Felt

'Jesus felt sorry for them...' Matthew 20:33

Jesus feels compassion for us. Drug companies make a lot of money.

Idols

'do not worship idols' Psalm 24:4

Most of us are somewhat guilty of idolizing our home nation. Thank God there are still teachers in Japan who are willing to sit down for what they believe.

LORD

'My name is the LORD' Exodus 6:2

Whether it is riots all across the Arab world, car sales or the lack of them, or volcanos, God is in charge, and always will be.

Blame

'Your own people are to blame!' Exodus 5:16

It is very hard for a racist to admit that the problems of the world don't start with foreigners.

Why?

'Why couldn`t we cast out that demon?' Matthew 17:19

As I feared, on the drugs I seem to have even less impulse-control than I do normally. But it's early yet.

However, this is the problem with modern day attitudes to evil. Society these days laughs at the idea of a literal Satan in a red cape and horns- rightly so- the real Devil is far more subtle. If we go up against inner demons armed only with a few pills and a trendy theory, however interesting, by Jung or whoever- all too often we fail.

Part of my frustration with Japanese society is that even though Buddhist teaching talks about a real demon called Mara, many Japanese are far more comfortable with modern liberal ideas about the innate goodness of everyone. A child was stabbed this week- NHK news chose to lead with less distressing stories. How can we begin to fix the problem if we try to pretend there isn`t one?

Bitter

'they made their lives bitter...' Exodus 1:14

I`m now on sedatives. I would like to draw your attention to the work of Dr Clare Xanthos at Morehouse school of Medicine. She writes: 'the interplay between racial minority status stress, racism induced stress and racial bias in diagnosis may be significant factors influencing the high Black incidence rate of schizophrenia in the UK.' (Racializing Mental Illness 2008) She quotes a wide range of similar reports to justify her conclusions.

Ravenous

'...a ravenous wolf' Genesis 49:27

Pure

'reverence for the LORD is pure,
lasting forever.' Psalm 19:9

Unlike TV.

Not

'it was God who sent me here, not you!' Genesis 45:8

What atheists don't understand is that even when they rebel against God and do the opposite of what the Bible teaches, they are still doing what God has planned.

Humiliate

'you humiliate the proud' Psalm 18:27

After 10 years in Japan, a C at level one of the kanji game

Love

'Don`t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.' Proverbs 4:6

Soon be Valentines Day again...

Justice

'O LORD, hear my plea for justice.' Psalm 17:1

Evangelical Christians in the UK have been predicting for quite some time a season during which it would be illegal to practise Christianity in Britain. With this weeks court ruling it seems more than ever that that time has arrived.

Words

'you must give an account on judgement day for every idle word you speak' Matthew 12:36

God have mercy upon me, a sinner.

Idols

'Jacob told everyone in his household, "Get rid of all your pagan idols.." '
Genesis 35:2

We have a Buddhist altar in this flat, which brings a curse on the whole family. (Deut. 11:28) But it is not the only thing we need to get rid of.

Stayed

'Jacob stayed where he was...' Genesis 32:13

Momentous times for English Christianity. 3 former Anglican bishops became Catholic priests this weekend. That`s a bit like a Japanese Buddhist leader agreeing to take orders from Tibet.

Cold

'cold and sleepless nights...' Genesis 31:40

I could go back to the shrink for sleeping pills, but it's expensive and I don`t really want to.

Agreement?

'I have fulfilled my agreement' Genesis 29:21

We have been paying for a phone that did not function properly, I have lost work and customers as a result, and now AU want us to pay for the repairs to the service they failed to provide?? I jolly well want a refund!

***

Since I wrote this AU have sent me a new download. Not sure yet whether the problem is totally fixed.

Godless

'the godless nations will vanish' Psalm 10:16

Watched a film adaptation of a classic Japanese novel yesterday, Hizakurige. There`s a great scene where the heroine hides in a cupboard with a buddhist statue, then finds she`s locked in. She has to destroy the idol to smash her way free.

I see this as a parable for Japan now. Although we can criticise individual politicians or political/economic philosophies for the current problems, ultimately the problem lies deeper. Buddhism never could, never will, and cannot now save the Japanese.

Heard?

'heard their answer....' Genesis 24:52

Is there something wrong with my mobile phone..?

She

'She died..' Genesis 23:2

Daphne Cynthia Clark (4th June 1937- 10th January 1990)

Rest in peace, Mum.

Sleep

'Go and sleep with my servant...' Genesis 16:2

Abram can`t win. He does what his wife asks and she is still angry with him. But unlike some legends about saints and buddhas, at least we recognise this as a real flesh and blood marriage.

Footstool

'the earth is God`s footstool..' Matthew 5:35

A long time ago in Japan, people suspected of being Christians were asked to put their feet on a crucifix, and if they refused they were often tortured to death.

Still today, many both in Japan and elsewhere mock the idea of a Omnipotent God. Good luck with that.

Flattery

'Their tongues are filled with flattery.' Psalm 5:9

Quite a few British women are converting to Islam, God help them. I can well understand their disillusionment with western secularism, but to prefer Mohammed to Jesus is very misguided.

Looked

'the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious..' Genesis 3:6

'I can resist everything except temptation' Oscar Wilde.

Birds

'Then God said, "Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind." Genesis 1:20

On the first morning of 2011, a Japanese wagtail. Happy New Year everyone!