Posts filed under 'Friends'
So I was at the wedding of two good friends last week, which I wasn’t planning to blog much about, except: (this was really awesome) as the (excellent) dining was over, and we moved to more comfortable seating where the entertainment took place, somehow the newly wed couple in an unexpected move of surprise turned the whole thing into church, right then and there.
And so, right there, as we were sitting with our coffee, beer and whatnot around little tables, there was a flashback of something reminiscent of Aarhus Café Church old days style at their wedding reception, though with a decidedly new touch. Complete with thoughts from the bride and groom, worship songs and such. It really felt like the mode for a short while was changed and we were no longer at a wedding party, or rather, we were, but suddenly we were also in church! (which was nice, seeing as practical reasons made it hard to do earlier in the day)
I don’t know what you think when you hear this, but I thought it was really cool. To the wedded couple: Keep this up, and you’ll do amazing stuff!
juni 20th, 2009
So I just went to see Händel’s Messiah with the quite (at least in Denmark) renowned choir Camerata, in Holmens Kirke. Though we didn’t exactly get the best places due to late arrival, it still remains an excellent work and was performed quite well by the choir.
So many bits going through my mind:
‘Every valley, every valley shall be exalted’
‘For He’s like a refiner’s fire’
‘And He shall purify the son’s of levi – that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness, of righteousness’
‘He was despised, rejected, rejected of men’
‘He gave His back to the smiters. And His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair, and his cheeks to them, that plucked off the hair’
‘And by his stripes we are healed’
‘I know that my redeemer liveth’
‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. And hath redeemed us to God, to God, by His blood. To receive power and riches and wisdom and strenght and honour and glory and blessing’
Just to mention a few… Is there anything left to say but amen?
Savouring the impressions as I’m sitting in the silence of the kitchen at night enjoying peppermint tea and some very nice cheeses and biscuits… 
december 18th, 2008
As I lay my head on the pillow
as I try to fall asleep
there is only pain
As I close my eyes
still with every breath
there is only pain
With every breath
a new memory
breathe in
breathe out
With every breath
a new happy memory
in my memory
and there is only pain
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4. 23)
“Frem for alt: Vogt dit hjerte, for derfra udgår livet.” (Proverbs 4. 23 Danish 1992 translation)
august 25th, 2008
Sitting this Saturday evening just past sunset, I though I would take the opportunity to reflect on the day.
Went to bed a bit late last night after having been to Laura’s ’studenterfest’ (a party you throw when you’ve graduated from high school), but was fortunate enough to be able to sleep late today. Had the opportunity to see Bobby’s (our Café church minister) 1-minute Facebook video-intro to his sermon today on the topic of ‘real rest’.
So I got a little over eight hours of sleep before I was awoken by a phone call from a good friend, whom I was very glad to hear from, so this made a perfect start of the day. Afterwards, I had the opportunity to reflect a little, write in my journal, and read through Paul’s letter to Titus, which was the place to which I had come in the Scriptures, this morning. Especially Titus 3:9 made me pause a little: “But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” (NRSV)
Soon after, I was out running. It was nice to feel that I’m getting a bit in shape, so I can actually run for most of the 25 minutes – on the route that used to take 30 – without having to stop for air. To add to the excitement, I ran into one of my cat friends 
I think I’ve met her before – I think it was a her – this black-brownish cat who looked very happy to see me in the rain, and came running towards me from the distance. So I took a few minutes to say hi and went on running. When I settle down sometime, I would definitely like a cat.
Afterwards, I made myself a nice brunch; I could post pictures, but you can just look down a couple of posts from last Saturday’s brunch to the picture of the baguettes with tomato, mozzarella, fresh basil, olive oil, salt and pepper, to see what I had This was enjoyed with freshly squeezed – that is, before they put it onto a box in the supermarket, but at least it was not diluted concentrate – orange juice and further conversation with the before-mentioned good friend.
