Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, December 24th, Naho prepared for us a delicious dinner. American style. Thanks, Naho, it was great!

Unction

"All the minister's efforts will be vanity or worse than vanity if he have not unction. Unction must come down from heaven and spread a savor and feeling and relish over his ministry; and among the other means of qualifying himself for his office, the Bible must hold the first place, and the last also must be given to the Word of God and prayer."　Richard Cecil

Christmas praise......

Downtown Takamatsu (Naho's hometown, about 1 hour from our home in Takase) local churches, including Naho's home church, put on a Christmas concert. Naho's sister- Minako- and her relative- Junko- also sang in the above group.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

A Christmas Miracle

On Dec. 8 1944, Patton turned to the "Almighty and most merciful Father' to clear the skies of the heavy rains. He asked Chaplain James H. O'Neill if he knew of a "good prayer for the weather... We must do something about these rains," Patton said, "if we are to win the war."

After some thought and research, O'Neill came up with the following:

"Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen."

Read the full article 'A 1944 Christmas miracle for Gen. Patton' in the L.A. Times.

Inosuke Mori

We went to the funeral Dr. Inosuke Mori last Tuesday. Not only was he a scientist with many patents, he was a follower of Christ and a member Takamatsu Church. He brought his Guinnes World Record breaking 'top' to our church and told us how he met Christ. He often came to our "Prayer Concerts." During the last few days, his favorite words were "faith, hope and love..." We will miss him.

Christianity’s best gift to the world- Grace.

“Grace is Christianity’s best gift to the world, a spiritual nova in our midst exerting a force stronger than vengeance, stronger than racism, stronger than hate. Sadly, to a world desperate for this grace the church sometimes presents one more form of ungrace.” Philip Yancey

Pict: Gifts under the Junker Christmas tree. Thank you for the gifts- through prayers, presents and pledges. Maybe you could come here in person. That would be a great present.

Our Christmas Celebration

December 19th (Sun.), our Takase Christ Church and My Neighbor English School had our Christmas celebration. About 80 came. The English class children gave their presentations. We also had a Christmas story, some special music, a candle light service, some presents and goodies. It was a special time.

Pict: After the celebration, the kindergarten children and their families relaxed in our living room. The kindergarten kids are the cutest.

Funds of love

”Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God - the rest will be given.”　Mother Teresa

Christmas at Kokubunji Church

December 12th, at Kokubunji Church I spoke from John 3:16 and Naho played the piano for their Christmas worship.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

A truly humble man....

"A truly humble man is sensible of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom; and that it is by God's power that he is upheld and provided for, and that he needs God's wisdom to lead and guide him, and His might to enable him to do what he ought to do for Him."　Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography

Just as Christ loved the church

"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

What a high standard! It brings me to repentance and to look to Christ who loved me and gave Himself up for me. And by that sheer love, I love my wife, and she honors me.

Pict: Dec. 7th, Naho and I on a date at a family restaurant 'Joyfull.'

The Advent of Humility

"Humility is only achieved as a byproduct of understanding, believing, and marveling in the gospel of grace.... When we listen to the gospel preached or meditate on it in the Scriptures, we are driving it so deeply into our hearts, imaginations, and thinking that we begin to instinctively 'live out' the gospel.... So let us preach grace till humility just starts to grow in us." Tim Keller

In the same article Keller quotes C.S. Lewis. "If we find that our religious life is making us feel that we are good—above all, that we are better than someone else—I think we may be sure that we are being acted on, not by God, but by the Devil."

The above quotes are in the article The Advent of Humility in Christianity Today.

The gospel is the core of the Bible.....

"Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

"The gospel is the core of the Bible, and the gospel is the story of Jesus. Every time we talk about Jesus, we are gospeling. Telling others about Jesus leads to both the kingdom and (justification by faith) —but only if we begin with Jesus." Scot McKnight, From Jesus vs. Paul in Christianity Today

Also watch YouTube - Scot McKnight Interview Part 1 of 9

The Numahara's kids...

