Visiting Karen Lange today

Today fellow blogger and author Karen Lange is hosting me on her blog. So, you could do us both a favor by hopping over for a visit, simply by clicking HERE.
Thanks a million.

No worries (1)

To worry or not to worry... that's the question, or isn't it? Personally, I am not a worrier by nature, but I know many people who are. Well, whatever the case in your life or home... I have decided to write a series of short blog posts on worrying. I hope they will inspire and encourage you.

'Worrying about something or someone'... Probably one of life's biggest and most repeated sins we commit. Yes, I am calling it a sin, because 'worrying' goes against the words of Jesus. Let us take a look at what He says about this subject, for example in Matthew 6:25,

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Simple words and clear questions we have learned to skip. Yes, skip... because if we are honest we must admit that food, clothing and body (health/beauty) issues are exactly the things we spend much time, money and worries on. A crazy thought really, because here in the Western world most of the people are clothed and have food to eat. There are television networks and magazines solely dedicated to food, fashion and health. And yet, despite our abundance we still worry.

By the way, Jesus does not say that eating, drinking or clothing ourselves is wrong, but that worrying about those things is wrong. Instead of worrying, we should rather be busy making sure that no one on this planet lacks these basic necessities!

Do not worry about your life! To me, that is a wonderful thought at the beginning of yet another year in which the media will probably try to convince me that I lack many things. I really want to take Jesus' words very seriously. I do not want to worry about my daily stuff, I want to care for the daily stuff of others, who are less fortunate. In doing so I will shift the focus from self to others.

I have tried to answer Jesus' intriguing questions:

• Is not life more than food? Yes indeed!  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)
• Is not the body more than clothes? Yes indeed! Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

What have you done to stop worrying?

Fresh insights, also in 2014

At the beginning of yet another new year I have taken a critical look at my blog title: fresh insights on ancient truths. Is that name still accurate and in line with the posts I publish?

I have noticed that over the years this blog has received a fair share of active readers, thankful readers, critical readers and, no doubt, some secret readers. Among them are evangelical, orthodox, catholic and charismatic believers, Muslims, agnostics and atheists. Yes, I do have the most beautiful and diverse group of readers a writer/blogger could wish for.

In 2014 it is still my desire to offer a fresh look on themes and subjects that have gathered some dust throughout the years. Things that might be religious, but not biblical. Or things that are biblical, but that we have always looked at through religious glasses. I hope you want to open the Bible with me, read it AND do it. I would like to keep it that simple and, since most of you are busy, I promise to keep the posts short!

I am very grateful for all your comments, whether on this blog, by email, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. It is the comments of readers that give true value to a blog.