My New Year's Eve began by sleeping in, and then enjoying a scrumptious breakfast with cousins, before opening our stockings (the day after our Christmas dinner & gift exchange, which was the day after our traditional homemade eggnog, proving that one CAN stretch the holidays out).
I started my trek home at a train station a little further away from their home so that I wouldn't have to lug my duffel bag up and down stairs to reach the platform. At the first station where I transferred, there was an escalator up, but only stairs down to my next platform. The next two stations where I transferred are two of Tokyo's largest, so there were elevators and escalators aplenty. The last change was from one side of the platform to the other.
Five trains and three hours later, I arrived home, very thankful that my 5-story apartment building has an elevator (it is NOT required unless a building has six or more floors, thus a high number of 5-story buildings).
Our team's December Concert of Prayer had been moved to New Year's Eve, so that we could share the evening together, ending the year in prayer and worship. I went for the first hour and a half.
Although I love the people gathered in that room, and I love the tradition of our monthly Concerts of Prayer, and I loved the hymns we were singing in between segments of prayer, I knew it was not best for my body to stay until the end.
Home remedies and massive asthma meds are not doing the trick for this third sinus infection (and resultant asthma cough) in nine weeks. Did the antibiotics treat the previous infections, or only mask the symptoms for a week or two? I'm thankful to have an appointment with my doctor this coming Monday on her first day back after the New Year's holidays.
I'm ringing the new year in by drinking out of a goblet as I force fluids, breathing tea tree oil vapors, and going through Neil Med Sinus Rinse packets (and inhalers) like there's no end in sight.
Here's to a healthy New Year! ... or, better yet, a spiritually healthy New Year! (Thanks to the reminder of a teammate last night who said, "I hear that people who struggle with health problems learn to depend on the Lord more." May it be so! May it be so!)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Year in Review - 2008 - 変
The Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society's choice for the representative kanji for 2008 is
Change can be good, and keep us on our toes, but too much change can bring feelings of instability, anxiety and fear.
When those feelings come, we need a firm foundation.
変meaning "change." 2008 was a year of change in the politics of both Japan and the USA, in the economy and in the environment.
Change can be good, and keep us on our toes, but too much change can bring feelings of instability, anxiety and fear.
When those feelings come, we need a firm foundation.
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.May 2009 be the year when many find their firm anchor in Jesus, who never changes.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Year in review - 2007 - 偽
Every year the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society announces the "kanji of the year." The kanji voted to best describe 2007 was:
Funny how we as a society rebel against truth claims ... until a food manufacturer's "best by" date on the food in our pantry is not true, or the retirement agency's claims about the money in our account is not true.
The claims of Christ are often perceived as being restrictive.
May 2009 be the year when many find Truth and Life.
偽meaning deception. The news in 2007 was full of a series of scandals, in which information reported as true was indeed false.
Funny how we as a society rebel against truth claims ... until a food manufacturer's "best by" date on the food in our pantry is not true, or the retirement agency's claims about the money in our account is not true.
The claims of Christ are often perceived as being restrictive.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."But they are actually full of life.
May 2009 be the year when many find Truth and Life.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Jesus Storybook Bible in Japanese!
MTW Japan Publishing & Translation
出版・翻訳委員会
NEW TRANSLATION PROJECT
Why Japan Needs The Jesus Storybook Bible
By Rev. Shinichi Hirohashi
“The aim of most Bible storybooks printed in Japan has been to draw out moralistic lessons from the Bible stories. But sooner or later, the children realize that in their own strength, they cannot live like Jesus or the disciples. I have longed for a children’s Bible storybook that would be profitable in child-raising and Christian education. I pray that The Jesus Storybook Bible could be published in Japan, and that a great number of children and their parents will read it, repent, and be able to clearly confess a faith that looks to the Lord.”
Are you familiar with The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones? MTW-Japan recently established a publishing/translation committee, and our first big project, Lord willing, is to help get this valuable book translated into Japanese. Resources of this caliber are rare in Japan, where many covenant children (as many as 40%) end up falling away from Christ when they get older. You can be a part of helping the church in Japan by supporting MTW Japan with your PRAYERS (see below) as well as your generous financial gifts.
Here are some specific ways you can get involved in making this vision a reality:
PRAY for the translation, editing, and printing. Our goal is to have the book on shelves in fall 2009.
PRAY for funding to complete the project ($20,000 will pay initial costs for 2,000 copies).
PRAY for the MESSAGE to go deep into the hearts of children and their parents.
GIVE - $10 pays for one copy. Perhaps your small group or children’s Sunday School class would like to pay for 1, 5, or 10 copies.
GIVE to MTW Japan Publishing & Translating,account #92884. (Any excess gifts will be used for future translation projects.)
Checks may be sent to:
Mission to the World
P.O. Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368
phone: 678-823-0004
i n f o @ m t w t o k y o . c o m
Praying and Working Towards An Indigenous, Grace-Based, Gospel-Driven Church Planting Movement That Overflows To Impact All Of Japan and the World
出版・翻訳委員会
NEW TRANSLATION PROJECT
Why Japan Needs The Jesus Storybook Bible
By Rev. Shinichi Hirohashi
“The aim of most Bible storybooks printed in Japan has been to draw out moralistic lessons from the Bible stories. But sooner or later, the children realize that in their own strength, they cannot live like Jesus or the disciples. I have longed for a children’s Bible storybook that would be profitable in child-raising and Christian education. I pray that The Jesus Storybook Bible could be published in Japan, and that a great number of children and their parents will read it, repent, and be able to clearly confess a faith that looks to the Lord.”
Are you familiar with The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones? MTW-Japan recently established a publishing/translation committee, and our first big project, Lord willing, is to help get this valuable book translated into Japanese. Resources of this caliber are rare in Japan, where many covenant children (as many as 40%) end up falling away from Christ when they get older. You can be a part of helping the church in Japan by supporting MTW Japan with your PRAYERS (see below) as well as your generous financial gifts.
Here are some specific ways you can get involved in making this vision a reality:
PRAY for the translation, editing, and printing. Our goal is to have the book on shelves in fall 2009.
PRAY for funding to complete the project ($20,000 will pay initial costs for 2,000 copies).
PRAY for the MESSAGE to go deep into the hearts of children and their parents.
GIVE - $10 pays for one copy. Perhaps your small group or children’s Sunday School class would like to pay for 1, 5, or 10 copies.
GIVE to MTW Japan Publishing & Translating,account #92884. (Any excess gifts will be used for future translation projects.)
Checks may be sent to:
Mission to the World
P.O. Box 116284
Atlanta, GA 30368
phone: 678-823-0004
i n f o @ m t w t o k y o . c o m
Praying and Working Towards An Indigenous, Grace-Based, Gospel-Driven Church Planting Movement That Overflows To Impact All Of Japan and the World
Sunday, December 28, 2008
1000 Gifts, Vol. 2, #47
461. the look of wonder in little boys' eyes as they watched "Silent Night" played on the saw
462. being transported back to my roots at the bluegrass gospel concert December 26th
463. There is power in the blood!
464. pumpkin bread from Fannie Farmer, made with 1/2 graham flour
465. enjoying new flavors of tea
466. new photos of friends and family
467. the simple but delicious flavor of roasted vegetables
468. the fact that I do not live in Hokkaido and have to shovel snow regularly
469. new reading material
470. new listening material
462. being transported back to my roots at the bluegrass gospel concert December 26th
463. There is power in the blood!
464. pumpkin bread from Fannie Farmer, made with 1/2 graham flour
465. enjoying new flavors of tea
466. new photos of friends and family
467. the simple but delicious flavor of roasted vegetables
468. the fact that I do not live in Hokkaido and have to shovel snow regularly
469. new reading material
470. new listening material
From the manger to the ascension
“All that Christ did and suffered, from the manger to the tomb, forms one glorious whole, no part of which shall ever become needless or obsolete; no part of which one can ever leave without forsaking the whole.
