Feb 9, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Feb 9, 2012 | 4 comments
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” – Philippians 3:8-11 (NLT)
While belonging to and attending a church, participating in worship services and being involved in ministry can absolutely help bring us closer to God, only through a deep, personal relationship with Christ can we truly experience the peace, majesty and love our Heavenly Father offers us. It’s not about a religion, it’s about a relationship.
Feb 1, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Feb 1, 2012 | 5 comments
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (ESV)
For many, the onset of February brings thoughts of love to the front of our minds. However, as we’re inundated by the seemingly endless procession of bright red gift boxes and jewelry advertisements, it’s important that we remember the single, most powerful act of love in history; the divine birth, life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jan 31, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jan 31, 2012 | 4 comments
“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.” – Romans 13:8-10 (NLT)
As Christians, we have one significant obligation to everyone; to love them, as Christ loves us. When we strive to wrap our lives in the outpouring of His mighty love, we draw ever closer to meeting those guidelines that God laid down for us. For in the light of true, all-encompassing love, sin cannot exist.
Jan 30, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jan 30, 2012 | 6 comments
“Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD.
Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:3-6 (NLT)
Trust isn’t easy. As we live our lives, finding people we can place our trust in can be a difficult and sometimes painful process. However, when we place our full faith and trust in God and allow Him to guide our hearts when making those connections, the result is stronger relationships that glorify Him as well.
Jan 26, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jan 26, 2012 | 5 comments
“Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. Again, though I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live.” – Ezekiel 33:13-16 (ESV)
Life is a journey. Our Heavenly Father knows that we’ll make incorrect choices, and stray from His path from time to time. And yet, while we need to remain diligent in our pursuit of righteousness and fulfilling God’s desires for our lives, when we do err it’s important to remember that those moments don’t have to define us; when in humility and repentance we ask for forgiveness and learn from those mistakes that we’ve made, God joyfully refreshes our spirits and draws us to Him.
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
