Gloria - the sound of Heaven

In 1996 I was asked to be part of a panel of assessors in a call for new Christmas songs in The Salvation Army in Norway. It was also kind of competition in which the best three items would gain a small prize. Because of the timing and change of appointment etc. I asked to be excused from this honour. The excuse was accepted by the music-department, however, they encouraged me to send a song for the event instead. Further down, you can watch a video in which I explain the idea behind the text and the music.

Angelic voices from above

Were heard by just a few
They told of gladness and of love
From way above the blue

Gloria in excelsis Deo

They came with power from the Lord
This mighty angel choir.
The Christmas message sound abroad
Of Jesus from on high.

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Through times of pain and times of tears,
When evil held its sway,
Have we asked amid our fears:
Will this song fade away?
But at our time of greatest need,
Yes, time and time again.
When we the angels message heed,
New power and strength regain.

Here is a video produced in 2019, with more information about the song:

https://www.facebook.com/865970176904157/videos/671628146704380/

Gloria - The Sound of Heaven - audio-recording with the M-Band (from the CD Spirit's Rain)

Can an image lie?

The question is valid. I grew up in a country where a picture was considered to be a solid proof when truth should be established. We know that this can be disputed, because pictures can be manipulated. Likewise, even without manipulation a coincident can have an effect that changes the ‘image’ completely.

Major Beat Rieder took these photos a couple of weeks back. When he showed them to us after the meeting, it created huge amusement. However, I straight away knew that I could use them to illustrate the last blog in this autumn’s series on the ‘attributes of Christ’.

The focus through the whole year has been on our mission to bring the life of Christ to people. To be able to that I need to know what the attributes of his life are. One way to discover this is to look at his “I am” statements. They are the images of who he is. Many times, I have also quoted the verse: 

“Because, as he is, we are in this world” 1 John 4:17b

The consequence of this must be that the images of who He is should also be images found in my life. It is impossible to fake these images. Yes, I can dress like a ‘shepherd’; all the same, if I don’t care about the ‘sheep’ people will straight away know that the image lies.

In the same way, I can try to produce the fruit of the vine, also called the fruit of the Spirit, which is 

“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” 
Galatians 5:22-23

Any of the qualities of the fruit on this list can be imitated for some time through human effort, but alas, unless it is genuine it will eventually be disclosed.

The interesting thing is that Jesus lived an ordinary life. He lived just like most of the people around him. He took part in their joys, their parties, their pain and their sorrows. He slept, ate and drank, laughed and wept. He had gentle conversation, and was angry when he saw unrighteousness – and all the time the attributes are part of who he is, because they are an integral part of his being.

Even though today’s illustration is not manipulated, angel-wings are not part of who I am. The image still lies and everyone knows that is the case. I pray for myself and for you that your life in this world will be genuine and true because we live as genuine and true human beings who believe that Jesus can work in and through us to spread hope in a world in need of hope.

‘Manna’ for today:

Recreated in His image!

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There will always be fruit of life!

In last week’s reflection “The source of the new life”, I focused on how important it is to be rooted in Christ, who also is the Word. This root will live forever. In the last chapter in the Bible, John describes the vision of the Tree of Life, and Jesus proclaiming: 

“I am the Root!” (1)

Yes, branches can be broken off, and sometimes it may even seem as though the whole three will fall. However, the Root of Life will never die. After Isaiah had his dramatic encounter with the Lord in the Temple, and answered the call: “Here am I. Send me!”(2), God sent him with a rather discouraging message to a hardened people, but he takes courage in a picture from the nature:

“But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”
Isaiah 6:13b

The holy seed is the people still in contact with the Root of life.

Returning to my experience as a ‘Lumberjack’, I know, that it is not only terebinth and oak that will grow new trees from the stumps. Several of the tree species we have around our house in Norway will shoot new sprouts from the stump unless I destroy the root. Since I ‘harvest’ the trees as firewood, I normally let the root live, because there will always be fruit of life. Actually, the area where the house is located has the name ‘Rønninggrenda’ which literally translates: “Where trees grow from the stumps”

I may grieve some losses as age takes its toll and branches break off, but I say with Paul:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16

He who lives in me, is the Root of Life, from whom I draw nourishment that renews my inner being day by day. For this reason, I expect that there will be fruit in and of my life until the day I meet my Saviour face to face! This is His work and accomplishment only, not mine, which means that all the glory belongs to Him alone!

