My Last Post from J-pan.

I really don't know what to say at this time. There is so much for me to process. God has taught me so much about Himself, and about myself. I have realized that there are some very deep wounds that I have had for a very long time, that I have never let God heal, and out of those wounds I have come to believe a lot of lies about myself. And this was just in the last couple weeks that I have realized these things. I feel so inadequate to articulate what went on here this summer. I am really going to miss the friendships I have here, especially with Koshi and Shigeo, a couple of guys that I have gotten to know since about the beginning of 2005. It has so difficult to deal with this, since I definitely feel like these 2 months were not nearly enough to develop deep friendships with all the students I have gotten to know, let alone just a couple guys. My love for the students here has grown so immensely as well in the last couple of weeks. Sorry if this is a bit vague, I will try to post one more time after I get back about my trip after I have gotten back to the states. Much love to all of you.

Grace and Peace,
Dustin

A long time coming.

So, it has been quite a while since my last post on here, I apologize for that, to those who read this. Anyway, it has been an amazing past few weeks. I continue to learn more about my God, and the love we should have for one another as brothers in Christ. And as I draw nearer to the end of my Japanese excursion, I am torn in two. I desire to come home and return to my friends and family, and to find comfort in their fellowship, but on the other hand I feel as though my time here has been too short, and the friendships that I have made with students here, too shallow. But I know that they are in God's hands and he is the one who will draw them to Himself, not me. This weekend was amazing, I traveled by myself 3 hours by Shinkansen (bullet train) to Okayama, a city on the west side of Japan to see a friend who goes to UNL. He and his mother live in Okayama. It was a great time. We hung out most of the day on Friday and all day Saturday. We went to see an amazing garden and castle. And we went to an art museum, sword museum, and pottery museum as well. I especially enjoyed the sword museum and the art museum. Today, I spoke about what God has taught we while here to the local church (Joy Fellowship). I really struggled with what to talk about, but I finally rested this morning on walking in the spirit and our dependence on God. I think it went fairly well, but I really had to depend upon God for the words because I was feeling really unable to express what I wanted to say. Anyway I think that is about it for now, please be praying that heart will not be divided these last couple of weeks and that I will continue to focus on my relationships with the students.

Grace and Peace,

Dustin

Desiring God!

Wow, I don't really know what to say, but God has definitely been at work while I have been here. I feel like I am in a constant state of being sanctified and being drawn to Him. As I have been reading through Mark, I have been learning more about Jesus, and even more about myself. As I read through Mark 4:40 a few days ago, I felt that the question Christ was asking, he was asking the very same thing of me. He says, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" I came to the conclusion that there was a couple things in my life that I was not letting Him take care of, and trying to control myself. I have also been learning a lot about what it means to live by faith, to be moved by the spirit. I feel like in my mind I still don't have a grasp of this concept, yet I have been seeing it happen in my own life so I know it is true, this has been a consequence of studying through the book of Galatians. I have also been doing my own study through the book of I John, I started this one before I left, but since I have been here, God has shown me 2 things from this book. One, I am a child of God, and what that truly means to be as such. And two, how to love the brethren. This I have felt has the most important as of late. i have had a couple discussions about this, and I have come to realize that without love among the brethren, a ministry fails. It is what Jesus says in John 13:35, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." He has also shown me just how selfish and prideful I am. When it comes to my knowledge in the word, I can get pretty arrogant. Then during the study on Galatians, I really started to struggle to be the one with the answers, this is when I realized what was going on, I had been praying for humility, and this was how God answered. During this time I also learned that I don't know how to listen to people, I am always seeking the next great answer, or to give the advice they may or may not need to here at the time. What an Amazing God we have that he manifests his Glory to us by putting us through trials to refine us. I have also been reading Desiring God by John Piper. Through it I really have been learning what it means to find joy in God, and what it means to worship and love Him, and to love others. Finally, I thought I would share a praise. I don't know the whole story yet, but for those of you who know Taka, he is on staff in Tokyo right now, he has been in Shizuoka for the past few days due to a friend who was just released from the hospital so he could die. He, Takashi, has been struggling with cancer and Taka has been ministering to him for a long time. Taka sent me an email Sunday while I was in Tokyo, to tell me he was going one last time to share the gospel with Takashi. Well, I saw Taka last night and he told me that Takashi accepted Christ. What an amazing work of God!!! God's sovereign hand truly guides the steps of man. Oh, and one more thing that I would like to share before I sign off. Monday night, I went out to the beach to watch over the girls while they had some alone time. I didn't know why I went, because Matt was already with them, but I found that God had a purpose for me being there. I was struggling with selfishness again, and it was at this point that I felt that being stripped away from me. I was praying for everyone, but myself, something that had not happened in prayer once yet on this trip. I was also struggling with a question that Kanako had asked of Nate, "If God is God, why would he allow a whole nation as big as Japan go to hell?" It was at this point that I feel God spoke to my heart and gave me comfort. He brought to mind I Kings 19, when Elijah is stuggling with the state of the leadership of Israel and their blatant rebellion against God, and this right after God had manifested his power by setting the alter ablaze and consuming it and everything on it. God spoke to Elijah and told him that he had preserved a remnant that had not bowed in worship to Baal. God really gave me peace that even in Japan he was preserving for Himself a remnant. And as I was praying for laborers, i felt a peace about returning to Japan at some point in the future. I had been struggling with that this weekend, I didn't want to come back because it has just been so difficult. But God put that to rest, and I feel like I am perhaps being called to return to work in Japan at some point in the future. Anyway that is all for now. To those who have been praying for me, thank you so much. And to those who sent me (via financial gifts) thank you for your sacrifice. I am truly grateful for the work God has done through you.

