AN UPDATE

It has been quite some time since I have written a blog, so this is an update and simple testimony of the GOODNESS OF GOD in my life.

On the 2nd Sunday in October 1951 I attended Sunday School as was my practice, I had celebrated my 10th birthday a few weeks before, at the end of the class I was wonderfully born again and truly passed from death unto life. So in a few days I have been a Christian for 74 years.

What am awesome journey ir has been. a few years later I believe the Lord called me into ministry. so from then on my focus was to prepare and train for ministry, which then took me into about 20 years of Pastoral Ministry, then the Lord re-directed me into Bible teaching and Bible College ministry, serving in 3 different Colleges, 2 in Australia and 1 in Singapore. These were very special years of ministry.

In hindsight on each occasion I was aware of the Holy Spirit stirring my heart, and once again in 2005 I felt the stirring, and stepped out into travelling, itinerating ministry especially in Asia, I visited almost every major country in the region, especially Vietnam 32 times, this all ended with the outbreak of Covid, I was about 78 years old, and the travelling was starting to become a challenge. Again in hindsight I believe I was too busy, and the Lord slowed me down for which I will be eternally grateful.

There have been many truths that I had embraced, more with my head and not so much with my heart (revelation). I am going to list a number of truths that have wonderfully and increasingly dawned on my spirit so much more since I “retired”.

God’s so great Salvation.

My inheritance in Christ NOW,

The Sovereignty of God.

The unchangeable Word of God.

The utter importance of clearly preaching the Word of God, and truly feeding God’s people.

Some other thoughts I have also come to see as important.

Two essential keys to living the Spirit filled life is to

1.Seek to live continually surrendered to the Lord Rom 12.1 aorist tense)

2. Out of that continual surrender invite and welcome the Holy Spirit to continually fill your life Eph.5.18 (aorist tense)

There is no such thing as a “perfect local church”, in practice and doctrine.

Keeping my eye and my heart on the essentials, don’t get caught up in the non-essentials.

The massive importance of Biblical Discipleship and Mentoring.

Keeping Biblical Truth and practice in BALANCE.

16+years ago, we moved back to our home state, we purchased a Villa in a Retirement Village in a small country town and to be near some family members, that have since passed away, but we have never regretted our decision. I had lived in a “Pentecostal bubble” for over 50 years, we have met and really appreciate the many non-Pentecostal Believers and ministers we now know.

A major challenge I have had to face since “retirement” is the TRANSITION from public ministry, previously blogging has helped, and I now spend considerable time in Intercession, I do serve as an Elder in our local church and seek to do some Discipling and Mentoring, but the transition has actually taken quite a change of mindset, but I believe I can write today and say that my walk with the Lord, and communion with Him has never been so sweet.

In May we celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary, and I thank the Lord for Margaret (she is 13 months older than me), she has been a constant blessing to me, please keep her in your prayers, she is now struggling with her health, Our 2 sons and their wives, continue to love and serve the Lord, for which we praise God,

I give all the praise and glory and honour to the Lord.