We went to church this morning (or rather day, I love this extra hour we get to sleep on the day we turn time back for winter…) - it is a rather heavy day in the church year, with focus on penance and sins. I’m not to found of this day, but I defend it’s place in the church year because we need a day for new beginnings - even though, EACH day with Christ is in a sense just that!

Anyway, during the sermon the pastor said a lot of things, but this got stuck with me (it’s about bringing our life, good and bad, with us into the church and to Jesus, I’m writing on memory here….)

If you leave the sins and the bad stuff outside when you go into the church, you are just going to pick it right up where you left it, when you go home. No, bring the sins and the bad stuff into the church, bring it to Jesus and let him take it away.

This became the important thought of the day to me!
There is no point preaching and talking about the sins in our life, if we not also talks about why and where we can go/what we can do with it. Go to God he promised to forgive because he loves us.

Amen.

Be blessed!

Today we celebrated the Creation at church.

We gave God thanks for all the wonderful and amazing things our world is filled with. We stopped up a little together for better to see it all. It makes me smile just thinking of how much beauty there is in the small things as well as the larger ones. Among us we had three babies (that got baptized during the service) and having them around made us better understand how fantastic God’s Creations really are(!)

But then we focused on the other side of creation, the more challenging part; how can we preserve it so our children and generations yet to come can appreciate it as we do now. I believe this is a challenge we all need to take seriously and I also believe in doing that we are in fact giving thanks and glory to God, the Creator of it all!

We have a national church aid here in Norway and their youth organization have a saying that I try to remind myself of when needed: “OFF COURSE WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!” (I love their logo, it’s the earth but upside down ). And off course we can, and we should, one person at a time. And I’ve seen it - help in the right place do make a change for those living in that village or in that area - it works. And it makes sense for us with money to help those that have few. It’s in fact the Christian thing, no matter how hard it sometimes is to remember and just do it.

So now I’ll go home and try to make the Creation Day and everyday event. When I mess up and forget to drive less or to share what I have with others - and I will - I know I have a Father that will forgive me and then send me right out in the world again to give it another try…. Are you with me?!

The weekend a couple of weeks ago MT and I went to MT’s very first Church Camp. I’ve been wanting to introduce this to him for a while since I myself had so much fun going to camp every summer when I was child and teenager. But there isn’t many camps for the youngest that’s not Family Camp, and I didn’t want that. Finally I found that at Fjordglimt campsite there was a MiniCamp in the middle of June. So we went!

(more…)

We had a great weekend at church camp.

More later….

Good Friday is a sad and dark day. Jesus was sentenced to death. In Norway the name isn’t Good Friday, but Long Friday.

Good Friday is a quiet day, at least in the churches. In earlier times, here in Norway, it was a strange holiday day, where the usual goal was to do as little work as possible; this was a day of hard labor. They wanted to feel the pain in the body similar to Jesus’ suffering so many years before.

The day is sad and dark. But still there is some light. What happened, that Jesus died, makes the day filled with quiet joy and thanks because he died loving us all.

Read more from the gospel after John, John 18:1-19:30.

What was he thinking?! Getting down on his knees with water and towel in hand. They all looked at him with astonished faces. What was this? Not a part of the Easter meal that they were supposed to start at any moment; remembering the exodus from Egypt. Sure their feet could use the washing, the streets they had walked in were dusty as any, but not by him; that was just not right!

But he carried on, washing like he was their servant. Until he came to Peter, that was. “No, never shall you wash my feet!” Peter almost screamed to Jesus; this wasn’t how it should supposed to be between a master and his pupil. Peter had to make it stop.

But Jesus simply answered: “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me”, and Peter knew right away that he needed this, he even wanted Jesus to wash his hands and face and all. He so wanted to be tight with Jesus, even though some of his actions might seem a bit odd he didn’t care no more. Peter and Jesus were friends and he truly believed that Jesus was something far more than a normal man - he was the one that should set things right between God and man.

A few weeks ago I told this story for our children Sunday school group. I had brought a towel and a basin and looked forward to (fake) wash their feet to really make them feel how it was back then when Jesus did it. But they got disappointed, since I didn’t use water and they hadn’t to remove their shoes they didn’t feel very much like the disciples at all.

It got me thinking; how can we ever live after the word of Jesus about doing as he did?! It’s not like it’s very dusty around here right now and it’s not like we are laying at the table any more either. What did Jesus want us to repeat?

