The greatest among you... the three most inspiring Christians from the Netherlands

In 2002, the BBC conducted a vote to discover the 100 Greatest Britons of all time. Several other countries produced similar shows locally. This was the final result in the Netherlands:

1. Pim Fortuyn
2. Willem van Oranje
3. Willem Drees
4. Antoni van Leeuwenhoek
5. Desiderius Erasmus
6. Johan Cruijff
7. Michiel de Ruyter
8. Anne Frank
9. Rembrandt van Rijn
10. Vincent van Gogh

I don’t want to rank them – but in my personal top 3 for the Netherlands I would choose Rembrandt van Rijn, Desiderius Erasmus and Vincent van Gogh. When it comes to naming the three most inspiring Dutch Christians this would be my personal choice: Henri Nouwen, Corrie ten Boom and Brother Andrew (in no particular order).

Based on their status as humble servants of the Lord, I feel free to honor these people as heroes of the Christian faith from my little country. Their lives reflected their faith in Jesus Christ and in his teachings:

"The greatest among you will be your servant" Matthew 23:11

Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983)
During the Second World War, the Ten Boom home in Haarlem became a refuge, a hiding place, for fugitives and those hunted by the Nazis. By protecting these people, Casper and his daughters, Corrie and Betsie, risked their lives. This non-violent resistance against the Nazi-oppressors was the Ten Booms' way of living out their Christian faith. This faith led them to hide Jews, students who refused to cooperate with the Nazis, and members of the Dutch underground resistance movement. Corrie ten Boom was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 and spent 10 months in prisons and concentration camps. Four Ten Booms gave their lives for this family’s commitment, but Corrie came home from the death camp. She realized her life was a gift from God, and she needed to share what she and Betsy had learned in Ravensbruck: "There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still" and "God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies." At age 53, Corrie began a world-wide ministry which took her into more than 60 countries in the next 33 years! She testified to God’s love and encouraged all she met with the message that "Jesus is Victor." Corrie ten Boom became an evangelist after the war; she is best known for her book The Hiding Place.

It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts. read more

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)
Dutch priest, university professor and famous Christian author. Enjoyed an impressive academic career with positions at the Notre Dame University and Yale University. As he approached his 50th year, Nouwen turned his life toward the pursuit of what he called "the descending way of Christ". He worked as a missionary and served in the l'Arche communities, a world wide organization of communities providing care to mentally retarded adults. As an author Nouwen is best known for his book Return of the Prodigal Son.

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. read more

Brother Andrew (1928-)
Brother Andrew's real name is Anne van der Bijl. He made history during the early days of the Cold War when in 1955 he began "smuggling" Bibles into Communist Eastern Europe. On the last day of his first trip, as he sat reading his Bible, he says that the Lord spoke to him through Revelation 3:2 to "strengthen what remains and is on the point of death." His delivery of one suitcase of Christian literature to the suffering church in Poland was the humble beginning of Open Doors with Brother Andrew, now an international ministry that brings literature and much-needed assistance to Christians living in difficult circumstances in 58 countries around the world. Brother Andrew is best known for his book "God's Smuggler" - although he doesn't consider himself to be a smuggler...

I'm not a smuggler, I'm a missionary. I have chosen to be obedient and not turn away from danger. So when government says, 'No!', I said, 'wait a minute', God said, 'Go!', so I didn't listen to the 'No!' read more

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 8:14)

So tell me: what do you think are the most inspiring Christians from YOUR country?

Broaden your horizon

Are you interesed in Missionary and Aid work?
Please check out this new website highlighting missionary blogs from around the world.

"It was only a few months ago that it was hard to find a missionary blogger online. But blogging has exploded in popularity, and more and more Christians are tuning in to the ultra-current, personal news that is now available from every corner of the world. As more and more missionaries get involved, this site will grow. And you will be able to get a first hand glimpse into the lives of people that you haven't met. You'll learn about cultures you've never experienced. You'll learn about the joys and sorrows that are part of the battle for the Truth."

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Luke 10:2

Intellectual Property

The designer of the WOKKEL snack (left) doesn't want anybody to steal his idea. That makes perfect sense to me. But now I wonder if there might also be a Designer of DNA (right) with Intellectual Property rights...

The Dutch Supreme Court confirmed in 1983 a ruling by the Court of Appeal of Amsterdam that the trade value added by the shape of the Wokkel cocktail crisp was not part of the essential value of the product. It confirmed that the value of the crisp lies in its comestible nature, its taste and crispyness. source

Isn't she lovely?

Tonight I went outside for an evening walk. This time Pascalle, our youngest daughter (8) wanted to join me. We went to a lake nearby, just to see how the sun disappeared behind the clouds. Against this dark background it is easy to see why I call her my little Sunshine. Isn't she lovely?

