For as long as I can remember, I've had a love for two seemingly unrelated activities: guitar and history.   They are unrelated in almost every way except in my apparent predisposed passion for the two.  Even before my sixth birthday I can still remember hearing the strings of a guitar ring in my ears so clearly, so purely and naturally like a language in which I was innately fluent.  And just as natural was my connection with the Indians and early settlers in an outdoor drama entitled "Unto These Hills." I was six years old and the trip to Cherokee, N.C., is the first family vacation I remember.  The Cherokee tribe danced in full ceremonial dress around a fire and the settlers in their pilgrim-like dress sang songs (accompanied by guitar I might add).  I don't really recall the story line of the drama, but I do know it has had an enduring impact.

Now what does this have to do with homeschooling?  Well, I believe that we are born with certain interests...these are God's gifting for us.  I believe it's part of the equipment, or programming, that we are given to accomplish the work we're called to do.  In Proverbs 22:6 we are told to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  The common interpretation is that we need to train the child in the right way (as we know it), but I think that we need to observe the child first.  God gives us clues into the "right way," or His way for the child.  These clues are embedded in the natural passion within the child.  Our job is to recognize God's gift, and commit ourselves to encourage, train and feed the passion.

For some the gift is undeniable, but for many it must be sought and uncovered.  It's always there, but we do not always think to seek it out.  One Saturday evening, Dad brought home a small guitar for me in a cardboard box.  Mom listened to me strum and sing songs to her before I even knew how to play.  She enrolled me in a small guitar class in 1972, and God has strengthened the calling incrementally throughout my life ever since.  I've been inspired by many and continuously trained in the way I should go simply by others giving me a little something of themselves along the way. 

Likewise, my passion for history, though less intense than that for music, has nonetheless been a very rewarding aspect of my childhood and adult life.  My scoutmaster, a Yale history major, used to take our troop to these fascinating sites.  His enthusiasm was contagious.  He loved history, classical music, architecture and the outdoors, and he shared that part of himself with us.  With history, he fanned a flame that was already inside me, and with architecture, the classics (Bach to the Beatles), and the outdoors, he helped uncover interests that just lay below the surface.  The best teachers observe, share, inspire as well as teach.  We don't have to be the expert; we just have to be observant and willing to take the next step.  Mom observed my passion for the guitar, found someone qualified to teach and inspire me, and supported my passion.  My scoutmaster shared his interests with me and helped me discover my common interests...interests that continually make my life richer.

Last weekend, I walked through historic Williamsburg enjoying the fall foliage, studying the colonial architecture, and contemplating Thomas Jefferson's daily activities as a student at nearby William and Mary.  I drove down to Jamestown and Yorktown and shared ground with the likes of Pocahontas, John Rolfe, Generals Washington, Lafayette and Lord Cornwallis.  And, I spent several hours working on my own instrumental arrangement of a favorite hymn.  In short, now that I'm older, I've not departed from the way that I've been trained and inspired...I've embraced it.

As a homeschooler, what better charge can I hope to have than to observe my son's natural gifts, and in obedience to Proverbs 22:6, train him up in the way that God has chosen for him?  By understanding the gift I've been given by others to discover and pursue God's calling in my life, I can now repay the debt, starting with my own children, and what a wonderful place to start... 

Hello!

The last couple of months have really been something else.  I almost don’t know where to start, but here seems as good as any place.  As many of you already know, I moved to Alexandria, Virginia around the first of August to serve as the Director of Intelligence for the Air Force District of Washington.  The move wasn’t easy since we made a family decision for Bobbi and the boys to stay behind in Summerville, SC, while I finish up what will be my last assignment in the Air Force. It was a tough decision, but those of you who are familiar with the special needs of our autistic sons, especially Marcus, understand why moving him for just a year is not a very practical or beneficial thing to do.  The good news is, a couple of weeks ago, the Air Force accepted my application for retirement, so I should be back home by Spring! 

I don’t claim to know how all this fits into God’s plan for us, but what I’ve purposed in my heart to do is use this time to grow spiritually and to fill up my time with worthwhile endeavors while I’m apart from my family, and as I look back on some of the highlights over the last two months, I’m a little overwhelmed.  I can’t help but name drop just a little (okay a lot), so please don’t misunderstand me as I write this because I’m not boasting...I’m just amazed and want to share.  I have no other explanation except to say that what I’ve experienced is a gift, and as Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”  So what exactly am I talking about here?  Well, how about chatting with Phil Keaggy about his tune Castle Talk at a church in Richmond, for starters. I’ve carried guitars for Doyle Dykes while he introduced me to the man who founded S.W.A.T, and another, Special Agent, John Hall, who is responsible for improving the FBI’s firepower by introducing a groundbreaking 10mm hand gun to the agency….and they’re fine musicians on top of that!  I met these guys and the rest of the members of The Free Agents after their concert in Warsaw, VA, last Friday and got to hang out with Doyle’s talented daughter,  recording artist,  and great friend Haley, while she and her Dad presented me with CDs as a 40^th birthday gift!  How Cool is that?

