GOTTA GO TO THE DOCTORS？

"Ugh. Do I gotta go again?" I was running out of my medicine so time to go to the clinic to pick up enough for the next few months. It seemed so senseless. I was just going to run out again so would have to get some more then.

Why couldn't modern medicine find some way of giving patients bodily systems that wouldn't be dependent on refilling gasoline...I mean, taking medicine! Kinya said he'd go with me, like he always does.

It was HOT...I hadn't been out for awhile, haven't been walking or had any real exercise, for that matter, so even this 5-min. walk felt like torture for my weak back. We were "just walking," after all, not stopping here and there to take captivating pictures of wildlife.

I didn't see any of the flowers in the flowerboxes or parking lot...

The only living creatures that greeted us, I thought, were the kitty in the clinic parking lot and the sculpted sparrows on the sidewalk rails; but they were pretty extras God wanted me to see; thank You, Father.

As I was waiting for my prescription to be filled, it began sprinkling. I guess God used that to give us natural air conditioning, to bring down the temperature. Kinya and I decided, instead of taking nature pictures, since we might get rained on, to stop in at a nearby grocery store this afternoon--and God had treats lined up there for me...by the time we got out of the store, the clouds had parted, showing us a beautiful blue sky again.

By now, I'd gotten in the frame of mind where I could see the flowers God had been placing along the way for me. I hadn't been able to enjoy them before. Just before going back inside the house when we got home, I noticed my Mother's Day orchid mentioned in a previous post.

Hm; thank You God, for loving even silly folk like me who "gotta" be made every once in a while to enjoy His blessings!

HORSE RACE TO THE BOTTOM

 I think God would have me share from my journal...

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"a crown was given to him. and he went forth conquering" (Rev. 6:2)

At any rate, superiority over other men--a crown of conquest--is what the natural man would possess. Altho' the law of love tells us to seek to dive down to lift others up, it is the exact opposite the natural man seeks. He wants to be the best he can possibly be; he wants to succeed. His formula for success is to reach the top and to attain a "crown"...A Nobel Peace Prize? A Gugenheim? Perhaps not so big. A promotion? Simply a scholarship to a respected institution? "Superiority" is perhaps not the word I'm looking for. Praise? (Dare I say it: adoration/worship?) Individuals want it to be said "I made a difference," want to be remembered above others.

The race to the bottom to provide encouragement on which others can rise and find the life of God--have we not forgotten about our need to do so? It is when we do so and wear stripes and scars, not badges, ribbons, and trophies of honor, that God will say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matt.25:21)

This is an illustration I drew in '85 when we were finishing up our deputation and coming to Japan as single missionaries with Baptist Mid-Missions, but clearly illustrates our Race, I think, so thought I'd post it here.

Are we obsessed with making God's Love known such we let our dreams get crucified in obscurity and our pride shamed? Then can we know what it is to say, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." (Lk.23:46) And would not God Himself respond, "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased." (Mk.1:11)

No; His Honor does not NEED our defense. But let us give all for Him in expression of our love for Him. In a rerun of the T.V. program, "Little House on the Prairie," a small illustration of this was given. Laura Ingalls gave up her treasured horse to Nellie Olsen in a trade for a stove for her mother.

The mother's first response was to say she couldn't let Laura give up her horse; she loved that horse! The father intervened: she loved her mother more so not to ruin it; let her give the gift. God often lets us honor Him with gifts He does not need to let us express our love for Him. (Of course, in this case, Laura's mother really could use that stove!)

...give up all for Christ? I can't even give up watching videos or doing online jigsaw puzzles--sigh.

Do I Look like an ORANGUTAN?!

Memory work said "Behold, a white horse," so I decided to work on timed drawings of horses.

After all, society's leaders are the shining stallions who cross the stage to accolades and cheers, right?

But those "horse seals" were opened by a lamb, weren't they? I did 2,5,and 10-min. drawings of sheep.

After all, it was the Lamb who was worthy, slain; and elders fell down before the Lamb, offering songs, prayer, worship, and adoration...it wasn't to any horse!

That's what God wants, it slowly came to me: not the redeemed in heaven claiming to be perfect saints now, but changed into humbled elders praising the LAMB!

So where was I going to be in all of this? Well, I was probably just...I pulled up a drawing of a little ape doing his best to stay cool by using a leaf for a sunbonnet.

Wait...that's ME? Serves me right for drawing Mommy once as an elephant. You read that post, right?

A GRIPPING LESSON

 "Just a little talk with Jesus makes it right."

That's become one of my favorite song lyrics. Sometimes I wonder why I do anything other than pray. But I forget to do so again and again...

When I started drawing seriously four years ago, I learned, among other things, artists drew with a "football hold" different than the grip used for detailed writing with a pencil. When I learned all the reasons why, I wanted to learn to do it right...but would I be able to switch now, in my 60's, when most students in art school are young, in their 20's or late teens? I looked up to Heaven...no; God wouldn't be interested in something like this! I didn't even bother to pray.

