Fulfilled in Jesus

"What Good Is It?"

2011-12-31T00:11:00.002+09:00

In nations there are various hopes we have--freedom, peace, prosperity, blessedness and more. We strive to fight to establish 'our rights' (and then if we succeed in getting them, we live in perpetual fear that they'll be taken away).This year when the new NIV came out, I read the translators notes and found that scholars now agree that "thieves" was a mistranslation; the two who were crucified

Happy All Hallows Eve!

2011-10-27T23:59:00.015+09:00

Click to see larger!Happy All Hallows Eve! and happy Reformation Day!On October 31st, 1517, (the evening before All Hallows Day) a monk named Martin Luther nailed up a list of 95 problems with the rules made by the church, because Jesus' love is FREE! Sometimes we Christians make lots of rules and say that God won't accept you until you keep them. But the Bible says,"God forgave us of our sins,

Are Disasters God's Judgments?

2011-09-21T10:27:00.003+09:00

A friend asked: I am a bit confused about the whole thing about whether God sends the natural disasters as judgment, or is it more about shaking us out of our routines/apathy/complacency, etc, and getting our attention, to call us to come to Him, repent, to seek Him...what is it then? Verses...I want better understanding of this.In the times of the Old Testament, God proclaimed judgments against

Imagine Relieving the Disasters...

2011-08-04T23:18:00.005+09:00

Ok, think about your church for a minute. Imagine it's in a suburbian city not too far from the coast. Imagine there was a huge, huge earthquake, but your church is OK.Imagine that there is a big tsunami that wipes out the coast.Imagine that supplies come out of nowhere pouring into your church.Imagine that lots of people become homeless because of the disasters.Imagine that a nuclear power

Fukushima - Ok, Lord!

2011-08-04T22:28:00.008+09:00

I just returned from my second trip to Fukushima last Friday. This time I spent two weeks there, from July 15th to 28th. I had also gone on a first trip in June for four days, from the 27th to 30th. It all started around May 20th, when I watched a video online of the work that the church was doing there in Iwaki city, Fukushima prefecture. As I saw volunteers and church members comforting and

I'll Still Trust In Your Love

2011-08-03T00:25:00.001+09:00

Though the earth shake and tremble Though the seas toss and roar Though the stars fall from heaven I'll still trust in Your love Though wars rage around me Though nations rise and fall Though I lose all I hold dear I'll still trust in Your love In all things I'll praise You And I will give thanks And if the worst of days come I'll still trust in Your love Though wickedness should increase Though

First Trip to Fukushima

2011-07-06T19:18:00.010+09:00

From June 27th to 30th, I volunteered at Global Mission Chapel in Taira, Iwaki City in Fukushima prefecture (40km from the center of the nuclear crisis). God sent me to paint pictures for people who came to the church needing supplies, needing to talk, and for evacuees at shelters. Here are some pictures from the trip. (The paintings He gave me for people there are on this page.) At the very

For Family Radio

2011-05-19T23:50:00.009+09:00

To the friends of Family Radio and Harold Camping:You are precious and valuable! I know after May 21st you don't feel very good or very smart. Some of you may be hurt, others may be in denial. For some, you've sold off a lot of valuable things... you gave up everything, and it hurts.I am your brother. I'm a Christian. We're with you. I know some of us have laughed at you, and I'm sorry

One Rapture at One Trumpet

2011-05-14T10:48:00.004+09:00

The topic of the return of Jesus Christ is a hot one in Christianity, particularly in the last two centuries since the popularization of the "pre-tribulation rapture" theory. I don't believe long discussion of this is necessary, but I want to share three short passages which, well, couldn't be any clearer on the matter:1 Corinthians 15:51-54Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep,

Biblical 'Teaching'

2011-05-12T14:59:00.000+09:00

These are some thoughts I shared on Facebook about how the purpose of the New Covenant "teacher" is to help people hear the Holy Spirit for themselves so that eventually the "teacher" (the mentor) is ultimately no longer necessary because the "student" is walking with Christ in His fullness. (I.e., Ephesians 4!)A pastor I know once put it this way: Jesus didn't say "Go ye therefore and plant

Sharing Hope

2011-04-13T01:27:00.006+09:00

Last night I was praying because so many aftershocks are still hitting the Tohoku region of Japan, and I was aching for the people there. They need rest! I painted my prayer, asking God to lay His hands on the earth and the sea to calm the shaking. Another sizeable two aftershocks hit the Tohoku area again this morning. But back to last night, I scanned the picture before I even titled it

Update & Tohoku Art

2011-03-28T12:52:00.005+09:00

Hi everyone,I apologize that it's been soooo long since I've updated this blog. There are various reasons for this, chief among them that Facebook is a lot easier to use, haha. I'm going to attempt to do a massive overhaul on this page and on all my blogs, so I'm importing things that were scattered around on various blogs onto this blog. Then I'll be looking into copying various "notes" (

