May Newsletter

Well, again it is a bit behind my normal schedule... but my May newsletter is up.

Click the newsletter link to the left.

Title..?

We are back in Basel after a very long day of driving... But God sure is good ~ we have seen awesome things over the last week...

Today we went through some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. The weather has been beautiful and my tan is beginning to come back :)

Rome was amazing, as was Venice, Florence, Pisa, Basel, Zurich, Luzern, Zermatt... and all the other places along the way. I think that Tobi, Jeff and I have all come to the same conclusion ~ while everything has been amazing... God's handy work is far better than man's.

I am pretty tired now, so I think I will end this here ~ more later...

I must see rome...

Well, I will try this again, the last one did not work...

We got to Rome this afternoon and spent all afternoon and evening running around the city (which we will do again tomorrow). We even got to see Pope Benedict (great name :) as he departed the Vatican in his motorcade.

I have to go for now, more later...

Pisa, Florence...

God always blows my mind.

We went to Pisa (saw the leaning tower) today and then drove through Florence... Because we were a bit tired we headed towards the Hostel - which turns out is more like a resort than a Hostel. It is absolutely awesome, in the hills of Florence. It is a great facililty and only costs 17 euros a night.

I cannot say much right now, becuase I only have a few more minutes at this internet cafè... but God is Good and He totally blesses us as we simply walk by faith. It is so important to simply trust the Lord and step out, even when you do not completely know where your foot is going to land. This trip is definitely proving that to me again - and to tell you the truth, it is a good thing to be reminded of at this time, becaue it seems as though some real uncertain times are ahead in the next few months. I will fill you in on that some more in the next week or so.

Como, Venice...

It is Tuesday morning in Venice, Italy. It rained the whole way here and quite a bit while we were up in Como yesterday, but today it is absolutely beautiful.

Tobi, Jeff and I got into the area of Venice yesterday evening and went right into the city to walk around. I have had the chance to see a lot of different cities in Europe in the last year, but Venice is definitely one of my favorites... It just has a lot of character and if you ever have a chance to visit this crazy city, do not pass it up.

We sat for about an hour and a half outside a little cafè in the more residential area of the city, talked about the non-essentials of life and enjoyed the killer lightning show that played out around us.

Como, another beautiful city in Italy (Especially Bellagio on Lago Di Como) is also awesome, and would have to take a very close second on my list to Venice. For some reason I have had an intrigue with Lake Como for qutie a number of years and it is just cool how the Lord takes us to the places as we walk with Him.

Well, we are going to go back into Venice for the day in just a little while - so I guess I will go for now.

Basel, Zurich, Luzern...

We arrived in Basel, Switzerland yesterday afternoon. The weather was not all that great as we drove, but as soon as we left the care to walk around the city the sun broke through and we had a great time.

We spent the evening last night with Tino and Pat (the pastor of the Calvary being planted here in Basel and his wife). We had an awesome night of fellowship and wounderful food with them... So as we spent the evening chatting we decided that we are going to stay here another couple of nights, one tonight, before we head to Italy and one as we return to Germany next week.

We had planned to simply visit Zurich today and head to Italy tonight, but as we talked with Tino, Pat and some of their friends we decided to change our plans a bit... so today we visited Zurich and Luzern ~ both of which were amazing cities (I'll have pictures posted when I get a chance).

Well the battery is about to die on this laptop, so I've got to get going.

Oscar Mike...

The time has come, the semester is over, everyone is on the move. Myself and a couple of other guys are heading out in about 5 or 6 hours ~ on our way to Switzerland, then Italy and ending with a few days in London. We are going to hit Basel and Zurich, Switzerland, then Lake Como, Venice, Florence and Rome before we head north again to Germany and fly to London. In the words of my friend Nic... "Sweetacular!"

Your prayers would be appreciated as we travel (and really as all the students travel home). I don't know if I'll be able to update all that much over the next 10 days, but I'll do my best. Surely there will be some pictures posted in the near future.

Once again ~ we're on the move... :)

The Multiplication of Un-organization

Well, it's packing and cleanup day... I arrived in Germany in August '04 with two checked bags and two carry-ons; somehow all of that has multiplied and I am wondering now if it will really fit back into those bags. Well, within a couple of hours I guess I'll know the answer.

Everyone is beginning to pack and cleanup over in the Villa (our student housing) too. It is somewhat strange to think that we are all leaving very shortly and I may not see some of them again for ~ well who knows how long? (God)

Well, time to get to work on the division of the multiplication of disaster.

Open Doors

Is not God awesome?

Ok ~ if you have a hard time with that question, let me help you with the answer...

