Scripture vs. Science?

"Scripture, not science, is the ultimate test of all truth. The further evangelicalism gets from that conviction, the less evangelical and the more humanistic it becomes." - John MacArthur

My own opinion is this: Science, even the best science, changes. Before Einstein no one questioned Newton and his laws of motion. Let us not give up the simple reading of Genesis (nor the rest of the Bible) for ever changing theories and "laws". We need to beware of being sucked in by pop-culture and humanistic philosophy and its view of the world.

Porn Producer Converted

Porn Producer Converted

(from Z's blog)

Listen to this very moving story of a former porn producer that has become a Christian. ThinkChristian.net reports:

“Do you believe in transformation?” That’s the question being asked in this interview with former porn producer Donny Pauling. After a short introductory message by pastor Jake Larson of Arcade Baptist Church, Donny talks about his Christian upbringing, his reasons for rejecting Christianity and his active hatred for Christians, his involvement and life in the porn industry, and finally his spiritual transformation. It’s a riveting (and sometimes disturbing) testimony. There’s a shorter text version of the interview as well.

Pauling now works closely with the XXXChurch team, and writes periodically for a blog about the porn industry at the XXXChurch website. Much of his message focuses on the damage that porn does not just to porn consumers, but to the people working in the industry.

See also Pauling’s personal blog.

I listen to this on the way to work this morning. I recommend it highly. May we rejoice in God's work in this brother's life.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

All four parts are now here.



Watch this impressive video series. I don't believe we can win the battle for abortion until Christians get back to this message.

David Tyree: His Testimony & His Faith



Remember the amazing "squash the ball against my helmet" catch the David Tyree made in the Super Bowl? Here is an interesting article about David and his transformation since becoming a Christian.

(HT: Brandon Hoops, Z)

Super Bowl champ Burress: "Give God all the glory"

Plaxico Burress, a wide receiver for the newly-crowned champion team, the New York Giants, told reporters on Sunday that God deserves the glory for his game-winning touchdown catch, reports John Connolly, LifeSiteNews.com.

Burress, who only caught two passes during the whole of the Super Bowl, said he prayed hard when his number came up, with the game on the line and only 35 seconds left to go in the fourth quarter. The Giants had been waiting all game to get Burress into one-on-one coverage against Ellis Hobbs, the Patriots cornerback, and the desired match-up came at the ideal time.

"I gave him a slant fake, he bit it, Eli put it up and I came down with it," said Burress. "I just said, 'God, if you could just get me out of here tonight, based on what I've been through all year with my knee and ankle and the back and everything.' I'm just so grateful for the opportunity and I just told myself [if] I can come out here tonight and compete, I would give God all the glory."

Read the rest here.

Meet A Missionary - Update

Some people have not been able to see our recent ministry video.
If you couldn't see our video before, try clicking here.

Snow Camp!
(Jan. 31st)
The elementary kids were so excited to go up into the mountains for snow camp.
One of my students, Kaushik (originally from India) had never seen snow before! (Can you see the look of satisfaction on his face?) He came in from the snow after about an hour and a half saying, "What does it mean if you can't feel your feet?" I don't think he had ever experienced frost-bite before either!

Today it also snowed the most in Kyoto it has for as long as people can remember. I realized that I actually miss the snow we get in Iowa! If it is going to be cold it might as well snow, I think.

Noah says, "Hi Daddy"

OK, I admit it. I'm a proud daddy. My son Noah stood by himself for about 10 seconds today by himself and he is not even 8 months yet! Maybe we can go skiing together next winter!
I have been trying to get the perfect video of Noah saying, "Hi Daddy" - His new favorite words. See the progression below. I wish I had some of his cutest moments on video - Aw well, they're all cute anyway!

Meet a Missionary

Rudy Vaughan, a wonderful pilot missionary friend has done it again. For two years Rudy has been working hard at his own commercial piloting job and in his extra free-time he has been visiting and encouraging missionaries around the world. In his extra-extra free-time (whew!) Rudy has been making a great website with videos of missionaries and their stories! We are truly thankful for Rudy and his wife Shelly and their dedicated love for the Lord and for the nations.

