Peter n Sharon

Last week in Japan

2009-01-12T19:14:00.000-08:00

Oh how we miss Kyoto. We have been on the move for quite a while and no time to just reflect and look back at what we have left behind.

We had an awesome 2 years in Kyoto and would love to go back sometime in the future. We now have many friends in Japan and will miss you all. This post is a reflection of our last week in Japan. The above picture is of everybody who came to our bye bye party. We had a great send off in which we both felt very loved and appreciated. We received so many presents and so many photos were taken; my mouth was sore from smiling and my fingers were sore form hold up the peace sign. ha ha.

Our students and some of their children.

Students at our party. (Rie you are not looking.)

Our good friends Yuichi and Tomomi.

One of our favourite Pastors, a faithful man of God, took us to dinner with his daughter (rainbow child -Nijiko.) Both generous people loving Jesus and the people around them. We went to a sukiyaki restaurant.

Nijiko in action cooking for us.

Lunch with Luke and Izumi. (You guys are awesome.)

Here I am giving my last thankyou message to the morning service at the church. I thanked them for welcoming us for these last 2 years; they made us feel like family. I thanked them for letting us stay in the church house because otherwise we would have been sleeping out on the street. Even though the guest house was one of the coldest places I have lived in. Crickey it has cold in that house.

Pastor Kohira, Tomoe Sensei and Kuri Sensei came to the airport to say good bye. It was sad, but also gave us joy as we now look forward to seeing them at the airport again one day. Either when we return or when they come and visit us. :)

Big thankyou to Pastor Kohira and Tomoe Sensei for everything. Keep up the excellent work you do in your Chruch and community.

Trip to Mt Fuji

2008-12-01T06:55:00.001-08:00

Day 1. Well we finally got away for a 3 day holiday at the end of October. We travelled first of all by foot - 15min, subway - 16min, then Shinkansen (Bullet Train) - 2 hours. Then a 2 hour local bus ride and finally arrived at Kawaguchiko where we stayed for 2 nights at K's House, a great back packer hostel. Though tired from travelling we grabbed some mountain bikes and went for a ride around the lake, whilst checking out the views of Mt Fuji. Very refreshing.

My fingers walking on Mt Fuji

Day 2. Today we headed up the mountain in a bus. We only made it to the 5th station as climbing season has closed for the year. You can only go to top if you are an experienced climber and crazy. I so wanted to go.

5th station is 2305m high. Which is higher than Mt Kosciusko in Australia.

At that height it was freezing.

This was as close to the top as we could get.

Day 3. We spent today on a sightseeing bus travelling around seeing different lakes, caves and an old village. The caves were a result of past volcanic lava flow from Mt Fuji. We also went into an ice cave where many years ago they made big blocks of ice. We also went to a bat cave, but sadly there were no bats. Can't believe we paid money to go to a bat cave that had no bats. It was fun though climbing around in these narrow lava caves.

The Fuji we were hoping to see. Photo of a picture.

For more pic's of our trip click here

How to find the right Marriage Partner.

2008-12-01T01:22:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about how easy it was for Adam to find a marriage partner?
What did Adam have to do to find his marriage partner? He laid down and had a sleep and when he awoke, there she was, Eve. That’s it. A match made by God. The first relationship; how easy was that? I used to think that’s unfair, why do I have to wait?

But if Adam was here tonight, I think he would reply, “Finding Eve was easy, as you put it, not because we were the only two people, but because back then, before we disobeyed God, I simply trusted God, my Maker, to bring what was good.”

Like Adam we need to trust God for everything. Whether it’s a marriage partner, a job, strength to raise your kids, healing; we need to trust God. When I was single I had to learn to trust God for everything. He brought all the things I needed in life, including my wonderful wife. God knows all your needs, trust him.
1. Trust him for all your needs. Phil 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything let your requests be made known to God.” Matt6:33, Prov3:5-6

2. Honour God with Your Relationships. The Golden Rule for any relationship, be it either in marriage, romantic or brother/sister or friends is found in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” If you want to be treated with kindness do so to others. By doing this you will honour God.

3. Get a vision of your partner. Proverbs says, “Without a vision we dwell carelessly.” If you don’t know what sort of marriage partner you want you could fall for the first person that is nice to you. When you know what you want it’s easier to say, “No” because you know what you’re looking for.

Writing a list is good, but be careful not to make it too unrealistic. “He has to be 6 foot tall and black, speaks Japanese, English, French and Spanish, loves shopping, children and cats; has lots of muscles, money and hair. No bar codes permitted.” If this is your list you could be waiting a long time.

What’s important list?
1. DO THEY LOVE YOU?
2. DO THEY LOVE GOD?
3. DO THEY LOVE THE CHURCH?
4. DO THEY HAVE DIRECTION?
5. DO YOU FIND THEM ATTRACTIVE?

4. Prepare yourself – work on you. When I was about 26 all I owned was a car, a drum kit and a big water bed. I wasn’t prepared for marriage. How was I going to care for someone else? I used to pray “God bring me my wife.” I had to change it to, “God prepare me for her; so I can be ready for her, to be able to care for her.”
So I got a hair cut, bought a house and learnt how to cook.

5. Don’t waste you singleness. The thing that kept me focused through my single years was that I so wanted to serve God. He made a sacrifice for me so I wanted to sacrifice my life for Him. Your single years are a gift from God; don’t waste them worrying about your married years. Focus on serving God now.

6. Make time to meet people. You won’t meet your future partner hiding in your room. Meet new people in a safe environment. The best place is the church. Bring your friends to church. Create events that people will want to come to; so new people will come. Lead them to Jesus and they may find their partner here. You also may meet someone that is brought here.

7. Follow Jesus’ Example. Eph 5:22-27, 33 Paul is speaking to husbands and wives. We ought to follow Jesus’ example just as He loves the church. God calls all our marriages to be filled with love and respect.
Wives – respect your husbands,
Husbands – love your wives.

Some people could say, “But I’m not married, what does this mean to me?”
In marriage we need love and respect. For those wanting to get married you can prepare yourself by learning to love and respect other people now. Whatever status you are at in life you can apply this to a degree.

- To love is to give, not to think about what you can get from other people.
- To respect is to think highly of someone.

If we become people who love and respect, our marriages will get better.

If we become people who love and respect we will prepare ourselves for marriage.

If we become people who love and respect we will live and work with people better.

We will enjoy life more and we will shine His light in this world.

What’s your Story?

2008-11-21T07:37:00.000-08:00

We all have a story. This is a question you might be asked by someone if you are late. Maybe your wife/ mum/ friend might say, “What’s your story? Why are you late?” Or maybe you did something wrong and you could be asked, “What’s your story?”

Have you ever asked God, “What’s your story?” In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. John 1:1-2, Isaiah 14:12-17 In the beginning was God, In the beginning was the Word, Jesus. They were together and they were one. God had created all the angels and one of them called Lucifer wanted what God had, he wanted God’s throne. So Lucifer was cast out of heaven with the other angels who also rebelled against God.
There is betrayal in heaven even before God makes man.

