An update on "Chappie" Rex.
Posted: February 20th, 2020, 8:43 pm
An update on my prayer meetings with "Chappie" Rex, chaplain at my school where I teach.
In a nutshell, I believe it has been quite successful, but allow me to tell a slightly funny story along the way. Over the first couple of weeks, we would get together in the morning, discuss the highs and lows of the past week, and outline the types of things in the coming week for which we would pray. As it was Chappie's stewardship, I was more than happy to sit back and listen to him pray. Frequently during the prayer he would pause; for quite a while! I assumed he was receiving mighty inspiration for what he would say next! This went on for a couple of weeks until he informed me that he was waiting for me to add to the prayer! OK, I thought, a "collaborative prayer"! I learnt something new!
Now, I don't for a minute suggest that all launch into a collaborative prayer session, but I do suggest that we realise that our Christian brothers and sisters have varying prayer traditions, and I'm quite confident that Heavenly Father can cope with the two of us praying "collaboratively".
I am persuaded that our prayers are being heard and answered. We have had a very good start to the term (no blood had been shed, yet!) and the students have settled very well. School leadership is pleasantly surprised at the students' behaviour. (if only they knew)
Once again, I invite you all to reach out in some small way to those friends and allies that we have outside of our church. They have great need of our support and fellowship even if they don't agree with some of our doctrine. If you are involved in a school, try seeking out your resident chappie, you never know what might be in store!
In a nutshell, I believe it has been quite successful, but allow me to tell a slightly funny story along the way. Over the first couple of weeks, we would get together in the morning, discuss the highs and lows of the past week, and outline the types of things in the coming week for which we would pray. As it was Chappie's stewardship, I was more than happy to sit back and listen to him pray. Frequently during the prayer he would pause; for quite a while! I assumed he was receiving mighty inspiration for what he would say next! This went on for a couple of weeks until he informed me that he was waiting for me to add to the prayer! OK, I thought, a "collaborative prayer"! I learnt something new!
Now, I don't for a minute suggest that all launch into a collaborative prayer session, but I do suggest that we realise that our Christian brothers and sisters have varying prayer traditions, and I'm quite confident that Heavenly Father can cope with the two of us praying "collaboratively".
I am persuaded that our prayers are being heard and answered. We have had a very good start to the term (no blood had been shed, yet!) and the students have settled very well. School leadership is pleasantly surprised at the students' behaviour. (if only they knew)
Once again, I invite you all to reach out in some small way to those friends and allies that we have outside of our church. They have great need of our support and fellowship even if they don't agree with some of our doctrine. If you are involved in a school, try seeking out your resident chappie, you never know what might be in store!
Once upon a time, in a place where I aligned beds, a fellow on my left or on my right, encouraged me to attend with him church, of said persuasion. But alas, it was not to be, rather years later did I upon my return, drive by said chapel, and attended services, but was shocked to see “Church of LDS” written upon the outer marquee. Needless to say, I found chaplains lacking at Lackland. But on my subsequent stay, an absurd adventure abruptly brought me to sit through service in Silver’s neck of the woods. 
gbng