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...
May the Lord favor you and your loved ones, one day at a time into 2026! “And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.“1 John 4:17a NLT Hi, friends! Wowzah—it’s 2026! How are you approaching this new year? Do you have new year traditions, make new year’s goals or resolutions? For the past five...
“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...
"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...
“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!...
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with...
Wow, this weather we’ve been having—it’s Hawai’i’s cooler winter weather! Shorter days, longer evenings and a little windy, huh? I found an old photo. We just started a huge home remodel project in 2005. Beckie was homeschooling our kids, I was pastoring, working long days, many hours as New Hope was booming back then in the Farrington days. When my wife and...
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.
