Henriet's Blog

75th Anniversary of D-Day: I am free!

June 6, 2019: The 75th Anniversary of D-Day

June 6, 1944, changed the course of history. The courage and bravery of the Allied Forces began the liberation of Europe. Appropriately, the anniversary of this momentous day was celebrated by dignitaries and veterans from across the world. 97-year old veteran, Tom Rice, parachuted into Normandy again, as he had 75 years ago—then as a paratrooper with the U.S. Army's 101^st Airborne Division. 

D-Day set me free!

Why does D-Day matter to so much to me? I was set free, albeit indirectly as I was born almost two decades after the end of World War II. My country of origin, the Netherlands, was liberated by the Allied Forces. It's free! My parents were set free. I live because brave men and women were willing to risk their lives. And, now I live in the United States. I am so grateful! I can't look at pictures of D-Day or a military cemetery without getting all choked up. Thank you Allied Forces for your sacrifice!

While we still lived in the Netherlands, my family camped in Normandy several times. We visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. Wow, what a tremendously emotional experience. It still brings tears to my eyes. Rows and rows of crosses (and some stars) perfectly straight in every direction. 9,388 people are buried there! It's a beautiful site commemorating the huge sacrifices made. During the D-Day invasion, over 4,000 allied troops died, most under the age of 20! They died so I can be free. How can I not be wrecked by this?

Let's make sure we value our freedom and honor those who died to set us free. Let's guard this freedom and work together to keep our liberty.

Visual demonstration of spiritual reality

D-Day and military cemeteries always remind me of another freedom. They provide me a tangible visual for a spiritual reality—the reality that I've also been set free spiritually and eternally. This freedom also required the ultimate sacrifice of death. God's own Son, Jesus, died so I can be free. This freedom is available to all of us! If we had a celebration it would be about the 2000th Anniversary of that liberation. Thank you Jesus! 

Let's value the opportunity to be eternally and spiritually free. Let's honor it and choose to live free. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

What about you? Are you celebrating your freedom? Are you free? Do you know the real Jesus?

 

Billy Graham Memorial Publicly and Personally

Thank you Billy Graham…

remembering a life well-lived

 

 

 

 
 

A legacy in my life: From Amsterdam to San Jose, CA to Redmond, WA

Billy Graham has had a profound impact on my life. It started with my father just after World War II in the Netherlands. My dad had found Jesus through the Salvation Army during the war but needed assurance of faith. He attended the 1954 Billy Graham Crusade in Amsterdam. Billy Graham changed my father's life. 

As the Netherlands became post-Christian church attendance and faith changed. Luckily for me, both my parents believed and imparted their faith to my sister and me. My mother read the Children's Bible to us and we believed from an early age. We didn't attend church weekly but would periodically go as a family. Sometimes my father took me to church when I was between 5 & 8 years old—just be the two of us. Billy Graham arriving in Amsterdam 1954

Such special memories…celebrating the life of Billy Graham.

In 1979, my family (my dad, mom, sister and I) moved to the San Jose, CA from the Netherlands. A huge move. It's where I met my husband Fred who was instrumental in taking us to church, Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto. We attended weekly, starting an intentional Christian life as we were taught by Pastor Ray Stedman. Growing up in the Netherlands I was not sure about trusting in Jesus for my salvation. I believed but didn't know that I could know and believe that I was saved and would go to heaven. Billy Graham fixed all that.

In 1981, my husband, my mom and I attended the October 4, 1981, Billy Graham Crusade in San Jose, CA. Though saved, we all went forward. As "Just as I am" was sung (My mom sang in the choir!), we all left our seats. We recommitted to Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believed, really believed! We knew we would go to heaven. This means when I die I will not only see Jesus but I will see Billy Graham. The one who preached to my dad in 1954 and to the rest of us in 1981. A man I have admired for years and whom I've written about on this blog in years past (A Humble Man of God. Happy 97th Birthday, and Billy Graham: Fruit Grows in Valleys). Wow what a day that will be!

The legacy continues

Thanks to Billy Graham's influence and Christ's life in us, my husband, adult son and I now serve Jesus every day and every week. Just this January, we launched a church (together with 5 other families) for families of drug addicts, the addicts and their loved ones. We call ourselves True Hope Community Church and meet in Issaquah, WA. We offer hope and healing through Jesus Christ. We preach the Gospel. We are continuing the work started in us so many years ago by the Reverend Billy Graham.

Thank you Jesus! Thank you Pastor Billy Graham. 

If want to follow the memorial events, check out the Billy Graham Memorial Schedule:

Memorial Live Stream Event Schedule on memorial.billygraham.org

Lie in Repose, Charlotte
Monday, Feb. 26 & Tuesday, Feb. 27
10:00 a.m.
Public Visitation Guide

 

Funeral Service
Friday, March 2
10:00 a.m.

