My Ministry

Living in Hawaii, I often hear the good-natured, but sarcastic statements about "suffering for Jesus in Maui," usually followed by "Yeah, right!" I get accused of surfing for Jesus more than suffering. Just in case you have ever wondered, let me clear the air on this topic. It is often sinful-feeling to be able to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of a place like this while serving our Lord, but it is still ministry, nonetheless. I enjoy meeting people from around the world on a daily basis and helping them grow in their relationship with Christ. I may speak with millionaires and homeless in the same converation or teach the Bible to the highly educated and illiterate together. I may share Christ with the addicts of drugs and alcohol or the addicts of surfing and laziness at the same time with both of them looking for the Deliverer of their addictions. There are many more examples, but I think you can realize that ministry is whatever God has us doing according to His will in the places where He has placed us. As I go about "ministry" today, I hope God blesses yours, too.
Aloha -

Organization?

I have been working hard at being more organized. I like structure and organization, but I often run without any in my office, especially at the desk. My desk is usually so full of clutter than I can't find a clean space on the top. Recently, I moved an old desk back into my office to help spread the waste, I mean work. Now with the two desks in place, I feel so organized and am prepared to become much more efficient. Yeah, right. But, I like it for now. Just remember when I may be late in posting a new blog that I possibly can't find my keyboard! Have a uncluttered, blessed day - I'm trying to do the same!
Aloha

Monday Morning Quarterback

Usually football fans think they know exactly what must have been done for their team to win the game. These fans that vocalize their opinions are called 'Monday morning quarterbacks' because they are not on the field, but they have it all figured out just in case they were to be called in next game! I watched the Lahainaluna/Baldwin game this Saturday night in which our beloved Lunas ended up one point short of a victory on the scoreboard, but many points ahead in being true winners. I have had the privilege to be on many sport teams of many different levels with many great coaches and talented athletes. Even though I have experienced intense rivalries and high pressure situations all the way to National Championships, I have never seen a team of players give their all for an entire game as I witnessed from this Luna team on Saturday night. I watched young men battle injuries and cramps, fatigue and all of the other trials faced on the field, but they never gave up until the time was out on the clock. I am impressed with the determination of these young men to leave everything they had on the field and not hold anything back. They played with the respect, dignity and class that was expected of them. Regardless of the score, Lahainaluna High School is proud of the team that represented them Saturday. My hat is off to you, Lunas, and I'll keep proudly supporting you until we bring home the state championship trophy his year! Imua!
Aloha -

Oh My!

The day has come - my little girl is 16! Just a few short days ago, she was all of three pounds, twelve ounces in the NICU at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida. She came six weeks early because she couldn't wait for her turn in the regular part of the newborn section of the hospital. She had to get out and check things out! She still is that way today. But, she's also still Daddy's Girl. She has grown to be a lovely young lady, just a beautiful as her Mother, yet with some of Dad's good qualities (if you can believe that I have any.) Her days are filled with smiles and joy and friends that text all day and night. On occasion, she may grumble about doing chores or having homework, but is mostly a happy young lady. I know, one day soon, I'll see her go to college, get married, get her first real job and many other facets of life, but for now I'm struggling with today. My little girl is growing up and I pray for God's protection, wisdom and joy to be hers. Happy Birthday, Sis! I love you - Dad
Aloha -

Midweek Already?!?!

Wow - time has a way of zooming sometimes. We have had a great week so far at the Martin household even though we have faced some challenges. Taylor will be 16 tomorrow and Wendy has been working feverishly to make sure that her party goes well. She will be having a combo party with Brandon because he just turned 16 also and they are close friends from church/school. I shouldn't be so amazed that a few days have passed so quickly when I think of how fast the past 16 have gone. I'll share a little more about Tay's big day tomorrow. Get ready - it will be here like a flash!
Aloha -

My Daily Exercise

I'm in the office for just a few moments playing catch-up before I head to the LPGA Kapalua Classic. Yesterday, during the pro-am, I sat at one of my favorite holes, #3, and recorded the scores for the teams as they played through. Today, I'll be walking with a group leaving #1 at 12:20ish, so I'll be getting my exercise while walking the Bay Course. I hope you have a great day and tune into the Golf Channel if you can. Be blessed!
Aloha -

A Quick Break

Over the next few days, I'll be taking some time out of the office. Every January, Dad and I volunteer for the Mercedes-Benz Championships, the first PGA Tour event of the year here at Kapalua's Plantation Course. This year, the LPGA is coming to Kapalua for the inaugural Kapalua LPGA Classic, a tournament that should bring over 100 of the LPGA's best to the Bay Course. Soon after January, I received a letter from the volunteer headquarters that asked if would I be available for the LPGA tourney and I signed up to be a walking scorer - one that walks with a three-some each day and records each shot of each player in the group. It sounds like fun, but I'll find out tomorrow. Keep an eye on the Golf Channel if you can - I might be walking with the winner! Have a blessed week and I'll try to keep everyone updated on who I will be with through my Facebook account.
Aloha -

Monday Morning Rush

After a great weekend, I sometimes get caught behind a Monday morning rush of stuff to do. Today is one of those Mondays, but it seems to be manageable. Tonight, when I get back home, I'll nestle in my throne chair in the living room and watch football and think of how I'm glad that the day is over. But, now is the time that I have to remind myself to enjoy every moment of this day and allow God to do what He has designed for it to be. I hope you start your day that way also, because the busy-ness of our days can cause us to miss the best parts of it. Have a blessed day and then enjoy your football tonight.
Aloha -

Whatever You Want

I'm not a fatalist that believes that events are totally destined to happen regardless of our involvement and that God has a fixed plan for every move of ours that we cannot resist. But, I know that He works through and in circumstances of our days to His will. Today, I was going to take off from the office and join Wendy at the beach, since she is out of school for the fall break. I woke up to take Taylor to Driver's Ed (thanks, David!) and realized how cloudy it was outside, even in sunny Lahaina town. So it appears that the beach day has been postponed for a car washing day at the house - do you think that God wanted me to wash and wax Wendy's car instead of snorkeling? I'm not sure, but He definitely knows how to arrange things that work in my favor! Be blessed!
Aloha -

Piece of Paradise

As I was driving to the office this morning, I noticed a cruise ship sitting off-shore that must have moored last night. As the ships come into Lahaina, we do not have port facilities that are large enough for a cruise ship to dock, so they remain off-shore and shuttle their guests to town. Sitting off of the coast, they give the appearance of being very large and even look imposing to the neighboring islands of Lanai and Molokai. The ship I saw this morning looked beautiful sitting in the cobalt blue waters of the Pacific with the emerald island of Lanai in the background with just a hint of morning sun reflecting from the white exterior. Some may consider this place a piece of paradise, but I remained amazed at the fact that if this place is so beautiful, yet is cursed by sin, how much more incredible will the perfection of Heaven be! Be blessed today in your piece of provisional paradise, but keep looking for the perfect one to come.
Aloha -