I got out my colored pencils and began doing tutorials designed for other media. Covering that amount of space with pencil (meant for detail work) was exhausting. Was it the third picture? I looked down at my ow hand and realized I'd been holding my pencils with a "football grip" in order to color it in! I looked up and could almost see God smiling.

"You didn't vocalize it, but I heard you anyway," He seemed to say.

"Who teaches like God?" (Job 36:22)

Herod...believed in God?

”Eeeeeee!" I remember feeling like i wanted to stretch until my joints came out of my sockets, when I had my first bout with restless leg syndrome in elementary, my variation of it affecting my arms down to my fingertips, not just my legs.

But it looks like it feels so good when babies do it. Stretch, I mean. The other day, I was watching some wake up after a good night's rest in tight swaddling, and they were irresistably adorable. 

How could anyone kill innocent infants (Matt. 2:16)? But...then I realized that King Herod's slaughter of babies was because he believed in God!

Some people think only those who don't believe in God do horrific things. Not so. Herod knew he'd acquired the throne by craft. When he heard the Christchild--the rightful heir to the throne--was born, the reason he felt threatened by a helpless baby born in poverty was because he BELIEVED a God in Heaven was out to get him.

Why else would a powerful head of government issue orders to wipe out defenseless infants of his own people?

Some have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, according to the Bible. Paul believed God, but he persecuted followers of Christ. Pharisees believed God, but framed, shamed, and crucified Jesus. Religious leaders, in the name of God, have tormented laity down through history. So...just believing in God isn't enough?

What God says about us, not what we believe about Him, seems to be more important. Hm. Does God say, lovingly, "This is my beloved child."--as this father and mother clearly feel towards their boy--when He looks at us? That's what He said when He looked at Jesus being baptized; the pastor said this morning. Here is a pic from last month when he says he unintentionally almost drowned a young member baptizing her!

P.S.: (The redeemed have a special relationship with God, but it doesn't do away with our need to constantly repent. Some church workers attain ministry ends by ungodly means; there are perpetual relationship self-sins among the flock. However, unlike Herod, we know the One with Whom we have to do is a Merciful Everlasting Father.)

Uri (Eutychus) thought it was worth it

"Just know God made you the way you are and do what you do best for His glory." I was told. "If you like to write, write." Would supportive readers then take a peek at the below narrative glimpse:

URI (EUTYCHUS)

Uri, the Hebrew slave-boy, bone-tired from finishing his day's duties, rushed off to the home the reputable apostle was to speak at that day. The first century church did not have videotape, and who knew how many years it would be before Paul could come to Troas again. The large room had been filling up fast...people sitting on chairs, the floor, any place they could find...there! The WINDOWSILL! The frame was perfect to rest Uri's weary back. Ahh.

How long had he been sitting there? No one knows. Paul was well into his talk when interrupted by a disturbance at the window. Someone had fallen out! Fallen out? But this was 3rd Floor! Before anyone could mutter apology about the man's having nodded off during the sermon, Paul was down the steps and outside crouching over the lifeless form.

"No! God, you can't let this happen! He was here--because he loves YOU!" Paul cried, embracing the crumpled body. A small group had gathered around now, and to their astonishment, the lad opened his eyes! Some cried with joy and relief. Others were merely incredulous. To the confused slave were given explanations of how he had dropped off to sleep and fallen from the window.

"Young man, your name?" It was Paul. Uri, embarrassed, didn't want to be known as "the man who FELL FROM THE WINDOW BECAUSE HE FELL ASLEEP".

"Eutychus." he said, giving his Greek name. 

(Acts 20:9,10)

Don't we all know how Uri felt? We desperately want to please God but often end up making a royal mess of things. But there's no need to worry; God can glorify Himself out of our fiascos anyway.

Note: some criticize those in the congregation who fall asleep during the sermon as   "unspiritual". If it happens all the time, there may be a problem; but can it not be these believers prove, by their very attendance, they feel a message from God is WORTH listening to, no matter how tired they are, even if the presentation is not attractive/compelling enough to keep them awake? 

Would you be willing to have others see you nodding off to sleep, just to get a chance at hearing words of gold from God?

* Incidentally, the above story is, of course, fiction. I have no idea what Eutychus' Hebrew name really was.

** I didn't know if I should add this, because readers might end up remembering this instead of the rest of the post: my Bible teacher gave his students a handy way to remember the name Eutychus, saying, "If you'd have fallen out a 3rd floor window, Eutychus too!"

DADDY'S PICTURES

When pant legs snap shut, siblings sure come in handy for dressing! Daddy took a lot of pictures. This pic is titled, "I need some help here." 

There's another photo that's not so ordinary. But Daddy didn't take it, since he's in it. See?

It has to do with a phone call I got this morning from my Mom's cousin from Hawaii--a long story--she's actually from Hawaii but was a Christian schoolteacher in California; retired; came to Japan with her husband and was helping give out the Gospel until her husband passed away. She continued working alone until God led her to a Japanese evangelist who is now her husband.

