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As I write this brief greeting to all of you, my JCC family, we are finishing an unusual day of Thanksgiving. We were fortunate enough to have our children from Seattle join us today for a fun thanksgiving dinner outside on the deck, along with a slight drizzle of rain half-way through our meal. While our table and food were a bit dampened, our spirits were not.

We wish to all of our JCC family a happy Thanksgiving, even as we know that this pandemic has brought much worry, anxiety, and hardship for many. I offer this brief sentence that I read in a devotional this morning for your consideration:

An attitude of

CONTENTMENT

turns everything into a

Gift!

May we be reminded this Thanksgiving of the great gift of eternal life through Jesus, our Lord!

Pastor Tim

Psalm 125:1-2

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

詩篇 125:1-2

主に信頼する人々はシオンの山のようだ。ゆるぐことなく、とこしえにながらえる。山々がエルサレムを取り囲むように、主は御民を今よりとこしえまでも囲まれる。

In the Fall of 1984 I was able to take a 3-week trek around the Annapurna mountains, part of the larger Himalaya Mountain Range that extends east and west along the Nepal and China border. My route was a large counter-clockwise circle beginning at around 3,000 ft. altitude in the town of Dumre, climbing to the Tharong-La pass at 17,769 ft., and then hiking back down a different river valley, finally ending in the city of Pokhara. Within that circle are 6 peaks, all over 7,000 meters and many more that are over 6,000 meters. The views were spectacular and the trek… life-changing. Being surrounded by these massive mountains was truly an amazing experience.

Here, I’m taking the photo from the north, looking down on the others who were crossing the Tharong La with me. We’re trekking from left to right, now heading down into a completely different river valley. This was about 7:30 a.m., after about 4 hours of climbing (we left our camp in Pedi at about 3:00 a.m.). The date was November 15th and we are right about at snowline. Towering up on each side of us are peaks that are over 7,000 meters (22,000 to 24,000 ft.). The picture below is shot from the pass with a longer lense.

Even when the mountains are not as high as the Himalayan peaks, being surrounded by mountains is not an uncommon experience in many countries. For over 20 years we lived in Gunma, a prefecture in Japan with 12 cities on the flatlands, and 50 towns and villages located in several large mountains that surround the prefecture. Mt. Akagi, Mt. Haruna, Mt. Asama, and Mt. Myogi were just the main four peaks that were part of our daily lives.

The two photos below show Mt. Tanigawa (one of our highest peaks in Gunma) and Mt. Akagi, as it appears to most folks living down in the capital city of Maebashi during the summer season.

Psalm 125, our text for today, is referred to as a “Song of Ascents”. It was thought to be a song or chant that may have been sung by pilgrims as they climbed the road to the capital, Jerusalem, for one of the major festivals that took place there each year. Jerusalem is located on Mt. Zion, higher than the towns and river valleys below. Mt. Zion, in turn, is surrounded by mountains. While these are not mountains on the scale of the Annapurna range I mentioned earlier, the words sung here in verses 1 and 2 must have been deeply meaningful to the pilgrims as they walked along, aware of the mountains and geography surrounding them.

The poet gives us a beautiful word image – actually 2 images.

1. In verse one, we see ourselves described as a mountain – like Mt. Zion – when we are able to place our trust fully in God. “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”

• Those who TRUST in the Lord – we can’t really do this unless we remove our trust in other things.
• …are like Mount Zion – the mount / rock on which Jerusalem stands; this would have been impressive for pilgrims to see and contemplate.

Scripture uses other word pictures to describe people:

• Some people are like sand, ever shifting and unstable  (Mt. 7:26)
• Some people are like the sea, restless and unsettled  (Is 57:20; James 1:6)
• Some people are like the wind, uncertain and inconsistent (Eph 4:14)
• But believers who trust in the Lord are like a mountain – strong, stable, secure

2. In verse 2 the image switches from us to God – God, as a surrounding and protecting range of mountains

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people.”

• Again, pilgrims would have been impressed at the reality of the geography as they made their ascent to Jerusalem.
• To have God pictured as mountains that surround us (we too are like a mountain) would be a very comforting and supporting image.

Let’s take these two images with us as we head into the week – Ourselves as mountains, and God as a surrounding protection of mountains. But let’s not forget. The key to these images is TRUST!

