the David Junkers blog

Minako and Makoto's Wedding

2012-02-13T11:44:00.005+09:00

Feb. 11th, Naho's sister was married.

My wife Naho (right) and her sister Rie were receptionists. Doesn't Naho look great in her kimono!

"...for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health..."

Exchange of the rings

Junkers at the reception

Hosahna bought her dress with her own money.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians ５：２５、３３

Preaching on Hell

2012-02-12T13:57:00.006+09:00

“I appeal to every one, whether this is not the very course they would take in case of exposedness to any great temporal calamity? If any of you who are heads of families saw one of your children in a house all on fire, and in imminent danger of being soon consumed in the flames, yet seemed to be very insensible of its danger, and neglected to escape after you had often called to it—would you go on to speak to it only in a cold and indifferent manner? Would not you cry aloud, and call earnestly to it, and represent the danger it was in, and its own folly in delaying, in the most lively manner of which you was capable? If you should continue to speak to it only in a cold manner, as you are wont to do in ordinary conversation about indifferent matters, would not those about you begin to think you were bereft of reason yourself? This is not the way of mankind in temporal affairs of great moment, that require earnest heed and great haste, and about which they are greatly concerned. They are not wont to speak to other of their danger, and warn them but a little or in a cold and indifferent manner. Nature teaches men otherwise. If we who have the care of souls, knew what hell was, had seen the state of the damned, or by any other means had become sensible how dreadful their case was—and at the same time knew that the greater part of men went thither, and saw our hearers not sensible of their danger—it would be morally impossible for us to avoid most earnestly setting before them the dreadfulness of that misery, and their great exposedness to it, and even to cry aloud to them."

Jonathan Edwards, concerning preaching on hell

"Rather, speaking the truth in love..." Ephesians 4:13

First they came.....

2012-02-11T08:12:00.011+09:00

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.
Martin Niemoeller

"Obama Administration has refused to grant religious organizations an exemption from purchasing health insurance that covers abortion-inducing drugs, surgical sterilization, and contraception." Chuck Colson

Grandma Yuriko is 100!

2012-02-10T09:30:00.006+09:00

My wife's Grandmother Yuriko Oyama just turned 100 years old this Wednesday, June 8th. She was saved 37 years ago and is presently a member of Takamatsu Zion Church. She loves to travel. I believe she has lived long because she is surrounded by the love of her family.

Grandma Yuriko's favorite Bible verse is the following and she had it carved on the family grave. "Look at the lilies (her name)". “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers (lilies in Japanese) of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? " Matthew 6:28-30

Close to the brokenhearted

2012-02-09T08:38:00.007+09:00

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

Read all of Psalm 34, Biblica | Bible Online

Pict：The beginning of April of last year, churches in our area went to the area devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. In the pict, an evangelist is serving a bed-ridden elderly person at a Buddhist temple, in Jesus' name.... Don't forget to pray for Japan. My brother-in-law and his family plan to move up to that area to serve them.

Manno Christ Church

2012-02-08T08:19:00.005+09:00

I preached at Manno Christ Church (Presbyterian) last Sunday from 1 Peter 1:18-21. "You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." We are beckoned to worship the One who died for us.

My ‘hosahna’ is born of a furnace of doubt.

2012-02-06T09:55:00.007+09:00

“It is not as a child that I believe and confess Christ. My ‘hosahna’ is born of a furnace of doubt.” Fyodor Dostoevsti

'The boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”' Mark 9:24

And Christ said, ^"Blessed are they who do not see, and yet believe.” John 20:29

Mercy in the eyes

2012-02-04T08:39:00.007+09:00

“We (Allied World War 2 prisoners in Thailand) came once to a village where the treatment we received was so different it astonished us. There was mercy in the eyes of those who rushed to the roadside to watch us go by. Before we had reached the end of their settlement they were back laden with cakes, bananas, eggs, medicines, and money which they thrust into our hands. In time we learned that this village had been converted to Christianity by missionaries, and that the Japanese, who found out about their friendly behavior, severely punished them for it.

A key figure in carrying the light of Christianity to these jungle outposts had been an elderly missionary woman who managed to continue her work during Japanese occupation. When she was forced finally to take to the jungle, she was handed along from one group of Christians to another. The Japanese knew of her existence and were never far behind. But although they put a high price on her head, she eluded them.

“We came once to a village where the treatment we received was so different it astonished us. There was mercy in the eyes of those who rushed to the roadside to watch us go by. Before we had reached the end of their settlement they were back laden with cakes, bananas, eggs, medicines, and money which they thrust into our hands. In time we learned that this village had been converted to Christianity by missionaries, and that the Japanese, who found out about their friendly behavior, severely punished them for it.

Earnest Gordon, Through the Valley of the Kwai

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 5:7

Late have I loved you...

2012-02-02T09:02:00.004+09:00

"Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace."

from The Confessions of Saint Augustine

"Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

Psalm 34:8

Kokubunnji Christ Church

2012-02-01T09:26:00.004+09:00

Last Sunday, Jan. 29th, was our last Sunday at Kokubunji Christ Church. It was a very special service. They are praying and working toward gaining a Japanese pastor.

Here's a portion of the passage I spoke from. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10

The wholly alien righteousness of Christ

2012-01-31T08:56:00.005+09:00

“Only a fraction of the present body of professing Christians are solidly appropriating the justifying work of Christ in their lives. Many… have a theoretical commitment to this doctrine, but in their day-to-day existence they rely on their sanctification for justification… drawing their assurance of acceptance with God from their sincerity, their past experience of conversion, their recent religious performance or the relative infrequency of their conscious, willful disobedience. Few know enough to start each day with a thoroughgoing stand upon Luther’s platform: you are accepted, looking outward in faith and claiming the wholly alien righteousness of Christ as the only grown for acceptance, relaxing in that quality of trust which will produce increasing sanctification as faith is active in love and gratitude.”

Richard Lovelace

"...All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth a propitiation, through faith, in his blood..." Romans 3:23-25

Charlie

2012-01-30T16:06:00.004+09:00

Last Saturday the 28th. Shane, Joshua and Hosahna with Charlie. Special bunch of kids... and Charlie.

Repentance

2012-01-28T09:06:00.005+09:00

“Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ…willed that the whole life of believers should be one of repentance.” Martin Luther

"Repent and believe the good news!” Jesus Christ, Mark: 1:14

To God, to Christ

2012-01-26T09:59:00.004+09:00

"There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible."

Mother Teresa

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

"Pain is actually a gift."

