My Twin the Writer - Beautiful Words by John Miller

Truth be known, my brother Jay got the gift.

He penciled lines that made us smile.

Poems, prose and short stories of talking critters and fanciful folks and places, often set to songs to delight

His words in creative flight, unencumbered and rare invited us to wonder, to venture away from the mundane to skip in fields and wander magical forests of childlike imagination, where no adults are allowed

Words flowed onto pages turned, our youthful memories churned,

Where did he? When did he? Were we ever in those places, seemingly familiar?

God’s gift, first for mother’s pen, a writer’s craft honed sharp for many years before it crossed the placenta to a thirsty mind

So rich, this fantasy liquor seeped in that early pregnant time

It was Jay that drank that potion rare from the umbilical cord

Now his

Sipped while sleeping before first breath

Warm in the womb the twin claimed his gift, stored in a fetal memory

And, our mother smiled

A grin, as brother’s tiny hands touched

Busy arms and knees sparred in that watery space

A brother’s bond was made where these twins met in that safe, warm place

Then years spent to fully discover each other

Decades passed while prose’s potion worked, awakening and nourishing the mind of the twin who bore God’s gift

Came time and by the Creator’s design,

A potion long rested was brought alive and given purpose

Words made to soar by a new-found faith

Poems, prose, and song to fill his days

The gifted twin

Drawn close to his
Creator with words of praise

His gift of wonders poured out for us

Words we ponder

Childlike or challenging, he crafted them

The Creator’s purpose has been made known

The twin would use the gift

Through times of joy and struggle

When called to witness in simple, honest manner

By words never before uttered, unleashed, fanciful and written

My twin, Jay, gone home

Honored the Great I AM!

☦☦☦☦

Jay and his beloved wife

John Miller is the twin brother of Jay Miller who was one of the first members of the John 3:16 Marketing Network. Jay was a dear friend and great encourager (Lorilyn Roberts). 

John sent the poem to me on the five-year remembrance of Jay's homecoming. Jay was a kind and humble person who wrote wonderful picture books for children. I look forward to meeting Jay in heaven. You can learn more about Jay Miller and his books on his Amazon page by clicking here.

King on a Donkey

Easter Guest Post by John Miller

Photography by Lorilyn Roberts

His entrance into Jerusalem is personal, deliberate. There is no armed escort. There are no chariots, no jeweled robes, no marching soldiers, no shining shields, no flashing helmets, no glittering spears, and no heralding trumpets. Yet, Jesus of Nazareth enters Jerusalem as a king - a conquering king - sitting astride a donkey colt.  

As He crests the hill, Jesus stops to let the donkey rest a moment. He sees Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives just off to His right.  The city is now cosmopolitan and swollen with nearly 250,000 Jews gathered from far and wide, preparing for the annual Passover. 

Herod's temple rises above an enormous platform, its tower rising over eighty feet to proclaim dominance of the Jewish population. Its Roman influence in design, as endorsed by Herod, is detestable to many city Jews. Yet, the Jewish homes and palaces that dot the hillsides are also designed with a Roman influence. These are the abodes of the rich priests, merchants and their families living alongside the Romans, while lesser Jews live in crowded neighborhoods of simple homes and work the small shops that line the streets.  

Their collective lifestyle has become much like their alien oppressors, while their ancient culture holds remnants of sacred rituals born in the Tent of Meeting during the Exodus. Most Jewish hearts of this city are dark with hatred of the rebel Jesus, who is about to ride into the city with the swarm of followers. The Temple leaders have been informed of the unwelcome throng of rebel flesh by Temple spies who ran ahead of the King’s procession. Jesus knows all this and His heart is deeply saddened.

To read more, visit John Miller's blog at http://4him1st.blogspot.com/