<\/p>\n
Dear Lord; Happy Thankful Thursday Father!<\/p>\n
You know Father, I truly love reading the Gospels.\u00a0 In those pages I find myself enveloped in the personal, intimate nature of what Christ Jesus meant to the world, and gain essential perspective to help guide me in my earthly journey.<\/p>\n
As an example, while reading in the Gospel of Mark today, I came to the passage which described Jesus spending time in the home of Levi (Matthew), a tax-gatherer for the Romans:<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.\u00a0And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”\u00a0And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, <\/strong>“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”<\/span>\u201d \u2013 Mark 2:15-17 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Now Father, while I understand the usual message derived from these verses deals with Jesus condemning the self-righteousness of the scribes asking the question, today You laid on my heart a different thought to take away from my reading\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cReach out in love to ALL<\/span> My Children, not just those you\u2019re comfortable being around.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
I\u2019ll admit Lord, I play it safe far too often; missing opportunities to connect with those outside of my \u201ccomfort zone\u201d<\/em>, and to share Your message of hope and love with them.<\/p>\n
Jesus didn\u2019t restrict His ministry to those places where He was comfortable or safe, He went where He was truly needed.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
I\u2019ll be working on this one Father\u2026 Message received.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
Continuing to count my Blessings Lord; this past couple weeks have been witness to countless signs of Your love for me, but in the midst of it all I\u2019ve been very grateful for:<\/p>\n
586. Attending a fun Kids Construction workshop with the boys last weekend at Home Depot.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
587. The opportunity to reach out and minister to someone in need last week.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
588. The new Audrey Assad \u201cHeart\u201d CD that I can\u2019t seem to stop listening to.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
589. Completing a reading of the Old Testament from start to finish.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
590. Having friends with truly open, giving hearts.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
591. Two nights in a row of six hours contiguous, uninterrupted sleep.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
592. Sharing my morning drives to work with a good friend.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
593. Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Wellness Tea.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
594. A relatively easy and inexpensive repair for our squealing clothes dryer.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
595. The early arrival of several unseasonably warm days.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
596. Making significant progress on home repairs and cleaning this past week.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
597. Gaining a more personal, intimate relationship with Jesus through the Gospels.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
598. A beautiful preview of gifts to come.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
599. Finding a buyer for my large aquarium that will truly appreciate it.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
600. Divine reassurance that I\u2019ve made a good decision.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Heavenly Father,<\/p>\n
Thank You Lord, for the multitude of Blessings You grace our lives with each and every day; both those that announce Your presence with regal fanfare, and those that whisper Your influence quietly on the spring breeze.<\/p>\n
In Jesus\u2019 name we pray,<\/p>\n
Amen.<\/p>\n
~Phather Phil<\/p>\nPin It<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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