(The above is a summary of our message from November 15th shared during our zoom worship time. It was a thrill to have Pastors Steve and Betty Luttio join us from Minnesota…. and to sing for us a song based exactly on these two verses! A song that they have been singing since their college days.)

Ephesians 4:29-5:2

²⁹Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. ³¹Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, ³²and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 
^5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, ^5:2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

²⁹ 悪いことばを、いっさい口から出してはいけません。ただ、必要なとき、人の徳を養うのに役立つことばを話し、聞く人に恵みを与えなさい。 ³⁰ 神の聖霊を悲しませてはいけません。あなたがたは、贖いの日のために、聖霊によって証印を押されているのです。 ³¹ 無慈悲、憤り、怒り、叫び、そしりなどを、いっさいの悪意とともに、みな捨て去りなさい。 ³² お互いに親切にし、心の優しい人となり、神がキリストにおいてあなたがたを赦してくださったように、互いに赦し合いなさい。¹ ですから、愛されている子どもらしく、神にならう者となりなさい。 ² また、愛のうちに歩みなさい。キリストもあなたがたを愛して、私たちのために、ご自身を神へのささげ物、また供え物とし、香ばしいかおりをおささげになりました。

Earlier in Ephesians, Paul talks about faith of the individual.  Then he turns to how the believers, both Jews and Gentiles need to become one in Christ.  He then reminds us that we now have been given new life and we need to leave the old one behind.  And in this section, he gives us some rules for the new life.

He tells us to let no evil talk come out of our mouths, but only what is useful for building up.  Our words are to give grace to those who hear.  We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit.

He gives us six unpleasant attitudes and actions that we are to put away:

1. Bitterness – Bitter or sour spirit, bitter or sour speech
2. Wrath – Passionate rage, strong vengeful anger
3. Anger – A strong feeling of displeasure of antagonism, settled and sullen hostility
4. Wrangling – To dispute angrily
5. Slander – Speaking evil of others, especially behind their backs, defaming and destroying their reputation
6. Malice – Ill will, wishing and plotting evil against people

He also gives us six qualities which we are to manifest and actions to take:

1. Be kind to one another – Kindness towards even the ungrateful and the selfish
2. Be tenderhearted — Compassionate
3. Forgiving one another – Acting in grace towards one another, as God in Christ has acted in grace towards us
4. Imitators of God, as beloved children – As children copy their parents, so we are to copy God
5. Live in love as Christ loved us – Self-giving for others
6. Fragrant offering and sacrifice to God – Sacrificial love for others becomes a sacrifice acceptable to God

The 2020 election for the U.S. presidency has been a contentious one. Seems like Joe Biden has the necessary votes to become the 46^th president of the United States.  But it seems that we are not quite done with this election.  And even after the election is well behind us, the pandemic and the divided country will still be here.

When I log onto Facebook, I see many accusations, gloating, whining, despair, and re-posting of questionable “facts” from both sides of the political divide, even among Christians.  If one has strong feelings on this, it is very tempting to join in on the fray.  Before we do so, however, especially if we are followers of Christ, we should look at what Paul has written here.

We have been made new creatures through our faith in Christ, and now we have new rules to live by – Whether in person, via a phone call, email, or postings on social media.

No evil comments – only comments that are useful for building up the others’ faith.  Only words that give grace to those who hear.  Nothing that would grieve the Holy Spirit should come forth from us.

We are to live in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.

Let us keep these verses handy as a reminder.  If each Christian would live according to these words, we could truly act as the preview of the Kingdom to come. 

(the above is a summary of the message shared with us by Shun Takano during our zoom worship session on November 8, 2020.)

A look at the Beatitudes – All Saints Day

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I don’t remember the first time that I read these words, or had them read to me. But I know that I have heard them since I was a small child. As with many other teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) I was both amazed at their beauty and truth – as well as aware that they somehow seemed to represent a world that was completely different than the one I inhabited. Almost upside down.

While Jesus’ words seemed poetic, and somehow powerful (even as a child I could sense that….) they also seemed unrealistic, naïve, and simply wrong about their predicted outcomes.

“Nice guys finish last” seemed more accurately to describe the world I saw around me than “blessed are the meek – for they will inherit the earth”. I liked Jesus’ words better – but they didn’t seem very true.

