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 Leslie Paez, Office Manager

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

Have you ever felt like everyone around you is celebrating something huge in their lives except you? Maybe it’s a promotion, a wedding engagement, a new home, or even a miracle! And as happy as you are for your friends and family, perhaps you sit there and wonder if that something you’ve been hoping for will ever happen to you. 

Maybe there is something that God has promised you, or a blessing that you pray about daily. As time goes by, you see others receive that exact blessing or promise, and you then start to wonder, “When is it my turn,” or “Why hasn’t God completed His promise to me?”

I’ve recently felt the same way about a promise that God made me, and in my human nature, I laid in bed one night thinking and complaining to God why he forgot about me. Why does it feel like everyone else gets their promises but I don’t? And after a few minutes of my pity party, I was reminded of 2 Peter 3:8-9, which tells me God’s timing isn’t my timing, that perhaps my promise not being complete now is its own blessing. 

What I think I want in this exact moment is probably the worst possible moment for it to happen, and that I should trust God and His timing of things. I was reminded that he hasn’t forgotten about me or His promise to me. He’s just shaping me into a better version of myself so that when His promise is complete, I’ll be even more ready for it. Even though it feels like an eternity until I receive my promise, it’ll be worth the wait in the end because God won’t be late, or early.

He is always on time.

Prayer: Dear God, I want to thank You for never forgetting us in the midst of everything; for being truthful to Your words and promises to us; for loving us and reminding us daily that Your plans and purposes for each of our lives are greater than we can imagine. I pray that in those moments of “when is it my turn,” we can be reminded of how You always come through at the perfect time. Amen.

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By Adele Chong, Session Elder

In his May 9, 2021 sermon titled “You Are My Friends,” Pastor Tim Shaw reminisced about a conversation during a tennis match back in college. He was going through a difficult time, which his friend had suspected from the way Tim was playing tennis. 

Tim’s friend said, “Hey, if you ever want to talk with someone about what’s going on, I’d be happy to talk with you. We all have a lot going on, and I just want you to know that if you want someone to talk to, I’d be happy to listen.”

Tim wrote: “I’m sure someone had said that to me in the past but, at that point, I could not remember the last time an invitation like that had been offered to me.”

These words really stood out to me. There have been times in my life when I really, really needed someone to talk to. Here are two examples.

I remembered the GriefShare groups I had been in nearly 20 years ago. I went through GriefShare more than once, and others in my groups did too. It was very healing for me to be with a group of people who were all in the same “club,” people who had recently lost a loved one – a spouse, a parent, a grandchild, a close friend. We could talk to each other about anything, and we knew others in the group would understand what we meant. We talked the same “language.” Everyone was handling their grief their own way, but we could talk about things we knew other people may not want to hear. 

A more recent example is maintaining a supportive friendship during the pandemic. For many years a good friend and fellow usher at First Prez, would go out to dinner together once a month, but that had to be put on hold after the lockdown. We kept in touch by phone instead. Telephone chats were good, but not enough. When we both felt it would be safe to see each other in person, outdoors, six feet apart, and with masks on, we started a new monthly tradition. My friend stops at a restaurant and picks up two lunches on her way to my house. We sit on the front deck and talk, sometimes for hours. Our conversations range widely, from issues of everyday life (plumbing leaks, family concerns) to our fears (pending medical tests, over-scheduling our time, and much more). We listen to each other, we affirm each other, and (if asked) give suggestions about solutions. Our friendship has been a valuable part of maintaining my mental health over the past months. And we’ve decided to continue our monthly front deck lunches into the post-pandemic era, whenever that may be! 

The pandemic has showed me how important communication and relationships are – just not with each other but with the Lord.

GriefShare illustrates the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” I am very grateful GriefShare was there to help me up.

My friendship with my fellow usher is an example of Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

In both situations I know I was and I am being heard. The GriefShare group members and my lunch buddy have lived out Colossians 3:12-14, where we are admonished to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Talking about hard times with someone we trust, who also believes in Jesus, helps us sort out our thoughts and our feelings. It helps us figure out what is important, what is really bothering us, and gives us a more accurate perspective. It helps us pray about what to do next.

What about you? Do you have someone to talk to about what’s going on in your life? If yes, thank God for that person! If not yet, ask God to give you the courage to reach out to someone, or perhaps to the Care Ministries of our church. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that those of us who are aching to talk to someone who really cares will take the first step by reaching out. We know You love them, and You have many ways to express Your love for them. Please give them the courage to ask for support and the grace to accept it. Amen.

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By Marianna Meachen, Director of Care Ministries

A lot has happened in the past year and-a-half. We went from unbounded freedoms to go wherever we wanted to a worldwide lockdown. We had the freedom to attend worship services in person every Sunday, meet in groups as large as we wanted, and give each other hugs. Then, in what felt like the blink of an eye, it was all taken from us. 

But we did not let that stop us from worshipping God. We worshipped online, we worshipped on Zoom, we worshipped in small groups. We praised God despite our circumstances. Praising God in every circumstance gives us joy and pleases God. He gets glory from every act of praise no matter what shape or form. 

A few years ago I realized that even though I prayed often, the only time I praised God was in worship services or as I was singing. I made a decision to praise God as often as possible and decided to go to sleep each night praising Him. Imagine my delight one night when I awoke at about 2 AM and was still praising God in my spirit and my mind. What joy I felt!

The Psalms are filled with verses on praise. Here are a few:

Psalm 100:4. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name

Psalm 150: 1-2 Praise the LORD. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

Psalm 92: 1-2 It is good to praise the LORD … proclaiming Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.

