A divine appointment
This weekend I have been visiting Lyngdal in the southern part of Norway together with Per Erik Olsen. We had a wonderful time with the church there. They are taken some important steps forward an they are experiencing the blessing of God.
While I was there I met two former student from the Bible School in Sarons Dal, Kvinesdal. I had been teaching them in 1980. Now one was a pastor in a church at Sola nearby Stavanger and the other one was the general secretary for a network of 1200 churches in Kenya. I was a divine appointment to meet these two servants of God! I am looking forward to our next time together.
While in Lyngdal I also met one of my close co-workers from my time in Troens Bevis Kvinesdal. It was like we never had been apart. I was really blessed by that encounter and believe that we will see one another more often in the days ahead!
God is so good!
June 30, 2003
June 27, 2003
Bothering to meet with God
Bothering to meet with God
God was saying some staggering things to his servant Jeremiah, the prophet, as he was talking about the other prophets around in his days. God was charging them of telling lies and grandiose delusions as they were swapping dreams with one another, feeding on each other's delusive dreams. God was sad by the fact that they did not bother to meet with him!
Have any of these prophets bothered to meet with me, the true God? - bothered to take in what I have to say? - listen to and then lived out my word?
If they'd have bothered to sit down and meet with me, they'd have preached my Message to my people. They'd have gotten them back on the right track, gotten them out of their evil ruts.
Then God goes on to charge his true prophets with these words:
But you prophets who have a message from me - tell it truly and faithfully. Let your words change them. Don't change your words to suit them.
Oh, Lord make me bold in proclaiming your truthful words and not shrink back in fear of the consequences I may have to face! Lord, help me to speak words that change people, - words that bring them back on the right track with you! Help me to take time and make effort to bother to sit down and meet with you!
God was saying some staggering things to his servant Jeremiah, the prophet, as he was talking about the other prophets around in his days. God was charging them of telling lies and grandiose delusions as they were swapping dreams with one another, feeding on each other's delusive dreams. God was sad by the fact that they did not bother to meet with him!
Have any of these prophets bothered to meet with me, the true God? - bothered to take in what I have to say? - listen to and then lived out my word?
If they'd have bothered to sit down and meet with me, they'd have preached my Message to my people. They'd have gotten them back on the right track, gotten them out of their evil ruts.
Then God goes on to charge his true prophets with these words:
But you prophets who have a message from me - tell it truly and faithfully. Let your words change them. Don't change your words to suit them.
Oh, Lord make me bold in proclaiming your truthful words and not shrink back in fear of the consequences I may have to face! Lord, help me to speak words that change people, - words that bring them back on the right track with you! Help me to take time and make effort to bother to sit down and meet with you!
June 26, 2003
Clean up your act
Clean up your act
Something has struck me while I have been reading in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Over and over again God is saying that he is tired of their performance religion. God doesn't want our sacrifices as such, he doesn't want our worship services as such, he doesn't want our singing as such. Rather God is very clear on what he wants:
Clean up your act - the way you live, the things you do - so I can make may home with you! Only if you do a total spring cleaning on the way you live and treat your neighbours, only if you quit exploiting street people and orphans and widows, no longer taking advantage of innocent people, - only then I will move into your neighbourhood and make your country my permanent home, my temple!
It is the way we live and fail to listen that leads us into troubles. Jeremiah gave this complaint: It's because our leaders are stupid. They never asked God for counsel, and so nothing worked right and the people are scattered all over.
Over and over again God is saying to the people: Obey what I tell you. Do exactly what I command you. Your obedience will close the deal. You'll be mine and I'll be yours. Listen to the terms of my covenant and carry them out!
God is calling us to live a holy life before him. A listening heart, a responsive spirit and joyful obedience are what is needed to enjoy the blessing of God's wonderful presence!
Something has struck me while I have been reading in Isaiah and Jeremiah. Over and over again God is saying that he is tired of their performance religion. God doesn't want our sacrifices as such, he doesn't want our worship services as such, he doesn't want our singing as such. Rather God is very clear on what he wants:
Clean up your act - the way you live, the things you do - so I can make may home with you! Only if you do a total spring cleaning on the way you live and treat your neighbours, only if you quit exploiting street people and orphans and widows, no longer taking advantage of innocent people, - only then I will move into your neighbourhood and make your country my permanent home, my temple!
It is the way we live and fail to listen that leads us into troubles. Jeremiah gave this complaint: It's because our leaders are stupid. They never asked God for counsel, and so nothing worked right and the people are scattered all over.
Over and over again God is saying to the people: Obey what I tell you. Do exactly what I command you. Your obedience will close the deal. You'll be mine and I'll be yours. Listen to the terms of my covenant and carry them out!
God is calling us to live a holy life before him. A listening heart, a responsive spirit and joyful obedience are what is needed to enjoy the blessing of God's wonderful presence!
June 25, 2003
Stand at attention!
Stand at attention!
As I started to read the book of the prophet Jeremiah this morning I was struck by the simple fact stated in the first verses about the word of God coming to the prophet. God's Message began to come to him during the reign of one king. It continued to come to him during the reign of the next king. And it continued to come to him during the third king! What a man of God! He was faithfully serving God as his mouth during the reign of three kings! I wonder how that could happen?
Well, Jeremiah quickly explains how God called him and commissioned him for his ministry by reminding him that he was chosen before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Then God touched him and put his words in his mouth and told him to speak it boldly!
Jeremiah was very young when he had this encounter with God. He felt like a boy, unfit for such a high calling. But God told him something that was to become the key to the success of his ministry:
Stand at attention while I prepare you for work!
This is the key to any successful ministry: To stand at attention and allow God to prepare us. When we listen to God attentively the words of God are transforming us. We are not only receiving words to pass on to others but the words of God penetrate our innermost being and changes us. When we have allowed the word of God to work in us we will be used by God to speak his transforming word to peoples and nations!
Stand at attention while God prepare you for work!
As I started to read the book of the prophet Jeremiah this morning I was struck by the simple fact stated in the first verses about the word of God coming to the prophet. God's Message began to come to him during the reign of one king. It continued to come to him during the reign of the next king. And it continued to come to him during the third king! What a man of God! He was faithfully serving God as his mouth during the reign of three kings! I wonder how that could happen?
Well, Jeremiah quickly explains how God called him and commissioned him for his ministry by reminding him that he was chosen before he was born to be a prophet to the nations. Then God touched him and put his words in his mouth and told him to speak it boldly!
Jeremiah was very young when he had this encounter with God. He felt like a boy, unfit for such a high calling. But God told him something that was to become the key to the success of his ministry:
Stand at attention while I prepare you for work!
This is the key to any successful ministry: To stand at attention and allow God to prepare us. When we listen to God attentively the words of God are transforming us. We are not only receiving words to pass on to others but the words of God penetrate our innermost being and changes us. When we have allowed the word of God to work in us we will be used by God to speak his transforming word to peoples and nations!
Stand at attention while God prepare you for work!
June 24, 2003
What God is looking for
What God is looking for
This morning I finished reading the last chapters of the prophet Isaiah who is my favorite prophet. I read so many encouraging promises this morning and I am delighted to be part of the fulfillment of the prophecies of God for these last days.
In the last chapter (66:2) God is saying that he made heaven and earth and that we can build no house for him, however there is something he is looking for:
A person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say!
As I read this a prayer was form in my heart: Oh, Lord, let me be such a person. Help me to be simple and plain, not sophisticated or complicated. Give me a willing and responsive heart, and make me bold and brave in obeying you! Teach me to always fear you so that I reverently respond to you by doing what you say!
This morning I finished reading the last chapters of the prophet Isaiah who is my favorite prophet. I read so many encouraging promises this morning and I am delighted to be part of the fulfillment of the prophecies of God for these last days.
In the last chapter (66:2) God is saying that he made heaven and earth and that we can build no house for him, however there is something he is looking for:
A person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say!
As I read this a prayer was form in my heart: Oh, Lord, let me be such a person. Help me to be simple and plain, not sophisticated or complicated. Give me a willing and responsive heart, and make me bold and brave in obeying you! Teach me to always fear you so that I reverently respond to you by doing what you say!
June 23, 2003
Listen well
Listen well
I have been reading in my new leather bound Message Bible the last few months. At vacation I finished reading the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and now I am well on my way with the prophet Isaiah. I love reading and meditating on the word of God. This morning I was reminded again to listen well for the voice of God, when reading the Bible and while I am walking through life. God is constantly speaking to us his life-giving and life-nourishing word. This is what the word of God says:
Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest.
Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing word.
Listen well! This is important! Take in only the best! Fill yourself only with the finest thoughts! Listen carefully, really pay attention to the life-nourishing word of God!
I have found that when I neglect to listen to God and don't take time to fill myself with his life-giving words my strength withers away and I am dried up spiritually. But when I take time to listen to God and eat his life-nourishing word all my senses stay alert and I am enjoying the blessings of the abundant life in Christ!
I have been reading in my new leather bound Message Bible the last few months. At vacation I finished reading the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and now I am well on my way with the prophet Isaiah. I love reading and meditating on the word of God. This morning I was reminded again to listen well for the voice of God, when reading the Bible and while I am walking through life. God is constantly speaking to us his life-giving and life-nourishing word. This is what the word of God says:
Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest.
Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing word.
Listen well! This is important! Take in only the best! Fill yourself only with the finest thoughts! Listen carefully, really pay attention to the life-nourishing word of God!
I have found that when I neglect to listen to God and don't take time to fill myself with his life-giving words my strength withers away and I am dried up spiritually. But when I take time to listen to God and eat his life-nourishing word all my senses stay alert and I am enjoying the blessings of the abundant life in Christ!
June 21, 2003
Vacation is over
Vacation is over!
I am sitting at the airport in Copenhagen on my way back to Bergen. Vacation is over and a busy weekend is waiting with wedding-celebration and Bible School graduation. In addition David, our third son, and his family are waiting for us. They have been staying in our house one week while we have been away. I am looking forward having time to play with Jonathan our grandson.
The last week in Spain disappeared very fast. We enjoyed the beaches (la playas) and the markets, as well as the fresh peaches, plums, grapes, oranges, figs, apricots, cherries, strawberries and nectarine. I even found time for reading! I have been reading “Thinking for a Change” by John C. Maxwell and “Theology for the Community of God” by Stanley J. Grenz. The theology I enjoy the most and I can really recommend that book on systematic theology from a relevant evangelical perspective.
I am looking forward to being connected to the Internet again through my new broadband connection at home. I feel cut of from my world when I am not able to daily enter that world of interconnectedness and community.
I am now back in Bergen. Cold rain is pouring down. It feels like winter! But it is good to be home!
I am sitting at the airport in Copenhagen on my way back to Bergen. Vacation is over and a busy weekend is waiting with wedding-celebration and Bible School graduation. In addition David, our third son, and his family are waiting for us. They have been staying in our house one week while we have been away. I am looking forward having time to play with Jonathan our grandson.
The last week in Spain disappeared very fast. We enjoyed the beaches (la playas) and the markets, as well as the fresh peaches, plums, grapes, oranges, figs, apricots, cherries, strawberries and nectarine. I even found time for reading! I have been reading “Thinking for a Change” by John C. Maxwell and “Theology for the Community of God” by Stanley J. Grenz. The theology I enjoy the most and I can really recommend that book on systematic theology from a relevant evangelical perspective.
I am looking forward to being connected to the Internet again through my new broadband connection at home. I feel cut of from my world when I am not able to daily enter that world of interconnectedness and community.
I am now back in Bergen. Cold rain is pouring down. It feels like winter! But it is good to be home!
June 13, 2003
Connected at last!
Connected at last!
I have been trying to get connected to the internet to send my blogs while I have been here in Spain but so far I have not been able to find a single internet-cafe. But due to the kindness of my friend Leif Erik I am now connected to the world again and it feels good!
God is so good! He looks after all our needs!
I have been trying to get connected to the internet to send my blogs while I have been here in Spain but so far I have not been able to find a single internet-cafe. But due to the kindness of my friend Leif Erik I am now connected to the world again and it feels good!
God is so good! He looks after all our needs!
Visiting places in Spain
Visiting places in Spain
The last few days we have been visiting many nice places in Spain. One day we went to Cartagena and Mazarron about one and a half hour drive south from Ciudad Quesada where we are staying in my brother�s wonderful flat. Another day we went to Guadelest, Calpe, Benidorm, Altea and many more places. The old town of Altea was very beautiful with the narrow streets and the white houses and the cathedral with the blue dome standing out � above the rest of the city. The last few days we have seen a lot of beautiful places.
Everyday we have been bathing in the sea! Yesterday we hade some big waves that made Solveig scared. She is a much better swimmer than me but I felt good to be far better in handling the challenging waves of the sea.
The temperature is high, about thirty degrees, but the fresh breeze makes it even enjoyable!
The most refreshing though is the mornings with the Word of God. I am reading in the Message Bible at the moment and am being blessed and refreshed by the word. This morning I read about the new government of love that God will establish. A ruler we can depend upon will head this government. He will be a ruler passionate for justice and a ruler quick to set things right! I am so happy that I know the Ruler and am part of his kingdom!
The last few days we have been visiting many nice places in Spain. One day we went to Cartagena and Mazarron about one and a half hour drive south from Ciudad Quesada where we are staying in my brother�s wonderful flat. Another day we went to Guadelest, Calpe, Benidorm, Altea and many more places. The old town of Altea was very beautiful with the narrow streets and the white houses and the cathedral with the blue dome standing out � above the rest of the city. The last few days we have seen a lot of beautiful places.
Everyday we have been bathing in the sea! Yesterday we hade some big waves that made Solveig scared. She is a much better swimmer than me but I felt good to be far better in handling the challenging waves of the sea.
The temperature is high, about thirty degrees, but the fresh breeze makes it even enjoyable!
The most refreshing though is the mornings with the Word of God. I am reading in the Message Bible at the moment and am being blessed and refreshed by the word. This morning I read about the new government of love that God will establish. A ruler we can depend upon will head this government. He will be a ruler passionate for justice and a ruler quick to set things right! I am so happy that I know the Ruler and am part of his kingdom!
Building people or building organisations?
Building people or building organisations?
When I talked with Leif Erik at the community pool the other day he said something that made me very grateful. He said: �There is a bright future for you and your co-workers and the way you are working in planting and nurturing churches, for you are building people not organisations!�
In humble thankfulness I felt good about what he said. It confirmed to me that �the name of the game is people� and that in some way that can be seen in the way our apostolic team function! It is all due to the grace and goodness of God towards us that we have been able to stay faithful to that fundamental focus on people to bring out the best in them. I am so grateful to God to be able to work with apostles like Keri Jones and Noralv Askeland. They have a special grace from God in causing people to work together complementing each other.
Here I am in Spain having a wonderful holiday, relaxing with my wife, and then the Lord reminds me of his goodness towards us at home in being able to work together with men of integrity and godly ambitions only. God is so good!
When I talked with Leif Erik at the community pool the other day he said something that made me very grateful. He said: �There is a bright future for you and your co-workers and the way you are working in planting and nurturing churches, for you are building people not organisations!�
In humble thankfulness I felt good about what he said. It confirmed to me that �the name of the game is people� and that in some way that can be seen in the way our apostolic team function! It is all due to the grace and goodness of God towards us that we have been able to stay faithful to that fundamental focus on people to bring out the best in them. I am so grateful to God to be able to work with apostles like Keri Jones and Noralv Askeland. They have a special grace from God in causing people to work together complementing each other.
Here I am in Spain having a wonderful holiday, relaxing with my wife, and then the Lord reminds me of his goodness towards us at home in being able to work together with men of integrity and godly ambitions only. God is so good!
Meeting friends in Spain
Meeting friends in Spain
Today I met an old friend of mine, Leif Erik Ranvik, and his wife Kristin. I met him first time many years back at an Easter conference at Sarons Dal. At that time he lived in H�nefoss. He became a partner in literature evangelism. After I left Kvinesdal he worked with Aril Edvardsen for about three years in the television department. The last years we have not met often. However my joy was great to discover that he lives just across our community swimming pool. Today we were able to catch up on each other a little bit. My friend has been operated for cancer and is now on a pension enjoying the blessing of God in Spain.
After talking to him I was filled with thankfulness to the Lord for his goodness and kindness towards us. During times of trials and difficulties he has been our refuge and fortress. When I look back on my life I am filled with gratefulness to God for his mercy and faithfulness towards us. The faithfulness of God, in joining us to faithful friends and servants of God, I can�t find appropriate words to express my gratitude. My friends have enlarged and enriched my life beyond comprehension and I am for ever grateful to God for his goodness towards me and my wife. God is so good!
Today I met an old friend of mine, Leif Erik Ranvik, and his wife Kristin. I met him first time many years back at an Easter conference at Sarons Dal. At that time he lived in H�nefoss. He became a partner in literature evangelism. After I left Kvinesdal he worked with Aril Edvardsen for about three years in the television department. The last years we have not met often. However my joy was great to discover that he lives just across our community swimming pool. Today we were able to catch up on each other a little bit. My friend has been operated for cancer and is now on a pension enjoying the blessing of God in Spain.
After talking to him I was filled with thankfulness to the Lord for his goodness and kindness towards us. During times of trials and difficulties he has been our refuge and fortress. When I look back on my life I am filled with gratefulness to God for his mercy and faithfulness towards us. The faithfulness of God, in joining us to faithful friends and servants of God, I can�t find appropriate words to express my gratitude. My friends have enlarged and enriched my life beyond comprehension and I am for ever grateful to God for his goodness towards me and my wife. God is so good!
