January Newsletter--Written from a deep place within me.

DON'T JUDGE.....including yourself.

I had a dream last night that will not leave my mind! In this dream, I was very plain (something I am not) I had no jewelry and no makeup and no amenities of this life. Something I am definitely NOT! (Although I love going to third world countries, but I still like clean water to drink and to bath in.) No running water in this dream, no nice bed and people who were trying to dictate my lifestyle and reluctant to adopt any conveniences of this modern life, which we in the USA are so familiar with and can’t live without. (and if you say you can, you are kidding yourself! WE are spoiled.)

This dream got me to thinking about how much emphasis I might put on my appearance or how much I adorn certain areas of my existence in order to cover flaws. But, I am ok with covering flaws, because that comes with being a cosmetologist for 30 years! I’ve always been a creative thinker who adorns EVERYTHING.   I’ve been judged by my appearance and have received  “hate letters” anonymously, in my mailbox for appearing ‘rich’ (if people only knew how I ‘really’ shopped.) and they criticized me for seeming too focused on my ‘style’.

So this dream was a bit OFF and it was so widely diverse from whom I am that I began to ask God if He was trying to tell me something that I needed to know.

Do I focus too much on my appearance?

Do I ignore the people who need help and do not have the amenities of life like I do?

Are you pleased with me, God?

Why did I dream this dream?

I can tell you, GOD is not criticizing me, nearly as much as I can criticize myself. He created my mind and He created my nature. It’s me who has to align all of the junk that comes from the outside world and into my sub-conscience mind, because I am certain of His love for me, I see it clearly in HIS Word.

WE are way to hard on ourselves and we are way to critical of other people. We hear it all the time about judgment, but we still judge. I too, judge, but try DAILY to see people the way God sees them. I can tell ya, God does not see us the way we judge ourselves or the way we judge others. He sees His creation as complete. A finished work, marvelously and wonderfully made! (Psalms 139:14) He waits patiently for us to see ourselves the way He does. 

I remember at 5 years old, carrying around an open umbrella, not because it was raining, but because I loved the ‘fashion’ I found in Umbrellas. No body had to tell me to have a fashion conscience I just did, early in my life. Should I judge that? Yes, as long as it isn’t my total focus? For my friends who know me, they know me. For those who judge doesn’t mean they are necessarily my enemy, they are just less informed as to what creative minds are doing and thinking and quite possibly they have not stopped criticizing their own nature so it’s easy to do it to someone else.

How quickly do we judge what God has created?

When I saw myself in this dream as playing the part of an Amish type woman literally scared me. It caused me to wake up! I felt trapped and I felt I was not true to my character. In my dream I argued with the ‘community’ of people who tried placing their judgment on me for being flamboyant.  I based my argument of the very nature and emotion and FACTS of my loving and giving and gracious God!

Have you ever seen a Peacock or a Toucan or a white dove or a giraffe or a zebra or even an elephant? How about an octopus or a garden of red roses or a field of daisy’s or a mountain with white caps or an abundance of Canadian geese? Have you ever noticed the drama in the eyes of God? I have. I have seen the beauty in thousands of women in beautiful Sari’s walking barefoot on green, flowing grass of Nepali and India mountains and hills. I have looked out the window of an airplane and felt I could literally touch the tips of every mountain while flying into Katmandu.

I have walked through endless splendor of Colorado Aspen trees in the fall that literally took my breath away. I have seen and tasted and experienced the EXTRAVAGANCE of Gods masterpieces. I know the creativeness of the God who created me, and YOU. I WILL NOT JUDGE YOU for however plain you might be, because it’s beautiful in the eyes of the creator. Just don’t judge the charisma of the Ostrich or the Swan. We are all diverse and we are all something FABULOUS in the eyes of God.

I have touched a june-bug and I have witnessed the smell of skunks. I know the God who created all of it. Plain or beautifully complex.  

Have you ever read the book of revelation where John describes Heaven? It says that the beauty will be beyond our imagination! John said that the entire city would be transparent gold. He says the walls of the new city are precious jewels. The gates are twelve single pearls. The city itself and the streets are pure gold, yet like transparent glass. Revelation 21:18-21.