As a seventh grader living in Minneapolis in 1968 for a year – only my second year living outside of Japan – I attended Bryant Junior High, a public school that was, at the time, 70% African American. I began to understand and think about race issues for the first time. It was a year when Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were all killed. My school of mostly black students was affected no less than other schools or parts of American society. Jesus words about those that “hungered after righteousness and justice” somehow didn’t seem to include all of the chaos felt that year. For many African Americans – both in 1968, and today in 2020 – a hungering after racial justice may put you in prison, or even bring about your death. What did Jesus mean… that they would be filled?

Or even today, I find myself asking…. Am I hungry for righteousness? I have to admit that in some ways my life is so easy that I’m not really hungry for much of anything. My desire for God is even amazingly small and weak at times – not because I’ve lost faith…. but simply because I’m so “filled” with blessings in other ways. Is it possible that my level of comfort and amount of blessings can at times even blind me to the fact that I would be completely helpless without God’s grace in my life?

So all of this points to the fact that for me – the Beatitudes describes a kingdom – one which has arrived, but also one that is not yet completely here.

• The beatitudes are not a list of laws – “thou shalt” or “thou shalt not…”
• They are not a series of suggestions to us of how to live…
• Jesus simply describes the truth of “how things are” in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus says that those who are poor in spirit, mourn, hunger and thirst after righteousness, and are meek – are blessed and favored by God. They will be comforted, filled, and inherit the earth. Also, those that are merciful, pure in heart, those that work for peace, and those that are persecuted – are also blessed in the kingdom of God and will be rewarded by being treated mercifully, seeing God, being called “children of God” and receiving a great reward in heaven.

If this is a kingdom that is both here and yet not completely here…. How can we see signs of it? Where can we look to see it’s validity today?

Today is All Saints Day (or all souls day) in the Christian calendar. We remember those that have gone before us; saints that have already given their lives and received their rewards. We thank God for those who have been examples to us in our faith, both from the Bible and from our own histories. And so I suggest to you this morning that we can see the beatitudes – this upside down kingdom – lived out in at least 2 arenas: in the life of Jesus himself, and in the lives of those saints who have gone before us.

1. We  see this upside down kingdom fulfilled in Jesus himself. In his life, death, and resurrection, we can see the validity of every one of the beatitudes. Below is a quote from Professor Lance Pape:

“And so, for now at least, we do not yet see all these things, “but we do see Jesus” (Hebrews 2:9). Jesus not only declares, but embodies this new world. An old poem promises that a day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that a crucified man is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Everyone will see at last that the one hung upon a tree in shame, the one who in poverty of spirit was forsaken by everyone — even by God in the end, it seemed — the last of the last, is first, is Lord of all. Every tongue will admit that the man of sorrows, the mourner, is comforted at last in the power of resurrection.

Every tongue will confess that the meek lamb who did not open his mouth before the slaughterers has been granted the earth and everything in it (Matthew 28:18). Every tongue will confess that the one who longed for justice has lived to see justice; that the one who practiced purity of heart is standing in the presence of God; that the great peacemaker is now called the Son of God. On that day every tongue will confess that the one who was persecuted for the sake of righteousness (verse 10) is indeed Blessed of God.”

2. Can we also see the validity of this upside down kingdom in the lives of the saints? Think back on those in your life who have been the saints – who have led you to faith…. who have encouraged you in your faith? Do any of the characteristics described in the Beatitudes shine forth in their lives?

“Lord, help us to live lives that embody your words in these beatitudes. Although your values seem so different than those of the world around us, help us to believe in the truth of your kingdom, and to seek to live those values in our own lives – with your help and through your grace. Amen.”

(The above is a summary of the message shared on Sunday, Nov. 1st, during our zoom worship session.)

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. Matthew 22:15-22

Our text today involves a trick question.

The Pharisees were “anti-tax” since it represented worshiping a “false god”.  The Herodians supposedly gained their access to power through Rome, and so viewed being “anti-tax” as treason. Here, the opposing political parties team up to trick Jesus.

But Jesus challenges them back. “You hypocrites… Why are you trying to trick me? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Give to God what belongs to God.”

What does Jesus mean by this?  It appears to be a question of loyalty and allegiance – to either a government / political system…. or to God. To whom should you give your ultimate allegiance?

• Is Jesus saying “there should be no loyalty or allegiance to Caesar – only to God?”
• Or, is he saying that while we owe SOME things to Caesar – like taxes – we owe everything to God?

