Fall Saturday's are for College Football

Saturdays in the fall months are just made for college football junkies, like myself.  After I wake up and make my first cup of coffee, the games begin - SEC mostly, but I'll check out some of the others if they're exciting.
The Florida Gators are my team of choice, now for over 25 years, although I also cheer for my actual alma mater, the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  This season, both are doing very well and will represent their schools in post-season bowl games.  As always, the stakes are high for the Gators and the possibility to win the SEC title is still alive.
We just need Georgia to lose next week.  It sounds easy enough, but Wendy is a Georgia Bulldog fan.  Yes, I'm revealing deep personal info here - I married a Georgia fan!  Call it love, or a momentary lapse of judgment that's lasted 22 years, or whatever you want to call it, but she's mine.  And I want her team to lose.
Hmmmmm - quite a dilemma I have myself in, eh?
Oh well, maybe the SEC championship game isn't that important - Have a blessed weekend and enjoy your football - and your Jesus!
Aloha -

Post-Halloween Reminder?

Each Halloween at the church, we put out a few tables by the sidewalk and spend the evening giving away water, candy and Bibles to those who wander by.  First, I want to say a true 'mahalo' for all who came out to share with our community!
Many kids get the candy and parents get the water, but some take a Bible or some of the other literature that we have spread out for them to freely take.  I know that most of the candy will be eaten - either last night by the kids or in the coming days by the parents - and most of the water was gone on the spot, but the great thing about God's Word is that it lasts forever.
I'm always glad to be a part of the work of LBC and her desire to share Christ with our community - on any night!
Have a blessed one and stay alert to the ways that God is leading you to share the Word of God - it's as easy as giving away candy and water, but makes an eternal impact!
Aloha -

Sunday's are always so awesome!

Sunday's are always an awesome day!  Sometimes, it's just hanging with God's people and worshipping together.  Other times, it's fellowshipping around the table or serving together.  And lots of times, it's hanging out at Kamehameha Iki Beach and celebrating what God is doing in our lives through baptism!
The third option is what made this Sunday so awesome!  Our brother, Eddie, followed his decision to follow Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior with baptism and we had fun!  It was a picture perfect day... as you can tell!
God is so incredibly good!  I hope you have a blessed day today as you go about whatever He has for you.
Aloha -

Life is a true adventure -

Lately in our Sunday morning messages, we have been looking at the search for the secret to the abundant life in Christ - we have compared the search to the Indiana Jones movies and his search for the incredible treasures and what an adventure he finds along the way.  Likewise, our abundant life in Christ is really an incredible adventure of following His way everyday.
Whenever we finally can come to grips with the idea that we are to be in a super close harmony with the Holy Spirit in everything, life becomes this great journey with God.  The battle of our flesh - our desires, ideas, plans, habits, etc. can easily lead us back into a routine of 'Christian' life that is defeating instead of liberating.  So, stop it!
Today, my prayer for you is that God would break you free from yourself so you can live the adventure.  No guns, bullwhips, fedora hats - just Him.  Have fun and be blessed!
Aloha -

Is it Monday, again?

(read this in your best Andy Rooney impression...)  

Have you ever spilled your coffee on your computer mouse and keyboard before you even took your first sip?  Have you ever tried to write a blogpost and your fingers didn;t want to type the keys that your brain was choosing?  Have you ever woke up in the morning just to find out that it's actually your third try?  Have you ever had one of those days that feels like a Monday even though it's not?

(back to my voice...)

Well, if you never have, I'm here to tell you that I'm in the middle of one of those days now!  I've been a little bit busy, so I've skipped the past few days of posts - I missed a meeting this morning in Kihei - I'm trying to work on Sunday message stuff - I'm waiting on another two meetings for today - and I just can't seem to get out of low gear.  

I hope you have better luck that I have had this morning.  But, God is still in control, so I'm not the least bit concerned about the rest of the day.  Be blessed, ya'll!

Aloha - 

Success!

