Parenting Tips from Sinai

Dear Lord; Good afternoon Father.

As You know Lord, I’ve been spending time lately delving back into the books of the Old Testament.  There are so many treasures in those writings, and each time I read from those pages I get new life breathed into my spirit.  This past weekend I read through the entire book of Leviticus and although it was a long read for me, I did gain some quiet wisdom from those passages.  Inside of all of those pages of Laws and Rules You dictated to Moses for the Israelites was one common theme:

You care about Your Children, and want us to be healthy, obedient and prosperous.

Now, I realize that’s a serious overgeneralization Father, but I believe a reasonable one all the same.  You laid down Rules for worship, for cleanliness, for conduct and for medical treatment that served to guide them as a society in those times.  You cared enough to give them that foundation, those morals and that guidance.

It’s very much what I try to impress on my own children;

A sense of commitment…

A feeling of wonder…

Respect for laws, rules and ethics…

A sense of responsibility…

Empathy and compassion for others…

And a deep Love and Reverence for You.

And funny enough, that’s exactly what I got from Your Word this weekend.  Thank You.  🙂

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Sing Joyfully

Dear Lord; Good morning Father!

Well Father, today marks week three that I’m celebrating “Thankful Thursday” here at PhatherPhil.org!  I’m really enjoying these weekly postings, as it gets my head focused on all the wondrous Blessings You’ve granted me.  Starting my day thinking “What am I truly thankful for today?” is an excellent frame of mind to be in for the morning ahead.

Today Father, I’d like to thank You for the inspiration and encouragement I receive each day through the wonderful avenue of Christian Music.  Over the last several months I’ve switched to almost exclusively listening to Contemporary Christian Music each day, and it’s brought an amazing change to my mood and perspective.  Between the local radio station we listen to in the car, to streaming K-Love on my computer at work, to the Contemporary Christian Music Channel on our digital cable TV I leave on in the background during the evening hours, my ears are filled with songs praising You for much of my day.  I never have to be concerned with the content not being appropriate for my children, and we’re all the better for having this melodious form of worship going on while being entertained by such marvelous artists.

Jonathan and I even have tickets to see the Newsboys with Kutless and Disciple in a couple weeks!  He’s become a big Newsboys fan, and this is his first concert of any kind so he’s extra excited (ok… so am I.  🙂 ).  As I’ve mentioned to You before, listening to my boys sing these songs of praise along with the radio in the mornings on the way to school just warms my heart to no end.  This music is truly a Blessing, and makes a wonderful impact on our lives each day.

I think this piece of scripture states it beautifully Father:

“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.” – Psalm 33:1

We do, and it is.  Thank You Lord!

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Young Minds Want to Know

Dear Lord; Good afternoon Father.

Today Lord, I’d like to start out with a quick prayer of support for my wife Shannon.  Between being ill for the past week, a busy work schedule, college classes and symphony she’s been burning the candle at both ends, and has been feeling the results the last couple days.  Please bring her Your Loving Comfort and grant her the rest she so dearly needs.

This morning Father I decided to get Jonathan and Aidan involved in our conversation.  Therefore, on the way to school I asked them both if they had anything to tell You or ask of You.  The responses I got were not exactly what I expected, but I felt good ones all the same:

Aidan (8) : “Is watching over everyone all the time hard?”

I don’t think Aidan realizes what a significant and deep question this is Father.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that while we don’t have a definitive answer that fits in our limited understanding, there are some scriptural passages which shine some light on this question.

First off, we refer to You as “Almighty God”, which implies the omnipotence of Your Power and that You are “All-ruling” (from the Greek word pantokrator used in the early Bible translations) over what You have created.  Jesus summed it up quite clearly in Matthew 19:26:

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” (NIV)

You created us all, and have reign over all You have created; Your Word states this over and over quite distinctly.  This tells me You have the power to watch over us all without question.

