Jono Miller

RPD 31st May 2010 Weekly Newsletter

Mon, 31/05/2010 - 17:01 |

ON BEING SELFISH

A couple of my friends used to enjoy debating whether or not the root of all sin was pride or selfishness. Today I was standing in church and I thought about not wanting to sin. I thought about how I don’t want sin in my life and realised that it was a very selfish thought. I don’t want sin in my life primarily because it makes me feel bad. The real reason should be because God hates sin not because it makes me feel bad. And then standing there in church I could notice all the kids that were making noise, running round, crying and I was getting distracted and thinking their parents should do a better job – and then thought maybe I’m being selfish again. Maybe everyone else here is able to worship God and enjoy the kids and I’m only thinking about me. And there are lots of things I want God to do in my life. Lots of good things. Yet I realise how me-centred all of this is.

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to follow me he should deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” I don’t think you are being selfish when you take up your cross. I need some fresh perspective. I am glad that God is God and He is working. I am glad that the Holy Spirit is here to continually nudge me back in the right direction.

UTSIM

Thank you so much to everyone who prayed this last week. And to those who encouraged me in word and to those who helped out. I think our end of year celebration on Thursday night went well. I was only disappointed that a few students (including some receiving top awards) were not present. But we had about 70 people there and the kids that came all did a great job and were very enthusiastic.

This coming week I have staff interviews and we need to look seriously at how things are going to run next year. I also have staff working through til the end of June which I need to supervise work for. We are continuing classes in Kaharlyk til the end of this month and I hope to spend a bit of time there feeling out the potential for next year.

Please pray about one more qualified English teacher (a Ukrainian or Russian speaker) for our youngest classes for next year.

Tomorrow we will have our end of year staff party. I am taking them to the Aqua Park near Kyiv. I want to say thanks for the way they have worked together this year.

BITS AND PIECES

The day at the zoo with the special needs kids from Rzhyshchiv was a fun day for them. We spent about three hours at the zoo and then went to McDonalds for lunch. There were 16 of us all up. I have enjoyed the way that a few young people have diligently committed themselves to giving time to those who are so often neglected. Personally I was very saddened by the Kyiv Zoo. The animals do not have enough space and to take them out of their natural habitat to be gawked at does not rest easy with me.

This week there will be a tent in Rzhyshchiv running daily outreaches for kids and families and teenagers. Pray that the many people being invited will come along and be touched by the power of the Good News about Jesus.

Next weekend I’m having about 10 friends from Kyiv come and stay so it’s going to be a full house but a weekend I know I’m going to thoroughly enjoy.

I have been thoroughly enjoying a book called “God of My Father” by Larry Crabb. I want to paraphrase a bit to make it a challenge to myself and maybe for you also.

“My testimony does not include daily miracles and unremitting joy and constant excitement over meaningful ministry. But perhaps I can be mature enough to enter into mystery, cling to what is clear, and continue yielding to the unquenchable passion within me to know God regardless of whatever other passions, good or bad, remain within me.”

PRAYER AND PRAISE