Author: pastorjonathan

Christian,Husband, Dad, Pastor, Mentor, Volunteer.

A Story of Restoration and Hope for the American Family

On By pastorjonathanIn books, ManhoodLeave a comment

978-1-4143-6394-3I read Road Trip to Redemption: A Disconnected Family, a Cross-Country Adventure, and an Amazing Journey of Healing and Grace a while back and was greatly encouraged.  The Author, Brad Matthias, shares a detailed story about his family’s breakdown and reconnection. The book chronicles a road trip that the author and his family took in search of healing.

I grew up in the general area where most of the road trip takes place (the North West US and Southern Canada) and I remember traveling to some of the same sights with my parents and grandparents. So I have to admit that part of me was longing to go on a similar trip just to re-live part of my childhood.

The real gold to the story though wasn’t the tale of the open road (though the Matthias family does encounter a few obstacles and victories along the way), but of how the family reconnected throughout the journey. I appreciated the insights shared by the all the family members in their journals and was blessed to be able to share in their journey in a small way. I don’t think this book was intended to be an instruction manual as much as an encouragement. The author is transparent in his struggle to illustrate that he hasn’t always been there for his family like he should, but even broken families can be restored and brought back together through the power of the gospel.

I really liked this book and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good non-fiction read. It’s especially good for dad’s who are looking at how to reconnect with their teenagers. It’s really not a “how to” manual, but it does provide some solid advice in the form of a story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Tyndale Blog Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Cancer, Dignity and Lust?

On By pastorjonathanIn Uncategorized1 Comment

So I saw a breast cancer awareness ad and I thought it was in “poor taste.” I made this comment on facebook: “I’m against cancer in all forms and places. But I think some of the ads for awareness are in poor taste.”  The ad showed the back of a skinny woman stripped down to her underwear holding a bra over her head…. I didn’t think it was in poor taste because I was tempted to have lustful thoughts. I didn’t. And to be honest I never even thought about this ad provoking lust in anyone until a male friend of mine made a comment about it being a stumbling block (so I won’t reshow it here out of respect for those who might view the ad as being lewd in nature) More on that in a moment but first…

Why did I think it was in Poor Taste?

Dignity. I thought the ad was in poor taste because I couldn’t imagine my mother, sister, wife, or daughter ever having to take her clothes off like that in front of a camera (even for a good cause).  If it were one of the women whom I love in that picture I wouldn’t be sharing it all over facebook. My guess is that most men and women who saw that image didn’t actually see a person (whether they had lust in their hearts or not).

Ignorance. The ad also says, “Support Breast Cancer, Set the Tatas free, Oct. 13th, No Bra Day.” I’m not up to date on all the breast cancer lingo, but shouldn’t there be another word behind “cancer” like “research” or “awareness.” I don’t know of anyone in their right mind who wants to “support breast cancer”… like it’s a good thing?

Insensative. Breast cancer is about more than breasts. It’s about surviving. Somehow a picture of a young woman holding a bra over her head in her seeming support of breast cancer rings hollow when we remember that the average breast cancer survivor is 63 and she’s someone’s wife, mother, sister and daughter. She has faced the battle of her life, I can’t imagine how going bra-less changes anything? I’m not a woman, nor do I wear a bra, but through those who have been through this lonely valley I have been reminded that the image of a bra has changed for those who now wear one differently or not at all because of breast cancer.… If it’s a joke, it’s a cruel one (especially when we consider the ad says “support breast cancer.”)

Why is Lust a Different Issue?

I have two young children, a boy and a girl, I’m doing my best as a dad to look out for both. So here is why I think it’s dangerous to use lust as a motivator to say these pictures like the one discussed are in “poor taste.”

It reinforces a false stereotype that “boys will be boys.”  Not all men are perverts. It’s not okay to raise my son like he has no choice in the matter when it concerns lust. As men we should teach our boys the difference between a healthy interest in girls (as part of their growth and development) and lust.  My goal is for my son is two-fold, to make it through puberty without excess guilt over what is a natural attraction, and to guard his heart from lust. The breast cancer ad is the least of my worries.

It blames women for lust…which last I checked was in the heart of the one choosing to lust, not in the one being lusted after.  I have never read the account where Jesus tells the women that if they are being lusted after that they are guilty of adultery.  Now there is a word describing the act of someone attempting to provoke lust, it’s called “lewd” and I don’t think that was the intent of the ad… though I could be wrong which leads me to the last point:

Not all women are attractive to all men, even when they are trying to be (the reverse is also true).  I still remember the day when I was at the beach and a woman was staring at my belly. I wanted to say, “ahem, my eyes are up here lady.” But I don’t think she would have laughed at the joke.  She was probably wondering if I could put a shirt on and it had nothing to do with her lust issues…But to be honest, I’ve looked at some women that way too.

I get how the ad did not provoke lust in me, but might have provoked it in you. I would still be cautious to accuse anyone of being lewd. Lewdness is also something that must be intended and I can see how people posted this without that intent (especially if their motivation was to raise awareness).  I just really thought the ad itself was in poor taste.

