Erling Thu

Category: Joy

  • Hacked – no access to Facebook

    Nearly two weeks ago someone hacked, phished or otherwise compromised my Facebook account. I have been deleted from all my sosial media groups.
    My Facebook account has been taken over by a person called Kien Con Cac. I have no longer access to Facebook, Messenger or Instagram. It is not a nice experience. I feel cheated, exploited and stupid. I have reported everything to Facebook but have had no help. The links they have sent me does not solve my problem and Facebook seems to be unable to help in this matter. I find this very strange.

    Before Facebook I was an eager blogger. After Facebook came on the scene it has taken over and I have only been using my Typepad platform for blogging occationally. I now plan to take up blogging again.

    I may have no access to my Facebook account, but I have full access to all the heavenly blessings in Christ. I am a child of God and I can enter the presence of the Almighty God. I may be blocked from using Messenger, but I no one can block me from using the door of prayer. I may be shut out from sosial media, but I am still part of the holy community of the covenant people of God. What I have lost is not really very important. The real values in life no one can take away from me. I have free access to the Throne of Grace. No one can steal my identity as a child of God. My heavenly profile or account can not be compromised. Therefore I rejoice in the Lord. God is good. I am safe in his hands!

  • True Joy

    In the passage from verses 9 to 16, each line begins with the Hebrew letter Beth. This section is very much about true joy.

    Psalm 119.9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 

    This verse has followed me since I was a young Christian. I am so grateful for the Norwegian prayer house movement I grew up in, because there we learned to highly value God's Word high and let it control our lives. The psalmist asks a very important question and gave us the right answer: How can a young man live clean? By living in the Word of God and walking in the truths of the Word.

    Of course, this truth does not only apply to young people. But young people in their youth for the first time meet all the lusts and desires that can make life impure. In our childhood we were unfamiliar with much of these impure impulses, but in youth we encounter this with full force. Childhood is a time of innocence, but in youth we meet all the temptations that belong to adult human life.

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  • Liberating the moment

    To be somebody

    is to liberate the moment

    from the dullness of being taken for granted

    It is to avoid the temptation

    to capture the moment

    through a camera

    to print it on paper

    but rather to enjoy the moment

    for all its worth

    liberating it from memories of the past

    by embracing the new moment

    arriving every second

    I am somebody

    when I live in the present

    enjoying the ever flowing Spirit of Grace

    who enables me to give thanks in all circumstances

    taking hold of opportunities

    and letting go of past failures

    as I embrace the moment of God's presence

  • Celebrating life

    To be somebody

    is to celebrate birthdays, wedding-days,

    Christmas, Easter, Whitsunday

    or any other special days

    and New Year with great joy!

    It is to make use of all circumstances

    to celebrate and rejoice

    in the rich life from God!

    It is to rejoice in being

    uniquely created in the image of God,

    rejoicing over all our gifts and talents

    enjoying life to the full!

    Life itself is the greatest reason for celebration

    Only when I am alive

    I am somebody

  • Being a grandfather

    To be somebody
    is being a grandfather
    of many unique grandchildren
    and loving each one of them
    in a very special way

    Grandchildren are the crown of life,
    crowning you with dignity and honour.
    Grandchildren are the desert of life,
    making your life radiant of joy
    When you have many grandchildren
    you realize that you are truly somebody
    for you have achieved something very great.

    To be somebody
    Is being a grandfather of happy grandchildren,
    For there is no greater achievement in life
    Happy grandchildren prove that you have succeeded,
    that you are somebody – all by the grace of God.

    Text: Erling Thu (c)

  • Being a grandfather

    To be somebody
    is being a grandfather
    of many unique grandchildren
    and loving each one of them
    in a very special way

    Grandchildren are the crown of life,
    crowning you with dignity and honour.
    Grandchildren are the desert of life,
    making your life radiant of joy
    When you have many grandchildren
    you realize that you are truly somebody
    for you have achieved something very great.

    To be somebody
    Is being a grandfather of happy grandchildren,
    For there is no greater achievement in life
    Happy grandchildren prove that you have succeeded,
    that you are somebody – all by the grace of God.

    Text: Erling Thu (c)

  • To be somebody is to fly with the wings of encouragement

    To be somebody
    Is to allow words of encouragement
    To become wings of faith
    Making you ignore limitations
    Causing you to jump over walls
    Motivating you to cross borders

    To be somebody
    Is to believe and receive words
    Appreciation from unknown people
    Praise from close friends
    As seeds of greatness
    Producing desires to serve
    In greater variety and measures

    To be somebody
    Is to fly with the wings of encouragements
    To new horizons of joy
    In being connected to a new reality
    Having your life enlarged
    Being enabled to break out
    Of geographical and cultural limitations
    To explore the limitless sky
    As prophetic words are coming true
    In walking humbly with your God

    Text: Erling Thu (c)

  • The way to happiness

    We are only truly happy when we walk in total integrity, walking in the light of God's word. The paths of God lead us to pleasant places. Walking face to face with God brings fulness of joy. When he whispers to us in the night, revelation floods our soul and we overflow with joy. Happiness is the hallmark of a person living close to God.

    God is always close to us and he is always available. Happiness is to experience his wrap-around-presence every moment. Then our heart and soul will explode with joy and be overshadowed by his glory.

    Happiness in the heart and overflowing joy are the gift to those who keep the ways of God, those who seek him as their heart's passion. 

  • Hallelujah Chorus

    Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Praise God in his holy sanctuary!

    Praise him in his stronghold in the sky!

    Praise him for his miracles of might!

    Praise him for his magnificent greatness!

    Praise him with trumpets blasting!

    Praise him with piano and guitar!

    Praise him with drums and dancing!

    Praise him with the loud, resounding clash of cymbals.

    Praise him with every instrument you can find!

    Let everyone everywhere join in the crescendo of ecstatic praise to Yahweh!

    Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

    Psalm 150 The Passion Translation

     

  • Harvesting the blessings

    To be somebody is harvesting the blessings

    That the Creator has showered upon us,

    Seeing all around us evidences of his goodness.

    Picking blackberries, redcurrents and gooseberries

    From the bushes I planted in my own garden

    Along with wild blueberries in the forest

    And fish in the net in my lake.

    To be somebody is enjoying the blessings of God

    Hidden in everyday life, at home or in nature.

     To be somebody is seeing the blessings

    Even when they come in disguise.

    To be somebody is harvesting the blessings

    In difficulties and challenging situations,

    To be able to share it with others