Page 18 - News Magazine - AutumnWinter 2026_Web

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The

wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ. And everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord will be saved”

I moved to Somerset, where I contributed quite a Christian”. Books that the Prison Chaplain had
substantially to the crime statistics in Taunton. I given me.
was a bit of a busker, taking more drugs.
Two years previous I had prayed and received
In 2004 I had a mental health crisis and God. I began to read the Testament again;
returned to Scotland where I was admitted into I trusted this book. It was right. It was everything
psychiatric care. They did tests and put me on I didn’t stand for.
anti-psychotic medication. I stayed with my
Mum. There were childhood traumas, unresolved I read in Psalm 38: “My guilt has overwhelmed
issues and brokenness in my background, which me like a burden too heavy to bear…. I’m bowed
contributed to my mental health crisis. I couldn’t down and brought very low. All day long I go
trust anything, asking, “what am I alive for?” I about mourning…..all my longings lie open
felt the local authority and government were before you, oh Lord: my sighing is not hidden
poisoning the water, that my Mum was poisoning from you….my strength fails me; even the light
the food; I didn’t eat or drink for days. I looked has gone from my eyes….I’ve become like a man
on the bookshelf for something; there was a who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no
guide for enlightenment through vegetarianism, reply….Oh Lord, do not forsake me. Be not far
books on Hinduism and Buddhism, on tarot, from me, oh my God. Come quickly to help me,
on witchcraft - none of it resonated with me. oh Lord, my Saviour.”
But I saw my New Testament, together with a I knew God was speaking to me and saying,
discipleship book by Jim Smith called “Now I’m “I know what you’re experiencing. I’m with you.”

18 AUTUMN / WINTER 2026