i'm hooked on a new television show on PBS called "wired science" (mostly because it is available in HD over the air). i found this story to be simply amazing. people are actually able to see with their tongue!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
teacher of the month...
i am pleased to announce that hope milthaler is kings high school teacher of the month. not only is she attractive, hot, super-duper, pregnant... she's the teacher of the month.
i'm proud of hope because she sees her job as much more than the ends to a paycheck. she loves the kids she leads and impacts them for a lifetime.
you can see pictures of her latest christmas concert at http://www.milthaler.com/kings
milthaler
i'm proud of hope because she sees her job as much more than the ends to a paycheck. she loves the kids she leads and impacts them for a lifetime.
you can see pictures of her latest christmas concert at http://www.milthaler.com/kings
milthaler
Thursday, December 13, 2007
P90X
well, it's day ten of a new workout program that i'm on called P90X. to be honest, this is the first video exercise program that i have used and... i actually really like it. there are 12 or so DVD's and it works on the principle of "muscle confusion". which means, when you feel spent after 10 minutes... things switch up and somehow... you can do more. i'll keep you updated on how it goes in the future.
also there is a cool alternative to biblegateway.com out there. youversion.com is published by the guys from lifechurch and i really like it. there are some cool features that bgateway doesn't have.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
snowdays
there is nothing quite like a snowday. on hope's first snowday of the year i also take off work and we spend some family time. it usually involves playing in the snow, fire in the fireplace, making chili and a movie or two. today hopie had the idea of using food coloring and snow. she and reagan spelled out his name in the snow. and... the chili was excellent! btw, my chili recipe is award winning as i won a chili cookoff about seven years ago.
milthaler
Thursday, November 29, 2007
day 003
SCRIPTURE: 1 samuel 29:1-11.
OBSERVATIONS:
remember this is israel v. philistines (round 258, or so). only this time david is on the philistines side. this is a little weird, but we can get the feeling that david is going to go fight the good guys with the bad guys. from yesterday, it's like an lifelong ohio state fan playing for michigan.
-david has put up a good front with achish (btw, would that be a good name for a boy.. he he) it appears that david has indeed crossed over to the dark side.
-this seems to be a reoccurring theme... saul has killed thousands, david ten thousand.
-david is sent home... but, we have to ask the question... would he have really fought for the philistines. we are given all signals that david was ready to fight for the bad guys. i don't like this question, and i really don't know the answer. i would like to think that david would have never flipped.
APPLICATION:
i think the application here is that we need to be the type of people that are respected... even by our enemies. david was found to be in good favor with achish even though he was his enemy.
PRAYER:
god use me in any way you see necessary. give me the strength to be respected even by my enemies.
OBSERVATIONS:
remember this is israel v. philistines (round 258, or so). only this time david is on the philistines side. this is a little weird, but we can get the feeling that david is going to go fight the good guys with the bad guys. from yesterday, it's like an lifelong ohio state fan playing for michigan.
-david has put up a good front with achish (btw, would that be a good name for a boy.. he he) it appears that david has indeed crossed over to the dark side.
-this seems to be a reoccurring theme... saul has killed thousands, david ten thousand.
-david is sent home... but, we have to ask the question... would he have really fought for the philistines. we are given all signals that david was ready to fight for the bad guys. i don't like this question, and i really don't know the answer. i would like to think that david would have never flipped.
APPLICATION:
i think the application here is that we need to be the type of people that are respected... even by our enemies. david was found to be in good favor with achish even though he was his enemy.
PRAYER:
god use me in any way you see necessary. give me the strength to be respected even by my enemies.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
post from tuesday...
here is a recovered post from yesterday (tuesday)
SCRIPTURE: 1 samuel 28:1-25
OBSERVATIONS:
-for me it's like david (imagine he is a life long ohio state guy) has gone to live in ann arbor, michigan. for a season he hides out and plays for the wolverines during their big ten schedule. but now, they are going to play the buckeyes. the coach of U of M fully trust david and thinks... this is awesome... i have their best player now playing for me.
-samuel was the voice of reason for israel... i'm sure that saul was causing all kinds of chaos in samuel's absence.
-saul seems to become afraid whenever he faces the dreaded wolverines... wait, the philistines.
-so this freaky stuff happens in the bible. i can't explain it... but, it happened.
-the relationship between samuel and saul could be another series... remember, samuel was the voice of god to saul. now when saul is scared and not able to hear from god... he does anything to find advice... even wake up the dead.
-this is an amazing paragraph of scripture: "God has turned away from you and is now on the side of your neighbor. God has done exactly what he told you through me—ripped the kingdom right out of your hands and given it to your neighbor. It's because you did not obey God, refused to carry out his seething judgment on Amalek, that God does to you what he is doing today. Worse yet, God is turning Israel, along with you, over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And, yes, indeed, God is giving Israel's army up to the Philistines."
-imagine hearing that god is no longer with you. that you have lost everything. that you will die tomorrow.
APPLICATION:
when we don't follow god's instructions... it leads to desperation and death.
PRAYER:
god, help me to know your directions and follow them. i want to know what you want... so i can do what you want.
milthaler
SCRIPTURE: 1 samuel 28:1-25
OBSERVATIONS:
-for me it's like david (imagine he is a life long ohio state guy) has gone to live in ann arbor, michigan. for a season he hides out and plays for the wolverines during their big ten schedule. but now, they are going to play the buckeyes. the coach of U of M fully trust david and thinks... this is awesome... i have their best player now playing for me.
-samuel was the voice of reason for israel... i'm sure that saul was causing all kinds of chaos in samuel's absence.
-saul seems to become afraid whenever he faces the dreaded wolverines... wait, the philistines.
-so this freaky stuff happens in the bible. i can't explain it... but, it happened.
-the relationship between samuel and saul could be another series... remember, samuel was the voice of god to saul. now when saul is scared and not able to hear from god... he does anything to find advice... even wake up the dead.
-this is an amazing paragraph of scripture: "God has turned away from you and is now on the side of your neighbor. God has done exactly what he told you through me—ripped the kingdom right out of your hands and given it to your neighbor. It's because you did not obey God, refused to carry out his seething judgment on Amalek, that God does to you what he is doing today. Worse yet, God is turning Israel, along with you, over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And, yes, indeed, God is giving Israel's army up to the Philistines."
-imagine hearing that god is no longer with you. that you have lost everything. that you will die tomorrow.
APPLICATION:
when we don't follow god's instructions... it leads to desperation and death.
PRAYER:
god, help me to know your directions and follow them. i want to know what you want... so i can do what you want.
milthaler
problems with blog...
well, it seems as if my last post never posted... so, i'm going to double check this one and try to recover yesterday's stuff. anywho... here is the list of readings for this week, just in case you weren't able to get them:
1 samuel 27:1-13
1 samuel 28:1-25
1 samuel 29:1-11
1 samuel 30:8-25
1 samuel 31:1-13
FROM MONDAY (RECOVERED)
SCRIPTURE; 1 samuel 28:1-25 (i've pasted the message version in)
1 David thought to himself, "Sooner or later, Saul's going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to Philistine country. Saul will count me a lost cause and quit hunting me down in every nook and cranny of Israel. I'll be out of his reach for good."
2-4 So David left; he and his six hundred men went to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath. They moved in and settled down in Gath, with Achish. Each man brought his household; David brought his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, widow of Nabal of Carmel. When Saul was told that David had escaped to Gath, he called off the hunt.
5 Then David said to Achish, "If it's agreeable to you, assign me a place in one of the rural villages. It doesn't seem right that I, your mere servant, should be taking up space in the royal city."
6-7 So Achish assigned him Ziklag. (This is how Ziklag got to be what it is now, a city of the kings of Judah.) David lived in Philistine country a year and four months.
8-9 From time to time David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites—these people were longtime inhabitants of the land stretching toward Shur and on to Egypt. When David raided an area he left no one alive, neither man nor woman, but took everything else: sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, clothing—the works. Then he'd return to Achish.
