Dec 16, 2011
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 16, 2011 | 4 comments
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20 (ESV)
In our Walk with Christ, finding and maintaining control over our emotions and reactions can be one of the most difficult challenges we face. As we go about our daily lives, keeping an “open line of communication” to God enables us to level out our topsy-turvy feelings, and to shine the light of Christ brightly when dealing with others.
Dec 15, 2011
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 15, 2011 | 4 comments
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
Men: For most of us, this apparent paradox can be particularly difficult to comprehend and implement in our daily lives. From infancy, we’re taught that to be a “real man” involves remaining strong, independent, and in control when the world seems to be crashing in around us. And while we’re certainly called to lead our families with courage and compassion, it’s only when we recognize that our true strength comes from being reliant on, and obedient to our Heavenly Father that we can be the powerful men God desires us to be. Only in our weakness before Him, can we truly find His strength.
Dec 14, 2011
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 14, 2011 | 9 comments
“Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel,
whose deeds are in the dark,
and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”
You turn things upside down!
Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,
that the thing made should say of its maker,
“He did not make me”;
or the thing formed say of him who formed it,
“He has no understanding”?” – Isaiah 29:15-16 (ESV)
As the Prophet Isaiah warned against in this passage, while we may be able to conceal our true intentions and desires from others around us, God isn’t fooled. Our hearts and minds are well known to the One who formed us, and when we seek to hide ourselves from His view, in fact we only deceive ourselves.
Dec 13, 2011
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 13, 2011 | 2 comments
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” – Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
While all of us to some extent “know how” to pray, it can be difficult to understand exactly what we truly need to pray for. We may think we know what we want, but in many cases receiving what we ask for would prove disastrous in some unseen way. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit within us knows our true needs, our hearts and our desires, and can frame our petitions to our Heavenly Father accordingly.
Dec 12, 2011
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 12, 2011 | 6 comments
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”” – Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV)
As we look around this Holiday Season, we’re inundated by the world’s attempts to convince us that “more stuff” is what Christmas is all about. When we take our sights off of the wondrous event this Holy Celebration remembers, we miss out on the most important Christmas Gift the world has ever known.
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. 