Fear of the End Times

2011-03-18T17:04:00.004+09:00

I know it's natural for Christians to say "Jesus is coming soon" when a big disaster happens. I think there are different reasons we sometimes say this. I want to talk about a couple of those reasons for a minute.First, there is the Christian who feels the pain of others, or the pain of loss themselves... for them it is more of a cry, "Come soon, Jesus!" Or it is a word meant in good heart to

Christ, the Substance of the Two Shadows

2010-12-21T22:42:00.005+09:00

When I was a missionary for the Seventh-day Adventist church ten years ago, I read through the New Testament twice and became very familiar with it. Teaching as I did that Christians were obligated to keep the Sabbath commandment (a once-a-week day of commanded rest—done out of love, of course!), I ran into a problem whenever I read Hebrews 3 and 4 because the talk of "Sabbath-rest" there just

The Command to Remember

2010-12-10T23:16:00.002+09:00

The Lord's Supper in the New Covenant is an act of "remembrance" directly parallel to the command to "remember" the Sabbath in the Sinatic covenant.The Sabbath remembrance command ordered the people to act as though they were in Eden prior to Adam & Eve's sin. (None of the actions or prohibitions in the Sabbath command would have made any sense during the time prior to Adam & Eve's sin.) The

Aquarium Family

2010-10-26T00:25:00.004+09:00

Left to right: Me, Joanna, Yoko, Hammerhead Shark, TimoOkay, okay, it's been a short forever since I've posted on here! I really need to re-vamp and re-organize all my blogs, and this "homepage" blog perhaps needs it the most! Trying to manage & live, you know, and get my head together about this! But anyway, I noticed I'm short on pictures of all four of us, so here's probably the last good

Perfection: Accepting My Brokenness

2010-08-27T12:12:00.001+09:00

This picture originally came quickly and almost automatically without thinking some months ago when I had to draw a painting that itself was inside a picture called "Perfection". Recently while I was painting a new picture with another picture-inside-a-picture, I wondered if I would again use the image of the hands & cross as I had in "Perfection". God said no, but that I should do the hands &

Nothing I Can Do

2010-08-06T15:24:00.005+09:00

A friend wrote a short comment online about the Hiroshima bombing, how vengeance is God's and He does not forget. I wanted to say something but I just couldn't. What he said was right and true, but I just couldn't get past the pain. Of course I'm frustrated and angry because I know what happened and see my own people (who did it or supported it) continue to not care by trying to justify it and do

"Sabbath" in Colossians 2

2010-07-25T23:49:00.002+09:00

Here is a simple study about "Sabbaths" in Colossians 2 which I wrote in a comment to a friend who had thought that the "Sabbaths" referred to ascetic practices, pagan mixes with Judaism, worship of angels, etc., instead of referring to the seventh-day Sabbath of the Old Covenant (the Mosaic Law). Simply looking at the passage's internal definitions and comparing it to identical patterns and

Views of Revelation

2010-07-25T12:38:00.000+09:00

July 20, 2010This is part of a response to someone who mentioned various views of the book of Revelation...What is said about Revelation written to the early church(es) is incredibly true, but the internal writing of the text also includes a large bulk for future fulfillment. Some preterists symbolize the future aspects of Revelation, and that's seems a little excusable at times with apocalyptic

What's Wrong With Legalism?

2010-07-25T12:36:00.000+09:00

July 14, 2010The problem in "legalism" is not that laws are being kept from the wrong motivation. Every legalist & legalistic system says you're supposed to keep the laws "from the heart" or "out of love". The problem in legalism is that it says we cannot be accepted by God or even make Him happy unless we keep certain laws. The only antidote is God's grace. Until we can see that our

Views of Revelation

2010-07-24T20:26:00.006+09:00

July 20, 2010Cross-posted at FAJ blogThis is part of a response to someone who mentioned various views of the book of Revelation...What is said about Revelation written to the early church(es) is incredibly true, but the internal writing of the text also includes a large bulk for future fulfillment. Some preterists symbolize the future aspects of Revelation, and that's seems a little excusable at

Identifying the 'True' Church

2010-07-23T13:57:00.003+09:00

July 8, 2010Various breakaway groups in Christianity have at times tried to use chain-links of prooftexts to bolster their claim to being the sole true "church". Without exception these claims are based on a certain kind of obedience to a particular "test" command or some point of knowledge that you need to know in order to be worshiping the true God (such as how to spell His "original" name

What's Wrong With Legalism?

2010-07-23T13:41:00.004+09:00

July 14, 2010Cross-posted at FAJ blogThe problem in "legalism" is not that laws are being kept from the wrong motivation. Every legalist & legalistic system says you're supposed to keep the laws "from the heart" or "out of love". The problem in legalism is that it says we cannot be accepted by God or even make Him happy unless we keep certain laws. The only antidote is God's grace. Until we

Finally an update!!!