10-11 Achish would ask, "And whom did you raid today?"
David would tell him, "Oh, the Negev of Judah," or "The Negev of Jerahmeel," or "The Negev of the Kenites." He never left a single person alive lest one show up in Gath and report what David had really been doing. This is the way David operated all the time he lived in Philistine country.
12 Achish came to trust David completely. He thought, "He's made himself so repugnant to his people that he'll be in my camp forever."
OBSERVATIONS:
-remember the philistines are the enemy. david is thinking that saul will search all over his home country... living in enemy territory will really limit david's movement and freedom, but he is willing to do it to survive.
-it seems that 600 is the average number of men that david had with him at any one time.
-saul is not going to try to nab david in gath.
-interesting... goliath was from gath... david killed goliath. now david in verse five is calling himself a servant to achish.
-david stays in ziklag for a year and four months... interesting, that is about the exact time that i have been at the vineyard.
-i wiki-ed gath and here is a paragraph that i found interesting:
Recent excavations at the site (The Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project [1]), directed by Aren Maeir of Bar-Ilan University, appear to confirm this identification, due to abundant finds from the relevant Late Bronze and Iron Age periods — roughly when Gath is mentioned as existing in the various Biblical and other historical sources. Similarly, after the 9th century BC, the volume of archaeological finds from the site recedes, and a stronger cultural connection with the Judean region is felt (as opposed to the coastal/Philistine cultural orientation before hand). This seems to mirror the fact that Gath is rarely mentioned in post-9th century biblical narratives (and historical texts) and apparently loses its status as one of the main Philistine cities.
In 2005, an inscription dating to the Iron Age IIA (ca. 10th-9th century BC), mentioning names very similar to the name Goliath was discovered at the site.
so, those of you who doubt the truth of the bible... this is a small city mentioned, but it existed... it's not fictions.
-so, david becomes a modern day tony soprano. he makes his living in an "organized crime sort-of-way.
-achish is pleased to have david living in his city. he's like the kings island to mason. he's business keeps everyone rich and the city in good standing. notice that an enemy is trusting david. david is learning political skills... remember, he's training to be a leader.
APPLICATION:
i don't quite know yet. still figuring it out.
1 samuel 27:1-13
1 samuel 28:1-25
1 samuel 29:1-11
1 samuel 30:8-25
1 samuel 31:1-13
FROM MONDAY (RECOVERED)
SCRIPTURE; 1 samuel 28:1-25 (i've pasted the message version in)
1 David thought to himself, "Sooner or later, Saul's going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to Philistine country. Saul will count me a lost cause and quit hunting me down in every nook and cranny of Israel. I'll be out of his reach for good."
2-4 So David left; he and his six hundred men went to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath. They moved in and settled down in Gath, with Achish. Each man brought his household; David brought his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, widow of Nabal of Carmel. When Saul was told that David had escaped to Gath, he called off the hunt.
5 Then David said to Achish, "If it's agreeable to you, assign me a place in one of the rural villages. It doesn't seem right that I, your mere servant, should be taking up space in the royal city."
6-7 So Achish assigned him Ziklag. (This is how Ziklag got to be what it is now, a city of the kings of Judah.) David lived in Philistine country a year and four months.
8-9 From time to time David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites—these people were longtime inhabitants of the land stretching toward Shur and on to Egypt. When David raided an area he left no one alive, neither man nor woman, but took everything else: sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, clothing—the works. Then he'd return to Achish.
10-11 Achish would ask, "And whom did you raid today?"
David would tell him, "Oh, the Negev of Judah," or "The Negev of Jerahmeel," or "The Negev of the Kenites." He never left a single person alive lest one show up in Gath and report what David had really been doing. This is the way David operated all the time he lived in Philistine country.
12 Achish came to trust David completely. He thought, "He's made himself so repugnant to his people that he'll be in my camp forever."
OBSERVATIONS:
-remember the philistines are the enemy. david is thinking that saul will search all over his home country... living in enemy territory will really limit david's movement and freedom, but he is willing to do it to survive.
-it seems that 600 is the average number of men that david had with him at any one time.
-saul is not going to try to nab david in gath.
-interesting... goliath was from gath... david killed goliath. now david in verse five is calling himself a servant to achish.
-david stays in ziklag for a year and four months... interesting, that is about the exact time that i have been at the vineyard.
-i wiki-ed gath and here is a paragraph that i found interesting:
Recent excavations at the site (The Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project [1]), directed by Aren Maeir of Bar-Ilan University, appear to confirm this identification, due to abundant finds from the relevant Late Bronze and Iron Age periods — roughly when Gath is mentioned as existing in the various Biblical and other historical sources. Similarly, after the 9th century BC, the volume of archaeological finds from the site recedes, and a stronger cultural connection with the Judean region is felt (as opposed to the coastal/Philistine cultural orientation before hand). This seems to mirror the fact that Gath is rarely mentioned in post-9th century biblical narratives (and historical texts) and apparently loses its status as one of the main Philistine cities.
In 2005, an inscription dating to the Iron Age IIA (ca. 10th-9th century BC), mentioning names very similar to the name Goliath was discovered at the site.
so, those of you who doubt the truth of the bible... this is a small city mentioned, but it existed... it's not fictions.
-so, david becomes a modern day tony soprano. he makes his living in an "organized crime sort-of-way.
-achish is pleased to have david living in his city. he's like the kings island to mason. he's business keeps everyone rich and the city in good standing. notice that an enemy is trusting david. david is learning political skills... remember, he's training to be a leader.
APPLICATION:
i don't quite know yet. still figuring it out.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
1 Sam 23:1-15
we're putting up our christmas tree... so, i don't have as much time as i normally do.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 23:1-15
OBSERVATIONS:
-one of the big things here is that david has assembled a group of rebels. in many ways, this is where he learns how to lead.
-aren't the philistines supposed to be slaves at this point... they just won't die.
-notice at first that his guys didn't want to go, but he some how convinces them to go.
-from what i can remember saul never heard from god to go fight... now david is getting his direction from god and not a prophet.
-god gives david a direct answer... that's cool.
-ok, so david is hiding out in desert caves, a wanted man. sound like anyone in popular culture?
APPLICATION:
david was so in tune to god's voice that he knew exactly what do at exactly the right moment.
PRAYER:
god, help me to be able to tune into the sound of your voice so that i can react when needed.
milthaler
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 23:1-15
OBSERVATIONS:
-one of the big things here is that david has assembled a group of rebels. in many ways, this is where he learns how to lead.
-aren't the philistines supposed to be slaves at this point... they just won't die.
-notice at first that his guys didn't want to go, but he some how convinces them to go.
-from what i can remember saul never heard from god to go fight... now david is getting his direction from god and not a prophet.
-god gives david a direct answer... that's cool.
-ok, so david is hiding out in desert caves, a wanted man. sound like anyone in popular culture?
APPLICATION:
david was so in tune to god's voice that he knew exactly what do at exactly the right moment.
PRAYER:
god, help me to be able to tune into the sound of your voice so that i can react when needed.
milthaler
Monday, November 19, 2007
blahhhh... monday.
typically monday is my official day off, but i'm working today so i can take off wednesday. we host thanksgiving at our house and my whole family comes. i think this year we will have fourteen people.
here is some video from saturday night's celebration:
here are this week's readings:
Weekly Reading
Day 001, 1 Sam 21:1-15
Day 002, 1 Sam 23:1-15
Day 003, 1 Sam 23:16-29
Day 004, 1 Sam 24:1-22
Day 005, 1 Sam 26:1-12
today's readings...
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 20:1-15
-something i said this weekend matches up with 21:1... when david shows up to see the priest he is alone. this anointing thing has cost david the company of friends. the priest is surprised by this, which makes it seem like it's abnormal for david to be alone. this anointing has cost david everything. however, david does put the priests in danger by going to visit them.
