2010 Spring(2)
2010.05.29 TGIS Blog (Posted by Ronnie)
Hallelujah! It's me again. I am sorry that I am writing again this week. I will get someone else to write next week. Haha =P
Anyways, this was what happened in today's TGIS service.
Icebreak
Kayoko led the icebreak activity. Instead of 2 truth and 1 lie, she improvised the game and made it 3 truths and 1 lie! Basically, everyone will have to write on a sheet of paper, three facts about themselves and one thing that is not true. This was what I wrote.
1. I had a piece of noodle come out of my nose before.
2. I had rice come out of my nose before.
3. I had banana come out of my nose before.
4. I had milk come out of my nose before.
Can you guess which one is the lie? Number 3 is the lie! I hope you got it!.
Worship
This week Colin led the worship and here were the songs we sang.
1. Might to Save by Hillsongs
2. How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin
3. Great in Power by Hillsongs
4. Friend of God by Israel
Testimony
Today, I decided to give my testimony about my faith because my childhood friend, Kim, came to Japan to visit and he joined TGIS too. This was what I shared.
My family is a typical Taiwanese home with no particular belief, so I didn't know Christ until I went to high school. It was a Christian mission school so everyday I had to take Bible class. I really disliked it and i doubted God and questioned God for His 'cruelty' in the old testaments.
However, when i graduated from high school, I felt a sense of uncertainty because it was my first time to leave my family and go study in university. Due to this fear and thanks to a dear friend's testimony, I decided to take a chance in accepting Christ when I was 19, as my personal savior and see if God really exists. My struggles with life had just begun.
In university, I didn't go to church or read the Bible. The only time I would pray was before the final exams. LOL. I was studying Computer Engineering. My goal was to graduate with high GPA and get hired by Microsoft. However, in my 2nd year, my grades dropped from an avg of 92% to 65%. My application for internship program was rejected. My goal to get into Microsoft was crushed. I didn't know what to work for anymore and I realized that I hate computer engineering. I just wanted to graduate and get out. Because of stress, I developed stomach ulcer and my health worsened day by day. I was in bad mood everyday and my relationship with my family also worsened. This situation continued until 4th year of university.
One day, I went to visit my friend in Seattle and he took me to church. I forgot the details of the message that day but I cried after I hear it. I started reading "The Purpose Driven Life" and I learned that i need to surrender the control of my life to God. I decided to do that.
I prayed to God to bring me away from Vancouver, away from computer engineering and to somewhere that I can enjoy. At that time, I really enjoyed watching Japanese anime so I prayed to God that I want to go to Japan and learn Japanese so that I can watch anime without the English subtitles...LOL
I prayed to God that if I am able to go to Japan, I will start going to church and seek Him. God answered my prayer and here I am in Japan. Day by day my relationship with Him grew closer and of course at times I strayed away but now I would never forget about Him.
Thank You Jesus.
Message
Psalm 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."
Today Wayne shared the message about the Lord being our shepherd. We read Mark 5 and learned about the power of Christ. Even the legion of evil spirits obeyed Jesus and was cast out of a man. The man returned to his normal self, became dressed and healed.
When we have the Lord as our shepherd, we would be in the right spirit and walk the right path. Let us not desire the things of this world but of the treasures in Heaven. The Lord will guide us to Promised Land. Hallelujah.
Fellowship
Again today we had a lot of snack and a great time chatting with each other. It was nice to have two newcomers, Kim and Masaya, to TGIS today.
Ukulele Lesson
After the service, Colin also taught two brothers how to play ukulele!
Hallelujah! We have made another record high of attendance today! 18 people joined our service today. Thank God for bringing more people to this meeting We look forward to having more helpers for the great harvest that is promised!
Here is today's summary.
Ice Break
Kanako led the Ice break activity today! Since we had Edinburgh conference last week and meeting so many people from different parts of the world, she suggested that we play PICTIONARY and the theme is COUNTRIES. Check out the funny pictures that we drew.
WorshipToday Wayne led the worship and we sang the following songs.
1. My Redeemers Lives - Hillsongs
2. You Are Good - Israel Houghton
3. There Is None Like You - Don Moen & Paul Wilbur
4. Mighty To Save - Hillsongs
TestimonyBrother Maru (Tsuyoshi Maruyama aka Yoshi or Maru) shared his testimony today with us.
When he was little, he was inflicted with asthma and had to stay over at hospital. He always thought to himself - why was he alive? In middle year, his asthma got better so he went out and played all he wanted. He started drinking, gambling, smoking and picking up girls. He said that he did many many bad things. Jesus did not come to his life yet.
