New Year - New Opportunities

I've been wanting to create another blog for a few weeks already, but somehow, I got busy with other things. The new year is already well advanced, and I'm thankful for God's leading thus far. 

The New Year's retreat in Thuringia was a great blessing. The group of attendees was very nice, and we were able to go on beautiful hikes and outings with sunny weather every single day. On my way back to Brussels, I was able to stop by at the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, which used to be Martin Luther's exile. I got to see the chamber where he translated the Bible into German. I really enjoyed it.

So now I'm back to my normal routine. With the help of our Conference President, I was able to send a copy of Steps to Christ to each new EU Commissioner (together with an encouraging letter from him). I'm thankful for this opportunity, and I pray that the hearts of these politicians will be prepared for this message. 

Last week, I started an 8-week course with the European Lifestyle Medicine Organisation. They offer a an online course (once per week) to obtain a Lifestyle Medicine certificate. I'm quite excited about this, and I hope that it will help open doors for me to continue with my health work. 

I would like to share a message from Ellen White from the devotional "Our High Calling" (page 7), where she talks about the new year. Let this be an encouragement and guidance to move forward, no matter what the year 2025 will bring! 

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Another year of life is now in the past. A new year is opening before us. What will be its record? What will we each inscribe upon its spotless pages? The manner in which we spend each passing day will decide this question....

Let us enter upon the new year with our hearts cleansed from the defilement of selfishness and pride. Let us put away every sinful indulgence, and seek to become faithful, diligent learners in the school of Christ. A new year opens its unsullied pages before us. What shall we write upon them? ...

Seek to begin this year with right purposes and pure motives, as beings who are accountable to God. Ever bear in mind that your acts are daily passing into history by the pen of the recording angel. You must meet them again when the Judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened....

If we connect with God, the source of peace, and light, and truth, His Spirit will flow through us as a channel, to refresh and bless all around us. This may be the last year of life to us. Shall we not enter upon it with thoughtful consideration? Shall not sincerity, respect, benevolence, mark our deportment toward all?

Let us withhold nothing from Him who gave His precious life for us.... Let us all consecrate to God the property He has entrusted to us. Above all, let us give Him ourselves, a freewill offering.

May the beginning of this year be a time that shall never be forgotten—a time when Christ shall come in among us, and say, “Peace be unto you.” John 20:19. Brethren and sisters, I wish you, one and all, a happy new year.

“We live in deeds, not years;
In thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs.
He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.”

Climbing the mountains

New Year's at the Wartburg Castle

Martin Luther's study