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THE JOURNEY OF JONATHAN AITKEN

Jonathan Aitken was a British war correspondent in Viet Nam, Chief-Executive of TV-AM, and for 23 years an MP including time as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and a Defence Minister.

Jonathan Aitken's life fell apart after he was caught telling a lie under oath in court. He lost his job and his reputation. He lost his wife and his freedom -- disgraced and bankrupt, and sentenced to 18 months in prison for perjury. Aitken hit rock bottom.

However, on his journey through the dark, dark days of prison, Jonathan Aitken became committed to a deep spiritual faith; and it was during that time, and after his release that he read, studied and responded to our Bible reading from Psalm 42. He could relate to the author and the author's spiritual search: "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God' (42:2); and after Aitken's trust in God was awakened he put himself in the shoes of the author and wrote,

'By courageously questioning himself and appealing to God, he was taking the first steps of the spiritual journey towards recovery. That journey, open to all who feel the pangs of divine thirst, leads to the living water that refreshes every need. It is a gift of Grace from the loving God who heals ...[the] pains of the heart and soul."

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