Made by God

At least it's "next year..."!

2009-07-05T00:58:00.003+02:00

Some people have noticed that March (as well as April, May and June...) has passed without any new updates... and now we're in July and I still haven't written anything... Before now! But this whole post is just gonna tell you that I'm still not back to blogging modus. I simply don't have the inspiration at the moment. Sometimes I just get this blogging "block," and I don't know when I'll overcome it. I like blogging, but not just about whatever. I don't want people to waste their time on reading this blog if I don't have anything to say anyways. Then it's better to wait until I have something to say again, and hope you then might rediscover my blog.

(Until then, you're of course welcome to read the other stuff I've written here.. There should be about 115 posts here, and under "Labels" (to the left) you see some of the topics I've been writing about.)

Some people might find it interesting, though, that I'm writing on a blog for my church's youth group, but that's maybe not of "global" interest, as it's in Norwegian...

See you next year!

2008-12-31T20:09:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone! At the moment I'm living in Argentina for almost six months. I'm having a great time and God is doing a lot of things in my life and is showing me a lot of things. But regarding the blog, I simply don't have any time to update... But don't worry! I'll be back in March. ;) Until then; Happy New Year! Seek God, and He'll let Himself be found.

Test

2008-09-01T07:15:00.001+02:00

I'm just testing out blogging via my mobile phone:)

Drama dinner

2008-08-05T20:34:00.004+02:00

BUMP!

I sat and ate pancakes, and suddenly the silence broke by this BUMP!
Ouch, I thought. That was probably a bird hitting the window.

Unfortunately, I was right.

I didn't see the bird at once, but from the last window I tried, it was. In spite of the crash, which was too noisy to not have made a bad headache for the bird, it still stood on its feet and looked at me as I sat behind its transparent obstacle. Too dizzy to fly, I guess, it slowly lowered its head and placed it on the ground, still upheld by the beak. You could see every heartbeat as the little body was moved back and forth by the blood pressure. My heart sank; maybe this wouldn't be as good as I'd first been hoping. Next time I looked, it couldn't use the beak for support anymore, but had placed it upside-down, eyes closed. I think that was when I started to pray. Not big prayers, but I really felt pity for the little bird, and as my bible says that not even a sparrow is falling to the ground without God knowing and caring about it, I knew I was addressing the right person. Honestly, I didn't think the bird would be fine again - it looked like it would fall over at any minute - so I asked God if he could either let the bird die quickly so it was released from the pain, or let it get better quickly so it could fly away.

Not long after, the bird raised its head and took a few steps, so I went to get it some bread and water. Maybe the story would end happily after all? It didn't fly when I served the dinner, but I was starting to get a good feeling. After I'd eaten the rest of my dinner, I went to see how it was.

It had flown.
:)

For those interested in birds, I think it was a Locustella Naevia (Nor.: gresshoppesanger), like on the picture.

Easygrass

2008-07-22T23:21:00.002+02:00

Advertising campaign.
Eccentric!

Location: UK

Out in the world

2008-06-18T22:07:00.003+02:00

I've just finished a twelve year long epoch of my life. That just doesn't happen every day, but it's just happened. The day I've both dreaded and longed for has already passed. I've graduated! I've finished three years of upper secondary school, twelve years of roll calls, exams and loads of homework. But where am I heading now?

Some of my classmates have already moved to where they're going to study. I'm not leaving yet, but when I'm leaving, I go far... I'm heading for the other side of the line, to where it's colder the more south you go, where it's summer when we're freezing and beef is chewed all the time. Don't cry for me, Argentina! There's nothing to cry about; it'll be the year of my life!

In the meantime I enjoy the replacement of reading glasses with sun glasses.

The Answer

2008-06-09T01:56:00.014+02:00

"Svaret er Jesus!" (Nor.) = "Jesus is the answer!"

A cliché?

Maybe,

but I've experienced it to be true.
Again and again.
So many times I actually build my life upon it.

I build my life upon Jesus and what he did on the cross, when he became the Answer on our questions, the Solution of our problems and the King of my heart.
Through his life he put up an example, through his death he paid for our sins, through his rising from the death he showed the power working in him and made the same power available for everybody who confesses him as Lord.
In this there are so many deep things. Still, the most important of them is that Jesus removed sin, the division between God and us. He paid the bill and made everything ready for us to have an everyday relationship to God, to boldly call God our father and ourselves his children. He didn't just want to give us instructions of how to steer a ship, he jumped inside himself with his expertise and offered to take over the helm. He didn't just give us a Bible, he moved inside and lay the directions in our hearts. He gave us identity, value and peace. He gave us life.

That's my Jesus.
That's my Answer.

Freedom!

2008-05-28T20:47:00.003+02:00

Freedom!
I finished my last written exam today!
All my books are in the shelf
waiting
for the oral exam.
Freedom!

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
John 8,36

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T16:22:00.007+01:00

Happy Easter!
Once again a post mainly addressed to Christians, but again everybody is welcome to read... :)

Today is the day we celebrate that Jesus is the strongest. He is stronger than death, stronger than the Devil. Today we celebrate that Jesus rose from the grave.

There are many nice things with being a Christian. The Bible gives us plenty of ideas on how to live our lives in the best way, it says we're God-made creatures, and we have many kind friends. But if Jesus did not rise from the grave, we're the most pitiful of creatures, Paul says.

Sometimes I feel like Christians behave like Jesus is still in the grave. They look down when they speak to people, feel ashamed when their friends ask them if they believe in Jesus, almost start to apologize themselves for having such a faith.

As Christians we believe - with good reason - that Jesus rose from the grave. That he is the strongest. That he lives. That he is mighty to save, heal and forgive sins. This is nothing to be ashamed of!

If you really believe Jesus rose from the grave, it does something to you. You understand that Christianity is about life and power, not about rules for life. Jesus is life! You understand that in Jesus there was a power stronger than death; God's power; his Holy Spirit. You read in the Bible and see that this is the same power that is available for us - today! You understand that God wants to fill you with his power - the same power that rose Jesus from the grave. You suddenly understand that a Christian life was never meant to be of no consequence. You understand that Jesus wants to work through you.

So...

Take God seriously! Let your life witness about in who you believe! Read the Bible and let God speak to you! Pray him to give you of his Spirit and let him continue to save, heal and forgive sins - through you.

Your life or your hobby?

2008-01-20T16:14:00.001+01:00

I started this year on a Christian New Year's festival. We were about 150 youth there, 180 at the most, we had fun, made new friends, listened to concerts, praised, prayed, and got some teaching from people who knows God. One of these "teachers" is a man who often see people get healed when he prays for them. He said that he has never before seen as many people get healed as in 2007. People are healed from back problems, cancer and even celiac disease! In several cases, people go to the doctor afterwards, and he can't find any cancer left! This happens in both Norway and other parts of the world, as in China, Phillippians and India.

I feel very challenged when I hear about what God does. This is not because of what he does, but because of who he operates through. He operates through ordinary people, like you and me. Many times I have asked myself why God don't send some angels to the world to get people saved, to make people believe in Him. As I read the Bible, I see God had a better plan than that. He sent a more important person: his son. We know what Jesus did while he was here: Healed, cared, and preached the kingdom of God. But as we become Christians, we become a part of Jesus. Paul says we become "the body of Christ". So who's gonna heal, care and preach the kingdom of God now? It's still Jesus, but it's you, as a part of him.

I don't want anyone to pop up at street corners with flyers and a fake smile, preaching the gospel with such fastness nobody gets a word. I don't want anybody to feel guilty because of all the non-prayed prayers. I don't want anybody to be trapped in all the have-to-do's.

But...

I feel it is very important that you who believes in God takes him serious. He is desperately looking for people who are willing to serve him. We live in a world where money flows and people don't think a lot about God. He still loves them! God wants to heal people. He wants to touch their hearts, be their father. There is no question: he is willing. But are we? Take his word, The Bible, seriously! Pray him to show you what his heart is beating for! Let this be a year to God's glory! Don't miss what he'll do. Let him be your life, not just your hobby.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-27T20:57:00.000+01:00

Hello... I'm sorry I haven't written for a couple of months... I just haven't prioritated it... Been busy with lots of things. Yup. Think you know the feeling yourself. But this day is a day for doing things you have planned to do for a long time, but just haven't done! I wrote a letter today which I've been thinking of writing since the beginning of August. And now I update my blog! Wow! Incredible what a Christmas vacation can do!

Merry Christmas! :)
And remember; the founder of Christmas doesn't lie in a manger anymore ;)

Level up

2007-10-20T19:01:00.002+02:00

Before I started school this year, I got to know what teachers I would have this year. I got very disappointed when I read the list. I didn't get the same teacher in Maths and Chemistry, and I didn't get the teacher I'd been hoping for in rather Religion or History. I got in a bad mood those days and was very frustrated. I even thought I would rather move to Oslo and continue school there than having these teachers.

As school started and went on, I experienced that my frustration was quite unfounded. I actually got quite satisfied with my teachers. I found my behaviour, though I didn't complain very much, quite spoilt. Because these few things didn't get my way, I didn't look forward to the semester. I lost my inspiration and motivation, but didn't even know who my teacher in Maths was or how the teacher in History would teach. Stupid of me, but a very everyday way to react and look at things in Norway, and I guess in other western countries too.

It's like our starting point is a perfect life, and that every little thing that goes "wrong" is cruelly spoiling our life, trying to pull it a level down. And we say "I don't think God likes me," and focus on every problem or challenge instead of counting the blessings. But then, if you rather look at our starting point as a down level life, and that every little thing that actually goes your way is trying to push you life a level up, you soon get in a better mood. You're looking for good things. You look at your day and see it's a good day because you got a text message from a friend who thought of you. The sun shone and somebody found your wrist watch which you had lost. The bus driver smiled to you even though you had to stop it on the road.

In the western world it is a challenge to see the blessings. We are surrounded by them, they're a part of our circumstances. Only when they're gone, we see how lucky and blessed we really are.

