Jono Miller

Yesterday I spent the day on the roof of the house, pulling up the old tin and putting down new tin. The old tin had lasted 95 years! Throughout the day I enjoyed cloud gazing. The cloud formations were just amazing. Marbled patterns, whispy strands, fluffy cotton wool, luminous grey threatening to rain etc. I just enjoyed the feeling that I was close to my Creator. Afterwards I commented that our God is so amazing. How did He think all this up? Before there was anything, there was God. And He decided to create. How did He possibly imagine what to create?

I don't qualify for old age yet, hardly even middle age. In fact one of the kids at school the other day thought I was 16. But I do recognise that I and the people around me are growing older (and maybe growing up).

I read the following prayer on the wall in Aunty Jan's toilet. I think it's a beauty - and a great challenge to the old, the almost old, and the going to be old one day folk.

LORD, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.  With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest LORD that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

The heart and the mind want to divide

Why can't they just live side by side?

I see what I see and love what I know

I think I know where I want to go.

But alone at night as I sit and ponder

My heart and my mind begin to wander.

One travels around the world and back

While the rest of me feels out of whack.

And then it hits me in the head

Lying there upon my bed

"Why are you trying on your own

When you placed Me upon the throne?

I am here to sort it out

So what is all this worry about?"

This morning in the shower I had a sudden realisation that I so readily find the source of my joy in people. Good people. Wonderful friends who love me - who love God and encourage me in the ways of God. And the meeting together of God's children should be a joyous occasion. But I place too much eager hope on the next meeting, email, sms, phonecall (or photo on facebook).

Does the thought of reading God's Word fill my heart with rapturous joy? Am I living each day in eager anticipation of His return? Do I live with thankfulness and the constant memory of the sacrifice He made for me? Does the thought of Jesus' love spur me towards a life of love and holiness?

These questions challenged me this morning. May they challenge you too. And may the sole source of our joy be Him - our wonderful, loving, majestic, risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Here's a great story I found from Australian Tim Cope in the Sydney Morning Herald. He trekked on horse back through the Carpathians in Ukraine. Here's an excerpt from his travel descriptions:

As if painted on a vertical canvas there were colourful wooden cottages perched on the opposing side of the valley bordered by greying timber fences, haystacks and glistening spring pastures.

Click here to read the entire article. Photo also by Tim Cope.

Every night I look out my window at the Southern Cross. It is strangely comforting. Not just as a constellation with which I am familiar, but as a reminder of The Cross. May the cross be the focus of my life. The source of my forgiveness. The power for the healing I crave. The reconciliation I need with God and therefore the means of reconciliation with other humans. May it be the basis of my thoughts and the shadow lurking in every conversation so I do not get caught up ranting and raving about that which is not truly important. May I remember to pray for friends as they come to mind - that the cross be the centre of their lives also.

Thank You for the cross Jesus. Show me what it means to take up my cross daily and follow You. Give me the strength and courage required to do this.

I read the following excerpt from Luke Wesley in "Stories from China". I was encouraged and challenged and thought if anyone else gets to read this it may do the same for them.

"Lord, I praise and worship you because you are the Faithful One. You are committed to me and have demonstrated this so wonderfully on the cross. Because you are committed to me, I can be committed to others, including my wife, my family, and my friends. You are my model and you are the source of my strength. Help me seek the good of others, even if it involves sacrifice on my part. Enable me to be a good spouse, a good parent and a good friend. Give me strength so that my relationships with others might reflect your sacrificial love and bring glory to you. I affirm again this day my commitment to you and to your purposes for my life."

Above is a comment I remember Ben Clarke sharing with me and others. Right now I am in Brisbane. I have been travelling and living out of a suitcase since October. Tomorrow I head to Townsville and after that I will be based in Eureka for 3 months. I have been looking forward to having some normalcy and routine and a quiet place where I know I can spend quality time with God.

Yesterday I was at my brother's friend's place and in the toilet was the following quote:

Dear God

Let me not wait for the right time, and the right place, to celebrate Your presence.

Let me go rejoicing through my days, abiding in You and delighting in You, praising You now and forever.

It is 2008. What does this year hold? For you, for me.

To be honest - I don't know. But this I do know: Jesus loves me, God has good plans for me - better than my plans. The Holy Spirit is here to guide me day by day.

I will get back to blogging more regularly as the year picks up. I will get round to answering emails sometime.

I plan to spend time with God. Sorry to those of you who it looks like I'm snubbing you. It's not the way I wanted it to be - but this is the place God has me.

Pray for me this year. Write to me and share with me and I too will pray for you.

And as always: Keep Looking Up

Jono