sPAM and eGGS

Cheee!

2011-01-01T02:21:00.000-08:00

New Year, 2011! Pandora is one freakin' cool thing. I wonder what we will have in a couple years to play random music. Maybe an implant that reads our hormonal changes and create music playlists that will bring us to any emotional state depending on our preferences or what ever.

Battery is about to die, bummer.

Well, New Year, which means..... absolutely nothing! Life goes on and things will happen good and bad, happy and sad. Christ remains the same, never changes and my life has meaning because of Him. Good Night 2010 day, Goodmorning 2011 tomorrow/ now.

A Day Like Today

2010-12-29T20:42:00.000-08:00

So, here I am in a coffee shop trying to figure out what to type. I was sitting for a while earlier and nothing was coming out except what seemed like a mess of jibberish, spit out to try and sound all fancy and smart. How often do we do this? are we raised to do this? You know, we talk one way but then when we type or write items out we make it sound a lot more collected and gramatically correct, which for me is not how I speak. Actually, I think that may not be the case for everyone. My art professor this last semester was complaining a bit towards the end of the semester as students were turning in pieces of work that had so many gramatical errors due to students approaching the writting in the same way that they would text. She was quoting some of the articles and lol, smiley faces and other notations were present....

So we are sitting here and coming up with some of the most random things to do and I am stoked to be blessed with the friends I have.

Memories

2010-10-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

As I was browsing through the internet I stumbled upon this site.

"Do I still remember my password?" ... Apparently I do. haha

Over a year since I last blogged on this site,
Over a year since I last stood on Oahu,
Over a year since I began this most recent chapter of my journey,
Over a year....

A new chapter a year ago? Who decides when those chapters begin or end? Isn't our life a collection of experiences that are bound by our own perception of time? Instead of speaking of chapters I think I will call this..... Life..... profound, ya? haha Shoots

I wonder if anyone will read this. Maybe an e-mail will be sent out notifying that Spam and Eggs recently added a post to their account.... or maybe this will be just dust in the wind scattered in this splattering of words...

Sooooo, this last year what has happened... To branch into another thought, if I may, I think this will be beneficial fo me and probably only me. Some, as they stumble back on this as I have, may find this interesting, amusing, or just annoying. To that I say, What-ever. haha People journal to process their ideas and thoughts, I ramble to bring sense to my chaotic spastic mind. So, in these ramblings I post, I will hopefully find some ideas or thoughts that connect, to then help in processing what it is I am thinking.... (I think I just repeated myself thinking I was making two completely different statements...hmmm).

To summarize this past year I will say that God doesn't give up. Rev Hi was an awesome, stretching, hard year for me. God has a great way of loving the stubborn in their brokenness. It reminds me of a sturdy Teak tree. Here I am blowing hot air at God and He still stands strong and doesn't break. His love doesn't stop reaching for me. I bring a monsoon full of rain, thunder, havoc and He doesn't give up but stands His ground and smiles at me. No matter what I do it's like He is pursuing me like a passionate lover...... Sounds weird but no matter what I do He doesn't stop and won't seem to let me go. As much as I have tried to push He is STILL there. Even when it seems as if that last sin was the one to break that tree He stretches His branches, shakes the dew off the leaves, and booms with the melody of Love.

Currently God has been showing me How much I desperately need Him; and in saying Currently I mean since I heard who Jesus was back in pre-school, waaaaay back. But, in the most recent of recents this has been a recurring theme for me. My life unravels with-out His tender hands holding it together. The ministries He has blessed me with become like clanging pans unless I let Him take over. What I once found value in I see as just vanity. Ecclesiastes.... Oh, Vanity...haha

So easily I find my self getting sidetracked and distracted. Casting Crowns song Slow Fade talks about this slow fade. It could be anything but that distraction can slowly steer our minds, our hearts, and our lives in the complete opposite direction until... BAM!!! What happened?

This last summer I had one of those moments. To make a long story longer, this all started back in 3rd grade. There was this kid....hahaha just kidding. Here I was finishing my second semester back in College, reaching for summer time, ministry and work lined up. Surfing plans made out. I was ready for this awesome summer and finding this awakening in my relationship with Jesus. "Just you and me J-man.".... not really. Maybe it was that Cockiness that lead me into idolizing.... As, I was going through the summer things seemed great; Camp rocked, I was surf's up, and everything seemed gravy. But one day, meeting with my parents, Reality smacked me hard.

I was with my dad and here I was trying to fix my van, yet again. Through conversation he made a comment that really opened my eyes. This statement made me re-evaluate my summer, my life and it took me weeks to realize the root. So here we are and my dad says,"Brock, what's going on with you?! Your mom and I are concerned for you! Either your back on drugs and alcohol or we're just bad parents! What is it?"

Woah!!! In my mind I was thinking, what?! are those my only two options? I assured Him that neither was true and that I was working on it... but i didn't know what the "it" at that time was. After weeks of praying and reflection God showed me what it was. You see, through out the summer I had made plans to really devote my time to God and spend "quality" time with Him. My summer ended up being an exploit of my selfish desires with a side order of Jesus in a to go bag. Because of this selfishness I was neglecting my rent (I didn't think it was that big of a deal), canceling plans to meet with family (I talk with them all the time, and I see them every so often. What's the big deal, i thought), and I wasn't guarding my thoughts or heart (Hey, I'm just being a guy. Plus it's summer time....). The root of it all..... I had put Jesus on the sidebar. I was thinking that these moments of weekly Jesus appetizers on sunday would sustain me but I was depriving my whole being. Everything was slacking because I was compromising in my walk with God.

God doesn't want us to be half in and half out. I was confronted with my custom faith that was rotting the arteries of my soul.

A few weeks before school started I was hanging with some friends I hadn't seen in a very long time. That night we talked about a lot of deep stuff but the one thing that stood out to me was the question, "What have you been reading in the bible lately?" Ummmmm,.... I can answer this, I am a teen pastor.... all that could come to mind were the lessons I was giving my teens. I wasn't investing any personal time to hearing from God and reading His word...WoW... That night hit me hard and I am so thankful for those two people in my life and how God has been using them because that really helped to turn me back in the right direction.

What do You think of God's word? Seriously, What do you think of God's word? I struggled to read Gods word because it seemed more like a chore than anything else. I HAVE to read it because I am a Christian. But, God has been changing that in me. I can't get enough of it. It really is like bread. I don't always know what it is saying and if that is the case, I read that chapter again, and again, and again. Sometimes weeks of reading the same thing just to grasp what God is telling me through it, to find what the writer really meant when He told the people that.... But His word is amazing. Pray rocks and is soooo important. I have been stokin' off of what God has been doing and prayer definitely is something that helps align me to His will. In relationships communication is vital. No communication, poor relationship. It is hard to really grow without communication. It builds trust (Faith), knowledge, patience (effective Listening takes some practice and time), and even love among other things. Prayer is so vital to our walk with Jesus.

I don't say these things to boast about me. I say these to share what God is doing. He is changing my heart still, showing me how much I desperately need Him. I wish I could say I could care less about what people say but there are still parts of me that struggle with acceptance and a desire to be liked, BUT, I hold tight to the promises of God so that I can still stand in those hard times. It's not by my strength I have made it this far, but it is completely the grace God has shown me that carries me.

Welll...... my rambling seems to have stopped for now. But Check out Galations 5, this is a chapter I am wrestling with now. I have to re-read it over and over because I forget most of what it says after I read it. haha I remember A little bit more each time though. Join in this wrestling match with me

Aloha

MMmmm...Dog Tastes Good...

