DESPITE THE CHALLENGES - ABUNDANT LIFE FLOWS [Testimony of Pastor Dale Miller]

  

Pastor's Dale & Tammy Miller

In this post I desire to share with you about an extraordinary couple that I have crossed path with  thirty years ago as I first attended Bible school. There was a group of us that tended to sit together in the cafeteria and just 'hang' out. In that group was two sweet people; Dale and Tammy.
Many who know them today have had their lives only enriched by the testimony that they have lived out one day at a time.

Pastor Dale Miller in his own words, sharing with the world his declaration of God's True Faithfulness through the brightest and darkest days of his life.

In the words of Pastor Dale Miller:

  I came to realize my need for a Savior at the age of 5 years old. Up to that time, the worst I had done was pop M&Ms and snort pixie sticks! I remember kneeling down at our couch with my mom and committing my life to Jesus Christ.

  I especially remember being water baptized at age 13. Our church did not have a baptistery, so someone bought a brand-new horse trough! I did not realize how privileged I was. When I came up out of the water, one of our deacons, Brother Sanders, took hold of me and asked if I wanted to be filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I wasn't sure what all was involved, but decided it was a good idea since Brother Sanders was much larger than me!

  Then in 1981, at a Sunday night service, I responded to the altar and felt like God was calling me into ministry. This was quite intimidating as I had not grown up in a pastor's family. Thankfully, our assistant pastor, Pastor Mark Lehman, began to disciple, and prepare me for what God had in store. He was the one that took 13 of us to check out Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.

Dale & Tammy in the 1980's. 

  I started attending CBC in 1983 (and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor's in Bible). We were told that the college was called "Central Bridal College". I vowed that would never happen to me. Thankfully, God overruled! In the fall semester of  '83, in speech class of all places, sat this beautiful young lady who caught my attention because of her joy and enthusiasm for life. My friends finally couldn't stand it that I wouldn't ask her out, so they went and ask her for me. She said, "If he is that interested, have him ask me out himself." Two months later, she actually forced me to marry her, but you can ask her for that part of the story. Imagine my parents surprise when I called home and told them I was engaged – they didn't even know that I was dating someone!

Pastor Dale & Tammy being installed at their church.

  














   After graduation in '87 we started our lives serving our Lord in full capacity. The Lord blessed us with three children: (oldest to youngest) Kristen, Kyle, and Kody.  In January 1998, we moved to Bloomington, Illinois to pastor Harvest Family Worship Centre on West Locust St.. To subsidize my income, I worked outside the church as a painting contractor. In the summer of 2002, God impressed two things upon my heart. First, this would be the last house I would paint. I was glad because I was tired of working outside the church. Second, there would be a fall. I didn't give this a second thought, because I had fallen off of ladders and scaffolding before!

  On September 9, 2002, we were four hours from finishing the house. All that remained was the peak. I was on a ladder 30 feet in the air. I heard the ladder slide. I do not remember anything about the fall except landing on the ground. I had difficulty breathing and could not move my arms or legs...

  The lady next door (an ICU nurse) stepped off her porch as I hit the ground. She was there immediately to help and call the paramedics. She had errands to run but could not get motivated to go do them. Finally, at 4:25 PM she left to go to her errands -- the very moment I fell.

  If there was ever a time that God had lined up a series of miracles in my life, this was it. Only one ambulance in the city was equipped to handle situations such as mine. Of course, that was the only unit available to respond. When we arrived at the hospital, the pulmonary doctor was walking through the ER. He immediately noticed that my lung had collapsed and my windpipe was twisting in such a way that it was cutting off my air flow. God used this man to save my life.

  Later, both neurosurgeons happened to be walking through the ER. If I made it through the night, surgery would be early the next morning. After surgery, the neurosurgeon said that God must be looking out for me. She had ordered screws and parts the week before. When the order came, it contained long screws which she had not ordered but were exactly the screws she needed for my surgery.

