Queen's Day in the Netherlands

On this beautiful Monday we are all celebrating in the Netherlands. Today it's Koninginnedag (Queen's day). This is not Queen Beatrix's birthday (January 31) but it used to be her mother's birthday and because of the better weather conditions in April she decided not to change the date of our national celebrations.
If you look at the sunny Dutch streets today, you see smiling people all having a good time. Just have a look at this selection in Google (using the word Koninginnedag) and you will get an idea. I will also upload some pics on my photo blog. Pic: Robin in front of our house. Photo impression

Thrillers in Dutch Premier League

Yesterday was D-day in the Dutch Premier League. All eyes were fixed on the 3 candidates for the title, PSV, Ajax and AZ. They all could become national champions in their respective matches and by 1 goal difference PSV came out on top. I am a (not so fanatic) Ajax supporter, so I am a little bit disappointed of course, but there is some good news too... Rumour has it that next year Ajax wants to sign the Brazilian striker Alfonso Alves from Heerenveen (European top scorer, believe it or not!) Well, maybe this is just wishful thinking.

Yesterday's match between Heerenveen and Feyenoord didn't get as much attention as the other top matches, but if you look at this video you can see 4 (!) goals by Alfonso Alves and you can also see Pierre van Hooydonk's emotional reaction after he realises that he will not play in the Champions League next year. I really feel sorry for this great sportsman! Look at his tears when Alves scores with a beautiful free kick (and keep in mind that this is Pierre van Hooijdonk's speciality...)

Many of today's top players played in clubs in the Netherlands before taking on the world in their current top European teams. The Dutch league is packed with young and exciting talent - but you don't have to take my word for it. Just watch this video clip to see what I mean...

I don't want to be misguided

Please Lord Jesus, make me more like you. I want to follow your guidance and ignore all deceptive voices that only try to distract and manipulate me. I don’t want to pursue my own or anybody else’s agenda; I want to be guided by your will alone. (Read more here)

Talking about Open Doors

"You need to feel the power of the persecuted church, because they are God's means to show us the way of Christ. Following Christ always involves suffering, as we have to cast self aside and embrace His cross. It is a way of joy and pain (...) It takes someone to stand in the gap between their experience and ours, someone who has the experience of both and can connect the two worlds." (Brother Andrew in the Introduction of Faith that Endures - by Ronald Boyd-MacMillan).

Last week I had an appointment at the Dutch office of Open Doors. I was talking with some people from Marketing Communications about our publishing projects when all of a sudden somebody entered the room. I recognized Al Janssen, co-author of Light Force, a book about the church in the Middle East, written by him and Anne van der Bijl (better known outside our country as Brother Andrew).

Guess what, I peered through the open door (how appropriate!) and saw a friendly elderly man smiling back at me. Yes, this was Brother Andrew - a.k.a. God's smuggler. He didn't want to interrupt our conversation and waited patiently in the hall until his co-writer came back to join him again.

I've met brother Andrew before because we've published the Dutch edition of Light Force and I assisted him during press conferences and even visited him at his house once; but it was such a privilege to meet this living legend face to face again. Please don't get me wrong - I am not idolizing human beings - I just have a soft spot for people like Corrie ten Boom, Henri Nouwen and Anne van der Bijl. I think all three of them are great examples as radical followers of Christ.

I just want to share this experience with you. Brother Andrew is such a humble man and I have so much respect for him. Even at his age (God willing he will celebrate his 79th birthday on May 11, 2007) he is still actively travelling to dangerous areas in this world to support and encourage persecuted Christians and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all people who want to listen. And if you talk to him about this, he will only say that he is doing what all Christians should be doing. Yes, he's right. Let's all be humble, friendly, dedicated and radial followers of Jesus Christ!

I can only advice you to read brother Andrew's books and support the work of organisations such as Open Doors who are doing so many good things for persecuted Christians around the globe.

Let's hop on to... Patmos!

Well, it looks like there are not too many people living on Isla del Coco. I only received one friendly comment from a Dutch couple living in Costa Rica (which is highly appreciated, but not really what I was looking for). Never mind, I did enjoy the virtual visit to Cocos Island and if I still receive any comments from scuba divers, wild life rangers or hammer sharks - you will be the first to know.
But... there are more islands on this beautiful planet to explore, so let's move on to Patmos!



Right now I am studying the book of Revelations - written by John the Evangelist on the island of Patmos. So now I want to go to the beautiful Mediterranean area to find out whether there are still some fellow believers living on this small Greek island in the Aegean Sea. Maybe they even have an internet connection and who knows they will be kind enough to get in touch with us and share their visionary insights with the rest of the world by leaving a comment on one of my postings about Patmos.

Dear blog readers! If you have any questions about Patmos - please feel free to leave a comment. I will think about some questions myself and next month I will try to get in touch with somebody living on Patmos today. Please join me during the next part of my exciting virtual island hopping world tour and let me know what you think! You can read more about Patmos on Wikipedia.

Free Rodney

This Friday morning, the 27th of April, Rodney Olsen will be broadcasting his 98.5 Sonshine FM radio programme from Fremantle Prison, where he'll be locked in a cell. Rodney will be asking people to donate towards Cystic Fibrosis WA so that he can be released. He needs your help to pull off his own prison break. Please visit his blog and help Rodney with this good cause!

UPDATE

Read Rodney's blog to find out about his adventure in prison. Rodney, thanks for raising awareness - and money - for research into cystic fibrosis!

You do not want to leave too, do you?

Everywhere we look in life, we come across the cross. The message of the cross is provocative and scandalous and the radical way of Jesus is not easy at all. Do you want to go with the crowd, or are you willing to follow Jesus? Do you think he is just an option, or do you believe that he truly is what he claimed to be - the Way, the Truth and the Life?
Read more here.

Haarlem Flower Parade

Check out my photo blog to see some pics of Haarlem's annual flower parade!

Visit to London 15-17 April 2007

Have a look at my photo blog to see some pics from my recent visit to the London Book Fair.

Look at the cross shaped shadow on the pavement...

No parking problems in Kensington - if you know how to park Smart...

Last Sunday (April 15, 2007) I attended a sermon by Rev. Rico Tice in All Souls Church Langham Place, or John Stott's church. You can listen to the same sermon if you click here!

(Of course it's not really John Stott's church, but you'll know what I mean...)

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

My prayers are with the families and friends of the teachers and students from Virginia Tech who lost their lives because of the acts of a demon possessed maniac. Sometimes the enemy shows his true face and we realize that we are all living in a war zone. What has happened to a young man if he is capabale of doing such horrific things?

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:6-9

Comment from Costa Rica!

Finally! While I was in England for the London Book Fair, I received a friendly comment on this posting from Martin & Brenda van Gestel, a Dutch couple living in Costa Rica! Okay, this is not a comment from Isla del Coco, but it is the next best thing and the comment is highly appreciated! Please click on the virtual island hopping label if you want to know what this is all about... And don't forget to check out Martin & Brenda's rich coast diving website!

Hi, I have not been to the islands yet, but I have met loads of people who have been. I also have the dvd of the island. I am a Dutch dive shop owner in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica and get to hear all the dive stories. The island is popular for the many sharks the divers encounter especially the famous hammer heads. People are not supposed to enter the island. They stay on the live aboard boats. I have seen great pictures also of a bird that seems to live there. The baby almost looks like a white poodle. Good luck on your search and if you want more details I can get some people to write for you.

Martin & Brenda van Gestel
Rich Coast Diving
Costa Rica

Stalkers or followers?

The crowd couldn’t get enough of Jesus. Not that they really wanted to follow him; they only wanted to pursue their own agendas... Read more here

Swans and moorhens - living apart together

There is another nest with a pair of swans close to where I live (see yesterday's post). Father stays high and dry and is always on the lookout for possible danger. Mother is brooding the whole day near the waterside. Click pics to enlarge!


Today I noticed some moorhens (gallinula choloropus or waterhoen as we call them in Dutch) near the swan's nest and I was surprised that both swans tolerate these little birds in their direct vicinity.
I approached them carefully from the other side of the canal and noticed that both pairs are nesting almost on the same spot! Isn't that funny? I intend to keep an eye on both happy families... And I am so sorry for the plastic bottles and other garbage floating around in the water across my street and spoiling both our living environment and my pictures :-(

Swan on nest

You can also visit my brand new photo blog!

Today is Sosha's 13th birthday!

You can visit her own blog and leave a message if you want... (hint, hint)

Deepest longing

Contentment is a difficult virtue. Why? Because there is nothing on earth that can satisfy our deepest longing. We long to see God. The leaves of life are rustling with the rumor that we will and we won't be satisfied until we do.

Credit where credit is due: beautiful quote © Max Lucado When God Whispers Your Name - stunning picture made by © Frea - Max, Frea, You & Me and Hydrangea leaves - made by Awesome © God.

Baby duck feeding carps

Just watch this good example...

Mission Impossible

How can we ever reach all the individual people in this world with your amazing blessings? We really don’t feel up to the challenge and sometimes we almost feel like giving up. Still, this is exactly what you told us to do, to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation... Read more here

Easter in Holland

So on this beautiful Easter Sunday afternoon I decided to behave like a real tourist and take some photographs...


Click pics to enlarge. Wanna see more? Check THIS out!

Indescribable - Chris Tomlin

Video by meltingearth! Wow...

Uncreated One - Chris Tomlin

I heard this song in church this morning and I love it. Chris Tomlin is the worship leader who wrote this astounding song. You can only write beautiful lyrics like that when your heart has experienced the truth of these powerful words... I also found a live performance on YouTube Live @ Passion 2007.

Filled with joy because of an empty tomb

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matthew 28:5-8

Warholized Pascalle

Turn yourself (or your daughter) into a pop icon with the Warholizer!

God of the Moon and Stars - Kees Kraayenoord

Lydia's birthday!

Yes, it's a Good Friday. But it is also Lydia's birthday - let's not forget that! We all love her very much and if you know her, you also know why.

Pinned-down butterfly

pinned-down butterfly
heavenly beauty
pierced by
horror from hell

fly away
if you can
you saved others
save yourself too

but the butterfly shows
all his true colours
and all the dark forces
truly exposed
don't seem to know
how wrong they are

just assuming
that he's powerless now
not able to fly again
they are all in
for a big surprise

this colourful one
this stunning beauty
is the great exception
so let's all wait and see
who's laughing
next

Pic right: detail from White Crucifixion by Chagall, 1938
© PAUL ABSPOEL

Not without you

On the eve of the cross, Jesus made his decision. He would rather go to hell for you than go to heaven without you.
(Max Lucado, And the Angels Were Silent - Source picture)
Satan dares to enter yet another garden, but God stands and Satan hasn't a prayer...
(Max Lucado, A Gentle Thunder)

Most beautiful island in the world

Jacques Cousteau visited Cocos Island in 1994 and christened it the most beautiful island in the world. From what I've seen so far - just check out these video clips on YouTube - he must be right. But I am still waiting for a comment on my postings from somebody who has been to this island recently and still lives to tell... All help will be highly appreciated!

Reply from Sherry and Larry Sietsma!

Tonight I received this kind email from Sherry and Larry Sietsma (see my recent posting about their flight around the world):

Hello Paul,
You are correct about the Frisian origin of our name. My Grandparents came to the USA from Leeuwarden in the 1880's.
The flight around the world was a trip of a lifetime, an unbelievable experience. One could say it was spiritual in that God protected us throughout our journey and his handywork was clearly evidenced everywhere.
Our website www.LSietsma.com describes the experience. We would highly recommend such an odyssey to anyone with the training and experience to pull it off.
A few summers ago, we flew our aircraft around the USA. Then, a year later, we flew it around the world. We since have contacted NASA to see if they can fit the plane with rockets to sufficiently propel us to the moon. They told us that they could do it but they cannot get us back again. We are only kidding about the moon part but what else can one do for an encore?
Best wishes to you and your readers in any adventures that you undertake. And we do encourage you to take them.
Sherry and Larry Sietsma
PS. I do not have access to posting material on your website so you may do it for me, if you like.

Thank you for this kind reply, Sherry and Larry! If you ever decide to fly to the moon, it would be nice if you could plant a Frisian flag on the surface. And while you are there, please put the stars and stripes back up again! (Read this)

Beatitudes, as redefined by Max Lucado

God promises sacred delight. And he promises it to an unlikely crowd:
"The poor in spirit" - beggars in God's soup kitchen.
"Those who mourn" - sinners anonymous bound together by the truth of their introduction: "Hi, I am me. I'm a sinner."
"The merciful" - winners of the million-dollar lottery who share the prize with their enemies.
"The pure in heart" - physicians who love lepers and escape infection.
"The peacemakers" - architects who build bridges with wood from a Roman cross.
"The persecuted"- those who manage to keep an eye on heaven while walking through hell on earth.
It is a band of pilgrims that God promises a special blessing. A heavenly joy. A sacred delight.
(Max Lucado, The Applause of Heaven)

Unless someone explains it to me

The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (From Acts 8)

So this is what we are called to do: take the initiative – guided by God’s Spirit – and go to the places where we can meet the people who are eager to find out about God. Philip ran up to the chariot. No hesitation, no time to lose, pure obedience and a proactive attitude! Philip asked a polite question, showing some genuine interest in the man. The man invites Philip to join him and now the stage is set for an impressive conversion story. Drive-in baptism included! ;-)

Isla del Coco

While I was trying to find some more information about Isla del Coco for my virtual island hopping expedition, I came across this website from the Friends of Cocos Island Foundation. It really is a great source of information; you can even see a little video clip with fishes that inhabit the nearshore waters of Isla del Coco. Also have a look at this beautiful photo gallery.
By the way, Cocos Island is located on almost the exact opposite side of the globe as the Cocos (Keeling) Islands south of Sumatra...
PS If you come here after receiving one of my emails, please also read the other postings about Isla del Coco and take some time to answer my questions

If they could do it, why can't we?

While flying around the world - sitting at the table with my Toshiba laptop, using Google earth and looking for other exiting islands that I would like to visit one day (virtually that is), I came across Sherry and Larry Sietsma's Round the World website. Sietsma sounds like a Dutch name (Frisian to be more precise) and now I do want to know more about this couple and their 2004 solo flight in a small Beechcraft Baron airplane around the world! A quote from their website:

"The website www.earthrounders.com lists all of the pilots who have flown a light plane around the world. After reading some of the stories, one starts thinking "I could do that." When we started to think seriously about it, we contacted a few of those pilots by email and later by phone. They were very positive with lots of helpful information. If they could do it, why can't we?"

Wow. I can only dream of doing such a thing. If they could do it, why can't we? Well, you need to have enough time and money to start with and maybe it's also helpful to own a plane and have some skills as a pilot...
Let's invite Sherry and Larry Sietsma to tell us how they look back at this adventure. You know what, I will send them an email just to see what will happen next. I just love this!
If you have some questions too, just leave a comment and maybe we will get an answer from Sherry or Larry.

Some facts about Isla del Coco

Size: 2,400 hectares of land 18,575 hectares of sea; distance from San José: 600 kilometers; dry season: January through March

This island was discovered in 1526. Because of the islands wealth of coconut trees and plentiful drinking water, the island became very well known and served as a good hide-away for the pirates and privateers who flourished along the Pacific coasts of Spanish America in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Cocos Island often called Costa Rica's Galapagos. The similarities are its great distance from the mainland, the endemic species, and the great expense involved in getting there.
This isolated island, located more than 500 kilometers from Costa Rica's Pacific coast, is of volcanic origin. Its great distance from possible sources of colonizing plants and animals has made it a natural laboratory for evolutionary biologists.

The two lizard species must have arrived on rafts of vegetation. Both species have close relatives living in Central and South America. There is also at least one endemic species of freshwater fish, Cotylopus cocoensis. It too has relatives on the mainland, in Panama to be exact, but the only conceivable way that its ancestors arrived here would be as eggs on the feet of birds.

The island is famous for three buried treasures which were hidden here by William Davies, Benito "Bloody Sword" Bonito (pic right) and William Thompson between 1684 and 1821. The Lima Booty, hidden by Thompson, is without a doubt the most valuable of all three. It consisted of tons of gold and silver bars, sheets of gold that covered the domes of churches and church adornments, sacred articles and statues, in particular a life-size statue of the Virgin and Child in pure gold. Treasure hunters have conducted over 500 expeditions to date but according to the information available, they have only produced a few doubloons. In September of 1869, the government of Costa Rica organized an official expedition claimed to search for the treasures and on September 15th, the Costa Rican flag flew on a mast of balsa wood and the expedition claimed the island for Costa Rica. Read more here!

Interesting link with some more exciting information about this treasure island.

Heaven is a gift, not a reward

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39,40

Read more here