 |
According to Peter
By Dennis Yoshioka
 |
| Dennis Yoshioka |
I grew up in a Buddhist home with Buddhist parents, grandparents, friends and relatives. Although religion was never a big part of my life it was my heritage. We went to church on Sunday and lived according to the rules established by our father. We never discussed theological issues at home nor did we talk about the teachings of the Buddha. Dad was the head of the family and whatever dad said was the law. You obeyed because dad said so and not because the Buddha said so.
So when I got involved with a Christian, Peter Cardoza Aiona, Jr., and saw how much emphasis he placed in the teachings of Christ, I was curious. Why did Peter place so much emphasis on the teachings in the Bible and the life of Jesus?
Peter was Hawaiian and a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. At 5’11” and 235 pounds, he was a big man with a big Christian heart. Peter was the kind of guy who bought you lunch even though he needed the money for groceries. Peter was always ready with a hug and encouraging words of gracious Aloha. Peter was kind and gentle, never harsh or crass and always at peace.
Whatever Peter said about life he quoted from the Bible. He lived and breathed the Bible. I really liked Peter but felt kind of sorry for him because he was tied to a book. I had to admit that I envied his peace and gentle ways but why did he impose so many rules upon himself?
In one of our conversations, Peter said that when we die our spirit returns to God and there is no more consciousness. But I knew differently. I had lived with spiritualism. I had seen spirits. I had been attacked by spirits. How could he say there was no life after death? I needed to set him straight but every time I tried, he would quote something from his Bible to explain his Christian belief. Peter told me story after story after story out of the Bible. I knew it must be a mistake, but how could I make him see that?
One day as we were discussing his religion, it hit me. The way to prove Peter wrong was to prove the Bible wrong. If his authority was no longer valid, then all of his arguments were also invalid. Maybe then I could interest him in meditation methods and spirit worship.
“I’ll prove to you that you’re wrong.” I said.
“Please, he replied, if you can lead me into further truth, I’ll gladly change.”
The challenge was on. I didn’t know much about Christianity or the Bible but I was a trained investigator. I had been a police officer for four years and a prosecutor’s investigator for five years. Surely with my training and experience I could find at least one flaw in Peter’s Bible, but where to begin? I decided to start from the beginning and work my way backwards, confident it wouldn’t take long.
Using a Bible Peter had given me a few years prior, I began the task of proving the Bible wrong. Little did I know at that time, the profound impact this innocent undertaking would have on my life.
Now where is that place about Saturday? Peter said it would be in Genesis, chapter 2. Hmm, it sure doesn’t say anything about not going to work on Saturday only that God rested and blessed the day. Peter must have misinterpreted this verse! That was easy! I can’t wait until tomorrow.
Gee, Peter sure had an answer for that one, Exodus 20. Guess I’ll have to do a better job of investigation next time. This Bible thing might not be as easy as I thought.
And so it went, day after day, for three months. Questions, questions, questions, but always Peter had the answer to satisfy me that his was the truth. The gospel according to Peter came fast and furious, but was always mixed with a Christ-like spirit.
My heart and mind were really going through turmoil now as I began questioning everything that I read and everything around and about me. What’s wrong and what’s right? Where does this all lead? How is this going to end? Can it be true that my great grandparents are asleep and not watching over me? Can it be true that the miracles they performed were Satan’s deceptions? Nothing makes sense anymore, but I need to find the truth!
For two more months I struggled with myself as the messages from Peter worked on my heart. Conversion came slowly, almost imperceptively, but a definite change was taking place. Fellow workers would comment on how I wasn’t as obnoxious as before, and when I would use a swear word, I would quickly apologize. I also noticed a change in myself. The name Jesus took on a new meaning for me and hearing people use it callously to express anger or frustration made me feel curiously uneasy. My beer drinking gradually slowed and eventually stopped. I couldn’t explain what was happening to me but it felt good. I could see a commitment coming soon but how could I be sure I was making the right decision?
The answer came a few weeks later in of all places, Las Vegas. In “Sin City” for four nights and five days of “training”, the glitter and glamour sure looked inviting. I arrived on a Sunday afternoon with $350 burning a hole in my pocket. I was eager to get out onto the craps table. By Tuesday afternoon I was broke, except for $40 and my airline ticket which I had prudently tucked away in a safety deposit box for the return trip home. But what would I do now? We don’t leave until Thursday. I hated to borrow money, especially when it was to be used for gambling, but the thought of just sitting around for the next two days was too much for the gambler in me. Within minutes, I was back at the tables with $100 borrowed from my roommate David Yamada. By evening I had lost another $60 and decided to retire for the night. Since it was still relatively early, I decided to read the hotel’s Gideon Bible.
A nagging thought kept intruding into my already mixed up mind. “Gambling is a sin.” the voice said. Why? I protested. I’ve always participated in gambling of one form or another ever since childhood. Everyone I knew gambled, either with cards, on ballgames, bowling, bingo, the outcome of political races—it was in my blood! I tried to rationalize my feelings but the nagging feeling could not be denied.
As the weight of this new burden forced me to my knees, I cried out, “Lord, I feel as though I’m doing something wrong and it’s bothering me. I guess my family could have used the $400 I just blew, but you know how much pleasure I get from gambling. You also know how much I hate to owe people money, yet I actually borrowed money to gamble with. I must need help. Lord, if you are really up there and listening to my prayer, you’ll have to show me. I need to know you truly exist! This is what I propose. Tomorrow morning I’m going to play a game of KENO. I’ll bet $3 on three numbers, 46, 69, and 80. At 42:1 odds, I’ll win $126. Now here’s the deal. If you let me win, I’ll tip the KENO runner, repay David the $100 I borrowed, I’ll quit gambling, and with whatever monies, I'll return home and donate it to the church. Amen.”
When I awoke the next morning, I had all but forgotten about my prayer until I sat down for breakfast and saw the KENO board. Taking out a KENO card, I nervously marked the numbers 46, 69, and 80. As the KENO runner passed by, I gave her my card and $3.00. I don’t remember my breakfast much nor the conversation that David tried to get going. All I could think of was the upcoming KENO game. When the betting closed I imagined it was only a matter of minutes before my life would be drastically changed.
The numbers began appearing on the KENO board. Random numbers, 20 in all, would be mechanically chosen from a pool of 80 numbers. The combinations one could expect were unlimited and I knew my chances were slim. After all, I had played the game a number of times before and had never won. I had been to FBI classes and learned that KENO was the “sucker’s game” with winners coming few and far between. Yet, I felt that somehow, something was different this time.
I tried to remain calm and detached from the game, but my eyes remained glued to the KENO board. When “46” lit the screen, my heart skipped a beat. After about ten more numbers, “80” blinked on, and I stopped chewing.
I wasn’t excited because I had won $126, nor was I excited because I had the money to repay my roommate. I was excited because there was a God in Heaven who had listened and responded to my prayer. The God Peter had told me about, the God he assured me loved ME and was interested in ME, really existed! This is what I got excited about, and it all began with the Gospel According to Peter.
______________________________
|
|
 |
|
 |
Personal Growth
Answers For Me
Bible Bay
Bibleinfo.com
Discover
Study Guides
GraceNotes
It Is Written
ScripShot
Story Songs
Image Gallery
Story Videos
|
 |
