the church has more missionaries around the world than those in the Runnells congregation.

“The church is a very missions-minded church,” Scott said.

The father and husband said he has no intention to entirely fill his father’s shoes, because that would be impossible. But he said he will obediently carry on the work of the Lord in a congregation that his father passed onto him in a healthy state.

“I’m not following my dad, I’m following the Lord,” Scott said. “And I have no doubt that this is what the Lord has for me.”

Do You Love The Idea Or The Person?

 

“…it is not uncommon to love the idea that you love people and are their benefactor rather than to actually love people themselves…. Love for people, or the lack of it, reveals the quality and effectiveness of the philosophy we hold. And from a Biblical perspective our love for people is even more revealing, because it actually indicates the authenticity and health of our relationship with God.” (emphasis mine)

R. Kent Hughes, Luke: That You May Know the Truth, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1998), 388.

Worship

 

And he pitched his tent having Bethel on the west and Ai on the east;

and there he builded an altar.

Genesis 12:8.

Worship is giving God the best that He has given you. Be careful what you do with the best you have. Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to Him as a love gift. Take time to meditate before God and offer the blessing back to Him in a deliberate act of worship. If you hoard a thing for yourself, it will turn into spiritual dry rot, as the manna did when it was hoarded. God will never let you hold a spiritual thing for yourself; it has to be given back to Him that He may make it a blessing to others.
Bethel is the symbol of communion with God; Ai is the symbol of the world. Abraham pitched his tent between the two. The measure of the worth of our public activity for God is the private profound communion we have with Him. Rush is wrong every time; there is always plenty of time to worship God. Quiet days with God may be a snare. We have to pitch our tents where we shall always have quiet times with God, however noisy our times with the world may be. There are not three stages in spiritual life—worship, waiting and work. Some of us go in jumps like spiritual frogs, we jump from worship to waiting, and from waiting to work. God’s idea is that the three should go together. They were always together in the life of Our Lord. He was unhasting and unresting. It is a discipline, we cannot get into it all at once.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986).

Do You Stand Or Lay Prostrate on the Promises of God

C. H. Spurgeon illustrated this truth in a sermon by saying,

“But let me tell you what is the best way of living in the world. I have heard that a gentleman said to a negro, “I can’t think how it is you are always so happy in the Lord, and I am often downcast.” “Why Massa,” said he, “I throw myself flat down on the promise—there I lie; you stand on the promise—you have a little to do with it, and down you go when the wind comes, and then you cry, ‘Oh! I am down;’ whereas I go flat on the promise at once, and that is why I fear no fall.” Then let us always say, “Lord there is the promise; it is thy business to fulfill it.” Down I go on the promise flat! no standing up for me. That is where you should go—prostrate on the promise: and remember, every promise is a rock, an unchanging thing. Therefore, at his feet cast yourself, and rest there forever.”

C. H. Spurgeon, The New Park Street Pulpit Sermons, Vol. I (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1855), 4.

Monthly Updates and Prayer Card

We have been encouraged by all the support that God's people have shown for our ministry here. I just recently sent out a update letter to those who are able to view our blog online. If you have followed our blog you haven't missed anything but if you want a short two month summery please feel free to print our bimonthly update and give it to those who prefer to read from paper. To view/download our updates please use the link below.

Miller Family Updates