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

The Divine Marriage Counselor

Dear Lord; Good afternoon Father!

Last night Lord, I finally got a chance to sit down and watch the first in a series of video podcasts put out by Cross Point Church focusing on marriage.  The series is entitled “5 Things”, and focuses on five areas which if not recognized and tended to carefully, could cause serious and possibly dangerous consequences to a marriage.  The episode I watched last night was entitled “Leftovers”, and was taught by Pastor Pete Wilson.

Now, I’m not going to get into details about the content of the podcast as I think it’s very worthwhile for others reading this post to watch it for themselves, instead of simply gaining my take on it.  Pastor Pete’s message is well thought out and delivered, and I’m looking forward to viewing the rest of the series.  For those who are interested, the video podcasts from Cross Point Church are available here.

As You know Father, my marriage to Shannon is something that I spend quite a bit of time talking with You about.  You’ve Blessed me beyond words with our life together, and I am truly thankful for having her as my wife.  Watching the Cross Point video last night, I started thinking back over the trials we’ve experienced in our nearly 16 years together, and how You’ve used those times of struggle to highlight Your Gifts to us, and bring us closer in Your Love.  Like any other couple we absolutely have our moments of discord Father, but funny enough love wins out every time.  Thank You so much for being our marriage counselor over the years.  🙂

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

Having an instruction manual really is handy Lord.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for being a Guiding and Strengthening Presence in our marriage.  I pray that You continue to Bless our union, and that we’re able to share Your message of Hope and Love with those around us.  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

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