We join up the dots of life around us to create our own narratives, to explain the realities that we perceive.

While some worldviews may be closer to a biblical understanding of reality than others, they are still the wrong map.

From 17-20 March, 72 Christian women with influence in church leadership, business and institutions gathered for the ‘Rise in Strength’ global consultation.

As the Dutch led the way in shipping, map-making, navigation, trade, art and science, new ideas about God, man and the cosmos were conceived by Amsterdam-based thinkers like Descartes, Locke and Spinoza.

Many European Christians are susceptible to becoming more Islamophobic after Islamic terrorist attacks. They have voted for extreme right-wing populist parties focusing on the perceived threat of the Islamisation of Europe.

Modern and post-modern perspectives held by (often) biblically-illiterate and spiritually tone-deaf art critics and curators ignore the gospel message of Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

What a great concept, to replace the negative associations of ‘Red Light District’ with the creation-friendly associations of ‘Green Light District’! Could this in some way be an answer to prayers for ‘God’s kingdom to come’ in Amsterdam?

Sixty women gathered in Amsterdam for the ‘Rise in Strength’ Consultation. “We all must engage in a positive dialogue, seeking reconciliation, to make our communities more empowered in Christ and safer places for all”.

A nominal Christian at that stage of his life, Irwin experienced an unexpected spiritual encounter on the moon that changed his life forever.

Europe as the continent most exposed to the gospel over time and intensity, yet more recently also shaped by the abandonment of the gospel.

We too feel picked up by the scruffs of our necks by the same God of Abraham.

“Christians should be prepared to argue for positions which advance the international common good even at the apparent expense of their national interests”, Dr Jonathan Chaplin said in Amsterdam (May 8-9).

A study in 15 European cities confirmed the existence of socioeconomic inequalities in many of the main causes of mortality.