Gordon Murray Story
Written by: Gordon Murray
[Viewings: 135]
My name is Gordon Murray and I am married to the lovely Maureen. I became a Christian some 17 years ago. As I was then 68 years of age it goes to show that, while it is never too young for someone to become a Christian, at the other end of the scale you can never be too old.
After becoming a Christian I decided to get baptised as soon as possible. This involved giving a Testimony. I was sitting at home wondering what to say when I started to think back on my past life. It seemed that it could be likened to a game – a game of Snakes and Ladders. I would work hard to climb the ladder of success, reach the top, only to have it taken away from me and I would slide down a slippery snake and have to start all over again.
When I was young I was very ambitious, worked hard, and eventually rose to be Assistant Managing Director of what was, at that time, the foremost Company in Europe involved in developing the peaceful uses of Radioactivity. I was married and had two young sons – I felt I had made it! How wrong I was. Just after the birth of my second son my wife was taken ill, never recovered and eventually died in hospital.
At the same time the Company was taken over, the Managing Director and I received “the golden handshake” and I was back to square one. However I was still young and now had two young children to provide for, so off I started again. Within a few years I was back at the top of another ladder. I was General Manager of a small group of Companies and had finally met someone whom I would later marry. Unfortunately my Managing Director and I had very contrasting views on business principles and ethics.
One day we had a really terrible row, he decided he no longer wanted to work with me and fired me on the spot. Back to square one again! Like the proverbial rubber ball I started off again, as ambitious as ever. Within a few years I had built myself up to an executive position within the Tarmac Group. I then started working overseas for them, initially in Peru, then Liberia and finally Oman. I was earning lots of tax-free money. I had re-married and now had four children; my oldest two sons had just married.
Everything was great- but not for long. My wife was with me in Oman enjoying a good social life. Suddenly she met someone else, the chemistry worked and nineteen years of marriage went out of the window. I completed my Contract and returned to England to arrange for the divorce. By now I had lost all my ambition. I had finally been working for an Omani Company so I had no job to come back to. At the age of 58 I was virtually unemployable. Thankfully one of my sons worked for Abbey Life so I joined him. I just worked hard enough to earn sufficient money to pay the bills. I wasn’t interested in a social life. I still had highs and lows. During one particular bad period my son, who by now had become my Boss, told me to get my act together and he bribed, bullied and cajoled me into taking my first holiday in ten years.
This was to be the start of an amazing number of – “coincidences”. Because of the love I had had for Peru and the Peruvian people I decided to go to Spain. I intended to go to northern Spain where they spoke the Castillian Spanish I had learned in Peru. I could not find anywhere I could afford so I ended up going to a quiet resort called Nerja, which had been recommended by one of my Clients. As I was on my own I arranged to go on two excursions. The trip to Seville was cancelled at the last minute due to lack of bookings so the Rep advised me to go to a place I had never heard of, Ronda, a little village in the mountains.
The day arrived and we set off. It was the worst weather of the holiday and the coach had to climb slowly along narrow mountain roads. There was so much mist that, thankfully, you couldn’t see over the edge of the road. Eventually we reached Ronda and at last the rain stopped and the sun came out. I started to feel quite cheerful and even started haggling with the local shopkeepers in my long-forgotten Spanish. After lunch there was a guided tour which ended up at a former Moorish Mosque, now a Roman Catholic Cathedral. Sta Maria de Maior. When I was in Peru I had seen many beautiful Churches but when I entered this one it was truly awesome. The whole of the end of the Cathedral seemed to be one mass of burnished gold. I just fell to my knees and started to pray.
Now I hadn’t prayed for more than thirty years, not since my first wife had been in hospital waiting for an operation. As I prayed I felt every bit of stress and depression go out of my body and I literally felt as if I was walking on air. This feeling lasted for the rest of my holiday and continued when I returned home.
I was sitting at home wondering what I could or should do about this when the telephone rang. A friend invited me to go to see the Bobby Ball Show at Stourbridge Town Hall. Now Cannon and Ball had not been my favourite comedians but it seemed churlish to turn down the invite – so off I went. When I went into the Hall I wondered what I had come into. The music so was loud you could not hear yourself think. People were singing at the tops of their voices and seemed to be continually raising their arms. What struck me most was how joyful everyone appeared to be. I heard some wonderful testimonies and finally one from Bobby Ball, which was brilliant.
