AUGUST 7, 2020

By Rosella Shishido, Communications Coordinator

A few months back I wrote a devotional entitled God in the Movies, which was about how the Lord is everywhere and how He speaks into situations in our lives through various means, including the movies! I chose the 2014 movie Interstellar for that devotional. But for today, I’ve chosen the 2019 adventure-comedy movie Jumanji: the Next Level.

Have you watched it? If not yet and you’re planning to see it, please stop reading this right now! Cease! Direct your eyes somewhere else because lots of spoilers here! Consider yourself warned! :)

The gist of Jumanji: The Next Level: It’s been three years since the adventure of four friends who found themselves mysteriously sucked into a dangerous video game called Jumanji. In order to get out of it, they had to assume the roles of the game characters, do their best to survive, defeat the bad guys, and win the game, which they did and so they got out. Now three years later, the four friends planned a reunion over brunch, but only three of them showed up. When the three friends tried looking for their no-show friend, they realized he had gone back to Jumanji. And although they were reluctant, they followed him anyway because they knew he wouldn’t be able to get out of the dangerous game on his own.

Here are 5 points from the movie that reminded me of God and our relationship with Him:

1) We all have roles to play.

The Jumanji game has four key characters: archaeologist Dr. Smolder Bravestone, zoologist Moose Finbar, martial arts expert Ruby Roundhouse, and cartographer Professor Shelly Oberon. They were put together in the game because of their expertise and individual strengths that could help them win the game if they leaned on those strengths and worked together as a team.

Likewise, the Lord created us to be part of His family. Romans 12:4-8 and Ephesians 4:11-16 tells us that God has blessed us individually with skills and spiritual gifts that, when used correctly, humbly, and collectively, would benefit the church and extend the reach of God’s love and ministry to a hurting world. What about you? What are your spiritual gifts? How are you developing them and using them to help others and point them to the Lord?

2) No matter how gifted we are, we still have weaknesses.

An interesting feature of the game in the movie is that when characters tap the left side of their chest, a holographic display pops up that lists their strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Professor Shelly Oberon (played by Jack Black) has “cartography, archaeology, paleontology, and geometry” as strengths, while “endurance, sun, sand, and heat” are his weaknesses. Moose Finbar (played by Kevin Hart) has zoology, weapons, and linguistics” as his strengths, while “cake, speed, and strength” are his weaknesses.

Likewise, we have our own strengths and weaknesses, most of which we may have already discovered. Knowing where we are gifted will help us develop those gifts further and play to those strengths. Look at it as good stewardship of our giftings.

Acknowledging our weaknesses is helpful too so we don’t set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. We also learn to work with and depend on others who are more gifted in those areas.

3) There is strength in numbers.

Jumanji is a dangerous place, and that’s why each game character is given three lives—three chances to start over. Individually, their chances of survival is low. But collectively, they have a higher chance of finishing the game and even winning it.

We are stronger and better together. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

4) It’s not worth it to hold a grudge.

Two of the new characters in the movie are Eddie (played by Danny DeVito) and Milo (played by Danny Glover), who were once best friends. They owned a restaurant together called Milo and Eddie’s, but eventually Milo decided he was too old to be working and so he chose to retire and sold the restaurant. This displeased Eddie so much that he refused to forgive or talk to Milo even after many years had passed.

Studies have shown that unforgiveness can negatively affect one’s physical and mental health. The Bible speaks against it too: “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:13) 

5) Getting old is a gift.

The early part of Jumanji: The Next Level has Grandpa Eddie complaining how “getting old sucks,” particularly because he was recovering from hip surgery and couldn’t walk very well. But after his time in Jumanji (yes, he got sucked into the game too), he came out with a new outlook toward life, which enabled him to say toward the end of the movie, “Getting old is a gift. I forget that sometimes.”

Our life is a gift from God. The older we get, the more experienced and the wiser we become. There is also the opportunity to help and mentor people younger than we are. Proverbs 20:29 says, “The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.”

Next time you watch a movie, try looking for themes or ideas through which God may be saying something to you. Remember that God is everywhere.

Even in the movies.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, please help us to always be mindful of Your presence and how You are speaking to us. We ask for sensitivity to Your voice, for discernment, and for wisdom on how to practically apply to our lives what we hear from You. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen. 

Share this with a friend:

AUGUST 6, 2020

By Rene Toyota, Childcare Administrative Coordinator

"But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed." (Acts 27:22)

Have you been to Malta? It is a little island where the Apostle Paul and the ship’s crew ended up on their way to Italy. God had a different destination for them, and it wasn't Italy. Not just yet.

We all have times when we want to get to a particular place, whether it's a vacation destination, a different job, a different home, or even a personal change. 

I wanted a personal change. I prayed a long time for a pure heart. I want to be more forgiving, to love others as God does, to let go of my past, to not give in to fear, to stop being negative, and to be more joyful. I knew it would be a long journey to be the person I wanted to be, who God wanted me to be. But I never thought it was going to be that difficult.

This past year and a half, I went through some major storms, rough seas, that not even the anchors I threw out would hold me still. All I wanted to do was hurry up and get to my destination of change in one piece. I was falling apart. But God took the lead and led me in a different direction. He took me to my “Malta,” the destination where God placed me to mature and grow closer to Him, to ponder who I wanted to be and who I was. He wanted me to see what needed to be changed and what I was doing wrong. He can't change me if I can't admit my mistakes. It would be like going to therapy but not telling my therapist the truth about myself. God knows I knew He knows best, but He needed me to trust Him. Trust is always an issue for me. 

I'm still in my Malta going through changes. In fact, that’s the reason I wrote this devotional! God is not done with me yet. 

I believe the whole world is in Malta right now. COVID has been that in-between destination for all of us, the stop where God wants us for now. We may be in Malta for different reasons, whether it's for a personal change, or a new way of serving, or to help others get closer to God, or to deal with illnesses or family issues, or maybe to just sit and listen for what He has to say. 

Going back to our Scripture passage for today, the Apostle Paul made it to his destination after all the storms, the rough seas, and even after being bitten by a viper! He kept his courage as God said to do. Read it here in Acts 28.

