As in many good romance stories, this hero and heroine came from different types of backgrounds. I was the farmer’s daughter who loved wide open spaces, the nurse from a far more conservative background than Ray. He was from Rockdale, a suburb only about eleven kilometres from the centre of Sydney. While my favourite occupation was reading fiction, his whole family loved sport - cricket, baseball, rugby league football – especially that St George/Illawarra team. 

Over many years now, God has been moulding and changing us both, drawing us together in a loving relationship that still grows stronger each year. Besides the ministry and commitment to Christ, one thing we both have is a love of books - although our tastes do vary considerably. Another thing we share, especially in more recent years, is Writing.

Ray expresses this last so much better than I can....

Who knows from whence it comes?

Who can tell whom it will bite?

What will be the effect of the infection?

I don’t know! Others might, but I don’t.

This I know, I was infected by the ‘W’ bug. Since then, over many years, I have suffered untold recurrences. Sometimes these have developed at most inconvenient moments. There is only one remedy...Write!

For me, the ‘W’ infection is discernable by the compulsion to write articles, (not novels-that’s my wife’s infection.) devotionals and Bible studies. In many ways I enjoy being infected by the big ‘W’. Words on paper are seeds waiting to germinate in the mind of the reader. Words can lay around for years in dark, forgotten places then spring to life when found by an inquisitive mind.  Depending upon the intent of the writer, such ‘seeds’ can produce moral and spiritual weeds or gorgeous flowers. The sown seeds can bring death or life, sickness or healing. No seed is neutral.

As a Christian and a preacher, I write from a Biblical faith perspective. Initial expressions of my ‘infection’ can be found in the Churches of Christ NSW journal archives. The big ‘W’ took hold in the 1970’s when the director of Jewish Evangelical Witness (now David House Fellowship) came to the church. He invited me to write for his magazine.  I’m still doing that. Since those early years, The Vineyard has spread to several other countries, including America, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom and other European countries.

During the past five years The Upper Room has regularly accepted my submissions to their daily devotional booklets. Multi-published author in fiction and non-fiction, Debra White Smith, has included several of my poems and articles in two of her books, 101 Ways to Romance Your Marriage and Romancing Your Wife. As well as sneaking quite a few words from my wedding ceremony service notes, Mary has also included a couple of poems in her Love in the Great Southland historical novel.

Currently I am seeking a publisher for a devotional book tentatively titled Marriage – A Journey For Two Lovers. During the waiting periods for the responses to my manuscript submissions, the ‘W’ infection hasn’t eased. It has broken out with a thirty-one daily devotional manuscript called The Neurotic Rooster - and other devotional insights from Africa.

Then there’s this other daily devotional manuscript creating a writer’s fever and tension headaches as it strives to be released.

Whether I’m published or not is of no concern to the infection. The ‘W’ simply must  find expression in writing. The rest is up to the editors, printers, booksellers, readers and, dare I say, God!

Sorry!  Must go!  I’m feeling the infection level rising again."

When I met her first,

she was a nurse.

We married.

No worries.

One day,

let me say,

that all changed.

I’m slightly deranged.

Living’s not the same

since a writer she became.

This writer, my wife,

pleasure of my life,

at weirdest moments

feels a writer’s torments.

Unable to rest,

becomes a mess.

until, before the computer,

to the point of stupor,

her characters she births

within stories of worth,

and a heart that pleads

an editor to agree.

She’s persistent.

Drought resistant.

Mind perspires,

faith inspires

noble intent.

Books content

dwells on lofty plane.

Amidst joy and pain,

sunshine or rain,

life’s stress and strain

hero, heroine face,

overcome with grace.

I will not complain,

in spite of the strain

that arises at home

because of the tome.

For pleasures accrue

when writing is through.

This keyboard girl

keeps my heart in a whirl.

Life certainly changed,

since this writer came.

We love because

God first loved us!

He claimed our lives

with the great love of Calvary.

From that awesome discovery

comes a love eternally.

We love because

God first loved us!

He brought us together

To live under his Word

embraced with a passion

to know and serve the Lord.

We love because

God first loved us!

He linked our hearts in love

allowing us to show

abiding, growing devotion

regardless of life’s flow.

We love because

God first loved us!

He called us to Himself

gave each to the other

His pleasure to treasure

His grace beyond measure.

That is why we love because

He first loved us!

Some children do have 'em,

Mothers that is!

Well, all have mothers, but,

Some have mothers that are,

       'Top o' the morning'

               and

       'Pick of the crop'

     And all that.

Some children do have 'em,

Fathers that are

Glad that God gave them

Treasures in nappies

       To nourish with love

               From

       Heart and home,

            And all that.

Some children do have 'em,

Mothers with an

Understanding of their

Basic insecurities,

       Making safe havens

               in

       Which to grow,

            And all that.

Some children do have 'em,

Fathers who show

Pleasure to their mothers

In word, deed and attitude,

       Building respect

               And

       Forming dreams,

            And all that.

Some children do have 'em,

Parents who know

Faithfulness' value,

Consistency's strength,

       Family stability

               With

       Personal nobility,

            And all that!

I have been very busy putting together a number of devotional thoughts in a booklet to be published. It will be titled The Neurotic Rooster and other Devotional insights from an African short term mission experience.

The approach I've take for these meditations is simple. They contain dialogues with the Lord. In essence, there are times when the reader is 'eavesdropping' on various conversations with Him. What is being shared are remembrances of the journey taken by team members of a Mission Study trip to Africa. Mary and I participated in such trips three times, in 1997, 2001 and  2005.

As with any devotional exercise, our wonderful Lord and Saviour will impress matters of personal importance upon the reader's spirit by His Spirit. My plea would simply be, obey His inner dealings with you. If you are unsure as to whether it was the Lord, or your own emotions stirring, cross reference it with Scripture. Allow peace be the arbiter once a decision has been made. Peace is always a hallmark of being in step with God regardless of outside influences, opposition or difficulties.

It is in the walking and heart talking with the Lord that you will find Him and His Word faithful, interesting, challenging, and therapeutic. As you obey the Lord's purposes in your life it will fascinate you how He transforms the landscape and direction of your life.

More about its release next month, but here is a sample:

Philippians 1:12  Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

The unrelenting heat, day and night, wore us down. This was especially true in a place we had gone to teach and have seminars. We stayed in a small compound, in a room of concrete with a tin roof. Beneath our mosquito net, on a mattress on the floor we sweltered.

Adding to our discomfort was the antics of a neurotic rooster. He had climbed up onto the roof apparently to escape known or possible danger. As he fell asleep so he would slide down the tin. I had never heard the scratching noise of a rooster's claws on tin before. Unpleasant is a mild word for it. When he hit the gutter, he would scratch his way back to the ridge and after awhile the sequence would begin again.

Why didn't I go out and stone the rooster?

In the courtyard were two dogs of unsound temperament. Combine the dogs with a dark night unsoftened by any natural or artificial lights and you have our dilemma. It certainly gave birth in our imagination to all types of dangers.

Needless to say it was a long night. When the sun rose weary Australians faced a new day. Villagers came from their homes and fields looking to us for spiritual nourishment and Biblical insights. We felt emotionally and physically unable to be of much use to them. Still, we set out to fulfil our responsibilities.

What took place made us rediscover an unfailing Biblical truth. It isn't by might or by power our ministry (or anyone else's) is accomplished. It is by the sheer grace and power of the Holy Spirit. (Zechariah 4:6) It isn't how we feel. Rather, it is the fact we go, and leave the outcome to God. We were weak. We had nothing in or of ourselves in which to boast. Fortunately, God delights in taking such people in such circumstances to express His glory beyond the self consciousness of His servants. ( 1 Corinthians 1:26,27)

Amazed we were when people genuinely came up to each of the speakers and expressed appreciation for what had spoken to their hearts and needs. All we could do was to acknowledge God's grace. Later, tears of gratitude mingled with tears of tiredness as we slumped onto our beds, far away from that neurotic rooster.

Thank you, Lord Jesus for praying for us. (Hebrews 7:25)

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for praying and ministering through us. (Romans 8:26,27)

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for those back home praying for us, undergirding us, lifting us up into your presence.

Looking back on that event, and some other similar ones, a smile creeps across the face. They have become good after dinner stories. At the time, Lord, we just wanted to scream. They have been used over and over to highlight the truth of ministry; it's not what we do for you, but what you do in and through us that counts. Praise your Name!

Final Word:  The weakness of God's servant, is God's opportunity to display His glory and grace.

Reflection: Has the Lord anything to say to me from this meditation?

All proceeds from the sale of this book (less postage) goes to support Eagles Wings Children's Centre - a ministry to street children in Northern Zambia.

The ultimate aim is three-fold:

Beautifully presented on glossy paper, it costs only (AUD) $5.00 (plus postage).  Postage (in Australia) is:

1 - 2 copies.... $1.50

3 - 4 copies.... $2.50

5 - 6 copies.... $4.00

7 - 32 copies.. $9.30

Please enquire for international postage.

