Our February 2019 Prayer Letter
Many Irons in the Fire
Grace and peace to you, Our Dear Friends.
One: George’s book, Maturing toward Wholeness in the Inner Life, is being edited in English, and translated into German, by two gifted young friends. So far it has been published only on our website. Lord, lead us as to how to expand the influence of this message.
Two: From April 28 to May 4 we will once again lead a six-day retreat on “Discipleship to Jesus” (Jüngerschaftswoche) in Trieb, Germany with the Benecke family. Maturing toward Wholeness in the Inner Life will be our textbook. The retreat will include shared meals, Liturgy of the Hours, teaching, practical work, and spiritual practices. Lord, please bring the participants of your choice….
AZ House of Representatives
During the House’s regular Floor Session on February 18, 2019, a Resolution was read expressing unanimous support for Holocaust Education in Arizona public schools. Hanna Zach Miley was a guest of Rep. Michelle Udall, Education Committee Chair, and gave the opening prayer that day. There was also a performance from Violins of Hope, featuring a violin and music from the Holocaust. (photo credit: Noleen Thurman)
Hanna the Storyteller by Amy Cogdell
Our Father is a teacher; but first He is a storyteller. A very patient artist indeed, willing to spend millennia, perhaps eons as we count them, unfolding His plots and themes, developing His cast of characters, adorning His tapestry with motif and symbol. His story is alive, eternally present. The drama is real and all creation is caught up in the march towards its glorious end.
Jesus was also a storyteller. When He encountered hearts hardened to instruction, He often spoke in parables. Doubters threw their hands up in frustration; but those in tune with the Story passed down through the prophets felt their hearts thrill. Foreshadowing was moving quickly toward climax. The Good Shepherd was among them, gathering His sheep. The Vineyard Owner had come to gather His harvest. The merciful Father was searching for his prodigal children. The King’s Son was issuing invitations to His own wedding feast, and they were invited! This Messenger was the Story’s center.
George the Teacher by Amy Cogdell
Crowds gathered around Him again, and once more, according to His custom, He sat down to teach them. – Mark 10:1
Our Father is a teacher. The Source of Wisdom delights to instruct those who will listen. His teaching is a gift of revelation and intimacy. When YHWH called Israel apart for Himself, He entrusted them with the Law. The Law was a window into His heart. It was a tutor, educating a nation to stand as a witness to the coming Kingdom.
How did the Lord teach Israel to worship? By loving Him alone. By honoring His Name. By resting on the Sabbath and ensuring their servants and animals would rest as well. By keeping faith with their spouses and speaking truthfully to one another. By guarding their inmost hearts and rejecting all covetous thoughts. God called Israel to walk with Him with by imitating His character. What a striking contrast to the demonic gods of other nations who reveled in drunkenness, prostitution and child-sacrifice!
Podcast Episode: Healing the Wounds of History
How is Christ’s glory revealed upon Gentile Nations (Isaiah 60:2)? One way is by force–at the 2nd coming. But force is not God’s preferred way. The second way is by grace–as God heals wounds caused by sin, imbedded in history, through grace-empowered actions of God’s people. Here are four components of such ways with stories connected with healing wounds of the Holocaust.
(George Miley) Recorded 1/06/2019
Can Outward Circumstances Produce Joy?
Can Outward Circumstance Produce Joy?
Outward circumstances or events cannot produce abiding joy. Joy is a quality of the inner life. It grows within as we learn to live in God’s Presence. Love, joy and peace are experienced together. “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
(George Miley) Recorded 12/2018
Season of Advent
Podcast: My Behavior Reveals the Condition of My Inner Life
The epistle of James can be understood as belonging to the literary genre of the wisdom literature of Israel. Written by a Messianic Jew, intended most probably for Messianic Jewish congregations beyond Palestine, it reflects Jewish thought patterns throughout. The overarching wisdom theme of the book: external behavior reveals the condition of the inner life.