Living as pilgrims in this world

Today the thought came to me that we are all pilgrims in this world, just passing through.

I have traveled all over the world and I have always been amazed at how easy it is for me to feel at home... just about everywhere. Just as long as there is food on the table and a pillow to rest my head on, I am happy.

It makes life easier when we are flexible, in a sense. The Bible says:

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come (Hebrews 13:14).

This world is not our permanent home. So, how come we act as if it is? We want to control everything that is happening, but we can't. Yet, we get restless when things are shaken, we feel uneasy when things change, we have this need to defend what we believe belongs to us...

It is all understandable, of course. We want stability, we want security, we want peace. When there is turmoil in the world, we feel it in our hearts, we feel it in our souls. It is like bleeding inside. We are hurting because we cannot stop the world from turning... and turning.

If we could only learn to live as a pilgrim. I don't mean being homeless or without possessions; but being able to move on, despite circumstances. Being able to look forward to the surprises waiting around the next corner.

We can learn a lesson from Abraham. By faith he made his home in the promised land. Yet, he lived like a stranger in a foreign country. Hebrews 11:10 says: He was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

We should take care of this world, it is our assignment to subdue and cultivate the earth and to evenly divide her resources. But we should also look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where every tear will be wiped away, where there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:1-4).

Let's get our focus right, while passing through.

Blogging routine baloney

Well, after the blogoversary celebrations, the WIP special Bloggers@work and the latest news about my new book Spirit of Truth, I am trying to get back to my weekly writing routine... yeah, I said trying.

There is no such thing as a writing or blogging routine in my life. Last week I was traveling in the beautiful country of Macedonia which has a history going back to Biblical times. I attended a conference of Roma gypsies; believers who have a heart to change the fate and future of their people. I could write a book about the struggles and victories they experience.

In the meantime my husband was traveling in Slovenia. He attended a men's conference where more than 400 men from different Balkan countries (former Yugoslavia) came together to seek God's face, to forgive and be forgiven and in doing so to be healed of their brokenness. I know this will not appear on the daily news, but believe me... this is a major happening in the spiritual world and it would take more than one book to write down the stories!

When at home with nothing to do :-) (just kidding) I am working on a Bible study book in the Dutch language while ideas for the next book in the Ten Commandments series are running through my mind. Besides that, an Italian version of one of my dearest and most precious books, Breath of Life, will be coming out next month... and yeah, we will be traveling to Italy.

So, a writing or blogging routine... nah, can't seem to get it together. How about you?

Encourage 24/7

This week I am traveling, well digitally speaking... I am joining Tracy Teppler in her effort to encourage women all over the world, from her home base in South Africa. She does this with the help of a wide variety of bloggers. (Don't you just LOVE being part of the international blogging sphere?) I am honored to be this week's featured encourager at her Encourage 24/7 blog! If you've never been there, please stop by for a quick and powerful encouraging word. It might change your week.

By the way, you could be the next featured ENCOURAGER. Do you have a testimony? Do you have some good biblical advice? Do you want to encourage other women with what you have overcome? Looking for some extra exposure out there in the Christian blog world? Feel free to email your submission to:  247encourage@gmail.com

What are the requirements?:

• God-centred post
• Not too long
• The point of the post is to be encouraging 
• Submit a small bio with a picture of yourself so the readers can get to know you
• Make sure an email address (for Tracy's eyes only) is submitted along with a link to your blog (if you have one).

Tracy's heart is to help other women restore the broken walls in their lives. She wants to involve women who love the Lord and have a heart for encouragement. If that's you... don't hesitate and join Encourage 24/7 today!

And the winner is....

Ancient streets in Ein Hod, Israel

It's been kind of quiet at my blogging desk for the last few weeks... I am still traveling in Israel and enjoying a good vacation. The weather here reminds me of Southern California where we have spent many beautiful winters. Flip flops and shorts... that's about all I need :)

Anyway, thanks for all the lovely reactions to my birthday give-away. It was fun to see how most of you were able to give excellent one-word descriptions of your blogs. I was amazed!

This morning I asked my husband to pick a name, and the winner is... Susan Reinhardt. Congratulations, you will receive a copy of the first book in my series on the Ten Commandments, Sacred Sabbath. I received the message for this book in 2004, which seems ages ago now, but I believe it is more accurate than ever. Enjoy!

I'll be back to blogging next week. Shalom from Israel.

Free indeed

All of life consists of seasons. We can see this in nature, we can see it in our own personal lives. There will always be ups and downs, times of joy and times of sorrow. Times of growth and fruit bearing and times where everything seems to be standing still. It doesn't really matter what time we find ourselves in, as long as we keep looking ahead, expecting a new season to come.

