Michael Flynn's Testimony
Michael Flynn
How I became a child of God.
In my early life I always thought in the back of my mind that there was a God type entity that made me. But for many years I just left it at that. My dad came from a catholic family from Ireland my mother was from protestant Scotland. My brother and I were going to be baptised into the catholic faith but we were stopped by the catholic priest because my mother was not a catholic, we became Church of England by default.
I did not have a Christian upbringing; in fact I can still remember leaving Sunday school because I refused to pay the six pence subscriptions, what joy having a great sum of money all to myself.
As I got older I started to feel that I did not belong, or fit in with what my pals were doing. I just got on with my life doing my own thing. Then at the very tender age of sixteen I joined the army. This caused my mother untold grief and heart felt pain and a lot of tears when I left from Newcastle train station. During my army years I became aware of how different I was to the rest of the lads. In time some of the lads started to come to me, Me?, for advice about stuff and so I became a sort of the one to see on the sly, after one must keep up the pretence of been hard men training to do a hard job.
For young lads just out of nappies it was plain hard, like for me. I started to drink and smoke for the first time. Smoking was one of the vilest things that I started. It was like eating the stuff, oh the pain of it all, but drinking was dandy I thought, I didn’t drink lots at the start nor at the end, but the middle bit was bit more than I would care to remember. While in the army I smoked one joint. This was a gift from my then girlfriend.
Saturdays and Wednesdays were going out nights and I would get drunk, a nice drunk full of the joys type, staying up all night and then doing your job was no problem. On more one occasion I ended up sleeping on a train station because I was so drunk and I had to walk back to camp when I came around. It’s fun been young!
Now to the question of sex; sex and the life of young men. I thought it was expected of me not to be a virgin so with great gusto I set off to find some woman that would help me out and yes she was a prostitute .The place was Kiel in West Germany. I was fitting in with what was expected, but it never felt right. I was always that a bit of me was missing.
After seven years in the army I left and was unclear of what to do next. So out of the blue I decided to attend a catering course at Ashington College. It was there that I met the person that changed my life of ever. She is Lesley Muter and I started to attend the church she went to. Every Sunday I would wait outside the church, looking for Lesley to come along and be with me. When I gave my life to Jesus, I started to grow as a Christian I just knew that it was Jesus that was the thing that was missing in me. Sometime later I met my wife who also attended Crossroads Church.
We were married for ten years when one day she told me that she was gay and had a female lover. I can honestly say that it was the last thing I expected her to say. She left the house in November. The kids were devastated. That first Christmas after she left, was hard for me and the kids, but every year became worse than the year before. The only gifts I could afford were cheap key rings, second hand toys from charity shops. It was pure hell.
The social services did not help because I was not in crisis. I was
frantic, no work, no food and very little money. I was left in £40,000 of debt. There was only one thing for me to do PRAY! Pray over my finances and my children. It was not only praying but also
being
practical. 10p noodles were a main stay for my kids. Straining milk through a wire mesh after the kids had their cornflakes to put in my cup of tea was quite a common thing for me to do. It was only
God that brought me through the bad times. I remember using old curtains as blankets for the three Girls.
|Inow walk each day living in the strength that faith in God through Jesus gives me. I am truly blessed and thank Him for getting me through every trial in life. Having been through many difficult trials it helps you face the next ones as we get stronger in Him. Never have I had such peace and contentment even though life can be hard.
God has a plan for every one and a great amount of love to give away. Jesus was put to death for YOU! So you can have eternal life. NO sin is too bad for God to forgive.
One last thing I never thought as myself as needing a Saviour because I was not a sinner, I was not a drug taking, beer drinking, wife hitter, I was a normal well behaved man who never got into trouble the law. But I am a sinner saved by His Grace. I want to give you this verse from the Bible John 3:16-17.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him the world might be saved.
SUMMER PRAISE EVENT
We held our Annual Summer Praise Event on Saturday 21st July. A wonderful night for all of worship praise food and fellowship. Thank you for all who supported this event. A church full of people worshipping our awesome God.
Verse for Today
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
Good morning. The verse of Scripture above simply tells us how to live our lives. As His dear children we are to imitate His essence. Jesus is God revealed so we are to model Him. How? Love; forgive; graceful; Merciful; obedient; Caring; gentle; Patient; Peaceful; Joyful and powerful. When we choose to live like Jesus we will walk in His power and reflect His glory! Hallelujah! Have a Christ like day. God bless.
