Building Bridges.....

During a prayer meeting at some friend's house the other day, the "guest speaker", a friend of our friend's from California USA explained the actual meaning of the name of Australia: that is 'Southern Land of the Holy Spirit', translated from the original Spanish name "Tierra Austral del Espíritu Santo". What he also mentioned is that the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm is situated on a small island and that island is named "Holy Spirit Island", in Swedish "Helgeands holmen". On this small island a charitable institution organized by a pious foundation was located , receiving sick people, poor and elderly as well as foreigners. The original Helgeandshuset ("The House of the Holy Spirit") probably dates back to the 13th century but is not mentioned until 1301. Rebuilt after a fire in 1410, it was moved by King Gustav Vasa in 1531. This I have heard many many times before but was reminded of it during the p...

My wife and I have recently attended a two-day conference in Lund, Sweden with the famous leading New Testament scholar Prof. N.T. Wright. Two intensive days with the subject: "The historical resurrection". The rather small hall at Theofil in Lund was jam-packed with around 90 people with different backgrounds and nationalities. We were gathered to listen to this eloquent, intelligent and humble man of God from University of St Andrews in Scotland. The sessions, the small talks, the different times of fellowship were terrific and what stroke me was Prof. Tom Wright's ability to meet people where they are, and the different struggles priests and pastors are dealing with on a daily basis. You might be stunned by Prof. Wright's knowledge, but it was the man behind all this I saw. His compassion to teach and reach people, his compassion to touch our generation. We really had two great days!

Soon it's church election here in Sweden A strange word for some I guess and it feels special in this country since the state and the church were separated several of years ago. I read in a booklet I got in the mail box the other day what the different political parties stands for. Some talk about solidarity, environmental issues, to take care of the Christian culture, "make a church that is modern", but none talk about Jesus. The real issue for the church is to help people to know God. To assemble them, to evangelise, to discipleship, teach people to true foundation, to help people get a personal relationship with Jesus, to baptise people in water and the holy spirit, equip and help people in need and to prepare people for the eternity with God. The church will do this through baptism, fellowship and in communion. Why did not the politicians mention a bit of this?