Dec. 4th, Yoshiya and Eriya (Doctor Numahara's boys) visited our home and played with our kids. The kids had a great time. * Doctors Numahara (dermatology) are both Christians. He is the leading dermatologist in this area and also does our church website. We thank the Lord for their family.

Humility

”It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”　Saint Augustine

'Be completely humble....' Ephesians 4:2

* In light of Christ's 'amazing grace' (Eph. 1-3), Paul by the Spirit calls us first of all to humility.

The Sugahara family

Pastor Sugahara and his family visited us Monday (3oth) evening for supper and fellowship. He is the pastor of Shirogane Christ Church. They have 2 very cute children- Shun (1) and Sachi (3).

Hope

"Beware how you take away hope from another human being." Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (not the poet, the jurist)

"And hope does not disappoint us....." Romans 5:5

Kokubunji Christ Church

Nov. 28th, I spoke at the Kokubunji Christ Church (about 45 min. from our house) on 'Equipping the Saints.' "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." Ephesians 4:11-12

If sinners be dammed....

"If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for." Charles Spurgeon

Shikoku Gakuin University

November 25 (Thu.), I spoke at the Shikoku Gakuin University chapel service on "Vanity of Vanity" from Ecclesiastes 1. Apart from God everything, including work, is vanity. With Christ everything has meaning. I concluded with this quote from Saint Augustine. "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee."

To be a real ingredient in divine happiness...

“For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he will beautify the humble (afflicted) with salvation.” Psalm 149:4

"To please God... to be a real ingredient in divine happiness... to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a father in a son- it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is." C.S. Lewis

The LORD bless you...

November 24 (Wed.), I taught English at my kids Kamitakase Elementary School. Please pray that the blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ would abundantly be poured out on them. "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Deuteronomy 6:24-26

A rotten covering

"Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering." Jonathan Edwards

Do we have compassion for those who are is such danger of hell? Do we pray for them earnestly and urgently? Do we tell them of the Savior who died for sinners? Do they in us see deeds of mercy that point to the Savior?

Jesus Storybook Bible

In our Takase Church worship, after we sing some praise and pray, Naho regularly reads (above pict) from the 'Jesus Storybook Bible.' After that she gives a kids message. Then I lead the adults in a Bible study, as the kids watch a Bible video. Please pray for an outpouring of God's Spirit first in our church.(Pict was taken Nov. 21)

Speak for eternity...

"Speak for eternity. Above all things, cultivate your own spirit. A word spoken by you when your conscience is clear and your heart full of God's Spirit is worth ten thousand words spoken in unbelief and sin. Remember that God, and not man, must have the glory. If the veil of the world's machinery were lifted off, how much we would find is done in answer to the prayers of God's children." Robert Murray McCheyne

Culture Festival

On the 21st, our kids school had a Cultural Day at Kamitakase Elementary School.

Here the whole group is singing. Joshua, Shane and Hosahna are in there somewhere.

Shane said his part.

Joshua had the main part- Matsuo Basho- in his class presentation. *Matsuo Basho is a famous poet.

Hosahna had her part in the presentation too, but here she is enjoying Udon (noodles) after the kids presentation.

Please pray that the grace of Christ would abound at the school, even through our children.

If you but love God....

“If you but love God you may do as you incline.” Saint Augustine

Philip Yancey comments, “A person who truly loves God will be inclined to please God, which is why Jesus and Paul both summed up the entire law in the simple command, ‘Love God.’”

What Good is God?

In Philip Yancey's book, "What Good is God? In Search of Faith that Matters," there is an episode that we can closely relate to as we seek to reach Japanese here in Mitoyo, Japan.

At the time (in the early 1970s), the government allowed a small Christian church to service internationals who worked there (Afghanistan), though no Afghans could attend.

A friend of mine named Len organized a musical team of young people to tour countries in the Middle East. Len made the teenagers write out exactly what they would say, subject to his approval. "If you say the wrong thing, you could end up in prison and at the same time jeopardize every Christian who lives in this country."