I am pleased to show you a 14 minute video of Maki and I and our ministry that Rudy made called, "Meet a Missionary". I pray that it encourages you today also to gain a greater heart for the world that Christ died to save.

(The video may take a couple minutes to download properly.)

Mt. McKinley and the demonstration of God's glory



There are other mountains that are taller and bigger, but what makes Mt. McKinley so glorious to people who see it is that it is very close to the ocean.

Viewed from sea level, a 20,000 foot peak, literally jutting out of depths of water, can be KNOWN more fully and the fullness of the beauty of Mt. McKinley can be ENJOYED more fully. I argue (as Paul seems to in Romans 9:22-23) that God's mercy and grace would not be enjoyed properly or adequately if we did not readily know the overwhelming baseness of our sin and the sin of those around us - (if we were not in the ocean of sin, as it were) and the horrible judgment sin brings - both now and in the world to come.

If we didn't have real sinners apart from Christ around us we would fast lose the awareness of the wonders of God's glory in His grace to save us, who are no different minus grace. (I believe our memory of this in heaven will be fresh) As we see the depravity of our own hearts as well as those apart from Christ around us, we are drawn into greater awe at the great mercy and grace of God to save such TOTALLY unworthy clay pots at all. It truly is CRAZY, prodigal love! The preciousness of this love is seen and experienced in the fact that it is a narrow door and a narrow path that leads to life. If all around all we could ever see were Mt. McKinleys, Mt. McKinley would be less valued and cherished and less awe-inspiring. God will not deny His children the HIGHEST pleasure in the universe - the fullness of God Himself seen clearly in the holy display of justice, mercy, wrath and love in contrast with the sin of His creatures. God Himself, displayed in the incarnation of Christ, is the infinite and eternal Mt. McKinley our souls long for.

Young People: Do Hard Things!

Two wonderful role-models, Alex and Brett Harris (19 year-old twins), recently sat down for an interview. These guys are the real deal. I am was very impressed with them when Maki and I met them at a conference in Japan. Any young person, especially teenagers, will benefit by following these guys!

Look at their website here.

Order their book here.

The Super Bowl
"The day before the 1972 Super Bowl, Dallas Cowboy running back Duane Thomas said, “If it’s the ultimate game, how come they’re playing it again next year?” Some players seem to get it. Sadly, many fans don’t."
- C.J. Maheney

Rock of Ages
Augustus Toplady wrote this hymn on a playing card when he found shelter from a storm under a rocky overhang near England's Cheddar Gorge. (See picture) These words moved me today to consider the safety, shelter and salvation that the Lord has magnificently and gratuitously given to me.
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me; let me hide myself in Thee. Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure. Not the labors of my hands can fulfill Thy law's demands. Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow, all for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling; naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace; foul, I to the Fountain fly. Wash me, Savior, or I die! While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death, when I rise to worlds unknown, and behold Thee on Thy throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me; let me hide myself in Thee."
Oh what a debt I owe to these great men of God from the past. They seriously stir me to love God.

The Rise of Atheism

Atheism is big in Japan - the overwhelming majority of young people we talk to say they are atheists. Atheism is also growing by leaps and bounds in America. My assertion is that atheism fits best with the modern secular mindset. In a global society that boasts the freedom to choose, we get selfishness, not theism. In a society that promotes tolerance, we get tolerance; but only for those who accept no absolutes. In a society that lifts up the human mind and "science" over God himself, we get macro-evolution, we get abortion and we get all other kinds of evils (Rom. 1:22ff). Put it all together and the new atheism today is not a far stretch at all.

Watch this video by Coral Ridge Ministries to learn more.

Driscoll on Predestination

"For those that think that God is not loving because He does not give us 'free will' Mark Driscoll pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle has a great response."

(HT: DW, Z)

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

This online video by AIG greatly moved me after having our first son. Truly babies are miraculously and amazingly made by God.