2012-01-25T10:03:00.005+09:00

“She (comedian and television host Stephen Colbert's mother) taught me to be grateful for my life regardless of what that entailed, and that’s directly related to the image of Christ on the cross and the example of sacrifice that he gave us. What she taught me is that the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain — it’s that the pain is actually a gift. What’s the option? God doesn’t really give you another choice.” Stephen Colbert

In 1974, when he was 10, Colbert's father, a doctor, and his brothers Peter and Paul, the two closest to him in age, died in a plane crash while flying to a prep school in New England.

“There’s a common explanation that profound sadness leads to someone’s becoming a comedian, but I’m not sure that’s a proven equation in my case.... I’m not bitter about what happened to me as a child, and my mother was instrumental in keeping me from being so.” Colbert

Flutist Song Solnamoo

2012-01-23T11:27:00.006+09:00

Jan. 15th, flutist Song Solnamoo played over 30 minutes of the most beautiful music at Zentsuji Baptist Church. He also gave testimony of Christ's 'amazing grace' in his life. The Lord was honored and I was moved. He has written the music for various Korean dramas that are very popular in Japan. He's also played solo at Carnegie Hall. This was a special concert for my wife who also plays the flute. Please listen. YouTube

Your cross

2012-01-20T08:43:00.005+09:00

“Confessing Christ and preaching the gospel are two ways of expressing the same action; either way one says it, it will be a dangerous activity, because it will bring hate, persecution, and even death to the confessor. This is the cause for which Jesus called His disciples to suffer and to sacrifice themselves.

To take up your cross and bear it means to voluntarily and sacrificially involve yourself in the job of building the church of Christ. It means that the main occupation of your life will now be witnessing Christ to others, making disciples, and teaching them to do all that Christ has taught you to do. This will of course consume your time and your material sources. It will most likely provoke ridicule and derision from others. It might demand that you leave your own country for the mission field, and it might even cost you your own life. This is your cross, and this is how you become a partner with Christ in fulfilling His purposes for mankind.”

Josef Ton

"And Jesus said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."　Luke 9:22-26

Buddhism and Christianity

2012-01-18T08:45:00.006+09:00

January 8th, we went to a conference for evangelical churches in our Kagawa prefecture. I would guess about 50 or so pastors and believers attended. Professor Yamato brought out how some 1000 years ago Japanese Buddhist priests- Honen and Shiran- proclaimed a salvation by grace. Interesting! He also pointed out that they have no Christ or cross and emphasized Ephesian 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Christ's grace moves us to work.

In line with the truth of the gospel

2012-01-17T08:30:00.009+09:00

“Christian living is a continual process of bringing everything in line with the truth of the gospel.” Timothy Keller

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:10-11

Takamatsu Zion Church

2012-01-16T08:11:00.003+09:00

January 8th, our family worshipped at Takamatsu Zion Church, about 1 hour from Takase. Naho was baptized in this church and her relatives now worship and serve here. The Lord seems to be doing something very special among them. We praise Him for His goodness.

Kind to everyone

2012-01-15T08:20:00.004+09:00

“I’ve decided I’m against abortion. I think it’s murder. But I have a dilemma in that I much prefer the pro-choice to the pro-life people. I’d much rather eat dinner with a group of the former.” Andy Rooney

“Be careful, lest fighting the dragon you become the dragon.’ Friedrich Nietzsche

"And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24

Abundant Life Church

2012-01-14T09:29:00.004+09:00

I spoke at Abundant Life Church (Matsumoto, near where they had the Olympics) on January 1st. May parents started this church and Jon, my brother, is continuing the work. I spoke on how the missionary & pastors are to disciple, equip and entrust the ministry to God's people (Matthew 28, Ephesians 4 and 2 Timothy 2).

As I referred to the priesthood of the believer, I quoted 1 Peter 2:9-10. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." Wow! What mercy! What a privilege!

Your preaching

2012-01-12T09:12:00.004+09:00

"If your preaching of the gospel doesn't provoke the charge from some of antinomianism, you're not preaching the gospel."　　Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The Japan Alps

2012-01-11T07:54:00.003+09:00

After Christmas (Dec. 27- Jan. 4), we went to Nagano- where I grew up. Pict: The Japan Alps remind me of some of the scenes in Lord of the Rings. We spent some time with Jon and Dan, did some 'business,' and served at Abundant Life Church. It was a 'busy' time, but good. The above picture was taken from the parking lot of the Azumino Family Chapel- a church started by our parents and continued by Jon and team.

As Christ loved us

2012-01-09T09:00:00.007+09:00

“If they come [into poverty] by a vicious idleness and prodigality [laziness and self-indulgence]; yet we are not thereby excused from all obligation to relieve them, unless they continue in those vices… If we do otherwise, we shall act in a manner contrary to the rule of loving one another as Christ loved us. Now Christ hath loved us, pitied us, and greatly laid out himself to relive us from that want and misery which we brought on ourselves by our own folly and wickedness. We foolishly and perversely threw way those riches with which we were provided, upon which we might have lived and been happy to all eternity.”

Jonathan Edwards

"All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along." Galatians 2:10

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb

2012-01-06T09:19:00.007+09:00

Happy New Year!

From Naho, Joshua, Hosahna, Shane and I (David)

This is the year of the dragon here in the Orient.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power

and the kingdom of our God,

and the authority of his Messiah.

For the accuser (the great dragon, Satan) of our brothers and sisters,

who accuses them before our God day and night,

has been hurled down.

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives

so much as to shrink from death.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens

and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea,

because the devil has gone down to you!

He is filled with fury,

because he knows that his time is short.”

Revelation 12:10-12

The sinner

2012-01-05T08:56:00.007+09:00

”We all carry about in our pockets His very nails.”

Martin Luther

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, the sinner.’" Luke 18:13

Pict: I am told that Mel Gibson (in his movie the Passion of Christ) is holding the nail and hammering it into Christ. Gibson is saying that his sins put Christ on the cross.

Our Christmas Celebration

2011-12-26T08:12:00.005+09:00

Above picture: Naho playing "White Christmas." We had a good Christmas celebration yesterday, the 25th. Our English class kids sang songs, including Amazing Grace and Joy to the World. In English, of course. They recited from the Bible- Luke 15. There was a puppet play, special music and the true meaning of Christmas from Luke 2. The kids also enjoyed their presents and the goodies. We thank the Lord for a good time.