For years I have been heard and have been told personally, "When God closes one door, He always open's another." But you know I have come to realize (in my life) that this is not true. Now before I get some odd comments and emails let me explain. In my life when God closes one door He opens half a dozen more :)

Today, a beautiful breezy and sunny day in Siegen, is the last day of my classes in Germany. I am sub teaching for another teacher in about 45 minutes and then have my own Sermon on the Mount class to finish this afternoon. Last night was our graduation where we commissioned 8 students to the next work the Lord has for them and everyone is packing up for their departures this weekend. But as I pack and as I consider the next season I am totally blessed by all the Lord continues to lay before me. I return to my home church in August, but also will be teaching the Gospel of Matthew at Calvary Chapel Bible College Murrieta... Just a couple of days ago another opportunity arose and it looks as if I will take a short trip to Belize to help my friend Mike return from the mission field.

God is Awesome (you know, the answer to the question above). Before all this stuff about Belize came up a few days ago, I opened my banking stuff over the internet to balance my checkbook and saw that an extra $700.00 gift was in my most recent deposite. Now a few years ago I would have though, "GREAT, more money to spend..." But when I saw that money in my account my immediate thought was, "Lord what are you doing? You are preparing me for something." Well, sure enough He was and is, for my plane ticket to Belize... it's $682.00.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again. -Luke 6:38

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. -Ephesians 3:20

Monotone

The sound of time passing by as you idly sit waiting is so very monotone. My last Bible Doctrines class starts in about a half hour... I don't really have any pressing things to do so here I sit in my apartment kind of just waiting. So I thought, "I'll write something for my website" since I forgot to do it yesterday. But you know there really isn't even much in my mind to speak of at this very moment.

I guess it is actually a little interesting to me that people really take a moment out of their week to look at the things I write here. I know that is the case because occasionally someone will leave a comment or I will receive an email mentioning something I have written. So to you the person on the receiving end of this meaningless entry... THANKS :) you've made my week, by making me a part of yours.

The sun is shining in Siegen today ~ well, mostly it is shining. In the last few weeks it has occurred to me that we are far more north here in Siegen than I had originally thought. I say this because last night the sun did not set until about 9pm and it was still fairly light outside at 10.

Well ~ I guess I should walk over to the church and begin my last class... Graduation tonight ~ God is good.

Pfingstmontag

Today was another Holiday in Germany ~ the second day of celebration for Pentecost and we had a huge Barbecue at the church for all the volunteers and helpers. The weather was beautiful in Siegen today (which doesn't happen a whole lot ~ so it sure is nice when it does).

It really was a blessing to be there with all the body today, there were maybe 300-400 people and a WHOLE LOT OF MEAT!!! In fact I think I could say that Americans could learn a thing or two from this German Barbecue.

Anyway, it is pretty late ~ so I think I'm going to get to bed... but you know, again today the Lord reminded me of how good, caring, and awesome He is. He truly is involved in ever aspect of our lives and knows and cares for the things which concern us.

Brother Yun

I had the opportunity to see and hear from an awesome man of God today from China.

Brother Yun has been imprisoned 4 times for his faith and witness. The 3rd time he was imprisoned in China both his legs were broken and he was told he would never leave. One morning as Yun lay in prison the Lord spoke to him to get up and leave... As he did his legs were healed and he walked right out of the prison.

Since that time the Lord has brought Yun out of China and I had the opportunity to hear his testimony and message today. Truly a powerful message from a humble man. I don't even really know what else to say ~ there is a book about him called "The Heavenly Man" and you can find some messages from him on Sermon Index.

thoughts

I guess in many ways right now I am frustrated... Things that once seemed so routine and easy for me just aren't at this time. I don't like complaining, I hope that's not what I am doing. It is as though I have a goal (several actually) and I cannot seem to achieve them. Some might say I'm reaching too high, but I know that's not the case.

In just over a month I am flying back to the States. I am excited about going home and looking forward to all that lies ahead. There are many doors open to me both in Germany and in the States. I know in times past I would look at this as a problem, for I can only go through one door, yet at this time it is not a problem at all. I know exactly where I am headed. Now of course I do not know all the details along the way, but that's ok.

There is a part of me that thinks the some my goals well be more easily met, but then if I cannot meet them here... what is my problem? Sorry for my endless rant ~ but like the title says, these are my thoughts...

May 14, 1948

57 years ago a nation became a nation in a day...

Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. - Isaiah 66:8

Shortly after the travail of the Second World War, on this day in 1948 Israel became a nation (again), after over 1900 years without a homeland. It seemed impossible and most definitely improbable that this prophecy could or would ever be fulfilled to it's readers before that day, but God's word is true! Such a thought causes me to consider other yet to be fulfilled prophecies.

