Juulian Grimmsshaw sits strumming his guitar, eyes closed, and I am transported by the words of his song “Forever Enshrined”. This song cemented his faith and was gifted in a way seldom described. God had involved himself in Juulian’s life, and he had learned to cooperate.
He recounts that for months he’d had the verse melody of a slow rock number, but no words would come. Then one day a man he believes was Jesus appeared in front of him, saying “try these words”. Out tumbled perfectly fitting lyrics for the entire song, and in that moment he realised two precious truths: he was loved in an unfathomable way, and everything was fine. At the communion table soon after, looking at the cross, he sensed an angelic female voice guiding him to the piano, suggesting a chord progression for the chorus, the song completed. Juulian had begun attending Cobden Anglican some years earlier as a favour to help out with a sound desk issue, at the invitation of the vicar he knew from the Waitangi Day picnic.
Juulian, now retired, was born and raised in Dunedin on the sunny side of North East Valley, and it was music that brought him to the Coast. As part of an originals band “Troubadours of Mercury” playing at The Crown Hotel in Dunedin one night, he had the strong impression they should play his song “I want a ride on a UFO”. The song drew the unfettered enthusiasm of a visiting Coaster and led to a long friendship, musical partnership, and eventually a move to Greymouth. As Juulian ponders his life, a series of jobs he hasn’t particularly enjoyed, and some unexpected hardships, he muses, “Lots of stuff doesn’t make sense, and I have questions for God when I get there.” Amongst this, however, he is clear we have two choices – to do what God says if it’s clear, and have things work out, or to ignore him and take the consequences. “If I do what God wants,” he remarks, “things always work out… so I do.”
The retired life suits Juulian well, as does the Coast. He loves the outdoors, the beach in particular, and as he watches the crashing waves the immensity of the ocean brings an awareness of God, minimising the concerns of the day. Juulian enjoys surf casting, often heading there with a friend, both men enjoying the companionable quietness of a shared pursuit with the occasional tasty morsel on the line. He enjoys a life of simplicity, gardens for fresh food (rather than pleasure), drinks good black coffee and mostly prefers to give meat a wide berth.
In interesting contrast, Juulian (who added letters to both his names, to aid others finding it quickly on computer systems), has a love for France, its people and language. While working as an orderly at the hospital, Juulian struck up a firm friendship with a colleague who invited him to travel and stay with their family in France. Selling items on TradeMe to raise funds, Juulian went and discovered a lifestyle he envied. Juulian speaks passionately of life in the small towns there where fruit and nut trees grow in public places, so all are fed. Where fine cheese, bread and cider are made expertly from wholesome ingredients by methods passed down over generations, and where politeness and respect touch every aspect of life.
Juulian’s musical passion has recently found a home in the worship band of the local Elim congregation which he describes as the perfect gig – no one drunk, everyone working as a unit, and a sense of God’s Spirit very present. In true Coast style however, where all denominations remain part of a loved extended whānau, Juulian still participates at Cobden Anglican with the men’s group, and in services when he can, helping with the sound system, the reading of God's Word, and creating a fresh coffee blend that rivals the best cafés in town!
As we drained our coffee and bid farewell, Juulian’s advice to a younger self was “life is not going to go the way you thought it would, and you’re going to need to deal with it!”
We will experience love like we’ve never known, and we will never, ever be alone. Cheers to that, Juulian.
Check out other articles in the
Coffee With...
series below.
More articles in the
Coffee With...
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Juulian Grimmsshaw sits strumming his guitar, eyes closed, and I am transported by the words of his song “Forever Enshrined”. This song cemented his faith and was gifted in a way seldom described. God had involved himself in Juulian’s life, and he had learned to cooperate.
He recounts that for months he’d had the verse melody of a slow rock number, but no words would come. Then one day a man he believes was Jesus appeared in front of him, saying “try these words”. Out tumbled perfectly fitting lyrics for the entire song, and in that moment he realised two precious truths: he was loved in an unfathomable way, and everything was fine. At the communion table soon after, looking at the cross, he sensed an angelic female voice guiding him to the piano, suggesting a chord progression for the chorus, the song completed. Juulian had begun attending Cobden Anglican some years earlier as a favour to help out with a sound desk issue, at the invitation of the vicar he knew from the Waitangi Day picnic.
Juulian, now retired, was born and raised in Dunedin on the sunny side of North East Valley, and it was music that brought him to the Coast. As part of an originals band “Troubadours of Mercury” playing at The Crown Hotel in Dunedin one night, he had the strong impression they should play his song “I want a ride on a UFO”. The song drew the unfettered enthusiasm of a visiting Coaster and led to a long friendship, musical partnership, and eventually a move to Greymouth. As Juulian ponders his life, a series of jobs he hasn’t particularly enjoyed, and some unexpected hardships, he muses, “Lots of stuff doesn’t make sense, and I have questions for God when I get there.” Amongst this, however, he is clear we have two choices – to do what God says if it’s clear, and have things work out, or to ignore him and take the consequences. “If I do what God wants,” he remarks, “things always work out… so I do.”
The retired life suits Juulian well, as does the Coast. He loves the outdoors, the beach in particular, and as he watches the crashing waves the immensity of the ocean brings an awareness of God, minimising the concerns of the day. Juulian enjoys surf casting, often heading there with a friend, both men enjoying the companionable quietness of a shared pursuit with the occasional tasty morsel on the line. He enjoys a life of simplicity, gardens for fresh food (rather than pleasure), drinks good black coffee and mostly prefers to give meat a wide berth.
In interesting contrast, Juulian (who added letters to both his names, to aid others finding it quickly on computer systems), has a love for France, its people and language. While working as an orderly at the hospital, Juulian struck up a firm friendship with a colleague who invited him to travel and stay with their family in France. Selling items on TradeMe to raise funds, Juulian went and discovered a lifestyle he envied. Juulian speaks passionately of life in the small towns there where fruit and nut trees grow in public places, so all are fed. Where fine cheese, bread and cider are made expertly from wholesome ingredients by methods passed down over generations, and where politeness and respect touch every aspect of life.
Juulian’s musical passion has recently found a home in the worship band of the local Elim congregation which he describes as the perfect gig – no one drunk, everyone working as a unit, and a sense of God’s Spirit very present. In true Coast style however, where all denominations remain part of a loved extended whānau, Juulian still participates at Cobden Anglican with the men’s group, and in services when he can, helping with the sound system, the reading of God's Word, and creating a fresh coffee blend that rivals the best cafés in town!
As we drained our coffee and bid farewell, Juulian’s advice to a younger self was “life is not going to go the way you thought it would, and you’re going to need to deal with it!”
We will experience love like we’ve never known, and we will never, ever be alone. Cheers to that, Juulian.
Check out other articles in the
Coffee With...
series below.
More articles in the
Coffee With...
series are to come.
