Hui Olakino

I had my annual physical last week.  Our insurance is currently in Hawaii, so I needed to find a new doctor.  I found Doctor Bianca Bryant-Greenwood and couldn't have been happier.  She is very personable and took time to get to know me.  

The name of her practice is Hui Olakino - which is Hawaiian for Healthy Partnership.  Her website says, "I believe that in working together with my patients, I can help them to improve their health. It is through this collaboration and the patient's ownership of their health that I hope change and improvement can occur. "

That is exactly what I'm looking for in doctor.  Doctors spend years in school, they work hard to obtain knowledge and expertise, but if I ignore her advice, I'm wasting both of our time.  She knows what tests I need and when to give me a flu shot, but as Dr. Greenwood said, "I can't follow my patients around all day making sure they eat right and exercise."  It's got to be a healthy partnership.

I couldn't help but compare that to other relationships.  I need a Healthy Partnership with the man of God in my life.  Pastors study, pray, prepare, preach and teach.  But if I skip church, or just ignore what is preached, we will have an unhealthy partnership.  Your pastor can't be with you every moment of the day reminding you to pray and read your Bible, you must be part of the partnership.

Marriages need Hui Olakino.  It takes both parties to make a marriage work.  We attended a wedding on Saturday.  Pastor White gave the couple some words of wisdom.  To the bride he said, "Men can be charmed into anything.  Nagging and complaining doesn't work."  To the groom he said, "Women respect genuine humility in a man.  Don't be a know it all."  We can't spend our days nagging or being too proud to ask for help.  Working together will create a beautiful marriage.

Families, friendships, and co-workers - none of these relationships will be healthy without everyone working together.  Romans 12:18 says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."  I want more Hui Olakino in my life, how about you?

A Time to Keep Silent

We had great church yesterday!  Les taught an awesome Sunday school lesson and our evangelist preached a great message in the morning.  Last night the Spirit took over during song service - many people were touched and renewed.

I was on the praise team and ending up singing for about 50 minutes.  I currently have no voice, it even hurts to whisper!  This happens about once every 3-4 years.  I can usually sing all night without a problem.  Les and I are "talking" via text messaging.  But it was worth it! 

This has not happened at our house... at least as far as I know!!!

So Long Summer!

Tomorrow is the first day of Fall and it felt like it this morning.  There was a heavy mist in the air, about 63 degrees when I headed out for my run.  A perfect morning for pumpkin muffins!

1 Spice Cake Mix
1 15 oz. can pumpkin
1/4 cup light vanilla soy milk

Heat oven to 325.

Mix ingredients (no egg or oil, just the cake mix and pumpkin).  Batter will be very thick.

Grease muffin pan. Pour in pan. Bake 28-30 minutes.  Pull out of the oven and enjoy one while they're still warm!

3 WW Points Plus per muffin.

What I'm Looking Forward To....

We fly home today.  I am so excited about these temps!

Connecting to the Church - Part 2

Pastor McGriffin picked up where he left off last week talking about Connecting to the Church.  Over and over he said, "I love the church!"  I feel the same way!  I have been so blessed to be part of three great churches in my life - Truth Tabernacle in Fresno, Victory Tabernacle in Burbank, and New Life Pentecostal in Honolulu!

Key verse:  Matthew 16:13-19:

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The church is so much more than a place to worship two or three times a week.

We are ambassadors for Christ, an extension of His hands and what He did on the earth.  2 Corinthians 5:20, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ..."

The gospel, in its entirety, must be preached from the local church.  Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."  There had to be a beginning point for the preaching of the gospel.  We cannot touch the foreign mission field if we don't have a "home" launching point.

We need to be connected to the church.  Many living in Hawaii are only here temporarily - Les and I are an example of that and of course the many military families that come through.  But we must connect to the local church wherever we are.  We need corporate worship.  The local church is a base for prayer that grows into a burden.  It is a place to grow. 

New Life Pentecostal is the Jerusalem to Honolulu.  We are a starting point for the gospel to go forth.  We're a local church trying to be the best we can be.  This is our purpose.  God does incredible things when people connect to the church.  In the past 25 years, 800 people have been baptized in Jesus name and 600 have received the gift of the Holy Ghost at NLP!

We are not a mega church - we are the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We're not changing with the culture, we want to change our culture.

Colossians 1:18 says, "And he is the head of the body, the church."   Jesus is the head of this church.  It's His church.  If we succeed it's because we follow His plan.  Some have lost reverence for the word of God because they attach it to the man who is preaching it.  When you're connected to the burden of the pulpit, that won't happen.

