Check them out here: http://fireandfragrance.com/vision/
and http://burn24-7.com/
Sunday, December 4, 2011
This past weekend:
Check them out here: http://fireandfragrance.com/vision/
and http://burn24-7.com/
Invisible Children Maui Tour 2011 Debrief
Two weeks ago I was privileged to host a group of amazing people from the organization Invisible Children.
These four people made up the South Pacific Screening team for their organization. Maui was the last leg of their tour. With 100 screenings and presentations under their belt they were such an amazing power team that helped spread awareness about one of the longest running war in Africa.
They spoke in schools, at our university, talked on the radio, and presented at local churches and venues. I was very impressed by this teams commitment towards ending this war in Africa. As we speak Invisible Children is helping to put local radio tours in central Africa that will be used to help small villages communicate to other villages when radical armies are near by. Helping to warn these villagers and giving them a heads up to escape from near by danger.
Nancey has to retell and relive this story daily as she goes on advocating the cause of Invisible Children and making real this atrocity to those who come and hear their story.
I admired her bravery but most of all her trust and gratefulness to the Lord for all the things that has happened in her life. Good and bad, her life was a powerful testimony to the healing and grace of Jesus Christ.
Skateboarding on Maui w/ Kelton Woodburn
check out more of his photo journal here: http://keltonwoodburn.com/journal/
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Lunchtime Devotional: "God Is Not About YOUR Success"
God Is Not About YOUR Success
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).
God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.
"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).
How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."
Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way.
Dose of Oswald Chambers: Obedience or Independence?
"The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says
without hesitation."
The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself. Jesus Christ will not force me to obey Him, but I must. And as soon as I obey Him, I fulfill my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small, petty happenings, altogether insignificant. But if I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God. Then, when I stand face to face with God, I will discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. When God’s redemption brings a human soul to the point of obedience, it always produces. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.
If you love Me, keep My commandments —John 14:15
Our Lord never insists on obedience. He stresses very definitely what we ought to do, but He never forces
us to do it. We have to obey Him out of a oneness of spirit with Him.
That is why whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it
with an “If,” meaning, “You do not need to do this unless you desire to
do so.” “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself . . .” (Luke 9:23).
In other words, “To be My disciple, let him give up his right to
himself to Me.” Our Lord is not talking about our eternal position, but
about our being of value to Him in this life here and now. That is why
He sounds so stern (see Luke 14:26). Never try to make sense from these words by separating them from the One who spoke them.
The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself. Jesus Christ will not force me to obey Him, but I must. And as soon as I obey Him, I fulfill my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small, petty happenings, altogether insignificant. But if I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God. Then, when I stand face to face with God, I will discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. When God’s redemption brings a human soul to the point of obedience, it always produces. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
RELATIONSHIPS SEMINAR: @ University of Hawaii Maui Campus Starting up November 28
TOPICS COVERED ON: RELATIONSHIPS:
Godly Man/ Godly Woman: "Identity"
Made For Relationships
Marriage
Boundaries: "co dependence vs. inter dependence"
Expectations
Love Languages
how Does our culture view relationships vs. how God sees
being the right person
1st Topic - 1st week -
Made for Relationships
- why do we engage in relationships?
- what was the original purpose for relationships?
2nd Topic - 2nd week - Dec 5th -
How Does Our Culture View Relationships vs. How God Does
- what are lies that we believe about relationships?
- what is the truth?
3rd Topic - 3rd week - Dec 12th
Expectations
- false expectations
- unrealistic expectations
- setting standards
- what really matters?
4th Topic - 4th week - Dec 19th
Being the Right Person
- what does it mean to be the 'right' person for a relationship
vs. just looking for the right person
- being the right person in the right context
5th Topic - 5th week - Jan 2nd
Knowing Our Roles
- What does it look to be a godly man/woman in a relationship?
- How to recognize godly character
6th Week - PARTY!!!!!!!!
Potluck
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Lust:
- Can a Christian lust and still be qualified to enter into the Kingdom of God?
- Can a man or a woman lust for their mate, yet without sin?
- Is lusting a sin?
- Do you really know the difference between lust and desire?
- If you lust for something, would your Maker grant it to you?
- If you caught yourself lusting should you repent of it?
- Does God, Christ, and all the holy angels ever lust? Those who are spirit beings, those who are Holy, perfect, and righteous?
Don’t be too quick to answer. Remember, all of our background came from our parents, culture, and our society.
God condemns the use of any thing, any thought, and any attitude that is harmful to you or your neighbor. But he will never condemn the right use of any good thing that he himself has created. Remember what God said about all those things he created? "It was very good" (Genesis 1:31). He didn’t say it was bad, not a mixture of truth and error, but very good.
The adversary has deceived men into believing that sex, lust, coveting, pleasure, sensuality, and feeling good is evil; yet, when God created all things he said "it was very good" (Genesis 1:31 ). Who are you going to believe? Christians desire, lust for, and covet after the Knowledge and Wisdom of God, which is good. Sensuality, like lust, is purely neutral. What you do with it determines whether you sin or not. Sex with strangers is not good, but sex with your spouse is. There is nothing wrong with lusting. Do you lust for your wife, or do you lust for somebody else’s wife? This is the point. The Law does not say, "Do not covet", it says do not covet anything that belongs to somebody else (Exodus 20:17).
Your arch enemy would always like you to blur the difference and remove the boundaries between the holy and the profane, between the light and darkness. That’s why the Creator told Adam and Eve to eat of every tree that is in the garden, except of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil! You see, if someone gives you a glass of pure crystal clear sweet water, that’s good. But if you put a few drops of poison into it, that’s bad. And the bad makes the whole thing bad. And therefore the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is all bad, because poison will kill you, it takes time. Good and evil is not good, it is sinful. And therefore, to have a morality that is a mixture of good and evil is a sinful morality.
That’s why we are studying the Word of God, because we are admitting that we are not clean, pure, righteous, perfect, but we want to be. And so we should not be offended at the words of God when they simply be contrary to what we think.
In the Hebrew, "lust" (#08378 ta'avah & #0183 'avah) is defined as "to desire eagerly, to long for, to wish, to crave, to covet, to yearn, to be eager to, to have an appetite for." Lust could be used rightly or wrongly. By itself it is neutral. Whether lust is good or bad should be determined only by your Maker, and not by mere, fallible, mortal man, who doesn’t even have a clean mind!
Positive examples of "lust" in the Bible are:
- Deuteronomy 14:26 (lusteth) where God commanded the Israelites to turn the tithes into money and spend it on whatever their soul lusts for;
- Psalm 21:2 (desire) where God satisfies your lusts if they are good and right for you;
- Psalm 132:13 (desired) where the Lord himself lusted Zion for his habitation;
- Proverbs 10:24 (desire) where the lust of the righteous shall be granted;
- Proverbs 11:23 (desire) where the lust of the righteous is good, and this is in contrast to the lust of the wicked;
- Proverbs 13:12 (desire) where lust will earn you the "tree of life", and not eternal torment in the lake of fire, as many Christians teach today; and
- Isaiah 26:8 (desire) where the lust of our soul is to God’s name.