Vacation in Spain
Vacation in Spain
Since Thursday morning we have been enjoying ourselves in Spain. We left Bergen Wednesday the 4th of June for a long journey for Copenhagen, Madrid, Alicante and eventually Ciudad Quesada. We arrived here at midnight and the next morning we slept until 9.30 in the morning! It has never happened before as far as can remember that we have been sleeping that long!
My younger brother, Harald, has a flat that we are renting for two weeks. We have been here once before and enjoyed it so much that we wanted to come back for a relaxing holyday! We are close to many beautiful beaches and we have already bathed in the blue Mediterrainian Sea. The temperature was nice and the waves refreshing.
More than anything else so far I have enjoyed the fresh fruits and vegetables. At home we are told that if we have five different kinds of vegetables or fruits a day it will be very healthy. This morning we had strawberries, cherries, plums, apricots, paprika, and tomatoes. For lunch we had a wonderful salad made of seven different vegetables! The vegetable markets are an experience in itself, the variety is great and the prices are low! We are here in just the right time!
Since Thursday morning we have been enjoying ourselves in Spain. We left Bergen Wednesday the 4th of June for a long journey for Copenhagen, Madrid, Alicante and eventually Ciudad Quesada. We arrived here at midnight and the next morning we slept until 9.30 in the morning! It has never happened before as far as can remember that we have been sleeping that long!
My younger brother, Harald, has a flat that we are renting for two weeks. We have been here once before and enjoyed it so much that we wanted to come back for a relaxing holyday! We are close to many beautiful beaches and we have already bathed in the blue Mediterrainian Sea. The temperature was nice and the waves refreshing.
More than anything else so far I have enjoyed the fresh fruits and vegetables. At home we are told that if we have five different kinds of vegetables or fruits a day it will be very healthy. This morning we had strawberries, cherries, plums, apricots, paprika, and tomatoes. For lunch we had a wonderful salad made of seven different vegetables! The vegetable markets are an experience in itself, the variety is great and the prices are low! We are here in just the right time!
June 04, 2003
A tribute to Bryn Jones
A tribute to Bryn Jones
- my speech at the memorial service at Coventry Cathedral 3 June 2003
I am here today to bring a tribute to our beloved friend and apostle of Jesus Christ, Bryn Jones, on behalf of the nearly twenty related churches in Norway, and on behalf of his friend and fellow apostle Noralv Askeland, who wanted to be here today but took our advice to be with his younger daughter at her graduation in the States this very day. But more than anything else, I am here to bring my own tribute to this great servant of God, whom God used in such a wonderful way to enrich and enlarge my life.
Bryn came to Norway at a crucial time for me twenty-eight years ago � in 1975. He was sent by God to rescue me and to save my life. At that time I was hurt, disappointed, and confused. I was in great danger of going astray, but God used Bryn to transform my life and give me a new direction! When I first met him I was left with a feeling in my heart that this foreigner, this man of God, had something that I needed. From the very moment we met I was attracted to him. I was draw to him in my spirit. I felt joined to him. He became like a spiritual father to me and a dear friend. I loved him dearly! I am forever grateful to God for the great impact Bryn had upon my life. Let me share with you some of the reasons why I loved him so much:
Bryn Jones � a great man of God!
Bryn was great because of his love for God and his love for people
He was a God-worshipper and a people-carer
He loved to be in the presence of God and enjoyed the company of people
He found refreshment in meditating on the Word of God and fulfilment when he was able to bring a lost sheep home
I have seen him prostrate before God - And I have seen him boldly confronting men.
I have seen him standing tall as a giant, with is hands touching heaven through his prayers - And I have seen him bending down putting his arm around a sobbing sinner.
I have seen him filled with joy dancing like a wild ox on a platform - And I have seen him in great sadness because people went their own way
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because of his investment in people
He looked at people from the perspective of their potentials and not their failures
Through encouragement and words of faith he brought out the best in us
He invested his time and interest in us; making us feel the most important in the world.
He could achieve much in a short time because he was very intense and extremely focused.
He was a master in asking questions to challenge our present thinking or way of doing things
After being with him we were left with new insights and appreciation of spiritual realities.
He was always reminding us that the name of the game is people!
In fact - his entire life was an investment in people
He invested a prophetic zeal for the Kingdom of God in those he met
That will continue to produce fruits - even in generations not yet born!
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because he never settled in his quest for the truth
His entire life was an pilgrimage towards the city whose builder and architect is God
He was never afraid of new ideas but loved to blaze new trails
He provoked me to deep thinking and careful study of the Scripture
His open-mindedness was unique � sometimes frightening
But he helped us all to a broader understanding of spiritual truths
And a deeper appreciation of the teaching of the Bible
His prophetic preaching opened new horizons, brought new perspectives and deeper spiritual insights.
He has left with us a rich inheritance of spiritual knowledge and understanding!
He stirred our hearts, enlarged our faith, and motivated us for action!
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because he was so human
He was not a high-flying-charismatic-superstar
He was a Welch-man, down to earth and close to people
He was approachable and reachable, he was one of us!
What he lacked in length or tallness he compensated in wideness and broadness!
He loved to have a meal with friends and seemed to hate exercising
He was not one of these slick and slim men of a fitness advertisement
He was human � an ordinary man � in the best sense!
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because he was a warrior
He was a warrior of the Lord zealous for the Kingdom of God and the people of God
He was at war with denominationalism and sectarianism, as well as legalism and externalism
He worked hard to present the church to God - glorious and radiant
He was at war with hypocrisy and bigotry
As he walked in frankness, honesty, and integrity
He was at war with racism, sexism, and injustice
He fought for human dignity, equality, and liberty
He was at war against human sufferings of all kinds
And he was compassionate about bringing relief to people in distress
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because he was a true friend
He was always genuinely interested in me and my family and our welfare
He involved himself as a faithful friend in our lives through words of encouragement and valid criticism
His heartfelt counsel was sweet as healing ointment
Through Bryn I was introduced to my best friends in life
And he rejoiced when new relationships were formed and new friendship developed for me
Oh � what a great man of God!
We will continue to give God thanks because of his life and we will cherish his blessed memory as we follow in his footsteps pursuing God!
From the heart of Erling Thu
- my speech at the memorial service at Coventry Cathedral 3 June 2003
I am here today to bring a tribute to our beloved friend and apostle of Jesus Christ, Bryn Jones, on behalf of the nearly twenty related churches in Norway, and on behalf of his friend and fellow apostle Noralv Askeland, who wanted to be here today but took our advice to be with his younger daughter at her graduation in the States this very day. But more than anything else, I am here to bring my own tribute to this great servant of God, whom God used in such a wonderful way to enrich and enlarge my life.
Bryn came to Norway at a crucial time for me twenty-eight years ago � in 1975. He was sent by God to rescue me and to save my life. At that time I was hurt, disappointed, and confused. I was in great danger of going astray, but God used Bryn to transform my life and give me a new direction! When I first met him I was left with a feeling in my heart that this foreigner, this man of God, had something that I needed. From the very moment we met I was attracted to him. I was draw to him in my spirit. I felt joined to him. He became like a spiritual father to me and a dear friend. I loved him dearly! I am forever grateful to God for the great impact Bryn had upon my life. Let me share with you some of the reasons why I loved him so much:
Bryn Jones � a great man of God!
Bryn was great because of his love for God and his love for people
He was a God-worshipper and a people-carer
He loved to be in the presence of God and enjoyed the company of people
He found refreshment in meditating on the Word of God and fulfilment when he was able to bring a lost sheep home
I have seen him prostrate before God - And I have seen him boldly confronting men.
I have seen him standing tall as a giant, with is hands touching heaven through his prayers - And I have seen him bending down putting his arm around a sobbing sinner.
I have seen him filled with joy dancing like a wild ox on a platform - And I have seen him in great sadness because people went their own way
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because of his investment in people
He looked at people from the perspective of their potentials and not their failures
Through encouragement and words of faith he brought out the best in us
He invested his time and interest in us; making us feel the most important in the world.
He could achieve much in a short time because he was very intense and extremely focused.
He was a master in asking questions to challenge our present thinking or way of doing things
After being with him we were left with new insights and appreciation of spiritual realities.
He was always reminding us that the name of the game is people!
In fact - his entire life was an investment in people
He invested a prophetic zeal for the Kingdom of God in those he met
That will continue to produce fruits - even in generations not yet born!
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because he never settled in his quest for the truth
His entire life was an pilgrimage towards the city whose builder and architect is God
He was never afraid of new ideas but loved to blaze new trails
He provoked me to deep thinking and careful study of the Scripture
His open-mindedness was unique � sometimes frightening
But he helped us all to a broader understanding of spiritual truths
And a deeper appreciation of the teaching of the Bible
His prophetic preaching opened new horizons, brought new perspectives and deeper spiritual insights.
He has left with us a rich inheritance of spiritual knowledge and understanding!
He stirred our hearts, enlarged our faith, and motivated us for action!
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because he was so human
He was not a high-flying-charismatic-superstar
He was a Welch-man, down to earth and close to people
He was approachable and reachable, he was one of us!
What he lacked in length or tallness he compensated in wideness and broadness!
He loved to have a meal with friends and seemed to hate exercising
He was not one of these slick and slim men of a fitness advertisement
He was human � an ordinary man � in the best sense!
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because he was a warrior
He was a warrior of the Lord zealous for the Kingdom of God and the people of God
He was at war with denominationalism and sectarianism, as well as legalism and externalism
He worked hard to present the church to God - glorious and radiant
He was at war with hypocrisy and bigotry
As he walked in frankness, honesty, and integrity
He was at war with racism, sexism, and injustice
He fought for human dignity, equality, and liberty
He was at war against human sufferings of all kinds
And he was compassionate about bringing relief to people in distress
Oh � what a great man of God!
Bryn was great because he was a true friend
He was always genuinely interested in me and my family and our welfare
He involved himself as a faithful friend in our lives through words of encouragement and valid criticism
His heartfelt counsel was sweet as healing ointment
Through Bryn I was introduced to my best friends in life
And he rejoiced when new relationships were formed and new friendship developed for me
Oh � what a great man of God!
We will continue to give God thanks because of his life and we will cherish his blessed memory as we follow in his footsteps pursuing God!
From the heart of Erling Thu
June 02, 2003
In loving memory of Bryn Jones
In loving memory of Bryn Jones
Today I have been preparing for my speech at the Memorial Service for Bryn Jones (1940-2003) to be held at Coventry Cathedral 3rd June 2003.
I met Bryn at a crucial time of my life twenty-eight years ago. God sent him to Norway to save my life and put me back on track again. At that time I was hurt, disappointed, and confused. I was in great danger of going astray, but praise God, Bryn came, to set me straight! When I first met him I was left with a feeling on my inside that this foreigner, this man of God, had something that I needed. From the very moment we met I was attracted to him. I was draw to him in my spirit. I felt joined to him.
I will never forget when we sat on the bus in the Northern part of Norway and he started to ask me about myself, my family and my economy. I had been in the ministry for 13 years but no one had ever asked me questions like that. He actually cared for me personally! His care and love melted my heart. When he started to talk about my appearance, my long hair and wild beard my defence had already fallen down. He told me that he used to be a hairdresser when he was a student and he kindly offered to give me a free haircut. I trusted him and submitted my long hair into his hands and had an apostolic haircut. There was almost no hair left after he had used the scissor and my wife was not blessed by my new hairstyle! But to me it was a turning point in life!
During his visit in Norway God used him to give my life a new direction. He helped me to write a priority list for my life, family and ministry that has been governing my life since! Bryn also invited me to come to England to spend time with him there. That first visit in 1975 changed my life radically. I returned home to Norway as a new husband, father and servant of God. God used Bryn to save my life! I will for ever be thankful to God for Bryn!
From that initial life-changing meeting with Bryn in 1975 a close and warm relationship and friendship developed. He was like a spiritual father to me and a faithful friend. He was always genuinely interested in me and my family and our welfare. After I met Bryn I discovered the meaning of true friendship. Through him I was introduced to my best friends in life. I have enjoyed his friendship during the years and benefited tremendously from his apostolic ministry. His prophetic preaching and teaching have opened new horizons, given me new perspectives and deeper spiritual insights. He has stirred my heart, enlarged my faith and motivated me for action.
He was a master in asking questions to help me come to new insights and appreciation of spiritual realities. He provoked me to deep thinking and careful study of the Scriptures. Sometimes his open-mindedness frightened me but normally it helped me to a broader understanding of spiritual truths and a deeper appreciation of the teaching of the Bible
Through Restoration magazine, Harvestime publications, Bible weeks, elders� conferences, team-gatherings for prayer, theological discussions and dialogue, and personal involvement, Bryn has enriched my life and enlarged my understanding of Biblical truths. And not only me but so many leaders from Norway and many other nations as well. He was a Christian statesman, an ambassador of the Kingdom of God. He was the most excellent preacher of the word of faith, envisioning all his hearers. But more than anything else he will be remembered for his love and care for people. He gave his life to people. He invested in people. He has left with us a rich inheritance of spiritual knowledge and insight, and a prophetic zeal for the Kingdom of God, that will continue to produce fruits in generations not yet born! May his life and faith be followed by thousands of believers pursuing God as he did!
Today I have been preparing for my speech at the Memorial Service for Bryn Jones (1940-2003) to be held at Coventry Cathedral 3rd June 2003.
I met Bryn at a crucial time of my life twenty-eight years ago. God sent him to Norway to save my life and put me back on track again. At that time I was hurt, disappointed, and confused. I was in great danger of going astray, but praise God, Bryn came, to set me straight! When I first met him I was left with a feeling on my inside that this foreigner, this man of God, had something that I needed. From the very moment we met I was attracted to him. I was draw to him in my spirit. I felt joined to him.
I will never forget when we sat on the bus in the Northern part of Norway and he started to ask me about myself, my family and my economy. I had been in the ministry for 13 years but no one had ever asked me questions like that. He actually cared for me personally! His care and love melted my heart. When he started to talk about my appearance, my long hair and wild beard my defence had already fallen down. He told me that he used to be a hairdresser when he was a student and he kindly offered to give me a free haircut. I trusted him and submitted my long hair into his hands and had an apostolic haircut. There was almost no hair left after he had used the scissor and my wife was not blessed by my new hairstyle! But to me it was a turning point in life!
During his visit in Norway God used him to give my life a new direction. He helped me to write a priority list for my life, family and ministry that has been governing my life since! Bryn also invited me to come to England to spend time with him there. That first visit in 1975 changed my life radically. I returned home to Norway as a new husband, father and servant of God. God used Bryn to save my life! I will for ever be thankful to God for Bryn!
From that initial life-changing meeting with Bryn in 1975 a close and warm relationship and friendship developed. He was like a spiritual father to me and a faithful friend. He was always genuinely interested in me and my family and our welfare. After I met Bryn I discovered the meaning of true friendship. Through him I was introduced to my best friends in life. I have enjoyed his friendship during the years and benefited tremendously from his apostolic ministry. His prophetic preaching and teaching have opened new horizons, given me new perspectives and deeper spiritual insights. He has stirred my heart, enlarged my faith and motivated me for action.
He was a master in asking questions to help me come to new insights and appreciation of spiritual realities. He provoked me to deep thinking and careful study of the Scriptures. Sometimes his open-mindedness frightened me but normally it helped me to a broader understanding of spiritual truths and a deeper appreciation of the teaching of the Bible
Through Restoration magazine, Harvestime publications, Bible weeks, elders� conferences, team-gatherings for prayer, theological discussions and dialogue, and personal involvement, Bryn has enriched my life and enlarged my understanding of Biblical truths. And not only me but so many leaders from Norway and many other nations as well. He was a Christian statesman, an ambassador of the Kingdom of God. He was the most excellent preacher of the word of faith, envisioning all his hearers. But more than anything else he will be remembered for his love and care for people. He gave his life to people. He invested in people. He has left with us a rich inheritance of spiritual knowledge and insight, and a prophetic zeal for the Kingdom of God, that will continue to produce fruits in generations not yet born! May his life and faith be followed by thousands of believers pursuing God as he did!
June 01, 2003
The joy of being a grandfather
The joy of being a grandfather
There has been no blogging for one full week now as I have been away from home to be a grandfather full time in England! Solveig and I have been with Hanna and Daljinder, their two sons, Taj Kristian and Jai Ruben, and their two months old daughter Sunniva Isher. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with them.
Our youngest grandchild, Sunniva, is so beautiful that I can't find words to express it! She is a delicate little miracle of God with lots of black hair and a cute round face with wonderful eyes and a smile that will melt an iceberg!! She is such a quiet and content little being. I gave thanks to God for her every time I held her in my arms. God is so good to me! He has given me the joy of being a grandfather and the ability to enjoy it!
Taj Kristian is very practical and a diligent worker even though he is only four and a half years old. He was so busy cleaning the garden and it was my privilege to join him in that work. Then he gathered a lot of wooden material to make something but with no nails it turn out to nothing! Later he had his dad help him making a rocket. His mother was not very pleased when he on his own was painting it with a red colour and spilled some paint on his clothes. He is very clever with his hands and I am sure he has a great future!
Jai Ruben is very active all the time. He is full of life. He is full of joy most of the time, except for when his will is being crossed and he is upset with some of the new changes taking place! He loves books and he loves to talk! Even for him the future is bright!
