Dear Lord; Good evening Father!
Following the example I began last week Lord, today I’m celebrating another “Thankful Thursday” here at phatherphil.org. While I’m truly thankful all week long, I love the idea of spending our time together one day each week focusing my prayers on one particular Blessing that You’ve granted me. If nothing else, with all the love You’ve shown me Father, I should have enough material for an infinite number of Thursdays! 🙂
“When we consider the blessings of God–the gifts that add beauty and joy to our lives, that enable us to keep going through stretches of boredom and even suffering–friendship is very near the top.” – Donald W. McCullough, Mastering Personal Growth
Friendships have been at the forefront of my heart this past week Lord. Over the years, you’ve brought some truly amazing and wonderful people into my life. Some are still nearby, some have moved away and some have passed on to Your Kingdom, but all have left indelible footprints on my path. From these vessels of Your choosing Lord, I’ve gained wisdom, acceptance, fellowship and encouragement.
You’ve even used technology to connect us Father. Thanks to the staggering growth of the Internet, it seems as though no corner of the world is outside our reach these days. Through this conduit, I’ve been Blessed to connect with many beautiful souls whom I likely would never have encountered otherwise. Your Children in this “global fellowship” give me fresh perspective and inspiration, and have enriched my journey to no end.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the many friendships and fellowships You’ve Blessed me with. I am a better man, and a better Child of God for those relationships.
“Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
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 love Thankful Thursdays! Would you mind if I started that too? I’m always reminded of the VeggieTales Madame Blueberry song that says, “A thankful heart is a happy heart.” We need to take time to count our blessings. One of my blessings is you. Many blessings!
Of course not Lisa, the more the merrier! 🙂 And yes, I absolutely count you as one of my Blessings as well!
Have a Blessed Day!
We are not meant to be alone. We need friends. We need people who we can pray with, who can encourage us, lift us up, laugh with us, cry with us and give us advice sometimes. My friends (including my family) are very important to me. Great post.
I agree completely Jenifer. God didn’t put us all here together to go through life separately! The connections and relationships we make are a Gift from God, and I’m very thankful for them. (You’re in that list as well. 🙂 )
Have a Blessed Day!
I do value friendships I’ve made online, but also face-to-face friendships are something that can’t be replaced. Sitting down with an actual person and having a heart to heart is good for the soul!
I do, however, truly appreciate this ‘global network’ of friends that He has given us in this day and age.
I agree completely Allison. Both have a purpose, and both are Blessings in my life!
Have a Blessed Day!
God did not make any man to be an island. We need one another and the sooner we realize it the much better we would be. Even Jesus had disciples for He was not by Himself. I love the people I come in contact with daily, those on the internet, me being in the market place, everywhere I go I do my best to be like Christ. Show them the same thing He would show them
Thank you Desiray… I agree with you completely. The more people that see Jesus’ Light in us and the more we’re exposed to others with that Light, the better we all become. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
I am also thankful for friendships! I love how our little blogs bring people into our lives that we would never have met otherwise. Have enjoyed getting to know you and your heart!
Eileen
Thank you Eileen! I feel the same way. 🙂 Your blog is always an inspiration to me, and I look forward to reading it each day.
Have a Blessed Day!