Welcome Home

A few moments ago, I saw a rare sight on Maui - a hearse. In other places that I have lived, funerals are fairly common and the funeral homes and hearses are visible, but that's not a regular experience here. A few blocks down the street from my office is a Catholic church where a funeral is being held this morning. Seeing that as I drove past reminded me that life here is great, but very short compared to eternity. Some day, this life on earth will end and I'll begin eternity with God. Although I love this life, I can't wait to have Him look into my eyes and say, "Welcome Home."
I listen to the O.C. Supertones on occasion and one of my favorite songs is entitled, "Welcome Home." Here are a few of the lyrics:

Well, It's time like these and it's days like this
that remind me I'm living in the wilderness,
And you don't know when trouble's gonna come your way
Or when God's gonna give or take it away.

This life,
This life is fleeting,
Everything's dyin',
But one day I'll awake,
All my problems and my sin,
They won't mattter to me then,
"Son, welcome home."

The last verse states:

But I'm still here,
And I'm tired,
tired of sin and struggling,
tired of almost everything
and sometimes, small and clear
I could swear that I could hear
angels voices in my ear
sayin' welcome home.

Have a blessed day thinking that one day, you'll be home.
Aloha -

Deep In Thought

When you're surrounded by the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the distance between places seems to grow. I look to the horizon and I can't see anything other than what is just a few miles away. According to GoogleEarth, I am geographically closer to the capital of Japan than the capital of my own country. Deep blue water confines me to this island, separating me from the rest of the world. What is below the surface? How many miles down does the bottom reach? More questions about distance fill my mind. Yet, I never have to wonder about where God is. His ways are higher and deeper and greater than I could ever know or imagine, but His presence is closer than I could ever need. He may appear to be distant to me at times, but I know that is only in my perception of Him because He is always with me. Today is a great day, regardless of it's outcome because my Lord is with me. I pray you have a great day also. Be blessed.
Aloha -

Wow - Time Flies!

Time moves by so quickly. I thought about timing it to see if there were really 24 hours in a day, but... yeah, you get it. Even though the days seem to pass quickly, I am looking forward to the eternal day with no end. How much can we pack into that day?! Meanwhile, I have plenty to do today, so back to work I go. Have a blessed day.
Aloha -

No Need To Say More

It's Aloha Friday - I am ready for it - no need to say more!
Have a blessed weekend!
Aloha -

Letting My Fingers Do The Walking

Remember the slogan "Let Your Fingers Do The Walking?" That was the Yellow Pages catch phrase for many years, and still is used today. I realized that my fingers do more walking on my keyboard everyday staying in touch with friends and family than they ever did using the telephone. I'm not a big phone fan, so when I can send a quick message around on-line, I prefer to do that before using the phone. Thankfully, with the increase in blogging and Facebook-style websites, we walk these keyboards more than ever before. I'm walking on, now. Have a blessed day.
Aloha -

Have You Enjoyed Today?

Sometimes I can get so busy in my day that I come close to forgetting to enjoy it. After I finally slow down and take a break, I may reflect on the day and savor it, but I must not forget to enjoy the time when it is present as well. With that said, I am reminding you to stay in an attitude of continuous joy knowing that your Heavenly Father has prepared this day and these moments for you - even this moment. Have a blessed day and hope you found a little happiness in the time it took you to read this.
Aloha -

Labor Day

Have you ever noticed that the day after Labor Day has more work in it that a normal day? I love to take the day off and I had a great time relaxing on Lana'i at our church picnic, but the Tuesday after Labor Day becomes a bear! Wow - what do you call the Tuesday after Labor Day? - Intense Labor Day? - Needing a Break Day? - Terrible Tuesday? Whatever it needs to be called, yesterday was still worth it! Have a blessed ____ Tuesday.
Aloha -

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 -