“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!
Friday, March 4, 2011
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
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Boys to Men -- A Revealing Angle from the World of Advertising
From Albert Mohler's Blog
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The “Sunday Styles” section of The New York Times is often a useful barometer of the culture. On October 17, that section featured a front-page spread entitled, “From Boys to Men,” and the article is a sign of something larger than mere fashion and advertising.
Reporter Guy Trebay explains that advertisers have shifted their images of male identity from the “skinny skate-rat” of recent years to real and recognizable men. Trebay credits Hedi Slimane of Dior men’s wear for inventing the boy image so prevalent in recent culture. Images of skinny youths with slightly (or more than slightly) androgynous appearances have dominated. Trebay describes this pattern as “designer subversions of age and gender expectations.”
But now, a far more masculine and traditional model of manhood is showing up in advertisements and media images. Joe Levy, editor in chief of Maxim, a magazine that skirts the edge between the traditional men’s magazine and pornography, attributes the shift to economic factors. In other words, when unemployment threatens, skinny skate-rat images bring no comfort. Instead, men who look like they might actually hold a job are back in style.
Related Posts
Boys Will Be Boys — Just Try to Deny the Obvious
Boys Being Diagnosed As … Boys (Audio)
Boys in Class = Boys in Trouble
Are Boys Any Better Off? (Audio)
Boys Adrift
You will love how Trebay describes the trajectory of the new man-in-demand: “You lose the T-shirt and the skateboard. You buy an interview suit and a package of Gillette Mach 3 blades. You grow up, in other words.”
That is a classic statement that deserves great prominence. The crisis of delayed manhood for so many boys and young men is now well documented, and the larger culture reflects this phenomenon. Advertising does not rule the world, but it is a powerful indicator of the cultural direction. Advertisers make it their business to know where the culture is headed. This new trend can only be seen as good news, even if it does not yet represent any profound recovery of sanity in the society.
One important aspect of this report ties directly to a vital aspect of biblical masculinity — the reality and value of a man’s work. These advertisers are not shifting merely to older and more rugged males, but to men who look like they just might be able to hold a job and do it well.
That is a healthy and promising dimension of this new development. One statement from this article deserves to be imprinted on the male brain: “You grow up, in other words.”
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The “Sunday Styles” section of The New York Times is often a useful barometer of the culture. On October 17, that section featured a front-page spread entitled, “From Boys to Men,” and the article is a sign of something larger than mere fashion and advertising.
Reporter Guy Trebay explains that advertisers have shifted their images of male identity from the “skinny skate-rat” of recent years to real and recognizable men. Trebay credits Hedi Slimane of Dior men’s wear for inventing the boy image so prevalent in recent culture. Images of skinny youths with slightly (or more than slightly) androgynous appearances have dominated. Trebay describes this pattern as “designer subversions of age and gender expectations.”
But now, a far more masculine and traditional model of manhood is showing up in advertisements and media images. Joe Levy, editor in chief of Maxim, a magazine that skirts the edge between the traditional men’s magazine and pornography, attributes the shift to economic factors. In other words, when unemployment threatens, skinny skate-rat images bring no comfort. Instead, men who look like they might actually hold a job are back in style.
Related Posts
Boys Will Be Boys — Just Try to Deny the Obvious
Boys Being Diagnosed As … Boys (Audio)
Boys in Class = Boys in Trouble
Are Boys Any Better Off? (Audio)
Boys Adrift
You will love how Trebay describes the trajectory of the new man-in-demand: “You lose the T-shirt and the skateboard. You buy an interview suit and a package of Gillette Mach 3 blades. You grow up, in other words.”
That is a classic statement that deserves great prominence. The crisis of delayed manhood for so many boys and young men is now well documented, and the larger culture reflects this phenomenon. Advertising does not rule the world, but it is a powerful indicator of the cultural direction. Advertisers make it their business to know where the culture is headed. This new trend can only be seen as good news, even if it does not yet represent any profound recovery of sanity in the society.
One important aspect of this report ties directly to a vital aspect of biblical masculinity — the reality and value of a man’s work. These advertisers are not shifting merely to older and more rugged males, but to men who look like they just might be able to hold a job and do it well.
That is a healthy and promising dimension of this new development. One statement from this article deserves to be imprinted on the male brain: “You grow up, in other words.”
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Time Out
I have taken a extended "time out" from blogging. I find it to be very difficult to maintain. I don't know about you, but when I begin to feel like I'm overwhelmed, I find it easy to shut down....at least certain things. Bloggin has been one of those for me. Hopefully, I will attempt to blog more in the coming weeks. I know that the 3 people that read this blog will be jumping for joy. LOL!
The ministry that the Lord has entrusted me with is doing well from the standpoint of having opportunity to serve. I am preaching more than ever, we have more people going on the mission field with us than in years past, and I am full of excitement about the opportunities I have been given.
The adoption is getting closer and we are preparing our home to have another child. You can keep up witht he adoption at my wife's blog: www.intheheartofourhome.blogspot.com
Please continue to pray for my family and the ministry that I have. I want to use it for the glory of God and give Him my best!!