Maybe not so much the actual washing, but the thought about the leader being the servant?! I think so and it’s a huge challenge, it’ll be so much easier just to poor some water in my basin and let them take off their shoes……

Read more in John 13.

Happy Maundy Thursday!

THE GOSPEL OF CHRISTMAS
JULEEVANGELIET

Luke 2:1-14

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

The 29 th of September, is the day for the angels and St. Michael. In Norway we have returned to an old tradition of celebrating this day. This picture I had over my bed as a little child, it still gives me a good and secure feeling. I like that the children doesn’t see the angel being therm, it reminds me of how I see God and that he won’t always protect me from troubled times - but he’ll always be there with me himself, through his angels.

There are over 300 places that angels are mentioned in the Bible, only two angels are called by their name, though. Mikael and Gabriel. Gabriel is the angel visiting Maria to tell her about the son she shall give birth to. Mikael is the most famous angel in the Bible, he’s even called an arch angel. He’s in the front of the fight against evil and is often pictured as a warrior angel. A lot of churches is dedicated to him and I guess most people back then thought he was both safe and breathtaking at the same time and wanted his protection. I guess that is also why his name soon became the name of the angel day. Mikael was in our land (Norway) called Mikkel, so we call his (and the other angels) day for Mikkelsmess.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

Matt 18:1-4.10

I love how he uses the child as an example for the adults.
For us, to set us straight.

In Heaven things aren’t like on earth. More important than asking who’s greatest, is asking how to serve God and humans like Jesus did!

Blessed Sunday!

Jesus is stronger than death! For him death isn’t what it is for us; an impossible barrier to climb, the one thing that truly separates us from those we love.

For Jesus death is just a sleep, that he can awaken us from.

A few times we meet it in the bible; that Jesus conquers death. A widow gets his only son back from death when they meet Jesus on their way to the grave (Luk 7), Jairus are sick with worry and sorrow but gets his little girl back from death when he brings Jesus along (Mark 5).

It makes me smile to read this and I’m amazed, not only because Jesus can do this, but by the cares he does it with and the down-to-earth way of telling them to feed them and clothe them. I guess the last part is needed or else it wouldn’t have been done with the people around in awe over Jesus’ powers….

And then, a few days before he’s heading against his own death, he shows his power and mercy by calling Lazarus out from the grave. No wonder people are amazed about this guy. Stronger than death!

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.”Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”"Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said.”But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

John 11:17-27.37-44

Even thought he gets there way late and Martha is giving him in for that, in the end it doesn’t matter because Jesus is stronger than death. Now he’s ready to face his own death and conquer it for real.

One day death will not be anymore among us, but for now we cling to the hope of eternal life together with him and everyone that believes his word. For us death isn’t the last; because of him death can’t hold us any more than it could him!

BLESSED SUNDAY!

It was my first time in an American church. I was visiting New York and wasted to attend service. I got the church recommended, a lot of others visitors went there as well. I felt welcome and had a great time there. Somethings I was familiar with, other things not. And as a pastor I couldn’t help my self for thinking and comparing to my own church at home….

I have forgotten a lot of the details of the sermon. Only remembers that she had some help, at the end, of the organist. I still smile when I see her in front of me preaching about trusting God, while the organ underlines her words. For me that is so American (I might be wrong, though!) - and therefor a thing that stuck with me. The other thing was her words, that she kept on saying:

LET GO AND LET GOD!
LET GO AND LET GOD!

If I’m not mistaken it’s from a poem. I didn’t know that then.
It’s not easy words to translate this into Norwegian, at least not so catchy, so mostly I just use the English version when I tell people about this service. If I should make a sermon for tomorrow, this is what I would have said over and over again - until my congregation had it as much stuck in their mind as I:

LET GO AND LET GOD! LET GO AND LET GOD!

That is the essence of Jesus words; just read them:

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matt 6:24-33

LET GO AND LET GOD! LET GO AND LET GOD!

Wish you a happy and Blessed Sunday!

anneberit

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Luk 17:11-17

This Sunday, at our church, we’re reminded of how important it is to give thanks. Generations of mothers and fathers have used this text to show their children what thanks are all about, and that it’s not polite not to give thanks - even Jesus wonders where the other 9 men are!

But it’s not all about the polite thanks. In the mans actions and words he gives more than an easy thank you; he acknowledges Jesus for who he is - sent from God, our savior!

