"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

The message of God's love is has relevant today as ever it was. My story is unique in it's detail, but much the same has many others who have experienced God's love and forgiveness. After years of hopelessness, loneliness, and emptiness, God touched my life in such a way that I have never been the same since.

On Wednesday 14th March 1979 at 7.30pm, I was sitting on my chair in my flat, it suddenly hit me that I was completely on my own and that my life lay in tatters and ruin.
I was at rock bottom. I was in debt, couldn't pay my rent and had no more of my own resources left. Financially I had nothing, and I did not know how I would cope.
Despair overwhelmed me. I realised now that Christian friends had been trying to teach me about Christ and I had held back.
Suddenly a great fear hit me, and I felt like a man drowning without God in my life.
The fear of that awesome. A thought struck me that Christians had told me to relax and let Christ take over. So that was exactly what I did. As I sat there I relaxed and as I did so I cried out from the very depth of my being, "Jesus, help me"!
The cry had been from the very bottom of my heart and soul, and as I let go I began to experience a release of burdens. I could feel them physically being lifted through my body and then lifted out. My eyes had been closed, but I could see the darkness going past my eyes as the burdens and problems were being lifted out of my body.
As the experience passed I felt a great sence of peace and calm and a feeling of being set free. I began to thank and praise God for what Jesus was doing at that moment.
I have never been the same man since.
John Yates

Extracts from the book "The Journey"

A LOOK AT THE LIFE OF JEREMIAH THE PROPHET

What is succes? Most definitions include references to achieving goals and acquiring wealth. prestige, favour, and power. "Successful" people enjoy the good life being financially and emotionally secure, being surrounded by admirers, and enjoying the fruits of their labours. They are leaders, opinion makers, and trendsetters. Their example is emulated; their accomplishments are noticed. They know who they are and where they are going, and they stride confidently to meet their goals.

BY THESE STANDARDS JEREMIAH WAS A MISERABLE FAILURE.
For 40 years he served as God's spokesman to Judah; but when Jeremiah spoke nobody listened. Consistently and passionately he urged them to act, but nobody moved. And certainly did not attain material success. He was poor and underwent severe deprivation to deliver his prophecies. He was thrown into prison (Chap37) and into a cistern (Chap38)  he was rejected by his neighbours, his family and his audience. Throughout his life he stood alone, declaring God's message of doom. But in God's eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all history. Success as measured by God, involves obedience and faithfulness, regardless of opposition and personal cost.