Called By Name

You'll come

2012-01-27T20:36:00.002Z

Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Arms be open
Christ is revealed

As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us.

Walk by faith

2012-01-13T11:50:00.000Z

Would I believe you when you would say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do

If I just lay here

2011-12-13T17:04:00.000Z

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own

Lifeline

2011-11-29T09:01:00.001Z

It's six A.M
I'm so tired
The alarm sounds
And the new day begins
Before I go
And disturb this peaceful moment
I look to You

I want to say a prayer
Before my feet can hit the ground
Lord I give this day to You

I'm amazed how You forgive me
Yesterday seems so far behind
It's a brand new day
And every day's a new beginning
I look to You

~ This Day, by Audio Adrenaline

Sorry silence for so long! I haven't had time to blog much this month. So much going on! November certainly has proved to be so much else than gray dullness - quite the opposite! I want to blog more about it, but just now felt like posting that from Audio Adrenaline. And also came across this song:

Just felt like that is for someone out there.

I'll try to blog soon with my November news!

Love to your day,

Fruits of the Spirit

2011-11-07T09:21:00.000Z

Just thinking of this this morning.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

love just a little too much

2011-10-27T15:43:00.000+01:00

Cause if I'm lost in the desert
I know somehow you'll find me
And if i drive in the ocean, you'll be
The first to rescue me
Its love and risk it all

I'd rather love just a little too much

Decisions, decisions

2011-10-27T12:56:00.002+01:00

Hmm, I had trouble signing in to post this blog post, in fact my whole blog was not visible/to be found. I think it was just a trick from Google to get my phone number!! Grrrrr!!!

Anyway,

Here is a Cartoon from yesterday's paper:

from

It is Merkel and Sarkozy, and he says (for those of you who don't speak Finnish):
"We are about to reach a decision of the date when we'll gather to decide about when we'll make decisions."

European Union for ya.

Something I always wonder..

2011-10-21T17:44:00.000+01:00

"Jesus told a story of a man who was forgiven a huge debt. Enough to retire on. After he was released from his debt and left the courtroom he found a friend who owed him a little money. Enough for a coffee. His friend couldn’t pay. So he choked him."

From Nakedpastor today. This is just the beginning of the post, check out the whole post with the cartoon!

Love is thinking of others before yourself

2011-10-18T08:41:00.000+01:00

I'll put you in front of me so everyone can see
My love, This is my love

Sometimes you feel like this

2011-10-17T11:06:00.000+01:00

But you got the love
I need To see me through
Sooner or later in life
the things you love you lose
But you've got the love
I need to see me through

It was amazing to see this performance at Glastonbury!! So awesome.

It's a beautiful Autumn day here! Beautiful Autumn.

My Saviour's love Your love is real

Everyone needs compassion

2011-10-16T13:11:00.002+01:00

You're my Saviour // You can move the mountains

You are mighty to Save

#SundaySong

Kindred spirits

2011-10-08T21:35:00.002+01:00

Beautiful photos by Jared Leto:

China from the air.

Seeing these here today made me think of....

By Mimosa:

Over Mallorca


Mallorcan Mountain range

Clearly kindred spirits, eh? ;)

This trip took place back in 2008. I was a bit unwell, and look sooooo tired in the photos.. It was a research trip, very interesting. Feel somewhat pro now with regard to Mallorca. Ask me anything. Anyway, here's a few more photos to follow the first two:


My very first view of the island

More island from the air


Coming in at sunset


On the plane: Roxana, Alison and me


Straight to the beach!

Next morning: +20C or so.

Mallorcan agriculture...

...notice the terraces.

Due to Mallorca being a small island there's huge pressure on land use,
therefore they had to build these terraces to cultivate crops.

Some thoughts on blogging and a little miracle

2011-10-03T18:34:00.001+01:00

written on Monday, September 19th

Sometimes life is funny. This evening I was spesifically thinking of these girls

and these times

... my life at 1063 Sauchiehall Street three years ago. Vi, the blonder one is planning to come and visit me hopefully next month. And I was spesifically thinking of Karina (the dark one on the right), and thought "I should get in touch with her, and wonder how she's doing". Then I log on to Facebook and about exactly at the same time as I had been thinking of her, she had written a comment to Vi's page about our times together..!!! Love how these happen. Like a little miracle, makes life feel so much more special. Sometimes a thought can travel through a thousand miles? Or a prayer. There's so much in the world that is unseen...But how lovely to think, that we were actually thinking of each other at the exact same time. That's a warming thought.

I miss these girls, and am thankful for my time in Glasgow and meeting all the lovely people I did - important ones to me. Lifelong friendships made.

Can you guess what our doorbell said..

This evening I am feeling thankful for all my friends. To all of you (or all three of you reading :)) I am very thankful. You know who you are! ;) I am glad of the blogosphere friendships I've made as well. I truly plan to visit Mrs. Kool one day. And she took part in an English class of mine last year!! Elina is definitely one of the special people met here, such a joy to know. She is a wonderful person! Onneli, who blogs in Finnish I met through blogosphere while she was living in Glasgow, and I was here. She's then written different blogs, and even visited me while I was in Glasgow, and she was in turn back in Finland :)

Lots of other lovely people I've come across blogosphere in my six years here. To begin with, very few Finns were blogging back in 2005, I started as I wanted to keep in touch with the "outside" world (outside Finland) and also to have a space to keep up English for me, to not to forget the language. And as said, I was really only mostly reading English-speaking blogs. It wasn't until 2008 that I found Finnish/Finnish speaking blogs. So many they were all of a sudden! Lots of other lovely peeps who shared my situation then: a Finn abroad. Eloveena from Istanbul, who doesn't blog openly anymore, has become a friend: I've met her aunt, grandmother, mother and father and been to their house. I interviewed her 100-year old grandma for my dissertation. (She passed away last year..)

All this through blogs!! So many lovely people I would have never come across.

Not to also forget Kathy Escobar's blog... and Timo of course.

So feeling thankful this week. Not a bad start to the week.

These photos were taken 14 February 2008 at

Saturday, October 1st

2011-10-02T19:27:00.003+01:00

To continue, some images from around here, where I live :)

(taken with Nokia E52)

Friday evening

2011-10-01T20:08:00.002+01:00

September 30th. Nearly +20C. in Helsinki:

Last weekend of the "Summer" in Mattolaituri,
we made it there too. yey


A little duck family swimming by


The view from there


Bye bye Finland?


Towards opean seas...


In the Distance


Southern Helsinki life

Click on the photos to see them larger.

Light into darkness

2011-09-30T13:06:00.002+01:00

This story is amazing! How innovative and hope-giving this Friday. See how a Soda bottle becomes a light bulb:

Hope we find new ways to let light in. Even in those situations where it feels hopeless, and impossible (like in this one - can't afford windows, there's no electricity..) and you feel like you're in darkness with no hope. There's always a way.

I pray God blesses these people.

