集まることの喜び

写真は、スコット牧師のミニチャーチの様子です。
この日は、仕事で引っ越しをするカップルのために祈りました。

僕と妻は、今月５泊７日でハワイを旅行しました。
その間、礼拝はもちろん、ベトナム料理店、ビーチでのバーベキュー、バーガーキング等、毎日どこかで人々と会いました。

日本では、毎日顔を会わせるのは、職場や学校、限られたコミュニティがほとんどではないでしょうか。
また、家族や親族であっても、冠婚葬祭しか顔を会わさない人も多いかと思います。

聖書にあるオリジナルの教会はどうだったのでしょう？
使徒の働き２章では、毎日、宮や家で集まり、互いに支えあっていたとあります。

私たちは、頭であるキリストとの時間、からだであるキリスト者との時間、両方によって祝福され、成長し続けることができるのです。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　へブル人への手紙１０章２４節～２５節

ハワイの魅力

日本人にとって、ハワイは特別な場所のようです。
海外旅行やハネムーンに加え、移住したい国としても、
常にトップの人気です。

しかし、よくありがちな「パッケージツアー」では、
その国の良さは分かりません。
お決まりの観光コースに、ブランドショッピング、はては日本食レストランに行って、「やっぱり日本が一番だ！」と言う人がいます。

ハワイに行くなら、その空気にどっぷりと浸ることをお勧めします。
それは、甘い香りであり、ゆったり流れる時間であり、人々の暖かい笑顔などです。

わたしたちクリスチャンには、神の国への永住許可が与えられています。

まだ、移動の途中ではありますが、
蜜より甘い神の愛、平安に過ごす時、神の家族の素晴らしさなど、
天国の前味にどっぷりと浸ることができるのです。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　コロサイ人への手紙１章１１～１３節

Joy for gathering

This photo is a mini church at Pastor Scott’s place. They prayed together for a couple who is moving to the mainland because of their job. My wife and I were in Hawaii for 5 nights and 7 days in Feb. During our stay, we met many people in church everyday, in Vietnamese restaurant, BBQ on the beach, Burger King, and so on. In Japan, we meet people only in a limited area such as co-workers or classmates every day, don’t we? Some people meet only at a funeral or a wedding ceremony even family members or relatives.
How about churches in the Bible? In Act 2, it says people get together at a synagogue or someone’s house and support each other every day. We are blessed and are able to keep growing up by spending a time with Christ who is a head and a time with Christians who are Christ’s body.
Hebrew 10:24~25

Charm of Hawaii

Hawaii is a special place for Japanese people. It is popular for an overseas travel, a honeymoon, and an emigrant place but if you join a packaged tour, it’s difficult to see good points of the place. You visit sightseeing places, buy brand products, go to a Japanese restaurant, and say “Japan is the best”.
If you go to Hawaii, I recommend you to give yourself over to the atmosphere there. You enjoy a sweet scent, spend a laid-back time, see lots of smiles, and so on.
Christians are given permanent residency in God’s kingdom. We are still moving toward there but we can give ourselves over to pre-heaven such as God’s love which is sweeter than honey, a peaceful time, loveliness of God’s family.
Colossians 1:11~13

When our eyes are opened

It is something that happened in the center of Sapporo.
An old couple was waiting for a green light at an intersection. Although a traffic light was still red, the lady tried to cross the street so her husband stopped her and said, “did you open your eyes?” She answered, “I had waited for a long time so I thought the light changed to green.” The traffic light for pedestrians will not change until the light for cars changes in both sides. I presumed she might try to cross the street after the light changes in one side so I was watching her. She started to cross the street as I thought. I said to her “it’s still red” and her husband yelled at her “do you want to kill yourself?” at the same time. She couldn’t understand what he said and she said, “I was waiting for a long time.” He got mad to her and yelled, “you must be blind.”
Blind faith : When people assume I know and I’m right, they can’t see the important thing.
Even Saul had the same experience. He persecuted churches because of his religious knowledge and authority. It is because of species from Adam. As soon as Adam and Eve thought they could see, they lost their situations and God. Aren’t Christians caught by things which are other than God without notice? We need to let the Holy Spirit open the eyes in our heart.
Ephesians 1:18~19

