What Now?

President-elect Barack Obama

Now that the dust has settled and the election is over, some might say that any hope that Christians may have had about turning our country's moral compass back to God seems to be fading fast. If you think that, you'd be wrong.

Maybe new laws will be enacted and liberal judges might be selected, thus taking our country farther away from God's idea of morality than we feel comfortable with. Maybe it's past that point already for you. But I would challenge you to rise up child of God, as the ball is now in your court.

Even if _______ (insert unGodly law here) was here to stay, but hypothetically speaking, if everyone in this nation were to live according to God's ways, the "rights" we have under our federal and state law would be moot.

What that means is this: now more than ever you must live in a manner worthy of your calling. You need to shine God's light and love in the darkness on an individual level. You need to be praying for people and sharing the Gospel! You can no longer hide behind your "conservative" candidate to do God's work on a national level for you.

And if at times you get really hopeless always remember this: Even the worst of governments and rulers (and I'm not saying ours falls into that category) could do nothing to stop God from accomplishing his will.

Summer Camp!

Summer Camp Praise Team

This year's summer camp was really cool. It was encouraging to see the work of God in the English congregation as we strived to have a heart after God. We had some very encouraging and uplifting messages by Dr. Gregg Watson, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Rick Durst, also of GGBTS was supposed to be the guest speaker but couldn't make it at the last minute due to a death in the family. It was especially interesting to hear about how months earlier God guided Dr. Watson to NOT attend a mission trip this summer, which freed him up to be able to come to the camp.

God was working in our midst before and during the camp! Now that we are back, I am excited to see how God will work after the camp.

God Grants Independence

Our country's Founding Fathers observed that their king, more closely resembling a tyrant, caused "repeated injuries and usurpations" of rights against the inhabitants of the American Colonies. In an effort to break free of the king's bondage and free themselves from his tyranny, they organized a rebellion; one that cost hundreds of thousands of lives and heartache among leaders and laymen alike.

But through all the military, political, and social hardships, - in spite of the fact that the Continental Congress was not in full agreeance about the rebellion - God's providence ruled. Our Founding Fathers neither neglected to seek God's counsel nor were they oblivious to God's Hand.

The Declaration of Independence reads,

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General
Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the
rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good
people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united
colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states;...

...And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our
sacred honor.

To these leaders of men, the decision to secede from Great Britain was no small matter. Hundreds of hours of debate, tears, and heartache was poured into deliberation. Personal and corporate prayer for Divine Counsel was the norm. Their property, their families' fortunes, and their very lives were at stake. These men were seen as treasonous traitors with bounties posted for their lives.

Men from the Continental Congress convening and praying.

Nevertheless, in the end, with God's help, the United States of America successfully became independent from the rule of Great Britain.


We can commemorate our country's independence by thanking the Almighty for the good works that His hand hath brought. And by praying prayers of thanks for the leadership of our God-fearing forefathers, the courage and sacrifice of our brave militia, and the service of every man, woman, and child who supported the American rebellion against the tyranny of her king.


Today, America still stands as a beacon for those who are oppressed and whose freedoms are encroached upon by their ruling government. By God's will, America will continue to be free and free those who are in bondage.


God bless America!

Living in Graceland

Jim and Terui Grace's beautiful worship space in Sendai, Japan

"Living in Graceland" is a term that talk show host Eric Hogue uses to describe Christian living. We live in a place of immeasurable grace that we have received from God. When Paul prayed about his thorn, God's answer was, "My grace is sufficient". For the afflicted, that can be a very confusing if not unsatisfying answer. And I'm not talking about your everyday "I can't believe that Starbuck's ran out of toffee bars" variety of suffering. These are trials that can shake the foundations of a person's faith. God did not save us from sin and death just to be broken by trials. He has, whether it feels like it or not, given us through his grace everything we need to get through our trials. Even though you don't know if you can go on, with God's help you will. How many times in your life did you ever think, "I can't make it..." but did? The reason is the second part of the aforementioned verse, "for my power is made perfect in weakness." God got you through it. Our strength is too weak to get us through our difficulties, but that's exactly where God's strength lies. And that's life in the land of grace.