2010-07-23T13:38:00.002+09:00

Okay, everyone, it's been five millenia since I've updated this page... sorry! This page really needs an overhaul. Lots has been going on and I've put a lot of things on Facebook. I'm slowly going to start transferring "notes" I wrote there to this blog. And eventually I'll also combine a few blogs into this one (the "Jesus Otaku" blog, etc.).

Sanctification

2010-07-22T14:32:00.002+09:00

A friend asked me, "What do you think of our sanctification? Does it involve diligent effort from us or do we rest in this also? I just don't want to lose my rest by slipping backward into sins, or forward into work." I answered: I don't know exactly how to explain it, and I am far, far from feeling sinless or perfect. But sanctification is His job. It's like this picture above. It involves

But Now We Must Follow

2010-06-20T00:27:00.000+09:00

Lord, You gave to meThis blessèd familyBut now we must followAnd obey You separatelyBless and hold and guideWhile we are far apartAnd send us where You willFollowing Your heart

On the Steps

2009-11-10T02:17:00.002+09:00

"On the Steps" (November 14, 2008)This is a picture of me on the night of November 6, 2000, just outside my university's computer lab, trying to pray. My world had just been undone. I grew up in the Seventh-day Adventist church believing that its prophet (Ellen G. White) wrote completely biblically and that SDA truth was the most correct kind of Christianity out there. But on this night, I

Sabbath Means This! (part 2)

2009-11-06T00:20:00.003+09:00

"My Sabbath Forever" - September 15, 2009During bathtime my son and I were singing,Shabbat shalomShabbat shalomMoshiach Yeshua is my shalomYeshua, YeshuaYeshua, my shalomFor the second night, my son asked me what "Shabbat" ("Sabbath") meant while we were singing. I prayed and replied as simply as I could, and this is how I described it. Later Jesus impressed me to paint it like this.*****See

Sabbath Means This! (part 1)

2009-11-06T00:16:00.004+09:00

"Sabbath Means This!" - September 9, 2009During bathtime my son and I were singing,Shabbat shalomShabbat shalomMoshiach Yeshua is my shalomYeshua, YeshuaYeshua, my shalomOn the first night, my son asked me what "Shabbat" ("Sabbath") meant while we were singing. I prayed and replied as simply as I could, and this is how I described it. Later Jesus impressed me to paint it like this.*****See also:

Lean Upon His Breast!

2009-11-06T00:14:00.001+09:00

"My Sabbath Rest" - September 7, 2009The Lord the Saviour is her rest; On Him she casts her cares; By faith she leans upon His breast, And banishes her fears. - William Gadsby

Saved!

2009-11-06T00:12:00.000+09:00

"Saved!" - August 6, 2009Lift up your eyes to the heavens,look at the earth beneath;the heavens will vanish like smoke,the earth will wear out like a garmentand its inhabitants die like flies.But My salvation will last forever,My righteousness will never fail...For I am the Lord your God...who set the heavens in place,who laid the foundations of the earth,and who says to Zion, "You are My people.

Delighted!

2009-11-06T00:10:00.000+09:00

"Delighted!" - July 21, 2009This is just how I felt as I came into a friend's cafe a few minutes before teaching some English lessons there. I was just full of Your love, Lord, just full of You. I looked at Your words in Psalm 37 and that only confirmed and increased my overflow of You at the moment. Thank You! "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in

Righteous!

2009-11-06T00:09:00.000+09:00

"Righteous!" - May 22, 2009

If You, My God, Are Here

2009-11-06T00:08:00.000+09:00

"With Me Here" - March 14 & May 9, 2009 Talk with me, Lord, Yourself revealHere as I live and moveSpeak to my heart and let me feelThe burning of Your loveWith You conversing I forgetAll time and toil and careLabor is rest and pain is sweetIf You, my God, are hereHere then, my God, graciously stayAnd make my heart rejoiceMy bounding heart with Yours will swayAs I hear Your sweet voiceYou call me

Yeshua My Shabbat!

2009-11-06T00:02:00.000+09:00

Yeshua My Shabbat - May 2, 2009Once when I was holding my infant son and singing him to sleep, I wanted to worship God and wanted to sing the traditional Jewish "Shabbat shalom" song, but I just couldn't sing it... it was like trying to make a "holy day" special but was my own effort. It was too much mental gymnastics to celebrate something that was in the past. We live in the Sabbath-rest today

Resting On His Hand

2009-11-06T00:00:00.001+09:00

"Resting on the Eternal Hand of the Son of Man" - March 30, 2009

The Sabbath Rest

2009-11-05T23:56:00.002+09:00

The Sabbath Rest - March 19, 2009

Prayer in Jesus

2009-11-05T23:52:00.000+09:00

"He Went to Pray" - March 18, 2009　One day the Lord stopped me while reading Mark 6:46, about how Jesus went up a mountain to pray by Himself. 　I realized that sometimes I think about prayer and spending time with God as if it’s heavy or serious, and so I sometimes put it off. 　But when He stopped me at the verse, I thought about how He spent that time alone with Father, and I realized it was a