The ministry that the Lord has entrusted me with is doing well from the standpoint of having opportunity to serve. I am preaching more than ever, we have more people going on the mission field with us than in years past, and I am full of excitement about the opportunities I have been given.
The adoption is getting closer and we are preparing our home to have another child. You can keep up witht he adoption at my wife's blog: www.intheheartofourhome.blogspot.com
Please continue to pray for my family and the ministry that I have. I want to use it for the glory of God and give Him my best!!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Give your Best!
Thanks for the prayers and concern for my one year old son. Most of you know we spent the night with him getting a major gash in his nose fixed. He did great and will be fine. What you don't know is this.
My one year old received a major ncut to his nose while playing with a few friends. He was in the wrong place and a large toy hit him in the face that was accidentally dropped by a child while he was trying to take it up stairs. We had some great friends over and they stayed with my older children till my mom could come over and stay. We were at the local hospital within 20 minutes of his injury. The local Dr. quickly referred us to Children's as they were not able to do what they felt needed to be done. Time was of the essence.
My wife and I wisk him away to Birmingham. Not even out of the county, our van overheats and I am forced to pull over and wait on help to arrive. Never before had the van overheated. Could've had something to do with my foot stuck through the floor board as I had been self appointed ambulance driver for my son. Regardless, we are stuck there, feeling helpless. We prayed and gave our best to remain calm and think this through. Called Cliff Cook, my fellow Pastor at NCBC. Without hesititation, he came and gave me his car to use while he sat stranded and waited on my Dad who also came without question or hesitationt to the rescue. They gave their best. We got our son to the ER and they soon took us back in and started working on him.
The specialist came in and immediately referenced his dependance upon Christ. We then prayed together. This brother and I have close connected friends we soon found out, and he is possibly going to Nicaragua with us now on our medical mission trip in October of 2011. He allowed us to stay in the room as they gave my son anesthesia and started the delicate process of repairing his little nose. Once again we were helpless and could only pray. Going under anesthesia is a scary thing for anyone and for parents who have to make that call. Christ was our only hope. We prayed like parents who love their son.
The Dr. took great concern and detail in all that he was doing. His focus was on giving his best. It was very delicate fine tuned work. The Dr. gave his best. Last night that was everyone's focus. From our friends and children who without being asked began to comfort one another and gather little brothers comfort items like his pacifer and blanket. They knew he would need these things and rushed them to the van before we left. They are great brothers and sisters! They gave their best to help.
Last night, we were reminded that we are not in control. We like to think we are but when you slow down, you realize you are not. We do have responsibility but ultimately, we rely on the love of God for us to see us through this light affliction. Little brother happily relied on his Momma and Daddy and the nurses and Dr.'s to help him. It was not easy or painless, but he made it through just fine. He gave his best.
Even though things are difficult and days are not certain. I urge you to give your best to the Lord and eveything you do. You never know when you will be required to react and your best will be needed. If you are accustomed to giving your best, you will be ready for what you must face. Laziness, apathy, and average is not what we are called to give for our Lord. He is not impressed with the scraps...He deserves and wants the best! Thank you friends for praying your best and giving your best to the Lord Jesus Christ!
My one year old received a major ncut to his nose while playing with a few friends. He was in the wrong place and a large toy hit him in the face that was accidentally dropped by a child while he was trying to take it up stairs. We had some great friends over and they stayed with my older children till my mom could come over and stay. We were at the local hospital within 20 minutes of his injury. The local Dr. quickly referred us to Children's as they were not able to do what they felt needed to be done. Time was of the essence.
My wife and I wisk him away to Birmingham. Not even out of the county, our van overheats and I am forced to pull over and wait on help to arrive. Never before had the van overheated. Could've had something to do with my foot stuck through the floor board as I had been self appointed ambulance driver for my son. Regardless, we are stuck there, feeling helpless. We prayed and gave our best to remain calm and think this through. Called Cliff Cook, my fellow Pastor at NCBC. Without hesititation, he came and gave me his car to use while he sat stranded and waited on my Dad who also came without question or hesitationt to the rescue. They gave their best. We got our son to the ER and they soon took us back in and started working on him.
The specialist came in and immediately referenced his dependance upon Christ. We then prayed together. This brother and I have close connected friends we soon found out, and he is possibly going to Nicaragua with us now on our medical mission trip in October of 2011. He allowed us to stay in the room as they gave my son anesthesia and started the delicate process of repairing his little nose. Once again we were helpless and could only pray. Going under anesthesia is a scary thing for anyone and for parents who have to make that call. Christ was our only hope. We prayed like parents who love their son.
The Dr. took great concern and detail in all that he was doing. His focus was on giving his best. It was very delicate fine tuned work. The Dr. gave his best. Last night that was everyone's focus. From our friends and children who without being asked began to comfort one another and gather little brothers comfort items like his pacifer and blanket. They knew he would need these things and rushed them to the van before we left. They are great brothers and sisters! They gave their best to help.
