Nov 12, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Nov 12, 2010 | 0 comments
Dear Lord; This morning Father, I’m just going to brag a little about my children. I attended a parent-teacher conference for Aidan this morning, and it was just so heartening to hear the wonderful words of praise from his teacher. He’s doing very well academically, but that wasn’t really what made me leave grinning from ear to ear. His teacher started the meeting by saying that for conferences this period, she sat down and came up with three adjectives to describe each child. In Aidan’s case, she had a hard time choosing only three but the ones she came up with as the top selections just made my day; Curious, Sweet and Helpful. She then spent time emphasizing to me that while he was a wonderful student, he was just a pleasure to have in her class because he was so focused on caring for and helping everyone around him. (~Insert Beaming Father Face Here~) Shannon and I try very hard to instill a sense of empathy and sense of compassion in our boys, but like every parent we have days where we’re just sure we’re missing the mark somewhere. Today was a wonderful validation that through all of it, we’re doing something right. Thank You so much for Blessing us with our two Angels, and for helping me see that glimpse of the Men we’re trying to raise. Amen. ~Phather Phil
Nov 9, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Nov 9, 2010 | 0 comments
Dear Lord; Wow… This week is certainly off to a bumpy start. Between several insane situations at work, and some friends going through horrendous personal turmoil, I’m feeling drained and it’s only Tuesday. However, instead of focusing on the craziness, I’m spending a few minutes to take a step back and thank You for Blessing me so very much. You’ve Graced me with a wonderful Wife, remarkable children and good friends that I love and value deeply. I have a profession that while it can drive me crazy sometimes, I can honestly say I’m very happy going to work each day. We live in a lovely home, are able to put nourishing food in our stomachs and have enjoyed overall good health as of late. And on top of it all Father, I feel my relationship with You has never been stronger. I am indeed Blessed. Thank You. Amen. ~Phather Phil
Nov 3, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Nov 3, 2010 | 0 comments
Dear Lord; My thoughts to you this morning come from a conversation I had with a good friend of mine regarding the pain she was feeling from the loss of a pet. Thinking more deeply about the situation, it dawned on me that a great many people are very deeply attached to their pets (myself included… Take a look at my Flickr link in the sidebar for pictures of my dogs :-)). They provide us love and companionship, and ask for amazingly little in return. There have been many discussions over the years in a variety of Religious and Philosophical forums as to whether or not animals have souls and if so, when they pass do they go to Heaven, however I’ve never questioned that. They touch our hearts and spirits in ways few other things can. If in Your Great Love Lord, You have created Heaven as a Paradise where exists True Happiness, I firmly believe that any of Your creatures that so intensely touch our Spirits will once again meet us in that Garden. Therefore Heavenly Father, today my prayers go out to our wonderful animals, and to Your children that love and care for them. Amen. ~Phather Phil
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. 
