finishing well

Oh Yeah! This is it!

United States versus  Japan.

Women's Olympic Soccer Finale!

If you didn't watch either of the semifinals... then you'll have no idea what is about to begin.
Both unbelievable games.

Before the Olympics began, I was asked many times, 

" What if both USA and Japan make it to the finale? Who will you cheer for "?

.....  I can say honestly , BOTH!

This would mean a rematch after the World Cup final, which this alone qualifies it for a day to watch if any.

After watching the semi finale match of USA versus Canada I realized the only thing I take a certain amount of national pride in is ....

...... the athleticism, heart and tenacity with which my countrymen play their sports!

I'll be cheering for all players in the game.... 

but a Gold for the USA is my hope!!!

May the best team win and may they do so with heart. May they find real gratitude for the strength, stamina, and ability to grasp the medal and finish well.

It's gonna' be GOOD! Game on!


How we finish is far more important than how something begins.
"素晴らしく”：Finish well.

Hebrews 12:1-2 " And therefore , since we have such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross..."

::: running with joy :::

the olympics are upon us.  im pumped. its remarkable to me to see so many discpilined athletes come together from all over the world to demonstrate harmony, sportsmanship, and dedication. there is a scotsman who's story is famously known for what later was made into the movie, "The Chariots of Fire".

His name is Eric Liddell. 

He is most widely known for his refusal to run on Sunday in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. He was to run in his strongest event: the 100 meter race. Instead he registered to run in the 400 meter. At the time before His race, he was handed a piece of paper that had the following inscribed on it,

"Those who honor me, I will too honor".

Liddell ran the race with the verse from 1 Samuel 2:30 in his hand and claimed Olympic Gold and a new world record with a time of 47.6 seconds. When asked to describe his race plan, he said, " The secret of my success over the 400 meters is that I run the first 200 meters as fast as I can. Then, for the second 200 meters, with God's help, I run faster." His story continues as a legacy, but what He chose soon after His Olympic gold speaks boldly of His commitment to God.   Born to Christian missionaries who were working in China, Liddell returned to China soon after his olympic victory turning away from all  new founded success. It is here, in China, that he ultimately would face his death. He was sent by the Japanese to an Internment camp in Weihsien, in the province of Shantung, where he inspired and spurred on many but suddenly died from a brain tumor. This was an individual who lived his life to the absolute fullest possible. 

He dedicated his life in obedience to God's will and teaching others. He encouraged them to live in accordance with the example Jesus established for us to follow. He was a happy guy that ran with great joy. Often chastised by his sister for his  fervent passion for running, Liddell saw His lifes purpose clearly through running regardless of others rebuke.

         Liddell has become an enormous encouragement in his story of discipline and    passion. He believed, "God has made him for Himself for China". 

 " I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure".- Eric Lidell

 You see, Faith is like a muscle that when not exercised... atrophies. We are running for a great prize... or at least you should be! Putting not only our bodies through physical training, but exercising our faith too is of utmost importance.

 It is something worth thinking about:

What goal are you running towards?  

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 Is there joy and freedom experienced in your race? 

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 Does each breath, step, stride bring you one step closer to the finish line?

Philippians 3:12-14  

¹² Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on ^[h]so that I may lay hold of that ^[i]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

::: This is love :::

Life is good.

Life is really good.

But Life is even better with Jesus.

It's often, I find, I cannot find words to express myself properly. Language challenges do add complexities to this...  How good life has been with Him is indescribable for me. His love is written all over my life.  

It seems almost the instant that I want to give up... 

His love comes blazing through like new sunlight.

His love is Constant. Unchanging. Sacrificial. Generous. Gentle. Supportive. Extravagant.

Some stories must be told and THIS IS one of them.

I was recently in Tokyo again for several reasons... 

An engagement. Two birthdays. A bon voyage. An anniversary... and little did I know, 

New Love. 

Celebrations were definitely in order!!!

