Don't Say No!

 

I love to give presents.  Oh, the joy of seeing faces light up and be surprised at the treasure I have found for them!

But I also like to receive presents.  I sometimes hear my parents talking about what they will give me.  At this age I get clothes, or more utility presents, but usually one fun, surprise present.

I have never said, “No, I don’t want the gift you are giving me.”  It never even enters my mind.  Some gifts need to grow on you.  Time makes them more precious. Do you ever refuse a gift?

Well, then why do people refuse God’s gift of salvation?  Man, it cost Jesus His very life.  Yet everyday people refuse that precious gift that grows more precious every day.  If you are refusing the gift God is offering, it might be a good idea to rethink that decision.  It is really a matter of life and death!

 

Presents

 

 

Do You eagerly await Christmas?  I do, but I do not look forward to deciding what to give as presents.  That takes thought.  I love to give presents, but what to give?  I am so glad God had no problem deciding what to give me for Christmas.  He gave me Jesus!  He gave me eternal life!  The best present of all time!   Now I cannot match that, but I want to give memorable presents.  Better start praying about that!

Advent Post #2: Free For the Taking

 

I have been thinking about the angels shouting “Glory to God in the Highest.”  I think they were overjoyed and excited about God’s gift to man.  They had been seeing God’s plan unfold for centuries.  Often, they saw misery and pain also unfolding.  But Jesus coming to earth was the beginning of the end to this sin and misery.  Sure, this was a step toward the cross for Jesus, but for man, it was a big step for salvation and liberty for man!  Without the birth of Jesus, man was stuck trying to accomplish righteousness on his own, and it is always impossible.  God knew that, and out of love for us, poured glorious grace on us and sent Jesus.  So, step up and partake of that salvation all slathered in love and grace.  Oh, and did I mention it is free for the taking.  What are you waiting for?

Advent Post #1: Love to the Max

 

In Philippians we have a one-verse Christmas story.  Philippians 2:8 says, “And being found in human form, he humbled himself be becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  That is the essence of Christmas.  We as humans live and work hard to keep living.  Jesus came to earth with the goal to die on a cross for our sins.  No life support or extraordinary measures for Him.  The cross was the goal.  It was love from start to finish.  It was living on meager means, doing manual labor, and no settled place in adult life.  It was at the mercy of friends.  Yet, it was so those friends and in turn we who come after could experience God’s mercy.  It was for us.  Wow!  Why?  Just plain love.  What is my response?  I need to model my life after Jesus.  I need to be like Jesus.  So, I better get busy, and know Jesus, so I can be like Him.  Ready, set, go!

The Glory of God in Autumn

 

Here in my part of the world autumn has arrived.  For many of you it is the same.  You revel in the fall beauty as the trees change to their autumnal attire.  You rejoice at crisp cool days and the sounds and smells of harvest.  Here, in the north-eastern side of the greater Tokyo area, we have cooler temperatures, crisp nights and mornings, and just a few pockets of autumn colors.  We live in close proximity to a rural community, so we see the sites of harvest, and even late planting. 

This year we feel much rain.  While this brings cooler weather, it also leaves a gray, dullness to the day.  So, recently when I went on my run with my dad, I was pleasantly surprised to see in the western sky a huge full moon sinking down to the horizon.  In the eastern sky pinks, purples and oranges were heralding the rising of the sun.  It was stunning.  God had prepared a rapturous panorama for my running enjoyment.  It was a sign of His majesty.  It was a reminder of God in control of everything.  It reminded me that God created me, too, for Hiis glory.  He is designing a panorama in my life that will point to His majesty.  May I display it well!

My Brother

 

I always wanted a brother.  I thought a big brother would be nice, but since I am the oldest child that seemed impossible.  God gave me a beautiful, exquisite, baby sister, but no brother.  I was thrilled to receive my sister, and content to realize this was what God had for me – His best.  

Then about eleven years ago God reminded me nothing is impossible with Him.  He gave me a big brother.  My sister married him.  He became my big brother as he is a year older.  I love him so much.  He knows me and loves me.  He makes me work hard and reach to improve.  He is a friend and family all in one.

My big brother is a doctor and one busy man.  He is a gastroenterologist and might take a look in your stomach with his camera. (Fortunately, he has not looked in mine!)  That kept him busy enough, but when COVID hit, he stepped in and began working with COVID　patients at his hospital.  Not a job most doctors wanted, but he did it, and of course he did it very well. 

Recently, I saw a picture of him beside a helicopter as he flew along to care for a patient in transit.  He looked so handsome and smart.  In case you did not know, I am extremely proud of this magnificent man I get to call brother!  He is a gift from God!

But Lord, It's Really Hot!

 

Where I live in Japan summers are hot, and I do mean hot. That translates to the mid-30s to low 40s Celsius, or mid 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit. That is really uncomfortable, but added to that is humidity, around 60 to 90%.  It can make for some really hot, sticky days.  I find it to be a challenge to be at my best, and in reality easy to be at my worst.  I confess to being very grumpy some days. 

Now to be honest, we have air-conditioning in our central living area, but the rest of the house is dependent on fans and breeze.  We sleep in uncooled bedrooms and of course our outdoor activities are breeze cooled. 