In the Hebrew, the word "covet" (word # 02530 chamad) is defined as "to desire, lustful, be carnally excited (speaking about the physical aspect of it; like how a little babe gets excited at a toy. This is referring to the pure carnal excitement, not the impure), pleasant, charming, beloved, lovely, delightful, desirable, precious, pretty, grateful, cute, darling, dainty, delectable", and it also means "greed, avarice, grasping, envious". The majority of the concept "to covet" is positive, not negative.
Positive examples of "covetous" in the bible are:
- Genesis 2:9 (pleasant) where, in the Garden of Eden, the LORD God made to grow every tree that is covetous to the sight,
- Psalm 19:7-10 (desired) where the Law of the Lord is to be coveted after,
- Psalm 68:16 (desireth) where God Himself covets us to dwell in the hill of God,
- Proverbs 21:20 (desired) where the wise will covet treasure,
- Matthew 13:17 (desired) where the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven have been coveted after by many prophets and righteous men,
- Luke 16:20-21 (desiring) where a beggar coveted to be fed,
- Luke 17:22 (desire) where Christ told his disciples they would covet to see one of the days of the Son of man,
- Luke 22:15 (desired) where Christ Jesus coveted to eat the passover with His disciples,
- 1 Timothy 3:1 (desireth) where if a man covets after the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.
- 1 Corinthians 12:31 (covet) where believers are commanded to covet earnestly the best spiritual gifts,
- 1 Corinthians 12:31 (covet) where brethren are commanded to covet to prophesy,
- Hebrews 6:11 (desire) where we covet after others to show diligence, and
- 1 Peter 1:12 (desire) where angels covet after the things of God.
The term "lust" appears 107 times in the Bible (54 times in the OT, 53 times in the NT). 35 cases in the Old Testament it is used to describe positive aspects, and in 19 cases it is spoken in the negative. The term "covet" appears 81 times in the Bible (65 times in the OT, 16 times in the NT). Lusting and coveting are synonymous in both the Hebrew and the Greek (word #1937 epithumeo). The words "covet" and "lust" are used most often in the positive than in the negative. Only the context can tell you which way it goes.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
STELLAR!: Building in Egypt
Things are going well with the team serving with in Egypt. Keep praying for them and check out their amazing progress on the bowl. If you would like to donate to this or future projects you may do so at http://www.JSAWfoundation.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Personality Info: "INFP"
Allison told me to take this test. So I did. Here are my results after taking the test. If you have time you should take the free test as well. It is very interesting. And if you like learning about yourself and others you will totally be into it:
Heres the link:
http://www.mypersonality.info/
(click "take the test" on the Personality Types section")
-you'll have to sign up but it is free and worth the while
Here is my result:
Portrait of an INFP - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
(Introverted Feeling with Extraverted Intuition)
As an INFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves
INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life. The goal at the end of the path is always the same - the INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.
Generally thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are good listeners and put people at ease. Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. This sincerity is sensed by others, making the INFP a valued friend and confidante. An INFP can be quite warm with people he or she knows well.
INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.
INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".
When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.
INFPs do not like to deal with hard facts and logic. Their focus on their feelings and the Human Condition makes it difficult for them to deal with impersonal judgment. They don't understand or believe in the validity of impersonal judgment, which makes them naturally rather ineffective at using it. Most INFPs will avoid impersonal analysis, although some have developed this ability and are able to be quite logical. Under stress, it's not uncommon for INFPs to mis-use hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.
INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members' of the group. In group situations, they may have a "control" problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.
INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.
INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.
There are 16 "Personality Types" accoridng to the test. Which one are you?
Here are some other personal test you can do:
*http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/questions/questions.cfm
*http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html
*http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/
*http://strengths.gallup.com/110440/About-StrengthsFinder-2.aspx
Heres the link:
http://www.mypersonality.info/
(click "take the test" on the Personality Types section")
-you'll have to sign up but it is free and worth the while
Here is my result:
Portrait of an INFP - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
(Introverted Feeling with Extraverted Intuition)
As an INFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves
INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life. The goal at the end of the path is always the same - the INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.
Generally thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are good listeners and put people at ease. Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. This sincerity is sensed by others, making the INFP a valued friend and confidante. An INFP can be quite warm with people he or she knows well.
INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.
INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".
When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.
INFPs do not like to deal with hard facts and logic. Their focus on their feelings and the Human Condition makes it difficult for them to deal with impersonal judgment. They don't understand or believe in the validity of impersonal judgment, which makes them naturally rather ineffective at using it. Most INFPs will avoid impersonal analysis, although some have developed this ability and are able to be quite logical. Under stress, it's not uncommon for INFPs to mis-use hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.
INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members' of the group. In group situations, they may have a "control" problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.
INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.
INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.
There are 16 "Personality Types" accoridng to the test. Which one are you?
Here are some other personal test you can do:
*http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/questions/questions.cfm
*http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html
*http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/
*http://strengths.gallup.com/110440/About-StrengthsFinder-2.aspx
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
TEXTING for Seniors
TEXTING for SeniorsThe kids have all their little SMS codes...like BFF, WTF, LOL etc.
So here are some codes for the seniors:
ATD - At the Doctor's
BFF - Best Friends Funeral
BTW - Bring the Wheelchair
CBM - Covered by Medicare
CUATSC - See You at the SeniorCenter
DWI - Driving While Incontinent
FWBB - Friend with Beta Blockers
FWIW - Forgot Where I Was
FYI - Found Your Insulin
GGPBL - Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA - Got Heartburn Again
HGBM - Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO - Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO - Laughing My Dentures Out
OMMR - On My Massage Recliner
OMSG - Oh My! Sorry, Gas
ROFL...CGU - Rolling on the Floor Laughing...Can't get Up!
TTYL - Talk to You Louder
WAITT - Who Am I Talking To?
WTFA - Wet the Furniture Again
WTP - Where's the Prunes
WWNO - Walker Wheels Need Oil
GGLKI - Gotta Go, Laxative Kickin in!
So here are some codes for the seniors:
ATD - At the Doctor's
BFF - Best Friends Funeral
BTW - Bring the Wheelchair
CBM - Covered by Medicare
CUATSC - See You at the SeniorCenter
DWI - Driving While Incontinent
FWBB - Friend with Beta Blockers
FWIW - Forgot Where I Was
FYI - Found Your Insulin
GGPBL - Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA - Got Heartburn Again
HGBM - Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO - Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO - Laughing My Dentures Out
OMMR - On My Massage Recliner
OMSG - Oh My! Sorry, Gas
ROFL...CGU - Rolling on the Floor Laughing...Can't get Up!
TTYL - Talk to You Louder
WAITT - Who Am I Talking To?
