My True Story - Believe it or not!
'THE SON OF A BRITISH SECRET SERVICE AGENT (Mi4)'
Rex Woodmore's experiences from 1945 to ....
I was born January 28th 1945 in the UK to adventurous parents who had met and married in India. They were both from military families and their first home together was in Jhansi Fort or Jhansi ka Qila, a fortress situated on a large hilltop called Bangira, where my Mother's father was a Captain and my Dad was a Warrant Officer.
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On January 28th 1945,
as the last of Hitler’s V2 rockets exploded on British soil, I was shaken from my Mother’s womb in London's Queen Charlotte's Hospital. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” Jer 1:5 |
I believe God has a plan and purpose for everyone. Perhaps my purpose is to share with you, my story of how I was led to the greatest treasure mankind has ever known.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field" Matt 13:44 |
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My first religious experience was when a Church of England minister, subjected me to child abuse, by way of infant baptism (Christening)........ He poured water over my head.
To which I objected loudly, but I may as well have been speaking in tongues, because no one took any notice of my indignation. Infant baptism is not biblical but sadly as non-believers my parents were spiritually dead and ignorant of their responsibilities. “Train up a child in the way he should go…” Prov 22:6 |
MY BROTHER AND I SHARED in the ADVENTURES OF OUR PARENTS
My family must have seemed like people on the run, never forming close friendships and constantly on the move. I had birthdays in England, Egypt, Cyprus, Mauritius, East Africa, back again in England and we arrived here in beautiful Western Australia & celebrated my ninth birthday in Perth zoo where I delighted in pointing to the many exotic animals that we had seen in the wild.
Our arrival in 1954 is recorded on the Western Australian Museum Welcome Walls in Fremantle. https://museum.wa.gov.au/welcomewalls/names/woodmore-frank
(I have not been out of the country since my arrival).
Our arrival in 1954 is recorded on the Western Australian Museum Welcome Walls in Fremantle. https://museum.wa.gov.au/welcomewalls/names/woodmore-frank
(I have not been out of the country since my arrival).
Dad was a ballistics expert, with training in all aspects of guns, rifles, ammunition & defences. He was employed in the London war office, where in 1938 his advice for the type of guns to be installed on Rottnest Island , resulted in the mounting of two navel guns. Sadly this fact is not recorded in the history books, nor did Dad ever get to see them.
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Even sadder (perhaps the day before he died) Dad said
“The older I get the less I believe in God” My Dad’s name was Philip. John 14:9 Jesus said to Philip: Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known Me. Dad showed no commitment to faith or religion. In India, when he married the Captains daughter , he converted from Catholic to Church of England (To be the same as his bride's family). I respected Dad, but we read: Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” |
Apart from being almost 20 years older than Mum, I thought Dad was a regular Dad.
It never occurred to me that not everyone’s Dad spoke several languages, was a photographer who developed his own photos and movies, regularly communicated by Morse code, and always carried a loaded revolver.
It never occurred to me that not everyone’s Dad spoke several languages, was a photographer who developed his own photos and movies, regularly communicated by Morse code, and always carried a loaded revolver.
When Dad died, it was revealed that in 1947, when we arrived in Egypt as the only civilians on a naval ship, his job as a Government Lands Officer, was a cover story, for his Military Intelligence work with the PDU (Photographic Development Unit) Code named MI4…..My Dad was a British Secret Service officer (Mi4)!
Interestingly most men working in the war office were Freemasons, as was my Dad. The fictional James Bond 007, was with Mi6 based in the same building as Mi4 and Mi5. |
From MI4 -Wikipedia:
After the Second World War MI4 took responsibility for hiring of premises in various parts of the British Empire, disposal of armaments and military equipment no longer required and hence a division named "Hirings and Disposals" was established. Employees were transferred for short term assignments such as Cyprus, to procure tents and housing for Jews who were prevented from continuing a voyage to settle in Palestine. MI4 officers were also sent to Cairo, their main role being to dispose of postwar Military equipment, including demountable camp sites, and armoured vehicles. The role of the officer was to ensure that the buyers of ex-military equipment were not likely to use it against British interests in the region. In 1948 - 52 there was usually only one full-time MI4 officer stationed in each locality including Egypt, Mauritius, and Kenya*
*My Dad Captain Philip Reginald Woodmore, was that one full-time MI4 officer and his family of my mother Mabel Lilly Emily Woodmore, brother Francis (Frank) Philip Woodmore and yours truly, Rex Thomas Woodmore and our Dog, Dalmatian Judy, were there in those countries with him!) Sadly Judy was mistreated while in Mauritius quarantine and died.
