gosuperu_bouken's Xanga

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:00:16 GMT

Insomnia-mania continues...

Joy Joy exhaustion...Life exhaustion...u...g...h...

Just four more days until JoyJoy is over...

Friday, July 17, 2009

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:50:53 GMT

Insomnia-mania

I don't think it's just Jet Lag. I think it's just Life Lag that keeps me awake till the wee hours and nudges me awake in the middle of the night. Whatever it is, I'm awake now and it's becoming a regular event. I guess it could also have been the Dr. Pepper I drank, but that wouldn't really explain the 100mph brain activity. I love LA. I hate insomnia.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:21:48 GMT

So, a few weeks ago I was listening to this radio show on iTunes that my friends recommended to me called Speaking of Faith. People from all kinds of different religions are interviewed and talk about what they believe. It's FASCINATING to hear what some people believe. I just enjoy learning about stuff like that.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I was listening to an episode with a lady who talked about this history of doubt. Basically, what it seemed like to me is that she had assembled a list of people in history who she considers doubters because they went against the grain of what was commonly believed when they were alive. (Personally, I think it's a kind of attempt to create a community, a history and a sense of tradition for herself to try to justify her point of view because I doubt, hehe, that all the people she references would necessarily label themselves or include themselves in the group she does. But that's not the point I wanted to make.)

So one thing she said was something along the lines of not wanting to or being unwilling to believe that if there was a God, that He wouldn't just tell everybody individually of His existence and that He would only tell a few specific individuals in history and leave it to the rest of us to take their word for it.

So, of course there's an involuntary pang at the suggestion that the ways of the Sovereign of the universe are somehow lacking. Obviously, God can choose to do things any way He likes and I think it can be logically argued that the way He chose to do things is not only the BEST way but possibly the also the ONLY way. So I set myself to the task of trying to run my mind along the logical reasoning as to why God's chosen way of revealing Himself is superior to all other possibilities. Well, I guess I didn't, nor could I consider ALL OTHER possibilities, but I did set my mind to comprehending the superior qualities within the way He has chosen to reveal Himself.

So, if we reduce this issue down to it's core, that is, kind of set aside all of the physical Creation for a second, the issue is how does an incomprehensibly amazing God receive the voluntary praise, adoration, service and enjoyment He deserves from the sentient, rational willful beings He created who have turned against Him? Now, of course, in our sin and depravity, we don't have the power within ourselves to believe Him and turn from our sin and we need the Spirit to do that work in us. I'm not trying to exclude that in anyway. BUT, thinking rationally about it, I think that the Gospel, being transmitted through the writings of witnesses and prophets and individuals who believe DOES in fact in a sense strip away the Creation and reduce everything to reasoning. Isaiah said, "Come, let us reason together." The world gives it all context and a place for us to concretely see and experience God's grace in personal, concrete ways. And of course, tied in with revelation IS the Creation as a way to comprehend and understand God's existence and His power, which again appeals to our rational faculties. But everyday life in the Creation seems to more often distract and divert our attention to the material and finite, rather than the eternal, to the point that God's message is made to look like foolishness.

So, God could reveal Himself by speaking to each person individually. Or He could just appear to the world all at once, or periodically, or regularly. But, isn't that kind of, well, almost degrading? It's not as though God hasn't left Himself a witness (the Creation) and it's not like He's holding back (He went as far as to give His only Son). The way He did choose puts on full display the foolishness and irrationality of our own sinful race. It also demonstrates His patience and wisdom beyond anything we could ever imagine ourselves. And the fact that we do exist and have rational and moral capabilities is enough that it should cause us to seek Him and lead us to Him, at least in a general sense. Why should He have to condescend (at all, really) to say to each of us individually in some sort of personal appeal to our senses, rather than to our intellect, that He exists and what the truth is? The result in many people wouldn't be any different than their reaction to way through which He is revealing Himself now.

And besides, one of the remarkable things about using broken earthen vessels to pass along His message is that through the process of obeying the message and telling it to others, we become and must become the people He wants us to be. It's like the method of revelation itself is the means of discipline for the Saints. We have to, more and more, understand the message and it's implications in our daily life, as the world constantly shouts the opposite at us, and then we have to exercise the courage and discipline to practice it all. (Not to suggest that it's aside from His power.)

Anyway, those are basically the thoughts that I came up with.

What do you think?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:15:01 GMT

Counting My Pessings...

