By Karen Makishima

No matter how old I get, I just can’t seem to shake off the fear factor.

As a young child I was afraid to go to Kindergarten. Just when I seemed to have conquered that fear, another one reared its debilitating head. My dad STRONGLY encouraged me to overcome my fear of heights by making me jump off the high dive. I remember how my palms got sweaty as I climbed each rung on the ladder. The line of impatient “pros” behind me only added to the pressure. As long as my dad was watching, turning back was not an option. Each baby step I took toward the end of the board was so painful. The voice inside me continually said, “I can’t do it,” while my father’s voice said the complete opposite. But once I made the jump, I loved it! Yay! I did it!

In the book of Numbers, Moses sent out twelve spies to check out Canaan, the land God promised them. All 12 spies discovered how the land flowed with milk and honey, but 10 of them voted against entering the land because of the giants who lived there. Caleb and Joshua, on the other hand, recommended that they go ahead and take possession of the land, for they can certainly do it.

What made Caleb and Joshua think differently? They knew that the God who had been with Moses was going to be with them, too. That same God would not fail them or forsake them (Joshua 1:5b).

I wonder how many blessings we miss out on because we’re afraid of the “giants in the land.” 

I have quite a few giants, like the fear of failure and the fear of not being liked. That debilitating voice from childhood is still there telling me that “I can’t do it.” But I also have a stronger voice from my Heavenly Father who STRONGLY encourages me to make the jump. That same God that was with Moses, Joshua, and Caleb is with us today commanding us to “be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9b)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for your voice of truth that wants us to experience Your
blessings. Help us to recognize Satan’s voice and not allow our fears or giants to rule in our life.
We want to be strong and courageous. Thank You for never failing us! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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By Christopher Pan, Executive Director

Back in the spring, during the first lock-down, my father-in-law decided to grow his own lettuce. He spent a few days building a raised planter box from scratch. Then he took another few days to get some soil from the store. Then he got a variety of seeds. He planted the seeds and waited. At one point, he covered the tiny plants that were growing with a plastic sheet so the sun wouldn’t be too hot. 

Then he waited. And lo and behold, after a while, there was a whole planter box full of a variety of lettuce! These last few months, we’ve been eating fresh lettuce, grown right in the driveway. It’s been particularly cool to witness this unfold right before my eyes for two reasons:

First, I didn’t do anything, and I get to eat delicious fresh lettuce. Second, there is something absolutely inexplicable about the growth of plants. One day, they are tiny. A few days or weeks would go by, I wouldn’t be paying attention, and then all of a sudden, there’s lettuce. It is a complete and total mystery to me how it all happens. 

It reminds of this parable that Jesus tells in Mark 4:26-29: 

Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”

There is a mystery to growth not just for plants but for ourselves and for the Kingdom of God too. I’m usually not very in touch with mystery – I like clear inputs and outputs, logical reasoning, clear explanations. But watching the lettuce grow (and eating the lettuce!), it’s nice to remind myself to embrace the mystery. God is growing lettuce, and He’s growing me, and us, and His kingdom, and I “do not know how.” But it’s still happening. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he writes, “Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.”

 Prayer: God, may You grow us, and grow Your Kingdom. We do not know how. But may we embrace and be faithful stewards of Your mysteries. In Jesus name, Amen. 

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By Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator

I have this fabulous tool on my computer called Basecamp, a project management software that keeps all the information related to a project, program, or product and keeps the team members up-to-date on the latest articles, communications, schedules, etc. I love how everything can be kept in one place.

I have no complaints about Basecamp whatsoever …  except for the fact that I get a daily email notification asking––

“What did you work on today?” 

It’s a friendly reminder to keep the team on track with projects. But for some reason, I feel a jolt of anxiety each time I see the email. I know I can take off the notifications, but I figure the reminders are good for me. 

So why the reaction? Why would my mind race with thoughts like, “Oh, why didn’t I get more done today? Maybe I should do W, Y, and Z more? What if I didn’t do enough? What if people expect more of me as a leader?” ..... and I beat myself up. 

These thoughts have nothing to do with Basecamp. It has everything to do with me. To this day, I struggle with the lie that what I do matters more than who I am in Christ. It’s like a distorted Home Depot tag line in my brain (“more saving, more doing!”) that justifies my worth in works. But that is not who we are in Jesus Christ. 

The Bible says that we are justified not by works but by FAITH. Our lives were paid with the blood of Christ, and our salvation is based on His work on the cross. He deemed us that worthy and loved us that much. 

