Truly One

Looking back on the church year, I see many good things, by God’s grace and Spirit. I also see a hardening of positions, and the enlargement of differences. I see people who retreat from the things they do not like. And sometimes it is also so frustratingly easy to see how members of the congregation can retreat from things! They devote themselves to the congregation, yes, but with a return-ticket in their pocket. This article contrasts this with Our Saviour.

Together Serving the Chief Shepherd

We live in a situation where everything is being discussed and being moved (changed). That leads to many effects; on the one hand it results in openness and space, on the other hand we see concern appears and alienation occurs. But no one can turn it around. There is criticism of just about all aspects of church life; what gave a hold in the past appears to be able to be done quite differently today. And so on. Do we give up hope because of all this?

Waiting for God

James (in James 5:7) encourages us to be patient as a farmer who has sown the seeds and must now give all things over to God. In the meantime, various types of weather come down on his land, and yet, all he can do is wait. Wait for God, until God gives him the harvest in the field. This can be exciting or worrisome. And at the same time, when you know that the soil has been seeded, you do not just walk away from your land.