2009-08-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

What an experience the Marshal Islands was. People ask how it was and all I can say is that it was an experience, a very good experience. There were moments where I loved it, loving the people and then there were moments where I was really not enjoying it; the island felt like it was getting smaller and it seemed like there was nothing to do. This was a growing summer.
During the summer I spent two and half months on the island of Ebeye located in the largest atoll in the Marshal Islands. The main island, Kuajilein, is a US army military base and they do a lot of missile testing along with providing jobs for the people on the island. A majority of the people on Ebeye move there from other islands so they can work on Kuaj. Usually when people think of the South Pacific or Micronesia they think of lf lush tropical islands, that’s what I thought. But, Ebeye doesn’t quite fill that idea. There weren’t many trees on the island; any trees were primarily located behind the walls of people’s houses. The houses were constructed out of plywood, or any other objects they could get a hold of to make a barrier, had tin roofs, and holes in the walls covered by plywood to make windows. One person’s wall was also shared by their neighbors. Water and electricity were pretty limited and very expensive. Sometimes the island wouldn’t get its shipment of diesel which was used for the few vehicles and generators for electricity. So, we went without electricity occasionally.
We took our showers from a bucket and didn’t have running water until the last month for the sink because of a broken water pump. There was a pump that would get the water from the catchments container, about 300 gallons I think they said, and it would come out of a spout. I had to get my drinking water from a special facility because the island water would have caused some major digestive problems, which I had the amazing opportunity to experience =). We washed our clothes by hand and hung them on a line to dry.
There was quite a difference in rolls between men and women which was a bit difficult for me to get used to. The women would do most of the work; cleaning the house, cooking, washing clothes, shopping, and serving the men. The women were such servants and would roll up their sleeves and tackle any problem that came up. The men would have more of the working the job responsibilities. But, honestly I saw the men sitting down and talking, working on the vehicles/bikes, and fixing the house more then anything while the women were always cooking, serving the men food and moving.
In the Marshal Islands people don’t have much money. Ebeye is one of the poorest islands in the Marshals and you could definitely see it. Kids would run around with no slippers over rocks and glass while small babies would be walking around with no clothes. There was a lot of neglect that was seen with the kids and that was the hardest thing for me to face. During the summer my main ministry was with the youth and our weekly studies were some of the only structure these kids would get through out the week. There were kids everywhere running around from sunrise to sunset with no supervision. If a kid acted up it was very common for the nearest person to smack them and yell at them even though they weren’t the parents. Many of the kids, I didn’t find out who their parents were until the end of the summer not because the parents were gone but because everyone would smack, discipline, and tease them.
Twice a week I was involved with teaching the kids bible lessons, play games and sing song. Every Tuesday we did this “hope share” at the church and every Thursday it was at Dump Town. Yes, there was a part of town called Dump Town because the housing was adjacent to the dump. Twice a week someone would burn the trash to make more room and all the smoke would fill the city. Those days, all day, the only thing you smelled was burning trash. Kids would play in the dump finding toys in the rubbish and there were groups of men who would play baseball on the corner of it too. By this you can kind of see the condition of the island.
The island itself was not that big. At a comfortable cruising speed I could ride a bike around the island in less than 8 minutes. To walk from the ocean side to the lagoon side took maybe a one minute walk. You could stand in the middle of the road and see the lagoon to one side and the ocean to the other. One of the more interesting things I noticed about the people on the island was how much of an influence the American culture of consumerism and materialism had affected them. The Marshallese are very much people who love to serve and in doing so would put them at disadvantage but everyone helped to support the next person.
But, maybe it’s because of the TV (they had military TV which was all the popular shows in the US in their own lineup), or movies, or magazines the teens and young adults were very much into the latest gadgets and clothes. Not all of the teens were like this but many were. In the Marshal Islands it’s very common for the girls at a young age, on average 16, to get pregnant and have kids. The income would usually come from family, some outside source or the boys would get jobs. There were many cases though where these teens with families would get so caught up in buying the latest stuff like ipods, really nice clothes, or phones that it would leave there family with no food for a week because they couldn’t afford it.
So, here I am on the island noticing this and I am criticizing the people for doing this but then I realize that I have been caught in the same cycle as well. For me, this was a very humbling summer. My pride was something I really struggled with and it wasn’t through outward expression but the thoughts that would go through my mind about the people or the island. God really convicted me of that during the summer and sure worked in me in a lot of areas in my life. Though the culture was different, I couldn’t understand the language, and I sometimes felt all alone God taught me so much and was amazing. I learned and experienced so much more on what it means to serve and how it looks. I never have really had a hard time liking someone but there were people there that challenged that immensely and through it helped me to see more what God means when He says to love and what that looks like. I think I read the bible there more than I have ever read it in my life and it was crazy how it was applying to me, and speaking to me, and just so interesting. I still have a hard time reading some parts of it because they are so boring but there is so much rad stuff in it. This was a very growing summer for me, opening my eyes so much more to the reality of the life we live on this earth, the condition of our own American culture, and more of who I am and who God wants me to be. God really is a good God even though following Him can be so hard and frustrating sometimes (that’s more of my own personal struggle with stubbornness and pride). Matthew 6:25-34

Please feel free to ask me any questions about this summer or what not.

Times

2009-03-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

Alooooha! We are getting near the end of this Rev Hi year and this year has so far been amazing. Today was going to be hangin' out at Makaha but then ended up going to a beach near Kea'au's. It was fun, I don't think I have ever had that much sand in my nose. Good times at the beach....finally. =)

This weekend we had the Hawaiian Youth Coucils. God was sure working with in that camp. The theme was Outcry and man were people crying out to God. It was amazing. I want so bad to put into words what this weekend was like but right now I am unable to do so. All I can say is that lives were changed, lives were renewed, lives were restored, and passions burned stronger. The speakers we had were awesome and really spoke with conviction and passion. I was a councelor at this camp and had a cool group of teens. We had devotions the two nights we were there and on the second night I gave my testimony, in the cabin devotions, which was hard to do, but God opened up some conversations that I pray helped out some of the young men in that cabin. The last night one of the boys asked me if I was a youth paster back home. I said I wasn't but I was thinking about it and he said "wow, those guys are lucky"....I was speachless. The next morning while we were cleaning up one of the boys started beat boxing, and then some started rapping and they were saying it was dedicated to me. I was stoked. I'm not saying this to try and float my boat or whatever, but I am saying this to say how amazing God is, that through all the rubbish that might be in our past that God can use it for His glory. God can take this "jar of Clay" and fill it with the most beautiful treasure. That God is an amazing God and can use anyone who is willing to be used. ........Whew... ok I'll get off the soap box. =)

This trip has been awesome. For me, this trip has been challenging every aspect of what I believe and every aspect of what I do and why I do it. Where is my heart when I give that lady a sandwhich, why do I believe that the word of God is true, why do I find it so hard to sit and listen to God? I am being stretched more then I ever thought possible and as hard as it is, God is giving me the strength to get through it and I have experienced so much peace and joy through all of this, it is just amazing. God is Good Until Later Aloha

Long Time No See:

2009-02-22T22:25:00.000-08:00

Shoots time goes by crazy quick out here. It's been a while since I have posted on here. Things are happening as they happen and moments pass into other moments on this Rock.

I got to preach today at The Rock....Woah intense it was. Shoots, it was a bit like a testimony and a relation with lazarus and all. Rob taped it so I was extra nervous.

I am not really quit sure what else to type because It has been a very hecktic kind of emotional time for me lately. God is amazing how He is there the entire way even when I am a punk and what not.

