Let none of His words fall

In the Old Testament there's a story of a boy named Samuel. Samuel was a boy who ministered before the LORD under Eli in a time when the word of the LORD was rare. The LORD called Samuel, but Samuel did not recognize His voice because he "did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him" (1 Samuel 3:7). Then the LORD came and stood there at Samuel's side calling to him again. This time Samuel recognized the voice of the LORD and replied, "Speak, for Your servant is listening" (v 10). The LORD then spoke to Samuel. After this incidence, the LORD continued to speak to Samuel and Samuel continued to hear His words: "The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of His words fall to the ground" (v 19).

Imagine a great drought and the excitement and hope that returns as a few drops of rain fall from the heavens. Would you not grab a bucket and stand outside catching each drop of life-sustaining water with great care as to make sure not to miss a single drop? Would you not collect, treasure, cherish each drop of rain? Would you not understand the immense value of every individual drop no matter how big or small and as a result make great effort to see that not a single one was wasted falling to the ground? This is how I picture it was with Samuel. Samuel stood there collecting the words of God, cherishing, treasuring, storing up each word that came from the mouth of the LORD. Samuel understood the immense value of the LORD's life-sustaining word and as a result would not let a single one be wasted on him passing him by and falling to the ground. What a picture of how deeply we should treasure and cherish the words of the LORD collecting them and storing them up in our hearts. Am I letting the words of the LORD fall around me to the ground? Or am I with great effort making sure not a single word slips by me?

New Sisters!

Yesterday afternoon a 6 month intern Adam and I met, Aya-san and Yu-san to study the Bible. Adam met Aya-san at Starbucks a few weeks ago and gave me her contact information since she had a slight interest in studying the Bible and knew a friend who was really interested. I e-mailed the girls, we set a time to meet, and luckily Adam was able to join us. When we met in Shinjuku yesterday, it was my first time meeting both girls. As suggested by Aya-san and Yu-san, we rented a karaoke room for two hours to provide a quiet place for us to study together. While Yu-san knew a good amount about Christianity from watching a tv program, Aya-san had never studied the Bible or heard much of anything about Christianity before.

After reading through the Steps To Peace With God tract together, Aya-san said she couldn't believe it was so simple; she thought it was too easy, too good to be true. We told Aya-san that God created her, formed her, designed her and that He knows everything about her. Overwhelmed with this knowledge a tear rolled down her cheek. She timidly said, "But I don't know God." I told her how He wants her to know Him and how He was pursuing her even in that moment. As I spoke, she partly turned her face away from me and said it was scary. I had her read Psalm 139:1-16 out loud in Japanese so she could hear for herself how God knows her so intimately. Adam then suggested that the two of us pray for her and that she pray as well. So there in the karaoke room Adam and I interceded on behalf of Aya-san asking the LORD to remove her fear and show Himself to be mighty to save. Aya-san was shy about praying but finally did so in her heart language. God heard and answered our prayers - less than 10 minutes later she said she believed and accepted Christ. Praise God!!! We then turned to Yu-san who had said she was not yet a Christian earlier in our meeting even though Aya-san thought she was. Now Yu-san said she was ready to be a Christian too. We spent the next hour discussing what's next: telling family and friends about their decision, praying to God, reading His word, meeting regularly with believers, baptism and such. What a blessing from God to have a front row seat in watching His salvation power at work!

Please pray for Aya-san and Yu-san as they tell their families and friends and as they live this first week as a new creation. Pray for their full commitment to Christ and against the attacks of Satan. Ask the LORD to guide Adam and me also as we disciple the girls and decide what to start studying with them. Pray for us to have the Spirit's wisdom and discernment. And PRAISE GOD that He is MIGHTY TO SAVE!!!

Aya-san and Yu-san decided to accept Jesus's offer
to bridge the gap between them and God.
Will you?

No Smoking Please, Little Fishes

I've never seen a fish try to smoke, but I'm under the impression one should not make the attempt for it would likely prove detrimental to its health. I'm not sure why DisneySea advertises against fish smoking - maybe they've actually seen one try. Regardless, it's probably not a good idea.
(special photo by Amy Baldwin)

CULTURE SHOCK MOMENT
I had a major culture shock moment this morning. I didn't want to wear my new pair of jeans because they reeked of smoke and the restaurant I ate at last night. Then, as I was picking up my bag to double check its contents, the stale smell of smoke reminded me my bag was, unfortunately, with me last night also. Still worse, I took out my travel Bible to check a verse before I left the house and wanted to scream when even my Bible's odor was more than unpleasant. And to top it all off, I had to go put on my winter jacket which permeated the surrounding air with the foul smell of smoke. I left the house wishing for once I could come home not smelling like the cafe or restaurant where I ate or met friends or studied Japanese or the Bible, wishing I could be back in America where I somehow managed to almost completely avoid the smell of smoke. I was angry with this culture's indulgence in such an unhealthy behavior that so strongly affects others not partaking in the behavior. It's unavoidable here. As I walked to Starbucks to meet my mentor, I was complaining inwardly and unceasingly. But then God reminded me it's not about me and that I can be content even in this smoke filled city, so I stopped griping and accepted it. And yet somehow, once again, as I sit in my living room typing this blog at the end of the day I smell like the oh so lovely fragrance of cigarettes that comes with reaching out to the lost Japanese of Tokyo. Shoganai - しょうがない - (it can't be helped - that's life).

Campaigning for a Smoke Free Tokyo

2 Pieces of Random Trivia for you:
1. I discovered a new talent today - I'm apparently really lucky when playing darts. I played for the first time today (I don't count throwing darts in my grandparents' basement when I was little) and believe it or not, I won all three of the games we played. I don't attribute it to skill, only luck. But it sure felt good to be lucky.
2. Today I was told for the first time that I look like Gwyneth Paltrow. I'm not really sure I see it or that Gwyneth would agree, but ok.

Kaori Live

Tuesday night I attended my friend Kaori's concert. Kaori, a Kanda University student, is an extremely gifted and talented singer, pianist and song writer. Her music creates a relaxing and soothing atmosphere with her unique voice similar to Norah Jones's sound and her fingers flying gracefully over the piano producing music comparable to Alicia Keys. Although Japanese, Kaori's lyrics are all written in English - which makes it much easier for me to sing along :)

Besides being a gifted musician, Kaori is a treasured friend. In English her name means "fragrance" which suits her sweet and pleasant personality. She is one who puts what's best for others above her own desires and makes friends easily. I have enjoyed spending a lot of time with her recently and look forward to more late night heart to hearts as well as her becoming my sister one day in the future.

Here I am pictured with Amy and Kaori
so when she's famous one day
I can prove I knew her!

So, I really wanted to put a sample on here for you all to enjoy, but unfortunately you'll just have to wait until she records a CD. Gomen ne!!!!