LIVING THE WORD

There have been a few moments in my life when I effortlessly reached my ideal weight and felt truly in shape. One of those times, surprisingly, was during the months I spent writing my dissertation—a season filled with stress, long hours, and intense mental effort. Because I was using my brain nonstop, I naturally gravitated toward foods that kept me alert and energized without dragging me down. I often sipped hot, sugary drinks throughout the day—rotating between coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. For snacks, I reached for chocolate bars and other sweet treats. Oddly enough, instead of gaining weight, I started to slim down. My jeans fit better, I dropped a size or two, and people began to compliment me on my appearance. I felt lighter, clearer, and even healthier overall. Still, despite seeing no negative effects, I eventually returned to my old sugar-free, macrobiotic lifestyle. Back then, I believed sugar was something to avoid at all costs—it was what I had been taught. But even with...

I was jogging when a troubling thought popped into my head in a flash. I had been doing everything right: exercising, eating healthy, and avoiding chemicals. On the outside, I seemed to be doing well. But inside, something didn’t feel right. I stopped running because I couldn’t continue. Why does our mind feel so heavy and confused even when we're trying our best to be healthy? Since my early teens, I’ve wrestled with what felt like low-grade depression. I pretended everything was fine by smiling, talking and keeping things cheerful. But when I was by myself the real struggle started.  My thoughts turned dark. Memories I didn’t want would flash in—failures, regrets, awkward moments. They would replay like a broken record, and I couldn’t hit pause. Sometimes the fog would lift in a few hours. Other times, it lingered for days, and with it came a frustrating mental sluggishness. I used to be a dedicated student. At first  my grades were great  but as the schoolwork got hard...

  About twenty years ago, while waiting at the dentist's office, I flipped through a parenting magazine and came across an advertisement that caught my eye. It asked: "Have you experienced any of the following symptoms? Feeling nervous? Shortness of breath? Feeling foggy-headed? An inability to think clearly?" I remember thinking, "This medicine might be exactly what I need." The ad described symptoms that I was all too familiar with: feeling dazed and mentally slow, as if my head were wrapped in fog or weighed down by something heavy. I was curious to learn more about this miracle cure.  Back then, I leaned toward natural remedies, such as herbal teas and dietary changes, believing they were gentler and safer than conventional medications, which often have serious side effects. So, after a quick glance at the ad, I turned the page and forgot about it. Years later, that memory came back to me. Since becoming a Christian four years ago, I’ve become more mindful o...

If you’re longing for real change in your life, start by obeying God’s Word.  When you align your life with His truth, His power begins to work in you—and that’s when your life will truly begin to flourish. Throughout history, people have searched for happiness in countless ways—often apart from God’s Word.  But those who come to understand the truth of Scripture know that genuine joy is found in walking obediently with God. It's not about rules or restrictions, but about trusting the One who made us and knows what’s best for our lives. That’s why those who truly grasp this truth seek to follow Him faithfully to the end. In contrast, many who don’t yet understand God’s Word may believe that following Him leads to a life of difficulty or limitation. They chase after other paths in hopes of finding happiness, only to be left empty and weary. But no matter how determined the search, no one can find lasting peace apart from God. As the world becomes increasingly uncertain, people ...

  The other day, a quote from U.S. President Trump’s speech at the University of Alabama went viral on social media: “God only created one of you, remember that. You are one of a kind, so don’t try to be someone else. Just be yourself.” ( source ) What caught most people’s attention was the last phrase: “Just be yourself.” Now, I’m not an American citizen, and I don’t believe that simply replacing political leaders is enough to bring real change to the world—so I’ll refrain from commenting on any specific politician. But I do find it curious that this quote, especially when taken out of context, has been so widely praised. From what I’ve seen in my own walk of faith, true transformation and unique happiness often require people to change—even radically—no matter how old they are. Growth doesn’t come from staying the same. Phrases like “just be yourself” or “you don’t have to force yourself to be someone else” are commonly used in spiritual and self-help circles. They sound encourag...

  I’m excited to share the third hymn written by RAPT NAKAMURA. This beautiful gift allows me to feel God’s loving embrace, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. Through RAPT-san's dedication and his ministry of sharing divine words and artwork, we are able to experience God’s heart and mind in such a personal way today. He is always with us, listening to our prayers, offering encouragement, and bringing healing power. For those who don’t yet know God, I invite you to open your hearts to heaven and pray.  May everyone around the world feel His love deeply in their hearts. Lyrics: https://rapt-plusalpha.com/?p=121295