Jim Hill

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4

Most people, if I say the name Jim Hill, would say "who?" But if I say "What A Day That Will Be" (link goes to the words of the song), most people would say "I love that song." Last year I had the privilege of meeting Jim Hill. For a couple of years I had knew that Jim Hill was from around our area. I thought it was cool having someone who wrote a very popular Christian song from our area, but then I heard his testimony...

Jim Hill was saved (born again) at the same camp meeting that I have went to all my life. In fact Jim Hill married the daughter of the general superintendent of the church conference that I grew up in. Now that was very exciting for me to hear, but then he told the story of how the words to "What A Day That Will Be" was formed into a song.

He said that his mother-in-law became very sick. Of course sometimes when things like this happens we wonder why, but Jim Hill was a very new Christian at the time. So one day when he was coming home from work, he was asking God why this was happening to his mother-in-law. Then he said, words just starting filling his mind, but he did not have anything to write the words down. So when he got home he got out of the car and looked down and there was a old piece of cardboard. So he picked it up and wrote down the words to "What A Day That Will Be." The first person that Jim Hill sung the song for, was his sick mother-in-law.

You know this had to be a very hard time for Jim Hill and his family. But just the thought of if it had not happened, then we would not have the words to "What A Day That Will Be." The song has been an anthem of encouragement many times for many people. So maybe we should not tell people sometimes that they should not question God, because I believe if Jim Hill hadn't questioned why it was happening, then we would not have this beautiful song today.

14 Years...

Fourteen years ago I was 10 years old, and I did not know much of what was going on in the world around me. But today as I was walking into the kitchen, I heard the man on the radio say something about this date and some unhappy memories swept over me. Fourteen years ago today the Lucasville Prison Riot started that lasted from April the 11th to April the 21st.

My Dad worked for a local radio station and my Dad helped set up equipment to broadcast from the prison. My Dad spent many long days out in front of that prison and we spent our time at the station. Of course me being a kid, we (me and the daughter of one of my Dad's co-workers) ran and played at the radio station like it was one big play ground. In my mind I did not understand what was going, I did not know what a prison riot was.

Now I understand more since I have gotten older. The riot started all because some of the prisoners did not want to take their tuberculosis vaccinations and they all went insane. The riot broke out in the L-Block of the prison. My Dad told me that they had secretly went underground and placed mics to hear what was going on inside. This way the authorities could listen in and find out who the ringleaders were. One night when my Dad was at the station CBS called and needed a recording of prisoner George Skatzes making the demands. So they ask if my Dad could transmit it to them and they played it on the nightly news.

On April the 15Th, Correctional Officer Robert "Bob" Vallandingham was strangled to death. This was done to convince state officials to take the prisoners' demands seriously. Nine inmates lost their lives also. Thirteen correctional officers were held hostage. Five of the correctional officers were held the entire time of the siege. Finally the day of my brother's birthday, April the 21st the siege ended. Looking back now it was a terrible thing that happened and my heart goes out to Bob Vallandingham's wife and family. The worst part is the riot started on Easter Sunday and I know Vallandingham's wife feels that special love of her life missing every Easter.

The Stanley Cup and Chocolate Easter Bunnies

Well the other day my mom read a story from one of the local newspapers. It said that hockey fans around this area (the area I live close to) might want to start rooting for the Atlanta Thrashers to win the Stanley Cup. Because if they win the Cup, then the Thrasher strength and conditioning coach Ray Bear would like to bring the Cup to this area. When the Stanley Cup is won, each member of the team gets to keep the trophy for the day. So I think it would be cool if it would get to come to a small Ohio town.

For me personally though, I am a big Toronto Maple Leafs fan and I always have been, since I got into hockey. I sort of think it is odd, but sometimes I think I was born in the wrong territory. I mean I love hockey and another one of my favorite sports is curling. I was upset this January because we did not get to watch curling on TV like we did last year, because of the Olympics. To bad the Winter Olympics couldn't be every year, but that is just my opinion.

OK folks, on now to chocolate Easter bunnies. That is one of my favorite Easter sweets that I love. But the funniest thing is, that I am not much of a fan of chocolate. I like it, but then I don't like it. But I really wanted a hollow chocolate Easter Bunny, so my mom got me two of them. Well I told my mom that the bunny looked evil, I don't know it just looked weird. My mom told me it was not evil, but why in the world would I still be afraid of the bunny when I was eating it? I seriously felt more comfortable after I ate the eyes of that bunny. I mean that bunny's eyes were strange looking. I know I sound crazy, but it did look scary. And I still have one more to eat.

Well Nascar Nextel Cup was off a week, so we have the Texas race coming up. I do have to say that I'm not to fond of Texas and of any other big speedways, besides Daytona. I am more of a short track kind of girl. All I have to say is, if Jimmie Johnson doesn't win this week then I will be very happy.

I Was On His Mind

Well today was Easter and this morning in church they sung this song. I think the song was really for me and I really wanted to post the song, but I didn't have the words. I said something to my mom about wanting the words and she told me she had them. I am just very thankful for what Jesus did for me. I know some may think that I am nuts, because most people think Christians are nuts. But I have tried Jesus for myself and I will live for him the rest of my life, no matter what anyone says to me. AND I REPEAT NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS TO ME!

When He was On The Cross

I Was On His Mind

by: Mike Payne & Ronny Hinson

v. 1

I'm not on an ego trip; I'm nothing on my own,

Make mistakes, I often slip, just common flesh and bones;

But I'll prove someday just why I say, I'm of a special kind,

For when He was on the cross I was on His mind.

Chorus

For He knew me, Yet, He loved me,

He whose glory makes the Heavens shine;

So unworthy of such mercy,

Yet, when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

v.2

The look of love was on His face and thorns were on His head,

Blood was on His scarlet robe, stained a crimson red,

Though His eyes were on the crowd, He looked ahead in time,

For when He was on the cross I was on His mind.

Chorus

For He knew me, Yet, He loved me,

He whose glory makes the Heavens shine;

So unworthy of such mercy,

Yet, when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

Today we celebrate a risen Savior, but it is also a time to think upon what he has done for all. That he shed his precious blood. At one time a priest would offer a goat for the sins of the people. But in Hebrews 9: 12 it says this.... "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his (Jesus') blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." When it talks about Jesus entering in once into the holy place, what it means is he only had to go in one time. Unlike the priest who had to go into the holy place every year to seek forgiveness for himself and all people.

So as I think about the resurrection of Jesus today, I think about the words that Alfred H. Ackley penned back in 1933. "I know that He is living; whatever men may say."