Spiritual Retreats

 

St Anthony's Monastery

'Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.' Mark 1:35

We visited the ancient Monastery of St Anthony on 2 Dec 2010. It is sequestrated in the parched Egyptian desert at the foot of mountains, by the eastern bank of the Red Sea. Here, about 112 Coptic monks live and work, dedicated to a secluded life seeking after a special communion with God and a community of like-minded brethren.

This monastery was founded in 356 AD and is reputed to be the oldest monastery in the world. St Anthony, whom many claim to have founded the monastic movement, lived as a hermit in a cave on the slope of the mountain behind the monastery. What drove him and many others down through the ages to forsake the world and live in solitude and seclusion?

Even today, there are such men living in caves in the desert. Many gave up their worldly possessions to live in this manner. St Anthony surrendered his family properties to live an ascetic life for nearly ninety years. He received his calling when he overheard the scriptures read from Matthew 19:21, 

'If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me'.

Some may consider such men to be eccentric, deranged and paranoid, battling personal demons that infest their souls.

In their desire to be completely pure and holy in God's presence, men like St Anthony speak of having to deal with such demons both within and without that would tempt them away from the holiness they seek. These struggles were probably very dramatic, even frightening. Some even describe near-death experiences. Eventually, many succeed to subdue these 'spirits' and establish an inspirational spirituality that few can ever hope to achieve.

Some may think that such desert fathers are just simply obsessed with evil, sin and guilt. In actual fact, they focused on imitating Christ by following a life of self sacrifice that will embody their dependence on God for their ultimate personal worth and salvation (Ref 1). Accordingly, the desert provides the opportunity to shake off all kinds of earthly encumbrances and limitations in order to stand unfettered in the very presence of God.

Realising this need for focus explains the sanity of their sacrifice. The experience of the physical desert makes giving up material things easier.

In contrast, in the material world of Singapore, following Jesus' advice to give all and follow Him, can be extremely difficult if not impossible. Hence, many of us will suffer missed opportunities just like the Bible's rich young ruler.

We are all the poorer for this; we clutch at our possessions, unable to release their stranglehold on us. As a result, we may never taste the pure and holy spiritual moments with God. Who, then, is more insane?

Nevertheless, trapped as we are, we should still define the spiritual space of our own desert and cultivate an attitude of detachment from material things. We should find time and space for much contemplation and worship; in our personal spiritual retreat. 

On the 21 Oct 2022 at a meditation group, Fabrice Desmarescaux, author of the book, 'The Art of Retreats: A Leader's Journey Toward Clarity, Balance and Purpose' gave 4 tips which he said are the essence of retreats.

• Solitude - Find time to be with yourself and to connect with yourself

• Silence - Find quietness and peace. Time opens up when we are not speaking; nothing and no noise to distract us
    
• Space - Find a space and surrounding that will inspire.

• Spirit - Find ourselves. We have been doing things all our lives now we can learn to just be ourselves, present and connect with our spirit. Henri Nouwen call this human being and not human doing. 

Then, more importantly, at these times of retreat, we will discover to whom we belong; we belong to God. Bishop Solomon wrote in 'Spiritual Discipline for Urban Christians' (Ref 2), "We need to find ourselves alone in God's redeeming and healing presence and find and receive our God-place. When we realise that each of us has a unique place given to us by God, we can truly rest instead of searching endlessly and fighting for a place of our own."

There is a hymn that tells us to retreat into a garden to find Jesus, 'In the Garden.' 

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known

I stayed in the garden with Him

Though the night all around me is falling

But He bids me go, through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known

None other has ever known

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 2 Dec 2010

Ref 1 The relevance of the 'Life of Anthony' today written by a solitary monk living on St Anthony's Mountain, Mt Colzim, Egypt. In St Anthony, His Life and Sayings, Monastery of St Anthony, 2010 pp 173.

Ref 2 Bishop Robert Solomon, Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians, Genesis Book 2021

A People After God's Heart

'But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who had called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.' 1 Peter 2:9 

What a strange way to describe Christians? A peculiar people. Perhaps this peculiarity describes a special relationship of Christians as a people belonging to God. Why? There is a covenant made between God and us as there is a covenant made between God and Israel in the desert of Sinai.

