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Auld Lang Syne: Remembered, Redeemed, and EntrustedAs the final hours of 2025 slip away, we find ourselves doing what humans have always done at the turning of time: remembering. Auld Lang Syne asks an ancient question:“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?”The song is not really about forgetting—it is about honoring. It is a confession that the past mattered. That the people we were, the roads we walked, the joys and the griefs, were not meaningless. We sing it because memory is holy ground.Scripture echoes this instinct. Over and over, God’s people are told to remember—not to dwell in regret, but to recognize God’s faithfulness woven through time.“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 46:9)Yet remembrance in the Christian life is never nostalgia alone. It is remembrance with redemption.Some of what we remember from this year is sweet—moments of laughter, healing, growth, and grace. Some of it is heavy—losses, disappointments, fears, prayers that still feel unanswered. We do not pretend those things didn’t happen. God does not ask us to forget them. He asks us to bring them to Him.“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)As the year closes, Scripture also gently reminds us that remembering does not mean remaining.“Forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13–14)This forgetting is not erasure—it is release. It is choosing not to be bound by what has already passed. It is trusting that God is not finished writing the story.And so, like the song itself, we lift a figurative cup—a cup of kindness—not just toward one another, but toward God. Gratitude for what was. Mercy for what was hard. Hope for what is coming.“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22–23)As midnight approaches, we stand at the threshold of time. Behind us: a year fully lived. Ahead of us: a year fully unknown. And in this sacred in-between, God meets us—not rushing us forward, not shaming us for what’s past, but inviting us to trust Him again.So we remember. We release. We entrust.And we step into the new year hand in hand—not only with old acquaintances, but with the God who has been faithful through every single one of our days.Amen.

Auld Lang Syne: Remembered, Redeemed, and Entrusted

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A Pastoral Word to the Hurting&nbsp; If you are walking through illness, loss, or unanswered prayers, hear this clearly: your suffering is not a verdict on your faith, and your pain is not proof that God has failed you. The Lord does not measure His love for you by outcomes, nor does He withdraw His presence in seasons of weakness.Scripture reminds us that God draws near to the brokenhearted and remains faithful even when the road is long and hard. You are not abandoned, you are not being punished, and you are not a disappointment to God. In Christ, you are held—securely and eternally—by grace, not by the strength of your faith, but by the faithfulness of God.We are here for you—not as a replacement for God, but as a living witness to His care. Our presence is a reminder of a deeper spiritual reality: God loves you, God sees you, God hears your prayers, and He has not forsaken you.In His love, ray

A Pastoral Word to the Hurting

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Ministry Statement on False Teaching and Pastoral Care One of the most painful parts of pastoral ministry is helping people recover from teaching that promised much but delivered spiritual harm.I have seen—personally and pastorally—the damage caused by false doctrine that treats faith as a transaction and suffering as a personal failure. These teachings have impacted my own family and have left many believers in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care carrying unnecessary guilt, shame, and confusion.Some are led to believe that unanswered prayers or declining health are evidence of weak faith. Others are left disappointed in God Himself, because what they were promised was never rooted in Scripture. In both cases, the result is the same: wounded believers who feel abandoned—by themselves, by the church, or by God.This is not biblical Christianity.The gospel does not teach that faith guarantees health, wealth, or ease. It teaches that God is faithful, present, and sovereign—especially in suffering. Scripture never places the burden of illness or hardship on the believer’s faith, nor does it portray God as a vending machine for human desires.Part of our calling is not only to teach truth, but to help people unlearn error—to gently remove distorted images of God and replace them with the God revealed in Scripture: compassionate, holy, near to the brokenhearted, and trustworthy in every season of life.We are committed to shepherding people back to a faith grounded in truth, sustained by grace, and anchored in the unchanging character of God—not in promises He never made.In His love, ray &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Ministry Statement on False Teaching and Pastoral Care