I enjoyed playing with the boys and talking with them. It brings me great joy to be with them!
When we came home we went directly to a birthday party for Lars Benjamin which is now turning two years old! He is becoming more and more like his father Josef. He is not passive for a moment! He is up and down, in and out - everywhere at all time! This time he seemed to ignore me completely! Solveig had all his attention! He wanted her to join him in everything (it made it more quiet for me). He wanted her to see everything that excited him, and he ran to her for comfort when he had been hurt.
There has been no blogging for one full week now as I have been away from home to be a grandfather full time in England! Solveig and I have been with Hanna and Daljinder, their two sons, Taj Kristian and Jai Ruben, and their two months old daughter Sunniva Isher. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with them.
Our youngest grandchild, Sunniva, is so beautiful that I can't find words to express it! She is a delicate little miracle of God with lots of black hair and a cute round face with wonderful eyes and a smile that will melt an iceberg!! She is such a quiet and content little being. I gave thanks to God for her every time I held her in my arms. God is so good to me! He has given me the joy of being a grandfather and the ability to enjoy it!
Taj Kristian is very practical and a diligent worker even though he is only four and a half years old. He was so busy cleaning the garden and it was my privilege to join him in that work. Then he gathered a lot of wooden material to make something but with no nails it turn out to nothing! Later he had his dad help him making a rocket. His mother was not very pleased when he on his own was painting it with a red colour and spilled some paint on his clothes. He is very clever with his hands and I am sure he has a great future!
Jai Ruben is very active all the time. He is full of life. He is full of joy most of the time, except for when his will is being crossed and he is upset with some of the new changes taking place! He loves books and he loves to talk! Even for him the future is bright!
I enjoyed playing with the boys and talking with them. It brings me great joy to be with them!
When we came home we went directly to a birthday party for Lars Benjamin which is now turning two years old! He is becoming more and more like his father Josef. He is not passive for a moment! He is up and down, in and out - everywhere at all time! This time he seemed to ignore me completely! Solveig had all his attention! He wanted her to join him in everything (it made it more quiet for me). He wanted her to see everything that excited him, and he ran to her for comfort when he had been hurt.
May 25, 2003
National leadership conference
National leadership conference
Since Friday we have been together at at national leadership conference at Gullbotn. About eighty leaders have been together for the weekend. It has been the most blessed time for fellowship and instruction in the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful to the Lord for his wonderful grace that he has shown towards us. Noralv Askeland is our gracious leader and apostle of Jesus Christ. He has a tremendous ability to cause people to work together and bring out the best in each one of us. To be in a team like this is such a great blessing that I don't find appropriate words to describe it. There is a safe covering of our weaknesses and a liberating drawing out of our strengths releasing the potent giftings in each one of us.
This afternoon Solveig and I are going to England to visit our daughter Hanna and her family. I am looking forward seeing my youngest granddaughter, Sunniva Isher, for the first time!
Since Friday we have been together at at national leadership conference at Gullbotn. About eighty leaders have been together for the weekend. It has been the most blessed time for fellowship and instruction in the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful to the Lord for his wonderful grace that he has shown towards us. Noralv Askeland is our gracious leader and apostle of Jesus Christ. He has a tremendous ability to cause people to work together and bring out the best in each one of us. To be in a team like this is such a great blessing that I don't find appropriate words to describe it. There is a safe covering of our weaknesses and a liberating drawing out of our strengths releasing the potent giftings in each one of us.
This afternoon Solveig and I are going to England to visit our daughter Hanna and her family. I am looking forward seeing my youngest granddaughter, Sunniva Isher, for the first time!
May 23, 2003
Living together in harmony
Living together in harmony!
Today we once more have had the blessed experience of the words of the Psalmist: "How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew."
We have seen the truth in the old saying that people who pray together stay together!
It has been a very fruitful day of planning in the presence of God. We have been able to sharpen one another, encourage one another and also bring necessary correction.
I feel so privileged to be able to work with such men of loving integrity.
God has been so good to me!
Today we once more have had the blessed experience of the words of the Psalmist: "How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew."
We have seen the truth in the old saying that people who pray together stay together!
It has been a very fruitful day of planning in the presence of God. We have been able to sharpen one another, encourage one another and also bring necessary correction.
I feel so privileged to be able to work with such men of loving integrity.
God has been so good to me!
May 22, 2003
Team gathering
Team gathering
Today we have been together as a team at Gullbotn for prayer, seeking the Lord for wisdom and guidance, and for planning for the future. We have had a very good time in the presence of God as well as enjoying one another's company.
We always spend some time in sharing with one another from our personal lives and what we have been doing recently. We report from the places we have been visiting and share observations and insights. This time of sharing is very valuable to us and is absolutely necessary for us to be properly involved in one another's lives and ministries.
Noralv has been sharing insights from 1 Samuel 7 on prayer for the nation and of prayer as the basic foundation for any ministry.
We have also been looking at some of the wise sayings in the Proverbs in the Message version of the Bible on leadership. Here is one of my favourite quotes:
Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
Today we have been together as a team at Gullbotn for prayer, seeking the Lord for wisdom and guidance, and for planning for the future. We have had a very good time in the presence of God as well as enjoying one another's company.
We always spend some time in sharing with one another from our personal lives and what we have been doing recently. We report from the places we have been visiting and share observations and insights. This time of sharing is very valuable to us and is absolutely necessary for us to be properly involved in one another's lives and ministries.
Noralv has been sharing insights from 1 Samuel 7 on prayer for the nation and of prayer as the basic foundation for any ministry.
We have also been looking at some of the wise sayings in the Proverbs in the Message version of the Bible on leadership. Here is one of my favourite quotes:
Leadership gains authority and respect when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.
May 21, 2003
Praying for the city
Praying for the city
Once again we were gather for prayer for the city this morning. Sixteen pastors from eleven different churches spent one hour in prayer together. It is always encouraging to meet together like this to bless our city and give thanks for all people living here. I am convinced that the entire population and every area of righteous activities are influenced for the better because of our prayers. This morning we especially prayed for children and young people - the new generation that is growing forth! We believe that the Spirit of God will move powerfully among the coming generation of our city.
Once again we were gather for prayer for the city this morning. Sixteen pastors from eleven different churches spent one hour in prayer together. It is always encouraging to meet together like this to bless our city and give thanks for all people living here. I am convinced that the entire population and every area of righteous activities are influenced for the better because of our prayers. This morning we especially prayed for children and young people - the new generation that is growing forth! We believe that the Spirit of God will move powerfully among the coming generation of our city.
May 20, 2003
Sound leadership has a moral foundation
Sound leadership has a moral foundation
The Bible is very clear in this respect. Without a moral foundation there can be no sound leadership! Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity (Proverbs 20:28 The Message). Loving integrity is a wonderful foundation or leadership. People will feel secure and they will follow these leaders safely.
In the apostolic team I have been serving for several years now God has given us leaders with integrity and love. I feel so privileged to work with men of such noble character.
But it is not only the top men that must have a moral foundation of loving integrity, we must all be people like that. It is only a covenant people of loyal love and integrity that will be able to change this world permanently into a better place to live for all!
The Bible is very clear in this respect. Without a moral foundation there can be no sound leadership! Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity (Proverbs 20:28 The Message). Loving integrity is a wonderful foundation or leadership. People will feel secure and they will follow these leaders safely.
In the apostolic team I have been serving for several years now God has given us leaders with integrity and love. I feel so privileged to work with men of such noble character.
But it is not only the top men that must have a moral foundation of loving integrity, we must all be people like that. It is only a covenant people of loyal love and integrity that will be able to change this world permanently into a better place to live for all!
May 19, 2003
The prophetic word in the process of fulfillment
The prophetic word in the process of fulfillment
During the weekend we were visiting our son, Karl Enok, and his family in Troms�. We had a very good time with them especially on the 17th of May. The weather was beautiful and all the happy people celebrating our national freedom with flags and parading children made it a great day of thankfulness to the Lord for his goodness towards us.
Sunday we were able to worship together with the covenant community in Troms�. We had a very good time together in this colourful fellowship of believers from many nations and backgrounds. When I was with them I was reminded of the prophetic word that we were given several years back concerning the work in Troms�. Now we can see with our own eyes the promise of God materialise. The prophetic word is clearly in the process of fulfillment! It is very exciting to see the word of God coming true in such a wonderful way. This time we met many new people and next time we will meet even more new people for the Lord is adding more and more people to the church to show forth his beauty in manifold ways to draw more people to himself!
During the weekend we were visiting our son, Karl Enok, and his family in Troms�. We had a very good time with them especially on the 17th of May. The weather was beautiful and all the happy people celebrating our national freedom with flags and parading children made it a great day of thankfulness to the Lord for his goodness towards us.
Sunday we were able to worship together with the covenant community in Troms�. We had a very good time together in this colourful fellowship of believers from many nations and backgrounds. When I was with them I was reminded of the prophetic word that we were given several years back concerning the work in Troms�. Now we can see with our own eyes the promise of God materialise. The prophetic word is clearly in the process of fulfillment! It is very exciting to see the word of God coming true in such a wonderful way. This time we met many new people and next time we will meet even more new people for the Lord is adding more and more people to the church to show forth his beauty in manifold ways to draw more people to himself!
May 16, 2003
Do your best
Do your best
Do your best, prepare for the worst, - then trust God to bring victory! (Proverbs 21, The Message)
What a simple life God has called us to live! Each one of us are to do our best according to our abilities and talents. Then we are to think of the worst scenarios and be ready for a total failure! But we don�t stop there! When we have taken a realistic look at the worst thinkable outcome, we trust our faithful and all powerful God to bring victory! What a wonderful way to live, casting all our worries on Him who cares for us!
Do your best, prepare for the worst, - then trust God to bring victory! (Proverbs 21, The Message)
What a simple life God has called us to live! Each one of us are to do our best according to our abilities and talents. Then we are to think of the worst scenarios and be ready for a total failure! But we don�t stop there! When we have taken a realistic look at the worst thinkable outcome, we trust our faithful and all powerful God to bring victory! What a wonderful way to live, casting all our worries on Him who cares for us!
This is our last day at Vann�
This is our last day at Vann�ya!
Today we are going to Troms� to be with our son Karl Enok and his familiy. We have enjoyed our stay with our daughter Ruth Kristin at Vann�ya. But now we will go to have time with our two grandchildren, Kristina and Daniel, and celebrate 17th of May with them.
Last night Solveig and I went for a walk. It is light all night here now. In only a few days the midnight sun will be shining. It is so beautiful to walk at the seaside looking at the majestic snow-covered mountains raising towards the sky on the mainland. At the shore we admire the polished stones in different shapes and colours. The enclosed picture I took around midnight!
Today we are going to Troms� to be with our son Karl Enok and his familiy. We have enjoyed our stay with our daughter Ruth Kristin at Vann�ya. But now we will go to have time with our two grandchildren, Kristina and Daniel, and celebrate 17th of May with them.
Last night Solveig and I went for a walk. It is light all night here now. In only a few days the midnight sun will be shining. It is so beautiful to walk at the seaside looking at the majestic snow-covered mountains raising towards the sky on the mainland. At the shore we admire the polished stones in different shapes and colours. The enclosed picture I took around midnight!
May 15, 2003
Self-control is better than political power
Self-control is better than political power
This morning I was reading in the proverbs again and discovered that: �moderation is better than muscle, and self-control better than political power�! I also was reminded of that �wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.�
Then I sat down to write an article to our magazine FOLK. As I was writing under the anointing of the Holy Spirit I was able to put into words some fresh insights in presenting the gospel to people in the new age in which we are living. The theme of our next issue of FOLK is about taking the gospel to all people. It will be a very exciting issue with many inspiring stories of how the gospel is transforming lives in our day.
I have been inspired to write as I have been sitting at the window looking out on the harbour of Vannv�g (see the enclosed picture). In between I have been cycling a rather long trip enjoying the scenery of this beautiful part of Norway.
This morning I was reading in the proverbs again and discovered that: �moderation is better than muscle, and self-control better than political power�! I also was reminded of that �wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.�
Then I sat down to write an article to our magazine FOLK. As I was writing under the anointing of the Holy Spirit I was able to put into words some fresh insights in presenting the gospel to people in the new age in which we are living. The theme of our next issue of FOLK is about taking the gospel to all people. It will be a very exciting issue with many inspiring stories of how the gospel is transforming lives in our day.
I have been inspired to write as I have been sitting at the window looking out on the harbour of Vannv�g (see the enclosed picture). In between I have been cycling a rather long trip enjoying the scenery of this beautiful part of Norway.
May 14, 2003
Trip to Troms�
Trip to Troms�
I am writing this on the plane to Troms�. We left Bergen early in the morning for Oslo and now we are well on the way to the beautiful capital of Northern Norway.
I missed the early prayer meeting with the pastors this morning. However I am sure they had a good time without me but I always enjoy praying with my friends.
Today we are visiting our youngest daughter, Ruth Kristin, which is living in Vann�ya where she is a teacher at the local school. I have only been there once before on a short visit to the island before she moved to live there. On the way to Vann�ya we will have a short stop-over at our son�s house in Troms�. His wife, Ingebj�rg, will come to meet us at the airport and take us home for a short stay before we take a bus to Hansnes and then the ferry to Vann�ya.
My laptop shut down here! When I tried to connect to Internet through my mobile phone on the ferry it shut down again!
Now we have reached Vann�ya and are enjoying the hospitality of Ruth Kristin. We have seen several reindeers on our way to Vannv�g. It is raining and cloudy at the moment. I am sitting at the window overlooking the small fishing harbour. When it stops raining I will take some nice photos of some of these small fishing boats.
I am writing this on the plane to Troms�. We left Bergen early in the morning for Oslo and now we are well on the way to the beautiful capital of Northern Norway.
I missed the early prayer meeting with the pastors this morning. However I am sure they had a good time without me but I always enjoy praying with my friends.
Today we are visiting our youngest daughter, Ruth Kristin, which is living in Vann�ya where she is a teacher at the local school. I have only been there once before on a short visit to the island before she moved to live there. On the way to Vann�ya we will have a short stop-over at our son�s house in Troms�. His wife, Ingebj�rg, will come to meet us at the airport and take us home for a short stay before we take a bus to Hansnes and then the ferry to Vann�ya.
My laptop shut down here! When I tried to connect to Internet through my mobile phone on the ferry it shut down again!
Now we have reached Vann�ya and are enjoying the hospitality of Ruth Kristin. We have seen several reindeers on our way to Vannv�g. It is raining and cloudy at the moment. I am sitting at the window overlooking the small fishing harbour. When it stops raining I will take some nice photos of some of these small fishing boats.
May 13, 2003
Good leadership
Good leadership
A good leader motivates,
doesn�t mislead, doesn�t exploit.
God cares about honesty in the workplace;
your business is his business.
Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;
sound leadership has a moral foundation.
Good leaders cultivate honest speech;
they love advisors who tell them the truth.
An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives;
you�re smart to stay clear of someone like that.
Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives;
they�re like spring rain and sunshine.
(Peterson, E. H. 2003. The Message : The Bible in contemporary language . NavPress: Colorado Springs, Colo.)
A good leader motivates,
doesn�t mislead, doesn�t exploit.
God cares about honesty in the workplace;
your business is his business.
Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;
sound leadership has a moral foundation.
Good leaders cultivate honest speech;
they love advisors who tell them the truth.
An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives;
you�re smart to stay clear of someone like that.
Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives;
they�re like spring rain and sunshine.
(Peterson, E. H. 2003. The Message : The Bible in contemporary language . NavPress: Colorado Springs, Colo.)
May 12, 2003
A school in skilled living
A school in skilled living
Reading the Proverbs is like attending a school in skilled living. In fact the Fear-of-God in itself is a school in skilled living. First we learn humility, then we experience glory!
If we love learning, we love the discipline that goes with it! How shortsighted to refuse correction!
An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth! He knows the value of honesty and integrity!
Truth lasts!
Honesty lasts!
Integrity lasts!
Righteousness lasts!
Kindness lasts!
Love lasts!
Gentleness lasts!
Reading the Proverbs is like attending a school in skilled living. In fact the Fear-of-God in itself is a school in skilled living. First we learn humility, then we experience glory!
If we love learning, we love the discipline that goes with it! How shortsighted to refuse correction!
An intelligent person is always eager to take in more truth! He knows the value of honesty and integrity!
Truth lasts!
Honesty lasts!
Integrity lasts!
Righteousness lasts!
Kindness lasts!
Love lasts!
Gentleness lasts!
May 11, 2003
Communion at the markedplace
Communion at the marketplace
This morning several churches gathered together at the central marketplace in the city of Bergen, Norway to worship Christ, celebrate communion, and proclaim that the beautiful city of Bergen belongs to the Lord!
We had a wonderful time in the presence of God as we started to worship in sunshine and shared the covenant meal as the rain softly fell on us.
Jesus Christ is the Lord of Bergen! Thousands of people will find salvation in days to come!
God is so good!
This morning several churches gathered together at the central marketplace in the city of Bergen, Norway to worship Christ, celebrate communion, and proclaim that the beautiful city of Bergen belongs to the Lord!
We had a wonderful time in the presence of God as we started to worship in sunshine and shared the covenant meal as the rain softly fell on us.
Jesus Christ is the Lord of Bergen! Thousands of people will find salvation in days to come!
God is so good!