How I need you

2011-09-28T16:23:00.000+01:00

Found this song today, it struck me!

Although it is this version here by Matt Maher that struck me (couldn't find it on youtube).

And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Made for more

2011-09-09T14:53:00.005+01:00

But you know you're made for more,
so don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes,
and you can walk on the water, too

Step out, even when it's storming
Step out, even when you're broken
Step out, even when your heart is telling you
Telling you to give up

Your faith is all it takes,
and you can walk on the water, too

Britt Nicole, Walking on water.

Also I want to post this, Phil Wickham with "Safe"

You will be safe in his arms
So hear Him now He's calling you home

Whoah, this week has gone by in a flash but also been very full, just workwise. Full and/but good. I almost ended up in the news (for two seconds) but only my colleagues then (for those two split seconds).. I stood behind the cameras ;) To be honest - they weren't filming us, just the Prime Minister..

Weekend is here! Have a happy one! I'm hopefully going to the woods tomorrow, and picking some lingonberries... :)

Last Sunday

2011-09-07T20:00:00.004+01:00

Lahti Harbour

Little boat going away...

Little Vesijärvi (= Water lake) park - people go jogging etc..

Lahti for you

This little guy seemed a bit lost (but then actually flew away)

A peek to my balcony


flowers a bit closer...

The View From Here

I need a pair of these

2011-09-02T22:05:00.002+01:00

Please excuse the quality of these - they were taken with my mobile. Yes, the weather's been a lot like that in Finland :/

I've been off work today as I'm down with a cold/flu (something like that). I was at work on Thursday though already had a very sore throath and one of my colleagues asked me "so why are you here??" Ive had head ache for three days this week.. Today being the worst. Felt like crying. The medicine has kicked in now, so I don't feel as horrible as I have all day. I'm even online! (though I probably shouldn't, but I'm a little bored..) Only a few hours ago I felt like crying for mommy. You know the feeling. I just hope I am well by Monday as I was just off work for four days only LAST week due to another illness - jeez!! But there seems to be this flu/cold wave already going on in Finland - so many people I know are ill, facebook also telling of others.. already now, and it's only been end of August/beginning of September? We're all falling ill already?? And I am sad to add myself to those numbers. I saw last weekend too many people who were, had been, or were going to be sick. Guess it was due to come :/

Anyway, what a long babble about that.

I went rollerblading after a loooooooong while the other week.

Some scenery along the way...

random field

Yes I live in a city - you may not believe from these pictures but that's Finland for you :) These are the outskirsts though I must admit. Though it's only some kilometres from my house, right near the centre..
Ok, it's not that big of a city, just 100 000 people.. But this is what I love about here - the closeness of nature.

Here's what the sky looked like from my balcony that eve:

Now my head is telling me I was stupid to ever open the computer and definitely need to go to sleep. Ouch. (Yesterday I fell asleep straight from work, before 7p). Hoping for a better day tomorrow... Blessings to you!

aaaaaahhhhhhhh.

2011-08-30T22:32:00.008+01:00

mmmm, beautiful. love this pic.

From

Whoosh!

2011-08-28T20:38:00.003+01:00

Six years I've had this blog (or should I say kept) I was already contemplating off shutting it down (I may) but just now instead I changed the layout. Quite long, six years with the same layout. Wouldn't you say! So far I haven't (in my adult age) even lived six years in one go in the same place let alone apartment.. Anyway, the layout is on trial, so don't be surprised if it is changed the next time you pop round. If you pop round!

(I'm not really sure if anyone really even reads this).

Mimosa

an oldie =)

2011-08-17T20:50:00.001+01:00

There is a time for healing
There's a time for all purposes under the sun
There's a time for laughter
There's a time to let go and a time to hold on

This is our time to be strong
This is our time to rise up
To stand and be counted

---

Was just playing in my head today :)

Keep on

2011-08-12T15:18:00.007+01:00

...moving, believing, dreaming

I was sent this video today. So encouraging!

There always seems to be a door
that you can't open
There always seems to be a mountain
you can't climb
But you keep on reaching
You just keep on reaching

When your destiny is out there in the distance
But the road ahead's a mine field in disguise
And you keep on moving
You Just keep on moving

You will make it through this
Just give it time
You gotta give it time

This is what you're made for
Standing in the downpour
Knowing that the sun will shine
Forget what lies behind you
Heaven walks beside you
You got to give it one more try
One more time (time)

You just keep on reaching
You just keep on, you keep on moving (hey)
When the shadows fall on everything you're dreaming
When the promises turn out to be a lie
You just keep believing (yeah)
You just keep believing
Oh, don't stop your dreaming
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright

***
Don't give up. Believe in your dreams. Keep dreaming.

What a beautiful and encouraging song.

we humble ourselves...

2011-08-02T10:50:00.000+01:00

Open the windows of Heaven

on us today

A dress by my name..

2011-07-18T23:37:00.003+01:00

SO totally could wear this.

Does look like me! I like especially the top and the necklace..

Playing in my head just now:

My eyes are small but they have seen
the beauty of enormous things
Which leads me to believe
there's light enough to see that

You make everything glorious
And I am Yours

And once again, an awesome post from Kathy Escobar, I quote:

in the kingdom of God there should be no white privilege, male privilege, straight privilege, economic privilege. Christ breaks down all of those barriers. but the kingdom of God won’t just drop out of the sky. we will have to work hard, sacrifice our time, ego, hearts, and pride to create it. we will have to let go of assumptions that “it’s not that big of a deal” when we’re the ones with the privilege.

Read the whole post here.

Remembering: Happy birthday

2011-07-10T19:40:00.001+01:00

Written on the eve of July 9th

A little sombre this eve. Feel a little sad. Below here is a photo of my goddaughter and eldest niece, she's 9 :) (and myself)

Tomorrow would be her daddy's 43rd birthday. If he were here. This week, a famous Finnish athlete , a namesake of my brother's and nearly of the same age, died. The death of Mika Myllylä, and my brother's birthday coinciding in the same week, of course has brought it all to mind. Sometimes I see men about the same age as my brother who look like him. They remind me of him. Most of all, I feel so sad for the girls. I feel so sad for my goddaughter to have lost her daddy. More than anything, I wish it wasn't so. I wish she didn't have to grow up without her daddy. When you see this pic, will you say a prayer for her? I'll be giving her a hug.

(That's us at a concert in January, hence the clothes :))

Happy Birthday, Mika. I miss you.

Be thou my vision

2011-07-09T22:24:00.007+01:00

Photos taken June 24th, 2011, Midsummer

Desires

2011-07-07T12:27:00.002+01:00

Should the king in exile pretend he is happy there? Should he not seek his own country? His miseries are his ally; they urge him on. And so let them grow, if need be. But do not forsake the secret of life; do not despise those kingly desires. We abandon the most important journey of our lives when we abandon desire. We leave our hearts by the side of the road and head off in the direction of fitting in, getting by, being productive, what have you. Whatever we might gain- money, position, the approval of others, or just absence of the discontent itself -it's not worth it.

