Justin Harper

good vibes & good news

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@lukedsimmons Can you tell me about your setup? Are you writing on a device during service? If so, is it the TV itself or is it another device? What app?

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@deaninserra Isn’t the point of this that you can create laws to try to force your morality on the masses, but the point (at least in Christianity) is that hearts are changed. Maybe a better saying would be legislated morality doesn’t conform hearts to Christ. 🤷‍♂️

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

I can’t believe the @BuffaloBills just missed that field goal. I had them in the Super Bowl this year against the 49ers. Oh well.

[Andrew Snyder @Andrewnsnyder]

Protestants used to build churches like this. What happened?

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@HwsEleutheroi Paul never met Jesus? What happened in Acts 9? Maybe I’ve misunderstood the encounter.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@goodseeinya1 You’re conflating multiple issues into my one post.

Should the church do more? Yes. Is the answer to forcefully take money from individuals? My opinion is no.

Ultimately, the original post was not about this. Is there a biblical mandate for socialism? No.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@masonmennenga Socialism is forced. Having a heart posture of a cheerful giver is completely different.

The difference is in the choice. You can’t legislate morality.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

2023 was a fantastic year for our family. Ending it in a new state, with a new pastorate, new friends, and big expectations for what the Lord will do in 2024. #HappyNewYear

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@shane_pruitt78 I agree with your main point, but also this meme to the idea about made up words.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

We don’t agree on much, but I agree on this.

[Fr. Joash P. Thomas @JoashPThomas]

An American flag.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@historyinmemes We made the trip in October 2022. Good times.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@MikeBotkin_ Free for all here.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

Merry Christmas to all. I pray that your day is full of joy, family, friends, laughter, food, and giving! #MerryChrismas

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

Sounds familiar. I hear this all the time.

@Tesla

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

Today is bittersweet for Bekka and I. Our last morning on staff at Hilltop. A morning full of joy, laughter, reminiscencing, hugs, tears, and goodbyes. After lunch, we made our way back to the church to finally load our stuff. We decided to walk through every building and remember all the good things. There are too many to say them all, but here are a few from each of us:

Justin - when I first started to come to the church, I was 18-19 and serving in youth with Brent. At a youth event, I was running around and thought I could run up a wall. Full speed at the wall, foot up and through the dry wall. Oops. That was in the foyer of the youth building. I had to walk back into the building and tell Brent I did it and that was rough.

Jonah - all of my best friends are at hilltop. I will miss how much fun we had at church and when I got to sleep over at their houses.

Justin - our offices used to be where to foyer is currently and one thing we love doing is practical jokes. Behind the men’s restroom is a storage room and we keep a Dewalt leaf blower in there. I decided one day to get that, come around the corner and blow it in Dena’s face. Dena was always the best sport about it all. I remember her hair blowing like crazy and her laughing.

Elijah - playing with my friends and doing fun stuff with Gammie (Dena). Also, I liked playing with Emmie.

Bekka - Hilltop is our home. There are too many memories to share. It’s where I met my husband and where our babies were dedicated and where many of you have helped share the love of Christ with them and have supported Justin and I throughout the years in different ways.

Justin - conversations in church vans with students…it’s best I leave it at that.

Finally, we also want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who gave us cards, hugs, letters, and more. A special shoutout to James Heil for putting together a wonderful farewell event for us. We will miss you all deeply.

The ministry we have been allowed to do here has been rewarding and life giving. I believe we have individually benefited far more from HFC that it has from us and our prayer is that we left HFC in a healthy and better place than we found it in. The future is bright.

Until we meet again,

The Harper’s

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

For my birthday today, @MBTS opened graduation applications for the spring. I have applied and I am excited to get to walk the stage in May for my MDiv.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

Great word to gen Z.

[Justin Harper @jstnharper]

@ShadowHawkX @PensiveJustin @kaylajohnsonatl @masonmennenga Correct. Especially if we are saying we should do it also.

[Jeff Wiesner @JeffreyPWiesner]

“I don’t care if something ‘works.’ I care if Scripture teaches it.”

—Mark Dever on pragmatic church polity