Something Found on my Email

Something to Ponder,
 
Dear All,
PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THIS TO THE END, PREFERABLY WHEN YOU ARE LESS BUSY.

I can only imagine...
Heaven as written by a 17 Year Old Boy  
This is excellent and really gets you thinking about what will happen in Heaven.

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the last.
Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teays Valley High School in Pickaway County.

Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them, notes from classmates and teachers, and his homework. Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven.
It makes such an impact that people want to share it. "You feel like you are there," Mr. Moore said.. Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moore 's framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.

Here is Brian's essay entitled:
                                 
                             " The Room.."
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at."

Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents Often there were many more cards than expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.

Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.

One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards...
But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes.. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.
Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him.. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive.
The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

If you feel the same way forward it to as many people as you can so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how about yours?

Basics of Life

As a child growing up in the Milby household, Mom Linda would blare 4Him during here cleaning duties.  This is just one of many songs that has stuck with me through my life.  The Basics of Life. 
Over the past few weeks I have been overwhelmed with many of the stressors life can place upon one's life, work, going back to college, trying to make career changes, etc.  However, some where along the way I have started to try and take control out of God's hands. During my reading of Crazy Love Chan said worry implies we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.  Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience.  So I guess I am stuck between the two of them. 
I have never been a control freak, nor have a been the type of person that needs the here and now.  But lately I am trying to get the here and now and not allowing for God to run His plan in my life and for that I am sorry.  Getting back to the basics is my motto for the week. 
As Mom Linda has always told me via

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

And then one verse that I came across

John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

My motivation for the week is to just give Him the burdens and let Him take care of the rest for He has a plan for me. 
So I hope that if you are having a bad week, stressed about decisions, etc read this verse a few times over, watch the video.  I hope that it can bring about some comfort to your current situation(s). 
Blessings to all. 
Feel free to post your thoughts, concerns etc. 

Happy Mothers Day

I would just like to take the time to say Happy Mothers Day to all the women around the world today.  It is a great pleasure to say that as I have had so many GREAT women in my life.  I will be the first to admit that they aren't perfect, but viewed through my perspective they are. 
God knew exactly what He was doing when He placed women on Earth (and the Bible gives us many great references to just how important women are in our lives).  He knew that we men needed to have a counterpart that would be nuturing, caring, Motherly, gentle, stearn, loving, compassionate, I could go on.  So thank you God. 
It brings me great honor to honor all the women (Jetona, Mom Kathy, Mom Linda, Mom Rhonda, Granny Sue, Aunt Karen, Jaime, Audrey Ashley, and those who have been called up yonder) in my life.  Each of you have had some hand in shaping and molding me.  I appreciate each of you and your numerous contributions you have made in my life.  I can not repay any of you for all that you have done, so I will just express it here.  THANK YOU, I LOVE YOU ALL.  HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY. 

The Inspiration of Rich Mullins

I am not sure if many of you know the story of Rich Mullins.  But in Sept 1997 he was taken from this world in a vehicle accident when he lost control of the vehicle he and a friend were in. Both were ejected from the vehicle and Rich was thrown into an on coming semi tractor trailor. 

The reason I bring up Rich is because he was a simple man, called upon by God to do His will and way.  Rich took a lot of heat because of his laid back demeanor, he was known for going on stage without shoes, unshaven, etc.  You will see in a video I have shared below that he is nothing more than just a mere human being nothing flashy, nothing special but his love for God.  He wrote several note worthy songs, Step by Step, Awesome God, etc  Each has been covered by other Christian singers over the past 14 years.  But here is what amazed me more than anything.  (Rich even with all his success, never became as well knows as the likes of Michael W. Smith, Ray Boltz, etc.) He lived off a modest average mans salary about 24k a year.  He actually didn't want to know how much he made so he never knew what he had.  He had a group of cohorts who over saw his earnings and saw that everything was given away. That was their job, every penny he made outside of the annual 24k was sent to missions, charities, etc.  That was the type of guy Rich was.  Just watch him in the live video you can see the man in tears that was his love for God.  Listen to his moment of testimony, Rich got it. Do you? 

Makes you want to be something more doesn't it?  This is a true inspiration to me. 

It came at a time that I need it most.  As I strive to be more, I some times get lost in the things the world has out there.   The never ending carrot of corporate America, but there is something I will never have enough of money.  I am fine with not having the money, but it is the time part that I am having the most trouble with accepting.  In my pursuit of worldly possessions, being a provider, etc. I have sacraficed time in pursuit of the dollar.  My vision, my purpose, has been clouded.  But it is the new year that has brought about the value of time.  I have been blessed with a job in which I see 1,000s of high school students on a yearly basis, I help those individuals aspire to go on and pursue college opportunities, but in some occassions its the kids I get to witness to that brings me great enjoyment.  However, I am still governed by Corporate America, I am still saddened, still lost, uninspired, but I can no longer be managed by a clock working 40-80 hrs a week.  I can no longer consider making money as my biggest motivator. I have found a new motivator, my purpose is to do His will and His way. Some will see it as radical but I see it as just putting it all out there, have faith, and let Him provide. At the same time making myself more available to those who need me most, family, friends etc.  I have wasted and lost to many hours in my adult life and I will no longer lose that time.  I do not want to be a flipvideo/youtube father one day.   Now it is finding that equal balance between work and life that I must pursue.  I have to become something more and get my time back. God has greatly blessed me and my family over the past few years and it is because of those many blessings that I want to continue to strive to do more for Him.

I ask that you pray for me as I continue my pursuit of finding a comfortable balance between work and life.  But more importantly in my pursuit of Him.

I hope that you can find yourself striving to do more over the next couple of days and weeks.  Blessings.