In God We Trust

Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!

First off Lord, I want to thank You for a lovely weekend.  Jonathan was feeling a bit better, so we were able to get out to visit with some good friends Saturday night and then spent Sunday afternoon and evening with my father (the earthly one… 🙂 ) and his wife.  The children love visiting with their grandparents, and it was wonderful to be able to get out and spend time with them.  All in all, a very restful and enjoyable couple of days and I thank You for that time of respite.

This evening Father, I’d like to discuss something that’s been on my heart quite a bit as of late.

A couple months ago, I was contacted via email by a lady I hadn’t met before about possibly presiding over her upcoming wedding.  She was a friend of a very good friend of mine, so I asked some questions to make sure it was feasible for me to do so.  The date seemed fine, but she really didn’t have much of an idea of what kind of wedding ceremony she was interested in.  I pointed her to some online resources with sample ceremonies and told her to look through them to get some ideas about what fit her and her fiancée’s wishes.  Last week, I finally got around to reading my emails on that account and found that she’d sent me what she deemed the “perfect” script for her special day.

There was absolutely no reference to You in any way, shape or form.

The ceremony she’d chosen was a completely secular proceeding, save for an “optional” prayer at the end.  Now Father, it was a lovely, very sentimental and poetic script to be sure, but in my mind it completely misses the point; marriage is of Your Design for us:

“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female’.  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.  So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Mark 10:6-9 (NIV)

I sent the bride-to-be a politely worded response that although it was a lovely secular ceremony, it was my responsibility as a Christian Minister to bring Your Presence to the proceedings, and that I wasn’t able to represent Your intentions for the Holy Bond of marriage properly with that script.  I hold marriage to be one of Your most personal and intimate Gifts to us, and I feel it’s very important to honor that Blessing appropriately during the formation of that union.

Needless to say, I haven’t heard back from her as of yet.

But this got me to thinking Father… Aren’t we doing the same thing in many other ways as well in society today?

We’ve removed open prayer in schools and many other public places as to not “offend” anyone.

Television commercials are being banned from airing during certain popular television programs to avoid giving a “platform” to any religious groups.

The Pledge of Allegiance has been under attack because the words “under God” upset some people.

It’s disturbing to say the least Father, and I’m seeing more and more signs of it each day.  In an effort to not be “confrontational”, we as Christians in many cases “drop the ball” when reflecting Your Light and passing along Your Message of Love and Hope to others around us.

Heavenly Father, You’ve Blessed us all with remarkable gifts.  Please help strengthen and embolden us to carry the lantern of Your Light proudly in front of us so that everyone may see Your Wonders and feel Your Presence.  In God we Trust. Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Children’s Tylenol

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Tonight Father, my prayers of thanks are directed towards Children’s Tylenol.

Earlier today, I received a call from the school nurse that Jonathan was in her office.  She explained that he’d come in a little while ago with tears in his eyes, complaining that his head was really hurting him and that when she’d checked he was indeed running a low-grade fever.  She promptly called me, and while I drove over to the school to retrieve him she gave him some Children’s Tylenol to try to knock down the fever and the associated headache.  By the time I got there, he was still not a happy camper but he said his headache seemed a little better.

I had a series of booked appointments already scheduled, so we headed back to my office and he quickly laid down on my couch and fell fast asleep.  The fever appeared to have subsided at that point, and he was able to get some much needed rest.

By the time we got home this evening, the fever had returned with a vengeance.

We got some liquids and food into him, along with some more fever-reducing medication and once again his temperature eased back and he was able to relax a bit.  By the time he headed to bed, he was holding close to normal once again.

“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.” – Psalm 41:3 (NIV)

Thankfully, Shannon was able to take tomorrow off from work so she can get him over to the doctor to be checked out.  From the symptoms, it seems to be a nasty sinus infection, so with Your Healing and some antibiotics I suspect he’ll feel much better in a couple days’ time.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the Blessings that modern medicines afford us.  When our little ones are hurting, there’s truly nothing more miraculous than some respite to their pain.  I pray that You will please grant Jonathan some relief from the discomforts of this illness, and that You hold him closely in Your Embrace while he recuperates.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Born Again Weekend

Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!

Well Father, it was certainly a hectic weekend here!  Friday night we decided to be a little lazy, ordered a pizza and then watched the new Narnia movie together (I love family movie night!).  Saturday however, was nothing resembling quiet and restful.  Shannon and Aidan headed off to an ice skating production themed around Peter Pan’s Neverland adventures, and Jonathan and I hit the road to Williamsport, Maryland for his first concert…

And what an experience it was Father.

Jonathan’s favorite group for quite some time now has been the Newsboys.  Well, when I learned that they were starting a new tour and the first stop was within driving distance (a long drive mind you), I snapped up the opportunity to get tickets to the event.  As this was also to be his first concert, I opted for the VIP Passes as well to give him a more personal experience.

