DID YOU KNOW!

On April 20th, 1718, David Brainerd was born to devout Christian parents in Haddam, Connecticut

David Brainerd was a missionary for four years until the day of his death in 1747. He was sick with tuberculosis for the last eight years of his life and struggled with loneliness, depression, loving the Indians, finding beauty in nature, and staying true to his calling as a missionary instead of reverting back to being a pastor of a church throughout different seasons.

Nothing could stop him from obeying the call that God had placed on his heart. While he was only a missionary for four years, the impact he made was of eternal value. Because of his prayers and persistence in seeking after God’s will in difficult seasons, God has used his story to encourage others in their ministry, such as William Carey, Jim Elliot, and Adoniram Judson, as well as those who deal with the same struggles as he did. They often looked at Brainerd’s life in the woods of America as a living example, pointing out that he poured out his very soul before God for the perishing heathen who could not be satisfied without the saving grace of the Lord’s salvation.

 DID YOU KNOW!

Adoniram (1788-1850) and Ann (1789-1826) Judson

At the age of 25, Adoniram Judson was the first American missionary to Burma. He and Ann married two weeks before they boarded a ship bound for India, from which they eventually were able to make their way to Burma. Judson would spend the next nearly forty years of his life living among and witnessing to the Burmese people. Until her death, Ann was the friend of many and even more fluent in the Burmese language than her academically inclined husband. Judson’s efforts were slow-going. He was imprisoned and tortured, but he never gave up on his God-given calling to reach Burma for Christ. Before his death, Adoniram Judson had not only established several churches in Burma, but he had also given Burma one of the greatest gifts: the Bible in their own language.

"We all need a Tree!”

A Beautiful Rose from our
Yard and Home in WV

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

(I didn't create this story, but loved it when I read it and wanted to share)

God has a way that is much better than ours! I’m going to do this! I will be happier if I limit my bad day to the day, and not bring it in my home to my husband at night. Yes, even in the ministry, days can be hard! BUT GOD! Give Him your cares and worries. His shoulders are much broader than ours. Enjoy every moment with your families. LKMilam

“I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit, and his ancient one-ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree, and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. ‘Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So, I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.' 'Funny thing is,' he smiled,' when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well (have joy). We all need a Tree!”

"Make Haste" ~ Dr. Tom Milam

Fort Pierce, FL

Originally published in

Dr. Milam's book,

"Beside Still Waters"

 

“Make Haste!”

5-14-08 at Gallipolis, Ohio 

Is he never coming, cannot he see my trials? Why are his chariots so late? But God is making haste; delays are not denials. 

I have waited patiently, no thread of hope appears; will light break through, while life ebbs low? But God is making haste for you, despite the dimming woe. He’s on the wings of every hour, and charts your very years. 

Lazarus lays dying; his life is almost gone; why must time be so perfected? But God makes haste, yet not detected; the arrangement of time, though in a dark tomb; He’ll not be left alone. 

Our water is scarce- our provisions are failing, the enemy is proud and secure; why must we wait in fear? God is coming with haste, to make the victory clear: the tick of the clock will find its mark; the captain of hosts makes sure. 

More often, our patience, full gives out; God is never coming! But God haste’s to cease the numbing. To intervene too late, or entreat too soon, would only leave more doubt. 

Not one moment overdue, will the Lord come in; Come quicker Lord, I’m bending low, this load I cannot carry. I’m coming child, I’m on my way; I promise, I’ll not tarry!  I’ll haste I say, I’m on my way- I’ll be on time my friend.

“Lo, I come quickly!”  Is still true, though many years have passed; why not now accelerate? My hasting now would make many too late! I’m right on time, worry not; I’ll hold you oh, so fast.

 Your enemies boast themselves; our spirits faint for fear; men are sinking into perdition. Your hasting would change their condition. God’s time is right, he leads the fight; deliverance is very near. 

Eternal God made time for man, and therefore he controls it; But the fourth watch is breaking Lord! Still, God makes haste to get all aboard. As light quickly leaps from world to world, he’s on his way to make you fit. 

God makes haste, but not to waste; not too soon for education; he is never late; he’s near all the while; bending over, inclining his ear, is his style. Tender pity makes him haste-infallible wisdom makes him wait-all meant for our dedication. 

