Where to lay my treasures 宝を積むこところ

well, in previous post, I mentioned that I believe I'll return to Okinawa in the future.

In fact, it seems to be much earlier than I thought.
以前の投稿で沖縄へいつかは帰るだろうという思いを書きました。
でも、それよりも早くなりそうです^^/

Last two visits to Okinawa, it tried to keep them this secret 'cause they wanted me to do, were actually for job interview.

They wanted me to have them at their headquarters, so I was basically flown to Okinawa (free tickets!! Yey!!)
話が前後しますが、最近２回の帰省は（企業から内密にということだったのであまり公にはしてませんが）面接のためでした。
会社が本社で面接を実施したいということだったので、チケットをくれて沖縄へ飛ばしてくれました。

One side-story from this job interview trip is that because they gave me tickets, I was able to go to my good friend, Robert' wedding!!! I really wanted to go, but I couldn't afford it!! God provides everything at His perfect timing!!
すこし脱線しますが、これに呼ばれたおかげで友人のロバートの結婚式に行くことができました！！本当に、神は素晴らしいタイミングを持っておられます！！プレイズ・ザ・ロードです！

Back to main subject,

So on my way back to Tokyo from Tohoku,
本題に戻りまして、
東北から東京への帰り道の途中で・・・・・

(it was day time though ;P)

I received a phone call.

It was from that company and they pre-officially (well, it is official but informal offer) offered me the job.

一つの電話を受けました。
それは、以前に面接を受けた会社からの内々定を知らせる電話でした！！

*in case if you are wondering what kind of job it is. Job hunting in Japan is much different that of states. We apply to the company, not to particular job (foreign capital companies are exception though). Yet, we can make requests regarding what kind of job we want. But it is company that decides in the end. Besides, I'll be working there after the graduation.*

And they wanted to know whether I accept the offer or not within a week!!!
I had applied to other companies too and some of them still haven't started their recruiting process yet. So I only had two choices; accept this offer and back-off from all the other recruiting process, or turn down the offer and go for other companies.
そして、一週間以内にその答えが知りたいということでした。
もちろん、他の企業にもESなどを提出して選考プロセスに乗っていたのですが、もし受けてもらう場合はそれら全てを辞退して欲しいとうことも同時に告げられました。
So, it was very very cho- difficult decision to make!! Had I had other companies' results, the only thing I'd have to do is to chose one from the candies on table. But in this case, the other choices are still "possibilities" and there is a big chance that I won't get any other offer.
そして、この選択はとても難しいものでした。もしも他の企業からの内定や選考結果がでていたら、テーブルの上にあるチョイスの一つを選べば良いのですが、他の企業は「可能性」でしかないので、もしそちらに進むにしてもある意味「賭け」と同じ行為でした。

Well, in substance, the deep question for myself was "Whether I stay in Tokyo or go back to Okinawa??".
本質的な深いところのクエスチョンは「沖縄に戻るか、東京に残るか」というものでした。

The answer I came to, after all, is "Okinawa".
答えを初めに言うと「沖縄」です！

So, here is how it came down.
以下が、その結論に至った過程です。

In the van, when I received call, guys saw me troubling and PRAYED for me!! (I can't thank enough for these godly men.)
And I came back to my room and PRAYED.
Next day, I had two job-interviews but I cancelled one of them and PRAYED.
Then Saturday was "all day free"( first time in past half year or more!!), so I was able to spend much time in PRAYER!! My mom called me that night. She wanted to make sure if I am spending much time in devotion, prayer and personal time with God. well, as any kids do, I said "sure~". (well, I really did. I prayed and read Bible hours in those few days!)
その電話を受けたときはバンのなかにいたのですが、それを見た同じ車に乗っていた人たちが祈ってくれました！（ホントに、祈ってくれた男の人たちには感謝しきれません。）
そして、自分の部屋に帰って祈りました。
次の日、二つの面接の予定が入っていたのですが、朝の方をキャンセルして祈りました！
また、土曜日（その次の日）は久しぶりの「一日フリー」だったので、多くの時間を祈りに割くことができました。私の母からその夜に電話があり、私がしっかり主との時間を過ごしているか確認して、励ましてくれました！

