Monthly Archives: May 2012

Public Statuary and Remembrance

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Pieter Stok

A Part of the Battle of Britain Memorial

I will always remember the “Battle of Britain” memorial on the Embankment along the Thames in London. As I was looking for it, I slipped and fell down a set of stone steps and, as I have just found out, broke my my thumb.

Putting my thumb aside, my question is this, “How effective will this memorial be in reminding Britons of their “finest hour”? I ask this because in a different arena, Europe is saturated in Christian  statuary but the Christian message is in decline. Statues and crosses, or even church buildings are not necessarily effective means of keeping the gospel alive.

Memorials are only as effective as the message that is attached to them remains fresh and alive. The 12 stones that Israel took from the middle of the Jordan as they crossed into the Promised land, didn’t stop their slide into rebellion. The Jews needed to keep their relationship with God real and personal.

Christians, the “living stones”, have the challenge of living out the gospel message and drawing people to it with our words and lives. At best, memorials are only teaching aids – never a substitute.

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As the Travels Draw To A Close

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Six weeks of travel are drawing to a close. In that time we have walked part of the Camino, traveled to the Arctic Circle, and visited friends and family. We have driven, and flown, thousands of kilometres. But there have been other journeys. Our marriage has reached 38 years and we still discover more about each other every day – especially in the tense traveling moments! There are the journeys of family and friends; the illnesses, the ethical dilemmas, the faith questions and so on. Each of these becomes a mirror we can hold up to ourselves and ask, “How would I respond? How would I deal with the issues and problems?” Often times there are no simple answers and no black and white truths.

Our lives have intersected with others: sometimes fleetingly – the grumpy Spanish waiter, the traffic police who caught me using a bus lane, fellow campers and many others. Even that fleeting moment can leave an impression. How did we respond to the grumpy waiter or the unhelpful garage attendant – especially when we were lost or seemingly helpless?

Our lives are enriched by experiences and our responses to them. So as I fly home on the last leg from Kuala Lumpur, the question I must wrestle with is: how will, or can this accumulation of experiences and events make me a better person, or more importantly, more Christlike.

The range of questions is as varied as the people we met and situations we encountered. For example, there are fellow evangelicals to support in Barcelona. Or, how should I respond to the beggars at nearly every door of the large churches across much of Europe? Are there ways my view of the world can assist my own society at home grapple with its demons. And how has all this advanced my understanding of God?

Now the busy-ness is over, and life returns to normal, there is much to reflect, and act, upon.

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No Man is an Island

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Pieter Stok

“No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as a manor of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. ”
John Donne – theologian and poet.

After near six weeks of traveling, meeting friends and family, the above quote has hit home. There are family members and friends with serious illnesses. Removing myself to Australia does not lessen the pain I feel that these loved ones are struggling. Having reconnected, in fact, makes their struggle part of my life too. Ironically, I am ‘pleased’ that it hurts as it reminds me that these friends and family members are important members of my human family and my life.

Lord, even with the distance of miles and kilometers that I feel, be close to those who are hurting. Be a source of comfort and strength,that is divine and eternal.
Amen

Categories: Devotional, Faith, Family, Reflections | 4 Comments

Some Scandinavian Photos

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Pieter Stok

We are leaving Scandinavia. Our visit to Norway and Sweden has been fantastic. Although we have seen changes – even since our last visit in 2006, the marginalization of the Christian faith seems to be even more pronounced. Political correctness is the order of the day.

Some random snaps:

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Church Bells In Orebro

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Pieter Stok

I can hear the morning church bells in Orebro, central Sweden. This doesn’t signify as much as one would hope. Christianity is now a fringe activity – relegated to the quaint customs department.

When we were in the Ostersunde museum a few days ago, one of the Swedes with us, an older man, constantly reminded the guide that Christianity was a living religion in Sweden, because she tended to speak of it in historical terms.

This morning Hetty and I read Psalm 37. This Psalm is a powerful reminder that the people of faith will be victorious, even though the enemy may seem strong. Here in Sweden, secularism and Islam seem to be the strong “faiths”.

In every church I have entered I have prayed for the leadership and congregation. May the time come again, when the bells ring out a vibrant and living “Hallelujah” to a faith in Christ that is widely embraced. Now it may seem a dream, but Psalm 37 reminds us of the victor and victory.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith | 2 Comments

Jamtli Museum Ostersunde

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Every now and then special, unexpected moments occur. I had wanted to see the Jamtli regional museum in central Sweden. It is renown for its outdoor and indoor displays of local history.

Hetty went to the door to check on times only to find we were an hour early. However, a small group was waiting for a private tour and we were invited along. For two hours we were honorary members of an Illinois Rotary Club. Marlyn, the Swedish guide gave us an informative tour of both the collection of regional buildings and the museum. As there were a number of teachers, the 1895 school room with its sand topped desks on which to practice writing, was quite a hit.

The museum is of a standard for others to note. It has a number of key qualities: an aesthetic beauty, educational focus, it is hands on and fun for children, it has academic rigor and its own archeologists, and embraces community groups. The displays are creative and breath taking. The display of a tapestry, older than the Bayeux Tapestry, is simple and effective. Sami culture is displayed as well as a great collection of Viking artifacts.

This museum is in a fairly remote town of 25000 people (60000 in the local area) and employs 130 people and double that in the Summer when the outside museum comes alive. Simply said, it is a tribute to the community. There is a message in this for my own home town.

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Categories: Reflections, Travel | 3 Comments

Some More Favourite Pictures – in no particular order

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Pieter Stok

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Some (lighted hearted) Observations Made On OurTrip – So Far

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Pieter Stok

1. On our journeys we have come to the conclusion that it was an EU directive that every Pole acquire a semi trailer. Why else would there be on many on European roads?
2. It is a rule, it seems, that every Norwegian must own a tractor. If he or she can’t afford a tractor, a small digger will have to suffice. If you see the amount of snow in Norway, this rule explains itself.
3. In Spain, every male over 70 must drive a Max car. This 2stroke machine has a top speed of 35 kph. It may only be driven on bike tracks, back roads, suburban streets, highways – in fact wherever they wish, especially during peak hours.
4. Another rule seems to be that every Dutchman must have two bikes – one for home and the other to strap on the back of the camper ( not a prerequisite but highly encouraged).
5. The traffic lights in France are only suggestions. Often they don’t work, so why bother to obey them anyway. The local councils also have a programme to make them as inconspicuous as possible.
6. Indicator lights on Saabs do not work in Sweden. Amazing as it may seem, I have only seen a slight flicker from one light – and that may have been the sun’s reflection.
7. You know it’s cold when the skidoos are parked next to the house and the trailers have skis.

You may have “observations” to add.

Categories: Life, Reflections, Travel | 1 Comment

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