by Mike Costanzo | May 9, 2023 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
What kinds of things in life do you enjoy? What brings you joy, happiness, or pleasure? What delights you, brings a smile to your face, makes you wish it would never end? I think that for most of us, delicious gourmet food or refreshing beverages rank pretty high on...
by Mike Costanzo | Jun 22, 2022 | Faith, Reflections
Everyone knows that we here in America are in the midst of an all-out culture war regarding guns and their place in society. And in this skirmish, most of the pro-gun rhteoric presupposes the sanctity of a little thing called “self-defense.” This tenet of U.S....
by Mike Costanzo | Sep 17, 2012 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.1 In the version of the Bible I read, the New Testament talks a lot about the “flesh”—that is, my sinful nature, the part of me that is hell-bent and always wanting to do...
by Mike Costanzo | Apr 8, 2012 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
This morning in church my pastor said something profound: Why don’t Christians make more of Easter? He didn’t mean it in a guilt-inducing, shame-on-you sort of way; that doesn’t help anybody. But he had a good point: on Christmas we give gifts and...
by Mike Costanzo | Apr 1, 2012 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
Oftentimes when God says, “No,” to something we really want, it’s hard to believe that His heart toward us is tender and loving and that He delights to give us good things (Psalm 107:9). But He has been teaching me recently that sometimes when He...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 30, 2012 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
I’m reminded tonight that of all the things I put my time and energy into, only two will remain: people and the Bible. People last forever. Whether in Heaven or in Hell, I believe we all have a permanent, everlasting existence. Thus, my time spent with people is...
by Mike Costanzo | May 15, 2011 | Disaster, Faith, Missions, Reflections
What is God doing in Japan? God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at...
by Mike Costanzo | Jun 18, 2010 | Faith, Reflections
When I was growing up, I was told a lie—by my family, by my peers, by the society in which I lived. I was told that the true value of a man is measured in how “studly” you are. I was told that manly men were those who were so charming, handsome, and strong that they...
by Mike Costanzo | Jun 11, 2010 | Faith, Reflections
Doubting has a bad rep in the modern American Evangelical church. This must be due at least in part to Biblical imperatives that condemn certain kinds of doubting as sin: “Ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven...
by Jen Costanzo | Jan 5, 2008 | Faith, Holidays/Special Events, Reflections, Travel
Over the course of our visits to the different temples in Kyoto, we had the opportunity to see a lot of people both worshiping at the temples as well as monks and nuns who work full-time at these sites. I kept thinking, “I’m so sorry for you!”...
by Mike Costanzo | Dec 24, 2007 | Faith, Music, Video
Back in November, I discovered a poem in my daily devotional by William Jay (published in 1828) called “Though Dwelling With Strangers Around” . The words were so powerful, I decided to see if anyone had ever put it to music. To my surprise, I found...
by Jen Costanzo | Oct 7, 2007 | Faith, Jen, Reflections
This is such a controversial issue among Christians today. I don’t want to get embroiled in the controversy, but I can’t help but talk about some of the areas of contemplation my brain has stumbled across after living in Japan for a year. I think...
by Mike Costanzo | Jul 8, 2007 | Faith, Friends, Prayer
We’ve been thinking for a while now that about posting brief update on what God has been doing recently at Koriyama Baptist Church (our “home church”). This church has truly been a blessing to us in ways that we never could have expected. In...
by Mike Costanzo | Jul 4, 2007 | Culture, Faith, Holidays/Special Events
July 7th in Japan is a holiday called Tanabata. Most Americans have never heard of Tanabata, and after a lot of asking around at my school, I’ve come to find out that many Japanese know very little about the true history of the tradition, why certain things are...
by Mike Costanzo | Apr 8, 2007 | Devotion, Faith, Holidays/Special Events
Happy Easterfrom Japan!!! This morning we celebrate the ressurection of the Lord, who suffered, died, was buried, and then on the third day rose again–and all for us! This morning, our whole team gathered at 6 am, walked to the top of a big hill, and had a time...
by Mike Costanzo | Apr 7, 2007 | Devotion, Faith, Holidays/Special Events
O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile O come and mourn with me awhile, O come ye to the Savior’s side O come, together let us mourn, Jesus our Lord is crucified. Seven times He spake seven words of love; And all three hours His silence cried For mercy on the souls of...
by Jen Costanzo | Mar 23, 2007 | Devotion, Faith, Jen
Being constant. Faithful in prayer. Expectant to see God’s answer. Hearing no news of change. But still praying. If I cannot catch “the sound of noise of rain” long before the rain falls, and, going to some hilltop of the spirit, as near...
by Mike Costanzo | Feb 13, 2007 | Faith, Holidays/Special Events
It’s hard to know what to do as Christian in Japan sometimes. Of course, it’s always hard to be a Christian in any culture, because that culture will be a mix of good and bad. Plus, even committed Christians will often disagree on what is the right thing...
by Mike Costanzo | May 19, 2006 | Christianity, Faith, Graduation
So, today is my official last day of school; I graded my last test, and recorded the grades, and I’m about to drop them off and be all done with school. Man, do I feel great! What a moment. But, I don’t feel great for the reason that you probably expect. I...