You Are My Peace

2009-11-05T23:49:00.000+09:00

"You Are My Peace" - March 6, 2009 "He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace." - Micah 5:4-5 I believe this came as I was thinking of the "gesture" style of drawing, which I miss doing (I don't use it so much

The Scandal of the Love Command

2009-10-14T21:42:00.003+09:00

I love the Martyn Lloyd-Jones quote Philip Yancey put into "What's So Amazing About Grace?" when noting that grace fundamentally has about it the scent of scandal:"There is thus clearly a sense in which the message of 'justification by faith only' can be dangerous, and likewise with the message that salvation is entirely of grace...I would say to all preachers: If your preaching of salvation has

Reflection Of Love (After beginning Kierkegaard)

2009-09-27T21:53:00.001+09:00

Recently I began reading Kierkegaard's book, "Works of Love", and one striking thing floors me with loudspeakers -- the necessity of agape love in real, living, genuine Christianity. Agape love is the love with which Christ loved us. He loved us while we were His enemies. And so He commanded us, "Love your enemies and bless those who curse you." Agape flows out of the choice to forgive (instead

Joanna Mika has arrived!

2009-09-14T13:09:00.002+09:00

Yes, it's been awhile since I've updated this blog page, but well, some news just can't wait for an update! So here she is, all 3246 grams and 51.5 centimeters of her!Mommy & daughter are both doing fine, and after a nap, Daddy and Auntie Michi will go visit and maybe take Timo "Onii-chan" to go see her.God is good! Thank you everyone for your prayers!And thank You, Jesus, for Joanna!You truly

Paul vs. Jesus??

2009-08-07T23:17:00.002+09:00

Recently one of Clay Peck's studies was posted on Facebook (link) and a commenter brought a challenge against Clay, arguing that he used only Paul and did not reference Jesus (the commenter admitted Clay had cited Luke as well, but wrote that off since Luke was one of Paul's friends — forgetting of course that Luke gave us 1/4th of the words of Jesus). The comment reminded me of a blog post I

Looking Closer at the Sunday Blue Law Scenario

2009-08-07T23:12:00.000+09:00

A few months ago I received a comment on my "Why I left Adventism" letter (link) and wrote a somewhat exhaustive reply to it. The comment reads in part:I AM A FORMER SDA WHO HAS LEFT THE CHURCH DO TO "JESUIT INFILTRATION" INTO THE SDA CHURCH!!! I HAVE A SERIOUS DILEMA FOR YOU CONTEMPLATE CONCERNING THE SABBATH AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE MARK OF THE BEAST!!! IN THE BOOK GREAT CONTROVERSY ... IT

The Adventist Sabbath

2009-05-04T00:13:00.002+09:00

This is a picture that came as I was praying about an understanding the Lord had given me regarding the Sabbath in Adventism. It's taken me awhile to post this picture up because I don't want to be offensive, and I don't know exactly how to summarize this yet. You can read some of the story of how this picture came about here on the FAF forum: The Adventist SabbathThe few times I had visited a

A Brief Response to "Kingdom Adventism"

2009-04-05T22:51:00.000+09:00

A friend sent me a link to Steve Daily's new initiave from Celebration Center, "Kingdom Adventism". The following is a brief commentary I wrote after looking at it and praying.As soon as I read the phrase "Kingdom Adventism", I was disturbed deep in my spirit, and in the Spirit. I can't completely explain why, but I felt and still feel the Spirit weeping inside me strongly.It seems Steve is

Wash Over Me

2009-02-26T01:08:00.000+09:00

Come and beWash over meI open my heart to You aloneWhen I am weakYou meet my needFinish the work You've started here And I lift my life to You nowI raise my voice to sing your praiseI will follow Your commandFind me hereCalm my fearStrengthening hope inside my heartTeach me LordTo know Your wordLet it be alive in meAlive in me - "Come and Be" by Matt Brouwer

Banner of Rest

2009-02-16T00:43:00.000+09:00

"In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious."- Isaiah 11:10

Return to Thy Rest, My Soul (Hymn by W.Gadsby)

2009-02-16T00:33:00.000+09:00

Return to thy rest, my soul, and rejoice; Let Christ be thy boast, for thou art His choice; And through sin and Satan, and their hellish guest, Do vex and dishearten, Jehovah's thy rest. A sweet resting-place is Jesus to thee; A fulness of grace, rich, sovereign, and free; From slavish works cease, then, and rest in the Lamb, For Christ is thy freedom from wrath, law, and sin. O yield not to fear

With Sin and Guilt Poor Zion Toils (Hymn by W.Gadsby)

