Are you getting your daily dose of manna?

April flew by in a whirl of activity, and I hardly know where the time went.  Since we have year-round school in Japan, April marked the start of a new school year.  This year my school has 347 junior high students and 1052 senior high students.  I teach kindergarten, junior high, and high school classes each week, and the variety of levels definitely keeps me busy.  I am still working on remembering my students’ names and the names of all the new teachers, but I know that will take time. 

Once again this year, my school participated in the Missoula Children’s Theatre program, so that gave me a great opportunity to get to know some of my students outside of a classroom setting.  This year’s production was a musical version of “Little Red Riding Hood.”  I am proud of everyone’s hard work, but more importantly, the students had fun.  I loved cheering on my students and celebrating their personal victories.



The 2012 cast of Red Riding Hood



In the midst of all this busyness, God reminded me of how important it is to stay focused on him.  It is so easy to get swept up in to-do-lists and all the details of life.  I admit that when I get really busy, I often fall into the trap of not taking quiet time alone with God.  I try to rationalize this decision by telling myself that God will understand and that there is just too much to do during a day.  What I fail to realize is that when I take the time to focus on God and soak up his truths from scripture, suddenly I have more strength and energy to accomplish that mountain of tasks I face.  I have more patience with myself and others when things don’t go as planned.  When unexpected crises arise, God’s words are already in my heart and ready to comfort me. 

God constantly provides for us and sustains us through the ups and downs in life, but just like the Israelites, we need to receive our manna from heaven each day.  Instead of living off of the encouragement, hope, strength, and sustenance that God gave us yesterday, Sunday, or last week, we can receive a fresh helping of God’s goodness each and every day.  Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that “[b]ecause of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is [God’s] faithfulness.”  So, what does God want to teach you today?  Will you take the time to listen?

One Year Later...A Prayer of Hope

On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake devastated Japan.  The tsunami and fires consumed homes, schools, and lives.  It is confirmed that 15,786 people died in this disaster, and 161 minors are still listed as missing.  As we remember this tragedy and mark its one year anniversary, let us join together in prayer.

Heavenly Father,

We cry out to you on behalf of all the peopled impacted by Japan’s earthquake and tsunami.  Even now, so many people are suffering and in pain as they grieve.  Send your peace to surround those who have lost loved ones, homes, and a sense of security.  Let your hands still the tectonic plates and calm the earth’s movements.  Take away the intense fear that survivors feel as they wonder when the next earthquake will strike and whether or not it will be a big one.  Send your hope and comfort as people rebuild their communities and lives.  Help the people of Japan to feel your love surrounding them during this time.

In your mighty name we pray, AMEN.

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.