Open before me is a Bible of mine, which on the fly-leaf states:
"Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way;
by taking heed thereto according to thy word".
Psalm 119, verse 9.
This bible was awarded to me "as a prize for superior answering in the Lower Infants' class, at an examination in Holy Scripture and Formularies of the Church, on 5th June 1930".
Within the pages of my bible are many texts and verses written out in boyish hand-writing, for example:-
- 1 Timothy 4: vv12-15. Let no man despise thy youth. Give attendance to reading. Neglect not the gift that is in thee. Mediate upon these things. Give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear unto all.
- 2 Timothy 2: v15. Study to show thyself approved of GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly divining the word of truth.
Text and verses were written out at meetings held for school children in the home of Wilhelmina Warren, who was a Faith-Mission Evangelist in my home town in Ireland. It was at these meetings that 'a full surrender to the will of God and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour' was made.
The evidence of conversion - for young Christians
- 1. A full surrender to the will of God.
2. The removal of a burden of sin, gradually or suddenly.
3. A new feeling of Love to Christians and to Jesus.
4. A new relish for the word of God.
5. Pleasure in secret prayer, at least at times.
6. Rejection of sin and sinful thoughts.
7. Desire and efforts for the salvation of others.
8. A desire to obey Christ in His commands and ordinances.
9. Deep humility and self-abasement.
10. A growing desire to be Holy like Christ (1 John 2)
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Self - Examination - for older Christians
- 1. Do I search my heart to the bottom, and act out my convictions?
2. Do I believe I control my tongue and temper?
3. Do I really believe the Bible is the law of my heart and life?
4. Do I convince men that I believe there is an eternal Hell?
5. Am I greatly concerned for the salvation of men?
6. Do I act like a Christian in my family and among my intimate friends?
7. Do I fully believe I have been born again?
8. Do I know that I have power with God in prayer?
9. Do I believe I have been baptised with the HOLY SPIRIT, since my conversion?
10. Am I sweetly resting in CHRIST by my faith now?
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Jimmy Condell, Sunday School teacher and Headmaster of a large boys school, by word and precept built upon these foundations. As well, they were at all times emphasised in a loving, caring, Christian family-home by a beloved and devoted Mum and Dad - a beloved Dad, who, when he and I were walking in the countryside with our four footed friend, Rory, would tell of, and show, GOD'S goodness to man, by observing bird song, the ripple of a stream, buttercups in a green field, fields of golden grain at harvest time, the place of and purpose of cows, horses, sheep and other animals in the life of man, and how GOD required man to treat them.
The foundations for a Christian life laid in days of boyhood and youth were a source of strength and comfort in the years spent in the Royal Air Force, flying with Bomber Command, and later when serving overseas.
During my RAF days, my precious and treasured Sylmay and I were married in First Ballymaacarrett Presbyterian Church, Belfast, where also our precious son and daughter, Stuart and Jacqueline, were to be baptised. What a tremendous influence for good our minister, Revd. W.G.M. (Bill) Thompson, had on our lives and family. It was Bill Thompson who brought my precious Sylmay to committing her life to our Lord Jesus Christ. God granted us 53 years of wonderful love and happiness.
Upon leaving the RAF it was a return to the portals of learning - then came a career in management, education, training.
We resided in Yorkshire for 28 years midst the wonder of God's creation in the Yorkshire Dales. Along the way the privilege was accorded me to serve as an ELDER in the Presbyterian Church and the United Reformed Church of St. Columba's.
In April 1998 my precious and treasured Sylmay suffered a stroke - hospitalisation and recuperation followed. Then came September 1998 - what was to be a two weeks stay with Jacqueline and Christopher in Knutsford. Sylmay suffered another stroke during this time and on November 10th her HOME CALL came to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
At this time - Paul Wilson and Margaret W, and many others in Knutsford Methodist Church, with loving care and thoughtfulness emphasised the ONENESS OF GOD'S fellowship.
In the church family - my Bible Study Group - Prayer and Praise Services - Bob's Study Group - that ONENESS IN JESUS enfolds me, as it has in boyhood, days of youth, manhood and winter days of age.
Each day for me commences with reading GOD'S Word, as guided by the International Bible Reading Association's 'WORDS for TODAY' and by Celtic Daily Prayer; then time for personal prayer, with peaceful, quiet reflection and listening as God's presence surrounds me.
"HE FIRST LOVED US"
LORD, HELP US THEN THIS LOVE TO COMPREHEND,
WHICH PASSETH KNOWLEDGE, DOTH ALL THOUGHTS TRANSEND,
AND AS THY WONDROUS LOVE OUR EYES DISCERN,
MAY WE SOME MEASURE OF THAT LOVE RETURN.
Noel
