ベサニー・キリスト教会

Celebration of Life: Pastor Paul Sunde

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:58:00 +0900

Thank you, Paul sensei We will all see you in Heaven

ベサニーキリスト教会からのご報告／ Notice from Bethany Christ Church

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:07:48 +0900

ベサニーキリスト教会からのご報告長い間ガンと戦い続けてきたポール・リチャード・サンデ牧師が、 2009年11月29日（日）午前0時44分、天の御国に召されました。この間、多くの方々が牧師の為に祈りをささげて下さいました事を感謝申し上げます。ぜひ、残された教会員の為にも引き続きお祈りください。 Notice from Bethany Christ Church After a long battle against Cancer, our Pastor Paul Richard Sunde had returned back to our Father in Heaven at 0:44 on Sunday the 29th of November, 2009. All of the Church members appreciate that so many brothers and sisters throughout the world had prayed for him. We still would like to ask your continued support and prayers for our church members.

Englsih Service

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:19:19 +0900

English service at the Bethany Christ Church On Sunday the 20th of September from 4:00pm, we will be hosting our English service. It is an informal get together, praising and worshipping the Lord with our brothers, sisters, and friends. The service is conducted in English, with Japanese interpretation, so anyone can enjoy. Please come and join us. We also enjoy chatting over coffee and cookies after the service. See you there! ベサニーキリスト教会　英語集会 9月20日（日）の午後4時から英語集会を行います。兄弟・姉妹・友達と共に、リラックスした雰囲気で賛美と礼拝をおこないます。集会は英語で行いますが、もちろん日本語の通訳も付きますので、どなたが参加して頂いても大丈夫。是非ご参加ください。集会後のコーヒータイムでおしゃべりするのも楽しみの一つです。お待ちしています。

Four Questions

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:27:38 +0900

Edith and Francis Schaeffer There are four questions that Edith Schaeffer would try to ask people who were serious about becoming Christians. The four questions are: 1. Do you believe God exists? 2. Do you acknowledge the fact that you are a sinner? 3. Do you believe that Jesus came in space, time, and history? 4. Do you bow to this God, and accept what Christ did for you, personally and individually, taking your deserved punishment, for your individual sins, as He dies outside Jerusalem? I have shortened the questions-some of them are quite a bit longer-but I believe that these four questions are key and that we as Christians need to sometimes review our faith to make sure our basic faith is secure. And of course as we talk to our non-Christian friends these are the kinds of questions we should be asking if we get the chance. Paul

The Church in Japan: Bluegrass Again!

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:20:31 +0900

Morishige Noboru San, Paul, and Reiko at the Festival This year, Mr. Mido from the New Life Church, and Reiko and I were able to once again attend the annual Takarazuka Bluegrass Festival. We got there just in time to hear the Christian Singer-Song-Writer, Morishige Noboru, singing at the center stage. Morishige San always sings original songs in Japanese that have a strong Christian and gospel message. After Morishige San was done we stayed to talk with him and also to listen to some of the other music. As I have mentioned before, the themes in bluegrass tend to be Jesus, Sin, Salvation, and Heaven. As they are usually sung in English the message might not be getting through but I am always so happy to hear such songs being sung in Japan.I trust that there are those who understand English and also those who take the time to translate some of the songs. At any rate, we had a wonderful time and I hope we can go again next year. Paul

A Quote by Edith Sachaeffer

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:59:52 +0900

The thing about real life is that important events don't announce themselves. Trumpets don't blow, drums don't beat to let you know you are going to meet the most important person you've ever met, or read the most important thing you are ever going to read, or have the most important conversation you are ever going to have, or spend the most important week you are ever going to spend.Usually something that is going to change your whole life is a memory before you can stop and be impressed about it. Edith Sachaeffer Page 53 of the new expanded edition of L'Abrii

