Shadow and sun

We havent had a real winter this year in Estonia. Except the 3 days in the beginning of January when it was quite cold. But other than that it has felt like the gray-muddy-dark fall has been extended from 3 months to 6.
On some expetional days we can see the sun though. Here are some pictures of Estonian winter 2008:

Bright sun shining through the trees creating a light tunnel

This is the longest shadow i have ever had

Journey with the Message

Both Anna and I started this year a journey through the Bible using the Message. It is the first time for me to read the Bible through in english.
For my simplified verbal english skills the Message "translation" is a great thing. I love the richness of the language.

One sentence that has been haunting me for a week now:
"..., for by this time the name of Jesus was on everyone’s lips." (Mark 6:14)

Wouldnt that be great! Thats what i desire for Tartu and Estonia.

The other great verse is from the Psalms 84
"And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel"

I love the missional foundation of that verse!

Brother Barry

If you feel down or tired then you might want to listen Brother Barry preach!

Here’s the link

The worst day of the week

Here is a piece of trivia for you - do you know what is the worst day of the week for pastor?

It is Monday! Thats when you feel most drained and empty. Overwhelmed by problems and challenges.

This Monday morning i really felt that way.
On days like that i start to compare the size of the vision with the current reality and it feels so out of proportion. I look at the number of people coming to church and feel discouraged. I look at the challenges that don't seem to resolve and feel worried. I think about the sermon that i preached the day before and wish that it would have been shorter and more convincing, not so informational but rather transormational.

These are the thought that were running in my mind this Monday morning. Even though i know that Risttee church is Jesus's and He is the one building it and I am replacable and priviledged to give my best in this season of my life.

But then we had the Monday morning staff meeting.
And I was filled again with new strength and joy to continue.
Spending time with the team, seeing them pouring their lives into the vision of seeing God start a movement in our city and country was what i needed.

I am so thankful for the team on both sides of the Atlantic.

Emma's first sauna experience

Yesterday Emma, our dear precious daughter, had her first sauna experience.
She was sitting bravely in a 100C heat. After 5 seconds she got too hot though and started whining. But on the lower level of the sauna bench she was doing just fine. It was a proud moment for daddy!

After a revitalizing sauna experience she had tons of fun in the bathtub, kissing the reflection of herself in the mirror and kicking and splashing like her life was dependant on that.

Merry Christmas!

We had a great christmas service. There were probably around 130 people. Very many of them were there for the first time which was great. Atmosphere, music, environment - everything was really cool!
It was also the first time that we met in Atlantis, the conference center in downtown Tartu.

Here is picture that we took after the service under the christmas tree.

May you experience God's love in a very genuine way this Christmas. And let the year of 2008 be filled with true encounters with Jesus.

With Love,
Peep, Anna & Emma

Our Greatest Need

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

Source unknown