June 12, 2020

By Kathy Makuakane, Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor

The resident manager informed everyone in my building that the water would be shut off for six hours. What an inconvenience!

I decided I had better prepare. I would shower and get completely ready for the day well before the shut-off time. I would also need to store some water for washing hands and a few dishes, for drinking, and for filling the toilet tank. It surprised me how difficult it was to come up with what was necessary so I wouldn’t be left “high and dry.”

The process showed me that I take my easy access to water for granted. That realization first caused me to feel somewhat ashamed of how spoiled I am, but then came a growing sense of gratitude.

I remembered how three years ago, on a two-week mission trip to drought-stricken Africa, there was no running water or plumbing in the area we were at. We used hand sanitizer––a lot––and pit latrines and pumped water from a well to take a “bucket shower” every three days. We got used to it and we did fine. We had everything we needed and then some.

Even so, I had forgotten how easy I have it here. My thoughts slowly expanded to other overlooked blessings in my life: food, electricity, transportation, communication, and on and on. The Lord provides everything I need and a whole lot more. Even in a pandemic. Even in a shortage. Even when what I’m used to is removed. I stood for minute, looking at my inconvenient containers of water. These containers were an overlooked blessing.

It dawned on me that this is an earthly example of the countless gifts Jesus offers us. Whatever we need, He offers more than enough. Not just things for our bodies, but things for our minds and things for our souls. Have you ever thought about how many friends you have? How many Bible verses you can read? How many times God has opened your eyes to His love? Start making a list and it will be longer than you expect. The ultimate gift He offers is salvation,  eternal life with our loving Creator. And all we have to do is ask.

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well John 4: 1-30, carrying her inconvenient containers for water, he told her that, if she asked, He would give her living water so that she would never thirst again. It would become a spring of water, welling up to eternal life! 

Oh, how He loves us! He hovers over us like a parent on Christmas (that would be a whole other devotional!), enjoying the child’s delight to discover gifts under the tree. We are precious to Him and He is tremendously generous. Can you sit with that for a moment? Who is He and who are you to Him? Can you discover and list some ways He is revealing his heart for you?

“Yes, indeed—God is my salvation. I trust, I won’t be afraid. God—yes, God!—is my strength and song, best of all, my salvation!” Joyfully you’ll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you’ll say, “Give thanks to God. Call out his name. Ask him anything! Shout to the nations, tell them what he’s done, spread the news of his great reputation! (Isaiah 12:2-4)

Check out this short video clip from the series called The Chosen, an excellent depiction of the events of Jesus’ life on earth. This clip tells the story of when He meets the Samaritan woman at the well. May it help you discover overlooked blessings God has given you. 

I’m still making my list.

Prayer: Lord, You are such a generous and loving Father. It is absolute joy to get even a glimpse of how much You care for us. But when we take the time to discover some of Your gifts that we have overlooked, we are overwhelmed. We can never complete the list! Thank You for loving us so very well. Thank You for offering us living water that wells up in us to eternal life. Amen.

 Share this with a friend:

June 11 2020

By Nora Cunning, Pastoral Assistant and Media Support

“Our God, will not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are fixed on You” (2 Chronicles 20:12)

In just a few months our nation has faced tremendous devastation with COVID, and in the last few days following the injustice over George Floyd’s death, our country has erupted in unrest. I have spent many hours glued to my screen watching the videos and reading the updates. I am frozen, speechless, and undeniably grief-stricken. The images replay in my mind, and I experience waves of boiling anger and overwhelming hopelessness. 

Part of my job at First Prez is the church’s social media management, and as most of you know, social media is a mixed bag of every side and no filter. I find myself debating everything I post because this is such a sensitive time. As someone planning to work in the ministry, I really feel this is where God placed me in this season to show me this need within His church and the importance of this ministry. 

In order to stay healthy and strong as a Christian, I must hold myself accountable and reflect on the feelings I am having in response to everything that is going on. If I don’t do this I might just explode! More than just my normal routine of praying, reading the Word, working out, and talking it out, this time I think there might be something more I need to do. I have to lament. 

I need to lament for my nation. I know this to be true because there are many examples of people lamenting in Scripture, from kings to prophets and even our Savior Jesus, who cried out to God the Father from the cross, "Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani," which means, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Mark 15: 34, Psalm 22:1)

The biblical response to the turmoil we are facing as of late is to lament. Cry out to Jesus. Jesus who advocates to His Father on our behalf. Jesus, died and suffered alone, so that we don’t have to. We don’t have to suffer alone, and we can cry out to Jesus. We should also acknowledge the family we each have in Jesus, our brothers and sisters in Christ, because together our prayers are our most powerful weapon. 

We must lament in our grief, in our sadness, and especially in our anger, so that we do not lash out and do more damage than good. If we can be obedient in this, I have full faith that the God we know and trust will honor it. 

I want to conclude with Ephesians 6: 12 -18 because we must remember there is an enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus has already defeated him and has equipped us with the weapons we need. 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Prayer: Father, as I cry out in the fray of the battle that is greater than flesh and blood, my hands are extended beside me and I am grasping my family in Christ, holding on to them, with gritted teeth and tears streaming down my cheeks. I am crying for our nation, for those who have been oppressed, unrightfully persecuted and executed because of hate. Lord, our world is burning and our people are not resting, and we are grieving for your creation. Please, please, oh Lord, forgive us our sins and help us forgive the sins of others against us and against your children. I am begging you, please bring us rest, bring us peace and bring us truth like only you can. Protect all people and forgive all people. I pray Your word would be heard by every ear and spoken in every tongue to the ends of the earth. I pray Your love would find a way the way it always does. I love You, my righteous Redeemer. In your Holy Son Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

Share this with a friend:

June 10, 2020

By Pastor Steve Peich

2 Thess. 2.17 - May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

When I was 24 years old and not very long a Christian (about three years) I went into the ministry and worked at a refugee camp in southeast Asia. My parents were stunned and deeply disappointed at my new found career choice.

I can assure you it was not pleasant to enter the ministry without the encouragement and support from those whom I sought it most. This left me feeling a bit insecure at times. Yet despite all that, God had a plan in mind that I didn’t see coming. After months at the refugee camp, I was asked to preach in a combined service of the different Christian refugees who worshipped in the camp (Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Lao). I was incredibly nervous. Who was I to preach to these people? I hadn’t even read the whole Bible yet. I knew next to nothing about theology. I was in way over my head. 

However, as that was going on within me, my supervisor, who was old enough to be my father, watched me preach. For some crazy reason he saw potential in me. I couldn’t see that I would ever be much of a preacher because I was so unlearned in the way of our faith and because I sounded more like Rocky than Shakespeare in those days (ok, so I still sound a bit like Rocky, but I assure you, it’s way worse back then). As the days went by and as he saw me preach more and more (and struggle more than you could imagine), he asked to meet with me each week for prayer and to share what God was doing in our lives. In time he became Christ’s encouragement made flesh.

Up to that point I was all zeal and no clue. His words of encouragement, wisdom, and guidance were like water on a parched soul. At that time, I was so gung-ho that I never thought I would return to the United States. But he convinced me to return to attend seminary so I could “put better tools in my ministry toolbox,” as he put it. It was a life-altering decision.

I often wonder what my life would be like if he didn’t take the time to take the initiative and intentionally encourage me as a Christian; to guide and support me in days where I felt so clueless and to see in me what I could not see in myself. Jesus used Him to “encourage my heart and strengthen me in every good deed and word.” I will never forget him and I will never be the same because of him.

That’s the kind of person God calls every Christian to become. God doesn’t call all of us to the same type of ministry, but there are some things He gives us to do that are universal. Being a channel of His encouragement is one of those universal calls. So let me challenge you to pray to God and ask Him to lead you to someone just to encourage them, to help them see what they cannot see in themselves. Let yourself become God’s instrument to stretch another soul to greater things.

Prayer: “Lord, make me an instrument of Your encouragement to another soul who needs it. Help me be courageous enough to jump on opportunities today to speak Your words, Your grace, Your love into my friends, my spouse, my kids, and whoever else you send my way. Give me the words that can give life to another. In Your Name I pray, Amen.”

 Share this with a friend:

June 9, 2020

By Pastor Steve Peich

2 Corinthians 3.18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 

In 2 Corinthians 3.18, Paul writes about an existential reality for anyone who follows God. “Ever-increasing glory” means a lot of things, but in the very least it means change. Transformation, growth, greater character, deeper impact, etc. are all meant to be part of the normal Christian journey; they are basic, not bonus, to our life with God. 

I know that the constant tug of little ones at your ankles, or that broken screen you had to fix because yourloved one decided to be The Hulk that afternoon and ran through it, or that constant undertow of sadness you may feel because you can’t live or worship like we once did all create in us a deep desire for things to be ‘normal’ again. And perhaps a little normal would be good for us, but if I am honest, it won’t be the best for us if that is all that has happened after this crisis. 

Our bodies and brains love normal. They crave for stasis––a balanced calm––where we feel safe, secure, and in control. When our brains (and our bodies) don’t feel this, it causes a cascade of chemicals to run through our neural pathways to get us to feel ‘normal’ again. But our souls need to be stretched from normal in order to find its greatest health. Everything about the Scriptures teaches us that continued growth and change is deeply intertwined with human flourishing. In fact, as you have likely heard me say many times from the pulpit, growth implies change. If we are not changing, we are not growing. That’s true on the biological level, the business level, the education level, and even the church level.  

Recently I had been in conversation with a man who was tragically sick and dying, but even in that condition his faith, love, and trust in God grew in “ever-increasing glory.” It was so inspiring to dialogue with him those weeks before he passed. So yes, even as we are losing life, Jesus calls upward into greater life with Him. 

Now I know for some, when we hear ‘change,’ we hear disruption – or more accurately, negative disruption. We almost instinctively anticipate that what will come next will not be something I will be comfortable with (which may be true). However, if we are open to it, a 2 Corinthians 3.18 change in us will be exactly what our family needs, what our business needs, what our classroom needs, and what our church needs. 

So my challenge to us is to pray, reflect on, and discuss with others our proclivity toward ‘normal’ with an eye toward the call of 2 Corinthians 3.18. As one wise sage wrote recently, “the world has changed almost unbelievably since mid-March 2020, but stop for a moment and think about how much you’ve changed.”

Practically speaking, what would it take in your life to stay on an ‘ever-increasing glory’ type of journey? Don’t try to change 10 different things at once, but prayerfully consider one thing you know needs a God-change. Once you got that figured out, what would you need to shift in your use of your time, activity, and attention to see change arise? Just as importantly, who would you need in your life to keep you on this journey? The reality is you will never become all that God intends without walking with a trusted friend or two who will encourage you, pray for you, challenge you, support you, and speak the truth in love to you.  

One of these days we will be back as a church community meeting face-to-face. This craziness won’t last forever. But what will be different? What will be a little more ‘glorious’ in us when meet again soul-to-soul? 