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"
(Matt. 16:26)

From

Summer!

2011-06-28T19:46:00.006+01:00

These were freshly picked by yours truly. I intend to do this a lot this summer. I also intend to swim, pick berries (both from the bush and forest - just as long as we get blueberries this year..or maybe I'll go pick lingonberries with my aunt - although I don't like eating them - just for the fun of with. I intend to read. I intend to enjoy the sun. I intend to just take it easy.

Happy Summer!

PS. Check this out from the nakedpastor!

a good daddy

2011-06-25T12:42:00.009+01:00

via Kathy Escobar

then, a chunk of years ago i met my friend mike. we became connected through a recovery ministry and over time he began to do some of the things that a good daddy would do:

- he showed up for things i was doing

- he told me he was proud of me

- he prayed for me

- he hugged me and told me he loved me

- he listened when i cried

- he worried about me.

in loving redemptive community like this, part of my soul has been restored. he’s helped me restore some of my relationship with God & myself & my real dad, too.

in the body of Christ, we are supposed to be mothers & fathers & sisters & brothers & daughters & sons for each other. it’s hard to pull off because it requires intimacy, work, risk, trust, and a host of other things we are scared to do. but in the end, so much healing and transformation can happen.

Incredible

2011-06-22T22:03:00.004+01:00

...feel in this performance. Amazing.

By the way, it's nearly Midsummer did you know?? Check out what's it about in Finland in this article on BBC!

Kindness

2011-06-20T07:31:00.000+01:00

linkin park/ let it go

2011-06-18T08:38:00.006+01:00

Beautiful (the song)

And in the burst of light that blinded every angel
as if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
you felt the gravity of temper grace
falling into empty space
no one there to catch you in their arms

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation
you build up hope, but failure's all you've known
remember all the sadness and frustration
and let it go, let it go.

I was surprised how this song was so "light" and positive in its vibe, when I heard it (just this week).

Saw them live on Thursday (16th). The concert was in a park in central Helsinki. One of the Newspapers wrote how the audience in there was very heterogenous: people of all ages and colours, ie. very different looking from each other. iLike. Proper church gathering that! :)

Here's some photos:

It was a beautiful summer eve.

Chester.

PS. Check out the reference to the Last Supper in the video!!

A brave new world

2011-06-11T22:10:00.011+01:00

Ahh.

I want to see them live again! There'd be a chance, on 21st of June (in 9 days). Tallinn, Estonia. I'd also like to see Linkin Park (In Helsinki next week, the 16th) and Josh Groban. If I get tickets to all of these it's hundreds of euros (250 to be exact..). Argh! Can't get all. Jon Bon Jovi is also in town this week!

I tried to be someone else
But nothing seemed to change
I know now, this is who I really am inside.
Finally found myself
Fighting for a chance
I know now, this is who I really am.
(The Kill)

I do believe in the light
Raise your hands into the sky
The fight is done, the war is won
Lift your hands toward the sun
It's a brave new world!
(This is War)

Did you ever believe?
Were you ever a dreamer?
Ever imagine heart open and free?
(Vox Populi)

Another similar one here.

By the lake

2011-06-10T23:40:00.006+01:00

I took these on my mobile one evenign in late May. It's the lake in my home city, called Lake Vesijärvi, which means "Water lake" :-) How original ;) The city I live in is called "Bay" in English.

Beautiful isn't it. I love sunsets.

Location: Lahti, Finland

It's official: Summer has arrived

2011-06-01T19:26:00.010+01:00

It's Wednesday, sunny, +24C and a day off tomorrow: splendid!! I could do permanently with this middle of the week day off thing... :-) ("Everyone" in Finland has a day off - national holiday) Today was beautifully sunny in here. A few photos - though I've taken them with my mobile, and therefore they're not of that great quality.. But maybe you can catch a bit of the feel of the day.

My place of work, the surroundings/location is awesome in the Summer. The photo with the small boats harbour here is less than 5 min away from my work. You may anticipate more photo galore this summer!! From my lunch breaks at various lovely places...

nearly home

I can!

2011-05-21T19:19:00.006+01:00

''

I like the positive vibe in this!

I can
I will
I know
I can untie these hands
And get back up again

So all I want to say is: YOU CAN DO IT !!!

:)

PS. So douze points from me to the UK... No partiality here to former home country for five years ;) though I didn't vote this year. And actually only saw this later ;)

True community

2011-05-21T18:09:00.004+01:00

much of my journey up until then had been about pretending, saying the right things, staying disconnected from myself, from God, from others even though on the outside it didn’t look like it and i most certainly was in church every sunday!

and as i started to get “real”, i also started to become more of an “outsider” in the churches that i was in. in many ways i sort of became the banner waver for “healing”, for “authenticity”, for “safety” in the communities that i was in. and to be honest, it was usually met with resistance. i think there is a general fear among many church leaders of actually creating real community. i think it’s easy to plant a “church”(as in a service, building, program, website, pastor-in-charge, etc.) but much harder to cultivate a true “community” that functions as an organic, messy, beautiful, ugly group of people on the journey together.

From

Love you, Kathy! My idea of church is this too. The very last words here. It's about doing life together.

Photo from

Awakening

2011-05-17T20:11:00.007+01:00

We had the pleasure of worshiping in the market square of my home town led by Hillsong London - in the very centre of the city!! What a blessing. Awesome.

This song was probably my favourite of the evening.

In our hearts Lord
In this nation
Awakening

Holy Spirit
We Desire
Awakening

For You and You alone
Awake my soul
Awake my soul and sing

Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice say
This is my awakening

To round it off Finland won the Ice Hockey World Championship the next day, on Sunday eve. The team and every one gave credit to the team play that it was a team effort, no one star, "no soloing" they said. The best comment came from the Carolina Hurricanes left wing player Tuomo Ruutu:

"When you care about others,
this is what it ends up looking like"

ie. when you care of others and not just yourself, you end up winning. World Champion. When you don't just try to glorify yourself, but think of the team. What wise and humble words! When you lay your life down for others... instead of seeking glory simply for yourself... (or what you think may get you higher glory) Does it sound familiar?

If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me. Matthew 10:39 (The Message)

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 (NIV)

What a great message. Well done Leijonat! (The Finnish team is called The Lions.) Well done Tuomo Ruutu! Well done Mikko Koivu!!