”For your sakes he became poor”

2011-12-25T10:24:00.007+09:00

“You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”　2 Corinthians 8:9

”Think of Jesus’ costly grace until you are changed into generous people by the gospel in your hearts.... So the solution to stinginess is a reorientation to the generosity of Christ in the gospel, where he poured out his wealth for you. Because of the gospel you don’t have to worry about money. The cross proves God’s care for you and gives you security. Because of the gospel you don’t have to envy anyone else’s money. Jesus’ love and salvation confer on you a remarkable status- one that money cannot give you.”　Timothy Keller

Pict: Rembrandt's Adoration of the Shepherds

An early Christmas...

2011-12-24T09:09:00.009+09:00

Since the 24th and 25th are a little busy, we celebrated an early family Christmas on the 23rd. We first opened up our presents. Then I made some brunch. After that we enjoyed the movie, the Preacher's Wife, with Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. The story is good, but the gospel music with Whitney is excellent. Watching this movie has now become a Christmas tradition for our family.

And my the Lord give you and your family a very special Christmas.

"I am."

2011-12-20T08:47:00.004+09:00

G. K. Chesterton was once asked by a London newspaper to join other authors and thinkers to address the weighty and important question of "what's wrong with the world."His response:

Dear Sirs,

I am.

Sincerely yours,

G.K. Chesterton

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15

Shirogane Christ Church

2011-12-19T08:50:00.007+09:00

Yesterday Naho and I served at Shirogane Christ Church. Naho played the piano and I preached from Luke 2:1-20. Christ's birth- fact, significance and response.

"With the precious blood of Christ"

2011-12-15T12:05:00.006+09:00

“[Jesus Christ] should bring complete rest and assurance to our consciences. His salvation is of infinite value. His blood was shed as a ransom (Mark 10:45) to pay for our sins. This blood was the blood of God (Acts 20:28). Imagine how valuable that is. No sin is too great to be forgiven; no corruption is too great to be healed.” Timothy Keller

"You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18-19

Check out Keller's sermons. Redeemer Sermons

Listening....

2011-12-12T11:16:00.004+09:00

“The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for [others] is learning to listen to them… Listening can be greater service than speaking… There is a kind of listening… an impatient, inattentive listening, that… is only waiting for a chance to speak and thus get rid of the other person.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." James 1:9

March 11th, all hope was lost....

2011-12-11T07:58:00.009+09:00

However,

'A large crowd followed Jesus, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

the one I love, in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
In his name the nations will put their hope.”'

Matthew 12:15-21

Watch video Youtube video: 'We will always remember you.' It will break your heart though.

Please pray that the Lord would show His mercy to Japan, especially those devastated by the massive earthquake and tsunami this March 11.

Rice Cakes

2011-12-09T08:18:00.004+09:00

Wednesday, the 7th, the kids at our elementary school pounded rice to make 'omochi,' or rice cakes.

Hosahana waiting for her turn.

Shane pounding away.

Joshua.

'People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.' Mark 10:13-16

True virtue...

2011-12-07T08:09:00.004+09:00

“True virtue comes when you see Christ dying for you.” Timothy Keller

”Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." Galatians 3:1

Takamatsu City Christmas

2011-12-05T14:02:00.009+09:00

Dec. 3rd, the churches of the city of Takamatsu came together for a special Christmas.

Pict: After the concert with Christian singer and pastor Chu Kosaka.

He sang, and shared the Christmas message from John 8:12. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Every Heart That is Breaking...

2011-12-04T10:17:00.007+09:00

＜Here is a song for the victims of 3・11.＞

Please listen to it on VIMEO. Words below.

For the young abandoned husband

Left alone without a reason

For the pilgrim in the city

Where there is no home

For the son without a father

For his solitary mother

I have a message?

He sees you, He knows you

He loves you, He loves you

Every heart that is breaking, tonight

Is the heart of a child that he holds in his sight

And, oh, how He longs to hold in his arms

Every heart that is breaking, tonight

For every heart

For the precious fallen daughter

For her devastated father

For the prodigal who's dying in a strange new way

For the child who's always hungry

For the patriot with no country

I have a message?

He sees you, He knows you

He loves you, Jesus loves you

Every heart that is breaking, tonight

Is the heart of a child that he holds in his sight

And, oh, how He longs to hold in his arms

Every heart that is breaking, tonight

For every heart

by Twila Paris

Please don't forget those who were devastated by the massive earthquake and tsunami this March 11. Continue to pray for them and then visit them.

@ Pict taken by me about 1 month after the tsunami in Ishinomaki.

God has made all people to reflect, to be imaging beings....

2011-12-03T08:30:00.006+09:00

“God has made all people to reflect, to be imaging beings. People will always reflect something, whether it be God’s character or some feature of the world. If people are committed to God, they will become like him; if they are committed to something other than God, they will become like that thing, always spiritually inanimate and empty like the lifeless and vain aspect of creation to which they have committed themselves… We become spiritually blind, deaf and dumb even though we have physical eyes and ears. If we commit ourselves to something that does not have God’s Spirit, to that degree we will be lacking the Spirit… The point is that our lives become vain and empty when we commit ourselves to vain idols of this world.”

G.K. Beale

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them...." Exodus 20:2-4

"Marathon"

2011-12-02T08:54:00.004+09:00

November 30th, at our kids school, they had a 'marathon,' approximately 1 kilometer.

Hoshana came in 1st among the girls in her class.

Shane came in 5th among the boys. Daddy thinks he could come in first if he trained a little. A little biased, right!

Joshua was injured, so joined his friend on the last part of the run.

"Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. " I Corinthians 9:24b-25

The work of God's Holy Spirit begins with bruising....

2011-11-28T09:03:00.005+09:00

“The work of God's Holy Spirit begins with bruising. In order to be saved, the fallow ground must be ploughed up; the hard heart must be broken; the rock must be split in sunder.”

C.H. Spurgeon

But, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Universal Studios Japan

2011-11-26T08:23:00.005+09:00

Last Monday, the 21st, we went to Universal Studios Japan, near Osaka. About 3 hours from our home.

The Christmas atmosphere was 'in the air.'

After we enjoyed Spider Man and Back to the Future, we went to Jurassic Park.

Then before we rode Jaws, we enjoyed some delicious fried chicken.

After enjoying a few more rides, we enjoyed the parade in the evening.

The Lord is good to give us such joys. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 118:29

Being a Christian

2011-11-25T08:21:00.004+09:00

“Again I must say it- what a tremendous thing it is to be a Christian! Oh, how we vie with one another in seeking earthly honours; how we try to prove that we are related, however remotely, to somebody who happens to be great- we attach great importance to these things. Yet what the humblest Christian can claim is that the is a child of God, born of God, out of God, generated by God; that is the very essence of what is meant, according to the New Testament, by being a Christian.”

