By

Rod Shimabukuro
To be honest, I thought about changing out the picture of Beckie and me but then I thought, nah. It’s only January 16th—just 16 days into a new year. Oh my! It feels like we’re long past January 1st. Has the past couple of weeks flown by for you? It seems like the older I get,...
I went to a jiu jitsu class and before the session began, the professor acknowledged two guys who hadn’t been there for over a month. It was endearing to see the men’s smiles, having been recognized. They were missed! I was reminded of a text I received from one of our church ‘ohana. They asked...
“Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”  Psalm 105:1–2 ESV With many people I know experiencing hurts, needs and challenges, I’ve been struggling to celebrate life with others. Especially those who seem...
THE WORDS OF JESUS IN THE GOSPELS ARE PERSONAL | POWERFUL | PRACTICAL We are surrounded by a variety of voices and endless opinions. Whose words do we trust? In a world of half-truths and competing messages, we must learn to discern the voice of God and look to the words of Jesus in the...
"You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.' And God will generously provide all you need. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous." (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NLT)
Included in the wonderful gift of celebrating the arrival of Jesus’ presence, I cannot help but reflect on the joys of His blessings over the past year.  But as soon as I write this I’m reminded that this Christmas season is not necessarily joy-filled for some of you. So I ask you, How are you REALLY doing...
“For from His fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”John 1:16-17 The re-entrance of God’s grace through Jesus arrived! God has always been a gracious God, from Moses’ day to now. The law revealed sin (Romans 7:7) and Jesus’ grace...
This is today’s Advent devotional from the Advent book I wrote: “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive...
HONORING THE ARRIVAL OF CHRIST This is a free PDF file of Pastor Rod’s 2025 revised Advent Devotional. 2025 The Advent of God pdfDownload
“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV A blessed Thanksgiving week and weekend ‘ohana!...
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Pastor Rod

Pastor Rod has been in ministry for more than 38 years. He has shepherded and overseen a variety of ministries, including children’s, youth, college, community/missions, discipleships/small groups, worship and the arts, as well as assisting and consulting with several church planters. Since moving back to Honolulu from Kansas City in 2000, Rod has served on Pastor Wayne Cordeiro’s executive team at New Hope O‘ahu. He has pastored the New Hope Mānoa ‘ohana since January 2015.

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