A seeker after grace

“A low view of law leads to legalism in religion; a high view makes one a seeker after grace.” J. Gresham Machen

Sharpening the axe....

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe." Abraham Lincoln

Camping.....

August 23-25, we went camping on a river called Dozangawa, about 1 hour from our home. It was fun for the kids, but a little tough on Naho and I.

Supper time. See our 'attack' dog, Charlie, in the back.

The kids loved the swimming. Naho and I enjoyed just sitting around, talking and reading the Word. (I finished Padre Pio, about a priest who prayed without ceasing. Excellent! It motivated me to pray more.)

Joshua and Shane (jumping above) testing their courage.

We do this annually. It is a great experience for the kids. We will have our kids around for only a few more years. We don't want to have any regrets, but want to build memories.

If the world despises a notorious sinner, the church will love her.

“If the world despises a notorious sinner, the church will love her. If the world cuts off aid to the poor and suffering, the church will offer food and healing. If the world oppresses, the church will raise up the oppressed. If the world shames the outcast, the church will proclaim God’s reconciling love. If the world seeks profit and self-fulfillment, the church seeks sacrifice and service. If the world demands retribution, the church dispenses grace. If the world splinters into factions, the church joins together in unity. If the world destroys its enemies, the church loves them.” Philip Yancey

To Nagano...

We enjoyed a good rest in Nagano this week. My 'furusato'(hometown). We visited with family, friends and had a lot of fun. Naho and I also shared our ministry in Takase to the Azumino Chapel. The videos below are of our time with Dan's family in Norikura. Jon and family were also with us.

Dan and family live and serve up in the Japan Alps.

Cousins!

The water was cold!

Ice cream time!

We also enjoyed some touch football and a barbecue.

Thanks Jon, Dan, Pastor Koiwai and Momoses for the good time.

* Jon is a church planting missionary with TEAM. Dan is the founder of North Star- an outdoor educational ministry.

Ten hours over your books, on your knees

“Sometimes we hear it said that ten minutes on your knees will give you a truer, deeper, more operative knowledge of God than ten hours over your books. ‘What!’ is the appropriate response, ‘than ten hours over your books, on your knees?’” Benjamin Warfield

The Pool

It was fun having Kenshin (cousin) and his family with us August 9th. His daddy (camera), Daisuke Kimura, is a pastor in Tokyo.

A Nation of Lost Youths

In AOL Money and Finance Charles Smith starts his article with these following questions:

"What happens to a generation of young people when:

• They are told to work hard and go to college, yet after graduating they find few permanent job opportunities?
• Many of the jobs that are available are part-time, temporary or contract labor?
• These insecure jobs pay one-third of what their fathers earned?
• The low pay makes living at home the only viable option?
• Poor economic conditions persist for 10, 15 and 20 years in a row?"

He is writing about 'Japan's economic stagnation...creating a nation of lost youths.' The cause is much deeper than economic stagnation though. A nation of lost youths was made by the break down of the nuclear family. The absentee father enslaved himself to the company and neglected the family. The children enslaved themselves to education taking them further away from healthy relationships in the family.

However, this article is thought provoking and heart moving. Please read this article Japan's Economic Stagnation Is Creating a Nation of Lost Youths. Please pray for us and the Lord's eternal good to the youth of Japan.

* My brother Dan's ministry North Star serves this generation. Please also pray for Dan and his outreach to the youth of Japan in Norikura, Japan.

Worship and Concert with Hiroshi Yoneda

After a few hectic but good days teaching English seminars to adults and children, August 8th, we enjoyed Hiroshi Yoneda's songs praise and comfort at our Takase Church.

’Jolly beggars’

“It is easy to acknowledge, but almost impossible to realize for long, that we are mirrors who brightness, if we are bright, is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us. Surely we must have a little- however little- native luminosity? Surely we can’t be quite creatures. Grace substitutes a full, childlike and delighted acceptance of our Need, a joy in total dependence. We become ’jolly beggars.’” C.S. Lewis

We need Him

“We cannot find Him unless we know we need Him.” Thomas Merton

Man is broken.

“Man is broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is the glue.” Eugene O’Neil

"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'" Luke 22:19-20

He was 'broken' that we might be mended.

O Lord! Enlarge my heart and I shall preach.

”In the morning was more engaged in preparing the head than the heart. This has been frequently my error, and I have always felt the evil of it especially in prayer. Reform it then, O Lord! Enlarge my heart and I shall preach.”　Robert Murray McCheyne

The Waterfall

Yesterday, we enjoyed an outing at our 'private' waterfall with our children's friends. It is about 45 minutes from our home in Takase.