D.M. Llyod-Jones

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-6

Cultural Festival

2011-11-23T12:04:00.008+09:00

Our Takase Elementary School had a Cultural Festival on Sunday, the 20th.

Hoshana is in the middle.

Shane is second from the left.

Joshua is in the middle.

Here the whole school is singing.

Our Takase Church worship is in the late afternoon, so we can participate in these events. "You are the light of the world.... Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14 & 16

Cities

2011-11-18T09:44:00.004+09:00

“It may be helpful to those who harbor misgivings about cities… to reflect on the fact that urbanization as a present fact of life for most of the human family is a reality under the providential control of God… By means of these enormous gatherings of people, God provides the church with one of history’s greatest opportunities for evangelization. Pressed together in metropolises, the races, the tribes, and diverse groups are geographically more accessible than ever before… God in our time is moving climactically through a variety of social, political, and economic factors to bring earth’s people into closer contact with one another, into greater interaction and interdepednce, and into the earshot of the gospel. By this movement God carries forward his redemptive purposes in history. A sign of our time is the city. Through worldwide migration to the city God may be setting the stage for Christian mission’s greatest and perhaps final hour.”

Roger Greenway

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Joy which arises from divine light shining into the soul

2011-11-15T09:10:00.004+09:00

"Men have a great deal of pleasure in human knowledge, in studies of natural things; but this is nothing to that joy which arises from divine light shining into the soul. This spiritual light is the dawning of the light of glory in the heart. There is nothing so powerful as this to support persons in affliction, and to give the mind peace and brightness in this stormy and dark world. This knowledge will wean from the world, and raise the inclination to heavenly things. It will turn the heart to God as the fountain of good, and to choose him for the only portion. This light, and this only, will bring the soul to a saving close with Christ. It conforms the heart to the gospel, mortifies its enmity and opposition against the scheme of salvation therein revealed: it causes the heart to embrace the joyful tidings, and entirely to adhere to, and acquiesce in the revelation of Christ as our Savior."

Jonathan Edwards

"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... You are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. " 1 Corinthians 1:18, 30

Elderly folks home...

2011-11-14T08:40:00.007+09:00

Last Saturday (the 12th), we visited the elderly folks home Kureru Takase and spent some time with them. "One of the greatest needs of Japan is the elderly. They are very lonely. In the future, Japan will age further. We as the much help meet the need there." (From my message at Zentsuji Baptist Church)

At the end of our time at the home, Naho played "Amazing Grace." We sang it together with our children. It is only normal for those of us who have experienced Christ's cross and His unmerited grace to share this grace freely. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

Love

2011-11-13T09:25:00.005+09:00

“God requires love that cannot be required.” Edmund Clowney

At once they are aware of a conflict.

2011-11-11T08:40:00.005+09:00

“People who have no sense of conflict at all in their lives are patently just not Christians; they are in the sleep of death spiritually. The moment men an women become alive spiritually, they are aware of these forces and powers, and at once they are aware of a conflict.” D.M. Lloyd-Jones

"The sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:17,18, 22, 23

Pastor Hisashi Tateishi

2011-11-10T09:31:00.004+09:00

November 11, during our worship, Pastor Hisashi Tateishi, missionary to Japanese in New York, shared a simple message on the 'Ten Commandments' and the 'Cross.' He also answered many questions. More info: Setting the course

Thanksgiving

2011-11-09T14:25:00.002+09:00

“Though the [Civil] war would not end until 1865, the tide had turned for the North, and the president could begin tending to other matters. On September 28, Sara Joseph Hate, the editor of Lady’s Book wrote the president [Lincoln] asking for an appointment. She proposed that the president set up a national celebration of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, though originating in colonial days, had been only sporadically observed in the decades since- and never at a set time. After the victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, Lincoln was convinced that there was much to be thankful for, and he agreed to her proposal. Thus the annual holiday of Thanksgiving came to be an integral part of American life.”

Joe Wheeler, The Courage and Faith of Abraham Lincoln

Zentsuji Baptist Church

2011-11-08T08:58:00.002+09:00

Our family had a great time at Zentsuji Baptist Church. Since Pastor Kubo was on vacation, I did the preaching. From Luke 10 on how Christ must first of all be our 'Good Samaritan.' Lord willing, Brother Bin (left) will, speak at our church December 18th. He is a deacon, professor at Shikoku Gakuin University and a Gideon.

‘Partakers of the divine nature’

2011-11-06T08:49:00.005+09:00

“We have become, as Peter puts it, ‘partakers of the divine nature’ (2 Peter); we have received the disposition of God Himself. We look at things from the Godward angle rather than from the human and carnal and sinful one…. I need emancipation; I need to be lifted to another realm; I need a force and a strength and a power that I have not got myself. That is my need, and here is the answer: I am given a faith- I am given an outlook and understanding- I am introduced to a source of power- I see something that that other person has never seen. I see beyond. I see a might and a power that is even greater than all that is opposed to me.”

D.M. Lloyd-Jones

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 Peter 1:3,4

Halloween

2011-11-04T08:34:00.001+09:00

Last week our English class kids enjoyed Halloween. Above: the kindergarten kids. See the ghost in the back.

Mine are Christ’s living...

2011-11-03T09:00:00.005+09:00

“Mine are Christ’s living, doing, and speaking, his suffering and dying, mine as if I had lived, done, spoken, suffered, and died as he did.”

Martin Luther

"Christ... is our life." Colossians 3:4

As the Father has sent me....

2011-11-02T08:18:00.005+09:00

“I am a missionary, heart and soul. God had an only Son, and He was a missionary and a physician. A poor, poor imitation I am or wish to be. In this service I hope to live, in it I wish to die.” David Livingstone

'Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."' John 20:21

For parents who feel they've messed up and done everything wrong...

2011-11-01T15:09:00.005+09:00

"I was raised in a secular home. Jessica (her daughter) was raised in a legalistic home.... God uses failures in fantastic ways. It's not all up to you. ... The beautiful reality is, your work isn't going to save your kids. You can relax. You do not know how God will work. Be weak and throw yourself on the mercy of God." Elyse Fitzpatrick

"He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD,.... I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Jonah 4:2

Read more of the article: WORLD Magazine | Getting grace | Susan Olasky | Nov 05, 11

Book by Fitzpatrick and Thompson: Give Them Grace (Crossway, 2011)

Related article: Homeschool Blindspots - Joshua Harris

Through the cross

2011-10-31T08:13:00.009+09:00

“God’s kingdom is won not though strength and accomplishment, however, but through the cross. It is entered not by the strong, but by those who admit their weakness and need for grace. This completely changes our attitude toward the poor, the powerless, and the marginal.”

