Life is full of struggles, but some have more than others.  Days ago, I spoke with someone who has been struggling over the course of decades.  The thoughts of suicide have come and gone; it is the fear of the Lord that has kept these desires at bay.  Ever since I first met him over [...

God uses men and women alike. Years ago, when I visited a small town in Java, I was told by the pastor of the church that they had a ministry up in a mountain outside of town. But the ministry was not started by him or the church that he pastored; it was started by […]...

In his book, 12 Rules for Life, Jordan B. Peterson points out that it is not easy to live with healthy people. The reason is a good, healthy person is an ideal, hence, it requires strength and courage to be near such a person. Simply put it behooves us to have humility to be near […]...

First, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to visit my mom in Indonesia.  Thanks to your prayers, she is now making good progress.  While there, I flew to Malang and spent a day to visit with friends in the seminary who are ill.  By the grace of God, they are [&hel...

How do we define greatness? There are some amazing people in the world who many would call great – great athletes, great musicians, great leaders, great designers, great parents, great students, and the list could go on – often times we look at greatness and aspire to be like those people, but w...

On Monday, Our Blessed Lord came and took Remy home.  Remy was the grandson of Kak Indra, and the great nephew of Cynthia.  He was 24.  And it was his birthday.  We do not know the cause for his death pending further examination; what we know is that he slipped into eternity whil...

At age 73, after 20 years of ministry around the world, Corrie Ten Boom’s body began to weaken, she’s tired and in need of rest.  The doctor who cared for her health suggested that she take a year off, to stay put in one place and to stop travelling.  So, she followed the advice; she [...

On Tuesday Our Lord Jesus came and took Tante Yohanna home.  She was 96.  The Saturday before she slipped into her new home in heaven, Cie Ima called to let me know of her mom’s condition.  So, I came and prayed for her.  At the time she was still alert and able to respond.&nbs...

Every year we wish each other a happy new year knowing full-well that it may not happen. In fact, we know that it will not happen.  At its best this year—like the years before—will only be a mixture of happy times and gloomy times. Nonetheless we still say it; and this shows that not only [...

The other day there was a heart-warming article in the Times about the Weingarten couple who have been married for 82 years.  Jack is 105 and his wife Carla is 100; and they are still holding hands.  What is their secret?  Well, jokingly Jack used to tell their two sons that the key t...