Common Everyday Stuff

10 Ways to Live Above Your Life’s Circumstances | All Pro Dad

Posted on January 10, 2012 by revjohnhill

10 Ways to Live Above Your Life’s Circumstances | All Pro Dad.

Here are 10 Ways we can live above life’s circumstances:

  1. Be clear about what defines you:

    Make sure know who you are, understand that you were created with a purpose, be crystal clear about what makes you tick.

  2. Live according to values that stand independent of circumstance:

    Stand on the solid ground of faith. Own the fact that you are a part of something greater. Build a life around values such as service and love and compassion.

  3. Practice living above circumstances before things get difficult:

    The time to learn how to step outside of circumstance is when things are still going well. Make sure that you’re not being sucked in to a reliance on the wrong values. Don’t put your eggs in the wrong baskets. Learn the difference between values that last and things that will ultimately let you down.

  4. Understand that relationships count:

    Make the choices that value relationships ahead of the bottom line. Spend time with your children. Engage your marriage as a priority not an afterthought. Honor your parents and friends.

  5. Be the best husband in the world!

    It’s a lot easier to deal with a lost job, or a financial challenge, or a difficult child when you are confident in your relationship with your wife.

  6. Invest in things that are timeless:

    In your monthly budget, how important is charitable giving? Do you give your leftovers or is self-sacrifice involved? Be generous with what you have and you won’t miss it so much when it’s gone.

  7. Do not look to other people for validation:

    Learn to rely on what you know is wise rather than the opinions of those around you. If you need to purchase trendy items, or drive the right car, or wear the correct clothes in order to feel validated, then your sense of self-worth is going to depend on things that could (and will) easily disappear overnight.

  8. Develop a clear vision as to where you are going:

    Understand your purpose in life, and develop clear goals that come directly from your heart. Your vision is more enduring than the temporary ups and downs of circumstance.

  9. Learn to distinguish between the temporary and the eternal:

    When we understand what parts of our life line up under “temporary” and what parts can be listed as “eternal,” then it’s not so hard to be philosophical when the temporary stuff threatens to overwhelm.

  10. Be reasonable:

    Keep a sense of balance. Ask for help from those around you. Don’t think you have to be the strong and silent one. Remember to live in community. Let yourself be loved and cared for.

Categories: Church, Common Everyday Stuff, Faith Journey, John Personal, Leadership | Leave a comment

Wesley’s Sermon: “The Use of Money”

Posted on January 5, 2012 by revjohnhill

Summary:  Wesley uses this sermon to outline the proper use of earning, possessions and wealth with a very articulate statement: “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”  He uses this as an opportunity to insist that we are not owners of our assets, but stewards.

Introduction:

  1. There will be an accounting of our management of resources.
  2. Money can be bad, but it can also be good.  It can become the eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
  3. It is one of our highest concerns to know how to use this valuable gift.

1.  GAIN ALL YOU CAN

  1. Without paying more than its worth; or at the expense of life or health
  2. Without harming our minds
    1. Lying, cheating, practices that are not in good consciences.
  3.  We must never harm others.
  4. Not gain more by harming our neighbor’s bodies.
  5. There are unscrupulous medicine “professionals” and it is clear that they are doing to others what they do not want done in return.
  6. These ways of gaining money comes at a high price.
  7. Cautions and restrictions
    1. Gain all you can by honest industry and diligence
    2. Make the most of your time
    3. Work with all your might.
    4. Do your work as well as possible and in a timely manner.
  8. Use common sense.

2.  SAVE ALL YOU CAN

  1. Don’t throw your precious gains into the sea
  2. Don’t waste it on desires of the flesh.
  3. Don’t waste on desires of the eye such as fine clothing, houses, paintings, decorations gardens.
  4. Don’t spend to gain the admiration or praise of others.
  5. When we cater to these desires, they only increase.
  6. Don’t buy your kids everything and the best of everything.
  7. Don’t leave the kids money to squander.  Don’t set traps.
  8. Leave your money to the child that knows the value of money.

3.  GIVE ALL YOU CAN

  1. Don’t stop with gaining and saving all you can.  You must give all you can.
  2. The sole ownership of everything rest with God.
  3. Provide for your basic needs; provide for your family; give the rest to the needy.
  4. How should you spend upon yourself?
    1. Am I acting according to my character?
    2. Am I giving this money in obedience to God’s word?
    3. Can I offer up this action as a sacrifice to God?
    4. Do I believe that I will receive a reward for this work at the resurrection?
  5. If your conscience says that this pleases God then you have no doubt that it is right and good.
  6. In your living and dying, waste nothing on sin or foolishness for yourself or your children.
  7. We cannot be wise or faithful stewards without managing the Lord’s goods in this way.