May 09, 2003
Prayer on the seven mountains of Bergen
Prayer on the seven mountains of Bergen
Yesterday evening believers from many different churches joined together to climb all the seven mountains surrounding Bergen to pray for the city and bless those in high positions and all the inhabitants of Bergen. Rain was pouring down in heavy showers. The wind was blowing strongly. I guess it was a strong storm on the top. It took me more than an hour to climb the mountain of L�vstakken. My heart was beating heavily. My legs were aching. I felt so tired but I didn't give up! I reached the top!
Inger Margrete and Morten overtook me on the way up. Morten was like a mountain goat running to the top! When the three of us reached the top, there was no one there! It was really storming at the top. We had difficulties in standing. Then we heard the sound of the group that climbed the mountain from a different, easier, direction. They were not on the top! Because of the storm they had settled for another place with less wind.
We eventually joined with then in singing, praising, and praying. We had a wonderful time pronouncing the blessing of God over the city! We were also able to light the bon-fire! We could see nothing of the other believers on the other mountain tops. In fact we could not see the city be cause we were inside the rainy clouds that was covering all of Bergen at the moment.
Like the rainy clouds were covering Bergen the Spirit of God is also covering Bergen making the word of God fruitful in human hearts and drawing people to Christ!
Yesterday evening believers from many different churches joined together to climb all the seven mountains surrounding Bergen to pray for the city and bless those in high positions and all the inhabitants of Bergen. Rain was pouring down in heavy showers. The wind was blowing strongly. I guess it was a strong storm on the top. It took me more than an hour to climb the mountain of L�vstakken. My heart was beating heavily. My legs were aching. I felt so tired but I didn't give up! I reached the top!
Inger Margrete and Morten overtook me on the way up. Morten was like a mountain goat running to the top! When the three of us reached the top, there was no one there! It was really storming at the top. We had difficulties in standing. Then we heard the sound of the group that climbed the mountain from a different, easier, direction. They were not on the top! Because of the storm they had settled for another place with less wind.
We eventually joined with then in singing, praising, and praying. We had a wonderful time pronouncing the blessing of God over the city! We were also able to light the bon-fire! We could see nothing of the other believers on the other mountain tops. In fact we could not see the city be cause we were inside the rainy clouds that was covering all of Bergen at the moment.
Like the rainy clouds were covering Bergen the Spirit of God is also covering Bergen making the word of God fruitful in human hearts and drawing people to Christ!
May 08, 2003
Email from India
Email from India
This morning I had an email from my good and faithful friend, Zephry, from India. I would like to share his email with everyone to show how Bryn Jones was loved all around the world. His life changed many lives! May we all live in such a way that we influence people for the better!
I just read your webblog and was shocked to read of Bryn's going to be with the Lord.
I don't know what to say.I just thank the Lord for enabling me to meet him in 1989. That meeting was so instrumental in changing my life. I thank God that he followed his heart in inviting me to the Acts program even though we were in the Catholic Church. Like you said he was a true friend.
Yes I also rejoice that he was such a giant for the Lord . I am blessed that I had the privilege to know and work with him.
Love Zephry
This morning I had an email from my good and faithful friend, Zephry, from India. I would like to share his email with everyone to show how Bryn Jones was loved all around the world. His life changed many lives! May we all live in such a way that we influence people for the better!
I just read your webblog and was shocked to read of Bryn's going to be with the Lord.
I don't know what to say.I just thank the Lord for enabling me to meet him in 1989. That meeting was so instrumental in changing my life. I thank God that he followed his heart in inviting me to the Acts program even though we were in the Catholic Church. Like you said he was a true friend.
Yes I also rejoice that he was such a giant for the Lord . I am blessed that I had the privilege to know and work with him.
Love Zephry
May 07, 2003
Praying pastors
Praying pastors
Early this morning I attended the weekly prayer meeting for pastors at Kristkirken in Bergen. Eleven of us were gathered for prayer this morning. In the beginning there seemed to be some misunderstanding of who was to lead the gathering but it all worked out very well.
Every week we gather to bless the city and pray for salvation of the people living here. This time we were also praying for the joint meetings and outreaches we are doing during the visit of Ed Silvoso this week.
It is always good to pray together. The Lord is always knitting our hearts together when we pray for his Kingdom to come and his will to be done among us. It is a privilege to be able to seek God together with so many devoted servants of God in this city.
God is good!
Early this morning I attended the weekly prayer meeting for pastors at Kristkirken in Bergen. Eleven of us were gathered for prayer this morning. In the beginning there seemed to be some misunderstanding of who was to lead the gathering but it all worked out very well.
Every week we gather to bless the city and pray for salvation of the people living here. This time we were also praying for the joint meetings and outreaches we are doing during the visit of Ed Silvoso this week.
It is always good to pray together. The Lord is always knitting our hearts together when we pray for his Kingdom to come and his will to be done among us. It is a privilege to be able to seek God together with so many devoted servants of God in this city.
God is good!
May 06, 2003
God's hand
God's hand
Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
your hand is God's hand for that person (Proverbs 3:27)
What a privilege to be God's hand for a person in need! Our good deed can be the miracle of our neighbour; the answer to their prayer!
Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
your hand is God's hand for that person (Proverbs 3:27)
What a privilege to be God's hand for a person in need! Our good deed can be the miracle of our neighbour; the answer to their prayer!
From Charismanews
From Charismanews:
Today I choose to enclose these words about Bryn Jones and his home-going:
Bryn Jones, 63, a well-respected charismatic leader with a worldwide apostolic ministry in England, died of unknown reasons last Thursday during a ministry trip in the San Diego area.
Gareth Duffty, who was traveling with Jones and is part of Jones' Covenant Ministries International (CMI) staff, told Charisma News Service that Jones had just finished taking a nap and was resting in his hotel room.
"I spoke to him a minute before he went to rest, and then he went to be with the Lord," said Duffty, noting that Jones had preached last Wednesday at San Diego's Heart of God Church. "He was healthy and was miraculously healed of a heart condition a couple of years ago. He was recovered and just getting on with ministry. No one anticipated and expected it. It's a deep shock."
Jones founded Coventry-based CMI, which is partly a church-planting organization. It also has apostolic oversight of several churches in the United states and works with churches in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Larry Tomczak, pastor of Christ the King Church of Greater Atlanta, told Charisma News that Jones was his friend and mentor for 22 years. "He has been my spiritual father for most of my 30 years of ministry," Tomczak, 53, said. "He has also been very instrumental in helping me understand truths concerning apostolic ministry and the values of a New Testament church."
"When my 24-year-old son Justin got the call this weekend of his death, he cried," he added. "Two months ago, he called my son from England to see how he was doing. It was typical of Bryn's caring heart. Bryn was a genuine Christian leader."
Tomczak added that he spoke to Jones about two months ago, and he invited him to minister to his 350-member Georgia congregation this fall. "His death just stunned me because he's only 63," said Tomczak, who plans to attend Jones' memorial service.
Jones was editor of "Restoration" magazine, a respected prophetic publication published by CMI. Born in Aberdare, Wales, Jones is survived by his wife, Edna, and four grown children.
Today I choose to enclose these words about Bryn Jones and his home-going:
Bryn Jones, 63, a well-respected charismatic leader with a worldwide apostolic ministry in England, died of unknown reasons last Thursday during a ministry trip in the San Diego area.
Gareth Duffty, who was traveling with Jones and is part of Jones' Covenant Ministries International (CMI) staff, told Charisma News Service that Jones had just finished taking a nap and was resting in his hotel room.
"I spoke to him a minute before he went to rest, and then he went to be with the Lord," said Duffty, noting that Jones had preached last Wednesday at San Diego's Heart of God Church. "He was healthy and was miraculously healed of a heart condition a couple of years ago. He was recovered and just getting on with ministry. No one anticipated and expected it. It's a deep shock."
Jones founded Coventry-based CMI, which is partly a church-planting organization. It also has apostolic oversight of several churches in the United states and works with churches in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Larry Tomczak, pastor of Christ the King Church of Greater Atlanta, told Charisma News that Jones was his friend and mentor for 22 years. "He has been my spiritual father for most of my 30 years of ministry," Tomczak, 53, said. "He has also been very instrumental in helping me understand truths concerning apostolic ministry and the values of a New Testament church."
"When my 24-year-old son Justin got the call this weekend of his death, he cried," he added. "Two months ago, he called my son from England to see how he was doing. It was typical of Bryn's caring heart. Bryn was a genuine Christian leader."
Tomczak added that he spoke to Jones about two months ago, and he invited him to minister to his 350-member Georgia congregation this fall. "His death just stunned me because he's only 63," said Tomczak, who plans to attend Jones' memorial service.
Jones was editor of "Restoration" magazine, a respected prophetic publication published by CMI. Born in Aberdare, Wales, Jones is survived by his wife, Edna, and four grown children.
May 05, 2003
Shining bright
Shining bright!
The ways of right-living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
Proverbs 4
The ways of right-living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
Proverbs 4
The legacy of a man of God
The legacy of a man of God
In the international gathering at Gullbotn this weekend we have had a wonderful time of sharing with one another and retelling our story of how God has been dealing with us and brought us into the present truth and blessing.
Since we had the sad news that our spiritual father, Bryn Jones, had gone to be with the Lord, we spent some time celebrating his life and ministry sharing with one another what Bryn had meant for us. We are so indebted to him in many ways.
Bryn Jones has left a rich legacy of many ministry gifts that has been released through his ministry. He has left a deposit of revelation and insight as well as a zeal for the house of God. Probably thousands of servants of God have been influenced by the ministry of this great man of God. He has left a legacy with us that only the future will prove to be invaluable worth by the fruit still to come.
The legacy of a man of God takes generations to make fully come to its full blossom.
In the international gathering at Gullbotn this weekend we have had a wonderful time of sharing with one another and retelling our story of how God has been dealing with us and brought us into the present truth and blessing.
Since we had the sad news that our spiritual father, Bryn Jones, had gone to be with the Lord, we spent some time celebrating his life and ministry sharing with one another what Bryn had meant for us. We are so indebted to him in many ways.
Bryn Jones has left a rich legacy of many ministry gifts that has been released through his ministry. He has left a deposit of revelation and insight as well as a zeal for the house of God. Probably thousands of servants of God have been influenced by the ministry of this great man of God. He has left a legacy with us that only the future will prove to be invaluable worth by the fruit still to come.
The legacy of a man of God takes generations to make fully come to its full blossom.
May 02, 2003
The ability to find friendship
The ability to find friendship
After I met Bryn Jones I discovered the meaning of true friendship. Through him I was introduced to my best friends in life. I wrote a book called "Friends of Covenant" where I described some of my insight and experience of covenant friendship and loyal love. Here I have enclosed some paragraphs in the beginning of that book. When you read it you will understand why Bryn Jones came to mean so much to me!
The ability to find friendship and develop it at various levels is often connected to a feeling of belonging, not being alone: having someone to relate to, someone willing to listen, someone understanding, someone not ashamed of us, but caring about us, then the steep hill is easier to climb and the burdens easier to carry.
But who has not experienced the bitter loneliness of a crisis of confidence and failure. It hurt to see friends turn their backs and leave when they were most urgently needed. It was unbearable to stumble around, brooding over thoughts and feelings, while friends kept away. Eyes cried for help, and found nothing but indifference. They looked right and left, but nobody was there to care. You had become an alien to your nearest friends.
Once friendless you were exposed to all kinds of rumour and slander without being able to defend yourself. Nobody humbled himself to give you life and strength. Nobody helped you to hold the shield against the burning arrows. Alone you clenched your fists in your pockets. Setting your teeth hard and keeping a stiff upper lip, you stood firm in sheer defiance. You let the steam-roller press you down and it turned you into a doormat.
No, perhaps it was not that way. You couldn't bear being trodden by all the filthy feet. You gave outlet to all the volcanic powers inside you and rebelled against the hypocrisy and wrong. You threw off all the bonds. Bragging you went away - alone.
I never forget it. It marked me for life. I had many friends. I had succeeded in many ways and I was fairly content with life. Then the rumours arose - apparently out of nothing - followed by public slander of being a liar, when defending myself. This was not unbearable, however. It grew worse when I came to realize that nobody wanted to believe me. The rumours were so absurd that I couldn't imagine that they could be believed. But now I found that even people that I reckoned among my best friends believed the religious rumours about one of my sayings, and distrusted me. That was a disappointment that stung deep into my soul - to find that I had been a na�ve fool l living in a castle in the air. Then hopelessness and rebellion arose within me, making all the wounds worse. Helpless, I groped for a way out of the mud - and found what I was looking for: He was a stranger, a foreigner, but cared enough to listen to me, and he believed me. The way he met me and helped me overcome a growing bitterness transformed my life and gave me a new direction. Despite the fact that he lives in another country and we don't see each other often, a friendship was formed that has been growing stronger ever since.
I experienced this, the failure, the disappointment, the broken hope, once, twice, many times. I had thought: Now I am secure, now I have friends. Over and over again I was wrong. It is not good to be rejected or to be sold on sale to the benefit of others. Failure and disappointment hurt. Happy memories took on a bitter taste of void and grief.
However, such is life. Friendship is disappointment. But the painful things can be the breeding ground for new, good, friendship. Friendship is to dare to forgive and forget wrong; to be able to start anew. It is to believe and hope while sowing and letting trust grow. Friendship is to get on your feet again after many collapses and to stumble ahead with both firm and weak steps. It is to swallow defeats such as they are, and with fresh courage and open eyes step into new relationships. You will learn from disappointment when you forget the painful things and do not let yourself be subdued.
Friendship arises from the ashes. It presses on and makes its way through black asphalt paving and stretches towards the warmth of faithful brothers. It blossoms in all seasons and finds no obstacle invincible. Friendship is a dream nobody can rob me of, and it is up to me to let that dream come true.
After I met Bryn Jones I discovered the meaning of true friendship. Through him I was introduced to my best friends in life. I wrote a book called "Friends of Covenant" where I described some of my insight and experience of covenant friendship and loyal love. Here I have enclosed some paragraphs in the beginning of that book. When you read it you will understand why Bryn Jones came to mean so much to me!
The ability to find friendship and develop it at various levels is often connected to a feeling of belonging, not being alone: having someone to relate to, someone willing to listen, someone understanding, someone not ashamed of us, but caring about us, then the steep hill is easier to climb and the burdens easier to carry.
But who has not experienced the bitter loneliness of a crisis of confidence and failure. It hurt to see friends turn their backs and leave when they were most urgently needed. It was unbearable to stumble around, brooding over thoughts and feelings, while friends kept away. Eyes cried for help, and found nothing but indifference. They looked right and left, but nobody was there to care. You had become an alien to your nearest friends.
Once friendless you were exposed to all kinds of rumour and slander without being able to defend yourself. Nobody humbled himself to give you life and strength. Nobody helped you to hold the shield against the burning arrows. Alone you clenched your fists in your pockets. Setting your teeth hard and keeping a stiff upper lip, you stood firm in sheer defiance. You let the steam-roller press you down and it turned you into a doormat.
No, perhaps it was not that way. You couldn't bear being trodden by all the filthy feet. You gave outlet to all the volcanic powers inside you and rebelled against the hypocrisy and wrong. You threw off all the bonds. Bragging you went away - alone.
I never forget it. It marked me for life. I had many friends. I had succeeded in many ways and I was fairly content with life. Then the rumours arose - apparently out of nothing - followed by public slander of being a liar, when defending myself. This was not unbearable, however. It grew worse when I came to realize that nobody wanted to believe me. The rumours were so absurd that I couldn't imagine that they could be believed. But now I found that even people that I reckoned among my best friends believed the religious rumours about one of my sayings, and distrusted me. That was a disappointment that stung deep into my soul - to find that I had been a na�ve fool l living in a castle in the air. Then hopelessness and rebellion arose within me, making all the wounds worse. Helpless, I groped for a way out of the mud - and found what I was looking for: He was a stranger, a foreigner, but cared enough to listen to me, and he believed me. The way he met me and helped me overcome a growing bitterness transformed my life and gave me a new direction. Despite the fact that he lives in another country and we don't see each other often, a friendship was formed that has been growing stronger ever since.
I experienced this, the failure, the disappointment, the broken hope, once, twice, many times. I had thought: Now I am secure, now I have friends. Over and over again I was wrong. It is not good to be rejected or to be sold on sale to the benefit of others. Failure and disappointment hurt. Happy memories took on a bitter taste of void and grief.
However, such is life. Friendship is disappointment. But the painful things can be the breeding ground for new, good, friendship. Friendship is to dare to forgive and forget wrong; to be able to start anew. It is to believe and hope while sowing and letting trust grow. Friendship is to get on your feet again after many collapses and to stumble ahead with both firm and weak steps. It is to swallow defeats such as they are, and with fresh courage and open eyes step into new relationships. You will learn from disappointment when you forget the painful things and do not let yourself be subdued.
Friendship arises from the ashes. It presses on and makes its way through black asphalt paving and stretches towards the warmth of faithful brothers. It blossoms in all seasons and finds no obstacle invincible. Friendship is a dream nobody can rob me of, and it is up to me to let that dream come true.
Bryn Jones has gone home to glory
Bryn Jones has gone home to glory
I was shocked this morning as the news reached us in this international gathering at Gullbotn that our spiritual father, faithful servant of God, and close friend - Bryn Jones - had been taken home to glory.
I met Bryn Jones first tile at a crucial time of my life twenty-eight years ago. God sent him to Norway to save my life and put me back on track again. At that time I was hurt, disappointed, and confused. I was in great danger of going astray, but praise God, Bryn Jones came, sent by God, to set me straight!