The apostle Paul told the church in Galatia, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

As a believer in Christ, we are a new creation. Christ Himself dwells in us, and we no longer live through our own lies. We can shed all that hinders; the lies, the expectations, the burden and the doubt, and allow the love and light of Christ to shine in and through us. Because of the gift of Jesus Himself, we are free to live by faith, and not by works.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me. Thank You for giving Yourself for me. Please help me to live by faith in You, and shed any lie that would hinder me from being all that You’ve created me to be. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

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By Pastor Tim Shaw

Recently, I was listening to a sermon by our friend Andy Croft of Soul Survivor in the UK. One part of his message particularly challenged me to consider the part of our lives that the Apostle James says is one of the most difficult things to tame. In his quite blunt and straight-forward way, James writes about the tongue and the impact our words can have for good or ill.

“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” James 3:3-6

I know the kind of destruction that can unfold when I fail to carefully measure my words. Driven along by emotion, I have said things to friends, work colleagues, and family members that I later regret saying. Yes, I felt justified in the moment to say what I said. Yes, I believed I was right and the other person really needed to hear what I had to say. And, in those situations, what came out of my mouth was of little or no value to the other person. In fact, what I said wounded them, did harm to me, and injured our relationship.

In Andy Croft’s sermon, he spoke from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In the midst of these challenging, stressful and often uncertain times, the Apostle Paul challenges us to make gentleness and kindness what we are most known for. Paul says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Gentleness is not weakness. It’s great strength that has been trained and harnessed. It is, as Andy says, “Great power channeled through kindness.” Paul writes to the Philippians: 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

If we want to grow in our capacity for gentleness and kindness, maybe a good place for us to start is with our words, whether they come out of our mouths or show up in a text, email or social media post. During his message, Andy asked Mike Pilavachi to review what has helped him learn to control his tongue. Mike says, “Before you speak, THINK.”

THINK

Is it TRUE?

Is it HELPFUL?

Is it INSPIRING?

Is it NECESSARY?

Is it KIND?

If it’s not all those things, then Mike suggests that we might want to keep our mouths shut. There are certainly going to be times when we need to have difficult conversations with one another. Hard things sometimes need to be communicated. But can we make it our goal to share those thoughts in ways that are kind?

Finally, as I’m working on making sure I THINK before I speak, I also find it helpful to remember that other people are facing very difficult challenges that I may know nothing about. Most of us are acutely aware of our own struggles and, to be honest, we are preoccupied with our own problems and concerns. We can have tremendous compassion for what we are going through because we see our own difficulties so clearly. But as Ian MacLaren, 19th century Scottish pastor and author, noted wisely, “Let us be kind to one another, for most of us are fighting a hard battle.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, my capacity to be kind has everything to do with my ability to recognize and experience the great, unmeasurable kindness that You have shown me and continue to show me. Help me to see how great Your kindness truly is. May Your gentleness be seen, more and more, in my relationships with others. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

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By Rosella Shishido, Communications Ministry Coordinator

I’m a glass-half-full kind of person. Staying hopeful and seeing the bright side of things isn’t hard for me, generally. I acknowledge, however, that life isn’t always peachy. Problems arise. Tragedies happen. No one is a stranger to pain and suffering. Not one. It comes to all of us, sooner or later.

God calls us to stand firm in our faith, but how do we do that when problems come out of nowhere and hits us like a sucker-punch? 

Preparing for something that we know will happen is a way to overcome challenges and difficult situations. In other words, the preparation and training need to happen first.

Consider these. It would be too late for students to start studying ON THE DAY OF the exam. It would be too late for runners to train for long-distance running ON THE DAY OF the marathon. It would be too late for football players to start extreme workouts for strength and agility AFTER the game has started. It would be too late for astronauts to go through survival training AFTER they have launched into space.

And since we already know that the storms of life can happen anytime and anywhere, it only makes sense to prepare ourselves spiritually BEFORE the storms come.

Standing firm in the faith in spite of difficult circumstances requires a deep and close relationship with God, which doesn’t just happen overnight. It requires regular investments of time to be with God in prayer, in reading the Bible, in meditating on it, and in being quiet and still so we can listen in our spirit to what the Lord might be saying to us. If you’re already doing this, bravo! Keep doing it! But if you haven’t yet, it’s best to not put it off another day. 

But it’s so easy to forget the Lord when all is going well, isn’t it? Spending time with Him somehow ends up in the back burner until .... boom! The storms come, and instead of putting our confidence in the Almighty God, we crumble and succumb to fear and despair because we are ill-prepared for the inevitable arrival of pain and suffering in life.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15)

If you’re in a difficult situation right now, take heart and cling to the Lord because He can identify with what you’re going through. He’s no stranger to pain having gone through tremendous suffering and a horrific death on the cross for you and me. 

If you’re in good situation right now, I’m happy for you! I encourage you to to get even closer to the Lord, even if you’re not in dire need of His help. He loves you dearly and wants nothing short of a deep and vibrant relationship with you. Consider this time as a time of preparation, so you can stand firm with the Lord and remain hopeful when (not if) the next storm comes.