So, I had to ask my roommate tonight whether or not he thought I was a pessimist. (Please vote below.) To my relief, he said no, that he doesn't see me as a pessimist so much as a realist. I hope so. It seems like I've been too negative lately, but at the same time, while there are lots of good things going on, it just seems like there are some pretty major unpleasantries. And it seems like I've taken to employing the word "Ugh" on a more frequent basis than ever in the past. Ugh. What's wrong with me? I guess it's just one of those seasons. Some seasons are sunny and carefree, some are rainy, others it's like you fall flat face-first onto the gravel and just sort of slide down a big hill, scraping along, and as you pass by some people you get (pardon my use of a spurious expletive past participle) shat on. Sometimes repeatedly. Some people actually run on ahead of you just to get you again as you pass them by the second or third time. I guess there are just some days, or seasons, where it's like you have to grab yourself by the hair to lift your head up and see where you are, but then you're just like, "huh?" because you can't seem to make sense of where you find yourself, so you're just like, "Why?" That's where I'm at. Wheezing out a "But why?" like Mathesar in Galaxy Quest when he finds out that it was all just a TV show. I don't know what that season is called. For some it might be the Job season, but I'm not righteous enough to fit that category. For some it might be LOST Season 3 with the polar bear cages and all the dark inner workings of the Others. For others it might be their El Guapo Season. I think that's what it is for me. My El Guapo Season. At least my El Guapo is not a big dangerous guy who wants to kill me. So I guess it's time to do the Amigo Salute and hit the hay. Sorry for yet another post at the end of which I have to apologize for.

(But do you like how I was able to cleverly work in references to two classic comedies with basically the same plot line only one takes place in Mexico and the other in space?)

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:23:19 GMT

The BeeGees...

I don't really listen to the BeeGees all that much, or at all, but I know there songs. I did listen to one of their albums a couple months ago when some friends and I were driving somewhere. But aside from that, I really don't come across them that much. So it's been really hard to figure out why about halfway through my showers EVERYDAY I realize the BeeGees songs are going through my head. Of all the random things! It's usually Night Fever. Again, of all the random things. I don't know ANY of the words besides "night fever, night fever". FINALLY I figured it out. Here in Japan EVERYTHING is electronic, even the plumbing, and EVERYTHING makes noises. When you press the button to turn on the electric water heater controls, it makes this little "boodlee" sound and it sounds like this weird part of Night Fever which had cought my attention last time I listened to the song.

So, anyway, finding out the source of the issue has done nothing to stop it or make it less annoying. It just comes closer to making sense now. I need to get one of those shower radios or CD players and spare myself from the inevitable disco-induced madness to come.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:13:10 GMT

Stimulating Economic News

I don't know how closely you all have been following the news on the economic stimulus plan that the president and Democratic members of congress have been concocting (Oh yeah, I think they allowed the Republicans to sit in and watch the process too.) But as the government is winding up its arm getting ready to throw obscene amounts of money at the problem, economists seem to be unanimous in detailing the futility of the move (http://cato.org/fiscalreality), siting history to back up their claims.

Economist Harry S. Dent Jr., author of "The Great Depression Ahead", was on Fox yesterday. Apparently, he has successfully predicted major economic trends over the past few decades. He predicted the 1990s economic boom, he predicted the down turn of the Japanese economy "way in advance" and has been forecasting another Great Depression for the US. He said the current situation is not due solely to the collapse of the banks but reflects the retirement of the big-spending Baby Boomers from the work force. (If you want more details, watch the Doom and Gloomer video in the business section on Fox News.)

Anyway, he said that at best this stimulus will last through the next year and is really just going to make things more comfortable as they go down, but won't and can't stop what's coming.

SO, his predictions are as follows. Three to six months into this year, there will be a bump in the stock market lasting until late 2009 or as far as early 2010. The DOW is currently at about 8000 and could go up to 10000 or even 11000 and then fall to about 3800. So, he recommended selling off your stocks and 401Ks during that bump period and then holding on to the cash which will then increase in value during the subsequent depression period. He also recommended holding off until 2012 or 2013 for people thinking about buying a house because real-estate will come down to year 200 prices, about half what it is now.

I'm not sure how the holding onto cash part will really stand up to the out-of-control amounts of money the US is currently printing, according to Glenn Beck (you can see the video on Fox News as well). It looks like the value of the US dollar is poised to PLUMMET LIKE MAD! So that's kind of frightening. Maybe it's best to just buy and hold on to gold.

Meanwhile, on this side of the ocean, the yen is the only currency which is not dropping in value. In fact it's being invested in like gold, which baffles my business class students since Japan has no resources of its own, no agriculture and no military. The wealth in Japan comes from its factories and exports, which are going to become too expensive for other countries to purchase if things keep up as they are. Sony, Toyota and Panasonic are all in the read and Japanese economists are predicting not only more layoffs, but also a major drop in prices in Japan (by up to 70%), which I don't quite understand.

All this to say, it's an interesting world and it seems like the world is on the brink of something. If I had enough money or assets to make it worthwhile, I think I'd follow Dent's advice, since he's got a strong record of being right in these things. Anyway, I just found this all interesting and thought I'd pass it on for you all. If you have anything to add or correct in this or have any comments, please let me know!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:12:44 GMT

It's been a retro DVD night. First I watched the first DVD of Eskaflowne with a couple coworkers. (I can't believe that series is already 12 years old!) It was pretty fun and nostalgic...old chums from college who I haven't met for years but who are often in my thoughts. Though it's more fun to watch in a group who freely make comments and wise cracks. (Meruru!) Then I watched Toys, which was a favorite back in high school. I found out that although I see it differently now, as I do most things, I still really like it.

