Meditations Monday: The Simplest of Beginnings

Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!

Well Father, once again You’ve Blessed my family and I with a lovely weekend.  Jonathan’s sleepover birthday party Friday night was a marked success, and the boys all seemed to have a wonderful time.  Once all the “overnighters” had been picked up by their well-rested parents (smiles), we packed up and headed out to spend the rest of the day at the home of some truly wonderful extended family (eg. Good friends) celebrating the birthday of their foster son.  It was a lovely visit, filled with laughter and love, and we were very Blessed to be a part of it.  Sunday morning began with an inspiring church service including a powerful message from Pastor Kris, with the remaining part of the day divided between cooking, catching up on homework and housework, and just enjoying the company of one another.  All in all Lord, it was an absolutely wonderful weekend, and I thank You for faithfully providing these times of joy and respite to us.

When I thought and prayed about what passage in Scripture to select for this Meditations Monday post Father, one immediately sprang to my heart:

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:1-7 (ESV)

As I read this passage in Luke Father, I was struck by the simplicity in which this miraculous event was described;

No fanfare…

No ceremonies…

No royal proclamations…

No pretense of any kind.

Such a transformational moment in our world Father, ushered in by the most humble of circumstances.

As I look around this Christmas Season Lord, it’s blatantly apparent our world today exists in stark contrast to that Silent Night so long ago.  We fill these weeks each year with lights, and parties, and shopping, and decorating, and yet, in that defining moment some two thousand years ago…

Our world was forever changed, from the simplest of beginnings.

No lighting displays, no flying reindeer, no sugarplum faries…

Just a miracle, in a lowly manger, sent to save the world.

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Grumble, Grumble, Grumble…

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Grumble, grumble, grumble…

This Father, was the response (the nicer version of it anyways) that greeted me upon trying to wake my “just turned twelve” son Jonathan this morning.  Now, he’s always been a little sluggish getting moving in the morning, but last night he ended up staying awake far later than usual to try and finish some homework, and this morning when I tried to get him up for school…

Arguments…

Attitude…

And Grumbling.

After much cajoling, some veiled threats of consequences, and yes, some “raised voices” (smiles), he finally got up and begrudgingly got ready for school.

Later in the day as I mulled over the morning’s epic struggle, it dawned on me that I’d been guilty of similar offenses this week as well…

I’ve grumbled to You Lord, more than once.

Money is exceptionally tight this year… grumble, grumble, grumble

I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in what seems like forever… grumble, grumble, grumble

The dogs just won’t stop barking… grumble, grumble, grumble

I never seem to have time to do the things I want to do… grumble, grumble, grumble

And yet Father, in the midst of all my grumbling, You’ve stayed by my side; encouraging me, comforting me, and faithfully guiding me through each and every storm.

And You’ve never grumbled about it.

Thank you Lord, for setting that example.  🙂

Now Father, as opposed to grumbling (smiles again), I’d like to present You with this week’s Thankful Thursday list!  Even though this past week has certainly provided more than a few challenges for me Lord, I’ve still found myself surrounded by signs of Your gracious love.  And while I’m thankful for all of the wonderful gifts You’ve Blessed my life with Father, this week I’m especially grateful for:

436. A fun, silly dinner at Friendly’s to celebrate Jonathan’s birthday.

437. Those guiding whispers to my heart when I’m about to say something I shouldn’t.

438. That our Tuesday night Small Group has connected in such a powerful way that we all feel comfortable coming to one another in times of need.

439. Twelve years of having Jonathan in our lives.

440. That the new Ewell’s – St. Paul UMC website is nearly completed.  🙂

441. Chocolate and peanut butter oreo balls.

442. The divine gift of marriage, and Blessing me with the call to join two people in Your love.

443. A significant savings on gasoline through a local grocery store discount program.

444. That when my limited understanding obscures my needs, Your Spirit knows all the same.

445. Christmas cookies.

446. That in my weakness, Your grace strengthens and emboldens me.

447. That one way or another Lord, You always deliver on Your promises.

448. An exceptional friend that knew I needed a break, and stepped in without asking to help.

449. Guiding messages from my Heavenly Father that help steer me through difficulties.

450. The “Road Signs” in Your Word that help to guide my life.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for the multitude of Blessings You surround us with each day; both those that light up the sky with Your brilliance, and those gifts that grace our lives quietly from the shadows…

Even when we grumble.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Meditations Monday: Honored and Blessed

Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!

Well Father, it certainly was a busy weekend that You Blessed us with!  Between household chores that needed to be done, cooking (lots of cooking!), baking and time spent enjoying the fellowship and company of friends, our weekend was jam-packed and quite enjoyable.  Thank You so much for that time together Lord!