Daily Devotion: Cultivating a Spirit-Governed Mind Have you ever noticed how a single anxious thought can seize the entire day? Perhaps you wake with a sense of calm, only to have a solitary what-if—about finances, relationships, or an upcoming challenge—suddenly intrude. By noon, it can feel as though you’ve fought a dozen battles without ever leaving your own mind, weariness settling in from conflicts waged in silence.“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6Paul described this as a mind “governed by the flesh,” a state as fruitless as trying to cultivate roses in desert sand. When you hand over the garden gate of your mind to God’s Spirit, the transformation is profound. The Spirit uproots the lies that have taken root, waters the seeds of truth, and gently cultivates an inner peace where anxiety once ran wild. The circumstances of your day may remain unchanged, but the inner climate—your spiritual atmosphere—begins to blossom with hope, security, and calm.This isn’t about forcing artificial positivity or pretending struggles don’t exist. It’s about surrender—a quiet, heartfelt yielding each time worry knocks. Whisper a simple prayer: “Spirit, tend my mind.” Perfection isn’t required; only a heart willing to be cultivated by the Master Gardener. In His care, the tangled weeds of fear are pulled, truth is sown, and the strong roots of life and peace begin to flourish. With time, anxious vines lose their hold, and God’s presence becomes the defining feature of your mental landscape.Today, open every gate of your mind to His Spirit. Invite Him into the barren places, and watch as He transforms every wasteland into vibrant beauty. The journey begins with surrender—and ends with the peace only He can bring.Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you.In His love and grace, ray mileur“Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.” www.raymileurministries.com &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Cultivating a Spirit-Governed Mind

Lane Street – Sunday Campfire Reflection&nbsp;Every now and then, wisdom rises from unlikely places—a dusty trail, a quiet campfire, an old saying that cuts straight to the heart. Today, Lane Street reminds us that faith isn’t something we pull off the shelf only when storms roll in. It’s forged day by day, mile by mile, in sunshine and rain alike.Pull up a log, lean in close, and take a moment to reflect on what it means to trust God for today’s bread and follow the Trail Boss—no matter the weather. <h3>Lane Street’s Sunday Campfire Reflection&nbsp;</h3> Praying in the Sunshine and the RainAn old ballplayer by the name of Satchel Paige once said, “If you don’t pray when the sun shines, don’t pray when it rains.”I’ve ridden enough trail miles to know this much—you can’t save up prayers like canned beans for a hard season.Prayer’s not a last-ditch flare shot into a stormy sky.It’s the steady rhythm of the trail… one step, one breath, one conversation with God at a time.Some days on the trail are good.The weath er’s fair, the horse is sound, and the miles roll easy under hoof.Other days, everything aches—back, knees, spirit—and the sky looks like it’s fixing to break loose.Most days fall somewhere in between.And here’s the truth most folks don’t like to hear: God doesn’t just want to hear from us when we’re soaked, stuck, and desperate.He wants us talking to Him when the sun’s on our back too.Out here, you learn to cast all your cares—the weather you can’t control, the struggle you didn’t plan on, the aches that don’t ask permission, and the weight you’ve been carrying longer than you admit.You don’t ask for tomorrow’s strength.You ask for today’s bread.Enough grace for this mile.Enough mercy for this moment.The trail boss doesn’t expect you to see the whole route. He just asks you to keep your eyes up, stay in line, and trust that He knows where the trail leads—even when you don’t.So whether today’s dry ground or deep mud, sunshine or rain, easy riding or hard pulling—keep praying.Not just when the storm hits, but when the sky is clear and the fire burns steady. Because faith that only shows up in the rain usually didn’t get built in the sunshine.Saddle up. One day’s ride is enough for today. — Lane Street, Riding for the Cross Brand &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Lane Street – Sunday Campfire Reflection

