How he loves us!

This is an amazing song about God's grace. I know it's not new but it's good.


Written by John Mark Mcmillian
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,

If you want to see it sung by a professional check out this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

Push Flash

Since I've been home I've been thinking about what to blog on, since our stay in Japan is over. Well here goes.

Photo tip #1: This was a photo I took during our last trip to NY. I was an awesome time, especially going out on the Hudson on Jim's boat, named the Robins Nest. I just wanted to let you ameture photographers in on a little secret. If you have the sun directly behind you, usually you will get a photo with dark images on the people because the camera thinks there is enough light so the camera will turn the flash off. Yes there is enough light behind the people but not in front, that's why you get dark faces. Simple fix, turn it to a setting that will let you keep the flash on even in high light. Now your ready to take photos with high light in the backround. Not a bad photo for the sun being directly behind?

Grad 09'

It's that time of year again, time where the seniors become the freshman in college or the real world, where they take the step towards more freedom and responsibility. Pray for these young adults as they make decisions and glorify God in all their passions and interests. This class is a great bunch of students, I surley want to see what God has in store for each one of them.

Drive by Ananoymous Comments

I forgive you and hope everything is okay in your life. I know it's confusing and hard, I know it can get frustrating.
I used to be in the exact same boat, probably a little smaller with a lot more waves.
I think that love is better than hate.
God loves us all whether we choose to love him back or not.
The more I get to know God the more I understand people who are skeptical. I was on your side for 23 yrs, I get it, I can't believe it myself, but accepting Jesus has changed me ( I know that sounds corny and stupid). I don't know why or how, but He has showed me love beyond reason and grace without boundaries. I've thrown every question I've had, ignored Him and even tried to run from him but the true remains, I am changed because of God.
I started in Proverbs, you would not believe how much real life wisdom is in that book.
I'll be praying for you anonymous, not because you need it, not because I'm holier than you, but because I love you. I want you to be free.
Life is not about who is right and wrong, it's about helping each other out, encouraging when things get rough.

I used to think that it was me against the world , now I know that it's just me.
I don't claim to have all the answers, I just hope that if people don't have the answer they start looking for them.

Please feel free to comment again, I don't mind.

Grace and peace,

Isn't she lovley

We had the privelage of getting some photos done in authentic Japanese wear.

1826 Dearly

I love the calmness that is seen in my Dad. His posture is as if everything going on around him is under control. Among the conversations in the background and person walking off just to the left, the napkins crumbled, chairs unattended, water glasses low and light shining in from the window everything is okay, taken care of and at peace. His smile is not a big proud smile but a genuine smile, a smile of contentment. It also looks like my mom is in mid conversation talking with her hands to emphasize a point to a person across the table as he gently holds her with a desire for her to draw nearer to him. And the thing I love most is his eyes directed right at the camera. An unwaivering gaze of love and dedication of where he is and what he is doing. He is present in this moment, totally alert and under control. Not to mention he's not a bad looking man, clean shaven with a suit and tie on, complimenting his wife's beautiful red dress, but not overpowering it.

I love the fact that even in the most random and what would seem generic photos there can be so much more.
We miss you dearly.

60 years

I just scanned this picture into my computer the other day and got to thinking about how crazy God is. The guy on the top right is my Grandpa or as I called him Pop. Now the crazy thing is that this picture was taken in Okinawa 1945. That's over 60 years ago. Now just think that God had this all planned out, the job in an army medical unit over 60 years ago, and me teaching at a Christian school today. He probably knew that I would see this picture and gain strength knowing that my Pop already knew this island and loved it dearly just as I do today.

What does God think of you?

The hearts and souls of the next generation as they wrestle and struggle with the idea of a God and what He thinks of them.

" I do not believe in God-at least not the Christian one..."

" I do not like religions, because there are annoying, weird and creepy."

"I think that God thinks of me as the not fully believer but maybe someday, because I don't agree on a few things about Christianity."

"I think there might be a God, because the world would not make sense without Him."

"God probably thinks of me as a believer, but not as faithful as I should be."

"I believe that there is a God but I don't know if it's the one the Bible is talking about."

" I don't even know if there is a God. I'm one of "I need to see to believe", type of people."

"If God is there, he might be thinking about me like, " your sinning too much"."

"God thinks of me 24/7."

"God thinks that I am amazing."

"He must think something good about me just because he created me."

"In God's eyes, I believe we are very special to him because if we weren't , we probably wouldn't be here."

"All that matters is what God thinks of us."

