Who?

'[Jesus] asked them, "But who do you say I am?"

Peter replied, "You are the Messiah" ' Mark 8:29

Was Peter wrong? Nearly 2000 years later, Peter`s successor is leader of a worldwide church of billions.

I think he got the right answer. But each of us needs to consider that question for ourselves. If Jesus was n`t God`s Son, why does the church still exist?

Impediment

'A deaf man with a speech impediment...' Mark 7:32

Back in the UK, my work brought me into contact with a Chinese lady whose son lived in the care home I worked in. Although she had been living in England for decades, her English was still very broken as she mainly lived within the Chinese community.

Having lived in Japan now for a decade, still experiencing major problems with understanding what is said to me and fully expressing myself, I understand a lot more how things were for her...

Period

'Whenever a woman has her menstrual period...' Leviticus 15:19

I feel sorry for female Olympic athletes. You spend four long years training for something, then on the day itself you can hardly focus because of cramps. It`s hardly the thing you wish to discuss with the reporters afterwards either.

Hard hearted

'Their hearts were too hard..' Mark 6:52

As usual..

Scripture

'What does Scripture say?' Romans 10:8

It breaks my heart when my fellow Christians sometimes place a man`s interpretation of God`s Word above the Word itself.

Must not

'You must not eat winged insects that walk along the ground' Leviticus 11:20

Some commandments are easier than others...

Crowded out

'all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things.' Mark 4:19

Even during Lent, I am far too easily distracted..

Lord

'' Then the LORD said to ...'' Leviticus 6:1

What is God saying to you?

Deformed

'Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.' Mark 3:1

Will you be watching the Paralympics?

Flour

'a handful of the flour, moistened with oil...' Leviticus 2:2

Are you making pancakes today? My mum always did, so I`m trying to continue the tradition..

Skill

'With great skill and care...' Exodus 39:8

Visited Fukuoka Tower today for the first time. It may not be as tall as the new tower in Dubai, but it is still pretty impressive, and the view of the city from the top is worth the price of admission. It has been designed carefully to withstand strong winds and earthquakes- let`s pray it does so..

Brokenhearted?

' The LORD is close to the brokenhearted. ' Psalm 34:18

No Valentine? Please know God really does love you, and its not the kind of love that disappears when you wake up the next morning..

Love

'Correct the wise, and they will love you' Proverbs 9:8

A lot of Buddhists don`t like me much...

Notorious

'There was a notorious prisoner..' Matthew 27:16

I can `t even seem to go to the local doughnut shop without complete strangers knowing all about my business. Then again some say I am paranoid.. maybe more people read this blog than I thought..

Sin

'I have sinned' Matthew 27:4

Maybe I should go to confession... it is almost Lent...

Clouds

'...he set the clouds above' Proverbs 8:28

Much rain.

First

'the very first, before the earth began.' Proverbs 8:23

Before Japan was, God is.

Waste

" 'What a waste!' they said." Matthew 26:8

Love is... wasting time and money on that special someone?

Important

'I have important things to tell you.' Proverbs 8:6

Pluralistic democracies like Japan and the US tend to treat religion like its art. Whatever you draw or believe in is okay. But what happens when theology is much more like math?

2+2=4

Five is not the right answer even though it is not far off. Buddhism, though close in its valuing right thoughts and right actions, is not correct.

Rulers

'You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.' Exodus 22:28

No comment.

Testy

'You must not testify falsely...' Exodus 20:16

Sadly the truth doesn't get me very far...

Seduced?

'Don`t let her coy glances seduce you..' Proverbs 6:25

This time of year it is difficult not to fall in love.