Tomorrow morning I’m going to the hospital for two days. My daughter Selina Jo is gonna have surgery. Nothing life threatening but still something that is painful for her to go through. This is when it’s a great blessing to be a part of Church. We have a saying in church: "no members just family". That means that when we face challenges in life we can know that we have a whole church full of family praying and believing God to be faithful and powerful in our lives.
By the way, church last night was amazing! More about that later.
Tomorrow is the second part in our series "Love is in the air". The topic for tomorrow is "10 things about a healthy relationship". As I’m preparing the message I realize it’s gonna be pretty controversial. I’m ready for some laughs, some chocks and some emails. I’d rather people leave after the message a bit upset than totally neutral. Cause then at least they have been listening to what I’ve said. It’s amazing how what you say sometimes can be miss understood, especially if you’re touching a sensitive spot.
Well, the goal is obviously not to upset people but to be real and tell it like it is, at least from my point of view. My goal is that you might leave church blessed, sometimes a bit upset if I’ve touched a sensitive area in your life but NEVER confused.
Tomorrow is gonna be great fun and I think tomorrows message has the potential to bless, challenged and help your life.
I realize I’ve set the bar high so I better continue work on my message.
See you in Church tomorrow!
For the last hour or so I’ve been watching an interview where Pastor Bill Hybles talks to the one and only Bono about various things that’s going on in the world. If you don’t know who Bono is – find out J Every time I hear Bono speak about the projects and organizations he is involved in, and the things that really matters to him it just blows me away. He is so inspiring and speaks with such wisdom! Here’s this rock star who probably has enough money to make the rest of his life a holiday, sit back and relax and not do or care about another thing in life. Well its obvious when you here him speak that taking a break from making a difference in the world is not on his agenda. Bono plays a big role in the organization ONE, which exists to make poverty history, cancel debt for third world countries, HIV/AIDS etc. Celebricy is currency he says, what’s been given to you is for making a difference. How profound!
Well, as always when I hear Bono speak, or someone else for that matter who is living a big life, changing the world step by step by living outside their comfort zone, I cant help but think to my self I too wanna make a difference in the world… and then off course the next question hits “But how!!??”
Has it ever occurred to you that whatever Jesus said or whatever Jesus did – people were changed. If not on the outside then for sure on the inside. He was constantly on the mission to make peoples life better. And the great part is that he’s really cool about it; “I’m just doing what my father tells me to do” In other words I’m just using the resources I have. Even tough one of my greatest desires in life is to make a difference in my world I sometimes feel like Napolion Dynamite when I look at what’s in my hand; “I don’t have any skills… no bow hunting skills, no nun-chuck skills” 
Well let me tell you about the best kept secret in the world if you are like me, you wanna change the world but don’t know where to start. THE LOCAL CHURCH!
I used to think that true world changers study medecin, goes to Africa and feed the starving kids. I’ve realized that selling everything I have and move to Africa isn’t an option for me – I probably wouldn’t be of much use anyway as I’d run around screaming thinking I saw a spider ha ha. (I barely survived 2 years in Australia) No, I am fully convinced that being planted in Passion Church is the best thing I can do when it comes to making a difference cause you know what, poverty isn’t just about not having food on the table. I only have to look out through the window to be reminded of that live in a broken world. Just think of what a group of fully committed people can do! I don’t have any amazing super skills and I don’t have all the money in the world but together with God and all the amazing people in Passion Church, when we bring our gifts and talents together for God to use there’s no end to what He can do. That’s why I have decided that my life is all about building the local church, and that’s also why I want Passion Church to grow big, the more we are the more we can do!
Well, these were my thoughts for today. So all you amazing world changers; See you Sunday!
Johanna Nielsen
Last night we had our weekly meeting with the leadership team. There were a few things with the structure, organizition and how we approach things in the teams were I’ve noticed some weak points last Sunday. There’s a few ways for a leader to respond to this when being faced with such a thing. Either be proud and start to defend themselves or loosing confidence and beat them selves up, or settle for what we do now is good enough. Either one of these responses will definatly kill progress and team spirit.
That’s why I love the way our leaders responded. Most of them had all ready thought about it. And the rest was really open to to to catch what I was saying. This led to a very constructive conversation that is gonna make us better and stronger. If we miss things in what we do, we can turn that into strength for the future if we have the right attitude.
I love my leaders in Passion Church, they really are committed to make every Sunday count! We want to do all we can to give people the best experience and opportunity to connect with God. This past Sunday was no different, more than 5 people decided to invite Christ into their life. That the why behind the what!!!
I feel like I’ve been walking on clouds for the past few days. When we say that “God is all we need”, it is true. But the amazing thing with Him is that He is not just a Father who gives us what we need just to get by. He is a Father who loves and take pleasure in overwhelming us with his goodness and generosity. Sometimes our Swedish mentality really get messed up by Gods perspective on giving. He is so much bigger, powerful and awesome than our small minds can comprehend. He really takes great pleasure in seeing His sons and daughter happy! He is so faithful!