Bryn Jones was an apostle of Jesus Christ, dearly loved by thousands of people around the world. He really was a Christian statesman, an ambassador of the Kingdom of God. He was indeed in spirit and truth a Prince in Israel! He was the most excellent preacher of the word of faith envisioning all his hearers.
I don't find words to express my gratitude to God for Bryn Jones and what he has meant to me during all these years since we first met. May his life and faith be followed by thousands more like him!
I was shocked this morning as the news reached us in this international gathering at Gullbotn that our spiritual father, faithful servant of God, and close friend - Bryn Jones - had been taken home to glory.
I met Bryn Jones first tile at a crucial time of my life twenty-eight years ago. God sent him to Norway to save my life and put me back on track again. At that time I was hurt, disappointed, and confused. I was in great danger of going astray, but praise God, Bryn Jones came, sent by God, to set me straight!
Bryn Jones was an apostle of Jesus Christ, dearly loved by thousands of people around the world. He really was a Christian statesman, an ambassador of the Kingdom of God. He was indeed in spirit and truth a Prince in Israel! He was the most excellent preacher of the word of faith envisioning all his hearers.
I don't find words to express my gratitude to God for Bryn Jones and what he has meant to me during all these years since we first met. May his life and faith be followed by thousands more like him!
May 01, 2003
Visiting a new work
Visiting a new work
Yesterday Solveig and I were visiting a new work - a new church - at the island of Stord. The work was initiated by Jan Sigve and Astrid Elin Hystad and they are the natural leaders of the group. We first had a very good time with this wonderful couple in their beautiful home before we went to another home to meet with the new fellowship. It was a pleasant surprise to meet all these eager people. They love the Lord and one another and it was very obvious that they enjoyed being together. I am convinced they have a great growth potential as they continue to build according to God's pattern.
Yesterday Solveig and I were visiting a new work - a new church - at the island of Stord. The work was initiated by Jan Sigve and Astrid Elin Hystad and they are the natural leaders of the group. We first had a very good time with this wonderful couple in their beautiful home before we went to another home to meet with the new fellowship. It was a pleasant surprise to meet all these eager people. They love the Lord and one another and it was very obvious that they enjoyed being together. I am convinced they have a great growth potential as they continue to build according to God's pattern.
International conference
International conference at Gullbotn
Today we gather together at Gullbotn for an international conference.
We will be refreshed together in the presence of God.
We will be nourished together by the word of God.
We will be encouraged together in one another's company.
Together we will enjoy the beauty of God!
Today we gather together at Gullbotn for an international conference.
We will be refreshed together in the presence of God.
We will be nourished together by the word of God.
We will be encouraged together in one another's company.
Together we will enjoy the beauty of God!
Listen for God's voice
Listen for God's voice
As I was reading in the Proverbs this morning God spoke to me from the 3rd chapter:
Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go!
We don't live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He is continually speaking his word to uphold us, strengthen us, and refresh us! Listening to the voice of God will keep us on track!
Listening to the voice of God will enable us to minister the grace of God to people meet during the day. When we listen to God we are really useful to him. When we are busy doing our own things we will not see the needs of the people that we are able to meet by the grace of God, nor will we be aware of all the open doors and the golden opportunities coming our way!
I have found that when I humble myself and listen for God's voice I am used of God to bless others.
God is so good!
As I was reading in the Proverbs this morning God spoke to me from the 3rd chapter:
Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go!
We don't live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He is continually speaking his word to uphold us, strengthen us, and refresh us! Listening to the voice of God will keep us on track!
Listening to the voice of God will enable us to minister the grace of God to people meet during the day. When we listen to God we are really useful to him. When we are busy doing our own things we will not see the needs of the people that we are able to meet by the grace of God, nor will we be aware of all the open doors and the golden opportunities coming our way!
I have found that when I humble myself and listen for God's voice I am used of God to bless others.
God is so good!
April 30, 2003
The first step in learning
The first step in learning
As I have come to the Proverb in my morning reading of the Scripture, once more I was caught by the profound simplicity of the down to earth wisdom in skilful living presented in that book. I only want to share with you this deep truth:
Start with GOD - the first step in learning is bowing down to GOD!
The first step in learning is bowing down to the one who is All-Wise! To fear God is the beginning of skilful living! Loving God has far-reaching consequences into every area of life! If we start with God we will reach successful completion and fulfillment in God! The one who trust God will never fail because God will take care of him!
God is so good!
As I have come to the Proverb in my morning reading of the Scripture, once more I was caught by the profound simplicity of the down to earth wisdom in skilful living presented in that book. I only want to share with you this deep truth:
Start with GOD - the first step in learning is bowing down to GOD!
The first step in learning is bowing down to the one who is All-Wise! To fear God is the beginning of skilful living! Loving God has far-reaching consequences into every area of life! If we start with God we will reach successful completion and fulfillment in God! The one who trust God will never fail because God will take care of him!
God is so good!
April 29, 2003
An undivided heart
An undivided heart
This morning at the early prayer meeting with the leaders of the church one brother read from Psalm 86 about having an undivided heart. In The Message it reads like this:
Train me, GOD, to walk straight; then I'll follow your true path.
Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear.
An old Pentecostal preacher used to explain it an undivided heart as a heart formed like a U - open towards heaven and closed towards the world!
This morning at the early prayer meeting with the leaders of the church one brother read from Psalm 86 about having an undivided heart. In The Message it reads like this:
Train me, GOD, to walk straight; then I'll follow your true path.
Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear.
An old Pentecostal preacher used to explain it an undivided heart as a heart formed like a U - open towards heaven and closed towards the world!
April 28, 2003
Building monuments
Building monuments
As I was reading the Psalms this morning in the The Message I came across an expression in Psalm 148 that caught my attention:
- he's built a monument - his very own people!
God is wonderful! He is not living in buildings made by hands nor is he honoured by monuments of granite! He has actually built himself a monument! His very own people! The living God can only be properly homoured and seen in living people! He is building a monument in the earth today! He is building his very own people! Oh, what a frail and weak material he is using for his monument! The reason is that he wants everything to witness of his grace and not of our cleverness!
If his very own people is the monument he is building, what monument are we building?
As I was reading the Psalms this morning in the The Message I came across an expression in Psalm 148 that caught my attention:
- he's built a monument - his very own people!
God is wonderful! He is not living in buildings made by hands nor is he honoured by monuments of granite! He has actually built himself a monument! His very own people! The living God can only be properly homoured and seen in living people! He is building a monument in the earth today! He is building his very own people! Oh, what a frail and weak material he is using for his monument! The reason is that he wants everything to witness of his grace and not of our cleverness!
If his very own people is the monument he is building, what monument are we building?
April 25, 2003
Celebration
Celebration
Yesterday about fifty of us celebrated Per Erik Olsens 60th birthday at Gullbotn. We had a wonderful time together as we honoured this wonderful man of God. He is a very faithful friend and the most exceptional encourager! He loves people and people love being with him because he makes us all feel good in his company. He is also the most excellent administrator inspiring people to serve and take responsibility. He is a prophet of faith and encouragement. His prophetic words have ignited hope, faith and love in thousands of people!
I am honoured to be one of his friends!
Yesterday about fifty of us celebrated Per Erik Olsens 60th birthday at Gullbotn. We had a wonderful time together as we honoured this wonderful man of God. He is a very faithful friend and the most exceptional encourager! He loves people and people love being with him because he makes us all feel good in his company. He is also the most excellent administrator inspiring people to serve and take responsibility. He is a prophet of faith and encouragement. His prophetic words have ignited hope, faith and love in thousands of people!
I am honoured to be one of his friends!
April 24, 2003
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God
I have been working on my book again today to finish some minor things still left. I still have to make some questions for group discussion and some personal assignments.
The contents of the book will be like this:
1. The kingdom of God is eternal � from the beginning - before the creation of the world
2. The kingdom of God foreshadowed and foretold
3. The kingdom of God came with Jesus Christ
4. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy � in the Holy Spirit
5. The kingdom of God is not of this world but is in the world to transform/redeem it
6. The kingdom of God creates communities
7. The kingdom of God guarantees the fulfillment of the Great commission
I have been working on my book again today to finish some minor things still left. I still have to make some questions for group discussion and some personal assignments.
The contents of the book will be like this:
1. The kingdom of God is eternal � from the beginning - before the creation of the world
2. The kingdom of God foreshadowed and foretold
3. The kingdom of God came with Jesus Christ
4. The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy � in the Holy Spirit
5. The kingdom of God is not of this world but is in the world to transform/redeem it
6. The kingdom of God creates communities
7. The kingdom of God guarantees the fulfillment of the Great commission
A godly habit
A godly habit
I was reading in the Psalms (130) this morning and came across this verse:
If you, God kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you are worshiped.
"Forgiveness is your habit!" What a godly habit! What a wonderful God we serve! With his arrival comes love, with his arrival comes generous redemption. Forgiveness is his habit!
I was reading in the Psalms (130) this morning and came across this verse:
If you, God kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you are worshiped.
"Forgiveness is your habit!" What a godly habit! What a wonderful God we serve! With his arrival comes love, with his arrival comes generous redemption. Forgiveness is his habit!
April 23, 2003
Liberate the moment
Liberate the moment!
As I was going home today I saw this advertisement: Capture the moment! It was an advertisement for a camera. What a static view of reality! The moment is not to be captured on a piece of paper or in digital media but to be enjoyed and lived to the full in the presence of God. Then we will be able to liberate the moment to meaningful service and an enriched life!
As I was going home today I saw this advertisement: Capture the moment! It was an advertisement for a camera. What a static view of reality! The moment is not to be captured on a piece of paper or in digital media but to be enjoyed and lived to the full in the presence of God. Then we will be able to liberate the moment to meaningful service and an enriched life!
April 22, 2003
Wild fires
Wild fires
The last few days there has been several wild fires in our area. The forests in this mountainous area has been on fire for several days threatening houses and homes. Many have had to leave their homes while the fire-brigade with the help of the army have been fighting the flames.
The fires have attracted many onlookers; people who are curious and attracted by the force displayed in the wild fires licking the steep mountains consuming the dry grass, the hedder, the bushes and the tall trees. It is a dreadful sight!
The last few days there has been several wild fires in our area. The forests in this mountainous area has been on fire for several days threatening houses and homes. Many have had to leave their homes while the fire-brigade with the help of the army have been fighting the flames.
The fires have attracted many onlookers; people who are curious and attracted by the force displayed in the wild fires licking the steep mountains consuming the dry grass, the hedder, the bushes and the tall trees. It is a dreadful sight!
April 21, 2003
Easter Conference is over
Easter Conference is over!
And all our visiting children and grandchildren are gone! The house is empty and quite. Solveig is making a cream cake for Sara's birthday-party and I have been buying books on the Net!
The Easter Conference was a most wonderful time in the presence of God. All the people I have been talking to are happy and excited with what God has been doing among us these days. The last two days we had many healings and people being filled with the Holy Spirit!
About 15 people came to Christ to receive salvation during the conference!
God is so good!
And all our visiting children and grandchildren are gone! The house is empty and quite. Solveig is making a cream cake for Sara's birthday-party and I have been buying books on the Net!
The Easter Conference was a most wonderful time in the presence of God. All the people I have been talking to are happy and excited with what God has been doing among us these days. The last two days we had many healings and people being filled with the Holy Spirit!
About 15 people came to Christ to receive salvation during the conference!
God is so good!
April 19, 2003
Short on sermons
Short on sermons
I plan to use this quotation in my sermon tonight!
Jesus was short on sermons, long on conversations;
short on answers, long on questions;
short on abstractions and propositions,
long on stories and parables;
short on telling you what to think,
long on challenging you to think for yourself;
short on condemning the irreligious,
long on confronting the religious.
Evangelism in the style of Jesus; evangelism that flows like a dance.
From: Brian D. McLaren, More ready than you realize.
I plan to use this quotation in my sermon tonight!
Jesus was short on sermons, long on conversations;
short on answers, long on questions;
short on abstractions and propositions,
long on stories and parables;
short on telling you what to think,
long on challenging you to think for yourself;
short on condemning the irreligious,
long on confronting the religious.
Evangelism in the style of Jesus; evangelism that flows like a dance.
From: Brian D. McLaren, More ready than you realize.
The music of my life
The music of my life!
Good Friday was a wonderful day at our Easter Conference. The seminars in the morning were excellent and the worship in the evening was breath-taking! We were dancing and celebrating that Jesus Christ is alive! The atmosphere was electric by the joyful presence of God.
As we were rejoicing and dancing to the good music I was reminded of some verses in Psalm 119 saying that "your Law is the music of my life; your revelation is the tune I dance to!" Yesterday we were really dancing to the music of our lives, the word of God! The beautiful revelation of God is the tune I dance to! Jesus Christ is the music of my life!
At the end Keri Jones gave us an inspiring teaching on the indwelling Christ, the well of life on the inside of us who believe! After he finished the only right response was to dance and celebrate His presence!
Good Friday was a wonderful day at our Easter Conference. The seminars in the morning were excellent and the worship in the evening was breath-taking! We were dancing and celebrating that Jesus Christ is alive! The atmosphere was electric by the joyful presence of God.
As we were rejoicing and dancing to the good music I was reminded of some verses in Psalm 119 saying that "your Law is the music of my life; your revelation is the tune I dance to!" Yesterday we were really dancing to the music of our lives, the word of God! The beautiful revelation of God is the tune I dance to! Jesus Christ is the music of my life!
At the end Keri Jones gave us an inspiring teaching on the indwelling Christ, the well of life on the inside of us who believe! After he finished the only right response was to dance and celebrate His presence!
April 18, 2003
In the presence of God
In the presence of God
Last night gathering in our Easter Conference was a wonderful time in the presence of God.
From the very beginning of the meeting we were able to enter into the presence of God in a felt way in our worship. Gifts of the Spirit were operative and in worshipping God we were all touched by his greatness and filled with awe by his majestic power!
When Keri Jones came to share the word, he gave prophetic instructions and called for certain people to surrender fully to the Lord. It was no common sermon but instructions of the Spirit he gave to us and we were all refreshed in the presence of God.
God is so good!
Last night gathering in our Easter Conference was a wonderful time in the presence of God.
From the very beginning of the meeting we were able to enter into the presence of God in a felt way in our worship. Gifts of the Spirit were operative and in worshipping God we were all touched by his greatness and filled with awe by his majestic power!
When Keri Jones came to share the word, he gave prophetic instructions and called for certain people to surrender fully to the Lord. It was no common sermon but instructions of the Spirit he gave to us and we were all refreshed in the presence of God.
God is so good!
April 17, 2003
Easter conference
Easter conference
Yesterday our Easter conference started. More than six hundred people gathered in Kristkirken to worship God and listen to his word. It was a good start and many people were touched by the power of God in the beginning of the meeting.
Knut gave us a good teaching on our dependence on the Holy Spirit. He will continue to teach on the Kingdom of God this morning..
Yesterday our Easter conference started. More than six hundred people gathered in Kristkirken to worship God and listen to his word. It was a good start and many people were touched by the power of God in the beginning of the meeting.
Knut gave us a good teaching on our dependence on the Holy Spirit. He will continue to teach on the Kingdom of God this morning..
April 16, 2003
A lifetime of study - endless enjoyment
A lifetime of study - endless enjoyment!
This morning with my Message Bible some new verses came alive to me:
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study - endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last -
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God!
This morning with my Message Bible some new verses came alive to me:
God's works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study - endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;
His generosity never gives out.
He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last -
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:
He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his covenant kept forever.
He's so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God!
April 15, 2003
Keep your eyes open for God
Keep your eyes open for God!
As I was reading the Message Bible this morning this line jumped out of the pages:
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.
So often we go through life half asleep. We takes things for granted and we no longer marvel at the goodness and beauty of God so obvious in this world that he sustain. If we want to see God, we need to clean eyes of our hearts of materialism, and open ourselves to the beauty of God in our everyday life. If we want to see God, we need to put the deadly rationalism away and watch for his works, to see his finger in even minute details of our lives. If we want to see God, we can't allow ourselves to dream but we must wake up to the reality of the Presence we can't live without!
As I was reading the Message Bible this morning this line jumped out of the pages:
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.
So often we go through life half asleep. We takes things for granted and we no longer marvel at the goodness and beauty of God so obvious in this world that he sustain. If we want to see God, we need to clean eyes of our hearts of materialism, and open ourselves to the beauty of God in our everyday life. If we want to see God, we need to put the deadly rationalism away and watch for his works, to see his finger in even minute details of our lives. If we want to see God, we can't allow ourselves to dream but we must wake up to the reality of the Presence we can't live without!
April 14, 2003
Grandchildren from Troms�
Grandchildren from Troms� are visiting us this Easter!
They have been growing a lot since last time I saw them!
It was such a great joy to see them again! When I met them at the airport they gave me such a warm hug and made me really feel good!
Thank God for wonderful grandchildren!
They have been growing a lot since last time I saw them!
It was such a great joy to see them again! When I met them at the airport they gave me such a warm hug and made me really feel good!
Thank God for wonderful grandchildren!
Introduction to my new book
Introduction to my new book!
I am almost finished writing my new book on the Kingdom of God. Seven chapters have been written and I only need to add some questions for group discussions and some exercises for personal use. I plan to be able to present the whole book on my new web pages which I am working on at the moment. Watch out for some news of an exciting development!
