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Fast Thoughts

November 18, 2010 by jbrianhill

The response from the day of fasting for Mexico has been great!  I had a friend tell me on Wednesday that she participated in the fast and prayer for Mexico on Tuesday.  She shared that she had never fasted in her life.  It was a good experience for her reminding her of just how much God has blessed her.

I have fasted before (not regularly as is pretty obvious by my physique) but this time was different.  With the added component of scheduled prayer times and  ideas for prayer, my day and my thoughts were more focused.  My primary experience was mixed.  It was a combination of gratitude for the way God has blessed my family and me and a deep and profound brokenness for the people living in continual fear just across the border from my state.  I came away from the day even more committed to continue to pray for our neighbors along the border.

My request is that you continue to pray for them as well.

As we enter into the Thanksgiving season, my challenge for each of us is this:  spend time thinking about how truly blessed you are and take a moment or two to stop and thank God for those blessings.  As you walk through this exercise, remember that there are people along our border not nearly as blessed and offer a prayer for them.  Ask that each individual – man, woman and child – feel God’s presence in an overwhelming way.  Pray that God’s peace would envelope each person and that they might find rest in knowing that no matter how bad their situation may be, God is in the midst of it with them.

Thank you for your continued concern for our brothers and sisters!

Be blessed today!

Posted in Church, Hope, Missions | Leave a Comment »

Intentional Prayer for Mexico

November 16, 2010 by jbrianhill

For those of you who have been following my thoughts over the last several days, you know that today is the day that I have called for a fast for Mexico – particularly for the people along the border between Mexico and Texas.

I appreciate all of you who have left comments here or on Face Book or sent emails voicing your support.  Even if you can’t fast today, I have put some thought into some intentional prayer needs with some suggested times to pray.  Follow if you like or simply pray for these folks in a manner that best fits your journey.

 

8:30 am  –  Pray For The Refugees In Miguel Alemán And All Living In Daily Fear (For protection and peace)

 

10:00 am  –  Pray For The Pastors And Ministers (Men and women who could leave but choose to stay)

 

12:00 pm  –  Pray For The Mexican Government And Relief Efforts

 

2:00 pm  –  Pray For Softening Of Hearts Within The Members Of The Cartels

 

5:00 pm  –  Pray For God To Intervene In The Situation And Work A Miracle

 

Thank you for your prayers today.  I would love to have feedback as to how God works in your life throughout today!

Be Blessed!

Posted in Church, Hope, Missions | 2 Comments »

Violence Along the Border

November 15, 2010 by jbrianhill

The news reports have not changed.  The violence in Mexico continues.  The refugees of Cuidad Mier are still living in a shelter in Miguel Alemán, just as they were over  a week ago.

Last week I shared about what is going on in the area just across the Mexican border from Roma, Texas (a community just outside McAllen) – you can link to those posts here and here.  Last Friday I announced that on Tuesday, November 16, I am asking all who read my ramblings to consider fasting with me for Mexico.  Tomorrow is the day.

One of the purposes of a fast is go without something as a means of reminding ourselves how dependent we are on God.  There is no question that the situation along the border is beyond our control.  We are utterly dependent on God to intervene.

Please join me in fasting and praying for our brothers and sisters along the border – particularly in the shelter in Miguel Alemán.  Tomorrow I will give you specific things to pray for so check back in the morning.  Today, please help me spread the word that tomorrow is a day to fast for Mexico.

Be blessed today!

Posted in Community, Hope, Missions | Leave a Comment »

Fast For Mexico

November 12, 2010 by jbrianhill

I am still without a real sense of understanding of what can be done – and still without words to describe what I am feeling.  After being so close to the horrific situation in border towns near McAllen and yet not being able to do anything about what is going on over there, I am left frustrated and numb.  And of course, it is not just McAllen.  This paralyzing situation stretches the length of the border.  Juarez, Mexico has become  one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

There are families that live in constant fear for their lives.  Small children don’t understand what is happening but they live in turmoil and fear.  I can’t imagine raising my sons in that environment.