So In time God set’s about making man. It was a great day in heaven when God made man. Gen 1:26 God said, “Let us make man in our image.” God would visit the man and they would walk together in the garden. It was a beautiful scene, the creator walking in relationship with His creation. In Gen 2 God brought all the animals and the birds to Adam so he could give them a name Panda, Monkey, Tiger, Galah, Kangaroo and Koala. What a tough job but they would have had fun coming up with all the names. Then He makes a woman for Adam. God is giving Adam everything he needs.

However, one day Gen 3 Lucifer appears as a slimy snake. “I know how to get back at the Most High God. I will get His creation, this man, to turn away from God.” As we know the devil succeeded and Adam and Eve were cast from the garden. Sin had entered the story. God’s story had suddenly gone bad. What a dark day in God’s story; more betrayal. The darkness lasted 4 thousand years until Jesus came and dealt with sin. He made a way for us to come back to the creator. What a great story! God’s story is full of love, joy, rebellion, betrayal, pain and loneliness and finally restoration and victory. SO let me ask you, “What’s your story?”

It’s not about you being born, going to school, starting work, getting married, then having kids and so on. It’s about how you fit into the master story. Does your story fit into God’s story? Or are you out there trying to make your own story happen. Trying to get a degree, trying to pay the bills, trying to get married, trying to find meaning in life. Many people live life like this, because they only see their story. They want to be the star in their own story.

But I would rather have a small role in God’s big story then be the lead role in my own small story. I used to see God’s big story, the bible, the gospel message here and my little story here. Grace had come in and saved me and changed my life. But I was still living my story, trying to be the lead role in my own story. I needed to see that my story is not about me and God entering it, but about my story being apart of God’s big story. There is only one story to be told. God’s big story and you am apart of it.

When we are in God’s story we can touch other people’s stories. We can help other people see why they are alive, why they are here. All of our stories need to fit into God’s big story. God created man to have relationship with him. God wants to have a relationship with you.

God wants to be in your story because you are in His. You are in God’s book. Psalms says that God has a book and you are in it. Even before you were born He wrote about you.

God has a story and we are in it. You weren’t made to live your own story; you were made to be in God’s story.

Who made you? Sony or Nintendo?

2008-11-21T07:30:00.000-08:00

Nintendo, of course is a Japanese company. They make computer games. Nintendo 64, DS, Nintendo Wii.

Japan is known to be a very creative country that is always making new breakthroughs in Technology. This month at University of Osaka a robot was made called Repliee R1. It is based on a five year old girl, has silicone skin and can blink. She can move like a human and can talk. Its inventors hope it will help elderly and disabled people by doing basic tasks such as getting objects and even bringing drinks. I’d like to own one of those.

Japanese people are very good at making things. But have you ever stopped to think who made you? Some of you are thinking, “Oh, I know, my mum and dad.” Ok. Well who made your mum and dad? “That’s easy, my grandma and grandpa made them.” OK who made them, who made the first person? Was there a company called Nintendo which designed the first person? Everything has a beginning and everything is made with a plan. So who made you? Who thought of you?

Some people believe there was a big bang and earth was created then a slug popped its head up out of a pond. Then it become a fish, grew legs and arms, starting walking, went to a barber, got a hair cut, put on a suit and went to work for Toshiba as a salary man.

I want to tell you, YES there was a big bang. The bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God said, “Let’s make earth,” and bang, there is the planet earth. God said, “Let there be light.” and BANG there is light. Then on the 6th day He says, “Let us make man in our image.” And He formed the first man out of the earth. The first man was not made from a cosmic bang but rather by a loving creator forming him. And so you are created by God. God saw you being formed and said, “I have a plan for you. You are wonderful to me.” You are not a mistake, a number, you are special.

But we have all turned away from the one who has created us. We have chosen to worship and live for ourselves; choosing to worship nature rather than the creator.

He wants you to come back into relationship with Him so you can know why you are here. What’s your purpose? So God sent Jesus His son to forgive you and cover your shame. He came to show you the way back to your creator. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, the life.” Worshipping the trees and water won’t bring fulfilment to our lives only coming back to the father will do this.

No matter what you’ve done or what’s been done to you, no matter how you feel about yourself, your creator loves you. Imagine having a friendship with the creator of your life, of everything. You can. I have. I talk to Him everyday. He told me to tell you, “That you are made by God, you are special to Him, and He loves you.”

October - What a month.

2008-11-08T06:08:00.000-08:00

What a busy month. Birthday, sushi, karaoke, dessert night, purikura. We went to dinner with friends for Sharons birthday. Forgot the name of the restaurant, but it was on Kitayama street, near our house. They serve a four course meal and also viking stlye bread. As much as you like. Yummy bread.

We returned to our favourite place,the sushi train. This time without any of our friends so we could eat all the sushi they think is strange. Burger sushi, meat ball sushi, pork sushi.

But I also like shrimp sushi.

Then there was the famous dessert night. One of the girls had 6 bowls of ice-cream. It's not everyday you share your ice-cream with 10 other people.

And we were able to go out with some of our students and there family. They take their family to karaoke once a year, so the girls were really excited and sang like professionals. Always a good time at karaoke. Even if you can't sing.

The young people this month had a bbq party for there outreach. They had lots of people come. We had a short meeting with singing and a message from ME. It was so cold that I had to keep my message moving so we could all getto the bbq for warm. I had a couple of young people respond so it was worth it.

The boys here are trying to get the bbq started. Japanese style is to use coal and falmeand keep wave the flame till it consumes the coal. Depending on how good you are could take 3o min - to an hour. I think I prefer an aussie bbq with word or gas.

The biggest dessert ever.

2008-11-07T03:25:00.001-08:00

I am finally getting to catch up on last months events. We had a great night out at a dessert place in Kyoto. I think it is called "Karefuneya" This dessert cost us $100.00 for 10 people. What a bargain.

I had to buy another one because I was the 11th person. I ate the little one in front and another 4 bowls of ice-cream. It was heaven untill the end.

Beforehand, everyone was so excited and ready to start eating. But afterwards no one wanted to eat ice-cream again. lol.

Why Wait?

2008-10-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

I want to talk to you about something I love and hate. I hate waiting. When I order a bento box from the shop I am told, “shyo shyo omachi kudasai.” But I’m hungry. I don’t want to wait.
It’s the same at Macdonald’s, I order a teriyaki burger and I am told, “shyo shyo omachi kudasai.” What? This is supposed to be fast food.
Waiting at the dentist is also terrible. You can hear the drill and sucker down the hallway. I hate waiting.
But there is one form of waiting I do like. No it’s not waiting for Sharon while she is shopping. It’s waiting on God. This can help us deal with many areas of life that we struggle in. We live in a society that is busy, that is about doing not about waiting. It is such a hard thing to do – our minds are so busy all day and to slow it down is quite a task.

People get tired from the constant pressure of life, the pressure to perform, pressure to compete and to pass exams. The pressure to just get through life can cause people to withdraw into depression, or into their homes, hikkomori is an example of this, some even use suicide as an escape. All of these are real problems in Japan.