Finally, the moment came.
On Sunday morning, I read Hebrews 5 which I've been reading thru for my daily devotion. So, I opened up the Word, I was like "Ok, Lord, speak to me!!" Then nothing happened. (the text itself was by all means good.)
そして、その時が来ました。
日曜の朝、ヘブルの５章（ヘブルをディヴォーションで読んでいたので）を読みましたが、あまり感じるところは有りませんでした。どうしても語らいたかったので、ランダムにマタイ６を開きました。どうしても、主からの声を語って欲しかったのです！！
But I desperately wanted to hear from the Lord, so randomly opened Matthew 6:20-21 in which Jesus is talking about laying up our treasures in heaven.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

”自分の宝は、天にたくわえなさい。そこでは、虫もさびもつかず、盗人が穴をあけて盗むこともありません。

I've heard this like hundred times and thought I completely understood this.
But, Jon Courson' Application Commentary was at my hand, so I opened it.
Pastor Jon described
この箇所は何度も繰り返し聞いているところです。そのため、私は完全に理解した気になっていました。しかし、何故かその時ジョン・コーソン師の注解書が手元にあり、私は引き寄せられるように、その箇所を開きました。そこで、彼はこう述べていました

"If I have treasures in heaven, guess where my heart will be? ......

How can we be more heavenly-hearted? By sending our treasure ahead." 

”もしも宝が天にあるなら、あなたの心はどこにあるでしょうか？

「どうしたら天に心を置くことができるか」って？

宝をそこに送ることでですよ。” 

If I want my heart in heaven, I need to start sending treasures to heaven now!!
もしも心が天にあることを願うなら、今宝を天に積みはじめなければならないのです！
I had always thought the opposite way; if my heart is in heaven, I'd naturally lay up my treasures in heaven. But, Pastor Jon' teaching was different and it shook my heart.
私はこの箇所を反対の意味で捉えていました。「もしも私の心が天にあるなら、自然と宝を天に積むはずだ」と。しかし、ジョン・コーソン師の教えはこれとは逆のことでした。

This past one month, I was feeling God will eventually call me back to Okinawa but didn't know when. I was thinking after I reach 30 years old. (in addition, I was feeling that God is calling me to ministry in Okinawa.)
この一ヶ月、私は「神はいずれは自分を沖縄へと呼ばれるだろう」と感じていました。ただ、「いつ」かは分かりません。おそらく、３０歳辺りだろうという安易な推測はありましたが。
But, God started speaking, "Do you want your hear in heaven? Then start sending your treasure now!!"
I was like "Now? Seriously??". (what a rude.....)
God again said to me, "Yes, this is the time!"
God's given vision to me to go back to Okinawa and work. At the same time, God gave me tremendous peace I hadn't experienced since I took the phone call.
そんな私に神は語り始めました。「あなたは心を天におきたいのか？そうなら、何故今から宝を天に積まないのか？」と。
私は「『今』ですか？」と。
主は「そうだ、このタイミングだ。」とお答えになりました。
そして、神は私に沖縄に帰るというビジョンと、それに対する超自然な平安を与えてくださいました。この平安は、私が電話を受けてから感じることのなかったものです。

So, God truly answered to my prayers. I think I had never prayed like this before. Completely at loss, not knowing what is right choice, struggle between my flesh and spirit, every possibility was appealing to me......
そうです、神は私の祈りに応えてくださったのです。これほど熱心に祈ったことはこれまでなかったと思います。全くの迷子、何をして良いのか分からず、どの道にも自信を持てず、肉と霊との狭間で戦っていました。
But all I needed was one voice from God.
God experientially taught me how faithful He is when I honestly seek Him!!
Prayer was the key to the answer!!!
Thank you all who have been praying for me!!
しかし、私に必要だったのは一つの声、神からの答えでした。
神は体験的に私にご自身が、私の求めに対してどれだけ誠実な方かを示してくれました。
そして、祈りがその答えへの鍵だったのです！
私のために祈ってくれたみんな、本当にありがとう！！

