Monday, February 27, 2012

Dan's snack

I know some of you are wonder what do I eat? I thought I'd share one of my snacks with you.

 Jalapeño Cheese Toast
This one is my Jalapeno Cheese Toast. I usually eat a 300 to 400 calorie breakfast. So around 10am I get famished. I usually reach for my low calorie low salt Polish Pickles but I get tired of that or sometimes I enjoy whole lemons. If you take 20 minutes to suck on lemon slices and eat the flesh they can be very satisfying.

Lately, we found at one of our foreign food stores a jar of sliced Jalapeno peppers. So I make this under 200 calorie snack with a piece of toast a slice of cheese and I top it with bell peppers and Jalapeno peppers. Then I toast it a second time melting the cheese. Oh it is so yummy. I almost ate this one before I had the thought to share it with you all.

Cheese I use is a Japanese torokeru or processed cheese... it is 58 calories a slice.
Bread White: 122 Calories a slice
Jalapeño's 27 calories. (although I am using only a table spoon say 1/2) so 14 cal
Bell peppers 30 calories also only a table spoon of one so 15 calories.


  58
122
  14
+15 
199


There are those times when I get the bug and just stand for 5 minutes in front of the fridge. I don't know what I want or am looking for but it is a habit. So to guard against eating harmful or it could be healthy but high calorie I like to have ammunition available in the form of pre-cut items. I take a whole Yellow Bell Pepper and a whole Red Bell Pepper and dice them up and save them in tuperware in the fridge. I'll cut up a whole head of lettuce ready for an instant salad. Our bodies need to burn fuel but do we get the cheap fattening stuff? Like gassing up your car at a generic no name gas station that makes your car engine knock. The same for our bodies. If we can eat satisfying efficiently burning fuels our bodies will do better. If we load it down with additives and salt we will feel bad and in many cases feel the need to eat more because of the deficiency in our body. Sometimes I wish our bodies had a pop up computer screen that could tell us what our body exactly needs. Body is deficient in potassium so eat a 1/2 a banana. But instead I used to reach for Pringles and diet soda. Hope you all enjoy the Jalapeño Cheese Toast and eat well so that we can serve well.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Why is that?


    WHY IS THAT?

I expected a repair on our Nissan headlight to be a couple of hundred dollars it was 2000 yen (or $24.00). Why is that?

You make a plan to go to a nice restaurant and get all ready and make the trip only to find out it is closed that day. Why is that?

Amazon is known in Japan for shipping things real fast within two days most of the time. The one time you needed it fast it comes in five days. Why is that?

You know how somethings are so odd they can make you wonder why is that?

So many times what we have expected is just the opposite. Whether it is that Murphy's law or just coincidence everyone has times that what they have expected didn't happen. Or something happened that they didn't plan on. I often wonder about things like when the Wise Kings of the East took all that time to come and worship this great king who had his own star, expecting palatial royalties only to find humble accommodations. Still they rejoiced.


Paul standing on the temple steps finally able to give his grand testimony only to have them riot and he gets beaten and thrown in jail. He must have wondered what is going on? This isn't what I planned. God may have shown him the things he must suffer but it appears he had the expectation of a different result.


Jonah sitting on that hill giggling to himself…"Hee Hee Hee, any minute now the fire of God is going to wipe out the Ninevehites. I had better get my marshmallows out." Only to find they don't get wiped out but they repent and turn to God. What? Jo was fuming mad. He was mad at God why? Because he did what he expected which he hoped wouldn't happen. When it did he has that "I knew it." My mortal enemy is saved by my preaching just great he wanted them dead.

So for the Bolinger's on the mission field our coming over here we expected it to not be easy, we'd within a few years plant a church and originally go back home after two years or so. We are passing the or so point and in July we will be going into our 5th year here. Medically, I Dan feel like I am not doing that great. The Doctor says, "Man you're doing great." Mihoko says, "Wow honey you're doing great." I am getting better. I sure don't feel like it. We came to the mission field expecting God to do great things. I didn't expect that would include a sickness.

What's Next:  As Mihoko and I have prayed we have never been ones to sit back to listen to secular common sense. So we are praying forward for a venture of faith. The English school is continuing.  The Church is continuing and people do come wow. God brought us here to do a work to glorify him. How can we not expect God to bless another venture of faith? Pray for us in this venture. We are going to Lord willing rent a facility. This process can take up to a month or more. We will let you know when we know.

It's really funny that as my health goes south, we turn around and press forward with a venture of faith. People expect us to throw in the towel and go back to California. We are committed to the cause of Christ. My limitations are not totally debilitating. I find courage in some people in the field where one husband had a severe stroke and they continue on with the wife fulfilling the call God has put on their lives. Or like another family I know, the dad died and the family remained on the field committed to the mission. The kids all have gone into missions and carry on their Fathers work. We take courage and will continue.

It is so typical of humanity, we expect one thing and they do the opposite. Why is that? Just when we think God is bringing the curtain down on our ministry he opens a wide door. Why is that? God is good,

Friday, February 24, 2012

Eternal Peace or Piece

Jesus said "peace peace everywhere peace. Then the end will come" well here in our town the city hall has declared eternal peace. Knowing Biblical prophecy gives you insight that people can declare anything they want but it is just empty words. Japan is changing. People like the rest of the world are without peace in their soul. There is a restlessness in the hearts of people they want a change but don't know what or how. They can chant all they want "Peace, Peace, Peace.". But they still inside are wrestling a. The Bible says one day that the world will declare a false peace. Then the end wil come. There is no peace why? Because a war is raging from the beginning of time. Mankind is at war with his maker we are all tired of fighting we see the lifestyles of our predecessors and they are all wounded and damaged. The scars run long and deep. Yes we are tired of fighting. There are two ways to win a fight. One beat your opponent or Two give up. Now fighting against God just isn't a fight you can win. I suggest you give up and repent of your sinful self-centered life. Ask Jesus to come in and direct your life. All your dreams all you ambitions all your fighting with family friends and coworkers let it all go and give up. Jesus says to you come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Jesus gives you peace not as the world gives but a peace that passes understanding The world can't know peace because it doesn't know Jesus. But you can know Jesus simply by bowing your head and pray, "Jesus, I give up. I lay down my life and all throw down my weapons and surrender to you. Forgive me Lord. Come into my life and fill me with your peace. When you do you will discover what others have. God was not mad at you and loves you very much. He didn't want to fight against you that is why he sent Jesus to die in our place to pay our crime debt and give us peace with God. Not just a declared piece, but a true peace that will truly be eternal




