Continue Intercede!

Thank you for your earnest prayers for Japan in past few weeks! The internet suicide influence had slow down for almost ten days now. There were still suicide news, yet we are hoping that this will come to an end SOON! 

Please continue to press in in interceding! There are prayer points that I would like you to consider.

Internet providers' decisions/responsibility.

The Internet providers had not really seriously decided to delete the harmful contents in the website. Check this out. Although it seems that the news release was quite assuring that they are going to delete the harmful contents, yet until April 25, nothing had been done. (Please refer to the earlier news release that I sent).  

About what to delete, and what not, there is another thing that I wish to gain your attention with: "However, recently sites such as secret school sites in which junior high and high school students post slanderous comments about other people have appeared, and providers have had a hard time deciding whether or not the information is harmful and whether they should delete it."  

The slanderous comments about other people had been another form of destructive school bullying - Ijime. It had suspected to lead to suicide and social isolation of a number of students. However there is no official reports from school or police. However this had caused serious attention of the media since 2 years back.

Suicide as a result of Ijime had always under covered. Yesterday a 12 years old boy jumped down from his Tokyo apartment. Was he one of the victim? we don't know. 

Remember the areas without church! 

The church is reviving in some places in Japan. We praise God for that! We still have a lot to do! There are many in Japan who live in a circle without any church or any Christians in their community. Let's pray for workers, not only in the campus, but elemental and secondary schools. Let's pray for revival not only in the cities, but the rural areas like Nagano, Akita, Aomori, Iwate, Wakayama, Ishikawa etc. Some works had been started in some of these place, still there is a lot to be done!

 

Please, remember the Japanese in your prayers!  

Prayer points: 

1. The chance of life. 

2. Empty hearts to be filled. 

3. Opportunity to learn and experience Jesus. 

4. The responsibility of the net providers.

5. Shut down of secret school sites. 

6. Shut down of internet suicide sites. 

7. Pray against Ijime, the school bullying.  

Thank you!

Re: 

Hundreds evacuated after Hokkaido man kills himself by inhaling deadly gas: 

12-years old boy jumped from his Tokyo Apartment.

45 Victims Caught in Demonic Suicide Influence in last 20 days

This piercing pain pierced me deeply at my soul, and I felt limp for a moment while I was writing this. 

At least 45 victims were caught in this demonic scheme just within last 20 days, hurting many more bi-standers and innocent people. 

Let's call for intercession!

Pray for:

1. The Lord to intervene.

2. Break the bond of the devil.

3. Wisdom and protection of the Japanese police officers who invest this case.

4. Peace and hope for the bereaved family members.

5. Wise and immediate action from Christians groups in Japan. 

Feel free to add more and comment on the intercession point! We will love to hear from you, if you had heard His voice about this. 

Re: (1) http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4171 (2)http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080403TDY02307.htm

What is Urgent?

Japan needs Jesus. And Japan needs experts in web-base technologies, social science people, medical people, teachers, businessmen, artists who are Christians, to be there in their societies. I always believe that the Kingdom is about "life impacting life". 

The story that Shane picked up at CNN news report on April 24, last Thursday, had been a disturbing one.

A 14 years old girl killed herself by mixing detergent and cleanser. And it seems to be another one encouraged by internet sites. It is not that we were not aware of the high number of suicides in Japan, but it is the extend of the internet suicide influence had gone far worse these days. The international art-festival celebration had highlighted and celebrated the production of people like Ryo Nakajima and Shunji Iwai, where some of their productions had been hard to swallow. "This World of Ours" and "The Story of Lily Chow" will perhaps lead you to a fantasy of hidden dreams and sadness of hidden reality in this society.

• STORY HIGHLIGHTS
• Girl, 14, mixed detergent, cleanser to make toxic fumes
  
• Fumes escaped from bathroom, sickening 90 people in apartment house
  
• Girl's death latest in string of suicides encouraged by Internet sites
  
• Japan has ninth-highest suicide rate in world, government says

Please, seriously think this over. If you have the talent, if you have the skill, if you like to be a tentmaker, please consider Japan. If you are thinking of supporting the mission field, please consider Japan. Japan had always been left out from the 10/40 windows for reasons, either intentional or unintentional. Many had been set back because of the high cost, and low response rate. Perhaps, it could be the feeling of the "proud and ego" needs no healing. Perhaps it could be "hatred". Perhaps, it was BLINDNESS.