‘Manna’ for today:

The fruit of life is His work

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(1) Revelation 22:14
(2) Isaiah 6

The source of the new life

I do not think that the ‘I am’-statements Jesus made in John’s Gospel come in random order. The seventh and last statement is:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener!
John 15:1

I am not a gardener, but I know that a plant needs to be alive to bear fruit. Magna (my wife) is the one who takes care of our garden. However, I do quite a bit of lumberjacking and know that the roots are important for a tree or a vine. I also know what happens to a tree and the fruit when it is cut off from its roots.

The idea of being ‘rooted’ in Jesus is a central part of the Christian faith:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

The root is vital for the growth and strengthening of a tree, and for the fruit it will produce in due time. When Jesus taught about the true vine, he was of course focusing on the fruit-bearing. At the same time, he linked the effectiveness of this process to the condition of us ‘remaining in Him and His words remaining in us’ (1). This thought is also found in the Old Testament where a person who delights in the word of God is pictured in this way:

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:3

So when I face challenges in my life, I go back to the roots. When I question my ministry in The Salvation Army, I go back to the roots. I find that everything points back to The Root - the ‘source of the new life’, which is the Word becoming flesh. This Root did also invite anyone who is thirsty to come and drink, so that “the rivers of living water will flow from within them” (2). These rivers flowing from people filled with The Holy Spirit, will also help others to bear fruit. The purpose of fruit is to generate more fruit – and it all comes from the Root – the source of all life.

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to be like a tree by the streams of living water.

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(1) John 15:7
(2) John 7:38b

Experiencing life in all its fullness

I must confess that writing this blog is a challenge. The reason for this is very simple. When a person decides to come to the truth, repent his sins and surrender his life to Jesus, there is no standard answer to how he will experience this important step. For some, making the decision to follow Jesus can be like the start of a pregnancy. The life is already there; however, it takes some time before that life becomes visible to others. Some can have a long ‘pregnancy’, for others it can be a matter of seconds. Others may even experience salvation and baptism in the Spirit in one instant moment.

We have a tendency to compare ourselves with one another. In light of what I just have written, it is dangerous if I drop to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with me because I have not experienced the new life in the same way as someone I compare myself with.

We have three wonderful children. They are three individualists. Physically they don’t look alike, emotionally and spiritually they are different – and their views on different matters may in many cases be so different that outsiders would be surprised that they share the same DNA. I don’t think any of them will consider the other two as less or more normal or alive, than they are themselves. Nor do they doubt who their parents are. Of course, if I asked any of them to proofread this, knowing them and their sense of humour, all of them would come back protesting and say: “I am the one who is right!”

If the life in Christ is life it all its fullness, it includes all the variations of life and experiences as well.

So how then do I know that I am a Christian?

It is about believing and receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour into your life:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:12

Receiving Jesus includes repenting sin and receiving forgiveness (1). 

This is confirmed by confession:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

When this in place, life has started and step by step it will lead to inner conviction and assurance.

‘Manna’ for today:

I want to live life in all its fullness

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(1) 1 John 1:9

What do you do with the truth?

On the journey towards life, many people will discover that the good news about salvation in Jesus is true. This does not mean that they are prepared to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Because when you know the truth you will very likely start to ‘count the cost’.

I know this from my own experience. As far back as I can remember, I have believed in God, in Jesus and in what was written in the Bible, but I postponed the ‘surrender’ until the moment I could not resist the calling any longer. I was 14 and afraid of the cost of discipleship. However, I soon discovered that the gain by far exceeded the cost. Since then, I have observed others go through the same process.

The climatic crisis in the world today demands an analogue kind of decision. There seems to be scientific consensus that the crisis is a result of our unsustainable exploitation of the world’s resources. Further, I observe that an increasing number of people agree to this truth; however, the cost of reducing the benefits of the exploitation to save the planet, makes us postponing the dramatic decisions that need to be made.

So is there a cost of discipleship, and if so what is it?
Jesus is very clear that the call is to follow him. He calls us to himself, and he is very explicit:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24

I think this was the verse that kept me from surrendering; However, it took some time from the day of surrendering until I discovered what taking up my cross meant. The day I saw what it really means to die with Christ, and to raise with him to be a new creature in Him, became a moment of great importance. When I saw this, it made a fundamental difference for my understanding of what this is all about. With this in mind there is ‘no turning back’ – nor has it ever been a desire. 

Yes, I can be tired, disheartened and feel that I need new strength, but I know that this can only be found in Him – and nowhere else.

The question remains: What do you do with the truth?

The answer to this question is vital for your spiritual journey both before and after Jesus has become a part of your life, and He a part of yours.

‘Manna’ for today:

I will follow the truth to the life! (1)

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(1) John 14:6

Which road-signs can I trust?

