What's Going On?

Reflecting...

2016 has started with some amazing acts of God.  I have been surprised by where He has shown up, how He has encouraged me, what He has provided for me.

When reflecting on last year, I realized one thing God did was teach me, again, how important His word is.  I was reminded of the depth of His word and the love it proclaims, the joy of studying it, and the blessing of teaching and sharing it with others.

As 2016 started, this hunger for God's word did not die out.  However, God has added another layer.  My desire for His word is not just growing, but also my desire for Him.  I have enjoyed the times of togetherness and studying things like spiritual disciplines over the last month.

Somehow I was surprised by the spiritual attacks that would follow such learning.  You'd think by this time in my spiritual walk, by this time in my life, I would not be surprised by such things.

Once I allowed God to start forming my heart to be more like His, He also started working on my character!  (I know, the two can't be separated, but in my neat little world, they were.)  Just like heart work, character formation hurts, especially when I am not paying attention to what is going on and let my flesh side get rattled.

This past week I almost let God's pruning in my life turn into a grudge toward a friend.  It was one of those moments when I literally said out loud, "Oh, good grief!  I get it now.  I am sorry for my inappropriate reaction!"  And, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The hard work of growth

When I stand before God daily, I want to notice where He is at work in my life and listen to what He wants to improve in my character and my heart.  Because, I want to have a heart like His.  I want to become more and more like my Savior Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me with patience and faithfulness.  May my heart become more like yours today.  Thank you!

Week 4 Days 1 & 2

This week's theme is peace.

In the midst of the busyness of the events of this season, I want to continue to experience peace.  Some days this is easier than others.  I have times when I feel completely overwhelmed.  Then there are times when life is zooming by and I feel complete peace.

In my experience, it is the point of my focus which changes the depth of my peace.  When I start to look around and see the wind and waves, as our friend Peter did when he was walking on the water, I, too, get scared and have to cry out to Jesus to save me.

Other times, I say with Paul that I have learned to be content in whatever situation I find myself because I know that Jesus is right here with me.

The angels told the shepherds:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."  (Luke 2:14)

The coming of Jesus brings peace.  I am praying for this peace to permeate my heart and life today.  I pray that it is also permeating yours.

Thank you for stopping by.  May God's peace rest on you today, this moment, this season.

Week 3 Day 2

This week's Scripture:

Luke 2:1-5

In those days Cesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Preparations

Today has been a day of preparations.

Tomorrow I will teach two Bible studies, one in Japanese on John and one in English on Mark.  I have enjoyed preparing for these studies each week.

On Sunday I will preach, so I have also been preparing for that.  Sometimes it is a challenge to figure out what to preach about.  Sometimes I am given an idea or a certain passage, but then the organizing of my thoughts takes a lot of time.  Sometimes things flow together quickly.

Although my thoughts haven't flowed smoothly today, it has been a good day of study.

Our monthly verse for April is Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."  Using that as a starting point, I have been thinking about "Go" and what that has to do with each one of us as Jesus-followers.

When looking at various websites about how to prepare for life as a missionary, I found an article by a professor at a university that prepares people for ministry.  It is a well-written article to help churches prepare people for missionary service.

 Click here to read the article.

Please take a few minutes to read it, maybe share it with others at your church, on a missions team, with a pastor, with a family member.  Consider how your church is preparing people for life outside the walls of the church-where we are all called to minister.

Believe

Today's word for my lent photo challenge is believe.

Today I was asked by an English student if I believe the stories in the Bible are true.  I replied with a resounding "yes!" and that I would not be a missionary if I did not believe the Bible is true.

In our Bible class this morning we were studying the death and resurrection of Jesus.  We talked about the people around the cross as Jesus was dying and their various reactions.

Mark notes the women who were there, however, he doesn't say much about what they were doing or thinking or saying.  As we discussed the women and their possible reaction, one student mentioned that they must have been very sad and crying and even felt hopeless.  (Luke writes that they were mourning and wailing.)

Then we read the beginning of the next chapter of Mark which includes, in my opinion, one of the most hope-filled statements in the Bible... "He has risen!  He is not here."  Of course, once the shock wore off and Jesus was actually seen alive, hope was restored.

