After 18 years of blogging...

I started blogging after my first book 'Sacred Sabbath' was published, hence the url I've used for the past eighteen years: sacredsabbath.blogspot.com 😀

Over time I posted about my books, faith, adventures, and questions. Based upon input from readers I did quite a few blog series.

At some point, I wanted to change the web address (url) of my blog because 'sacredsabbath' didn't really accurately describe the variety of topics. 

I don't know whether any of you ever tried to change the url, but it means that everywhere you posted a link to your blog, that link would be broken.

Nah, didn't want to do that. 

I asked my followers on Instagram whether they read my blogs and I received positive responses. Stopping therefore is not an option. Then, the other day I read an article that said blogging is not dead, quite encouraging.

So, this week I decided to start a new blog where I will be posting regularly. That way I will get to keep the eighteen years of blogging that are behind me. It is still kind of a blanc page there (except for one article I posted earlier today), but I hope you decide to sign up for or follow the new blog.

➔Question: Have you ever been thinking of starting a new blog or do you already have different blogs?

Ten Core Values for the christian life (2)

Come, let us bow down and worship Him; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker [Psalm 95:6].

Let's continue this blog series with the second commandment: You shall not make any idols and you shall not bow down to them or worship them (Exodus 20:4-5).

That's the second commandment in a nutshell. As we have seen in the previous post the first commandment is about not having other gods before Him. The second commandment specifies this in more detail: don't make images of other gods (idols) and don't worship them.

I truly believe the second commandment is at its core all about worship. It is a call to worship and bow down to no one else but God alone. Now, if all is well, Christians do not worship or bow down to idols (although we might never have missed an episode of Idols on TV). Yet, I have met believers who were more devoted to their church, their denomination, their dogma's and doctrines, or their preachers and worship bands, than to God!

Which brings us to a realistic and probing question. What would be left of our modern-day Christianity when all is taken away: the buildings, the meetings, the money, the power, the titles, the theology, the music, and the concerts? What would be left?

We might find ourselves on our knees again, without anything. Just us, on the floor… waiting for God to speak, waiting for Him to come. After more than two thousand years of Christianity, we might find ourselves bowing down again, empty-handed, with nothing but our time and lives to give Him.

Jesus prophesied that the time was coming when by the power of God’s Spirit people would worship the Father as He really is, offering Him the true worship He so desires. Have you ever wondered what true worship would be like? It begins where idolatry ends.

👉The core value I have attached to the second commandment is WORSHIP.

Our gratefulness and devotion towards God express themselves in a lifestyle of worship.

🕂🕂🕂🕂🕂

For more on this topic, read my book 'True Worshipers' (Answering the Father's call for a lifestyle of pure devotion). The book is available on Amazon in your country.

Expand my territory!

"I like the idea of expansion, as long as it is not my waist or weight 😁", I wrote in my blog post on January 4th of this year. The post was about my #oneword for 2024: EXPAND. You can read that post HERE.

Expand as in the prayer of Jabez: Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! (1 Chronicles 4:10).

Expand as in Psalm 119:32: I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.

Europe Teen Challenge Conference

We're talking territorial as well as spiritual expansion. I like that idea. This past weekend, we attended the Europe Teen Challenge conference in Warsaw, Poland. With our non-profit organization Traveling Light, we support Teen Challenge programs (faith-based rehab and discipleship programs) in more than 30 countries in Europe. So, the annual conference is always a great opportunity to meet with staff and students from all over Europe.

Book table

We are always present with our book table, which is a blessing as well. Several of my books have been translated into other languages (German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Farsi, and Polish, to name a few). This time I had two new books/editions on the table:

• No other gods, which is the tenth and final book in my series about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century, and
• Duch Prawdy, which is the Polish edition of my book Spirit of Truth.

Ten Core Values

While writing that final book in the series, the idea came to me that the Ten Commandments are basically the Ten Core Values for a dedicated and fruitful Christian life. I wrote a book about each commandment, and each book represents a core value that we live out in our daily lives.

👉I decided to do a blog series about those Ten Core Values. I surely hope you will take the journey with me. Along the way, the Holy Spirit will expand our understanding of a proper balance between law and grace.

PS: My books are available on Amazon in your country!

Giveaway 'No other gods'

Let's start the new year with a giveaway. Why not? Hopefully, it is on your wish list for 2024 to read more books 😁

Why not read my latest release 'No other gods', especially now that you have a chance to win a free copy. I think a new book release is not complete without a blog giveaway, so let's do it.