I got the teacher I wanted in Physics, in P.E. and in Norwegian. My teacher in Maths is inspiring, and so young! A 26 years old woman teaching Maths - that's so cool! My teacher in History is understanding and does not put anybody's name down if we're late for first class. The Chemistry teacher is calm and is not causing stress. I have a fantastic family, many friends, have been in Oslo three times within a period of six weeks, belong to a loving God who cares about the details in my friends' lives (and in my life). I have food and water and electricity, and lives in a land with democracy. I'm blessed. My life is constantly jumping a level up, but I have to remind myself about it.

Autumn colours

2007-10-12T20:35:00.001+02:00

Just for comparison

2007-10-06T23:14:00.002+02:00

First picture showing Oslo Spektrum during a free concert the 18th of August featuring plenty of popular Norwegian pop idols, such as Kurt Nilsen, Alejandro Fuentes, Mira Craig, Tone Damli Aaberge, Espen Lind and Marion Ravn. Audience: about 4000 I guess.

Second and third picture showing Oslo Spektrum during a concert featuring Australian Hillsong United during Penecostal for all in Oslo two weeks ago. Audience: about 7000 I guess. The capacity of Oslo Spektrum is 8600 seated people (9700 if people stand). A ticket costed 200-250 NOK.

I think it's pretty cool that a Christian praise and worship band, though they're well known among Christians, gathers so many more people than all these Norwegian pop idols in one lot! I had a great time at both concerts, brought with me three cousins to the first one, but I really have to say the Hillsong United concert was the best. Best when it comes to both quality and contents. You should've been there too... ;)

When taste matters...

2007-09-02T00:53:00.002+02:00

Local election

2007-08-24T20:09:00.001+02:00

This year's local election is approaching. In my town the election takes place the 9th and 10th of September, which is in about 3 weeks. Since you just can cast a single vote, you maybe think your vote is quite insignificant and of no value. Maybe it is! But maybe not; maybe not in all likelihood!

But more important than your vote, more important than the parties, more important than who'll be the next chairman of the county council, is for what do you vote? To support democracy?

What party you cast your vote to most often reflects what's important to you. What kind of attitude you have. Your attitude and what kind of matters you care about is important all the time, not only every second year when you're one of the Electorate.

As Norwegian citizens we have the privilege to cast a vote. To affect the result of the election. But as Christians we might, and should, take a greater part in the election. Influence in another and greater way. This counts more than a vote! More than hundreds and thousands of votes. Maybe more than a million. We might pray. And Jesus promised us that we could ask Dad about anything - ANYTHING! - and get it, if it was according to his will. A greater privilege! Paul also asked us to pray for all people, and in particular people in high positions. Why? Because God wants the best for the Norwegian people, both young and old. He's in the position to influence even those you didn't want as the chairman of the county council. He's in the position to influence their stand in matters you care about. Or more important; matters he cares about!

So here's the challenge: Pray! Even for the politicians you don't like. Even for the parties you totally disagree with.

And please cast your vote. Reflect on what's important. Not only for you, but for God. Ask him what party you should support.

Your vote is important! Lower taxes or human value?

Unlucky?

2007-08-20T18:39:00.000+02:00

Sometimes I wonder if I'm unlucky. Not generally unlucky, but unlucky with a few things that some small parts of life is about. Technical stuff. Not to sing praises about myself, but I've always managed digital and technical stuff very well. The use of it. The computer I've known and mastered since I was about 9 years old. Mum always asks me if she has some problems when writing in Word. At school my friends always used to ask me for help when we worked with Excel in Economics. New software is no problem. Mp3-players, digital cameraes, cell phones, editing videos, making homepages... No problem!

But...
... My first laptop crashed (not new).
... My second laptop crashed (completely new, and after 6 months...).

... and now my three weeks old 2 GB memory card for my digital camera, containing more than 300 photos, crashed. AND some of the photos was meant to be put in tomorrow's newspaper. Yeah, right! Rescuing the photos might cost me at least 600 NOK. Nice!

Christian song lyrics!

2007-08-10T16:09:00.000+02:00

I've finally found it: a good site, without too much advertisements, where you can find Christian song lyrics. They're all there: Third Day, Rebecca St. James, Hillsongs... And more!

But there are most big and very famous artists / bands there, not e.g. the Norwegian worship artist Rudi Myntevik... But you'll find most of his lyrics at his site.

Here's the link anyway: Christian lyrics

I'm grateful! :)

You are loved!

2007-08-10T15:41:00.000+02:00

I just want to share a chorus from Rebecca St. James' "You are loved" with you:

This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to speak to your heart
You are loved
More than you could ever know
This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to tell you something
You are loved
More than you can imagine
Imagine

Reprehensible point of view

2007-08-01T19:13:00.001+02:00

Today at work I read an article in the newspaper VG that almost made me feel sick. The article was a reaction on what I consider a very fascistic point of view that is discovered in our "wealthy" and "tolerate" society. A female politician from the party FrP (Fremskrittspartiet) wrote recently a reader's letter to a newspaper in Stavanger saying it is "reprehensible to give birth to a handicapped child". VG did a public opinion poll measurements at the subject, and 30 % - THIRTY PER CENT - agreed with this right-winged politician.

It was after this another female politician from the party AP (like Labour) decided to tell her story of having and losing a little girl with a disease on the brain. The little girl died a few days before Christmas last year, only 15 months old, while her mother was carrying her little brother in the womb. "She was so beutiful," the mother said in the article. There was a photo there too, showing a, yes, indeed beautiful!, little girl. The little girl brought her parents closer, and they got engaged a couple of months before their daughter died and will soon marry. They loved her.

After having Hedda, as was her name, they moved to an appartment without door sills so that Hedda could easily navigate her sitting chair when she got older.

I too know some handicapped children. A girl I know is 11 years old at the moment, and has a muscle disease. She can only move her head and hands a little. She's very smart and has a beutiful handwriting. And she's a lot more thankful to life than other 11 year-olds. She once told me that a friend of her often was in a bad mood. "I can't get why she's like that all the time; it's fantastic to live!" How can anybody say that somebody who actually appreciates life doesn't have the right to life?

And what about those cute children with Down's Syndrom? Trustful, happy and easy to please. Teaches the people around them how to care, be a real friend and show consideration. "She's leading with a chromosome," a boy in my area wrote in an essay about his little sister.

What is this kind of society we have? We're the richest people in the world, but our society is so cold and cynical I almost vomit! Our lives are obviously measured in productivity and BNP, not human value. "It hurts to be considered as an item of expenditure," the politician-mother said. I hope her setback will make the thirty-per-cents' conscience hurt so badly they never give a vote like that again.

Unnoticed similarity

2007-07-31T22:53:00.001+02:00

Friday I bought a t-shirt in a new store in the place I live. I didn't exactly examine it before buying it (the price was only 35 NOK), therefore I was quite surprised when my older sister asked if the picture on the t-shirt was me! I looked at myself with the t-shirt on in the mirror, and could confirm it really looked like me..!

When I came home, my dad ("Portrait-like!") and younger brother asked me the same question. Mum and another sister were thinking the same. Every time I wear it, new questions come or a comment about the similarity. Not one disagrees.

... and I didn't even notice when buying it! :-D

How's life?

2007-07-30T22:25:00.000+02:00

Life's good! I'm of age!

For my 18th birthday I got this dainty digitale camera from my parents, littlebrother and -sister, grandma, uncle & aunt & cousins. I got it today and it seems to meet the expectations.

I'll get of-age-pay for this month's three weeks of work...

I've got my first real Visa card (means not Visa Smartcard, not Electron)...

I'm having a driving lesson tomorrow...

A good friend of mine got married this Saturday. She was beautiful! And he was looking really good too! But when I was putting a piece of cake on my plate, I managed to tip it over, giving me seven more years before I "can" get married, which suits me perfectly as it's giving me plenty of time to think and evaluate possible suitors that should show up in my way... ;P

I've come to page 362 in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. (Much to do, less time to read...)

... and I smile! :)

I've got Harry Potter!

2007-07-20T21:53:00.001+02:00

While thousands of Harry Potter books are locked in in bookstore basements in Oslo, and millions of people are waiting desperately to get one, I got my Harry Potter book today... one day before everybody else..! I'll say it again: People; I've got Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! I've got the last book which people are going crazy tonight to get! I haven't started reading much yet, only a page... I can tell there is a conversation going on between Severus Snape and someone else... If I want to, I can find out who's dying... If it's Harry Potter or Lord Voldemort. Or both. Or maybe they just become friends! ;-D

"Sorry I killed your parents, Harry!"
"Oh, nothing to worry about, Voldy, I didn't really know them anyway!"

But the funny thing is; when Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince came out two years ago, I got the book one day before everybody else that time too!! "Not to be delivered before the 21st of July" it said this time, and the-date-I-don't-remember-any-longer the last time...

I nearly didn't believe it when I found it in my mailbox today... But it's a fact; I've got Harry Potter!

... and tonight I'm going to read a chapter... or three...! ;)

Creativity

2007-07-15T23:10:00.001+02:00

A friend of mine is getting married in thirteen days, and I'm at the moment busy with making place cards. There are going to be 47 people for dinner, and after this evening's effort I have to make 15 more cards. I had decided to try and make most of the cards different from one and another, but after making 32 place cards that is a very difficult request to fulfil..!

I came to think of God who's made so many different birds... So many different fish... So many different tree species... So many different spiders... And in the end; so very, very, VERY many different human beings!!!

I can't understand he managed to do it unless I at the same time remind myself he's GOD!

Vacation mode...

2007-07-13T00:07:00.001+02:00

... and I'm now looked upon as a grown-up.

I've turned 18!
(some days ago)

I've got my first car...!

2007-06-22T20:14:00.001+02:00

It's not much to talk about, but as a humourous gift a friend gave me a blue Ford Majorette for my 18th birthday! (My birtday is not before next month though..) It looks almost the same as this Ford Majorette I found at Google, but my model is not as modern as this. But it has a roof hatch, red interior, and is quite cute! :) It's 6 cm long and I think the weight is about 20 grams... I don't think I'm able to drive it properly - yet. Before the school semester starts again, I hope to have the driver's license. Until then, I have my Ford Majorette...

I like big bibles...

2007-06-10T21:35:00.000+02:00

This one is nice! Listen to the text, it is actually quite good! :)

Born to be wild!

