FOR LONG LIFE, BE HAPPY

Shochi, who was born on Aug. 16, 1906, has traveled around the world at least seven times, with six of the seven tours made after he turned 100.  Wearing his signature silk hat and a bright red cloak, 106-year-old Saburo Shochi cut a fine figure when he arrived at the Best Dresser Awards at a Tokyo hotel in November 2012. He whipped off his cloak to reveal a striking yellow jacket.

Asked about the secret behind his dandyism, Shochi answered, “Changing clothes every day,” a comment that brought a chuckle from the ceremony participants.

Many people who live long lives look happy. According to a recent study, happiness is the key to longevity. Shochi, a pedagogy specialist, is living proof that being cheerful and positive leads to a long, healthy life.

Last summer, Shochi went on a 32-day speaking tour of nine countries, including the United States, South Africa and Russia. His trip was all the more remarkable because it earned him recognition as a Guinness World Record holder as the oldest person to have completed a round-the-world trip via public transportation.

During the tour, Shochi smiled and greeted people in their local language. He was warmly received and dubbed a ‘handsome boy’. “If you keep smiling, people around you smile, and everything goes smoothly,” he said.

Prof. Kazuo Tsubota, an anti-aging researcher, interviews people of 100 and older and observes that all of them are cheerful, positive and seem content overall. He recommends writing down three good things that happen each day before one goes to sleep. Doing so will make the writer even happier!

Source: Yomiuri News

If you have happiness on this earth you have nothing at all.

  So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: 

also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun  .Ecclesiastes 2:9-11

Our lifetime on earth is as short as a breath, but eternity is forever. Happiness is fine for a short time and a good way to be healthy but opt for joy that lasts into eternity and in turn have joy that is always a part of good health even when you aren't really happy!

 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.   Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2, 3

Salvation is for eternity and also gives you happiness and joy while you live on earth!! 

We hope Mr. Shochi also finds true joy!

Do they know of Christ?

The Engel Scale was developed by James F. Engel as a way of representing the journey from no knowledge of God through to spiritual maturity as a Christian believer. The model is used by some Christians to emphasize the process of conversion, and the various decision-making steps that a person goes through before they become a Christian. (Wikipedia)

     +5 Stewardship

    +4 Communion with God

   +3 Conceptual and behavioral growth

  +2 Incorporation into Body

 +1 Post-decision evaluation

New birth

 -1 Repentance and faith in Christ

  -2 Decision to act

   -3 Personal problem recognition

    -4 Positive attitude towards Gospel

     -5 Grasp implications of Gospel

      -6 Awareness of fundamentals of Gospel

       -7 Initial awareness of Gospel

        -8 Awareness of supreme being, no knowledge of Gospel

Without using statistics to indicate where the Japanese are on that scale if they are unsaved, we can safely say for the most part that MOST Japanese are at the -8 level with some overlapping into the -7 state. Maybe they attended a 'Christian' kindergarten when that age.  Maybe they had a Christian roommate in college.  Maybe they attended a S.S. for a short period of time.  But unless they have actually studied one on one with a Christian or made a decision to attend a church to find out more and attended regularly they would not reach the -6 level. So when we introduce the Gospel to the Japanese people it means first of all one thing: You start with the basic of basics: Who is God; What is the Bible; Who is Jesus Christ, and so forth.  If the person is willing, we use a six-week study course (Japanese like set time limited programs) called Christianity Explained. Even this step may be after some time of introduction through conversation and testimony in every day life.  (http://www.christianityexplained.com/CE-Complete-Manual-Book)

At the end of the course we ask the student if they are willing to continue in study as well as approach them concerning their own need and a desire to accept Christ as their Savior then.  Most will choose to go on in their study.
For others we have included a short Bible study time at the end of the weekly Bible study.  Several of our believers have come to Christ as a result of this.  But the key in each was being patient and putting for the truth in small bits, piece by piece. So they don't just add another god to their godshelf but truly come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and reach the "New Birth" step in the chart above. 
Another step that has to be overcome in these steps toward a true acceptance of Christ and becoming a repented, born again believer, usually happens between -3 and -2 steps.  They may come to understand their need and have a desire--so what stops them---group unity. A desire to not break up the 'wa' of first of all their family circle; next would be (depending on the age level of the student) their peers either at school or at work and thereby you have just encompassed their whole life view.  Japanese will go clear around a thought in order to not cause discomfort or trouble for another person.  The view of others around you begins at home in early childhood years...babies are kept with their mother in their own beds (futon) sometimes until they reach school age.  The tie that is begun then continues as the mother watches over that child's school years day by day, year by year and encourages family ties in various ways until the person as an adult, is an individual but not with individuality.  Thereby, creating a 'chain' so strong that to break it and embrace 'Christianity' and tear that family a part will often keep that person from Christ. Or when having already accepted Christ, but not yet told the parents, will cause a break after the fact.
 