After a tiny bit of reflection, I turned to Isaiah 58 and read most of it before walking out the door. It’s one of my favorite passages. I was out the door quite early, and thought I might just get out of the Metro one station early (Nørreport, that is), and walk to church along the lakes of central Copenhagen. While going to church, I had a very relaxed feeling. Just feeling good. I got out of the train at Kongens Nytorv, but got back onto the train right away, as I had the feeling I should go to Nørreport instead. So, I did. As I got out from the station and up to street-level, I wanted to cross over to one side of the street I was to walk up, but there was a red light to my left. Strangely, there was still 5 seconds of green light to my right. So, I went that way (it made no difference to my route, as it only determined I was walking upwards on the left side of the street, instead of the right). When I had crossed the footpath over the street to the right, I saw a woman sitting, holding out a cup, needing money. I felt impressed to give her some money, so I did. And besides, it was very fitting with the passage I’d read before going out the door. It all fit so well together, I couldn’t help but wonder if God had sent me past her today, for her benefit as well as for mine (the amount I gave her couldn’t have made a huge difference, but I hope it got her on the way to meeting just a small amount of her real material needs). I remembered one of my teachers at Newbold who said something like this in a tutorial session: “The main theme of the Old Testament is not even God’s love. It is His justice. He is the God who cares about the underdog. Who provides justice for those who have been mistreated.”
The topic of Bobby’s sermon today was ‘real rest’, taking his point of origin in 1 Kings 1:1-4. Just a couple of highlights (as I remember them):
‘You can’t explain about rest unless you’ve experienced it’
‘These servants knew that the King needed help. Needed help to do what he couldn’t do, to get warm.’
‘Why does it say that David did not have sex with her? Remember the story in 2 Samuel? This shows us that David has grown.’
‘If there is no warmth in your thinking, God isn’t there’
‘Real rest is getting close to God’
(and there was another, brilliant, statement, but I just can’t remember it, which is driving me just a tiny bit crazy. No, not really, but still 
)
I think one of the main things I brought along is that the things we cannot do for ourselves, God can help us with. And that God can provide real rest for us. That He is the one who will provide it. And that nothing but God will provide us with real rest. None of the shorter-term things that we think will make us happy. But it’s hard to convey; these are just fragments. I hope they will get the recording of the sermons sorted soon, so they can be podcast (now also as a verb ).
The worship after the sermon in particular, was awesome, in the truest sense of the word. Just a couple of quite quiet songs, not intimidating in any way, and with quite a few a cappella-sections, God felt very present.
Afterwards, I went out with 4 friends and had a very nice meal at Jensens Bøfhus. Food, as always, was great. And the fact that the service wasn’t up to par was okay, since it provided us with free desserts
Sitting back in the apartment of the friend who’s been nice enough to have me staying for the summer, but who isn’t here at the moment, I am left with the feeling that today, I have experienced real rest. It’s not something tangible, but it’s still something I know I’ve experienced, and something I certainly know I would not be able to provide myself with these days. And I just want to acknowledge God for this.
juni 28th, 2008
Sunday was a very traumatic day for the teddy-bear whose name I have been instructed not to blog. Had he not been ruthlessly abandoned in the room, he would have seen her face in the back of the car, slowly fading away into the horizon…
But this bear is determined. So he decided to pack, commandeer an airplane and go after her.
Not long after, he was sitting at the airport, having his boarding pass ready, carefully packing his liquids for security.
Once in the departure lounge, he decided to rest a bit.
Then, for a much needed breakfast – ‘healthy breakfast’ with a freshly squeezed orange juice and a nice decaf espresso
Before he could get onto the plane, the bear had to sit and wait a bit…
Then, finally in the plane. He did get a bit anxious over flying the ‘new’ Axis Airlines, having booked a ticket with Sterling, but shrugged it off.
Ah, finally, home. No, wait, what is this – this is not … Ah, well, he does seem to enjoy himself.
Bear sitting at the computer, pondering when he will be able to escape, and pursue his rightful owner…
maj 21st, 2008
(This one will only be intelligible for those who know who the Rasmussen family is)
Yesterday, Thomas decided to shave – and leave a mustache in the process. Results:
It’s scary how much he looks like his dad (not that his dad looks scary, that is)
april 24th, 2008
