This week, I was in the presence of a man who lost his wife a few months ago. They would’ve been married 65 years (June 5). Having just celebrated our 40th anniversary this past week (June 2), I sat with amazement as he told me stories of their friendship. It was so heartwarming to be...
“She didn’t die peacefully.” Those words still echo in my mind and disturb me. Her daughter called to ask if I would do the funeral for her 105-year-old mom. The circumstances surrounding this woman’s death are so sad and heart-breaking. She seemed to serve her family with sacrificial grit and love. She worked hard and...
The Lord really spoke to me through Pastor Doug’s message last Sunday on “Overcoming Anxiety” in Philippians 4:6-7. I read through the context of Philippians 4, perusing through all of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Philippi. I received so many thoughts and truths to continue overcoming the anxious thoughts and stress I was (and...
Wowzah! My thoughts this week (on occasion) have been spiraling into criticism and judging. Ouch! The conviction of the Holy Spirit is pressing against my fleshy, dark thoughts. The Message version of this passage hits hard: “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical...
We thank God for all of you Moms, and as I always do, I thank God for all ladies (even if you aren’t a “Mom”) because you are and can be a Spiritual Mom to others! C’mon, somebody say amen! The meaningful and valuable responsibility of a mother is a significant God-given ministry! We talk...
What’s been on your heart lately? How are you REALLY doing? My heart gets heavy for those suffering or going through difficult challenges. Many of you may be like me—thankfully living a good, somewhat comfortable life. My Auntie Marie just passed away. She lived behind us on the same property and played a major role in my childhood,...
Whenever I go to visit our daughter Malia on the mainland, I appreciate the much-needed reminder from my wife: “Honey, watch your spending.” My inclination is to treat Malia and her friends to meals or treats whenever I can. Then, I thought I can treat them to a different kind of spending. What about spending...
Do you know much about Peter, the disciple of Jesus? What stories have you read or heard about him? You are likely familiar with the rooster and Peter’s denial of Jesus, or maybe the story of Jesus rebuking Peter—when He rebuked Satan! That was gnarly! Wasn’t it Peter who jumped out of a boat in...
When it rains … it pours. So the saying goes—and that was certainly the case in a ministry I once oversaw. It began with one volunteer, then two, then three—each coming to me with heartfelt concerns, hurts, and complaints about their leadership. Over the following months, I spent countless hours meeting with individuals, pairs, and groups...
The darkness and ugliness of turmoil, hardship, sickness, and sin will always be part of life on this side of eternity. Pain is real. Struggles and brokenness live among us—so does love. We were created to love and be loved—every single day. Eternal, unconditional love was born in a manger, living and giving his life...
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.
