A Window into My First Twelve Months Walk as a Christian

About the Book

This book is my reflection on leaving Liverpool, England for Australia in search of security and stability and a better life for my family. I achieved my dream and lived on acreage in Queensland. All was well until I accepted an invite to attend church. It is now that my family life changes forever. My wife manifests in ways I cannot understand, I believed at that time I had lost my wife, she gives up work immediately. My boss who professes to be a Christian saw an opportunity when we turned over a lot of commission in real estate to take the money placing me on a weekly wage. In short I was forced to sell furniture to place food on the table, there were the constant phone calls and letters of demand. We lost our home and most of what we owned, I considered suicide, my pride was totally destroyed accepting handouts and food from others. Meanwhile I had my wife who consistently told me not to worry God would take care of us. This drove me closer to God as only he could understand my heartache. We moved several times downsizing each time. This book is about perseverance, changing yourself and having faith that God will answer prayer. My marriage was on the line but we had to work it out together. I found putting my energy into helping others helped me. Writing this book, poetry, keeping a journal all helped. I have written about my sister who died of cancer at 31, I thought of her so much. I called my mother and we spoke of my sister for the first time in 14 years. She wrote a chapter, "A Mothers Love". This book is a testimony in faith and obedience to God.

About the Author

I was born in Belfast N. Ireland, growing up during one of the countries most troublesome times. Oonagh and I have been married for 19 years. We have two children 16 and 18 and we currently reside in Liverpool, England. In 1975 at the age of 16, I departed Belfast and joined the Royal Navy (RN) where I was to spend 15 years of my life. I trained as a steward, a valet to VIPs and I have organised and participated in many VIP functions including royalty. Later I was to work as part of a dedicated team on a project developing and implementing a new computer based system to be used for pay, stores accounting in the RN. I was also employed as a New Entry instructor. During June 1990, we decided as a family to move to Australia to start a new life. I was offered a position as Naval Policeman within the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), carrying out security at major depots and establishments and minor investigations. I progressed into the investigation section carrying out major investigations into fraud, general crime and drugs. Most of my time was spent in the drug section. After 5 years an opportunity was provided to train as a coxswain, responsible for many things that included leave, victualling, discipline, moral, court procedures and proceeding to sea as a helmsman (Steering the ship). I was to continue that training and became a qualified bridge watch-keeper navigator. (The captain took the ship off the wharf and handed her over to me), it was part of our responsibility to prepare passage plans, to keep our watches on the bridge. I was also trained medically to take care of the ship's crew, I was in charge of discipline and moral and prosecuted where needed, endeavouring to keep the crew working together as a team. I left the RAN in 1998 and attended college for 12 months to achieve a license in real estate where I worked for the next 4 years. We owned a beautiful home set amongst 3 acres, our own rainforest and two dams (mini lakes) 3 cars and huge shed in Queensland. Unfortunately I put my trust in someone I considered a very close friend. A tough lesson to learn. Sadly due to unforeseen circumstances we lost everything we owned. Tough times, in answering Gods call as a family we left the sunny shores of Australia and returned to Liverpool England, with debts and no where to live. We moved from one home to another staying with wonderful people who wanted to look after us. This dramatically changed my priorities in life. I worked with the Salvation Army at a 40 bed hostel for vulnerable men as a night project worker, I visit elderly people in hospital and sheltered accommodation, I work with the RNR as a new entry instructor teaching 16-40 year olds leadership and management skills. I have spoken at various churches and groups. I am a Gideon and currently I am trying to study a degree in Biblical Studies. I work full time as a caretaker with the occasional caterng function to do. I enjoy writing poetry and produced a small book for a friend, as she was interested in my work. I decided to sell the book at one pound a copy, so far I have raised thanks to my mothers work in Belfast, over 250 pounds for underprivileged children at Speke in Liverpool. We have managed to pay off half of our debts and my focus now is in raising funds for underprivileged children in Brisbane and Speke. All proceeds from the sale of my work will go to the children.