I find it easy to complain about summers as I return from an early morning run or horse riding with my shirt sticking to me, dripping with sweat.  But there is a troublesome verse in the Bible.  Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  I wish it said, “except really hot days.” But it does not.  That means God made this miserable, hot day, and is waiting for me to rejoice at all He has made.  It is not selective rejoicing.  If God made the day, I am to rejoice in it.  In the whole thing.  I really find that one hard.  I find myself saying, “I can’t rejoice in this.”  Then God speaks to me and reminds me of another verse Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” My strength does not cover rejoicing in this heat, but I can do it the strength of Christ.  Since His strength even conquered the grave, I guess it can handle hot days.  So today I rejoice in this day God has made only through the strength of Christ!  Amen!

The Best is Yet to Come

Earlier this month our mission in Japan had a retreat.  We went to a venue in the Mt. Fuji area.  We left early because we were concerned about heavy traffic. The roads were running well, and we arrived in time to catch breakfast at a favorite spot.  Mom and Dad had been commenting on how clearly they could see Fuji all the way there.  From my seat in the car I could not really see it.  As we sat in the restaurant eating breakfast Mom pointed out the window to my left, and there was Mt. Fuji, large, grand, majestic.  I was agape with wonder.  It was beautiful. 

That night we had a session that started with great praise music.  I again was moved, but this time I was moved by the Creator.  I could not help dancing.  My whole body was involved in praise.  However, my tongue could not articulate my praise. 

The next night as I again worshiped with the music, my tongue got the idea, and I was able to sing along some words.  It occasionally happens, but not often.  It was thrilling.

God chose to give me that little taste of heaven.  Then, my whole body will function completely.  Wow! That thought encourages me as I come back to the mundane tasks of life.  Oh, for me, the best is yet to come!

That Nasty Word Change

 

The day was rainy and windy.  It  was a day I was to go horse riding, but due to the weather we agreed to pass on riding.  As an autistic man I abhor change.  I am known for my resistance to change.  I really think I function much better when everything stays the same and there is NO CHANGE!  I understand why we could not go, but I still do not like it. 

My mom has frequently told me she understands my feelings about change, but life is full of changes.  To survive I must learn to navigate change.  It is inevitable.  She has told me she expects me to learn to flow with life’s frequent changes with grace. I have come to see that accepting change with grace will be a mark of my maturity.  I confess, I have a long way to go in this area of my life. 

Contemplating how to grow in this area, my thoughts went to what God might say to me about this.  The Bible is full of references to Gods constancy.  He does not change.  He is the same every day.  He is our rock, shield and refuge.  He is always there, forever. 

In the midst of this constancy, his mercies are new every morning.  He creates new sunsets every day.  He changes the seasons and the weather. He gives us surprises that change our days.

I have decided I need to enjoy the changes as I walk safely in the shelter of the unchanging God.  Only then will I know true joy and peace.

Go Into All the World

 

Many of you know I love to ride horses.  It is a fun way to learn a new skill and do something normal.  Through the years I have had many trainers.  Some have been good, and others not so impressive.  I have been burdened to share the love of Jesus with them. Many are troubled people who struggle with life.  Sometimes I have given them CDs of our Gospel Choir.  Sometimes I have given other tokens of appreciation, but as far as I know only one has trusted Jesus as a result. 

 

Currently, I have two trainers who trade off.  One is very young, and very lonely.  I try to show God’s love to him.  He is not sure what to do with me, but he is willing to learn.  My other trainer has been there quite a while.  He is a bit lazy at times, and I have not always enjoyed having him, but God challenged me to love him and share the love of Jesus with him even though he is not my favorite.  So, I began to do that.  After many months he shared that he had met another family with an autistic child.  He told them they should try bringing their child for horse riding lessons.  He told us he had shared about me.  He told them not to worry, because he knew how to teach autistic kids.

I see more confidence and creativity in his teaching.  God is using me to impact his life.  It is my prayer that he finds Jesus and becomes a new man.  Only God can do that.  God will use me as part of this if I am willing to submit.  Lord, here I am.  Use me!

Moving in God's direction

 

It is the New Year.  People make plans, and try to start fresh on projects and goals.  We want the year to be better.  We want to be better.  We are optimistic that this will go better.

 

Well, when I read my Bible I don’t see that unless Jesus comes.  We will have disease and some of our friends may die. There will be natural disasters.  There will be broken relationships.  There will be failures, and rough roads for us on this journey of life.  So should we be depressed?

 

No, and no, and no!  We can just release to God’s control and let Him handle all that mess.  Because I know God is in control, I can rest easy.  I look at Joseph who was ridiculed by his family, sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers.  He was wrongfully accused and imprisoned.  He was forgotten.  Yet, he was faithful to God.  He saw all that as the means to position him to save lives, and preserve Israel in a devastating famine.  I need to get that kind of perspective.  Then get busy and follow the Lord.  Quit complaining and trust God.  Then get moving in the direction God is pushing me.  Up and at it, Jeffrey!

Snow in the Heart

 

The other day we saw our first snow of the winter.  We were out when it started, but came home before it began collecting.  I just love to watch it drift quietly to the ground and cover all the dirt and imperfections underneath.  It makes everything really beautiful.  It is peaceful and even mesmerizing to watch.  I love it!  All day I went back again and again to the window to see the snow falling and collecting on the ground and trees.  Where we live snow falls occasionally, not every year.  I like to watch the snow from the window.  It does not mean I like to be out in it or touch it.  I want to drink in the beauty.  It gives a freshness to the landscape.  It sparkles. 

The blood of Jesus not only covers my sin, it washes it white like the snow. Only the blood of Jesus can make me clean, white, fresh, and sparkle.

 Wow!  Thank you, Jesus for redeeming me!  Snow in my heart today!