Author Archives: jgarrott

About jgarrott

Born and raised in Japan of missionary parents. Have been here as an adult missionary since 1981.

Freedom; May 8, 2023

Posted on May 9, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 119:45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. Of all the nations on earth, America is probably the one most founded on, and obsessed with, freedom. However, the devil has been working overtime … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged freedom, joy, liberty, obedience to God, overcoming, religion, restrictions, rules, salvation, WWJD | Leave a comment

Salvation; May 7, 2023

Posted on May 8, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 118:14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. In a way this Psalm seems almost like a “best hits collection” of lines from other Psalms. That said, it has some pretty good lines … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged commitment, cultural Christianity, evangelism, focus, God's plans, presumption, pursuing God, salvation, singing, songs | Leave a comment

Witnesses; May 6, 2023

Posted on May 7, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 116:1-2 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. It is interesting to me that … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged evangelism, experiencing God, faith, Hank Gruver, hearing God, hearsay, ministry in Japan, opinions, testimony, witnessing | Leave a comment

Gods and Idols; May 5, 2023

Posted on May 6, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 115:2-3 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. This exchange might seem a little odd to those not used to physical idols, but the truth in it … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged AI, Creator God, demonstrating Christ, God's desire, idolatry, idols, ministry in Japan, our concept of God | Leave a comment

The Blessings of Fearing God; May 4, 2023

Posted on May 5, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 112:1 Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. This anonymous Psalm certainly paints a desirable picture for us to aim for. Japanese grammar expresses this verse more on … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged blessings, fearing God, God's grace, human imperfection, idolatry, My Way, rewards, totalitarian governments | Leave a comment

Wisdom and Understanding; May 3, 2023

Posted on May 4, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Sometimes the world seems insane, with people insisting that biology is meaningless, good is evil … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged AI, fathers, insanity, intelligence, parents, the family, truth, understanding, wisdom | Leave a comment

Gratitude; May 2, 2023

Posted on May 3, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 106:24-25 Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord. What follows this is a horrendous record of idolatry and child sacrifice, certainly bringing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged Dennis Prager, faith, gifts, good things, gratitude, grumbling, happiness, obedience to God, pride, spiritual warfare | Leave a comment

Impatience; May 1, 2023

Posted on May 2, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 106:13 But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel. This particular issue has snared people throughout history, and it certainly does today. Forgetting all that God has done in the past, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged experiencing God, God's timing, impatience, listening to God, patience, pride, Reading the Bible, revival in Japan, wait in hope, waiting | Leave a comment

Trusting God; April 30, 2023

Posted on May 1, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 91:2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” I have loved the musical setting of these first three verses for over 40 years, and in this case, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged cherry picking the Bible, faith, pandemic, presumption, testing God, trusting God | Leave a comment

An Undivided Heart; April 29, 2023

Posted on April 30, 2023 by jgarrott

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. There are other striking passages in this Psalm, but this verse sings to me … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged choices, distractions, fearing God, focus, God's grace, loving God, obedience to God, undivided heart, wisdom | Leave a comment

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