If you think there are more "urgent place" than Japan, I'm not sure about this. I had never see the Kingdom is "urgent" at one place, and "no urgent" in another place. 

But I do agree that there are many urgent needs of healthcare aids and human rights aids. And we feel good, because we fulfilled a good Samaritan duty. People feel good when they have something to give! Honestly, we might not be be proud or sensing urgent to tell people about Jesus, but we are good in giving money to the poor and needy. 

I just wish to make these facts clear to you: 

Japan has 128 million people, and you probably have more than 30% of them are above 50s. We have around 100 people suicide in a day. The common suicide group was the middle age group, but now we observe school children. Violence and crimes, homicides by children or teenagers. The economic setback had not turned well. A report of 1 million of missing youths. People are dying because of aging, or suicide, or living in grief because of lost of someone. We are losing this group of people! 

If you need to feel good in missions, you can give Japan something too. Give them your love, your thoughts, your prayers! Give them friendship, tell them about Jesus, tell them how to live! Give money to the one who is going to Japan to be a missionary. Don't just hang on to your tithe, or established mission organizations. There are many places where people are dying, and there is not a single church or a single presence of mission organizations!

Pray, and ask God to lead you to this person!

Pray, and ask God to show you this place, and the needs of this people!

Do not brush off Japan from your mind, because it appeared to be "rich", and not as "urgent"as other lands! I don't think this is what the Lord has in His mind. 

Be sure, be encouraged! The Lord had called a team! You are not the only one, if you had been yearning for the Salvation in Japan for long. Take courage! 

Spiritual poverty is no better than physical poverty. I know every place is sick, but be clear about this: JAPAN  is sick,  too. 

Bless you!

Roseline

三自之说

原来日本也有三自教会之说：自治、自养、自传。

这个三自的定义和中国的三自定义一样，同样是提倡本土化色彩的教会，不依靠外来宣教士，不采用外国的教材，乃是度身订做自己的教材。但不同的是，日本的三自是民间教会运动，中国的三自是政治运动。

那么，日本的三自教会在教义上与传统教会有何不同？这一点就要多方考究了。但是的确有些三自教会到最后是与基督教义貌合神离的。除了挂上个十字架、谈信神、也谈爱邻如己，却在本质上有许多不同和相冲的地方。到底为什么会这样呢？

再看清楚的时候，这个“原始”和“外来”的冲突早已在1890年，内村鑑三早已提出，直至在1901年的时候创办了“无教会”。

因此日本化的福音不是个新鲜的题材 -- “道会” 和“基督心宗教团” 早在20世纪初期已经在传，期待用日本的视窗去理解福音，可惜却与真道大相挺径而。而无教会、无藩篱的论调更不新鲜。今天在宣教里我们还是一样会谈这个，但是我们必须理解别人抗拒和赞同的原因。

这些资料却告诉我们日本人很早就希望拥有完全属于自己的教会，一个不吞没自己传统和民族色彩的教会。于是当我们今天再谈救赎文化的时候，面对冲击的时候，面对不被谅解的时候，我们也可以从历史里知道问题的所在。日本的福音的领土上不仅仅只占一小片土地，所占的这一小片却有着无数的心酸、牺牲、争拗、苦痛和逼迫。仅仅地那1%，却被看似基督的异端瓜分了超过七成。难怪日本教会总是小心翼翼，时而比外邦人更会挑剔、更不合作。

为日本的这样一个景象要多祷告！我们出去短宣的时候所看见的是絢烂和绮丽，但愿这些热情不限于一刻，乃是持久有力。

Re: Mark Mullins. Christianity Made In Japan - A study of Indigenous Movements

Woman's hour

If you remember in 2006, when many were expecting and predicting a change of the Japanese women status quo and power in the future, Princess Kiko had gave birth to a boy in September that year. BBC host Jenni Murray had a interesting conversation with Kuniko Inoguchi, Dr. Lola Martinez and Lynne Nakano at the beginning of the year. 