Mau-Mau uprising in Kenya
When we arrived in Kenya, it was the start of what became known as the Mau-Mau uprising between 1952 and 1960 involving the Kikuyu people who coerced servants, cooks & farm labourers, to murder their white employers. Today most Kikuyu claim to be Christian. But back then, while swearing allegiance to the Mau-Mau, they drank blood in a satanic ritual.
I’m sure it was no coincidence we were in Kenya at that particular time.
Both Mum and Dad, who spoke fluent Hindustani & French, also spoke Swahili, the most common language of the Kikuyu people and the Mau-Mau.
In Kenya Dad slept with his revolver under his pillow. One night intruders stole the clock from beside Mum & Dad’s bed. We awoke to our African cook shouting in Swahili ‘Bad men Bwana-Bad men’. Dad, the ‘Bwana or Boss’ leapt out of bed & fired into the bush after the ‘Bad men’. It was a moonlight night, so Dad was able to identify one of them in a police line-up. He was in custody for the murder of another white couple.
When we arrived in Kenya, it was the start of what became known as the Mau-Mau uprising between 1952 and 1960 involving the Kikuyu people who coerced servants, cooks & farm labourers, to murder their white employers. Today most Kikuyu claim to be Christian. But back then, while swearing allegiance to the Mau-Mau, they drank blood in a satanic ritual.
I’m sure it was no coincidence we were in Kenya at that particular time.
Both Mum and Dad, who spoke fluent Hindustani & French, also spoke Swahili, the most common language of the Kikuyu people and the Mau-Mau.
In Kenya Dad slept with his revolver under his pillow. One night intruders stole the clock from beside Mum & Dad’s bed. We awoke to our African cook shouting in Swahili ‘Bad men Bwana-Bad men’. Dad, the ‘Bwana or Boss’ leapt out of bed & fired into the bush after the ‘Bad men’. It was a moonlight night, so Dad was able to identify one of them in a police line-up. He was in custody for the murder of another white couple.
The first school I attended was in Mombasa (East Africa). I came across a photo (At Left) of students at Mombasa European primary school 1950. I could be wrong but I think it is my old school and that I am the little boy with dark hair, in the front row, fifth from the left. My school in Mombasa, with its flowers & trees, was the only school I ever liked.
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My next school in England 'Whitefriars Primary' with its brick walls & iron gates, was to me, like a prison. Oneday my teacher sent home a note for my parents. Apparently, I’d been telling lies, all sorts of nonsense, like having traveled on ships and planes to exotic lands and how I claimed to have seen the pyramids and camels in Egypt and monkeys in Africa (All of which was true!).
In my defence, Mum gave a talk to my class about our adventures, showed them our souvenirs and Dad’s black & white, family photos of our adventures.
In my defence, Mum gave a talk to my class about our adventures, showed them our souvenirs and Dad’s black & white, family photos of our adventures.
But that led to jealousy & me becoming a target of bullies. When threatened, my God given Adrenalin kicked in.
I became the ‘Incredible Hulk’ and applied Dad’s self-defence training of ‘Punch in the stomach, Punch in the face & Run’ When I heard I’d smashed one kid’s spectacles and busted another kid’s front tooth, I wasn’t without compassion for them….. But hey! No more bullying! I wasn’t into pain, mine or other peoples, so from then on I used diplomacy. I talked my way out of trouble or I ran. A punch became my last line of defence. |
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" Matt 10:16
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" Matt 10:16
I was glad to leave England and learning to swim in the ship’s pool was a great confidence booster and very useful in Australia.
When we arrived in Western Australia aboard the P&O Himalaya, customs officers at Fremantle were horrified when Dad declared his revolver, which they confiscated. |
In Australia, life was very different for us. We became regular Church goers......