He is never late in intervention, all will change in a fleeting moment; but my soul is flying; I may only have an hour! Faster! Faster! Faster!  Come to me, show your healing power. Gods haste determines, but never demands; his rightness declares the best instant. 

-END-

“The Gift” ~ Dr. Tom Milam

This poem is published in Dr Milam's Volume 2 of his 4 Volume set of Poetry

“The Gift”

                                                 
It’s amazing what a gift will do;

A gift will cheer you when you’re blue.

A gift can say, “I love you so,”

Or, “Oh, I dread to see you go!”

A gift says, “ Glad to see you again!”

“It’s so good to see you, “ or” where have you been!” 

A gift can soothe ones’ aching pain;

And bring brightness after a gloomy rain.

A gift, like a rainbow, reminds us still;

That it’s the giver that wants a void to fill.

The gift-—there’s hardly a doubt about it

It would be so sad to live without it. 

A gift sure does excite and lifts our hearts to

Unspeakable heights.

A gift brings warmth—wide eyes and charms,

And we’re delightfully surprised as we reach out our arms.

A gift is good for fathers and mothers;

Also brings joy to sisters and brothers. 

 A gift can even bring better relations;

Because a gift is what you are to your congregations.

Gifts we love and gifts we crave;

Will we give ourselves, that a soul would be saved?

 

 A gift has no certain language;

And many times a life it will salvage.

  

Try not to make an issue of the cost of it all;

Because when it’s given from the heart, your account can’t fall

In heaven you’re laying up treasure.

You see, a servant’s reward is that above measure. 

One more reminder to give your flesh a rift;

And at the same time, give your spirit a lift!  

You’re given to others—so that makes you a gift. 

  Evangelist Tom Milam  

 

Tom & Linda Milam 

Missionaries to America

Phil. 2:16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Raising The Standard - Dr. Terry L. Booher

Raising The Standard - finished and ready to mail to you a book from a sermon preached by the late Dr. Terry L. Booher, who was the Pastor and founder of Faith Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, FL for over 40 years.  The following is a portion of this book.

Isaiah 59:19, “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun,  When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”

"It’s time we raise the banner up. And quit this pacifism ideology and quit being so casual. I’m not a rebel rouser, and I don’t want to be a war monger. But too many of us have just set back and said, “Well, I probably shouldn’t say anything about that.” Well, maybe we should say something about it. Maybe we ought to just stand up and say, “Look, No! Absolutely, positively, No! You are not going to do that in this church, not in this family, not in this home, not with my kids, not with my life. NO! You’re not going to do it.”

And so Isaiah said, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”  Let’s raise that standard high for the Lord.  Keep that standard high so the enemy cannot wreck havoc in our lives, our homes, our families and our churches."

 

Raising the standard.  In our Christian lives, homes, workplace, and in our country.  How sad to see how far God is going to allow the people of our great nation to go in their depravity and rebellion against Him - but be assured - He is coming back and His hand will stay the world.  Let us be about His business as we strive to raise the standard as He would have us to do.

  

God is good all the time, and everywhere! 

Tom and Linda Milam

Missionaries to America

Phil. 2:16

 

From the eyes of a child. . .~ Linda K. Milam

Published in Linda's Book 

"A Compilation of Thoughts,

Scriptures, and Devotions"

(Inspired by a conversation I had with my ten-year-old granddaughter, Avery, on April 25, 2014.)

John 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

From the eyes of a child. . .

 Children are a blessing and an inspiration, if you will just “listen” to them.  She saw something in me, and her Papa and she wanted to know if everyone could be like “that”? It opened a door for me to share a little grandmotherly wisdom with her. I hope it will be a help and be a blessing to you as it was with me. We love our grandchildren so very much – each and every one of them are unique in their own way, as we all are!  May our Lord bless them mightily, is our prayer.) 

“Grandma, how come you and Papa Never Sin?”  What?! Believe me I was quite shocked at that question.  Avery is always asking questions like this, so our conversation continued as it always does with deep concentration.  I kind of laughed when she said it – because we know we are all sinners by nature. And if you don’t know that, the Bible says in Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; That means ALL and that is ALL that means.  We are all sinners saved by the grace of God through the death, burial and resurrection of His Only Son, Jesus.  I shared that with Ava, and she said she knew that.  "We memorized that verse in school."  So, I took the plunge and dove right in, that’s all a grandma can do.

