A Love Greater Than Death

By Dori Phillips

Once upon a time, there was a little girl with dreams of a fairytale life. She daydreamed about the perfect little white house on a hill with a white picket fence, a wonderful husband, and two children (a boy and a girl, of course).

A fairytale ending might seem impossible, but once you experience the love of God, a happy ending

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Feb 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887381749

Dori Phillips

A Christian, wife, and working mother, Dori Phillips is now following the vision God has given her to share the message of the gospel with the world. Dori travels to churches, conferences, and other events to share her story with the hope of leading others into the same freedom and healing that she has received by the divine grace and power of God.

Book preview

Table of Contents

DEDICATION

Foreword

Foreword II

Preface

Introduction

My Story

Our Life Together

The Fateful Day

The Revelation

Changing My Mind

From a Tragedy to a Miracle

Being Still

He Never Changes

The Path to Freedom

Set Free

His Burden is Light

Healing and Forward Movement

The Call

The Final Chapter

Introduction for Study Guide

My Story

The Fateful Day – Part 1

The Fateful Day – Part 2

The Fateful Day – Part 3

The Revelation

Changing My Mind

From a Tragedy to a Miracle

Being Still

He Never Changes

The Path to Freedom

Set Free

His Burden is Light

This book is dedicated to the precious lives of my husband Adam, my sons Jacob, Blake, and Isaac, and my little girl Rachel.

May their story touch the hearts of people all around the world.

Foreword

Set me a seal upon your heart. This portion of Solomon’s Song is where my mind goes when I hear the title of this magnificent work of hope restored; this anthem of a testimony to our King and His everlasting mercy. I’ve always taught the congregations that I’ve been blessed to minister to, we don’t pray for an easy life, we pray for the strength to endure a hard one. That was before I met Dori and read the amazing and captivating account that is about to unfold on the pages you hold in your hand; before I took this heart-wrenching yet sanguine journey of overcoming. Now I teach the same thing still, but with a depth of urgency that I never had before. The Bible teaches us that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21) and history has taught us that the pen is mightier than the sword. Here Dori has wielded the pen to carve an anchor of hope for the hurting, a masterpiece of beauty from the ashes of suddenly. The power of these words is the overcoming power of testimony, a testimony dearly bought with tragedy that would justifiably derail the strongest among us. But God!! Set me as a seal and never let me go… He loves us, He is jealous for relationship, the God of the Universe is also the God of covenant who wants nothing more than to be one with you! (John 17:20-23). You are set upon His heart and etched into the palm of His hand, in this book you will learn exactly what you can expect from such a privileged position with the Almighty!

In the past, nearly, decade of getting to know Dori, having the honor of Pastoring her, and watching the Lord work through this amazing story and anointed woman, I have been blown away by both the initial approach of others toward her testimony and the end result of her ministering that testimony to various groups around the nation. One can always tell who read the book and who simply glanced at the byline! One particular encounter stands out. A well meaning fellow in response to the tragedy of the situation said, you can never really get over it but maybe you can get through it. This is not a story of maybe. This a story of moving through a mountain but at the end of it all, you end up on the other side. This is the focus. This is the point. Describe the journey in whatever terms make sense; if one travels over the mountain one experiences the apex, if one travels through the mountain one experiences the heart of it. But ultimately we who sojourn with Christ were not meant to wander in darkness grasping at maybes. Our land is one of promise, one that flows, and we never walk alone. What Jesus did for Dori, Jesus can do for you. This is the focus. This is the point.

In all of my experience, for what that is worth, I have never been acquainted with circumstances of this magnitude. The level of loss is only eclipsed by the depth of grace with which this humble woman of God continues to traverse her path in the Kingdom, always with a smile, always with a gentle spirit and a fierce Amen! For so it is written, though we be gentle as doves (Matt. 10:16) the righteous are as bold as lions (Prov. 28:1). In her boldness the author, here, declares with a steady voice and an unwavering heart: the perfect love of Christ has cast out the fear of death and He has given me a sound mind. This promise is for you as He has cast out the fear of death and He has given me a sound mind. This promise is for you as well. In a world growing ever colder and more distant from the Savior, Dori reminds us with this seminal work, God is not far from any one of us. He loves us. He knows our pains and He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. (Heb. 4:15)

I cannot express how deeply honored I am to have the opportunity to offer a foreword and some small encouragement in a written work such as this. Nor can I aptly describe the transformative effect that this chronicle of love, loss, and victory will have upon your life. You simply must read it. But, may I offer some humble advice? Read it slowly, read it thoughtfully, receive it as a template for your own healing and victorious life. Death comes to us all, but His love is greater. This is the focus. This is the point.

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Thad Caltagirone

Foreword II

If we hear Dori’s testimony outside the influence of the Holy Spirit we hear unspeakable tragedy and the confession of faith we do not understand–if God exists then why have you had to go through this awfulness? I say this from personal experience; when I was first given and read Dori’s book I was an unbeliever. Agnostic.

But Dori’s joy–something that can only be attributed to the power of God working in her life through the Holy Spirit–created a wonder in me. I have worked closely with Dori for 12 years, first as a co-worker and then as her boss. And for the vast majority of that time I rejected God. But He was doing a work. Dori and her testimony was part of that work. I do not fully understand it, but His plans will be established and succeed.

Then, several years ago I accepted Jesus as my Savior and I have been walking with Him and praising Him since that time. And I do credit His bringing Dori into my life as a huge piece of the mystery that is my redemption story.

I do not know why tragedy befalls certain people in such extreme ways. Some of us live lives of relative ease–if you’re anything like me, most of your harm has been self-inflicted. And then for some–believer and non-believer alike–there is awful tragedy that is endured for no discernible reason. But for those who have been called they have a friend in Jesus. Their burdens and suffering can be met with the love of God. They are restored. Because the gift of God is eternal life–and Dori’s family lives! And in between the great moment of reunion with her family, Dori has chosen to apply her strengths and her testimony to what she has done–confessing her faith and leading