Clay in the Hands

So Easy To Drift

September 16, 2014 by jbrianhill

This past Sunday, I preached from a passage in Hebrews 2. The writer gave an emphatic suggestion that as believers we have to pay attention to our relationship with Jesus. Verse 1 tells us that if we don’t pay attention, we will drift away from the things we know to be true. I don’t know about you, but I have found this to be overwhelmingly true in my life over and over again.

For those of you who do not know me, I am a type A person. I have a To Do List for everything. In fact, I have been accused of having a To Do List to remind me of what needs to go on my To Do List. I like checking things off my list and the sense of accomplishment that brings on the days when I actually get to do that. If I just described you – HIGH FIVE! There is nothing wrong with being like this.

However, in my drive to accomplish, it is very easy to take my focus off what is really important. Instead of concentrating on the bigger picture and the overarching calling that is on my life, I get pulled into the minutia that is my day. It’s subtle. It’s all but imperceptible – but little by little I drift. I get busy and push time in silence to the back burner. It tell myself, “That is what I’ll do when I get home tonight.” The problem is, there is always one more thing on the To Do List that I could do – one more article I could read – one more call I could make. So what happens is I fall into bed at an indecent hour and begin thinking about all the things I have to do tomorrow – never once stopping to think about the fact that I served Jesus all day but rarely had a conversation with him.

A day can turn into a week and before long, we look up and we have drifted to a place that we had no intention of being and we really don’t even know how we got here.

Well, today – – I stop drifting. Today, I focus on what matters. Today, I anchor my thoughts and actions to the one who called me to this in the first place.

Join me and stop the drift.

Be blessed today!

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational | 1 Comment »

A Prayer For the First Day of School

August 25, 2014 by jbrianhill

It is hard to believe that summer is gone and it is time to fight school traffic and all the joys that brings. But beyond the traffic and the lunches and the paperwork (yes, the same pages you filled out last year) there is something intimidating about this day for kids and parents as well.

For kids, there is the excitement of something new and challenging mixed with the fear of the unknown and the dread of homework. But for parents, the intimidation is different. It comes more in the form of losing control. That child that has been under your exclusive care is now out of sight and the care is coming from someone else. That is scary in many ways. But take heart and find peace in the fact that God is never absent! So today, when you feel that concern – simply pray. The reality is – that is the best thing you can do for your kids – and yourself.

Lord God, I pray today that you will protect our kids. Please grow them into the responsible people you want them to become. Develop them into sincere followers of Jesus so they can make a difference in their schools, in our communities and in our world. And walk with us as parents today. May we know the peace and comfort that comes with the realization that you have our kids in your hands. Be with the teachers and administrators in our schools. Strengthen them and guide them as the strive to pour into the lives of our kids! Amen!

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And It Continues

August 6, 2014 by jbrianhill

On Sunday, 7 kids and 3 adults loaded into a van in Littlefield, Texas and emerged a few hours later in the heart of the Metroplex. The task at hand? To serve people in Arlington through the ministries of Mission Arlington.

Day 1 was spent traveling and settling in but day 2 began with getting our assignment for the morning. We drove to an apartment complex in south central Arlington and stepped into a world somewhat foreign to the world our kids know. But they adapted and quickly jumped into building relationships with kids through playing soccer in the parking lot or coloring pictures with some. We sang songs and played games. We had a Bible story and prayed.

After lunch we headed to another apartment complex with 20 cases of avocados to give away. We went door to door (to well over 200 doors) giving away the fruit to anyone who wanted it. We had an opportunity to brighten the lives of many people all while serving. We prayed with some, talked with some and smiled a lot – even amidst the heat and humidity.

Day 3 took us back to the same apartment complex we had served the morning before and many of the same kids we met on Monday.

In fact, Adrian and Frankie were ready to go when we got to their apartment. They were excited to see our group back for another day but I may have been more excited to see them than they were to see us. Frankie and I hit it off on Monday so I was looking forward to seeing them on Tuesday.

Our kids have begun to experience some pretty important realizations. Missions is not necessarily specialized work done by a select few in some foreign country. Missions is a lifestyle that should come naturally. Our ministry should be an outflow of the love we have for Jesus. And we don’t have to travel across the state to practice this lifestyle. We can serve others each and every day regardless of where we are standing.

Today is our last day. I wonder what God will do here?

