Do Not Be Anxious

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” – Matthew 6:25-27 (ESV)

For many people, anxiety can be a pervasive and overwhelming force in their lives.  It can gnaw at our very beings, and obscure from us those Blessings that surround us each and every day.  In this teaching, Jesus warns us against allowing such emotions to poison us, and reminds us that as our Heavenly Father provides for the necessities of other creatures of the world, He will make available those basic needs to support our lives as well.  When we allow our fears and doubts to overcome us, we place a barrier between ourselves and God, denying His many gifts in our lives.

Thankful… Friday?: That Greatest of Gifts

Dear Lord; Happy Thankful… Friday?

Well Father, as You’re no doubt aware I didn’t manage to get my Thankful Thursday post out yesterday afternoon.  Instead however, of going into the Christmas weekend without listing out some of Your many Blessings in my life, I decided to make this “Thankful Friday”.  🙂

As we focus our hearts on celebrating the miracle of Christ’s birth Father, it seems only fitting to mark the beginning of this weekend by giving thanks; thanks for the daily Blessings You grace our lives with, and thanks for that Greatest of Gifts that Blessed our world so many years ago.

On that note Lord, this past week I’ve been especially grateful for:

451. The inspiring and entertaining selection of Christmas Music that’s been playing on 88.7 The Bridge this season.

452. The official release to the world of the new Ewell’s-St. Paul UMC website.

453. A fun dinner out last night with Shannon and Aidan.

454. A lovely array of Christmas Lights that brighten my drive home from the office each evening.

455. Free overnight shipping from Amazon.com.  🙂

456. That Jonathan doesn’t see brokenness, flaws, or differences in other children, just opportunities for new friends.

457. That Jonathan had a wonderful sleepover birthday party last Friday night.

458. The Light of a Star leading my heart to His manger.

459. A wonderful Chick-Fil-A lunch bought for our office by a good friend.

460. Being asked to write a guest post for a friend’s wonderful blog next month.

461. A wonderful afternoon with friends celebrating their foster son’s birthday.

462. The healing power of a good laugh.

463. Simple beginnings.

464. A fun night of fellowship with our Tuesday night Small Group.

465. The most important Christmas Gift even given; the birth of our Savior.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You Lord, for the multitude of Blessings You grace us with each day; both those that shine high in the Heavens, guiding us to a manger, and those that whisper Your love for us gently on the evening breeze.

In Jesus’ Name we pray,

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Good News of Great Joy

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”” – Luke 2:8-14 (ESV)

As we rush around trying to put all of the finishing touches on our Christmas celebration preparations, we need to keep in our hearts the true meaning of the season.  Two thousand years ago, brought into the world in the most humble of circumstances, God sent us His only begotten Son; to teach us, and guide us, and finally to die for us that we might be released from our bondage of sin.  Christmas isn’t about presents, or lights, or festive holiday parties… It’s about a Child, divine made incarnate, born to save the world.

His Steadfast Love

“”For the mountains may depart
and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” – Isaiah 54:10

We all experience disappointment in our lives at some point; the betrayal of a confidence, loss of a job, the disillusionment of a broken trust, or possibly the dissolving of a relationship.  However, while events like that may shake our lives, we can always securely place our faith in the steadfast love and compassion our Heavenly Father freely offers.  In His arms, we can always find safe haven.

The Light of a Star

Dear Lord; Happy Wednesday Father!

So many Blessings Lord… So many…

And yet,

I’m unsettled…

And tired…

And anxious.

In times such as these Father,

When my brokenness overwhelms me,

When Your voice seems distant,

And Your presence evades me,

I need You all the more.

And yet,

Through the self-imposed haze between us,

Shines a light;

The light of a star,

Guiding me,

Leading my heart,

To the foot of a manger.

And there,

Wrapped in the Stillness of Your Holy Gift,

I find Your peace,

And I can rest,

Safe in Your embrace.

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Knowing True Peace

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)

When we’re honest with ourselves, do we truly feel contentment in our lives?  The more we lay our trust in the hands of our Heavenly Father to provide for our fundamental needs, and place our efforts in following His will for our lives, the closer we become to knowing true peace in our hearts.