Grace and Peace,
Dustin

Out of town.

So this last week was an ordeal, since Wednesday i have been pretty sick, though Thursday was a lot of fun. I had a bad cough and sore throat until late this weekend. Which wasn't much help in light of the fact that I was at the BEST club sports camp. We played sports all day, and I mean all day, Saturday, and Sunday. Mostly soccer on Saturday and Basketball, Dodgebee (dodgeball with a 2 frizbees), and Volleyball on Sunday. It was fun none the less though, and I feel that I have begun to really develop some friendships with the students. Back to thursday though, we went to a swanky public bath for our team night. They had a bath filled with green tea, one with what we thought was barley tea, and another with really watered down wine. This one was my fave because it was in a barrel, outdoors and i could see the ocean from where I was sitting. Another thing too, is that in the process of having to depend on God so much more while over here, I have found that God has been showing me somethings that need to change. We also have been studying Galatians, and that has been surprisingly applicable to what we are doing here. Anyway, I got to go, I still haven't had a whole lot of time to rest since we got back from sports camp and I am really beat. Next weekend we go to Tokyo for the Mid-term retreat, I can't believe we have been here for a month already.

Grace and Peace,
Dustin

Karaoke!!!

So I had a couple new experiences in the last couple of days. Last night the whole group, minus 1, went to Karaoke last night, and some of us (including me) stayed up all night, not getting home until 7 AM, It was a blast we went out with a bunch of students and stayed up all night singing, this was after I helped with a childrens ministry and went to help out at the BHOP (sp?), the navs community ministry here. It is led by Sugimoto-San and Brendan and I got the chance to eat dinner at his house last Sunday and it was stellar, so much food. We also learned about how to figure out what is good green tea, and how to prepare it at his house. Getting back to the ministry stuff. I helped with children of light kids klub, doing filming and helping keep the kids under control, I think it has confirmed my desire to some day have kids (especially a son, plus I don't really think that desire needed to be confirmed, since I would have kids anyway if I get married). Mark Leis (the leader of the club) had his kids there and his son Benjamin (about 3) is a riot. After the club was done he rode in the van with us back to Joyhouse, and "showed" Mandy and I how to play road bingo. And during the club he would just hang all over me and guide me around. At the BHOP later that night, we went to a sort of hall to help them learn english, and Bryan, Matt, Molly, Tara, and I taught the song Isaiah 43. Then we worked on doing a short scene from "Catch me if You Can" and then we taught them the "Electric Slide", plus I met a couple of students from another university ini Shimizu that want to come to BEST. I thought that was really cool. Then today after I got some sleep (recovering from a night of karaoke) I went at 1 PM to a culture museum and Shinto shrine with Dan and one of the junior high students we are teaching english to at Shoyo Junior High in Shimizu. Then when we got back Caleb and I, with a little help from Koshi and Shigeo, cooked Curry and meat over rice for dinner and it turned out really great!! Anyway I think this is all except, that Thursday night I got to share my testimony, and I think I have found a guy to sort of start to develop a good friendship with. I will talk more about this later, as I still have to take care of laundry tonight. Please keep praying that the Spirit will lead in all situations with the students and the other members of the team, and also that my time with God will continue to be fruitful, thanks a bunch.
Grace and Peace,
Dustin

