"I became an artist through the portal of grief."

"Bono (of U2) says the power of art is especially seen when tragedy strikes. He fell in love with music when his mother tragically died. 

"I became an artist through the portal of grief," Bono told Taylor. "My mother died at her own father's gravesite. As he was being lowered into the ground she had an aneurysm. I was 14." 

It was an event that changed his life forever and motivates him to touch the families of Manchester and the rest of the world with his music. 


Read more: U2 Takes Jimmy Kimmel Audience to Church | CBN News, Jimmy Kimmel’s FULL INTERVIEW with U2 - YouTube

‘I Went to the Site Where Death Died’ - Bono on Grief, Jesus at Golgotha | MRCTV

"He wounds…."

"He wounds before his hands make whole." Read John Bunyan's Acceptable Sacrifice.

Isaiah 53:5, "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."

Dad and Mom's Memorial Service

Dad and Mom's Memorial Service on last Saturday was great!

See it on YouTube. I hour 43 mins.

Dad's award (some kind of order from the emperor) is beneath their pictures.

It was a time of music, hymns, testimonies and a light meal.

Pastor Koiwai spoke from their favorite Bible passage John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Their ashes were put in the same urn. 

I have never heard of this in Japan.

About 200 people came. Thank you Jesus!

In Sunday's local newspaper.

Small Churches

Japanese churches are 'small churches' by most standards. Here are some articles that might assist us. 5 Simple Statements Any Small Church Pastor Would Love ... | Pivot | A Blog by Karl Vaters

Zechariah 4:10, "Who dares despise the day of small things…."

5 Things You Should Never Say To A Small Church Pastor ... | Pivot | A Blog by Karl Vaters, 
Go Big or Go Home: Reimagining Rural Church Planting | The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzere, 
'No LIttle People, No LIttle Places" Francis Schaeffer, 
Ruralology: All It Takes Is Sacrifice, Commitment, and a Desire to Be What God Made Us to Be | The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzer
Small Church, Big Ministry | CT Pastors
Five Things Small Town Church Planters Wish Their Denomina... | The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzer

Honoring Dad and Mom

My father passed away this Tuesday, the 25^th of April. My mother passed away about two and a half years ago. I honor them from my heart. One of the Bible verses they“made” me memorize was Ephesians 6:1-3. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’" My Mom used to say, half jokingly, “Do you want to live long? Then obey.” So right now I want to "honor (my) father and mother", by remembering them and honoring their Lord.

My parents were people of extensive service. Their passion was for the Lord and His church. They helped start six churches throughout the Matsumoto valley. They started a Bible bookstore. They had a weekly radio program that was heard throughout our Nagano prefecture. They were also heavily involved in other non-church areas. Mom and Dan both taught zillions of English students, little kids as well as university students. Dad was involved in two penal institutions. For his service there he received a special award (an order) from the emperor. Mom spoke at over 2000 PTA’s, and many other gatherings. She spoke not only on education and the family, but also on prejudice and business. I honor my parents for their servant hearts.

However, my parents would, most of all, desire me to honor them by honoring their Lord. Another Bible verse they “made” me memorize was the famous verse John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Their God, and also my God, was (and is) the creator God who is not impersonal, but the One who “so loved the world.” The Creator’s love is personal. It is not just words, philosophy or some morals, but is a Person – His very own Son, Jesus Christ. His Son, died on the cross the death that we should die for our sins. He rose again. By simply believing, looking and clinging to Him, we have life—not only life after death, but by His death and life, we can truly live with great hope. Is there anyone so wonderful and honorable as our gracious God? As I honor my parents, I now, all the more, honor the living God.

During World War II my father fought against the Japanese in the Philippines. It’s hard for me to say this, but he hated the Japanese. After the war, while in university, he was reminded of a part of the above verse. “For God so loved the world.” The world includes Japan, his hated enemy, he thought. So then, Dad (and Mom) ended spending almost fifty years of their lives in Matsumoto, Japan, faithfully serving their former enemies. For that, even as I miss them, I truly honor the Lord that gave them this heart of love.

Revival and Theology

Oh, for revival in Japan! The North Korean Revival of 1907 | TGC, ‎Korean Pentecost: the Great Revival of 1907, A Century After North Korean Revival, Dreams of an Encore | Christianity Today "The story of Christian reformation, revival, and renaissance underscores that the darkest hour is often just before the dawn, so we should always be people of hope and prayer, not gloom and defeatism. God the Holy Spirit can turn the situation around in five minutes." Os Guinness

A reminder of some basic theology, for living and preaching. What Is the Difference between Justification and Sanctification? | TGC. "To know who we are practically and are to become positionally drives us to dig into this glorious grace—not only in our lives but also in the lives of church members. To know what Christ has won for you will fuel you and encourage you to press into one another’s lives with the word of victorious grace in the gospel (cf. Rom. 6-8). Because of what Jesus has done God will never love you more than he does that first hour of faith. And, because of what Jesus has done, you who truly trust in Jesus are as secure in that imputed righteousness as Christ is. It is as if his righteousness is stitched to your own soul! And, you can mark it down, just as Christ has been resurrected, so too will you walk in newness of this resurrected life (Rom. 6)."

Dad in heaven….

My father, Calvin Frederick Junker, from Petosky, Michigan (originally from Brooklyn N.Y.) went to be with the Lord, early Tuesday morning on April 25th, 2017.  After suffering a serious injury many years ago and the recent passing of his dear wife, Patricia Ann Junker (formerly from Waterford, Michigan), he is now joyfully with his Heavenly Father….   

We will miss him!