When he was 21, he got into a serious car accident because he drunk and drove. The 3million yen car he bought for just 3 months was all destroyed but he was lucky to be alive with just a minor-fractured face. On the hospital bed, he again asked himself - why was he alive? Jesus did not come to his life yet
After recovering from the accident, Maru did not change his ways. He continued to drink and drive and one day, his girlfriend left him because of his bad habits. His heart was broken, very broken. so he asked himself again - why was he ALIVE? Jesus did not come to his life yet.
Finally, he went to Australia to study abroad, and there. He met a Christian brother, who told him about the gospel.
The brother asked him, "So do you believe that Jesus can take away your sins?"
Maru replied, "I do."
"Do you want to receive him?"
"Yes. "
"Ok, you are a Christian now."
"What? Just that like? So easy."
And now, Maru is a changed man, burning with passion for God and serves at Shinjuku Shalom Church. We thank God for this dear brother.
(Please go to part 2)Message
Reverend Bong Thang from Myanmar delivered the message for us today.
He showed us some pictures of his church and family in Myanmar and of the conferences he preached at. He encouraged us that there are many enemy out there to hinder the Lord's work either directly or indirectly. He shared how the Myanmar government officials tried to bring trouble upon his church and stop the ministry from continuing. However, God answered their prayers and protected them from all these attacks. Hallelujah!
When we are in distress and trouble, don't be discouraged and remember these scriptures.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
God will definitely answer our prayers and send help to us.
Refreshments
There was a wedding earlier held at the main hall of the church. There were some left-over food so they were redirected to the TGIS's table. It was a feast! Today is Ritsu's last day with us so we all spent much time to say farewell to her and give her presents.
We are all going to miss Ritsu very much! She is a very lovely, cheerful lady who burns with passion for God and invites many people to TGIS. We pray that her life in New Zealand be blessed and that God work through her greatly.
Wayne also came back from Hawaii and he brought us some delicious Macadamia nut rice crispies. Here is a group picture of today! I hope everyone comes again~~~ See ya next week!
Thank God It's Saturday!!!
2010.05.15 TGIS Blog (posted by Ronnie and Colin)
No TGIS service today but we had TGIS bus tour!!! After the tour, we joined the Jesus March!!!!
Bus Tour (supposed to be train tour)
We gathered at JR Shinjuku station's at 10am. This bus tour was planned by Pastor Elmer for those who came to join the Tokyo 2010 Conference! The Brothers and Sisters who joined us are from all around the world... India, Peru, Congo, Nigeria, America, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea and more I believe.
Our first sight is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Building (also known as Tocho Tower) in Shinjuku. We then moved to the
Sumitomo Fudosan Mita Twin Building West where Pastor Elmer Inafuku
showed us a small monument that recognizes the Christians that were
martyred several hundred years ago in Japanese history throughout the
country.
And here is the TGIS crew.
Jesus March
After we visited the martyr site at around 2pm, the bus took us to Shiba Park to join the Jesus March. Around 300~400 people gathered and there was a concert going on. We started marching at 3pm toward Hibiya Park for one hour. It was an amazing experience. The Japanese police kindly guided and protected our march. Thank God for current Japan's freedom of demonstration.
May God bless Japan and bring a REVIVAL!
IceBreaker
This week we played the same ice break activity which we would choose a color of a candy and introduce ourselves. Colin got 'Life Saver' candies for us!!! Wow, I never had these ever since I came to Japan.
Worship
Ritsu led the worship and we sang these awesome songs.
1. Amazing by Paradise Live
2. All the Heavens by Hillsongs
3. I Could Sing of Your Love Forever
4. From The Inside Out by Hillsongs
Message
Today we had a special messenger - Aaron Patience. He is a lawyer from New Zealand and currently works in Tokyo.
He shared about what is so amazing about God's love and grace.
God's love does not diminish just because we don't please Him. Jesus sacrificed His life also for those who didn't know Him. This is true unconditional love.
We, in our daily lives, may encounter people who are not friendly to us or whom we dislike. We often have difficulty showing love to these people but Jesus does not. That is how amazing His love is about.
Sin is sin. There is no such thing as big sin or small sin. The difference is in the consequences. Thus, we are all sinners of some sort, so we all need God's mercy and forgiveness.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that the gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Amen. This is how amazing God's grace is.
Fellowship
Wooohooo~ Takako-san brought us roll-cake from Fujiya and Colin brought us dipping cheese sticks!
Finally, let us all pray for Wayne for he has returned to Hawaii to see his ill mother. Let's pray that there be peace, comfort and healing in Wayne's family.