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

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

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

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