Isaiah 28:31 – Here is the secret to renewing our strength and rising above our problems.
I love what the word ‘wait’ means. In Hebrew language the word for wait is “qavah.” It means, “To wait, to look for, to hope and expect.” It also means, “To bind, to twist.” Like a rope twisted and wound together. A rope is made of many smaller pieces’ of rope twisted together. It makes it very strong.
So when we wait on the Lord we are tying ourselves to Him, our spirit is being tied to His, twisting, intertwining and being strengthened. And in this process we exchange our tiredness for His life/energy, our weakness for His strength, our depression for his hope, our fear for faith, our sorrow for joy, our sickness for healing.

Isaiah 30:18 – Why is the Lord waiting? Because He is waiting to tie Himself to you. He wants to be so involved in your life. He wants to give you all you need; he wants you to be able to rise up like an eagle, above the stress of life. He wants to be gracious to you; He wants to have mercy on you.

“How do I wait on the Lord?”
Ps 62:5 “My soul, wait silently for God alone.”
The word wait here in Hebrew is “daman.” It means, “To be dumb (not stupid) but dumb as in silent and still.”
Sometimes we have so much to say to God. To wait is to stop asking and praying and just wait quietly.
Lam 3:35 “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, those who seek Him.”
Waiting involves seeking – time in the word, in worship, in prayer and meditation.

There is no strength exchange in clapping your hands to a dead statue at the shrine or temple. It’s in waiting on the Living God. If you are dealing with negativity, depression, tiredness or the feeling of wanting to withdraw don’t just sit there, open your heart and approach God by seeking Him – Time in worship, in prayer and meditation. But allow Him to speak; sometimes we have to zip it to allow God the chance to speak to us.
He is waiting and wanting to tie Himself to you, to bless you, to strengthen you and cause you to rise up.

Team from Malaysia

2008-10-03T04:48:00.000-07:00

Last month we had a visit from a team from Malaysia. Dr Yap Chen Sing and her team came to do a concert and a praise and worship seminar in Kyoto Gospel church plus some other ministry around the kansai area. We were lucky enough to have them stay with us.

Dr Yap's preaching and teaching was a great encouragement to the church and especially the music ministry of the church.

Here we are on the steps if the church ready to say goodbye.
Check out her website here All the Earth

I am a Child of God, Called by God, Sent by God, God is with me, and He will deliver me.

2008-09-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

I came across this passage recently and preached from it here at church. I want to share it with you here on our blog.

I want to talk about God’s call and the fear we sometimes experience in following that call.

Jeremiah 1:1-9, 11
This passage was written more than 2000 years ago. It is God’s call to Jeremiah to be a voice to his nation. These words can apply to us today.

Verse 5. “Before I formed you I knew you.” You weren’t a surprise to God. Even before you’re mum and dad got together, God had a plan for you. God doesn’t send his angels to hospitals to see who the new kds are.
“Hey God look here, it’s a girl.” “What’s her name?” “I wasn’t expecting her, what will I do with her?”

NO amazingly God was thinking of you long before your birth. God made your body in your mother’s womb and he has a marvellous plan for your life. You can live it your way or you can come to Jesus and find his plan and purpose for your life.
Jeremiah was discovering the reason for his life; he was to be a voice to his nation.

Verse 6. “I cannot speak for I am a youth.” I always find it funny when I here Japanese people speaking in English and they say, “I can’t speak English.” But ... you just did. What they mean is, “I can’t speak English very well. And I’m afraid to try in case I make a mistake.” Its fear and Jeremiah was also speaking with fear.
We have all given God a similar excuse at some time. I cannot speak, I’m a youth. I cannot speak, I’m a new Christian, .... I’m busy, ..... I’m tired, ...I’m shy, ...I’m Japanese and I don’t want to stand out. What excuse do you have?

Verse 7. “But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, I am a youth.”
The Lord tonight is saying, “Do not say I’m shy. Do not say I’m weak, I’m a new Christian, I’m busy, I’m old, I’m young, I’m Japanese, we don’t do it that way.”

“For you shall go to whom I send you and whatever I command you, you shall speak.” God is sending us to the people around us. The people in our work place, school, in our community.

Verse 8. “Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am able to deliver you – says the Lord.” Do not be afraid. Don’t let fear stop you doing what you have been called to do.

Verse 9. “Then the Lord put forward His hand and touched my mouth.” How has the Lord touched us? He has promised to give His Holy Spirit and said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be my witnesses.”
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to empower you to be a witness. So we need to seek and be filled with His Holy Spirit, and go out to be a witness.

Verse 11. "More over the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, What do you see?” What do you see?

When you are out of this meeting, back in the real world, what do you see? Do you see a lost world? DO you really notice? Does it grip your heart? They are lost and going to hell.

When you look at your own life, what do you see? I’m weak, I’m shy, I’m afraid. Or do you see yourself as God’s child, “I am a child of God, I am called by God, I am sent by God and He is with me, He is able to deliver me.”

God is calling you to be a voice, to your family, to your school, to your work place, to your university, to this community to this city and maybe even to this nation.

Synchronized swimming.

2008-09-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

I have come across an interesting sport program in Junior High School for boys here in Japan. Synchronized swimming. As funny as it sounds for teenage boys, well it is.

It all started from a movie and TV show called, "Water Boys." In it, a bunch of boys are interested in joining the synchro swimming team because they want to check out the new sports teacher. However she is pregnant, (not that you could tell) and after the first training session she goes off to hospital and has her baby. Very funny but strange. And so the boys set out to learn synchro swimming from a dolphin trainer and then have their first performance in front of family and all the girls from the neighbouring girls school.

Last month Sharon and I went off to watch one of the young guys from Church. He had a synchronized swimming compation at his school. Very entertaining and funny. The boys dance in front of their mum's and dad's and all the girl's from their year level. And then they are in the water to do their performance.

I couldn't help but think there is no way 13 year old Australia boys would do this in front of their mum's and dad's and the girl's from their school.

Most of the boy's seemed to enjoy themselves, some however were a little shy. No eye contact could be made.

Excuses I have heard.

2008-09-14T23:35:00.000-07:00

I was thinking of how lots of people have excuses for not becoming a Christian or for not coming to church.
The following are some of the excuses I have come across in Japan; maybe they are everywhere, maybe even yours:

"I'm not a Christian so I can't come to church."
Who said you had to be a Christian to come to church. To enter a mosque maybe you need to be a Muslim, to enter a cult's meeting you need to be a member i.e. Jehovah Witness, Mormon etc. But a Christian Church, we are all welcome.
Jesus gives an invitation to all. He said, "For this reason I have come, to seek and save sinners." He said, "Come to me all who are tired and carry a heavy load and I will give you rest."

If you have ever had these thoughts that you couldn't come then just come and experience Christ's love and acceptance for you. You are welcome.

“My Family is Buddhist so I can’t be a Christian.”
Who told you this lie? At some point your great, great, great grandpa became a Buddhist. Probably because he was told he had to or there was nothing else at the time to put his trust in. At some point he chose to be a Buddhist. Do you therefore not have a free choice to believe in what you want?

“I’m afraid of what my family will say.”
Your fear will keep you from finding peace, purpose and meaning of life. Your fear will also stop your family from receiving this new life in Jesus. If you become a Christian you could be the light of Jesus that brings the hope of Jesus to the rest of your family.

