Sharing Our Experience As We Serve the Lord

[Reuben_J]

As Christians, we are called to be witnesses for Jesus and to serve him. In doing so we may be called to take up mission, responsibility and task that sometimes may exceed our own ability and strength. In the process many of us may feel discourage and on the verge of wanting to give up. Time and time again the Lord seems to pluck us from our discouragement and infuses us with his grace to go on.

The scope of this thread is quite wide. If you have any experience as you serve him that you want to share, you are welcome to do so here.

God bless.

Reuben

 

[Reuben_J]

When a leader of one of our ministries, the benevolence ministry, passed away unexpectedly, the members were left in a vacuum without a leader. Even though one of the existing members could take over, nevertheless they were undergoing a difficult moment. They asked for a senior leader to take over temporarily until we could find a permanent one. I decided to take the leadership but on an advisory capacity as I did not have the time to actually go around with them for the ministry. Despite that understanding most of the time I found myself actually went with them and led the prayer service.

In one case, our ministry was doing prayer service for an elderly migrant Catholic who passed away and the body was kept in the funeral parlor for many days until all the children could come for the funeral. Normally the prayer service is done consecutively for seven days after the death of the person. But in this case, the funeral was about two weeks away. The family requested for prayer every night until the funeral.

One such night, none of our members could come, and I was the only one who was free. The family expected us to come that night and I could not disappoint them. The prayer was supposed to start at eight and I reached the funeral parlor five minutes before time. Strangely, everything was quiet and nobody was seen around. I was familiar with the place being there many times, but somehow I felt one kind of feeling. It was rather spooky and the place suddenly seemed to be very deserted. It was at that moment I somehow had a negative thought and asked myself – why should I am doing all this donkey job? You can say it was an attack from the Evil one.

The body was in the second floor. As I took the escalator I could feel the tension of spookiness within me and as if someone is watching over my shoulder; and it is surely not the angel of the Lord!

Fortunately, the family and relative were there waiting for our group, perhaps less than ten of them. What am I going to do now? My musicians and the choir, and my organizer were not there. Just me alone and yet here they are, all look very helpless and looking up to the prayer group expectantly. I was overcome with compassion as I saw how they truly needed me. And I saw how worthwhile my ministry was. Single handedly I ministered to them with the words and the memorial service prayer.

Many a times I was able to move on because of moment like that – to realize how we are needed and how the Lord can use us to do his work.

Amen.

 

[Wesley7]

I have experience from praying prayer at home in my prayer corner

 

[Reuben_J]

I have experience from praying prayer at home in my prayer corner

Hi Wesley. That’s great to have a prayer corner at home. We manage to convert a space for prayer room in our house as the needs began to arise. It is used for private devotion in prayer and contemplation of the words. But sometimes it is convenient for giving counseling and ministry.

We are fortunate to have a special room for prayer in the house but this reminds me of special people who were not that fortunate. One of those was Susanna Wesley (your nick reminds me of this woman).

She practiced daily devotions throughout her life but with her nineteen children whom she home schooled and attended to; to have consistent personal prayer life must be extraordinary feat. Here is an excerpt from her writing,

“I am a woman, but I am also the mistress of a large family. And though the superior charge of the souls contained in it lies upon you, yet in your long absence I cannot but look upon every soul you leave under my charge as a talent committed to me under a trust. I am not a man nor a minister, yet as a mother and a mistress I felt I ought to do more than I had yet done. I resolved to begin with my own children; in which I observe, the following method: I take such a proportion of time as I can spare every night to discourse with each child apart. On Monday I talk with Molly, on Tuesday with Hetty, Wednesday with Nancy, Thursday with Jacky, Friday with Patty, Saturday with Charles.” Emphasis mine.

Of course, one of her children John, would become the founder of the Methodist Church. Perhaps some of our Methodist friends know more about this remarkable woman of prayer.