When he finished he asked for anyone who wanted to know more about the Lord to raise their arms. Almost without my realising it my arm shot up. I had two more discussions about the implications of asking the Lord to come into my life and then I made my commitment. It was to change my whole life. I did find that becoming a Christian did not mean that you never had any problems. However, knowing the Lord helped you to cope and, once you could cope, you were well on the way to solving them.
I started to read my bible daily and that really showed me how to live my life. Eventually I started reading Ecclesiastes and some Bible notes on 4:4-6 sprang out at me and I now read them every day; Stewardship, Life-style Living modestly is better that “chasing after the wind” of wealth. Labour should be done to meet God’s goals for our lives, not to meet the standard set by our neighbour. Christ said that life does not consist of things, no matter how abundant. Real living is in giving and serving, not in getting and indulging. Inner peace and tranquillity, not personal wealth and prestige, mark true success.
There I had been striving all my life to achieve success in the secular world, only to have it taken away from me, when the answer was so simple. All it took was one simple 3- letter word: “yes”. I said “yes” to the Lord and he came into my heart and I achieved the inner peace and tranquillity that mark true success. But the Lord still had not quite finished with me. I had been on my own for more that ten years with just a faithful Red Setter for company.
I started reading the follow-on note in Ecclesiastes: 4:9-12 Relationships We are usually better off when we have a vital relationship with someone else. This supplies the pooling of strength, resources, and wisdom. Being alone can be non-productive, dangerous and uncomfortable. Once again these wonderful coincidences started to happen. Although Maureen and I lived in different Towns, 25 miles apart, even in different Counties, our paths crossed.
We started taking our dogs for a walk on Cannock Chase every Saturday (this being a halfway point). Eventually we fell in love and married. Just a few weeks later, in the middle of an Alpha Course Maureen gave her life to the Lord. Now, wherever we live, we live in a house that is full of love; not just the love we have for each other but also the love we have for the Lord, and life is truly wonderful; and so I thank the Lord every day for what He has done in my life..
Gordon Murray
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Big interview - July 07 Inspire - Kelle Bryan from Eternal
Written by: James Hastings
[Viewings: 162]
As a member of the top all-girl band Eternal, Kelle Bryan enjoyed fame and fortune. But now it's her Christian faith that's the driving force in her life, as she explains to James Hastings.
Kelle Bryan's career slammed to a sudden halt at an age when most people are just starting out. At 21, the former singer with girl group Eternal had it all. She'd sold over nine million albums, done four world tours, enjoyed a string of solo Top 20 hits and had become a millionairess. But even her worldwide success had not managed to fill an emptiness deep inside.
"It was a difficult time and I felt particularly empty," she says. "It was only when I found God that something clicked."
Kelle, now 31, had started her showbiz career aged just two when she won a Miss Junior World competition. But her big break happened one night when she when she and best friend, Louise Nurding, went clubbing - even though at 16 they were both under-age. They bumped into record producer Denis Ingoldsby who was looking to form an all-girl band and invited them to audition. In the 1990s boy bands were all the rage until Eternal - Kelle, Louise and sisters Esther and Vernie Bennett - took the pop world by storm. Their hits included Stay, Power of a Woman and One Step From Heaven. Music critics say Eternal led the way for other girl bands, most notably the Spice Girls, to break through.
For Kelle, who rarely attended church as a child, heaven meant wealth and fame.
"Religion was never really a major part of my life when I was growing up," she said. My nan and grandad were Christians, but my mum decided not to go to church so I didn't either. I went to a Catholic church as part of school. But I didn't have my own relationship with God.
As the band came to an end, so too did the marriage of Kelle's parents. It was a low time for her, despite floods of TV and music offers.
"Then an odd thing happened," she explains. A friend said she was visiting her church and asked if I wanted to go along. I went, never thinking this sort of thing would happen to me, and something just clicked inside.
Life didn't change instantly, but with everything I'd been through to that point, it felt right, and I've been involved as a Christian ever since.