Case in point:
1.  We had worked with a 30 yr old man in a job here in Teshio, which at the most, meant he would be around for about 7 years before being transferred out.  After studying for some time and attending the morning service regularly, he told us he wanted to accept Christ and be saved. He was excited about this step and eager to continue in his studies.  Several weeks later he said he wanted to be baptized and needed to tell his parents who live in southern Japan.  We told him we would be praying for this decision and the action and for his family to accept his decision.  Within 24 hrs. he called and said he would not be following Christ any longer; that we were not to come see him; he would not be back again and no he would not tell us what had transpired!! We were heartbroken! With a western minded thinking one cannot fathom that type of emotional stronghold on a 30 yr grown man through his family. We have no idea what was possibly threatened if he went through with his decisions.  Several attempts were made via phone and going to the house to see him and he completely refused all advances and said he would call the police. That didn't stop us but his complete turn around did eventually mean that we had to leave him with the Lord! All we can pray, is that at some point in later years, where ever he was transferred in his job, God built upon this man's knowledge and he again followed Christ.

2.  A young woman of about the same age started coming to English. Then she added coming to services and came to the point of admitting that she was a sinner and needed Christ BUT (and all Japanese come to this point at some time, where they have to make a decision to continue or to stop) she could not and would not reject all her ancestors and break the chain of praying for them and to them: for after all, who would carry on for them if she accepted Christ as her Savior.  She understood that she needed to be saved from hell but she couldn't accept that what she had been taught all these years was false and that those ancestors she so faithfully prayed for could no longer be helped. All she could see was the chain would be broken and she would not be the one to do that. She quit classes and never came to another service.  Eventually she moved to a small village near Teshio and is involved in the Buddhist worship there.  

While the times of hurt and sorrow over a soul either new to Christ or almost there come and go over the years, we must be faithful to just keep giving the truth and leave the matter to Christ as to their final decisions.  God is the giver of life and salvation. We are just the instruments...may we be found faithful.

STRANGE CREATURES IN DEBRIS

Debris dragged out to sea by the 3/2011 tsunami arrived on the other side of the Pacific Ocean bringing unfamiliar creatures as well as concerns that invasive species will threaten ecosystems on the West Coast of the United States.

A 20-meter-long pier was swept away by the tsunami from the fishing port of Aomori, and arrived on a beach near Newport, Oregon more than a year later in June, 2012, bringing with it many species of marine life native to Japan.

Locals who flocked to see the unexpected arrival were shocked, not only by the immense size of the pier but also by the many species that had hitched a ride, which included sea chestnuts, crabs, sea anemones, starfish and oysters. Marine Science Center counted more than 90 species.

Among the new arrivals from Japan are wakame seaweed and crab species that are highly reproductive, more so than Oregon's indigenous varieties. They are considered invasive species that could have an unwelcome impact on local ecosystems and the locals tried to destroy all the specimens with blowtorches.

The debris that has already reached U.S. shores is only a tiny fraction of the total. The Environment Ministry believes about 1.5 million tons of debris were dragged out to sea by the March 11, 2011 tsunami, and the ministry calculated that about 41,300 tons will arrive over time, meaning that U.S. communities should probably expect more unwelcome Japanese sea life.

Source: Yomiuri News

 There is something infinitely worse than 1.5 million tons of debris. It is the muck that human beings carry around in their bosoms.

Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.


The Bible urges us to get rid of the sin in our hearts.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21


Our sin is an abomination in the sight of a holy God.
Only the shed Blood of Jesus Christ can wash our sins away.

 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;...  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:16, 18

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.... Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  Psalms 51: 2, 7


Please do not put off knowing for sure on anything of such eternal importance! Accept the salvation of the Lord today!!

Smiling Umbrellas

Koji Mizutani had a simple message when he displayed 100 ‘smiling umbrellas’ in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2010. “I want to send a ray of hope to ease the friction of war and conflict where bombs were dropped,” he said.

After traveling to the United States and seeing girls whose smiles were wonderfully hearty and carefree, he experienced an inspirational flash. The smiles expressed what Mizutani thought was ‘extreme happiness’.

Believing that a smile represents the very best in what design can offer, Mizutani reduced his workload and began his quest. He visited 26 nations and photographed about 40,000 beautifully smiling subjects.

Printing smiling faces on panels and umbrellas was his hope of expanding the circle of ‘smiles and happiness’.