When we obey the Lord and change what He asked us to change, He will honor us, just as He did with Paul in Acts 28:10. He will furnish us with the necessary supplies for our intended destination. Those supplies could be a changed attitude, a better mindset, or more wisdom, to name a few.

Are you in Malta right now? Keep up your courage, for God is with you! And keep your eyes open for what He’s doing in and around you.

Prayer: El Shaddai (God Almighty), thank You for your endless love and grace, and for always reminding us that we are never lost. Thank You for taking us to our “Malta,” where we can open our eyes to see what You're doing in and around us. Please continue to give us courage so that we are not afraid of the changes you have for us. Bless our hearts so that we are intent on pursuing Your will. And when the time is right, we trust that You will furnish us with the necessary supplies as You allow us to sail to our intended destination. In Christ Name, Amen.

Share with a friend:

AUGUST 5, 2020

By Roslyn Catracchia, Director of Worship

There’s been a lot of change in my life over the past few years. And just when I thought I was getting into the swing of things, finding a new, familiar, comfortable rhythm … bam! Change. Again. 

But what am I thinking? EVERYTHING in the world has been changed over the past months! We’re all experiencing it. So if you’re like me and you don’t like change, this isn’t comfortable! Certainly these are not blissful, happy days!

Interestingly, I have a precious few friends who strangely, unbelievably embrace change, seek after it like it’s enjoyable, and see it as a game even! This is such a foreign idea for me, very hard for me to comprehend. They change the position of furniture in their home every few months … for FUN! They enjoy doing it! Huh ... they upgrade their important music software in the middle of a project! Crazy. They try new foods at restaurants! Well, okay, even I will try just about everything at CPK.

But me, I really like the same. So when more change came my way and I knew that change I must, I decided to ask my friends on Facebook for a few words of advice. This is what I asked them:

Hi friends! I have to write a daily devotional for church soon, and I've decided to write about CHANGE. I'm not a fan. And yet, there is a lot of truth to what I recently heard, which is, "The only thing worse than change is NO change." Hmmmm. Gives me pause to pause and think .... I wrote a song long ago for “On Dragonfly Wings” called, "Change with the Times." I should listen to that again. Maybe I'll remind myself of some of the good things about change that I believed back when I wrote it. I’d love your help, everyone! If you could write one sentence or phrase about change, what would it be? Something you maybe have learned over the years, over the past weeks, or a phrase that's meaningful to you.”

Within 24 hours of this post, I had over 100 significant comments! I guess we’re all thinking about change. These are what some of my friends wrote:

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can.”

“There’s gotta be a musical connection you can make. Change is the bridge of the song?”

“Revelation says, ‘we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed…’”

“Often, the change we fight most rigorously is the one which is the most rewarding, but it takes us a while to see.”

“We cannot experience peace without accepting that change is constant.”

“Change for me can trigger grief. Even my happiest, most anticipated life changes came with an element of grief… It seems to me that even the best of changes comes with little happy/sad feelings. But I’m the sentimental type.”

“Metanoia … to transform spiritually. And Mohala – Hawaiian for “to blossom” and transform in a way that is better than before.”

“Change is a catalyst for growth. Without it, we grow dry and brittle like old wineskins; inflexible and prone to bursting.”

“Sometimes the best changes come after chaos and destruction!”

“Change is the enemy of complacency and the catalyst of fortitude.”

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join in the dance.”

“Quiet your mind and look deep inside. Watch the past, live the present, look into the future, and you will find how you changed, how you are changing, and with some work, the change you need to make.”

“Change and I are not normally friends. She intimidates me. I often fight her. She makes me feel loss and fear and sadness, but she also makes me face myself, my fears, my shortcomings, but also reveals my strengths. It is a season of change and although she still scares me and makes me sad and pushes me out of my comfort zone, I must acknowledge that from past experiences God always uses change to, well, change me, and I can choose to get lost in the process or find who God wants me to be now. I will no longer live or make choices from a place of fear, but to look at all that I had with gratitude. No matter the circumstance, no matter the feelings of loss that at times overwhelms me, I will embrace change and the growth that she will move me into, and we will become friends.”

How amazing is that?! 

Another friend of mine in the news business wrote, “Even though I toiled for nearly 4 decades in the news business, I loathe change. That said, change of this magnitude = opportunity! That is definitely an angle to include.”

Hmmm .... that one got me thinking. Her witness, her experiences in over four decades of the news business. The magnitude = opportunity! 

Very interestingly, the most common response that I got from a number of people was, “The only thing that is constant is change,” a quote by Greek philosopher Heraclitus. I guess that dude understood the significance of change even back in 500 BC! (I had to look it up.) 

But the comment I want to end with is this: “What an encouragement to just read this thread!”  

And she’s right! After reading all of these comments and thoughts from dear friends of mine, I found that I was encouraged! Significantly encouraged! My heart felt lighter! I thought, “I can do this. WE can do this!”

There are countless Scripture passage that came to mind, but I’m going to leave you with just two. 

The first Scripture is on change, or non-change ☺ :

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Amen, amen, amen to that! Thank you, God, that you never change! 

The second Scripture is on friends:

“Encourage each other and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

That is what all of my friends did with me that night – they built me up. It wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t reach out to them and ask. So I encourage you all to reach out to others during this time like no other time in our lives. Reach out when you need building up, and reach out to give help when you see someone in need.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you never change! Your promises are true yesterday, today and forever. Your love never changes from one season to the next. Thank you for showing us the joys in change, like the sky that is never the same from one moment to the next, like a flowing river that is never the same from one moment to the next. And thank you, thank you for giving us each other to build one another up at all times. In Your precious name I pray, Amen.

Share this with a friend:

AUGUST 4, 2020

By Marianna Meachen, Director of Care Ministries

A couple of weeks ago David Chang wrote a devotional entitled “I Have No Idea Where I Am Going,” where he talked about taking road trips with his family when he was a boy. That made me think of a particular road trip my late husband Rich and I took with my two sons, and where our ultimate destination was Florida. It was going to be a grand tour, three whole weeks to relax and enjoy family. 