Prayer: “Lord, I confess I love the idea of change, but not its process. Show me one thing that needs transformation. Give me the courage and humility to face that one thing, and lead me to people who will graciously walk with me in the journey of ever-increasing glory. Lord, I completely surrender my life to You. Amen.”  

 Share this with a friend:

June 8, 2020

By Dwaine Woo, Administrative Assistant

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Who doesn’t have a few pet peeves? I certainly do. One of them is when people insist on holding open the glass door in the ice cream section of the supermarket to look at the ice cream. Don’t they know that it will fog up the glass after they shut the door and those after them won’t be able to see through it?! There is a reason why the doors are made of clear glass, people! Can I get an Amen?

Anyway, my wife Tracy knows this pet peeve and my feelings of frustration that go with it. She reminds me of Jesus’s words while on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

It is a struggle at times to deal with the temper, temptations, and temperament of others (and for others to deal with mine); to live filled with the fruit of the Spirit and to resist my gift of sarcasm. However, there is Someone I can look to, who lives with all the traits that make life better––Jesus. He is my example and my source of strength. 

Do I see people with God’s eyes? Do I try to understand, as my wife does, that people are people? We have all fallen short and are in need of grace and forgiveness. Perhaps my shortcomings are God’s pet peeves. I’m sure He doesn’t roll His eyes as I do, but He does love me and wants to help me love as well. 

Prayer: Jesus, please help me to see Your people with Your eyes and to feel with Your heart. Even when I can’t see through the glass doors, teach me to hope for what is beyond. Amen.

Share this with a friend:

June 5, 2020

By Karen Makishima, Director of Family Life Ministries

The Lord calls us to be in community. Life is too hard to do it on our own. We each need a cheerleader who desires God’s very best for us and cheers us on to live out His best. 

I’ve sought out a cheerleader, and she has done an amazing job of cheering me on. She knows that my sabbath is on Thursdays, and she reminds me that the Lord wants me to meet with Him. She warns me that many things will try to distract me from doing that, but on my sabbath, my best yes is to be with the Lord. 

She encourages me to be still so that I can listen to the voice of my Creator. She prays for me to have wisdom in loving my husband and my family, and in leading God’s people in ‘Ohana Ministry. She prays strength over me as the journey at times gets really tough. She has been one of God’s greatest gifts to me. She is MY personal prayer warrior, and at times she will also pray for the whole First Prez Leadership Team. 

Here’s one of her prayers: 

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus ... since You are the Alpha and Omega and everything in between, thank you for the goodness, mercy, and compassion You’ve placed in the hearts of the FPC leadership staff. 

Thank you for Your vision to update the FPC website. Thank you for all of the social media resources available and the talents of people who know how to disseminate Your love, comfort, and peace to us.

Thank you for this quiet time to meander, ponder, dream, say thanks, I love you, I’m sorry, will you forgive me?

Thank you for being Yah-Weh, the One who ignores social distancing, who is comfortable with touch on so many levels, who will never deny us entry into Your heart of hearts, who reaches out with Your right hand, Your hand of unlimited goodness to give us hope, help, and strength (Psalm 18:35).

Thank you for being our Jesus Christ in this crisis, our Comfort in the chaos, our Counselor in the convening, our Creator in the contingencies and the cancelled, our confiding and conversational Friend in our confession, our ultimate Cleanser from Corona, our complete All in All. In the name of Jesus, the Constant, in the lives of FPC’s leadership. Amen

Would you consider being someone’s cheerleader, and cheer them on to live out the best version of themselves? Would you also consider asking someone to be a cheerleader for you? 

Prayer: Lord, please bring to mind at least one person I could cheerlead for this season by pointing them to you. I also pray that you would put it on my heart who to ask and who would be committed to praying for your best for me. Lord, you tell us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. I  want to be powerful and effective in my family, my neighborhood, and in my areas of influence. Amen.

Share this with a friend:

June 4, 2020

by Patty Kamahele, Administrative Assistant

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10

We have a staff calendar where we sign up on the date we’d like to submit a devotional, and my eye was drawn to June 4th. [Ya think it may have to do with the fact that I was born on this day (ahem) ___ years ago? Probably.]

But it caused me to think of a much more significant day: my spiritual birthday—when I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Now that's a day to remember! It changed the course of my life forever, and forever I am grateful.

I thought I knew God, but always felt He was way up in the sky. If I did good, He loved me. If I didn't, He was waiting to let me know about it. Although I loved God, I didn't have a real and personal relationship with Him. 

That all changed the night I went to a bachelorette party at a bar, with male dancers, too many drinks, and a lot of ladies hootin' and hollerin'. The following week I was invited to a church service by my roommate and decided to go. Wow! The contrast between the darkness of that bar, and the Light of that church was too obvious to ignore.

I went back to that same bar with some friends soon after. As I sat there, I felt so uncomfortable. What had been appealing before now made me feel so out of place. I heard an almost audible voice say, "What are you doing here?!” In my mind I thought, “What AM I doing here???” I immediately caught a cab and left.

I ended up going back to that church one evening for a service/concert and the band sang a song saying, "You've been running away too long. It's time for you to come back home.” That was me! I was running away from the Lord trying to fill my life with everything but Him.

I committed my heart and life to Him that night, my spiritual birthday, and the direction of my life changed. Since then I have sought to please Him with my life; to grow in Him; to share His Gospel message with others. 

I am so blessed to be able to say, "Happy Birthday to me." Not my physical one—my spiritual one—which has truly made all the difference in this life, and in the Life to come. May I encourage you to share your story with someone?

