“Speak life”.

Last night I was online looking for some old military surplus items I could easily convert to day hike bags for my two young sons. Thinking about all the things I will say to them while were “in the field” affirming words, equipping examples from my own life, and not to mention a host of exaggerated tales. These thoughts led me to recall one of our past men’s ministry events at our local church.

I was not scheduled to speak that day so I assisted in greeting and registering the day’s guests. Much to my surprise a young man showed up at the registration table, he must have noticed my quizzical expression (as these events are typically attended by much older gentlemen) and hence his response caught me somewhat off guard. The young man clearly stated that he “was a man now” and would be attending these events today as well as in the future! (I believe he was 14 or 15 years old). At the time I must have thought it was “funny” or “cute”. Really I just dismissed his statement and let him go on about his business. And that brings me to today; in hindsight I think I missed something. I think I missed a moment to speak into this young man’s life.

You see the nature of his statement almost seemed to be a cry for male affirmation. I say this because I later found out that he came from a single parent home, no fatherly interaction to speak of, asking his mother to drop him off at the church that day. Here is this young man standing before me, eager to join the fellowship of men, his brothers - in the faith, boldly declaring his “worth” to enter; and my response? – Nothing. No acknowledgement of his budding manhood. No affirmation of acceptance from a fellow man. Just a wave and a nod that speaks: “keep moving son – I have more important things to concern myself with”.

For me this underscores the responsibility of not only those in some form of leadership, of not only those who profess faith in Christ, but a responsibility – if for no other reason; as men to speak life to all we encounter. It would've been a simple thing for me to speak a small word of affirmation, to show this young man he is accepted among a community of believers, accepted into the male brotherhood. Words such as these need not be false; for it is said that by ones late teens to early twenties they are practically the man they will be. Maybe lacking some experience and maturity, but the core “man” is there, established for all time. I believe we all are being shaped by those around us and I am reminded through this lesson that I hold a sacred trust to speak life to those who need it (and we all need it) to do my part to help mold and shape the next generation. For if I do not speak, someone else will; and strange voices have shipwrecked many a man.

This has been a valuable lesson for me personally. Yet it has come at a high price, for sadly this young man doesn't come to our men’s ministry events anymore. I tell myself that there could be any number of reasons as to why in an attempt to justify myself. But if I’m honest I am forced to ask myself “if I was that young man – would I return?”

Luther.

"King Of Glory"

"God's Hand" - Chandra X-ray Observatory - Pulsar PSR B1509-58,

I imagined a room large enough to fill with the greatest number of earthly kings and rulers; those at the pinnacle of their personal power and glory. I saw them react as the King of Kings entered the room. A King whose power and glory which is so far above their own, it is incomprehensible. A King with the authority to command the elements and wisdom to create flesh from the very earth we dwell upon. As this King entered the room all the earthy kings and rulers went to great lengths to prostate themselves in the presence of immeasurable glory. As the King of Glory made His way to the head of the room and took His place above all He did something peculiar. He motioned to the lowest of man, the basest creature on earth. One unworthy to entertain the presence of even the lowest of rulers, let alone the King of Glory. This King far above all beckoned the wretched to His side. He gifted this wretch with new garments, gave him a signet ring of authority and a small crown, which held the title: "son and friend'. this King of Glory had taken the lowest and raised him above the highest of man; and for no other reason than it was His good pleasure to do so.

This is amazing grace born out of unfailing love, this action is a profound mystery for I am that wretch as are we all. And yet the King of Glory holds out His hand to each of us beckoning us to His side with garment, ring, and crown waiting for all who accept His offer.

And today the King has set His gaze upon you!

Luther.

"Strange fire".

Aspiring to be an outdoors-man has taught me a few things; like fire-crafting for example. There are times when fanning the flames of a dying fire will bring it back to life; (although this is usually an indication of a poorly made fire to begin with) or adding more wood to the previous nights embers and again, fanning – working to restore the flame. These things I have learned by trial and error, yet in this learning process I have found there are times my fanning efforts only blow around cold dead ashes. This is a lesson in lust. For, she invites us to work at fanning a flame that has long gone out; blowing ashes around and making a mess of ourselves. When the fire is out, it’s at that point time to move on.



