Blog

Articles on this page:
Setting our Minds
Too Busy
There is Hope
God is Working
What is Need
Looking for Something Real
Team Goes to Africa
Narrow Road
I Met a Man
Uganda
September 23,2009
September 18, 2009
September 1, 2009
August 20th

Setting our Minds

I was reading this morning Romans 8 and came across verse 6. "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. I was asking the Lord a question, "Am I walking in the Spirit?" For each of us, the answer can be found with examining ourselves based on verse 6. Is our mind set on life and peace? Dwelling in the most high, abiding with God, being alone with Him for sure is a place of peace, but how are we during the rest of the day? We ask for less of us and more of the Spirit...... Let us set our minds this week on being instruments of life and peace throughout each day; for Jesus Sake.
Back to top

Too Busy

This morning as I have been reflecting on how busy our lives have become and the over commitments which we all seem to face every day, I had a moment where I simply sat down and was fully encompassed with the peace of God. I wrote a dear friend a email encouraging her to rest, which she quickly responded to. Her response was as I had sensed, "overwhelmed." Pondering all that, I had the thought..... The Lord has many busy bees to do the many tasks, but He does not have too many children who simply want to just sit with him and rest in arms. I pray today you can spend time resting in the peace that passes ALL understanding. Let God worry about "all the stuff." Seek first this day that quiet place with the Lord.
Back to top

There is Hope

God was silent hundreds of years before Christ, I was thinking this morning, and how difficult it must have been to live in that corrupt evil world without hearing from God. There were no divine interventions no bible to read, no Holy Spirit, no miraculous signs, they simply had silence.

At times in our lives, we too have silence. Doubt and disbelief surround us and we wonder, “Where is God?” Have we acquired a believing faith that holds on in the silence? I think of Mary and Joseph, simple people, who lived with oppression, corruption and hardships every day but who, had faith that someday there would be a Savor who would liberate them from the oppression they were forced to live in.

First Peter verse 20 tells us that Jesus was revealed for our sake. How blessed we are that God is not silent and though we live in this dark world, for our sakes, God has made himself available to us.

Unlike the days prior to Christ, we know about Jesus, His spoken words have been left for us in the Gospels, we have the Bible, the knowledge of His kingdom and the Holy Spirit. We know there is a hope and a future. When you look at your lack and your many challenges and struggles you deal with, try to visualize the world before Christ - and give praise for all that you do have.

Jesus came giving hope where there had been no hope and a truth that pierced through the dark empty world. He brought into focus a new invisible kingdom. This is GREAT NEWS.