“What do you mean Avery,” I asked, “Papa and I do sin.  We will never stop sinning until Jesus returns and takes us to Heaven. We are all sinners.”  “No” she said,” I know we are all sinners but ya’ll never sin.  I never see ya’ll doing anything wrong.  You don’t cuss, drink, smoke, or listen to bad music or watch bad TV shows.  You always go to church, and you work in the print shop and church and Papa preaches all the time.  You don’t even scream and holler at us kids, when we do bad things. Ya’ll just don’t sin.”  

Well, what a revelation to me.  I don’t sin.  Of course, I do, and so does everyone.  But what touched my heart was as we talked that she does not see open sin, as she calls it by name, in our lives.  My husband says we don’t “practice sin” meaning we do not openly or purposely sin intentionally.  God forbid that we would be responsible for exposing our grandchildren to sin purposely.  We may accidentally, but not purposely. So, I began to explain to her that she may not see sin in our lives, and we are thankful for that, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t have sin.  

“Maybe my sin is in my mind, you can’t see that Ava, or an attitude that you don’t know I have towards another person or just looking, hearing, going to places that might cause me to sin. Everyone does sin – but the difference between a practicing Christian and others is that if we sin, we ask God to forgive us and we make every effort not to do it again. We do not 'practice sin'.  And, like I have said before, if it does happen because we have a close relationship with God, through prayer, Bible Reading and study, and attending church that the Holy Spirit immediately touches our hearts and minds to let us know that we have just done something sinful.  And if we have our hearts right with God, the very instant that the Holy Spirit has let us know of the problem, we are already asking God to forgive us and help us to never to do it again.” 

I told her, “People have choices.  They can choose to sin or not to.  You can choose to lie to Papaw and Grandma or tell the truth.  You can choose to talk mean to your sisters or not.  We all have been given the gift of choice.  We choose what we do and where we go, but if we are practicing Christians, we will limit all of those places and things to the “accidental sinning.” 

Bless her heart she revealed to me, “Grandma, I do hate sin especially when I sin.  But I guess I don’t think of the sins I do as so bad more than some of the other ones I see.  I know I shouldn’t be bad and lie and talk ugly, but I was thinking of stuff like, drinking beer and wine, and chewing tobacco or smoking or doing drugs.  I was thinking of people who date other people that are not their husband or wife.  You know BIG sins.” 

I had to tell her, “Sin is sin, big or small.  You could murder a person and I could blaspheme God, both sins – and maybe in our eye's bad sins.  But it wouldn’t matter if you took a cookie when I told you not to or if you told the biggest lie ever on somebody else and they got in terrible trouble for what you said, it is still sin. Do you understand?”

“Yes, thanks Grandma,” she said, “I’m glad you told me.  But I’m still glad you don’t sin in front of us.  I want to be just like you and Papa.  I don’t want to lie, steal, cheat, drink or do drugs or even listen to bad music.  I want to be just like you.”

Again, blessed by a little child.  I hope this helps you in some small way. Just remember, you never know who might be watching you.  What kind of impression do you want to leave on your children or grandchildren whether they be young or old?  I am no better than anyone else.  I have a sin filled past, and I’m so glad it is in the past.  Those sins are covered by the blood of my precious Saviour.  Because they are God is able to use me. But I am still a sinner, saved by grace. And I am sure I will fail and sin again. When I made the decision to be a “practicing Christian” – I made the best choice of my life. God took the broken things in me and made me whole.  I pray he will always be able to use me.

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.”  ~ Jeremiah 18:4 

Dear Lord, thank you for the precious grandchildren that you have given us.  May we always be Christ-like when it comes to all those around us.  We love you Lord, Thank you for first loving us. Amen 

 
God has created each one of us… each so unique. I don’t know about everyone else, but I have things and circumstances in my life that are heartbreaking. And because we are all people that is going to happen. Sometimes our lives get tarnished with mistakes we’ve made ourselves, or perhaps our dreams get crushed by other circumstances.  God loves us still.  He looks down and sees the value of each one…me and you.  He knows how to put the broken pieces together again, if we’ll but trust Him. The deep hurts and aches — He’s able to heal! Then, our life is able to take on a brand-new purpose. The past hurts and brokenness make us unique.  Gods not finished with us!  He’s still able to use us. We stand out beautifully in our own way because God always does a marvelous handiwork. LKMilam

God bless,
Tom & Linda Milam
Missionaries to America
Phil. 2:16