amazing

It's pretty amazing to me that people look at this site ~ and not just from America or Germany. The server that my website is on keeps track of the countries that visitors have come from...


Lebanon, Croatia, Singapore... trippy...

Be Content...

"be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

- Hebrews 13:5

"We are wise to savor whatever season of life we are in because, unlike the season of the year, our life's seasons will never come again."

- Doris L. Mueller

Prayer...

My friend Josh and I hiked out into the desert today to spend some time talking and praying together... It has been quite a while since Josh and I had such an opportunity; it was a needed blessing. There are lots of "pressing" things right now, my Grandma is in the hospital and not doing well at all. In fact my family has been going through a lot of difficult things this year. For much of it I have been away, thus I have only experienced it through emails and phone calls, but now I am getting a chance to see it first hand.

I am very blessed by the merciful hand of the Lord during such difficult times, He truly is a compassionate Father and He abundantly takes care of His children. His grace is very evident, but I can see that the trials are very heavy, especially upon my parents ~ please keep them in your prayers.

For much of the last few months I have been very diligent in keeping up with my blogs, but amazingly after only two weeks of being home I am becoming increasingly busy. It really is amazing to me just how much faster life flies by here in SoCal and I must admit I miss the slower pace of Siegen. Please do not misunderstand though, I am very happy to be back home and definitely know that God has me here for such a time as this.

On another note, "Podcasts" are quickly becoming the rage, especially with the release of the newest version of iTunes. So, I'm experimenting with it - we'll see if it becomes a new feature to my site... you can check it out by clicking here or the "Podcast" link on the left.

Again... thanks for your prayers.

Opportunities

It is always fun just watching the things that the Lord opens up for us if we are willing. The men's ministry Pastor at my church today asked if I would be willing to teach a Men's Breakfast next month (of course I will) and then he told me of an opportunity in Africa for 3 weeks in August. So tomorrow I will have to make a call to get some more information. I am already scheduled to fly to Belize in late August - so we'll just have to see how things work out and how the Lord might provide :)

All of that aside, its just great to see the Lord lead and guide. So, I appreciate your prayers - I'll keep ya'll up to date.

Mail

After nearly a year of being gone, the mountain of mail I have to go through is pretty large and it is amazing to me just how much junk mail we get. I am currently pre-approved for so many credit cards it's amazing, I have like a million $ in credit limits :)

I went to the Seminary library near my house today right before I came into the office; I wanted to get some books for my study in John. As I was standing by the John section the Librarian (Dan) walked by, when he saw me he stopped and with a smile in his voice said, "MILES, so great to see you." Now I have not been in the library there for more than a year and a half, and then before that time I only went there maybe once a month and yet Dan remembers my name, where I work and what I do. It sure is a blessing when someone you hardly know remembers your name and takes an interest in what you are up to... A blessing and a bit convicting - so many times I forget peoples names... Lord help me!

Well, much reading to do.

Heat

I've been looking forward to warm weather for a long time and man was it warm today. I pushed myself to run a pretty steady 7:30 pace today in the 91 degree heat - I don't think I sweat that much the whole time I was in Siegen :)

Today was another full day... they are all beginning to be that way. Tomorrow I think I am going to begin to move the bulk of my office stuff back to the church so that I can start focusing on my preparation for the John class at Murrieta. I have a lot of reading and research to do over the next several weeks, so please pray for discipline and diligence.

I edited a video from this last semester today, but I'll need to compress it in a major way before I can put it on my website cause it's a bit huge right now. But as soon as I am done with it I'll have it up for you to watch (if you want).

The Mystery

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you the hope of glory

- Colossians 1:27

They mystery has been revealed to us, therefore it is no longer hidden that with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ we have been given the most glorious of all gifts, the indwelling of God Himself. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, He is in us who believe. This all being true, I am so very thankful this morning for the words of our Lord, "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."

I am finding that the enemy this morning is seeking to bring discouragement my way, but I am thankful for the fact that I am recognizing his tactic, for we are not ignorant of his devices and schemes. So interesting are his ways; last night my little brother woke me up after midnight a bit upset... someone had driven down our street and threw a big rock at my truck, and then sped off. I didn't care to get all involved with it then, so I just went back to sleep. This morning when I woke up I took a look at it, it's not as bad as the picture that I had established in my mind, but it is dent #87575 on my truck, which just seems to get more and more beat up each day :)

This is just one of many things that seem to be beginning to plague my mind, therefore your prayers are certainly appreciated. God is doing a work and is going to continue to do so, both in my life and yours... and most assuredly our enemy is going to seek to come against that work with all that he has.

