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It is the ‘in’ thing that every organisation, every vendor, every service provider must have its own client magazine. I regularly get a news magazine from my health insurance provider Assura. Didn’t ask for it, but I get it anyways. I get a news magazine from my car insurance Mobiliar. I get a news magazine from AXA, where my second pillar pension insurance is gaining weight. I used to get a news magazine from Primeo Energie and if you get your electricity from IWB, you’ll get a magazine from them. Every month you’ll get a Dropa magazine from the drugstore chain in your mailbox. Even if you’ve got a ‘Kein Reclame’ sticker on your mailbox. Every month, I’ll get a thick envelope from the Schweizer Evangelische Alliance in my mailbox with a magazine and a bunch of other flyers. It just goes on and on. The busier we are, the more is crammed down our mailboxes. If I would want to read them all, I have to reserve at least an hour a day to go through them. Which of course doesn’t happen. Probably you won’t read most magazines either. I can’t help but think: “All the manpower that goes into putting them together. All the expenses to produce and send them. Why? If they wouldn’t, my premium would be less, my pension would be a bit higher, my products would be a little cheaper.” Just because one company does it, doesn’t mean another company has to. I think these client magazines are an echo-chamber of marketing specialists. Perhaps they should think a bit better about the question: “how do I get the most important message across to people that are used to only read snippets of information; Facebook-size” I hope we’re doing a bit better with this Compass. If so, let us know. If not, tell us how we can do better to give you the information you really need. In the marketing bombardment of client magazines, we should reserve a special place for the Bible. Paul writes to his protégé Timothy: Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:16+17, The Message). I plead with you that the Bible should take a place in your life that no Assura, or whatever magazine can take in your life. Give your undivided attention to the Word of God for at least 15 minutes a day. So that we are “put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” No marketing magazine can do that for us!

Remember those phones? In a time, long, long ago, they were the ‘normal’ thing. That is how I got to learn to use a phone. You pick up the receiver, you stick your finger in the hole with the right figure, you turn the dial until you can’t go any further because of the metal placeholder, you pull out your finger, the dial goes back to the starting position and then you repeat the procedure with the other figures of the phone number. My kids – now grown men – did not grow up with these dial phones. We were once visiting with friends that still had one. My youngest son wanted to place a phone call, and the friend said: “sure, there’s the phone, use it!”. My son walked over to the phone and stood there, glazed eyes, not knowing how to use this ancient thing. The thing with these dial phones is that they never, ever go ‘kaput’. Probably, if you stick one from 1960 into the phone socket (if there still is a phone socket around), they’ll still work. But they have become obsolete, because we all have push buttons nowadays, either ‘real’ buttons or – more likely – digital buttons. There are more things that still work just fine but are obsolete anyways. ‘Planned obsoleteness’ is a real thing in our consumer society. In 2011, I bought an iMac computer with a 27-inch screen. In 2018, I updated it with an SDD disk and in 2023 it still worked as a charm: fast and furious. But Apple thought differently. They decided for me that a 2011 computer should be replaced. They stopped issuing updates for the operating system and before long I got messages, saying: “This computer is too old; you can’t update the operating system anymore.” That was the beginning of the decline into obsoleteness. Then I started to get messages saying: “Your computer is in danger for viruses, because your operating system can’t scan for viruses anymore.” And then user software started saying to me: “you can’t use this software anymore, because your operating system is not valid anymore.” Now it was my turn to stand by my good, old, working iMac with glazed eyes, not knowing what to do. When people brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in adultery, we read this:When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:7-11. With Jesus, people never become obsolete. Maybe we sometimes feel that way. We lose our jobs. We get sick. We make stupid choices. We ‘lose the touch’. We get older. But there is no ‘planned obsoleteness’ in God’s economy. God doesn’t run an Apple company. He runs His kingdom, in which people are his prime assets. And for the financials amongst us: he doesn’t depreciate them either. They keep their full value into eternity.

