Another “Geek Views on God” Moment

Dear Lord; Good evening Father!

Well Lord, today I had another one of those “geek views on God” moments.

We were installing a new server at a client’s site today, and were having some problems joining a couple workstation PCs to the freshly created domain (I know, I know… geeky stuff.  I’ll keep this part brief).  It’s a reasonably new client and site for us, so after some tests and investigation we realized that there was another legacy machine on the network that was improperly trying to “run the show” and causing conflicts with the new system.  In effect, the new computers were trying to obey orders from more than one “boss”, which in effect rendered them non-functional.

Hmmm… Kind of like trying to follow our earthly wants and You at the same time…

The situation today reminded me of an excellent point I’ve seen on several other blogs recently; We have one Boss, one Father, one “Domain Controller” that we need to take our direction from.  If we allow ourselves to heed the calls of other earthly “masters” instead, we become spiritually non-functional.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”” – Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

I love seeing Your Lessons in my life each day Father.  🙂

Amen.

~Phather Phil

Come to me, all you who are weary

Dear Lord; Good morning Father!

Well Father, it feels a little odd to be writing to You on a Saturday morning.  As You’re aware, I’m a reasonably schedule-driven person, so when I got home last night and heard You tell me to “just rest” it went against my grain just a bit.  But I listened, and I’m thankful for Your Guidance.  Between sleep deprivation from a week of insomnia, hectic work schedules and the daily family and household duties, I was truly wiped.  It was wonderful to have the opportunity to just curl up on the couch with the kids and enjoy a movie together.  I’m glad You always know what I need, especially when I’m too stubborn to admit it.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  – Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

What a beautiful and powerful promise Lord!  Only in You do I find the comfort and rest I need for my tarnished spirit.  Thank You so much for Your Faithful Care of us all.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Guidance and Support in this season of my life.  I pray that we all can experience the rest You Provide us, and find strength and delight in Your Divine Presence.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

Young Minds Want to Know

Dear Lord; Good afternoon Father.

Today Lord, I’d like to start out with a quick prayer of support for my wife Shannon.  Between being ill for the past week, a busy work schedule, college classes and symphony she’s been burning the candle at both ends, and has been feeling the results the last couple days.  Please bring her Your Loving Comfort and grant her the rest she so dearly needs.

This morning Father I decided to get Jonathan and Aidan involved in our conversation.  Therefore, on the way to school I asked them both if they had anything to tell You or ask of You.  The responses I got were not exactly what I expected, but I felt good ones all the same:

Aidan (8) : “Is watching over everyone all the time hard?”

I don’t think Aidan realizes what a significant and deep question this is Father.  The more I thought about it, the more I realized that while we don’t have a definitive answer that fits in our limited understanding, there are some scriptural passages which shine some light on this question.

First off, we refer to You as “Almighty God”, which implies the omnipotence of Your Power and that You are “All-ruling” (from the Greek word pantokrator used in the early Bible translations) over what You have created.  Jesus summed it up quite clearly in Matthew 19:26:

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”” (NIV)

You created us all, and have reign over all You have created; Your Word states this over and over quite distinctly.  This tells me You have the power to watch over us all without question.

The other piece of this answer in my mind, would be the omnipresence of Your Spirit.  Again, referencing scriptures for this I found Psalm 139:7-12:

“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.” (NIV)

Through Your Spirit, You reach out and have complete access to the whole of Your Creation.  Ok, so you have the Power, and the Presence.  I realize that this doesn’t answer Aidan’s question specifically about whether or not it’s hard for You Lord, but Your Word clearly establishes the ability for You to do so, and the promise You gave us:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NIV) (one of my all-time favorite verses)

Great question Aidan!  🙂

Jonathan (11): “What does God have planned for the people of Japan now?”

Bless him Father, he worries about so much and so many people for an 11 year old.

I explained to him that in cases like this, we have to understand that we don’t truly have the “Big Picture” that You do, but that You were still there for those people, still loved them and were still in control.

I’m sure he’ll be talking with You directly later on about this Lord.  Maybe You can give him a better answer than I was able to at 7:45 this morning.  🙂

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the lessons I learn each day through my children.  I love seeing them growing in Your Kingdom and yearning to know You better.  Please continue to guide them along the path You have chosen, and help me bring Your Love and Wisdom to their hearts and minds.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

The Longer the Frost Lasts

Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!

As is my usual practice Father, I’d like to start our chat this morning by thanking You for the weekend.  While I spent the bulk of it at home caring for a sick child and trying to catch up on housework, any time I get to spend with my family is a Blessing and I do appreciate it.  Please continue to provide Aidan with Your Healing so that he may feel even better today, and help all of us shake off the “drowsies” that always follow the shift into daylight savings time.

As You know Father, I’ve had a troubled heart as of late.  I faithfully try to lay my burdens in Your Capable Hands, but as the broken and limited being I am, I’m certainly not always successful.  Seeking inspiration this morning, You placed this in my path :

“Cast your burden on the Lord—and He will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22

“Cast all your cares upon Him—because He cares about you!” 1 Peter 5:7

– Charles Spurgeon

What a wonderful and energetic sermon to pray on Father!  Reading this, I realized that in many cases I tend to let problems and stresses build up inside me before talking with You about them.  By the time they truly beset my spirit, I’ve let them grow into a much deeper hold on me than if I had just worked them through with You when they first presented.

Such a simple lesson that I’ve ministered to others more than once, and yet somehow I’ve allowed myself to fall into this trap.

Heavenly Father, thank You for placing this message in front of me today… I absolutely needed it.  As I’ve said many times, I’m a work in progress and awed by Your Faithfulness in leading me along Your Path.  Amen.

~Phather Phil

God is Not Practical

Dear Lord; Good morning Father!

During my morning web “stumbling” Lord, I came across a statement made on a blog site regarding missionary work that got the gears in my head spinning.  The phrase used was : “God is not practical.”.  In the context of the article it was contained in the statement wasn’t used in a derogatory fashion, it was simply used to illustrate that You call us to do things that may not be expedient, or what we would deem logical and productive.  Either way, it got me to thinking…

Am I allowing You to take me outside my “comfort zone” when You ask, or am I sometimes only serving You when it’s practical to do so?

Ouch… That’s a convicting question.  Yes, I’ve absolutely stretched my boundaries and grown in Faith but have I always done all I can?  If I’m brutally honest with myself the answer is a resounding no.  Have I taken every opportunity to share Your Message with others?  No.  Have I consistently followed the whispers You place in my heart, and dropped everything to accomplish Your Will?  No.  Have I faithfully followed Jesus’ example in every aspect of my daily life?  No.

Am I learning, growing and striving for transformation so that I may someday change those answers?  Yes.  🙂

I am a work in progress Father; A repentant child who looks to You for guidance, inspiration, understanding and mercy.  Please hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, I pray that in Your Word and with Your Guidance I continue to grow in Your Kingdom.  Please lead me to bring Your Message to others, and to stray joyously out of the practical in Your Service.  Amen.

~Phather Phil