Last night Lord, I finally got a chance to sit down and watch the first in a series of video podcasts put out by Cross Point Church focusing on marriage. The series is entitled “5 Things”, and focuses on five areas which if not recognized and tended to carefully, could cause serious and possibly dangerous consequences to a marriage. The episode I watched last night was entitled “Leftovers”, and was taught by Pastor Pete Wilson.
Now, I’m not going to get into details about the content of the podcast as I think it’s very worthwhile for others reading this post to watch it for themselves, instead of simply gaining my take on it. Pastor Pete’s message is well thought out and delivered, and I’m looking forward to viewing the rest of the series. For those who are interested, the video podcasts from Cross Point Church are available here.
As You know Father, my marriage to Shannon is something that I spend quite a bit of time talking with You about. You’ve Blessed me beyond words with our life together, and I am truly thankful for having her as my wife. Watching the Cross Point video last night, I started thinking back over the trials we’ve experienced in our nearly 16 years together, and how You’ve used those times of struggle to highlight Your Gifts to us, and bring us closer in Your Love. Like any other couple we absolutely have our moments of discord Father, but funny enough love wins out every time. Thank You so much for being our marriage counselor over the years. 🙂
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Having an instruction manual really is handy Lord.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for being a Guiding and Strengthening Presence in our marriage. I pray that You continue to Bless our union, and that we’re able to share Your message of Hope and Love with those around us. Amen.
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.
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.
Well Lord, it’s certainly been a whirlwind day for me. In the last week or so, we’ve had an amazing outpouring of new clients coming on board with my company, as well as a significant increase of projects that need to be bid out. It’s a wonderful and hopeful sign of things to come, and I’m very thankful that You’ve Blessed me with these opportunities.
Getting in the door to new customers can be a difficult endeavor, and with several of these recent additions it was through a complicated series of relationships that I was given the opportunity; a friends of friends who know someone type of thing. This evening, one of the people who was integral to my getting those introductions texted me, and indicated he was fascinated with the way that chain of relationships had played out. My response was simple, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since:
God’s ways aren’t always a straight path… That’s for sure.
(Now Father, the gentleman I sent that message to is a devout follower of Yours, and has been an amazing Blessing to me over the years. I have no doubt in my mind you brought us together for a reason, and I pray that You continue to keep him in Your Gaze.)
Anyways, the more I thought about the reply I gave the more it led me to contemplate other events in my past that came about through seemingly bizarre “coincidences”. Knowing You as I’ve come to Lord, I realize now that those coincidences were in fact orchestrated twists and turns on my journey personally programmed into Your Divine GPS.
You always know how to get me where You want me to go… I just need to follow the directions You give.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Blessings You’ve bestowed on me this week. Please make Your Presence felt by all those faced with uncertainties, fears and doubts; not knowing where to turn. By following Your Holy “roadmap”, we always get to our intended destination. Amen.
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. 