Rich grew up in Kailua and would often show me the homes he had lived in as a boy. He would tell me stories about living on Kailua Road across the street from Campus Dairy (now the site of Ka Malanai townhomes), and the cows getting loose and eating the flowers in his front yard. He and his brother Skip dutifully shooed the cows back across the road and complained to the workers at the dairy, who would listen and ask if chocolate milk would help the situation. 

So now it was my turn to show Rich where I was from, where I grew up and went to school, so we flew into my hometown, Evansville, Indiana. I wanted him to meet my four sisters and their families, and get to know my mom and dad better. It was a great way to start our journey.

From there we drove to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to meet Rich’s family, and then headed on to Florida. First on the list? Walt Disney World, of course, and then on to River Country,  Epcot Center, and then Gatorland, where we saw alligators leap 12-feet into the air to eat whole chickens suspended from a pole. 

It was so much fun, and then we got lost!

My husband, whose only sense of direction was mauka, makai, Diamond Head, and Ewa, loved to drive the backroads. It was 1992, and there was no GPS or smartphones. We only had a map that showed no backroads. I'm good at reading maps, but I can't see what isn't there. 

Rich and I thought it was great fun trying to find our way, but the boys got a bit anxious. It can be disconcerting when we get lost as adults, but to children, it can be frightening. 

I remember one of them asking, "Are we lost?" I responded, "No, we're not lost; we're having an adventure." 

Wow! An adventure, how fun. No need to be worried. Let's go!

Perhaps during these past few months, you feel as though you’ve been on backroads with no map and feel a bit lost. Maybe you have felt anxious, discouraged, or even frightened. How are we to steer a course through COVID? We have an excellent road map that leaves no stone unturned. It is called the Bible. It takes us from the very beginning of time and has clear directions to our final destination, our true home, which is heaven. It guides us to our salvation so that we may live with God forever.  

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Portions of Scripture are direct instructions and laws from God, such as the Ten Commandments, recorded in Exodus 20. These tell us more about God and His expectations for us. On other pages, the Bible gives God's practical advice and encouragement through parables, lists, promises, and even warnings. Amazingly, though many different writers throughout thousands of years wrote the Bible, each page describes the same God in ways we can understand and apply in our lives today. This book is always His voice talking personally to anyone willing to read and hear.

Ultimately, the Bible lets us know and understand God's love for us through His Son Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We are never alone when we walk with God. He is always by our side. 

Follow Him, and be prepared to have the most beautiful adventure of your life.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word. We thank You for guiding and directing us and showing us Your plan for our lives. As we live in you, may we experience the richness of Your love. May we give You glory in all circumstances, and let us be salt and light and lead others to Your matchless grace. Thank You that we never have to be lost again. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Share this with a friend:

AUGUST 3, 2020

By Julie Lockyer, Scheduler/Receptionist

Not too long ago I woke up singing:

I'm gonna see a victory

I'm gonna see a victory

For the battle belongs to You, Lord

I'm gonna see a victory

I'm gonna see a victory

For the battle belongs to You, Lord.

These lyrics from the song See A Victory kept going over and over in my head. When I read my devotions that morning, one of them was entitled “Victory.” I knew God was speaking to me, so I thought this would make a great devotion. But did I write it? No, not at that time because I got too busy. 

The words I wanted to write kept running through my thoughts, especially while I was driving, when nothing would distract me. But when I got home, I’d put off writing again because I would need to make dinner, or watch TV, or take care of my granddaughter––you name it. There was always something getting in the way of my writing, and I let it get in the way.

Well, today when I woke up, the words of See A Victory came to mind again. I went downstairs to do my devotions and guess what? The words “victory” and “freedom” popped up in two different devotions I was reading. Boy, when God wants us to write or tell our story, He will come knocking on our door!

I have something going on in my life that I sometimes think will never be resolved. It gets really hard at times thinking there won’t be an end to what is happening. I feel like God is saying the victory is His because the battle is His. It may not happen the way I would like it to go but I have to trust in God and keep hanging on to His promises! I need to give my fears and feelings of hopelessness up to the Lord because I know He is on my side. 

I can and need to trust God in all areas of my life. I need to rely on His word. Deuteronomy 20:4 tells us “For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” And when victory comes, so does freedom. 

Prayer: Thank You, Lord for showing me that yes there is victory in everything! So many of us are facing battles and wonder how we are going to get through them. But You, our loving God, are there fighting those battles for us. We may not see it or feel it at times, but You remind us in many ways whether it’s through Scripture, music, devotions, or the many other ways You speak to us. Thank You that no matter what we are going through, You are our stronghold and will give us the victory and the freedom we need. May we give everything to You, Lord, and trust that You will carry us through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Share this with a friend:

JULY 31, 2020

By Pastor Tim Shaw

I was born and raised in California. I lived in the Golden State my entire life until I moved to Hawaii in 2013. As a native Californian I know exactly what I’m supposed to do when the earth begins to shake, the light fixtures start to sway, and pictures start falling off the wall. In elementary school, we regularly practiced what to do when an earthquake hit. Here’s the drill: drop, cover, and hold on. 

The worst experience I ever had during an earthquake happened while I was in college. Since the epicenter was very close to my rickety, two-story Santa Barbara apartment, the shaking during this moderate earthquake was intense. As the quake hit, it became nearly impossible for me to walk down the hall to get to a place in my apartment where I could initiate the “drop, cover, and hold on” drill. The walls of my apartment were moving back and forth so violently that I wondered whether the building was going to collapse. When the shaking stopped, I was fully adrenalized!

I also experience the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. That’s the one that happened during the World Series and caused extensive damage in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the collapse of one section of the upper deck of the Bay Bridge. I was driving home from work and coming to a stop at a stoplight just below the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley when the quake hit. Suddenly, my car started to rock side to side and the telephone wires began to swing. When I discovered that all of the radio stations were now off the air. I thought to myself, “I don’t know how big that was but I think something really bad just happened.” Even though that was a much larger quake than the one I experienced in Santa Barbara, it did not rattle me like that quake in college.

