The Elephant in the Room

I have been listening to series of Ecclesiastes of Pastor Tim Chaddick, Reality LA.

I had never had deep study on Ecclesiastes, and this series has been rocking my world. The book contains, frankly saying, so much deep stuff!!!

It has much to do with last post, but the book and "the preacher" makes me face some serious, heavy and unavoidable topics about life.
I might write about this further later but I have been thinking about how to relate and make relevant the heavy topic that Bible has to say to us to the people with whom I hope and pray to share my faith.

It gets very hard when it comes to talking about life, death and eternity.
Pastor Tim called it "The Elephant in the room."
I do not want to bang my friends with scriptures, but at the same time I know I want to share what the Bible says!!

One verse said to me a lot about this.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." 

Ecclesiastes 3:11

 One thing it taught me was, I think, there is always timing and leading of God.
He has His timing and it's so beautiful.
As I obey the leading of the Spirit, God is working in their eternity.

And another is that everyone has the sense of eternity in their heart because God has put it in their hearts!!
The very fact that I and others have a sense of eternity, even a thought of it, it the proof that God created them. And we all in deep wonder where we are going after this life.

To me, so many seemed to be indifferent with such matter, but as I learned how to be obedient to the Spirit and try to see people's hearts I found it more often that many want to know what it is.

Many people know the existence of "the elephant." but do not want to admit it.
It is easier to ignore than tackling with the elephant. But you never be able to dismiss it completely, only can delay, and sometimes it's too late.
I think I need to be a guide to help people see the seriousness of the existence.

You can only try to escape and dismiss the elephant in your mind, but the fact remains, "The Elephant Is In The Room."

Heavy Question

"Everybody has to live for something. Whatever that something is becomes "Lord of your life," whether you think of it that way or not. Jesus is the only Lord who, if you receive him, will fulfill you completely, and, if you fail him, will forgive you eternally." 

(誰もが何かのために生きている。あなたがそう思うかどうかに関わらず、その「何か」はなんであれ、「あなたの人生の主」になるのである。イエスのみがあなたを受け入れ、完全に満たしてくださる。もしもイエスを失望させるようなことがあっても、あなたを永遠に赦す方である。）

Tim Keller（ティム・ケラー） 

"What do you live for?" is radically heavy question but still inevitable.
I found it that in Tokyo, though some will claim it is, not many are atheist but they are more likely to be secularist.
「なんのために生きるのか」というのは、甚だ思い質問であり、不可避なものでもある。
東京で気づいたのだが、多くの人は無神論者ではないとうことである。多くの人は、ここでは世俗主義者（という言葉を敢えて使う）であるのではないか。

Asked if they think there is something that they hope for in the light of eternity, they will answer "Well, I really don't know. I hope there is, but for now it is easier to hope rather than search for it.".
I have personally had conversation like that.
But in depth, we all live for something without exception.
So the issue logically and eventually comes to "what is it that you live for?" and "Does it give you eternal hope?" .
もしも、永遠に関して何か希望や望むものがあるのかと聞かれると、彼らは恐らくこうこたえるでしょう。「本当のところは分からないけれど、あったらいいなとは思う。でも、それについて思いを巡らしているよりも、望む程度にしておいて、今を生きる方が楽なんだ。」
しかし、本当は例外なしに人は何かのために生きている。そして、論理的に考えても、そこから「その『何か』は何か？」また「それは永遠の希望を与えてくれるのか」という疑問にたどり着くことになるのではないか。

If it is other than Jesus, they will fail you soon or later.
Why?
Because nothing is perfect here. This is something most people can agree. But Jesus is Perfect. He never sinned and stayed faithful, gracious, loving and forgiving.
He fulfill the law and imparted His righteousness to me.
もしもそれがイエス以外なら、その何かはあなたの期待にこたえることはできないでしょう。何故かって？それは、恐らくほとんどの人が合意できることがが、この世には完璧なものはないということが言えるから。
でも、イエスは完璧な方だ。イエスは天からこの地上に来て、人と同じ形をされて生きた時でも、罪を犯さず、誠実に、愛を保ち、赦しをもって生きられた。そして、律法を満たし、私たちにその義を与えてくださった。