I took this picture three years ago in South Africa. I trusted it, even though it was placed upside down – after all I was ‘down-under’.

When I have started the journey towards life in Jesus Christ, there are road-signs along the way. I have already shared the signs given us in the nature and the conscience. The challenge is that these signs can lead to any kind of religious expressions, therefore it is important to look for trust-worthy signs that lead to Jesus. This is why I claim that not only the way, but also the ‘truth’ comes before life. Jesus was very clear about the truth:

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17

In practical terms this is the proclamation of the Biblical message of salvation in and through Jesus. This is the role of the church = His disciples. We may still use the arguments found in the nature and the conscience and any other argument that support the truth of the Word, however the best way to communicate the message, is through the Word becoming flesh over and over again. This can happen through you and me every day:

William Booth wrote the following with reference to a revised translation of the Bible:

Christian scholars have translated it (the Bible) and re-translated it, and then translated it again. They have commented and printed and published it in every form, and it is hurrying on to encompass the world with its revelations in every tongue. They have explained and preached about almost every word within its covers.
There seems to be only one thing left to be done with it, and that is to give us a literal and faithful and understandable translation of it in practice. Let us live it; live the real things - live the Christ-life. Such a translation, my comrades, will tell. It will be victorious. It will be triumphant. (1)

God gave me grace to start the search for life, and by his saving grace he accepted me into the new life in Jesus Christ. Therefore, by the same grace, I will present the word of truth in the world today.

‘Manna’ for today:

We will go forth in grace alone (2)

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(1) William Booth: 'The Revised Bible' - The War Cry, May 10, 1885. Link to the whole article in English.
(2) Link to the song in English

I see that you are tired!

“I see that you are tired!”- is the first line of a song I love to play and listen to*. It is Jesus speaking to a person in great distress, and the next line is not really comforting: “but I cannot walk all the steps for you – have to walk them yourself”. If it had stopped there, it would have been very sad, however, the song continues: “But I will walk with you”.

The next verses of the song deal with pain and Jesus crying with the person and when he still wants to give up Jesus says that he cannot live his life, but live with him and even turn death to life for him.
The song gives a true picture of how I see God in Jesus – a God who is with us in our sufferings. Even Isaiah saw that many years before God revealed himself in Jesus, he wrote:

I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15

I have seen God doing miracles. I have seen people being healed, and I have also seen people who have not experienced healing even though they themselves and people around them have been praying for healing for years. However, among those living with pain and suffering I also find people who can testify that God is present and suffering with them.

Twenty-seven years ago a man arrived to a prayer-chapel just I was going to start the meeting. I noticed that he didn’t walk very well and he had brought a soft chair which he sat in. After the meeting I spoke with him. He told that he had suffered with Multiple Sclerosis and had been in a wheel-chair, but was convinced that God would heal him. “He has started the process”, he said, “and when I asked him where his angels were this evening, I saw one behind you!” – “It will happen, you see!”. His favourite verse was: 

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”. 
Psalm 91:11 

I only met this man once.
In an interview with him several years later, I read his story. He was now living a normal life and running the family farm. He shared his testimony. As a young man, he wanted his own carrier, and was not realizing that in doing so, he also drifted away from God. When the sickness struck him, it brought him back to the foundation of his life. His life in Christ. Jesus was with him in the suffering. When he felt that he could not go out on the field and did not have strength to lift the stone, Jesus said he would walk with him, and stone by stone ‘together with Jesus’ he also regained health.

Very often it is in the hardship, and not in the miracles, we realize the value of God being with us. 

I have experienced remarkable healing in my own life and family. However, in a long depression I was not ready to admit the fact that I was depressed, because God’s presence was just as strong as in the good days. I am grateful for this ‘hard-time’ experience in the same way as I am grateful for experiencing God’s presence when I was injured in a suicide-bombing in Istanbul in 2016.

I know that God sees YOU when you are tired, when you weep, when you want to give up – I pray that you will see him as well, because he is there beside you!
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Published in the Russian War Cry #4 2019 p 8

* Link to Sissel Kyrkjebø's version
* Link to the song - with English text 

Do you see the road-signs?

Last week I wrote about the fact that the way comes before life. It does that because God shows his grace by revealing himself in the miracle of the extravagance of life on our planet. Any other explanation to this miraculous life than a great Creator, seems illogical, and when a person tries to find out more, he ventures on a spiritual journey – the way towards the life-giver.

With regard to last week’s blog, I also wrote about ‘ducks as substitutes for missing road-signs’. 

That a ‘road-sign’ is missing in Eastern Europe, does not mean that there never was one. The steel in the road-signs make good blades for ‘tools’ needed on the fields.

