Tag: Fatherhood

My Story: A Godly Heritage (part 1)

On By pastorjonathanIn About JonathanLeave a comment

flickrcom-photos-hamed-258971456Richard and Barbara Hill had suffered two miscarriages between my sister’s birth and mine. My birth was anticipated with much fear and joy.  I was born on April 27st, 1979.  My mother named me Jonathan meaning “gift of God.” Though I do not remember them ever saying it, it was evident in the way we were raised that my parents believed that all children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127).

My Father

My father was a gentle but strong man.  Most of my childhood he was a church planter in Montana.  He would pastor a small existing church, lead a bible study that would develop into another church and work a full time job.  Montana was not known for its job market and often my dad would take seasonal low paying jobs just to help our family make ends meet.

Despite the overwhelming drain and stress of being overworked and underpaid my father was the priest in our home.  He lead us with a family devotional in the morning and family prayer time at night.   He was the first to discipline us, but always with love…I never saw my father lose his temper (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 22:6 & 15).

My Mother

In my denomination women are encouraged to take seriously the highest office of influence over a man (motherhood).  My mother has influenced my walk with Christ more than any other individual.  She did it by being a Godly mom (I Timothy2:12-15, Proverbs 31).  Often I would rise early to use the bathroom in early hour of the morning and catch my mom in our living room with her bible open having a daily quiet time.

More than just the habits my parents exhibited I saw their faithfulness in the small things.  I remember having a desire as a young man to be so like my mom and dad that I asked how I could memorize scripture.   My parents loved God and they loved to be with the people of God.  Every time we were gone on a Sunday we would be in a church service at another location on our way to where ever we were going (I John 1:7).   To this day I can count on one hand how many Sundays I have not attended worship service in my life.  Not because I am trying for perfect attendance but because we so loved God that we couldn’t help but want to be with His people.

Trials

I saw my parents face trials with a patient endurance.  There were times that the ends would not be meeting and we would see God provide for us in miraculous ways (like a giant bag of pinto beans or a check in the mail).  My parent’s faith was unwavering and I learned by observation what it looks like to face difficult and dark days with an eye to see Jesus Glorified (James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:1-2 )

I was off to a great start, but later around the age of 14 I would face a trial of my own that would expose my complete lack of faith in God.  I was trying to live in the world of my parent’s faith, but came up short when the pressure was on.  It was time I learned just where I stood in the world apart from God and without hope.  Check back tomorrow as the story continues with…

For more on the Christian Message Check out 2 Ways to Live

My Story (Introduction)

On By pastorjonathanIn About Jonathan1 Comment

flickrcom-photos-linnybinnypix-1189889644God did something to me a few years ago and I now have a story to tell.  I want to share my story with you for several reasons.  Some people want to catch up and know what life has been like in the Hill House these last several years.  Others of you want to know what, if anything is really different than the Jonathan you used to know.  Still more of you have only known me as a Christian and you wonder what was life like before you met me.  Most importantly I want to bring honor to God and tell the world the story of how he saved me and he can save you if you are willing.

Introduction:

Over the next several days I will be blogging my story (complete with scripture references).  My goal is to show you what God has done in my life looking through the lens of God’s word.  The title of each blog and day it will be posted are listed below.  Tune in this week to get the full story.

How I Learned that God is Faithful

On By pastorjonathanIn Family, PrayerLeave a comment

161992803_f87db32131_mSo I shared the story of how God touched my life with a group of men on Saturday night.  I talked about how I grew up in a small town in the middle of nowhere in Montana and the adventures I had as a child.  In the midst of it all I got to share my favorite memories from my childhood.

The truth is I have a terrible memory.  My younger brother can remember tons of stuff that failed to register with me as we were growing up.  What I do remember is this… God is faithful!

God heard my mother’s prayer to have a child after 2 miscarriages and gave me to her.  He heard my father’s prayer over my new born brother and mom when it looked like he might loose them both  (she had birth complications in a one doctor town in the middle of a blizzard in Eastern Montana).  He provided for our every need (especially when we were poor).  We would gather together as a family and pray about our circumstances and money would come in from a friend out of town or God would bless us with 60 lbs of Pinto Beans (you had to be there to hear the story).

Later after my father had his stroke and was fired from his church I rebelled.  I ran from all I had heard growing up.  Each night I that I would come home drunk I would have to pass by my mothers room where I would hear her praying for me (she didn’t know what all I’d been doing).   God was faithful and heard her prayers and eventually brought me to a point where I met Jesus Christ as  my Lord and Savior.

I learned that God is faithful through the prayers of my parents.  I’ve read the bible through 2 or 3 times now and understand every word to be true, but I saw it first in my parents simply trusting God in the midst of difficult circumstances. I pray that my daughter sees God’s faithfulness in my actions and response to circumstance.

I share more about my story in a series of blog posts.  You are welcome to check them out here.