"What? Your Dad was in Okinawa for grades 4 and 5?" she asked, startled. I explained to her how Grampa Oshiro had sent the family, from Canada, to live with wealthy relatives in Okinawa when necessary during Depression years.

Framed photos on his study shelves show his family, in later years, those relatives, and still later, our family.

Coaldale Outfielder Roy...but that's not a baseball cap! and Kimiko doing Field work in College Days

Is it any wonder that, when Daddy got saved, his first response was that somebody HAD to get the Gospel message to those with whom he'd swam the creeks, slapped the mosquitos, blabbed in the local dialect? He was no preacher...but as a ballplayer he knew in order to steal second base, you can't stand around thinking about it; he just quit his job (he was a schoolteacher), took off for Bible School training, left for the foreign field. Then he found out God had a helpmeet ONE year younger than him, already trained a full term in missionary work, waiting for him there...picture perfect!

How did God manage that?

PATCHWORK POST

Miscellaneous tidbits today. Nothing seemed to come together, so that's what you'll be getting: a "bara-bara" report.

Last week's beach picnic at the was rained out. But one happy result was that one of the toddlers that visited church stayed for the games that were scheduled at the church afterwards since we couldn't go out, and she ended up getting very attached to the pastor's wife! Maybe she'll come back again and keep coming until she's old enough to understand and accept the Gospel for herself!

My sister invited me to watch women's volleyball on her TV.  Leaving the apartment yesterday evening to go down to Joyce's, I'd said to my husband, "Tonight's game is with Poland (one of its players is 6'8"!). Expect me to come home crying; I'm pretty sure we're going to lose." Surprise, surprise: we won 3 sets to 1!

I had a mini sketchbook I always carry with me plus a tiny eraser. Joyce let me use her pencil to get a drawing of one of the players.

(Didn't I just recently write about expecting a blessing?) I was expecting to lose?!

After tonight's volleyball game (we lost), I was shown a 30-min. documentary about orangutans. I was really glad for these, because I thought my timed drawing of a primate turned out pretty good until I realized I'd done only the head; and needed to do the rest of the body too!

Someone I know very well thinks she's doing a good job thinking about Christ the Head. While this may be indispensable, she needs to remember it is definitely incomplete without the Body, the Church...

GIANT GUINEA PIGS

"Today was Capybara Day? I wish I'd have known earlier; I would have gotten started sooner and would have gotten my capybara pic finished on time!" I muttered quietly while adding the last touches to my pencil drawing.

"What're you talking about?" the bird in the sketch seemed to quip; "you're just learning to draw animals, aren't you? You didn't know two days ago how to draw a capybara!"

True. I'd practiced drawing birds in the online Drawing Lessons, but that didn't show me how to draw capybaras. Then, in Lesson 2, I'd had to draw quite a few horses and human figures...but again, no capybaras.

But an empty spot of 14 mins.' Timed Drawings had been made up by sketching guinea pigs. Today, I saw a video explaining how the capybara was a relative of the guinea pig. (If you think about it, the capybara is a giant guinea pig!) Doesn't that mean even while I was doing the timed sketches, and completely unaware of what I was going to be doing today, God was preparing me for it by having me draw guinea pigs?

"before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." (Isa.65:24)

SAMUEL JACKSON

"Wow, it's a special day, isn't it?" I said, remembering. You may remember last year's post telling of a family that visited my Dad in a nursing home in 2014. The young lady, Norimi Jackson, in the middle nearest Daddy is now terminally ill and in hospice care, and Sunday, it was her son Sammy, returned from Bible College training in the U.S, who preached for us.

I could see Joycie was thinking hard, wanted to be as accurate as possible. Altho' Samuel Jackson knows Japanese, he felt all his "Church Life" experience was in English, and Joyce does have after all, over 40 years' experience working in the church, so he asked if she would interpret for his message!

Please pray for your missionaries...not just the usual requests like leading souls to salvation, but sometimes the very real struggles like interpreting too!

TOO SMALL? OH NO!

When Daddy first gave me his study, I was just happy to get all those books. I didn't realize how small his room was.  You have to duck down a bit if you're tall to get into that cozy little niche in the corner.

But I've found out this has been an unexpected blessing: because that room is so small, it cools down real quickly, even in the hottest summer months when it gets like an oven in there! I turn on the air conditioner, use the rest room and get me some dandelion coffee or herb tea, and by the time I go back to the room, it has pretty much cooled down.

"So often I think things would be better if they were different," I thought while doing 5-min. drawings of horses. I was able to do these timed drawings in the comfort of a cool room, I realized, because "His ways are above our ways." (Isa.55:9)

If only I'd stop being unhappy with the shortcomings and difficulties placed in my life, knowing that my Heavenly Father has hand-picked them for me for some reason...even frustrating seemingly meaningless 5-minute drawings!

Incidentally, do you know the post's title? There's an old song by that name.