It's interesting how this piece sheds light on the Sami's incredible history and ingenuity. Anna-Lena's journey is truly inspiring. This ties so well with your earlier article about ancient European adaptations; you always bring out such compelling narratives. Always learning somtehing new!
This made for wonderful,truly moving Saturday morning reading. This is coming to me at a significant crossroad in my life. The time to choose the light — and dedicate my life to it fully — is now. It’s never not been now. Every moment is this same crossroad, this same choice is offered and we are free to receive the gift of light — of FIRE — at any moment. But we’re hardly awake for most of these moments. He did indeed come to set the world on fire. The work is to stay present to the fact that we, as believers, have already been set on fire — my belief is this happens sacramentally through baptism, so yes there is a degree of institutionalism necessary. Institutionalism isn’t inherently flawed, it’s sin and brokenness mixed with faulty, limited human reasoning that screws it all up. Anyway, the point is the fire IS and REMAINS in us. Isaiah 60: ARISE, SHINE, OUR LIGHT HAS COME! IT’S HERE — NOW. Yes, it burned bright for a while, but then seemed to dim, when life got in the way, when we set our focus and attention away from His mercy and grace. But the sacred spark is never gone. A sweet, unhindered breath of the Holy Spirit is all that’s needed to turn that spark into a flame again. May we do the work of unblocking that life-giving in-spiration, letting go of all the obstacles that stand in Its way. Thanks for this Alissa.
Amen Johnny! We're hardly awake for the moments of fire. I considered ending this essay with a story from an old reindeer herder, who said in the 1950's that people can barely sense the fire of the spirit anymore because the blare of TV and radio has drowned it out. Then I reconsidered, because that's a whole nother essay!
Wow, this was a riveting read! Thanks for all you put into this Alissa.
It's interesting how this piece sheds light on the Sami's incredible history and ingenuity. Anna-Lena's journey is truly inspiring. This ties so well with your earlier article about ancient European adaptations; you always bring out such compelling narratives. Always learning somtehing new!
Thank you for your kind comment! I endeavor to show that long ago, all of us were indigenous, no matter what continent our ancestors come from.
Anna-Lena certainly had what people in Lapland call "sisu," which is an extraordinary ability to push forward in extreme adversity.
Absolutely fascinating Alissa!
Those Sami Christians were Pentecostal like no other! That was an amazing revival.
Right! Who would have thought?
This made for wonderful,truly moving Saturday morning reading. This is coming to me at a significant crossroad in my life. The time to choose the light — and dedicate my life to it fully — is now. It’s never not been now. Every moment is this same crossroad, this same choice is offered and we are free to receive the gift of light — of FIRE — at any moment. But we’re hardly awake for most of these moments. He did indeed come to set the world on fire. The work is to stay present to the fact that we, as believers, have already been set on fire — my belief is this happens sacramentally through baptism, so yes there is a degree of institutionalism necessary. Institutionalism isn’t inherently flawed, it’s sin and brokenness mixed with faulty, limited human reasoning that screws it all up. Anyway, the point is the fire IS and REMAINS in us. Isaiah 60: ARISE, SHINE, OUR LIGHT HAS COME! IT’S HERE — NOW. Yes, it burned bright for a while, but then seemed to dim, when life got in the way, when we set our focus and attention away from His mercy and grace. But the sacred spark is never gone. A sweet, unhindered breath of the Holy Spirit is all that’s needed to turn that spark into a flame again. May we do the work of unblocking that life-giving in-spiration, letting go of all the obstacles that stand in Its way. Thanks for this Alissa.
Amen Johnny! We're hardly awake for the moments of fire. I considered ending this essay with a story from an old reindeer herder, who said in the 1950's that people can barely sense the fire of the spirit anymore because the blare of TV and radio has drowned it out. Then I reconsidered, because that's a whole nother essay!
I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for that one!
I meant to say that this community in the middle of nowhere is the PERFECT exemplary of this spark being brought back to a full, literal roar!!!!
I had a strong feeling, as i was reading, that this was autobiographical ;)