I wanted to personally thank all those who have and are continuing to pray for our family during our loss. My wife lost her Dad suddenly on Friday, March 4th. He was getting well and planning to come home after a bout with pneumonia. All we know is that he fell in the hospital and hit his head. Due to the amount of blood thinner he was taking, he could not have surgery and the bleed inside his head could not be stopped. He went to be with the Lord on March 5th.
We all have a best. I encourage you to give your best to Christ while you can. For some, it would have just been a bump on the head but for others it may be the end of your life. When the Lord requires your soul, you will not take it back. I thank you for your love and prayers as we move ahead. We desperately wanted the boys we are adopting to meet their Paw Paw Bill. He would have loved them and they would have loved him. God's grace is sufficient and we will continue to trust the Lord!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
2011 Nicaragua Missions
M.U.D. Ministries has been hosting mission trips to the country of Nicaragua for the past five years. In 2010, over 100 people from dozens of churches throughout the U.S. participated. These trips have included city-wide crusades, door to door evangelism, revival services, pastor's conferences, marriage conferences, women's conferences, VBS for children, construction projects, and ministering to orphans. The primary focus for all M.U.D. Mission Trips is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ Biblically and effectively. M.U.D. is also committed to equipping international churches to reach their communities.
There is still time to sign up for a mission trip with M.U.D. Ministries to Nicaragua this year. If you have any questions or would like general information, please feel free to contact us anytime! The June trip price increased due to airfare increase.
JULY NICARAGUA TRIPDate: July 23-30, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,770 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, and Children's Ministry.
Payment breakdown: $870 deposit due March 15th, 2011
AUGUST NICARAGUA TRIPDate: August 13-20, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,695 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, and Pastors’ Conference.
Payment breakdown: $700 deposit due June 1st, 2011
OCTOBER NICARAGUA TRIPDate: October 1-8, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,695 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, Pastors’ Conference, and Children's Ministry.
Payment breakdown: $700 deposit due July 1st, 2011
* Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone. Student Groups must have one adult chaperone per four students of the same gender.
** Cost includes the following: administration, meals, lodging, ground fees, interpreters, and airfare from Atlanta, GA. Cost is subject to change if airfare increases or your group needs to fly out of a different city. Deposits are NON-Refundable and used to purchase airfare for participants. Call the M.U.D. Office (256.620.1788) today for questions, reservations, or more information.
There is still time to sign up for a mission trip with M.U.D. Ministries to Nicaragua this year. If you have any questions or would like general information, please feel free to contact us anytime! The June trip price increased due to airfare increase.
JULY NICARAGUA TRIPDate: July 23-30, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,770 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, and Children's Ministry.
Payment breakdown: $870 deposit due March 15th, 2011
AUGUST NICARAGUA TRIPDate: August 13-20, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,695 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, and Pastors’ Conference.
Payment breakdown: $700 deposit due June 1st, 2011
OCTOBER NICARAGUA TRIPDate: October 1-8, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,695 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, Pastors’ Conference, and Children's Ministry.
Payment breakdown: $700 deposit due July 1st, 2011
* Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone. Student Groups must have one adult chaperone per four students of the same gender.
** Cost includes the following: administration, meals, lodging, ground fees, interpreters, and airfare from Atlanta, GA. Cost is subject to change if airfare increases or your group needs to fly out of a different city. Deposits are NON-Refundable and used to purchase airfare for participants. Call the M.U.D. Office (256.620.1788) today for questions, reservations, or more information.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Prayer Request
Hello my friends! Please pass the word along about the blog and M.U.D. Ministries. You can alos keep up with me on Facebook and Twitter.
I'm asking you to pray for me as I preach at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Albertville on Sunday morning and Monday night. I'll be teaching during Sunday School to all parents and grandparents that have children in the home. I'll teach on
I'm asking you to pray for me as I preach at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Albertville on Sunday morning and Monday night. I'll be teaching during Sunday School to all parents and grandparents that have children in the home. I'll teach on
Leading and Restoring a Household of Faith.It is basically the doctrinal foundation for family discipleship and worship. Then I'll preach their first revival service. Monday night I'll return and preach the revival service that night. I pray that it is a God blown revival!!
Rebekah's Dad
Bill Nesmith, my Father-in-Law, went to be with the Lord Saturday morning.
Paw Paw Bill as I called him, was in the hospital with pneumonia but was expected to come home soon when he fell in the hospital room and suffered injury to his head Friday. He died yesterday morning. To say this is such a shock is an understatement.
