The Inner Views of Victor S E Moubarak

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

I Thessalonians 5:11

(KJV)

It never ceases to amaze me how God places people in our lives, just when we need them most.

I can't remember exactly when the Lord orchestrated the crossing of paths between Homespun Devotions and the kind gentleman who is being interviewed today, but I am eternally grateful to Him for allowing it to be.

What I do remember is a particularly difficult trial my family and I went through last summer

and how, through our correspondence and his blog posts, he encouraged us and helped me to put things into perspective.

The wisdom he has imparted on more than one occasion has proven invaluable to me.

God's power to connect His people is unlimited.

It crosses denominational lines, spans oceans, and is unhindered by the divides and miles in between.

I often think of the account of Peter and Cornelius in the 10th chapter of Acts.

They lived in different areas, geographically, and their backgrounds were worlds apart.

Yet, God, in His infinite wisdom, deemed that a connection would be beneficial, and He prepared both of their hearts ahead of time for the intersection that changed both of their lives forever.

I am so pleased to share this interview with you today.
It is extremely edifying and full of spiritual depths, and has a little humor thrown in, too!
I know you will be blessed, encouraged, and challenged to draw closer to God as you read the inner views of this very wise man.

The

of

Christian Author, Family Man, Ordinary Person,

Victor S E Moubarak.

Cheryl: Please tell us a little about yourself.

Victor: First of all, let me thank you, Cheryl, for this opportunity to be interviewed on your website and to get to know your readers.

I would like to make clear that I am not a priest, pastor, vicar or church minister. I am just an ordinary family man trying to do his best for his family and dog who does not seem to understand me. Whenever I point and say “Get in bed!” he looks at my finger and asks “Who is Ted?”

I was brought up a Christian by loving parents who sacrificed a lot in life for me and my siblings. A debt we can never ever repay.

In my spare time I write Christian and humorous books some of which can be obtained FREE from www.holyvisions.co.uk

Cheryl: Victor, it is truly an honor to interview you and delve into the wealth of your wisdom.  Thank you ever so much for being here and for taking part in Inner Views.  Please tell us about your blog, "Time For Reflections". When did you begin blogging? What inspired you to start a blog? How has blogging enriched your life?

Victor: My Blog started in early 2009. It was after publishing my first book “VISIONS”. I was advised that it is pointless having a book if no one knows about it. A Blog would be a first step towards publicizing it.

At first, the Blog consisted of Christian articles and comments. But then, in time, I started writing short stories about a fictitious priest, (Father Ignatius), a character from my book “VISIONS”. Pretty soon I had published over 250 short stories, always with a Christian context, featuring Father Ignatius. 

I have also included in my Blog, from time to time, humorous articles commenting on life in general and how it affects us all. I consider these humorous articles very important. Let me explain.

Monthly statistics show that about 80% of visitors to my Blog are first time visitors. This is good, I believe, because it shows I am casting my net ever wider. Most of these new visitors come to my Blog to read the humorous articles. Now imagine, if only one person ventures to read my Christian articles also, and in so doing, gets to know and experience the love of God for the first time; then it has all been worthwhile.

Of course, I am also very grateful to my regular loyal visitors, like you Cheryl, who support me and encourage me to keep on writing. When they leave a comment I make a point of visiting their Blog; and I also pray for them. I must admit, the list of people I’m praying for is getting ever bigger and I’m getting sore being always on my knees. 

That said; I would like to see many of your readers, Cheryl, visit me at http://timeforreflections.blogspot.com and join our Christian family on the Internet.

Cheryl: We would love to hear about the books you have written.

Victor: Let me start by saying that about 2000 years ago something very immense and important happened to this world. God, our Creator and the Creator of the Universe, revealed Himself to humanity. For a limited period of about 30 years we saw Jesus, the only Son of God, spoke to Him, listened to Him and witnessed His many miracles. The most significant events of this period are Christ’s death for us and His Resurrection; and indeed sending us His Holy Spirit. They are the basis of Christianity.

But over the years this message, this truth, seems to have been diluted and forgotten by many. I have often wondered what do people in general, and Christians in particular, actually believe. I asked myself, what if Jesus appeared to us today, right now, as a human again. What would we make of it?