I’ve been pondering the difference between earthquakes and hurricanes ever since I moved to Hawaii. Even though I now have some experience with tropical cyclones (including the one last weekend), I think I still prefer that disasters come into my life unannounced. Maybe it’s because I grew up in California and have extensive experience with the ground moving, that I prefer earthquakes to hurricanes. With an earthquake, you don’t have to spend a week tracking the arrival of a potential disaster. Earthquakes just happen and when they do you deal with the aftermath. 

If you had a choice, which potential disaster would you prefer, a hurricane or an earthquake? Many people I’ve spoken with here in Hawaii would rather face a hurricane than an earthquake because they feel like they have more control with an on-coming cyclone. They can see the storm approaching and can take the necessary action to secure themselves, their loved ones, and their belongings. I, on the other hand, found it exhausting to watch Hurricane Douglas spin up off the coast of Mexico and head for the Central Pacific.

The truth is that sometimes difficulties and challenges enter our lives with plenty of warning and sometimes they show up unannounced. When faced with the possibility of a natural disaster like an earthquake or hurricane, how we prepare during the times when the storm is not bearing down on us and the earth is not shaking is super important. During COVID-19, we have the equivalent of a storm parked on top of us so we may need to create the spaces where we recharge and prepare for the challenges ahead. The spiritual practices we cultivate to deepen our relationship with Jesus, the spiritual resources we store in our lives during the seasons of calm will determine how well it goes for us when the difficulties of life hit us or intensify. Being a part of a supportive community is absolutely necessary if we hope to weather the storms. We were not created to face big challenges on our own. We are created to go through the good times and the hard times with others. And when the storms hit, when the earth begins to shake, I think the advice I was given in 2nd grade is still the best. Drop to your knees in prayer, seek the covering and the protection of something stronger than yourself, and hold on. Hold on to others and hold on to our faithful God as the storms of life pass.

Psalm 91:1-2 reminds us that “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. They say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” 

This is an invitation for all of us to continue and maybe intensify our spiritual preparations. As we continue to navigate through a global pandemic and as we await the future challenges that will certainly come, let us take the time to go deeper in our relationship with God and with others.

Prayer: Lord, we are so grateful that You are a God in whom we can take refuge. You love us with a love that is impossible to measure, and You are able and ready to help us in our time of need. Thank You for all the ways that You have proven to each one of us that You are indeed a faithful and good God. When the storms and earthquakes of life hit us, may we entrust ourselves to You and know Your peace. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Share this with a friend:

JULY 30, 2020

By Patty Kamahele, Administrative Assistant

An artist was once asked to put on canvas his interpretation of the word “peace.” People imagined it would be a painting of a beautiful lush valley, or a still calm lake, or a meadow of bright colorful flowers. But to everyone’s surprise, he painted a thunderous waterfall with water crashing down from a steep incline! However, if you looked very closely, there was a tiny bird sitting on the branch of a small tree near the bottom of the waterfall, as content as could be, completely and utterly at peace. 

We can find ourselves longing for peace when we are faced with the challenges of life. But how can we find peace in the midst of turmoil, uncertainty, or hardship, especially at this time? 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Our verse today reminds us of our part and God’s Promise.

Our Part:

1.  Don’t worry–– worry can cause undue anxiety, fear, and stress.

2.  Pray about everything––there is no concern that we can’t bring to Him. 

3.  Thank the Lord––there is always something to be thankful for. And if we think we can’t find something to be grateful for, be thankful for what He has spared us from.

God’s Promise:

His peace WILL guard our hearts and our minds, keeping them from anxiety or worry as we live in His Son. God is faithful to His promises and He cares.

Pastor and author Alistair Begg said, “God’s care for His children is like the sun; it’s constant. Even when the clouds obscure it, it’s still there. It’s always there.”

Let’s trust God and His faithfulness. And let’s be like that peaceful and content bird today ... no matter what is going on around us.

Prayer: Lord, we come to You with the cares of our hearts. You want to hear from us. You want to know what’s on our hearts and minds. Please remind us of how much You care about all that concerns us. May we sit at Your feet … still and at peace, no matter what is going on around us. In the Name that is above all names, Jesus. Amen!

Share this with a friend:

JULY 29, 2020

By Marianna Meachen, Director of Care Ministries

Those of you who know me well know that I love dogs. I love all dogs and have had at least 10 or 12 different breeds in my lifetime. But my favorite breed of all time is the West Highland White Terrier, better known as the Westie. These beautiful small, sturdy, compact dogs are hardy, alert, independent, active, friendly, happy, courageous, and extremely loyal.

After getting our first Westie, we were so enamored that we knew we wanted another, so we got our puppy a puppy! Since then, I’ve always had two Westies. But last June, I lost my oldest Westie, Joyful, at age 16. My other Westie, Poppy, and I were both saddened by her loss and have spent the past year on our own.

About five weeks ago on a Sunday, I sat with my computer and, as I have done so many times before, typed in “adult Westies for sale.” Poppy is ten years old, so I wanted another adult dog. Imagine my surprise when my online search took me to the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation on Maui. And to my delight, I saw an 11-year old female Westie named Lulu and an 8-year old male Westie named Winston. Now my excitement was over the top!

I waited through Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and by noon on Thursday with no news, so I assumed someone had beat me to the dogs. Then late Thursday afternoon, I received a call from the Foundation. The woman on the line reminded me that Lulu was 11 and that Winston had skin issues. I told her, “I want both Westies,” and she was delighted! By Saturday afternoon, both Lulu and Winston were on Oahu. 

They adapted well to being at the house. They had no behavior problems and got along with Poppy. Winston warmed up pretty fast, but it took Lulu about three weeks longer. One evening Lulu came up to me and lay against my chest. As I stroked her, I said to her, "I'll never leave you. You belong to me. The last thing you will ever hear on this earth is my heartbeat."

That reassurance I gave Lulu reminded me of Moses' reassuring words to Joshua when it was time for him to succeed Moses in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land as God had directed him:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Moses had summoned Joshua and reassured him that the Lord himself will go before him and will be with him. Moses reminded him that God will never leave him nor forsake him, and so he need not be afraid or be discouraged. Joshua needed that reassurance because his life was about to change. Leading a million Israelites to claim the Promised Land was not an easy task. There were many battles to be fought, relentless enemies to overcome, and Israelite armies to encourage and lead to victory.

