Desert Song

Desert Song

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is a God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames


And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hillsong/the_desert_song.html ]
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here


And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've recieved I will sow

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here


All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Know that the LORD is God!!

"Shout for joy the LORD, all the earth.  
 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  
 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; 
          we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  
 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 
           give thanks to him and praise his name. 
 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 
           his faithfulness continues through all generation."
                                                                                                   Psalm 100

 Last night 6 sailors gave their lives to Jesus and two sailors got baptized at the Lighthouse.  Two sailors who got baptized shared their testimonies.  Their testimonies were so powerful.

                                       

 Last 4 weeks, I have been able to see some one came to Christ each week.  What a joy the Lord has given!

 I know many many people are disappointed, discouraged, hurt,angry... by some incidents with U.S. Military  in Okinawa, Japan.

 I pray that we will continue praising the Lord for His amazing works and His great love for us, that we will continue praying and loving one another and that we will continue encouraging each other to be the light of this world.


 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 
                   that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"                       John 3:16

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" 
                                                                                        Luke 19:10

"You are the light of the world..... Let your light shine before men, 
           that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven"
                                                                                        Matthew 5:14, 16
  

We never know how God uses us to show Himself!

 Last Saturday I had TOEFL(Test Of English as a Foreign Language) test.  This test is the most widely respected English-language test in the world, recognized by more than 8,500 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 130 countries, including Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the United States and people who speaks English as their second language are required to have enough score to apply the university or college.

 Anyway this was my second time to try this test.  The first time was about four years ago.  I did remember that it was very difficult and I was so disappointment and discouraged.  I don't have any plan to apply to any school right now but as I always have a desire to study at Christian school, I wanted to see if God will open the door for me or show me His will for my next step.  

  It was a long test. (About 4 hours) Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing.  From the very beginning, I was not able to answer for any questions with any confidence.  It was just so DIFFICULT!!!  I started being discouraged.....  Satan started telling me some lies.  I stopped and prayed.  I was reminded why I wanted to take this test and that I decided to enjoy this test.  I told myself "You know what?  It really does not matter if I get a good score or not.  And you know what? Yes, my english may be not better than so many people who are taking this test.  But it is OK because I know that God gives me ENOUGH skill to be able to share His word & His love to others.  This is all matter to me!"  That brought me peace into my heart. :) 

 The very last two questions were for writing skill.  The first one, I had to read some article and listened to some lecture and then summarize them by writing.  It was very difficult and I even could not know how to answer.  I was just hoping that it gets over.  One more question.  The last question was  "Do you agree or disagree with the following statement.  Read it and explain why you agree/disagree.  You can answer from your experience or opinion".  This was the statement.  

 "The most important problems affecting today will be solved during my lifetime."

 The problems affecting today??  Immediately what came to my mind was "So many people does not know Jesus Christ which means they don't know the purpose of life.  And that has been affecting and causing many problems today!"  So I pointed one of biggest problem here in Japan "suicide" out as an example and started writing down whatever the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart.  I wondered for a moment what whoever read this would think and even if they would give me any points or not.  "It does not matter!!"  I just prayed that the Lord would be glorified by this answer.   I got pretty excited by being able to tell about Jesus!!  We NEVER know how God uses us to show Himself.  Whoever reads my answer may come to know Christ.  Who knows!  One scripture came to my mind.

 "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"     Colossians 3:17 

 I was full of joy after this test.  My life is still good even I could not get done well with my TOEFL test.  Finding the purpose of my life has totally changed my life.  I praise the Lord!      

   

I am 6 years old Christian!

 Today 21, October is my spiritual birthday.
6 years ago, I made a biggest decision I have ever made in my life to give my life to Christ.  I prayed with Paul&Stacy Cassidy who were the Lighthouse director back then and Mayumi Sorrels who is one of my Japanese sisters in Christ I met at the Lighthouse.  I was sitting exactly same place where I am sitting right now (Main living room at the Lighthouse, Yokosuka in Japan).  I remember that day and that moment just like it was yesterday.