Many commentators point out that the opening words in Genesis were probably part of the understanding of Jesus’ words by those who heard them. While Caesar had his own “likeness” and “image”  put on the Roman coin, God has imprinted his likeness and image on humanity.

Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, in our likeness…

So the coin may have Caesar’s image on it – but we have God’s image on us! Figuring out our taxes may actually be the easy part. What we owe God is usually the harder issue to understand.

In our nation today, we are polarized. We are unable to hear each other. We’ve stopped being able to discuss difficult topics without slipping into name-calling and cynicism. We are less than 3 weeks out from a major election. In our politics today, Christian brothers and sisters often disagree heatedly on what our position should be in regard to any number of issues. In today’s biblical passage the issue was taxation. For us today it may be immigration, health care, abortion, racism, sexual gender issues, or any number of other issues. We are polarized, numbed, cynical, frustrated. How are we to behave? What do Jesus’ words have to say to us in our present climate?

Last week Shun Takano shared with us a message from I Corinthians 13 on the topic of LOVE. As Shun stated, if we don’t have love – we have nothing. Even a “correct opinion” is worthless if we have forgotten that love is our true identifier – not our political party. Shun pointed out that in Jesus’ day one of the hot topics was the identity of the long-awaited messiah – was Jesus this promised Messiah, or not? In the end, Jesus didn’t discriminate between those who loved him and believed him to be the Messiah, and those that didn’t. He simply showed his sacrificial love for all by dying for both sides.

During these turbulent days I would like to suggest that the challenge to us is to offer respect, love, mercy (all qualities of God that we are to mimic) to all those around us – even those who hold a completely different political opinion than we do. Our “chief identifying feature” is not which candidate we will vote for – but the love we show for each other. Not, are you Republican or Democrat, but are you aware that you’re made in the image of God – and are expected to behave like it?

There is NO political end that allows you to bypass Christ-like behavior, i.e., treating others with love and respect – as brothers and sisters, created by God our heavenly Father. This is, of course, far trickier than it sounds, particularly when the issues being discussed and the opinions held are life and death matters.

Jesus may have said to his questioners: “It doesn’t matter whether you are a Pharisee or a Herodian – whether you think taxes are payable according to Jewish law or not. The bigger question is this: “Are you aware that everything – yourself included – belongs to God? How do you understand your civic duties in light of this?”

Politics will come and go… Caesars will rise and fall – but the Kingdom of God is eternal. In light of this Paul says the following to the Christians in Rome:

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1

As a friend and member of JCC, would you walk with me this coming week in struggling with this very real issue: understanding our civic duties and political involvement – in light of the fact that we are imprinted with the very likeness of God? Finding that balance won’t be easy, but the struggle and prayer work is always worth it.

(the above is a summary of the message shared during our zoom worship hour last Sunday, October 18th.)

I Corinthians 13

¹If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ²And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. ⁴Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  ⁷It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. ⁹For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; ¹⁰but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. ¹¹When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. ¹²For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. ¹³And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

I コリント人への手紙　１３

¹ たとい、私が人の異言や、御使いの異言で話しても、愛がないなら、やかましいどらや、うるさいシンバルと同じです。 ² また、たとい私が預言の賜物を持っており、またあらゆる奥義とあらゆる知識とに通じ、また、山を動かすほどの完全な信仰を持っていても、愛がないなら、何の値うちもありません。 ³ また、たとい私が持っている物の全部を貧しい人たちに分け与え、また私のからだを焼かれるために渡しても、愛がなければ、何の役にも立ちません。 ⁴ 愛は寛容であり、愛は親切です。また人をねたみません。愛は自慢せず、高慢になりません。 ⁵ 礼儀に反することをせず、自分の利益を求めず、怒らず、人のした悪を思わず、 ⁶ 不正を喜ばずに真理を喜びます。 ⁷ すべてをがまんし、すべてを信じ、すべてを期待し、すべてを耐え忍びます。 ⁸ 愛は決して絶えることがありません。預言の賜物ならばすたれます。異言ならばやみます。知識ならばすたれます。 ⁹ というのは、私たちの知っているところは一部分であり、預言することも一部分だからです。 ¹⁰ 完全なものが現われたら、不完全なものはすたれます。 ¹¹ 私が子どもであったときには、子どもとして話し、子どもとして考え、子どもとして論じましたが、おとなになったときには、子どものことをやめました。 ¹² 今、私たちは鏡にぼんやり映るものを見ていますが、その時には顔と顔とを合わせて見ることになります。今、私は一部分しか知りませんが、その時には、私が完全に知られているのと同じように、私も完全に知ることになります。 ¹³ こういうわけで、いつまでも残るものは信仰と希望と愛です。その中で一番すぐれているのは愛です。

