Are You Samurai?

"Samurai"
The word Samurai is derived from the classical Japanese verb saburau, meaning to serve or attend.

Greetings everyone! I wanted to check in with everyone and share how I am doing. As most of you know, I have started my Pastor's Ordination. It has been awhile since I have been to school, so balancing family, studying, and writing papers hastaken some adjusting.
I wanted to share with you a movie that Kim and I were watching; "The Last Samurai".It is an older movie, but has a great message. No, it is not just a guy movie :) yes, it has a lot of fighting scenes, but the journey of the main character; CaptainNathan Alredge is a person that we all might identify with.

The movie is set in the 1800's. Captain Nathan Aldredge is running from his past.He has done things that he is not proud of. He tries to hide his past in alcohol.Through a series of events he is captured by Samurai which means "To serve." His capture is a very dark time of self revelation.

Captain Aldredge soon finds his heart, a purpose, and a reason to fight and live again. There is much more to this movie, I did not want to ruin the movie if youhave not seen it. There are although a couple of thoughts that I had after watching it.

I could see myself in Captain Aldredge. There was a time in my life that I was notproud of. I had done things that I did not know how to get out of. Then Jesus gota hold of my heart, I found myself through Him, and a reason to fight.
I found a YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrxR24lUloY video on "The Last Samurai". If you look at the running time of this video clip, start at 1:16 to 2:51.

In this scene I see my own struggle, maybe you can too. Captain Aldredge is healingfrom a fight, and his body is broken. During this part of his journey a storm is raging, he is not looking for a fight, but the fight finds him. The enemy isruthless,and shows no mercy. Captain Aldredge never gives up the fight or his wooden sword(The Bible) even though the enemy tries to take it away from him. In fact "TheSamurai"believe that their sword is their spirit.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

Is not that just like the enemy? You are at your lowest time, maybe you are brokenand healing, you are not looking for a fight, but the enemy does not play fair. He finds you and tries to steal your joy. When you are going though these trials in your life, you have to hang with every fiber of your being. Immerse yourself into the word of God, and He will see you through.

In closing, Captain Aldredge made a comment in his journal that stuck with me. Hewas describing "The Samurai" with this statement:

"They are an intriguing people, from the moment they wake they devote themselves to perfection of whatever they pursue, I have never seen such a discipline people."

What an amazing statement! Would it not be a testimony to Christ if people who didnot know us or Jesus, looked at our lives and made the same statement?

You might be thinking to yourselves, I do not want or can't be a monk or dedicatemyself to 24/7 study of the Bible. The great news is that you do not have to! RememberJesus' command in Luke?

"He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souland with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself" - Luke 10:27

Devote yourself daily to those two commands, people will make that statement aboutyou.
So, do you see a little Samurai in you? If you are looking for a good movie night,grab the popcorn, and a copy of "The Last Samurai."
Have a blessed week In Christ. - Jim
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