Our number one mission is to evangelize the lost, then disciple those who are added.  We cannot afford to become a social gathering place.  We are commanded to be involved in evangelism - not to live your life on the edge of walking away.  You don't need someone always pulling on you to stay in the church when you're connected!  The church is the best thing that ever happened to you, but it's also the best kept secret.  Everybody needs to know about the church!

When folks begin to cry out for the true church, that preaches a life changing message, that stands for truth, NLP is going to be there.  We must not forget that we are the church of the living God.  We don't operate like a corporation or a club.  We are called out of the world, into His marvelous light, purchased by the blood.  We see things more clearly.

In Psalm 73, the psalmist got into a slippery place, he saw the bad guys getting rich, and started questioning some things.  Until he went to church!  When we get connected to the body of Christ, then we can see clearly!  This is about eternity.  You can go home with a new mindset.  This is the good life!  My vision improves when I come to church.  I see things as they really are, not how my flesh sees them.

Your answers are going to be found in the church.  You need to be connected to the church.  Don't quit coming to church!  The church is a place of true perspective and power.  In Acts chapter 2, the Holy Ghost fell when they gathered together in one mind and one accord in prayer - they were in church!

Salvation, deliverance, healing, help, hope, is in the church.  It's a powerful place!  I'm not going anywhere!  There is nothing better than going to church on Sunday - the day Jesus rose from the grave.

The church is a place of participation.  Get involved in the church.  The ministries of the church are not to occupy your time, but to help you be connected.  Just showing up is not connecting.

You matter!  Some people feel no one would miss them if they didn't come to church.  You really do matter.  God doesn't save people because they have nothing to offer - you have something to offer the church.  Everyone has value.  You may not be on the platform, but you can be prayerful, be an encourager, be faithful.

Connect by being a part or you'll become apart!

Rainbow Reminder

"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth." Genesis 9:13

I never get tired of seeing rainbows.  We had a quick storm that blew through this morning and the result was this beautiful rainbow!  God never breaks His promise.  "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth."  Genesis 9:16.

I have seen more rainbows in the past nine months than I have in years.  I think it's God's way of reminding me that He knows where I am.  This has been a year of change, uncertainty, sorrow, joy, and adventure.  But God's peace has been with me and His bow in the cloud reminds me of an everlasting covenant that He will not break.

Romans 8:35-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Has a storm blown through your life recently?  You can KNOW that God hasn't forgotten you, He knows right where you are.  The clouds will break, the sun will shine again, and you'll see His bow in the cloud.

The Voice of the Empty Seat

Pastor McGriffin preached a tremendous message last night called "The Voice of the Empty Seat."  His text came from 1 Samuel 20:27, "And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?"  It says a lot when your seat is empty at church.  

In John chapter 20 Jesus appeared to his disciples.  Thomas' seat was empty that day.  He missed church and his next words were "I will not believe."  Missing church causes unbelief.  

Great things happen at church!  We should be excited every time the doors open.  "I get to go to church tonight!"  Sunday service, midweek Bible study, prayer meetings, it's a privilege to enter His gates.

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."  Psalm 122:1

When you miss church, your empty seat says a lot:

It says to guests, "Maybe this church isn't as powerful as they said it is."  
It says to the pastor, "You're not doing a good job."  
It says to the saints, "This isn't important to me."  
It says to God, "You're not number one on my priority list."

"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."  Psalm 84:10

Better is One Day

How lovely is Your dwelling place
Oh Lord Almighty,
For my soul longs and even faints for You
Oh, here my heart is satisfied within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

One thing I ask, and I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
One thing I ask and I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

My heart and flesh cry out
To You, the Living God
Your Spirit's water to my soul
I've tasted, and I've seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

A Run Up Tantalus

Since we arrived in Hawaii in January, Les has regularly ridden up Tantalus mountain.  I finally conquered it this morning!  It was SO hard, but so worth it!

I headed up really early.  The city was still asleep.  It was just me and the free range chickens!

 

I stopped and stretched a lot!  It averages about 300 feet of elevation gain per mile for this first five miles.

The road goes up and up and up.  It was also wet because it was raining.  Sometimes it was pouring, but it felt so refreshing!

At the four mile mark, I crossed a one lane bridge...

I finally reached the top!  The road changes names from Tantalus to Round Top

Behind me is Diamond Head, Waikiki and our condo.  I sent Les a text that said, "I see you..."

He replied, "I see you too!"

 

Diamond Head!

