May 17th

May 17th is our Constitution Day. The weather is nice but not too warm. Wind from north moves all the flags.

For about 400 years, we were ruled by Denmark, until we got our own constitution in 1814. Up to 1905 we had to share the King and some important political departments with Sweden. But since then we have been a free nation, exept five years of German invation during the second World War. (1940-45)

Freedom is a good reason for celebrating. We have to pray for our nation that freedom will last, all kinds of freedom. And we have to pray that freedom will come, some kind of freedom. Freedom is more than absence of war. Freedom is more than staying out of jail. It's more than a freedom to express one self in writing og talking. All these things are so good.

Freedom is for a greater purpose. Freedom is for the purpose of the Creator. For His purpose have we been set fri to love and to serve, to go and to tell, to bind and to loose, to know and to forget, to untie and to sacrifice. To His purpose are all kinds of freedom.

But we don't forget the world around us. The attacks yeasterday, the earthquake in China, the unstable political situation in Bolivia, the hunger following raising prices all over the world, the need for solutions and for salvation.

Two weeks ago in Bolivia, a great violent riot was expected to take place in the city of Cochabamba. All our programs were closed. Even footballgames were canselled. Busses stood still. Everyone stayed inside, in order to take care of their own security. Tens of thousands of visiters and supporters of the president was gathered. We heard words like "civil war, revolution and blod" used. Quite unlike the normal for us norwegians to bee in the midst of this. But the world is not that big.

But there is one who overcame the world, who listen to prayers and who answered his children in Bolivia that day. He's the one who can bring the perfect peace, the real liberty and the most valuable freedom.

Have a nice May 17th.