Alpha Course
We are holding our first Alpha Course, commencing on the 5th of September starting at 6 o clock. We are delighted to be able to commence this course as part of our outreach. If you know anyone who would like to come, first ask them and bring them along with you. The sessions will begin with food and then discussions. The first session will be "Is there more to life than this.". In this session we will be discussing, what does Christianity have to do with life today? What Am I doing on earth? What is the point of life and where am I heading?
Conference Update
Lindsey and I had the pleasure of attending our 4th WRU conference at Swanick in Derbyshire. We had a wonderful time meeting with great friends from throughout the churches of the union.
We were privileged to lead worship on the Monday evening segment, leading to Colin Braithwaite's induction as the new president.
There were some excellent sessions at conference including the business, and teaching. Colin's address was about what does Church look like, and it was very revealing and challenging.
Lindsey and I were accepted onto the General Committee and were also selected for the Overseas Missions and Home Missions sub-committees, respectively. We are so looking forward to being involved in these committees and weare excited to learn of what has bee achieved in the past and also what we can bring in the future.
The times of worship were wonderful, prayer groups were powerful, and fellowship wonderful too. We thank Almighty God, that we are part of this excellent Union of Churches.
Presidential Visit
We are delighted to announce the visit of the New President of the Wesleyan Reform Union to our church on the 22nd of July 2018. Colin Braithwaite who retired as the General Secretary of the Union two years ago is the new Union President. We look forward to his visit, and I am sure we will all welcome him and what he will bring to share with us.
Word of Life Mission House
Our Mission House, of 73 North Seaton Road, the annexe to the church has now been completed.
We are using the building for a variety of things such as a Christian retreat, where specific programmes can be tailored for each group of people staying. Examples of the type of programmes we will be delivering, will be Leading Worship, Prayer, and a wide range of other Christian Programmes.
While staying here visitors can use it to be simply a place of rest, meditation and prayer, or take part in the church programmes, or take part in a specially designed retreat bespoke programme.
We will also be using the venue for Debt Management, helping those in need, as well as music lessons, job searching and basic IT programmes.
We are very excited about this development, and if you require any further information, please contact us either by email or by telephone on 07879253072 or 07854 820012. The cost for staying here is £30.00 per night. Donations are also welcome.
Nigerian Evening
We held a Nigerian Evening in the Church on Saturday the 17th of February. A wonderful night of Nigerian Worship, Culture, food and fellowship was had by all, led by the Akinsola Family. Pictures below.
Friday Diner
Our Friday Diner at church is on the last Friday of every month from 12:00 till 2:00pm. Soup and sandwiches and a range of other hot meals will be available for each of the coming months. This is an outreach for those who may be lonely, or who maybe are just in need of company. There is no charge for the food but donations are welcomed. All donations from this monthly event go to Arab World Ministries Yemen
Pastor Michael's Ordination Service
The ordination service of Rev Michael Hedley took place on Saturday the 25th of November 2017. It was led by Phil Hartshorn the WRU President of 2017/18, with input from Rev Ian Fall chair of the ministerial committee. It was a wonderful day for all concerned. A very special privelege that this service was delivered in our home church and not as it is usually done at conference. Thanks to all who participated and a heartfelt thanks for the wonderful gifts that you have given us both
Reverend Michael & Lindsey Hedley.
Gordon Brown's Baptism
Once again this year it was a great priviledge for our rapidly growing Church Family to witness yet another baptism. Gordon gave his life to Jesus in July earlier this year and he went through the waters of baptism at Bedlington Trinity Church. A fantastic time was had by all and we truly rejoice that his life is now heading in a new Holy Spirit filled direction.
Baptism Service
We held a Baptism Service on Saturday May 27th at Bedlington Trinity Church for Caroline Taylor who joined our fellowship earlier this year. We had a wonderful time in God's presence and the service went so well. Pictures of the event are below this text.
BREAKING NEWS
Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever
Hebrews 13:8
This is not just breaking news, it is the news from yesterday, today and tomorrow and guess what? It is forever. Hallelujah!!!!!
GET INVOLVED
Contact us at:
Word of Life Church
Wesleyan Reform Union
North Seaton Road, Ashington Northumberland NE63 0AG
Tel: 01670 814425
Mobile 07879253072 Michael
Lindsey 07854820012
E-mail: wordoflifechurch@hotmail.co.uk
Or use our online contact form.
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