That’s the main theme of my first book “VISIONS”. It tells the story of three children who see a vision of Christ in the park on their way to church. They tell their priest, (Father Ignatius), about it. News soon spreads throughout town and people react to it differently. Some readily believe. Others react differently, violently even, towards the children and their families. The priest has a crisis of Faith, not knowing what to believe. The Church tries to hush the whole story fearing bad publicity. Meanwhile, Jesus appears again and again.

The story is set in an un-named northern English town in the late 1950s or there about. I have deliberately kept the location and time period vague to point out that it could have happened anywhere and at any time. If Christ appeared to you right now, would you recognize Him?

Following, “VISIONS”, I wrote several short stories featuring Father Ignatius. These cover various subjects regarding Christian beliefs and every day to day situations that could happen to all of us – love, marriage, divorce, parenting, hurt, betrayals, forgiveness and so on.

These stories have been compiled into various books available either FREE from www.holyvisions.co.uk or at a small charge to cover costs in paperback or KINDLE format from AMAZON. Click HERE.

The intention is not to make money, but to make available Christian based fiction to a wider audience.

I have also written two other novels featuring Father Ignatius. “THE PRIEST AND PROSTITUTE” is a murder mystery story about Father Ignatius being accused of murder with all the evidence pointing towards him whilst he tries in vain to plead his innocence. This is the time when he finds out who his friends really are. A time of struggle to maintain one’s Faith when it seems that even God has abandoned you.

“TO LOVE A PRIEST” is also a fictional love story featuring Father Ignatius and dealing with the delicate subject of celibacy and chastity amongst the clergy.

I have also written several other books dealing with Christian reflections and prayers. The two latest are entitled “REFLECTIONS FOR THE SOUL” and “MORE REFLECTIONS FOR THE SOUL”

Finally, I’d like to mention my humorous books covering a variety of subjects which, as mentioned before, serve to draw new readers to my Christian books.

Cheryl: What is the earliest recollection you have of God and His presence in your life?

Victor: I remember it as clearly as if it were yesterday.

As I said earlier, I have been brought up a Christian by my parents. I was about 7 or 8 years old, the family was going through a traumatic period in our lives. I was on the school bus on my way to my Christian school, and suddenly it all clicked into place. Like a light bulb switching on in my head. I just knew that God does indeed exist. All I had been told by my parents and at school and church made sense. Somehow, I can’t explain it, I was certain that there was and there is a God. There was no looking back after that.

Cheryl: Who do you credit as being your most influential Godly mentor? Why? Can you share some of the ways they have prompted you to draw closer to God?

Victor: I suppose my parents, first of all. By their example as well as their teachings. By their great generosity and kindness towards the poor and the down-and-outs. Something I have never been able to match.

Let me tell you a story. As a young boy I had an autograph book where I got friends and teachers to write something for me. I asked my father to write something and he wrote: “Keep your mind set on the things that are in Heaven, not things here on earth!” As a child, this did not make much sense and I ignored it. It was not until years after he died that I realized he was quoting Colossians 3. 

Also, over the years I have got to know a number of good priests. Two that stand out are Father A and Father F. They truly represent what it is to be God’s messenger and representative on earth. By their generosity in raising great funds for the poor and by their giving of their time to many people in need of comfort, forgiveness, and advice, they have inspired me to go on and try, as best I can, to emulate them.

Cheryl: What are three of your favorite parts of Scripture? How have these particular passages ministered to you and helped you?

Victor: "Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are Mine." ISAIAH 43:1-5

Well, this speaks for itself. Whenever I go through difficult times in my life, (quite often it seems), I remember to take courage and as far as I can, shake away any fears. The next passage also gives me encouragement when I'm feeling low and things go wrong.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." PSALM 23.

If you read the whole Psalm slowly, taking in every word, I hope you too will feel God's calming love and care in your life at times of troubles.

"I believe Lord; help my unbelief." MARK 9:24

If I'm honest, my Faith often falters and stumbles when things get difficult. And this passage reminds me that I'm not alone in feeling this way.

"And I will be with you always, to the end of time." MATTHEW 28:20

This promise from Our Lord certainly keeps me going and reminds me that Jesus is here with us right now; only a prayer away.

Hey wait ... that's not three ... that's four. Poor mathematical education I guess.