The reality of the fall or autumn has fully settled in. With the fall come the misty, damp days in Basel. Despite high-pressure systems over Switzerland, it stays gloomy, misty and grey over Basel and over larger parts of the country that are below 700 or 800 metres. If you’re lucky enough to live at higher elevations, then you can enjoy clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. The Swiss even have a saying about it: ‘Unten grau, oben blau’. Grey below, blue above. The only way to get some sunshine in these fall days is to escape to the mountains. My house in the Netherlands has sun panels. With an app on my phone, I can exactly see from moment to moment how much electricity these sun panels produce. In that country there is only ‘unten’ and no ‘oben’, so you can guess what it implies: many grey days, even more than in Basel! Very little electricity production by those sun panels. And no escape to the mountains. On a sunny day in the fall, they still produce 35 kWh of electricity, on a really foggy day it is not even 10% of that. Hear what the Bible has to say about reflecting God’s radiance. Paul uses some complicated sentences and sub-sentences, but this is the main thought:Now if the ministry that brought death (the law) came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? We all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:7+11+18 Solar panels can only produce when the sun shines on them. The brighter the sun, the more electricity they produce. The greyer it is, the less the production is. If we compare ourselves to the solar panels and God is the sunshine in our lives, we need to position ourselves well to be able to receive the sun rays and produce the juice. If we don’t regularly place ourselves fully in the rays, then don’t be surprised there is little ‘production’ that comes out. Just one other thought. Not very devotional, but quite practical. If the sun does break through on a fall day in Basel, don’t wait to enjoy it! Don’t first finish your chores. Don’t wait for the ‘right moment’. Go out and enjoy those rays. Because it will be over before you know it.

I’m writing this in the train from Arnhem to Basel. I just visited my wife and the family in the Netherlands. And, of course, my granddaughter, who is about to turn 4 years of age. She’s a bright, young little girl. I still hear her voice ringing in my ears: “Zelf doen…. I’ll do it myself.” Her quest for independence has started significantly and very determinedly. Getting in and out of the car. Undressing. Dressing. Opening the present. Opening a bottle. Closing a bottle. Getting a bowling ball off the rollers (while grandad fears she’ll drop it on her toes). Making a sandwich. Praying. Biking. Self! Every parent who has had teenagers in the house or is presently enjoying them, knows that the quest for ‘I’ll do it myself’ only intensifies when they turn the corner of puberty. To culminate in the moment they leave the house and spread their wings. It is somewhat of an irony that a child we receive, starts off so helpless, so much in need of care and guidance and then, slowly but surely throughout their lives, we need to let go, bit by bit, inch by inch, year by year and help them to become independent from us. Hopefully still in a relationship, but nevertheless independent. In the same train, I have been preparing my sermon for this upcoming Sunday. We’re starting a new series about the ‘I Am’ statements of Jesus and I’ll be preaching on ‘I Am The Vine’. One of the things that Jesus says in John 15 is: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from the Father I have made known to you.” Even Jesus wants us to grow up from servants to friends. He wants us to understand the Father’s business and take responsibility. Zelf doen… do it myself. God doesn’t want us to stay dependent upon him like little children are. He wants us to grow up to be co-labourers, people that understand what God is doing. So, yes parents, your predominant and God-given task is to help your children grow up into responsible, independent people who can make their own decisions and who don’t need you to weigh in on everything. It is nice and encouraging for them and for you if they want to check in with you from time to time. For counsellors, psychologists and therapists, it should be a great joy if your ‘patients’ get it and start applying your input, your advice and their self-reflection to their issues and come to the point where they don’t need your help any longer. Cut them loose, let them go, you’ve done what you have been trained to do. Don’t keep them on the hook for more treatment fees! Same for pastors and pastoral workers; our goal is not to make people dependent on us. It is our goal to make our congregants strong and ‘self-reliant’ for their spiritual nurture and health. If a pastor goes, your spiritual life should remain steady and focused, because you have learned about the source where that pastor got it from! ‘Do it myself’ is a good way to go, if you have paid enough attention how to do it yourself the right way. I hope to see you Sunday in church, to hear more about Jesus being the true Vine and we as the branches getting our input from Jesus.

