Changing Seasons

As we take notice of the changes of seasons around us we should also take note of the changes in the seasons of our lives. Some changes come easily and others are accompanied by emotional baggage and pain. We will not always immediately recognize the reason God orchestrates these things in our lives, but we should be confident that it is for our good and His glory. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)

The Dixon family has been through many changes and seasons over the past three years and we continue to hold fast to our faith in God. We are in the midst of a new  journey and we intend to keep our focus on God. It can be so easy to be distracted by the world and trying to please others that we stray from our intended path. The enemy is constantly at work around us from directions that we least expect. To protect ourselves from these attacks we should follow the instructions outlined in Ephesians 6:10-20 and put on the Full Armor of God in order to stand against the schemes of the devil. We choose to walk in the light as it says in Ephesians 5:6-14,

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 

The season has come for us to put aside things of the past, and look forward to what God has in store for us as we press on.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 ESV)

Your continued prayers are appreciated as we seek Gods will for our family.

Fred, Dusty, & Tyler

Endings and Beginnings...

As we close the door on 2014, we have much to reminisce about. The past year has met us with highs and lows. We have left behind good friends and reunited with  other good friends. We have not even been able to sit and comprehend the enormous way we have been blessed by God through the goodwill of others. We have had our faith tested on many levels. We have questioned decisions in our lives, and we have certainly questioned God's timing in our lives. We have more than ever before had a lesson in patience. We understand now that waiting on God directs the glory to Him, and gives you a testimony. It may be a month or so before we are able to put into words exactly how God has been evident in every aspect of our existence, especially during the past three years. 

Dear friends and family, we take this time to thank you for your support, prayers and encouragement. Today being the final day Central Church is accepting donations on our behalf, It is nothing short of a miracle how God provided a position at FedEx that I will be able to return to. My start date is the 16th and my first check will be on January 31st. While January will be financially difficult for us, we know that God will provide just like He has for the last 3 years. 

This is not an ending but the beginning of whatever God has planned for us next. Please continue praying for our family as we step up to continue our service to the Lord, we pray God will rain blessings down upon you in the New Year as you have been a blessing to us. Remember you are blessed to be blessings to others.

With much love,

Fred 

Fred, Dusty, and Tyler

While I wait........,

I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11 GNB)

I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 GNB)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV)

It's not about me. Help me Lord to trust you fully in your timing.

Fred

Now What?

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14, 15 NIV)

Prayer without faith is futile. 

When you pray, do you believe God is listening? Do you believe that God answers prayer? Do you know that God has your best interest at heart?

God has blessed our family in more ways than we can possibly list. We know that we have many people praying for us, and we believe that God smiles upon corporate prayer.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19 NIV)

Over the past two years and even the prior months leading up to our relocation to Guatemala, we have been the recipients of overflowing love of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This love came in the forms of spiritual, financial, physical, and emotional support. Whatever God "blesses" us with, we believe he wants to know, "Now what are you going to do with it?". God blesses us in order that he may receive the glory. God blesses us in order that we may be a blessing to others. I remember a song from when I was a child that went something like this;

Love is something if you give it away,
Give it away, give it away.
Love is something if you give it away,
You end up having more.

It's just like a magic penny,
Hold it tight and you won't have any. 
Lend it, spend it, and you'll have so many
They'll roll all over the floor.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV)

In thinking of how we can share the love that has come our way, and thinking of the experience we have gained over the past three years, we have developed a heart for missionaries. We have been given a unique insight into the needs, and circumstances missionaries deal with. We have been shown the resources available through those that have come alongside of us. We have a desire to harness the love of friends families, congregations, classes, groups, or anyone to support missionaries needs. Our experience has shown that missionaries feel that their supporters only want to hears positive reports. This thinking causes them to carry around burdens that they feel they cannot let go of.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

In the Bible Barnabas was known as the encourager. Let us all be encouragers to those that are sharing Gods love around the world.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36, 37 NIV)

if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:8 NIV)

Please pray as we seek Gods direction. May God be glorified in our works, words, and actions.

