Monthly Archives: April 2026

By Ashlie Miller

Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.

You’ve probably heard something like that, maybe you’ve even quoted it. I did not choose to put it in quotes because it turns out Francis of Assisi did not actually say that. There are plenty of articles and even books on the misattributed quote, so I will not elaborate on its inauthenticity. But, explore the idea of the quote, we will.

Imagine serving in a church all your life. It’s all you’ve ever known. You practically live at church. It is said you even serve before the presence of the Lord. I’m not talking about modern pastors’ kids (PKs), although my kids would probably assume this paragraph is about them. If anyone would know God, you would assume someone serving and growing before God would, well, know Him.

Turns out, when it comes to knowing God, words are necessary. 1 Samuel 3 gives the account of a boy (Samuel) who has been serving in the temple since he was a weaned toddler, along with the priest Eli. He slept near the ark of the covenant, where the Bible tells us God’s presence dwelt. Yet the account tells us that Samuel did not yet know the LORD because God had not yet revealed His Word to him. God’s revealed word (by speaking to Samuel) was necessary for knowing Him intimately.

I love nature and know that God reveals His divine power and attributes through His creation (see Romans 1:20). That may draw me in to seek the Creator and learn the purpose and plan of redemption found only through the revealed word in Scripture, but alone, nature is not enough to learn that.

I love seeing kindness in both public and private settings. When I was younger, I would assume most anyone who was nice was probably a Christian. A very limiting assumption. Worldly kindness does not produce long-lasting, satisfying fruit. It may still be a welcome kindness, but it differs from the kind of kindness that Christians should live out daily. Our actions should back up what we say. But what are we saying? Or are we even saying anything? Would anyone know what motivates a Christian to behave kindly, others-focused, and consistent with their beliefs if they never open their mouths?

“Use your words,” many parents will say as a child works through a whiny tantrum. Their actions are not enough to clearly communicate their need. “Lord, please send somebody to tell my loved one about Jesus,” many a praying Grandmother has cried out over the years. She knows that kind actions won’t be enough for her loved one. He needs words. She knows what Romans 10:14 says, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Preaching is proclaiming. Proclaiming is using words out loud.

To ignore using words for the Gospel is to ignore who the Gospel is about – Jesus, also called the Word. Clearly, as Christians, our words must be backed with action, but there must be words for clarity. Christians, why are you doing the good that you do?  Use your words.

By Ashlie Miller

What a week. If you follow Holy Week readings and mark the days, the end of the past week was heavy. Judas, one of the 12, has betrayed Jesus by a very intimate sign. When Jesus asks those coming for Him whom they seek, and they say “Jesus of Nazareth,”He replies, “I am He.” He discloses His identity to the soldiers, religious officers, and Pharisees, who respond by falling, certainly not in worship, but perhaps in fear or overwhelmed by His power (though they do not recognize Him as God). Yet, all of them proceed after this powerful display with business as usual.

Then, Peter, slices off the ear of Malchus (servant of the high priest), nearly missing his neck, possibly. Jesus heals him instantly. Pilate later questions truth, not realizing he is questioning the Person of Truth (Jesus Christ). So many Divine encounters, yet we have no record that the nameless soldiers who fell down at Jesus’ power, nor Malchus, who had a direct encounter, nor Pilate questioning and having the Answer before him, submitted to Jesus.

This wasn’t new, even for God’s people. One could choose most any Old Testament book and find similar intimate encounters with God that were ignored, misunderstood, disobeyed, or rejected – pick a negative response.

Today, many remain in doubt, or worse, disbelief. You have likely heard or said yourself, “If I had an unmistakable encounter with God, then I would change.” But, deep down, don’t we know better? History and Scripture tell us otherwise. What a dangerously sad position to be in – to be the presence of the great “I AM,” dismiss an intimate encounter, and continue living unchanged.

It is easy to dismiss what we cannot see. Without a relationship with the Divine, how would we expect to see Him? We can hear truth, see truth, even be touched (or healed in some way) by it, but unless we know Truth as a Person, a Divine encounter can just seem like a coincidence, the universe following a path, medical intervention working, enlightenment, or worse, a lie. It can even look like someone living the church life, but never truly knowing the One who is the Sacrifice and Atonement, the Resurrection, the Life now, and the Promise of Eternal Life. How could we miss seeing it? We all walk in blindness without the merciful sight received upon salvation.

How close have you been? It could be that you’ve blindly missed the countless encounters or have chosen to continue on your own path. It is the grace of God that would ever give us even one display of His greatness.

If you are looking for a close encounter of the Divine kind, can I suggest that you attend an Easter service at a church that proclaims the transformative power of the resurrection? God has given us His Word – that we can read! He offers His Spirit to dwell in us! How much closer can we get this side of Heaven?

Ashlie Miller responded to close encounters while growing up in China Grove with her family. You may share your own with her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.