God is Great, and God is Good.

Just in case you forgot...

I would like to simply express my thankfulness to God. He has always been so good to me, and I have been so ungrateful many times. Too often do I pray to God like a spoiled child, begging for my way and whining about it. I have often been that lousy lazy son that non-chalantly throws things on my generous Father's shoulders, and expects Him to handle it while I sit by lazily and often He has complied with my request regardless.

Thousands of times I have loved things and others more than Him. I have been the rebellious son who walks out of the house against the will of his Father to go party with those I loved more.

I have a Father, who loves me so much that He will always do what is best for me.

I also have a friend in Jesus. Oh what a friend we have in Jesus. But I am such an unfaithful friend to Him. I call Him my best friend around one clique, and another I won't even bring Him up. I often make plans and promises to Him, but push Him aside when the cool guy, or the pretty girl asks me for my time. But He remains faithful. Its hard to understand sometimes, how someone can love someone so unfaithful. Too often have I ignored Jesus when He has tried to talk to me. I have rejected His call, deleted his text message without so much as reading it, and I tend to ignore His letters to me. But He still remains, He calls me all the time, always has some new letter for me. Such a faithful loving friend. Even though I seem to always push Him away He seems to continue to hold me up.

I have a friend, who loves me to death.

You know, I also have a counselor, or perhaps a mentor, perhaps a comforter, or a helper, or perhaps all of those. I really don't like the Words He has for me though. He often cuts down to the deepest parts of my heart and shows me that I am wrong. But I am grateful for Him. He has never led me astray, He always gives me the right advice. He helps me, it seems when I can't do something on my own He helps me. But you would think that I would be relying on Him. But that doesn't always seem to be the case. I like to do things on my own, my way. But so far my success rate has been 0%. He though, always gets it right. I have never received anything wrong from Him, and He has always been right about my wrongs. So you would think I would listen to Him more right? Wrong. But He still directs me, even though I don't always listen, gotta love His patience.

I have a Helper who keeps me going.

I may not do everything right, I may do stupid things. Some people may get mad at me, they may not like something I do. But I have these three, God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And not matter what I do they will always be there for me. Too often I take advantage of God's love for me, I am like the son of a rich father. When a friend asks me, "So what are you going to do this or that?" I just say, "Nothing, my Dad will take care of it." And I too often have that attitude about things. I want to respect God and when asked I want to truly say, "Well I will work hard, and I will ask my Father to help me, can't do it without His help."

I have a problem, with forgetting that God is there for me. I have a problem, with remembering God knows what is best for me. I have a problem remembering that God is Great and God is Good.

So I want to remind myself that God is great. He made the stars, and keeps them in motion. He watches each and every atom as it floats through space. He numbers the sands and can tell you where every grain has moved to. He knows when a bird falls to the ground and dies. He hears that tree that fell in the woods when no one was around.

God is good. He knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows what you ate, even the things you didn't know you ate. He keeps your heart beating, your lungs breathing, your brain working. He made the splendor of the stars, the planets, nature, and He values us above it all. He loves each and every aspect of you. 

He loves you to death by the way.

Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks

Ohhhh sooooo bussssyyyyyy....

Its been a bit, but I need to update haha...

We recently had 2 Thanksgiving feasts, yes 2. We had one moved more towards the Japanese as they had the 23rd off. So we had a Thanksgiving meal for everyone. Then again on the 25th for the typical American holiday. There was plenty of good food, and we all fulfilled Matthew 15:37. But I think we had less leftovers.

We also had a Gospel message at both meals, and we had some come to faith and trust in Christ. So it was surely a time of thanks. So pray for those where the seed was planted.

Otherwise things are quiet in my life. Everyone is going to get ready to leave soon, only a few more weeks with my new friends. I will miss them a lot, I am also though looking forward to the new (and old) friends that God will bring next semester.

So please continue to pray that I will clearly see God's leading. Especially about what to do. I am working on getting a job here still, but God has provided for me until then. So praise Him for that.

Until next post.