I can barely read those two little sentences without shouting and without a tear of joy appearing in my eye.  I think my heart may even skip a beat when I read them.

He has risen!  He is not here!

When I read those words in my head, they are read loudly and with gusto!

Hope.

Joy.

Indescribable love.

Yes, I do believe the stories in the Bible are true.  The Bible is what my life and faith are built upon.

One Word

A few years ago at the end of the year a friend was talking about choosing a word for the next year.  I had often chosen Bible verses for the year and liked the idea of choosing a word for the year.  I chose the word hope for the following year.

In December 2014, I started to hear about and read about the idea of a word for the year again.  I started praying about it and thinking about what word I might choose to focus on for 2015.  God gave me the word 'joy.'

Ironically, or providentially, one of my favorite Bible study leaders, Margaret Feinberg, came out with a new Bible study this month called, "Fight Back with Joy."  More about that in another blogpost!  I am waiting for my copy to arrive.

Instead of just one verse or passage to focus on for the year, God has provided me with twelve, one for each month!  I am interested to see where this journey into joy takes me.

January's Bible passage is Psalm 98.  What a great place to start a new year, remembering the marvelous things God has done for us and singing a new song with all of creation!  I love the line, 'burst into jubilant song.'  What imagery!  I can hear the music when I read those words!

Sing to the Lord a new song,

for He has done marvelous things;

His right hand and His holy arm

have worked salvation of rHim.

The Lord has made His salvation known

and revealed His righteousness to the nations.

He has remembered His love and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;

all the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together for joy;

let them sing before the Lord,

for He comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples with equity.

Creation sings together for joy to the Lord!

I wonder what God has in store for this year.  I know there is one who wants to steal my joy and is already trying.  However, I am going to choose to fight back with joy!!!

Do you have a word or verse you will be focusing on this year?  Please share!

Christmas Books

 I have a pile of Christmas books.  Most years I read several of them.  This year I have gotten through one of them.  And, it is the shortest one at that! "Christmas in Harmony" by Philip Gulley

It is a really fun read, though.  The book is written by a Quaker pastor, and it is about a pastor who lives in a small town shepherding the church where he grew up.  It makes me laugh out loud and makes me pause to ponder.

Here are a couple of quotes from pages I have dog-eared over the years...
God could have sent a lawyer who would scrupulously define the limits of love.  Instead, He went for broke, and sent a child with whom He was well pleased.  And had the good sense to tell Him that.
Christmas, I tell my wife, is not the time to hold back.  It is the bold stroke, the song in the silence, the red hat in a gray-suit world.

That is the problem of theology- instead of bringing clarity, it often raises questions too frightening to consider.

"You know, Sam, having the Nativity scene spread out like that kinda reminded me how we never really see the full picture.  We think we do, but most we're just lookin' at bits and pieces, thinkin' we're seeing the whole thing."

If you are looking for a quick read this Christmas, one that reminds you of the true meaning of Christmas and the messiness of life, this is a book you might like.

English Bible Study

Today at English Bible study only one student was able to attend.  We had a wonderful time talking about life and family and God's love.

As our time drew to a close, my student said, "The best present I ever received was Jesus.  I am not a good Christian, but He has walked with me and held my hand all of my life."

What an awesome testimony!  I am so thankful for those who take the time to share Jesus' love with others.  It leads to such testimonies!

I am thankful for the opportunity to study the Bible with this lady and others who share their wisdom and love for Jesus.

That time of year again

Today is November first.  I have often, in the past, written a blog a day with my list of thanks.  This has been a good practice for me.  It helps me keep my mind and heart focused on what is truly important and worth spending my time on.

Actually, for the past several years, I have been keeping a gratitude journal.  Each evening I write three things for which I am thankful.  Many entries are repeated throughout the year, yet, it helps me to end the day on a note of praise and gratitude.

Taking time to give thanks does that for us.  It helps us center our thoughts.  It draws our attention off of the negative.  And, hopefully, it draws our attention to the One who provides more than we can ask or imagine.

