Thankful

Matt Miles • November 19, 2017

We give thanks as more than a once-a-year remembrance, but here we are at the season once again where it is celebrated as a holiday. As I begin reflecting back, I am the first to admit great thanks for much in my family and ministry. Theresa and I began this year celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, and we look forward to many more with the Lord’s continued provision. I am so thankful for her devotion to the Lord and the truly great helpmate she has been to me over all the years of life and ministry. The Lord blessed me with a special woman 25 years ago. He also blessed me through the devotion of my parents as they celebrated 50 years of marriage this month. I am so thankful for this in these times when marriages are under attack in so many ways. The faithfulness and commitment they have shown each other is becoming harder to find each year, it seems.

For the call to ministry which the Lord put on my life many years ago I am thankful. It is overwhelming at times when I consider the lives impacted this year through the many avenues this ministry functions. From students at camp this summer who connected for the first time the Truth of God’s Word about His creator-ship to their Savior, to the grandmothers and grandfathers that weep for their lost children and grandchildren they so desperately want to hear this ministry’s message, to the believer that has come back to Christ and struggles with the literal reading of the historical record of Genesis but is thankful for our “intellectually reasonable” teachings that are challenging his worldview – for these people and many more I give thanks to the Lord, and for the opportunity and responsibility to teach the Word of God to which I am called.

And for the many supporters, present and past, I am also very thankful. Without the Lord’s provision through you we cannot deliver this message. Without you giving financial support to this ministry month after month and year after year, we don’t reach those students, mothers, fathers, grandparents, believers and unbelievers with the Truth. I urge you to give thanks with me for all of these opportunities. Looking forward to next year, we are not slowing down or letting up in our call. Summer is already mostly booked, with spring and fall coming together with opportunities to go to some new places that have not heard our message. We praise the Lord and give thanks ahead for next year.

And now, would you consider your part in our Kingdom work? We are short financially on our monthly need going into next year, so we need you to prayerfully consider how the Lord would use you. If in prayer, please pray for us unceasingly. If you are led to join with us financially (or change your support amount), there are a couple of new ways to give: auto monthly debit/credit card transactions or PayPal account giving. So whether you are already a regular supporter, past supporter, or a new supporter, we are thankful for your prayers and gifts each and every month.

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:15-16

Be thankful this season, not only with our lips but also in deed and gifts. To Him we give all we have, since He gave all for us. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ!

By Ryan Cox June 18, 2025
Moses & History (part 3)
lined up books
By Matt Miles June 18, 2025
Over the course of time a person can accumulate many things. Most of the stuff we collect is meaningless to most everyone else, but when a person collects books, they can be treasured for a lifetime and even beyond. In this age of digital media, physical books seem to be less important to many people. Digital books are searchable, and copy/paste functions make it easy to use those great quotes. Yet, there is still something great about a physical book, things you can’t get digitally: the turning of pages, the feel of it in your hand, and the “book” smell. For our founder Dr. Sharp, physical books could never be replaced by digital. While my collection of books is growing each year, it is dwarfed by Dr. Sharp’s collection. Over the years he collected thousands of titles for research and enjoyment. Through the course of his ministry he had to sell his book collection a couple of different times to support his family, only to start collecting again when he was able to do so. When Doc passed his office full of packed bookshelves to me and said he would clear the shelves, I laughed out loud at the prospect of having loads of empty bookshelves. So I urged him to instead leave his books for my, and anyone else’s, use. Little did I understand that the four bookcases in my office were only a fraction of his entire collection. A couple of years back when Doc moved from his house, it was decided that his book collection would be stored at the office. Our thought was to establish a library, yet none of us had time to plan, organize and catalog all 79 boxes of books. They sat piled in his office until last year when my daughter Megan joined our ministry. She has a love of books, both reading and writing. So we offered her the task of cataloging and establishing Doc’s library. Can you picture me, a bbq lover, being offered a table full of succulent smoked offerings - brisket, sausage, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, turkey and all sides? Yep, that was Megan’s response to the library. For over four months she cataloged and organized the entire collection. The Dr. G. Thomas Sharp Library was completed earlier this year in his old office space, with overflow into my office. The entire 2700+ volume agglomeration is digitally cataloged for searching and locating. As you might expect, there is an extensive collection of creation and evolution subject matter, yet the library is full of many different categories. It very much reflects Doc’s love of gaining knowledge and research. An extensive commentary collection and multiple Biblical reference sections are invaluable to our ministry. There is even a whole bookcase housing books that are over 100 years old. Our desire was not to just house books but to also make a place of honor and inspiration. One wall exhibits Doc’s many diplomas, and throughout the library we have placed personal memorabilia of the mission trips he took over the years. Come, grab a book, relax in the sitting area and allow Doc’s handwritten notes from the margins or post-it notes bring a smile to your face. For those who may be more ambitious, Doc's office chair resides at the credenza for anyone to sit and be inspired to study. This is a place to honor Doc’s life and love for books. We at CTF have already utilized this great resource for further study, and we are so thankful to Diane and their family for donating these books for continued Kingdom growth. Blessings.
Show More