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?

Jesus said in John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep". It is true. In those days the shepherd lived with his sheep. He knew them all. If he lost one, he instantly went to find the lost one. He protected the sheep from thieves and wolves. His rod was a weapon. He stayed with his sheep all night. It could be cold, it was dirty. As the shepherd spends all this time with the sheep, carrying them, sleeping close together, he started to smell like his sheep. The Sheep knew him not only by his voice but by the smell of him. Jesus used this analogy as a leader: He describes himself as not only “the shepherd,” but the “good shepherd.” This is the kind of leadership Jesus used, a leadership that brought the scattered sheep together, a leadership that protected the herd, a leadership that calmed them down, a leadership that protected them. This is the kind of leadership that build the first churches. Is it a leadership t...

A year ago we used to sing a song "Oh how he loves us". I liked the lyrics and the music was nice as well. Yesterday during a prayer meeting we heard the song again and I was yet again reminded, OH how he loves us. He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. OH How he loves us! When his love hit us it is like a hurricane and then we want to be a tree to catch as much wind as possible with our branches. His love shakes us, his love never fails. Oh how he loves us.

I read a small article by Pastor John Ortberg from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California. He said that: "If you are a Pastor or a Church leader you have a calling far more important than you may know". Lots of Pastors or leaders are very "task" orientated. "The great danger in ministry is that we think about the task before us in ways that are too small!" Make budget, trying to fill up the church hall every Sunday, launching nice programs, Working hard to make the church and its vision so easy to understand and handle. We have a task all of us. Jesus said: " Go out in the entire world, go and make disciples. "Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you" Lets go out there....

The former prime minister Margret Thatcher died earlier this year. During her funeral many people around the world mourn a great leader. Not everyone thinks so though. Many people, especially in England dislike her and her rule during the 80s and 90s. I saw two women on TV protesting against Thacher wearing a t-shirt with the text: Never forget, never forgive. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.( Matthew 6:14-15) Forgiveness is one of the “key” words of the Christian faith. If God had not included forgiveness in His plan for us, none of us would enjoy life renewed with Him in heaven. Without forgiveness there would be no hope at all. In order to receive forgiveness for our sins, we need to forgive others. Forgiving others allows us to overcome feelings of anger, hate, or bitterness. Forgiveness can heal spiritual wounds and bring th...