We went once at Christmas time & once at Easter. In the first year in Australia, Mum & Dad looked after aboriginal boys at the Kenwick branch of Sister Kate’s home. Here I began to go to Sunday school (I say I ‘began’ because I never actually got there). |
I was sent off with the Home boys to walk the mile down Royal Street, but when we got to the local church, the boys kept on walking.
I had no desire to go to school on a Sunday (or any other day for that matter) so I willingly followed them to the shop around the corner, where with the threepence, that we each had for the Church collection money, we bought ice-cream and lollies.
Soon afterwards Mum received a call from the Church priest asking why she hadn’t sent the boys to Sunday school.
I had no desire to go to school on a Sunday (or any other day for that matter) so I willingly followed them to the shop around the corner, where with the threepence, that we each had for the Church collection money, we bought ice-cream and lollies.
Soon afterwards Mum received a call from the Church priest asking why she hadn’t sent the boys to Sunday school.
The Canning River was on the boundary of the home. I enjoyed swimming, canoeing & learning about the bush from the aboriginal kids. These happy brown faced Aussies, were my first real friends. Perhaps had I gone to Sunday school I would have recognised Jesus as my friend.
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" Prov 18:24 |
Dad bought a property in Jarrahdale. My brother 5yrs my senior, preferred to board with people in Kenwick and continued to study at Kent St High School.
Our orchard was 5 miles from town on 7 acres. The house was an un-insulated wooden shed with no electricity. Our water came untreated from the creek and there were no neighboring children to play with (but, after being dragged around the world, that was nothing new for me). |
Surrounded by the magnificent Jarrah forest, I was happy and content in my own company.
‘’I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” Phil 4:11 I have wonderful memories of Dad teaching me to fire a rifle, trap rabbits, and other bush skills (that I now appreciate). |
In Jarrahdale Primary School I had my first and best scripture teacher. Although it took 4 decades to germinate,I think he sowed the seed of my faith.
Like Dad, he was a real man, with interesting stories, some of which were literally ‘out of this world’. He’d been an underground miner, but now was the local Anglican Minister. I remember seeing him, with Mum & Dad, on our occasional visits to the local Jarrahdale church. |
One message that made an everlasting impression on me, was that God made the birds, animals, trees and all the amazing things that I loved and had experienced in forests, jungles, deserts, beaches and mountains around the world.
At 10 yrs old, I had seen so much of God’s creation to be thankful for.
At 10 yrs old, I had seen so much of God’s creation to be thankful for.
In the days before TV, night after night, I would lie in the grass on my back & look to the heavens. I peered further & further, through the glory of the Universe. ‘’How far does it go? Is there no boundary? Is there nothing beyond? What does nothing look like? Is there a Heaven & Hell? Is there a God?’’…. I’d get a headache just thinking about it….. Deep thoughts for a child!
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Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.
Perhaps it was the start of my acceptance of things by faith when, while trying to fathom the beginning & the end, I came to the conclusion ‘It is-what it is’ Now I believe through His Creation Jesus was saying to me ‘’I Am-That I Am’’
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev 1:8
We moved to Gosnells and Armadale High School. I was about thirteen when I climbed the face of a disused quarry near our house. Almost to the top I was stopped by an overhang of rock. The footholds behind me crumbled, I could only go up. Too far for people to hear, I called out “God please save me!” Then in a literal leap of faith, I jumped & seemed to be lifted up & over to the top of the quarry. I sat trembling as the Adrenalin wore off, and realised something inexplicably special, had happened - God heard me & saved me! I have been back several times - I am amazed and know only God, could have lifted me over that ledge.
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears" Psalm 34:4 |
You won’t need much convincing when I tell you: “I have a mental problem!” Thanks to Google I now know I have Dyscalculia, which is to numbers what Dyslexia is to words. In Kenya it’s linked to childhood Malaria, which I had a serious dose of while I was there.
My outstanding results for Biology and Art could never make up for my humiliating failure in all other subjects. To me High School was a frustrating waste of time!
I felt that I could learn more at home with my dogs in the forest or by looking out the window at the birds nesting in the trees of the school grounds, than I could from a meaningless blur of numbers on a blackboard. |
NOW! I’m sure you will not immediately believe, what I am about to tell you.
