Merry Christmas!

One of my favorite Norwegian Christmas songs, Himmlen i min favn (Heaven In My Embrace). It speaks of what Mary sang over the Treasure she held in her arms:






Who lit the star, which is reflected in your eye? Who took away the dark of the shepherds gaze your first night? Who has braided the crown of straw around your forehead? Who has brought three wise men to our house, my precious treasure?

Are you one of thousands of small babies? Are you he they are waiting for? You are my little child, an angel gave your name. Are you the earth's hidden treasure I get to protect this night? Is that heaven itself I rock in my arms?

Who has brought the fear which made your heart cry? Why hold your hand so tightly as you grip your mother's hair? Around us dancing shadows, now is the angel gone. He said so very beautiful, much more than I understood.

Are you one of thousands of small babies? Are you he they are waiting for? You are my little child, an angel gave your name. Are you the earth's hidden treasure I get to protect this night? Is that heaven itself I rock in my arms?

Grant that your days may be for others' joy. Hands to greet you with all love, gentle and good. Never shall I forget the words that I heard. Whatever happens, they will give us strength and courage

Are you one of thousands of small babies? Are you he they are waiting for? You are my little child, an angel gave your name. Are you the earth's hidden treasure I get to protect this night? Is that heaven itself I swing my arms?

 Who lit the star, which is reflected in your eye? Celestial Diamond, the city of Bethlehem.

A Monument of Mercy

I like to think that every day I am a monument of mercy, that every day a fresh display of sovereign grace is made to me; every day my Father feeds me, my Savior cleanses me, the Comforter sustains me. Every day new manifestations of the loving-kindness of the Lord break forth upon my wondering soul and give me fresh visions of His miraculous love. Charles Spurgeon

This changed my life. If you are hungry for God, read Bill Johnson's book, Hosting the Presence: Unveiling Heaven's Agenda. Bill Johnson: Hosting His Presence

His final quote is this: We are the ones upon whom the promises of the ages have come to rest. And they are contingent upon our being a people who have discovered our eternal purpose. We have been chosen to be His eternal dwelling place. We have been chosen to host His Presence.

I am SO hungry for more of God! I go to sleep crying out for His Holy Presence and I wake up crying the same thing. I want to live so that the Holy Spirit will rest upon me and release life to those around me. I am just so sick of myself.....and so desperate to really know Him.

Norway, if there is one thing that can be known from me, let it be that God's Presence is the most important thing in all of life. If there is one thing I pray for you, it is that you will 'host' His Presence well and make space for the Revival He has planned for you. 

Jeg elsker deg, Norge!

October Course - The Worship Arts Conservatory

We are offering a great class this month at The Worship Arts Conservatory, an online community for worshipers and worship ministers. Check us out at The Worship Arts Conservatory

RS170:Biblical Exegesis and Research with Vivien Hibbert, Academic Dean

Course statement: This course offers methodology for sound, scholarly Biblical study and research. The student will have an opportunity to use scriptural methods that highlight the vital role the Word of God plays in their lives personally and also equips the student to create teachings that will “feed” others.  Topics include:

Why study the Bible?

Bible study tools

Bible study methods

Bible outline

Foundations of exegesis

Rules of hermeneutics

Hebrew and Greek word study

How to use types and symbols to gain insights into biblical passages

Learn how to find life for yourself and food for others through Bible study

Learn how to meet the Lord through the Word

Discover ways to find the main themes of each book and each chapter of the Bible

Worship and pray using the Word

How to find God’s secrets through the Word

Answer basic questions on Bible study

Relationship to the Worship Arts Degree Program:

RS170 is a first level course of Religious Studies in the Associate of Worship Arts Degree Program. This curriculum will provide tools to further aid Believers in their study of the Bible

Course Objectives

Upon completion of lessons and assignments the student will:

•    Validate the necessity of studying God’s Word.

•    Understand the process of diligent, careful and sound study methods for “digging” through God’s Word.

•    Discover, through various exercises, which study method is the most effective for them personally.

•    Learn to further deepen the discipline of worship & praying the Word.

•    Find “food” from the Word to share with others in a biblically-based format.

If you'd like to enroll, please email me at rwalden@worshiparts.org

Blessings!