Today I am going to begin my month of thanks blogposts with God's Word.  I am thankful God has provided a way for us to know Him.  His love and mercy, His plan and promise are all revealed and shared in His word.  According to His word, God wants to know us and wants us to know Him.  He provided a way for us to spend eternity with Him and restored the broken relationship between us humans and Himself by sending Jesus to this earth.  All of this and so much more is in His Word.  It is a deep book, yet understandable by all who desire to know Him.  It is a long book, yet such a page turner that it keeps drawing us back for more.  It is a story book, yet so much more.  This book is a love letter from our awesome Creator.

Your word, Oh Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Psalm 119:89

A Hundred Times

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."  Matthew 19:29

When Jesus said this He was talking about the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne.  However, I would say that I have also experienced this in the here and now.

Yesterday was one of those times.

The gospel choir I joined six years ago, Anointed Gospel Choir (AGC), is preparing for a concert next week.  Yesterday during our rehearsal we didn't have time to go through all of the songs, so our director was taking requests.

There is a song in Japanese that I have not quite memorized so I requested it.  About halfway through the song, as the lyrics really started to sink in, my eyes started to overflow.  I did my best to mouth the words of it and the final two songs.

I thought I had pulled myself together.

At the end of rehearsal, I am usually asked to pray.  I thought I would be fine.  But, again, the tears started and I had a hard time speaking.

After choir there were lots of encouraging words and hugs, yes, hugs from my Japanese friends.  These ladies who have become dear friends, not to replace the friends I had in the US before coming, but to be added, shared my worry and hope.

Friday my dad started chemotherapy.  The song we were singing is: 希望の光 (The light of hope)
Being far away at a time like this is a challenge to the heart!  But, I was filled with hope as I sang the song and was reminded of the light of hope God has placed in my heart, and in my dad's heart.

My AGC friends stepped up and filled in the gaps.  Thank you, my dear friends.

希望の光
心も体も疲れて生きる力さえも失った
でも今私の心には確かな希望の光

神様、あなたは耐えられないほどの
試練に合わせることはしない
耐えられるように試練とともに
新たな道も備えてくださるから

神様、私には負いきれないほどの
疲れと重荷があるとしても
あなたは「私を休ませてあげる」と
救いの道を備えてくださるから

Taken from 1 Corinthians 11:13 and Matthew 11:28

For the first time

I have been learning a few things in the past couple of years about depression.  I have never experienced it myself.  However, it seems many people around me, especially here in Japan, have experienced it.

One of my friends from church is one of those people.  When she first came to church she was at one of the lowest points of her life.  Yet, God drew her to Himself.  Thankfully, we were just across the street from her apartment!

Since that time she has gone through many ups and downs.  She has learned about Jesus, His love, His sacrifice, His free gift of salvation and eternal life.  She has been quite consistent in attending church, even through times when she did not want to do so.

The transformation in her life is nothing short of a miracle.  We are all praising God together as we see the joy and peace in her life grow daily.

Last week she told me that for the first time in her life she truly does not want to die.  She is not afraid to die, she said.  But, really actually has a desire to live now.

Praise God for transformation!

Odd Feeling

Today I am going to be speaking to the youth of our Japanese denomination.  Over the years I have been in Japan I have had several opportunities to hang out with these wonderful young people.  Of course, it has been a while, and now there is a whole new group of young people.

I like to be very prepared for such events.  I have been preparing for this event.  However, I have this odd feeling that I have not prepared enough or in the right way or missed something.  I can't quite put my finger on it.

So, I pray.  I ask my friends and family to pray.

And I walk forward today in God's confidence, knowing He is with me, He has called me, He is faithful.

It is all I can do.

折り紙は祈り紙...

When I was in the US last year I folded a large number of origami cranes.  I gave most of them away to people to remind them to pray for me.  On some I had people sign their names and I brought them back to Japan with me.  I finally got around to hanging them up around my apartment.