He will be missed greatly by my precious wife and children. I thank the Lord for him and the love he had for his family. I thank the Lord that our last conversation was about the Gospel and the joy of knowing Christ. We talked about John 17:3.
I grieve for my wife, and I am encouraged by her faith in God's Word. She wanted so deeply for her daddy to meet his adopted grandsons. I pray that they will come to know Jesus as their Savior and have true eternal life.
Eternal life is not place, it is a relationship with God and His Son! I am thankful for eternal life this morning!!
Even though they will not meet Paw Paw Bill this side of heaven, I know that he would have loved them! He sure did love his grandchildren!! Please pray for Rebekah as she and her brother work through the many things together. Pray that it builds their love for each other and strengthens our family. For a good picture of Rebekah and her dad visit...
Paw Paw Bill as I called him, was in the hospital with pneumonia but was expected to come home soon when he fell in the hospital room and suffered injury to his head Friday. He died yesterday morning. To say this is such a shock is an understatement.
He will be missed greatly by my precious wife and children. I thank the Lord for him and the love he had for his family. I thank the Lord that our last conversation was about the Gospel and the joy of knowing Christ. We talked about John 17:3.
This is eternal life, to know the one true God and His Son, whom He sent, Jesus Christ.
I grieve for my wife, and I am encouraged by her faith in God's Word. She wanted so deeply for her daddy to meet his adopted grandsons. I pray that they will come to know Jesus as their Savior and have true eternal life.
Eternal life is not place, it is a relationship with God and His Son! I am thankful for eternal life this morning!!
Even though they will not meet Paw Paw Bill this side of heaven, I know that he would have loved them! He sure did love his grandchildren!! Please pray for Rebekah as she and her brother work through the many things together. Pray that it builds their love for each other and strengthens our family. For a good picture of Rebekah and her dad visit...
Friday, March 4, 2011
Draw Near
“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” Psalms 73:28
In times of trials and uncertainty, this verse is a great verse to meditate upon. Asaph is the man whom the Lord inspired to write this psalm. As you read Psalm 73, you find that Asaph is singing of providence. He seemed to wonder, “How can it be right for a man that is wicked to have so many good things, and those who are good to suffer want?” If I had to guess, I would guess that many people have thought the very same thing. God uses trouble in our life to accomplish His purpose. I could preach an entire six months on this and still not adequately cover the topic, but here are some thoughts for you to ponder.
Why does God allow us to go through trials and test us?
#1 — To test our faith, so that WE can see the areas of our faith that need to be increased. He knows our strength, but WE need to see it, or the lack of it, as well.
#2 — To humble us, lest we think more of ourselves than we should.
#3 — To wean us away from worldly things.
#4 — To call us to a heavenly hope so that we live for Christ and not the world.
#5 — To reveal what it is that we really love.
#6 — To teach us to appreciate the blessings of God as they come to us in the midst of our trials.
#7 — To enable us to help others in their trials and bear one another's burdens.
God uses all things to draw His children to Himself! He is a jealous God and deserves all of our attention. There are so many distractions, and we are so weak. God loves us enough to use even the most difficult of circumstances to make us more like Him. It is good when you draw near to God. By nature we stand in opposition to God, alienated enemies (Col. 1:21). I am thankful that God sent a mediator, Jesus Christ, that saved us from divine justice.
Jesus Christ has made a way for us to draw near to God by His life, His death, and His resurrection. Jesus died to make God and us friends. So in your trials—I know you have them—draw near to God and feel His love for you through His precious Son, Jesus Christ!
In times of trials and uncertainty, this verse is a great verse to meditate upon. Asaph is the man whom the Lord inspired to write this psalm. As you read Psalm 73, you find that Asaph is singing of providence. He seemed to wonder, “How can it be right for a man that is wicked to have so many good things, and those who are good to suffer want?” If I had to guess, I would guess that many people have thought the very same thing. God uses trouble in our life to accomplish His purpose. I could preach an entire six months on this and still not adequately cover the topic, but here are some thoughts for you to ponder.
Why does God allow us to go through trials and test us?
#1 — To test our faith, so that WE can see the areas of our faith that need to be increased. He knows our strength, but WE need to see it, or the lack of it, as well.
#2 — To humble us, lest we think more of ourselves than we should.
#3 — To wean us away from worldly things.
#4 — To call us to a heavenly hope so that we live for Christ and not the world.
