Front Line

Hello people that I think read this blog?!

This week, like the weather, has been so bizarre. First of all, here was the weather forecast: Cloudy, Sunny (and really warm!), Rainy, Humid, Windy, Rainy, then Sunny again. My body really cannot handle this change of weather very well… so originally, I thought it was just me who was suffering and just felt very downcast this week, but as we had our Jesus Soldier meetings, I found out that almost everyone was having some kind of trouble, sickness, problem, etc. Then we knew that something dark has been attacking us. At first we were all wondering “why us?” but one of our older Jesus Soldiers (Justin) said something that made me respond “oh yeah!” He said this: As Jesus Soldiers, we are in the front line of attack from the enemy. First of all, our job description is Jesus Soldier; second of all, it makes sense that the enemy wants to take out the leaders in order to get to the (for lack of a better term) “vulnerable” soldiers.  We are here from all over the world to strengthen this army called J-House and be in the front lines of this battle. 

We need our concentration to be at its best, because once that comes down for a second, the enemy ambushes us in so many different ways. We are here to protect God’s sheep, we can’t let the wolves just waltz right in and snatch people away. That is why this week, I remembered reading many many times about the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20. 

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

If I am not prepared, I will be attacked. My mom and some other people told me that instead of me going to the Korean Army, they are thinking of this time as me being in God’s Army and I am just stationed in Japan. I guess it is a good way of viewing this time. I am being trained as well as serving in God’s Army to bring his Kingdom to power.  So I really need all of you to continue praying for me, because seriously, I think I would have given up by now if it weren’t for all of you! 

To CUMCers: Thank you for the video!! I was very very happy and blessed to see you all!! I miss you and update me on how you all are doing! I want to know! :D 

P.S. I don’t want to look over this and edit it… so if it doesn’t make any sense, too bad. Haha… it makes sense to me! :D (thanks Rebekah for the insightful words.. :P) 

Pressed But Not Crushed

This week has been filled with meetings, going to campuses, meeting people, late nights, trying to not discombobulate my brain, and lack of motivation to do certain things that I need and want to do. I honestly feel like I have been pressed and pushed to what my physical body can actually handle; however, recently I read 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“⁸We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

(Knee brace, huge bruise, ankle brace, and 4 bruised knuckles)

I thought to myself when I read this that Paul was one optimistic guy. This guy has been through so much, yet he keeps going or has this mentality of seeing the positive in even the most trying times of his life. He could say something like, “I’m almost dead, but not dead yet!” and just keep pressing forward.

This past week was the first week we had all the Funky Clubs and it was good! We didn’t really know what to expect out of all the FC because most of the Christian students that we rely on have class during that time or they are going to job interviews. But every time God has given us something to do or someone to meet. I just can only pray for more and more boldness to go reach those students that have never heard about God and his amazing grace.

Each day is a new adventure waiting to happen, but it is up to me how good or bad it will be. I need to prioritize better and not rely on how much I can do on my own, but really remember that my strength comes from God. Yesterday, we had this “Jesus Soldier Entrance Ceremony” thing and we were asked to tell everyone why we wanted to be a Jesus Soldier and what I looked forward to being one. It gave me some time to think about and refresh my memory about why I came here.  I need to constantly remind myself that, though at times it really is work, this is my ministry and that in any and every ministry, there needs to be personal devotion and prayer on my own time.

Going back to 2 Cor. 4, Paul’s optimism truly challenged me to not stay down when I get beat or I fall, but to get right back up and learn from the previous experiences. God is with me and I want to understand that in my whole being. 

Basketball in Japan. Go figure. :P

We played in a tournament with some of the Kandai students and it was fun! We lost, but we pretty much met that day and it was on a Sunday night, so we were pretty tired. Haha... lot of "lost in translation" stuff happening, but it was good! Next time boys! We got this. :) 

Resemble a Sakura (サクラ) Tree

Hello everyone!

It’s been a crazy week… Funky Clubs have officially started and honestly I didn’t know what to expect. Most of the students that are Christian either have class during this time or are going out for job interviews. This upcoming week Kansai Gaidai will start school too so Tuesday through Thursday is going to campuses and outreaching. I must say it still is quite nerve-racking to go to random people and just talk to them, but I am sure it will become like second nature….eventually… haha. It has been pretty tiring, but I know that when I am weak, He is strong!

Kandai

                                    

Kangaku

However, when I did have time to just sit and think, I just reflected and thought about all the people who serve in ministry full-time, and my respect for them increased even more! It was already pretty high up there, but to do this for a living is not an easy task, but when I remember just some of things that people who serve as pastors, missionaries, etc., I am truly amazed for their heart and dedication not only to God, but to the people they serve. Much love and respect to you all who are serving the Lord full time!

Anyway, this week has been pretty good… now that the schools have started, the day seems to go a lot faster now. From now on, I’m guessing time will just zoom by without me noticing. I just hope that in the midst of the craziness, I will be able to reflect and thank God for what he is doing here in through me. It is pretty hard to write an update every week, but it keeps me in check to think about what God has done throughout the past week. It is also a self-discipline that I am making myself do. I am already ¼ done here. It is really hard to believe, but (I know I always say this, but I really mean in) thank you sooooo soooo much for all the prayers and support you all give me. Seriously, I don't think I could have lasted even 2 months without your prayers, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.


So right now, it is the season of Sakura (サクラ Cherry Blossom) Well, now its ending. Why? Well, Sakura only last a month at most, maybe even less than that. The Japanese people think that Sakura represents life: short-lived yet beautiful. Hmm… but when I look at the Japanese people here in Osaka, most are either just tired of working, going to school, or they just live a very routine life. Indeed, I agree that life is short, but it is only beautiful when Jesus is in the mix! We never know what will happen in the future so, at least for me, I want to live a life that is considered beautiful in God’s eyes. When the Sakura start blooming, people all over the world come to see it, even though its lifespan is so short. When you see Sakura in person, it is really a magnificent picture that will stay in one’s mind forever. I want people to look at my life and say that it was beautiful and have some part of my life imprinted in their mind or heart also. That is what I hope for to happen here for the rest of my time here in Japan.

Goodness of God

Hello everyone~

What a week filled with blessings and realizations of the goodness of God.  This week I experienced a lot, so I just want to share some of the things that I went through or experienced:

I was able to rest, I was able to find time to read my book, I got sick, had people worry about me and bring me food while I was sick, I had a chance to get to know the newer Jesus Soldiers a little better, I have a new floor mate (finally!), I got to go see Sasaki at his freshmen entrance ceremony, I got to play guitar with Kohei and worship with him, I went to a campus to pass out some flyers and talk about Funky Club, got in trouble passing out flyers by the staff at the school (haha), I got to see sakura trees with some J-House members I don’t normally hang out with, we did our very first Big Wave on Good Friday, I got to play guitar during worship (finally!! Praise God!), played drums for Friday and Sunday service, ate sushi, took a lot of pictures, had one really nice and beautiful day, had time to talk with my mom (very quickly), had a great conversation with some native English speakers (who are also leaders at this church [Mimi, Jonie, Christina], with the new Jesus Soldiers here my work is now spread out so that I can focus more on the things that I am confident at doing, the list goes on…

I must admit that during this week, I sometimes forgot that it was Passion Week…however, some how something throughout the day always made me think about Jesus and what he did for us on the cross.　 私は神に感謝している！主よありがとう！(Watashi wa Kami ni kanshashiteiru! Shu yo arigatou!) I have no idea if this is correct grammar or even the right words… but I am grateful to God and I thank him for being everything to me.

“Words are not enough to tell You of our love so listen to our hearts” 

[Listen to Our Hearts – Geoff Moore]

Lord, help me to remember that the power of Your resurrection is something that I can boast about and know that if everything in this world should be in total chaos and confusion, that this one thing is something I know I can hang on to and save me from the darkness.

4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. [Romans 6:4]

This is a video that I recorded during our first service. The song is “I Will Run To You” – Hillsong…Here are the lyrics:

Your eye is on the sparrow

And Your hand, it comforts me

From the ends of the Earth to the depth of my heart

Let Your mercy and strength be seen

You call me to Your purpose

As angels understand

For Your glory, may You draw all men

As Your love and grace demand

And I will run to You

To Your words of truth

Not by might, not by power

But by the spirit of God

Yes I will run the race

'Till I see Your face

Oh let me live in the glory of Your grace

I hope everyone has a blessed Easter, or if it already passed for you, then may you remember that God’s grace is sufficient and may your days be filled with joy, challenges, and blessings. Through it all, may God mold you, his workmanship, into what he envisioned you to be! God bless you all!

(Ok...I uploaded a bunch of pictures on Facebook, so if you want to look at pictures, go there...haha)

P.S. I had a dream where I thought I was in Australia, then woke up and thought I was in America, but looked around and realized I was in Japan. Hahahaha… oh joy. :P