After splitting from Eternal, Kelle signed to Mercury Records and released the solo single Higher Than Heaven. Her second solo single, I Wanna Know, and debut album Breakfast in Bed were set for release when illness struck. Kelle suffers from lupus - an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease. She became a celebrity patron of the Saint Thomas Lupus Trust. For a while she hosted the BAFTA-nominated music programme The N List for Nickelodeon, but in the main, concentrated on recovering from her health problems.
TV roles followed in EastEnders and The Bill and a celebrity appearance on The Weakest Link. There was also pantomime. But against all this, she says her Christian beliefs have helped structure her life and give it purpose. Her only regret is that she didn?t become a Christian sooner.
"Had I been a Christian before Eternal, everything would have been different," she says.
Some Christians were upset when Kelle agreed to appear on the reality show, Celebrity Love Island in Fiji.I didn't want to do it. I thought it was the most un-God-like thing I could do. I spoke to my bishop about it, and he pointed out that reality TV shows are supposed to depict every walk of life. So why shouldn't there be a Christian in there?
So I said, "why not?" And I'm very glad I did - and glad I did it for the right reasons. There were other people in there who needed God a lot more than me. God spoke to me very clearly and said this was not about me. And I got a lot of positive public feedback afterwards.
Her Christian faith has given Kelle a true understanding of fame and wealth. But she is still uncomfortable being a role model.
"There are always people looking at what you do, what you say and how you carry yourself. You therefore have to be responsible in what you say and do," she says.
Kelle is currently working with The Light House Agency, touring the UK to help spread the Christian message among young people.
"I'm really pleased to be on tour meeting young people who haven't met God yet. People need to develop their own personal relationship with God," she says.
The Bible is very relevant to modern society. When I read it a few years back, I realised it was a remedy to everything.
The one-time pop star has discovered an eternal truth.
James Hastings is a journalist based in Somerset
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An outline of the New-Day Prince Story
Written by: David Prince
[Viewings: 276]
Throughout my life's journey, I have experienced and known something about physical suffering.
Early on in life, I experienced a trauma that could have easily tested my parents' faith in God. When I was only four years old, I was rushed to the Birmingham Children's hospital by ambulance. There, the doctors diagnosed my illness as diabetes.
For the rest of my life - I faced daily injections of insulin!
Twenty years later, while I was still a young pastor, the health problems began to escalate for me and my first wife Judith.
She had to have a brain operation. Then, within a few short weeks after her surgery, I totally lost my eyesight.
Suddenly, our lives were turned upside down - everything seemed to happen in an uninterrupted way!
Three years later, I needed a double transplant for a "kidney and pancreas." It was one year before I became a recipient.
Due to the success of the pancreas transplant, I no longer had to inject myself with insulin!
But four months after my transplant, I was given three days to live because of multiple infections in my blood.
In spite of the diagnosis; with God's help, and the prayers of family and friends - I pulled through with a strong and permanent gratitude of the teams of doctors, nurses and technicians - who enabled me to experience another new day.
Yet, only two years after that, Judith and I were involved in a head on car crash, and nine days later, Judith died in intensive care.
At age 30, I had lost my health and my wife.
These, and multiple other issues, could render most people immobile or at least cause them to lose faith and become ineffective for God. But, no matter what - throughout these experiences - including many other difficulties - I continued to trust my Saviour, and remained committed to my church ministry.
Three years later, my kidney transplant began to fail. I had to go back on dialysis three days a week.
But once again, God provided a new kidney.
Eight years after Judith's death, I met a wonderful Christian woman named Rachel, and two years later, we were married..
Much of our story took place in the West Midlands - and South Wales regions of the United Kingdom.
We are now living in South Yorkshire, where we are still involved in ministry - sharing our story through the Newday-Prince web pages. - And enjoying friendship with folks at Hemsworth Christian Fellowship.
As we progress, our aim is to encourage, challenge, and inspire others who may be facing difficulties in life - to reach out and press on with the God-given purposes of life.
You can read our full story on the Newday-Prince web pages:-
www.newday-prince.me.uk/our-story/ch-1
Or join Newday-Prince on Facebook:-
m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=162083287166961&fbb=ra565aa12&refid=17
What's more, the following link provides a newsletter form - where you can sign-up to receive David's weekly thought:-
www.newday-prince.me.uk/about-us/newsletter
And, if you'd like to, you can also contact David & Rachel by E-mail:-
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
"Every day is a new day!"
Have a great day.
