Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Hello from the manse! I hope you are all managing to keep safe and well.

If you feel anything like me, I’m sure that things continue to be a bit surreal. It’s so strange not to be able to just go about our daily business as usual.

Yet, despite how things seem, I have been so moved and encouraged in the past week to think how our great God might be using this situation. If anything, there has been ample opportunity to slow down and take stock of the things that really matter. This hasn’t just been in our lives in general but also spiritually speaking. Perhaps the Lord has enforced the slow down (‘He makes me lie down in green pastures’ – Psalm 23) so that we will rest in, and seek, Him.

Part of the slowing down has helped me to look at creation in a new light. From the front of the manse I can see daffodils blossoming in the garden and rainbows painted across the sky; the rear garden has some fantastic views of the night sky. A verse from Job 9:9 came to mind, ‘He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.’

When we consider that our great God created all of these wonders of creation, which at times take our breath away, we are lifted up from our current situation and realise that He is the all-powerful Creator and there’s nothing that our God cannot do.

This was Jesus’ solution to the anxious thoughts of His disciples. In Matthew 6:26 he tells them to look at the birds of the air, ‘they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?’ Again, in verse 28, He tells them to look at the flowers in the field, ‘They do not labour or spin. Yet, I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these’.

Perhaps people at the moment, too, are more open to spiritual things. It has been lovely to see rainbows in windows. Children are making them as a sign of hope. What an opportunity to tell people that the rainbow doesn’t point to some abstract hope but a sure and certain hope. The rainbow that God takes in Genesis as a sign that He will never allow the floodwaters to wipe out all life again (Genesis 9:14-15) is the same rainbow that surrounds His majestic throne in the heavens (Revelation 4:3). From first to last, He is a God who keeps His promises, even into eternity!

I have also heard of people, with no church background and who are not believers, listening to our sermons online. They have been touched by the Word of God. Let’s pray big prayers that our Father would work mighty wonders and miracles at this time among ourselves and those who don’t yet know Jesus. Our God is indeed working, neither slumbering nor sleeping.

Prayer Points

We are all praying for each other of course but please remember in particular this week:

• Those known to us* who have been a little under the weather.

(*names available to our members/regular attenders).

Give thanks for our completed kitchen and that we would put it to good use when we’re back.

Pray for the lonely and isolated, elderly and vulnerable.

Pray for our small businesses here in Dunblane that they might come through this too.

Pray for our parents looking after children at home.

Pray for the Word to go out powerfully as usual.

Resources

We are all still learning how best to minister and pastor at this unique time.

These are the things that we are trying to do weekly:

1) At least one audio sermon on our website

2) A video of the same sermon

3) A video of a prayer meeting devotion

4) A video of a children’s talk

5) A weekly pastoral letter

The videos can be accessed via our YouTube channel:

(or by going on to YouTube and searching for ‘Dunblane Free Church’).

The videos and audio will go up before our usual service times Sunday 11.30am and 6.30pm and Thursday 7.30pm. If you are able, tune in at these times. It can be good to keep our routines as much as possible and to know that we are listening together.

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.’ (Luke 12:32).

Warmly in Christ,

Your brother, friend and minister,

Allan​