Let not your heard be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you ma be also. - John 14:1-3

Be Hungry

The Lord has been speaking to me the last few days in these two simple words "Be Hungry." Each time they go though my mind I immediately think of Matthew 5.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." -Matthew 5:6

I desire that I would have a greater hunger after the Lord's righteousness, as I am sure that many of my friends do. But something the Lord has been speaking to my heart is that I need to BE hungry and not just desire to be. But how do I come to that place of truly being hungry? As I pondered this it occurred to me that if I am satisfied with physical things then I will not Be Hungry for spiritual things. Therefore I think it possible to say that to Be Hungry spiritually I must also Be Hungry physically and that means I must fast.

I guess I could add this to my list of words I do not particularly like. I mean I like to go fast on the autobahn, I like my running times to be faster fast, but in the context of self-denial or abstinence from sustenance... well :) Who enjoys that?

My My...

That day went by very fast... Is it already past midnight :(

We had our last staff meeting this morning ~ we really are at the end of the semester and I am pretty much at the end of my year in Europe. We had the first half of my Sermon on the Mount final today. All the students are planning their trips back home, within a week and a half they will all pretty much be gone... All but myself and a couple of my students who will be traveling around a little bit. As of now we are planning on leaving on May 21st to Basel Switzerland, then on to Zurich, Lake Como Italy, Venice, Florence, Rome and then we'll fly to London.

Well ~ I guess it's time to get some rest... more in the morning.

Discipline

I cannot say that this is one of my favorite words ~ it's like humility in that respect. It is one of those things that I know is good (even great) but, just not ~ fun... or easy. It's like a bath when your a 5 years old and you've been playing all day, or eating your vegetables (whatever age you are, especially if your name is Van :)

This afternoon was my last class (of teaching) here in Germany. We are now down to our finals and I am quite sure that every student is super, super excited about that. As we finished (a little early even) today, I walked home from the church knowing that I had planned to run this afternoon. The air here in Siegen was pretty cold, the sky was mostly covered with thick clouds (I've come to realize that's the norm for Siegerland) and I just didn't want to run. I forced myself to lace up my shoes around 4:50 pm and set out on my 7 mile path.

Through about 3/4's of my run today I had to remind myself about ever 5th step, "Miles you enjoy this... you do not have to do this ~ you get to!" But even with all the positive reinforcement, my tired legs were not buying the encouragement of my mind. Every centimeter of my body was happy when I hit the 7 mile mark and I am glad that I disciplined myself to do it.

Lately running has been very difficult. I am sure part of it is the weather (it's been pretty cold) and I know that some of it surly has to do with the end of the semester. Most of all though I think the main reason I have not wanted to run is because I have, of recent, not seen any... progress I guess. In someways I've been running through a valley. You know, there are those times where there seems to be no recognizable benefit. But the words of Habakkuk come to mind...

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no heard in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. -Habakkuk 3:17-18

...or the words of Paul.

Let us not grow weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. -Galatians 6:9

Pretension

I have a student here in Germany who very much blesses me ~ although he may not know it. I guess there is a possibility that he could read this and then he'll know.

What is so great about this young man? I guess it is the fact that he knows that he is not great and doesn't appear bothered for a second that he does not know the answers to everything. He doesn't even pretend to know the answers to questions; if he doesn't know the answer he seems content to listen that he might learn. He does not appear to have any thing to prove; he knows very well that he is not perfect and does not try to make others think he is. I pray he never learns the modern Christian art of pretension... and maybe that I might gain more of what he has ~ which is quite clearly a child-like nature.

Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3

Vision

"Where there is no revelation [or prophetic vision]...." Once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless. We cast off certain restraints from activities we know are wrong. We set prayer aside as well and cease having God's vision in the little things of life. We simply begin to act on our own initiative... We have lost the vision. Is our attitude today an attitude that flows from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than he has ever done before?" - My Utmost ~ May 9th

I sure can see this to be the case in my life... There have definitely been times that I have allowed myself to be reckless and fallen out of step with the things the Lord has spoken to me in the secret place. The thing that amazes me is how easily I allow myself to justify such things at those times.

Oswald goes on to say, "Is there a freshness and a vitality in our spiritual outlook?" Great question, one that I probably need to ask myself regularly... What is God saying to me RIGHT NOW? What's he speaking to you (if you're reading this)? Click comment right under this and let me know, I'd love to read it.

Listen

"Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear..." - 1 Samuel 9:15

It is interesting, in considering 1 Samuel 9, how that God had to do all sorts of crazy things to get Saul's attention and yet he simply spoke in a still small voice to Samuel. I wonder if the Lord has a hard time getting my attention, I sure hope not. Is my ear tuned to His still small voice.