At my last post, I requested your silence for our surprise. Congratulations!  It was a success!
Taylor arrived home with Fred, her grandfather (Papaw), and the next morning, she headed to Lahainaluna High School to surprise her brother.  She took some lunch to school for him, but he thought I was bringing it.  His reaction was priceless!
Later, before warmups at Zack's football game, Papaw waved to him from the stands and he was double-surprised!  Ha!
Thanks for helping us keep the secret - you are better than most.  Thanks again and have a blessed day.
Aloha -

Shhh - it's a secret!

Today, my daughter and dad are coming to Maui - Dad for a visit; Taylor to come back home.
She has been living with Grandma for the past 1 1/2 years on the East Coast.  After Papa passed away suddenly, she wanted to stay a while with Grandma.  It's been a real blessing for us all as she has grown to learn a lot and prepare for the next stages of her life, plus Grandma has really enjoyed having Tay around.
We've been trying to keep this a secret from Zach - but in today's world of instant messaging and social media, it's been tough.  I'm hoping he doesn't follow my blog too closely - ooops!  Did I share the secret?
Reminds me of Mark Lowry - he said keeping a secret means telling only one person at a time!
Have a blessed day - I will!
Aloha -

Post-SYATP

I have often heard that as long as there is testing, there will be prayer in school - but today was an organized day of prayer!
Today was SYATP for our nation and the Westside of Maui was represented well!  We accepted the responsibility of ending the national day of prayer at the flagpole (by being the last time zone!) and we had a great morning.
At Lahainaluna High School, where I hung out with the students as they prayed, there were about 50 that attended with another ten adults for support.  Last night, the pre-SYATP rally at the Lahaina Civic Center was an incredible night of unity and prep for today - overall, God has and will continue to be glorified through our students as they grow in Him.
Remember to always pray for our students, the faculty and staff and the environment of our schools.  Be blessed!
Aloha -

Reflecting on Sunday

Yesterday at LBC, we enjoyed Celebration Sunday, a day in which we celebrated all the great things that God has done through us in this past year.  We rejoiced over Easter Outreach, Youth Camp and the Keanae missions, Korean English Camp, baptisms (29!), Bible study and small groups and much more!
As Pastor Gary and I teamed up to bring the message, we both recognized that we could speak for hours and still not cover everything that God has done - but, today is a new day and the past is for our remembering.
Reflecting on Sunday, where are we going for God today?  What are the great things He wants to do through us now?  How can we shine for Him and His glory in what He's leading for tomorrow?
I hope you are encouraged and ready for what's next!
Aloha -

Friday!

It's been a good Friday.  I usually try to take Fridays off from the church office and today was no exception.  I took care of some things around the house and rested.
I enjoy the work of the ministry but the days of rest are certainly a gift from God.  His plan of a sabbath for rest is a great idea!  So, with that thought - I'm done for the day.
Aloha -

God or Science

I recently read an article about the advancements of science and how many feel that it won't be long before science is able to completely disprove the existence of God.  In the article, written by Natalie Wolchover in LiveScience.com, she quotes theoretical cosmologist, Sean Carroll from his writings stating, "Most scientists...suspect that the search for ultimate explanations eventually terminates in some final theory of the world, along with the phrase 'and that's just how it is,'" Carroll wrote.  People who find this unsatisfying are failing to treat the entire universe as something unique - "something for which a different set of standards is appropriate." 
That's an interesting way of saying that science is proven by repetition - but what falls out of the realm of repetition can simply be described as being under a "different set of standards."  Could that be the work of God?  I think so, but obviously Carroll thinks not.  He is under the assumption that science, time and the existence of all things began without an external force originating it but isn't willing to assume that there is a God that could have started it.
Well, as with all news, science and scientists, in spite of their best efforts, Solomon summed it up best: "There is nothing new under the sun" - or the case of theoretical cosmologists, nothing new in all of creation.  God is always at the other end of the telescope or microscope, speaking through His creation saying, "I'm right here."  I hope you have found Him.
Have a blessed day!

Aloha -

It's about where you are!

