Random library doings

Something I stole from Brian Dijkema's old blog.

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Turn to page 23
3. Take line #5
4. Post it on your blog

It is that sorry history that both lies at the root of the postmodern attack on totlalizing power of reason and gives shape to the postmodern imperative to include the "other" and to make room for the "different".

The Hermeneutucs of Charity - James K.A. Smith and Henry Isaac Venema

Some pictures from my Christmas break in Holland

Arriving by train, being suprised by friends Spending time with family including Lian

Playing Axis and Allies, with some other crazy peeps

Being able to see Dorna and Daniel and so many other people, I have missed

Having to sleep at the JFK holiday Inn, and leaving very early the next morning, able to see the sunrise

wow, that was awesome

Wow that was awesome, today a bunch of Redeemer people went on the ski trip at Mount St. Louis, after a day that started by leaving at 6:30 am, we came back at 7:30 pm, I was quite satisfied. Awesome park, beautifull conditions, occasional powder, no major injuries, great people



Wow that was awesome, relaxing during reading break, after going to Barrie for almost a week, I went to a cottage with Rachel's family. It was rather relaxing, just talking playing games, enjoying God's creation, I appreciate it
Rach and I during reading break, look at my hair, isn't it styling


Wow that was awesome, being inspired and encouraged by words of prayer again, during the CITB prayer meeting, during chapel the next day, with Rachel on Friday, and with Jesus all those times.


Wow that was awsome, the 4th snow (ice) class cancellations of the year. My midterm gor post-poned for a week. And I got to relax just for a bit on Thursday.

Wow.

Snow Day!

Canadian Government, Introduction to philosophy, Canadian Foreign Policy, Church in the Box Social

or

Winners, Crazy Car drifting, Snowboarding in the back hills, going to Kelsey's for Matt V's birthday - In General a snow day.

I prefer the second one and that is what we got today.

Environment Canada, has estimated and average of 75 cm of snow in the Hamilton area. So, ya classes were cancelled today, and I am betting on classes being cancelled for tomorrow. Instead about 8 of us went snowboarding at the back hills of Redeemer, where a few weeks ago we had already built a nice jumps, that provided a great jump for today's fun. Here is a picture of the school closures of this morning - it includes Redeemer.

So, this is the second day of in the year, and for a Canadian-Dutchie like me this is quite exciting. A couple weeks ago we had a crazy ice-storm, in which everything was covered in ice. Here are a few pictures of that.

Twigs covered in ice
Chains covered in ice

Everything was covered in ice, trees, plants, corn, walls. lamps, even grass. It is awesome that we are actually having a real winter, it didn't look like it at all, but I really appreciate it.

Marching to Zion

This post might seem like a bit of a confusing one to you, but I am being honest and sharing about what I am learning from and stuggling with. In the last about 36 hours I spent 10 driving, 7 sleeping, 14 learning, and about 5 eating, socializing, and etcetarizing. I'll explain, Friday morning at 7:45 Laura Stewart, Joy GN, Syd Hielema, and I left Redeemer to got to the worship symposium at Calvin, the original plans of leaving on thursday were cancelled due to closed highways.

This oppurtunity to learn about worship, prayer within worship, and hundreds of things surrounding worship was provided to me through Church in the Box. This weekend I got to experience worship, in a way that was quite refreshing. Three times I was taught about the Psalms and how to pray them. Three times, I worshipped with many other believers in the chapel. Way more that three times did God touch me this weekend.

In the last half year I have learned that there is more to prayer than, closing you eyes, folding your hands, and perhaps kneeling down. Especially in groups I have been challenged on how to pray with and for others. I have the feeling that it was a lot of falling, and very little climbing, however, God has shown me a bit differently.

When I was in Holland, God gave me rest, strength, and a renewed sort of Spirit. I am still figuring out what this is, but it is good. Sunday the 21st (CITB sunday) I prayed with, talked with, listened to, and learned from all kinds of people. When I came to my dorm between prayer and the service I was exhausted, I fell asleep, I was still tired the next day. But, I was also restored. As Pslam 23 says "He restoures my nefesh (Hebrew for more than soul or body, it is all of ones being)", and He did.

I know this blog is all over the place, but I am also still figuring out where all this is going. If you feel so inclined to pray for me, you can pray for discernment between my and God's voice. Thanks for the support you have all given me even though you probably do not realize it. In His service, Willem

Btw, If you want to read a interesting piece on how a CITB sunday can be, check this out

Heading back home

Well tomorrow I get to go to Holland again. The last time I was their was in the morning of July 26th, 2005. I remember my mother and my good friend Bas driving me to the airport as we were having discussions about the role of the United States in world politics and wars. Tomorrow another good friend of mine will be driving me to the airport, this time Joy Johnson is driving me and I am flying from Buffalo, through Washington, to Amsterdam. I can't wait!