Well, about the walking on clouds. I have really been blown away this week about some really cool things that has happened to me personally and for us as a Church. God really, really can, and really really wants do so much more in us and for us that we could ever ask for. Grace - that we get what we don’t deserve.
I believe that some of the things that has happened over the weekend and yesterday are really gonna revolutionize our Church and our lives. All I can do is stand in awe with my mouth opened when I realize that God really builds His House.
Stockholm and Passion Church, get ready. We’re going to the next level!!!
Right now we have Mid Summer Weekend here in Sweden. Lot’s of flowers, dancing, food and drinks. I have never really enjoyed it, but this year was different. One of the reasons is that my daughter Selina Jo who is 2 and a half years old had so much fun, looking like a princess with flowers in her hair, dancing all afternoon. But also for a unplanned party with our great friends Danne and Angela. And of course my sister who is part of our family. We made a big barbecue and played football. (The real European version).
Great friends are a great blessing and the highlight of every holiday!
Today I’m getting ready for a fantastic day in church tomorrow. We’re starting a new theme: “Love is in the air “. It’s about relationships and I think it will bless, inspire and provoke you.
I believe that every Sunday counts, after all we only have 52 every year. And I really believe that every Sunday is someones Sunday! So make sure you are there to help make it special.
See you in church tomorrow!
Last weekend was the first service for Hillsong Cape Town. It’s an amazing story of God’s greatness and the fruit of people’s obedience to God and love for his Church. This motivates me to keep building Passion Church, and one day we will be a church of thousands impacting Stockholm and the world.
This is a note from Pastor Brian Houston’s blog about Cape Town:
June 17, 2008
Well I would have to say last Sunday night was “off the charts”! We have been having a series of Six Hot Sunday nights at church, which are growing in intensity every week. Last Sunday was even more special because we managed to hook up a live link through the web to our first ever Sunday services at Hillsong Cape Town. Our Hills and City campuses furiously waved to the Cape Town crowd… and they waved back even more furiously than the Aussies! It was incredible at the end of our Hills 7pm service because our congregation ‘eaves dropped’ on Phil Dooley’s salvation altar call. Many in our crowd were crying as it was such a moving and historic moment. After the night I got the following text from Phil…
“Hey Brian and Bobbie, What to say…??! Unbelievable!! Amazing!! Incredible…5 services, over 3000 people, 200+ decisions for Christ!! Exhausted but Celebrating God’s goodness…thank you for entrusting us with this! And how cool to be able to share it together…via technology…WOW!!
Love to all, Phil and Lucinda”
Thank you Jesus!
Brian
STAY TUNED FOR MORE BLOGS, COMING SOON…
We’d love you to join us at Hillsong Conference 2008. Find out more…
Hey Andreas! A blessing to have you in church this weekend! Thanks for the message you gave, and for the fellowship we had. You really put something into Intro Church!! Greetings to your wife and your church, say thanks to them for letting you visit us;-). Looking forward to next time. Ciao!
Jostein Krogedahl
Intro Church
I love mornings. There gold to be found if you learn to enjoy mornings. No phones ringing, no meetings (sometimes), there’s a great calm and peace. I used to hate mornings but now I love them, maybe it’s a sign that I’m not getting any younger.
This morning I’m hanging out with my daughter Selina Jo watching Pippi Longstocking. She absolutely love her, and she loves when we are watching it together. I do to!
Well it’s a nice morning before a hectic day. I’m catching a plane in a few hours to Norway to speak for my good friend Jostain who is doing a great job leading Intro Church (www.intro-sandnes.no). And my wife Lina is getting ready to speak at home in Passion Church. The message God has put on her heart to speak is awesome, I really wish I could have been there. If you’re in Stockholm, DON’T MISS IT! Caroline is leading worship for the first time. I guess it’s a girl power weekend =)
Sundays around our house is always about Church, I absolutely love it! What a blessing it is to build your life around the things of God and His House.
Have a great day and make sure you don’t let the sun keep you away from Church, I think he deserves an hour and a half of our time today.
And what ever you do, don’t mention the game last night!
This Sunday is the opening of Hillsong Capetown. They all ready have 1200 people who has reserved a seat and will attend. How awesome is that! I believe it’s gonna be one of the fastest growing churches in the world the next few years. Brian & Bobbie Houston are the pastors and Phil & Lucinda Dooly leads it. Phil is friend of mine and he is truly amazing. It is so impressive for a family with several kids to leave the comfort in Sydney and a great position in Hillsong to move to another part of the world to champion the cause of the local church.
Today we received a great miracle in Passion Church. I will tell you more about it later…
Serving God is so awesome, He is truly building His House!