Tim Keller

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Check out Keller's books Generous Justice and Ministries of Mercy.

We do not lose heart

2011-10-30T10:02:00.006+09:00

”The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.”　Mother Teresa

"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." 2 Corinthians 4:1

Rice harvesting...

2011-10-28T09:32:00.004+09:00

Monday, the 24th, Naho and I helped Joshua and his classmates in a most interesting rice harvesting class. It makes one appreciate the food that the Lord provides for us. "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.... Give us this day our daily bread...."

Prayer...

2011-10-27T12:11:00.009+09:00

“Prayer… is the splicing of our limp wire to the lightening bolt of heaven.” John Piper

"This kind can come out only by prayer." Mark 9:29

Books by John Piper.

Christian righteousness

2011-10-26T08:30:00.004+09:00

“Where Christ is truly seen, there must be full and perfect joy in the Lord, with peace of conscience, which thus thinketh: Although I am a sinner by the law, and under condemnation of the law, yet I despair not, yet I die not, because Christ liveth, who is both my righteousness and my everlasting life. In that righteousness and life I have no sin, no fear, no sting of conscience, no care of death. I am indeed a sinner as touching this present life, and the righteousness thereof… But I have another righteousness and life, above this life, which is Christ the Son of God, who knoweth no sin, no death, but is righteousness and life eternal…

He that strayeth from this Christian righteousness, must needs fall into the righteousness of the law; that is to say, when he hath lost Christ, he must fall into the confidence of his own works. But… when I have Christian righteousness reigning in my heart… I do good works, how and wheresoever occasion arise… Whosoever is assuredly persuaded that Christ alone is his righteousness, doth not only cheerfully and gladly work well in his vocation, but also submitteth himself… to all manner of burdens, and to all dangers of the present life, because he knoweth that this is the will of God, and that this obedience pleaseth Him.”

Martin Luther

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God- that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption." 1 Corinthians 1:30

Shikoku Gakuin University

2011-10-24T11:48:00.007+09:00

October 12th, I preached at the chapel service of Shikoku Gakuin University from Ecclesiastes 2. Here's verse 1. "I thought in my heart, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good....' But that also proved to be meaningless." Solomon checked out all sorts of pleasure. But he found out that pleasure apart from God is meaningless. I ended the sermon with Beethoven's Ode to Joy. 'Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee.' From the entirety of scripture we know that to enjoy God through Christ is our greatest joy. Other joys are but a shadow.

The gospel through our actions

2011-10-23T14:10:00.004+09:00

“The gospel is the good news that we are forgiven by God’s grace, and that the whole world will one day be renewed by God’s grace. That is why deeds that alleviate suffering are so integral to the declaration of the gospel. In one sense, showing mercy to our neighbor is a result of the gospel, because as converted people we live like the one who saved us. In another sense, showing mercy to our neighbor is itself a gospel proclamation. It preaches the gospel through our actions.”

Tim Keller

Check out his books and his sermons.

‘the great strategy of faith’

2011-10-19T16:33:00.003+09:00

“Most of our defeats, I think, are due to the fact that we parley with sin, we attempt to fight it. Now there is a sense in which we have to do that…. There are times in our experience when, for reasons often beyond our own control, unless we run to Christ and hide in Him we are certain to be defeated. But thank God, the possibility that is held up before us is that we can go to Him directly, immediately and look to Him. That is what I might call ‘the great strategy of faith.’…. When the fight is yet strong and the enemy is there and we feel we are on the point of falling, we must simply cry, ‘Jesus’ and believe and know that He is looking on and that He is there and is ready to deliver us and protect us.”

D.M. Lloyd-Jones

The grace of God as manifested in the Gospel

2011-10-18T16:02:00.004+09:00

"When persons are truly converted they always are sincerely desirous to make rapid progress in piety….Why then is so little advancement made? First, there is a defect in our belief in the freeness of divine grace. To exercise unshaken confidence in the doctrine of gratuitous pardon is one of the most difficult things in the world, and to preach this doctrine fully without verging towards antinomianism is no easy task and is therefore seldom done. But Christians cannot but be lean and feeble when deprived of their proper nutriment.

It is by faith that the spiritual life is made to grow, and the doctrine of free grace, without any mixture of human merit, is the only true object of faith. Christians are too much inclined to depend on themselves and not to derive their life entirely from Christ. There is a spurious legal religion, which may flourish without the practical belief in the absolute freeness of divine grace, but it possesses none of the characteristics of the Christian's life. It is found to exist in the rankest growth, in systems of religion which are utterly false. But even when the true doctrine is acknowledged in theory, often it is not practically felt and acted on.

The new convert lives upon his frames rather than on Christ, while the older Christian is still found struggling in his own strength and, failing in his expectations of success, he becomes discouraged first, and then he sinks into a gloomy despondency, or becomes in a measure careless….[U]ntil religious teachers inculcate clearly, fully, and practically, the grace of God as manifested in the Gospel, we shall have no vigorous growth of piety among professing Christians….The covenant of grace must be more clearly and repeatedly expounded in all its rich plenitude of mercy, and in all its absolute freeness."

Archibald Alexander

"Christians must be exposed to the gospel of grace versus works again and again, not only to bring people to justification, but to enhance sanctification." Tim Keller

Recent baptism...

2011-10-17T14:51:00.005+09:00

October 2nd, we were very happy to be able to baptize our 2nd believer.

I am sorry I can not give details of the individual. When it comes to religion, Japan in many ways still is not a free nation. However, this person's faith in Christ is very real.

Ambitions for God....

2011-10-14T10:17:00.004+09:00

“Ambitions for God, however, if they are to be worthy, can never be modest. There is something inherently inappropriate about cherishing small ambitions for God. How can we ever be content that he should acquire just a little more honor in the world? No. Once we are clear that God is King, then we long to see him crowned with glory and honour, and accorded his true place, which is the supreme place. We become ambitious for the spread of his kingdom and righteousness everywhere.” John Stott

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1Corinthians 10:31

Mark and family

2011-10-13T09:01:00.003+09:00

It was great having Mark and his family here for a visit and Naho's delicious okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza?) on October 1st. Mark and his family are missionaries with the Ayagawa Church、45 minutes from here.