I am always at the manger, and yet I know that mere incarnation cannot save; always at Gethsemane, and yet I believe that its agony was not the finished work; always at the cross, with my face toward it, and my eye on the crucified One, and yet I am persuaded that the sacrifice there was completed once for all; always looking into the grave, though I rejoice that it is empty, and that ‘He is not here, but is risen’; always resting (with the angel) on the stone that was rolled away, and handling the grave-clothes, and realizing a risen Christ, nay, an ascended and interceding Lord, yet on no pretext whatever leaving any part of my Lord’s life or death behind me, but unceasingly keeping up my connection with Him, as born, living, dying, buried, and rising again, and drawing out from each part some new blessing every day and hour.”
—Horatius Bonar, “Not Faith, But Christ”
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Home for Christmas
I spent Christmas here in my home in this hemisphere, in a suburb of the world's largest metropolitan area. I spent the day after Christmas, transported back to my home in the Western Hemisphere.
Carter's Fold met Tokyo. Branson met Chiba.
I heard "The Little Brown Church in the Vale," sung in the finest bluegrass rendition, accompanied by banjo and guitars. And then, all of a sudden, I heard it sung in Japanese.
Those of us filling the chapel on that weekday morning also heard harmonica, the musical saw, and cowbells (strapped to ankles and wrists).
Listening to "There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r," I truly felt I was back in East Tennessee. And then we heard, "Redeemed! How I love to proclaim it," and I was a little girl on a summer evening, sitting on hard pews in an old church building, with the windows open, singing along as Mr. R waved his arms as he stood up front leading the singing.
The leader of the group introduced their final song by speaking of the hope of heaven.
My two worlds collided today, and I felt my share of cultural stress as I went back and forth between them. My certain hope that one day I will have complete rest from culture stress comes from knowing that one day I will fly away! Lord, haste the day!
Carter's Fold met Tokyo. Branson met Chiba.
I heard "The Little Brown Church in the Vale," sung in the finest bluegrass rendition, accompanied by banjo and guitars. And then, all of a sudden, I heard it sung in Japanese.
Those of us filling the chapel on that weekday morning also heard harmonica, the musical saw, and cowbells (strapped to ankles and wrists).
Listening to "There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r," I truly felt I was back in East Tennessee. And then we heard, "Redeemed! How I love to proclaim it," and I was a little girl on a summer evening, sitting on hard pews in an old church building, with the windows open, singing along as Mr. R waved his arms as he stood up front leading the singing.
The leader of the group introduced their final song by speaking of the hope of heaven.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.I was looking forward to hearing, "I'll Fly Away" (which I associate with wonderful memories involving cousins, Christmas, a midnight hike and a cemetery), but the group sang a different song, one which I had never heard before.
My two worlds collided today, and I felt my share of cultural stress as I went back and forth between them. My certain hope that one day I will have complete rest from culture stress comes from knowing that one day I will fly away! Lord, haste the day!
Friday, December 26, 2008
"Ping-pong"
When someone ping-pongs my doorbell, I quickly look at the intercom screen, and, if I want to talk with them, push the speaker button. This is a nice way to avoid speaking face-to-face with various salesmen.
This afternoon I was expecting a team member to drop off some papers. So when I heard the "ping-pong," I pushed the microphone button immediately and said, "Hai," just as a courtesy to let them know I had heard it and would be at the door soon.
I thought it strange that there was no one visible on the monitor, but I went to the door anyway. My visitor had become entranced with the view from the 5th floor walkway, and had been pulled further down to a better vantage point.
The sun had just set, and there was a great silhouette of Fuji and some of the Southern Alps. The past 24 hours have been bitterly cold and windy. Tomorrow morning the view should be absolutely gorgeous, and I will rejoice at the sight of mountains! But nothing will compare with the view on the morning of January 1st, when pollution all but ceases for the holiday, clearing away the veil that usually keeps Fuji hidden.
This afternoon I was expecting a team member to drop off some papers. So when I heard the "ping-pong," I pushed the microphone button immediately and said, "Hai," just as a courtesy to let them know I had heard it and would be at the door soon.
I thought it strange that there was no one visible on the monitor, but I went to the door anyway. My visitor had become entranced with the view from the 5th floor walkway, and had been pulled further down to a better vantage point.
The sun had just set, and there was a great silhouette of Fuji and some of the Southern Alps. The past 24 hours have been bitterly cold and windy. Tomorrow morning the view should be absolutely gorgeous, and I will rejoice at the sight of mountains! But nothing will compare with the view on the morning of January 1st, when pollution all but ceases for the holiday, clearing away the veil that usually keeps Fuji hidden.
Her first Christmas
She leads a full and active life. Her children are grown. Her husband is nearing retirement. But this year she celebrated her first Christmas ... her first Christmas as one who believes that the Babe in the manger is the Christ, the Savior --- her Savior!
After 16 years in Bible study, this year the light came on, her heart was softened and broken, and she began to worship Christ. At the candlelight service on Christmas Eve, eleven days after her baptism, she was glowing. She opened her Bible and read for me Jesus' words which were the ones that gave her peace in her heart.
And this is life between the first coming and second coming. One by one, knees are bowing and tongues are confessing.
Testimonies like this keep us going, knowing that the Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise.
After 16 years in Bible study, this year the light came on, her heart was softened and broken, and she began to worship Christ. At the candlelight service on Christmas Eve, eleven days after her baptism, she was glowing. She opened her Bible and read for me Jesus' words which were the ones that gave her peace in her heart.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.This is Christmas. Christ made himself nothing so that we can pass from death to life.
And this is life between the first coming and second coming. One by one, knees are bowing and tongues are confessing.
Testimonies like this keep us going, knowing that the Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
1000 Gifts, Vol. 2, #46
451. two nights in a row of rich fellowship with Japanese girls from church
452. two nights in a row of candlelight services with different congregations
453. two nights in a row of watching "Maria," (aka "The Nativity Story")
454. re-connecting with some special young people, after the second service
455. reminders God brings into my life of the desires He has put in my heart and what particular parts of this grand task thrill my heart and suit me best
456. warm, warm clothes!
457. waking up to a bright sunny Christmas morning
458. translated: I slept in!
459. living in a society that is free of the gift-giving frenzy (at least the one associated with Christmas)
460. feasting and celebrating, a foretaste of the ultimate celebration that will last an eternity
452. two nights in a row of candlelight services with different congregations
453. two nights in a row of watching "Maria," (aka "The Nativity Story")
454. re-connecting with some special young people, after the second service
455. reminders God brings into my life of the desires He has put in my heart and what particular parts of this grand task thrill my heart and suit me best
456. warm, warm clothes!
457. waking up to a bright sunny Christmas morning
458. translated: I slept in!
459. living in a society that is free of the gift-giving frenzy (at least the one associated with Christmas)
460. feasting and celebrating, a foretaste of the ultimate celebration that will last an eternity
More decor
A global collection of cards... origami representing Japan... Joni's distinctive artwork... a rice straw nativity made by a family in Bandung... a drawing by the Amuzgos of Mexico... and an embroidered card my brother-in-law saved from a reject pile at work... 
From the top of the tree (tree-topper angel made one Thanksgiving holiday with friends, out of an old quilt)...
the message is the same:
Merry Christmas!
From the top of the tree (tree-topper angel made one Thanksgiving holiday with friends, out of an old quilt)...
the message is the same:
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
1000 Gifts, Vol. 2, #45
441. multiple sources for buying candles in Japan (when once it seemed were none)
442. the slowing down that comes from riding public transportation
443. a special evening with friends
444. confirmation of God's ongoing work in my life
445. overnight shipping to compensate for my procrastination
446. all the memories that come flooding back when I sit in a congregation with each one holding a candle and singing, "Kiyoshi kono yoru"
447. store-bought cookies!
448. and memories of homemade ones
449. Christmas blend loose tea
450. running into two friends while grocery shopping, both of whom offered to give me a ride home
442. the slowing down that comes from riding public transportation
443. a special evening with friends
444. confirmation of God's ongoing work in my life
445. overnight shipping to compensate for my procrastination
446. all the memories that come flooding back when I sit in a congregation with each one holding a candle and singing, "Kiyoshi kono yoru"
447. store-bought cookies!
448. and memories of homemade ones
449. Christmas blend loose tea
450. running into two friends while grocery shopping, both of whom offered to give me a ride home
What a birthday!
December 23rd is a national holiday to celebrate the Emperor's birthday.
Most churches take advantage of everyone's day off and plan many events to celebrate the birthday of the King of kings.