-david lies about his situation and is desperate to eat. imagine this... david the hero that killed goliath is starving and homeless.
-i find it interesting that david beat goliath with the sling. we made a big deal about how he was able to beat goliath with his own "style". but now, david is switching his weapon. he doesn't ask the priest for a slingshot... he asks for a sword.
-i love it... david acts like he's crazy. this would be very politically incorrect today. david has survival skills. he is always adapting... sometimes even lying so that he won't be killed.
-david is officially on the run. he's going from place to place trying to find safety and food. basically, he's homeless.
-if we look ahead... when david went to nob to meet with the priest, that association with david cost him his life. later in chapter 22 those priests are killed because they aided david. remember, david lied about his intent and situation. was david in the wrong? after all, jesus in matthew 12 refers back to david eating the consecrated bread.
APPLICATION:
i'm still struggling/working through the fact that god's anointing has basically ruined david's life. in chapter 22 he has to move his entire family for their protection... and, i'm sure they were all excited about that.
PRAYER:
god, i love you and i trust you with everything. this is tough when there are times when it appears that your blessing is causing so much pain. but, help me be faithful to what you have called me to do.
milthaler
here is some video from saturday night's celebration:
here are this week's readings:
Weekly Reading
Day 001, 1 Sam 21:1-15
Day 002, 1 Sam 23:1-15
Day 003, 1 Sam 23:16-29
Day 004, 1 Sam 24:1-22
Day 005, 1 Sam 26:1-12
today's readings...
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 20:1-15
-something i said this weekend matches up with 21:1... when david shows up to see the priest he is alone. this anointing thing has cost david the company of friends. the priest is surprised by this, which makes it seem like it's abnormal for david to be alone. this anointing has cost david everything. however, david does put the priests in danger by going to visit them.
-david lies about his situation and is desperate to eat. imagine this... david the hero that killed goliath is starving and homeless.
-i find it interesting that david beat goliath with the sling. we made a big deal about how he was able to beat goliath with his own "style". but now, david is switching his weapon. he doesn't ask the priest for a slingshot... he asks for a sword.
-i love it... david acts like he's crazy. this would be very politically incorrect today. david has survival skills. he is always adapting... sometimes even lying so that he won't be killed.
-david is officially on the run. he's going from place to place trying to find safety and food. basically, he's homeless.
-if we look ahead... when david went to nob to meet with the priest, that association with david cost him his life. later in chapter 22 those priests are killed because they aided david. remember, david lied about his intent and situation. was david in the wrong? after all, jesus in matthew 12 refers back to david eating the consecrated bread.
APPLICATION:
i'm still struggling/working through the fact that god's anointing has basically ruined david's life. in chapter 22 he has to move his entire family for their protection... and, i'm sure they were all excited about that.
PRAYER:
god, i love you and i trust you with everything. this is tough when there are times when it appears that your blessing is causing so much pain. but, help me be faithful to what you have called me to do.
milthaler
Friday, November 16, 2007
joe nuxhall
it's strange for me to be touched by the death of someone i never met. however the voices of, joe nuxhall and marty brenneman send me straight back to when i was a child. my grandfather, earl monroe first turned me on to baseball and the cincinnati reds. he was a life long fan.
since my grandparents only lived two blocks away from my childhood home... i would often be allowed to spend the night with my grandpa since i could still catch my regular bus to school. i would always pick the nights the reds were on television since grandpa would let me stay up way past my bedtime to watch the game.
i used to think that grandpa was a little weird because he would turn down the television and turn up the volume on his radio so he could hear marty and joe. i have a vivid memory of that radio... you would have to turn it on five minutes before you actually wanted to listen since it took that long to warm up.
here in 2007, i still turn down the television and turn up the radio whenever i get a chance. the human senses are strong... and when i hear joe's voice... i go right back to my grandpa's living room.
shortly after reagan was born he and i were driving around in the car on a beautiful spring day. it was the first time after winter that i was able to roll the windows down and enjoy the outside. i flipped on the radio and on came joe's voice calling a spring training game. i told reagan all about my grandfather and how to properly watch and listen to a reds game. he was only a couple months old... but i think he understood. i cried that day for some strange reason... as i cried today.
joe was old enough to bridge generations... from my grandfather to me... and then to reagan.
thanks joe!
milthaler
friday...
the last two days have been a blur! i'm going to go ahead and cover all of chapter 20 today! i did my reading yesterday in the atrium but was never able to get on to blog:
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 20
-jonathan had influence with his father the king. and he uses that influence to help his friend, even though that puts his own life in danger. if you're caught spying on the king... you're a dead man.
-notice it's david who starts the idea of a plan... and jonathan adds to it.
-notice that jonathan had authority over david... as david had to ask jonathan's permission to miss the meal.
-they are both pretty torn up about the whole situation. my version says that david cried the most. imagine having your best friend ripped out of your life because your father is a jerk. i'm sure they both felt angry and sad all at the same time.
-i love this closing verse: Jonathan said, "Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God's name, saying, 'God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!'"
APPLICATION:
i have a friend like jonathan. his name is paul and we have been friends since high school. i was his best man... and he was in my wedding (my dad was my best man). we both had children at the same time, he adopted a daughter named emma (their picture is on the top of this page). when our children were born we didn't need to even say it out loud... we know that each of us will always care for the other's family if something happens. i thank god for paul... he is my closest friend.
PRAYER:
god help me to be the type of friend that jonathan was to david. help me to protect my friends... putting my selfish ambition aside for their good and benefit. amen.
milthaler
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 20
-jonathan had influence with his father the king. and he uses that influence to help his friend, even though that puts his own life in danger. if you're caught spying on the king... you're a dead man.
-notice it's david who starts the idea of a plan... and jonathan adds to it.
-notice that jonathan had authority over david... as david had to ask jonathan's permission to miss the meal.
-they are both pretty torn up about the whole situation. my version says that david cried the most. imagine having your best friend ripped out of your life because your father is a jerk. i'm sure they both felt angry and sad all at the same time.
-i love this closing verse: Jonathan said, "Go in peace! The two of us have vowed friendship in God's name, saying, 'God will be the bond between me and you, and between my children and your children forever!'"
APPLICATION:i have a friend like jonathan. his name is paul and we have been friends since high school. i was his best man... and he was in my wedding (my dad was my best man). we both had children at the same time, he adopted a daughter named emma (their picture is on the top of this page). when our children were born we didn't need to even say it out loud... we know that each of us will always care for the other's family if something happens. i thank god for paul... he is my closest friend.
PRAYER:
god help me to be the type of friend that jonathan was to david. help me to protect my friends... putting my selfish ambition aside for their good and benefit. amen.
milthaler
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
wednesday... ugh...
i hate meetings and my wedensday's are packed with them. i told you in my last post that i felt like i was overusing the word anoint. so, linda gail set me some alternatives. here they are:
Consecrate
Sanctify
Bless
Hallow
Dedicate
Devote
Ordain
Crown
Enthrone
the list of readings are below, just in case you need them. onward and upward...
SCRIPTURE: 1 samuel 19:1-18
OBSERVATIONS:
-we are getting into the content that i will cover this weekend at *678*. saul is threatened by david and out to kill him. if you missed this from last week in 18:1 we learn that jonathan and david became on in spirit. and "David loved him as himself (NIV)". we are again told in verse one of today's reading that jonathan was "very fond of David". my question is why wasn't jonathan threatened by david the way his father was? remember, jonathan is basically the prince. although saul was the first king... tradition would make jonathan the king in waiting.
-in verse 6 saul continues in his manic style, promising not to harm david.
-the is the beginning of spy-gate. (everything political and sensational is given a "gate" suffix. jonathan becomes a spy and passes inside information to david. this spying would cost jonathan his life if saul found out. jonathan gives his loyalty to his friend not his father.
-seems like these philistines won't die. it's always something with them.
