Pancakes or Oatmeal

 

Often my life does not play out like I plan.  I wake up and think “pancakes for breakfast!” But I get oatmeal.  It is good, but not pancakes! 

Or I may think, “Let’s go see Abi, my sister.”   But we clean my room instead.  A necessary event, but not my first choice.  It can make me grumpy! It can make me complain, and fuss at my parents.  Never a good response!

Maybe it would be better to wake up and say, "God what do you have for me today?  Bring it on Lord!  I am ready, because you are walking with me. "

I read in the Old Testament how God walked with the Israelites, but they kept forgetting and coming up with a better idea.  I need to see God’s plan as the best idea and go with it joyfully, expectantly, even.  God’s plans are always amazing, but not always at the time.  Looking back, I see this.  I must practice living in that expectancy and joy, no matter if it pancakes or oatmeal!

 

Every year our family reads through advent passages in our personal devotions.  Because we do it every year, the passages become familiar.  It is easy to read a passage and not even think.  Yet every year God speaks to my heart from different passages. 

This year as I read Isaiah 53, I was deeply impacted with what Jesus came to do for me. Verse 11 says:

 “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous,
    and he shall bear their iniquities.”

Yes, Jesus bore my iniquities.  He was willing to die a criminal’s death so I did not have to bear my iniquity, my sin!

My heart is full because of the enormity of what Jesus did for me. 

I am amazed at God’s love!

Rejoice! Jesus Came!

 

Here we are racing through advent, yet I have not blogged yet.  So much going on around me.  However, I am enjoying listening to Christmas music.  One of my favorite Christmas carols is “Joy to the World”.  I sometimes want to shout that out to my world.  The Lord has come!  Wake up and rejoice. 

We recently heard that while Japan has a high life expectancy, they also have a record level of unhappiness.  Many think the reason is a lack of hope. We see it in the faces of the people here. You do not see many joyous people here.

Well, I know a cure!  That cure starts with God. He so loved the world He sent His Son to this broken world.  He made a way for the hope of eternal life.  Now that is cause for rejoicing!

John 3:16 ESV

" “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

God Is In Control Even of Changes

 

This week my neighbors had to move to a care facility.  They have been my neighbors all my life.  We were friends.  We understood each other. They helped our family all the time.  Our family shared the gospel with them numerous times.  My parents jumped in to support them in the last few years as we watched their health decline. We prayed daily for them.  It is sad to not see them or evidence that they are there.  It is sadder still to not have them make a clear decision for Jesus.  However, I do not give up hope!  I pray we will still have opportunities to share the love of Jesus. I pray they remember Jesus loves them.  I pray they trust Jesus.  I must still trust God to do what is right.  I must remember God is good.  I must remember God is still calling them to Himself.  I miss them.  But God is still in control.

Birthday Reflecions

 

Today as I celebrate my birthday, I have been musing on my life.  I want to revisit something I have written in the past.  Yes, I am autistic with several limitations.  I have many things I cannot do.  However, I want to again say, I am made in God’s image.  I am not a mistake or an embarrassment to God.  I was created uniquely by God for a unique purpose.  It is a purpose only I can fulfill.  I must strive each day to obey my Creator.  I must remember I am of such value to God that He sent His Son to die for me.  So, I will continue to pursue God and His purpose for my life!  I am not perfect, I often fail. But great is God’s faithfulness!  He picks me up and sets me back on track time and time again.  I am blessed to serve God in my unique way.  Praise be to God!

Share Jesus Everywhere

 

Many of you know I love to ride horses.  I have been taking lessons at a local stable for about twenty years.  Over the years I have had many horses and many trainers.  I have had the joy of showing the love of Jesus to many of the trainers.  One man began working there just before I came.  He worked there for about 16 of the years I have been there.  I worked with Mom and we shared Jesus with him.  He was not always my trainer, but he was always there, being sure I was safe and learning.  Four years ago, he was transferred back to his home town.  I had him his last day there.  He told me he still had the Christmas CD I had given him years before.  He walked us out to the entrance that day.  We turned back to wave at him one last time.  He waved back, but he was crying.  I pray he remembers not me, but that God loves him.  I pray he trusts Jesus. I choose to trust Jesus to show him other believers who will show him the love of Jesus, the way to faith. I pray others at that stable see Jesus in me!

Thank You, Dad!

 

Ah, Father’s Day!  It is a day to say “Thank you, Dad, for being my dad.  For me it is a day to say, “Thank you, Dad, for choosing to adopt me in all my imperfections.  Thank you for leading me to Jesus!  Thank you for loving me!  Thank you for teaching me to obey you and God.  Thank you for loving me enough to discipline me.  Thank you for challenging me to rise to my potential. Thank you for reading me stories, even now that I am an adult.  Thank you for showing me how to be a faithful man of God!  I really love you, Dad!  I admire you!”

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I Love You, Mom!