WTFA - Wet the Furniture Again
WTP - Where's the Prunes
WWNO - Walker Wheels Need Oil
GGLKI - Gotta Go, Laxative Kickin in!
Monday, October 3, 2011
This song makes me miss Australia. "Beautiful Exchange" by Hillsong
Though I was distant
Disillusioned I was
Lost and insecure
Still mercy fought
For my attention
You were waiting at the door
Then I let you in
Trading your life
For my offenses
For my redemption
You carried all the blame
Breaking the curse
Of our condition
Perfection took our place
Chorus:
When only love could make a way
You gave your life in a beautiful exchange
My burden erased
My life forgiven
There is nothing that could take this love away
And my only desire and sole ambition
Is to love you just the same
Chorus:
When only love could make a way
You gave your life in a beautiful exchange
When only love could break these chains
You gave your life in a beautiful exchange
Holy are you God
Holy is your name
With everything I’ve got
My heart will sing how I love you
Every WEDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS! @Keopulani Skate Park from 2PM- 5PM
Wednesdays and Fridays from 2PM- 5PM
Friday, September 30, 2011
Belgian eccentric who sees everything in black and white... because he thinks he's a penguin
Read full aritcle here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2043432/Belgian-eccentric-sees-black-white--thinks-hes-penguin.html
Thrice new album "Major/ Minor"
We were sons of insurrection, doomed to face the dark alone.
‘Till vicarious perfection, dearly won, was made our own.
So where’s your landslide, where’s your victory?
Tell me now, where’s your sting?
Unassailable you waited, the great enemy of man,
’till your awful jaws were sated, and we were ransomed from your hand.
Now that you have been disarmed,
We will cross over unharmed.
Read more: http://www.shoutysongs.com/thrice-lyrics/disarmed-lyrics-by-thrice-2/#ixzz1ZQo4ongd
‘Till vicarious perfection, dearly won, was made our own.
So where’s your landslide, where’s your victory?
Tell me now, where’s your sting?
Unassailable you waited, the great enemy of man,
’till your awful jaws were sated, and we were ransomed from your hand.
Now that you have been disarmed,
We will cross over unharmed.
Read more: http://www.shoutysongs.com/thrice-lyrics/disarmed-lyrics-by-thrice-2/#ixzz1ZQo4ongd
Wednesdays and Fridays with YWAM Maui: Keopulani Skate Park Fun
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tattoo Age Trailer
Thought for Today: September 22, 2011
Today I heard God in the silence.
I didn't have to do anything special.
All I did was tune out the noise of this world.
And I turned off every distraction.
I was reminded of all the things I have gone through in life.
People, places, and experiences.
And was reminded of all that I have been through.
My mind said "Did all that really happen?"
Kinda confused because all I wanted to do by this time is make some lunch.
That when I turned evey noise off, I began to hear more.
And instead of turning back on the noise of myself.
I reflected on the word of God.
All my thoughts, all my hearts desires.
I said "God make them yours."
And within that very hour.
All the noise of myself and the world became quite.
It's hard to explain what intamcy with Jesus looks like.
Its has to be an experince.
Because when I spent time with Jesus today.
Nothing on t.v., radio, friends, or my life, mattered.
Have you ever done that?
Spent hours upon hours struggling with yourself and the noises of life?
It can be very frustrating, confusing, and feel like a complete waste of time.
But perservere with the help of Jesus and you'll find some really valuable lessons to be learned.
I didn't have to do anything special.
All I did was tune out the noise of this world.
And I turned off every distraction.
I was reminded of all the things I have gone through in life.
People, places, and experiences.
And was reminded of all that I have been through.
My mind said "Did all that really happen?"
Kinda confused because all I wanted to do by this time is make some lunch.
That when I turned evey noise off, I began to hear more.
And instead of turning back on the noise of myself.
I reflected on the word of God.
All my thoughts, all my hearts desires.
I said "God make them yours."
And within that very hour.
All the noise of myself and the world became quite.
It's hard to explain what intamcy with Jesus looks like.
Its has to be an experince.
Because when I spent time with Jesus today.
Nothing on t.v., radio, friends, or my life, mattered.
Have you ever done that?
Spent hours upon hours struggling with yourself and the noises of life?
It can be very frustrating, confusing, and feel like a complete waste of time.
But perservere with the help of Jesus and you'll find some really valuable lessons to be learned.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Top 3 This Morning "September 19, 2011"
The Monday Sabbath:
1) Gotta star off the day with portuguese eggs and rice, expecialy if you live in Hawaii. Nothing beats early morning farts. These are the key ingredients for making those around you gag.
2)Bon Ivers "Calgary" album listed on my Pandora radio station. Not only do I get soothing tunes of indie sensation "Justin Vernon" aka. Bon Iver, I get numerous suggestive tracks of other "indie" sensation bands. What a morning already, thanks Pandora!
3) And last but not least I gotta end the morning with a dose of Street Fighter on xbox 360. Not becasue I'm a nerd (well maybe), but I gotta get my "Hadukens" (prob spelt wrong) and "Shoukuens" ready for our next Street Fighter tournament at the Waiaus house. Gotta pay your dues right?
Karaoke Fun.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Ministering Unto The Lord
Ministering Unto The Lord
The Privilege Of Our Priesthood - Part 1
by Rev. Wayne Monbleau
"He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father" (Revelation 1:6).
I call ministering unto the Lord the best kept secret of the Christian faith. Scripture says we've been made a kingdom of priests, yet we hustle and bustle and go right by it, so sure God must be saying to do other things.
As Christians, we know we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16) and have the very presence of God within us. As believers, we would readily agree that we need to minister the Gospel to humanity. Well, if we have the presence of God within and we're ministering the Gospel to humanity, then, many may think, what else could we possibly need?
Did you know that there was no greater privilege God would give to people under the Old Covenant than to allow them to be a minister to Him in the Inner Court? And what was granted to a very select group of individuals in the Old Covenant, has been granted freely to every single New Covenant believer in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. You and I were made priests unto God, new creations in
Jesus' name, at the very same moment we became born again Christians!
In my own life, God has shown me that, more than anything else, my ministry to Him personally, in worship, in time spent in stillness before Him, in quality time with and for my Savior alone, comes first. There's a very clear line of demarcation between that which ministers to man, and that which ministers to God. And there is something that happens to us when we regularly, purely minister unto God. It's part of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
I believe our highest, purest, most crystallized form of being a believer is our priesthood to the Lord! We submit to God's will and heart's desire when we set aside time to regularly minister to Him. This ties directly into our honestly beholding Him; into our being able to perceive what He's doing in our lives; into our hearing His voice. Ministering purely unto God, solely unto God, is the richest thing God can bless His children with, and the richest thing we, as His children, can bless God with.
I pray that through this study of some of my favorite New Testament scriptures, the Lord will inspire you to see that ministering unto the Lord is our eternal identity, our testimony to this world, and our authentic call to service. May He bless us to understand the pre-eminent value and awesome privilege of our priesthood unto Him.
