Open Air: Ears To Hear

There are a number of stock statements that I like to include in what I say each week in the open air. I use them partly to tell folk what we're not there to talk about, and partly for the record, i.e. as part of the video of the proceedings - just in case.

But people seem to be pre-programmed to hear only what they want to hear - often the opposite of what's actually being said. Thus “We're not interested in your money” leads foolish folk to imagine that we will be going back to some magnificent mansion in a chauffeur-driven Bentley Continental, while “We're not here to preach politics” is an open invitation to any old Trot to accuse us of being far-right white supremacists...

And thus it was that my opening remarks about asylum seekers (used solely in the context of the nature of true Christian conversion) led to Stephen being harangued twice on that topic - as he indicates in the notes that follow.

It was good to be back and it was great to have a team of five. The rain pretty much held off for us, with just a few spots falling during the actual outreach. I handed out a number of tracts which was reasonable but not particularly remarkable and had several very brief conversations. One or two ranted at varying lengths about asylum seekers but those exchanges could not really be called conversations. I did, however, have a proper conversation with a man called W. from Wrexham who was concerned about having committed the unpardonable sin; having explained what I understand this to be, I prayed with him. (This may have been the same chap that Peter mentioned during coffee.)

My other mistake of the afternoon was packing up our equipment just as Stephen was preparing to begin his second address. He was kind enough to excuse me for going on for too long and forgetting all about him, and we carried on to the Bagel Factory, where it was a pleasure to renew fellowship with Ethan, Janette, and Peter.

Time is short today, since the morning was spent at our local hospital, checking on the condition of my new knee. Many thanks to those of you who have remembered me in prayer over the last several weeks. Now I’d better exercise that knee - yet again - and then pick up my grandchildren from some holiday activity or other in the town centre. It's all go...

Please pray, if you would, for the following people.

The student that Peter spoke to, a young man that he's met on a previous occasion.

W., as mentioned in Stephen's notes.

The gentleman that I've mentioned before, the one whose son is still struggling with addiction - his wife is now struggling with excruciatingly painful arthritis, alas.

The gentleman who wasted a lot of time putting Ethan to the test, theologically speaking. This character ended by saying that he was, in fact, a Christian. If he is, praise God, but if not, may that conversation have helped him on his way to salvation.

Also - we were saddened to hear from Peter that our friend Brendan has been diagnosed with what seems to be gastrointestinal cancer. Those of you who have been reading this newsletter for any length of time will appreciate how faithful he has been over the years. Please join us in praying for his treatment and recovery. We miss him.

We will be in the usual place at the usual time next Wednesday, God willing. Join us if you can, and please pray for us if our Lord puts it upon your heart to do so.

Every blessing!