Where is God in all THIS?

There are many areas of our faith life where we live with tension. Through the years theologians have wrestled, debated, and argued as to where the balance is between God’s sovereign justice and His merciful compassion.

What exactly is an “Act of God”? Are all natural disasters acts of God? There are certainly verses in Job, Proverbs, Isaiah and elsewhere which would lead us to believe God is actively involved in weather patterns. We are also told the “rain falls on the just and the unjust” and that “all of creation is groaning.” Does God actively cause these disasters, or do we live in a fallen world which groans for a redeemer? Does He simply remove His protective hedge in these situations, as He did in Job? This is an issue where I’ve experienced tension in my faith life for years. I’m content not to be dogmatic as I see Scriptures support a view much bigger than I can wrap my mind around or ANY one perspective on the issue.

I am blessed to be surrounded by some AMAZING and Godly chaplains in Misawa. I (and many others through the past weeks – remember to pray for our chaplains) sat down and discussed this with three of them shortly after the quake/ tsunami in Japan. Where is God?  Yes, he created the tectonic plates and how they move.  But did God reach down and create the pain and suffering Japan is currently enduring? I’m not sure. I don’t see Scripture giving the cut and dried answer I would like.  I CAN rest in His character. I CAN rest in His ability to bring great good from great chaos. I can trust that He has led me to this situation which wasn’t of my choosing. I can look for ways to glorify Him in the midst of the suffering.

Are there acts of God when a disaster like this occurs? Absolutely. We see acts of God when someone shelters a child who has suddenly become a homeless orphan, when food is shared, when people donate money or goods from around the world, when neighbors and Americans use their bare hands to dig through rubble in search of the living or the dead, when military spouses shop for hours and assemble home transition kits for those who have lost everything, when prayers are lifted around the world on behalf of revival in Japan.

Yes, God is here. We’ve seen His acts. We rest in His character.  My prayer for each woman in Asia region is she learns to rest in His merciful embrace, in the midst of a dance she may not have chosen.  Ah…dancing with God is a topic for another month. 

*First shared at pwoc.org on Asia Region's page 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Seasoned Traveler

Hmmm....God has been up to something. I, who have serious motion sickness issues, who used to be afraid of her shadow has become a seasoned traveler.  I have joked with some that the last few years have been all about me facing each one of my fears.....passport stolen, traveling alone in a foreign country, speaking in public, children in danger I am aware of but can't intervene, on top of a bridge in an earthquake..... Every one of them - and it's incredibly freeing. 


I felt no anxiety when the planes were cancelled and delayed yesterday. I figured I had 3 days to figure out how to get to Graduation in Eugene. I saw God's hand at work in Renee taking me to the airport. That gals a WHIZ on the computer...she had alternate airlines, routes, hotels etc all printed for me in the time it took me to alert family I would not be arriving in Eugene as planned and to discuss (the first time) my desire NOT to go to Bejing with Delta.  I landed in Tokyo (a place that overwhelmed me 1 1 /2 years ago) and took in stride the news that I couldn't fly out that night, that they really thought I should go to Bejing, that Osama Bin Laden was dead.....hopped on a hotel shuttle and booked a room. 


Salad, soup and tomato pasta seemed like normal breakfast fare this a.m. and it hit me....I'm a SEASONED TRAVELER....and I enjoy it. I've also not thrown up on a plane, train or car for over a year. Go God!!!

I've used these extra 8 hours of solitude to meet a PWOCI writing deadline, plan a local PWOC board planning retreat and work on some upcoming changes for PWOC Region. All good....and I slept...in a big comfy bed at the Radisson.  My only disappointment with this hotel is they don't have an onsen. They seemed surprised I asked about it - guess it's not so common down here as up North for every hotel to have yukatas and onsens.

In a few short hours I'll take a shuttle back to the airport and try to get out again. LOL


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Language Lessons

I forgot to share this last night. Our flight was TURBULENT yesterday - as expected since one was cancelled and the other delayed 2 hours due to wind.  ::snort:: 


My lesson - one has to wonder when three minutes of ANIMATED Japanese is translated to, "Sit down immediately". ::snort:: 


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Travel Adventures

Renee met me at the base's passenger terminal. We dropped off the van so it will be there when we fly back Space A - how's that for faith? Renee drove me over to the Misawa airport to fly out. 


My 9:55 a.m. plane was cancelled. 