To mark the 65th anniversary of Hiroshima’s atomic bombing, Mizutani displayed umbrellas featuring the smiling children he photographed from around the world. He also used this opportunity to listen to survivors' experiences.

A 100 smiling umbrellas ‘bloomed’ on August 1, in front of the ‘A-Bomb Dome’ in Hiroshima, where citizens read peace messages.

A similar event was held in Nagasaki on August 7 at Nagasaki Peace Park in front of the ‘Peace Statue’.

“Because the two bombed cities experienced much despair, I hope they can now be filled with smiles,” Mizutani said.

Source: Yomiuri News

Until you follow Christ, you have no true hope.

Romans 12:12

 Rejoicing in hope; 

patient in tribulation; 

continuing instant in prayer;

 Ps 146:5 ¶ Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, 

whose hope is in the LORD his God:

 Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, 

and whose hope the LORD is.

When you have real Biblical hope, rejoicing is the ‘new normal’.

Romans 15:13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy

 and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, 

through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Begin to hope and your heart will soon brim over with joy and peace!

John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you,

 that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Choose Christ and you will understand the deeper meaning of a smile!

Self-Driving Cars!

(Honda, maker of the reborn Acura NSX, is one of the companies working with the Japanese government on robot cars.)

 

Within 10 years, Japan may have self-driving cars on its expressways, according to car manufacturers in Tokyo, Japan.

“I can't wait for the era of self-driving cars,” a manager of a car factory said. “I can't believe it is 2013 and we still have to turn a steering wheel and push pedals to get around when we could be doing better things like sleeping, reading, or actually watching the scenery rolls by instead of having to keep our eyes on the road.”

The Japanese government has the goal of getting self-driving cars on public roads by the early 2020s and the Ministry of Transport and Tourism has said it will be the first in the world to seriously consider robot cars for the masses. The robo-wheels will debut on special lanes.

A major issue that will take up lots of talk time is how to assign responsibility in accidents involving self-driving cars. Who is to blame if there is no human driver? 

Source: June 2012/ News.cnet.com

The number of cars in the world surpassed 1 billion. Can the world handle this many wheels? Yes, because everybody wants to get somewhere.But what they need most is to want to get to heaven!!  A car can't take them but God's grace and gift of salvation can! 

Tsunami Warning System

Tsunami two years on: Japan finally gets warning system that would have saved hundreds of lives

Two years after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands, the country has unveiled an improved warning system that could have saved hundreds of lives.

Operators at the Japan Meteorological agency checking the data of the seismic activity across Japan  Photo: Androniki Christodoulou

By Danielle Demetriou, Tokyo

8:48PM GMT 09 Mar 2013

When a dark, swirling tsunami swamped vast swathes of Japan's northeastern coastline on March 11 two years ago, sweeping away houses, cars and tangles of telephone poles, few were able to predict its near biblical scale.

Including, it seems, Japan's Meteorological Agency, which in the aftermath of the disaster was widely criticised for issuing a warning of a modest 10ft high tsunami – despite it reaching up to 131ft in places.

Now, as the nation prepares memorials on the second anniversary of the disaster for the 19,000 lost lives, the same agency unveiled its new Tsunami Warning System, designed to ensure that such an underestimation would not happen again.

Japan has long been famous as not only one of the world's most seismically active regions, with 100,000 earthquakes every year, but also as home to the most sophisticated disaster technology.

Since the installation of its first tsunami warning system in 1941, Japan has invested heavily in high-end technology developed in response to its experience of centuries of natural disasters. 