What will God use you to do on your mission field today

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And So It Begins

August 3, 2014 by jbrianhill

You haven’t lived until you have taken a group of 4th, 5th and 6th graders on a mission trip – well – that may be overstated. I’ll be able to confirm that in another day or two. I am writing this on Sunday night after a 6 hour drive in a van with 7 kids so it may be too early to tell.

Two other adventurous adults are along for the ride as well. They thought that it would be a good idea to bring a group of adolescents to Mission Arlington to experience getting out of our comfort zones and serving others less fortunate.

Now I know that there is no need to travel 6 hours away to serve others who need to see the love of Jesus. In fact, we should be showing the love of Jesus to everyone we meet each and every day. But there is something transformative in a person’s life when they are willing to go out of their way to serve. God blesses our efforts, as meager as they may be at times.

So today, I ask for your prayers. Pray that God will use these kids to speak into the lives of others. Pray that God will grow them through this experience. Pray that God’s hand of protection will overshadow each of us this week. And pray for the adults who bought into this vision in the first place.

I am holding to the hope that my opening statement will still be true two days from now. Right now, I am just wishing they would go to sleep!

Be a blessing today!

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God’s Spirit At Work

July 28, 2014 by jbrianhill

What does the Spirit of God look like? The Spirit has been described as wind and as fire. There is the accepted idea that the Spirit can’t be seen but just as we can see trees move and know the wind is affecting the change, so I believe we can see the Spirit’s moving and affecting change.

Yesterday in worship I witnessed the Spirit of God moving. I watched as a man with arms decorated with artwork made his way to the front of the church to share with our family that he wanted to be part of our community. I then watched as our family lined up to pass by him and hug his neck. The Spirit was busy.

And then later on in the day, I watched as I presented an idea to our church family for making a significant change to the way we do things. I was not nervous but I was cautious in presenting the idea because of the nature of this change. But I heard one after another endorsing the idea. The Spirit was moving each person present out of their comfort zones.

So what does the Spirit of God look like? I can’t say. But I can say that the affect of the Spirit’s movement is changed lives.

Let the Spirit move in you today!

Be blessed.

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Receiving the Blessings of Today

July 2, 2014 by jbrianhill

Today, my commute to the office was accompanied by a gentle, refreshing rain. I could see through the streaks of rain running across my windshield how the ground was welcoming the moisture by changing colors – from it’s normal reddish sandy color to a deeper, richer brown. Our land has been so dry for so long – it is a refreshing sight to see God’s blessing falling all around us.

As I have continued to reflect on God’s blessing, I am reminded that God showers blessings on us on a daily basis. But how receptive are we of those blessings? Or are we even aware of how God is at work all around us?

As we open our hearts to receive God’s blessings, we should begin to take on a different appearance. Just as the soil welcomes moisture and is changed, our countenance should become deeper and richer. Our faces should reflect God’s joy. Our words should carry comfort. Our actions should reveal compassion.

God is constantly blessing us.

How receptive will you be today?

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope | Leave a Comment »

Love and Light

July 1, 2014 by jbrianhill

Have you ever thought about what our world would look like if all the churches in it were focused on being God’s love and light? At the risk of being labeled judgmental regarding the church, I have to wonder if all the churches on the planet are really being the church God ordained. If they are, then why does our world look the way it does? And understand, I am not looking past our walls and pointing the finger at all the other churches in the world. The church in which I serve could do better as well.

God called us to be known by love and to be children of light. Our world is suffocating – sin, corruption and evil are choking the life out of our culture and the love of God is the only hope of resuscitation. People are groping around in darkness thinking this is as good as it gets when all along, we have the true light that illuminates life and offers direction.

When will the church wake up, rise up and live up to her calling?

I say today is the day! I say it is time! I say let it start with me!

Posted in Church, Community, Hope | 1 Comment »

We Have No Idea

June 18, 2014 by jbrianhill

A little over a week ago, I had the blessing to spend two days with pastors and their spouses in Juarez, Mexico. I mentioned a little about it here.

As I have reflected on my time there and the relationships God continued and some that were begun, I have been drawn to pray for one couple in particular. On Saturday morning of the retreat, sitting around the breakfast table, I listened to a couple who are struggling with a true dilemma. They explained their situation. The church in which he pastors is growing and they both feel God is blessing their work in the church. But on another front, they have witnessed a terrible crime, they believe to be related to the violence that has plagued their city for the past six years. If they approach the authorities, they will become targets themselves. If they say nothing, they feel they are not fulfilling their ethical responsibility for justice.