Please keep my family in your prayers... I have come home to find a cloud of oppression over my family ~ for such a time as this God has brought me back... God is Good.

Church

It was such a blessing yesterday to return to my church here in Escondido and see the familiar faces of old friends and family. Sunday was so full of great fellowship from morning till night, and yet I so missed the fellowship and worship at CC Siegen. With such emotions I am finding that more than ever I look forward to the unbroken unity of fellowship in heaven.

I got up early this morning and ran a few miles on the old path I frequented before I left. The air here seems so much more dense, I'll definitely have to get use to running in SoCal again. But oh what a blessing it was just to fellowship with the Lord as I ran today, thanking Him for all that He has done this last year and looking forward to what He is bringing in these next months. I am excited to step back in to all that He has for me here although at this moment I don't completely know quite what He will have me to do. Last week I taught 2 Chronicles 20 at CC Siegen - a verse from the passage comes to mind.

Oh our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon you.

- 2 Chronicles 20:12

Day one

I feel as though I just keep saying and thinking this, but it is very strange to be back, because I honestly do not feel as though I was ever gone. It is actually quite hard to even explain. It is as if I keep thinking about what I need to do next week at Siegen, but I'm not exactly there.

I have had a great time visiting with my family and beginning to see different friends. I think that this summer is going to end up being very busy as I travel around California in July and then to Belize in late August. All the while I will be preparing to step back into the staff at Calvary Escondido and teach at CCBC Murrieta beginning this fall. It is very exciting to see all that is going on, and my is the weather here great!!! It's in the high 70's today (24-25 c.) with not a cloud in the sky.

Anyway, thanks for all your prayers ~ please keep them coming... I have several books to read over the next couple of weeks and quite a few in July as I gear up for Murrieta. I should have a newsletter up on the site by the end of next week with some more prayer requests on it... right now all I can really say is that God is Good...

Home...

It is very weird to be sitting in my room back in Escondido. Of course it feels as it always has, but its different. I think it will take a little bit of getting use to. I must say I am however happy to be back in California ~ and I miss Germany too.

I began going through some of my stuff in my bags a little while ago, so that I could find a few things. Now it feels like my bags have exploded onto the floor of my once (an hour ago) clean room. So I guess you could practically pray for me to get organized. I have many things in my closet here that I think I just need to throw out.

Oh yeah, and praise the Lord, I don't really feel as though I have much in the way of jet-lag!

Safe... in Phoenix :)

Well, it has been a very long day, I've been up for about 25 or 26 hours. I am staying in a hotel in Phoenix, Arizona and then flying to San Diego tomorrow morning. It's almost 10pm Thursday night here and it's 35 degrees Celsius outside ~ just a little change from Siegen... God is good!

Revival

"But Jesus called them unto himself..." - Matthew 20:25

"And to me that's one of the definitions of revival... when He calls us to Himself, or He calls us together"

- Gayle Irwin

The night is far spent... The day is at hand.

Surely you've experienced it in some way before... one season is changing into another and you begin to classify things into 'lasts.' "This is the last time I'll go here... this is the last time I'll sleep in this bed... eat breakfast in this kitchen... run along this path..." Today has been a day of lasts, and while I am grateful to be returning home, I am bummed to leave.

...The last midnight at this desk :)

a thought to consider...

"We ought perhaps to judge acts more leniently to which we have no temptation ourselves."

- David Livingstone

"Approve the things which are excellent"

"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in t knowledge and in all judgment; that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

-Philippians 1:9-11

Reading through Philippians this morning; the first chapter so stood out to me, both in respect to my friends in the body at Siegen and in SoCal. I love how Paul goes on to say...

"according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

-Philippians 1:20-21

Reading this reminds me of a conversation and a question that came up with my friend Josh... it must have been at least 3 years ago. The question, actually two, basically was, "What have you lost? But what have you gained?" My ears perk up every time I hear a person recounting their testimony, particularly when you hear something along the lines of, "I gave up ______, and ______, and ______ to follow the Lord and do what I am doing." While I understand the thinking and have likely said something like this before, it always kind of bothers me. For you see in the light of all that God has given me, my 'sacrifices,' if you can even call them that, are absolutely nothing. In fact as Philippians continues (to my favorite chapter), Paul calls all of his former achievements rubbish and worthy of nothing more but to be cast aside.

This will end up being a bit longer than normal, but a story I once heard comes to mind. Maybe you have read some Greek Mythology and know a bit of the story of Ulysses as he passed the Island of the Sirens. The Sirens were beautiful creatures who were part human and part bird. Their songs were so wonderful that any person who heard them would become enchanted. All the sailors who heard the Sirens' songs would hurl themselves overboard and swim to the island of the Sirens, lured by these strange maidens the men would die upon the jagged rocks around the isle.

Ulysses was determined to hear the songs of the Sirens and survive. He had his men, the rowers of his ship, to put wax in their ears and bind him to the mast of the boat. He told them that no matter how hard he tried to get loose, or how loudly he yelled to them they were not to loose him. As the ship passed the isle of the Sirens that melody charmed Ulysses, he fought with all his might to be freed from the ship, but his men paid no attention to him as they rowed on. While Ulysses and his men were some of the only ones to ever survive the passage by the isle Ulysses was forever haunted by the song of the Sirens... Nice story ehh? :) It doesn't end there, for there was however another vessel that made safe passage by the isle of the Sirens.

Jason and the Argonauts had to sail past the dangerous isle as they returned from some of their journeys. When they neared the isle the song of the Sirens began to entice the men; mesmerized by the music the ship began to be turned toward the deadly rocks. There was however amongst Jason's crew a musician, the greatest of all musicians named Orpheus who was not affected by the Sirens' songs. Orpheus took his lyre and began a splendid song of his own. The music of Orpheus was greater than that of the Sirens and the men sailed past the isle unharmed.

There were only a few that had survived the songs of the Sirens, but only Jason and the Argonauts were not haunted by the song of the Sirens as was Ulysses, for they had heard the tune of greater music...

Has the music of your former life become rubbish in the light of the Glory and Majesty of Christ? Or are you still haunted by the sounds of the Sirens?

T minus 3 days... and counting.

Late last night one of the students and a teacher from Murrieta came in for the Summer Semester they will be having here. The rest of the students come in come time today. But I had a great time talking with Joe Holden (the teacher) late into the night. It appears I am taking over one of his classes as I teach John at Murrieta in the fall semester. Joe was pretty happy about that and told me of a lot of different opportunities at the Bible College. It's exciting to see all the ways that the Lord has available for us to serve Him as we are simply open ourselves to Him... Yeah sure, I don't exactly (at this moment) see how I'll be provided for, but surely He can take care of that so I don't need to be concerned about it and neither do you!

The services yesterday were incredible, and after the day of ministry yesterday it is even more difficult to leave in 3 days. Pastor Nick said to me after the second service, "Why don't you stick around for another month and a half and help teach for me while I am taking some time off." It is things like that that I just love about how the Lord works, and I would likely take Nick up on the offer, but the Lord would have to work somethings out (which He could) within the next 72 hours ;)

God is doing GREAT things. Thank you all for your prayers. For you back home in Cali --> I'll see you soon. For my friends here in Siegen, I will miss you greatly, but as the Lord wills I will see you again soon.

Morning thoughts...

I sat down several times this weekend to write something to post, but nothing really seemed to come from my mind. It's funny how that sometimes I'll have some much I want to say that I cannot even seem to fully get it down ~ then there are times like this weekend where I have a flood of thoughts, but nothing that I really want to write.

I am teaching the services at Calvary Siegen today... in just about an hour actually. I had wanted to hear Pastor Nick one more time before I left, but I guess the Lord had a different plan. After teaching the men's fellowship on Thursday night I felt so very ready to return back to my home church, I miss church ministry vs. bible college ministry. I don't even know how to explain that, I think you would just have to experience both aspects to know what I am talking about. I do know if the Lord called me to come back to Siegen again (which of course is certainly possible) I would have to be involved more with the church as well as the school. Be that as it may I am very much looking forward to this next season.

