Thankful Thursday: A Shift in Vision

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Today Father, we come to the final Thankful Thursday edition of PhatherPhil.org for this calendar year.  When I began this recurring post 31 weeks ago (whew!), I honestly never expected the profound impact it would have on me, or that it would draw me so much closer to You in the process.

As I sit down each week to write out my list Lord, my mind drifts back over the past seven days; revisiting those moments that left their marks on my heart.  What I’ve found in doing so Father, is that even in those situations where things don’t seem to go my way, when I look closely enough, Your Blessings pour out nonetheless.  That little shift in vision Lord, has been a major Blessing all by itself.  I still have struggles and times that tax my strength, but when I look through my “Thankful Thursday Goggles”, I’m much more able to place those moments in their proper light.  It’s been an eye-opening experience so far Lord, and I can’t wait to see what Blessings You’ll reveal to me in the coming year.

Therefore Father, to close out the year on a joyful note, this past week I’ve been especially grateful for:

466. Time spent alone with Shannon last Friday afternoon and evening.

467. Google Music which allows me to listen to my music on all my devices, anywhere, at any time.

468. The pain relief provided by our heating pad last night.

469. Hickory Farms New York Cheddar Spread (Used to be called Chutter).

470. That when my stubbornness blinds me to common sense, my wonderful wife Shannon “nudges” me back on track.

471. The Living Water that satisfies my spiritual thirst.

472. Having three days off over Christmas spent with those I love.

473. A beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service at Ewell’s-St. Paul UMC.

474. Andes Mint Cookies.

475. Sharing the celebration of Jesus’ birth with friends.

476. An inspiring guest post on Tuesday by Jean Wise from Healthy Spirituality.

477. That the stabbing pains I had in my lower back yesterday have settled down today.

478. Seeing the expressions of wonder and joy on my children’s faces Christmas morning.

479. The opportunity to support other local ministries.

480. The trust of a good friend.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for gracing us with such a multitude of Blessings this past year.  As we start anew in 2012, please clear our eyes to reveal Your gifts in all circumstances; both those that lift our hearts in song, and those in which Your Blessings may be masked within our trials.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful… Friday?: That Greatest of Gifts

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful… Friday?

Well Father, as You’re no doubt aware I didn’t manage to get my Thankful Thursday post out yesterday afternoon.  Instead however, of going into the Christmas weekend without listing out some of Your many Blessings in my life, I decided to make this “Thankful Friday”.  🙂

As we focus our hearts on celebrating the miracle of Christ’s birth Father, it seems only fitting to mark the beginning of this weekend by giving thanks; thanks for the daily Blessings You grace our lives with, and thanks for that Greatest of Gifts that Blessed our world so many years ago.

On that note Lord, this past week I’ve been especially grateful for:

451. The inspiring and entertaining selection of Christmas Music that’s been playing on 88.7 The Bridge this season.

452. The official release to the world of the new Ewell’s-St. Paul UMC website.

453. A fun dinner out last night with Shannon and Aidan.

454. A lovely array of Christmas Lights that brighten my drive home from the office each evening.

455. Free overnight shipping from Amazon.com.  🙂

456. That Jonathan doesn’t see brokenness, flaws, or differences in other children, just opportunities for new friends.

457. That Jonathan had a wonderful sleepover birthday party last Friday night.

458. The Light of a Star leading my heart to His manger.

459. A wonderful Chick-Fil-A lunch bought for our office by a good friend.

460. Being asked to write a guest post for a friend’s wonderful blog next month.

461. A wonderful afternoon with friends celebrating their foster son’s birthday.

462. The healing power of a good laugh.

463. Simple beginnings.

464. A fun night of fellowship with our Tuesday night Small Group.

465. The most important Christmas Gift even given; the birth of our Savior.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for the multitude of Blessings You grace us with each day; both those that shine high in the Heavens, guiding us to a manger, and those that whisper Your love for us gently on the evening breeze.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Grumble, Grumble, Grumble…

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Grumble, grumble, grumble…

This Father, was the response (the nicer version of it anyways) that greeted me upon trying to wake my “just turned twelve” son Jonathan this morning.  Now, he’s always been a little sluggish getting moving in the morning, but last night he ended up staying awake far later than usual to try and finish some homework, and this morning when I tried to get him up for school…

Arguments…

Attitude…

And Grumbling.

After much cajoling, some veiled threats of consequences, and yes, some “raised voices” (smiles), he finally got up and begrudgingly got ready for school.

Later in the day as I mulled over the morning’s epic struggle, it dawned on me that I’d been guilty of similar offenses this week as well…

I’ve grumbled to You Lord, more than once.

Money is exceptionally tight this year… grumble, grumble, grumble

I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in what seems like forever… grumble, grumble, grumble

The dogs just won’t stop barking… grumble, grumble, grumble

I never seem to have time to do the things I want to do… grumble, grumble, grumble

And yet Father, in the midst of all my grumbling, You’ve stayed by my side; encouraging me, comforting me, and faithfully guiding me through each and every storm.

And You’ve never grumbled about it.

Thank you Lord, for setting that example.  🙂

Now Father, as opposed to grumbling (smiles again), I’d like to present You with this week’s Thankful Thursday list!  Even though this past week has certainly provided more than a few challenges for me Lord, I’ve still found myself surrounded by signs of Your gracious love.  And while I’m thankful for all of the wonderful gifts You’ve Blessed my life with Father, this week I’m especially grateful for:

436. A fun, silly dinner at Friendly’s to celebrate Jonathan’s birthday.

437. Those guiding whispers to my heart when I’m about to say something I shouldn’t.

438. That our Tuesday night Small Group has connected in such a powerful way that we all feel comfortable coming to one another in times of need.