“I have other plans / I have something to do.”
Will you allow your plans and the things you do to stop you from finding what life is really about? So many people have no idea what life is about and they never face this question because they fill life up so much that they have no time to stop and reflect. “What is my life? Where am I going? Why am I here?”
Is your diary so full that you have no time to consider what is important?

“Oh, I’ve been to church before.”
Yes you may have been before, but if you’ve been to my house once does that mean you know me. To strengthen your faith in God or discover why so many trust in Jesus you have to come more than once. What you may have heard last time may only have be the beginning of what Jesus wants to say to you.

So if you are in Australia grab a friend and be at church this Sunday and see what Jesus has wants to say to you.
If you are living in Kyoto come visit us and come to our church. Jesus will answer all your questions about life and give you purpose for your existence. You are not just a number in Japan but a loved person made by God.

Yukata night.

2008-09-11T01:41:00.000-07:00

Last month we had a great summer night. Yukata night. It was a great night of fun, dancing and singing. Plus Sharon shared a great message.

Girls are the same everywhere they love to dress up.

We are trying the Don Obori dance pose with Moegi Chan. "Joy Joy Joy."

The girls making a yummy snow cone. "Arigato."

Thankyou Hanna for organise a good night.

Proverbs take on Friendship.

2008-09-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

How do you spell friend in English. FRIEND. When I was a child I would always get the IE mixed up. Then I learnt this saying. “If you fri a friend, it will be the end of your friend.”
How do we make BF that will last forever? Most people can make BF but can’t keep them forever.

Take a look at what the book of Proverbs has to say on friendship. Proverbs is a book of random thoughts on many subjects, so I have gone searching for the principles of friendship that are in this book.
These principles could also help you in your marriage; they could make you a better husband or a better wife. They could even help you find a wife or a husband.

How to make friends and keep them forever.

1. Proverbs 12:26 Choose your friends carefully.

2. Proverbs 19:6 Give gifts.
This verse is not about bribing; giving gifts to your friends is not a bad thing if done with the right motivation. It is a good way to show someone you desire friendship. Gifts can also be giving of our time or writing a note/ card to encourage another person. Sometimes I will send an email to my friends to say hi and encourage them. Japanese people already have a culture of gift giving. Do it to strengthen your friendships.

3. Proverbs 22:11 He who loves purity of heart has pure motives.
When you approach friendships your motives should not be, “What can I get from this friendship?” but “What can I give?” No body wants a friend who is using them. You have to have pure motives for friendships to last...... Everybody wants to be the king’s friend because the king has power and wealth. But who will the king choose to be friends with? A person of pure motives, not a person trying to get what the king has.

4. Proverbs 16:28 The Whisperer.
If you want to separate your friendship, talk about your friend when they are not with you; whisper, gossip about your friends. “Do you know what they told me?” “Do you know what they did last week?”
Don’t make friends with whisperers and don’t be a whisperer. Stop it. It’s only going to hurt .....

5. Proverbs 17:9 Keep a friend, Cover a friend.

6. Proverbs 18:24 Keep a Friend, Be a Friend.
True friendship has to be both ways.

7. Proverbs 27:9 Take Time to Listen.
Hearty council comes from a person who listens. You can’t bring delight to your friends if you don’t listen. Stop talking and listen to your friends.

8. Proverbs 27:14 Take Time to Listen.

To be a good friend we have to be ready to listen.

9. Proverbs 17:17 A Friend loves at all times
A Friend loves even in the hard times, even when our friends make mistakes and hurt us; a friend loves.

So how would you match up with these principles? Would you give yourself a 9 out of 9 or do you have some areas of friendship to work on. These principles aren’t written to condemn and say you’re a bad friend but to say, “If you want to be a better friend and have friendships that last forever, follow these principles.”

Sometimes I haven’t been a good friend. Sometimes I haven’t given gifts, sometimes I’ve been a whisperer, sometimes I haven’t covered a friend with love and sometimes I haven’t listened. But I have made a decision to be a good friend, to put my friends first. As I get older I want to make sure I have good quality friends.

How are your relationships in life? Do you have the friendships you need to carry you through the rough times of life?

A friend loves at all times. I want to say that the friend who loves at all times despite all your weaknesses and mistakes is Jesus and he is always waiting to have a wonderful friendship with you.

箴言（しんげん）Proverbs

１．12:26 正しい人は悪を離れ去る、しかし悪しき者は自ら道に迷う。
The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.

２．19:6 気前のよい人にこびる者は多い、人はみな贈り物をする人の友となる。
Many entreat the favor of the nobility, and every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

３．22:11 心の潔白を愛する者、その言葉の上品な者は、王がその友となる。
He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.

４．16:28 偽る者は争いを起し、つげ口する者は親しい友を離れさせる。
A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.

５．17:9 愛を追い求める人は人のあやまちをゆるす、人のことを言いふらす者は友を離れさせる。
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.

６．18:24 世には友らしい見せかけの友がある、しかし兄弟よりもたのもしい友もある。
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

７．27:9 油と香とは人の心を喜ばせる、しかし魂は悩みによって裂かれる。
Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.

８．27:14 朝はやく起きて大声にその隣り人を祝すれば、かえってのろいと見なされよう。
He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him.

９．17:17 友はいずれの時にも愛する、兄弟はなやみの時のために生れる。
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

A night at Starbucks.

2008-09-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

Check out our Nexus blog for the latest. Nexus blogspot

Japanese are very talented - Part 2.

2008-08-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

This guy is amazing. I saw him play the same song with Tommy Immanuel on another you tube video. Enjoy....

From Emptiness to Fullness

2008-08-23T04:40:00.000-07:00

Recently I felt compelled to write out my testimony in less than 100 words and make a gospel track so I could give it out to people when the opportunity arose.

Have you ever felt empty inside? I used to feel empty inside and wondered why I was the way I was. What was the point to my life? As a child I learnt about Jesus but I never knew Him. As a young person I felt insecure; I was shy and wouldn't say much. But one day ....

今までに心の中の虚しさを感じたことってある？僕は以前、自分の中に虚しさがあって、どうして僕はこんな風なんだ？って思ってた。僕の人生で大切なものって何だろう？子どもの頃イエス様のことを聞いたけど、よく分からなかった。若い頃は自信がなくて、恥ずかしがり屋で、口下手だった。でもある日･･･

I was told if I put my trust in jesus and followed Him, He would give me new life and make life better. I surrendered to Jesus and decided to follow Him. From that day I went from feeling empty to being full. I now have a purpose for my life. I have gone from being insecure to being secure in who I am.

もしイエス様を信じて従っていくなら、イエス様は僕に新しい命を与えてくださって、僕の人生は素晴らしいものになるって教えられたんだ。僕はイエス様に自分を委ねて、イエス様に従っていくことを決めたその日から、虚しい気持ちが消えて、心の中が満たされたんだ。今、僕の人生には意義がある。僕が僕であることに自信が持てるようになったんだ。

I have discovered we are all seperated from the God who created us because of sin and selfishness. We life our way.

罪や自己中心のせいで、僕たちはみんな創造主である神様から引き離されてしまったんだ。僕たちは、自分勝手に生きている。

We try many things to bridge this gap. Praying at shrines and temples, being a good person etc.

