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About the Book


"Breaking Free of Rejection" by John Paul Jackson explores the root causes and effects of rejection, offering practical advice and spiritual insights on how to overcome feelings of rejection and experience healing and freedom in relationships. Through personal stories and biblical principles, the book guides readers in understanding and transforming their mindset to break free from the cycle of rejection and embrace their worth and identity in Christ.

Jack Miller

Jack Miller Cecil John Miller (December 28, 1928 – April 8, 1996[1][2]), usually known as Jack Miller, was an American Presbyterian pastor. He served as pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and taught practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. Early life and education Miller was born on December 28, 1928 in Gold Beach, Oregon. He married Rose Marie Carlsen in 1950, and graduated from San Francisco State College in 1953. In 1966 he received an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and in 1978 earned his Ph.D. in English literature from the University of the Pacific.[2] Career Starting in 1955, Miller taught at Ripon Christian School for five years in Ripon, California. He was ordained as a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in 1959, and worked as a chaplain for several years in Stockton, California. From 1965-1972 he served as the pastor of Mechanicsville Chapel in Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania.[2] Gary North argues that Miller was "deeply affected by the counter-culture", and this led him to adopt new, people-oriented approaches to evangelism.[3] Chad B. Van Dixhoorn suggests that Miller's Sonship program stemmed from three and a half months spent in Spain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Miller "studied the promises of Scripture for three and a half months culminating in a mountaintop experience, or its seaside equivalent. He returned to America with two things on his mind, adoption and revival."[4] Miller founded World Harvest Mission (now named Serge) and the New Life Presbyterian network of Orthodox Presbyterian churches.[5] He was known for emphasizing the Christian's status as a child of God, a view known as sonship theology. Tullian Tchividjian notes that Miller summed up the gospel in this way: "Cheer up; you're a lot worse off than you think you are, but in Jesus you're far more loved than you could have ever imagined."[6] Miller wrote a number of books, most notably Outgrowing the Ingrown Church (1986). A volume of his letters, The Heart of a Servant Leader, was published in 2004. In 2020, P&R Publishing released a biography written by Michael A. Graham titled Cheer Up! The Life, Teaching, and Ministry of C. John ‘Jack’ Miller. Miller died on April 8, 1996 in Malaga, Spain.[2] References 1. "Notable Former Professors". Westminster Theological Seminary. Retrieved 18 October 2013. 2. Van Dyke, Jody (2018). "Cecil John (Jack) Miller". PCA Historical Center: Archives and Manuscript Repository for the Continuing Presbyterian Church. Presbyterian Church in America. Retrieved February 8, 2021. 3. North, Gary (1991). Westminster's Confession: The Abandonment of Van Til's Legacy (PDF). Institute for Christian Economics. p. 35. 4. Chad B. Van Dixhoorn, "The Sonship Program for Revival: A Summary and Critique," Westminster Theological Journal 61.2 (1999), 227-246. 5. Frame, John (2017). Theology of My Life: A Theological and Apologetic Memoir. Cascade Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 978-1532613784. 6. Tchividjian, Tullian (2010). Surprised by Grace: God's Relentless Pursuit of Rebels. Crossway. p. 44.

The Awl

I saw a good Samaritan Slow down and stop. “This is that kind of road; and none Of my sweet business here.” Atop The hill just to the east he saw The restful spires Of Jericho. “There is no law,” He thought, “no statute that requires My bother, let alone the chance Of injury.” But conscience rose and put a glance Of his own son for him to see Before his father-eyes. He crossed The lonely road, And whispered to himself, “The cost Of this assault is not his load Alone. Perhaps his father waits In Jericho.” He knelt. “Such are the fates Samaritans endure.” Then, “No! This is a Jew!” And worse, much worse: The man was dead. “Now what?” he thought. “It is a curse To die and rot without a bed Beneath the ground. And he is young. His father will Be searching soon, perhaps.” He clung To one small metal awl until, In his dead hand, it pierced his skin, As if to say To highway thieves: “Not this, not in My life will this be snatched away.” The good Samaritan put him Upon his beast, And set his face to do the grim, Bleak work of bearing the deceased Up to Jerusalem to find A leather row Where some young tanner had been signed To take a load to Jericho. He stopped at the first shop, “Can you Say if a man Was sent with leather goods down through The road to Jericho?” “I can. But hardly yet a man! In age, Or worth, I think. For all I know, his grief and rage Drove him to steal the lot, and drink His sorry way to Gerasa. His father’s sick With fear. There was a bruhaha The night he left. He tried to stick A man because his mother’s name Was smeared. He slashed Him with a tanner’s awl. He came By here to get his load, and lashed It to his mule and disappeared. His mother died Last year. The old man with the beard, Down at the corner, right hand side, That’s his dad.” “Thank you.” Hesitant, And burdened down With death, he waited at the front, Until the old man, with a frown, Said, “What you got for sale there, sir?” “It’s not for sale, Or trade, or deals. But if it were, You’d pay me anything. This veil Lies on the treasure of your life: Your son. And in His hand, unstolen in the strife. There is an awl thrust through his skin.” The old man lifted up the cloak, And put it back. “I found him on the road.” “Your folk Hate Jews, my friend. And there’s no lack Of corpses on that road. What do You want from me For this?” “I want to know from you About the awl. And I would be Obliged if you would tell me what It means.” “All right. A year ago, tonight, we shut His mother’s eyes. And every light Went out for him. But just before She died, she called Him. It was early, and a score Of birds were singing. So enthralled, She seemed, then said to him, ‘My child, With singing birds, I give you now my awl.’” He smiled, “She always had a way with words.” John Piper

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