Total distance 9.89 miles in 1:48:17, 10:57 pace. 
Average heart rate 147, max HR 161
Calories burned 782

Connecting to the Church

A few weeks ago Pastor McGriffin started a Bible study series about connections.  We missed his lessons on connecting to God, but this week he started talking about connecting to the church.  I want to start with his final point, the reason we need to connect with our church:  "I am going to go to heaven from my church!"

Matthew 16:13-19 says,

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

There are a lot of things tugging at us that cause us to disconnect from the things of God.  We start thinking, "Do I need the church?  Do I need a pastor or not?"  We must stay connected to the church.

The word church is found 77 times in the Bible.  Matthew 16:18 is the first time. The word church is ecclesia, meaning those who are called out, it is the same as the word sanctified.  The church is not a one person body, but a group of believers who have been called out, into a much better environment, following Jesus Christ and everything He stands for.

This church is a universal church.  It is built upon this "rock," this revelation of who Jesus is.  It is multi-cultural.  When you obey Acts 2:38, you are automatically connected to the entire church.  The sun never sets on the body of Christ!

Matthew 18:15-18 tells us how to deal with problems in the local church (yes, there will be problems.)   Verses 15-17 tells us what to do, verse 18 says, "Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."  God delegates amazing authority to the local church.  If you go through the right process, God will honor it.

We must be connected to the local church to be part of the global church.  If you're not in a church, you're not in the church!  "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  (Hebrews 10:25)  There is no accountability or commitment to a TV, radio, or internet church. James 5:14 talks about the elders of the church anointing with oil.  This means the elders of the church where you attend.  You won't find elders in a radio or TV church. 

When you leave the church, there is no where else to go!

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 there are seven churches.  Each had unique problems and personalities.  Every church is unique.  Some are known for great choirs, others for bus ministry or something else.  God deals with us through strong and anointed Apostolic preaching so we can be the best church we can be.

You don't get membership in this church because of family connections or talent.  You must be born into the church. We must not leave repentance out of the born again process.  Without a change of life style you are not part of the church.

When a baby is born, they are automatically part of the family.  They are instantly an inconvenience, they need attention, they don't contribute anything, they eat a lot, but they are automatically part of they family.  People shouldn't have to wait five years to be accepted as part of the family of God.  Yes, they take up a lot of time and attention, but they are part of the family.

Luke 24:47 says, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."  The local church is a launching point to reach the world.  This is our basic purpose, why we must connect with, love, embrace and support our church!

I'm going to go to heaven from my church!

In Remembrance of 9/11

Twelve years have come and gone since that horrible Tuesday morning.  Long lines in security, removing our shoes and going through full body scanners are common place in this post 9/11 era.

I was on my way to work when I heard the news.  Both towers had been hit, along with the Pentagon.  We gathered in small groups, in utter shock as we learned of the loss of life, saw photos, and wondered when the next attack might occur.

God bless the first responders and our men and women serving in the military!

Time Not Wasted

Another weekend has come and gone.   Did you wake up a little tired from your efforts?  We had a great service last night, the praise team poured out and helped usher in the presence of the Lord.  Pastor McGriffin preached about God using nothing.  I know our church family in Burbank is exhausted - Youth Alive took place! 

Perhaps your work took place behind the scenes.  I know a bunch of ladies in Burbank who cooked, served, and cleaned.  Maybe you taught a Sunday school class in the back of the building.  Or you ran the sound system and no one noticed because you did your job perfectly (the sound is usually only noticed when something goes wrong.)  You held a child so her parents could pray.  You were the first in pre-service prayer.

Did anybody say thank you?  Or did you go home exhausted and drained, wondering if you made a difference in the kingdom?  Your answer is found in First Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Paul says, your labor is not in vain.  It doesn't matter what type of labor, whatever your work in the kingdom is, it is not in vain!  

I like God's Word Translation:

So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation of your faith. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.

And the Amplified Version:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. 

Thank you for your work!  It's not in vain.  Your time in the kingdom is not wasted.  Now catch your breath, Sunday is coming!

My View This Morning

After a little rain...

Book Review ~ Evicting Jezebel

I downloaded a free book for my Kindle the other day ~ "Evicting Jezebel: The Rising Trend of Aggressive Women."  The book description says this:

Jezebel may float like a butterfly but she stings like a bee!

Case studies are starting emerge that women and teen girls are becoming more assertive, aggressive and violent. In biblical history, these were all of the tactics and techniques of the queen Jezebel. The contrast of the new creation of the butterfly, Jezebel stings anyone who threatens her ability to control and manipulate others.

Evicting Jezebel sheds light on the alarming trend in aggressive women in our families, communities and churches and searches the bible for answers by comparing the traits and technique of boxing to the traits and techniques of Jezebel. It also gets to the root so that you can serve her with an eviction notice.

It's only 70 pages, so this was a very quick read, but gave me much to think about. I'm sure I'll be going back and re-reading much of it. Just a few of the highlights:

Chapter 1: Our Decay by the Decade
This is a review of how our society, especially women, has changed since the Sexual Revolution. Television programming has introduced a new breed of women - those who became the head of household while dads stayed home. The women were dominant and assertive. Thirty years after the sexual revolution, Sex & the City made airwaves. Four women who regularly met at bars and talked endlessly about men. The women were successful in their careers, but broken in their personal lives. Of course there are also Desperate Housewives and cougars, women who prey on younger men.

Chapter 2: Who Was She? The Ancient Jezebel
Jezebel's name translated in Hebrew is "without cohabitation; an island" which literally means that she will not live in one accord with anyone. She was a master manipulator who surrounded herself with enablers. She despised men of strength and anointing, they weren't easily manipulated or intimidated.

Chapter 3: Who is She? The Modern Jezebel
The modern day Jezebel is the exact same spirit of the ancient queen of Israel, using the same tactics. This is a comparison of the two Jezebels:



Chapter 4: She Floats like a Butterfly, Stings like a Bee
This chapter is devoted to different types of boxing techniques that Jezebel uses to manipulate those around her. The Jab, the Cross, the Hook, and the Uppercut.  Of course her hits are usually verbal, not physical. She also uses False Innocence, the Blame Game, Victim Mentality, Deflection and Escape. 

Chapter 7: Jezebel in Men.
The goal of the spirit of Jezebel is control, which is found in men when they use strength and violence to obtain control and domination. This is most often seen in domestic violence, rape, and human trafficking.

The Jezebel spirit is found in relationships, friendships, and in the workplace. It is dangerous and destructive.  Jezebel is all about herself.  A godly woman will build up and nurture those around her.  The Biblical example of the contrast of the Jezebel spirit is Ruth:



The Jezebel spirit is found in the home, in the community and even in the church. The only answer is to evict that spirit. Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters," so if the Jezebel spirit is found in someone's heart, His Spirit is not.

The fruit of the Jezebel spirit is found in Proverbs 6:16-19: "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

In contrast, the Fruit of His Spirit is found in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

I didn't mean to write such a lengthy review, but I do highly recommend this book (currently $2.99 on Amazon for Kindle.)  There were more than the usual amount of grammatical errors (missing commas, sentences that didn't make sense, etc.) but it was worth it to keep reading. 

Wordless Wednesday on Thursday

My days are really mixed up! We flew here on Tuesday night so we missed Tuesday night Bible Study at New Life Pentecostal and Wednesday night Bible Study at Victory Tabernacle.  Midweek Bible Study has always been an important part of my week and I know what day it is based on that.

When I went out to run today I thought it surely must be Wednesday!  As I ran into the Diamond Head Crater the sun was just coming up over the Koko Head Crater.  "These will make great Wordless Wednesday pictures," I thought.  It's not Wednesday, but I had to share the beauty of another sunrise.  Our Creator does sunrises right!

A little later I was on the other side of Diamond Head and took this shot.  I had no idea that I had positioned myself so well!  I probably couldn't capture those sunbeams if I tried!

Back on an Island

Some days I don't know if we're coming or going!  We flew back to Oahu last night.  We had been home from almost three weeks - our longest stay since January.  I wasn't really ready to come back.  Being home that long allowed me to get everything done and still actually relax at home for a change.

Then I looked out the window this morning...

And Les sent this via text...

I decided to join Paul in saying, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

Breakfast Done Right

We have been having smoothies for breakfast for a long time, but I always forget to take a picture before blending!  Mine today was:

2 cups light vanilla soy milk
1 1/2 scoops Recoverite powder
a bunch of spinach (I never measure)
1 cup of frozen strawberries and blueberries
Total of about 32 ounces and 6 Weight Watchers points plus.

I vary this depending on how much activity I have done.  I ran 13.6 miles on Saturday, so I had 2 scoops of Recoverite and added a banana.   I ran 6 miles today, so had less Recoverite.  I love adding spinach because I know it's good for me but it doesn't alter the taste at all in my opinion.

What's your favorite healthy breakfast?