I have been at Redeemer for 3 semesters now, and it has been and still is probably one of the greatest blessings that I have witnessed in my life. However, the last semeseter was harder for me than my first two in first year. Besides overcommiting to certain activities, spriritually and emotionally this semester has been very draining. Finding the drive to do all my homework, keep close knit relations with all my friends, being there for Rachel and people in my dorm, and mainly devoting time to God. It has all proven kind of challenging this semester. But, I know God has big plans. Tomorrow I get to go back home, well I get to go back to one of my homes.

18 years of my life, home was Holland, more specifically Ede, my schools, and the church there. Last year my home got taken away, well I took it away. Going to Redeemer and Canada, gave me two new homes, Barrie where my mom and family is, and Redeemer itself. However, nowhere really felt or still feels like my home. But, tomorrow I have the feeling I am coming home, and that is not specifically Holland or Ede. It is taking a break from the earthly things that have kept me busy, returning to friends, enjoying the blessings in my life, and mostly God.

Yes, I am quite excited and ready to go "home".

TIme flies..

It has been a little while since I have last let people know what has been happening in my life. And since I can't get to the text I need for my sociology assignment, I am writing this update.

Academica

November has proved itself to be a great month. The beginning of November was mainly devoted to writing midterms and assignments, now school has moved on to paper season. Yesterday at midnight my political science term paper was due, and I finished writing it at 10:30 in the morning. At 4pm it was time to do a bit of editing, to hand in the paper at the library right after that. However, it is clear that nothing goes as planned, I spend the next 2 hours trying to recover my paper, after WordPerfect, made it a lot less perfect. Nevertheless, in the end I was able to hand in my paper.

Strange News

Squirrels, you know the little animals, depicted pretty and lovely in fairy tails and cartoons, known as terrorists and fried food at Redeemer. Last weekend a squirrel came into the transformer and put down power on all of campus. Even though I wasn't there for the evacuation, sleeping in hotels and pizza. Which I think is sad, because it would have been fun. I want to pay tribute to the squirrel that changed Redeemer's fall semester of 2006.

Weekends

Well,last weekend the Go Transit system took me to Barrie for the weekend, this weekend the VanMarum family van, will take me to Sarnia to celebrate Rachel's birthday, which is tomorrow. Barrie was very relaxing for Rachel and I, long nights of sleep, the Timothy Christian School bazaar, a mall trip turned 8km walk on the most beautifull saturday if the month, and a really refreshing sermon in church on sunday. This weekend looks to be fun as well, it's a birthday party after all.

The Motherland

My trip to the Netherlands is still planned for December the 21st, after visiting Jeroen and Jacq for a bit, I'll be heading to Ede for most of the time, I can't wait to see all the family and friends, many of whom I have not seen in 1,5 years. As for all of you that live in Holland, my unofficial trading company is still operating, I can take any food, gift, or animal to Holland this Chirstmas. Maybe, the animal is a bad idea, but let me know.

Closing remarks

It is crazy to see how quick time flies (as do pigs app, it feels like a couple weeks ago, that I was busy with all the First year introduction events. And now I only have one week of classes left!

I wish everybody a great week, and a jolly great december, seeing that I will probably see most of you in December, I'l say, see you later.. In Christ, Willem

Politieke zaken

Yesterday the Dutch parliamentary 2nd chamber elections took place. See this article to get a pretty good idea of where Dutch politics are at. I got to vote online this year, it is an experiment from the federal governmenr, and according to me saves considerable time and money. The Christian union under leadership of Andre Rouvoet doubled in seats and is now at 6 seats in the 2nd chamber. First indications are that the Christian union might be involved in a three-fold coalition government. With the Christian democrats, the labour party and the Christian union who together would hold a mojority of 79 of the 150 seats. However, negotiating on this matter will prove itself to be very hard due to differences between the Christian democrats and the labour party.

Prayer

A few things about prayer.

Pray without ceasing

The 24-7 prayer room will be open for the rest of the semester, feel free to use it whenever you want, if you want to be sure of a spot sign up for a slot.

If you ever have any prayer requests, post it on this prayer blog, it is a blog for prayer in the Redeemer community, feel free to add your prayers.

The last month there was a focus on prayer within Redeemer, from chapel, 24-7 prayer, CITB, Leadership dinner to the fall entreat God told us about praying through many different people.

I would like to leave you with this piece of scripture:
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24

Pitching Tents

Steve showed me this one, I am posting it though... Poor pastor.

Biblical names

Everybody in my dorm has a biblical name, I don't...


Steve - Stephen
Ben - Benjamin
James - James
Nathan - Nathanial
Josh - Joshua
Matt - Matthew
Peter - Peter

Willem - ....

So Karen Shields decided to give me a biblical name.. - Barnabas

So from now on, please refer to me as Barnabas.

(That's Barnabas)

Impressions from SMC 2006

The Barn at night, heart of the SMC community, that's where the food is!

My favourite twins Dallis and Brook-lynn and Figi in the middleThe climbing wall on top of the hill....
The SMC 2006 teamThe Caledon hills, my home for 2 months
My horrible camper, however, you learn to love every camper deep down in your heart, especially this guy.Singing "we love you campers, deep down in our hears" after another week of camp