Oh we did the great Aloha Run this past monday. FUUUUNNN At the 2nd mile nature began to knock inside my stomache....held it past the first stop...suffered until the second one...went...relief...ran and collapsed at the end. I didn't really collapse but it was fun for sure. A man in his fifties died while running it...had a heart attack when he finished the race. It was sad. Pray for his family.

I don't know what else to type so I will add more manana.

Aloha

Ramblings

2009-01-19T22:40:00.000-08:00

Hitting up on the third week back in Revolution Hawaii. It's quite amazing what God is doing out here. Doors are opening up for Mark and I in our ministry. We are now voluteering at the Boys and Girls club, helping with a basketball team on Wednesday and Friday, tutoring students, starting-up side ministries with The Rock Church, and playing volleyball on Saturday with the Rock. I am stoked at how God has opened up doors and using Mark and I out here.

For me personally, I am really excited to be working with Kids. I have always had a heart for the youth and am so excited about getting the chance to reach out to them in our communities.

With all these great blessings going on around us I have been struggling a bit with a few things within myself. I thank God for how He has been challenging our team and working within all of us. But, there have been mornings where I just wake up and feel so discouraged; I don't want to work out, why is that person looking at me funny, man they act like they have it all together...they don't...take off that stupid mask, let me pray for them...bless them...bless what they do...bless their food...bless my cat...bless me...bless....blesss, "I love you Lord please fill me with Your love"...look at them still acting like they are all that and a bag of chips, stop being a gerk, "Use me today Father"...I could talk to that person...nah I need to read my book...I'll probably see them later we ARE on an island, I need to go to sleep I have done so much "ministry" today. WoAh!! Pretty crazy... I read that and I am thrown back a bit, but these are some of the things going through my mind. It kind of disgusts me to see it AFTERWARDS but during all that judging and hypocracy I feel so justified.

Right from the start of returning back here God started weeding me out. I blogged a little about how difficult it was to come back leaving my family and people so close and dear to me as I am here for another 8 months...but I know God is not done with me, He won't be done with me until the day I die. It is very convicting, though, as God has revealed these things to me and very humbling because as much as I want to have it all together...I don't. As much as I want to be independent and do it on my own, I can't. As much as I want to be proud at what I have done, I'm not. I don't consider myself a victim of low self-esteem but a victim of sin and a victim of my selfishness within that sin. Through all of this, through my rages of independence, giving "wholeheartedly" but only partially to God, I continue to see that no matter how much I mature, no matter how much I change, no matter how much I try I am in desperate need of God. I am in desperate need of His love, His forgiveness, His guidance. I need Him. I am capable of doing all these things on my own but I have found that the fruit (if there is any) is worthless, rotten, and spoiled without God.

I think I put this in an earlier blog, but I read this quote about humility and I want to put it in again, "Being humble is not thinking less of yourself but it is thinking of yourself less." -(I believe..) Max Lucado (correct me if I'm wrong). When I first heard that I liked it and interpreted it as putting others before myself. I still think that is true but I also think it connects to a much deeper level than that. When you're thinking of yourself less, who are you thinking about? Others? family? spouses? In a conversation, what is a popluar topic that people enjoy? In the past one of my favorite things to talk about was ME. What I'M doing, what's happening to ME, what God's doing in ME, Me...Me.... Shoots. What about this blog....I am talking about me....well, I kind of use this as a means for me to be real with myself and to those of you reading this.

I pray that as you read this the credit doesn't go to me but to God. In this blog it may seem that I am bashing myself a bit but in defense to that I say that I am being real with the struggles going on in my life, in my walk with God, and in my heart. I am tired of wearing these masks that I have worked, lied, and cheated so hard to put up. I desire to live a life that is truthful with myself and the people around me. Truthful with my family and those I love so much. I am tired of working so hard to "act" like a Christian. I am never going to live up to the standards that are put up to that with out lieing a bit or so on. All I can be is myself, garbage and all, and lay it at the feet of Jesus and give everything I have to Him.

Where do we stand as a Christian church? What does it mean to be a Christian? Why am I so disgusted by so many Christians? Why do I so easily point my fingers at others when I am just as guilty? Where is that Justice, Where is that Love, Where is that Forgiveness that Jesus tells us about? What has His example shown us? What are we doing to live that? What can we do? Can we really do anything?

The more and more God is transforming me the more and more I realize how much I need Him in my life. I was talking to someone very close to me and they told me something that really inspired me. They were talking about how God has been working in their life and have found that they are praying quit a bit more than they used to. But, even when they aren't saying prayers they are still in close communion with God in their mind and in their heart. I think this is an example of what God ment when He said to pray with out ceasing. Keeping ones whole self in constant communication with God. I want that, I desire that...to always have God on my mind....to really constantly be in that act of prayer even when words aren't being used... In Romans 8 it says, "26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." God is Good

Thank you all for reading this Blog and please feel free to leave comments, prayer requests, questions, or concerns. Thanks to those of you who have left comments, I really appreciate what you have said. Until Later

Brock

2009-01-13T00:02:00.000-08:00

Aloha! Hey we are back in action here on the island and Revolution Hawaii is off to a good start. (Shoots, that sounds like a News Report. Maybe something you would find on lotus notes....hahaha J/k.....But seriously....hmmm Ok then).

It's good to be back and God is working in the team. Our team was split, Mark, erlist, and melissa in Kona and Matt, Bri, Kanysha, Chelcee, and myself in Kaua'i, for the christmas season. Kaua'i was amazing and the Groenlers (sp? sorry Joy and Larry if I mispelled your last name) were such a fun family. Good times ringing the bell, playing the Uke, playing dominoes, sleeping in the community center, having church in the same community center, Fish tacos, cruisin', Waimea canyon,... so much that was so amazing and I loved it all. God really worked within' our team while we were on the outer islands and it rocks.

As that ended we then were on vacation for 2 weeks and had time to recoup and get ready for the next year. I got to go home for the holidays and spend time with family and friends. The trip was soooo encouraging and God did some amazing things while I was home. It really helped me to see How Awesome God Is. While I have been out here in Hawaii God really has been stretching me and working in me . It's been a very trying experience but when I went home I was so encouraged by what my family and friends had to say about what they saw God had done in me so far. I give God all the glory in everything happening in my life because I usually mess things up when they are put into my hands and there are things that only God could have done. Right Now I am just completely blessed, stoked on what God is doing, who He is, and how amazing He is. I also got the chance to meet the lost boys when I was at home and was completely blessed by the entire experience and so blessed by all the people that were involved in that new years party. I have such a strong desire to help the lost boys in San Diego as much as I can when this Rev. Hi experience is over. We'll see what God does.

God is Good

Days Gone By

2008-12-22T00:15:00.000-08:00

Here I am back in Oahu, sitting at this desk preparing to leave for the mainland tomorrow(or just procrastinating)and I kind of feel.... out of place. I can't put a finger on it. It's as if what was once familiar is now a vague memory......... and now I am back.... Just like that, picked up placed somewhere new, picked up again, placed somewhere different, picked up and placed back at square one. That which I had found to be comfortable or had found comfort in is now in the past and the area where I was comfortable originally is now uncomfortable. (this is very confusing to read...I am sorry. I'm slowly figuring out what I am saying as I go)

Ok...So, this past 3 weeks our team has been split into two smaller teams and placed on two different islands. Mark, Melissa and Erlist went to Kona, and seemed to have had a blast, and Matt, Chelsea, Kanysha, Bri, and myself went to Kaua'i. Do you know how amazing "the garden island" is. I felt right at home there. When we landed our team was greeted by Joy (Joy and Larry were the corps officers we worked with) and was taken to Wallies World (WalMart). I knew we were going to work from the start and *Boom* we did. That evening I started bell ringing, with my Uke, the girls started angel tree and we went on from there. But, my initial expectations of tons of work and not much play went out the door strait away, or maybe it was how work and play were incorporated together. It was amazing. I would ring and play my uke for about 5 hours a day, we would then count kettles, and amongst that spend time cruising around checkin' out sites. Joy and Larry made it a point for us to experience as much of Kaua'u as we could within the 3 weeks we were there.

