tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54503380639895038182012-02-16T14:20:15.811-05:00my encounters with God...jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-34295131123541472752007-11-26T11:25:00.000-05:002007-11-26T12:20:40.451-05:00

God is about us taking in more of Him than anything else in this world. Why than do we fill ourselves up with everything else? I am still trying to figure it out. Besides the easy answers that lead us to selfishness and our sinful human nature, why do we put God as an after-thought in our lives?Is it because we want other things more than God? Do we desire more of this world rather than more of

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-80015543151043318192007-11-14T13:06:00.000-05:002007-11-14T13:38:10.237-05:00

Paul talks about our "freedom in Christ" in the book of Galatians. Yet this freedom is abused more times than we would like to admit. We use it to indulge in the "flesh". Then we say, "I have freedom in Christ to do this, so back off you judgemental hypocrite. Paul would let us have it if he was still around today. This freedom is not to do what WE want, but rather to serve one another in love!

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-46655668294892690632007-10-08T08:06:00.000-05:002007-10-08T08:43:03.333-05:00

Wow, how long has it been since I have written anything? Too long. I have a lot of things rolling around in my head. God has been doing some amazing things in my life. I just returned from Catalyst in Atlanta. It challenged me, encouraged me, and moved me in ways that I have not had in years. I am still trying to take it all in and process what I have heard. Then comes the question of, "

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-5023569850945877752007-09-02T20:40:00.000-05:002007-09-02T21:58:19.350-05:00

The other day my daughter and I where talking about trusting God and not being afraid because God was with us. The conversation began with us talking about the thunder storm and how she was afraid of the loud thunder. I asked her who made the thunder. She told me God. I asked her if God loved her. She told me yes, BUT then said something that made me stop. She said, "I know daddy that Jesus

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-54621240562636005362007-08-29T09:53:00.001-05:002007-08-29T09:53:55.165-05:00

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!Having too much fun!

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-88378408707894109532007-08-23T10:03:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:55:31.839-05:00

Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, foryou know that nothing you dofor the Lord is ever useless. -1 Corinthians 15:58b I read this verse today and it was just what I needed (although I had to read it several times for it to sink in). Thanks God, your the best!

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-50948881604551562952007-08-20T09:04:00.000-05:002007-08-20T09:58:51.561-05:00

Do we spend way too much time thinking about the things that we do wrong in our lives (sin)? Should we deal with that sin(s) and move on rather than sit in our own pity party and not move forward with who God intended us to be. The way I understand it, when we become a follower of Christ we are reborn, rebirthed, made new. The old-self is no longer the number one influence, God should be. We are

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-64905236582210335172007-08-16T19:40:00.000-05:002007-08-16T20:03:00.580-05:00

"We have to care more about reaching people (for Jesus) than about obeying man's stupid rules because that's what they are."-Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv(italics added for emphasis)

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-39612262155743028072007-08-16T13:41:00.000-05:002007-08-16T13:58:00.347-05:00

Life. True Life is what God wants to give us. Not easy life, but true life with all its bumps and bruises, and also victories and wins. Last night I was discussing with others the the video by Nooma called Rhythm. In it Rob Bell talks about a song that has been playing since the beginning of time. The song of God. Everyone hears it, even if they try and deny it. You see all of us plays a song,

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-73162139289661501282007-08-15T09:22:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:55:31.978-05:00

"Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only oneperson gets the prize? So run to win!"-1 Corinthians 9:24LIVE WITH PASSION FOR GOD! We all have a passion for something in our lives. We must make sure that our 1st passion is Christ than everything else will follow. Run your journey focused on Him that gives life, that sustains life, and that loves life. This doesn't mean that we can't

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-4059742781486154732007-08-08T15:33:00.000-05:002007-08-08T15:52:48.105-05:00

Five years ago today I became a father for the 1st time. I can't believe that it has been five years. The time has flown by. As I start to get the hang of this father thing I realize how much our heavenly Father loves us and cares for us. I also realize how I fail Him everyday of my life, but He loves me anyway. It's the same with my kids, I expect a lot out of them, even though they are still

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-23758923483645758612007-08-07T10:07:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:55:32.142-05:00

I am humbled by God each day of my life. When I stop and think about what He has allowed me to do I am thrilled and excited. Question such as, "Why me of all people?" and "Are you sure you want me to do that?", come to mind. Of course it is at those times that I realize that I can't do it, but God will if I allow Him to use me. Yesterday as I was mowing my yard and doing yard work I was chatting

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-84342992337623430052007-08-02T21:32:00.000-05:002007-08-02T22:09:35.994-05:00

"We have defined holiness through what we separate ourselves from rather than what we give ourselves to. The greatest tragedy is not the sins that we commit, but the life that we fail to live" -Erwin McManus, Chasing DaylightHoliness. I bet that you would get a lot of different definitions of what it is.It is true that I want to stay away from many things that this world has to offer, because

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-86232198886061713452007-07-27T11:11:00.000-05:002007-07-27T11:53:58.591-05:00

Change.... It's never easy. Or at least it seems that way. Why is it that when you are on the front side of something big that's about to happen it scares you to death, but when you are on back side you rejoice and see things differently. I guess this is what growing your faith is all about. When push comes to shove are we really willing to believe what the Bible says about God's character? (That

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-81518459957195903202007-07-25T08:33:00.000-05:002007-07-25T08:56:10.824-05:00

