Christmas Letter 2013

Merry Christmas from the Miller's

WOW!!!  2013 is coming to an end.  Time just flies by, and I suppose it passes faster when one is having fun.  When you enjoy what you do you never have to work. I have been referred to as a work-a-holic, but we all no that ain't true.  I just have a passion to help people and encourage them spiritually; especially I just love to see people develop in their relationship with my best friend, Jesus.

I must confess there were 6 weeks this year when I would have rather been fishing with my grandkids.  Those were the weeks when I hurt my back and was laid up in bed for three weeks and convalescing for another three weeks.  What a bummer, but it was great as the youth pitched in and really helped.  By the way; I did have some wonderful fishing time with Grandkids this year.

Highlights from the Year:

·      Nancy is a stay at home wife as she resigned her job as Principal getting ready for our Home Assignment (HA).  She still has a few jobs to do such as Mission Treasurer, SPNTC Treasurer, House Keeper, Hostess, private tutor, Bible College Teacher, etc. [I added that etc. as I'm sure I left something out.]  She seems to always be busy; maybe taking care of her husband is more time consuming than I thought.  She is definitely the computer Guru of the house.

·      SPNTC – We held 6 Bible College courses this year.  We are using the electronic books (tablets) as we can put an entire library (6000+ books) on an SD card.  Thanks for those who have given financially to make this possible.  Also this year we had our first SPNTC – Solomon Campus graduate teach a course.

·      Home Assignment (HA)/Family Highlights:

o   We had a wonderful, deputation tour this time, beginning March 9^th in Westminster, MD and ending June 12^th at Camp Creek, Taloga, OK (The church where my brother was pastor at the time of his death).  We held 55 services in 44 different venues, down some from the past two HA.  We traveled from Smyrna, Delaware in the NE to Los Angeles in the SW, and to Everett, Washington in the NW.  We held 5 district tours in Upstate New York, North East Indiana, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and North West Districts (parts of Wash., Oregon, and Idaho).

o   We met a lot of wonderful people along the way as well as had reunions with "old friends", some we haven't seen in years. (We enjoyed seeing you.)

o   I had the privilege of Baptizing Granddaughter Felicity.

o   Spent some time with Sister-in-law Sara and relaxed at the farm.

Geoff's Van

o   Family time: We had some free time and our kids (Geoff's family & Wendy with her children, Greg was busy.) wanted to tour Washington, DC, Niagara Falls, etc.  We met up with the kids in Washington DC and spent time touring the capital, Smithsonian, and other interesting sites then rode together, in one vehicle, to Upstate NY.  How is that for excitement, 13 of us traveling together in Geoff's van?  We rented a house billed to sleep 16 people, but the owner over-rated that house for sure.  Fortunately we love each other and the close communion worked out. 

At the Vietnam Memorial with some of the family

o   General Assembly: We had a great time with family and friends at General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene in Indianapolis, IN.  There was some family time at the assembly too.  In addition to family this year there were four Solomon Islanders who were able to attend.  Pastor Alick was the Mission Convention and General Assembly Delegate, Ezra and Rex were Youth convention (NYI) delegates, and Hannah was a visitor.  They really enjoyed their stay and Hannah enjoyed her brief tour with Nancy and I. 

Hannah's view of a wheat field      

Hannah's first feel of snow

What a huge tree!!!

I pass her greetings on to those in LA and NW districts, who met her.  She enjoyed visiting and meeting everyone.  The SI delegates were privileged to share in the Dallas District children's camp and they enjoyed it very much.

o   On our LA tour we were able to spend some quality time with my cousin Margy and her family.  It was awesome.  Also we attended the VanGundy Family Reunion in El Reno, OK.  The first time in a while but it was great seeing my cousins I haven't seen in a while. 

o   In Ohio we saw a cousin Andy and family that I last saw as a teenager. In fact the Nazarene Pastor nearby met this cousin and through that contact we had a service there so my cousin was able to attend.

