Time Alone with God

We as ministers often share that people need to have time alone with God. With the changing of society, technology and all the additions of our personal schedules 'time alone with God' has certainly seen some changes over the years. I was officially licensed into the Gospel Ministry in 1982. During that time period, 'time alone with God' when heard by a minister or speaker generally meant that there was a time that was set aside where you would read your Bible, prayed or had a system that best used the time set aside to communicate with God personally. In the 1980's people had busy schedules but there were some aspect of our current lives that were not present then, as they are today. For example, cellular phones were a new invention for the United States. If you had a phone back then it was either the Motorola Brick or your other options was what everyone simply referred to as a bag phone. As indicated by it's label name, it was simple a telephone, much like what was inside your home and was in a black bag. I am thinking that for the younger generation reading some might not even be aware of what a home phone is, given the fact that many homes today do not even have home landlines. Cellular phones & technology have changed everything around us, even for those that are resisting its ready availability. With this ever advancing means of communication, today's time alone with God has a ever sense of being connected while being alone with Him. Back in the day 'time along with God' had as it's primary tools a copy of your King James Version Bible, a pad or notebook of paper for writing and taking notes, and maybe even the phone placed off the hook so there would be no interruption. For many in Christendom today, if we do not have an internet or cellular connection we might just be out of luck in connection with God. We have Bible applications that we've downloaded on our phones and many of these contain a Bible reading schedule to help folks read through the Bible. Many of us have uploaded mobile applications that include complete Bible studies of individual books and even themes and topics. With all the upgrades in society's communication opportunities through technology there is something I am hearing some folks say that causes me to both smile and finally believe that all things change and then come back around again in practice. Considering this thought we all have seen fashions come and go and for older folks, our favorite statement to say is, "I had a pair of those". Once learning what the young generation has paid for todays new fashion styles all of us are wishing we had only held on to those clothes we thought were outdated and had thrown away. 'Time alone with God' is still in fashion no matter your methods practiced. I have counted my Bibles in my study and I've got every version, I believe, and I've got study Bibles of every kind with multiple translations to compare when thinking during my 'time alone with God'. I am still old fashion in that sense and I have yet to fully graduate to all the applications. Many of my ministry friends have shared with me and demonstrated how they work and would make my time alone more successful, they said. To be honest, I like some of the changes but I've been just a slow about making all the adjustments. For me it was drastic to discard my typewriter and move to a computer. Today, I've gone from a written message and outline typed on paper to using an ipad that I uploaded to a format that is then followed by choosing which application I want to use for my presentation and delivery. 'Time alone with God' still involves setting aside a specific time for in-depth study and sermon presentation but with all the changes in technology I have also learned that with the aid and assistance of these new applications and programs, I can make 'time alone with God' happen just about anywhere with our without technology. The number one desire of God is that we are followers will communicate with Him. One of my growing moments in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ is that I could pray with my eyes open. After all, ministers always said close your eyes and bow your heads when praying. Well things change and have changed, but 'time alone with God' is still a must. Until then

Opportunity - Sounds - Wonder

Opportunities - Sound - Wonder 06/16/2014 10:56 AM There are two great opportunities for listening to the sounds of nature that I have yet to determine which is my favorite. In the morning hours listening to the birds singing is really a unique moment. This opportunity can be so easily overlooked in life if we don’t purposely plan to seize it by sitting down in a chair and just listening. Failing to plan such a moment into the active schedule of our lives might never be missed by you, but experiencing the moment will cause you to heighten your senses to the beauty of God’s birds singing their individual songs. The other great opportunity happens at the opposite spectrum of the day. Morning is for listening to the birds sing, seeing the sunrise and — if doubly blessed — feeling a gentle breeze. The evening or setting sun naturally creates an opportunity for those other creatures of God’s to come out into the sound of air and do their thing. Watching a sunset is always awesome. For lovers of the setting sun this experience on a beach is a great place and a much desired place to experience such. The significance about a setting sun moment on the beach is the experience has some length as the ocean goes out to see and the sun sets on the body of water. One has hours to enjoy all the changes of the single experience. Personally I love the setting sun in the mountains. Now this moment is not going to be lasting for hours, something that ‘city folk’ might not be prepared for. Life in the mountains teaches you that you better come quick and fast because here in the mountains once the sun sets behind the mountain, it is gone! Listening in the evening to the sounds of nature I have a tendency to lean toward at my favorite time. Listening to the frogs and crickets, my ears have a strong attraction and attentiveness to the moment. I am not sure what it is about the experience that I like the most either. With no lights visible and just the beauty of the night sky hearing frogs I truly enjoy. It could be that this moment is a happy time because I love fried frog legs and I am thinking about a great meal, but I know this thought is not my real motivation. The experience of listening to the frogs at night is a great opportunity for me to relax and take in the wonders of God’s world. It is more than just simply listening to frog croak that I enjoy. I love listening to the chorus of frogs that seem like they are everywhere croaking and croaking and then all of a sudden total silence. Now if you have never stayed around long enough when the chorus or symphony of frogs are in unison until a moment of silence, then I want to invite you to “sit a longer spell, if you will.” The moment of frog silents happens totally unexpected and then without reason or rhyme the begin again all in their own time. I have attempted to motivate the frogs in their effort of night time entertainment with a sound or human noise. Yes, the frogs will at times seem to stop and listen and then no doubt continue their conversation by saying something like, “Can you believe that guy sitting on the porch thinks he can mess with us?” I confess I do not have the ability or even as mountain folks love to say, but cannot spell, the ‘frogiest’ idea of how to, but I like the frog listening opportunity available to us. I can whistle but I know I cannot sing the language of the singing birds but there is something about the practice of whistling that makes you have a merry spirit and at least a smile on your face from the practice of the art. I am sure that there are some of you reading the column that are going to take the time to plan a moment to go to your porch and attempt to take in the experience because you immediately know you have missed the moment and opportunity. Others of you might be tempted to just keep on the current schedule you practice of using your front or back door as an entrance way for coming and going, and continuing to miss the opportunity of a might chorus awaiting your presence and attendance. Don’t miss out on the great things of life, like the little things. It is very well possible that your life is in great need of a little thing that will remind you of all the unique wonders in our Father’s World. Until then... You can reach Tim Mills at timothy.h.mills@gmail.com

Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy

ChalleNGe Academy is making a differenceBy Tim Mills Contributing Writer 19 days 6 hours ago |440 Views | 0 Comments ||| The Kentucky National Guard's Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy's fourth graduation ceremony was held on June 14 at Harlan County High School.... From Hazard to Harlan, Pineville to Paintsville, Williamsburg to Whitesburg, Barbourville to Betsy Lane, the Kentucky National Guard ChalleNGe Academy is making a difference in the lives of teenagers between the ages of 16-18 and families all across southeastern Kentucky. The Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy is a structured program that is providing answers, hope, and a new foundation to individuals and families. In July of 1999 the ChalleNGe Program begin in Kentucky as a special project of the governor’s Office through the adjutant general and the Kentucky National Guard. On June 14, the Appalachian ChalleNGe Program administrated from the facility and campus in Harlan County graduated 100 Cadets who successfully completed the 22-week course. The program is designed to foster values, life skills, education and self-discipline that will help the cadet succeed in life as a productive citizen. Witnessing the teenage boys and girls marching into the area created and staged for their graduation ceremony was a moving moment of exciting. Realizing that for some of these youths, this was the first major accomplishment of their lives. Indeed 14 cadets completed the course work to receive their General Education Diplomas (GED) and four students earned the remaining credit hours necessary to complete their requirements for the high school diplomas. The “quasi-military” program is built around eight core components. The components include: Responsible citizenship; academic excellence; life-coping skills; service to community; health and hygiene; job skills training; leadership/followship and physical fitness. Cadets who graduate will have improved their talents and skills in attention to detail, respect, self-discipline and the key to military life is understanding the chain of command. At Saturday’s graduation I was personally impressed by the number of cadets that had begun the process of enlisting in a branch of the armed services of the United States and or who had sought out additional education and opportunities that are related to the service. The Bible teaches in scripture that “you have not because you haven’t asked.” In the mountains we are fond of the saying “be careful for what you ask for,” knowing that life can sometimes bring a flood of things all at once that can be completely overwhelming. Yet, asking for help, and seeing positive change leaves one to only question, what more should you ask for? Needing help and receiving improving assistance is a part of the solution when faced with issues of difficulty. Not sure what way to turn and then having someone help you across the street is the guiding hand that was necessary when we find ourselves struck looking up and down the street not sure where to go or what to do. Yes, life’s solutions can be found from simple as asking someone for help. Our resistance to help is that most often we think we know what the answer should be or we have already put into our mind and attitude the only answer we will accept. As you know just from reading my last sentence that isn’t the way life works and we know that mindset works against all things not only positive but good too. Watching the cadets throughout the graduation ceremony I found interesting the two faces they displayed. The first face was the straightforward, serious looking, eyes fixed, feet marching face of no distraction. The second face the cadets displayed was the one that included the big smile of excitement, and sense of pride they had from successfully completing the program and conquering their fears. I know that sense of accomplishment as I too have attempted to overcome my fears and the sense of confidence that fills your life after reaching your goal is a feeling and learning experience that sticks with you throughout life. These cadets who have just now graduated are now connected with mentors who will communicate weekly to follow-up, provide encouragement and lend support for the next year as the cadet adjusts to the real practice of their learning and the value of being productive and the change that comes with that success.