I expect you to be like my doubting English, School teacher, who thought I was a liar. However, before you get the school bullies onto me, please hear me out:
I desperately wanted to leave school, but I needed guidance to find a job.
Amazingly, God sent the 'Angels' to guide and help me. That’s right! God sent the 'Angels' to guide and help me. You are right to doubt me, but it is true!
"For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways" Psalm 91:11
I expect you to be like my doubting English, School teacher, who thought I was a liar. However, before you get the school bullies onto me, please hear me out:
I desperately wanted to leave school, but I needed guidance to find a job.
Amazingly, God sent the 'Angels' to guide and help me. That’s right! God sent the 'Angels' to guide and help me. You are right to doubt me, but it is true!
"For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways" Psalm 91:11
I KNOW YOU WILL BE THINKING - "You having to be kidding!"
But it is true! You see, there was a girl whose name was Dianne Angel and her Dad owned ‘Angel’s Barber Shop’ in Gosnells.
I was interested in becoming a Barber (Men’s Hairdresser as it's called now) and the Angels (Dianne & her Dad) gave me guidance and helped me. Mr Angel suggested that Ladies Hairdressing was more interesting and better paid than Men's hairdressing. |
God’s timing was perfect. Mum’s hairdresser was opening a new salon in Perth & signed me up as an apprentice. Two weeks later at 14 yrs old, I began my 5 year Ladies Hairdressing apprenticeship. I liked the job and even though the girls didn’t like me as much as I liked them, we worked well together.
".... that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.." 1 Thes 4:11
".... that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.." 1 Thes 4:11
I soon recognised a need to balance my life with a manly physical activity.
Having been alone as a kid, I wasn’t into football or other team sports. I couldn’t afford Skydiving and after my experience in Gosnells quarry, rock climbing had lost some of its appeal, so I joined Jan de Jong's Ju-Jitsu school. But for a year all I seemed to learn was to fall on my back without being hurt. |
"Not much use" I thought. But God in His infinite wisdom knew otherwise.
About 20 years years later, I fell straight backwards with my boot caught in a pallet rack about 2 meters off the ground and my head aimed at the concrete. But in a flash, I remembered ‘’Roll my head forward and slap the concrete with my hands to break the fall”
I was alright. But I thought I might need an ambulance…., not for me…,
but for the guy who went pale, giddy and almost fainted, when he saw me falling.
About 20 years years later, I fell straight backwards with my boot caught in a pallet rack about 2 meters off the ground and my head aimed at the concrete. But in a flash, I remembered ‘’Roll my head forward and slap the concrete with my hands to break the fall”
I was alright. But I thought I might need an ambulance…., not for me…,
but for the guy who went pale, giddy and almost fainted, when he saw me falling.
At 16, I was one of the youngest members of the Underwater Explorers Club. At 18, I had the same qualifications as the WA Police divers, who were also trained by the UEC. Although confident, I was no hero. Shark attacks were never far from my mind. In about 10m of water, I was diving through, what can only be described as a valley of weed covered limestone, when a dark shadow past over me, I shuddered and for comfort gripped my hand spear. Then a Psalm learned in primary school came to mind:
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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
The most impressive shipwreck I dived was the 1656 (VOC) Vergulde Draeck or Gilt Dragon. Like a school boy’s adventure story, its treasure included Elephant tusks, Earthenware jugs, at least 18 cannon (including a bronze Deck Canon) and an incredible 40,000 silver coins, including Spanish pieces of eight. When she sank, she took with her, the lives of 118 men. 300 years later, she almost claimed my life too!
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While snorkeling on the wreck, I was caught off guard by the first of three massive King waves, that crash at irregular intervals, over the reef. I was hurled onto the sharp rocks & my mask & snorkel was torn from my face. I tried to drop my weight belt, but the safety release jammed. When I raised my head for a gulp of air, the weights dragged me down.
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I thought after the third and what was normally the last wave, I would be safe, but on that day (that had begun with mirror calm waters) there was an unheard of six king waves.
After the sixth wave, totally exhausted, stunned and bleeding, the fight and breath had been knocked out of me. I gave up! This was the end of my 19 years on earth and I knew I would soon be sucking seawater and sand, into my aching, empty lungs.
