A day off?

I try to take Fridays out of the office, or at least a part of the day. Today I am hanging out with Jon Conrad, the Athletic Trainer for Lahainaluna High School at the Kaanapali Kai Course. Jon and I are good friends and he allowed me the opportunity to help in the training room for all of the fall sports. Jon is originally from Maine where I can't understand how people live there during the winter. Maybe that's why he's in Maui now... Anyway, as I'm running errands and chilling out today, I hope you enjoy your Aloha Friday, too.
Aloha -

Can we ever know enough?

Not to get too deep in the topic of education, but can we ever know enough about something? It's possible to have too much information on a topic at one particular time (or TMI, as Taylor calls it whenever I speak of how my heart overflows for my main squeeze, Wendy, the love of my life and the best-looking woman on all of Maui and the... oh, sorry Tay, TMI.) But anyway - I have this on the brain because I am constantly increasing in the understanding that I can never learn enough about God. I want to know more and allow that knowledge to translate into more of my practical life with Him. He is so incredible - but, have you ever met someone that knows enough about God and doesn't really care to know more? That is strange to hear or see in someone because they are selling themselves short of really knowing Him instead of the "knowledge" that they have. To answer the original question - no, I don't think so. And I'm good with that. Hope your school day is a good one. Study hard and enjoy the walk.
Aloha -

The joys of golf

Every morning as I'm taking the kids to school, we pass by the Kaanapali Golf courses. The morning groups are already out on the course and we usually see someone swinging at their shot, someone driving a cart, someone putting on a green and someone digging in the bushes for their ball. But I usually say, "Man! I could play golf everyday!" to which Taylor usually responds with, "You say that every morning, Dad." But, I really mean it. Golf is one of those sports that is great to play at any age and usually is filled with adventures (in my case, at least 85-90 of them per round!) It also is the place where I can generally forget about everything and enjoy the fellowship of others regardless of my score. You might play with friends or someone you've never played with before. Each time is a new chance to just be a child of the King, enjoying what He has given you for the moment. We need those places in our lives where we can relax and recharge. Golf happens to be one of my 'places.' Enjoy this day that the Lord has made for you and find time to recharge with Him.
Aloha -

What does it take to be green?

I know this title sounds like a song that Kermit the Frog should be singing, or a seminar on financial freedom,or maybe a folk-song about being eco-friendly or something, but I'm thinking about green as in the color of Maui after a week of rain. Maui is such a beautiful place, but it's not always sunshine and warm. Today is rainy and a little cool (to our northern friends, that's 65 degrees for us.) It takes the rainy days to have the green mountains, lush flora and the cascading waterfalls. The rainbows are on the outer edges of the rain like escorts to the nourishment. What does it take to be green, to grow, to be transformed from dry and brown? Just a little rain. I like the rain because I know that it has its purpose, too. If your standing in a little rain, I hope you'll be encouraged to keep looking for the rainbow. It's coming.
Aloha -

Mellow Maui Monday Mornings

I'm not sure if I'm just mellowing out or if it has something to do with Maui, but Monday mornings aren't a stressful time of day any longer. For instance, I left the house in Wendy's car this morning to take the kids to school and head to the office. I realized after I left the house and began the 15 minute ride into town that I did not have my office keys. Hmmm - I thought they must be in my truck where I always leave them. Wendy took my truck to school this morning so I'll swing into the school after dropping off the kids and get my keys. Great plan. I drove to her school, shot a shaka at Uncle Harold (the crossing guard) and parked along with all of the many moms and dads that were making the "child drop" at Kam III school. After walking onto the grounds and finding the truck, I rummaged through it only to find that I couldn't find my keys. Ha - Back to the car I go with the plan just to go on to the office because I know that Andy will be there (he's always really early) and I'll borrow his keys. Pulling into the church - what, no Andy, yet. Hmmm - back to the drawing board. I also need my key to the rest room, by this time. Ok. Back to the house I go. The traffic is fair - I caught a couple of lights. I get to the house and located my keys in my briefcase that I should've taken to the office in the first place. What - now the phone is ringing. On the phone, back in the car, heading to the office - can I forget something else? Oh - I have to stop by the post office and the bank because they are open now after all of this driving around Lahaina. I ran my errands, picked up an Arizona green tea and I'm now in the office writing this to you and you know what - It's a great day. I have meetings and appointments and emails and letters and phone messages and I have to take Wendy's car to the mechanic and whatever else may come along, but it's all going to be just fine. What has happened? Have I mellowed out? I'm not sure, but I really don't feel a need to worry about it. I'll leave that to someone else. Join me in a blessed day.
Aloha -

Deep in thought

I had a friend many years ago that whenever I would exclaim, "Well, well, well," he would reply with, "Such a deep thought for such a shallow mind." I've been reading a good book lately that has me deep in thought, but I would recommend this book for anyone that is interested in the discussions over science and reason with religion and faith. The book is entitled, "What's So Great About Christianity?" by Dinesh D'Souza. It is very well written and explores the difficult questions with amazing clarity and readability. If you get the chance to read it, let me know what you think about it (if your head clears!) Have a blessed Thursday and a hui hou.
Aloha -

From my window

Today is a beautiful day outside. When I woke up, it was about 69 degrees but quickly warmed up to 72. The clouds are few and the sun is bright. It's on days like this that I really wonder what heaven is going to look like and how all of that is going to be. If this is beauty to our eyes, how much more incredible will heaven be? I'll be glad to enter in when that day comes, but until then - I'm happy and blessed with what I have. Hope you are too.
Aloha -