[Faith-talk] {Spam?} Across A Frozen Lake, and Back by Jan Charles Haluska

[Paul Smith]

Today's article is one of a little-known historical figure, but the 
mere fact that he gave his life for the cause of Christ made it 
possible for Christians of different religious persuasions to seek 
sanctuary in this country.  Read more to find out all about it.

The young man stopped at the edge of the frozen lake.  His footprints 
led back through the snow for several miles to the prison from which he 
had just escaped.  An Anabaptist in sixteenth-century Holland, Dirk 
Willem had been sentenced to burn at the stake.  Now he ran for his 
life, with one guard in pursuit.

The ice at the shoreline was thick, but near the center it shaded down 
to a thinner sheet.  A slight man like Dirk would have a good chance of 
reaching the other side safely, but his heavier pursuer would need to 
go around or take a terrible risk.

Carefully, gingerly, Dirk made his way to the opposite bank.  Just as 
he arrived, the guard burst out of the woods and began lumbering across 
the ice as the fugitive sprinted away.  But then--a crack, a shriek.  
Dirk whirled to see a jagged black hole with his pursuer's head and 
flailing arms at its center.  Dirk was safe.  Free.

But he also faced a question.  Was it Christ-like to leave a man to 
die? How could a Christian live with that cry ringing in his ears? On 
the other hand, how many people could he reach with his ministry after 
he'd been burned at the stake? Didn't he have an obligation to stay 
alive for the sake of their future?

He went back onto the ice and rescued the guard--who promptly arrested 
him.  Instead of being miraculously delivered, Dirk returned to jail nd 
not long afterward was burned at the stake.

It did not end there, though.  The story swept through Holland, and in 
shame for the killing of that righteous man, the Dutch passed a law 
that no person should ever again be put to death for his or her 
religious beliefs.  It was the first such law in Europe.  Holland 
became a haven for all kinds of Christian fugitives, including the 
Pilgrims, who fled there before taking ship for the New World.  Dirk's 
death enabled a more bountiful outpouring of grace than his living 
ministry could ever have done.  And once again the blood of a martyr 
watered the church.

And there you have today's look back into church history.  If there is 
time, I'll read this one.  For a sneak preview of what's on tap at 4 PM on
http://www.cjoyinternetradio.com,
you will hear read an article on the subject of cluttered lives, a 
historical article on a Christian pioneer from the Middle Ages about 
John Huss, the story of Coney Island's Nathan's Famous hot dogs, an 
article on how technology is making the Bible relevant in our 21st 
century and, of course, what you just read.  If you're interested go to 
the website I mentioned above.

And that will do it for now.  Until we see you in the virtual studio 
today from 4-5 PM eastern time or until tomorrow when another timely 
article will be posted, may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just 
keep us safe, individually and collectively, in these last days in 
which we live.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul