tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post2692041166118678576..comments2023-10-12T15:02:53.034+01:00Comments on On The Far Side Of The Sea: DECEMBER FIFTEENTHFelisol http://www.blogger.com/profile/12240191154632603841noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-32308430574195047782008-12-16T23:48:00.000+00:002008-12-16T23:48:00.000+00:00Dear Debbie,We've got a lot in common, I think.I w...Dear Debbie,<BR/>We've got a lot in common, I think.<BR/>I was lucky to have parents challenging me to find my own way instead of thoughtlessly follow.<BR/>In fact I once, at the age of 6 asked my Dad if only people from the Pentecostal Church came to heaven.<BR/>I never till this day forgot his answer, mildly, thorough and wise.<BR/>He taught me about the "amazing" grace", about the calling of Christ, and the individual's responsibility to answer and about the judgment belonging to the Lord.<BR/>He did not always understand my decisions, but at the end of the day he was supportive and respected my choices.<BR/><BR/>I actually don't know where I'd be without him.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Dear Judith,<BR/>thank you for returning my visit.<BR/>Hope we'll meet again.<BR/>From FelisolFelisol https://www.blogger.com/profile/12240191154632603841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-31918848301926105282008-12-16T22:52:00.000+00:002008-12-16T22:52:00.000+00:00Dear Felisol Thank you for taking the time to visi...Dear Felisol Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and leave your comment. Like many of the other commenters this is one of my favourite Christmas song and the youtube pictures are sensational. JudithJudithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04216978672594822130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-16086918127242389452008-12-15T23:16:00.000+00:002008-12-15T23:16:00.000+00:00God's grace is so awesome! He created each of us ...God's grace is so awesome! He created each of us so uniquely with different gifts and abilities. And He loves each of us. I am sometimes overwhelmed by that. <BR/><BR/>I'm so glad Felisol to read how you so enjoyed that church service. My parents were raised in a very legalistic church with all the rules like no makeup, movies, etc. They rebelled and for some years didn't go to church. Later, they found another church that offered more of God's grace and less rules and they felt at home. <BR/><BR/>I believe that doctrine is so important about salvation being a gift of God's grace. As I yield to His authority, then I can't help but allow Him to live through me. I'm amazed that He would do so but I thankfully accept that gift.Debbie Petrashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235978883396499354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-89510018120522220942008-12-15T20:52:00.000+00:002008-12-15T20:52:00.000+00:00Dear Sioux Sue,Thanks for kind words.The Church of...Dear Sioux Sue,<BR/>Thanks for kind words.<BR/>The Church of Norway is a Lutheran Protestant Church. 82,6 % of the Norwegian population are members of the Church of Norway.<BR/>It's ministers and clergymen are employed by the government. The church buildings are also public property. There are also Free congregations, of which the Pentecost Church and The Catholic <BR/>Church are the greatest. I have no statistic at hand, but I recon that just in our area are 20 different protestant churches.<BR/>They all receive money from the government, figured out in relation to number of members.<BR/><BR/>Even this Christmas kindergartens and schools up to senior high go gather in church before Christmas.<BR/>I guess it's only a question of time before that custom is ended.<BR/>A group of non-believers called Human ethic league works hard against all "public" Christianity.<BR/><BR/>They are a sad bunch. Handing out ear plugs to the children before they go to church!<BR/><BR/>No one is automatic a member of the Church of Norway. Christening and at 15 confirmation are all voluntarily.<BR/>Nevertheless people keep coming, as they keep filling the churches in December.<BR/>From FelisolFelisol https://www.blogger.com/profile/12240191154632603841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-84173781011704710992008-12-15T16:49:00.000+00:002008-12-15T16:49:00.000+00:00Thanks, Elise, for the insights into your church, ...Thanks, Elise, for the insights into your church, then and now. The inside of the church is absolutely beautiful, too.<BR/><BR/>Is the Church of Norway Protestant?Sue Seiberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079271353907261500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-34522406460425706112008-12-15T10:01:00.000+00:002008-12-15T10:01:00.000+00:00Dear Amrita,though we come from the ends of the ea...Dear Amrita,<BR/>though we come from the ends of the earth, our background and youth experiences seem to be much the same.<BR/>Guess that is who we can understand each other so well.<BR/><BR/>Shield house is a name from the days when people could not travel to church unarmed.<BR/>Swords, shields, spears, bow and arrow were commonly used from about year 1000. A man should feel safe in church.<BR/>Even so both English, Irish and Norwegian sagas tell about mighty people killed in front of the altar.<BR/>Now the weapon house is more used for a wardrobe, umbrellas, collect offerings etc.<BR/>Every part of the church has names.<BR/>Maybe I should look for a church plan and write something about it some day.<BR/>From FelisolFelisol https://www.blogger.com/profile/12240191154632603841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-43234751957076192442008-12-15T09:39:00.000+00:002008-12-15T09:39:00.000+00:00I ama fan ofharry Belafonte.This song is ageless.I...I ama fan ofharry Belafonte.<BR/>This song is ageless.<BR/><BR/>I alsp appluad Pastor Idsoe for standing up for young people.I have also grown up in a very strict church. But now things are much more relaxed.<BR/><BR/>Your Sauda church is very beautiful.