Thankful Thursday: Kampers Give Thanks

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

As I wrote to You yesterday Father, Wednesday morning I was Blessed with the opportunity to visit Kay’s Kamp at St. Andrew’s School, and got to witness first-hand the wonderful work the Kamp Staff does for the children that attend.  As Jonathan has been a Kamper since they opened their doors in 2009, it was an emotional and eye-opening visit for me, and I left feeling very thankful for the Blessings You deliver through their hands.

As part of my visit, I spent time with the “Newsletter Group”.  Each day at Kamp, a newsletter is created by the staff and children which describes what’s going on, reports on Kamp gossip and lists some answers to interview questions posed by the Kamp “reporters”.  With the assistance of the staff, I was able to add a question to the list for the day…

What about Kamp are you thankful for?

Here are their answers Father.  🙂

– All the activities we do because can’t do this stuff at home.

– The Pillow Fairy coming every year.

– That kids get to enjoy themselves here!

– Thankful for just being here.

– Pranking the boys.

– Sports and Games.

– Coffee.

– Zoo Keepers.

– Just being part of it.

– The food.

– Bathrooms.

– Dessert.

– Jennie and all floaters.

– Bugspray.

– Learning new things.

– For coming here every summer.

– The Kampers.

– Derek.

– The kitchen staff.

– The counselors.

– Markie.

– Mr. Bling.

– Kristin.

– All the stuff they do for us so we can have fun.

While I don’t actually know what all of these mean, or who some of these folks are Father, it’s obvious that the staff and the Kampers are very thankful for this week of fun.  🙂

Heavenly Father, for all of the Blessings you bestow on us each day; both those that are obvious and those that grace us without fanfare, we give thanks.  I pray that Your Light continues to brighten our hearts, and that we are effective in shining that divine radiance to those around us.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

The Power of a Dream

Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!

Today Father, my heart is virtually overflowing from this morning’s experience.

As I mentioned last week, through the kindness of the Kaylyn Elaine Warren Foundation I had made arrangements to attend “Media Day” at Kay’s Kamp today, so I could see first-hand what this unique camp is all about.

Kay’s Kamp is currently the only pediatric oncology camp in Delaware.  It’s the realization of a vision held by Kaylyn Elaine Warren, who left this earth to join You in March of 2007 at the tender age of 18.  While going through treatment for leukemia herself, she learned first-hand the effects that battling a life-threatening illness can have on the world of a child.  With that thought in mind, she envisioned a way for other children in that situation to have a place to revel in their childhood; to spend time not focusing on survival, but on being a child and living.  When Kaylyn left to be with You Father, the torch was taken up by her family and close friends who formed the Kaylyn Elaine Warren Foundation in her loving memory, and began the long journey of making Kaylyn’s dream a reality.

Kay’s Kamp opened for the first time on August 8, 2009, and has been an amazing Blessing for the children they’ve hosted each year.  Since Jonathan attended that first year, we’ve come to think of these people as family Lord, and I thank You from the bottom of my heart for bringing us together.  It’s a testament to Your love that the selfless vision of one sick young girl could bring such light, laughter and hope to so many others.

And today, I got a wonderful opportunity to see the love they bring to these children.  🙂

As Jonathan had attended Kamp for two years already, I thought I had some concept of what was involved… I wasn’t even close.

As I drove onto the beautiful grounds of Saint Andrew’s School where Kamp is currently being held, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sight I beheld.  The main field was full of blue-shirted Kampers and staff, all standing around a huge multi-colored hot air balloon.

As a surprise for the children, the Kamp planners had arranged for hot air balloon rides and they were in the process of rotating the kids through their turns.  When the breeze kicked up making further rides impossible, the Kampers paused for some quick photos and then were whisked off to the main building for the rest of the day’s activities.

In the watchful company of one of the Kamp’s wonderful staff, I spent the rest of the morning going between buildings, and experiencing some of the myriad of well-coordinated activities they filled the children’s days with.  From arts and crafts projects, to a brainstorming session for the Kamp’s daily newsletter, to splashing around in the beautiful indoor pool, the Kampers were kept well entertained and cared for by the tireless and devoted Kamp Staff.

On every Kamper’s face I saw nothing but smiles, reflecting joyful memories that I know they’ll take with them when Kamp ends this Saturday.

On the way out, I got the opportunity to stop by “The Zoo” (the Kamp Medical facility), and spoke with Mary Ellen McKnight who heads and coordinates the medical staff that resides there throughout the week.  Although certainly tired from the week’s activities, like every other staff member I encountered today she was positively beaming about the experience and couldn’t say enough about how thankful she felt to be involved with such a worthwhile endeavor, and such wonderful people.