Cousin Andrea (Andy) & daughter Teresa

Cousin Russell (Andy's son)

o   Took a tour with Greg, Wendy, and six of our Grandkids (and Hannah) to Wichita mountains and stopped at Meers. (An old Gold Mining town, they never found Gold there but that's another story.)  Enjoyed one of those Meers burgers made from Longhorn beef.

o   Spent some time at Scott and Gloria's enjoying their home near Dallas but it had a country feel with a fishing pond and everything.  We use their address in Nevada, TX; however I have never seen a road sign for the town of Nevada. (I think it must be an imaginary place.)

o   Enjoyed our time with Geoff, Churie, and Girls.  Helped Geoff install a zip-line in his back yard.  If only I was a few years younger, I would have enjoyed that one.  All the family got together for a fun time at Geoff and Churie's home. 

o   We got to visit mom in Owasso, along with Chris, Sonja and family. We only have one living parent, Nancy's mother, Virginia Sides.

o   We did not spend as much time with Gary as I would have liked. We did travel together to General Assembly and Father's Day we were off and accompanied him to his church.

Maecala & Cisco at El Charro

o   Spent a couple days in Carnegie, our home prior to the mission field and the church where our membership is.  Enjoyed visiting with our dear friends there.  We also make it a point whenever in Carnegie to visit with Maecala and the Salazars at the El Charro Restaurant.  We enjoyed that home cooked truly Mexican food.

Worship at Crossroads Tabernacle

Our niece and Family

o   Easter Sunday we went to Crossroads Tabernacle Church in Fort Worth, TX.  One of our nieces from children church days in Carnegie made contact with me through FaceBook shortly before our HA.  It was great spending time with this young lady's family on Saturday and then taking her to such at awesome church on Easter Sunday.  Her residence is just a few blocks from the church.

o   It is a joy seeing our four kids and our grandchildren in church serving the Lord.

o   Visited a lot of Blood Banks around the country with my (George's) diagnosis of Hemochromatosis and my need to make frequent donations.

A Testimony from Home Assignment: Those who know me realize that I am passionate about Jesus.  I get my highs from witnessing people commit their life to Christ and develop in a dynamic relationship to Jesus.  We are in the disciple making business.  The great commission of Jesus is to "Go and make disciples."  But as my dear friend Dr. Verne Ward, Mission Director of our church once said, "It is in our going that we make disciples."  I love to do that and if you agree you will enjoy the following story about my nephew Bert.

            Bert was married to Christina, my biological niece, but after my brother's death, he left her for another woman.  Even Bert's own family rejected him.  Christina told me that I was the only family member he kept as friend on Face Book.  I just prayed for him but never tried to "straighten him out" by posting things on social media.  He had left the second woman and was living with a third at the time of this home assignment.

            We had a couple tours in Indiana and he was now living in Fort Wayne with his girlfriend.  Imagine my surprise when I received the message that he would like to see us.  I invited him to dinner on Saturday at a Ft. Wayne restaurant.  He arrived with his friend and her son.  I really wanted to put the fear of the Lord, or at least the fear of Uncle George in him, but his girlfriend's presence mellowed the conversation.  I am one to kind of "cut to the chase", but I refrained myself, but did share with him a little.  The conversation was good but not heavy for sure but the entire time I was praying seeking opportunity to inject faith into our conversation.  Near the end of our time together, I remember telling Bert, "Jesus is the real deal."  I invited them to our service the following day at the Trinity Church of the Nazarene, Ft. Wayne.

            They came and even his girlfriend's aunt and uncle who were Nazarene, but members of another church came to hear me preach.  At the conclusion of the service, I was visiting Bert and remember him saying something like, "If I gave my life to God now, I can't get Christina and my daughter back, I've really messed up."  To which I replied, "You are right, you have really hurt her and I doubt you'll ever be able to get her back, but you need Jesus more than Christina.  Just follow Him and let Jesus straighten out and make sense of your mess."  He then left the service and we enjoyed lunch with the pastor and church family.  Pastor assured me of their prayers and that they would reach out to Bert and his friend.

            The very next Sunday, Bert phoned and I was overjoyed as I heard him say, "Uncle George, I recommitted my life to God, pray for me as I plan to call Christina and her mother and apologize for what I did to them.   

            Soon we were back in the Solomon's and I recently received a message from a pastor friend of mine, telling me that Bert and Christina, would like to get remarried and asked for my opinion.  Bert is really progressing in his faith and I hope they will soon get re-married.  A Miracle!! Pray for Bert and Christina.[1]

That is the joy in serving the Lord, seeing lives in a mess being transformed by this One who was born 2000+ years ago, was crucified, buried, resurrected, and still lives.  As we celebrate His birthday.  I want to say "Happy Birthday Jesus". Hallelujah!!!  Amen!!! 

      Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

    "Uncle" George and "Aunt" Nancy Miller

Honiara, Solomon Islands

---

[1] Thanks Bert for giving me permission to retell your story and your allowing me to use your real name.

Christmas Message 2013

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Christmas Message

By Rev. George Miller

 Introduction:

Why is this Wednesday so different from every other Wednesday in 2013? We are meeting to honor someone's birthday.  When it is the Prime Minister's birthday do we meet and celebrate like this?  In the USA we have President's Day, which is a public holiday of sorts to honor the birthdays of all our presidents.  But I have a hard time remembering this exact date and it comes and goes without much recognition except the banks, post offices and public offices are closed.  Some of the presidents accomplished great things, but their birthday comes and goes without much fanfare.  Yet Jesus has impacted the world so that even non-Christians today are celebrating the day of His birth. 

Even the most popular calendar in the world refers to Jesus' birth. You don't hear it much anymore but we use to say eg for AD 2013 "In the Year of Our Lord, 2013".

We really don't know when Jesus was born, but we are fairly certain it was not in December, since the shepherds were in the fields and December in Israel is winter and cold.  Every year in the Commonwealth countries we celebrate the Queen's birthday.  Even though we know the date of her birth we don't celebrate on the exact day, or even the same month. (At least not in the Solomon Islands.)

There is a poem written nearly 100 years ago.

One solitary life ...  This is copyrighted poem but you can find it a lot of places on-line including the URL address below. http://www.holybible.com/resources/poems/ps.php?sid=47  Dr James Allan © 1926.

Some people of the world spend the holidays drinking.  Many will be celebrating with giving of presents.  Many, especially in the Western world, will emphasize father Christmas, Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, and the children all go to bed on Christmas eve believing that in the morning if they have been good during the year that Father Christmas will deliver presents for them.

Title of Sermon:  I have titled this sermon, "Wise Men Still Seek Him"

Text: Matt 2:1-12 (NKJV)

^1. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." ³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

⁶ 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.' "

⁷ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." ⁹ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ¹¹ And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

I.              Wise men saw His star: 

We refer to these as three men.  We really do not know the number but only that they brought 3 different gifts.  Tradition even gives us their names: Casper, Melchior, and Beltazzar or something like that.  Tradition tells us that one was a black man, one was an Asian, and one was a European.  We're not sure if that is correct.  But we are certain that these men were searching the sky and examining the stars for signs.  God appeared to these men through the stars.  Why?  Because, that was what they understood.  If God wanted to come to me with instruction, He wouldn't use the stars.  Why?  Because I would miss it.  I wouldn't understand what the star meant.  God uses a method of communicating with people that is understood by the person receiving the message.

II.           The wise men obeyed the star

They followed the star.  They came to see this King of the Jews.  They felt a King would be born in the palace.  Maybe they thought King Herod had a son and so they came to visit this prince.  They obeyed the Lord.  These magi were from the east.  We do not know exactly where they were from but one thing we know for sure is that they were not Jewish.  Up to this time salvation was for the Jews.  This story shows us that God sent his son for every race, every people, every tribe, and every color.  Jesus came for all of us. 

The wise men were important people to be able to see King Herod.  King Herod knew about the promised messiah.  His advisors even knew where he was to be born.  They knew the scriptures.  The messiah was very near to them.  Instead of accepting him and worshipping him they tried to kill him.

III.         Other wise men in the scriptures who followed Jesus.

¹⁰ "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding

Prov 9:10 (NIV)

If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom to follow the Lord is to be wise.  So those who obey the Lord are wise.  Those who disobey are then foolish.  We should not play around with the Lord.

The Shepherds were wise too:

They were not in the same class as the magi.  Shepherds are considered poor and without much education.  The news came to them, but in a different way.  They received the news in the way that they understood it.  The angels came.  Why did the angels come to these particular shepherds?  I don't know how many hundreds of shepherd may have been out in the fields that night.  The angels appeared to these.  They must have been ready.  Maybe they were talking about this or thinking about the coming Messiah.  Maybe they were faithful so that God knew He could trust them to go and find the Messiah.  We don't know what happened to their sheep.  Did one shepherd stay back, or what?  They obeyed and left their sheep to see the messiah. 

