Pictures of Kyoto

Pictures of Kyoto

Friday, November 21, 2008

What’s your Story?



We all have a story. This is a question you might be asked by someone if you are late. Maybe your wife/ mum/ friend might say, “What’s your story? Why are you late?” Or maybe you did something wrong and you could be asked, “What’s your story?”

Have you ever asked God, “What’s your story?” In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. John 1:1-2, Isaiah 14:12-17 In the beginning was God, In the beginning was the Word, Jesus. They were together and they were one. God had created all the angels and one of them called Lucifer wanted what God had, he wanted God’s throne. So Lucifer was cast out of heaven with the other angels who also rebelled against God.
There is betrayal in heaven even before God makes man.

So In time God set’s about making man. It was a great day in heaven when God made man. Gen 1:26 God said, “Let us make man in our image.” God would visit the man and they would walk together in the garden. It was a beautiful scene, the creator walking in relationship with His creation. In Gen 2 God brought all the animals and the birds to Adam so he could give them a name Panda, Monkey, Tiger, Galah, Kangaroo and Koala. What a tough job but they would have had fun coming up with all the names. Then He makes a woman for Adam. God is giving Adam everything he needs.

However, one day Gen 3 Lucifer appears as a slimy snake. “I know how to get back at the Most High God. I will get His creation, this man, to turn away from God.” As we know the devil succeeded and Adam and Eve were cast from the garden. Sin had entered the story. God’s story had suddenly gone bad. What a dark day in God’s story; more betrayal. The darkness lasted 4 thousand years until Jesus came and dealt with sin. He made a way for us to come back to the creator. What a great story! God’s story is full of love, joy, rebellion, betrayal, pain and loneliness and finally restoration and victory. SO let me ask you, “What’s your story?”

It’s not about you being born, going to school, starting work, getting married, then having kids and so on. It’s about how you fit into the master story. Does your story fit into God’s story? Or are you out there trying to make your own story happen. Trying to get a degree, trying to pay the bills, trying to get married, trying to find meaning in life. Many people live life like this, because they only see their story. They want to be the star in their own story.

But I would rather have a small role in God’s big story then be the lead role in my own small story. I used to see God’s big story, the bible, the gospel message here and my little story here. Grace had come in and saved me and changed my life. But I was still living my story, trying to be the lead role in my own story. I needed to see that my story is not about me and God entering it, but about my story being apart of God’s big story. There is only one story to be told. God’s big story and you am apart of it.

When we are in God’s story we can touch other people’s stories. We can help other people see why they are alive, why they are here. All of our stories need to fit into God’s big story. God created man to have relationship with him. God wants to have a relationship with you.

God wants to be in your story because you are in His. You are in God’s book. Psalms says that God has a book and you are in it. Even before you were born He wrote about you.

God has a story and we are in it. You weren’t made to live your own story; you were made to be in God’s story.

Who made you? Sony or Nintendo?



Nintendo, of course is a Japanese company. They make computer games. Nintendo 64, DS, Nintendo Wii.

Japan is known to be a very creative country that is always making new breakthroughs in Technology. This month at University of Osaka a robot was made called Repliee R1. It is based on a five year old girl, has silicone skin and can blink. She can move like a human and can talk. Its inventors hope it will help elderly and disabled people by doing basic tasks such as getting objects and even bringing drinks. I’d like to own one of those.

Japanese people are very good at making things. But have you ever stopped to think who made you? Some of you are thinking, “Oh, I know, my mum and dad.” Ok. Well who made your mum and dad? “That’s easy, my grandma and grandpa made them.” OK who made them, who made the first person? Was there a company called Nintendo which designed the first person? Everything has a beginning and everything is made with a plan. So who made you? Who thought of you?

Some people believe there was a big bang and earth was created then a slug popped its head up out of a pond. Then it become a fish, grew legs and arms, starting walking, went to a barber, got a hair cut, put on a suit and went to work for Toshiba as a salary man.

I want to tell you, YES there was a big bang. The bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God said, “Let’s make earth,” and bang, there is the planet earth. God said, “Let there be light.” and BANG there is light. Then on the 6th day He says, “Let us make man in our image.” And He formed the first man out of the earth. The first man was not made from a cosmic bang but rather by a loving creator forming him. And so you are created by God. God saw you being formed and said, “I have a plan for you. You are wonderful to me.” You are not a mistake, a number, you are special.

But we have all turned away from the one who has created us. We have chosen to worship and live for ourselves; choosing to worship nature rather than the creator.

He wants you to come back into relationship with Him so you can know why you are here. What’s your purpose? So God sent Jesus His son to forgive you and cover your shame. He came to show you the way back to your creator. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, the life.” Worshipping the trees and water won’t bring fulfilment to our lives only coming back to the father will do this.

No matter what you’ve done or what’s been done to you, no matter how you feel about yourself, your creator loves you. Imagine having a friendship with the creator of your life, of everything. You can. I have. I talk to Him everyday. He told me to tell you, “That you are made by God, you are special to Him, and He loves you.”

Saturday, November 08, 2008

October - What a month.


What a busy month. Birthday, sushi, karaoke, dessert night, purikura. We went to dinner with friends for Sharons birthday. Forgot the name of the restaurant, but it was on Kitayama street, near our house. They serve a four course meal and also viking stlye bread. As much as you like. Yummy bread.



We returned to our favourite place,the sushi train. This time without any of our friends so we could eat all the sushi they think is strange. Burger sushi, meat ball sushi, pork sushi.


But I also like shrimp sushi.




Then there was the famous dessert night. One of the girls had 6 bowls of ice-cream. It's not everyday you share your ice-cream with 10 other people.



And we were able to go out with some of our students and there family. They take their family to karaoke once a year, so the girls were really excited and sang like professionals. Always a good time at karaoke. Even if you can't sing.



The young people this month had a bbq party for there outreach. They had lots of people come. We had a short meeting with singing and a message from ME. It was so cold that I had to keep my message moving so we could all getto the bbq for warm. I had a couple of young people respond so it was worth it.

The boys here are trying to get the bbq started. Japanese style is to use coal and falmeand keep wave the flame till it consumes the coal. Depending on how good you are could take 3o min - to an hour. I think I prefer an aussie bbq with word or gas.


Friday, November 07, 2008

The biggest dessert ever.


I am finally getting to catch up on last months events. We had a great night out at a dessert place in Kyoto. I think it is called "Karefuneya" This dessert cost us $100.00 for 10 people. What a bargain.


I had to buy another one because I was the 11th person. I ate the little one in front and another 4 bowls of ice-cream. It was heaven untill the end.



Beforehand, everyone was so excited and ready to start eating. But afterwards no one wanted to eat ice-cream again. lol.