Recent Events

In 2004 I realised that there was a possibility of building a house in the garden of our cottage. I thoroughly investigated the options and settled on a large 5 bedroomed modern style. I eventually obtained planning permission in October 2005.  We did receive an offer of  £195000 for the plot but I decided that the best course was to build the house then sell it. The anticipated cost was £145000 with an anticipated sale price of £400000.The intention was that this would provide our retirement pension

Work started in October 2009 with an estimated build time of 7 months.. Unfortunately, we ran into considerable local opposition  which claimed the planning terms had not been observed and used personal influence to get the Council to issue a demolition order. When I checked the details of that order, it was clear it had no substance and I eventually won an appeal, with the appeals officer stating that the house was built precisely as planned and the slight repositioning was a considerable improvement.  However, the heavy cost of the delay and the refusal of my financial backer to assist therewith presented me with a big financial problem. Stupidly, I decided to submit false VAT returns with the intention of rectifying them when the house was sold. Unfortunately, matters deteriorated and I made matters worse by gambling on the Stock Market, inevitably losing substantial sums.

What had happened was that I had felt cheated by the financier and felt that God was taking too long to sort things out. I decided to sort them out myself by defrauding the VAT system  The inevitable result happened and I was convicted in October 2018, and sentenced to 34 months imprisonment, serving 14 months thereof, followed by 20 months release on licence. I was abandoned by all of my family and friends, except 1 and initially suffered badly from stress when I was told my beloved wife was deserting me, as was my step  daughter, which meant I would never see my much beloved step granddaughter again - as much a punishment to her as to me, I believe, as we had an incredible relationship. I am content to leave all these matters to God and wait for his guidance. The latest guidance I have received is

Eze 24:16  "Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. 

Eze 24:17  Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners." 

Within 2 weeks of going to prison, I asked God to convict me of any unconfessed sin in my life. This He did over a period of two months or so and I duly repented thereof.  On commencing that process, I was immediately filled with an absolute peace with God which still remains with me. The stress vanished and  I was able to help several other prisoners, making it clear that I was a Bible believing Christian who had taken my eyes off the Lord when I should have left my problems with Him. I  alone was responsible for my crime and my personal circumstances were not an excuse.  I  have not tried to record all the reasons I thought justified my actions because that would take far too long and is not necessary as my actions were not justified in any way. I have no excuse and have born the penalty. I have sincerely apologised to those damaged by my crime but there are some who believe I owe them an apology, which is not in accordance with my understanding. My trust is in God and I  have great comfort in the following scripture:

1Co 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 

1Co 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 

Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 

Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

I believe I now understand some of the reasons why my experience is in full accordance with Rom: 8.28  but I do not believe it is right for me to elaborate on that,  yet..