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Eccentric!

Location: UK

Out in the world

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

"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!

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!

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?

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!

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

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

Just for comparison

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... ;)