A Heavy Heart

Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!

Today Lord, my heart is heavy.

As You know, each year my family and I spend a week in the Pocono Mountains at Chestnut Grove Resort.  It’s a wonderful place, overflowing with charm, love, and life and we very much look forward to returning each Summer.  The family that owns it and their staff go out of their way to fill our stay with wonderful memories, and are always diligent in their efforts to ensure that we all feel like extended family.  It’s a place caught quite happily in a gentler, simpler time and a welcomed oasis from the chaotic world around us.

Today, I received the sad news that the husband of the family that owns it was killed on Monday.

Rob was a giving, caring man, and worked tirelessly to bring smiles to his guests’ faces.  He was a good man Father, and will be sorely missed by all those who came to know him.

I pray that Your Comforting Embrace is felt by all those mourning his departure, and especially to his wife and children during this time of grief.  We celebrate the light he shared while among us Lord, and although he will be missed we rejoice in the knowledge that he resides in Your Kingdom now.

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Tempering Our Faith

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

In recent weeks, I’ve been contacted by a number of friends and readers who’ve been going through some struggles in their Walk, and who were seeking perspective and encouragement.  And while I’m always happy to bring Your Message of Hope to the table Father, it did get me to thinking about ways that we can strengthen and temper our Faith in times of trial…

Stillness Sabbaticals

As we discussed a couple weeks ago Father, I’ve found that one of my most effective methods for communing with You is to block off some time, find a very quiet spot, and simply focus on Your Presence.  We live in an exceptionally “noisy” world, and with a seemingly constant deluge of activity and information surrounding us, Your Voice can sometimes be more difficult to distinguish in the chaos.  Whether it’s to spend time with Scripture or simply to pray in silence for guidance, that respite from the auditory onslaught can become a powerful, spiritual time.  “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Songs of Praise

Music has a way of reaching into us and touching places that few other things in our lives can.  One of the best tools I’ve found for helping to keep my focus on You is listening to the positive and encouraging messages contained in Contemporary Christian Music.  Be it listening in the car on my way to work, playing it in the background while making dinner, or streaming it from my iPod while mowing the lawn, today’s talented Christian artists bring the Joy of Christ to my heart every time I listen.  “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.” (Psalm 40:3)

Scriptural Mortar

Without question Father, the Bible is the most important book ever written.  Through Your Divine Inspiration to those penmen, You’ve Blessed us with the ultimate “Instruction Manual” for our journey while here on Earth.  It contains a treasure trove of wisdom, encouragement and rules to live our lives by so as to grow in Your Kingdom.  One of the most powerful and compelling ways to nourish our Faith and bring our Walk closer to Christ, is to spend time absorbing Your Word and praying on It’s messages.  “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Fellowship

One of our best sources of encouragement, enlightenment and inspiration can be found in the interactions we have with our fellow Christians.  Whether it’s spending time together in worship and study at Church, or conversing with other Believers across the globe via the Internet, the support and assistance of Your Followers are wonderful resources to help steady us in our spiritual journey.  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your continued and faithful Presence in our lives each day.  Please help focus our hearts to best receive You, and to support others in their Walk as well.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and strengthen our resolve to live for Your Kingdom instead of focusing on the chaos around us.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Meditations Monday: Light of the World

Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!

Once again Lord, we come to the beginning of another work-week.  It was a harried but enjoyable weekend, with much time spent in the company of family and good friends.  Any lack of sleep incurred was more than balanced by the joy of being surrounded by those I love.  As I’ve said many times before Father, I am truly Blessed and I thank You.

Today’s Meditations Monday Scripture selection comes from the Gospel of Matthew.  As You know, I’ve been praying quite a bit as of late on new ways to reach out and share Your Love with others, and on expanding this ministry to serve those in need more extensively.  It seemed appropriate therefore, to focus my thoughts and prayers today on one of Jesus’ most fundamental teachings:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Such a significant directive You’ve placed on us Lord!  The Light of Your Holy Spirit isn’t for private consumption, to be hidden and contained in silence waiting for others to notice it.  Instead, as followers of Christ we’re led to make our joy manifest through actions that glorify Your Presence in us.  Service to Your Children is worship in practice, and brings our Walk closer to You in the process.

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks and praise for Your unwavering commitment to Your Children each day.  Please fill us with Your Spirit, and embolden us to go forth and share Your Light with others.  Strip away from us our selfish natures, and lead us to reach out in love and mercy to those in need.  Make us beacons of Your Influence, and guide us to endeavors that best glorify Your Holy Name.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Spiritual Nudges

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

Over the last few years Lord, I’ve been “hearing” more and more from You in my daily life and I have to tell You, it’s been a transformational change for me.  While I know through Scripture and Faith that You’ve always been with me and always will be, as my Walk has progressed and I’ve learned to “listen” more carefully, I find Your Voice in almost every part of my day.

You speak to me through…

The wave of comfort and peace I get when I reach out to You in prayer.

The quick inner “watch it!” scolding I get after doing something that isn’t in line with Christ’s teachings (eg. Letting loose a nasty comment when someone cuts me off in traffic).

The warm feeling that crosses my heart when I see my children do things that Glorify You.

The quiet urgings I receive each day to step “outside my box”.

The song that plays on the local Christian radio station which delivers a message I need to hear, exactly when I need to hear it.

Feeling Your Presence whisper through the trees when I take long walks in the forest.

The “Spiritual Nudges” you give me to reach out and share Your Love.

And many others…

Heavenly Father, You speak to me in so many wonderful ways and I delight in continuing to discover new ones.  As our steps grow closer, I pray that I’m able to hear Your Voice above all other sounds and make decisions that Glorify the Blessings You bestow on me.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27 (NIV)

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Realigning My Thoughts

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

As I mentioned yesterday Father, I’ve felt a bit disconnected the past couple days so I think today’s “Counting My Blessings” post is just what the doctor ordered to realign my thoughts with all the Blessings You surround me with each day.  I’ve seen a number of other “Bloggy Friends in Christ” having similar issues to those I expressed in yesterday’s post, so today I also want to pray for Your Comfort and Peace to be with them as well.

And on to the list!  Continuing from last week…

46. An administrative assistant who makes sure I eat, even when I’m too hectic to think about it.

47. The encouraging and thoughtful comments that are left on phatherphil.org each day.

48. Spiritual Decompression time.

49. A Heavenly Father that’s never too busy to talk with me.

50. Having a local butcher who has wonderful, fresh meats at great prices.

51. A lull in the hot, sticky weather today (low 80s and a nice breeze).

52. The 12-foot market umbrella on our deck which allows us to be outside more often.

53. That the grass is growing slowly this week.  🙂

54. Godparents who take an active role in our children’s lives.

55. Friends willing to watch the boys now and again so Shannon and I can get out together.

56. Green’s Black Raspberry Blast Ice Cream

57. New sales that seem to show up just when I need them.

58. Afternoon coffee.

59. “Date Night” with Shannon.

60. Your Mercies in Disguise.

As always, I thank You Father for these and all the other Blessings You bestow on me each day.  Even at my lowest points, I can look up and always see Your Light above me, welcoming me back to You.  Amen.

~Phather Phil