Lens n Lyric

As a youngster, my favorite t-shirt was trimmed with Japanese characters and had a big orange sun on the front. I wore it the day I declared, "When I grow up, I'm going to Japan." Little did I know that this childhood proclamation would become a reality years later. During a liberty weekend while serving in the US Navy, I found myself walking the streets of downtown Yokosuka, Japan. I encountered a young Japanese girl with jet-black ponytails and beautiful brown eyes. Her gaze lingered on me as if I were something divine, evoking the biblical reference from John 10:34 , where Jesus mentioned, "Ye are gods." Venturing further into the city, I reached an authentic ramen noodle stand, a favorite spot during my time off the ship. A steaming bowl of ramen noodles topped with a boiled egg became a comforting indulgence as I explored the busy streets. The energy of the Japanese locals was appreciable, radiating peace, positivity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Refle...

And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 Many are familiar with the story of mankind's creation. Adam and his wife were tasked with replenishing the earth and multiplying. In time, Cain and Abel were born. As they grew older, it became customary to offer sacrifices to the Most High. While Abel's offering found favor, Cain's was not as pleasing. Abel’s sacrifice, being blood, is the life force in man and beast. Enraged and jealous, Cain despised his brother and eventually murdered him. When questioned about Abel's blood crying from the earth, Cain cried out, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' When questioned by the Lord for hiding behind the trees, Adam confessed, 'I heard your voice and became afraid.' 'But why were you afraid?' inquired the Lord. 'Did you eat from the tree i...