I had to supply two pictures for an interview, a picture from my study years and a more recent one. So this is what happens to your face in 20 years time... (pic left is from 1987). But I'm still smiling.
(Look at it this way, getting older is better than the alternative…)
Pic left © Rob Koster, pic right © Suzanne Obdam
“I was coming out of the Bagdad Theatre in Portland one night, and I saw a man playing the saxophone. He kept his eyes closed the whole time. You could tell he just loved playing that music. Before I saw him, I didn't like jazz music because I thought it didn't resolve. It didn't seem to go somewhere or have a conclusion. But I watched this guy playing the saxophone. He loved it so much that I found that I liked jazz music. It is not uncommon for people to see somebody else love something and it helps them love it themselves.
The more I thought about it, the more I liked this as a metaphor for my spiritual journey. I used to not like God because I felt he didn't have resolve. I couldn't figure him out. Faith seemed to contain a lot of paradoxes that I didn't want to hurt my brain thinking about.
Also, jazz music is just a language of the soul that you can't say with words. That's very much like Christian spirituality.” (Donald Miller in an interview about his book Blue Like Jazz)
I just finished reading Blue Like Jazz, a great book written by Donald Miller. If you don’t want to read ‘another typical Christian book’, Blue Like Jazz might be just the book for you. I especially appreciate Miller’s vulnerability, openness and honesty about his spiritual walk. It was both fun and uplifting to read his story and I really like his style and sense of humour. Highly recommended!
Donald Miller about his book, “I never believed it would be published, and so I was pretty open in this book. My career was dead when I started this thing, so I felt like I was just talking to myself, or to the little reading group that met at my house.” source
Just one quote as an appetizer:
I really knew I needed Jesus like I need water or food, and yet it was frightening because Christianity is so stupid to so much of our culture, and I absolutely hate bothering people about this stuff.
So much of me believes strongly in letting everybody live their own lives, and when I share my faith, I feel like a network marketing guy trying to build my down line.
Some of my friends who aren’t Christians think that Christians are insistent and demanding and intruding, but that isn’t the case. Those folks are the squeaky wheel. Most Christians have enormous respect for the space and freedom of others; it is only that they have found joy in Jesus they want to share. There is the tension. (Blue Like Jazz, p 114)
I really like the story about the confession booth that Donald Miller and his friends put up in the middle of campus with a sign saying, ‘Confess your sins’. But I am not going to spoil it for you, just read this book!
I started writing my so called Boosters in October 2005 (in Dutch: Oppeppers). These short devotional prayers were initially mailed out to some family members and close friends, but now the list has grown to 100+ people - many of whom I don't know personally! Let me explain how it all started...
During a Willow Creek meeting I had said my shortest prayer ever. It was quite short and simple, but I meant every word of it. I said to God, 'Use me'. Well, I've asked for it - so I can assure you that many things have happened in my life after I said that little prayer!
Why do I write weekly devotional prayers? Because it helps me to stay close to Jesus and to become more disciplined in my own prayer life. It also gives me a great opportunity to encourage other believers every Monday morning! Many of us go to church on Sundays, but on Monday morning the daily routine begins and it seems like we are entering a different world. That is exactly why I sent out my devotional texts at the beginning of the working week - just to encourage people and to help myself and them to stay focused on God.
This year I've made a fresh start with my devotional writings. I am intending to go through the Gospel of John, all the way reflecting on the theme 'light & darkness'. My mailing list is only for Dutch-speaking readers, but I can add you - if you want me to - to this list so that you have a reminder each week to visit my brand new Reflections weblog. Just drop me a line to let me know you are interested in this little service. May God bless you!
"I expect my life to end pretty soon. You know, I'm 71 years old. I have great faith, though. I have unshakeable faith." Despite all the ups and way-downs of his long life, Johnny Cash says he has no regrets. "I used to," he says, "But I forgave myself. When God forgave me, I figured I'd better do it, too." (Source)
I really like this video from the late and great Johnny Cash. It is sad, but beautiful. Especially these words stuck with me:
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
Pascalle (on horse back - youngest daughter) and Sosha (eldest daughter) during our Christmas holidays in Dwingeloo
some lights are only made brighter
by putting them out
Steven James - Story, p. 169
Pics from Wadden islands to Schiphol Airport! (Click pics to enlarge)
(1) Juist (one of the German Wadden islands)
(2) Friesland
(3) Wolvega and Heerenveen
(4) Urk - this town used to be an island [see insert]
(5) IJsselmeer
(6) Flevoland
(7) Noord-Holland
(8) Zaandam
(9) Noordzee Canal and IJmuiden
(10) Rottepolderplein near Haarlem
(11) Hoofddorp - home sweet home!
(12) Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Departure from Helsinki Vantaa airport, Finland 
Some impressions from my visit to ISBM (International School for Bible and Missions) in Santala, Finland. I've made many pictures and I really enjoyed the hospitality and friendship from my Finnish brothers and sisters. More to follow... (click pic te enlarge)
I am now writing in the teacher's room of ISBM in Santala, Finland (near Hanko). Just returned from a prayer meeting and I am very encouraged! Finnish people are very sincere and calm. I couldn't understand what they were saying to our Lord in their language, but I trust God has no problems with it - even if we call out to Him from all corners of this world in all languages you can imagine! It's Pentecost all over again and I am enjoying it!
This morning I will share a Bible study about Revelations 1 - One Like a Son of Man. It is really a blessing to be able to do this. Preparing the study was a blessing in advance and now I can't wait to share this treasure with my Finnish brothers and sisters.
Yesterday we had a 'Holland' meeting in church. About 15 dedicated Christians were attending the presentation and they were very interested and asked good questions. This is a small Evangelical church, but the people have a big vision for the world. Every now and then they invite a foreigner to tell them about his or her country, so that they are well-informed if they pray for other parts of the world and the Kingdom. Isn't that a great example for us all? It is such a privilege to be part of the world-wide body of Christ. I love Jesus and I love his Church! Greetings from Finland and thanks for your prayers.
"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One, I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" Revelation 1:17-18
I will be in Finland for the next couple of days. I am invited by a church in Hanko in the far South of this great country to talk about what is going on in our little corner of the world, the Netherlands. Finland is 8x the size of my country, but our population is 3x the size of theirs! I would appreciate your prayers for me and my family!
Blessings, Paul
(click pic to enlarge)
He is no fool who gives that what he cannot keep to gain that what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" (Jesus in Luke 9:23-25)
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