This is my last blog. For the last fourteen years it has been my privilege to send you a weekly devotional. I didn’t know that it would be a part of my weekly routine. When I first arrived, it was suggested that I write a little thought for the Compass and the blog. So, I did and then just kept doing it each week. It’s been meaningful for me to share my thoughts and I hope it has provided some encouragement and inspiration for your spiritual life. Although I think most people read for the cartoons! In that first Compass article I talked about the difficulty of settling into a new city. We were having trouble finding an apartment. The kids were starting school. We needed to get a vehicle. Navigating the paperwork and registration process seemed overwhelming. Language was an issue. Plus we were getting to know a new congregation.  I shared the verse from Jeremiah 32:17. In the midst of great distress in Jerusalem, Jeremiah was trying to see how the promises of God could be fulfilled. In the face of so many questions he declares, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” What a comfort and strength that verse is. How important it is to keep reminding ourselves that in any situation, nothing is too hard for God. As Rhonda and I take the next step in our journey, we know God goes before us. The same is true for the congregation at Crossroads. We want to thank you for your kindness and support to us over the years as we have served in the pastoral role. It seems to have gone by so quickly. We have loved living in Basel and Crossroads has become our home and family in many ways. Thank you for the great send off you gave us this past weekend. Your thoughtfulness, prayers and gifts have all been appreciated and are so meaningful.  As we leave our time in Basel, we leave a part of ourselves here. It has been an amazing part of our story. And we are so grateful to have been a part of your story as well. 

Saying ‘goodbye’ can be tough. I’ve been thinking about some Bible stories where people had to say goodbye to one another. Moses led the children of Israel for forty years when it came time for a transition. David and Jonathan were close friends, but the situation was complicated by Jonathan’s father, King Saul. Continuing their friendship just wasn’t possible. In Acts 20 we read about Paul and the elders from Ephesus. He had spent three years teaching and working among them before going to Greece. He stopped in on his way back to Jerusalem and he knew it would be his last time with them. It was an emotional moment for them all. In our international community there are always a lot of people moving in and moving out. It’s not unusual to make good friends and then have to say goodbye after a couple of years. Relationships can grow close when we are away from family and our home community. After a while it is easy to want to protect yourself from losing good friends and so you just stop interacting as much, or perhaps caring as much. Moving on or away is part of life. Like anything else, it is important we acknowledge the impact it can have on us. It’s good to know there are some things we can do that are helpful.   Blessed are you, Israel!Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord?He is your shield and helper (Deut. 33:29) When we part with a blessing, we invite God to be with our friends and to watch over them. Saying ‘goodbye’ isn’t easy. However, as Christians we know the parting is temporary and we look forward to enjoying eternity together. Meanwhile we count our blessings for having known one another.

After 40 years of traveling around in the desert it was time for a change in leadership. Moses would stay behind while Joshua took the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Most of the people had never known another leader and there was no doubt some anxiety and confusion. They knew that there would be challenges ahead. As Moses prepared to hand over the role to his successor he said to the people, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them (other nations), for the Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) During a leadership transition there are legitimate concerns and fears.  The key concept in Scripture through times of change is ‘faithfulness’ – God’s complete faithfulness.Leaders come and go. Leaders have good and bad points. Leaders are human and subject to the laws of nature. But God doesn’t have those kinds of restrictions or weaknesses. He sees the beginning from the end. He knows how things will work out. He is always at work on behalf of his people. During this time of pastoral transition, I’m praying that you’ll have confidence and trust in God to know that he is guiding you (the congregation) through these times. Be strong and courageous. Knowing that God is faithful to his church, sets our hearts at ease. There’s a new chapter ahead and he will be leading all of us into that adventure.

