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!

Happy Birthday Wendy!

Today is Wendy's birthday! She had to go back to work today because the teachers and staff take these few days to get everything ready before the kids go back to school, but hopefully she'll enjoy her day.
Birthdays have a different feel to them as the years go by - When you're young, you even remind everyone that you're halfway to your birthday, as in, "I'm seven AND A HALF!" When you're into double digits for the first few years, you can't wait to tell someone when you're into the teens, like it comes with privileges - "I'm fourTEEN!" When you reach the twenties, you can't wait to let everyone know that you're aging, but not very quickly, like - "Man, I am TWENTY-two years old!" By the thirties, you're still smiling when your kids come crashing into your bedroom to wake you up for your birthday breakfast in bed with burnt toast and some kind of juice concoction that looks remniscent of tang, tea and some other familiar liquid, but not quite right. By the forties, you try to forget that it's your birthday until someone reminds you by saying, "Hey, isn't your birthday coming around soon?"
Oh, well - enjoy your day even if it's not your birthday, or maybe because it's not!
Happy Birthday, Wendy and I love you bunches! Big bunches!
Aloha -

You know it's summer when...

... you notice the neighborhood kids that couldn't seem to get up to go to school are up at dawn to ride their skateboards in your driveway.
... you can tell exactly what grass doesn't get hit by the sprinklers.
... you suddenly feel the urge to eat half of an ice-cold watermelon.
... you see your child's teacher in the supermarket and nothing could wipe the smile off of their faces.
... you can get a discount at the local golf course if you play between noon and 3 pm.
... you see the Vacation Bible School signs up at all of the local churches.
It's VBS time again and we have been blessed to have a mission team from FBC of Portland Texas with us. They have enjoyed good weather and great kids and we have enjoyed their hard work and enthusiasm. Mahalo to Pastor Josh and his crew for their aloha to us. We're looking to a great week for the Lord. Hope you have one, too.
Aloha -

Oh My!!

Wow - it has been a while since my last post and where has the time gone? Sometimes weeks can fly by, you know like when you're on vacation and you think you have plenty of time and... BOOM - you're packing up to go back home! But, time also has a way of dragging, like when you're waiting on a phone call or when you're in the doctor's office waiting to be called to see the doc, or when you're reading my blog! Hope you have a great week and we'll find time another day to talk -
Aloha -

The in-between time

It's about 9:50 am on Sunday morning - the in-between time for me. This is the time between the 8am and the 10:15 am worship times when I get a quick drink of water and sit down for prayer. This morning, I called Wendy and spoke with her and she's doing good. I also have been thinking about how thankful I am for our church ohana here at Lahaina Baptist Church. So many have been praying for us, calling to check on us, sending cards and emails, making the kids and me dinner this week, covering the ministry needs for us, spending a little time to talk with us, just hanging out with us... so many ways they have ministered to us! I am very thankful for God's ohana that helps us in times of need. Mahalo to you all and keep faithfully serving our Lord. He's using you to be a true blessing to others.
Aloha -

I love this game!!

This morning, I headed to Kapalua Golf Academy and decided to relax and work on my golf game at the same time (sounds impossible, doesn't it!) I have been mentally working on my golf game and with a little practice, I have improved it! After about 100 shots, I walked from the range with a solid confidence and played the 3-hole walking course that is actually a few holes from the old Village Course (which is an Arnold Palmer design.) Hole #1 - tap-in par. Hole #2 - great putt for birdie. Hole #3 - easy par miss for a bogey. 3 holes at even par - that's not too bad. I think I'll be ready for The Tour soon. Unfortunately, I'm not sure which tour I would be on - most likely the "Wish You Were Actually a Golfer Tour" but I don't know where to sign up. I do know quite a few others that would fit on that tour. Maybe I'll just ask them. If I don't call you, consider yourself either blessed or too good. Have a great weekend for our Lord wherever He leads you.
Aloha -

I'm back -

I've been out of pocket lately due to the sudden passing of Wendy's father, E.W. Holland. While she was still on a trip to Japan and Korea with Taylor and a group from Lahainaluna High School, I received a call that E.W. had suffered a massive heart attack. He passed away quickly and without suffering. I had to notify Wendy while touring an elementary school in Seoul. She and Taylor finished the last day of their trip and began to come home, where we met her at the airport and rushed home to prepare to leave again in just four hours to travel to St. Marys, GA. All is as good as could be expected, but it will still be a difficult time for our family in the coming days ahead. Keep Wendy, her mother Martha, and our family in your prayers during this time. Mahalo to so many of you that have called, visited or emailed/sent a card or letter. You have been an encouragement to us in many ways and we are truly thankful.
Enjoy every day and live abundantly.
Aloha -