-david is now on the run. this appears to be at least the third time that saul has thrown a spear at david. he must suck at throwing that thing.
-i'm captivated by this idea of an "evil spirit from the Lord". my interpretation of this is that this spirit is god's wrath on saul. god was deeply angry with saul. remember, god told samuel that he was sorry he ever made saul king.
-again with this old testament lying. i wonder if michal had long hair that she let down so david could climb down it... that would make for a great story. someone should write that.
-david is now on the run. he has left his home and lost everything because of saul's unjust anger and jealousy.
APPLICATION:
-i want to be the type of friend that protects god's plan and gives life to god's mission on earth.
PRAYER:
god, help me to be a loyal friend that protects those you have chosen and guards what you are doing on earth.
milthaler
Consecrate
Sanctify
Bless
Hallow
Dedicate
Devote
Ordain
Crown
Enthrone
the list of readings are below, just in case you need them. onward and upward...
SCRIPTURE: 1 samuel 19:1-18
OBSERVATIONS:
-we are getting into the content that i will cover this weekend at *678*. saul is threatened by david and out to kill him. if you missed this from last week in 18:1 we learn that jonathan and david became on in spirit. and "David loved him as himself (NIV)". we are again told in verse one of today's reading that jonathan was "very fond of David". my question is why wasn't jonathan threatened by david the way his father was? remember, jonathan is basically the prince. although saul was the first king... tradition would make jonathan the king in waiting.
-in verse 6 saul continues in his manic style, promising not to harm david.
-the is the beginning of spy-gate. (everything political and sensational is given a "gate" suffix. jonathan becomes a spy and passes inside information to david. this spying would cost jonathan his life if saul found out. jonathan gives his loyalty to his friend not his father.
-seems like these philistines won't die. it's always something with them.
-david is now on the run. this appears to be at least the third time that saul has thrown a spear at david. he must suck at throwing that thing.
-i'm captivated by this idea of an "evil spirit from the Lord". my interpretation of this is that this spirit is god's wrath on saul. god was deeply angry with saul. remember, god told samuel that he was sorry he ever made saul king.
-again with this old testament lying. i wonder if michal had long hair that she let down so david could climb down it... that would make for a great story. someone should write that.
-david is now on the run. he has left his home and lost everything because of saul's unjust anger and jealousy.
APPLICATION:
-i want to be the type of friend that protects god's plan and gives life to god's mission on earth.
PRAYER:
god, help me to be a loyal friend that protects those you have chosen and guards what you are doing on earth.
milthaler
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
and i thought i was brave...
i'm getting to it a little late today... but better late than never. if you are checking out this blog, i sure would like it if you left a comment! i would love some discussion.
here are the readings for this week:
Day 001, 1 Sam 18:1-5
Day 002, 1 Sam 18:6-30
Day 003, 1 Sam 19:1-18
Day 004, 1 Sam 20:1-23
Day 005, 1 Sam 20:24-42
here we go for today!
SCRIPTURE: 1 sam 18:6-30
OBSERVATIONS:
-ok, from what i've read, david had a good day... he killed a big jerk that had mocked god. i don't understand why these ladies are already putting it is saul's face. perhaps there is something we don't know. i find it ironic that in today's culture this would not be such a complement... all this killing that is.
-i find it interesting that david is still playing the harp for saul. i would think after saving your country you wouldn't need to do that anymore.
-remember earlier it says that god sent this evil spirit that came on saul.
-saul was afraid of david because the spirit of god was alive inside david. saul was jealous of david and his connection with god. that's sad. this "spirit" thing is putting david in a dangerous spot. i guess the spirit of god is not in us... just to make us safe. seems like we are always asking god to keep us safe, but safety doesn't mark the presence of the spirit of god.
-in verse 17 saul is trying to make david a marked man. if he is the son-in-law of the king this means he is a bigger prize for the enemy. how selfish is it to use his own daughter in this way? i call that pimping out your family.
-wow, what a sweet love story. go get a hundred foreskins and you can marry my daughter. david is such a renaissance man. still, david was willing to prove his love for his wife. so now... the love interest enters the picture.
-although it is a little sick... david is a guy that goes "above and beyond the call of duty". not only does he kill (or at least those guys wished they were dead after david got done with them) them... he pays double for his wife. i'll tell you right now... if there was an "asking price" for hope i would pay double... she is hot.
-the number one reason that saul hates david is because of the anointing on his life.
APPLICATION:
since i have come to the vineyard, i have wondered many times if i have experienced the full anointing that god has for my life. to be honest, (i think we all will experience this) i have at times felt like i was not living up to my full potential as a pastor... and thus started to doubt my anointing. this may sound a little twisted... but, i want to have the kind of anointing that david did. if it means that other people hate me or are jealous of this... i can deal with that. i don't think i have a classic villain in my life that hates me because of god's favor... i don't think that my safety has ever been in jeopardy... but, i am willing to risk safety to have that type of anointing.
i guess that's what i'm trying to say... god, i'm willing to risk my own safety if it means i can have the type of anointing that you gave david.
PRAYER:
god, i pray for the students that are a part of *678*. i pray that you will not "keep us safe" as we often pray, but that you will help us to be brave enough to risk safety to peruse your calling and anointing on their lives. god, i'm ok with a lack of safety in my own life if it means that i can live under your anointing.
PS... i feel like i've used the word "anointing" way too much... but, i cannot think of a better word that truly encompasses what i mean. it's a powerful word to me right now... i'm really trying to live this out.
milthaler
here are the readings for this week:
Day 001, 1 Sam 18:1-5
Day 002, 1 Sam 18:6-30
Day 003, 1 Sam 19:1-18
Day 004, 1 Sam 20:1-23
Day 005, 1 Sam 20:24-42
here we go for today!
SCRIPTURE: 1 sam 18:6-30
OBSERVATIONS:
-ok, from what i've read, david had a good day... he killed a big jerk that had mocked god. i don't understand why these ladies are already putting it is saul's face. perhaps there is something we don't know. i find it ironic that in today's culture this would not be such a complement... all this killing that is.
-i find it interesting that david is still playing the harp for saul. i would think after saving your country you wouldn't need to do that anymore.
-remember earlier it says that god sent this evil spirit that came on saul.
-saul was afraid of david because the spirit of god was alive inside david. saul was jealous of david and his connection with god. that's sad. this "spirit" thing is putting david in a dangerous spot. i guess the spirit of god is not in us... just to make us safe. seems like we are always asking god to keep us safe, but safety doesn't mark the presence of the spirit of god.
-in verse 17 saul is trying to make david a marked man. if he is the son-in-law of the king this means he is a bigger prize for the enemy. how selfish is it to use his own daughter in this way? i call that pimping out your family.
-wow, what a sweet love story. go get a hundred foreskins and you can marry my daughter. david is such a renaissance man. still, david was willing to prove his love for his wife. so now... the love interest enters the picture.
-although it is a little sick... david is a guy that goes "above and beyond the call of duty". not only does he kill (or at least those guys wished they were dead after david got done with them) them... he pays double for his wife. i'll tell you right now... if there was an "asking price" for hope i would pay double... she is hot.
-the number one reason that saul hates david is because of the anointing on his life.
APPLICATION:
since i have come to the vineyard, i have wondered many times if i have experienced the full anointing that god has for my life. to be honest, (i think we all will experience this) i have at times felt like i was not living up to my full potential as a pastor... and thus started to doubt my anointing. this may sound a little twisted... but, i want to have the kind of anointing that david did. if it means that other people hate me or are jealous of this... i can deal with that. i don't think i have a classic villain in my life that hates me because of god's favor... i don't think that my safety has ever been in jeopardy... but, i am willing to risk safety to have that type of anointing.
i guess that's what i'm trying to say... god, i'm willing to risk my own safety if it means i can have the type of anointing that you gave david.
