Jazz Flight

Monday is my normal day off. But this Monday, Memorial Day meant that our son, Bellamy also had the day off, as did his girlfriend. He suggested we head to the river for barbecue, and bring Jazz along so he could swim and play in the river.

Jazz took center stage...

Launch


Flight


Landing (kind of...)


Recovery ;)

Time to SHOUT!

I just thought it was time, past time, to give Him a little glory this morning! It could be because I am listening to a great worship song, "I Will Remember You!". And there is a bit of relief that Casey has finished a really tough semester. God is faithful! And that makes me wanna shout!

God rules: there's something to shout over! On the double, mainlands and islands—celebrate!

Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him;
Right and justice anchor his rule.

Fire blazes out before him,
Flaming high up the craggy mountains.

Brown-Eyed Susan

And after the study, the dog and the camera needed walkin'... ;)

Studying 1 John

Midori and I had a bible study in our home some years ago. One couple came every Friday, missing only once or twice over the 4-year span of the study. Then, the husband was transferred and they moved away. After being away for about 4-and-a-half years, they are back, living in our area.

So today we started a study for the wife (and for us). We'll study every Tuesday afternoon for an hour or so.

Today I introduced 1 John, and then we looked at verses 1-4.

"That which was from the beginning,

which we have heard,

which we have seen with our eyes,

which we have looked at and

our hands have touched—

this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

We write this to make our joy complete." NIV

Living Water

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says." --Jesus

Fishin'

On the way home from church tonight, I shot a pict or two just past Miyajima.

What I'm Chewin' On, This Saturday Morning

From 1 Peter, The Message

Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this! So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives.

Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

"...shaped by God's life"... I like that and I certainly NEED it.

Gripped,
Kevin

Morning Swim

Me? NO WAY!!!

I took Jazz to the Nishiki River and after several rounds of throw-the-ball-fetch-the-ball, I let him get into the river. I found a stick to throw out into the water, and he'd fetch it, over and over and over again. Each time he steps out of the river, the shakin' begins.

His nose is kind of in focus...



Shake, shake...



And the "I-don't-wanna-go-home!!" pose...

Punching Holes in the Darkness

This past Easter, or Resurrection Day, if you like that better, I was able to attend a Sunrise Service on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Chaplain Johnson, a friend, was the preacher, and used this Illustration.

When Robert Louis Stevenson, the author or Treasure island was a young child, he and his family lived in Scotland. As dusk was turning to darkness, he had his face against the window looking out the front of his house. He was fascinated by the lamplighter coming down the street. As the man approached each of the old gas street lamps, he would climb a ladder with torch in hand, and would light each one.

When asked by family what he was looking at, Robert answered with great excitement, "There's a man coming down the street punching holes in the darkness!"

That illustration was one of those "wow" moments for me. As I minister in Japan, and as any Christian anywhere, tells another about Jesus, the Light of the World, we are doing just that; punching a hole in the darkness of unbelief and despair. However little-by-little it may be, we keep punchin' holes for the Light to shine through.

Where We LIve

We live only about a 10-minute drive from Kintai Bridge. I come here often. More often in the summer, so that Jazz can swim. We think he's part fish.

I mentioned Kikko Park in an earlier post. That's to the right at the base of the mountain.

Back to the bridge. It is one of Japan's top tourist attractions. It can be photographed in so many different ways and each season offers a completely unique look. You'd think folks would never get tired lookin' at it. I've been here for ages and I still haven't stopped enjoying this magnificent structure and its surroundings.

Stay tuned for more of "Where We Live".

Hard Choices

I am leading a Couples' Home Bible Study in Hiroshima, and tonight we'll wrap up a look at Esther. It's amazing how Esther, who had little choice in her life, and how irreversible that seemed, was called on to make a choice that rescued God's people. Esther made the right choice, knowing that the consequences could have meant her death. God's people, her people, the Jews, as a result, were rescued and brought to a place of honor.

When I am faced with a hard choice, will I give the right answer, do the right thing, and turn to God?

Esther sent back her answer to Mordecai: "Go and get all the Jews living in Susa together. Fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, either day or night. I and my maids will fast with you. If you will do this, I'll go to the king, even though it's forbidden. If I die, I die."

Esther 4:15-16 The Message

Kintai and Kikko Park

Iwakuni is famous for Kintai Bridge. Kikko Park is the area, kind of behind the bridge. I seldom see anyone behind the large Shinto Shrine. It's really a great place for a walk, and where Jazz and I play hide and seek--I hide, he seeks. The pict above is the area directly behind the shrine.

Text I'm Chewin' On

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

--Galatians 6

Kevin

A quick stop at Peace Park

I was in Hiroshima, between meetings. It just made sense to stopped by and get a pict. I used Aperture to adjust and turn this shot into a b/w one.

Yesterday, Midori and I, along with her mom, and sister-in-law, drove to Oshima for lunch and a drive along the east side of the island. I stopped to take a picture or two. Not the best time of the day for picts, but the blues were remarkable.

Day One

I am venturing out, basically just to have a place to post my picts. And if I feel up to it, write down a thought or two.