The Blow Hole~

A Lookout, Honolulu HI

About a month ago as I was on vacation, I visited a familiar spot that I once used to go.  I never used to like going to this place because it brought back a lot of memories that at the time, I had to completely forget. But as they say, time allows you to revisit certain places and moments in life to perhaps learn a lesson (some places you need not go back to) but I realize that this was one of those places where I needed to visit once again…

I asked God to speak to me as I stared blankly at the ocean.  Suddenly, a surprising gust of water came spewing out of a blow hole lodged in the cliffs.  God immediately said, “Lexi, you are like a blow hole to the people in your life.”

It was so sudden how God said it too, as if He was anxious to tell me this and was waiting patiently for the blow hole to make it’s mark.  I was so intrigued by this blow hole and made some personal observations:

- The force of the waves did not necessarily determine the size of the water spout. How the water came, did however.

- Some spouts were small and others very large.

- The blowhole was small.

I got home after that, eager to google “Blow hole” and learn more about them.

In geology, a blowhole is a cavity located at the end of a sea cave which exits above the cave. When a wave enters the mouth of the cave it will be funneled up towards the blowhole, which can result in quite spectacular blasts of water from the top of the blowhole if the geometry of the cave and blowhole and state of the weather are appropriate. (Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowhole_(geo)

It is quite obvious what the message was behind this unique metaphore. Waves are people (they are like people who come and go into your life) and if you’re a blow hole (like me) than depending on the heart of a person, they will be translated into a spout of water. The purer the heart, the more spectacular they “blow up” in their lives, the least receptive of heart, the smaller the spout. Likewise, I believe God determines the force of them coming into my life, whether it’d be as light as an “aquaintance” or as forceful as a “significant relationship” I believe people come into one’s life at different speeds and level of impacts, at times too, leave with different levels of forcefulness based on how it impacts our lives. But like how I observed, how forceful a wave comes does not determine the size of the water spout – but other factors come into play.

Blow holes aren’t that big, they’re actually pretty small, meaning, for the most part the role I play in other’s lives could be a small role – but if they consider the “smallness” of my role to be of great value and significance, than they’ll realize that out of something seemingly small can come great things!

God has just reassured me time and time again that I am someone who adds value to others by propelling them forward and up.  Some won’t see it and some will – some won’t recieve it, and others will. Regardless who comes and goes and who takes notice or comes to the realization that they just encountered a blow hole, they will be benefitted – to the magnitude they are benefitted is up to them.

I’ll Probably Be Back

I woke up early today and did my normal “run” around the park, sat by the pond and allowed God to speak to me (with the help of my ipod).  He shared some profound things such as not giving up, being a fighter, etc. I realize that I run better when I’m in the zone and focused.

One of the things that he shared with me is to get rid of certain things that aren’t producing fruit in my life.  I thought about all those things, and even though online communities are great in networking, I can’t say they produce good fruit in your life.  I’m sure God’s not against those things, but God dealt with this heart right here and He spoke so clearly enough for me to put it into action.

So I deleted both of my online accounts. I’m sure people are going to wonder, “Is she okay? Are things alright with Lexi?” and the answer is “Yes, more than you realize!” I’m just taking a break on things to focus more on God, the Daniel fast has done an amazing thing for me, and God is speaking super clear. I feel a greater sense of “freedom” to let go of unfruitful actitivies, so that I can have time to do what really matters!

I was never one to appease my sense of connection via internet. I’m a relational person and would like to associate with others one on one anyway.

However, the networking thing can be a plus in the future, and perhaps even a fruitful activity, and so I’m confident to say that “I’ll probably be back”.  But as they say, you have to let go and let God, release to increase; you know what I mean!

You hear from God – and you obey! It’s as simple as that!

Our God is Indeed An Awesome God

When I watched this music video, it just sent chills down my spine. Just being in Awe of God is uncomparable. You won’t get it until you know how Big and Awesome God is.

You know, we could be going through seasons we don’t even know why they’re occuring. We could be going through things in our lives but the one thing we can depend on is God being who He is -Awesome! I take a look at my life, and can’t help to be humbled – my life is nothing compared to His.

Let’s take the time to honor the most honorable God!

A Damsel In Distress…

Not too many people know, but I’m a part of a canoe club! It’s so much fun and I’m blessed to know quite a few people who are involved in our team.

Aunty Laurel, who is the team’s manager, had written up a little email article about something that had happened one evening during practice. I wanted to share it with my wordpress community and my readership! I thought it was hilarious, but it doesn’t matter what I think about it – as long as the others think it was equally funny! Hahaha…

I really felt a sense of team work, problem solving skills and kokua for someone who needed help in her time of need. I’m so blessed that I am apart of this team of people who have huge hearts! I can’t think of a better senario with better people!

