This is a good sign.（命のパン）
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
"Kakure Kurisuchan" - Hidden Christians of Japan
For nearly 300 years Japan was the most closed country on the face of the earth. Read a brief history of what happened to those families who decided to hide their faith and who they are today.
For nearly 300 years Japan was the most closed country on the face of the earth. Read a brief history of what happened to those families who decided to hide their faith and who they are today.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Bible in Kanji (Chinese characters)?
Many Japanese Christians know that hidden in many of the Chinese characters that Japanese use are pointers to Biblical history. The tower of Babel, Noah's flood, etc. can be seen in this ancient text. If you have never heard of this before, I encourage you to take a look here. I don't agree with a lot of what this blogger wrote, but I do get excited about the origin of kanji! I think it is a great tool to show the authenticity of Biblical history.
Many Japanese Christians know that hidden in many of the Chinese characters that Japanese use are pointers to Biblical history. The tower of Babel, Noah's flood, etc. can be seen in this ancient text. If you have never heard of this before, I encourage you to take a look here. I don't agree with a lot of what this blogger wrote, but I do get excited about the origin of kanji! I think it is a great tool to show the authenticity of Biblical history.
If hell is real, how can God be loving?
As I was watching ABC News online today, the story about George Carlin's death came up. They "tried" to play some of his less blasphemous work. The final sketch was of him joking about why religion is such a farce. He said, "How can there be a man in the sky watching everything I do. He watches and says, 'Keep these 10 rules!' If you don't he says, 'You will go to a burning hell forever!' Then he says, 'But wait, I love you.'"
The next shot is Melissa Vargas laughing right along. I just shook my head in sadness.
So what is the answer? Is the answer that God is not loving? Is the answer that there is no real eternal hell? No. Neither of these answers are Biblical. The answer is that God's love is not George Carlin-centered. God's love is gloriously God-centered.
Listen to John Piper answer here.
As I was watching ABC News online today, the story about George Carlin's death came up. They "tried" to play some of his less blasphemous work. The final sketch was of him joking about why religion is such a farce. He said, "How can there be a man in the sky watching everything I do. He watches and says, 'Keep these 10 rules!' If you don't he says, 'You will go to a burning hell forever!' Then he says, 'But wait, I love you.'"
The next shot is Melissa Vargas laughing right along. I just shook my head in sadness.
So what is the answer? Is the answer that God is not loving? Is the answer that there is no real eternal hell? No. Neither of these answers are Biblical. The answer is that God's love is not George Carlin-centered. God's love is gloriously God-centered.
Listen to John Piper answer here.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Japan's suicide rate nears record high
Japan is still a spiritually poor country. Please remember our dear Japanese friends in your prayers.
It is interesting to note, where atheism reigns so does suicide and abortion.
Japan is still a spiritually poor country. Please remember our dear Japanese friends in your prayers.
It is interesting to note, where atheism reigns so does suicide and abortion.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Finding Hope in the Midst of Tragedy
Listen to my friend, a pastor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, speak of the hope
we have in the midst of a 500-year flood.
Listen here to Eric Schumacher
Listen to my friend, a pastor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, speak of the hope
we have in the midst of a 500-year flood.
Listen here to Eric Schumacher
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Noah's 1st Birthday Celebration!
Noah got some handmade wooden blocks and a truck from Grandpa O. Noah wasn't too interested in the buildings that I made. He was busy banging the blocks together and making noises!
Maki made a nice cake for Noah.
Noah's special meal! - Sorry, no cake for this little camper yet!
Here is Noah making more sounds with wrapping paper. We are glad that he doesn't need expensive presents yet!
It seems like this is a classic shot. Doesn't everyone have this kind of picture from when they were young?
Here is a good family shot.
Noah got some handmade wooden blocks and a truck from Grandpa O. Noah wasn't too interested in the buildings that I made. He was busy banging the blocks together and making noises!
Maki made a nice cake for Noah.
Noah's special meal! - Sorry, no cake for this little camper yet!
Here is Noah making more sounds with wrapping paper. We are glad that he doesn't need expensive presents yet!
It seems like this is a classic shot. Doesn't everyone have this kind of picture from when they were young?
Here is a good family shot.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Dr. Werner Gitt
Today I had the pleasure of listening to one the foremost scientists in the field of information. He is traveling through Japan and happened to stop at our school - Kyoto International University. Dr. Gitt also happens to be a wonderful Christian and apologist. I encourage you to check out his great tracks (below). They are available in 40 languages! His message is extraordinary - especially for a logically minded atheist (like most guys in Japan!) It was encouraging to see four of my engineer friends from Doshisha U. come and listen!
