Book Review

I was so excited to read Stephen Arterburn's new book Regret-Free Living. My husband and I have been in fulltime ministry for 30 years and involved in Christian education for the past 20 years. It's our hope to be proactive and help children and youth learn from mistakes and live a life for Jesus with as few regrets as possible.

I love Stephen Arterburn's writing style. His simplicity and transparency go right to the heart of the matter and he offers hope and freedom from unhealthy choices. Readers' spirits will open up as he shares from his own past mistakes and retraces his steps to finding spiritual and emotional health.

The book begins by enlightening the reader to the signs of an unhealthy relationship. Then he walks the reader through helpful healing steps, which will enable the reader to make peace with their past.

I highly recommend Regret-Free Living by Stephen Arterburn. His practical counsel guarantee to help those who are longing to turn from toxic relationships and begin building healthy relationships.

Happy Wife Happy Life

Jim and Cathy Burns have written a book filled with "timeless truths" in their new book "Closer."

This inspirational devotional for couples is overflowing with wisdom and practical advice intended to draw couples closer together. There is something about their "down to earth" simplicity, coupled with the longevity of their own marriage, that resonates pure authenticity on every page.

My favorite chapter "Reactions Speak Louder than Words" will forever stick to my marriage ribs!

Our three daughters were married this past year and you can be sure they will be getting "Closer" for a Christmas gift this year.

If there was a button I could push for TEN STARS I would.

Jim and Cathy, I've never met you, but thank you for this much-needed resource.

Until next time,
Dixie

Great Review from Cheryl Malandrinos

Baby Jesus is Missing by Dixie Phillips


Dixie Phillips has written another Christian children’s book that will touch hearts and open minds. In Baby Jesus is Missing, Mommy and Daddy are all tied up with winning the neighborhood Christmas decorating contest, but young Josiah is worried about something else–Baby Jesus is missing from their wooden manager scene, and you can’t have Christmas without Jesus. What will they do?

I’ve quickly become a huge fan of Dixie Phillips, and every book I receive impresses me more than the last. In this heartwarming tale of the season, readers are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas through the innocence of a child. Josiah knows you can’t have Christmas without Jesus, and sets out to find the missng figure from their manager scene despite what Mommy and Daddy have deeemed as more important and even though he gets yelled at for interrupting his parents in their “important” work, teaching his parents a lesson in the process.

All of Phillips’ books can easily be coordinated into Sunday school curriculum, and I will certainly be using Baby Jesus is Missing with my class this year.

Award-winning artist K.C. Snider illustrated this book. She is very much in tune with authors’ stories and the messages they are trying to impart, so her illustrations are once again, a perfect compliment here.

An excellent book to sit down and read during Advent as your family prepares their hearts for Christmas, Baby Jesus is Missing will leave its impression on you and your children long after Christmas is over.

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

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.

Let the Little Children Come

When I was a little girl, my grandmother started a children's church on Sunday afternoon in a very impoverished section of town. The children were unable to get to the services on their own so my aunt (my grandma's baby girl) took her station wagon and zipped all around the neighborhood picking up the little ones. Grandma had homemade puppets, flannelgraph stories and great songs. She always ended the service with prayer and handed out one piece of candy to each child.

When my grandma was diagnosed with a terminal illness, many of the children - now grown - lined up beside her hospital bed to bid a final farewell. I'll never forget one young man who came with a single long-stemmed, red rose in his hand and planted a kiss on Grandma's cheek. He thanked her for all the haircuts she had given him and for the many times Grandma had fed him when he was hungry.

Watching my grandmother minister to the poor children instilled in me a love for little ones and compassion for the less fortunate. When my husband and I felt a Divine call to start a Christian school in our little village we realized there were many families who couldn't afford Christian education. It was a leap of faith. Lighthouse Academy was started in 1988. You must realize that the rural community we live in - Floyd, Iowa - has a population of 350. Lighthouse Academy has 52 students this year. Many of our families can't afford Christian education, but we hear the WORDS of our Lord.... "Let the little children come and forbid them not..." It's been a walk of faith, but we feel we are changing the world one child at a time.

Maddon's Journey

In You the orphan finds mercy. -Hosea 14:1

Our family was blessed this past year to add two new family members. Our niece Christa and her husband Muhsin adopted two children - Journey and Maddon from Ethiopia. We have all been amazed at how quickly they have adapted to the American culture. Christa introduced my husband and I to a wonderful adoption ministry at www.allgodschildren.org. What a story of God's faithfulness!

I can remember when I was a little girl my grandmother used to sing I Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now! This fall when I was visiting my niece and her family I sang that song to Journey. It was a full circle moment for me. Hmmmm.... I think Journey's great-great grandmother was a prophetess singing that song. :-)

And I agree WE WOULDN'T TAKE NOTHING FOR OUR JOURNEY OR MADDON NOW...

Enjoying the trip,
Dixie

A Mother's Prayers

Like mother like daughter







And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22 KJV

My grandmother only had a fifth grade education, but she graduated valedictorian from the School of Adversity several years in a row. She had been a child of alcoholic parents and experienced neglect and severe abuse. The trauma she endured left gaping holes in her soul. This deep inner pain drove her to God. On her knees she discovered there is power in prayer.

When her only son was serving his country in the Vietnam War, there were nights she couldn’t sleep. I remember her crying out to God, pleading for her son’s safe return. I also recall the day her prayers were answered, and when her beloved son walked through the doors of his childhood home Grandma's face was wet with tears as she thanked the Lord for answering her prayers.

There were the other times she would be singing to the Lord at top of her lungs, as she scrubbed her hot, soapy pots and pans in her kitchen sink. She was usually asking the Lord to make her a blessing to the hurting souls around her. And in just minutes, there would be a knock on her front door, and Grandma would lead them to her dining room table, give them a cup of coffee, a piece of pie and then pray for their needs.

The memory which is chiseled in my mind’s eye for all eternity is her early morning prayers. God knew every morning when the sun came up, He would find Grandma on her knees. It was during one of those early morning prayers, as I lay quietly on my little cot, I heard Grandma arguing with the Lord.

“Lord, You promised me. I don’t care what the doctors say. You promised me that she would live and not die. I’m standing on Your Word, Lord. You are not a God that can lie.”

I knew she was praying for her daughter; my mother, Bonnie. Mom was in an unhappy marriage and suffered from severe depression. Because of her mental anguish, she had lost her will to live. She had attempted numerous times to end her life. One day when my grandmother dropped over to our house. She found Mom lying unconscious on the floor. After she was taken to the hospital and stabilized, Grandma found a place to pray. We didn’t see or hear from Grandma for several hours, but when we did, she was radiant.

“God spoke to me today.” Grandma insisted. “He gave me His promise that all things will work together for good to those that love the Lord. And I love the Lord so something good is going to come out of this desperate situation. My girl is not going to die, but live.”

She dabbed the tears that spilled from her eyes with her handkerchief and continued, “And that’s not all, God assured me that I would see my Bonnie play her violin for Jesus one day in church.”

A few months later there was another suicide attempt. Mom’s doctor came to speak with our family. “I don’t know if we can save her this time. One of these times she is going to get the job done.”

Grandma bolted from her chair. Pointing her plump finger in his face she barked, “Now you listen to me, Doc. My girl is not going to die but live. God promised me. And He also told me that I would see her play her violin for Jesus in church.”

An awkward silence enveloped the room. None of us knew exactly what to do, but one thing was for certain, we were not going to cross Grandma. A few hours later the doctor reappeared to tell us that Mom had escaped death again.

It was a few years later that my mother met an elderly pastor’s wife, who had suffered with deep depression, too. This dear woman took a keen interest in my mother. Because of her love and patience, my mother found the Lord. Grandma was shouting happy. She would tell everybody who would listen that God had heard her prayers and that He had kept His promise. Beaming she declared, “He is trustworthy!”

One Saturday morning, Mom announced to Grandma that she and another lady in her church were going to have the special music for the Sunday morning worship service.
“They’ve ask me to play my violin.” Mom said. “I’m going to play What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Grandma let out a yelp. “I knew it! I knew it! Thank you, Lord!”

I am now a pastor’s wife of thirty-one years. I’ve learned much in my Bible college classes and ministry experiences, but it was watching my grandmother’s life that taught me the most about the power of prayer. She gave me a sample, a living example of how an ordinary woman with a simple faith in an extraordinary God can move mountains.

My mother is now seventy-six years old and continues to play her violin for Jesus.

Holy Deafness

But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken. Mark 5:36 RV

Lord, give us holy deafness when hurtful words are said. Help us to continue to be about our Father's business and not be shipwrecked because of cruel comments that have pierced our soul. Help us to pray as You prayed, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Sometimes, Lord, those You have called us to serve sting us, and we find it difficult to wash their feet, but You, Master, washed Judas' feet and you called him, "Friend." You knew, from the beginning, what was in his heart. Yet You humbled Yourself and ministered to him just hours before he would betray You.

We openly admit, Lord, that our hearts resist and scream, "I can see through them."

But You, Lord, plead with us, "See them through."

Our restless souls wail, "I'm not budging an inch."

But You, Lord, entreat us, "When they ask you to go one mile, go with them, two."

We can go the second mile, as long as You go with us, Lord. You make the bitter very sweet.

Lord, grant us holy deafness so we can obey Your Word. We're in earnest when we say we want to be like You. We place Your cup to our lips, Lord, and we drink. We realize it's the only way our world will ever come to know You. If You, Savior, live out Your life through us.

Lord, give us holy deafness to the careless conversations with those we come in contact with, but give us keen hearing to Your Holy Spirit.

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Rocks on a Fence Post

Paul Franklin Phillips and I have been married for thirty-one years this month. It doesn't seem possible, but it's true. Paul is a country preacher. His sermons are not flowery and never have a "high brow" tone. He's authentic and genuine! He leads by example and has a servant's heart. I guess that's why we all love him soooo much!

Paul Franklin is an Arkansan by birth. Born and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We met at East Texas Bible College in October of 1976 and were married on November 25, 1977. The Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, called us in August of 1981 and we have been honored to serve the same congregation for the past twenty-seven years.

