Christianity

Jesus in Bubblewrap

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Jesus in Bubble-Wrap

In the magnificent Cathedral/Mosque, the Mesquita in Cordoba, we came across a bizarre sight in one of the alcoves.

Large representations of Jesus and Mary, which had obviously been used for the Easter festivals, were wrapped in bubble-wrap protecting them until next year’s celebration.

Being an English teacher, I see metaphors in most things, but this metaphor was screaming at me!

For me it was a picture of how Jesus is so often treated: the Jesus of Christmas and Easter or the Jesus who comes out at hard times and forgotten about when things are OK. The token Jesus. The aspirin Jesus.

Even those of us who profess a strong faith have times when we remember to pray with a passion, only, because there is an issue that needs to be dealt with in our lives. At other times we have placed Jesus in “bubble-wrap”.

The image in Cordoba was a reminder for me personally, to be aware of how I treat our Lord. I am his child, He is not at my beck and call. Jesus is my 24/7 Lord, not my occasional remedy.

So from now on, whenever I see this picture from Cordoba I will be asking myself some hard questions. Maybe I should hang it on my study wall …

Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Jesus | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

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

Stave Churches

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Over these last few days we have pursued a passion of mine – Stave Churches. These churches are between 800 and a 1000 years old. Thousands were build but only a few remain. Being wooden, from the floor to the roof tiles, they required a lot of attention. Those that remain, still do. The photo of the Borgund church, shows one of the most original churches, and it is preserved in a tar like substance.

With dragons on the roof and high soaring towers, they picture a period when people were moving from pagan gods to Christianity.

It is very easy to be critical of this syncretism but how many of our 21st century values do we incorporate “seamlessly” into our faith – uncritically. Even though these churches are now tourist attractions, it is encouraging to see, in many places, a living and active contemporary church building near by.

Below are:
1. The Kaupanger Stave Church
2. The Borgund Stave Church
3. The Roldal Stave Church
4. The Heddal Stave Church

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

A Quiet English Weekend

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Pieter Stok

This weekend we have had a quiet, by our standards, few days. We visited the Cowper Newton Museum in Olney on Saturday. This is a brilliant little museum celebrating the lives of two Christian men – a poet and a reformed sea captain turned Anglican minister. This museum pictures their lives and the era in which they lived.

That evening we dropped in unannounced at our friends Heather and Keith and their two daughters. The following morning, after walking through Bletchley, we attended Spurgeon’s Baptist church and renewed old relationships. In the afternoon, after a detour to the Eleanor Cross in Geddington (which included an unexpected guide by the local historian) we stayed with our friends John and Lin. They made us feel at home so we stayed an extra night. We also attended their delightful church in the evening – Baptist again. The music was warm and celebratory; the message to the point.

On Monday we did the tourist thing in London: the Eye, the Tower, a trip down the stone steps which badly bruised my thumb, the British Library with its amazing manuscripts, and the Museum of London – chasing Charles Dickens. We continued our Dickens research on Tuesday in Rochester.

Insights? Not too many. I was too relaxed. However, French and German student groups are ruder than any I have ever come across! The Tower of London with screaming German students may be a just cause for a … I think I am going to far.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith, Family | Leave a comment

The Medieval Mind

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Pieter Stok

A few days ago we went to Chartres Cathedral. One writer described it as one of the most perfect pictures of the medieval mind.

What does this massive and beautiful building tell us? Here are a few ideas for the moment.
1. God was at the heart of their thinking. God dominated their lives and they wanted to honour Him.
2. There was a fear of God – fear in a wrong sense. Confessional boxes, a maze that had to be travelled on the knees was at the heart of the Cathedral. People needed to do things to earn God’s pleasure.
3. It was an illiterate society, so the Bible story was told in great detail in the beautifully rich stained glass windows. Sadly, non Biblical Stories about Mary were added. But the detail and accuracy of the Bible stories was impressive.
4. The size of the building made God remote. Even Jesus was not a personal savior.
5. My last point, for the moment, is that this image of God does not communicate to the 21st century mind. Chartres reminds us that we need to reapply the gospel message anew for every age.

Finally, whatever our feelings, the medieval devotion makes pale in comparison.

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

Past Glories

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Pieter Stok

After the heights of Calvinism in Geneva, we went to the Abbey of Cluny today. It is a magnificent complex of buildings whose influence ranged over the pre reformational world. This abbey was the mother from which many others were set up, in England and France. It was an amazing picture of medieval devotion. Today its zeal was muted by tourists and bored French school groups. From there we went to the magnificent Cathedral at Orleans whose patron saint is Joan of Arc – a martyr of the French nation. Like many Cathedrals there are beggars at the door. The question as to what to what to do bothers me.