One thing Larry told us when we first met him was this, "Take the speed you all normally work at and cut that in half. Now take that half and cut it in half again and that's the speed Kaua'i runs at." What??? I found that this place ran at the speed I have been running my whole life and no one got made at me for it!!! Shoots! And man that was so true. That was how Kaua'i did it and everything worked perfectly. Happy Day!!! The people were amazing (small towns, pop. of the island 60,000..Crazy! so everyone knew everyone else and people were so welcoming) , the food rocked and the scenery was beautiful. It's difficult to explain everything that happened and over time I probably will but it was an awesome trip. This is the place that I grew so comfortable in and Oahu is the current location where I feel a bit out of place...and...I am only making a pit stop here as I am about to leave for the mainland tomorrow.

So many plans when I head to the mainland too....if I think about it too long my head feels like it is spinning in circles and discombobulated.

This feeling of uncomfort reminds me of some of the key things you read about in the bible. If you have been to C28, an overpriced christian store found in many malls, there little tag line is "Not of this world". hmmmm. We are not of this world. I am not of this world. I am in this world, but not of it. Should we find comfort in something that we are not of?

Maybe this discomfort is from the anticipation of returning to the place where I originally came from and anxious to see those that are dear to me. Maybe it's from the idea that I am going back to an area where satan once had me in his chains and brought me down through so many of the poor choices I made......

"Have I not commanded you: Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go." Joshua 1:9

I love God so much and He is dear to me but even amongst the love I have for Him and the redemption He has given me, I struggle with the past I once lived, I struggle with some of the choices I have made, I struggle with the consequences of those choices that have wounded me but even more so wounded some of those around me and closest to me....

Though I am saved, though Christ has shown me so much grace and mercy, and though I am a changed man, some of these things/ideas haunt me. I know this is not from God, satan tries to use our past to bring us back down into the pit where God has brought us out of, but being in this world we are going to be attacked by satan. He will do anything to take away what God has restored and prevent any more growth with God... Before, I would get discouraged when I would be brought down in rememberance of my past and honestly it still does a lot of the time. But, I have so much more now. Not because I have gained but because I have given myself to God. I struggle, but Jesus is right there, I am hurt, but Jesus is right there, I am torn, but Jesus is right there. Even more then being there I get this image of Jesus standing next to me (Not a litteral halucination type image but looking at it outside of the situation type thing) saying "I love you Brock. I love you," "I love You," "I love you," reaching out His nail scarred hands tears streaming down His face, in sync with mine, as He continues to wrap His arms around me, embracing me and loving me in that moment. I get an image of God being present in that moment as in every moment (since God is eternal time really doesn't bind Him so He, in a sense, can put His hand in the "box" of time in any time and be present in it. Wow, confusing....) and not just being there but BEing there. feeling the pain, feeling the anger, frustration, bitterness, anxiety....and loving us through all of it. That is love, where in all those moments He is still there.

Now in the moments when I face those hard times it's not like that image pops into my mind....it may help and it has in cases, but for me this has brought out a better understanding that I will struggle and I will falter but God is with me the entire way. I am no longer bound by those "chains," my Hope is in Christ, the man I was no longer is, I am now a man of Christ transformed by Him, and as Christ gave Joshua victory over those he battled, God will do the same for me in my internal and spiritual battles. I am Gods and no matter what satan throws at me I am never going back to the "place" I came from because the glory of God is so much more appealing and amazing and Shoots, I am Gods.

I don't know when I will type again, maybe in the next week, but happy day. Aloha

Catch Up...

2008-12-07T23:11:00.000-08:00

This was a random late night post I put up on myspace after a late night of Parades in Kauai, yup we were in this cool parade with the Salvation Army, and here it is:

Random ramblings in late night murmurs.

This may be one of those random posts as my mind is racing a bit right now.

I havn't posted on here in a while so I thought I would give it a go. Life out here on this rock is pretty rad. There is a pretty big difference between mainland and hawaiian life but on the same token there isn't. There are many aspects of the Hawaiian culture that I truly admire. The people out here are so giving and so warm. They may not know you, may have never seen you, may never see you again yet they give so much love either way. Same with respect. But with all aspects if one refuses to return it so will it also not be given. (I'm rereading this and it sounds pretty weird. Sorry for the crazy lingo and sentence structure in this sucker...Happy day)

I was having another one of those reflective moments the other day and am so thrown back by how life progresses and changes. I am so different from the boy I was 4 years ago. I have progressed so far from the guy I was a year ago. I have changed so much from the person I was just a couple of months ago. Yet, I am still the same wacky person that is still stokin',even more so, off of life and God. I guess the changes have occured at a deeper level of who I am. The personality is still pretty much the same but my mentality, my ideals, my beleifs, my maturity/immaturities... that is what has changed. So is the story with Life.

I have always tried to embrace change and probably more now then ever do I desire so much more change. The person I was becoming was not something I am proud of and is still something that gives me chicken skin to think about. Probably one of the biggest changes and probably one of the best changes in me is in relation to my walk with Christ.
When someone reaches the lowest point of the pit, an area where darkness consumes even the person surrounded by it, the crossroads are met. Live in that pit and become comfortable in the darkness allowing it to completely incinerate ones heart digging farther down into the pit or get out of it. The basic options of this pit are pretty simple when looking at it in hindsite. Either stay in the pit or get out. Each path has its consequences. Some are negative some are positive, the lines aren't always clearly drawn, the options don't seem black or white but grey with a hugh of random purple laced in, and there is so much "wind" and "dust" swirlin' around that up seems down and down seems up most of the time. I believe we all face moments where we are caught in a pit like this maybe even multiple for us hardheaded people.

In this pit I have experienced Gods grace and Mercy. His love has shown me how great He really is. I was thinking about this and how people may think that I have chosen "Christianity" as my out let for getting me out of "the pit", or to better myself as I find best suited. My response to that is "No, I havn't chosen 'Christianity' but God." I chose a relationship not a religion. I've tried so much to better myself in so many areas of my life. I have tried willing myself to be a better person and it really has lead me back to the start, again. The word Christian means Christ Follower and I think the meaning has really left the word in the worlds eyes and has been replaced by titles. "Bible thumper", "Hypocrite", "Republican"... are images many people get when they hear the word.

(It may seem like I am ranting in this blog, and maybe I am, but I am not bashing Christianity in any way nor am I trying to discourage any body through this blog. I apologize if this is the case so far, those are not my intensions. This is more of a source that I am using to filter out some of the many ideas popping through my head and share it. In my mind it also kind of sucks that feel like I have to put this disclaimer in this blog. But I suffice.)

My definition of religion, and I don't remember where exactly I heard this but it stuck, is this: Religion: Mans attempt to get closer to God. I think about that and wonder, what can I do to get closer to God? If I am to do anything to get closer to God wouldn't that take the glory away from God and direct it to what I have done and ultimately to me? But, the bible also talks about religion, In James 1 at the end of the chapter: "True religion is this: To look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep ones heart from being polluted by the world." So maybe religion does have a thing in it....