Last month 'No other gods' hit the shelves. It is the tenth and final book in a series (all books can be read separately) about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century and it is based on the first commandment: You shall have no other gods before me.

‘You shall have no other gods before me’ means so much more than just refraining from worshiping idols. It is a call for undivided loyalty towards the God of Israël and to honor Him as the supreme God, the Creator of heaven and earth. It is also a call to not be ignorant about the destructive influence of principalities and powers, demons and deities, false religious practices and forces of darkness.

I am calling all readers to stand up and take back what the enemy has stolen from us. Let’s make it our aim to live life as God intended it, which is for us to be:

• blessed and fruitful,
• content and encouraged,
• thankful and inspirational for generations to come.

👉So, how do you enter this giveaway? Simply like this post when you see it on social media. Leave a comment if you can, and share the post! Yep, that's it. I'll put your name in the hat and next week I'll ask my husband to draw a winner.

No other gods is available as e-book and paperback on Amazon in your country.

My #oneword for 2024

Somewhere at the beginning of December, while journaling, I got the feeling that my #oneword for 2024 was going to be EXPAND.

Yeah, expand as in the prayer of Jabez. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And then the Bible says: and God granted him his request. (You can read that in 1 Chronicles 4:10). Expand it will be.

But also expand as in Psalm 119:32, I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding. I love the fact that verse 32 is the last verse of the fourth stanza of that psalm. It is the section of Psalm 119 that represents the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. That letter is (dalet) ד which means 'door'.

Whether I will be praying for God to expand my territory or my understanding or both, the main thing is that He is the One who opens doors. Doors for my mind, my work, my ministry, and my dreams.

I like the idea of expansion, as long as it is not my waist or weight 😁. I like the idea of God and I working on something. Maybe He will show me more, maybe He will show me where we are going!

Do you have a #oneword for 2024? I would love to hear it.

Core values of a Christian life

With the publication of 'No other gods', the book series I have been working on since 2004 has been completed (yeah!) Ten books, each book dealing with one of the Ten Commandments.

While working on 'No other gods' the idea came to me to compose a set of ten core values, based on the topics of my books. You can find them in the back of 'No other gods'.

I have called them the Ten Core Values of a dedicated and fruitful Christian life and of course, they can be summed up in one word: LOVE.

I believe these values sum up what it means to fulfill the Law in love. Mind you, we don't live by rules, we live by the leading of God's Spirit as I have described in each book practically and simply.

Core values are fundamental beliefs that we live out in our daily behavior. As I have explained in this book series, it is one thing to say we are not thieves but it is another thing to be a generous giver. It is one thing to not give a false testimony but it is another thing to always speak truth. It is one thing to say we are not killers but it is another thing to love and value life.

Well, you get the point, right? Of course, the Ten Commandments have not changed, but the way we make them come true is totally different under the New Covenant. Merely obeying or keeping a set of rules can turn into legalism. Fulfilling the ancient writings in a life of love is a different story, as Jesus showed us by the life He lived.

👉It is my prayer to see a Christianity based on these biblical core values with love (God) as the motivator and inspiration behind everything we do!

Final book in Ten Commandmentseries series

It was on a summer's day, back in August 2004, that I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me about writing a book series. It wasn't an audible voice but at the same time, it was loud and clear.

We were living in Southern California at the time, on a beautiful ranch where my husband worked as a racecar technician. Just a few years earlier we had come to faith in Jesus Christ. An event that radically changed our lives. The fact that it was possible to hear God's voice had never occurred to me.

I am forever thankful that He spoke exactly the way He did because I never doubted what I had heard. I was still a rather young believer back then and, although I enjoyed writing since I was a little girl, I had no plans of writing such books.

And here we are, nineteen years down the road. I finally finished the tenth and final book in the series about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century. To be honest, I have longed for this day. Why? Because I have so many other ideas for writing books. Ideas that I didn't want to work on as long I had not finished this series. Yeah, that's called discipline 😁 

No other gods is the tenth and final book in this eye-opening series and it deals with the first commandment: You shall have no other gods before Him. Each chapter starts with a travel story, travels we made throughout the years all over the world. Travels that introduced us to other religions than the one we grew up with, to other cultures, and to other gods...

The subtitle says: Why undivided loyalty to the One and only living God matters in these days

Curious? The book is available on Amazon in your country.

Finalizing the tenth book

It has been a while since I gave an update on my WIP (work in progress) as far as my book series is concerned.

As most of you know, I have been working on a series of ten books about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century. Last year, the ninth book in this series came out: First Love.

