Plenty of Wins

Saturday was a fun day! It began with two football games at the "Imu," Lahainaluna's football field. It's called the Imu, because just like the Hawaiian cooking pit that it's named after, it gets hot during a game. The Lunas were victorious: first the JV defeated Baldwin High and then the Varsity crushed Kea'au from Hilo. Earlier in the day, my beloved Gators won over my next favorite Warriors. Finally, we visited Tom and Vicki's to look at their photos from the Olympics. There were plenty of wins today all around and it was a lot of fun. It's a great reminder that we are lanakila (victorious) in Christ. Have a blessed worship-filled Sunday.
Aloha -

Actively Living

I really enjoy life. It's an incredible concept that God devised in which we breathe and move and have our being in a world that is an unbelievable place in a personal relationship with the One that created it all. Although my body reminds me that I am not as youthful as I once was, I take every opportunity to engage in sporting events and various physical activities because I love to play. Last night, the parents of the Lahainaluna girls varsity volleyball team played a three game match against the team in which I played in two games. I left the gym early to play in my West Maui softball league game that began at 8:30. This morning... let's just say, I'm paying for actively living in a sense. But, it is worth every moment of it because God has given me the ability, health and chance to enjoy this life and as long as He leaves me here, I am going to love it! Have a blessed long-weekend, if you can, and a hui hou!
Aloha -

Congratulations!

This morning, I read several articles about the Little League World Series Championship team from Waipi'o, Oahu. Tears formed as I saw photos of the players at their first day back at school and how the students and communities received them so warmly and proudly. We are proud of our children as they fulfill accomplishments in life and learn that we are people of celebration regardless of our trials or successes. I also extend my congratulations to this team for their hardwork and dedication to play the game with honor. I encourage you to take the accomplishments of others around you today and celebrate with them, reminding them that through Jesus Christ, we should be the most joy-filled people in the world! Have a blessed day.
Aloha -

Mid-Week Relaxation

I haven't been able to keep my posts up to date in the past few days. Thankfully, I was able to figure out how to expand my i-phone knowledge to post one the other day, but this week has been busy. Sometimes in the midst of busy, I really need a recharge of my batteries. Today, I had a chance to play golf with one of my best golf buddies, Tom Shoquist. Tom and I walked and talked and hit and talked and - you get the picture - we enjoyed time together just to catch up and talk about what God is doing all around us. It was a mid-week respite that I've needed for weeks and I enjoyed it! I am so thankful that God knows us so well that He can provide the perfect medicine for us at the perfect time. I'm feeling refreshed -- I look forward to seeing you tomorrow! Have a blessed day!
Aloha -

Away From Home

Last night, I stayed in Honolulu because I had to attend two days of meetings at the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention office. It's not that I'm a homebody, but I would rather not spend a night away from home because of being apart from Wendy and the kids. We are always together, so I miss them. It's just another reminder to me that this world is not my home, either and I'm looking forward to seeing my wonderful Heavenly Father when this trip of life here is done. Have a blessed day away from home.
Aloha -

Physically Fit?

This week, I have battled a few minor physical ailments. Last Thursday, I pulled a muscle in my lower back and it is just starting to feel better. Tuesday, Wendy came home from school with a present for me - a head cold. Between the two ailments, I'm wondering how physically fit I am. I rarely get sick, so I think I'm pretty good there. I try to stay active on a daily basis with exercise and conditioning, so I think I'm OK there. But, we recently began Wii Fit - and, oh boy, am I in trouble! That little box and platform has me doing yoga stretches and balance games and aerobic exercises to the degree that I'm wondering what does it take to be physically fit! That thing must be crazy! I'll stick to the program with the Wii and see how it will help me stay healthy - in the meanwhile, I hope you have a blessed day and enjoy hanging out with God.
Aloha -

Excuse Me While I Put You On Hold

Yes - those are the words I have just heard. It's a phone call to an 800 number about our computer in the office at the church. I'm really grooving to this music though, so I can't say that I object to it, yet. Smooth jazz. One of my favorites. Hmmmm, mmmm, mmmm. Alrighty -- Still here. A few minutes pass by and I'm still grooving. Hang in there and give them just a few more minutes. Can I wait? Tick, tick, tick, tick. Oh well - let me put you on hold until tomorrow about the outcome of this situation. Have a blessed day!
Aloha -

here's the update - I ended up with a nice guy on the phone that walked me through the problem and provided everything I needed - it was worth it! How incredible is that?!!