Looks like this image is turning - right?

Well, actually - it isn't! But it sure drives me crazy...

Spiritual Growth

Lead us from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart,
our world, our universe.
Anglican Prayer

Another Santiago Calatrava masterpiece

I've received this comment from Jules on my recent posting about the Calatrava bridges near my house:

At 6:04 AM, September 27, 2005, Jules said...
This bridge looks similar to the one in Redding, California at the Turtle Bay Aquarium.. It's called the Sundial Bridge....

Well, Jules... you obviously know how to recognize a piece of art! I googled a little bit and look what I've found: this bridge is also designed by Santiago Calatrava! I think the Sundial bridge looks great. Compared to that giant (but elegant) construction our three bridges are very small. But hey, I live in a very small country. And let's not compare the scenery, please... Wow! It must be great to live in California!

You’ve never seen a bridge like the Sundial, this glass-and-steel sculpture that now soars over the Sacramento River. You can say this about the city leaders of Redding, Calif.: When it comes to building a footbridge, they're not afraid to get their feet wet. In fact, they hired one of the world's foremost bridge designers, Santiago Calatrava, an architect of an aesthetic sensibility so refined he has been described by Time as "the poet of glass and steel." Read this article

Below: Sundial Bridge in Redding (left side) and one of the three bridges in Haarlemmermeer (right side of this composition). You can see that the canal (Hoofdvaart) is nothing like the Sacramento River! The three bridges in our area were not really necessary - I think our local government just wanted to make some statements... They could have saved a lot of money by just ordering three dull, down-to-earth bridges. But now people stop to take pictures or they just stand still for a moment to enjoy the designs. Critics know the price, admirers see the value!

Calatrava bridges Hoofdvaart Haarlemmermeer NL

Following my earlier posting about the Calatrava bridges
(click pics to enlarge)

Three bridges over the Hoofdvaart called Lyre, Harp and Lute
(from the official Santiago Calatrava website)

The pics below are taken by me during my walk last Saturday.

Under the bridge...

Looking up

Sky lines!

Calatrava bridges Haarlemmermeer

(from Santiago Calatrava website, click to enlarge)

So, what do we learn from this?

Click on image to enlarge!

Please let me know...

Just help yourself!

(Click on the picture to enlarge!)
You can buy flowers, pumpkins and squashes at some farms in Haarlemmermeer. The farmers seem to trust that their customers will leave the right amount of money behind. Sometimes the money boxes are just standing there, isn't it great? I wish all shops could operate like this. If only people could be trusted...

One walk - three bridges - some thoughts

Click pictures to enlarge
Last time I went for a walk I thought: next time I must take my camera with me! So today I did, and now you can see some of my pics here.




Man, I love to look at the three bridges near our house! These bridges are designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Some people are complaining about the high building costs for these extraordinary bridges, but I think that you can't put a price tag on Masterpieces. I just enjoy watching them! I'll also upload some 'evening' pictures in the near future.

Walking from Hoofddorp to Nieuw Vennep (left) and back again (right)

Prayer walks
Walking outside is my 'quiet time'. I need to go walking because I have an office job and it is good for me to have some time to relax, to think and to pray - yes, I do keep my eyes open! The roads are all very straight and there are separate roads for cyclists and pedestrians.

All peace and quiet?
While I was walking today I thought about the people in the US Gulf Coast area - now experiencing the strength of hurricane Rita. My thoughts and prayers are with them! It is so strange to walk in the September sun (!) and think about these things... I know that God is watching over us - even if we don't feel it all of the time and even if we have many unanswered questions left.

I saw these flowers when I came home. It is September, remember?

Click here if you want to see all pictures and feel free to let me know what you think of them!

The Haarlemmermeer polder where we live is "reclaimed land". We are living 4,5 meters below sea level on very fertile soil. We live in Hoofddorp, in the centre of this polder, close to Schiphol Airport. Many people are living here, all loved by God. I guess most inhabitants take everything for granted. Some of us are looking up to the Maker of the universe to thank Him for his protection and the many blessings in our lives. I am just one of them!

Stay focussed

Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:27
Verse of the Day

Pressing on Toward the Goal
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

God's fingerprints

According to the doctrine of chance, you ought to put yourself to the trouble of searching for the truth; for if you die without worshipping the True Cause, you are lost. "But," say you, "if He had wished me to worship Him, He would have left me signs of His will." He has done so; but you neglect them. Seek them, therefore; it is well worth it. (Blaise Pascal 1623-1662 - Penseés, Part III, 236).