Friday, February 10, 2012

Slamming Doors

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; 
and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Matthew 25:10

Incident: Laying in bed warm it is 6am and the rumblings of family indicate the day is getting started. There is a door that separates two areas of our Apartment. It has a bent hinge causing it to just barely bump the doorjamb. I have warned the kids many times to not slam the door. Before we moved into this Apt two years ago on our first day looking at the place the wind slammed the door twice which yielded two neighbors to come over and scold us for being Urusai (Noisy). So with this fear constantly in our head I tell the kids don't slam the door. This one morning though there was an unusual amount of slamming. There was loud voices and slamming. When someone has a heart problem the last thing you want to do is startle them and cause heart trauma. As I lay in this warm bed fading in and out of consciousness I am startled awake, SLAM, "Oh those kids." roll over close eyes again. SLAM, "I wish they wouldn't slam the door. SLAM (I have 3 kids) We are going to get in trouble by the neighbors. SLAM (the wife?) Being startled 4 times was all my heart could take anger was the emotion of the day. I shot out of bed opened my bedroom door. I inhale to blast them with both barrels of my teaching on why we should not slam doors. When all of a sudden everything goes blank. The reboot happens while I'm on the floor. My eyes open, I'm hearing my panicked wife calling my name, my oldest son is calling my name they are putting hands on me trying to find out what just happened. My Son was fearful I had just entered eternity. In 10 seconds I stand up say, "Please stop slamming the door." Then I returned to bed for about 20 minutes. This is part of the heart problem now. As the heart is unable to pump normal when an event that causes me to move fast or say I eat a meal and stand up too quickly I get dizzy. That morning with anger being in the mix caused a crumpling to the floor. It was quite humbling. I now have to be careful of really managing my emotions. I have to choose my battles based on how much energy do I have for this. Which has been quite nice as I not having energy usually just walk away and don't say a word. The kids know and are helping to do their part. I must say this our home has been so much more peaceful now. All but the slamming of the door.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

I'm working on a new one be patient

Hey gang,
I have been working on many writings simultaneously and none of them are any good. When I get something worth writing or reading I'll post soon. Enjoy the peace of nothing to read. Maybe I'll write about nothing. Like Seinfelds show that was about nothing.



Friday, January 13, 2012

100 pounds part 2: Things that weigh 100 pounds stolen from other blogs

In celebration of my recent loosing of 100 pounds I wanted to see what on Earth also weighed 100 pounds. So here goes. And to give credit where credit is due. I have appropriated these picts from other sights except those that resemble me.
Me at 225 pounds or 102 kilograms
Me at 325 pounds or 148 kilograms


100 pound black lab
100 Pounds of Dumbells and I stress dumb

100 pound foal/ baby horse for those who don't know what a foal is.
Newborn baby hippo
100 pound prize winning pumpkin

100 pounds of marlin this may actually be like 300 to 400 pounds but it was a cool picture.
100 pounds of Tuna ooo Sushi...someone get the soy sauce.

My beautiful 10 year old daughter Rachel with her uniform and school backpack weights 100 pounds.



Wow wow wow I just can't believe I carried all that weight around with me. Talk about a major wake up call for me. Praise God!
I was that fat with me filling in those 44 size pants. Anyone want a slightly used pair of size 44/30 jeans?
My daughter Jane was having fun with my old pants. She stood in one leg and then lifted the other leg up over her head.


My bug Jane is now a worm or some other thing. Now its time for tickle torture. Hahahahaha

100 pounds of ramdom thoughts

Thoughts on loosing over 100 pounds of weight...

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; Isaiah 55:1-3a





How do we get Fat?
It is amazing as an individual can eat and eat and eat. I ate for pleasure, I ate because of anger. I ate when I worried. I ate when I was depressed. And in between it all I ate just because I love to EAT. I'm a textbook emotional eater. I personally refuse to blame my DNA or upbringing. This was all me eating to live and living to eat. I could blame all those church potlucks throughout the years. I grew up Baptist and we sure love our potlucks, agape feasts, hot dish Sunday. It doesn't matter we will make every excuse for why we were not in church but we never ever missed a potluck. I can remember eating a whole platter of deviled eggs. Or the ice-cream root beer floats. I'm going to make myself hungry. I did learn from my folks a good family night included some popcorn, ice-cream (Best if homemade), and chocolate cake. I'd just take it to the extreme of every night being family night. When I was in high school and the military I smoked. When I got out I quit...or did I? I took up drinking sodas. Big ones, 44 ounces refilled 2 to 4 times a day. I was in a service job repairing garage doors and I ate almost everyday at a burger joint. Never a single that was sissy. It was double or nothing and of course super size.