Prayer: Please help us, Lord, to be intentional about setting aside quality time with You. We want to learn to trust You more and more each day, so that we can stay strong in our faith in You as we weather the storms of life. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

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By Matt Yamamoto, Director of Youth Ministry

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’” (Matthew 21:33-38)

With the Story of More sermon series that we’re on right now, I thought it would be interesting to revisit the Parable of the Tenants. The first thing that is apparent to me is that the land owner really cares for his property. He builds a wall, the vineyard, a wine press, and a watch tower. I especially find the watch tower interesting. I don’t know of a single vineyard that has a watch tower. This tells me that he is keenly interested in the protection and care of his property.

He then loans out the vineyard to some tenants. Their attitude is very telling and shows that they really don’t understand their place in the vineyard. They beat and kill several of the servants that the land owner sends as his representatives. In a last ditch effort, the land owner sends his own son, but the tenants’ response was worse! They hatch a plan that reveals to us their attitude towards the property. As the tenants see the land owner’s son coming, they reasoned with themselves, “Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.” (verse 38)

The truth is, no matter what they thought and what they did, they would never own the vineyard and would always have to answer for their actions.

Five years ago, God blessed me with the opportunity to purchase a brand-new apartment. It was nothing short of a miracle, and it was undeniable that God had orchestrated everything along the way, from being picked in the lottery process, all the way to securing the loan. I didn’t even have a credit card when the whole process started.

It was apparent to me that this really wasn’t my apartment, but it was God’s. I felt especially blessed to be the Lord’s tenant, and right from the beginning I decided that I was going to use the apartment for whatever God wanted. Since I’ve moved in, it has been used for ministry meetings, events to serve the houseless community, shelter high-risk individuals, allow for the weary to have a place of refuge, and a space where others could quarantine from COVID.

If I didn’t take care of my apartment, if I let it turn into a garbage dump, or didn’t take care of my appliances, none of those things that God used my apartment for would have been possible. The only thing that it would have been useful for was for me to stay in. And if I turned around to sell the apartment, its value would be depreciated.

Regardless of your thoughts about the environment, the question is–– what is your understanding of your role in this world? Do you believe yourself to be the owner of the apartment or the tenant? If I am the owner, then I can do whatever I want with no concern about repercussions. If I am the tenant, then I have to answer for the condition and use of the apartment.

We are extremely blessed to live in one of the most beautiful spots in this world. God wants to do so much good through our islands, but are our actions going to enhance what He wants to do? Or will it only be good for us to live in now but will lose its value for those who are going to come after us? 

Our 40-Day Fast started yesterday, but it’s not too late to be part of it! If you don’t know what to fast from, how about fasting from something that will help you be a better steward of our islands?

Prayer: Lord, please show us how You want us to view our role in the world. Help us to recognize that we are tenants in Your vineyard and help us to be good stewards. We recognize that there is a lot of good that You want to do through our islands. Please help us to keep Hawaii in such a state that You can continue to use it for your good works. Amen.

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By Cory Oliveros, Worship Leader

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:1-3)

The Scripture addresses all the earth—not just the nation of Israel, not just priests, not just
worship leaders, not just Christians. Everybody! Our Lord God made us all, so then the whole world should be jumping and shouting for joy as if their favorite celebrity was in their presence!

But it’s not always like that here on earth, is it? In fact, it’s not always like that in my own personal worship of God. Why is that? Why is it so much easier to jump and scream and dance at a rock concert? 

I think it’s because of the fact that I can actually see these celebrities before me. I can hear their voices and see them playing. But with God, it’s not so “in your face.” It’s still, and quiet. That’s the only way to really hear Him sometimes. Sometimes it takes a deeper faith.

You know what I think is true worship? It’s in quiet times when I’m on my knees, listening. At
that moment, God sees my heart and my spirit dancing, jumping, and shouting out to Him.
I feel the same way when I get to serve others. Whether it’s leading worship on a Sunday or
volunteering at a community event. Put it this way–whenever it’s not about me, I feel that I’m
truly worshipping God. Makes sense, yeah?

With all that said, the physical and audible expression of worship just comes naturally when
I’m living a life of worship. If not, once the music ends, so does my praise.

Prayer: Lord, I want to worship You in spirit and in truth. Help me to have a lifestyle of worship. And let my thoughts, words, and actions be pleasing unto You. Woo-hoo, Jesus! In Your Name I pray, Amen.

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By Patty Kamahele, Administrative Assistant

The shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept,” is found in John 11:35. What may seem like very sad words has actually brought me great comfort during this time.

It’s been four months since I lost the love of my life––my beloved husband, Francis. Words can’t express the void I feel not having him by my side living our lives...together. Life is not the same, and never will be, but one thing is sure: I WILL see him again.

Jesus wept at the loss of His very close friend Lazarus and at the sorrow it brought to Lazarus’ family. In my life I have had many losses: my mom, my dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and my best friend as a young adult. 

