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Do you live your life for Jesus Christ?

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John Pridmore's Update - November 2011      

You can subscribe to Totus2us' Journey to Freedom podcast / download the free mp3s here on itunes or here from Totus2us's web feed; plus, you can download individual mp3 recordings by right clicking where you see this diamond  Many thanks to Paul Jisung Kim for the gift of his music.

Hello
I hope you are well and at peace.

Recently I did a talk in Ireland and whilst I was speaking I really felt called to challenge the people to put God first in their lives and afterwards as I was reflecting on what had been said I received the following email which the girl who sent it asked that I might share with others.

She said "Around ten years ago I attended my first ever retreat. You were one of the main speakers. I was 24 then and never, ever in my life before had I heard the Truth spoken with such conviction and courage than I did the day I heard it from you that weekend. It was like Jesus himself was speaking not you!!! After your talk, although I was somewhat a shy person back then I wanted to speak to you. At the lunch time (even though I was a wee bit scared of you) I sat myself in the seat right beside yours at the dinner table and began to ask you lots of questions. In mid sentence you stopped me and asked me a question I shall never forget, nor the look on your face when you asked me: " Do you live your life for Jesus Christ?". I couldn't believe the brass neck of you at the time and I think I was a little embarrassed as I muttered something like "eee yes of course i do..." rather defensively. Enroute to my room that evening my heart was challenged like never before. I was thinking to myself how dare he be so rude. I don't think I like him any more. He's judging me because I'm wearing nice clothes and make-up etc. shortly after this thought, I heard a very still inner voice saying "well do you?" I knew, up until that point that I didn't because I was afraid, but then I said to myself, I want to let the yes that I told him become true, I really do want to live my entire life for Jesus Christ and nobody else. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that The person of Jesus Christ became real to me during that weekend in a moment of grace through encountering you. That was it. I met Him and my life has never ever been the same,and it never will it be the same! To give a person Jesus is to give them EVERYTHING!! You told me my Saviour's name and that He existed and that he loved me and that he wanted to share his life with me !!! This was worth more than gold!!! His love is so powerful that I had a permanent smile on my face for a whole year after that. No doubt people knew I was happy because I could not hide it even if I wanted to - I had truly fallen deeply deeply in Love with Jesus. The truth you spoke turned into Joy for me and it was completely transparent!" When I read this email I knew that God was showing me that it is always our responsibility to speak the truth in love.

Several years ago We were running a retreat in London and all the way through the weekend I couldn't help but feel there was something missing from the message which was being proclaimed, it was nice but nothing more than that. Then during the final talk of the retreat the Priest said if you want to know what Jesus wants, the answer is simple, he wants everything! He gives us himself completely and he wants us to give him everything in return, it is only then that we truly experience the joy which is his plan for us. It was than that I realised that what was mussing was feeling challenged by the talks. God's message to us can sometimes be challenging but it always sets us free to know his love and friendship in a deeper way.

I have just returned from Italy where I spoke in many schools, and Parishes. It was a grace filled time and I was very impressed by the priests and sisters that I met there who had a deep love for God which shone through. Also Augusto who was my translator who organised the trip was a great witness to me of faith and service.

Over the next few weeks I will be speaking to many thousands of young people in secondary schools across England and Scotland, please pray for them that they might experience God's love and plan for them.

I remember one time I was struggling with my own brokenness and wondering what Jesus was going to do with me, because even though I was trying sometimes I would say things I wished I hadn't and I was feeling a bit down that I couldn't be a better person. That day I went to Mass and the Priest got up and said there are some people in this Church who when we stand before Jesus will feel ashamed and like total failures, then Jesus will say to us "look behind you" and there will thousands of souls who are there because of what we have done with our lives. Sometimes when we serve God we may not feel popular but we live to hear those words "come in good and faithful servant".

I will never forget a sermon I heard from Fr John Armitage who said unless we are willing to be converted every single day we are spiritually dead. A wise friend of mine once asked me what is the most important thing we can do with our lives? I replied that he was much older and wiser than me what did he think it is? He said "To bring as many souls as possible to God, starting with our own." It was the best advice I ever received.

You are very much in my heart and prayers.

God bless you in his deep love
John Pridmore