Introduction
The Kingdom of God is! It is the very heart of our universe! The Kingdom of God is! That is the central message of Jesus Christ and his followers. The message of the Kingdom is presented to us in many dynamic statements beginning with �the Kingdom of God is� or �the Kingdom of God is not�. In this book we are going to explore these potent statements of the Bible.
The Kingdom of God is! That is the good news in a world of competing ideologies. The Kingdom of God is not an ideology; it is the ultimate reality!
The Kingdom of God is! That very message brings hope to those who are seeking for meaning and purpose of life.
The Kingdom of God is! In a world where everything is uncertain the message of the Kingdom provides the unshakable foundation for an exciting life of exploration of its mysteries.
The Kingdom of God is! It is not tied to the past or locked into a distant future. It is the ever present and expanding presence of the saving grace of God manifesting itself in people and communities.
The Kingdom of God is! Join me in exploring some of its mysteries! The Kingdom of God is too vast to be explained in a book like the one you are holding in your hand now. Nevertheless I invite you to join me in my journey into the Kingdom of God. Together we will go back to the very beginning and from there try to grasp the ultimate end, which of cause is beyond comprehension! However, I am convinced that we will find some glimpses of light as we pursue the Kingdom of God and his righteousness together. If you take time to meditate and work through the questions and exercises at the end of each chapter you will benefit more and discover new insight for yourself.
Response - feedback!
I would appreciate your comments on this introduction. Did it give you a desire to read the book? Did it make you not interested in getting a sample of the book? Or du you have any suggestion?
I am almost finished writing my new book on the Kingdom of God. Seven chapters have been written and I only need to add some questions for group discussions and some exercises for personal use. I plan to be able to present the whole book on my new web pages which I am working on at the moment. Watch out for some news of an exciting development!
Introduction
The Kingdom of God is! It is the very heart of our universe! The Kingdom of God is! That is the central message of Jesus Christ and his followers. The message of the Kingdom is presented to us in many dynamic statements beginning with �the Kingdom of God is� or �the Kingdom of God is not�. In this book we are going to explore these potent statements of the Bible.
The Kingdom of God is! That is the good news in a world of competing ideologies. The Kingdom of God is not an ideology; it is the ultimate reality!
The Kingdom of God is! That very message brings hope to those who are seeking for meaning and purpose of life.
The Kingdom of God is! In a world where everything is uncertain the message of the Kingdom provides the unshakable foundation for an exciting life of exploration of its mysteries.
The Kingdom of God is! It is not tied to the past or locked into a distant future. It is the ever present and expanding presence of the saving grace of God manifesting itself in people and communities.
The Kingdom of God is! Join me in exploring some of its mysteries! The Kingdom of God is too vast to be explained in a book like the one you are holding in your hand now. Nevertheless I invite you to join me in my journey into the Kingdom of God. Together we will go back to the very beginning and from there try to grasp the ultimate end, which of cause is beyond comprehension! However, I am convinced that we will find some glimpses of light as we pursue the Kingdom of God and his righteousness together. If you take time to meditate and work through the questions and exercises at the end of each chapter you will benefit more and discover new insight for yourself.
Response - feedback!
I would appreciate your comments on this introduction. Did it give you a desire to read the book? Did it make you not interested in getting a sample of the book? Or du you have any suggestion?
April 11, 2003
Beauty
Beauty
"And we saw His beauty!"
He was full of grace and truth!
Beauty is truth, truth is beauty, grace is beauty, beauty is grace!
That is all we need to know, - his beauty!
His beauty is seen in his lavish forgiveness.
His beauty is seen in his self-sacrificing death.
The thorny crown and his bloody face are divine beauty
- it is shining like the bright morning sun in the world of hatred and war.
His beauty is healing for every wounded soul
- it gives strength to the downtrodden
- it lifts the downcast
- it brings hope of a new beginning for the those in despairing darkness
His beauty lightens my day.
His beauty overwhelms my spirit.
His beauty sustains peace in an ugly world.
"And we saw His beauty!"
He was full of grace and truth!
Beauty is truth, truth is beauty, grace is beauty, beauty is grace!
That is all we need to know, - his beauty!
His beauty is seen in his lavish forgiveness.
His beauty is seen in his self-sacrificing death.
The thorny crown and his bloody face are divine beauty
- it is shining like the bright morning sun in the world of hatred and war.
His beauty is healing for every wounded soul
- it gives strength to the downtrodden
- it lifts the downcast
- it brings hope of a new beginning for the those in despairing darkness
His beauty lightens my day.
His beauty overwhelms my spirit.
His beauty sustains peace in an ugly world.
April 10, 2003
Acta Library
Acta Library
Today I am going to Oslo to be part of the establishing of a new library. Geir Lie is the initiator and he has been able to raise support from a wide circle of Pentecostal and Charismatic networks and denominations. Geir has been running a private library for some time and it has been growing out of his hands in a way. He is happy for this enlargement to take place as this is what he has been working towards for a long time.
Today I am going to Oslo to be part of the establishing of a new library. Geir Lie is the initiator and he has been able to raise support from a wide circle of Pentecostal and Charismatic networks and denominations. Geir has been running a private library for some time and it has been growing out of his hands in a way. He is happy for this enlargement to take place as this is what he has been working towards for a long time.
April 09, 2003
Repairing a broken marriage
Repairing a broken marriage
The other day Solveig and I were sitting together with a despairing wife. Her marriage was broken. She was hurting and longing for help but had no faith that change was possible.
As we were talking to her we were filled with thankfulness in our hearts for the goodness and mercy of God in our lives. We have had nearly forty happy years of married life together. This woman in front of us told us that she wanted the same loving relationship that she had observed with us, but it seemed to be to much to hope for.
Then we could share with her that God creates light in darkness, brings harmony in chaos, and bestows his peace in places of turmoil. God who rose Jesus Christ from the dead can resurrect any broken marriage to a healthy relationship! God is a God of forgiveness and new beginnings.
As our sister left us that night we knew that a resurrection is about to take place! A restoration is on the way! By the grace of God we will see a broken marriage repaired and brought to fulfillment.
The other day Solveig and I were sitting together with a despairing wife. Her marriage was broken. She was hurting and longing for help but had no faith that change was possible.
As we were talking to her we were filled with thankfulness in our hearts for the goodness and mercy of God in our lives. We have had nearly forty happy years of married life together. This woman in front of us told us that she wanted the same loving relationship that she had observed with us, but it seemed to be to much to hope for.
Then we could share with her that God creates light in darkness, brings harmony in chaos, and bestows his peace in places of turmoil. God who rose Jesus Christ from the dead can resurrect any broken marriage to a healthy relationship! God is a God of forgiveness and new beginnings.
As our sister left us that night we knew that a resurrection is about to take place! A restoration is on the way! By the grace of God we will see a broken marriage repaired and brought to fulfillment.
April 08, 2003
Our Christian hope
Our Christian hope
Today I have had another good day with the students in the Bible School looking at our Christian hope and it's influence on our behaviour and character.
We were looking at the hope of the Kingdom of God, the hope of eternal life, the hope of glory and the hope of His coming. This fullness of hope will produce Christ-like life, Christ-like obedience, and Christ-like power! One day we will see his as he really is and we will become like him! "All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistering purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own!" (1 John 3:3 The Message)
Today I have had another good day with the students in the Bible School looking at our Christian hope and it's influence on our behaviour and character.
We were looking at the hope of the Kingdom of God, the hope of eternal life, the hope of glory and the hope of His coming. This fullness of hope will produce Christ-like life, Christ-like obedience, and Christ-like power! One day we will see his as he really is and we will become like him! "All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistering purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own!" (1 John 3:3 The Message)
April 07, 2003
Ability to comment is in place
Ability to comment is in place!
It seems that I have been able to get the comment function to work at last! Now I am just waiting for some feedback from you!
It seems that I have been able to get the comment function to work at last! Now I am just waiting for some feedback from you!
Take on an entirely new way of life
Take on an entirely new way of life!
I have been teaching in the Bible school this morning about character formation, or on taking on an entirely new way of life - a god-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into our conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in us. Then we experience a close relationship with God, in fact, nothing between us and God, and we will be shining with the brightness of his grace. Day by day we are transfigured much more like Christ, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who is animating us and motivating us, bringing out his splendor of holiness in our lives!
I have been teaching in the Bible school this morning about character formation, or on taking on an entirely new way of life - a god-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into our conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in us. Then we experience a close relationship with God, in fact, nothing between us and God, and we will be shining with the brightness of his grace. Day by day we are transfigured much more like Christ, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who is animating us and motivating us, bringing out his splendor of holiness in our lives!
April 06, 2003
Comments welcome
Comments welcome!
I have been trying hard to get ready the ability for commenting my blog entries. Hopefully I will succeed this time! If you find the comment sign or no comments at the end of my blog entries I have succeeded and I am eagerly waiting for your comments!
I have been trying hard to get ready the ability for commenting my blog entries. Hopefully I will succeed this time! If you find the comment sign or no comments at the end of my blog entries I have succeeded and I am eagerly waiting for your comments!
April 05, 2003
Roads that God travels
Roads that God travels
As I was reading the Psalms in the Message version God spoke to me through a sentence in Psalm 84 where the Psalmist says:
"How blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel."
Really there is no greater blessing than knowing that God lives in me,
that his presence is with me,
that he is at my right hand,
that he is there to guide and help me,
that he sustains me,
that he refreshes me and strengthens me every second,
that he listens to my prayers,
that he is never far away,
that he is always with me!
If I, by his grace, could live a life that could become a road that God travels, I would be overwhelmed of joy! Just the thought that this is possible knocks me out. I can't comprehend it or grasp it, but still I fully believe it is possible. I believe it because the word of God says so, and I believe it because other peoples lives have been God's roads into my life!
Lord, make my life a road that you travel!
Lord, let all those I meet encounter you!
As I was reading the Psalms in the Message version God spoke to me through a sentence in Psalm 84 where the Psalmist says:
"How blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel."
Really there is no greater blessing than knowing that God lives in me,
that his presence is with me,
that he is at my right hand,
that he is there to guide and help me,
that he sustains me,
that he refreshes me and strengthens me every second,
that he listens to my prayers,
that he is never far away,
that he is always with me!
If I, by his grace, could live a life that could become a road that God travels, I would be overwhelmed of joy! Just the thought that this is possible knocks me out. I can't comprehend it or grasp it, but still I fully believe it is possible. I believe it because the word of God says so, and I believe it because other peoples lives have been God's roads into my life!
Lord, make my life a road that you travel!
Lord, let all those I meet encounter you!
April 04, 2003
Picture of Sunniva has arrived
Picture of Sunniva has arrived!
Click and look how beautiful she is! My tenth grandchild!
Sunniva.JPG
God is good!
Solveig is back home!
God is really good!
Click and look how beautiful she is! My tenth grandchild!
Sunniva.JPG
God is good!
Solveig is back home!
God is really good!
April 02, 2003
Sharing the good news of the Kingdom
Sharing the good news of the Kingdom
I have just arrived home from another exciting cell-group meeting. Tonight we had a nominal Christian with his Norwegian "baby-faith" with us. He believes in the sense of holding the teaching of the Bible mainly true. But he had many "hang-ups" regarding God. It was refreshing to have him with us. As I was listening to him repeating in despair, "Well, that is just the way I am!", I was filled with joy. By the grace of God I was able to present the good news of the Kingdom of God with boldness to him, agreeing with him that that is the way he is, and there is nothing he can do about it! We are all born sinners and we cannot save or change ourselves! But God so loved the world that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ to save us from ourselves and give us an entire new life under his Lordship! As I was sharing the good news of the Kingdom I was refreshing in my Spirit and strengthened in my innermost being. We could feel the presence of God in our midst as he was calling our visitor to repentance. He did not turn to Christ tonight but we will continue to pray for him and I expect him to come to Christ very soon!
There is nothing like sharing the good news of the Kingdom with people!
I have just arrived home from another exciting cell-group meeting. Tonight we had a nominal Christian with his Norwegian "baby-faith" with us. He believes in the sense of holding the teaching of the Bible mainly true. But he had many "hang-ups" regarding God. It was refreshing to have him with us. As I was listening to him repeating in despair, "Well, that is just the way I am!", I was filled with joy. By the grace of God I was able to present the good news of the Kingdom of God with boldness to him, agreeing with him that that is the way he is, and there is nothing he can do about it! We are all born sinners and we cannot save or change ourselves! But God so loved the world that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ to save us from ourselves and give us an entire new life under his Lordship! As I was sharing the good news of the Kingdom I was refreshing in my Spirit and strengthened in my innermost being. We could feel the presence of God in our midst as he was calling our visitor to repentance. He did not turn to Christ tonight but we will continue to pray for him and I expect him to come to Christ very soon!
There is nothing like sharing the good news of the Kingdom with people!
April 01, 2003
Grand-daughter arrived!
Grand-daughter arrived!
Sunday morning I had a joyful telephone call from my wife. She had exciting news to share. Our tenth grandchild was born. Our daughter Hanna gave birth to a beautiful daughter Sunday morning 30th of March, actually on her own 30th birthday!
We are so happy and grateful to the Lord for his precious gift! Our new grand-daughter has been named Sunniva Isher Padam (I hope the spelling is right, - I have only heard it on the phone!)
Celebrate with us the arrival of Sunniva Isher Padam! May God give her a blessed life and make her an immense blessing to many people!
Sunday morning I had a joyful telephone call from my wife. She had exciting news to share. Our tenth grandchild was born. Our daughter Hanna gave birth to a beautiful daughter Sunday morning 30th of March, actually on her own 30th birthday!
We are so happy and grateful to the Lord for his precious gift! Our new grand-daughter has been named Sunniva Isher Padam (I hope the spelling is right, - I have only heard it on the phone!)
Celebrate with us the arrival of Sunniva Isher Padam! May God give her a blessed life and make her an immense blessing to many people!
New church planting in Hokksund
New church planting in Hokksund
I have just returned home from a very inspiring weekend with some church-planters in Hokksund, in the eastern part of Norway, together with Lasse Tretteteig, the leader of a successful church-plant in Stokke. About fifteen people are engaged in this new work. They were very interesting people with wide experience and richly gifted in many areas. I was encouraged by the unity in the core group and their desire to reach out and bring new people to Christ.
From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon Lasse and I were together with these hungry people sharing from our insight in the word of God and from our experience. The presence of the Spirit was with us and by the grace of God we were able to speak prophetically into the lives of all present! God is so good!
I have just returned home from a very inspiring weekend with some church-planters in Hokksund, in the eastern part of Norway, together with Lasse Tretteteig, the leader of a successful church-plant in Stokke. About fifteen people are engaged in this new work. They were very interesting people with wide experience and richly gifted in many areas. I was encouraged by the unity in the core group and their desire to reach out and bring new people to Christ.
From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon Lasse and I were together with these hungry people sharing from our insight in the word of God and from our experience. The presence of the Spirit was with us and by the grace of God we were able to speak prophetically into the lives of all present! God is so good!
March 27, 2003
Cell-group gathering
Cell-group gathering
Last night I had the privilege of attending my cell-group. It was quite a long time since last because of traveling and other engagements. It was so good to see my friends again and to fellowship together. Torleif and Gerd are leading the group in a wonderful way making room for all to participate and creating an environment of encouragement and appreciation. Gunn was so happy that she had lost about 20 Kg in two months time. Liv Tove was full of joy. Kristoffer was bright and overflowing peace and harmony. Gerd Lillian is always an encouragement to all of us. She is fighting cancer in her body but is confident that the Lord will heal her.
We had a good time sharing with one another, praying together and planning things to do to reach some people we have been praying for.
Last night I had the privilege of attending my cell-group. It was quite a long time since last because of traveling and other engagements. It was so good to see my friends again and to fellowship together. Torleif and Gerd are leading the group in a wonderful way making room for all to participate and creating an environment of encouragement and appreciation. Gunn was so happy that she had lost about 20 Kg in two months time. Liv Tove was full of joy. Kristoffer was bright and overflowing peace and harmony. Gerd Lillian is always an encouragement to all of us. She is fighting cancer in her body but is confident that the Lord will heal her.
We had a good time sharing with one another, praying together and planning things to do to reach some people we have been praying for.
March 26, 2003
Laptop repair
Laptop repair
I had a specialist to look at my laptop the other day to fix my problems. Something was amended and something was made worse! I am no able to connect to internet at work but not at home!
I am so happy that the work God is doing is not like a laptop repair like the one I recently had! God is doing a perfect work salvation!
I had a specialist to look at my laptop the other day to fix my problems. Something was amended and something was made worse! I am no able to connect to internet at work but not at home!
I am so happy that the work God is doing is not like a laptop repair like the one I recently had! God is doing a perfect work salvation!
Attending funeral
Attending funeral
Yesterday I attended the funeral of Jostein Askeland, the twin brother of Noralv Askeland my close friend. The Meland Church was completely packed with people. Many people were not able to enter but had to stand on the outside of the building. A lot of nice things were said of Jostein by several people. The memorial speech that Noralv held was most excellent. Jostein had not been ill but had been tired when he came home from work for a while. Monday evening a week ago he came home, spoke a few words with his wife, and expired within ten minutes.