Prayer of the King

Wash me thoroughly from my inquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
(Psalm 51:2)

This is a prayer King David. At that time, he was the king of the unified kingdom so he had a big authority. The authority is more powerful than the one which any current presidents have. Prophet Nathan proclaimed King David’s sin to him. The king could have asked his servants to take Nathan to a jail and shut him up but David prayed like this.
(Psalm 51:10)
I believe the most humble and beautiful moment as human beings is the time when we kneel down in front of God and repent ourselves.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Psalm 51:10~13

Are we the healthiest country in the world?

According to the data of OECD in 2009, the average life expectancy of Japanese is the longest among 30 member countries. Also, healthy life expectancy, which can live an independent life without nursing care, is 75 years old and the longest among countries. However, many Japanese people believe they are not healthy. Here is the rate of the people who believe they are healthy.
88% of Canadians and Americans, 87% of Swiss, 84% of Australian, and 76% of Frenchmen think they are healthy. Only 33% of Japanese people think they are healthy and 68% of Japanese are worried about their health. We supposed to boast our health to the world since our life expectancy is the longest but we are the most negative nation in the world.
God’s good news and eternal life give us healthy mind and body better than medical system and healthy food.
Proverbs 15:30

Ability to descern

I had an experience to receive a fake bill in India when I was there. I was impressed with the deception which he puts the fake bill into a wad of real bills.

I’ve seen a TV program about an appraiser who distinguishes a fake bill from a real one. He was interviewed how he distinguishes the fake one. He answered he keeps watching the real one every day. He also added it is important to see the real one from the beginning.

In the Bible, it says it is important to discern the things which are excellent (Philippians 1:9~10) and to discern the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10).

This power is given from being nourished by the word of God and receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Whiter than snow

Kanchu Misogi was held at Hokkaido Shrine on 17th of Jan. 2010. Misogi is a ceremony to purify those who do Shinto rituals or are tarnished with water. It is surprising to see people who are standing in a frigid cold but does it turn to be innocent with it? If they do the same thing in a court, will the sentence overturned? The one who deliver a sentence is the one who has an authority and not ourselves. No matter how sinful we are, God gives us forgiveness. The Lord told us He will whiten our sin more than snow.
Isaiah 1:18

Alert to habu

Habu lives in Okinawa so there are signs like a photo in the place where habu seems to live. People in Okinawa know the danger of hubu’s poison and teach children to be careful. If they are bitten, they have to shot antitoxin within 20 min. However, the first people in this world made light of dangerousness of a snake in Eden. Eve wasn't aware of the snake and it's poison so she listened and accepted it. The poison of snake is evil and subtle and the Spirit dies at first but it takes time for our body to die. Modern Christians are sometimes baited a trap. Some Christians think “I felt temptation but I didn't sin”, or “everyone feels the same so I’m O.K.” but don’t leave the poison called temptation in your body. You have to deal with the poison right away as you shot antitoxin right after you were bitten by habu. Jesus who came to this world as a human being was tempted but He didn’t spend time to wallow in an alluring word. After He heard Satan’s voice, Jesus rode to a victory with the word of God immediately.
Matthew 4:10~11

A prayer of a leader

Lord.
Protect my family and me.
Forgive my sin.
Protect me from pride and despair.
Give me a wisdom to do things with fairness and justice.
Make me a vessel to do Your will.