Daily Devotional - "When the Preacher Becomes the Hero" - “He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30 (ESV)&nbsp; There’s a subtle shift that can happen in churches—quiet enough that most people can’t name it, but heavy enough that they feel it.The preaching is polished. The stories are powerful. The personality fills the room.And somewhere along the way, without anyone announcing it, the preacher becomes the hero of the story.It rarely starts with bad intentions. Most of the time, it grows out of gifted communication, compelling testimony, or a leader who genuinely loves people. But when sermons slowly drift from what Christ has done to what the preacher has done, something sacred is misplaced.The gospel doesn’t need a main character upgrade.When sermons consistently circle back to personal success, personal struggle, personal insight, or personal authority—Jesus may still be mentioned, but He’s no longer central. He becomes supporting cast instead of the cornerstone.And the congregation feels it.They may not be able to explain it theologically, but they sense the imbalance. Worship feels more like admiration. Discipleship feels more like imitation of a man than surrender to Christ. Faith subtly shifts from dependence on Jesus to confidence in leadership charisma.John the Baptist gives us the corrective with just seven words: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”That’s the dividing line.Faithful preaching doesn’t point people to how impressive the messenger is—it points them to how sufficient the Savior is. It doesn’t leave people talking about the preacher in the parking lot; it leaves them grappling with Christ on the drive home.If Jesus isn’t the hero, something’s off—even if everything sounds right. “Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you."In His love and grace, ray mileur ‘Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.’ www.raymileurministries.com ” &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

"When the Preacher Becomes the Hero"

Returning to the Heart of WorshipModern Christianity often asks us to feel before it asks us to kneel.Worship is not first about us. It is not self-expression, emotional fulfillment, or inspiration. Biblically, worship is rightly ordered love—God in His rightful place, and ourselves beneath Him.“You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10).God does not demand performance or creativity. He demands obedience, humility, and surrender. “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).True worship costs us something. It requires us to lay down not only our pride, but our preferences. Jesus did not say, “Take up your preferences and follow Me.” He said, “Take up your cross” (Luke 9:23).Walk into many churches today and the center is clear: a stage, lights, screens. The language has shifted—experience, atmosphere, engagement. These things are not evil, but they demand an honest question: is this ordered toward worship, or toward performance?An altar exists for sacrifice. A stage exists for an audience. At an altar, God acts. On a stage, we react.The early Church gathered not to consume worship, but to offer themselves to God—often at great cost.Do we go to church to feel uplifted and affirmed, or do we go to worship God whether or not it feels good? True worship is not always comforting. Sometimes it confronts, humbles, and calls us to repentance. The cross was never meant to be appealing—yet it remains the center of our faith.If church exists to make us feel good, then we have quietly made ourselves the object of worship. If it exists to glorify God, then comfort becomes secondary to conversion. “Those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).Somewhere along the way, worship became something we consume rather than something we offer. We evaluate it by how it sounds and how it makes us feel. This is why a familiar song still resonates—not as celebration, but as confession: “I’m coming back to the heart of worship… it’s all about You, Jesus.” It is repentance—an admission that even good things can quietly displace God. “I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it.”The Gospel does not promise fulfillment without sacrifice or belief without obedience. It offers something far more demanding—and far more beautiful: union with Christ. He calls us not to be spectators, but disciples; not consumers, but offerings. “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).When everything else is stripped away—our preferences, our performances, our expectations—may we still be able to say, not as a lyric but as a life: It’s all about You, Jesus