Encouragement

Just the other day I received a message from a friend, who lives in the Republic of Georgia, about how much she enjoys reading this book. Such messages are always a huge encouragement; for any writer I guess.

Anyway, the ninth book. Almost there, I thought. Almost done, one more to go. Mind you, work on this series began back in 2004. Yeah, nineteen (!) years ago. Talking about determination, endurance, and also... procrastination (anyone who can relate?).

Editing stages

Never thought it would take me so long 😏 but here we are, in the final editing stages of the tenth book in the series: No other gods.

Yep, that will be the title, and the book is based on the first commandment where God spoke the words 'You shall have no other gods before me.' Uh, excuse me? Other gods? I thought Christianity and Judaism were monotheistic religions... just one God right, the great I Am.

👉Well, if there are no other gods, the first commandment would have no value. That makes sense, right?

Stay tuned

So, yes there are other gods and no, we should not have them before God. In this new book (which proofreaders are busy with, right now) I use our own travel experiences to describe the supremacy of the God of the Bible.

Stay tuned. I will keep you updated!

We all have something particular to do

I ended my latest blog series with a conclusion and a question: "I strongly believe we all have something particular to do, apart from the general works we are called to do as believers. 👉What is it He called you to do?"

In other words, what is your calling? The Bible is full of stories of people who had a specific task given by God. One smaller, one bigger, but a task nonetheless.

And whatever they did, became part of Biblical world history and God's Kingdom as we know it. All their stories are connected to Ephesians 2:10 where it is written:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Notice it says 'in' Christ Jesus. We first need to be in Him. Why? Because it is in Him that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). We find our purpose in Jesus. Being in Him comes before doing something for Him. Remember that! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

We discover the specific works God has prepared for us when we are a new creation in Christ, in other words when we have been born again. How exciting! Think about it, there is a task only you can do. 

Yes, you. Why? Because you are unique. You have a specific character and background. You have specific life experiences, abilities, strengths, talents, and spiritual gifts. Some of your experiences may be painful or negative, but God will make everything new. He redeems our lives for His purposes.

I am a writer and blogger, but there are probably millions of people who do a better job than I do. Yet, I know that I am called to write about certain topics in a certain way, simply because of the way I think, the way I grew up, the way I connect with the Lord, the way I express myself etc. etc.

Furthermore, a prophetic word was given to me many years ago, before I even penned one blog, article, or book. God called me to be His 'faithful mouthpiece'. I have those words on my desk, to be reminded every day that I work for Him.

How do you find out what it is God has prepared for you?

• I believe it starts with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the Father's purpose for your life.
• Seek Christian gatherings where people operate in prophetic gifts and come with a genuine hunger to do His will.
• Get inspired by reading the Bible, by the men and women that went before you and take notice when your heart jumps a beat... that is a clue for further prayer.
• Journal (write down) anything that the Lord brings to mind: words, thoughts, scriptures, names... anything! They are pieces of the puzzle.
• Make sure to seek silence so you can listen to the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit.

This post might be helpful as well

And you know what, when we do the particular works, we are being shaped into the man or woman He ordained us to be. Our specific calling shapes our life for eternal purposes.

Year in review

I don't know about you, but I still have some trouble getting back to a healthy rhythm in writing and posting... well, in everything really.

After almost three years of great disturbances worldwide (which affected everyone and everything, no matter where you are in the discussion) I still haven't found my flow.

👉However, I always like to reflect and look back at each year, just to make sure I am still moving forward. As you can see I made an infographic of my writing and speaking efforts in 2022.

Hm, I think I am satisfied, although I have postponed and procrastinated on some of my writing goals. Well, 2023 will bring new opportunities and chances.

Writers/bloggers... Do you review your year? Are you satisfied? Any new goals or plans? Are you working on something new? I would love to hear it.

As far as my work is concerned:

WEBSITE: www.marjameijers.com

YOUTUBE: @MarjaVerschoorMeijers

PODCAST: Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths

TWITTER: @marjameijers

INSTAGRAM: Marja Verschoor-Meijers

FACEBOOK: marja.meijers

The value of Christian books

Some Christians are critical, quite critical I've noticed. Especially when it comes to judging other Christians who have some sort of ministry.

I come across critical comments about Christian authors, preachers, and musicians on social media quite often, which is pretty sad and tiring (let me know whether you agree or disagree).

👉If you don't like someone's preaching, writing, or singing... pick something else! Don't criticize the work of others, certainly not if you haven't produced anything yourself. I don't see why that is so difficult.

