Only before the cross

"The world trembles only before the cross, not before us." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14 

"I believe we must not only pray for revival but also for reformation that will restore our lost confidence in the Cross…. Have we- I speak to those of us who are committed Christians- have we forgotten that God’s power is more clearly seen in the message of the Cross than any political or social plan we might devise?... The Cross is nothing less than the self-substitution of God for us…. He chose ‘to direct against his own very self in the person of his Son the full weight of the righteous wrath which they deserved.’…. We become so overburdened with social/political agendas that our message is lost amid these cultural skirmishes. The church has always faced the temptation to modify the gospel or make it secondary to a given political, philosophical, or cultural agenda. When this happens, Christians have exposure to the culture, but the Cross does not. Again, it is hidden…. Salvation, it appears, is electing conservatives to national and local office. Important though this might be, we must always remember that God is neither Republican nor Democrat. When the Cross is wrapped in the flag of a political party, it is always distorted or diminished. Even for some who have experienced its power, the Cross has become an addendum to what is thought to be more pressing agendas…. We must be involved in the political process but also keep our distance, fighting evil and encouraging good wherever it is found. Ultimately the ballet box cannot save us; only God can. And the Cross is the centerpiece of His agenda…. Only the Cross stands alone, unencumbered with other religions, philosophies, or political ideologies, does it retain its power…. Let us not be so naïve as to think that this (organizing a moral crusade etc) is American’s hope. Darkness can only be dispelled by light, and light come through the gospel of God’s grace…. What have we won if people are not introduced to a Savior who can reconcile them to God?....We (must) conduct ourselves in such a way that we have credibility in sharing the Good News…. And if the choice would be between winning our ‘cultural war’ and maintaining our committment to a pure gospel, we must let the cultural battles take second place so that the Cross gets a hearing in the hearts of men and women.” Erwin Lutzer

Hitler's Cross: The Revealing Story of How the Cross of Christ Was Used As a Symbol of the Nazi Agenda: Erwin W. Lutzer: 9780802435798: Amazon.com: Books

Why does God allow suffering?

"Jesus asked me…'Can you thank me for trusting you with this experience even if I never tell you why?'" Dr. Helen Roseveare, medical doctor and missionary

She was abused and raped in the then Belgian Congo. Listen to her story of dealing with real suffering.

"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." Philippians 3:10 

Why Does a God of Love Allow Suffering - Dr. Helen Roseveare - 4 part series on YouTube Part 1 of 4,  Part 2 of 4, Part 3 of 4, Part 4 of 4

Her book Give Me This Mountain and He Gave Us a Valley (Biography): Helen Roseveare: Amazon.com: Books

God alone can do that.

"And so we would put our confidence, not in man-made organisations, but in the power of God, in the prayer that holds on to God and asks for revival and a descent of the Spirit. We would realise that nothing else can do it. We can change men superficially, we can win men to our side and to our party, we can persuade them to join a church, but we can never raise the spiritually dead; God alone can do that." Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers." Acts1:13-14

Grandma Yuriko's with her Lord!

Naho's grandma was 102.

 We went up to Takamatsu on Mon. 

and came back Tues.

Her name means Lily.

Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.

Tears came to my eyes as I listened. Suffering one, let the message sink in…. 

Youtube: God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God Moves in a Mysterious Way, William Cowper

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.