Psalm 92 is an invitation to begin and end each day by giving thanks to God for His love and faithfulness. The Living Bible paraphrases it this way: “Every morning thank Him for His kindness, and every evening rejoice in all His faithfulness.”

It’s easy to be thankful when everything is going our way. But what if you don’t look forward to a new day? What if your health is failing, or you are confined to your home? Some people spend their days in bed, unable to do the things they want to do. How do you give thanks when life is nothing but a disappointment?

In his June 6th sermon, Pastor Steve spoke of Heather, a woman who was stricken years ago by a debilitating disease. She is no longer able to walk and is in great pain daily. But Heather told Pastor Steve, “God’s grace has made it possible for me to thank Him every day for His faithfulness. God’s grace has been more than sufficient, and I am a joyful and grateful Christian.” Heather is joyful! She praises God in all circumstances! She is reflecting how to praise God.

Thanking Him for what He has done in our lives can help us to think about “whatever is true,” which the apostle Paul says will help us have peace (Philippians 4:8). But, it can also change our hearts and lives as we pay closer attention to what God does for us on a daily basis.

So how can you praise Him more? Reflect on these:

• When was the last time you made a list of what you were thankful for, other than at Thanksgiving?

• Other than making a list, what is one way you can express your thanks for what God has done or is doing in your life now? Consider read Psalms of praise or sharing what you are thankful for with those around you. 

• Start your prayer time with praise.

Prayer: Abba, give us the grace to praise You in spite of what is going on in or lives––our heartaches, our disappointments, and our losses. Give us Your heart and let us lift you in praise and proclaim Your goodness! We ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

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By Marianne Schultz, Deacon

Kindness is one of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Let me tell you about a man who bore much of this fruit.

I met “Big Ben,” who was a security guard at the shopping center in Kailua. He was walking by the store as I was cleaning the windows. I said hello, he stopped to chat, and we became fast friends. I closed the store three nights a week and never liked counting the money where anyone could see me, or locking up with almost no one around. Ben began to sit on a chair outside the store waiting until I was finished. He would walk me to my car parked on the third level, and I would drive him to his next post.

He told me about his wife who had cancer and how sad he was. I often would pray for them as we walked. He appreciated the prayers, telling me of his love of the Lord. We were friends for years until he quit working in 2018. Everyone loved Ben. He walked throughout the entire town knowing everyone by name. Many called him “The Mayor of Kailua.” I always felt he was a special angel in my life, always watching out for me. 

Hebrews 13:2 (NLT) Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

I like to read obituaries because I learn so much about people’s lives. In May of 2019 there it was –– Ben had died at age 72. Saddened, I decided to go to his celebration of life, held at the beautiful St. Augustine by the Sea church in Waikiki. The pews were filled with many friends and ‘ohana, who filled the sanctuary with much aloha for this wonderful man. I didn’t know anyone except the Hawaiian musicians. However, I did not feel like a stranger; we were all there to celebrate Ben. 

After the service I waited in the long line to pay respects to the family. I introduced myself to his daughter. I told her about my friendship with her dad, how much I loved him, how many times we would pray together, and how he took such good care of me. She started to cry and gave me a big hug. It was important to share how kind her dad was. I told her he was my angel. The first line of his obituary was “he gained his wings.” Well, Ben had them already, now it was official. “Just tell ‘em I’ve gone fishin’” was what he wanted to be known when he passed. 

Have you found an angel? I encourage you to know one is out there for you. Be kind, offer a simple greeting, a smile. You too can find a Ben! 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am blessed to share Your love with others through prayer. May I always remember to be kind to others for we never know what is happening in their lives. Thank You for sending me my friend Ben. We know there are angels here on earth. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Ben’s ashes were scattered (went fishin’) off Waikiki

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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 David Free, Deacon

“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27)

The disciples were on a ship in a stormy sea and very worried about their situation, when suddenly, Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water and saying, “Don’t worry, I’m here.” Peter then asked to join Him on the water and the Lord answered him, “Sure, if your faith is strong, walk on the water with Me.”

Peter climbed down the side of the ship and began walking on the water toward Jesus. But the storm captured his attention and suddenly he began to sink. Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and saved Peter, placing him back on the ship as the wind ceased.

This story always fascinates me because I had a similar experience.

Years ago, when I lived in California, I did a lot of sailboat racing. On one particular race around Catalina Island, my crew and I found ourselves barreling down the backside of the island, in very rough seas, at 3:00 AM, in total darkness, with spinnaker (the large balloon-looking sail that fills with air and pushes the vessel downwind) flying. At one point I noticed that the mainsail was about to jibe, swing from one side to the other, so I jumped to the foredeck and was attempting to correct the problem, when suddenly the sail did indeed swing from one side to the other, the boom carrying me with it.

As I was sliding into the water, I reached up and was able to catch myself by my fingertips, grabbing the lifeline. The crew was then able to wrestle me back aboard. Good thing I was wearing wet weather gear and boots! Otherwise I would have gone straight to the bottom.

Was Jesus there? You bet. I couldn’t see Him in the black darkness, but He was there for sure!

And just like in Peter’s story, the wind stopped, the sea calmed, and we were left in the doldrums for a number of hours. Now that’s the end of my story, but not of Peters’.