Personally, I 💗to listen to various teachers and preachers, and I love to read books written by believers. When I need encouragement, healing, faith, or empowerment in my own life, I read certain authors. Yes, the ones I know will lift me up and inspire me.

The other day I was contemplating the value of Christian books. We are so blessed to be able to choose from a wide variety of authors whose writing helps us in our own faith walk. I often forward books that have helped me to others. I write reviews on Goodreads and sometimes on this blog.

And yes, of course I get encouraged when I receive positive notes from people who have read my books. Whether we write, preach, pray, encourage, or make music, we minister to others. Not to everyone, but to a specific person or audience. If we would all do so, we would cover the earth with God's love.

If you are one of those who enjoys my writing, make sure to watch the promo video and the book trailer of my latest book First Love! THANKS 😀

Millions are their numbers

When my book Breath of Life was published, back in 2008, I had no idea it would remain so topical and accurate. I received many comments on the story of Sorek, as described in that book.

With the abortion debate flaring up again, reader Don Coley (CA) sent me a message recently, that said:

"In the USA there is now a renewed opportunity for Sorek and his Breath of Life. His developing personality was so engaging that, after reading Breath of Life, I wrote about Sorek as well."

Don's poem will resonate with everyone who has read Breath of Life and hopefully trigger the curiosity of those who haven't read it yet.

Who will side with Sorek? Who will set him free?

God has formed his features, God has shaped his plan

This God who holds his future, still gives a choice to Man

Choice to seek his purpose or choice to turn away

Choice that stops a beating heart, erases birth that day

No laughter in his future. No hugs, no friends, no wife

Because a choice was wrongly used and took his Breath of Life

Millions are their numbers, Sorek all their name

Lives not lived but slaughtered, choice reduced to shame

Must it always be this way? Is there nothing we can do?

To value life above false choice? What’s next is up to you.

Who will side with Sorek? Who will set him free?

I will side with Sorek, I will help him be.

And the winner is...

Thank you all who responded to my giveaway on various social media outlets. The release of a new book does call for some festivities, doesn't it? 😊

One thing festive, for sure, is receiving favorable reviews. I got one for my new book First Love from Reader's Favorite, quite a surprise to me since I did not ask or pay for it.

I'll quote from the review:

"Marja Verschoor-Meijers knows her stuff. I have been a minister for over 45 years and have read thousands of books. In my humble opinion, First Love does a better job at explaining Law #7 than any other author I have ever read. She uses the Scriptures and not only exegetes this commandment, but she also gives practical application."

Quite humbling, I must admit. If you want to read the full review, please CLICK HERE. I have been receiving some comments from readers by mail and social media as well... but I could use more!

So, when you are reading, or have finished reading, First Love, please let me know your thoughts. Did it inspire and encourage you? Did it speak to your heart?

👉And now.... the winner of last week's giveaway is Francesca Spataro (Italy). 

She will get a free copy in the mail! She has been a faithful reader of my books and even translated several into Italian, so I am sure this one will be a welcoming addition to her library.

First Love is available as e-book and paperback on Amazon in your country.

Giveaway 'First Love'

Yeah, summer is on the way. Hopefully, you will take the time to read a good book.

Why not read my latest release First Love? Especially now that you have a chance to win a free copy. I think a new book release is not complete without a blog giveaway, so let's do it!😃

Last month First Love hit the shelves. It is the ninth book in a series (all books can be read separately) about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century and it is based on the seventh commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Not exactly an easy or popular topic to write a book about, but I certainly believe that First Love holds a beautiful and inspiring message about God's faithfulness and love. His love for Israel, for humanity, and for you as a reader. 

Because our limited human love fails us, we need His divine love in our lives in order to be able to love others. It all starts with receiving His love, renewing our understanding of that love, and refreshing the way we love Him back. What God wants to establish in our spiritual lives, He will surely use in our day-to-day natural circumstances. After reading this book, you will:

• have a better understanding of God’s love for people
• know that you are loved by God
• feel encouraged about refreshing your relationship with God, your spouse, and other people
• be inspired to love others as God loves you
• be able to ban boredom from your life
• be determined to remain faithful until the end.

👉So, how do you enter this giveaway? Simply like this post when you see it on social media. Leave a comment, and share the post! Yep, that's it. I'll put your name in the hat and next week I'll ask my husband to draw a winner!

First Love is available as e-book and paperback on Amazon in your country.