A verse has been meandering through my mind for the last few days ~ I had a partial blog entry written about it yesterday, but it never materialized. The verse from Proverbs says,

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

-Proverbs 25:2

I tend to have this view of the "Glory of God" being some incredible shining light hovering above the Mercy Seat, or a great ominous cloud filling the temple, and while such ideas are in fact correct, they certainly are not all that there is of the glory of God. Just a thought on this last Sunday in Siegen.

Simplicity & Peace

I spent much of this morning with my Pastor here in Siegen, first at breakfast (at IKEA, who would have thought?) and then on one of the hilltops in Siegen seeking the Lord together. He and I have talked about doing this for pretty much the whole last two semesters, once again something I wish we would have been able to do earlier... but God's timing is always best.

The time with Nick this morning was a very prophetic one. Definitely one of those times that you wish you had had a scribe writing it all down or at least a tape recorder to get it for later. The Lord spoke many things to me through the hour or so we were out, but only two key things are really in my mind right now... simplicity and peace.

As we prayed the Lord spoke very clearly that there were many things ahead (for both Nick and I) and that we needed to press forward into this multiplication of things that God is doing, even if it seems "too simple." It is amazing to me how we seem to so often complicate things in our walks with the Lord - so much so that when He speaks a simple word to us we question it as if He was speaking veiled, cryptic messages. So much of God's word and will is simple, may we as His followers never forget that.

The theme of peace came up several times during out time together today. Truly God's peace which surpasses understanding is one of the most awesomely wonderful aspects of our walks (nice excessive use of adjectives, don't you think?).

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry. Now the Just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasured in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

-Hebrews 10:35-39

runnin...

I sure do like the way the Lord works... With just a week left here in Germany the Lord has opened up some cool doors. Tonight I am teaching at the men's fellowship in Siegen and this weekend I'll be teaching the Sunday services. I had hoped that I'd get to hear Pastor Nic this last weekend before I leave (I'm sure the congregation would rather hear him too :)... But I guess the Lord has got other plans.

It is interesting how that every time I am moving away from one area to another I have things happen or do things in the final week and wonder, "Why didn't I do this sooner, or the whole time I was here?" Yesterday was one such occasion as I climbed to the tower on the hill behind the Bible College. Hey Nic (Lazzareschi), you're right... there are some pretty cool places up there. Nic and I climbed up there a little bit of the way at about 1am in a thunderstorm last time, but being that I was in sandals I decided not to go too far up. Be that as it may, yesterday I went to the top and just sat there for about 40 minutes, read Ephesians and talked with the Lord. Of course the whole way back down to the Villa I asked myself, "Miles why did you wait until 8 days before you leave to go up there?" I guess I'm just saving the best for last ;)

By The Way
I want to especially thank my friend Craig and AcuteIT for hosting this site and all the work he does for me on the backoffice side. This wouldn't be possible without his gracious help.

Yay... Back!

Well, after a little bandwidth problem the site is back.

You know I get comments on the site, so I know that people look at it... But when it was down today I gut several emails letting me know it was down... honestly it was a blessing to know that people actually care to look at what is here. So, many thanks to those that read my site - I certainly appreciate it.

Hey - God is Good! Asaph rightly said it... "Truly God is good..." -Psalm 73:1

I have several things that I want to write but it's almost 1am and I have a breakfast meeting with my Pastor here in Germany tomorrow morning. I'll definitely have more to say tomorrow when I have some more energy.

Only 7 more days till I fly home... Hard to believe. Anyone want to pick me up in Phoenix and drive me back to San Diego :)

Europe Trip Video...

If you have a pretty quick connection and quicktime 7 (it's free) --> then check out my little video.

Europe Trip 2005 Video
Click Here

From faith to faith...

As I was traveling last week I received an email from my home church about my return and all that sort of stuff. It wasn't exactly what I had been expecting, however it also was not a shock ~ if anything I have come to realize that God's ways of working are far different than mine.

