Feb 10, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Feb 10, 2012 | 3 comments
“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)
None of us lead, or have led spotless lives. By the very natures of the earthly shells that contain us, we’re in a constant battle against sin. Thankfully, through God’s benevolence and Grace we’re made whole by our faith in Christ Jesus, and our desire to draw closer to Him. Oscar Wilde summed it up beautifully when he wrote, “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.”
Feb 9, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Feb 9, 2012 | 4 comments
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” – Philippians 3:8-11 (NLT)
While belonging to and attending a church, participating in worship services and being involved in ministry can absolutely help bring us closer to God, only through a deep, personal relationship with Christ can we truly experience the peace, majesty and love our Heavenly Father offers us. It’s not about a religion, it’s about a relationship.
Feb 7, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Feb 7, 2012 | 6 comments
Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!
When I was little, one of my favorite Bible stories was that of Daniel in the lion’s den. The Children’s Bible I read it from contained some beautiful illustrations and a wonderful translation of Daniel’s “adventure”, and I found myself returning to it often.
Yesterday Lord, my morning Scripture readings led me once again to the book of Daniel, chapter 6:
“Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” – Daniel 6:16-23 (ESV)
Now Father, when I read this as a young boy, the amazement this story inspired was mostly directed at the Angel’s presence in that den; Your benevolent power protecting Daniel’s life. When I read the passage now however, I’m struck by the powerful truth of Daniel’s trial in that den…
When we lay our faith and trust in You, You’ll always be by our side.
I know I’ll be beset with trouble in my life Lord
And things may not go the way I expect or desire,
But I give myself to You Father… wholly and faithfully
And lay my life at Your tender mercies.
Thank You Lord,
For protecting me from the lions.
Amen.
~Phather Phil
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Feb 4, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Feb 4, 2012 | 7 comments
Dear Lord; Happy Saturday Father!
I love those moments Lord,
When in the throes of our lives,
You announce Your presence.
Some see coincidence,
Some call it luck,
And yet,
I want see to them for what they are;
“God Moments”:
When just the right song plays on the radio, as if on cue…
While during a moment of self-doubt, a reassuring text message reminds us that we’re loved…
When the bills are due with no relief in sight, and yet somehow, the money shows up…
And while in the midst of our private pain, a quiet voice reminds us we’re Your Beloved.
So many times however Father,
I’ve missed the forest for the trees;
Seeing only frustration,
And struggle,
And pain.
Not viewing with eyes of faith and trust,
But instead through the world’s narrow lens.
Open my eyes Lord,
Open my heart.
Help me recognize Your hand
In every situation;
Not just those that make me smile.
For when I’m able to discern Your light
In everything around me,
Life itself
Becomes a “God Moment”. 
Amen.
~Phather Phil
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Feb 2, 2012
Posted by PhatherPhil on Feb 2, 2012 | 9 comments
Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!
Yesterday morning, I hit the wall Father. The cumulative weight of many insomnia-driven nights had finally exacted its penance on me. And when the alarm abruptly announced it was time for me to awaken for our time together, for the first time in a great long while Lord, I shut it off and laid back down.
An hour or so later the alarm once again fulfilled its mission, brutally reminding me of the day that lie ahead. Caving in to its insistent call, I pulled myself from beneath the covers. As I sat on the side of the bed desperately attempting to shake the cobwebs loose from my resistant mind, the loss of my “Still time” in Your presence sat uneasily in my heart…
I count on that time…
I look forward to it…
And yet, today I’d missed it.
Determined to refresh my spirit, I reached for my daily bread; the daily devotional message I read each morning from my Stand Firm men’s magazine. This attempt however, also proved fruitless as I realized that a new month had begun, and my February edition was nowhere to be found.
“Wow…” I thought. “I’m really not doing very well for You today Father…”
As my failings of the morning took deeper root, my weariness took on new life.
And then my mobile phone lit up.
“Hmm… No one texts me at this hour… This can’t be good.” I thought.
Resolved to more of the morning’s direction, I begrudgingly picked up the phone and read the message…
“Good morning. You came to my mind, so I prayed for you and your family. Just wanted to let you know that. :-)”
And in a single moment Father, my day changed.
I’d overslept…
I’d missed my Scripture time…
I’d misplaced my devotional…
And yet,
You found a way Lord,
To remind me that You love me,
Through the heart of a friend.
Thank You. 
Continuing to count my Blessings on this sunny Thankful Thursday Father, this week I’ve been especially grateful for:
541. An upcoming visit from some dear friends.
542. Some beautiful unseasonal, spring-like weather this week.
543. Getting to catch up a little with a friend I haven’t seen in a while today.
544. The honor of being asked to pray for someone in need.
545. “Remote Control” software that allows me to service computers anywhere.
546. A wonderful surprise gift of a Jason Gray CD, containing the song “Remind Me Who I Am”.
547. A wonderful, long walk in Blackbird State Forest this past Sunday with my two boys.
548. Finally getting to watch the movie “Courageous” with friends this past Saturday.
549. Getting to “Sit in” on a worship practice today.
550. The most powerful act of love in history.
551. That a good friend of our family is experiencing the relief of Your healing following some serious health problems.
552. The opportunity to assist another church with their web presence.
553. Text messaging on my phone that helps keep me connected to those I care about.
554. Chicken Cordon Bleu, shared with friends.
555. Seeing Your hand at work in my relationships with others.
Heavenly Father,
I thank You Lord, for all the many Blessings You bring to our lives each and every day; both those that boldly reveal Your presence, and those that grace us in the silence.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
~Phather Phil
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