A Testimony by One of our Members

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:56:30 +0900

「福音を述べ伝えるということ」こんにちは、なほです。今日は素敵なあかしをみなさんとシェアしたくて書きます。私は個人ブログを日課にしています。日常のことを書いているのですが、その中でもここベサニーキリスト教会に通い出してから“神さま”というカテゴリをつくって、ポール先生が教えてくれたこと、同じ兄弟姉妹の人から聞いたこと、自分で感じたことなどなどを書いていくようになってね。と言ってもホントにつたない文章やねんけども。。。そしたら本当に大勢の人たちが見てくれてて、その中で神様のしもべとして働いているんだな～って嬉しくなることが沢山あります。今までにも色々メッセージをもらっているのですが、今回本当に神様の大きなみ手が働いていると感じたのが、ある地域に住んでいる女の子が、数年前、お友達に連れられてすこしの間教会に通っていたことがあったそうで。神様の話を聞くのはとても好きだったらしいのですが、自分はなんとなく今のままでいいような気がしていた。そしてそのうち、教会にも行かなくなって神様から離れてしまっていた・・・と。そんな折、私のブログをたまたまみつけて「おもしろいこと書いてあるな～元気をもらえるな～」て思って読んでいたら、なんと！なほちゃんクリスチャンなの！？てビックリしたらしいのです。それからさかのぼって全部のブログに目を通してくれたそうなんです。そこで、その昔教会へ連れて行ってくれたクリスチャンのお友達にも、私のブログの話をしてくれたそうで。そして彼女はある日の夜、友達と会った帰り道神様にお祈りしたそうです。（※ここからは彼女のメールの転送です）「もし本当に神様がいらっしゃるなら、私が分かるようにサインをください、例えば今から帰ってなほちゃんブログを開けた瞬間に分かるような～」と軽い気持ちで思いながら帰宅して、PCあけて、なほちゃんのブログ開けた瞬間に "God Bless ur home"の超可愛い刺繍の写真が出てきてかなりビビりました。で、次の日会社へ行ったら、同僚の子が ”見て～、新しいネイル”って見せてくれたその柄は十字架でした。ひえ～と思いながら帰宅して、なほちゃんブログ（ほぼストーカー状態ですな。。ごめんね）を開けたらポール先生の動画が！！（※ちょうど羊飼いと羊の部分でした）これは見るしかないと思ってみてたら、 ”ルカの１９の10節を見てください”ってとこで動画が切れてたので、すぐ○○ちゃんにメールで聞いたら「人の子は、失われた人を捜して救うために来たのです」って。なんだか偶然とは思えないことが続いて、すごくわくわくしてきてます。なほちゃんブログからメッセージ出まくりですよ！刺激と安らぎの両方。神様の話も飲んだくれているなほちゃんも、回りの人たちも皆さん全部ひっくるめてとってもいい感じで、毎日読むのが楽しみで仕方ありません。笑顔は笑顔を生むってホントだなって、なほちゃんみてると実感します。そのうち○○ちゃんと大阪に遊びに行って、ぜひポール先生の教会に行こうって話してました。って！！私が気ままにやっているネットショッピングサイトで彼女がお買いものをしてくれて、その時に彼女からのメッセージが備考欄に書かれてあったのです。嬉しくなって、自分の持っていたサブの聖書を商品と一緒に発送したのです。なんとなく、聖書を送りたくなって。きっと、神様の力が働いていると思います。彼女のことを一生懸命にお祈りします！それまで、自分の中でわかっているけども、目に見えないものをずっと信じ続けてあほみたい！！なんて思ってしまう日も最近あって、ちょっと罪とか知らないときのほうが楽しく生きていけたんちゃうの？なんて考えたりもしてしまってたけど、彼女を通じて、私自身がめちゃめちゃ励まされました！やっぱり神様はおって、ちゃんと見てくれているんだと。天のお父さま感謝します。アーメンなほ

Things Japanese: How Western is Japan?

