March 2021
Re: Capt Sir Tom Moore - a reflection on a meaningful life
Thank you, Darren Blaney, for your excellent tribute to a remarkable man of our times, and for the lessons you draw about latent ageism in some churches (though I don't think you used that phrase). As for me, retiring aged 63 in order to care for my now late wife with Dementia, I thought my ministry was finished, and after ten years of that, I felt too exhausted - physically, mentally and spiritually - to offer any more.
All that changed in the space of a few months in early 2018, when I met my new wife in an unexpected way, followed by visiting a 'prophetic' African church in South London, whose minister - never having seen or heard of me before - called me out to the front and declared that from now on I would be ministering Christ's healing, and speaking prophetic words. (He also declared that my companion would be moving to Oxford for the rest of her life, which we took as a pretty clear pointer to our future marriage!)
Thankfully, my pastor (and successor) at Wallingford, recognised this as of God, and encouraged me to start using the gifts. And God began using me again - in a way that I had desired for decades without being equipped. Laying-on-of-hands and personal anointings followed, but were abruptly stopped by Covid-19. God is not so limited, however, and we have found him working through prayer and 'guided self-anointing' via Zoom services. And I am using my weekly opportunities leading Midday Prayers to teach from the healing events in the scriptures to help build faith.
Still a long way off to reach 99, but at 75 I feel exhilarated to be re-employed by God again. "Your old men will dream dreams," wrote Joel, and I am living mine now. If you would like to read more of my testimony, including two significant personal healings, my mini-memoir "My Late Harvest (an old man dreams)" is available from Lulu Publishing, myself or via Wallingford Baptist Church.
The Revd Douglas Harbour
Great article with plenty of food for thought. Thank you.
Elaine Hood (via Facebook)
Thank you BU, this is really good, I can see some of it being used as Sermon material.
Joan Winter (via Facebook)
God has not finished with us yet Joan!
Liz Standen (via Facebook)