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February 25, 2006

One of my favourite things

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An excuse to get out into the woods,

waking memories from my childhood,

scent of spring in the air,

and the play of shade and light on the ground,

my image of Finnishness in tall old pine trees on the shore,

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shared experience with people of different generations,

feeling of connectedness to my Finnish ancestors who made their journeys this way,

Helmikuu2006_078_1 a possibility to hear the first birds that have already returned

Among other things, that's what skiing is for me. Celebrated my winter holiday by making a skiing trip of 25 km in Jyväskylä with a good friend I was visiting. 

February 13, 2006

The fine art of waiting

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I blogged earlier about the Native Alaskan ways of honor. One of ways of honor is expressed like this: Have patience - some things cannot be rushed.

These days I've really come to realise that I can see waiting upon God's time in my life as an act of respect, trust and honor. And that changes the focus from "nothings happens-still nothing happens-not much going on yet" to "Blessed are those who have someone who knows better than they do themselves. So EVEN NOW BE GLAD and REJOICE because you will have open doors through which you will walk, when the time comes, into fruitful works prepared in advance for you to do."

Also read sometime ago an article about time. Shortly put, time can be understood objectively (The buss leaves 16.10.) or subjectively (The buss leaves when it's full, no more room for another passanger on the roof.). This helps me to understand the meaning of waiting. No matter how ready I might be to travel, some other passangers might still be on their way from the neighbouring village. The journey wouldn't be the same without them. Maybe my journey is even changed for good because of them. Maybe theirs is. So my understanding is really limited if I'm stuck in the schedule, "We were supposed to leave 16.10". Thinking of Jesus, I guess he was nowhere on time as he was constantly interrupted on the way.

Read a funny story about Native people's observations on Western people and their spirituality: "It seems that some have turned themselves over to the worship of time as a god, measuring and dividing their lives according to the clock, little knowing that time is a cannibal god who devours his children." That's why I like the nomadic way, the idea of following the opportunities, walking through open doors where they are to be found and when not, herding our flocks on the pastures where we've been led that far. Home nowhere and home everywhere, just the way the Spirit leads. "So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." Instead of watching my watch (havent actually had one in some 8 years now) I hope to gain more sensitivity for the seasons of life, to understand where I should focus on each season.

Jason Upton says it in one of his songs: "It's just a matter of YOUR time." No bigger deal.

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