Exciting Weekend here at Home

I'm heading in to the gym to work HARD right now :). My 39 year old body need some rough training now and then... :)

I am performing a wedding for two of our faithful coworkers tomorrow; Eli Solbakken from Northern Norway and Christpher Fränberg from Småland here in Sweden! I am looking forward to it! Weddings are one of life's most significant moments and it's always an honor to be a part of something so huge, holy and beautiful.

Coffe and Eli...

On Sunday I am preaching at SOS at both celebrations 12 and 4 pm. I will explode like a radical "Holy Ghost taliban" ;).

I am longing to see the church after travels to both Norway and the US...

See ya soon!

The Barbarian Rebellion

Following Jesus and living a radical life of discipleship started in Israel as a Messiah-movement among the Jews and the Samaritans... The Jesus-faith grew and after one generation it became a Barbarian rebellion against Rome.

The Barbarians were the people groups who did not speak either Greek or Latin. The Barbarians were the people that, according to Roman measurements, didn't have an education or were not yet civilized. Someone (read Rome) thought that the Barbarians were primitive, dumb and savages that had to be pressed down. Who were these Barbarians? In the north they were Germans, Celtics and the Scandinavians that later were called the Vikings.

The Barbarian sign...

The faith that started like a mustard seed and a Barbarian rebellion became Roman, civilized and institutionalized after about 300 years. The leaders started wearing long swaying coats, silly hats and became more and more focused on hierachys and titles. At last Rome swallowed the movement and Christianity became state religion.

The constant Barbarian rebellions lead to the fall of Rome and finally to the dissolution of the Roman Empire. I believe we need a Christian Barbarian rebellion in Europe! Why can't we, the Vikings, start?!

See ya!

In Pittsburgh Visiting Good Friends

I am in Pittsburgh visiting my good friends Jeff and Melodie Leake this week. I'm teaching a class on "Angels and Demons" at our sister school; MCM Ministry School. It's so exciting that the class has doubled in size this year and gone from 17 to 34 students! Yesterday I spoke at Jeff's local pastors-network at their monthly gathering "Catalyst", it is such a strong and solid ministry. They are taking such good care of me here, and in a couple of minutes I am having supper in the Leake residence...

Jeff's pastors-network...

Tomorrow I am preaching at City Reach Church, Brian Bolt's church and on Saturday and Sunday I will be speaking at Allison Park Church. Will be fun! We are selling my teaching on "God Wants to Make You Rich" in every service, you know that you can order it here, right?! Or send us an e-mail :).

See ya!

The Cross and the Switchblade

I'm sitting at the Newark Airport in NY with a cup of coffee and a Twix reading an old classic; The Cross and the Switchblade... The country pastor David is called by God to NYC to work among the gangs in 1958... An honest and very strong story of how the Holy Spirit changes lives. Drug addicts, pimps and prostitutes from all nationalities become radical Jesus-followers.

I am reminded of how the Spirit of Jesus called SOS, four years ago, to Stockholm city and all its immigrants... SOS Church Stockholm is three years old now! We gather around 500 people and have baptized about 170 since the start. This past Sunday SOS Kids gathered 68 kids ages 1-12 years old! I am sooo thankful for what God has done, and the calling to Sweden's capital city burns stronger than ever in my heart!

See ya!

Back to Norway

I flew from Arlanda Int Airport via Oslo, to the little airport in Haugesund at the west coast of Norway yesterday after lunch. I am preaching at the Jesus Festival in Karmöy this weekend. Spoke at a youth meeting last night and have had several teaching session today and I am preaching tonight as well, fun! I fly home tomorrow, and on Monday I will fly again; this time to Pittsburgh PA, USA...

You know that you can order the teaching sessions from "God Wants to Make You Rich" on our website right? Click here to order, or e-mail usoffice@missionsos.org.

See ya!

The Wind of the Spirit!

The difference between a non-Christian and a true Christian is the presence of the Spirit. When we have received the gospel about Jesus and our sins are forgiven we become a temple for the Holy Spirit... He lives in us, leads and guides us... (1 Cor 6:19-20) The Spirit blows like a wind in our lives... We sail with Him :)!

To follow the wind of the Spirit and keep up with Him, in both speed and direction, is something that every disciple will learn to do over the years. David and his men attacked the Philistines when they heard the angels march in the tree tops... (2 Sam 5:22-25) They waited to attack their enemies until they knew that God's angelic army had taken the first step in the battle. This is a good picture of following the Spiris wind and only go when He goes...

SOS wants to be a people of the Spirit and run with His wind in our backs!

See ya!

2x2x2

At the Church Kick-Off for this fall we launched a new concept, 2x2x2;

1) That we pray for two non-Christian friends 2 minutes every day...
2) We fast two days for our friends to be saved...
3) We invite our two non-Christian friends to our Super Sunday October 7th...

It's time to write down the names of the people you want tose saved this fall! Schedule days of fasting in your calendar and make reminders in your phone. It's time to actively start preparing your friends for a magnificent show October 7th! I will speak on the theme; Celebrate Life! (Motivation for life, practical life coaching and alot of humour).

This fall we are really focusing on reaching out to those who need to come close to God and find a "city of refuge" on our capital Stockholm! Our church is a city of refuge for the hunted, broken and alone.

I will soon preach at SOS Youth! Tonight at 7 pm I will speak on "Being Connected Always", i.e. prayer, answer to prayer, the voice of the Spirit and miracles in everyday life...

Don't miss Super Sunday October 7th!


See ya!

Bible Studies on Saturday!

This coming Saturday it's time for part 2 - God Wants to Make You Rich. I am sooo charged for this! We will speak about avoiding financial traps and holes, but also about your financial promises and rights according to the Bible...

We will also speak about if Jesus was poor or rich when He walked here on earth. Was He an "ascetic bare-foot Jesus" or a pretty wealthy Jewish teacher? Well... If you come this Saturday at 10 am you'll find out...

We start at 10 am (not 10:30...;) and end at 2 pm.



Welcome!

Cities of Refuge!

This past Saturday I had the honor of performing the wedding of a faithful African couple in the church; Alex and Cynthia. It was an amazing wedding! Sunday I preached at our two celebrations; we are baptizing full speed again, about 2-3 people every week and this Sunday it was baptism-party again :)!

“Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone may flee."

Numbers 35:6a

God gave Moses and Joshua the task to choose six cities of refuge in Israel whom people who were in trouble could flee from their enemies...

1) Kedesh in the north = the name represents purity and holiness.

2) Shechem in the center of the nation = means "the neck" where burdens are lifted off and you receive help to carry them.

3) Kiriath Arba/Heron in the south = cities of the four giants; where you become a giant.

4) Bezer in the dessert = means fortress/tower, protects you from the enemy.

5) Ramoth in Gilead = means high value, you are valued and upgraded.

6) Golan in the north-east = place of freedom and joy.

SOS Church is one of the cities of refuge in Stockholm! The cross of Jesus is a horn of the altar in Stockholm (1 Kings 1:49-51, 52-53, 2:28). People in desperate need of help can cling to the empty cross, become pardoned and receive freedom.

See ya!