The Origin of Life Revisited



For more than 50 years we have heard reports that scientists are on the cusp of creating artificial life. The Associated Press recently announced that "scientists are trying to create life from scratch, and they're getting closer." (Aug. 20, 2007)
Brilliant scientists, devoting all their intellect and untold millions of dollars in facilities and manpower, are laboring to create life as evidence that life arose by chance.
Looking closer at the reports, it appears that these researchers are using chemicals from DNA to help create their protocells. Hardly "from scratch"!
Other challenges? How will the "new" life reproduce itself? How will the cell acquire food and make energy?
In the end, such experiments show that a Master Designer created life and that it did not come about by mindless evolution. These intelligent scientists could spend their time and tax dollars more wisely if they would first consult the Bible to find the answer to life's origins.
(Answers Magazine, Jan.-Mar., 2008)

Noah's "Surveillance" Camera (from Maki)

A STRANGE DAILY HABIT

Mrs. Sasaki has a strange daily habit that sets her apart from the vast majority of Japanese corporate executives. She has dinner every evening with her family, rather than her business clients.

In a country where a corporate boss is still expected to work until 9 or 10 p.m. every night to keep clients entertained, Mrs. Sasaki's lifestyle is considered highly unorthodox. Even more unconventionally, she devotes her weekends to her two children, rather than escorting her clients to nightclubs or golf courses.

Mrs. Sasaki, who runs an Internet firm and a communications consulting company, usually leaves her office around 6 or 7 p.m. This means her average workday is only 10 or 11 hours long.

"That's very, very short," she laughs. "I encourage my staff to do the same. The problem with men in Japan is that they don't know any other way to spend their time or get happiness – except to work."

Mrs. Sasaki says she wants the "woman's way of thinking" to have a positive influence on the Japanese business world, making it healthier and more balanced.

The 45-year-old entrepreneur, a former television journalist, has created an open and flexible working environment. She allows her two dozen employees to take time off work to visit a school or a daycare centre if they need to look after their children, for example. There are no low-ranking "tea ladies" at her office. Whoever arrives first in the morning – usually Mrs. Sasaki – makes the tea for everyone.

"I want this to be a good workplace for women," she says. "My role is to spotlight the good side of being an entrepreneur."

Source: Tokyo Globe & Mail 2005-03-31

Jobs are necessary, but they are not life. Freedom is too precious to lose to a job.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty

wherewith Christ hath made us free,

and be not entangled again

with the yoke of bondage

(Galatians 5:1).

What a lesson for us to learn as followers of Christ! Never allow anyone or anything again to put on a harness of servitude on you!

Christ has gloriously set us free so that we can enjoy the benefits of freedom!

Neil Verwey

Japan Mission

The Atheist's Big Guns

Recently, more and more on popular video sites such as YouTube and Google Video, I see rampant atheist evangelism. It seems atheists are trying to destroy the grounds for belief, especially belief in the Bible. The main way they are doing this is through attacking special creation and the need for it. Bible believing Christians are portrayed as weak-minded or brainwashed. Sadly, many Christians are too busy with other things to realize that our foundations are being slighted and the faith of millions are being shipwrecked. I believe it is time for Christians, especially Christians in America, to get back to the foundations in Genesis. If Genesis can't be trusted or can't be taken seriously, how can the rest of the Bible be taken as such?

I have highlighted several points of attack and answers to these attacks in the past on this blog. I encourage you to find these articles and read them. If you want to be taken seriously as a Christian in the future, it is time for you to start taking these attacks seriously.

Finally, here is one "gun" that I continue to see in the atheist repertoire: Beneficial Mutation.

Read the article below for a great response. Science is not on the side of atheists. Sadly, brainwashing is.

Antibiotic Resistance of Bacteria: An Example of Evolution in Action?

Listening and Learning from Non-Christians

"Francis Schaeffer used to say that if he had only one hour with someone, he would spend fifty-five minutes asking questions and five minutes trying to say something that would speak to his or her situation, once he understood a little more about what was going on in in his or her heart and mind."

