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

Saijo Bible Church

October 17th, we had a very special time at Saijo Church. We had served there regularly for about 4 years. We also had a part in seeing 3 baptisms. Mr. Inoue is leading the service. Sitting down is Mr. Tsuchiya. He preached an excellent sermon on prayer. Please pray that the Spirit would be poured out among them and that Christ would be magnified. City of Saijo: info.

Private prayer

"One bright benison (benefit) which private prayer brings down upon the ministry is an indescribable and inimitable something -- an unction from the Holy One... If the anointing which we bear come not from the Lord of hosts, we are deceivers, since only in prayer can we obtain it. Let us continue instant constant fervent in supplication. Let your fleece lie on the thrashing floor of supplication till it is wet with the dew of heaven." Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Theology... makes us faithful disciples.

"Theology is not some intellectual option that makes us 'smart' Christians; it is the graced understanding that makes us faithful disciples." James K. A. Smith

Not perfection, but true character

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." John Wooden

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-5

Read this great article on how "Umpire Jim Joyce demonstrated, not perfection, but true character."

*By the way, I'm a Tigers fan.

Chapel Concert

Oct. 9th, we enjoyed a musical afternoon at the Forest of Grace Christ Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Yanase are top quality musicians.

The kids loved the humorous moments.

He gave a clear testimony of his encounter with Christ.

God writes the Gospel...

”God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.” Martin Luther

Love is so amazing...

Love is so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts

Teaching English....

Today, October 6th, from 9 AM to 12 PM, I taught English at our kids school- Kamitakase Elementary School. I will continue to do so at a pace of about once a month. Please pray that I would be a excellent teacher of English, that the fragrance of Christ would abound from me and that the children and their families would truly be blessed.

God’s grace breaks into your life

“The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome… Religion is ‘if you obey, then you will be accepted’. But the Gospel is, ‘if you are absolutely accepted, and sure you’re accepted, only then will you ever begin to obey’. Those are two utterly different things. Every page of the Bible shows the difference.” Tim Keller

The Moriyamas

Yesterday, we had a good time with the Moriyamas. We ate 'gyoza'- a Japanese-Chinese menu. Please pray that the Lord's grace, salvation and 'shalom' would abound to them for Christ's glory.

Lord Jesus, let me know myself; let me know you...

Lord Jesus, let me know myself; let me know you,

And desire nothing else but you.

Let me love myself only if I love thee,

And do all things for your sake.

Let me humble myself and exalt you,

And think of nothing else but you.

Let me die to myself and live in you,

And take whatever happens as coming from you.

Let me forsake myself and walk after you,

And ever desire to follow you.

Let me flee from myself and turn to you,

That so I may merit to be defended by you.

Let me fear for myself, let me fear you,

And be among those that are chosen by you.

Let me distrust myself and trust in you,

And ever obey for the love of you.

Let me cleave to nothing but you,

And ever be poor because of you.

Look upon me that I may love you,

Call me, that I may see you,

And forever possess you, for all eternity.

St. Augustine