Hi everyone, I hope you had a good break over the Christmas and New Year period, and whether you are into New Year’s resolutions or not, you are looking forward to spending time with God this year.

Somebody told me, many years ago, when retirement seemed a long way off, that nobody retires in the kingdom of God. Indeed, look at the Old Testament. You can see that Moses only really started to get going at the age of 500, and Abraham and Sarah began to be a family well past the age when we would consider it either sensible or possible.

In the New Testament, we see the example of Elizabeth and Zechariah, who were well past the age of bearing children when Elizabeth became pregnant with their son, John.

And in that tradition, whilst not looking to start a family, I have not retired looking just to put my feet up and do nothing. As well as the things that need doing in our new home, I am looking to fill my time with plenty of other activities. I want to spend more time being active, riding my bike, running regularly, and going for walks with my wife. And these things have started. I have even gone as far as entering for the Swansea half marathon, which takes place in June this year. Since moving, the longest I have run is 8 km, which I need to get up to 22 km for the race. It’s a challenge, but it’s one I can meet. I will be running for a charity, but more that in another post.

But more than anything, I wanted to spend more time writing songs and recording music together with writing fiction and books to help in the Christian life. After working day, I couldn’t find the energy for either of those, and this, more than anything, is the reason I retired.

So, there will be plenty to keep me occupied; the challenge will be to ensure that I take advantage of this additional time and produce fruit that will last. Because as Jesus said, “By their fruit, you will know them.” Matthew 7:16-20.