by Whitey | Apr 2, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (v. 46)
We all face temptation every day, some days more than others. But the Bible promises that God always provides a way out. And I wonder if sometimes it’s as simple as Jesus’ instructions to His disciples in this passage…
“Get up and pray.”
Jesus’ temptation was to flee from or resist the coming storm, His crucifixion. It was a trial He did not want to go through. But it was part of the Father’s plan. Jesus sets an example for us here when He faces the temptation to disobey. He prays.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (v. 42)
He prays. He’s honest about how He feels, but He submits to the Father’s will. He chooses to obey. And when the time comes for His arrest, Jesus does not resist, because He’s already settled the issue with His Father in prayer. He does the right thing, for us.
Meanwhile, the disciples — who slept instead of praying — are overcome by fear when the storm arrives. When temptation comes, they flee, betray and deny.
Whose example do we follow? How often does something as simple as fatigue or laziness win out over prayer in our lives? How often is defeating temptation as simple as getting up and praying?
Get up and pray!
by Whitey | Mar 22, 2012 | Uncategorized
1. Me in a suit. 2. Me holding a baby.
This was shot at Immanuel Church’s national annual conference. I got to re-connect with a lot of people, including a good friend (a Japanese pastor) whose wife had a baby since the last time we saw each other.
by Whitey | Mar 12, 2012 | Uncategorized
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/38273966 w=400&h=225]
相澤順子 Junko Aisawa – My Story of Hope (English Subtitles) from Jesus.net Japan on Vimeo.
by Whitey | Mar 9, 2012 | Uncategorized
Not sure why, but the last post had only 1 pic even though I thought I uploaded 3. So here they are again…
These are some pics from last weekend: English Cafe, young adult prayer time & dinner; and a sushi party at the home of some students. It was a full and fun birthday weekend. And yes, there was cake. And yes, I’m blogging about food again… but don’t food and ministry go hand in hand?
by Whitey | Mar 1, 2012 | Ministry News
Building Spiritual Bridges Teaching English!
Hi everyone,
Greetings from Nagoya, Japan! I have lots to be thankful for and lots to pray about this month. Please join me!
The above picture is from my kids’ English class. We just completed our first year with this group, and it looks like most (if not all) of them will be continuing during year 2. Most of these kids come from non-Christian homes; in fact, only one is from our church. In March we will be starting a second kids’ class, with 9 signed up so far, all of whom are from outside the church. I’m so thankful to see our church building relationships with families in our community through this ministry! Please pray for these kids, their families, and this important part of my ministry.
As you may remember, I also teach 3 adult English classes. Most of these students come from outside the church as well. There are a couple of students in one of these classes who seem to be becoming more open to the things of God. Please pray these students — and for me as I try to speak God’s truth and love into their lives.
Recently the Immanuel Church elected our new daihyo (president or superintendent) Rev. Fujimoto. Please pray for this time of transition, our leaders, and for our annual national conference being held March 19-21.
And last, but not least, I would ask you to pray for Japan. It has been almost one year since the March 11 Great Tohoku Earthquake. As memorial events are held, especially some big outreach events in the Tohoku area itself, pray that God would turn people’s hearts to Jesus. Many seeds have been planted over the past year as Christian organizations and churches have reached out in practical ways to those affected by the disaster. Pray that God will bring a harvest.
Thank you so much for your partnership, through prayers and giving, in building spiritual bridges in Japan!
– Robin
by Whitey | Mar 1, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” (v. 37)
In Jesus’ parable, after the master returns from his journey to find his servants waiting, the master serves the servents. I find this really encouraging. What an amazing picture of the reward God has in store for us who are His servants in Christ!
In the end, it will be worth the wait. It will be worth the pain. It will be worth the struggles. Be faithful.
by Whitey | Feb 22, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (v. 13)
In His teaching here about prayer, Jesus doesn’t promise us that we will receive everything we think we want. But He does promise that we will receive what we need. And what we need — or rather, who we need — is the Holy Spirit.
God offers us Himself. He promises that those who week Him will find Him. But so often we seek other things to fill that hole. This affects both how we pray and how we live.
Father God, I pray for more of Your Holy Spirit in my life. May it be You that I seek, You who are my purpose, goal, center and life. Please purify my prayer life, my priorities, my heart. Lord, teach me to pray.
by Whitey | Feb 17, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place
to lay his head.” (v. 58)
“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service
in the kingdom of God.” (v. 62)
These statements from Jesus are challenging words for modern
Christians in modern nations, who want comfort and security and
ease… things that Jesus never guaranteed His followers. In fact, not
only did He not guarantee these things, He promised that following Him
would not be easy.
Those of us who do have it easy should stop and think, in light of
words like these. Am I following Jesus or simply a convenient form of
religion? Does Jesus have all of me? Is Jesus really everything to
me if following Him hasn’t cost me anything?
Again, let my prayer be “Take the world but give me Jesus.”
by Whitey | Feb 14, 2012 | Uncategorized
Would you believe these 3 photos were all shot on the same street? They are. Such is Japan.
by Whitey | Feb 14, 2012 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
'Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?'" (v. 23-25)
Sometimes my response to life's disappointments is… disappointing. I'm more selfish than I'd like to admit. I don't like it when I don't get my own way, I don't like waiting, I want comfort and fulfillment and success and…
Here Jesus calls me to something higher, something better. To give my ALL to Him. It's a high calling. Many days I fail to live up to it. Which is why I need His grace. And by His grace, here and now, I make this my prayer….
"Take the world, but give me Jesus."
