Song of Sorek

Wonderful World

I leave my footprints along the sun-drenched flood line
I try to make a pattern, a mark so neat,
But the waves are playing with those prints of mine
And nearly sweep me of my feet

Oh, to touch Your great creation.
Oh, to be a part of Your wonderful world

I leave my footprints on this ancient mountain trail
The earth beneath my soles is soaking wet
The mud is sticking to my feet, still small and frail
And paints them with her deepest color red

Oh, to touch Your great creation
Oh, to be a part of Your wonderful world

I leave my footprints in the gold of glowing desert sand
My toes are digging for the cooler layer
While I let some dust run softly through my hand
And whisper all these thoughts in prayer

Oh, to touch Your great creation
Oh, to be a part of Your wonderful world

This great nation

A wise and understanding people
As a European, frequently residing in the USA, I get asked certain questions from time to time. Quite often people want to know what the general opinion overseas is about Americans and the USA as a country. Likewise I enjoy asking Americans about their views of my birth country Holland. Somehow we all care about the way we are valued as a country and as a people.
The other day I was reading in Deuteronomy 4:6 how Moses addressed the Jewish people who were about to enter the new land as promised to them. He urged them to stick to the decrees and laws that God gave them and added,
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all the decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
Now, wouldn’t it be awesome if other nations said that about your country or about your tribe? Wouldn’t it be awesome to be known as a wise and understanding people? Well, we’re far from it, whatever country we live in. I do believe, however, that this is how we should be known as Christians. Not as critical and intolerant and self absorbed. It is by our love that we will be recognized as Believers, it is by wisdom and understanding that God in us will be recognized!

Be transformed!

When the impossible looks logical

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
Romans 12:2

Transformation doesn’t happen in a second. Well, at least not in real life. It is a process of learning and growing and adjusting to new Kingdom standards and principles. Yet, sometimes I wonder: am I there yet?
I heard Bill Johnson (Bethel Church, Redding, CA) recently say: “You know when your mind has been renewed when the impossible looks logical”.
Well, that certainly made me think! How many 'impossibilities' do I encounter in my life? Do I truly believe that with God ALL things are possible?! I must not try to understand everything and all that is going on in my Christian life, but surely it means I must expand my vision, expect the unexpected and be ready for supernatural things to invade my life. Stop putting God in a box!

If we still worry about the same things we worried about 5 years ago, there is no renewal taking place. If we still get frustrated because we bump into dead ends all the time, we are not being transformed! Let's pray with the Psalmist,

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me

(Psalm 51:10)

Back to California

Trans Atlantic journey
A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step...

Tomorrow is the big day (again), I will be making the long journey from Amsterdam to Los Angeles. This time my stay in the USA will have an extra dimension knowing that publishers on two continents are working on my books! Wow, I have waited for this for some years now, and I am very grateful that my book Breath of Life will be released in Holland in the spring of 2010, reason to go back again. My short time goal in the USA is to present my 4th manuscript to Tate Publishing and hopefully I will be able to sign another contract with them. Furthermore I will be working on the weekly newsletters that we send out to our support group in Holland and recently I have started translating newsletters from our friend Brian Slater who works for Chosen People Ministries in Israel. Together we are working and praying to establish a support group in Holland for his work with the poor and homeless in Israel.

I also write a monthly column in a Dutch Christian magazine and started my 3rd season with them! Well, as you can tell, I won't be bored. Hands to the plow!!!

When facing tough situations

Keep it simple

Everytime I face a difficult or tough situation, it seems I need more words to beg and plead my case with the Almighty. I find myself reasoning, debating and desperately trying to find an explanation or answer. Well, maybe that is just me... But isn't it true that we sometimes feel we have to explain things to God? Our prayers get longer and more complicated, sometimes to the point where we don't remember what our initial question was! My mentor always says 'keep it simple', and again and again that proves to be the right thing to do and the inspiration to develop an attitude like that comes straight from the Bible.

As always, Jesus is my ultimate example in this. The other day I was reading in Luke 5:12-16 how He met with a guy who was covered with leprosy. Well, if you've ever been in India, you'll know what leprosy looks like and personally I have never seen anyone being healed from that disease. Now, this certain man asks Jesus to make him clean. If that isn't a tough situation, what is? However, Jesus keeps it simple and uses three words to explain divine healing: I am willing.

Ouch, I wish I had come up with a theology like that! His answer is awesome! The actual prayer that follows His statement is even shorter, more simple... be clean! No discussion, no pleading, no crying, no begging. Just authority!

So much to learn from such a short story. Please, remember this encounter the next time you face something that seems impossible to overcome or conquer, and keep it simple!