Jesus To Europe

You know you’re Norwegian when…part 2

Well, after some more time here, and a first attempt at defining some Norwegian uniqueness, I have found some more elements of “Norwegianness” that help me to determine how much I have been influenced! So here they are, you know you are Norwegian when:

1. You assume that a stranger on the street who smiles at or greets you is:
   a) a foreigner
   b) insane
   c) All of the above.
2. You enjoy the taste of lutefisk (jelly-like, bad-smelling fish) and cod prepared in any way, including fried cod tongues.
3. You can prepare fish in five different ways without cooking it.
4. You don’t question the habit of always preparing a “matpakke” (packed lunch).
5. You eat salt liquorish without wincing.
6. You are not shocked to see babies left outside in their pram when it is -10°C.
7. You have two cars, a cabin and a boat, if not more.
8. You think there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
9. It feels natural to wear sport clothes and backpack everywhere, including the cinema, bowling alley, and to church.
10. You are think it’s weird if a house isn’t wooden.
11. You know at least five different words for describing different textures of snow.
12. You don’t fall when walking on ice.
13. You earn more than you spend.
14. You associate Easter with cross-country skiing with friends and family in the familys mountain cabin.
15. You are shocked if there are not 2 months of snow every year, at least!
16. You fall 3 metres, and don’t get hurt. If you do, you’re not worried at all.
17. You can’t understand why foreigners haven’t heard about Bjørn Dæhlie.
18. You have a barbeque party during rainy weather.
19. You’re more afraid of customs officers than terrorists.
20. You miss your flight to shop at the tax-free shop.
21. You get a bad conscience because you are inside when it is sunshine.
22. You vigorously defend whale hunting but do not eat whale meat.
23. You’re proud to be Norwegian.

On this list, I score 10/23 :-) how much do you score? Do you have any other examples of Norwegianness?

Christlikeness

I came across this story while I was preparing for teaching:

The young son of a humble consecrated pastor became very ill. After the boy had undergone an exhaustive series of tests, the father was told the shocking news that his son had a terminal illness. The youngster had accepted Christ as his Savior, so the minister knew that death would usher him into God’s glory; but he wondered how to inform him that he would soon die. After earnestly seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, he went with a heavy heart through the hospital ward to the boy’s bedside. First he read a passage of Scripture and had a time of prayer with his dear child. Then he gently told him that the doctors could promise him only a few more days to live. “Are you afraid to meet Jesus, my boy?” asked his father. Blinking away a few tears, the little fellow said bravely, “No, not if he’s like you, Dad.”