Lows and Highs in Shizuoka

Wow these last few days have been a lot like the terrain in Shizuoka, a deep ocean on one side and high mountains on the other. Until last night, I was feeling so lonely that I felt I had no one to go to except God, i felt like an outcast within the team and I was pulling away from relationships with students, but thankfully I did go to God, or else I would still be a wreck, yesterday morning we had our team time and I was feeling like I could weep at any moment, and then it happened, bryan (our leader) called on me to share what I was struggling with, and the floodgates opened (at least as much as they open for me). My eyes teared up and I cried, sharing what I felt and how I thought it was the toughest time I have ever had emotionally. Then we went out to get lunch and discuss the bible study. After that the team split up and I felt very alone again, little did I know what the team and God had in store for me. After spending some alone time with God and venting in a couple of emails, I was feeling a bit better. And that pretty much ends that day. This morning I woke up semi-realizing that I was indeed 22 years old (though my birthday didn't officially start until about 6 hours later due to the time difference). I got in the shower, then went back up stair to get ready for our first day of teaching english, when I came back down, I was surprised to find the girls and most of the guys in the kitchen preparing banana-chocolate chip pancakes, and everyone greeting me with a Happy Birthday! Then while eating they sang to me, took pictures and gave me a present and a card that everyone signed, I will have to take a picture of it and post it somehow. Brendan even made me a hat to wear out of the newspaper, that i wore to school actually! Btw, they bought my gift when we split up after lunch the day before, when I was still feeling awful, so even though I felt horrible, they really were thinking of me. Anyway we went to school and I taught english to a bunch of 9th graders all by myself which was really fun! Then we came home, by this time I was ready to spend some major time thanking God for what he had done,which I did, and then spent some time in his word studying 1 John 3, and meditating on what it meant to be a son of God, to be set apart, chosen, to be his! Then I went to this really small, hard to find, Christian bookstore and got the story of Christ in manga (japanese comic) form to read with a student. Then I came back to Joyhouse, the house I am staying in, (this title definitely has new meaning for me now). When I arrived Shigeo, a friend that visited us in Lincoln this semester, had a gift stashed away for me in the pantry to find, it was a big pillow that looked like a burger to fit my new nickname, "Dollar Burger". Earlier in the day, Bryan had asked me if he could hang out and get dinner tonight, so we went out to a place called Cappacino (sp?) and met the owners, friends of Bryan, and really got to spend some quality time with Bryan, something I haven't really had a chance to do as of yet. After a couple hours of great food and conversation, we came home to the rest of the guys watching kickboxing, which was amazing and the guy who won was this ginormous black guy from america, he really put the beat down on his opponents. Anyway while watching this the girls trickled into the house in pairs and then we left to get ice cream at Baskin Robbins (yes they have those here), where Sarah (the girl's leader) payed for me, and I promptly dribbled ice cream on my shorts during the car ride home. Oh yeah and Jeanette gave me a card b4 we left for ice cream since she was feeling bad this morning and wasn't able be at breakfast. So then we all just sort of hung out and watched "Tommy Boy" and talked. So that was my shift from being in the depths of the ocean to the heights of Mount Fuji (which btw I will be climbing near the end of the summer, and I found out that it is over 12,000 ft high and we will be starting a sea level, for those who are hikers). Anyway I should be getting to bed, it is 1 AM here, everyone has been in bed for about an hour at least. But, one final thing, for those of you on my team that may be reading this, I don't really know how to express my gratitude to you for all that you have done to serve me. I pray that God will use me to bless you as much as you have blessed me, and more. I don't think I have ever been loved as much by the body of Christ as you have done today. I love you all so very much!!! And then to those at home I miss you guys, David and Kelly, I hope you had a great time in CO. So, I guess that is a wrap, tomorrow is our day with God (we get that every Wednesday, YAY!!!) So until next time,