Without a due measure of private devotions the soul will grow lean

2011-10-12T08:15:00.006+09:00

"This perpetual hurry of business and company ruins me in soul if not in body. More solitude and earlier hours! I suspect I have been allotting habitually too little time to religious exercises, as private devotion and religious meditation, Scripture-reading, etc. Hence I am lean and cold and hard. I had better allot two hours or an hour and a half daily. I have been keeping too late hours, and hence have had but a hurried half hour in a morning to myself. Surely the experience of all good men confirms the proposition that without a due measure of private devotions the soul will grow lean. But all may be done through prayer -- almighty prayer, I am ready to say -- and why not? For that it is almighty is only through the gracious ordination of the God of love and truth. O then, pray, pray, pray!"

William Wilberforce

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:2

Jars of clay

2011-10-11T08:42:00.006+09:00

"Our task is the opposite of distraction. It's to help people concentrate on the real, but often hidden, event of God's active presence in our lives." Henri Nouwen

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

Nagasaki 6

2011-10-10T09:26:00.003+09:00

Saturday evening, we visited the monument to the 26 martyrs.

Sunday AM we worshiped at Urakami Church.

They have a history of great suffering. During the reigns of Toyotomi and the Tokugawa regime, then later during the Meiji Restoration, they suffered great persecution. More recently the atomic bomb was dropped just 500 yards away, destroying the church and people there.

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

Nagasaki 5

2011-10-08T09:57:00.011+09:00

We visited the final home and museum of Takashi Nagai, scientist, doctor and committed Christian. Near the end of the video is the name of his home engraved on a stone, "Nyokodo." It means "As yourself," from "Love your neighbor as yourself."

He did extensive research on the x-ray before World War 2, exposing his body to deadly radiation. Then he was exposed further at the dropping of the a-bomb on Nagasaki. After the war, he continued his research and also was a prolific writer during his last 4 years of life.

'You are valuable.'

2011-10-07T08:23:00.005+09:00

A ministry to Muslims, "Shevet Achim brings children with heart problems from war-torn Iraq and Gaza into Israel for lifesaving operations with some of Israel's finest pediatric cardiologists. Christians from around the world staff the ministry and coordinate expenses, visas, travel into Israel."

"I think the power of these encounters is the message, 'You are valuable,' delivered to people who've been treated as worthless their whole lives. Desperate parents are watching their precious child die an agonizing slow death before their eyes. Then the grace of God bursts into the hopeless situation: life from the dead, unconditional love, mediated through those I've been told are my enemies. There's a lot of good news in this." Jonathan Miles, Shevet Achim coordinator.

"The only way a ministry like this is possible is through the only one who can supply peace, and that's Jesus. He is the master cardiologist. He knows how to heal hearts in every way—physically, emotionally, and spiritually." Kristina Kayser

"Maybe the ultimate good news behind our work is this: The New Testament is the only possible peace treaty between Jews and non-Jews. I believe the conflict in the Middle East is spiritual at its core. Accepting Jewish sovereignty over a single grain of sand is unthinkable to religious Muslims, since it contradicts the claim—which some Christians also like to make—that God has rejected His chosen people in favor of another. So you have two or three peoples in a death struggle over who is really chosen. Only the New Testament has the spiritual solution—affirming God's choice of Israel, but then gloriously revealing how the death and resurrection of the Messiah has torn down the wall which once divided Jews from non-Jews." Jonathan Miles

"Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." Ephesians 2:12-14

WORLD Magazine | Loving their enemies | Jill Nelson | Oct 08, 11

Nagasaki 4

2011-10-05T15:51:00.004+09:00

We then visited Peace Memorial Park.

The statue is pointing to the sky from where the atomic bomb came from and his other hand is spread out to symbolize peace on earth.

This is the point where the bomb was dropped.

We then visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.

As an American, this was tough, as was my 3 years in Hiroshima. It is so easy to blame others. But this memorial reminds me that not only Japanese and Americans, but 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.' All need to humble themselves at the foot of Christ's cross. Then we will have genuine peace.

He was emancipated

2011-10-02T10:37:00.005+09:00

“Owing to certain floods in the country, he (a Christian in South Africa traveling the country) had to stay where there was a kind of saloon or public house. He was amazed and saddened at the sight of the farmers, many of whom, he noticed came there and spent in a few days all the money that they had been able to earn and save as the result of their hard work through the year. They had a powerful craving for drink that they could not conquer.

He was especially attracted to one poor man who seemed to be a particular victim to this terrible affliction, and he began to talk to him. First, of all he began to reason with him, pointing out the suffering that his wife and children had to endure. The poor man admitted it all and told the story of how he had been almost unconsciously led into it and found himself a helpless slave to drink before realizing that anything had happened- how he would give the whole world if he could stop it, but he was now a victim of it. Then this Christian went on to tell him about faith, the possibility o overcoming, and told him about the Lord Jesus Christ who had come into this world to save us. He told him that if only he looked to Christ and relied on Him, he would be enabled to overcome this thing, and the man was given faith to believe that. He was a simple, illiterate man, and all he was anxious to do was to find the name of this person about whom this Christian was speaking, and he was told the name was Jesus.

That poor man went away and, having worked again, came back to this same place to sell his grain. There again the tempters came, but he did not go with them, and his own wife and children were amazed. This Christian visitor came back in a year or so to find the man entirely changed. He began talking to him and asked him how it had happened. And the man’s simple testimony was this: ‘I went back the first time, and my friends came and tempted me, and I felt weak. But suddenly I remembered the name- Jesus. I could do nothing but keep on saying to myself, “Jesus”; I cried to Jesus to do what you told me He would.’ His faith was as simple as that, but it was enough, and he overcame; he did not go back, he was emancipated.”

D.M. Lloyd-Jones

Nagasaki 3

2011-10-01T08:30:00.007+09:00

On September 23rd, we went to Mt. Unzen.

This is the hot spring where the Christians were tortured and killed.

Here is a stained glass window picturing their suffering. Note them being marched up the mountain, and then hot spring in the upper portion.

This is a memorial to the martyrs.

After the torture of the Christians, it was decided that they would die in 'hell' itself. February 28, 1627, a leader of the town of Shimabara, Paul, and 16 others were brought here. They were told to unclothe themselves. Then a rope was put around their neck and they were told to jump into the bubbling sulfur. Paul was hung up side down and plunged into the sulfur many times. May 17th a further 10 people were brought here from Shimabara. On the way, when they took a break, it is said that they broke into this song. "I can see paradise far away. And I rejoice greatly."

But we have forgotten God.

