 Fishing Boats in Yaizu, Japan Harbor This year …
I’ll take more time to laugh and smile,
To feel the wind upon my face,
To learn true wisdom from a child,
Give my soul the needed space,
To live life pure and clear …
… this year.
This year …
I’ll learn to turn off my computer,
Interact with human beings,
Spend less time in online stupor,
More time learning, breathing, seeing
All that life holds dear …
… this year.
This year …
I will resolve to write that letter
That I have too long neglected,
Make an aching heart feel better,
Cheer a friend who feels dejected,
Bring someone some cheer …
… this year.
This year …
I’ll not be hijacked by my deadlines,
Or imprisoned by ambitions.
Or let dismal, gloomy headlines
Dictate my heart’s disposition.
I’ll choose faith, not fear …
… this year.
This year …
I’ll see the struggling flower beneath
The hard, frosty exterior
Of one who lets frustration seethe
Because they feel inferior.
I’ll try to draw them near …
… this year.
This year …
No high and mighty resolutions
Fit for presidents and kings.
I’ll start a quiet revolution,
Seek these simple loving things
Above wealth or career …
… this year.—Ian Bach
[via an email from Irene- thanks]
 The four gospels of Jesus have two bookends– Christmas and Easter– both unexpected ways we received a very special gift.
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (John 3:16 Amplified)
Jesus was expected by many– His birth, life and manner of death were described in incredible detail by prophets in the bible books of Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah and Daniel–1500, 1000, 800 and 500 years before. Still, there were surprises.
Christmas was a surprise. The King came as baby in humble circumstances.
Jesus’ life was a surprise. The main power He offered was in accepting His words.
Easter was a surprise. Death and sin were defeated by life and love.
Jesus’ own disciples didn’t understand, so you could say that the first Easter was a re-birthday surprise party for the disciples. Over 400 of the early followers of Jesus saw Him alive after His resurrection and, filled with joy at the meaning of the gospel– the message of the triumph of life over death– they began to fill the world with the Good News.
“Do you know what Easter means, honey?” In her own sweet three-year-old way, with arms raised, a smile on her face, and at the top of her voice she said, “Surprise!” What better word could sum up the meaning of Easter! Surprise, death! Surprise, sin! Surprise, mourning disciples! Surprise, modern man! He’s alive! — James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited
 Following the news of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, my mind was flooded with memories of walking those very streets and entering the train station and hotels pictured in the news.
This same flood of memories happened to me some months ago, when a separate series of bombing racked that city– for we once sang at one of the bombed hotels. Although it has been over twenty years since the five years I spent in India with my family, the memory of a particular Christmas Eve has never left me.
Several of my own children, plus a couple others, had finished the second of two thirty-minute sets of Christmas songs in the lobby of an international hotel. We asked the children, “Well, should we go?”
“No, please, one more time.”
The faces of international airline crews checking into the hotel may have had something to do with their wanting to stay. The crews looked tired and uninspired as they entered– forced to spend Christmas day away from home and loved ones as there were almost no flights out on December 25. However, their expressions quickly passed to surprise, warm relief and brightness as they stopped and even sang along.
The interaction between the performers and the audience created an electric, energy-filled atmosphere that seemed to sustain us– fuel poured on our motivation to keep going– spreading the oft ignored true meaning of Christmas. ‘One more time’ repeated itself throughout the evening– just as it had every day for a week or more. The children would seem to come to the end of their strength, but would suggest, “Can we just drink another lemon-water* and go one more time?”
(*Highly carbonated bitter-tasting bottled mineral water was usually the only safe drink available– but a pinch of salt took out some of the carbonation and some lemon and a spoon of sugar made it palatable.)
Another special memory of that evening occurred when we noticed that a businessman seated across the lobby was gently sobbing. An member of our team who approached him heard him saying, “They’re so good; and I’m so bad.” He explained that he was moved by the pure love that he could see in the children’s performance and then prayed with our co-worker to receive God’s Christmas gift– Jesus– into his heart.
Our personal remembrances, fun and enjoyment are also important and have their place as we celebrate Christmas, but by focusing on opportunities to share God’s precious gift of love to the world– our own joy is multiplied. As in Saint Francis’ prayer– it is in giving that we truly receive.
I pray that you have a wonderfully happy Christmas dear friends –
With love, Bruce
(Photos circa 1987 of my children: Ruth, Phil, Priya, Brant, Chloe and Amy)
P.S. I’ve posted some photos updating my current location and activities here:
December Activities Photos on Picasa
It’s time I said thanks for being my dad
No, not just ’cause you’re the only one I’ve had
‘Cause over the years my sincere appreciation
Has grown to be more than just an estimation
For of certain memories, which never seem to fade
It’s just my perception that’s changed, of sacrifices made
For since I too have tread the path of a dad
I can no longer view you from the eyes of a lad.
Yes, it’s more than genes that make a father
Otherwise we’d have just said, ‘Why bother?’
Why bother sacrifice or try to inspire?
Especially when teens their dads try to fire?
So an overdue ‘thank you’ for when I was a pain
You endured through those years without going insane
OK maybe you did flip, a time, maybe two
But I can understand, ’cause I’ve been there too
Yes, dads don’t get the credit that they really deserve
But I think in Heaven there will be a big reserve
Where there will be ‘thank-you’s and lots of understanding
For those heartbreaks and sacrifices– for performances outstanding
But a portion I’m acknowledging now, while we’re still here
‘though the half that you’ve done, I don’t know, I fear
‘Though it’s not much, it’s my way
To to my dad, to say, ‘Happy Father’s Day!’