I started studying Greek this week. I'm thinking of writing notes to some of the older kids in the church (Nicki, Mako and Nono) in the Greek alphabet to try to see if they can crack it. Considering so many of the letters look like English letters, it shouldn't be too hard and they could begin to learn the Greek alphabet without even realizing it. I remember one of the afore mentioned chums wrote a letter to me in code back in a summer school class. It was really fun to crack it. If the Greek notes go well, I might try out Hebrew as well. I'm sure they'll be able to handle it considering they're all able to read both English and Japanese (more Kanji than I know...).

Hmm...I guess that's all I have to say now. Not much. More of a late-night ramble than an actual blog. Goodnight!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:48:55 GMT

I'm applying!!!

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-inside-job/2009/01/13/help-wanted-100000-to-be-island-caretaker.html

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:45:20 GMT

It's been way too long since I've blogged so here's an update.

2008 closed with several different events. I sang a solo in the Christmas concerts here at the church and there were a few other Christmas gatherings as well. I also got to hang out with some of my students, which was nice. I had some good conversations with a couple of them, however, I don't think it really changed their minds about anything. Please pray.

This term one of my classes is going to be reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I'm looking forward to it. The class consists of three girls, one each in elementary school, middle school and high school. The two youngest have lived abroad so their English skills are really good and the oldest has studied at the church for several years with several different teachers and is just really smart, so her English is great too. I like teaching this book because it gives an opportunity to clearly explain the gospel and examine the human thinking process in relation to sin and repentance. Please pray for that class.

Also, Mark and I are teaching the Passion week as the topic of our Bible time this term. It should be really great. We are following the events of that week and presenting it in a series of handouts and worksheets compete with maps and dates, etc. So far the students have seemed to be really interested in the handout. Please pray for clear communication and comprehension to take place and that the information will reach the hearts of the students.

I guess that's all the big news for now.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:57:07 GMT

So, to continue my OMF calendar quotes from several months ago, there was one that kind of struck me at the time but didn't want to think that it applied to me.

"He would be a missionary simpleton who expected plain sailing in any work of God." J.O. Fraser

So, when I read it I kind of thought to myself that I never considered it to be easy. When I came to Japan, I didn't really expect that I would actually see any fruit during my time, I just figured I'd help plant seeds and water and stuff because it's Japan and people don't convert overnight. (They certainly unconvert overnight though, I'm finding out.) But since I decided more resolutely to come back here I've been learning that although I knew it wasn't going to be easy, the realities of the work of a missionary are much more severe than I have understood them to be up until this point. It's like the more determinedly you decide to follow Christ into a situation, the more of hell's fury He allows to blast at you. (Of course, in this analogy 'hell' isn't referring to the real hell, the wrath of God, but something like the darkness and worldliness at work in the world against God's kingdom.) But every trial is not without encouragement and every challenge is not without hope. I suppose every weariness would not be without rest, but I'm tired.

On a completely different note, I learned about a preacher named Mark Driscoll and a movement called the emerging church; a term I had heard before but hadn't heard explained. So, I followed a link to a page about his book, Vintage Jesus, and read the first paragraph describing the book. That was enough. At this point I have three words for the emerging church "Go back in!" Merge or re-merge, or re-pent. My goodness! Since when is it ok for preachers to describe our Lord and the circumstances surrounding his life and ministry in terms as brash and irreverent as the ones used by some of my God-hating secular professors? Anyone with more knowledge of this movement than I, comments please!

Please pray for my TOEIC class. Right now there's only one student who's taking the test at the end of the month and I'm trying to find the best ways to help her study and improve her score. If this goes well, it will help bring concretely measured legitimacy to our English program. Not that it's lacking completely, but there's an assumption that if you are serious about English, you will go to one of the Language schools, not a church. If we can assist someone in significantly raising their TOEIC scores, it will look really good. So pray that I will have wisdom in helping that student prepare in ways that will improve her ability to take the test.

It's good to be the Lord's. It seems that as time goes by, I see more and more clearly just what a bonehead I am and just how many ways I can and have not been faithful and wise and obedient and humble even when I thought I had been. I think of that song from The Prince of Egypt that says to look at yourself through heaven's eyes. But the more I see myself through heaven's eyes the more I am forced to confess, 'Dang, I'm ugly!' But what a blessing to be shown that by God! (And not all at once, but over time in His schedule. I think if He showed us all at once just how frightfully sinful we are we might die of shock.) But how much better it is to know the truth than to go through your life thinking you're all that when you're not. It's good to be the Lord's.