Really God??

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

Really God??

I’ve been hearing this quite a lot as of late Father, and I’ll admit I’ve even thought it myself more than once in the recent past.  It’s certainly not a query intended out of disrespect Lord, but one usually born of frustration due to trials we, or someone we care about, are going through…

My marriage is falling apart, and my spouse is leaving… Really God??

The job I’ve invested years of hard work and energy in is gone… Really God??

My test results came back and the cancer has returned… Really God??

We’ve run out of money… And I’m not sure what to do… Really God??

My child was born with a serious, incurable disease which threatens to take him from us… Really God??

I feel empty, tired, defeated and sad all the time… Really God??

We all have those moments Father, when we search for the meaning and purpose that only You have; when it feels like the weight of the world sits squarely upon our shoulders, and relief seems to be a distant destination.  And in our limited, broken, earthly shells we cry out… Really God??

When I speak to people going through such trials Lord, I always try to offer the hope and encouragement that Your Promises to us bring…

You promise never to leave our sides…

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

You promise that our needs will be met…

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:28-33 (NIV)

You promise that You will ease our burdened souls…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

And You promise that You will always love us…

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Such powerful promises You’ve given to Your Children Father…

In the midst of our struggles, it can be difficult to see the signs of Your love for us through that cloud of pain and fear, but that’s where our Faith carries us on:

Faith that even though we don’t have “The Big Picture” or know why things happen the way they do, You do, and want what’s best for us.

Faith that when we call upon You in our brokenness, You’ll hear our pleas and act on our behalf, whether it’s as we would expect or not.

Faith that when we come to You with a humble and open heart and lay our burdens at Your feet, Your peace and comfort will ease our troubled spirits.

When we rely on our Faith to look beyond the earthly trials we face, and focus on the Blessings and Grace You bring to our lives each day, it begs the question…

Really God??  Thank You!!

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Meditations Monday: Bridging the Chasm

Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!

Today Father, I’d like to start the week by thanking You from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful vacation You Graced us with last week.  The weather was gorgeous, the scenery was breathtaking and all of us had a fantastic time away together.  For the first time since starting my business in 1997, I actually made a conscious decision to leave my mobile phone in the cabin and not call into the office each day… It was a practice that I’ll certainly be repeating on future trips.  The personal impact of using that time to focus on my family and on Your Presence, and to recharge my spiritual and emotional batteries can’t be overstated.  It was truly a Blessing to all of us, and I thank You wholeheartedly.

Today’s Meditations Monday Scripture reading comes from the book of John, and addresses an issue that all followers of Christ deal with at some point in their Walk; Disdain and in some cases, persecution for our Faith.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.  Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.  If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.” – John 15:18-21 (NIV)

Now Lord, I don’t know of any cases where I’ve been outwardly hated for my relationship with You.  However, I have been aware more than once of some people avoiding my company because of the public emphasis I place on Your Word and Your Presence in my life.  These daily chats, along with my outreach efforts and scripture postings make some people uncomfortable, leading them to shy away.  By drawing the division between “children of the world” and the “children of God”, Jesus warns us that the rift between the two would lead to such conflicts, and to not be surprised by it.  Instead, we’re charged to reveal Your Light within us and allow it to bridge the chasm through signs and examples of Your Gracious Love.  The important thing to remember is this; although we will likely see hardships and resistance as Christians in a confused and troubled world, by keeping our gaze fixed firmly on Jesus, we’re assured the strength and peace to stand firm against the world around us.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (NIV)

It’s lovely to be back Father.  🙂

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Days of Clarity

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

And once again Father, we come to the Thankful Thursday edition at phatherphil.org!  It’s been an eventful seven days to be sure, and I’ve felt Your Blessings overflowing around me throughout.  I usually have to take some time to go back over the past week carefully in my head to pick out the little Blessings I’ve missed, but today for some reason they sprang to mind quickly and easily.  It’s wonderful to have days of such clarity, and to feel like I’m walking the right path with You.  🙂

Anyways Lord, on to the list!  This week, some things I’ve been thankful for are:

