Dr. Jerry Falwell

How does one man accomplish so much with the one life that was given to him?

Dr. Falwell was an amazing man. He made a difference in the lives of so many - I am one of those lives.

I was one of "Jerry's kids" as I attended Liberty University and I can remember the times that Dr. Falwell would give his "pep talks" to us as a student body. I remember him telling us to never quit - I specifically remember a time when he shared that he was discouraged and that he shared it with Macel. Hollie and I also had the awesome privilege to have Dr. Falwell take part in our wedding.

Dr. Falwell was a real man - but what makes him different than most people today? Why are more people not making the impact that he made? Is it because he was smart or had a lot of breaks or opportunities or other reasons? Is it just that God chose to bless him with something extra?

I believe that Dr. Falwell's amazing life is a tribute to the power of God first but also to a man who was willing, available, courageous, and made the absolute most of what was given to him. Dr. Falwell didn't waste anything that was given to him - influence, platform, time, talents, treasures, individuals, family, power, and his personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I attended his funeral yesterday and I am challenged - I am challenged to make the most of my life. I am not Jerry Falwell, but I want to reach my full potential as Pete Hixson. I believe that it is up to God and to me. God makes Himself known and available - if I choose, I do believe that I can let my life be "normal" and even coast. But also, if I choose, I can believe, trust, and follow God - by making myself available, never quit, and make the absolute most with what I have been given.

"Poppy" went Home.

On Tuesday, May 8 my wife's grandfather went HOME to be with the Lord. He was not in good health and had been suffering for some time.

He has definitely been suffering due to his health - but maybe even more - he was suffering the loss of his precious wife Mary (or "Nonnie" as we called her) ever since she went HOME in January of 2006.

It has been difficult on my wife and her family and her mother especially. "Poppy" was a good man - he was incredibly kind, patient, and loving - to his family first and also to many others!

One thing that sticks out to me about his funeral service is when my father-in-law, Bro. Johnny talked about Poppy's love for his wife. After Nonnie died, someone said to Poppy that he could now travel and do some things now that he didn't have to care for Nonnie anymore. Poppy replied "I didn't do it because I had to - I got to care for her". He really loved Nonnie and set an example to all of us about sacrificial love. He truly didn't want to live any longer without her.

Does God get pleasure out of Hell?

At Vinings Lake we are continuing our series called "The View" and this Sunday we will be dealing with the "View" of Eternity - Heaven and Hell.

I believe that so many people have the wrong view of heaven and the wrong view of who sends people to hell. I was watching some of Erwin McManus's message called "Hell?" and he brought out a great passage in Ezekiel 18. In this passage, God becomes very clear that it is not He who sends people to hell (v.25, 29) and that he takes "no pleasure in the death of anyone" (v.32).

It is interesting to note also that many people are offended by the judgement of hell because they say "How can a loving God send people to hell" - and in this passage God clearly says that it is the person that sends themselves there. It is the amazing Love of God that goes to the length of sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins so that we don't have to go to hell.

So you say, "what about the people that never hear about Jesus?" This is a good question and not one that most of us have not wondered. I do have an opinion, but that is it. I believe I can support it with some scripture, but as I read in a Theology book today, the Bible seems to be silent on that specific issue.

However, I would like to add another question - "What about our neighbors, co-workers, family members, and people around us that can hear?" Trust me, I point the finger at myself as well, but it is sort of interesting that we want to ask that question - almost putting some "responsibility" on God and His "system" to get the gospel there when in fact we as believers have been empowered and enlisted by Jesus to take the gospel to the ends of the earth - here and everywhere.

Just some thoughts.

Brusters date with girls

Tonight I had the little monkeys while Hollie got her hair done. Hollie cooked dinner before she left and after we ate, me and the girls played a few games of Hi-Ho Cherry-O before we took off to good old Bruster's!

I am not quite sure what we think as parents when we fill our kids with sugar and then expect them to be good!! Hope and Addie were good though and we had a blast. I love hanging out with them and I got to eat my personal favorite - vanilla with peanut butter cup!

Maybe Bruster's will sponsor me for putting their add on this Blog...........seriously!