Projects for the American Congregation – Nov 10, 2016
The American congregation has now been thinking about working with a worker from Military Outreach Program. He may come to us next spring and stay with us for a couple of weeks. we will see how things are developed. Also we are going to put up a banner next to the church building which gives information about the church to Americans driving on the Root 16.
Keeping Busy Working with Both Americans and Japanese – Nov 10, 2016
Until more capable men come to us, I will work with the American congregation more than before and have a sermon ready for the service. In the Japanese congregation we have people from China and India and Nepal. Our Japanese congregation is multinational. When we have a combined worship service with the American congregation, it is very interesting to see people from different countries worship together God in Christ. We have different languages because of the people of Babel, but we have a common language that is Christ Jesus. This is really blessing to us.
JSE Classes – Nov 10, 2016
I have just finished teaching “Exegesis of the Bible” at Japan School of Evangelism. Next quarter I will teach “Romans and Galatians.” I always enjoy teaching the Bible, but it is equally true I can learn from students something I have never thought about, challenges I have to face in order to teach more effectively, and somethings I have often overlooked in teachings. Now I am no longer a board member of the school (I was one for over 15 years), so I can concentrate my efforts on teaching the Bible.
Books on Payer – Nov 10, 2016
I like to read books on any good subjects, biblical and non-biblical subjects. One of the subjects is prayer. I have read a dozen of books on prayer. I would like to introduce four of them. It seems that the state of the world is more and more in chaos. We need to pray to God for help and guidance and wisdom, so I think it is timely to introduce them to you. You may have already read some of them. (1) “The battle plan for prayer” by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. This reminds me of the importance of prayer again. (2) “Christian Meditation” by Edmund P. Clowney. This book is helpful for anyone to use Psalms as a guide to prayer. (3) “Prayer the cry for the kingdom” by Stanley Grenz. It helped me to get back to prayer. (4) “Prayer” by Timothy Keller. I have learned a lot from reading it.
Another book is not on prayer but it is on the theology of the Old Testament. I also think this book gives good perspectives about prayer. “The suffering of God an Old Testament Perspective” by Terence E. Fretheim. This book is recommended by many of my teachers. This is the initial point that I really started thinking about the importance of prayer.
I hope these books will help you spiritually as they have helped me.