 He did not look like a King that night.  He was lying in a feed box from where the cows and horses ate hay.  They obeyed.  They were the first messengers of the Good News.

 The Scripture says: ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:17-18 (NKJV)

Simeon and Anna were wise and recognized him:

The messiah was now revealed to the Rich Magi, the poor shepherd, and the priests and workers in the church.  How many priest lived in Jesus day?  I don't know but the news came to Simeon.  Simeon had a promise from God that he would not die until he saw the Messiah.  I don't know how long he had been waiting for the promise to be fulfilled, possibly for many years.  Now here he was a very old man, but he did not give up.  What was different from this baby to all the thousands of children he had held?  Simeon was so close to God that when Mary and Joseph came in carrying their 7 day old son, Simeon knew from the witness of the spirit in his heart that this is He. 

Many in the Bible followed him:

There were the disciples. The women traveled with him and helped him.  Even Jesus' mother and brothers were his followers.  They were all spiritually wise.

IV.         Wise Men still seek him today.

Today 2000 years after Jesus' birth those who are wise still seek Jesus.  Most of us have never seen an angel that we know of.  Wise men respond to the message.  Many people have gods today.  

Money is a big god.  Money is good.  Jesus came to the wealthy and they gave him generously of their wealth. 

Position is a god to many, even position within the church.  Announcement of Jesus came to the palace but they rejected him.  But the shepherds of low position accepted the message.  They had nothing to give.  Jesus wants nothing but you and your life.  He wants your all.  The King had his chance. 

Conclusion:  This Jesus born over 2000 years ago, is the "real deal".  He is still the Messiah, Immanuel (God with us), the great "I Am", the "Bread of Life", the "Living Water", the "Solid Rock", the "Great Physician", the "Resurrected Lord", the one who came to, "Baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire", the one who sent the counselor, the "Prince of Peace", the "miracle worker", the "Good Shepherd", the "Gate of the Sheepfold" and many other scriptural metaphors are used to describe this Jesus, whom we serve and honor on the 25^th of December.  Wise men today still search after this Jesus, and when they find Him and are in a living relationship with him, oh there is nothing NOTHING al all that compares.  If your life is a mess and out of control try JESUS, for He is always there to comfort and sustain.

Merry Christmas

 

Prayer updates 19 Dec 2013

Thanks you for your Prayers.

For more information concerning the sunken ship: 

The ship was a local made, Langalanga ship, made in the Langalanga lagoon, Malaita Province.  

This is our surviving girl, Melissa's story.  It is so good seeing her this morning as she sat in our living room recounting the story.  This ship was owned by an intending Candidate and he was giving all the passengers a  "free ride" home for Christmas as an election campaign booster.  This ship had a leak in the hull and the stern of the ship began to sink, then it rolled to the side and within time it was totally submerged.  The small children were put into the 3 or maybe 4 outboard motor boats available (Two boats owned by ship and towed behind the ship and used to ferry passengers to/from shore and at least one other boat came from the island of Ngella) Melissa estimated the passenger count at 300 or more, I haven't heard the exact count. There was total chaos and confusion.  She said much of the ships crew were intoxicated and when the ship began to sink they too went into a self preservation mode.  There was a small girl with Melissa and she panicked and jumped into the sea.  Melissa followed her. One of the miraculous things is the ship was to depart at 6 p.m. (nearly dark), but delayed their departure until morning, making the ship sinking occur at 2 p.m. and the passenger could see well.  There were drums of fuel onboard and they floated so the passenger could hang onto these floating objects.  Most of the passengers were floating/swimming in the water for 3-4 hours before the rescue. Most of the ship's life jackets were safely stored away in the cargo hold, which filled with water making the life jackets inaccessible.   The Helicopter dropped life jackets, water, and other things while waiting for the ships to arrive.  Melissa grabbed a life jacket dropped from the chopper and hung onto it and her small friend hang onto her back.  Melissa said that people who never or seldom prayed were praying and calling on the name of Jesus. She said she was surprised because one lady who she never heard praying was calling out to Jesus.  She said that she had a peace, and knew Jesus was with her. At first she was afraid but then she felt peace.The passengers were all picked up by dark which really helped for a successful rescue operation and definitely increased the survival. Thanks for your prayers.

