I’ve always loved the Finnish flag – a blue cross on white – because it so boldly states our faith in the risen Christ. But I also love the Irish shamrock. According to St. Patrick’s Day lore, Patrick used the three leaves of a shamrock to explain the Christian holy trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. How wonderful to embrace the central part of Christian faith as your very own. Go then and make disciples of all…
Life does not have to be same old, same old over and over again. Your past can be buried and you can start anew and stop repeating the same old, same old over and over again. But if the wicked turn away from all the sins that they have committed, keep all my regulations, and act justly and responsibly, they will surely live and not die. (Ezekiel 18:21, CEB) Your future does not depend on your past but on the…
One of the really great things about Christianity is that God does not force us to do anything. God invites us and waits for willing hearts to follow his leading. How is your heart doing? Are you willinghearted? I’d like to say yes. I desire to say yes. But when I read these words of Jesus I am left wondering: Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it…
Are you satisfied with your walk with Christ? Or do you long for more? Do you want to rekindle your faith? To be more like Christ? To experience more of God’s presence in your life? Good for you. Time for spiritual renewal is here: Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (today). Lent is an opportunity to imitate Jesus as he fasted forty days in the desert. Lent is an opportunity to make room for God in our lives and get closer…
You know that faith is a gift from God. You can’t earn it, you can just receive it. Just as spiritual gifts in general, also faith is inspired and brought to pass by one and the same Holy Spirit. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. (1 Cor. 12:11, MSG) If you have had the pleasure to receive the gift of…
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Finland as Friends’ Day. In some ways I think it captures the heart of Valentine’s Day even better when it does not exclude all but romantic love. And having friends is one of the best things in life, don’t you think? So worth of celebrating. But just think what it would be like to be friends with Jesus? And the best news is that’s exactly what Jesus wants to be with us. You are My…
Why do you pray? Is prayer necessary? What do you think? God knows everything already anyway. Why should we take time to pray then? What’s the point of prayer after all? Good questions. Let’s find out whether prayer is necessary at all. Sometimes when we don’t understand something, it helps to change perspectives. So let’s do it now. Let’s take God’s perspective on prayer. Why do you think God wants us to pray? God does not need our list of…
Do you have heroes of faith? Or do you have a faith-filled role model who preaches the gospel (also) without the words? Good for you. My heroes of faith are people who have God’s image imprinted on their hearts. They are people who let God into their lives and have learned to bask in his love and care. They’ve learned to listen to God and trust him no matter of what. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and…
Do you recognize God’s presence in your life? Or are you too busy to take notice of the divine intervention? These are the questions the Bible asked me today. I was reading the chapter 19 in Luke where Jesus is entering Jerusalem to be crucified. Jesus wept over the city because he knew they were not recognizing and welcoming God’s personal visit. This is how he prophesied: When the city came into view, he wept over it. “If you had…
Do you blame yourself for past mistakes? Do you insist on labeling yourself as a loser? Are you stuck in a rut? It’s time to wake up to see yourself with God’s eyes. It’s time to embrace the freedom of Christ. It’s time to believe the good news of forgiveness and renewal. It’s time to let the bygones be bygones. It’s time to move on into new life with God. Kurt Bubna profoundly writes in his book Epic Grace, Chronicles…
