Labor Day Greetings

Greetings on Labor Day.
A favorite passage of mine comes from Matt. 9:36-38 (in the Living Bible):

 And what pity he felt for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know what to do or where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd.

 "The harvest is so great, and the workers are so few," he told his disciples.  "So pray to the one in charge of the harvesting, and ask him to recruit more workers for his harvest fields."

 

This is the human condition and Jesus recognized it. Do we recognize it?  The ultimate solution? Jesus did not play around, not did he recommend political or sociological solutions. No, he went to the heart of the matter: the solution is with a certain kind of human being- a laborer, a person who is willing to give his or her life for the advance of the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom. This laborer realizes that the only real solution for basic human problems is the intervention in a life by another life. It looks very different in all kinds of situations but the principle remains the same: life upon life is the means by which a laborer exchanges and multiplies his or her life in Christ.

 

The pictures below are from my latest trip out to the West Coast.  Several of us from the our Military Leadership Team helped lead a training and development meeting for our staff in Southern California (serving five major military installations there).  I have been involved in this type of training event with others for about 4-5 years now. We have been working on helping our staff become even more effective in coaching,advising, shepherding and training the military laborers around them. These laborers are the backbone of our work among the US military. We hear reports every week of men and women coming to the Savior as a result of the ministry of these highly committed laborers on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan and many other places. I wish you could hear some of these stories- they are spine tingling.

 

On another laboring not, and as many of you know, we moved my mother into our home the end of May. We rejoice at the opportunity of serving her in her need and yet cry out to the Lord for strength and endurance. She continues to decline mentally but remains relatively physically healthy. Her memory both long and short is gone. She knows me but little else.  Yet, she remains relatively stable in her moment by moment life.

 

While getting her settled this summer, I reduced my travel schedule significantly. However, this looks like a very challenging year, and particularly in the next 6 months, in terms of where the Lord is leading our mission and some of the things he is asking of us. What is very clear is that the next 9-12 months will require a great deal of travel and so a good bit of challenge for Martha and I as we continue to care for Mother 24/7.  Without going into too much detail, I would deeply appreciate your prayers as we anticipate a time of stretching and stress.

 

Locally, we have seen God produce some terrific ministry opportunities:

+ Our continued joy with our 20 something small group that meets in our home on Wednesday evening- great progress on understanding the Word of God in shaping our spiritual lives.

+ A Tuesday night study of the Bible with a men's group that has been deep and rich to my soul.

+ A Sunday morning small group that is inter-generational and multi-cultural which has been a source of great encouragement for seeing the steady and faithful hand of Lord at work.

+ Several life on life relationships which are producing great growth in my life and the lives of others. One of these relationships includes a young couple who is moving toward joining our Military staff family.

+ A new couples study Martha and I have begun with another couple that is oriented toward helping one another with depth and intimacy in our walk with Christ and with one another.

 

I have several key prayer request for you:

 

* Please pray for our wisdom from the Lord to balance our responsibilities in care for my Mother and the work that God has given us.

* Ongoing strength for Martha and I as we "feel" our years in light of what is on our plates.

* Understanding and help as we face the need to increase the number of donors who support our ministry.

* Protection from the wiles of the evil one as we resist the flesh, the world, and the Devil.

* Wisdom from above as we discern the whole counsel of God in many matters pertaining to the future of our Mission.

 

A thought that has struck me recently comes from one of my life mentors, Dallas Willard: "Faith does not oppose knowledge, it opposes seeing. Grace does not oppose effort, but it opposes earning".  As always, I am tremdously motivated to be involved in laboring for the glory of our King! One of my life verses is a extortion from Paul on the subject of laboring for a lifetime:1 Cor 15:58 -Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

We abound by His strength and His might alone but we are greatly thankful for the empowerment you provide as well. Thanks so much for your prayer and support.

 

By His grace alone,

phil and martha