When Peter began to sink into the sea, Jesus admonished him, saying, “You of little faith! Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)

Then Peter was saved from a watery dunk as Jesus placed him back on the boat, where he joined his fellow disciples in declaring, “You are really God’s Son!” (Matthew 14:33)

As dawn broke over the lake, Peter’s heart must have soared. He had repudiated doubt and fear by once again placing his trust in the Lord. Unfortunately for Peter, his faith and trust never became permanent because sometime later, he denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus had predicted. The moral of Peter’s story: Keep our faith strong, our trust steady, and don’t give in to distractions.

A final note to my sailing story, we did win that race only because everyone else in the race had given up while sitting in the doldrums and had started their engines and motored home. Was it because of our persistence, our dumb luck, or because we had Jesus aboard – you call it!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, it’s so easy to be distracted and lose faith in You when times are difficult, so please help me to keep my eyes on You no matter what the situation I find myself in. I choose to take heart and not be afraid because I know You’re always with me. Amen.

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By Patti Marshall, Session Elder

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

A month ago Vintage, First Prez’s ministry for senior adults, hosted a walk on our church’s “nature spaces” (also known as our former golf course*), God’s generous love-gift of land to us. We called the event Walkin’ & Talkin’, where the goal was to join God in His creation with others so that we could fellowship and share His goodness. 

The “walkers” were encouraged to use their senses; to embrace the child within them––hop, skip (but not trip), or even imitate a bird tweet; to become aware of Jesus being with them; to not rush; and to hold their gaze when looking at something and perhaps imagine what Jesus sees in it. 

After reading Psalm 8, we all went on our merry way. Some forged ahead alone, while others chose groups of two, five, or ten. Some were in great shape. Others were more cautious. Everyone motored and meandered to or in their own rhythm. 

Here are some of my take-aways from the walk:

1) God helps us run (or walk) life’s marathon race with passion and determination at our own rhythm or pace as we keep our eyes on Him.

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith...” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Intermingled with chitter-chatter, laughing, oohing, aahing, and silence were playful whistles trying to mimic bird calls. God nourished souls with His loving presence. His face shone on us in the sun. His rain gave  showers of blessings. He communicated with us through the sky, breeze, flowers, trees, birds, and even mongooses. He blessed us with His attention and peace.

2) Our Father in heaven, always near, cares for little sparrows and us.

“… yet not even one sparrow falls from its nest without the knowledge of your Father. Aren’t you worth much more to God than many sparrows? (Matthew 10:29)

With stimulated heads and stirred hearts, walkers shared these reflections: 

“I was forced to look up and out, not down.”

“The mountains reminded me of God’s majesty and gentleness.”

“The narrow ridgelines, towering peaks, early morning light, and darkness in the crevices made me think of God squeezing and molding them with His fingers like a piece of clay.”

“A branch, followed by dead leaves, fell right in front of me. I thought of Psalm 92:13-14: ‘For in Your presence they will still overflow and be anointed. Even in their old age they will stay fresh, bearing luscious fruit and abiding faithfully.’”

3) God revealed His beauty, glory, power, wisdom, presence, creativity, and most of all His loving care. Our praise was an unrestrained singing of the doxology (liturgical expression of praise).

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities––His eternal power and divine nature––have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made ...” (Romans 1:20)

“Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 104:35b)            

4) God desires community for us.

We expressed how we yearned for community and fellowship with others. We craved that sense of belonging, trusting, relying, depending, encouraging, rejoicing, and spurring one another along in love. We agreed that life is better when it’s done with others. 

With stimulated heads and stirred hearts, walkers shared these reflections: 

“I like seeing your whole face.” 

“I saw a mango tree and another tree, with roots intertwined, that were thriving and growing.” 

These pictures of God’s goodness are but the tip of the iceberg for His goodness is infinite. Everywhere. God’s goodness is not just in what He does; it’s who He is. We saw and savored His goodness. 

May this song called Goodness of God prompt you even more to praise Him.

Prayer: Lord of all creation, water, sea, and sky, thank You for making us more than spectators of Your creation. Thank You for inviting us to taste and see Your goodness, Your generous goodness of discovery and joy. Thank You for longing to bring joy and blessing to us. In Your generous name we pray, Amen.

*First Prez’s full access to its property, including the former golf course, has prompted the church to start a new ministry called Hakuhia (meaning “God’s delight” in Hawaiian), a ministry aimed at wisely stewarding the land.

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By Chris Pan, Executive Director

When Jesus said this, He called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Luke 8:8)

I’ve been thinking a lot about attentiveness recently. As we slowly start seeing people face to face again, I’m trying to learn to be present. To be an attentive listener and not distracted by screens. For those of us who spent a lot of time on Zoom and online during the pandemic, I saw a lot of multi-tasking going on. People in meetings checking their phones, reading other screens, doing other things. I saw you! I know you saw me too! Can we all put our devices down and be present to each other?

The author Leighton Ford writes the following about the importance of being an attentive listener to God and others: 

Attentiveness is one of the most difficult concepts to grasp and one of the hardest disciplines to learn. For we are a very distractible people in a very distracting world. God wants us to be an attentive people, as He is an attentive God. Many of the words of God in the Bible call His people to “look,” “see,” “listen,” “give heed.” . . . The influential French writer Simone Weil believed that attention was at the very heart of prayer, and her French forbear Blaise Pascal also felt that inattention is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life. . . . Attentiveness, as I have come to see, is most critical for us to find the way to clarity of heart, and clarity is the path to seeing God, who is the source and end of all our longing. 

Attention is at the heart of prayer, and inattention is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life. What a wild idea in our very distracting world. 