By coming back the foreigner gets more than he bargained for, not only a new life and his health back - but also a faith that lasts beyond life and death. Talk about getting a two-for-one deal!!

BLESSED SUNDAY!

He sat there, by the road. Begging, like he used to. When they got there, they pulled him up off the ground, wanted to bring him with them. He did know them, knew that he could trust them. But what did they want now? And what’s the rush?

He couldn’t ask, and even if, he couldn’t hear the answer. He was born that way; deaf and mute. He couldn’t take part in so many things. He hadn’t learned how to read or write. Usually he just sat there by the road, all day, begging for money. The only way he knew that could bring food to the table.

After a little while they stopped. There was another man there too. He had kind eyes. They started talking with him, and he knew they were talking about him when they pointed back at him several times. What was it this time? How he whished he could take part in the conversation, hearing them.

The man turned toward him. Gave him a kind look and then he took him away from the crowed of people. It was only them now. The man moisten his tongue with his spit, he put a finger into his ear. Then he looked up against the sky.

He wasn’t afraid, only excited. What would happen? Could this be the day he had dreamt of for so long? He just knew the man did want to help him. He knew because the man spoke his language. The only language he understood. The language of actions, not words.

“Ephphatha”, - the man said.

And he heard it. He really did, it was true. The very first word of his whole life; he had heard it now. He smiled. Then he tried to use his tongue to mimic the word. Ephphatha.

It worked, his tongue worked. His smile became broader. He turned to the man. Tried to say thanks, but didn’t quite know how. But he saw the man knew what he was trying to say, he smiled too. Then he ran toward his friends. At last he should hear them talk, hear their voices. Take part. Learn to speak like every one else. He could barely wait. It was the best day of his life, a bright new beginning.

His friends could tell him who the man was.

—
The source for my story is here

I first worte this in 2005, now we are back on the same Sunday (in Norway), so here it goes again!

I was supposed to write a sermon for tomorrow but now it’s already today and I haven’t written a word, nor do I know where to start. I have a couple of other things on my mind, but I’m also known to work like this… Letting the theme, the word of God, some prayers and the day (in the church year and so on) all “jumping up and down” in my mind a while before anything use able can come out of it.

17th of May is Norway’s national day. We celebrate with flags and processions - and services in the church. It is for this day I am preparing the sermon. A few verses of Mary’s song of Praise is the text:

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

Luk 1:50-53

A beautiful text, but also provocative - for we are the rich ones…. - I guess that is in the heart of my sermon tomorrow!!

First I need some sleep. My thoughts are often much better arranged in the morning See you around!

Happy birthday, Norway!!

We’ve had the most fantastic weather today. Sun from blue sky. I even managed to get slightly burned….

I started the day with a service, this time with MT at a friends. Confirmation Sunday is a busy one who needs my full attention at all times, it was good not to have MT tapping on my hand also. This year they where 5 confirmants, but the church was filled non the less.

As I told you last post I’ve struggled a bit with the sermon’s topic, but yesterday evening I finally found it; faith. Or TRU as we write it in Norwegian. And then I used those three letters to say what Christian faith is. I used Trust (tillit), Relationship (relasjon) and infinite (Uendeleg). I also made some big letters as a visual during the sermon. It worked. I even got a hug and a “good sermon today” that warmed my heart. Hopefully the youths also got something to think about, I mean after they are through with all the festivity and gifts-openings of the day. Confirmation is a big thing around here!

The rest of the day I’ve just been relaxing. Even used shorts for the first time this year!! A good day!

I’m sitting here, surfing the net and reading a few emails, while MT is having fun taking a loooong bath

Trying to figure out what’s the theme for my sermon shall be for tomorrow. So far I’m not sure and I’m a bit worried about that because I want this sermon to be up there among those that are a little better than okei I think I’m going to talk about how we have a living faith, because Christ is alive and not dead. But I also have to meet the confirmants where they are, thinking of the gifts the receive and the party that starts right after the service, the Confirmation is a big thing around here. That also means many people in church - and that’s a good thing! But again, I just want them to be reached with the sermon. Give them a little bit of Jesus while they are there…

And this is the sermon scripture:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1.Pet 1:3-9

I’d love some input or ideas for the sermon! Thanks
And, by the way - the sun is shining; it’s a wonderful day!!!