Yesterday we passed an accident on a country road. There were police cars and emergency vehicles. Cars were being redirected around the accident. On the side of the road was a body bag with a body in it. For me this was a stark reminder of the calling we have to represent Christ. Death may come at any moment (especially on French and Spanish roads) but we need to have a relationship with Christ – nothing is more important than that!

Tomorrow we plan to go to Chartres Cathedral and from their to Belgium to see family.

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Geneva – The Heart of the Reformation

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Today was a fabulous day for a Calvinist lad. Hetty (not hefty – certainly not after walking 125 kms) and I went to Geneva. We visited the old city where there is a museum dedicated to the Reformation. It was informative, well laid out and we could have spent the whole day there. It narrated the story of the Reformation, its issues and its key people. There was material for all ages, including audio and visual presentations. I found the last room, which presented Protestant worship around the world, very moving. But we didn’t stay all day!

Next to the museum is St Peter’s Cathedral under which, is the most incredible area of archeology I have ever seen. The detailed information, the extent of the work, the overview from the 1st century to more recent years and the presentation, was an unexpected delight. Any person who loves archeology and visits Geneva must go. The whole set up is Swiss efficiency at its best. The same can’t be said of the Post Office which was a rigmarole at its best, or is it worst? The museum and archeology visit also allowed us up the towers of St Peter’s. This must be one of the best views of Geneva!

Finally we went to the Reformation monument – a giant facade representing the key players in the Reformation. A very powerful message, which sadly, doesn’t get heard in modern Europe.

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Categories: christian, Christianity, Faith, History | 4 Comments

Some Favourite Photos of the last Two Weeks

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Here are some of the photos that encapsulate the last two weeks. For some reason, WordPress on iPad has jumbled them up. But I hope you get the drift.

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Categories: Camino, christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith | 1 Comment

Easter Sunday in Santiago -Hetty’s Perspective

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Hetty’s thoughts about Easter Sunday

We had an appointment to meet Kiki at the cathedral at 11am, so we found a car park and walked into the city centre. It wasn’t difficult to find each other. As we approached the cathedral the Risen Jesus was being wheeled in. We followed Jesus.
Just inside the doors he did a tricky 25point reverse and back outside.
Crowds of tourists/spectators were shooed out of his way. Meanwhile people in costumes arrived from all directions: little angels, Biblical characters, and traditional Spanish women in high veils. And lots of green-caped churchmen and women. Then we realized another float was coming into the square.
To drums and trumpets and a Spanish version of the bagpipes , Mary was being borne aloft by two dozen men. No wheels under this lady! Her carriers had her rocking from side to side as she and Jesus inched towards each other. We then got an Easter Pageant and a kind of sermon. It was good that we knew the story and that the word Halleluyah is universal. The two Marys went to meet Jesus, ran back to tell John and Peter who in turn ran towards Jesus. Then some angel children released some doves. After that the procession went through the town to more music.
We turned back to the cathedral for the 12 o’clock Pilgrims Service. there was a lot of pomp, ceremony, smells and bells, but we understood little of it. the priest did welcome us in English but I didn’t realize it immediately and didn’t precisely notice when he went back to Spanish.
At the commencement of the Communion we left, found our way back to the car, and started on our journey south.

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Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Hetty's Devotions | 5 Comments

Easter Sunday in Santiago

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Pieter Stok

Today was Easter Sunday and we were in Santiago witnessing how the Catholic Church firing on all cylinders does it. Many words can describe it: spectacular, rich, all involving. The ritual was dramatic and beautifully presented. The robes were rich, the processional figures spectacular and the story well told. People of all ages were involved. The Bible story was told in detail.

With my very limited knowledge of Spanish, it was obvious that the gospel was proclaimed. But something was missing. I’ll write more about that later.

Then we started for the south via Portugal. We camped north of Lisbon.

Today, Monday, we marched on south as we want to see the southern cities of Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz and Granada. We went via a town in Portugal called ” Elvas” with a most amazing viaduct. We have arrived in Seville after finding a camping ground. The gps worked well but the camping grounds didn’t exist with our first two tries. Tomorrow we will visit Seville.

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Categories: Camino, christian, Christianity, Church, Faith | 6 Comments

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