Today Lord, I’m truly Blessed to be sharing some of the inspirations you’ve given me over at a fellow blogger and friend’s site; Healthy Spirituality.
Jean’s blog is always an amazing source of encouragement, education and inspiration to me Father, and I was absolutely honored when she asked me to write a post for her. I’ll admit it Lord, I struggled for some time with what I felt You wanted me to share, and then again with finding the right phrasing to bring that truth to life. Thankfully though Father, the words did come and I pray that I did Your message justice through their employ.
Continuing to count my Blessings Lord, on this very Thankful Thursday I’m especially grateful for:
526. That I have people who challenge me to grow closer to You, and hold me accountable for that commitment.
I thank You Lord, for the many Blessings You bestow on us each day; both those that light the night as a monument to Your love, and those that grace us quietly, whispering Your message from the shadows.
As You know Father, the last couple weeks have been particularly stressful for me, and I’m afraid in several situations I allowed myself to weaken and give audience to Satan’s voices of dissent within my heart…
You’re not worthy of God’s attention…
You’re weak…
You’re alone…
I can still get to you…
And yet, through all these attacks on my spirit Lord, You were right there. You’ve quietly reminded me of my true identity, sent me fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to bolster my reserve, and through Your Word have helped keep my eyes focused on Your Kingdom.
And then this morning, You gave me a very special gift…
As I’ve mentioned before Father, I quite enjoy the path I take to work each morning. I consciously avoid the highway, and instead travel a series of smaller back roads that run through much more rural settings.
My route also holds one further benefit.
For a short portion of the drive, my truck heads due East; affording me a wonderful front-row seat as the sun lifts above the horizon behind the farmlands ahead. Most mornings it’s a lovely scene, but today it was particularly breathtaking. The air was vividly clear, save for a thin line of clouds that dotted the horizon. Lying behind that smoky veil, the morning sun’s radiance streamed upwards, seeming to burn rays of light into the heavens. It was truly a marvelous sight, and as I smiled in recognition of Your handiwork, You let me know why…
“It’s for you…” You said.
For me?? I momentarily struggled with my disbelief, but it was just too powerful; the wall came crashing down and I clearly understood Your message:
You love me Father, and You’d move heaven and earth that I should know it.
What an amazing gift Lord… I am truly humbled, and forever changed.
About this time last year Lord, I joined with many of my Christian Blogging brothers and sisters and began to think and pray about choosing a single word to guide my steps throughout the year. In the end, although I was unsure as to why at the time, You very clearly placed the word “Accept” on my heart.
As I look back over the past year Father, Your reasons for Blessing me with that word become very apparent. 2011 was a year filled with struggles, and joy, with pain, and enlightenment. And yet, when I attempt to “compile” the year’s experiences and summarize what truths I’ve been given in that time, Your word for me keeps showing up…
I Accept that I can’t fix everything, or solve every problem…
I Accept that I’m dependent Father; needy of Your presence in all parts of my life.
I Accept that only by consistently seeking humility before You, can I find true strength.
I Accept that I’m Your Beloved Child.
And so many others Father… “Accept” makes perfect sense to me now.
So now we come to 2012.
As You know Father, I started praying about this year’s word a couple weeks ago. You’ve been relatively quiet on the subject so far, but this morning on my ride to work You broke that silence…
Well Lord, once again, it’s not what I would have chosen, nor what I expected. Nonetheless, I trust You Father, with all my heart, and Accept this word as the precious gift it is. I have no idea what part my word will play in the coming year, but I Promise to keep my mind, and my heart, open to Your voice.
Well Lord, I had every intention of writing You a completely different post today. It came to me this morning, I thought about it throughout the day, I researched the Scriptures involved at length, and then…
You shifted gears on me.
It happened while I was driving back from picking up a prescription refill at our veterinarian this afternoon. I’d elected to take the back way there; giving myself a little added “quiet time” to gather my thoughts and contemplate my post a bit. There I was, riding along deep in thought, when all of a sudden I got that “pay attention” nudge I’ve come to know. The song on the radio had just changed, and the lyrics immediately caught my notice…
Wow Lord… I’ve felt like this more than once as of late…
You think I’d have it down by now
Been practicin’ for thirty years
I should have walked a thousand miles
So what am I still doin’ here
Reachin’ out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit
I slip and fall and I knock my halo loose
Somebody tell me what’s a boy supposed to do?
I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless…
Clumsy… What an apt description of how I feel on my journey to You sometimes Father…
I stumble…
I trip…
I take the wrong “fork in the road”…
And yet…
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah
Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday, and Happy New Year Father!
As we bid farewell to 2011 Lord, I confess that my feelings on it’s passing are somewhat conflicted. In a number of respects, this past year brought with it some of the most difficult trials our little family has experienced in quite some time. And yet, along with those stresses and struggles, I can honestly say that Your presence in our lives has never felt more powerful, or been more obvious…
In the midst of our fears, You comforted us.
When we struggled for direction, You guided our hearts.
When we doubted our value, You reminded us that we’re Your Beloved.
In our moment of need, You provided a path.
When we sought for community, You led us to our church family.
As our financial security was threatened, You showed us that our true wealth lay elsewhere.
The world knocked us down Father, over and over…
And yet, You were there… each and every time.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
While from a worldly perspective 2011 was a trying, difficult year for us Father, every time we stumbled, You picked us up and drew us to You.
The drought came Lord, but in You we were nourished.
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. 
