2012 June | Brandon Hilgemann

Archives For June 2012

You Are More Than Your Label

June 27, 2012 — 2 Comments

Just before her 3^rd birthday, my daughter, Ashlyn, had her very first dance recital. That meant a trip to buy her first pair of dance shoes. She was so excited to pick out her first dance shoes. It was a great moment.

In the car on the way home, my wife and I started talking about how Ashlyn loves music and has great rhythm.

I said, “Ashlyn is a little musician.”

Immediately, from the back of the car I heard, “I am not a musician!”

Taken off guard, I responded, “Oh… is that because you are a dancer?”

“No” Ashlyn giggled, “I’m not a dancer!”

Confused, I asked, “Then what are you?” Continue Reading…

In Christian Living, Leadership Andy Stanley, Christian, Craig Groeschel, Dance, Daughter, God, Kid, Labels, Leader, Parent, Pastor, Purpose, Rick Warren, Youth Pastor

I Hate School Dances

June 25, 2012 — 3 Comments

As a teenager, there was nothing I hated more than school dances. I went to all the dances and hated every one of them. Come on, is there anything on earth more awkward than a school dance?

I hated dances so much that one year I made the decision to officially boycott all dances. The night of the big dance, I looked out my window. I could see the high school parking lot from my house. I watched all the cars rolling in. I could hear the music bumping all the way from the gymnasium. Continue Reading…

In Evangelism, Heaven, Leadership, Story, The Church Bible, Dance, Dancing, Evangelism, Friends, Friendship, Heaven, Invitation, Invite, Luke, Party, Revelation, School Dance

How to Overcome Laziness and Be More Productive

June 22, 2012 — Leave a comment

Laziness affects us all. Giving in can ruin us. Overcoming it can define us.

Last night I didn’t feel like going for a run, but I did it anyway. I didn’t feel like writing this blog post, but I did it anyway. After a crazy week all I wanted to do was go to bed, but I didn’t. Why?

Nobody ever got ahead by sitting on their behind. Continue Reading…

In Decisions, Do It, Leadership, Perseverance Bible, Dream, Exercise, Laziness, Lazy, Marriage, Parenting, Productivity, Proverbs, Proverbs and Sayings, Running, Students, Time Management, Winning, Work

The Power of Thank You

June 20, 2012 — Leave a comment

There was a time in my life while working at a previous church that I seriously considered quitting ministry. I was pouring my life and soul into this church and didn’t see any results.

The pastor I worked for didn’t seem to care about what I was doing. I had volunteers who fought against everything I tried to do. No matter how many times I warned them, students kept making the same dumb mistakes over and over.

I was depressed. I was angry. I felt like I was wasting my time trying to make a difference in the world.

Top 5 Sneakiest Father’s Day Gifts

June 18, 2012 — Leave a comment

Yesterday my daughter, Ashlyn, went to the store with my wife, Taryn, to get a Father’s Day present for me. She was told to pick one gift for Daddy. Immediately, Ashlyn ran to a Buzz Lightyear balloon.

Taryn asked, “Are you sure this is what you want to give Daddy?”

Ashlyn replied, “Yeah! Daddy loves Buzz!”

At first, when Ashlyn ran up to me smiling to surprise me with the balloon I thought it was sweet. But as soon as Ashlyn gave it to me she immediately asked, “Daddy, can I play with Buzz?”

Since I really had no desire to play with a Buzz, I let her. And that is all she did the rest of the day. I don’t know who had a better Father’s Day, Ashlyn or me. Continue Reading…

In List, Special Event, Story Books, Buzz, Buzz Lightyear, Dad, Daddy, Excercise, Father, Father Day, Father's Day, Father's Day Gift, Gift, Gift Ideas, Hygiene, Ideas, kids, Marriage, Parenting, parents, Sarcasm, Shake Weight, Sneaky, Tools, Top 5

Pretending to be Rocky

June 15, 2012 — 5 Comments

This week I ended a run by taking a detour up a flight of stairs so I could throw my hands up and pretend I was Rocky Balboa. It felt amazing! The only thing I was missing was Eye Of The Tiger playing on my iPod. Before you judge me, you need to know that I don’t always do weird things like this. This time was different.