Back to top

God is Working

Sept. 19th, 2009
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”_Amos 5:24
Hello everyone! Megan and I have some incredible news, and we are honored and excited to share it with you. WE’RE ADOPTING!! Please take a moment to read about how this came about for us, and where we are at in the process.
Last fall, the Underground House of Prayer hosted a 40-day time of prayer and fasting as we headed into the ’08 elections. One of the issues on the South Dakota ballot was over the illegalization of abortion. We focused in specific intercession, asking God to end abortion in our land, and to raise up families to adopt. It was after this 40-day period that we started asking, “maybe we should adopt? Maybe we should be the answer to our own prayers!?”
During this same season of time, some of our best friends here in Sioux Falls, Seth & Rebekah Dekkenga started their adoption journey. The Lord has allowed us to walk with them through every step and over every hurdle. Again, we didn’t know it, but watching and learning from them has helped prepare us for our adoption. They are still on this journey (you can read more about their adoption at: http://dekkenga.wordpress.com), and hope to be bringing their son home soon! Please pray for them as dealing with the Liberian government has proved to be very difficult.
Now, fast forward to the end of March ‘09, Megan and I were given tickets to a marriage conference in Minneapolis. From the beginning of the 4-hour drive, the main topic of our conversation revolved around adoption. Should we, shouldn’t we, what would that look like, how will we know if we should? These questions filled our minds. We prayed and asked the Lord, “please show us Father, lead us in this, give us a sign.” Interestingly enough, about every 3-4 miles on the highway between Sioux Falls and Minneapolis is an “Adopt-a-highway” sign! Needless to say, we had about a hundred “signs!”
We continued to pray on and off about adoption for several months. On July 11th, we attended a worship training seminar in Bismarck, ND. The worship leader and speaker happened to be a man that has 9 kids—7 adopted. In addition to the teaching on worship, he spoke about the Lord’s heart for adoption. Our time in Bismarck was life-changing, and completely solidified our call to adoption. The Lord gripped our hearts specifically for the orphans of the world that no one wants.
After that weekend in July, we started doing some specific research, and were pointed to an organization called Reece’s Rainbow. Reece’s Rainbow (www.reecesrainbow.org) is a ministry that helps children around the world with special needs. They specialize in down syndrome adoptions, but also help place children with a myriad of physical and mental setbacks. Through prayer, the Lord led us to a little boy in Serbia named Dane. He’ll be 3 on November 4th (see photo!). Dane has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and they think possibly some Autism.
_Dane is developmentally delayed and was abandoned the first year of his life before the Serbian Social Services rescued him. We’ve learned most children in Eastern European countries, if not adopted by the age of 5, live out their days in horror. Their existence on earth until they die, includes 1 meal a day, 1 rinse off a day, and then are left in a crib, tied up, without physical contact.
As we prayed, and did research on the reality of raising a special needs child, we developed a pros and cons chart. Everything on the pros side was in line with God’s heart, and everything on the cons side had to do with our fears. We’ve decided to live in-line with God’s heart, and to not make decisions based on our fears.
We’re are doing our home study right now, filing all sorts of paperwork and applications, and are taking care of our requirements for the Serbian government. We don’t know when we’ll be going to get him, but Lord willing we’ll leave by the first of the year. We’ll be in Serbia for 3 weeks meeting Dane and his orphanage director, taking care of paperwork, learning about Dane’s hometown, and completing the adoption ceremony.
With all of these things in mind, we are asking humbly for your help.
First, and most importantly, will you pray for us? Prayer is the foundation of everything. We are relying on prayer for the completion of this adoption, but more than that, we are already praying for Dane’s physical, emotional and spiritual healing.
Secondly, will you consider supporting us financially? Our adoption process is going to cost about $16k. The Lord has already provided $3,800, and we’ve applied for a $4k grant (we’ll apply for 2 more once our home study is complete), but we are still in need of finances. You can donate to us through Reece’s Rainbow to receive a tax deductible receipt by going to: http://www.reecesrainbow.org/familydonations.html Also, to help raise funds, we are selling handmade jewelry, designed and made by Megan Phillips! All the funds raised in jewelry sales will help us fund the adoption. Please check out the page at the top of our blog entitled "Life Necklaces."
Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. Thank you for taking the time to read what the Lord is doing in our lives. As you read this, maybe God is stirring something in your heart? We hope and pray you are blessed with God’s love and His Presence.
Lovingly,
Nathan and Megan Phillips

November 1st, 2009
Megan and I received a very difficult email on Tuesday night. We got word from our adoption coordinators that Dane is "unadoptable." His social worker and orphanage director need to sign off on him to release him to us, and they are not willing to do that anymore. They are afraid that he has regressed dramatically in the past year and a half, and don't understand why anyone would want a child with such severe needs. They are planning on removing his name from the adoption registry--solidifying a life in a crib with little love and attention.
We were crushed. We were confused.
As we've wrestled with this news, we are trying to figure out what to do. There is a whole list of children, just like Dane that need homes. Did the Lord lead us to Dane to point us to a new child? Is the Lord closing this door or is this a roadblock that we need to press through?
Although we don't have 100% clarity, at this point, we can't let go of Dane. In this process, there have been many confirmations that are beyond coincidence.
We are choosing to fight for Dane. Our weapon is prayer.
We are going to the King of kings to ask for:
1. Dane's healing--physical, emotional, cognitive, etc.
2. Dane's social worker & orphanage director--to see Dane's value
3. For the roadblock to be lifted
4. Pray for the letter we are sending to the social worker. 1. That the facilitator be willing to translate it. 2. That the directors be willing to read it. 3. That the directors are moved and will respond.