So, I will be back in Okinawa after my senior year.
I will truly miss my friends and fellowship here in Tokyo.
But I am looking forward to serving God, His people, my dearest Okinawans at Calvary Chapel Okinawa.
I am so stoked to see what God has for me in the future.
私は、この四年目を終えたら沖縄へと帰ります。
ここ、東京の友人、交わりから離れることはとても寂しいことです。
しかし、それと同時に神に仕えること、主の民に仕えること、私の愛するウチナーンチュに、沖縄（カルバリーチャペル沖縄）で仕えることをとても楽しみにしています。
もちろん、仕事という新しい挑戦もです。

Please continue to pray for me that God will show me what to do in my senior year and next step of my life.
神が私のような者に、もっともっとビジョンを、この一年でなにをすべきかを示してくれるようにお祈り下さい。

In Love and Grace.

Yasutomo
愛と恵みのうちに
康智

the answered prayer

I was so blessed with the great opportunity to join the Calvary Tohoku Relief work.

Ever since the M9.0 Earth Quake and Tsunami happened, I have desired to go to Tohoku and do something. My heart was being shaken ......

I think one of the reasons is that earth quake I felt in Tokyo was still scaring and seeing Tsunami sweeping the towns and cities on TV live was so shocking.

I felt the fragility of man's life and sensed the need of God's mercy on this nation of Japan ever before.

Though I wanted to go Tohoku, it seemed impossible to go.

One was that my school was supposed to start on 4th of April. Even after it had been delayed, I had to go Okinawa for a job-interview. 

Even there was one week that was open between my Okinawa trip and school semester, there was big possibility that another job hunting schedule will come in.

But, the desire did not disappear nor fade. So I kept praying and praying.

I emailed my Pastor to tell my desire to go and he graciously gave me a "Go" sign for the very week I had!

But there was one big barrier/problem I needed to deal with. It was my dorm.

There is a rule/protocol that if I want to be absent from weekly dorm Bible study and meeting, I need to have permission from every single student at dorm (that is 15 students).

So, I sent email to core member of the dorm to let them know my thoughts ahead. But the reply was very difficult one with many questions.

I prayed and asked God to opened the door.

I sat down with the core members and talked about an hour, try to help them understand the importance of the relief work.

well, God is Big!!!!! They agreed on me going and at the meeting next day, I was able to received permission from everyone.

This is how I joined this trip.

God is simply amazing....

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? "

Urgent Prayer Request

Many of you know that March 11th, just before 3pm, M9.0 earth quake struck Japan.

(taken from web)

Many of my friends kindly asked my if I were ok on facebook. I was very encouraged to see how much care I received. Thank You all!!

I was in Shinbashi area, right below of Tokyo St.. I was in basement of McDonald and the shock lasted for a few minutes. I stayed inside until things gets little more calm.

I went out and there were many people who did same.

There was a big screen by the large public square. There I first found how bad the earth quake was. There, I saw Tsunami destroying cities on live.

I was deeply hurt by seeing it happening, and couldn't believe it is happening in Japan.....

(taken by me)

There seemed no damage on buildings but all the trains are stopped which mean I lost the way to get back home.

I was hopeful at first, thinking that they will resume in a few hours. But around 7pm, they announced that they won't resume until next day.

So I had to find a place to stay over night.

I visited 24 hours cafes but they were all full. I saw people sitting on streets.

I was walking to find a place to take a rest for about 3~4 hours.

While I was walking, miraculously somehow a friend from high school messaged me through FaceBook(cell phone call didn't work at all) and we were able to meet and went my branch campus and took rest there for an hour.

After a while, few train lines were recovered and resumed. Fortunately, his apartment was near the one of the stations of the one of the few, so I was able to spend the night there without sleeping on the floor or street which many people did.