Pastor Pete Scazzero writes, “What is one practical step you can take today to lessen your distractibility and offer a deeper, more sustained focus to God and to the people around you?”

Prayer: Jesus, I am an easily distracted person. Help me to focus and pay attention to You, and to the people around me. Help me to listen and love well. In Your name, amen. 

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By Kathy Makuakane, Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.  For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

I miss my sister-in-law Dianne. She was a lovely woman, a believer in Jesus, and my dear friend. She passed away several years ago at only 59 after a long battle with breast cancer. She lived on the Big Island but her medical care was here on Oahu. I had the privilege of spending much time with her, going to all her appointments to support her and, in the end, helping with her care during her hospice journey. Her passing was hard in so many ways, but it also was something that the Lord used to enlarge my perspective on death.

Dianne believed in heaven, but dying was not on her to-do list just yet, and she trusted God to heal her body. When it became clear that He was not going to miraculously do that, she struggled with her faith. I didn’t want her to go and, though I knew God is the one who makes these calls, it just didn’t feel right.

Until the day she entered hospice.

She had been in the hospital so the doctors could get her pain under control. But after it became clear that her cancer was no longer responding to any attempts to fight it, it was decided that only palliative care would be offered going forward. The fight was over, and she was officially entering hospice. In her hospital room, as we all suffocated in a sea of defeat, she waited in a wheelchair for the last steps in that slow hospital discharge process. 

Then her nurse entered. Or maybe she was an angel in disguise. This woman, who had lovingly cared for Dianne, was a strong Christian, and she had come to say goodbye. She knelt down, grabbed both of Dianne’s hands, leaned forward to get closer to her face, and said in a quiet yet powerful voice, “Dianne. I. Am. SO … excited for you!”

What?! This was not what anyone expected to hear. Everyone was startled, especially Dianne. Her eyebrows shot up and her eyes widened.

But then understanding set in. Her eyes got even bigger, and a delighted smile emerged. The angel-nurse had given her—given all of us—a view from a higher perspective. Very soon, Dianne was going to be with her Creator and Savior in heaven! The fight was over, but it was absolutely not a defeat. It was a victory! The soldier was done with the battle and was going home where there would be no more pain. She would soon be in the arms of the Lover of her soul.

Seeing that realization wash over Dianne’s face was a tremendous gift. I still didn’t want her to go, but I realized it was okay for her to go. As clichéd as it sounds, she actually was going to a better place. In fact, I was excited for her too!

I have been reading a book called Imagine Heaven by John Burke. It tells 120 stories of people who have had near-death experiences. They passed away but were revived later, and tell about amazing things they experienced while dead. The author weaves these stories together with Scripture about life after death. Reading it has strengthened in me the heavenly perspective that Dianne’s angel-nurse shared.

All of us are touched by death, and it’s so hard. Most of us have already had to say goodbye to one or more people who were very important to us. All of us will one day have to say goodbye to our own earthly lives. Death can be excruciatingly scary and sad, but if we can enlarge our perspective from the strictly earthly to include the heavenly, we can remind ourselves that life here is just a small part of real life. There is more and it is good.

The Lord understands our fear and our sadness about death. He experienced those emotions Himself when he wept over Lazarus’ death and when He pleaded with His Father in the garden as He faced death on the cross. So, this is not a “don’t be afraid or sad” message. This message is intended to be an understanding hug and an encouragement to look, when you are able, beyond the initial pain of loss to a bigger, hope-filled picture.

Perhaps because the Lord understands the pain of death, He has also given us many beautiful and joyful descriptions of heaven in the Bible. I encourage you to search Scripture to grasp what He has prepared for us. For starters, check out 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 where Paul seems to describe his own near-death experience. You also can try Colossians 3:1-4, Romans 8:18-25, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 15:35-57, Hebrews 8:5, and Revelation 21:10-27. 

So, let’s be here for each other as we experience inevitable death and all the pain it involves. And then let’s set our sights on the realities of heaven. I am so excited for us!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this life. Thank You for Your presence and comfort when we are faced with death and for those You have placed around us to help in those hard times. Thank You for sending Jesus to defeat death on our behalf and for offering us everlasting life with You. Thank You for preparing a spectacular place for us in heaven and for giving us an idea of what awaits. Please help us not get stuck in fear and sadness, but remind us of the higher perspective that there is an exciting future beyond this earthly life. Amen.

Kathy with Dianne

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by Rosella Shishido, Communications Ministry Coordinator

It hadn’t been a good week. I was feeling blah — lethargic, discouraged, disconnected, unappreciated. Like nothing I did mattered. Sometimes I would describe it as being in a funk. All I wanted to do was stay in bed, not do anything, and not take care of anybody. I felt useless.

But thankfully Jesus doesn’t give up on us easily. Every day I would feel His nudge to spend quiet time with Him, even just to read the Bible. And so I did that, even if it felt like I was just going through the motions. I trusted that Jesus would somehow get me off this funk by speaking to me through His Word. 

And He did!

The readings for that day in the Bible plan I was on were chapters 3 and 4 of the book of Exodus in the Old Testament. God told Moses that He had chosen him to lead the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt and into the Promised Land, but Moses doubted that he was the right guy for the job. And that’s when God asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2)

I’ve read that verse many, many times before, but that morning — boom! I felt a quickening in my spirit. It was like the question was meant FOR ME.

“What is that in your hand?” God asked.

And what came to mind right away were the God-sent blessings I had at that moment and continue to have today: family, friends, job, house, talents, skills, spiritual gifts, money, opportunities, health, freedom, technology, water, electricity ...... 

