Watching Passion 2010 Playback…you can too at http://www.268generation.com/passion2010/
8:45 PM Jan 3rd via web

has just heard an amazing speech by @AndyStanley at
#Passion2010
05.01.2010 22:10:51 via web

who’s gonna be the 100th person I follow? hum…
06.01.2010 16:38:54 via web
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Jeg elsker julen. Har gjort det siden jeg var liten gutt. Ikke på grunn av pakkene, ikke av maten, ikke av å være med venner og familie, ikke å av å ha fri, ikke over alt det vakre… Alt er godt, og er viktige deler av julen. Der er med å gjøre julen det den er. Men kanskje ett år har pakkene sviktet, det har ikke blitt som jeg har tenkt, ting har blitt kjipere, noe har manglet. Til tross for slike ting har julen alltid vært, god og jeg gleder meg hver gang til neste. Midt i gleden kjenner jeg en nostalgi i julen, tanker om det som har vært, om mitt liv. Tanker som er gode, men også negative med hva man ikke har klart. Hvorfor man er? Hva driver jeg egentlig på med i mitt liv? En form av slik tanker har nok svirret i mitt hode fra nokså ung alder. Tanker utover liver her og nå.

Så hvorfor elsker jeg julen? Jeg tror det er noe med vårt menneskelige rop etter lys i mørket, hele stemningen, alle drømmene om fred. Ett felles uttrykk til noe som er større enn oss selv. Gavene, stemningen, musikken, maten, familien, varmen er en del av det, utrykk av det. Men uten håpet som samler oss hadde alt dette vært ingenting for meg. Det er rart hvordan vi kan samles så godt om ett budskap en kort tid. Så går vi fort til hvert vårt igjen. Det har kanskje vært min undring. Hvorfor er julen bare nå? Hvorfor lever vi ikke drømmer om fred hver dag? Hvorfor ser vi ikke det skje mer, i våre liv, på jord?

Julen i dag er på en måte nokså ikke-religiøs. For mange blir det ett materialistisk gave- og matjag der alt skal være perfekt. Samtidig er julen fylt med overtoner og tematikk. Ikke så mye av Jesus sin fødsel i seg selv. Men fred på jord tematikk, gi til de som ikke har, ha det godt med familie, ta vare på hverandre. Og inne i det et sted finner vi julens egentlige tema, Guds sønn ble født på jord. Det er rart hvor mye vi feirer det, men bare såvidt snevrer innom temaet i julen. Mange jeg kjenner som ikke har et aktivt trosliv blir allikevel grepet i denne tid. Selvsagt feirer “alle” jul, det er så innprentet i vår kultur. Men valget er ditt om du vil ta det et steg videre. Så mange tar et lite steg, former ord, løfter blikk, tenker store tanker, er med å feire Jesus fødsel, et øyeblikk-

Det er vakkert og godt. Jeg er der på sett og vis jeg og. Midt i alt det andre så blir Jesus ofte en liten del i julen. Det er litt rart. For i motsetning til når jeg var liten har jeg lært en god del om ham siden den gang. Jeg tror på Jesus som oppstanden. I juletid er en av de få ganger de i vårt samfunn er greit, ellers får jeg stort sett rare blikk om jeg sier det. Men jeg er så utrolig glad for at jeg får tro. For det er faktisk jul hele året! Kanskje derfor er julen ikke så anderledes enn den var før når jeg ikke hadde samme tro? For jeg har gleden av å kjenne min redningsmann hver eneste dag. Ikke bare i julen!  Gud er ikke fjern, og innom en gang i året. Han er med oss hver dag og drømmer mye større om fred i våre liv og på jord enn det vi noen gang klarer å drømme selv. Han lever Julens fredsbudskap. Ikke bare av og til. Når vi slutter å feire jul er Han enda der. Like mye. Og nært om du lar han være det. Han stopper ikke å være god å gi gaver når julen er over. Det kan kanskje høres rart ut for deg. Men slik er altså den guden som vi alle er med å feire denne ene gang i året.

For min del har jeg funnet ut at jeg vil leve i den freden han drømmer om og har for hver dag. Jeg vil ta med meg julens fred i mitt liv. Det er ingen magisk formel, men det er noe godt å leve etter. Og godt og erfare Gud lede meg inn i. Mitt håp og bønn er at du og skal få kjenne ham litt bedre denne julen. Ta med deg freden han gir.

Jeg ønsker deg og dine en riktig vakker og god jul uansett tro! Nyt den til det fulle!

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet the words repeat,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had roll’d along th’ unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bow’d my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

‘Til ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Se også fjorårets “Julefred”.

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.

Ingen blogg siden påske sier du? Ikke etter planen. Men det skjer mye ja. Bare ikke her. Det er sikker noe med vår og vær. Har noe med bortreist på jobb å gjøre, og kanskje fjasetid på fjasboki. For å oppsummere.

Hadde en strålende påske. Ble jo ikke noe ski på grunn av vær og føre. Ble roligt hjemme i stedet. Leste litt bøker og spilte rollespill med barndomskamerater. En “kampanje” som har vart i 12 år! Jeg satser på en grandios episk avslutning i sommer.

Deretter var det overraskende kjekt å komme tilbake på jobb etter en kort påskeferie. Det er jo liksom det man er vant med nå. Husker det var skikkelig deilig å stå opp tidelig om morgenen å reise på jobb i januar. Tenkte jo at det sikkert ikke var en følelse som kom til å vare for alltid. Da var det godt å kjenne på den igjen nå. Jeg liker jobben min og folkene der. Og det var fint å ha en uke der jeg hadde mye (“viktig”) å gjøre igjen.