  Because of a tracheotomy, I could not speak. I communicated by blinking my eyes or moving my lips. I was on the ventilator for two months. The pulmonary doctor told me I would be on it the rest of my life. Because of God's grace, I am no longer on a ventilator and breathing freely on my own!

  When they loaded me into the ambulance and took me to the Rehab Institute in St. Louis, I was devastated. I felt as if God had left me and let me down. I was embarrassed, because the newspaper had done two front-page articles on our situation where I proclaimed that God was my healer. I went through a lot of depression while at St. Louis. Today, we continue to look to God for healing. Tammy and I, plus my children (who were 11, 9 & 7 years old at the time) identified with the three Hebrew children as they faced a fiery furnace: our God is able to deliver us; but even if he doesn't, we will still serve Him. 

   Financially, our part was somewhere around $175,000. Because of the community's support, we are debt free. A lady in the community even bought a van for us!

Dale & Tammy

   I could tell you about anxiety, depression, panic attacks, drug withdrawal and a month of sleepless nights. I would rather tell you about the changes that have taken place inside of me. I have had to confront my insecurities, anger and spiritual immaturity. I have grown in ways that could not have taken place without God taking me through this.

Pastor Dale ministering at his church. 

  Although I am paralyzed from the chest down, I continue to pastor our church in Bloomington. I get around in a "sip and puff" wheelchair. Much of my filing material has been put on my laptop computer. I use "Dragon Naturally Speaking" software to surf the web, respond to e-mails, write my messages and whatever else is required of me. I have a great leadership team that takes good care of me and my family. My children grew in the Lord, with Him developing within them an amazing amount of godly character. My oldest; Kristen is now 22 and is a junior at Evangel University. Kyle is 20 and works at a local moving company in hopes to become a fireman soon. Kody, is now 18 finishing up his freshman year of college at Bloomington. 

The real hero in all of this is my wife, Tammy. She has held the family together!

  The promise scripture I have held close is Romans 4:17-21 "We serve... the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "so shall your offspring be. Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about 100 years old – and that Sarah's womb was also dead.  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised."

  Why would God allow this to happen to me or any other person?

  The question assumes that God did allow this to happen to me. No one can prove that God did this; I refuse to sit around wondering if and why God allowed this. I do know this: from the moment I fell until today, God had people in the right place at the right time to take care of me. Sure, there has been much suffering involved, but don't forget that James 1:2-4 reminds us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

  Instead of looking for someone to blame, thank our Father in heaven for His many blessings that he has provided and will provide to bring you through any situation you may face. Don't forget, the enemy of our soul has every intent to steal, kill, and rob from us. But, God's word trumps the enemy's plans in our lives. All things still work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! For me, these are not words on a page anymore. I continue to live this out every day of my life. 

 By  ~ Pastor Dale Miller

FREEDOM FROM THE 'ME' SPIRIT

FREEDOM FROM THE 'ME' SPIRIT 

    By Daneille Gray Snowden 

The one Step to Happiness & Fortitude is to not be enveloped with continuous thoughts of 'self'. We will have more fortitude which will produce satisfaction: When our life and thoughts are filled with serving our God and others. [PERIOD]

  There is a freedom with this perception; to 'push through' the pain because people need us. Because God called us to a great and marvelous work.

  The more our mind dwells on past struggles & hurts, on present physical pain as well as the disappointments that lure; the human frame wears down.

  But, as we look back on the lives of amazing people who persevered through adverse circumstances and continued to serve with every part of their beings they are the inspiration and fine example to us all.

  People such as Susanna Wesley; who with 19 children (9 passed away)- kept her home, took personal time with each child per week to instill love, the scriptures and any character lesson needed. Her husband who was a minister had a difficult time with handling funds and was in debtors prison a few times. As well as the couple had some very strong political difference that led Samuel (Susanna's husband) to leave her for awhile.  This left Susanna with having to support her entire family; and that she did. As many know, she raised several fine children; 2 of which were used to lay a solid foundation for the body of Christ (Charles & John Wesley). She was extremely intelligent and home educated her children, especially in areas of theology. Yet, this was a time when woman were not welcomed to teach or minister outside the home. Through all her exhaustion, physical wear and tare and even sorrow; she kept the mark of the high calling in front of her.

