June 16th, Worship

June 16th, Worship at Abundant Life Church

Mr. Kobori leading

Naho 

Pastor Koiwai speaking

Mr. Jo directing the children

He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, 

the firstborn of all creation. 

For by him all things were created, 

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, 

whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--

all things were created through him and for him. 

And he is before all things, 

and in him all things hold together. 

And he is the head of the body, the church. 

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, 

that in everything he might be preeminent. 

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, 

whether on earth or in heaven, 

making peace by the blood of his cross. 

Col 1:15-20

a poverty

"It is a poverty to decide that a child* must die so that you may live as you wish." Mother Teresa 

* Including a child in the womb. The word for fetus in Japanese is 'taiji', or womb-child.

"But Jesus called them to him, saying, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.'" Luke18:16

He kindles and re-kindles the fire of Grace.

“One by one the passions awake, prowl around and sniff at the object of their covetousness; they are attacking the poor undecided souls from the back and he is done for. How often has he got to be hurled into the ditch, to be stifled by the mud, to grasp at the edges and arise to the light again, to feel his hands give way and return again to the darkness, before he finally submits to the law of the spiritual life- the least understood law in the world and the one that repels him most though without it he cannot attain the grace of perseverance. What is required is the renunciation of the ego, and this expressed perfectly in the phrase of Pascal: ‘Entire and sweet renunciation. Absolute submission to Jesus Christ and to my spiritual director.’

People may laugh and scoff at you for being unworthy of the title of free man and for having to submit yourself to a master…. But this enslavement is really a miraculous liberation, for even when you were free you spent the whole time forging chains for yourself and putting them on, riveting them tighter and tighter each moment. During the years when you thought you were free you submitted like and ox to the yoke of your countless hereditary ills. From the hour of your birth not one of your crimes has failed to go on living, has failed to imprison you more and more every day, has failed to beget other crimes. The Man you submit yourself to does not want you to be free to be a slave: he breaks the circle of your fetters, and, against you half-extinguised and still-smouldering desires, He kindles and re-kindles the fire of Grace.” Fracois Mauriac

"And from his (Christ) fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." John 1:16

'fortress church'

“A frightening proportion of our churches are trapped by… the 'fortress church' mentality. That mentality is made up of attitudes that may be conscious or unconscious: 'Let them come to us! Our doors are open.' 'We come to church to have our needs met, to escape the cold, cruel world.' But there are biblical truths that knock flat the walls of our fortress. Every member is a minister. Every member has kingdom power to destroy strongholds. Through us Jesus continues to immerses himself in the needs of the world.” Tim Keller




"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'"  Mark 16:15

Tim Keller: 5 Ways the Bible Shapes Our Work | Acton PowerBlog  At The Gospel Coalition’s 2013 National Conference, Tim Keller kicked off a Faith at Work post-conference by exploring what it means to be a Christian in the marketplace. Also on Vimeo Redefining Work Panel Discussion Also Rethinking Work - Katherine Alsdorf and Dave Kiersznowski

To serve

June 9th, cleaning the Abundant Life Church.

About 20 helped. Thanks!

Windows, curtains, yard, lights and carpet.

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 

Family Festa

At Azumino Family Chapel, June 2nd.

Mr. Momose enjoying his 'kakigori' (shaved ice with syrup).

Cheap clothing

 And games for kids

Our Abundant Life Church is in partnership with the Azumino Family Chapel.

a tradition of staying at the dinner table

“Several years ago, my wife and I started a tradition of staying at the dinner table for twenty minutes or so after dinner. The kids race off to practice guitar and do homework, so we spend some time talking about each other’s day. It’s not a law that we have to do it; so sometimes we don’t, but we almost always spend this time together. This time investment tells her that I care. She knows I am for her, and the impact is that we have become best friends.” 

Patrick Morley

”Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesains 5:25

Matsumoto Castle... Amazing!

As many of you know, Matsumoto, where we live and minister, is known for it's castle. It is a national treasure. But click below and you will see an amazing cardboard creation of the castle by a Japanese artist. Make sure to scroll down and see all of it. Check the video near the end. Japanese artist recreates Matsumoto Castle out of cardboard | RocketNews24. (Above pict: we visited it again last fall.)