Like the Israelites, and like Lulu and Winston, our lives have also been changed. COVID has altered our way of living. It can be frustrating, confusing, and sometimes scary to face what lies ahead. But 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that God's power is made perfect in weakness. That means when our strength ends, God's can begin and is infinite.

God is faithful. If you are seeking Him and His righteousness, if you are abiding in Him and doing His will, then no matter what, He will never forsake you. Do not be discouraged; do not fear. Instead, trust in the Lord. He is our rock, our strength, and our hope. It is He who supplies all our needs.

Be strong and courageous!

Prayer: Father, We praise you for who You are and for Your great love of us. We need Your strength and Your assurance during these uncertain times. We are grateful that we can shelter in Your loving arms and know that You will never abandon us. Thank You for your call to courage. We will go boldly forward, knowing that You are with us. In the mighty Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Share this with a friend:

July 28, 2020

By Leslie Paez, Office Manager

When you’re asked, “How are you,” is your immediate response, “Good! How are you?” That response has always been my go-to answer, and if you’re anything like me, I’ve never opened up about my feelings or what I’m going through because I tend to be private about a lot of things.

When the COVID pandemic hit, I began reading a lot–– the media, the news, friends and family’s opinions, etc., and the most common thing I read or saw was, “We hope you are doing well during these hard times.” I asked myself, what does “well” mean? Who decides how “well” is “well,” and what if I’m not? Then what?!

As the weeks went by, I felt that as a Christian, I had to put on a brave face. I have to show the world that I trust God and that He will handle everything. I felt like I have to prove somehow that my God is bigger than everything going on, so I’m not able to tell anyone that I’m not doing “well.” I felt like I couldn’t tell anyone that I was feeling anxious or sometimes depressed. I couldn’t open up to people because I would get judged that my faith wasn’t strong enough, or that I didn’t trust God enough. 

One day I happened to read these Bible verses: 

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 3:5)

It reminded me that God doesn’t expect us always to be okay. He doesn’t expect us not to feel anxiety, depression, or anything else you may be feeling today. He has given us the ability to handle all these emotions so that we can persevere through them and build our character and our faith through our difficult times. He has given us hope so that through the most challenging storm, He will be there. Because as Christians, our duty isn’t to show the world that we are “doing well,” our responsibility is to show that we too are human, we feel things, we go through things, but we have hope. 

So, I ask you this today? “How are you really doing?”

Prayer: God, I pray that as these days continue with so much uncertainty, You will continue to show us Your grace, mercy, and love. I pray that You fill our hearts with peace and remind us of who You are and how much You love us even in the most uncertain times. Regardless of how we’re feeling or what we’re experiencing emotionally, mentally, or even physically, You are the most certain thing. I pray each person reading this may be filled with Your love and Your Holy Spirit and that You may continue to give us hope daily. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Share this with a friend:

JULY 27, 2020

By David Chang, Director of Ministry Support

As I was reading my devotion the other day, I had to re-read a section of Scripture a couple of times. It was about Joshua and Caleb, two of my heroes in the Bible. Both were skilled spies, bold spokesmen, and courageous leaders.

I knew that this passage of Scripture was written after Joshua and Caleb had accomplished much. They helped lead a million people out of Egypt through 40 years in the wilderness, crossed the Jordan River and battled many enemies, and built many cities in claiming the Promised Land.

So here we listen in on God speaking to Joshua in chapter 13, who some scholars say is about 100 years old at this point. God is giving him instructions on how to divide the land among the Israelites.

When Joshua had reached a venerable age, God said to him, “You’ve had a good, long life, but there is a lot of land still to be taken.” (Joshua 13:1)

Wait, what? After all that Joshua had done, I expected God to say something like, “Joshua, you’ve had a good, long life. You can take your foot off the gas now. Take it easy and enjoy the rest of your life.” But no. God’s telling Joshua that there’s still much to be done, and it isn’t easy stuff. It’s serious life-and-death stuff battling more enemies and building more cities. This doesn’t sound like slowing down!

In Joshua chapter 14, we read Caleb’s response to Joshua after he got his allotment in the Promised Land:

“Now then, just as the Lord promised, He has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time He said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. (Joshua 14:10-11)

So here were these two Kupuna, the 100-year old Joshua and his whippersnapper partner Caleb at 85 years old, and they ain’t slowing down. But how? How can these two guys say that they are as strong and as vigorous to go to battle as they were 45 years earlier?

I was 18 years old 44 years ago. I was a year out of high-school. I was studying hard to be an electrical engineer, working part-time, and serving in the church youth group. I remember we would go out after work, play tennis at Kapiolani Park, run around Diamond Head, and play some more. 

Am I as strong and as vigorous now as I was then? I don’t think so. But after reading these passages of Scripture about Joshua and Caleb, I think that’s going to be my prayer. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be vigorous to go out to battle. Give me the passion to lead others to You, to help them to grow in You, and to help them to do the same. Help me to be strong, a new strong, not for the old battle, but for such a time as this. Keep reminding me that youth is not the source of vigor and strength; You are! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Share with a friend:

JULY 24, 2020

By Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator

I started to set my alarm clock to 11:02 PM as a response to a prayer initiative by organizers of the Alpha Course to set a daily reminder at 11:02 (based on Luke 11:2) to pray for those who don’t know Jesus. Alpha always does a 21-day prayer campaign as an Alpha course prepares to launch. The prayer goes something like this:

“Heavenly Father, I pray for my city. Lord, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done across this nation. Holy Spirit, come fill me that I may share the love and good news of Jesus to those around me. In Jesus name, Amen.”

That’s it. It’s not long or elaborate. But as I prayed that prayer, my heart started to soften as I prayed for people by name. I thought of my family members who still don’t know Jesus. Then I started to see the faces of my friends, some who I have known for years and they don’t have Jesus in their lives. Tears welled up as I thought about all who don’t have a relationship with Jesus. Then I imagined the entire Earth and prayed for all those in the world who don’t know Jesus. 

The entire Earth? I caught myself thinking, “That’s a huge number of people, Jenny. Isn’t that too big of a prayer?” 