#5 — To reveal what it is that we really love.
#6 — To teach us to appreciate the blessings of God as they come to us in the midst of our trials.
#7 — To enable us to help others in their trials and bear one another's burdens.
God uses all things to draw His children to Himself! He is a jealous God and deserves all of our attention. There are so many distractions, and we are so weak. God loves us enough to use even the most difficult of circumstances to make us more like Him. It is good when you draw near to God. By nature we stand in opposition to God, alienated enemies (Col. 1:21). I am thankful that God sent a mediator, Jesus Christ, that saved us from divine justice.
Jesus Christ has made a way for us to draw near to God by His life, His death, and His resurrection. Jesus died to make God and us friends. So in your trials—I know you have them—draw near to God and feel His love for you through His precious Son, Jesus Christ!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
From Eric
I pray that this month’s newsletter finds you growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is our personal, Biblical, and experimental knowledge of Him that shapes our lives. The Lord has used these past several weeks in my life to compel me to follow Him at all cost. I know that I need a greater and clearer vision of Christ that I may be more transformed into His image. My prayer is that my life will be a testimony to others of the transforming power of Christ!
There is much advice to be taken in as we go through life’s trials. There are those that are “experts,” like in David’s day when he faced Goliath, that will tell you just what you need to do to win the battle. They have strategies and methods which seem to work so well in the world that they will urge you to use. Some would have you dress up in unbiblical armor to the point that you cannot even walk the path of faith—let alone run the race set before you.
I have done much evaluating of all that M.U.D. Ministries has been involved in, and I have looked at it in light of Scripture. We are making some changes that we feel will be more honoring to God. I have a group of Godly men that serve on our Board of Directors, and I am spending much time in prayer and in the Word of God to direct our ministry. In the future, this may mean that we may be smaller, but I believe we will be much stronger.
My family and I are very thankful for the opportunity to serve. The mission field in Nicaragua and the United States is vast. God is working through His servants, and people are being saved! What a privilege to be serving our King, Jesus! In the coming days, our family will be growing again. Jonathan and Josiah will be with us soon, Lord willing.
The adoption is stretching us, to say the least. We have been through more than most of you know in this process. Our experiences have included attempting to adopt from Nicaragua and being so close and having the door shut at the last minute, a very difficult time with foster care and adoption here in the U.S., then the long wait for approval for adoption from China. The Lord is blessing us with not one, but two precious sons. It seems almost unreal but so real you can taste it!
Please pray for us as we strive to honor our Savior in all that we do as a ministry and as a family. Your partnership is making a difference, and lives are being changed for eternity! Thank you for sending us out to fulfill the Great Commission!!
There is much advice to be taken in as we go through life’s trials. There are those that are “experts,” like in David’s day when he faced Goliath, that will tell you just what you need to do to win the battle. They have strategies and methods which seem to work so well in the world that they will urge you to use. Some would have you dress up in unbiblical armor to the point that you cannot even walk the path of faith—let alone run the race set before you.
I have done much evaluating of all that M.U.D. Ministries has been involved in, and I have looked at it in light of Scripture. We are making some changes that we feel will be more honoring to God. I have a group of Godly men that serve on our Board of Directors, and I am spending much time in prayer and in the Word of God to direct our ministry. In the future, this may mean that we may be smaller, but I believe we will be much stronger.
My family and I are very thankful for the opportunity to serve. The mission field in Nicaragua and the United States is vast. God is working through His servants, and people are being saved! What a privilege to be serving our King, Jesus! In the coming days, our family will be growing again. Jonathan and Josiah will be with us soon, Lord willing.
The adoption is stretching us, to say the least. We have been through more than most of you know in this process. Our experiences have included attempting to adopt from Nicaragua and being so close and having the door shut at the last minute, a very difficult time with foster care and adoption here in the U.S., then the long wait for approval for adoption from China. The Lord is blessing us with not one, but two precious sons. It seems almost unreal but so real you can taste it!
Please pray for us as we strive to honor our Savior in all that we do as a ministry and as a family. Your partnership is making a difference, and lives are being changed for eternity! Thank you for sending us out to fulfill the Great Commission!!
I'll try again
I will try to begin blogging a little again. I am not going to commit to blog daily but I pray I can do this weekly. Who knows, maybe a little more. The first post of 2011 is coming soon. If you want to read a really good blog about the Hixon Family go to www.intheheartofourhome.blogspot.com
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