“I’m lost – please rescue me.”

Ps 119:176 “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands”.



“I’m lost – please find me.”
“I’m lost – please rescue me.”

This verse mirrors the 3 parables of Jesus in Luke 15. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost (prodigal) son.
God answered this prayer in Luke 15, where Jesus tells the story of a Shepherd who went out looking for that one lost sheep. I suppose if you asked the shepherd what motivated him to leave the 99 to look for the one that was lost, he would probably answer: "every one matters."


Whenever we find ourselves lost, away from God – we can turn our face towards Him, and cry for help.
Even our heroes from the Bible found themselves lost and far from God at times.
But God runs to us if we but start walking to Him.

Safe from the Storm

After watching the news about Queensland and N.S.W being hit by a severe storm, Perth got it's fare share of wind and rain. Just this morning I drove past a sign that was blown over by strong winds (see the pic I took below). When I returned home, I found our 'recently emptied' rubbish bin had been displaced by the wind - I found it about 50m down the road.

This wet, cold, windy weather always reminds me of our first attempt at whale watching.

Whale watching is something everyone should do at least once in their life... just don’t do it on a rainy day. Cecile and I made that mistake. Because it was a rainy day, ticket prices were discounted, and from where we stood inside the Sydney harbour, the water looked calm enough to enjoy the ride and see the whales. But we didn’t realise that the water was calm because it was inside the harbour. Once the boat went through the heads, the open sea became rough.

It felt like a never ending rollercoaster ride. We both got sea-sick. And from that point on I couldn’t care less for seeing whales or even opposing whale hunting. I felt so sick that the thought of death seemed like a better alternative than being alive and enduring that boat ride.

After what felt like a life time we finally crawled onto dry land. I’m sure I had lost weight. I think my stomach was still floating out at sea somewhere. What amazed me was how the crew of the ship seemed un-phased by the waves and un-phased by people being sick. I think they knew we’d get sick, because they gave all passengers “barf bags” and bottled water at the start of the journey (while we were still in calm waters.)

So what’s the point of all this rambling? A simple lesson.

When life’s storms blow in, head for the harbour. You’ll be safe there.

Isaiah 25:4(c) You have been a place to hide when storms came.

On a lighter note...

P.S. We still go on boat rides, but only when the sun is shining and the waves are friendly :o)

Synod 09 and the South African migrants

This week's blog is not so much a devotion,
but more a reflection of my time at Synod '09. Please note that the opinions in this blog is my own, and is not to be seen as a complete list of the who's who in the CRCA.

Synod '09 was held at Wonga Park CRC in Melbourne. As expected, the days were just packed. Through the many discussions it quickly became apparent that there were many challenges facing our denomination, as well as many opportunities.
And that much prayer is needed to help us become
'a Church reforming to reach the lost for Christ.'

John Zuidema speaking to Synod about the importance of reaching the lost for Christ. The guy with the cool hairstyle is Jonathan v d Berg, our National Youth Worker.

Fred & Helen v d Bom, pastor's couple at Campbell Town CRC in Adelaide,
home to a large South African contigent.

Werner Viljoen (front) pastor of the Toowoomba CRC, who minister to many South Africans in and around Tawoomba. Behind him is Stefaans de Bruyn, representing the GKSA.

Joe Vermeulen (me) taking in the beautiful scenery
outside Wonga Park CRC where Synod was held.
It was about 10 degrees cooler than Perth. Brrrr...

My home church is Grace CRC, Perth,
a church that was planted 4 years ago among South Africans.

Leo Douma, (front) Pastor of the Sydney CRC,
a church with a large South African membership.
Sitting next to Leo is Arie Kuyper
representing the NRCSA.

At least they tried to send us home by 9pm each night.

Left, Dave Groenenboom, Synod'09 Chairman,
and right, John De Boer, vice chairman.
As always hard at work.


The two "Jack's" from Bray Park CRC, QLD who also have
a large South African membership base.
Jack de Vries (left) & Jack Nyhouse.

Richard Schoenmaker, pastor of the Mt Evelyn CRC.
He'll be going into surgery soon as he's donating one of his kidneys to a congregation member who desperately needs a transplant.


Another two of the QLD brothers enjoying a refreshing coffee break.
Greg Tenny (front) from Redlands and Josh Hartog from Westside.
Both young, vibrant churches.


I realise that there are many other churches that are home to South African migrants, but I can't think of them all right now. I just realised that the chuch where Synod is held, Wonga Park CRC in Melbourne, is the home church of Rev. Thinus Du Plessis (not pictured) who pastors a large congregation that also includes a large South African grouping.




A defining moment for me personally came when the Church Planting Committee (CTP) touched on the point of the many South Africans migrating to Australia, and how we as a denomination could best facilitate integrating them into local Reformed Churches.

Then it happened... before I knew it I found myself standing at a microphone... and with fear and trembling dared to speak to the gathering. I stressed to Synod the importance of extending a deliberate, welcoming hand to the South African migrants.
South Africans usually have a strong church background and many of them are of a Reformed conviction. But so many come to Australia and soon become un-churched because they can't find a church where they fit in. After a while it becomes easier to stay at home, and not bother with church anymore. This is a sad but true reality. It's also an oppertunity for our denomination.


Synod'09 made this recommendation regarding the above mentioned: "To charge the Church Planting Taskforce to... develop a strategy to reach South African migrants to Australia and to inform the churches of this."

This is a good step forward, and I'm praying that we, the CRCA, will be able to make a positive difference to those South Africans who immigrate 'Down Under.'

“Blood Thirsty!” [PAY BACK TIME!]

When you're ready to take revenge,
remember this number: 12-12-21 *(explained at the bottom of this blog.)



Ps 58:10 “The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.

Seen from the viewpoint of a pastor, dwelling in the church, among God’s people, feeling love and giving love – this psalm doesn’t fit the frame. My Christian paradigm is knocked over by the blood thirst and anger and revenge of Ps 58 – But if I go over to David's viewpoint: A king, ruler, defender, warrior, man of God in battle – then I can see that David called on his God to give him victory over his enemies and let justice be done.

I’m not that different from David, really. Deep down, behind my spiritual countenance, I too cry out for justice! I too rejoice when the wicked get some of their own medicine. I love it when evil is put in its place!
- One thing Ps 58 teaches us though, is to leave this revenge up to God (see v. 6 & 7). David calls on God to do the “vengeance work”.

Prayer:
Lord – in this world we see a lot of injustice, evil, calamity. I pray for a heart like David. To be able to pour out my fervent desires for justice to You – and then to rejoice when I see my God balance the scales. You will make all things right. I can but only cling to You through life’s storms.


* (Romans 12:12-21)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Consider turning to this passage in your bible, then mark / highlight every sentence that talks about revenge. This 12-12-21 number is worth remembering!