This summer I have been reading several books. "Emerging Churches" by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K Bolger is one of the books I have enjoyed. There are lots of practices among the so called emerging churches I don’t fancy, but I like the focus on the Kingdom of God that I find in this book. They claim that an emerging church community seeks the Kingdom in all realms as it serves as a way of life for its people. Then they present this definition of emerging churches: Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures.
Month: July 2006
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Technokrati Tags
I are trying to introduce Technokrati Tags to my blog to help more people find my blog. Typepad is quite easy to use and have recently introduced many new features. I plan to add more new features in the future. I am very pleased with Typepad since there seems to be a constant development and upgrade going on.
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State in India Tightens Controls on Conversions
In spite of a national minority panel report confirming violence against Christians in the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh, the state government today passed an amendment making stricter the “anti-conversion” law that has increased persecution of Christians. The amendment, introduced in the House assembly on Friday (July 21), requires clergy and “prospective converts” to notify authorities of the intent to change religion one month before a “conversion ceremony.” Currently the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1968 requires that notice be sent within seven days of conversion. Under the amendment, once advance notification has been received, authorities will decide whether the conversion is “forced” or “by allurement.” The amended law must be signed by the governor before becoming law. “This violates the fundamental right of the people, as it is the government which would decide if a person can be converted or not,” according to Indira Iyengar, member of the Madhya Pradesh Minorities Commission.
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Sad news – good news – India
I have just received news from some of my friends in India. It is some sad news and some exciting good news.
Bherulal, one of our former Bible School students, who pioneered a church in his village, went to visit another village to share the good news of the Kingdom. While he was away some people from RSS – a fundamentalist Hindu fascist group – came to his home. They beat all the family and raped his wife. When Bherulal returned home he found his family in a devastated condition. He went to the elders of the village to complain. While he was there the perpetrators came to threaten them all. They told Bherulal that they wouldn’t allow any Christian to live the village. The elders couldn’t do any thing, but advise him to take it to the police. He went to the police to deliver a complaint, but so far nothing has happened.
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Holiday mood
I have been in holiday mood for quite some time now. We are having very warm weather in Bergen at the moment. The house is filled with grandchildren. I have been finishing painting the house and the fences. We are still harvesting strawberries in the garden. Now the blackcurrants are getting ready for harvesting. Somehow this is not the time for much blogging!
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Wonderful Bible Week
I was not able to connect to Internet while I was at the Bible Week at Stokke in the eastern part of Norway. The weather was a tremendous blessing for all. The sun was shining from cloudless sky all week. That is a miracle to some of us! But the blessing of God rested on the people in peaceful harmony. In the gatherings we experienced the presence of God and some outstanding healings. The ministry of the Word was good and encouraging. About six hundred people were attending the whole week and in addition to that many visitors attended the gatherings. The venue for the Bible Week was most outstanding with beautiful flowers and plants.
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Attending Bible Week at Stokke
Tomorrow morning we leave Bergen to go to Jæren on our way to the Bible Week at Stokke. We have chosen this route to be able to visit Solveig’s mother and relatives on the way. Our youngest son, Josef and his family, will come with us as well.
We are looking forward to the Bible Week with great expectations. We expect the presence of God to be manifested among us and we expect to see a lot of old and new friends. Wolfgang Simson from Germany is the only guest speaker this year. He will speak at the seminars on Thursday and Friday. The ministries of Kristent Nettverk, together with all whom the Spirit choose to use, will minister in the other gatherings.
If I am able to connect to Internet I will blog about what is going on at the Bible Week that starts on the 12th and end on the 16th of July.
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Better than strawberries
The strawberry season is very enjoyable. Everyday new strawberries are ready to be picked and eaten, and of cause some turned into jam. As we were having our evening meal of strawberries and ice cream on the veranda I was reminded of Psalm 19 in the Message version saying:
God’s word is better than a diamond. better than a diamond set between emeralds. You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
Eugene H. Peterson must be a kindred spirit, a God lover and a strawberry lover!
The word of God is even better than diamonds and strawberries! Sitting outside enjoying the beautiful nature and meditating on the Word of God is most wonderful!
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Harvesting strawberries
Solveig and I have been back in Norway for more than a week and we enjoy the beautiful summer weather in Bergen. We have been busy with some work with the house and looking after grandchildren. The strawberries have been ripening day by day. We have picked a few some days ago, but today we could bring in the first proper harvest of Norwegian strawberries! There is no berry or fruit in the entire world that can compete with Norwegian strawberries.
As the sun went down behind the mountain. Solveig and I were sitting on the veranda looking at the fjord in front of us, enjoying delicious strawberries and giving thanks to God for his goodness towards us. Today we celebrate that it is 43 years since we exchanged rings and got betrothed to one another.