My mental list went on and on and on.

God’s message for me through that verse was this: I am to use what I already have for the work He has entrusted to me. He has already given me the resources I need. He has also given me family and friends who can cheer me on when times get hard. I am not invisible to Him or to others. 

I also realized that I had other things in my hand. Sadly I was holding on to past hurts, regrets, the what-could’ve-been’s, and the what-I-wish-I-had’s. Time to let go, God said. Time to let go.

What about you? What’s in your hand? 

Start a list. And don’t forget to include your talents, skills, and spiritual gifts that make you unique. God loves you just the way you are.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the countless blessings You’ve given me! Please help me to steward them well in ways that will point people to You, and in ways that will promote wellness, compassion, justice, kindness, and peace. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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By Candi Lopes, Children’s Ministry Coordinator

I have had the privilege of praying for two students in our church through our prayer initiative in Children’s and Youth Ministries, in which three adults pray for a student and his or her family during an entire school year. It has been a wonderful experience to be able to join in lifting them up to God. I was fortunate to already know the students I was matched with, and I even received a graduation invitation from the high school senior I am praying for. I was so honored to be able to participate in celebrating that student’s accomplishment and deliver a lei on their special day. 

I want to share with you the devotion I prayed for them today, which comes from a prayer guide by Tony Souder.

Father, open my eyes so that I might see You more clearly, savor You more fully, and share You more freely.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3; 5-8.

“Father, thank You for Your promises. Cause (student’s name) to have complete and unwavering trust in You and Your promises today. Keep them from leaning on their own understanding, which is limited and faulty. Give them the ability to see and acknowledge Your working in their lives each day and trust that You will make their paths clear. Guard them against being wise in their own eyes. Cause them to fear you and turn away from even the hint of evil. Don’t let them get comfortable with or delight in the slightest evil thing. Create in them a longing for holiness and righteousness that exalts You and Your goodness. May You bring a wave of healing and refreshment to their bodies that would point the world to Your greatness. For Your glory and their good, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Souder lays out a prayer like that for each day that we can use to pray for the students and help guide them closer to their mighty Father. I am grateful to be able to partner for the next generation and excited to see how God leads them in shining light into this world as they grow up, go off to college, and become disciples of Jesus in society. 

Won’t you join us in praying for our children and youth?

Prayer: Dear God, I pray that these students are strengthened and protected by Your Spirit, as they navigate this world and the things that will try to take them off the path You have put before them. May You be the one to guide them, and may they know deep in their hearts that You will always be there for them. Continue to lead people to lift up our next generation with prayer and guidance towards the purposes You have made them for. Amen.

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By Scott Schultz, Session Elder

John 15:13 (KJV) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

“The widely used phrase “All gave some, Some gave all.” is mostly related to the United States military members who were wounded or killed in action. You will probably hear it more often around Memorial Day every year, and it’s not for Veterans Day.” (from Origin of the Phrase “All Gave Some, Some Gave All")

“Originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers.” (from “The History of Memorial Day”)

We have been privileged to attend the Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kane’ohe for quite a few years. Watching the color guard, lei presentations by military service organizations, and 21-gun salute and taps is always moving. Sadly, this event was canceled in 2020 and 2021, but we visited the cemetery to see the flags and flowers and pay our respects. We hope to attend the ceremony again next year. 

Memorial Day lei-salute

I included an Our Daily Bread entry (Humble Valor by David C. McCasland) in a devotional I wrote for a 2012 Deacons meeting, and I think it’s appropriate for today. Here is an excerpt:

Heroism is marked by an unselfish risking of life for the benefit of another. In Philippians, Paul commends two of his colleagues as true heroes of the faith. Timothy’s unselfishness and proven character gained Paul’s praise as a true son who had served with him in the gospel (Philippians 2:22). And Paul described Epaphroditus as “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier” (v25) who risked his life for the work of Christ (v30).

Through a word of encouragement or a tangible expression of appreciation, who can you honor today for their humble valor in serving the Lord and helping others in His name?

Heaven’s heroes never carve their name
On marbled columns built for earthly fame;
They build instead a legacy that springs
From faithful service to the King of kings. — Gustafson

Faith in Christ can make extraordinary heroes out of ordinary people.

As we remember our heroes, let’s also remember that Jesus gave His all for every one of us! 

As this song goes, Jesus paid it all.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of freedom as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Thank You for the heroes who gave their lives to preserve liberty and justice for all. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen. 

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By Pastor Tim Shaw

A few weeks ago I was invited by some friends to step away from the demands of our work and the busyness of our lives for a few hours and spend some extended time in prayer. The invitation was to listen for the voice of God. What did God have to say to me as I sat beneath the Ko’olau mountains and under a bright blue sky? 

As I laid back in the grass in the shade of a tree, I watched as clouds climb the rugged mountains above me. It reminded me of my childhood when I would lay back in the grass and let my mind wander. That afternoon my attention was directed to Acts 1:8, which is a very important verse of Scripture in the New Testament. This verse is part of Jesus’ final instructions for His disciples before He was taken up into heaven. As I slowly read through this one verse, these are some of the thoughts that came to mind.

ACTS 1:8

Jesus says to His disciples, “You will…”
Jesus makes a promise to His first followers. It’s a promise He keeps (see Acts 2). He says to Peter, John, Mary, Nathaniel and the others, “You WILL,” not “You might” or “This possibly could happen to you maybe someday.” No, he says, “You WILL.” What He is about to promise is going to happen for His disciples. I believe this is a promise for all of us who are followers of Jesus.