Fred, Dusty, and Tyler

The Dixon's

Still on a Mission!

It's all for Jesus!

It's All For Jesus!

It's all for Jesus, what does that mean really? I imagine a world where you open your eyes in the morning and the first thing you do is to dedicate your day to God. An opportunity to put God first in everything you do, in everything you say. Our existence here in this world is all about Him, and should in every way glorify Jesus. How do we manage this in the world we reside in? When life takes a turn from the direction we thought it should be headed, how do we know we are still on God's path for us. Faith is the key ingredient in staying God focused. All in, that's how God wants us to be. When the Dixon's made the move to Guatemala, we went all in for God. We didn't prepare a plan B, we didn't make a list of what ifs. We came all in for Jesus. Even though we were prepared to stay here forever, that wasn't necessasarily the plan of God. Now as we prepare for the next phase of our journey we get to take along a whole new collection of experiences that will prepare us for what is ahead. It is not easy to set aside fear and uncertainty when following God's will, but in the end He will see us through.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28esv

What a comfort to know that "all things" will come together for good. God is not finished with us yet. He is continuously working on us and in us to build us up for his purpose. That is all of us! You may be in a valley right now, that on your own you see no way out of, but friend please know that God is the way. When you emerge from the place that you allow him to bring you out of you will be stronger and hopefully closer to God. Recognize that on your own you are not capable of even taking a breath and surrender yourself to the fact that you need God. 

Maybe you think you are on the top of the world, having all your needs met. You have more than you will ever need. If you do believe in God, you may even call yourself blessed. What you call a blessing could actually be a burden. Maybe God is telling you, I have given you all of this, what will yo do with it? Will you use it to help others? Will you share it? Will you hold it close for comfort? Read Matthew 5:1-12 to find out who Jesus called "blessed". All for Jesus, is not always an easy path. This way has many difficult decisions to be made. 

I am writing these thoughts and comments for my own benefit, to remind myself "it's all for Jesus".

As the absence of my family fills my house with silence, I will spend the time with God. When someone offends me or is unkind I will remember, I cannot control the actions of others, I can only control my reaction. When my expectations are not met, I will remember that I am to live for God and not for me. 

Please pray for me that can strive to live a life that's " all for Jesus".

Fred

Another reminder, "It's not about us"

I am not sure who sent this verse for us today, but it fit into so many aspect of life and ministry here.

If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? (Psalm 127:1, 2 MSG)

I am really trying to shift my focus while reading the Bible from looking for what the verses have to offer me , to looking for ways God wants us to glorify himself. The Bible is not about us it is about God and His glory. 

The first verse fits right into some of the construction projects we do at Impacto. In the past I have shared some of the stories if families we build  for and the great needs they have. This verse clearly shows us that unless we allow The Lord to be glorified in this, it will have been done in vain. We pray that while a new house is a blessing to a needy family, it will serve as a testimony to God and what he can accomplish. 

Three weeks of VBS ministry is winding up and now we will pause to prepare for the next opportunities to bring glory to  God and even pause to rest and give thanks as a team.

We would ask for your prayers for the Zona Cero youth event coming up. Pray that The Lord will use those coming from the U.S. and Canada. along with the Impacto staff to reach lost youth to draw back to God those that have gone astray and to make disciples of the Christian youth in theses communities.

Thank you so much for your support and prayers!

Fred

 

New Ministry Opportunity

With the help of New Life Church, and Central Church we have acquired books, study guides, and the DVD for the "Purpose Driven Lufe" study. The idea is to begin a small group study beginning in January with individuals we use as translators and other English speakers. This is a diverse group of people, believers, baby Christians, and those that have not yet accepted Christ. This will be an opportunity for discipleship as well as evangelism. Please be in prayer for those that will be invited, that they would accept and that relationships would grow, fellowship would take place, and mostly God would be glorified! 

God Bless You!

My email is:

fred@impactoministry.com