僕たちは、この溝を埋めるために、いろいろなことを試してみるんだ。神社やお寺にお参りしたり、良い人になってみたり･･･。

We try many things to fill the emptiness in our lives - more money, more shopping, relationships, gambling, and so on. But only a relationship with Jesus can fill our empitnessand help us cross to the God who created us.

僕たちは、人生の虚しさを埋めるためにも、いろいろなことを試してみる。お金、ショッピング、人間関係、ギャンブルなどなど。でも、イエス様との関係だけが、僕たちの虚しさを満たすことができ、僕たちを創造主である神様のところに行く手助けをしてくれるんだ。

Do you want to cross the gap? Do you want to have a fulfilled, purpose filled life?

きみは、この溝を越えたい？満ち足りた、意義のある人生を過ごしたい？

Without a relationship with Jesus you will remain seperated from God forever.

イエス様との関係がなければ、きみは永遠に神様から離れたままになる。

You can know Him today by praying to Him. "Jesus, help me know you. Forgive me of my sin and show me a fulfilled, purpose filled life. Amen"

さあ、お祈りを通してイエス様を知ることができるよ。「イエス様、どうかあなたのことをもっと知ることができるよう助けてください。私の罪を赦し、満ち足りた意義のある人生を示してください。」

Church Summer camp

2008-08-21T01:38:00.000-07:00

August is Summer camp time in Kyoto Gospel Church. One week all the children and youth go away for camp and then the following week everyone can go to the summer camp conference which is held with a number of other churches.

We went to a place near Kobe called Sanda and we stayed in the New Hankyu Hotel. It was very nice.

Yuichi making some beats on an Electric kit. Hiroto is in the front watching, he loves drums.

Welcome team.

The girls led some awesome Praise and Worship. What a great meeting with God.

I suppose one other highlight was having our own room with our own shower, beds and a TV.

I was able to enjoy watching the Olympics. GO Australia.

We all need friends.

2008-08-21T01:26:00.000-07:00

I have been preaching a series on Friendships recently. I have enjoyed this series as I have reflected on the many friendships I have had over my life. Friends are important. Some I wish I could spend more time with and some I wish I could get rid of. lol. :) I love you all and thank you for reading.

Here are some thoughts.

Proverbs 18:24 “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Nobody wants to be alone. We all have a desire for friendship. The truth is we were made for friendship and the bible is full of principles to help us have good friendships.

1. To keep your friends you have to be friendly.

If you don’t give to your friendships they will slowly weaken.
Matt 7:12 “Therefore whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” In friendship you have to sow what you want to reap. If you want friends to be there for you when you are in need; be there for them. If you want your friends to forgive you when you make mistakes; then forgive them. Be the friend you want others to be to you.

2. Be friendly first. I have heard many people say, “But I don’t have any friends.” Every time I hear this I point to this verse. You want friends? Be friendly yourself.

3. You need Sticky Friends. Notice it says, “…a friend who sticks…” We need friends that stick to us like honey, no matter what we go through. And if we want sticky friends then we have to be sticky friends as well.

4. Why does it say “But”? Because even when you’re not friendly, even when you’re ugly, even when you’ve made mistakes, even if all your friends have left you. You are not alone. There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Jesus is the stickiest friend; he is the best friend who is better than a brother. He will stick with you no matter what if you come into friendship with Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He sicks closer than a brother.

Japanese are very talented.

2008-08-07T00:46:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I come across some really talented Japanese people.

Check out the video of this girl Koharu. She makes this thing come alive. Whatever Japanese people apply themselves to they go for excellence.

Korean Invasion

2008-08-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

We had a team of Koreans from YWAM visit our church last week. They were a beautiful team of young people. They have a great heart to pray and reach out to Japan. They were traveling around Japan visiting different places and we were blessed to have them come here for one night.

hikikomori - shut in's

2008-07-25T04:55:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to right about this for some time. I have been reading about a problem that is amongst some young Japanese people. One leading Pscyhiatrist went as far to say there was as many as 1 million people who suffer from this. 1% of the population.

"a problem known in Japan as hikikomori, which translates as "withdrawal" and refers to a person sequestered in his room for six months or longer with no social life beyond his home. (The word is a noun that describes both the problem and the person suffering from it and is also an adjective, like "alcoholic.") Some hikikomori do occasionally emerge from their rooms for meals with their parents, late-night runs to convenience stores or, in Takeshi's case, once-a-month trips to buy CD's. And though female hikikomori exist and may be undercounted, experts estimate that about 80 percent of the hikikomori are male, some as young as 13 or 14 and some who live in their rooms for 15 years or more."

This is from an interesting article by a journalist who visited some shut in's.

NY Times - Shutting Themselves in

Another issue that faces Japan is suicide. Last year around 30,000 people comitted suicide in Japan. That is an enourmous amount of people who have struggled with live to the point that they have given up. Not to count those who continue to struggle through life with out any saving hope or a way out; wishing they could die.

Everyday that we are here I pray that we might have an opportunity to share the Grace and Love of Jesus with people. Grace that says "You don't have to work hard to get life, just believe and recieve." Love that says, "I love you as you are."

Pray for us as we position ourselves as light in this country and pray for Japan that they may see God's love for them.

Out of Darkness

2008-07-25T04:31:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been in such darkness it scared you? When I was 18yrs I went to work in a coal mine. About 1.5 kilometres underground. We had to wear these helmets with a little light on the front so we could see.
My first day of doing this was training day. We went down in an underground car. It was like riding on a roller coaster in the dark. Because the roof was low it felt like we were going really fast. We would be turning right and left, and over little dips. It was great. Eventually we stopped and had to get out. The car drove off and we stood there with our lights on. Then we were told. “Now turn your lights off.” It was pitch black. I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face. My heart was pounding. It felt like eternity before we were told, “OK, turn on your lights. Your light is important take care of it.” Wow. I came to appreciate light through that experience. We cannot live without light or we will go crazy and eventually we will die.

Is 59:9b–10a and 60:1-2. This was written more than 2000 yrs ago. The nation of Israel had heard from God many times in the past but because of their sin He was silent and mankind was living in darkness. Waiting in hope that one day their Messiah would come and bring light.

When Jesus came, He brought light. John 8:12
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” People gathered to the light; wherever Jesus went, people gathered to see and hear Him.

Spiritually we are all in darkness and we need Jesus to bring light to our lives. The light of understanding that will cause us to respond; “Oh, that’s why I am here. That’s my purpose. You love me.” You have a purpose for being here. You are not just here just to exist, eat food, sleep, go shopping, make babies, eat more food, sleep and then die. You have a purpose.

Japan is a nation with so much light- neon signs everywhere. Yet as a people – there is so much darkness. People are lost in the darkness, crying out, “Help me. Is there more to life? Why am I here? Won’t someone notice me?”

Last Monday night I went out to a Sushi train restaurant. Afterward we walked around 3rd Planet at BiVi; it’s an entertainment centre with lots of computer games. We were both amazed. It was a Monday night and there were so many people out. Most of them were playing games alone. “Wow, look at these people, they are adults, not kids.” Most people were in their 30’s. “They are lonely and bored.” The truth is they are in the darkness and not sure how to get out so they are trying to escape by playing a computer game.

We are all in darkness until we meet Jesus. Then He sends us to be the light of the world. Matt 5:14.
Yet sometimes as Christians we can feel like we are alone in darkness. Sometimes it feels like Jesus is far off. “He’s not answering my prayer. I don’t know what to do next with my life. I want to get married but he hasn’t brought my partner to me yet. My family isn’t saved. My friends won’t listen. God are you there?”

No matter what is happening in your life, you are not alone; He is always with you. His word is a light to your feet, a lamp unto your path. He is the light within you. Though you walk through the valley of shadow of death – He is with you. The valley of darkness, the valley of singleness, the valley of feeling like a failure, the valley of loneliness. Whatever your valley is – you’re not alone.
Sometimes we can feel like we are on a YAMA with KAMI SAMA. Other times it may feel like a dark valley. But He is walking with you, lighting the way. He is calling you to trust Him.

Is 59:9b–10a and 60:1-2.

59:9b We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
59:10a We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes;

60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

60:2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

Matt 5:14
14 “You are the light of the world.”

Sushi is growing on me.

2008-07-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

My first experience of sashimi (raw fish) was enough to make me want to vomit (it was a cheap and nasty meal.) But I have had 4 opportunities to eat sushi in the last 4 months and have enjoyed the food and the experience.

My favourite, Hamburger sushi.

Next there was the raw salmon.

Kaiten zushi is what the Japanese call this style of restaurant. They find it funny that we refer to it in the west as a sushi train restaurant. The place we went to costs $1.00 per plate. So the locals really throw down a few plates worth. We waited 2 hours to get a table (it was a public holiday though.)

First time we went was with one of our English classes. You can see Sharon and I looking through from the other side.

The second time I went was with a Japanese pastor from America. He left Japan when he was 15 yrs old and has been living in Texas for the last 16 years. He has a very strong Texan accent and a great appetite for sushi. I had a great time eating and talking with him.

Third time we went for sushi was with our Pastor and his wife. What a great couple they are.
He likes the expensive $2.00 plates.

And the forth time of eating sushi this month was at a sushi party. We had to roll our own sushi. I tried eveything, salmon, eel, octopus, suid, and mince. lol.

But, you can't beat a BBQ Japanese style with Aussie beef. We were told they had too much meat and didn't want to keep it so we had to eat it all. I said, "No problem, I need to catch up on my meat eating." Delicious..........

Awesome Violin Concert

2008-07-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday we had a summer concert with a violinist from the USA. I'm not a great fan of the violin but this guy made that little instrument come alive. There was an awesome presence of God as he played.

The church was packed as Japanese people love concerts and especially professional players. We had 5 students come and they brought their families. It was great to see so many people in church, to be enjoying the presence of God and to hear the word. He preached a great message. He made a comment that we can be such polite people on the outside but also be wearing a mask that hides the true person inside. Sadly many Japanese wear a mask because they feel they need to conform. They are too scared to come out and be themselves. Only Jesus can set us free from this bondage.

Church is a great place to find freedom.

Does Facebook blog really work?

2008-07-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

I am testing my facebook blog to see if it works.

True love not in a Karaoke Song

2008-06-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

John 15:9-14 Recently we went to Karaoke with some of our students. I found the gospel section. “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” I was singing about the magnificent God we serve.
We were given a thick book full of songs and I noticed there were so many love songs. A lot of songs are written by a person to express their love to another person or by a person desiring love. “When I fall in love.” “I want to know what love is; I want you to show me.”

Everybody desires love. We need to know we are loved, that we are wanted. In John 3:16 Jesus said, “God so loved the world.” God loves this crazy world we live in and he loves you. The God that made you loves you. He hasn’t abandoned you to just worship an idol or at a shrine. He wants to have a relationship with you. He wants you to know him. Many people go to the shrine or temple and have no real connection with anything, just a superstition that tells them if you come here and pray you may get blessed. Well in Jesus we have love and purpose of life.

John 15:13 This is the greatest form of love; to sacrifice oneself for another. And Jesus has done this. Though he was despised and rejected by this world He loved this world and gave Himself for it.

Do you want to know great love? It’s not in a Karaoke song. It’s not in having a boy say, “I love you” and giving you flowers or a girl saying “I love you” and giving you chocolates. It’s in laying your life down for another. He has shown you the highest form of love.

If you don’t know Jesus he is calling to you; He wants you to know Him. He wants to give you hope in your life. He loves you and wants you to have a fulfilled life.

Karaoke Night

2008-06-13T01:25:00.000-07:00

What an enjoyable experience. Some of our students were keen to go out singing and show us how the Japanese do it. We went to place that was having it's 2nd anniversary, so the rooms were newer. We paid for the premium room, we thought we might as well experience the best of Karaoke. About $18.00 each for 2 hours.

I was first up singing "I believe I can fly." Then came ABBA from the girls, the beatles and so on.

With free soft drink the 2 hours went past very quick.

After our experience we discovered you can pay around $9.00 during the weekday and stay as long as you like until 6pm. So Sharon and I have plans to go again.

Later we were told by one of our sudents who is a businessman that it is common for office workers, businessmen and women to go for drinks after work and then go to Karaoke once their walls are down. He said it is a great way to build community amongst your work collegues. I must agree, even in our short time together our students seemed more open toward us later. We finished the night off at McDonalds.

Coming soon - Our first experience of Karaoke

2008-06-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

Tragedy in Japan

2008-06-09T01:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday on the news I read about the young man that went on a stabbing frenzy in downtown Tokyo. yahoo newsWhat a tragedy. The thing I heard through the report was the young man claimed he didn't want to live. What sadness that others had to die for his lack of desire to live.

My heart now goes out for those who are mourning from this; but this also brings me to think, how many other young men are on the edge? Fustrated with life, having no meaning and no purpose in their life has to come to an edge at some point. Many suffer in silence whilst some choose other ways to release their pain.

For Japan the issues aren't seen untill a tradegy like this surfaces. This just highlights to me the need for a Saviour. Not one out of a Manga magazine but the creator of our lives.

Despite this incident there is great things happening in Japan. Through our church here in Kyoto and other great church's
jesuslifehouse jhouse

If anyone is looking to serve in Japan these are three great church's to consider.

May the light of Jesus rise and bring hope to this nation.

Japan - A nation in need of Jesus

2008-05-25T23:22:00.001-07:00

My other purpose for writting this blog is to bring attention to some of the issues that I see or hear about in Japan. Just as I was inspired and challenged to come to Japan by a number of blogs being written by people living in Japan, I want to also inspire more Young people to come to Japan. Blogs that inspired me:
izumi's blog

daveandnat

Today I came across a sad article about babies being dumped off at a hospital.
The associated press

A least the babies are well cared for. I just find it sad to hear about this stories. This is just one place that recieves babies; It would be interesting to know if this was a big problem.

I found another article from last year;
Japan baby drop box abused

Adventure World

2008-05-19T03:01:00.000-07:00

During Golden week our good friends Yuichi and Tomomi took us to Wakayama.

