The Beauty of Friends

I just finished talking with an old friend on the phone. He called and we talked for a while, catching up on the past few years. I find myself pulled between two feelings - the great joy of being with friends and the great joy of having friends that you're connected to even through time and distances. A mixture of blessings, but I am thankful for them both. Praise God that He allows us to be touched for life through the friendships and lives of others. Be blessed today remembering those that God has used many times to minister to your heart.
Aloha -

In a Somber Mood

Black Saturday has arrived at our home. The day began with a loss to Ole Miss from my beloved Gators and ended with a loss to Alabama from Wendy's favorite, the Dawgs from UGA. If there is one bright spot to Black Saturday it is that Sunday's coming!
Try your best to see how you're so blessed. We are in spite of the external circumstances.
Aloha -

Huh?

Do you ever hear a story from someone that seems really important and powerful to them, but you just kinda say, "huh?" It's like you don't see what the big deal is - but then, what do you do? Have you ever honestly stated that you don't get it? Or have you nodded and produced this serious, thoughful look on your face to fake them out and make them think that you get it? Or looked concerned on the outside, but on the inside you thought that this was the stupidest thing you've ever heard? Or even shruggged and said, 'Wow' and just let it roll on. Before you answer, look in the mirror and record your own response to my questions - I bet your thinking something like this now! - Ha! I knew it! Go on your way and be blessed in knowing that God knows your heart and you can't fake Him out. And He loves you anyway.
Aloha -

A Song In My Head

I know that I should have a song in my heart, but today I have one stuck in my head. It's no wonder that it got stuck in there - I usually keep it pretty cluttered, but that's a different blog for another day. But, two questions come to the other, unoccupied part of my mind whenever I have a song hung in my thoughts: 1) How does it stay in there in spite of all of the other stuff that runs through my mind that doesn't get stuck? and 2) How do I get it out!?! Hmmm. I already know that tiny things please tiny minds, so please don't send my any advise along that trail and I do have real things to think about also, so I'll be moving on now - Go blessed today and a hui hou.
Aloha -

SYATP

Today was SYATP. For those of you that don't know what that is, the initials stand for See You At The Pole, a student-led prayer time around the flagpole at school where the students can gather and pray as one group for the needs of the school, city, state, country and the world. We were fortunate to share last night with a rally for the students of our local Lahaina schools and over 100 showed up to praise and pray together in preparation for SYATP. I hope you had a chance to gather with your local students this morning and God encouraged you as He spoke with them. If you didn't attend at a school this morning, look to gather with the kids next year - it's already scheduled for Sept. 23, 2009. Of course, our kids are welcome to gather everyday and pray - get involved and have a blessed day.
Aloha -

Ah, Monday

I love Mondays. Most people say they don't like them, but I think they're great. Mondays are the days where you can make a mistake or two and just blame it on being a Monday. You can chill out when you have lots of work in front of you and blame it on being a Monday. You can forget a little something and blame it on being a Monday - oh, wait - that happens every day for me - no Monday excuse for that. But anyway, you get my picture? Mondays are great and I hope you have a blessed one.
Aloha -

Warning: Weekend Ahead!

I seem to have fallen into the 'too-busy-for-free-time" trap lately and the weekend becomes a blur of activity. This weekend, I have on the schedule one JV football game, one varsity football game, one Pop Warner football game, one varsity volleyball game, two birthday parties, two worship times at church, one leadership training class, two leadership team meetings, one lunch date with 60 missionaries, two mission outreaches to our homeless community and I still have to find the time to watch the Gators beat Tennessee! Warning! Warning! The weekend is coming, the weekend is coming! If I survive it all, I'll see you on Monday. Have a great blessed weekend!
Aloha -

The Power of a Storm

Even though Maui is considered by many to be paradise on Earth, it still lacks a few of my ideal things. Growing up in Louisiana, thunderstorms became a frequent part of my life. I regret the damage that the hurricanes have brought to many in these last weeks, but I truly love the sound of a thunderstorm with the crashing thunder and strong, steady rain. Something about that familiar sound is soothing to me and it somehow restores me at times. Beautiful, endless sunny days are wonderful and I'm not complaining, but I often find myself longing for the memorable tones of a storm. God uses many ways to touch our hearts and refresh us in our times of need. I hope He sends your favorite your way today. Go be blessed.
Aloha -

Mid-Week Stretch

Some days, I have the pleasure of sitting in my favorite chair in the office and reclining for a few moments. I call it "The White Chair" because it's an old white leather recliner-type chair. This chair has the unbelievable ability to draw every bit of energy from you within minutes and drop you into a perfect quick nap. When it's "white chair time" you can cancel communications for about 20 minutes, but I will come back refreshed. Wednesdays have that same effect - it's a mid-week stretch that when it's over has somehow given you the endurance for the rest of the week. Enjoy your Wednesday and be blessed.
Aloha -

