Posts by Deborah van Kroonenburg
The Stones of the Temple
The very stones of the Temple heard his words and we thought that they would tremble and shatter under the impact of them. We were the people responsible for the purity of our Lord’s dwelling place and we glanced at each other fearfully. Why did he dare to say that his ‘Father’ had sent him?…
Read MoreMatthew 5:1-12
The crowds surge around him and Jesus looks at them and glances upward as He walks up the mountainside. He sits down. We watch and listen, held in a time of peace and beauty. What do I see, what do I hear? I want to hold every detail, every word in the ‘now’ of my…
Read MoreWord Fulfilled
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. When Oh Lord, when will my eyes see your face? You whispered into my ear, as I lay on my mother’s knee. I saw the light…
Read MoreThe Voice
In those days, when we lived each day close to the Lord, we came to feel as though he was a friend, a kinsman in our midst. We heard him laugh and we saw him cry. So many of the emotions a man can feel passed through his expressions and we could have been brothers,…
Read MorePlaces of Honor
Peter Recalls They were part of our world and we learned to step out of the way each time they swept across our paths – the Holy Ones, the Pharisees. Holiness was the fragrance that hung on their garments, alongside the jewels and golden tassels and you bowed your head when you saw them praying.…
Read MoreDaniel Speaks
My eyes were burning with the fire of the visions. My mind reeled as the drama played out before me. My life had been a drama played out before the ages, I was an exile, subject to an alien king; I was his adviser, and a leader of men. Although I served my king, I…
Read MoreOh, John
He had only known the touch of rough garments for a long time, but I wrapped his body in linen and took it gently away to rest. We had a place ready to lay him, until the Lord should come to take him home. I would miss his voice, calling out to all those who…
Read MoreGaze
‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ When Lazarus became sick, we thought that Jesus would come to our home. He would not fail to come, knowing that his…
Read MoreReturn From Darkness
King Herod’s men attack us, taking James first, and straight away Herod has him beheaded like John the Baptist. Immediately after that he has me arrested; flung into prison. No one can approach me in that dark prison. And there are so many soldiers assigned to me. Why are they so afraid of one man?…
Read MoreThe Spirit Fills Me
Now I see the hope of my young and grieving heart fulfilled in the vision before my eyes. In those days of grief, I had felt the Lord’s prayer, coming from his beating heart straight to the heart of the Father. When I lay with my head against that sorrowing heart it seemed as though…
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