(full article here: http://www.lovinggrace.org/journal/mutl1.html)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Missions on Maui: September 15, 2011
I decided to start writting about all the oppotunities that I have been giving since being here on Maui to make an impact for the Kingdom of God.
Today around 11a.m. I heard a knock on my door and was greeted by three men dressed in fancy suits and slick hair.
They started talking to me about "the name of God", "Jehova". They seemed really keen on making their statement that this name Jehova is the only name of God.
I asked them if they served a name, or did they really serve God the creator of everything that exsists.
They ignored me and kept to their tightly practiced presentation using the "New World Translation" bible, showing me how their bible is diffrent from the rest.
I talked about Jesus Christ and the miracles and how He talked about the Kingdom of God is at hand. They just ignored me and told me that Jesus was some kind of side character from the real God Jehova.
I smiled and nodded at the things they said for the next 25+ minutes.
One thing I learned today is that I need to be more equiped in the word of God, knowing how to be a contender in the faith using scripture in context, truthfully, and in power of the Holy spirit to help and guide people in love.
I was really convicted today that I wasn't to share fully the hope that is within me through the scriptures, just as these Jehova Witnesses were. These Jehova Witnesses were bible surfing all over, as I sat patiently quite and tilted by head sideways.
My prayer today is for a deep hunger and thirst for the scriptures. And that as I study the scriptures I will be abel to share with others the deep truth and power of the word of God. (In context with authority, passion, and conviction)
Today around 11a.m. I heard a knock on my door and was greeted by three men dressed in fancy suits and slick hair.
They started talking to me about "the name of God", "Jehova". They seemed really keen on making their statement that this name Jehova is the only name of God.
I asked them if they served a name, or did they really serve God the creator of everything that exsists.
They ignored me and kept to their tightly practiced presentation using the "New World Translation" bible, showing me how their bible is diffrent from the rest.
I talked about Jesus Christ and the miracles and how He talked about the Kingdom of God is at hand. They just ignored me and told me that Jesus was some kind of side character from the real God Jehova.
I smiled and nodded at the things they said for the next 25+ minutes.
One thing I learned today is that I need to be more equiped in the word of God, knowing how to be a contender in the faith using scripture in context, truthfully, and in power of the Holy spirit to help and guide people in love.
I was really convicted today that I wasn't to share fully the hope that is within me through the scriptures, just as these Jehova Witnesses were. These Jehova Witnesses were bible surfing all over, as I sat patiently quite and tilted by head sideways.
My prayer today is for a deep hunger and thirst for the scriptures. And that as I study the scriptures I will be abel to share with others the deep truth and power of the word of God. (In context with authority, passion, and conviction)
Ready, Set, Wait by missionsmisunderstood.com
When it comes to missionary service, don’t wait for a “calling.” I know, this sounds contradictory to my insistence that our endeavors be Spirit-led, but the truth is that we are missionaries already. The call to follow Jesus is the call to incarnation of the gospel. We’re all missionaries.
Nevertheless, many of us have received “special instructions” from God about our service. For some, it’s to go to a place foreign to us to do the work of translating the gospel into another context. For others, it’s a move into an urban center. Some are called to entrepreneurship, sacrifice, church planting, and advocacy. But being called isn’t the same as being ready. Here’s what to when God has given you as sense of what to do, but has left the details a bit fuzzy.
In Acts 13, we read that the church in Antioch was in a time of worship and fasting. It was during that time that God spoke to the church, telling them to set Paul and Barnabas aside “for the work to which I have called them.” The use of the past tense makes it reasonable to assume that both Paul and Barnabas had already sensed their calling. God had already revealed (to Ananias in Acts 9) that Paul was chosen We’re not sure how long it was, but there was clearly a “meantime” between their calling and the confirmation of that calling. Eventually, God spoke to the church to confirm this calling and to commission these men.
The meantime is vital to missions.
In the meantime, you must have your calling confirmed by your church. Not a member of a church? Stop. Join one and serve faithfully until they recognize and confirm your calling. This is a vital step toward accountability; like Paul and the church in Antioch, this is the context for affirmation and it is to this church that you will report. The church is God’s mechanism for sending and maintaining missionaries.
It’s quite possible that your church isn’t ready to send you. For many churches, missions isn’t even on their radar. In this case, you need to use your meantime to bring them along- train, encourage, and equip them as they develop their missiology. This is where many missionaries go wrong. They encounter reluctance (or worse still- indifference) on the part of their church and turn to google for support. A quick search for “Christian Missions agency” will turn up hundreds of parachurch organizations just waiting to help send you. But it is neither wise nor safe to proceed apart from your local church.
Let’s be honest: consulting with a missions sending organization about your call to missions is like asking a real estate agent whether you should buy a house or rent. Mobilizers, as they are called in the missions world, are not impartial. They all think we need more people on the mission field. Most of them measure their success by the number of warm bodies they get to commit to missionary service through their organizations. Most of those organizations raise money by taking a percentage of what they help their missionaries raise. It’s in their interest to make your meantime as short as possible. A recruiter is not impartial. He doesn’t know you. He is less likely to tell you honestly that you have no people skills, would fail miserably at acculturation, and have offensively bad breath. This is your church’s job.
I find it very interesting that, having heard clearly (and unanimously) from God regarding Paul and Barnabas, the Antioch church did not immediately act. Despite the urgency of the need, they didn’t send the men right away. Instead, the scriptures are careful to point out, the church continued fasting and praying before sending them out.
The example here is that we pray. Spend time asking for wisdom. If you are indeed called to another place, you’re going to need a strong relationship with God. That good relationship will allow you to hear clearly from the Spirit as He directs you on mission with vision, discernment, and supernatural insight. In the meantime, spend time reading Luke and Acts, the great missionary books of the Bible. This will help give you some perspective on what story you’re being called into.
NEXT: Ready, Set, Wait
[article here: http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2011/09/02/in-the-meantime/]
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Journal entry #10 September 13, 2011
Still a little burnt and tired from surfing yesterday, I sit on my desktop working and being somewhat productive using social networking sites and my mobile phone as I sip on my iced coffee to get a vareity of tasks done.
Which makes me ponder how blessed we are to wield the power of communication, and not to only "make noises" as we speak; but we actually partake in creating. Did you know that?
When we speak things happen. In our minds, heart, those we are talking to, our words seem to get things moving in the unseen and given a little time these words implanted throughout our day grow and flourish.
And given even more time we actually get to see and reap the effects of ones words spoken. Which can either be a blessing or curse. So I guess we should chose our words wisely.
Which makes me ponder how blessed we are to wield the power of communication, and not to only "make noises" as we speak; but we actually partake in creating. Did you know that?
When we speak things happen. In our minds, heart, those we are talking to, our words seem to get things moving in the unseen and given a little time these words implanted throughout our day grow and flourish.
And given even more time we actually get to see and reap the effects of ones words spoken. Which can either be a blessing or curse. So I guess we should chose our words wisely.