Who is to blame?
My obesity took 20 years to achieve. It really isn't a proud feat. Although, as the years went by pride was feat achieved as I became a "Big Man" and I wore big man sizes I felt more grown up. I could try to psychologically analyze this to the nth degree but all that would prove would be that I'm not the one to blame. It was genetics, or family upbringing, or associated behaviors from life trauma any of which I could go down that road to achieve nothing but placing the blame somewhere else and affording myself grace to celebrate with a Carl's Jr. Super Star with cheese curly fries and the 44. I would be justifying my behavior based on external circumstances. Oh, I would agree all the fodder to fuel the blame is there. If I wanted to pass the blame I could and I would be in the world's eyes justified. Isn't that what everyone is doing these days? It's not our fault it is my parents and the dysfunctional family syndrome. HA! There has never been in the history of mankind a truly functional family. We all have sin natures that make us all dysfunctional. The Cleavers came close but even there they kept messing things up and the Beav kept having to say, "Gosh, Wally, I'm sorry." I don't want to be like the world. I want to live with a higher standard. I believe in the God of the Bible and his Son Jesus Christ as my God and savior. Through the work of the cross Jesus has dissed the "dys" in dysfunctional.  Now through the power of the Holy Spirit I am able to be forgiven of my mistakes and sin. My pride, my fears, my blatant disregard for the God of Heaven and Earth and to ignore him as my creator is sin. I had to repent. I repented many years ago but in my wealth of learning I have allow situational ethics to direct me more than the Author of the Bible. I have legalized some behaviors and liberalized other. I am saved the whole time and even able to serve God with a certain limitation. But life can become confusing and distorted. I am specifically speaking of my personal relationship to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.


Tying it all together:
In dieting the hospital had me eat an 1800 calorie diet. I had been for 3 months eating a 1000 calorie diet and suffering and I wasn't loosing as much. But on the higher calorie diet I began to loose a lot more. If I go up 300 to 400 on the calories I won't loose at all and
500 over cause a gain. So it is all about balance. Our spiritual life is the same way. We feast on the Word of God it is our sustenance. If we limit ourselves and starve our spirit of the proper amount of spiritual calories then we don't grow and we actually don't loose the fat. If we over eat on the word I know I don't retain much. Our church likes big conferences where all day long 8 to 10 speakers deliver the best meals of the word of God and we in a "All-U-Can-Eat" style overeat on the Word. The next day we feel good but virtually everything is not retained. So the proper balance is between you and the doctor (Lord Jesus Christ). Ask him what is the appropriate amount of spiritual food you need per day and start feasting and getting spiritually healthy.

Dr. Bennett writes, "The Bible is God's nutrient to prevent your Christian life from being spiritually stunted. If you are to grow from the spiritual curiosity of babyhood, to the spiritual stabliity of youth and finally to the spiritual maturity of adulthood, it is imperative that you reveive daily nutrition from God's Word, the Bible....Yes the Word of God will indeed be a source of constant and growing delight when you understand how to digest it as your own spiritual nourishment. Through the prophet Isaiah, God graciously invites all those who have a hunger and thirst for spiritual food to dine with Him from His own banqueting table." 


 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? and your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; Isaiah 55:1-3a



If this didn't make sense I apologize as I am tired now and I want to go to bed. I'll fix it later should I feel inspired to do so. As I reread my ramblings it felt a little disjunct and hard to follow. That is why I need more practice at this writing thing.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Aum's reincarnation as Aleph

It always amazes me how vunerable people are. Through deceptive tatics and propaganda also being very warm and loving this cult of doom is still growing. They accuse that Japanese Government of being controled by a Jewish-Freemason conspiracy. The thing that really blows my mind is that the leaders all had Masters in Science or Phd's in Chemistry or Medicine. Some very top people joined the group. What can happen to a mind, when the soul is desperate, is seen by these men who acted on beliefs and killed people and wounded thousands of others.  Here is the history of this event... it really has given me a greater understanding of the Old Testament and the book of Judges.

On Monday March 20, 1995, five members of Aum Shinrikyo launched a chemical attack on the Tokyo Metro, one of the world's busiest commuter transport systems, at the peak of the morning rush hour. The chemical agent used, liquid sarin, was contained in plastic bags which each team then wrapped in newspaper. Each perpetrator carried two packets of sarin totaling approximately 900 millilitres of sarin, except Yasuo Hayashi, who carried three bags. Aum originally planned to spread the sarin as an aerosol but did not follow through with it. A single drop of sarin the size of a pinhead can kill an adult.
Carrying their packets of sarin and umbrellas with sharpened tips, the perpetrators boarded their appointed trains. At prearranged stations, the sarin packets were dropped and punctured several times with the sharpened tip of the umbrellas. The men then got off the train and exited the station to meet his accomplice with a car. By leaving the punctured packets on the floor, the sarin was allowed to leak out into the train car and stations. This sarin affected passengers, subway workers, and those who came into contact with them. Sarin is the most volatile of the nerve agents, which means that it can quickly and easily evaporate from a liquid into a vapor and spread into the environment. People can be exposed to the vapor even if they do not come in contact with the liquid form of sarin. Because it evaporates so quickly, sarin presents an immediate but short-lived threat.[3] From wikipedia.
ambulances transported 688 patients and nearly five thousand people reached hospitals by other means. Hospitals saw 5,510 patients, seventeen of whom were deemed critical, thirty-seven severe and 984 moderately ill with vision problems. Most of those reporting to hospitals were the "worried well," who had to be distinguished from those who were ill.[4] By mid-afternoon, the mildly affected victims had recovered from vision problems and were released from hospital. Most of the remaining patients were well enough to go home the following day, and within a week only a few critical patients remained in hospital. The death toll on the day of the attack was eight that eventually rose to at least a dozen.[5

After all the carnage and suffering I ask, "How can this group continue and grow and gain new member?" The answer was in a recent article by the Japan times; "The cult’s most effective weapon for attracting new members appears to be collective amnesia of Aum’s wrongdoings, compounded by simple ignorance." Aum dogma, warning adherents that “the world was being controlled by a Jewish-Freemason conspiracy, and since Japan’s public security officials and mass media are under the control of Jewish capital, they are not to be trusted.” Aum Reincarnation as Aleph

Judges 2:21 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

The people were so quick to return to their favorite gods. Baal; a god of the rain, thunder, fertility and agriculture, and the lord of Heaven. And also Ashtoreth or modernly Astarte. Astarte was connected with fertility, sexuality, and war.  Pictorial representations often show her naked.