Crank It Up!

Today, I am about to enjoy one of my many joys in being a pastor. I love preaching the Word, sharing the Gospel, worshipping with the saints, fellowshipping around the table, serving in Jesus' name and so many other joys, but this morning, I am mowing the grass at the church. Man, I love it! Andy is on vacation for a couple of weeks, so I'll weed-eat a little and then crank up that mower and pretend to be a NASCAR driver for about an hour. Hanging curves around the trees and dodging the flower beds -- watch out, Daytona! But, really I enjoy the solitude of the droning sound of the engine so I can think a little. God and I can talk without distractions. I'm alone behind the wheel and I find that time to be a special time. I thank the Lord for the times we share together wherever they may be. Have a blessed day in whatever you may be doing with God.
Aloha -

What Will Heaven Be Like?

For many people, there is a fascination with what Heaven will be like. Some say it will be a place of constant worship, while others say it will be a place of constant rest. Some say it will have the best of this world and no remembrances of the bad. Scriptures may give us a small view at times, but I think that it will be an incredible place regardless of what I do not know about it now. This morning, I am sitting at the keyboard earlier than normal because I am suffering through a sore lower back. Sore back and small waves means "no surf" so I am content to start my work a little earlier. But, I won't have any of the three in Heaven! Be blessed today.
Aloha -

Such a Beautiful Day

Sundays are great days in many ways. One of my favorite things is that I get to meet new people from around the country and the world, worship our awesome God together with them and give them encouragement as they minister to me. God's family is one huge ohana that truly covers all nations and tongues and peoples. If this is so amazing to me now, I can imagine it will be incredibly awesome when we get home! Have a blessed week.
Aloha -

Aloha, Aloha Friday

There's a song that comes on the radio here on Fridays called "Aloha Friday." We know from the words that it is some form of old 'drinking' song that summarizes the feel of kicking off the weekend. My favorite part, and the theme of the song is found in the chorus which states, "It's Aloha Friday, no work til Monday." It's now Saturday morning - Aloha, Aloha Friday. Have a blessed weekend!
Aloha -

Life on an Island?

Even though I live on an island, I feel very connected to the rest of the world. In the past, living on an island often meant isolation and separation, but with today's technology and with the exception of physical contact, it appears as though we are next door to each other. Communication is quick and effective through many means and I can stay in touch through telephones, computers, cell phones, text messages, blogs, video webcams, etc, etc. and never really have to feel alone. But, nothing can replace the presence of God in my life and regardless of where I find myself, I am extremely thankful that He is always with me. No cell phone needed... Have a blessed day!
Aloha -

The Worthwhile Struggle

Watching the Olympics, I am reminded of the struggle that these athletes subject themselves to for just a few short minutes of competition. Years of training, healthy eating, workout regiments, responding to coaches, traveling to meets and competitions, being alone at times or just away from family and friends - the list goes on and on. Even though all of this preparation comes for just a few brief moments of true action, to the athlete that is in the competition, it is all worthwhile. There may be a medal on the line or for some, just the opportunity to compete, but it all takes a great deal of effort. I pray that God will help me to understand the need I have to prepare with zeal and passion for the moments that He chooses for me to serve Him becuase they are all worthwhile. Have a blessed day in your training or competition for Team JESUS!
Aloha -

Aloha Monday, again!