This prayer is the one which the President of U.S.A Obama did in public. I don’t know what kind of faith he has but this prayer is very important for Christians in any generation. Everyone has a different situation and responsibility. God’s spirit helps you and gives you a power to do His will.
Daniel 6:3

心の目が開かれる時

札幌市内で遭遇した出来事です。

老夫婦が並んで信号が変わる時を待っていました。

まだ、赤であるにも関わらず、ご婦人がうつむきながら渡ろうとしました。
ご主人が引き止めて、「どこに、目をつけている！」と言ったところ、「いやあ、もうずいぶん待ったので青だと思った。」と、こんな会話がなされました。

この信号は時差式の信号で、自動車の進行を２回待った後で、両方向の歩行者が青になります。
もしやと思い、見ていたのですが、やはりご婦人が渡り始めました。
僕が、「まだ、赤ですよ。」と腕を掴んで止めたと同時に、「おまえは、死ぬ気か！」とご主人がどなりました。
ご婦人が理解できないようで、「わたしは、待ったでしょう！」と言い返しました。
そうすると、「お前の眼は、ふし穴だ！」と怒り出しました。

～盲信～　人は、自分は知っている、正しいと思いこむ時に大切なものが見えなくなるものです。
サウロもそのような体験をしました。
自分の宗教知識と与えられた権限によって教会を迫害したのです。

これは、アダム以来、全人類が引継いでいる性質が原因です。
アダムとエバは、自分の目で見えると思った瞬間に、自分がどのような状態なのか、神がどのようなお方なのかが、見えなくなりました。

現代に生きる私たちクリスチャンも（たとえそれが常識や最先端のものであれ）知らず知らずのうちに神以外のものに心が囚われてはいないでしょうか。
私たちは聖霊によって、心の目を開いていただくことが必要なのです。　　　　　　　　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　エペソ人への手紙１章１８～１９節

王の祈り

どうか、私の咎を、私から全く洗い去り、
私の罪から、私をきよめてください。（詩篇５１篇２節）

これは、ダビデ王の祈りです。

当時、統一王国の王であった彼には、強い権力がありました。
それは、現在のどの国の大統領も比較にならないほどです。

その王に対して、預言者ナタンは罪を宣告したのです。
王が指示さえすれば、この預言者を牢につなぎ、黙らせることも出来たはずです。
しかし、ダビデは引き続き、こう祈りました。

神よ。私にきよい心を造り、
ゆるがない霊を私のうちに新しくしてください。（詩篇５１篇１０節）

人間として、一番謙虚であり、美しい瞬間は、
神の前にひざまずき、悔い改める時であると信じています。

アダムにも出来なかった祈りを主に捧げましょう。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　詩篇５１篇１０～１３節

健康世界一？

２００９年の、経済協力開発機構ＯＥＣＤデーターによると、日本人の平均寿命は加盟３０カ国で最も長いようです。

また、介護が不要で自立した生活ができる期間の「健康寿命」は７５歳で世界一です。

しかし、なぜか、自分の健康状態は良いと考える人の割合は最も低いのです。
以下が健康状態は良いと考える成人の割合です。

１位カナダとアメリカ８８％　３位スイス８７％　４位オーストラリア８４％
５位フランス７６％　

そして、最下位が日本３３％で、健康に不安と答えた人６８％にもなります。

肉体的には、世界に誇るべきデーターなはずです。
しかし精神的には、世界で最も悲観的な国民と証明されました。

どんなに、医療制度が進むより、健康食品を消費するより、神の福音と永遠のいのちは、心とからだをすこやかにしてくださるのです。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　箴言１５章３０節

見分ける力

過去にインドで偽札を渡されたことがありました。
さすが（？）と思わせたのは、本物の札束に一枚を混ぜていたその手口です。

紙幣を見分ける鑑定士のインタビューを見たことがあります。
「どのようにして、見分けることができるのですか？」との問に、「毎日毎日、本物を見続けることです。」と答えられました。
しかも、最初に本物から見ることが大切とも付け加えられました。

聖書には、識別力によって、真にすぐれたものを見分けることと（ピリピ人への手紙１章９節～１０節）霊を見分ける力（第一コリント１２章１０節）の大切さが書かれています。

この力は、神のみことばによって養われること、聖霊の満たしを受けることにより与えられるのです。

雪よりも白く

２０１０年１月１７日に、北海道神宮で寒中みそぎが行われました。

みそぎとは、神事を行う者やけがれた者が、水でからだを清める儀式です。

極寒に耐える姿は、驚きに値しますが、はたしてそれで無罪になるものでしょうか？
裁判の場で、同じことをして見せたなら判決がくつがえるのでしょうか？

判決を言い渡すのは、権限がある者であり、自分自身ではありません。

私たちの罪がどのようであっても、神様は赦しを与えてくださる御方です。
主は、雪よりも白くされると語られたのです。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　イザヤ書１章１８節