District Assembly:

The District Assembly went well.  It was a good assembly.  It was the final week of school and graduation programs, Christmas activities, etc. going on and so some of our churches did not attend, which was unfortunate.  Then everyone returning after Christmas, some of our delegate are struggling trying to find transport to their home island.  Pray for the Solomon Islands as we develop and mature as a district.

Land Issue:

We have an issue with our land where one of our neighbors is claiming part of our land.  Please pray.

Pastoral Vote:

Pastor Alick Hagi received a good vote and will be the new pastor at Zion Church.  Pray for Pastor Jeremiah and he find God's will for his ministry.  Thanks for your prayers and for the spirit of unity felt throughout this process.

Bible College Class:

Continue to pray for the Bible College Class.

Sovereign Grace Church:

Pray for me as I leave in about 18 hours or so for Munda to organize the Sovereign Grace Church.  It is a quick trip down Friday afternoon and return Sunday afternoon.

George Miller
PO Box 712
Honiara, Solomon Islands

Phone: +677 7468920

blog: http://georgeandnancymiller.blogspot.com

Web: http://oceanianazarene.org

26 November 2013 Prayer Update

Dear Prayer Partner,

BOT Meeting

The SPNTC Board of Trustees meeting held last week was a success in every way. We arrived home yesterday very tired and went to bed early.  Our meeting with the IBOE was very encouraging.  The IBOE members complemented our school and we also have some areas where we need to improve.  Working through the self study was very good as we could reflect on the things we do well and also on those items that need more attention.  One of the very positive things from this BOT is that we are becoming more unified, as one college, instead of being a loose affiliation of four independent campuses under one umbrella.  Before it seemed like we were each doing our own thing, but now their is a tremendous cooperation and the tremendous energy that generates.  Continue to pray for the South Pacific Nazarene Theological College.

District Assembly (DA)

Please Join me in prayer for the DA and training meetings coming up (Nov 29 - Dec 7).  We are in a spiritual warfare.  I really need you to bathe this in prayer.  We had this BOT meeting which was awesome but now I am not ready for the DA.  I did some work on my lessons while in Nadi but not nearly enough.  There have been many interruptions and things affecting our preparation for assembly.  We need a spiritual breakthrough, which will come as a result of your prayers.  PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!  Pray for DS Gabriel Kaula from PNG, Rev. Mark Louw, Regional Director, and Rev. Harmon Schmelzenbach, Field Strategy Coordinator, as they attend and this assembly.

Honiara Zion Church:

Pray for the Zion Church as they are having a pastoral vote on Sunday.

Bible College Class:

Looking ahead to 2014 please be in prayer for our February Block Classes.  I, George, will be teaching Theology 3 [The Holy Spirit and the Church] an intensive class from 5-11 February.  Then we have a guest teacher, Herb Ireland will teach two classes from Feb 12-28.  His two courses will be New Testament Survey and Doctrine of Holiness.  You will hear more about this as time approaches.

George Miller

Web: http://oceanianazarene.org

Funeral of Simi Tome

Funeral of late Simi Tome

{Apologies, this was started and in the draft for a long time}

Simi Tome, a 74 year old double amputee, went to be with the Lord or Saturday Evening 21st of September.  Simi welcomed the Jesus Film showing in his place and was instrumental along with his children in the establishment of the Petra Church in Iriiri Pasapasa village in the Vonavona Lagoon.

Saturday night when I received the news from Pastor Fred, Simi's son-in-law, it was not unexpected as he had been ill for a long time.  Pastor asked if I or another pastor would be available to come for the burial.  The shipping schedule travels to the western Solomon's every Sunday morning.  The timing worked out great.  There was a former pastor of the Petra Church, Pastor Revelation, who is now in Honiara for other church business.  He was the right one to go and conduct this burial service.

Thank you for your continual prayers for the work in the Solomon Islands.  Pray for Pastor Fred Safe, the pastor at the Petra church and his continued effort to bring the healing love of Jesus to the people in the Vonavona Lagoon.  The Petra church is also operating a school teaching reading to the children of the village.