Print This PostWhat God is about
Hey folks, Harv here! Wanna throw something your way and see what you think about it. Don’t worry! It’s not that heavy. But, it is important. To all of us.
As many of you know, I am an ex-con and a recovering alcoholic, as well as a believer in Jesus Christ. Makes for a unique perspective on living in a world where so many of us struggle to make sense of “what is it all about?” If you have a clear, defined sense of who you are, where you’re going, and how you are going to get there, then what I am about to say may either upset you, confuse you, or worse, bore you.
Here is the deal. I believe that the Bible teaches that the heart is central. I also believe that our lives today are a result of how we have handled our hearts and the hearts of other in the past. I also believe that just like 12 step programs, Christianity teaches that it is a “WE” program. Paul calls it the “body”. AA calls it a fellowship.
Recovery is the mission of the church whether we admit it, know it, or believe it. When Jesus started his ministry after the desert experience with satan, he read from a passage in Isaiah 61. Luke 4:18-19 goes like this; “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Here’s the point. While in prison-1999-2003-I believed in my heart that God had called me to minister His Word. I pursued that with all my heart. I started Bible college while in prison to “preach the Gospel and defend the Faith.” Things went great for about 18 months after my release in May of 2003. But, I had not learned to “guard my heart above all things, for out of it flow the wellsprings of life.” Prov. 4:23. As a result of my actions and the actions of others, wounds that had never been addressed or healed were opened, and like so many of us, I returned to my favorite form of relief. In my case, alcohol. It was a short and hard ride. My faith in God was shattered. My belief in my self was destroyed. The call of God. HAH! Are you serious? Why would God stoop down to pick up a staggering, pitiful drunk with a felony past and a life time of of wrong choices. Talk about the prodigal son. He was a saint compared to me! This is a sample of how useless and worthless I felt, and still sometimes feel.
Here’s the Good News! We-you and me-are the reason God invaded this warzone called earth. To rescue us. To set us free. To give us a life of worth and meaning, so we could show another beggar where to find bread. As my Mom has often said, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I KNOW who holds my future.” That’s where I’m at.
In AA they say you have to give it away to keep it. Jesus gave us the great commission and the great commandment to do the same thing. To teach others, make disciples, and do it all by loving God with all our HEART, and love our neighbors as ourselves. See! The heart IS central. To all of life. To every human being God ever created.
My reason for writing this letter is to get some things off my heart and onto paper. Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators, said “our thoughts untangle themselves through our fingertips.” Hopefully, what I have written has not been too rambling. I FEEL better!
In the first part of October this year, there is a Wild at Heart Bootcamp at Frontier Ranch, a Young Life facility in Buena Vista, CO. They have so many men apply to these events, that they use a lottery system. I was finally accepted-on one condition. That I PAY for it by next Friday-the 27th. It is $425.00, plus I will be responsible for transportation to and from the event. If I don’t pay the registration fee by the 27th, I forfeit the chance to go in October. Honestly, If I go, AWESOME! And, If the money doesn’t show up in time for me to pay, then God is still Good, and He has a different plan.
I want to use the time before the event, and the time there, to springboard into what God is preparing me for. The same mission Jesus gave us over 2,000 years ago, “As the Father has sent me, I’m sending you.” If you sense that God is saying yes to me about this call, and this event, and you would like to be a part of what God is up to in Harvey Millers’ life, then you can do one or more of several equally important options. 1. PRAY PRAY PRAY, please! 2. Write me back or call me or talk to me mano y mano. 3. Help me financially to have the funds needed to go in October. $425 is needed by next Sat., the 27th.
Thanks, and God bless,
-Harv
Acts 13:36
p.s. If you know of a need for a speaker, I’m available
Harvard F Miller II
Upward and Onward!
410-596-5454
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July 1st, 2008 at 8:50 am
Harvey
Thanks for making me aware of your blog. I’ll admit I’m not much for looking at blogs; actually I just use the computer because I find I must but I was blessed by your writings and want to encourage you to-keep on keeping on. God is using you in just the way he sees fit and he isn’t in the business of wasting anything or anyone. He is the great recycler and he is doing it right in your heart.
Blessings
July 1st, 2008 at 9:23 am
Harv,
Keep talking out-loud where we can hear you…by doing so we/I can feel the heartbeat of your soul.
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Roman 3:12
It’s time Harvey…continue the legacy.
Your brother, Steve