Our man in Japan

The mystery of His will.. Ephesians 1:9 Hard to understand why God allows Satan to attack Florida like this. I thought Florida was Bible belt? Still, He always knows what He is doing. Worth reading the Book of Job again. PS. It seems only northern Florida is truly considered part of the Bible Belt.  

The riches of his grace.. Ephesians 1:7 Chaos on the exchange markets. Jesus told us that we either serve God or money. Remember, you can't take it with you. Bill Gates & Jeff Bezos will die the same as the rest of us. And who will God show more mercy to? The poor Philipina widow who prays faithfully every week at mass, or the wealthy CEO that lied to make himself look more competent than he really was? 

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  Galatians 6:7 I don't do drugs or smoke, barely gamble or drink. I do however have a sweet tooth. Now I have the prospect of root canal work. 

A voice came from heaven..the people who stood by & heard it said that it had thundered.  John 12:28-29 People who insist that everything is natural and that there is no supernatural are close-minded. They are missing out on a lot. 

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law.. Galatians 4:4 I certainly feel that many in the West these days have become estranged from Christ, & some are keen to justify why that is so. The danger here St Paul points out. If you reject the grace Christ offers us, then you are stuck with the law. And very few of us are holy on our own merits. Sure, you may be respectable enough to manage to avoid arrest for an actual crime. But heaven is only for those made perfect. And perfection is a very high, impossible standard for those of us who refuse Christ. Christians aren't perfect, many of us are far from perfect, but we acknowledge we are weak & in need of mercy. 

Why do you seek the living among the dead?  Luke 24:5 The Living Christ has a lot more to offer Japan in 2023 & beyond than the deceased former PM Mr Abe. The Bible says better a live dog than a dead 🦁 lion. Jesus is the Lion of Judah & He is eternally alive. Better a live lion than a dead dog. I know I alienate Japanese nationalists with this kind of language, but Abe loved Japan in entirely the wrong way. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel, the great lexicographer Sam Johnson said. It is not wrong to love the land of your birth, but "my country, right or wrong", is wrong. Every country sins, because every person sins. Pretending otherwise won't lead to a better tomorrow. Japan 🗾 needs to build bridges with its neighbors, Korea, China & Russia. Especially Russia right now. The only country bordering Japan than actually has good relations with it is Taiwan. Why is that? It is easy to blame Russia, or China or Korea but maybe, just maybe, part of th...

My burden is light.. Matthew 11:30 Playing for one's country is quite a responsibility. So far Japan's ⚽ soccer team seems to be handling it better than the Americans. But what will happen when it is not merely a friendly? Germany 2022 are clearly beatable, not the fortress of old, but even if Japan manage an upset will it be enough? 

Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?  Galatians 4:16 Today the Daily Mail has an article about a Buddhist monk in Hove UK repeatedly  molesting very young girls. Yet NHK goes out of its way to present Buddhism as good. It is not. 

Neither Jew nor Greek.. Galatians 3:28 Nationality doesn't matter in the Church, but Babel is still an issue. Having said that, I went to a Korean church once or twice, & despite not speaking Korean & them not speaking much English they still made us feel very welcome. 

The mother of my Lord.. Luke 1:43 Trouble in Leicester. Hindus proclaim a Hindu myth as Lord, Muslims fight back. Hindus in Britain are right to be concerned about Islamic violence worldwide, Muslims are correct to be concerned about Hindu violence in India, but both communities need to refrain from violence. Jesus is the true Lord, and his Word is 'Love your enemies'. The local MP seems only interested in blaming the right, when Muslims who vote Labour are equally problematic. 

The hearing of faith.. Galatians 2:2 Did you watch the funeral at Westminster Abbey? A splendid service, I felt. Archbishop Welby preached truth to power. 

They mourned and wept.. Mark 16:10 I liked Queen Liz, and respect her as a dutiful person, but some of the claims online this week seem a little much. The best woman in English history? That seems a little much, and lacking in historical perspective. There are holy women like Julian of Norwich in that conversation. I think some of it stems from people who lack faith in God casting around for something or someone else to believe in.

There will be one flock & one shepherd.  John 10:16 The new King Charles says it is his 'duty to protect the diversity', inviting Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist & Christian leaders to the Palace, and says 'my Christian beliefs have love at their very heart'. Love is of God, pluralism not so much. 

God shows personal favouritism to no man.. Galatians 2:6 Some are Kings, some Emperors, some work on rubbish dumps in Egypt, although it may seem unfair God knows exactly what He is doing. That doesn't mean we still don't have a responsibility to help those at the bottom.  

You will find rest for your souls.. Matthew 11:29 I'm happy the Emperor of Japan is one of the dignitaries attending the Queen's funeral on Monday. I hope to watch it if I can.  It is his first foreign trip since becoming head of state. 

I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intersessions & giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings & all in authority..  1 Tim 2:1-2

I shall mourn for many.. 2 Corinthians 12:21 We mourn not just for Her Majesty, but for those who died on 9/11 and the wars that followed after, & for those we lost. As Jesus Himself said- Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  (Matthew 5:4 KJV)

Learn from me.. Matthew 11:28 Liz and Chas: Britain's new leadership team. If they fail to learn from Jesus, they may not be around as long as they would like. Antigua is already going to hold a vote on becoming a republic, but a word to the wise: fine sounding words about freedom and independence don't actually put food ont' table. Could it be that Antigua's PM has little to offer his people except republican distraction?

They came to the tomb.. Mark 16:2 So the Queen will be entombed at Windsor Castle, with her family. We may not have such a grand resting place laid up, but one thing is for certain: no matter how rich, how famous, how successful we are, the tomb is where we are heading. What % of your life are you wasting on things that don't really matter? Jesus offers us a meaningful life before the tomb & heaven hereafter. 

The rulers of this age.. 1 Corinthians 2:6 We Brits enter a new Carolean age with King Charles III. We haven't had a King Charles since 1685.  He's an Anglican like me, but I suspect we disagree on some issues. I wish him well. Meanwhile Wales has a new Prince..

Whose end will be according to their life.. 2 Corinthians 11:15 I believe the Queen to be a good person, but only God knows the full truth. May she rest in peace. 

Why is this granted to me..?  Luke 1:43 Many of us start questioning God 'Why?!' when something bad happens. Elizabeth asks why when something really good happens. We don't always know God's reasons for allowing something to happen, but we should know that as St John tells us, "God is love". (1 John 4:8)

We do not war according to the flesh.. 2 Corinthians 10:3 The more pressure put on Ukraine & Russia to seek peace, the sooner Europe & Britain and Japan for that matter will have cheaper energy. 

Your zeal has stirred up the majority.. 2 Corinthians 9:2 So Liz is PM, as suspected. But in Liz I do not Trust. She is zealous for sure, but is she zealous about the right things? Giving money to Ukraine is not my priority, nor is it I suspect the priority of most British voters, who are probably more concerned about energy bills & illegal immigration. Can she beat Kier? Her first PM's question time is on Wednesday. Seems a tad early to me. Give her a week or two to settle in. Meanwhile that is the third lady PM from the Tories. Labour meanwhile still don't actually know what a woman is! 

Thanks be to God.. 2 Corinthians 8:16 Gratitude is important. Saying grace before or after meals is a good habit to get into. 

Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. Matthew 28:20 Historians like to simplify history by talking about ages. Most of us alive today in the West grew up in a modern age, post World War 2, in an age of democracy & prosperity. It seems that benign age may be ending. Is it the end of the 🌍🌎 world? Maybe. But Jesus is still in charge, even if our democratic leaders seem weak, powerless and corrupt. 

The things which are despised God has chosen.. 1 Corinthians 1:28 The green left hate fossil fuels, yet when Putin turns off the gas somehow he is unreliable. Surely he's a green hero? 

Godly sorrow produces repentence leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.  2 Corinthians 7:10  Depression can lead to despair & suicide. I know, I've been on meds for depression. Better to reach out to God. 

Nevertheless God... 2 Corinthians 7:6 One of my favourite verses in Corinthians. The world sucks, injustices are constant, nevertheless God has the final say.