Admittedly the last two blogpost has been a bit out there. “Bring it all” was was some high flying radical snippet of text wasn’t it? So I’ll take it all down a notch this time around. Not because the trip to London not was a spiritual journey in God. It was! But because 1. I first need to comprehend the journey myself. And 2. I want to tell you all how great London was! No matter what your faith are! ;-) I’ll write in English again for my English speaking friends. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see any of those of you who live in England. Hopefully we can catch up next time. :-)

So I traveled with my friend Gunnar to London last Wednesday. Some doom sayers had warned about some ash in the skies again. Didn’t affect us. Flight was nice. Easily found our way to St. Athans Hotel. I knew it was poor on beforehand, but still I felt it a bit lousy when we arrived. Guess I have to high demands. All was tight. Lean walls, seep stairs, and a very small room with half working shower in the hallway. But Later on I realized our hotel wasn’t that bad. First of all, we didn’t stay much at the hotel. That’s not what we went to London for. It was clean, it’s staff very nice people, good breakfast, cheap and a central location in a fairly quiet street. Not to mention later on we got better rooms too. Same price. Plus it was other cool people I knew from Stavanger staying there the later days. Not to dance on others misery, but I must admit it helped a bit hearing about another hotel someone else from Stavanger stayed on. Poor girls. ;-)

Enough hotel!  What did you do then?

Yes. First day, Thursday, we went to the British Museum. Looked at stone sculptures, sarcophagus, walls, pots and much else from Egypt and other ancient civilizations. Amazing how much work and details they put into those things so long ago. For what? To live forever. To be remembered. Well some succeeded with with being remembered for long at least. With masses of slaves and craftsmen just remembered as that. Pictures coming later. Then we looked at mummies at Egyptian grave stuff. Crowded there. Lots of kids amazed by the mummies. Seemed quite cheerful too. I didn’t feel that cheerful looking at mummies I must admit. Than we walked the corridors. Some Britain history. Finally I insisted on taking a round in the Greek/Rome part of the museum. Rome never cease to fascinate. How easy the mighty can fall…

Enough history jumbo now. Then what?

Right. We went down to Trafalgar Square. Stood there looking out. Gunnar read a newspaper. I looked out the people, listened to some music, thought for a bit and got to get acquainted with being in a busy city. I often need to settle in a bit to new situations before handling them. (As the IJ I am for you MBTI fellas.) Then we walked down Oxford street. Little shopping. More looking. Not so much at anything to shop, just looking. Time for the Tube. And we bought us some Oyster cards. Very happy with that. I think we struck a good deal. :-) We used the tube a lot during these days. So good to just have the card then. I think we was on almost all of the lines. Though not so far on most of them. Mostly we stayed in central London.

Anyway, jumping forwards: Watched Stomp. (Was that before?)  Cool show. Then went for a Walk(tm). We was recommended Walks.com earlier on. A great recommendation. They offer many different types of guided tours in London. Seemed more serious than most other guided tours. Almost no profiling, just have become quite large on sheer reputation of quality. On Thursday we was on a Jack the Ripper walk. yes, I know a bit standard. About 30 other who operates such tours our awesome guide Shaugan said. Back at the hotel there  suddenly had arrived more friendly faces from Stavanger. :-) After almost 14 hours out of our room I went happily to sleep.

Friday we took a bit more easy. Slept long. Decided to go on another walked. Arrived just at time. It was Shaugan again. This time with “Hidden London”.  The best guided tour I’ve ever been too. I think he could have taken us thourgh hidden bits of London for days to an end.

Then! Passion for his name. Sorry, even in this factual travel summary he can’t neglect to mention our main purpose of the whole trip. Passion London.  We traveled to Wemebely Arena with a large group from Stavanger, most of them from ACTA Bible Study. A great bunch of young people. A chaotic, energetic, happy, fun and bright bunch of people. :-) We ate together. Los Angeles classic burgers for most of us. ;-) Someone had a whole Pizza left that they brought with them for some strange reason. When we arrived at Passion none wanted to carry it so I ended up with it. I was stuffed. Apparently so was everyone else in our group. I tried desperate to get some of those who worked as volunteers to eat some. They refused but seemed happy with the offer. Finally I got some brits to accept it. They didn’t believe me at first. But then one took the box, opened it and exlaimed with suprise “But there’s like a whole Pizza here! Really?” “Yes, go ahead.” That was nice. Even if I can’t take much credit for it. It was not my idea, and not my money spent on it. But still gave a nice feeling. :-) That’s how little it takes.