We fail Him so many times, but He is full of grace; He forgives us when we come to him with repentance. Even at this very moment, He is working in and preparing  us for eternity.
He only can make my life full of meaning and satisfying.
そのイエスを私は何度となく裏切るようなことをするのだが、悔い改める度に私を赦してくださる。そして、その時でさえ私の中に働き、永遠の希望を与えてくださっている。
イエスだけが、私の人生を本当に意味あるものにしてくださる。


“Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” 
「わたしが与える水を飲む者はだれでも、決して渇くことがありません。わたしが与える水は、その人のうちで泉となり、永遠のいのちへの水がわき出ます。」

"Church and churches" 「教会と教会」

最近、「教会」について考えることが多くあります。

色々なトピックについて考えるのですが、その１つは「教会と教会」です。
イエスは「この岩の上に私の教会を建てます」（マタイ１６：１８）と言われました。
Recently, I often think about "church".
In it, I think of different topics and one of them is "church with church".
Jesus said "Upon this rock I will build my church; and gates of Hades will not overpower it." Matt.16:18) 


ボトムラインとして、キリストの教会は究極的には１つであるということです。じゃあ、何故色んな教団があるかって？それは、ある部分においては一致できないこともあるし、スタイルの違いや、雰囲気もあると思う。でも、本質的な部分、例えば「信仰・恵みによる救い」、「キリストの苦しみ・死・復活の事実」、「聖書の至高性」などでは一致しています。それが、教会でしょう。
The bottom-line is, ultimately the church is one. So why there are denominations and divided churches?? I think the answer to that is we have some different points such as style of worship, atmosphere and different theological views....etc . But those are the minors. The true church will agree on the essentials such as "salvation through grace alone and faith alone", "Christ finished work for man's redemption" "Bible is God's revelation to man"... I think this is church.


私はカルバリー・チャペルというグループで育ち、ずっとその環境にいるので、あまり日本の教会事情に詳しくないことは確かです。ただ、カルバリーの中でも、僕のような人が、同じ世代の中で増えているのは確かです。
そして、そのような環境で育った私が一時期陥っていた間違った考えは、「カルバリー・チャペルだけが聖書を教えていて、バランスの取れた素晴らしい教会だ」というコンセプトです。
I grew up in Calvary Chapel church and have been in such environment, so I am not familiar to Japanese church circle, to be honest. And it is true that among Calvary Chapels in Japan, there are people like me especially in my generation. 
And I, having such background, once held wrong concept; "Calvary Chapel is teaching the word  and we are great. Calvary Chapel is the way to go.". 


もちろん、私はカルバリー・チャペルが大好きで、今後もカルバリー以外の場で奉仕することは考えにくいです。
これは、本当に間違った考えで、日本にも多くの「聖書を正しく教え」、「イエスを愛する」教会があります。このプライドに満ちた考えというのは、私だけの問題ではない、危ない傾向性だと思います。
Don't mistake. I love Calvary Chapel. and it's hard to imagine that I'm serving at other than Calvary churches.
This is very wrong idea and the fact is that there are many churches that teaches bible straight and loves Jesus. Still, I think such prideful thought is not only my problem and others need to check themselves as well.


８月の投稿でも言及したことが思い出されます。
そして、その対策というのは、"Major in minor"（「些細なことを大きく扱う」）ことをしないことだと思います。グレッグ・ローリーの言葉を借りるなら"agree to disagree"（「不一致に同意する」）ことが大切なのだと思います。
「確かに、私たちには一致できない事柄がある。でもそれは、そんなにも大切なことではないし、もっと大事なところでは一致できる。だから、一緒に働ける。」という姿勢なんだろうと。
I mentioned something like it in previous post.
I think one thing we can do is not to "major in minor". As in Greg Laurie' word, "We can agree to disagree.". It is to know that there are things we don't agree fully but the bottom line is that we agree on essentials, so it is possible to work together.".


