For kings and all those in authority

Some days seem bigger than others, but all days belong to the Lord. One of the things that hit me again last year was how little we all know of what is going on in the world and how important things can be for others. Our congregation in Maastricht is quite international, so we hear of things happening all over the world. And we pray for God’s guidance and strength each and every day. 

Elections in Belgium and Netherlands can lead to changes in government. Or the government can still be struggling to form, in the case of Belgium. Wars and conflicts are taking place not only in Ukraine, but also in Syria, Sudan, and many other places. A combination of government and dangerous struggles is present in Kenya or Ecuador. And we (in Maastricht and perhaps for you as well) have family in each of these places. 

We pray for leaders in Brazil, in Iran, Syria, Sudan or the Philippines. We think about what is happening in Germany or Italy, Ecuador or Venezuela, Suriname or the United States. We are part of a body that is around the world and active in all of these places. And it is good to bring each of these places and situations before our Lord in prayer. 

It may seem repetitive or maybe useless, wondering if world leaders, kings and queens, dictators and tyrants are ever going to listen. But God - our King of kings - has asked us to pray for these leaders and situations, reminding us that He is truly in control. We are not the ones who know what is happening or what can happen (despite all the people telling us their opinions about what is going to happen). 

As “big” things are happening in the world, father and mothers are still trying to be good parents, showing their children what God looks like and what is most important in life. Neighbors are still looking for help and people still want to know more about Jesus and why He is called the Christ. Our Father is still in control of each and every moment, and we can give Him these moments every day. 

Today will influence many - not necessarily because of political changes - because God is working through each of us in all of our various places and moments. We want to live for Him and we pray for leaders and kings that we will be able to live in peace. 

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

We are the church

A few years ago we held a questionnaire in our neighborhood asking people about church. We asked if church had a place in society, and if so, what? Most people were very clear about the first part of the question. Yes, certainly, church had a place in society. And then they spoke of how having a place that was quiet, a place where people could contemplate life, was absolutely necessary. Most people, when they thought of ‘church’ thought of a building in the neighborhood. A place to go. 

People also talked about how the church should be a place that taught values and norms for society. When they were asked further if they attended a church anyway, most admitted that they did not. Several commented, “Yeah, I guess that isn’t very consistent of me.” They understood that if they thought church should teach values, that they would have to attend in order to receive that teaching. 

We of course think a bit differently about church. We are the church. It doesn’t really matter where the church meets. When people are with us, they should be able to experience and feel the presence of God and His grace and love. That is why we look forward to all sorts of different activities with the church all around Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Most recently we were down at camp with at least 10 different congregations for Family Day, organized this year by the church in Ghent, Belgium. We were able to sing, share meals together, play or walk, and share conversations about how God is working in our lives. It was a time of fellowship, but also of showing body strength (she last week’s thoughts). 

Last week we had a games day in Maastricht. Our young Ukrainian couple, Andre and Adriana have started these to encourage the church members. We stayed after services and played together - some card games, a board game and more. This is a time that we can also invite others. I learned as a young Christian that Christians know best how to have fun. Fun was, after all, designed by God. 

This coming weekend we will hold our Youth Day with the church from Maastricht. But we decided to hold it elsewhere so that more kids could come. And immediately we are looking forward to at least 6-8 kids from other areas. This is an opportunity to be church and be the body of Christ in a different way. We are so thankful that we are able to organize these types of activities and that God is using these to touch people’s lives. 

No matter where we are, if we are children of the King, then we are also the church. When we are gathered - whether it is a few our many, whether it is at a game or going to a movie or attending some other activity, whether we have a sign saying that a church is meeting or not - we are the church. We pray that we are sharing God’s presence and love in all of these moments. 

Informed or transformed?

This last week we have enjoyed a visit from Raymond Blasingame, one of the elders at S. 11th & Willis church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. This was our very first home congregation as a married couple. We married on a Friday, traveled on a Saturday (arriving from Arkansas in Texas) and attended Willis that Sunday morning. 

Raymond was on a world tour, stopping in to visit us before moving on to Kenya where he would meet with others supported by the congregation and finishing up in the Philippines where his father-in-law shared the gospel for 50 years. He would then move on around the globe back to Texas. 