The ruler of this world has a strong motivation to remove spiritual ‘road-signs’. Therefore, God has issued human beings with a kind of compass or a GPS. Paul describes this ‘compass’ like this:

Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
Romans 2:14-15

So even when there are no ‘road-signs’, the conscience can help us to separate right from wrong. So this is another testimony from the ‘nature’ – this time the human nature.

C.S. Lewis rejected God because of all the evil in this world. Then he asked himself: “How can I distinguish between good and evil?” – This took him on the journey to finding life in Christ, and made him one of the best apologists of the last century.

James F. Engel has made a scale of the way from having no awareness of God to becoming a mature Christian. It can be helpful to understand the journey most of us are on (1). It illustrates very well the way we have to go before conversion – and after.

However, the sooner a human being starts on this way, the more likely it is that traveling on it may be easier. At least that was how Solomon viewed it, and I leave it to him to give us the

‘Manna’ for today:

Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it. (2)

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(1) Here is a short video in English explaining The Engel Scale
(2) Proverbs 22:6

Stay on the road!

Driving in Eastern Europe is an interesting experience, and sometimes it takes us on some incredible roads. Occasionally I wonder if the ground I am driving on really is a road. However, I have not yet been in a situation where I have not been able to reach the destination because of the quality of the road. You learn some tricks. It is a challenge to drive on poor roads in rain, because it becomes impossible to see how deep holes are when they are filled with water. I had only lived here a few weeks when I got the advice: “Avoid the holes where you see ducks swimming!” 

– I thought it was a joke, but it wasn’t long before I was grateful for the ducks functioning as important signs where other road-signs were missing. As long as you know that you are traveling in the direction of your destination, you should stay on the road. 

Some weeks back I started this series on the “Attributes of life” with the question: “What comes before life?” I used Jesus’ statement: “I am the way, the truth and the life” in John 14:6 to conclude that God, the way and the truth come before life. 

If you believe that there is an eternal God who always is, it is logical that he also was before everything. However, how can I say that the “Way” comes before life?

Because I believe in God’s prevenient grace (1).

God knows that a human being needs to walk a distance on the road of faith before he can grasp the gospel and experience life. Part of this prevenient grace is the miracle of the fact that there is life on earth. The journal “Science Illustrated” (2) stated recently that there was only 0,0000000000078125% likelihood for the existence of the earth, and they call it ‘the most fortunate planet in the world’, and give ‘nine lucky coincidences’ the credit. 

Well, for some it is easier to think that “Maybe there is a God somewhere?” – as soon as a person allows himself to think that, he is on the road towards the Life. The fact that the journey has started is the grace that precedes the grace when a person receives new life in Jesus Christ.

Paul writes more about this (3) – and I will return to the subject next week. Until then “Stay on the road!” and follow:

The ‘manna’ given by Paul:

Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. (4)

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(1) The grace, which comes before the saving grace.
(2) The picture is from the front page of the Norwegian version #19 2019
(3) For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 

Romans 1:20
(4) Philippians 3:16 – (the Message)

Do you believe this?

This is a very simple question that requires an equally simple answer: ‘Yes’ or ‘no’. The context is Jesus’ conversation with a grieving Martha. Together with her sister Mary, Martha had just buried Lazarus, their brother. Jesus said to her:

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26

For Bible-readers the story about the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead is well known, and I believe John chose to include this incident because it confirms that:

1. God is able to raise people from death to life.
2. God did this through Jesus when Lazarus rose from the dead.
3. God did this as a prophetic action pointing towards the resurrection of Jesus.
4. In turn, Jesus’ resurrection points towards the resurrection of all believers in Him.
5. The resurrection in Him takes place already in this life, and when we pass the threshold of death.

As for all born again believers, for me this means that I have risen to life in (1) and with (2) Him already in this life. The attribute of the ‘I am’ as the resurrection and life is therefore also the attribute of his followers. We are in this world as risen people. Risen people represent life, future and hope and want to share this with everyone who wants to hear; and with gratitude and praise we can sing: “You raise me up to more than I can be!”

‘Manna’ for today

Because he rose, I am risen!

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* Bramante Studio

(1) Ephesians 1:13-2:10

(2) Colossians 3:1-4

From lamb to shepherd

Is it possible to go from being a lamb to becoming a shepherd?

If we restrict ourselves to experiences solely from the physical world, I must admit it is too far a stretch for me. However, in the spiritual world this seems to be the desired progress, and one of the attributes of the life in Christ.

The Baptist pointed to Jesus and said:

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

So Jesus was both the Lamb of God and stated:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11

If we are in the world as He is in this world (1), then we also should develop from lamb to sheep to shepherd – without losing the fact that we are God’s children all the way along.

