Tonight's Blog for April 19,2013

The topics we are allowed to deal with in my blog are tough. I have struggled with the power and the love of GOD

as HE decides who will and who won't have confidence of a favorable place to spend eternity. The people I respect the most are folks who also struggle with those issues. It isn't as simple as we have made it in the past. We sometimes have tried to nail down all of our hope in acts of obedience to outward rites or the words of people who confidently "bless us" with a last minute promise that we are prepared for eternity. 

Not that I have anything new to offer on the topic, but I have had to re-visit my preconceived ideas because of the precious folks I have allowed to be influence my thoughts. One such person is Jodi. She married a very good man who loves her and who knows that she is a princess. Because she is loved by her dad, her husband and especially because she is loved by her LORD, Jodi is able to express her growing understanding of love. She does it in ways that show how she is has changed and grown. She is my teacher and I am her student. To understand love, you have to see people with different eyes. Jodi wrote about her time in Japan. She helps me to see people like Jesus does! 

"Love" by Jodi

"I remember when I came to Japan for the first time, a few of my less culturally-sensitive friends (you know who you are!) said to me, "How can you tell Japanese people apart?  Don't they all look the same?" Although I'm horrified to admit it, I have to be honest and say that I can recall contemplating this difficulty a few times in the beginning when I tried to keep track of so many new acquaintances who had similar hair, wore similar clothes, and had names like Yuki, Yuko, Yuka, Yoko, Yumi and Yuma.

Then I remember a time when I first began to see people more deeply and distinguish their facial characteristics.  I would surprise myself with the notions that would pop into my head while I was walking down the street and looking at the faces around me. I would actually say to myself, "That man looks exactly like Nicholas Cage," or "Wow!  He reminds me of my Uncle Marty."

It happened to me today as I was waiting for the train.  A little boy stood next to me, his toes on the yellow safety line, fidgeting with excitement and chattering to his dad.  Like so many little boys in Japan, he was a train lover.  As the limited express train approached and passed us by, he was in rapture, smiling with his whole body and looking back at his dad to share the joy with him.  

And then I loved him.  I loved the little boy at that moment with my whole heart.  I looked at his dad, who was watching him so carefully to make sure he stayed behind the safety line, and I could feel how much love he had for his son and I loved him, too.  I wanted to hug them.  (Luckily, I managed to control that impulse.)  I wanted to say the thing they most needed to hear at that moment just to make them happy.  I felt like I would've donated one of my kidneys for them if they needed it.  I felt like I could even jump in front of the limited express train if, for some reason, it would save them."

That was JoJo writing. Tonight as I write, I am so glad for the privilege I have had of being a husband and a dad. Since I am, I have saved all those little notes and letters and instant messages and other treasures. Thanks for letting me share them tonight. 

Don't you just love to see the world through the eyes of a person who is thoroughly and completely loved? She is able to see the world through the eyes of Jesus, to know that HE would have given a kidney for her or for me or her sweet hubby, if we asked. What boldness we can have! GOD Bless your saints tonight! big marv