Celebration!
September 26, 2011
After a wonderful all-church retreat in the beautiful mountains of Karuizawa, the idea of celebration comes naturally to mind because we were reminded anew that, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have much to celebrate! In the world it’s easy to get “down”. After all, Jesus himself said that “…in the world you will have tribulation…”. But he went on to say, “…but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world…”. Scripture actually devotes much space to celebration – celebration of the faithfulness of God; celebration of God’s saving acts for his people; celebration of forgiveness and life through the gospel; and celebration of the “unity in diversity” of the church. As both Japanese and English Departments of the church were together this past weekend, there was a sense of “celebration” that permeated the retreat. This is only as it should be because we have much to celebrate together in Christ! The great thing is that celebration need not be only a fond remembrance of a wonderful time together, but is in Christ a trait that defines life and fellowship with each new day.
Your, for enjoying the party of God’s grace…
Pastor Howard
For Further Reading and Reflection: Psalm 103, Ephesians 1-2, Ephesians 4:1-16
When We Don’t “Fit”…
September 19, 2011
Dear Lord…We’re starting a week in which the world will do everything in its power to squeeze your life out of us and its values into us, yet in your teaching, you “stand everything on its head” for you present us with a value system that is totally counter to everything we are and have been brought up to believe. You confront us with values and priorities that are anything but natural to us. Not only do they seem strange; at times they seem repulsive because they lead to a blood-stained cross rather than a pillow-lined couch. To embrace your values means embracing a cross. It means abandoning our natural self and joyfully accepting your own new life in its place; a life contrary to our nature and one that leads us down that narrow “road less traveled”. Dear Lord, to embrace your values and priorities with joy can only happen as a result of the supernatural work of your blessed Spirit. We crave that work of grace in our souls. – Amen
Yours for joyful abandonment to Christ’s new life…
Pastor Howard
The Scandal of Humility…
September 11, 2011
This is being written on 9-11 and it holds vivid memories for us, as it does for the world. We were traveling that day, intending to fly from Manila to Minneapolis via Tokyo. Of course, we never made it to Minneapolis! Yet ours was a minor inconvenience compared to the unconscionable act of horror visited upon human beings by other human beings, made all the more horrible a crime because it was committed in the name of God. This day has brought a solemn reminder to me that our life and times are in the hand of a sovereign God who dearly loves us and who has spelled out the number of breaths in our span of life. The safest, most secure place to be is in the center of His powerful hand. For the Christ-follower, to “live is Christ” and to die…well, that’s even better! Yet there is one more reminder of this day and it is that we must humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. To many, such a thought is scandalous, if not downright treasonous, but if a few people, consumed by hatred and evil, could wreck such destruction in just a short period of time, what awaits the world when God decrees that the insolence and violence of humanity is over? September 11, 2001 was a day of unspeakable horror and indescribable courage. There is coming a Day when the perfect justice and judgment of God is revealed in Christ for all the world to see. Then everyone will humble themselves before God. Now would be a good time to start.
Yours for living in humility…
Pastor Howard
Gracious Father...
September 04, 2011
Gracious Father,
By your Word all things came into being; by your Word all things are sustained; by your Word we who borrow breath from you have life; by your Word your Spirit has enabled us to believe your gospel; by your Word a day is fixed when you will judge the living and the dead. We live in a world filled with words. Along with the explosion in communication technology has also come an explosion of words. We confess that, in our self-worship we attach such great importance to our words, so much so, that we fill our ears with our own words to the exclusion of your Word. Gracious Father, as we go through our week surrounded by the din of so many words, including our own, grant us the privilege of being quiet before you so that we may hear your “quiet, gentle voice”. Only your Word is life-giving and nourishing to our souls. Help us to turn off the flow of multiplied words so that we may receive the “Word which is able to save our souls.
We ask this favor of you through Jesus Christ, the living WORD,
Amen
For further reading and reflection: I Kings 19:1-18, Matthew 4:1-4, James 1:17-25, II Peter 3:3-7
