Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!
Well Father, it certainly was a busy weekend, but all-in-all a wonderful couple days’ time spent enjoying time with family and good friends. With Jonathan still at Kamp and Aidan spending the night with friends, Shannon and I got to go out Friday evening for a fun “date night” (I so love “dating” my wife Lord…). Saturday morning we picked up Aidan, and spent the remainder of the morning attending the closing ceremonies at Kay’s Kamp. We got some quiet time to rest Saturday afternoon, and then headed out to have dinner with a group of our friends. It rained much of the evening, but we had an absolutely wonderful time nonetheless. Sunday morning we braved the downpour to attend morning services at Ewell’s St. Paul United Methodist Church, and enjoyed jubilant music, a wonderful Message from Pastor Kris and the fellowship of our church family. We managed to catch up on a little housework while relaxing the remainder of the day, and concluded the weekend with a tasty dinner out together at a new Mexican restaurant in Smyrna. As I said before Lord, it was a hectic few days, but one that was truly filled with Your Blessings… Thank You!
Today’s Meditations Monday Scripture comes from Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, Chapter 2. This morning while driving into the office, I heard an extremely inspiring story on 88.7 The Bridge which truly touched my heart. They played an interview with a young lady who is currently facing her own mortality due to an uncontrolled cancer that has now spread to her brain. Instead of dwelling in her suffering, she’s instead focusing on Your Blessings in her life, and lifted praises to You as she was baptized yesterday. It was a humbling message of Faith Father, and it led me to the verse choice I’m praying on this morning:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)
So often when we get into situations that cause us pain, or discomfort, or even just inconvenience we develop “spiritual short-sightedness”, and mire ourselves down in our burdens rather than allowing those trials to strengthen our Faith, and to draw us closer to You. I pray that we can all learn from her courageous example Father, and seek You even in our darkest hour.
Heavenly Father, I lift my voice in praise for the Blessings You bring to our lives each day. I pray that Your comforting embrace continues to be felt by Kim and her family during this difficult season, and that they can draw strength from the knowledge that You’re always with them.
In Jesus’ Name we pray,
Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
I’m so thankful for God’s saving grace. Sounds like you had a fun weekend, Phil. Happy Monday!
As am I Lisa… Thank you!
Have a Blessed Day!
It humbles me to hear the grace-filled thoughts of those who are in the midst of tremendous suffering. It teaches me as well.
So glad for your weekend of rest and family strengthening. We enjoyed much of the same.
peace~elaine
It was a humbling and poignant lesson for me as well Elaine… A perspective we all should have in all seasons of our lives.
Have a Blessed Day!
Surely if we live for Him nothing will amase us that can still away our fath. Surely goodness and mercy shall be with us for our intire lifes as long as we dwell in his house.At times when we listen to the wrong wispering voice of Sathan our ways becomes shallow. We also tend to forget that we are not living a storm free lives but rather a storm proved ives. Who are we not to be persecuted for our Father was persecuted and we live by his will therefore we are supossed to be tested like White gold so that when in burning furry we may stay as well as when drowning we may stay safe. For we walk not by sight but by faith, in Jesus name Amen. Thank you Pastor may God impart more in you so that we may be saved.
Thank you Monica, and welcome! You’re completely right, we were never promised “storm-free” lives, but should look at those trials as opportunities to temper and hone our Faith.
Have a Blessed Day!
Glad you had a wonderful weekend. I love hearing of you dating Shannon. It is awesome that you get so excited to date her. What an encouragement!
Thank you Jenifer! We really do look forward to those “couple times” together… Such a Blessing!
Have a Blessed Day!
A true demonstration of praising Him in the storms of life…
It really is Allison… A humbling and powerful statement of Faith.
Have a Blessed Day!
Happy Monday Phil! I love that you still love to date your wife.
What an inspiring story you told of faith in the midst of a very dark hour, and what an incredible testimony of faith that she was baptized in the middle of all that.
Glad to hear you had a great weekend, and may God continue bless you this week.
Thank you Kandi! You know, after 16+ years of marriage I still get “twitterpated” when I’m with her. 🙂
It really was an amazing video testimony… I heard it on the radio on the way in to my office, and then played the video when I got there. Such a powerful perspective of Faith she has! I pray that my own Faith would be as resolute…
Have a Blessed Day!
Beautiful, Phil. Just beautiful.
Thank you Eileen, and for sharing the video on Facebook as well… I’m afraid many people missed the link and didn’t get to see her powerful testimony.
Have a Blessed Day!
May Kim’s journey be strong, with family close to her. We know she will journey into open arms, welcomed into his Grace. I pray she is at peace, with love, and will journey to make her family strong as she is now.
Nothing more to say but a great message, well said.
Amen Dy. May we all have Faith that stands firm in the storms…
Have a Blessed Day!
I am late in reading this this week but your words have again blessed me. To praise and be thankful even in the midst of busyness and cancer is amazing. I also find dancing/singing to praise music also refreshed my spirit when i am down. thanks for all the good thoughts as usual, Phil
Thank you Jean! Seeing the Faith, resolve and love for Jesus that Kim shows in the face of serious adversity truly inspired me. May all of our Faiths stand as firm in our lives.
Have a Blessed Day!