Conversations

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Bryan K led our devotions this morning from Mark 8 speaking of the healing of a blind man; he had blurred vision just as the disciples did and as we do.  Even though our vision may be blurred, we still share what we do know and understand with those who are spiritually blind.

We prayed for many of the people that we met yesterday.

So many of the people we meet in the neighborhoods of Hobs Moat are suffering physically as well as spiritually.  There are elderly people who come to the door in their bathrobes or with the help of a cane or walker.  When they share with us what is ailing them, we tell them we will pray for them.  But so many of them have closed their hearts to the truths of Christianity.  They declare themselves to be atheists or they believe that all beliefs are One, or they tell us that they are not interested in our weekend.

One lady told Henry when we were passing out flyers that she was just going to throw it away. His response was: "You know, ma'am, I came all the way from America to give you this flyer."  She told him, "Well, then I guess I will need to read it at least."  Corey and Witek were told by a fellow that he was an atheist and not interested in anything they had to say as he ripped the flyer they had just handed to him.

Another woman told Bryan and Witek that she was sorry, but she is an atheist and not interested in what we have to say.  As they were walking to the next house, Witek told Bryan, "I would be sorry too if I were an atheist."

Sue and I were told by an older gentleman that he was an atheist and that he probably knew more about Christianity than we did.  Sue asked him, "But you were not convicted by all that you heard?"
His reply: "I just grew up and put aside the foolish notions."  He told us about his eye problems and even shared with us that his neighbor across the street just lost her husband the day before.  We asked him for his name and asked him if he minded if we prayed for him.  He said, "I don't know what good it will do, but go ahead. "

But for as many conversations that we have had that revealed the darkness of man's heart, there were others that were encouraging to us because of questions that were asked that indicated a searching for answers.

Diane and Stephen spoke to a man whose daughter committed suicide.  Diane told him the story of her own son and let him know that if she hadn't been able to be comforted by God's Word and His presence and care for her, she wouldn't have been able to cope with the grief.  They told him and his wife that they would pray for them.

We truly feel like we are planting seeds where God is leading and we are praying that over time those seeds will be watered and tended to and prepared for a harvest.  We are certainly making the name of Solihull Presbyterian known in the area, but especially we are being ambassadors for Christ to individuals who are lost and without hope.