NYPD officer's kindness...

The Associated Press: NYPD officer's kindness sparks online sensation

“Don’t your marvel at the accomplishments of some men? How do they ever get so much out of their time? The apostle Paul was such a man… But Paul didn’t do great things. He did small, obedient things which, when totaled, the sum of them was found to be great. But even then, he wasn’t considered great in his own generation- no, he was even despised! His many small contributions were only seen as great in retrospect… His life is a study in doing the little things right. His was no glamorous life. He had no international organization, just a few friends who stood beside him. He understood that God always includes enough time to accomplish God’s plans.” 

Patrick Morley

'And one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."' 
James 2:15-18

The Hole in Our Holiness

"Union with Christ is like wedlock, we are joined to Christ in a covenant of love." Kevin DeYoung  Because of Christ's covenant of love realized at the cross, I love Him and by faith separate myself from sin. He quotes John Piper: "When it comes to killing my sin, I don't wait passively for the miracle of sin-killing to be worked on me, I act the miracle."

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14

Read more about the book. The Sweaty Work of Sanctification | Christianity Today

The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness: Kevin DeYoung: Amazon.com: Books

Kids

Kids playing soccer at a park nearby, last Saturday.
Hosahana in the front with the boys further away on the leftish.

"I am the bread of life."

"Evangelism is one poor beggar telling another poor beggar where to find bread." D.T. Niles

OR

"Evangelism is also one hungry beggar eagerly eating the bread and being changed by it, and then telling the other poor beggars to eat of the same bread." 'Jack' Miller, A Faith Worth Sharing 

'Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."'  John 6:35

Idols

“Those who make them [idols] will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” Psalm 115: 8 

“Note the shattering conclusion: we become like what we worship.” Vinoth Ramachandra, Gods That Fail

“Under every behavioral sin is the sin of idolatry, and under every act of idolatry is a disbelief in the gospel.” Timothy Keller

Reflect on God’s grace until you show warmth and affection.

“Have you spoken or thought unkindly of anyone? Have you been impatient or irritable? Have you been self-absorbed, indifferent, or inattentive to people? Repent by considering the free grace of Jesus until there is… no coldness or unkindness, as you think of the sacrificial love of Christ for you,… no impatience, as you think of his patience with you, and… no indifference, as you think of how God is infinitely attentive to you. Reflect on God’s grace until you show warmth and affection.” 

Timothy Keller

'And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."' Luke 22:19-20

Christmas season...even in Japan

Christmas tree downtown Matsumoto. For those who know in front of Parco (a fancy department store). See Naho and kids.