Well Father, once again another work-week lies behind me. It’s truly been a period of transition, with some changes for the positive, and others not so much. However, through all of the highs and lows this roller-coaster of a week has brought I’ve been Blessed to have felt Your Presence beside me the entire time. You are truly ever-faithful to Your Children, and even though I may not understand why things happen the way they do, I have complete Faith that You’re always in control and guiding us along the proper path.
As I alluded to yesterday, due to a chain of events outside my control I faced a nerve-wracking situation at work this week that tried desperately to consume my spirit. More than once, in my communing with You over the last several days I bluntly heard you tell me to do something that seemed strangely out of context, so I foolishly allowed my besieged heart to put the message aside while I focused on my immediate crisis. Finally, worn and tired yesterday evening I listened to Your Insistent Voice and made the call You had been telling me to make.
In a ten minute conversation, the nightmare situation I had been dwelling on all week was taken care of.
You were trying to tell me all along what I needed to do Father, I just didn’t put the two things together. Once again, I’m humbled and reminded that only You have the “Big Picture”.
“”For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
Thank You Father, for shining Your light in my dark moments, for teaching and guiding me (even when I’m being stubborn), and for Blessing me with Your Presence in my life each day. Amen.
Father, I’ll be honest; it’s been a rough time writing this post today. I usually look forward to composing the “Thankful Thursday” edition, but the last couple of days have been filled with nearly-paralyzing stress and anxiety, and I’ve been having a very difficult time focusing on the many Blessings You’ve bestowed on me. I know in my heart that You’re here with me, and have never stopped hearing my pleas but the voices of fear and doubt have been quite loud and insistent. Either way Lord, I thank You for being ever-faithful and ask that You forgive me this weakness. Our trials temper us, and I continue to cling to Your Strength secure in the knowledge that You will guide me down the proper path as always.
Therefore Father, for today’s “Thankful Thursday” post instead of focusing on some of the more “major” Gifts in my life, I’d like to run down a few simple, little things I’ve been thankful for this week instead:
This Blog. Not only does writing these daily chats with You help me solidify my thoughts and prayers, but I’ve been Blessed to meet some truly wonderful people through doing it as well.
Warmer Weather. I truly enjoy grilling Father, and for the last couple of weeks the weather has allowed me to do quite a bit of it. Milder temperatures have also allowed the boys to get outside for some much-needed recreation and for us to start our pilgrimages to Blackbird State Forest.
Simple Acts of Kindness. During this current period of fear and uncertainty, I’ve been uplifted by the kind actions of a number of people around me. Little signs of caring can speak volumes to a troubled spirit and have helped me immensely.
Hugs from my Kids. While I work diligently not to let my concerns and burdens be visible around the boys, they’re amazingly empathetic children and have spent a great deal of effort to show me extra signs of their affection this past couple weeks.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for all the Blessings You bring to my life each day. Please forgive my human frailties, and help me to cast my burdens at Your feet so I may find that Peace in Your Embrace. In Your Holy Name Lord, Amen.
First off Father, I want to thank You for another enjoyable weekend. I was Blessed to spend quite a bit of quality time with my wife and children, Shannon and I got out for a “date night” on Saturday, I managed to catch up on some laundry, dishes and housework, and the boys and I even went on an outing to walk the trails at Blackbird State Forest on Sunday afternoon. All in all, it was a restful and satisfying couple of days and I thank You so much for that respite.
As I’ve mentioned to you before Lord, Blackbird Forest is one of those places where I feel most connected to Your Presence. It was a lovely day here on Sunday, and our time spent trekking through the majesty of Your Creation was wonderful as always. I’m extremely pleased that Jonathan and Aidan have developed such a love of nature, and that they eagerly look forward to our exploration time together. We’re already planning some longer day trips together as the weather improves, so we can hike some of the more lengthy trails. Either way, I look forward to spending lots of communal time with You on those paths in the upcoming seasons.
Today Father, while doing some reading I ran across a passage in Romans that loudly spoke to me and I’d like to share it:
“ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” – Romans 8:18-19 (NIV)
Wow Lord, what a powerful statement the Apostle Paul makes here! Not only is he reminding us that the trials and tribulations we go through in this lifetime are insignificant when compared to the glory we will receive in Your Kingdom, but also that creation itself is anxiously awaiting what’s coming as well! From walking through the forest yesterday and feeling Your Presence in such magnitude, these verses just reached out to me today when I came across them.
Heavenly Father, thank You once again for a lovely weekend and for continuing to bless us with Your Presence. I pray that we all may see past the daily burdens we encounter, secure in the knowledge that these trials are temporary and that Your Glory to come far outweighs any suffering we endure here on Earth. Amen.
Well Lord, it’s been a LONG day. Following an insomnia night, I was awakened this morning by an urgent message indicating that we had a server down in the hosting group. Out the door I ran, and the running didn’t stop until I sat down to dinner this evening at 7:15.
Whew.
Driving home from dinner tonight, I was going over the stresses of the day in my head trying to figure out how I was going to get everything I needed to do accomplished. I felt overwhelmed, and tired…
And then a song came on the radio:
I love it when Your Messages smack me in the head Father.
“When that muffled sigh
Says you’re barely getting by
Cut your burdens loose and just simplify
Simplify
This is not your floor
You’re going higher than before
Drop the weight now
Wait for the lookout guide
Look outside
As they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
Now you’re free to fly”
I think I’ll sleep better tonight Lord. Thank You.
Following our last conversation Father, I spent quite a bit of time this last couple days talking to You. As You know, last week was very long and complicated and I went into the weekend extremely stressed and emotionally exhausted. Spending more time in Your Presence this weekend absolutely helped me focus on my priorities, and gain peace for the week ahead. Thank You so much for that.
Shannon and I are also still working to get over this nasty respiratory bug we’ve had. It’s almost over with I think, but my chest still gets tight now and again requiring breathing treatments to open things back up. Driving home tonight, it dawned on me that those treatments and my time spent communing with You this weekend both served a similar function.
They both helped me to breathe.
While the Albuterol inhalation helps to relax and open my air pathways and loosen up my chest so that I can get air efficiently, my time spent in prayer and absorbing Your Word provides the same relief for my spirit. It opens my mind and my heart, and allows Your Love and Calming Influence in. My lungs need air, my soul needs You.
Nebulizer treatments for the spirit… Ahhh.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your continued Presence in my life; You clear my focus, and renew my tired soul. I pray that Your Divine “Breathing Treatments” bring that miraculous healing to all those in need. Amen.
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.
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. 