In the previous chapter, chapter 12, Paul writes about the various kinds of spiritual gifts.  There were some gifts that people deemed more important than the others, but Paul reminds the readers that all gifts are important to the body, the church. A body can only fully function when all the parts are doing their job and working together.  Just like each body part doing its part without trying to become a different body part, it is important for each member of the church to do the things that God commands them.

Going into chapter 13, Paul is leading us to the fact that there is something more important than the gifts that are mentioned in chapter 12 – love.

Language is a gift — The ability to speak/write well, the ability to speak/write well in multiple languages – But without love, it is just noise.

Prophetic powers and the ability to understand the many mysteries and having knowledge – All these are great things, but without love, they are nothing.

Having absolute faith in God – The type of faith that could move mountains – Is a wonderful thing, but it is nothing, without love.

So why is love so important that Paul teaches that it is greater than any of the other gifts?  What does Paul mean by love?  We can pretty much be certain that Paul is not talking about the intense version of “like”.  He describes what he means by love in vv. 4-7.

• Love is patient
• Love is kind
• Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude
• Love does not insist on its own way
• It is not irritable or resentful
• It does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth
• Love bears all things
• Love hopes all things
• Love endures all things

In the last section, Paul explains why love is the greatest.  Love is the only thing that will endure to eternity.  Prophesies will no longer be needed since there will be no future in eternity.  The gift of tongues will also cease since there will no longer be the need to tell others about God’s love.  Knowledge will end since all will be revealed.

In Romans 5:6-10, Paul points out that it is the nature of humans that some might be willing to die for a good person, but it would be exceedingly rare.  But God demonstrated His love for humans by dying for us while we were still sinners.

If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our savior and lord, then we must take his commands and wishes seriously.  Jesus said that if we loved Him, we would obey Him. He commanded us to love God and love others.  He commanded us to love one another in the church so that others would know that we are Christians by seeing how we love each other.

Today, we are in sad times where even Christians are feeling dislike or even hatred for one another who don’t agree with our views, whether that be which politicians we agree with, whether to wear facial masks, or many other topics that are “hot” at the moment.

It seems that in the past, we were able to, or willing to, overlook disagreements in certain things and yet treat each other with civility and respect.  Today, it seems it is easier to “take our gloves off” and pummel each other with disrespectful, demeaning, and even hateful words.

The hot topic of Jesus’ day was whether Jesus was the long-awaited messiah or not.  Was He God’s son deserving of our love and respect, or was He a phony who deserved to die for what He taught?  Jesus went ahead and died for both sides.

The love the Father has for the world is a love that is hard for us to understand – Love that was willing to send his own child so that the child can be tortured and killed.  Yet, God did, and because of that, we have salvation and eternal life.

Jesus commands us to pick up our cross daily and follow Him.  Is it possible for us to love like God did?  It is, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

God has the right to command us to die for others, or to send our children into certain death, but thankfully, for most of us, He has not and will not.  But He commands us to show His love to others.

So, in these polarizing times, let us love God and show love to others, even to those with whom we do not agree.  It is possible that through this, others might see a love that is different and turn towards God.

(the above is a summary of the message brought to us by Shun Takano during our zoom worship time on October 11, 2020.)

Psalm 90 (vs. 1,2,8,9,10,12,17)

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years– or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands.

Recently at two memorial services that we have held, the words from Psalm 90 were quoted and I want to take a few moments today to consider several phrases from this psalm. It’s a very appropriate word for us today…. As we consider our current situation – as individuals, as a church, as a nation.

Psalm 90 is said to be written by Moses, the man of God. It is a prayer divided roughly in 3 sections:

• Verses 1-6  God as Creator and as our dwelling place
• Verses 7-11  God as judge / our fragile lives under judgment
• Verses 12-17  God as our help / Prayer for wisdom

1. God, as Creator – God as our “Dwelling Place”  (vs. 1-6)

Moses reflects on the fact that God, himself is “our dwelling place”. The people of Israel had various houses of God – the tabernacle in the wilderness, the first temple in Jerusalem built by Solomon, and the second temple that was built by Nehemiah and Ezra. But their identity as a people was NEVER in those places ultimately. It was in God, alone.