I truly thank God for His provision and that I was able to share the Gospel with him!!!

(from news paper)

(taken by me)

Next morning, building in Tokyo.

Again, thank you for your prayer and concern. But Tokyo is located far from epicenter and where Tsunami hit. (about 180miles). So I think I am very fine, compared with people' concern. (I think in the states it is reported that all the Japan was damaged?)

Of course here I see many effects. Stores don't have any food because people surged and bought them all.

(familymart)

I'd like to list some prayer requests.

1. God's mercy toward those who lost families, friends and houses.. etc

2. Their needs will be met quickly.

3. Christians that are in the Tohoku area(where the damage is very serious) will shine God's light brightly in the darkness and be a good comforter.

4. Pray that awakening will take place in Japan. Many will come to know Jesus as their Savior and the Lord.

5. I will be bold to share my faith with non-believers around me.

6. God will give me power and vision to do something about this. (help with either human resources or financial support.)

７. God's glory will be revealed.

I really believe God is working in Japan where population of Christian is less than 1% of national population !!

I don't know how but my prayer is that I will participate in it.

in Grace

long line for public phone

people trying to get home by walking

people watching news on screen

祈ってみよう！

先のポストでも書いたように、今読んでいる本の１つはE.M.バウンズの「祈りは奉仕を生かす」という本です。（僕は並読する人なので）
彼の引用は、以前に一度やってて「祈りの人」だったことは知ってはいたのですが、協会の図書で彼の本を見つけて、本当胸が騒ぎました。牧師の勧めもあり、読むことにしました。

でも、本当に大正解でした。神の導きは本当に不思議です。
祈りについて、これまでもBlogでも、「もっと祈らないと」と言ってきたのですが、これほど祈りの生活を励まされることは、過去を振り返ってもなかなかない体験でしたし、これからもっと読み進めるのが楽しみです！

「神が人を扱われるとき、祈りほど重要なものはありません。しかし、祈ることは、人にとってもきわめて重要なことです。祈ることに失敗することは、人生全体に失敗することを意味します。（中略）　信仰者のいのちも、個人的救いも、クリスチャンとしての個人的恵みも、みな祈りの中に存在し、祈りの中に花開き、祈りの中に身を結びます。」

なんとうことでしょう！！「祈りに失敗することは、人生全体に失敗する」とは、本当に大胆な言葉ではないでしょうか。
では、この「失敗」とは何のことでしょうか？
それを考えるには「成功」について考えることをしなくてはいけません。
そして、その成功は、神の私たちに対する目的を達成することでしょう。
その目的は、私たちは神の栄光のためにつくらたといことではないでしょうか。これは、私の存在意義でもあります。

イエスは「地上で『実』を結ぶ」ように、弟子たち（もちろん、私にでもあります）に命じられました。(マタイ７、ルカ６）
また、イエスは有名な大宣教命令を、弟子たちに与えられました。（マタイ28)
これら全てのことは、神に栄光のためです。

思うに、
私たちが教会に日曜日に行くのは、そこで良い牧師がいるからでしょうか？
もちろん、それがあっても何も悪くないと思います。でも、それが第一義的な目的であったら、寂しくないでしょうか。もし、その日のメッセージがそんなにだったら？もしも、その日、牧師にちょっと嫌なことを言われたら？（もちろん、これは仮定の話なので、そこまで真剣にとらないで）
でも、教会に人々が神の栄光のために集まるなら、そこには愛の香りが溢れんばかりに漂うでしょう。そこには、手を上げ神にほめ歌を捧げる人たちがりるでしょう。そこには、聖書を通して語られる神の言葉に動かされる人がいるでしょう。そして、これらのことすべては神に栄光を帰するわけです。

このように、「神の栄光のため」という私の目的を、私が失うとき、忘れるとき、そのために働いていないとき、私は人生に失敗しているのです。
では、どうしたらそうならないようにすべきなのでしょう。
祈りは、私たちの心を神に向けます。そして、その神ご自身が私たちの求めているゴールなのです！！（“Am I Willing??”参照）

