Thankful Thursday: A Week Away

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Ok Lord, yes I do know it’s actually Friday but as the day got away from me yesterday and I didn’t have the opportunity to post my Thankful Thursday article, I decided to do so this morning instead.  🙂

It’s been a wonderful, Blessed week away with my family Father.  Our visits to the mountains are something that we all look forward to eagerly each year, and it’s been a joyous, relaxing time once again.  Today is our last full day here, and although we’ll be headed home tomorrow the memories of this past week will stay with us for a long time to come.

So, without further ado Lord, this week I’d like to give special thanks for…

136. 78 degree days, and 52 degree nights with low humidity.

137. A sky so clear that at night with a full moon, the clouds light up like it was dusk.

138. Playing an evening game of Bocce with Jonathan.

139. A caring, thoughtful friend who cleaned our house for us while we’re away.

140. Getting the opportunity to attend church services with old friends.

141. Quiet time fishing.

142. Being surrounded by the abundant beauty of Your Creation.

143. An office staff who keeps the world at bay for me while I’m away.

144. Another wonderful visit to Claws ‘N’ Paws Zoo.

145. Seeing the joy on Jonathan’s face as he won the archery competition.

146. Children who continue to have a sense of whimsy and wonder.

147. Sitting on the back porch of the cabin late at night with good friends, good bourbon and a light breeze.

148. Having no signal on my mobile phone for most of the week.  🙂

149. The management and staff at Chestnut Grove Resort who always make our visit feel like coming home.

150. Reservations to come back here next year.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for a restful, rejuvenating and happy week away.  In these beautiful and peaceful surroundings I can truly feel Your Presence in abundance, and will be taking home with me a deeper sense of Your Wondrous Gifts to us.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

The Lord Looks at the Heart

Dear Lord; Happy Friday Father!

As you’re aware Father, during my Scripture reading time as of late I’ve been reviewing the books of the Old Testament.  I always find wisdom and vital foundation in those pages, however once in a while I run into a passage that seizes my heart and connects me to Your Word even more deeply.

Such was the case as I read from 1^st Samuel last night.

Samuel had recently delivered Your condemnation of Saul’s disobedience in the battle with the Amalekites, and was mourning the situation when You instructed him that he was now to travel to Bethlehem for the purpose of anointing a new king.  You indicated that it was to be a son of Jesse, but gave no specifics as to which son had been chosen.

When Samuel reached Bethlehem and was received by Jesse and his family, he saw Eliab (Jesse’s eldest son) and due to the young man’s stature assumed that he was Your intended selection.  You however, used that moment to teach Samuel (and now me) a valuable lesson…

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”” – 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

You know Father, while I already knew that to be the case, this verse still left a powerful impression on my heart.  We spend so much of our time tending to our outward appearance and presentation, but in the end You know our hearts; what we think, our motivations, our fears, and our convictions.  The more we focus on true transformation of our inner selves and less on impressing the world around us, the more obvious Your Presence becomes in our daily lives.

What a wonderful lesson to pray on going into the weekend.  🙂

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Meditations Monday: Light of the World

Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!

Once again Lord, we come to the beginning of another work-week.  It was a harried but enjoyable weekend, with much time spent in the company of family and good friends.  Any lack of sleep incurred was more than balanced by the joy of being surrounded by those I love.  As I’ve said many times before Father, I am truly Blessed and I thank You.

Today’s Meditations Monday Scripture selection comes from the Gospel of Matthew.  As You know, I’ve been praying quite a bit as of late on new ways to reach out and share Your Love with others, and on expanding this ministry to serve those in need more extensively.  It seemed appropriate therefore, to focus my thoughts and prayers today on one of Jesus’ most fundamental teachings:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Such a significant directive You’ve placed on us Lord!  The Light of Your Holy Spirit isn’t for private consumption, to be hidden and contained in silence waiting for others to notice it.  Instead, as followers of Christ we’re led to make our joy manifest through actions that glorify Your Presence in us.  Service to Your Children is worship in practice, and brings our Walk closer to You in the process.

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks and praise for Your unwavering commitment to Your Children each day.  Please fill us with Your Spirit, and embolden us to go forth and share Your Light with others.  Strip away from us our selfish natures, and lead us to reach out in love and mercy to those in need.  Make us beacons of Your Influence, and guide us to endeavors that best glorify Your Holy Name.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Spiritual Nudges

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

Over the last few years Lord, I’ve been “hearing” more and more from You in my daily life and I have to tell You, it’s been a transformational change for me.  While I know through Scripture and Faith that You’ve always been with me and always will be, as my Walk has progressed and I’ve learned to “listen” more carefully, I find Your Voice in almost every part of my day.

You speak to me through…

The wave of comfort and peace I get when I reach out to You in prayer.

The quick inner “watch it!” scolding I get after doing something that isn’t in line with Christ’s teachings (eg. Letting loose a nasty comment when someone cuts me off in traffic).

The warm feeling that crosses my heart when I see my children do things that Glorify You.

The quiet urgings I receive each day to step “outside my box”.

The song that plays on the local Christian radio station which delivers a message I need to hear, exactly when I need to hear it.

Feeling Your Presence whisper through the trees when I take long walks in the forest.

The “Spiritual Nudges” you give me to reach out and share Your Love.

And many others…

Heavenly Father, You speak to me in so many wonderful ways and I delight in continuing to discover new ones.  As our steps grow closer, I pray that I’m able to hear Your Voice above all other sounds and make decisions that Glorify the Blessings You bestow on me.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” – John 10:27 (NIV)

Amen.

~Phather Phil

For the Word of God is Alive and Active

Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!

First off Father, I want to thank You once again for Your “nudge” yesterday to put aside my earthly worries, and simply rest in Your Presence fed by a good dose of Your Word.  I’ve dubbed that time my “Stillness Sabbatical”, and I informed my staff today that it would be something I’ll be doing much more often in the future.

Today Lord, You got my attention very early this morning when while doing some research you placed this passage in my path:

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)

These words didn’t speak to me Father… They yelled!  What powerful Truths this contains!

I’ve spent much of my day with these verses running through my head…

For the word of God is alive and active…

Your Word is a vibrant, living force, not simply words on a page.  It reaches out and transforms those who open their hearts to Your Voice, and feeds our thirsty Spirits.

Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Although we may try to hide things from others, Your Word separates truth and falsehood in a way nothing else can.  It uplifts that which is righteous, and convicts those pieces of ourselves that are found lacking.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

You know us better than we know ourselves Father.  Our thoughts, our desires, our intentions and our sins are all open to Your Gaze.  You know us from within.

On the heels of yesterday’s message Father, this passage really reached out and grabbed me.  Thank You so much for bringing these words into my heart today, and for continuing to guide me faithfully along the Journey You’ve laid out.  Amen.

~Phather Phil