Knowing God as a Loving Father
About MagnifyJesus.com
Jim Dixon's
sons were playing with a little red wagon when it broke and his younger son,
Jeffrey, began to cry. His big brother, Mike, said, "Don't worry Jeff. Daddy can
fix it!" That "Daddy can fix it" has rung in Jim's ears ever since. That is the
kind of relationship our Heavenly Daddy wants with us. He wants us to know that,
whatever is broken, Daddy can
fix
it!
Mark 10 records the story of people bringing their children for Jesus to bless Him, when the disciples rebuked them, saying, "Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it . " (Mark 10:14-15 NET emphasis mine)
MagnifyJESUS.com began when Jim Dixon was studying what it means to truly be a child of God, and discovered eight characteristics of a child the Jesus is looking for in us, but we tend to forget as we get older. His book, Like a Child , explores those characteristics, how we forget them and how to reclaim them. That book has led to a commitment to share with others what it means to help you understand God as a loving Father, your "Daddy" who can fix it when you bring it to Him.
We are adopted into the Father's family. Paul, in his letters to the Romans and Galatians, describes the Spirit of adoption that allows us to cry out, "Abba! Father!", a term of endearment akin to "Daddy" or "Papa." This signifies not just legal adoption, but a loving, personal bond:
For
you
have not received a spirit of slavery leading to
fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as
sons by
which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit
that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and
fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him
so that we may also be glorified
with Him
." (Romans 8:15-17)
"Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." (Galatians 4:6-7)
Embracing
God as "Abba, as "Daddy", transforms the dynamic of your relationship with Him.
It becomes more personal, more intimate, and ultimately more fulfilling. Our
hope is that you will recognize God not only as a Father, but as a loving
"Daddy" who desires a close relationship with you. When you see Him this way,
your spiritual life is enriched and your connection with Him deepens.
About Jim and Marsha Dixon
Jim is an author, conference speaker, pastor, and law enforcement chaplain. Jim
and Marsha both gave their lives to Jesus Christ in 1987 following years of a
tumultuous marriage that nearly ended in divorce. Some time after that surrender
they were discussing their separation when God divinely stepped in and restored
that marriage. Their book, God's Blueprint for Marriage, shares what they
learned through repentance, reconciliation and a year-lo
ng
restoration, and what it means to have a godly marriage. Jim's second book, No
Pause Button, is about preparing for spiritual warfare by putting on the armor
of God. His third book, Like a Child, identifies the childlike characteristics
Jesus is looking for, why we tend to lose them and how to regain them. All three
books are available at Amazon.
Jim began his pastoral ministry in 1987, and has since served as Worship Pastor, Associate Pastor and Sr. Pastor. He currently serves as Associate Pastor over his church's Small Group Ministry. He is a certified law enforcement and fire chaplain, serving the emergency service community for over 25 years.
Marsha is retired after her career in the medical industry, having served as nurse, office manager and clinic manager. Jim and Marsha have two grown sons and five granddaughter who all love and serve the Lord. They have an active missions ministry in Peru, where they have trained and equipped pastors and church leaders, encouraged churches, spoken at conferences and built lasting relationships as "Mom and Dad" to several pastors.
Last year Jim wrote two books,
No Pause Button and
Like a Child.
Those books, and God's
Blueprint for Marriage, and the encouragement of friends prompted the
decision to form MagnifyJesus.com and to share wherever the opportunity arises.
If you would like to know more about their ministry and how they might help you
please feel free to contact them by phone, text or email using the link
provided.
You can follow Jim on Facebook @pastorjimdixon and follow Marsha @marshastiredixon