Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

[Guest]

Our next participate is not seen around these parts too often however wherever she posts you get a glimpse of her spirituality. Please give a warm welcome to Shandra. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
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When did you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?

Tell us about your church experiences. Did you grow up in the church?

Where are you today in your walk?

Are you involved with any ministries? If so, please share.

What would you say has been the most positive thing about being a Christian?

Would you recommend a relationship with Christ to non-believers? Why?

Do you have spiritual mentors?

Is there a special calling on your life? If so and you so desire, please discuss.

What are your Scripture reading habits?

How would you describe your prayer life?

How often do you pray?

Do you seek God’s direction in all aspects of your life?

Would you share a story about someone you've brought to Christ, if so?

Do you have an accountability partner?

What is your favourite book and why?

Do you listen to secular music? If so, what type?

Do you have a favourite gospel artist? If so, who and why?

What are the greatest struggles or obstacles that you face in your walk with Christ?

Do you ever have doubts or scriptual teachings that you have difficulty accepting?

What do you feel are your areas for greatest spiritual and personal growth?

[Yvonne N.]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Watch yourself at all times, and correct yourself before you correct your friends. Do not be grieved if you do not enjoy popular favour; grieve rather that you do not live as well and carefully as befits a servant of God…
Thomas a' Kempis circa 1427)


Thanks for your invitation, Compry, to share with ja.com.

Let us pray:

O most triune God who has filled the world with beauty, open our eyes to behold your ever gracious hand in all your works that rejoicing in all your whole creation we may learn to serve you with gladness for the sake of Him through whom all things were made: your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

1.When did you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?

Formally at twelve years (Confirmation ceremony) but informally when I was about five at Vacation Bible School.

2. Where are you today in your walk?

Totally dependent upon the grace and mercy of God, the Father, God, the Son and God, the Holy Spirit.

3. Tell us about your church experiences. Did you grow up in the church?

Yes; my family grew up in the church.
Had no choice really.
My mom was a teacher and eventually the Principal of the school attached to the church so we attended Sunday School and Morning Service religiously every Sunday. Watched my Dad fill the tithing envelopes , heard my Mom pray as if Father God was sitting right there, took Sunday School examinations, attended Vacation Bible School and by my ninth birthday, played the pipe organ at a few Sunday services.
Funnily enough, music helped me to ease into my new congregation here because I was able to start playing for Sunday School immediately and so found my niche and a church-home in a new community.

4. Are you involved with any ministries? If so, please share.

Seasons come and go…right? Now, after the Sunday School season et al for many years, I am presently part of a group attempting to share the gospel through a Performing Arts ministry.

5. What would you say has been the most positive thing about being a Christian?

Trusting in the Lord with all my heart and leaning not to mine own understanding; in all my ways acknowledging him and seeing Him direct my path.
Before I relocated here, I had said to him that I wanted to live overseas rather than just hopscotch from country to country without really feeling the pulse of His people and the way this situation worked out, only He could have fashioned the plan.

6. Would you recommend a relationship with Christ to non-believers? Why?

Certainly. A life without the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit makes you less mature to cope with the vicissitudes of life and less appreciative of the wonders of his creation.
With the Trinity, you are so much more grateful…for everything.

7. Is there a special calling on your life? If so and you so desire, please discuss.

My perspective, I think.
I tend to find ways in which I can help to improve a situation. I am not always successful but for the most part, it keeps me from moaning and groaning.
For example, when I see a dog curled up and sleeping…in the rain…with winds at 100+ miles an hour…happy…it refreshes my perspective. It makes me realize that they accept life as it is…and are content. We moan and groan. My perspective helps me to look outward.

8. What are your Scripture reading habits?

Eclectic… but especially fond of Imitation of Christ (Thomas a‘ Kempis). For example, he says:

We must not rely too much upon ourselves, for grace and understanding are often lacking in us. We have but little inborn light, and this we quickly lose through negligence. Often we are not aware that we are so blind in heart. Meanwhile we do wrong, and then do worse in excusing it.
At times we are moved by passion, and we think it zeal. We take others to task for small mistakes, and overlook greater ones in ourselves. We are quick enough to feel and brood over the things we suffer from others, but we think nothing of how much others suffer from us. If a man would weigh his own deeds fully and rightly, he would find little cause to pass severe judgment on others”.

9. How would you describe your prayer life? How often do you pray? Do you seek God’s direction in all aspects of your life?