Prayer: Lord, I can't thank You enough for the gift of salvation through Jesus. Although it was many years ago, the day I gave my heart to You was the best day of my life. May I never stop growing in You no matter how many candles are on that birthday cake. I pray in the Name above all Names, Jesus.

Share this with a friend:

June 3, 2020

by David Chang, Director of Ministry Support

By the time you read this devotion, The Hawaii Blessing music video would have been seen more than 600,000 times. I’m guessing that if other people watch it as many times as I have, then there are only 600 unique viewers (just joking!). This beautiful video, a music collaboration involving 25 churches in Hawaii, has been seen all over the world. (In case you haven’t seen it, you can watch The Hawaii Blessing here.

I’ve watched it a lot. Even several times a day. I still can’t watch it without being affected by it. Sometimes I weep; sometimes I get chicken skin; sometimes I can’t speak. I tried to think why this song has affected me so much. 

One day a dear friend in the Lord sent me an email. She had looked up the Scriptures behind the lyrics:

"The Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

"May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations" (Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 7:9)

"And your family and your children; and their children and their children" (Psalm 103:17-18; Psalm 128:6)

"May His presence go before you, and behind you and beside you" (Joshua 1:9)

"All around you, and within you" (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians. 3:16)

"He is with you, He is with you" (Psalm 118:6)

"In the morning, in the evening" (Psalm 139:9-12)

"In your coming and your going" (Psalm 121:8)

"In your weeping and rejoicing" (Psalm 30:5)

"He is for you, He is for you" (Psalm 56:9; Romans 8:31)

I looked into the Scriptures and tried to understand what was going on when these words were spoken. I began to realize that these were not times of victory, but rather really rough times. These were situations where people that God loved were driven out of their homes, or faced battles with a more powerful enemy, or suffered under a hostile government. God reminded them through these Scriptures that although it looked like everything was against them, God was still for them. God wanted to reassure them that He saw what they were going through and that He hadn’t forgotten them. God was for them.

I think that’s why I am so affected by the song. He is reminding me that with all the disease, death, and division around me and in the world today, that He is for me. He is for me. He is for me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for singing Your word into my thoughts, into my feelings and into my spirit. As You have blessed me, help me to bless others around me. Help me to sing Your words into their lives, not just with a song, but with helping hands, with a giving heart, and with healing spirit. Use my life to let them know that You are for them. In Jesus name, Amen.

Share this with a friend:

June 2, 2020

by Jason Waldrep, Director of Worship

When I wrote the sermon I shared Sunday the 24th of May, I had no idea how fragile the state of our nation would be just a couple weeks later. I opened my message talking about the temptation of getting sucked into the daily news cycle around COVID-19, and really couldn’t foresee that it could actually get any worse. But it has.

The death of George Floyd is a tragedy in every sense of the word. Racism is evil and is an affront to humanity. In Christ, we have the responsibility to stand against racism in all its forms and to also come alongside those who have suffered under its weight. We are called as followers of Jesus to love God and to love our neighbors, and we must remember that embracing EVERYONE in love is the highest call and our greatest opportunity in times such as these. 

In the sermon I gave from Philippians 4:4-7, I outlined three steps on a pathway to peace: 

1. To rejoice in the Lord always.

2. To let our reasonableness be known to others

3. To let our requests be known to God through prayer. 

It is in the practice of these things that Paul promises peace, and not just any peace, but a guardian peace that fights for you while you rest in Jesus. This passage is as applicable today as it was 2,000 years ago when Paul wrote it and will be just as relevant in tomorrow’s storms as well. 

Today, in the midst of all that is going on in the world around us, I invite you to meditate on the very next verse in this passage, which I didn’t have time to address in my message. Philippians 4:8 says this: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 

Why would Paul write these instructions on what to focus on right after promising peace? I believe it’s because what we choose to focus on has a great deal of influence on us. Can we believe that even in the midst of great darkness and despair, when our society seems to be coming apart at the seams, truth still exists? Can nobility be found? How about righteousness, purity, loveliness? Is there anything excellent or praiseworthy going on around you? You may have to look a little closer and harder, but I can say with confidence that the goodness of God is still here and evident all around us. 

John 1:5 reminds us that the Light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus is the Light and is present in everything. The darkness could not overcome Him, and never will. So don’t ignore the headlines. Stay engaged and informed, and pray for our world. But also be intentional to take more time to see where the Light is shining in the dark … and bask in it. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, May Your Son Jesus, our Light in the darkness, shine brighter not only in our world, but in us as well. Help us to remember that peace is a person, and remind us to take the time we need each day to be with you and to intercede for our nation that desperately needs your healing touch. Amen.

Share this with a friend:

June 1, 2020

By Pastor Dan Chun

Proverbs 8:30 then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 

I like Proverbs 8. In this section, the writer talks about how God has created the heavens, the earth, and the oceans, and we were right there with Him. In verse 22 it says that "the Lord created me at the beginning of His work, the first of His acts of long ago." Yes, the beginning of humankind was right there in His original plan. God always wanted us to be with Him. He delights in us daily, and we can rejoice with Him forever.

I have talked about how doing the Daily Examen of St. Ignatius of Loyola can helps us be close to God.

In my last devotional I talked about how we can use daily apps to be near Him, read His Word, and feel His delight.

But today, I want to say there are some things we can do daily for our health, which will make God happy because the healthier we are, the closer we will feel His presence.