 It has been 6 years.  I cannot imagine how my life would have been if I still did not know Him as my savior.  It is so true what some Christian friends told me. "Your daily life would not be perfect or better even you become a Christian".  There is always some trials & challenges in my daily life just as the life I had before I became a Christian.  So what is the difference?  Now I have a place to go when I feel lonely, when I am tired, when I cry... I have a best friend whom I can share everything with, I can laugh together, I can go anywhere together..... His name is Jesus. He gives me peace & joy I had never experienced before. Sometimes I can't feel He is right there with me or I can't see He is listening to me.  But I KNOW He is ALWAYS there with me and ALWAYS listening to me.  How do I know that?  I know that by remembering what He has done for me.  I believe that by faith. There was one time when I was angry with God.  But I have never wanted to run away from Him.  As I have tasted His great love, I will never want to run away from Him.  As David said in Psalm 63:3,"Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You."  I don't know any more how I can live without His love.

 I was reading a book of Luke this morning.  Luke 4:47 is a great one to describe my love to God.
Luke 7:47 "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much." 

 I don't deserve to receive anything God gives me.  But because of His great love, He gives me so many blessings. 

 I am only 6 years old Christian.  There are still so many things to learn. I know that for sure.  So many trials & challenges are waiting for me.  I know that too.  But I also know that my Savior, my Lord, my Father, my Best friend, Jesus is always with me. No matter where I go, He is going to be there and no matter what I do, He still loves me.  

 God has sent many many people into my life. I read some pastor said, "God send people to our lives to allow us to learn something and also to love".  I know that I could not be here without God but also I could not be here with out all people God has sent to my life.  So I want to thank you to all my friends & family as well!  



"Blessings"

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Forgiveness Will Transform Your Relationships

Please listen to this speaker's testimony first.
Forgiveness Will Transform Your Relationships

 This speaker's testimony's is very similar with mine.  I could not have forgiven my father before he passed away.  I had regretted.  I was so scared to loose my mother without being able to forgive her who was my biggest enemy in my life.  But I did not know how to forgive her. I did not want to forgive her.  It was so difficult.  Even after I came to Christ and I heard how God has forgiven my sin, still it was hard and I could not forgive her.  It took for a long time to be able to forgive my mother and to ask her to forgive me.  
 For God's love and grace, I was able to forgive her.  I would have not be able to do it, if I wanted to do for myself or for her.  But I wanted to do it to bring a glory for my God.  He knew my heart so he allowed me to forgive her.  That set me free from the burden a lot.  I learned that to forgive someone is to set me free from the burden.  Is it easy for me to forgive someone now then?  NO!  But it is easier than before because I know that to forgive is to set me free and that I can do it with God's love and grace.

 I really like what the speaker said.

"There is nothing that is unforgivable" 

"To forgive is to set the prisoner free only to discover that the prisoner was you"    

Colossians 3:12-13
^" Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."


 I know so many people are struggling with forgiveness.  I pray that God will speak to the readers and give strength to forgive through this speaker's testimony or my testimony so that they will be set free from the burden.

So this is how our mighty God works in our lives!

 God always amazes me how He works in our lives.

This is one of His ways how He showed me His will in the amazing way. 

 I received a mail today from my sister who lives in Korea.  I was expecting this mail as she mentioned the other day that she found some book she wants to give me for my birthday.  I had some idea what kind of book she is going to give me as I know her personality.  I opened the package and I was just amazed.  

 A while ago when I went to some Christian book store in Tokyo, I found one book I was really interested in.  I really wanted to read it but for several reasons I decided to not buy it.  I remember I was  holding that book for a while and just asking God if I should get it.  My decision was "I should wait since I am not sure. God will provide me on His time if He wants me to read it" 

 Yes, that is the book I received from my sister today.  What in the world I would ever think my sister would give me that book?  Totally God does in His way and on His time.  I emailed my sister and asked her how she found that book.  She told me that she remembered our conversation we had a while ago. I told her that I am still suffering with my past. My old wound from long time ago.  About the same time we had that conversation she heard about this book and she wanted to give to me.  God provided me this book thorough my sister who is not Christian. 

 So I know it is a book God wants me to read now, this season of my life. 

"Remember the former things, those of long ago; 
 I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me. 
 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.

 I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please"

                                                                                                  Isaiah 46:9-10

                                 

God works in amazing ways!

 Can I share with you what God did today?? This is so cool & neat story so please let me share with you!