I pray…yes, I pray.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
In our church we use the A C T S plan for a general guideline in conjunction with personal prayers.
A = Adoration
Adore God, love Him and praise Him for who He is.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11

C = Confession
Admit your sins to God, ask for His forgiveness through faith that Jesus died for our sins.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

T = Thanksgiving
Thank God for answered prayers, for the good things He has done in your life. For growth.
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20

S = Supplication
Pray for your family and friends, for those who are sick or sad. Pray for those who are not Christians yet. Pray for your own spiritual growth and any other needs that you may have.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7

We also use prayers from our Book of Common Prayer which covers prayers for a variety of situations.

10. Would you share a story about someone you've brought to Christ, if so?

I am just hoping I have done so in my daily walk.

11. Do you have an accountability partner?

Yes…my buddy in a Christian Youth Movement group.

12. Do you listen to secular music? If so, what type?

All. I have to know what’s being sung about so that I can direct traffic in choices among the youth in terms of which are tolerable and which aren’t.

13. Do you have a favourite gospel artist? If so, who and why?

Not really. Like much of what I hear. I listen to the music rather than note the artiste.

14. What are the greatest struggles or obstacles that you face in your walk with Christ?

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay,[a]says the Lord. On the contrary:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.[b] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good…”

This is hard to do…so it’s a constant struggle.
It’s also hard to accept that many young persons are not heeding this training in the way they should so they are growing up with a certain amount of lawlessness and shamelessness where once they might have been a tad more orderly and decorous. It can be called [Christian] Character Education which I think can be improved but there is just so much to do.

15. What do you feel are your areas for greatest spiritual and personal growth?

Making a difference.
As St. Augustine reminds us in his famous prayer from his Confessions,, “O God, Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee,”.
The source of soul’s rest is not what we can earn or buy or achieve, but the union of the believer with Christ.
Romans 12:1-2 points out “:…by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect…”

I still have a great deal of work to do.

16. Do you ever have doubts or scriptural teachings that you have difficulty accepting?

There are many paths. There are many people. We all take different paths. We are all at varying levels.
As long as we are heading in the same direction…for the same final destination…heaven…I am cool.
I am in no position to dictate anything to anyone; I’ll merely suggest. The choice is theirs.

May we all make the right choices on our journey together. Always remember that Father God is also on the journey with us.
Take care.

[Guest]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Shandra, thank you so much for participating.

When I first got the urge to do this, I questioned why and even saw a glimpse of fear creeping in. I must say that I am glad I didn't allow fear to prevent these spotlights from happening. I have truly been blessed by reading some of these testimonies.

I am just hoping I have done so in my daily walk.

That is what we all should strive for. If our daily walk help one person to see and want to experience the Christian life then it is worth.

Thanks again for sharing. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Eclectic… but especially fond of Imitation of Christ (Thomas a‘ Kempis). For example, he says:

We must not rely too much upon ourselves, for grace and understanding are often lacking in us. We have but little inborn light, and this we quickly lose through negligence. Often we are not aware that we are so blind in heart. Meanwhile we do wrong, and then do worse in excusing it.
At times we are moved by passion, and we think it zeal. We take others to task for small mistakes, and overlook greater ones in ourselves. We are quick enough to feel and brood over the things we suffer from others, but we think nothing of how much others suffer from us. If a man would weigh his own deeds fully and rightly, he would find little cause to pass severe judgment on others”.

So very Spiritual

[JesusDread]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Ditto to Mulligan's quote and reply!

I'm always pleased to see you posting in this forum.

Nuff love an respek!

[Yvonne N.]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Thanks Mulligan and Jesus D for our support.
The journey is not an easy one.


Busy watching Rita's movements. We semed to have managed to get by here with little damage.Just hoping she doesn't do any harm on her trip east..ehem..westward.

Take care. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Ephratahe]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

. With Mulligan and JD.
God bless Shandra!!

[sistagirl]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Wonderful..very peaceful spirit Shandra. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[WorshipRaiser]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Arioght Arioght! Oh deeper yet I pray and higher everyday - don't know the rest of words but mi know de chords doh. That's what I pray for you Sister Shandra. God Bless!

[tonirand]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Originally posted by PurposDrvnBredda:
[qb] Arioght Arioght! Oh deeper yet I pray and higher everyday - don't know the rest of words but mi know de chords doh. That's what I pray for you Sister Shandra. God Bless! [/qb]

Yu seet!!!


[img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]ray: [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]ray:

[Yvonne N.]

Re: Spotlight on a Jamaicans.com Christian - Shandra

Thanks for your encouragement. I will continue to pray for you too.