Will you join us in prayer? We will be praying for breakthrough until the end of November.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..." 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

November 22nd, 2010
Several weeks ago Megan and I sent a letter to Eastern Europe pleading with the adoption officials to allow Dane to be released. Their response was shocking and in our minds seemed over the top. They said that if we continue to "bring Dane up", they will shut down adoptions for the whole country (I'm actually not supposed to say the exact country he's in!). While this seems completely unreasonable, it is what it is, and we've accepted their response.
Our only option is to let go of Dane. We can't receive anything if our hands are clinched. We've asked that we be notified if Dane gets put back on the adoption registry. We will continue to pray for him and hold him in our hearts.
To clear up any confusion about Dane's name, we were planning on renaming him to Nehemiah Dane Phillips. We've been calling him both Dane and Nehemiah!
Nehemiah means "God Comforts"

Although it has been difficult, we've learned a lot, and are excited about our new options. Here's what we've learned:__Dane's life has great value: God has used him to change our hearts, and show us a deeper revelation of what love is. God used him to bring clarity to a horrible injustice that we will be intercessors for (there is a deception in Dane's home country that all people with mental or physical disabilities are evil. They can't comprehend that anyone with a special need has any value, and unfortunately, many people are discriminated and institutionalized all their lives). Seeing all the comments about little Dane, we know he's touched many people beyond Megan and I. What great value!
When we received this news, we also received profiles for several more children ranging from 8 months to 10 years old. To look at other children didn't feel right at first. No one tugged on our hearts like Dane did. However, after we "let go," a little boy started to capture our attention.
We have been matched with a new little one! Aleksander (we are planning to rename him Malachi) turned 1 in October. He has down syndrome and a slight heart condition that is typical in people with down syndrome. His facilitators are not concerned about his heart. There is a possibility that he will need heart surgery, but they think it will heal itself soon.

We are hoping to travel to Eastern Europe around mid January. We will press on and leave the timing to the Lord! Thank you so much for your prayers. We are encouraged and blessed - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Nathan and Megan Phillips

Back to top

What is Need

It has just occupied to me that many may not know what real need is. It is an immediate physical need. Jesus said, “you fed me, you visited me,” which leads me to believe each time we show a loving concern or help someone in need, we may be doing it to the Lord. Are there folks who don’t have food, take them something to eat; is there someone working four jobs, volunteer to help watch their kids or clean their home; is there someone who needs help opening a door, then open a door. It is in the little acts of kindness, those little loving gestures we do that make a huge difference. It speaks volumes. People can satisfy their need to feed the hungry by giving money in the offering plate, but it is an act of love to actually buy the groceries and take it to a family. Giving is wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but love touches hearts.
People may say, I have no money, no time and can not help anyone. How much time does it take to send an email saying, “thinking of you, God loves you and so do I.” If there is no computer, then how long does it take to pick up the phone and leave a message on their voice mail saying, “I was just thinking for you, you can make it. God is for you and so am I.”
I love to make things; some paper a little paint and a pen can become a homemade card that says YOU CARE. No one will care if it is not perfect; the one receiving it will cherish it. The little gestures expressing love and thoughtfulness really matter.

Back to top

Looking for Something Real

I found myself in the midst of a conversation Saturday morning with good friends talking about what to do with people who are leaving the church. Not only are most people not going to church, but also some long time church members are saying, “What is the point”? It has been my thinking for quite some time that people are no longer interested in just going to a service; they want something real.

We are the church; we are the vehicles who are supposed to reflect Christ. The stress people are living with today is enormous and busyness is at its root. If going to all the different religious services is filling our calendars and there seems to be not enough time to spend with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, then what are we the church doing????
Many years ago, I found myself, stressed out, burnt out with a life totally out of control, I didn’t know how I could possible survive? I withdrew and only let myself do what was absolutely necessary. A few friends lovingly reached out to me taking time to be nice and to listen to me; it made all the difference to my recovery.

The church that people need today is the church Christ is building – US. We must be real. We need to stop doing doing doing and start being. Christ does not want an organization; he wants real people loving those who need help, and they are all around us.

Every person on planet Earth today wants to be sincerely loved. If believers could truly love and humbly care about those living and working around them, healthy relationships would be built. If we are not masked with religion, but our love is sincere, God will bring healing restoration and salvation to those we live and work amongst.