PS. Photos to follow. When I get a chance...
PS2. If you can read Finnish, I recommend this blog post by my former school friend :)

Never lose heart

2011-05-15T21:35:00.004+01:00

Oh he is beautiful! And WHY are the tickets to his Finland concert 80 euros, when you can get them for 50 in Stockholm and 40 in Glasgow??!!!???? Unfair. :/

You are Loved

Word for the day: Don't lose (your) heart. Hold on to your heart.

random

2011-05-07T21:10:00.005+01:00

I have posted quite a lot just today (See the two posts below) but have to do this as well :-)

---------------

Sometimes, when you just think you are simply going on your regular walk with your dog, you may find out you have ended up in Jared Leto's BLOG:

Last but not least: If you want to check out some beautiful Finnish scenery, my blog friend Tilda has got some beautiful pics especially in this latest post of hers but if you scroll earlier posts you'll see more photos. Maybe also more to come? :-)

The golden way

2011-05-07T21:00:00.003+01:00

open people, willing to listen. kind people, willing to agree to disagree. loving people, willing to respect others’ dignity.

when we have nothing to prove, we are released to love others more freely, more fully. no agenda. no bullying. just a desire for mutual respect.

From

photo

All the colours of the Rainbow

2011-05-07T15:19:00.004+01:00

This has been my song of the week - it's been playing on my head every day since Monday. I don't know if it's the beautiful spring weather, new life that is emerging once again. But here is my song of the week, enjoy. Much love to your day!

For as long I shall live I will testify to love
I'll be your witness in the silences
when words are not enough

Something I fundamentally believe in

2011-04-24T23:18:00.002+01:00

This is how we know what love is

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:16-17

The image of God is fully male and fully female

2011-04-10T16:39:00.004+01:00

Incredible! What power-walking and controlling. And devaluing of women. Read here. women are not of less value than men blacks are not of less value than whites children are of much greater value than adults! Many of these things I don't see lived out. We think people of other colour/nation are of lesser value. We think women are of lesser value than men. We think kids don't matter so much. when will we stop power-tripping??? Actions speak louder than words.

Bublé Wonderful

2011-03-27T12:08:00.007+01:00

Ahh, Michael Buble is like perfect Sunday music. I happened to notice his concert in Madison Square Garden (New York) was just still watchable online (On Finnish BBC). Ahhh.

He said in the beginning of it: "My mom and dad gave me so much love, I didn't know what to do with. Guess I got all this unconditional love, I get to give it back. Thats what I'm talking about, unconditional love."

And now he is puring it out on what he does - isn't that wonderful. Sharing the unconditional love he got. Love it. That's so how it should be.

Wish I got to see him live sometime. He is truly awesome!

Live from Madison Square Garden:

Taster: a trailer to what I watched

Josh Groban is another on that list. Jason Mraz I already got to see - but wouldn't mind a chance to see him live again as well. Jason Mraz has been pretty much the greatest vocalist I've heard, amazing voice live.

I so agree!

2011-03-26T12:52:00.003Z

It is people who matter and people who you carry with you. So when I look back on my life I hope I see rich, deep relationships. I pray that I can smile and laugh after all that I have been through with those I love, and I will know that I chose the right thing after all: to pour my life into, not paper and plastic, but flesh and blood.

- Melissa Börger

You can read the whole post in her blog.

I went there via

Feel your beat

2011-03-06T21:18:00.001Z

You are in my heart
I can feel your beat
And you move my mind
From behind the wheel
When I lose control
I can only breathe your name
I can only breathe your name

clean and healed

2011-02-18T20:06:00.007Z

This eve this song just started playing in my head. They're quite powerful (even the Lutheran Church in Finland has commented so --see here), as I haven't listened to these for some time... And it takes me back to Glasgow a bit. (Maybe that's why it's playing in my head, as Glasgow has been on my mind since Saturday..Perhaps they reside near each other in my brain?)

No, it's not just about Glasgow. It has a message for just now.

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I choose to believe in this! It's my Hope and Future. I want and hope to see this. it be reality!

Allowed to feel

2011-02-13T20:50:00.004Z

Kathy Escobar ~~strikes~~ writes again. Her post on the second beatitude "blessed are those who mourn" is worth to read! (If you don't know her and her blog yet, you can do so immediately here (her) and here (her blog)! :))

Here some of the latest post. She says it so well.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i consider mourning allowing ourselves to feel hurt, sorrow, anger, loss, and grief. along with spiritual poverty in the first beatitude, it implies a softness of heart and an openness to feel. i believe strongly that in contemporary christian culture, the whole idea of mourning is far underrated.

i had been around the block for long enough to know that if i didn't--if i stuffed it and pretended it didn't hurt as much as it did and refused to allow myself to feel the magnitude of the pain-- it would come back to bite me like it had before. so i let myself mourn. cry. feel anger. express my sadness and loss.

Jesus is familiar with pain. he can hack it.

the question is--can we?

my experience has been that so many people i know--especially conservative christians--have a lot of trouble expressing sadness, sorrow, pain, and loss. i can only speak from my own experience and what many people have shared along the way, but i think a big reason behind it is "good Christians" somehow aren't supposed to be filled with all these difficult emotions. if we trusted enough, prayed enough, believed enough, claimed enough, then we wouldn't be feeling these things. so we stuff. we pretend. we hide. we try to will it to go away. we overwork. we do all kinds of crazy, unhealthy stuff to numb out that in the end causes us far more trouble than actually mourning.

there is so much freaking pain in this world, in our cities, in our neighborhoods, in our faith communities, in our own families. to me, part of living this beatitude out requires that we become people willing to stay in touch with pain.

it means we will have to first get in touch with our own pain & allow ourselves to mourn and feel.

we can become people & communities who learn to lament and grieve. to create a safe container for others mourning. to honor and welcome pain & loss instead of offer quick fixes & hyper-spiritualized-solutions. to hold our friends hand in the dark & let them hold ours when we need it too.

Sunday song

2011-02-05T19:49:00.001Z

Cooking in Egypt

2011-02-01T18:28:00.000Z

From the latest issue of The Economist

This was also quite funny! (The image - someone's wit who came up with all those names! Of course being in debt is no fun thing.. But anyway.)

Boystown

2011-01-30T18:52:00.002Z

Prepare to be touched and inspired by this video. Kelly Green is awesome, so inspiring!! I love this story.

goodness in our core

2011-01-28T20:26:00.003Z

... there (waiting to) to be found.

So many of us think that who we are in our worst moments is who we really are. we are often blinded to our good. and even if now & then we get some glimpses of it, we get amnesia and easily forget.

i believe the image of God is deeply embedded in all human beings. it's in our core DNA. what happens, though, is life, brokenness, pain, and all kinds of other experiences can bury and attempt to extinguish this reflection.

From Kathy Escobar

Always Loved

2011-01-24T15:00:00.003Z

The Mind of God toward you

There is never a time
when you're not in His thoughts,
never a time without grace,
never a time when He turns away
from any need you face.

There is never a time
when you're not in His heart,
never a time without love,
never a time when you're not blessed
with good things from above!

How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I wake, I am still with Thee. Psalm 139:17-18

Excerpt from the devotional book Always Loved by Roy Lessin

I'd embed this video if I could..But check it out on youtube! :)

You are Loved

I need this reminder today myself.

a possibility for good

2011-01-10T14:58:00.005Z

"Business should be a force for good,

not just a money-making machine

for its shareholders."