 

Here we are at Mother’s Day again.  I am so thankful for a mom who loves me.  She loves the Lord and my dad and my sister, too.  She reaches out to love so many needy people. Why does she do that?  Because she believes God called her to reflect the love of Jesus wherever she is.  She believes what Scripture says about telling about God’s works of grace toward her.  She works hard to help those who need love.  She runs to help people.  She cooks fabulous meals for many, and even delivers food to the sick and needy.  She lives out her faith.  I amazed that I get to call her “Mom”!  I am thankful God gave her to me!

Lessons in the Night

 

Recently I have had nightmares more frequently.  It is always a similar scenario.  I am abandoned, alone.  I end up crying in reality which brings one of my parents into the room.  They give me physical touch, and pray with me.  My mom makes me call on Jesus myself.  I am comforted, but sleep from that time forward becomes difficult.

I know this is the enemy using my fears to assail me.  I know that being adopted is part of the problem, but it is hard to logically sort it all out in the middle of the night.  I am trying to memorize scripture to use at that time.  I know I am not alone.  God is with me.  He holds me in His hand.  My name is inscribed on His hand.  So I am working on trusting God to hold me. I will not give in to this fear, for I know the truth!  I resolve to be strong and courageous!  I will not tremble!  I will not be dismayed.  I will remember the Lord my God is with me where ever I go! 

Is This Spring?

 

Today is a day that feels like spring.  I think of it as a “tease day”.  A day that makes you think spring is here. But I am not fooled.  Spring does not come this early.  At the park I see plum blossoms bravely blooming in anticipation of spring.  But I am not fooled.  In the store I see spring clothing displayed in anticipation of spring.  But I am not fooled.  Tomorrow will come and it will be wintery and cold.  There are still many days for winter to play its final act.  So, I keep my winter clothes out and ready.  For you see I am not fooled.  Instead, I will choose to enjoy winter to the end.  In His time, God will usher out winter and bring in the spring.  I will wait for that with anticipation, for I like spring.  But as I wait, I will enjoy winter’s last hurrah.  For I am learning to rejoice always.  To give thanks in everything!

Jesus Loves Me!

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)

 

I am amazed at what God would do to be in relationship with me!  Most people look at me and then move away because they are scared of encountering me.  They are unsure about me. They do not think I am interesting or worth the time.  But God knows me beyond the outside appearance.  He made me and did not reject me as a defective product.  He values me so much that He wanted to be in relationship with me.  To do that He had to make a way for sinful Jeffrey to be able to approach Holy God.  Soooo…. He made a way.  He sent Jesus to this world to wash my heart clean from sin.  God gave His best to bring me into relationship with Him.  That is the message of Christmas!

Heaven to the Stable

 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. I John 4:9

 

When I went to my weekly equestrian lesson at a local stable, I noticed a man sweeping and cleaning the walk ways.  They have to clean up all kinds of messy dirt.  Even after they clean the stalls, they are just cleaner, not CLEAN!  I was reminded that Jesus was born in a stable.  It was probably not too clean.  Maybe smelled bad.  What a shock for the senses of the King.  Heaven to the stable.  Talk about culture shock!  Jesus did that for me.  He came to clean up the stable of my heart which was dirty and smelly with sin.  And when He came in it became really clean.  That is the Christmas gift I received from God.  The best ever!

Joy to the World

 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:10-11

 

I love the music of Christmas!  It is full of joy and hope.  One of my favorite carols is Joy to the World.  Our Gospel choir is singing a rendition of that carol this year.  It is upbeat and full of joy, and I mean full.  When we sing it I just have to rejoice.  I smile and dance to God’s glory. My heart overflows with joy.  Why?

Well, that song tells that Jesus came. It tells us he is a righteous ruler who loves us.  It calls all nature to sing His praise. It calls us to prepare Him room.  Now is the time to rejoice, but also the time to open your heart to Jesus, who stands at your heart waiting for you to invite Him into your heart!  Do not delay! Do it today!  Then you can rejoice like never before!

Immanuel!

 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

 

One of my favorite names for Jesus is Immanuel!  I like to hold that name in my heart every day!  Why you ask?  Well, it means God with us.  It means I can have a relationship with God.  If He is with me, then not a minute goes by without Him.  My parents stick pretty close to me, but not every minute of every day. Yet, Immanuel does.  So, when I am alone at night, I am not alone.  Immanuel is there – all the time.  Christmas is when Immanuel came.  It began the visible part of God’s redemption plan.  So, at Christmas especially I think about Immanuel.  When you step into relationship with God, Immanuel is there for you, too.  So why not jump into God’s arms and experience Immanuel?

 

Shine Through Me!

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

I remember when I was very young, we had a chandelier in our living room.  We live in a small Japanese House.  It is actually average size for Japan.  Every Christmas Mom would hang small Christmas decorations from that chandelier.  As soon as I saw the box come out with those decorations I would stand under the light and point out where those decorations were to be.  I wanted everything to be in the right place.  When they were, it was beautiful!  As I grew older the chandelier came down and those decorations are still nestled in their box.  But I also    came to know the decorations were not Christmas.  It is all about Jesus.  I need to have Jesus in the right place.  When Jesus is in the center of my heart, then I can shine better than any old chandelier.  Lord Jesus shine through me this season, pointing people to You!

The Simple Heart of Christmas

 

 

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  I John 4:10 (CSB)

 

Christmas is a big celebration in Japan where I live.  It is about trees and lights and Christmas cakes, and chicken legs and thighs. Yes, they like to eat that on Christmas Eve.  Kentucky Fried is a favorite!   But sadly 99% of Japanese do not know Jesus and do not associate Christmas with Jesus.  They have created a romance around Christmas that is totally devoid of God’s love.  So they celebrate a ritual that is empty.  Their hearts remain empty.  Please do not imitate them.  Look to Scripture to find the profound yet simple meaning of Christmas and embrace it for yourself!  God loved us! He sent His son to pay the price for our sins!  That is Christmas!

Ahh, Autumn at Last!

 

At long last we are having autumn weather.  Where we live in Japan the weather quickly goes from hot to cold with a very short autumn.  In northern parts of Japan, the autumn season is more glorious and longer.  Here you have to look quick or miss it.  I love this season and sometimes feel cheated that it is so short.  I remember being on a home assignment in the Midwest in the autumn.  Seeing the glorious colors God displayed was thrilling.  Walking in the leaves was fun.  The air was crisp and refreshing.  Today as I went shopping with mom, I saw colors.  I felt a crispness in the air.  I was glad to be outside with a jacket and enjoy the beauty and refreshment after a very long, hot summer.  Thank you, Lord, for this gift!

Choose to Rejoice!

 

Recently  we went to an event about three hours away.  It was cool and rainy at points but we had an enjoyable time with friends.  We headed home about 3 pm.  We were moving at a good speed on the expressway along with all the other cars and trucks.  We were talking and listening to music.  All was well.  Then we noted vibration in the car, and we were evaluating that when we had a loud flapping sound.  We all knew it was a tire.  We got off to the side of the road.  We were near an exit, but traffic was heavy and fast.  Dad called the auto emergency help and they said to get out of the car, stand at the back and wait.  They would be there in thirty minutes.  The tire in question was on the traffic side so they said to not even try to see it.  It was now 4:30 in the afternoon.  It was still light, but cloudy.  Thankfully not raining!  A highway patrol stopped and checked on us, but their shift was changing so when they saw we were ok they left, but did put out markers to alert traffic.  Then Dad got another call from the emergency help.  They were delayed by a more serious accident and we would have to wait an additional hour.  We began to sing and praise the Lord that we were safe, that it was not raining, and that God was watching over us.  We just enjoyed the view.  Eventually help came. It had turned dark, but no rain or cold.  It was windy so not any bugs either.  The help took us to a tire store nearby.  It was family owned and the people were efficient and good at their job.  One of the family asked about me and he treated me like an intelligent person.  We got in the car and headed home and then the rain began.  God had His hand on us all the way.  We could rejoice! I could have chosen to melt down from the stress, but this time I chose to rejoice and praise the Lord.  May I always make that choice!

Rejoice Always!

 

 Recently my family had the opportunity to speak at our church for the Sunday sermon.  Dad turned the planning over to me.  I selected the passage and assigned the tasks to each of us.  It was a first for me.  Since our family has chosen I Thessalonians 5:16-18 as our year “verse”, it seemed good to use that passage.  Dad did the Bible exploration and I did the final challenge and prayer.  My mom did the spice!  She added the color by giving a personal illustration.  

I naturally felt a fair bit of stress as this is certainly out of my current routine.  Since the passage says “rejoice always.  Pray without ceasing.  In all things give thanks.” it would not be appropriate for me to meltdown in the midst of this presentation.  Just doing this sermon was an opportunity to put this Bible text into practice.  I must admit running up to the day I slept poorly and made several bad decisions.  Yet the day of presentation did arrive. 

Dad did great.  Mom was outstanding.  Then I was on.  I had a written text to serve as a guide and I plunged in.  It just flowed out and God’s spirit flow through me and into my fingers that were doing the communication.  I felt freedom and passion.  Then it was over.  I felt relief!  Yet, that was just the first service.  I still had one more to go.

God worked in the next service, too.  But I was drained from the experience.  I felt Satan creeping up saying, “You didn’t do a very good job.  You were weak.  What makes you think you could talk to these people?  How could you share anything worthwhile?”  I sat down and wept.  But God used my parents to speak truth over Satan’s lies.  In that moment I could rejoice for my Redeemer is in control of my life.  I am weak, but God is not! He chose me as His spokesman for that time.  I rejoice He allowed me to do His work!  So I am even today rejoicing because God is directing me day by day.  I may look like a broken person on the outside, but I am whole on the inside because my Redeemer is in me!

Get up and Grow!

 My mom and I walk together early in the morning as often as we can.  My mom is content to go to the park and march around it four times and come home.  I have always liked routine and doing the same thing.  Recently in an effort at growth, I have been trying new things. I try new colors of clothes.  I try new ice cream flavors, or new flavors of birthday cake.  So I have been taking my mom on new walking routes.  I see things I have not seen before, or experience new things.  It takes me out of my comfort zone, and even produces some stress, but if I want to grow, I have to step out and try.  The joy in this is I discover new things I like.  AND, I am aware that God is walking with me step by step.  So, get up and grow, Jeffrey!