1 PM found me milling around the gathered crowd at the local shopping mall, listening to our church's gospel choir, which was proclaiming loudly and majestically that Jesus is excellent! (For a dose of soul-stirring praise, click to listen to another choir singing the words to this same song.)
3 PM found more than 30 senior citizens gathered for the Christmas version of the sing-a-long that our church usually holds on a Saturday night once a month or so.
The 5:00 hour found me holding a candle and singing "Silent Night," in a crowded sanctuary (along with several of the senior citizens who stayed for their first ever candlelight service, which was conveniently scheduled to begin just as their sing-a-long was ending). We heard about the Messiah being Wonderful and a Counselor.
The moments after the service found me grieving with those who grieve, as I noticed the tears of a lady who suffered deep loss this year, and as a friend asked me to pray for God's work in her husband's life, that he will believe. Those same moments found me rejoicing with those who rejoice, as the same friend excitedly shared her plans to go out to dinner that night with her children, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of her oldest's baptism.
8:00 found me sitting contentedly in my living room with five single girls, celebrating Christmas as we ate, gazed at the lights, and talked and laughed.
Ten minutes after midnight I locked the door behind them and began preparing for bed ( thankful for the catnaps I got while everyone else watched "The Nativity"). Words cannot describe what a wonderful evening it was.
Most churches take advantage of everyone's day off and plan many events to celebrate the birthday of the King of kings.
1 PM found me milling around the gathered crowd at the local shopping mall, listening to our church's gospel choir, which was proclaiming loudly and majestically that Jesus is excellent! (For a dose of soul-stirring praise, click to listen to another choir singing the words to this same song.)
3 PM found more than 30 senior citizens gathered for the Christmas version of the sing-a-long that our church usually holds on a Saturday night once a month or so.
The 5:00 hour found me holding a candle and singing "Silent Night," in a crowded sanctuary (along with several of the senior citizens who stayed for their first ever candlelight service, which was conveniently scheduled to begin just as their sing-a-long was ending). We heard about the Messiah being Wonderful and a Counselor.
The moments after the service found me grieving with those who grieve, as I noticed the tears of a lady who suffered deep loss this year, and as a friend asked me to pray for God's work in her husband's life, that he will believe. Those same moments found me rejoicing with those who rejoice, as the same friend excitedly shared her plans to go out to dinner that night with her children, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of her oldest's baptism.
8:00 found me sitting contentedly in my living room with five single girls, celebrating Christmas as we ate, gazed at the lights, and talked and laughed.
Ten minutes after midnight I locked the door behind them and began preparing for bed ( thankful for the catnaps I got while everyone else watched "The Nativity"). Words cannot describe what a wonderful evening it was.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Eve traditions in Japan
Christmas Eve.
A night to stay home with one's family and eat chicken (perhaps) and Christmas cake (definitely!). (The link shows a selection of Christmas cakes available from a bakery near my home. You can easily pay $50 for a cake that feeds 5-6 people.)
Christmas Eve.
The most romantic night of the year. Not having a date on Christmas Eve is considered a tragedy.
Christmas Eve.
"Candle service" at almost every church in Japan. Many couples even choose to attend a "candle service" as part of their marathon date night. From the churches' perspective, "candle services" are great evangelistic opportunities.
Christmas Eve.
Our church's single girls' annual home party at my apartment! Not being Japanese, I do not think I realize how much it means to these girls to have a place to go on Christmas Eve. I provide the place, the decorations, background music, tea, and a DVD player. They organize it, bring the food, and, this year, will bring "The Nativity Story" in Japanese from the rental store. (Last year we watched my English copy.)
We all are excited! I will miss it next year, but a friend who will borrow my Christmas tree while I'm gone for a year, has volunteered to host it.
A night to stay home with one's family and eat chicken (perhaps) and Christmas cake (definitely!). (The link shows a selection of Christmas cakes available from a bakery near my home. You can easily pay $50 for a cake that feeds 5-6 people.)
Christmas Eve.
The most romantic night of the year. Not having a date on Christmas Eve is considered a tragedy.
Christmas Eve.
"Candle service" at almost every church in Japan. Many couples even choose to attend a "candle service" as part of their marathon date night. From the churches' perspective, "candle services" are great evangelistic opportunities.
Christmas Eve.
Our church's single girls' annual home party at my apartment! Not being Japanese, I do not think I realize how much it means to these girls to have a place to go on Christmas Eve. I provide the place, the decorations, background music, tea, and a DVD player. They organize it, bring the food, and, this year, will bring "The Nativity Story" in Japanese from the rental store. (Last year we watched my English copy.)
We all are excited! I will miss it next year, but a friend who will borrow my Christmas tree while I'm gone for a year, has volunteered to host it.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Mall Concerts
Our local mall is hosting concerts twice a day on weekends and a few other days between Dec. 12 and 30. The only holiday in there is Dec. 23rd, the birthday of the Emperor. On the 23rd, the choral group will sing not once or twice, but three times!
One day the junior high chorale will sing. Another day, the community choir. Some days there is a soloist, or a guitarist.
On the 23rd, the most special day of all mall concerts, the group performing three times that afternoon is ... our church's gospel choir!
Gospel choirs are very popular in Japan, and not every gospel choir has a Christian leader, or any choir members who are Christians.
We pray that as our choir members sing out the truths of THE GOSPEL, that many will hear and that many will be drawn to learn more about the meaning of the Gospel.
One day the junior high chorale will sing. Another day, the community choir. Some days there is a soloist, or a guitarist.
On the 23rd, the most special day of all mall concerts, the group performing three times that afternoon is ... our church's gospel choir!
Gospel choirs are very popular in Japan, and not every gospel choir has a Christian leader, or any choir members who are Christians.
We pray that as our choir members sing out the truths of THE GOSPEL, that many will hear and that many will be drawn to learn more about the meaning of the Gospel.
1000 Gifts, Vol. 2, #44
431. a little boy's delighted cry of "Aunt Judith!" when he walked in the room
432. seeing a little girl delighting in her daddy-daughter date, when I ran into them in the department store
433. great public transportation
434. import stores and the neat little surprises one might find
435. an evening of singing carols around the piano with friends
436. a friend willing to be a courier
437. Christmas gift from the newspaper - double the number of Sunday sudoku puzzles during the holidays
438. although His coming does bring the sword, He reigns as Prince of Peace
439. shelter & heat
440. we've passed the winter solstice; more sunlight!
432. seeing a little girl delighting in her daddy-daughter date, when I ran into them in the department store
433. great public transportation
434. import stores and the neat little surprises one might find
435. an evening of singing carols around the piano with friends
436. a friend willing to be a courier
437. Christmas gift from the newspaper - double the number of Sunday sudoku puzzles during the holidays
438. although His coming does bring the sword, He reigns as Prince of Peace
439. shelter & heat
440. we've passed the winter solstice; more sunlight!
Whose birthday?
Recently a team member recounted the time a few years ago when nine well-educated ladies came to her home to see her Christmas decorations. While they were there, she asked if any of them knew whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas.
None of them knew.
None of them knew.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
1000 Gifts, Vol. 2, #43
421. another bag of hand-me-down books to read &/or pass on
422. antibiotics
423. homemade chicken noodle soup
424. companies that offer flatrate worldwide shipping
425. online shopping with the Japanese Christian bookstore supplier
426. hearing Christmas carols sung heartily in English by our team
427. a surprise ornament in the mail - how fun!
428. the flavor of eggnog without the milk! ~ Bigelow's eggnog'n tea
429. a 90 year old lady's baptism
430. two young men, using their singing and guitar-playing talents for God's glory
422. antibiotics
423. homemade chicken noodle soup
424. companies that offer flatrate worldwide shipping
425. online shopping with the Japanese Christian bookstore supplier
426. hearing Christmas carols sung heartily in English by our team
427. a surprise ornament in the mail - how fun!
428. the flavor of eggnog without the milk! ~ Bigelow's eggnog'n tea
429. a 90 year old lady's baptism
430. two young men, using their singing and guitar-playing talents for God's glory
How can they believe?
And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?A new lady (probably in her early 60s) came to one of my Bible studies once in November and a couple times in December.
She joined an English class last year, and has had a weekly Bible lesson there. Later she started studying the Bible with others, too.
When she made a comment about being new to the Bible, I asked her when she read the Bible for the first time.
"Last year."
Meeting someone for the first time who has never read the Bible, or who was just recently introduced to it, is always a wake-up call for me. Most of my Japanese friends are ones I met through English class or Bible study, and so they all have read and are reading the Bible. But the fact is that there are millions of real-live Japanese people who have not read the Word of God.
On this Christmas Sunday, all over Japan, people who have never been to a church service in their entire life, will gather courage to attend a Christian worship service. Some of them return. Many of them do not.
We pray for open hearts, prepared soil, and lasting fruit.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Field trip to church
I looked up from a meeting, and through the window saw elderly Mr. H walking his bicycle up the driveway to the church building, followed by 6 black-uniform clad junior high students.
35 groups of six students each from the Social Studies classes at the local junior high school had left the school grounds in their crisp uniforms (boys looking like British sailors of the 1800s and girls with pleated skirts and blazers) walking to their 35 different destinations in the community. Some groups would visit the bank, others the grocery store. Mr. H had arranged for one group to visit the church.
They were very polite, took lots of notes on their clipboards, and carefully turned their shoes around properly when they took them off in the entryway.
They observed the Christian school children doing their morning physical exercises outside. The headmaster talked with them. After showing them around and explaining what people do in a church building, Mr. H brought them into our English teachers' monthly meeting, and asked us to say a few words.
The students explained that they will write a report on what they learned by visiting a church building, and all the reports will be bound together into a book about the community, as the school does every year.
When asked if they had ever been to a church before, six heads went back and forth, as their voices answered, "No."
Mr. H gave them flyers advertising several special Christmas events the church is holding.
Maybe this will be the year they hear what Christmas means.
35 groups of six students each from the Social Studies classes at the local junior high school had left the school grounds in their crisp uniforms (boys looking like British sailors of the 1800s and girls with pleated skirts and blazers) walking to their 35 different destinations in the community. Some groups would visit the bank, others the grocery store. Mr. H had arranged for one group to visit the church.
They were very polite, took lots of notes on their clipboards, and carefully turned their shoes around properly when they took them off in the entryway.
They observed the Christian school children doing their morning physical exercises outside. The headmaster talked with them. After showing them around and explaining what people do in a church building, Mr. H brought them into our English teachers' monthly meeting, and asked us to say a few words.
The students explained that they will write a report on what they learned by visiting a church building, and all the reports will be bound together into a book about the community, as the school does every year.
When asked if they had ever been to a church before, six heads went back and forth, as their voices answered, "No."
Mr. H gave them flyers advertising several special Christmas events the church is holding.
Maybe this will be the year they hear what Christmas means.
Friday, December 19, 2008
It's not Christmas without...
The Christian school's 2008 outdoor Living Nativity had just drawn to a close and the final strains of the Hallelujah Chorus were reverberating off the buildings. In the seconds of silence before the final announcement, I heard the yaki-imo truck, driving through a nearby neighborhood, singing its advertising plea for customers to come out on a cold night and purchase a sweet potato, freshly roasted over coals on the truckbed.
"It's just not Christmas without the yaki-imo truck," I thought sarcastically. (Click on the link to watch a short YouTube video with the yaki-imo truck's song.)
But when you think about it, what was 1st century Bethlehem's equivalent of the yaki-imo truck? Mary & Joseph were not secluded in a private suite, listening to majestic strains of the Hallelujah Chorus, far away from the nighttime sounds around them. They were in a real place with real people (and real animals) living real lives. Time and space did not stop for the King of kings to be born as a babe in this world.
And the hustle and bustle of our lives do not stop so that we can ponder the Babe who lived and died to become our Savior. Our surroundings may not be filled with the sounds of yaki-imo trucks, but we are surrounded by other noises: noises of our culture, advertisements crying out for our money, good causes clamoring for our time, the bickering of children (and adults), priorities we have let slide, and much more.
The next time I hear the yaki-imo truck, I hope I'll be reminded of how much I need to quiet my own heart and block out the sounds of distraction around me, in order to ponder the magnificent truths of the Lord of the universe and His entering my time and space.
"It's just not Christmas without the yaki-imo truck," I thought sarcastically. (Click on the link to watch a short YouTube video with the yaki-imo truck's song.)
But when you think about it, what was 1st century Bethlehem's equivalent of the yaki-imo truck? Mary & Joseph were not secluded in a private suite, listening to majestic strains of the Hallelujah Chorus, far away from the nighttime sounds around them. They were in a real place with real people (and real animals) living real lives. Time and space did not stop for the King of kings to be born as a babe in this world.
And the hustle and bustle of our lives do not stop so that we can ponder the Babe who lived and died to become our Savior. Our surroundings may not be filled with the sounds of yaki-imo trucks, but we are surrounded by other noises: noises of our culture, advertisements crying out for our money, good causes clamoring for our time, the bickering of children (and adults), priorities we have let slide, and much more.
The next time I hear the yaki-imo truck, I hope I'll be reminded of how much I need to quiet my own heart and block out the sounds of distraction around me, in order to ponder the magnificent truths of the Lord of the universe and His entering my time and space.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Welcome to my home for the holidays
This nativity sets the scene for more that await you inside.
"Ring the bells" was one of my favorite Christmas songs as a child.
The first nativity I received (front right) and the most recent (back right), along with a set from Vietnam: 
One of my favorite miniature Nativity sets, from Shaker Village:
The stocking I've had since childhood, handmade by a dear lady, and hanging on the hutch displaying the miniature nativities:
An extra stocking hung on the hutch with care, adding to the festivity:
An angled shot of the tree, showing a recently acquired felt ornament (mitten) and a felt ornament I made in elementary school, along with a beaded star made by war widows in Darfur:
The nativity story embedded in a cross ornament:
May the Living Word light your path and His grace warm your lives this Christmas season and in the New Year!
The tea is hot. Let's have a cup.
Russian Tea
10 cups water
7 tea bags
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. whole cloves
Boil cloves in water for at least 30 minutes. Longer is fine. It makes your house smell good. Take out cloves. Steep tea for no more than 30 minutes. Take out tea bags, and add sugar, lemon juice and orange juice. Serve hot.
"Ring the bells" was one of my favorite Christmas songs as a child.
The first nativity I received (front right) and the most recent (back right), along with a set from Vietnam: 
One of my favorite miniature Nativity sets, from Shaker Village: 
The stocking I've had since childhood, handmade by a dear lady, and hanging on the hutch displaying the miniature nativities: 
An extra stocking hung on the hutch with care, adding to the festivity:
An angled shot of the tree, showing a recently acquired felt ornament (mitten) and a felt ornament I made in elementary school, along with a beaded star made by war widows in Darfur:
The nativity story embedded in a cross ornament:
May the Living Word light your path and His grace warm your lives this Christmas season and in the New Year!
The tea is hot. Let's have a cup.
Russian Tea
10 cups water
7 tea bags
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. whole cloves
Boil cloves in water for at least 30 minutes. Longer is fine. It makes your house smell good. Take out cloves. Steep tea for no more than 30 minutes. Take out tea bags, and add sugar, lemon juice and orange juice. Serve hot.
Desire of nations
Which Christmas carols include the phrase "desire of nations"?
God's promise to Abraham was that
Through Abraham's descendant, Christ, salvation has appeared. And yet we still wait and hope and long for Christ's second appearing.
God's promise to Abraham was that
in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.And so it is true.
Through Abraham's descendant, Christ, salvation has appeared. And yet we still wait and hope and long for Christ's second appearing.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.Leave a comment if you have thought of which carols speak of The Desire of Nations?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Christmas reading
How do you prepare your heart at Christmastime? How do you combat the to-do lists, busy schedule of activities, opportunities for ministry, and more? Have you found any articles helpful to read each year? How do you keep Christ in Christmas? In addition to playing my Christmas playlist nonstop, I have found the following helpful.
Noel Piper explains that Advent is a season to look back and look ahead.
USA Today explains that evangelicals are adopting Advent.
Chapter 5, "God Incarnate," in J. I. Packer's Knowing God is a chapter I try to re-read each December.
