The last time I wrote, I shared about an opportunity to support our young assistant pastor in his ministry (primarily with refugees) and his further studies. 89% of the needed finances have been committed, mostly from people within the church,
Refugees Finding Refuge
“Before I came to the church for the first time, I didn’t feel like a human being.” A refugee from the Middle East told me this a few months ago. The first time he attended the church, about a year
Within This Mortal Life
Five months in Antwerp. 40 years old. 9 months without my son. This all makes for a mix of emotions. We are enjoying the city and loving the church. I think a lot about mortality. I find that grieving is
The Valley of Vision
A couple days ago I did a little reading in historical theology and spirituality. I wasn’t looking so much for historical details as for personal help. I wasn’t disappointed. The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers. “Puritan”
Goldenrod
The best thing that’s happened recently is fall. The towering beeches, maples, and oaks are clothed in color. Orange and yellow are too bland as descriptors. Reach into your metal-themed colors and call them copper, gold, bronze, and rust. Also,
Working, Grieving, Enjoying
It has been good to be fruitfully busy again. Though it had bright spots, the summer was brutal. We bounced rootless from place to place, waiting for our visa to come through. We grieved, we worried, we argued. Here in
Weakness, Power, Secularism, Faith
When I applied for the position as pastor at Antwerp International Protestant Church, I sent in my Curriculum Vitae, which is like an expanded resume. It had all my strong points on it, of course. In my inaugural sermon here
Welkom Op Antwerpen*
* I have been corrected on my Dutch grammar. You say “welkom op” (meaning “up” or “on”) to an institution, such as a school, but “welkom in” to a city. So “Welkom in Antwerpen.” We arrived in Antwerp five days
Farewell
Our visa has been approved. Here we go to Belgium. If all goes according to plan (but it hasn’t in a long time!) we will leave in just over a week. Here is the important bit for those who are
Waiting
Jesus went to his death calmly, “like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Peter also faced death with an amazing calmness. I recorded a sermon on John 10 for my church in Antwerp last week (the assistant pastor needed