Basically it was power and sex that the people worshiped. Nothing has changed. The Aum cult was reported to have both of those in the workings with members.

Powerful men were able to manipulate masses into fear and horror. Their end will be the end like the guys in the book of Judges. The enemy comes in and defeats them and there is peace for a time and then there is renewal before the cycle repeats itself. The Aum guys declared the government their enemy and it was their enemy that over threw them. Yet as in the case of the Israelites they failed to rid the land of all the gods and so the cycle is bound to repeat. My prayer is that it won't happen in Japan again.

May God cause an awakening to happen in the land of Japan. The people have no clue who the real God is. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the only God and name given whereby men must be saved. The Aum guys many will die in prison or be executed yet in heaven there is judgement waiting for them there. Why? They did not acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Post note; The group will no longer be monitored as of 2012. Yes the government is running out of money but God is watching.

“The fact is, once you enter a cult, it becomes almost impossible to leave. Japan is now in its second consecutive decade of economic stagnation and the dreams of its young people, both socially and economically, have been dashed. Aleph’s ability to recruit believers under such conditions makes it a threat,” he asserts.
The article ends on a worrisome note: monitoring of former Aum cultists by the Public Security Agency is slated to be phased out from next month.

I am not worried as I serve Jesus Christ and he is establishing his kingdom and will return soon to right the wrongs.  Amen and Maranatha.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Where there's sin there's laughter

In the 'International Herald Newspaper there was this article on the occupy Moscow protests. This Lady is carrying the sign that has a caption according to the Newspapers translation that read, "Where there's sin, there's laughter. She has on the sign that has pictures of the Russian leaders laughing. Thus she is basically calling them sinners. But as I was reading other articles I couldn't get that phrase out of my mind. Where there is sin most often there is crying. Where there is sin most often people are hurt. Sin in the history of mankind has never produced a positive effect over the long term. Kind David has committed sin and it didn't seem like it would affect the family that much but it did. His sin tore the family up it cost him joy and there was no laughter. Oh he laughed when she came over for a late night meeting and they giggled and snickered but in the end sin cost them happiness. Bathsheba's family was ripped apart where we find later on her grandfather committing suicide. David's family too suffer the most I feel. Absolom ended up trying to overthrow his Father's kingdom and then loosing his life in a battle.

As we wind down Christmas this year, there are temptations to the left and to the right. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus straight ahead for the new year because it just isn't worth it. Where there is sin there is laughter for a while then the storms come not just one but many one after the other. We are so in the last days who ever you are I pray you will put Christ first in your life and turn from any playful banter or innocent flirting. It leads down a road filled with laughter but then there is a wall to crash into.

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Hebrews 11:25
Moses was a character that made a choice. He had the choice. He Chose God and the people of God.  Moses could have laughed it up in the Palace of the Pharaoh. He could of had any pleasure in his life. Yet he rejected it all. Because he did he saw God work amazing mighty works. He received rewards and blessings that huge. I would hope to obtain half of what he got but I always ask for double like Elisha referencing Elijah's spiritual blessing.

Solomon was a many that filled the halls of the greatest palaces ever built in that region. He laughed with all 600 wives and 300 concubines. He had the finest food and wine money could buy. But in the end it was all vanity. He was empty with so much. Yea, sin is pleasurable for a season but we'd do well to be like Moses or greater still like Jesus who was without sin. It simply pleased God. You want God to be proud of you...don't sin. "this is my son in whom I am well pleased." That is a quote from a proud daddy.

So if you have the random thought like I do. What can I get you Father in Heaven for Christmas? He'd just love me to be obedient and fellowship with him constantly. He so loves us all. He is so gracious. Maybe you sinned and the laughter is gone. The storms are here or there is deafening silence from God. Repent! and times of refreshing will occur. I pray that this season you will choose a relationship with God and not with sin. You see "where there's sin there's laughter" is correct. Satan is the one laughing all the way while causing us so much pain and suffering.  Let's wipe the smile off his face and obey.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

おばあちゃんの写真はFACEBOOKにいます

 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&id=1365301853






https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2861631824316.2152500.1365301853&type=1

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Nathan Saves the Day

My Boy is growing up (13). What a Man! Dad was feeling exhausted so Nathan stepped in and was able to teach the Kids classes for me. He has watched me do it in our home for many years. He is so good. The kids love him more than me. I wonder if he'll take on a part time job. Of course we paid him. I am very proud of him.





Friday, September 2, 2011

Sputtering Engine?

1969 California Bug (Volkswagon) was my first choice as a car. My parents did their best to talk me out of spending my $2000 dollars for that car. I had to have it. My dream. Ha, now that I look back and I see what a fool I was to buy that bucket of bolts. Those bolts kept falling off everywhere I went. I loved the 1641mm bored out engine. It was fast. I went through three clutches in the first couple of years. It was a fun car. But it had its bad days where the timing was off. I’d drive it to the light and as it idled it’d sputter and choke and die. Sometimes it wouldn’t die but it’d rev back up. Other times I had to get out embarrassed and push the slug off the road while I messed with the timing and carb adjustments.



That sputtering and choking is an accurate description of my heart. I went in and had a 24-hour EKG Halter test. The information gathered fanned the flame of my worst fear. Having a bad heart is not that bad as long as you don’t have Arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are beats in the wrong direction on the EKG chart. Every hour I am experiencing these irregular beats sometimes at night I feel as if my heart just wants to stop. It is like your driving a stick shift car and while on the road you throw it in Reverse. Cars usually can’t do that but hearts can. It is very scary the real scary part is I was having these beats for the last few years.