Ern Baxter - Thy Kingdom Come

We are in Norway for two months and have already experienced wonderful times in the Presence of God ministering in the National Women's Conference, the State Church, the Mission Church, and the Nordic Mission Bible School but I long for so much more.....for myself and for Norway! I am longing for a deeper anointing that will release the fullness of God's beauty and character to those around me.  I am longing to be a spark that will ignite the fires of God's heart for the earth. Weighty and weird words, I know, but there is a stirring in me that isn't content for what I have known before or what I am experiencing now. I am SO HUNGRY for GOD! And we are so blessed and privileged to live in these days because He is preparing His people for something glorious. 

When you have a few minutes, give this a listen. It's a message from one of the coolest guys to walk the earth, Ern Baxter. He's from back in the day but he was a Father to so many and his message is powerful. It takes a few minutes for him to get into it, so hang in there. 

You will need to advance through the series until you hit Message #9. It's not very long but is broken up into chunks. It's worth your time.

Jeg elsker deg!

P.S. For those of you who like to see what Norway looks like, here is the view from our front window. We're spoiled, I know.

Faith & Perseverance

Take heart, all who are tired of running the race.....

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message)

September Course @ The Worship Arts Conservatory

RS240:Worship, Prayer & Meditation

The Worship Arts Conservatory (www.worshiparts.org)

Course Statement: This course focuses on the challenge of spiritual growth as it relates to the devotional practices of worship, prayer and meditation. It offers grounding in the principles and practices of building an inner devotional life based on the writings of three devotional masters who have gone before us—Jonathan Edwards, Jeanne Guyon, and Brother Lawrence. The goal of this course is to equip the worshiper with the tools required to activate passionate devotion, one of the keys to releasing the nature, character and glory of God both personally and corporately.

Relationship to the Worship Arts Degree Program:

Course Number RS 240, “Worship, Prayer and Meditation”, is a second level course in Religious Studies in the Associate of Worship Arts Degree Program. This curriculum is designed to aid the believer in the pursuit of a deeper relationship with the Lord through an informed understanding of scriptural patterns and principles of whole-hearted devotion to and communion with God. Through the thoughtful study of the lives of biblical and historical “God-chasers” the student will add the skills necessary to maintain a life of worship, prayer and meditation and gain relevant insight into the plan of God for worshipers today.

Course Schedule:
Lesson One: September 3 – 9, 2012
Lesson Two: September 10 – 16, 2012
Lesson Three: September 17 – 23, 2012

We hope you will join us!

Rebecca (rwalden@worshiparts.org)

Norway in the Olympics!

Norway is not famous for their achievements in the Summer Olympics since they are snow-people. They shine at the Winter Games in a variety of events, however. I have kept my eye on the Norwegians during these Games in London and will always cheer for them (us). If I were there, this would be me.....if I were a man, that is.

GO NORGE!!!!!

Norwegian Preschools & Kindergartens

This basically explains why my mother, a Norwegian, could gnaw off her own 'paw' should she become stuck in a trap. Seriously, this video does show the hardy philosophy of the Norwegian people, for sure. Check it out:

Between America & Norway

I love being home but I still have the feeling I am walking between two countries. One foot is in the US and the other is in Norway. I can close my eyes and easily imagine gigantic craggy mountains lining the fjords, turquoise water in pools and rivers along winding roads, the ocean at my sea-cabin doorstep, and water bursting out from high and low places. It's the nation of my heart and for that reason, I am completely in love. 

Although the photos of Norway are glorious and beautiful above, I have many reasons to be thankful about my life.  The good news is that I can see all of this with my eyes open, not through imagination but the reality of love and family. This is our gift from the Lord and the reason I am not sad here in the states.

Chad: my son and a delightful fellow

Stephen, Jenn and Samson: wonderfully glorious trio

Megs: beautiful daughter with a sweet spirit

Shya: Irrepressibly happy, beautiful & loving

Hunter: A cuddler extraordinaire and completely adorable

Thank you, Father, for the blessings in my life!

Walking In A Dream

I am having the strangest time re-adjusting to Utah after being away for three months. I dream of Norway at night and then wake up in Sandy. It's lovely being home with my family and I've enjoyed hanging out with them. Nothing beats cuddling and playing with Shya and Hunty and, of course, seeing Megs and Chaddy has been wonderful, too. Speaking of my kids, I am very proud of the people they have turned out to be. They have beautiful servant's hearts and are called to the nations and I'm excited to see how the Lord will use them. I get to worship in my home church on Sunday, too, and that's awesome! Hurra for The Fellowship and lovely friends! 

But for now, I dream about.....

Beautiful Spring flowers...