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:32:35 +0900

The view from Starbucks-notice the red and white pattern on the lacquer stall. People often worry that Japan is becoming too western and that all of the traditional Japanese culture will be lost in time. I myself have been noticing the opposite. It seems that no matter how western Japan gets, wherever you go, there is always something very Japanese and very traditional in sight. This was brought home to me this morning as I sat in Starbucks. From my seat I could see the French supermarket clearly. Coffee from America and vegetables from France-how much more western can you get? However, when I first sat down that was not what I saw-I seemed to be surrounded by a mountain of traditional Japanese lacquer ware. A lacquer ware seller has set up his stall next to Starbucks and the seat that I chose happened to be right next to his stall. I moved to the next seat where I could see, not only the lacquer ware stall but also the rest of Starbucks and the French super market. I was especially interested in the red and white cloth that covered the bottom part of the stall-this is as traditional as you can get-it is a Japanese pattern that stall owners use all over Japan. Needless to say I have never seen it in Minnesota or other parts of Asia. My experience this morning was typical I think. No matter where you and no matter how western things may look at first, look a little bit closer and you will for sure see some traditional Japanese items or patters or whatever. So, for myself I am not worrying that Japan is becoming too western-I just don't think it will happen. Enjoy Japan. Paul

Japnaese Mountains: Mt. Makio

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:37:48 +0900

The Mt. Makio Visitor Center Ever since my stay in the hospital I have been very very weak. I have been able to handle some local shopping but doing any kind of hiking or climbing so far has been out of the question. However, I can't keep the mountains out of my system. The other day I decided to visit Mt. Makio-not to climb but to at least breathe some of the mountain air and talk to some of my friends there. Reiko and I drove to Mt. Makio around noon and headed for the Makio San Kanko Center for a bowl of udon. (Japanese noodles) The owners were worried about me and glad to see me again. In Osaka that day it was really really hot but in the little shop there a couple of fans were all that were needed to keep everyone nice and cool-it was good to be back in the mountains again! Reiko and I were enjoying our udon when the owner's wife brought us a couple of onigiri (rice balls) and this really completed the meal. Even though I could not climb the mountain or do any rock climbing I was able to relax and at least enjoy the mountain atmosphere. I am praying for the day when my strength returns and I can tackle the mountain again. At the same time I am thankful that even in my weak state I can still visit the mountains and have an enjoyable time there. Paul

Good Books: The Trouble with Paris by Mark Sayers

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:45:47 +0900

Mark Sayer has written a very interesting and easy to read book about what he calls Hyperreality. Hyperreality is the view or reality or worldview that is presented to us through all of our modern communication tools-our PCs, the internet, our cell phones, ads, and the media in general. His view is that this is a distorted view of reality-that it makes us want to become people we cannot be and own things we really cannot ever buy. It promises to make us more beautiful than we ever can be and otherwise gives us many false hopes. Some of his chapter titles are: The Whole of Life as Shopping: Hyperconsumerism, Hyperconsumerism as Religion, and Good-bye to the Plastic Jesus of Hyperreality. He has divided the whole book into three sections-Hyperreality, Reality, and God's Reality. Mark is very different from Francis Schaeffer but I believe he is tryting to do in 2009 what Schaeffer was trying to do in the 60s and 70s-to wake Christians up and to get Christians to understand the kind of culture they were living in and the kind of culture that their children were growing up in. This is a book that I highly recommend. Paul

Our English Service

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:55:25 +0900

English service at the Bethany Christ Church On Sunday the 19th of July from 4:00pm, we will be hosting our English service. It is an informal get together, praising and worshipping the Lord with our brothers, sisters, and friends. The service is conducted in English, with Japanese interpretation, so anyone can enjoy. Please come and join us. We also enjoy chatting over coffee and cookies after the service. See you there! ベサニーキリスト教会　英語集会 7月19日（日）の午後4時から英語集会を行います。兄弟・姉妹・友達と共に、リラックスした雰囲気で賛美と礼拝をおこないます。集会は英語で行いますが、もちろん日本語の通訳も付きますので、どなたが参加して頂いても大丈夫。是非ご参加ください。集会後のコーヒータイムでおしゃべりするのも楽しみの一つです。お待ちしています。