Though the issue of empress or emperor no longer exist, the issues that had been discussed in this program perhaps are still the very core issues today: opportunities for women in work, opportunities for women in education, low birth rate and high 1st married age.

The link to this audio record is still available in BBC. Please click on the link below and check it out. It's kind of interesting perspectives of three different women at different side of the world. 

BBC Woman's Hour

I will urge you to pray before you listen to this program. Also, if you are interested in women ministry, you might get some light of what is awaiting for you, and how your gifting is going to be useful in the field. :-) God bless!

Manga Messiah

Read this:

New Life League Japan (NLLJ) is publishing a very important and exciting series of books called “Bible Manga.” Japanese artists are creating five genuine manga books based on the Bible (three Old Testament and two New Testament). The original art and text is in Japanese but Manga Messiah has already been released in English and is available at Amazon. According to Roald Lidal, NLLJ will publish the original Japanese version of Manga Messiah in Japan in early 2008.

I have a copy of the English one. I think it is great, accurate to the account, and they had tried to deal with the accurate time frame in Jesus' ministries by a careful study of the four gospel. Get a copy of it, Manga Messiah.

SEEKING FORGIVENESS FOR 1,250 YEAR

Every year during the darkness of cold March night sparks fly, as monks shake 2.5-meter-long flaming torches with all their might, and bells and horns echo through Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan.

 

About 30,000 visitors flock to see part of the two-week ritual on the climactic night of March 12.

 

The more than 1,250-year-old annual ritual calls for 11 selected monks to cut themselves off from their usual lives and gradually purify their minds.

 

While the monks with the torches dance close enough to the fire to singe their eyebrows in a closed-door ritual, conducted in the temple's inner sanctum, one of the eleven monks splashes sacred water and others help to dust off the sparks from the floor. The other monks bow thousands of times to repent for people's sins.

 

According to Buddhist doctrine, people commit myriad offenses due to the ‘Three Poisons’ -- greed, anger and ignorance. When the offenses accumulate, people become unable to see the truth and become ill.

 

Since ordinary people cannot repent for their sins and misconduct, the monks do so, on their behalf in the ritual.

Source: Yomiuri News, by K. Sakane, 2006-06-20

Some people might think this is creepy. But I guess majority of us here would see this perhaps serve as a great redemptive tool for Good News! These people do acknowledge sins, and believe that there is a need to repent!

Many in the crowd might be there just for fun, but many more would be there simply believing that the Kannon will remove their sins, and they will be heal from sickness and troubles in life. We need to find these people and tell them what is the TRUTH! more 

Mission Frontiers

I hope that you are already reading this, and I pray that you will read this if you have not. 

 "Missions Frontiers" presents very solid ideas on the direction of evangelical and missions movement providing firm evidence to each idea they claims. It opens our eyes on the area "unserved", "untapped", and moves us on to take role in the Kingdom movement. 
Let's learn together!           January - February 2008 Contents

Heart4Japan

Job had just called me this afternoon, sharing with me that 30 people had registered as volunteers for community work during missions week at church back home. In deed it was a great news! 

I was informed that a friend in the same time was trying to recruit people to pray for Japan. So, I believe that we have a small corner for Heart4Japan, screening the H4J promotional clip, as well as "God's Fingerprints in Japan" produced  by Daniel Kikawa and his team. We had prepared new brochures, and we are launching "Christians Love Japan Action 2008" in the missions week. 2 more days to go, and I pray that God will open the hearts and minds of people about the needs in Japan. I pray for likely minded partners, intercessors, doers! 

While all these things are happening back home, Heart4Japan is also moving in Hong Kong, although uncertain still, but very likely the plans of God for Heart4Japan at this place is going to be unveil soon, in a fuller manner. 