- Richard Branson

From: (Read the whole article here)

Saat Vapaana Laulaa

2011-01-01T00:55:00.001Z

Welcome 2011!

Happy New Year to you!

O Holy Night

2010-12-27T17:10:00.000Z

It's still the season right! I should've really posted this on Christmas Eve. It's so beautiful.

The Christmas Story

2010-12-25T20:11:00.002Z

This is cuteness maximised!

In Finland we celebrate Christmas most on Christmas Eve. Or that is the main day, we do celebrate it for a whole three days (24th, 25th, 26th) - but the Eve is when we have our big dinner, open presents, Santa Claus visits, most go to Church - you can also go on Christmas morning at 7am, which is even more traditional, and which is what we in my family do. It's followed by traditional breakfast at my aunt's with all those who went to Church together, or who just play along in the morning. I used to do the Watch Night service, but it has changed to this in the last two years.. Some years before this, I did both!

Nobody works here on the 24th, unless you are in the service sector (or church staff :)). All shops (except those with special license) close at 12 noon on Christmas Eve. So that's when Christmas officially starts here! And they don't open until the 27th.

This year (And most years) it's winter wonderland. It was -20C yesterday..Just now it is only -12C!

Happy Christmas!

2010-12-25T10:58:00.001Z

Here's a classic :)

Silence.

2010-12-20T14:21:00.004Z

Today I went here with a group of my students (and with):

Picture from

It looked pretty much like that. Oh how we enjoyed and loved the silence there. Nearly in the middle of nowhere..At least it sounded like there was nothing close. There's nothing more refreshing than a walk in the forest on a winter day like this. Being in the nature.

It got me thinking. I realised how much noise we have in our lives. How hard it is to hear the important still whispers, when our lives are crowded with of all sorts noise. I long for more Silence.

It balances us and connects with our inmost being.

I'd recommend having a walk in the forest any day to re-balance you. Only the sounds of nature there..Speaking without words.

Beautiful Silence.

I Won!!!!

2010-12-11T23:04:00.007Z

Homemade Goats Milk Soap in a Giveaway Contest!!! I am soooo happy!! I don't remember ever winning any of these type of draws/competitions. Yey!!! I look forward to testing them!! Stay tuned, will let you know how they are!

And if you like, you can try them out yourselves for a very affordable price at Rhen's shop, here: Handcrafted Goat Milk Soap - shop

Ahh, I am so happy. :)

Pictures from Rhen's site

Onnea Suomi!

2010-12-06T10:59:00.003Z

Happy Birthday Finland! Happy Independence Day!

From Nakedpastor

2010-12-04T22:43:00.000Z

Good News a little early! But couldn't resist posting.

Link

PS.2

2010-11-29T18:38:00.004Z

The Script: For the First Time

Guess it's a pretty hard time in Ireland..

This morning when I arrived at work I had BandAid and "Do they know it's Christmas" in my head.. But I shall leave posting that closer to the Holiday!

Winter

2010-11-29T17:40:00.005Z

Ahh, what a nice start to a Monday. A colleague had bought me a cake like this (from a bake sale yesterday) - what a nice surprise and start for the week!! It's kind of a bundt cake (kuivakakku) a Finnish thing (or maybe Scandinavian..oh no, I checked it's German origin), I think this one is like Marmorkuche (marble cake) or something like that in German.

(Forgive me if I am wrong, I haven't studied a day of German. I have, however, "taught" German..Ok, that was in my substituting daze. Wonder if the students learned anything? ;D)

Yesterday was also lovely. It is like winter wonderland here already. A wee bit on the cold side, -15C (and more..) Brrrrr. But apparentily so it is in the UK! I'm meant to fly in tomorrow, but I think my airport is closed!

Here's a few news clips for you (if, like me, you are reading this from outside the UK.)

More gritted streets needed say Newcastle residents

Snow causes travel disruption in Scotland and North east England

'Beautiful but bitterly cold'
It was so beautiful yesterday when I drove to my godson's 8th birthday party. Such a familiar road from youth, therefore nostalgic.. I didn't have my camera with me, and I couldn't have even stopped to take a photo, as I was driving! But it was a bit like this:

photo from here

Eerie and beautiful, isn't it?

Have a good week!

PS. I'm so glad my least favourite month of the year is OVER tomorrow!!! Yey!

Glorius ruins

2010-11-18T16:39:00.006Z

But think for a moment about the millions of tourists who visit ancient sites like the Parthenon, the Colosseum, and the Pyramids.

Though ravaged by time, the elements, and vandals through the ages, mere shadows of their former glory, these ruins still awe and inspire. Though fallen, their glory cannot be fully extinguished. There is something at once sad and grand about them. And such we are. Abused, neglected, vandalized, fallen-we are still fearful and wonderful. We are, as one theologian put it, "glorious ruins."

But unlike those grand monuments, we who are Christ's have been redeemed and are being renewed as Paul said, "day by day," restored in the love of God.

From: The Sacred Romance

Images from Petra, where I'd love to go (one day). Happy Recent Birthday to my friend by that name! :) And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sade and Ella today! Hope you are having a wonderful day :)

An Amazing Guy -Musical Genius

2010-11-16T21:49:00.004Z

Check out this guy: Petteri Sariola. You can check his music on his web page (the link there) or on his page in Myspace. He's a musical genius! I love at the moment especially the song Silence. Check it out!

What do you think?

PS. Some youtube links, though they're not that great quality..

Silence, I see you everywhere

B.o.B - Airplanes (Feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore)

2010-11-11T21:02:00.001Z

And when your plans unravel in the sand
What would you wish for?
So airplane airplane sorry I'm late
I'm on my way so don't close that gate

Somebody take me back to the days
Before this was a job, before I got paid
Before it ever mattered what I had in my bank
Yeah back when I was tryin' to get into the subway
And back when I was rappin' for the hell of it
But now a days we rappin' to stay relevant
I'm guessin that if we can make some wishes outta airplanes

Then maybe yo maybe I'll go back to the days
Before the politics that we call the rap game

So can I get a wish to end the politics
And get back to the music that started this sh-t

When your plans unravel in the sand,
What would you wish for?

Hmm, I think the story of the song can be quite relevant to many fields other than rap! Also maybe those working within the "church"... Or any of us, whatever it is we do, if it is something that started out of passion, from our hearts... that wasn't just a job. It's like finding your way back to the roots..

Watch a rocking recent live performance of this here! (mtv european music awards)

Why don't we have these?

2010-09-20T16:49:00.004+01:00

via

at airports, schools, shopping malls.

It's actions, not words

2010-09-19T19:46:00.001+01:00

Magnify- Watch online

2010-09-17T21:08:00.005+01:00

Mie recommends for this weekend:

Watch online 24-7Prayer's International Gathering Magnify 2010 in Edinburgh

But be quick, each video set from the evening sessions is only viewable for 24 hours! They are available/a set changes from about 12am (UK time, GMT).