Brooke Anderson, an organizer and photojournalist based in the Bay Area, wrote these six daily questions that we can ask ourselves in quarantine. I believe if we were to follow this advice, we would feel stronger physically, emotionally, and, yes, spiritually because God wants us to take care of our bodies and souls. He wants us to daily do good, feel good, and sense His presence. 

It begins with daily being grateful. 

DAILY QUARANTINE QUESTIONS:

1. What am I grateful for today?

2. Who am I checking in on or connecting with today?

3. What expectations of “normal” am I letting go of today?

4. How am I getting outside today?

5. How am I moving my body today?

6. What beauty am I either creating, cultivating, or inviting in today?

Try it!

Prayer: Lord, indeed you want us to create and cultivate and invite others into Your presence. May we be healthy vessels of Your love. In Christʻs name, Amen. 

Share this with a friend:

May 29, 2020

By Pastor Steve Peich

Heb. 10.23-25 - Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Let’s face it, the COVID crisis has negatively impacted everyone one of us in one degree or another. Even things that may have first brought us some solace and a means to cope with social distancing now feels annoying. For some of us, Zoom has become a new four-letter word.

Even introverts like me are saying: “Ok, enough ‘me time.’ I need to hang out with people.” I miss hanging out face-to-face with my extended family. I miss giving people hugs and handshakes at church. I miss not seeing every person at the grocery store as a potential “Super Spreader.” 

For some, the fact that large gatherings at church will not happen right away creates a feeling of frustration. But I think this deferment is a great opportunity for something powerful to arise in greater measure among our community: Small Groups. As the pastor who oversees our small group ministry (aka Life Groups) I think we are at the threshold of potentially moving into a form of discipleship and community that will deeply impact and change our church and those beyond it. There are many ways you can get in on this. Let me speak of just one.

If you are not in or currently meeting as a small group, let me encourage you to try something new this week. One of the great things that has arisen during this crisis is the development of Digital Connect Groups after each online service. They were created to help us maintain, or even grow in, an experience of community, as well as to deepen our discipleship growth in these days where we have to be so far from each other. One of the better things I have seen in such groups is how folks who have been coming to First Prez for years, even decades, have only now met and spoken to each other for the first time. Moreover, I have witnessed people sharing deeply important things about their lives. One group of women enjoyed it so much they decided to form a new Life Group that meets on Saturdays!

So I want to invite you all to join us for our post-church service Digital Connect Groups. Put yourself out there and become part of God’s eyes, ears, and words that help others find a place of peace, growth, and community. Ask your questions, share your wisdom, offer your listening skills to help others in our community become as God intended. 

Just because we are in a world of social distancing doesn’t mean we give up ‘meeting together’ and ‘encouraging one another.’ That call on our lives is still there. How will you answer the call?

Prayer: “Lord, I know I need others in my life right now to grow, heal, and thrive as a Christian. Show me who I can connect with. Give me the opportunity to be Your eyes, ears, and words to someone else who may need encouragement. I’m here to serve You and Your people. In Your Name I pray, Amen.”

Share this with a friend:

May 28, 2020

by Dwaine Woo, Administrative Assistant

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

There are things in life that being bad at is totally okay. Such as, music, dance, drawing, rocket science, knowledge of the Harappa Civilization, and even Star Trek. If I said I have no dancing ability, most people would accept it and understand. They might even empathize with me on my lack of skill as a dancer. However, if I said I was a Christian, hmmm, the expectation changes. Suddenly I have to be the perfect example of one who has the fruit of the Spirit, someone who’s pious and able to dispense incredible amounts of mercy and grace. 

Unfortunately, I am not very good at any of those things. But fortunately, God understands and He is working in me to make me more like Him. But it takes time; it is a process. 

Sports teams avoid using the term “rebuilding” when they are working at restructuring the team because it sounds like, “We are going to be bad, so please bear with us.” And fans don’t like losing (of course, neither do the players). Instead, the word “process” has entered the sports vernacular. This sounds much more palatable. “We are in the process of moving forward, and we’re making positive changes.” Fanatical followers are more willing to accept the slow, methodical pace if they believe that the team is working toward building a winner.

As I go through my own “process,” I need to remind myself that it doesn’t happen overnight. There are a lot of kinks to work out––bad habits and incredibly awful-looking dance moves that need to change. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will continue to move forward. God understands, thank goodness. 

Note to self: “Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father for being in my life. Please continue to move me ever closer to You. Most of all I am so grateful that You understand that I am not all there yet. But, because of the gift of Your Son, I can make it. Amen

Share this with a friend:

May 27, 2020

By Pastor Dan Chun

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

How can we have hearts that are meditating on Godʻs Word? With all of the stress and challenges in life, we certainly need that refreshing stream of Godʻs thoughts and wisdom from Scripture, slowly flowing into our hearts and souls. We need that calming effect. We need His Word to rinse and cleanse our hearts. The result is that we live good and healthy lives that are acceptable in Godʻs sight.

This is not to say that God is the kind of god that watches our every step to make sure we are perfect. No, this is the God who is trying to say if we know and follow His Word, we will live a life that He and we will find acceptable. We will have a full and meaningful life that even our mouths are repeating the wisdom from above.        

But how do we have that stream of Godʻs thoughts running through us? We are all so busy.

So it really comes down to choice. Can we choose to have hearts that meditate on Godʻs Word? Can we make the choice to carve out some time to meditate on Godʻs Word, to just listen to it. Is there a way we can meditate on His word whether sitting in a chair, or while cooking or cleaning, or while driving or walking?

Hereʻs the interesting thing. If ever there were a generation to whom God has given the aids to help in that daily meditation on Scripture, it is this generation. We have apps, audio Bibles, and tools on social media that make it possible.