Cheryl: How do you maintain closeness with God in your daily life? What are some of the things you do, on a regular basis, to keep your relationship with Him current and thriving?

Victor: Through prayer. It does not have to be long prayers reciting things over and over again, like the Rosary, or various Saints’ prayers and so on. I don’t believe in giving God a headache.

I prefer shorter, intimate, one-to-one conversation type prayers at any time. For example saying thank you first thing in the morning for having woken up once again. Praying for my family and their well-being. Or, for instance, when I meet someone and we are discussing their problems, I find myself praying silently for that person whilst listening, and asking God to help them. Or praying for visitors to my Blog … I am actually praying for you right now!

Of course, I attend church regularly. But God is not only in church; He is everywhere. Just a prayer away.

Cheryl: What is your favorite place to write? Describe the setting you most prefer to be in while writing.

Victor: Well, it has to be in my study because that’s where my computer is. It is quiet there and I am not disturbed. It is also a good place for prayer or Bible reading.

But ideas for stories, articles, funny anecdotes and so on occur at any time. It could be whilst I’m driving, on a bus, train or whenever and wherever.

I find this difficult because I have no way of recording what is on my mind. Sometimes the stories come to mind not in picture form, but literally in words. I can see in my head the actual words I have to write, the sentence formation and particular adjectives or adverbs I have to use. And I have nowhere to record these quickly before I forget them. I have tried carrying a tablet with me, and a voice recorder, but I am not very good with technology and this has not been convenient. I sometimes scribble something on a piece of paper and write it down more fully afterwards. But you can’t always do that, not when driving for instance, or taking the dog for a walk.

Often ideas and scripts come to mind so quickly that some are, sadly, forgotten and lost for ever. I have always been able to write. It’s like a non-stop fountain gushing words all the time. When I was younger I wrote several comedy scripts which a group of us put together on stage to raise money for charity.

Cheryl: Your writing is multi-faceted...humor, deep spirituality, contemplative. What and/or who most inspires you in each genre?

Victor: I seem to have always had a sense of humour. The Groucho Marx and Bob Hope type of humor I suppose.

I tend to see the funny side in most situations. People tend to take things too seriously and often arguments start and people take entrenched positions to defend their corner because they can’t see beyond the argument itself. Life is too short to be spent arguing.

Somehow, I often found myself stepping back from a situation and seeing the funny side of the argument or dispute. This has helped me often at work when having to resolve conflicts in managerial situations.

My humorous writing is an extension to that. I hope that my funny stories, not only amuse readers but somehow gets people to lighten up and not take themselves too seriously.

My contemplative spiritual writing is, I suppose, an expression of my Faith. I believe Christianity is a way of life. Not a badge we wear on our lapel, or a passport which requires the correct pre-requisite number of ticks, and guarantees us an entry to Heaven. It is pointless saying we are Christian if we don’t live Christian.

Cheryl: Some of my favorite blog posts of yours have had to do with forgiveness. I have drawn much wisdom from your sharing of your own experiences with forgiving others. Will you kindly share with us some of the things you have learned about what it means to forgive?

Victor: Thank you, Cheryl, for your kind words about my writing.

I believe that the world will never have peace until it learns to forgive. Whether we forgive on a national scale or we start, step by step, on a personal level. We have all been hurt in life at one time or another, some more than others. Unless we can truly forgive, then there’s no real hope for us or for the world.

When Christ taught us to pray, the only condition he attached to our requests to God relates to forgiveness. He said forgive us as we forgive others.

But what if we were actually forgiven as we forgave others? I guess there will be many people who will not be forgiven at all when they meet God face to face. Let’s think about that for a moment.

We say we have forgiven. But many continue to harbour ill-will and bad feelings in their hearts towards those who have hurt them. Is that true forgiveness?

Let’s consider what true forgiveness is. It is when we really have no ill-feelings, thoughts of revenge, or retributions towards the person who has hurt us. They may have asked for forgiveness; and we have told them honestly they are forgiven. Or they may not have asked for forgiveness, and they do not either seek it; nor care whether we give it. Either way, in our heart, we must truly forgive them and bear no ill-will whatsoever towards them. And here is the difficult bit – we must prove it to God when He asks us.

Now I am not saying that we forget the hurt done to us. That is impossible. The greater the hurt the more it is imprinted on our memory for ever.

Sure, I have been hurt in life. I have daily reminders of the great hurt done to me. I cannot help that. Sometimes, my hurt turns to resentment and ill-feelings. That is only natural. The trick is, and what we are required to do, is to control that hurt and turn it to positive action.

Let every reminder of the hurt done to us be another opportunity to truly forgive that person once again.

The best way to do this is to pray for that person. You cannot possibly hate a person you pray for. Tell God how you feel about that person and the hurt done to you. Tell God that you have tried to forgive as best you can and that now you hand over that person to God. Pray that that person gets to know and love God, and that one day, hopefully, you will meet that person again in Heaven. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? You and that person united again in love and forgiveness?

When Christ sees the scars in His hands, feet and side He remembers again the hurt done to Him; and He forgives once more.

Cheryl: As times become increasingly evil and the hostility towards God and His Word intensifies, what are some of the things you do, on a personal level, to make a positive difference?

Victor: It is true that the world is becoming more secular and ever increasing numbers do not believe in God at all. And indeed, the devil is having a good time.

But let us remember that the devil is allowed free movement to spread his evil within strict limitations placed by God. God is still in control no matter how bad the world is and how hostile it is towards Him.

God can take our anger and hostility. After all, He took it when hanging on the Cross, did He not?

What do I do on a personal level? Most of all I pray. I pray in the full knowledge that God is in control and, just as important, I praise Him. I praise Him not because things are going bad all over the world, but because He is still in control. Praise is an affirmation of His omnipotence and power over the whole universe.

I have often seen it, that when things are bad in our lives, really bad, and we praise God, it somehow opens a channel where He uses the bad situation to work things right for us, or for those affected by the situation. It is as if a bad situation is an opportunity for God to show His power and His love for us all.

Cheryl: If you could go back and re-live any portion of your life, thus far, what would it be? What are your favorite memories of that span of time?

Victor: Oh … there have been so many good times in my life. It is so difficult to pick a particular period.

I had a wonderful childhood. Even though I have always been a very serious thinker, even as a child; I still had that sense of fun, and the joy of laughter.

Also, there were many other happy periods in my growing up years as a teenager, and in my adulthood, I’d like to re-live. Too many wonderful periods I’d wish to re-visit if I had a time machine. To meet old friends again and re-share happy times together.

It really would be difficult, Cheryl, to pin point a particular period of my life which was better than any of the others – although I’ll admit the Jurassic Period was great fun. The dinosaur steaks were huge and tasted wonderful, I tell you.

Cheryl: Oh, Victor!  Leave it to you to make us laugh in the midst of such serious dialog!  Now, back to seriousness, describe one of the darkest times of your life. How did your faith in God sustain you and help you through?

Victor: There have been many bad times in my life. Some too painful for me, and my family, to re-visit here. But one thing I’ve learnt. Through my darkest hours, God was always by my side. Even though I probably did not realize it at the time.

Cheryl: If you were seated across the table from someone who is void of hope, who is considering opening their heart to God, and who is willing to listen to anything you would like to tell them, what would you say?

Victor: You really are good, Cheryl, with your perceptive questions.

The darkest times in life are when there is no hope. Without hope people lose the very ability to exist. If I were to be with someone with no hope I would definitely not preach to him.

When someone is starving he needs food, not platitudes about God’s love for him. And obviously, someone with no hope is starving for his very existence.

What I would do first in this situation is silently pray for him, without his knowledge, I would ask God to visit this situation and to help this individual, as well as help me in what I have to say and do.

I would listen to his problem, and where I am able, offer some glimmer of hope, some encouragement, a reason to look forwards to a better outcome, a practical solution, if there is one. Of course, each situation is different. But one thing is for sure; if God were to put me in that situation where someone has no hope then it is because He wants me to help that person; and this being the case, He will give me the right words to say and tell me what to do.

Cheryl: Out of all of the things God has asked you to do, what has been the most challenging?

Victor: I think two things come to mind.

Keeping the Faith and not despairing has been a challenge throughout my life, especially when things go wrong, very wrong.

I often think of St Peter. Here is a man who has witnessed Christ’s many miracles, heard Him preach and teach, and lived with Him and the disciples. Yet, his Faith faltered many times. When he feared stepping off the boat and nearly drowned, (Matthew 14:29); when he did not believe that Christ would be Crucified, (Matthew 16:21); when he did not understand why Jesus was washing the disciples’ feet, (John 13:5); and indeed when he denied three times knowing Jesus, (Matthew 26:69). Yet, despite his many failings and weakness of Faith, Christ forgave him and he went on to better things.

This gives me comfort that there is still hope when my Faith fails me.

The second challenge, in an ever increasing secular world, is the ability to stand up and proclaim Jesus and God’s Word.

I remember years ago, as a young man, when I worked for a big multi-national organization in London, I used to visit the many churches around the City during my lunchtime. One day, a colleague and I went to St Paul’s Cathedral, not far from our offices. As we entered the magnificent building he waved his hands in the air and in a dismissive tone he said, “Tell me Vic. Do you believe in all that?”

As a non-believer, he expected me to agree with him and joke about Christianity and religion.

I replied, “As a matter of fact, yes I do!”

Our relationship changed from there on, and I suppose I got the reputation at work of being a Christian.

I suspect that’s what keeps me writing Christian books and maintaining my Christian Blog.

Cheryl: If you had the opportunity to meet with Jesus on earth, face-to-face, what is the one thing you would most like to ask Him?

Victor: My word, you really are good with your questions, Cheryl. I would hate being a politician facing you on radio or TV.

If I were to meet Jesus, after falling off my chair with fright, I would first thank Him for what He has done for me. I would then ask Him how come He has been so patient with me over the years. If I were Jesus, I would have given up on someone like me a long time ago. Thank God that I am not Jesus!

Cheryl: Who is the wisest person you personally know or have known? What quality(ies) about this person do you most admire? 

Victor: With wisdom comes courage. Courage to do the things that might be difficult at the time but they are the right things, the wise things, to do in the long run. Not necessarily for self, but for the good of others.

This being said, I believe my parents were very wise and courageous in their life choices, under extremely difficult and dangerous situations, for the benefit of their children.

I have also already mentioned Father A and Father F whose wisdom and piety and generosity have been an example to many.

Cheryl: How can we pray for you?

Victor: I should be grateful for prayers that God continues to be by my side as He has been all along up to now; and for my private intentions.

Cheryl: Thank you again, Victor, so very much for sharing your heart with us.  You are such a blessing to my family and me!  May God bless you abundantly, in return.

Victor: Thank you and your readers for the opportunity to make new friends. God bless.

If video doesn't load, click here.

Victor, I am most grateful and humbled by all of your kind words.
They truly meant so much to me.

Please keep Victor and his family in your prayers, dear friends.

God knows the burdens upon his heart, and He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.  (Ephesians 3:20)

I hope you will take the time to drop by and visit Victor often at his blog.

Thank you ever so much for reading, and God bless you all!

To read previous

click the links below.

The Inner Views of Joshua Becker

The Inner Views of Lisa Newton

The Inner Views of Dr. Alveda King

The Inner Views of Jen Avellaneda

The Inner Views of Tonya Shellnutt

The Inner Views of Karen Del Tatto

The Inner Views of Evelyn Rennich

The Inner Views of Bob Sellers

The Inner Views of Kelly Bowling

The Inner Views of The Benham Brothers

The Inner Views of Beth Willis Miller

The Inner Views of Rodney Griffin

The Inner Views of Joni Eareckson Tada

The Inner Views of Gayle Cox

The Inner Views of Wayne Mobley

The Inner Views of Chris West

The Inner Views of Gail Purath

The Inner Views of Shyla Brown

The Inner Views of Mary Zatkalik

The Inner Views of Robin McCarter

The Inner Views of Dayle Shockley

The Inner Views of Serena Smith-Williams

The Inner Views of Lindsay Huggins

The Inner Views of Holly Barrett

The Inner Views of Michele Morin

The Inner Views of Lyli Dunbar

The Inner Views of Wanda Ward

The Inner Views of Lisa Avellan

The Inner Views of Zachary Smith

The Inner Views of Sarah Davison

The Inner Views of Stephanie Hoium

The Inner Views of Jason B. Ladd

The Inner Views of Jim Daly

The Inner Views of Caroline Harries

The Inner Views of Lovelle Gerth-Myers
The Inner Views of Carole West
The Inner Views of Allie Casazza