<BR/><BR/>A sheild house...what kind of wapons did people carry?you mean like hand guns and knives?Amritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04887884977787790642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-20582251360634114982008-12-15T09:37:00.000+00:002008-12-15T09:37:00.000+00:00I ama fan ofharry Belafonte.This song is ageless.I...I ama fan ofharry Belafonte.<BR/>This song is ageless.<BR/><BR/>I alsp appluad Pastor Idsoe for standing up for young people.I have also grown up in a very strict church. But now things are much more relaxed.<BR/><BR/>Your Sauda church is very beautiful.<BR/><BR/>A sheild house...what kind of wapons did people carry?you mean like hand guns and knives?Amritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04887884977787790642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-80420458241910669882008-12-15T06:29:00.000+00:002008-12-15T06:29:00.000+00:00Dear Jim,I would like to meet your Ford 1950!I too...Dear Jim,<BR/>I would like to meet your Ford 1950!<BR/>I took your advices ad notam and tried to control my overdoing energy.<BR/>I'll stick to itunes when I want music.<BR/>Even managed to control the post numbers on my own.<BR/>Now reduced from 500 to 30.<BR/><BR/>I respectfully thank you.<BR/>Might that also result into a peek in your garage?<BR/>From FelisolFelisol https://www.blogger.com/profile/12240191154632603841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-27936083491686759992008-12-15T05:39:00.000+00:002008-12-15T05:39:00.000+00:00I forgot to say, I have three Fords (1950, 1974, a...I forgot to say, I have three Fords (1950, 1974, and 1998) and two Cadillacs (1999 and 2006) and the golf cart. The '99 Cad is going to go very soon.<BR/>..Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02982249173214655060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-42031937145881680742008-12-15T05:37:00.000+00:002008-12-15T05:37:00.000+00:00Hi Felisol -- I sure am glad that Serina is home f...Hi Felisol -- I sure am glad that Serina is home for these three weeks. You two can catch up with a lot during that time.<BR/><BR/>My computer came right up on your blog too. I think you changed to the better, before mine would lock up or take forever to come up as well.<BR/><BR/>Finally, I do like that song. Someone will sing that at least once a year at Christmas time in our church. Our radio stations play it too. Thank you.<BR/>..Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02982249173214655060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-34171413820058154642008-12-15T01:36:00.000+00:002008-12-15T01:36:00.000+00:00Dear Mrs. Mac,How nice that you have found the rig...Dear Mrs. Mac,<BR/>How nice that you have found the right church for you and your family.<BR/>I sure hope the welcome Nathan as the valuable member of our society he is.<BR/>The world would be a colder and darker place without Nathan and his kinsmen to brighten our lives and putting choices and values in right perspective.<BR/><BR/>About offerings; I think God always manage to use the offer. The need is huge and the givers so few.<BR/>Mary's Boychild will always hace this special place in my heart.<BR/>From FelisolFelisol https://www.blogger.com/profile/12240191154632603841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-68189258108911259882008-12-15T01:18:00.000+00:002008-12-15T01:18:00.000+00:00I'm at a 'new place' in life. I go to church when...I'm at a 'new place' in life. I go to church when I can, but with Nathan in hand. Making only one acquaintance (family) ... but the perfect family I think. Being in church ... but somehow apart ... has given me the freedom to choose local charities to give my offerings to. Before my offerings were always sent to foreign lands ... but now the way we attend church and the way we feel led to offer allows us to give to local needy families in our community. With the recession and people out of work, it's what's needed for now. <BR/><BR/>It was similar over here during the 1970's with the young people coming alive in Christ in churches. Some older people didn't like the change of music style, but it was needed to get more in touch with the younger generation.<BR/><BR/>Hugs,<BR/><BR/>P.s. that is my all time favorite Christmas song. I weep when I hear it.Mrs. Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06644129213141875138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-75746561560167480282008-12-15T01:15:00.000+00:002008-12-15T01:15:00.000+00:00Dear John C,While you were writing to me, I was wr...Dear John C,<BR/>While you were writing to me, I was writing about your very straightforward and touching Christmas box video over at the Pilgrim Pals.<BR/>I don't believe in coincidences.<BR/>I believe in contact<BR/><BR/><BR/>Dear Donna,<BR/>you have brought me so many blessings throughout the years.<BR/>Nice seeing you.<BR/>From FelisolFelisol https://www.blogger.com/profile/12240191154632603841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-66263507038310580772008-12-15T00:54:00.000+00:002008-12-15T00:54:00.000+00:00Dearest Felisol...I have tried and tried so many t...Dearest Felisol...I have tried and tried so many times to visit you and every time my computer locks up and so I gave up in frustration ....but tonight it did not lock up ...and what a blessing!!! to listen to the beautiful sining of this song....<BR/><BR/>thank you Lorddonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05964493445511234263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37174210.post-72122075784098724952008-12-15T00:53:00.000+00:002008-12-15T00:53:00.000+00:00"The shield-house (The entrance were all weapons m..."The shield-house (The entrance were all weapons must be delivered before entering the church". <BR/><BR/>You always introduce me to new things I'd never heard of before.<BR/><BR/>Yes, the tension between what is of Christ and what is just a matter of social culture wracks congregations over here too. I try to attend to the true fundamentals of my faith and not get bogged down in cultural stuff.<BR/><BR/>I have a hard enough time keeping me straight without judging others.John Cowarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01105166273383950695noreply@blogger.com