March 14, 2011
The surrealistic scenes from Japan we have been watching on our screens, hard on the heels of the Christchurch disaster, seem simply apocalyptic–even from the ‘safe’ distance of Europe. Although the experts tell us there is no natural connection between the earthquakes of the last two weeks and the Shinmoedake volcano now erupting in the […]
March 7, 2011
One of the biggest challenges we face in Europe today is how to bring religious and secular Europeans together, with clashing systems of belief, into a cohesive and harmonious society. How can we shape a society that respects cultural and religious diversity yet promotes civic equality, social cohesion and a sense of the common good? […]
February 28, 2011
The whole nation of New Zealand is climbing out from under the rubble emotionally as Romkje and I return to Europe. Among the relatively small population of around four million spread over a land the length of Italy, almost everybody has family or friends affected by the devastating earthquake which shook the nation’s second largest […]
Warren Carter, convenor of the Hope for Europe prayer network, died in Salzburg hospital on February 14, six days after sustaining brain injuries in ski accident. While giving ski lessons to his son and other children, he slipped and hit his head against a concrete beam. Aged 59, he was father(-in-law) to Jonathan (13) and […]
February 21, 2011
The first decade of the new millennium has produced several cross-currents that are buffeting our world, overturning old orders and creating new realities. As we attempt to ‘understand the times and know what Israel should do’ in the coming decade, we are reminded that there is only one unshakeable kingdom, and that everything not based […]
February 14, 2011
Everybody knows its Valentine’s Day today, but who knows who Valentine was? And how did his name get linked with the global day of romantic celebration? Several martyred saints in ancient Rome were named Valentine. Little is actually known about the one whose feast day is February 14 except that he was buried on that […]
February 7, 2011
Arguing with atheists is boring, says Jari Koivu, a Finn who has been on a journey from his home country to Austria, Russia, Cyprus and most recently to Canada. He met his Ukrainian wife, Tanya, in a refugee camp in Vienna, sometimes climbing over the wire fence to see her, he […]
January 31, 2011
Totally overshadowed by the dramatic events in Tunisia and Egpyt, thousands of Albanians have also been taking to the streets in desperation for just and stable national leadership. Yesterday Christians initiated a Caravan of Peace which gathered in front of Mother Therea’s Monument in the square named after Albania’s most famous daughter. Arian Galdini is […]
January 24, 2011
A friend called my wife recently to tell her we were completely on the wrong track. She had just been to hear a British healer-evangelist speaking in charismatic circles in our country lately, who apparently has been proclaiming that God has finished with Europe. At least, that was the clear message our friend had picked […]
January 19, 2011
Twenty-five of us crowded into the Dwaze Zaken arts cafe a few days ago, at the point where the River Amstel flowed out into the Zuider Zee. We were about to set out on a walk through the oldest parts of Amsterdam (formerly Amstelredam–dam on the Amstel) to trace the story of Europe from medieval […]
January 12, 2011
In England at least, the New Year has made a promising start. Last week I visited an annual gathering of British mission agencies engaged in (the rest of) Europe. Now that in itself is a good start. For Brits interested in the rest of Europe are not such a common breed, I have discovered over […]
January 3, 2011
The New Year is the time for making resolutions and setting goals. So, here’s my first resolution, which in turn will lead to goals for the coming year… and years to come. Sitting on my desk has been a business card of an elder of an evangelical church where I sometimes speak. He first wrote […]