As the lamb of God, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. His atonement was perfect.

At the same time the idea of being ‘sacrifice’ is a central thought in the Bible. Paul touches this concept many times:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1

Earlier in the same letter Paul quotes Psalm 44:22 when he writes:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Romans 8:36

This must be read in the context of the fact that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. We are more than conquerors.
However, there is a sacrifice involved in going from being a lamb receiving care all the time to becoming the shepherd giving that care in and through Christ. But it is the way to go – we believe in the priesthood of all believers, and the growth of God’s Kingdom depends on this growth taking place in the individual believer.

The ‘manna’ for today, also comes from Paul:

Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (1)

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(1) 1 John 4:17b
(2) Acts 20:28b

* © Nathan Greene – check his great collections!

Through the gate of life

Old Orhei (photo: Magna)

It is interesting that the preposition ‘through’ is closely linked to all the ‘attributes of life’ as they are presented by Jesus in John’s gospel. The statement: ‘as He is, we are in this world’ (1) should likewise always be linked with ‘through’. If I want to live in this world as He is in this world, I realize that this means a 100% dependency on Him working ‘through’ me, and I ‘through’ Him. Any attempt to imitate Him will sooner or later be exposed as fake. He was in this world as a vulnerable human being. So are his followers today. He faced temptations (2), grieved his shortcomings (3) and even asked to be released from his mission if it could be avoided (4).

The gate as an attribute of the “I am” makes ‘through’ even more obvious:

“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.”
John 10:7

Stop a while; ‘obvious’ is perhaps not the correct word if we look at the context. Jesus introduced the ‘gate-image’ in the very beginning of the chapter, and John writes “Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them” (v. 6).

I am not sure that it became clearer for them when Jesus introduced himself as the gate. What is ‘obvious’ is that a gate is something that you walk through. For the sheep it meant a passage to safety. And then Jesus confirms what his speech is all about:

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 10:9

'In' to Him, 'out' to live in this world – every day, every moment. If He is in this world as the gate, then opening the gate for people so that they can enter in to Him and find salvation, should also be an attribute of my life. A very simple picture, so easy to understand, however, so hard to live out. It was hard for Jesus too, but it brought life, and it still does.

‘Manna’ for today:

The gate of life is still open

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(1) 1 John 4:17b
(2) Matthew 4:1-11
(3) Matthew 23:37-39
(4) Mark 14:36 

The light of life

NORSK
The second of Jesus’ “I am” statement, is “I am the Light of the world!” (1). Even though there is no problem associating the other attributes of Jesus with his followers, the attribute of being “Light of the world” Jesus explicitly also assign to his followers.

In his sermon on the mount, he said:

“You are the light of the world …. let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16

These are well known verses, and it is interesting that Jesus connects the shining light with good deeds that will glorify God. This connection is also interesting in a holiness-perspective, and was one of the reasons why John Wesley made the statement: “No holiness, but social holiness” which I referred to in the blog: “Engaged for others” six months back.

In the narrative when Moses came down from Mount Sinai, we read that:

“he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.”
Exodus 34:29b

David testified:

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:5

After having prophesied the promise that God’s Spirit will not depart from you from this time on and forever, Isaiah continues with this exhortation:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1

This glory will lead to action, to good deeds. It is the light that drives the deeds, never the good deeds that drives the light. It is always first into him, who is the source of the attributes, and then out in the world to bring glory to the Father.

‘Manna’ for today:

Bring his light of life (1) into the world: Arise and shine!

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(1) “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12

The world needs bread!

I remember the Biafra crisis (1). Researchers consider this hunger-catastrophe to be the first humanitarian crisis that through media really managed to create engagement all over the world. My family had shortly before the crisis inherited a TV-set, and the pictures of the hungry and skinny kids made a huge impact on an 11-year-old boy. 

For the same reason I also remember the Norwegian Church Aid's first collection box with the inscription "Bread for the World". It came as a response to the crisis in the lent-season of 1968. Of course, I had to do my part and help to fill a collection-box. The world needs bread.

The roman emperors knew it, and gave people bread and circus. Even in Moldova, where we have lived for more than seven years, bread is partly subsidized by the state and come fairly cheap so that the poor at least can afford a loaf of bread.

Jesus fed a huge crowd with five loaves of bread and two fishes, and as a result the crowd followed him. Jesus questioned their motive and the discussion he had with the crowd includes this statement:

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35

If I want to bring Jesus’ life to people, one of the attributes of his life is that it will feed the spiritual hunger of people. He is food for life. William Booth’s argument that you cannot preach the gospel to a person with an empty stomach, is valid – however, physical food should always be accompanied by spiritual food.

