Think big, start small

The tragedies of this world are coming at us at cosmic speed. Sometimes in such massive waves that it seems impossible to see through it, in search for light. Many people find themselves paralyzed by fear, unable to move on... in search for light.

Images, headlines, words and relief efforts are passing us by in a never ending scream to get our attention. Yet, in the midst of all chaos and disorder  one question remains: how can I make a difference, where do I start?

My answer is simple: think big, start small. Sort of like God. For God so loved the world [now, that's big thinking...] that He... what? Send an army of angels? Organized a massive demonstration? Decided to clean up this planet with one move of His hand? No! He sent one person, His Son. Now, that is thinking big (loving the world and seeing the need) and starting small (one person with  an assignment).

I truly believe it still works like that. We cannot solve all the problems in this world, but each person can do something in order to touch someone else and help that person to get a new life. That is in short the philosophy behind our non profit organisation Traveling Light. Offering help on a small scale basis (one person at the time) and by doing so changing lives, families, streets, villages, cities, nations... and yes, eventually the world, in preparation for the coming King and for the glory of our heavenly Father... who might have more pain about the present state of the earth He created than we can imagine.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

We just finished a fundraiser (two of our volunteers raised almost $5,500) for the construction of a small home for girls and young woman in Moldova, who have been rescued from human trafficking, the youngest girl being only twelve years of age. If you want to know how they did that, check our weblog HERE.

My question for you is: Do you let yourself be paralyzed by fear or do you decide to get up and let your light shine?

Prayer for change

One morning, earlier this week, I was reading through the prayer booklet that was published specifically for the week of prayer 2015. I found these words:

God of life, 

Let our strength

not be the result of violence,

but of love.

Let our prosperity

not be the result of possessions,

but of sharing.

Let our path

not lead to ambition,

but to righteousness.

This is what we ask

in the Name of Jesus,

Your Son.

Amen.

Good news blog

Wishing you all a blessed and inspirational 2015 full of pleasant surprises from our heavenly Father!

In a world that seems to continually scream bad news at us, I have yet again made a commitment to write short (I know how busy you all are) encouraging, uplifting and positive blog posts in 2015 and to share good news  items whenever possible. After all, we are called to share the good news, not to spread and repeat the bad stuff (which we will leave up to the secular media).

It is my wish that a visit to my blog will make your day brighter, so you can pass the light on to others... Let's do it!

If you can think of a topic that needs a fresh (biblical) perspective, please do not hesitate and send an email to meijers.marja@gmail.com. Who knows it will turn into an interesting blog series.

Elsie Amata, you have won the December give-away. Please, send me an email with your address and I will make sure the two books will come your way. Congratulations and have fun reading!

Adoration

 Arise and shine

Painting by Mattia Preti (1613-1699)

Arise,

shine,

for your light has come,

    and the glory of the Lord

rises upon you.

See,

darkness covers the earth

    and thick darkness

is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you

    and his glory

appears over you.

Nations

will come to your light,

    and kings

to the brightness of your dawn.

[Isaiah 60:1-3]

December give-away

Dear readers of this blog,

At the end (almost) of yet another beautiful and inspiring blogging year I want to thank you for reading along, for commenting and for sharing the posts. Your input and responses make each post a valuable interaction about the deeper issues of life.

I cannot thank you all personally, some readers desire to stay anonymous and that's just fine with me, but I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who visits this blog, whether you are a reader, a blogger or a writer (to be)... Without your encouragement this blog would not continue to exist. As a way of saying thank you I will be hosting a give-away this month!

You can win a copy of My Neighbor's House and, as a bonus, a copy of any other book in the Ten Commandments series you desire. The only thing you need to do is to leave your comment underneath this post and describe in six words how you have experienced 2014. (This is a great opportunity for the writers and poets among us to practice writing a six-word-story.)

I'll ask my husband to draw a name, later this month!