I find that in my journey, though, and in my struggles in the pit, that I desire more a relationship then a religion. I want something personal that "moves", inspires, and "lives." There are things we can do to nurture that relationship that I am finding are so crucial in allowing it to grow, ie: prayer, reading the bible, living the love God has given us. In James it is seen that faith without works is dead. So maybe those areas that people consider religious are essential for the growth of the relationship. routine vs. desire or maybe desire for routine vs. desire for change or maybe good vs. evil or batman vs. spiderman....... i don't know...It's late and my mind is running....

I find that I feel so much more alive when living out a relationship with God, living out of love for God, experiencing an intimate relationship with Jesus. Maybe it's because Jesus is alive and He desires this from us... As I read the bible I see more how the areas where I used to think I needed to do "things" to get closer to God have already been fulfilled by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. He is what is bringing about the change in my life. He is the one restoring what I have broken. He is the one that has restored that relationship with God that I could have spent my whole life unsuccessfully trying to do. I find myslef living out the word Christian, Follower of Jesus, instead of tagging on the title like a badge. I realize that by saying this I again am being tagged/labeled but no longer by my choice. I choose to follow Christ, my soul is His, Satan can destroy my body but the core of who I am is Occupied by Jesus.

It is so easy to type all these words on a site post it and then wear this as a badge. I could leave it at that and live the same life I was living before Christ renewed me and carry more titles with that. But I think the real test is in what I do. "actions speak louder than words" yah? Don't let my shakspearian writing skills sway you into believing all that I have typed. For one I don't know all the answers but let what I say be reflected in what I do. Let my actions do the talking. Famous quote by some person: (someone may know who said this quote and please tell me if you do. If not happy day) "Preach the gospel always, if necessary use words."

Psalm 23

Well I need to sleep and I keep rambling.

Later Days

Aloha

Hmmm

2008-12-04T20:25:00.000-08:00

I apologize to you all who have been reading my blog as I have neglected this for a couple of weeks. But here we go...

I don't know how often I can say how interesting, amazing, humbling, crazy, this Revolution Hawaii experience is with out repeating myself but this is all so true. Every day the experiences we have bring about so much. Even in those days that seem just like the next, one event will happen that will make it so different then the next. Before coming out to revolution hawaii I thought I appreciated life. I thought I took the most of each day and milked out the goodness in each moment. I love life, But now...Wow, how do I explain this... Believing and following are two different things...

Side note: For you reading this I apologize for the scattered thought of this blog. I just log on and type. Most of the time I have no idea what to type so it comes to me as I go and things may be pretty random but somehow it IS connected. I will do my best to connect all the ideas someway or another but sometimes maybe not...Happy Day (Back to the blog)

Hmmmm, In regards to enjoying life, or getting back on the topic, I feel now I am seeing things with new eyes. Being in Hawaii, yes, could make things seem amazing but my understanding of things and how I go about situations is different. I truly believe God has got ahold of me out here. There was a quote that I read that realy stood out to me, "You'll never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have." That quote is very near to the experience that I have had out here in Hawaii. Jesus rocks my socks off...litterally... ummm ok.

I will continue this within' the next coming weeks...

I am currently in Kaua'i ringing bells for the Salvation army. It is actually a lot of fun as I play my Uke....for 5 hours strait. Talk about numb fingers. hhaha happy day. laterdays

Aloha

Surf report:

Big surf here...20-25 foot sets. I have seen maybe max 5-6 footers while out here. =( Gone surfing?....for me about more than a month ago...Bummer No worries I'll get a chance to surf within the next year..hopefully. God is Good no matter what. I love surfing but it will come in time. Happy Day. Peace

These Days

2008-11-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

Shoots i was almost done with this post and I went back a page and it went *poof*. Besides that, this has been a pretty fun week. A blessed one for sure.

Ok story time. Saturday nights we do the out reach and hang out with some of the houseless people in China Town. It is always a fun experience hanging out and listening to the peoples stories. This past saturday we had a different experience that was awesome. Our team of 8 Rev Hi deligates is split up into two groups, 6 in Kauluwela and 2 of us in Waianae. I'm lovin' waianae by the way. The people there are very much family oriented and so giving, it is amazing to see that community and the people in it. Ok, well the group that goes to kauluwela usually spend some time hanging out in Aala park and talk to the houseless people out there. Some of the group got to know this one girl, about late twenties in age, and her group that she hangs with. They talk about how they are always interested in readin their bibles and hangin' out talking about God.

This past saturday as we did our usual walk through china town some of our group made a detour to hang out with this girl and their group. We headed up the street to the ARC and when she saw us she yelled out, "they Came!" "They came!" "I told you guys they would come.(she was speaking to the other guys)" "see?". Apparently some of our team told her we would come visit and she was surprised that they kept to their word. They invited us up the stairs to their corner and we all hung out. Three of us separated and went to the other side of the building because we noticed quit a few more guys hanging out there and we wanted to give them some food. (There is another story here about an interaction we had at this spot where a guy was telling us about conspiracies and another thinking I was God asking for my blessing. I kept trying to convince him I wasn't God but he was a bit drunk and new scattered english...A bit different to say the least). But, we finally returned to the group hanging out with the girl and her friends and as we went up the stairs we noticed they had bibles open and were reading them. As we sat down we realized we were joining a little biblestudy and it was awesome. Chicken skin all over. God is working in these peoples lives and as we prayed you could just sense God's spirit being there. This may sound crazy to some of you but it is something I can't deny.

That experience reminded me a lot of the Acts church. (we have talked a little about this in our rev hi discussions, you can read about it in Acts. It is pretty cool). That experience, helped me to see the whole idea that We, as the body of Christ, are the Church. We can't contain it inside a building, tent, or temple; we have been blessed by the sacrifice givin' to us by Jesus and His resurrection so that His spirit may be with us. "Where two or more gather in His name, there He is amongst them." I was stoked to see this with my own eyes because I know I have talked about it and "understood" it, but experiencing it opened my eyes to the reality that God really is with us where ever we go; even on the steps in front of an ARC building.

Church is awesome. I always anticipate and enjoy going to church at The Rock in Waianae. We set up tent on Pokai Bay, put the chairs, speakers, and piano up and we have "Church." It reminds me so much of the Church my parents had back in City heights as I was a kid. I have so many fond memories there and even some disturbing ones (We weren't in the safest of neighborhoods). But God was moving in that Church and I see the same thing in Waianae every Sunday and pretty much every day. We have had similar experiences as the Saturday night ARC one on the city bus going and coming from Waianae. It is really awesome. God is Good.

I have run out of things to say and am excited for our morning Jog, hmmm running in da rain. Thank you again for checking out this blog. I miss all of you on the mainland very much. Don't worry I miss you guys here on this island too but I will probably see you in a couple of days Lord willing...

Keep our team in your prayers as we have finally found out where we are all going. 5 of us to Kauai and the other three to Kona. Kauai here I come. I am so excited; ringing bells day by day by day by day.... Just Kidding. It will be fun. =)

Until Later
Aloha

Surf Report:
Shoots, Big swell hit hawaii's north shore this past week with 22 foot waves. That's probably like 27-33 foot sets in mainland measurements. Pretty big waves. Didn't really get to see it. Tried to today but it was dying out and tons of rain. It's crazy out here because if it is raining you can Still go out and surf, AND the waves still hold up. In San Diego if it rains, the water gets nasty (we are very close to TJ you know), the waves get blown out and the water is sludge. It is recommended to wait a couple of days before heading back in because of the nasty water, some serious infections sometimes happen. But Here, Psh surf whenever. If the water is rollin' people are out. Happy Day Unil Next Week

Escaping False Realities

2008-11-10T18:59:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm I am at a lose of words at the moment. My mind is racing, its been doing a lot of that lately. Shoot my parents are "contestants" on the price is right at this moment. They are in the audience, but for those not quit tv savy out there, they have a chance to win a door handle, life time supply of matchsticks, or a trip to pluto for two sponsored by the Russian government. I'll let you all know how it turns out, hopefully they get the matchsticks... Well let me tell you about this last week.

