Pastor Barry Satchell is a retired Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church but his life is as busy as ever. He lives on a beautiful farm in New South Wales with his wife Vera and a myriad of animals and he is an avid gardener. Pastor Barry may be retired from being an active church pastor but his love for his Lord could never allow him to retire from active service for his Lord and King. I know you will enjoy his thoughts and insights as he reads through the Bible and shares his journey with us.
Pastor Barry commenced this series on the 31/7/2016. This blog has only recently begun to post his daily journey.
Below is a beautiful poem written by Pastor Barry about the changes bought into his life when Jesus was crowned Lord of Lords in his life.
A change for the better!
We were just a small family of four you see: Vera, Julie, Robyn and me Our home was at Avalon, there by the sea. And that’s where God came looking for me So far from Him I’d wandered away, and now deep in sin I lived day by day With never a thought of God in my mind; To His way of life, I was totally blind
But Jesus left glory for sinners you see, and He wasn’t content to give up on me So all around me He set in place, people who’d lead me again to His Grace First, He used a young mother’s heart; who saw the need, our kids to start In Sunday School at the local church. That really pulled me up with a lurch!
I’d watch the bus drive off down the street, with my two precious kids safe in their seat Then they’d come home and dive right in, with questions of God, of heaven and sin When your Bible’s been closed for nearly ten years, and you’ve not let the Spirit’s voice in your ears It’s only to be expected you know, that ignorance is just about all you can show.
It bothered me folks, I have to allow, that a wee girl’s questions could furrow my brow And cause me to lay awake at night, with nary an answer about God in sight My apprentice at work; a lad called Bill, (didn’t show much of building skill) But he was a Christian and didn’t swear; and that, on the job, was really rare.
Then on to the site there came one day, the Sweeney brothers to earn their pay Full of praise and passion and song: I hadn’t seen them for ever so long Ten years in fact, it would have been, since this family of fellows I’d seen But here they were, still praising God, and on the job, that’s also odd!
Rob was the one who looked at me, and caused me at last, my sin to see “You’d better get ready friend,” said he, “Soon Jesus is coming! His glory you’ll see!”
Well I was afraid to look on God, because of the path my feet had trod As conviction grew I saw my need, and hope sprang up like a tiny seed.
Then falling down upon my knees, I presented my case before Him who sees Every thought and intent of the heart, and that’s where friend, I made a new start!
For there, with God – face to face, I saw there were plenty of holes in my case I had no excuse, my sin to erase, and so I claimed God’s wonderful Grace,
Up from my knees, I sprang to new life and shared the wonderful news with my wife “God has forgiven me! Praise His dear name!” and very soon Vera accepted the same Absolute peace now flooded my soul, and all of a sudden I had a new goal To serve this Jesus, whose death on the cross, had rescued me from eternal loss.
Forty nine years have now come and gone, since first I placed my trust upon Jesus my Saviour, my Master and Friend, and I’ll just love Him until the end!
So that’s the change in my life my friend. I hope that in your life there’s a trend To cast off sin with its burden of guilt, and trust in the blood that Jesus spilled,
‘Cause another change is soon coming you see! He’s coming in glory His loved ones to free From burdens of sickness, worry, care, and burdens of grief; there’s none over there!
“Can’t find Him” you say? “Where to look?” Why of course silly! You look in His book!
In Jeremiah 29:13 you’ll see: “When you search with your heart, you’ll surely find Me!”
He’s coming back friend; coming apace! So why would you not let Him grant you His grace?
The change it will make as you run this race, will sure put a smile on your sad, lonely face!
Barry Satchell