From undersea pressure sensors to mobile phone alarms ringing seconds before buildings even begin to shake, a raft of innovative technologically devices have put Japan at the forefront of disaster technology.
However, March 11, 2011 proved that even Japan did not have the means to deal with an incident on such a scale – the 9.0 earthquake being the largest ever recorded in Japan – prompting a two-year £25 million (3.5 billion yen) upheaval of its national disaster system.
"I think it is true to say that Japan has the world's highest quality systems in relation to issuing near shore tsunami warnings," said Takeshi Koizumi, a senior coordinator for international earthquake and tsunami information.
"This is not only because of our hardware or software, but because of Japan's experience.
"But we had not expected a 9-plus magnitude earthquake. On March 11, 2011, we followed procedures correctly and issued a tsunami warning in three minutes – but our first warning was underestimated. We have to learn from these experiences, which is why we have upgraded our systems."
The heartbeat of the nation's disaster response system is located in an anonymous grey office building in the Otemachi area of Tokyo, just a stone's throw from the green grounds of the Imperial Palace.
On the second floor, a corridor of dull strip lighting leads to double doors marked with a discrete sign reading "Seismological and Volcanological Department" but referred to by all workers more simply as the Operations Room.
Inside, shoes are replaced with black slippers before entering a wide low-ceiling space crammed with rows of dozens of computer screens emblazoned with colourful graphs, lists of figures and real time images of mountains and coastlines.
Digital clocks flash the time passing in seconds across the walls, with regular warning alarms filling the air alerting the workers, dressed in dark blue workman suits and hunched over computers, to changes in sensors.
This room is the epicentre of all natural disaster-related action in Japan, with teams of experts working around the clock monitoring every single earthly vibration and volcanic puff across the archipelago.
Explaining the new system – emblazoned across computer screens in colourful charts, lists and graphics – Mr Koizumi describes the technology aimed at increasing the speed and precision with which a tsunami can be predicted following a mega-quake.
Key is the multi-million pounds deployment of circular devices measuring known as Broadband Strong Motion Meters, which are being installed at 80 sites across Japan.
These devices measure a wide range of seismic waves triggered by an earthquake and unlike existing meters already in place in Japan, they have been designed with low sensitivity levels to avoid the problem of becoming saturated when an epic mega-earthquake strikes – as was the case on March 11.
Other cutting-edge devices include the installation of three strategically located offshore meters known as DARTs involving sophisticated pressure sensors stationed deep under the sea off the Pacific coast which send messages to floating buoys on the surface with information relating to approaching tsunamis.
The new system also includes an ongoing expansion of its existing network of seismic stations which are dotted around Japan's landscape, with a total of 261 already confirmed as in place compared to 221 at the time of the disaster two years ago.
A new long-life battery system has also been installed at seismic stations across the country, to avoid the problem of stations cutting out due to electricity blackouts caused by earthquakes – as was the case on March 11.
"Before, we had batteries that lasted only for three to four hours but the blackouts on March 11 lasted for a day – so one by one our seismic stations died on that day," said Mr Koizumi. "Our new battery system will mean they can last for three days in the case of a huge earthquake."
However, the new system is not without its challenges. In the case of mega-quakes, an accurate tsunami prediction may still take longer than three minutes, depending on a range of technical factors such as the length of the fault line or location.
As a result, the new technology is being reinforced by a major operational overhaul, to ensure that residents in high risk areas will always receive a serious tsunami warning within three minutes – if not with the exact height measurements, with the words either "kyodai" (huge) or "takai" (high).
"About 40 per cent of near shore tsunamis hit the Japanese coastline in 20 minutes after the earthquake," he said. "In some cases, it is less than five minutes. Three minutes is our target response time to issue warnings to the public.
"The first warning is most important but it must be issued within three minutes which means there can always be some ambiguity over its size."
For Mr Koizumi, the new tsunami system is clearly inspired by lessons learnt as a result of March 11 two years ago – a day whose events he recalls, like many people in Japan, with crystal clarity.
"I was working in my seventh floor office when the earthquake came," he said. "I was not expecting a 9.0 earthquake and it was clear that something extraordinary was happening.
"I held onto my computer system to prevent it from being damaged. Then when the jolting stopped, I ran down to the Operations room. It was very chaotic there. There were lots of people who had also arrived, including the director general. The first three minute tsunami warning had already been sent out. But this information was, as we know now, underestimated."
It was only the next day, however, that the full impact of the disaster apparently sunk in when he was sent to the region as part of a government investigation team into the disaster.
Pulling out a photograph of an expanse of empty land fringed by a dark sea, he said: "This is a photo I took of Rikuzentakata city from a helicopter the day after March 11," he said. "When we approached this area, I remember thinking, 'Oh, it's so clean here. There's nothing here.
"Then I realised that in this empty space, there used to be a city. The town was washed away. Out of a 16,640 population, 2,170 were dead or missing. No words can be used to describe this."
Mr Koizumi was cautious in attempting to quantify the new tsunami system in terms of the potential lives it could have saved two years ago or will be able to save in the future.
"We must always be prepared to update and upgrade our tsunami warning systems based on real cases in order to minimise casualties," he added.

 Telegraph News United Kingdom

Although there have been ways to know what might come as the result of an earthquake, we do not know when we will die or Christ will come again!! When we die those that know Him personally because they have received Christ as their Savior will be taken to heaven! Those that have not received the gift of salvation will have eternity in hell. 

There is a warning system that tells all the world this end result: it's called the Bible!! In it you can see the future foretold for all mankind.  And in it, the way of escaping hell is fully explained. All one has to do is read, follow it and receive it.  Will you do that if you haven't received Christ yet? You can begin by reading in the book of John!  

It is wonderful that there is a way for escaping a tsunami before it comes. It is more wonderful when we also know the way of escaping eternity in hell.  

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."  (John 14:6)  He also said:

  " I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:25, 26)