As I folded the cranes I was praying for Japan, for the ministry in which I am involved here, for friends, and for the people who would receive them.  As I gave them to friends and family, I asked them to pray for me.  I even left some 'flying' around my home church.  I hope when people see them around the church or wherever they were placed around homes that people will remember to pray for me.



When I am sitting in my living/dining room, bedroom, tatami room, or office and I see the cranes hanging there, I pray for the people who signed their names and gave the cranes back to me.

What a blessing to be able to pray for each other.  Even when we are not in the same city, state, or country, we can still join in ministry together by praying for each other.  And, having a visual reminder is helpful for me!  In that way, these origami cranes become prayer reminders.  (The Japanese title of this post is a play on words which basically means that.)

Thank you to those of you who are praying for me and all of us here in Japan.  Please continue.  I cannot put into words how much your prayers mean to us!

In the background is the prayer quilt the ladies from West Center made for me!

An Introduction

Yesterday I attended the English Bible study at Komyo Christian Church for the first time since I returned to Japan.  While Yuri is on home assignment I will have the privilege of being the leader of the study.

We started our time with introductions, which were fun and entertaining.  Then we sang a hymn which is a favorite of one of the students.  It is an English hymn she learned from a missionary when she was in university.  I had never heard it before, but love the lyrics!  What peace we have in Him!

Constantly Abiding by Anne S Murphy

There's a peace in my heart that the world never gave,
a peace it cannot take away;
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I've a peace that has come there to stay!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;
Constantly abiding, rapture divine;
He never leaves me lonely, whispers O so kind:
"I will never leave thee."  Jesus is mine.

All the world seemed to sing of a Savior and King,
when peace sweetly came to my heart;
Troubles all fled away and my night turned to day,
blessed Jesus, how glorious Thou art!

This treasure I have in a temple of clay,
while here on His footstool I roam;
But He's coming to take me, some glorious day,
over there to my heavenly home!

Fight for Each Other

This morning's Designed for Devotion Bible reading was from Numbers 32 where two tribes ask to have land on the east side of the Jordan rather than crossing over the river.  Moses is worried they will cause others to want to stay there, too, and not want to take the land of inheritance God has prepared for them.  The tribes then tell Moses that they will lead the fight for their fellow Israelites as they take possession of the land.

In the devotional section, the author reminds us that it is our responsibility as believers to fight for each other in prayer.  We are in a spiritual battle here on earth and when we pray for each other, God's kingdom can be advanced.  What an awesome promise and responsibility!

When I get self-absorbed in my prayers, I get tired and lose my focus.  Praying for others along with myself helps me to stay focused on God and the battle at hand.  

When others pray for me, I feel strengthened for the fight and supported in battle.  I am so grateful for the many people who fight with me in this battle.  

Thank you for praying with me.  Thank you for allowing me to pray with you.  May we continue to work together for God's glory and strengthen each other through our prayers.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. (Ephesians 6:18)

One Step

Yesterday I pulled out a Bible study book I used when I lived in Texas.  The study made a great impact on me and so I have saved the workbook all these years.  I am preparing a new study with one of my Bible students and we have decided to do the same study.  I am excited to share it with her!

Because of time constraints, we won't be able to do the whole workbook cover to cover.  Therefore, I am sort of rewriting a less intense version for us to use for the next few months.

I pulled out my workbook to review and start thinking about the first lesson.  In the back of the book is the covenant we signed with our group as we started the study.  Twenty years ago, today, I signed that covenant!  As I read through the prayer I wrote when we started the study, I see God had been working in my heart to bring the possibility of going to Japan to the front of my mind.  It would still be two years before I left for Japan, but this study helped me find focus in my life and strengthen my faith in Him and His word.

I am looking forward to what God is going to do in my and my student's heart as we study together!

Oh, may my heart be as open as it was the first time I went through the study!

Thanks to being an elementary school teacher, I have school pictures from my adulthood!  This is from my first year of teaching, 23 years ago!

All Together

When I was leaving for home assignment, our staff at Komyo Christian Church was finishing up reading a book together and discussing it in our meetings.  Then, they were going to start reading another book which many churches and leaders in the NAB were reading.  I read bits and pieces of it throughout my time in the US, but did not finish it.  Yesterday I was re-reading and then reading more of the book.  It is called "Everyday Church: Gospel Communities on Mission."