We wanted to be able to share with Raymond what we do and were especially thankful that he could meet many of the members of the congregation we serve with. He joined us for various Bible studies in the week and spoke on Sunday morning. But we were also thankful for the other moments in the week we could share. 

We walked around Maastricht to show him the city where we live. Scott can do a pretty good tourist tour of the city and we saw quite a few of the things most visitors want to see: the medieval walls, Roman ruins, churches turned into all sorts of other things and the two main church buildings right downtown. In the evening we drove to Eindhoven for our monthly singing there where Raymond could also meet the members in that congregation. 

On Thursday we visited our Bible camp and enjoyed the beautiful ride down there through the countryside, before heading back to the city for another Bible study in the evening. On Friday Raymond was able to go golfing in Belgium and The Netherlands on the same day and same course. And then we finished the week with a visit walking around Brussels. All of these days were blessed with beautiful sunshine  - quite a treat for our part of Europe. 

On each of these days I was touched by how we were able to share information about the world and places, but were also able to see how important transformation in Jesus Christ truly is. There are so many places in Europe that are culturally Christian - meaning not Muslim or Hindu or Buddhist. But people who choose daily to live a life full of grace in Jesus Christ is truly amazing. 

On the Saturday in Brussels we were able to meet up with a former exchange student who spent some month with Raymond back in 2003. She has experienced all sorts of things in her life since then and is willing to think about what it really means to find Jesus. At a concert on Sunday, Raymond was able to talk with a man who was not really interested in religion - having lost the little bit of faith he had as a young man growing up. 

Choice is something that we all have in our lives. Time moves on, sometimes far more quickly than we even could have guessed until we stop and look. But if you can see the choice, you can still make it. And people do. Some consider information the pinnacle, the top of the mountain. 

But information only brings us to the choices we must and can make. Transformation is what comes from choosing to follow Christ, from allowing grace to actually touch your daily life. That was beautiful to see in the various encounters this past week with Raymond and the people we met. 

Are you informed? Or transformed? 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Proverbs 1:7

The manifold wisdom of God

We have been blessed in our lives to travel quite a lot and see all sorts of different places. In the US we have lived in the Midwest, in the West “and even in Southern California,” he said with a wink in his eye. In Europe we have had the opportunity to travel all over most of western Europe and much of Eastern Europe. But we have realized that there is an amazing variety of beauty and information wherever we are. Look in your backyard (or on your terrace or balcony) and pay attention to what you can see, hear and smell even there.

In all of this variety, God wants to share with us His will, His word and His beauty. I have seen God’s beauty and truth in deserts, in coastal waters, in forests of pine trees or oak, in the rolling plains and the Grand Canyon. In each place there is something else to see, something else to learn.

In the same way, the various people we have in our lives are all opportunities to learn about God’s grace, love and patience – with us and others. This is how our weeks and months pass, in a variety of conversations, studies and activities – just like yours.

With the congregation in Maastricht we are working through a study of ‘The Mighty Deeds of God’ and how we proclaim them. On most Wednesday’s we are reading in Acts to discover and be encouraged by the way the church belongs to the Lord. This ties into a mentoring study that Scott is working on with a brother in the north of the country.

At least three times a month we meet with members from Belgium and the Netherlands to sing together and learn new songs. In March we are organizing a Song Workshop for the 4th time – a day to learn new songs for all the congregations, encourage one another in the beauty of singing together for the Lord. We are also recording these songs so that members can learn and teach them to others.

But each day also brings us back to our time together, what we have been reading in the Word, what God has been teaching us in our daily struggles. And we try to be aware of what we can learn and share. This is no different than the many ways that God has been working in your lives as well.

Would you like to share with us what you have been learning and experiencing? We would love to hear from you and share together, encouraging one another. Drop us an email, leave a message here on the blog, connect with us on facebook. The world is much smaller today than ever before. 

July Newsletter

It is always challenging to experience how God works in our lives. Here are some of the things that God has been doing with us recently. We have especially taken time to talk a bit about the trip to Brussels with the young people. If you would like to see some pictures, check out these links:
BXL (Brussels Extra Large)
World Cup get-togethers
Living Room changes