The rumors are true...

In an effort to prevent an international scandal, and after pointed talks with the State Department, the Japanese Diet has decided to grant a reprieve and allow yours truly back into the country on the condition that I never again attempt to misuse His Imperial Majesty's vending machines or operate a sushi truck without proper licensing.  Also, the stipulation is that I must swear not to reveal anymore secrets of the yamabushi masters.

Fair enough.

I'm going back to Japan!  We're talking precise-to-the-second bullet trains, pine-dark mountain views, mist-shrouded cliffs, and the precious people.

I know, you're thinking, like, what could be cooler than that?

Besides a Jack Burton action figure, that is.

... and, right, of course, Maki Shizusawa jamming on the electric guitar.

Nevertheless, #3 on the Most Awesome List is my heading back to Japan after a five-year stint in Houston.

I'll be back in the Kansai area - Osaka to be exact.  Home of Japanese comedy and drama.  A stone's throw from Nishinomiya.  If you're thinking of how things went south last time, I'm confident this time will be different.

For starters, I'm staying far away from dragons this go 'round.

Um, yeah, let's turn the page, shall we?

So I'll be working a lot with university students, facilitating community, addressing the social issues of identity/belonging, and all the other stuff I've been going on about in past articles.  (Yes, all of those posts were converging for a reason).  I'm pretty stoked to be working with a crack international team, all of us specialists in our fields, seasoned operatives. 

On the downside, this will probably mean I'll be more disconnected from the typical Houston events I used to share on this blog.  I'm glad to have guest bloggers send stuff in, of course, but I imagine you'll be seeing this space look a little more like "Sunrise Osaka Japanese Network" from here on out.  I could start a separate blog for it, but I wouldn't count on it.  Most folks that view this site usually aren't even from Houston.

Only got a few days now.  Much as I'd normally like to fade into the shadows without much fanfare, I've had a great time with all the 別れ会 (farewell parties) and trying not to feel too awkward accepting all the 餞別 (farewell gifts/money).  Like they say, still all pretty surreal.  I don't think it'll all quite hit me until I'm on the plane, or frolicking amid the falling cherry blossoms, or running hard with the hot, sulfurous breath of wingèd creatures on my neck. 

Got my visa in hand, one-way plane ticket in the other, and a dying prayer on my lips.  So in the immortal words of our beloved Spike Spiegel:

(~ Olly Moss copyright.)

                                                                        SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY ...

Moonwalker: Astronaut Charlie Duke

If you're looking for something awesome to see Friday night...

Astronaut Charlie Moss Duke, Jr. give a talk and testimony at ACF this Friday night. 
Dinner at 6:30, speaking 7:30-9:30PM.  Free, by the way.  Lots of good friends to see there too.
 
Or, as they put it:
宇航員Charles Moss Duke Jr. 佈道會
時間：3月22日（週五）7:30PM
地點：First Presbyterian Church
5300 Main Street, Houston, TX 77004
主要講員及內容：Charles Moss Duke Jr. 1972駕駛Apollo 16登陸月球
聯絡電話：713-204-2982

Doubt and Despair in the Shadowlands

Speaking of trying to answer the questions people pose, like “Why are you in Japan?” or “Why did you come here?”, sometimes I just wish I could show them a video or concrete image to show what I mean and not have to say anything.  I often do a terrible and awkward job of trying to explain myself. 

Actually, I did put together a slideshow that I've shown to about a hundred or so people.  But in the moment of conversation a quick reply is needed.

Were I alert, I would like to answer them something like, “Do you know the leading cause of death among youth men (aged 22-44) and women (aged 15-34)?  From 1998 to 2011, Japan has seen over 30,000 fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters kill themselves each year.  People give up hope and destroy their life by jumping from buildings and hanging themselves and other means.  By God’s grace, I aim to share the hope of life with them.”

