Adeventures of a Word Detective

Now we are entering the season of Lent and are focusing our eyes on the cross.  Recently, at Bible study, I had the experience of explaining Lent to someone who is not a Christian.  I said that Lent is a time to remember how Jesus died on the cross; this sacrifice made it possible for people to know God better and to be with him after they die.  It is sad because Jesus had physical and emotional pain, but the story didn’t end there.  On Easter we celebrate how Jesus rose again.

After this experience, I grew curious about how Japanese Christians view Lent.  Although Lent is not well-known in Japan, Lutherans here do often know about its meaning.  The word for Lent in Japanese is jyunansetsu.  It is made up of three kanji (pictures that symbolize words or parts of words).  The first kanji means to accept, the second means hardship, and the third means a period of time.  Together, in Japanese, Lent means to accept hardship for a time.  I love that image because it reminds us that suffering and hardships are only for a time and that there is an end to the difficulties.  Jesus suffered tremendously, but his glorious resurrection put an end to his pain and provided and eternal solution to suffering.  So, whatever challenges, pain, or difficulties you are experiencing, know that the end is in view.  “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3: 22-23).

The kanji for Lent

The Prodigals in 2012

As I prepared for this week’s Bible study, I started thinking about writing the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) in the context of 2012.  Who would you cast in the roles of the characters?

At first I considered using celebrities as the prodigal son. I immediately thought of ones in the news for repeated rehab visits, for public intoxication, for cheating on their spouses, or for a number of other “prodigal” behaviors.  If those celebrities would repent and change their ways, they could have a big impact on their fans.  They’re in a natural position to speak to many people about how grace and forgiveness are a part of their lives.

Then, I started thinking about placing more average people in the roles.  Maybe the father figure is played by a teacher, and the two brothers are students.  On one hand, there is the student who always does their homework, participates in class, and genuinely seems interested in learning.  In other words, every teacher’s dream-student.  On the other hand, there is the student who makes the teacher want to pull out all of their hair and scream.  The student rarely does their homework, skips school, and lies about going to the bathroom while instead making out with their boyfriend.  Just imagine the possible transformation.

As a teacher, I am looking at this scenario from a different perspective than I ever have before.  Yes, I would love to see a student become a diligent and hard working individual.  The prodigal story could stop there, and it would be a noteworthy transformation.  It’s true that a big part of my job is helping students learn important information and skills that will help them later in life.  If that’s all I did though, I don’t think it would be enough.  Maybe I’m optimistic or naïve enough to still think I can make a positive impact on my students’ lives, beyond what will show up on a pencil and paper test.

Now, let me leave all the teachers (including myself) with a couple questions to consider: What part does grace play in a classroom?  What part should it play?

Lessons From My Twenties

Normally as one year comes to a close and another begins, I like to look back and think about the life lessons I learned that year.  This year I asked myself, “Why stop at just one year?”  So, now I bring to you…

Lessons from my Twenties

·        Sometimes life doesn't turn out the way you expect it to, and that's alright because sometimes God's plan is better than anything you could have imagined.

·        You have to risk making mistakes if you are ever going to improve.

·        You’re beautiful, inside and out.  Maybe you’ll never be on the cover of a magazine, but you’re more beautiful than you know.

·        Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness.  It is a sign of strength and maturity.

·        Don’t apologize for who you are.  Let all the special, unique, and strange qualities shine through.

·        Stand up for yourself.  Don’t let people walk all over you or treat you badly.  You deserve better than that.

·        Numbers on the scale or on tags of clothing do not define you.

·        People are always watching and listening.  Show them what you’re made of.

·        Whenever possible, say something nice about someone behind their back.  Then make sure to tell them that compliment to their face.

·        It’s easy to get sucked into negative thinking, complaining, and gossiping, especially when everyone else is doing it.  Positive thinking is a choice, but it does become easier the more you do it.

·        Yes, there is such a thing as a stupid question, but don’t be afraid to ask it.