So now, I am on another of several medications that is very dangerous. When I looked up the drug on the Internet it was scary to think I am drinking this down. The side effects seem to out weigh the benefits. But the benefits are necessary to prevent what will most likely happen without the drug. It can be a day or week or months later but I will be walking and talking one second and then the next on the ground rolling around grabbing my chest before I breathe my last. I am worse than we thought. Arrhythmias are not good. They are not the caffeine skipped beat or the pause beat but they are the distortion of a Mr. Bean tripping over the drum section of an Orchestra during Igor Stravinsky’s - The rite of spring.  I will continue on the medications and go back to the doctor in 10 days. So far since July, I have lost 24 kilos. For those of you who need pounds it is about 52 pounds. I still have 100 pounds more to go. Yikes I was a little tubby. Today the Doctor said that when I reach 110 kilos 220lbs he’d do a heart Catheterization on me. That is a test to check out the heart and actually check pressures in the chambers and also a biopsy of the meat to see what is going on with the muscle tissue. Rachel will have her yearly biopsy in November as she does every year.

I hope you are not feeling bad about this? Let me share a little of today’s activity. I went to the heart clinic and while awaiting the results of the EKG and labs I was able to have a conversation with a couple of other transplant recipients.  My daughter Rachel ate these tiny sour plum (Ume Boshi) candies and I looked for fun on the box that said there was 1780mg of NaCl(Sodium Chloride) a liquid form of salt. Converting it to table salt that is 4.5 grams of salt. That is a whole days supply for some one on a normal diet. She is supposed to have less than 4 grams. UCLA wanted her on only 2 grams a day. So I blurted out in the waiting room this number and the transplants laughed. I said in Japanese it is so hard to have a low salt diet in Japan. They all laughed even more. So this started a discussion on what we eat for low salt things. I was surprised among them was Miho one of the first kids from Japan to receive a heart at Children’s of Denver hospital more than 20 years ago. She is doing great so we had a great time of fellowship. I was able to connect and I look forward to our conversation next time. They are all trying to learn English so they can go back to the US to visit their hospitals and thank people. Anyway, I for three years knew Mihoko was connecting to these families and she had already given Miho a Bible and the gospel. But I had been distant from them. I felt like an outsider. But now I am seeing great opportunities here.  Pray for more wisdom. God is at work and I am now the front row. If I take these meds and continue to loose the weight there is still a chance to turn this big ship around. God gets all the glory. Even if I have a massive heart attack I have full assurance that God will use that to even bring greater glory to himself.

Much of this battle is keeping my eyes focused on Jesus. To not let the circumstances dictate my emotional response. Pray that we will be positive another way to say that is that we’d look to Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit at all times. I realized since my diagnoses I have been spending more time researching my problem than worshipping God in my personal time with him. I read and study my Bible but I really feel the need to worship him like David did. This afternoon a Typhoon was beginning to blow and the trees were in harmony with the heavy winds. I was swaying with the trees and I thought of the chorus. “Birds in the air sing their songs to you, Trees in the fields lift their arms to you. I want to sing I want to lift my arms to you. I want to praise you Lord much more than I do I want to praise you Lord….” God is so good. This seems tragic to so many. From my perspective I see such tremendous love from my Father not giving me more than I can handle but directing me in the storm showing me beautiful horizons that we are sailing to. The waves are big the clouds are dark but on the horizon is the light and Jesus is pointing the way. We keep sailing forward. That reminds me of another great song. “Light our way Lord, bright so we won’t fall. Teach us to call on you Lord more faithfully.”

God bless you all. I pray you will hang with us during our time of storm and difficulty and hold on tight because as you pray with us you will share in this blessing for all eternity and you will see the glory of God shine. Amen.





Saturday, August 27, 2011

The Perfect Heart

This is an excerpt from Dr David Wilkerson's blog


The perfect heart cries out with David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there is any wicked way in me” (Psalm 139:23–24).

God does indeed search our hearts; he said as much to Jeremiah: “I the Lord search the heart” (Jeremiah 17:10). The Hebrew meaning for this phrase is, “I penetrate, I examine deeply.”

The perfect heart wants the Holy Spirit to come and search out the innermost man, to shine into all hidden parts—to investigate, expose and dig out all that is unlike Christ. Those who hide a secret sin, however, do not want to be convicted, searched or probed.

The perfect heart yearns for more than security or a covering for sin. It seeks to be in God’s presence always, to dwell in communion. Communion means talking with the Lord, sharing sweet fellowship with him, seeking his face and knowing his presence.

The Lord’s heart-searching is not vindictive, but redemptive. His purpose is not to catch us in sin or condemn us, but rather to prepare us to come into his holy presence as clean pure vessels.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me. That is my prayer in Jesus Names. AMEN!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Heart Transplant? What?

Hi Everyone, Here is the latest from the Bolingers:

when you hear words that are devastating you go into a security bubble. The world continues around you but in slow motion. Your brain is going a hundred miles an hour. The questions pop into the brain almost immediately. "This is curable...right?" That is what it was like for me this week when we discussed options to my health problem.  I was hearing the 4th option of transplant as the last step. It was the same in 1999 when my son Caleb was torn out of our arms at the ICU and rushed into a feverish pitch of activity surrounding him. We were in utter shock as the Doctor led us down the hall way to a plush special waiting room his voice was calm and assuring, "We are doing everything we can." He informs us that we will have to make a critical decision. Heart Transplant? What? How much? When? The Doctor leaves with our questions being unanswerable at the time. We sat in silence and disbelief. Our three year old son needs a heart transplant. Our minds had frequent signs of life with sniffling, tear wiping,  and that question... "Father what are you doing?" "I trust you but I don't understand." Saying goodbye to Caleb a year later was surreal and unbelievable.

