Pray for Them

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

You know Father, You’ve been quite “chatty” with me as of late.  I mean, I “hear” from you rather often in general; through quiet whispers on my heart, subtle “out of track” thoughts crossing my mind, and by recognizing Your guidance in the Blessings around me.  Lately however, Your “nudges” have become more and more regular and in many cases, the message has been the same…

“Pray for them.”

Now Lord, when I see someone obviously in need of Your help, I always try to lift them up in prayer.  Lately however, You’ve been telling me to pray for people in situations where my first inclination on how to react is certainly not prayer…

A client who my staff and I bent over backwards to help is complaining and arguing about the bill…

“Pray for them” You told me.

In the midst of some marital turmoil, the wife of someone I care about is saying and doing spiteful and selfish things to her spouse and family…

“Pray for them” You told me.

An employee of a close friend of mine’s business is feeling “put-upon”, and is saying and doing sneaky and hateful things to him and his company…

“Pray for them” You told me.

A lady that my wife used to consider a friend has begun lashing out at her and others with petty, demeaning and insulting exchanges and actions…

“Pray for them” You told me.

Ok Father… Message received.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. – Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV)

While I never really considered these people “enemies” per-se, apparently my heart had passed judgment all the same, making my perspective the same nonetheless.  Lifting these situations and those involved to Your mercy places them into Hands that can truly mend lives, and fulfills Your Will for my role as well.

Thank You so much for these convicting reminders Father, and for all of Your guidance in my life.  I’m most certainly a work in progress, but I pray that through Your direction I continue to emerge from my broken shell into Your Light.

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Prayers for a Friday

Dear Lord; Happy Friday Father!

As a closing to our postings this week Lord, I’d like to offer up a few prayers if I may.

As You know Father, yesterday morning for no obvious reason our beloved American Eskimo dog Merlin started having severe seizures.  We’ve only seen these with him once or twice before when he was extremely stressed or anxious, such as when he was being boarded overnight or getting examined by a veterinarian.  Each time prior to this, the seizures were isolated incidents, lasting only thirty seconds or so.  Yesterday, he had five episodes over the course of the day with no apparent triggers, each lasting upwards of three minutes.  Shannon took him to our vet first thing this morning, and they’ve put him on medication to try and “break the cycle”.  We’re very hopeful this will get a handle on these attacks, but truly aren’t sure what the outcome of this situation will be.  We consider him a loved member of our family Lord, and pray that You bring Your healing touch to his aid.  Please comfort him through this frightening ordeal, and fill him with the understanding that he’s loved not only by his family, but by the Father of all Creation as well.

On a happier note Lord, this Sunday begins Jonathan’s week away at Kay’s Kamp.  Kamp has become one of the highlights of Jonathan’s year, and he’s extremely excited to be attending this coming week.  And this year Father, I’m actually a little excited about it myself.  Through the kindness of the Kaylyn Elaine Warren Foundation I’ve been given the opportunity to go on Wednesday for the “Media Day” event with other journalists and members of the press, to chronicle the wonderful work You do through this amazing group of people.  Please bestow Your Blessings upon the staff and campers this coming week, and aid this giving group of people in their mission to shine Your Light into these children’s lives.

And finally Father, I pray for You to bring Your comfort and peace to a friend of ours that’s dealing with the results of a house fire this past week.  Open her heart to Your Presence, and embolden her with the knowledge that even in the midst of our struggles, Your strength is greater than any trial we may face.

Heavenly Father, for all the Blessings You’ve graced us with this week, I give thanks.  Please help us maintain the resolve, caring and understanding that we as Followers of Christ need to show the world Your Love, and guide us to best serve Your Will.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Really God??

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

Really God??

I’ve been hearing this quite a lot as of late Father, and I’ll admit I’ve even thought it myself more than once in the recent past.  It’s certainly not a query intended out of disrespect Lord, but one usually born of frustration due to trials we, or someone we care about, are going through…

My marriage is falling apart, and my spouse is leaving… Really God??

The job I’ve invested years of hard work and energy in is gone… Really God??

My test results came back and the cancer has returned… Really God??

We’ve run out of money… And I’m not sure what to do… Really God??

My child was born with a serious, incurable disease which threatens to take him from us… Really God??

I feel empty, tired, defeated and sad all the time… Really God??

