We have a small backyard and I like it. I attempt to grow grass in it every year, but I grow more weeds than grass. Yesterday the boys decided to build a fort. Or maybe it is a castle. Whatever it is, they decided it needed a moat. There went my grass. Or weeds. I have a small backyard and I like it.
This past week, we were discussing the idea of Sabbath with some of our co-workers. That God created it is not an issue, nor that we were designed with a need for rest in Jesus. But what it means as a follower of Jesus, not as one under the law, to practice the Sabbath is something worthy of our time and energy to consider. I am not going to make any statements about what Sabbath rest should look like, but do invite all readers to join me in the exploration of what God might be saying to you.
One of the ways that I personally find rest is through laughter with loved ones. Since we, and our co-workers, are plugged into ministry situations where we expend a lot of emotional and spiritual energy, sometimes we just need to unplug from it. Do something completely different, learn to laugh, and just have some fun. Lately, we have been learning to be heroes.
Guitar Hero, that is! Just some crazy fun to relax and unwind. Take our mind off of things. Learn a new, rather useless, skill. Be a little crazy. Here are some of my favorite shots.
Here’s Keishi, working on a little Foghat.
And Kazumi, cheered on by Wendi, playing “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”
Jeffery, from down in Okinawa, I think might have been jamming to Kiss.
Me, enjoying some good ‘ole GNR.
And then there is Nina, who eschews the guitar for drums (Oh, how I love her!), and finds most pleasure when playing in a tutu.
Sabbath is a gift from God! I love to rest in Jesus!
In January, we helped launch a new work here in our city of Sanda. One of our ministry partners, Keishi Fujii and his wife Kazumi, began Life Design Network, which provides coaching for businesses, marriages and families. LDN is a business, but has the flavor of a non-profit organization, and our desire is for it to penetrate into our local community where there are needs. Wendi and I are partnering as staff, and we will help to provide coaching, teaching and organizing events as we move forward.
The kick-off celebration was held on January 16, where we introduced the work and had a special speaker. Arthur Hollands, a tattooed Harley riding evangelist, author and poet, spoke on finding your unique self.
After the celebration, we held another meeting for Arthur to speak to the young volunteer leaders at the YMCA where we held the event. He had them busting out laughing as he shared from his heart right to theirs. It was awesome to be able to bless the YMCA for letting us holding the celebration there. Here is a picture of Arthur with the young leaders.
We believe that this new network will allow us the chance to interact and bless the city of Sanda on a new level, and are excited to watch what God does.
At a gathering of innovative leaders held earlier this month, one of the things that I was most excited about was for us to be able to “list up” the themes we thought we were hearing from God. (’List up’ may be a Japanese phrase, but it now resides in my brain’s English lexicon.) None of the items are earth-shattering. That’s not the point. What excites is me is that God spoke, we listened, and now we can take the next steps. So here’s the list, without too much explanation. If you have a question, let me know.
We placed all this on a foundation of love and loving relationships, coupled with the call to die to one’s self.
Where do we go from here? Well, that’s what we’ll be praying and talking about this coming Saturday. Please pray for us!
Earlier in January, we helped bring together some of the visionary people providing leadership and direction in some of the new and developing manifestations of church here in Japan. Going by a number of different names (house, simple, organic, emergent), basically these are people seeking to live out being a disciple of Christ in a uniquely Japanese way. Over four days, the goal was to spend time together praying, seek direction from the Lord, share what we have been learning with one another, and do some training. Philip Lye, a leader in a house church movement in Australia, was invited to teach on prayer and listening to the Lord. He brought his wealth of experience and gifting with him, and did a great job of equipping the leaders here. The next step is to further network so that we can all support and encourage one another in living out our faith.
Thanks to everyone that has been journeying with us throughout 2009! We love the Japanese people and the ministry the Lord has given us, and can’t wait for all that God has in store in 2010.
We are thankful for the blessing you are in our lives. Your partnership means the world to us!
Blessings on you and yours as 2009 comes to a close.
The Thomson Family
“If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.” Bruce Lee
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” Paul
2000 years ago Jesus, while being fully God, let go of equality with God to become nothing, the nature of a servant, and born in human likeness. All this so that we might be saved and enter into a true, right love relationship with God. He transformed so that we might be transformed. He transitioned to our frame of reference so that we might be transitioned to God’s will. He loved so that we could know how to love.
This Christmas, what form is the Lord asking us to take so that we may reach many with the good news of Jesus Christ? Let’s allow Jesus to shape us, move us, direct us so that we become life-givers to those desperate for a drink. People are thirsty.
Remember, the same water offered in the cup that sustains and nourishes is also the water that shapes canyons and continents. Let’s be that power to serve others and change the world.
Here are a few shots from us being liquid this Christmas. The church put on a special service so that we could invite friends, hang out and share the meaning of Christmas. Everyone did a great job of planning and getting things ready. There was lots of food. (We learned from Jesus that talking over food is one of the most natural ways to share one’s life.)
We blurred the picture above because we want to respect that not everyone likes their picture on the web. Also, want to respect the privacy of those who came. But just to confirm, everyone was having a great time. But Wendi, below, doesn’t mind!
Neither does K, who is now sporting a “Oh my, we really need to cut his hair before he looks anymore like Zack and Cody” hair cut.
We also had some great music, including carols, harmonica solos, and a flute/piano duet. I even got to bang a cajon. Christmas music is all the better with a cajon providing the rhythm.
Now are you being liquid this Christmas season! Whatever it is, go for it!!
Last week, Asian Access held a conference on leadership that brought together about 180 pastors from across Japan. The speaker was Robert Logan, an experienced pastor, church planter and leadership coach from America. Bob has worked with Asian Access in the past to help us equip and release leaders for ministry in Japan.
You can see from the room setup that it was done lecture style; however, Bob did a great job of having participants form “breakout groups” where they could begin tackling the concepts presented. There was a heavy focus on raising up new leaders and passing the baton. That baton pass thing, wow, that is something that leaders around the globe struggle with, and we were excited to be able to provide some great teaching to help in the process. Also, we gave a killer charge to actually DO IT!
I was able to interact with a number of pastors, and I am looking forward to the follow-up we will do with pastors in the Osaka/Kobe region. It was encouraging to spend time with pastors who are seeking to transform themselves, their congregations, and this nation with the power of the gospel!
Here I am hanging out in the back. Usually I was up in front, though. In addition to networking with pastors and seeking opportunities for future church planting projects, I had fun handling the video responsibilities, as well as recording the talks. (Love my new Tascam DR-07! Easy to record in mp3 and sounds great.)
Thanks for praying for us as we seek to identify, develop and release Kingdom leaders across Japan.
One of things we have wanted to do, both as a family and church body, is seek ways that we can say to our local community “we love you” through acts of service. We want our children to understand the value of unconditionally serving others, just as Jesus gave all for us, no strings attached. Japan is sort of tricky in that there are not as many obvious ways to serve as there are in the US, so we decided to get a little creative.
We have neighbors down the street that will be moving in another month. We know how difficult moving is, especially trying to balance work, relationships, packing, saying good-byes, and not wanting to check-out too soon yet still wanting to look forward to the future. Over the past few weeks, I noticed that their yard was growing into something quite interesting. I talked with Wendi, and we thought, “Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if we offered to do some gardening so that they have one less thing to worry about in getting ready for their move?” We agreed that it would be a good idea, so we called the neighbors and asked if we could. They were more than happy to receive some help. We told them that if they have things going on that they didn’t even need to be there, but they had some time and joined with us.
In 2.5 hours we were able to trim hedges, cut grass, pull weeds, and set them up for not having to do too much more before they move. The kids were troopers and worked hard. In the end, they were all tired, but they all said how glad they were to be able to go and help. We had a great time talking and spending time with our neighbors, too. Very cool Sunday morning!
Here is a picture with the kids, our ministry partner Mary, me and our neighbors.
After three months in the US, we are loving the adjustment back to life rhythms here in Japan. The kids are enjoying school (the friends, not the homework), English ministry has started-up, and reconnecting with our friends and neighbors has been a joy.
Today, we made an unexpected connection. We found a bag of trash that we mistakenly left in our outside trash bin while in the US. We opened the bin and thought, “What is that?” Actually, we didn’t think it. We screamed it! All over the bottom of the bin were bugs and bug larva of some flying sort.We have no idea how we are going to tackle the problem, but trash day is still three days away, so we have some time. For now, the lid is locked tight.
If you are not too squeamish, here is a shot. All the black you see is bugs. Bugs on bugs on bugs. A totally unwelcome connection!