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
Acts 17:24-27

A New Commandment

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
John 1:17,18

These two verses from John’s Gospel give you a very brief summary of the whole Bible. The Old Testament was written to give us laws, rules and regulations and the example of the relationship between God and his chosen people, Israel. The New Testament tells us more about God and about his true character. The strict God who gave us eternal laws and essential guide lines, is made known to all people by Jesus Christ – the living Word of God. Jesus shows us who God really is: a loving, forgiving heavenly Father who is patiently waiting for his wandering children to come back home.

Click here to listen: Old Testament, Jeremiah (= Real player audio file*) Jeremiah 31:31-34, read this passage here! Click here to listen: New Testament, Hebrews (= audio file*) Hebrews 8, read this passage here!

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:19-26

* You need to use Real Player to listen to these audio files.

How do you comfort Job?

Gerard Seghers - Flemish painter (Antwerpen 1591-1651)

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. Job 2:13

"Lord, I read in Your Word, that things were not much different when You lived outside The Front Door for a moment of our 'man-time', and that You were a 'man of sorrows and acquainted with grief'."
"It killed Me," He said. I thought about that!
After a bit I ventured - "But You were able to speak words of redemption into the situation, to save the world - and anyway, You are God! In the face of their deep distress I feel so little and helpless and - and 'human'. In fact I feel sort of 'unnecessary'! Can I say anything that will help?"
"No."
"I didn't think I could - so - why am I here?"
"Because this is where I want you! Why does there have to be a 'why'? Isn't it reason enough to be where I want you to be, among the people I send you to? You are here to have a ministry of Presence and a ministry of Silence. Listen to them!"
"But," I ventured "when I can't do anything, or say anything, or change anything - isn't that a waste of time?"
"I want you here to 'feel' something! To feel the hatred, and weep."
"I can do that."
"DO IT THEN!"

From God's Front Door by Jill Briscoe
Published by Monarch - Dutch edition published by Ark Boeken - click here for title information.

Pretty scary

Sosha and Pascalle had a great time this week at school. Their primary school 'Tabitha' celebrated its 15th anniversary. Just look how scary the celebration was!

Shine like stars!

This world is a very dark place. No, I am not a pessimist - I do see many points of light. But even if you are living in a nice, prosperous part of this world (like I do) and even if you have no reason to complain about your personal circumstances - believe me - this world is a very dark place. Maybe you don't know which women and children in your neigbourhood are suffering in silence because of sexual abuse. Maybe you don't know how many men are addicted to their work, to money, status, drugs, alcohol, betting, pornography or to a combination of these things. Maybe you really don't see the darkness all around you, maybe somebody has to open the eyes of your heart.

Thank you Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the world! Help us, your children here on earth, help us to reflect your love. Please Lord, use us to expose the lies of the darkness and give us strength to resist evil. Please dear Jesus, shine your light upon us, restore us; protect us against the enemy and against all evildoers that are inspired or even possessed by him. Make us strong and courageous - fill us with your all-powerful Holy Spirit! We know that You have instructed us to put on your armour, defend the powerless, bring justice and fight for what is right. Please Lord, open our eyes for the suffering all around us. I ask You, Jesus, please strengthen your people! Help us to be like shining stars in this dark universe. We know we can not depend on our own strengths or insights, we know that we have disobeyed You and that we have given the wrong example many, many times. Please forgive us, please forgive me for letting You down, dear Jesus. We confess that we are often spreading darkness ourselves, in stead of showing your love and kindness to the lost and lonely people all around us. We need You to make us holy, we need You to fill us again with your cleansing power, because we really want to radiate your love! Yes Jesus, we want to be like power stations, save havens, your very own shining stars!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:1-6

Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5

Please pray!

Please take some time to read A Slip of the Pen and A Real Big Fish. My brother and sister in Christ had to leave their home town New Orleans because of hurricane Katrina. Please pray for "Fish" and his wife Crys, please pray for their family! I think they would appreciate receiving some encouragements from all over the world. The news media are informing us about other things that are happening everywhere, but please - don't forget to pray for the people from New Orleans!

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27

Looking for prayer warriors

OK, maybe the Lord didn't call you to go to Africa. Your mission field is right where you are! Put on the armour and fight the good fight!

Some people have obeyed God's call to leave their home land and friends and family behind. Can you imagine how hard it must be to live in a foreign country, surrounded by suffering, hatred and death? Can you imagine how lonely and helpless missionaries often must feel?

Please pray with me for our brothers and sisters, Jesus' front soldiers in a world-wide war zone. Maybe you are not courageous enough to battle with them side-by-side. But even if you stay at home (like I do) you can still join the fight, yes you can! You can pray. Need some inspiration? Click here and you can read the latest news letter from Dean, Paula & Joel who are blogging about their Adventures With God in Somerset West, Cape Town, South Africa. You can be a prayer warrior - just like me. It's not so difficult.

