Clay in the Hands

Noise in a Restaurant

June 22, 2011 by jbrianhill

This past Sunday was Father’s Day. The plan for my family was to gather together at lunch. I had some steaks marinating and ready for the grill and so the plan was to cook out and eat lunch together. When I entered the church building on Sunday, it was a beautiful day. When we exited a couple of hours later, the dirt was blowing so hard that it was difficult to see the car in front of me on the highway home – in fact, I am not so sure that I didn’t see a cow fly across the road in front of me at one point (OK, maybe that’s a stretch – but it was a nasty day).

So we altered our plan. We all met at a local restaurant for lunch and we had the best time! I don’t remember laughing that hard in a long time. We sat there for over an hour just enjoying being together. I am sure we created quite a stir in that place. At one point I began to feel sorry for those around us because of the noise we were making and then someone said something else that brought more laughter and that feeling went away.

Thanks Jared, Ethan, Bryson (and Kristi) for making my Father’s Day grand – and memorable!

I love you all – and I cherish every minute God gives me with each of you! I am so proud of each of you and humbled to by your dad!

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Some Days Are Better Than Others

June 21, 2011 by jbrianhill

Some days we catch every light on the way to work . . . and some days every light catches us.

Some days we have our To Do list done by lunch . . . and some days our To Do list has doubled by then.

Some days it’s easy to follow Jesus . . . and some days – not so much.

Some days are better than others – that is a reality of the world in which we live and not the result of a God with a sick sense of humor.

Our approach to our day dictates its outcome – not what happens to us along the way. Make up your mind right now that God is in control and that no matter what comes your way today, you will stay true to your faith and follow Jesus no matter what.

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Make It Count

June 20, 2011 by jbrianhill

It’s Monday and we have the whole week ahead of us! What will you do with this week? What will you do with this day? Everyday is a blessing – a gift from God. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow but as followers of the Way, we are guaranteed that God will always be with us. We don’t know if there will be a tomorrow, but there is a now. As believers we should strive to make the most of the time we have – not for our own satisfaction but for God’s glory.

So ask yourself this question today: What would I do to make a difference in someone else’s life if I knew God would be right beside me to help me, to guide me and make my efforts successful?

Now, put your faith in the Father of all life and go do it!

Be a blessing today and make it count!

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Thank a Hero

June 16, 2011 by jbrianhill

As I drove to work this morning, Skillet was on the radio singing about needing a hero. As I listened to that song, I thought about heros. The first ones that came to mind were all the volunteers that helped us out with Vacation Bible School this week. We had over 50 people donate their time and energy to be involved in the evenings this week, working with kids from pre-K to 5th grade. We were over run with kids and all the volunteers just stepped in and made it work.

This week, all of you are my heros! I believe every child had a lot of fun and I know they heard about Jesus, but more importantly, I know beyond a shadow of any possible doubt that they saw Jesus this week in you!

Whether you live here in Littlefield or somewhere else around the world, when you see a volunteer who serves out of compassion and love this week – tell them thanks – they are all heros!

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One Committed Kid

June 15, 2011 by jbrianhill

This week, the church has been teaming with little voices and the sounds of laughter and singing. We are hosting our annual Vacation Bible School in the evenings this week and it has been amazing! The kids are fun and they tell you exactly what they are thinking. They aren’t afraid to ask hard questions and they soak up the answers like sponges. It is so refreshing to witness their openness. I have also learned from them this week.

One little girl who came with a friend wanted to talk to me the other night. I was sitting on the edge of the stage as we waited for parents to arrive to pick up their kids. She came up to me to ask a question. She asked, “Would it be OK if I brought my Bible tomorrow night?” I smiled and told her I could not think of anything better for her to bring to church. I asked her if she read her Bible often and she gave me a big smile and a full body nod – yes. Then she sat down beside me and told me that she attends Mass with her mother but everything is in Spanish so she doesn’t understand what is being said. But then she smiled again and said, “I write down the verses when they say them so that when I get home, I can read them in my Bible.”

I was floored by the heart and the initiative of this little girl. She is faithful to attend her mother’s church even when she doesn’t understand what is going on and then committed enough to read for herself the passages that are used during the service. I have been wondering since, “how many adults would go that extra step?” I even have to ask myself, “Am I that committed?”

Something to think about.

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Gas Pump Exchange

June 14, 2011 by jbrianhill

I had to stop for gas when I got to town today. As I pulled up next to the gas pump, I noticed a lady beginning to fill her car on the other side of the set of pumps I was about to use. As I got out of the car, I could not see her, but I heard her say, “Good morning, how are you today?” I looked around and there was no one else to receive her greeting so I knew she was talking to me. So I responded, “I am good. How about you?”

She replied, “I am blessed. I guess I could complain but no one would listen.”