 

[Reuben_J]

It was way passed midnight and we were sound aslept. I thought it was my dream but as I pitched my ears the voice was unmistakable. Someone outside the gate was calling my name. As I parted the curtain, yes, I saw Nelly (not her real name) standing at our gate.

Without waking my wife I went downstair and let her in. She was in a pajama looking very distraught. I knew her because she had come to me previously about her marriage problem. Her husband had an affair shortly after their marriage and now he has become very abusive at home. Even though he could be very loving sometimes but when there was something that aroused his anger, he could be very violence and abusive. It had come to a point where it was dangerous for them to live together anymore.

As I seated her down, I called my wife who proceeded to serve her coffee. Surely this was one of those violent spells again by the husband. As we were talking in the living room, there was a loud man’s voice outside calling for Nelly. We knew who he was. It was really scary moment for all of us. I opened the door and immediately faced a barrel of shotgun aimed at me. The husband was in a rage.

It was time like this I often asked myself why I should stick my neck out to do all this. I have a loving wife and two very beautiful children who really need my presence (and peace) at home. But instead very often my times were spent ministering to someone else. They had become accustomed to people coming in and out of our house for gathering or prayer and many times I would be going out unexpectedly when there is a call to pray for the sick or counseling.

Somehow I found myself quite focus and managed to calm this guy and at the same time trying to figure out what to do next. “Hi, Don (not his real name) why don’t ya come in?”

Armed with the knowledge that Nelly had disclosed to me I slowly brought the talk to the subject of their troubled marriage. Before they were married Nelly was going out with another man. Apparently after their marriage this man still looked for her and Don knew about it. The hurt and the feeling of betrayal that Don had, drove him into resentment and unforgiveness and as a rebound he had an affair with the other woman. That did not solve the problem but actually dragged him further into disillusionment as apparently he really loved Nelly. Thus the subsequent violence and suspicion in the house that was spiraling out of control.

Considering the anger that Don exhibited, it was really amazing as we talked that he began to break down. I told him that God loves him and that their marriage was a divine gift and that Nelly loved him very much. Much more talk and there was reconciliation. Without really feeling it, dawn was approaching.

I contacted our priest, who was a good friend, who offered them a special time for Confession and Reconciliation. Both agreed to follow our formation program and when the time came they attended our marriage program too.

That was nine years ago. Today Don was one of our most active member but instead of carrying a shotgun he has a Bible under his arm to be the sword of the Spirit to defend himself against the enemy.

It is the tangible work of the Lord that changed people’s lives that happen before my own very eyes that makes serving the Lord so very rewarding. Praise His name. Amen.

 

[Reuben_J]

Fear of flying

I used to like flying. About ten years ago during a family holiday trip we encountered very bad turbulence as the plane was about to land. Amidst the tighten your seat belt sign and the bump, my three year old daughter tucked at my sleeves, “Dad, are we going to fall down?” “No, honey, the pilot is going to bring us playing roller coaster”. It was meant as a joke to soothe her inquisitive mind. She seemed assured but nevertheless snuggled into my arm.

Not long after that I was struck by news of airplane crash, nearly missed mid-air collision and possibility of terrorist airplane sabotage. My mind recalled what my daughter had said and I wonder if it could happen after all. In my next few air trips I began to feel uneasy every time there was turbulence. Shortly after that I noticed that I was really terrified being in mid-air in an airplane. Subsequently it became a full blown phobia of flying.

I was already quite active in my church work and one of my eager responses as I was renewed in my faith was, “I will go, Lord, wherever you send me”. That proved to be haughty promise however. I did not seem to learn from Peter, “I will lay down my life for you”.

Now my ministry required me to go to many places for meetings or running programs but these also include flying to foreign countries; Africa, Asia, South America and even some islands in the Pacific. Suddenly mission trips became a dread. Phobia of flying includes attack of inexplicable fear; you will sweat and become near hysterical as long as you are in mid-air. Interestingly, no amount of prayer seemed to work! I remember how many Hail Mary, prayer of consecration, coverage by the precious blood or even tongue thrown in, but nothing seemed to work.