I privately thought also it was to be a much needed fun and respite from my mostly "full-on" days in Miyagi. But my self centeredness was quickly ablated; almost immediately, when joined with friends for what was about to be one of the most epic weekends in history here in Japan.

It is not often that deep discussions about Jesus Christ are genuinely welcomed when amongst Japanese. But this was not such the case Saturday night.

There was about 10 of us staying at Yoshi's place, two of which had just gotten engaged several hours ago. This sparked many questions. "What??? They arent going to a hotel tonight? What??? They dont have sex??" Jaws dropped. Nearly speechless to hear that they had not kissed either was not only puzzling but almost hard for them to believe. As Christians we explained, " we are to honor God with all that we are and do as an expression of Love and Adoration." They all said, " Wow, we want love like that. We want what you have".

As the conversation deepened.. several were able to share their testimonies.

While feeling bummed I couldnt share this Love in my heart too... I silently prayed for each... for the words to fall on their ears like poetry, and the spirit of such love to invade their hearts so fiercely they would seek more.

Its true... it happened!

 Michelle and I had planned to head to worship the next morning and invited the others. 

Both Reiji and Eri wanted to come too. 

It was the first time for both.

The message was in both Japanese and English... 

and was exactly what had come up in conversation the night before.

Honoring God: with your heart, your mind, your body, and your resources.

Jokes quickly develop amongst all of us when we're together and this trip was no exception. 

"This is a ---....!!!", was a frequent statement exclaimed through out the weekend in lighthearted efforts to shorten the language gaps.

At one point saturday night someone said ( with regard to our discussion)... 

"This is Love".

It stuck.

The next morning... the closing song was,

"This is Love"!!!

As the weekend was quickly approaching its close...  some rather unexpectingly. We arrived at one train station just in time to run on. Quickly hugging we say good bye and as the doors close... I see Reiji still standing on the platform. "What... that was goodbye"? Oh...how this is the story of my life!  haha 

But this weekend left all of us a little different. I could see how this Love had worked its way in to his heart as we all pasted our faces to the window. I have the sense God is going to do something really special through his life... he just doesn't know it yet. haha.

Eri returned to worship that afternoon with the newly engaged friends. She senses God is calling her.

You see, a love this extraordinary compels us.  All of us... at His feet. 

I am reminded of the story of the woman who had a bleeding disorder for nearly 12 years. Having suffered a great amount and without recovery...she encounters Jesus passing through a large crowd and she reaches for His cloak trying desperately to touch Him. Immediately she is healed. She throws herself at His feet, upon recognizing the truth of what had happened to her. Its evident through this woman that no matter how hopeless the situation seems, believing in and finding such Love brings true freedom, healing and joy.

Still what I say of God  and love is incomplete,

 but no matter what I say, no matter what I do... I am bankrupt without it in my life.

These stories aren't finished.... but I am certainly left in great anticipation.

I am asked by nearly every Japanese here, " Why did you come here"?

This is why I am here.... to see Love overcome and save lives.

::: Heaven opens :::

 My last 10 months here in Japan have been many things. Challenging, beautiful, unforgettable, strange.... and lonely. There are millions of people on this small island nation of Japan but loneliness sits thick like a fog that somedays just wont lift. Today however was a   b e a u t i f u l  day full of evidence of His promises. I got to enjoy a long walk with Him with the Sakura in full bloom now in Miyagi. It was as if Heaven opened. 

We are social creatures but lately, especially within the confines of smaller spaces, I see how much all this unconscious talking is to soften the pain of loneliness and insecurity. Women especially talk way tooooo much... myself included. 

Its these insecurities in me that separate me more and more from others though....making a small crack, into a gap which then soon becomes a crevice or a valley.  I shouldn't pull away in doubt and fear when these are people who really know me and see me the most truthfully. But I do. Its as though I fear the goodness of the blessing... or that it will be taken away.

