Phil's Friends Blog - Entries from December 2011

²⁵ And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. ²⁶ For you are all children^[a] of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.^[b]

^25-27But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise.

I was baptized on Christmas Day in 1982 at the age of 10 years old.  And while I've understood why I needed to be baptized since then, I don't know that I ever really thought about the significance of being baptized on that particular day (Christmas Day) and the significance of how I wound up in that church on that day in the first place.  It all started with an invitation from a friend.  When I was little, my younger sister was best friends with a girl named Penny.  Penny's family lived a few blocks away and we spent a lot of time playing at their house.  Her brother, Sam was a year older than me.  There were other siblings older and younger, but Penny and Sam were the two that we played with most.  Over time, my parents became friends with their parents.  Their parents reached out at some point and invited our family to go to church with them.  My dad had grown up Catholic, but left the church and really had no interest in becoming involved with organized religion again.  It seems that God had other plans.  I know there was more than one invitation and more than one discussion about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus.  Eventually, my dad accepted the invitation, putting each of us on the path to accepting that relationship for ourselves.

I know I didn't understand the symbolic nature of my baptism day until much later.  The fact that Christ's birth and my (spiritual) rebirth are forever linked by sharing the same date on the calendar is a concrete reminder to me of the purpose of Jesus' life on Earth.  He was born to die for the forgiveness of all of our sins.  To give us the gift of salvation.  But once we accept that gift, once we have arrived at our destination, it doesn't mean that our journey is over.  What it really means is our journey has only just begun.  We need to put on that new faith wardrobe and use whatever time we have left to live according to His will and extend His love to others.

When I think about the invitation the Wright family made to my family almost 30 years ago, I sometimes wonder what kind of life I would have now if they hadn't boldly shared their faith with us then.  And when I say "boldly" I don't mean the kind of conversation that ends with the words "Turn or burn."  I mean a real conversation, not an argument where one side has to win.  They met us where we were, told us why they believed what they believed, and invited us to take a look at what the Bible says.  They never judged my dad's decision to walk away from the church he grew up in.  Instead, they invited him back into God's house.  They invited him to come home.

I never plan what I am going to write about when I sit down to compile this list of prayer requests.  I sit down at my computer and start typing.  Last week, I wrote about three people holding hands.  The one on the left is the person who needs encouragement, the one of the right is God and you are the one in the middle linking the other two together.  That mental picture is coming into focus for me this week.  Sometimes the person on the left isn't going to want to hold your hand, but that doesn't mean you should ever stop extending it.  It might take more than one invitation.  And when you think of the path you might be putting that person on someday...well, I can only speak for myself when I say that the possibilities are endless and awesome.

Praise:

• Thank you, Lord for all of the blessings you have brought to Phil's Friends in the last year.  Our outreach continues to grow.  We thank you for all of the advocates, volunteers, and staff that you have brought to help us bring hope to those affected by cancer.  We thank you for the larger office/warehouse space which will enable us to reach more people.  Keep our hearts focused on You in the coming year.  And let everything we say and do be a reflection of Your love.

• From Gene: I received your wonderful Care Package today. Thank you so much. The gifts and the bag are very much appreciated.  I finished chemo Oct 31 and a blood test and CT scan since then have come back as "normal". I have had a lot of friends and family members praying for me during this ordeal and I found comfort in that. I now begin a monitoring process every 90 days.  Thank You and Merry Christmas.

• From the family of Robert:  Thank you for the many cards, gifts and prayers while Robert was dealing with cancer.  The prayers and love that was sent to us was wonderful.  We both especially loved the cards from the children.  It is with a sad heart that I must tell you Robert passed away.  My prayers are with all of you each night.  Thank you again for all your kind gestures.  May God Bless each and every one of you.

Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for Lisa.  Lisa was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and after further testing, the doctors also found cancer in her liver.  She will be having surgery on the 23rd to remove the tumor in her colon.  The other one will be removed later.  Please pray for a successful surgery and peace for Lisa and her family.
• Please pray for Ron.  Ron has had many extensive surgeries and two rounds of chemo in the last few months.  It has left him with painful nerve damage and he cannot function well.  Please pray for pain relief.
• Please pray for Chuck.  Chuck was recently diagnosed with extensive Stage IV small cell lung cancer.  The cancer has spread to his bones.  He started chemo two weeks ago.  Please pray that the chemo does its job and kills the cancer cells and that he will have more years with his family and grandchildren.  Please pray for God to lift his spirits.
• Please pray for Glen.  He has prostate cancer and is recovering from surgery to have a tumor removed.  He is learning about post surgery treatments and procedures.  Please pray for his healing and for the strength to cope with whatever comes next.
• Please pray for the family of Robert who recently passed away.  May God fill them with his presence and peace during their first Christmas without him.
• Continue to pray for Nicholas, an 8 yr. old boy who has leukemia and has been in a coma for the last few weeks.
• Continue to pray for Joel (Phil's brother) who is still recovering from a motorcycle accident.

Lord, as we celebrate the birth of Your Son, remind us of what the gift of his life and death really means.  Fill our hearts with Your Spirit.  Give us the courage to boldly share our faith.  We thank You for the blessings you continue to provide.  And we pray for all those listed above.  We ask for healing, comfort and relief from pain.  We ask for strength and courage for those facing uncertainty.  Let those people know that even in times of doubt, You are there.  We ask that you lift the spirits of those who are feeling down.  Bring them joy and peace.  Open their eyes to acknowledge that blessings can still be received in the midst of suffering.  We ask that you provide safe travels to all our patients, advocates, volunteers and staff as they visit family and friends over the holidays.  And most of we thank you for the most precious gift of all, the baby in the manager, the Savior of the world.  Amen.


Merry Christmas!

• Thank you, Lord for the resources you continue to provide.  We've been blessed with many new volunteers and people who are willing to contribute to growing our organization so that we can serve more people each week.

• From Cathy - I want to say "THANK YOU."  I have been blessed with one of your care packages and with many beautiful cards and prayers.  Last year, I received a diagnosis of CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia).  This came as a shock and a life changing event.  I believe in the power of prayer.  Over the past year I have taken chemo pills and now my cancer seems to be under control.  I enjoy the cards and appreciate the prayers.  Thank you for remembering me daily.
• From Tom - Thanks so much for your uplifting cards.  They are a real blessing to me.  God is so good and faithful and has watched over me during this journey.  (Note: Tom quoted a verse at the end of his note 1 John 2:8.  I did not look up this verse until after I typed my thoughts above...the verse says: "Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining."  The light is being made evident.  You just have to know where to look!)
• From Carol - Thank you for a wonderful evening (4th Annual COH Dinner.)  I am so happy I was able to attend.  I was the recipient of a care package just last week and it couldn't have come at a better time.  God was watching over me.  Without my faith, I could never have come this far.  Thank you for reaching out to people dealing with cancer.  I am very blessed to have my faith, family and wonderful friends.  And now I have Phil's Friends, too.

Prayer Requests:
 

• From Barb - I had my last chemo on Nov. 14.  Please pray that my upcoming CT scan will be ok.  I love you all.  Thanks for being my friend.  God Bless!
• For Sabrina - She has leukemia.  Please pray for her healing.
• For Kristie - She recently found out that her cancer is spreading even more and will start stem cell treatments.  She is married with two young kids.  Kristie and her family really need everyone's support.
• Please pray for the family of Barbara who recently passed away.
• Please pray for Elizabeth as she adjusts to life without her husband, Arthur.