I am thoroughly enjoying Nancy Guthrie's Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, "an anthology of Advent readings collected from the writings and sermons of 22 classic and contemporary theologians and Bible teachers."
Piper's compilation of verses that answer the question, "Why did Christ come?" makes a nice responsive reading, with the leader asking before each verse, "Why did Christ come?"
A small booklet my mom gave me years ago with daily Advent readings, and an article I printed from byFaith's website some years back round out my annual Advent reading.
Noel Piper explains that Advent is a season to look back and look ahead.
USA Today explains that evangelicals are adopting Advent.
Chapter 5, "God Incarnate," in J. I. Packer's Knowing God is a chapter I try to re-read each December.
I am thoroughly enjoying Nancy Guthrie's Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, "an anthology of Advent readings collected from the writings and sermons of 22 classic and contemporary theologians and Bible teachers."
Piper's compilation of verses that answer the question, "Why did Christ come?" makes a nice responsive reading, with the leader asking before each verse, "Why did Christ come?"
A small booklet my mom gave me years ago with daily Advent readings, and an article I printed from byFaith's website some years back round out my annual Advent reading.
Enjoying, not hoarding
After 3.5 years of carefully doling out supplies for holidays, I'm enjoying with abandon the heretofore carefully hoarded supplies during this holiday season, and am trying to use up as many seasonal goods (e.g., candles, spices, paper napkins, muffin liners, and such) as possible.
It began at Thanksgiving when one Indian corn taper met its demise in an accident. If the accident had happened last year I would not have been as accepting. But since the tapers were in their fifth year of service, on two continents, and in at least two locations most seasons, I realized it was time to enjoy them. This was the last season they needed to be in service, as I can restock next year. And so the remaining tapers felt the flame of a match for the first time, and are with us no more.
And now it continues with Christmas. Although I love cloth napkins, I am not using them so much, but rather am experiencing the pendulum having swung from "trying to conserve all holiday paper napkins" to "trying to use up all holiday paper napkins."
Come soon if you want to enjoy!
I'm looking forward to post-holiday sales in the USA next year!
It began at Thanksgiving when one Indian corn taper met its demise in an accident. If the accident had happened last year I would not have been as accepting. But since the tapers were in their fifth year of service, on two continents, and in at least two locations most seasons, I realized it was time to enjoy them. This was the last season they needed to be in service, as I can restock next year. And so the remaining tapers felt the flame of a match for the first time, and are with us no more.
And now it continues with Christmas. Although I love cloth napkins, I am not using them so much, but rather am experiencing the pendulum having swung from "trying to conserve all holiday paper napkins" to "trying to use up all holiday paper napkins." Come soon if you want to enjoy!
I'm looking forward to post-holiday sales in the USA next year!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
My "Little House" Christmas
My "Little House" Christmas continued today, as the iPod speakers filled the air with carols and I worked on my computer by candlelight.
Just like they used to do on "Little House on the Prairie."
At 2 candles for 100 yen at the 100 yen store, it might be cheaper than paying Tokyo Electric ... for both heat and lights
Just like they used to do on "Little House on the Prairie."
At 2 candles for 100 yen at the 100 yen store, it might be cheaper than paying Tokyo Electric ... for both heat and lights
Menthol
When I think of menthol, I think of Vick's Vaporub and Mentholatum chapstick.
But actually many products in a Japanese drugstore contain menthol.
Eyedrops.
Eyewash.
Nasal wash.
Antacid (which comes as a powder, instead of a tablet).
And these are just the ones I know of. There may be more.
Along the same lines of the little child who once said at my parents' dining room table, "I don't prefer peas," --- I don't prefer menthol.
"It's not right. It's not wrong. It's just different."
But actually many products in a Japanese drugstore contain menthol.
Eyedrops.
Eyewash.
Nasal wash.
Antacid (which comes as a powder, instead of a tablet).
And these are just the ones I know of. There may be more.
Along the same lines of the little child who once said at my parents' dining room table, "I don't prefer peas," --- I don't prefer menthol.
"It's not right. It's not wrong. It's just different."
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas is fried chicken
So read the banner across the corner convenience store a few years back. And when a few high school students stopped by the church building to see what the church was doing for Christmas, their question was, "Will there be chicken?"
Our local Kentucky Fried Chicken has a huge poster up, letting customers know that they are taking reservations for your Christmas bucket of chicken. This year the reservations are per hour for the 23rd, 24th and 25th. Already a few hours on the afternoon of the 24th are filled. Seeing people lined up on Christmas Eve at KFC is a sight I never would have imagined had I not seen it with my own eyes.
Our local Kentucky Fried Chicken has a huge poster up, letting customers know that they are taking reservations for your Christmas bucket of chicken. This year the reservations are per hour for the 23rd, 24th and 25th. Already a few hours on the afternoon of the 24th are filled. Seeing people lined up on Christmas Eve at KFC is a sight I never would have imagined had I not seen it with my own eyes.
1000 Gifts, Vol. 2, #42
411. helping a friend "parent in the pew" when her husband was home with their youngest
412. bright stars against a midnight black sky
413. the smell of tea tree oil
414. a comfy couch for sleeping on
415. friends who loan their car or give a ride
416. friends who make chicken noodle soup
417. a bag of Agatha Christie books, passed on to me, to pass on to others
418. tasks that suit my gifts and interests
419. finding a French cookie that tastes almost exactly like Pecan Sandies (edited to add: no, I haven't moved to France. Our local department store is part owner of a French supermarket in Japan.)
420. running into a friend near the train station just when she needed a ride
412. bright stars against a midnight black sky
413. the smell of tea tree oil
414. a comfy couch for sleeping on
415. friends who loan their car or give a ride
416. friends who make chicken noodle soup
417. a bag of Agatha Christie books, passed on to me, to pass on to others
418. tasks that suit my gifts and interests
419. finding a French cookie that tastes almost exactly like Pecan Sandies (edited to add: no, I haven't moved to France. Our local department store is part owner of a French supermarket in Japan.)
420. running into a friend near the train station just when she needed a ride
Because I didn't know what is good and bad
A newcomer came to Bible study recently and after I asked her why she wanted to study the Bible, the rest of us each took a turn answering as well.
A lady who has attended various Bible studies for about 18 years without believing, said, "When my son was 13 years old, I didn't know what is good and what is bad. I had a friend who went to church, and the way she lived was so nice. But I couldn't go to the church because they might expect me to believe. So when I heard that the church had English classes, I thought I could do that."
A lady who has attended various Bible studies for about 18 years without believing, said, "When my son was 13 years old, I didn't know what is good and what is bad. I had a friend who went to church, and the way she lived was so nice. But I couldn't go to the church because they might expect me to believe. So when I heard that the church had English classes, I thought I could do that."
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Come!
This is what our guest preacher was saying this morning.
That's what one would expect to find at that point in the passage, but instead the Lord says,
Amen!
“Come for repentance, if you cannot come repenting. Come for a broken heart, if you cannot come with a broken heart. Come to be melted, if you are not melted. Come to be wounded, if you are not wounded.”As he preached from Jeremiah 17.5-13, he asked, "Don't you find verse 9 shocking? Shouldn't it say, 'If you trust in man and turn away from the Lord, you need to change your heart?'"
- Charles Spurgeon, The Precious Blood of Christ
That's what one would expect to find at that point in the passage, but instead the Lord says,
"The heart is deceitful above all things,The preacher continued, "The Lord says, 'You can't change your heart!' But He can, so come to Him."
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?"
Amen!
View from the back pew...
(...except we don't have pews; it was actually my view from the back chair.)
This morning I sat in the back during worship, and pondered the stories of the people I saw.
I saw:
~ A Christian couple that recently began sitting together during worship. When I mentioned how glad I am that they're sitting together, the wife said that they hesitate to do so because most of the others in the church don't have a believing spouse, and they don't want them to feel badly. I encouraged her that the young singles need to see a model of a Christian marriage.
~ A recently widowed young lady, with a more experienced mother sitting next to her, helping with the three fatherless children.
~ A man who began coming to worship services and Bible study this year and is scheduled to be baptized next week, on Christmas Sunday.