Monday, September 12, 2011
"Rudolf Came to Maui"
Last night after the victorious drive home from an epic day, cruzing past the gultch after Haiku, on the straight road heading to the land of gypsies. The eighth wonder of the world happend to me.
Rudolf came to hawaii and gave me a present that no jobless person should ever recieve.
Going 40 m.p.h. (aka. 60 k.p.h.) on the straight beautiful serene road as blankets of stars cover me and the full moon tells me g'day mate.
In an instant a 150+ pound full grown male deer leaps like a ballerina waiting only to be catched by the front hood of my car.
A BIG THUMP, as the deer gracefully does three backflips and one side flip 12 feet away from where he once thought of landing.
As "Shareese" my 2000 Toyota Corolla has now suffred a badly damaged front cave in of the hood, lights, bumber, and not to mention her dignity.
At the same time Rudolf the giant deer leeps back up, "N.B.D." he says to taunt me, and tries running away to escape me from turning him into some kind of filopino dish.
More than stunned of what just happend the only thing I can think of is how everyone that I'm passing by on the way back to Kahului thinks I'm a horrible driver.
At least that is what I was thinking.
(thank you, no, rudolf)
Rudolf came to hawaii and gave me a present that no jobless person should ever recieve.
Going 40 m.p.h. (aka. 60 k.p.h.) on the straight beautiful serene road as blankets of stars cover me and the full moon tells me g'day mate.
In an instant a 150+ pound full grown male deer leaps like a ballerina waiting only to be catched by the front hood of my car.
A BIG THUMP, as the deer gracefully does three backflips and one side flip 12 feet away from where he once thought of landing.
As "Shareese" my 2000 Toyota Corolla has now suffred a badly damaged front cave in of the hood, lights, bumber, and not to mention her dignity.
At the same time Rudolf the giant deer leeps back up, "N.B.D." he says to taunt me, and tries running away to escape me from turning him into some kind of filopino dish.
More than stunned of what just happend the only thing I can think of is how everyone that I'm passing by on the way back to Kahului thinks I'm a horrible driver.
At least that is what I was thinking.
(thank you, no, rudolf)
Saturday, September 10, 2011
"Wise and Foolish Foundations" Thoughts on Matthew 7:24
Everyone basis their life dessisions on some type of foundation on which we act upon.
Past experinces, thoughts, influences, and emotions seem to direct most people.
Just like the waves of the sea ones thoughts or dessicions can change depending on who or what is around. (If we don't know what our foundation is.)
Now how can someone be sure of his/her foundtaion is a stabel one?
A foundation is tested by trust. So what or who can be trustworthy? Words like reliable, faithfull, honest, and true come to mind.
Now what defines those words? Or what are you causing to define these words for you?
Now coming back to the foundations in which your life is built. Because what is usually your main value beliefs repersent what is at the core of your foundations.
And when lifes pressures, trials, and testings ones foundations can and will be shaken.
And at the core of your soul cries out for something or someone that can be trusted.
What or whom are you trusting?
So reflecting on this idea of a foundation, I find myself in a vulnerable place of trusting. And in trusting I find the words of Jesus to be true and reliable.
A solid foundation.
Past experinces, thoughts, influences, and emotions seem to direct most people.
Just like the waves of the sea ones thoughts or dessicions can change depending on who or what is around. (If we don't know what our foundation is.)
Now how can someone be sure of his/her foundtaion is a stabel one?
A foundation is tested by trust. So what or who can be trustworthy? Words like reliable, faithfull, honest, and true come to mind.
Now what defines those words? Or what are you causing to define these words for you?
Now coming back to the foundations in which your life is built. Because what is usually your main value beliefs repersent what is at the core of your foundations.
And when lifes pressures, trials, and testings ones foundations can and will be shaken.
And at the core of your soul cries out for something or someone that can be trusted.
What or whom are you trusting?
So reflecting on this idea of a foundation, I find myself in a vulnerable place of trusting. And in trusting I find the words of Jesus to be true and reliable.
A solid foundation.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Explosions in the Sky - Last Known Surroundings Official Music Video in HD
Thursday, September 8, 2011
"The Hawaiian Church Of Borrowing" by Jeremy Barr Randal
…And The Cows They Will Eat Trash
the art of making space for people and God in the church
"The Hawaiian Church Of Borrowing" by Jeremy Barr Randal
"The Hawaiian Church Of Borrowing" by Jeremy Barr Randal
You walk out to the lounge-room and walking past is your favourite blue shirt. Yeh there’s a man inside that shirt, but you haven’t see that shirt for weeks. It fits perfectly. Goes well will your favourite pants, and occasionally you get complements on your eyes whilst wearing it. What you can’t figure out is how did your favourite shirt, end up on that guy.
Later on, making coffee in the kitchen you notice your well worn in thongs on the feet of someone that isn’t you. And BAM!!! The kitchen door explodes as one of your hawaiian house mates enters, as if there were smoke machines and lights on him. “Hey you making coffee?” You slowly nod, forgetting the ramifications of that answer. “badda i like more” (can i have some). Of course he could, and he can have my favourite pants and socks.
Living for Hawaiians for 2 and a half years has taught me, that Hawaiians aren’t afraid to walk in at the perfect moment to share your food or drinks, to “borrow” (which means own unless you really want it back, in which case you have to “borrow” it back) your stuff and make you laugh a whole bunch. And in someway this can get really frustrating. Because their timing is so precise. Its like their noses are tuned to other peoples food.
But, they are the most generous people. You walk in on them cooking “bradda i have some?” Food will be shared. if coffee is made, the left overs are offered round. I am currently wearing an old room mates pants that i “borrowed” and i skate a board given to me by a hawaiian man on his way home.
This little tid bit of communal culture is inspiring. The idea that our stuff is given to us to share. As we give away, we get given. We don’t give away to receive, but its a nice side point to generous living, right?
This isn’t Hawaiian in essence. In one sense, its an echo from the early church.
When we break bed, we share tables of food. When we share stories of God loving us…..
Why not share everything?
What is in our possession that we can not share?
[check more of Jeremy's writtings here: http://donteattrash.com/]
Later on, making coffee in the kitchen you notice your well worn in thongs on the feet of someone that isn’t you. And BAM!!! The kitchen door explodes as one of your hawaiian house mates enters, as if there were smoke machines and lights on him. “Hey you making coffee?” You slowly nod, forgetting the ramifications of that answer. “badda i like more” (can i have some). Of course he could, and he can have my favourite pants and socks.
Living for Hawaiians for 2 and a half years has taught me, that Hawaiians aren’t afraid to walk in at the perfect moment to share your food or drinks, to “borrow” (which means own unless you really want it back, in which case you have to “borrow” it back) your stuff and make you laugh a whole bunch. And in someway this can get really frustrating. Because their timing is so precise. Its like their noses are tuned to other peoples food.
