Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!<\/p>\n
To begin our week\u2019s 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.\u00a0 We were Blessed to have a couple of our \u201cextended family\u201d<\/em> (our kids call them Uncle Robert and Aunt Katie, although there\u2019s no blood relationship) visiting with us for the weekend, and we enjoyed their our time with them immensely.\u00a0 We also managed to host a \u201cMexican Feast\u201d<\/em> themed dinner party Saturday evening, and cooked up a Fellowship brunch after church on Sunday as well.\u00a0 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\u2019re able to.\u00a0 So for the friends, the family, the food and the fellowship Father (wow, that\u2019s a lot of F\u2019s\u2026 \ud83d\ude42 ), thank You!<\/p>\n This weekend held one other significant event for me as well Father.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Last week was rough.\u00a0 It seemed as if each new day brought with it another list of problems to solve, and headaches to endure.\u00a0 By the time Friday evening rolled around I was tired; emotionally, physically and yes\u2026 spiritually.\u00a0 Saturday morning I vowed to put all those nagging, earthly worries and concerns behind me and enjoy the festivities we\u2019d planned, but through all my attempts to refocus on You, those unsettling whispers still haunted me.<\/p>\n Saturday was a beautiful day weather-wise, with temperatures in the low 70s and a very comfortable fall breeze in the air.\u00a0 I got my lists for the day prepared, and headed out to pick up groceries and supplies for the evening\u2019s event.\u00a0 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\u2026<\/p>\n And suddenly, tears began to stream down my face.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In that perfect moment Father, I felt Your overwhelming presence all about me.\u00a0 It was an amazingly peaceful, joyous feeling; quite difficult to describe actually.\u00a0 But as I was able to pull the truck into the shop parking lot, I remember feeling wonderfully relieved.\u00a0 It was if all the weight in my heart was in that moment, lifted away from me. \u00a0The sensation itself was short-lived unfortunately, but the after-effects remain vivid.\u00a0 My problems certainly haven\u2019t gone away, but I was afforded a powerful reminder that I\u2019m not dealing with them by myself; You\u2019re here with me, and You care.<\/p>\n Therefore Father, with that experience still fresh in my heart I chose today\u2019s Meditations Monday<\/span><\/em> Scripture to align with Your wonderful message to me:<\/p>\n \u201cHave 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.” \u2013 Joshua 1:9 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n One of my favorite inspirational verses Lord, and a very powerful promise as well.<\/p>\n Heavenly Father,<\/p>\n As we go into this week\u2019s activities Lord, please fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit that we may draw strength from Your presence within us.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n In Jesus\u2019 Name we pray,<\/p>\n Amen.<\/p>\n ~Phather Phil<\/p>\nPin It<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
![Pin It<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father! To begin our week\u2019s 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.\u00a0 We were Blessed to have a couple of our \u201cextended family\u201d (our kids call them Uncle Robert and Aunt Katie, […]<\/p>\nPin 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