Today Lord, my heart is rejoicing in celebration. Sixteen years ago today, in a little church in Newark, Delaware, You joined together Shannon and I in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. Our marriage is by far one of Your greatest Blessings to me Father, and I can’t thank You enough for Your abundant Presence and support during our life together…
We felt Your Presence that day, when we said our vows to one another.
You comforted and strengthened us when my mother passed away less than a month later.
You led us to find our wonderful new home in Smyrna when building plans fell through at the last minute.
You faithfully held us in Your arms through a number of serious medical problems with Shannon.
After being told by a number of doctors that we couldn’t have children naturally, You proved them wrong… Twice. 🙂
When Jonathan was born with a life-threatening disease, You surrounded him in Your Healing and gave us the courage to fight for his life.
Although we’ve gone through periods of severe economic uncertainty, You’ve always provided what we needed and given us the fortitude to move past the situation.
You’ve connected us with so many wonderful friends over the years who have Blessed and enriched our family, and continue to do so.
You refresh and renew my love for Shannon each day, and bind us ever closer as we go through time together.
I view our marriage as a testament to Your Love and Compassion Father, and I lift my heart in thanks and praise for the Blessings You bestow on us each day. I pray that You continue to Bless our union, and that we’re effective in reflecting Your Light to those around us as well.
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 1st 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. 🙂
Well Lord, once again we come to that day of the week where I compose my list of some things I’ve been thankful for over the past seven days; Thankful Thursday. It’s been a topsy-turvy week, but even in times of uncertainty and sadness, I still find so much to give thanks for. These posts have ended up being a Blessing to me Father, as each week I now take more special care to note all the “little” miracles in my life, instead of being consumed by the chaotic world around me and missing them. As I’ve said before, I am truly Blessed. 🙂
Anyways Father, on to the list! Some of the things I’ve been thankful for this week are:
91. Jonathan’s excitement in starting confirmation class at church.
92. Father’s Day dinner with my Dad.
93. The Holy Bible.
94. Facebook.
95. Fax Machines.
96. Seeing my children perform unprompted acts of kindness.
97. Twizzlers. (These should have a warning label about being addictive)
98. Neighbors who mow your lawn while you’re out. (Thank you Donna!)
99. A “Wall-E” toy robot of Aidan’s that he gave to me for my desk at work. (I smile every time I look at it)
100. Boston Crème Donuts.
101. Watching the blur of glow sticks flying around the back yard on Friday nights as the kids burn off steam.
102. The family of cardinals that’s taken up residence near our home.
103. Having a local Christian Bookstore with a good selection.
104. Teriyaki grilled salmon.
105. Feeling and recognizing Your Presence in my life.
And so much more…
Heavenly Father, I lift my heart in praise for all of the Blessings You bring to our lives each day. You are truly a compassionate and caring Shepherd, and I rejoice in the love You show to Your flock. Please help us see through the veil of our mortal shells, and relish the joy that Your Divine Presence brings to us all. Amen.
As You know, each year my family and I spend a week in the Pocono Mountains at Chestnut Grove Resort. It’s a wonderful place, overflowing with charm, love, and life and we very much look forward to returning each Summer. The family that owns it and their staff go out of their way to fill our stay with wonderful memories, and are always diligent in their efforts to ensure that we all feel like extended family. It’s a place caught quite happily in a gentler, simpler time and a welcomed oasis from the chaotic world around us.
Today, I received the sad news that the husband of the family that owns it was killed on Monday.
Rob was a giving, caring man, and worked tirelessly to bring smiles to his guests’ faces. He was a good man Father, and will be sorely missed by all those who came to know him.
I pray that Your Comforting Embrace is felt by all those mourning his departure, and especially to his wife and children during this time of grief. We celebrate the light he shared while among us Lord, and although he will be missed we rejoice in the knowledge that he resides in Your Kingdom now.
And once again Lord, we stand at the conclusion to yet another work-week. The weekend ahead is poised to be a busy one, but one where much of our time will be spent in the company of good friends and family, so I’m very much looking forward to it. You’ve Blessed us immeasurably through the souls You’ve brought into our lives, and we relish these times with them.
On my way in to work this morning, I was listening to the local Contemporary Christian radio station when a song came on that I hadn’t heard before. As the music played I found myself inspired by the lyrics, so when I reached the office I spent some time researching the song’s origins. As it turns out, although I hadn’t heard it before the song was part of an album released in 2005 by Paul Colman called “Let it Go”, and is entitled “The One Thing”.
What a great song.
But the one thing I don’t question is You
You really love me like You say You do
We question so many things in our lives Lord, but as long as we cling firmly to the knowledge that You love us unconditionally, all those other concerns pale in importance. 🙂
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the Blessings You’ve bestowed on us this past week. Please continue to guide our motivations and actions to best glorify Your Will, and stir us to act as Your Hands and Feet so that all those around us can’t help but see Your Love. 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. 
