Coming up!

Just as a little side note, wanted to put up here what's ahead (maybe to remind myself the most): I have in my mind to post about Finnish balconies... (yes, you heard right ;)) and about Linkin Park. So that's what to wait! Don't have time to write these just yet. Officially on hols, but a lot to do..

Friends of mine (Finn-Brit couple) have moved to be my next door neighbours, literally. What a blessing! And a lovely surprise to come home to after I had been away for two weeks. Anyway, I want to share a a funny moment.

I was over at theirs for a coffee one morning a few days ago, and was explaining something, looking for the right word, itdidn't come to mind straight away... at first I said "valuable" to which Paul nodded "ohh yes" (as in understanding what I meant), to which I was no, no..a few moments of more thinking I finally got the right word: valid.

"Ohh haven't been speaking English for awhile, takes me to find words for a bit", I said.
To which Paul replied: "Clearly neither have I".

LOL. And he is English. And he doesn't speak Finnish (much). Hehe. Funny. Valuable and valid, they are pretty close? ;)

It was too early in the morning, we concluded.


It's amazing that they live here too.. Of all places in this city flat next to mine. Paul and I worked together last winter too. They are also one of the few people who visited me in Glasgow in my last leg there. I said nice that you guys missed me so much you had to move next door... ;D I am amazed at this, and blessed. I will live from this for the next month. :)

Live Love Laugh!

That's what my first birthday card said that arrived in the post this week. I'm turning 30 next week! Yikes! When did I get this "young"? Where did the decade go? :-)

We cry out

↲ This was playing in my head this eve. "We cry out" by Kim Walker &co (Jesus Culture) in Bethel, Redding California.

What if I wanted to break?

Lovely sunset there :) "The Kill" live @ Rock Am Ring in Germany, 2010

He is totally crazy I think (with the crowd) :)

Finally found myself
Fighting for a chance
I know now, this is who I really am

If you have

via

If it kills me

"i think all people share something deeply in common: our desire to love and be loved, to be connected to other human beings and something bigger than us, to taste freedom and hope and joy and purpose in the midst of real life. i believe this is our common denominator, the thing that we all share"

- Kathy Escobar -

It's from this post by her. Good thoughts on church and marginality - and about how we tend to congregate with the people who are just like us. (Kind of)

"to me, a true reflection of the kingdom is when those with no margin and those with lots of margin live together in brotherly and sisterly love, where economics and education and mental health and gender and all kinds of other things that separate us don’t get in the way of loving freely."

Check out Kathy's blog

I was walking by the train station today in sunny beautiful Helsinki going home (my "temporary" home) from work, and weirdest thing a bit of this song played in my head! It took me a few seconds to realise which song it was, but quite soon I realised it's Jason Mraz. I haven't listened to it in such a long time! Therefore "weird" it played in my head. But it suited the beautiful sunny summer evening in this beautiful city!

What played in my head was this bit: *All I really wanna do is to love you*





If I should be so bold I'd ask you to hold my heart in your hand

I know who I am

Living from knowing who you are! Israel (Houghton) doesn't disappoint.

This is another nice one from Israel Houghton.

I'm at a friend's house, and watched this film today - and totally cried at the end!!

You have to build a bridge to the one you love.

Reminds me of one of my favourite films, The Painted Veil where the tag line was:

"Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people."

to where you are

Isn't it interesting what kind of images you sometimes get when you google something? Well, I was googling for this song by Josh Groban, and when these images came up, I couldn't resist but to share and put them here. Love this first one especially!

It says freedom and happyness doesn't it!

this one's from Nepal I think.

By the way, I used to absolutely dislike Josh Groban. Back in 2003 I detested it when my flatmate listened to his music. Well, then some years later (2006) another friend introduced me to the album Awake and I was sold. Now he is one of my favourites, isn't it funny how we change over time. Nowadays I can even listen to those songs I considered soapy over seven years ago :)

Tomorrow I will be here (working).

At the moment I am translating this amazing article into Finnish.

*Images from here (1) and here (2)

revelation song

This is so beautiful! Let it just sweep you, wash you away. Love it!





I will follow you with my song
I will follow you with my heart

Be my everything

You are everything

(my) Song for 2010

I was meant to post this back in January already. Well, it's only 3,5 months into the year..


In defence of our Dreams
These lessons that we've learned here
have only just begun

From yesterday

photo

"Christianity has been buried inside the walls of churches and secured with the shackles of dogmatism. Let it be liberated to come into the midst of us and teach us freedom, equality and love."

- Minna Canth

As happens, I am reading a book by Neil Cole (Organic Church) from which I just yesterday of all days read this quote from(!). And yesterday was another flagging day - AND in honour/celebration of Minna Canth of all people and of equality in Finland. Amazing!

For some weird reason, every time within 2010 I've seen the Finnish flag in the flagpole something stirs within me and I've been touched by it. I'm not sure if it is something that happens to a return migrant like me, or whether it is something God is speaking to my heart. Anyway, I was like "What are we flagging for now? March 19th?" I didn't know. As you know turned out it was Minna Canth's day. And I think I can be excused for not knowing what it was for - it's only been set as a flagging day since 2007 - and I was away from the country for two years.. :)

I do like flags in general. Flags are important. They carry a message and are a sign. I've studied somewhat the importance of flags in popular rebellion (popular revolts) in the Middle Ages.. And have you seen the movie Kingdom of Heaven? With Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson to name a few... oh and even a Finnish actor Jouko Ahola(!) in it! :-) Well, if you have, you know they had loads of flags in the movie especially in the battle scenes. It is set in 1184 or something like that..

It is interesting, as we were a week ago at that 30 Seconds to Mars concert, I was just speaking to my friends there about how I like flags and how I think there should be more of them used in concerts and in dancing/shows.. and what happens, just a few moments later the band had two white flags on the stage! Another amazing thing. =)

You may know this song..