Worry This, Worry That

I am constantly worried. I actually didn't realize that I stressed so much until Josh pointed it out to me. For those of you who worry like me you might be able to appreciate these words I stumbled upon from our dear friend Oswald Chambers,

"Fretting rises from our determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God's plans."

Take heart! "Abide in the shadow of the Almighty" - Psalm 91:1

Lent

The season of Lent is upon us. Wednesday marks the beginning of the historic time when people fast and pray before the coming of Easter, 40 days. Just like the 40 days of temptation for Jesus.

Four years ago when I was having a rough go in life I fasted sleep in the morning in favor of daily devotions. Looking back I have never had a more on track, meaningful time of spiritual renewal and discipline. This year I have decided to do the same again. Normally I would be dreading Wednesday morning, the start of having to get up half an hour earlier than normal - but I just have a yearning of excitement that I can barely contain. I thirst for more of Him. I hunger for a deeper understanding of His ways.

Are you lenting something? I encourage you to stretch yourself beyond what you believe you are capable of. Keep your motives pure before the Lord and He will bless your obedience.

Where'd THAT come from!?!

I know a great blogger is one who updates often. I only seem to be able to write when I'm inspired. I find that this rings true in other areas of my life too: school, work, relationships, papers, other work, ministry... A used to call it J at 100% or J at 0%.

Needless to say I'm currently hitting the high 90's.

If you haven't heard, Venice is doing a Faith Pledge. Basically the church purposefully passed a red budget in favor of supporting different ministries, acting on faith that the Lord would provide even in tough economic times. With that said, the church was asked to consider making a pledge, of any amount that would somehow stretch your faith of offering. The catch is the money can't come from any source of expected income. Tangible ways of learning what faith really looks like. I was excited about the possibilities of other people having extraordinary stories by year end. Note I said "other" people. :) Well, two weeks ago I made my own pledge, not thinking much about it.

Today money that I wasn't expecting plopped in my lap. The funny thing is I didn't even think about this until I was sharing with Randy at work and he said, "oh that's neat, it's part of your faith pledge!" I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized I had just been given my first installment of my faith pledge! I've also learned that others in the church have also had the same experience as me. God truly does work in tangible ways, He's not only providing but teaching His children as well. I can't wait to see when the next installment happens upon me. This time though, I'll be watching out!

If you are apart of the body of Venice I encourage you to participate, not for the benefit of the church, but for yours.

1.01.09

Happy New Year!

December 22...3 days and counting.

It's been a busy end of the year:

Last month dad, mom, A, and I packed up and headed North to Seattle for a wedding. We had a great time. The weather was sooo great, a true fall. It was slightly rainy, cold, and overcast. The trees were all shedding for winter and everyone was decked in their winter-wear. The wedding was beautiful too. But two things stood out in my mind about our short Thanksgiving weekend trip:

1. The Sekijima Family. I love each and every one of them. We had a chance to spend practically the whole weekend with them and it was great! John and Celia are fantastic people, and they are completely reflected in their kids. Even though we don't get to see each other very often, every time we do, we just pick up right where we left off. I appreciate them for their love for the Lord, their honesty in life, and their love for our family. Sunday night we had a 3 hour dinner... and it felt like 30 minutes. That is one special clan and it is a privilege to know them.

2. Seattle. Aimee and I were in season heaven! Monday we drove to downtown Seattle and it was so great! Christmas was everywhere! Every window dressing was decked out in Christmas, every lamp and street light was decorated. The Seattle's Best's were giving out real gingerbread men with their gingerbread latte's. The people were so friendly and in the Spirit of the season! We even saw the most amazing gingerbread house competition on display! I actually saw Santa too. It was so fun, so cold, and so festive. We were in heaven. I even shopped for a long period of time with Aimee and mom without complaining!

I love Seattle and I love the Sekijima's.

Since then we have been busy shopping for presents, buying Christmas trees, practicing for Christmas Sunday at the Community Center, celebrating birthday's (A's and mom's), and all in the midst of work and school. It's been a busy end of the year. I suppose it's always a busy end of the year.

In the midst of life's craziness, I attempted to be domestic tonight and try and cook dinner. I went food shopping at Mitsuwa, I prepped for two and a half hours...I read, reread, and reread the cooking directions, I cleaned...and just when I thought I was in the clear...just when I was about the put the food in the oven and pat myself on the back, I smelled something funny from the oven. Like something putrid was burning. But I hadn't yet put any of the food in there. I opened it up and realized I had forgotten to take out the griddle we store in the oven, before I had turned the oven on. There was melted plastic EVERYWHERE! I freaked out, opened all the doors and windows, turned all the fire alarms off, pulled the fans out of the garage, shut the hallway door and then called dad sobbing. He had me call the Fire Department. They said beyond the loss of the appliance in the oven, and the oven itself we should be fine. Are you hearing what I'm saying?

In an attempt to cook dinner for my family, I not only burned an appliance, but I also broke our oven.

I've tried to convince myself that it's not a big deal, don't be upset...at least you didn't burn down the house. But such rationalization is no longer working. I must not be made to cook. Bummer.

