Stories for Children Book Review

Just had "Stubby's Destiny" reviewed by Mr. Wayne Walker at Stories for Children Magazine. I thought some of you might enjoy reading it.
Enjoy,
Dixie

BOOK REVIEW
STORIES FOR CHILDREN

BOOK: Stubby's Destiny
AUTHOR: Dixie Phillips
ILLUSTRATOR: Kim Sponaugle
PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing Inc. (2008)
ISBN-13: 978-1-933090-23-3 (print)
ISBN-13: 978-1-935137-18-4 (eBook)
READING LEVEL: Ages 3-7
RATING: 5 stars
REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine

Could a boring donkey ever be chosen for something great? Stubby is an orphaned donkey colt who wants to be like the horses whose steady hoof beats go "Clippety-clop" down the cobblestone street. His friend, Sly the stallion, tells him to change his posture and tries to give him some lessons to help him reach his divine destiny, but Stubby continues to have trouble and wonders if he will ever be used in the royal service of the king. However, one morning, when he goes to get a drink, he is grabbed by two men who say, "The Lord has need of him." Someone lays a cloak across his back, and a strange man with the kindest eyes gets on him while people shout, "Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord." Can you guess what important event in history this is?
What a wonderful way for children to hear or read about the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, by looking at it from the animal's viewpoint! This kind of approach helps to make Bible stories more personal for youngsters. Author Dixie Phillips and illustrator Kim Sponaugle, whose Angel Eyes was previously reviewed in the December, 2008, issue of Stories for Children and is still available on our website under "Past Reviews," combine their talents to tell an irresistable story about a defeated donkey who feels that he was born wrong and is just about to give up but finds that he is at the right place at the right time. Children will find it delightful. Also, it can bring hope to youngsters who are hurting and might feel that their situation is hopeless. I give it five stars.

Related website: www.floydslighthouse.com (author), www.writing4littleones.blogspot.com (author's blog), www.GuardianAngelPublishing.com (publisher),

Stubby's Debut

"Stubby's Destiny" now has a song and cute music clip. It was so fun to hear Stubby's voice for the first time. If you'd like to see Stubby's debut just click on the YouTube video above this blog. I'd love to hear some feedback. So please leave some comments. LeFerna from www.thecharacterstudio.com is the creator of this clip.

Hee Hawlelujah,
Dixie

This Little Light of Mine

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

Our four children are grown. Two are married and our baby daughter will be getting married this summer. My husband and I have spent the past two years adjusting to our "Empty Nest Syndrome."

When the children were at home, their father and I were constantly reminding them to turn off the lights whenever they left a room. Today I realized that we were teaching them wrong. We don't want them to ever turn off the "lights" again, but our prayer is that each one of them will keep the "lights" burning brightly in every room of life.

Let my life be a light shining out through the night.
May I help struggling ones to the fold.
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and alone.
May my life be a light to some soul.

Thank you, Lord, for our children. We pray that the Light of the World would shine brightly in and through them. Amen

Eternal Investments

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20,21 NIV

We hear so much talk these days about investments and portfolios. Our economy has once again proven that this life is unstable and temporary. Jesus taught us to store up treasures in Heaven.

This past week we took some of the students from Lighthouse Academy, the Christian school in our church, to compete with several other Christian schools on the Western Illinois University campus in MaComb, Illinois. Students, ages 13 and older, competed in academics, platform, athletics, music, arts and crafts. There were months of preparation before the competition began. Many adults sacrificed as they poured into the lives of the young people.

As I sat watching the various competitions I thought of all the money and time that some of our adults had invested in each student. I couldn't help but think of the words of Jesus.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Every person that invests in the life of another for Jesus is making "eternal investments." You may not hear the applause of men, but if you can quiet your soul I believe you will hearing the clapping of the nail-scarred hands.

Invest in someone today. The dividends are out of this world.

Changing the world one child at a time,
Dixie

And the Winner is.....