PRAYER:
god, i pray for the students that are a part of *678*. i pray that you will not "keep us safe" as we often pray, but that you will help us to be brave enough to risk safety to peruse your calling and anointing on their lives. god, i'm ok with a lack of safety in my own life if it means that i can live under your anointing.
PS... i feel like i've used the word "anointing" way too much... but, i cannot think of a better word that truly encompasses what i mean. it's a powerful word to me right now... i'm really trying to live this out.
milthaler
Monday, November 12, 2007
in c-bus
away again. to be honest... i really want to go home, but today i'm in columbus at a youth worker conference for vineyard youth pastors. actually, this is the best group of youth workers that i have been able to spend extended time with. it seems as if everyone has put their ego away... and they really want to experience within the vineyard movement.
just in case you don't have the program, here are readings for this week:
Day 001, 1 Sam 18:1-5
Day 002, 1 Sam 18:6-30
Day 003, 1 Sam 19:1-18
Day 004, 1 Sam 20:1-23
Day 005, 1 Sam 20:24-42
SCRIPTURE: 1 Sam 18:1-5... WOW, i didn't realize that this reading is so short. here it is pasted in:
1 Samuel 18:1-5 (New International Version)
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully [a] that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well.
OBSERVATIONS:
-he loved him as himself. this is a pretty powerful statement.
-knowing what i know about saul... there was a political reason that he kept david with him. i think saul wanted a "piece" of david's anointing, i think in many ways it was a selfish act.
-it's importance to see that the relationship was reciprocal. this means that they both felt the same way about each other. it feels kind of silly, but i know i've had friends that i thought were my best friend, but they could care less about me.
-covenant relationship is deeper than an understanding, or promise, or even belief... when hope and i got married... we didn't exchange vows... we exchanged a covenant.
APPLICATION:
sorry all: my application is a little too deep and personal for blogging.
PRAYER:
god, thank you for you presence and spirit. help me to not pimp out your presence but rather truly invite, convey and protect your presence. god, i love you.
milthaler
Friday, November 9, 2007
tgif...
i love fridays, but not for the same reason everyone else does. my "weekend" doesn't begin until sunday afternoon. i think of all the days in my week... i get the most done and have the most fun on fridays.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Sam 17:55-58 & Psalm 27:1-10
When Saul saw David go out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, "Tell me about this young man's family."
Abner said, "For the life of me, O King, I don't know."
The king said, "Well, find out the lineage of this raw youth."
As soon as David came back from killing the Philistine, Abner brought him, the Philistine's head still in his hand, straight to Saul.
Saul asked him, "Young man, whose son are you?"
"I'm the son of your servant Jesse," said David, "the one who lives in Bethlehem."
OBSERVATIONS:
-remember, saul had been entertained by david while he played the harp for him in the castle (actually, i don't know if saul had a castle... that's just how i imagined it.) by wanting to know about david's family... saul is now showing a real interest in david. where you are from tells a lot about you... if you know about someone's family you can tell a lot about them.
-dude, david is carrying around goliath's head like a little league trophy! i wonder if he held it by his nostrils or by his hair? does this mean that david was not being humble...
-this really strikes me as a dad... david's identity was tied to his family... specifically to his father. i want reagan to be proud of me. i want him to say with pride that he is from the house of milthaler.
-this psalm kicks butt! i'm not going to write down my observations... as they are a little personal.
APPLICATION:
who's your daddy. i want to be a great father and head of a great house... so that when people ask reagan "who's house are you from?" he can say with confidence that I"M HIS DADDY!
PRAYER:
help me to live a great example so that reagan and the baby can be proud of their daddy.
milthaler
SCRIPTURE: 1 Sam 17:55-58 & Psalm 27:1-10
When Saul saw David go out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, "Tell me about this young man's family."
Abner said, "For the life of me, O King, I don't know."
The king said, "Well, find out the lineage of this raw youth."
As soon as David came back from killing the Philistine, Abner brought him, the Philistine's head still in his hand, straight to Saul.
Saul asked him, "Young man, whose son are you?"
"I'm the son of your servant Jesse," said David, "the one who lives in Bethlehem."
OBSERVATIONS:
-remember, saul had been entertained by david while he played the harp for him in the castle (actually, i don't know if saul had a castle... that's just how i imagined it.) by wanting to know about david's family... saul is now showing a real interest in david. where you are from tells a lot about you... if you know about someone's family you can tell a lot about them.
-dude, david is carrying around goliath's head like a little league trophy! i wonder if he held it by his nostrils or by his hair? does this mean that david was not being humble...
-this really strikes me as a dad... david's identity was tied to his family... specifically to his father. i want reagan to be proud of me. i want him to say with pride that he is from the house of milthaler.
-this psalm kicks butt! i'm not going to write down my observations... as they are a little personal.
APPLICATION:
who's your daddy. i want to be a great father and head of a great house... so that when people ask reagan "who's house are you from?" he can say with confidence that I"M HIS DADDY!
PRAYER:
help me to live a great example so that reagan and the baby can be proud of their daddy.
milthaler
Thursday, November 8, 2007
thursday reading...
hey all: i went over to the student union today and walls are going up! it's exciting to see and i hope to post some pictures tomorrow.
SCRIPTURE:
1 Samuel 17:37-54
OBSERVATIONS:
-sounds like david wasn't afraid of a little blood. i wonder if david ate the bear meat... i hear it's good.
-david basically expresses to saul that he needs to use his own style. using the armor and sword wasn't going to cut it for david. imagine what he would have faced if he tried to face goliath with a sword.
-i still can't figure out why saul let's david go fight goliath. i have to imagine that it had something to do with how he could spin it if david got slaughtered.
-david picks 5 smooth stones. why not just one? my bible says that these stones were probably the size of baseballs and a sling shot could speed them along at over 100MPH. i think david took 5 stones to be prepared. i often wonder why he didn't take just one, but i think it's because he wanted to be prepared.
-ok, it's a stereotype but i get the impression that goliath was a big guy... with not a lot of brains. but, seeing david ticks him off. bible scholars say that goliath was over 9 feet tall... this week you'll get your chance to take a picture with goliath.
-i simply love this passage: "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I'm about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes."
-david is confident.
-david finishes off the job by cutting off goliath's head... he uses the giant's own sword... i guess he uses the sword after all.
APPLICATION: always be prepared! my father-in-law is famous for saying better to have it and not need it than to need it an not have it.
PRAYER: god, you know that i am not always good a being prepared... help me to do the advance work that is needed to do the work that you have called me to do.
milthaler
-WAIT... i thought the deal was that if goliath looses they become slaves. i guess they must not have meant it.
SCRIPTURE:
1 Samuel 17:37-54
OBSERVATIONS:
-sounds like david wasn't afraid of a little blood. i wonder if david ate the bear meat... i hear it's good.
-david basically expresses to saul that he needs to use his own style. using the armor and sword wasn't going to cut it for david. imagine what he would have faced if he tried to face goliath with a sword.
-i still can't figure out why saul let's david go fight goliath. i have to imagine that it had something to do with how he could spin it if david got slaughtered.
-david picks 5 smooth stones. why not just one? my bible says that these stones were probably the size of baseballs and a sling shot could speed them along at over 100MPH. i think david took 5 stones to be prepared. i often wonder why he didn't take just one, but i think it's because he wanted to be prepared.
-ok, it's a stereotype but i get the impression that goliath was a big guy... with not a lot of brains. but, seeing david ticks him off. bible scholars say that goliath was over 9 feet tall... this week you'll get your chance to take a picture with goliath.
-i simply love this passage: "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I'm about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes."
-david is confident.
-david finishes off the job by cutting off goliath's head... he uses the giant's own sword... i guess he uses the sword after all.
APPLICATION: always be prepared! my father-in-law is famous for saying better to have it and not need it than to need it an not have it.