 So one of couples(David&Amaree) who comes to the Lighthouse invited the Bachalis(The Lighthouse directors family)&me for dinner at the Lighthouse tonight.  I was told that they also invited some Japanese couple.  Before the Japanese couple came, I was told that David met them at some Japanese church long time ago.  As soon as David mentioned that Japanese church, I got excited! I used to go to the same church. It was almost 9 years ago right after I moved to Yokosuka. I was NOT Christian that time.  

 I introduced myself and told them I used to go to the same church.  When I saw them I was not sure if I met them before but as we started talking, my memories was coming back and I did remember that I met them.  I was able to share how God has led me to the Lord.... So it was almost 9years ago, at the Japanese church I met one Japanese woman who married to some American sailor.  She helped me to get the job as a nursery worker at Chapel on base.  Again I was NOT Christian yet.  However since I started working at nursery room at Chapel, I met so many Christian people and I was told about the Lighthouse.  Now here I am. 9 years later, Jesus is my savior of my life and I am serving at the Lighthouse as an intern.  So it was so cool to share my part of testimony with the Japanese couple as they know the Japanese woman who helped me to get the job. 

 After I talked to the Japanese wife for a while, she told me that her husband is Christian but she is not Christian yet because she has not got baptized yet.(Her answer made me wonder what exactly she meant).  I totally believed that she is Christian as well so I was sharing God's amazing works with that idea that she is believer.  She asked me if it is ok for them to come to the Lighthouse.  We exchanged the business cards each other to contact. 

 One more things how God works in amazing ways....

I supposed to meeting with some friend this evening but it got cancelled so that I was able to join this dinner and meet this Japanese couple tonight.  Praise the Lord! 

 So this is my prayer.

Dear Lord,

Thank you so much for bringing this Japanese couple tonight. 

Thank you for allowing us to meet again and to share your wonderful works in our lives. 

Lord, I truly believe that you have an amazing and wonderful plans for this couple. 

Lord, you know where this Japanese wife's heart is.  Lord, if she has not accepted you as a savior in her life yet, please open her eyes, mind and heart. Please review yourself. Please give her strength to not fear of man.   

Thank you Jesus. Thank you for your amazing works in our lives. 

In your precious name,

Amen. 

You Are So Good To Me

This is the song for today to praise my Lord. I was crying with pain for a long time the other night. Jesus touched my heart and told me,"I know your pain. I am crying for you".  Then I started crying more with JOY, knowing that He knows my pain and He cries with me. I am NOT alone.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-j21pF-G4o

You Are So Good To Me

You are so good to me
You heal my broken heart
You are my Father in heaven [2x]

You ride upon the clouds
You lead me to the truth
You are the Spirit inside me [2x]

You poured out all your blood
You died upon the cross
You are my Jesus who loves me [2x]

[Chorus:]
You are beautiful my sweet, sweet, song [3x]
I will sing again

[Bridge:]
You are my strong melody
You are my dancing rhythm
You are my perfect rhyme
And I want to sing forever

The Race Already Won

The Race Already Won

By Bob Gotti

Today the race, which we run, by The Lord, was already won,

As we run following His lead, He shall supply all of our need,

In this race, that we call life, following our Lord, Jesus Christ,

The race was won for all of us, that by our Lord, Christ Jesus.

Though that race has been won, sometimes it is far from fun,

With hurt and pain on the way, but, in that race we must stay,

With each path determined by, The Lord, Who reigns on high,

In accordance with God’s Plan, ordered for every saved man.

Now being led along by Grace, every bend, we now can face,

With total trust in The Son, Who, began the race for everyone,

And we must simply fix our eyes, on Christ, the ultimate prize,

For it’s God’s Son, Jesus Christ, Who is the Author of our life.

The very One who gives salvation, is the Author of destination,

Going ahead of all steps we take, no followers He will forsake,

He abides with us the whole race, to provide all needed Grace,

As those rugged pathways appear, to continue on without fear.

On every turn and bend in the road, Christ helps carry the load,

Making a heavy burden seem light, as we run through the night,

And after this life’s final bend, we shall finish in Eternity, friend.

As we finally see our Lord’s face, at the finish of this life’s race.

