Failure as an Event

Reading through It: how churches and leaders can get it and keep it by Craig Groeschel.  I love his thoughts on failure:  “Don’t internalize failure: failure is an event, not a person.”
Failures are the building blocks for success; all success is preceded by failure.  Yet, it’s so easy to internalize failure and conclude that I’m [...]

Life’s measure

Every few months I measure the height of my three boys.  I do it the old school way.  No fancy tools or cartoon wall charts.  I make them stand ramrod straight against the door jamb of my office with a book on their heads and note their height with a pencil.  Then we stand back [...]

Radical

Radical = departure from the usual or traditional.
This Sunday is the final message of the “Aikea” series.  You can listen to the previous messages here.
The message is titled, “Aikea…so I’m radical”.  First, radical does not mean piercings, tatoos, or wearing Ed Hardy clothing.  Being radical is not about how we look on the outside.  For [...]

Strategic Volunteers

Just received a book by Tony Morgan called “Simply Strategic Volunteers.” (Thanks, Mom)
Haven’t opened it yet but it’s highly recommended because of its practical insights for empowering volunteers to power the ministry.
The power of volunteers is amazing.  I experience this power every weekend when a crew of people make church happen for GBCK.
I also experienced [...]

We should talk about money

It’s 10pm, Saturday night and I’m going over my message notes for tomorrow.  As I’ve said, I’m being really chanllenged by this Mad Money series we’ve been going through.  It’s caused me to review how I see my finances.  In fact, Julie and I will start implementing some changes to our giving patterns.
As with any [...]

Challenged

I hope you’ve been challenged by the “Mad Money” series as I have been.  I’ve been learning a lot and my theology of money and possessions is being enlarged, stretched, and challenged…big time!  I’m looking forward to part 3 of the series this Sunday.  Here are some recaps to what we’ve discussed so far:

True [...]

Big weekend coming up and past highlights

First, some past highlights:
The youth have done 2 service in the cafeteria after meeting in the living room at the church house for almost two years.  Several things have happened after the shift: Because there’s more room there’s more opportunity to reach more kids.  The youth were maxing out the house, thus, no more room [...]

On my mind

Tomorrow night (Friday) our youth service moves to the cafeteria.  This is a huge move for them.  They’ve outgrown the house they were meeting in.  I remember when they started with four kids in the living room.  It’s so cool to see God work in these young lives.
Service time 7pm, Mauka Lani Cafeteria.  Go to [...]

Hong Kong highlights

Speaking at Elim Church’s retreat this week.
The theme is “roots, shoots, and fruits.”  How we deal with the problems we face, how to grow as a Christ follower, and how we live with mission.
Pastor Paul is a great host.  The brother loves to eat and I don’t mind following suit
Hong Kong is hot [...]

F.U.E.L. Conference – Day 1, morning session

Just finished the first session of the FUEL (focus, unity, equipping, leadership) conference in Nashville, TN.  FUEL is a gathering for North American Every Nation pastors.
First off, Nashville is hot!  Whew, summer in the South is no joke.
It’s interesting that the conference is named FUEL given the price of gas nowadays.  I think it’s apropos [...]