Category: reflections

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. (Philippians 4:10) When I read this, I didn’t quite believe Paul’s protestation that he is content. “Rejoice greatly” and “at last” told me that there has been a …

Continue reading “The Recipe for Contentment”

Gentleness Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love. The Old Testament. Gentleness is suggested by the waters of a stream (Isa 8:6) or by wine flowing over lips and teeth (So 7:9). It stands in contrast to baseness (Deuteronomy 28:54, 28:56), harshness (2 Sam 18:5), and wildness (Job …

Continue reading “The Importance of Being Gentle”

Sometime ago I began to take time as part of my daily morning routine, to reflect on the events and experiences of the previous day, rather like viewing a video recording. I had decided to do this because I wanted to try, even if only in a small way, to change my way of life, …

Continue reading “Out From The Silence”

I was in my late forties attending a seminar in Hong Kong when I went through the process of reflecting on my life once again. A certain Christian leader had been invited to lead the seminar that was focused on meditation on the Word of God, taking up various themes as the participants reflected on …

Continue reading “Deepening Conversion”

About 40 years ago, I was on a hiking tour with a friend in early spring. The course went from the Gunma Prefecture side of Mt. Asama and crossed over to the Nagano Prefecture side through Onioshidashi. It was a strenuous climb and we rested often as we made our way step by step up …

Continue reading “From Samurai To Playful Boy”

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:21-42 have always troubled me. “Pluck it out! Cut it off!” if it causes you to be thrown in hell. The logical mind would say, “Kill the baby before it can sin!”, and of course that cannot be the intention of Jesus’ words. Jesus started by clarifying in the preceding verses …

Continue reading “Guard Your Heart”

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people …

Continue reading “Salt and Light”

To continue from my last article, I’d like to share an experience from another seminar I attended. It happened in the evening of an exciting day when for the first time in my life, I had been gazing at the majestic snow-covered Swiss Alps, and walking on an imperceptibly flowing glacier. After returning to our …

Continue reading “Looking With The Eyes Of The Heart”

In leading a bible discussion on “Blessed are the peacemakers” I had to think about what Jesus meant by this. “For they will be called children of God” tells me that such people take after God. Not only that people will acknowledge their deeds and praise God, but they are people who receive God’s affirmation, …

Continue reading “Blessed are those who build”

A law draws a line; inside the line is right and outside the line is wrong. The law goes one step further for enforcement — there is a penalty if you go outside the line. The power of law is the fear of punishment. The assumption of law is that you want to go outside …

Continue reading “Law and Grace”