Yeah...ok, go ahead and laugh!

Ok, so maybe I left out a small detail about Addie's little princess party - somehow I forgot to post the picture of "Prince Peter".....I might as well get it out there - others had cameras and who knows where this picture might appear!

****Hey - one thing is for sure - there is nothing boring about this blog post with a picture of me in tights!  Maybe this will give me a boost in my "Blog War" with Hollie (wow, I am desperate!)

By the way ladies - I don't know HOW you all wear these things - they are terrible!

Are you serious?

I just found this picture and had to post it.......this is hilarious - I love it!

Just a little gift idea for Christmas next year.......

5th Tooth!

Hope lost ANOTHER tooth!  It came out last night before she went to bed - and of course the tooth fairy came to visit.  This is the 5th tooth that I have pulled out of that little girl's mouth - and this was the smallest one yet!

This is a picture of her tooth - that I took of course with my amazing Mac!  Man, I love this thing!

My Little Princess

Addie turns 4 years old this Wednesday!  I really can't believe it.  I know that 4 is not that "old" - but she was our little baby and now she is getting older, bigger, and of course way too cute.  This kid is hilarious, fun, full of energy, she has spunk, personality, she is a natural leader, and she keeps us on our toes!  

This picture is from her little Princess Birthday party this past Saturday night - what a party!

Addie, daddy loves you VERY much and I am SO proud of you.  Happy Birthday!

READY

A very important word that was taught to me before we launched Vinings Lake is "READY".  It remains an important word - over 1 1/2 years later.  

When we were getting ready to launch, I was stressed about getting things "ready" for the target date to begin - obviously wanting that to be sooner than later.  But I was set at ease when this word became a resting point for me to realize - "we will launch - when we are READY!"

This is still an important word today.  As we begin new things, transition and grow - it is not only wise, but comforting to be READY.  It is easier to be ready - than to have to "re-act".  Sometimes this takes time, sometimes focus, and most of the time - both!

And being "ready" doesn't always mean that we know what is coming our way - it involves a "ready" and open heart and mind.  God is in control and whatever He chooses to give us, allow us, and direct toward us - He will provide EVERYTHING we need - as we remain READY and flexible - to receive it!

A day in the life of Peter John Lawrence Hixson

I (Hollie) decided to post for Pete since he has had a very busy day and he has been getting too many "your blog is boring" comments........SO he had a great day.  It all began at 7am at the Vinings Club for BNI (business networking international) then after that the VL staff team met for an all day staff meeting and planning.  He told me that had a great day of planning, also he went on and on about what a yummy lunch they had (as usual he had such a great lunch that he was not even hungry for dinner) from there it was back to the office for a couple of hours of sermon prep for Sunday!!  Me and the girls went up to the church about 6pm right after it got dark to have Pete and Brian load up some tables that we needed for Addies's birthday party this weekend and WOW that place is scary at night.  Talk about a fun place to play hide-n-go seek!!  Brings back memories of growing up as a PK and that's what we did for fun....ANYWAYS.....He and Brian had another meeting at a church in the area tonight that is trying to make some changes and they went over there to talk about the changes that took place over the past couple of years at VL.  THAT'S ALOT OF MEETINGS!!

Well, I like pictures, so since I have hijacked this blog, here are some pictures!!  

This is the before the "Extreme Church Makeover" 

During Renovations

Maybe next time I post here, I will post some new pictures for those of you that have not been to our church!

Invite EVERYONE on the journey!

Yesterday morning, Hollie and I (and Brian, Addie, Bill, and Sheila) had the privilege to have breakfast with some of the greatest people on the planet.  Ozell and Alton are part of Vinings Lake - and they were there when it was New Hope and made the transition with us as we began our new church.  Not only did they make the transition, but they have absolutely been so faithful and supportive.  

Someone asked Ozell this past Sunday what she thought about Vinings Lake - and she said she loved it!  I am so glad that they love it and that they love us - because we love them!  

Preconceived ideas might say that b/c of age or whatever else - some might not want to be a part of what you are doing - or the kind of church you are - but I want to encourage all of us to invite EVERYONE on the journey.  I remember the Wednesday nights before Vinings Lake started - and Alton and I would sit together and pray - I am blessed to know them.

When you invite EVERYONE on the journey, it doesn't mean you change where you are going, but you might just be surprised - some may not stay that you thought would - and some might stay and love it.  Alton and Ozell are living proof of that!

Don't miss out - invite EVERYONE on the journey!

Today at VL

After I strapped the chains on my tires and made my way over the hills and through the woods, I finally made it to VL............Seriously, we had a great day - even with canceling our 9:15 service, our 11:00 service was awesome!  

I have enjoyed this message series, "Choreography" and today's message was about adding the Scriptures to our faith.  We learned that "Scripture isn't just a textbook to tell us something, but God's message to change our lives."  Sometimes we view scriptures as irrelevant, boring, or we are motivated by guilt to read - but in reality - it is our creator's message in order to change our lives!  The Scriptures reveals God to us, us to ourselves - in order to change us, gives us a hunger for itself, gives us wisdom for living, and shows us that Jesus is the main character.  What an opportunity we have!  We need to just start somewhere, develop a hunger for the scriptures, and include others around us to help us.