My self-published devotional book, The Neurotic Rooster is selling VERY well! I have been working hard on other monthly themed books, and one on children is almost completed. My aim is to have 12 of these devotional books and currently I'm submitting to an agent who would try and sell them to a publisher for me.

I wish you could have seen Mary's face when she grabbed Return to Baragula out of that box right in that car park of the courier in Launceston! Sure, she didn't cry as she did way back in 1993 over that first book,  Search For Tomorrow - well, not quite anyway, thank goodness. But this time I did have to "suffer" her reading out that prologue and those last few pages while I tried to drive us safely back home! Those readings nearly made me cry - I hasten to add, with pleasure. And dare I say pride?

Besides preaching appointments, being Spiritual Director in the Tasmanian Emmaus Community, baby-sitting, looking after seahorses, I've been supporting Mary through this extra busy time by washing more dishes, helping more in the laundry, doing all the gardening and. . .er. . .well, you get the picture? A hero simply has to do what a hero does!

But there has still been time for writing more on the manuscript LET THE CHILDREN DREAM.

As well as the poem SOME CHILDREN DO HAVE 'EM, below is a sample of the daily devotionals.

Hope you enjoy!

       Out of His own experience, Jesus makes a promise to those denied either intimate companionship or progeny. Insight into this promise flows from Isaiah 53. Here is recorded the Servant of Yahweh taking upon Himself the role of the sacrificial lamb. In verse 10 we read, '…though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days…'

       Jesus was single. He had friends, though no intimate relationship. Children He loved, yet was father to none. Through His sacrificial, substitutionary sacrifice, the Lord gave His redeeming and resurrection life to all who put their trust in Him. The cross made it possible for Jesus to have spiritual offspring.

       In Matthew 19:12, the Lord acknowledged there would be some disciples who would remain single. Any number of reasons causing, or leading to such a status could be listed. The wonder in the mind of the hearers was that such people were not excluded from fulfilling an effective ministry within the Kingdom of God. In fact, their singleness or childlessness, when devoted to God, becomes an unparalleled opportunity.

       In city slums, suburban ghettos, isolated villages, children, and others, are being cared for in the Name of Jesus. Many of these carers are single, usually women. Their mother's heart however, will not be denied. To the disadvantaged, neglected, forsaken or bereft children, such a woman becomes 'Mum.' Within her shadow there is safety, warmth, hope. She is there because of the redeeming love of Jesus. From the fulfilment of Isaiah 53 this lady raises spiritual offspring unto the Lord. For her the words of Isaiah 54:1 become both a song of joy and a badge of honour. 'Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,' says the Lord"

       For the childless couple the same holds true. To paraphrase a response of Jesus, 'behold, my sons and daughters which the Lord has given me!'

       There are various ways by which children in need can know the tender care of a servant of the Lord. Such compassion may be face to face, or across distances. Child sponsorship through a Christian organisation offers a unique opportunity for all to be a parent, an elder brother or sister, to someone around the corner, or across the globe.

       Life is unfair. Those denied an intimate relationship or of progeny can rise above it without rancour through walking by faith with Jesus. Those who are robbed of mother, father, or relatives even, can discern that unfairness fading away because of the grace of Jesus. For it is in the service of the Lord such unfairness is over-ruled through the bringing of the two together. The cross transforms unfairness into ground on which there will be children to the childless, a parent for the orphan. In the words of Isaiah 56:5 'I (the Lord) will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.'

(adapted from our newsletter):

Retirement is fun! Well, not 'funny hilarious,' rather fun in the sense of interesting, different, challenging, enjoyable, frustrating and unpredictable. Well it is that way for me - Mary can speak for herself.

At this Christmas time it's customary to catch up with many folk that distance and duties intervene and interfere with more regular contact. True friendships never expire. We hope you have had a good year over all for I doubt if any of us would have had a care-free and totally healthy 365 days.

What have I been up to? I'm still preaching at The Point Fellowship - our small and growing Sunday evening church. Had some great programs this year including Children's Holiday Club, Creation Research (excellent -google their website) Rick Shipway from 'Strong Farm' India. This has allowed me to speak Sunday mornings around the North and North-West. Coaching a Bible College student, and involvement with Emmaus keep my interests varied.

I was invited to be a funeral celebrant in Launceston. (Fancy celebrating funerals - well Christians can anyway!) So far I've had a couple. As Mary has mentions, her 92 year old mother passed into the Lord's presence on Oct 13th and I had the privilege of conducting the funeral in Toowoomba.

Still involved with the Seahorse Australia farm, completing shack renovations (now called a cottage) and being conned by grandchildren makes life pleasant and tiring. Have you read my 'Neurotic Rooster' of African daily devotionals?  It has sold very well and all monies raised are going to EaglesWings Children's work in Zambia. The website tells you what is happening there.  While the printing costs were covered by another, they are selling very well. As we now don't have too many left, make sure you haven't missed out on a copy! I'm now working on a 31 day Devotional called 'Children - God's Special Interest.'  Two more daily devotionals have been published also by Upper Room.

If God gives the 'green light' we are planning an overseas trip to attend at least one Writers' Conference in America and meet up with publishers. This is mainly for Mary but I hope to walk in her shadow and see if I can interest any in my writing.

When we're in Denver at the Christian Writers' Conference I have an appointment with an agent. Hopefully this will lead to a publisher accepting my idea of a series called  '31 Days' of Devotional readings on specific topics. I've completed one on 'God's Special Interest - Children.' There is another called 'A Heavenly Invasion called Christmas' and one for those in ministry called 'No Soft Option.' A sample follows. At the moment I'm finishing one designed for married, or about-to-be-married couples.

Sample from 'No Soft Option.'

The Mutual Ministry within Marriage.

Day 24.

Reading. Ephesians 5:22-33.

Key insight:  A prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14b.

    When asked what has been my greatest asset in ministry I unhesitatingly reply, "My wife!" Mary has been my help-mate in every area of my life and ministry. From a human perspective without her I could not have had as fulfilled and successful Church planting, pastoral and conference roles.

    In 1 Corinthians 9:5 there is a snippet concerning the Apostle Peter which is en-lightning in regards to the unsung role of an apostle's wife. The Apostle Paul wrote, 'Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?' Why would Peter have Mrs. 'Peter' accompany him on at least some of his ministry ventures? Once again the silence of Scripture intrigues and teases the imagination. The macho apostle in a male chauvinistic world was uninhibited and unashamed to have his wife by his side. The N.I.V. translate the Greek word 'sister' quite correctly as 'believing' in its link with 'wife.' Sad are the accounts of faithful men trying to exercise their calling but for whatever reasons being unequally yoked. The prophet Amos' words from a different context still can be applied to marriage, and especially the inescapable mutual ministry in the Pastorate. 'Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?' Amos 3:3.

    I wonder when Peter wrote about wives and husbands in 1 Peter 3:1-7 was it out of personal experience and appreciation of a 'one flesh' relationship within the embrace of Christ Jesus? It must have motivated him (with her encouragement?) to see converts separated by their faith woo and win their spouses to the Lord by an inner holiness that flows outward to captivate and point to Jesus as Lord.

    There is another couple within Scripture about whom we know a little more and yet not enough. Aquila and Priscilla stand out as a wonderful, faithful, energetic couple. Something which has aroused some commentary responses are the occasions when Priscilla is given precedence over her husband. Again we do not know much about their relationship or up-bringing, but we do gain insights about their team ministry. It wouldn't be far from the mark to say they were comfortable with each others role without being threatened when the other was mentioned first in despatches. How different it has been with some others in the ministry.

    The male ego is often fragile while at the same time lapping up the 'crumbs' of public applause and community recognition. Should it ever happen to such men that their wives receive accolades for their gifts and abilities so casting the husband I the shade an ungodly and destructive power struggle may well develop. The attitude of Diotrephes (3 John) can be rampant within the minister's house as well as with a local congregation. Where, O where is the beautiful Biblical incentive of 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others' Philippians 2:3, 4. In the context of a minister and his wife surely the same rule applies. I like to apply the words of Proverbs 4:5-9 concerning Wisdom to a minister's wife. There is great benefit to him personally and therefore to his ministry of treating her as Proverbs does God's wisdom. I've changed the word 'Wisdom' in the passage to 'wife' as you will notice; 'Do not forsake your wife, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you… Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour.' Such an outlook releases your wife to express her gifts and abilities with your encouragement and pride.

    When the Lord God created Adam He gave Eve to him to be his help mate. There wasn't any intention of competition or inferiority, rather a mutual ministry of respect, releasing of each others gifts and together fulfilling God's commission. God's principle inherent in that relationship I believe still exists and should be best expressed with the marriage of a minister and his wife.

Reflection:  How well do I release my wife to fulfil the Lord's calling upon her life? Do I have any idea as to what it may be? I find out!

Request: Am I a man Lord who likes to claim the limelight and cannot bear to stand in 'the shade' especially when cast by my wife? If I am doing that intentionally or unintentionally please show me, and give me the grace and strength to put things right in your sight. I love my wife and I thank you for her role in our mutual ministry. Amen!