このようなことを考えているためか、最近それを実践している例ともいえるようなイベントが目に留まります。
例えば、マイアミで来年開かれる"One Conference"というイベントです。
このカンファレンスはカルバリー・チャペル・ケンドルのペドロ・ガルシアがホストとなっているのですが、スピーカーは日本でも有名なヒルソングのブライアン・ホーストン、フランクリン・グラハムに加え、ハーベストのグレッグ・ローリーや私の大好きなブリット・メリック等です。
教団などの壁を超えた、すごくエキサイティングなイベントだと思います。

（因みに↓がプロモビデオです。）

OneConference 2012 | Teaser from oneconference on Vimeo.
I have noticed events that I think practice it lately.
One of them is "One Conference" in Miami. This is hosted by Pedro Garcia, seinor pastor of Calvary Chapel Kendall. But speakers are very various. For example, well-known in Japan as well, Brian Houston from Hillsong church, Franklin Graham, also Greg Laurie of Harvest Crusade and my favorite Britt Merrick.(There are so many great speakers.)
I think this is really exciting.

また、もう１つは、Elephant Roomというイベントでした。
これはジェームズ・マクドナルドによって開かれたイベントですが、参加者はカルバリー系のグレッグ・ローリーと、マーク・ドリスコル、マット・チャンドラー（この二人は改革系カルバン主義）、デイビッド・プラット、ペリー・ノーベルでした。
かなり背景の違う牧師たちが様々なトピックについて話し合うという、かなりユニークでしたが、とても洞察に満ちたものだと思いました。そして、彼らが違いを超えて、同じステージに立ち、このイベントを可能にしたことは大きなことだと思います。
Another is "Elephant Room".
It was held by James McDonald, Harvest Bible Fellowship. But other participants were Greg Laurie (who is from Calvary background), Mark Driscoll and Matt Chandler (reformists and calvinists), David Platt and Perry Noble.
These are the guys who have very different background and can disagree on good amount of things, but they come together despite the difference in the name of Christ and made it happen.
Btw, this is one great video clip I highly recommend everyone to watch.
the like is here.

そして最後に、英語で申し訳ないのですが、このメッセージは「教会」を考えるのにとても有益だと思うので、シェアします。
みなさんの意見も聞ければとも思います。
Lastly, I want to share this video that is very profitable to think about "church".
It would be nice to hear your thoughts as well.

Britt Merrick | Reality Santa Barbara | Why Are We Here? from Reality on Vimeo.

God bless

"How Science Can Lead the Way"

I was reading this week' TIME magazine. There was an article that attracted my attention. It was

"How Science Can Lead the Way

What we lose when we put faith over logic"

It was written by Lisa Randall, professor of physics at Harvard, one of 2007' TIME 100 and author of many books. She is well-known in Japan as well.

I think she represent secular world very much.

She began the article, "Today's politician seem more comfortable invoking God and religion than they do presenting facts o numbers."

hmmmm, what is the point she is making??

here is the good example, she writes in same article after mentioning Rick Perry' recognition  of creationism.

"and when he (Rick Perry) chooses to pray for the end of a drought rather than critically evaluate climate science, he is displaying the danger of replacing rational approaches with religion in matters of public policy."

and she writes

"Logic tries to resolve paradoxes, whereas much of religious thought thrives on them."

I think she misunderstands what "faith" is.

Our faith in Christ is not blind-faith, it's more like reasonable faith. 

I put my faith in God because first of all, God touched me and showed loving grace to me, but I was intellectually and theologically impacted as well. 

As I read and study the Bible, it makes more sense!!!

Of course, there are some parts of the Bible that I just "believe in faith". But I keep trying to understand from the Bible. But faith is a trust, I sometimes don't understand why but I know I can trust my God for all the things I know about him and through experiences in which He has proven Himself to be trustworthy.

But, look at this world more objectively as scientists always loves to do. 

There are many things that does not make sense but we accept them.

"Why human being dies?"

"Why we as man have not adapted to the death, after adapting almost any environment on the earth?"

"What caused big-ban(this world into existence)?" 

This is why I love apologetics.
I really believe we need more apologetics resources in Japan.

We, christian, as minority need to know "What we believe, why we believe."

How do you think about this??

I'm very interested what others thoughts on this.

Langley Family

So, here I come with final post from the summer trip.
(I know, I know it's "finally".......)

So, the last stop was Langley Family in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Mike and Cindy once served as Jr.High group, Tsunami leader in Okinawa with me.
And Tyler and Maddie grew up in the group.
Funny thing is I still remember when Tyler first walked into Tsunami room with nice shirt and pants.

