Reading Is Learning

Small group gathers around Sacred Sabbath

Recently we've started a small group in our home, or I should say: in our garden! The beautiful spring weather allows us to gather outside and take a closer look at the first book in this series, Sacred Sabbath. Reading together is so much fun! It has nothing to do with a dry, dusty and boring study group. First of all because the people aren't boring and second of all because the book isn't. It doesn't matter how many times I read chapter one, it still excites me! I find new truths all the time!

Let me share some of the discussion starters from chapter one:

• "When God speaks, He creates." What do you know about God's creating power? What about our words, do they have creating power? (think about: I'm tired, I can never do that etc.)
• "God still speaks today." Have you ever experienced that? Do you know how to hear from God? (think about: miracles, music, the Bible etc.)
• "God is not a mysterious God somewhere far away on His own safe planet." Is that so? What is your view about God? Try to describe Him. Do you want to learn more about God?

This is only a hand full of topics we've touched last week. I wrote this book with the hope that reading it would provoke your thoughts. Please feel free to write, journal, underline and highlight! Use the book! Make it your own!

Spring Explosion

A call for the universe to praise God
Wow! I don't think I've ever seen a spring so beautiful as the one we are currently experiencing in Holland. Trees are bursting into blossom and flowers pop up everywhere. Everything and everyone suddenly awakes from their winter's sleep. There is joy in the air, you can feel it, you can hear it, you can see it!

The changing of the seasons takes me to Psalm 148 where the writer urges all creation to glorify God. It is the Psalm I used to open up Sacred Sabbath, it sets the stage for awe and wonder! I don't need scientific proof that everything exists by intelligent design. I know it! I see it, I sense it, I live it. To God be the glory! Amen.

Bridge Between The Continents

We can learn from each other!

This week we'll have the opportunity and privilege to fly between California and Holland. We are planning to spend several months on the European continent, re-connecting with the old world so to speak. After a pretty long stay in the USA (since September 2005) we are curious to find out what's happening in Europe, revival-wise!

Recent publications about the post-secular future of Europe have stirred up the desire in us to experience things from up close! It is our dream to build a bridge between the continents and truly learn from each other. Please check out for yourself what's going on there!
www.joelnews.org
www.jesusrevolution.org
www.connecteurope.org
www.europe4christ.net

Heart and Mind, Mind and Heart

Just having knowledge is not enough!
Why does God need so many words to teach us right and wrong? The Bible is a huge book, isn't that a bit too much, since we all know deep down inside the difference between good and evil?
Personally I think having knowledge of something isn't enough to be acting likewise. Knowing that pizza is fattening doesn't keep us from eating it, does it? Knowing that smoking may cause cancer doesn't keep people from doing it. Just having knowledge is not enough, we need understanding! We need conviction in our hearts! According to the Bible we have knowledge of good and evil. In Genesis 3:22, after Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit, God says, Now the man has become like one of us and has knowledge of what is good and what is bad.
That knowledge wasn't sufficient, He decided to give us guidelines to live by. He wants to enter our head, but also our heart. In Hebrews 10:16 He says, I will put my Laws in their hearts and write them on their minds. Heart and mind, mind and heart! Once God's teachings are in both places, it becomes easier and easier to live a life that is pleasing to Him!

About Guidance And Correction

Are you on the road to nowhere?
When God speaks about respecting our parents He speaks to everybody; we all have (or had) parents, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. Respecting parents and treating children right almost sounds like an old-fashioned idea. After all, in our society numerous families are divided, relationships distorted and authority is laughed upon. Many find it hard to show respect to parents who abandoned or abused them. Does God expect us to obey and respect the people who hurt us? Is that really the right thing to do? Well, in chapter two of Respectfully Yours we have already seen that our attitude towards others should no longer be the result of past experiences, but the key to unlocking future blessings. The right attitude is based on Christ’s love in us. The right attitude is, just like obedience, a virtue we have to work on and God wants to help us. God wants to guide us, not punish us. He wants to teach us, not confuse us.
Today many people seem to make up their own laws and don’t care about what God says or said thousands of years ago. They do not want to be guided or corrected but rather find their own way through life. I am not saying that living that way is an impossible thing to do (millions of people are doing it), but I know it will lead to a lot of frustration. Be honest, how will you know if you are on the wrong track if there are no road signs? How will you know if you are on the right track if there is no map to guide you? How will you know when you have arrived if you don’t know where you’re going? You will never be corrected and never receive a compliment either.