I also think of the pastors who, even if they have the means to leave, choose to stay to minister to the people.  What true servants of God!

The only thing I know to do in this moment is pray.  I ask you to pray as well.  Would you stop in this moment and ask God to intervene.  Ask God to bring peace and comfort to those living in fear today.

I am not one to regularly practice the spiritual discipline of fasting, but Tuesday, November 16, I am setting aside to fast and pray for God to move along the border.  I ask you to consider doing the same.  Would you join me in fasting on that day and in place of eating, spend that time in prayer for the situation along the border – for those people who live in constant fear for their lives?

I know God will honor your heart cries as we fast for Mexico.

Posted in Community, Hope, Missions | 2 Comments »

Food In Time of Need

November 11, 2010 by jbrianhill

Finding the words is difficult for me right now.  I am writing this on a plane back to Lubbock from Harlingen, Texas.  Late yesterday afternoon, I was visiting with a good friend of mine who works with Buckner International in the valley.  As we were talking about possible mission opportunities both in the valley and in El Paso, we were made aware of an urgent plea coming from a pastor in a small village just south of the border.

The violence had escalated to the point that one of the cartels had gone through Cuidad Mier and told all the residents that they had to leave or be killed.  300 children and adults fled to the neighboring community of Miguel Alemán.  They have been there as refugees with little food, water or supplies for a couple of days, staying in a plaza and make-shift shelter.

The plea came to help with food, water, diapers and formula.  The Buckner organization along with some help from the Texas Baptist Convention sprang into action and I got to go along for the ride.  We spent about an hour at Sam’s club on Tuesday night, purchasing rice, beans, baby items and water.  Then early on Wednesday morning we carried the supplies to Roma, Texas – the border town immediately across from Miguel Alemán.

Because of the violence and instability of the area, the original plan was to carry all the supplies by hand to the center of the bridge and then Mexican government officials would send people to pick them up from the drop point.  But by the time we arrived, they had decided that even that would not be safe, so they sent two pick ups across to Roma to pick up the supplies.

So there we were, half a block from the border crossing in the parking lot of a Church’s Chicken restaurant transferring 500 pounds of beans, 500 pounds of rice, diapers, 34 cases of water and other supplies from a trailer into the two vehicles.  All the while knowing that just a few hundred yards away, over 300 people were waiting desperately for the items.

I have not completely processed all of it in my mind even still.  As I do, I will be writing more about it here.  Until then, pray for those folks.  I cannot begin to imagine the lives they live daily in the shadow of the sheer evil all around them 24 hours per day.

 

Posted in Hope, Missions | 1 Comment »

Desperation Leads to Awakening

November 9, 2010 by jbrianhill

This week, I have the privilege of being at the Baptist state convention meeting.  The meeting is being held in McAllen, Texas.  The last time I was in this part of the world was on a mission trip and I had forgotten just how great it is to be in this part of Texas.

Today, I sat in a workshop being taught by Jim Dennison.  Jim has been a pastor for years and now serves as the Theologian in Residence for the state convention.  His talk was on the power of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual awakening that is going on in the world today.  Unfortunately, this work is not happening to any large degree in North America.  It is all going on south of the equator in places like Africa, Brazil and the rest of South America.

He talked for  quite some time about the four Great Awakenings that have happened over the course of the last 200 years.  One thing I found profoundly interesting is that each great spiritual awakening occurred in the midst of a sense of desperation.

As I have continued to process that thought, I have begun to personalize and internalize it.

I have had to ask myself this question: “How desperate am I for God to move in my life?”

My fear is that I have grown so accustomed to doing things on my own accord and out of my own giftedness, that I have moved away from a dependence on God.

A second question I have been asking myself is this: “What is it in my life that I am attempting to do that I will surely fail if God does not show up?”

I have become convinced that until we are desperate for God to show up – until we are desperate for God to take over – we will not experience a spiritual awakening.

The question for you today is this:  How desperate are you for Jesus to show up and make a difference?

Think about it today.

