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

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

Thankful Thursday: It’s the Little Things

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Father, I’ll be honest; it’s been a rough time writing this post today.  I usually look forward to composing the “Thankful Thursday” edition, but the last couple of days have been filled with nearly-paralyzing stress and anxiety, and I’ve been having a very difficult time focusing on the many Blessings You’ve bestowed on me.  I know in my heart that You’re here with me, and have never stopped hearing my pleas but the voices of fear and doubt have been quite loud and insistent.  Either way Lord, I thank You for being ever-faithful and ask that You forgive me this weakness.  Our trials temper us, and I continue to cling to Your Strength secure in the knowledge that You will guide me down the proper path as always.

Therefore Father, for today’s “Thankful Thursday” post instead of focusing on some of the more “major” Gifts in my life, I’d like to run down a few simple, little things I’ve been thankful for this week instead:

This Blog. Not only does writing these daily chats with You help me solidify my thoughts and prayers, but I’ve been Blessed to meet some truly wonderful people through doing it as well.

Warmer Weather. I truly enjoy grilling Father, and for the last couple of weeks the weather has allowed me to do quite a bit of it.  Milder temperatures have also allowed the boys to get outside for some much-needed recreation and for us to start our pilgrimages to Blackbird State Forest.

Simple Acts of Kindness. During this current period of fear and uncertainty, I’ve been uplifted by the kind actions of a number of people around me.  Little signs of caring can speak volumes to a troubled spirit and have helped me immensely.

Hugs from my Kids. While I work diligently not to let my concerns and burdens be visible around the boys, they’re amazingly empathetic children and have spent a great deal of effort to show me extra signs of their affection this past couple weeks.  🙂

Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the Blessings You bring to my life each day.  Please forgive my human frailties, and help me to cast my burdens at Your feet so I may find that Peace in Your Embrace.  In Your Holy Name Lord, 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