To be somebody is being a historic person
born into history by real parents
raised in a family of brothers or sisters
educated in a public school system
-but climbed above the average
-by becoming self taught
-in skills of life and spiritual wisdom
Being a historic person born into history
-not just to flow with the current trends
-but to create new trends
-set an example
To be somebody is to motivate change in people
-to change the course of history
-by many followers
Yesterday Solveig and I went to be with the growing covenant community at the island of Stord. The work is lead by Jan Sigve and Astrid Elin Hystad. We met in their beautiful house with a big terrace and a most gorgeous view I have ever seen from a house!
To be somebody is longing for God
-above everything else
Longing for God is not longing for an experience
It is longing for a true relationship
It is not about having some knowledge of God
But it is about knowing him
-as a person
-as a friend
-as a confidant
-as a companion
Not to become high on him
But to be conformed to his image
Not to learn more, to increase knowledge
But to love him more
I am somebody when I realise
-I am created to be a God-lover
I am somebody when the very purpose of my life
-is to love God
I am somebody when I am longing for God
-only because of love
The Kingdom of God is dynamic life and transforming power. It has an effect on the individual believer, the covenant community and the society at large! According to Jesus, the covenant community is salt and light, yeast and seed at work in the world.
The elders of the covenant community in Bergen have done a lot of planning recently. We are having strategic discussion with a larger leadership group. Today and tomorrow the elders only are together to fellowship and plan for growth and expansion. This is very much like what I have been reading about at the end of 1 Chronicle.
I was very encouraged this morning by an article in the Friday Fax on church-growth in India. Therefore I decided to include almost the entire article.
Recent research reveals that new churches have been planted in almost 50% of the villages in Punjab, a state in northern India. That is an almost unbelievable development. An ever-increasing number of Christian leaders are joining REACH PUNJAB 2007, which aims to plant a new Christian church in every Punjabi village. Besides such reports, we regularly hear news from India such as this:
I saw a man ploughing his field with a tractor. First he was ploughing within the fence. He was only ploughing the already cultivated land. Then he broke new ground by ploughing the field outside the fence at the one end of his land. After finishing breaking some new ground in that end, he was looking at the other end, planning to break more new ground. Then he realised that part was rocky with large boulders scattered on the land. He was very discouraged by that sight and was about to give up the thought of breaking up any new ground on that part of his property.
Then I heard God speak: There is always room for enlargement! You must not be overwhelmed by the hindrances. You must not quit too early! There is a greater potential for growth than the natural eyes can see!
Når elvane fossar i årene dine
Når fjorden speglar fjella i sjela di
Når sola strålar varme frå augo dine
Når vinden har vorte eitt med ånda di
Når regn, sludd eller snø fyller orda dine
Når du har kledd deg i himmelskyer
Når du ber stjerner som krone
Når du ser deg sjølv som einearving
-til heile Guds vedunderlege verden
Når du ser alle andre folk som einearvingar
Når du kan syngja og tilbe Gud med heile kroppen
-og alt som bur i deg
Då veit du å verdsetja naturen
– Guds eige meisterverk
To be somebody is to learn as long as one live
-receiving new insight every moment
-gaining deeper appreciation
-going awake through life
-enjoying the present
-loving the people coming our way
To be somebody is actively taking part
-in life long learning
-in life long personal growth
-in life long corporate development
To be somebody is paying the prize
Of learning by personal change
-of attitude and actions
-of habits and motivation
It has been busy days since we returned from vacation in Spain. We have had two long and wonderful days with the apostolic team at Gullbotn. I am so happy that we made som important decisions. Then I have been to an effective but late night board meeting for Bergen Bibelskole. This morning I met with the pastors for prayer and a good time of fellowship before we had to discuss and make an unaminous decision on how to handle a challenging situation regarding one Christian leader in the city who has left the classical Christian belief in some moral matter. I was very happy to register that we were all in agreement!