Grace and Peace to you,

Dustin

In Japan...

Well I'm finally in Japan. I have had a few days to get over jet-lag, but I don't think I have yet. I got up at 7:30 this morning not because I wanted to, but because I couldn't stand laying in bed any longer. It has definitely been a jam-packed time so far until about 3 PM yesterday we were in Tokyo for orientation. I have already discovered a couple things that I like to eat, Tsukiyaki (basically you cook the beef yourself and the veggies in this sauce and then dip them in raw egg and eat it) and Curry. I love the curry and it is everywhere here. I was able to meet some of the students we will be ministering too, last night. We had a party for the Japan vs. North Korea soccer game, and about 30 people came to Joyhouse. I have also got a new nickname because Brian Gibbs, one of the staff at orientation messed up my last name once, now the guys are calling me Dahlerberger (as in Dollar Burger). Anyway that is about all I can think of to write right now, but I am sure I will think of something else later. If anyone is reading this say hi! It will be good to hear from you.

Spanglish: a stereotype of what men are becoming in america

So, I just got done watching the movie Spanglish. Adam Sandler plays a father who won't stand up to his wife when he knows she is wrong, a man who when confronted with the fact that his wife has in fact cheated on him, runs to another woman, and it isn't he who stops it, but again the woman must lead, just as he has allowed his wife to do so throughout the film. It in many ways is THE example of everything men should not be. It was such a good film, and to see this character, a man who loves his children so much, immasculated in such a way as in this movie, ruins it. I think this is at least in my eyes, a cry to our culture that we need men to step it up, and be MEN! Not to wallow in a mire of passivity, but to stand up for what is right, and lead with integrity, fearing our God only, not the women in our lives (whether or not a man believes in God, is irrelevant to this point since he still exists even if he does not believe).

Inspiration from Architecture Studio 2 years ago

Voluntary Insomniac


All creative thought
stolen by design.

Blank sheets fill themselves
with thoughts that bring comfort
to my weary self.

The architectural beast
forces me into submission.
I am a Voluntary Insomniac.

The Lord's Provision

So it has been a while since I have posted, I just have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to do anything. Not to mention that the last week or so I have been feeling very unsettled about things, I have been praying for humility, and I think the Lord has answered, by making me feel like I can do nothing right, not to mention that I can't keep up with everything. But even amidst my inner and outer turmoil God still provides. I have been really struggling to get any fundraising done for Japan and yet I am already at just over 10%, first my neighbor gives me 360 and then after I did a 5 minute presentation at my church tonight, I find an envelope sitting in my Dad's office with my name on it and on the flap is written "for God's work in Japan" and inside there is $80. And then yesterday I was able to have my first meeting and I was promised $50 maybe more from my Junior High English teacher. It so encouraging that even when I don't have any strength to get things done, the Lord provides. In the words of Psalm 150 ( I read that tonight), "Praise the LORD!"