He was so excited Father…  He anxiously counted down the days, waiting for it to come.

The day of the concert finally rolled around so we loaded up the Yukon with everything we might need (travelling music cds, camera, junk food, etc.) and headed out.  It was a three hour drive, about 167 miles each way but the time seemed to pass quickly.  We arrived nicely ahead of time, and after a short wait in the line for the VIP Entrance we were taken inside, given our gift bags containing a CD and  poster, and brought upstairs to the pre-show “meet the band” area.

After another short wait, the Newsboys came out to greet the group.  They started by answering a few questions from the crowd, and telling us about themselves a little more.  During this Q&A session, a comment made by another of the attendees really caught me, and has stuck in my head.  It was from a gentleman there with his two teenage sons, and he said to the band (paraphrasing):

“First off guys, I just want to thank you for what you’re doing.  I’m raising boys and it’s tough today, but with the great music and even better message you’re putting out, it really helps.”

Amen Sir.  Well stated.

Anyways, following the questions from the audience they played a quick acoustic version of “In the Light” for us.  It was wonderful in that intimate setting, and Jonathan loved every minute of it.  We then were awarded the chance to meet them personally, and to get a signature or two.  Jonathan got his poster signed by each band member, and I even managed to get a picture of him with Michael Tait and Jeff Frankenstein.  Jonathan was glowing… It was so wonderful to see him that excited Father.

We then headed over to the concert hall, where they had a set of reserved seating put aside for us.  When everyone was in and seated, the concert opened up with a couple numbers performed by Carlos Whittaker.  He did a great job of getting the crowd “juiced up” and had everyone on their feet singing Your Praises in no time.

Now Lord, this is the first worship concert I’d been to so I think I was probably as excited as Jonathan was.  There’s something about the positive energy of 2000 God-Loving Believers on their feet, hands raised to Heaven singing to Your Glory together… The Holy Spirit was in abundance in that room for sure Father!

Carlos was followed up by performances by Disciple, and then Kutless; both of which were absolutely excellent and revved the “congregation” up even further.  Although the volume was a lot louder than Jonathan had expected, as soon as they started playing songs he knew, he was on his feet as well singing right along… I was so proud of him Lord.  🙂

Following Kutless they had a short intermission while the stage was set up for the Newsboys to play, and a speaker who talked about Compassion Ministries and the impoverished children they represent.

Then the Newsboys took the stage.

They put on an amazing show Father… So much energy… So much spirit… So much praising Your Glory!

The best moment for me came when they played Jonathan’s favorite Newsboys song; “He Reigns”.  Everyone was on their feet, swaying back and forth with hands raised towards Heaven singing at the top of their lungs…

And yet, in the midst of all the glorious sounds echoing through the hall all I could hear was the 11-year-old boy next to me with a huge smile on his face and hands in the air, joyously singing Your Praises.

It was a truly wondrous evening Lord.  🙂

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for Blessing me with these moments.  Seeing my boys finding joy, excitement and wonder in You does wonderful things for my heart.  Please keep them in Your Embrace, and fill them with Your Holy Spirit so they can grow into the men You Desire them to be.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Creation Anxiously Awaits

Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!

First off Father, I want to thank You for another enjoyable weekend.  I was Blessed to spend quite a bit of quality time with my wife and children, Shannon and I got out for a “date night” on Saturday, I managed to catch up on some laundry, dishes and housework, and the boys and I even went on an outing to walk the trails at Blackbird State Forest on Sunday afternoon.  All in all, it was a restful and satisfying couple of days and I thank You so much for that respite.

As I’ve mentioned to you before Lord, Blackbird Forest is one of those places where I feel most connected to Your Presence.  It was a lovely day here on Sunday, and our time spent trekking through the majesty of Your Creation was wonderful as always.  I’m extremely pleased that Jonathan and Aidan have developed such a love of nature, and that they eagerly look forward to our exploration time together.  We’re already planning some longer day trips together as the weather improves, so we can hike some of the more lengthy trails.  Either way, I look forward to spending lots of communal time with You on those paths in the upcoming seasons.  🙂

Today Father, while doing some reading I ran across a passage in Romans that loudly spoke to me and I’d like to share it:

“ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” – Romans 8:18-19 (NIV)

Wow Lord, what a powerful statement the Apostle Paul makes here!  Not only is he reminding us that the trials and tribulations we go through in this lifetime are insignificant when compared to the glory we will receive in Your Kingdom, but also that creation itself is anxiously awaiting what’s coming as well!  From walking through the forest yesterday and feeling Your Presence in such magnitude, these verses just reached out to me today when I came across them.

Heavenly Father, thank You once again for a lovely weekend and for continuing to bless us with Your Presence.  I pray that we all may see past the daily burdens we encounter, secure in the knowledge that these trials are temporary and that Your Glory to come far outweighs any suffering we endure here on Earth.  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