The Cleansing Rain

Dear Lord; Good evening Father!

Ah Lord, spring is truly here in all it’s glory; the grass is growing, the trees are sprouting, the flowers are starting to bloom…

And the pollen is everywhere.

Heading out to work and school this morning, we exited the garage and were faced with a lesson in color manipulation; my nice dark blue SUV had turned a fuzzy shade of green.  The dusting of yellow pollen was so thick across the skin of the vehicle that it literally looked to be a different color.

Yuck.

The golden film held on all throughout the day, leaving the truck feeling dingy and old.

Driving home from a client’s office this evening, the colorful allergen’s grip on my vehicle was torn away as the skies opened and a cooling spring rain began to fall.  The coating was quickly flushed off the surface of the truck, and everything once again seemed bright and clean.

Now, this seems familiar I thought…

Sin does to our souls what pollen did to my truck; it coats, and covers, and dirties and distorts.  And like the cleansing rain, Your Grace washes that sin from our beings.  We are made fresh and new in Your Love, and able to see Your Path more clearly.

“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” – Psalm 51:2 (NIV)

Thank You so much for the rain Lord.  🙂

Amen.

~Phather Phil

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

A Truly Wondrous Union: Lessons Learned

Dear Lord; Good evening Father.

Following the conversation we had last night Lord, I’ve been thinking about the lessons I’ve learned over the period Shannon and I have been married.  We’ve had a staggering range of high and low points throughout our time as man and wife, and it dawned on me that on both sides of the spectrum we’ve learned valuable lessons about ourselves, and our bond with each other.  Therefore Father, if You’ll indulge me I’d like to share some of those teachings we’ve acquired over the years:

Everything you do while married is a “Team Sport”, whether there’s obvious direct involvement by your spouse or not. Marriage is a partnership, so no matter what you do while a member of that union the other person is in some way involved or affected; Always take them into account when making decisions, period.

Keeping secrets from your spouse is a bad idea, and will eventually lead to trust issues. This is a big one, and actually goes back to my first point.  Hiding things in your marriage not only erodes the foundation of trust that’s necessary to get through difficult times, but builds resentment over time as things come to the surface.

Never miss the opportunity to show your partner how much you care. Little things go a long way, whether it’s a text message in the middle of the day to let them know you’re thinking of them, or showing up at their office with flowers for no special reason; it’s the “out of the box” displays of affection that linger in their memory.

Intimacy is important. While this may seem obvious, it gets very easy in the course of the hectic lives we all seem to lead to put “quiet time” with our spouse on the backburner.  One of the best ways to stay connected with each other emotionally is to make time on a very regular basis to spend reveling in each other’s presence.

It’s all about balance. In every relationship there are periods where the burdens fall much heavier on one partner than the other.  Instead of dwelling on the added load we’re put under and being resentful, we need to place our strength behind the union as a whole and support our spouse with all we have.

Count your Blessings together regularly. There are days where the stress, anxieties and fears in our lives just seem to be completely overwhelming.  Focusing on the amazing Blessings You’ve bestowed on us all, and most especially on the wondrous gift of our Ordained Union as man and wife helps to put all those other trials in proper perspective.

Pray for each other, and glorify God by being the best husband/wife you can be. Marriage is something You designed and blessed us with Father, and by making that partnership one of our highest priorities we in effect praise Your Gifts while emboldening our union at the same time.

And I’m still learning Lord, blissfully day by day.  🙂

Thank You so much for leading and guiding us along this journey Father.  You’ve provided strength when we were fatigued, comfort when we faced despair and throughout it all You’ve kept us in Your Loving Embrace… together.  Now that’s a truly wondrous union.  Amen.

~Phather Phil