But that reading, having done that, having killed me off, also created a new Christopher Sparkes. The reading was something from the gospel of John. I forget exactly what. Those few words, whatever they were, I believed in my heart, no reason to doubt them. The self that I had lived to please was put to death. And a new creation emerged. Those words were a revival. I came to life, for real living this time. Not the same as before. I was “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5\17). The words that killed me were also the words that brought a new Christopher Sparkes to birth.  The death of Jesus and his resurrection I now understood as the centre-point of all history. But not just to history. To me as well. Jesus was alive! – and I could be forgiven. I knew, yes, I knew it all right, and I had admitted it several years before to a friend on a walk in Wales (he was astonished), that I felt guilt before God for how I was living. I knew I needed forgiveness. And here it was. I could be forgiven by God, after all. And not just forgiveness, but I could have a new life enjoyed for serving God and Christ; a book to devour; new friends; new direction; the beginning of a sacrificial life instead of a selfish life; new understanding of everything. And I was given the guts and strength to lay aside all things, and serve God and Christ.

Everything was new. I was instantly, from that day, obsessed with the Bible. The first I bought fell to bits through overuse and travel. In retrospect, I suppose it was inevitable that I’d end up making a translation. I remember saying to somebody, even in 1980, that I would like one day to make a translation. The desire was planted in me that early, even though I did not then know the issues as I know them now, that the word of God has not been well translated in the English language, darkening and obscuring every major theme. Now, with my own translation, I can give a copy to people who want the truth.  I’ve had tragedies to endure. I’ve had struggles. I’ve done foolish things which I’ve deeply regretted. But God has kept me through all of them. I’ve learned to laugh at personal insults about what I stand for. I’ve also avoided plenty of foolish things, by following the laws and wisdom of God. Every good thing I have has come from God. He has not ceased to supply all things for my needs. It has all been way beyond my dreams of how God could have led me. He’s my strong tower of refuge. I know He answers prayer. I know He does. I have no doubts.  His provision for my translating work seems like a list of impossible coincidences – but neither are they impossible, nor are they coincidences. They are direct provisions; modern day miracles believers all over the world are receiving too. My prayers have become, more than anything else, expressions of gratitude.    The joys of singing praises and worship to God and Jesus got Paul and Silas miraculously out of jail for preaching the gospel (Acts 16\25-34), and the jailer and his household were converted. It’s the cure just the same today for many woes and jail-houses of the mind. This wonderful salvation and walking daily with Jesus is only a heart-felt prayer away.  One day Christ will come to Earth and establish his kingdom. The coming of that day is my constant prayer: “Your kingdom come”. Come soon, Lord Jesus