PRAYER: god, you know that i am not always good a being prepared... help me to do the advance work that is needed to do the work that you have called me to do.
milthaler
-WAIT... i thought the deal was that if goliath looses they become slaves. i guess they must not have meant it.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
back from nash-vegas!
we arrived home early this morning from nashville, tn. e|merge 3.0 is almost done and i'm excited about all the work we got done. big props go out to pete and alton for all the hard work they have done. also, props go out to kevin alton (a UMC youth pastor) and josh tinley, our editor.
just in case you need them, here is a list of this weeks readings:
Day 001, 1 Sam 16:1-23
Day 002, 1 Sam 17:1-25
Day 003, 1 Sam 17:26-37
Day 004, 1 Sam 17:37-54
Day 005, 1 Sam 17:55-58 & Psalm 27:1-10
i'm going to paste in the text for today's reading as it comes from the message translation (source: biblegateway.com)
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 17:26-37 (the message)
26 David, who was talking to the men standing around him, asked, "What's in it for the man who kills that Philistine and gets rid of this ugly blot on Israel's honor? Who does he think he is, anyway, this uncircumcised Philistine, taunting the armies of God-Alive?"
27 They told him what everyone was saying about what the king would do for the man who killed the Philistine.
28 Eliab, his older brother, heard David fraternizing with the men and lost his temper: "What are you doing here! Why aren't you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you're up to. You've come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!"
29-30 "What is it with you?" replied David. "All I did was ask a question." Ignoring his brother, he turned to someone else, asked the same question, and got the same answer as before.
31 The things David was saying were picked up and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him.
32 "Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine."
33 Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
34-37 David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."
Saul said, "Go. And God help you!"
OBSERVATIONS:
-you've got to love david's toughness. he takes offense that goliath is slamming god and wants to take a stand.
-like i said yesterday, i think that eliab (remember him from monday's reading... he is the one that samuel thought was going to be king, but god doesn't throw popularity contests) began to believe the lie that goliath was shouting out every morning. listen to a lie long enough and it may seem like the truth.
-seems like eliab was already ticked off even before david got there. david again is put down because of his age.
-here's what i think saul thought... if no one goes out to fight goliath... he'll just keep coming out... or maybe he'll just go away. saul had a major problem but it seems as if he was content to ignore it. he must have thought that if david goes out and loses... he can save face by saying, "after all... he was just a kid". seems like in a way he could be lowering expectations.
-david had prepared for this day by fighting bears and lions. we'll see more of his preparation tomorrow.
APPLICATION: don't ignore your problems, face them with / in god's power! i need to face my problems (or giants) face on and not just ignore them hoping they will go away. david realized that with god's power he could deal with goliath.
PRAYER: god, help me to not ignore problems that i have... thinking they will just go away. help me to face them head on and in your power conquer them!
milthaler
just in case you need them, here is a list of this weeks readings:
Day 001, 1 Sam 16:1-23
Day 002, 1 Sam 17:1-25
Day 003, 1 Sam 17:26-37
Day 004, 1 Sam 17:37-54
Day 005, 1 Sam 17:55-58 & Psalm 27:1-10
i'm going to paste in the text for today's reading as it comes from the message translation (source: biblegateway.com)
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 17:26-37 (the message)
26 David, who was talking to the men standing around him, asked, "What's in it for the man who kills that Philistine and gets rid of this ugly blot on Israel's honor? Who does he think he is, anyway, this uncircumcised Philistine, taunting the armies of God-Alive?"
27 They told him what everyone was saying about what the king would do for the man who killed the Philistine.
28 Eliab, his older brother, heard David fraternizing with the men and lost his temper: "What are you doing here! Why aren't you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you're up to. You've come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!"
29-30 "What is it with you?" replied David. "All I did was ask a question." Ignoring his brother, he turned to someone else, asked the same question, and got the same answer as before.
31 The things David was saying were picked up and reported to Saul. Saul sent for him.
32 "Master," said David, "don't give up hope. I'm ready to go and fight this Philistine."
33 Saul answered David, "You can't go and fight this Philistine. You're too young and inexperienced—and he's been at this fighting business since before you were born."
34-37 David said, "I've been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I'd go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I'd grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I'll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive. God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine."
Saul said, "Go. And God help you!"
OBSERVATIONS:
-you've got to love david's toughness. he takes offense that goliath is slamming god and wants to take a stand.
-like i said yesterday, i think that eliab (remember him from monday's reading... he is the one that samuel thought was going to be king, but god doesn't throw popularity contests) began to believe the lie that goliath was shouting out every morning. listen to a lie long enough and it may seem like the truth.
-seems like eliab was already ticked off even before david got there. david again is put down because of his age.
-here's what i think saul thought... if no one goes out to fight goliath... he'll just keep coming out... or maybe he'll just go away. saul had a major problem but it seems as if he was content to ignore it. he must have thought that if david goes out and loses... he can save face by saying, "after all... he was just a kid". seems like in a way he could be lowering expectations.
-david had prepared for this day by fighting bears and lions. we'll see more of his preparation tomorrow.
APPLICATION: don't ignore your problems, face them with / in god's power! i need to face my problems (or giants) face on and not just ignore them hoping they will go away. david realized that with god's power he could deal with goliath.
PRAYER: god, help me to not ignore problems that i have... thinking they will just go away. help me to face them head on and in your power conquer them!
milthaler
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
alton denver
how funny are these two pictures? i think we have a match.
i am still in nashville and things seem to be going well. here we go with today's reading...
SCRIPTURE, 1 SAM 17
OBSERVATIONS
-goliath was tall... this is a pretty simple observation... but hey, i'm only 5'6" or so.
-the funny thing is that the arrangement seems to be that whoever looses becomes the servants of the other. however when the david kicks goliath's tail... all the philistines run. seems to me that the type of servanthood that they are talking about... is bragging rights.
-i wonder if goliath was the only big guy... or if every philistine was that big. imagine having shaq on your 7th grade basketball team. you may feel a little more confidant going into a game with him on your team.
-again, i am wondering if david knew that he was anointed to become king... his brother's are out serving with saul... makes you wonder what david's brothers think of saul.
-they have to put up with goliath's crap for 40 days... that's over a month. this means they were made fun of day after day. maybe they started to believe goliath's taunts... after all if you hear something long enough you may think it's true.
-the israel army was afraid to fight.
-who is this uncircumcised philistine that he should defy the armies of the living god? i'm sure david's brothers look at him with a sideways look... maybe they started to believe goliath.
WAIT... I READ TOO FAR.
APPLICATION:
i think these soldiers started to believe the lies that goliath was telling them. if you ignore a lie long enough it may have the power to deceive you from the truth.
PRAYER:
god i thank you for the faith that you gave david to cut through the lies of goliath. help me not to believe the lies that the devil tries to tell me... but realize that you are the true living god.
milthaler
Monday, November 5, 2007
[a]rise... reading one...
hey all... i'm sorry to not get this posted sooner, but i am in nashville with pete and alton. the exciting news is that we are writing together a book that will be released in the spring of this year.
as for today's reading... 1 samuel 16! to be honest, i have been reading this chapter over and over preparing for this past weekend. but here are a few of my (O)bservations...
-samuel was pretty broken hearted over saul's screw-ups. i imagine that he really like saul and wanted his to succeed as king.
-i don't know if david actually knew that he was anointed to become king... or just set apart for God's service. it could be the whole thing was covert... seeing as he had to disguise his reason for coming to town. later, david doesn't kill saul because he is god's anointed... could it be that david doesn't know that he is picked to be the next king?
-god looks at the heart... like i said on saturday and sunday... god doesn't do popularity contests. good thing, because i've never been the type of person that won those types of things.
-i wonder what it was that "told" samuel to anoint david... was it a feeling or was it the voice of god?
-i wonder how long it took to go fetch david? was he miles away or just outside? but, they didn't even sit while they waited.
-verse 13 "from that day on the spirit of the Lord came upon david in power". how cool is that.