We visited Adventure world. The home of the Panda Bear.

Everyone wants to be a Panda.

Kawai ne. Aren't they cute?

That's not all though. How about a kiss from the camel?

Or a lick from a giraffe?

Many cool animals. It is really amazing to think how creative God is. There are so many peculiar looking animals. God must have had a good time making all these weird animals and then he lets Adam name them. Adam must have been smart. I don't think Charles Darwin was all that smart. How could he think all these creatures came form on singular cell/slime. Sorry he missed the point I think he just couldn't accept that someone smater then him created them all and us.

We were made by a creative God who loves us all immensely.

The Kiss of Aslan

2008-05-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

I have been preaching a lot about Grace and I am using a story that Jesus told about a son who asked his father for his inheritance and than the son goes to a far land and spends it all. When he comes to himself he decides to return to the father and ask for forgiveness. The response from the father is amazing. Luke 15:11- 32

Many people would think the father would attack the son with abuse or pull out a samurai sword and hack him to pieces. But the father runs to the son, and hugs and kisses him. Instead of anger the father shows grace. Just like this lion instead of attacking her he kisses her.

God doesn't want to judge and condemn you he wants to kiss you which means to accept you as his son / daughter.

When I preached this at Church I said, "Tonight we are going to focus on the kiss of the father. For you to fully understand this message I need for you to experience a kiss. SO everybody please stand." One girl shot to her feet while every one was looking around nervously. "Is he for real?" Then I said, "jordan desu." (Just kidding.) The pastor said to me, "Japanese are too reserved for that." I replied, "Don't worry I was just kidding." The funniest thing was the girl who jumped up. She really wanted a kiss. lol

Grace that runs to me.

2008-05-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

I have been inspired by the story of the prodigal Luke 15. It is a great story from Jesus to the pharisees of why he hangs out with sinners. We can learn so much from this for our own lives and our attitude to reaching lost people with God's grace.

But first we need to experience grace. How do most Christians respond to grace? I have met so many that still feel bad for the things they did many years ago. Or they made a few mistakes through the week and now wonder what does God think of me? Would Jesus want to hang out with me now?

Through this story I see that through Grace, God the father runs to us just like the father did in this story. He hugs us with an embrace that accepts us no matter what we've done. While preparing these messages I came across the free hugs video.

We watched this video in church the night I preached about the hug. I think you need to experience a hug to relate to Grace hugging you.

In Japanese culture hugging is kind of a thing that is not done and is even considered childish. The bow is all about respect but no hugging is carried on in the general culture. I have heard many responses to this but I will write more later.

The night I preached on hugging it was good to see the church embracing each other and showing acceptance to each other.

The grace of God wants to run and embrace you, to give you big bear hug.

Purikura

2008-05-09T01:19:00.000-07:00

We had an experience of Purikura (print club) last year with some friends last year. Japanese girls just love them. I remember our home stay from Japan in 2006 had a book full of pictures of herslf and her friends.

We decided to make one of the items that people had to get for Nexus pictures from a purikura machine.

When we planned the night we didn't know that only girls were allowed into the building where all the machines were; unless they were with a girl. This created a problem for my team as we were all boys and they didn't want to go in. I couldn't read the signs so I was wondering what's wrong with these guys. Eventually one of the guys sister came with us while we took our pic's.

Highlights from April

2008-05-09T01:06:00.000-07:00

Well for anyone who remembered it was my birthday. I love having a birthday here in Japan. Not sure if it's a Japanese thing or just that our friends and English students here are so thoughtful and caring. Recieved presents, cards and letters so happy birthday. And 4 birthday cakes at different times.

We did a lot of sightseeing with our friend Beccy. See previous post.

April was the first night of nexus for this year. For more info on what we do at Nexus click on the link http://www.nexuskyoto.blogspot.com/

More Sakura pic's

2008-05-09T00:54:00.001-07:00

Just thought I'd add some more pic's of Sakura. You can see how beautiful Japan can be.

These pic's are from Kiyomizu dera (Temple)

Jumper

2008-04-21T19:04:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed this movie. It thought it had some interesting idea's. Some of which I shared at a special Sunday Youth service at Kyoto Gospel Church.

"Jumper” is a movie about a boy whose mother left him when he was 5 yrs old. His dad was an alcoholic and at school he was teased. One day everything changed when he fell through a layer of ice on a river. He went under the ice, into the water and was drowning. No one could save him.

Suddenly he is in the town library. He is lying on the floor amongst all these books, water was everywhere. He soon discover's that he can jump through time. (Not a true story.)
Because he hates the life he is in, he choses to escape by jumping to another place; to start a new life. He steals money from banks and lives life the way he wants to. He thinks he is free.
But by the end of the movie he finds out there were consequences for his free lifestyle and because of his ability.

There are many people who would love to jump out of the life they are in and find a new life. Some Westerners think, “I will move to Japan to find the peace that the Japanese have.” But I have come to see even Japanese want to jump out of this life. They do this by leaving Japan, by wearing strange clothes and having strange hair styles. They want to break away from the life they have known, they don’t want to conform. Some even try jumping out of life through suicide. So tragic.

Ecclesiastics 11:9-12:1

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity. Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say,

If you could jump to another place – my question is, would it bring you lasting happiness? Or only more emptiness? Would it bring honor to the God who made you? There is a God who made you and one day you will have to give an account for how you have lived your life.

Verse 10 “Remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh.” How do I do that? “I keep doing wrong. I keep making mistakes.” The God, who created you, loves you so much that he sent His son, Jesus to jumped through time to take away our sorrow and the judgement for our evil. One day when I stand before God, I know I won’t have to fear judgement for my life, because I have confidence that Jesus has taken all my sin, shame and selfishness. Do you know this too?

Matt 11:28 Jesus once said, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” What he is saying is, “If you want to jump out of this life; come to me and I will take your struggles and give you rest.” Jesus can give you life.

Cherry blossom Sakura

2008-04-13T23:50:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful year of seeing the Cherry blossom. I remember Ken Watanabe's words in "The Last Samurai."

"The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life."

We have now seen two perfect blossoms. This time we were able to share it with Beccy Hill. our friend from Ipswich Australia.

WOW 1 month past already.

2008-04-13T23:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, we have been back one month already. Our English classes are had a decline in numbers at the beginning of the year but now that we are back and have advertised and we are picking up new students.

All our students are great value. We love teaching, spending time with them and sharing our lives with them.

Today is our day off, (yasumi). Sharon has gone out with one student and I am about to go out with another student, to the movies.

The thing I love about being in Japan is bein able to spend time with people who don't know Jesus and being able to spend time with them.

We are back.

2008-03-23T06:53:00.001-07:00

Ipswich City Christian Church

We have been back in Kyoto over a week now. We had a great time back in Australia for a month holiday. It was soooooooooo good to see our family and friends and visit our great church family in Ipswich. If you are in the Ipswich area try Ipswich City Christian Church.

We have a great year planned ahead in Kyoto. Check out our Nexus blog or wait till I have time to update here.

Nice big juicy steak.

Fish and Chips.

Time with family.

Swimming in flooded rivers.