2009-02-16T00:31:00.000+09:00

With sin and guilt poor Zion toils, And labours hard for peace; But till the Lord the Saviour smiles, Her conscience gets no ease. [Her efforts all abortive prove; Her working makes her worse; Nought by the Saviour's flesh and blood Can save her from the curse.] The Lord the Saviour is her rest; On Him she casts her cares; By faith she leans upon His breast, And banishes her fears. But till the

God Thus Commanded (Hymn by J.Hart)

2009-02-16T00:28:00.000+09:00

God thus commanded Jacob's seed, When, from Egyptian-bondage freed, He led them by the way: "Remember, with a mighty hand I brought thee forth from Pharaoh's land; Then keep my Sabbath Day." [In six days God made heaven and earth Gave all the various creatures birth, And from his working ceased; These days to labour He applied; The seventh He blessed and sanctified. And called the day of rest.]

Spirit of God

2009-02-11T16:21:00.000+09:00

(Holy) Spirit of GodSpirit of GodYou live in meAnd I live by YouYou're the breath andHeart of God andYou're His love, yeahHoly Spirit of GodYou're around meAnd You're in meAnd I find I'mI am resting in YouMy escape fromSin's addictionYou're the peace thatJesus died to give meMy witness ofThe God of loveAnd His Son whoDied and rose for us allYou're my teacherMy counselorAnd You alwaysHeal my

The Fulfillment of the Ten Commandments

2009-02-01T00:50:00.003+09:00

The Ten Commandments have been fulfilled! Hallelu Yah!The Ten Commandments have been fulfilled! Hallelu Yah!The Ten Commandments have been fulfilled! Hallelu Yah!(Click to read about the picture - "Fulfilled!")Huh? Aren't we supposed to "keep" the Ten Commandments?Remember how Jesus "fulfilled" the prophecies about Him? He also declared that just as He fulfilled the prophets, He was also the

Happy 2009!

2009-01-19T23:45:00.000+09:00

Happy New Year, everyone! This is Timothy ("Timo") speaking. This year I've taken over the Nengajou. Last year (and all the years before it) my Daddy did it. And, well, he's actually typing now, but of course I'm holding him at toy gunpoint and dictating this to him, word for word in perfect, unbroken iambic pentameter.As you'll note, the feature of each picture is yours truly. Similar to

In Your Sea

2009-01-14T20:29:00.000+09:00

All that I have is YouI have nothing if not YouI leave all my land behind meI cast myself into Your seaYou are my restYou are my seaYou are my lifeIn You I am free All You want me to seeAll You want me to beI will see, and I will beBecause it's You carrying meForever I knowI will beLost in Your loveAt rest in Your sea ...Carry me, carry meIn Your sea, in Your seaFill the earth, fill the earthWith

Gently Broken (A New Website for Adventists)

2009-01-13T23:54:00.005+09:00

My friend Cherry Brandstater has launched a website for Adventists... Introducing a New Website Gently BrokenFor the Adventist Heart that Longs for More of Jesus WWW.GentlyBroken.comGently Broken is a place where you can go to read stories of people probably a whole lot like you. They have lived the Adventist life-style and would be considered solid citizens. But somewhere along the way, they

Letting Go

2009-01-13T01:15:00.000+09:00

I painted this picture for the introduction to "Faith or Fear", a study by Cherry Brandstater. I had felt impressed to ask God for a picture for each of her three studies and when it came time to ask Him about her third study, I was suddenly at a loss. Her third study deals with the Seventh-day Adventist doctrine of the "Sanctuary" and "Investigative Judgment", which was created to explain why

Safe in You (in that Day)

2009-01-13T01:12:00.000+09:00

The other day at a family restaurant with my wife and son, I felt the itch to sketch something in my spirit, but what? First I saw bread and wine. Communion? Was this about "communion"? I began mulling over things about that. Many people focus on the ritual of communion, how important "the eucharist" is, the service, the church, and so on. As I began thinking about all of that, I began to

On Your Shoulders

2009-01-13T01:09:00.000+09:00

"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders." - Deuteronomy 33:12 You raise me up, so I can stand on mountainsYou raise me up, to walk on stormy seasI am strong, when I am on Your shouldersYou raise me up... to more than I can be. - "You Raise Me Up", by Rolf Lovland & Brendan Graham (>_<)Thank You, Lord

David & Goliath Today

2009-01-09T13:34:00.002+09:00

Palestinian demonstrators use sling-shots to hurl stones at Israeli soldiers during a demonstration against Israel's military operation in Gaza, in the West Bank village of Bilin, near Ramallah,Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)Wow... ironic. Thousands of years ago, the "giant" was a Philistine and the one with the slingshot was a young Israelite. But in this picture the "giant"

Come Rest in Jesus

2009-01-06T00:14:00.000+09:00

This came as I was praying about some songs the Lord had given me about His Sabbath-rest. It's probably the most 'simple' picture I've done yet. In my spirit (thank You, Lord!) I simply saw an ocean stretching out to the horizon. The water up close was lighter, clearer, almost green, and in the distance it grew darker. It was like I was on some tropical island looking at clear, beautiful

Come Rest

2009-01-06T00:13:00.000+09:00

Merry Christmas? Is This Right?