Here are a few tools you can use to listen to on your phone or computer that can truly help us hear the words of God, and feel it washing over us and into our souls.

• Pray as you go: An app with contemplative music, a Scripture passage, questions for reflection, and a framework for your own prayer.

• BIOY (Bible in One Year): An app, out of Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London, with Scripture passages and commentary from Alphaʻs Nicky Gumbel. In one year of listening to this, you will have heard the entire Bible!

• YouVersion: Get this app on your phone, and just pick from a wide variety of Bible versions. As you know, I personally like the NIV UK version with David Suchet (the actor who plays Hercule Poirot in the Agatha Christie Mysteries). Pick a Bible version or a daily devotional (in addition to the First Prez daily devotionals), and go through it every day.

• The Bible Experience: An audio Bible featuring an all black cast as Scripture readers, including Denzel Washigton and Samuel Jackson.

• The Word of Promise: A dramatized audio Bible featuring an all-star cast of actors as Scripture readers, like Jim Caviezel, Richard Dreyfuss, Gary Sinise, and Marisa Tomei.

• Daily Faith Sharing: This is a reflection and teaching by James Martin, S.J, on Facebook live. He’s a wonderful Jesuit priest (gee, I’m getting ecumenical here), who gives a delightful 30-minute presentation of a Scripture passage every day at 9 am (except Saturday). You can even write real-time questions and comments.

There are so many ways we can be assisted in our meditation that we really have no excuse.

But like dieting or exercising, sometimes itʻs easier to do it in a group. So there is always the popular Just Show Up that our Sarah Umamoto heads up and right now you can do it from your home and listen with others for about 25 to 40 minutes depending on the selected Bible passages. You can find out about that by writing Sarah at sumamoto@himonline.org.

Prayer: Lord, may we have lives thar are always meditating on Your words. Fill us with Your wisdom and the Holy Spirit as we listen. And may we truly live lives acceptable to You. In Christʻs name, Amen. 

Share this with a friend:

May 26, 2020

By Pastor Dan Chun

Colossians 1:11-12 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

It is good news that the Mayor of Honolulu has allowed us to worship in-person when we are ready.  Many are eager to get back together. According to the survey of our congregation that we did last Sunday, 30% said they canʻt wait to get back, while the other 70% said they will want to wait a bit due to coronavirus concerns.

No matter where you are on the spectrum of waiting, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be patient.          

Our passage today calls us to endure everything with patience. Everything? But we have waited two months to see each other! But the passage says to be patient. No way!

The 12th verse says we are to be patient “while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

Joyfully? Really?

While giving thanks? For what?

Give thanks that our Father has given you a relationship with Him, whether you are in a building or not. He has given you a church fellowship for decades and, yes, for now you must wait at least a few more weeks. But weʻve been waiting ten weeks to see each other! Yes, ten weeks is a very long time. Hereʻs a perspective.

During the Cultural Revolution in China, the churches were closed by the Communists. Not for ten weeks, but for TEN YEARS! I spoke to a Chinese pastor in Nanjing who said on Christmas Eve they would silently stand on the sidewalk across the street from their church, trying not to attract attention, and stare with tears in their eyes at their sanctuary, longing to fellowship once again.

This Chinese pastor was also put in labor camps for his faith. Some were imprisoned. Some were killed for declaring their obedience to Jesus.

During our time of patience, may we reflect how fortunate we have been to even be worshipping together for years. May we be thankful that it might only be a few more weeks to wait.

May we never take for granted the possibility that we can freely worship in our homes, as even now many of our brothers and sisters in China worship in hiding.

May we be thankful that we share joyfully the same inheritance of those saints in China, but even more so that we have the privilege of public and private worship, while even today they do not.

If we are truly followers of Jesus, patience should be one of our virtues. For it is in patience that we are saying God is in control. We are thankful for whatever comes our way for He is our Lord who allows it, and He sustains and strengthens us.

Colossians 3:12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Prayer: Lord, may we have thankful hearts that drives our compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and, yes, patience in our lives. In Christʻs name, Amen.

Share this with a friend:

May 25, 2020

By Marianna Meachen, Director of Care Ministries

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

Today we celebrate Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor the brave soldiers, sailors, and Marines who have given their lives to protect our land and keep us free. It began as a day to honor our Civil War dead, but after World War I, it was expanded to include our war dead from all the wars in which America was involved. Our country has fought in 13, and in every one of these wars, we have asked the young people of our nation to be willing to give their lives in the name of freedom.

We’re now involved in a different type of war–––the war against the coronavirus. It has been a battle of a different sort and there have been casualties. But after only nine weeks, we have grown weary. We miss seeing our friends. We’ve had to give up things we enjoy or have been used to. Many have lost their jobs. The world has changed.

Just stop and think about a little of what the people of our military have given up for us. At the very least, they have given years of their life, time away from their families to serve the country they love. They have given up any chance of setting down “roots,” having to move from base to base every three to four years. Many who have been injured in battle will be physically disabled the rest of their life. Scores have been mentally disabled from head injuries and PTSD, resulting in them being unable to handle day-to-day living. And thousands have given the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can continue to live in a land of freedom.

We may not be able to understand what they went through, and are continuing to go through, all because they love our nation and the freedoms we take for granted every day. It seems as if saying “thank you” just isn’t enough. And what do you say to the wives, children, and parents who have lost their precious loved ones? Lives lost and lives changed forever.