Albert Orsborn captured this in his beautiful song: “My life must be Christ’s broken bread” (2). Because, as Jesus is, we are in this world (3). So if He is in the world as the “bread of life”, so are we.

I am fed spiritually when I meet Christians sharing their faith-stories with me, it is bread from heaven; and I pray that they in the same way are fed when I share mine - and I believe even non-believers like to hear a good faith-story.

‘Manna’

…is bread from heaven every day!

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(1) See: More info here - NB "Doctors without borders" was founded as a result of this war
(2) Link to the full text 
(3) 1 John 4:17b

The attributes of life

If my mission is to bring Christ’s life to people, it is important that I know the attributes of his life. If I know what these are, this should also be the attributes of my life. Because, as he is, we are in this world (1).

Last week I focused on some of these attributes in one of Jesus’ seven “I am” statements in John’s gospel, and I included the “I am” as one of the attributes. “To be” is a vital part of our identity as human “beings” – and it is equally important when I speak about my identity in Jesus Christ. First of all, “I am” in him. It should not start anywhere else. The challenge is to keep this in mind all the time. Before Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, we read that:

Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him…
Matthew 10:1a

It is gives a clear signal that our calling is first and foremost ‘to Him’. Very often the ‘sending out’ – the commissioning, is seen and defined as ‘the’ calling; however, the sending out is a consequence of that calling, and the fact that through responding to it, we have become his body. It is something the love we experience in Christ ‘compels us’ to do (2).

The core of the call is always ‘to’ Christ and to be found ‘in’ Him. If we forget this, many of us will still go out and serve. The consequence of this can easily be a confusion of identity and we start seeking confirmation in the results rather than relaxing in the truth that we are in the world as He is in the world. And if I don’t know who I am and start to question my own identity in Christ, how can I then lead people to the great “I am”?

The remedy is simple:

Every day I come to him who calls me to himself, the one in whom “I live, move and have my being” (3).

‘Manna’ for today:

I am called to Him

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(1) 1 John 4:17b
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:14
(3) Acts 17:28

* Borrowed from: https://www.unsealed.org/2018/06/the-called-out-ones.html

What comes before life?

I am back with my weekly reflections and the last greeting was “Live the mission”. Our mission is to bring the life of Christ to people – linked to my focus for the year.

Many books have been written about the theme: ‘putting first things first’. Whether the context is leadership, time-management, values or any other subject, the bottom-line always seems to be the same: How can I get the most out of life?

Perhaps this is very close to our mission as well. I think it is possible to get the most out of life, by letting life get the most out of me – however with some modifications. It is easy to think that life is synonymous with everything around us wanting our attention. If I fall into the trap of trying to respond to all expectations and matters wanting my attention, I end up being lived by others, instead of living my own life. This is not what I mean by letting life get the most out of me.

I think that it would be possible to get scientific support for stating that without life there is nothing. But doesn’t that make the question “What comes before life?” invalid?

Not at all. There is something greater than life. Jesus stated:

“I am the way, the truth and the life”John 14:6

Here are three things mentioned before life.

1. I am = God’s name – the one who creates and gives life (1)
2. The way = the direction back to this life in its original state (2)
3. The truth = the core of this life and how it should be lived. (3)

If we are going to live the mission, these three things need to be in place before life starts. Only then I will get the most out of life, and the life will get the most out of me. That is an intriguing thought.

‘Manna’ for today:

For life’s sake: First things first!

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(1) God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14
(2) The first Christians were named ‘Followers of the Way’ e.g. Acts 22:4
(3) “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

Together

- the most important word in all aspects of ecology

Norsk - русский

The title of John Donne’s meditation “No man is an island” tells what this is all about. We are in this together. The actions of every individual will in one way or the other influence all. My choices and preferences will have consequences for others, consequences that can be positive or negative. 

The kind of transport I choose for my travels, will influence the climate. The same effect will the kind of energy I use for heating my apartment have. And - if I am not given a choice, I can influence the political system that makes decisions concerning what kind of energy my nation should focus on in the future. What I do with my rubbish and waste is important for the sustainability of our globe. Today almost everything is possible to recirculate.

If I am not careful with my diet and if I do not exercise to keep fit, it is likely that I will become a burden to the health care system. It is a paradox that the health-care systems around the world have to use so much resources on treating effects of unhealthy lifestyles, which have led to over-weight, alcoholism, substance abuse, smoking etc. What if more of these resources could have been used for finding cures for life-threatening diseases instead?

