reachingtokyo

There seems to be less accountability in the city. I guess its the anonymity factor. People just say and do what they want because they know there are so many people that they don't ever have to see that person again. In a small town you have to be careful what you say and do. I think that is a good thing except for the gossip. I think this brings the worst out in city folk.

Labels: accountability, anonymity, city, gossip, people, small town

This came recently from a friend. I meet people all the time who inject there own beliefs into what the original founders of our nation believed and stood for simply because they don't like the religeous right. They think they know what separation of church and state really means while not even considering the historical context and the worldview of the people of our nation. The religeous freedom original Americans spoke of could only have been Christianity. Freedom of denomination is more accurate. The context was and England where the state was ruled by the Church of England and other denominations like Quakers, Presbyterians, and Baptists were second class not allowed to hold public office. I was also recently made aware that the Protestant work ethic of these very people was a driving factor in the Industrial Revolution. They were trying to gain a foothold in society to have some influence over their own lives. America was a place where denominations could worship the One True God as they pleased. There is absolutely no bases for the ACLU and other athiests, and agnostics to lay claim to any rights afforded in the Constitution while not acknowledging the influence of Almighty God and credit due Him. Many people who have a disdain for Christians seem to make up stories to support their own beliefs but there is no evidence. Christians need to be held accountable but athiests, agnostics, and humanists do as well. Every state mentions the Almighty, Supreme legislator, etc etc. Considering the context there is only one conclusion as to who He is.


Do you know the Preamble for your state constitution? . .
>Interesting!

>Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama,
>invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and
>establish the following Constitution.
>Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God
>and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
>Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona,
>grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this
>Constitution...
>Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas,
>grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form
>of government...
>California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California,
>grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
>Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound
>reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
>Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging
>with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
>Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by
>nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according
>to the dictates of their consciences.
>Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida,
>grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish
>this Constitution...
>Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon
>protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this
>Constitution...
>Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for
>Divine Guidance, establish this Constitution.
>Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho ,
>grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its ble ssings.
>Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois,
>grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious
>liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him
>for a blessing on our endeavors
>Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana,
>grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose
>our form of government.
>Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful
>to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling
>our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish
>this Constitution
>Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to
>Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
>Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are
>grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
>Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana,
>grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious
>liberties we enjoy.
>Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with
>grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in
>affording us an opportunity... And imploring His aid and direction.
>Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland,
>grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
>Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts,
>acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great
>Legislator of the Universe...In the course of His Providence, an
>opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction...
>Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan,
>grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this
>Constitution.
>Minnesota 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota,
>grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring
>to perpetuate its blessings:
>Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in
>convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His
>blessing on our work.
>Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound
>reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His
>goodness...Establish this Constitution
>Montana 1889, Preamble. We,
>the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of
>liberty establish this Constitution
>Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the
>people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom Establish this
>Constitution.
>Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada,
>grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution
>New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V . Every individual has a
>natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates
>of his own conscience.
>New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New
>Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which
>He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a
>blessing on our endeavors.
>New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to
>Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
>New York 1846, Preamble.
>We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God
>for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
>North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North
>Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations,
>for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging
>our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
>North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to
>Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do
>ordain...
>Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful
>to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote
>our common
>Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of
>Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of
>liberty...establish this
>Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I.
>Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship
>Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
>Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful
>to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and
>humbly invoking His guidance
>Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the
>People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the
>civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to
>enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
>South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of the State of South Carolina grateful to
>God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
>South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota,
>grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties
>Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and
>indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates
>of their conscience...
>Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas,
>acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
>Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty,
>we establish this Constitution.
>Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to enable the
>individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other
>blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man
>Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our
>Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty
>of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards
>each other
>Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of
>Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our
>liberties, do ordain this Constitution
>West Virginia 1872, Preamble.
>Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil,
>political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm
>our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
>Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful
>to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
>Wyoming 1890,
>Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God
>for our civil, political, and religious liberties ..
>establish this Constitution.