But, they are the most generous people. You walk in on them cooking “bradda i have some?” Food will be shared. if coffee is made, the left overs are offered round. I am currently wearing an old room mates pants that i “borrowed” and i skate a board given to me by a hawaiian man on his way home.
This little tid bit of communal culture is inspiring. The idea that our stuff is given to us to share. As we give away, we get given. We don’t give away to receive, but its a nice side point to generous living, right?
This isn’t Hawaiian in essence. In one sense, its an echo from the early church.
When we break bed, we share tables of food. When we share stories of God loving us…..
Why not share everything?
What is in our possession that we can not share?
[check more of Jeremy's writtings here: http://donteattrash.com/]
Journal entry #9 September 8, 2011
Today is just one of those days where you wake up early and then go back to sleep and wake up way later than you expected. In my dessperation to redeem my time that I used to go to sleep, I somehow started playing "Street Fighter 4" on x-box 360???
Today I really prayed that the post man delivers my job discription in the mail for the county of Maui, cause I officially need to start working. Until then my days seem to consist of Starbucks and reading in the morning, video games and naps during mid day, skateboarding or surfing in the afternoon, and bible studies for diner. Just when you think the day is over my friends always decide to do things around 10:45p.m. when Im in bed.
Karoke, late night bbq's, or just playing more Street Fighter. I guess life could be worse right?
Today I really prayed that the post man delivers my job discription in the mail for the county of Maui, cause I officially need to start working. Until then my days seem to consist of Starbucks and reading in the morning, video games and naps during mid day, skateboarding or surfing in the afternoon, and bible studies for diner. Just when you think the day is over my friends always decide to do things around 10:45p.m. when Im in bed.
Karoke, late night bbq's, or just playing more Street Fighter. I guess life could be worse right?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Attempt at Creatvie writting on: The Book of James Chapter1 verse 19
"My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger,.." -James 1:19
During the conversation; as she was talking, all he could think of was what he was going to say next.
I think in todays quest for relevancy, wittyness, and our pursue to impress one another people by our "wisdom" or "knowledge", we have lost a really valuable skill.
Listening.
And within our lack of listening skills just on the horizon is something just as bizzare. I sometimes am guility of this nonsense but am learning to conqour this beast.
They call it "speaking without thinking".
Speaking insenstivily, rudely, angry, etc. Speaking just to sound important, to bombard your point of views, or even just because you find it hard to not voice your opinions.
I am not saying that we should not speak or voice our opinions. But...
Lets be slow to speak. And be considerate of the person or people we are talking to please.
And then we also have...
During the conversation; as she was talking, all he could think of how angry he was becasue of the things she was saying. He was so angry he left the conversation not being abel to help her.."
Many times I see people get so frustrated when all the other person wants to do is express their self, vent, and just be related to.
What I mean is there is times when we let our emotions control how we treat someone. We takes things to personally.
Then we are affected in frustration or anger. Or even worst our "self-righteousness".
One of the things I find myself doing when this happens is I want to control a situation.
Are you a person who is a control freak? What I find is that we need to be compassionate people who will be abel to stand next to someone no matter the circumstance or how they make you feel.
Maybe all that person needs is someone to talk to? So maybe we need to be slow to judge, or be slow to be quickly affected by our emotions, like slow to anger.
....vs. 20-21 ..for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filith and evil excess, humbly receive the implanted word, which is abel to save you."
During the conversation; as she was talking, all he could think of was what he was going to say next.
I think in todays quest for relevancy, wittyness, and our pursue to impress one another people by our "wisdom" or "knowledge", we have lost a really valuable skill.
Listening.
And within our lack of listening skills just on the horizon is something just as bizzare. I sometimes am guility of this nonsense but am learning to conqour this beast.
They call it "speaking without thinking".
Speaking insenstivily, rudely, angry, etc. Speaking just to sound important, to bombard your point of views, or even just because you find it hard to not voice your opinions.
I am not saying that we should not speak or voice our opinions. But...
Lets be slow to speak. And be considerate of the person or people we are talking to please.
And then we also have...
During the conversation; as she was talking, all he could think of how angry he was becasue of the things she was saying. He was so angry he left the conversation not being abel to help her.."
Many times I see people get so frustrated when all the other person wants to do is express their self, vent, and just be related to.
What I mean is there is times when we let our emotions control how we treat someone. We takes things to personally.
Then we are affected in frustration or anger. Or even worst our "self-righteousness".
One of the things I find myself doing when this happens is I want to control a situation.
Are you a person who is a control freak? What I find is that we need to be compassionate people who will be abel to stand next to someone no matter the circumstance or how they make you feel.
Maybe all that person needs is someone to talk to? So maybe we need to be slow to judge, or be slow to be quickly affected by our emotions, like slow to anger.
....vs. 20-21 ..for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filith and evil excess, humbly receive the implanted word, which is abel to save you."
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Journal entry #8 August 30, 2011
There is nothing like lying face first into the word of God as tears mixed with snot run down my face into the frail pages of scripture.
Tears of joy and sorrow mix into one emotion, in my head I feel like a schizophrenic, but my spirit and soul confirm it is the good Lord's Spirit giving me rest and healing.
Every passage of scripture jumps out of the page right into my heart. Which seems to fuel this fire in my heart that longs for more of Jesus.
I can't help not to share this experince through twitter. Or blogging. But its is one of those things in which I'm sure you have to experince to know what I'm talking about.
Tears of joy and sorrow mix into one emotion, in my head I feel like a schizophrenic, but my spirit and soul confirm it is the good Lord's Spirit giving me rest and healing.
Every passage of scripture jumps out of the page right into my heart. Which seems to fuel this fire in my heart that longs for more of Jesus.
I can't help not to share this experince through twitter. Or blogging. But its is one of those things in which I'm sure you have to experince to know what I'm talking about.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Journal entry #7 August 29, 2011
This morning I spent two extra hours in bed going spear fishing catching a hand sized mahi. I looked at my phone and it was alreay 11 a.m. I love monday mornings its very slow an quite, but still semi productive. Kinda like listening to Nora Jones.
Lately I have this obsession with pouring lots of honey into my glass of milk. Its like natures energy drink.
Lately I have this obsession with pouring lots of honey into my glass of milk. Its like natures energy drink.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Letters from J.B.R. Part 2
bro this week i had another incredible revelation of Jesus! God is soo good.
During the study of the book of Romans and Collossians God really convicted me and gave me this new sense of freedom.
I should share it with you and see what you think.
Well in Romans 1 it talks about the sinful nature, that as humans we are born into sin, and if we are not huge "sinners" if we break one law we are guilty of them ALL.
Well from what I can understand from studying and in faith that everything good, and not of that sinful nature is God working in us.
That ALL, good is God. Because the only thing we as humans can do is sin. And that "our righteouness are filithy rags".
But through Jesus He has taken our old nature and crusified it upon Him self. ("He had no sin, became sin." )
In exchange for what Jesus desrved ALL GLORY AND HONOR, God gave it to us. Talk about mercy and grace!!!
Now when we accept Christ it is He who is working in us thorugh His Spirit. And not us. Because apart from Him we can do no good.
So sovereign God does get His way, in us. And that all good that is done in this world is from Him. Because apart from Him there is no good.
And now the question is still, How much of God do you want to experince?
-sam
From: Jeremy Barry Randall <j.randall@ywamnow.com>
To: sam peralta <samuelhperalta@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, 22 August 2011 7:38 PM
Subject: Re: I LOVE YOU
hey broheim - prince of the lovely peoples.
So God is sovereign in our lives when we accept him.
and god will get his will done in those that let him. the redemptive plan is basically dependant on us?
so its those of us who allow him to work through us irrelevent of prayers we;ve said? and to what extent just once? or continual?
woah this is good for my brain. its the opposite of where ive been going.
"God will always get His way. Just the time and how it gets done I think is the question." - i think i trully agree with this statement. even if it takes him longer then we can imagine.
dude i want to have sooo many theological discussions with you. you combine passionate servant hearted love with an intellect that is deep and wise but makes sense. i need to talk to you about girls a lot too because im sooo confused... when do i get one and where do i find her?
my trip was incredible. i learned and saw soo much. my brain has completely changed since there. it seems like god is giving me little bits and pieces to slowly change how and who i am to get me somewhere. i want to get there quicker but hes taking me slow which is awesome.
i love that you are more intune to the holy spirit. i want that more.
please jesus release the holy spirits power in all of the lives of people sam touches and inspires. make the valley even deeper for a time lord so he gets that much closer to you and give him space to just spend time with you father.
AMEN
how hungry are you for God sam?
And what does the fullness of God look like in us?
jeremy
During the study of the book of Romans and Collossians God really convicted me and gave me this new sense of freedom.
I should share it with you and see what you think.
Well in Romans 1 it talks about the sinful nature, that as humans we are born into sin, and if we are not huge "sinners" if we break one law we are guilty of them ALL.
Well from what I can understand from studying and in faith that everything good, and not of that sinful nature is God working in us.
That ALL, good is God. Because the only thing we as humans can do is sin. And that "our righteouness are filithy rags".
But through Jesus He has taken our old nature and crusified it upon Him self. ("He had no sin, became sin." )
In exchange for what Jesus desrved ALL GLORY AND HONOR, God gave it to us. Talk about mercy and grace!!!
Now when we accept Christ it is He who is working in us thorugh His Spirit. And not us. Because apart from Him we can do no good.
So sovereign God does get His way, in us. And that all good that is done in this world is from Him. Because apart from Him there is no good.
And now the question is still, How much of God do you want to experince?
-sam
From: Jeremy Barry Randall <j.randall@ywamnow.com>
To: sam peralta <samuelhperalta@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, 22 August 2011 7:38 PM
Subject: Re: I LOVE YOU
hey broheim - prince of the lovely peoples.
So God is sovereign in our lives when we accept him.
and god will get his will done in those that let him. the redemptive plan is basically dependant on us?
so its those of us who allow him to work through us irrelevent of prayers we;ve said? and to what extent just once? or continual?
woah this is good for my brain. its the opposite of where ive been going.
"God will always get His way. Just the time and how it gets done I think is the question." - i think i trully agree with this statement. even if it takes him longer then we can imagine.
dude i want to have sooo many theological discussions with you. you combine passionate servant hearted love with an intellect that is deep and wise but makes sense. i need to talk to you about girls a lot too because im sooo confused... when do i get one and where do i find her?
my trip was incredible. i learned and saw soo much. my brain has completely changed since there. it seems like god is giving me little bits and pieces to slowly change how and who i am to get me somewhere. i want to get there quicker but hes taking me slow which is awesome.
i love that you are more intune to the holy spirit. i want that more.
please jesus release the holy spirits power in all of the lives of people sam touches and inspires. make the valley even deeper for a time lord so he gets that much closer to you and give him space to just spend time with you father.
AMEN
how hungry are you for God sam?
And what does the fullness of God look like in us?
jeremy
Journal entry #6 August 24, 2011
This morning I spent 40 minutes of my life shooting zombies in space on Call of Duty. Sometimes in the game an astronaut "which you think would be your friend" comes by and if you get to close to him he holds you and headbutts you into another place.
Today I felt like that same astronaut came and headbutted me into another place. Today being on planet earth just dosen't feel the same. I feel my soul is longing for more than what I just can see with my bare eyes. I have a sligh discontent in my gut.
I think about all the people in this world and how zombie like lives we live. Mindless, careless, and out to eat one anothers brains. Maybe I've been playing too much video games?
Today I felt like that same astronaut came and headbutted me into another place. Today being on planet earth just dosen't feel the same. I feel my soul is longing for more than what I just can see with my bare eyes. I have a sligh discontent in my gut.
I think about all the people in this world and how zombie like lives we live. Mindless, careless, and out to eat one anothers brains. Maybe I've been playing too much video games?
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Letters from J.B.R. Part 1
From: Jeremy Barry Randall <j.randall@ywamnow.com>
To: sam peralta <samuelhperalta@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, 18 August 2011 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: I LOVE YOU
>
> hey sam P!!
> hows life dudey?
> what re you learnign about.
>
> what do you know about soveriegnty?
> is it the idea that in the end God will get his way?
>
> jeremy
Message Body
hey brodurh!!!
you know i don't know much about the soveriegnty of God, but I'm pretty sure I experince it everyday.
I think people are very sensitive in this subject because it usually rocks there world and everything they knew, learned, or even thought about who God is.
All I know in the bible it says that when we accept Jesus into our hearts, we have the fullness of God dwelling within us.
And that is when Jesus is truly Lord Soveriegn in our daily lives becasuse we are no longer under the worlds rule but Gods. So he can rein in our lives.
And by having the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead in us, the same spirit of God, eternity is in our hearts. Therefore God already and will, and has always have had his way. Because that was His redemtive plan after adam sined.
His soveriegn plan to exchange our death for life. Through Jesus. Now we have everything we need to do the will of God. By His spirit.
Now does every christian listen and obey God? I don't know. Probaly, probally not.
So does God still get his way? I think so, God is looking for people to partner with Him, and if one dosen't He looks for another.
He is looking for people who are willing, open, and submitted to His spirit.
And we with our faith, knowledge, wisdom, gifts, and talents, and AUTHORITY which comes from Christ is abel to do all things through Him.
God will always get His way. Just the time and how it gets done I think is the question.
Well I think that is my thoughts. I try to keep it biblcal.
So, first all I miss you! Secondly. I wish we could have amazing theological chats about life, girs, and God! and last, how was your trip and travels??!!! what did you learn or experince that changed your life and thinking?
This month has been really busy. I feel like I am in the deepest valley I have ever been in for a while, but the great news is, that the river flows best in valleys. So though I feel down most days, my spirit seems to be more sensitive and in tune with the Holy Spirit.
I have had a llot of visitors this month so no alone time for reflection or good quality God time. But thats ok.
Just more dying to the flesh.
This week is busy as well, I am speaking at a few places this week. Probally hoping to release the Holy Spirit power in people lives.
Lately I've been learning that God dosen't need to use people. He just choses to do so. And that for me, weither He choses me or not isn't really a big deal.
But the question I ask myself is How hungry am I for God?
I've been learning that we have the fullness of God in us. (collossions 2), that everything we need dwells in us. The spirit of God.
We are made holy, perfect, pure, righteous through Jesus. We are these things, and that nothing can change it.
Sin is no more, the old flesh is dead. We are holy.
Anyways, that is too much for now. Let me know what you think.
love ya pal!!!
-Sam P.
you know i don't know much about the soveriegnty of God, but I'm pretty sure I experince it everyday.
I think people are very sensitive in this subject because it usually rocks there world and everything they knew, learned, or even thought about who God is.
All I know in the bible it says that when we accept Jesus into our hearts, we have the fullness of God dwelling within us.
And that is when Jesus is truly Lord Soveriegn in our daily lives becasuse we are no longer under the worlds rule but Gods. So he can rein in our lives.
And by having the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead in us, the same spirit of God, eternity is in our hearts. Therefore God already and will, and has always have had his way. Because that was His redemtive plan after adam sined.
His soveriegn plan to exchange our death for life. Through Jesus. Now we have everything we need to do the will of God. By His spirit.
Now does every christian listen and obey God? I don't know. Probaly, probally not.
So does God still get his way? I think so, God is looking for people to partner with Him, and if one dosen't He looks for another.
He is looking for people who are willing, open, and submitted to His spirit.
And we with our faith, knowledge, wisdom, gifts, and talents, and AUTHORITY which comes from Christ is abel to do all things through Him.
God will always get His way. Just the time and how it gets done I think is the question.
Well I think that is my thoughts. I try to keep it biblcal.
So, first all I miss you! Secondly. I wish we could have amazing theological chats about life, girs, and God! and last, how was your trip and travels??!!! what did you learn or experince that changed your life and thinking?
This month has been really busy. I feel like I am in the deepest valley I have ever been in for a while, but the great news is, that the river flows best in valleys. So though I feel down most days, my spirit seems to be more sensitive and in tune with the Holy Spirit.
I have had a llot of visitors this month so no alone time for reflection or good quality God time. But thats ok.
Just more dying to the flesh.
This week is busy as well, I am speaking at a few places this week. Probally hoping to release the Holy Spirit power in people lives.
Lately I've been learning that God dosen't need to use people. He just choses to do so. And that for me, weither He choses me or not isn't really a big deal.
But the question I ask myself is How hungry am I for God?
I've been learning that we have the fullness of God in us. (collossions 2), that everything we need dwells in us. The spirit of God.
We are made holy, perfect, pure, righteous through Jesus. We are these things, and that nothing can change it.
Sin is no more, the old flesh is dead. We are holy.
Anyways, that is too much for now. Let me know what you think.
love ya pal!!!
-Sam P.
Journal entry #5 August 20, 2011
Today I slept all day. I slept so much that I only woke up when I had a headache from dehydration. I took my kirkland costco multi vitamin pack to compensate for not eating.
I finally got out of my bed at 5p.m. The sun was going down.
For the past 3 days I was camping, it was really hard to sleep so I guess I had 3 nights of not sleep catch up with me today. That's ok. Because the only thing on the news that happened today was this: http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/552602/New-ways-to-play-in-Kihei.html?nav=10
Which wasn't all that interesting anyways.
I finally got out of my bed at 5p.m. The sun was going down.
For the past 3 days I was camping, it was really hard to sleep so I guess I had 3 nights of not sleep catch up with me today. That's ok. Because the only thing on the news that happened today was this: http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/552602/New-ways-to-play-in-Kihei.html?nav=10
Which wasn't all that interesting anyways.
Men's Camp in Keanae 17-20 Aug. 2011
I just got back from 3 days of camping with the Maui Men's Ministry of God. Before I left my dad asked where I was going and I said camping at a men's camp. He said in a confused pigeon tone "why only going get men, what kind camp that?" (Implying that camping should never be with just a group of guys)
But I told him the purpose of the camp was to encourage, build up, and pray for the island of Maui with the men who live in it.
So there was 135 guys in all. The theme of the camp was "Living Waters". The common word was that the God that created the universe lives in us as christians. And that we have the power to release that power to others in prayer for healing, casting out deamons, encounters with the holy spirit, etc.
And that privilege comes through Jesus dying on the cross. That once and for all Jesus made us full and holy in exchange for His death as He took what we deserved on the cross as He died.
We no longer are slaves to sin. We are made righteous and holy through the payment of Jesus sacrifice.
Other than that everyday in the beautiful camp site of Keanae, I still had allergies, I got by misquitos at night, and I had thoughts of my comfortable bed at night laying on plastic matresses on the ground.
One of my favorite parts of the camp was the unity we had with the different parts of the chruch body represented. Together we had quality conversations, four star meals, and one million dollar view of the gorgeous island of Maui.
Many got healed of past hurts, fears, and old ways of thinking.
As for me my mind is being renewed even now, trying to make sense of all that happened, soaking in all the words that was said, and trying to gain new fresh living understanding of the word of God.
But I told him the purpose of the camp was to encourage, build up, and pray for the island of Maui with the men who live in it.
So there was 135 guys in all. The theme of the camp was "Living Waters". The common word was that the God that created the universe lives in us as christians. And that we have the power to release that power to others in prayer for healing, casting out deamons, encounters with the holy spirit, etc.
And that privilege comes through Jesus dying on the cross. That once and for all Jesus made us full and holy in exchange for His death as He took what we deserved on the cross as He died.
We no longer are slaves to sin. We are made righteous and holy through the payment of Jesus sacrifice.
Other than that everyday in the beautiful camp site of Keanae, I still had allergies, I got by misquitos at night, and I had thoughts of my comfortable bed at night laying on plastic matresses on the ground.
One of my favorite parts of the camp was the unity we had with the different parts of the chruch body represented. Together we had quality conversations, four star meals, and one million dollar view of the gorgeous island of Maui.
Many got healed of past hurts, fears, and old ways of thinking.
As for me my mind is being renewed even now, trying to make sense of all that happened, soaking in all the words that was said, and trying to gain new fresh living understanding of the word of God.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Skate Coaching Maui 2011
Hey there friends! Check out the latest skate board lesson deals we have for this year:
$150 Package includes:
-Skate board complete,
-Team Tshirt,
-and 2 Weeks of skate Lessons (mon-tues-wed 3-5pm) on Maui HI
**book in now: skatecoachingmaui@gmail.com
10 spots per session available.
*check out our latest skate camp event here: http://skatecoachingmaui.tumblr.com/
Please feel free to pass on this message to someone you know who would benifit from it.
Blessings,
-Sam Peralta
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