CFC-SvFL Servants for Family and Life-What is more powerful than Trusting God?
Yesterday, I had an awesome experience with my brothers in CFC Servants for Family and Life (SvFL). This took place during our household meeting at Brother Franco Arollado’s place in Pasir Ris. CFC SvFL is one of the family ministries of Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life. It is a vibrant community of men comprised of: bachelors (single men 40 years old and above); married men who are living apart from their wives and/or children because of work situations (ex. OFWs) or whose wives are not interested in joining the CFC FFL community; widowers; and separated.In our case, our current membership is comprised of the second category, i.e. married men who are living apart from our family because of our work situation. Call us “expatriates”, a distinct class of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
In CFC FFL, a household meeting has three basic elements:
(1) Alive and vibrant worship (singing songs of praise and worship, sharing of inspirational words, prayer of thanksgiving and prayer of supplication).
(2) A participative discussion / sharing. The discussion topic could be a gospel reading. The sharing is experiential and as such is life-giving.
(3) Fellowship – we are nourished not only in spirit but also from the food prepared by the household host. Bon appetit!
I believed that getting involved with this community is one of the best things that happened to me here while I am away from my family. Spiritual nourishment and development are part of the essential keys to overcome homesickness. It is very tough and challenging when you are away from your loved ones.
Another very vital key to personal growth formation for me is openness. I felt the sense of connectedness when communicating with my fellow brothers (even sisters too to some occasions). There are no inhibitions most especially when we share our testimonies about life’s experience. This is so crucial as we learn how to deal with life from each one’s personal struggles and overcoming life’s challenges. I’ve heard about life threatening experiences, financial struggles, problems coping with children, or just mere overcoming of fear. There were so many kinds of close to tragic stories but there is only one denominator that every one of us had experienced during those trying times, and that is holding on to our commitment to trusting in God.
Can you see from our faces how happy we are?
from lower left:Claus Arriola, Jay Nodalo, Franco Arollado, Aldwin Santos top left: Oliver San Juan, Jerome Castaneda, Carlos Cammayo, Arnel Riovaldez and Hector Millet Coria
Please also check out related topic on Sharing God’s Love to Us!
CFC FFL Singapore – Sharing God’s Love to Us
First of all I am writing this topic to share the wonders of God’s love to me and to share His love to all of us. Ever since I came here to Singapore and started a commitment to my never ending personal development blog, the next best thing that came to my life was God’s community. CFC FFL Singapore (Couples For Christ – Foundation for Family and Life) is a community of God’s love and a commitment to my spiritual growth. I remember writing a Family Mission Statement based from one of our household gatherings which was a challenge for me and for other brothers and sisters in Christ as well. What really touched me was when my wife told me about my 7 year old son, Jed’s sharing about family mission statement in school. Her teacher really appreciated and thanked us for our son’s sharing. She wished that if only every family will practice the same kind of teachings, our country will be a better place to live in. Wow! that brought tears to my eyes.
It was never my plan to join any religious program or organization having attended different religious groups from the past. I attended my first seminar during the second half of 2008 when my friend invited me and told me that dinner was free. Without hesitation I attended the seminar with the food in my mind and did it again and again for the next series of seminars or talks. Yes I was indeed nourished by the food served to us. But it was from the talks and sharing of personal experiences that gave me the nourishment of my spirit.
It is truly a blessing to belong to a community of God’s servants considering that my family is not with me here in Singapore. When you’re alone working in a foreign country, any temptations are possible. CFC FFL community is a place where you can share your personal problems, inspirational stories, love, gratitude, fun and the smiles the can melt a heart. Indeed a family that you can count on whatever prayer requests you need, whether for a good health, a good career, or just a better relationship. Here, I was able to communicate my personal challenges in life, my experiences in personal development and also learned from others more challenging experiences. When I listened to other people’s experiences, I realized that my personal challenges are small compared to their life experiences. I heard about a wife leaving a successful business in the Philippines despite family and friends continuous discouragement of living a new life to be with her husband and family. Others shared their success and blessings from their career through continuous hard work, persistence and prayers. Truly with God nothing is impossible. It is through our abilities to believe, to desire and unwavering faith that we can achieve what we want in life.
I highly encouraged those who are away from their loved ones or for those who simply need peace at home with their family to seek us to share God’s love. I’m not limiting your choices to our group, there are also wonderful communities that will suit to your culture, religion, beliefs, or faith. What is important is you develop a personal and spiritual relationship with God and the people that you can connect with your life experiences. I assure and guarantee you that the time you spend with God and the relationship you develop with your community is truly worthy of your time.
To you, I offer you my short prayer of gratitude for visiting my site. I wish and pray for you all the good things that you deserved in life. To share the blessings that you deserved to our fellow.To learn from the bad things to become a better person. Please share God’s Love to Us, Amen!
PS
I’m sharing with you a presentation from the male group made during the CLS or Christian Life Seminar day itself so this was not really practiced well but the message was from the series of seminar talks. Also, please checkout How To Pray Effectively!. God Bless!