It was perfect occasion, because Mike had his retirement ceremony (he served US Navy, I think, for 26 years.). So he invited Andersens whom I was originally planned to stay with throughout my stay in east coast. They decided to drive down to VA, so I had no choice (fortunately, of course) to accompany them.

They have so cool/nice house. I think when I got there, there were over 10 people sleeping in the house!!!

The retirement ceremony was so beautiful. I always respected Mike for his leadership and integrity for Christ. He truly had it at his work.
As I look to start working soon, it was so encouraging to see and be confirmed what God can do through us at our work place.
Maddie gave a speech in behalf of Langley kids, she did incredible job. It was really nice, to say the least.

at retirement

Langley family

 Maddie giving a speech

 Congratulations!!!

While I was in Fredericksburg, I was able to go to downtown Fredericksburg and Washington D.C. too!!!
D.C. was incredible!! There were so much to see!!
But my favorite was Martin Luther King jr. memorial. The words recorded were impacting and the design was beautiful as well.

downtown Fredericksburg

 Capital Hill!!!

 me with FDR

 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

 Lincoln Memorial

 With Langley family 

 It was such a great time.
I got to meet many of their family as well. They were all nice to me.

I seriously miss traveling now.
It feels little strange not speaking English all the time, not flying, not getting ride from friends..... etc

Well, I think I just might as well enjoy the limited time in Tokyo now.

I again would like to thank God for making this amazing trip happen.
It was seriously "LIFE CHANGING"!!! no doubt.

I love and miss all the people whom I met and reconnected with.
They are all wonderful gift from God.

To God alone be the Glory.

Yasutomo

East Coast!!! NJ, with Andersens :)

So I left SoCal and headed to East Coast for the first time.

Again, though I did not know at the time, I had a little trouble getting picked up at the airport.
I forgot giving the flight info to the friend who was coming to pick me up. He found out that he only had departure and arrival time, and tried almost everything (it literally was) to find out which flight that I was taking. I flew from LAX to JFK, so these are among biggest airports in the states. It made it hard for him to find my flight with little information.

But, SNS is amazing!!! I miraculously checked-in on my facebook at the airport.
There were dozens of names that I could choose as check-in point, but I chose "LAX United Airlines gate" or something like that. This was big!! For it gave him the info of my airline!!!

So he narrowed it down to two flights and picked one, hoping the right one. Then he saw a guy picture of whom I posted on facebook coming out from gate. Then, he knew it was the right flight!!!

I did not know all of this until he told me what was happening and to him!!! CRAZY!!

well well, so I was picked up by my good friend Matt Andersen.
He and his family live in ProspectPark, NewJersey.
When he lived in Okinawa, he was leading worship. (Wasn't he?? If you were there, I know you'd agree with me :)
I had learned so much from him about worship and had always respected him as a godly man and friend.

He and his wonderful wife Jess have started church while ago, in his neighborhood  and have a great heart to preach the gospel and desire to see their neighbor coming to know Jesus Christ.
I was so touched by their vision and compassion.
Even the story of how God brought them to the place they live now was so shocking and impacting to me.

They lived in 3 floor house. But they are lending the upper two floors. Cool thing is that one of their two tenants is Japanese!!! (cooler is they are both christians!)
So one night we got together and had wonderful fellowship.
We also sang worship in Japanese!!! Matt and Jess still can sing Japanese songs, it was so amazing!!

Matt playing, me laughing. lol

me, Matt, Jess and Akiko (RtoL)

I also met their two younger kids for the first time!!! When they left, they only had one and she was so little too.
They are absolutely adorable kids!!!
I totally enjoyed hanging out and playing with them ;)

 youngest, Joshua 

their neighbor friend, Jennie and Ella (RtoL)

I was so blessed to see how God is using this family in the community.
The area not far from their place, honestly was very scary to me.

"drug free school zone"??

Please, keep them in your prayers.
As they reach out with the bright light of Jesus Christ to the community.

I seriously want to visit them again.
Jess said that I can bring a mission team. hahaha Can that be happen??

Thank you so much for the wonderful time.
Love you, Andersens!!!