Living

'I could keep on living and doing something useful' Philippians 1:22

Is there a connection between Buddhism and the exceptionally high suicide rates here in Japan? I believe there is. People also say Japanese mental health services are underdeveloped- I say thank God kids aren't being chemically coshed for minor things like they are in the US. But there are far too many people without hope here.

The word 'hope' has become something of a joke after its use by politicians. But without it people perish. We need not to hope in smooth talkers, well paid jobs, good lovers, cute kids, considerate friends, or anything advertisers try to sell us. We need to hope in God, and allow him to choose the day of our death, for He knows best.

Devil

'Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.' Ephesians 6:11

Buddhist exorcisms are no good, because Buddhism itself is a Satanic deception. A girl died this week when a Japanese monk ended up drowning her.

Sacrifice

'[Christ] loved us, and offered himself as a sacrifice for us.' Ephesians 5:2

Lies

'Many enemies try to destroy me with lies' Psalm 69:4

Many in the media are no longer interested in the truth. Take ABC news today for example. Herman Cain wins an important GOP poll in Florida. Does that mean we get to hear what an Christian African-American man has to say for himself? No. ABC spent more camera time on a female reporter's legs than it did on Cain's words. Cain, in spite of WINNING the poll, was not allowed one word on ABC. SHAME ON YOU, ABC. And you call the Tea Party racist?

And take Japan's NHK. Last night they led with a Buddha Air crash in Nepal. One Japanese man is tragically presumed dead. Meanwhile millions of people in Fukushima are at risk of fatal cancer, but NHK reports about the dangers of travelling abroad. Is there a hidden agenda at work here?

White hair

'I will be your God throughout your lifetime-
until your hair is white with age.' Isaiah 46:4

3 months til Christmas. There's a job advert for Santas already.

Hollywood- stuck for a fresh Santa Christmas movie? The elves and the reindeer have been done to death. Next time I want to see 'Young Saint Nick' the true to life story of how a young guy in Demre, Turkey gets to be this old white haired altruist. There's an interesting arc there of how an ordinary man with problems like us becomes the saint who is famous worldwide and loved by children everywhere. Mel or somebody please, make the movie!

Run

'Let those who hate God run for their lives.' Psalm 68:1

Some North Americans come thousands of miles to Japan partly to get away from hometowns that are predominantly Christian. Imagine how batty it drives them to find Jesus people out here too...

Try Pluto lads. No Christians there that I know of... but be warned. There's nowhere in this universe you can escape God's presence.

Harvest

'May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.
Then the earth will yield its harvests
and God, our God, will richly bless us.' Psalm 67:5-6

Secularism rises, and the economy falters.

Grass

'..people are like the grass.
Their beauty fades as quickly
as the flowers in a field.' Isaiah 40:6

I will soon be 42. I think my body is past its sell-by date.

Rain

'You drench the plowed ground with rain,
melting the clods and leveling the ridges..' Psalm 65:10

Climate scientists need to remember God is the most important factor in the equation:

Society - God = Disaster

Truth

'Buy the truth' Proverbs 23:23

Bibles are not expensive and can be read for free online in many languages. Or try your local library or church.

Crooked

'They plot crooked schemes' Isaiah 32:7

Well done to the Japanese network that showed a Ken Loach movie last night. But I hope everyone who watched it is not naive enough to think that immigrants are only expoited in the UK. Tell that to the teachers working here in Japan that did not get paid for work done. Tell that to the families of the Chinese who died in Japanese factories. Tell that to Mexicans working in the US.

Dragons

'flying fiery dragons' Isaiah 30:6

There was a program on TV last night about ancient flying things that I was half watching- didn't hear the evolutionary biologists call them dragons though- they seem to prefer longer words.

Earth

'The earth suffers for the sins of its people,
for they have twisted God's instructions,
violated his laws,
and broken his everlasting covenant.' Isaiah 24:5

Filth

'Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths' Psalm 59:7

In todays tolerant age, you may well question my use of the word 'filth' to describe a Buddhist mantra. But I say to you- if a Buddhist chants twice a day, feels good about herself, but the poor in Africa go unfed and the homeless in Japan sleep on the streets for one more day, what good is that kind of religion?

As the current Pope so wisely said, that kind of religion is mere spiritual self-abuse. In this city, it is the Christians and the Communists that help those on the street- the Buddhists are too busy making a useless noise to lend a hand.

Poison

'Your words spread poison
like the bite of a cobra..' Psalm 58:4

If Buddhism is true why are 30,000 Japanese Buddhists killing themselves every year?

Distress

'I am weary from distress' Psalm 57:6

God really does care about our problems and He understands better than anyone.

Mountain

'Nothing harmful will take place
on the LORD's holy mountain.' Isaiah 11:9

Good news! There is a better place than our suffering and broken world.

Terror

'the terror of death assaults me' Psalm 55:4

Saved?

'Save me, God, by your power' Psalm 54:1

When bad things happen, governments and reasonable, well meaning people are not enough. We need a God who never makes mistakes.

Fools

''Only fools say in their hearts
'There is no God'
They are corrupt..'' Psalm 53:1

Why other people follow them I don't know, I guess they say things people want to hear. False prophets are often popular.

Kind

'...the gentleness and kindness of Christ.' 2 Corinthians 10:1

I'm no gentleman, but I know a Man who is.

Love

'Many waters cannot quench love,
nor can rivers drown it.' Song of Solomon 8:7

May God have mercy on the souls of the dead.

Experts

'experts at fighting' Song of Solomon 3:8

Rugby can be beautiful to watch when the ball is flying fast from hand to hand. But all too often it descends to a war of attrition.

Although I went to a comprehensive, we did play rugby at my high school. Darren, who had strength and speed, and was somewhat chunkier than my skinny teen self, seemed to run through me on more than one occasion...

At VI Form I took up table tennis and bridge.

If you are reading this Dazza, hope life is treating you well.

Wise

'My words are wise,
and my thoughts are filled with insight' Psalm 49:3

Skeptics often point to minor discrepancies in the Bible, but it's a bit like going to hear Beethoven's 5th and calling the piece rubbish because somebody coughed. Who do you trust, Jesus or A. N. Other who says it is all horse manure? Can Dr Other save you from the fires of hell?

Prosperity

'No one who sins
and rejects God
will prosper...' Ecclesiastes 8:13

Wind

'..people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbours. But this too is meaningless-like chasing the wind.'

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Wise?

'Wise or foolish, we all die, and are soon forgotten'. Ecclesiastes 2:16

Girls

' little girls to play with' Job 41:5

Back to school.