It was cold here in Mililani as I took my dogs for their walk this morning. In fact, by Hawaii standards, it was freezing - which means it was 57degrees. As I was going Brrrr around the block, I began to laugh at how silly I must sound to someone living, well, anywhere else. When I first moved to Hawaii almost 29 years ago, I wore shorts all year long and laughed at those who would have on jackets because they were cold. After a year or two, I was acclimatized to the weather here and was pulling out the jackets with everyone else. It doesn't take very long to become adjusted to a new climate.

It is the same way with sin. We may begin avoiding certain behaviors, but if we stay around that behavior or sin for awhile, it may not seem so bad. It becomes the norm. Before we know it, we have adjusted or accepted the sin and don't even notice it any more. We need to be diligent in walking our path as a Christian and not become acclimatized to the world's values.

Happy New Year

I know it isn't exactly a New Year any more, but close enough. The last month of 2010 just came and went in a flash and we are already a week into 2011. I love the new year. It gives a feeling of new beginnings, starting over, setting goals. Besides the usual "lose weight and get in shape", I hope to fulfill my goal of being more about relationships this year. I need to take the time to invest in my friends and family and I also need to be more aware of those in need around me. I pray for a year of love that is felt and seen in everything I do. I send love to each of you right now.

Christmas fatigue

Wow, it has been awhile since I have posted anything. Fatigue has set in as the holiday activities have begun. I am sure this is a common problem with many of us as we scurry around attempting to do everything that will ensure that perfect Christmas for our family and ourselves. I want to have the perfect tree and decorations, send out the yearly photo Christmas card, shop for the ideal present for each person on my list, and attend all of the "must do" events of the season. I mean, this is what Christmas is all about... Oh, wait a minute, this is what I have made Christmas become. What has happened to the celebration of the birth of my Lord. How am I showing the love of Christ to others this season? I think that I need to pray for compassion and love during this Christmas season and commit to a Christmas that represents Christ instead of one that reveals glitter and greed. How about you? What are you doing this year to celebrate the birth of our savior?

Thanksgiving outreach

We serve a mighty God and he allows us to be his hands, his mouth, his feet here on earth. I am so thankful for all the people that I see around me that are using the gifts that God gave them in service to others. I am humbled by their energy and dedication. I am grateful for the time and the love that they pour into their ministry. May God bless all the work that is being done these next few days in preparation for Thanksgiving outreach.

Give Thanks

Last night I was at the UH game (Go Bows!)when the person sitting in front of me pointed up to the sky. Of course those of us who saw her, looked up. And there sitting in the sky right in front of us was a full moon; it had just risen enough above the other side of the stadium to be seen. And I watched it rise, just enjoying it's beauty, until I could no longer see it above our seats.

There is something about the moon and the stars that grab our attention. Something that is in the realm of awe. The sky is so expansive, the stars and moon are so beautiful, and it is all so predictive. God created the sky and everything in it to be just perfect and he made it beautiful and awesome so we would notice. When we notice his creation, we notice him. When we see the beauty of the sky, we see his beauty. When we understand the expansiveness of the sky, we can begin to understand the greatness of God. When we see the full moon appear each month like clockwork, we see God's faithfulness. God wants us to know him and to know his attributes, so he places signs of who he is all around us for us to see every day. As we begin this week of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to read all of Psalm 136.
"Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:26