Kemi's Journal

Back from the Christian Book Fair
The last couple of days were really great! Many visitors came to our booth at the BCB Christian Bookfair in Zwolle (NL) last Saturday. (See the weblog entry below). During the weekend we had a very special guest in our house and in our church: British writer Abidemi Sanusi. She is an inspiring, talented author and we've all enjoyed her company very much!

Lots of free publicity!
I am proud to be the publisher of the Dutch edition of Abidemi's debut novel Kemi's Journal (Dutch title: Kemi's Dagboek). The news media in the UK have labeled Kemi Smith - the main character in Abidemi's fictional journal - as the Christian Bridget Jones. Please read this article!

Several journalists from Dutch magazines and news papers came to talk with Abidemi yesterday and today so we expect a lot of media exposure. Abidemi will also be on national radio in the Netherlands soon!

Kemi's Journal
The spiritual journey of a young professional highflier who has been a Christian for just one year. A slice of zany London life as only a twenty-something born-again believer might see it. Kemi struggles with her career, her mixed-race family, and her non-believing ex-boyfriend, until an unplanned pregnancy forces her to contemplate the unthinkable: abortion! But in the midst of it all, Kemi keeps wrestling with her faith and her Bible. A story of encouragement, hope and redemption in Christ; of grace, forgiveness and the way back to God. A book to encourage Christians struggling with sin and speak to those who have turned their back on their faith. Kemi's Journal will strike a chord with many young women today who find themselves struggling with life, love and everything.

Abidemi Sanusi was born in Nigeria and educated in the UK. She is currently a human rights worker, based in London, specialising in gender issues and travelling widely. Kemi's Journal is her first novel.

Links
Review The Independent
Christian Bridget
Title information Ark Boeken
Scripture Union - UK Publisher
Abidemi Sanusi's website
Click here to have a look at our Autumn brochure - PDF file in Dutch, you need Adobe's Acrobat Reader - a free tool - to download this!)

Christian Book Fair Zwolle, the Netherlands

Today I had a very busy day at the Christian Book Fair BCB in Zwolle. I am working as a Publisher at Ark Boeken in Amsterdam. These pics give you an impression of our booth. Quite stylish, don't you think? Click pictures to enlarge!














Click here to download our Ark Boeken Autumn 2005 catalogue (PDF)

Photos © Hans de Rijk, Ark Boeken 2005

Efficiency African style

Just have a look at these pictures published by Dean Finnie at his weblog Adventures with God. There are many ways to do a job - but there's no way like the African way!

This story really makes me happy :-)

Bob, a fellow blogger and brother in Christ from Maine, USA [Blogger profile] - used to publish his thoughts and Bible studies at Mr Standfast until recently. Since August 29 Bob shares his thougths with the rest of the world at his new weblog called Gratitude & Hoopla.
Read the next quote and you'll understand why so many people appreciate his writings:

Over at Gratitude & Hoopla I'll continue sharing whatever good things come my way. 'll meditate on Scripture, and speak often of the sheer wondrous and abundant grace of God, the Father of Lights. As I mentioned in my first post there, I am entering upon a new season in my own life. A new season requires a new song. And a new blog! Finally, I should simply mention, this is just me talking. Me. Not some great authority, not some voice of great wisdom, just me. I'm sitting here, letting the words come, speaking, however imperfectly, out of my heart. If there's wisdom, it's mixed well with foolishness. But it's me. I'm in love with God, and in all truth I should be forever in his debt, and yet I'm not. You know why? Because He's wiped the ledger clean. He's not keeping an account any more. And this incomprehensible grace is all because of the cross. Because of the cross, God has not only wiped the ledger clean, He's broken it in a thousand pieces. Therefore, the only natural response is . . . Gratitude & Hoopla!

If you liked this, please also read the next entry from Bob's new weblog - a story that really made my day!

On Sunday the church prayed for my son, Nate, since it was going to be his last Sunday with us before moving to NC. We are in a bit of trepidation over this, since he hasn't got a place to stay or a job. It was a sending prayer, something we do as a matter of course when our members pull up stakes, and I know it blessed Nate big time.

Now here's the neat thing. Our church, like many others I'm sure, took up a collection for hurricane relief. I noticed Nate looking into his wallet with, shall we say, "concern," since after all he needs every red cent at this point. But the basket came around and he quickly pulled out a twenty and tossed it in. Moments later, the fellow sitting in front of us turned around and said, "Nate, I know what it's like to relocate. Maybe this will come in handy," and he handed Nate, you guessed it, a twenty dollar bill. Soon after this, several other people in the church walked up to him and handed him money, amounting to $120.

All I have to say is, God is faithful!

source

Amen to that, Bob!