Reflections of an Old Man - by Doug McPhillips (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The first step of anything is the beginning. It's exciting because it's the first day of a new life. This is where the awakening and healing started. This little guidebook is from the random thoughts of one who lived by the rules of denying what God had destined for him in preference to living in accord with the laws of what the world had to offer. To get to the top of the heap, it taught him dishonesty, a belief in the material at the expense of the spiritual essence of his soul purpose, self-destructive addictive behaviour in his acceptance of an artificial egocentric half-life, for in his searching for happiness lost his way, his integrity, his humility, and lack of willingness to put others before himself. In belief in service, in giving an account of his stewardship, it was always about his recognition. Then comes the getting of wisdom after a lifetime of a fall from grace. Then came the recognition of powerlessness over all that he had become. The recognition that he had for so long had his ladder planted firmly against the wrong wall. He had striven for money and fame, for glory, for self-satisfaction, only to find that it was all empty.

So in the unfamiliar state of getting spiritual wisdom, life seems daunting at the new start, but fortunately, like all on an inward journey, it becomes easy with one step at a time. He began admitting he was powerless over his addictions, people, places and things. He developed faith in a Power Greater than self in a new awakening. He ultimately handed over his all to that power with faith and total surrender. He had to learn discernment in the light of day and not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Instead, he learnt to clothe himself in the grace bestowed by his God and not the need to gratify the desires of the flesh.

This is the story of one man's transition from fumbling in the darkness of his base nature to embracing the spiritual waters of life in newfound freedom. Now in his dotage, random thoughts come from time to time in reflection. It is these that he ponders and writes for the benefit of you, the reader and his other well-being. So it is that he goes back to the very beginning. Now read on.