The night of the official concert in Kabul, almost a thousand Afghans filled the hall and spilled outside the open doors to listen. All went well until one teenager on the team put down his guitar and started improvising: "I'd like to tell you about my best friend, a man named Jesus, and the difference he has made in my life." From the side of the stage, Len motioned wildly for him to stop, drawing his finger across his neck. Ignoring him, the teenager proceeded to give a detailed account of how God had transformed his life.

"I was practically beside myself," Len told me. "I knew the consequences, and I sat with my head in my hands waiting for the sword to drop. Instead, the most amazing thing happened. The Minister of Cultural Affairs for Afghanistan stood and walked to the stage to respond.

" 'We have seen many American young people come through this country,' he said. 'Most of them come for drugs, and most look like hippies. We have not seen nor heard from young people like you. God's love is a message my country needs. How thrilled I am to hear you! You are a prototype for the youth of Afghanistan to follow in the future. I would like to invite you to expand your tour so that you visit every college and faculty and also give this same message on Kabul Radio. I will make it happen.'"

Over the next few days, the musical team held other performances. After each event Afghan young people crowded around with questions. Tell me more about this Jesus.

On the last day, after a triumphant tour, the teenagers met J. Christy Wilson, a revered figure in Afghanistan. Born of missionary parents in Iran, he earned a degree from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Oriental studies from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He then spent 22 years in Afghanistan, serving as principal of a government high school and teaching English to the Crown Prince and Afghan diplomats. He also led the Community Christian Church and founded the School for the Blind in Kabul.

Wilson drove the teenagers to an unusual tourist site, the only cemetery in Afghanistan where "infidels" could be buried. He walked to the first, ancient gravestone, pitted with age. "This man worked here 30 years and translated the Bible into the Afghan language," he said. "Not a single convert. And in this grave next to him lies the man who replaced him, along with his children who died here. He toiled for 25 years, and baptized the first Afghan Christian." As they strolled among the gravestones, he recounted the stories of early missionaries and their fates.

At the end of the row he stopped, turned, and looked the teenagers straight in the eye. "For 30 years, one man moved rocks. That's all he did, move rocks. Then came his replacement, who did nothing but dig furrows. There came another who planted seeds, and another who watered. And now you kids—you kids—are bringing in the harvest."

Philip Yancey concludes, Those of you who work and pray in this hostile part of the world may sometimes feel as if you do nothing but move rocks, or dig furrows. Maybe so. God alone controls the harvest. We have no idea what the future holds for the Middle East. Most of the Westerners who come here represent something other than Jesus. Some bring in military equipment. Some come to exploit the resources and invest their dollars. But you have a different calling: to make known the spirit of Jesus and to join the stream of liberation that broke free 2,000 years ago.

Also read the article in Christianity Today "Philip Yancey: A Living Stream in the Desert. How the Christian faith will be a subversive—and liberating—influence in the Middle East.

Comment: Though Japan seems to be an open country, yet in many ways it is closed. There is a saying here in Japan: The nail that stick out gets hit. Christians, who are less than 1% of the population, often get hit. I am working with a man who is receiving a lot of pressure now. Please pray for the name of Christ to be glorified in this nation of Japan.

Special meeting at Kokubunji Church

November 12, our family enjoyed a special meeting at Kokubunji Christ Church (45 mins. from our home).

Naho played the piano.

Pastor Sugahara lead the meeting.

Mr. Kawamura gave his testimony.

Pastor Iwai gave the evangelistic message. "The real hope that does not finish in disappointment." Romans 5.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a little udon (noodles) at a friends restaurant.

Please pray that the Spirit would be poured out and that the gospel would flourish in Japan as a whole, not only in our town of Takase.

Pressure.....

”Pressure makes diamonds.” George Patton, Jr.

'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' James 1:2-4

the Ayagawa Church

November 8th (Mon.)、Naho and I participated in the Ayagawa Church dedication. The church is about 45 minutes from our home. In Jesus name, we pray that the church, the Ayagawa area and Takamatsu City would receive the abundant grace of Christ. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 *Naho is in the lower left corner of the pict.

