30. Jun 2025

Lochwinnoch - Irvine

Photo 1: Willy would rather swimm in the ocean than walk in the rain. I know the feeling...

Photo 2: Part of the bike path Nr. 7 was once a railroad track. It took some of the ups and downs out of the walk.

Photo 3: "Cows chewing their cud"
A lot of us are chewing on things. As I was leaving Lochwinnoch this morning, a lady wanted to know where I was going. When I eventually mentioned that I was walking with Jesus, she said she had a more earth based belief. I am not sure exactly what she meant, because the conversation did not go much further.
Shortly after that another elderly lady was curious about my walk and asked a number of questions. Then she asked: "What made you want to do a walk like this?" I said one word, and she turned around, said good-bye, have a good trip and walked away. That one word that I said was the name of the Word who became flesh and lived amongst us. He is the Living Word who was with the Father in the beginning and through whom all things are. It is the name if the One who took the nails on the cross for us, so that sin could no longer separate us from our Creator God and loving heavenly Father. That Word, that Name is Jesus. I would have liked to have heard her story to know what caused such a reaction in her.
A bit later I actually walked and talked with a man, David, for about 15 minutes who was going the same direction I was. He said he believed that there was something out there, but it was a mystery he could not know. I asked him that if God was real, whether he would want to know this. He responded no, that he would rather just be surprised by the mystery that would be revealed after he dies. I just hope it is not a rude awakening. As we walked I became aware of several felt needs in David's life. As we parted ways he accepted my offer to pray for him. I think there might have been a tear in his eye.
Then there was Charley. I got an email from him today that came over the Snail-Trail webpage. I had met him on the West Highland Way a week before. He was one of those to whom I said, "If you walk the Devil's Staircase with Jesus, it will become a Stairway to Heaven." Charley wrote in his email: "You touched my heart. and for some reason I became emotional as we departed... you truly inspired me and walking thinking of God made my walk easier, thank you, God bless and have a great journey home, you did your job that day!"
Thanks Charley for your comments... made my day today. You just never know what God is going to do. Sometimes you just need to give someone something to chew on for awhile...

Photo 4: "Stone Bridge"

Photo 5: "Walk along the River Garnock on the way to Irvine"