~ A lady sitting alone, the only believer in her family. Last week I had the joy of meeting her husband when he was the only non-Christian at a special dinner. He seemed to really enjoy being with everyone. We pray that was a good first step for him, and that one day he, too, will be sitting in the congregation worshiping in spirit and in truth.
~ A man who a year ago this week was in an emotional crisis, and for whom we as a congregation interceded desperately. God has been merciful, and this man is actively ministering the Gospel again.
~ A non-Christian husband sitting with his wife. He comes with her every Sunday except when we celebrate the Lord's Supper. How many years will he have to sit under the preaching of the Word before his heart is changed?
~ A man who has been emotionally unstable for many years, and who began clapping at the beginning of the sermon.
~ An elementary school student who delighted in sitting next to a 2-year old until the sermon started, while the 2-year-old's dad led worship and his mom played the piano.
As we were reminded in our sermon today, God's work in our lives is a process. And each of these people is somewhere in the process. We were encouraged to fix the eyes of our heart on Jesus. That is my prayer for each of these people I saw from the back pew this morning.
This morning I sat in the back during worship, and pondered the stories of the people I saw.
I saw:
~ A Christian couple that recently began sitting together during worship. When I mentioned how glad I am that they're sitting together, the wife said that they hesitate to do so because most of the others in the church don't have a believing spouse, and they don't want them to feel badly. I encouraged her that the young singles need to see a model of a Christian marriage.
~ A recently widowed young lady, with a more experienced mother sitting next to her, helping with the three fatherless children.
~ A man who began coming to worship services and Bible study this year and is scheduled to be baptized next week, on Christmas Sunday.
~ A lady sitting alone, the only believer in her family. Last week I had the joy of meeting her husband when he was the only non-Christian at a special dinner. He seemed to really enjoy being with everyone. We pray that was a good first step for him, and that one day he, too, will be sitting in the congregation worshiping in spirit and in truth.
~ A man who a year ago this week was in an emotional crisis, and for whom we as a congregation interceded desperately. God has been merciful, and this man is actively ministering the Gospel again.
~ A non-Christian husband sitting with his wife. He comes with her every Sunday except when we celebrate the Lord's Supper. How many years will he have to sit under the preaching of the Word before his heart is changed?
~ A man who has been emotionally unstable for many years, and who began clapping at the beginning of the sermon.
~ An elementary school student who delighted in sitting next to a 2-year old until the sermon started, while the 2-year-old's dad led worship and his mom played the piano.
As we were reminded in our sermon today, God's work in our lives is a process. And each of these people is somewhere in the process. We were encouraged to fix the eyes of our heart on Jesus. That is my prayer for each of these people I saw from the back pew this morning.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
What do you do?
When people in the States ask what I do, it's sometimes hard to know how to answer. One thing I do frequently is field phone calls and questions. Some days the questions I field are more humorous than others (such as the request that I repair an air conditioner). But with all of the questions that come my way, I enjoy the opportunity to use my research librarian want-to-be skills and try to answer them.
One morning (before 8.30) a Japanese man called from a cell phone with a bad connection. I never caught his name, but I did hear enough to know that another missionary (Mr. J) had asked him to call a Japanese pastor, and instructed him to call me first to get the phone number.
And so he asked me for the phone number of Rev. so-and-so in such-and-such a city, such-and-such a prefecture, and mentioned that this pastor has a kindergarten.
Using the clues of the prefecture and the kindergarten, and knowing Mr. J, I immediately surmised that he was trying to contact a Reverend by a different name in a different city in that prefecture.
Finding the pastor's phone number proved a bit trickier, as he is not in our denomination, thus not in the directory I keep at home. The Japan Church directory is at the office. But after a few minutes of searching some computer files, I found it!
One morning (before 8.30) a Japanese man called from a cell phone with a bad connection. I never caught his name, but I did hear enough to know that another missionary (Mr. J) had asked him to call a Japanese pastor, and instructed him to call me first to get the phone number.
And so he asked me for the phone number of Rev. so-and-so in such-and-such a city, such-and-such a prefecture, and mentioned that this pastor has a kindergarten.
Using the clues of the prefecture and the kindergarten, and knowing Mr. J, I immediately surmised that he was trying to contact a Reverend by a different name in a different city in that prefecture.
Finding the pastor's phone number proved a bit trickier, as he is not in our denomination, thus not in the directory I keep at home. The Japan Church directory is at the office. But after a few minutes of searching some computer files, I found it!
Friday, December 12, 2008
When Costco doesn't have red & green M&Ms
Every time I hear that a co-worker might be making a Costco run, I ask if they will pick up a bag of red and green M&Ms if they see any. With Costco (especially in a foreign country) you never know what will be in stock, or what items have ingredients that the Japanese equivalent of the FDA has decided to no longer allow.
Today I finally decided to use what I have on hand to make these trees festive.
Wrapping paper did the trick, and I feel very "Little House on the Prairie"-ish.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Cold
The missionaries suffered severely from the cold -- they had no idea in advance of what a Japanese winter could be like.~A History of Christian Missions , Stephen Neill, p.132
I was surprised to learn that Francis Xavier and two Jesuits in 1549 were also cold.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Top Ten Hymns, #1 - The Christmas Edition
A continuing series, with the hymns listed in reverse alphabetical order, culminating with a Christmas hymn.
#1 - O Come, O Come Emmanuel
This is indeed the cry of our hearts.
Come.
Ransom.
Free.
Save.
Give victory o'er the grave.
Cheer us.
Disperse.
Put to flight.
Open wide.
Make safe the way.
Close the path to misery.
And His answer is indeed sure.
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet and Awesome
#4 - God Moves In A Mysterious Way
#3 - Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare - Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare
#2 - Beneath the Cross of Jesus
#1 - O Come, O Come Emmanuel
This is indeed the cry of our hearts.
Come.
Ransom.
Free.
Save.
Give victory o'er the grave.
Cheer us.
Disperse.
Put to flight.
Open wide.
Make safe the way.
Close the path to misery.
And His answer is indeed sure.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.Original post
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet and Awesome
#4 - God Moves In A Mysterious Way
#3 - Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare - Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare
#2 - Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Top Ten Hymns, #2
A continuing series, with the hymns listed in reverse alphabetical order, culminating with a Christmas hymn.
#2 - Beneath the Cross
Singing this hymn always takes me back to an early summer evening in 1994, sitting on a hard pew in a crowded chapel in the short hills of East Tennessee, as family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of a man who walked by faith but was now walking by sight.
A google search of his name will not turn up information on his life, but aren't we all glad that google does not determine one's value in life or eternity! Those of us who sat in the chapel that evening have not forgotten the goosebumps as we heard testimonies of people who received physical blessings and spiritual blessings through his faithfulness to his Savior. A mountain missionary, come from the North, he passed out clothing to families who had little, and he spread the Word of God in small Sunday Schools and public schools in isolated communities where children otherwise would not hear Bible lessons.
As we sang these words,
The two wonders he confessed, as described in this stanza, are the two wonders I proclaim to the ladies in my Bible studies and which I pray for them to confess.
Not only am I thankful for those rich and undeserved blessings, I'm thankful for the heritage I have received, passed down by the prayer, teaching and modeling of this great-uncle, as well as for the Lord's sweet mercy that I was even able to attend his funeral. (I learned later that one lady had been praying I would be able to attend his funeral, despite my plans to leave that summer for two years in Japan.)
Original post.
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet and Awesome
#4 - God Moves In A Mysterious Way
#3 - Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare
#2 - Beneath the Cross
Singing this hymn always takes me back to an early summer evening in 1994, sitting on a hard pew in a crowded chapel in the short hills of East Tennessee, as family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of a man who walked by faith but was now walking by sight.
A google search of his name will not turn up information on his life, but aren't we all glad that google does not determine one's value in life or eternity! Those of us who sat in the chapel that evening have not forgotten the goosebumps as we heard testimonies of people who received physical blessings and spiritual blessings through his faithfulness to his Savior. A mountain missionary, come from the North, he passed out clothing to families who had little, and he spread the Word of God in small Sunday Schools and public schools in isolated communities where children otherwise would not hear Bible lessons.
As we sang these words,
Content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss,I knew that he had indeed let the world go by, living "by faith" a la Hudson Taylor, and the treasure he possessed at the end of his life was the cross of Christ.
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
The two wonders he confessed, as described in this stanza, are the two wonders I proclaim to the ladies in my Bible studies and which I pray for them to confess.
And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;As a cross-cultural messenger of the Gospel, I'm sure he learned early on that until he reached his true home in heaven, his only home in this wilderness truly was beneath the cross of Jesus.
The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,This promise is not only for him or others like him who cross cultures. It is for each of us who live as pilgrims in this world, longing for the city that has foundations.
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,We have a hiding place, a shelter, streams of water, and shade.
a shelter from the storm,
like streams of water in a dry place,
like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.
Not only am I thankful for those rich and undeserved blessings, I'm thankful for the heritage I have received, passed down by the prayer, teaching and modeling of this great-uncle, as well as for the Lord's sweet mercy that I was even able to attend his funeral. (I learned later that one lady had been praying I would be able to attend his funeral, despite my plans to leave that summer for two years in Japan.)
Original post.
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet and Awesome
#4 - God Moves In A Mysterious Way
#3 - Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare
Monday, December 8, 2008
Going hunting
This is where I should tell you that I hiked five miles uphill in the snow ... barefoot!
Except it was only 1.75 miles one-way.
And I wore shoes.
And the sky was clear, although cold, so I was bundled (beyond what my friends and family in the USA can imagine).
It was my day off. I wanted some exercise and fresh air. It seemed a good day to go hunting ... for mincemeat which I hoped to have for holiday baking. So I walked to the closest shopping center with an import store.
I finally saw a package of 9 Walkers mince tarts for about $10 and kept scouring the store. Finally I found two jars hidden behind some wine bottles.
This evening I filled two pre-baked tart pastries with mincemeat filling and slid them into the fish broiler under my stovetop eyes.
Aaaah! Delicious!
Except it was only 1.75 miles one-way.
And I wore shoes.
And the sky was clear, although cold, so I was bundled (beyond what my friends and family in the USA can imagine).
It was my day off. I wanted some exercise and fresh air. It seemed a good day to go hunting ... for mincemeat which I hoped to have for holiday baking. So I walked to the closest shopping center with an import store.
I finally saw a package of 9 Walkers mince tarts for about $10 and kept scouring the store. Finally I found two jars hidden behind some wine bottles.
This evening I filled two pre-baked tart pastries with mincemeat filling and slid them into the fish broiler under my stovetop eyes.
Aaaah! Delicious!
Top Ten Hymns, #3
A continuing series, with the hymns listed in reverse alphabetical order, culminating with a Christmas hymn.
#3 - Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare
I was first introduced to this hymn when I was asked if I knew a hymn with the line,
After a little sleuthing by consulting the metrical index in my hymnal, I found this hymn and quickly fell in love! Our team sings it frequently at monthly Concert of Prayer.
My favorite line by far is the one mentioned above that started my search, but the last verse has also come to mean a lot to me.
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet and Awesome
#4 - God Moves In A Mysterious Way
#3 - Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare
I was first introduced to this hymn when I was asked if I knew a hymn with the line,
Thou art coming to a King,This was in the days before highspeed internet and must have either predated Cyber Hymnal or been before I knew about it.
Large petitions with thee bring.
After a little sleuthing by consulting the metrical index in my hymnal, I found this hymn and quickly fell in love! Our team sings it frequently at monthly Concert of Prayer.
My favorite line by far is the one mentioned above that started my search, but the last verse has also come to mean a lot to me.
Show me what I have to do,What do we want more than to live and die by faith? I have a note in my hymnal referring to pages 41-43 in John Piper's A Godward Life, Book 2 which relate to this theme. Numbers 23.10 is also penciled in next to this verse.
Every hour my strength renew:
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die Thy people’s death;
Let me die Thy people’s death.
Let me die the death of the upright,Original post.
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet and Awesome
#4 - God Moves In A Mysterious Way
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Red beans and rice! Let's celebrate!
This Sunday after worship we had lunch. Many churches have lunch together every week, or at least once a month. Our church has it less frequently.
It seems that many churches have a set lunch menu - udon noodles with toppings, or a bowl of rice with toppings, or curry rice. Each church has their own price. First-timers are free, while adults usually pay 2 or 300 yen, and children 1 or 200.
Those who want to serve on the cooking rotation are divided into teams, and the teams rotate preparing the meals. When you're trying to feed a large group on a budget, the meals are usually simple. Not remarkably special, but always hearty and good.
Our meal this week was red beans and rice! We were celebrating!
The church's fourfold prayer over the past ten years has been: to start a daughter church, to have its own land and building, to have a Japanese pastor, and to have Japanese elders.
A few years back, two Japanese elders were ordained. Later, in a miraculous way, the church was able to acquire its own land and building. Two daughter churches are in various stages of being planted, and two unordained pastoral staff are in the midst of a lengthy ordination process.
This Sunday was reason for great celebration, as we saw an answer to a specific prayer request that we have asked for many times over these many years. God has provided one more Japanese elder to help shepherd this flock!
It seems that many churches have a set lunch menu - udon noodles with toppings, or a bowl of rice with toppings, or curry rice. Each church has their own price. First-timers are free, while adults usually pay 2 or 300 yen, and children 1 or 200.
Those who want to serve on the cooking rotation are divided into teams, and the teams rotate preparing the meals. When you're trying to feed a large group on a budget, the meals are usually simple. Not remarkably special, but always hearty and good.
Our meal this week was red beans and rice! We were celebrating!
The church's fourfold prayer over the past ten years has been: to start a daughter church, to have its own land and building, to have a Japanese pastor, and to have Japanese elders.
A few years back, two Japanese elders were ordained. Later, in a miraculous way, the church was able to acquire its own land and building. Two daughter churches are in various stages of being planted, and two unordained pastoral staff are in the midst of a lengthy ordination process.
This Sunday was reason for great celebration, as we saw an answer to a specific prayer request that we have asked for many times over these many years. God has provided one more Japanese elder to help shepherd this flock!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
1000 Gifts, Vol. 2, #41
401. the lights of the Christmas tree
402. a friend who delighted in decorating it
403. three evenings in a row of sitting and being still, enjoying people
404. the ultrasound of my nephew!
405. more reunions!
406. sunshine after rain
407. celebrating the birth of our Savior by introducing people to Him for the first time
408. dozens of elderly people attending an outreach tea party
409. working together with friends, creating a finished project, as we collated 500 sets of papers
410. the pleasure of unexpected rest ~ sleeping on the couch while babysitting (sleeping 2 hours on the couch while babysitting)
402. a friend who delighted in decorating it
403. three evenings in a row of sitting and being still, enjoying people
404. the ultrasound of my nephew!
405. more reunions!
406. sunshine after rain
407. celebrating the birth of our Savior by introducing people to Him for the first time
408. dozens of elderly people attending an outreach tea party
409. working together with friends, creating a finished project, as we collated 500 sets of papers
410. the pleasure of unexpected rest ~ sleeping on the couch while babysitting (sleeping 2 hours on the couch while babysitting)
My heart's desire
念願 - ねんがん - nengan - one's heart's desire; one's dearest wish; one's long-cherished desire [wish]When I brought out the Bibles for the Japanese Bible study after English class, one lady explained that she didn't need one. And then she showed me her brand-new Bible. Searching for the words to tell me in English, she taught me a new word in Japanese - nengan.
We finally decided that she could best say her sentence in English this way:
I had wanted a Bible for a long time, and now I finally have one!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Top Ten Hymns, #4
A continuing series, with the hymns listed in reverse alphabetical order, culminating with a Christmas hymn.
#4 - God Moves in a Mysterious Way
This hymn speaks loudly to my worrying heart. I was first introduced to it by hearing this verse quoted at the end of a sermon tape I listened to in '96-'97, my black year.
The next verse reminds me that His ways are not my ways, and I am not in a position to judge the purposes of the Sovereign Lord of the universe
I don't understand God's purposes, but I have hope that the pain and suffering now cannot compare with the glory God has planned!
Original post.
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet and Awesome
#4 - God Moves in a Mysterious Way
This hymn speaks loudly to my worrying heart. I was first introduced to it by hearing this verse quoted at the end of a sermon tape I listened to in '96-'97, my black year.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;Those were the exact words I needed to hear!
