Things we battle….

“Do not think it unspiritual to remember that you have a body. . . . The physician is often as needful as the minister.” 
Charles H. Spurgeon 
Read quotes on Spurgeon's depression. The Spurgeon Center | 11 Reasons Spurgeon Was Depressed

Psalm 43:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I will yet praise him, the health of my countenance, and my God." 

Other thoughtful articles.
Prosperity gospel: The ‘Gospel’ That Almost Killed Me, 
Pride: Three Ways Ministry Can Make You Conceited, 
Porn: The Terrible Cost Of Porn | The American Conservative

“Where in Scripture is the love of Christ most greatly manifested?

“Where in Scripture is the love of Christ most greatly manifested?…. It’s manifested in the sufferings, in supremely the cross-work of Christ. Isn’t that what all the New Testament writers come back to again and again and again?…. Isn’t that what Paul says when describing justification in Galatians 2:20-21 and he throws in Christ Jesus, ‘who loved me and gave Himself for me.'” Don Carson

Please read The Cross (and Nothing Else) is the Ultimate Proof of Christ’s Love | Anchored in Christ

Also, Amazon | The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from I Corinthians | D. A. Carson

[Session 9] Tim Keller—“Boasting in Nothing Except the Cross” (Galatians 6) - YouTube

"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.