It has been an excellent day all together - went to lunch at US Cafe (best burger around!), good time at Community Group tonight, and then played a little Nintendo Wii - polishing up my skills on Guitar Hero! (still pursuing my dream of being a rock star!).

Update for tomorrow at VL

Ok, it's a little after 10pm - and I just got inside from building this snowman in my front yard - my neighbors were a little impressed...............

So anyway..............sorry for not posting at 8pm like I said I would - but this took me a little longer than I had planned - go figure.  

Visit Hollie's blog for some good pics of the kids today.  (*Hollie and I are still in a blog war by the way - beware, mine is about to go to another level!)

You can check the VL website for an update for tomorrow, but we will be having our 11:00am service only - the 9:15 service is cancelled due to the projected weather issue.  The Preschool Training will be postponed - so nothing happening until 11am.

Hope to see you all tomorrow!

Church tomorrow...

1:40pm - Still watching the weather and putting a general message on the main VL phone line (770.941.8533) saying to call back at 8pm for the next update.

I will post again around 8pm also.

I am going outside to play in the snow with Addie - probably make a snow angel, do a few snow balls, and maybe a snowman!  Pictures will probably be following!!!!!!!!!!!

The "magical" Mac!

So - I am completely impressed with my new MacBook - once again.  

Last night I put this video together about the girls - and I am pretty clueless on how to do this kind of stuff - so it shows that just about anyone can do something with the magical Mac (maybe Apple will give me some sort of sponsorship or something since I am pumping them up.....).

Here it is!

Keep the comments coming!

Well, that may be the most comments I have ever received - from the previous blog!  You will have to scroll down and check them out - I am enjoying reading them - and they are (some of them) bringing me back to my feet (since the wind was knocked out of me with the whole "your blog is boring" comments!).

My wife's blog is better than mine, so.......

Ok, so my wife's blog is better than mine - and I am trying to retaliate with something - anything - especially since some of my "good" friends think that my blog is boring!!!

So, a little survey - to spice things up a bit (and hopefully put some sort of a smile on your face).  

Which guy (in his own mind) is the next "real" American Idol - and why?

An honor that can hardly be compared.......

If you read this and think something "spiritual" is coming - just hit pause.  

I am writing about an honor I just realized that I have received.  A friend of mine (J.R. Lee) that is planting a new church in Acworth, GA (Freedom Church) had a contest to name their equipment truck that they will use each week as they tear down and set up for their weekly worship service.  

I submitted a name - and I won!  The joy is practically overflowing, unbelievable, incomprehensible...I don't know what to say!  

What an honor!  Click here to read all about it.  

My acceptance speech will be in process for quite some time as I must prepare to communicate the gratitude of my heart.

Incredible Day!

WOW!  What an amazing day today!  

• At VL this morning, we had an awesome day!  Lots of people today - both at 9:15 and 11:00.  Our 11:00 service is getting filled up - very exciting!  

• The music had a great spirit of worship  today - it is awesome to have such great people with genuine hearts as a part of this ministry

• The entire spirit and excitement of everything - and everyone that was there was so great - and many visitors and returning people.

• We strive to place great importance and value on all of our guests - and as Brian commented to me today about how awesome our people are - I COMPLETELY agree - it is wonderful to see them welcome others and add value to their experience at Vinings Lake.

• After our 11am service, we had our 2nd "VL 101" - which is our intentional step to connect people and help everyone understand who we are, what we are called to do, and how we are going to accomplish that.  This is also a required step for anyone that wants to become a member at Vinings Lake.  I am very excited about this - both for now and for the future!  Brian - awesome job in putting this together and making it happen!

• Today, Hope was cracking me up and blessing me - as she was singing a song she learned at KidMo today - and reading through her little Bible (the "Hope Version" is quite interesting!).  Addie made me laugh with her version of a worship song - she got a few letters twisted around!  

• Tonight we had a great time in our Community Group.  It is encouraging to discuss what is going on and hearing the honesty of where we want to be - in relation to "adding" and growing in our faith this coming year and we also took a moment to each share how we have grown in our faith this past year.  I think it is SO important to reflect on the positive of how we have grown - it seems to give us the fuel we need to keep going!

• Then - me, Hollie, and the kids added an exclamation to the day with eating dinner at Taco Bell.  Oh yes - I love it!  My personal favorite is to get 2 Big Beef Meximelts and an order of Nachos Bellgrande.  

Great day.  Thank you God.  I love my wife and children.  I love my VL family.

Psalm 13 - God has been good to me

Psalm 13 is an amazing scripture (as if there is any part of scripture that is not amazing!) and it can be very encouraging to us as we see ourselves in the middle of a difficult time.  Whether that difficulty is wrapped around people, money, job, relationships, health, or stress....... we really can TRUST in the UNFAILING love of God.

