Arrogant

' you are arrogant' 2 Kings 14:10

I have a problem with pride.

Bathe

'He must bathe...' Leviticus 16:4

Summer in Japan is so hot one shower per day does not feel enough. But in these green times can we even justify one per day?

Hollow

'Hollow and deceptive philosophy..' Colossians 2:8

Found a book about zen in a used bookshop yesterday.

Trembling

'Your walls will tremble...' Ezekiel 26:10

Minor earthquake last night here in North Kyushu.

Language

'a language we did not understand..' Psalm 81:5

The tricky thing about starting a new English class, as I am today, is you are never really sure how much will be understood before meeting the students...

Good news

'This is a day of good news' 2 Kings 7:9

Jesus loves you. Jesus died for You. Please get to know him. Read the gospels, visit your local church, or just ask Him to help...

Isolation

'Put him in isolation' Leviticus 13:21

My daughter has had to have nearly a week off school as it is shut to avoid spreading the new flu. Today is the last day.

Law

'in regard to the law...' Philippians 3:5

Visited 3 police stations this week, to get a form for the embassy...

Justice?

'along the paths of justice...' Proverbs 8:20

Visited the city office of the Ministry of Justice this week, to inquire about citizenship. It seems that although I have lived here 9 years my Japanese is still not good enough to get me the right to vote.　I notice however that my admittedly limited language skills do not seem to get in the way of me paying consumption tax...

Crows

'You must not eat.... buzzards, vultures, crows....' Leviticus 11:13-15

The crows in the trees near here have been swooping low over me, cawing loudly, recently when I walk past. They seem to do this for a short time each year, I assume when they have young. However yesterday they didn`t, so maybe baby crow is growing up....

Hire

'he went and hired himself out...' Lk 15:15

The job situation here still seems fairly flat...

Dress

'Dressed like a prostitute...' Proverbs 7:10

I don`t understand why Playboy T shirts are popular. Out here you even see little girls wearing them. Clearly their mothers have never looked at the mag...

Clouds

' The clouds poured down water...' Psalm 77:17

Watering

'Showers watering the earth..' Psalm 72:6

It being the rainy season now, there was rain in the air when I went for my usual walk early this morning, and mist covering the tops of the hills.

?

'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?' Luke 14:3

Ever since I arrived in Japan 9 years ago I have been in conflict with many people here over my refusal to do certain things, especially paid work, on Sundays. I am ashamed to admit I am guilty of pride and anger in the way I have handled the issue. But I still believe I have the right to follow my conscience on the issue, and to encourage my daughter, while she is still under my care, to do likewise.