Our (Japanese) Father

Recently, I've felt this tug in my spirit towards Japan.
Having lived in Misawa, Japan as a child, I've always wanted to go back as an adult.

Since my relationship with God is growing stronger and stronger.... the 'tug' I've felt towards Japan may have undoubtedly come from God.

According to the 'ever-reliable' Wikipedia, Japanese Christians represent < 1% of the population.

You really don't have to be a mathematician to see where that can take this conversation....

tangent: my new job is awesome. what makes it awesome is that I have a lot of downtime in between actually working.

In that time, I study the bible (Greek/Latin/Hebrew roots of words - BLUE LETTER BIBLE is the bomb!), browse eBay, and...... Angry Birds....

Recently, I came across something interesting.

Any anonymous alcoholic knows the Lord's prayer (since it's said at the end of most AA meetings)

However, if you have no clue what I'm talking/typing about.....

Matthew 6:9-13

New King James Version (NKJV)
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

What's cool is that I found the Japanese translation.
Wanna read it? Cool...

4 different versions:

1.  Kono yue ni nanjira wa kaku inore:

Ten ni imasu warera no Chichi yo,
Negawaku wa mi na no agameraren koto wo;
Mi kuni no kitaran koto wo;
Mi kokoro no, ten no gotoku chi ni mo okonawaren koto wo.
Warera no nichiyO no kate wo kyO mo atae tamae.
Warera ni oime aru mono wo warera no yurushitaru gotoku,
Warera no oime wo mo yurushi tamae.
Warera wo kokoromi ni awasezu, aku yori sukui idashi tamae.

2. Sareba nanjira kaku inorubeshi;

Ten ni mashimasu warera no Chichi yo,
Negawaku wa, mi na wo agamesase tamae.
Mi kuni wo kitarase tamae.
Mi kokoro no ten ni naru gotoku, chi ni mo nasase tamae.
Warera no nichiyO no kate wo kyO mo atae tamae.
Warera wo kokoromi ni awasezu, aku yori sukui idashi tamae.
Kuni to, chikara to, sakae wa kagiri naku nanji no mono nareba nari.
Amen.

3. Ten ni imasu watashitachi no chichi yo

O-na ga agameraremasu yoo ni
O-kuni ga kimasu yoo ni
Mikokoro ga ten de okonawareru yoo ni
Chi de mo okonawaremasu yoo ni
Watashitachi no higoto no kate o
kyoo mo o-atae kudasai
Watashitachi no oime o o-yurushi kudasai
Watashitachi mo watashitachi ni
oime no aru hitotachi o yurushimashita
Watashitachi o kokoromi ni awasenaide,
aku kara o-sukui kudasai
Kuni to chikara to sakae wa tokoshie ni
anata no mono da kara desu
Aamen.

4. Ten ni orareru Watashitachi no chichi yo,

mina ga agameraremasu youni.
Mikuni ga kimasu youni.
Mikokoro ga okonawaremasu youni,
Ten ni okeru youni chi no uenimo.
Watashitachi ni hitsuyou na kate wo kyou ataete kudasai.
Watashitachi no oime wo yurushite kudasai.
Watashitachi mo jibun ni oime no aru hito wo
Yurushimashita youni.
Watashitachi wo yuuwaku ni awasezu,
Warui monokara sukutte kudasai.

SUBARASHII NE!
(cool huh?)