The Cross

“I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the Cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who is immune to it?” 

John Stott

"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 

Thanks for your help！

Levi and Naho painting our upstairs apartment in the Abundant Life Church. 

Thanks for your help, Levi and Naho!

More unspeakably precious

"Forgiveness of sins and acceptance with God become every day in my view more unspeakably precious." Robert Murray M’Cheyne

"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." 1 Peter 1:8

the Sabbath

“There is ample evidence that our relationship to work is out of whack. Let me argue on behalf of an institution that has kept workaholism in reasonable check for thousands of years. Most people mistakenly believe that all you have to do to stop working is not work. The inventors of the Sabbath understood that it was a much more complicated undertaking. You cannot downshift causally and easily. This is why the Puritan and Jewish Sabbaths were so exactingly intentional. The rules did not exist to torture the faithful. Interrupting the ceaseless round of striving requires a surprising strenuous act of will, one that has to be bolstered by habit as well as by social sanction.” J. Shulevitz

"And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." Genesis 2:2-3


Pict: Japanese stop sign.

The poor

“Where have we any command in the Bible laid down in stronger terms, and in a more peremptory urgent manner, than the command of giving to the poor?”　Jonathan Edwards  

"Since Jesus had to die to appease the wrath of God, we know that God is a God of justice, and therefore we should be highly sensitive to the rights of the poor in our communities." Tim Keller and Don Carson

"Such scenes I never before dreamed of. Why am I such a stranger to the poor of my native town? I have passed their doors thousands of times; I have admired the huge black piles of buildings, with their lofty chimneys breaking the sun's rays. Why have I never ventured within? How dwelleth the love of God in me?.... How cordial is the welcome even of the poorest and most loathsome to the voice of Christian sympathy! What embedded masses of human beings are huddled together, unvisited by friend or minister! 'No man careth for our souls' is written over every forehead. Awake, my soul! Why should I give the hours and days any longer to the vain world, when there is such a world of misery at the very door? Lord, put thine own strength in me; confirm every good resolution; forgive my past long life of uselessness and folly." Robert Murray M’Cheyne

"Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." The  Apostle Paul, Galatians 2:10

‘Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus’

Magazine Christianity Today missed the mark, when they criticized Jefferson Bethke for 'appearing supremely arrogant by claiming to love Jesus and hate religion.' He is not criticizing the church, but clearly says he 'loves the church.' But even as he does a great job of glorifying the grace of Christ, he does need to look at how the Bible uses the word 'religion.' Here is one of the few times the Bible actually uses the word 'religion.' James here defines religion. "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:26-27 In the context of the whole Bible, grace begets grace, especially concern for the weak. It also begets gospel holiness, controlling ones tongue and keeping oneself unstained from the world. That is what, I believe, he is communicating on his post.


Please look at Bethke's Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus on Youtube for yourself. Over 21,000,000 hits.


And I feel Washington Post's article was very good. ‘Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus’ goes viral - Under God - The Washington Post.

I love Thy kingdom, Lord...

 I love Thy kingdom, Lord, 
The place of Thine abode, 
The church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.

 I love Thy church, O God;
 Her walls before Thee stand,
 Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
 And graven on Thy hand.

For her my tears shall fall; 
For her my prayers ascend;
 To her my cares and toils be giv’n,
 Till toils and cares shall end.

Beyond my highest joy, 
I prize her heav’nly ways, 
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
 Her hymns of love and praise.

Sure as Thy truth shall last,
 To Zion shall be given, 
The brightest glories earth can yield,
 And brighter bliss of Heav’n.

Timothy Dwight

Listen

 “‘Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name,
 your kingdom come...."  Matthew 6:9-10