Lead a life worthy of the dignity of your calling.

Categories: Church, Common Everyday Stuff, Faith Journey, Influenced By:, John Wesley, Leadership, Quote | Tags: , , | 1 Comment

Goals for 2012

Posted on December 31, 2011 by revjohnhill

“Don’t ever be impressed with goal setting; be impressed with goal getting. Reaching new goals and moving to a higher level of performance always requires change, and change feels awkward. But take comfort in the knowledge that if a change doesn’t feel uncomfortable, then it’s probably not really a change.” John Maxwell

I’m a huge goal setter.  I believe in knowing where one is going because if you don’t how will you know when you get there.  Setting goals provides you with direction for your life.  It’s like setting out on a trip and not having a destination.  How will you know if your going in the right direction?

So, each year I make out a list of goals for the next year.

  • I share my goals with others.  Much harder to abandon when many others know about it.
  • I write them down.  Writing them down makes them real.
  • I post them where I can see them everyday. (Mine go on the bathroom mirror).
  • Track the progress.
  • If it is a big goal, then I will make small step goals to track the progress.
  • When you accomplish the goal, share it with others and celebrate!!

So, here are my goals for next year.  I invite you to hold me accountable and ask how well I am doing in accomplishing them.

  1. Lose weight.  I’m now at 189 and my goal is to reach 179 by June.  This would be 2 pounds/month.
  2. Lower my cholesterol.  Don’t know the exact numbers but will be talking with my doctor to set the numerical goal.
  3. Follow our family budget.
  4. Exercise 5 times per week.  Walk 30 minutes 3 times per week in January, 45 minutes in February 4 times/week, 1 hour in March 5 times/week.  10,000 steps/day (Jan-Feb); 15,000 steps (March and April); 20,000 steps/day in May and June).
  5. Weekend camping in camper 1 weekend/month from March to October.
  6. Read 8 novels and 8 books that are Spiritual, Self-Improvement, or Leadership.
  7. Hike Vicksburg National Battlefield.
  8. Plan and date a family trip to the Grand Canyon for 2013.
  9. Attend 1 John Maxwell event.
  10. Achieve Basic credentialing with ICPC (Police Chaplain)

These are my personal goals.  I will be setting additional goals that will cover Church and Ministry.

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If a Man Wants YOU! (For the Ladies)

Posted on December 22, 2011 by revjohnhill

As a pastor but mostly as a father of a teenage daughter, I was impressed by the following list and I hope all ladies both young and old will read and heed!!  God bless, John

If a Man Wants You

By: Salma Rumman

  • If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.

  • If he doesn’t want you, nothing can make him stay.

  • Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.

  • Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.

  • Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that’s not meant to be.

  • Slower is better.

  • Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.

  • If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can’t “be friends.”

  • A friend wouldn’t mistreat a friend.

  • Don’t settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.

  • Don’t stay because you think “it will get better.” You’ll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.

  • The only person you can control in a relationship is you.

  • Avoid men who’ve got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn’t marry them when he got them pregnant, Why would he treat you any differently?

  • Always have your own set of friends separate from his.

  • Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.

  • If something bothers you, speak up.

  • Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.

  • You cannot change a man’s behavior. Change comes from within.

  • Don’t EVER make him feel he is more important than you are…even if he has  more education or in a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god.  He is a man, nothing more nothing less.

  • Never let a man define who you are.

  • Never borrow someone else’s man.

  • Oh Lord!  If he cheated with you, he’ll cheat on you.

  • A man will only treat you the way you allow him to treat you.

  • All men are not dogs.

  • You should not be the one doing all the bending…compromise is a two-way street.

  • You need time to heal between relationships…There is nothing cute about baggage. Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.

  • You should never look for someone to complete you. A relationship consists of two whole individuals. Look for someone complimentary, not supplementary.

  • Dating is fun; even if he doesn’t turn out to be Mr. Right.

  • Make him miss you sometimes. When a man always know where you are, and you’re always readily available to him—he takes it for granted.

  • Don’t fully commit to a man who doesn’t give you everything that you need.

  • Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

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6 Ways to be a “Good” Husband

Posted on December 14, 2011 by revjohnhill

My Beautiful Bride

I have never met anyone like my wife, Jill.  Next to my relationship with Jesus, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life.  I love her with all my heart and I want nothing but the best for her.  Wanting nothing but the best for her has made me look at myself and ask “How can I be a better husband?”  Here are some things I do…

  1. Tell her you love her and how much she means to you.  It’s amazing to me how many wives say their husband never tells them he loves them. Our wives need to hear us say that we love them and not only during those intimate moments.  When is the last time you called your wife in the middle of the day with nothing to say except, I love you.  Leave her love notes, send her flowers, tell her she is beautiful.
  2. Pray for you wife and with her.  Praying specifically for your wife and thanking God for her puts your wife in a special place in your heart.  It’s really hard to stay angry with someone you’re constantly praying for.  Also, pray with your wife.  The man is the spiritual leader in the home.  It’s the man’s responsibility to lead the spiritual formation of the family and it starts with prayer.
  3. Discover your wife’s love language.  Read the book, “The Five Love Languages“!  A love language is how one feels the most love.  I’m someone who feels love when someone does something for me.  When we first married I would mow the lawn and manicure it, then go in the house with my chest poked out and tell her to look at it.  I was trying to impress her.  She would look at it and say, “Good Job”  Or I would wash, wax, and clean out her car only to get a simple thank you.  After a marriage retreat, I found out that it was not the way to show Jill I love her.  Her love language is touch.  Spending time on the couch, holding her hand while watching TV is what she sees as love.   You won’t know how to show her your love if you don’t know what she needs.
  4. Learn More About Her.  People are constantly changing and no matter how long you’ve been married there are always new things to learn about her.  Do you know what kind of gum she prefers?  What’s her favorite color?  What are her dreams?
  5. Constantly look for ways you can be a better husband.  This may sound simple, but it is so important.  Always be growing as a husband.  It’s like being a Christian, seeking perfection in a broken world and trying to be more like Christ every day.
  6. Date your wife.  It’s so easy to fall into a “life” routine of going to work, coming home, changing babies, doing the dishes and going to bed.  A husband has to be intentional about asking his wife out on a date.  No kids, open the car door for her, bring her flowers, go someplace romantic over night. Get in the habit of this and ideally do it once a week.  If this is not possible, at least do it routinely.  It will strengthen your marriage.
Categories: Common Everyday Stuff, Family, Jill, John's Rant (opinion) | Leave a comment

Who’s Your Choice for Heisman?

Posted on December 7, 2011 by revjohnhill
Categories: Common Everyday Stuff, John Personal | Leave a comment

This May Step on Some Toes!!

Posted on November 25, 2011 by revjohnhill

GREAT ARTICLE I read on Christian Post.com

My Wife Had a Bad Experience at Chick-fil-A!

Fri, Nov. 25, 2011 Posted: 09:09 AM EDT

I love Chick-Fil-A! (AND love Tim Hawkins song about it)

We eat there at least two or three times a week (not kidding…we’ve actually pushed that number up to 6-7 a few times.)

The food is ALWAYS good, they get the order right nearly every time and their customer service is second to none. It is always clean and no matter how long the line seems to be people are always served as quickly and efficiently as possible.

So, imagine my surprise when my wife came home the other day and, as we were catching each other up on the things that had taken place while we had been apart all morning and afternoon she told me about a bad experience she had at Chick-Fil-A.

I was immediately frustrated! (Any husband would be!) AND…before I knew it I had literally told myself in my mind, “Well, if that’s the way things are going to be then I guess we just won’t be going to Chick-Fil-A anymore, they’ve lost my business.”

TIME OUT!!! How stupid was THAT thought? Seriously, let’s review…
■#1 – They ALWAYS deliver great food!
■#2 – They ALWAYS have friendly people!
■#3 – They ALWAYS have a clean environment!
■#4 – What my wife had experienced was not in line with what normally happens.

(AND…I want to be completely fair to Lucretia, she was NOT saying she would not go back, nor was she angry…she was just telling me about her day and I am the one who became irrational!) :-)

I lost my mind! I was literally going to allow one bad experience with one employee ruin a reputation of excellence that had been consistent for years! (AND…no one knows what was going on in that employees life…she could have had one of the worst days of her life and was trying her best to just hold it together until she could clock out!)

Before you agree with me too quickly…I think there are people who have done the same thing to the church!