#rev #billygraham

Olympic Opening Ceremonies Feature Team USA in Sweaters Knit from Oregon's Imperial Wool

It's all about living your story...

My friend Kristi S. forwarded a newsletter from her cousin, Jeanne Carver. Jeanne and Dan Carver own and operate the Imperial Stock Ranch on the North-Central Oregon Plateau. They have committed their lives to operating their 35,000 acre sheep ranch preserving the land and the way of life. Now they have a chance to be part of an Olympic moment...as part of Ralph Lauren's Team USA sweaters. Here's what Jeanne wrote:

Our Olympic Moment is just days away. On Friday night, Team USA will step out in the Parade of Nations wearing 650 sweaters designed by Ralph Lauren, knit with 5.6 million yards of our Erin Yarn.

When I look at these sweaters, I see American soil. Soil that grows beautiful grasses, grazed by sheep, and converted to beautiful natural fiber to make a parade uniform for the best U.S. athletes, participating in the most prestigious sporting event in the world. When I look at these sweaters, I see an authentic American treasure.

They're also feautured in an article in the Oregonian newspaper. It's exciting to see people living their story well...to tell His story. Thanks Jeanne and Dan!

Opening ceremonies will be broadcast Friday, February 7, 2014.

Pray for the release of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and for other persecuted Christians

On February 23, Reverend Franklin Graham appeared on Greta Van Susteren's On The Record to discuss the plight of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and to urge people to pray for his release. 

Pastor Nadarkhani, 34, leads a church network in Rasht, Iran. He is being held and now has been sentenced to death by hanging because he refuses to recant his Christian faith. He was arrested in October 2009 because he protested the Iranian government's decision to force all children to be taught about Islam. He did not want his own (or other) Christian children to be subjected to that. He has been in prison ever since. Over time the charges against him were changed to apostasy (falling away from Islam) and evangelism (from Islam to Christianity). In September 2010, he was convicted and sentenced to death. The sentence for apostasy is hanging. Appeals to the Supreme Court of Iran failed. The court said his death sentence could be annulled if he recanted his faith. Nardakhani never was a Muslim but because his parents were Muslim, he is considered a national Muslim and required to recant his Christian faith. This past week he refused to disavow his faith four times, the final one being on Wednesday. Now many fear his death is imminent. Pastor Nadarkhani's wife, Fatema Pasindedih, and his two sons, Daniel (9) and Yoel (7) wait to learn further news on Pastor Youcef's fate.

According to the Christian Post, the White House and the U.S. State Department issued statements to demand Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's immediate release on February 23, 2012. 

This story has grabbed international attention and has highlighted the plight of many Christians who suffer because of their faith. The killing of Christians started very soon after Jesus' death and resurrection. Stephen was stoned for his faith as recorded in Acts 7.

I cannot relate to that level of suffering. Sure, I have had some tough times but I have never faced death because I believe in Jesus. During Lent, as I "sacrifice" eating sugar and refined carbs, I am painfully aware how shallow this is compared to what my brothers and sisters in Christ around the world face on a daily basis. Will you join me in praying for Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all the other Christians who are suffering for their faith? An organization dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians is The Voice of the Martyrs. Do you know of other stories of people suffering for their faith that we could support in prayer? Let's really make this time of Lent count by praying for suffering Christians!

33 Chilean Miners, the Jesus T-Shirts, and Faith

"There are actually 34 of us because God has never left us down here,"

Jimmy Sanchez (19), one of the trapped Chilean miners.

The miners wore Jesus T-shirts

Last week, I wrote about the successful rescue of the 33 trapped miners in Chile. The smooth rescue brought each miner up one-by-one. They were saved from sure death. It reminded me of how God provides the opportunity for rescue for each one of us. Then the next day, I heard about the Jesus T-shirts. Have you heard about them?

Most of the 33 miners wore the tan T-shirts with a Jesus Film Project logo on the sleeve over their green overalls. The Jesus Film is a project of Campus Crusade for Christ International. The CNN Belief Blog reported that the Chilean country director of Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian Maureira, contacted family members of miner Jose Henriquez. Through this contact, the organization was able to get the film and an audio version of the New Testament to the men in the mine.

In response to hearing the film, Henriquez sent a letter to Maureira. He wrote, "Thank you for the tremendous blessing for me and my coworkers. It will be good for our spiritual edification." He ended the letter with a quote from Psalm 95:4, "In His hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him." Henriquez also asked Campus Crusade to get them special T-shirts, which they did. The front of the shirt reads, "Gracias Senor" (Thank you Lord). And, on the back, Psalm 95:4.

Two miners find Jesus

The time in the mine did lead the miners closer to God...some for the first time. Two miners accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Several of the miners report that they were sustained by their faith. Churches across Chile, and the world, prayed for the miners. Some even held around-the-clock vigils. The miners told people that they were able to stay hopeful because of their faith. While in the mine, they created a separate area for prayer and held twice daily prayer services, at noon and at 6 pm.

Jose Henriquez told Maureira, "I am fine because Christ lives in me."

What a great Good News story!

Chile: Mine Rescue Saves 33

All 33 Chilean miners arrived safely above ground.

Congratulations to the miners and families

I want to send my congratulations to everyone involved in this rescue but especially the miners and their families! After 69 days of being encased in the earth, the miners experienced freedom. They experienced a real life miracle from being buried to being raised. They returned to their loved ones and to their lives...though their lives will be forever changed.

People from various countries, including the United States, participated in making this miracle happen. The world watched, prayed and waited with the miners. They showed amazing resolve and unity. Apparently each miner asked to be the last one rescued. As we watched the rescue operation, no one shoved or panicked or tried to go first. The miners were rescued the way they lived since August 5th—in a disciplined and unified manner. Many people worked long and hard to devise a solution to bring back the 33 miners and it worked! The rescue efforts succeeded. Chile and the world celebrated.

The rescue capsule awaits

It is hard not to draw parallels and contrasts between this rescue operation and the mission we have been sent on as God's people. I watched the capsule go down and bring the rescuer to the trapped miners. The people cheered. Then I watched the miners come up - one by one.

God sent his rescuer to earth to rescue billions of trapped people. He sent his very best. He reaches out to each person individually - just like the rescued miners. There is no group rescue. Each person experiences it personally. God reaches out to all of us and offers the possibility for our own personal rescue.

The decision whether we choose to respond is a personal one. So how about you? Have you stepped into the capsule and chosen to leave the confines of the mine and come back to full life?

Holland is in the World Cup Finals...and Fans are Keeping the Faith!

It's been a 32-year drought for fans of the Netherlands. The last time Team Orange made it to the World Cup finals was in 1978! They came in second...we (all Dutch fans) are definitely looking for a different result.

Everyone with any Dutch blood has been glued to the television each time this team steps on the field. Many of us have also been watching all the other soccer games during this World Cup. Dutch fans are living the dream. A reported 2500 Dutch people are in South Africa, supporting their team. My mom and I call each other after each game just to relive the excitement.

During the last game, 60,000 fans were watching the game in the Museum Plein (Museum Square) in Amsterdam. That's not counting the fans in Rotterdam, the Hague and other Dutch cities. The team is on fire. The fans are on fire.

Soccer is popular all over the world. It truly is a world sport. Growing up in Holland, I have watched this game for as long as I can remember. It's exciting that it is catching on in the United States. At first I was rooting for both the United States and Holland - since I'm a citizen of both. But really I was for the Dutch mostly. (The U.S. team's time will come.)

Check out these crazy pictures of Dutch supporters following their team. The orange-vehicled convoy stretches 6 kilometers (3.6 miles). It's easy to spot the Dutch supporters - they're oozing orange!

Boldly orange

As a Dutch person, I've been just so excited to follow the team's success. Now it's down to Holland versus Spain. Some of my friends have been calling me crazy because I was up at 4 am for the first two games Holland played in the initial group round. Hey, it's my team. I needed to see it live!

During the first game, my husband, son and I were in our pj's wearing orange hats and scarfs. The Dutch are not shy about showing their orange. (Watch any Olympics and you'll see those boldly orange fans.)

So the Semper Vita-related question for me, thinking through being a great fan, is "As a Christian, do I get this excited about following Jesus? Do I ooze Jesus? Are we so excited about Team Jesus that others can easily spot us? Does our team spirit inspire others?

World Cup Final this Sunday!

This Sunday I'll be rushing home from gathering with the church at Life at the Ridge to watch the World Cup final. I'll be wearing orange and rooting for Holland! Hup Holland Hup! I can report great news next week.

High Hopes For The Economic Stimulus Package

Will the nearly $1 trillion get us back on track or chain us to an unimaginable debt for life?

It's our money!

I am feeling queasy about the inevitable green light that will be given to spend nearly $1,000,000,000,000 (1 trillion) of our money. Am I queasy because of the 12 zeroes or because I fear a lack of wisdom and integrity? Probably a bit of both.

Apparently, President Obama expects to have the final stimulus package bill on his desk today. He will also take it to the American people - both at a Town Hall meeting in Indiana and through a prime-time press conference today.

Reuters reported yesterday that President Obama's top aides "urged Democratic and Republican lawmakers to set aside political differences and quickly approve a massive economic stimulus package this week."

It's important but why the rush?

In my experience, any offer that requires an immediate decision ends up being a bad deal. When we rush into something, we're sure to miss some key things, include uneccesary things, and pay a greater price. Of course the issue of stimulating the economy is of the utmost importance but do we need to rush this decision? What happened to our last 750 billion dollars? Did we learn anything? Is throwing money at the problem the only and best solution? Where should the money be spent?

While we can't spend years studying the issue, racing to the solution will ensure bad choices. My concern is a lack of wisdom and integrity. The character, tax and unethical issues of our recent nominees have done nothing to assure me that integrity ranks as a high priority. It seems like business as usual in Washington D.C. despite promises to the contrary. It's not just Obama's administration. The previous administration didn't put any accountability in their stimulus package. The banks enjoyed their bailout...it helped the banks but not their customers.

The aforementioned Reuters article contained a quote by Christina Romer, a top Obama fiscal adviser, from her appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation." She said, "If we can get this (rescue) package through, we can turn it (the economy) around and be back on the road to growth."

Our response

I hope she's right but I doubt it will be a quick turn around. We're in the biggest financial crisis in 70 years. There are lots of our neighbors and friends who are struggling now and are facing a tough road ahead.

What can we do? How can we help? Maybe one way is to practice simple ways to give back. We will all need to live differently and adjust to our current economic times. We are dealing with tough times and it will requires patience, endurance and generosity.

What's your view of the stimulus package, our current times and ways to respond?

The Obama Inauguration: A phenomenon of participation

Having invited participation, he now accepts the responsibility of leading the nation. He'll be carrying the weight of anticipated delivery and Messiah-like expectation.

A day to remember

Today, Barack Obama officially becomes the United States' 44^th president. It's a grand celebration and a historical moment. All presidential inaugurations are special but to witness the swearing in of the first African-American president truly sets this inauguration day apart.

Many people are putting their hopes and dreams on this man's shoulders. They expect him to end the war in Iraq, turn the economy around, create jobs, bring back prosperity and fix all other manner of U.S. ills. But that's a topic for another day. Today we celebrate with the Obama's as Barack takes on the responsibility of leading the nation.

Inviting people to participate

The expected attendance in Washington D.C. promises to reach an all time high. Some expect as many as 4 million people.  It's a testimony to how Barack Obama journeyed to the White House. He invited people along. Even his travel to the inauguration testifies to his approach. He followed Lincoln's train route making stops along the way to D.C. He touched people, spoke into their lives and invited them to participate.

His campaign was all about participation. Barack Obama employed Web 2.0 tactics to reach people. According to Juicycactus, Obama's campaign included "active participation in over a dozen social networks including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube and Flickr." Obama also used his web page and had a blog. He created community on the web, recruited volunteers on-line and invited participation - using both on-line and on the street approaches. People could follow and comment on the progress. People could easily get involved.

People accepted the invitation and joined his cause

That's what they did. People jumped in. It felt like a grassroots movement. Everyday people joining together to make a difference. Working together to elect a new president.

On this day many feel that they have to be part of the celebration. They were part of the campaign and they want to be part of the day that he's sworn in. It's their president and they want to be part of his inauguration.

How did it happen?

What creates this sense of commitment, volunteerism, community and participation? Obama inspired people to believe again. He invited them into the process and participate for change.

I hope Semper Vita will be able to inspire a similar passion, commitment, volunteerism, community and participation. Obama proved it can be done...millions of people working together for a cause. We long to inspire people to work together for the greater good. The outcome of this effort will be that together we can accomplish exponentially more than the sum of individual efforts.

We join in the celebration today

Congratulations President Obama. May God bless your presidency.

Semper Vita Salutes Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King day...and see his dream come to pass.

Saluting MLK

What an amazing day to think about how far this country has come in 45 years! African Americans in a one lifetime have gone from living in slavery to watching Obama get the top job.  Do you think King imagined this time in history?

Here's part of Martin Luther King's speech in 1963:

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." ...

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 
...

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:4,5; KJV).

Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

Hope, freedom and opportunity

His dream revolved around equality and the hope for a better future. He envisioned freedom for all, equality based on value rather than color, and opportunities for everyone. He fought against oppression and paid dearly for it.

A pastor friend of mine, Josh Hebert, recently said, "the greater the dream the longer the process." Martin Luther King never saw the fulfillment of his dream. He paid for his "radical" ideas with his life. Tomorrow, his dream will reach a climax as Barak Obama is inaugurated as our 44th president.

I have a dream

My dream fits nicely in with MLK's dream. What is that dream? That all people would experience life through service in community. I can imagine people loving their neighbors of all colors, races, income brackets and skill levels with the love of Jesus. I dream of people giving of their best to a neighbor and in the process finding true joy and contentment.

I have a dream that one day no one will be hungry, thirsty, lonely or in need - not just in America but around the world. What's your dream? Do you share my dream?