Today it was my fervent prayer along with many of you that the cancer in my body would be surgically removed by our amazing surgeon here in Los Angeles.  The biopsy performed on the lymph nodes behind the bronchial tree of my lungs showed evidence of more cancer.  Therefore, surgery was no longer a good option.    We will have further information following our meeting with our doctors here in Los Angeles in the morning.  We will continue to take Tarceva which God has used to shrink the 2 tumors over 75% and trust God for His miracle of healing in another way.  He is our Jehovah Rapha!!

            I do not want to waste the stewardship of this season of my life not sharing the word with you that God spoke to me following this new information.  In Philippians Paul writes “I want you to know brothers that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”  Each day we hear testimonies of how God is using this trial to bring the truth of Jesus’ goodness and grace to the lives of so many who need Him.  This morning before the procedure I had the joy of praying with two ladies waiting for their family member who was having surgery.  There were tears in their eyes as they thanked me for praying for their family member who experienced a successful surgery.  Last Friday, Laura and I had the joy of praying with two young Christian men from Chicago who were selling their CDs on the sidewalk of Rodeo Drive.  They were blessed beyond words that we stopped and prayed for them and gave to their music career to be light in a dark culture here in LA.  We enjoyed worshipping at Mosaic Church in Beverly Hills where Erwin McManus and his lay leadership meet in six locations across the city and are making a great impact for the Kingdom of God.  We joined them in the Beverly Hills High School auditorium and had the opportunity to affirm Erwin and his team for the tremendous impact they are making on so many lives.  It was our joy to spend time with Caroline Clark, daughter of Brad and Lisa Clark.  She is such a great example of the next generation’s heart to be a passionate witness for Christ in the culture through the entertainment industry where Christ is so absent. 

            The city is beautiful but it breaks my heart for the lostness of this place. People openly sell marijuana through “medical” clinics and overtly pursue materialism,  fame, and every lust of the flesh.  The people are desperately seeking to fill the void of their lives that only Christ can fill.  From movies stars to beggars, this void is the same.  This city urgently needs the body of Christ in the streets modeling His love and compassion to the homeless, lost, and least.  I’m burdened and prayerful that God will one day let us come to this city with a loving compassionate witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.  I may not have come here for my healing after all but to get a burden for these dear people who need healing from our precious Savior.  The remnant is here and vibrant but oh how they need reinforcements.  Please join me in praying to be a faithful steward of what God has shown us and what our part is in sharing the gospel to so many who are desperately seeking.

            In addition, Paul writes “I will rejoice for I know that through your prayers and the help of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance.”  I want each of you who has fervently prayed for us to be greatly encouraged as we commit to be faithful stewards of your prayers to continue with every breath of my being to:

• Proclaim the good news and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ without ceasing.
• Pray for you in your time of need for God to meet you as He has so faithfully met us in our time of need and the needs of our ministry.
• To give my life whole heartedly without reserve for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God.
• To serve the church and the least of these as selflessly and sacrificially as I have been served.
• To believe by faith with you that God is a miracle working God who can do anything at anytime through anyone to bring himself glory.
• To run with endurance the race that is set before me, keeping my eyes on Jesus, and counting it all joy. 

            I pray that I will be a faithful steward of all God’s goodness and grace, your love, and your fervent prayers.  These are His days for His glory to fulfill His purpose alone.  Pray for me as I pray for you that we will be faithful stewards of all that He has entrusted to us.  Thank you for loving and praying for me, my beloved family, and the ministry of H.I.S. BridgeBuilders.  You are loved.