The word of God says:
It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is till time. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now. (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4)
Yesterday I attended the funeral of Jostein Askeland, the twin brother of Noralv Askeland my close friend. The Meland Church was completely packed with people. Many people were not able to enter but had to stand on the outside of the building. A lot of nice things were said of Jostein by several people. The memorial speech that Noralv held was most excellent. Jostein had not been ill but had been tired when he came home from work for a while. Monday evening a week ago he came home, spoke a few words with his wife, and expired within ten minutes.
The word of God says:
It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is till time. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now. (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4)
March 22, 2003
My laptop is acting funny
My laptop is acting funny!
Today I am connected again! For some days I have not been able to connect to Internet. My laptop seems to act funny. It is kind of a lottery what kind of pages I will be able to connect if I am getting connected at all! Today I tried a live update of my virus protection program. After I had connected and gone through all procedures and thought that all is well, I got the message that my system had not been updated! But at least I was able to log on to Blogger after that!
I am now working on the last chapter of my book on the Kingdom of God. I will have to add something to some of the others chapters as well but I am now able to see and end to this endeavor! Hopefully I will find a way to present it on my web-pages when it is all finished enabling many to down-load it!
Today I am connected again! For some days I have not been able to connect to Internet. My laptop seems to act funny. It is kind of a lottery what kind of pages I will be able to connect if I am getting connected at all! Today I tried a live update of my virus protection program. After I had connected and gone through all procedures and thought that all is well, I got the message that my system had not been updated! But at least I was able to log on to Blogger after that!
I am now working on the last chapter of my book on the Kingdom of God. I will have to add something to some of the others chapters as well but I am now able to see and end to this endeavor! Hopefully I will find a way to present it on my web-pages when it is all finished enabling many to down-load it!
March 20, 2003
With the students
With the students
The last few days have been very busy from morning to evening. My blog has suffered from that even though I rejoiced in being connected again!
Among other things I have had the privilege of being with the students at Bergen Bibelskule. They are excellent students with a heart to learn the things of the Spirit. My subject these days has been prayer and fasting and the response from the students has been encouraging. Most of them had some personal experience of very short fasting but very few had been fasting over a longer period of time. I was able to share some of my experience in prayer and fasting.
There is a call of the Spirit in these days to all the people of God to humble themselves and seeking God in prayer and fasting. We are living in a time in which very much is at stake for believers everywhere. We need to see worldwide revival, renewal and refreshing taking place among the people of God. We need to see a restoration of Kingdom of God values in all our societies. We need to see an ingathering of millions of souls into the Kingdom of God and we need to see the Kingdom advance in every part of the world. Believers are facing persecution and severe oppositions too many places and we need to intercede for them.
In this time of war we need to spend extra time with God in prayer and fasting for God to turn an evil situation to the advance of his Kingdom!
The last few days have been very busy from morning to evening. My blog has suffered from that even though I rejoiced in being connected again!
Among other things I have had the privilege of being with the students at Bergen Bibelskule. They are excellent students with a heart to learn the things of the Spirit. My subject these days has been prayer and fasting and the response from the students has been encouraging. Most of them had some personal experience of very short fasting but very few had been fasting over a longer period of time. I was able to share some of my experience in prayer and fasting.
There is a call of the Spirit in these days to all the people of God to humble themselves and seeking God in prayer and fasting. We are living in a time in which very much is at stake for believers everywhere. We need to see worldwide revival, renewal and refreshing taking place among the people of God. We need to see a restoration of Kingdom of God values in all our societies. We need to see an ingathering of millions of souls into the Kingdom of God and we need to see the Kingdom advance in every part of the world. Believers are facing persecution and severe oppositions too many places and we need to intercede for them.
In this time of war we need to spend extra time with God in prayer and fasting for God to turn an evil situation to the advance of his Kingdom!
March 17, 2003
Connected
Connected
Friday I was able to fully finish the chapter I nearly finished on Thursday. It took more time and effort than I expected! When I tried to connect to Internet I had problems! Therefore I have not been able to write my blog for the weekend. Even today I had problem in getting connected but eventually I was able to walk around the problem. Now I am connected to the world again!
Sometimes our "computer" send us the wrong message telling us that things are not possible but if we don't give up but continue to seek for a way around the problem we will usually succeed.
We are not meant to be cut off and left on our own. We are created to be connected to one another and to God. A well known mobile phone producer is claiming to be in the business of connecting people. The covenant community is in the real business of connecting people. We are helping people to be connected with their Creator and his grand plan for their life. Through this main connection we will be able to connect with other people in a very meaningful way across barriers of age, gender, race, cast, and culture!
Friday I was able to fully finish the chapter I nearly finished on Thursday. It took more time and effort than I expected! When I tried to connect to Internet I had problems! Therefore I have not been able to write my blog for the weekend. Even today I had problem in getting connected but eventually I was able to walk around the problem. Now I am connected to the world again!
Sometimes our "computer" send us the wrong message telling us that things are not possible but if we don't give up but continue to seek for a way around the problem we will usually succeed.
We are not meant to be cut off and left on our own. We are created to be connected to one another and to God. A well known mobile phone producer is claiming to be in the business of connecting people. The covenant community is in the real business of connecting people. We are helping people to be connected with their Creator and his grand plan for their life. Through this main connection we will be able to connect with other people in a very meaningful way across barriers of age, gender, race, cast, and culture!
March 13, 2003
Writing at Gullbotn
Writing at Gullbotn
Today I have had a full day writing at Gullbotn. I have been totally on my own and have not been disturbed by anybody! I am so happy with what I have been writing today. I almost finished a full chapter on the church and the Kingdom today. It has been flowing well for me as I have been writing in the presence of God remembering the prophetic words spoken to me about angels standing behind me to strengthen me in my writing. I just add something I wrote on the two set of passages concerning the coming of the Kingdom:
In the New Testament we find two sets of passages that tell us how the Kingdom of God is to come to this world. One set tells that the Kingdom will come as a gradualism: This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head (see Mark 4:26-28). Or the Kingdom is like the mustard seed, which is the smallest seed we plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants (see Mark 4:30-32). Or the Kingdom of God is like yeast mixed into a large amount of flour that will work its way all through the though (see Matthew 13:33). We see clearly from these and other passages that the Kingdom of God comes by gradualism, person to person, family to family, tribe to tribe, society to society, nation to nation.
The second set of passages regarding the coming of the Kingdom of God, like the story of the man of noble birth who went away to receive kingly power and then return (see Luke 19:11-27), refers to the apocalyptic or sudden coming of the Kingdom when Jesus Christ returns at the end of this age.
Both sets are an integral part of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The gradualistic set of passages gives us our task in showing us that we can be the agents of the Kingdom in the world today. The apocalyptic set of passages gives us hope in assuring us that the last word will be spoken by God and that last word will be victory!
Today I have had a full day writing at Gullbotn. I have been totally on my own and have not been disturbed by anybody! I am so happy with what I have been writing today. I almost finished a full chapter on the church and the Kingdom today. It has been flowing well for me as I have been writing in the presence of God remembering the prophetic words spoken to me about angels standing behind me to strengthen me in my writing. I just add something I wrote on the two set of passages concerning the coming of the Kingdom:
In the New Testament we find two sets of passages that tell us how the Kingdom of God is to come to this world. One set tells that the Kingdom will come as a gradualism: This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head (see Mark 4:26-28). Or the Kingdom is like the mustard seed, which is the smallest seed we plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants (see Mark 4:30-32). Or the Kingdom of God is like yeast mixed into a large amount of flour that will work its way all through the though (see Matthew 13:33). We see clearly from these and other passages that the Kingdom of God comes by gradualism, person to person, family to family, tribe to tribe, society to society, nation to nation.
The second set of passages regarding the coming of the Kingdom of God, like the story of the man of noble birth who went away to receive kingly power and then return (see Luke 19:11-27), refers to the apocalyptic or sudden coming of the Kingdom when Jesus Christ returns at the end of this age.
Both sets are an integral part of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The gradualistic set of passages gives us our task in showing us that we can be the agents of the Kingdom in the world today. The apocalyptic set of passages gives us hope in assuring us that the last word will be spoken by God and that last word will be victory!
Teaching a foundational truth to a newly planted church
Teaching a foundational truth to a newly planted church
Yesterday was had the privilege of teaching on the resurrection of the dead as part of the laying a foundation for the church at Ask�y. At the moment two cell-groups or house-churches have been establish on this island outside Bergen. I was so excited about the foundational truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implication for us that I went far beyond my time limit! In fact everyone seemed to enjoy the teaching so much that time just disappeared!
Yesterday was had the privilege of teaching on the resurrection of the dead as part of the laying a foundation for the church at Ask�y. At the moment two cell-groups or house-churches have been establish on this island outside Bergen. I was so excited about the foundational truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implication for us that I went far beyond my time limit! In fact everyone seemed to enjoy the teaching so much that time just disappeared!
March 12, 2003
Pastors praying together
Pastors praying together
This morning I was able to meet with 14 pastors from 11 different churches for prayer. It was so good to see them and spend time in prayer with these servants of God.
God is really doing a good work in our city. Every week about 15 pastors come together to pray for the city. During the years we have been doing this we have come to know and appreciate one another in a genuine way. When we pray together we are getting to know each other's burdens and longings of heart. Before the throne of God there is no pretence. Before the face of God there is no title or position to be maintained. We all come before God first as his children and then as his servants. In prayer we strip ourselves of all external and human show-off and just open our heart before God in the presence of our brothers. Then we can laugh and weep together sharing life with one another.
How wonderful, how beautiful, when pastors of a city pray together in unity and harmony! Then the anointing of blessing flows to all levels of society!
This morning I was able to meet with 14 pastors from 11 different churches for prayer. It was so good to see them and spend time in prayer with these servants of God.
God is really doing a good work in our city. Every week about 15 pastors come together to pray for the city. During the years we have been doing this we have come to know and appreciate one another in a genuine way. When we pray together we are getting to know each other's burdens and longings of heart. Before the throne of God there is no pretence. Before the face of God there is no title or position to be maintained. We all come before God first as his children and then as his servants. In prayer we strip ourselves of all external and human show-off and just open our heart before God in the presence of our brothers. Then we can laugh and weep together sharing life with one another.
How wonderful, how beautiful, when pastors of a city pray together in unity and harmony! Then the anointing of blessing flows to all levels of society!
March 11, 2003
Early prayer meeting with the brothers
Early prayer meeting with the brothers
It was good to be back at the early prayer meeting with the brothers this morning. It is so good to spend time together before the face of God. This morning er especially lifted the entire church up to God in prayer as we interceeded for every believer to become evangelistic and be enabled to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to people in their neighbourhood or at work. Sunday morning the entire church went on their knees to dedicate themselves to bring Jesus Christ to the unsaved people in our city. Therefore we felt a need this morning to concentrate on asking God for his grace upon all us giving us boldness to present the Lord Jesus Christ to our aquaintances.
It was good to be back at the early prayer meeting with the brothers this morning. It is so good to spend time together before the face of God. This morning er especially lifted the entire church up to God in prayer as we interceeded for every believer to become evangelistic and be enabled to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to people in their neighbourhood or at work. Sunday morning the entire church went on their knees to dedicate themselves to bring Jesus Christ to the unsaved people in our city. Therefore we felt a need this morning to concentrate on asking God for his grace upon all us giving us boldness to present the Lord Jesus Christ to our aquaintances.
March 10, 2003
Surfing the Net
Surfing the Net
This evening Solveig and I have been baby-sitting. We have been looking after our three grandchildren her in Bergen. We had a good time with them before we put them to bed. Grandchildren are a source of great joy!
After they were all at sleep it was time for me to sufrf the net with Josef's new pc and broadband. I started at Tallskinnykiwi (look at the margin for the link). There I found a very long list of links and I was surfing from one site to another. There is a lot of interesting material out there as well as some not so valuable. I will try to recommend some of the "better" places to visit in blogs to come!
Surfing the net may be very time consuming but may also give great payoff!
This evening Solveig and I have been baby-sitting. We have been looking after our three grandchildren her in Bergen. We had a good time with them before we put them to bed. Grandchildren are a source of great joy!
After they were all at sleep it was time for me to sufrf the net with Josef's new pc and broadband. I started at Tallskinnykiwi (look at the margin for the link). There I found a very long list of links and I was surfing from one site to another. There is a lot of interesting material out there as well as some not so valuable. I will try to recommend some of the "better" places to visit in blogs to come!
Surfing the net may be very time consuming but may also give great payoff!
March 09, 2003
A weekend with people from the North West
A weekend with people from the North West
Sometime ago we were gathered for prayer and the Lord spoke about some people from the North West contacting us. Only a few days later people from the North West made contact and we were abel to meet them. They came from the island of M�l�y and the Lord spoke to them about contacting us!
This weekend we have spent time together at Gullbotn with the "The Fish" - the Christian fellowship at M�l�y. We have had a wonderful time of fellowship and interaction. Arne has been sharing about reaching new people with the good news and Knut has been sharing on the Kingdom of God and on being wholehearted in our commitment to the Lord. I have just been sharing on following the old traditional tracks or to put into practice New Testament teaching in the power of the Holy Spirit!
The presence of the Lord was with us and the gifts of the Spirit was in operation in such a way that all of us were touched and helped to make progress in our walk with the Lord.
God is good!
Sometime ago we were gathered for prayer and the Lord spoke about some people from the North West contacting us. Only a few days later people from the North West made contact and we were abel to meet them. They came from the island of M�l�y and the Lord spoke to them about contacting us!
This weekend we have spent time together at Gullbotn with the "The Fish" - the Christian fellowship at M�l�y. We have had a wonderful time of fellowship and interaction. Arne has been sharing about reaching new people with the good news and Knut has been sharing on the Kingdom of God and on being wholehearted in our commitment to the Lord. I have just been sharing on following the old traditional tracks or to put into practice New Testament teaching in the power of the Holy Spirit!
The presence of the Lord was with us and the gifts of the Spirit was in operation in such a way that all of us were touched and helped to make progress in our walk with the Lord.
God is good!
March 07, 2003
Many new house churches
New house churches
On our last visit to India we received many encouraging report from the servant of God that we met. All of them are reporting of new house churches been established and new believers being added to the community of God's people locally. Brother Jay told me that he had been used by God to establish seven new house churches last year. Many others gave similar reports. Brother Zechariah was led by God to go to a new village and make contact with a certain family. When he did that family accepted the Lord and within a few months about sixty people have come to know the Lord. In spite of drought, persecution, and many hardships the gospel of the Kingdom is advancing in the great nation of India.
On our last visit to India we received many encouraging report from the servant of God that we met. All of them are reporting of new house churches been established and new believers being added to the community of God's people locally. Brother Jay told me that he had been used by God to establish seven new house churches last year. Many others gave similar reports. Brother Zechariah was led by God to go to a new village and make contact with a certain family. When he did that family accepted the Lord and within a few months about sixty people have come to know the Lord. In spite of drought, persecution, and many hardships the gospel of the Kingdom is advancing in the great nation of India.
Hunting for God
Hunting for God
This morning in my daily reading in the Message Bible I came across this expression of those who are hunting for God. Immediately I found a response in my heart. In a way I have been hunting for God all my life! And I have found him! Over and over again I have found him! But I keep on hunting for God! Without God life is meaningless. With God life is full of purpose and deep meaning and there is never a dull moment!
I would like my presence on the web to help all who are hunting for God to find him, - over and over again in these pages! Therefore I will make great effort to develop my site.
This morning in my daily reading in the Message Bible I came across this expression of those who are hunting for God. Immediately I found a response in my heart. In a way I have been hunting for God all my life! And I have found him! Over and over again I have found him! But I keep on hunting for God! Without God life is meaningless. With God life is full of purpose and deep meaning and there is never a dull moment!
I would like my presence on the web to help all who are hunting for God to find him, - over and over again in these pages! Therefore I will make great effort to develop my site.
March 06, 2003
Covered with snow
Covered with snow
When we arrived Norway the entire country was covered with snow. It was so beautiful! As we flew over the mountains and approached Bergen and the magnificent blue fjords and the green islands I was filled with thankfulness to the Lord for his goodness towards us. His power is unrestricted! His creativity is beyond comprehension. No artist can compare to the creative work of God!
When we arrived Norway the entire country was covered with snow. It was so beautiful! As we flew over the mountains and approached Bergen and the magnificent blue fjords and the green islands I was filled with thankfulness to the Lord for his goodness towards us. His power is unrestricted! His creativity is beyond comprehension. No artist can compare to the creative work of God!
March 05, 2003
Back home in Bergen
Back home in Bergen
Yesterday afternoon we arrived home again after a long journey from Hyderabad in India. The last week we have not been able to connect at Internet at all an I have naturally been unable to blog. However we had a wonderful time with about 80 leaders of covenant communities in AP. I met a young man that I had never seen before. He was listening very carefully when I shared some of my insights on leadership. After the gathering he came to see me and talk to me. He did not know English and brought an interpreter with him as did not speak Telegu. Among many things he shared with me I would like to share with you a miracle God did for him. When he came to Christ a few years back he was illiterate, but he desperately wanted to learn to read! He sought God in prayer asking for his help in learning to read the Bible. Then a angel appeared to him and touch his eyes and mouth with a burning coal. Immediately he was able to read! What a miracle! Eventually he attended a Bible School to be equipped to serve the Lord and since last year he has been able to give birth to a covenant community of 60 new believers in one village and also working into other villages!
