I recently used a modern-day parable to encourage a young man struggling with sin. It involved a pig at a banquet. Maybe it will encourage you. Nothing New Under the Sun "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9). In all likelihood, I've never had an original thought. This truism … [Read more...]
A Black Cat, A Snowball, and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates
I returned home after a financially and spiritually profitable four hours of Uber driving. Roxy, as always, met me at the top of the stairs, with bright eyes and tail wagging. After playing with the dog for a few minutes, I made my way to the kitchen to make my lunch. Today's menu (like the lunch menu for most of my days): two ham, roast beef, hard salami sandwiches on … [Read more...]
Correspondence Ministry: Encouraging People the Old-Fashioned Way
Handwritten correspondence is an almost-forgotten form of communication. And with this dying form of communication comes the slow death of a wonderful art form: handwriting, penmanship. Correspondence is now relegated to text messages, emails, Facebook posts, and the dreaded 140-character tweet. As seen in my own life and ministry, it takes a lot less thought, effort, and … [Read more...]
From the Miano Family: Thank You for Your Support
It's been a while since I said thank you. There are too many people to thank individually. So, this is written to serve as a collective thank you to whoever may read this and has ever supported me and my family, in any way. The Journey My family's journey into full-time ministry began in 1999. I left my full-time position as a gang investigator with the Los Angeles County … [Read more...]
Encouragement from Ray Comfort
The following is a quote from Ray Comfort, which appeared in today's Living Waters e-newsletter. Along with a couple other emotions, my friend Ray Comfort's words brought encouragement to me. "'Friendly fire' can be as deadly as an enemy bullet. Always be mindful that opposition can come from the closest of friends and family. They are the ones who can wound you if you let … [Read more...]
Spurgeon on Neutrality
The following is Charles Spurgeon's commentary on Psalm 119:30. "Verse 30. I have chosen the way of truth. As he abhorred the way of lying, so he chose the way of truth: a man must choose one or the other, for there cannot be any neutrality in the case. Men do not drop into the right way by chance; they must choose it, and continue to choose it, or they will soon wander from … [Read more...]
The Cross Encounters Ministries Advisory Board
Recently, the ministry went through a website overhaul. We are still putting all the pieces in place. I am very grateful to Mika Kaltoft of RocaPress for sharing his web design and construction talents with Cross Encounters Ministries. And I highly recommend Mika for your website needs. One of the pages we have yet to develop is the Cross Encounters Ministries Advisory Board … [Read more...]