We have now a group of people that comes from different churches had gathered together to pray for Japan, and share about their desires and love for this nation. And this group of people had also began to adopt the name "Heart4Japan" for themselves. To me, that is tremendous progress! 

"Heart4Japan" should be a movement that people take on the passions and spark it on to others. It's an individual thing, in the same time a corporate thing. Individual should be supported by their respective churches for their visions and plans to get involve. If not, we will support each other as a team! Not to act alone, but as a team. We share resources, provide information and links to local churches and missions organizations. We share our visions, doubts, and we pray together for a breakthrough in the field! The basis for Heart4Japan existence is that, "We come for each other!" We stand in for each other. 

Interestingly we find, Satan love to distract us from this vision, by threatening individuals, making us to feel alone, creating chaos and disunite God's people to come together even just to pray for Japan. The evil one had been doing this since day one as we started this group. The devil hit so hard, that we could always feel it instantly as almost every meeting began. The atmosphere would became so intense, that we would quickly engage into spiritual warfare, and that was scary at the beginning, but it helped us to train our spiritual muscles. Now, as we pray, we are excited about things to come, we know we are on the track, and the devil is afraid. And it is exciting to see how God intervene in this matter! We are not fighting alone, but with the help of holy beings and His very presence. 

As a member of Heart4Japan, whether you are networking with us or not, we need to beware of what is going on at the other side, and put on the armor of God regularly, constantly if possible. Knowing that it is not against flesh and blood that we are struggling with, but the powers of darkness and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

And this was what I saw when I was in Shiga, listening to this sermon in year 2005. I saw the power of the sermon was being bounded by the forces of authorities, just like a cocoon in the air, struggling, full of energy. Yet it was so hardly pressed that you can sense a bursting force encapsulated, and that was this sense that this cocoon had been there for a long period of time. 

Then I began to sense the heartaches, disappointments and desperation in the field, which mainly caused by the disunity and distrust of God's very own people. And we need to break THAT to reduce the dark force! Heartaches, disappointments, desperation was the essential component that had aggravated the dark force that had bounded the spirit of God in a form of cocoon! It is silly that on one hand we are shouting REVIVAL, and we are asking for REPENTANCE in this land; on another hand we are pulling one another, thus delaying the march of the Kingdom! 

We need to be aware! Be fully aware of it!

Now, the church that I am serving in Hong Kong had been thinking about working along with Heart4Japan. Although things had not gone very smoothly, yet there is hope in Christ! God had told me that "the Church is coming in", "this is not your ministry, but MY ministry. " I will lean on that message!

Yet, the group in Hong Kong had not been able to get together to pray with each other since October last year. This is not good at all! We need to get together to pray for Japan as corporate at least three times a year. And aside from that, we should form into small groups, constantly sharing our visions and dreams and encourage each other and intercede for each other at least once in a month. We should know what others are doing, be alert, and reading resources on our own, so that we know where we are, and how we can help to facilitate others for Japan! Ask God for the peace in Japan, ask God for the workers to be sent, ask God to send us partners to work together! Our God is for missions! He sent His only Son to die for us so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but live forever! His heart is for all people, not one less. 

People, we are called to be a Watchman! Not sleep-man. 

Arise! Watch for Japan! For our Lord, Jesus Christ is coming. He arise!

Pledge Allegiance

As we are going to have this discussion of "Is Christ the only way to Heaven?", this song came to me, "I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb".

This song was one of my favorite songs, not that I can sing them well, but songs that I listen in my quiet time, as I seriously consider my faith. 

God had quietly introduced to me a number of songs that almost review the whole history of early disciples and the life of Jesus before I was matured enough to read the bible on my own. It was the time while i was seeking, I was listening Nichole Nordeman; then Michael Card before I made my choice; then while I was building my foundation on Jesus Christ, Roy Boltz became my another source of inspiration. And because of the work of these artists, my heart was heavily pounded and half aware by the sacrifice of Christ and choices that believers have to make.

Look for these singers, Nichole Nordeman, Michael Card, Roy Boltz, and may you be bless! May you begin to seriously hear the Gospel, and choices that comes with it. If you are still considering in making that choice in your life, and you are not reading the bible, these songs would help you.