But nothing could prepare me for the loss of my spouse of 34 years. It is literally heartbreaking to lose the person you love more than anyone else in the world; the one you have shared everything with. And yet through it all, I have experienced the comfort of the Lord through His presence, His Word, family, and friends. At a time when I didn’t think I could laugh again (Francis always made me laugh), my family would call or text, and we would talk about something Francis did and laugh all over again. 

I knew the Lord was with me when I couldn’t be with my husband at the hospital due to the pandemic. It’s hard enough to go through it when you can visit them, but when you can’t? Well, I understand why, but it all seemed so cruel. I empathize with families who have, and are going through, that extremely sad experience.

Yes, the short two words “Jesus wept” are so meaningful and powerful. They show me that He doesn’t take our pain lightly. He has compassion for the sorrows we experience in life. He knows what it’s like to lose someone and so He understands, and knowing that someone understands means all the world.

My husband was a pastor and a singer blessed with an amazing and beautiful voice, which he used literally around the world to minister to others. One of my favorite songs he sang was “He’ll Dry the Tears.” Little did I know how real these words would become for me. Part of the lyrics are:

He'll dry the tears from your eyes, He'll take the pain from your heart
He'll move the clouds from your skies, He'll dry the tears from your eyes
He knows the way that you feel, He's felt the weight that you bear
He knows it's all very real, He knows the way that you feel

For He is touched with the feelings of your weaknesses
He has been there, too
In your despair remember all His promises
He will see you through...

I wish a had a recording of Francis singing this touching song in his rich beautiful voice, but here’s a recording of it by another artist, and I hope you’ll take a few moments to listen to it. 

May you, too, experience the reality of the presence of Jesus who is always there for you. One Who will never ever leave you no matter what you are going through in this life.

Prayer: Lord, words can’t express what it means to know that You care for us. That You understand what we are going through. That You will see us through. Thank You for being such a loving, comforting, and compassionate Lord who loved us to the Cross. We are so very grateful for that Love. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Note: A few days after writing this, I received word that my sweet, wonderful brother passed away, just 3 1/2 months after my husband’s passing. He was the most kind and loving person ever. My sorrow has now doubled 💔💔 ..... as has the grace and comfort of Jesus 💝💝

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By Al Linton, Session Elder

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6) 

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” (Psalm 95:2) 

Ever heard of an attitude adjustment? Ever needed one? Ever known someone who needed it? We can artificially adjust our attitude with drugs, entertainment like Netflix, or other distractions in life that give us a good feeling, but it’s not a true attitude adjustment. It’s temporary and of this world. 

There’s a line in an old Kinks song that could have been written today, but this was over 30 years ago: 

“Take off your headphones, hear what’s going on. You can’t live in a time zone, you gotta move on, but before you get there, there’s one thing you gotta do. Oh change your attitude.” 

Wow, that applies to our culture more than ever. 

Want a good attitude adjustment? Express thankfulness and praise to God every day. Practice gratitude daily, and I guarantee it will help change your attitude. Did you know that practicing gratitude actually increases dopamine in your brain? (You know, the stuff that makes you feel good.)

Practice gratitude every day and with others as well. When you express gratitude to others, you’re thanking God as well. 

Change your attitude with gratitude. There is so much negativity going on in this world, but we need to focus on the positive things, especially in our own lives. 

And the most important thing to be grateful about is the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank Him every day, even for the little things. He is always with us and always listening to us. 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am so thankful for You and the grace and mercy You give me. Help me keep an attitude of gratitude each and every day. In Christ’s name, Amen.

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By Marianne Schultz, Deacon

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.

Tinsel paintings are reverse painting on glass, transparent colors against opaque backgrounds. Crumpled foil behind the transparent design makes the colors glitter. “ …The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)

I collected tinsel paintings as a kid. I found them in the neighbors’ garbage. Due to the fragility of the art form, finding good existing examples now is rare. They can disintegrate, crack, get mold spots, and show other signs of age. Restoration is impossible. Two of mine have lasted the test of time. One is “God Bless This Home,” which I found 50 or more years ago. 

And “God Is Love” is from my beloved Scott’s grandparents' home. (It was the only thing we could bring back in our suitcase due to shipping costs.)

I can be like a tinsel painting; colorful and bright on the outside but sad and crumpled on the inside. God sees me with those feelings. He restores me, and I know how very much He loves me unconditionally, inside and out. He loves us all so very much. “Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. (2 Cor 5:17 CEV)

Growing up, Valentine’s Day was the worst day of the year. I was the only kid whose decorated shoebox, when opened, was empty; not one valentine from a classmate. (Cue Charlie Brown moment.) I got used to it, but that didn’t make it any easier. Fast forward to 1979––enter Scott. We were newly friends but he slipped a handmade card under the door of my Northwestern dorm room. I realized from that moment we would be together forever. I knew that so many of my crumpled foil days would be left behind. 