To Restore Dignity

2010-09-15T18:38:00.008+01:00

Once again, Kathy Escobar puts to words what's also on my heart. Here's her latest post.

It starts "Dear North American Church" but I think/believe it is also very valid for Finland/Europe, the church universally!

"dear north american church,

you have developed a bad reputation. you didn’t mean to. i believe your heart is good & you have been so sincere in your dedication to Christ, of that i have no doubt. the problem is that somehow you’ve become more committed to teaching the truth than actually living the truth. to building successful businesses that are self-sustaining rather than living by faith & giving your resources away. by creating walls instead of bridges.

and the world’s started to smell out your contradictions. you see, they are in need of hope and peace, not anger and control. they are hungry for love and cups of cold water, not hate and picket signs. they are desperate, dying, divorcing, and deconstructing, and you are spending energy on trying to prove your “this is what the Bible says” point.

and you’ve forgotten one of the most important things that Jesus did, that he modeled for us so beautifully–he restored dignity to people who had lost it. the sick, the lame, the broken, the desperate, the outcasts, the marginalized, the least, the last. over and over, he healed them, lifted their head, and touched them with hope. hope that the kingdom of God was available now and it wasn’t only for the learned, the put- together, the well, the powerful.nit was available for all those who were humble enough to admit their spiritual poverty & need for God.

the world does not need any more dignity-strippers. they’ve got enough of that going on without the church’s help.

what the world needs are dignity-restorers.

people who are willing to call out God’s image in those that don’t know it’s there.

people who are willing to sacrifice their own jobs, time, heart, and money to change systems that keep others oppressed.

people willing to go the long haul and offer compassion & love to the hurting instead of trite advice & easy spiritual answers.

people who will stand between the stone throwers & the one about to be stoned and advocate on their behalf.

people who touch the untouchable.

people who see the best in others instead of the worst.

it’s not going to be easy to make this change for you.

a cool website won’t do it.

all the right answers won’t do it.

going to the next great conference won’t do it.

putting the word “missional” on the tip of everyone’s tongues won’t do it.

to really become known as dignity restorers, you’re going to have to give up all kinds of things you rely on to keep you safe, strong, and protected:

being right.

systems that perpetuate money & power & control

hanging with people who are just like you

making sure you’re the “us” and they’re the “them.”

but first, your own dignity must be restored. you must get in touch with who you really are. who you were meant to be. not what you think you had to become to feel better about yourself. yeah, Jesus can heal you, too. humble yourself and touch his garment, seek his ways, and surrender to love.

and here’s the wildest part–if you won’t do it, can’t do it, refuse to do it, you need to know that others will. right now, others are. they are actually being “the church” instead of wasting time hashing over who can teach & who can’t, who’s right & who’s wrong, who’s giving money & who’s not. they are just getting down to Jesus’ business without the trappings of “the church” and doing just fine.

oh but i have no doubt if all your resource, all your hands & hearts & eyes & ears & buildings & power & influence & hope could really be channeled to restoring dignity in person after person after person after person, the image of God uncovered in his people, shining brighter and brighter, would dim the darkness of this world like never before.

please, step into who you were meant to be. it’s beautiful. it’s better. and the world really, really needs it."

Amen to this from me!

Guess how old I am

2010-08-11T23:42:00.006+01:00

A few days after my birthday I went to a friend's house. Guess what awaited me!

Yum I love that cake!

That's a blurry **-old me (:))

In Honour of Summer...

2010-07-21T15:53:00.007+01:00

Summer of Love 2010!

Here's my playlist. :-)

the ultimate and best summer song ever... my favourite

How easy to feel light and happy when it is light (and doesn't get dark at all), blue skies and sunny! It's been beautiful so far. Summer makes me feel happy and thankful for life, especially when it is continually sunny and around +30C. Easy to be in good spirits.

Enjoy life my friends!

Don't give up

2010-07-21T12:54:00.006+01:00

Apparentily you can grow to like a song when you hear it often enough. My radio really only plays this one channels I probably wouldn't listen to much. And that radio station plays this song a lot. (They do also play this one, which I don't mind ü) This is one of those. I don't like when I hear it millionth time on the radio, but somehow I like this video, there's something in it that moves me!

Just don't give up I'm workin it out
Please don't give in, I won't let you down

Coming up!

2010-07-09T22:00:00.006+01:00

Just as a little side note, wanted to put up here what's ahead (maybe to remind myself the most): I have in my mind to post about Finnish balconies... (yes, you heard right ;)) and about Linkin Park. So that's what to wait! Don't have time to write these just yet. Officially on hols, but a lot to do..

Friends of mine (Finn-Brit couple) have moved to be my next door neighbours, literally. What a blessing! And a lovely surprise to come home to after I had been away for two weeks. Anyway, I want to share a a funny moment.

I was over at theirs for a coffee one morning a few days ago, and was explaining something, looking for the right word, itdidn't come to mind straight away... at first I said "valuable" to which Paul nodded "ohh yes" (as in understanding what I meant), to which I was no, no..a few moments of more thinking I finally got the right word: valid.

"Ohh haven't been speaking English for awhile, takes me to find words for a bit", I said.
To which Paul replied: "Clearly neither have I".

LOL. And he is English. And he doesn't speak Finnish (much). Hehe. Funny. Valuable and valid, they are pretty close? ;)

It was too early in the morning, we concluded.

It's amazing that they live here too.. Of all places in this city flat next to mine. Paul and I worked together last winter too. They are also one of the few people who visited me in Glasgow in my last leg there. I said nice that you guys missed me so much you had to move next door... ;D I am amazed at this, and blessed. I will live from this for the next month. :)

Live Love Laugh!

That's what my first birthday card said that arrived in the post this week. I'm turning 30 next week! Yikes! When did I get this "young"? Where did the decade go? :-)

We cry out

2010-07-06T22:52:00.001+01:00

↲ This was playing in my head this eve. "We cry out" by Kim Walker &co (Jesus Culture) in Bethel, Redding California.

What if I wanted to break?

2010-06-29T15:58:00.007+01:00

Lovely sunset there :) "The Kill" live @ Rock Am Ring in Germany, 2010

He is totally crazy I think (with the crowd) :)

Finally found myself
Fighting for a chance
I know now, this is who I really am

If you have

2010-06-22T09:44:00.003+01:00

via

If it kills me

2010-06-21T22:15:00.009+01:00

"i think all people share something deeply in common: our desire to love and be loved, to be connected to other human beings and something bigger than us, to taste freedom and hope and joy and purpose in the midst of real life. i believe this is our common denominator, the thing that we all share"

- Kathy Escobar -

It's from this post by her. Good thoughts on church and marginality - and about how we tend to congregate with the people who are just like us. (Kind of)

"to me, a true reflection of the kingdom is when those with no margin and those with lots of margin live together in brotherly and sisterly love, where economics and education and mental health and gender and all kinds of other things that separate us don’t get in the way of loving freely."

Check out Kathy's blog

I was walking by the train station today in sunny beautiful Helsinki going home (my "temporary" home) from work, and weirdest thing a bit of this song played in my head! It took me a few seconds to realise which song it was, but quite soon I realised it's Jason Mraz. I haven't listened to it in such a long time! Therefore "weird" it played in my head. But it suited the beautiful sunny summer evening in this beautiful city!

What played in my head was this bit: *All I really wanna do is to love you*

If I should be so bold I'd ask you to hold my heart in your hand

I know who I am

2010-06-09T22:54:00.005+01:00

Living from knowing who you are! Israel (Houghton) doesn't disappoint.

This is another nice one from Israel Houghton.

I'm at a friend's house, and watched this film today - and totally cried at the end!!

You have to build a bridge to the one you love.

Reminds me of one of my favourite films, The Painted Veil where the tag line was:

"Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people."

to where you are

2010-05-28T21:20:00.006+01:00

Isn't it interesting what kind of images you sometimes get when you google something? Well, I was googling for this song by Josh Groban, and when these images came up, I couldn't resist but to share and put them here. Love this first one especially!

It says freedom and happyness doesn't it!

this one's from Nepal I think.

By the way, I used to absolutely dislike Josh Groban. Back in 2003 I detested it when my flatmate listened to his music. Well, then some years later (2006) another friend introduced me to the album Awake and I was sold. Now he is one of my favourites, isn't it funny how we change over time. Nowadays I can even listen to those songs I considered soapy over seven years ago :)

Tomorrow I will be here (working).

At the moment I am translating this amazing article into Finnish.

*Images from here (1) and here (2)

revelation song

2010-04-28T22:39:00.005+01:00

This is so beautiful! Let it just sweep you, wash you away. Love it!

I will follow you with my song
I will follow you with my heart

Be my everything

You are everything

(my) Song for 2010

2010-04-12T19:39:00.010+01:00

I was meant to post this back in January already. Well, it's only 3,5 months into the year..

In defence of our Dreams
These lessons that we've learned here
have only just begun

From yesterday

2010-03-20T20:00:00.012Z

photo

"Christianity has been buried inside the walls of churches and secured with the shackles of dogmatism. Let it be liberated to come into the midst of us and teach us freedom, equality and love."

- Minna Canth

As happens, I am reading a book by Neil Cole (Organic Church) from which I just yesterday of all days read this quote from(!). And yesterday was another flagging day - AND in honour/celebration of Minna Canth of all people and of equality in Finland. Amazing!

For some weird reason, every time within 2010 I've seen the Finnish flag in the flagpole something stirs within me and I've been touched by it. I'm not sure if it is something that happens to a return migrant like me, or whether it is something God is speaking to my heart. Anyway, I was like "What are we flagging for now? March 19th?" I didn't know. As you know turned out it was Minna Canth's day. And I think I can be excused for not knowing what it was for - it's only been set as a flagging day since 2007 - and I was away from the country for two years.. :)

I do like flags in general. Flags are important. They carry a message and are a sign. I've studied somewhat the importance of flags in popular rebellion (popular revolts) in the Middle Ages.. And have you seen the movie Kingdom of Heaven? With Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson to name a few... oh and even a Finnish actor Jouko Ahola(!) in it! :-) Well, if you have, you know they had loads of flags in the movie especially in the battle scenes. It is set in 1184 or something like that..

It is interesting, as we were a week ago at that 30 Seconds to Mars concert, I was just speaking to my friends there about how I like flags and how I think there should be more of them used in concerts and in dancing/shows.. and what happens, just a few moments later the band had two white flags on the stage! Another amazing thing. =)

You may know this song..

my friday eve

2010-03-14T13:05:00.007Z

..was pretty similar to this:

Well, a bit of it. ;) Thank you 30 Seconds To Mars for an amazing show and the friends I was with for the evening too :)

This is a call to arms
Gather soldiers
Time to go to war

This is a battle song
Brothers and sisters
Time to go to war

Did you ever believe?
Were you ever a dreamer?
Ever imagine heart open and free?

Ever want to just stop?
Do you want to surrender?
Or fight for victory?

Far, far away in a land that time can't change
Long, long ago in a place of hearts and gold
Far, far away in a land that time can't change
Long, long ago in a place of hearts and gold

Here we are at the start
I can feel the beating of our hearts
Here we are at the start

------------------------------------------------------------------

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)

"We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ." (NLT)

2 Cor 10:3-5

Do you know what this is a call for?

time for a new post!

2010-02-05T13:37:00.021Z

We're in February already, and I'm still wishing Merry Christmas - time to change that!

There were Finnish flags everywhere today as it's a flagging day here in Finland. It is "Runeberg's Day" a national holiday (not really a bank holiday though) in honour of Swedish-speaking national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg. He lived in the 19th century. So in honour of his work, today we eat these cakes (or "Runeberg tarts" as they are called):

Not quite like haggis in Scotland :-) Which you eat on Burns Day, 25th of January every year in honour of the Scottish national poet Robert Burns. Quite close these two days celebrating national poets in my two home countries, and it is funny how food is associated in both celebrations. I find it an interesting cultural thing, this thing with food - that we celebrate by eating certain foods foods in certain days. Does every culture in the world have that I wonder? National food, food that receives an iconic status. Interesting! That we also define a country/ a culture/ ourselves through food..

For Finland February is a big food month. First these Runeberg cakes, then we eat pea soup on a certain tuesday (called "sledging tuesday" - yes tradition is you also go sledging) and also have some Finnish sweet rolls called laskiaispulla ("sledging bun" to translate literally..). In February we also have "skiing week" - a winter holiday week - it's a school holiday, kids are off for a week. And you are obviously meant to go skiing! =) Sooo lots of traditions we have invented for February! Kind of in the midst of every day life. Celebrating winter. Usually it is also the best winter weather in February. Good amount of snow, and not too cold. Perfect for, e.g. skiing ;) but yes, lots of "traditions".. of course, not all of us participate in (all of) these :)

I didn't see any translations for Runeberg's poems, so instead I'll post one of Burns' poems, recited by Scottish Actress Dawn Steele. Don't worry if you don't understand a word. That is how I felt when I landed in Scotland for the first time! :)

Here's the written version of the poem (plus English translation ;D)!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T21:47:00.003Z

to one and all! Ie. from me to you, through Jason Mraz (what a voice) & Voices of Prayze:

Happy Holidayz from Jason Mraz & The Voices of Prayze from Jason Mraz on Vimeo.

My Redeemer

2009-12-20T23:27:00.004Z

I like this song. "Cristo Redentor" by Arthur Netto.

Arthur Netto on myspace.