All in all Father, it was a joyous and humbling visit.  I was absolutely Blessed by the experience.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the wondrous gifts You bestow on these children through the selfless efforts of the Kaylyn Elaine Warren Foundation.  Please continue to Bless them on this inspired mission, and allow the light You shine through their efforts to be sent out to the world through the children they serve.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Pray for Them

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

You know Father, You’ve been quite “chatty” with me as of late.  I mean, I “hear” from you rather often in general; through quiet whispers on my heart, subtle “out of track” thoughts crossing my mind, and by recognizing Your guidance in the Blessings around me.  Lately however, Your “nudges” have become more and more regular and in many cases, the message has been the same…

“Pray for them.”

Now Lord, when I see someone obviously in need of Your help, I always try to lift them up in prayer.  Lately however, You’ve been telling me to pray for people in situations where my first inclination on how to react is certainly not prayer…

A client who my staff and I bent over backwards to help is complaining and arguing about the bill…

“Pray for them” You told me.

In the midst of some marital turmoil, the wife of someone I care about is saying and doing spiteful and selfish things to her spouse and family…

“Pray for them” You told me.

An employee of a close friend of mine’s business is feeling “put-upon”, and is saying and doing sneaky and hateful things to him and his company…

“Pray for them” You told me.

A lady that my wife used to consider a friend has begun lashing out at her and others with petty, demeaning and insulting exchanges and actions…

“Pray for them” You told me.

Ok Father… Message received.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. – Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV)

While I never really considered these people “enemies” per-se, apparently my heart had passed judgment all the same, making my perspective the same nonetheless.  Lifting these situations and those involved to Your mercy places them into Hands that can truly mend lives, and fulfills Your Will for my role as well.

Thank You so much for these convicting reminders Father, and for all of Your guidance in my life.  I’m most certainly a work in progress, but I pray that through Your direction I continue to emerge from my broken shell into Your Light.

Amen.

~Phather Phil

I’m Thanking You…

Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!

To start the day off Father, I want to thank You for the “nudge” You gave me yesterday regarding the email I wrote to You.  As You know, I had actually started on a completely different topic but part-way through writing it, You intervened and led me to what You wanted me to post.  It’s a message that’s been on my heart ever since, and I thank You for that whisper.

Today, I’d like to share something that You placed in front of me this morning.  It’s a letter to You written by an unknown author, but it very much spoke to me following yesterday’s conversation.

Dear God:
I want to thank You for what You have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;
I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better;
I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me;
I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears;
I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves;
I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet;
I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job;
I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief;
I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed;
I am thanking You right now.
I am thanking You because I am alive. I am thanking You because I made it through the day’s difficulties. I am thanking You because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking You because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I’m thanking You because Father, You haven’t given up on me.

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Really God??

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

Really God??

I’ve been hearing this quite a lot as of late Father, and I’ll admit I’ve even thought it myself more than once in the recent past.  It’s certainly not a query intended out of disrespect Lord, but one usually born of frustration due to trials we, or someone we care about, are going through…

My marriage is falling apart, and my spouse is leaving… Really God??

The job I’ve invested years of hard work and energy in is gone… Really God??

My test results came back and the cancer has returned… Really God??

We’ve run out of money… And I’m not sure what to do… Really God??

My child was born with a serious, incurable disease which threatens to take him from us… Really God??

I feel empty, tired, defeated and sad all the time… Really God??

We all have those moments Father, when we search for the meaning and purpose that only You have; when it feels like the weight of the world sits squarely upon our shoulders, and relief seems to be a distant destination.  And in our limited, broken, earthly shells we cry out… Really God??

When I speak to people going through such trials Lord, I always try to offer the hope and encouragement that Your Promises to us bring…

You promise never to leave our sides…

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

You promise that our needs will be met…

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:28-33 (NIV)

You promise that You will ease our burdened souls…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

And You promise that You will always love us…

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Such powerful promises You’ve given to Your Children Father…

In the midst of our struggles, it can be difficult to see the signs of Your love for us through that cloud of pain and fear, but that’s where our Faith carries us on:

Faith that even though we don’t have “The Big Picture” or know why things happen the way they do, You do, and want what’s best for us.

Faith that when we call upon You in our brokenness, You’ll hear our pleas and act on our behalf, whether it’s as we would expect or not.

Faith that when we come to You with a humble and open heart and lay our burdens at Your feet, Your peace and comfort will ease our troubled spirits.

When we rely on our Faith to look beyond the earthly trials we face, and focus on the Blessings and Grace You bring to our lives each day, it begs the question…

Really God??  Thank You!!

Amen.

~Phather Phil