A Health Update

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:25:13 +0900

Paul at his friend's coffeehouse on the 9th of July.after getting out of the hospital On the 23rd of June I was suddenly hospitalized.Both of my kidneys were infected and my bladder was also not working right. On the 26th I had simple surgery to run tubes from both of my kidneys to my bladder and also a tube from my bladder outside. The surgery was successful and I began to get better right away. However, I soon ran unto another problem-I had an alergic reaction to some of my medicine it took some time to take care of this. By God's grace this problem also cleared up and on the 4th of July I was given a clear bill of health-however it was suggested I stay the weekend at the hospital and check out on Monday the 6th-which I did. I am now home trying to get used to non-hospital life again. I am very very weak but have a good appetite and so hopefully I will be able to gain back some of the weight I lost. I want to thank all of you who have prayed for me and have come to visit me. I was extra glad that Lydia came to see me before flying to America and that Mr. Mido brought his guitar and sang some original songs for me. Also, Pastor and Mrs. Konishi made quite a long trip to see me-thanks. And of course my wife, Reiko, was a wonderful support and helper to me in the hospital. Please continue to pray for me as I battle my sickness and serve the Lord here. Daily, God gives me the strength for that day and I am so thankful for that. Paul

Good Books: Two Books About Capitalism

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:32:14 +0900

I am now reading two very good books about capitalism. The first is "The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism" by Michael Novak and the second is "Money, Greed, and God" by Jay. W. Richards. Michael Novak is an American Catholic philosopher and his book is one of the classic works on the subject. I have not finished reading the whole book yet but he seems to cover his subject in a very complete manner. His book was first published in 1982 but is really timeless. He started out as a socialist but gradually came to change his thinking. In his book he takes us through the steps that led to his conclusion that democratic capitalism was not only a good system but seems to be the only economic system that really works. It is a long and scholarly work and seems to be full of what I can only call "wisdom". At any rate, a very good read. Jay W. Richards is a Protestant Christian Theologian and Apologist and his book was published just this year. (2009) The subtitle for his book reads, "Why Capitalism is the Solution and not the Problem". That pretty much sums up his message. It is a shorter book and is much easier to read than Michael Novak's book. However, their message is the same and I suspect that Jay's book may become a modern classic on the subject. Those who may not read "The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism" because it seems too long and difficult will no doubt find "Money, Greed, and God" easy and fun reading while being very deep at the same time. He uses eight myths that most people believe about capitalism and each chapter is devoted to one myth and showing why it is a myth and not the truth. And so, in this case also, a very good read. If you have not yet read these two books I highly recommend them. Paul

English Service Announcement

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 07:39:18 +0900

English service at the Bethany Christ Church On Sunday the 14th of June from 4:00pm, we will be hosting our English service. It is an informal get together, praising and worshipping the Lord with our brothers, sisters, and friends. The service is conducted in English, with Japanese interpretation, so anyone can enjoy. Please come and join us. We also enjoy chatting over coffee and cookies after the service. See you there! ベサニーキリスト教会　英語集会 6月14日（日）の午後4時から英語集会を行います。兄弟・姉妹・友達と共に、リラックスした雰囲気で賛美と礼拝をおこないます。集会は英語で行いますが、もちろん日本語の通訳も付きますので、どなたが参加して頂いても大丈夫。是非ご参加ください。集会後のコーヒータイムでおしゃべりするのも楽しみの一つです。お待ちしています。

Japanese Mountains: The Joy of Sharing

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:46:34 +0900

Lydia trying her hand at rock climbing at the Kura Iwa in Osaka, Japan. Some weeks ago I wrote about "One Rope" and how thankful I was to have someone share their precious climbing rope with me. Some days ago, I went rock climbing with Lydia (Jon Dugan's daughter) and learned another important lesson-that was the joy of sharing. When I bought all my climbing equipment last fall, the last thing I though about was someone else using it. That thought just did not enter my mind. However, talking to Lydia and finding out that she really wanted to do some rock climbing here I realized that to make it happen I would need to lend her all of my equipment. Some days ago on a beautiful spring day we went rock climbing at Mt. Makio. After looking at the various climbing areas it was time for Lydia to climb. I helped her into my harness and explained the several pieces of equipment needed. I then had a really wonderful time watching her climb. In fact I think I enjoyed watching her climb more than had I been climbing myself. There is something special about enabling someone to enjoy and experience something new. There is the joy of being helped but then there is the joy of helping. There is the joy of receiving but then there is also the joy of giving. At any rate we had a wonderful time of climbing (even though I did none of it) and were happy to go down the mountain a bit to the rest house in front of the temple for some hot coffee and good conversation with the good people who run the rest house there. Matthew: So in everything,do to others what you would have them do to you. Paul