It has become quite popular, even in some “Christian” circles, to bash the church for all of the dumb things that she has done.

I have met people since being in ministry for over 20 years that have the same attitude with the church that I almost had with Chick-Fil-A! They will attend, serve, be devoted to a local church for months or even years…and then, all of a sudden…
■Someone didn’t call them when they were out for two weeks.
■Someone said something hurtful to or about them.
■They didn’t like what the preacher said.
■They didn’t like what the youth group was doing.

I could go on and on…but you get the point. There are times when people will allow one thing in the church to trump the decades of ministry and impact that have taken place through that body of believers, and that’s a bit insane.
■Yes, if you stay in a church long enough I promise you that you will see hypocrisy.
■Someone will say something to you or about you that will hurt you.
■Decisions will be made that you do not like.
■There are going to be sermons that make you mad.

When that happens the enemy is going to try his best to convince you to just walk away…because he knows that the first step away from God is usually getting people to step away from the people of God.

Yes, the church, EVERY church, has made some unwise decisions and, in the process have hurt or disappointed people along the way…but let’s know throw the baby out with the bathwater…
■She’s STILL being built by Jesus–that makes her important!
■She’s STILL reaching out to the broken, the forgotten and the poor.
■She’s STILL making a difference that’s going to be seen for eternity.
■She’s STILL GOD’S PLAN for reaching the world.
■She’s STILL necessary for believers! (If church is not necessary then why did Jesus say He would build it, died for it, will one day redeem it and spends so much time in the NT talking to it and about it?”

No, the church is NOT perfect…but neither are you (or me!) So, when we’re tempted to walk away because of the one thing that seems to hurt us or trip us up we should simply ask, “is this consistant with this churches character?”

Stay in a church long enough and you will have a bad experience…but let that push you closer to Jesus as you recognize that HE uses imperfect people in His plan, which means sometimes they get it wrong, and then beg the Lord to teach both them and yourself how to best deal with the situation…because, she’s STILL the church and STILL His bride.

Now…anyone want to go to Chick-Fil-A with me? :-)

Perry Noble is the founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church which has campuses in Anderson, Columbia, Florence, and Greenville, South Carolina. At ten years old, the church averages over 10,000 people across all campuses. You can find Perry online at perrynoble.com or on twitter @perrynoble.

Perry Noble
Christian Post Guest Columnist

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5 Steps to Keeping Your Resolution

Posted on December 30, 2010 by revjohnhill

It’s that time of the year!  I’ve got my yellow legal pad sitting in front of me and a pen in my hand. I’m ready to start writing, but I’ve found something else to do.  I’m posting a blog.  That’s important, right?  I mean, I can come right back to creating my list of resolutions for 2011.  Maybe this is why most of my resolutions never get past the paper they are written on.  I find something else to do and then justify it in my mind as to why what I’m doing is more important.  Some people call that procrastination but I’ve always found that word offensive.  I prefer to use…well, I’ve never really thought about it.

I just Googled “resolution stats” and this is what it said:

40 to 45% of American adult make one or more resolutions each year. Among the top new years resolutions are resolutions about weight loss, exercise, and stopping to smoke. Also popular are resolutions dealing with better money management / debt reduction.

The following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:
– past the first week: 75%
– past 2 weeks: 71%
– after one month: 64%
– after 6 months: 46%

Here are Australia’s most popular New Year’s resolutions for 2011:

  • 60% resolve to lose weight
  • 51% are thinking green; planning to install energy-efficient light bulbs
  • 31% want to close their credit cards and resolve debt
  • 28% promise to quit smoking
  • 27% want to stop spending time on Facebook and Twitter
  • 21% are aiming to buy their first home

So, if after the first week, 75% of us who make resolutions will cast them aside, why do we even go through the process of creating them anyway?  The answer is simple, we want to be better than we currently are.  We want to be in less debt, weigh less, eat better, spend more quality time with our spouse and children, work less, and improve our health.  But all that takes work on our part.  You see, I have to stop eating a whole box of Little Debbie cakes at one sitting if I want to lose weight.  I’ve got to choose to come home from work on time to spend the time with my family.  I’ve got to quit spending if I am going to reduce my debt load.  All of this takes energy and effort on my part.  Stop doing some things and start doing others.  That is what change is and after all isn’t that what we are striving for?