What a blessed day yesterday was! That may not be good English, but it's true! Yesterday morning began as a beautiful day of worship and transitioned into the afternoon with baptism and fellowship with the church. We were honored to celebrate three baptisms after church, Ruth, Maile and A'aliyah. As we share our baptisms on a public beach, Kamehameha Iki, we were able to be witnesses to the life-changing power of Christ in the midst of beach-goers and surf schools. Keep us in your prayers as God is moving us from the areas of our comforts into His light and we are growing to reveal Him in all we do for Him. Have a blessed Aloha Monday!
Aloha -

Olympic Fever

Have you caught the Olympic fever, yet? Every four years, I catch it and watch hours of coverage during the evenings. But, this Olympic's bug is going to be much worse than ever before. It's not my fault - the television has too many options! NBC has coverage on a 24+ hour basis and there is always something on, not to mention that we have a DVR and I can record any of the events that I'm afraid I might miss. If you have any good recipes for chicken soup, let me know - I'm feeling a little feverish.
Aloha -

School Redefined?

As I now have a junior in high school (Lahainaluna!) and a seventh grader in my house, I am learning that the concept of 'school' has been redefined. The old saying of "School Days, School Days, dear old 'Golden Rule' days, reading and writing and 'rithmatic..." has been replaced by "Social Days, Social Days, 'Do what I want to do" days, texting and ringtones and no homework" - you get the picture? We are engaging in lively discussions over the importance of school as an educational thing, not an interpersonal relationship thing. Or, try to reason with a 12 year old over the need to close one mouth and open two ears for the maximum learning experience.
But, wait a minute - something is starting to really sink in - this has to do with me! Now I can begin to appreciate how God feels when He looks at me - I'm constantly trying to redefine 'life'. You'll have to excuse me for a little while. I think I have created a thought too big for my brain to handle this morning. Let me know what you think about it. Be blessed.
Aloha -

A Great Board Meeting

Many times the phrase "board meeting" brings scary thoughts to mind. In Hawaii, it means that get-together with your buddies at your favorite surf break - get it - surfboards - board meeting - it just a figure of speech. But this morning, I had a great time with Tom and Andy, two great brothers in the Lord and some pretty awesome surfers, too. We had a chance to talk about what God is doing in our lives and encourage each other in our walks while we enjoyed some nice waves. We also had an opportunity to share Christ with a guy named Paul in the parking lot who is involved in a cult. He wanted to debate, but we just wanted him to get to know Jesus according to the truth of the Bible. I'm reminded of what Walter Martin, author of 'The Kingdom of the Cults' said: "...we are to have compassion and love for those who are enmeshed in the teachings of the false prophets, but we are to vigorously oppose the teachings, with our primary objective the winning of the soul, and not so much the argument.” Pray for Paul that the Word would guide him into the light of the truth about Jesus. Have a blessed one and a hui hou.
Aloha -

Did I ever tell you about the time...

Not long ago, a friend gave us a dvd of Christian comedians called "Thou shalt Laugh." All were funny, but one, Michael Jr. really cracked me up. One of his jokes was about how people seem to be finished with their conversation, when the words, "Did I ever tell you about the time..." come from their lips and a whole new conversation begins all over again. He related that to his pastor saying, "In conclusion, - did I ever tell you about the time..." to which he replied, "Pastor, did I tell you what time the football game was coming on?" I started thinking - blogs are like saying, "did I ever tell you about the time.." except it never ends. God has given us a new technological opportunity to share our amazing stories about Him in our daily lives and we can always go on to more. If you get a chance, pass your stories on to me - I would love to hear them. Some of you already have blogs, so send me your link and I want to catch up on what God's doing in your life. Have a blessed day and we'll talk again soon.
Aloha -

Another Aloha Monday

Monday is here - thankfully, it always follows Sunday. You know what I mean - Sunday's are usually great days, or at least I think so. My Sunday usually consists of: A cup of coffee (black Kona or Maui), great morning of worship and fellowship at church with da braddahs and sistas, lunch! (maybe BaLe's Chicken Pho - #23!), a little tv (football season is here again!), a nap (or two or three), a little more tv, hangout time with the family and then a collection of odds and ends of little jobs and projects that I always have going on. Sundays are made for worship and rest and I'm doing my best to be obedient! God is so incredibly good! So, Mondays are usually pretty good. I'm already loving this one - hope you are too.
- Aloha -