As I traveled around the NAB during home assignment sharing about what is going on in Japan, in general, and at Komyo Christian Church, specifically, many people commented on how we are living out the premise of this book.  First, I was impressed by the number of people, not just church leaders, who had been reading and reflecting on this book.  Second, I was excited to hear that our hearts for the community were coming through in what we are doing in ministry.

The authors of the book are pastors.  The theme of the book is go be the church, not go to church.  Yes, they admit, gathering with believers is important, however, people who do not yet know Jesus will not just show up at church.

The buzz word 'missional' comes up many times in this book.  The authors remind us that missional is not some new program, something we tack onto what we are already doing.  It is who we are.  We, Christ-followers, are on mission with God, to be the light in the world, to live out the gospel in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, grocery stores, and every where we spend our time.

There is no five step process, no how to for becoming missional.  It is who we are called to be.  They suggest three core elements to every day mission: love God, love people, love life.  Simple, right?!

Two sentences I loved from this section:
You will never attract people to Jesus if you are not excited about Jesus.
Our job is to have fun to the glory of God!

Amen!

So many unformed thoughts are rolling around my head about this topic.  Probably, if you heard me speak during the past year, you have heard some of them!  This is who we are called to be, people who love Jesus and live in the world-having fun to the glory of God!

Go have some fun!

It Can Be Done

Not alone, even in this country!

I started reading a new devotional this year on the recommendation of a friend.  It is called "Designed for Devotion."  Although not every page of the Bible is read, it does go through the whole Bible, Genesis to Revelation.  I am looking forward to it and enjoying it already.

Yesterday I was reading Genesis 6 about Noah.  Like many people I know, the story of Noah is very familiar.  However, as I read yesterday, I was struck again by how Noah was described.  In verse 9 of chapter 6 it says:
"This is the account of Noah and his family.  Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God." (NLT)

The only person!  Not just in his town or his state or his country, but on the earth at the time!  Oh, my pity parties suddenly sound very hollow!

The next part is what cut to my heart yesterday, "he walked in close fellowship with God."  Okay, I have to admit, I did not like reading that one bit.  Times when I drift, when I am not so close to God, when I don't take my relationship with the Almighty seriously enough, in those times, I like to blame lack of accountability.  I like to think that if there was someone who was keeping me accountable, then I would not wander or drift.

And, then, wham!  I see that Noah was alone in his faith-on the earth!-and he walked in close fellowship with God.

Excuse #389 shot down!

Oh, Lord, thank you for reminding me that it can be done.  There is nothing wrong with accountability, in fact, it is a good thing.  However, I cannot blame other people for my own wandering heart.  It is possible to walk closely with You, even if there is no one else around who does.  Change my heart, oh God!

The Wonder of Christmas

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV)

This is the wonder of Christmas: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This leaves me speechless: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This humbles me: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This causes me to rejoice: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This is the joy of Christmas: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Let the reality of that sentence settle into your soul:  the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

What is your response to this wonder of Christmas?

Coco Goes To Camp

I have gotten way behind, so I decided to just start back up with wherever iPhoto opened up... which was mid-July.

My friend, Kelly, asked me to be part of intermediate camp at Crystal Springs Baptist Camp as the camp missionary.  Anytime I get to talk to kids about missions, I jump at the opportunity.  And, the fact that I got to hang out with Kelly at one of my favorite places-middle of nowhere North Dakota-made the deal even sweeter.

Three boys from my home church wanted to go, too, so I had the privilege of driving them up to ND followed by a week of fun and games, songs and learning, food and sun, origami, sunsets and a mud pit.  Here is a week in pictures...

Fargo Mall-where you cannot buy a hamburger in the food court!

Looking across the field to the new men's dorm

Origami!

My bright-haired friends!

My evening spot

Singing praises

Awesome worship leaders

Kelly

Another evening...

Camp Cheer Contest

Pre-mudpit

Post-mudpit

Sunset

And moonrise!

Crystal Springs!