Oh, The Places You’ll Go

I’m ashamed that it has taken me so long to write this post. I haven’t been self-disciplined in making time to write daily, so even the greatest of news has went unpublished. But I could not be more proud to announce the birth of my son and the first Dixon grandson of Coach Joe Bill Dixon: Joe Bill (Joby) Gunter Dixon.

Joby was born at 1:54 PM June 19, 2010 in the Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, MO. He weighed 7 lb. 7 oz. and was 20 inches long. I have read Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go shortly after the birth of each of my children because it captures the essence of my feelings at that time. I can’t help but wonder about their future. There is so much potential in a new life. There are so many paths that can be taken – good and bad. The book brings these thoughts to life, but it ends with a positive message and a challenge – a challenge to move mountains. There’s no telling what  a newborn babe can accomplish in his lifetime. Think of all the good that his hands and his mind can do, if he chooses to. And herein lies the intimidating factor about parenting. We can’t always make our children’s decisions. It is scary to think about the responsibility that a parent has to, not only protect, and nourish a weak and helpless baby, but also to guide the innocent life down the narrow road of righteousness.

However, I am thrilled that God has blessed me with such a challenge.

Proud Daddy with baby Joby

 

S.O.S Camp

“A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  -Jesus Christ (Luke 12:15)

One possession that the Dixon’s have been blessed with for five generations is a 280 acre farm south of West Plains, MO. This farm provided a livelihood for 3 generations of Dixons, and because the farm is not the livelihood for this 4th and 5th generation we are now in the process of exploring different ways that this farm can be used to glorify God. One way we have attempted this for approximately 10 years now is by hosting a Bible camp for underprivileged inner-city kids.

Brother Ron Babbitt has been introducing us to his “darlings” all these years first from St. Louis and now from Tulsa. We have had the privalage of serving kids like you see in these photos below all these years and they remind of us that this land and its resources are for growing God’s kingdom.

Many people dream of farms with beautiful, pristine cash crops or an abundance of roving livestock that can pad their pocketbook. We dream of a farm that is host to dirty-faced, imperfect kids and their families with an abundance of activities that helps pad hearts with God’s all-consuming love.

Roping the Sky

Brandon Maxwell, a guest from Whetstone Ranch, teaches some young men the skill of archery

Fishing fun in the hot sun

 

Doing our Duty

“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'”

-Jesus (Luke 17:10)

I have watched a total of maybe 1 NBA game this year, until the Finals. I have enjoyed watching 4 of the 5 finals games this year for two main reasons. One, it’s the Celtics vs. Lakers – NBA doesn’t get any better than that, and the Celtics have been my favorite team since I was a little boy watching Larry Bird make opponents look silly with his skill and tenacity. The second reason is that I have been able to watch 3 of the games with my Dad. We use to get the whole family around the tv to watch Bird’s Celtics, and that seems to be an impossibility now, but Dad’s comments about the games were the ones I always loved hearing the most anyway, so at least I get to watch these games with him now. Dad has taught me so much about life through sports both as a participant and a spectator. I still long for his teachings and nuggets of wisdom that he drops every so often.

One stark difference in the players from the Bird era (80’s) and today’s players. The bulk of players today beat their chest and yell to the crowd about how great they are for doing a routine play that the coach and all the fans in the crowd expected them to do anyway. And if the player does something out of the ordinary like make a last second shot then the show is on. I saw Glen “Big Baby” Davis perform a little dance like he had just scored a touchdown after he was fouled on a made put-back.  In stark contrast I remember Larry Bird making a last second game-winning 3 pointer from the corner against the Lakers, falling into the stands and then getting up, smiling, giving a teammate a high-five as he trotted into the locker room. He acted as if he knew he was going to do that, as if it was just part of his job description. And in reality it was. He was the superstar and people expected him to make those shots, he expected to make those shots, and he didn’t try to draw attention to himself for simply doing his duty. That’s why people loved him.

I’m rooting for the Celtics because I’m a loyal fan (I even wore Celtic’s hats and clothing during the late 90’s and early 00’s) but I’m not real fond of the modern Celtics because of this fact.

Do your duty without trying to draw attention to yourself, in the long run, this is much more attractive.