Forget-Me-Not

Just got back from camping at Okuma (An airforce beach resort). It was a good time of "retreat" from the battle of everyday life. Pastor Rich Rose from Fuuchu came and spoke to us. Such an good time of encouragement. But while I was there God spoke to me, through the messages, and through the extra time of prayer from lack of sleep haha. But I hmmm, dunno know how to explain haha... But God confirmed the vision of ministry for me while out there... So now story time haha...

When I came out my first semester I had no idea what I wanted to do in ministry. I actually wasn't planning on going into the ministry in my first semester. I simply came to check out the Bible College. My idea was to come, stay a semester; and if I liked it go home, make some money and come back for my second. I had no heart for Japan, or Asia really. I loved Okinawa, and the people, but I never thought of it as my ministry. I was enjoying it out here, and then a change came... We went to Korea on a short missions trip. This trip hit me pretty good concerning ministry. I loved it there. I enjoyed being with the people, encouraging them, and serving them. This is when God really placed a place on my heart for ministry. My ideas changed, and I was like, "Forget Okinawa, I want to go to Korea." haha... But God changed me again, because I was so focused on Korea that I wasn't focusing on Japan. So to back up a bit... I was focused more on Korea and all that, than Okinawa and from the missions trip time until after New Years God was working on me. I did more ministry with the Bible College, and began to love ministry more, but what brought me back to Okinawa was after semester I spent all the break with my family. I began to have a larger burden for my Okinawan family and for the Okinawans.

So God really brought me out and when I was supposed to leave I was convinced to stay for my second semester. During my second semester God really built a love for the Okinawan's and for ministry. I was able to learn more also. This was a time of growth in ministry and love of Japan. Korea was really a back thought for me, and I could now determine to focus on my ministry in Okinawa. So again I stayed in Okinawa, this time for the summer, and during this time God really brought me close to Japan.

During the Summer of Service God brought my heart closer to ministry. I at this time was close to ministry, but I got to see others on fire for ministry also. I was really encouraged by my friends and their love for ministry so it helped me appreciate the joys in ministry more to see others in it. I also grew in my love for Japan. God began to show me that He wanted me to minister in Japan and to be a servant to those in the Church and a messenger to those around. But I did not feel the same about Korea. In fact at this point I forgot about Korea completely.

But then third semester rolled around, and a few things changed for me. I was rather confused to where God wanted me, as home looked like an option and it seemed like God wanted me to go home. All the signs were pointing that way. I missed my family, I saw benefits in going home, and it seemed that God wanted me to go that way. But I kept praying and I could not feel a peace about it. I would pray and things just didn't seem right. I wanted to go home, but I felt God wanted me to stay. So I kept telling myself that God  wanted me to go home, I convinced myself of this even though I felt differently. But I could not keep things that way, and I decided to go with the direction God was leading me. So I decided to be a "missionary" here in Japan, and a student. So I was going to stay for my third, and possibly my fourth. But something unexpected happened for me, and God during my third semester brought back my love for Korea. I had completely forgotten about Korea, but God brought two Korean guys. I was reminded of the love that I had for Korea. Speaking to them, and to the students (who talk a lot more than second semester) about Korea reminded me completely. I completely forgot, and God brought Korea back to me in a way.

But this didn't mean I felt called to Korea. I was just like, "Oh cool, I forgot of the love I had for Korea, and the fact I wanted to go back there." For me it was more of a happy memory during this time. But then the camping trip came around. Through pastor Rich's messages though I felt that call again to ministry in Korea. The thing that he said that made me feel this way was when he talked about sticking or remaining faithful to God's call. God gave me a desire to minister in Korea, and I simply thought, "Oh no way I could ever do that, I would love to... But I am in Okinawa." But I need to remain faithful to that call. Rich also said that we need to step out in faith. God gave me desire to serve there, and I felt called to return, I need to step out in faith and continue to pray about Korea.

But I cam to the conclusion, that I know God wants me to stay in Okinawa, but I believe that He wants me to minister in Korea also. I want to stay in Okinawa, and I am not sure how I would minister in Korea also. But I know that God wants me to also minister in Korea. So I will continue to minister in Okinawa, but I feel that I should not forget about Korea, and be ready to minister there also.

So what does this mean for me? I am wanting to establish myself completely in Okinawa. I want to be a full resident here. Living here and all that jazz. But I am also planning on preparing to minister in Korea. Learning the language, and working on perhaps trying to make more trips there. But one step at a time, and I am in Bible college now, and its all in God's sovereign hands.

So please pray for me in this.

ありがとございます

Landslide

So not much to update right now. Just continuing in school work, and the such. We are supposed to be taking a break for a camping trip soon, so that should be a good break. 

Sooooo since there is not much I can update about myself I would like to recommended a band for everyone to listen to haha.

Seven Places - Such a God glorifying band.

Landslide

The lyrics to this song, Landslide

I feel crazy, hope is hazy right now
But I won't freak out, I won't freak out at the
Sound of the Landslide inside, fear wants to
Take my peace of mind, won't run, won't hide
I will lift my hands up high
In my trouble I have doubled my prayers
Because I need them, I need them like I need
The air landslide inside, fear wants to
Take my peace of mind, won't run, won't hide
I will lift my hands up high
Here's to the Name above all names
I will trust you Jesus, I'll be brave
I will live my life day by day
Because You're the only Truth, the only Way out
Of this landslilde inside, fear wants to
Take my peace of mind, won't run, won't hide
I will lift my hands up high
Here's to the Name above all names
Here's to the only one who saves
I will trust you Jesus, I'll be brave

Here's another great song

Holes in His Hands

You said your days were over
That the sun would never shine again
From glory days, to wicked ways
You've lost your forgiveness of sin
You walk through your desert
Wondering why and what you've become
You said you've slipped through the fingers
Of the hands of God

[Chorus:]
You've fallen out of His hands
Or atleast that's what you said
The truth is not that the truth is this
The only way to esacape
The Lord is if you crawl
Through the holes in His hands.

I ran away I did not lead you say in the darkness you stand
But you are not forgotten, you're in His mighty hands
Now turn aside and see this sight, a flame that does not consume
To show you that He's called your name
You're one of His chosen few

[Chorus]

Come closer, come closer now to Him
Come closer, come closer
His name is I am that I am
You said your days were over
That the Son would never use you again
But by one man's disobedience
Came One who's conquered your sin

[Chorus]

And last one I'd like to share is the first song I heard by them,

Even When

This week, I prayed, one time
My phone, it rang, I put You on the other line
And now my thoughts they drift around
My knees remain unacquainted with the ground
Unless my faith is put to the test and I am forced to bow
Although I'm in this flesh it doesn't mean You shouldn't have the best
from me, from me

[Chorus:]
Even when my eyes are dry
even when my soul is tired
even when my hands are heavy, I will lift them up to Yu
It's not about how I feel, oh Lord I am here for Yu
I exist for you

I close my eyes but all I see
Is a background of black, bouncy squiggly lines
And this week's mistakes coming back to mind but
I will lift my voice and make a joyful sound
Forget about me, I only get me down
Although I cannot see it doesn't mean I shouldn't sing to You, to You

[Chorus]

You've given me Your life and have held mine together yet I find
Excuses to slouch in my pew
But when glory divine
Is sitting in my very presence, the least that I can do
Is give my all to You, give my all to You

[Chorus]

Long Time and No Post

So its been a bit since I've posted. Basically I have been lacking in material to write on. Things have been typical here, work, ministry, work, and the such. So I figure I will write just another thing that God has shown me.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient and kind; Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

So Love... A touching subject in many ways. But this is not in Greek the form of Love we typically think of. We tend to think of Love as that ooshy gooshy feeling that couples feel. I'd hate to break it to everyone but that is not Love by any means. That is attraction, and shouldn't substitute Love. The Love in this verse is the Greek word Agape.

Jesus uses this word agape is in this verse, John 13:35

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have Love for one another."