·        When someone is grieving or going through a really horrible situation, don’t try to give them advice or to fix things.  Instead, truly listen, pray for them, and be present.  Then, when everyone else has gone back to their own lives and forgotten about the horrible situation, continue to offer support for that struggling friend.

·        The biggest times of growth in your life stem from the biggest struggles in your life.  Just have an open mind to the lessons God might bring out of those dark times.

·        You’re stronger than you think you are.

Christmas Highlights

Okay, I am a little late at getting to this, but here are a few highlights from Christmas 2011 in Kumamoto.


Kumamon, the mascot for Kumamoto says, "Merry Christmas!"



Tsuruya, a local department store.

Downtown and Kumamoto Castle

Kuwamizu Lutheran Church

Kuwamizu Lutheran Church's Advent Christmas Tree--We added new decorations each week of Advent.

By far, my favorite activity this Christmas was seeing my kindergarten class perform their Christmas pageant.  They were amazing!  It was so touching to see these young children sharing the story of our faith.

An angel visited Mary to tell her that she would have a baby, the Savior of the world.

The time came for Mary to have her baby, but no rooms were available in Bethlehem.

Meanwhile, the shepherds were watching their sheep at night.

Suddenly, angels appeared to tell them the good news...The Savior was born!

Many people came to worship Jesus, including wise men from far away.  Thousands of years later, we too can celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Preparing for Christmas

This is the chapel speech I gave Monday morning.  As you read it, please consider what you are doing to prepare for Christmas this year.

Today’s Bible reading is from 1^st Peter 1:13.  “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

What do you prepare for?  You prepare for rain by carrying an umbrella.  You prepare for cold weather by wearing a coat, scarf, and gloves.  You prepare for a test by studying.  You prepare for a championship game by practicing extra hard.

Everyone knows that there are four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.  But, did you know that churches also have seasons?  This is the season of Advent.  Advent is the month before Christmas when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was born over two thousand years ago, but people were excited about his birth long before that.  People waited and prepared the way for the birth of Jesus.  Every baby’s birth is a miracle, but Jesus’ birth was the best miracle of all. 

Jesus was God’s one and only son.  Everyone waited for the birth of Jesus because he came to Earth to save us.  He sacrificed his life so that we could spend eternity with God in heaven.  Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus, but it’s also about celebrating our salvation through Jesus Christ.

So, how do you prepare for this amazing holiday?  I usually decorate my apartment and bake Christmas cookies to give to friends.  I play Christmas music to remember the joy of the Christmas season.  I read about the birth of Jesus in the Bible, and I celebrate that birth at Christmas Eve church services.  This year, as you prepare for Christmas, please remember why we celebrate Christmas—JESUS!

Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for sending your son to Earth.  Thank you for the Christmas season to remember Jesus’ birthday.  Help us prepare for Christmas by remembering that Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season.

In Your name we pray, amen.

The Potter's Perfect Touch

“O Lord, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”  --Isaiah 64:8

Earlier this fall I went to a tiny village in Oita Prefecture that is known for its amazing pottery.  Onta is such a small village that it only has ten households, but they all work together to create these traditional crafts.  All the techniques of pottery-making and the talents of this unique style are passed down from each father to his oldest son.

The process of preparing the clay is very interesting.  The clay comes from a nearby town and is then pounded using a giant wooden hammer.  A river runs through this village, and the water provides the energy and force to opporate the hammer.  The water fills a tube, which in turn weighs down the handle of the giant hammer and pushes the top of the mallet up.  When the water drains out the bottom of the handle, the top of the hammer strikes the clay with a tremendous force.  Anywhere in Onta, you can hear the sound of the giant hammers striking the clay every few seconds.

Next, the clay is filtered in pools and dried.  After that, the clay is kneeded and formed with a traditional kick-wheel.  I heard that the men usually form the pottery and that the women usually do the glazing and painting.

After the poettery is formed, it needs to dry some more in the sun.

Then, the pottery is ready for the kiln.  The kilns are only fired 4 or 5 times a year though because it is quite an undertaking.  The wood-fed kilns are kept at about 1250 degrees celcius for 30 or 40 hours, so it means many long and sleepless hours of hard work. 