As we’ve counted days this spring and summer – days of COVID, days of separation, days of rioting and unrest, days of not being able to gather in our own church building – we, too, are being forced to re-think our identity, and the fact that our true home, our dwelling place, is not in any of these places – but in God alone.

2. Our world, under sin and judgment – a fragile existence (vs. 7-11)

Moses goes on to reflect on our fallen world, one where God’s judgment has come. Sickness and death – once NOT a part of creation, now are all around us. Our existence is, in many ways, extremely fragile. We’re compared to the grass of the field, growing up new in the morning but by evening – dried and dead!  Our age is 70 – or maybe 80 if we’re lucky – but those years pass by like a blink – and we return to dust!

As we hear and see the news of our rapidly changing environment – with its floods and fires this year; our systemic racism – so difficult to even admit, much less eradicate; our political infighting and polarization; the gap in wealth and resources which continues to grow between the “haves” and “have nots”-  all of these are part and parcel with our “fallen world” that is described here in Psalm 90. Until the Lord comes again to redeem the creation – these struggles will be part of our existence. Jesus himself said to his disciples prior to leaving them – “while you’re in this world you will have tribulations – but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

3.  A Prayer for Wisdom  (vs. 12-17)

So what are we to do with these truths? That God is our home, our dwelling place, but that we live in a broken and fallen world? Moses concludes this psalm by praying for wisdom – “teach us to number our days correctly, that we may have a heart of wisdom.” In light of your greatness God, and in light of our own fragility – teach us to know how to value and use all that you’ve given us. Help us to realize the preciousness of life and the time that you give us. In verses 13-17 Moses also asks for the following:

• Have compassion on us.
• Satisfy us in the morning with your love, and give us gladness!
• Continue to show us your great deeds, and let our children see it too.
• May your favor rest on us, and make certain the work of our hands

I always find that last phrase in the prayer amazing. The psalmist has just lamented over the brevity of human life, the apparent fragility of all life. You would think that this would lead to a sense of hopelessness in moving forward. Yet, in the end, the plea to God is to make our lives and work meaningful! Because, in fact, our lives are short – let us live them to the fullest. Let us keep the eternal nature of our life in full view.

As we continue to count our days, to count our COVID time, to count our blessings, why not consider the following as we head into a new week?

1. Include eternity in your plans  (what is your end game?)
2. In light of that, reorganize your present (temporal) life priorities (time, talents, treasure)
3. Yes, life is fragile, but it is precious! Live like it.

(the above is a summary of the message given during our worship time on Sunday, October 4^th)

We decided to celebrate Randy’s birthday in eastern Washington.  Keri’s handicapped brother has been going down in health and we all felt the burden to see him.  But there was Covid, and there was smoke from the fires.  Can we make this work?  Is it the right time?  We decided to go for it.  Randy started crying with joy the moment he saw us.  And we had a wonderful reunion.

Little did we know that God wanted to us to have another birthday party while there.  We stayed at the local Comfort Inn.  Our son Nathan talked about swimming since the time we left.  We arrived at 10 pm, and found that the pool was open until 11.  “Can we swim?”  After 6 hours of driving, I said . . . “yes”.  And we had a blast.  It was just the two of us.  The next day, after the birthday festivities, we arrived at the Inn at 10pm.  “Can we swim?”  I was so tired, but it was our last night.  Again, the pool was empty until about 10:30 when a lady came and went in to the hot tub. We both wanted the hot tub before going to bed, so we asked if we could join.

We made small talk, but it was evident that she was hurting inside.  She made a comment about coming to the Inn to get away from her problems.  I asked if I could pray for her.  Surprised, she replied “yes”.  I explained that Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weak, weary and heavy laden.  Gentle am I, humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your soul.”  He was speaking to her now and I prayed.  She began to cry.  After praying, she asked “Why is life so hard?”.  I explained that God allows these things so that we would come closer to Him.  She continued to share her burdens and I shared the Gospel.  She listened and seemed to respond to each point.  She understood that we are sinners in need of a Savior.  I introduced Jesus to her and explained how much she is loved.  “Would you like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior?”  She said “yes”.  As she prayed, she thanked God for loving her and taking her burden.  She confessed that Jesus died for her sins and was forgiven.  After her prayer, we continued to talk.  She said she felt her burden lifted.  I asked her if she knew of a church near her home.  She didn’t.  I felt led to ask if she wanted to be baptized.  Surprisingly, she said “yes”.  Nathan and I baptized her there in the hot tub.  She was full of joy.

