Dead Unto Sin

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” – Romans 6:1-2 (ESV)

When we are reborn in Christ Jesus, we are in effect “dead unto sin” through His sacrifice on the cross.  This certainly doesn’t mean that we’ll be freed from the temptations that sin attempts to tyrannize our lives with, but it does give us the ability to gain victory over our broken natures and become the people that God desires us to be.

Stewards of God’s Varied Grace

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV)

All gifts from God, be they temporal, tangible Blessings or endowments formed in the Spirit, are intended not only to Bless us, but are also to be used for the benefit of others in His name.  For when we share the bounty of God’s grace with those around us, we truly glorify His desires for our lives.

Architected By God

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (ESV)

We live in a constantly changing world; architected by God to fill our days with wonder, and to temper our spirits as we journey to His side.  We need to embrace all our seasons of life, and give thanks that God has woven us such a diverse and detailed fabric.

Thankful Thursday: Drawn Closer With Every Word

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!

Looking back over the last year Lord, so much has transpired here at PhatherPhil.org.  Hundreds of “Emails to God” were shared, precious connections with fellow Christian bloggers were formed, friendships were developed and nurtured, and each word I wrote drew me ever closer to Your side.  It’s been a powerful first full year Father, and I’m excited to see how You’ll use this ministry in the coming months.

Continuing my weekly tradition into the New Year Lord, I present You with the first Thankful Thursday list of 2012!  And even though we’re only a little less than a week in, signs of Your gracious love abound.  This past week I’ve been especially grateful for:

481. Our Tuesday night Small Group Study gatherings starting back up following a two week break.

482. Seeing the excitement in Jonathan’s eyes working with his new electronics project kit.

483. Seeing Your Blessings showered on a friend and her family this week.

484. Sharing a stuffed crust pizza with the kids.

485. The “Walking Dead” marathon on AMC last Saturday.  🙂

486. A wonderful visit from our good friend Katie over the weekend.

487. Seeing Your influence in unexpected places.

488. An extra day off this past Monday to relax and rejuvenate.

489. An inspiring and uplifting message delivered by a guest pastor at Ewell’s-St. Paul UMC last Sunday.

490. That during the many struggles I faced in 2011, each time You used those times of trial to draw me closer to You.

491. A reminder from a dear friend today that even in the midst of our struggles, Your Blessings abound all around us.

492. Your calming restraint when I feel myself getting angry.

493. Celebrating the beginning of the New Year in the company of close friends.

494. The cleansing appearance of our first (albeit minor) snow this morning.

495. You nourishing us in our drought.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for the many gifts You grace us with each day; both those that announce Your glory like the first light of dawn, and those that Bless us subtly like the shadows of the setting sun.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

The Divine Responsibility

“In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” – Ephesians 5:28-33 (ESV)

Men: As Christ provides for every need of the church, so we are called to provide for our wives; to love them, nourish them, and care for them as they are part of ourselves.  When we truly embrace the divine responsibility and gift that our marriages are, we honor God’s design and intention of that special union.