Dec 31, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 31, 2010 | 3 comments
Dear Lord; Good morning Father! Yesterday, our conversation focused on the events of the year we’re about to leave behind, and what I’ve learned from it. Therefore, today I thought we’d talk about moving forward, and some of the things I’d like to focus on for the upcoming year.
In holding with the last few Holiday posts I’ve made, I’d like to let my boys send their thoughts to You as well. To that end, I asked them this morning what they were hoping 2011 would bring and what they were going to focus on to help make a positive change in their lives.
Here’s what they said :
Jonathan ( Age 11 ) – “I’d like to be able to spend more time with my family. I want to learn how to do karate. I want to spend more time with our friends and relatives, and have them over more often. I’m going to be more involved in taking care of our animals. I want to finish the new Bible I got for Christmas and learn more about God. I’m going to work to be more thankful for the things that I have.”
Aidan ( Age 8 ) – “I’d like to see less crashes happen (car crashes) because I don’t want people to get hurt. I want me and my friends to have a fun time in school. I’d like my family to spend more time together. I want less animals to get abandoned. I’m going to finish reading my new Action Bible with Daddy and really want to learn about God. I’m going to work to get better at reading so I can read bigger books. I want to spend more time exercising. And I want to wish God a Happy New Year.”
They’re still one of my biggest inspirations Lord, and I see so much of You in them each day.
As for myself, well I’m not big on New Years Resolutions but there are some things I’m planning on focusing on this coming year.
- As I mentioned yesterday, it’s been a rough year for my business. I’m very much dedicated to it’s success, and I’m going to work diligently to get it back to the stability it once had.
- Although we are Blessed to have a very stable and wonderful home life, there’s always room for me to improve my contribution. I’m going to continue to work to be a better husband and father, and set as positive an example for my boys as I can.
- 2010 was an amazing year for my personal growth in You Lord, and I want very much to expand on that in the coming year as well. The closer I work to walk in Christ’s footsteps, the more I find the rest of my life gains meaning and direction. I’m also dedicated to bringing Your Light into my children’s lives, and teaching them the Love and Guidance You provide us every day.
Heavenly Father, I humbly pray that over the coming year Your Amazing Gift of Grace is felt by all Your Children. May we all experience the Joy in Serving Your Will, and walk the Path that Jesus has set for us in Your Holy Name. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Dec 30, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 30, 2010 | 10 comments
Dear Lord; Well Father, it’s almost the end of another year. It’s certainly been a roller coaster, and I’ve spent quite a bit of time the last few days reflecting on everything that’s transpired.
Financially, 2010 has been a nightmare for myself and my business. Coming off a very positive 2009, the first half of this year saw one drain after another as the crippled economy took it’s toll on our clients. We adjusted as best we could, and gained some ground back mid-year, but even today we’re still dealing with digging our way out of the hole that was created. And like any other business owner, that shortfall has carried through to my personal finances, putting a significant strain on our household income. The one positive financial change that happened this year was the additional income produced by the wonderful new job Shannon got in September. It hasn’t completely balanced out the deficit, but it’s been an amazing Blessing to our household during these rough times.
Family health was all over the board this year as well. On the positive side, Jonathan’s disease has stayed in remission and he’s done very well this year. Thank You for that amazing Blessing! Shannon had a couple of injuries during the year, including seriously straining her back in the spring and later in the year bruising her tailbone. I managed to get Lyme Disease in the late spring, which caused me some significant issues, but other than some continuing joint discomfort that too seems to be staying at bay. Other than that, we’ve all had bouts of the typical Delaware sinus crud but have remained for the most part, healthy.
This year was not without it’s heartache as well Father. Following a painful battle with cancer, my best friend of 26 years left us to join You in August. He was a wonderful man, the best man at my wedding, and Jonathan’s Godfather and we all miss him very much. I take great solace however in the fact that he’s no longer in pain, and is now dwelling in Your Kingdom.
On the positive side though Father, we’ve had a number of wonderful things happen this year as well. As I mentioned earlier, Shannon got a new job this year that has been an amazing fit for her as well as providing us with some additional income. It’s wonderful to see her come home feeling appreciated, and fulfilled with what she’s doing, and I’m very proud of her. We had another fantastic family vacation this summer in the Pocono Mountains. We’ve come to really love Chestnut Grove, and the kids are already looking forward to going back there again this coming year. Over the summer Shannon and I also celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary with a surprise (to her anyways) Renewal of Vows Ceremony led by the Pastor that married us. It was a wonderful affair with family and friends in attendance, and a time of great joy for us both. And finally, a few weeks back Lord I was truly Blessed to be able to act as Your Emissary to bring two good friends together in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. That was an amazing honor, and Your Presence was obvious to all that attended.
On the Blessings side Lord, I have actually quite a few to Praise You for. My marriage to Shannon has never been stronger. She’s an amazing lady Father, and my love for her continues to grow deeper with each passing year. My children are growing, and learning, and happy, and healthy and dreaming Father. They’re my light and my inspiration, and I thank You so much for making them a part of my life. We’re surrounded by wonderful friends, and we feel their love and caring on a regular basis. And possibly most importantly Father, this year has been an amazing time for my personal growth in You. I feel Your Presence in my life more and more every day, and give Thanks and Praise for Your Grace in my journey to You. And although this has been a tumultuous time for many of us, I’m quite secure in my Faith that in You, all things are possible. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Dec 29, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 29, 2010 | 8 comments
Dear Lord; Good afternoon Father. I know, it’s usually a morning correspondence but everything kept redirecting me this morning and until now, I didn’t know why. I had a topic of conversation planned for today, but due to discussions with two different friends in the last few minutes, I need to shift my thoughts and prayers to their needs.