Back to top

Team Goes to Africa

Command Two sent a team to Africa to minister and investigate a call for help. Please go to www.commandtwoafrica.com to find out details of that trip.
Back to top

Narrow Road

Today as I was thinking about the narrow gate in Matthew 7, the Lord showed me a picture. I saw Jesus at the entrance of the narrow gate, it was only Jesus. At the entrance of the wide gate were the Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, relativists, atheists, legalists, govern mentalists, new agers, independent thinkers, stoics, agnostics etc. all side by side. The gate had to be large to fit all the different ways, beliefs and philosophies of the people going through, but there was only one man at the entrance to the narrow gate; just Jesus.
Back to top

I Met a Man

The night was approaching as the Kenyan dancers and singers were ending their all-consuming praise, when it was my turn to speak. I had told the crowd the night before I would tell them a story, my story.
I told them that I had been born blind, and although I was alive my world was filled with darkness. I was always bumping into things and was never able to grasp the unimaginable beauty surrounding me. I told them of the times when I would trip and fall, most of the time without serious injury, but at times the fall broke my heart and had hurt others. Because I was living in the dark, I had no understand of the world around me. How could anyone describe the beauty of a sunrise or the majesty of snow covered mountain peaks or a quiet hidden stream in some lost valley? How could anyone describe what only sight must convey? To see my father’s face and to look into his gentle eyes was not possible for me. I could only imagine what he looked like. How different a world of light and sight would be where colors and texture define every element and where motion differentiates life from death. How beautiful is all of creation for those who have eyes to see, but I was blind.

Along with my blindness I had been born deaf. I heard no one whisper my name or children laughing; there was only silence in my world of darkness. I only knew what I knew; my scope was very small with only my mind to paint a world based on my limited reality. Like trying to describe a broken heart, I was unable to define reality; real light, color, sound, music and beauty were totally unknown to me. This dark silent world was not of my choosing and it held me captive, oh how I longed to escape and be free.

Then, I met a man, a man who touched my eyes that I could see; a man who touched my ears that I could hear. All the warped vain imaginings faded away in light of His beautiful face. All of creation glistened with colors and beauty too wonderful for words. The voice of my father reached my ears, “I love you,” he said as he gazed every so gently into my eyes. How could it be that such beauty such love could have been there without my knowing? My barren world could neither see nor hear until that man touched me.
That man changed my existence. In my dark world, I thought I had been alive, but when he touched me, I realized I had never known real life before, only existence. He gave me life so no longer would I stumble and fall in the darkness and no longer would I miss his whispers and the music around me. I could hear every melody throughout all of creation and see every living detail. Oh, how that man changed my life. The man, Jesus, saved me.
I told them my story of how I was once lost but how Jesus rescued me; how I was once blind but how Jesus gave me sight; how I once was deaf, but how Jesus opened my ears to hear; and how I was once was dead but how Jesus gave me new life.

Back to top

Uganda

It is be better to tell you now that I'm able to write, how God opened my eyes to Uganda. A beautiful lush, fertile country filled with people, predominantly Christian, a country tucked inland next to Lake Victoria. An underground spring pours out enormous amounts of water non-stop otherwise known as the source of the Nile River. Everywhere you look people are bustling and like any big city, Kampala Uganda has people everywhere all trying to make a living. Some in suits while many others in meager apparel.
The Cornerstone Church is located on a dirt street that looks more like a farmers path into his field rather than a street. The street is lined with vendors, debris, goats, iron fences enclosing newly constructed residential estates, and then very small wood or tin lean-tos with tin roof with only fabric for a door. Some of these dwellings were approximately 8 feet wide by 10 feet long. Some who were more fortunate had slightly larger homes with a sheet draped over a clothesline dividing the living and sleeping areas. I saw no indoor plumbing and only a very few had an electric light bulb in the ceiling’s center. Oil lamps were more typically used for lighting and small 12” diameter charcoal burner were used for cooking. Down the road an old pipe sticking out of a muddy hill was where people could fill their plastic vessels with water.
High contrast; the rich had somewhat modern conveniences, but the poor had none. By all standards, the poor were living the way they had been living for generations.

One of the purposes for our going was to visit an orphanage in one of the poorest neighborhoods. There are over five hundred children who had been orphaned, abandoned, or given away. The men and women who cared for the children did their best, but with over crowded classrooms with no light or windows, conditions were poor at best. A shack across the road was the kitchen where the teachers and children's meals were prepared. Sara and Talsa added logs to smoldering coals surrounded by three large rocks. As the fire grew hot a large caldron of water was placed on the rocks and brought to a boil. Corn flour was added and after much stirring, a mixture much like mashed potatoes was made; this corn mixture would be served to the children with beans. For us, this meal would be something we would reject but for children who have no food, it was filling and good.
A doctor comes for a day every three months to tend to any child who is sick, but due to lack of money most medicines are not available. The man who runs the orphanage has ulcers, yet the medicine that would help him costs too much to buy; there are too many other priorities more important.