A covenant is a formal agreement between two or more persons or groups of people. This covenant was first described in Exodus Chapter 19. Here God tells the Israelites that they will be His chosen people, ”out of all the nations you will be my treasured possessions.” 

These people will enjoy special privileges. Their part of the bargain was to obey God fully. After hearing from Moses the covenant God had to offer, the people responded together 

'We will do everything that the Lord has said.' Exodus 19:18

God promised 

'I will look on you with favour and increase your numbers and I will keep my covenant with you. I will walk among you and be your God and you will be my people.' Leviticus 26:9 and 12.

But the Israelites failed miserably to keep to their side of the agreement. Even in the Sinai Desert, through the times of the Kings and Prophets we read of numerous occasions when the Israelites deliberately disobeyed God. 

By the time of the Gospels, this blatant disobedience had turned the people towards a self-centredness, that brought forth the legalism of the Pharisees; a religion built on man’s ability to meet the demands of religious laws.

Then Jesus Christ came and the covenantal relationship was renewed. In the Last Supper, Christ’s mentioned this new covenant which He said was sealed in His blood. He was referring to the imminent sacrifice for us on the Cross by which we are set free from sin. By Christ's sacrifice we receive freedom from sin and enter into this special relationship between God and us. 

'This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you' Luke 22:20b 

How do we now translate our part of the covenant? There is a question in the Scottish catechism which asks, “What is the Chief aim of man?” To which, the answer is “the chief aim of man is glorify God and to enjoy him forever.”

The apostle Paul wrote 

“whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31

In the simplest of terms this is the answer to why we exist, to our purpose in life and to the mission of our churches.

How to make this practical? Charles Swindoll wrote 3 suggestions which are worth repeating.

(1) Cultivate a habit of including God in every segment of our lives. Everything we do, every plan we make; Is God in it? Is God getting the glory?

(2) Refuse to accept any of the glory that should belong only to God. Our selfish nature are huge sponges always ready and willing to soak up all praises. We should constantly remember to claim nothing for ourselves and give all the glory to God.

(3) Maintain a priority relationship with God that is more important than any other on earth. There are many challenges to this priority e.g our children, our spouses, our families. Nothing wrong with loving our families or planning for the future but keep our total commitment to God.

This special relationship is not to be expressed only in personal terms but collectively as well. A church share values together in a collective desire to be God's Chosen People. When Charis Methodist Church became independent, we chose a motto that is also an aspiration; to be “A people after God’s heart.”

With that the aspiration Charis Methodist Church emphatically looked to God to 'Build His church.'  

For I’m Building A People Of Power

And I’m Making A People Of Praise

That Will Move Through This Land By My Spirit

And Will Glorify My Precious Name

Build Your Church, Lord

Make Us Strong, Lord

Join Our Hearts, Lord, Through Your Son

Make Us One, Lord

In Your Body

In The Kingdom Of Your Son

Lionel

Updated 1st Published on 1 Dec 2007

Welcome To The Family

The Charis Methodist Church Family

'Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. They tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty. They tell of the power of Your awesome works. They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. ' Psalm 145:3a,4a,5a,6a,7

 

Why do we go to church?

• To worship God
• To sing praises
• To sing hymns
• To pray
• To hear God's Words read from the Bible.
• To hear inspirational sermons
• To hear good music and chorale singing
• To enjoy sanctuary.
• To fellowship with friends and encourage one another.

The answer to the question should be all of the above and in that answer we give the full expression for church attendance, as one family and the body of Christ,  Total Church. 

There is a special meaning for me to come for the worship service of my church, Charis Methodist Church. I come to join my friends, my brothers and sisters in worship and confession of my faith. It is my spiritual refreshment at the start of every week. King David wrote of the joy of corporate worship.

'I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord.' Psalms 122:1 (NLT) 

Nowadays the standard of the preaching or the quality of the music seem to be the main attractions. Many move from church to church, now from zoom to zoom, to hear the great speakers that can inspire and deliver good sermons every week. Others are attracted to the praise singing or the choir. Unfortunately not all local churches will be so endowed or gifted, thus leaving some members disappointed. 

If we come for Sunday service only for the sermons and music, we fail to understand the two imperatives for regular church attendance

• To worship God -the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• To profess the spirit of the Christian family - the Body of Christ

Every Sunday serves to bring out these two aspects of the church, the Corporate Worship and the Family of Believers. 