If this awakened some passion in you. Check out this article by my pastor on communication on line. http://chrisaiken.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/the-purpose-of-communication/

You may also want to check out a post I put up a few years ago on this blog https://followjonathan.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/4-basic-guidelines-for-facebook-etiquette/

5 Benefits of a Blogging Pastor

On By pastorjonathanIn blogging, discipleship, Ministry, Time Management2 Comments

I was first introduced to the bold new concept of a blogging pastor by the book “The Blogging Church.” Much has transpired since that time, but one thing remains the same: Blogging can be an effective tool for pastors and churches if used wisely. I have a few years of blogging experience under my belt and have enjoyed reading the blogs that my Pastor and others have produced. More recently I took somewhat of a long blogging vacation (more than a year on this blog) and I noticed that I was still constantly referring people to my blog posts (not for vanity sake, but because I thought what I posted would be truly helpful them). I composed this list of five benefits of a blogging pastor not only as a reflection on how I use my blog and other bloggers have influenced me, but also as a reminder to keep blogging for the sake of those I shepherd as well as those whom I have never met.

To Help Your People Facing a Cultural Issue. Our culture is moving and changing at a rapid pace. Often times our folks have had a week at the water cooler to discuss issues before they ever walk in the door on Sunday (and that’s just your regular attendees). Many are struggling to figure out where to embrace and where to challenge culture. It’s easy to be right on an issue, but wrong on an approach. Having a blog can be a great outlet for pastors to address cultural issues from a biblical perspective. Not just being right on the issue, but also seeking to demonstrate a godly approach. I was deeply impressed and somewhat glad when my pastor posted his thoughts on issues pertaining to the Boy Scouts of America this past year. Though I don’t yet have a Boy Scout, I know his insights were helpful to those trying to form an intelligent opinion about the issues at stake.

Your Blog is Available When You Aren’t. Pastors are busy people. Much busier than most people would expect (but that’s another post). The more people that you have a charge over the harder it can be to have a conversation about important topics or issues. Having a blog is like having another preaching post. It helps put you in front of people (even when you can’t be… like at 3AM in the morning). It also provides a great place to send people who are dealing with issue. “I blogged about that last year, check out the article I wrote and then let’s sit down and talk about it over coffee.”

Share Resources with Your Congregation. Having a blog allows you to share resources with your congregation. Whether you are sharing about a good book, blogging on a cultural issue, or just sharing links to resources and posts by other authors, a blog can be a great place to house those referrals. For example if you are speaking on spiritual gifts, you can link to several other articles or spiritual gifts surveys or if you are challenging people to pray for the nations, you can link to several mission sights. Even if you write a blog post quoting from other sights and link to them, you are broadening the horizon of those who follow your blog and giving them resources they might not otherwise have had.

Deal With Issues or Questions that May be Under the Surface. Often times a pastor is aware of issues that lurk in the shadows but may have a difficult time finding the proper forum to address it. A blog allows a pastor to begin a dialogue that can lead to more personal discussion offline. I’ve found that many of my posts dealing with various issues from pornography to leading a family devotional time have allowed folks to talk more freely about issues or concerns they have offline.  Quite often I’ve heard the words, “I saw on your blog the other day…”

To Engage with A Variety of People. One of the neat things that hosting a blog has done for me is to allow me to see things from outside my box. What I mean is that I get the benefit of hearing from atheists, Muslims, people living in different cultures, places, etc. When they are generous enough to leave a comment or question on my blog I am better informed on how they perceive what I write. Opening up the conversation to those who are outside of my worldview not only tests the integrity of my worldview but also provides a unique opportunity to engage in a conversation over issues that are too often just left to insiders.

Obviously this list isn’t exhaustive. What are some of the other benefits of a blogging pastor that you have noticed? If you’re a pastor and have a blog, I’d love to check it out. Please feel free to share a link in the comments (or if your pastor has a pretty great blog, share his blog address in the comments).

Here are some links to the pastor friends that I follow:

Chris Aiken

Gerald Kirby

Gospel Deeps (A Review)

On By pastorjonathanIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

ImageGospel Deeps by Jarrod C. Wilson is a book that is intended to take the reader deeper than the modern day surface level appeal of Christianity. The author labors to present pure doctrine and cause his readers to begin/ continue “Reveling in the excellencies of Jesus” (that’s the subtitle anyway). I was hoping for an engaging book and was fully engaged for the first few chapters. Then somewhere around chapter 3 or 4 it became increasingly taxing to read… mostly because of the repetition employed. I put it down and picked it up a few times just to get through it and questioned the whole time if something might be wrong with me (it can be too easy to say that a book is broken when it points to something broken in you).  Finally near the end the writing picked back up and was very encouraging and provoked my heart to worship.

I have of a mixed review on Gospel Deeps. I think it’s a great book and the content at times was completely engaging, thought-provoking and somewhat challenging. Somewhere in the process of reading things began to slow down as the authors style of writing shifted and then picked up again. A commitment to read is the only thing that had me pressing through it.