2007-05-30T15:42:00.002+02:00

Born to be wild!
It hit me as a flash of lightening! ...or whatever! (I really don't like set phrases!!!)

I tasted the phrase, "born to be wild", and saw it was good!
Yeah, I know! I didn't create that phrase. It's actually very common.
But anyway - it made me think of God - again! And who I am in God.

Cool, I thought!
Here everybody's thinking that this wild-thing is kind of rude and stuff, strongly related to elements you find in Moulin Rouge. And then God pops up and makes a completely new intention with it!

As a Christian, I've made Jesus as my boss, and as an answer to that, he's given me something - something very valuable - actually a part of himself! His given me his Holy Spirit.

Okay... how does it work? Most of all, I know Jesus very well, simply because he, by the Holy Spirit, lives in me. This is no mystery. If you look in the Bible, this is exactly what it tells us. Maybe you're shaking your head, maybe laughing a bit, thinking; "She's crazy! That Jesus-stuff is deadly boring!" Well, I don't think so! You see, if God has created the basis for everything you hear and feel and see, it's pretty cool to know him! :D

Well, back to the point.
Filled with his nature, his Holy Spirit, there's no longer space to things that are reducing you. When there's no limitations, you'll go a bit wild... agree that! There's no damnation. Sin doesn't have the power over you anymore. If God's for me, who can then be against me? Jesus says "Follow me!" and you follow, though it might seem crazy.

"Hey you, is it really wild to follow somebody? Your point is fading, girl!"
Teamwork, dear friend. Teamwork. Nobody seems as wild as those playing american football, in my opinion. But they're having a coach. They're having a captain. They're teamworking. Same with me. God's my coach, shouting encouraging words from the touchline. Jesus is my captain, the head of the team. And I'm playing on team with the Holy Spirit, sending me passes which I can pass forward or kick into the goal. We're winning! :D (NOT Christians over non-Christians, but good powers over evil and dark powers. Look up the Ephesians 6.)

When you're not wild, you're tame, agree? Doing the same things, walking the same paths... I think Jesus wants us, Christians and non-Christians, to get out of those paths, the patterns we follow that makes other people able to forecast how we'll react in every time. Not in a bad way, but a good way. Not trying to make rebellion, saying "I'm not reacting the way you want me to!" Don't misunderstand! But don't let pattern as I'm-not-good-enough-to-do-this, or Why-should-I-smile,-she-never-smiles-to-me, or I-can-NOT-pray-for-her-'cause-she'll-think-I'm-crazy-and-tell-all-my-friends, or This-is-just-going-to-be-worse catch you!

Look at any wild anymal. It's born wild. It's happy wild. A bird is not supposed to live in a cage.

You're born to be free, happy, lucky, saved, safe and loved.
You're born to be God's child.
You're born to be wild.

:)

Millions of gods?!

2007-05-06T18:51:00.001+02:00

In India there are a lot of hindues. Millions. The hindues have more than two million gods. A few of them we've maybe been taught about in Religion at school, like Shiva, Krishna and Ganesh.

The different gods have different tasks, or you might say different areas of "responsibility". If you need good luck, you pray and offer to a god of luck, if you need a friend, another god might make you one. If you're at the age of marriage, why not pray to a god of love? But there are no god that cares for all your needs.

The last day in India before we went to Bhutan, we went to a hindu temple in Delhi. I got something to cover my naked shoulders (I wore a dress), we all took of our shoes, and left the cameraes in the security boxes. Then we were ready to enter the temple.

There were altars and gods everywhere, and the guide pointed at one of them and said: "If you need money, you pray to that god." He went to the altar, prayed, and got a red mark at his forehead. "It means good luck," he said.

There is a god called "Shiva" in the Hinduism. "Shiva" means "the destroyer". Destruction is then a part of the divinity according to the Hinduism.

What a big difference from my great God!

An interesting scripture in the Bible tells us "We're all gods," because we're made in God's image. In that way there are not only millions, but billions of gods who have lived or are living in the world. But none of these "gods" can compare to my God - He who's called "The Almighty" and who has created us.

I belong to ONE God who is great enough to meet ALL my needs. I don't need to pray and offer to twenty different gods to get through the day. He only wants one offer from me, and that's my heart; my "yes" to Him as my boss and saviour. He cares for all parts of my life. There is one more thing: he has given us gifts so that WE can meet each other's needs too! What a mastermind! :D

AND there is no god such as Shiva in Christianity. "The destroyer" is the devil himself, the Bible tells us.

Wow! What blessing to belong to a lifegiving, caring and great God! :D

Oh yeah!

2007-04-25T19:39:00.000+02:00

New photos from Jaipur and Taj Mahal (India) at Hilsen fra India og Bhutan...
:D

But the internet is very stupid sometimes...!
For that reason I'll wait some time before posting more photos... :P

:)

Update!

2007-04-19T08:53:00.000+02:00

After a fantastic journey in India and Bhutan, I'm now home again and busy with school... If you understand Norwegian, you might want to read about my journey at Hilsen fra India og Bhutan.... If there is any interest for this journey among my English-readers, just leave a comment, and I maybe write a few words in English too ;)

There is a newly started debate about abortion going on through comments at my blog "Saves lives?!", this also in Norwegian. Maybe you want to join?

Since 20th of February last year, I've had 3 099 visitors on my blog. Thank you! Hope you find my blog and its contents interesting, though I'm very bad when it comes to updating sometimes...

Bhutan/India travel blog made

2007-03-12T21:29:00.000+01:00

I've made a new blog! (again...)
It's a travel blog which I'll post to when I'm in India and Bhutan. (when I'm able to...)
It'll be written in Norwegian.

I leave in 16 days!!! :D

Visit Hilsen fra India og Bhutan...

Make your own zoo

2007-03-05T23:30:00.000+01:00

God has made many funny animals, and the human race has always been very fascinated by these... Sometimes this fascination expresses itself, and we try to imitate animals, resulting in for instance this.

Look and laugh :)

No poem, but...

2007-02-21T18:26:00.000+01:00

If life feels a bit complicated
it's nice to know that God has made the most important things easy.
If you don't know how to sort things out,
it's nice to know that God still haves control.
If you don't know what to do,
it's nice to know you can ask God about it.
If things don't go as planned,
you can still rely on God's plans.

Homepage about Bhutan

2007-02-01T17:55:00.000+01:00

I've just made a homepage at school about Bhutan, a small country in the Himalaya mountains... My grandparents used to live there some years ago, and this Easter I'm going there together with my grandma, daddy and little brother!

Lucky me!! :-D

Click here to visit Bhutan - Tordendrakens rike (Norwegian)

Saves lives?!?

2007-01-15T19:54:00.001+01:00

I just came across this title on Dagbladet.no: "Abortpille kan redde liv" ("Abortion drug can save lives")

The article turns on the Abortion Cytotec Drug, but the medicament is (still) not accepted by the producer for this purpose. There's often less compliactions after a medical abortion than after a surgical one. Their point is that out of 20 million women who live under unsatisfying conditions and choose abortion, 60 000 of them die (= 0,3 %). This number might decrease by using Cytotec.

Out of 20 million children that are taken away by abortion, 20 million of them die. (100 %) The number doesn't decrease by using Cytotec. (It doesn't decrease by surgical abortion either.)
And this is an abortion drug that saves lives?!?

Mother Theresa once said there will never be peace in the world before we stop killing children in mum's womb.

There's a life in mum's womb from the very first moment!
After few weeks, the heart starts beating. There's a life there; a person with value! God says in His word that He knows us before we're created in mum's womb...

Our world is unbelievably cynical.

(Want to see the face of abortion? Searchword: "abortion" at google. Warning: Strong pictures!)

Happy New Year!

2007-01-07T19:49:00.001+01:00

School has started again, and most things seems to go back to normal after the holidays, though we're in a new year...

Normal... Hm... That's a boring word.

I hope this year might be unique, special, so I might, when 2008 comes, look back at this year, nodd and say I'm satisfied. I hope I'll say this have been a year where God has formed me the way He wanted. That I did the things He wanted me to do at the time He wanted me to do it. I hope I'll know Him more at the end of this year than at this very moment I'm writing this. I guess and believe I will.. It's not hard to get to know people better, you know... You just have to spend some time with them. Invest some time. Prioritate some time. Same thing with God. He has made it that easy. Time.

Time...

A word we can't get enough of. Though we really haven't discovered what it is. We only know what it does. We know we spend it whatever we're doing.

I want to spend my time without worrying about that I'm spending it...
If you know what I mean...

Anyway!
Wish you all a happy new year! I hope the year will be special, not just like all the others. I hope you'll continue walking. Be in progress. Be blessed. And so on...

:)

In case somebody has forgotten...

2006-12-20T17:38:00.000+01:00

... we celebrate Christmas because of Jesus.

No other man's birthday is still celebrated 2006 years after.

Two nice pictures...

2006-11-17T19:19:00.000+01:00

Look at this picture.
I found it at the web, and it's called "Colourful Sunset".
It's quite beatiful...

Then:
Look at the picture below:
This photo is taken by my littlesister :)
Isn't she clever?
It's qutie similar to the one above...
And it's taken 3,5 km from my house :)

God has made a very beautiful world.
Thankyou!

"GOD DOESN'T EXIST!!!"

2006-10-17T21:07:00.001+02:00

... an anonymous person said in a commentary at my last post.

WOW!
I was challenged! Inspired! Excited!

Why?
Pourquoi?
¿Por qué?

First the feeling of being challenged. The easiest way of meeting a challenge like this is a bit childish, but it expresses your opinion in one sentence: I believe God does exist.

The challenging part is "How can I say that God does exist?".
Well, mr X over here didn't argument about why God doesn't exist, so why should I? Am I able to convice anybody anyway? If I say the universe is too incredible to not have been designed and constructed by somebody with an higher IQ than us, would anyone get convinced? If I told you that 174 000 people today decide to follow Jesus, existing-God's own Son, would it change your decition? If I said I've been healed for migrene when I was younger, and that lamb, deaf and blind people get healed in Jesus' name every day, would you accept the doctor's papers, or would you try to explain it in other ways? If I told you I know God, would you believe me or think I'm insane? I don't want to write another long school article about the topic (have just finished one about arranged and forced marriage), so I'll leave the questions to you, the reader...

I was inspired! To keep telling things about God when I have the opportunity. I really should take the opportunity more often.

I was exited!
I realize people don't know God the same way as I do, so I was inspired because I see how lucky I am. WOW! Think about it! I, an ordinary - or quite ordinary - girl without any special status in this world, KNOW God, the One who has the highest status in the universe!!! You might claim He dosen't exist; you don't get above Him anyway. I think all people can get to know God, they just have to give Him the chance. He does no break-ins, you see! But do you dare to give Him a chance? It might rock up your life a bit...

When you have such a certainty about God's exist that I have, you don't think thoughts like that. It's logical: If you know the air is there, you don't make an effort thinking that "the air doesn't exist!", especially when you know that you need the oxygen which is in the air to keep breathing and living. For me it's exactly the same with God. Without Him; no me. I wouldn't have existed if He didn't.

Party, party...!

2006-10-02T21:04:00.001+02:00

Friday night we had a little gathering, a little party in a way, at my house.
The keywords were Christians at my school, lasagne, salad and white bread, talking, smiling and laughing.

Some weeks ago, the New Generation group at our school decided to arrange a party for the Christians at our school. Not to exclude others, but to make a stronger unity among the ones who believes in Jesus at the school.
To realize this, we put up a list consisting of names on "supposed Christians". Then we planned, made posters and invitations, and waited...

Seven out of the 15 names we'd put up on list, were able to come. Some just couldn't come because of other things, like journeys. This was anyway an excellent number of people to make a relaxed setting. Though I was the hostess, I felt like I could relax (which was very nice after a quite busy school day..).

I think everybody agreed that this sort of gathering should be repeated.

... just the beginning...

2006-09-24T20:26:00.000+02:00

Longing back to Saint-Malo...
Intra-Muros...

Sweet!

A Norwegian lesson out of the ordinary

2006-09-18T20:31:00.001+02:00

Our Norwegian teacher fainted today...!

She said she didn't feel well and asked the class to behave extraordinary calm and quiet... She started the roll call, and was half way to the end when she stopped and leant her back against the chair while closing her eyes. The class became more and more quiet... Then she opened her eyes again, and continued the roll call, but with greater problems. She quitted again, and rested her head and arms against the desk in front of her. It was weird. I suggested to my friend that we maybe should go after somebody. But then our teacher suddenly fell sidewards onto the floor.

We were quick, though. A couple of girls ran to her at once, while some other of us ran after grown-ups. The situation was quite weird, a bit creepy, and seemed in a way fake. We were told to leave the classroom, and were updated from time to time.

She regained consciousness after a little while, and sat up by herself. The ambulance came, and she went to the doctor.

Our poor teacher! She wanted to continue the lecturing after she "woke up"! She's that kind of person who hates staying at home by reason of sickness, but now she needs to be home until Thursday...

This incident made me think about two things:

* That I, when she fainted, actually didn't know exactly what to do, the right way to react, (that's maybe why I ran after some grown-ups instead) - what if I come into a more serious situation later, which require me to act even more quicker? What if it is about life and death? Hello! I even wondered if it was the right thing to give an unconscious person water!! My knowledge is really imperfect at this field...

* That some people don't know they're own limitations and that this could harm them very badly some day (even though everything went very well this time, after all...)

Good things happens

2006-09-01T20:26:00.001+02:00

During the last week, a lot of good things have happened.

E.g. last Friday, when I had a long talk about Jesus, God, the gospel, sin, the Old Testament, the New Testament (and the difference), ++, with a good friend.

Or Tuesday, when the school year's first praying meeting gathered six people - twice the number of people normally gathered last year.

Or yesterday, when a girl I often talk to at the bus, came together with me to 3pStation, our church's youth group.

Or today, when New Generation at my school arranged a stand in the canteen, which made our school mates in a good mood, and moreover gave a friend of me the ability to preach the gospel to some of her class mates.

:)

(Photo: Illustration)

Back to school...

2006-08-22T18:45:00.001+02:00

Yesterday: First day at school. A lot of talking from our always-talking-Norwegian-teacher-who-this-year-will-teach-not-
only-Norwegian-but-also-citizenship-and-because-of-that-she's-
going-to-talk-in-not-lesser-than-eight-of-my-school-lessons--
teacher...
BUT also a lot of nice talking to my school mates who I haven't seen since June! :D That was nice :)

Today: The school year's first lessons...
Spanish, Chemistry and Maths.
I had to concentrate more than usual during the Spanish lesson today, since I studied French this summer... (It's "Me llamo Silje," not "Je m'appelle Silje", and "ahora," not "maintenant"... hehe ;P)

We've got homework. Already. In all today's subjects. But not much. Luckily.

I have a new teacher in Maths this year! I'm very satisfied, because last year's teacher made me feel like Maths was boring (and I know it really isn't...). It seems like Maths is going to be more interesting this year...

We have got four new students in our class. One of the new girls is taking Maths, Physics and Chemistry, so probably we'll do some co-operating :)

At Friday we're going to make body lotion in Chemistry.
Cool!

Vacation

2006-08-20T12:56:00.000+02:00

I've been away from cyber world for a looong time, but now I've received my new Tundra 1500K, so hopefully things will improve... :)

It's Sunday.
It's a nice day.
The sun is shining.

School starts tomorrow... :P

I've made my decition!

2006-08-12T17:09:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I ordered a Tundra 1500K!
It was even recommended for exactly what I am going to use it for!!!
I found it just after I had been looking at the Fujitsu Siemens for a while.. It was really a coincidence! Or maybe it was a God-incidence...??
The design is much cooler, don't you think?
And it was 1500 kr cheaper than the other one.
I actually want this one! :)

I'm back... And I'm looking for a new laptop...

2006-08-10T21:34:00.001+02:00

Hi folks!!

I've been away for a long, long time...
But enough about that - I don't have time at the moment to tell you about anything that has happened during the last 6 weeks...

But: I'm looking for a new laptop...
And today I found this one (I discovered that my last favourite (Acer Aspire) didn't have firewire, etc...).
It's a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Pro V2085 - and it's not that expensive either. As I can see, it has "everything" that I need. The only thing I don't like, is the design - which I think is quite boring...

If anyone has any experiences with this laptop (or other Fujitsu Siemens laptops), please tell me!

I need it to:

edit films (with Studio 9...) (that's why I need 80 GB and 1024 MB RAM...)
write!
surf the internet (as quick as possible... ;P)
listen to music (not that important..)
look at pictures/photos, etc...
study French...
... and a lot more that I don't remember at the moment...

Thanks! :)

I'll be back in a month...!

2006-06-28T23:45:00.000+02:00

There are only three days left before we leave North-Norway and go to Oslo.
There are only five days left before we leave Norway and travel to France.

I don't think there will be any activity on this blog before the end of July / beginning of August.

But if you're interested, we've currently posting from a travel blog we've just made which will update you from our stay in Saint Malo, France. It's a kind of this-is-happening-at-the-moment-(and-hopefully-documented-with-pictures)-blog. Enjoy!

Visit Hilsen St Malo!

Have a nice summer!

An interesting story about filling up a glass

2006-06-28T23:12:00.001+02:00

A teacher was lecturing in front of his his students.

On the desk in front of him he had a glass, a little heap of middlesized stones, a little heap of gravel, a little heap of pebbles and a little heap of sand.

Without saying anything, he placed two middlesized stones in the glass. There was not any place left for a third one.

"Is the glass filled up now?" he asked the students.
"Yes," the students said.
The teacher looked at them for a while, then dropped some gravel into the glass.
Again he asked the students if the glass was filled up, and again they answered yes. Then he dropped some of the pepples into the glass, asked again, and at last the sand filled up every empty space in the glass.

"Is it filled up now?" he asked.
They all agreed.

Without saying a word, the teacher lifted a jug of water from the floor, which he had hidden, and poured the content into the glass.

The glass was now full.

Make sure you've filled up your glass, your life, in right order.

The most important things first.
The foundation.
Then the important things, then the less important things, and then the small, but still, important things.

My foundation is Jesus Christ, and I've experienced that when letting him be The Middlesized Stone in my life, I don't feel that anything is missing.

There's still plenty of room for the rest - the things that are important for us. Family, friends, job, education, - when prioritating in the right order.

St Malo travel blog made

2006-06-22T19:51:00.000+02:00

Hey folks!

Now we've made a travel blog for our stay in Saint Malo.
We're leaving in 11 days, only!!

Currently there are three posts at the blog, including two more or less funny photos of the two of us... We're really having fun!!!! And it's going to be sooooo fun when we're THERE!

What are you waiting for?
Visit our brand new travel blog! ;)

Dream camera

2006-06-20T16:28:00.000+02:00

This is what's on the top of my list of wants for my 17th birthday. An Olympus mju 700.

Nice design!
Choose between silver, black, blue or orange.

Seems like an excellent camera.

Did you like it too?
Read more at Elprice!

I need a new computer...

2006-06-20T16:16:00.000+02:00

My recent computer has unfortunately seen better days, and luckily the seller has offered to take it back as he know more about how to fix computer problems than I do...

Yesterday I spent some time researching lap-tops at the internet, and I found an Acer that I liked quite a lot.
I just wonder if anybody out there has any good or bad experiences with Acer...?

It's an Acer Aspire 1642ZWLMI. (Read more at "Elprice")

At the moment I don't have enough money to buy it, but when summer's finished, I'm back from France, and have spent three weeks working during the vacation, I probably can buy it...

Saint Malo...

2006-06-19T17:49:00.000+02:00

Just found a fantastic picture of Saint Malo that I want to share...

This will be my home city for almost three weeks this summer!

... Only 2 weeks left now...

Piglet banished

2006-06-18T15:42:00.001+02:00

Most of the times, little Piglet from the 100 Acre Wood, is a nice guy. He is cute, friendly, and cares about his friends. Someone might claim him as the cutest of the cutest.

Maybe it was one of Piglet's outbursts like this to the left that made Turkey kick Winnie and his friends out of the country?