 I woke up scared to death in my dream that I was something other than myself. I won’t diminish my traits while I am completely awake now, just as I will not diminish those who live in a simpler way of thinking. I just want to be here to serve and give, only I will do it fully, ME. FULLY dressed, MAKEUP AND JEWELRY not to impress or to show off; it’s just me. I will not live in fear for who I am. If God adorns the earth and heaven, I am pretty sure HE ADORNS ME WITH HIS LOVE.

Just thought I’d share…….live true, live loving others and be who God has created you to be.

There is NO FEAR in the perfect love of God. (1John 4:18)

God and I will live to testify of your great love. Always.

My HEART bleeds.

My home state legalized Gay marriage. My heart truly bleeds for Oklahoma.

It’s like we are afraid to speak up in fear that we will look prejudice or that we are haters. But, it’s quite the contrary with me. In fact, if I do silence the TRUTH about the views of this ‘World’ that we live in, then I am doing and injustice not only to the human race in which God created, but I will also do an injustice to the GOD I say I love. He called me to love and to “Teach Truth as I was Taught,” not just because my daddy and pastors in and throughout my life taught me but because I began to see the Word of Truth by my own Spirit within me.

I am going to speak up because I love and I fear for the lives of those I care about (the many lives) as we approach “The End Times” (as the Bible says—). If the book of Hebrews says to, “‘spur’ one another on toward love and good deeds, and not give up meeting together as some are in habit of doing, but encourage one another all the more as we see the day approaching.” Then I feel that the ‘rights’ that this WORLD and all it’s “Legal” freedom speak out about, dictates that I no longer have a voice because I believe in the rights of the Biblical written Word of God.

I cannot be silent just as gays and homosexuals are no longer silent about how they feel and how they want to live and feel they have a right to stand for something they believe in. (ever noticed that there is a segregation, when we call them Gays and Homosexual’s? God and His love did not do that. Choices made, did that. I know I too once felt separated from my loving friends and Christian believers when I chose to be loose with my body and less with my FAITH in God.) I love ALL MY FRIENDS that profess to be gay in fact I have a niece that lives a gay lifestyle though I have never ‘heard’ her say to me she was gay. (But a tree that bears leaves that appear to be a fruit tree essentially will bring forth fruit.) (But even the thought of that can scare me for her, because Jesus cursed the fig tree for bearing fruit in the wrong ‘season’ and it goes on to say; “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but MY WORD will NEVER PASS AWAY.” In the end of all of this, and there will be an end, HIS WORD will stand taller than our fight for what we want to be right.

So here I am, it may not really be a SECRET since I post all the time about my love for God, but I also love passionately the stance I have with “Legal” TRUTHS of Gods standards. After all, the only reason there is a fight for “rights” is so that a standard can be set for a certain side. However with me, this in my ‘training’ to speak with love, but speak also with Truth.

Standards, Gods way, has been jeopardized by mans thinking and actions. What I know about choices, mine included, if a mind is not renewed and washed by the Word of God then it’s trumping the plan of God and forcing Gods standard to be omitted. Are we setting ourselves a trap? I know the Bible pretty well, I’m not a scholar, but according to Genesis, God allowed Abraham in to the city of Sodom and Gomorrah to observe the wickedness in those cities. I am leaning in toward the urgent request to ‘bargain’ with God for the sake of my friends!! GOD PLEASE SPARE US FROM OUR ‘RIGHTS’ WE ARE ALL FIGHTING FOR, FORGIVE US, BECAUSE WE HAVE TAKEN OUR EYES OFF OF YOU AND OFF OF YOUR PLAN, BUT INSTEAD WE ARE WANTING OUR OWN PLAN TO BE FULFILLED. GOD FORGIVE US!

What will happen if we continue to ‘fight for OUR rights’ which contrary to the Word of God? We will eventually reap a harvest in our lives. (I say, “WE” because even in my silence I too become guilty, if I do not declare what God created me to declare.) Sometimes that harvest is destruction.  

If there were no laws, which humans have constantly broken then there would be no need to fight for freedom, which essentially places us in bondage. BUT, God set a standard into motion when he set the laws into place because people were guided by their own sexual, immoral and fleshly desires, nearly always in and throughout this flawed world, we have broken the laws of God and yet, HE has GRACED us numerous times. (Thank God there is a Savior, His name is Jesus.)  From the beginning of time, Gods people, in Exodus 13 & through chapters 22), when they took their eyes off of God, they built their fate. When we fight for what is desired rather than desiring for what is SOUND DOCTRINE, then we will eventually set ourselves up for FAILURE.

I am not suggesting that you should not LOVE someone from the same sex in fact I have many female friends, whom I love. I have many male friends, whom I love. I am just asking you to delve a little deeper and stop looking for politics or Hollywood or even the agony of what drives someone to run to a distorted ‘truth’ to go back, quickly go back to the Word of God and remember that even God will EXALT his Word above EVERYTHING. Psalms 138:2

If He finds the significance in WHAT HIS WORDS say…..I am going to take it pretty literally that He must mean it.

I love you, I truly do…..but even as you, my gay friends are not silent about fighting for rights, I will stand behind you and fight for YOU, whom God created for a greater purpose than ‘rights.’

August 2014 Newsletter

"The Secret is out"

This is an Ad I am doing to try and help the, POOR, HOMELESS and female PRISONER'S. 

I saw the need first when I went to Tegucigalpa women's prisons. Most recently I was asked by the organization called "Burgers Bibles and Blessings" who help feed and minister to the homeless. This is a group from my church at Central Christian. 

Because this monthly cycle is with most women for many years starting with adolescence, it is therefore a common problem, yet one of the best kept SECRETS until a lady NEEDS ONE! 

I have personally felt the desperation, but my chances of getting a tampon or any other feminine product are feasible and assessable for me, but not so much for some. 

I am taking it upon myself to address this issue and help those who are 'at war' with desiring to keep this a SECRET within their personal lives, by reaching out to them, to give.

If you would like to help......email me or private message me on Facebook @ Holly Vernon Miller or go to Holly Miller Ministries.com

Thanks and GOD BLESS YOU

People are watching

My second blog of the day.......famine or feast, I guess. 

I like to read the Message Bible when I simply want to 'read' not necessarily study. In doing this, I find meanings which are really authentic and relevant to my own life when I read this way....particularly in the MESSAGE version. 

Today I was in the book of Colossians and I saw the importance to write to you and encourage you.

Here goes......Paul is telling the people in the book of Colossians how important others are to him because they are willing to serve and encourage. The humorous part to me is he is encouraging 'free' people while he is held captive. He mentions 3 names in chapter 4 and what I notice is how he 'describes his friends.' 

He says, "My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me." I  thought, as I was reading, I wonder what he desires for them to know by writing to them about how he is doing. But, people really do want to know if someone is still living for Jesus, though they are in another part of the world. 

Then he writes about Tychicus and explains how he is a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master...Then goes on to explain how "he will encourage you in the faith." Then he talks about Onesimus, (one of my favorite stories) and how he says, "He is one of you" (I thought that was very typical because it sounds so much like what I want to write, to encourage my 'friend'.) And then he says, "Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings....and he names 2 more, Justus and Mark......he goes on to explain that he and Mark and Justus are the only ones left from the old crowd. 

Now, can I tell you my interpretation of what I feel God and Paul are doing here and telling me? OK! 

We get separated. We have lives that pull us away and into the chaos and we have jobs that bog us down but I can tell you from this side of ministry, there are times I want to throw in the towel many times, but I WON'T and I don't want to. However, we all get weary? Yes, I get weary but the GREATER part of me which is my Spirit, is always soaring for me and through me. My songs of praise make me fly like and eagle and then I am able to see so much more than my present, gunk!

As with you, my friend, much like Paul's letter, I send to you a letter to encourage you in your faith and I also invite you to stay renewed in the Word of God. 

I too could send a personal greeting and write a report about certain ones who I know will receive my words, so I will just close with this and say, "I pray that God is moving boldly in your lives and more than anything you are not losing hope as you see the day of His return. I also pray that the Holy Spirit will fill you with renewed strength as you journey to the next place that God has for you. I pray you find a place to give of yourself and encourage someone in their time of need, so that Christ will be magnified in all that you do. 