Overall I thought it was a great book but a little slow near the middle. The content was great and the authors style is mostly engaging.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Crossway as part of their Reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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I’m Back!

On By pastorjonathanIn blogging1 Comment

Hey world,

After a long vacation, a short blogging experiment over at JonathanHillOnline.com, and heavy time investments in other areas… I’m back. Stay tuned for some newer content starting next week!

The focus will still be on family, reading and ministry. Over the course of the next few weeks I’ll update my reading list but in the mean time I thought it would be great to hear from you.

What have you been reading?

Do you blog anywhere?

(Share a link in the comments section and I’ll check it out)

 

2012 in review

On By pastorjonathanIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 17,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 4 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

Have you been to JonathanHillOnline.com Yet?

On By pastorjonathanIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Have you been to see JonathanHillOnline.com Yet? It’s the new home of the Hill House blog. I’ll be slowly moving all of these posts over to my new online presence. I’ve also been busy posting new articles, book reviews, etc. You can check out some of them below…

Be Sure and sign-up to receive email updates of New Blog posts over at JonathanHillOnline.com

 

JonathanHillOnline.com

On By pastorjonathanIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’m switching my main blog address to http://www.JonathanHillOnline.com. I’ll still be posting here on a sporadic basis. However, for regular and fresh content on family, ministry, and the Christian life go to http://www.JonathanHillOnline.com and subscribe via the RSS feed or by e-mail.  I look forward to seeing your comments there!

As One Devil to Another by Richard Platt (A Review)

On By pastorjonathanIn books, Uncategorized1 Comment

I read As One Devil to Another last week and was blown away at the insight into human nature the book provided.  The Author, Richard Platt, writes in the same style as C. S. Lewis in his book, The Screwtape Letters. The book chronicles a series of fictional letters exchanged between two demons on the nature of deceiving and tempting the human to which one is assigned.

As One Devil to Another is well written for it’s genre and reads faster than one might suspect for a book full of “letters.” There are a few points where the author seems to press his view a bit more than the writing style intends to hold, but for the most part the insight into the human heart is spot on and even creepy.

I really liked this book and highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of C. S. Lewis’ The Screw Tape Letters. As One Devil to Another is also a great read for pastors, teachers, etc. who are looking for a reminder or need a refresher on just how easily we are deceived. I give it 5 Stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Tyndale Blog Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Reflection on Being Your Pastor and Friend

On By pastorjonathanIn About Jonathan, Family, Ministry, student ministry3 Comments

Today I am reflecting on the years I have spent in ministry and counting it a blessing to be considered a friend to so many. I’m celebrating four years serving in my current ministry context and nearly fifteen years in ministry all together (counting the near eleven years I spent with my first church). Recently I was listening to a Tim Keller Podcast in which he made a statement that pastors have a unique privilege and responsibility to be a friend to those to whom they minister and as such they often make friends with people who given ordinary circumstances they would never be friends with…

I find this to be true in my own life. I have the awesome opportunity to walk with people of all walks of life through some of life’s most painful and sacred moments.

There have been moments when we were all scared or saddened by life’s events. I have been in the room when we got the news of cancer. I’ve done my share of funerals and hugged the necks and held the hands of the grieving. More than enough times I’ve been called up late to the hospital when their has been an accident.  Too often I’ve held a broken infants in my hands. I’ve seen the tragedies of life and walked with families through the worst parts. I have been one of the few who were ever welcomed into the world of the hurting and I have found that you don’t walk through the valley without developing some kind of kinship.

There have also been moments of joy beyond expression. I’ve held hands and plunged you beneath the water and pulled you back to the surface in baptism based upon your confession of Christ. I’ve been in the room when they said the cancer is in remission. I’ve held healthy newborns and helped sneak an air-horn into graduation ceremonies. I generally get the best seat in the house when it comes to weddings and among other things I get to say, “you may now kiss the bride.”  I’ve shared in some of the happiest moments that life has to offer and found that you don’t reach the summit of the mountain without developing a friendship along the way.

Beyond sharing these moments with you I have prayed with you and for you. I have poured myself out and asked God to allow me to pour some more. To this end I spent years of my life studying His word so that I might be a competent expositor, leader, administrator, communicator, teacher, counselor and ultimately a better friend. I have begged God that I would clearly speak the truth even when you might not count me as a friend because of it. Because my greatest desire for you is to present you complete to Christ.

I’d be a fool to think that friendship is a one-way street. Through the years as you have made me a part of your family and welcomed me into your homes. I have been blessed beyond measure by your friendship. I have learned valuable lessons.  I have eaten vegetables from your garden, dear meat from your freezer and mullet from your cast net. Along the way I confided some of my own fears and insecurities. You have loved me, been to my wedding, held my children, and hugged me and celebrated my birthdays (though sometimes I would like it to pass in obscurity) and anniversaries.  Thank you for being a faithful friend to me and counting this pastor as your friend.