Seriously!!! Enough about some Pizza! I thought this was about you travels?

Oh… Well the Passion was great! More about that another time. Saturday we also was on a walk. Around Westminster this time. A quite crowded tourist area on this fairly sunny day. Then we visited Tower Bridge. Looked at it open. Then we had to run to catch other Stavanger people as they was of to eat again. We missed them. Slumbered at the hotel for a bit before suddenly we had little time again. (We blame it all on the girls getting ready to leave!) ;-) We rushed towards Wemebely again. I and Marita had to be there before the event to talk for a bit with a Norwegian journalist. Then Passion again. No Pizza this time. Event even greater. I think. Even if “Healing in your hands” wasn’t sung this day. Norway mentioned from stage! Woohoo. Apparently we make some impression. :-) Perhaps more about that another time. A late night. Chating and relaxing on the hotel.

Sunday we took a trip to the Science Museum. Was nice, but seemed to need to electrical repairs. Then we ended up sitting for a long time on a café even if that wasn’t our intention. Then we got to Hillsong London for a Sunday sermon. Was cool. Quite different than what I am used to, even if I belong to a fairly charismatic church by Norwegian standards. After the sermon the girls I and Gunnar was there with was to leave for Norway. As the British gents Gunnar and I am we took the girls through the Tube and traveled with them to Victoria Station. ;-) Then Gunnar wanted to visit a Improvisation Musical(!). I am sure that was cool, but I needed to wind down. So we splat for the first time. ;-) I think Gunnar had a great tome. I used the time walking in the streets and parks around our hotel. What can I say. That was perhaps the best part of the whole trip! :-) More about that another time?

Walking by yourself? Thinking then I guess?

Mhhmm. And listening. And praying. Very nice.

I bet. What about 17th may then?

Did you know that 17th may is the National Day of Norway. (Norwegian Constitution Day).  It’s unlike other national days of most other countries. No military, no parades. It’s the people who celebrate, first of all the children. And Norway is so beautiful in May! All of Norway celebrate. Well some grumpy ones don’t, but I think most of them already has fled the country on that day. I hadn’t fled! Not at all. It was really a bit difficult for me not to be in Norway at 17th of may. We suited up, unpacked our flags and everything and traveled for the the Norwegian Seaman Church of London. It’s a nice place southeast of Tower Bridge. We was a bit late so we had to stand through the sermon. People was happy. We ate some waffles, drank some Solo and took some pictures. Then we went to a park nearby where there was event’s and a parade. We ate some ice and met some of the ACTA people. It was really nice, but I missed Norway. ;-)

We had a bit of fun with a clown and fooling around before I and Gunnar had to head for our flight. Went around trying to shop a little before we left. We hadn’t done that before. It got a bit expensive at the airport. Our flight departed on time. No ash trouble for us now either. :-) Even if the airport had been closed just hours before  we departed.

Arrived at Norway. Was met by two sweet girls at the airport, driving my car. :) Drove home, had a nice chat with Gunnar before we said goodbye.

Well that was the bulk of it.  I tried to leave out details but I see I failed some places. ;-) To summarize:

One of the best trips I’ve had in many years.

Thank you!

My manifesto.

I live a good life. I am secure, no threat from my government. I have a enjoyable job, able to work with things that interest me along with friendly people. I have a home, a car, a stable income. In fact compared to rest of the world, I have a very good income. I am fed every day. I can buy most of the things I desire. I can spend my time with things that interest me. I have people that care about me. Friends, family. I am free to express my opinions. I live in a beautiful country. All this is good. I am grateful. And I am grateful that most people around me in my daily life has the same good things that I do. But why do I then live in a society that does not seem grateful at all? I’m just a human, and I’m affected. I get a feeling that this is to little too.