“Receive power…”

“You will receive power…” Jesus is going to give us power to live a new life, power to live in greater peace and freedom and power to empower others that they might become all that they were created to be. He gives us power, not just for our benefit but so that we might be a blessing to others. Here’s what He has in mind.

“When the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

How astounding it is that God Himself, God the Spirit, is given to us as a free gift when we entrust our lives and our futures to Jesus. God makes His home in us. We become a Temple of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Jesus brings His servant heart and passion for the peoples of the world when the Spirit of God fills us up with Himself. God comes to us, to me.

“And you will be My witnesses…”

Jesus makes a further promise to His disciples. When Jesus moves into our lives by His Spirit, we will BECOME His witnesses. We will BE His witnesses. Yes, there will be things for us to DO. But first and foremost we are reminded that our life with Christ is fundamentally about the people we are becoming. As we rest and abide in Jesus, our lives will increasingly demonstrate to the world that God is indeed a good God full of love, compassion, mercy, and grace. 

“In Jerusalem…”

We will be His witnesses in our immediate surroundings. Jesus wants us to point those we interact with daily to Him. My family, my friends, my workmates, the retailers I interact with on a regular basis should be able to see something of Jesus in me as I spend time with them.

“And in all Judea…”

Jesus wants me to show the good news of the gospel and share it with my neighbors. What do the people in my community know of Jesus because I am their neighbor? As I learn to trust God more and more with my life, have I become more willing to “cross the street” and engage my neighbors as the Parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to do? Take a few minutes and read through this remarkable story in Luke 10:29-37, focusing on the heart and actions of the Samaritan. Am I willing to cross the street even though I know that it might personally cost me something to come alongside a person in need?

“And Samaria…”

The power that Jesus offers us is an ability to show the love of Jesus with those who might be different from us in many ways. Astonishingly, we have been given power to love even our enemies.

“And…”

There’s more. Jesus' vision is always bigger, broader, more expansive than my often narrow, self-absorbed, small vision of life.

“To the ends of the Earth.”

Jesus loves Hawaii. We love our home. But His love is also for other places and peoples. Jesus loves our nation. But His love is also for the entire world. And so, it is to the whole Earth that we are called to be witnesses of Jesus. That journey begins at home but does not end there.

Laying back in the grass, under a tree, beneath the magnificent Ko’olau Mountains gave me an opportunity to reflect on the heart of God. What I discovered (once again) is that God’s heart is very big, and with the help of His Spirit, my heart for the world can grow to look more like His.

Prayer: Loving God, grow my heart for the people in my life and for the people of these Islands and the people of the world. Revive my often shriveled-up, stingy, and small heart. I receive the promise of Your Holy Spirit. Empower me to live a life that brings glory to Jesus. In His Name I pray, Amen!

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By Pastor Steve Peich

Mark 14.28-31 “But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with You, I will not deny You.” And all of them said the same.”

Peter is probably one of my favorite biblical characters to talk about, mostly because I can totally relate to how he mangles things up in His walk with Christ. Or more to the point, how he can go from getting it so right one minute then stepping into utter failure the next.

In the last hours before His arrest, Jesus makes the prediction that very soon all the disciples will desert Him (Mark 14.26). Immediately, Peter makes a bold claim about how he would never abandon Jesus. In Mark 14.29 Peter said to Him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” How’s that for confidence?

Then after Jesus tells Peter how he will deny Him three times, Peter doubles down by vehemently saying: “‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And all of them said the same” (Mark 14.31). Of course, we all know what happened shortly thereafter. 

What is interesting here is that even as Jesus is predicting the impending failure of these guys, He is also communicating grace to them. Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters… but after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

Pause on that for a minute. Do you see what is happening there? Jesus is saying even though you will fail Me, I will not abandon you. In fact, after you guys blow it, I will meet up with you again to continue this Kingdom of God adventure. Your failure will not mean you won’t have a future with Me. (See also John 20.19-21)

Raise your hand if you find that encouraging?

How many of us would be so gracious after the total failure of someone we walked with, worked with, or served with, etc. for several years? How many of us blame, deny, rationalize, minimize, or excuse our own failures?

Try to take a few moments today reflecting on the divine reality that your failure, however epic, is not the last word over you. Ponder how our failure does not mean we won’t have a future with Jesus. That’s what the death and resurrection of Jesus does, it gives a future where there has been failure. Not because our love is so strong and consistent for Him, but because His love is so strong and unwavering for us. 

Moreover, if others have failed you, pray for the soulful strength and fortitude to show mercy to them. Yes, they may need correction or even discipline, but don’t let them believe that failure is the last word over them. Demonstrate to them the powerful, failure-erasing grace of God. 

Prayer: Lord, I confess my failures before You. Come and uproot the shame that keeps me trapped in my sense of failure, as well as all the excuses, rationalizations, and blaming I have used to buffer my heart from feeling the deep regret of missing the mark. Help me to experience Your grace today, and may I display that same grace to others who have failed me as well. In Your Gracious Name we pray, Amen.

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By Rosella Shishido, Communications Ministry Coordinator

If you love words and if you’re impressed by people’s dedication and hard work, you just might appreciate The Professor and the Madman, a movie set in Oxford, England about the beginnings of something most of us may have taken for granted—the Oxford English Dictionary.  