Dear Lord, please send Your Healing power to those of whom I speak. Please let them feel Your Loving Arms around them, and the comfort of Your Presence. Nourish and care for their troubled bodies, and lift their spirits that they may know Your Infinite Love is with them.
Amen. ~Phather Phil
Dec 28, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 28, 2010 | 10 comments
Dear Lord; You know Father, I think that sometimes You like to catch me off guard when You speak to me. Most notably in the last couple of months, I’ve received Your Guidance in some of what I consider odd ways and places. I’m guessing that some of it is that I’ve been working diligently to make myself more open to Your Presence in all parts of my life, but either way You’ve once again made Your imprint on me…
…But while I was cleaning snow off the driveway?
As You know already, we got hit with an intense little snowstorm on Sunday, complete with 40+ mph winds which made some lovely drifts to cover us up. While I tried to wait until the winds had died down to clear the driveway, when I went out Monday afternoon with the snow-thrower there were still some pretty significant gusts making things more difficult. As the wind was blowing across the driveway, one side was easy enough to do but when I started to try to throw the snow up on the other side, I was of course greeted with a face full as it blew right back at me and recoated the pavement. I made some progress working between the gusts as best I could, but it seemed to be an uphill battle.
“Don’t fight the wind.” You said to me quietly.
I was a little taken aback, as I really hadn’t expected You to get involved in something as mundane as clearing snow off my driveway but I stopped for a minute and rethought it all the same. It seemed like it was way too far for my little snow-thrower to heave the covering to the other side of the driveway, but I turned the thrower around and gave it a shot anyways. Funny enough, the wind gave me the extra lift I needed and the piles of white soon moved aside.
After finishing up and sitting inside contemplating what had happened, it dawned on me that my experience was very much a metaphor for our relationship with You. We struggle each day with all the earthly worries, fears and activities that seem to consume our lives, yet when we’re able to open our hearts and minds to Your Voice, our burdens become Yours and Your Will is done. Intentionally or not, we “fight the wind” way too much, and I appreciate You reminding me of that. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Dec 27, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 27, 2010 | 6 comments
Dear Lord; Good morning Father! Well, we’ve certainly started the week off with a blustery and snowy morning. Here in middle Delaware at least, the snow came down all day yesterday and into the evening, leaving a cleansing white coating on the ground. While it’s a travel impediment, I’ve always loved the way snow seems to purify everything and leaves the Earth feeling new, although I’m sure I’ll be a lot less enthralled clearing the driveway later on today when the wind settles down :-). Either way, I pray that all those forced to venture out into these conditions will feel You by their side, and get to their destinations safely.
I also wanted to thank You for a lovely Christmas weekend Father. From the wonderful Children’s Christmas Eve Service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Friday night, to the time spent with my loving family on Christmas Day it was a joyous time and will inspire happy memories for quite some time to come. We are indeed Blessed, and I thank You from the bottom of my heart.
Searching for inspiration on this wintery Monday morning Lord, I came across a prayer that just hit home with me and therefore I’d like to finish our chat with it. It’s called “The Prayer of Saint Francis” and reads :
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.”
~Phather Phil
Dec 24, 2010
Posted by PhatherPhil on Dec 24, 2010 | 3 comments
Dear Lord; Merry Christmas Eve Father! This morning, following the “tradition” I started on Thanksgiving this year, I’m going to let two of my biggest Blessings (my sons Jonathan and Aidan) compose the email to you. I battled with what questions to give them to work from this morning, but couldn’t decide between two; “What does Christmas mean to you?” and “What Blessings do you want to thank God for at Christmas time?”. Therefore, I thought we’d do both! 🙂
Jonathan (Age 11)
What does Christmas mean to you? :
“Christmas means to me that it’s time for Joy, Peace and Happiness. It’s also the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus.”
What Blessings do you want to thank God for at Christmas time?:
“God has blessed me with many things; my family, my friends, shelter and food. I have fun, and things to do. God has helped me stay healthy after I was really sick. Thank you God!”
Aidan (Age 8)
What does Christmas mean to you?:
“Christmas means celebrating Jesus’ Birthday. You get to be with your family. You get time off school. You get to spend time with your friends. You get decorate the house.”
What Blessings do you want to thank God for at Christmas time?:
“I want to thank God for money, health, food, shelter, my family, my brother, something to do, our pets, and for my life.”
Father, on this Eve of Celebration of Your Son’s Divine Birth I want to thank You myself as well. You gave Your Only Son to us to inspire us, teach us, set a Holy Path for us to follow, and then to die for our Eternal Salvation. I can’t imagine a more amazing Gift, and I’m truly humbled by Your Love for us. Please reach out Father, to those struggling to find the Peace Christ brought to us all and let them feel Your Loving Arms around them.
May we all take time during the next couple of days to stop, let our earthly stresses go, and focus on the Wondrous Gift Our Lord has given to us. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
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. 