Yesterday afternoon we arrived home again after a long journey from Hyderabad in India. The last week we have not been able to connect at Internet at all an I have naturally been unable to blog. However we had a wonderful time with about 80 leaders of covenant communities in AP. I met a young man that I had never seen before. He was listening very carefully when I shared some of my insights on leadership. After the gathering he came to see me and talk to me. He did not know English and brought an interpreter with him as did not speak Telegu. Among many things he shared with me I would like to share with you a miracle God did for him. When he came to Christ a few years back he was illiterate, but he desperately wanted to learn to read! He sought God in prayer asking for his help in learning to read the Bible. Then a angel appeared to him and touch his eyes and mouth with a burning coal. Immediately he was able to read! What a miracle! Eventually he attended a Bible School to be equipped to serve the Lord and since last year he has been able to give birth to a covenant community of 60 new believers in one village and also working into other villages!
February 25, 2003
Last day in Jaipur
Last day in Jaipur
Our last day in Jaipur has been very busy. We have been able to buy only a few things, but we will bring home a carpet, masala tea, some table cloths, and some small gifts for our grandchildren.
We have been together with precious people all day and experienced the presence of God among the covenant community. It is very clear that God has been with us and used us as a blessing to the people as we ourselves have been blessed. Solveig has been sharing some insight on raising children. She has been very practical and has given excellent examples from our own experience in raising six children! So many people were helped by what she shared.
When we left we had a moving farewell with lots of hugging and encouraging words.
We look forward coming back to spend more time with these precious people of God.
Our last day in Jaipur has been very busy. We have been able to buy only a few things, but we will bring home a carpet, masala tea, some table cloths, and some small gifts for our grandchildren.
We have been together with precious people all day and experienced the presence of God among the covenant community. It is very clear that God has been with us and used us as a blessing to the people as we ourselves have been blessed. Solveig has been sharing some insight on raising children. She has been very practical and has given excellent examples from our own experience in raising six children! So many people were helped by what she shared.
When we left we had a moving farewell with lots of hugging and encouraging words.
We look forward coming back to spend more time with these precious people of God.
February 24, 2003
Healing of relationships
Healing of relationships
When we met the Orissa people the other day we realized that something sad had happened. Their relationship was no longer a happy one. Instead of unity we found discord. That caused us to pray and seek the Lord to be able to bring a resolve to the problem and bring restoration of harmony among the brothers. Today we have had several meetings with them and brought everything out into the light. By the grace of God we were able to establish some common ground for a start and to proceed from there. Zephry shared his insight and through his wisdom the brothers were able to solve their differences. The Spirit of God cam among us bringing healing of relationships through forgiveness and humbleness.
I am so happy that the enemy did not succeed in separating brothers but that the Spirit of God succeeded in bringing unity and harmony. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and planning for the future as relationships were restored. God is so good!
When we met the Orissa people the other day we realized that something sad had happened. Their relationship was no longer a happy one. Instead of unity we found discord. That caused us to pray and seek the Lord to be able to bring a resolve to the problem and bring restoration of harmony among the brothers. Today we have had several meetings with them and brought everything out into the light. By the grace of God we were able to establish some common ground for a start and to proceed from there. Zephry shared his insight and through his wisdom the brothers were able to solve their differences. The Spirit of God cam among us bringing healing of relationships through forgiveness and humbleness.
I am so happy that the enemy did not succeed in separating brothers but that the Spirit of God succeeded in bringing unity and harmony. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and planning for the future as relationships were restored. God is so good!
February 23, 2003
A sunday of healing
A sunday of healing
Today we have been with the covenant community and seen the grace of God! The Rotary Club was packed with people who had EXPERIENCED the transforming power of God. I was so excited when people eagerly told their stories of how God had been helping them in their everyday life.
At the end of the gathering we prayed for a lot of people and the power of God was present to heal. Headache left, stomach pain left, back pain left. legs that could not move started to move. One man that was laying down because he was so ill, was instantly healed. He could raise up and walk!
This has really been a Sunday of many healings!
Today we have been with the covenant community and seen the grace of God! The Rotary Club was packed with people who had EXPERIENCED the transforming power of God. I was so excited when people eagerly told their stories of how God had been helping them in their everyday life.
At the end of the gathering we prayed for a lot of people and the power of God was present to heal. Headache left, stomach pain left, back pain left. legs that could not move started to move. One man that was laying down because he was so ill, was instantly healed. He could raise up and walk!
This has really been a Sunday of many healings!
February 21, 2003
Arriving in India
Arriving in India
Yesterday morning we arrived in Jaipur. Our friend Zephry waited for us at the airport giving us a heartwarm welcome. It was so good to see him and his family as we went to be with them after some sleep in the morning.
Brenda and Zephry are great friends. They are precious people, totally committed to the Lord. They have such a lovely family. We are always refreshed being with them. Yesterday we once again had a very delicious and tasteful meal with them.
Today we have been with some of the leaders in the covenant community in Jaipur. Solveig and were both blessed as they were sharing some of the insights they had gain through some of our previous visits. I am so excited to be with some many kind and zealous people and to be able to interact with them. My life is being enriched by being with such people.
This evening Zephry took us to a beautiful tea parlour in Jaipur called Wagh Bakri. We really enjoyed the fresh tea they served and I bought one kilo of tea to take home. On a beautiful picture on the wall I discovered this inscription: "If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty!" I cuold fully agree with him - but to some degree only! Tea is a gift of God to mankind and when one has learnt to enjoy it as such it brings freshness and understanding of beauty. However knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life, enable us to appreciate and understand both truth an beauty even if we have no tea in our stomach. But off cause with tea in you everything in life tastes better!
Yesterday morning we arrived in Jaipur. Our friend Zephry waited for us at the airport giving us a heartwarm welcome. It was so good to see him and his family as we went to be with them after some sleep in the morning.
Brenda and Zephry are great friends. They are precious people, totally committed to the Lord. They have such a lovely family. We are always refreshed being with them. Yesterday we once again had a very delicious and tasteful meal with them.
Today we have been with some of the leaders in the covenant community in Jaipur. Solveig and were both blessed as they were sharing some of the insights they had gain through some of our previous visits. I am so excited to be with some many kind and zealous people and to be able to interact with them. My life is being enriched by being with such people.
This evening Zephry took us to a beautiful tea parlour in Jaipur called Wagh Bakri. We really enjoyed the fresh tea they served and I bought one kilo of tea to take home. On a beautiful picture on the wall I discovered this inscription: "If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty!" I cuold fully agree with him - but to some degree only! Tea is a gift of God to mankind and when one has learnt to enjoy it as such it brings freshness and understanding of beauty. However knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life, enable us to appreciate and understand both truth an beauty even if we have no tea in our stomach. But off cause with tea in you everything in life tastes better!
February 18, 2003
We are going to India again!
Tomorrow we are going back to India, our second homeland! We love the great nation of India! The many different people-groups are special. The Indian people are great people and we enjoy being with our friends.
Hopefully I will be able to blog while we are traveling to the different places and give some insights of the beautiful people I am sure we will meet!
Tomorrow we are going back to India, our second homeland! We love the great nation of India! The many different people-groups are special. The Indian people are great people and we enjoy being with our friends.
Hopefully I will be able to blog while we are traveling to the different places and give some insights of the beautiful people I am sure we will meet!
The judicial system in Israel
Laws are necessary in any kingdom; only the Kingdom of God has righteous laws justly administered. God made us to live in societies�family, local communities, community of God�s people, body politic, the communities of business and culture�and the Ten Commandments show God�s social ideal, as well as his purpose for individuals. The furthering of good order in society is the first use of the law.
According to Jesus Christ, the judicial system that God gave to the nation of Israel rested on the double love commandment:
Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [Deut. 6: 5] This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' [Lev. 19: 18] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
The Ten Commandments showed God�s ideal for the society: A God-fearing community, marked by common worship (1, 2, 3) and an accepted rhythm of work and rest (4), plus an unqualified respect for marriage and the family (5, 7), for property and owner�s rights (8, 10), for human life and each man�s claim on our protection (6), and for truth and honesty in all relationships (9).
We have already seen that righteousness and justice are the foundation of the rule of God; love and faithfulness go before him and are expressed in everything he does (Psalm 89:14). The claims of love, truth, righteousness and justice are absolute. They are not subject to adjustment for the sake of political expediency or personal preferences.
In the judicial system God gave the nation of Israel there was equality to the law. Everyone was subject to the same laws, all of which existed for the good of the entire community. The Law of God did not exist simply as a boundary fence to define unacceptable behaviour; it was to provoke right attitudes and provide clear paths for all to walk in. In fact we discover that the Law of God deals with the inner motivation of the heart as well as the external actions of the body.
The practical expression of love, truth, righteousness and justice in the nation of Israel was meant to be a powerful demonstration of the merciful rule of God to the surrounding nations. The heathen nations were governed largely by despotic rulers whose judicial system left much room for whim, bribery and self-interest. The priority of the Law: the God of love and righteousness first, others next and self last, was a bright light in the world of selfishness showing forth the excellencies of the government of God when it was practised by the covenant community of the people of God.
Laws are necessary in any kingdom; only the Kingdom of God has righteous laws justly administered. God made us to live in societies�family, local communities, community of God�s people, body politic, the communities of business and culture�and the Ten Commandments show God�s social ideal, as well as his purpose for individuals. The furthering of good order in society is the first use of the law.
According to Jesus Christ, the judicial system that God gave to the nation of Israel rested on the double love commandment:
Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [Deut. 6: 5] This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' [Lev. 19: 18] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
The Ten Commandments showed God�s ideal for the society: A God-fearing community, marked by common worship (1, 2, 3) and an accepted rhythm of work and rest (4), plus an unqualified respect for marriage and the family (5, 7), for property and owner�s rights (8, 10), for human life and each man�s claim on our protection (6), and for truth and honesty in all relationships (9).
We have already seen that righteousness and justice are the foundation of the rule of God; love and faithfulness go before him and are expressed in everything he does (Psalm 89:14). The claims of love, truth, righteousness and justice are absolute. They are not subject to adjustment for the sake of political expediency or personal preferences.
In the judicial system God gave the nation of Israel there was equality to the law. Everyone was subject to the same laws, all of which existed for the good of the entire community. The Law of God did not exist simply as a boundary fence to define unacceptable behaviour; it was to provoke right attitudes and provide clear paths for all to walk in. In fact we discover that the Law of God deals with the inner motivation of the heart as well as the external actions of the body.
The practical expression of love, truth, righteousness and justice in the nation of Israel was meant to be a powerful demonstration of the merciful rule of God to the surrounding nations. The heathen nations were governed largely by despotic rulers whose judicial system left much room for whim, bribery and self-interest. The priority of the Law: the God of love and righteousness first, others next and self last, was a bright light in the world of selfishness showing forth the excellencies of the government of God when it was practised by the covenant community of the people of God.
February 17, 2003
The presence of God
The commandments of God show us that God is interested in our entire life. No area of life is of no concern to God as he cares for our total wellbeing. Through his law God is promising his presence and help to his covenant community. He has made himself available us through prayer. In the Bible we find many promises linked to living according to the Law of God, but it may all be summed up in the blessed presence of God among his people.
The presence of God will be manifest in many blessed ways among the people who obey the covenantal laws of God. We will just quote a few places from the Bible to show how the presence of God is seen among his people:
If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land - your grain, new wine and oil - the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you. You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor any of your livestock without young. The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you. (Deuteronomy 7:12-15)
All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock - the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity - in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground - in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. (Deuteronomy 28:2-13)
The commandments of God show us that God is interested in our entire life. No area of life is of no concern to God as he cares for our total wellbeing. Through his law God is promising his presence and help to his covenant community. He has made himself available us through prayer. In the Bible we find many promises linked to living according to the Law of God, but it may all be summed up in the blessed presence of God among his people.
The presence of God will be manifest in many blessed ways among the people who obey the covenantal laws of God. We will just quote a few places from the Bible to show how the presence of God is seen among his people:
If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land - your grain, new wine and oil - the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you. You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor any of your livestock without young. The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you. (Deuteronomy 7:12-15)
All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock - the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity - in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground - in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you. The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. (Deuteronomy 28:2-13)
February 14, 2003
Wisdom
Wisdom is in the Bible always linked with wise living. To have wisdom is the same as having a skill; to be wise is to be skilful at living well. In the Biblical understanding skill and wisdom are two sides of the same coin. We could say that in the Bible wisdom is the same as the skill of living according to God�s intention. The benefit of wisdom is that it does everything right, it is skilful in mastering the diverse situations of life to bring blessing to everyone.
God is telling Moses that when the covenant community of the people of God lived according to the Word of God they would be viewed as a wise community and a people of understanding of righteous living. Through applying the Law of God in everyday living the nation of Israel was to demonstrate the wisdom of God. They had to put the ideals, concepts, philosophy, ethics and the politics of the Kingdom of God to work by carefully observing the commandments of God. Living according to the Word of God will always bring righteousness, peace and joy, that is harmony, to a society and causing other peoples to acknowledge the wisdom of that kind of living and help them to believe the theology behind it and put their trust in God.
Wisdom is in the Bible always linked with wise living. To have wisdom is the same as having a skill; to be wise is to be skilful at living well. In the Biblical understanding skill and wisdom are two sides of the same coin. We could say that in the Bible wisdom is the same as the skill of living according to God�s intention. The benefit of wisdom is that it does everything right, it is skilful in mastering the diverse situations of life to bring blessing to everyone.
God is telling Moses that when the covenant community of the people of God lived according to the Word of God they would be viewed as a wise community and a people of understanding of righteous living. Through applying the Law of God in everyday living the nation of Israel was to demonstrate the wisdom of God. They had to put the ideals, concepts, philosophy, ethics and the politics of the Kingdom of God to work by carefully observing the commandments of God. Living according to the Word of God will always bring righteousness, peace and joy, that is harmony, to a society and causing other peoples to acknowledge the wisdom of that kind of living and help them to believe the theology behind it and put their trust in God.
February 13, 2003
A kingdom of priests
Jacob brought all his twelve sons to Egypt because of a great famine. God had already arranged for his son Joseph to arrive beforehand and to be next to the king of Egypt in authority. The descendants of Jacob, the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:7). The new king, who did not know Joseph, was frightened by the growth of the Israelites. Therefore he made them slaves and oppressed them with forced labour. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread. This oppression continued for a long period and the Israelites cried out to God:
The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. (Exodus 2:23-25)
As the time drew near for God to fulfil his promise to Abraham, Moses was born. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defence and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, `Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?' "But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, `Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: `I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look (Acts 7:20-32), but the Lord spoke to him and commissioned him to go to the Israelites and bring them out of Egypt:
"Therefore, say to the Israelites: `I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.'" (Exodus 6:6-8)
To make a long story short, Moses managed to bring the entire people of Israel out of the slavery of Egypt and eventually to possess the promised land. At the Mount Sinai God made a covenant with the people of Israel. At Mount Sinai Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said:
"This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: `You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." (Exodus 19:3-6)
So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and eventually set before all the people all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD. Then God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant which expounded the ten initial commandments (Exodus 24:3-8).
By establishing this covenant with the people of Israel God is making them a kingdom of priest to prophetically foreshadow the coming Kingdom of God. Their call was to live according to the will of God, expressed through the Law of God, thus being a people ruled by God and displaying the righteousness and peace of God to all the surrounding nations. As a sample of the Kingdom of God the nation of Israel was to draw all nations to submit to the rule of God through be a blessing to all the families of the earth.
God identified three things that would characterise the nation of Israel as a sample of the Kingdom of God: Wisdom, the presence of God, the judicial system. Through these three characteristics of the covenant community of the Kingdom of God, the nation of Israel was to influence the world and bring the blessing of God to all the other nations:
See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? (Deuteronomy 4:5-8)
Jacob brought all his twelve sons to Egypt because of a great famine. God had already arranged for his son Joseph to arrive beforehand and to be next to the king of Egypt in authority. The descendants of Jacob, the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:7). The new king, who did not know Joseph, was frightened by the growth of the Israelites. Therefore he made them slaves and oppressed them with forced labour. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread. This oppression continued for a long period and the Israelites cried out to God:
The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. (Exodus 2:23-25)
As the time drew near for God to fulfil his promise to Abraham, Moses was born. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defence and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, `Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?' "But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, `Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: `I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look (Acts 7:20-32), but the Lord spoke to him and commissioned him to go to the Israelites and bring them out of Egypt:
"Therefore, say to the Israelites: `I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.'" (Exodus 6:6-8)
To make a long story short, Moses managed to bring the entire people of Israel out of the slavery of Egypt and eventually to possess the promised land. At the Mount Sinai God made a covenant with the people of Israel. At Mount Sinai Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said:
"This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: `You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." (Exodus 19:3-6)
So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and eventually set before all the people all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD. Then God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant which expounded the ten initial commandments (Exodus 24:3-8).
By establishing this covenant with the people of Israel God is making them a kingdom of priest to prophetically foreshadow the coming Kingdom of God. Their call was to live according to the will of God, expressed through the Law of God, thus being a people ruled by God and displaying the righteousness and peace of God to all the surrounding nations. As a sample of the Kingdom of God the nation of Israel was to draw all nations to submit to the rule of God through be a blessing to all the families of the earth.
God identified three things that would characterise the nation of Israel as a sample of the Kingdom of God: Wisdom, the presence of God, the judicial system. Through these three characteristics of the covenant community of the Kingdom of God, the nation of Israel was to influence the world and bring the blessing of God to all the other nations:
See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? (Deuteronomy 4:5-8)
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