Bless you, my friends!

Coming back to this song, "I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb", If Christ is not the only way to Heaven, it doesn't make sense of the effort of the early church. And beware my friends, there will come a time for us to choose. What will you choose?

Listen to it carefully, and you will hear, it is the name of Christ that Herod had asked the people to reject, so we can see the name of Christ is really important, a foundation of our faith. Not all who does good go to heaven, but the one who believe in His name, Jesus Christ.

You were born to be love

きみは愛されるため生まれた
きみの生涯は愛で満ちている
きみは愛されるため生まれた
きみの生涯は愛で満ちている
永遠の神の愛は　われらの出会いの中で実を結ぶ
きみの存在が　私にはどれほど大きな喜びでしょう
きみは愛されるため生まれた　今もその愛受けている
きみは愛されるため生まれた　今もその愛受けている

When one is searching the meaning of life, when one has doubt about his or her own existence, perhaps this will be the song that speaks to him or her. Yet, without a practical action of love that is shown by you and me, believers, how would we expect them to understand the fulfillment of eternal God in their live?

Mourning over one who lost - remembering BEYOND

It's always painful to lost someone who is dear to us, or even someone who had impacted our lives. For Christians, because of our faith, the sorrow would be flushed by the ensure of Heaven in the love and mercy of Christ.

There was a band in Hong Kong in the mid 80's to mid 90's. And there was this singer, 黄家驹Ka Kui. Ka Kui was the main song writer for the band - BEYOND. There was a heavy message of peace and hope in their songs. Music was great, they introduced bridge into their music, and it was not common at that time. They were at the front line, silently striking difference, yelling for equity when the rest on the stage were still lingering in popular music.

They really had made a great impact in the youth! Marginal or not marginal, respected their work.

In 1993, he fell off a 3 meter platform head first while he was working with the Fuji Television. He was then admitted into Tokyo Hospital and died after spending several days in coma. He was 31.

He had a vision, a dream, and a fighting sprit, never gave up. Sometimes he wore a big cross at his neck, and it kept me wonder if he was a Christian? Had it been a time that he was seriously considering about this faith, had someone reached out to him? perhaps he had sometime in the past even had said the sinner's prayer? It had been 15 years after he had left, and I still had that thought in me. A hope to see him in Heaven one day, and talk to him, tell him how much we miss him, just like a friend. O Lord, have mercy!

I thank God for all the people that had impacted my life, yet there are so many that I love and know do not know Christ! It's very uneasy to see such person leave us without knowing Christ. We talked about mourning in the last bible class, and you would be surprise that I'm constantly in pain mourning for my love ones who died before they became a Christian. And that feeling of lost and sadness created a big hole in my heart, and this is painful.

And I begin to think over this again, if I would mourn over the lost of someone that much, what more the mourn of the Lord to the lost of His people?

O Japan, how should I forget you？There are 128million people in Japan that do not know Christ. And many are fading away because of their age! Japan is not getting any further without Christ, in both physical or spiritual sense! People are dying without Christ in Japan! 100 people suicide in a day of average. The figure equals to the average total death in a year for Hong Kong. What would God think about this situation? Would he mourn over Japan?


O Lord, I plea to thee, not one to be lost!



Below is a video clip in remembering of Ka Kui, setting aside what we had missed in this young man's life and talent, what I felt the biggest miss is if we do not meet in Heaven......

SUKIYAKI = I look up as I walk?

To listen to the "SUKIYAKI" song, please click on "SUKIYAKI".
The correct translation of the title of this song is "I Look Up As I Walk"


taken from youtube video, uploaded by stereodyles.

The first time for Japan pop music hit into the pop charts of the world (1963) -- SUKIYAKI Song sung by Kyu Sakamoto.

The song was so popular, that it was "translated" into English version and being sung by popular artist then. Yet, the translation was never what the original song meant. Even as we are excited about the fantastic ideas we are going to present and the wide open opportunities in front of us, yet there are also chances of people who are only interested with the rythm more than the meaning of the lyrics.

