by Whitey | Mar 9, 2013 | Thoughts
John 12:42-43: “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”
This a danger for all of us who follow Christ. I see it especially here in Japan where there is so much pressure to conform and to please others. This fear of what others’ think leads to compromise, and even to denying Christ.
But it’s not just a Japanese thing. I too am tempted to keep quiet, to conform, to blend in. I don’t want to stand out or offend.
But isn’t God’s approval more important than man’s? Isn’t praise from God more desirable than praise from others? I want to live in a way that pleases God, that makes Him smile, that brings me His approval, no matter what others may think.
Lord, please give me the grace I need to stand up for — and stand out for — You today.
by Whitey | Mar 8, 2013 | Thoughts
John 12:25: “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those
who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.”
This is hard. There’s so much I still want to see and do and experience.
What about my needs? What about my desires? What about… ME?
Yet this the call of Christ. As He says elsewhere, “deny yourself, take up
your cross daily, and follow.” It’s a high calling. It’s not always easy.
It’s not always safe. And there’s no guarantee that you’ll have everything
you want.
But it’s good. Because He is good. And though the way may seem narrow and
hard at times, on this path is joy and peace and purpose.
On days when I feel weak or alone, on days when my list of unanswered
prayers seems too long to bear, it’s good to remember that Jesus didn’t
call me to an easy life, but to a good life.
And life is good. Because He is good. And He is with me.
by Whitey | Mar 5, 2013 | Uncategorized
Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” (John 11:40 NLT)
Like Martha, sometimes I doubt. Sometimes Jesus needs to remind me that His grace is enough. That if I believe, trust and obey Him I’ll see prayers answered, lives changed, His Kingdom come. And through it all, He’s my constant companion.
Jesus, help me to believe.
by Whitey | Mar 2, 2013 | Ministry News
Thursday’s kids’ class — 2 year finale.
Hi everyone,
The photo at the top of this letter is of the Thursday afternoon kids English class I teach at my church. This past week, we finished our second year together, and most of these kids have been coming since the first day. It’s been fun seeing them grow and learn over the past 2 years. I’m thankful for the opportunity to invest in the lives of these kids, most of whom come from non-Christian homes. Thank you for your investment in this bridge-building ministry!
This is a season of re-focusing for me. The past year I’ve done a lot of traveling, and various opportunities have opened up. Now I’m trying to cut back on monthly commitments elsewhere so that I can give my best to my 40+ English students in Nagoya, while still being available for occasional special events and speaking engagements.
Please Pray With Me About the Following:
1. I’m preaching at the Immanuel Shizuoka Church on March 10. It’s the last Sunday of my monthly commitment there, and as usual I’ll be teaching the youth Sunday school class as well.
2. As part of our English ministry in Nagoya, we’re holding a special English Club event on Easter Sunday, March 31st.
3. March 12-14 is the Immanuel Church’s national annual conference. Please pray for the pastors and leaders taking part in these important meetings. Also, as this is when new appointments are announced, please pray for those who will be going through transitions in the coming months.
4. I’m hoping to start an English Bible study for any of my adult English students who may be interested. Please pray for direction about the details, and for a good group to join.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
– Robin
PS — For more of my recent photos, please check out the previous post!
by Whitey | Mar 2, 2013 | Photos
I haven’t blogged here very much recently, but here are a bunch of photos showing you what I’ve been up to the past couple of months. (Click on a pic to see it closer up and/or to go through the whole set in slide-show-type format.) These, along with the prayer letter I’m posing later, should bring you up to speed. Thanks for following my life and ministry here in Japan!
by Whitey | Feb 27, 2013 | Thoughts
“As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The Lord will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness.” (Micah 7:7-9 NLT)
Sin is serious. Sin has consequences. When we sin we bring pain upon ourselves. And sometimes God disciplines us.
But the good news is that He disciplines those He loves. And when we repent, He forgives.
God wants what’s best for us. He loves us. Like Micah, Believers can be confident that God is on our side.
by Whitey | Feb 3, 2013 | Photos
Here’s a photo from Friday’s English Cafe. Nice to see some new faces!
by Whitey | Jan 31, 2013 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
January was a fairly quiet month for my ministry. I did, however, take my usual monthly trip to Shizuoka, where a couple of interesting things happened: I had prepared a short message in Japanese for the Sunday school lesson. Usually this class is mostly high school girls, but this time there were some younger kids involved too. My message didn’t really seem like a good fit anymore, so I improvised. I was thankful for the fact that I had an interpreter, because it’s a lot harder to improvise in Japanese! We talked about the lyrics of one of the songs we’d been singing, which were taken from the Psalms. It turned out to be a great opportunity to talk about God’s greatness and love in a simple, easy-to-understand way. Please pray for God to reveal Himself in these kids’ hearts and lives.
Another highlight of my Shizuoka visit was that we had a first-time visitor to my adult English Bible study in the afternoon. Please pray for God to keep working in this lady’s life, and for her to keep connecting with the Shizuoka church.
As things got back into full-swing in Nagoya, I also had a new student join my Saturday morning English class. Please keep praying for my English students!
As 2013 gets into full swing, I‘d appreciate your prayers for God’s continued direction and provision for my ministry. And pray for Japan, too!
Thank you!
– Robin
by Whitey | Jan 24, 2013 | Thoughts
“Go, and sin no more.”
Jesus said this kind if thing a lot. Yes, He forgives sins. But it’s not because those sins are OK. He forgives because He loves us, and because His sacrifice paid the price.
When we come to Jesus for forgiveness, it needs to be with an attitude of repentance; a willingness to turn from our sins and follow Him. The good news is, as with the woman in this story, Jesus will forgive. He will not condemn. He will say, “Go, and sin no more.”
May we live today in light of this grace, turning away from sin and with thanksgiving following Jesus.
by Whitey | Jan 15, 2013 | Thoughts
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.” (John 5:39, 40 NLT)
Scripture is important because it helps us connect with Jesus. Yet it is possible to know a lot of scripture, and to know a lot about Jesus, but not actually know Him personally.
I want more than just head knowledge and wisdom from the Word. I want to meet Jesus in the Word. I want to know Him. May I avoid the trap of going through the motions of “doing devotions” as a merely a daily task or discipline. May I keep its purpose in mind — to know Jesus.