The other piece of this answer in my mind, would be the omnipresence of Your Spirit.  Again, referencing scriptures for this I found Psalm 139:7-12:

“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.” (NIV)

Through Your Spirit, You reach out and have complete access to the whole of Your Creation.  Ok, so you have the Power, and the Presence.  I realize that this doesn’t answer Aidan’s question specifically about whether or not it’s hard for You Lord, but Your Word clearly establishes the ability for You to do so, and the promise You gave us:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NIV) (one of my all-time favorite verses)

Great question Aidan!  🙂

Jonathan (11): “What does God have planned for the people of Japan now?”

Bless him Father, he worries about so much and so many people for an 11 year old.

I explained to him that in cases like this, we have to understand that we don’t truly have the “Big Picture” that You do, but that You were still there for those people, still loved them and were still in control.

I’m sure he’ll be talking with You directly later on about this Lord.  Maybe You can give him a better answer than I was able to at 7:45 this morning.  🙂

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the lessons I learn each day through my children.  I love seeing them growing in Your Kingdom and yearning to know You better.  Please continue to guide them along the path You have chosen, and help me bring Your Love and Wisdom to their hearts and minds.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

More Than We Can Handle

Dear Lord; Good afternoon Father!

First off Lord, I want to thank You once again for bringing Your Healing Presence to Jonathan.  So far today he’s been doing well, with no immediate symptoms to note.  Please continue to keep him in Your Embrace, and watch over him.

Yesterday Father, while Jonathan and I were waiting for the doctor to see him I had a chance to finish my reading of the book of Exodus.  I know the story well, but this time one particular passage very much spoke to me and I’d like to share my thoughts on it today if I may.  The verses I’m describing come from Exodus 31:1-11:

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.””

Now Lord, in the overall story of Exodus this may not seem like an overly vital or interesting passage, but two fragments just jumped off the page for me and got me thinking:

“…I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills…”

“Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you…”

During many stressful times in my life Lord, I’ve had people tell me that “God doesn’t give us any more than we can handle.” These verses actually put that statement in perspective for me quite nicely.

While speaking to Moses on the Holy Mountain, You gave him the designs for a number of staggeringly complex and detailed constructions to complete.  The specifications were exacting, and the project required significant craftsmanship, ability and skill for all those involved.  You knew this of course, and therefore gave them the resources and skills they needed to complete the tasks You set for them.

You didn’t give them more than they could handle.

I think sometimes Father, we miss this very important point.  If You give us a task to perform, You always make sure we have the tools, skills and resources we need to get it done.  We still may struggle and have to put forth a lot of effort, but in the end You never leave us without what we need if it’s truly Your Will.

What a reassuring thought that is Lord.  🙂

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing me these essential life-lessons through Your Word.  I pray that in times of trial I remember that You are indeed by my side, and that You truly never give us more than we can handle.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursdays: Friendships

Dear Lord; Good evening Father!

Following the example I began last week Lord, today I’m celebrating another “Thankful Thursday” here at phatherphil.org.  While I’m truly thankful all week long, I love the idea of spending our time together one day each week focusing my prayers on one particular Blessing that You’ve granted me.  If nothing else, with all the love You’ve shown me Father, I should have enough material for an infinite number of Thursdays!  🙂

“When we consider the blessings of God–the gifts that add beauty and joy to our lives, that enable us to keep going through stretches of boredom and even suffering–friendship is very near the top.” – Donald W. McCullough, Mastering Personal Growth

Friendships have been at the forefront of my heart this past week Lord.  Over the years, you’ve brought some truly amazing and wonderful people into my life.   Some are still nearby, some have moved away and some have passed on to Your Kingdom, but all have left indelible footprints on my path.  From these vessels of Your choosing Lord, I’ve gained wisdom, acceptance, fellowship and encouragement.

You’ve even used technology to connect us Father.  Thanks to the staggering growth of the Internet, it seems as though no corner of the world is outside our reach these days.  Through this conduit, I’ve been Blessed to connect with many beautiful souls whom I likely would never have encountered otherwise.  Your Children in this “global fellowship” give me fresh perspective and inspiration, and have enriched my journey to no end.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the many friendships and fellowships You’ve Blessed me with.  I am a better man, and a better Child of God for those relationships.

“Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

Amen.

~Phather Phil