Note: I was thinking on the topic of lust today, (as I’m preparing to minister to the young men in our youth group in March). So I went trolling through some old journal entries and came across the above. This is something that I’m reminded of (especially in this sexualized culture) each and every time I’m tempted to lust, every time I’m tempted to look back on that “missed opportunity” or look to the future to some desired “what if”. If I give myself to the spirit of lust; I just make a mess of things and accomplish nothing. I am reminded to be stronger than the influence that foul spirit would exert upon me. Strange fire indeed!

Luther.

“Living life in the context of your imminent death”.

I often visualize my death, where this may seem to be a morbid exercise – especially for a Christian, there is a purpose, if I may explain. I begin by visualizing my funeral, seeing my friends and family gathered over an open casket, and I notice my face which reveals my chronological age, I am struck by the fact that I am not as old as I assumed I would be, or hoped I would be. This is where the “dreaming” ends and the “reflection” begins.


At this point I reflect on what all the days between the present and my imaginary funeral would look like, it’s a piling together how the over arching theme of my life will play out. It is here that the theme becomes my legacy. I don’t believe that legacy is what you say or believe about yourself, it is what others will honestly say about you, it is comprised of what those who knew you best and those who knew you least would attest about you. As I consider death, the theme of my life, and my legacy I am brought to question. First, what do I imagine, or what do I desire my legacy to be? If I could summarize this into a simple statement and place it upon my headstone what would it say? Yet the larger question is, all things remaining constant, what “simple statement” would others place upon my headstone?


So what is my point in this exercise you ask? Well I think 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 puts this in perspective; ^24 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶ Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; ²⁷ but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” – NASB.


The Apostle Paul’s description of his Christian liberty and the fact that while he (Paul) had “rights” to certain activities or liberties, he refused to allow his liberty to derail him from achieving what God had called him to do. Now the association I make between my “mental exercise” and the aforementioned passage is this, legacy is not only what others would say about you, but ideally it is the fulfillment of ones God given calling that is evident and undeniable, the visible fruit of a life lived before God.


So going back to my “mental exercise” the last few questions I ask myself are, am I on track to achieving my desired legacy? Or is my liberty (the good things I am allowed to do as a believer) leading me toward an end I would not choose for myself, or worse yet a life wasted before God. You see I never want to allow what we would label as liberty (or sin for that matter) to derail me from my God given calling, and thus my little exercise serves as a means of correcting life’s course, [as much as we can control], toward achieving our desired legacy goal. Of course this all precludes a willingness to see change through when it’s warranted.


I close with this thought, Are you headed toward a gravestone marked with a profound statement of a life led by God or are you headed toward a gravestone marked with nothing more than a name and date?

Luther.

"So - What's it all about"?

There are many things I believe; two of which will (hopefully) constitute the bulk of this blog.

First –It’s every man’s duty, honor, and privilege to know and serve the one true God. It is what we were created for among other things. We are not “superior animals”, we are spiritual beings with a purpose, and that purpose is to know God.

Second – If you are going to find God; that is, be in his presence; the best place is in the outdoors. Don’t get me wrong, I love church and the important role it plays in my life. Yet by experience I have found God speaks deeper and more profoundly when were alone together surrounded by his creation.

My name: Luther Von Miller III (doesn't that sound important!) I hail from the “mitten”; the outdoors man’s paradise that is Michigan. I am a husband as well as father to three girls and two “all boy” sons. Serving as an elder in my local church as well as continually pursuing theological education wherever it may lead me. I am not casual with my faith and practice. All this is in addition to trying to become a reasonably accomplished archer and outdoors man, hoping that whatever I do, my life will have pointed to Christ.

So what is this blog all about exactly?

Simply this; if I receive a word, impression, idea, or anything that I would consider spiritual in nature – I intend to share it if I believe that may help others in some way; even if all that is accomplished is causing someone to reflect on the things, or nature of God. So with all that’s been said; you can expect part devotional, diverse commentary (on all manner of interesting subjects) and maybe the occasional post concerning some newly discovered facet of bush craft just for good measure.

So stop by whenever you want. I’m sure we'll find something worth talking about. (P.S. Bring coffee!).