Now before you even say “Nerd!” or “Uhm, not my kind of movie,” I can assure you that it’s a beautifully crafted movie with affecting performances by the lead actors. And if you’re curious about the movie title, it is in reference to the brilliant linguist (Sir James Murray) who led the dictionary project, and the schizophrenic man (Dr. William C. Minor) incarcerated for murder who contributed the most to the project’s crowd-sourcing efforts.

But what impressed me the most about this true story was the relentless effort and dedication that went into the massive endeavor of compiling, researching, and editing hundreds of thousands of words in spite of the setbacks, the difficulty of the project itself, and the criticisms that Sir James Murray and his team faced.

It wasn’t easy but ...

They persevered ...

Because ... 

They believed that their goal was much bigger than all the challenges.

Perhaps you’re in a tough spot right now where nothing seems to be going right. You made the decision to believe in Jesus, follow Him, and carry out what He has asked you to do. But somehow you’re getting criticisms instead of praises, discouragement instead of cheers, silence instead of applause.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

It took more than 70 years for the first edition of the full volume of the Oxford English Dictionary to be completed and published in 1928. Yes, more than 70 years! Kudos to all the editors, including those before Sir James Murray, but it was Murray and his team who saw it through to its completion. It’s not easy to persevere like that.

If they were able to persevere, so can we! The apostle Paul was confident that, although hard, this is doable for Christians because he gave this charge in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Yes, hardship, opposition, and difficult times are inevitable, but let’s endure, persevere, and fix our eyes on Jesus. Let’s pray expectantly for His help and the strength we need to refuse throwing in the towel.

Prayer: Help me, Lord Jesus, to be steadfast and to keep pressing on even when circumstances prove to be very hard. Help me to look at the tough times as stepping stones and opportunities to grow in my faith in You. Please help me to persevere. I love You, and I choose to trust in You. Amen

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By Luke Shin, Middle School Coordinator

What is your dream? No matter how old or young you are, we all have dreams that we want to accomplish in our life. 

My ultimate goal is to share the gospel and love of Christ to all youth in the world and do so with a group of friends. As of right now I am starting this dream in the middle school youth group and trying to be the best youth worker I can be. 

When I think about my dreams, I wonder, “How am I going to accomplish this on my own?” Maybe you can relate, but I like to do things on my own, which could be a downfall for me. After doing some reflecting and reading, I realized that dreams are not meant to be done alone, but with others. 

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah’s dream was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Now that is a big dream, and it was something he could not do alone. In Nehemiah 2:17-18 it says:

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of My God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

The passage shows one of the important aspects of accomplishing dreams: having people alongside you on the journey. Nehemiah took that important step when he shared his dream with others, and that led to a response where others wanted to join him in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. 

One of my greatest joys in my life is to be able to work with people who have the same dream as I do. I get to be a part of a great team that wants to share Christ with middle schoolers! I can’t imagine doing this alone because it probably would have been a disaster. 

So, what do we do with our dreams? First take your dreams to God. Invite God to join you on this journey to accomplish it. Then share your dreams with others. You may be surprised to find people who want to join you on this journey. 

Maybe you have the same dream as I do, or maybe it’s something totally different. I would love to hear the dream you’re pursuing. Click the email link below and write me about it.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your love for us. I ask that as we think of our dreams and try to accomplish them, You would be on this journey with us. Help us to find people who would like to join our journey and that we would grow new or stronger relationships with people. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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By Frank Lim, Deacon

“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the nations,
Ascribe to the Lord splendor and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the splendor He deserves!
Bring an offering and enter His courts!” (Psalm 96: 7-8)

Robert and Naomi, mission partners in Papua New Guinea, were recently featured on Impact Conversations, First Prez’s live chats with local and global outreach partners. Their story reminded me of a short-term mission trip my family and I took to Papua New Guinea in 1999. We participated with another church and New Tribes Mission, and I remember the many ways the people of that country taught us about worship and gratitude. I would like to share an excerpt from my journal at that time:

“We were situated in the New Tribe Mission compound at Numonohi, outside the town of Goroka. That Sunday morning, as we prepared to go across the highway to attend church with the villagers, we were lethargic and listless and far from enthusiastic at the prospect of worship. Some were even moping and complaining. We had been to that church for evening worship services on two occasions in the past week. The church was a small building constructed of lumber and corrugated metal. Inside the structure were roughly hewn wooden pews for the adults and short stools for the children. A simple wooden pulpit occupied the front.

On this bright, sunny morning, we were pleasantly surprised to see how they decorated the entire church--to honor us, perhaps, but I suspect it was a form of worship for them. They regard worship as a serious matter, just as they showed us in their baptismal ceremony the week before. The riverbank was strewn with banana fronds, bamboo, flowers and fruits. And this morning was no different. The church was adorned with their offerings of greenery, flowers, and a precious commodity, freshly harvested crops. They gave new meaning to the phrase “first fruits” from Leviticus 23.”

We learned something about worship from the villagers that day. They showed us what it was like to be in the presence of God through their simplicity and humility. Though not musical by nature, they still managed to convey to us the vibrancy of their worship in song. We experienced this not from a language we did not understand but from the look and tears in their eyes, which reflected the spirit of gratitude, generosity, and joy within their hearts. Our team members shed many tears that day, tears of joy and maybe a tinge of guilt for our attitude earlier in the day. We saw simple people seriously intentional and enthusiastic about their worship.

In 1988, my family and I went to Taiwan, and we were invited to share a song in a small village church. The Lim boys chose to sing “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord,” not knowing until the services began, that this was a church for the blind. The worship was simple, but very intense and meaningful, because of the humility and joy of the congregation. Their worship affected us deeply. We left convinced that the blind in the congregation had seen Jesus with a clearer vision than we.