I know personally the pain of loss of a loved one in the military. Although not lost in a war, my first husband was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. He flew in F-4 jets. He was a radar intercept officer (RIO), who sat in the backseat of a two-seat jet and did the communications and navigation. But on November 23, 1979 his plane went down off the coast of California into the Pacific Ocean. He and the pilot were never found.

There is incredible love and sacrifice displayed when people are willing to stand strong and fight for freedom, but the ultimate love and unmatched sacrifice was and always will be that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who went willingly to the cross for you and me so we can be saved from our sins.

Do you know Him as your Savior?

Prayer: Father, may we always remember and honor the sacrifice of those who willingly sacrificed their lives for our freedom. May we also praise and glorify You for the sacrifice that saved us and gave us eternal life. To you be the glory now and forever more, Amen. 

Share this with a friend:

May 22, 2020

By Dwaine Woo, Administrative Assistant

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14a)

Recently we received an exercise bike from my in-laws, a perfect gift for times like these. I can exercise at home and get healthy. The first day I tried it, I didn’t use the program on the bike. I just pedaled away until I hit five miles. That wasn’t so bad. In fact, I thought it was quite easy.

The next day I decided to use the exercise program that was on the bike. Well, that changed things. A lot! You see, there’s a built-in setting in the bike to create resistance, something I didn’t have the first time around. At first, it was easy. Then it started getting progressively harder and harder. The screen even showed me the resistance level and how much harder it would get! After 20 minutes, I declared myself done. It was too hard! I didn’t even finish the 30-minute workout.

Encountering resistance in life is generally never pleasant. But once we determine that the resistance is meant for our benefit (like the resistance feature on the bike), giving in to it and going along with it is the wise thing to do.

But there’s another kind of resistance. It’s when we resist against what God has planned for us. In the Bible, the apostle Paul (formerly known as Saul) was anti-Jesus at first. He was against Jesus so much that he even had those who believed in Jesus arrested and killed. But it was not until Jesus pushed back against Saul’s mission to squash Christians, that Saul gave in to Jesus.

I wonder how often I resist Jesus and His direction for my life. It’s hard to ignore thoughts that say where I sense the Lord is leading me doesn’t necessarily match the world’s definition of excellence and success. However, I must consistently evaluate whose definition and purpose I am following. Jesus’ or the world’s?

Why resist the One who holds everything in the palm of His hand and is so willing to bless me? “Follow me,” is what Jesus asks. Resisting Him doesn’t make sense when I consider all the rewards and comfort He brings to those who love and follow Him. 

As The Borg would say in Star Trek: The Next Generation: “Resistance is futile.”

Prayer: Jesus, I know that I resist You when I don’t understand what You’re trying to do in my life. Please open my eyes as You did Paul’s eyes, so that I may follow Your will and participate in Your plans. I choose to trust You. Amen!

Share this with a friend:

May 21, 2020

By Rosella Shishido, Director of Communications

Like many people during these COVID days, I’ve watched more movies than I normally would have in a month! One of them was 2014’s Interstellar, a science fiction film set in the year 2067 about a small group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole. Their mission: to search for a new planet to where humankind could be relocated because Earth was becoming uninhabitable.

It wasn’t my first time to watch Interstellar, but it’s so good that I didn’t mind sitting through the almost-three-hour-movie again. It’s also one of those that you just have to watch more than once to fully understand and appreciate what’s going on. Spectacular movie, and I highly recommend it!

It’s not a Christian movie, but I found some themes that pointed me to the LORD:

1) The enormity of God

The visuals of the scenes in outer space were fascinating. I’m always in awe of the vastness of the universe, and I marvel at God for the genius that He is. He created the heavens and the earth by His great power (Jeremiah 32:17). Our God is brilliant and unfathomable! If He was able to create our planet, our solar system, and the entire universe, He is more than able to handle our problems and concerns no matter how complex they may be.

2) God is not limited by time and space

There are many noteworthy quotes in Interstellar, but the one that stands out for me is by lead character Amelia Brand (played by actress Anne Hathaway): “Love is the one thing that transcends time and space.”

Like love, God is not bound by time and space. God, in fact, is love, according to 1 John 4:8. He is also spirit (John 4:24). We live in a physical world where we measure time by minutes and hours; and space by height, width, and length. But God is not bound by any of that because He is in the spiritual realm. He also lives forever (Isaiah 40:28), and He has always been there even before the creation of time (Ephesians 1:4). He will always be with us––no matter where and no matter when.

3) The strong bond of family

Actor Matthew McConaughey plays the role of Cooper, a widowed man who raised his two children with the help of his father-in-law. I like the strong bond of his family. They laughed together, cried together, and looked out for each other. Cooper didn’t hold back in showing his love for his children. The family scenes carefully woven into the movie’s storyline reminded me of how the Bible stresses the importance of family.

God has called us to be part of His eternal family. Everyone is welcome! Everyone who will acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Next time you watch a movie, try looking for themes through which God may be saying something to you.

Remember that God is everywhere.

Even in the movies.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the many ways You speak to me. I open my eyes, my ears, and my heart to what You want to say to me today. I also ask for the courage to obey. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Share this with a friend:

May 20, 2020

By Nora Cunning, Pastoral and Ministry Support

Nothing seems to be going my way this morning. I woke up late; my kids are a little extra cranky, and now I can't remember my password to access my account. I feel the frustration bubbling up. I had a plan to be productive today, and now the day feels half gone, and I have not even had my breakfast. Here comes the anxiety. 

What happened? Why is it today I am spinning my wheels, but nothing is getting accomplished? How is it that I have all day every day in my home and yet the work continues to pile up? Is it possible to be busier in quarantine than before when I never had any time? When does the rest come? 