Even in our own Christian journey, we run into this situation.  I’ve seen and have put on my own resolution list things that will help me become more like Christ (Sanctification).  Pray More, Daily Devotionals, Read my Bible from cover to cover, etc.  After all, don’t we want to become more like Christ?  Isn’t that the goal?  But how do I do it?

Here are 5 things that I have found which help me keep my resolutions:

1.  Keep the list short. Rome was not built in a day and you’re not going to become a different person in one either.  If you list, lost weight, read the entire Bible by March, walk 20,000 steps per day, and spend more time with your family, you’re probably not going to accomplish anything except discouragement and casting aside your resolutions.  Begin with one or two and put your focus on those.  Once they have become a part of your life, you can add some additional ones.

2.  Write the List Down: In my life, something is not real until it is written down.  Jill:  “Please bring back some milk from the store.”  John: “OK”.  1 hour passes and John returns  Jill: “Where is the milk” John: “Aw man, I forgot it, but you didn’t make me write it down!”

3.  Place the list somewhere where you will see it everyday: I hang mine on my bathroom mirror.  Each morning as I am getting ready for work, I am reminded of what I have said I will do.  The list hanging on the mirror will not allow me to forget.

4.  Tell someone else: I don’t enjoy failing in front of other people.  I am more likely to stick with what I said I was going to do if I tell someone else.  It’s a whole lot easier to cast off resolutions if no one else knows.

5.  Give permission for that person to hold you accountable:  Ask that person to ask you how you are doing and to help you with your resolution.  If I know someone will be asking me how I’m doing with something, I’m more likely to stick with it.

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Like Father, Like Son

Posted on May 19, 2010 by revjohnhill

Today, I have been searching for something to blog about and had been coming up empty-handed.  Nothing inspired me to start tapping away at the keyboard until dinner tonight. This evening, Jill and I only had the 3 small kids.  Erica and Jackson had gone out to eat with their dad and so Jill and I decided to go out to eat for our anniversary.

It was a great time and all the babies were in a good mood.  It was a wonderful evening.  At one point while I was eating a chip, I got a tickle in my throat and turned my head to cough, when I noticed that Noah had turned his head and was coughing just like his daddy.  It really touched my heart and made me realize how much he watches everything I do and mimics it.

Aren’t we the same way?  Don’t we mimic those who play a role in our lives?  It may be a friend, teacher, preacher, parent, cousin or anyone else for that matter but we truly do become like those we spend time with.  That’s one of the reasons that I am always telling my kids that they will become like the people they hang out with.

Also, the responsibility we have to be role models.  We don’t have to be a famous athlete or a pop-star to be someone’s role model.  I will guarantee that someone is looking at you (whether you realize it or not) and wanting to be like you.  It’s a huge responsibility.

The last question that comes to my mind is what if we truly imitated Christ?  The one who loves us like no one else ever will.  What would our family lives be like if we loved our spouse and children as much as we love ourselves?  What would our work environment be like if we treated everyone with the love and respect that we desire for ourselves?  I know this is very difficult for us to do, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish this type of love.  We as United Methodist call this Sanctification or becoming like Christ.  As we grow in our spiritual journey, one of the changes we will begin to demonstrate is this type of love.

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff, Faith Journey, John Personal, Noah | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Different Themes

Posted on March 20, 2010 by revjohnhill

Okay, for all you who are tired of me changing the theme of my blog, I agree and have finally settled on this one for now.  There are things that I like about some others, but I just like the look of this one and I hope you do also.  I plan on keeping this one for a while (unless I run across another that suits my needs better.

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff | Leave a comment

My Day Off

Posted on March 19, 2010 by revjohnhill

Wow, what a day off.  I got up this morning and took Noah to daycare and then had breakfast with an old. friend.  We had a great time talking and seeing each other.  I took Jill a to-go box of breakfast and when I got home, her nurse was there.  Everything went well and after the nurse left, we curled up and took a mid-morning nap together.  Probably not going to be able to do that soon.

I then got up and went to work in the yard. I got the backyard cut and the patio cleaned off.

Then, I went to pick up Noah, went to Target to go grocery shopping. We bought a small charcoal grill because our gas grill finally gave out.

We then went to Southern Markets and bought a good many of our staples as they are going out of business and they have really good deals.

Came home, put together a grill, began cooking burgers. Then fixed Mom’s plate and Noah’s. Fed Noah and now I am giving him his bath.  Actually, the bath part is over and his is now playing in the tub.  Hopefully he will go to sleep pretty easy tonight and I can count this day as being over.