We had the Divisional Youth Secretaries from the Cascade division, The Lloyds, come and teach us this week. It really is a great experience having people coming and teaching us different ideas and biblical truths. It's encouraging, convicting, and inspiring. We learned about keeping our hearts stoked, on fire, for God through prayer, worship, and biblestudy. They are some cool people and their kids were fun. They arrived on halloween day and left of sunday.

Shoots, this weekend our team got to go to Camp Homelani again and help with being counselors for Corps Cadet camp. Corps Cadets is a Salvation Army program for teens 13-18 where they study the bible and learn how to apply it to their lives. It's primarily a discipleship program. It was a fun weekend with incredible food. Oh My Gosh the food at this camp is amazing. On Saturday night we had a Steak and BBQ Chicken Dinner, all you can eat too (Dad you would have been in heaven!). We had Tacos on Friday night, sausage pizza for breakfast on saturday (What?! Pizza?? Heck yes!). So Yah, camp was good.......Ok it was more than food but I am impressed. The Lloyds spoke at this as well and it was very imformative. The theme was Standing Up For Christ and we discussed topics relating to what a Christian is (Folloer of Christ/Jesus) and living for Jesus. It was very good. On Saturday night we watch Rob Bells video Everything is Spiritual. Talk about inspiring, it was a good one. If you are familiar with Rob Bells Nooma series this one is different. It is kind of like a sermon/talk about Genesis, science, math, life, and spirituality. It was very interesting. I would recommend checking it out if you havn't seen it.

I was stoked this weekend to be a counselor at this Corps Cadet camp. I love working with youth, its so much fun. Matt and Mark (The other Two Rev. Hi. Men) were also counselors in the cabin and we had three "campers". They weren't campers so I don't know what to cal....shoot we'll call them Deligates. They were cool kids from Kaua'i. I really am having a blast out here on this big rock in the middle of the ocean. Shoots, I could be in Antarctica in my boardies and I would have a blast....them penguins would be fun to waddle around with.

Every week seems to have it's challenges. It's been a very growing experience. This past week and continuing through this next week our team is memoring 1 Corinthians 13, The LoVe chapter. Hmmm. What an elusive emotion that is so hard to express in words. Here is the verse so you all can check it out:

1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version)

1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
1 Corinthians 13:3 Some early manuscripts body that I may boast

I "love" this passage. =) This is what I have been challenged with this week, Love. What does it mean? What is it? How do I live it? Why love? Do I have to? Why is it so hard? Why is it so complex?... This is one area out of MANY that Love is talked about in the bible. But, what really stood out to me, and this is something I have been told many a day but really yelled at me this week, is that love is more then emotions but also actions and a choice. I am not a guru on love, many of you can testify on that and for this I do apologize, so take the words I say in this area as a grain of sand and search it out for your self in Gods word. 1 John 4:8

Understanding love is like trying to understand God (Read the 1 john verse and see). It's very difficult to understand or even comprehend But we can get a sense of what it is. We see in 1 Corinthians that love is patient, kind, not boastful, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily-angered, keeps not record of wronds, delights in the truth, it perseveres, it trusts, it protects,... this chapter is full of actions that apply to love. If what we do is based on our desicions does that make love a choice? (No right or wrong answer, feel free to leave comments in....The Comments Area). But, who can deny the emotion of love, the unescapable joy you feel when you see, talk to, hug, kiss...that special someone. The turning in your stomache, the smile that sweeps across your face, the shaking knees, your mind racing about that person but becoming blank,... It's amazing... Emotions, Choices, B.S.... What is Love to You?

I would really like to hear any of your ideas on this topic, yes I am talking to You... haha Feel free to leave them in the comment area and discuss it. I find it pretty fascinating. More stories to come but I am off to Yogurtland, Dodge Ball (love at its best, Happy day), and Sleep.

Some prayer requests: The 16 year old brother of one of the girls on our team got in an accident and is suffering from major amnesia. Kind of like the Dory effect, to put it into perspective. Pray that God heals him so that he can continue living life.
Also, continue praying for my Uncle. i havn't heard from him in a while but my parents say he still is not doing well.
In the next couple weeks our team is going to another island, we are going to be split up. Pray that God uses us on the island and that we can work together in those smaller teams

Again if any of you have prayer requests Holla at me. i am not closing my face Book Or Myspace so you can leave me a message on either one of those sites with prayer requests or shout outs as well. Thanks again for checking this site out, reading ALL the way through this blog, and Happy day
Later Days

Aloha

Surf Report:

Nice North west swell this past week At camp homelani and nice south swell on our side. heard wikes was breaking nice so Diamond head and bowls should be hittin'. Wasn't able to surf though, bummer. maybe next week. Peace out

So Many Things...

2008-11-04T22:17:00.000-08:00

Stories keep lining up and time is passing by quick. This past week was amazing and God is so incredible. I thank you all for your prayers and checking out this blog. Again feel free to leave comments, questions, concerns, prayer requests, money.....haha j/k .....but seriously. =)

This past week was a lot of fun. Halloween week and fun stuff. Well, on Tuesday and Wednesday our team joined a group of Salvation Army officers and employees at camp Homelani on the North Shore for ESC (Emotional Spiritual Counseling) training. It was geared to those interested in disaster services (hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis...Disasters) but it was also very relevent to us on the Rev Hi team. Topics discussed were bassed on organizing an ESC group but also the process of being an Emotional Spiritual Counselor. The portions dealing with the "process of being" and ESC was applicable to us as we reach out to those in need out here on the island.

You wouldn't believe how much need is out here, maybe you would. But like any major city, this island is struggling with those suffering from drug abuse, alcoholism, houselessness, emotional trauma,... It keeps going. It can be shocking though because of the image many of us have of this beautiful island; lush green scenery, vast pearly shore lines, Rainbows gracing the breathe taking sunsets, locales giving not out of excess but out of necessity... This is all here and it is so beautiful, sceneery, people, and all. But under that veil, right next to the Louis Vuiton store, on that shorline, in the many parks run the struggles of war veterans, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunties, professors, doctors, and the "forgotten."

It is very humbling how as we go out to minister to those people we believe are in need, which so many are, we end up being the ones ministered to. Though so many face despair, agony, and hopelessness you still get a sense of Gods spirit entering, running, and saturating through the city streets and into the lives of these people. We have seen the faces of men change as the weeks go by as they start to have hope of a better tomorrow. We have seen men weep because of the sores of their past which have been unable to heal. We have seen prayers answered and progress continue. We have also seen that progress crumble through a relapse. Feeling as though our prayers, how convicting and numerous they are, hitting a wall. We have seen the joy seen in the people a week prior change to fear, anger, and hatred beacuse of death, struggling through a bad batch of drugs, or because they hit that reality they might be running from.