The plan this morning was to start in God’s Word. Yet somehow time slipped away from me. I am reminded by God's Word that it is never too late for a fresh start. So right now, at this moment, I am going to stop and start over with some truth and some rest.

Isaiah 40: 31 says, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

Like a deep breath and a hot breakfast, the Word of life can sustain us! There are still many hours left in the day, and if I spend more moments with my heart and eyes fixed on the Lord and His promise, I can do anything, including shaking off this downcast attitude of mine.  

Pray with me?

Father, thank You for being such an awesome God. Thank You for being the Father I can stop and turn to when I am broken in my ways. You are the healer and the redeemer, and I will hope in You.  I pray these words in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Share this with a friend:

May 19, 2020

By Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

During my time in the Masters in Global Leadership program at Fuller Seminary, what surprised me the most was the intensity of courses focused on the internal workings of leaders: character formation, spiritual formation, and deep processing. It was to the point where I yelled out, “Hey, where is all the theological stuff I’m supposed to know?!”

I got there, believe me. But through the years I’ve realized that the study or knowledge part is MUCH EASIER to deal with than the internal stuff. During this season of COVID-19, external pressures can expose or build upon the internal stuff. The internal stuff is the stuff we rage and butt up against. It’s the stuff we bury and rarely show anyone––the scars, the shame, the fear, the trauma.

Those are the things that bind us, but those are also the things Jesus wants to address and heal. Jesus wants to free us from bondage so we can go, lead, give, share, and love in His Kingdom way. 

Looking back at some of the class assignments, I found one that was quite powerful, an exercise about our false selves (from David Benner’s book, “The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery”). I invite you to take some time to do this exercise. Pray before you start, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Think through the following two questions:

1. What is the most common mask I wear to protect myself from my weakness?

2. What do I need to surrender?

Then do these steps:

• First, ask God to help you see what makes you feel most vulnerable and most like running for cover. It may be conflict. Or perhaps it is failure, pain, emotional upset, or loss of face.
  Allow yourself to feel the distress that would be present if you did not avoid these things.
  Then, listening to God’s invitation to come out of the bushes in which you are hiding, step out and allow God to embrace you just as you are.

• Second, prayerfully reflect on the image of yourself to which you are most attached. Consider how you like to think about yourself, what you are most proud of about yourself. Ask God to help you see the ways you use these things to defend against feelings of vulnerability.

• Third, ask God to prepare you to trust enough to let go of these “fig leaves” of your personal style. (Fig leaves are the false self, the masks of concealment we hide behind). There is an alternative to the false self. And it takes less energy and work. The way of being that is based on our life in Christ (our true selves) is a way of truth that leads to our vocation and to our deepest possible fulfillment.

And then end in prayer:

Lord, I confess my lack of trust, the masks I wear and hide behind. Thank you for embracing me as I am, broken and warped. Heal me Lord. Help me to trust You more, surrender more. Cleanse me and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Lead me and guide me, have your way in me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Share this with a friend:

May 18, 2020

By Pastor Dan Chun

1Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

This is a season where we need to stand together and encourage one another. Sometimes we can think, “What can I do? I am not rich enough or skilled enough to do anything.”

My friend Heather Portis (daughter of Al and Eilene Kurano) suffers from a a debilitating disease called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (similar to Multiple Sclerosis), and I have her permission to share that. It’s one of the most painful diseases in the world. She canʻt get out of bed.

It’s hard to ride in a car because of the bumps in the road, which causes her spikes of pain. It has been this way for years.

But in the midst of her pain, Heather tried to think of what she could contribute during this COVID crisis. She canʻt volunteer to carry bags and boxes of food for those in need. She doesnʻt have the energy to get on Zoom calls to say hi to people. She doesnʻt even have the energy to go to church.

But one day, she realized she could pray for people and encourage others through her art.

Heather thought, “How could I help Dan and by helping him I help the church? I can pray for him from my bed! And Iʻm pretty good with my hands. Iʻll make him a Baby Yoda!”

There is a baby that looks like Yoda in the TV series on Disney+ called The Mandalorian. It’s cute, powerful, and short .... hmmm, just like me :). Heather knew from a past sermon I gave that I love Baby Yoda (thatʻs not his name in the show but that is what viewers call him).

So she got some clay and tools, and while lying in bed, she molded the figure just like the one in The Mandalorian. Then she got some paint to give it the exact skin color and shade for the robe. And many hours later she created a two-inch Baby Yoda! Itʻs beautifully made with a lot of detail on the face, the robe, and those big pointy ears! And the color is perfect!

No matter what our disability or challenge might be, we all have gifts we can use for the glory of God, and to encourage others. None of us are completely bankrupt of skills or abilities. We all can pray for others.

I know itʻs hard to be creative when battling depression, anxiety, despair. But sometimes love for others turns the tide. Share the love of Christ in any artistic, concrete way. Once we decide on that, the how-to is not far behind.

The Baby Yoda figurine Heather made for me will always be on my desk to remind me of her fortitude and courage in fighting her disease. Even In the midst of her situation, she chose to be an encouragement to others. A model for us all.

Whatʻs your gift? Is it writing a card? Making a casserole? Helping to sweep the leaves in the yard of a neighbor? Helping others roll back their garbage bins from the roadside? Praying for others? Calling a friend? 

May the Holy Spirit lead you.

Prayer: Lord, You love us so much. May we share Your love and our love with others. May we be ambassadors of Your encouragement. In Christʻs name, Amen.

Share this with a friend: