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Living with what used to be
It was a large square brick building painted grey, about six stories high. It used to be some sort of a manufacturing company, at least that is what I gathered from the remnants of the painted sign on the facade. The days for productivity for this building are over, at least that is what I…
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Hump Day Hymns: Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Today, I am offering just a hymn text. No reflection, no commentary. Just the simple, beautiful hymn text speaking for itself. * * * Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high. Hide me, O my savior, hide, Till the storm…
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Reflections on One Year of Ordained Ministry
One year ago today I stood in front of the president of the classis, the regional assembly in my denomination. Behind me sat the members of the classis, and behind them sat family and friends who had come to share this special day. Of particular significance was the part of the service which is traditionally…
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When it All Comes Together
Half-way through my sermon, I saw about one third of the congregation sleeping, another third appeared to be present in body only (somewhere else in mind), and the final third appeared to be engaged. After the service, I was told that the bathroom was out of toilet paper. It was full before the service. This,…
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Hump Day Hymns: With Broken Heart and Contrite Sigh
With broken heart and contrite sigh, A trembling sinner, Lord, I cry. Thy pard’ning grace is rich and free — O God, be merciful to me! I smite upon my troubled breast, With deep and conscious guilt oprest; Christ and His Cross my only plea — O God, be merciful to me! Far off I…
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this building is a mess
At 8:30pm standing over a flooding floor drain with a wet/dry vacuum trying to control the incessant water is not how I typically picture spending my one day off. However, this is exactly how I spent four and one half hours of my day off: sucking up water, and emptying the bucket. The only redeeming…
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Marginalia of a Past Life
Formerly, I had a habit of making notes in the books that I was reading. This was a way for me to reflect on what I had read and would allow me the opportunity, in a way, to engage in a conversation with the author. It was also a time at which I was young…
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Hump Day Hymns: Abide with Me
Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see. O…
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“…God is bigger than the bogeyman…”
For several hours I gazed at the glow from the streetlights which reflected onto the bedroom ceiling. As I listened to the heavy ticking of the second hand of the clock in the next room, I knew that I had to sleep because tomorrow was rapidly approaching. I was unable to calm my mind. I…
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Hump-Day Hymns: For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest
For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light. Alleluia! Alleluia! O…
Matthew van Maastricht
Shepherd of Souls | Spiritual Director | Psychotherapist
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