"He is the only one I know that will never leave me no matter what."

"I know that theres a God because he answers prayers."

"God never stops loving his people."

"God loves me."

It breaks my heart and inspires me all in the same breath.

Soccer and God

Tomorrow starts the first day of soccer practice for the 08-09 season at OCSI.
I'm not sure why but God has me coaching the boys team this year.
Expectations are high (as usual) but for some reason the more I think about God and what His true will is it's hard to see soccer as a top priority.
I know you can learn valuable life lessons , I know you can build team unity, I know you can do all sorts of things but is it Gods will that I coach soccer, does the God of all creation really care about a soccer team ministry. I'm not saying He doesn't want me to, because their is a need and there are kids on the team that need a good role model and need Christ, but would He have chosen it that way if He could have decided. I think God is simple in what he wants, he wants us to love Him and one another. I just keep getting hung up with all the bad going on in this world and what Soccer has to do with it. I mean will this help people who are homeless or someone who has never heard of the good news? Are we really supposed to rationalize it as this is what God has me doing or should we be fighting the stuff to help the real issues that plague this earth. I'm not sure but I will be praying that God will reveal in this season or in the years to come on how to effectively do God's will and not just man's stuff. I just think that sometimes it's the easy way out to say this is what we do and God will bless it instead of saying lets do what God wants so we can glorify him. Think about the things we do as humans and how we rationalize it to fit God's will, sometimes I have to laugh.
Fantasy leagues, team sports, pot lucks (buffets), and the best would have to be halo tournaments. I'm victim to all of these, I'm not perfect.

I go back and forth on this issue so please don't peg me as "most things we do are meaningless as it relates to God's true will and we are way to lost to see it", but maybe we are.
I just feel that sometimes we are so wrapped up in our way of living that it's so against the grain to truly do God's will that we just settle.
What's your opinion, because mine certainly is not the only one.
Bare with me. I'm still growing.

Life is hard!

I am constantly in a state of battling against the heavy weight of doing it the easy way. Students are prone (especially high school) to cut corners and do things the "easy way". I end up being the enforcer and corrector because I know how life works. It's not easy, life is hard. I'm not complaining but here are a few things that would make life a lot easier.

Dream with me a bit.

Imagine if french fries were good for you like broccoli. ( I like broccoli, french fries better)Its a proven fact that bad food tastes better, just look at all the fast food places around the world. If they tasted bad people wouldn't eat them. And also good food is hard to find, it takes twice as long to prepare and goes bad fast.

Example, lettuce vs chips.

Lettuce you have to wash and dry (or spin)then cut up, toss with other items to mask the true taste (or tastelessness)and then end up adding some dressing that has tons of fat that just negates the whole spirit of why we eat lettuce.

Chips, open the bag and feed your face.

Imagine if not exercising was good for you (I'd be out of a job)? It would make sense since your not abusing your body, your treating your body with care giving it rest so that it can stay strong. Wrong, It's only when you use energy that you gain energy. Makes no logical sense, none.

Imagine if you didn't have to sleep...as much. I like sleep don't get me wrong but just imagine if we could sleep for like 2 hrs a night and feel great. We spend a lot of time on our backs (or stomachs or if your like me on my left side).

I think the toughest is leadership, it's totally out there. Your expected to lead people to better places (what ever that means) without ever knowing what's going to happen. It's a total gamble, you just plan and analyze and hope things come together. Look at Moses, was he a good leader by todays standards? 40 years, that's a long time to give someone to see results. I can see why Moses had hesitation leading them out of Egypt. He had not a clue of what was going to happen. If he knew it would take him 40 years to NOT make it to the promise land do you think he would have done it? Crazy, totally crazy.

I not complaining just looking at some areas in life that if tweaked a little bit would make things a lot easier, but probably not as fun. What makes life interesting and exciting is not knowing the result. Working hard for something you believe in and having faith that it will pay off.

What do you think?

New Years 09

We had a great time with our Okinawan Family this New Years. As I look at the picture it dosen't look like Okinawa considering everyone in the photo is from the US. It's true! Okinawa is a special place where cultures from all over come together and get along. It truly is a peacful place and Robyn and I are continually amazed to have had the privelage to work in such a unique and loving place.

After "hanging" at our apartment we went and saw some fireworks until the cinders started blowing over our heads and the tip of a shell hit me on the shoulder. It was short but sweet.

J-term starts tomorrow, two classes of weight training, can't wait to get back into tip top shape and teach the benefits of lifting heavy weights.