Good Reminder

The text we chose for Dr Bilkes to preach on in our wedding ceremony has now made it to our livingroom wall. Last May I asked a friend of ours to paint a picture for us (partly for Ian's birthday). Now that the painting is done and the bible verse is up, I decided to show you all what it looks like. 

 Close up- the picture I took is a little crooked.. but I think you get the idea!!

It is a good reminder to us every day to "Be still and know that I am GOD". I heard recently of a pastor say if we are always anxious about the big storm coming or why things are not going our way, then we are actually showing our unbelief in the Lord. Not truusting that He has everything in control and will pull us through what ever trials He brings in our path. He has ordained everything to happen, He knows the struggles we will go through. He puts in our path only what He knows we can handle, and that doesn't mean what we can handle by ourselves either. Sometimes the struggles we face are what bring us on our knees to the Lord asking for His guiding hand in our lives and through the trial. So many times we think we can handle it on our own, but the Lord has other plans for us. Take what happened to Mike Maartense last week (I posted about it here). What a tragic accident to occur in a young family with 4 kids who are having a hard time understanding the seriousness of their dad's injury and wonder when he will wake up. 

His wife, Pam, updated his care page the other day, and it is a reminder to us all of what God has done already and what He can do. She understands the Lord is in control even in this situation.

"While following our BSF sister Ellen VanOss on her Care Pages for years I commented to Michael more than once that if we were ever in a position to have a Care Page it was my hope that God would enable us to glorify Him in like manner. Ellen is at home with her Jesus now. God in His infinite wisdom has allowed life's events to place Michael in critical condition and I have the song, "May All Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful" in my head. It's an old song, I think it was my brother Steve's class song way back in 1992. But it's the desire of Michael's heart and mine. May all who come behind us find us faithful in relying on God, trusting Him when it hurts so badly and seems so overwhelming from our earthly perspective. Pray with us that God grants healing to Michael and that He continues to be glorified.As of this afternoon, Michael is demonstrating some reflexive movement and making breathing effort on his own with the support of the ventilator. The next bit of time will present the decision about the placement of a trach but we aren't quite there yet today.He had a feeding tube put in place today allowing them to give him formula nutrition and enabling them to crush pills and give them to him that way if needed.The neurosurgeon has told us that in cases like Michael's 1/3 of patients make no recovery, 1/3 make a poor recovery and 1/3 made a reasonable recovery.We ask that you pray that Michael makes a miraculous recovery. Pray for emotional and spiritual protection for our four children who are wondering if Dad is going to be okay and when he will wake up. Pray for peaceful sleep for me tonight. I got about three hours of rest last night at the hospital. Pray for others to be brought to see and believe in Christ's power and presence.Thank you so much for the outpouring of prayers. So many loved ones and friends have their church prayer lines going. Our church had a time of prayer for Michael in the hospital chapel last night. A group of Holland/Zeeland BSF men prayed together at the hospital today and are having a special time of prayer tomorrow as well. A friend let me know the hospital chapel is reserved for prayer for Michael from 10:30-11:30 tomorrow. Please join us in prayer at that time wherever you are.I was so humbled to hear from a BSF lovely that one of her friends who I had prayed for a year ago when she lost her husband in an accident is now interceding for me and our family.I feel that God was preparing me a tiny bit through the devotional I read to my second graders Thursday morning, right about the time Michael was en route to the hospital. It was a reminder that God promises to be our strength in our weaknesses. I'm certainly feeling so very weak and overwhelmed now. But I'm reminding myself that God's strength will be sufficient. Please continue to pray for that strength.Thank you and love to so many of you dear ones.Note: We do ask for no visitors except immediate family for Michael. We need to avoid much stimulation and allow his brain to heal. You may gladly show your support for the family members in the waiting room if you wish." 

Here is the link to his care page. You may need to sign in to see it but it only takes a couple minutes and it is worth it. 

Need Urgent Prayer!

Just a quick note to who reads this blog. Yesterday there was a serious car accident in Grand Rapids involving a 41 year old man from one of our congregations and a towtruck. He was airlifted from the accident site to the hospital due to intensive brain injury. This is what Pastor VanderZwaag has to stay on behalf of the family.

"Dear Friends, I'm just back from a visit with Pam Maartense & her family. She asked me to update everyone on Mike's condition. He has multiple and extensive skull fractures and bleeding in the brain. Though he did come through brain surgery the surgeon said that Mike is not doing well, and that there is no way to predict if and how he will come out. On a scale of 1-5 he said Mike is a 4, one above being brain dead. Please continue to pray for Mike and Pam and the entire family." ~Pastor VanderZwaag "Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:8). 

Here is a link to the TV broadcast of the crash if you would like more details about it. Please pray for the his wife and four kids.

Here is a note from Pam (wife of Mike): 

"God is good all the time. I'm reminded of our BSF(Bible study fellowship) lesson years ago where the spies focused on how big the giants in the land of Canaan were instead of on how big their God is. Praying for eyes focused on our big God. Nothing new to report and don't expect that there will be for some time. Thank you for all the prayers! Please pray specifically that God makes all the decisions for me and that He is glorified."

The Lord is in control of this man's life and we pray for His constant care and comfort to the family during this time as well as much needed healing for Mike. 

All if it is the Lord's will. 

Very thankful!

We are very thankful for our furnace this week. Monday, during the high winds, the airflow pipe from the outside to the furnace unknowingly became plugged up with snow (there was no screen to cover the opening). About dinner time Ian noticed the thermostat down at 68 degrees F (from 70) and asked me about it. I made some assumption and it wasn't thought of till later that evening when coming home from my brother's basketball game (which he won!!!) and the house was cold! The temperature was down to 54 degrees. After a call to my dad which resulted in a call from my brother Dan (who is majoring in HVAC/furnaces), we thought we had it running again. The next morning proved otherwise, it was down to 54 degrees again! Dan ended up coming over later that afternoon on a quick stop between classes and work. He was able to get the furnace running, found the plugged air pipe to the outside and fixed that. A very grateful thanks to Dan for his work in helping us get heat into the house again! Yes we were wearing 3 layers for a day, but experiencing this has helped us better empathize with those who don't have such a privilege. The Lord has blessed us with the ability to pay our bills so we can enjoy the benefits of 

• Warm shelter from the freezing wind blowing (at the time) outside 
• Heat so we not only are sheltered from the wind but can keep the cold out as well
• Electricity for lights and electronic devices

Too often we take for granted the blessings bestowed upon us because of a wonderful paying job or the help of a scholarship/financial aide. 

"O Give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever." Psalm 106:1

The past few weeks....

Home at last... it has been a good two weeks (three Lord's days) in Canada. We have made new friends from visiting people with in the Burgesville congregation, and have visited old friends as well. The families we visited opened our eyes to see what others struggle with. One family has a child with a recessive disorder which will keep the child from living very long. But despite this serious health issue, the family showers the child with love and care all the while subconsciously witnessing to the medical team working with them. The doctors and nurses all say a child with a severe disorder (the brain is slowly deteriorating over time) the life span is 5-15 months. This child has lived 18 months already! All because of the loving family he was born into. Many kids with this disorder dont even make it to 5 months because their family abandons them and there is no love poured onto them. Another family we visited lost her husband about a year ago. The family struggles with keeping up the business, but the importance for others to hear the gospel can be seen through the wife's story of how her husband came to terms with his cancer and how God gave him peace about his leaving this world. Amazing to hear the work God has been doing in the lives of all these people! We were very encouraged by it and it made us think about what we are doing on this earth to make a difference for God. What are we doing that will catch someone's eye and make them think about their life style and what they need to change. 

How are we making a difference in this world?

Can others see Jesus through me?

Are you at peace with going to Heaven tonight?

"As your days, so shall your strength be.." (Deut 33:25)

Father, I know that all my life

Is portioned out for me;

The changes that are sure to come,

I do not fear to see:

I ask Thee for a present mind,

Intent on pleasing Thee.

I would not have the restless will

That hurries to and fro,

Seeking for some great thing to do,

Or secret thing to know;

I would be treated as a child,

And guided where I go.

I ask Thee for the daily strength,

To none that ask denied,

A mind to blend with outward life,

While keeping at Thy side,

Content to fill a little space,

If Thou be glorified.

In service which They will appoints

There are no bonds for me;

My secret heart is taught the truth

That makes They children free;

A life of self-renouncing love

Is one of liberty.

Anna L. Waring

Garbage in..garbage out vs. good in...good out

One of Ian's professors at PRTS posted a well worthy article about starting a 'new diet for the new year'. He brings a good argument on how to be positive and not be anxious or worrying about unnecessary things. Bible texts that support his argument and help us regulate what we think about. 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, 

whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, 

whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, 

whatever things are of good report,

 if there is any virtue and if there is anything 

praiseworthy—meditate on these things (Phil. 4:8).

Here is the link to his blog so you can read his article.

Here is the link if you would like to listen to the sermon he preached in the Grand Rapids FRC this past Sunday (Jan 6). 

Have you made some new year resolutions already? 

One of mine is to update this blog more often, but another more important resolution is to be more studious in my devotions. So often we drift away from reading the Bible because of one excuse after another. But in order to keep our minds and hearts in a positive spiritual light is to do daily devotions. 

Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth. (Col 3:2)

How is it with your spiritual life?

Family Picture

Well, here is the newest Moerdyk family picture:

Back Row: Marvin & Jolena Andree (They are expecting their first on May 29!), Lenelle & Ian, Andrew & Cherise Bergsma.

Front Row: Daniel, Trienna, Annelise, Cheryl (mom), Avery (Cherise & Andrew's daughter), Bill (Dad), Matthew, Samuel.

Our family is slowly growing, it has been a blessing to see how God has brought each of us through another year. My niece, Avery, was born in April and our wedding in July. Added to that, my two brothers have started relationships with two wonderful girls. Sam is dating Leah from New Jersey, Dan is dating Jade from Grand Rapids, MI. It has been a blessing to get to know these girls. They bring a whole new dynamic to the family and I wouldn't have it any other way! :)

Ian is half way through his third year at PRTS. We have been blessed with many friendships within the seminary, many of whom we hope to continue even after PRTS is finished and we all move away from each other. Lenelle has 'quit' her job at Porter Hills and is now a full time home maker with some babysitting and house cleaning for an elderly couple on the side. 

Looking forward into 2013, we hope to make a trip to Scotland in June for four weeks (the tickets are booked!). Seeing as our wedding was this past summer, his family and a couple good friends  came to Michigan. We look forward to spending time with family and friends during that month visit.

We hope and pray all is well with you and your family. May you be truly blessed in 2013 and beyond. Looking more earnestly for the coming of our Lord to judge the earth. 

With love,

Ian & Lenelle