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Suffering in Haiti

January 19, 2010 by jbrianhill

Tough Topic Tuesday:  How is it that we serve a loving and gracious God but bad things still happen.

With the earthquake in Haiti, the age old question of why bad things happen to innocent people has been on the minds of most folks.  While I don’t have the answers, I do have some things for us to remember in the wake of such devastation and suffering.

First off, I am going to have to differ in opinion with some vocal Christian leaders quoted by the media in recent days.  I do not serve a God who punishes innocent people by “causing” this kind of suffering.  Haiti is not being punished.  God is present even in the midst of this devastation but is not its cause.

God created this world and the people in it – but along side this creation was given free-will.  Much of the suffering in the world is the result of the decisions of mankind – allowed by God but not caused by God.  Wars kill innocent people but people decide to go to war.

I am not a scientist, so I do not know the full impact the decisions of mankind have on the earth.  But I do know that mankind has lived for generations on this planet and has consistently plundered the resources with little regard to the future.

The main point I want to make is this: God loves each and every person in the country of Haiti and I believe God’s heart is aching along side each and every person in that situation.  The real issue is this – God expects us to love our brothers and sisters and have compassion for them.  So what is it that we can do to bring relief to the suffering – put another way, how can God use you and me to minister to the hurting in Haiti.

There are a number of ways to help in the effort to bring relief to the suffering.  The American Red Cross is always a good organization to support.  The Texas Baptist Men are putting together water purification systems and could use donations as well. My point is not to push a particular organization but rather to remind you that there are ways to help.

The biggest thing you can do is pray for those people.  God is not the cause of this situation but God is the answer.  Pray that God would use people to impact the suffering.

Posted in Grace, Hope | Leave a Comment »

Mirror of Opportunity

January 18, 2010 by jbrianhill

In leadership positions we must learn the importance of seizing opportunities.  We train ourselves to be sensitive to those opportunities when they arise because we know that, normally, opportunities are time sensitive.  With most opportunities there is a window.

As I think about all the windows of opportunity I am faced with on a daily basis – opportunities to reach out to others, to show Jesus’ love to them, to grow to be more of the leader God wants me to be – I am reminded that windows not only offer a view of what is on the other side of the glass.

Have you ever noticed that while you are looking out a window, you not only see what is outside but also a reflection of what is on your side of the glass as well?  The lighting has to be just right for this to happen, but it requires you to concentrate on what is on the other side of the glass because you are having to look through the images reflecting on it.

The reflection we see when we look out windows is who?  Ourselves (unless you live in a different plane of existence)!  I would suggest to you that opportunities arise each and every day – all kinds of opportunities.  But the real issue is what is in the mirror not the window.

In every window of opportunity, there is also a mirror.  What we have to remember is that regardless of the opportunity, the responsibility to seize that opportunity falls squarely to the image in the mirror.

Get busy!

Posted in Leadership, Motivational | Leave a Comment »

It’s a Big Ocean

January 15, 2010 by jbrianhill

I have to thank my wife for this post today.  I had always been a camping, hiking, hunting, mountain kind of guy before marrying her.  It did not take her long to get me to include the beach and the sun and the sand to my loves in life.

There is something spiritual about standing at the edge of the ocean.  The picture of the vastness of the sea makes me feel small.  My thoughts then turn to God, the creator of all that I see and I realize just how big God must be – and just how small I am in comparison.

I am reminded that the world does not revolve around me.  I am reminded that there is something bigger than my needs and desires.  I am refreshed in my commitment to live with a passion to please the creator.

How about you?  What makes you feel this way?

Posted in Formation, Motivational | Leave a Comment »

Distorted View

January 14, 2010 by jbrianhill

On the back of the current issue of Weavings is a very thought provoking prayer / poem.  It is written by John Mogabgab and here is what it says,

To see the world in the

transfiguring light

of God’s grace

rather than God

in the distorting prisms

of the world

is the turning for which

we must pray daily.

Distorting – that is such a descriptive word – taking truth and twisting and mangling it to the point that it doesn’t look the same any more – like looking into an amusement park mirror.  The world in which we live is driven by values that have twisted what life is really about.

So often, I catch myself looking to God to fix this, or get involved in that area of my life – as if God’s role in the world is to make me happy.  But I think when I do that, I am looking at God through my own distorted view.  Perhaps I should learn to look at my situation through the eyes of God’s grace instead.

That is easy to say but difficult to do.  That is why it should be our prayer daily.

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope | 1 Comment »

Peculiarities of People On a Plane

January 13, 2010 by jbrianhill

After yesterday’s Tough Topic Tuesday, I thought I would ramble a bit about the amusing aspects of air travel.  (Wow, that sentence had all the alliteration of a good sermon).  I have been traveling quite a bit over the past two weeks and have had the opportunity to be reminded of the funny things we do when we fly.

It begins with the trip to the airport.  We rush around and fret over getting to the terminal early.  And when we arrive what do we do?  We wait!  Peculiar!

We get all dressed up to fly with our business casual dress, freshly showered and well groomed and then we get to security and what do we have to do?  Undress!  Peculiar!

I think airports should have locker rooms, inside security, with all the amenities.  Then we could get up in the morning, get in the car, drive to the airport in our pajamas, go through security, and then get ready for the day – just an idea.

We finally get on the plane and take off for what normally is the only stress-free leg of the journey.  But as soon as we land what do we do?  We rush to get off the plane, getting frustrated with the person in front of us when they have trouble retrieving their bag from the storage compartment.  We rush through the terminal to be the first to baggage claim only to do what?  Wait some more!  Peculiar!

But when it is all said and done, I still prefer flying to driving on trips over 5 hours.  When you think about it, it’s pretty amazing to think that I can be sitting in a comfortable chair 32,000 feet in the air somewhere over Texas, traveling at 300+ miles per hour and writing this post all at the same time.

So I think I will live with the peculiarity – and even contribute to it at every opportunity!

Posted in Humor | Leave a Comment »

Terrifying Change

January 12, 2010 by jbrianhill

Do new ideas make you nervous?  How about the thought of change?

Now before you get pious and think, “I am ready for change – the church needs to change;” let me suggest to you that all of us resist change.  Change is not an issue as long as the change does not touch on areas that are dear to us.  All of us have levels of comfortability and as long as the change is not encroaching on that untouchable area of comfort then we are fine.

The problem is, each one of us has a different threshold when it comes to change.  You might say, “We should be more inclusive in our church,” and be completely honest in your suggestion.  But what if a woman convicted of indecency with a child wants to join the fellowship – and teach Sunday School?

Granted, that is an explosive topic and would present many varied issues, but I throw that example out to get us to think about the ramifications of change.

Matthew 2:3-4 speaks of the fear of change.  You can read here that Herod and all of Jerusalem were frightened when they heard that God was coming to Earth.  Herod was the leader of the Jews and Jerusalem was the center of Judaism.  Now why would the religious leaders of the time be frightened at this news?

When it comes to religion, change is difficult.  We don’t like it when God wants to move us into the unknown.

I ran across this prayer from Eugene Peterson this morning and want you to think about it today and pray it if you can:

Prevent, O God, the Herodian spirit from filtering into my life: the spirit that uses religion to protect itself, and jealous of any hint of rivalry, responds to your Spirit only with suspicious fear.  Amen.

Posted in Church, Community, Grace | Leave a Comment »

Missionary Passion

January 11, 2010 by jbrianhill

I have the unique opportunity to be in El Paso, Texas, today, meeting with a number of local pastors about their respective ministries.  God has blessed me over the past eight years by allowing me to build relationships with men and women who are living their lives in service to God, ministering to some of the forgotten of society.  One such person is Adan Medina.  He ministers to people in the projects on the west side of El Paso.  He is a pastor and mission coordinator who serves tirelessly in this area.

When I talk to Adan, I am inspired to strive harder to become all God wants me to be.  He has such a passion for what he is doing that it excites me.  Have you ever encountered anyone like Adan.  Maybe a better question would be, does our passion for serving God inspire others?

Stop today and think about how God has blessed you and how God’s love for you should lead you to love others.  Then find a way to show that love today.

Posted in Missions | 1 Comment »

Are You Seeking

January 8, 2010 by jbrianhill

Yesterday we talked about Moses and the caling he received when he took the time to sit long enough to notice the miracle in the burning bush.

Today’s thought is short and to the point – Moses never would have heard God had he not been listening – had he not been seeking.

What are seeking today, or better yet, WHO are you seeking today?

Posted in Formation, Hope | Leave a Comment »

Miracle in a Burning Bush

January 7, 2010 by jbrianhill

In his children’s book, Does God Have a Big Toe?, Marc Gellman writes a story about God’s calling of Moses in the wilderness.  He paints the picture of shepherds out on the hillsides watching their sheep, all of them busy with their daily routine.

In the midst of the activity, God decided to call out to one of them by setting a bush on fire.  The bush burned and burned but did not burn up.  But in the midst of this strange happening, no one stopped to notice.  Finally, one shepherd took the time to stop and see what was going on and he heard from God.

Now this may not be a completely Biblical retelling of the Moses story but don’t miss this one line from the book: “No one took the time to sit long enough to watch the miracle happen.”  Wow!  No one took the time!

I don’t know about you but I don’t want that to be something said about me.  Unfortunately, all too often it is true of me and I am sure of you as well.

Where is that bush burning in your life?  Today, right now, take the time to sit long enough to watch the miracle happen.  Find God and watch – look for God and see!

Take the time and listen – God will not disappoint.

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

Perception or Reality

January 6, 2010 by jbrianhill

I am sure you have heard the phrase, “perception is reality.”. There is a lot of truth to that statement but we must always remember that perception isn’t necessarily truth.

I ran across this quote today in “A Guide to Prayer For All Who Seek God,” and the quote is from Norman Shawchuck. He said, “To view reality from a slightly different perspective often yields a view of things totally unlike what they appeared to be. If we take just a couple of steps in another directon, what we view as reality is often profoundly changed.”

This thought is relevant on several levels but today I want to focus on only two. The first is this: if you disagree with a person about something important to you, before you close your mind to the possibility that person might be right, try viewing the issue from their perspective.

The second thought I have is this: many of us are faced this very day with circumstances that seem overwhelming. But before you throw in the towel, try taking a few steps to the side and looking at the situation again. Never forget that God sees the big picture. God loves you and has your back. What you perceive to be reality might not be real at all.

Posted in Formation, Motivational | 1 Comment »

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