And we can "sing" - not b/c everything is great or perfect - but because God HAS been GOOD to us.  Even hearing that, we may even question it by saying, "if God is so good to me, why am I going through this?".  I want to remind us that "this" isn't over yet - and the reality is this - who of us can look back on our life and not see ANY time that God "has been good".  

He "has" been good - He is good - He never changes - we can TRUST in His UNFAILING love.

MacBook

I am currently blogging from my new MacBook!  I just picked it up tonight - and I must admit - I am a little frightened.  I don't know much about it, but I am absolutely excited to learn - I love this thing!

If anyone has any advice for a new user - please feel free to comment!

lest we get discouraged..........

In ministry, I believe it is so easy to get discouraged and think that we are just going through the motions - with no fruit and no results.......then when we have a conversation with someone, we realize that lives are truly being changed.

One of our struggles with discouragement is that we think it is all up to us - and that wrong thinking also leads to pride b/c we will think the same during times of "success". Another problem is that we don't spend enough time focusing in on the actual PEOPLE that we have been "ministering" to - we MUST hear their stories and that will keep our hearts ignited with passion and a desire to keep going.

Whether it is a message that you have taught, a preschool room you have served in, or a ministry that you spent endless hours launching from scratch - no matter how we "feel" - if we will just be available and not quit, leave the results to God, be diligent to do all we can, and take time to hear the stories of REAL PEOPLE.......our discouragement may have a little bit of "merit" - but it will be overcome with the encouragement and reality of God's power and changed lives.

***Check out this incredible PROMISE from God's Word - Galatians 6:9

choreography

Yesterday at VL I started a new series called "choreography". (Props by the way to my boy Derek for the amazing graphic!!!)

The heartbeat of the series comes from the desire to teach ALL believers our responsibility and opportunity to mature and grow in our faith. We cannot rely on programs of the "church", "church" attendance, or even being active in "church" to become a mature believer and follower of Jesus.

And as a pastor or leader, we must not lead people to rely on these things either.

Good Question: So, HOW do we grow in our faith?

EVERYONE (not just pastors and Christian leaders) that has been born again and is a child of God has been given EVERYTHING we need in order to grow in our faith. God has placed within us His very nature, He has given us free access to Himself, and He has revealed Himself to us through His Word.

Another Good Question: WHAT does that have to do with "choreography"?

II Peter 1:1-11 gives us a little word in verse 5 - "add" and he tells us that we must "add" to our faith. This word comes from the original word that means "choreograph" or "choreography". A song is still a song, but when you put choreography to it, it makes the song dance, come alive, and "adds" to it.

Our faith rests completely on the person and work of Jesus Christ - and NOTHING we do will make God love us any more or less. However, once we have faith in Christ - we must GROW in that faith - and "add" to it - "choreograph" it.

We must take the responsibility and opportunity to grow and mature in our faith. WHY? Because I believe that when people begin to not just hear our faith (a song) but see it (a song with choreography), it not only makes us stronger in our faith, but makes our faith more believable.

Eventful night!

Last night, Hollie was downstairs cooking dinner and I was upstairs with Hope and Addie. Hope had her finger in the hinge of the closet door when Addie closed it....which began our eventful night!

Poor little Hopie's finger got caught in the door and she was in lots of pain! I called Brian for a little EMT advice (just kidding B, you are the greatest Paramedic in the world!). Hollie got on the phone with a nurse that encouraged taking Hope in just in case. So Hollie turned the stove off and we headed to Kennestone Hospital. Deanna came to get Addie and Mimommy hung out with us in the Pediatric E.R.

About 3 hours later, we were leaving the hospital with a little splint on Hope's slightly fractured finger. We got back home and ate dinner at about 10:45pm!

Hope was a champ. Check in with Hollie's blog soon - and I am sure she will have a few pics!

Posting Comments

I have 51 comments that I never posted b/c I didn't think I would want to hassel with managing them. However, it seems pretty easy so I am going to give it a try. I just posted my first comment from my buddy Zach (who is the man by they way!).

Learning more and more about this blogging world thing - not a "fully devoted follower" yet - but at least a "seeker" and willing to "check" it out!

Which one is right?

Yesterday, I read from my leadership devotional and another devotional that I often use.

The Leadership one stated that "The strength of any organization is a direct result of the strength of its leaders." and went on to say "Everything rises and falls on leadership."

The other devotional made this statement, "Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is."

The first one feels like there is a lot of pressure on the leader of an organization and the second one seems to relieve that pressure by stating that God is in control. So I have a question:

Which one is right?

They both are. God is in control - and yet He does call people to lead - and expects them to lead with their best and a gives them a great deal of responsibility. There is much pressure with leadership, but it is only felt when we don't rely on the truth of the second devotional - that God is the one that will give His leaders the direction, wisdom, and leadership that they need.

Once again - the "Both/And" principle of life appears! God is a "Both/And" God.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it is here - 2008 already! It feels like I blinked my eyes and the entire holiday season has come and gone - and I even knew that it would!!!

Visit my wife's blog by clicking here to see some good pics and stuff from our family over the Christmas and New Years holiday - she is much better than I am at this stuff!