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Balbir - a devout Sikh finds Jesus
Written by: Balbir
[Viewings: 161]
My Name is Balbir. I was born in Africa and my family immigrated to England in 1974.
I was raised in a devout Sikh family where love and respect to one another was taught. I would accompany my family to the temple every Sunday. I always knelt on my knees and did not sit crossed legged as we were required to do so at the temple. I made many attempts to understand and connect with my Gurus but there was always emptiness inside of me.
As a family we enjoyed watching Jesus of Nazareth. (This was a TV series from the late 70`s early 80`s.) I found his message so inspiring. The film portrayed him as a bridge to God. I was amazed by his power to heal, His sincerity to His people and His unique appearance which came across as a peaceful, calming figure. (This person had an AURA about him that mesmerized me).
At the age of 15 my parents had arranged my engagement to a boy from India whom I had never met or seen and by the age of 17, I was married here in England.
From this point forward my life changed drastically not for the better but for the worst. For the first 3 years of marriage, he was unemployed. This created frustration for him and resentment and anger towards me. I was his punch bag. He continually told me how I was the unluckiest person in the family and forever compared me to my Sister in Laws - that they were better than me. He would hit me if I questioned him, (on any issue or subject) and in front of my two young sons told me that I was a slave in his house. He controlled me and told me to commit suicide. He showed me no respect and continually belittled me. It was mental torture.
Over the years I lost my confidence, I had no self worth and I was at the point of no return. I was never in love with him but I still respected him as he was my husband as this was the way I was brought up. But my marriage felt like a prison sentence. I was suffocating. This man had such control over my life that emptiness filled my heart and hopelessness engulfed me. I became depressed. But even in my depression, I still had some faith. I never stopped believing in God. He helped me through my darkest hours and my most troublesome days.
Infact I even wanted to become a nun because I felt that it was a way of getting close to God. I wanted to serve him and find peace and comfort in my trouble. I found solace in keeping a diary which detailed my thoughts, my pain and my suffering. I often wrote prayers which gave me inner peace.
My immediate family were not aware of my situation. I kept it from them out of respect for my Mum and Dad. In spite of this my Mother was concerned as I had lost an awful lot of weight.
After 15 years of marriage I divorced my husband in 1995 and went back to live with my parents with my two sons. Still searching for peace I went to the Sikh temple and prayed to the Guru's and read the Punjabi Gurbani (Holy book). However my questions remained unanswered. In 1998 I wrote in my diary that 'I would only follow Jesus Christ' - but to this day I do not understand why or what made me write this.
8 years ago I met a lady whilst doing a Business Planning course. She invited me to her house and for some reason I confided in her and told her what I was going through. She gave me a book "Word for today" and a Bible which I'd seen on her coffee table. I read the word for today but I placed the Bible on top of my cupboard and said to myself that I was a Sikh and not a Christian. She invited me to St Martins Church in the Bullring and I accepted her invitation. The moment I first walked into a church was a moment I will never forget I felt so much peace and tranquillity.
Then 6 years ago I met someone and started a relationship. For the first time in my life I felt loved. We were both so in love but it was difficult to spend time together because of my family commitments. Then suddenly after 5 years together he told me that he had found somebody else and that his feelings had changed.
I could not believe what I was hearing. This broke me, he was my world. I trusted him and he abandoned and betrayed me. I was devastated. My life felt like it was all over again.....I felt empty, my heart broken and my soul destroyed. My confidence hit rock bottom and I was so lonely again. One evening still feeling hopeless and so despondent I was on my knees and cried out to Jesus, "Help Me ". Then I asked "What am I to do Lord?"
I was desperate for answers, I was finding the situation extremely difficult to deal with - even the kids noticed there was something wrong. As the weeks went by I continuously repeated to myself: - "In the name of Jesus Christ and My Guru's I am positive, I am loved, I am confident, I am prosperous."
In His mercy and grace He heard my prayers and worked His miracle through my friend Danny. Danny and I have worked for the same organisation for more years than I can remember. I was introduced to him through a mutual friend. I sat at one end of the office and he at the other. Due to circumstances beyond our control Danny was moved to a desk only yards from me.