(From Scott: “The handmade card was a drawing of a ‘comedy fish’ on a computer ‘punch card.’ I  may be older than I look, or act. It took me a bit longer to realize that we would be together forever;  thank the Lord that she had better perception. I was surprised that Marianne did not title this devotional “My Funny Valentine.”)

Jesus has been with me all my life; He has never left me. I recall the song Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. That song has kept me going all my life. For me, Jesus was always my Valentine with His love. He is everyone’s Valentine––Father, comforter, hope; the unconditional love we need in this world we live in.

1 John 4:8-9 (NIV) Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the love You have for me and others. While sometimes I am crumpled, Your love restores faith, hope, and the promise of eternal life with You. I know You are with me always, not only on Valentine’s Day. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

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By Al Linton, Session Elder

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7) 

So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

There seems to be two different messages in the verses listed above. Fear the Lord, but don’t be afraid. It took me a while to understand the difference. Fear of the Lord is not the same as “be afraid.” It is about respect and reverence of the Lord. We’re not “afraid” of the Lord. We love Him and worship Him and revere Him.

“Don’t be afraid” and “fear not” are both related to “fearing the Lord” because without the fear of the Lord, we become afraid of Satan and his ways in our lives. Living with Christ in our hearts helps us live without fear even when life’s challenges come upon us.

Did you know that “fear not” is in the Bible 365 times? That’s one for every day of the year!

When I was growing up I loved old horror movies. One of my favorites was “Dracula” starring Bela Lugosi. His classic line, when he was trying to put his victims into a trance, was “Don’t be afraid.” The victim would usually hold a cross in front of Dracula, and he would cower and back off. 

The symbolism here is very powerful. When we have Christ in our hearts, we do not need to be afraid. Our reverence of the Lord helps us to confront our fears 365 days a year. Always hold up the cross of Christ in your heart and face not only your fears but the challenges that come your way.

And keep a cross handy in case you run into a vampire (just kidding).

Prayer: Dear Lord, I love You and I know You love me and that You will protect me. I don’t have to be afraid. In all circumstances I pray to you and allow my fear OF the Lord to guide me in my ways. In Christ’s name. Amen

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By Evelyn Hein, Deacon

“Mee-yew. Mee-yew. Brrrroooooooowwwwww.” 

These sounds seized my attention from the work I was doing at my desk. It was one of my semi-feral kitties. But why such noises? At the same time, my houseguest upstairs called, “There is an orange cat trapped up here.” 

As I jumped up to find out what was going on, another one of my semi-feral cats (Pumpkin) raced by me and zigzagged for the open side door. What was Pumpkin doing inside the house?

I ran up the stairs to find Paddy, semi-feral cat #2, growling in terror and clinging to the window screen, paws spread eagled. Out of pure fright, he was fluffed up to double his normal size. Paddy decided he was in mortal danger from this stranger (my houseguest), so he next volleyed himself into the bedroom. Curiosity certainly could kill the cat. 

All my life I have tamed and taken care of feral cats that show up at my door. There must have been well over twenty of them at this point. The deal is: come to my house, be neutered, and then you may live in a safe place with free food and medical care for life. Remarkably, every one of these totally feral cats has become tame, though the process may take a few years.

At the moment, I have my three orange feral P’s: Paddy, Pumpkin, and Paprika. They do not come in the house, as my housecat and dog don’t approve, but they are always outside by the doors, awaiting pets, treats, and food – truly, in that order. I cannot pick them up yet, but that day will come. 

On this particular day, Paddy and Pumpkin together decided to venture into the house and explore. What they were not expecting was my houseguest stumbling upon them while they, unbeknownst to me, went sightseeing inside the house.

So now, there was Paddy, terrified out of his mind, staring at me from the bedroom. Visions of blood streaming down my face and arms came to mind as I considered picking him up to take him outside. I approached him lovingly and so slowly, with soft words. To my astonishment, he just stood there, frozen in place. Although never carried before, he allowed me to pick him up and carry him.

I could think only of how Paddy’s complete trust in me allowed that to happen. He, a wild creature of God, allowed me to take complete care of a situation that had caused him to revert to feral behavior.

I need to remember that in every terrifying situation, I have a Father in Heaven who loves me even more than this. I need to remember that God is my eternal caretaker, the caretaker of my soul, and that He loves me always, in all ways. There is never a moment where I need worry because He will provide for all my needs. Paddy, Pumpkin, and Paprika know this about me, and I know it about my Father. Even when it doesn’t seem to me that all my needs are cared for, they are, because God has a plan for me, and it is a good one. 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Prayer: Dearest Father, let me rest assured in Your love at all times. When I stumble and doubt, please send the Holy Spirit to fill my heart again, and remind me You are always with me. You know everything about me, and yet still You love me. You are my good and merciful God, and You bless me every day and every moment. I thank You for all things, dear Father, including my three little wild P’s. In Jesus’ name, I give You thanks.