まあ、ここで色々、べらべらと思いを延々と並べることもできますが、
まずは祈ってみます！

ps: Sorry for English readers. This is a book written in Japanese, so it is more comfortable for me to write in Japanese. Hope you'll learn to read Japanese ;)

Pray!! 祈り

"When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live." - E. M. Bounds

"How much do I pray" is a one question that every Christian should always asking themselves.
I know I myself need to ask myself this always. Why?? Because I don't pray enough!!!
Of course I don't use "!!" to boast, but just emphasizing the reality of my lack of prayer in my life.

The only thing disciples asked Jesus to teach them was "Prayer", saying

“Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

I need to be taught how to pray so much.　Though, I dare to say....
As a student, having many non-Christian friends, I would have asked Jesus, "Lord, teach me how to evangelize effectively!!".
Or maybe as a lover of the Word, "Teach me how to study the Word??"
well, those questions are not bad at all I think, but as Disciples, They Asked of Prayer.

Why? Bounds said well, I can't live without it!!
My faith needs to be built on prayer. So when I cease to pray, I'm letting go of my faith.
As a Christian, a follower of Christ, a disciple, I need to pray for everything.
When evangelize, I need to pray!! When study the Word, I need to pray!!

Pastor Britt Merrick, one of my favorite preacher, said
"Christian mission was/is birthed in prayer, continues in prayer, is fueled by the Spirit and armed with the Gospel"

Yes, we need to pray.


「私はどれだけ祈っているか？」という質問は、クリスチャンとして常に自分に問い続けなくてはいけない質問に思える。
僕も、自分にいつも自分にチャレンジしなくてはいけない。なぜかって？祈っていないから！

もちろん、全く祈らないという訳じゃない。ただ、十分に祈っていないということ。

弟子たちがイエスにリクエストした唯一のメッセージは祈りについてだった、

「主よ、ヨハネが弟子たちに教えたように、私たちにも祈りを教えて下さい。」

僕も祈りについて神に教えてもらう必要が、とってもある。でも、もしかしたら・・・・・
周りにノンクリスチャンの友達が多くいる学生として「主よ、効果的な伝道の方法を教えて下さい。」とか、
みことばを愛する者として「主よ、良い聖書の学び方を教えて下さい！」と言ったかもしれない。
もちろん、このような質問は悪いとは思わないけどね。
しかし、弟子たちは、祈りについて教えて下さいと願った。

なぜだろう？それは、私たちは祈りなしには、クリスチャンとして生きることができないからだろう。
Ｅ．Ｍ．バウンズは「信仰が祈ることを止めたとき、その信仰は生きることを止める。」と言いました。
私たちの信仰は、祈りなしには生きることができないんです！！
伝道も、バイブルスタディも、祈りなしには成り立たない！

パスター　ブリット・メリック（僕の大好きな牧師）はこう言いました

「クリスチャンのミッション（使命）は祈りによって生まれ、祈りのうちに続き、聖霊とみことばの武具によって強められる」

Truth, is It offensive??

I posted my article of "Who made God?" on my YMCA Dorm's blog the other day.

I thought it will be good chance get readers to think about God and agitate them into searching for God.
Well, it did not turn out as I hoped to be.

Some students came to me and asked to delete the post.
They said "it is your own view of God. And I don't want to you impose your thought on us and others who read this blog." and "It is inappropriate for our blog, because people will see and become not to want to come to our dorm."

Well, honestly, at first I thought "Come on, think about what YMCA stands for!!! Young Men' Christian Association right?", " where in the world did the 'C' go??"

Their reasons seemed to me so irrational. Because when I think what our group really is(Christian Association) and the post is not that imposing one.
After all, what really took place was that they were offended by the things I wrote.

But, I decided to delete it in order not to cause conflicts anyways.
It really hurt me and grieved as well. I was really discouraged by the fact that how they reacted is not what I had expected and hoped.