I know we live in a hostile world and it seems that many horrible and tragic things are happening all around us, but remember this, He has over come this WORLD. And much like Paul writes, I forward his words I found in Romans, which are to "never ignore God and please do not refuse to worship him and become silly and confused and pretend that you have it all figured out, trading him in for something you can buy at a roadside stand."

I encourage you my friends. Walk in Wisdom and seek to find all that keeps you built up so that your life will be as a standard for others to follow, to find Jesus.

Last month in my home Bible Study, we wrote notes to each other to encourage each other and then we shared them with the person with whom we drew their name......this should never stop when someone is placed on our heart, please send a text or an email or snail mail and let them know they are loved.

Become a Champion of your life and allow the one who increases your faith to become your Pulpit. People are watching.

Acceptance that never ends

A new momma loves this little boy! 

 This little guy is reaching up and it's not merely an act of FAITH whether or not someone will pick him up, because I personally know someone will. But for many wounded in this World it's a daily question whether or not someone, most profoundly, whether or not God, will pick them up.

It starts very young....it's natural to be cuddled and protected and LOVED.

                                               Diverse conditions......same kind of love.

So many wounded hearts in this World, but one I see most prevalent in America is the need for acceptance and desire to be loved. Little babies expect it and should always get it, but some don't. This one pictured does because he is my nephew(top pic) and I know how much he is loved.

However it is not the case with many people, so they search until they 'think' they have found it.

WE, yes, myself included have fallen in and out of love and in and out of love......thinking that THIS IS THE ONE....only to find that you are abandoned and begging again for that same attention and desire to be fulfilled as when you found this one that just walked away. 

This need will never be filled by human antics or human words or a multiplicity of sex partners. Though I believe in love from another person, as I am married, but when you search for it in love from others over and over again, it's just off kilter.  That kind of love, if you want to call it love is not what sustains us. When we live our lives basing every minute of happiness in the thought of someone loving us, then we have stopped loving ourselves. 

The way I see it, when Jesus talks about Love, he says, "love me, love them, love YOU." 

If you don't love him and only love them, then you don't love you.

It has to be all three in constant obedience that causes it to work,  ESPECIALLY loving GOD FIRST. 

I already wrote about that topic, but I what experienced this past weekend was a very bad situation that didn't really surprise me really, as I have lived long enough and reached out enough to see the bad. But, it really does always amaze me how people lose their self worth and depend on and rely on others to fully love and accept them, in order to reach the he/she "completes me" mentality. No-body can do that for another human 24/7 and if that is the Worship of another, then it's not healthy! It's made for the Movie Screen. Never mind the fact that it's not the way according to Gods Word, that he designed it to be.

I love my husband, but I can tell you if I do not know who I am in the Lord Jesus Christ, with Charlie or without Charlie, then I will never truly know who I am. And I would fail horribly at what I am aiming to do in this ministry if I totally and completely relied on my husband for my every waking move. 

My desire is to instill Truth from the Word of God that builds a CHAMPION on the inside of a SOUL. So, whenever that 'soul' gets hit, because it will, they will be able to take the fiery darts and not fall to the point of no return and end up much like I witnessed this weekend at a house of chaos, shambles, filth and debris and a broken and crushed heart turning every which way to find peace. 

HE IS OUR PEACE. 

We can't be dependent on someone else to 'complete us' but rather rely on the CHAMPION, who is Jesus to be ingrained in our heart, our mind and our spirit.

Read the Word, be encouraged by positive Christians, stay tuned up by listening to worship music, search for a testimony that will build you up rather than gossip that will bring you down! In other words, you are in charge of "KEEPING HOUSE"........keep it safe from harm.

I close with some words from a dear friend of mine, Paul. In the book of Acts he stands up and takes a deep breath and says, "Fellow Wichitians, (Israelites) and friends of God, listen. God took special interest in our ancestors, pulled our people who were beaten down  and in exile to their FEET, and led them out of there in GRAND STYLE. He took good care of them for nearly forty years in the godforsaken wilderness and then, having wiped out seven enemies  who stood in the way, gave them land of their very own! (a span of about 450 years!) "

See, God WILL PICK YOU UP......TRUST IT...KEEP YOUR ARMS UP PRAISING HIM AND NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP.