A while ago I received a letter through the post and in it were scrawled
some Bible verses. There was no identification and although I recognised
the verses, I realised it could have been sent by any “nutter” and it
didn’t do me any favours at all. So here’s a bit about me to explain my
background and what I represent. I’m not a “nutter”, although I do have
my moments.
I was brought up in a Christian home, my dad being a Baptist
preacher. I attended church every Sunday, but being a bit of a rebel, I
started to drop out of this more and more. I still attended different
churches occasionally with some friends, but mostly to see if there were
any available dating opportunities. At this time I was in no doubt that
I was not a Christian, but God started calling me at the ripe old age of
20. I fought off his advances, being busy quaffing copious amounts of
alcohol and still looking for available dating opportunities.
Owing to my upbringing, I was aware of the cost of becoming a
Christian and that is why I fought so hard against God, but when I was
24 someone explained to me that I would enter into a relationship with
God rather than a heavy set of you can’t do this and you can’t do that
and definitely not the other. It was a struggle, but I found if God has
his eyes set on you, resistance is futile, and so I eventually gave my
whole life to Jesus. And I meant it. Still do.
My feet didn’t touch the ground for about a year; I was so in love
with God. I remember when I went back to work a group of work colleagues
were amazed and could hardly believe what I was telling them and the
laughter (with me, not at me) attracted the attention of this guy who
asked what the commotion was about. When told, he looked at my face and
just said, “He has”.
There is more about my continued walk with God in the section
Rules v
Relationship as I use it to explain how life with God
can work. Over the last 20 years, God has put me through the absolute
spiritual mangle (encouraging eh?), but emerging from this testing time,
I know God has developed me so I am ready for the work he has prepared
for me to do and at the moment I am awaiting specific instructions from
him.
Maybe that will be to set up a church for un-churched people. As
I travel about, I meet so many wonderful caring people with so much
talent, gifts and initiative and I would love to see this brought
together and centred on God, so thousands of people could hear about his
love and his plans for their lives. To help build a place where social
action can meet the love, authority, power and healing of Jesus Christ.
With this in mind, let me ask you for your ideas. “What would you
like to see in such a church? What have you always thought The Church
should do or be like? What would make the difference to your getting
involved or not wanting to know”?
Please feel free to
email me.
I hope you enjoy reading the rest of the site. And then if you
decide that Christianity is not for you at the moment at least you will
know a bit more of what the Holy Bible actually says rather than the
myths that do the rounds in its name.
Pete |