First Love: Book 9 in a series

Sometimes it amazes me how long it takes me to write a book 😏Do all writers have a tendency to procrastinate, I wonder? There are times that I don't look at my manuscript for months and then suddenly I am back at it again.

Writing is and will always be a matter of discipline and setting strict deadlines. Anyway, there's another book on my shelf!

Last week my latest book was published, I gave it the title First Love. It is the ninth book in a series (all books can be read separately) about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century and it is based on the seventh commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Not really an easy or popular topic to write a book about, but I certainly believe that this book holds a beautiful and inspiring message about God's faithfulness and love. His love for Israel, for humanity, and for you as a reader. The back matter says:

Love, till death do us part. Such words, promises, and vows… do they still mean anything at all in our world today? Is it possible to love and keep on loving? Is it possible to be faithful to the end?

If you are interested in an inspiring and encouraging view on faithfulness, please order this book and let me know your thoughts. It is available as e-book and paperback on Amazon in your country.

👉I would appreciate your reviews.

About podcasts, videos, devotionals, and a WIP

PODCAST

A little while back the idea came to me to read and record some of my older blog series and publish them as podcasts. Although I am an avid reader, I understand some people enjoy listening rather than reading, and since I have so much valuable material... why not venture out onto new roads? 😉

My husband and I used to listen to cassette tapes and CDs with preaching and teaching. Nowadays we use YouTube. So, audio messages are nothing new, yet podcasts are very popular at the moment.

I am using the Anchor app to record my messages and they get linked to Spotify, where you can find them under 'Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths',  yep... same name as this blog.

Readers: you might enjoy these short messages while walking, working out, or cooking!
Bloggers: maybe this is an idea for you!

VIDEOS

Last year I taped more than 200 video devotions on the Psalms, on Psalm 119 (incl. the Hebrew alphabet), and on Proverbs 3. They are 2 minutes each and you can find them on YouTube or my Instagram TC channel. If you are in need of encouragement and a daily boost of faith, please consider doing #apsalmaday. 👉And... I am working on a new series!

DEVOTIONAL

At the beginning of this year, I decided to read a devotional, which I hardly ever do. The book is called Stormproof, 100 days of triumph over trouble. It is written by John Hagee.

Well, are we going through a storm worldwide, or what? I want to make sure I keep running the race towards the end, I want my faith to grow stronger.

I need this book, I need these reminders!

Are you reading a devotional these days?

WIP, work in progress

I have been working on a new book for quite a while now (I admit I struggle with writing discipline). It will be the ninth book in my series about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century and it deals with the 7th commandment: do not commit adultery. I plan to publish it this year!

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Romans 10:17).

Looking beyond restrictions

Sometimes I get the feeling that 2021 was a year of restrictions, in many ways. That may be true, if I look through a negative lens.

If I look through a positive lens instead and make my 2021 work summary, I come to the conclusion that I have done many things... when it comes to writing and speaking.

I realize that there is an enemy who always tries to make us think that we didn't do enough, that it wasn't good, that it could be better, that what we did had no impact etc. etc.

That enemy is a liar and a thief. He is harassing us, trying to steal our joy, and belittle our talents. For that reason alone I like to take inventory for myself, as proof that he has no right to speak!

• I have recorded more than two hundred videos about the Psalms and Proverbs 3 and distributed them on YouTube and Instagram TV
• I have written monthly blogs for www.ikzoekgod.nl and
• monthly columns for Opwekking Magazine
• In addition, I also wrote posts almost weekly on my English and Dutch blogs
• 
  I also wrote two feature articles for Opwekking Magazine
• Recently I also started making podcasts that you can find on Spotify under the name Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths
• I also wrote 23,000 words in my new book and
• I preached a number of times in churches and at gatherings.

All different ways to stay connected with readers and listeners and to keep spreading His Word. After all, my #oneword for 2021 was connect.

👉I don't know about you, but if you have the feeling that the year has slipped through your hands without significant highlights...

Please, take inventory and you will be amazed at what you have been able to accomplish and it will inspire you to continue, also in 2022!

Writing as love language

I once got a diary for my birthday. I don't remember how old I was... maybe 8 or 9. It was one of those diaries with a golden lock on it. You could trust your secrets to paper and no one could get to them. I loved it!

For years I wrote many of my childish and (later) adolescent thoughts in such diaries. When we moved to another house, I threw them all away. The thought of anyone reading my secrets was downright embarrassing.