The Return of Blue

Vog - an unusual haze found in Hawaii that is a mixture of volcanic ash, vapors and stuff and a heavy humid fog-like cloud - it usually comes when the normal tradewinds fall and the winds slowly blow from the south. To residents of Hawaii, it brings sinus problems, watery eyes, congestion and many various forms of generally poor attitudes. Vog is a pain and we have endured it for the past few days. But, the blues skies returned today and the overall mood has greatly increased. Just another reminder of how awesome our heavenly home is going to be - no vog! Go blessed today and a hui hou.
Aloha -

Welcome Home

A few moments ago, I saw a rare sight on Maui - a hearse. In other places that I have lived, funerals are fairly common and the funeral homes and hearses are visible, but that's not a regular experience here. A few blocks down the street from my office is a Catholic church where a funeral is being held this morning. Seeing that as I drove past reminded me that life here is great, but very short compared to eternity. Some day, this life on earth will end and I'll begin eternity with God. Although I love this life, I can't wait to have Him look into my eyes and say, "Welcome Home."
I listen to the O.C. Supertones on occasion and one of my favorite songs is entitled, "Welcome Home." Here are a few of the lyrics:

Well, It's time like these and it's days like this
that remind me I'm living in the wilderness,
And you don't know when trouble's gonna come your way
Or when God's gonna give or take it away.

This life,
This life is fleeting,
Everything's dyin',
But one day I'll awake,
All my problems and my sin,
They won't mattter to me then,
"Son, welcome home."

The last verse states:

But I'm still here,
And I'm tired,
tired of sin and struggling,
tired of almost everything
and sometimes, small and clear
I could swear that I could hear
angels voices in my ear
sayin' welcome home.

Have a blessed day thinking that one day, you'll be home.
Aloha -

Deep In Thought

When you're surrounded by the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the distance between places seems to grow. I look to the horizon and I can't see anything other than what is just a few miles away. According to GoogleEarth, I am geographically closer to the capital of Japan than the capital of my own country. Deep blue water confines me to this island, separating me from the rest of the world. What is below the surface? How many miles down does the bottom reach? More questions about distance fill my mind. Yet, I never have to wonder about where God is. His ways are higher and deeper and greater than I could ever know or imagine, but His presence is closer than I could ever need. He may appear to be distant to me at times, but I know that is only in my perception of Him because He is always with me. Today is a great day, regardless of it's outcome because my Lord is with me. I pray you have a great day also. Be blessed.
Aloha -

Wow - Time Flies!

Time moves by so quickly. I thought about timing it to see if there were really 24 hours in a day, but... yeah, you get it. Even though the days seem to pass quickly, I am looking forward to the eternal day with no end. How much can we pack into that day?! Meanwhile, I have plenty to do today, so back to work I go. Have a blessed day.
Aloha -

No Need To Say More

It's Aloha Friday - I am ready for it - no need to say more!
Have a blessed weekend!
Aloha -

Letting My Fingers Do The Walking

Remember the slogan "Let Your Fingers Do The Walking?" That was the Yellow Pages catch phrase for many years, and still is used today. I realized that my fingers do more walking on my keyboard everyday staying in touch with friends and family than they ever did using the telephone. I'm not a big phone fan, so when I can send a quick message around on-line, I prefer to do that before using the phone. Thankfully, with the increase in blogging and Facebook-style websites, we walk these keyboards more than ever before. I'm walking on, now. Have a blessed day.
Aloha -

Have You Enjoyed Today?

Sometimes I can get so busy in my day that I come close to forgetting to enjoy it. After I finally slow down and take a break, I may reflect on the day and savor it, but I must not forget to enjoy the time when it is present as well. With that said, I am reminding you to stay in an attitude of continuous joy knowing that your Heavenly Father has prepared this day and these moments for you - even this moment. Have a blessed day and hope you found a little happiness in the time it took you to read this.
Aloha -

Labor Day

Have you ever noticed that the day after Labor Day has more work in it that a normal day? I love to take the day off and I had a great time relaxing on Lana'i at our church picnic, but the Tuesday after Labor Day becomes a bear! Wow - what do you call the Tuesday after Labor Day? - Intense Labor Day? - Needing a Break Day? - Terrible Tuesday? Whatever it needs to be called, yesterday was still worth it! Have a blessed ____ Tuesday.
Aloha -