I am

 

Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4

Life and reading

July was a month of reading, but I can not say the same about August.  Starting a new job means new routines, and some days it can be enough to figure out dinner when I come home for the night. Trying to get into "War and Peace" might not be the best way of relaxing either, but I hope to get there one day.

On the other hand, I have actually read a lot in the Bible, starting on all the Gospels in the beginning of the month. The reading list here on my blog can be deceiving, as it lists when I finish a book, which can sometimes take a day, other times months. (I started on Psalms last November and completed in July.) My reading plan is chronological down to the verse, so I've been jumping back and forth between Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Some days that results in reading the same story or parable two to three times, and while it can feel a little tedious, I think God has gotten the chance to really underline what I needed for a day! Chronological Bible reading is only getting better as I go. Right now it is combined with "The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Henri Nouwen, and the two make a great pair.

The plot is thickening in the Gospels now. Pharisees and teachers of the law are planning to kill Jesus and there is a lot of tension and suspense. The disciples are noticing it too (Mark 10:32), but seem to have no clue that Jesus death is both inevitable and necessary. I look forward to reading the letters in a few weeks, when their perspective literally has a new dimension! 

Art: "Return of the Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt

July: a month of reading

If June was a wedding month, and it most definitely was, July has been a book of relaxing and reading. 

First of all, I got a Kindle.

Secondly, I have read a total of eight novels this month! There was a lot of time for reading on our honeymoon, and after coming back home to Skien we have enjoyed summer on the beach and at home, often with a book in hand. 

My best picks among my July reads would be "The Humans" by Matt Haig, with an interesting view on what it is to be human, and "The ocean at the end of the lane" by Neil Gaiman, a mysterious fantasy story. "The Lost World" by Arthur Conan Doyle was a real treat as well, and almost made me believe in dinosaurs! And if you find your time precious, you can skip "Songs of Willow Frost". It was not very exciting as I felt like I always knew what was happening next.

Another recommendation is "Får eg lov?", a portrait of the authors big sister, a lady with Downs Syndrom. The book is only in Norwegian, written by a co-worker in YWAM, and it is a beautiful little book about Ingrid, and the authors relationship to her sister.

There has also been time for non - fiction. I have read some exciting books in the Bible, like Daniel, Ezra and Esther, after finally getting through Ezekiel - that was a hard read! Now I am just a couple of pages away from finishing the Old Testament in my Chronological Bible Reading that started in October. I really look forward to entering the Gospels, but I have cheated a little and read a few letters to break it up in the middle of long books like Jeremiah and Chronicles.

So, now that I´m on a roll, do you have any further reading recommendations? 

Eit nådeår

Eg gledar meg over Herren,
mi sjel jublar over min Gud.
For han har kledd meg i frelsesklede
og sveipt meg i rettferds kappe
lik ein brudgom som set på seg presteleg turban,
lik ei brur som pyntar seg med smykke.

For som jorda let spirene veksa,
som ein hage let frøa gro,
så skal Herren Gud
la rettferd og lovsong spira fram for alle folkeslag.

Jesaja 61,10-11

Being a wise or foolish woman

In January I read a classic novel, and reading the Book of Proverbs alongside Gone with the Wind was very interesting. The contrasts are obvious, with Scarlett O´Hara on one side, and the sayings of wise men/women on the other.

Scarlett was a girl that grew up in a Catholic home, with a gentle, loving and virtuous mother. She knew this was the ideal, and must also have known the Bible pretty well, considering the daily devotions for the whole household. But as she matures, and her life becomes a lot more challenging, these values are abandoned one by one.

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Prov. 22:1
Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. Prov. 21:19 

Instead, she chooses a different path.

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. Prov. 21:13
A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. Prov. 21:6 

Loosing friends and loved ones is the result of her insatiable desire and lust for riches. These verses all fit her character very well, as one who esteemed gold more than a good name. When she finally realized the damage she had done, it seemed too late - her husband preferring "the desert" over their miserable union. A lot more proverbs could have been chosen as examples here, so this is a Bible Study I can recommend. 

