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.
Well Lord, it’s been a LONG day. Following an insomnia night, I was awakened this morning by an urgent message indicating that we had a server down in the hosting group. Out the door I ran, and the running didn’t stop until I sat down to dinner this evening at 7:15.
Whew.
Driving home from dinner tonight, I was going over the stresses of the day in my head trying to figure out how I was going to get everything I needed to do accomplished. I felt overwhelmed, and tired…
And then a song came on the radio:
I love it when Your Messages smack me in the head Father. 🙂
“When that muffled sigh
Says you’re barely getting by
Cut your burdens loose and just simplify
Simplify
This is not your floor
You’re going higher than before
Drop the weight now
Wait for the lookout guide
Look outside
As they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
Now you’re free to fly”
I think I’ll sleep better tonight Lord. Thank You.
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. 🙂
Following our last conversation Father, I spent quite a bit of time this last couple days talking to You. As You know, last week was very long and complicated and I went into the weekend extremely stressed and emotionally exhausted. Spending more time in Your Presence this weekend absolutely helped me focus on my priorities, and gain peace for the week ahead. Thank You so much for that.
Shannon and I are also still working to get over this nasty respiratory bug we’ve had. It’s almost over with I think, but my chest still gets tight now and again requiring breathing treatments to open things back up. Driving home tonight, it dawned on me that those treatments and my time spent communing with You this weekend both served a similar function.
They both helped me to breathe.
While the Albuterol inhalation helps to relax and open my air pathways and loosen up my chest so that I can get air efficiently, my time spent in prayer and absorbing Your Word provides the same relief for my spirit. It opens my mind and my heart, and allows Your Love and Calming Influence in. My lungs need air, my soul needs You.
Nebulizer treatments for the spirit… Ahhh. 🙂
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your continued Presence in my life; You clear my focus, and renew my tired soul. I pray that Your Divine “Breathing Treatments” bring that miraculous healing to all those in need. Amen.
Well Father, today marks week three that I’m celebrating “Thankful Thursday” here at PhatherPhil.org! I’m really enjoying these weekly postings, as it gets my head focused on all the wondrous Blessings You’ve granted me. Starting my day thinking “What am I truly thankful for today?” is an excellent frame of mind to be in for the morning ahead.
Today Father, I’d like to thank You for the inspiration and encouragement I receive each day through the wonderful avenue of Christian Music. Over the last several months I’ve switched to almost exclusively listening to Contemporary Christian Music each day, and it’s brought an amazing change to my mood and perspective. Between the local radio station we listen to in the car, to streaming K-Love on my computer at work, to the Contemporary Christian Music Channel on our digital cable TV I leave on in the background during the evening hours, my ears are filled with songs praising You for much of my day. I never have to be concerned with the content not being appropriate for my children, and we’re all the better for having this melodious form of worship going on while being entertained by such marvelous artists.
Jonathan and I even have tickets to see the Newsboys with Kutless and Disciple in a couple weeks! He’s become a big Newsboys fan, and this is his first concert of any kind so he’s extra excited (ok… so am I. 🙂 ). As I’ve mentioned to You before, listening to my boys sing these songs of praise along with the radio in the mornings on the way to school just warms my heart to no end. This music is truly a Blessing, and makes a wonderful impact on our lives each day.
I think this piece of scripture states it beautifully Father:
“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.” – Psalm 33:1
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day.
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