I thank you for your encouragement. I have heard people complimenting our team because we made a decision to spend a year in ministry. We have heard the applause of people because "the younger generation is making a bold stand for Jesus." I thank you so much for that support because at times that is what we need to hear. It's amazing how encouraging words can change the whole spectrum of a day or a life. Jesus is Lord. But we (I say this in faith that as a team our motives for being here are so...) aren't doing this for the approval of man but beacuse of the convictions we have in our hearts that this is what we are called to do as Followers of Jesus. That as we deny ourselves a year, a Lifetime of self that the Glory will be all Gods in our ministry here. It is hard at times, for me, when I see God working and using me because I see that pride well up in me as I feel I am "worthy" of this. I struggle with my pride because I desire so much to be a better Me but the more I have lived for that the more I see that I fall farther from Him. Plus I mess almost everything up with my anxiousness and stubborn attitude. haha I see that as a team, as this year progresses we are finding ourselves so unworthy of God's love, forgiveness, and grace. But God never called us in our "perfection" (like that would happen, Ha) but in the people we are right now, flaws, my pride and all. I see more and more that as I focus on those around me, as I set myself willingingly to be used by God, as I deny myself He will use me, He will use us as the Body of Christ (church: more than a building, it is you and I).

I have been told all that so many times but I have finally seen it and experienced it so I wanted to share that with all of you. I will get off the soap box...haha

Story Time (I need to work on telling stories because I have been told I need to...Shhoooot) :

This story is from Halloween Night and Saturday night. There is this man who is well known around China Town and has been visited by Rev. Hi. for many years. He is a local man who has lived on the streets for years and years and every week we do out reach he is there and we spend time with him. He is usually one of the last people we see and we give him most of the leftovers of the nights food (we always make sure he gets something). But, man does this gentlemen have stories. He knows so much of the history of the city, his own experiences would make sheil silverstein shiver, and he knows his 90's wrestling facts like an art. This man has always seemed comfortable on the streets seeming to be under the blanket of the street very tightly. But recently he voiced his desire to get of the streets. (A side note: our mission here is not get people off the streets. If they voice that desire we will help them in anyway possible. But we are here to build relationships and show them Christs love through our actions and hopefully plant some seeds along the way. Ok, back to story) Since then he has opened up to the group so much more. On Friday night our team went to the ATS biblestudy and afterwards went to china town to walk around. Some of us had costumes, A few of us were zombies though Mark confused all of us with his kangaroo hat oozing blood all over his face...haha But, we saw this man and he came up to us wearing his costume and tried to scare us, good times. We all were talking, some of the girls painted his face and he poured this fake blood all over my head and we were all just having fun. It was awesome to see this man looking past his circumstances and enjoying this one moment we all shared. We all went up towards the main road where there were bands, people in the wackiest costumes, and shows. Half way up the gentlemen said his leg was hurting and went back down the road. We encouraged him to come but he continued on. We enjoyed ourselves that night leaving China town and Going to this U.H. Christian club dance party at kahala mall. That S.S.S. group threw it and our team had a blast. It was amazing how any barriers that might have been between our team all went down and we danced our heads off. We all had a blast and God really used it to build our team up.

Well, continuing on to Saturday night. As we were doing our out reach in china town our group ended up getting split up and the 3 people i was with went back to where we started to meet the rest of the team. When we got there the rest of the team wasnt there, like they said they would be, Happy Day haha, but that man was there. We spent a little more then an hour hangin' out and having a blast. He opened up a lot as we were all acting like "guys" rough housing around. He made a comment about how much fun he had with our team and started sharing some more of his story with us.

I share that short story because I wanted to show how we may not always see what God does through us or see "the fruits of our labor" but that God does things in His time. The two teams prior to us also met and built relationships with this man and seeds were planted. One of the prayers that all the teams have shared is for God to get this man off the streets because it almost seemed like a hopeless case in mans eyes. The teams prior didn't really see the answer to that prayer, as Rob said this was the first time this man voiced wanting to get off the streets. But those seeds were planted by people before us and now the prayers are slowly being answered. Tonight our team had a bible study ( we have quit a few of those, yah?) and we were looking at John 4. In verses 34-38 Jesus is telling his desciples that they are reaping the benefits of others hard work. We have experienced that here and it's humbling because some of the work has already been done but it is also encouraging because we ARE being used in some way.

Thanks for reading this post all. I am sorry if some parts don't make sense but it is getting late and I am pretty tired AND I probably shouldn't be on the cpu....I did get permission though =). Again, I thank all of you for your prayers and encouraging comments, it means so much to me. For the anonymous post thank you for keeping my Great-Uncle in your prayers and for those of you who are praying for him and didn't comment I thank you as well. Please continue to pray for him though and also pray that God continues to stretch our team leading us in His will. Pray that God will continue to give me a humble spirit (is it really humble to ask that?....hmmm) and that he keeps working , transforming , and using me. Until Later Aloha

Surf Report Update:
Ok so yesterday I had an amazing surf session. Rob took some of us up to Camp Homelani on the North shore and we surfed this 2-3 swell up there. It wasn't huge but oh baby it was so much fun, one of the best sessions so far. I'm ready to start surfing competitions now, Pipe Masters here I come....hahaha ok I'm not fooling anyone but still is was a fun session. Along with that in the afternoon some of us went to Ala Moana (the South shore) and surfed there. It was a good North-South surf day. I am still praying for bigger surf so someday I will see it and pray it isn't my last session. Happy Day. No Worries mom the lifeguards out here are well trained in what they do... =)

But, Love you All and May " 'The Lord Bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.'" Numbers 6:24-26

Still Alive!

2008-10-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

So, I said you all could leave comments and realized I had disabled it. My Bad... it is now enabled so send your prayer requests or any comments. They will be able to be seen by the whole computer world just to let ya know.

The days keep coming, nights turn to days, moments lead to another, and it's awesome. This trip has opened my eyes so much to so many different aspects of "life." That is the best I can do explaining what's going on but maybe I will find something better someday.

The last post is still so relevant to now because so many things are being reveiled. Let me tell you all about what it's like out here. If you have looked at revolutionhawaii.com you may have read a post similar to this but here it goes:

Mon-Sat
6:20 wake up (a bit early, yah)
6:30-7:10ish work out ie: run, swim, pull ups, sit ups... *We will be doing the Aloha Marathon in Februay, happy day)
7:30-8:30ish S.O.A.P.s *(we are reading through the bible in a year and there is a schedule that goes with this. S: scripture O: observation A: application P: prayer we have some fun discussions during this time too)
8:30-9:30 FOOOOOD bkfast
9:30-10:15ish Prayer as a group *(We pray a lot here and have seen so many answers to prayer. There really is power in prayer. send any requests...)
10:30-12:00ish discuss book (each week we read a book and discuss the ideas in it every day. Some cool discussions here. We are currently reading : The Irresistable Revolution By Shane Claiborn This is such a good book and inspiring. It will definitely make you question and analyze things in your own life. Not or the feint in heart j/k...but seriously)
12:00-9:00 volunteer/outreach. (we go to our volunteer sites and build relationships.)

Now there are some variations to this on friday and saturday:

during the volunteer/ outreach time on friday we do clean up instead. We do keep things very clean (or as clean as possible) here. On saturday during that time we have door to door times. This is very crazy and that's were the story in the last post came from. Some cool friendships have already started to be built from this.

We also go to 2 bible studies during the week one on tuesday nights at 6 pm at Capt. Navaros crib and the other on friday night at 6 pm with the ATS group at the Kauluwela church. This an awesome group of people who are recovering from drugs and alcohol. They are an amazing group and God is working in that ministry.

On sundays we go to the church in our communities, have the afternoon off and then go to UpprRoom ( a young adult type of bible study/ meeting/ hangout time) at around 5:30.

Mondays are our Sabbath so we sit and do nothing...Hmmmm well some of us do. This is our day to do what ever we want. Explore the islland...I of course like to surf (I only get to go once MaYbE twice a week which is a big change from surfing almost every morning and afternoon but it is still fun.)

So that is what it is like here in the revolution OOOHHH I forgot something:

On saturday nights we have team dinner, so we all sit together, eat, and chat. By the way UFC is my new favorite thing in the world besides surfing. Nov. 14th will be a good one.... After the dinner we go to China Town and hangout with the houseless people, drug addicts, drug dealers, and prostitutes. We bring some food and hang out, talk story, and pray. God is really working out there it is amazing.

OK so that is what we do here, things sometimes change and there is still so much more we do that I will tell you all in a later post but this is the jist (i like that word, but I don't think the spelling is correct...happy day) of the missions trip.

On another note I am doing well, making it day by day. I really do appreciate all the prayer from you all on the mainland and around the world (Shout out to the Homies across the pond-land-pond in England Woot Woot) . It's cool to see that people are looking at this thing ( if you havn't looked at the map on the right of this blog it shows the red dots where people are checking this out from. Cool, huh?).

I have some prayer requests that are pretty important. My Great-Uncle is not doing well healthwise and my whole family is very concered. Also pray that the team out here can continue in this ministry keeping our eyes on God. Pray we don't lose focus out here (Hawaii can be a pretty distracting place if you make it so, but what floors me is how people are distracted to the point of passing by the homeless and drug dealings and don't even "see it"...). Also pray that God can continue humbling me and His wisdom.

Thank you all for lasting through this Post But until another day.

Aloha

Quick surf report:

Today surf at bowls was ok. There were some fun corners but the swell is hitting up north at about 4-5 foot set occasionals. I hear the surf in San Diego and So cal is doing well...Shoots We'll get it here in about November so hopfully it gets better. Peace

Surf

2008-10-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

I forget to say...yes the beach is awesome, water warm like bathwater, and surf is fun. On the islands this past week 4 people ended up losing their lives...very sad.

Postings here and there in relation to surfing adventures are to come. And no I won't tell you where the imfamous alhouikapino point is. haha talk story to come soon Peace

Along the Way

2008-10-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

Aloha to the internet world.

This is sure an intense experience out here. This is going to be a year that really is going to change a lifetime. I'm stoked to see what else God has planned for this year... I pray I don't get shot though. haha Happy Day.

The experiences, the books, the lessons, the relationships, time with God...There is so much that contributes to this being a life changing experience. All the ideas I once had on life, ministry, Christianity/religion, relationships, sacrifice, love, God, discipleship, surfing, commitment...(it keeps going and will continue) all these ideas have been challenged and my ideas on so many of them have changed.

What is ministry, who does ministry, why do people minister, Do we have to minister? What's with this Christian thing? That title has been tarnished so much, and yes I have contributed to this "tarnishing." What is a Christian? A Hypocrite? A deceiver? Who is a Christian? What is sacrifice? Do we really understand sacrifice? What about those people that give up everything they have to live on the streets and build relationships with the homeless? Is THAT sacrifice, why sacrifice? What is love? mmMMmmm Who is God? What is God? Is there a God? If there is a God What are we doing about it? What does God have to do with everything? Where does surfing Fit in all this? Why am I asking that question after the "God questions"? Where does God fit into all this? Where does God fit into life(look at previous paragraph for dehydrated version of life)?...

These are just some of the questions going through my mind and the more I keep asking them the more questions I get and the more specific they get. Don't get me wrong I am not just getting questions from more questions with no answers but the answers lead to the more defining questions in those areas. (That is a confusing line, I'll leave it because maybe someone will make sense of it and see that I really AM a GeNiUs...hahaha Just kidding...but seriously ;]...).

So, back on track, Rev Hi is good. God is still weeding me out and it is very humbling. I pray it never stops.

I have so many stories that I could tell you all and I will do my best to tell them to you a little at a time as they keep building up. hahaha I think it's funny because When I say "you all," at this moment, it's Rob... Hey Rob! Haha Happy Day. I have soo many stories just from Saturday 18. Hmm Ok so here is a concise version of saturday:

Our team has finally chosen our communities and Mark and I are the only ones at Wai'anae. Saturday was door to door day. So we went door to door to courtyard to car to bus stop and introduced ourselves to people. You can imagine how awkward that was for the people but we weren't too comfortable with it either. At one apartment complex we talked to this group of teens and twenty year olds. I felt like I was in City Heights again, but these guys first asked if we were "with the feds" and undercover cops... I see why they asked because you don't see too many white guys in white shirts (I don' t know why i wore that shirt but we really stood out) going around with smiles. They warned us about this guy who was shot earlier in the week across the street and looked at our reactions. I responded with "Wow, Bummer, thanks for the warning." We said our goodbyes and walked away with the heat of their eyes on our backs and, maybe in ignorance, I say Faith in God's protection, headed across the street to meet the guys over there. We met some cool people, had doors slammed in our faces, people threatening us with shoes (well threatening Mark, he grabbed onto a screen door to knock so it wouldn't open and the owner thought we were trying to get in), but then we also met people excited to meet us and even crying saying "praise the Lord" (I still don't know why that lady was saying that). It was an interesting experience that we will continue every saturday. I love it

That is just the day time, Saturday nights we do our homeless/houseless outreach and God is working in those streets. I don't know if I have made any impact there (my impact may not be great but at anything it is there) but I know those people out there have made an impact on me. Their stories are so intense. That word does not give the experience justice. I think The people have ministered to me more than I feel I have ministered to them. It's amazing how God uses people the way He does.

I am sick again and praying God heals me. I have been sick twice since I got here and I think it's more from lack of sleep than anything else. I need to work on that. Thank you all for your prayers.

If any of you have prayer requests send me a comment. My comments are hidden so only I can see them so I would love to pray for you all. Rev Hi would love to pray for you all and any of your requests. If you want comments to be shown tell me in a second comment box (Shoots I know that is just a lot of work...Happy Day).

I am closing my facebook and maybe my myspace soon, so yah. Love, Peace and Fat Mans Grease

Aloha

First 2 Weeks

2008-09-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

This has been a pretty intense two weeks. I arrived on Sunday sept 14 and have really enjoyed my experience here in Hawaii. God is already stretching me sooo much. God has been weeding me out and it has been very difficult facing some of those skeletons in my closet. Right now I am at a point of being completely broken and torn. I see so much more now how God needs ALL of us in every aspect in every area. God has got me completely becasue He is all I have. I really don't feel like I deserve to be out here but God has opened up the doors for me to experience this year. I am stoked.

The people here on the island are so amazing. They are beautiful people inside and out and have such giving hearts. I thought I was a pretty giving person but these people have put me to shame. I know God is going to open my eyes so much to His glory. This past week our team experienced what it is like to be "homeless" on the island. We went to one of the beaches, camped out, and made it out alive. People thought we were nuts going to the place we went and camping there for a week. It was a week I will never forget with people who touched my heart.

This is not going to be an easy year, this I know. I am already struggling, as it is, trying to keep my composure and still finding out who I am in Christ. I believe there is power in prayer and I have prayed with more conviction than I ever have.

We have an awesome team out here on this island. Each person is so different and brings so much to the team. I pray that God can keep us all focused on our mission out here and build us as a strong group. What I have realized is that when it all boils down it is all up to us and the work of Gods spirit in us. Again, it is through complete surrender of everything that we can expereince God to His fullest. When ever I feel I understand that last statement I notice that I am still needing Him more and more and that I need to constantly surrender. We are all sinners but God is so forgiving and merciful.

There is still a lot more to type and I will try to put it out as the year continues to progress.

2 Corinthians 12:10

From me to You,
Aloha

Aloha

2008-09-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

First One....