This Sunday was all about keeping two thoughts in our head at the same time.

1. we are loved by God and are free to live with joy
2. we are different from God and do (or don’t do) things that mess up our relationship with God

In our service today we had both this aspects clearly with us: 4 children where there to be baptized and we had a special liturgy focusing on our need to repent and pray for mercy (we called the day bots- og bededag in Norwegian). I think we managed to give both these aspects weight through music, words and actions, but it took some preparations and thoughts throughout the week.

If we speak the truth about our selves – God will speak His truth.

When we realize just how much we are loved, when we realize just how much effort God took to make the wrongs right between himself and us, when we realize what we have in Jesus Christ – our life will change. We will not become perfect human beings doing nothing wrong to God or the people around us, but we will dare to go to our God with our life; the good and the bad. We can do that because through Jesus we are forgiven, still sinners – but forgiven sinners.

So speak the truth and receive Gods grace and forgiveness. There is nothing like it (and to be honest we need it more than once a year!).

Blessings