Like Fragile Clay Jars

“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 (NLT)

As at the dawn of creation where God first brought light to the darkness (Genesis 1:3), so also He brings His divine radiance and strength to our fragile hearts through the life and teachings of Christ Jesus.  Such a wondrous imbuing not only serves to grant us comfort and peace in times of trial, but makes any efforts to share His gifts more clearly of heavenly inspiration.

Thankful Thursday: Through Brighter Eyes

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

“Count your Blessings…” You instructed.

“Really Father??”  I responded…

Following what could easily be described as a week of nightmare situations Lord, I’ll be honest, I was having a rough time focusing on the positives in my life.  But driving into the office this morning, as I mournfully ran down the tasks at hand for the day in my head, You made it clear my head was in the wrong place…

“It’s Thankful Thursday, Phil.”

Ouch…

I’d nearly forgotten about those posts Father…

It’s time to see through brighter eyes again;

Focused on Your light that surrounds my life,

Not on the shadows that lie in waiting.

So today Father, I pick up where I left off in March… Counting Your many gifts, and giving thanks for all You are:

601. Celebrating 17 years of marriage to my wonderful wife Shannon on June 29^th.

602. Being involved in a very successful Vacation Bible School at Ewell’s-St. Paul UMC last week.

603. A wonderful week away at Chestnut Grove Resort with my family and friends.

604. Attending an amazing night of music and worship at the Casting Crowns and Building 429 Concert at the Delaware State Fair last Friday.

605. Being presented with new opportunities to minister to others in unexpected places.

606. Quiet evenings at home watching movies with family and close friends.

607. Having the opportunity to spend lots of time with my best friend.

608. Jonathan getting to attend another amazing week away at Kay’s Kamp this past June.

609. Having a new “furry family member” in our lives; my Pomeranian puppy Guinness.  🙂

610. That when the lies of the enemy invade through my weaknesses, You remind me who I really am.

And so many more Lord…

Heavenly Father,

I thank You Lord, for the many Blessings in my life; both those that light up the skies with Your radiance, and those that soothe my tattered spirit in the stillness of the nighttime hours.  Help me Father, to speak with a heart unburdened, and see with eyes that clearly rest on You.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Condemning Ourselves…

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?” – Romans 2:1-3 (NLT)

Just as Jesus warned us against the hypocrisy inherent in casting judgment on others (Matthew 7:3-5), the Apostle Paul reminds us in his Epistle to the Romans that when we look to the sin of those around us, we are in fact condemning ourselves in the process.  We all sin, and we all need the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior to cleanse that corruption from us.

Intentionally In His Presence

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” – Mark 1:35 (NLT)

Just as Jesus awoke early to commune with His Heavenly Father, so should we all make time each day to spend specifically with Him.  Every moment spent intentionally in God’s presence strengthens our relationship to Him, and draws us that much closer to His desire for our lives.

Out of the Valley

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

“I’m a failure Father.

I’ve failed my family…

I’ve failed my friends…

And I’ve failed You…

I’m so sorry Lord… Please forgive me.”

Those words hung painfully in the quiet presence of the sanctuary at Ewell’s-St. Paul last Tuesday evening as I knelt at the altar, while the joyful sounds of children enjoying Vacation Bible School in the rooms below brought contrast to the silence.  Tears flowed freely down my cheeks as I looked up at Hofmann’s painting of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, realizing in anguish how distant I felt from You right at that moment.

The world had come crashing in around me; laying waste to the essence of my being with such force that I scarcely knew what direction to turn.  I felt beaten, and worthless, and in the midst of that weakness the enemy found me…

“You’ve let everybody down…

You’ve squandered the opportunities God gave you…

You’re a failure.”

And yes Father, at that moment I believed it; every whisper, every word.

I was ashamed Lord…

Ashamed of my impotence to resolve the current crises, but even more so that I believed myself unworthy and was unable to lay them at Your feet.  I’d separated myself from Your presence, and in that valley realized the true depth of my limitations.

I’d lost Your voice Father, and felt isolated and alone in my pain; defined not by my heavenly inheritance, but instead by my fragile humanity.

And yet, as I have so many times before Lord, on that altar covered in tear-stained apologies I began the journey out of that valley, and back to You.

No booming voice came from the sky to direct me…

My struggles and pain weren’t instantly silenced by Your divine hand…

And my heart still ached from the perception of my failings.

But kneeling in the quiet,

As the fading light of dusk gave life to shadow,

I knew that You were with me…

And that You still love me.

So with that truth as my guide Lord, I reach for You; climbing out of the valley one step at a time until Your heavenly light banishes these lies from my heart, and I’m reminded that I’m not defined by my worldly perceptions of failure, but instead through the love of my Heavenly Father.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil