❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Healing of Mental Illness Series “Theology of Interdependence and Disability” Part 9 (Luke 8:26-39) Mari Ikeda Today is the ninth and final part of our series on Kathy Black’s book. So far, the book has covered physical disabilities such as blindness, deafness, and paralysis, leprosy, and chronic illnesses, but the final topic covered in this book is mental disorders. I must confess that I was not sure whether to take up this chapter. Because the story of casting out demons is discussed in order to consider the healing of mental illness. I think that would lead to the misconception that people with mental illness are…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Taking refuge at the tree of life (Proverbs 3:13-20) Andy Nagahara Today is the week to read Proverbs. Today’s reading is from verse 3:13-20. Let’s start by reading up to verse 16. 1. It is not wealth but wisdom that brings happiness (13-16) 13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. A former president passed away last Tuesday. This…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) A Kernel of Wheat Dies and Produces Many Seeds (John 12:20-26) Mari Ikeda Today we return to our series on the Gospel of John, 12:20-26. This passage contains one of the most famous sayings of Jesus. That is what I have titled today’s message, “A kernel of wheat dies and produces many seeds.” It appears in the second half of the verse, but let’s read the first half first: verses 20-23. A. Jesus’ love spreading around the world (20-23) 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Trust in the LORD with all your heart (Proverbs 3:1-12) Andy Nagahara Today we begin chapter 3 of our Proverbs series. Today I will cover up to verse 12.It contains six things in the context of a father’s instruction to his son. And each one also includes a description of the blessings from God that will come if we follow its instructions. Let’s look at each instruction one by one and see what blessing it brings. 1. Obey the teachings and commandments that are in accordance with God’s will (1,2) 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Living with Chronic Illnesses Series “Theology of Interdependence and Disability” Part 8 (Mark 5:25-34) Mari Ikeda Today is the eighth in our series on Kathy Black’s book. Today we will focus on chronic diseases. Chronic diseases are the kinds of illnesses that are difficult to cure completely and must be lived with for the rest of one’s life, even if the manifestation of symptoms is gradual. They include arthritis, cancer, dementia, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, respiratory disease, and a variety of other rare and incurable illnesses. Although the degree to which illnesses affect our daily lives varies, there are members of this church who suffer…