APPLICATION (this is specifically for me)
i feel as if god has anointed me to do his work. i have had experience after experience where god has affirmed this call on my life. this "calling" gives me access to power and i need to tap into that.
PRAYER
god, help me to live in the power of your anointing on my life. help me to realize that you will give me the power i need to accomplish what you have set me to do.
ALSO,
i hope that you all will pray for pete, alton and i as we write for these next couple days. pray that god will remind us of the power that we have access to as we follow the call to do this project.
i love you all!
milthaler
as for today's reading... 1 samuel 16! to be honest, i have been reading this chapter over and over preparing for this past weekend. but here are a few of my (O)bservations...
-samuel was pretty broken hearted over saul's screw-ups. i imagine that he really like saul and wanted his to succeed as king.
-i don't know if david actually knew that he was anointed to become king... or just set apart for God's service. it could be the whole thing was covert... seeing as he had to disguise his reason for coming to town. later, david doesn't kill saul because he is god's anointed... could it be that david doesn't know that he is picked to be the next king?
-god looks at the heart... like i said on saturday and sunday... god doesn't do popularity contests. good thing, because i've never been the type of person that won those types of things.
-i wonder what it was that "told" samuel to anoint david... was it a feeling or was it the voice of god?
-i wonder how long it took to go fetch david? was he miles away or just outside? but, they didn't even sit while they waited.
-verse 13 "from that day on the spirit of the Lord came upon david in power". how cool is that.
APPLICATION (this is specifically for me)
i feel as if god has anointed me to do his work. i have had experience after experience where god has affirmed this call on my life. this "calling" gives me access to power and i need to tap into that.
PRAYER
god, help me to live in the power of your anointing on my life. help me to realize that you will give me the power i need to accomplish what you have set me to do.
ALSO,
i hope that you all will pray for pete, alton and i as we write for these next couple days. pray that god will remind us of the power that we have access to as we follow the call to do this project.
i love you all!
milthaler
Friday, September 21, 2007
7|Spot
seriously, i bowled an 87! the good news is that i beat madison alexander. 7|spot is an outing for *678* and a great opportunity for them to invite their friends to a church event. big props go out to emily cleary... i think she brought her entire school.
every time we do 7|spot i realize how much i enjoy hanging out with middle school kids. they are a ton of fun and remind me of how much enjoyment there is in life.
we have some great hardcore leaders in *678* this weekend we kick off small groups and i have huge expectations.
see pictures of 7|spot at my web site www.milthaler.com follow the photo link to 7|spot.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
college football
to be totally honest, i'm glad that michigan beat notre dame on saturday. i would hate for lloyd carr to lose his job. i hate the idea of anyone losing their job, especially someone who is 1-5 against my beloved buckeyes.
let's face it charlie weiss hasn't quite followed through on promise to return the irish to a national powerhouse. perhaps he is lacking from not having video tape of opposing coaches to help him defeat the competition. considering he has a ten year contract (how's that lookin' now ND?) it's probably best that his team goes 0-3 and not the "team up north".
and... i don't like pete carroll. i think usc is cocky and the ncaa's version of "mean girls". perhaps it a southern california thing. beautiful weather all the time can make you imagine that God loves you more than everyone else.
i do love jim tressel.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
student union updates
make sure you check out my webpage at http://www.milthaler.com
wow! things are happening fast at the student union. this week they are digging trenches and laying the pipe for the plumbing. imagine that... WE WILL HAVE INDOOR PLUMBING.
pete, alton, harmony and i am working on the interior stuff. it's all so exciting and it is a true privilege to work on this.
perhaps the most exciting thing about this building is that it is designed specifically for ministry. it's not about the latest and greatest stuff... it's about connecting students to christ and each other. you probably expect me to say that, but it's really true.
wow! things are happening fast at the student union. this week they are digging trenches and laying the pipe for the plumbing. imagine that... WE WILL HAVE INDOOR PLUMBING.
pete, alton, harmony and i am working on the interior stuff. it's all so exciting and it is a true privilege to work on this.
perhaps the most exciting thing about this building is that it is designed specifically for ministry. it's not about the latest and greatest stuff... it's about connecting students to christ and each other. you probably expect me to say that, but it's really true.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
*678*
we have a new name for middle school celebrations at vineyard. we will now be refered to as *678*. the idea was to not be trendy and call it "super-slick-awesome-middle-school-celebration" (of course, that would be too long!). if you have an opinion i would love to hear it.
milthaler
Monday, July 16, 2007
Middle School Updates
UPGRADES ARE COMING!
You should receive parent information in the mail with all the information you need for this year’s UpGrade. The dates are as follows:
Incoming 6th Graders, August 2-3,
Incoming 7th Graders, August 7-8 and
Incoming 8th Graders, July 31- August 1
UpGrades are 24-hour, grade specific experiences that gives your student an inside track to all the great things that are happening in Vineyard Student Ministries. This year we will be lodging at The Avenue in Tipp City, doing an outreach near Dayton and swimming at Splash Moraine. The $20 cost includes three meals, activities, lodging and transportation for the entire 24 hours.
There is a skatepark at The Avenue... but you must have a helmet and signed parent waiver.
Download the REGISTRATION FORM here!
If you would like more information please contact Eric or myself. The last day to register is the Sunday before each UpGrade.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES...
Make sure you don’t waste your summer! We have a ton of things going on each week for Middle School Students. Breakfast@11 is every Wednesday (at Riley’s Restaurant in Greenhills) and Thrusday (at Panera, in Tri-County). Also, we are going to Kings Island each Tuesday at 9am (meeting at the church). For more information on these events contact Eric Stoner.
REAGAN DOES THE PLEDGE
Hope has been teaching Reagan several “tricks” this summer. This is one of my favorites. Reagan turned two in May and he is filling our summer with so much joy. See the video here!
Mark Hand Joins the Middle School Team
During the week of SOS Mark Hand joined our team as our media producer for Middle School (talk about being thrown straight into the fire!). I am so excited about Mark joining our team as he brings a ton of energy and creative talent to our team. You can contact Mark by email and welcome him.
As always feel free to contact any of our staff with any questions or concerns you may have.
Mat Milthaler, Middle School Pastor
Eric Stoner, Ministry Assistant
Zak Stegman, Worship
Mark Hand, Media Producer
Incoming 6th Graders, August 2-3,
Incoming 7th Graders, August 7-8 and
Incoming 8th Graders, July 31- August 1
UpGrades are 24-hour, grade specific experiences that gives your student an inside track to all the great things that are happening in Vineyard Student Ministries. This year we will be lodging at The Avenue in Tipp City, doing an outreach near Dayton and swimming at Splash Moraine. The $20 cost includes three meals, activities, lodging and transportation for the entire 24 hours.
There is a skatepark at The Avenue... but you must have a helmet and signed parent waiver.
Download the REGISTRATION FORM here!
If you would like more information please contact Eric or myself. The last day to register is the Sunday before each UpGrade.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES...
Make sure you don’t waste your summer! We have a ton of things going on each week for Middle School Students. Breakfast@11 is every Wednesday (at Riley’s Restaurant in Greenhills) and Thrusday (at Panera, in Tri-County). Also, we are going to Kings Island each Tuesday at 9am (meeting at the church). For more information on these events contact Eric Stoner.
REAGAN DOES THE PLEDGE
Hope has been teaching Reagan several “tricks” this summer. This is one of my favorites. Reagan turned two in May and he is filling our summer with so much joy. See the video here!
Mark Hand Joins the Middle School Team
During the week of SOS Mark Hand joined our team as our media producer for Middle School (talk about being thrown straight into the fire!). I am so excited about Mark joining our team as he brings a ton of energy and creative talent to our team. You can contact Mark by email and welcome him.
As always feel free to contact any of our staff with any questions or concerns you may have.