When I became a believer about twenty years ago, I started writing again. It's called journaling these days. I have already filled quite a few notebooks. And yes, I definitely read back from time to time. It's interesting to see what I was worried about ten years ago, what I had questions about, or what I prayed for. Most things turned out well 😁

Over the years, my writing has, in reality, become talking with God. It has become the love language between Him and me. When I make a journal entry it usually starts with me talking about what's on my mind. When I am halfway the page I often notice that I no longer write down what I think, but what God wants to say to me. You can see this change in perspective quite often in the psalms.

👉 My pen becomes His instrument in my hands, as it were. Whenever it is hard for me to hear His still small voice, I'll write. Do you recognize that?

Even if you don't like writing, you should start... just to have one of those beautiful journals from Flame Tree!

Worshipers wanted!

Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord? Who will refuse to declare your greatness? You alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all [Revelation 15:4].

It is My desire to cover the earth with sons and daughters who are carrying My presence and the power of the Holy Spirit within. I want to fill the earth with My holiness and glory once more. It is My pride and joy to see sons and daughters do what My Son taught them… to go into the world and disciple the nations, one person at the time. To go and share the love I have poured out in their hearts.

I love it when they lay their hands on the sick, so My Son can make them well. I love to see the oppressed be set free and the ones in pain be joyful again. I long to see every spirit revived, every soul saved and delivered, and every afflicted body released from sickness. I am love, I am light, I am holy, I am shalom. Perfect peace and well-being come from My hand and it is My greatest pleasure to fill My sons and daughters with everything I have, with everything I am.

I seek the ones that are willing to receive what I have for them. I seek the ones that are bold enough to call Me Papa. I search the earth to see if there are any who are wise and willing to worship Me, who are willing to obey My Holy Spirit who only speaks of what He hears and who always brings glory to My Son.

I am seeking sons and daughters who are not afraid of My Spirit, who are willing to get to know Him better so He can lead them into all truth. I can and will do so much more throughout the earth when My people will let go of fear and put their trust in Me. You see, putting your trust in anything or anyone else than Me is idolatry and I do not tolerate it. It is Me or nothing. The choice is yours.

I cannot work through you if you are not willing to let Me. I want to see sons and daughters who dare to hand Me their dreams and goals, their jobs and finances, their present and future assets, their health and care issues, their family and relationships… everything really. I love to bring order in chaos, peace in troubled times, healing where there is pain, confidence where there is doubt, and hope where there is despair. Will you let Me do it?

Yes, I am looking for worshipers and no, you don’t have to sing for Me all day, although I love music. The heavens are full of worship and My angels cry out, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy,’ without end. I am looking for worshipers, for sons and daughters who know Me and are willing to spend time with Me and My Word.

I have so much to give, why don’t you give Me your time and devotion? Why don’t you give Me the worship I so desire? A thankful heart, a pure heart, a humble attitude, a lifestyle in submission to My Holy Spirit, a love for My Word, undivided attention, and the honor I deserve as your Father. This is what I am seeking. This is My cry for you, my child. This is my call for your generation.

With sincere love, Your Father

Do we keep on blogging in 2021?

Google announced that the Feedburner service will stop as of July 1st. That is the service that takes care of sending your blog posts to people's email addresses (well, to the ones that have signed up for it.)

When I read that, I thought 'what now?' 😕Is this the moment to stop blogging? Getting my blog posts to readers by email is a quite reliable way to stay connected, especially now that readers are leaving Facebook, Twitter, and other social media because of censorship.

I wanted to know whether writing blogs was still worth the effort, so I began to search the internet for news and statistics on blogging and found some interesting facts. For example, marketing consultant and speaker Neal Schaffer writes on his website:

"Blogging is absolutely still relevant in 2021. In fact, roughly 409 million internet users read about 20 billion blog pages monthly. People undeniably still read blogs. As a matter of fact, 77% of internet users worldwide like reading them. People in the United States alone read blogs 3 times more than emails. Blogging is not dead, blogs are powerful and it is the 5th most reliable source of information on the internet. Blogging will always be worth it especially if you find a niche you are passionate about."

So, I decided to keep on blogging 💚and I hope you will do the same (if you are a blogger)! I have added a new feed service to my blogs. So, please sign up for your favorite blog in the sidebar (on a laptop or desktop). I post about once a week:

Fresh Insights on Ancient Blogs: sacredsabbath.blogspot.com 

Frisse Kijk op Oude Waarheden: frisse-kijk.blogspot.com 

Non-profit Traveling Light: janandmarja.blogspot.com 

Stichting Traveling Light: janenmarja.blogspot.com