2008 Run for the prize

2008-01-27T22:45:00.000-08:00

1 Cor 9:24-27
If 2007 was seen as a race, how did you run? Did you cross the finish line with excitement, “Yes, what a great year.” Did you crawl across the line in despair, “Oh, I never want to go through another year like that.” Or did you just wake up on Tuesday morning and say, “Wow its 2008, how did I get here?”

Think back over last year, how did you run? At school/ university/ work did people say, “He was a fast runner, always on time, always giving his best.” “There is something different about the person.” At home did people say, “He is so lazy, I can’t get him to do anything.” or “She is such a wonderful person, her room is always clean, she always puts her clothes away.”

At church did people say, “He is so diligent, faithful in serving the Lord, always loving others.” Or, “She is always late for choir; she misses church all the time.”
Beginning a New Year we can always look back and see how we ran in that year. It can help us prepare for the New Year, 2008. How do you want to run in 2008?

Tips for running well.

1. Put God first. Matt 6:33
Seek God first. He knows what you need. Put him first and he will meet all your needs according to his riches in heaven.

2. Love one another. Jesus commandment is for us to love God and love each other. As you sow love to others you will receive it yourself.

3. Wait on the Lord. Isaiah 40:31
Give time to recharge yourself. “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.”

4. Run to win the prize.
1 Cor 9:25 “... but we for an imperishable crown.” Our life does not count just for now. What we do here counts for eternity. Pursuing that nice house, car, TV, those expensive clothes doesn’t last. All this is only temporal. It’s OK to have those things, but to get caught in the trap of living your life just to have that stuff is empty.
There is no prize for the person who has the most stuff.

By the grace of God we are saved from our sin and brought into a relationship with God. We were once separated from God, but for those who know Jesus we are now righteous before God.
We don’t have to do another thing to earn His favour. Forgiveness of sins is ours, healing is ours, freedom is ours, deliverance is ours.
We don’t have to wait for New Years Eve to hear the Buddhist temple sound the bell 108 times. Jesus cleansed us from sin forever. He has taken all your sin.

The one thing waiting for us is eternal life and an imperishable crown, a crown of life.
So make this year count for eternity. Whose future can you change for eternity? Someone maybe destined for an eternity separated from God, but we can change their eternity by sharing the love of Jesus.

If you don’t know Jesus why not make this year the beginning if a new life for you. He will give your life meaning and purpose.

12 months in Kyoto, Japan

2008-01-18T06:01:00.000-08:00

OK, let me begin with an update of the last 12 months. I will post a testimony of 2007 next time but for today here is the last twelve months in pictures.

February 07 we arrived in Kyoto and joined our new church, Kyoto Gospel Church. Now our wonderful family.

March 07 we began our English classes.

April 07 We made some crazy friends who helped me celebrate my birthday.

May 07 Then did lots of sightseeing, especially - Cherry blossum viewing.

June 07 We finished our Japanese language course. It was a beginner course, now we are experts at speaking Japanese --- not.

July 07 And more sightseeing with our friends and students.

August 07 was festival time - Gion Festival and Yukata night at Church.

September 07 We had another English Quiz Night. We had 3 over the year. All three were lots of fun.

October 07 we started an English club called Nexus English Club. Great place to practice English and connect with other people and lots of fun.

November 07 my sister and her family came for a visit. It was so good to have some family visit.

December 07 a team from Ipswich City Christian Church came for a visit and serve in our English classes.

January 08 and finally we enjoyed the first week of the year with friends hanging out and eating.

Japanese people have holiday time from New years day for a week and enjoy spending time with family. It was amazing to see them stop.

So that was our year at a glance and it only covered a fragment of what we experienced and saw. Hopefully stayed tune for 2008 in Kyoto.

The beginning of a journey already started

2007-12-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

Konichiwa,
This is the begining fo my 2 year old blog. We are now living in Kyoto Japan. I have been slack at writing but have recently thought I need to start again especially since we are living in a toltally diferent place to Ipswich Australia. Plus I can keep everyone updated on what is happening in our lives and what we are seeing in Kyoto.

I could call this blog "Kyoto through the eyes of a little Aussie." But it ie easier to remember our names.

I hope to post photos, my sermons that I preach and what is happening in our English classes, Nexus English club and Kyoto Gospel Chruch (The best chruch in Kyoto.)

Talk soon,

Peter

2006-05-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

Yeah! I am Totally Righteous.

I read this devotion this morning. Very inspiring. You see I am righteuos not by my own efforts or the work of my own hand. Before I believed in Jesus, repented and declared him my Lord I was lost in darkness of sin. I never tried to be righteous because I never knew I was unrighteous, but now I know without Jesus I am lost, unrighteous and deserving of death. Thank God for abundant Grace in sending Jesus to die for me.

Read this devotion - if you don't know Jesus ask him to forgive you, cleanse you and make you righteous - if you know him be glad and confess you are righteous in Him.

Confessing Your Righteousness Pleases God

2 Corinthians 5:2121For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Do you know what happens each time you confess, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ”?
God the Father is pleased. When you confess that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, it reminds Him of what His Son has done for you to become righteous.
Also, by making you righteous, God is showing Himself righteous — “to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”. (Romans 3:26)
Each time Jesus hears you confess, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ,” it brings much pleasure to His heart because you are laying hold of what He suffered and died to give you.
The Holy Spirit, who now indwells you to convict you of righteousness (John 16:10), rejoices when you confess, “I’m the righteousness of God in Christ.” He is pleased when you flow with Him.
The delight of the Godhead is not the only thing you gain when you confess, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” The Bible tells us that when you “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness… all these things shall be added to you”. (Matthew 6:33)
Whether it is food, clothing or other necessities in life, “all these things” will be added to you. They will not just be given to you, but added to you as your inheritance when you seek first His righteousness.
You don’t need to use your faith for every single need in life. You just need to use your faith for one thing — to believe that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, and it will cause all the blessings you seek to come after you and overtake you!

Copyright © 2006 New Creation Church

2006-05-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

IT PAYS TO HAVE BIG FRIENDS!

When I heard we were going to a Sumo Tournament I thought I just got to have a photo with two big guys. As you can see they were big and boy were they sweaty. I had to peel my left arm of his back.

I have always had big friends. Mainly because I have always been shorter then most of the people I have hung out with.

How big do you think God sees me? Well I know he doesn't look at the size of a man or the stature he looks at the heart. I love the words from Smith Wigglesworth, "I am a thousand times bigger on the inside." Amen to that. With the Holy Spirit dwelling in me - I am huge.

2006-04-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hello World,
This is my personal blog. I will get to it when I can. to see more of what is happening in my world check out the igniteyoungadult.blogspot.com

I chose the title for my blog based on a tshirt I used to wear when I was in my heavy metal, long hair and goatie stage of life.

The Resurrection Band from the 70's to the 90's had this t shirt that had a statment that has stayed with me from those days. LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR A CHANGE.
This reminds me to never settle down and accept this is my lot in life but it encourags me to always look out at life for change. If we aren't growing and changing, what are we? Settled, Stagnent or even Dead.

Jesus came to give life and life abundantly.
Change me Jesus to be more like you.