Actually, it’s not too big of a prayer. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that is too big of a prayer, too big of anything for God. There is nothing that will separate us from the love of God. Nothing. The apostle Paul said:

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38 NLT)

Will you pray with me at 11:02? If you are a night owl like me, set it for 11:02 PM. Otherwise, set it for 11:02 AM. It doesn’t have to be just while the Alpha course is going on. Let’s pray every single day for our city, the world, and those who don’t know Jesus. May God’s Kingdom come, may His will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for my city. Lord, let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done across this nation. Holy Spirit, come fill me that I may share the love and good news of Jesus to those around me. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Share this with a friend:

JULY 23, 2020

By Chris Pan, Executive Director

Two months ago, when churches on Oahu were first given the green light to re-open, I read a blog post by Pastor Ralph Moore that really struck me. If you don’t know Pastor Ralph, he started the first Hope Chapel in the 1970’s, which has multiplied, directly or indirectly, into more than 2,000 church plants around the world. 

Pastor Ralph’s article was titled: “Please Don’t Kill Me with Your Church.” I think that is such a great title. Pastor Ralph wrote about how he’s old and vulnerable to the virus – those are his words! Not mine! He writes about the dangers posed by church services in particular – a concentrated gathering of people, for a longer duration, who like to sing, talk to each other face-to-face and give hugs. He wrote that if churches don’t do their services right, they’ll put people’s lives in danger. 

Putting people’s lives in danger is the last thing we want to do. In fact, I think it’s the opposite of what we want to do. The mission of the church is that people who don’t yet know Jesus, might get to know Him through us. The mission of the church is saving lives. Everyone knows these verses: 

16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17, NRSV)

There are a lot of smart and talented people serving on staff, and as elders and as volunteers. We’re working on making sure we do church right to accomplish that mission, both online and eventually in-person again. Pastor Dan has reminded us during meetings that the way forward isn’t through our smarts, but by listening for the voice and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So, we are thoughtfully, and carefully, and deliberately, listening to God’s leading. We are listening to both the Bible and science, medical experts, and your voices too. 

We pray the Lord’s Prayer every week during our Sunday services – whether online or in-person. Now more than ever, it’s a time to pray: may God’s kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven. Now more than ever, we pray “Thy Kingdom come.” 

Prayer: 

Our Father, 

Who art in heaven, 

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil,

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever.

Amen!

Share this with a friend:

JULY 22, 2020

By David Chang

My family liked road trips. Long ago, small kid time, my Dad took my mom, brother, and me to Detroit to pick up a new 1967 Ford Mustang. The four of us then jammed into that car, drove to New York and then back to California. It was so much fun, that we did many road trips. It was great fun until we got lost, and then it was not so fun anymore. 

Because I have macho man syndrome, I never admit I’m lost. For me, getting lost is admitting that I screwed up somewhere and that I’m not doing my best. During this pandemic, when the virus is constantly changing the rules on us, it can be a quite a stressful time for me.

Then someone gave me a prayer, which made me laugh because the first line was me:

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.” That is me! I said it out loud, “I have no idea where I am going.”

Check out the rest of the prayer:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.  (by Thomas Merton)

The prayer was incredibly freeing for me. It took an enormous weight off of me. I get bummed because I feel like I’m not doing enough for God, especially with this pandemic going on. But this prayer reminds me that God’s love for me is not based on how much I do for Him. No, what matters to Him more is that I love Him. That’s it! That’s all! God doesn’t want what I can do for Him; all God wants is me!

“I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me.” Hosea 6:6

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me, for reminding me that all You want is me. After all, everything comes about by You, not me. Help me to love You. Help me to know You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Share with a friend:

JULY 21, 2020

By Dwaine Woo, Administrative Assistant

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Recently, I was talking with Jenny Sung about life and what’s going on in our lives when I happen to mention my life’s philosophy––– “Life is the hole of the donut.” It simply means that the identifying characteristic that makes a donut is the part that we can’t see. The part that is now the donut hole. Life is similar; the things in life that gives it meaning are invisible to the eye.

In the Scripture passage I chose for today, the Israelites wanted a king, and Saul looked the part. But God knew the real Saul, the unseen part of Saul, his heart. When we meet others, do we base our opinion on first impressions? 

As a follower of Jesus, I need to put more effort into how God sees people. The unseen characteristics of a person can’t be evaluated by looking at the appearance. Dig a little deeper to truly know the person. Like the donut hole, it is the unseen that identifies who the person is.

When my sons were younger and when they complained about someone’s behavior, I would stop them and say, “I wonder what their story is.” Something in their past may be affecting how they are acting today, those unseen things that make up who they are. 

My mom used to tell me that there is good in everyone; you just need to find it. It takes work to find their story, but when I do, I begin to see who people really are, and how God sees them.

What makes up a person goes way beyond Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and all the other social media platforms. We want to be seen at our best, but we hide the rest. It is the unseen that makes us relatable to one another. When I understand that we all bear some internal pain, a hidden secret, then I am able to share and reach someone. 

My life’s philosophy has so many applications, not just with relationships but with faith and that mysterious ingredient that makes hot Cheetos so spicy. 

So, whether it is your faith, your heart, or your story, I want to know what makes you, you. After all, it is not the seen that God looks at but the unseen. The heart.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I need Your help to see people’s hearts as You do. Not to judge but to connect and love them. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

Share this with a friend:

JULY 20, 2020

By Roslyn Catracchia, Director of Worship

I don’t know about you, but I don’t find it easy to memorize Scripture. I so wish I did! 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” I read Scripture daily, but it’s the memorizing part that stumps me. 

But one of the bonuses of leading worship is that I get to and have to sing songs over and over, many times throughout the week while I’m learning them, as well as several times on any given Sunday during the worship service. And most of the time, the songs we sing are based on Scripture. Sometimes it’s even word-for-word Scripture! And when the words are set to music, not only do I memorize Scriptures much more easily, but because I sing them often, they get firmly planted in my memory, in my heart. This is valuable to me because I can recall the messages of hope and encouragement when I need them much more quickly without needing my Bible right there in front of me. 

