By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.05/17/2021The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the LORD. (Proverbs 21:31)Perhaps you have heard the story about the ambitious and self-important dog, Shadow. It seems Shadow’s family was visiting Florida for summer vacation. Each morning, as Shadow and his owner took a walk on the beach, they would watch the sunrise. As the sun slowly appeared ove...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.05/11/2021 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)My family and I lived in Houston for about fifteen years. We have many fond memories of our time there, but one thing we do not miss is the sweltering humidity. Being on the Gulf coast, we not only had to deal with sauna-like conditions but also the threat of t...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.05/03/2021The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. (Psalm 33:10)Perhaps you have heard the story about the hawk, the lion, and the skunk. It seems they were having a discussion about which one of them was the greatest in the animal kingdom. The hawk spoke up first. “Clearly, I am the greatest animal because I can fl...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.04/26/2021Do not curse the king, even in your thought; do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter. (Ecclesiastes 10:20)Moms know everything. At least mine did. When I was a kid, my mom always had a way of finding out what was going on in my life, sometimes even before I did. If I got in trou...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.04/19/2021Why do you say, 0 Jacob, and speak, 0 Israel: “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases ...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.04/14/2021Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren. . .that they may learn to fear me all the days they live on the earth and that they may teach their children. (Deuteronomy 4:9-10)A recent scie...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.04/04/2021And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-25)His name is not really “Daniel,” but I will call him that for the purpose of this story. Daniel was a key part of our church in the early days of my ministry. If you were to l...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.03/31/2021For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (Romans 8:22)What is wrong with this world? Everywhere we look it seems that things have gone awry: evil, crime, loss of freedoms, persecution, tragedies, corruption, heartache… It is all around us. How can a loving God allow so many bad things to keep happening? How can there ...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.03/22/2021Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1)Perhaps you have heard the old saying, “It’s not who you are. It’s who you know.” Well, there is a lot of truth in that statement. There are those in life who have obtained positions of privilege and prestige largely because of who they know or to whom they...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.03/14/2021Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genes...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson03/08/2021O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. (Psalm 139:1–2)If a tree falls in the woods, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise? This question has plagued deep-thinkers for centuries. I like the modern version. If a man says something in the woods and his wife is not around to hear ...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.02/21/2021Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)Unfamiliar surroundings can be a source of anxiety. The root of all fear, fear of the unknown, kicks in when you are facing first-time experiences, and every shadow sometimes looks like a potential threat in you...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.02/11/2021He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul… (Psalm 23:2-3a)As is typical with large families, there is seldom a dull moment around our house. We also have two dogs that add to the excitement: Juneau and Gracie, whom we love dearly. They are very much a part of the family. Yet, as much as we love them, we are no...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D02/01/2021The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)The 23rd Psalm is one of the most famous passages of Scripture in the Bible. Even the casual Bible reader is familiar with the poetic words of this Psalm written by that shepherd-boy-turned-King, David. So famous is this Psalm that it is one of the most memorized passage in the entire Bible. It is not surprising t...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.01/17/2021LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. (Psalm 131:1)I was in the eighth grade when that famous puzzle Rubik’s Cube came out. It caught on like wild fire. Everyone had a Rubik’s Cube, including me, and I was determined to figure it out. For weeks I worked on it to no avail ...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.01/18/2021Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Can you drink the cup that I...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.01/11/2021Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19)I received one of those time-share solicitations in the mail recently. You know the type. It is typically a one-page flyer proclaiming that you are one of the “Grand Prize Winners!” To colle...  Read More

By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.05/24/2022“For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he.” (Jeremiah 31:11)Most people love a good Cinderella story. They love to root for the underdog. In fact, when you think about it, the plot of most books and movies involves some kind of come-from-behind, rags-to-riches story. It is heartwarming. It appeals to our inner desire for...  Read More