Gram Seed - One step beyond : one man’s journey from near death to new life

Copyright Gram Seed 2008

Published 2008 by CWR, Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8EP, England.
Registered Charity No. 294387.
Registered Limited Company No. 1990308. Reprinted 2009.

The rights of Gram Seed and Andrea Robinson to be identified as the authors of this work have been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of CWR.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are from the Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV), copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society.

Concept development, editing, design and production by CWR.
Cover image: Boro TV Ltd.

This electronic version published 2011 by CWR.

ISBN: 978-1-85345-684-8

DEDICATIONS

I dedicate this book to Natasha, my wife, who sacrificed a huge part of her life leaving her mam Barbara, dad Brian, and sister Naomi, her two brothers Heath and Lance, and all her friends, who she is very close to, to obey what Jesus told her to do and that was to support me in Middlesbrough.

The work I do, I can do in a deeper way, because Natasha is behind me. I also want to mention our boys Caleb and Boaz, who have meant so much to me; Natasha is not just a loving wife but a great mum.

I love you Natasha

Thank you for all you do.

To my mam who has had to put up with all the heartache of the way I behaved, and yet still when asked to switch off the machine that was keeping me alive, said No, keep fighting.

Thank you, Mam, and sorry.

In loving memory of my nana and grandad.

Also in loving memory of Patrick Hinton, who was like a father in the Lord to me, whose wisdom and love got me through things like becoming a husband, and a dad.

I believe Patrick saw this day, when a book would be released. I miss him.

This is Grams story told from his point of view. We have endeavoured to include all the major events in his life, but we also recognise that we cant include every detail and incident to do so would probably require a number of books! Because of Grams former alcoholism and state of mind, he had gaping holes in his memory regarding his past and spent a lot of time prayerfully piecing it back together using discussions with friends, family and professionals who have known him. Therefore, while we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information, we also recognise that there may be some omissions or accounts that differ from the information, perception and opinions of others. However, we hope that you will understand and appreciate the purpose of this book to demonstrate Gods power to transform a life and the ongoing mission of sowing seeds of hope in the lives of others.

God bless you.

Andrea Robinson

Andrea Robinson is a writer, former journalist, singer and songwriter, who currently works as a consultant (Career Management) for CXL and sings in a 70s disco band, Wonderboogie. She recently launched a personalised poetry and writing business, Have I Got Words for You! She lives in Blackpool and has three children Daniel, Emma and Jessica.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

Gram Seed is living proof that Jesus is alive and well and is still changing lives today. He has an extraordinary story to tell and I am so pleased it is now in print. Little over a decade ago, having spent many years in prison for various crimes, he was sleeping on a wooden bench in a Middlesbrough street, addicted to drink and drugs, cut off from his family and with no friends.

Then a group of young people from a local church befriended him and he was told about Gods love. Later, when he fell desperately ill, they gathered around his hospital bed to pray for him. When they invited him on to an Alpha course he came to faith in Jesus Christ and his life began to change. Now Gram is a new man and has become a wonderful friend to many people around his Middlesbrough home and further afield. His kindness and cheerfulness often lead to him going out of his way to help people. He loves to tell others about Gods love and has seen many lives transformed through his ministry.

Married with two young sons, Gram devotes his life to those in prison, going inside to tell them about what God has done for him. He has helped introduce Alpha* into a number of prisons and his ongoing ministry continues to bring hundreds of young offenders in touch with Jesus Christ. Gram is an inspiration to us all.

Nicky Gumbel

Vicar, Holy Trinity Brompton

*Information/contact details about Alpha can be found .

INTRODUCTION

Back in 1997, the Lord told me very clearly that I had to wait ten years before writing a book about what had happened to me. It was difficult at times I wanted so much for everyone to know about the amazing things Jesus had done in my life and I was approached by several people who wanted to write my story. But I knew I had to be patient; after all, Gods timing is perfect. Yet again, He proved His faithfulness by allowing the opportunity to come up in the same year that I launched a new, independent charity Sowing Seeds Ministries.

Waiting also allowed the Lord to build a solid foundation in my life, proving that these changes were genuine, permanent and not a flash in the pan Id seen others write their books and before theyve even gone to print, they are back to their old ways.

Working on the book with Andrea has been both painful and healing. Id told my story many times, but some things Id not talked about in such depth before, and some Id never told anyone. They had been buried for years and were too painful to face. But as we discussed the horrible things Id done and the people Id hurt, God began to bring a lot of buried rubbish to the surface. Often on the long journey back from Blackpool after meeting Andrea, I cried so much that I had to stop at the side of the road. But they werent tears of regret they were tears of release as the Lord finally healed me of so much from the past; the presence and love of God was overwhelming.

By reading my story, I hope and pray that you will learn, like me, just how much Jesus loves and forgives you, no matter what youve done, and through that you will find real hope and a life worth living.

THANK YOU

Andrea Robinson. This book will touch people all over the world because of your dedication and hard work. I want to thank you very much for the way you have written my life story. Thanks to Andreas husband Mark and family for supporting her while writing this book. Simon Page for getting the ball rolling and introducing Andrea to the project thank you Bro.

Martin and Margaret Ruddick. For inviting me to your house in 1996, and making me feel that I belong. I want to thank you both for the ten years of discipleship you gave me, the thoughts and wisdom you spoke into my life. Thank you.

Phil and Sally Hillsdon. Thank you for supporting us as a family and for your kind words of wisdom. Jane Hinton. God bless you Jane from all of us. You are such an example of Jesus, thank you for being a spiritual mother to me. Albert and Pauline Dicken (Goshen Trust). Thank you for your love and support for my family and myself. You have been with us from the very start of the prison ministry, and when you prayed for me in 1999, when the prison ministry seemed a long way off, and beyond me, you had faith in what I was doing and what the Lord was saying to me. God bless you.

Peter Conroy, and Aiden Poulter, who faithfully prayed for me at the hospital and came to visit me, they showed me the love of Christ in a practical way. Thanks to Peter and Helen Conroy for welcoming me into their family.