Also here in John 15:9 Jesus uses it

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my Love."

Now there are plenty of other examples of what this Love is, but I think these two suffice for now.  But this Love is the kind of Love is meant to be the kind that Christians share with each other. It is how God loves us. So what characterizes how we are to Love each other? What is this Love supposed to look like? This is what Paul tells us in Corinthians.

We need to be patient. Our Love is to be patient. What is this exactly though? What is it to be patient? This is to have a long spirit, to not lose heart, to be slow to anger, and to endure. Our Love is to be patient.

Second it is kind. Our Love is to show kindness, and it to be mild and gentle.

Third it does not envy. It does not desire the things that are not its own or things that it cannot have

Fourth our Love does not boast. Our Love does not place ourselves above others, or looks little on others. It does not try to make us better than them.

It is not arrogant or rude. Our Love for one another will not treat someone lower than they are, and it will not be rude. But our Love will encourage and lift others up, and will treat them with kind politeness.

It does not insist on its own way. Our Love will not try to have everything my way or the highway, but will humbly submit to others ideas.

Our Love is not irritable, or resentful. Our love does not bring up the past. The Greek word literally means to think about. Our Love will not think about the wrong someone else has done, but it will forgive them and restore things to what they were.

Love does not rejoice in wrong doing. It does not praise the wicked, and it will correct wrong.

Love will rejoice though in the Truth. It will rejoice in the Truth, whether it hurts, whether it stings, it will rejoice in the Truth.

Because Love bears all things, it believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love will bear all things. We are told to bear one another's burdens. We are to help others with problems. Love is persuaded, convinced, and believed in all things. Love is not suspicious of someones story when they need help. Love is not suspicious when someone apologizes. Love does not doubt, but believes. Love hopes all things. Love does not die under suffering, but hopes for Christ's salvation and in God's plan. It hopes that all things will be right and according to God's will. Love then endures all things. It remains, this is the meaning of endure. Love does not die at the first sign of loss, but always remains when troubles come. It will not run and hide, but will remain. No matter what happens to it Love will remain.

Then lastly Love never ends. It remains even until the end of time. We will not be prophesying in Heaven, we will not speak in tongues, we will not have knowledge (when everyone knows everything, there is no knowledge), we will not evangelize, we will not sin, we will not hurt, we will not marry, we will not cry, we will not have a lot of things, but we will always Love in Heaven. It will never pass away.

There are a few things that I can think of that will never pass away. First communion with God will never pass away, second God's word will never pass away, and third Love will not pass away. We should take advantage of these eternal things and use them on earth as much as possible. We are told to Love one another. 

Does your Love look like 1 Corinthians 13?

Blessed

So I forgot to mention, but God blessed all of us students the other day.

A clothing store happened to go out of business, and they couldn't sell the clothes. So they gave all the clothes to a nearby Church. That Church contacted us and gave us all the clothes we wanted. But these are no cheap clothes. Sean John, Avirex, American Eagle, Amberchrombie & Fitch (Or however you spell that.) and many expensive brands. So we were able to grab many expensive clothes. (One pair of jeans was priced 880$ o.0)

Now most of the clothes were huge on me mostly 34 jean size, and XL+ shirts... But I was able to grab a good amount of shirts... There were some good pickings. So I was blessed with some expensive clothing. I feel weird wearing it though, because now I feel like I have tons of money. But praise God for providing and providing way more than I needed.

Its November By The Way

Yup its November and I haven't updated my blog in a while. So to remain faithful to my blog I will post something new.

Recently I have been doing midterms. The whole week has been crazy haha, because I had to pour my heart out studying, and I don't like that. But I survived midterms, and I believe that I have done well. Not sure yet though...

In earlier news, I have dyed my hair blonde. Scary... I plan on posting pictures soon, but I don't have a camera, and I don't want to get one until I can get a nice one... So maybe I will steal one off of Facebook and post it on here.

But otherwise things have been uneventful in Okinawa. So until next time, good night New York.