So determined to get on with life we consoled ourselves with having a third child. 10 months later Rachel Marie was born. She was beautiful. She had punk hair that no matter what we did it just stood up. 8 days after birth. Mom notices some irregularities with her breathing. I blew it off it is just normal. The second day it was very fast labored breathing that night sitting in prayer watching waiting and holding our daughter. Those questions..."Father what is happening?" I can remember walking down the corridor of the hospital and asking the xray tech who just took her chest xray. I asked, "I know you can't tell me anything per the code but was her heart large?" He replied, "It looks like it could be but let the doctors tell you." I knew then and there we had another decision to make. Rachel was okay until 4 years old. She had a very successful heart transplant and miracles happening all around. It was a blessed time.

So what next? We up and move to Japan as missionaries to plant a church in the city of Iruma in Saitama  north west of Tokyo. We have been here just three years and finally feel like we are getting our groove on and then another Doctor visit and another decision to make. This time it is me. The dad. I am sitting once again in the dark tunnel of security as they are speaking Japanese around me. I am catching all too familiar terms but only Japanifized. "Hatoh Bigu" (heart big). I am not wanting to listen. I am wanting to eat a cheeseburger. I for too many years have been consoling myself through cultural adjustment with food. Only now my security has been diminished to a diet of 1.5 ltrs of water and milligrams of salt a day. It is very hard. So we are going through changes.

Now I have been diagnosed with the heart disease just like my kids it is called "Dilated Cardiomyopathy" It is the reason for congestive heart failure. This is not idopathic like genetic from my genes. It is more idiot-pathic from my stupidity of being obese. It is manageable if I strictly diet and get my weight off. The next step, if I don't loose the weight... is an assist device like a pace maker and then finally the transplant. To say we are not stopped in our tracks would be an understatement. Like deer in the head lights or a sail with no wind we are just praying for wisdom and direction.We feel the need to just keep plowing away and moving forward but making adjustments and changes as we progress. I feel tired a lot. I don't have the same level of energy. Please pray with us to make many decisions that are before us:

Pray for the future testings 24 hour EKG halter monitor, Sleep testing, and biopsy sometime in September.
Pray for continued resolve to get the weight off and eat right and exercise when possible. Now I am restricted to no strenuous moves not even stairs.
Pray for the two women's conferences this week. Mihoko is speaking and translating. Pray for peace. For Mihoko to hold it together while making drastic changes she wasn't expecting especially now having to spend extra time at the store and on the internet educating ourselves about all the stuff with salt. Pray for wisdom in food choices and substitutes to be found that are inexpensive.
Pray for provision with all the extra expense of procedures and travel it is adding up quick.
Pray for wisdom with the church. Pray for energy to not only do worship but the message and other things.
Pray for the Sunday School we were going to continue after a short break but I don't have the energy.
Pray for the kids school that starts in a week.
Pray for the English students and their families salvation.
Pray for God's peace and assurance to keep going. For his joy in the midst of depression. Depression is real it is okay as long as we don't stay there. Pray like David I will console myself with scripture and fellowship in the house of the Lord. Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God. God bless you for praying.

--
Dan Bolinger
danbolinger@gmail.com
www.bolingersinjapan.blogspot.com
埼玉県入間市1-1-17向陽台10-705
日本〒358-0001

Ekimae Plaza 10-705
1-1-17 Kyouyoudai
Iruma, Saitama, Japan 358-0001

080-3738-2101

Isaiah 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside me. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Dan's Heart

Hello Everyone,   This is a message from Aug 8th below following is a second message from August 9th

Psalm 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses.

Walking up a hill or trying to keep walking pace with my son who is always one step in front of me, would leave me tired. My heart would be pumping so hard that I felt like it was in my neck. I'd feel dizzy. Two weeks ago I went to put on my old worn out stretched out tennis shoes. They didn't fit. My feet had swollen. I had them tied for Japan so they were loose so I could slip in and out no problem. Now it was a problem. I also noticed when I'd push on my skin on my legs it wouldn't bounce back. I am like stretch armstrong the elastic toy. Stretch Armstrong Retro. Only I don't stretch but you can push my skin in and it stays for a long while. Bending over to tie my shoes would have me sitting for a few minutes to get my breath and not be dizzy. All this to say I have a bad heart.

Since May I had contracted pneumonia and was in the hospital for a week. I thought this was all the symptoms of the post pneumonia. With that and a series of other things, a combo if you will, has caused my heart to enlarge. I have had sleep apnea and I am obese all of which is self induced. The apnea and heart problems are as a result from the weight problem. The apnea may have exacerbated the problem. With those negative things my heart wants a break and is tired. (No heart attacks no bad rhythms just swollen like my pride) I had swollen feet and was very tired all the time. So I went in last Friday for a check up and found through a chest xray my heart was swollen in size. The Dr. today said it is not the same sickness as my daughter and son but it could be. The walls of my heart have not thickened so this is reversible. My heart function or Ejection Fraction is at 46%, the Dr. today said it should be about 60%.  I am restricted from exercising for now and am on diuretics. I am going to see Rachel's specialist tomorrow in Tabata. Hopefully he will give me a bigger picture of the scope of what is going on.

I feel fine and there is no pain at all. It is like God is giving me a serious wake up call of many but still being gracious in doing it. This is more harder on Mihoko than anyone. She is dealing with it but is still going through the emotional what if scenarios. Pray for her to be strengthened by God. Pray for our marriage to grow through this. We just celebrated 20 years July 27th and I'd like to go for another 50 years should the Lord tarry. She has been asked to speak at a conference and I told her not to cancel. God is doing something here through this and He will through our weaknesses strengthen the body here.