On our mission trips to third-world countries, one of the lasting impressions we have is the experience of worship shared with people of different cultures. Regardless of the language barrier and socioeconomic differences, be it in the Philippines, Cambodia, Swaziland, or Bangladesh, simple and joyful worship brings us together before the throne of God.

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, and just as the Holy Spirit unified the early Church, we, too, are unified with our brothers and sisters in far flung places, especially in our worship.

“All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your name.” (Psalm 86:9)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for inviting us into Your holy Presence in our worship. We come simply and humbly before You, with a spirit of gratitude for all that You have done and given us. We praise you for who You are. Thank you for first loving us, and for your mercy and grace. We pray and worship You, in Your Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

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By Jeremy Lim, Session Elder

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

On May 31, 2019 one of the most influential men in my life died after a year and-a-half-long battle with brain cancer. Rob Paris was 47 years old and left behind an amazing wife and two incredible teenaged daughters. He also left behind hundreds, if not thousands, of lives that were radically changed because of the life he chose to live. 

Rob was my high school youth pastor whose passion for Jesus was closely matched by his passion for life. He met with me every week, often two times per week, for all four of my high school years. We met simply as friends who wanted to experience Jesus’ best for us. 

I’d like to share an excerpt of what I wrote to Rob’s family following his death: 

I’m sure you have heard and read countless testimonies of how God used Rob to impact so, so many people for His kingdom. Count mine among those. I would not know Jesus and His heart for the world the way I do now if I had not had the privilege of knowing Rob and watching him model Jesus to me. Rob ignited a passion in me nearly 25 years ago—a passion to follow Jesus AND to be a part of what He is doing in the lives of those around me. I want to be more like Jesus, and for the rest of my life I will look to Rob as one of the best examples of how to do that well. 

Rob was a great man, but my life was not changed because I was friends with a great man. My life was changed because that man willingly and intentionally reflected the Light of Jesus into my life. Rob listened to me and genuinely cared about everything I was dealing with. He shared his wisdom, but he also shared his own struggles. Rob took seriously the role Jesus wanted him to play in my life, and it wasn’t an accident that my time with him deepened my love for and commitment to Christ.

On May 6th I wrote a devotional about how Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12). Today I am writing about how Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. The only way both of these statements can be true is when we recognize Jesus as the source of Light and that our role is to reflect this Light back into the world. 

Jesus wants His Light to shine unobstructed and unfiltered into every nook and cranny of life. He wants it to be a beacon of hope and purpose to everyone, Christian and non-Christian alike--a beacon that all are drawn to because of everything His Light represents.  

You are the light of the world… 

How might you be uniquely positioned to reflect the Light of Jesus exactly where it needs to shine in someone’s life today?

Prayer: Jesus, please shine Your Light into my life and fill me with Your hope. May others be drawn to You and experience Your love and presence as Your Light shines through me. Amen.

Rob with Jeremy (1999)

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By Karen Makishima, Director of Ohana Ministries

Someone told me that his spiritual director encouraged him to live on earth as if he lived in heaven. I thought about it and decided that, yes, I want to try that. 

I recently had my birthday and thought that this would be a good day to act as if for this one day I was living in heaven while being on earth. I wanted to see and savor all that God had planned for me to enjoy for this one day.

I had my day all planned out. One of my BFF’s picked me up and we drove out to the North Shore. I had a playlist on my phone with music that feeds my soul that we could sing to while driving. We had a banana chia pudding breakfast on Haleiwa Beach––enjoying the sounds of the waves, seeing the colors of the ocean and the sky, smelling the salt in the air, all the while having our feet grounded in the sand. 

A hike was next on our agenda at the monastery in Wailua. There were a few gates that we had to enter to get there. I didn’t see any pearls on this gate, and we needed a code to enter (this is definitely not heaven). When we finally made it to the top of the mountain, we saw and savored fruit trees and other plants. My thighs ached as we climbed the hill, and my sweat reminded me that I am not in heaven. We did not see streets of gold, nor did I see angels ascending and descending on a stairway reaching to heaven, but there were moments that felt like we could have been in heaven. The large male peacocks showed their incredible beauty given to them by our Creator, but their constant caaaahhhh caaahhhh was quickly annoying. (Wait, I can’t be annoyed in heaven.) These earthly reminders kept seeping into my heaven day reminding me that I am not fully home yet. 

My other BFF who lives on Maui called to say she was going in for surgery for melanoma. I began to tear up. No, this was not a part of my heaven. Cancer was not in my heaven. My mind could not go there. I quickly gave it to Jesus so that I could put my full self back in heaven mode.

Revelation 21:4 reminds us of what heaven will be like: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

On my birthday I had a taste of what this side of heaven is like. It was wonderful but I could not fully experience heaven yet. The sadness and inconvenience I experienced along the way reminded me that I am not fully home yet. But what I tasted was so onolicious! I savored what I could get.

Sometimes when things are just really hard, I remind myself that I have a cloud of witnesses cheering me on. I think about who is in my cloud saying, “You can do it!” I want my dad to be in that cloud and my grandma and my nephews and tons of others. Who is in your cloud of witnesses cheering you on until you finally get home?

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...”

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us a glimpse of what our final home will look like and for the cloud of witnesses who cheer us on while we are here. Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith. Amen.

Here’s one of the songs on my phone that I hope helps you look forward to what awaits those who put their trust in Jesus: When We All Get To Heaven by Casting Crowns

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