EASTER, WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT

Recently, it has just become so clear, that humanity is tainted by sin and selfishness.

We live in an amoral society, one that claps you on the back when you trip others in the attempt to get to the front of the pack.
We no longer value values, such as kindness and self-giving, instead people who try to have any values are so often labeled stupid and idealistic.

And more and more, I'm seeing how the book of Romans is so accurate in its description of humanity and why we deserve God's wrath poured upon us. Reading about God giving humans over to our sin , to our foolishness, to our ungodly impulses, has always saddened me. He made our thinkings dark and futile, so that we couldn't see Him, couldn't know Him (Romans 2).

I am the kind of person who believes in fairy tales. The prince always saves the princess. The bad guys always lose. The world will then be filled with roses and we will all live happily ever after.

Why did God give us over? Why did He not fight for us like the prince fights for the princess?

Unlike the princes in fairy tales, Jesus was not majestic or attractive. He was neither popular nor desirable (Isaiah 53).
The unlikely saviour, the unlikely king.
Jesus fought for us, not with swords and shields. He died for us, he was buried and on the third day, He rose from the dead and appeared to men (1 Cor 15:3-5).

And Christ brought hope and reconciliation to us, by sacrificing his life for us when we were sinners (Romans 5).

So , now we are no longer slaves but free in the spirit and we look forward to future glory and to the perfect fulfillment of the promises made by a good and awesome God.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28

As we enjoy the chocolates and the holiday, let's not forget the real meaning behind easter.

SO HERE I AM BLOGGING

It's one of those days where the body is willing but the MIND isn't working at all.

WHAT AM I DOING BLOGGING?

Survey needs to be done today.
But I can't think. =(

So here I am blogging.


RAWR.

REMINISCING JAPAN

Recently I've been thinking about Japan.
It's been a while, I know.



























I really want to go back there.
Japan was my first ever long distance trip without a tourist guide and my mom. (Australia doesn't count!)

Here's my version of how to enjoy Japan in pictures.

1. Pack Light














2. Take pictures on the plane.




















3. Try the apparently fabulous crepes in Harajuku


















4. Skip Disney Sea



















5. Ignore advice number 4 and buy some Disney souvenirs even though you think they are a waste of money.



























The perpetually colourful Disney.
















Ruth with a million smiles. The picture of Mickey is made up pictures of people smiling. You might see them if if you look closely.
















6. Visit the Kinomoto church that I've been sporadically praying for (usually when I get a newsletter).















Joyce snapped this while we were leafleting.






















No cars at all on the road in Kin0moto.

My host family in Kinomoto. I had persimmon a day. That was when I learnt to eat persimmon.






















7. Buy a million souvenirs from Daiso




















8. Eat sushi everyday! And from the Tsukiji fish market.

















9. See Tokyo by night

















Take more lame pictures of Tokyo by night.


























This reminds me of Orchard Road one Christmas actually.

















10. Sleep on tatami mats



























11. Spend hours waiting at the Shinjuku train station while Joyce is taking a million pictures.

From this


















To this. Where is Dene?





















12. Take the train





















































My favourite Australian family.
















And take pictures of people taking picture of people on the train.























In fact, why stop at taking pictures on the train. Take pictures everywhere.

Toilets









































Tokyo Tower



























Random hole in wall

















13. Wait in line to take picture in said toilets ( see above).























14. Use peace signs in all photos


















More peace signs

















And more


































15. Have some awesome Mandarins!

Remember to share!















16. Eat onigiris from 7-11 for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, snacks.


















17. Experience Japanese potluck.


















18. Take pictures of things that remind you of Australia.
























Street performers


















19. Take pictures of things that don't remind you of Australia.


























Yodabashi Umeda


























Very busy Tokyo.













































If you can't tell, that is, from right to left, Joyce, me, Ruth and Jono.





















20. Go to church
The men in church singing.


















21. Go to parks and the zoo



























































22. Meet up with ex-Newcastle-ites.
Us between giant legs.














































23. Travel with awesome people who will read the Bible with you and laugh about everything.
I can't remember half of the things that cracked Ruth and I up, late at night while walking back to our accommodation. I know everything just seemed a million times funnier.

The team was so varied and everyone brought their strengths in; Jono- good natured, Joyce-really quick, Ruth- stable, Dene- the leader, Rachel- creative. Simeon and Elliot just added another angle to the team!

Now to end the post with a group picture.

Wait a minute, did we take a group picture??