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By Jeremy Lim, Session Elder

“If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

(2 Chronicles‬ 7:14‬ NIV‬‬)

I’m a physical therapist, and one of the obvious perks of my job is that I get to help people feel better. I am always encouraged to hear about how my patients are improving, but I learned many years ago that my job is not to heal them. My job is to help their bodies heal; I am a part of the healing process. 

Likewise, Christians are not called to heal our land. God is not asking us to point out the faults in other people and then try to fix them, but He is inviting us to play a hugely significant role in the healing He wants to bring to our land. This healing begins with this call to His people, the local and global Church, to come back into a right relationship with Him.

We cannot simply ask God to heal our land and then sit back and wait for Him to do it because His answer to that prayer involves us:

“If My people...will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then…” 

God is speaking directly to you and me, that if we do these things, then He will hear, and forgive, and heal.

If I’m honest, I often want to skip this step. I want to be close to Jesus, but it’s not easy to confront the pride and sin in my own life. I want the world to know Jesus, and so I’m happy to pray with others and help them grow in their humility, seek God, and turn from their sinful ways. But God loves me too much to let me gloss over these things in my own life. He wants to heal me not just because it will benefit me, but because it will benefit the world around me as well. 

Let’s not let a perpetually broken and wounded world be a reflection of Christians who are unwilling to confront our own pride and shortcomings. God’s healing is meant to flow through us, literally; that as we are healed, He will work through us to bring healing to those around us. Only a healing Church will lead to a healed land. What an amazing privilege to be a part of such an incredible plan!

Prayer: God, forgive my pride and help me to seek Your face and learn to care about the things You care about. Give me strength to turn away from anything that does not make You happy. Help me ignore the distraction of trying to fix other people so that I can experience Your healing power in my life. But as You heal me, I want to be willing to let You work through me to bring healing to those around me. Hear my prayer, and the similar prayers of millions of other Christians, and forgive our sins, and heal our land. Amen. 

A recent song by Casting Crowns, called Start Right Here, captures the power of this verse and I’d encourage you to check it out here.  

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By Karen Dyke, Deacon

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Growing up in Colorado, watching football was a common Sunday activity. If the game was on, and by game I mean the Broncos, a vast majority of the state was watching. But since moving to Oahu in 2004, I have not been able to watch as much Sunday football as I would like (sigh), and then came this pandemic!

When our church was meeting in person, I did not have to watch a game each week. Attending Sunday morning worship services and Life Training classes, lunches after services, and serving on the prayer team was what I needed. When the pandemic started in March, I was hosting an Alpha (Course) group at The Vine. This ministry quickly moved to online, and then online worship services started. I had community and stayed connected with my brothers and sisters in Christ. God really knows what we need at just the right time. 

But as the months wore on, my soul became weary. I felt isolated. I missed my parents back in Colorado, and in-person gatherings seemed like a thing of the past. A saving grace was when NFL football started! Who would have thought that during COVID-19, when I can’t eat with a group larger than 5, it would be okay to have a stadium full of football players and coaches! My friends have a fantasy football league, and this was going to be our second year. Jeff Post, our league manager, texted all of us to see if we were interested again. Sign me up!

This gave me my much-needed fellowship again. Just being on a text thread with 10 friends was an outlet to be social. Knowing there are people all over the county watching the same game at the same time is comforting. Now Sunday afternoon phone calls with my dad are all about the games. This was far better than when we discussed the news or other heavy topics. In a time of isolation and uncertainty, I was filled again with community. 

God’s timing is always right. When life becomes too much and depression or anxiety find their way in, it is important to take a pause and pray. This COVID season, or any other season, is not forever. God has brought me through many challenging times. He has carried me over to the other side. I am expectant of what God has in store next!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for knowing the desires of my heart. You know what I need, and answer my prayers in ways I never thought! Your love sustains me through the challenges and hardships of this world. Thank You for bringing me community when I feel lonely, peace in despair, and for your everlasting love. Amen.

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By Frank Lim, Deacon

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, You are the potter; we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

There was a time when I was an avid bonsai enthusiast, and I often saw similarities between this delicate Japanese art form and the raising of children. In deference to Pastor Dan, it was actually the Chinese who originated the art of growing miniature trees in a pot (called penjing). Lately I have extended this analogy to God molding us to be what and where He wants to be.

When a bonsaist fancies a young or old tree, he or she sees the potential for beauty. When God created us, He made us in His image with all the potential to be like His Son, Jesus. Bonsai requires an inordinate amount of time and patience. The trees need constant nurturing and care. They require frequent re-potting, when roots have to be trimmed in order for them to thrive in small pots and containers. Frequent pruning of branches and leaves, shaping, fertilization, pest control, and watering are necessary for the right balance of the whole tree and its relationship to the pot.

