by Whitey | Feb 1, 2012 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
Thank you for your prayers over the past month! Unfortunately I’ve been sick with the flu this week. But God has been at work in my ministry anyway.
I had to skip
English Club this Sunday, but fortunately I have a good group of volunteers who proved their worth by taking over for me at the last minute. An American friend was helping out this time, too, and I had her on deck to do a testimony instead of my usual devotional. So that was well timed. I’d also sent not only a schedule for the event, but detailed instructions for the games, so they could lead those without me.
It feels like God knew I was gonna get sick and led our plans accordingly. And it turns out we had
the biggest crowd yet, with 35 people, 17 of whom were guests. I’m so thankful for the ministry team I’ve got at my church, and that this ministry is bigger than me. And best of all, spiritual seeds were planted in the hearts of 17 guests!
I’d still have rather not gotten sick, but it’s been a good reminder that it’s not about me. God is at work in Japan, and sometimes He works through me… but sometimes
in spite of me.
Here are some things you can be praying for this month:
1. The Immanuel Church (the denomination GP partners with in Japan) is having their
General Conference this month, where they’ll be choosing a new Superintendant and making other important descisions about the future of the denomination. Please pray that they’ll know and follow God’s heart in these meetings.
2. Please pray for this
Friday’s English Cafe. Pray that I’ll be feeling better, for a good turn-out, and for good conversations that point to Jesus.
3. Pray for me as
I lead worship on Feb. 8 during at my church’s prayer meeting.
4. Please pray for my ministry with Nagoya-Higashi Church
youth group on Feb. 11.
5. We’re preparing to start a
new kids’ English class in March, and will be doing a demo lesson / Q&A time for parents on Feb. 14. Please pray for new students.
Thank you for partnering with me in building spiritual bridges in Japan!
– Robin
by Whitey | Jan 25, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (v. 8)
Real repentence isn’t just feeling sorry for our sins, but turning from it and choosing to live differently. It means to follow Jesus and live in a way that produces “fruit” — brings positive results to our lives and the lives of those around us.
It’s interesting to note here that when his audience asks him what they should do, the kind of fruit John tells them to produce is all related to money and possessions. He says, for example, “The man who has two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” (v. 11) And throughout the gospels, Jesus too comes back to this idea again and again.
I guess Jesus and John both knew that how we use our money and possessions shows our priorities, our hearts. Their example and teaching point us toward living as simply as possible so that we can more freely give and serve.
This is a pretty big challenge to our modern, materialistic ways of living. Are we letting society influence us into confusing our needs with selfish desires? Or are we willing to follow the way of Christ and live more simply, with less stuff, so that we can give more to help those in need?
Father God, I have everything I need, and then some. Thank You for providing for my needs. Teach me to use what I have in a way that honors You and furthers Your Kingdom.
(Sent from my iPad)
by Whitey | Jan 23, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
I love now eager the shepherds in this story are. After they heard about Jesus, they quickly went to see Him for themselves. And after seeing Him, they quickly spread the word to others. And they returned home praising God for the things they’d seen and heard.
I want to be more like these shepherds, seeking to experience more of Jesus, eagerly sharing the good news with others, and praising God enthusiastically as I go about my daily life.
Lord, my prayer today is that You will deepen my desire to know You, to share You and to worship You.
by Whitey | Jan 21, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
Here Zechariah reminds us that God fulfills His promises. Today I’m thankful for our faithful and trustworthy God. May I be found faithful to Him.
神様が約束を果たしてくださるのは思い出されました。今日、頼もしきて信頼できる神様を感謝しています。私も頼もしい人になりますように。
by Whitey | Jan 20, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
「すると、立ちどころにザカリヤの口が開けて舌がゆるみ、話り出して神ほめたたえた。」(64)
私も早く神様をほめたたえたい。祝福をいただいたら、感謝で応えますように。朝、起きたときの最初の考え方と言葉は賛美になりますように。
“Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.” (vs. 64)
Zechariah’s first words after the birth of his son John and the receiving of his voice back were words of praise. He obviously recognized God’s blessings when he saw them. I want to be quick to praise God as well. When I receive a blessing, may my response be to thank Him, and when I wake up in the morning, may my first thought, my first words, be to praise Him. He is worthy!