Now I’m just getting started here folks, so hang in there.  Just a couple of weeks back, one of my best friends, Steven Givler, Major, USAF, invited me to a book release party at the Library of Congress, and it was a night I’ll never forget.  Steven was published in a new Random House collection called Operation Homecoming.  While there, I met three time N.Y. Times best selling editor, Andrew Carroll, The Deputy Librarian of Congress, General Donald Scott, and the Chairman of the NEA, Dana Gioia.  Many of the contributing authors were present, so they had a book signing after a moving ceremony to launch the book.  While in line for the book signing, I was startled by a lady behind me asking the authors to sign a book for First Lady, Laura Bush.  Turns out she is the wife of the Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, who also happens to be standing right behind me in line!  So yep, I was quite literally rubbing elbows and casually chatting with one of the most powerful men in Washington D.C. The night was extraordinary, but the best part was getting to be there with my close friend Steven…a friend I’m convinced is a man of destiny.  He’s a true renaissance man.  To get a sense of what I mean, just visit one of his websites, stevengivler.blogspot.com.  Okay, now I have to brag just a little; Steven recently presented me with two of his original watercolor paintings!  I’m still in shock…they’re wonderful.

What else have I been up to?  Glad you asked…  I’ve walked the halls past the Air Force Chief of Staff’s office while exploring the corridors of the Pentagon, and last month I stood inches away from the original U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.  Just Saturday I stood right outside of the hall where it was signed in Philadelphia.  And to top off a great weekend, yesterday, I performed one of my original tunes for National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion and recording artist, Chris Proctor.  For a couple of hours, we discussed the craft of musical composition, performance and advanced technique.  Then last evening, I had a cup of orange black tea while he played an entire set for just me and a couple of new friends at the Westside Café in Frederick, Maryland.  He performed for us as if we were an audience of 1000…I was stunned.

In addition to these amazing happenings, in just the last two months, I’ve toured Mount Vernon, Fredricksburg and Chancellorsville Battlefields, Harpers Ferry, Antietam and Gettysburg Battlefields, the National Archives, Fort McHenry, and Independence Hall.  I’ve rode my bike along the banks of the Potomac, and I’ve browsed Bran Dillard’s, owner of Picker’s Supply in Fredricksburg, VA, vintage collection of stringed instruments…in his private office no less, while swapping tunes with store manager and performer Peter Mealy.  I’ve played open mic at Tiffany Tavern in Old Town Alexandria a half dozen times…all this and I’ve been able to serve the nation in a capacity that I never thought possible.

God is good.  I’ve been able to come home a couple of times and go bike riding and shark tooth hunting with Nathan, have dinner with Bobbi at Olive Garden AND Outback, give Marcus an overdue shave, and go sightseeing around Charleston with Kristin, Bobbi, Nathan and Kristin’s Atlanta roomie, Katy.  

Everyday seems to bring a new adventure.  I miss my family, but God has been there and has been busy increasing my territory.  Thanks for reading this!  I just had so many things happening that I felt compelled to share them.  At this rate, by Christmas I could have enough items to post a chapter two to what one could aptly entitle, The Keith Miller Blessings Report!  By just reading this, you already qualify for an entry!

God Bless always,

Keith

"When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.  And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.  He went his way therefore, and washed and came seeing."  The Book of John, chapter 9 verses 6 and 7.

I encourage you to read the chapter in its entirety not only because I find it fascinating, but also because I believe there is a message just below the surface for anyone wanting to find it.  Think about this...the man did not know Jesus as his Savior, and unlike many others with infirmities, this man did not even ask to be healed.  His miracle came in response to a question from Jesus's disciples who wanted to know what sin the man or his parents had committed to deserve the punishment of blindness.  Jesus told them in verse 3  that "Neither hath the man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him."  In other words, this man had been blind since birth solely for the purpose of bearing first-hand witness to the power and grace of God.  As Jesus affirmed, the man did nothing to deserve blindness, but he also did nothing to deserve healing...nothing save one act of blind obedience to a Man he did not even know personally.  I imagine it's not as easy as it sounds.  How much easier would it have been for the man to take offense to Jesus, reviling His act and rebuking His command?  How would we have reacted?  What Jesus did made no sense...I mean since when does rubbing clay on a blind man's eye do anything accept make a mess?  And if that wasn't odd enough, His follow up instructions seem to make even less sense.  Why not just wash with the nearest basin of water...why did he have to find this particular pool?  Despite the many possible negative reactions, this man chose not to revile Jesus, he obeyed Him and "came seeing."  He obeyed and was healed.

Sometimes God's leading and direction doesn't seem to make sense to us because our ways are simply not His, AND because until we obey, we are still blind.  I believe there exists a destiny created by God for each of His creations...you and me included.  We have the choice to obey and and experience the richness of  His destiny for us, or refuse His leading and remain in darkness.  Obedience means walking blindly in the direction that He tells us to go...trusting that the pathway in the dark has already been cleared for us. 

God is blessed by our obedience.  He counts it "better than sacrifice." He rewards it by giving us sight, and as with Abraham, He counts our act of faith as righteousness.  And, just so you'll know, in verse 35 through 38 the man receives something more precious than sight, but I'll leave that for those who want to read His words for themselves.

As I sit here 8 hours away from my family for a yet to be revealed purpose, and for an unspecified period of time, I admit that I'm still blind.  But I know Who it is that has sent me and I trust that my pathway in the darkness has been cleared.  I have decided to follow Jesus and I will walk until I reach my pool of Siloam...see you on the way back!

Keith Miller

The paragraph below is in my profile, but I thought it would serve as a good intro blog for my new site; thanks for visiting!   

Above all, I'm a Christian and family man. I have two autistic sons, Marcus and Nathan, and we (mostly my wife, Bobbi) homeschool Nathan.  It's been wonderful to watch him grow and benefit from the one on one, Nathan tailored, learning environment.  I'm also blessed with a passion for guitar. I enjoy working on complicated musical arrangements and performing for anyone who will listen. I've been in the Air Force for 19 years and serve in the rank of major. I long to be better at everything I listed above, and by the grace of God, become who He created me to become.

For more info, feel free to visit my web site at:   http://keithmiller.net