But nevertheless, "All things work together for the benefit of the people who loves Him". So let us not be discouraged, but just be "aware", be "alert", and be "OPEN" of the work of the Holy Spirit at this time.

God bless you!

J Gospel hits Japan

Our friend Joe Ozawa had sent us a great news, exciting and idea provoking! Marking another benchmark of Japan gospel.

Friday, February 15, 2008
J Gospel hits Japan
By Michael IrelandChief Correspondent,

ASSIST News Service TOKYO, JAPAN (ANS) --

While the world still marvels at Japanese Technology, Japanese Fashion and Japanese Food, a quiet revolution is taking place in the small Island on the other side of the world. Known as J-Gospel, a new musical phenomenon is growing and spreading and beginning to exert influence similar to J-Pop and other forms of Japanese music that have taken over Asia by storm. According to Kaori Yamamoto one of the leading voices in the genre, "J-Gospel is in a sense a going back to our own roots. Many people do not know that gospel music has been sung in Japan for centuries, as far back as the first century when boatloads of refugees from the mainland came to Japan in search of freedom." In particular,in the 17th century the music of Kirishtan was Japanese, indigenous and spread through the country, Yamamoto said. "Following World War II, American Gospel spread throughout Japan and in the early 90s there was boom in Black Gospel Music which resulted in many choirs and even a television program on the main Government Channel.

Partly in reaction to that and partly in a going back to their roots in indigenous forms of the genre, Yamamoto and others are seeing the birth of a completely Japanese version.
"Ranging from `Ryukyu Gospel` with the haunting tones of Japan`s southernmost Island, Okinawa to `Enka Gospel` written in the traditional Japanese musical style, J-Gospel has spawned a weekly Radio Program, soon moving to TV, Live concerts throughout the country and its own label," he said.From February 27 to March 2, in Shinjuku in central Tokyo, J-Gospel fans are preparing for what is being billed as the introduction of the genre to the world.Entitled Gospel Legend the five-day event in one of Japan`s premier venues will be featuring in addition to Kaori Yamamoto, J-Gospel bands such as Hide-C, Kiki, Yoshi Blessed, Route of Soul and more.
Event producer Yoshi Ikarashi says: "Starting from one of Japan`s key venues we are planning over a five day period to introduce J-Gospel to Japan and the world. Following the introduction in Japan, we are planning to taking J-Gospel to the world."

Japan`s newest invention is seen by some experts as a possibility to finally revive the last time a Japanese song hit the pop charts of the world -- in 1963 when the `Sukiyaki Song` sung by Kyu Sakamoto hit number one on the US Charts.

Yamamoto, Ikarashi and the other J-Gospel artists and their fans are convinced this can happen again beginning on April 27 in the heart of downtown Tokyo.

For more information on Gospel Legend,

contact:03-5780-1111/1113 info@kirisuto.com

Heart4Japan Promote Clip

We have produce a new version of Heart4Japan promote clip! Chinese, time around 3.5min.

Feel free to ask a copy from us for the recruitment of His people for His Kingdom!

GOD BLESS YOU!

一个小孩，摇摇晃晃

感谢神，今天我和朋友一起吃了一顿很滋味的午饭，有很好的交流，又和康叔到街市买了一些腊味，认识了一些新朋友（其中一个应该在日后的研究中会有更多的交流吧），后来还和一众社工一起去看了《没有回忆的街道》社会剧场。除此之外，还收到了好几封很有意思的信件。这一些都是神给我的一些鼓励和安慰。

跟上帝得关系有点像情人。每一天都必须有一剂从祂而来的兴奋剂，要是感受不到上帝的那份贴心，就觉得很不自在，很难受。感谢神，祂总不叫我的日子太难捱。

很高兴今天能和这个朋友很悠闲地吃了个午饭。我们在偶然下的一个情况里认识，对我来说就像在寒夜里喝了一碗热粥。可能就是那种感觉，于是很自然地聊起来，很自然地把一些很个人的事，平时不会特别去谈的事，一件一件地聊起来。可能不是同一个单位，也没有特别的因素要叫我有所顾忌，所以就变得很自由地相处、没有压力。虽然我平时也喜欢说话，而且也喜欢自我解剖，但是怎说呢？ -----