Rhonda and I are preparing for a transition in our life. After 14 years in one city and church we are moving back to Canada. There is an endless list of things to prepare and get ready for. That’s practical work that we can see and do something about. However, there is also the emotional and spiritual work of going through a transition or change. For us, it’s some uncertainty about what lies ahead and what life will be like after our years in Basel. In our case, we’ve had some time to think about and prepare for this move. That’s helpful. But not all transitions come in a timely way. Change can happen quickly and unexpectedly, and the future is suddenly a little more scary. Maybe you are in a season of change as well. It might be that you are between jobs. It could be the health of a loved one, a move between homes, or a change in your stage of life. It just seems like this is a season of waiting. You aren’t sure what is to come and you might not know what to do with yourself in the meantime. Max Lucado in one of his books says here’s what you need to know when you are in God’s waiting room: “while you wait, God works. God never twiddles his thumbs. He never stops. He takes no vacations. “Be still and know that I am God” reads the sign on God’s waiting room wall.” In times like these, we go back to our basic understanding of faith. God is good and he cares about what happens to us. We can trust in him because of who he is. When our anxious spirits get the better of us, we meditate on that verse: “Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10) Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. The waiting room is a difficult place to be. We do not sit there alone. And we will not be here forever because ‘this too shall pass.’ God is at work.

The Devil Doesn’t Rest (But You Should) — One Sunday the pastor preached a sermon about the importance of keeping a Sabbath Rest. He mentioned that because Sunday was a busy day for him, he took Mondays off. After the service an older lady confronted him. “I can’t believe the pastor takes a day off. You know, the devil never takes a day off,” she said.  The pastor replied, “I know he doesn’t. That’s why I don’t work for him anymore.” When the children of Israel left Egypt God gave them a gift. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work … Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.”  (Deuteronomy 5:13-15) God gave them the gift of rest. When they were slaves in Egypt they could not rest, the work was never done. Slave drivers made sure they never had a break. Modern slave drivers come in many shapes and sizes but continue to ensure that we don’t get the rest we need. In his Kingdom, God gives rest and invites us to trust him with our work and activities, even when everything isn’t finished. Finding rest in a busy modern world is challenging. Despite knowing that we need proper refreshing many people don’t have a good weekly rhythm to keep them healthy. Time taken to renew ourselves can include some of the following: Like the children of Israel, we too have been invited to enjoy God’s rest. He created us and he knows what we need. Accepting his invitation is a sign of wisdom.

Some people never really grow up. It’s like the bumper sticker says – “You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever.” Dealing with immature people is never fun. Just because someone has been a Christian for five, ten or twenty years doesn’t mean they are a mature believer. It’s amazing to me that people can hang around the church and other believers but never really grow in their own faith. The writer of Hebrews offers three ways to help spot the immature believer.First, they have a hearing problem. “About this we have much to say and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.” (Hebrews 5:11) It’s not just toddlers and teenagers who have this condition, it’s a sign of immaturity when people refuse to listen or understand what someone is trying to teach them. The second sign that people are still immature is that they can’t help instruct others; “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.” (Hebrews 5:12) As believers we should be able to help lead someone else to Christ, we should be able to encourage others with Scripture, we ought to be quick to model prayer and godly living. But the immature believer forever needs to be reminded of the basics. Finally, the immature believer lacks discernment. “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14) Those who aren’t growing are not open to the Spirit’s leading and teaching. They aren’t worried about what is right and wrong and how to tell the difference. So they get focused on things which are not healthy for them. What’s the solution? The writer of Hebrews wants them to “go on to maturity” and understand the deeper things of Christ. The writer encourages them to get nourishing food from Scripture, to get sufficient exercise by applying their faith to daily living and to develop a keen ability to judge right from wrong. The bumper sticker may be right – some people will remain immature forever. But for believers in Jesus arrested development and lifelong immaturity isn’t an option. It’s time to grow up.