One of the highlights in Jesus' life here on earth was his baptism and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Him. He received the words that every son needs to hear from his father: This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17). After this Jesus entered a very difficult time in his life, He was tempted by the devil... not for an hour or a day, but for forty days! But He kept his eyes on the Word and on his Father and this resulted in the fact that He came out of this dark period 'in the power of the Spirit' (Luke 4:14). He entered a new phase, a new season in his life. In the local synagogue Jesus announced the work He came to do (Luke 4:18-19):

• to preach good news to the poor
• to proclaim freedom to the prisoners
• to proclaim recovery of sight for the blind
• to release the oppressed, and
• to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor

This past week we had the opportunity to visit and minister in Kiev (Ukraine) where these words of Jesus are being fulfilled every day! Many broken lives, torn apart by addiction, fear, anger and crime, are being healed and set free by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus still works today (through our hands) to touch people and set them free. The two men in the picture are Maksim and Gena. After 16 years of addiction to hard drugs they have found new life in Jesus Christ. Finally the sun began to shine in their lives, they have reason to laugh, to have fun together. We were greatly touched by their testimonies.

The words of Jesus are still truth. They are alive and powerful. I do not know what has kept you imprisoned or oppressed. Maybe it is a disease, fear or anger, maybe depression or an addiction. Please, remember the words and works of Jesus. He desires to set you free, that is His ministry up to today! If the Son set you free, you are free indeed (John 6:38).

How majestic...

This past Thanksgiving weekend we went on a camping trip. We stayed at Jalama Beach in Southern California. The weather was a pleasant 80F (yes!), perfect for long walks on the beach.

We really took time to talk with the Lord and each other about pressing matters concerning our work and ministry. We enjoyed camp fires and cup-o-noodles, I read 3 books, believe it or not, and have set some short term goals for my writing. All in all an inspiring weekend, my motivation is back!

Jalama Beach is in a pretty deserted area along the coast, so at night the stars are just spectacular! The sunsets were absolutely beautiful too. We were in awe, as the psalmist was:

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

[Psalm 8:3-4]

May I ask, what do you do to get inspired and motivated again?

Photo impression Israel

Remains of Capernaum synagogue

It is written about Jesus that He didn't stay in Nazareth, but went to live in Capernaum (Kfar Nahum in Hebrew) (Matthew 4:13). Today there is not much left of that old town on the shores of the Sea of Gallilee, but the old synagogue is certainly worth a visit. It still breathes the atmosphere of biblical times.

Arbel National Park

Arbel National Park was a pleasant surprise. No crowds here, just tranquility and spectacular views of the Tiberias area.

Greek Orthodox church Capernaum

As we were strolling along the shoreline of the Sea of Gallilee, we stumbled upon this picturesque Greek church near Capernaum. Tranquility, beautiful gardens and grand views of the lake... awesome!

PS: for more pics, see my album on Facebook!

Review and words to ponder

Today I received another great and honest review for my new released book Grace of Giving. If you are somewhat familiar with the writing business, you know how hard it is to get your work reviewed. Hopefully you also know how rewarding it is to receive a good rating and/or positive review! Needless to say I am happy, honored and thrilled with the review on Christian Book Notes. I realize I have mentioned Grace of Giving more than once on this blog and many of you have read the book. However, for those of you who are still planning to read it, this review offers useful insight on the subject matter, so feel free to check it out!

Since we are still traveling, I'll keep this post short and give you a thought to ponder. A thought about Peter walking on water: "The waves were just as high when Peter walked perfectly on the water as when he sank. The wind was just as great when Peter walked perfectly, as when he sank..."

In other words, there will always be storms in our life. It is our focus that will determine how we will continue our walk! Let's focus on the unchanging Word of God, not on the words the world hurls at us!

Spring in Holland

Well, after a long day (or night, or both... I forgot) of traveling we are back home in Holland! Wow, Los Angeles - Zurich - Amsterdam, half way around the world! It is always a relief to set foot on solid ground again (with all our luggage!). I love spring time in Holland, the flowers are abundant and every tree seems to burst with new life. The birds are happily singing while I am digging through a pile of mail...

Visions of earth

He spoke and it came to be...

It is almost 25 years ago since I met my husband. During those years we have seen many different parts of the world, since we both share a love for traveling and a curiosity for cultures, languages and people. Much later we found a new love: traveling through the Bible! My first Bible with cross references was the NIV and a whole new world opened up for me! I no longer regarded the 66 books of the Bible as separate accounts of individual writers and poets, but as a huge puzzle. It was up to me to find a fitting piece each day and discover that all those people, eyewitnesses, prophets, writers and poets are connected and share an awesome story, even through the ages of time!

I am learning new things all the time and one of my favorite subjects to meditate on is Creation. It fascinates me, although my human mind is way too small to comprehend the vastness of the universe. Yet, The Bible offers me triggers that provoke my thinking. Hebrews 11:1-3 for example teaches me the following:

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

I think this is an awesome verse and a great starting point for one of my travels through the Bible.

Many centuries before these words the psalmist had a revelation about God's creating power. He wrote in the 33rd song, verses 6 and 9,

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth...For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm!

The psalmist knew that the visible nature around him came forth from the invisible word that God spoke.

My journey doesn't end there, it takes me to the writings of the prophet Isaiah, who listened to God's voice all the time. He received insight about the power of God's words when the Lord gave him an everyday example from nature in the 55th chapter, verses 10-11;

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what i desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

I love this! All those pieces fit in the puzzle, they form a picture in my mind that is getting clearer and more beautiful and more perfect! May I end this blogpost with the words from the beginning...

And God said:"Let there be light." And there was light.