Aug 10, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Aug 10, 2012 | 0 comments
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” – Romans 14:1-4 (ESV)
One of the most damaging impediments to Christian fellowship and growing in God’s service is the judgment and condemnation of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Allowing our opinions and perspectives on issues of lesser consequence divide us from one another weakens our effectiveness as the Body of Christ, and only seeks to enhance our own glory, not that of our Heavenly Father.
Aug 7, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Aug 7, 2012 | 2 comments
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 (ESV)
When striving to determine God’s desire for our lives, we need to be cautious not to seek those answers from a worldly perspective. By opening ourselves to the transformation He freely offers through the Holy Spirit, we enable Him to better guide our steps each day and to hear His voice more clearly in the chaos of our daily lives.
Aug 1, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Aug 1, 2012 | 0 comments
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
Through no obedience, efforts, or works of our own can we earn God’s favor in our lives. Our salvation therefore, is not an achievement we may obtain, but instead is the ultimate expression of God’s divine love for us; received through our faith, and bought with the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jul 31, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jul 31, 2012 | 0 comments
“And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”” – Matthew 5:2-3 (ESV)
In His opening statement in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus laid this bombshell on the awaiting crowd; “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Now, He wasn’t using the term “poor” in a material sense, but instead was referring to the fact that we’re all spiritually bankrupt, and rely completely on the Grace of our Heavenly Father to complete and fulfill our lives. By humbling ourselves in that realization, we will indeed be Blessed.
Jul 30, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jul 30, 2012 | 1 comment
“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.” – Luke 23:33-34 (ESV)
Radical forgiveness; it’s what Jesus modeled for us on the cross, and what He calls for us to implement in our own lives as well. Seeing beyond our anger, bitterness and hurt to forgive those that we feel have wronged us is certainly no easy task, however it’s exactly the type of unfaltering, unconditional love that God desires we strive to have for one another.
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. 