The  pottery is typically glazed using earth tones such as greens, browns, and blacks.  Many of the patterns and styles have been used for hundreds of years, but the styles also continue to develop as the artists apply their own unique touches.  Although the pottery may look similar, upon closer inspection, one sees that each item is uniquely designed and formed.  In fact, the Onta pottery is so special, that in 1995 it was officially declaired “Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan.”  The pottery is a beautiful creation that reflects the dedication and devotion of the potter.  Tremendous time and effort is put into each work of art, and the pottery in turn reflects the master craftsmen’s care.

I spent such a beautiful fall day in Onta, and I feel so blessed to have had that experience.

Now, let us pray.

Heavenly Father and Creator,

Thank you for the care and attention that you put into forming each and every one  of us.  Thank you for making us unique and special.  You placed hopes, dreams, and talents in our lives that  make us exceptional.  Help  us to unilize these gifts as we serve you.

In Your name I pray, amen.

Lessons From The Best Teacher Ever (Hint: It's not me!)

One of the interesting parts of my job involves writing and presenting chapel speeches every 2 or 3 weeks.  I do my part in English, while the chaplain alternates with me and reads the Japanese translation.  The number one thing I try to focus on as I prepare a chapel speech is my audience.  I am speaking to junior high and high school students primarily, but the teachers are also listening.  The goal is to help students learn more about Christianity while also learning some English.  Most of the students are not Christian, so it is important for me to explain very basic Christian ideas while using very simple English.  I try to talk about issues that matter to teenagers and use examples that students can relate to.

Jesus understood how to connect with the crowds he taught.  He used words that people knew and understood, and he considered the background of his audience.  When possible, he used examples and analogies from people’s everyday lives.  Jesus could have tried to impress people with his vast intimate knowledge about God or used fancy words that a person could only decipher if they had a dictionary handy.  Instead, Jesus chose to teach ordinary people in a way that best showed just how extraordinary God is.

Some chapel speeches that I write are better than others, but it is still my hope that I can follow Jesus’s example of how to be a good teacher.  Here is just one of my recent chapel speeches, but I plan to post others in the future.  Enjoy!

Today’s Bible reading is from Ephesians 3:17b-19.   “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

What is your dream for the future?  What do you want to be when you grow up?

Recently, I read a story about an amazing Japanese Christian named Shimeta Niishima*.  He was born in 1843, and he was the son of a samurai.  He studied hard to become a good samurai and a good scholar.  When he was 16 years old, his dream was to learn about the world.  He wanted to be a scholar-warrior.  Then, he could help Japan trade with other countries and understand ideas from all over the world.

Niishima secretly read books from other countries and studied the Bible.  At that time, signs said, “Reward for the capture of Christians!  Death to the followers of Jesus.”  Niishima knew it was dangerous, but he believed in God and became a Christian.

It was also illegal at that time to leave Japan, but Niishima wanted to learn more.  He secretly got on a ship and went to America.  In America, he studied very hard.  He went to a preparatory school, college, and then seminary to become a pastor.  Niishima’s new dream was to start a Christian university in Japan.

After ten years, Niishima returned to Japan.  In 1875, he built Doshisha Academy in Kyoto.  He was only 32 years old, but he had already accomplished many things.  Niishima wanted Doshisha to become a university to make Christian leaders for Japan: lawyers, professors, ministers, businessmen, and statesmen.  He devoted his life to making his dream come true.

In 1890, Niishima showed his strong faith as he said his last words, “Peace, joy, heaven!”  After he died, other people carried on this work. 

Today, Doshisha is a university with over 25,000 students.  It is a symbol of Niishima’s faith, hard work, and dreams.  I hope that all of us can follow Niishima’s example, and achieve great things in the future.

Let us pray.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the chance to learn.  Help us to do our best and to work hard as we study.  Please guide us as we try to achieve our dreams.  In Your name we pray, amen.

* Information taken from the book Ten Against the Storm by Marianna Nugent Prichard and Norman Young Prichard.