Tanja @tanjaostman@dingdash.com

A perfect evening for kayaking and canoeing tonight! With a group of teen scouts.

Such a beautiful season! (From Vasa, Finland).

Wise words by singer Beckah Shae.

Our dear American friend Eric (to the right) visited our home. We had fellowship with another family. Eric moved to northern Sweden around 30 years ago to become a missionary to Swedes, indigenous Samis (in northern Swe, Finland, Norway), Swedish-speaking Finns (like us), Russians and others… He travels regularly to Armenia. He is a kitchen table mentor and teacher, even if he is okay with the pulpit as well. He was one of the first I met around 15 years ago, who said that he prefers gathering in homes instead of church buildings, that he was leading through friendship and mentoring. He is setting an example (not only talking from distance), and he brings people with him when he travels. It’s OK to call him on the phone when there’s a need, and ok to ask any question. Today he told me: “Remember to be a human being, not a human doer!” He knows my upbringing and background, so I need that reminder every now and then. It makes me sad that there are so few spiritual mothers and fathers.

We were walking a 4,5 kilometers nature trail today, not far from home. Thankful to have nature all around us in Finland. Never far from the forest, the sea or one of the 188 000 lakes.

Our garden today. This season at its best, before all leaves have fallen off. We have had many rainy days in Aug-Sept so I have enjoyed this Saturday.

Autumn in Vasa, Finland 🇫🇮.

Looking so much forward to reading China and End-Time Prophecy by @sinbach (a very exciting title!) and a couple of other books that arrived today - all the way to Finland from the US. I'm not very ordinary when it comes to focus of interest. I'm more interested in facts and biographies than fiction. The latter, I get from movies.

A quote I found on Instagram that is perfect for all radical Dingdashers!

Autumn times in the forest.

Nice autumn weather today for a bike ride in a close by forest.

Quotes from Houses that Change the World, by Wolfgang Simson (1998). He is German, and has been a missionary in India, and seen multiplication of house churches. He uses the same vocabulary as in the podcast interview (some days ago) by @sinbach called 'From Megachurch to Multiplication'.

I've read this kind of books for ten years, but I've met very few where I live that want to give up their traditional way of doing Church or even want to be challenged in their way of thinking, as: Am I doing it by the Book? What does God want? Are we sharing the Gospel Message or are we only after more members and financial gifts? Are we empowering (sending out) or controlling (keeping) people? Do we use money only to build a reputation, or give to those in need?

Asked yourself, when have you experienced real friendship among believers, the tangible presence of God, personal growth, been challenged, learnt valuable lessons, been educated etc.? For me, it's almost never been Sunday mornings.