We've got a winner for the devotional book I am giving away. Amy Karpouzian is our winner. Thanks to all you ladies who signed up. I have another wonderful book filled with marvelous testimonies - it includes my husband's testimony and another story about our son when he was a baby. I'll let y'all know when we will be giving that away.

Thanks again,
Dixie

Last Wednesday night we studied about the life of Judas Iscariot. It was a sobering Bible study. Sometimes when you examine God's Word you are comforted. We all enjoy those times, but then there are times when God's Word convicts and challenges. The study of the life of Judas Iscariot caused me to examine my own heart.

First, my darling husband had us turn to the forty-first Psalm.

Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread,

has lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9


This verse speaks of Judas Iscariot. Judas had been trained by the Master Himself, selected as one of the Twelve, sent out to preach the Gospel,performed great miracles and was there at the Last Supper. Why Judas would turn against Jesus is difficult to comprehend. Perhaps he betrayed Jesus for personal gain. After all he received thirty pieces of silver - the price of a slave, or possibly he thought he would gain favor with the elders of the Jews.

Judas Iscariot is a good example of a man who did not gain victory over his flesh. He had a great resume. He walked with Jesus. He held a position as treasurer. His eyes witnessed miracles and his ears heard the Truths Jesus taught, but he neglected to let the Spirit rule and reign over his will and affections.

There is an eternal lesson here for us. Coming under the Lordship of Christ has a lot to do with denying ourselves, taking up our Cross and following Jesus. Sacrifice and obedience is paramount when making Jesus Lord of your life.

Let us learn another valuable lesson from Judas. The Kingdom of God went on without him. (Even though he was the only office holder of the group.) Someone else was voted in his place. He was the person that lost out, not the Lord. If we don’t fill the place that God has for us the loss is ours, not the Lords. His Kingdom will march on to Zion. The gates of Hell will not prevail against it with or without the Judases of the world.

Go

I remember as a little girl hearing my grandmother say, "God helps those who help themselves." For years I thought it was a Scripture verse, but years later, after I became a student of the Bible, I discovered that it was just a "food for thought" quote. Somewhere in the crevices of my souls I embraced this theology, but the other day I read these verses. Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Nehemiah paints a beautiful picture for us today,
“….send some to those who have nothing prepared.” At the time this Scripture was written, it was a time of spiritual renewal for the Jews, who came back from captivity. They were hearing the Scripture read from morning until noon, and celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. Nehemiah and Ezra wanted the people to be joyous and encouraged them to enjoy choice food and sweet drinks. One other instruction must be taken into consideration. “Go and send some to those who have nothing prepared…” is practical biblical teaching. Let us find some sad and needy person for whom there is no one else to care for. Let us pray for someone who has no one to pray for them. Let us be like Him who one day gave His life and His all, and came to those who would not appreciate God’s holy gift, but rejected His only Son. Let us not be afraid to know something of the love that is thrown away on the unworthy. How Christ must weep over the selfishness that He sees from those for whom He died.

Today would you be willing to say with the prophet Isaiah, “Here am I, Lord,
send me.” Will you heed the call from Heaven and “..... Go and send some to those who have nothing prepared?” After all didn't our Master teach that when we have served the least, we have served the King of Kings.

Make me a blessing.
Make me a blessing.
Out of my life - may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing
Oh, Savior I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Spread the Word - Christian Book Giveaway

A few of my devotional writings were published not too long ago in a wonderful anthology called Women of Passions: Ordinary People Serving and Extraordinary God. This wonderful book was distributed by Heart of God International, it is full of personal testimonies of God's work in many women's lives, including mine.

This wonderful book, which came in third place in the devotional category for the Christian Choice Book Awards, can be YOURS.... All you have to do is post a comment on this blog post. Only one entry per person. On March 15th, I will put all of the names in a hat and pull one out, and the winner will get a copy of this book (autographed by me if you want!).

Please help us spread the word and tell some of your "bloggy" friends about this giveaway.

Thanks for stopping by and reading, and for your support of my writing ministry. I look forward to many more years of sharing the love of Jesus with you and all the little people in your lives.