Russell's story

"I’m not a regular attender and I‘d describe my faith’s journey as being one that combines both ups and downs, close and distant. But for whatever reason I was motivated to read the article on fasting this week.

And as a committed smoker and drinker I thought I would get rid of these for the week.
So I’ve been smoking for 30 years and I decided I’d stop, so I stopped, and I’ve been drinking for probably just as long and I stopped.

Now I like to think that I don’t have problems with these particular items and they are parts of my personality in many ways, but it’s interesting that when one removes barriers, or these comforts as these things have been described, how one is opened up to new experiences

So I’ve have a very intriguing week because I haven’t had my usual fall guys to stand by me and by the end of the week I got a very clear message.
I don’t like to use the word vision particularly, but I climbed stairs and I saw God and He said I was okay.
Now that’s a good thing. So it’s been an interesting week.

Last night as I celebrated with a cigarette and a glass of wine I thought that I don’t necessarily need these things. But they’re not necessarily the objects.... it’s just the more important message is to not allow things get between oneself and God"