2 Kings 19:1-19
"...Therefore pray for the remnant that still survives." (v. 5) When I see some of the things some of my Japanese Christian friends have to deal with, and when I see how slow and seemingly unfruitful ministry in Japan can be, I'm reminded of the reality of spiritual...
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Rice Field, Osaka-Sayama-shi. 2011/08/03
Summer Love
Prayer Letter, August 2011 Last night as I took in a Japanese festival and fireworks in nearby Toyota city, I was reminded of how much I love summer in Japan. In spite of the sometime-unbearable heat, I love the sights, sounds and events that summer brings. It’s...
2 Kings 17:1-23
In this passage we see Israel suffering the consequences of their sins, as they are defeated by Assyria and taken into exile. Sometimes when we read the Old Testament, God's judgements seem really harsh. However, this passage makes it clear that He had warned Israel...
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Yukata Couple I spotted this cute couple on the way to see the fireworks in Toyota this evening. Shot, edited and uploaded from my iPhone, 7/31/2011.
2 Kings 16
The one word that comes to mind when I read the story of Ahaz, king of Israel, is "compromise." And not the good kind, either.Ahaz not only allowed pagan worship to go on in Israel; he took part in it himself. He led by example, even to the point of sacrificing...
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A beach in Shizuoka. I’m here doing a two-day kids’ day camp with the Immanuel Numazu Church. It’s a small group, but it’s been great so far. I shared the Gospel through drawing yesterday. Praying for sunshine, a good turn-out, and open hearts...
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Just finished the group class I was taking at the YWCA. Here’s what I’m planning to use for studying Japanese on my own for a while, before taking private lessons in the fall. 1. Japanese for All Occasions (book with CD — pictured above) by Taeko...
2 Kings 8:1-15
In verses 7-15, Elisah predicts, to his face, that Hazael would kill the king. Actually Elisha only hints at it, but Hazael, knowing what he's talking, about "felt ashamed." (v. 11) Sadly, this shame was meaningless, because he went ahead with his plan and murdered...
2 Kings 6:24-7:2
In 2 Kings 7:1-2, Elisha conveys a message of hope during a desperately hopeless situation. But the response he gets is one of skepticism. Elisha warns that, yes, the miracle will indeed happen, but that the skeptic would not get to enjoy it. I wonder how...