Jul 2, 2013
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jul 2, 2013 | 1 comment
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” – Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
While it may seem unnatural to come “boldly” to the Creator of all, that’s exactly how God desires we approach Him; certainly not from a position of arrogance or entitlement, but instead completely confident in His infinite love for us and knowing that He would move Heaven and Earth to come to our aid.
~Phather Phil
Jul 1, 2013
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jul 1, 2013 | 1 comment
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” – John 13:34-35 (NLT)
In this commandment to His disciples, Jesus directs us to employ a more intense kind of love in our relationships with one another; one based on a standard higher than love of ourselves…
Love one another as He loves us.
For when the world sees us reaching out to one another in truly pure, selfless, and practical examples of the love Jesus fills us with, there can be no doubt as to it’s source.
~Phather Phil
Jun 29, 2013
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jun 29, 2013 | 1 comment
Dear Lord; Happy Saturday Father!
I think to a great extent, we’re missing it… Aren’t we Lord?
As I sat and enjoyed my morning coffee while perusing the newest status posts on my Facebook News Feed today, I found myself thinking back over the past few weeks’ events and contemplating…
Are we as Christians Lord, as followers of Christ, truly striving to live by the example and teachings You gave us?
And as I read through Your Word over and over Lord, it becomes more and more apparent to me what being a follower of Yours isn’t defined by…
It isn’t about what denomination church we attend.
It isn’t about which translation of the Bible we read.
It isn’t about our political views.
It isn’t about our sexual orientation.
It isn’t how many “Likes” we get, or how many people follow our status updates.
It isn’t about how many church functions we attend.
It isn’t about what music we listen to.
It isn’t about what we eat, or whether or not we choose to have a drink with our dinner.
And it certainly isn’t about casting judgment on the perceived failings and sins of others.
“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” – Romans 3:22-24 (NLT)
We all sin… We all fall far short of Your perfect example Lord.
And yet, when I look around I see so much judgment…
So much anger…
And so much hate.
And unfortunately Lord,
I see some of that when I look inside myself as well.
So this morning Father, my prayer is simple;
Open our eyes Lord, and open our hearts.
Help us to recognize that we are in fact, beings crafted of Your infinite Love;
That Your desire for us is to show and share that Love,
And in so doing glorify You.
For it’s in Your precious name I pray Jesus,
Amen.
~Phather Phil
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Jun 26, 2013
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jun 26, 2013 | 1 comment
Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!
“Sometimes I arrive just when God’s ready to have someone click the shutter.” – Ansel Adams
As You know Father, over the past several months I’ve been spending a good bit of my leisure time working on improving my photography skills. As part of that effort, the last couple Saturdays I’ve awoken in the pre-dawn hours and headed out to a local shoreline on the Delaware Bay in an attempt to capture the inherent beauty that those moments of sunrise bring.
And while the initial intent of those outings was simply to further my artistic pursuits Father, it quickly became apparent that I wasn’t there alone in that serene stillness…
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” – Psalms 46:10 (NLT)
Surrounded by the beauty and peace of Your creation Lord, I shared those precious moments with You and was blessed to capture some of that wonder through my lens…
Thank You Father.
Thank You for allowing me to share in those wonderful moments with You, and for the breathtaking beauty of the world You’ve given us.
For it’s in Your precious name I pray,
Amen.
~Phather Phil
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Jun 20, 2013
Posted by PhatherPhil on Jun 20, 2013 | 1 comment
Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!
I was fried Lord…
Tired,
Stressed,
And consumed with worry.
As I followed the familiar route into my office earlier this week, my chest tightened while my mind raced; methodically detailing each project and deadline that loomed ahead of me, and allowing those shadowy voices of foreboding to gain audience in my heart.
“It’s not the mountains that you face that are the obstacles Phil, it’s your doubts.” You interrupted…
The world paused for a second; my thoughts held hostage by Your statement…
And then I realized You were right… I’ve been my own tallest mountain.
You know my needs Lord, far better than I do…
And yet, I often view the trials and challenges in my life as if I’m the only one who understands,
As if I’m facing them on my own;
Allowing those whispers of self-doubt to draw me into myself,
And obscuring me from knowing Your loving hand in every facet of my life.
Help me climb that lonely mountain Father;
To scale its craggy face and stand high upon the summit,
Boldly facing all life’s moments in Your steadfast company.
Such is my prayer Lord… In Your precious name,
Amen.
As I continue to list some of Your many Blessings in my life Father, my heart swells with the recognition of finding Your loving hand in more and more places every day. And while I know that my existence is awash in Your grace Lord, this week I want to give special thanks for:
691. Both my boys having the opportunity to attend Camp Pecometh this summer.
692. An inexpensive repair to our air conditioner.
693. Shannon having a safe flight home from Florida.
694. An inexpensive update to Lightroom 5 that was released last week.
695. A wonderful Father’s Day spent with people I love.
696. Wonderful photo opportunities while walking in Blackbird State Forest last week.
697. Watching the sunrise over Port Mahon this past Saturday morning.
698. Your protecting and healing presence while a friend of ours recovers from surgery that was performed last week.
699. The Histiocytosis groups on Facebook that allow us to share information, encouragement and prayers for other families dealing with LCH.
700. The encouraging comments I’ve been receiving regarding my photography work on 500px.com.
701. Your protecting and comforting hand as I drove through some very severe weather last Thursday.
702. Your patience with me.
703. The opportunity I had to watch and photograph an osprey flying in to feed it’s young at Port Mahon.
704. New glasses for Jonathan.
705. The wonderful message and discussion about living in a state of gratefulness at our “Where Two or Three Are Gathered” Tuesday night small group.
… And for so very much more.
I Thank You Lord.
~Phather Phil
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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. 
