The Seed of All Love

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:16-19 (ESV)

On this Valentine’s Day as our hearts are drawn to thoughts of love and romance, it’s important to remember the true source of that which we cherish; God loved us first, and from that precious, perfect seed all love springs forth.

Thankful Thursday: Comfy Jeans

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Ok Father, yes, I realize it’s not Thursday anymore but I really didn’t want to let the week pass by without adding to my ever growing list of Blessings.  It’s been an amazingly busy week Lord, but one that absolutely overflowed with Your love for us.

Continuing to count my Blessings Father; while this week Your many gifts were abundantly apparent, I’ve been especially grateful for:

556. A powerful, Spirit filled evening at our Tuesday night small group gathering this week.

557. Finding new truths in Scripture that I’d overlooked before.

558. Some extra income this month through jobs Shannon’s had playing her viola, and teaching violin lessons.

559. My “comfy jeans”.

560. The arrival of a “DVD 3-Pack” containing “Fireproof”, “Facing the Giants” and “Flywheel”.

561. Your subtle reminders of who I was, who I’ve become, and the man You desire me to be.

562. The cozy feeling of wearing clothes straight out of the dryer.

563. Protection from the lions.

564. God Moments.

565. A new MIUI ROM release for my Nook Color.

566. Having dear friends that pray over my marriage, and my family.

567. That Shannon has been healed from the sinus and ear infection she suffered with last week.

568. Getting good seats for the Casting Crowns concert coming up in July.

569. Your benevolent Grace which cleanses and renews me.

570. An ever-deepening relationship with my Lord and Savior.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for the many Blessings You bestow on us each and every day; both those that light the sky with Your radiance, and those that grace the night in silence.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

It’s About a Relationship

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” – Philippians 3:8-11 (NLT)

While belonging to and attending a church, participating in worship services and being involved in ministry can absolutely help bring us closer to God, only through a deep, personal relationship with Christ can we truly experience the peace, majesty and love our Heavenly Father offers us.  It’s not about a religion, it’s about a relationship.

God Moments

Dear Lord; Happy Saturday Father!

I love those moments Lord,

When in the throes of our lives,

You announce Your presence.

Some see coincidence,

Some call it luck,

And yet,

I want see to them for what they are;

“God Moments”:

When just the right song plays on the radio, as if on cue…

While during a moment of self-doubt, a reassuring text message reminds us that we’re loved…

When the bills are due with no relief in sight, and yet somehow, the money shows up…

And while in the midst of our private pain, a quiet voice reminds us we’re Your Beloved.

So many times however Father,

I’ve missed the forest for the trees;

Seeing only frustration,

And struggle,

And pain.

Not viewing with eyes of faith and trust,

But instead through the world’s narrow lens.

Open my eyes Lord,

Open my heart.

Help me recognize Your hand

In every situation;

Not just those that make me smile.

For when I’m able to discern Your light

In everything around me,

Life itself

Becomes a “God Moment”.  🙂

Amen.

~Phather Phil

The Most Powerful Act of Love in History

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (ESV)

For many, the onset of February brings thoughts of love to the front of our minds.  However, as we’re inundated by the seemingly endless procession of bright red gift boxes and jewelry advertisements, it’s important that we remember the single, most powerful act of love in history; the divine birth, life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.