(Quote taken from The Heart of Evangelism, by Jerram Barrs)

My friend Jonathan Dodson and my brother Doug have had some good thoughts on this topic recently.

I personally think this is one reason why God makes most missionaries clueless, both linguistically and culturally at first. As I (Mark) was deep in language and culture study, I began to learn so much FROM my Japanese friends; and that has continued to today. I am grateful that I can say so many positive things about the people who I am here to give my life to. They are not projects, they are friends for whom I expect to not only teach, but to learn a lot from.

A good message for "good people"

One of my friends sent me this message. This is what us "good Christians" need to hear; as well as any other person that calls him or herself a good person. You won't really know love unless you know this message.

Watch Paul Washer's message here.

How do you know the Bible is true?

R.C. Sproul answers that question here.

Cool Flowers in Japan
I found these pretty close to my apartment.

These look like they are ceramic or something!

These looked like Hot Tomales or Mike and Ike's.


I love all the flowers that bloom here even when it gets down to freezing!

Tom Brady & Emptiness

(Scroll down for more thoughts on Mr. Brady.)

An E-mail from a Christian Brother

Last week, I reported to you regarding extensive persecution of Christians in the Indian state of Orissa during the Christmas holiday period, December 22-January 1. Again, I ask you to pray for your brothers and sisters who face the worst persecution they have experienced since Indian independence in 1947.

Last week, I reported 74 churches and 800 homes of Christians burned. Since that time, we have learned of another 21 churches that were torched by Hindu radicals. We reported thousands of Orissa Christians who had to flee into the forests for their lives without water or food. Many of those people were existing on water licked from leaves. Some of the people reported deliverance from wild animals.

Since January 1, at least 4 evangelists have been burned alive in Orissa. At least 200 people are still missing, and of these, at least 100 are presumed dead. The state government has done virtually nothing to meet the needs of the suffering Christians. With little or no support by the police, Christians are still living in fear. They are getting sick from a lack of good food and water.

There is some good news. In the last day or two, members of six opposition parties have entered Orissa to talk to government officials and meet with those who have suffered. They are unanimous in finding that the root cause of the violence in Orissa comes from the radical Hindus. They have condemned the ineffectiveness of the government of Orissa and their complicity with the radicals, and they vow to present their findings to authorities in the federal government.

Orissa has long had policies hostile to Christians. It has one of the most stringent anti-conversion laws in India, ironically called the Freedom of Religion Act of 1967. In this act, conversion from one religion to another is forbidden under conditions of force, inducement, allurement, or fraudulent means ," terms that are very elastic in their meanings when interpreted by police officers and other officials who already have hostility against Christianity. These laws have not kept the church in Orissa from experiencing steady growth.

Pray for the ongoing situation in Orissa. Pray for the safety of Christians. Pray for those who have suffered and endured loss of family members, homes, churches, businesses and other properties. Pray that God will use these terrible experiences for good. Pray for boldness and patience and endurance for those who have suffered. Pray that God will give to the Christians a strong testimony that will impress those who are not believers and bring growth to the church. Pray for the 100+ IGO evangelists working in Orissa, that God will encourage them and strengthen them to go on.

Blessings to you and your family during these days.

With love in Christ,

T. Valson Abraham

Quote of the Day
Grace is God's giving us sovereign joy in God that triumphs over joy in sin.
- Augustine

Baptisms!Four people at our church were baptized on Jan. 6! Praise God!

We were so happy for Ayano to get baptized. God has really done a lot in her life this year.
We feel so blessed to have been used by God to help her this year.

Huckabee and Evangelicals

Michael Medved crunches some numbers from the Iowa Caucuses, and concludes:

Those who insist, over and over again, that the Iowa Caucuses reflected “Christian identity politics” or a “tidal wave of Evangelical support” are basing their analysis on feelings, not facts; on vapors, not voters. It’s dishonest to say that a guy who just won a crushing state-wide victory, without even winning the majority of his own religious group, displayed a one dimension appeal to Christian zealots only.

This endlessly repeated story line is not only tired, it’s a lie.

(HT: JT)

Iowans: Vote for Huckabee!