Decisions

This week I've made a new friend named Carol. She's the one I'm giving a big hug to in the above picture. Carol has just come to know Jesus in the past few months. Her life has not been easy. Alcoholism has attempted to destroy her and her family, but JESUS passed by and Carol has accepted the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST. Her decision has impacted her daughters and granddaughters. They are in the above picture.

While on the Rosebud Reservation we had a ladies' tea party. Carol, her two daughters and granddaughters came. I couldn't help but think of my great-grandmother who was bound by sin. Not only was she an alcoholic, but a bootlegger, but JESUS passed by. Her decision to follow Christ has affected five generations. My great-grandmother, my grandmother, my mother, myself and my children.

I believe Carol's decision to follow JESUS will also affect her future generations.

The chains are gone....
I've been set free

Please pray for my new friend Carol and her family.

Heaven's Accent

When I first met and fell in love with my husband Paul, we had a communication problem. He was from the deep south and I was a northern gal. His thick southern accent and my Yankee tongue sometimes gave us problems. There were quite a few -

"What did you say?"

"Could you repeat that?"

"Pardon me?"

We've been together now for over 31 years. I'm glad to say our communication is much better.

Today, as I sat in the Lord's presence, I wondered if I had Heaven's accent on my tongue and His light upon my heart. As I live my life before my family and community, I pray they would desire the One whom my soul loves. Now that I am west of 50, with more years behind me than ahead of me, I don't want to speak my own words or think my own thoughts. My heart burns within me for Jesus to increase in my life. I pray every day He will stamp His image on my heart.

When I speak with my natural, fleshly accent, I soon discover a very self-absorbed person, but when I speak with Heaven's accent, Jesus is first. His Holy Spirit leads me give the Living Water to those who are thirsty and to bind up the broken hearted.

Yes, Heaven's accent is best.


Y'all come back now y'hear,
Dixie

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom turned 77 last month. In my mind's eye, she's still just 36. **grin** I feel very blessed to still have my mother. Many of my friends have already bid a final farewell to their mothers in this life. I guess I feel especially blessed to have my mother because for many years depression tried to steal my mom from my two older brothers and me. But when I was 16, JESUS passed by our house. My mom gave her broken heart to Him. He did just as He promised - He mended her shattered heart. People who meet my mom cannot believe she was ever suicidal or severely depressed. She's always spreading SONshine to others and telling JESUS the rest. Yes, I am blessed and I know it. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the best mother in the whole world.

Animated Stubby

For those of you who have fallen in love with the characters you have created, I think you will know the excitement when you see your "baby" come to life on the big screen. :-)

My new friend - Leferna from The Character Studio Dot Com has created the cutest little clip with an animated Stubby for Give Your Author a Kiss Month.
It's guaranteed to transplant a smile on your face.

Soul Business

Those of us who were raised in church can probably remember this little song.

I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men.
I will make you fishers of men if you follow me.

I can remember performing the motions while singing it - casting the line with my imaginary fishing pole. It was my beloved grandmother who taught me that song, and it was my grandmother who gave me a sample, a living example of loving souls for Jesus. One of her favorite verses is found in Proverbs 11:30.

He that winneth souls is wise!

Grandma only had a fifth grade formal education, but Grandma's wealth of experience made her the wise matriarch of our family. She loved broken people and had a desire to help struggling souls. In the eyes of the world, her education was inferior, but through the eyes of eternity - Grandma was one of the wisest women I've ever known.

The "soul business" is a tough business to be in - lots of ups and downs, defeats and triumphs! My friend sent me a piece from Oswald Chambers today. It ministered to me. I thought it might give some weary traveler a refreshing drink for their parched soul. Here it is:

If you are going to live for the service of your fellowmen, you will certainly be pierced through with many sorrows. If your motive is love for your fellowmen, you will be exhausted in the battle of life. But if the mainspring of your service is LOVE FOR GOD, no ingratitude, no sin, no devil, no angel, can hinder you from serving your fellowmen, no matter the consequences. You can love your neighbor as yourself, not from pity, but from the true centering of yourself in GOD. -- Oswald Chambers

It reminds me of a beautiful promise in the Bible.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Now let's go fishing,
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

Widowed Socks

Today I sat on our living room floor with a pile of widowed socks. We all have them. Some of us have more than others, but everybody has socks that don't have a mate. Where their mate went none of us know, but this one thing we know they are widowed and for the majority of them their mate will never return. As I sat there performing this mundane task, I sensed the Holy Spirit. Oh, I just love how Jesus' presence can transform the mundane into the heavenly.

Do you remember when Satan conjured up this plan to kill all the boy babies in Moses' day? Then centuries later, the wicked one conspired through Herod to destroy all the baby boys hoping to kill the newborn King.

Each one of us in the Body of Christ have a Call from Heaven to do something for Jesus, and the enemy is determined to "KILL" the plan. Discouragement seems to be the number one "KILLER." The Lord wants to "GIVE LIFE" to your Call. Don't let the enemy discourage you. Be a blessing today.... If just a cup of water JESUS places in our hands.....

Freely you have received, freely give.

Christian Women's Connections

Today Three Redeemed sang (You can tell which ones of us are in the ladies' trio by our matching outfits.)and then I shared about "Angel Eyes" and "Stubby's Destiny" at a Christian Women's Club in Charles City, Iowa. Ramona Wink was the guest speaker and gave a beautiful Salvation message. If you'd like to know more about Ramona's inspirational ministry just go to www.winkforJesus.com You will be glad you took the time to read about all God is doing in her life and ministry.

I marvel at God's plan and how He appoints people's paths to cross. Ramona is indeed a kindred spirit. We all were blessed by her message.

Keep the "SON" in your eyes,
Dixie

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

Elly May Clampett

Our two oldest daughters were in a wedding of one of their friends this past weekend. They were excited to call us and tell us that Elly May Clampett of the Beverly Hillbillies was at the wedding. They had their pictures taken with her. (see above)

It made me think about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and all the famous characters in the Bible that we will see. Won't it be exciting to visit the first hundred years with King David and listen as he shares about his adventures. And I want to sit down with Deborah and glean from her wisdom. And what about Moses, Joshua, Elijah and Noah. And we haven't even touched the New Testament! Oh, it will be glorious......

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. I Corinthians 2:9 KJV

Hallelujah!

Well, as Elly May would say, "Y'all come back now. Ya hear!"

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