439. Twelve years of having Jonathan in our lives.

440. That the new Ewell’s – St. Paul UMC website is nearly completed.  🙂

441. Chocolate and peanut butter oreo balls.

442. The divine gift of marriage, and Blessing me with the call to join two people in Your love.

443. A significant savings on gasoline through a local grocery store discount program.

444. That when my limited understanding obscures my needs, Your Spirit knows all the same.

445. Christmas cookies.

446. That in my weakness, Your grace strengthens and emboldens me.

447. That one way or another Lord, You always deliver on Your promises.

448. An exceptional friend that knew I needed a break, and stepped in without asking to help.

449. Guiding messages from my Heavenly Father that help steer me through difficulties.

450. The “Road Signs” in Your Word that help to guide my life.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for the multitude of Blessings You surround us with each day; both those that light up the sky with Your brilliance, and those gifts that grace our lives quietly from the shadows…

Even when we grumble.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Give Me a “Sign”…

Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!

I Father, as You know, am a creature of habit.

Every day during the work-week, I leave my house and travel a quiet series of back roads to reach my office.  There’s only a few “blips” of significant traffic at the major intersections, and other than that it’s a generally straightforward ride.

One day last week however, I needed to make a stop before going in to the office so instead of my normal, peaceful morning commute, I was forced to travel the main roads in through the city of Dover.  Now, Dover’s not exactly a sprawling metropolis by any means, but it’s certainly a good bit more hectic than my usual quiet country roads.

As I sat in the stop-and-go traffic, my mind drifted a bit and I found myself noticing how cluttered and complicated the roadways seemed as opposed to my normal route.  With all of the multi-way intersections, turn lanes, and bypasses, it dawned on me that without the plethora of road signs dotting the highway, it would be quite easy to get lost in the chaos…

Hmmm… Kind of like the “Road Signs” You’ve give us in Your Word Father…

No Stopping Any Time : “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Yield : “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” – Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV)

One Way : “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” – John 14:6 (ESV)

Water on Road : “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.” – Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)

Quiet Zone : “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

Share the Road : “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Thank You Father, for giving us Your Word to guide us safely along the road of life we travel.  I pray we see and recognize all Your “Signs”, and that at the end of our journey here on Earth, we haven’t made too many wrong turns along the way.  🙂

To close our conversation out today Lord, I want to take a moment to thank You for one of the biggest Blessings in my life.

Twelve years ago today Father, You brought into our lives a very special, and precious little boy named Jonathan.

He’s a remarkable child Lord; filled with a beautiful sense of wonder and imagination, and the light of Christ in his heart.  In this past year, I’ve seen him take amazing strides towards growing into the resilient, caring, compassionate, godly young man I know he’s capable of becoming.  Please continue to keep him in Your embrace Father; guide him, nurture him and bring to him that strength and peace that only Your presence delivers.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Thankful Thursday: Mary’s “Plan B”

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

As You know Father, for the past several weeks our Tuesday night study group has been working through a DVD Book Study based on Pastor Pete Wilson’s book : “Plan B: What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought He would”.  I’d read the book earlier this year and very much enjoyed it, so when the time came to choose a new study, I was quite pleased that everyone agreed to pursue “Plan B”.  As of this week, we’ve completed three sessions of the study and so far it’s been an inspiring and encouraging examination of how even in the midst of seemingly hopeless situations, You perform some of Your most powerful work in us.

As I was thinking today on some of the things we’ve been discussing in the group these past few weeks, it dawned on me that Christmas itself is the celebration of Mary and Joseph’s “Plan B”.  Before being visited by the Angel Gabriel, Mary’s life was proceeding along a fairly normal path.  She’d become betrothed to a man named Joseph, and was very likely planning for her role as his wife, and the future mother of their children.

And in a moment, her world turned upside down…

And our world was forever changed.

Her “Plan B” was Your “Plan A”.

This hammers home a very important point Father; in the midst of those situations where our lives seem to be flying desperately off course, You’re not shaken or confused.  What we view as turmoil, You see as opportunity…

May we all seize those opportunities Father; embracing the understanding that our “Plan B” moments, were Your “Plan A”s all along.  🙂

And now Lord, on to this week’s Thankful Thursday list!  This past week has been simply overflowing with Your Blessings Father, but I’d like to give special thanks for:

421. Having friends that pray for me.

422. Getting to spend much of the day Saturday cooking for family and friends.

423. A quick healing for the eye I scratched.

424. Some helpful advice from a friend that helped get the Jaguar running again.

425. New glasses for Jonathan.

426. That the Rimadyl is making an obvious improvement in Brandy’s pain level.

427. Having friends that can tell when I’m having a rough time, and pushing through my “wall”.

428. A quiet walk in Blackbird State Forest with Jonathan last Sunday.

429. That even though I fall short in so many ways, You know my heart and guide me ahead.

430. Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses.

431. Real kisses from my loving wife.

432. The Kids Construction Workshops at Home Depot.

433. Seeing my children reach out with giving hearts.

434. Knowing that I’m Your Beloved Child.

435. Having a full collection of inspiring Christmas Music to play on my iPod during the day.

And so much more Lord.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for the many Blessings you bestow on us each day; both those that announce Your presence like sirens in the night, and those that grace our lives in Stillness.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil