From temptation to dedication
It is not my intention to advertise it, but Addy and I obtain some of our fruit and vegetables from a delivery service called “the Great Temptation”. [...]
When more evidence is useless
At times, Jesus was really fed up with the Pharisees. When their arguments fail, they look for a sign. And then not like the poor and suffering, [...]
How to admit and overcome fear
A few months ago a Dutch policeman named Arno was killed by a truck driver. The truck driver was not unknown to the police. He had caused [...]
Transforming a Ministerial Monopoly
In religious contexts, the word “ministry” nearly always refers to the work of the clergy, i.e. of the paid professionals who lead our churches and have been [...]
Seven stages of spiritual pruning
Introduction: The way we read a Bible text is often determined by how we have always read and explained it. Occasionally we discover new dimensions. Undoubtedly, the [...]
Spiritual directors talking about stuff podcast
On the 13th of April 2021 I was privileged to be interviewed by two spiritual directors in the USA on the subject of clergy and laity. [...]
No need to be ashamed or perfect
Today we think about the shame we sometimes feel when we suffer or when we are associated with people who suffer. Let’s break up [...]
An Exodus from 2020
Video of the sermon, with English subtitles Video of the entire online service (no subtitles) When it comes [...]
Fear, rituals and sacrifices for corona
This is part 1 of a series of 3 articles about our mental, emotional and spiritual reactions to corona. I intend to show that fear, rituals and [...]
A meditation on Psalm 23
Video of the meditation, with English subtitles Video of the entire online service (no subtitles) In the past [...]
Beyond superficial obedience
The above audio file contains the sermon and part of the rest of the worship service held in the Scottish International Church in Rotterdam on [...]
Peter and the keys to the kingdom
Today's gospel reading is not a long one, but there is so much in it. So in a reflection like this, we have to [...]
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