After the sixth wave, totally exhausted, stunned and bleeding, the fight and breath had been knocked out of me. I gave up! This was the end of my 19 years on earth and I knew I would soon be sucking seawater and sand, into my aching, empty lungs.
In a surreal, silent moment, like a movie, my life replayed in front of my eyes.
In the final scene I saw my lifeless body, blue and bloated, slowly drifting backwards & forwards among the weed. I knew I was on my way out of this world and briefly I wondered where I was headed, Heaven or Hell? Terrified, I screamed out to the God that I wasn’t sure I believed in “God save me!” With that my God given Adrenalin surged through me and seemed to throw me to the surface where a seventh wave gently lifted me (just like I was lifted at the quarry) and rolled me, like a bag of bones, over the reef.
In the final scene I saw my lifeless body, blue and bloated, slowly drifting backwards & forwards among the weed. I knew I was on my way out of this world and briefly I wondered where I was headed, Heaven or Hell? Terrified, I screamed out to the God that I wasn’t sure I believed in “God save me!” With that my God given Adrenalin surged through me and seemed to throw me to the surface where a seventh wave gently lifted me (just like I was lifted at the quarry) and rolled me, like a bag of bones, over the reef.
I was a long way from the boat, the weight belt was still jammed and I was in the deep water where the sharks waited for an easy feed, of stunned & injured fish. Now for help, I shouted to man "Help! Help". Eventually Allan Robinson, my dive partner (who had the salvage rights to the Gilt Dragon Shipwreck and was, contrary to what you may read elsewhere, the legal owner of its treasure) reached me & cut through the weight belt. On the long swim back to the boat, I had a shark (a three meter Bronze whaler) circling and ‘sniffing’ my cut and bleeding legs.
Back on the boat I thanked Allan for rescuing me, but to my shame, I didn’t thank God.
But I do now and for me there seems to be a special message in:
“Lord, save me! and immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him,
and the wind ceased" Matt 14:30
READ THE FULL STORY: "I Called Out'
Back on the boat I thanked Allan for rescuing me, but to my shame, I didn’t thank God.
But I do now and for me there seems to be a special message in:
“Lord, save me! and immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him,
and the wind ceased" Matt 14:30
READ THE FULL STORY: "I Called Out'
In my travels, I had seen much of the occult. Suffice to say,in my youth I experimented with such things. I don’t glory in it.
In Deuteronomy 18, God tells us to avoid wicked customs like witchcraft, soothsaying, interpreting omens, sorcery, or calling up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord. |
Seeking the supernatural, one can be lured into communicating with demons.
"And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" 2. Cor.11:14
We are never far from satanic forces. Today on the Internet one can easily be 'conned' into communicating with those who are not what they may seem.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet 5.
God could have surrendered me to darkness, but He delivered me from evil.
"And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work & preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" 2 Tim 4:18
"And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" 2. Cor.11:14
We are never far from satanic forces. Today on the Internet one can easily be 'conned' into communicating with those who are not what they may seem.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet 5.
God could have surrendered me to darkness, but He delivered me from evil.
"And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work & preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" 2 Tim 4:18
1964 MY LIFE TOOK A SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED TURN- I won a lottery!
In 1964 I was one of the winners of an Australia wide lottery funded by the Australian Federal Government. My prize included: traveling expenses, a complete wardrobe of clothes, meals, accommodation and spending money for 2 years. But it was a classic example of “There’s no such thing as a free lunch” I had been recruited into the army as a national serviceman (I was a Nasho). |
On the first Sunday at Puckapunyal training camp in Victoria, we had a choice of Church or marching. All the guys suddenly turned 'religous' and while remembering my childhood and dreaming that there might be a lolly shop just around the corner, I followed them into the Anglican Chapel.
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It was a pleasant surprise to find that the Army Chaplin was my old scripture teacher from Jarrahdale primary school, and after ten years, he still knew my name.
(Even greater, is the fact that before the creation of the Universe, God knew me by name).
Church renewed my appreciation of God’s Creation of the Australian trees and bush. Although Puckapunyal in Victoria, was not my home state, I was relatively content.
This puts a new slant on:
‘’I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” Phil 4:11
(Even greater, is the fact that before the creation of the Universe, God knew me by name).