One Saturday whilst working overtime Danny walked passed my desk. I was taking my lunch break and he was on his way out. He stopped at my desk and asked what I was reading. I replied "feel the fear and do it anyway". I then pointed to "Word for today" and explained that I was going through a bit of a rough time and this book (Word for today) in particular was bringing me the peace that I so desired. He looked confused and asked "you're not a Christian, are you?" I replied "No but every page I read was speaking to me and telling me what to do.
In a nutshell the message was 'hang in there, trust God and have faith".
Danny encouraged me to attend the Oasis Church which happens to be 10 minutes from where I live. So I plucked up the courage and visited Oasis. On my first visit I was introduced to Gus, Jane Adrian and Sandra Danny's wife.
I was amazed at how a place of worship united so many people both young and old.
The band, the hymns were fantastic. Two weeks later, on the 12th of March 2006. I went back a second time. This day was a momentous occasion. A day that would change my life, a day when I surrendered my life to Jesus. I sat at the back and watched a video by C J Mahoney. about what Jesus was going through as he contemplated being crucified on the cross. I felt he was talking to me telling me that Jesus took a cup full of our sins, sickness, disease and pain. I couldn't believe that this is what Jesus had done for me.
Then C J Mahoney talked about when Jesus was in the garden in Gethsemane. Matt 26:36. He said to his disciples, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death". Stay here and keep watch with me. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed:-
My Father, if it is possible, May this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.
He went away a second time and prayed:-
My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, May Your will be done.
Can you imagine the heavy burden, it must have been unbearable. Not only going through that but when he was nailed to the cross Matt 27:45 Jesus cried out in a loud voice: - My God, My God why have you forsaken me?
Even God could not be near him because of the sins he was carrying. I felt so emotional and I said, "Only you Lord understand my pain, my suffering and my loneliness.
I was so overwhelmed with emotion after watching the video; I do not know how I held myself together. I now understand His sacrifice, and His love for His people and his love for me, and this grabbed my attention. I said in my mind - Lord for the rest of my days, I will only follow you. I surrender my Life to you.
The 12th March 2006 was the beginning of my personal relationship with God of the Universe.
Sandra kindly took me to Adrian who said a prayer for me. Then Adrian passed me over to Gus. He asked me if I wanted to pray. I replied that I didn't know how to. So he prayed for me too, and then helped me pray my own prayer of commitment to Jesus.
My prayer was heartfelt, I said 4 things...........
Jesus, Thank you for dying for me, I want to follow you for the rest of my life.
Jesus forgive my sins
Help me to forgive
And lead me to you.
From that moment on, my life was transformed, I remember going home and thinking Balbir you're a Christian now, you're no longer a Sikh. I was so nervous, and excited. I knew my biggest hurdle would be my family and my two sons. How do I tell them that I have turned my back on the very religion I taught them to love and respect.
My son threatened to disown me if I became a Christian, but I knew for the first time that Jesus had died for me and I now have peace within me because of God's Holy Spirit. God had restored my hope in life. He gave me the gift of faith. I no longer depend on other people's acceptance. Gods love for me is unconditional and endures forever.
And His peace never leaves me. Since I made my decision I have still gone through trials and hardship but the difference this time is that I am never confused or lost because I know that all things work together for those who love the Lord and that He is in control.
His peace is a peace that I never had before. An inner quietness that is not shaken by life's troubles and pains. I also have an understanding now of why I exist and what my purpose is.
I feel a surge of activity and enthusiasm to live and honour the One who loves me and gave himself for my sins to set me free, so I can now know and enjoy God's pleasures and care.
My family particularly my sons have had a very hard time accepting my decision and although it hurts me to hurt them I know that the Lord will honour my obedience and that in prayer ALL things are possible.
When you realise that you are a lost sinner, that the Lord Jesus Christ is the saviour.
You need to open your heart and simply ask him to save you and forgive you. He will save you and forgive you , no matter what you have done. He will wipe your slate clean.....
Romans (10 : V13) " For who so ever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
So finally, why, am I getting baptised today?
1) The New Testament commands it. It is Obedience to God.
2) An opportunity for an encounter with God and the Holy Spirit.
3) My old Life is dead and I have new Life in Jesus. And 1`m just so excited to be a Christian. And I want to tell everyone....................
Comments
If you have any comments on the above article or would like to communicate with John Flanner about any matters or need encouragement in any way, please email him at:
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.