Recently I came across a video that nicely elucidates one tip of the iceberg from a secular point of view.  I hope many people will watch it.  I hear it’s already been making a big impact.  I would love to know what you think about it.



But more than that, consider what if someone is brought back from the edge of the cliff and resumes a “normal” life of work, family, etc. and goes on to live a long life.  Maybe like many in Japan they even live to be over a hundred, and then die and go to hell for eternity.

Suddenly, the importance of that suicide prevention becomes meaningless in the big scheme of things as their lives are yet empty, meaningless, and “righteousnessless”, without true identity, individuality, significance, and belonging, separated still from a trust relationship with their loving Maker, who is the Lord God Almighty.  One cannot save someone from physical death, without also sharing true life with them so that they are protected from “the second death” (Revelation 2:11; 20:6; 20:14; 21:8).  A status quo life merely means going about underneath the just condemnation and wrath of God (John 3:16-21, 36; Rom. 2:5; Eph. 2:1-3).

“Be merciful to those who doubt,” Jude 1:22-23 counsels, and, “Rescue others by snatching them out of the fire [from the flames of judgment]. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating even the garment stained by the flesh [the sins that contaminate/pollute/defile their lives].”

In learning Japanese and researching issues like this, I’ve learned a few helpful words along the way.  “Ikigai” (生き甲斐), for example, means one’s purpose in life.  Japanese may not care what it is so long as they have any kind of hobby to keep them occupied.  They are usually doubtful that one could have certainty about finding the true meaning of why we have been given life on this earth.  “Inochi no monban” (いのちの門番) means a gatekeeper of life, one who recognizes the warning signs of someone who might be thinking of suicide and can intervene and bring help.  That’s what I want to be.

I know the gatekeeper (John 10:7-10, 27-30; 14:6) and he is full of loving-kindness.  Indeed, He provides the light of life for the whole family (Acts 16:25-34; Psalm 36:9).  People talk about “professional” help as real help or serious help, and certainly there are benefits to having some training in counseling, but I’ve never known a soul whose life has been transformed like the countless folks I’ve met that Jesus has changed (Psalm 30:11).  I’ve gotten to talk to several Japanese doctors of a Buddhist/humanist worldview about what they might say to persuade someone to not take his life - especially someone with no family.  They admitted they had no compelling reason to give why the person should choose life.  Even if they believe in the soul/spirit or some afterlife, there is no place in their understanding for real hope.

The One who knows the depths of our hearts (Psalm 139:1-2) says that He “is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18), “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3), and He even went so far as to take up our infirmities and carry our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4).

In their place, He promises true joy and true peace to comfort us in the midst of our troubles (John 14:27; 16:20, 22, 33).  “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6).  Together with my Japanese brothers and sisters in the Lord, I have known that peace and comfort He gives - hope for the heart.  It sure beats a prescription for Xanax.

Paul of Tarsus also was well acquainted with the great crushing weight of alienation, rejection, persecution.  His letters are filled with his reflections on such trials and how God has proved His faithfulness over and over:

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many” (2 Corinthians 1:8-11).

P.S. - I would be remiss if I did not include this precious vision that's restoring hope among the disaster-ravaged region.  We can see His life at work in these survivors (2 Corinthians 4:8-12). 

12 Great Movies for Deeper Discussions about Jesus (plus maybe a dozen more)

So there’s a new Les Mis out in theaters.  I love getting together at someone’s home with friends from other countries to have “international movie nights.”  Hope to have one more soon next week before I leave.

I don't care much for junk-food-for-the-brain popcorn fluff or the crass, offensive, and vile.  Precious little that is heart-stirring and thought-provoking.  Much better to gather around to spend two hours on something that is genuine and emotive, even cathartic.

I’ve seen a lot of nonsensical “Christian movie” lists that include titles simply because something about faith or self-sacrifice is mentioned or a Christian portrayed in a half-decent light.  Most are but marginally related to gospel themes.  Many proclaim a totally heterodox or heretical take on the gospel message.  I’m at a loss to try to untangle their reasoning, so instead I’d like to submit these as some substantial entries that are basically family friendly.  Some of them you can even watch on YouTube.