  Times have digressed greatly; when our country was young when it was witnessed how men, woman and children worked to the bone. Today, it's rare to see an entire family work brutally hard and then even though they are exhausted; see a friend, neighbor, plus a family member who needs help and get right to work to bless them. In addition, in our own churches, help serving God by serving one another in His Work. All with a 'selfless' heart and serving spirit.  

"A [self-confident] fool has no
 delight in understanding
 but only in revealing his
 personal opinions and himself."
Prov. 18:2

  I totally believe that as Joyce Meyer wrote; there is a battlefield in our minds. This is one major battle that we as Christians need to get a handle on. Yes, we are tired! Yes, we are in pain! Yes, we need help in multiple ways! Yet, to dwell on it will and does KILL! The constant dwelling on 'ME' will kill our spirits, in turn we become numb as we do not feel much emotionally: especially when others are suffering! It can KILL when our own generation (our children) our raised without receiving unselfish love, and know what it is to be served and cherished. No! Our children are learning to be selfish cause mommy and daddy are. Serve mom & dad! Serve your children, serve others (which is a 'hands-on-lesson' for the kids on how to love others).
[The author is feeling this toe stomping too!]


  When the church began in the book of Acts; the example of course was that of Christ. He also gave direction and birthed His Love so strong that sacrificial giving was a 'give-me'; no one had to say we are going to have a fundraiser. People sold their possessions and gave so as the Body was the same. [Acts 2:45] Note; these folks were beginning to face major persecution, and still under the Roman rule. Yet, they had a MISSION didn't they? The fortitude to fulfill this call and purpose in their lives.

  I totally believe with all my heart this is a powerful, yet simple tactic of the enemy. He just gets people wore down both physically and emotionally. The energy begins to leave; frustrations set in, which accompanies anger and then destruction of relationships in families, churches, and friendships. We become ill, tired and hurting and there is no one seemingly there that will listen and offer help to just simply be an encourager. Eventually, as in 'warp-speed' (because no one seems to care) the response is: "I am not going to waste what little strength I do have on anyone! I am just too tired and sick; it's all about me, me, me."  End result; we will then become USELESS!

  I don't want this for my family and I. Goodness, I absolutely do not want this for the Body of Christ! So, here is a challenge or EXERCISE; When the whining, complaining, and spouting out in anger begins to happen train your mind to think on:
1- JESUS (& His Word)  ["Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and All His Righteousness..."]
2- Others (especially those that are in your path. ["Love The Brotherhood. 1 Pet. 2:17]
3- Start To Serve Them: Jesus & Others in anyway possible. [Just use Spirit led wisdom on when, how & who.]
4- Keep Your Mouth Shut when the topic of ME ME ME starts bellowing out.
5- Listen To Others (w/o cutting in).
6- Keep Busy (Even if it's praying, calling, sending a card-text-email.)

  Now please hear me, we all need a friend and spouse to be able to open up our hearts to...that is vital. Also, we need a time to rest and have fun. Let's do this wisely. It's when the majority of our thoughts are filled with ourselves; draining the life blood right out of us, we must be refreshed daily. This is done by blessing Jesus as we spend time with Him and lend a hand of love out to a soul in our paths.

Philippians 2:4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.

Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

The following day God confirmed this message in my personal devotional : God Calling

Kill Self Now

Self dethroned - that is the lesson, but in its place put Love for Me, knowledge of Me.

Self, not only dethroned, but dead. A dead self is not an imprisoned self.  An imprisoned self is more potent to harm. In all training - (in Mine of you, and in yours of others) - let self die.

But for each blow to the life of self you must at the same time embrace and hold fast the new Life, Life with Me.

It is not a dead self that men have to fear, but a thwarted, captive, imprisoned self.  That self is infinitely more self-centered than the self allowed full play.  But to you, My children, I teach a higher science-law than even freedom of the self.  I teach death to the self.  No repressions, just death.  Petty self-life exchanged for Divine Life

And now I can make more clear to you what I would say about forgiveness of injuries.  