You
Wonderful Redeemer
Shepherd of my soul
Died to make me whole
That's who you are

You
Loving Abba Father
Closer than a brother
Unlike any other
That's who you are

You are my daily portion
My living fountain
My everything
You are
My Strength
My Refuge
My Hiding Place
You're all I need

*photo: Sweden, Stockholm, 2008

PS. Somehow I think the Portuguese version sounds a lot prettier.. I like it more. But unfortunately I cannot write it, therefore here the lyrics translated :)

Kids and music

2009-12-12T22:45:00.004Z

A little girl singing Mess of Me by Switchfoot :-)

:) Cuteness maximised!!

Kids can be amazing. And amazing how and what kind of different talents they have, and how you can see it sometimes from a very early age on. One of my nieces, she's 3 and a half, has an obvious talent for music and also an amazing memory (on everything). She sings songs in tune and can remember amazing amount of lyrics. (Well, considering her age that she remembers at all!) And this was already visible a year ago. When she was 2 and a half! She has an amazing memory otherwise too. You can't fool her much! she remembers quite well things you've said ;) Especially if she has been promised ice cream for dessert after dinner - she's also a huge sweet tooth! She is also incredibly cute and lovely otherwise too, and amazes us often :) Her big sister (8) also likes music and dancing. They clearly come after their aunt! Must be in our genes :D

Here's another kid to finish this post - he's singing and playing Jason Mraz' I'm Yours! :)

what is required

2009-12-04T22:24:00.002Z

Jason Mraz sings "we sing.we dance.we steal things." Well, I "stole" this from Brian's blog. (Well I'm not really stealing as I acknowledge the source :)) Anyway, this is pretty good. Brian titled this "Call of duty" - the call and duty of a Christian (or a Christ follower):

"And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and
to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6: 7

a dedicated life

2009-11-06T09:39:00.004Z

You may choose to look the other way,
but you can never say you did not know"

- William Wilberforce

Talent

2009-10-29T17:21:00.006Z

One man and a guitar, this is what comes out. May I introduce a Finnish talent: Petteri Sariola

"It's [the song] about keeping your ground against suppressive opinions
because NOTHING is impossible.
Free your mind and your ass will follow." (his own words)

;-D

You can hear more of his music at: www.myspace.com/petterisariola

I like pretty much all the songs (especially without you and release). The new album is on my to buy-list. He puts so much feeling, of himself into his playing!

PS. You can buy the cd here

Ignite your bones

2009-10-05T23:17:00.007+01:00

But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones

Official video: here

I was blind but now I see

2009-09-14T23:23:00.004+01:00

"in my random thoughts this passage in john 9 came to mind, the story of the man who had been blind from birth but Jesus healed. i love this story because while the pharisees were trying to figure out the ins and outs of why he was blind, who sinned how and where, and a systematic way of explaining what had happened, and then all the reasons why it was wrong for Jesus to heal him on the sabbath, the man exclaims, “i don’t know…but i know this; i was blind, and now i can see.”

..regardless of all the ways we dot our i’s and cross our t’s, the gospel prevails. justice & mercy for the poor and oppressed, the message of death & resurrection & new life and the ways of Jesus’ love and grace always seem to remain.

..many aren’t looking for others to tell them the right answers; they are looking for a tangible and meaningful connection with the Holy Spirit and that will be enough. they are looking for bread when they are hungry and shelter from the storm. they are looking for love & hope & peace in the midst of real life. they are seeking healing & change and connection with the living God.

i need a practical theology not a systematic one. i need a living Bible not just a “here’s-what-this-passage-means” one. i need to see hands & feets & hearts moving around me. i need to feel Jesus’ spirit & example move my hands & feet & heart in a practical way. i believe firmly and strongly this world doesn’t need more right words or right beliefs or right doctrine. i don’t think that will help us much. i don’t think it will change the world or help blind men see.

or will they know it because we—Christ’s body here on earth—touched them, loved them, cared for them when no one else seemed to."

From Kathy Escobar

She just knows how to say it. I just echo! This could have been titled also : "living out your theology"

health care

2009-08-31T22:35:00.007+01:00

"the thing that makes me sad is how a reactionary capitalist mentality has flooded christianity. the mentality of be-prosperous-successful-take-care-of-me-and-my-family-only is more pervasive than we’d like to think."

Makes me sad too.

"Jesus calls us to care for the poor, the widowed, the orphaned, the rejected, the oppressed, the unprotected. what this means is we are supposed to give some of ours to help. we are supposed to make sacrifices that we don’t necessarily want to make but are wiling to because Jesus reminds us of that life-here-on-earth-is-not-about-gathering-wealth-and-taking-care-of-only-our-own-needs. it’s about sacrificial love. it’s about taking care of others needs. it’s about seeing gaps and filling them. it’s about humbling ourselves for the sake of others. it’s about offering our coats, our food, our hands and our feet in a tangible way even when it costs us time & money & energy.

when it comes to a christians’ response to health care, my take is that we should be leading the charge. we should share our resources. we should give a rip about our brothers & sisters who do not have what we have. Jesus called us to lay down our lives for our friends and i don’t believe he meant “ friends just like us.” i think he meant friends we might not see outside our living room window. we have a responsibility as Christ-followers to bring the kingdom of God here on earth—now. this means we will need to lay down our lives for others –men, women & children across all shapes & sizes & backgrounds—so that they can live.

God, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to respond."

From Kathy Escobar

And just today I was complaining about the slowness of the Finnish Public Health care system.. in my home city in here (it depends on your location - varies). At least I have access..For a very low price - nearly free- and obviously if in an emergency have access straight away. So in time of need - I certainly have access. But it is impossible to get an appointment to see a GP (general doctor for my Finnish readers.. :)) quickly in this city. It annoys me - considering the NHS and the GP system in the UK - I am starting to love them! Even if not always I've thought my gp was the best, at least I get to see them sometimes straight away even (for I lived around the corner) or normally the next day or the day after that. That is good! And on the same day ALWAYS if in emergency. That's good service!! So aye aye for NHS Scotland!!! :-)

Obviously, if you've got the dough, you get to access a private doctor in Finland pretty quickly. Generally the quality of doctors in Finland has been good, but the speed of access is MUCH better in Scotland. And when it's health, you don't really want to wait around too long.

But to think - there are LOTS of people in this world without access, properly anyway or without leaving them crippled with debt.

You are the one I want

2009-08-22T22:10:00.004+01:00

Another beautiful Brooke Fraser:

Arithmetic

When the years are showing on my face
And my strongest days are gone
When my heart and flesh depart this place
From a life that sung your song

we belong

2009-08-15T23:43:00.014+01:00

Oh can you feel the gravity falling, calling us home?
Oh, did you see the stars colliding, shining just to show we belong?
We belong.

It's love, it's love that holds us
We will be alright
It's truth, it's truth that shows us
If we'll walk in it's (his) light

Brooke Fraser: Deciphering me

the way of truth and love...higher way.

A friend of mine posted this video on facebook and reminded me of the song - Brooke's great. So I thought I'd share it here for you :-)