A few I wanted to include are a bit more rough around the edges and messy (like The Apostle, 1997), or have some unnecessary, if brief, scenes with nudity, sex (like Joyeux Noël, 2006), so I felt it better to leave them off this more straightforward list.  Or just more Catholic than baseline Christian - sorry, The Mission!  Chariots of Fire or The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe were likewise good and somewhat Christian-related, but overall not as much as I'd like.

I’m sure this list will be amended periodically or totally rearranged.  Let me know what you would add or delete.  Just don't forget the subtitles and to pause the film now and again to catch everyone up to speed.

1. Les Miserables (1998).  Classic and climatically moving tale of redemption, identity, law vs. grace.  Watched it the first time in Paris with my brother as we were backpacking through Europe and stayed at a missionary’s home.

2. The Robe (1953).  Absolutely brilliant old-school sword-and-sandals classic.  Don’t worry about the awful sequel though.  You can find on YouTube.

3. Courageous (2011).  All about fatherhood.  I've taught it several times for ESL classes concerning American culture/parenting.

4. The Cross and the Switchblade (1970).  True story of David Wilkerson facing New York gangs.  Admittedly, a little dated/goofy at times, but one of my favorites.  YouTube available.

5. Faith Like Potatoes (2006).  True story of revival in South Africa.

6. The Nativity Story (2006).  Makes you feel the first century cultural context.  By the way, true story. :)
 
7. Amazing Grace (2007).  Story of William Wilberforce, who helped abolish the slave trade in England.  The 18th century language will probably be challenging for those whose first language isn't English.  Not a lot of gospel, but it has a few good lines.  Apparently there's a song about it too?  :)

8. Grand Torino (2008).  Recommended, but not for kids.  Tons of cursing by the gritty Korean war veteran (Eastwood), even to comical effect, but in a moment it has you by the jugular.

9. To End All Wars (2001).  Well, this is a POW war movie, so lots of cursing.

10. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002).  Classic tale of revenge and forgiveness.  I should probably look up Robinson Crusoe while we're at it since I've heard such good things about it.

11. The Miracle Maker (2000).  Claymation, but well-done and moving.

12. The Little Troll Prince (1987). Animated.  Great songs I still remember from my childhood.  Good for Christmastide.

Okay, there are your twelve.  The rest is icing on the cake.

13. Luther (2003).  As in Protestant Reformation dude, not civil rights leader.

14. God’s Outlaw (1986).  True story of William Tyndale.  Some penetrating lines and in-the-head insight of one of the great scholars who gave his life to give us the English Bible (and therefore much of the English language) – an unspeakable gift to be able to read and understand the Word of God in our own language.  Beautifully sprinkled with gospel language, but that might also make it less accessible for non-native English speakers.

15. Shiokari Pass (1977). Near impossible to find a copy from an online store with English subtitles, but I finally got one.  Japanese bookstores seems have have enough copies.  The book is one of my all-time favorites.  True story.

16. The Hiding Place (1975).  True story of Corrie Ten Boom, who rescued Jews and was sent to a concentration camp.

17. Facing the Giants (2006).  From the makers of Courageous.

18. Blue Like Jazz (2012) – Certainly not your average family flick, but it’s well-done and rewarding in unexpected ways.  Wait for it; it gets you in the end.

Shorter films:

Most (2003).  Excellent Czech short film - 30 minutes.  “Most” is actually the Czech word for “bridge.”  It’s on YouTube.

Good Soil (2007).  Around 20 minutes, feels like five.  Japanese, with English subtitles.  A little hard to find a copy, but I have one if you want to borrow it.

Paper Flower (2011).  About "compensated dating" in Japan.  One of the excellent shorts from Toy Gun Films.  There's one set in Columbia that's quite good, another in Africa.