pulled out of the pit chapters 2 and 3
PSALM 139
139 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Soaking wet at the seaside
I arrived in Morecambe in 1964, it was a seaside town that was trying to restore its former glories, it was best known for the famous comedian Eric Morecambe, part of the famous double act Morecambe and Wise.
When I arrived it had two piers, two theatres, the aquatic centre Marineland and a pleasure park, all of them are gone now.
So we settled in at Whitelow house, a four floor nursing home situated in the Bare area of the town, it was next-door to a church, which myself and my parents never went to.
The best thing was that there was a large garden at the back with apple and pear trees and a greenhouse, where my dad grew tomatoes and cucumber.
The house had a lift and Keith spent many hours going up and down in it, no one could ever get into the lift, because it was always in use!
We lived right on the promenade, which stretched for up to six miles and had the best views across to the Lake district hills, the sunsets were amazing and they are my fondest memory of Morecambe.
The sea came over the road in front of the house on a regular basis and flooded many houses on the sea front, our home was largely unaffected until the great storm of 1977, totally flooded the home, well it flooded the entire lift shaft, this happened on a Friday night and subsequent days leaving the sea wall broken. Now there are sea barrages of stones that stop such things happening again.
On many days I used to walk down to the centre of Morecambe and came back along the sea front, when the tide was coming in, I used to stand at the edge of the railings and when a big wave came in and hit the wall, I ran away from the edge, sometimes I got wet and sometimes I didn't, but I used to come back smelling of seaweed and spray, much to my parents dismay.
We didn't have much sand on the beach, mostly it was pebbles, but we did have a paddling pool, where we could catch crabs, we got a stick and got some bait and put the bait on a piece of string, and the crabs were caught.
I remember seeing a really big crab and reached down into the pool and yes you've guessed it, I fell headlong into it.
As I've said Morecambe had two piers and many amusement arcades, filled with things like penny falls and one armed bandits, sad to say some of my pocket money was spent on these things and also at my favourite sweet shop.
My parents loved their work, I was loved, but work took precedent over me, I became very unhappy, due to my speech problems and bullying at school, some of which was my fault, but more on that later.
Every Christmas I got the latest craze, whether Action man or racing cars, but no time from my parents, a burning anger was starting to flicker.
My parents to be honest spoilt me, they sent me to private school, they got me membership of the local golf club and they got me horse riding lessons, something I really enjoyed, we galloped over the sands, until one day, I got off my horse, opposite the nursing home and slipped getting off, the horse was spooked and one of its hooves landed on my head, causing a deep cut. I have never sat on a horse since.
From ages 8-10, this was one of three occasions, where i fell and smashed my head open, once I was tripped up whilst running at school and went head first into a radiator, and the second time I fell head first into a bench, don't ask me how.
My parents took me on holiday, Scotland, cruises were all good and I give thanks that they gave me everything they could, I have no anger against them. I give thanks for them and remember both of them with love.
THANKS ERIC AND RITA.
I remember one morning especially, I was asleep the night staff were knocking on the door, it must of been 5 am, come quickly they shouted to my dad, he rushed out, one of the male residents had ended his life by tying a plastic bag round his head and suffocating himself, all these things affect a young mind.
One of things Mum loved was her music, we had a radiogram with a record player, and lots of classical music vinyl records, I used to love playing them, mum also was a great reader, books were everywhere, including a picture bible, I read its pages, not understanding what it meant.
Now I have come to love the book.
Devotional thought
Many people think that honouring their parents as outlined in the ten commandments applies only to the lifetime of them, but it doesn't.
After we lose our parents, we are still to honour them by our actions and our words even after they die.
Many children carry resentment to their parents and this is not the way to go, blaming your parents for your problems is something I did for many years and it leads to a dead end, the best way to remember your parents is to be thankful for all they gave you and all they did for you.
This is the best way to honour your father and mother.
Jesus honoured his Father and Mother, so should we, in life and in death.
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
chapter 3
ON A GREEN HILL FAR AWAY
1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
I ended the last chapter, by saying that sometimes I read the bible at home, but did not understand it.
I continued to live in the nursing home with my parents, but my isolation was becoming worse and worse, everything thought it was because of my stammer, because of my environment, but it was because of my sin.
I was becoming a rebel, a thief, if anything was available, you could be sure, Keith would nick it.
Biscuits, cheese, cakes etc were my main targets, but also money became an idol, my dad has a big jar filled with 5p and 1p coins, the trouble was it never increased and you can guess why, however much he put in it.
My parents sent me to church, the methodist church near our house, this didn't stop this little artful dodger. These are things that I am ashamed of, they are put here, so say that Keith is the chief of sinners.
He went to Sunday school and church under duress, he heard the hymn below and thought he was ok
1 There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified,
who died to save us all.2 We may not know, we cannot tell
what pains He had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.3 He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by His precious blood.
