"I'm a former pastor.  I got sick while in ministry and it eventually led to my dismissal.  I put down my Bible and haven't picked it up again for more than 10 years.  Lately, something or someone has been stirring me.  I don't know what to do or where to go from here.  I feel that I want to serve again, but don't know how, where, or even IF it's possible. 

I still have the condition that precipitated my exit from the ministry.  It has no cure, but it is now being managed fairly well through diet and medication.  My heart and my spirit are not dealt with so easily.  I know I haven't really given you much information, but...do you think it's really possible that God could use me again?  I feel totally worthless to God or anyone else.  But I know there is healing and guidance through God's spirit.  Until recently, I thought it was for everyone but me.  Now, I'm thinking...maybe...just maybe.

What do I do now?  I haven't a clue.  Is there any help?"

The following is our email reply in red and the wounded shepherd's reply to our reply in bold blue.  We often reply to an email by answering paragraph by paragraph or at each significant point, using a different colored font.  Sometimes a colored font is not possible, but you can use a bold font.  After the third use of the original email we start over with a new email so it will not get too cluttered.  We attempt to let them know that we are taking immediate action on their behalf.  We let them know that our connection is in Christ.  It is good to highlight God's present working in their life as they may feel abandoned by Him.  Positive affirmation is essential.  Before you reply, ask God to give you His words to say.

"I'm a former pastor.  I got sick while in ministry and it eventually led to my dismissal.  I put down my Bible and haven't picked it up again for more than 10 years. Lately, something or someone has been stirring me.  Thank you for writing to us.  We will start praying for you immediately. You probably know who that someone is that is stirring your heart.  He is Jesus.    Yes, I did figure that out. 

I don't know what to do or where to go from here. Start talking to Him.  Build a relationship with Him again.  He is truly wonderful to know.  Don’t do anything else but get to know Him in a private relationship of trust.   I feel that I want to serve again, but don't know how, where, or even IF it's possible.  The answers to those questions will come when you renew your life with Christ.

I have been doing that.  I felt He was talking to me.  I heard Him for the first time in years.  I even asked, "Is that you, Lord?  How do I know it's really you?"  And the answer came back, "You wouldn't talk to YOURSELF like this, would you?"  And He was right - - - I wouldn't.  It HAD to be Him.

I still have the condition that precipitated my exit from the ministry.  It has no cure, but it is now being managed fairly well through diet and medication.  My heart and my spirit are not dealt with so easily.  Jesus can deal with your heart.  Just give Him a chance.  He died on the cross to make it possible to talk to you personally.  Start here.

Yes, I think He can do that.  I've made myself available and open to Him.  I've asked Him to just show me the way.  I need Him to clear away the veil from my eyes and show me His Truth.  I now have confidence that He will.

I know I haven't really given you much information, but...do you think it's really possible that God could use me again? Of course!   I feel totally worthless to God or anyone else.  But I know there is healing and guidance through God's spirit.  God is already giving you spiritual insight.  You have deep spiritual knowledge that God heals and guides.  Now give Him room to do it.  Until recently, I thought it was for everyone but me.  Now, I'm thinking...maybe...just maybe.  Absolutely.  It is for you.

That is just what I'm trying to do now.  I have a lot of clutter in my life.  So much that I don't know just where to start straightening up.  But I've already felt God's leading, and I'm trying...I'm trying.  I just have so little faith in ME that I'm not sure I'm up to the challenge.  I'm so used to feeling alone...it's really hard for me to let go and let God.  But I'm trying.

What do I do now?  I haven't a clue.  Yes you do.  He heals and guides.  Get alone with your God, ask for forgiveness, receive it and then start doing what He tells you and doing what He shows you.  It is not hard.  Is there any help?  Help has already come. 

            In a way, I can sense that.  In another way, I feel, "Why should He help me?  I'm not worth it."  It's hard for me to accept that He will really talk to me and lead me.  I don't know if I can trust myself to hear Him accurately.  I'm so confused.

I believe that our Lord wants you to hear this, “You are not alone and you are not forgotten”.

Thank you for that word.  I believe it must be from God.  Only He knows how alone I've felt for so long.  Even in the presence of my loved-ones, I've been alone.  Not many people understand that kind of loneliness.             

Please stay in contact with me and we will walk through this together.  I will do everything I can to help you find your place in life and Christ again.

I will stay in touch.  You are a lifeline for me.  Thank you for caring.  It means a lot to me."

Their next email begins to show that God is deeply touching their life.

I just want to take a moment to thank you sincerely for what you're doing for me.  Your words are like "a balm of Gilead" to me...a healing salve for my wounded spirit.  I'm beginning to feel that God really does love me, and that there really are those who care about my life, my restoration, and my soul.  My tears alternate between those of guilt and hope.  But they also seem to be washing away some of my desperation. 