Church renewed my appreciation of God’s Creation of the Australian trees and bush. Although Puckapunyal in Victoria, was not my home state, I was relatively content.
This puts a new slant on:
‘’I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” Phil 4:11
AT LAST! BACK TO CIVILIAN LIFE!
Out of the army and back in Western Australia with a successful hairdressing business in Dalwallinu, I was driving my MGB sports car, much faster than I should (as I always did) through Wongan Hills, when for no apparent reason I slammed on the brakes and skidded to a standstill in a cloud of dust, dangerously close, to the edge of a steep drop. My passenger flashed a look at me as if I was crazy. A split second later, a sheep truck came hurtling around the bend on my side of the road & almost hit us. Had I not pulled over, we would have been smashed down the hill.
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I’ve been back there several times and can see no logical reason for my actions.
There is a saying: “You’re safe, not because of the absence of danger, but because of the presence of God”.
Eerily, about a week later, in the New Norcia Police yard, there was a horribly smashed white MGB, identical to mine, in which the young lady driver had been killed.
There is a saying: “You’re safe, not because of the absence of danger, but because of the presence of God”.
Eerily, about a week later, in the New Norcia Police yard, there was a horribly smashed white MGB, identical to mine, in which the young lady driver had been killed.
Today I say my greatest success is my faith. At onetime I would have said that my greatest success was an ability to find employment and that was because I would 'Pigeon hole' myself in one industry. I was prepared to do my best at any employment I went for.
I never felt particularly skilled at anything, but I did have that knack for getting employment. I moved on from hairdressing and into any work that promised big money, including six months, on what was at that time, the largest offshore drilling rig in the world, North Rankin ‘A’ 135 km offshore from Dampier on the north-west coast of Western Australia in a water depth of about 125 meters.
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One day, for no apparent reason, I had an urge to leap back behind a big pylon.
A steel drill cable, snapped & cracked like a whip, near where I’d been standing.
Today I thank the Lord I was safe and nobody was decapitated.
But at the time, to my shame, I offered no thanks to God.
A steel drill cable, snapped & cracked like a whip, near where I’d been standing.
Today I thank the Lord I was safe and nobody was decapitated.
But at the time, to my shame, I offered no thanks to God.
I DESERVED TO BE HUMBLED and I WAS
Due to a company takeover I was made redundandent from my position as a Horticultural sales rep, that resulted in the loss of my company car & expense account. Then there was the Stock market crash followed by the failure of my mineral prospecting projects. Then Marriage split and Divorce.
As if that was not enough there was a burglary that robbed me of my shipwreck coins and my Dad’s medals. All of this should have turned me to God, but like a blind fool I turned to the Serpentine Buddhists. Which turned out to be 'the blind, leading the blind'.
“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?" Luke 6:39
I managed to get work as a shopping center cleaner. The supervisor was a Christian.
I could never had guessed that he would soon leave and I would become the supervisor and that I too would become a Christian.
"…whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified" Romans 8:30
Due to a company takeover I was made redundandent from my position as a Horticultural sales rep, that resulted in the loss of my company car & expense account. Then there was the Stock market crash followed by the failure of my mineral prospecting projects. Then Marriage split and Divorce.
As if that was not enough there was a burglary that robbed me of my shipwreck coins and my Dad’s medals. All of this should have turned me to God, but like a blind fool I turned to the Serpentine Buddhists. Which turned out to be 'the blind, leading the blind'.
“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?" Luke 6:39
I managed to get work as a shopping center cleaner. The supervisor was a Christian.
I could never had guessed that he would soon leave and I would become the supervisor and that I too would become a Christian.
"…whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified" Romans 8:30
In my loneliness, I talked to any shop keeper that was prepared to listen. There was a particularly good listener called Lyn, the manager of a handbag shop, a gracious lady, who listened quietly to me talking about the ‘good’ Buddhists. Then one day Lyn said gently
‘’You know Rex, you don’t go to heaven by being good" I had no idea what she was talking about. I didn’t even know she was a Christian. My reaction was ‘’Dar!’’ But when Lyn explained her Christian faith and I accepted an invitation to a Church gathering with her family. I was pleased to find that her family didn’t include a husband. |
It was through Lyn, her Godly parents, brother, two sisters and the Wilson Brethren that I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.Rom 10:17
Soon afterwards I was baptised in the sea in Busselton. My earlier reaction to Lyn of ‘Dar!’’ had slowly become ‘’Dar-lyn’’ (Darling) and Lyn and I were married.