121. Living in a country that allows me to worship You without fear of persecution.

122. Our upcoming family vacation to Chestnut Grove Resort in the Pocono Mountains.

123. Shannon getting to play her viola with the praise team at church.

124. The patient and professional doctors and nurses at A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children.

125. Shannon finally connecting with a helpful agent at the State of Delaware.

126. Having a GPS to help me navigate when we travel.

127. Big sales on items just when I need them.

128. Empathetic gestures between my two boys.

129. Being able to spend a long holiday weekend in the company of good friends.

130. A wonderful new Christian book to read while on vacation.

131. Friends who offer to watch our dogs and the house while we’re away.

132. Our Most Important Freedom.

133. The power of prayer.

134. Spam filters.

135. The medical technology that allows Jonathan to live a normal life.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the Blessings you grace us with, both those that are seen and those that may pass unnoticed.  You are indeed a God of compassion and of wonders, and I pray that my choices, decisions and actions will properly Glorify Your gifts to us all.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Step-By-Step

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Quite often Lord, when I sit down to write out my list of Blessings for the Thankful Thursday post, I have a difficult time putting them in writing.  It’s not that I don’t feel Blessed of course, just that for some reason my mind goes “fuzzy”.  When that happens, I replay the previous week’s events in my head, a day at a time, and when I reach something that makes me smile, I write it down.

What a wonderful exercise that’s turned out to be Father.

Forcing myself to go back, step-by-step, and taking special note of the Blessings You’ve graced me with over the past seven days makes me realize even more thoroughly how much You Love me.  We allow so many of Your Gifts to slip by unnoticed, that the thought of “catching” some of them and giving thanks while they’re still fresh very much appeals to me.

And to that end Father God, this week I want to give special thanks and praise for:

106. Sixteen years of marriage to my wonderful wife Shannon.

107. Wasabi-ginger marinated grilled boneless pork chops.

108. Two little boys that still insist on hugs and kisses before bed.

109. A beautiful 80 degrees, low humidity, sunny morning drive to work today.

110. Transformational Benevolence.

111. Jonathan’s excitement in choosing a new Bible for confirmation class.

112. Both boys doing extremely well this past school year (great report cards!).

113. Running into old friends.

114. Having a world-renowned Children’s Hospital with a fantastic oncology department nearby (A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children).

115. A wonderful afternoon walk in the woods with Jonathan and Aidan.

116. The upcoming three-day holiday weekend.

117. A lovely Anniversary dinner at the firepit on our back deck.

118. My big, heavy, “man’s” coffee mug from Mara Stoneware Mugs.

119. No obvious significant issues found at Jonathan’s yearly checkup with his oncologist today.  🙂

120. A Heavenly Father that listens patiently to my prayers.

I have so much to give thanks for Lord…

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the Blessings you gift us with each day.  Please open our eyes and our hearts to better recognize those moments around us that radiate Your Glory, and guide us to share those Blessings effectively with others.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Simple Answers

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

As I’ve mentioned before Lord, I’ve become quite fond of the Thankful Thursday post each week.  It serves as a wonderful look back and inspection of the prior week’s events, and helps me to truly focus on and appreciate Your Wondrous Gifts more thoroughly.  Spotlighting those simple joys in life that often go by unnoticed has proved to be inspiring, and humbling at the same time.  And each week, after carefully compiling my list I come to the same undeniable conclusion…

I am truly Blessed.  🙂

And therefore Father, without further ado, here’s this week’s Thankful Thursday list:

76. The local Contemporary Christian Radio Station (88.7 The Bridge – http://www.887thebridge.com).

77. Sweet Vidalia Onions.

78. Spiritual Nudges.

79. My Bloggy Friends.

80. Coupons.

81. The smell of coffee brewing in the morning.

82. A quiet Saturday with good friends.

83. Movie night snuggled up with the kids.

84. Hunny responding well to the Lasix.

85. Getting several decent nights sleep in a row.

86. Grilled hot dogs with cheese sauce.

87. Simple answers.

88. Quiet afternoon drives.

89. Online banking.

90. The cool, fresh breeze following a summer thunderstorm.

Heavenly Father, You Bless us all with so many things each day that this list could go on and on.  For all those Divine Gifts that we recognize, and for those that grace us quietly in silence, I give You thanks and praise.  Amen.

~Phather Phil