But what you do not see is that you, the self in you, can never forgive injuries.  The very thought of them means self in the foreground, then the injury, instead of appearing less, appears greater. It is one of My commands that as you seek My forgiveness, so you must forgive.

No, My children, as all true Love is of God and is God, so all true forgiveness is of God and is God. The self cannot forgive. Kill self.

Cease trying to forgive those who fretted or wronged you.  It is a mistake to think about it.  Aim at killing the self now - in your daily life, and then, and not until then, you will find there is nothing that even remembers injury, because the only one injured, the self, is dead.

As long as it recurs to your mind you deceive yourself if you think it forgiven.

Many deceive themselves in this.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might

 be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  Romans 6:6

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UP-DATE (May 10) - Heard this message that was preached about the same time I wrote this. I just love how the Holy Spirit bears witness of His message all over the world.

The Happiest Church In The World. Pastor Carter Conlon of Time Square Church in New York City. [Just click on the link.]

HUSBANDS; AVOID BEING PRODDED!

HUSBANDS; AVOID BEING PRODDED!

by Daneille Gray Snowden

   When I lived in Texas for a few years, I had the opportunity to sit and watch a few cattle auctions. It was there that I concentrated on how small men would maneuver their HUGE longhorns into the arena. In their hand they held a cow prod. With a little zap the 2500 lb cow was instantly inspired to move with a little "mooo" and walked where led. Quite impressive!  

  As a wife I know there have been more than countless times I have used my prod (my tongue, and batting eye lashes) to try to maneuver my husband in places I wanted. The initial thought is absolutely wrong and I can testify at least in the beginning unintentional  But, the reasons behind this vigor lays deeper. They were things such as 'being on the same page', sharing deepest thoughts, hopes, dreams and the list could continue forever that were my reasons for the prod. 

  Husbands, if it is your desire to avoid being prodded here are some heart felt, truly Spirit led applications to help you see and understand your wife. 

  Share your heart, some men say they do. But, try to avoid the surface emotions or current events. Such as..."nice day today isn't it dear?" Many claim the surface emotions is it...and that counts as sharing their entire heart with their wives. Of course, we appreciate most communication. But, our hearts long to be unified with our lover. 

  Wives long for their husbands inner most thoughts and emotions as well as their hopes, hurts, fears and dreams. Not only share once a year even once a month but as often as you can. Keep this fresh, alive...how--by being yourselves in the Presence of our God; as He shares with you His vision, His hopes and even His grievances. Then go to your wife; share with her, plan with her and pray with her. Daily, weekly...just keep it fresh. Freshness in the food we eat makes it edible doesn't it! Same with our hearts and sharing with one another. 

  If the wife winds up being the main 'team-member' doing all or the majority of the sharing of the heart; after awhile her heart will sadly SHUT-DOWN and in some cases turn away and to someone or something else she can absorb herself with. Right before this happens, husbands you will see a lot of anger that is stemmed from frustrations and hurt. Which will then bring exhaustion emotionally; causing the wife to just 'give-up'. 

  In the beginning God created a unit for a great purpose; with the husband and wife generations of families had been created. With the power of a husband & wife team; families can rise and be witnesses of God's Love- used in His gifts. There wouldn't be a waste of years, but as the family grows physically together the Kingdom of God is enhanced! 

  Husbands, please turn from the lies of this culture that we all have lived in for centuries (where men do not share their dreams & passions with their families). What may be more difficult is changing and thus turning from how your own father's habit of a non communicative relationship with his wife (and family). 

  A challenge; open your heart (allow God's Hand to tenderly help you), be willing to step out of the dark and dreary box. Reach out to your wife. Share  -  Pray  -  Attain Visions: Together!

  Then, HOLD-ON, cause God is going to take you onto the greatest highway of life that will have pit stops to great supply, ministry touching lives, thus seeing God's Promises unfold! 

 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24.)