Russ and I have been studying the book of Romans using Dr. Wesley Gerig's book entitled, "An Outline Study of Romans." Way back in the early 1970s when I took a class on the book of Romans at Fort Wayne Bible College, I answered the questions Dr. Wes has now put at the back of his recently-published book. It has been very interesting to go through the questions with Russ. Since his stroke, Russ has trouble spelling words and doing math calculations that used to be easy for him, but his spiritual sensitivity and insights continue to be a blessing to me.
Recently we were reading Dr. Wes' comments on Romans 6:11 regarding what it means to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ. I love the way Dr. Wes summed it up on page 82.
Step #1 Never excuse sin.
Step #2 Never expect sin.
Step #3 Never excite sin. (As someone has said, "What makes resisting temptation difficult for many people is that they do not want to discourage it completely.")
There's plenty to think about there.
Flossie
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Yahara Church
Sunday was one of those I'm-so-thankful-I'm-a-missionary kind of days. Russ wasn't feeling up to going to church so I went alone to worship at Yahara Christ Church. There's a lot of walking involved in getting there so it works out best for me to go alone. We usually attend Musashino Chapel Center so I hadn't been to Yahara for many months.
This church was begun by TEAM missionaries about six or seven years ago. Shortly after they rented a meeting place and were just getting going, the husband suddenly had to go to the US for cancer surgery. The key lay couple was transferred to South Africa. Russ and I were asked to help out at the church for a year in their absence. Russ and I both had other full-time ministries so we just did what we could to keep the church alive until the missionary family returned. God sent us many people to help out during that year and encouraging things happened. It survived babyhood by God's grace. The missionaries returned and led the church through the toddler stage and into kindergarten.
Between that time and now the church has gone from renting one tiny room to two, the founding missionaries returned permanently to homeland ministries, and a Japanese pastor was called. The church is still small–13 people. But those 13 are full of faith.
The property next door to them opened up for sale and they all voted to buy it! These are not wealthy people, but they are believers who are putting their treasure in things that count for eternity. I was so blessed last Sunday to visit these dear people, look at the property with new eyes, and view the blueprints. Who would have ever thought that the property right there where the church already has a presence in the community would open up! That was the first of many miracles.
Banks are not giving out loans these days so they were denied a loan as expected. However, God raised up numerous believers to loan money personally to the church. Sunday the pastor was encouraged because that morning the closest neighbors to the church building told him they were happy the church was buying the property. The wife says she enjoys hearing the singing at the church. This is Tokyo were buildings are row-house style. Neighbors are unbelievably close and to have this kind of warm reception for a church is most unusual.
We are full of praise for all God is doing. Yahara Christ Church still needs lots of money, but they are moving forward in faith that God will provide. We're encouraged!
This church was begun by TEAM missionaries about six or seven years ago. Shortly after they rented a meeting place and were just getting going, the husband suddenly had to go to the US for cancer surgery. The key lay couple was transferred to South Africa. Russ and I were asked to help out at the church for a year in their absence. Russ and I both had other full-time ministries so we just did what we could to keep the church alive until the missionary family returned. God sent us many people to help out during that year and encouraging things happened. It survived babyhood by God's grace. The missionaries returned and led the church through the toddler stage and into kindergarten.
Between that time and now the church has gone from renting one tiny room to two, the founding missionaries returned permanently to homeland ministries, and a Japanese pastor was called. The church is still small–13 people. But those 13 are full of faith.
The property next door to them opened up for sale and they all voted to buy it! These are not wealthy people, but they are believers who are putting their treasure in things that count for eternity. I was so blessed last Sunday to visit these dear people, look at the property with new eyes, and view the blueprints. Who would have ever thought that the property right there where the church already has a presence in the community would open up! That was the first of many miracles.
Banks are not giving out loans these days so they were denied a loan as expected. However, God raised up numerous believers to loan money personally to the church. Sunday the pastor was encouraged because that morning the closest neighbors to the church building told him they were happy the church was buying the property. The wife says she enjoys hearing the singing at the church. This is Tokyo were buildings are row-house style. Neighbors are unbelievably close and to have this kind of warm reception for a church is most unusual.
We are full of praise for all God is doing. Yahara Christ Church still needs lots of money, but they are moving forward in faith that God will provide. We're encouraged!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
State of the Union with My Valentine
Today is Valentine's Day. I feel exceedingly privileged to be married to Russ. He is a godly man who manages his disabilities with grace. It's been almost four years since his massive stroke and I have yet to hear him complain about his limitations. He cries easily, but it's always because he is touched–seeing a child smile, hearing how God has worked–things that bring joy to himself or pain to others. God has shielded him from self pity and Russ daily chooses to see life from an eternal perspective. He is amazing. I thank God for allowing me to be his wife.
What's life like for us these days? Russ is still able to get around inside our house using a cane though he usually sits in his wheelchair due to limited strength. He is able to do many things for himself. They just take a long time. He can dress himself in about half an hour now. He spends time praying, working on Japanese (he never gives up!), and interacting with the many people who come to our home for encouragement. Three days a week he goes to an adult care center for therapy and a bath.
Russ made remarkable progress after his stroke so that we were able to go to the US to see family in the summer of 2007. Since then his strength has been declining. Russ doesn't get out much other than going to the care center while I work at CAJ. He has enough strength to go to church once or twice a month and now and then we go out to eat. In August each year we go to Karuizawa for our mission's annual conference where thankfully they have a barrier-free room. The 2 1/2 hour trip is grueling for him.
We are learning what it means to see God work in our weakness. I've been amazed at how God has used Russ to minister to more people now than before his stroke. Just last week several Japanese told me how much Russ has encouraged them and thanked us for staying in Japan.
Personally God is giving me strength day by day. I'm thankful for my godly husband, the wonderful people I work with at Christian Academy, the people who assist us, and most of all for God Himself. It's not an easy life, but it's good because God is good.
Flossie
What's life like for us these days? Russ is still able to get around inside our house using a cane though he usually sits in his wheelchair due to limited strength. He is able to do many things for himself. They just take a long time. He can dress himself in about half an hour now. He spends time praying, working on Japanese (he never gives up!), and interacting with the many people who come to our home for encouragement. Three days a week he goes to an adult care center for therapy and a bath.
Russ made remarkable progress after his stroke so that we were able to go to the US to see family in the summer of 2007. Since then his strength has been declining. Russ doesn't get out much other than going to the care center while I work at CAJ. He has enough strength to go to church once or twice a month and now and then we go out to eat. In August each year we go to Karuizawa for our mission's annual conference where thankfully they have a barrier-free room. The 2 1/2 hour trip is grueling for him.
We are learning what it means to see God work in our weakness. I've been amazed at how God has used Russ to minister to more people now than before his stroke. Just last week several Japanese told me how much Russ has encouraged them and thanked us for staying in Japan.
Personally God is giving me strength day by day. I'm thankful for my godly husband, the wonderful people I work with at Christian Academy, the people who assist us, and most of all for God Himself. It's not an easy life, but it's good because God is good.
Flossie
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