As You’re aware Lord, over the last few weeks my Scripture reading time has been spent wading through the Old Testament books of Kings and Chronicles. I won’t pull any punches Father, they can be some onerous books to read, but without a doubt they’re chock-full of Your wisdom nonetheless. This morning, as I was nearing the end of 2nd Chronicles the thought crossed my mind:
“Wow… They just didn’t learn very quickly, did they.”
It really wasn’t meant to be disrespectful or nearly as sarcastic as it came out, but reading about king after king that “…did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord”, and by doing so led their people down paths of destruction and pain, I was struck by the fact that even with all they knew to be true, they still turned away from Your path.
“You do that now and again yourself…” You whispered.
Double Ouch!!
Yes Father… yes I do…
While I may not erect idols and temples to other gods, I certainly have allowed my focus and desires to shift away from You, and to cling to earthly things.
I sometimes allow my pride to overwhelm me and try to rely on my own strength to “fix” things, instead of humbling my heart and following Your lead.
Although my Walk with You has grown ever closer, there are still times that the concerns of the world get their hooks in my heart, and Your voice becomes drowned out in the turmoil.
While I very much try to look towards others with Your love in my heart, there have certainly been more than a few cases where I’ve allowed negative feelings to get the better of me, and not treated people as Jesus’ example directed us.
I guess I don’t learn very quickly Father…
Thankfully, You haven’t given up on me. 🙂
It’s convicting to read through those pages and see reflections of our own behaviors Father, but if that realization helps guide us closer to You, then we’re truly bringing Your Word into our hearts.
Heavenly Father,
I lift my praises Lord, for the lessons and messages You bring us through Scripture, and for the guidance we receive through Your Holy Spirit. For although the truths we uncover may be convicting, uncomfortable or even painful, if in the end they draw us closer to Your will, it’s a path we need to follow all the same.
Well Father, I couldn’t have asked for a lovelier weekend. Coming off of a tiring and complicated week, Shannon, the boys and I were all well-worn by the time Friday evening rolled around. With that being the case, we made the decision to spend a good bit of our “down time” as the description implies… down. Friday evening we curled up on the couch together and watch movies until bedtime. Saturday morning we lounged around the house in the morning, and then headed outside to do our “Fall clean up” of the planting beds along the house. The rest of the day was split between miscellaneous housework, and more movie-time with the kids. Sunday morning began with an uplifting service at church, then back to the house for a tasty, fun breakfast of Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (Thanks for pointing me to the recipe Alida :-)). Jonathan, Aidan and I then gave Mommy some quiet time and headed out to Blackbird State Forest for a long walk in the beauty and abundance of Your Creation. The rest of the day was spent finishing up some odds-and-ends around the house, and then yet another quiet evening on the couch with the boys. This was the first weekend in quite some time where we didn’t have a packed schedule of activities, and it was ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. Thank You so much for that much-needed respite Lord!
This week’s Meditations Monday Scripture is actually inspired by something John Waller talked about at the worship concert we attended last Thursday. One of the songs he played discussed his desire to be used to bring Your light into other people’s lives. The song is appropriately titled “Somebody Else’s Story”:
Out of all the wonderful music he shared with us that night Lord, this is the one that really hit home with me. As a Christian, I can think of no greater joy than bringing Your message to the hearts of those around me; to show them the true wonder of Your love for us, and to share the gifts You’ve Blessed me with in Your service.
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” – Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
I take that Commission very seriously Father, and when I get the opportunity to be a part of someone else’s “Story”, It’s a Blessing beyond words for me. Mr. Waller’s song captures that desire beautifully, and I thank You for placing it in his heart to share with us.
Heavenly Father,
As we begin the week Lord, please help guide our choices and actions to best reflect Your desire for our lives. Inspire us to reach out and share Your message of love and redemption with those we encounter each day, and to faithfully serve Your will.
Well Father, it’s certainly been a see-saw of a week for me so far. I knew before it began that this five day period was to be filled with new challenges, anxiety-ridden trials and stressful situations, and it’s absolutely lived up to my expectations. Fears of the unknown held positions all around me, while whispered messages of doubt taunted me from deep within.
Thankfully, I clothed myself appropriately for these battles I’ve faced…
I armored up.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” – Ephesians 6:13-20 (ESV)
The challenges have come, and were conquered. Anxieties flooded my waking mind, and were dispersed. Fear gripped my heart, and was silently sent away.
Wrapped in Your divine protection, those things that prey in the dark corners of my mind and hide in the deep recesses of my heart don’t stand a chance.
