GP Taylor Visits After Hours Live

Author GP Taylor tells his fascinating life-story at After Hours Live 

New York Times best-selling author GP Taylor gave the audience at After Hours Live an unforgettable evening of stories and tales all based on his own life journey. He spoke about growing up and being expelled from school, being unable to read for many years, how he came to be an ordained priest as well as all the adventures and twists and turns his life has taken since becoming a successful author. An unashamedly Christian message given in a no-nonsense unpretentious way, Graham engaged with the audience who all thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his fascinating life.

It was also interesting to note that all of GP Taylor's books are about to be turned into movies! The first one is being released in a few months time: 'Muriah Mundi' which includes a star-studded cast. So watch this space cinema lovers!

Our next After Hours Live, on Friday 5^th July, sees Paul Kerensa, a stand-up comedian performing at After Hours Live’s Rose Fair Special! Paul has won many awards including ITV’s Take The Mike Award in 2002 and is a sitcom writer, most notably being on the writing team of BBC 1’s ‘Miranda’ and sketch shows such as ‘Dead Ringers’. This event is one not to miss! Come along for a great night out.

 

Redemption in Les Miserables

I went to see the film ‘Les Miserables’ last week and it has had a profound effect on me, which I want to share with you.  Although it is billed as a love story and a comment on poverty and revolutionary politics in the period following the French Revolution, it is primarily a story of redemption. 

In one of the early scenes we are left breathless by the sheer grace and forgiveness of a Bishop.  He forgives the main character, Jean Valjean, and tells him to choose to live his life differently. This reminded me of the story of Jesus and the Woman taken in adultery.  When her accusers drift away, Jesus does not accuse her of her sin, but he forgives her and tells her to ‘sin no more’.  The Bishop is like Jesus, in not only does he forgive, but he gives Jean Valjean the means to live a new life.

From this moment, Jean Valjean is a completely changed man, and he decides to follow the way of truth and to help the unfortunate.  He soon has a crisis to face, when it looks like somebody else is to be condemned to imprisonment, as they have been mistaken for him.  This is a real spiritual crisis, as he is tempted to let the other man take the punishment for him, as he knows if he owns up, he can no longer give employment to many people and carry on the good works he is doing. 

Because of the example of the Bishop, Valjean can live a life of sacrificing himself for others.  He personifies Grace, whereas Jalvert, the policeman who hates Valjean, personifies Law.  In the film we see clearly that Law has its place, but Grace comes from a higher Lawgiver, as it is from God Himself.  Grace will triumph in the end.

As this film is receiving so much publicity at the moment, and thousands are flocking to see it, this is a good time to share with others these profound truths that God is a God of Mercy and of Grace, and that it is possible to leave behind your old life, and begin anew.