Erling Thu

Love is stronger than hate

I am still in shock after the terrible act killing nearly 100 people in Oslo and Utøya. I don't find words to express the feelings of my heart. Tears and prayers have been poured out. My heart is aching. I can't comprehend how people can be so full of hate and act in such an evil way. But I agree with the Norwegian MP Stine Renate Håheim: If one man can show so much hate, think of how much love we can show together.

Love is stronger than hate. Love overwins hate. Love is even able to forgive and change any person in spite of evil acts. Love is never giving in to revenge. Love is overcoming hate by acts of kindness and goodness. Love is expressed in justice and mercy. Love is stronger than any evilness. Love finds a way forward. Love is faith and hope in action. Love is stronger than death itself.

Today we are all AUFarar (members of the Labour Youth Society). We assosiate with them. When they were attacked at Utøya, we were all attacked. We want to stand up for justice and mercy, love and kindness. We want to see the Kingdom of God come to Norway. Through the love of God this nation will be healed.

Living in a global village

The world has become very small, like a global village, by the many inventions of transportation and communication. We can now fly to any place on the earth and reach the most remote area in hours in a helicopter. Via satellites we can survey what is taking place at any place on earth. On Google Earth we can see so many details of buildings and streets far away from where we live. Through this service on the Internet we may fly anywhere on earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. Via mobile phones we can talk with people around the globe and via Internet we can be part of many communities while we are still far away from each other geographically.

Hinduism in double trouble

One of my Indian friends sent me a very interesting analysis of the situation in Orissa where Christians have been killed and persecuted recently. I have posted the entire article titled: Hinduism in Double Trouble: Mao & Christ Come Together in Orissa.

Local election in Norway

We arrived home yesterday just in time to see the leaders of the political parties discussing the result of the local election that had just been finished earlier the same evening. Solveig and I voted beforehand because we would be away on election day. Ever since I reached the age when I could vote I have voted for righteous people. It is our duty to vote for people of integrity, wisdom and insight that our society may have the best possible government, locally and nationally.

I am quite amazed at the result of the election, and a little bit sad. I am sad because of the values behind the result, or the lack of values. But I am confident that the Lord has everything in control! These are the days of great opportunities for the gospel of the Kingdom of God in our society. My prayer is the the believers will raise to the challenge and bring the good news to our people, hungry for spiritual realities!

Is the concept of leadership biblical?

Some time ago I published an article by Mike Steele on "The Apostle Who Is A Father". I had some positive comments when it was published. Now, one of my friends from the time I lead evangelistic teams in the pentecostal movement, Are Karlsen, has started to comment on the article. It seems like we will have an interesting dialogue. Why not join us?

Re-thinking leadership?

Leadership in the church is a hot topic. In countless books, seminars, current articles and blogs the subject of leadership comes up.

The House Church Blog posted recently a very interesting article on the subject. Perhaps this is something we need to look more closely at?

State in India Tightens Controls on Conversions

In spite of a national minority panel report confirming violence against Christians in the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh, the state government today passed an amendment making stricter the “anti-conversion” law that has increased persecution of Christians. The amendment, introduced in the House assembly on Friday (July 21), requires clergy and “prospective converts” to notify authorities of the intent to change religion one month before a “conversion ceremony.” Currently the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1968 requires that notice be sent within seven days of conversion. Under the amendment, once advance notification has been received, authorities will decide whether the conversion is “forced” or “by allurement.” The amended law must be signed by the governor before becoming law. “This violates the fundamental right of the people, as it is the government which would decide if a person can be converted or not,” according to Indira Iyengar, member of the Madhya Pradesh Minorities Commission.

Syttande Mai

Syttande Mai (Seventeenth of May) is the biggest celebration in Norway. It is our Constitution Day. The new constitution was signed at Eidsvoll the 17.05.1814 by representatives from all over Norway. We had been in union with Denmark for about 400 years. Denmark was on the loosing side of a war in Europe and as a punishment had to give Norway to Sweden. Just in between we made our own constitution and Syttande May became a day of great joy, celebration and thankfulness to God. The constitution was used to fight the Swedish king and eventually he gave up ruling Norway. We got our freedom and independence in 1905.

Pray for the Christians in Rajasthan

My friend Victor Choudhrie is urging all Christians to pray for Rajasthan!

The situation in Rajasthan, the largest state with a 50 mil. population situated in Western part of India, which is ruled by a rabidly Hindu Nationalist Party (BJP), is now bent on persecuting Christians. Attached is the report of recent persecution which is gaining in intensity and frequency. Part of the reason for this sudden escalation is provocative activities of the Christians who distributed inflammatory literature and insisted on conducting large gatherings in a very sensitive area. At stake are all the other ministries in that state.

1. Please pray that Christians everywhere will rise as one body and articulate strategy for rapid evangelization of the state.

2. Pray for wisdom that the churches will be more sensitive to political, social and cultural environment of the place.

The Waiter Rule

Some time ago my Indian friend Zephry D'Souza sent me an article on "The Waiter Rule." I had never before heard of that rule, but was struck of the sound biblical principle in the rule. CEO's say how you treat a waiter can predict a lot about your character.

The Waiter Rule reminds me of something my late friend and apostle Bryn Jones used to say: The name of the game is people!

Jesus Christ said, "What you have done to the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done to me!"