Thank You Father.
Continuing from last week’s Thankful Thursday list Lord, this week I’ve been particularly grateful for:
316. A big batch of homemade chimichangas shared with good friends.
322. Sharing a big homemade breakfast with friends after church on Sunday.
323. Long weekends spent in the company of our “extended family”.
324. The encouragement I’ve received recently from friends.
325. A fun and successful dinner party we hosted last Saturday night.
326. The strength You provided me to work through my anxieties this week.
327. New non-stick cookware from Kitchen Aid to replace our 15-year old aluminum set.
328. The information and resources to expand PhatherPhil.org that Google offers for free through Analytics and FeedBurner.
329. A bushel of fresh-picked apples from a local orchard.
330. Tickets for the family to attend a John Waller concert in Dover tonight.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You Lord, for all those Blessings You bestow on us each day; both those that shine as brightly as the sun, and those that glow softly as a candle in the night. For all of Your many gifts of grace in our lives Father, we give thanks.
To begin our week’s conversations Father, I want to start by thanking You for yet another wonderful weekend spent in the company of my family and some dear friends. We were Blessed to have a couple of our “extended family” (our kids call them Uncle Robert and Aunt Katie, although there’s no blood relationship) visiting with us for the weekend, and we enjoyed their our time with them immensely. We also managed to host a “Mexican Feast” themed dinner party Saturday evening, and cooked up a Fellowship brunch after church on Sunday as well. We feel very thankful for the people You bring into our lives Lord, and it seems only fitting that we should celebrate those relationships whenever we’re able to. So for the friends, the family, the food and the fellowship Father (wow, that’s a lot of F’s… 🙂 ), thank You!
This weekend held one other significant event for me as well Father.
Last week was rough. It seemed as if each new day brought with it another list of problems to solve, and headaches to endure. By the time Friday evening rolled around I was tired; emotionally, physically and yes… spiritually. Saturday morning I vowed to put all those nagging, earthly worries and concerns behind me and enjoy the festivities we’d planned, but through all my attempts to refocus on You, those unsettling whispers still haunted me.
Saturday was a beautiful day weather-wise, with temperatures in the low 70s and a very comfortable fall breeze in the air. I got my lists for the day prepared, and headed out to pick up groceries and supplies for the evening’s event. As I pulled up to the traffic light in front of my destination, I felt the warmth of the sunlight radiate on my face through the open sunroof…
And suddenly, tears began to stream down my face.
In that perfect moment Father, I felt Your overwhelming presence all about me. It was an amazingly peaceful, joyous feeling; quite difficult to describe actually. But as I was able to pull the truck into the shop parking lot, I remember feeling wonderfully relieved. It was if all the weight in my heart was in that moment, lifted away from me. The sensation itself was short-lived unfortunately, but the after-effects remain vivid. My problems certainly haven’t gone away, but I was afforded a powerful reminder that I’m not dealing with them by myself; You’re here with me, and You care.
Therefore Father, with that experience still fresh in my heart I chose today’s Meditations Monday Scripture to align with Your wonderful message to me:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
One of my favorite inspirational verses Lord, and a very powerful promise as well.
Heavenly Father,
As we go into this week’s activities Lord, please fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit that we may draw strength from Your presence within us. Lead us to make decisions that best justify Your will for our lives, and guide our actions that we may share Your bountiful glory with all those around us.
Well Lord, this past week has certainly been filled with ups-and-downs here. One thing’s for sure though, life is never dull in the Malmstrom household! Thankfully however, through all of the “tossing about” our lives have experienced as of late, Your Blessings have continued to be the lighthouse in our daily storms.
Continuing from last week’s Thankful Thursday list Father, this week I’ve been particularly grateful for:
309. A WordPress plugin that allows readers to share my posts on Pinterest.
310. An inexpensive repair for our large color laser printer in the office.
311. Friends that come and help move furniture.
312. Shannon and I being on the “same page” on how we handle the children.
313. Seeing a smile on my beautiful wife’s face.
314. A special deal on one of my prescriptions that allowed me to get it at half price.
315. The salvation we’ve received through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension.
(I’m especially thankful for #315 Father… 🙂 )
Heavenly Father,
We lift thanks and praise Lord, for all of the Blessings You bestow on us each day; both those that make Your presence in our lives obvious, and those that quietly support us without due fanfare. You are indeed a caring Shepherd, a skillful Potter and a loving Father.
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. 