Returning to the Heart of Worship

<h3>A Biblical and Pastoral Perspective on Women and the Pastoral Office</h3>A Word Before You Read - The subject addressed in this article is one that sincere believers have discussed, debated, and wrestled with for generations. I approach it neither casually nor combatively, but as a pastor who believes the church is healthiest when it is shaped by Scripture rather than cultural pressure—whether from the left or the right.This position has been formed through prayerful study, pastoral experience, and engagement with the broader theological conversation. While I recognize that faithful Christians may disagree on this issue, my aim here is not to provoke controversy, but to clearly state where I stand and why, grounded in the authority of God’s Word.This article is offered in a spirit of conviction with charity, clarity with humility, and truth spoken in love. The question of whether women may serve as pastors is one of the most discussed—and often most emotionally charged—issues in the modern church. While cultural pressures and contemporary expectations frequently shape the conversation, the church must ultimately return to Scripture and ask what God has revealed concerning His design for leadership within the gathered body of believers.This article represents my considered position on this subject, formed through prayerful study, pastoral reflection, and engagement with the broader theological discussion.The following theological summary is drawn from and influenced by the biblical research and arguments of Caleb Corneloup. While the wording and presentation here are my own, I am grateful for his careful work on this subject, even where I do not always agree with his tone or conclusions in every respect. &nbsp; Paul’s Instruction in 1 Timothy 2: A Theological FoundationIn 1 Timothy 2:11–14, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of teaching and authority within the gathered church. Rather than appealing to local customs, social conditions, or educational limitations, Paul grounds his instruction in two foundational realities: creation order and the fall.By rooting his argument in Genesis, Paul signals that his teaching is not merely situational, but theological. His reasoning reaches back before culture, before institutions, and even before sin itself. This suggests that the instruction concerns God’s design rather than temporary circumstances.&nbsp; Creation Order as Design, Not DiminishmentPaul’s reference to Adam being formed first and Eve being created as a helper reflects intentional design. Scripture affirms without hesitation that men and women are equal in value, dignity, and worth as image-bearers of God. Distinction of role does not imply inequality of essence.Throughout Scripture, God uses order to establish responsibility. Paul appeals to creation order elsewhere when discussing marriage and church life, treating Genesis not as a mere origin story, but as a theological blueprint. Leadership in the home and in the church flows from this design, not from social hierarchy or personal gifting alone.&nbsp; The Fall and the Need for Ordered LeadershipPaul’s reference to the fall in 1 Timothy 2 is often misunderstood. It is not an indictment of women, nor a claim of moral inferiority. Rather, it acknowledges that sin disrupted God’s original design and introduced disorder into human relationships.The church, therefore, is not called to reflect fallen dynamics, but redeemed order. Paul’s instruction serves to guard the church from institutionalizing the distortions introduced by sin and instead calls it back to God’s creational intent.&nbsp; Addressing Common Objections with CareSeveral objections are frequently raised in discussions of this issue. While often sincere, they do not ultimately overturn the apostolic teaching.Deborah as a counterexample - Deborah served as a judge during a unique and chaotic period in Israel’s history. Judges were civil and military leaders, not pastors or elders in the New Testament sense. Her role represents an exception during national decline, not a normative model for church leadership.Educational and cultural arguments - Claims that Paul restricted women from teaching due to lack of education or local religious practices are speculative. Paul does not cite these factors. Instead, he encourages women to learn and grounds his instruction explicitly in Genesis.Linguistic arguments about authority - Attempts to limit Paul’s prohibition to abusive or illegitimate authority do not adequately account for the language or the congregational context of the passage. Paul addresses teaching and authority within public worship, not merely domestic relationships.&nbsp; The Flow from 1 Timothy 2 to 1 Timothy 3Paul’s teaching continues seamlessly into chapter 3, where he outlines qualifications for elders and overseers. The pastoral office is described using male-specific language and framed within the same theological assumptions already established.This progression is intentional. Paul first addresses who is not permitted to teach or exercise authority over men in the gathered church, and then describes which men are qualified to do so. The structure reflects a coherent and unified argument.&nbsp; Design, Not OppressionConcerns about restriction or unfairness are understandable in a cultural climate that often equates authority with value. Scripture presents a different vision. Authority and submission, when ordered rightly, are not oppressive but life-giving.Christ submits to the Father. The church submits to Christ. Believers submit to spiritual leadership.These patterns reflect harmony, not hierarchy for its own sake. God’s design for the church is marked by clarity, order, and mutual flourishing.The question of women serving as pastors is ultimately not a matter of preference, personality, or cultural alignment, but of faithfulness to Scripture. When the biblical data are considered together—creation order, the fall, apostolic instruction, linguistic context, and pastoral qualifications—a consistent picture emerges.This position does not deny the gifting, calling, intelligence, or indispensable contributions of women in the life of the church. Rather, it affirms that God, in His wisdom, has established distinct roles within His redemptive design, for His glory and the good of His people.I remain grateful for the research and biblical engagement of Caleb Corneloup on this subject. While I do not adopt every aspect of his tone or approach, his work has contributed meaningfully to the ongoing theological conversation and deserves thoughtful consideration. Closing SummaryMy position is simple and settled: the Word of God cannot mean today what it never meant when it was written. Scripture affirms that the pastoral and elder office is reserved for qualified men, based on biblical teaching rather than shifting cultural trends.The Apostle Paul grounds his instruction in creation order and theological design, not in temporary or local conditions. His appeal reaches beyond culture to God’s original intent for the life and leadership of the church.Men and women are affirmed throughout Scripture as equal in value and dignity, while serving in distinct and complementary roles within the body of Christ.Common objections—appeals to Deborah, cultural context, or linguistic reinterpretations—do not overturn the consistent and coherent flow of apostolic teaching.This view is rooted not in restriction, but in trust that God’s design for leadership is wise, purposeful, and good.Faithfulness to Scripture sometimes requires us to stand quietly where God has already spoken, trusting that His design is both good and sufficient.“Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you."In His love and grace,ray mileur‘Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.’ www.raymileurministries.com” &nbsp;