As Nathan and I went back to the room, we debriefed as to what took place.  Nathan was excited to tell me that he had the same thoughts of talking, baptism and giving her my business card.  Even before I said a word, Nathan was having the same thoughts.  The Holy Spirit was confirming His leading and we rejoiced together.  We experienced a spiritual birthday in that pool.  What tremendous joy we experienced together.  So unexpected,  So wonderful.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 says, “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. “

May God use each one of you to bring a blessing to others.

Richard

(This account was part of a message shared by Richard Nakamura during our JCC Zoom Worship time on Sunday, September 27th.)

Mark 2:21-22 / マルコ２：２１−２２

²¹“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 
²²And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”

 ²¹ だれも、真新しい布切れで古い着物の継ぎをするようなことはしません。そんなことをすれば、新しい継ぎ切れは古い着物を引き裂き、破れはもっとひどくなります。 ²² また、だれも新しいぶどう酒を古い皮袋に入れるようなことはしません。そんなことをすれば、ぶどう酒は皮袋を張り裂き、ぶどう酒も皮袋もだめになってしまいます。新しいぶどう酒は新しい皮袋に入れるのです。

What changes have we seen/experienced over the past 12 months — personally, for the country, for the church?  If we were to go back even further, let’s say 5 years, would we have guessed what we would be going through in 2020?  What will it be like in 2025?  We probably can all agree that our predictive abilities aren’t exactly acute.

Jesus is actually talking about living in times of change, and we might glean some important concepts for living in an ever-changing world and still being good witnesses for God’s love.

In v.21, Jesus talks about what happens when you patch an old coat with a piece of new coat. Since the patch is unshrunk, it will start to shrink over time, and will start to pull on the old material. Since the old coat is not as strong as the new and will not shrink anymore, the new patch will pull until the tear gets even worse. He is talking about how to preserve the old.

In v. 22, Jesus talks about what happens if you pour new wine into old wineskin.  As the new wine ferments, it will emit gases and put pressure on the wineskin from the inside.  The old wineskin would have lost some elasticity over time, since it has already been stretched, so it will eventually burst and both the wine and the wineskin would be lost.  Jesus is talking about the need for new things to be used.

So in these two verses, Jesus is saying that as we go through changes, we need to preserve some old things, while incorporating new things.  This was certainly the case as Jesus proved himself to be the messiah, but not quite in the way Israel was expecting/anticipating. So as the church started, they slowly started to realize the things they needed to keep from the Jewish religion, as well as what new things to incorporate.

So what about for us, going through this time of drastic changes?  What old things need to be preserved, and what new things need to be incorporated?

I would suggest that there are three foundations that must be preserved at all cost:

1. The Bible as the foundation of God’s truth
2. Prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance as the foundation for all plans and activities for the church
3. The Gospel as the foundation of our message to the world

All other things need to be open to changing as the Holy Spirit leads – not based on people’s preferences.

During this pandemic, churches have discovered new tools to do ministry.  Although many people would still prefer to meet in person, most churches have been able to carry on, using tools like Zoom and YouTube.  The heart of a worship service is still there, along with Bible studies, committee meetings, etc.

Churches are also discovering things that widen their scope – Like people from outside the local area now being able to join in on services, Bible studies and meetings.  And to some, there is also the convenience of not having to get in the car to “attend”, saving on commute time, fuel, etc.

As the pandemic eases off in the future, churches will need to decide what do to.  Go back to the old ways?  Keep doing it the way things are being done during the pandemic?  Somehow combine the best of both?  This is the new wine into new wineskin portion.

It would be good to apply those foundations mentioned above on an individual basis as well as a body of Christ.  Looking at what gets posted these days on social media, it would be good if the Christians can incorporate some Biblical principles as we post comments that don’t bear good witness for the Lord. After all, we are to be lights and salt, even within social media.