When my mom was in the hospital a couple of years ago, there were three songs I would sing to myself over and over throughout the days and nights, on my way to and from the hospital, and oh, just about always.

1. Be Still My Soul (the traditional hymn)

2. You’re Gonna Be Okay by Jenn Johnson, Seth Mosley, and Jeremy Riddle

3. Trust (by Matt Slocum)

These days I’m continuing to sing Trust throughout the week. I often include it in my prayers at the end of each day. It comes straight from Proverbs 3:5-6, almost word for word. We’ve sung it a number of times at church over the years. You might recognize it. Here’s the chorus: 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

Lean not on your own understanding

In all your ways acknowledge Him

And he will make your path straight.

Don’t worry about tomorrow, He’s got it under control.

Just trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And He will carry you through.

(By Matt Slocum Copyright ©1993 My So Called Music)

Music is a very personal thing, and various styles of music definitely resonate with each of us differently, so I’m gonna give you a couple of versions of the song Trust. Both are performed by the group Sixpence None the Richer. One of these two versions may resonate with you. Or neither! If one of the versions does resonate with you, I encourage you to learn it and memorize it, so while you’re driving, while you’re walking, while you’re watering the plants, while you’re chopping up vegetables for your salad, you can sing it, and find the strength and hope in remembering that God will carry us through whatever our circumstances are. And if neither of these songs resonates with you, find a song on trusting God that you do love, and memorize it. 

Here are the links to Trust, two very different arrangements. The first is the way I learned it and know it well, but I found another version while I was searching for this for you:

1) Trust by Sixpence None the Richer (arrangement 1)

2) Trust by Sixpence None the Richer (arrangement 2)

I encourage you to memorize even just the chorus. Like a treasure that you can call upon at any time you need it, it will be there for you. Always. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. Thank You that You are trustworthy. Thank You for music. Thank You for our voices. Thank You for giving us so many creative ways to remind us that in You we can find hope and strength for each day. Amen

Share this with a friend:

JULY 17, 2020

By Chaz Umamoto, Coordinator of Worship Ministry Support

Prior to coming back to Hawaii, I street performed in over 50 cities up and down the West, South, and East Coasts in a span of four years, while part of the band Streetlight Cadence. It was my way of life. I was one of those guys that people either stopped to watch or ignored. In those times I met and prayed for so many strangers on the streets, some of whom I’m still in contact with. I know that God took me away from Hawaii for a season to stretch my faith and faithfulness in this way. 

Now you can imagine how strange the experience was taking all my earnings to the bank every week, and then proceeding to do taxes in multiple states every year. Not easy, that’s for sure, but I know God is pleased when we are faithful to Him and when we do our duty to pay taxes.

Most of us consider our paying taxes as an act of faith, but every year I try to keep the mindset that paying taxes is also an act of holiness!

Think about it. Every year we get to take an inventory of how God provided for us and where that provision went. That’s 365 days of God putting breath into our lungs and giving us the opportunity to earn. Jesus must think that this aspect of life is important. One could argue that in the Bible He mentions money more than any other topic in His ministry. 

For example, in Mark 12:13-17, Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ question if they should pay taxes to Caesar by saying, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Crazy! It says they were amazed, and I am too. 

In another passage, Matthew 17:27, Jesus provides a Roman coin from a fish, a clear example of how God uses His creation to provide for His people.

I think it’s easy to forget where our money comes from when we get a regular paycheck. But all the time I spent as a small business owner and a sole-proprietor where part of my income came from performing on the streets, there was no guarantee that I would ever go home with anything. If I ever took a $10-bill to the bank (a rare bill these days, and yes, that’s a nod to Hamilton), I knew that it was because God gave me the ability, the breath, the job, and the platform to do so. 

May this tax season not be one of great task for us but of great joy for all the Lord has done and provided. I hope you find peace knowing that your faithfulness is more than enough for Him, for He is a good Papa, one who is easy to please, and is well pleased with You.

Prayer: Lord, they say that wherever we spend our money, our heart is also. I know that You care deeply about finances. You cared so much you kept a tax collector as a disciple and called him your own. Would You fill us with gratitude as we close this tax season. Remind us of Your goodness. Remind us of how much you’ve provided for us. And show us how we can be better stewards. Help us to see the holiness in giving to You, our Creator, in  what You are doing in the world through us. Amen.

Share this with a friend:

JULY 16, 2020

By Pastor Steve Peich

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25)

Recently a friend of mine in the church asked me how I was “really doing.” And he added, “Don’t get all spiritual on me.” It was refreshingly straight forward. As a leader and as a pastor, it’s easy to fall into that “never let them see you sweat” nonsense that keeps one set apart from real Christian community. Because I often feel like I would have a lot to lose if people knew the struggles or doubts that I may be having, it becomes very tempting for me to hide what I’m really going through in life.

I know this sounds contradictory, given what I just said, but as much as I worry about being too open as a pastor, I always find myself drawn to openness and honesty, and flinch, or even loathe when I see or hear phoniness and smoke screens. Anyone know what I’m talking about? 

So why do I bring all this up? I know during a time like this it is easy when asked, “How are you,” to respond with, “Fine,” which is often ‘Christianese’ for, “I really don’t want to share or open up all that much.” Yes, I know, sometimes it is appropriate to not say too much. We can’t open up entirely to people we don’t trust or know very well. But I’m talking about the kind of situation where anxiety or fear of judgment and rejection starts to form a wall around our lives and leads us to stay hidden and project to the world “I’m fine,” when we are deeply hurting. This way of interacting with others only leads us into more isolation and the slow deterioration of our soul, as well as our emotional and mental well-being. As you have heard me say many times from the pulpit: What stays hidden stays hurting.

Now as much as living truthfully and authentically with each other is so good for our souls and communal health, they also create a deep sense of vulnerability. So, it takes a lot courage to put off falsehood and live truthfully with each other. But here’s the crucial piece: if we are going to live as a truth-speaking community where people can find healing and growth, then we need folks who are incredibly safe people. What would make someone safe enough for you to speak the truth of your soul’s condition? Do you see such qualities in your own life as a Christian? 

