Preparing for earthquakes...

Mr. Momose is helping the Abundant Life Church prepare for earthquakes. Gratis! Thanks!

This area is known for earthquakes.

We must go back again and again to the gospel of Christ-crucified

“At the root of all our disobedience are particular ways in which we continue to seek control of our lives through systems of works-righteousness. The way to progress as a Christian is to continually repent and uproot these systems the same way we become Christians, namely by the vivid depiction (and re-depiction) of Christ’s saving work for us, and the abandoning of self-trusting efforts to complete ourselves. We must go back again and again to the gospel of Christ-crucified, so that our hearts are more deeply gripped by the reality of what he did and who we are in him.” Timothy Keller

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

Keller's Free Sermon Resource | Redeemer Sermons

God's Word in Two Words

"A high view of the law produces a high view of grace. A low view of the law produces a low view of grace. God's good law reveals our desperation; God's good gospel reveals our deliverer....The overwhelming focus of the Bible is not the work of the redeemed but the work of the Redeemer."  Tullian Tchividjian

Read the whole article: God's Word in Two Words | Christianity 

"Cheap law weakens God's demand for perfection, and in doing so, breathes life into the old creature and his quest for a righteousness of his own making. . . . Cheap law tells us that we've fallen, but there's good news, you can get back up again. . . . Therein lies the great heresy of cheap law: it is a false gospel. And it cheapens—no—it nullifies grace." John Dink

"Sin is not canceled by lawful living, for no person is able to live up to the Law. Nothing can take away sin except the grace of God." Martin Luther

"A low view of the law always produces legalism; a high view of the law makes a person a seeker after grace." Gresham Machen

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 10:4

Gospel in action... again yesterday

Seminar speaker Mr. Jinnai

At Azumino Family Chapel

Discussion groups

'If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.' 1 John 4:20

Charity Concert... yesterday

At Toyoshina Modern Art Museum

Busts of Japanese Christian leaders of the past. 

Kanzo Uchimura & Inazo Nitobe

Mr. Jinnai spoke of the great needs in Africa.

the Music

 "It is more blessed to give than to recieve."

People are prepared for everything except....

“People are prepared for everything except for the fact that beyond the darkness of their blindness there is a great light. They are prepared to go on breaking their backs plowing the same old field until the cows come home without seeing, until they stub their toes on it, that there is a treasure buried in that field rich enough to buy Texas. They are prepared for a God who strikes hard bargains but not for a God who gives as much for an hour’s work as for a day’s. They are prepared for a mustard-seed kingdom of God no bigger than the eye of a newt but not for the great banyan it becomes with birds in its branches singing Mozart. They are prepared for the potluck supper at First Presbyterian but not for the marriage supper of the lamb.” 

Frederick Buechner

”Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

“I forgive you”

“I have often said, “I forgive you,” but even as I said these words my heart remained angry or resentful. I still wanted to hear the story that tells me that I was right after all; I still wanted to hear apologies and excuses; I still wanted the satisfaction of receiving some praise in return- if only the praise for being so forgiving! But God’s forgiveness is unconditional; it comes from a heart that does not demand anything for itself, a heart that is completely empty of self-seeking. It is this divine forgiveness that I have to practice in my daily life. It calls me to keep stepping over all my arguments that say forgiveness is unwise, unhealthy, and impractical. It challenges me to step over all my needs for gratitude and compliments. Finally, it demands of me that I step over that wounded part of my heart that feels hurt and wronged and that wants to stay in control and put a few conditions between me and the one wham I am asked to forgive.” Henri Nouwen

'Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."'Matthew18:21-22