[Yep, that's me, with my dad-- circa 1953]
 Here are some quotes I like and some mommies I love.
Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children. —William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863), Novelist
A boy came home from school one day carrying a note from officials suggested that the parents take the boy out of school, claiming that he was “too stupid to learn.” The boy’s mother read the note and said, “My son Tom isn’t ‘too stupid to learn.’ I’ll teach him myself.” And so she did.
My mother was the making of me. —Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931), Inventor
When Mother Teresa received her Nobel Prize, she was asked, “What can we do to promote world peace?” She replied, “Go home and love your family.”
The thing that makes a mother wonderful is that self-sacrificial spirit that is willing to sacrifice her own time and strength and even her health, if need be, for the sake of her child. —David Brandt Berg (1919-1994)
The hand that rocks the cradle– Is the hand that rules the world. —William Ross Wallace (1819-1881), Poet and Songwriter
The bravest battle that ever was fought!
Shall I tell you where and when?
On the maps of the world you will find it not;
‘Twas fought by the mothers of men.
Nay not with the cannon of battle-shot,
With a sword or noble pen;
Nay, not with eloquent words or thought
From mouth of wonderful men!
From a poem by – Joaquin Miller (1839-1913)
Photos, in order, daughters Amy, Ruth, Chloe and Aiko with some of their eleven children.
Happy Mothers Day!
 (part 1 of 3)
Greeting the New Year, for me, is as intensely personal a time as Christmas is a time for sharing– A time when I look back over the past year and even my entire life and lift my eyes from the everyday to look at what may lie ahead.
The focal point of this yearly personal inventory, however, is not private at all, but a New Year’s Eve candlelight ceremony, usually with a good-sized group of my co-workers and close friends– often several families.
Gathered around a large table, we each hold an unlit candle and wait as a large central candle is lit. People have taken time to prepare and often bring something they’ve written down to read.
Often from the youngest to the oldest, or by families– each in turn will first say what they are thankful for from the past year– thanking both God and others for their part. The retelling can sometimes take a while, but it’s always wonderful.
Next each adds their hope– or hopes– for the new year and their prayers– what they’re asking God to do.
Finally a verse from the Bible, or a poem, or a promise received from Jesus in prophecy to hold on to– trusting Him to fill this need.
As each person finishes, they tip their candle toward the big candle in the center, lighting it and then place it on the table– as in the photo above.
As the Old Year closes, before the New Year comes in, it’s good to sit down & ask yourself, “What have I accomplished this past year?… Thank the Lord and count your blessings. What are you most thankful for during the past year? What prayer or hope do you have for the New Year? What verse do you claim for the New Year? — David Brandt Berg
 (Photo: Our children sharing Christmas songs and dance)
I enjoy comparing my own culture’s holidays with Japan’s– and I try to learn what the various cultural events and seasons represent to Japanese individuals and families.
Christmas in many parts of the world is merely a commercial holiday. Similarly, in Japan, it’s a label for the season when people spend their bonuses and have year-end parties.
The New Year, however, is much more important– and an important family observance– as is, to somewhat the same extent, the Summer Obon Festival.
Perhaps the most memorable holiday for Japanese, is not really a holiday, but a season– when the cherry trees blossom, generally occurring around the last week of March, depending on latitude and altitude. wikipedia: Sakura– cherry blossoms / Hanami – cherry blossom viewing
The Sakura season combines some attributes of our Christmas and New Year–like the Chinese Lunar New Year– what Communist China prefers to call “Spring Festival’– The end of March in Japan marks the beginning of the school year and is also when many contracts end– so workers are transferred, student go off to school, friends say ‘goodbye’, or meet new friends– often at various kinds of parties or picnics held under the blooming cherry trees– or as couples strolling under them.
As they’re repeated, these times bring back memories of the ones that have gone before– Christmas holds a similar place in my memory– marking the passage of years.
What do I remember? Well, nearly all my adult memories of Christmas– besides special memories of my children’s enjoyment– are action-packed– usually joining my children and others in reaching out to as many as possible during this special time of sharing– materially, emotionally or spiritually.
Just a few days ago, as I walked home with Sharon near the local train station, a well-dress lady called out in Japanese, ‘Santa-san, do you have a gift for me?’ Normally this would be quite unusual for a Japanese, especially late at night on a dark street– perhaps it was because we were wearing Santa hats.
‘Merry Christmas’, I replied, offering her a printed Christmas message.
She looked curiously into the bag I’d pulled it from.
‘Christmas music CDs’, we told her– and she wanted one.
Then Sharon told her of the special gift that we love to tell everyone about– Jesus’ love for her– and prayed with her. Tears glistened in her eyes as she thanked us and told us how her Christian mother had daily prayed with her as a child. Later, she phoned us to say she’d arrived home and was listening to the CD– and she thanked us again– asking when we can meet.
It’s these kind of memories– and many, many similar ones, that will come to mind over the next few days as I take some time to rest and reflect before the New Year.
‘Wow– another Christmas has passed’– and I’ll thankfully review all the Christmases– all the years and all the loving and all the loved ones and cherished memories– that have gone before– the beautiful times that help made difficult or sad times seem– well– not so difficult or sad.
Remembering these– and you– Sharon and myself– and Naomi and Andrew wish you all a
Merry Christmas!
Please enjoy the special Christmas thought and prayer found here: http://www.activatedministries.org/activated/87.1043
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