I have done what you suggested and asked for God's forgiveness.  I felt He told me that I am forgiven.  The really, really hard part is learning to forgive myself.  With God's grace, that, too, will come in time.  Thank you again for the non-judgmental love of God you have shown me.  He knows that I have judged myself far more harshly than He has.  For the first time in a long time, I'm beginning to feel there may be an escape from the whirlpool that has been pulling me down for so many years.  If I can just get back to the place where I used to be in God, all the mistakes of my past life will matter no longer.  And if God chooses to grant me no more years afterward, that also is of no consequence.  

Just know that you have been a genuine blessing to me.  May God return that to you a hundredfold.

Our reply to this email.  We attempt to keep their attention on Christ and provide encouragement.

"I just want to take a moment to thank you sincerely for what you're doing for me.  Anything I do I do in the name of the Lord.  Therefore, you should be thanking Him.  He has a deep care and concern for you.  My attempts are only to be His voice to you.  God’s words are a balm and will heal you.  Your words are like "a balm of Gilead" to me...a healing salve for my wounded spirit.  I'm beginning to feel that God really does love me  He does! , and that there really are those who care about my life, my restoration, and my soul.  We who believe in Christ, believe in His power to restore broken hearts.  He has done it for me and surely will do it for you.  My tears alternate between those of guilt and hope. This is a perfect blend when being in he presence of our Savior and Healer.   But they also seem to be washing away some of my desperation.  Great beginning.  Keep moving on.

I have done what you suggested and asked for God's forgiveness.  I felt He told me that I am forgiven.  Who do you believe God or you?  Faith is believing God over you.  The really, really hard part is learning to forgive myself.  With God's grace, that, too, will come in time. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring you a gift of forgiveness for yourself  so you can be in right relationship with your Lord.   Thank you again for the non-judgmental love of God you have shown me.  He knows that I have judged myself far more harshly than He has.  For the first time in a long time, I'm beginning to feel there may be an escape from the whirlpool that has been pulling me down for so many years. Awesome.  Praise the Lord of life.   If I can just get back to the place where I used to be in God Don’t try to go back, He is the God of the present.  Trying to recover what was lost is useless.  He is new every morning.  Spend time with Him today and your memories will be filled with His glory.  Jesus is a wonderful person to know.  Don’t beat yourself, find joy in just hanging out with your God. , all the mistakes of my past life will matter no longer.  The moment that you ask God into your heart and ask for forgiveness, the mistakes of the past no longer matter to Him.  And God is all that really counts.  And if God chooses to grant me no more years afterward, that also is of no consequence.  

Just know that you have been a genuine blessing to me.  May God return that to you a hundredfold.

 You are not alone and you are not forgotten."

While there were scores of email messages sent back and forth these edited few show the outcome.

"What a day this has been!  When God begins to move He can do in a couple of weeks what I've been unable to do in 10 years...or maybe I should say, He can UN-do what I've done in 10 years.  

I've been wanting to get back into ministry, but God knew I had to get my heart right first.  I knew that, too.  So I just told Him, You do it Your way, God.  I'm not going to rush You, or push You in any way...even though I'm concerned about my age and my "marketability" to churches looking for a minister.  But I know that God can use me if I'm willing - - - and I am.  But, instead of pushing God, I'm having to run to keep up with Him. 

I know I have a lot of work ahead of me to get to the point that He can put me in a place of leadership again, but with His help, I'll get there.   But that's fine, because all we want to do is know HIM, and love Him, and serve Him.  He will show us the way.  He already IS.  

I know I've wasted a lot of time and missed many, many opportunities to do His work and His will, but I pray that those I would have pointed to the cross found another way to Him.  But from this day forward, my life belongs to Him, to take and use as He will.  May God richly bless you for your willingness to be His instrument.  I believe I'm ready to take the next step, whatever that is.  I'm sure He will show me in His time.  But I also believe that He's not going to waste much time because there's too much to do...too many souls who need to find Him before the trumpet sounds.  I've seen the desolation and the emptiness that exists in the world today...better than I would ever have seen it from a pulpit or a parsonage.  In that respect, it has been worthwhile.  God can use that.  I can talk to people from "alternative" religions because I know what they believe and how they think.  I can talk to secular musicians and bikers and addicts because I've lived in their world.  I can talk to all those who try to fill up their emptiness with the things of the world, because I've tried it...and found that there is NO real satisfaction without Jesus.

Thank you, my brother.  If it never goes any further than where I am right now, it has all been worth it.  I've found that you can run 10,000 miles away from Jesus, but if you turn around and take just one step toward Him, He's RIGHT THERE!  Praise His Blessed and Holy Name! "

We hope that this example will be useful to you as you begin your work as a NetMender.