綾川教会

１１月８日（月）、綾川教会の献堂式が行われました。家内と二人で参加しました。イエスの御名によって、綾川教会、綾川地域、高松に、神様の恵みが豊かにありますように。「どうか、私たちのうちに働く力によって、私たちの願うところ、思うところのすべてを越えて豊かに施すことのできる方に、教会により、またキリスト・イエスにより、栄光が、世々にわたって、とこしえまでありますように。アーメン。」聖書・エペソ３：２０、２１

The heart of it

“You can know the law by heart without knowing the heart of it.” Philip Yancey

amazon.com What's So Amazing About Grace?

Hallelujah Chorus at Macy's in Philadelphia.....

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia partnered with Macy's to produce "Random Acts of Culture." Over 650 singers joined shoppers with a rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. It seemed as if it was a foretaste of kingdom of Christ. I was deeply moved. Enjoy. YouTube - Opera Company of Philadelphia "Hallelujah!" Random Act of Culture

The aging of Japan

Yesterday, the kids and I visited a local elderly folks home. We started going there to teach our kids concern for the weak. However, the elderly folks, who are so lonely, love to see our kids. So we go there regularly. The above grandmother‘s eyes brighten up when she sees us and she asks us to visit her as often as we can.

Japanese society is aging significantly. One way the church can serve Japan is not only through visiting the elderly in these homes, but also through working in these homes. People are slow to work in these places and they often are quick to quit, because it is hard work that is poorly paid. Japanese Christians can be moved by the compassion of Christ to serve these precious people and thus glorify Christ.

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."　Mother Teresa

Read this article on "the aging of Japan."

Quicken their affections

"It does not answer the aim which God had in this institution, merely for men to have good commentaries and expositions on the Scripture, and other good books of divinity; because, although these may tend, as well as preaching, to give a good doctrinal or speculative understanding of the word of God, yet they have not an equal tendency to impress them on men's hearts and affections. God hath appointed a particular and lively application of his word, in the preaching of it, as a fit means to affect sinners with the importance of religion, their own misery, the necessity of a remedy, and the glory and sufficiency of a remedy provided; to stir up the pure minds of the saints, quicken their affections by often bringing the great things of religion in their remembrance, and setting them in their proper colours, though they know them, and have been fully instructed in them already. "　Jonathan Edwards

Mrs. Mari Ando

Mrs. Mari Ando, owner of our house, came from Yokohama to 'check up' on things here in Takase. She witnessed the first baptism of our Takase Church. She also gave her testimony of salvation through Christ. We also visited the Mayor Yokoyama of our Mitoyo City the following morning. Here in the picture Naho and Mrs. Ando are checking out some fruit at our local market, before she leaves for Yokohama.

We are truly thankful to the Lord for her letting us use this house freely for a church and English school.

An image of the condition of men

"Let us imagine a number of men in chains and all condemned to death, where some are killed each day in the sight of the others, and those who remain see their own fate in that of their fellows and wait their turn, looking at each other sorrowfully and without hope. It is an image of the condition of men." Blaise Pascal

Begin by descending.

"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility." Saint Augustine

Professor Bin Hamajima

October 22nd, Professor Bin Hamajima (pict) gave a good message on the Bible being the very word of God at our worship. The Reformers gave their lives to translate, print and spread the Word of God. Today, October 31st is Reformation Day.

The more the enemy assaults you

"Bear in mind that the more the enemy assaults you, the closer God is to your soul. Think about, and penetrate this great and comforting truth." Padre Pio

Read Padre Pio: A man of hope. Amazon

* I read it two times and was moved to prayer. You don't have to agree with everything to have it benefit you.

The Matsuokas

October 23, we had the Matsuokas over for a simple hotdog roast. It was fun. They are our friends. We have assisted in the birth of Taiga, their little baby. Please pray that the grace of Christ would abound to their whole family, relatives, friends and acquaintances.

The believer cannot be restrained....

"If he have faith, the believer cannot be restrained. He betrays himself. He breaks out. He confesses and teaches this gospel to the people at the risk of life itself." Martin Luther

Mercy

“How shall thou hope for mercy, rendering none.” William Shakespeare

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7