RHYS MCFADDEN (life story)

FROM GETTING TO GIVING
(FAITHFUL SISTERS … A FAITHFUL GOD)

What could possibly change a biker's life, which was marked by self-centredness, hard-core partying, drugs, and self-absorption, into a life that thinks of others first? Rhys found that his two sisters were to play a major role in his remarkable transformation …

Falling into selfishness

There was once a young man who was an avid sportsman and an able student. He grew up in a supportive family environment. These factors contributed to a healthy self-esteem, which eventually tipped over to selfish obsession. At fifteen he discovered the party lifestyle through the local football club and in the 1970's graduated to the hard-core partying that was consistent with the motorcycle culture of the day. A life that began so promisingly literally began to fall apart at the seams.

'Looking after number one' … believing the lies

Relational unfaithfulness wrecked his young marriage. He was a user in relationships. He considered people in terms of what he could get. Self-absorption crippled meaningful contacts with others. He turned his back on his family, feeling guilty for the way he was living and the choices he had made. Life was a mess but he refused to accept it. Rather, he chose to bury his shortcomings, failures and guilt under a drug induced, but deceptive dream. He preferred his own version of life and lived in unreality, believing and living his own lies. What he didn't know was that his two sisters were devoted to faithfully praying for him. That was how I was until my life was radically changed in a sequence of events following a serious motorcycle accident.

My vision in the hospital

I was lying back in hospital in enormous pain when, all of a sudden, the ceiling of the hospital peeled back like someone took to it with a can opener. I saw clouds rolling in and in the midst appeared the head of a lion, followed by the head of a bull, followed by the face of a man. A man-like figure began to descend through the ceiling and I thought, "This must be God, not that I know him, but who else could do stuff like this?" I quickly realised that if this is indeed God, and if He could do this kind of stuff, then I'm just a fly on the flypaper of life and He could snap his fingers and I'd be gone. A man with scars in his hand brings peace

I said, "What do you want?" The man replied, "Don't be afraid". In a sober, matter of fact fashion I replied, "I'm not" and I repeated my question, "What do you want?" He replied, "I've come to let you know I care" and with that he stretched out his hand and passed it through my badly broken leg and took away all the pain. I noticed an unusual scar in the middle of his hand and I looked at his face. He had kind eyes, but I noticed a random string of scars around his forehead, like someone had pushed something with large spikes into his head. I was so grateful to this stranger and I said, "Please don't go." The person replied, "I'll be as close as a prayer away." And with that he vanished and I drifted off into the most amazingly peaceful sleep I can ever remember.

Caring sisters

The next morning when I awoke, I expected that everyone had witnessed this "visitation". To my amazement, everyone I asked had no idea what I was talking about. My sisters visited me in hospital that morning and I told them what had happened. When they heard this, they burst into tears. After talking to me they left but my older sister returned after lunch with a bible. I scoffed at her saying, "A bible, what do I want with a bible? I've just met God, I don't need your bible!" She patiently and lovingly said, "I've put a book mark in it and there may be something of interest there for you". "Put it on the cabinet, I might get to it later" I said in a dismissive way.

Words burning on the page

After a couple of hours, my curiosity got the better of me and I opened the book at the place she had positioned the bookmark. My sister had wanted me to read the passage Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will eat with him and he with me" but when I opened to the page words began to glow in a molten gold-like fashion from further down and across the page, "The first one had the head of a lion, the second one had the head of a bull, the third one had the face of a man and the forth one was like an eagle in flight."

God is real

I turned the pages quickly to see if the words had burned a hole through the book, then I looked at them again, "The head of a lion, the head of a bull, the face of a man…" this was what I had seen the night before! With that, reality began to hammer home…and I only knew three things. Firstly, I hadn't died and gone to heaven so I was alive. Secondly, God really, really is and He really does care and thirdly, the truth about this God was in this book (the bible). I was overwhelmed by this vision. Later I learned that Ezekiel had a vision and he too had been overwhelmed. (Read Ezekiel 1:4 - 3:15).

Rescuing prodigals

I began to read the stories of Jesus and I realized it was He who came. I still remember that morning in March 1983 when I worked out the plan; that Jesus came on a rescue mission for people like me who had been lost. I bowed my knee and pledged my life to Him. I was baptized in April of that year … and life has never been the same since. I'm still trying to understand why God would come, suffer, die and rise again for someone like me. But I know it's true and hope many other prodigals¹ may experience the marvellous, gracious mercy of a loving Father who gave His Son that others might live.

Stripping away the pride of being a 'good' person

Jesus' appearing to me along with His outrageous expression of love stripped me of my claim that I was 'good'. Jesus forgave me and welcomed me home. I no longer needed to run from the many things I had been trying to avoid.

Celebrating life … a life flooded with hope

God continues to work in my life to this day. Instead of getting, my concern is giving. A life once focused on self-absorbed opportunism has been given over to contribution. Now with a beautiful wife and family, the party lifestyle has given way to a much greater celebration of life. Instead of 'looking after number one', I want to share with others. Instead of selfishness, I look to the concern for community and instead of running away from things I have made a commitment to be a part of the solution. The selfish life for the thrill of the moment has been given over to a concern for others. A life that once knew no hope is now flooded with hope.

The hardest day with Jesus …

I now know what it means to stand for Jesus and He helps me spot deception when it comes my way. The hardest day with Jesus in my life is far, far better than the best day before I knew Jesus! Never underestimate the power of faithful family members who pray and love the prodigals¹ home.

Look to Jesus … look to helping others …
Rhys

Rhys can be contacted for seminars and speaking engagements through the website
Praying the Progidals Home

Rhys loves to talk to young people and encourage them to examine their attitudes and review the damage that these attitudes may have on themselves and others. Rhys is a regular visitor in schools and churches. He runs seminars that include topics like "Self Esteem", "Bullying", "Sexuality" and "Is there life after year 12?" Rhys belongs to the 'God's Squad' Christian motorcycle club. Rhys can be contacted for seminars and speaking engagements through the website Praying the Progidals Home

¹ THE STORY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
(The Story of the Lost Son)

Then he said, "There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, "Father, I want right now what's coming to me.' "So the father divided the property between them. It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt.

He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any. "That brought him to his senses. He said, "All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death.

I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' He got right up and went home to his father. "When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: "Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'

"But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, "Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here -- given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time."

All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day's work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, "Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast -- barbecued beef! - ecause he has him home safe and sound.' "The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen. The son said, "Look how many years I've stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!'

"His father said, "Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours -- but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'" (Luke 5:11-32)

(home)
changinglives74@yahoo.com.au (email)

© Copyright April 2005 > Disclaimer > Sign our Guestbook