Mat Milthaler, Middle School Pastor
Eric Stoner, Ministry Assistant
Zak Stegman, Worship
Mark Hand, Media Producer
Saturday, May 5, 2007
web article
i was asked to write for a website... the topic is: What communicators have influenced your preaching / teaching? Why did they influence you and make a difference? Here is a rough, rough draft of what i wrote...
This may sound strange... but I study stand up comedians.
Last night I settled in for one of my favorite Tivoed television shows, "Last Comic Standing". Basically, it's a reality show where week by week comedians are voted off until only one is left and crowned the funniest. Last night during one of the challenges the comics were give a random obscure magazine and twenty minutes to come up with a one minute schtick for a radio program. Most of them bombed on this task, but there were a few funny moments. Towards the end of the hour two comedians take the stage to battle each other with the winner surviving another day and the loser sent packing.
There is almost nothing to compare to the proposition of standup. My wife and I often attend a comedy cafe and it strikes me every time how weird the entire transaction is. I pay money to see two or three people go on stage and grab a microphone then they proceed to basically talk to me for over an hour... and I like it. Sometimes there are props, but mostly it's just one person, a small stage, a microphone and stand, sometimes a stool, bottle of water... and the pseudo brick background... that's it. There is no point to the presentation, nothing to apply, it doesn't make me better to have heard it but somehow I just paid to hear a person speak for an hour and a half.
Here are three of the things I have learned...
Preparation. When those comics on television had only twenty minutes to prepare we found out real quick who was good on their feet. Student ministry tends to attract the people who are witty and quick thinkers but this often leads to a failure to properly prepare.
I tend to be good on my feet... I like to say that I like the pressure, but the truth is although many of my best messages have been spontaneously created, I need to work the material and when I cheat the process I often regret letting a great (holy spirit led) idea slip without properly seizing it.
When you watch an HBO comedy special that is not the first time that person has gone over that material. I once heard that Chris Rock did twenty or so small clubs before doing his HBO Special. I like to run all my stuff by a team of people and use them as a sounding board. I will ask the team, what hit you? What did you hear me say? Did that make sense?
Words. Comedians understand that some words are just more funny than others. I'm not talking about the ones who use foul or abusive language to try to get a cheap laugh (in fact, the best comedians don't need to use fowl language... they don't need to). They understand that the best word choice can lead to a clearer word picture. Often times this means cutting out many words that are semi-descriptive and replacing them with one that is super-descriptive.
Sometimes I transcript my message out... but most of the time i work from an outline. But, no matter what I talk my message out... not just think it out. Believe me, there is a difference between what you think and how you say it. When I talk my message out (which is usually in the car because I have a long commute) I tell the story out-loud. I don't just think about it in my head because there is a type of muscle memory that happens with my tongue. Sometimes I work a story of illustration ten times before I feel like I've maximized it. The point is written word is different than spoken word. At times a sentence on paper, in an outline or in your head needs to be changed or reworded to fit when spoken in a message.
Feel the audience. We've all sat through talks where the person goes a little too long. Everyone is tuned out, but the speaker still has three pages of notes and 26 PowerPoint slides to get through. This doesn't work for a stand-up act. Comedians try to feel the crowd, they gage feedback... simply put they are asking, "Are people laughing?"
I always look for eye contact. If I see that students are overwhelming looking at their shoes, talking to their neighbor or shaving their cell group leader's legs I need to do something. I often ask rhetorical questions when I'm speaking just to gage where the students are at. I bring students on stage to act as props, to read scripture or write on the board. This has all been said before... but the only point is that when you watch a comedian, you see someone who really "gets" their audience.
I've studied Richard Prior, The Blue Collar Guys, Jerry Seinfield, Robin Williams and local talent. I tend to learn something new each time... the practical lessons are there.
This may sound strange... but I study stand up comedians.
Last night I settled in for one of my favorite Tivoed television shows, "Last Comic Standing". Basically, it's a reality show where week by week comedians are voted off until only one is left and crowned the funniest. Last night during one of the challenges the comics were give a random obscure magazine and twenty minutes to come up with a one minute schtick for a radio program. Most of them bombed on this task, but there were a few funny moments. Towards the end of the hour two comedians take the stage to battle each other with the winner surviving another day and the loser sent packing.
There is almost nothing to compare to the proposition of standup. My wife and I often attend a comedy cafe and it strikes me every time how weird the entire transaction is. I pay money to see two or three people go on stage and grab a microphone then they proceed to basically talk to me for over an hour... and I like it. Sometimes there are props, but mostly it's just one person, a small stage, a microphone and stand, sometimes a stool, bottle of water... and the pseudo brick background... that's it. There is no point to the presentation, nothing to apply, it doesn't make me better to have heard it but somehow I just paid to hear a person speak for an hour and a half.
Here are three of the things I have learned...
Preparation. When those comics on television had only twenty minutes to prepare we found out real quick who was good on their feet. Student ministry tends to attract the people who are witty and quick thinkers but this often leads to a failure to properly prepare.
I tend to be good on my feet... I like to say that I like the pressure, but the truth is although many of my best messages have been spontaneously created, I need to work the material and when I cheat the process I often regret letting a great (holy spirit led) idea slip without properly seizing it.
When you watch an HBO comedy special that is not the first time that person has gone over that material. I once heard that Chris Rock did twenty or so small clubs before doing his HBO Special. I like to run all my stuff by a team of people and use them as a sounding board. I will ask the team, what hit you? What did you hear me say? Did that make sense?
Words. Comedians understand that some words are just more funny than others. I'm not talking about the ones who use foul or abusive language to try to get a cheap laugh (in fact, the best comedians don't need to use fowl language... they don't need to). They understand that the best word choice can lead to a clearer word picture. Often times this means cutting out many words that are semi-descriptive and replacing them with one that is super-descriptive.
Sometimes I transcript my message out... but most of the time i work from an outline. But, no matter what I talk my message out... not just think it out. Believe me, there is a difference between what you think and how you say it. When I talk my message out (which is usually in the car because I have a long commute) I tell the story out-loud. I don't just think about it in my head because there is a type of muscle memory that happens with my tongue. Sometimes I work a story of illustration ten times before I feel like I've maximized it. The point is written word is different than spoken word. At times a sentence on paper, in an outline or in your head needs to be changed or reworded to fit when spoken in a message.
Feel the audience. We've all sat through talks where the person goes a little too long. Everyone is tuned out, but the speaker still has three pages of notes and 26 PowerPoint slides to get through. This doesn't work for a stand-up act. Comedians try to feel the crowd, they gage feedback... simply put they are asking, "Are people laughing?"
I always look for eye contact. If I see that students are overwhelming looking at their shoes, talking to their neighbor or shaving their cell group leader's legs I need to do something. I often ask rhetorical questions when I'm speaking just to gage where the students are at. I bring students on stage to act as props, to read scripture or write on the board. This has all been said before... but the only point is that when you watch a comedian, you see someone who really "gets" their audience.
I've studied Richard Prior, The Blue Collar Guys, Jerry Seinfield, Robin Williams and local talent. I tend to learn something new each time... the practical lessons are there.
Friday, January 5, 2007
courtside
Yours truly was basically on the floor for the Xavier v. Kansas State game at US Bank Arena downtown this past Wednesday night. Big thanks goes out to Justin and Meredith Doellman. Justin had 15 points and several rebounds as Xavier spoiled Huggins return to the Queen City.
I’m very impressed with the Doellman’s as both Justin and Meredith work with students at the Vineyard even though the pressures of being a division one player and wife are huge. They were featured in a recent article on balancing married life and their athletic life... kudos to them for being such a great example.
On Thursday I had the oppertunity to speak at Kings High School in Ms. Sandra Thomas’ class on the fun topic of death, dying and divorce. Actually, it was a fun time and we got to talk through these issues that affect all of us in an interactive format.
This weekend is a big one as we start a new series on money titled “Bling”. It should be a great three weeks and stay tuned for a big announcement.
As always, feel free to contact me at milthaler@vineyardcincinnati.com!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)