I hope you had as good a day as I did.

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Mowing the Grass

Posted on March 19, 2010 by revjohnhill

I just got through mowing the grass for the first time this year and man was it great.  I know it’s strange to think of mowing the lawn as being fun but there is something about getting outside for the first time in the spring.  It’s also one of the those things in life where you experience immediate success and satisfaction.  Just as soon as you put the energy and effort into it, you can turn and see what you have done.  I love that feeling.  What a great day to spend my day off.

There is also a great feeling sitting outside on the patio after the grass has been cut and the patio has been cleaned off.

I know that this will soon go away and it will once again become a chore, but for today, I am loving life.

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My Newest Discovery

Posted on March 18, 2010 by revjohnhill

Last week, I picked up a book at Barnes and Noble (one of my favorite places in the world.)  It was on the bargain book rack and so I picked it up, started to read it and quickly got engrossed.  It was by Vince Flynn.  This past weekend, I asked my friend Karl if he had ever read any of Vince Flynn’s books and he quickly responded, “I’ve read them all!” (As if I was stupid for not reading them)  I asked, “Do you have any that I could borrow because all the rest are full price at B and N?  When he said he didn’t have any of them, I asked if he had loaned them out to someone else.  With a are you really that dumb look on his face, he said, “I checked them out from the library!”

A light bulb went off.  We have  a library in Huntsville, I think.  I haven’t been to a library since college and I don’t think I’ve ever been there to get a book purely for enjoyment.  It’s always been a dreaded place.  A place that I went to research for some paper I was being made to do for a grade.  Not a place where I could get a book for the fun of it.  I mean, do they even have books like that?

So today, I went with the excitement of someone on an adventure.  I entered and asked the lady the big question, “Do you have any Vince Flynn?”  I was almost sure she was going to look at me in disgust because I wasn’t researching anything important but to my surprise a big smile appeared with a confident YES!

Oh my!  There was even another lady looking at the Vince Flynn books and she was asking me which ones I’ve read.   I was a little ashamed that I had only read one of them, so she started recommended different ones to me.  I think she knew this was the first time I had been in the library when it wasn’t a requirement for a class.

I got a brand new library card!!  And found out that you can even download books from their website onto an I-Pod!!  The lottery has certainly been won.  I checked out my Vince Flynn and yet there was still a nagging in me that I just couldn’t shake.  So, I went over to the classics and found Ernest Hemingway.  I checked out The Old Man and the Sea along with my Vince Flynn.  Now my conscience was at rest.

Excited about my new discovery.  The only thing missing was the Starbuck’s Coffee Bar and the cash register.  I’ll be visiting again.

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

You’re Not Going To Wear That!?

Posted on March 12, 2010 by revjohnhill

Janelle McComb and Joan Deary

One of my favorite people that has ever been in my life was Janelle McComb, who was like a grandmother to me.  I had known her and her husband, Mr. Roy, all of my life and had the privelidge of conducting both of their funerals.  Mrs. McComb was a quick wit,  extremely smart and loved to pick on me (especially when it came to my relationship with my mother).

One of her favorite stories to tell was the following.  I wish I could tell it like she did, but you will just have to get the idea.

One weekend, they had traveled to Gadsden to visit with me for the weekend and my mom also joined us.  We were getting ready to go out to eat and I came out dressed and ready to go.  My mom took one quick look at me and said, “You’re not going to wear that, are you?”  I quickly responded, “NOOO, I just wanted to show you how ugly it is.”

Mrs. McComb would tell that story to anyone who would give her half a second.  I sure do miss her and Mr. Roy.  They had a great impact on my life.

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff, John Personal | Tags: , , | 2 Comments

Why Would a Pastor Use Facebook and Twitter?

Posted on March 6, 2010 by revjohnhill

I am learning to use these two very popular social networks and I have to admit that I am really enjoying it.  Often people ask, “Why would a 40 something year old pastor be on Facebook, Twitter and a blog.  I used to think it was a mid life crisis.  Then I found out that it was a good way to keep up with my daughter and her friends.  However, yesterday it really paid off.  I had a young person from camp send me a private message through Facebook about ministering to a friend and asked me to give her some advice.  She didn’t call, text, send an e-mail or even write me a letter, lick a stamp and then send it.  She wrote on my Facebook.