Dear Lord,
I need you. I am so tired. I feel there is NO goal on this race. But I have faith in you. 
Please give me strength to live by faith, not by feelings. Please help me to keep
focusing on you. I need you every single moment of my life. I cannot go farther without you.
Thank you for knowing my pain and crying with me. 
Thank you for the truth that you already won this race. 

Hebrews 12:1-3

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfect of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" 

How do I seek God?

 As I prayed and asked God this morning to change my mind, my heart and my soul to love Him more, to seek Him more, to obey Him and to get closer to Him each day, He gave me this scripture and the message trough my devotion.

 "But as for me, I would seek God"  Job 5:8

 When we seek the Lord, He makes Himself known to us.  He is forever accessible and available to those who seek Him.  We are wise to seek God anytime we have sinned, and to do so with prayer, fasting, and a genuinely humble heart. We are wise to seek God anytime we face danger.  We must seek God with a humility of heart and with a desire to have a greater manifestation of righteousness in our hearts.  We are always to seek God as our first priority.  

 I have been asking myself how I am seeking God specially the last past two weeks.  How do I seek God?  What does that really mean "Seeking God?"  What do you do to seek God?  I pray and read the scriptures every day.  Then how come I have been feeling I am not really connected with God these days?  How do I pray?  How do I read the scriptures?  How do I spend time with God?  Praying, reading the scriptures, serving others.... These things makes me feel I am seeking God.  However my heart has not been at the right place.  It has not been before God all the time.  Other things have come as my first priority.  I have been lost in the busyness of daily life.   I ask myself everyday "How do I seek God as my first priority?" 

Think Hard, Stay Humble: The Life of the Mind and the Peril of Pride

Think Hard, Stay Humble: The Life of the Mind and the Peril of Pride

I just listened to this preach today. This is really powerful message. It is about an hour preach but I highly recommend you to listen to this and then read my thought. I would like to hear what your thought and what you are challenged about.

So this is my thought and prayer.

 First, I was challenged to think how hard I think about people. I thought about people who knows Christ, my brothers&sisters in Christ, people who does not know Christ, my family, my friends & strangers.

 Last night I had a long conversation with my oldest sister & my third older sister(She was with me) on skype. We ended up with talking about our mother and how much we got hurt by her. As we kept talking and sharing our hearts, I could see they are still suffering and hurting by what our mother has done or said to them. Well, I have been knowing their sufferings and pain for a long time. I was listening to them very carefully and asking God to allow me to share my story. I shared with them how much I got hurt and how I suffered because of mother. As they did not know the whole story of my life, they got shocked. But the point was not really how much I got hurt or suffered. I wanted to tell them how I was able to be free from the burden that I had been carrying for a long time, because I do want them to be free from their burdens. They told me that it will never change. I know the pain. I told them that since I came to Christ, I started leaning about the true love and forgiveness. Knowing that there is God who loves me so much and knows everything about me changed my life. I could not forgive right away but I did and also Jesus allowed me to see my sins and to ask my mom to forgive me. My oldest sister asked me if the pain I got from mother still affects my relationship with others. I told her that it does but that's why everyday I am able to thank Jesus for loving me and for existing in my life. We also talked about how we can show our love and how much we care for.

 So since I had this conversation with my sisters, while I was listening to this preach, I thought about my family and asked myself how hard I really think about my family. I do love them. I care for them. I pray for them. But question is how harder can I think about them? Then I asked myself how about my brothers & sisters in Christ? My friends who does not know Christ? Strangers??

 Second, I was challenged to think how I am doing with building up other people.

To be honest, while I was listening to what Francis Chan(Preacher) is talking about some Christians who hurts other brothers&sisters according to 1 Corinthians 8:12-13,

"When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall" I was thinking about someone who is hurting me and I was praying that the person would know this. Soon enough, I had to ask myself. How about me? How have I been doing with building up other people? Am I loving them? Am I encouraging them? I wish I could say I am doing well but I am not.  I need to think hard about this. 

I really liked what Francis Chan shared.

"Knowledge is essential, but it's not sufficient" 
"Humility is about thinking about others and considering others more important than ourselves"

1 Corinthians 13:2
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing"

Hebrews 13:2
"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story with my sisters.Thank you for your word.

Thank you for knowing what I need to hear.

Thank you for challenging my faith & love.

Lord,

Please continue to allow me to share your word and love with my family.

Please help me to think hard and to stay humble.

Please help me to love others in the same way you love.

Please help me to build up others.

Please help me to imitate Jesus each day.

In your precious name I pray,
Amen.

Time in Tokyo

 I have been staying in Tokyo to visit my sister for about one week.  This area where I am staying (the name of city is Takadanobaba) are called "Student Street". It because there are many universities & colleges which means there are many students. Also there are many business people & foreigners.  Anywhere you go, you just see people, people, people.  As I am not a "City person", I felt overwhelmed soon enough.  I could put myself the place to not be along these people. Yet I thought I want to try to see these people from God's sight and to find where I can see God.  It sounds funny but I feel I am in some other country where I don't belong with.  

 Yesterday I went to another cities in Tokyo to see my friends.  It was Sunday so I expected to see more people whenever I go.  First friend I saw was the Japanese lady I met in Misawa.  She worked in Misawa for one year and came back to Tokyo six weeks ago.  She had a hard time to live in Misawa where is countryside.  Yesterday she looked like more cheerful than when she was in Misawa.  As we started talking, however, I saw the emptiness.  After we had some lunch and coffee, we were walking around.  What my impression was?  "TOO BUSY!" "TOO MUCH!" TOO NOISY!" My friend said to me, "Tokyo is the place for me. I feel secure. I can get whatever I want and I can do whatever I want."  

 When I was on the train that takes me to the next train(I was by myself), I was watching people inside & outside train.  These people are too busy to get whatever they want so they cannot see what they really need.  There are too much things in this city so people cannot feel or know they need to know God.  It is too noisy in this city so they cannot hear God.  I prayed.  I was remembering about the trip to the disaster area from last weekend.  Is there any difference between the disaster areas and Tokyo or any other cities regarding a need of salvations?  I saw the difference in myself.  When I go to the disaster areas, I can be more bold to share the gospel & the love of Christ.  I think it because I can see clearly their sufferings, their pain, their lost.....  I know for sure people here in Tokyo has also some sufferings, pain, lost, emptiness. 

  Before I saw my another friend for dinner, I was able to go to New Hope(The international church) and attend to the service.  There were many Japanese people to meet Jesus, to praise Him and worship Him together.  I was encouraged by being able to worship with them.  Yes, God is working here in Tokyo and everywhere in Japan!  Also I was very encouraged and challenged by the message.  "Are you listening to God and obeying God?"  Even for us, for Christian, as we live in this ungodly world, we tend to get too busy. We tend to put ourselves the place where is too noisy. We tend to have too many things.  Then we are not able to listen to God and obey Him.  

 "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands 

      I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth"   

                                                                                              Deuteronomy 28:1

 God also gave me another scripture through my friend who had dinner with me. 

"Examine yourselves to see where you are in the faith; test yourselves. 

      Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you? "        2Corinthians 13:5-6

 I truly believe that God has some reasons He brought me here in Tokyo for one week.  Even I am in the city where is too noisy, I have been able to listen to God. 

 Praise the Lord! 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for knowing Japanese people.  

Thank you for loving them deeply.

Thank you for all works you have been doing here in Japan. 

Lord,

I pray that one day these people realize that they need to be saved and come to know you. 

I pray for Japanese politicians.  

Please help us, as Christian, to examine ourselves all the time to see where we are in the faith.

Please help us to see the need in this ungodly world each day.

Please give us more boldness to share the gospel & the Love of Christ. 

In your holy name I pray, 

Amen.

 

  

    

Pain

Am I foolish? Am I crazy?? Am I too emotional???  Or am I normal?
I don't know what I think & how I feel.  What I know? What I feel?
My heart is hurting.  I feel pain.  I don't know what to do. I can pretend I am ok.
But this pain does not go away.  I cry out to the Lord.
"Lord, please take this pain away from me..."
I see Jesus on the cross.  How much more pain he had on the cross for me?
My tear comes down. How much Jesus loves me?
My heart gets broken by man but my heart gets heal by Jesus.

Lord,
Thank you for your love for me.
Thank you for knowing my pain.
Thank you for the cross.
Lord,
Please help me to remember your pain for me.
Please help me to let you heal my heart.
Please help me to not be tempted by Satan.

Psalm 119:28
"My soul is weary with sorrow;
 strengthen me according to your word"