2011-09-29T08:21:00.003+09:00

" Whereas, it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, and to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in Holy Scripture, and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. And, insomuch (sic) as we know that by His divine law nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisement in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."　

Abraham Lincoln, March 30, 1863

Nagasaki 2

2011-09-28T14:08:00.005+09:00

After we visited the Shimabara Castle, we went to the remains of the Hara Castle. This is where the Shimabara Rebellion held their last stand.

Note the small grave of their charismatic leader Amakusa Shiro (merely 16 years old) next to the cross. Then his statue.

We then went to a local museum related to the Shimabara Rebellion. This is a memorial to the martyrdom of the elderly couple and granddaughter. They held their faith to the end.

Here are the remains of the multitudes slaughtered at the Hara Castle. They include children and the elderly. The Tokugawa government showed no mercy.

I told Him that this war was His war

2011-09-27T08:22:00.003+09:00

"Well, I will tell you how it was. In the pinch of the campaign up there (at Gettysburg) when everybody seemed panic stricken and nobody could tell what was going to happen, oppressed by the gravity of our affairs, I went to my room one day and locked the door and got down on my knees before Almighty God and prayed to Him mightily for victory at Gettysburg. I told Him that this war was His war, and our cause His cause, but we could not stand another Fredericksburg or Chancellorsville... And after that, I don't know how it was, and I cannot explain it, but soon a sweet comfort crept into my soul. The feeling came that God had taken the whole business into His own hands and that things would go right at Gettysburg and that is why I had no fears about you." Abraham Lincoln, July 5, 1863

Nagasaki

2011-09-26T10:38:00.004+09:00

We left Takase early Friday morning and drove 8 hours for Nagasaki. A graduation trip for Joshua. An educational trip for all of us. Since Joshua likes castles, we first visited the Shimabara Castle- the starting point of the Shimabara Rebellion（1637-8). The rebellion was a peasant uprising with with Christians at the core.

No more hatred.

2011-09-22T08:23:00.007+09:00

Made famous my the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, World Ward II Allied soldiers were forced by their Japanese captors to labor on a jungle railroad in Thailand. But the movie does not do justice to the true story.

Under the strain of captivity they had all degenerated to barbarous behavior. Yet not all.

One afternoon "a shovel was missing. The officer in charge became enraged. He demanded that the missing shovel be produced, or else. When nobody in the squadron budged, the officer got his gun and threatened to kill them all on the spot . . . It was obvious the officer meant what he had said. Then, finally, one man stepped forward. The officer put away his gun, picked up a shovel, and beat the man to death. When it was over, the survivors picked up the bloody corpse and carried it with them to the second tool check. This time, no shovel was missing. Indeed, there had been a miscount at the first check point."

"Greater love has no man than this, that one say down his life for his friends." John 15:13 The man had given his life for others.

"The word spread like wildfire through the whole camp. An innocent man had been willing to die to save the others! . . . The incident had a profound effect. . . The men began to treat each other like brothers." The gospel of Christ, which forgives us our sins, but then also grants us grace to forgive our enemies, transformed thousands of Allied soldiers in Thailand.

A few years later, "when the victorious Allies swept in, the survivors, human skeletons, lined up in front of their captors . . (and instead taking revenge on their enemies) insisted: 'No more hatred. No more killing. Now what we need is forgiveness.'" Sacrificial love has transforming power. It begins with a genuine experience of Christ's sacrifice at the cross, but then leads to sacrificial love toward others, even forgiving enemies, loving them and praying for them, as these young soldiers did.

Ernest Gordon

Look at the real story of what happened in Thailand in the movie: To End All Wars. (Trailer) This movie was based on the book Through the Valley of Kwai. It will give you hope. If the Lord can transform cruel prisoner of war camps, then he can transform me, you, America, Japan and even this self-absorbed world.

Honoring the elderly

2011-09-21T08:26:00.006+09:00

Here is Japan, September 19 was Elderly Folks Day. Our local area had a special event.

Hosahna (above) and the local kids sang their school song.

The elderly were given a nice meal. Then Joshua (above) and the other kids gave a present to each elderly person and a short back rub.

With the kids, Shane enjoyed his meal.

Then the other local kids did their drums.

Japan is aging. When I was born, the percentage of the elderly in Japan was about 5%. Now it is about 25%. So one of the greatest needs in Japan is loving care for the elderly. Many are so lonely. Please pray the we and the Japanese church would eagerly and sacrificially serve the elderly.

Driven out of himself, to the sovereign grace of God

2011-09-20T08:13:00.006+09:00

"In a contrite spirit are found: a deep sense and clear perception of sin.… Heart-felt disquietude and sadness.… An open and free confession of sin. By reason of a sense of the greatness of his sins, he knows not whither to look or turn: but, notwithstanding, places his dependence upon the grace which God can exercise through his Son. Hence, the contrite in spirit flees from the curse of the law to the Gospel.… Thus he is driven out of himself, to the sovereign grace of God in Christ, for reconciliation, pardon, sanctification, and salvation."

Theodore Jacob Frelinghuysen

The above quote is part of a message that was a 'seed' to revival in the Great Awakening. Stoddard and Frelinghuysen were used of God in the early stages. A Dawning in the New World Then Edwards (Stoddards grandson), Whitefield and the Tennents were keys in the Awakening itself. God's Wonderful Working “Revival and prayer always go together. They are inseparably linked.” Praying Boldly The Lord also poured out His Spirit during the Civil War among the soldiers. Religious Revival in Civil War Armies

Please pray for Japan that the Spirit of God would be poured out on His church in revival and that Christ's grace would move through out this nation for God's glory and for lasting hope.

Sports Day

2011-09-19T08:20:00.003+09:00

Once a year Japanese schools have an 'undo kai', or sports day.

Hosahna.　’Twas a cute fall.

They had Joshua run a few extra paces.

Shane appears about in the middle.

Lunch break. Naho's mother and sister- Rie- and kids came to the event and then to our Takase Church worship later at 4 pm.

The Cross will not crush you

2011-09-16T08:49:00.005+09:00

"The Cross will not crush you; if its weight makes you stagger, its power will also sustain you." Padre Pio

I would rather die...

2011-09-15T08:36:00.004+09:00

“I would rather die than end up unfaithful to my wife; I would rather die than deny by a profligate life what I have taught in my books; I would rather die than deny or disown the gospel.” D. A. Carson

Remembering Uncle Takashi

2011-09-14T08:55:00.009+09:00

Last week, Sept. 10, Naho's relatives had a memorial service for Uncle Takashi.