Also, I figured I would use this as a lesson to all who use the oven; Remember to always take anything out of the oven, before attempting to use it.

Merry Christmas Everyone. As Warren told us all this Christmas Sunday, may Christ reign in each one of our hearts as we celebrate his birth.

Stay with Me

Lots has been going on and my mind has been overloaded trying to process everything. Here's a bit:

1. I attended the Youth Specialties Convention a few months ago and heard a biblical historian, Phyllis Tickle, speak on "The Emergent Church". Now, if I understand it correctly, she said the para church is headed in a new direction; no longer will there be different denominations but "the church" will be one body. There is much more depth involved but that was the gist. She said that historically, every time there has been a change in direction in the church there have been wars within the church (the reformation, etc.). It was her opinion that we too will have a war within the church if we don't follow the leading of the Spirit in adapting to this change. 

2. For class I'm reading "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman. His basic premise is that the world will soon no longer have certain world powers. Soon, countries like India and China will have as much power as the US, Europe, etc. have, as globalization continues. The book is incredibly convincing. The power of the internet and what that has done to change the way life, business, markets, EVERTHING works, is incredible. I believe we are headed in this direction. 

3. The reaction to the passing of Prop 8 just reinforces my opinion that the Christian mindset, values, and basic beliefs are heading towards a scary minority. It is no longer "popular" to be a Christian. It is no longer "cool" to have a resounding belief in Jesus Christ and a commitment to the values and lifestyle that comes with that relationship. In fact, it is just the opposite, it is completely unpopular. We are headed into an era where it will not only be unpopular to be a Christian, but we will be persecuted for it. The word "tolerant" will someday be a word we use in defense of ourselves, as opposed to a word used against us now.

I tell you all this because I have been wrestling with this question: What is our responsibility to do something about this? My children, your children, are going to grow up in a world where traditional jobs will no longer be available, the influence of world power will be shifting among countries - even communist countries, they will be persecuted for believing in the One True God, the Trinity. I have a holy fear within my stomach, even writing this now, about the state of the world in fifteen, twenty, maybe even ten years from now. I am scared for my children and my grandchildren.

I have written before how I want to make sure when I get to the gates of heaven I can say I honestly did everything I thought I could do on earth for the glory of the Lord. I wonder now what that is? What is my responsibility in being apart of something that will create a better world for my children, that will encourage Christ in the community, that will promote the church throughout the world? My stomach is unsettled seeing the bigger picture. My mind is fraught with the unknown, and not quite knowing what my role is in that. 

I shared my concerns with Josh. He reminded me that 1. God is Sovereign. Ultimately, in our faithfulness, we will be provided for and cared for - even when times get tough. 2. As for my role, if we are faithful to His calling,  what that "responsibility" is will be revealed. It is not in us to come up with it, but instead to be obedient to whatever it is when God presents it to us. I am comforted by this. I cannot be frantic about the future. God had Moses lead sheep for 40 years. Then look at the responsibility given to him...lead the Isrealites out of Egypt!

My plea to you - have a greater understanding of the coming days. And with that prepare - strengthen your knowledge of Christ so you can use it as your shield, weapon, armor, breastplate, and sword. And seek to discipline yourself in Christ's ways. 

President-Elect Obama

I found this somewhere out in the world of the internet:

"I am absolutely elated this country has changed enough that my daughter lives in a world a black man can become president...God is sovereign, He knew Obama was going to be elected. Pray for our president that he will accomplish God's will. Pray for our presidents heart and his mind, for discernment and wisdom."

I tend to agree.
J.

In Honor of Kyoko Sakaguchi

I just returned from attending Kyoko Sakaguchi's funeral. For those of you who don't know her, she was a member of Venice church since its founding days, and someone who helped to raise me.

Dad asked me to give a eulogy. I stubbornly refused and volunteered for any other duty, one not so public. Aimee did it instead, and what an amazing job she did. It was touching, personal, well-spoken, and focused on Christ. I knew I wouldn't have been able to hold it together. But I do have many fond memories of her. If I were to speak this is what I would have said:

I can remember playing in her house. I can still see her changing Tom's bandages everyday when he was sick. I remember eating lunch together and afterwards we would be sent to play so she could watch her favorite tv show 'Days of our Lives". I remember her smell and her gentle spirit. I remember our excitement when Tom came home and he would allow us to ride on the lift on the back of his truck, with Kyoko watching from the front door. I remember the chuckle she always had after every sentence. I remember her giving our family a wake-up call when we had accidently slept in for sunrise service. I remember the cover she had on the couch and "Tom's chair" that I loved because it swiveled and rocked.

But most of all, when I think of Kyoko, I see a life lived in dedication and faithful service to Christ. She was humble and selfless. Thinking back I can't remember her ever complaining about anything. She was dedicated to my father and was always supportive of his leadership in the church. I appreciate her for that. As I write this today I wish I was more eloquent and better able to express how much she meant to me. But this is all I have; my love and a peace within knowing she is in heaven, rejoicing with Christ, free of pain, and reunited with Tom.

May her legacy of love to our Father carry on, and may her witness bring those who knew her to Christ.

I love you Kyoko.