 Dun, dun, dun. Yes... it has become that obvious, I have abandonment fears. Just when I think I've gotten to a healthy place with it and that its all healed up... it shows its ugly face again. I have strong clear images of where Jesus stands in these old memories and has brought healing... but my flesh always wants to believe the lies again and doubt the truth.

     
         What the hell is that all about?

I used to think until now it is enough to remember others in prayer and memory. My memory often feels closer than all the business of life between two. Its important  but its not enough. We must be willing to be the first to say, "I love you. I will pray for you". We must be willing to invest in a relationship that may or may not produce a desired response. We must be willing to sacrifice time for the things we want in order to be with others.

Jesus shows us this in Luke 24 (* thank you Makito Sensei + Maki). Its not enough not only because we are oriented for relationship but because it is the people who know our hearts and love us dearly who will speak truth into us about who we really are and who we are being made into.

Even if it seems unlikely to us that we can be such a person.

Hanami with Haruna + teachers in Sendai, Tsutsujigaoka Koen

They are often God's whisper lovingly saying , "You are family. You are friend. You are loved. I am supporting you. You are offering much of God to others." But it gets all muddled up in the space between our ears. I hear these statements as pep talks. I often do not believe that what people are really seeing is what they are saying. Im slow of heart... knowing what is truth but not always believing it.

In Luke 24 after Jesus was found to have risen from the tomb, just as He said He would, those who had been closest to Him were talking back and forth; still doubting  that what was said to take place really did. Then Jesus appears to them saying, "Peace be with you". So to say, "Why the troubled hearts"? "Why the thick headedness"? "Why so slow hearted"?

Jesus shows us the example of true belonging and worthiness here even in the midst of stupidity (those moments when we feel the most alone), He patiently explains to us the truth. He doesn't give up and walk away from us. Desperate for more company with Him, they urge Him to stay with them a little longer. He does so and serves them as the host when in fact He is the guest in order to make clear the truth about His feelings toward them.  Even though their doubts were what was separating them from having peace, He then still reminds them that just as He promised He is sending the power from the Father for their equipping. He speaks into our lives the truth that we still haven't fully grown into.

At the end of March I had a four-day visit with my dear friend Michelle, family and new friends in Tokyo. Michelle and I seem to only get to see each other every three months so it was wonderful! Being together, experiencing God in the things around us, allows us to see these truths more clearly and call them into existence, becoming eye-witnesses together to what He is making of our lives for His purposes. It says that they returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy and worshipping Him after their visit with Jesus. His presence and promises brought them joy and peace. Without it... they filled the emptied air with worried talking.

Good food, fellowship and laughs in Tokyo
"Hey guy!" was used to get waiters attention rather than "sumimasen" or "excuse me".... and it worked!!!

Geographically I am  far from many and close to some. But, now, I hope that by letting go of what I think I should be or what I think I am not, I can embrace vulnerability better from where I am. Those that have put up with my distance and stupidity and chosen to remind me of the truth.... I love you from the bottom of my heart!

Though I was and still am at a loss for words considering the anniversary of the events here; I hope those I am here with in Japan know they are not alone. Its still too soon to know when and how what happened will become a "then" and not a "now... but don't loose hope. Be kind to yourself. May Heaven open and saturate you with its Love. Blessings on you Japan, and especially Tohoku. I love you. I am praying for you.

Sakura now in bloom in Miyagi
Their beauty speaks truth of His promise of restoration.

"There is a twilight zone in our hearts that we ourselves cannot see. Even when we know quite a lot about ourselves-our gifts and weaknesses, our ambitions and aspirations, our motives and our drives-large parts of ourselves remain in the shadow of consciousness. This is a very good thing. We will always remain partially hidden to ourselves. Other people, especially those who love us, can often see our twilight zones better than we ourselves can. The way we are seen and understood by others is different from the way we see and understand ourselves. We will never fully know the significance of our presence in the lives of our friends. That's a grace, a grace that calls us not only to humility, but to a deep trust in those who love us. It is the twilight zones of our hearts where true friendships are born.” -H. Nouwen