I am writing this from my hospital bed in Treliske and, as you will read below, this is pertinent.

In 1996 I came home from a hard day at work to find my doctor sitting with my wife, Lynne, in the lounge. I was told that I had Leukaemia and had to go to hospital the next day. We prayed and we asked our church family to pray for us. We felt an overwhelming sense of peace and our lives changed.

Some 14 years earlier I had been reluctantly dragged to a church service by Lynne. She had become a Christian and I had clearly seen that she had changed. I was intrigued to know what was making her so happy and peaceful. At the church service, as the preacher spoke, I knew, without doubt, that God was speaking to me and that I had to do something. That night I prayed for God to become my friend, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and my life changed.

I feel so fortunate that I responded to God in 1982 so that when I was diagnosed with cancer, I knew that, whatever happened, God was by my side.

Lynne and I have journeyed with God in the years since and He has given us amazing hope and unending love throughout it all. We have seen Him work in many ways and through many people and situations. He has clearly spoken to us as we have read the Bible and prayed. He has brought us healing and hope and I would not know how we would have managed without His love.

Despite my serious illness and the change of direction in my life, I would not want to have lived any other way. I know God personally, I know that He loves me unconditionally and that is all that matters.

God has promised:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’  Isaiah 40:31 | NIV

God has given me a life of love and hope. That is why I am a Christian.”