Today, blessed with Christ in my heart and my God given wife by my side, I now know that we all have an inherent knowledge of the one and only true God and in every heart there is a void that can only be filled by the Spirit of God.
I praise God for filling that void and I glory in what He has done in my life.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.Rom 10:17
Soon afterwards I was baptised in the sea in Busselton. My earlier reaction to Lyn of ‘Dar!’’ had slowly become ‘’Dar-lyn’’ (Darling) and Lyn and I were married.
Today, blessed with Christ in my heart and my God given wife by my side, I now know that we all have an inherent knowledge of the one and only true God and in every heart there is a void that can only be filled by the Spirit of God.
I praise God for filling that void and I glory in what He has done in my life.
My story is of how I was led to the greatest treasure mankind has ever known .
When talking about oneself, it’s difficult, to avoid those selfish words ‘I’ and ‘Me’ If you think I’m boasting- then you’re right! …But my boasting is not of me. I boast or ‘glory’ of how, even before I acknowledged Him, the Lord cared for me, protected me & on several occasions saved my life, from a physical death. If I had died before accepting the truth, I believe I would have perished in Hell. |
In 2 Pet. we see The Lord is long-suffering towards us & not willing to see any of us perish, but that all should come to repentance. My story went from a simple knowledge of God, to a relationship with God. For 45 years I was aware of Him, but I made no effort to get to know Him.
Yet through all that time I could see the hand of God in His creation of the earth, sea ,sky, and everything in them. It was not by 'Mother nature' it was by 'Father God'
It is an honour for me to glory in what the Lord has done in my life.
“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” 1 Cor 1:31
Yet through all that time I could see the hand of God in His creation of the earth, sea ,sky, and everything in them. It was not by 'Mother nature' it was by 'Father God'
It is an honour for me to glory in what the Lord has done in my life.
“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” 1 Cor 1:31
My faith grew from a simple knowledge of God, to a relationship with God.
For 45 years I was aware of Him, but I made no effort to get to know Him.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" Revelation 3:20
Eventually after many years, I thanked The Lord for His love, grace & mercy.
I came to repentance and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Once again, He saved my life, but this time, it was from an Eternity in Hell. Praise God! My sins are forgiven - I am a New Creation in Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
As human beings, created in God’s image, we each have value, meaning, and purpose in the plan of God. I have no doubt God uses the influence of others to make each of us a unique individual. In my story, I must include my earthly Father and others (unbelievers & believers) who served God’s purpose in making me what I am today.
But I don’t glory in what they did, because compared to that of my Heavenly Father, their contribution is of no significance.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16
For 45 years I was aware of Him, but I made no effort to get to know Him.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" Revelation 3:20
Eventually after many years, I thanked The Lord for His love, grace & mercy.
I came to repentance and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Once again, He saved my life, but this time, it was from an Eternity in Hell. Praise God! My sins are forgiven - I am a New Creation in Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
As human beings, created in God’s image, we each have value, meaning, and purpose in the plan of God. I have no doubt God uses the influence of others to make each of us a unique individual. In my story, I must include my earthly Father and others (unbelievers & believers) who served God’s purpose in making me what I am today.
But I don’t glory in what they did, because compared to that of my Heavenly Father, their contribution is of no significance.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16
THE GREATEST TREASURE IS WAITING FOR ME IN HEAVEN!
...and you can share in it too.
Comments and questions welcome: Rex Woodmore [email protected]
Thanks for reading my true story. All glory to the Lord. Amen!
It always amazes me how, I am now, able to write, produce artworks, speak in public and even sing (which brings me great pleasure).
...and you can share in it too.
Comments and questions welcome: Rex Woodmore [email protected]
Thanks for reading my true story. All glory to the Lord. Amen!
It always amazes me how, I am now, able to write, produce artworks, speak in public and even sing (which brings me great pleasure).