When a person enters the house of God, he should be struck by reverential awe. The architecture of the sanctuary, whether simple or ornate should help the worshipper sense peace and beauty. 

St Peter's Church, Munich

'One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.' Psalm 27:4

The Orthodox Christians celebrate Christ, the Lord of Hosts and adorn their churches with gilded icons and golden coloured frescoes to uplift the Christus Pantocratos. The crucifix in Catholic churches draws attention to the suffering and sacrifice of Christ. The simple cross in Protestant churches celebrates the victory of the resurrected Christ. Yet some others, like the Quakers believe in making their sanctuary simple and minimalistic. 

Some churches used the organ, piano and choir in the prelude, during and postlude to help in the worship. Others use prayer and praise sessions. Still others use silence and prayer. All should help direct the congregants' attention to God and enhance the spirit of connection.

The song, 'Come Now Is The Time To Worship' helps express this connection.

 

Come, now is the time to worship
Come, now is the time to give your heart
Come, just as you are to worship
Come, just as you are before your God, Come

One day every tongue will confess You are God
One day every knee will bow
Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose You now

The second imperative to come to church is the gathering of the family of God. This gathering allows 'Koinonia' or Fellowship. We build our friendships and learn to grow along with others as Christian brothers and sisters. We help, comfort, and strengthen each other. The Bible encourages us to meet together regularly for mutual encouragement and spurring each other to remain faithful.

'And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another...' Hebrews 10:24-25

This expression of family strengthens the church and in turn allows the congregation to go beyond themselves to consider outreach and service to others. We engage as one family in missions, evangelism, witnessing, social concerns and outreach. Just as worship enables the vertical relationship between Church and God, fellowship strengthens the horizontal relationships between friends, families and reaches out to the the community. This is an expression of the Total Church

This song, 'Welcome to the Family' sends a powerful message of our Christian bonds and expressions of love for one another.

Welcome to the family
We're glad that you have come
To share your life with us
As we grow in love and
May we always be to you
What God would have us be
A family always there
To be strong and to lean on,

May we learn to love each other
More with each new day
May words of love be on our lips
In everything we say
May the Spirit melt our hearts
And teach us how to pray
That we might be a true family

Going to church is not personal, the church is family. It is timely that we free ourselves from personal preoccupations with sermons or music, important though they may be, but to consider brothers and sisters, coming together, to express 'Total Church.'

Lionel

A Church Without Borders

Brain Storming for a Church Without Borders

'And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased' Hebrews 13:16

My church, Charis Methodist Church is currently undergoing extensive renovations. When completed we aspire to be an 'Attractive Community' to our neighbours and become a church without borders. We could learn from St John's short third epistle to his friend, Gaius. This letter is about relationships within and without the church, amongst Christians and neighbours.

The action, described in this letter is of welcome and hospitality. It is not just a principle or theory but a practice and skill; the ability to make a stranger feel welcomed and well looked after. 

'We therefore ought to show hospitality..' 3 John 1:8

Hospitality contributed to the success of the early church. The early church grew by the witness and preaching itinerant believers, early missionaries going about to various cities and villages preaching and witnessing in order to spread the Christian message. These itinerant preachers were poor and could ill afford to stay in hotels and inns. They were dependent on the believers in cities to welcome them into their own homes and provide free board and lodging.

What is Christian Hospitality? It is that action of being welcoming and helpful to friends and even strangers, lending assistance in practical ways. John wrote,

'Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.' 3 John 1:5

John further commended his friend Gaius and informed that others are telling the church of Gaius’ love. 

'They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honours God.' 3 John 1:6

Gaius showed a graciousness that superseded self-interest. This was the spirit of the early church and this resource stoked the fires of Church growth, not necessarily in any dramatic fashion but insidiously, ubiquitously and very tangible.

The Practice of Hospitality. Henri Nouwen a Catholic priest in his book 'Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life' wrote “If there is any concept worth restoring to its original depth and evocative potential, it is the concept of hospitality." 

Welcoming strangers. When we think of hospitality, we picture having family and friends over for a pleasant meal. Or we think of the ‘hospitality industry’ of hotels and restaurants which are open to strangers so long as they can pay. But Churches could give shelter and support to the homeless, poor and needy - people who cannot return the favour.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

Share your meal with others. The church father Jerome challenged the medieval church to “let poor men and strangers be acquainted with your modest table, and with them Christ shall be your guest” He warned that Christian leaders may be likely to entertain only the powerful and the rich but Jesus advocated the opposite.

'Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed." Luke 14:12-14

Give generously to those in need. It was this early and continuing teaching in the New Testament which sparked off the generosity in Christians which then established many charitable organisations that serve the poor and needy. Many institutions were started simply at first without much resources, by persons who were led by God and who were conscience- stricken to heed the call to share what little or plenty they have with people in need.

'Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.' Romans 12:13

Jean Vanier lived in the small French village of Trosly-Breuil in Canada. One day, Jean invited two men with intellectual disabilities who were staying in a local institution to create home with him. They called their home L’Arche, meaning the Ark. Jean said, “Those who are weak have great difficulties finding their place in society. The image of the ideal human as powerful and capable disenfranchises the old, the sick and less able. So many in our world are suffering from isolation, war and oppression. I believe that those we most exclude from the normal life of society, people with disabilities, have profound lessons to teach us."

This was the dynamics of the early church. Two millenniums later, People still need us, 'People need the Lord.' It is this imperative that will spur Charis Methodist Church to become a Church without Borders. 

Everyday they pass me by

I can see it in their eyes

Empty people filled with care

Headed who knows where

On they go through private pain

Living fear to fear

Laughter hides their silent cries

Only Jesus hears

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light

To a world where wrong seems right

What could be too great a cost

For sharing life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel

All the grief they bear

They must hear the words of life

Only we can share

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize that we must give our lives?

For people need the Lord, people need the Lord

Lionel

We Soldier On

'If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die we belong to the Lord.' Romans 14:8

Pat's Uncle George passed on to Glory this week. He was 93 years old, the last surviving sibling of the my father-in-law's family of 3 girls and 4 boys. This generation had a Bishop, a senior pastor and one Bible woman.

At the wake, the family shared fond memories of Uncle George. He was quite a resourceful person, a maverick, who was in the timber business in the jungles of Indonesia when young and a contractor when he was older. But most of all we recognised Uncle George for 

• His Fervent Faith. 
• His Generosity
• His Love for Friends and Family.

To my regret, I did not give him much time of day and missed his many stories and adventures which he shared so generously to those who would listen to him. These stories inevitably led and testified to his love for the Lord. 

The youngest in the family of seven and outliving all of them, he believed in the adage

'Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.' Galatians 6:9 

George soldiered on till health got the better of him. He bore witness to a familial love  for the Jesus and service to the Church. 

What does it involved to soldier on? St Paul wrote to young Timothy using 3 metaphors to describe endurance in the Christian Life

• A good soldier 
• who can endure hardship, 
• has a single minded focus on the mission, a good witness for Christ
• is unencumbered by the burdens of life

• A prize winning athlete 
• who subjects his body to training

• A hardworking farmer
• who will enjoy the fruit of his labour

'Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.' 2 Tim 2:3-6

There is another lesson I learnt from Uncle George. That is it did not matter to him whether he lives or dies. He was happy to be released from the pain of his end-stage terminal cancer as death approached. He was willing to meet his maker many years before. This indicates an appreciation of eternity and everlasting life. 

St Paul declared to the Roman Christians that whether we live or die we belong to the Lord. This understanding and attitude frees us from the shackles and limitations of the physical life. It belies an inner strength and tenacity.

'If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die we belong to the Lord.' Romans 14:8

This assurance releases us from the finiteness and time-sensitivity of our current limited physical existence and gives us an unlimited eternity perspective.

So let us not be weary nor lose heart; the hymn 'Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus' extols this stoic and resolute Christianity 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

Ye soldiers of the cross;

Lift high his royal banner,

It must not suffer loss.

From victory unto victory

His army shall he lead,

Till every foe is vanquished,

And Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

The trumpet call obey;

Forth to the mighty conflict

In this His glorious day.

Ye that are men now serve Him

Against unumbered foes;

Let courage rise with danger

And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you,

Ye dare not trust your own.

Put on the gospel armour

Each piece put on with prayer

Where duty calls or danger

Be never wanting there

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

The strife will not be long;

This day the noise of battle,

The next the victor's song.

To him that overcometh 

A crown of life shall be;

He, with the King of Glory

Shall reign eternally.  

Lionel