Shaken earth, Unshaken hearts

I'm safe and sound here in Yamanashi Ken. Thank the Good Lord for His mercy and grace to us here!!


Its been a strange, surreal weekend, knowing that other parts of the country are devastated and destroyed, but here we are going about our daily routines, for the most part.  Life is precious gift.  Because I have been given life and health and strength, I've been given responsibility.  All we who are able ought to be good stewards of the life we've been given. What is a good steward? Its a person who uses what he has to the best of his ability, not neglecting his talents, gifts, or even simple abilities that may bring help to others, and certainly bring glory to God.  God is the giver of all good things. If He has given me life and breath, I can give glory back to him by using my life and breath to spread His love and do His good work here on earth. 


Speaking of doing good work, Japan will need lots of help in the future; rebuilding roads, homes, businesses; caring for medical needs; putting people's livelihoods back together. Money and helping hands will do a lot of that, but honestly- Japan needs the hope of Jesus as their Savior more than anything else. In times such as this, to whom can they pray? What future hope do they have, if they do not have the hope of joining Jesus in Heaven one day? Without the Lord God, life is hopeless.


If nothing else, I ask you to please pray! Prayers are more powerful than money, more powerful than man-power. Prayers reach the Almighty God in heaven, and He is ultimately in control (as we can really see that we humans are so NOT in control!)  Even as I type, my building is rocking slightly; the floor is quivering and my stomach is rolling. As we continue to encounter after shocks, and face the reality of the hard road ahead, my eyes and my heart turn toward Psalm 73:23-26:
 
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
 
Amen.