And on top of such a happy, hectic weekend Father, yesterday marks the one-year wedding anniversary of two wonderful friends of mine; Dan and Francine.  One year ago Sunday, I was both honored and Blessed to stand with them in Your presence, and pronounce them joined as man and wife.  It was a beautiful event Lord, and Your love was abundantly felt by all those in attendance.

“The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.

Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.”

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:20-24 (ESV)

From the first days of Adam in the Garden Father, You knew that it wasn’t good for man to be alone.  To bring him that “completeness” and give him a partner to share Your love, You drew from his flesh and breathed life into the one with whom Adam’s life was to be made whole; man and woman joined together in the presence of their Creator.

And so it continues to this day.  🙂

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for Your faithfulness in bringing together those whom You intend to be joined, and uniting them through Your gift of Holy Matrimony.  For those awaiting Your match for them Father; please grant them the patience, comfort and discernment to take the time necessary to know Your will.  For those that You’ve already brought together in that union, guide them Father; Bless them with the knowledge of Your will for them, the compassion to put their spouses first, and the discipline to cling to one another when difficulties occur.  Help us Lord, to recognize marriage for the Blessing that it is, and to honor You by holding it sacred as You intend.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

P.S. Happy Anniversary Dan and Francine!

Come, Lord Jesus

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

Come, Lord Jesus…

Driving to work this morning Father, You placed this all-too-familiar phrase on my heart.

And with it came so many thoughts…

When I was little, one of the most powerful memories I have of my grandmother (my father’s mother) is the Lutheran Grace she used to say when we sat down to a meal:

“Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest, and let Thy gifts to us be blessed.  Amen”

She was a devout Christian Lord, and loved You with all her heart.  When I was younger and she was still with us, I never truly understood her absolute devotion to You.  As You know Lord, my early years were very much filled with turmoil; I was angry, and fearful, and through that haze of emotion You weren’t even on my radar.  Through it all though, she kept Your Word in our lives nonetheless.  When I see her again in Your Kingdom Father, I have quite a bit to thank her for.

Come, Lord Jesus…

In our brokenness Father, our hearts cry out to You.  We live in a disconnected world Lord; one that tries desperately to focus our attention on its “glitter and flash”, and away from Your stalwart presence.  Yet, in the midst of our sin and pain You sent Your only Begotten Son to cleanse the world, and lead us from our bondage.

Come, Lord Jesus…

In this Season of Advent Father, we not only celebrate the holy birth of our Savior, but also the eager anticipation of His return.  It’s a time embraced by a sense of wonder at the coming of our incarnate God, and a longing in our spirits for divine deliverance from the world’s evils; when we open our hearts to rejoice at Your overflowing love for us and say…

Come, Lord Jesus!

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: No End In Sight

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

And once again Father, we come to the Thankful Thursday “edition” here at PhatherPhil.org.  Today, I’m picking up where I left off on my list two weeks back, as for Thanksgiving I was Blessed to be able to present You with lists from Shannon and the boys instead.  You graced us with a truly wonderful holiday weekend Father; filled with family, friends, fellowship and the beautiful promise that the beginning of Advent brings to our hearts.  So much to be thankful for Lord, so much…

And on that note Father, continuing from where we left off, this past week I’ve been especially grateful for:

406. An absolutely beautiful Thanksgiving gathering with close friends and family.

407. You Blessing me with exactly what You know I need, when I need it. (Not to be confused with what I think I need, or what I want…)

408. Having close brothers and sisters in Christ to help keep me accountable.

409. An inspiring and encouraging Small Group gathering Tuesday evening as we delve deeper into the “Plan B” study.

410. Getting the outside Christmas lights up last weekend.

411. The spark of anticipation that this Season of Advent places in my heart.

412. Time spent with Jonathan putting up the Christmas lights.

413. Seeing the joy on Aidan’s face as he helped put the lights on the Christmas tree for the first time.

414. Turkey Club Sandwiches made with the leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner.

415. That no matter how “out of control” life can seem to us, You’re never shaken.

416. Snuggling up with the kids on the couch to watch Christmas movies.

417. Having a group of our church family over for a fellowship brunch after services last Sunday.

418. The opportunity for our family to light the first Advent Wreath Candle during the church service last Sunday.

419. The “Blue Glow” that covers our house during the Christmas Season.

420. A beautiful guest “Email to God” written by my friend Kandi this week.

And the list continues to grow Lord, with no end in sight… 🙂

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Father, for the multitude of Blessings you bestow on us each and every day; both those that shine brightly with Your radiance, and those that uplift us quietly from the shadows.  As we rejoice in the anticipation that this Season of Advent signifies, please open our hearts Lord, and fill us with wonder and gratitude at the coming of the Christ Child.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil