Sins of the Spirit

The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. Luke 15:28a NLT

Lord, today I was angry. When friendship was extended, I responded coolly. I felt justified. After what "she" had said, I had a right to treat her that way. Who does "she" think "she" is making such condescending statements? I haven't done anything to deserve her cruel comments. In the long run, this will teach her a valuable lesson -- her behavior is unacceptable. I will not reward such dysfunction. After all, her attitude is totally despicable and it goes against the teaching in Your Word, Lord. I certainly don't want to enable her. I've settled it once and for all. I am right. No doubt about it. There is no need in my discussing it any more. I am positively........ positively miserable.

"Why am I in such unrest, Lord? How is it possible that I can I be right and yet be so wrong?"

In the depths of my soul, I discern "I" am part of the problem. "I" am like the prodigal son's older brother, who wouldn't go in because of his diseased soul. The Holy Spirit's diagnosis -- sins of the spirit; a spiritual malady, which can render the patient powerless to love. Many times manifestations can be masked and difficult to detect, but only for a short time. If not given the biblical antidote of love and humility, the disease can spread to vital organs of the body.

Symptoms include:
Polite coolness when friendship is available
Consumed with proving your point
Touchiness, sensitivity
Needing to persuade others to embrace your point of view
Loving your opinions more than you love people

I whisper a prayer, "Forgive me, Lord. I'll righten my wrong. Life is too short for me to feed this grudge. Now where is my cell phone? I need to call and check on my friend."


"Angel Eyes" and "Stubby's Destiny" Reviews


I received an e-mail from Heidi Strawser. She reviewed "Angel Eyes" and "Stubby's Destiny." To read her review just go to http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi/620152/

Enjoy,
Dixie

Mirror, Mirror Off the Wall

Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and its bronze stand from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Exodus 38:8 NLT

It must have been a great sacrifice for some of these women to give their bronze mirrors to Bezalel. For some, it possibly meant never being able to see their reflection again.

There are days that I feel Jesus is asking me to give my mirror to Him. There seems to be a “Call” from Heaven that is pleading to look at myself less and to fasten my eyes upon my Savior more. It’s not as easy as it seems. Giving my mirror to Jesus means that I can’t always be looking out for “me”.

There are days I fail. I clutch my mirror like a toddler clinging to his favorite blanket and insist on keeping it. On those days I am most miserable.

But there are other days that I take the mirror off my wall and give it to Jesus and a miraculous transformation takes place. I see life so much clearer. I begin to sing –

Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus.
I’ve lost sight of all beside.
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.

I will begin today by taking my mirror off the wall and giving it to my King. Maybe there is someone that I can love for Jesus today.

“Mirror, mirror off the wall.
Today I give to Christ my all?”

Grandma Eleanor was the stabilizing force in my life for as long as I can remember. Her wisdom and common sense echoed in the corridoors of my soul, long after she passed away. After her death, it seemed the grief would come in waves, and cast shades of suffocating bereavement throughout my day. I would always find comfort in the Scriptures and consolation in the old hymns about Heaven. But one day as our family was embarking on a new adventure, I was stung by this painful reality - Grandma Eleanor wouldn't be part of our family's joyous celebration.

Rebekah, the first of our four children was married on August 9, 2008. As we were making wedding preparations, I discovered a treasured picture of Grandma Eleanor cradling our newborn Beka in her arms. Hot tears slipped down my cheeks.

"Oh, Grandma, I wish you could be here. You would know exactly how many pounds of strawberries and bananas we need for the chocolate fountain." I whimpered.

Rebekah and I had tried to think of a theme for her wedding and decided since she was marrying Zacharia David Fox - 'The Fox Tale Begins' would fit the bill. We had hunted for tiny, imitation foxtails, in hopes of making cute wedding favors with our witty slogan attached, but we weren't having any luck. We gave up and chose an entirely different theme.

I couldn't stop staring at the picture of my beloved grandmother. "Oh, Grandma, you would be so proud of Beka and Zac. They love the Lord and have surrendered their lives to His work." I whispered.

Suddenly a verse from Hebrews smoldered in my heart.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV

A small box caught my eye. I remembered when Grandma Eleanor had died my father had given me a box which held a few of her knick-knacks. Inside the plain, cardboard box was a tiny package with a stained Martha Washington one and one-half cent stamp fastened in the right corner and a faded label addressed to Mrs. Eleanor Holtz. I lifted the lid off and gasped when I saw a tiny foxtail attached to a white leather bookmark that was etched with a gold imprint of a fox.

It was a "God wink" for me and it brought such comfort to my grieving soul. As my fingers traced the soft foxtail, I pondered the delightful, heavenly gift. Could it be that Grandma Eleanor was a member of that great cloud of witnesses? Could she be cheering us on? Is it possible she already knows that her great-granddaughter will be married this summer? I may never know this side of Heaven the answers to my questions, but this one thing I know - The Holy Spirit takes great pleasure in comforting grieving hearts. So, I will dry my wet eyes and rejoice as our family's Fox tale begins!

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.

Family Reunion

Mom, Auntie Lo and I took a road trip to North Carolina. We were thrilled to see my brother and his family.

I was able to attend the first Write2Ignite Conference. It was wonderful! I've posted some pictures from our trip.

Enjoy,
Dixie

You Are Invited to a Booksigning

You are all invited to a booksigning for "Angel Eyes" and "Stubby's Destiny".

The first booksigning will be at Divine Inspirations
501 11th Street
Charles City, Iowa

on November 22nd

From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.


The second booksigning will be at Olive Branch
in the Willowbrook Mall
Mason City, Iowa

on November 29th

From 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Paul and I would love to see you there.

Writing for little ones,
Dixie

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