NYPD officer's kindness...

The Associated Press: NYPD officer's kindness sparks online sensation

“Don’t your marvel at the accomplishments of some men? How do they ever get so much out of their time? The apostle Paul was such a man… But Paul didn’t do great things. He did small, obedient things which, when totaled, the sum of them was found to be great. But even then, he wasn’t considered great in his own generation- no, he was even despised! His many small contributions were only seen as great in retrospect… His life is a study in doing the little things right. His was no glamorous life. He had no international organization, just a few friends who stood beside him. He understood that God always includes enough time to accomplish God’s plans.” 

Patrick Morley

'And one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."' 
James 2:15-18

The Hole in Our Holiness

"Union with Christ is like wedlock, we are joined to Christ in a covenant of love." Kevin DeYoung  Because of Christ's covenant of love realized at the cross, I love Him and by faith separate myself from sin. He quotes John Piper: "When it comes to killing my sin, I don't wait passively for the miracle of sin-killing to be worked on me, I act the miracle."

"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." Titus 2:11-14

Read more about the book. The Sweaty Work of Sanctification | Christianity Today

The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness: Kevin DeYoung: Amazon.com: Books

Kids

Kids playing soccer at a park nearby, last Saturday.
Hosahana in the front with the boys further away on the leftish.

"I am the bread of life."

"Evangelism is one poor beggar telling another poor beggar where to find bread." D.T. Niles

OR

"Evangelism is also one hungry beggar eagerly eating the bread and being changed by it, and then telling the other poor beggars to eat of the same bread." 'Jack' Miller, A Faith Worth Sharing 

'Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."'  John 6:35

Idols

“Those who make them [idols] will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” Psalm 115: 8 

“Note the shattering conclusion: we become like what we worship.” Vinoth Ramachandra, Gods That Fail

“Under every behavioral sin is the sin of idolatry, and under every act of idolatry is a disbelief in the gospel.” Timothy Keller

Reflect on God’s grace until you show warmth and affection.

“Have you spoken or thought unkindly of anyone? Have you been impatient or irritable? Have you been self-absorbed, indifferent, or inattentive to people? Repent by considering the free grace of Jesus until there is… no coldness or unkindness, as you think of the sacrificial love of Christ for you,… no impatience, as you think of his patience with you, and… no indifference, as you think of how God is infinitely attentive to you. Reflect on God’s grace until you show warmth and affection.” 

Timothy Keller

'And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."' Luke 22:19-20

Christmas season...even in Japan

Christmas tree downtown Matsumoto. For those who know in front of Parco (a fancy department store). See Naho and kids.

Piety

 “I call piety that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of His benefits induces. For until men recognize that they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by His Fatherly care, that He is the author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond Him, they will never yield Him willing service.” 
John Calvin

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called..." Ephesians 4:1 

Movie Night

Nov. 9th, we enjoyed Narnia's 'Prince Caspian' here at our church.

 Naho made some 'takoyaki.'

Parenting is hard....

"Parenting is hard. But as I've learned, it is hard for a reason. God is in the process of making all things new, including our hearts. He is pruning, weeding, and tilling the soil in our hearts to make us increasingly like Christ. Once day, his work will be complete, and we'll see the breathtaking result of his refining work in us. The weeds will be gone, and our sin will be no more.

That day when I came face to face with my sins at the dinner table, I count it as grace. For it is God's gracious love that desires to rid me of the sins.... And after after my son prayed, I asked him for grace and forgiveness for my impatience that day. Reminding him that I am a sinner just as he is, I used the opportunity to point him to the grace of Christ who bore all our sins on the cross." (Italics mine)

Parenting Is Hard for a Reason – The Gospel Coalition Blog

"Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." Colossians 3:21

Pict: Shane with Daddy at Lego Land near Matsumoto Station.

Bart

A couple of Sundays ago, Bart led our worship. He, Abi and Justin are some local English teachers who help out our ministry here. Many thanks!

"Those of high estate are a delusion"

"Our hope is not in the man we put in the White House but in the Man we put on the Cross." Rick Warren

”Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” CS Lewis  Listen to Heaven

My hope is built on nothing less 
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name
Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Read: After Election 2012: Living in the 'New Moral Landscape' | Christianity Today

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath." Psalm 62:8-9

Chris

 Last Week, Chris Risden- TEAM missionary- and I had some fellowship time at Gusto. He is studying Japanese and worships at Azumino Family Chapel- with his Japanese wife and 3 precious children.

Bear more pain....

"Bear more pain than you inflict." Richard Mouw

'Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."' Matthew 16:24

Tim Keller referred to this in the last portion of his sermon Culture. He said that we,  because of original sin, wound people inevitably. But then though, we should bear more pain than we inflict to be true pacesetters and cause flourishing.

Jackie Hill

Listen to a painful, but powerful message/poem of the Cross by Jackie Hill. A Message to Itchy Ears – Justin Taylor

Interview with Gospel Coalition, Coming to You Raw and Uncut with Jackie Hill – The Gospel Coalition Blog

About Jackie Hill  Read her testimony. Then read the scripture below.

'When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25–26

Muscial

Looks like the same pict, but....

 Shane (5th grade) is playing a recorder on the right.

And Hosahna (4th) is singing on the front left. 

Nov. 27th at Namiyanagi Elementary School.

He will rejoice over you with gladness...

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." 
Zephaniah 3:17

The Japanese-Chinese character on the left is the word 'gladness.' It's as if a person is lifting up his hands in joy.

My wife shared this verse with me the other day.