You see, without being safe people, there will be no trust, and without trust, we will lack the conditions in which truth will be shared, wounds can be healed, and sinfulness can find redemption. How is the Lord calling you to be that kind of person where others can be open, vulnerable, and transparent about their pain, struggles, or sin? What can you say or do this week that would create a safe space for others to be totally real with you?

Prayer: Lord, make me a person of trust. Help me to speak, act, and respond in ways where others feel safe enough to speak the truth of their lives, as well as making me sensitive to how I can make things unsafe for others. May I also have the courage to speak the truth of my own life, and not take the easy route of hiddenness and pretense.  In Your Gracious Name I pray, Amen.

Share this with a friend:

JULY 15, 2020

By Jason Waldrep, Director of Worship

Back in November of 2018, when my wife Shayla and I were prayerfully considering moving back to Hawaii after two years on the mainland, we believe God said, “Go.” He said it in so many ways. He spoke through our situations and our circumstances. He spoke through new opportunities, as He closed doors on others. He spoke through friends who were interceding in prayer on our behalf. He spoke through complete strangers who had a very specific prophetic word for me concerning this decision, a week before the opportunity would even present itself. He spoke to us in so many ways. And as we began to experience His peace and assurance that He was indeed calling us to go, God made it hard for us to say no. 

Here we are 20 months later, and again, we believe God is saying “Go,” and He’s once again making it hard for us to say no. He’s closed the doors He wanted to close, while opening doors of opportunity we had never dreamt of. It’s easy to blame the pandemic for forcing us to change course and much harder to see it as a blessing of God’s providence and direction, but we can say with certainty, we believe the latter. The time at home together during the pandemic has produced fruit in our lives. Our marriage has grown deeper and stronger, and as a family, we are unified and more inspired than ever to live out the mission to serve God and to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we are led.

At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, we read these words: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) 

As we prepare to move once again, we are reminded that Jesus’ “go” as commanded here in Matthew must take precedent in our lives. When we hear God say, “Go,” we must remember that we go with a mission, with a purpose. As followers of Jesus, we are called to make disciples wherever we are, and we are sent into new opportunities, locations, and places of influence for this very purpose. In this season, our family’s “go” may look different than yours, but I can say with certainty that God is commanding a “go” in your life as well. 

So brothers and sisters, I humbly ask, where might God be calling you to go with the mission of making disciples in your own life? Because when God says go, it’s always for the sake of the world, that not one would perish, but that all would experience the transformational love of Jesus in their hearts and lives. God is counting on us!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that as you call us to go out into the world to share the Gospel, we would be quick to listen and respond to your leading. Help us to be a people for others, to be purveyors of hope and peace in a world that so desperately needs more of you. Empower us with your Holy Spirit, and fan into flame our desire to share the Good News wherever you call us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Share with a friend:

JULY 14, 2020

By Dwaine Woo, Administrative Assistant

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:3-6)

If you know me well, you would know that one of my favorite sandwiches of all time is a tuna with strawberry jam sandwich. I know, it sounds wrong, and it may even sound disgusting, however, it is awesome! A friend and I discovered this unusual combination after we decided one day back in high school to put our sandwiches together. She had a PB & J, while I had a tuna sandwich. Peanut butter with tuna wasn’t so good, but tuna with strawberry jam was great!  

Two ingredients that you won’t normally put together in a  sandwich turned out to be pretty good. I have converted some friends to like it, too, but not many. After all, this tuna with strawberry jam sandwich is out of the norm, some might even say weird. But keeping an open mind about how the two ingredients could actually work, instead of deciding right away that it couldn’t, makes a huge difference.

As individuals, we are all different. We have all be fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139). But God calls us to unity in spite of our differences. We are called to keep the peace by recognizing what bonds us together, which is the love of Christ present in all of us who follow Him. And together, while still keeping our unique differences, we can make a whole new menu of flavors. 

I believe that God wants us to live out love and kindness. But first we must submit to the One who truly loves us all. Psalm 34:8 invites us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” His love is the force that binds us together no matter how different we are from each other. 

And that’s not baloney.

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, give me a heart for unity. To help others see the love you have for all of us. To bring peace here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen

Share with a friend:

JULY 13, 2020

By Karen Makishima, Director of Family Life Ministries

Pastor Steve ended his sermon two Sundays ago with a music video of Amazing Grace, one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world. John Newton wrote this Christian hymn in 1772, and it is fascinating to know what brought about the writing of the song. 

Newton had a lot to overcome in life. His father was out to sea often as a ship’s mariner. When he was six years old, he lost his mother to tuberculosis and was raised by his non-nurturing stepmom. He spent several years in a boarding school where he was mistreated. He became headstrong and made many unhealthy life choices. He was a young sailor with a sailor’s mouth and was often found drunk. He was known to write obscene poems (and sang them) about the captain. Newton was also involved in the Atlantic Slave Trade by transporting slaves across the ocean.

In 1748, while at sea, a fierce storm arose. One of the crew  members fell overboard. Fearing for his life, Newton tied himself to the ship while bailing water for hours. In his fear he cried out to God to have mercy on him. And God heard this wretched man’s cry. 

As a result, Newton encountered a conversion experience with His maker, and a transformation of his heart began to happen. Out of his gratitude to God for saving his life, he wrote the now beloved hymn: “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found was blind but now I see.”

Sometime after his great deliverance, Newton became an abolitionist by joining forces with William Wilberforce, a leader of the movement seeking to end the slave trade. 

Who would have thought that Newton’s conversion would have such an impact on our world today? Hearing people from all around the world sing the hymn at the end of the worship service two weeks ago was AMAZING! Fifty countries were represented, with each representative singing Amazing Grace in their own native tongue. It was incredibly beautiful. Many of us were shedding tears as we listened. It was as if God was giving us a taste of what heaven will be like––all ethnicities coming together thanking God for having mercy on each of us. If you’ve not seen the music video, you can watch it here.

Thank you, John Newton, for crying out to our Savior and penning your life in a powerful song that has meant so much from generation to generation.

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15 NIV)

Prayer: Thank you Father for the amazing grace that you have to save a wretch like me. As the prodigal daughter (or son), I have now come home; or the blind woman (or man), I now see. This is grace and I am grateful. Amen

Share this with a friend.