Philippians (Part 2)

So Tuesday night was awesome, I couldn't believe what I found in verses 9-11 of chapter 2. Basically, verses 5-8 set up how great of suffering Christ had to go through, and then we get to verse 9 where it speaks of Christ being glorified. This passage (9-11) is an affirmation of Christ's authority to that of God's. In the midst of this there is an emphasis on Christ's name, his name is elevated, and is essentially the same positionally as that of what God gives himself in Exodus (Yhwh). What does this mean for us? I think this harkens back to Old Testement scripture and the importance of God's name, it is how he has chosen to define himself and does not want this name defamed. My thought on this is perhaps this emphasis is to show us the gravity on humbling ourselves as in verses 1-4 or even to the point of verses 5-8, and living in a manner worthy of the gospel (1:27). When we are not doing so we are defaming God's name. Now I suppose I haven't fully explained this so I will call attention to Exodus 20:7 that basically forbids using the Lord's name in vain. What I have learned is that this reference does not specifically speak to word, but to how life is lived. If you are not seeking to live in a manner worthy of Whom you worship, you are "trashing" God's name. So I guess that is how I come to that comclusion. Comments?

Thanks Jason

I just want to thank Jason for that quote from Tozer (see comments on Philippian post). As I was preparing for Bible study tonight I realized that Paul is making a similar statement in Philippians as Tozer did in that quote from The Pursuit of God. Paul seems to be surrounding and embedding within his calls for unity (in Philippians 1:27-2:11) an emphasis on maturity in Christ, and the need for Christ to be central in our lives. First look at the focus of verses 12-26 (which is what I have been preparing this week). Paul states that his purpose while here on earth is Christ, he speaks of his body by life or death will magnify Christ, and he rejoices that Christ is preached, he focuses on maturity in 1:27-30 and then again in 2:12-16, and gives Christ as an example of humility in verses 5-11 of chapter 2. If we are truly going to grow in unity, Christ must be at the center of our lives (when we come together on Sundays for worship, having fellowship elsewhere or on our own in seclusion from the rest of the Body). So thanks again Jason.

Philippians

So Navs is currently studying the book of Philipians, and I thought I would share what I feel is one of the biggest themes within, not only this book but in a lot of the epistles. This is, of course, the unity of the body of Christ, I have come to believe this is one our greatest calls as a church, to seekout the unification of all people within the body, seeking to reconcile with others we may have offended (I Cor. 6), having the same mind, as Philippians 1:27 states "... I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;" Or even being unified in humility, serving each other as stated in the beginning of Chapter 2. How bout I Cor. 12:12 "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." Finally, I think Ephesians 4:1-6 sums up this idea very well, "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Not only are we called to have unity out of obedience, but we are called to have unity as a body because God is unified! So I would challenge all who read this to consider extensively, for this theme runs all the way throughout Scripture. It is a way we image God. If you want me to go any deeper into anything, have a question, or whatever, submit a comment, and I will respond.

Poetry

So I decided to post some poetry that I have written, tell me what you think.

King of the North

Descended from the Kings of the North,
he stands tall.
Regal and pure white are his robes,
Gold crowns his head, and polished silver hangs at his side.

His intense brown eyes hold completed wisdom,
and his shoulders no longer bear burden.
Eternal joy saturates his soul.

Heart and mind purified,
he collapses before his King,
and worships.

~Dustin Dahlberg

Folly

She sits at the door of her house
or stands on the street corner.
Beckons to those who are willing
to come and abandon understanding.

“Stolen water tastes like honey,
and bread eaten under the cover of darkness
is pleasant.”
She calls.

“Take me in,
that I may partake of your
honey and pleasant bread.”
Unwise reply.

Unaware, guests in her house
imprison themselves to death.
Those who descend her steps fall from them,
into the flames of Hell.

~Dustin Dahlberg

-Inspired by Proverbs 9:13-18


Time kills (or Ersilia)
Ersilia.

All life moves on to another existence,
abandoning former possessions.
Worth is lost.

Empty strings intersecting, divide the city.
The town deserted, the buildings rot and soon disappear,
only their shadows remain.

The town square is empty.
Dug into the ground,
it is the city’s shallow grave.

~Dustin Dahlberg

Starting things up!

Hey all, I just decided to start up a blog after talking to a friend of mine, also it can be used to comunicate with everyone stuck in the U.S. when I am in Japan this summer. I hope to post on here as often as I can about what I am learning or what I am up to, or just random thoughts maybe, but we'll see how things go.