Along with my Bible reading I have been listening to David Pawson´s "Unlocking the Bible". You can find the whole teaching series here on youtube. For his teaching on Proverbs what really stuck with me was that these proverbs are not promises. They are generally true wise saying, but are not to be treated like magic formulas. As with Scarlett, it is sadly not always the fact that if you Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Prov. 22:6

PS. I once sewed a dress from green velvet curtains. It is not a recommended fabric for a dress. That was a fun scene to read in the book though.

PSS. The Scarlett print can be bought here. 

Unlocking the Bible

Why do we read or study the Bible?
Since I am in the middle of reading through the whole Bible chronologically it has been good to get input from a scholar. David Pawson has a video series (and a book), where he systematically teaches on every book of the Bible. Not exactly new stuff, so it is a good thing that theology doesn´t go out of style.

The video below was very interesting, the topic is our different viewpoints as we read God´s word. If you manage to look past the orange curtain and 90s style, I think you will be challenged!

Chronological Bible Reading

I am in the process of reading through the whole Bible in chronological order. Thats the best way to do it in my opinion. And not just book by book, but a detailed chapter by chapter chronology. This way you will understand who the prophets are speaking to, and the context for some of the psalms. I have enjoyed it before, and can recommend it to anyone!

This plan started after attending a "Walk through the Bible" seminar in September. I did well with keeping up for the first couple of months, but in December I failed miserably. A new year has given me the opportunity of a fresh start, and while I am not exactly caught up, at least I have maintained a good habit. It takes a lot of discipline, but it is worth it!

Would you read through the Bible?

A longing fulfilled is a tree of life

Many many moons ago I joined a book club, and when I convinced my friend to join as well, I got a cooking kit from said book club as a thank you gift. I still use the pots and pans, and they work fine. This must be at least 9 years ago, since I remember unpacking and using these things in my apartment in Oslo as a student from 2004-2005. There was also a hand blander in this kit (or perhaps it was from the baking kit from the same book club? I cant remember.)

While cleaning my cupboards earlier this year, I got rid of this mixer. The blades were dull and I never used the handheld whisk since I had another (better) one for that purpose. Since I had an ordinary blender I thought I would be fine. That was until the end of May, when my cheap 4,5 year old blender suddenly died in the middle of making a smoothie...

Fast forward 5 months, and imagine my excitement when unwrapping a brand new Braun hand blender at my birthday party! It is such a joy to have friends who know me well and give good gifts. It also a greater pleasure to receive something I have been wanting for a long time. If you haven´t made a wish list yet, I warmly recommend it.


Illustration of Proverbs 13:12 by artist Kyle Steed.

Walk through the Bible

Creation.
Fall.
Flood.
Nations.
4000 years ago.
.....

Today I walked through the Old Testament and got an overview of the important people, places and events of these books. It seems like a lot, and I am impressed by the seminar. But I am much more impressed by God. To see his faithfulness, grace, promises and character throughout the whole history of the Isrealites and all of it leading up to God´s perfect plan of sending Jesus was amazing. There is so much drama and conflict, and unbelievable love stories too. It was almost like watching a very long movie, and in the end, we all said "ahhhh", as we realized how the pieces all fit together. This was a good day, and now I think I am ready to read the whole Bible with the DTS this year.

Advent: He is coming

It is December 1st today! Soon Christmas, but first: Advent. I blogged about advent for YWAM Skien on our blog, but you can read my post here as well:

    

Tomorrow we start the great countdown for Christmas! During the darkest time of the year, almost everyone is excited for the fun, the lights, advent calenders (with gifts?) and many preparations for the holidays. In the midst of the business, do we stop to reflect on the reason for the celebration? We look forward to good food, time with family, days off and lots of presents, and even as Christians, it can be hard to focus on Jesus.

If you are anything like me, you need a good reminder once in a while. Now I would like to remind us, myself included, that this season can be a time to reflect on the coming of our King.

