The Divine Litmus Test

Dear Lord; Whew… What a crazy morning it’s been Father.  In addition to the normal first-thing rushing around to get everyone ready for work and school, today we had to contend with a grumpy almost-11-year-old who apparently was still disgruntled from an argument over homework with his mother the night before.  His mood of course, did nothing to expedite all of us getting out of the house on time, and we found ourselves running to get out the door.  In the car on the way to school, I got the chance to try and talk with him about his behavior and when that was met with resistance, I hit him with the bomb; “Jonathan, if Jesus was standing next to you right now, how do you think he’d feel about your behavior?”  That got his attention.  He looked down at his lap and mumbled something about how he knew Jesus wouldn’t approve, and his demeanor seemed to lighten a bit.  I challenged him to think about that question more over the course of the day, and told him we’d talk more when I got home.

After dropping the kids off at school, I started playing things back in my head and thinking about the question I asked him in a larger context.  It dawned on me that this was really an inquiry that we should all ask ourselves on a more regular basis.  Yes, I do try to make decisions based on what my beliefs say are correct and I do try to listen for Your Guidance over the course of my day, but I certainly know I’m imperfect and don’t always make the right calls for every situation.  Therefore Father, over this Season of Celebration I’m going to try to spend more time putting my actions and judgment to the same litmus test I asked of my son this morning.  My hope is that by putting myself under the proverbial “Holy Microscope” more often I can gain further understanding of Your Will, and be a better husband, father, businessman, and Child of God.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Life on Overload

Dear Lord; Over the last week or so Father, I’ve run into quite a few people who seem frazzled, and describe their overall state as feeling overwhelmed.  It’s not usually any specific thing, just a combination of everyday tasks and worries such as housework, work projects, kids’ activities and a plethora of others, and then on top of that the onset of the Holidays just puts that last straw on the camel’s back.  I can certainly understand it, and have been guilty of letting life get the better of me more than once.  To a point, I think we all live our lives on overload which makes it very easy to feel overburdened as soon as anything else is added to the pile.

Heavenly Father, please give us clear vision to see past the tasks at hand and recognize Your Gifts and True Purpose for us all.  Fill our hearts and minds with Your Presence, and help us focus on the Divine Meaning of this Season so that we can go forward in Love, and honor Your Blessings.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Rejoice, the Season is Upon Us!

Dear Lord; Well Father, December is upon us and at least here in Delaware I think you left the water running up there.  🙂  And although it’s a dreary, wet day outside my heart is opening to rejoice at the Season of Celebration for the Holy Birth of Your Son.  I started this morning by shifting my iPod playlist over to Holiday music to get myself “in the spirit”.  There’s nothing like the joyous sounds of Judy Collins, Bing Crosby, Harry Connick Jr. and Amy Grant singing Your praise to get my spirits in the right place.  As I noted in yesterday’s email, music has a way of getting into my heart like not too many other things can, so I make sure to have appropriate uplifting songs playing for much of my day to keep me in the right frame of mind.  Thank You for inspiring so many talented people and using their gifts as a conduit to our Souls.

Today’s prayers Lord, are for all those struggling to find their inspirations during this Blessed Season.  It’s very easy to get mired down in the day-to-day troubles we all face, and to completely miss the Miracle that this time of year celebrates.  Please open peoples’ hearts and minds to receive the true depth and meaning of this Blessed Event, and to focus on Your Loving Gifts to us instead of dwelling on earthly issues.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Remembering a Moment

Dear Lord; Sometimes Father, music can reach into our soul and touch our hearts in ways that words simply can’t.  Most people I know have one or more songs that just hit a raw nerve and evoke amazing emotional responses.  In my case, it has to do with one that I first heard shortly after Jonathan was born and we were living at A.I. Dupont Hospital for Children dealing with his Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.  As You know, I spent each evening driving back and forth to the hospital to spend as much time with him and Shannon as I could while still keeping the bill collectors off our backs.  The radio was my friend on those long lonely rides, and one night while coming home a new song came on that I hadn’t heard before.  It was a dedication on the Delilah show for a man whose son was fighting cancer.  It didn’t hit me at first, but as I listened to the haunting music and lyrics my heart caved, tears started pouring from my eyes and I had to pull the truck over.  The song was by a Christian Artist named Mark Schultz and it was called He’s My Son.

There were a lot of life-changing moments during those years Father, and that was one of them.  I of course ended up buying the CD with that song on it, and have listened to it many times since (as well as the rest of the music on it… He’s quite good).  Thank You for bringing me that emotional release that night, and for speaking to me in the darkness.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil

Inspiration for a Monday Morning

Dear Lord; Good morning Father!  To start off with, I want to Thank You for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with my family and friends.  It never ceases to amaze me that when I focus on the blessings in my life, how truly rich I feel.  Thank You for that.

This morning however, I’ve been having a difficult time getting motivated Lord.  Maybe it’s just the “coming down” effect following a four-day weekend, but I started the day feeling a little rough.  After a little searching for inspiration though, I found Psalm 18:32-36 :

It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.

I love this one… I know that no matter what Lord, You are my strength, my heart, and my salvation and you never leave my side, and this Psalm describes that perfectly for me.  While I know this week is going to be filled with personal difficulties, I can approach it knowing You’re there for me.  May everyone that’s dealing with fear, uncertainty or personal turmoil feel Your Loving Presence, and know that all Your Children are Blessed with Your Grace.  Amen.  ~Phather Phil