Paul writes that “We become all things to people so that we might reach a few.”  I found out yesterday what I expected all along.  Facebook, Twitter, blogs, MySpace and all the other social networks are how this generation communicate with each other and if we don’t embrace this, we will be missing a valuable opportunity to minister.  I encourage all ministers, youth directors, children’s directors, Sunday School teachers and anyone else who is a minister (which is all Christians) to embrace this new way to spread the Gospel.  It’s worth it and who knows you might even enjoy it.  That’s what I’ve found.  So sign up.  I would encourage you to develop a Facebook page and try out keeping a blog.  This stuff is not going away anytime soon and so we best learn how to use it effectively so we can be about God’s work.

Categories: Church, Common Everyday Stuff, John's Rant (opinion) | 2 Comments

7 Habits of HIGHLY Successful People

Posted on February 19, 2010 by revjohnhill

Habit 1:  Be Proactive: Take responsiblity for your life.

Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind: Define your mission and goals in life.

Habit 3:  Put first things first: Prioritize, and do the most important things first.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win: Have an everyone can win attitude .

Habit 5:  Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood: Listen to people sincerely.

Habit 6:  Synergize: Work Together to achieve More

Habit 7:  Sharpen the Saw:  Renew yourself regularly.

(Sean Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens)

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff, Leadership | Leave a comment

Felt Graden Move

Posted on February 5, 2010 by revjohnhill

Last night was pretty special. It was the first time that Graden kicked Daddy.  Graden seems to be facing out and Sophie must be going toward the inside.  So, all of Graden’s kicks and movements are seen and felt.  Tonight was the first time that I really felt him move and it was the most incredible feeling.  I had forgotten what it was like to feel a baby move and this was truly special.

Sophie doesn’t move very much in the day, but she certainly makes up for it at night.  It seems she tries her best to keep her mom up all night.  It’s kinda funny how right now, mom can’t sleep and I’m snoozing away YET, when they are born, I will probably be the one up with her most nights.  I hope she likes Dirty Jobs.

Being a dad this time is full of emotions that I don’t know really how to describe.  When it was Noah, I was scared, nervous and excited all at the same time. There is a great deal of each of those going on just not for the same reasons.  It’s not going to be boring, I can assure you of that and we just rely on God to give us what we need to survive.  I now that we be enough and we put it in His hands.

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff, Faith Journey, Family, Graden Cooper, John Personal, Sophie Grace, Twins | Leave a comment

Photo of the Day

Posted on February 4, 2010 by revjohnhill

I’m going to be a computer programmer when I grow up.  However, right now, I just cause havocke with my dad’s computer.  But you can tell how much I love to push the buttons.

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff, John Personal, Photo of the Day | 2 Comments

Diapers

Posted on February 4, 2010 by revjohnhill

This weekend, I found about 75 dollars worth of gift cards that Jill and I were given for Christmas. So, I went to Sam’s to start perparing for the twins.  I am a planner (remember i had the planned out schedule for every day and hour of my honeymoon.)  So, I like to stock up on supplies that we know we are going to need after the time the babies get her and diapers are so expensive that I think it is a good thing to go ahead and stock up on them and not have to worry about that for six months or so. AND now with twins, we’re going to go through twice the amount that Noah did.  I also have a great plan in that I tape the receipt to them so I can take the ones that we outgrow back to the store.

So, I got to Sam’s yesterday and picked up the different sizes of diapers and some J and J body wash and a case of wipes. Got up to the checkout and they do not accept American Express gift cards.  So, here I am with a shopping cart of baby supplies and knowing that it’s over fifty dollars (which is the amount that Jill and I have agreed not to spend with out consulting the other).  So, I break the rule and go ahead and buy them.  We’re going to need them and I really didn’t want to take them all the way back to the store.  BUT my goal was to spend all the gift cards on baby stuff and so I went to Target and got 3 BIG bags of newborn diapers!!

I thought Jill may be made because I broke the rule but she wasn’t.  So, if you have any diapers laying around your house, the Hill family is collecting.  

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff, John Personal | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments

Top 5 Albums of All Time

Posted on January 25, 2010 by revjohnhill

I’ve talked about tv shows that I like and I thought I would bring in another interest of mine. Music.  Here are my votes for the top 5 albums of all time:

  1. Bon Jovi: Slipper When Wet
  2. The Police: Synchronicity
  3. Aerosmith: Pump
  4. Van Halen: Van Halen
  5. The Who: Greatest Hits

Again, feel free to list your favorite albums in the comment section.

Categories: Common Everyday Stuff | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

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