As a result of recent (shall I say) budget concerns, it appears that they will not be able to bring me back on paid staff at this time. With that news my mind began to dance around all the other doors and opportunities that have been opened of recent and I began to really wonder, "Lord... what do you have up your sleeve?" As God's perfect timing would have it I found myself in the middle of Italy, far away from my contacts folder on my computer and totally unable to even begin to seriously consider those 'open doors.' So for the remaining 10 days of my trip I traveled around Europe minding the word of the Lord and the counsel of a couple of friends.

On the second to the last day of my trip the Lord spoke to me during my devotions out of 2 Corinthians...

"When I was present with you and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself." -2 Corinthians 11:9

I believe the Lord would have me continue moving forward as I was and return to Escondido by faith, not immediately running to or through other doors to other opportunities. Therefore I am fully expecting the Lord to provide for my needs as He has always thus far. Yeah, I'll be the first to admit that there is a bit of apprehension regarding this choice... but when the Lord speaks as He has I must obey Him.

Paul goes on to say in verse 12... "But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regard just as we are in the things which they boast."

Some of the doors that have recently been opened unto me were very tempting, however I believe going through them at this time would be purely opportunistic and not the leading of the Lord.

I questioned myself quite a bit as to whether or not I would put this up on my site, but as I thought about it the Lord spoke to my heart 2 things. First I write this that you (whoever may read this) would be encouraged in the fact that God answers when we call and secondly that you would know how to continue to support me in prayer as I return back to the States...

Thanks,
Miles

Trip Photos

I have gone through the 1000+ photos from the last couple of weeks and have chosen about 50 of them that I like the most... so they are up for you to check out. Either click the "Photos" link on the left or this one...

2005 Europe Trip

Ahhh... Home!

I am finally back in Siegen... When I landed this morning the weather was absolutely gorgeous and then this evening the clouds came and we had an awesome thunder storm for about an hour. I like the weather here this time of the year, it is quite beautiful.

I just finished quickly running through my 1000+ pictures from the Euro Blitz tour of 2005. Some of them came out quite nicely so I will be posting them up on the site as I get a chance. As I shuttled through the pictures I was again amazed at all the Lord allowed us to see in just a couple of weeks. I am so blown away at how God good is and how wonderful His creation is. I took one of my pictures from the Alps and posted it as my desktop on my computer and I have to keep clearing my screen every now and then to check it out to to just sit in awe again.

Truly God Is Good!

This morning as I read the word a bit I was very blessed to receive what I believe was an answer to a question I have had before the Lord for about the last 10 days. I am so stoked how that the Lord will surely speak to us if we are willing to take the time to listen.

I leave Germany in just about 12 days, my mission here is wrapping up (for now). It was so quite around the Villa today ~ in fact too quite... I miss the students already... however, a new season is dawning.

Epping

I am back in Epping England right now visiting my friends Phil and Sue ~ it is always a blessing to see them and their family and it certainly is a plus that their hospitality is incredible. Actually I must say that I am always blessed by the hospitality of different people I meet around the world, it has become both an encouragement and example to me.

Tomorrow morning Tobi and I will fly back to Germany, which I am quite happy about. I have enjoyed traveling, but I am very much ready to sleep in 'my own bed' that isn't really my bed :) Then in just a couple of weeks it's back to the USA. God is Good.

Happy Birthday...

Oh my gosh it's June already... Today is my fathers 58th birthday!

Happy Birthday Dad! I love you, sorry I couldn't be there for it - but I'll be home for Father's Day.

Stand in Faith

It has been a couple of days so I thought I'd get on here and post something up. I am in London right now and will be here until Friday morning. The last week has been great, but it has gone by so fast that I am beginning to get tired. I am definitely looking forward to being back in Siegen this weekend so I can kind of kick back a little. But more than that I am very much looking forward to returning to the States in a couple of weeks.

It is hard to believe that my time in Europe is nearly ending. I think I am going to have a pretty full summer - although I really do not know for sure. All I know for sure right now is that in August I will be going to Belize with my friend Matt to meet up with our friend Mike (hmm, miles, matt and mike funny). It has been quite a while since the three of us were together and I am very much looking forward to it. In fact now that I think of it, it's pretty interesting that the Lord is bringing us all back to Escondido at the same time... the Lord is definitely doing something :) I can hardly wait to see what.

As I was reading this morning the Lord spoke to my heart three words, "Stand in Faith..."

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. -1 Corinthians 16:13