I also found it interesting that Saul is always vainly following something through out his whole life (some donkey's in 1 Samuel 9). I don't know, just a couple things to think about I guess.

Science FICTION!

I am often amazed by that which is called 'newsworthy' or 'science' by our society. I was reading an article on msnbc.com today about the Creation/Evolution debate going on in Kansas. A link on the side of the report went to a special report entitled, "Fast Forward: The Future of Evolution." I found it so humorous (and sick) that I felt the need to post it on my site.


AMAZING

The thing that amazes me is that people actually buy this junk as fact. It would almost be funny if there were not so many people who truly think this stuff is real.

My friend Shane made a good point after considering how our descendants 3 million years from now will look... "Shows what these people watch on TV." Yep, I seem to remember that Jean-Luc Picard getting over taken by one of those once. Oh, and isn't it great... in a short 2+ million we'll all look just like Frankenstein.

The Earth Melted

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. - Psalms 46:1-6

In the midst of troublesome times (they do and will come) it is great to realize that there is still a city of God, an unshakable ground in His presence. Surely everything else may fail, but He will not; all around us may fall, He will stand strong... How precious is the still small voice of He who commands the seas, "Peace, be still."

05-05-05

For some odd reason I really like when the date falls like that... and it just happens to be a holiday here.

Ok ~ I know... going to bed...

Christi Himmelfahrt

Today is the a holiday in Germany ~ it's the celebration of Christ's Ascension (Christi Himmelfahrt = Christ's Heaven Drive - kind of a funny name). So, nothing is open and we don't have any classes :)

I woke up this morning to some different sounds in my apartment (or outside)... Some of the students secured my door with a bike chain so you couldn't open it from the inside, so I was a little locked in. I jumped out my window and had a little fun with some pay back involving whipped cream and hair clippers :) So all in all it's been an eventful morning thus far. And speaking of hair clippers, my hair is quite a bit shorter now too (I cut it yesterday).


Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. - Ephesians 4:8

Why?

A friend reminded me tonight of a study I'd listened to more than a year ago in which the speaker said, "Don't seek a peace that comes from understanding when God has given you one that surpasses it..."

Every day for almost 18 months I've asked the question "Why?" I've wrestled with every possible answer, none would suffice. I'm weary of the question that has no answer. I haven't cut my hair in all that time ~ it's become almost a reminder of the conundrum. I want to move on - I don't completely know how to...

"The cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of testimony. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness..."

Part of me doesn't even want to blog this... I'm weary of wandering ~ it's time to move on.

Luther

This morning I finished reading a biography on the life of Martin Luther ~ fitting I guess being that I am living in Germany only a couple hours from Eisenach.

The form and structure of the biography was not all that great (it was written too much like a novel), however the content was very good. I've read biographies on several different saints over the years and after all that I've read I think I can say that I identify more with Luther than any other, for he seemed (through this biographers eyes) to be more of a regular person than some of the others.

Anyway, a quote that stood out to me... Some were taking the things that Luther was saying and turning them around to try to cast off the political leaders of the time ~ and in some ways they were trying to do it in the name of Luther. Martin wrote, "I hope that neither side will be called Christian. You are only trying to give your unevangelistic and un-Christian enterprises an evangelical appearance." Something to think about in the light of so many "Christian" enterprises of our day...

Autobahn...

The autobahn is fun :)

Sorry Mom...

click here for video

~ BTW... that's km/h

April Newsletter :) ~ Late...

Hey there... Sorry for the delay, but here it is.


April 2005

“Our reach must exceed our grasp. Paul said, ‘Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on... (Philippians 3:12)’” -Oswald Chambers

Countdown

The trip to Amsterdam this weekend was fun, but it is good to be back 'home' in Siegen. We drove more than 180 km/h (sometimes 200 which is like 125 mph) back from Holland today, it really is a trip going that fast and even more crazy when people are passing you at that speed.

So it's May 1st ~ our semester here in Germany is over in 3 weeks and I am leaving for the States in a month and a half... after a little traveling. I can hardly believe I've been here for two semesters, it's gone by very quickly. The weather today was nice and warm (in the mid 80's) which totally reminded me of San Diego - so as weather goes, I am definitely looking forward to being back in CA soon. But I know I'll miss everyone and everything here in Siegen. As we were driving back through Germany today the sun was setting and there were tons of contrails from planes heading west toward the setting sun, so with the countdown till my departure in mind I've been thinking...

What have a learned here during my stay? I don't even know that I can put my thoughts clearly in order right now ~ I know I've learned a lot... Hopefully the lessons learned will be more of something that comes out though my life then just something I can write down. At this point I guess only time will tell.

Well, I'm getting a bit tired, so I think I'll head to bed.