Last night, we were reminded that we are not in control. We like to think we are but when you slow down, you realize you are not. We do have responsibility but ultimately, we rely on the love of God for us to see us through this light affliction. Little brother happily relied on his Momma and Daddy and the nurses and Dr.'s to help him. It was not easy or painless, but he made it through just fine. He gave his best.
Even though things are difficult and days are not certain. I urge you to give your best to the Lord and eveything you do. You never know when you will be required to react and your best will be needed. If you are accustomed to giving your best, you will be ready for what you must face. Laziness, apathy, and average is not what we are called to give for our Lord. He is not impressed with the scraps...He deserves and wants the best! Thank you friends for praying your best and giving your best to the Lord Jesus Christ!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Christ's Sympathy to Weary Pilgrims
By Octavious Winslow, 1870
HOW EMPTYING, HUMBLING, AND ABASING!
Cultivate frequent and devout contemplations of the glory of Christ. Immense will be the benefit accruing to your soul. The mind thus preoccupied, filled, and expanded, will be enabled to present a stronger resistance to the ever advancing and insidious encroachments of the world. No place will be found for vain thoughts, and no desire or time for carnal enjoyments. Oh, how crucifying and sanctifying are clear views of the glory of Emmanuel! How emptying, humbling, and abasing! With the patriarch, we then exclaim, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." And with the prophet, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." And with the apostle, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Oh, then, aim to get your mind filled with enlarged and yet expanding views of the glory of the Redeemer. Let it, in all the discoveries it affords of the Divine mind and majesty, be the one subject of your thoughts—the one theme of your conversation. Place no limit to your knowledge of Christ. Ever consider that you have but read the preface to the volume; you have but touched the fringe of the sea. Stretching far away beyond you, are undiscovered beauties, and precious views, and sparkling glories, each encouraging your advance, inviting your research, and asking the homage of your faith, the tribute of your love, and the dedication of your life.
Go forward, then! The glories that yet must be revealed to you in a growing knowledge of Jesus, what imagination can conceive, what pen can describe them? Jesus stands ready to unveil all the beauties of His person; and to admit you into the very pavilion of His love. There is not a chamber of His heart that He will not throw open to you—not a blessing that He will not bestow upon you—not a glory that He will not show to you.
You shall see greater things than you have yet seen—greater depths of sin in your fallen nature shall be revealed—deeper sense of the cleansing efficacy of the atoning blood shall be felt—clearer views of your acceptance in the Beloved—greater discoveries of God's love—and greater depths of grace and glory in Jesus shall be enjoyed. Your communion with God shall be closer, and more the fruit of adopting love in your heart. Your feet shall be as hinds' feet, and you shall walk on high places. Your peace shall flow as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea. Sorrow shall wound you less deeply—affliction shall press you less heavily—tribulation shall affect you less keenly—all this, and infinitely more, will result from your deeper knowledge of Jesus.
HOW EMPTYING, HUMBLING, AND ABASING!
Cultivate frequent and devout contemplations of the glory of Christ. Immense will be the benefit accruing to your soul. The mind thus preoccupied, filled, and expanded, will be enabled to present a stronger resistance to the ever advancing and insidious encroachments of the world. No place will be found for vain thoughts, and no desire or time for carnal enjoyments. Oh, how crucifying and sanctifying are clear views of the glory of Emmanuel! How emptying, humbling, and abasing! With the patriarch, we then exclaim, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." And with the prophet, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." And with the apostle, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Oh, then, aim to get your mind filled with enlarged and yet expanding views of the glory of the Redeemer. Let it, in all the discoveries it affords of the Divine mind and majesty, be the one subject of your thoughts—the one theme of your conversation. Place no limit to your knowledge of Christ. Ever consider that you have but read the preface to the volume; you have but touched the fringe of the sea. Stretching far away beyond you, are undiscovered beauties, and precious views, and sparkling glories, each encouraging your advance, inviting your research, and asking the homage of your faith, the tribute of your love, and the dedication of your life.
Go forward, then! The glories that yet must be revealed to you in a growing knowledge of Jesus, what imagination can conceive, what pen can describe them? Jesus stands ready to unveil all the beauties of His person; and to admit you into the very pavilion of His love. There is not a chamber of His heart that He will not throw open to you—not a blessing that He will not bestow upon you—not a glory that He will not show to you.
You shall see greater things than you have yet seen—greater depths of sin in your fallen nature shall be revealed—deeper sense of the cleansing efficacy of the atoning blood shall be felt—clearer views of your acceptance in the Beloved—greater discoveries of God's love—and greater depths of grace and glory in Jesus shall be enjoyed. Your communion with God shall be closer, and more the fruit of adopting love in your heart. Your feet shall be as hinds' feet, and you shall walk on high places. Your peace shall flow as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea. Sorrow shall wound you less deeply—affliction shall press you less heavily—tribulation shall affect you less keenly—all this, and infinitely more, will result from your deeper knowledge of Jesus.
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