It seems like the Turkish government have had their bellyful. The TV channel TRT, owned by the state, has quit sending "Winnie the Pooh".

Why?

Because Piglet is a pig.

In Islam, pigs are impure.

Poor Piglet!

Read more about this in VG (Norwegian)!

Sleeping Beauty?

2006-06-14T17:20:00.001+02:00

One could think that the longer you sleep, the better...
(Did I hear anybody say beauty sleep?)

Yesterday (or today...) I fell asleep about 1 am I think. (I don't have school these days, you see...) Usually I wake up by myself before time has passed 11 am, but not today :P
My littlebrother came into my room at half past noon! First then I woke up! I really can't understand how I manage to sleep almost twelve hours!

But here's the mystery:
Often, when I've slept for a very long time, I wake up with a headache.
That happened today too.
I had to swallow an Ibux to make it go away :(

Does anybody know why this happens?

Mountain tour together with mum :)

2006-06-11T20:37:00.001+02:00

Today mum and I was going to take a little walking tour, just to get some fresh air...

Mum put a couple of chocolate sandwitches, some lemonade, some cake, some coffee, and two Mars chocolates in a bag, and then we left the house, from Rise (down to the right).

We followed "Skydalselva" (the river which goes to the left direction), and suddenly found out that we wanted to go up to the lake "Gluntvatnet" (the little one of the four lakes, to the right). I guess Gluntvatnet is about 300 metres above the sea, so there was a quite long walk. There we sat, besides the lake, and ate all the food we'd brought - an act not difficult at all because there was so little of it... When sitting there, we discussed many things, among them; if we should walk further up - towards the mountain "Rishatten" (about in the middle), or if we should just go home again. We chose the first of the mentioned, and continued walking.

At this stage we'd no food left, only a half-empty bottle of "Siesta". We climbed higher, and walked up the side of the mountain, just between the two lakes "Gluntvatnet" and "Storvatnet". The tour turned out to be much longer than first expected - the distance from the place where we climbed up to Rishatten was rather big, especially without food. It was quite windy, but not cold. We got to the cairns, looked at the small houses (among them, our house), and started on the return. Mum didn't want to slide down the side of the mountain, so we had to walk almost back to where we came from. There we had to climb/slide down, and finally we got to the rocky road... Then it was just to walk down, down, down... Think we walked for an hour before we were home again.

A little walk became a mountain tour taking almost six hours.

And we got dad-cooked pourage at home :)

It was a fantastic tour! Really refreshing!
(and it's always good with physical activity, especially for me, 'cause I'm not training too much, I'm afraid...)

Creation

2006-06-10T23:37:00.002+02:00

Have you ever heard of the screws, the cogwheels, the lump of aluminium and the piece of glass, which smashed into each other, exploded, and suddenly, after millions of years, found their way to each other and formed a wrist watch?

It's a silly story, you say. You shake your head, and maybe laugh a bit. How can a wrist watch form itself, you ask.

Yes, how?

I want to tell you another story.

Have you ever heard of the big lump of matter, plumped out from the big, dark Nothing, which suddenly smashed into another lump of matter, exploded, and, after billions of years, formed into the great Universe? In this Universe, inside one of the millions of galaxies, in one of the millions of solar systems, we find a solar system and a living planet; Tellus.

Earth - a planet of water, sand, plants, animals, birds, fish, insects, men!
A planet of life!
A planet where the proportions are perfectly perfect!
A planet of colours!
A planet which we have not finished exploring yet!
A planet where the finest instruments already have been there for millions, billions of years! (Think of e.g. the eye. Still we haven't made any camera as sensitive as this!)

Does this story sound familiar to you?

It's strange! Here we're sitting, on a little planet in a little solar system in a big galaxy which is only one among very, very many other galaxies, which together form the Universe.
Here we're sitting, "knowing" where life comes from. Where the Universe comes from. Where mankind comes from.

Back to the wrist watch...
How can it form itself?
The answer is that it can't!
A watchmaker has to make it!

What you choose to believe is up to you.
But I use my logical sense.

There has to be a Watchmaker.

(PS: I know him!)

Finished, done, the end!

2006-06-09T21:05:00.000+02:00

I don't have any school left this semester!
Unless I get an oral exam.
But that won't happen :)
(My teacher said the odds were inconceivable low...)

... and it's only the 9th of June!

"Hostfamily Placement"

2006-06-09T20:53:00.001+02:00

Yesterday we got a letter from STS with a sheet of paper with the heading HOSTFAMILY PLACEMENT. It said that during our (Siri and me) stay in Saint Malo, we're going to live at Marie Baelen's place. I'm really curious about who this person is... Is she old? Young? Does she have a family? Is she nice and kind? Is she a bit cool and crazy? Is she, does she, how, or, if....?
We'll wait and see... There were no photos or other information about her, only an address and a telephone number. But I don't dare to take a call... But I'm curious! Actually that curious that I yesterday searched Google for "Marie Baelen". I got three hits. Unfortunately, none of them could be her. (One of the Marie Baelens lived in France at the middle of the 1800s... hehe! I chose to believe that she wasn't the right Marie... ;P)
Only 24 days left now!!!

4 weeks left!!!!

2006-06-05T21:31:00.000+02:00

Today it is only 4 weeks left to I'm going to St Malo in France together with Siri :D
We're travelling with STS Education, it's going to be SOOO fun!!!! :D
We're going to go bathing, sun-bathing, shopping, we're going to Paris for two-three days, and we're going to learn French :)
Do I like it?
Yup!!!!

Mission completed!

2006-05-31T21:35:00.001+02:00

Phew!!!

I've just come home from the concert where I played Grande Sonate Pathétique by Beethoven. It went well! The church, where the concert was held, was ice-cold, so some parts were rather difficult to play, and I didn't play perfect. But I recieved a big applauce and several people came to me afterwards almost congratulating. That was very encouraging!

I've been nervous about this concert for weeks, so I'm very relieved at the moment! Funnily enough I've not been, and I'm still not, nervous about the exam tomorrow because the nervousness about the concert has been so much bigger! Hehe....! Another good thing about this: I'm going to play the sonata on Saturday (in my littlebrother's confirmation), on Tuesday, and probably on next Wednesday too (on another concert), and I'm not nervous at all! Maybe I'll get a little bit nervous the very moment before I'm going to play, but after this concert it feels like a burden has fallen off my shoulders... And that is wonderful!

Concert completed,
Silje happy,
Silje not nervous,
Silje ready to concentrate on the exam tomorrow (hopefully...).

Btw: Thanks to Marita, Benedikte, Tor-Hugo & Irene, and of course; mum, for coming!
I really appreciated it!

Beethoven pathetic tomorrow

2006-05-30T15:40:00.002+02:00

Look at this handsome guy! Ludwig van Beethoven, a great composer, and on this picture, still quite young.

During the last year I've been working on his famous Grande Sonate Pathetique (for piano). And now the time has final come when I'm going to bring this masterpiece to...
... a hopefully grateful audience. That will happen tomorrow. A lot of butterflies in my stommach. Ten pages long, but with the repetition, thirteen. From pianissimo to fortissimo. Legato and staccato. With pedal, but also secco. I have to use all I've learnt -during more than ten years playing the piano. Often my left arm hurts when I've been practising. Because I'm playing octavs in eights. Page up, page down. Ouch! Tests my endurance. I'm playing without the sheets of music. I'm going to play by heart.

But, wow! What music! I think it's fantastic!
I wonder what was going on inside of him when he wrote that sonate.

Patetique means emotional.

Click the picture, or here, to listen to Grande Sonate Pathetique! (It's not me who are playing!)

Visiting visitors from England

2006-05-27T20:24:00.000+02:00

Today my uncle, aunt and aunt's mother from England visited my home place with the Hurtigruta. We visited them at the ship "Midnatsol" ("Midnight Sun").

It was great seeing them again! I haven't seen my uncle and aunt since they were here for Christmas, and my aunt's mother I haven't seen since last summer. They're having a holiday on the Hurtigrute (kind of cruise ship) and started yesterday from Tromsø. At Tuesday they're in Bergen, and will then go back to England again.

We were only together for less than three hours (we took the ship together with them from Sortland to Stokmarknes) and I really wanted to go with them all the way to Svolvær, and from there take a bus home again at night... But my parents didn't think that was a good idea - we still have a lot to do before me brother's confirmation next weekend...

But it really was great to see them, though time shouldn't have passed that fast.

Friends

2006-05-26T16:27:00.000+02:00

On Wednesday I was together with a friend on a concert. After the concert, which was arranged in a pub-like cafeteria, we decided to sit down and chat while drinking coffee.
I believe that is the best investment of time I've done for weeks! We hadn't done anything like that for ages! We sat there talking for about two hours, I think. About everything, actually. Like friends should do. The fine thing about chatting like that, is that you come closer as friends. And that is important. We're going to France together this summer. We're looking even more forward to that now! :)

Exam time...

2006-05-25T23:35:00.000+02:00

The class are to be examined in English next Thursday (1st of June).
There were only two out of five classes (on my level) that are to be examined.
We got to know yesterday.
The sports class are to be examined in training doctrine (?)...
It's not that bad.
This is my final year studying English, actually.
Maybe it'll be a nice "the end"?
And the probability for having an oral exam is now rather small... :D
Not bad!!!

I am driving!!!

2006-05-24T22:40:00.000+02:00

Last summer I remember counting the days to my birthday. Then I could start driving prastise.
On my 16th birthday, my mum took me to a shut down flight strip to drive a little bit. I was excited. It was fun! I even rounded 80 km/h! I thought I would drive a lot this year.
But I drove a few times more, and then it started to rain. It rained all the time all the autumn, and I actually didn't dare to or wanted to drive when it was raining, in fear of losing control on a slippery road while driving.

But now it's springtime! Soon summer. The roads are dry, the nights are light and Silje wants to drive! (And remember to ask her dad if she can drive a little bit...)

Monday night was a milestone for the driving practise history of mine...
For the first time I drove on the main road! Where the lorries are. Where you drive fast.
The experience was good! The road was much more wider, meaning you didn't need to worry if a car passed. Earlier I had only dared to drive on a little road in the neighbourhood - a road where the max speed is 60 km/h and where there are many houses and many playing children... (Luckily none of them have run out in the road while I've driven...)
I was proud when I came home.
Had to tell my mum.
I even managed to swing into the driving up!