好像一个小孩，摇摇晃晃地坐在舟中，有时候紧紧闭着眼睛，有时候兴奋地指着水里游到舟边的鱼儿比手划脚，有时候静静地卧在舟板上看着在天上飘浮的白云，然后幻想，然后微笑。

能够这样轻松地谈Heart4Japan，谈圣经，谈末世，谈想法，不是作答也不是为了教导，这种心情对我来说是少有的。所以，我想上帝真的很爱我。在冷天里给了我一丝的温暖，让我可以藉着这样的分享和分析里好好地思考，嘴嚼着上帝放在我面前的盘菜，细细地品尝里面的味道。这些都是平时一个人静下来才办得到的事，却在今天的午饭里有得着。所以，今天我特别感受到上帝的爱和恩典，而且还是很个人的。

于是特别在还记得的时候记下来，这样的心情 -- 一个小孩，摇摇晃晃 --

感谢神，阿门。

Jeremiah 3:25

There is different message for different time.

In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham tried to convince God not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if as many as ten righteous people could be found.

In Jeremiah 5:1, God offers to forgive Jerusalem if a single honest person can be found.

While I am reading Jeremiah 3:25, I thought I saw Japan.

"Return, faithless people; I will cure you of your backsliding."

"Yes, we will come to you, 

for you are the LORD our God.

Surely the idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception; 

surely in the LORD our God is the salvation of Japan.

From our youth shameful gods have consumed the fruits of our fathers' labor --

their flocks and herds, their sons and daughters.

Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us.

We have sinned against the LORD our God,

both we and our fathers; 

from our youth till this day

we have not obeyed the LORD our God."

"If you will return, O Japan, return to me,"            declares the LORD.

"If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray,

and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear,

'As surely as the LORD lives,'

then the nations will be blessed by him and in him they will glory."

Jeremiah 3:22-4:2

みんな、頑張ろ！

Christianity in Japan

It's a pain in my heart before I can start writing again after reading these books. 

Perhaps there were a lot of truth in there which we as missionaries and evangelists had failed to see, and we are repeating the same cycle again because of our ignorance. 

Or perhaps it's reminding us about how the history was, and we really need ask God why, and pray that He will pour His Spirit on us, so that we can pray and act according to His will!

I encourage you to find these books, and read it, and learn, and pray, and share with us! 

Peace be with you, Amen.

tithing

About tithing, very true! I experienced the same as the couple said. 

And giving out more than 10%, I believe it's the practice of most of the readers here.

As of reverse tithing of 90%, hmm... I never done that....... but then it came to a part of my life, that I felt giving my off-work time, and weekends to Him and the work of Heart4Japan was not enough. I needed to give it more, perhaps all of my time, all that I have.

Guess perhaps that's tithing.

Mushi 無視

In the observation of Hattori Yuichi 服部雄一, some clients reported emotional abuse by their parents, particularly shunning or ignoring the child, which is called "mushi" 無視　in Japan. 

He further described the case of "mushi無視" probably being a mother refused to talk to a child from a few hours to several days or weeks. The mother will not tells the child the reason for her behavior and never responds if the child asks for an explanation. And this emotion neglect had left pain and wounds in these children, thus perhaps as the trauma experience hidden within a hikikomori patient. 

Yuichi defines Hikikomori as a disease, a post-trauma event.

Well, the findings does not support if a Hikikomori is a post-trauma event at all, but the association of "mushi無視" with "emotional trauma" experience.

"mushi無視" is definitely not a pleasant experience. I'm not sure if it only happens in Japan, but I guess Asian females share this commonality in "purposely neglecting one's request in silence".  Perhaps you can tell me more!

Re: Yuichi Hattori. Social Withdrawal in Japanese Youth: A Case Study of Thirty-Five Hikikomori Clients. 2005 Haworth Press.