A Biblical Perspective on Women & the Pastoral Office

Our Daily Devotional: - "Built to Last" - As I look at the modern American church landscape, I can’t help but notice a troubling contrast. - “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” —1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV)A Christ-centered, gospel-anchored Church has survived nearly 2,000 years—through persecution, poverty, exile, plagues, and cultural hostility. Empires rose and fell. Governments changed. Cultures shifted. Yet the Church endured.Meanwhile, many man-centered, seeker-sensitive churches—built on personality, production, and preference—are already showing cracks. Some struggle to remain faithful beyond the first generation. Others quietly fade once the crowds thin or the culture turns cold.That should tell us something.The early Church did not ask, “What will attract people?”It asked, “What did Christ command?”Today, we often reverse the order.When the Church shifts from forming disciples to satisfying consumers, the foundation changes. Comfort replaces conviction. Preference replaces repentance. Attendance replaces obedience. And when hardship comes—as it always does—what was built for convenience cannot stand the weight of the cross.Jesus never promised His followers comfort. He promised truth. He promised life. He promised a cross.And He promised this: “I will build My church.” Not ours. His.The Church was never meant to be impressive—it was meant to be faithful. It was never meant to mirror the culture, but to bear witness against it with grace and truth. When Christ is the center, the Church may be smaller, slower, and less celebrated—but it will be stronger, deeper, and built to last.The gospel doesn’t need marketing. It needs proclamation. And it still changes lives the same way it always has. “Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you."In His love and grace,ray mileur‘Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.’ www.raymileurministries.com” &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Daily Devotional: - "Built to Last"

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If you’re looking for a speaker who connects with hearts, lifts spirits, and inspires through real stories of faith, family, leadership, and resilience, reach out to Ray Mileur—the guy in the white cowboy hat. With boots-on-the-ground faith and a life rooted in walking with Jesus, Ray brings hope, encouragement, and the steady light of God’s love to every audience he serves.

Ray Mileur Ministries

Ray offers biblical counseling for individuals and families seeking clarity, comfort, and direction through God’s Word. In times of grief, stress, conflict, or spiritual struggle, he walks alongside others with compassionate, Scripture-grounded counsel—helping them move forward with renewed hope, faith, and trust in Christ.

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You are important to God, and you are important to us. Regarding prayer, God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you. So, whatever you are concerned about and need prayer for, please submit your prayer request today.