Here are some principles to keep in mind:

• As the spiritual descendants of Abraham, we are to carry on the promise given to him about being a blessing, and not a curse,  to the world (Genesis 12:1-3)
• We were created to do God’s good works (Ephesians 2:10)
• Jesus died on the cross so that He would be our Lord (Romans 14:9)
• We are supposed to be known for our love (John 13:35)
• We are supposed to be preview of God’s Kingdom (Colossians 1:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24)
• We are supposed to love our enemies (Matthew 5:45)
• However we treat the people we like the least, that’s how we are treating Jesus (Matthew 25:45)

Jesus summed up all of God’s laws and commandments into one two-part command – Love God and love others.  Luke 21 also has Jesus telling us that this current age is the last one before the end times, and that we are supposed to spend our time testifying about God’s love.

So going forth, let’s ask ourselves these questions before we act, speak, post comments, or respond to others:

• Does this testify about God’s love?
• Does this show love to others?
• Would we act/talk/write this way if Jesus were listening/reading?

By doing this, then we have a chance of preserving what the Lord wants us to preserve and to incorporate new things He wants us to adapt.

(the above is a summary of the message shared with us by Shun Takano on September 13, 2020 during our JCC zoom worship time.)

Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus envisions a church with problems and friction. This is because in scripture, the church is referred to as a “body” and as a “family”. Physical bodies get sick – and real families occasionally have problems. When they occur, how should they be solved? In our text for today, Jesus gives practical teaching regarding this issue of healthy relationships within the family of God. It follows a step by step order, beginning with an individual conversation and concluding with a community decision.

Individual conversation

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

• Take a risk to reach out to an offending sister or brother with honest communication – rather than harbor negative thoughts or gossip about the situation with others.
• Keep it private – no need for public shaming or embarrassment
• In many cases – this will result in success, and the relationship is healed.

A conversation with 2-3 witnesses present

16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that `every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 

• Again, this is basically a private conversation
• Based on old testament teaching – Deut. 19:15
• Here, the emphasis is to protect and seek the truth with the help of a third party (2-3 witnesses) in order to avoid a “he said, she said” scenario.
• Sometimes the original accuser will turn out to be in the wrong. Witnesses may actually help the accused.
• Again, this will often result in understanding and a reconciled relationship.

A Community conversation

17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

What did it mean for Jesus to say “treat them like pagans and tax collectors?” We often see this as a command to reject them, or cut them off totally from fellowship. But all we have to do is remember how Jesus treated Gentiles and tax collectors and we’ll get the idea. He ate with Zaccheus, even visiting in his home. He healed the sick family members of several Gentiles. In other words, treat them as outside the family, but love them as Jesus loved Gentiles and tax collectors…seeking their reconciliation with the group even while sending them out. They are not being separated because they have sinned but because they refuse to admit their sin which the body has observed.

Again, this is not primarily a text on church discipline, as it has often been misunderstood. It is a description of body life and healthy relationships. When there is sickness (sin) in one body part, the whole body suffers. We are not just a collection of individuals – as our churches so often appear. We are a REAL family (the body of Christ) and therefore for the sake of the entire body, we need to take healthy relationships seriously.

The importance of being connected – of being a “body”

19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

• It’s in our connectedness – our life together – where Jesus promises to be present with us.

As I’ve reflected on this short text during the past few days it seems to me that there are really four key elements described here that allow us to follow Jesus’ advice. The first comes from the beginning of chapter 18. The final three all come from today’s verses.

• Humility and powerlessness of a child  (Verse 1-4) What would it look like if all of our conversations began from a place of mutual humility?
• Honest communication   (Verse 15)  Take a risk! It’s scary to confront someone with an uncomfortable conversation – but worth it!
• Community (Verse 16 )  This kind of healthy relationship can only happen within a committed community.
• The power of Jesus in their midst. (Verse 20) A promise to all who claim the name of Jesus – that we are not left to manage this alone!

The Goal?  Healthy relationships resulting from repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation!

Could this advice and direction from our Lord be more timely and crucial than it is today? In an age of social media where truth appears to be anything we wish it to be – these crucial guidelines and practical teachings on honest communication could be life-saving. May God grant us the wisdom and grace to put them into practice!

(the above is a summary of the message shared during our JCC Zoom Worship time on September 6, 2020)