They were telling folks to take the shinkansen...but we have to have permission from the wing commander to take the shinkansen as it goes through the hot/warm zone.  Rick or Renee made the call while I tried to take care of bags and were told I could go and could pick up a PI tablet. That is not good for someone with thyroid disease...

They booked me for 12:30 - I doubted I would make my 3:30 plane...but maybe. We went to Renee's and she researched flights and hotels....I called family to let them know our plans were changing.  I also called Delta and was told they'd let me fly tomorrow at the same time but I'd have to pay the difference between my ticket and the price for this ticket - $2200.00. Can you BELIEVE IT?  I decided to show up at the desk and see if I received better answers.

The 12:30 flight didn't leave until 2:30 p.m. TURBULENCE....whew.

Delta in Tokyo told me I should go to Bejing. She had said this online too. They were serious. They wanted me to fly, WITHOUT A VISA, to China and stay there 18 hours then fly back to Tokyo and out to Portland. Why? So they didn't have to pay for a hotel for me.  China is another spot I have to have permission from the base commander to travel to.....and I didn't WANT to go that way and sit for 18 hours. Finally, they realized I wasn't going to Honolulu or Bejing....they booked me on the same flights for tomorrow....and agreed that I did not have to pay any extra. I paid for a hotel.

Meanwhile I hear that Americans have to be careful traveling with the current news.....so here I am again. Hoping to make it out of here before the Sate Dept decides we shouldn't travel.  Traveling used to be so easy. LOL

Going to try to sleep.


Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Dinner Out

After the retreat - seven of us went to dinner at Uotami. It was a nice to time to relax after the busy weekend....though I had fun with some of the menu options....

Simmered Pork Cartilage

Highly recommended thinly sliced pickled pork intestines

Horse meat sashimi or shabushama? - Any way you say it - if it's raw on the menu, I've learned it will show up raw on my plate. So thankful for photos in Japanese menus. 

I opted for the "Chain wide cook off winner" - Collagen. The menu promised it would be very good for my skin - and Japanese women do look youthful. I wasn't sure about the scissors, but quickly figured it out. 

Yes, this is my "relief/retreat" exhaustion look. ::snort:: 

May I just say making the choice to NOT eat pork years ago has saved me from many eating adventures in Japan? ::snort:: After dinner we went to the chapel and unpacked Tara's van.

I came home, unloaded my van. I'll put things away, clean the house, finish some regional business, attend chapel and pack tomorrow...for Monday I fly.

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

The Retreat that Became a FLING! ::snort::

Semper Gumby was our motto as we planned this year's local retreat.


It was a learning experience (as I like a PLAN) and ultimately a joy (!) to serve as Misawa's Retreat Coordinator this year. We had a Fall Rally the end of August and had planned a 3 day/2 night retreat in May....the date had to change  due to Military exercises ....an earthquake and tsunami, a voluntary departure involving many of our members, a return of many of our ladies (Welcome BACK!)...and a change in venues.....


Renee was our anointed speaker. She spoke on Glory, Arise, and Light from Is 60:1-3. This beautifully tied up our year's theme -  Shine in the Light of His Glory. We began exploring this theme at the Fall Rally focusing on Matt 5 and being salt and light. It has been amazing to watch how God prepared us for current events.


We went to Komaki for our Fri night meeting, dinner and onsen enjoyment-no onsen photos will be forthcoming. 

Retreat Team members showed up at 3:00 to set up (and repeated in a new location the next a.m.)

Chocolate and Onsen just go together....

Annette and Sarah were champs! 

Flowers, chocolate, candles...we're good. 

Ruth and Mandy, our registration team, BREATHED Semper Gumby! 

Perfect, one of our first registrants coordinates with the tote! Love ya, Tanya. 

Small group leaders are briefed and pray

Dinner

Kobayashi-san is our liaison with Japanese Venues. He's invaluable and it was a learning experience to work with him this past year.  I learned much about Japanese culture. He very much approved of my announcements about onsen behavior - giving me high praise, "De'Etta-san, you are just like Japanese." 

I shared briefly about Dancing with God in shaky situations

Becky and Mandy led us to the throne of grace

We were OFF - with small groups exploring the concept of "Glory". 

Renee shared 3 sessions - centered on Glory, Arise, Light - Excellent time in the Word

I haven't a CLUE - but it was fun. 

We moved to Misawa AB ski lodge for Saturday's sessions. 

 

Renee kept things moving with charades, skits, times of personal reflection...we enjoyed munchies, games, sharing....

What is God calling you to Arise from and Arise to? 

