Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!
Well Father, once again we come to another Meditations Monday here at PhatherPhil.org. This past weekend saw days filled with Your abundant Blessings, and quiet evenings curled up under warm blankets watching movies with the kids. We managed to get our Christmas crafting projects off to a healthy jump-start, enjoyed an inspiring church service Sunday morning, and then while Aidan and Shannon attended a birthday party for one of his classmates, Jonathan and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and went out to Port Mahon and Woodland Beach for a photowalk. I truly love these times of connection with my family and the “extended family” that You’ve placed in my life Father, and I thank You for Blessing me by granting a weekend filled with their company.
In recent weeks Father, my thoughts have often drifted to the connections You’ve placed in my life; my loving family, the wonderful variety of friends I’ve made, and most recently the warm and inviting church family You led me to at Ewell’s St. Paul UMC. I know without question that You’ve placed each and every one of them into my life for a reason Lord, and by doing so have Blessed me with one of the components essential to growing in Your presence…
Fellowship.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV)
Your path for our lives includes a complex (to us anyways) intertwining of souls. You bring us together for many reasons; to encourage us, to teach us, to comfort us, and to share our spiritual gifts with one another. The Holy Spirit draws us together, creating those vital allegiances that nourish our soul as we journey along the path to Your Kingdom.
Heavenly Father,
As we begin the week, I lift thanks and praise to You for all the wonderful relationships You’ve brought into my life. Through these Blessed connections I’ve seen countless signs of Your gracious love, and they continue to inspire me to reach out and share that love with others.
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 also thankful for the many relationships God has brought into my life. My friends are such a blessing to me.
Fellowship with other believers is so vital. I am so thankful for my church family and my online Christian family.
I believe that His assigning people… “to encourage us, to teach us, to comfort us, and to share our spiritual gifts with one another” is one of the most clear ways we see Him working in our lives. Love that. Blessings Phil… hope you’re feeling alright 🙂
Phil,
It is so awesome to think how intricately He interwines our lives together, how He knows what people to place out path to uplift us and for us to uplift others,to encourage us and for us to encourage others,comfort us so we can comfort others.
Blessings to you Phil.
OOO I love the word intertwining. Makes me think of the verse about the three strands being strong. When we connect with each other, the body of Christ is strong. Great, uplifting words, Phil
I am so thankful for my relationships as well! Even the ones that have seemingly failed. I know God is up to something through it all! Thanks for sharing!
As a UMC pastor you know how often we are required to move. God is so faithful–He always brings wonderful Christian friends into our lives. He links us up with like-minded people to provide a strong support group. He makes it so easy to follow Hebrews 10:25. Thanks for another encouraging post, Phil.
Blessings!
Pam
You are someone who always encourages me!;) that sounds like a wonderful weekend with family!! make anymore of those pancakes??