Jesus To Europe

Road trip in Norway

Paul — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:54:41 +0000

Two weeks ago, we went on a road trip with Guro’s parents during our two weeks of summer holidays. It was great to see some more of the beautiful Norwegian nature and to get some time to relax! Here are some photos. You can see many more here.

Geiranger fjord

Guro

Paul

Guro and her parents

Photos: Silje and Morgan’s wedding

Paul — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:10:35 +0000

Remembering Dad…

Paul — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:27:56 +0000

A bit more than 4 years ago, just three months before my wedding, one of the dearest people in my life disappeared.

He left behind him a wife, six children, and the church he pastored in a little village in the north-west of France. In the eyes of the world, he may not have been the most successful man. He was neither rich, nor very influential and did not have a great career.

How do you measure a man?

What determines the value of a man’s life? The challenge in the question is that by looking into the answer, I am providing a measuring tape against which my own live will be laid. Therefore I can be tempted to value a man by the things that I have been successful at. Anything else would be to admit that I have failed at making my own life count.

So how do you measure a man? The Bible provides some clear defining lines as to what is meaningful here on earth.

Three things will last forever–faith, hope, and love–and the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13

Love is the answer

What is love? My definition is pretty simple: it is living for others. Why then do I consider Dad to be one of my greatest examples? A man that leaves a good career in England to go to France as a missionary is not living for himself. A man that starts a church in a village of 3500 people is not living for himself. A man that raises up 6 children is not living for himself.

I have many good memories of my father, such our the weekly family times, his wisdom, his ability to challenge me…One day he called me into his office, read revelations 3:16 (So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.), and then confronted my lifestyle. Funnily enough, I really treasure that moment.

But most of all, I admire his capacity to focus on the eternal. He knew that life would be short, and lived for God and others. That is why I am certain that he had few regrets when dying, even though he was far from perfect. While I was certainly saddened by his death, I want to echo my mother’s attitude at the memorial service. She started dancing and singing for joy while people looked awkwardly at her. “Has it snapped for Mrs Hockley?” Actually, with her thoughts turned to heaven, she was the clearest minded of us all.

Photos from the 17th of May 2010

Paul — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:10:41 +0000

Photo of the week: 17th of May 2010

Paul — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:23:06 +0000

We have just celebrated the Norwegian national day! Here is a photo of the gang we were hanging out with. Related posts:Photo of the Week: 17th of May Photo of the Week: Wedding Anniversary Photos from the 17th of May… Related posts:

Photo of the week: Jesus Revolution filming

Paul — Wed, 05 May 2010 13:01:37 +0000

We are getting closer to the launch of the Jesus Revolution groups in August, and these last weeks have been very busy! We have managed to launch our new jesusrevolution.com and to finish one of the manuals which is now being designed and translated into 5 languages. 2 weeks ago, we also started our filming project, where we recorded, testimonies, preachings, and a drama instruction video, that we will have as a resource for the evangelistic groups that start…God is good!

Photo of the week: What did they live for?

Paul — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:31:41 +0000

This is the church just around the corner from our place. I come here sometimes just to reflect over life. What did these people live their lives for? Hopefully for something bigger than themselves. Humbling to think that this is where we will end up one day. But by the grace of God, we can make an impact for eternity.

Photo of the Week: Jesus Church

Paul — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:56:56 +0000

I just love my church! It’s always a joy to go there and enjoy powerful worship and teaching! If ever you are in Oslo, you should pass by there! Haven’t been so good at posting a photo per week lately, but will try to keep it up.

The year of births

Paul — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:15:07 +0000

How blessed we are! This year we will see the birth of two wonderful things. The first is our child, whom we can’t wait to meet! The second is the Jesus Revolution groups project, that we look forward to launch. While preparing to share with our teams, I discovered some great similarities between the birth of a child and the birth of a vision:

1/Conceived in intimacy

Our child was conceived in the intimacy of our couple, the Jesus Revolution groups project was conceived in intimacy with God. He placed his thoughts in our minds. It says of Mary that she was “found to be with child of the Holy Spirit”, and that is how we have felt for this project!

2/ Gestation

What started as one cell in Guro’s stomach is now developing before birth. It is exciting to follow the different stages that the baby is going through! In a similar way, the project was developed these last years. As a cell contains everything needed for multiplication, we have come forth to a form in which Jesus Revolution can be multiplied to the local churches.

3/ Birth: a miracle

In the beginning of September I will be holding a miracle in my hands, amazed at what God is able to create out two human beings! In August, I will be seeing the beginning of a miracle when we launch the JR groups project after these years of preparation.

Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a incredible prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.

4/ Growth

Our healthy child will naturally grow, the project will increase in the hands of God!

Week in France

Paul — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:04:15 +0000

Wow! I came back just a few days ago from an intense week in France. First I traveled to Lyon for PEFY (pentecostal european forum for youth) where we had some good conversations with youth leaders from all over Europe about the Jesus Revolution Groups project. It was great to meet other people that have a vision for youth!

After that I went down to Marseille for some cosy time with the family! It was the opportunity to see Esther, Reinald and new-born Joanna, and as a bonus Chris and Mum were there!

After my time in Marseille, I went back up to Lyon, where I was invited by Elam, a cross-church evangelistic group in Lyon to preach at their retreat week-end (photo above). Interestingly enough, the leaders of the group, the Pomier family, were part of the Ywam base that Mum and Dad were a part of 25 years ago! Philippe, the father, had some good anecdotes about Dad. He said that Dad was the first one to get him to preach (in a gipsy church in Troyes). He also said that he was impressed at how Dad never got angry (specially with a difficult girl that he personally would have “killed”).

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and felt like I received so much after I had given the little that I have. God is good! Here are some photos from the trip:

Joanna, my niece born a few weeks ago

Keziah, another of my nieces

Yet another beautiful niece!

Chris, my brother