When Paul and I would take little drives through the cornfields of Iowa. There were many times we spied a rock on a fence post. Paul would always say, "Well, you know that rock didn't get on top of that fence post all by itself."

It's so true. Many of the blessings and successes that the Lord has brought our way have come through "others". The Lord brought several families together in the early years of the Gospel Lighthouse Church. Precious "eternal" friendships.... that the gates of Hell could not prevail against. As we look back, we can see that these key families have been part of the growth of the church. We are so grateful for how the Lord cemented all of our hearts together for His glory and honor.


And now the Lord has opened a door for me to write children's books. Once again, he has placed two women in my life. Because of their talent, they make me look better than I actually am. I see God's fingerprints all over and know that it was Divine destiny that allowed our paths to cross.

Kim Sponaugle is the illustrator of "Angel Eyes" and "Stubby's Destiny". Her pictures are charming. Children love them. We will be working again very soon on "One Noble Journey". I thank the Lord for His goodness. He truly knows our phone numbers and can get us to the people He has appointed. If you'd like to see more of Kim's art, go to www.picturekitchenstudio.com


The other day, I wrote another story and sent it into Guardian Angel Publishing. Lynda Burch accepted it and introduced me to another talented illustrator, K.C. Snider. I took a peek of K.C.'s previous illustrations and was once again blown away. God has been so faithful to let paths cross by His hand. K.C. will be illustrating "Baby Jethuth is Mithing". Hopefully, it will be available in time for next Christmas. If you'd like to see more of K.C.'s artwork just go to www.kcsniderart.com You will be blessed.

So, the next time you see a rock on a fence post, take time to thank the Lord for all the precious souls He has placed in your life. We are soooooooo blessed.

His,
Dixie

The Apron

I will never forget a treasured Christmas present I received from my paternal grandmother over forty-eight years ago. I was only three or four, but I still can envision in my mind’s eye how Grandma watched with anticipation as I opened a package and pulled out a red gingham checked apron that she had hand-stitched just for me. The single pocket on the front was solid red cotton, cut out and sewn in the shape of a baby carriage with two large buttons for wheels. A white chain stitch was embroidered and topped off with a flat pearl button for the carriage handle. But what made the apron the perfect gift for a girly girl was an itty-bitty plastic doll tucked inside the carriage pocket.

Grandma believed in learning life skills early. “Little hands should be helping hands,” she often said with enthusiasm.

My preschool hands were taught how to set and clear the dining room table. Christmas baking was also part of my early childhood training. Grandma would set me on a chair that faced the kitchen counter of the old farm house, tie my gingham apron around my tiny waist and my cooking lessons would begin. We would bake all kinds of Christmas cookies. Grandpa loved smelling the tantalizing aroma of cinnamon and gingerbread that wafted through the whole house. My job was to put the Red Hots and raisins on the gingerbread man’s tummy and face. When all the baking was done, Grandma would fold my apron and put it in a cabinet drawer. Then, I crawled up in her lap and listened as she read, “The Gingerbread Man.”

In 1997, Grandma was diagnosed with terminal inflammatory breast cancer. I wondered how I would go on without her daily presence in my life. She was the stabilizing force in our family for as long as I could remember. As the time for her departure grew near, we spoke often of favorite family memories. I mentioned the gingham apron. She smiled weakly and said, “Life’s simple treasures are the best.”

After her death, I thought I would drown in the grief that swelled over my soul in waves. Shades and shadows of suffocating bereavement attempted to swallow me. I would find comfort in the Scriptures and consolation in the old hymns about Heaven, but for some strange reason the familiar gingham apron soothed my anguish, too.

I have a special drawer in my kitchen for the precious heirloom. On days I feel I’m losing eternal perspective I take it from its hiding place. Its symbolism helps keep me grounded. Every inch of it resonates my godly grandmother’s life. The three buttons are still securely fastened even after nearly fifty years – so like Grandma. She was always predictable and dependable. The decorative chain stitch represents Grandma’s keen ability to keep all of our family linked together no matter what life tossed our way. And the little baby tucked in the pocket symbolizes a little girl, forty-eight years ago, who through my grandmother, God kept safe and sheltered from life’s howling winds. Even though the apron no longer fits around my ballooning waist, it fits around my heart just fine.

Clergy Appreciation

We have the most precious flock. Today was Clergy Appreciation Sunday. It was a very special day. A time of reflection and looking back over this past year and all the blessings that God has sent our way. Here are a few pictures of our special day. Our creative son-by-God's-design, Zacharia David Fox, put together a human video that ended with Paul high up on a scaffold. Look at the pictures and see for yourself. :-)

Some of you have been e-mailing and asking how you can purchase "Stubby's Destiny". If you just let me know how many copies you want, I will reserve them for you and mail them out as soon as the books arrive. They are $13.00 each. We are going to try to keep the cost down as much as we can. If you'd like to reserve a copy just e-mail me at Phillips4Him@omnitelcom.com. Thank you for your love and support.

Writing for wee ones,
Dixie