Jesus had same experience on the earth.
No one could have won the argument with Him.
No one could have prove that He was not Messiah.
No one had legal ground to crucify Him.
............the list goes on and on
But, yet, they did not accept Him.

The experience like those raised anger in my heart which turned into bitterness.
But the truth is that God Loves Them and want them to know and love Himself.
And I know, in my mind, He has sent me to these very people to tell them about Him.
But I said to God, "Why, Lord? Why they cannot take it?"
God gave me this Scripture,

"And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
2Timothy2:25-26

Bible tells me that when I think them being my enemy, what is happening is that they are trapped by the enemy, Satan. They are under the power of enemy like we once were.

All I can do is keep praying that God will give me His peace and encouragement.
And that He will also give me a opportunity to share the Gospel.
And that He will free them from the bondage of sin.

Readers, Please Pray for me and my dorm-mates!!!

Power Of The Gospel

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1Corinthians 1:18

This last Sunday, Valentine's Day, we had outreachous (which means evangelistic, I made it up) service.
So, I, being single and having no duty to plan something for the day, invited two of my friends to the service. Well, I invited four and two of them showed up!!
I was praying whole week strongly that somewhat God will reach to them.
Because this phrase was stuck in my mind..

"Prayer is more powerful than preaching. It is prayer that gives preaching all it's power." Robert Murray McCheyne

Pastor Chizuo did really excellent job, delivering message of the gospel.
At the end, he asked congregation if there is any one who wants to accept Jesus into his heart.
I was in the back of the room, cheatingly looking around if there is any one raising hands, especially my friends whom I invited.
I only found one lady raising. I was happy to see that.
After while, he said "So I'll now pray for those four people who raised their hands."
I was like "Wow, four!?". I was again made happy.

After the service I was chatting with my friends and getting ready for the potluck.
During the time, Pastor Chizuo came to us and asked if he can pray for one of the two who reaised his hand.
I was like "dude!!! you Did raised your hand!? I was watching whole time and didn't see you doing!!" but sure did he raised his hand, because he nodded to him.
I was totally blown away what God did at the time!!!

Ofcourse I was expecting God's work, so I was not literal "surprise". But it is always wondrous and marvelous that God drawing His people to His feet.

John Charles Ryle said
"I am fully persuaded that there is no system so lifegiving, so calculated to awaken the sleeping, the lead on the inquiring, and build up the saints, as that system which is called the evangelical system of Christianity. Wherever it is faithfully preached, and efficiently carried out, and consistently adorned by the lives of its professors, it is the power of God..... We have the truth, and we need not be afraid to say so."

To God be the Glory

Prayer for Japan

日本のためにお祈りください！

今年1～8月の全国の自殺者数が、昨年同期比971人（4．5％）増の2万2362人となったことが28日、警察庁のまとめ（暫定値）で分かった。すべて の月で昨年を上回っており、12年連続で年間3万人を超えるだけでなく、過去最悪だった2003年の3万4427人に迫るペースが続いている。　（時事通信）

　このように多くの日本人が希望を失って、自らの命を絶っています。本当の希望、イエス・キリストに会うまでに亡くなってしまう。
　一人でも多くの日本人に福音が届くようにともに祈りましょう。

"Japan's suicide rate, already one of the world's highest, has increased with the recent economic downturn.

There were 2,645 suicides recorded in January 2009, a 15 percent increase from the 2,305 for January 2008, according to the Japanese government.

The Japanese government said suicide rates are a priority and pledged to cut the number of suicides by more than 20 percent by 2016. It plans to improve suicide awareness in schools and workplaces. But officials fear the toll will rise with unemployment and bankruptcies, matching suicide spikes in earlier tough economic times." CNN

(more detail go here>> http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/19/suicide.forrest.japan/index.html)

Please keep the nation of Japan in your prayer.
There are so many people without hope, true hope, Jesus Christ.
And please pray that we as Christian will be able to reach out to those people.