Stockholm

I got nice and lost on my run today in Stockholm. The scenery was great even though it was a bit overcast. I'll get another opportunity to run through more of the downtown area before I head off to Helsinki. So far, I've been able to run in 3 capitols while preparing for the Budapest marathon this October. I'll get to run on 2 continents and I'll keep counting cities. Looking forward to the people and the places on this journey!

Running in Oslo

I'm 22 weeks out from the Budapest marathon. My plan is to run it. I found a training program for guys over 40 that looks pretty interesting. We'll see how it goes, but so far it looks like it fits with my schedule and I like the way that it's going to prepare me to run 26.2 miles (42 km). The first week of training found me in Oslo, Norway. There are quite a few things to think about while you're out running, but the one that has really hit me this week is that I get go run in some great places. I'm hoping to get back to Oslo some time to do some more exploring in the city and the church.

Kindred

Today we hung out with the leadership from the Mission Covenant Church of Norway to learn about what God was doing in Norway. Torben started us off with the church planting amoeba. From there it only got better. We had a great time hearing the vision that God had laid on their hearts. The president, Øyvind, was encouraging as we heard his passion for spiritual formation among the churches. The vision for 20 new churches by 2020 was exciting. We're looking forward to what's in store for us as we continue to journey with these guys we look at as kindred.

Picking up again

I'm at the beginning of a trip through Norway, Sweden, & Finland. I'm at the beginning of a trip through Norway, Sweden, & Finland. I feel like I'm in the middle of a long race. I'm hoping to blog a bit along the way to help myself stay engaged. So I'm starting out in Oslo. The first thing I noticed was someone whispering while I was waiting on my traveling companion. It turns out this thing in the picture is whispering messages. 'You are strong.' 'You are unique.' The most interesting one was, 'You can fly.' I'll try to post video later. Should be a fun trip.

I spent a few minutes today reading a blog about random strangers helping others during races (it's a running blog). The thought that came to my mind was: I'll bet these people are helping each other simply because it's a good thing to do. My second thought was: How much more motivation do I have to help others since I see them created in the image of my Father.

Like a Good Neighbor

Last weekend we were digging a stump in the back yard. It was pretty hard work since the tree had been fairly large. We chopped and dug and chopped most of the day. As we were getting down to the end of the day (and our energy) I decided that we were probably to the point where we could start a fire under the stump and just burn it out. I was going to be grilling for dinner anyhow, so half the charcoal went in the hole under the stump. I soaked it in starter fluid while I was grilling the meat. After a bit I went back and threw in a match. It started nicely and I was thinking that it would be a nice evening by a fire in a hole.
Fifteen minutes later I wandered back around to check on the fire and saw that it was out. Hmmm...it had such a good start. Wow, the charcoal didn't even burn. Why is everything wet? Oh, I see. Apparently, my neighbor decided it wasn't a good idea for me to burn the stump.

It took me a while to cool off. I'm still looking for an opportunity to (with a Hungarian speaker) find out the issues are for my neighbor. Lord, help me be a good neighbor!

Hangin' with the Bosse

Bosse is quite a man. He is retired and now it seems like he gives most of his time away. He's fully of joy even though he has lost his wife to cancer and one son to a plane crash. He serves New Life welcoming visitors and drawing plans for expanding their new building. Today I found out he helps churches in Estonia with renovations and housing visitors to Sweden. We know some of the same people there. I'll bet they think as highly of Bosse as I do.

New Life in Stockholm

One of the guiding principles at New Life: True to God's Word (uncompromising)
John is preaching this Sunday on what this principle looks like at New Life. How they focus on loving the truth and truly loving the people around us.
Simultaneous in 3 languages: Swedish, English, and Mongolian. Saw my first Mongolian baptism this morning.

Stockholm Syndrome

I don't even know what Stockholm Syndrome is really, something about becoming attached to your captors, but I'm in Stockholm. And I'm kind of attached to the city. It's got character, it's clean, and it's cool. No, it's cold. Cold and rainy, but I still love the feel of it.
More importantly, it been a good time of deepening relationships with some ministry friends who we hope could become ministry partners. One church (newlife.nu) has as many as 52 nations represented during their times of worship. We're feeling a deep connection with these guys.
-it's about the glory of God

Location:Birger Jarlsgatan,Stockholm,Sweden

Locked & Loaded

Packed up for Stockholm tomorrow. Talking with friends about their vision of 20 new churches in Stockholm by 2020 to see if we can find some ways to partner.

Nate's 15th!

A house full of friends and a lot of pizza!