Resources on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

On By pastorjonathanIn books, Family, Manhood, WomanhoodLeave a comment

15813429181 Since hearing about the upcoming Disciple Now at Calvary, many of you have been asking, “What is Biblical Manhood and Womanhood?” and “Where do I find resources on this stuff?”  Here are just a few things that have come across my radar in the last ten years.

A great place to start is John Piper’s book “What’s the Difference?“ it was written as an introduction to a much larger volume entitled, “Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.”  You can download a free copy (PDF) of the book here.

There is also an official website for the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood that is full of free information.  Make sure you check out the resources page.

Boundless a webzine published by focus on the family has compiled a little book out of various articles they have posted over the years entitled, “Guys Guide to Marrying Well.”

Of course there is also Men’s Fraternity that was started by Robert Lewis.  Lewis has also written a book for women entitled, “The New Eve.”

Specifically for the teenager’s, the Rebellution has a great compilation of resources on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. While you are there check out there blog and their incredible book “Do Hard Things.”

As you will note, each one of these resources is in and of itself a treasure trove of information concerning biblical Manhood and Womanhood.  There are several other great resources out there, but this should be more than enough to get the conversation and thought process started.

Your Partner in the Gospel,

PJ

Modeling for Life! (Manhood Part 1)

On By pastorjonathanIn ManhoodLeave a comment

Those of you who know me, know that I am a big fan of modeling.  Not fashion models… think role models.  People you can look up to or look to and think, “that is how it is done.”  People who teach you with their lives along with their words.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting people on pedestals… we are all human.  However, there are many people I look to and I want to be like in some regard.  There is something in their life worthy of emulation.  Men or women of character… Dad’s, mom’s, coaches, pastors, teachers, friends, etc…  They live their lives in such a way as to make you want to be like them.  Not because they are cool, but because they do it well.  Its not arrogance that fuels them, it is an authentic reality of the way they love God and people.

Think of it as leading for imitation (not to be confused with leading by intimidation).  I’m pretty sure its a biblical example (2 Thess. 3:7-9, Heb. 13:7).   It is a great way to learn.  Its a great way to teach.  This is one of the reasons Avia and I enjoy having people in our home.  Its one of the reasons we have sought out older couples to mentor us in our marriage.

Perhaps the best role model I have ever had is my Grandfather.  His name is Gerald Washburn.  Last night I was reading in his footsteps and looking at the Gideon New Testament and Psalms that was issued to him while he was in the service.  It shook my world as I chased him through the scripture.

I learned that he trusted Christ on his 30th Birthday in April of 1942 (It kind of stuck out to me because I will be 30 this April).  He married my grandmother just under a year later and they read a passage in Matthew on their honey moon.  If you turn to Romans 3:23 in that Bible you will find directions leading you through the Romans Road.  (Like a Bible Scavenger hunt.)

I used to love to see my grandfather with my grandmother.  He had a passion for her.  He loved her.  He enjoyed protecting her (even from hot headed grandsons who didn’t always honor her).  He enjoyed having her by his side.  They intentionally planned some things so they could work together.

He loved me.  He prayed for me.  He gave me a new Bible on my 8th birthday.  He had written several scripture references in the front and marked them in my Bible.  You know out of all the birthday and Christmas presents I ever received as a I child.. its the one I still have (at the time I didn’t think much of it).

He gave me so much; the best thing he ever gave me was a model of a Godly man.

. . . . . . .

  • Who do you imitate?
  • Who speaks into your life by their actions?
  • Who is imitating you?

Tell Me the Story!

On By pastorjonathanIn Family2 Comments

n823463843_859731_881“Tell me the story!  Tell me the story of when I was born!” She said desperate to hear again  of how her life had so indelibly touched ours.  She looked up with eager anticipation of the story she new only too well.

One wonders at what goes through the mind of a two year old when such questions arise.  Is it vainglory wanting to be recognized as significant?  Is it her way of understanding the past that she has no memory?  Or is it simply that she wants to know that her father loved her from the very start?

Tenderly I pull her onto my lap and she rests her soft head on my chest.  A smile dawns her face as she looks up in expectation.  I smile at her and treasure the moment in my heart.

Then begins the story.  The story of how Rebekah was born.  As the word’s come out of my mouth, I find myself praying that God would use this simple moment to shape my daughter’s heart. I navigate through the events of Rebekah’s birth choking back the tears as my mind is flooded with the emotion that God grants with memory.

The story is finished and her questions have been answered, she gives me a hug.  The moment is over as quickly as it began.   And another line is written in a different story for Rebekah… The story of Rebekah’s Dad.  I pray that I don’t fail her.

. . . . . .

We’ve been using real life stories lately to illustrate the scriptures to Rebekah.  Woven into the story of her birth is Psalm 127, the passage of scripture I memorized years before Avia and I were ever married.  Woven into the story of the day Avia and I were married is Ephesian 5, the passage I used to propose to Avia.  And woven into the story of my salvation is Revelation 3 and Romans 10:3 that God used to break my heart and show me my need of Him.