When God created the world, he gave his uttermost creature in the creation the responsibility to be stewards of his creation. This calling has never been made redundant. On the contrary it means that believers, more than anyone else, should be more conscious about how we care for the nature (God’s Temple), our body (God’s Temple) and our spiritual life (God’s Temple).

In none of these fields we operate in ‘singular’. We are always ‘plural’. We are in this together.
Together with each other. Together with Jesus. 

Jesus chose to spend time together with his disciples. Many times he encouraged them to learn lessons from the nature, the seasons, the animals, the birds, crops and harvest. Lessons that also could be transferred into their spiritual life. 

It may be appropriate to ask if the ‘ecological’ challenges we face in the world today, is caused by ‘ecological unbalance’ in the life of the believers. 

Yes, it is right and good to have an individual relationship with Jesus, it is indeed very important. However, if this means that the faith only has consequences for my individual life, I have missed the target. I often quote John Wesley’s words: “I shall endeavour to show, that Christianity is essentially a social religion; and to turn it into a solitary religion, is indeed to destroy it”. 

Likewise, I have often said that William Booth’s most important message is captured in one word: ‘OTHERS!’.

In Acts 4 Luke tells us that the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law knew that the disciples had been with Jesus. When we are together with Jesus, ‘others’ will know that we have been together with him. Therefore, they will also notice how we live our lives – that will more and more relate to how serious we take our calling to be good stewards, which includes the way we care for the world we are all a part of.

Are we together in this?

Published in the Russian Вестник спасения (War Cry) # 3 2019

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* Illustration from the article - The bottom text = Together - the most important word in all aspects of ecology. The text-box: When God created the world, he gave his uttermost creature in the creation the responsibility to be stewards of his creation.

Dare to be different – be what you are!

A life of holiness

This material has been prepared for seminars on holiness and is meant as an introduction to the vast subject of holiness. When writing, I have had people with an active involvement in The Salvation Army in mind. 
However, as long as the readers are aware of this, I believe that the material will be interesting for all people longing for holiness. 

As well as quoting great heroes of the faith, I have tried to share from my own journey with the Spirit – it is all about Him!

As with everything else in the Spiritual world – what is written will only be ‘letters’ if the Spirit does not bring them to life (1). It is my prayer that this will happen. Without the Spirit we are just like other men. With the Spirit, we are different. We should dare to be what we are in Christ.

May God bless you as we travel on this spiritual journey together! 

©Didache - Norway 

ISBN: 978-82-997436-5-5 

Link: Dare to be different - a life of holiness

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(1) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; 

for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Cor 3:6

Ground-Breaking Spiritual Leadership

a brief study of 8 Biblical leaders
and the characteristics of their leadership

Content
1. Common characteristics of spiritual leaders 
2. Examples from the leadership-qualities of Moses 
3. Examples from the leadership-qualities of Uzziah 
4. Examples from the leadership-qualities of Paul 
5. Examples from the leadership-qualities of Nehemiah 
6. Examples from the leadership-qualities of Peter 
7. Examples from the leadership-qualities of Joshua 
8 Examples from the leadership-qualities of Esther 
9. Examples from the leadership-qualities of David 
Appendix 1 - Five levels of leadership
Appendix 2 - A Theological Reflection on Officership in TSA

© ‘Didache’, Norway 2019ISBN 978-82-997436-9-3
Link: Ground-Breaking Spiritual Leadership

Lukewarm or Luke-warm?

How Luke kept his faith and I can keep mine 

The discovery of the “skeleton” for this book goes back many years. I preached a sermon over the verse, which also forms the first chapter. In addition, the sermon had several of the other chapters as main points. After the meeting, a woman approached me and said “You should write a book about this!”

At that time, I worked as a Bible-teacher in a Salvation Army school for youth. Some of the young people knew Jesus Christ as their Saviour before they came to the one-year school-course – others found the faith during the year. Having seen the young people coming to the Lord, I very much wanted to have a book to put in their hand. The encouragement from this woman made me take the challenge.

© Didache, Norway First published in English 2008
Picture: ‘Strokkur’ – Iceland 1982

Published as E-bok (PDF) 2019
ISBN: 978-82-93720-05-8

Link to PDF: Lukewarm or Luke-warm?

Equal rights to serve

русский

Eighteen months ago, Easter Europe Territory held a seminar for employees and members of The Salvation Army (TSA). The purpose of the seminar was to give the delegates a better insight into what TSA is all about. In the final gathering, I had challenged the delegates to answer the question “Why did I choose TSA?”. Afterwards, I followed up with answers to the question: “Why did God choose TSA?”

