Open Air: Assumption Day

No, nothing to do with Mariolatry, but another way of describing our Wednesdays. It’s an interesting phenomenon: people walking past us hear a word, or a phrase, or even me doing an impression of someone or other, and they immediately imagine that they know everything that has already been said and everything that we believe. They are invariably mistaken in these assumptions.

Likewise, imperfect strangers assume that we are quite willing to stand and listen to a torrent of obscene abuse, at which we will smile weakly, and then tell them that God loves them. If you reply in vigorous and forthright fashion, as I did last week, they are sorely offended! Poor old Elvis thought that the matter might end in an undignified brawl, and danced about in between us with his arms out, as though refereeing in some sporting event. He needn’t have worried.

Interestingly enough, as I carried on with my response, setting his behaviour in the context of my earlier comments on our natural, sinful state, the gent in question took himself off - and then returned a minute or two later to offer a fulsome apology, and to shake my hand, and to tell me to continue to say whatsoever I wanted, since I had a perfect right to do so…   

Well, there you go.

No time today to give an extended account of the afternoon; it was generally satisfactory, as per usual. Lots of police officers were about, perhaps because of a football match later in the day - but they were soon chasing around after folk indulging in criminal behaviour, and the wailing of sirens rang out at frequent intervals.

We were thankful for the assistance of Janette and Peter, along with Elvis, Joseline and Kieran.

Please pray, if you would, for all those who heard something of the gospel on that afternoon, and also that the many tracts, booklets and bibles that went out will be a blessing to those who took them. You might also pray for the Catholic gent who had many questions to ask Kieran. Oh, and Joseline would like people to pray that she might become more like our Saviour. That would be a good thing for all of us, wouldn’t it?

Every blessing!

PS Speaking of assumptions, I received several interesting replies to last Saturday’s question about “street pastors”. Some assumed that I despise them; some assumed that I love them; some assumed that I was one; and some assumed that I wanted to know what they did. However, the question was simply this: “Do we find any references to ‘street pastors’ in the N.T?” My friend C. has the answer, but nobody else seems to know - or so I assume...