This is a fatal disease for many but doesn't have to be for me. But then so is life. I am on a salt restricted diet. The Dr. wanted to admit me for one month in the hospital for testings and stuff. I told Mihoko that will kill me more that anything else. We are going to try to do this as an out patient. I am going to be scheduled for a heart cathetorization in a while and we will get a more accurate picture of the functions of the heart in each chamber. They will also do an angiogram on the arteries. The echo cardiogram shows that I do have minor valve regurgitation. This means the valve flaps aren't touching and blood is not flowing properly. The heart pumps blood up into the upper left chamber only to have some leak back in. Congestive Heart Failure video

All this to say I am at fault here. I have received from too many folks loving rebukes and coaching and encouragement along the way. My pride is what blew all that off and said, "Eh, I'm ok!" But I am not. Please pray for me to take this very very serious. It is easy to rationalize things and the flesh will say one bite ain't going to kill you. Now that has a new meaning for me.

Many wonder will the Bolingers go home? The short answer is no. God hasn't said go. We have one of the best doctors in all of Japan. He is awesome. I will be keeping you all posted.

Pray God's will be done. Pray the church continues to grow. So many are supportive and helpful. This should be a real tragedy but I feel so blessed by everyone.

We will continue to teach the English classes and most of all have church services. I am not sickly or in pain I am just a fat guy with a ticker that has a looney tunes beat. The kind where Wiley Coyote walks away bouncing up and down. Wiley Coyote Cartoon

We all love you and know so many are praying for us. Please pray for wisdom and peace. Please pray we see many come to Christ through our inability yet His sovereign ability. Pray I will not cheat on the diet and will do all the doctors say. Pray for healing and restoring of tissue back to healthy limits.

God bless you all,
Dan

MESSAGE 2 August 9th


Hi everyone,

Spent the day at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital in Tabata. The Transplant specialist I saw painted a different picture than Yesterday's Dr. It is always good to get a second opinion. Although the second opinion wasn't as favorable. It seems I do have the same problem as my kids. I must have the gene that gave it to my kids. My heart problem is called Dilated Cardiomyopathy. This is one of the number one reasons for persons to receive heart transplants. I could be in line for one. I have a plus on my side as we caught it early. The Doctor believes we can manage it for life without the transplant if I listen and obey him. If I cheat or continue to do nothing I'll be on a plane home getting in line for a heart transplant or worse.

I am going to have a few more meetings to discuss strategies and they are going to up the medication including warfarin (Coumadin) and I will be scheduled for a heart cathertorization in  beginning September. Warfarin on a side note began as a Rat poison. So I am now going to take rat poison to fix my weak heart. Actually it works on the liver to produce more blood cells. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warfarin. My diet consists of less than 4 grams of salt per day and only 1.5 liters of fluid including all foods and drink per day. Yikes. I spent a frustrating 30 minutes at the store today trying to find anything without salt. Japan eats some of the highest salt per day per capita. The Doctor today told me the average citizen eats 10-15 grams of salt per day. 

Talk about the wind being knocked out of you. Pray with us for wisdom. Family will scream come home. But the problem is I feel more at home here than in the US. There is so much work to do. There are still millions of lives yet to be saved. I am reading Pastor Chucks book called "Faith". It is at times like this you need to read things that will help where you are weak.

"Unfortunately, sometimes we lay the problem before God...and then we go to bed and wrestle with it all night. We wake up at three o'clock in the morning thinking, What's going to happen? What if I do this? What if I do that? Maybe I should do this. We can't rest because we aren't trusting in God's ability to take care of the situation. So we continue to carry the burden--and that wears us out.

After you call upon God for His  help, you need to take a second step and rest in God. "I've placed it in the hands of God and I'm trusting Him to take care of it." Then see what He wants to accomplish in your life through faith." Pastor Chuck Smith, Faith, page 50.

I don't have this great faith yet. I am struggling. So many questions. This is where with my kids I went into survival mode and just lived each day one at a time and did what needed to be done to get through the day. The confidence is gone fear is close by. I can tell you I trust God in what he is doing but I also second guess him. Thank you for standing with us and praying with us during this time. I am still in shock. I still have the thought but I thought I am invincible as a missionary on the field? I am shaken in everything we are doing and have been doing. The enemy sows seeds of what did you do to get this? As If like Job I have sinned a great sin and now I got the Battchi or bad luck or retribution for what I did. That is not our Savior. I am not in sin. This is a family medical problem that God is going to use for his glory. He already has in many ways. Oh pray for me. I confess I am scared. I think of my kids and I cry what have I done? I want to be there for them and Mihoko. Pray for healing and obedience on my part.

God Bless,

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Snap shot of Japan Today

 I am risking being called negative. I risk being accused of not loving the Japanese. I am a jokester and a realist. I don't hide truth nor turn a blind eye to reality. The way to a deeper relationship with God is to know him more. Study him, love him, bless him, and worship him. The way to understand the Japanese culture more is to learn about it and what is happening. How is it changing. This includes focusing on positives and negatives.  Right now since the Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Disasters the dynamics are changing. The nuclear fallout has more emotional impact than that of physical reality. Below is a snapshot of headlines from Japan Today's newspaper. As negative things occur we can be rosy and focus on only the good things but I feel that is turning a blind eye to truth. I believe if we hit this head on with full knowledge we will be better suited for serving out King Jesus and to reach out to the people of Japan.