Deretter var det en flott helg med fotografering ved Vålandstårnet og en kort prat med noen kjente som grillet der, og deretter fotografering på SKRIKS Multicup. Har noen måneder med bilder å sortere og redigere meg gjennom nå. Skjerpings! Lørdag var nestne hele dagen viet til studentledergruppa i IMI-kirken. Herlig samling, fokus på hva Gud vil fremover. Jeg er spent. Fottur opp i Sørmarka etterpå. Grilling, lek og samtaler. Litt kaotisk for en J som meg, men fint. ;-) Fantastisk solnedgang! Inn i hus for en del av gjengen etterpå, kom noen andre løgnaser og det ble en hysterisk morsom kveld. Herlig med masse selvironi. Humor som ikke går på bekostning av andre er så digg å virkelig kunne le ut til! :D

Søndag var en heidundrande sykkeltur som satt i beina til torsdagen etter. Kanskje strakk jeg for lite ut. Og det hjalp nok ikke med trappespringing senre på kvelden! :D Bena var som tømmerstokker på mandag og tirsdag. Herlig! ;) Tok med en pause med noen SKRIKS-folk i Møllebukta på hjemturen. Deretter lysstyring i IMI. Meget enkelt oppsett denne gangen. Var et forferdelig lerret som hang midt på scenen. Fikk allikevel flere komplimenter for bra lys. :-) Betyr mye.

Forrige uke var jeg “på reis”  som vi sier på jobben. Var ute på et kraftverk. Eller rettere sagt inn, da det var et fjellkraftverk. Var kjipt å inn i fjellet med strålende sol ute. Så jo solen stå opp i horisonten når vi forsvant inn i fjellet og så den gå ned når vi kom ut igjen. Var ikke riktig så ille det for vi fikk oss noen fine lunsjer ute. Beste var dagen vi grilla i solsteiken med ryggen lent mot fjellvegen. Ahhh… Kaldt inne i fjellet, og ble lange dager. Allikevel var det i grunn helt greit. Jeg koblet masse, og hadde “hands-on” arbeide. Gikk opp noen lys for meg på hvordan vi gjør ting. Overbevist om at det gjør meg til en flinkere ingeniør å få prøve meg på praktiske ting. Også er avvekslingen fra kontorjobben grei å ha i ny og ned. Savnet Stavanger litt da. Merkelig hvor glad jeg har blitt i denne byen…

Hadde nok en flott helg. Hybelkveld, loppemarked, rally, lage middag med andre,se film,  være med på Lys i mørke, gå tur, spille rollespill! Kortvariant. Alt var kjekt, og noe veldig veldig kjekt. Forøvrig påpekte noen at jeg brukte ordet kjekt. Eeek. Jeg blir vist påvirket av å bo her…

Denne uken har vært så rar til nå at jeg står over å utbrodere det i detalj. ;-) Nok å si har jeg hørt på samme sang over 100 ganger og skrevet mitt første dikt på spansk. Jeg kan ikke spansk en gang…  I morgen derimot setter jeg kursen mot Oslo. Stiftelseting for Ny nasjonal studentorganisasjon venter. 4 dager til ende. Gleder meg, selv om studentpolitikk ikke er så viktig for meg lengre, i alle fall ikke nasjonal. Men det er jo greit nå. Skal kontrollere litt bare jeg, ikke ha politiske meninger. Organisatoriske meninger har jeg mange av da. I et sjeldent tilfelle av mangel på ydmykhet skal jeg påstå at organisering er noe jeg forstår meg bedre på en de fleste. Hehe, men jeg skal ligge lavt i terrenget der og. Slik som jeg pleier forøvrig. :P

Jaja, mer enn nok om meg. Gleder meg til å sette noen mer svevende tema eller livsspørsmål på agendaen her igjen. Inntil da, Guds fred.

This short story I wrote some years ago. It was as an end to the stories of my main characters in the MMOG World of Warcraft. I played on a RP server, Earthen Ring, with some great guilds as Pillars of Faith and Ember Throne. Dimitri was my original character. Later when I returned I made Ambius. Perhaps this short-story is a bit difficult to grasp at the beginning as it jumps straight into the story of the characters. But for some reason I very much felt like posting it tonight.

Closure

Chapter 1:

It was a warm autumn evening in Stormwind City. People happily enjoying the last summer breeze. Ambius was far to fetched up in his own thought to notice. He walked up the steps to the Cathedral of Light. Would his questions be answered here after all? It had not been before. Not here, not anywhere. He nodded briefly to the old priest at the entrance as he hurried past. Cornello’s answerers wasn’t satisfying. It gave no meaning. I don’t want to be a pawn in any game between light and dark. That was one thing he had decided on a long time ago. As he descended to a lower chamber of the cathedral he again wondered on who he was to meet. Apparently someone had taken the investigation into their own hands. Why? Who have told them? Cornello perhaps?

The lesser hall was dim, apparently not all the torches were lit this evening. Strange, usually the room is quite illuminated. He made out two figures at the end of the hall. A dwarf and a man judging by their sizes. They seemed to discuss something. Ambius perked his ears, but all he could hear was some strange words.

Suddenly they went silent.

«Approach lad», the dwarf said.

Ambius walked slowly across the floor trying to make out the figures.

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