2008-12-25T14:47:00.004+09:00

"Is This Right?" - by Ramone, ink & water, 9.7.08Merry Christmas? Yes, it's not your typical, warm "Christmas" image, because I think it wasn't so warm or nostalgic for Joseph and Mary. They went through a hard journey only to find no welcome, no hotel, no decent room, and then major surgery (birth!) on top of it.And it was through that difficult time---one difficult thing after another---that

On Freedom of Religion

2008-11-03T21:27:00.016+09:00

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.- Jesus of Nazareth (Mt.7:12) After a long conversation about politics with my father on the phone today, I began to think about something which I think it is important for Americans to recognize, particularly Christian Americans. I wrote this note to my father.Tonight as I remembered

Counselor

2008-10-27T23:55:00.000+09:00

I don't know how many of you have ever had counseling (or how many of us would admit to it, hah!)... but it's wonderful. I've only seen one professional counselor (at University) for a short time, but I've talked with a pastor who also did counseling, and then with two spiritual mothers to whom I could open up and unload.Opening up and unloading is wonderful. Paul wrote that we fulfill the law

What We've Allowed

2008-10-25T01:47:00.007+09:00

Most ancient Meso-American cultures practiced human sacrifice. The Aztecs did so out of a belief that blood needed to be spilled in order to keep the sun in the sky every day. Theirs was a culture that relished in war because it spilled blood, and thus they believed it helped their world and the universe keep going on and existing. Their gods demanded human sacrifices, and to these gods their

Hating Politics Intelligently

2008-10-15T15:06:00.009+09:00

If you're going to say that you "hate politics," then make sure that you hate politics for the right reasons. Do it intelligently...You see, it's very popular to say "I hate politics" and "I hate politicians," but many people say these things and feel these ways who actually don't know very much about politics... Don't let the popularity of "hating politics" be a substitute for being unable to

Outsourcing the Truth

2008-10-06T22:13:00.012+09:00

Understanding the New Covenant really makes such a difference when looking at world events, nations, Israel, and attempts to make a nation "righteous" through its laws and having "Christian" leaders. Many Christians in the United States (most perhaps, or at least the loudest voice of the Church in America) are pursuing a course for their nation---and the world---along the lines of the Old

Eternally Precious

2008-10-03T22:23:00.002+09:00

Being sick sucks. I've had to take off four days of work this week, and haven't been able to even take advantage of the time at home to do some art (I did put the finishing touches on this piece, though, and did this piece quickly when I was feeling good). I was just at the doctor's office for the second time this week. While waiting for the "doctor's note" to give to my boss, my dry throat

One and a Half!

2008-09-20T22:12:00.007+09:00

Timo is one and a half today! On the 20th of every month (he was born on March 20th) we take a picture with this rabbit (name=Usagi!) ...as he gets older and more antsy, it's harder and harder to get him to sit still with Usagi. Today it was accomplished by putting a little lego alligator on Usagi's head... Sometimes he likes to beat up on Usagi and kick him over, anoint him, baptize him,

Glorified in Christ

2008-09-14T13:04:00.000+09:00

Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. - Psalm 73:23-24 I grew up believing that when believers die, they "sleep" in the earth and don't know anything. I didn't know that God had made me more than "body and breath" -- that He had given birth to an undying, eternal spirit inside of me. But the Bible

Thoughts on the American Election

2008-09-09T17:02:00.010+09:00

There's a lot that can be said about the current state of things and the presidential election in the United States. I don't know all of the issues' details, nor am I an expert. But overall I do find myself growing more and more morally uncomfortable with all sides.Let's start with the Republican party. They used fear, strong-arming, manipulation and flat-out deception in order to start the

Be Prepared to Stand

2008-09-02T23:27:00.000+09:00

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. - Psalm 27:2-3 Recently I read a book entitled, "The Two Empires of Japan", which describes the

Two Empires in Japan

2008-08-19T10:44:00.000+09:00

Recently at a Christian bookstore here in Osaka I picked up a used copy of a book I had never heard of, The Two Empires in Japan by John M.L. Young. I am astounded at what I've learned in this book. A record of what had happened during the Second World War with the church in Japan was something I only knew scattered details about, but this fills in the gap for me more than I could have imagined,

Remind Me

2008-08-15T22:34:00.005+09:00

In my moments of weakness,remind me of who I am.Show me what is truly me,and what is not me,but is my enemy.Remind me of my true heart;and when my heart fails,remind me that Your heart does not.It's Your heart --not mine--that is my rock, my strength.Tell me in my doubtshow You are powerful.And that I only need to chooseto resist in Your name,And faith overcomes feeling,spirit quiets soul,and

What Nagasaki Means to Me

2008-08-10T17:21:00.010+09:00

I was raised near Washington D.C. in the white majority (pretty much unaware that I was half-Mexican until 2004). I grew up pretty enamoured with our military, with our many successful wars, and believing that all of our fighting was just because we didn't start it. I went to Army-Navy surplus stores, wore camoflague clothing, tromped through the woods, watched war movies and TV dramas, and

Luther Battle Quote

2008-07-25T15:31:00.001+09:00

I thought this quote from Martin Luther was worth posting and thinking about: "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is

Summer Timo!

