Thank you for your good letter, which I am just replying to now. I am very busy. I am fixing up an apartment as well as a wooden boat and the garden. There is work to do everywhere. Br. Ellefsen is now at sea on the Norge. He says everything is going very well on board. Br. Aslaksen (the cadet) just got the results from his final examination and finished first in his class, far ahead of number two. The head of the Naval Academy, Commander Dawes, congratulated him. He becomes more and more open each time we speak together. He is a determined person. He has a clear understanding of many things, and the understanding he has is pure. He says that it’s easy for him to test the different spirits and believes that he has received a gift in that regard. It’s a pleasure to hear how clearly he is able to discern.

Here in Horten we have experienced a major rift in the church. I didn’t want to go to the meetings for a while until God gave me clarity as to how I should proceed. But then one morning it became crystal clear to me that I should go to the meetings again, and I spoke about this openly at the meeting. However, there is still something there. Br. Berg now leads the prayer and testimony meetings, and I no longer feel like I have responsibility for these. However, there are a few sisters and Br. Ellefsen with whom I have deep spiritual fellowship. We have deep conversations about the mysteries of Christ, and God blesses us in an amazing way. It’s impossible to get the other half of the congregation and Br. Berg to join in with us.

Interestingly enough, no one in Missionæren has answered or written anything about my articles about Romans 7 and 8. I will now take a look at the December 15 issue of Det Gode Budskap. Today’s issue of Missionæren contains an article about socialism, which you have probably read.

My heart rejoices in quietness. It is refreshing manna for the soul. All striving is vanity; it’s like chasing after the wind. But communion with the Lord gives us strength in our bones and contentment in the deepest recesses of the heart. To lean on the Lord’s bosom refreshes and restores body, soul, and spirit.

Our bodies gradually grow old and break down. This is evidence enough that the law of sin and death is at work in the body. We see this firsthand. So our bodies are not freed from the law of sin and death, but our minds are freed. It’s strange that this should be so hard to understand.

I received a letter from the Tollefsen brothers from Bergen, and I replied with a long letter in return and, by God’s grace, was able to clarify many things with regard to liberty.

It is very dark right now, and as you can see, my writing is a little messy.

I recently got a letter from Father, and He was quite disheartened. It seemed to him like everyone was seeking their own. I received another letter today, and he is now very cheerful and happy. We have no right to be downcast when people seek their own. Let us endeavor to draw to Christ.

Hearty greetings in Jesus Christ.

Your brother,