Training a tree is a delicate matter. It requires the use of wires and pruning. Branches are bent, gently and firmly, to achieve the desired direction and different angles. There are times when drastic measures are necessary, as in the aggressive pruning of large and unsightly branches, which might take away from the desired shape and form of a tree. Younger trees, with their pliability, are easier to train. However, even older trees, in spite of harder wood and established form, can be reshaped into masterpieces.

Like the bonsai enthusiast, God cares for each one of us, both young and old, with His infinite love and patience. He nurtures and feeds us. He leads us to living water. He prunes us, sometimes drastically, to remove the destructive patterns from our lives, sometimes through trials and tragedies. He also prunes us to bear fruit. He disciplines us. Yet, He is ever so gentle and patient with us, as He molds and shapes us to what and where He wants us to be. He provides direction and bends us, just like the bonsai artist does with the branches. He is the Potter, we are the clay. He is the Bonsai Master, and we are His trees, created to be His masterpiece. 

“For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we may walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill us with a willing spirit to be changed by You. We ask for Your direction in our lives. Shape and mold us to be people after Your own heart, so that we serve You, Your people, and Your creation, all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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By Kelly Miyamura, Executive Coordinator for the Ko’olau Property

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

My post-2020 reflection: It is my nature to fill any empty space I have in my life with more stuff. More activities, more commitments, more of whatever. Sometimes that more is fruitful and life-giving, but often times because of my choices, it becomes overwhelming, and I find myself feeling spread thin. Do I do this because I find silence uncomfortable? Do I do this because I derive much of my value from others’ opinions, and in my accomplishments and work? Do I do this because I’m restless, searching for something more? Probably all of the above and then some. What I know for sure is that this behavior isn’t leading me to greater devotion to Jesus. And it is not often leading to the flourishing or expansion of His Kingdom.

Our self-awareness is important so we can identify what’s holding us back from experiencing all that God has for us and the freedom that comes with being a follower of Christ. In our relationship with Him, God meets us daily. This week as a step towards Him, God has given me this clear word: LISTEN. 

To listen I need to stop talking and be still. I realize I talk to God or sometimes even talk at God, but I don’t listen to Him very much. I often turn to Him to ask for something, but don’t often turn to Him to simply be with Him. Listening requires silence, stillness, and the sanctification of empty spaces in our lives. This is not something I’m particularly skilled at or make time for in the busyness of any given day. I realize I must teach myself to be silent, be still, and listen. 

Peter Scazzero, author of Emotionally Healthy Relationships, says this about silence: “Many religions have some practice of silence, so there is nothing particularly Christian about silence itself. What makes silence unique for us as followers of Christ is that we are still and silent in the context of our relationship with the living God. In a posture of attentiveness and surrender, we allow Him and His will access to the innermost parts of our lives. This is the very core of what it means to be in loving union with Him.”

My sense is that in our silence and stillness before God, in our surrender and in our listening, we will find what our hearts truly long for that fills us with godly purpose, grace, and peace.

Prayer: Here I am, Lord. Come be with me.

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By Chris Pan, Executive Director

Sometimes I have a bad day. I think, “Man, that day was garbage.” I think we can all agree that the past 11 months have had its share of garbage days. 

I think it is totally okay to call garbage “garbage.” But I’ve been working through a devotional by Pete Scazzero titled Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day, and one of the reflections in the book really helped me think differently about when it all seems like garbage. Scazzero writes: 

“In Paradise Lost, John Milton compares the evil of history to a compost pile — a mixture of decaying substances such as animal excrement, potato skins, egg shells, dead leaves, and banana peels. If you cover it with dirt, after some time it smells wonderful. The soil has become a rich, natural fertilizer and is tremendously well suited for growing fruits and vegetables. But you have to be willing to wait. Years, in some cases.” 

Milton’s point is that the worst events of human history — those that we cannot understand, even hell itself, are compost in God’s wonderful eternal plan. Out of the greatest evil, the death of Jesus, came the greatest good. The fact that God exists does not lessen the awfulness of the evil in the world; nevertheless, we can rest in Him, placing our hope in a God who is so great and sovereign that He ultimately transforms all evil into good. 

Reading that is incredibly encouraging to me. We believe in a God who turns garbage into compost. And that compost will be used to grow something new and beautiful and good. Even when it seems like it’s garbage, in God’s hands, it’s actually being turned to compost. 

Revelation 21:5: “And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

Prayer: God, what are You saying to me now? How are You inviting me to wait on You? Grant me the trust to know that You are able to turn garbage to compost, and to bring great good out of difficult and challenging times. Let me see with Your eyes. Make all things new in me today, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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By Pastor Dan Chun

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

This is one of my favorite verses because it is packed with meaning. It gives us power, perspective, and hope, especially if we feel we are facing a daunting task. Let’s look at it in phrases.

“Now to Him who is able” – No matter what our problems may be or how weak we may feel, God is able to help and direct.

