John 3:22-36

by | Jan 15, 2013 | Thoughts

“あの方はますます偉大になり、私はますます力を失う。” (ヨハネによる福音書 3:30 JLB)

このヨハネは、いいお手本だ思います。でも、

ものすごく大きいチャレンジですね。本当に自分のためではなくて、イエス様の栄光のために活動していました。イエス様中心の生活でしたね。しかも、喜んでそのように生きていました。

私もイエス様中心の生活にしたいのです。そんな一日がありますように。そんな今年がありますように。そんな人生がありますように。

“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
(John 3:30 NLT)

Here John the Baptist provides a great example of the attitude a follower
of Jesus should have. But what a huge challenge to actually live that way!
John was content to let the attention and credit he had been receiving pass
on to Jesus. In fact, he was happy about it!

I want my ministry, my words, my actions — my very life — to point people
to Jesus. And I want to be excited about that, rather than the stuff that
brings attention to me.

May that be my intention and prayer as I begin a new year of missionary
work here in Japan — a nation that really needs to know this Jesus that I
follow.

Happy New Year

by | Dec 31, 2012 | Thoughts

“Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalms 150:6 NLT)

What a great way to end one year and begin the new one.

I’m thankful for the new opportunities, experiences and friends the past year has brought. I’m grateful for the support and prayers of my family, friends and churches. I’m thankful for my ministry partners here in Japan.

I’m thankful for God’s grace and strength in my times of weakness. I’m thankful God loves me as I am, but that He’s not finished working on me yet.

I want to praise the Lord for who He is and what He’s done; I want to praise Him for what’s to come. I want to give this new year to Him.

Happy New Year, and praise the Lord!

December Prayer Letter

by | Dec 1, 2012 | Ministry News

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all doing well as we enter the busy holiday season. This month there is lots to be thankful for:

1. I preached my first Japanese sermon in November, and it went well!

2. One of my non-Christian English students has joined a ladies’ Bible study group at my church.

3. Our English Club Thanksgiving event was well-attended — about 35 people came, including a good handful of guests.

With Christmas fast approaching, December is going to be a really busy month.  A secular version Christmas is celebrated in Japan, and because of this interest, it’s is a great opportunity for the Church to share Jesus.

Please pray with me about the following:

1. I’m helping lead a Kids Christmas outreach at Immanuel Shizuoka Church on Dec. 9.

2. On Dec. 16, I’m preaching in Japanese at my own church in  Nagoya.

3. On Dec. 23, the Nagoya Church is holding our Christmas celebration and outreach event.

4. On Christmas Day (not actually a holiday here) we’re having a Christmas party for my kids English class students.

I really appreciate your prayers and support!  Thanks for joining with me and being a part of what God is doing in Japan!  I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

– Robin

Oldies But Goodies (Photo Gallery)

by | Nov 19, 2012 | Photos

[slideshow]

As you can see, I’ve moved my blog yet again. If all goes well, though, the same domain (robinwhiteonline.com) should be linking here soon, preventing anyone from getting lost on the way here.  I’m hoping to start posting photos more often again, as I’ve got a backlog of stuff that I haven’t shared (or that was online but isn’t anymore). This post contains a bunch of oldies… hopefully goodies.

Deuteronomy 5

by | Nov 12, 2012 | Thoughts

“Stay on the path that the Lord  your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” (Deuteronomy 5:33 NLT)

Sometimes we forget that the Lord’s commands for us are for our good. It’s all about staying on the path God has set out for us, rather than straying into the woods, where there’s darkness and danger and loss. His path isn’t always easy, but it’s the best way to go if we want to successfully navigate our way through life. 

Often we talk about finding our way through life personally — choosing the right job, spouse, place to live… These are important, but we need to remember to obey the stuff we already know first — the path God’s laid out in His Word; the way to life He’s provide through Jesus; the commands He’s given us for our own good.

Lord, please give me Your grace to stay on the right path. Light the way where there is darkness. Help me to see the path clearly and not get off track. May Your Word and Your Spirit guide me today and in the days to come.

Deuteronomy 4:32-43

by | Nov 10, 2012 | Thoughts

“So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord  is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.”(Deuteronomy 4:39 NLT)

This verse seems to be the heart of this passage, the heart of God’s message to His people through Moses.

You would think that Israel wouldn’t need to be reminded of this truth after all they’d experienced. But they did. You would think that we, as Christians today, wouldn’t need to be reminded either. But we do. 

I certainly do. 

Lord, You are God; the only God. And I want You to be MY God today.

Deuteronomy 4:15-31

by | Nov 9, 2012 | Thoughts

“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 4:31 NLT)

Today I’m reminded of God’s promises, and His faithfulness to fulfill them. No matter how often I fail, fall or sin, He will not just abandon me or reject me. He always takes me back, restores and forgives. He’s promised us so many good things. If we trust Him, we will see their fulfillment. Like the promise earlier in this passage, that “if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” (Deuteronomy 4:29 NLT)

Let’s trust Him today. Let’s seek Him. He is faithful.