We all have those moments Father, when we search for the meaning and purpose that only You have; when it feels like the weight of the world sits squarely upon our shoulders, and relief seems to be a distant destination.  And in our limited, broken, earthly shells we cry out… Really God??

When I speak to people going through such trials Lord, I always try to offer the hope and encouragement that Your Promises to us bring…

You promise never to leave our sides…

“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)

You promise that our needs will be met…

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:28-33 (NIV)

You promise that You will ease our burdened souls…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

And You promise that You will always love us…

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Such powerful promises You’ve given to Your Children Father…

In the midst of our struggles, it can be difficult to see the signs of Your love for us through that cloud of pain and fear, but that’s where our Faith carries us on:

Faith that even though we don’t have “The Big Picture” or know why things happen the way they do, You do, and want what’s best for us.

Faith that when we call upon You in our brokenness, You’ll hear our pleas and act on our behalf, whether it’s as we would expect or not.

Faith that when we come to You with a humble and open heart and lay our burdens at Your feet, Your peace and comfort will ease our troubled spirits.

When we rely on our Faith to look beyond the earthly trials we face, and focus on the Blessings and Grace You bring to our lives each day, it begs the question…

Really God??  Thank You!!

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Meditations Monday: Like a Little Child

Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!

You know Father, sometimes I think that I go to work each week to get some rest after the weekends.  🙂

Once again Lord, You Blessed us with a busy but joyful weekend.  From the “Breakfast for Dinner” Friday night get-together we hosted, to hiking and taking photos with the boys and Shannon’s mother during the day on Saturday, to attending the big yearly party at my father’s home on Sunday after church, it was a wonderful couple days spent in the company of family and good friends.  Thank You for that time together Father!

This week’s Meditations Monday Scripture selection comes from the 10^th chapter of the Gospel of Mark:

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. – Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)

Such a powerful image of tenderness and affection this brings to mind Father, and with it some excellent lessons for us as well.

First off, Jesus’ response to His disciples’ attempt to “head off” the children from coming to Him clearly demonstrates His view that all Your Children are precious; none are too insignificant to seek Christ’s Presence.  As many of us suffer from feelings of being unworthy of Your Love, this is a powerful truth to remember.

And then Father, Jesus makes a statement that I’ll be meditating and praying on this week;

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

“Like a little child”;

Humble…

Trusting…

Accepting…

Obedient…

Faithful…

Heavenly Father, as adults we allow so many things in our lives to obscure our hearts from You.  Please open us to experience Your Glory with the wonder, acceptance and understanding that only a truly unencumbered spirit can.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Normality Rocks

Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!

With Kay’s Kamp coming up in a little over a week Lord, and just having gone through Jonathan’s yearly Oncology exams and scans, my head and heart have been drifting back to some very turbulent and fearful times for our little family.  Being helplessly thrown into that uncertain world of doctors, chemotherapy, steroids, surgeries and rescue protocols took Shannon and I to an entirely new place in our marriage, and tested our commitment and resolve to each other by fire each day.  It was a harrowing time in our lives, and one that has shaped our family this last ten years to a great extent.

I didn’t know You then Lord… I mean, I knew OF You, but I certainly wasn’t walking with You at the time.  What I did know is that I was angry as Hell at You for doing this to us; for torturing my son that way, and for making us live in fear and pain.  I blamed You for all of it Father, every little bit.  And somewhere in the midst of all of that turmoil, I hit rock bottom…

And You were there to pick me up.

I’ll be honest Father, I didn’t realize it was You at the time.  I do know however, that somewhere in that dark, terrifying place I began to see things through different eyes.  It wasn’t that Jonathan was improving drastically, but instead of focusing on the despair I’d been feeling while walking down those long, bleached hallways at A.I. Dupont, I started noticing signs of kindness, and love, and hope that somehow I’d missed before.  It was a turning point… no, a starting point in my life, and one I’m still thankful for today.

So therefore Father, today I’d like to thank You.  Thank you for new beginnings… for faithfulness to a broken, scared child… for Your healing light inside Jonathan… and for ten years of normality.

Yes Lord, we still have trials in our lives, and pain, and uncertainty.  But now we also have the knowledge and comfort that You’re with us on this journey; guiding us, nurturing us, and picking us up when we stumble on the Path.  You see, I’ve realized that “normal” doesn’t mean that life moves along smoothly, it means that we understand and Accept that life is a journey of Your Design, and embrace it as the amazing Gift it is.

Normality rocks.

Amen.

~Phather Phil