A wealthy doctor gave Bishop Dickson a few acres of ground to build a new orphanage. The government gave him a meager amount of money to begin building the school, but not enough to finish. The full plan includes a new school with windows and light, a medical facility, a chapel, and dormitories. It is my hope there will be a kitchen with a stove and refrigeration and a place where the children will be able to sit down at a table and eat a well-rounded nutritious meal. Right now the orphanage is only able to house less then 20 children at night. The others are farmed out to surrounding foster families for sleeping.
All children go to school for 10 hours a day and all children go to school free up to the sixth grade. Only those who can afford to pay for secondary schooling are allowed to continue their education. A secondary education costs approximately $50.00 American dollars per quarter, and high school educations costs more per quarter.

By supporting the Kampala Orphans fund, you will be making a way for this orphanage to be built. All donations are tax deducible and all gifts will be 100% given toward the construction of this facility. If God leads you to give, please send your gifts to:

Command Two’s Kampala Orphans Fund
2409 S. Third Ave
Sioux Falls, SD, 57105.

If you wish to sponsor a child’s education please email us and we can help you in that process.
Thank you and God Bless You.

Back to top

September 23,2009

GOD IS HERE
We arrived Monday morning in Kenya at 6:30 AM and were met by a delegation of wonderful people. We were able to visit and talk about next week; we had prayer, then back to the airport. We left Nairobi for Entebbe Uganda and arrive at 1:30 PM.
We had had little sleep so we both were exhausted but with God all things are possible so we were still able to minster Monday night.
After a wonderful night of rest, we visited the orphanage where there is so much need. The people are so loving yet need so much. Mary brought candy for the children. Because of the number of kids, not all received, but did not complain. No fighting, no arguing, just happy grateful children. Mary and I did not see any toys; yet they were happy and had people taking care of them.
We left the orphanage and drove to the piece of property where the new orphanage is being built. Construction had started, but due to their lack, they will be stopping till more funds arrive. There are future plans for a chapel, medical center and permanent dormitories for homeless children.
Last night God was amazingly strong. I had heard, "Not by might, not by power, but by MY SPIRIT " and that is who came. We have seen the salvations of the Lord. So far there have been five who have received salvation and will be baptized this Friday.
God Bless you all for praying and continue to pray because there still are many battles to fight, souls to win, but many wall have been torn down by the powerful Word of God.

Back to top

September 18, 2009

It is the night before leaving and Scout, my Springer Spaniel knows something is up. Things are packed and the anticipation for my two-week trip is high. Tonight I baby-sat my new granddaughter and I know how much I will miss everyone while I am gone. But God led me to this moment and opened this amazing door and I look forward to every moment I get to experience God in all His fullness. I will try to keep my blog updated, sharing our experiences with all of you as I can. I will try to check emails when Internet access is available but I know our days and nights will be very full and spare time will be rare. I thank you for your prayers and encouragement and wish God’s blessings on all of you.

Back to top

September 1, 2009

Today I was so excited to learn that the time in which we will be in Africa will be the 10 days immediately after the Jewish New Year 5770 (Rosh HaShanna September 19th). The ten days, September 19th to the 28th, is the Feast of Trumpets ending with the Day of Atonement on September 28th. These ten days are the ten High Holy Day otherwise known as the Days of Awe.

I love the timing of God, long before we knew about the ten days of awe, God was setting in motion the timing for the work He prepared to be accomplished. Tonight at prayer, Mary and I were surrounded with praying friends. Their loving prayers touched my heart and to think God is allowing me to participate in His divine will, goes way beyond my imagination. I feel more like Moses who said, "Lord I don't even know what to say.... O Lord, I have never been eloquent," Excuses, excuses, but God will have His way, and after all, it is not what I do but what God can and will do. With God all things are possible.
Back to top

August 20th

Where do I begin…. My visas for Kenya and Uganda have arrived and all the inoculations have been given. With two down and only two more pills to go, I worked my way through another sluggish day getting through the effects of the Thyroid medication. The team was in prayer when change appeared. The third member of our team announced he was not going to be going. Since I’m confident that God can do all things somehow a quiet peace held me as I listened to Stewart’s heart. So, with less then a month to go, Mary and I still being filled to over flowing with expectations and excitement continue to prepare for what lies ahead. This little change only intensifies the need we have for the Lord. Two women in Africa, Mary says, one fire and one rain. What can God do with fire and rain?

Back to top