My colleague John Houlette just completed an outstanding book for Japanese pastors. And, the principles and stories are ones that will help you thrive in every season.
I encourage you to get a copy and learn, not only how Japanese church leaders can thrive but also how you can thrive. You can access a copy here:
Resilience:
How Japanese Pastors Can Thrive in Every Season
Perhaps you've resolved in 2021 to read more Scripture or to pray more consistently. If so, I think you’ll enjoy this new prayer app that a friend recommended to me. It helps me do both—to actually pray the Scripture every day!
It’s a short, simple, daily reading and prayer prompt that I’ve found to be helpful in my devotion times recently: LECTIO 365 is a daily devotional app for your mobile phone or tablet.
My friend has been using it with a few of his prayer partners as a way to share what God is doing in their lives each day.
Here's more information about LECTIO 365 from its website...
Dear Friends,
As 2020 wound to a close, the Lord impressed on me the following passage:
"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." —John 1:4
2020 was such a disruptive year. Yet the life of Christ is the light of the world. That gives me hope heading into 2021. I pray that your Christmas and New Year’s celebrations brought joy and the reminder of what is most important, even in the midst of the challenges from 2020, some of which continue to persist.
2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. COVID-19, the global economy, and polarizing politics have left their marks. The 2020 Olympics were delayed and countless people have suffered and hundreds of thousands have died from the pandemic. It all certainly made for a tough year for you and me.
Amid the Dark Clouds though, I was able to report several Silver Linings during our recent Asian Access board meeting. For these, I praise God and am reminded of the importance of giving thanks, even for the challenges we have faced.
Silk and I have had such a wonderful last few weeks in Japan.
Last week we were moving which brought several aches and pains, even after just day one of the move! However, the last four we were able to travel to many places in country and say farewell for this season of ministry.
Joe Handley | My bioJoe joined Asian Access as president in 2008 and has logged many miles traveling across the Asian continent. One thing he has learned is to platform other leaders. In this blog, he hopes to share some of their stories that will encourage you to engage with Asian Access that strives to change the few, who change the many.
Collaborative, communal leadership
empowering multiple centers of influence and
a diverse array of leaders to meet today's challenges.