August 2, 2011 Radiation is higher than ever. Below the reports says they hit a record measurement outside the buildings. We all are questioning? Where else is the radiation? Who is at risk? Can I live within these conditions?
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/record-high-radiation-reported-at-crippled-fukushima-nuclear-plant

The nuke plant dumped millions of gallons of radioactive water into the ocean. This hurts industry.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/sushi-industry-hurting-from-radiation-scare

The Agriculture industry has been hit hardest. Three prefectures can't ship or sell  their produce to anyone anywhere in the world. Spinach, Green tea, Other vegetables all are adsorbing radiation. Now the Rice crop is being measured we can only figure out what it will be. The rice straw sold to dairies has infected thousands of cattle where 30 some prefectures have contaminated cows.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/govt-to-test-rice-crop-in-19-prefectures-for-possible-contamination

Contaminated cows in various farms were a problem but now the ban moves on to a third state Iwate where they can not sell or trade the cows or beef. It isn't just one or two farms whole prefectures are affected or should I say infected. When we do BBQ's is the local beef or pork we buy safe?
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/govt-extends-beef-ban-to-cattle-from-iwate-over-contamination-fears

Earthquakes continue to rock this land. This report shows that this is a different region. Not up North but it is south of Mt. Fuji. An article yesterday showed the science of dormant volcanoes becoming active after major earthquakes. What if Fuji became active? Yikes! Oh I shouldn't incite fear sorry. It is still inactive I think.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/m6-2-quake-shakes-shizuoka-region

Suicides are at an all time high. In Fukushima last year in May there were 49 suicides in this year over 500. They opened up for 10 days suicide prevention lines and had over 1515 calls. They had to shut down due to a lack of funding. The problem is growing. Businesses are loosing money, Companies are cutting the fat but it isn't helping. The economy has an appearance of getting stronger but is it really? Time will bear it out but we see vacancies of businesses everywhere. The unemployment rate is rising to its highest level in a long time. People are giving up hope. One lady threw herself in front of a fast train blowing through the train station and she was launched into the station through a kiosk glass windows injuring customers while her body destroyed much of the store. It was horrific.  Elderly, are the most at risk for suicide as they don't want to burden their families. Is it a blessing that longevity is touted here? I teach a few nurses English. They tell me of an industry in Japan under the guise of care and hospice is making money and lot's of it. There are thousands in private homes that are in vegetative states of consciousness. They are being kept alive by machines.  Or should I say their body functions are kept alive by machines. I could get real negative here, but the reality is these nurses are telling us they are repulsed by the lack of ethics in the medical industry and the hunger for money. Japan couldn't decide on a brain dead definition for the transplantation of organs for years mostly blocked by industry that could loose out if families started to unplug loved ones and donated their organs to give life to others. So am I advocating euthanasia? No. But there comes a time when you just know and need to move on. I know because I had to unplug my own son. So suicides are rising and there seems to be no easy solution. We have the hope of heaven but their eyes need to be opened. Pray that the light will shine in Japan.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20110726jk.html

Fear God

Monday night midnight another aftershock. I was in the bathroom and I didn't feel it. My wife did. So I go check on the kids. They are sound asleep. They have felt so many aftershocks in the 6.0 to 7.0 ranges that a 4 or 5 won't concern them. They have become desensitized. I had just finished a DVD by Francis Chan on his Basic series. This one was called Fear God. After the initial earthquake we had rocked enough that with each jolt we had a healthy fear of them and were ready at a moments notice to take action.

With God the Bible says, "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom." Now according to Chan this term fear has been dumbed down to a term meaning great respect. Yet as we look at the patriarchs who encountered God they usually were greatly afraid or fell on their faces as dead men. I agree with Chan in that the term means to fear God. He is all powerful he knows all the future stuff. He knew when I'd be born and he knows my last day. The Angels fear him greatly and the arch angels cover their faces and feet in his presence.

The world has a way to enter the church and desensitizes us to the Word of God. Satan's greatest and first deception was to question the word of God. "Has God really said...?" Does the Bible really mean we should fear God maybe it is a term of respect you know like meeting the president. No this fear is like understanding this being has my life all written out and knows every detail about me before it happens. I should fear him greatly. In Proverbs, we are told to fear God but then the passage goes on to say... Do not fear. What? Did the Bible contradict itself? No. God wants us to fear him properly that is first and then as we come boldly into the presence of the Father through the blood of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit we need not fear him in that he will crush us. But that he loves us and will protect us.

Oh that we would do some meditating on God to the point we once again learn to Fear Him greatly.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Different Times for sure

Isaiah 21:4  My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

So I am at a restaurant in Haneda Airport having dinner. I am with friends. As we check out menus I quip on his decision for a dish that has spinach in it to make sure they know where it comes from. So he asks and the worker is quite amazed he asked if the spinach was from Tohoku? So they had to call a manager. No it's not it comes from Kansai. Thank you. So we begin to order he decides on beef. I told him about the Miyazaki Mad Cow disease. So again her comes the manager...NO ITS NOT. Then I jokingly said make sure its yoku yaki...(This means cooked well done). There were several people who died last month or so ago by eating raw meat. In Japan they don't cook the meat medium it is almost always rare unless you say, "Yoku Yaki kudasai." The manager was not happy with us. I got chicken then I am reminded that the chicken from Kansai where the spinach is from was infected with bird flu and they had been killing millions of birds. Was this that road kill? I didn't have the nerve to ask the waiter so I powered it down giving it to the Lord. Then I am thinking if we get green tea what will my friend do? As I sipped my ice water then I freaked is the Tokyo water safe? The government here has been lying to us so much we are loosing trust and faith in their judgement.

We are  definitely living in different times for sure.  It is so easy to get all freaked out and actually go crazy worrying about all the dangers. We live in a time for fears to run rampant. The news is always sensational. It always wants to grip the reader or listener or viewer and have them hang on for dear life as they have to wait until the end of a broadcast just to find out it wasn't that great of information. They drag you along and keep you in suspense and then..."That's it." What? Do churches do the same thing? Do they play off the fears of people to keep them in line. Hmm. The Bible says perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. Deut 10:12: And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,  2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. What God requires we must take heed. Spend more time fearing and loving him and these other things won't be a problem. Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?