ハブに注意

沖縄には、ハブが生息しています。
そのため、隠れていそうな場所には、写真のような標識があります。
地元の住人は、ハブの猛毒の危険性を知っていますし、噛まれないようにすることを子どもにも教えます。
万が一、噛まれた場合、血清を２０分以内に打つことで命が守られるのです。

しかし、人類最初の住人は、エデンの園に生息した、蛇の危険性を軽視したようです。
エバは蛇の語る言葉に、毒があることを知らず、聞き、受け止めてしまいました。
蛇の毒は、邪悪かつ巧妙で、最初に霊が死にますが、肉体が死ぬまでは時間がかかるのです。

現代のキリスト者も誘惑にさらされることがあります。
あるクリスチャンは、誘惑は感じたけれども罪は犯していないとか、これくらいは誰もが感じること、自分だけは大丈夫と考えるようです。

しかし、誘惑という毒をそのままにしてはいけません。
ハブに噛まれた時すぐに血清を打つように、対処しなければなりません。

人となって来て下さったイエス様も、誘惑を受けました。
しかし、決して甘い言葉にひたる時間を置きませんでした。
サタンの声を聞いた時、すぐさまイエス様はみことばで勝利したのです。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　マタイの福音書４章１０節～１１節

Oue daily bread

This is a photo that children in India are eating curry and rice. There is not curry powder in India as in Japan so they blend masala, one of the spices, and make gravy sauce, which is curry roux in Japan. Dr. Kibayashi who is a pediatrician and connoisseur of Indian curry unlocked the secret of it. It is a traditional Chinese medicine. Turmeric is Curcumae Rhizoma, nutmeg is Myristica fragrans, and fennel is ferula. Indian people can get proper nutrition from curry. It is said we need 5 nutrients for our health which are carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral. Christians need the word of God which is our daily bread as our body needs these nutrients. It is important for your spiritual growth to receive everything which God prepared for you without customizing the word of God.
Mathew 4:4

If we have true life

I attended a conference for churches in Asia and Oceania in Malaysia in 2004. Youth team worshiped energetically and people testified God’s works in persecutions. I was so blessed by God. Everything was over and I was relaxing with other pastors at a café in Penang airport. However, my bag was stolen there. There were a wallet, a passport, a cell phone, and an air ticket in the bag. We hunted for the thief and my bag but we couldn’t find them. We went to a police station at the airport but a police man told us the thief went out already. Finally, I understood that my friend had told me “Theft Asia” (A pronunciation of South East Asia and Theft Asia is the same in Japanese language.) The pastors gave me their money but I felt lonely because I can’t speak English. They left Penang and I thought “Oh, no!” I had to go to the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur by myself. It was late at night so I tried to go to a hotel which has a Japanese worker. I bargained with a taxi driver and reached the hotel but the Japanese worker was not there. I just worshiped God at my hotel room and prayed honestly to Him. “Lord, why did this happen to me? I don’t understand the meaning of this worst happening in my life.” The Holy Spirit spoke to me softly but clearly. “When you were born, what did you have?” My answer was “nothing but just life.” When we get older, we can’t let go off many things. “Without this, ~.” “If we have only this, ~.” We are controlled by these thoughts and go through inconvenient and troubled life. “True life” told by Jesus hits our heart. After my heart was filled with peace and thankfulness from God, one of pastors in Malaysia visited my room. God already prepared everything for me to go back to Japan. Although people get the world, if they don’t have the true life, they gain nothing. What can people hold out to buy back the life?
Mathew 16:26

