by Whitey | Sep 10, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” (v.8)
What a great expression of worship — worship as not just words or songs or rituals, but as a lifestyle. To honor God with our time, money, possessions, relationships, priorities… That is true worship. Am I worshiping God in this way? With all of me? Or am I merely being religious?
“My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.” (v 9)
How often is God my last thought at night and my first thought in the morning? If I’m honest, there are a lot of times when other stuff gets my attention and I don’t start or end the day with God on my mind at all. How often do I actually long for Him?
But this is the kind of relationship I want to have with God. To long for Him, to desire to talk with Him, for Him to be my first and last thought each day. For Him to distract me from other stuff rather than that stuff taking my attention off of Him… That is true worship.
by Whitey | Sep 8, 2012 | Uncategorized
Every month at my church our young adults get together for some prayer time followed by a big meal together. I always enjoy it, but the past couple of months I couldn’t go because it took place on dates I was traveling. So I was thankful I got to take part in this month’s gathering, which took place last weekend.
All that to say, here’s another food-related picture. Me and the gang eating dry curry — a first for me. It was really good, too!
by Whitey | Aug 28, 2012 | Uncategorized
A little late, but here’s a pic of the worship band from this year’s youth camp. I’m the guy with the hat.
by Whitey | Aug 28, 2012 | Uncategorized, Videos
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/47226011 w=500&h=282] <p>2012.April 信田和富 My Hope Story (Knowing God, English Subtitle) from Jesus.net Japan on Vimeo.
by Whitey | Aug 27, 2012 | Uncategorized, Videos
[wpvideo wKILiDU1]
This is another one of my adventures with food. This time, a Nagoya treat, tebasaki — a kind of chicken wing. Tasty!
by Whitey | Aug 20, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes. For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. I removed the boundaries of nations, I plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their kings.'” (Isaiah 10:12, 13 NIV)
This is one of those passages that can seem a little unfair at first. God uses a Marin to discipline Israel, and then He punishes that nation too. But the real issue is pride, as we see here. And it’s a real issue for many of us today too.
I really want to see results in my ministry. But Lord, protect me from pride. Keep my motivations pure. Keep me from being jealous of the success of others. And when results do come about, may I never forget to give You the glory. May I never think I’ve accomplished anything worthwhile without Your help. And may I remember what kind of results are actually important to aim for and pray for.
