The Big Picture

Dear Lord; Happy Friday Father!

Well Father, once again another work-week lies behind me.  It’s truly been a period of transition, with some changes for the positive, and others not so much.  However, through all of the highs and lows this roller-coaster of a week has brought I’ve been Blessed to have felt Your Presence beside me the entire time.  You are truly ever-faithful to Your Children, and even though I may not understand why things happen the way they do, I have complete Faith that You’re always in control and guiding us along the proper path.

As I alluded to yesterday, due to a chain of events outside my control I faced a nerve-wracking situation at work this week that tried desperately to consume my spirit.  More than once, in my communing with You over the last several days I bluntly heard you tell me to do something that seemed strangely out of context, so I foolishly allowed my besieged heart to put the message aside while I focused on my immediate crisis.  Finally, worn and tired yesterday evening I listened to Your Insistent Voice and made the call You had been telling me to make.

In a ten minute conversation, the nightmare situation I had been dwelling on all week was taken care of.

You were trying to tell me all along what I needed to do Father, I just didn’t put the two things together.  Once again, I’m humbled and reminded that only You have the “Big Picture”.

“”For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

Thank You Father, for shining Your light in my dark moments, for teaching and guiding me (even when I’m being stubborn), and for Blessing me with Your Presence in my life each day.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Ever Faithful

Dear Lord; Good evening Father!

And we come again Father, to another “Thankful Thursday” post at PhatherPhil.org.  This is turning out to be one of my favorite weekly posts to write, but it’s usually difficult to pick just one thing to focus my thanks and praise on.  Well Father, today wasn’t so hard, in fact it was staring me in my spiritual face.  Today Father (and really every day), I’m most thankful for Your Faithfulness to me.

The last couple of years have seen drastic changes in my life, and in the lives of my family.  We’ve had amazing highs, and desperate lows and yet through all of it… You were there:

When Shannon was injured and unable to move without pain… You emboldened and supported us, and sent her Your Healing Touch.

When my best friend passed away from cancer last year… You held me in Your Comforting Embrace and reminded me that he lived on in Your Kingdom.

Through all the economic turmoil and business nightmares of the last year… You encouraged me, and helped me to refocus on what was truly important in my life.

When Jonathan became part of the Kay’s Kamp Program and we watched his heart shine Your Light to so many others… You cried for joy along with us and cheered at each of his accomplishments.

When Shannon finally found a job that was the right fit, where she was welcomed and encouraged… You stood proudly beside her.

When I was Blessed to have the opportunity to join two friends in marriage last year… You filled the room with Your Presence, and Your Light was felt by everyone in attendance.

And the list could go on, and on, and on… 🙂

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, I thank You from the bottom of my heart for Your Faithfulness to Your Children.  We are undeserving of such Grace, and yet You lift us up in Your Loving Hands and make us more than we could ever hope to be.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Following God’s GPS

Dear Lord; Good evening Father.

Well Lord, it’s certainly been a whirlwind day for me.  In the last week or so, we’ve had an amazing outpouring of new clients coming on board with my company, as well as a significant increase of projects that need to be bid out.  It’s a wonderful and hopeful sign of things to come, and I’m very thankful that You’ve Blessed me with these opportunities.

Getting in the door to new customers can be a difficult endeavor, and with several of these recent additions it was through a complicated series of relationships that I was given the opportunity; a friends of friends who know someone type of thing.  This evening, one of the people who was integral to my getting those introductions texted me, and indicated he was fascinated with the way that chain of relationships had played out.  My response was simple, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since:

God’s ways aren’t always a straight path… That’s for sure.

(Now Father, the gentleman I sent that message to is a devout follower of Yours, and has been an amazing Blessing to me over the years.  I have no doubt in my mind you brought us together for a reason, and I pray that You continue to keep him in Your Gaze.)

Anyways, the more I thought about the reply I gave the more it led me to contemplate other events in my past that came about through seemingly bizarre “coincidences”.  Knowing You as I’ve come to Lord, I realize now that those coincidences were in fact orchestrated twists and turns on my journey personally programmed into Your Divine GPS.

You always know how to get me where You want me to go… I just need to follow the directions You give.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Blessings You’ve bestowed on me this week.  Please make Your Presence felt by all those faced with uncertainties, fears and doubts; not knowing where to turn.  By following Your Holy “roadmap”, we always get to our intended destination.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Spiritual Breathing Treatments

Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!

Following our last conversation Father, I spent quite a bit of time this last couple days talking to You.  As You know, last week was very long and complicated and I went into the weekend extremely stressed and emotionally exhausted.  Spending more time in Your Presence this weekend absolutely helped me focus on my priorities, and gain peace for the week ahead.  Thank You so much for that.

Shannon and I are also still working to get over this nasty respiratory bug we’ve had.  It’s almost over with I think, but my chest still gets tight now and again requiring breathing treatments to open things back up.  Driving home tonight, it dawned on me that those treatments and my time spent communing with You this weekend both served a similar function.

They both helped me to breathe.

While the Albuterol inhalation helps to relax and open my air pathways and loosen up my chest so that I can get air efficiently, my time spent in prayer and absorbing Your Word provides the same relief for my spirit.  It opens my mind and my heart, and allows Your Love and Calming Influence in.  My lungs need air, my soul needs You.

Nebulizer treatments for the spirit…  Ahhh.  🙂

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your continued Presence in my life; You clear my focus, and renew my tired soul.  I pray that Your Divine “Breathing Treatments” bring that miraculous healing to all those in need.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Calling More Often

Dear Lord; Happy Friday Father!

Today Lord, I’d like to close the week by discussing something I read over on Pastor Pete Wilson’s Blog this morning which has had my thoughts churning all day.  It was a short post based around a question that was phrased at a Church Leaders Conference he addressed recently.  Another speaker at the conference, Pastor David Landrith asked the attendees:

“Are you talking about God more than you’re talking to God?”

Wow…  Such a simple, yet powerful and convicting query.

Well Father, as it’s my predisposition to dissect things my mind immediately started contemplating all the different ways I involve You in my day and whether each of those were “talking to You” or “talking about You”.  For example, I write these “Emails to God” each day and while they’re certainly based on my prayers and things You bring to my heart, in the end they’re talking about You, not to You.

Pastor Wilson made what I feel is a key point in his post:

“It’s possible to talk about God and not be transformed. However talking with God always leads to transformation.”

I’ve been Blessed to have had many transformational moments Father, but I also know I have a long way to go on the journey You’ve laid for me.  Therefore, I’ll be “calling” more often.  🙂

Thanks for the wakeup message Pete.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the Blessings You’ve brought us this week.  Please refresh our spirits and deliver Your Message of Renewal to our hearts, so that we may serve You with our whole selves.  Amen.

~Phather Phil