Click here to download free resources.
Watch Dr. Gitt's presentation about information here. (You may have to scroll down a bit to find it.)
Today I had the pleasure of listening to one the foremost scientists in the field of information. He is traveling through Japan and happened to stop at our school - Kyoto International University. Dr. Gitt also happens to be a wonderful Christian and apologist. I encourage you to check out his great tracks (below). They are available in 40 languages! His message is extraordinary - especially for a logically minded atheist (like most guys in Japan!) It was encouraging to see four of my engineer friends from Doshisha U. come and listen!
Click here to download free resources.
Watch Dr. Gitt's presentation about information here. (You may have to scroll down a bit to find it.)
How to Take Care of Babies: for Dummies
We are getting ready for a new addition to our family! Time for a little refresher course:
Learn more here.
We are getting ready for a new addition to our family! Time for a little refresher course:
Learn more here.
Monday, June 09, 2008
How Missionaries Learn Japanese
When I first came to Japan, Natsuko sensei was my Japanese tutor. I am very thankful for her help. As you watch the video you can see how intense she is! She doesn't let up! Part of the reason I have been able to stay in Japan so long is because I did not go crazy learning Japanese. Thank you - Arigatou - Natsuko sensei.
Untitled from Mark Rood on Vimeo.
(HT: Natsukosensei.com)
When I first came to Japan, Natsuko sensei was my Japanese tutor. I am very thankful for her help. As you watch the video you can see how intense she is! She doesn't let up! Part of the reason I have been able to stay in Japan so long is because I did not go crazy learning Japanese. Thank you - Arigatou - Natsuko sensei.
Untitled from Mark Rood on Vimeo.
(HT: Natsukosensei.com)
Famous evangelical apologist changes his mind
R.C. Sproul says he is now a six-day, young-earth creationist.
Read more here.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
I used to be an Evolutionist
Watch Dr. Parker share his eye-opening testimony about turning away from evolution to creation.
(By the way, I do believe this is a big deal. Some question how important this issue is. I believe that many are turning away from the Bible because they cannot trust Genesis. If you cannot trust the simple reading of Genesis, why should you trust the simple reading of the rest of the Bible either?)
Watch Dr. Parker share his eye-opening testimony about turning away from evolution to creation.
(By the way, I do believe this is a big deal. Some question how important this issue is. I believe that many are turning away from the Bible because they cannot trust Genesis. If you cannot trust the simple reading of Genesis, why should you trust the simple reading of the rest of the Bible either?)
Monday, June 02, 2008
Michael Oh on Missions
Due to speak at the pastor's conference at John Piper's church next year, here is Michael Oh, a missionary in Japan.
"I’ve always thought of missions as a fasting of many of the blessings of life. When we normally fast – we abstain from food – something so seemingly essential to life – to remind us of what is even more essential – our relationship with Christ. We fast because there is urgency of some other matter – more urgent than eating. In missions, we fast the blessings of family, friends, and all the blessings and opportunities of life in the US – because there is something even more essential to life – our relationship to Christ whom we follow and seek to make known. And we fast these blessings – because there is something more urgent than even our family and friends – the Gospel going to the perishing among the 2.5 billion who have little or no chance to hear the Gospel."
Due to speak at the pastor's conference at John Piper's church next year, here is Michael Oh, a missionary in Japan.
"I’ve always thought of missions as a fasting of many of the blessings of life. When we normally fast – we abstain from food – something so seemingly essential to life – to remind us of what is even more essential – our relationship with Christ. We fast because there is urgency of some other matter – more urgent than eating. In missions, we fast the blessings of family, friends, and all the blessings and opportunities of life in the US – because there is something even more essential to life – our relationship to Christ whom we follow and seek to make known. And we fast these blessings – because there is something more urgent than even our family and friends – the Gospel going to the perishing among the 2.5 billion who have little or no chance to hear the Gospel."
Sunday, June 01, 2008
"When This Passing World Is Done"
(A hymn by Robert Murray McCheyene, 1837)
When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start to shrink
On the fiery deluge brink,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, I shall fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Savior's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.
(A hymn by Robert Murray McCheyene, 1837)
When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start to shrink
On the fiery deluge brink,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, I shall fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.
Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Savior's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.
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