2008-07-21T11:41:00.002+09:00

It's hot! The rainy season is over, but has graciously left us (dumped, actually) much heat and humidity. There's more wind outside than inside, so sometimes we go up to the roof to escape the heat, depending on the time of day and where the sun is. Yoko is building up a cute little garden there, so it's nice to hang out there sometimes. I need to do that more!On July 1st we took Timo up there

More Than My Master (O My Husband!)

2008-07-14T00:27:00.000+09:00

The Bridegroom:O My precious dove, My forsaken oneHurt and desolate, hear Me call in loveYou have ravished and so enthralled this KingI gave My life for you, so that you might singMy beloved, O My belovedMore than your MasterI am your LoverIn your deserts and valleys of troubleKnow My heart for you is unshakeableAnd through brokenness you will be restoredWashed and radiant, honored by your

Who is the Scapegoat?

2008-06-02T00:51:00.002+09:00

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.- Psalm 103:8-12What We Didn't Know, What We Unwittingly DeclaredI think it was as I read the original version of Ellen White's The Great Controversy (found in Spiritual Gifts, Vol.1, 1858) that I was first introduced to the Adventist teaching that the "scapegoat" of the Day of Atonement represented Satan. In

"A Spirit of Life" (Leaving a State of the Dead)

2008-06-01T23:14:00.025+09:00

Coming Out of a Soul-Sleep State of the DeadAnd Into Seeing the Living SpiritBy Ramone Romero - May 9 & June 1, 2008I came out of Adventism seven years ago, and officially left five years ago (see: Why I Left Adventism), but it was not until recently that a stronghold of Adventism came out of me. This is the story of how I was brought out of fear and misunderstanding and into beholding something

Resting Child

2008-05-28T19:02:00.000+09:00

By Ramone - March 18, 2008I drew, inked and watered this as we were going to Kyoto two days before my son Timothy's first birthday. We had decided to just take a day off and go somewhere nice, and we had a wonderful day. In the morning as we left on the train, he took a nap while leaning back on my wife Yoko.He is beautiful. And cute. And I couldn't resist!It reminds me of how we are "

We Await

2008-05-26T00:08:00.000+09:00

Forever You'll reign on the throne of lovingkindnessYour grace and Your word exalted in powerAs every seal is broken by the Lamb that was slainThe last trumpet will soundthe King of kings comes againWe await Your DayLord, we wait to see Your faceNow the Spirit and Wordcry the Bridegroom is comingAnd Your Bride hears You callrises spotless and holyTo adore and intercedeevery tribe, tongue and

Dancing Out on a Limb!

2008-04-19T00:58:00.000+09:00

By Ramone - April 3, 2008 We live by faith, not by sight.- 2 Corinthians 5:7 This came from a conversation with my bro DB back on October 7th last year. I don't remember what we were talking about, but somehow we ended up talking about trusting in God even though your circumstances look shaky or risky. I think it was him who said, "Christians are always out on a limb." And I added, "Yes,

The Big Step!

2008-04-19T00:57:00.000+09:00

By Ramone - March 14, 2008The other night I was explaining the picture "Unhooked!" to Yoko, and when I got to the part about holding onto SDA beliefs like the "state of the dead" because of fear, I remembered that I'd felt the same feeling of fear (worry of being deceived & lost) when my friend Hazel had first told me the Biblical truth about keeping the Sabbath day not being what saves us (you

Free in the Ocean

2008-04-19T00:56:00.002+09:00

By Ramone - February 10, 2008This picture came from His heart a day after my friend & spiritual-mom Hazel and I were praying for Christians who have been living in a "fish tank" (see this picture of a vision she received and its interpretation). This is God's heart for us -- free in His ocean of love, at rest in Him, surrounded by Him, encompassed by His presence and Spirit. Free, and at rest!

Out of the Shadows

2008-04-19T00:56:00.001+09:00

By Ramone - March 5, 2008 Out of the shadows—Out of the grave!And we out of our sins!Out with Him—Into the Life,Into the Light! I think I had this feeling or saw this when I was thinking about how He has brought us out of the shadows -- ritual services, Sabbath days, times when we had to go somewhere to meet Him at a specific time on a certain day, or having to fulfill certain requirements or

The Body is Christ!