It's another beautiful day on Maui. For those of us who are blessed to call Maui our home, we enjoy this every day. But, it can have it's disadvantages. Or in other words, we can get complacent about it. 
Somedays, I drive around and just see plain Maui - you know, the daily routine of life. Go here; do this; stop at the post office; get a cup of coffee - whatever, etc. But then - I catch a glimpse of a rainbow on the mountains, or a really nice face on a wave breaking and I'm instantly reminded of how beautiful this place really is! 
Life everywhere in Christ is equally beautiful because we are where He wants us to be. Break the routine of your day by recognizing the beauty in where you are - catch a glimpse of a friendly smile or a kind gesture - How beautiful your place really is, too!
I'm glad that we will be complete when we arrive in Heaven

We won't have to worry about being reminded of how beautiful Heaven is. No chance for complacency to settle in our hearts! Remember that wherever you are, God has placed you there to be about His kingdom's work and to be His witness. So, recognize the beauty of your place and have a great day!

Aloha -

Late summer Sunday

Today, we enjoyed Back To Church Sunday, a national day focused on inviting someone to church. We had several extra visitors and look forward to having them return again. After church, we all headed to our local baptism spot, often labeled the world's largest baptismal pool - the Pacific Ocean! We celebrated two baptisms, one of them being one of our local girls that has grown up in the ministry of LBC. It was a great morning! Now, I'm relaxed at home with one of my other favorite pastimes (other than baptism!) - watching the Sunday football games recorded on television! There's just something about football that draws me to the recliner on a Sunday afternoon. I watched the Ravens and the Eagles, the highlights of the earlier games and I'm currently watching the 49ers and the Lions. But it really doesn't matter which game is on, I love watching football. My Saints lost, but still couldn't be a much better day. Remember as you go through your week to enjoy the blessings along the way - hanging out with friends, sharing a good word, showing God's love to others or whatever God brings to you. Aloha -

Can you hear me now?

In addition to serving the great people of Lahaina Baptist as their pastor, I also have the privilege to serve the men and women of the Maui Police Department as Police Chaplain. As part of my MPD-issued equipment, I have a cellphone that has a different number from my regular cellphone - but everyone, even the department, usually uses my regular cellphone. So last year, to help save the department a little money, I turned my MPD cellphone back in to turn it off until they determined that I needed it back. They determined last week that I needed it back, so I have a nice new phone. As I turned the new phone on, several messages came in, some even dated back to a few weeks after I turned my phone back in. I spent a few minutes this morning (after I spent an hour learning how to listen to the messages!) checking those messages and calling two individuals back regarding their calls. It was somewhat embarrassing to say that I had my phone turned off and I missed their calls. It actually reminded me that I often have my mind turned off to God and I know He's trying to 'get in touch' with me. I sometimes wish He would leave me a message, you know like, "Hey Chris - it's Me. You need to call Me - the sooner, the better. Talk to you in a few. Love you!" Thankfully, He always keeps trying to call me instead of leaving a message. He's persistent - and that's awesome!

I hope you have a great day today and remember to keep your phone on - the line between you and God. He's going to call you about something soon - don't wait for Him to say, "Can you hear me now?" Aloha -

Been a good day, but...

Today has been a good day, but I'm left with the feeling that I could've done a better job. It's not that I'm depressed or anything like that - it's just the reality that each day is really precious and I'm not confident that I capitalized on everything that God placed in my path. Thankfully, that nagging feeling is a constant reminder to me that I have the next moments to regain and rise up - not to be bound in the guilt and sorrow of missed opportunities but motivated to pursue the future with a new passion and determination. Hope you are ready too. Aloha -

I'm baaaaack!

Wow! It's been forever since I posted on my blog so I'm sure this won't be read for a while - at least until the regulars and some new folks find out that I'm back. Today is September 11th - a day that most people will remember like many other tragic days in our lives. As we remember those who died and the countless others whose lives were forever changed that day, let us dedicate ourselves to being the people that God designed us to be - living by faith in Him alone; enjoying each moment contently in His will; openly allowing our love for our Lord to flow through us, impacting the lives of everyone we encounter; always remembering that He is our source of comfort, strength and hope. I pray that you have a blessed remainder to your

week - go get it! This is going to be good!