I believe God chose TSA because he needed not only the prophetic voice of those whose hearts were fully committed to him, but also their prophetic actions. When you read ‘their prophetic actions’, maybe you immediately think about the social ministry of TSA. This is of course very important, but in the field of humanitarian work we are far from being lonely activists. Down through the history, many Christians from different traditions have had focus on the diaconal side of Christian living, and in doing so, they have contributed to the mission by making the faith credible.

I believe God chose to strengthen and bless William and Catherine Booth, because he saw the potential of Catherine’s prophetic voice and action, and that William would be ready to support her. So I think the third answer to the question above is:

God chose TSA because everyone who receives the call has the same right to ministry!

This view is closely related to holiness simply because there is no holiness outside of Christ. Paul describes our status in Jesus Christ in this way:

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28

In other words, it is contradictory to holiness and to the essence of what Jesus is all about if people in a church are limited because of their race, social status or gender. In our movement a saved person from the gutter or the prison, should be worthy the same trust as a saved person with a spotless record and university degrees. In fact, sometimes it has taken longer for representatives from the latter group to be accepted in TSA, however, no-one should be excluded on such grounds.

The same attitude of equality relates to ethnic background and to gender. When we read the history of the Church, a general observation is that women have not been treated as equal to men with regard to the right to ministry.

I am convinced that it has been in the devil’s interest to keep it this way. Therefore, God chose to bless TSA because he wants to mobilize women, single or married. This is still a challenge even in our own movement. There is a tendency to give the leading positions to men rather than women. This tendency becomes particularly evident when appointments are given to married couples. So, for the sake of the mission and a desire to keep God’s blessing upon our movement, we are now making efforts to ensure that our rules and practices are in line with the rules and practices in Christ.

What is right in Christ, is right in the church! 

Published in the Russian 'War Cry' (Vestnic Spasenya) # 2 2019
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* Text in illustration = 'Equal rights to serve'

Where do you live?

русский

In the Western tradition, Christmas and carols are like identical twins. I guess that there will be a lot of discussions if we were to agree on which Christmas carol is the most important. Around the world, Carol-services and Christmas concerts still attract a lot of people. Also in my home-country I am frequently asked to share some Christmas thoughts on such events. It is already a couple of years since I took part in a Carol festival at our local church in a small village in Norway. In the last concert I jokingly said that I had always missed the most important Christmas song in the repertoire of the excellent local singers.

Then I burst into singing some bars from a Norwegian Christmas-tree dance with a very shallow content. It is about coming from ‘clapping land’, ‘hobbling land’, ‘dancing land’ and so on. 

However, the ‘silly’ song repeats the question “Where then, do you live?” over and over again.

So even though the song may not be the most important Christmas carol, I think it raises the most important question.

When John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said: “Look, the Lamb of God!", two of his disciples immediately followed Jesus. When Jesus discovered his followers, he asked: “What do you want?” They answered with a question: "Where do you live?" (John 1:38)

For a long time, I thought that this was a meaningless question to ask. However, that was before I understood how John had composed his gospel. The question "Where do you live?" is far deeper than a mere reference to a physical residence. It is about where you have your roots. It is about where your values are. The Christmas mystery is all about coming home to where you belong. Because Jesus came and said and still says: “Come and see!”

One evening almost 50 years ago, Jesus saw that I was following him from a long distance, and when he said: “Come and see!” - I came and found my roots. From that moment I knew where I belong. I had come home. The miracle is that I am home in Him and He is home in me. 

That also make me part of the Christmas miracle, because it is about God becoming man through me. Every born again believer is part of Christ’s body in the world today. The most important Christmas-question is therefore:

 

“Where do you live?”

Published in the Russian War Cry - Вестник спасения - issue #1 2019 - PDF

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Call to misson - NOW!

Be Ready

1) Now is the time!

2) Do you know what prayer is?

3) Prayer is more than 'just' asking

4) 'The Art of Waiting' - an important strategy

5) Did Mary influence God's 'NOW'?

6) Did the Samaritan woman influence God’s ‘NOW’?

7) Did curiosity influence God's 'NOW'?

8) Did some Greeks influence God's 'NOW'?

9) Did care influence God's 'NOW'?

10) Hope in hell!

Be Engaged

11) Engaged for others
12) What is relevant worship?

13) Bringing life

14) Bringing transformation

Take Responsibility

15) Where have all the 'great ones' gone?

16) The weakest team

17) 'The loser takes it all!'
18) I am included
19) What does 'respect' mean?
20) Is the name of Jesus a kind of 'mantra'?
21) The greatest challenge of our time?
22) What is The Salvation Army about?