Let me shock you: It really is too little!! There is a central piece missing. The foundation stone. The purpose of life. Our creator!

And I’ve met him… Woah! So my life is not good. It’s great!!! He’s given me a purpose.  A place to settle down. A congregation to belong to. He gives me wisdom, leads me through trials. He gives his shoulder to cry on, he lets me dance and seeing freely to his name. He laughs along with me. He drags me up again and again. He points out at world for me, opens my eyes. He gave me free will. All that is good. I’m so grateful.  Still, all that would be nothing without the key to it all. His love. He loves me. He loves all of us. All.

That’s crazy!

And so amazing.

To show his love he sacrificed himself so that he could spend all his time with us. And how I fail in return. Oh how I fail. How I’m dragged into this world. Petty words, struggles for power, tiredness, egocentric daily life. Then step by step he shows me new ways. Turns me around. He washes away all that’s been. He humbles me. And let me rise again and shine in his light. Fills me with His love, and remains me that that is what it’s all about. Not demands, not numbers, not past. But love.

So my biggest desire in life is to love Him back. To live in His grace. In His love. And in free love do His will. I’ve so much yet to explore in that relationship. I’ve so far to go in his path. So much to listen to that he wants to tell me.

Therefore I take a time-out now. I go to London and the Passion-conference there. To honor him. To love him. To listen. To let him fill me again. With life. And I will bring everything. He expect nothing less. All my sorrows, all my joy. Because he doesn’t care about just some of it. He doesn’t limit his love. Love is not only for the good days. True love lasts every day, no matter what. In this chaotic world I want to live a life by him. I may falter again, surely I’m still human. But here I take a stand. Let Your love always surround me when all else falters. No chaos can tear down you God. Be everything in my life God. And I will bring everything to You. Jesus, I want You to be my life.

Yes, I’m crazy for God.

It may seem a bit crazy to you.

Hey, it’s a bit crazy and scary for me too.

But that’s love you know. ;-)

And to him I’ll bring everything. Please hold me to that. :-)

Oh, this post is a strange one!

It’s parts of text from the ending chapters of a fiction novel in a long series of books. So it’s full of spoilers if your gonna read the book. You probably ain’t reading the book so go ahead, read this. ;-)

I am not quite sure why I post it, but I do. Just a novel, but the words fit right now.

-:-

-:-

Then he rested his elbows on his knees and his head on his hands, staring at the diminutive statue of the man with the globe.

To think.

[...]

Why? Why had the Creator done this to them? Why?

Why do we live again? the voice in his head asked, suddenly. His voice was crisp and distinct.

Yes, Rand said, pleading. Tell me. Why?

Maybe… The voice said, shockingly lucid, not a hint of madness to him. He spoke softly, reverently. Why? Could it be… Maybe it’s so that we can have a second chance.

Rand froze.

[...]

All was still. Even with the tempest, the winds, the crashes of thunder. All was still.

Why? Rand thought with wonder. Because each time we live, we get to love again.

That was the answer.

It all swept over him, lives lived, mistakes made, love changing everything.

[...]

That’s why he lived again, and that was the answer to his fathers question. I fight because last time, I failed. I fight because I want to fix what I did wrong.

I want to do it right this time.

[...]

The Power winked out.

The tempest ended.

And Rand opened his eyes for the first time in a very long while. [...]

He regarded the world beneath him. The clouds above had finally broken, if just above him. The gloom dispersed, allowing him to see the sun hanging just above.

Rand looked up at it. Then he smiled. [...]

It had been far too long.

[...]

[...]

“Some novices noticed it first, Mother,” Silviana said, stepping beside her. “And news spread quickly. Who would have thought that a little ring of sunlight would cause such a stir? It’s such a simple thing, really. Nothing we haven’t seen before. But…”

There was something beautiful about it. The light streaming down in a column, strong and pure. Distant, yet striking. It was like something forgotten, but somehow still familiar, shinning forth from a distant memory to bring warmth again.

[...]

She stood there, rather than returning to her stud immediately. It felt relaxing to stare out at that distant light, so welcoming and noble. “Storms will soon come”, it seemed to say. “But for now, I am here”.

I am here.