I’ve lived in Japan now for over 16 years, half of it being in the Kanto (Saitama) region, and now the other half being in the Kansai(Hyogo) region. While living in Saitama, Japanese history often seemed to be a bit more removed from my actual day to day life. I lived in Souka草加 (famous forContinue reading “Living in historical places”
Author Archives: sqduble
How we connect with God (and how we might block these channels).
At my church I have been giving a series of talks on the basic Christian life, and through studying and preparing for the second talk, spiritual habits, I came to some important discoveries that I think are both helpful for my own personal life as well as when I have a chance to teach. ThereContinue reading “How we connect with God (and how we might block these channels).”
R.E.M.’s greatest album (in my opinion).
Fables of the Reconstruction, R.E.M.`s third album has sometimes been deemed as a weaker effort, but the tone and atmosphere of the whole thing seems to go beyond the individual songs to create something that is akin to a painting or a picture. It’s rustic. Weathered. Sorrowful. Lonely. Longing. It is the wooden fences thatContinue reading “R.E.M.’s greatest album (in my opinion).”
One form of homesickness
So today I met a lady who had lived near Albany, NY (Troy) for sometime and suddenly my memories of my grandparents and aunt, the summers and Christmases that were spent there….all came flooding back. My grandparents have been dead for sometime and I myself can’t even get back to the states right now (it’sContinue reading “One form of homesickness”
Who we are affects what we build…
All to say that it is hard for us to build something that does not reflect who we are. I can hold so many learned ministry skills and accomplish and build much, but if my heart is full of pride or bitterness, whatever is built carries with it those sins (to an extent). That mightContinue reading “Who we are affects what we build…”
Very quick thoughts on Japanese theology…
Now, even as I write the title, I am aware of the danger of classifying something as “Japanese theology”, while I implicitly believe that there is no American theology or European theology…just theology. All theology is context bound, though that does not mean that all theology is incorrect or relative. But reading Kitamori’s “the BibleContinue reading “Very quick thoughts on Japanese theology…”
Meandering about Church Life in Japan
This probably could be labeled as a “part 1” since there are likely to be many more to come after. But in thinking through about what kind of church God finds pleasing, maybe I have a finger on one problem that the faces the church in Japan. Like all things, most strengths are also weaknessContinue reading “Meandering about Church Life in Japan”
Pikmin and management
Perhaps when writing a blog, a person can focus on a certain niche or subject and write a lot about that, which is probably helpful for the blogger as well as those who can read multiple articles on the same subject. The other way a blog can be done is with the focus on theContinue reading “Pikmin and management”
Animal Management
Perhaps the most used image for the role of the so-called “pastor” in the Bible is that of a shepherd. And shepherds shepherd. They care for the sheep, feed the sheep, guide the sheep, watch out for the sheep, search for the sheep, and perhaps even lay down their lives for the sheep. I thinkContinue reading “Animal Management”
One reason why people leave Christ…
I vowed (3days ago) that I would write everyday for a year and so I am compelled to write. Today I spoke from John 6:1-15 at my church and focused in at the last point, mainly that the people who were following Jesus had wanted to make Him king, but Jesus didn’t want to haveContinue reading “One reason why people leave Christ…”
Quinby 