Today people all over are celebrating the birthday of St. John the Baptist, also known as St. Hans Day or Jonsok (Norwegian). Luke 1:26 indicates that John the Baptist is approximately 6 months older then Jesus thus the church chose today as the day of celebration for the birth of John. Very few American Christians even know about this day much less celebrate it, however people all over Norway and other countries are celebrating. This is one of the many holidays that I would like to teach my family about. Part of the celebrations for this day is the lighting of big bonfires, gathering together, eating good food and dancing. As with many church festivals, it replaced the pagan festival of the Summer Solstice. The burning bonfires are actually a remnant of those pagan rituals. Bonfires were originally burned to expel evil powers from the village. Summer solstice is such a fun time in Norway. I remember the last time I was out visiting some relatives in Norway we drove from Oslo all the way up north. It was such a long drive but fun, we would stop in various towns visiting friends and family. The one thing I was so excited about was being there during this time. It stayed light and people would stay up fellowshipping and enjoying each others company. I wish I had some of the pictures from the trip. It was so exciting for me at the time to take pictures with the time printed in the bottom corner of the photo. The photos were what looked like beautiful summer days but the time recorded would indicate the wee hours of the morning.

John the Baptist was a remarkable man, an opinion that my family seems to agree with me on. John is the popular boy’s name it seems like in my family. My brother, two uncles (mom’s only brother and dad’s brother), grandfather (mom’s dad), and a few cousins here and there are all named John. It has kind of been the theme to name each boy (and there aren’t a ton of those in the family, mostly girls!) John. I always vehemently declared that I would never name any male child of mine John simply because there were far to many of them in the family. However after really listening to the stories of Scripture and in particular the story of John the Baptist I can’t help but actually consider it (and I can’t believe I just admitted that). :D I could go on and on about the way that this historical figure tugs at my heartstrings but it would be soo much better over coffee. ;D One thing I would say is, from the time John the Baptist was in Elizabeth’s womb he literally leapt for joy when in the presence of Christ. Oh to have that heart, to not need to see Him or see anything for that matter and simply know that my Lord is near and leap. He knew the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords before he knew anything else. He knew His Messiah was near and was filled with such joy that he responded in the only way he could. He leapt. He goes on to spend his life serving God with all his heart, spending time seeking God in the wilderness, then proclaiming the message that the time of Christ was near and when he met Christ at the river his humility is overwhelming. Christ said two things about John that really stood out to me. The first is found in Matthew 11:11, "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist." Wow that’s a pretty rock solid personal reference. The second thing He said recorded in John 5:35. Christ had been informed of John’s death (which was 6 months prior to the death of Christ) and he responded to the news saying, “John was a lamp that burned and gave light…” I want to leave you a challenge to get to know this man better, study him and learn all that you can from this life. Christ seemed to think pretty highly of him. The other thing I want to leave you with John’s words, they have often been a reminder to me of the heart of true disciple. When Christ came to John to be baptized, John tried to deter him saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” John did indeed baptize Christ to fulfill Scriptures, however he was filled with humility and I would imagine a certain sense of awe when in the presence of his Savior. What does this mean to you? Not just a theoretical or theological answer but personally in your heart? How does your heart respond to Christ drawing near to you. A weighty thought to ponder indeed.

Freedom of the Press
Since moving to America, there have been the obvious differences in culture. At times I find myself disgusted or shocked by something new and unknown which sends me running towards the familiar. Then there are those times when the US gets it right and I can hold my head up high and be proud of being a part of this astounding country. One of those things is the freedom of press that so many have fought to protect. World Press Freedom Day was May 3, since I obviously missed that one I'm grabbing this opportunity to toot the States' horn. In 2002 there was serious cause for worry as it looked like freedom of the press was taking a serious down turn on a world scale. Now in 2009 the alarm and threat is very real with freedom declining for the seventh year in a row this year. Freedom Houses International Survey studied 195 countries and out of those countries 70 (36%) were rated free (go Norway & US), 61 (31%) are partly free and 64 (33%) are rated not free. In 1999 Bangladesh was declared partly free however looking at the situation now in 2009 it is declared not free by Freedom House. Self censorship is a reigning yardstick for the journalists of Bangladesh. A yardstick which they can choose to measure and restrict their freedom with or choose to be beaten by. For an interesting look into the situation for journalists here's a link to the International Press Review on IPI's website.
The same article is also located on Free Media. (the better one if you can link to it) (page 12)

A sobering thought. Please pray for the journalists in your country that they will be guided to truth and that there words will take root into the hearts of the people and effect change. I am interested in whether anyone knows how Bangladesh measures up using the international 10-point standard. Freedom House uses a 5 point standard.

Union Dissolution
June 7th 164 years ago, Norway dissolved it's union with Sweden. Woo-hoo. I wish my great grandparents were living, I would have loved to sit down and talk to them about what it was like growing up in a country that had just gained it's independence. My great grandmother Karin Margarethe Andersen was born in Fauske, Nordland. She was born June 10, 1892 and died October 13 1985. She married my great grandfather Olaf Ottesen at the age of 19 on August 22, 1919. Great grandfather Olaf was born October 9, 1889 and died August 30, 1959. I've only gotten the privilege to know one of my great grandparents. My grandmother Helga (Masted) Bøe died only 4 years ago but it doesn't seem that long ago. One of my fondest memories was every evening going over to her house (across the yard) :D and marching around the living room to the theme song of Hogan's Heroes and spending the evening with her. She was born September 4, 1905, died March 8, 2005. Married my Great Grandpa Hans Oli Norem Bøe (who spoke no English when he came to the States!) Grandma Bøe was petite, beautiful, kind, sweet-natured, loving, and had one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen. (One I selfishly hope I've inherited j/k) :D God used this beautiful quiet woman to plant the first seeds of my love for grandmothers. I cannot wait to be one. To be an old lady has been a life long goal of mine. I always thought that I would automatically be one like Grandma Bøe, a woman of grace and strength. However after spending a lot of time with older people I realize that the nature that she had does not come automatically with age. Her heart was devoted to God and that changed her entire being. Her years gave her a lot of lessons to learn but the meekness, sweet spirit and kind heart came from continual trust and reliance in our God. I must remember to sit down with my Grandpa John and ask him about his parents Grandmother Karin and Grandpa Olaf. I'm sure I could learn alot from their lives too.