The world heritage in Macao

Macao overtook Las Vegas to become the biggest Casino in the world. Many tourists visit there from China and other countries. However, before Casino was prospered in Macao, this country was famous for many world heritages and these places are in a tourist route. One of them is Saint Paul Cathedral. It is an impressive building and it was called the most beautiful architecture in the East but in 1835 it lost its walls except the front wall and the stair. The figure gives off a special mystique so it became the symbol of Macao. The front wall has beautiful carvings and they were sculpted by Japanese Christians who fled to Macao because of persecutions in Japan. Time had passed and now how do tourists from China and Japan see these beautiful carvings? This building is the world heritage in Macao and at the same time it is the world heritage by the hands of God.
Deuteronomy 28:8~9

Memory in Hong Kong

I went to Hong Kong for the first time in 2010. Hong Kong is famous for a million-dollar nightscape and some unique tours. I joined one of the tours and enjoyed the neon-lit street on a double-decker bus at night. There were many big neon signs along the street and we drove under them. When I saw these neon signs and street, I saw a church building. Hong Kong has an important role for a mission in China. God’s work in Hong Kong was burned in my heart more than delicious Chinese food or beautiful night view.
1 King 16:8~9

Anxiety of Japanese people

This Indian man above has a comfortable house. (Japanese people call it a garbage can.) J Walter Thompson Co., Ltd. (JWT) presented the results of research in 2009. The research was about how big people in 11 countries feel anxiety. The 10th is Chinese people and 35% of them feel anxiety. I skip from the 9th to the 4th but the 3rd is American and 76% of them feel anxiety. The 2nd is Russian and 84% of them feel anxiety. And the 1st is Japanese and 90% of them feel anxiety. The reasons why Japanese people feel anxiety are a budget deficit of this country, an employment rate, a high cost of living, the economic conditions, and a charge of medical expenses. They are all about money, aren’t they? In the Bible, it says your heart is in the place where your treasure is. If you always think about money, your heart is shaken by social conditions or your workplace. Jesus said He gives you peace. His peace is a relief from peaceful relationship with God. This peace will not be shaken no matter what happens. Ask Him to be filled your heart with peace that money can’t buy.
John 14:27

Christians in North Korea

What do you associate the name of North Korea with? I think your image of this country is bad ones such as bombs like Nodon or Tepodon, nuclear arms, an issue of abduction, starvation of people, and so on. However, did you know that there are more than a hundred thousand Christians there? Although the government of this country persecutes the biggest number of Christians in the world, the number of Christians keeps increasing. A mission organization, “Open Doors”, is broadcasting information on the media in Korea and America. Even a news program in Japan broadcasted about an open execution in North Korea. It is impossible for any countries in the world or even United Nations to change this country and there is no human rights and hope but God’s hand of salvation is reaching this country. The word of the Lord keeps spreading there no matter what happened to North Korea in the future.
Acts 12:24

Main countries in the next generation

It is said that Brazil, Russia, India, and China will be the main countries among the world economy in near future. It is called “BRICs” combined by the first letter. The trend of the times is so fast and main countries in the generation after next were forecasted already. “VISTA” is the country of Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey, and Argentina. Indonesia is brought to international attention as a country which has the 4th biggest population, big number of young people, and the most number of Muslim people. The photo above is a Bible school in Indonesia. They overthrow the image of Christians in Japan. At this time, I taught only 1 class but there were so many students in a classroom. Facilities were satisfactory, students were earnest, and an atmosphere of the class was cheerful. (optimistic?) 80% of people are Muslim but Christians who are 10% of the population gives us hope for the main countries of the generation after next.
Deuteronomy 32:31

ある指導者の祈り

主よ

家族とわたしをお守りください・

わたしの罪をお赦しください。

高慢と絶望からお守りください。

ことを正しく公平に行う知恵をお授け下さい。

わたしを、御心を行う器としてください。


この祈りは、現アメリカ合衆国大統領オバマ氏が公にしたものです。

大統領がどのような信仰を持っているのかは知りませんが、
どの時代に生きるクリスチャンにも大切な祈りです。

ひとりひとりが置かれている状況や、果たすべき責任は異なるでしょう。
神の霊は、あなたを助け、御心を行える力を与えて下さいます。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ダニエル書　６章３節