As I was reading this morning I was once again reminded that my life here on earth is not at home. Home for me is heaven, that place that Christ has gone to prepare for me. When you stop and think about that, Christ preparing for me, it blows me away. Questions like, "Why someone like me?" or "Do I really deserve it?", come to mind. It is interesting how we long for such things here on this

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-89328736131398249712007-07-12T08:50:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:55:32.307-05:00

Don't know what I really want to talk about today, but I will write anyway.Just finished reading a great book by Erwin McManus, Chasing Daylight. It was a great book. I have so many quotes from the book, but one that stuck out to me was this one:Your focus should not be, "What is God's will for my life?" but "How can I give my life to fulfill God's will?" I think that as Followers of Christ we

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-46622701589814159312007-06-19T16:18:00.000-05:002007-06-19T16:31:17.413-05:00

Do we really use the wisdom that we have been given?Today i was reading in the book of Proverbs and Psalms and seeing how wisdom is important to our lives. Wisdom should guide us to make decisions that lead toward following Christ with reckless abandonment. As I was thinking about what I had read and was talking with God I realized that I was asking for wisdom once again (and nothing is wrong

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-41975886029617200292007-06-18T09:33:00.000-05:002007-06-18T10:05:46.214-05:00

Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking and wondering. Wondering HOW I am going to do some of the things that God has put on my heart. Last night I was reading and it hit me that I don't have to worry about the HOW, but rather just be willing to be faithful to do what I can right now and allow God to work. I must find myself dependent upon Him, not upon my own abilities. (Where's the fun

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-29543790948530935402007-06-12T12:13:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:55:32.453-05:00

It has been a month since the last time I wrote anything here. I have busy, but I want to try and keep writing no matter what.So what's been going on since my last blog?? Well, A lot!I have seen another class graduate, another soccer season come and go, move my office, say goodbye professionally to a great friend and co-worker, go on an awesome mission trip, and found out that my beautiful wife

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-55597974856450642862007-05-12T08:11:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:55:32.559-05:00

I have got to make sure that I keep my priorities straight. You see it is easy for me to get busy doing a lot of things, things that are good and for the kingdom of God. The problem is that I sometimes end up doing things that are not what God has not told me to do. I think that I need to do this or do that, but I end up neglecting the task that I should be doing in the first place (or I don't

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-80802858195484603772007-04-26T13:11:00.000-05:002007-04-26T13:38:34.841-05:00

The other day we took some of the students to do community outreach at what is called the ROCK. It is a place for inner city kids. We usually try and go twice a semester and hang-out with them. I had the privilege to cross paths with a little kid named Charlie. Charlie was awesome. One of the sweetest boys you'll ever meet. He was only about five or six. He was just like all the other kids,

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-16470336025203245942007-04-20T15:43:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:55:32.672-05:00

"Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen." From the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel 3:10God has been showing me some awesome things lately and this is one of them. I want to have a willing heart like Samuel did when God came calling. Too many times I have been distracted by "other" things going on. Even when you read the verse in context of the whole story you realize that Samuel was ready to

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-10443372605267160242007-04-19T09:37:00.000-05:002008-11-19T01:55:32.778-05:00

Live each day as though it could be your last. Not just living it to say that I am pleased with it and that I have done well, but rather live it to serve others, serving others as though you are serving God. As followers of Christ we must show this world what or actually who we have truly become (or trying to become). Don't be like the world returning hate for hate, hurt for hurt, revenge for

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-15872448844495465062007-04-13T15:26:00.000-05:002007-04-13T16:00:41.966-05:00

There's a big difference between hearing what you want to hear and hearing what you need to hear. Most of the time we just ignore the need for the want. We get mad at those that tell us what we need and keep looking for those who will give us what we want. We are a selfish people. I don't understand why God continues to put up with us.Today was one of those days, along with the last few weeks,

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-41092660115927091572007-04-13T11:06:00.000-05:002007-04-13T10:09:38.541-05:00

Thank God for kids!!!(especially mine)I look at their passion for the little things in life and it reminds me how I need to live. I believe that one of the reason that God gave me my kids was to keep me grounded in Him.The similarities are interesting:1. My kids rely on me for food, shelter, and love. I must rely on God for my food, shelter, and love (everything).2. When I leave or have to go

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-81633047075202463722007-04-10T14:08:00.000-05:002007-04-10T14:44:07.128-05:00

Waiting is not one of my favorite past-times, but I know that the Lord has things in control and that I need to trust Him completely. (Even though I have to admit I want to take things into my own hands at times)Patience, patience, patience.....

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-15156619253910045192007-03-01T09:29:00.000-05:002007-03-01T09:47:31.750-05:00

The last few days have been great and at the same time challenging. I have been at a conference that has moved me to think about a lot of different things in my life and ministry.One of the speaker (Darren Whitehead) spoke on where culture is, where it has been and where it's going and what we as the Church can do about it. He spoke about cultural freeze and how when many immigrants move to a

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-48776222887427262172007-02-20T11:52:00.000-05:002007-02-20T13:03:11.965-05:00

Why is it that we as humans, or even those of us that call ourselves Christians, find it much easier to come up with reasons to not do what we know we are suppose to do. We spend more time coming up with excuses to not obey God. If we would only spend that time just saying yes and obeying we would find an adventure that no one could even imagine. As I was reading through the journey of Moses in

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5450338063989503818.post-60517750298525155582007-02-20T11:41:00.000-05:002007-02-20T11:51:24.493-05:00

Let it begin.

jhsiihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538052910385178230noreply@blogger.com0