While much of the communication was through a translator, I understand enough Spanish that I could pick up most of what they were saying. But the anguish and concern they both displayed transcended any language barrier that might have been present. The tears shed at that table over that hour were real.

I have continued to think about this couple and their situation and ask myself what I would do if I were in their situation. I have to honestly say, I am not sure. When I think about the fact that God promises to be with us always then I think, maybe I would stick it out. Then I think about Jesus’ words pertaining to dealing with the world when he said to be as wise a serpents and gentle as doves. God gave us a brain to be able to discern what is best.

What would you do?

Regardless of our answer, the main point I would make today regarding this story, is that I am reminded that here in the US, we really don’t have a clue as to what kind of persecution is happening around the world. We struggle with carpet colors for the hallways or what temperature to keep the thermostat set on in the worship center so that the fewest people complain. We wonder why people choose to have their children so involved in sports that they no longer have time for church activities. And while they are frustrations, we really have no clue what real struggles are like. We have it so easy.

Father, forgive me for my shallow faith. Forgive me for being concerned about things that don’t really matter when all around me, people are struggling and need your hope and your salvation. Make me a light today!

Amen

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Seeing Clearly Through the Dust

June 17, 2014 by jbrianhill

Life is not back to normal (whatever that is) but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. For the last month and a half, we have been undergoing a face lift at the church. Most of the ground floor of our main building has been remodeled. That has meant relocating offices, putting up with a lot of noise, a lot of interruptions and a ton of dust. But other than a little counter top work, tile flooring and some cleaning, we can see the end.

One of the things that God has reminded me through this process is that it is really easy to get into a rut and miss ministry opportunities. By being forced into a new work mode, I have seen things differently. I have been reminded that things don’t need to stay the same. We must never forget the past and the tradition, and those who have given their blood, sweat, tears and prayer to build what we have – both in the physical sense but also the spiritual sense. But while we must strive to honor our heritage, we cannot live in it.

Our world changes daily. In fact, the old concept of developing a 5 and 10 year long range plan is not applicable any longer. The best we can hope for is developing a direction that will carry us for the next 24 months (and that is pushing it).

In order for the church to fulfill her mission – the calling to share the Gospel with the world – she has to remain relevant – and yes, that includes our facilities. I realize that some of the changes we are making are different for those who have called 1st B their church home for 40 to 50 years, but the mission has not changed. The Gospel is the same today as it was 100 years ago. And the demand of the Great Commission is still the driving force of what we do. We have just tweaked the system of delivery and operation.

God is at work, we just have to join him in what he is already doing!

Be blessed today!

Posted in Church, Community, Missions | 2 Comments »

A Retreat To Remember

June 10, 2014 by jbrianhill

Last Friday and Saturday I had the opportunity to be blessed beyond measure. On Friday morning, 25 pastors from Juarez, Mexico and the surrounding colonias made their way with their spouses to a hotel in Juarez for a two day retreat. As the couples came through the door into the meeting room, I recognized some of their faces from last year’s event. There were some new faces as well. But they all had at least one thing in common – they were all happy to be there. It was a reunion of sorts.

The focus of this year’s retreat was centered around spiritual formation. We hosted sessions on prayer and spiritual practices. We also had sessions on the things we carry as pastors and the fact that we have to find ways to lighten our load from time to time. All of the sessions were done well and the pastors and their spouses benefited greatly.

But this year, the aspect of the retreat that seemed to grab my attention most was the benefit of having time to leave the worries of the ministry at home and just be around other couples who are experiencing the same struggles. The fellowship was amazing. The laughter and tears around the tables at the meals captured my attention. And on Friday night, after our big banquet, the couples gathered to play games. What was fun to watch (because I did not understand much of what was happening) was the fact that nearly all the couples participated in games they had played as children. In the same room we had pastors who have been serving churches for 45 plus years and pastors who are just getting started. But all were laughing and having fun together.

It hit me that given the stress these families are under on a day to day basis, they do not have the opportunity to simply enjoy life and enjoy fellowship. I will share later this week, some of the stories of these couples and the stress they are under. It should be a matter of prayer for all of us.

I was reminded of how important this retreat is in the lives of these ministers. God is at work in Juarez – even in the midst of the violence. And these couples have chosen to stay and minister – even when it is not easy – or even safe.

Remember to pray for Mexico.

Have a very blessed today!

Posted in Community, Hope, Missions | 2 Comments »

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