Labels: ACLU, agnostic, atheism, Christian, constitution, freedom, humanist, Industrial Revolution, religeon, rights

Every few months i go on the web and look for churches in Tokyo. Its always discouraging. Its like the homeshopping network. Youve got your old stodgy "if you're looking for more than entertainment" churches. Its like they are saying " the rest of those churches aren't serious about God but we certainly are" Next is your new fangled if your under 25 "worship you can dance to (even if you don't know the words) life experience related sermons" churches. A little scary and you walk in wondering "what do they want from me" and "your being too nice, i'm suspicious" and lots of " I am a pastor from Hawaii and we have a Hula team" churches (you would be surprised). We sometimes go to a church who's pastor is from Hawaii- no hula. Of course if you are just from Hawaii you are and thats that. Its well the.... if i have to explain it .... Then there is the "we are raising money to build a new church" (small c). Which i believe the 80's "missing the point" church.There are also lots of dead Japanese churches that look exactly like a western church inside and out. They are often hard to distinguish from the "wedding chapels" that are only used for ... weddings. We have a Korean church in our neighborhood. I have never been. No offense to Koreans but in my personal experience and anyone else i know who isn't Korean, the Korean churchs are just that,all Korean. Fine if you live in Korea but if you are a missions church in Japan? Makes sense somewhat. There is another church close enough to walk to. That church forces you to sign in if you are not a member. I liked the people i met there but it's rediculous to be tracked week to week and called out in service. Its like they want to say "hey this guy is new and he has come the last 3 weeks maybe he will join us" in a creepy way. Most likely it is an awkward attempt to welcome people and make sure people don't fall through the cracks.

All the churches i have been to have the "Hand of The Pastor" in everything/zenbu! Its not healthy. Everyone says how they want the community to be involved but the practical method is "as long as you run it buy the pastor". The only other people heavily involved are those with gifts of public speaking or who are out going or maybe looking for a fulltime job.

this is my blog and i like to be a little toungue in cheek. It helps me keep a sense of humor when i see so many things that are wrong with todays Church. Of course that is my opinion. Most people choose churches based on past affiliations, country of origin, or how the service "feels". Makes sense,you don't want to go to places where people are not like you or you leave feeling just crappy. Unless that is your past experience you had growing up and you think "I should feel crappy after church".

I want to get together with Christians and non-christians who are genuinly interested in learning about who Jesus was and is and how to make sense of that in our daily lives. But i want that place to be free, no i don't mean hippy free i mean no paid pastor for simply putting a message together and no cost for the building.
And i want everyone to bring songs, thoughts, prayers, readings etc and all feel free
(maybe here is where we insert the hippy par or fureta) to contribute. I also want it to be in walking distance so that the people i get together with will be the same people i see on the way to the grocery store. It would be an environment that is not controlling and wouldn't be fearful of different ideas. If you want to join my cult i mean church you can email me.

I am a little discouraged about church- why does it have to be so difficult? there seems to be so much fear and manipulation in churches. I beleive people are well meaning and thats what they were taught. What are we mentoring people to do? the system is just driving itself and it is no longer a community. It has become a church not Church

disclaimer: I have been to many of the types of churches mentioned in this blog. If you are a pastor of one of these architype churches this is not a personal afront on any individual but merely a direction of the church that i disagree with personally and believe we all need to discuss these issues publically and with a sense of humor.

Labels: Christian, Church, churches, community, Tokyo

This is a term we use in the "biz" for auditions. I had one today. The modelling/acting business is so sketchy. An agency will call you up and ask your availability on such and such a date for the audition and then other days (sometimes 6 days) for the shooting date. They try to not tell you anything about what you are auditioning for because they want you to go to the audition. Why? because they make money for each person that goes. So they send as many pictures to the production staff as possible and they can make more money before the shoot starts. the "talent" me. Yah i lnow. gets nothing for the audition of course- I actually pay for my travel and spend my time. Today i left my house at about 1:30 and got back at 5pm there are really slow at the audition because they are all getting paid.

so that is the system. So you could go to several auditions in a week but there is little chance you will get any because the agencies work for themselves and not for you personally- not like a real agent as many would know.

The game is you have to try and extract info when they call so you can get a better idea if it is worth your time.

The thing i hate the most is I feel like i am being ripped off- cheated- taken advantage of- unless you get the job . Then everybody is really nice to you. Unless its a low paying job then you are garbage again.

Labels: acting, auditions, ayashii, cattle calls, cheated, Japan, nihon, sketchy