Posted in Formation, Hope, Missions | 1 Comment »

As Simple as Peanuts

November 8, 2010 by jbrianhill

Southwest Airlines has made somewhat of a claim to fame in their offering of peanuts on every flight.  While other airlines were offering a wide variety of things (remember when you used to get actual meals on some flights?), Southwest chose to offer only peanuts.  Now days you can get pretzels too!  But it is still pretty simple.

Maybe they are on to something.  Could it be that simpler is better?  Perhaps in a world of more, more, more we should look for less.

When we really dig down to the basics of faith, it is a simple relationship that matters.  And that relationship is grown and developed by simply spending time with Jesus.  As a fellow follower in the Way, I challenge you this week to do less.  But in your effort to do less, focus your time on the one relationship that makes all the difference.

I pray you have a simple week!

Posted in Formation, Hope | Leave a Comment »

Sunset From 30,000 Feet

November 5, 2010 by jbrianhill

I flew into Los Angeles Wednesday night after a long day of traveling that included a trip to Post, Texas for my aunt’s funeral.  I was exhausted so I did a little reading but that was about it.  As we neared LAX, the sun was setting over the mountains, and in the distance, I could see the Pacific Ocean.  It was a breath taking sight.  I sat there trying to take it all in.  God’s handiwork was amazing and there I was, 30,000 feet above the ground with a box seat.

As I reflected on that later, I realized that just below me were literally millions of people who were missing it.  They were in their cars, bumper to bumper on the 105 creating continuous lines of lights both white and red.  They were stopping by the grocery store or making their way to their favorite restaurant.  They were all busy about their daily lives.  And all the while, I was seeing the most amazing sights.

It dawned on me, that I was seeing God at work and others were missing it.  What would it take for them to see it too?  Really, all it would take is for someone to get their attention and direct it toward the sun.

The apostle Paul addressed this in Romans 10:14 when he said this: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

It is our duty as followers of the Way to point people to the Son.

How will you carry out your duty today?

Posted in Missions, Motivational | Leave a Comment »

Road Closed – You’re On Your Own

November 4, 2010 by jbrianhill

Yesterday, as I was driving to Post, I saw a rather comical sight.  I was driving down the highway and saw a “Road Closed” sign for a crossroad.  The sign said, “Route 281 Closed, Find Alternate Route.”  Maybe it’s just me but I chuckled when I saw the sign.  Typically, when a road is closed, a detour is offered.

We have all seen signs like, “Highway 6 Closed, Follow Detour,” or something to that effect – but not in this instance.  If I had needed to turn down that crossroad, I would have been up a creek.  Basically, the message was – “We don’t care how you get where you are trying to go but you aren’t going this way.  You’re on your own!  Good luck.”

Aren’t you glad that on the journey to God, the pathway is clear.  If we ever get off track, all we have to do is remember Jesus’ words:  “I am the way . . . no one comes to the Father except by way of me.”  Jesus never said, “Bummer for you – you are on your own” but rather he made statements like: “Come to me” and “follow me.”

Just remember that life is full of curves and ups and downs, but your path is sure as long as you follow Jesus.

Be blessed today!

 

Posted in Hope, Humor | 1 Comment »

Loving and Faithful to the End

November 3, 2010 by jbrianhill

Today is a day of mourning for my family.  My dad was born number six of seven children.  Last year we lost the first of his siblings, an older brother.  Today we bury the youngest – the only girl.  I have the humble privilege of officiating the ceremony and I must say it is an unspeakable honor to stand before my family and lead them to remember the unforgettable life of my aunt.  She fought valiantly for over 10 years.  She fought MS and cancer and never gave up.  She will be missed and the memory of her life and the impact she had will be cherished by all who knew her.

But behind the scenes to the last was my cousin, my aunt’s daughter.  Kim, you are the example of a loving and faithful child.  The way you cared for your mom to the very end put a smile on God’s face.

I can only hope to be a fraction of the person you have been if I am ever faced with that situation.  You are an inspiration!

Posted in Family | 4 Comments »

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