CHANGED...a new life begins

This Sunday, I am beginning a 3 part series called "CHANGED" (props to Brian for the title - and once again Derek the man for the graphic!).  We are going to launch into this series with the passage in John 8 about the woman caught in the act of adultery - what took place here? what did it mean to her? to the Pharisees?....to all of us today?  The end result when we have an encounter (or a "Collision" if you will) with the love and GRACE of Jesus - is a CHANGED life - that is exactly what He offered this woman - and offers us today!

On March 16, we will end this series with an exciting day of celebrating CHANGED lives of people at Vinings Lake.  We will hear some tell their stories of a CHANGED life, worship, and observe others make their profession in Jesus public through baptism - it is going to be a great day!

Dreaming and Walking

Some "common" language around here at the office of Vinings Lake and a constant balance is to keep Dreaming and yet put one foot in front of the other by Walking.

I believe God puts dreams - big dreams - in our hearts.  He creates us a certain way and we must respond to those dreams - believing Him - and that He can do ANYTHING.   While at the same time - WHILE pursuing those dreams - put one foot down and not trip over what is right in front of us.

For me, a constant struggle and "back and forth" balancing act is to both Dream and Walk.  I love to dream - and it is sometimes out of my comfort zone to just walk.  But I am learning the value of both.  I want to reach this entire community (new stats say 162,170 people in a 5 mile radius of Vinings Lake Church - and 88% do not attend church regularly) - and accomplish more than we could ever dream or imagine.  And yet I know it doesn't happen over night - unless that is how God chooses to do it - which He CAN!  

I don't want to be a dream stealer to anyone and I don't want anyone to steal my dreams - dreams that God puts in there at least - and when it comes to reaching people with His good news - it is all His desire and idea anyway.

Just a great reminder - you don't have to lose your Dream - but don't miss what is right in front of you.  Dreaming and Walking.

New Blog coming soon

I will be "launching" my new blog soon - new website as well - just want to get a few things tweaked and ready!  Stay tuned.......

Addie - this kid is hilarious!

Addie has us laughing all the time!  Today after church, we just grabbed some Chili's ToGo (my favorite!) and went home to eat.  We were sitting there and Addie said, "Daddy, I want you to teach my class sometime - mommy can preach for you on the stage."

I love being a daddy to both of my little girls!!!!

Coming Soon!

This is Hollie!! I had to put up a new post for Pete because I could not handle pulling up his page and seeing that crazy picture of me again!

Anyways........we have a new blog and new domain coming up in the next 2 days, so check back here for the new and improved Pete Hixson blog.  It has a new look.......

Hollie - Every Day is Valentine's Day!

Since my wife put a crazy picture of me on her blog - here is one for you sweetheart!  

Today is Valentines Day (although, I will toot my horn and tell you I am writing this on Wednesday - just to make sure I do it!)  - and it is a great time to celebrate with your "special someone" - however, I do think a great reminder to all of us is to not treat holiday's that we celebrate something so important - as just a "one day" deal.  

Whether it is Christmas, Easter, or any other day, if what we celebrate is worth it - it should be part of our entire life!

Hollie - you are one of a kind!  I love you - EVERY day is Valentines Day with you!
(oh, and by the way - if you think this is cheesy......it ain't for you homeslice! just kidding...but seriously!)

Live and Lead Like Jesus

I love reading the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  It takes the life of Jesus - and makes Him come alive, tells His stories, and allows us to learn from Him.  

As a follower of Jesus, in any area of our lives, we have the privilege and opportunity to live and lead like Jesus did.  

How did He live and lead?  What does it take for us?

(no way does this cover it "all" - just a few thoughts)

1. Intimacy with the Father.  SO important for all of us - prayer, filter, for God to change us - our hearts and minds, and steer us back, guide us, keep us - in His heart, His eyes, His plan.
   
2. Sensitivity to others.  When we  become a follower of Christ, a danger is to forget where we came from - having he heart of Jesus requires being sensitive to ALL kinds of people - like Jesus was.
   
3. Resilience to the Mission.  Jesus always kept focused on what He had come to do.
   
4. Loyal to truth and the Message.  Jesus was the truth and the message.  As we remain loyal to Him - we will remain loyal to His message.
   
5. Lots of GRACE.  We live in a world of PEOPLE - we are those PEOPLE!  It takes MUCH grace - oh, to live and lead like Jesus here.....how do we do it?  Back to the first one - Intimacy with the Father!
   

Lit Conference

Cody Deese is a good friend of mine who has a gift and passion to communicate to students and adults.  I love it when he speaks here at Vinings Lake because our people love him.  He and Katie are great friends of ours and I have had the privilege to serve on his board at Fan the Flame for over 2 years now.

Cody is launching his first conference this coming August called LIT.  I am excited and honored to be a part of it - along with a few other ministry friends - and a young high school student - Zach Hunter - click here to find out more about this incredible guy - you can watch his deal with Good Morning America!

If you would like to come or volunteer at LIT - check out the website.  Also if you would ilke contribute to this conference as certain costs are coming due, you can email them at office@litconference.com 

great restaurant!

Tonight Hollie and I went out and had a great time - I love just being with my wife!  We went to an incredible Asian restaurant called Zyng - it was amazing!  Very simple, easy, modern - and great food!

First - a must appetizer with some Edamame beans - and then you get a bowl which includes picking your preference of noodles or rice, then you pick your protein, then the type of spice/sauce (the hotter the better for me!).

Good stuff - we will be frequent guests!

Listen, Filter, Follow God

*Just a thought:

People - good people - will come with all kinds of advice, thoughts, direction, desires, and even truth.  People in our church, other leaders, good friends, etc.  

So....

LISTEN:

First of all, it is SO important to RECEIVE information and help and advice, etc.  On this note, Brian turned me onto a GREAT blog yesterday by Craig Groschel's entitled "Signs of Immaturity" - WOW did I need to hear that!  We must realize that we don't and aren't even supposed to "know it all" - that's why we need each other.

And keep in mind.....

• If you love and take to heart what EVERYONE has to say - be careful, we can't be everyone or do what everyone wants us to do.
• If you are only listening to a select few (especially if they are alike or just like you) - be careful, there are other types of people in this world - that God uses.
• If you don't listen to anyone - be VERY careful - we are not meant to make it alone!

And after listening....

FILTER:

• Filter it through - the background, personality, journey, opinion, heart motive, and end result - of what is being said.
• Filter it through - WHO God has created and called you to be - you are not anyone else but you! 

At the end of the day....

FOLLOW GOD:

*Take what people say - LISTEN - FILTER it - and at the end of the day - FOLLOW GOD.

Leading people is helping people

I had a little talk with Addie this morning.....regarding some things that revolve around her behavior with others at school and church.  She has a natural bent toward leading people around her - or in her way of doing that right now - telling them what to do!  

Now, she doesn't understand the "word" leadership, but she practices what it means - and one of my regular prayers for her is to leverage her leadership - because she CAN be a great leader, and it will make a difference in the future.  The issue I talked to her about today is to use it to HELP people.  I told her that a good leader is one that helps people.

It is interesting how you can learn something from what you teach your children.  As I thought about what I said, it impacted me - that leading people is all about helping people.  It is not about being "out front" or "telling people what to do" - it is not about using your "position" for yourself, it is truly about helping people.  

Sure, I have heard this principle from great leaders before - yet, I learned it again today through this simple "daddy to child" conversation.  

It is nothing new or original, but a great refreshing reminder to me - that Leading people is helping people.