So I continued to go to church, I was ok, after all Jesus had died and I would go straight to heaven, after all wasn't God a God of love?
Life went on, I carried on as normal, my childhood was pretty unhappy, my parents had sent me to the private Friends school in Lancaster, this is where the bullying really took hold, but although I was clever, I wanted everything done for me.
My eyes became bad and I had to wear strong glasses, which gained me the nickname of Joe 90, after a famous TV cartoon character, life was spiralling out of control and was about to get worse, as the school I was moved to, was like a madhouse, it was the infamous Skerton County Secondary School, full of some of the toughest boys and girls on the planet, but also where my redemption started, but more on that in the next exciting Chapter.
Also at this school, I made two lifelong friends, David and Andrew my dear brother in Christ, who have both been pivotal in my life.
Devotional thought
Ever thought that living in a Christian country or being brought up in a Christian home makes you a Christian?
Well it doesn't.
So many people trust in their environment, we live in a Christian country after all, we even go to church at Christmas and Easter, aren't we ok?
I remember going to Sunday school, the only reason was to get sweets and prizes for going.
I have mentioned the picture bible, I used to read, I didn't understand it, who was this Jesus anyway?
And why didn't my parents read it?
My mother used to say a prayer with me
Gentle Jesus meek and mild
Look upon a little chid
Bless mummy and daddy
The trouble was that I was never told, he could be MY SAVIOUR AND MY REDEEMER
So have you made it personal.
He desires a personal relationship with you.
Further on in this book, we will see this miracle happen to Keith.
PSALM 139
139 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Soaking wet at the seaside
I arrived in Morecambe in 1964, it was a seaside town that was trying to restore its former glories, it was best known for the famous comedian Eric Morecambe, part of the famous double act Morecambe and Wise.
When I arrived it had two piers, two theatres, the aquatic centre Marineland and a pleasure park, all of them are gone now.
So we settled in at Whitelow house, a four floor nursing home situated in the Bare area of the town, it was next-door to a church, which myself and my parents never went to.
The best thing was that there was a large garden at the back with apple and pear trees and a greenhouse, where my dad grew tomatoes and cucumber.
The house had a lift and Keith spent many hours going up and down in it, no one could ever get into the lift, because it was always in use!
We lived right on the promenade, which stretched for up to six miles and had the best views across to the Lake district hills, the sunsets were amazing and they are my fondest memory of Morecambe.
The sea came over the road in front of the house on a regular basis and flooded many houses on the sea front, our home was largely unaffected until the great storm of 1977, totally flooded the home, well it flooded the entire lift shaft, this happened on a Friday night and subsequent days leaving the sea wall broken. Now there are sea barrages of stones that stop such things happening again.
On many days I used to walk down to the centre of Morecambe and came back along the sea front, when the tide was coming in, I used to stand at the edge of the railings and when a big wave came in and hit the wall, I ran away from the edge, sometimes I got wet and sometimes I didn't, but I used to come back smelling of seaweed and spray, much to my parents dismay.
We didn't have much sand on the beach, mostly it was pebbles, but we did have a paddling pool, where we could catch crabs, we got a stick and got some bait and put the bait on a piece of string, and the crabs were caught.
I remember seeing a really big crab and reached down into the pool and yes you've guessed it, I fell headlong into it.
As I've said Morecambe had two piers and many amusement arcades, filled with things like penny falls and one armed bandits, sad to say some of my pocket money was spent on these things and also at my favourite sweet shop.
My parents loved their work, I was loved, but work took precedent over me, I became very unhappy, due to my speech problems and bullying at school, some of which was my fault, but more on that later.
Every Christmas I got the latest craze, whether Action man or racing cars, but no time from my parents, a burning anger was starting to flicker.
My parents to be honest spoilt me, they sent me to private school, they got me membership of the local golf club and they got me horse riding lessons, something I really enjoyed, we galloped over the sands, until one day, I got off my horse, opposite the nursing home and slipped getting off, the horse was spooked and one of its hooves landed on my head, causing a deep cut. I have never sat on a horse since.
From ages 8-10, this was one of three occasions, where i fell and smashed my head open, once I was tripped up whilst running at school and went head first into a radiator, and the second time I fell head first into a bench, don't ask me how.
My parents took me on holiday, Scotland, cruises were all good and I give thanks that they gave me everything they could, I have no anger against them. I give thanks for them and remember both of them with love.
THANKS ERIC AND RITA.
I remember one morning especially, I was asleep the night staff were knocking on the door, it must of been 5 am, come quickly they shouted to my dad, he rushed out, one of the male residents had ended his life by tying a plastic bag round his head and suffocating himself, all these things affect a young mind.
One of things Mum loved was her music, we had a radiogram with a record player, and lots of classical music vinyl records, I used to love playing them, mum also was a great reader, books were everywhere, including a picture bible, I read its pages, not understanding what it meant.
Now I have come to love the book.
Devotional thought
Many people think that honouring their parents as outlined in the ten commandments applies only to the lifetime of them, but it doesn't.
After we lose our parents, we are still to honour them by our actions and our words even after they die.
Many children carry resentment to their parents and this is not the way to go, blaming your parents for your problems is something I did for many years and it leads to a dead end, the best way to remember your parents is to be thankful for all they gave you and all they did for you.
This is the best way to honour your father and mother.
Jesus honoured his Father and Mother, so should we, in life and in death.
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
chapter 3
ON A GREEN HILL FAR AWAY
1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
I ended the last chapter, by saying that sometimes I read the bible at home, but did not understand it.
I continued to live in the nursing home with my parents, but my isolation was becoming worse and worse, everything thought it was because of my stammer, because of my environment, but it was because of my sin.
I was becoming a rebel, a thief, if anything was available, you could be sure, Keith would nick it.
Biscuits, cheese, cakes etc were my main targets, but also money became an idol, my dad has a big jar filled with 5p and 1p coins, the trouble was it never increased and you can guess why, however much he put in it.
My parents sent me to church, the methodist church near our house, this didn't stop this little artful dodger. These are things that I am ashamed of, they are put here, so say that Keith is the chief of sinners.
He went to Sunday school and church under duress, he heard the hymn below and thought he was ok
1 There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified,
who died to save us all.2 We may not know, we cannot tell
what pains He had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.3 He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by His precious blood.
So I continued to go to church, I was ok, after all Jesus had died and I would go straight to heaven, after all wasn't God a God of love?
Life went on, I carried on as normal, my childhood was pretty unhappy, my parents had sent me to the private Friends school in Lancaster, this is where the bullying really took hold, but although I was clever, I wanted everything done for me.
My eyes became bad and I had to wear strong glasses, which gained me the nickname of Joe 90, after a famous TV cartoon character, life was spiralling out of control and was about to get worse, as the school I was moved to, was like a madhouse, it was the infamous Skerton County Secondary School, full of some of the toughest boys and girls on the planet, but also where my redemption started, but more on that in the next exciting Chapter.
Also at this school, I made two lifelong friends, David and Andrew my dear brother in Christ, who have both been pivotal in my life.
Devotional thought
Ever thought that living in a Christian country or being brought up in a Christian home makes you a Christian?
Well it doesn't.
So many people trust in their environment, we live in a Christian country after all, we even go to church at Christmas and Easter, aren't we ok?
I remember going to Sunday school, the only reason was to get sweets and prizes for going.
I have mentioned the picture bible, I used to read, I didn't understand it, who was this Jesus anyway?
And why didn't my parents read it?
My mother used to say a prayer with me
Gentle Jesus meek and mild
Look upon a little chid
Bless mummy and daddy
The trouble was that I was never told, he could be MY SAVIOUR AND MY REDEEMER
So have you made it personal.
He desires a personal relationship with you.
Further on in this book, we will see this miracle happen to Keith.
pulled out of the pit chapters 2 and 3
PSALM 139
139 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Soaking wet at the seaside
I arrived in Morecambe in 1964, it was a seaside town that was trying to restore its former glories, it was best known for the famous comedian Eric Morecambe, part of the famous double act Morecambe and Wise.
When I arrived it had two piers, two theatres, the aquatic centre Marineland and a pleasure park, all of them are gone now.
So we settled in at Whitelow house, a four floor nursing home situated in the Bare area of the town, it was next-door to a church, which myself and my parents never went to.
The best thing was that there was a large garden at the back with apple and pear trees and a greenhouse, where my dad grew tomatoes and cucumber.
The house had a lift and Keith spent many hours going up and down in it, no one could ever get into the lift, because it was always in use!
We lived right on the promenade, which stretched for up to six miles and had the best views across to the Lake district hills, the sunsets were amazing and they are my fondest memory of Morecambe.
The sea came over the road in front of the house on a regular basis and flooded many houses on the sea front, our home was largely unaffected until the great storm of 1977, totally flooded the home, well it flooded the entire lift shaft, this happened on a Friday night and subsequent days leaving the sea wall broken. Now there are sea barrages of stones that stop such things happening again.
On many days I used to walk down to the centre of Morecambe and came back along the sea front, when the tide was coming in, I used to stand at the edge of the railings and when a big wave came in and hit the wall, I ran away from the edge, sometimes I got wet and sometimes I didn't, but I used to come back smelling of seaweed and spray, much to my parents dismay.
We didn't have much sand on the beach, mostly it was pebbles, but we did have a paddling pool, where we could catch crabs, we got a stick and got some bait and put the bait on a piece of string, and the crabs were caught.
