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 -