Sunny strolls along the Fiskebrygga downtown...

Giant white swans gracefully swimming in the sea...

Amazing houses that feel so ancient... 

God-given photo ops like this heart in the snow... 

And fire in the flags as we prayed...

And most of all, dear friends...

Ivar, Ann Elisabeth & Håvard...

 Astrid, Honey & her boys...

Geir, Elin, Alise & Amalie...

Look forward to seeing you soon, Norway!

Tusen takk, Far, for fantastisk minne!

I'm Waiting For My Potato

The Norwegian language is exquisite! I have had so much fun learning new words for the past three months and I wish I could stay here long enough to be able to converse like a native. Alas, this is a difficult  possibility with so many dialects mucking up the linguistic stew so I've decided to make things easier on myself and concentrate on the dialect from the region my grandmother is from (Vest Agder). Of course, this happens to be the most imposing dialect but I'm always up for a good challenge! It is said that 'my' dialect sounds the most like Danish but 'we' only have one potato in our throats instead of three.

So, God, where's my potato? I'm waiting patiently for my own Vest Agder spud and when it appears, it will be a happy day indeed!

I love Norway. No, I mean I really, really love Norway. Even as I enjoy the beauty of the people in Sweden as we worship together day by day, my heart is directed westward to Norway. In my mind, I am across the border and standing in Norway in the Spirit, singing songs of deliverance over her and calling her into God's perfect plan for my beautiful land. The best gift I could give you as my friend would be to introduce you to this awesome country. I'm sure you would fall in love, too, after one glance.

We leave Stockholm tomorrow morning and then have two short days in Norway before heading back home. I have mixed emotions about this. I smile every time I imagine throwing my arms around my family and cuddling Spencer, the perfect hund, but I know it is going to break my heart when we fly up and out of Kjevik. It always gets me; it's like leaving a piece of my heart behind.

This is an old-school Norwegian worship song with an old-school PP presentation but I love it. It's called Jesus, Min Jesus (Jesus, My Jesus) and it expresses my heart's cry. If you listen carefully, you will hear the 'potato' in the pronunciation.

Jesus, Min Jesus

This is the view I saw from my sea-cabin window every night. 

I like to think the Lord has left the lights on to His House and that I'll be back in Norway soon..

Guds største velsignelse for Norge!

17th of May in Norway

From our heart to yours, Norge, on Syttende Mai (17th of May)

As we celebrate Norway's independence from foreign rulers, Your heavenly Father wants to remind you that no spirit, stronghold or principality can hold you back from the glory of the His loving plan for you.

The Lord wants to release a fresh wave of spiritual freedom over Norway.  He is coming to blow winds of healing and deliverance over the land and set the captives free from fear, depression, disease, pain, oppression, hopelessness, lack of vision, and apathy. 

He will cause a holy joy to spring up in Norway as His people rise into the place He has ordained for them. He is pouring out Spirit-inspired songs of freedom all across the country! Listen as sounds of heaven are heard in the land again!  Norway, you are free from your captivity! It is your time to rejoice in what the Lord has prepared for you! The winter-time is over and the Spring-time has come! Whomever the Son sets free is FREE INDEED!

Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet!

                                                      

Trier, Germany

We returned last night from ministering for three days in a church in Trier, Germany. We learned a lot about Germany's oldest city and even more about fighting spiritual battles in an environment that never seems to let up! My heart and prayers go out to the churches in Trier for having the courage and grace to survive in such a difficult place. You can learn more about the history of Trier by clicking here

Gate of Trier (also called Porta Nigra), built between 186 & 200 A.D.

The symbol of the city is St Peter holding the key to heaven. 

We like to say that he is holding the Key of David to release Revival in Trier! 

This is symbol of the Catholic Church, depicting Jesus as the Lamb of God.

We had an awesome time praying, prophesying and worshiping in the Gate of Trier.

Please join us in declaring this promise of renewal over Trier:

Trier, you are dry and without vision because you have turned to dead and idolatrous things to satisfy the longing in your heart. But the Lord is coming with a mighty wind to blow the dust of defilement off of Trier! He is coming to lift the veil & open the spiritual eyes of the people! He is coming with the fire of Holiness, the wind & breath of the Spirit, and the water of the Word to restore Trier to the original plan of the Father's heart. Open your spiritual eyes, Trier! Let the Lord lift the veil so that you can see Jesus face to face! Your time to return to God is now, Trier!

WE BLESS TRIER TODAY!