Tonight I drove again! And things went even more well than on Monday. I even remembered to turn on the flashing when driving into the driving up! And I drove a longer distance. And I wasn't that nervous.

Driving is fun!

I have to tell some praises about my dad.
He guides me alle the time while I'm driving.
- First clutch, handbreak off, first gear, accelerate, carefully drive out in the road.
- Use the mirror.
- This is where you're supposed to place the car on the road.
- Clutch, gear, accelerate.
Without him, the roads would have been dagerous both for other people driving and for me myself. Of course. I'm under practise!

That reminds me of that I have another Father who are guiding me.
Through life. Through good times, bad times.
Gives me good times. Guides me to good times. Good choices. Victories.

That's my Father. And I want to praise Him. And tell praises about him. Like I do about my driving-practise-guiding-father.

A few thing to remember when driving practising:

Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will strech out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.

(Proverbs 4: 25-27)

Happy Birthday, Norway!

2006-05-17T12:04:00.000+02:00

You could also say "Happy Constitution Day!" or "Happy Independance Day!"...

Anyways!

This is the day when people...
dress up in national costumes, wave with flags, eat layer cake, soft ice, and go in processions.
This is the day when the royal family stand on the balcony and greet the children and the sixth formers.
This is the day when we sing our national anthem and many other nationalistic songs.
This is the day when you see everybody you know and don't know.
This is the day when the chairman of the county council speak to the people.
This is a celebration day.
This is a nice day.
This is a happy day.
This is the Norwegian day.

Happy Birthday, Norway!

Springtime???

2006-05-15T19:50:00.000+02:00

It has happened again.
Snow. On the 15th of May. This time in 2006. Last time in 2005.

Are we happy?
No.

Did anyone (e.g. me) say springtime?

It started yesterday. It was cold. Freezy.
But the sun shone. A bit.
Then, around 6 pm it started to snow.
It snowed. And snowed. Around 10 pm the ground was covered.

Green trees hidden.
Green grass covered.
Tulips and daffodils dressed up in white.

The idea has hit me. Making a "Snow on May 15th 2"-movie.
But I feel it too depressing.

Now, as I write, it is snowing outside.
Many cold, freezy, frozen snow flakes.
But the ground is no longer covered.

Green trees hidden.
Green grass covered.
Tulips and daffodils dressed up in white.

I should make a song!

(The photo shows Åndalsnes in the south-eastern part of Norway.)

Brilliant vocabulary program

2006-05-11T18:27:00.000+02:00

My sister came across a brilliant vocabulary program where you can can learn words and phrases in languages such as Spanish, Portugese, French, Russian... You can choose between multiple choice and single choice when answering what e.g. "to grow" is in Spanish...
Very simple to use, AND you can make your own files too, consisting exactly the words you have to learn before the next glossary test...
It's completely free.
Download Interlex here! (Or click the icon)

Enjoy!

Snow? Again?

2006-05-11T18:14:00.000+02:00

TV tells us that it'll snow and sleet this weekend!
The weather has actually been colder these days... The jacket was too cold today.
Let's sort this out:
Last Sunday I lay on the veranda in bikini, this Sunday I maybe make snow angles.

North-Norway will never change...
It always surprises me.

But soooooon it'll become SUMMER!

... maybe...

Computer fixed; virus-free, spam-free, etc etc

2006-05-11T18:03:00.000+02:00

YEAH!!

At Tuesday the man I bought the computer from in January helped me to fix the computer!
THANK YOU!!! You're always so helpful! 3 times 3 HURRAY for Øystein!
When I was ready to go home that night, the computer was just like how it was at the time I bought it. (Yup, I had to install some programs again...)
But, yeah!!! Happy day!!!
It's not slow anymore, I'm not worried of virus (the antivirus program works as it should do) and today I bought Norton AntiSpam (the 2004 edition) for only 30 NOK! AND the AntiSpyware software functions well :)

... makes me so happy...

Springtime!!!

2006-05-06T20:13:00.000+02:00

Here in North-Norway, "spring" sometimes doesn't exist. Season just switches from winter to summer.
BUT NOT THIS YEAR!!!
It has to be the most summerly spring I've ever experienced here in Norway!
I don't even need a jacket!
A t-shirt is good enough!
WOW!
And I'm getting sun-tanned! In early May!
Unbelievable!

The trees are green. Soon...

For comparison:
Last year, at the 15th of May, it snowed.
My father went skiing in the garden.
My little sister made a snowman.
I made a film of it all. So people can believe me in the future...

But it's May!
It's green!
It's wonderful!

"I'm walking on sunshine, oh-oh-oh...!"

Btw: Nice drawing?!? ;)

Problems... Again!

2006-05-02T18:52:00.000+02:00

My computer has some serious (don't know if it's REALLY serious) virus-, spy-, and probably adware problems at the moment...
That's why I can't update the blog(s) that often...

If you have some experiences (good antivirus programs etc) that might be useful, I'm glad to know!

Picasso Clue

2006-04-23T17:59:00.001+02:00

What is the similarity between

you

and this Picasso originale?

You are both worth millions!

Some nights ago, when I couldn't fall to sleep, this clue stroke me "as a flash of lightening from the blue sky". (which really wasn't blue the particular night, but black, cold and cloudy. And btw: I don't like exaggerated use of set phrases like this, but I just couldn't come to think of anything better to say...)

Picasso was a completely ordinar man from Spain. I don't know when he started to be famous (or when his paintings started to be famous), but I'm sure that Picasso met many arrogant people on his way laughting at his painings.

And why did they laugh?

The truth is that I understand them very well!

Look at Picasso's paintings! They're quite funny! Strange! Some of them (some would say: many of them) are even ugly!

"Even I can paint that!"

"What IS this supposed to be?"

Picasso himself once said: "I paint things as I think them, not as I see them."

This made him famous. Very famous.

His paintings are worth millions!

Billions, I don't know.

And then it's you...

Your're an original too. Designed. Unique. Valuable.

Valuable.

People may laugh of you.

They may think you're ugly. Strange. Funny.

"What will she turn out to be?"

"Even I can do that better than him!"

Once one painted you based on what was on his mind.

He planned.

Painted piano fingers, green fingers, carpenter hands.

Football legs, volleyball knees, ballett toes.

Created.

People may laugh.

But you're still valuable.

The Painter once lost his paintings.

The paintings he'd spent so much time on thinking, planning, painting.

Lost.

They were in someone other's hands.

Their own carpenter hands.

Owned by the Destroyer.

Lost.

The Painter wanted his paintings back.

Wanted to tell them where he'd planned to place them in the living room.

Planned.

Lost.

The Destroyer decided a price.

Thought the Painter would fail anyway.

The Painter's own Son.

Lost.

The Painter didn't fail.

His Son. The price. Dead. Won. Victory. Life.

The Painter's originals.

Back in the living room.

But some are still

lost.

Some would say many.

People may laugh.
But you're still valuable.

You're a God-originale.

Nothing
is more valuable.

Bride & Bridegroom

2006-04-19T13:17:00.000+02:00

Here's the bride and the bridegroom :D

Ingrid & Johnny

Married for a week already!

(But we're still congratulating!)

Photo: Ronny Lassesen

Problems solved!

2006-04-18T22:20:00.000+02:00

The problems are solved!
The blog is now "perfect" again.
If anyone wonders: it can sometimes be an idea to use Explorer instead of Mozilla..
I read somewhere that blogger.com and Mozilla are not good friends.

Thanks to God :)
Always :)

Easter holiday...

2006-04-18T21:31:00.000+02:00

Oh, what a wonderful Easter!!!
When we arrived in Lillestrøm (near Oslo) by the train the Thursday before last Thursday, we first met our uncle, Ole Petter - my Daddy's little brother. He took us to my Grandma's house where we ate a lovely dinner together with the rest of my uncle's family - his wife and four children (age 16, 14, 10-11 and 7-8) :)

Then we spent a whole day in Oslo trying to get a suit for my little brother who will be confirmated in June... We didn't find one. Hehe... (but we found one some days later in Lillestrøm, thanks to Solid :))

Then we were at my other Grandma's house. Saturday (not last) we were all invited to a family party. That was very cosy - I think we were about 18-19. My mummy's brother Geir & family, sister Veronica & family, a friend of one of my cousins, we, and of course my grandma. My sister Ruth Therese, who came from India the same day (she had practise (medicine) there for a month...) was there too :)

Some days later, after being at the first Grandma's house again, we drove to Bergen. That took a long time! And the car was little and narrow, and we were too big. But finally we were there. We lived in my aunt Camilla's house. They're six in the family, and we're five, so we slept everywhere. My father, for instance, slept in the entrance hall...

Then Wednesday - the Wedding Day!
Lovely wedding, to say it short. Picture will maybe come later.
The bride was very pretty - the dress was awsome! and the groom was handsome in a white suit. We were celebrating to 4 o'clock in the morning... A bit tired I was then, but anyway: I hope they'll live happily ever after :)

The rest of the holidays I met a lot of lovely people because we were at an Easter conference. There were about 4-500 there, and, yes!, I met a lot of new people too :) But many people I knew already, and was very happy to see again: Janne, Ragni, Anne Guro, Aleksander, Marit, Ruben, Rebekka, Line, Jeanett...

And then, very suddenly (or after travelling in ten hours with car, aeroplane and bus, I was home in North Norway again... Oh, unhappy day....

But the weather was very nice when I came up here! VERY nice! Wonderful!
And the holiday is not over for me yet! I start school at Monday which gives me 5 more days off...

Problems...

2006-04-18T21:26:00.000+02:00

Recently I've had big problems with the blog...!
The template doesn't work as it should resulting in no link list, no Read more! links and no new photos added to the posts. It's quite frustrating!!! But one good thing about it all is that I have a template backup. So when there's one day possible to edit the template my link list, read more links and sitemeter will again turn up :)
Until that day.... Who knows!?!

Btw: If anyone recognizes this problem and knows how to deal with it; please let me know!!!