2008-04-19T00:56:00.000+09:00

By Ramone - April 13, 2008 Colossians 2:16-17...Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a New Moon or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah. (HCSB)Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Worshiping Jesus

2008-04-19T00:18:00.007+09:00

Somehow he knows when its worship. He loves music and constantly wants us to have some playing, but when it's worship music, he somehow knows and raises his hand(s). We walked into church once and a worship leader was introducing a new song --the church hadn't begun worshiping with it yet-- but Timothy already put his hands up in the air. God is wonderful. Thank You, God. He is beautiful.

Purpose of the Swamp of God

2008-04-02T19:04:00.000+09:00

I haven't written on this blog in awhile, but in reading some different things on pages just now, this thought I had not long ago came to me, as well as a picture I hope to make soon.Yes, there has been a "swamp" in Japan. Endo was mistaken, however. Endo thought the "swamp" was that Japan was not good ground for Christianity. Yes and no. Japan is good ground for Christ, but not good ground

Higher Law

2008-03-26T00:27:00.002+09:00

Beyond the letter, more glorious than stoneA righteousness that is not my ownA love everlasting, a holy flamePurchased and saved me by His name_____Forever I'll standIn awe, love and thanksof Your law that set me free_____Mercy has triumphed over judgment for meYour word and blood have washed me cleanHoly, pure and Spotless OneYou took my place, gave me grace and love!_____Forever I'll standIn

Timo the Artist

2008-03-23T21:28:00.006+09:00

Yoko was writing something and Timo wanted to try... turned into his first art which, alas, I have not photographed. But I dare say he enjoyed it. Hehe.*****Post-Script - June 4, 2008As I was putting captions to the "pictures of us" on the Art for Jesus blog, I thought of putting in the words of delight from Proverbs 8 for this picture. As I did that, I began to really think about that! I used

Happy Birthday Timo!

2008-03-21T15:14:00.009+09:00

I can't believe it's been a whole year already! But Timothy is a year old, and if you want to see some of the insanity of his birthday week, click the picture below to see EIGHTY-ONE pictures of his crazy cuteness.Timo's Birthday March 20, 2008

I Surrender All

2008-03-11T00:30:00.000+09:00

All to Jesus, I surrenderAll to You I freely giveI will ever love and trust YouIn Your presence daily liveI surrender allI surrender allAll to You, my blessèd SaviorI surrender allAll for me Jesus surrenderedOn Yourself You took my shameOn Your nail-scarred hands foreverLovingly You wrote my nameYou surrendered allYou surrendered allAll for me, my blessèd SaviorYou surrendred all_________________

Yeshua, Shabbat Shalom

2008-03-11T00:24:00.000+09:00

Shabbat shalom, Shabbat shalomMoshiach Yeshua, Shabbat shalomShabbat shalom, Shabbat shalomMoshiach Yeshua, Shabbat shalomYeshua, YeshuaShabbat, Shabbat shalomYeshua, YeshuaShabbat, Shabbat shalomShabbat shalom, Shabbat shalomMoshiach Yeshua, Shabbat shalom=======Shabbat shalom, Shabbat shalomMoshiach Yeshua has brought shalomShabbat shalom, Shabbat shalomMoshiach Yeshua has brought shalomYeshua,

Response to Adventist Today (short)

2008-03-07T17:07:00.000+09:00

In spring 2007, I wrote an article about the Adventist "family altar" which I posted here and which also was put into Proclamation! Magazine (in shortened form) in the May/June issue. Dennis Hokama of "Adventist Today" magazine referenced much of the article and attempted to refute what I had asserted. The following letter is what I sent to Adventist Today in response to Hokama. The editor

A Song of Intercession

2008-03-04T19:32:00.000+09:00

My heart cries outHoly Spirit intercedeFor the one(s) needing YouIn Jesus' nameHoly Spirit intercedeAngels intercedeJesus intercedeDarkness flee—in Jesus' nameWe bind you—in Jesus' nameFather, by Your heartWe intercedeDeclare Your victory

Today

2008-03-04T13:25:00.000+09:00

Today I am blessed in the heavenly realms With every blessing in Jesus Today I have fellowship in the arms of God Life in the sufferings of the Cross Today You speak to me and I hear Your voice Soft, my heart beholds Your work done And by faith believing in Your grace alone Today I am saved and Your own Today in the Holy of Holies I bow Brought here by Your hand and Your blood Today is the day of

Your Blood

2008-03-04T13:19:00.001+09:00

I'm broken because Your blood is my lifeAnd I realize blood should stay insideBut Your blood came to me so unnaturallyPoured out in pain, through violence and shameHow can I sing, how can I speakof Your blood so easily?I look upon You, You whom I piercedAnd I just glimpse Father's griefBroken, I accept that this was for meAnd I'm alive eternallyBecause Your blood was spilled for meBecause Your