God | Brandon Hilgemann

Archives For God

Democrat or Republican? Neither Will Save Us.

October 17, 2012 — Leave a comment

It’s election season. The debate is raging. Obama or Romney? Democrat or Republican? Who is the best? Who will save our country?

People are starting to get crazy about politics. One mention of the name Obama or Romney can set off a war.

Both candidates are painting themselves as the savior and the other guy as the enemy. The mudslinging is coming from both sides. Many see it as a battle of good versus evil. And if we aren’t careful, we start treating these presidential candidates like the only hope for America.

HERE IS A NEWSFLASH FOR YOU – NEITHER WILL SAVE YOU. Continue Reading…

Free iPhone 5 Like Heaven

September 29, 2012 — 1 Comment

I got an iPhone 5 for free!

I was perfectly happy with my iPhone 4 until I saw the 5. I wanted it bad, but my rational side said “Your phone works fine. Save your money.” Sadly, I had to agree. Stupid rational side!

However, by divine providence, the church I work at, Sagebrush, decided to cross over from the dark side! We had seen the light and were switching our work phones from AT&T to Verizon! As part of the deal we were all promised a new iPhone 5 to be held on the day it released!

On the morning of the iPhone 5 release, people camped out at stores nationwide hoping to be the first to get it. They waited in lines for hours. Some got it. Others didn’t.

But I slept in, had a big breakfast, and the slowly drove to the store. When I pulled up hours after opening, there wasstill a line around the building! I thought, “Dang! This is what I wanted to avoid! Now I would have to wait in line for hours!”

Then doubt crept into my head as I saw more and more people getting into line. “What if they didn’t have one on hold for me? What if they just meant that I could get one when it was available? Uh oh. Am I not getting it today?” Continue Reading…

In Heaven, Story, Technology Afterlife, Apple, AT&T, Christ, Death, Faith, God, Grace, Heaven, Hell, iPhone, iPhone 4, iPhone 5, Jesus, salvation, Upgrade, Verizon, Verizon Store, VIP list

Why Doesn’t God Fix Everything?

September 12, 2012 — Leave a comment

Have you ever been angry that God doesn’t just fix all your problems? I definitely have.

Lately my family and I have been going through a rough time. I have prayed and prayed that all the junk would just go away. But when I opened my eyes it was still here.

Is God not listening or something? I mean, He is the all-powerful God of the universe. It’s not a question of whether or not he could do it.

With the snap of His fingers He could make all of our troubles disappear. But God rarely seems to fix things immediately.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that He doesn’t still perform miracles. He does. But some times it seems like all the stories of miraculous things happen to other people but never us.

So why does God allow bad things to happen to us?

I bet that if all of us looked back on our lives, we would agree that it was through the most difficult times that God has shaped us the most.

I Don’t Want To Look On The Bright Side

August 31, 2012 — Leave a comment

I don’t want to look on the bright side. Lately, after my ankle surgery I have been feeling pretty down. Who can blame me? It has been almost a month already and I still have 2 more months before I can walk again.

I’m a proud guy. So, for the first week after surgery it was frustrating not being able to go to the bathroom without someone helping me get there.

It is killing me not being able pick up my little girl. I miss chasing her around the living room and giving her piggyback rides.

It Is frustrating that I get winded just crutching to the kitchen and back.

I get mad that doing the simplest thing like pouring a glass of water, taking a shower, or taking out the trash has become next to impossible for me without asking for help.

Needless to say, I have had better days. Patience is not one of my strong points. Waiting for my leg to heal is killing me.

And if you have ever been through a rough patch, you know that you always hear the same advice from well-meaning people. They all say, “Look on the bright side.” Continue Reading…

Building Sand Castles

July 14, 2012 — 1 Comment

When I was a kid my family went on vacation one summer in California. When we got to the beach, I did what every boy must do. I set out to build a sand castle that would put all other sand castles to shame.

For hours I hand crafted a masterpiece. There were moats, towers, drawbridges… everything a boy could ever want in a castle. I was Michelangelo and this was my Sistine Chapel. It was perfect. I couldn’t wait to show Mom and Dad.

But what I didn’t know as a kid is that there is this thing called the tide. Continue Reading…

In Do It, Faith Beach, Bible, California, Castle, Death, Eternity, Faith, God, Jesus, Meaning, Michelangelo, Purpose, Sand, Sand Castles, Temporary, Waves

What Do We Do With Freedom?

July 6, 2012 — Leave a comment

After celebrating Independence Day this week, I have been thinking a lot about the freedom we have in America. Unlike many countries, we are free to do so much. But our freedom also comes the responsibility to use it wisely.

Are we wasting our freedom?

I read the following passage in my Bible this morning and I’m feeling convicted.

Thank God for Freedom

July 4, 2012 — 1 Comment

Lets forget about all the problems in America for a day. I know there is a lot going on – the national debt, the economy, Obamacare… the list goes on. Yes we have a lot of problems in our country. But there is one BIG thing that we have right – freedom.

Lets put down the debate today and thank God for the freedom we have in the U.S.

There are many countries that are not free. Many Christians hide from their government in fear of prison or worse. I am so grateful today that I live in a country where we are free. Continue Reading…

In Faith, Special Event Christianity, Freedom, God, Gratitude, Independence Day, Jesus, Thankfulness, United States

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

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

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

Archives For God

HERE IS A NEWSFLASH FOR YOU – NEITHER WILL SAVE YOU. Continue Reading…

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