“To do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” - Wow! He can perform miracles in our lives! When we ask for help or guidance, this phrase says He can do way more than we could even conceive! And when we ask Him to do something, His answer is often, “Yes, and here’s even more!”

“According to His power that is at work within us” – This says two things: His power is already at work within us, AND when we face obstacles we must remember it is His strength, and not ours, that will get us through it. We don’t have to rely more on our power or smarts, but on His.

“To Him be the glory” – Whatever we do it is for God’s glory, not ours. It is wearisome to always try to make ourselves look good so that we get the honor or the riches or the fame or power. No, we do it for His glory and credit. We don’t burn out if it is for Him.

“In the church and in Christ Jesus” – These are the two goals of hard work: to give God the glory He deserves, and to honor Jesus’ church and Jesus Himself. The Bible says the church is like Christ’s bride. Let’s honor this couple.

“Throughout all generations” – This is a verse, a promise, a goal, and a lesson for all ages – keiki, youth, young and older adults. No one is exempt.

“Forever and ever.” - This is a timeless verse. And these are timeless principles.

I am so refreshed and encouraged by this verse for it reminds me that I need not work on my own steam because God offers His. And when I might feel I will be overcome or that He doesn’t hear my prayers, I now know that He will respond in an even greater way than I could have ever dreamed or asked. And knowing this, may we all work and serve Jesus and His church for ever and ever. Amen!

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we try to do things on our own power and perspective. Forgive us when we don’t have the faith that You can do something even greater than what we can ask or imagine. May we not be of little faith. May we live lives that truly give You all––not half, not ninety-nine percent––but all the glory that You deserve. In Christ’s name, Amen. 

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By Karen Makishima, Director of Ohana Ministries

I know I am showing my age but I love the song I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner. The lyrics go on to say “I want to know what love is; I want you to show me. I want to feel what love is; I know you can show me.”

We are all on this quest looking for love. But if you are like me, at times I forget where love is, and I find myself searching for it in places that leave me feeling empty. I look for love in wanting to please others, or I look for love in wanting to be the best.

I want to know what love is. 1 John 4:7-8 tells us where love is found: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

I love how the verse starts out with Beloved. When I can truly grasp that I am my Beloved’s and He is mine ONLY then can I even begin to love others well. 

This verse states that love is reciprocal. It can’t be one way with just me on the receiving end. God’s design is that He loves us and we love Him back. God’s essence is love. He demonstrated the depths of His love for us by sending His one and only perfect Son to die for our sins. As a result of this love, we now can live forever with our holy heavenly Father. 

God’s love requires action. The world will know that we are His children by our love for one another because God’s children reflect His character. The people whom I know how to love well are those who truly reflect God’s character. I see in them the fruit of His Spirit––love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control. 

I am still learning how to love well. I know what love is and where I can find it. God has showed me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us what love is. Help us to grasp how deep Your love is for us. We want to reflect who You are in our homes, neighborhoods, and community. Please show us how to love well. Amen 

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By Adele Chong, Session Elder

Chaz Umamoto sang the old hymn Be Thou My Vision at the First Prez prayer gathering on Zoom in response to the storming of the Capitol on January 6th. The hymn was my favorite when I was in intermediate school. Hearing it led me to reflect on what has happened since then. 

Although I, as a pre-teen, had proclaimed I wanted Christ to be my “vision” who would guide my life, I didn’t actually follow through. I graduated from high school and college, worked as an RN, earned a graduate degree, changed my career, and married and divorced twice, and all that time I had not built a relationship with Christ. 

But after the second divorce, I started attending a small Presbyterian church a few miles from my apartment in California, formed friendships with a community of Christians, re-dedicated my life to Christ, and became part of a small group.

A couple of years later I moved to Honolulu because of my job, and started attending First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at its former Makiki campus. After a few months, I went to the class for new members and joined the church. A few years after, I met a local man, and we were wed inside First Prez’s beautiful Sanctuary. We were blessed with more than nine years of a good marriage before he died.

Recently PBS Hawaii aired promos for its Long Story Short episode that features former First Prez member Stephanie Castillo. In the promo Stephanie says “There’s always second chances, there’s always a way through, a way around, a way to keep trying. It’s just part of humanity.”

In the 27-minute interview, Stephanie talked about her faith: “The more I grew and came to understand what that faith is about, what I see is a God of redemption. What I see is a Spirit of redemption that is available to us as we live our lives that’s challenging and hard. There are always second chances.”

God has given me many second chances. Although it took me many years to make Him my Vision, He was always waiting for me. In my busy days I still need to remind myself to make time to spend with Him and to keep Him Lord of my heart.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for offering second chances, over and over again. Thank You for the hymn writers and musicians who bring Your grace to us through their God-given skills. I pray You will lead me into a closer relationship with You each day. Amen.

You can watch Chelsea Moon’s version of “Be Thou My Vision” here.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with thee one

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

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