RJC Items

I am sending out the latest RJC Network EMail right now. It includes an opportunity for a paid interpreting job with Samaritan’s Purse, working in the Tohoku area. Also, several ministry resources, including a paper by Don Urquhart listing various ways we can be involved with Japanese ministries, and information about Samuel Lee’s latest edition of his popular book, Understanding Japan Through the Eyes of Christian Faith. If you are interested, let me know.

Also, you might want to know why I have not been writing additional “Rules of Thumb.” Hopefully I will continue these when I find my outline. Perhaps the title will be “DON’T LOOSE THINGS.”

Continue to pray

This morning three things came across my computer. One email told of a missionary friend in Japan who was leaving tomorrow (Monday) with a team of nine to help in the clean-up work.   Lord,bless their ministry.

A second was a news report of a 7.0 “aftershock” that hit off the Tohoku coast this morning, Sunday. Lord, help those who are struggling to put their lives back together, and help the Christians who seek to serve them.

A third was the report of how the high temperatures were affecting the relief workers. The high temperatures, the lack of shade, and the lack of running water in many places are causing health problems for these workers. Lord, give special strength for these.

Great Videos and Audios

For the last few days I have been doing something I should have been doing five months ago. I have uploaded most all the videos and audios from our 10th annual International RJC Conferenc in February. RJC Videos and Audios.

Here is a quick list:
Two Video Presentations of Jack and Keiko Marshall.
Two Video Presentations of Yusaku Ota.
Seven Audios in Basics in Ministry Track, including Japan from the Outside In-Dennis Peters, Literature Tools for Evangelism-Don Regier, Manga Tools for Evangelism-Roald Lidal, Outstanding Christian Leaders-Roberta Peabody, Outstanding Past Christian Leaders-Izumi Araki, Preparing Them to Return-Ken Milhous
Five Audios in Ministry Issues.
Four Audios on Christian Life (Japanese only).
Four Audio Workshops.

Enjoy! And let me know your feedback.

Rules of Thumb #14 Sinner, Saint and Servant

I discovered this little outline after we returned from Japan, but I have found it extremely helpful as I think of ministry and my personal faith walk. The outline comes from Philippians chapter 1. The second and third words are clearly stated in chapter one, verse one. The first word, “sinner,” seeps through all of Paul’s writings.

Sinner
We know that we are sinners, imperfect and quick to stray from God’s paths, but in the excitement of ministry it is easily forgotten.

Saint
This word reminds us that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we have become completely forgiven, perfect before the Lord. The word allows us access to the Lord’s mercy and blessing.

Servant
This word can arrange our daily schedule, our priorities and life style. This day is yours, Lord.

These three words have become part of my daily devotional time. I try to look in the mirror at the beginning of the day and say, “Wright, you are a sinner! You will most likely foul things up, say the wrong words, and miss God’s wonderful plan.”

“Wright, you are a saint! No slouching allowed. Your sins have been cleaned up because of Jesus, and today you can be confident that I am with you. Be bold in your saintly work.”

“Wright, you are a servant! Today is another opportunity to serve Jesus and serve one another.”

Leaving one of these out, or concentrating on one more than the other hinders our ministry!

Join with me in the Triple S Club

Christ is All!

Recently I started back through David Bryant’s classic, “Christ is All.” His sub-title is “A Joyful Manifesto on The Supremacy of God’s Son.”

This book is a great reminder that RJC needs to have the C (Christ) in bold, huge font size. It is only He who makes the “Reaching” meaningful. And it is only He who can give meaning and hope to the “Japanese.”

The Link

It is exciting to see the Lord pull individuals and ministries together for His Glory. That is part of the blessing of “Reaching Japanese for Christ.” So I am very pleased to see what Daniel Morgan and the friends in the Houston area have come up with. Check out their new connecting website called Sunrise Houston Japanese Network.
May others catch the vision to help link ministries in their area also. Thank you Daniel.

RJC Website

It has been too long since my last blog! Two days ago I read about a blogger who posts five a day. Then today we met Japanese friends at the airport. During lunch she commented that she hadn’t received any blogs lately! Yes, Lord, I hear You!

So here is one offering. Today I uploaded three audios from the February International RJC Conference in February. Please check them out. They are linked atRJC Network. There are two from ken Milhous and one from Roald Lidal.

Another Prayer

I just watched a very well done prayer video on Japan. I think you will also be blessed.
Prayer for Japan.

Also, if anyone is interested in taking the new RJC Academy class “Preparing to Go,” please let me know. It is four-weeks, free, on-line and starting May 9.

When you pray

Thank you for continuing to pray for those in the Tohoku area of Japan. John Gibbs, a missionary in Japan, shares this powerful request.

• What the Christians in the affected areas are asking for is “PLEASE SEND PEOPLE WHO CAN TEACH THE GOSPEL!” That is one thing neither the Japanese government nor the Red Cross could ever supply, and is in short supply.

Hope for Japan

Tomorrow (April 29) I leave for the weekend in L.A. Friday will be a chance to connect with Fuller Seminary students who are concerned about Japan. Then in the evening there will be a lecture by a Japanese scholar on Japan-Korea relationships and slum ministries (I don’t think these two are necessarily related.)

On Saturday we have the Hope for Japan meeting sponsored by RJC, JEMS, JCFN, CC and others.

On Sunday I plan to worship at the Rolling Hills Covenant Church in the morning and International Vine Church in the afternoon, two very healthy Japanese churches.

And as the Bible teaches us, all of this is “If the Lord wills!”