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
The next verse reminds me that His ways are not my ways, and I am not in a position to judge the purposes of the Sovereign Lord of the universe
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,What appears to be a frown from my perspective, is a smile, when seen from His vantage point.
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
I don't understand God's purposes, but I have hope that the pain and suffering now cannot compare with the glory God has planned!
His purposes will ripen fast,It turns out that this hymn is a favorite of the hosts of Hymns of the Faith as well. To listen to their podcast on this hymn, go here.
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
Original post.
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet and Awesome
Thanksgiving - Before & After
About 40 members of our team enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday evening, the day before American Thanksgiving. In preparation for my contribution, I set out ingredients to make my aunt's healthy version of Sally Lunn bread.
I've learned over the years that making Sally Lunn in winter requires setting it in the sun to rise.
My oven was kept busy all day, baking apple cake and several pans of Sally Lunn bread. One. Loaf. At. A. Time.
I returned home laden with bags full of my decorations, candles, apron, empty pans, a tablecloth, potholders, butter dishes, honey bowls, etc.
My heart was also full of memories of another celebration with the family God has given me here.
I've learned over the years that making Sally Lunn in winter requires setting it in the sun to rise.
My oven was kept busy all day, baking apple cake and several pans of Sally Lunn bread. One. Loaf. At. A. Time.
I returned home laden with bags full of my decorations, candles, apron, empty pans, a tablecloth, potholders, butter dishes, honey bowls, etc.
My heart was also full of memories of another celebration with the family God has given me here.
Christmas 2006 Redux
In 2006, I had the privilege of teaching an Advent Bible study. Afterwards, a lady wrote a testimony about her experience.
December 11th & 18th I am planning to lead a two-week Advent Bible study. We pray that God will be pleased and that many will hear the Christmas story for the first time, and that we believers will also make new discoveries of God's grace and truth.
Some say they heard the Christmas story (from the Bible) for the first time and learned so much. I’ve been a Christian for 17 years. Still I had a new discovery in this class too.
What surprised me was the participants’ attitude. I sometimes face a strong resistance against some of the Bible teaching, something like “Jesus is the only Savior,” (Many Japanese think this is arrogant, not generous) or “Jesus died for our sins" (Those who don’t commit crimes are likely to think they are righteous). But all the participants accepted what the Bible says naturally, though they don’t have a faith yet. Holy Spirit really worked in that class. I think J- and the other staff spread the good news through both what they speak and what they do. If there’s something peaceful and warm in the class, they notice God really exists. ...
I really appreciate the lesson and I want to say thank you ...
I’m sure God is pleased with this lesson.
December 11th & 18th I am planning to lead a two-week Advent Bible study. We pray that God will be pleased and that many will hear the Christmas story for the first time, and that we believers will also make new discoveries of God's grace and truth.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Sealing my thumb
Winters in Japan have a way of leaving cracks in the skin of my fingertips. Last week the first one of the season appeared, and I immediately began sealing it each morning with a substance sold for that purpose. I have no idea what it is or what the ingredients are. I only know it has strong fumes and leaves a layer of something on my skin, so that the crack does not split further or deeper, and that I am thankful.
Light
Leaving Bible study at 4.30 PM last week, I had to put on my headlights.
I am counting down the days until December 22nd, when the hours of daylight will start increasing, albeit at first by less than one second.
Every second counts!
I am counting down the days until December 22nd, when the hours of daylight will start increasing, albeit at first by less than one second.
Every second counts!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Invitation
In the mail drop in my front door the other day I received a tri-fold tract from a cult. Written in Japanese, the title is, "Wouldn't you like to know more about the Bible?" My attention was drawn to the die-cut memo paper sticking out of the tract.
On a beautiful piece of Hallmark note paper, someone had hand-written out 2 Timothy 3.16 and added, "Please, get to know the Bible."
We, too, long for many to read and study the Word of God. We pray, though, that it will be for the purpose of knowing the Truth, becoming a man or woman of God, and then walking in the works He has prepared for them.
On a beautiful piece of Hallmark note paper, someone had hand-written out 2 Timothy 3.16 and added, "Please, get to know the Bible."
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,This cult is teaching Scripture in a distorted way and for other purposes. Their adherents are active in my neighborhood, visiting multiple times a month.
We, too, long for many to read and study the Word of God. We pray, though, that it will be for the purpose of knowing the Truth, becoming a man or woman of God, and then walking in the works He has prepared for them.
...that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Japanese pioneers
Imagine you were a Japanese family and felt God's call to Bible translation.
After the application and fund-raising process, then you went to the USA for training. When you reached your country of service, and got to your village, you then had to build your house. While living there in an isolated setting, you weren't always able to get to a doctor when one of your family members had malaria. Your life now looks completely different from almost everyone in your home country.
When you were no longer granted a visa to continue working in your country of service, you moved to a neighboring country. When you came back to Japan on Home Assignment, your children fit in better in an English-speaking school for American missionary children than in a local Japanese school.
Due to moving between countries and then going back to Japan for a short while before returning to your new country of service, your children were in many different school settings. In order to give some measure of stability, you let one child stay back in Japan, finishing out the year at the American missionary kid school there before having to enter yet another new school (high school) in your new country of service.
When it came time for your children to go to college, the natural choice was to go to the USA, where they also would probably meet their spouses, leaving your Japanese family now living in two countries, neither of which is Japan. Yet when the parents go on Home Assignment, it is to Japan.
These people are my heroes! They are the pioneers! In order to take the gospel to the nations, they have paid a price I cannot imagine.
And yet they do so joyfully! I love watching a new generation of American and Korean missionary children in Japan listen to their stories and their missionary challenge. I love knowing that Japanese children in the church here are growing up, as I did, meeting and knowing real live missionaries, and knowing that when they consider the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" becoming a Bible translator is one of the possibilities they consider.
After the application and fund-raising process, then you went to the USA for training. When you reached your country of service, and got to your village, you then had to build your house. While living there in an isolated setting, you weren't always able to get to a doctor when one of your family members had malaria. Your life now looks completely different from almost everyone in your home country.
When you were no longer granted a visa to continue working in your country of service, you moved to a neighboring country. When you came back to Japan on Home Assignment, your children fit in better in an English-speaking school for American missionary children than in a local Japanese school.
Due to moving between countries and then going back to Japan for a short while before returning to your new country of service, your children were in many different school settings. In order to give some measure of stability, you let one child stay back in Japan, finishing out the year at the American missionary kid school there before having to enter yet another new school (high school) in your new country of service.
When it came time for your children to go to college, the natural choice was to go to the USA, where they also would probably meet their spouses, leaving your Japanese family now living in two countries, neither of which is Japan. Yet when the parents go on Home Assignment, it is to Japan.
These people are my heroes! They are the pioneers! In order to take the gospel to the nations, they have paid a price I cannot imagine.
And yet they do so joyfully! I love watching a new generation of American and Korean missionary children in Japan listen to their stories and their missionary challenge. I love knowing that Japanese children in the church here are growing up, as I did, meeting and knowing real live missionaries, and knowing that when they consider the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" becoming a Bible translator is one of the possibilities they consider.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Top Ten Hymns, #5
A continuing series, with the hymns listed in reverse alphabetical order, culminating with a Christmas hymn.
#5 - How Sweet & Awesome
This hymn makes my list because it combines the awe and wonder of God's grace to me personally with a heart for the nations to come to know Him, culminating in a desire for the Church to grow, numerically and in true unity.
Singing it to the old Irish hymn melody, St. Columba, helps its ratings on my list, too!
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
#5 - How Sweet & Awesome
This hymn makes my list because it combines the awe and wonder of God's grace to me personally with a heart for the nations to come to know Him, culminating in a desire for the Church to grow, numerically and in true unity.
Singing it to the old Irish hymn melody, St. Columba, helps its ratings on my list, too!
Why was I made to hear Thy voice,Original post.
And enter while there’s room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?
Pity the nations, O our God!
Constrain the earth to come;
Send Thy victorious Word abroad,
And bring the strangers home.
We long to see Thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May with one voice, and heart and soul,
Sing Thy redeeming grace.
#10 - When I Survey
#9 - Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
#8 - The Church's One Foundation
#7 - Rock of Ages
#6 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
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