I told her, “I would listen – might not could do anything about it – but I would listen.” She laughed and I laughed and that was about it for our exchange until she finished and I told her to have a wonderful day and she told me to be blessed.

I finished putting gas in the car, retrieved my receipt and headed to the office. But as I drove, I wondered, if she had not taken the first step to say “Hi,” would I have taken the initiative? I had a multitude of things swimming around my head (and those of you who know me know that if it was more than two thoughts that things were getting pretty crowded in there). Striking up a conversation with a stranger was not on my To Do list.

But I was reminded that it should be a standing item on that list. My day was brightened because a stranger at a gas pump took the time and energy to say “good morning.” Nothing fancy or elaborate. It didn’t take any additional time – just additional effort.

As a Jesus follower, shouldn’t we make it a point to brighten someone else’s day – everyday?

Maybe that is an answer to my question yesterday – you can read that post here.

Be a blessing today!

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Does It Really Matter?

June 13, 2011 by jbrianhill

We are working through a sermon series right now on the focus of our church. We began with setting the foundation that our focus should be God’s mission. We looked to Matthew 28:19-20 as a foundation for understanding that mission. We need to remember that God’s mission has a church, not the other way around.

Yesterday, we talked about being an apprentice of Jesus – making it a life passion to learn who he is and not just learn about him. It is about a relationship not religion. This week will take that a step farther and talk about how we should live in that relationship and how knowing Jesus should affect our choices and the way we live. Lecrae (@lecrae) is a Christian rap artist who has always inspired me (yes, I like all kinds of music). He does a song entitled, Go Hard. In that song, he asks the question, “If you didn’t know him, would your life look the same? Can they tell you value Jesus by the way you rep his name?”

Does your life reflect a relationship? Does the fact that you know Jesus really matter?

I need your help this week. I would love to use your examples in the sermon this week. I have a question I would like you to consider and get back to me. You can comment here or send me a message on Facebook or just email me. Either way – I would love to hear from you.

Here is the question: How does having a relationship with Jesus affect the way you live each day?

I look forward to your responses!

Posted in Community, Formation | 7 Comments »

Learning Together

June 10, 2011 by jbrianhill

Last Sunday, I introduced some things to our church family that I hope and pray take hold and become an integral part of our DNA. As I talked about our mission as a church, I reminded everyone that we should look at the bigger picture first – the fact that God’s mission has a church. When we look at that mission, we see that the mandate to us is to make disciples – followers of Jesus – apprentices.

The plan for us in this regard can be stated simply: Learning, living and loving . . . together. That is the plan. That is the strategy.

So this week, we will be looking at what it means to be “learner” and how we can do it together, in community. It begins with each of us coming face to face with Jesus. We have to move beyond knowing about Jesus to the point of really knowing Jesus.

I am excited about our services on Sunday. If you are around Littlefield, Texas this Sunday morning at 10:45, I would love to have you drop by and see what God will do!

Be blessed today!

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Biblical Truths from America’s Got Talent

June 8, 2011 by jbrianhill

My family sat down last night to watch America’s Got Talent. It was amusing to watch. Some of the acts that took the stage really did have some talent – and some . . . not so much. But as we watched, I thought about the practical truth that could be gleaned from this show.

Truth 1: The Bible says, as believers, we are all given gifts and talents that should be used for the building of God’s Kingdom. Everyone of us has a place in God’s strategy to positively impact our world.

Truth 2: Not all of us have the same gifts and talents. That is why it takes us all – working together.

Truth 3: It is important to come to terms with the gifts we possess and also accept the fact that we just don’t have some gifts. Not all people have the ability to sing (as was shown on the show last night!). But that does not mean that they are not gifted in other areas. In order for us to work together as efficiently as possible, we need to be comfortable with our gifts and talents and be willing to use them for God’s glory.

Truth 4: I am so glad we don’t have to take a stage on national television to prove our talents. Just put them to use in your local church!

To read more about what the apostle Paul said regarding gifts, take a look at this.

Be a blessing today!

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Jesus Knows and Jesus Cares

June 7, 2011 by jbrianhill

Have you ever felt all alone. Or maybe you have experienced the weight of the world crashing in on you and were overwhelmed by the feeling of helplessness. Sometimes the pressures of work and home and all the other aspects of life may seem too much to carry.

I think all of us have experienced some of this at different stages in our lives. Maybe you are there today.

I read a passage this morning in Hebrews that might just be what you need to hear today. Hebrews 4:15-16 says this:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus has been there and done that. He knows everything you are carrying today and he cares for you. This passage reminds us that we can approach God with confidence because God understands where we are and the load we are under. This passage says that we can find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need when we approach God and ask.

Regardless of the pressures you feel today, God is with you. You can find mercy and grace to help you because God loves you and understands.

Approach the throne of grace today.

Be blessed.

Posted in Grace, Hope | Leave a Comment »

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