As noted in a previous post, I am not a very good distance runner. But I need a challenge to stay in shape. A bunch of people I know are signing up to run a 5k, so I ~~got pressured~~ decided to sign up too. Continue Reading…

In Do It, Perseverance 5k, Ankle Surgery, Balboa, Goals, iPhone, James, Obstacles, Perseverance, Persevere, Problems, Rocky, Rocky Balboa, Running, Running Shoes, Surgery, Training, Trials

Bottle Rocket Runner

June 13, 2012 — 1 Comment

“Hilgemann! You’re running the 400!”

It was my first and only year running track in high school. We were at a track meet at a rival school and we were short handed. And these were not the words I ever wanted my coach – who we affectionately called “Coachie” – to throw my direction.

I am not good at running long distances. Most runners run like a steam engine. They set a steady pace and chug along until they finish. I run more like a bottle rocket. I shoot off to a quick start and then everything goes up in flames! Continue Reading…

In Do It, Leadership, Story Anxiety, Bible, Blessing, Career, Determination, Feeling Stuck, High school, Inspiration, leadership, Life, Money, Pace, Running, Sports, Stress, Success, Track and field

What Is So Wrong About a Little Sin?

June 11, 2012 — 2 Comments

Have you ever wondered why a sin is sin? What makes something bad? Most people would say that something is a sin because it goes against one of God’s commands. But have you ever asked why God commanded these things?

I mean, what standard did God use to determine what would classify as a sin and what wouldn’t? I doubt God was sitting up in Heaven one day with a list, picking things He liked for the good column and things He didn’t like for the sin column. Continue Reading…

In Decisions, Heaven, Theology Bible, Capital punishment, Christianity, Evil, God, Good, Good vs. Evil, Greed, Hate, Idol, Idol Worship, Idolatry, Idols, Lies, little sin, Lust, Penalty, Punishment, Question, Right and Wrong, Sin, small sin, Theology, white lies, Worship

Wrong Way Grandma!

June 8, 2012 — 1 Comment

Picture this. I’m riding shotgun in the car with my Grandma. We had just finished running errands at a store. Pulling out of the parking lot, my Grandma turns left down the road. As we are driving along, I looked out the window and that’s when I saw the sign: “One Way.”

Puzzled, I looked at the sign, looked where we were heading, and looked back at the sign. That’s when I came to the frightening realization… IT WAS POINTING THE OTHER DIRECTION! Continue Reading…

In Decisions, Evangelism, Heaven, Story Bible, Choices, Christianity, Death, Decisions, Grandma, Heaven, Hell, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Life, Matthew, Religion and Spirituality, Sin, Story, Wrong Way

A Game-Changer For Your Prayer Life

June 6, 2012 — Leave a comment

If you want to learn how to pray more effectively, look at a kid with a good dad. The way children interact with their father is very similar to our relationship with God.

For example, when my daughter, Ashlyn, was only a year old, she had this book called, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear.” She was absolutely crazy about it. She would ask me read it to her over and over and over. Honestly, Continue Reading…

In Prayer Better Prayer, Bible, Brown Bear, Child, Dad, Father, Game-Changer, God, How to Pray, Jesus, Matthew, Parenting, Perfect Father, Pray, Prayer

"Brandon is remarkable with his ability to connect with youth in today's culture. He utilizes his own past experiences to draw students into his message and captivate them in order to drive home his point in a highly personal way. Brandon comes prepared each times he speaks. He is a gifted communicator, easy-going, and would be a huge benefit to any church or organization that invites him to speak."
- Matt Mizell, Student Pastor at Sagebrush Community Church, NM

"Brandon is a great bro! Authentic, engaging and easy to relate to! He speaks from his heart which is good because he has an AMAZING heart!"
- Colby Engstrum, Youth Pastor at Mission Hills Community Church, CA

"Brandon is great speaker with an amazing ability to adapt to his audience and make any topic relevant. He is funny, engaging, convicting and honors God by speaking the truth of scripture. I definitely recommend him for any speaking opportunities that he is being considered for!"
- Joe Schmidt, Student Pastor at Sagebrush Community Church, NM

"Brandon Hilgemann is one of the smartest Youth Leaders in our generation. His ability to communicate to teens and relate to their lives sets him apart from many." - Matthew Lemke, Student Director at Mesilla Park Community Church, NM

Archives For June 2012

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