Leaving...

2006-04-05T14:34:00.000+02:00

In 30 minutes we leave home and head towards Oslo...
We're going to take the train from Fauske (have to take the bus for 6-7 hours :-S) and then we're in Oslo tomorrow after 3 pm or something... There we'll meet my sister! :D And then we'll go shopping. And meet a lot of realatives; my grandmas, some uncles, aunts and cousins :) All our family live sown there. We're the only ones who live in the North of Norway...

On monday we're going to Bergen. On Wednesday: Ingrid & Johnny's wedding!!! (which is the reason we're travelling south this Easter). Oh, happy day! This is gonna be FUN!

Bye, bye!
C ya soon, blue balloon! ;)

Great consert last night!

2006-04-02T22:56:00.000+02:00

Rudi Myntevik really met the expectations at the consert last night. It was really, really, really great!

My daddy first sang a song by Norwegian Ole Paus; "Det begynner å bli et liv" ("It begins to become a life" or something), then my friend Ida sang "Heaven on Earth" before Rudi entered the scene.

Rudi started by putting God into centre, proclaiming Him as God. Rudi said he used to say that he only had God as the audience - we were the choir. I think that is a fine explanation on yesterday's consert. It was for God's glory, a gift to Him. So everybody participated, joining Rudi in singing songs to God.

Often we Christians are too good in using "Christan" words and phrases. In that way, Rudi's songs are great, because words everybody can understand are used! One of my favourites, "Faller" ("Falling"), starts by saying, "You've spoiled my life, my boring, hopeless life". That is language everybody understands! And it's different. Exciting. Great!

Rudi sang songs from both his cd's, "Gud din skjønnhet" (God Your Beauty") and "Sentrum" ("Centre").

During two of the songs, his wife Ragnhild danced. Beautiful! And she is so kind and everything! Got to know her a bit during the weekend :)

WOW! It was great!
And God was near with His presence.

Praise! :)

The Up-Creative Festival has started!

2006-04-01T17:07:00.000+02:00

The Up-Creative Festival has started!!! :)

Yesterday there was an opening show.
Song, dance, story telling, dress show, poems, praise...
I wore one of the dresses at the dress show :)
It was sooo pretty! In gold. In a light fabric.
I'm maybe going to borrow it for Ingrid & Johnny's
wedding the 12th. Maybe... :)

Today we've had...
a gallery, shops, stands, creating-with-
paper-stand, balloon-stand, dress show (again) and a
family show.

I instruct a dance group for girls age 9-12, and they were the first ones to perform.
They were very clever, I was so proud :) They danced to a song called "David" by
the young singer Lisa Børud.

Tonight it is consert with Rudi Myntevik! I bought his last CD plus the music
booklet today. The consert is going to be GREAT!!!

Visitors from ALL the world!!!

2006-03-30T23:08:00.000+02:00

Hurray! I just found out that I've had a visitor from Australia on my site! That means I now have had visitors here from all the continents of the world!

Weeeeeeeeee!!! :D

(In Norway we have this saying adage: "Små barn, store gleder!" (Small children, big enjoyments!) I guess that saying adage suits me rather well at the moment...)

Thoughts about the weather

2006-03-28T15:00:00.000+02:00

Everybody likes to talk about the weather. That's at least how it seems.
I love to talk about the weather when it is nice.
Now the weather is really nice!
It is actually quite hot here at the moment, maybe 1-2 degrees!
That is quite hot for being the combination North Norway and March!
But I was not going to talk about the temperature.
I'm going to talk about the weather - how it looks...

Sun!
Blue sky!
Snow that makes everything very light, shimmering, bright...
Bright, snowy mountains!
Sunglasses!!!
Good mood!

Actually some friends of mine basked in the sun today.
They lay on the paving stone outside the bus station.
In thick winter jackets.
I basked in the sun too while I waited for the bus to arrive.
But I sat on a bench.

Oh, I love North-Norway when the weather is like this!

(Picture taken from "Sykkelsiden".)

Rudi Myntevik is coming to Sortland!!!

2006-03-25T23:26:00.000+01:00

I am just so looking forward to Rudi Myntevik's consert in Sortland next Saturday!!!

Rudi has a great gift in leading people into God's presence through praise and worship. His songs are sung in churches all over the country and he's released at least two CD's and a DVD. His first album, "Gud din skjønnhet" ("God your beauty"), is one of my personal favourites.

Rudi is coming to Sortland to participate at the Opp-Kreativ Festval (Up-Creative Festival) next weekend. The festival is going to be so great! Shows, dance, music, art, gallery, bookshop, café, balloons and a clown, children, adults, cinema, more music, worship, laughter, "American auction", service, praise, creating with paper, dress show, poems... To mention some.

This is gonna be fun!

See you there!

♫♪ Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.... ♪

2006-03-25T00:49:00.000+01:00

Today it snowed. All day. A lot!
More than a half meter. Maybe one. And that is a lot for a day, even in Norway!

Yesterday it didn't snow at all. Actually - yesterday it felt almost like spring. The sun shone bright and yellow and you could walk directly on the pavement (instead of walking on snow).

But today spring became winter. Again.

Today the snow caused that I had to stay out for two hours, shovelling. In the beginning of the day the snow lay on the roof of our house. In earlier years, the snow used to just continue lieing there - peaceful - on the roof. But during last summer we put up a new roof. The new roof is very slippery. The result is this: All the snow slides down from the roof. Down on our verandaes.

Because snow is so heavy (especially if it later starts to rain - which there is a positive possibility for here in North Norway), we decided to go out and clear away all the snow from the verandaes.

And we did.

There was a lot of snow! One and a half meter maybe. Because all the snow that fell on the roof was consentrated on the veranda.

It took time.
And my muscles still hurt.

A two hours workout of strenght and endurance.

Praise to God that I'll still stay fit :)

(The photo is not from here.)

I love Sundays!

2006-03-19T21:30:00.000+01:00

Here are some reasons:

- Sundays are peaceful
- Sundays happen during a weekend (which means no school!)
- Sundays are like having a vacation between two weeks - that's maybe not that strange, 'cause
- Sundays are holidays!
- You can't go shopping on Sunday - then you don't use money - and you don't have to stress! Actually...
- Sundays are stress-less!
- You can use more of the Sundays for sleeping than other days
- You can rest a bit more
- You can smile and be happy - on Sundays too!
- Often the Sunday dinner is more than delicious (Thank you, Mum!)
- Often the Sunday breakfast is delicious - egg scramble, salmon.... (Thank you again, Mum!)
- Sundays are made for resting
- Sundays are holy
- Sundays are blessed

"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all His work which He created and made." - Genesis 2:3

¡Aprendo!

2006-03-18T20:26:00.000+01:00

"¡Aprendo!" is Spanish and means "I learn!".

Four hours aweek I learn Spanish at school. It's one of my favourite subjects because I've always wanted to learn it.

At primary school I borrowed "Learn Spanish!"-cd's from the library, but it was hard to try and teach myself! And I didn't learn that many basic things, such as telling my name. Instead I learnt how to book a hotel room, how to explain what went wrong when renting a car, etc... Cd's for tourists actually.

Today I've created a Spanish blog about learning Spanish!
¡Bienvenido a mi blog nueva!

The Creator

2006-03-14T20:41:00.000+01:00

There are three posts I've promised to write... Creator, Creative and Creation.
Here is the first one, about the Creator.

You know what? I know the Creator. I actually KNOW Him!!!
Well, enough about me.

I'm going to start by first singing his praises... Tell his good points... :)
There are adjectives that suits Him very well, e.g.: good, fantastic, creative, fair...
And there are nouns....: He is love, he is kindness, He is justice, He is comfort...

The Creator has done a lot of good things:

First: He created the Universe. That is a very good thing, if you ask me!
Look at the stars! Look at all the fantastic animals! All the detailed flowers! All the coluorful fish! And look at yourself! A piece of art!!!
A watch is made by a watchmaker, the World is made by the Creator - God!!! :D

Second: He created humans! And: He did not only create them because He one day felt a bit bored... He created them in His picture! And he created them to be with Him - to be His friends! And when mankind made a big mistake that separated them from God, God sent His only son (Jesus) to make a way back to Him!!
That's the God I'm talking about! A loving God! A God who WANTS to have something to do with us!!! He is SO good!

Anyway: I want you to be fascinated by God! When you look around - see all the stuff he's made, all the cool people - you are to be fascinated! And he's still making new things... and makes old things new... Old hearts for instance...

"And He that sat upon the throne said: "Behold, I make all things new." And he said unto me: "Write: for these words are true and faithful."" (Revelation 21:5)

Who's God?

2006-03-07T14:36:00.000+01:00

What is your picture of God?

- old?
- cool?
- good?
- creative?
- far away?
- ...

Leave your comment and let me (and others...) know!
(Feel free to be anonymous.)

~Silje~

Thanks!

2006-03-06T00:24:00.000+01:00

This is very, very inspiring and encouraging:
More than one hundred visitors have visited "Made by God" during less than two weeks...
Thanks to all!!!
:)

(The picture is taken from Muppetcentral.)

Heavenly sleep

2006-03-05T23:08:00.000+01:00

Thursday night I slept 13,5 hours!
That is double dose!
Normally I switch the light off at midnight and wake up before 7 a.m.
Thursday night was different...

I am that kind of person who never wants to go to bed early and who always gets incredible good ideas just before midnight. Who always thinks the day has been too short when the night comes again. And, yes, you're right. In the morning the first little step called "bed-to-bathroom" is very difficult! Still there are very few times I sleep to more than eleven o'clock.

Thursday night was, as I said, different.

Mummy came home after work Friday and asked what I'd done that day.
"Not much," I had to tell her. My winter vacation started at Friday, so I can say I had the ability to sleep a bit longer than usual.
"Do you know what?" I asked her. "I fell asleep at 11 p.m. yesterday!"

That is very unusual. As I said: Often I am not even sleepy at midnight!

"Oh, that was nice to hear," she replied. "Yesterday night I actually prayed that you would get some extra rest."

If I sleep long - too long - I often fail by purpose to tell her. Too long can be for instance 11 a.m.