Gifts were given to our amazing Retreat team. I asked two to remain and as all sat down, I realized Renee (speaker) and Susane (President)  are both leaving shortly. What a joy it has been to serve with these two ladies the past two years. 

Board gifts for Susane were two of Twyla Misawa's famous pillow cases, a photo albums, notes and letters from the PWOC group and a gift certificate for a facial. 

Well - something was funny, I'm sure. Work hard but HAVE FUN! 

Tara surprises me with a gift from y'all - card (such sweet encouragement from one of the best PWOC groups in the world) and itunes for my ipad (already purchased movie for my flight) and a bit of green for a pedicure (which is a new Misawa thing for me!). 

The event ended with the recognition and thanks to the 2010-2011 PWOC board and the installation of the 2011-2012 Misawa PWOC board.

Susane shared some thoughts on serving the past two years

2011-2012 Misawa PWOC Board (partial)

De'Etta (Pres), Mary (Titus 2), Mandy (Admin), Tara (Spiritual Life), Sarah (Finances), Christie (Hospitality), Ruth (Prayer)...Kristin (Programs) and Jess (Publicity) were unable to attend. There are still a few open positions.... ::wink, wink:: - We can promise you hard work, personal growth and lots of friendship and fun! 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Unexpected Intimacy

I expected to spend this day in solitude. 


7:35 a.m. my Skype rang in and I happened to be nearby heading to workout. I answered. Good regional Skype. The plan was for me to run some errands for the retreat, be home at noon to continue the Skype. That sort of worked. More Skype. More break. More Skype. 


I wasn't too worried about the "loss" of solitude this a.m. I decided to head out to pay bills and then play in the dirt. The plan was to clean house tonight. 

I had ordered 3 cases of Bibles from a company in Tokyo. They arrived yesterday. When you shop online here without the option of a credit card....they deliver your stuff an with the bill inside  the box. You take it to the nearest Lawson's and pay for your purchase. Quite trusting, isn't it? Refreshing.  There must be thousands of Lawsons scattered throughout Japan....and Family Mart and Circle K and Kozusomethingorothers.... As I waited in Lawsons, I couldn't help but thinking of Akiko-san. She's repeatedly told me (skeptic) how wonderful Cup Noodles are...and so I bought an assortment to try....seems the perfect time as I don't want to do a lot of cooking.  Before you turn your nose up, you should know that Ramen here is about a million times better than Ramen in the states...who knows...maybe this will be good too. ::snort:: 

I stopped at the Japanese version of Walmart to buy 4 more 40 ltr bags of DIRT...This time I bought a bag that said, "Garden Soil" in small print...I'm quite sure this is not fertilizer.  

Somewhere between leaving for errands and getting home the sun went away and the WIND arrived in FORCE....I decided to plant and save the housecleaning for the evening....plenty of time. I was valiantly planting plants...and chasing fly away planters across the yard...when Akiko-san called. We had a great talk. She asked if I'd like to spend the evening with her! Yes, that would be well worth changing plans.  We went to Universe. She had to buy things for a work BBQ tomorrow and showed me her favorite snack items for me to take home when I go next week. 

After the shopping adventure we went to her favorite Ramen shop - I didn't take a photo and can't remember the name....it has Tom Yum on the outside but that is a type of Thai noodle or something and not the name of the shop. Akiko-san had a wonderfully  huge bowl of ramen.  I had curry and giyoza.  Akiko-san informed me that "most Japanese don't use hashi for curry." Well now, that's nice to know. ::snort::  

As we laughed and slurped ramen it happened - unexpected intimacy. She shared new thoughts she is working through - I gained insight in to a culture  still very new to me. I thanked her for sharing with me, I gave her several heartfelt assurances  I am praying for her....she thanked me for letting her talk about things that are perplexing her. I will ponder tonight's conversation for quite some time.  With all my heart I wanted to give her an easy answer....but the answer simply doesn't appear to be easy.  How can the simplicity of grace, the free gift of grace be understood when it will cost so much and goes against what you've been taught to believe? It seems very complicated and costly from this  perspective. And yet, I long to introduce her to Jesus, not philosophy or religion, but Jesus. I sense He is drawing her to Himself...and so I sit on the outside and thank Him for the moments when I'm unexpectedly pulled inside the intimate circle...and continue to pray the process, pray the kingdom purposes in this situation. 

Your kingdom come, Father, on earth as it is in heaven! 

Choosing Joy!
©2011 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~Living all of life before the face of God...