Greetings and salutations!

Hello Again!

Ok so the headlines first: yesterday night there was an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale epicentred in Wakayama. In Numazu and surrounding areas, persons like me would have experienced shaking from the initial quake and following aftershocks. For my part, I am fine and found the incident strangely entertaining. Rather than run for my doorway, as I likely should have, I watched the building sway from my balcony. I understand this was not the smartest thing to do, but who knows when another such opportunity will arise? I actually thought I was just way too tired at first, but then I realized, no, that's actually the building moving! Anyway, thanks to all those who contacted me.

In other news, there are some new pics up and we are but one vote away from instigating a new story addition!

I am presently reading "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Now I am a firm believer that no book (other than the Word) can help you discover the purpose and meaning of your life. To this end I think that most self-help publications, including those from the Christian market, are highly dubious. The thing I like about this book though is that it doesn't pretend that it can show you those above mentioned revelations. What it can do is help you understand yourself a bit better to find truth for yourself. It helps the reader analyze how the Word can offer insight into purpose...it's really more of a reference tool and that's what I like about it. It moves from the realm of speculation, and addresses the requirements and necessity of revelation, which is what is truly needed to discover such things. At the core of the work lies on simple idea with profound implications:

Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.

George Bernard Shaw once wrote:

This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

Along with such discussions of self, it is helpful to consider the two questions we will all face at our end.
1. What did you do with Jesus Christ?
God isn't likely to care much about religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is if you accepted Christ and what He did for you. Did you love and trust Him?
2. What did you do with what God gave you?
Did you spend your talents, gifts, energy, opportunities, relationships, and resources on yourself, or did you put them toward the purposes designed specifically for you, and for which you were specifically designed?

---

A silver cord winds 'round the stone heart of a tearful angel. It presses in, exposing the flesh and and pent up malaise of the lonely, perfect being. The heart begins to beat against the cord, drawing drops of crystaline blood which mix with the dust of the encasing stone. Each drop is a sigh of release, a symphony of ecstasy, and a whisper of remembrance. Soon enough, a saline rain covers the tired earth.

With Hope,
Joseph