I remember seeing a really big crab and reached down into the pool and yes you've guessed it, I fell headlong into it.
As I've said Morecambe had two piers and many amusement arcades, filled with things like penny falls and one armed bandits, sad to say some of my pocket money was spent on these things and also at my favourite sweet shop.
My parents loved their work, I was loved, but work took precedent over me, I became very unhappy, due to my speech problems and bullying at school, some of which was my fault, but more on that later.
Every Christmas I got the latest craze, whether Action man or racing cars, but no time from my parents, a burning anger was starting to flicker.
My parents to be honest spoilt me, they sent me to private school, they got me membership of the local golf club and they got me horse riding lessons, something I really enjoyed, we galloped over the sands, until one day, I got off my horse, opposite the nursing home and slipped getting off, the horse was spooked and one of its hooves landed on my head, causing a deep cut. I have never sat on a horse since.
From ages 8-10, this was one of three occasions, where i fell and smashed my head open, once I was tripped up whilst running at school and went head first into a radiator, and the second time I fell head first into a bench, don't ask me how.
My parents took me on holiday, Scotland, cruises were all good and I give thanks that they gave me everything they could, I have no anger against them. I give thanks for them and remember both of them with love.
THANKS ERIC AND RITA.
I remember one morning especially, I was asleep the night staff were knocking on the door, it must of been 5 am, come quickly they shouted to my dad, he rushed out, one of the male residents had ended his life by tying a plastic bag round his head and suffocating himself, all these things affect a young mind.
One of things Mum loved was her music, we had a radiogram with a record player, and lots of classical music vinyl records, I used to love playing them, mum also was a great reader, books were everywhere, including a picture bible, I read its pages, not understanding what it meant.
Now I have come to love the book.
Devotional thought
Many people think that honouring their parents as outlined in the ten commandments applies only to the lifetime of them, but it doesn't.
After we lose our parents, we are still to honour them by our actions and our words even after they die.
Many children carry resentment to their parents and this is not the way to go, blaming your parents for your problems is something I did for many years and it leads to a dead end, the best way to remember your parents is to be thankful for all they gave you and all they did for you.
This is the best way to honour your father and mother.
Jesus honoured his Father and Mother, so should we, in life and in death.
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
chapter 3
ON A GREEN HILL FAR AWAY
1 TIMOTHY 1
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
I ended the last chapter, by saying that sometimes I read the bible at home, but did not understand it.
I continued to live in the nursing home with my parents, but my isolation was becoming worse and worse, everything thought it was because of my stammer, because of my environment, but it was because of my sin.
I was becoming a rebel, a thief, if anything was available, you could be sure, Keith would nick it.
Biscuits, cheese, cakes etc were my main targets, but also money became an idol, my dad has a big jar filled with 5p and 1p coins, the trouble was it never increased and you can guess why, however much he put in it.
My parents sent me to church, the methodist church near our house, this didn't stop this little artful dodger. These are things that I am ashamed of, they are put here, so say that Keith is the chief of sinners.
He went to Sunday school and church under duress, he heard the hymn below and thought he was ok
1 There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where the dear Lord was crucified,
who died to save us all.2 We may not know, we cannot tell
what pains He had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.3 He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by His precious blood.
So I continued to go to church, I was ok, after all Jesus had died and I would go straight to heaven, after all wasn't God a God of love?
Life went on, I carried on as normal, my childhood was pretty unhappy, my parents had sent me to the private Friends school in Lancaster, this is where the bullying really took hold, but although I was clever, I wanted everything done for me.
My eyes became bad and I had to wear strong glasses, which gained me the nickname of Joe 90, after a famous TV cartoon character, life was spiralling out of control and was about to get worse, as the school I was moved to, was like a madhouse, it was the infamous Skerton County Secondary School, full of some of the toughest boys and girls on the planet, but also where my redemption started, but more on that in the next exciting Chapter.
Also at this school, I made two lifelong friends, David and Andrew my dear brother in Christ, who have both been pivotal in my life.
Devotional thought
Ever thought that living in a Christian country or being brought up in a Christian home makes you a Christian?
Well it doesn't.
So many people trust in their environment, we live in a Christian country after all, we even go to church at Christmas and Easter, aren't we ok?
I remember going to Sunday school, the only reason was to get sweets and prizes for going.
I have mentioned the picture bible, I used to read, I didn't understand it, who was this Jesus anyway?
And why didn't my parents read it?
My mother used to say a prayer with me
Gentle Jesus meek and mild
Look upon a little chid
Bless mummy and daddy
The trouble was that I was never told, he could be MY SAVIOUR AND MY REDEEMER
So have you made it personal.
He desires a personal relationship with you.
Further on in this book, we will see this miracle happen to Keith.
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