George Fox

Because the economy was drastically unstable, the villagers turned inward, caring little about the affairs outside their own town. Little did that sleepy town realize there was one among them who would shake all of England. (quote about the boy George Fox)

I always enjoy reading about the lives of people who have laid down their lives for the Cause of Christ. Today I read about George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, who lived through persecution after persecution yet humbly shared his faith in Jesus with everyone God brought across his path.

As a boy, George struggled socially. He was a misfit and a loner. I'm not quite sure why I was so moved by learning of his disposition and then years later see how God used him, but I was.

For twenty-one years now my husband Paul and I have invested in the lives of children and young people. Lighthouse Academy, a Christian school in the church where my husband pastors, was started in August 1988. Monday through Friday, Paul stands before the students in Opening and shares truths from God's Word. The students come in every flavor. We have our extroverts and introverts, too, like they did in George Fox's day. I guess the word that continues to resonant in my soul about our precious students is POTENTIALITY! We don't know how God may choose to use each one of them, but we can be sure He will.

I pray each child whether gifted or not will sense God's love for them through our lives. I never want to be guilty of prejudging a child and thinking God cannot use him or her. The Spirit of the Lord uses ordinary people to perform extraordinary feats!

I wonder if you or I are mentoring a future George Fox. A child that through our eyes doesn't appear to be of use in God's vineyard, but through God's eyes can shake the world. God sees things differently than we do. As the old saying goes... He doesn't look for ability, but availability.

George Fox's story has left a deep impression on my soul this New Year. I hope I am not guilty of being "sleepy" and not realizing what God is doing in the midst of my community. I pray every child the Lord sends through our doors will feel loved and come to know God has a Divine destiny for their life. After reading about George Fox, I don't think I will look at a child the same ever again.

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

Itsy Bitsy Children

Today I traveled north to Rochester, Minnesota, to my first school visit. I read my two books - "Stubby's Destiny" and "Angel Eyes" to the morning and afternoon kindergarten classes. The little ones were so adorable. Their little eyes danced with excitement when they saw Stubby carrying the King of Kings on his back.

The girls seemed to like "Angel Eyes" and the boys enjoyed "Stubby's Destiny."

On Friday I have a library visit and on Saturday I have another book signing at the Christian book store in Charles City, Iowa.

Writing for little ones,
Dixie

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

Stubby's Destiny is Released

Auntie Lo, Cindy Wendland and I went on a road trip to see Libby and Ike at Liberty University. It was wonderful to see the kids.

Paul and I are so excited because of the release of "Stubby's Destiny" from Guardian Angel Publishing. If you know of any children who are in difficult circumstances, we pray that they can hear the story of "Stubby's Destiny". It's a heartwarming tale of hope for children of all ages.

Hope you enjoy some of the pictures we have posted.
Dixie