First, his bones were place in the church grave. All members of the church place their bones together in this small mausoleum. Many elderly people here in Japan are quite concerned about where their bones rest, so the church tries to meet this concern.

Then the relatives went to the family grave and placed the urn there.

Finally, we went to the church and held a memorial service. Above: Naho is playing Amazing Grace. There was scripture reading, a short sermon and then many in the group shared memories of Uncle Takashi.

After the service, our family with Grandma Kimura and other relatives enjoyed 'sushi' (raw fish) on rice.

We have the ear of God

2011-09-12T15:57:00.008+09:00

"He hears us," I John 5:14

“This is a most interesting statement- ‘he heareth us.’ Now obviously, hearing is not something mechanical, because in that sense God hears everybody. No; this work ‘heareth’ is a very special one and is full of great meaning. It means that His ears are open to us; it means that His heart is enlarged towards us.

There used to be a saying that so-and-so was ‘the King’s favorite’ and that the favorite always ‘had the king’s ear.’ That does not mean that the King could not physically hear other people who spoke to him; it meant that the man who was a favorite of the King would be especially heard by him.... If we have eternal life, if we are His children, we, I say it with reverence, have the ear of God- we can be confident that His is always waiting to listen to us.

He is always ready to receive you in audience…. Think of an earthly father’s love and multiply that by infinity, taking all sin out of it, and that is God’s attitude towards you.

Start by thanking Him that you are His child, that He has adopted you, and that you are in Christ, and therefore He delights to see you come and to hear you offering up your prayers and your petitions. We are a favorite of the King if we have eternal life.

D.M. Lloyd-Jones

On Sept. 11, 2011, in NYC, my father's home, President Obama read King David's prayer from Psalm 46. Youtube. "He heareth us."

Communities of people with need

2011-09-09T08:31:00.007+09:00

“Cities should not be seen as monsters… but communities of people with need.” J.N. Manokaran, pastor from India

And you can help meet that need by obeying the second greatest commandment. "Love your neighbor as yourself." Read how not only the cities, but the US as a whole has great psychological needs. CDC: Half of Americans will suffer from mental health woes - USATODAY.com. You can help meet that need through 1) praying for Spirit-filling, 2) genuinely loving the needy, 3) spending time with them, 4) listening to them and then 5) sharing with them our most glorious and compassionate Savior and Counselor Jesus Christ. He is our only true hope.

Pict: Tokyo

'Since Jesus bore our sins on the cross, He will also bear our sorrows for us.'

2011-09-07T09:57:00.004+09:00

In the article Cleanup Continued, Jamie Dean of World Magazine wrote, "During a Sunday morning service on Aug. 22 at Eiko Church in Sendai (a congregation of the Reformed Church of Japan), the pastor led the gathering of 22 Japanese Christians in a reading from the book of Jonah: 'For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea, and the flood surrounded me; all Your waves and Your billows passed over me . . . When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You.'

The pastor spoke about the grief of 3/11, but he didn't offer a reason for why the disaster happened or speculate on what would happen in the future. Instead, he encouraged the small congregation to seek peace in Christ, and assured them: 'Since Jesus bore our sins on the cross, He will also bear our sorrows for us.'"

Read the full article in WORLD Magazine | Cleanup continued | Jamie Dean | Sep 10, 11

Don't forget Japan! Please pray again for Japan, give financially and then visit victims of the disaster. When I was watching NHK news, Doctor Nishizawa said, "Many are loosing purpose. We must make purpose (ikigaizukuri) for them." The only real hope for them is incarnate love, through us, but ultimately through Christ who "bore our sins on the cross."

Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love

2011-09-06T08:16:00.004+09:00

"What sustains the marital bond and affections over the long haul? Three men with a combined 116 years of marriage reflect on what they've learned from God's Word and others along with their experience." Piper, Carson, and Keller on Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love on Vimeo Check other resources provided by Gospel Coalition.

"Papa Time" with Hosahna...

2011-09-05T09:15:00.004+09:00

Last night I went with Shane to the local hot spring. A few weeks ago, I took Joshua to the local castle. Papa Time! Above pict, I spent some time with Hosahna the other day too. Hosahna picked McDonalds- about 20 minutes away by car. We don't have a McDonald's in our city of Mitoyo yet.

"Hallowed Be Thy Name"

2011-09-03T09:23:00.006+09:00

As we get older, being changed into the likeness of Christ seems further from us. We remain rigid in our thought patterns and habits. But Tim Keller explains how gospel centered worship will powerfully transform you. Listen to Adoration: "Hallowed Be Thy Name"

"When we say 'hallowed be thy name,' we are making the adoration of God the ultimate concern of our lives. By giving God the praise he deserves, we will heal our worldview as well as our souls."

"Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.'

Matthew 6:9-13

New churches

2011-09-01T09:40:00.004+09:00

“Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.” C. Peter Wagner

“Often in new churches the sense of mission is strongest; more Christians have freedom to lead; and creative means of preaching the gospel are used. New churches, therefore, can best reach new generations, new residents, and new people groups.” Tim Keller

To Nagano...

2011-08-31T08:47:00.005+09:00

August 15-21, we went to Nagano- my 'home.'

Monday night we stayed at North Star. My brother, Dan, is the founder and director. He wants to, through this outdoor ministry, express Christ's love.

Hosahna and Shane (later Joshua) did some horse-back riding near Azumino Family Chapel where we also stayed.

We, with Jon's family, enjoy a park in their city of Azumino at the foot of the Japan Alps.

Sunday, I preached at Abundant Life Church in Matsumoto. We served here before, but now Jon and his family serve there.

A band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake

2011-08-29T08:43:00.003+09:00

“The church is… made up of natural enemies. What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything else of that sort. Christians come together… because they have all been saved by Jesus Christ and owe him a common allegiance… They are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake.” Don Carson

Camping

2011-08-28T08:53:00.007+09:00

August 12-15, while Naho was in Tohoku (area hit by the earthquake), the kids and I went camping on the Niyodo River, about 2 hours from home. Oh yes, with Charlie.

This cicada (a type of locust) just came out of it's shell and was clinging to Shane's life vest. Cicadas are a common part of the Japanese summer.

"Look at the lilies of the field," Jesus said. Lilies near our tent.

Wednesday, the kids must have spent 8 hours in the river, swimming, diving and crossing it.

Preaching

2011-08-27T10:57:00.004+09:00

“There is no room for a preaching devoid of ethical directness and social passion, in a day when heaven’s trumpets sound and the Son of God goes forth to war.” James Stewart