I found an advent devotional you can use to unwrap more of this amazing story of a mighty saviour, our God who humbled himself to come as a little baby boy for our sake. And as Christmas draws near, I hope we will be filled with more gratitude and joy!

Advent Devotional by Ann Voskamp.

I wish you a wonder-filled Advent!

Gratitude

A beautiful summer day in England. 

Yesterday I sent out my newsletter, and here is an excerpt:

November is a month where I usually get reminded of thankfulness. Now, I´ve actually been thinking a lot about thankfulness for a couple of months. As Christians we are called to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God´s will for us in Christ Jesus." 1.Thess. 5:18. This is certainly not easy, but there is a real challenge to see our lives as gifts from God, and give him the proper thanks, not just for the obviously good things, but in ALL circumstances.

Some things I am thankful for:

- Translating Bible teaching for the DTS.
- 35 great students this fall.
- The Bible - God´s true word to you and me!

- A new roof on my building.
- Parents who help me build things.
- Thinking about becoming an aunt soon!

What are three things you are thankful for today?

Read the rest of the newsletter here.

PS. If you like this, you can subscribe here and get these letters directly in your inbox!

Shine like stars

"...you will shine among them like stars in the sky 

as you hold firmly to the word of life."

Phil. 2:15-16

Amazing print from One Lantern.

Hidden treasures

This is some what we talked about in class today. I am translating Mary Jean Powers on the topic "The Word of God" and I enjoy it very much.

God has words for us every day, in every situation, we (I) just need to learn to listen!!

PS. A new picture and scripture every day, from God´s finger prints.

Beautiful truth

I found this great website today. Typographic verses by Jonathan Odgen and other guest designers. 

Things I like lately

Via Modern Hepburn

Oslo.

Seeing the king and the rest of the royal family.

Flowers from my boyfriend.

Art at the National Gallery.

The theatre and an acting sister.

The Bible.

Waiting to become an aunt!

Walks and wildflowers.

Coffee with friends.

Summer! 

A cry from the East

Macedonia

I cant believe I will be going to Macedonia next week! Today I read these ancient words about someone else traveling, though he traveled west with his company.

"During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."
Acts 16:8-10

I am planning RISK - an outreach to all of Europe at the same time. Over 200 YWAM students and staff will spread across the continent for a few days of prayer and sharing Jesus. It will be a great adventure, thats for sure!

Even if you are not going with us, you can follow us on facebook and on our blog ywamskien.wordpress.com

Also: some great and entertaining tips on how to be an adult.
Perhaps one tip can be to start tweeting? I just joined, and you can follow me here.

Picture source: google.com via Alicia on Pinterest

GOfest in retrospect

GOfest... It seems hard to sum up something that long (a whole month!) ago. Instead I will give you one of my highlights.

Marie Hognestad is an amazing worship leader, and at GOfest I heard her with her band for the first time. It made such an impact on me that I had no choice but to buy her record afterwards. It has been playing non stop in the apartment the last weeks, and we dont get tired of it. The lyrics are from the Bible and her voice is just beautiful. 

You can check out her music on myspace, and you should, cause this is divine! 

By grace we have hope

There seems to be no words on a day like this, and what was important yesterday has lost its meaning. On the train home to Skien on this sad day I find comfort in these ancient prayers:

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,

who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

encourage your hearts in every good deed and word.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God´s love and Christ´s perseverance.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

The Lord be with you all.

2.Thessalonians 2:16-17, 3:5.16

Favorites

Blueberry pancakes with fresh blueberries from the forest/garden on a pretty blue plate.

Blue moleskine on my blue bible

Breakfast symphony in blue and yellow

Blue skies and daisies. Finally some sun around here!

it

"Without vision, 

the people perish."

Proverbs 29:18

Right now I am challenged by reading "it" by Craig Groeschel and listening to Scott Wilson teaching on Biblical thinking. Vision that looks beyond the obvious sounds like a good idea right now. I am also baking rolls and have big plans of hanging blinds in the bedroom before the night comes to an end. I love the bright summer nights, but I must say I look forward to sleeping in a dark room.