Blog: The unique value of children
In the morning dusk of the day commemorating children’s rights I was watching the Finnish flag flying on its pole. My mind was suddenly flooded with memories of my childhood and of the many children I have met over the decades.
Blog: On a speaking trip
My father served as a speaker for decades. When it was his turn to speak at services in our home congregation, it was always special for us, his children. I do not think I was ever nervous for my father. Maybe I did not even worry about such things as a child. But I do remember the special feeling I had when I sat at services, listening to my father speak.
Blog: No confirmation picture was taken
Last summer I was able to attend the confirmation services of three grandchildren. They were festive occasions. The young confirmand may even be a bit embarrassed as the center of attention, surrounded by his or her grandparents, godparents, other relatives and friends who have come to celebrate.
Blog: Give me time!
We were leaving on a trip. It was already late on Sunday evening, and our son, who usually just drops in briefly, kept sitting in our home. Finally, I had to go out to take our bags into the car. Unexpectedly, the boy came out with me and began to share his thoughts. He felt attracted to a girl, but was not certain about his own feelings, nor the girl’s feelings. I encouraged him to contact the girl and to ask her if she would like to learn to know him better.
Blog: Cemetery peace
This past summer I spent a lot of time at Toijala cemetery, because my mother is no longer able to take care of our relatives’ graves. For many years already I have planted flowers on the graves in Toijala and also on my grandparents’ graves in Lempäälä and my sister’s grave in Urjala. My mother, however, has been responsible for watering the flowers on the nearby graves. Finnish summers are often so rainy that watering has not been a major task.
Blog: If life had gone differently
Have your sometimes wondered what life would be like if things had gone differently? If you had not fallen ill. If you had been able to go to the summer services. If there had not been an angel to protect you in an accident.
Blog: Light and shade under the sun
Brilliant red and blue flowers, white ribbons and fresh green evergreens against a backdrop of gloomy late October night. Some years ago I went to the cemetery in the night to take pictures. I was due to keep a sermon and was looking for stark contrasts, images of darkness and light, brightness and somberness. I was able to capture all that in one picture.
Blog: Should I give feedback?
I have often come across situations where it would have been good to give feedback. Too often, however, I have not given any. Fortunately, there is still time to learn and develop this important skill.
Blog: Weekdays and holidays
Only some of the days in our unique and valuable lives are ”holy days”. For most of our lives we toil away at our daily tasks and duties. We work hard from day to day and especially hard before a holiday, so that we can then fully enjoy and appreciate the freedom from labor. Slaving away, I would call it!
Blog: Eleventh hour
Many of us know the feeling of having to rush to an appointment or getting an assignment done just before the deadline. Some may even habitually wait until close to the deadline before they accomplish their task. This may be especially true of students preparing for an examination or writing a paper. Some even say that they work most efficiently knowing there is not much time left.
Blog: Growth, flowers, and potatoes sprouting on my window sill
I cannot say exactly when I became a plant enthusiast. I am interested in house plants, cut flowers, and even edible plants. The amazing growth of plants is fascinating and makes me dream of new plant individuals.
Blog: Pandemic entertainment
We are well into the second year of the covid pandemic. What a strange time it has been! Someone told me about their use of time, saying that if they need to go to the post office to get a package, that is the only thing they can fit into their day. How happy I would be now to have even one proper thing to do every day. But that is not always the case. On those days I read the daily paper more carefully than ever. If there is nothing else, we will go to the nearby rail construction site to see if the work is progressing well.
Herra sanoi israelilaisille: ”Älä sorra muukalaista; olettehan itsekin olleet muukalaisina Egyptissä ja tiedätte, mitä on elää vieraassa maassa muukalaisena.” 2. Moos. 23:9
Blogit
Luetuimmat
Toimitus suosittelee
Viikon kysymys
Ilmoitukset
Ketunpojat ja kaukoputki
Lammas olen Jeesuksen
Jubilate, Joululauluilta Lumijoen kirkossa
Siionin Joulu 2021
Siionin Joulu on lehti joulun kristillistä sanomaa kaipaavalle. Lehti on värikäs, aikaansa heijastava. Hartauksien lisäksi siinä on haastatteluja eri puolilta maailmaa.
Taivaan kirkkautta
Lohdullisia ja riemullisia lauluja taivaasta Jämsän Kristillinen Kansanopiston kuoron laulamana.
Luetuimmat
Toimitus suosittelee
Viikon kysymys
Ilmoitukset
Ketunpojat ja kaukoputki
Lammas olen Jeesuksen
Jubilate, Joululauluilta Lumijoen kirkossa
Siionin Joulu 2021
Siionin Joulu on lehti joulun kristillistä sanomaa kaipaavalle. Lehti on värikäs, aikaansa heijastava. Hartauksien lisäksi siinä on haastatteluja eri puolilta maailmaa.
Taivaan kirkkautta
Lohdullisia ja riemullisia lauluja taivaasta Jämsän Kristillinen Kansanopiston kuoron laulamana.