Eventually I said to the Lord, “What is this Lord? If you really want me to be your disciple surely you take away this phobia, otherwise how can I serve you?” And so I had to live with the phobia; sometimes it was just bearable and I managed to stay alive but dreaded every minute of flying.

Then we started a program locally – Healing and Transformation Seminar. It is a three day retreat which we do in collaboration with a priest. It deals mainly about identifying causes of obstacles and bondages in later life as a result of something that happened during childhood or sins. Priests were needed for Confession and celebration of the Eucharist.

Usually after about a day of (name removed by moderator)ut the participants would be asked to examine themselves and to go for Confession. To help them to do it properly they can come for counseling among the more experienced leaders.

One of the participants who came to me said, “Brother, you know, I have this problem. I am terribly scared of flying. It affected my job as it requires me to travel most of the time” At this he began to cry. I thought I want to cry with him because I know how it feels but I found myself laughing in my heart. So that was it!

The Lord gave me the phobia so that I can minister to his people who are tormented by it. He could be funny at times though it was nothing funny at all to me!

Needless to say, I am completely healed of phobia of flying today.

The Lord works in many ways but I know that he ‘works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’.

Praise the Lord.

 

[Reuben_J]

Encouraging Each Other.

One of the most unique cultures of Christianity is the attitude of encouraging each other. Saturday first reading (Acts16) mentioned about how Apollos who was a talented preacher but not fully formed in the Way was supported by Priscilla and Aquila, an older couple of the faith. When Apollos moved on to a new territory he was able to help the believers effectively.

Recently a woman from an obscured place in South America made a press statement saying the no matter what, she still loves the Pope and that he is a good man; he has done nothing wrong despite what other people have said. In these difficult times, where many people have easily condemned and found fault with the Church, the Pope seems to be alone in shouldering the burden, it is surely heartening for him to hear voices of encouragement from the faithfuls.

Is not this what Christianity all about - to encourage each other? A football team usually finds it easier to win at home rather than away game and that’s because of the extra strength that they can muster from the cheer and the support of the home crowd. Similarly that’s how we are able to continue on in persevering with our faith.

I always make it a point if I meet the priest after the mass to comment on his homily like saying it’s a good homily if it’s really a good one or referring to what he said like saying “Yes, how true it is. Very often we would like to take out the smallest change when we give for the offertory and yet we can easily spend the same amount on a cup of coffee. Why shouldn’t we miss the cup of coffee for something that might help the church?” At least he knows that we listen to his sermon and not sleeping or dreaming away. Those little comments may make their day sometimes.

It is easy to condemn or saying what he should or not do but seldom have we liked to offer support and encouragement to help him to address difficult issue and situation.

 

[Reuben_J]

Talkers And Not Doers

This thread has been on the board for two days and it has hardly attracted any posters to contribute their experience in serving the Lord. Perhaps this is not the right place or perhaps we are more interested in debating and defending our belief only. It is an interesting observation then.

Posters in the forum consist of Christians and non-Christians of different backgrounds. Some can be counted among us as theologians, priests, pastors, apologetics and experienced practitioners of the faith. Some may be just nominal.

Yet we are called to serve God in any capacity and role where are in; be it in the family, place of work or even the church at large. It would be interesting and surely edifying to hear witnessing experience from Christians, be you are Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Evangelicals, Fundamentals, Baptists, Pentecostals, Charismatics and so on.

To share such experience is not to boast of what we are doing; if anything it is to glorify God.

Did not Paul tell us that ‘those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life’? Rom 2:7

Or ‘not to become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up?’ Gal 6:9

Did not Peter in his epistle tell that ‘For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men’? 1 Pet 2:15. I thought the silence is rather deafening. I hope I am wrong.

Or are we lack in such experience that we are mere **talkers and not doers **of the words? Or like a priest poster said here, are we merely practicing ‘hollow faith’?

‘They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good’. Titus 1:16