I started to laugh.
"I think maybe you prayed too much then, mum! I didn't wake before half past noon!"

Friday night I fell asleep at normal time (midnight). Normally I have great problems in falling asleep if I've slept too much during the day.

But not this time.
This time was different.
This time was refreshing.

I think that night was blessed by God.

Another thing: Very often I wake up with a headache if I sleep too long. Yep, right again! I did not have a headache when I got up. I just felt refreshed.

Good night! :)

A shallow text about homework

2006-02-27T22:29:00.000+01:00

I like school...

I like the people there...
Especially those in my class... :
The people I know very well in my class...
The people I know a bit in my class...
The people I nearly don't know in my class...
Most of the teachers...

I like most of the subjects... :
I like Spanish...
I like English...
I like Nature & Science...
I like Mathematics...
I almost like Norwegian...
Most of times like P.E. ...
I sometimes like Economy...

But I really don't like homework!
Especially when I don't fix the tasks...
Especially when it's in Maths...
Because I normally fix all the tasks in that subject...
But today I don't.

I'm glad my teacher in Maths do.

Creator - Creation - Creative

2006-02-26T15:34:00.000+01:00

In our church there has been a growing interest for being creative.

This idea comes from God, the Creator, himself.

How?

God was very creative and created us as a part of his creation. But Genesis 1:27 says: "So God created man in his own image(...)".

That means we take after God.

Since God create, we're able to create = being creative.

Later I'll write more in posts with the headlines

Creator
Creation
Creative

Thanks for your patience...

Heart message

2006-02-19T20:30:00.000+01:00

A year ago I wrote a song:

Her heart is closed

I saw her when she closed
her door today
She looked a bit upset
and threw the keys away

Her heart is closed
and no one gets in
Even not herself
She has no place to go
No place to call home
She threw the keys away
And no one heard her cry

I saw her when she tried
to open her door today
No one inside heard her cry
No one would open - nobody knew

Her heart is closed...

I wonder if anybody
will find the keys to her heart
I wonder if she'll ever get back
home

Her heart is closed...

"Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that's where life starts."
(Proverbs 4:23 - The Message)

You are important!

2006-02-19T20:11:00.000+01:00

Three reasons why you're important:

Because there's nobody like you - no one can fill your place
Because the way you live your life makes other people reflect and think of how they live their own lives
Because you're loved by somebody (if you can't think of anyone that loves you - know that Jesus actually loves you)

You're a VIP.
A Very Important Person.

Dear "T". I want to answer your comment!

2006-02-11T19:39:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I received a comment on my previous post, Time is tickin' away..., and I really want to answer the questions in that comment as I know there are other people that wonder about the same things...

Yesterday "T" wrote:

"I'm not a beliver of god ore anything like that, but i guess we all belive in something, can't really see the difference between jesus and co, and allah ore some Buddah thing.Have you ever thought of if you would had been borned in another place then you might had belivied in buddah ore something? And for me as a Atheist i don't know if i should be glad ore sad to not be a beliver but i guess almost all of want good and i guess that is the meaning....."

First I would like to thank "T" for this comment because the thought that are introduced here really are of current interest.
"T" has discovered a very important thing: "..., but I guess we all believe in something,...". And your guess is right, T! We all believe in something, and for many people - like me - this something is God. Something inside us search for something more. This is a feeling I think God has given us. The Bible says that God has laid eternity in our hearts - something that searchs the eternal God, I think. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

T says he "... can't really see the difference between jesus and co,...".
I would like to point at three main differences between Jesus and "co":

Christians believe in Jesus - who died BUT rose again and in that way proved stronger than death (which the Bible describes as "the last enemy"). Muhammed died. Prince Buddha died. And they're still dead. (2. Timotheus 1:10)
In other religions it's what you do that "saves" you. In Buddhism people do whatever good in reason to be something better the next life. They don't know if it'll work, or if they'll be reborn after dying, and no one has ever "returned" to tell if it works and no one can remember anything from "previous" lives... In both Jewism and Islam you have to follow the rules or you'll not come to Heaven.

The Bible says we're all born as sinners and can't achieve fellowship with God - no matter how much good you've done, you'll never deserve Heaven. Anyway, God has made it possible - and easy - for us to have fellowship with Him and come to Heaven. Instead of us trying to "jump up to Heaven" - which is impossible even with a very big good-deeds-trampoline - he - God! - came down to us instead (through his Son Jesus Christ). Jesus paid for our sins through his death on the cross. This opened a new deal between God and human beings. Whoever believes in Jesus and confess His as Lord will be saved. Even if you've stolen something or killed somebody God will forgive you for what you've done because of Jesus. Everything is ready: you may enter God's present just as you are! (with Jesus as Lord.) (Read more: Romans 5:8, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 6:23, Hebrew 2:9)
To be a Christian is about having a relationship with God. A friendship, actually, where you can talk to God (dialouge, not monolouge) and be His friend! You don't find that in the other religions. (Read more: John 15:13-15)

T asks me if I've ever thought of if I'd been born another place I might have believed in something else... Yes, I have thought that thought! I'm really glad I've grown up in the family I belong to, a Christian family. That has given me great opportunities to get to know Jesus. I'm very thankful for that. But I've made my own choice. Because I've seen that this is real. I've experienced God's power through His Holy Spirit who He's given to all who believes in Him. And He fills me with peace.

I know a man named Ruben who grew up (and still lives) in Bhutan - a very strict Buddhist land in the Himalaya Mountains. He grew up in a strict Buddhist family and practised the Buddhism himself. But he didn't feel any peace. He felt that something was missing. He started to search other things - other religions - but still felt this empty space on the inside. One day he went to a church. The pastor talked about when Jesus woke up a widow's dead son. Jesus was filled with compassion for the widow, told her to stop crying and then took the dead's hand and told him to wake up. (You find the story in Luke chapter 7, verses 12-17). Ruben had heard somthing like that before when he still was a Buddhist. Buddha also met a widow crying over her dead son, but said he couldn't help her. The poor widow was left alone. The story about what Jesus did, how he met poeple's needs, made Ruben give his life to Jesus.

Since then, he's never felt any emptyness inside.

Time is tickin' away...

2006-02-10T20:10:00.000+01:00

Do you remember the song "Time is..." by dcTalk?
Have a look at this extract:

You got a gift and you best start using it
Cause if you don't you're gonna wind up losing it
Just like the brother who buried it deep
The task was simple but the price was steep
We got a mission while we're on this earth
We need to tell people 'bout our second birth
Get busy like a school boy makin' an "A"
Cause time my brother is tickin' away

Time is tickin' away, tick tick tickin' away
Time is tickin' away, tick tick tickin' away
Time is tickin' away, tick tick tickin' away
Time is tickin' away, tick tick tickin' away

Right now is the time that we gotta get with it
The gift that He's given ain't just an exhibit
But a tool that He's given us to use for His sake
And just as He's given He can surely take
The signs of the times are dropping like flies
The cries of the people around us imply
They're lookin' for an answer that we already know
But time is definitely on the go

All the money in the world
Can never stop the hands of time
And a wasted day in your life
Is more than a crime

Time is tickin' away, tick tick tickin' away
...
(From the album "Free At Last", 1995)

This last week has gone really fast. I thought it had just been weekend, but I was wrong - the weekend is now, and five days has gone since last weekend! I've been quite busy this week... At Monday I didn't do much (okay, I did some homework, though...), but the rest of the week has been filled up with loads of things.

Tuesday... I lead a dancegroup for younger girls together with a woman called Marita. At Tuesday there were twelve girls, age 8-12 at the training... That can be quite challenging! But don't misunderstand me - it is fun!
Wednesday... I covered an event at my school for the local newspaper... Then I had my weekly pianolesson... Then I went to a comittee meeting for this year's Opp Kreativ Festival (=Up Creative Festival)... Then I went home again and finished wroting the newspaper article...
Thursday was quite peaceful... I went to 3pStation - the youth gathering in our church.
And now it's Friday... Again...!

It has not been a wasted week... But sometime I have to remind myself on what things which are most important. The lyric above said something about that... To show Jesus to the World is actually the most important thing to do. The best way to show Him is to try and live the way he lived while he wandered around here on Earth... He smiled... He cared... He loved... He spoke friendly to people... He spoke the truth... He healed... He explained God... He told them the Way to God... He was good.
He is good.

Glory to God!
Have a blessed weekend!

"J-e-s-u-s" - ENTER

2006-02-05T17:52:00.000+01:00

Have you ever tried to search the net for Jesus?
Well... I've tried... At Google, links to about 137 million websites that contained the name "Jesus" popped up. (By comparison, "Muhammed" gives about 5,64 million links to different websites.) Jesus is actually quite popular in cyberspace.

And do you know what? He's really popular in real life too!

When I talk about real... Who is the real Jesus?

I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you won't find the answer by just clicking one of these 137 million links...! The Internet contains a lot of information, and not all of that information is true. (I guess you already knew that...) I think you might find some good information, but why search the internet for Jesus when God has given us a whole book about Him which is even TRUE!? Yes, you're correct! I actually talk about the Bible, a book that was written thousands of years ago. Yes, that's what I'm talking about and I actually RECOMMAND you to read it!
But why?
Because it contains the TRUTH, not only about Jesus, but also about yourself!

Here are some examples of what the Bible says about YOU:
1) YOU are created by God
"Look at the hippopotamus! I created him as well as you." (Job 40:10)
2) YOU are loved by God
"For God so loved the world (world = people in the world = you) that he gave his only begotten son, that WHOEVER believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
3) YOU are known by God
"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you." (Jeremiah 1:5)

Want to read more?
A good idea is to start with the Gospel of John in the New Testament. It has 21 chapters divided on about 50 pages. Why not read one chapter each day for a period of three weeks and see more about what the Sources say about Jesus (and yourself)?

2006-02-05T17:27:00.000+01:00

This is my friend Solveig's blog.
Solveig is a very good and cool girl who used to live where I live...
Now she lives in Sandnes, which is a long way from here.
At the moment she travels around with New Generation on a big tour regarding NG's 10 yrs jubilee. She works as a school evangelist but also study at university.
Check out her new blog! (It's written in Norwegian.) (Just click the picture.)