It’s one thing to be a part of something bigger than you – it’s another thing to be a part of something bigger with people who are in their own right, bigger than life themselves! Enjoy…

————-by Laurel Silva—————–

PADDLES UP!

What a blessed evening we had at the canoe site yesterday!

We had a very large turnout for the barbeque, fellowship and paddling session.

Thanks so much to Daniel, Steve and Charlie for spear-heading this activity.

They have officially been nominated to coordinate future holiday and special occasion events.

Everyone agrees, they did a bang-up job.

Also, thanks for everyone’s flexibility regarding the last minute notice.

A special thanks also goes to anyone who assisted our “damsel in distress” last night.

Lexi and her car was trapped behind the cement pillars and could not be on her merry way (at least as quickly as she had hoped).

No, no, no….not without a little help from her friends and a big, huge monster truck (smile, Peter)

Alani and his jeep made a valiant effort to move the 10-15 ft. cement, steel reinforced pillar, but to no avail.

Everyone’s pushing, pulling, cheering and, otherwise, great ideas on how to move the massive obstacle, also failed to result in a positive outcome.

After 30-45 minutes of brain-draining brilliant ideas to create an opening for Lexi’s car, someone had the beyond-brilliant idea of using a lonely truck that was sitting in the corner of the parking lot (looked to be a cross between Alani’s jeep and a full-blown monster truck). It was just waiting to show it’s worth and value….to prove what it was made of!

Anyway, come to find out it was Peter and Shiloh’s Dodge Ram 2500 truck (sorry, Peter that’s all I could remember of the name).

Well, anyway, their 4-wheel truck moved the pillar lickity-split.

And within a short time, our damsel was rescued.

But wait, after all was said and done (get ready for a good laugh now), it was discovered that the lock on the gate to the parking area where Lexi was stranded, was actually unlocked, and in the end she drove out of the gate and not through the opening that the monster truck worked so hard, huffing and puffing and kicking up clouds of dirt, to create for her.

I think there’s a good spiritual analogy in all this.  Hum-m-m-m.

Anyway, we all had a few good belly laughs and we all went home with a few more outragiously funny memories of our canoe club fellowship. Can you believe it, even I acquired a new title of “the funniest stand-up comic” last night (Peter, what can I say, you just have the nack of bringing it out of me.)

Lexi, emailed me to say how impressed she was by everyone rallying together to help her. She stated ”I feel so much a part of something greater.”  And, gang that’s what it’s all about…

—————————-end—————————–

So you see, team work makes the dream work! Mahalo to all my trusty team mates, I love you all!!!

Thanks For Making Me A Fighter!

I am so hyped up to “fight”! Focused and fixed, I promise you, I must’ve came out of my mother’s womb with both dukes up, swinging in the air!

I don’t know why I have this “fighter” in me, but everytime someone says something about being a fighter or my pastor says that amazing verse,

“Look to yourselves (take care) that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have labored for, but that you may [persevere until you] win and receive back a perfect reward [in full].” 2 John 1:8 AMP

I just get awakened, in the most energized way!

The one thing that I value the most is my relationships, I’ve always had that value in my life (my relationship with God being the greatest treasure). Everyone in my life that I hold or held dear to me I believe God has brought into my life. Once I get close, my heart is vulnerable because if the enemy messes with them, he messes with me.

When things don’t go the way I know they should, whether it’d be between me and them or even if their relationship with God gets threatened, I tend to fight! Not fight with them, but fight the division, fight for the relationship. I always believe that their drifting away is a good indication that their relationship with God is slipping or has slipped.  With this past year alone, so many people who I loved have either left church or left God all together! Of course my relationship with them will soon drift or dissipate.

I admire people who fight for their relationships, I know some people who are fighting now – and even without them knowing it, I pray for them! But when you see the enemy mess with the people in your life, you can’t just sit down and watch them go down!!! I fight for them! I won’t let the enemy lure them in making decsions in their lives that God had not inspired or going down a wrong path. True, yes true I cannot change anyone, I cannot decide how someone else should live their lives, I cannot make someone do something they don’t want to do – but I can pray, I can use those weapons that are not carnal but mighty! And if others choose to do what they’d like, than the enemy will have resistance from me first before he even thinks of claiming someone else’s destiny, sabotaging someone else’s dream, or ruining their love for God above all else!!!

And he’s done this with so many of the most closest people I could think of in my life! I’m mad! he’s messed with me one too many times!!! he doesn’t realize, does he? he doesn’t realize that for every person he tries to lure away (from God) is one step closer to making me the ultimate fighter!

A lot of my friends like to watch “fights” – but when you’re a fighter, you don’t have to watch a fight! Life is a fight! It’s a good fight of faith.

I know you love the people in your life. I want to plead with you – don’t see those loved ones in the light based on what they do or what they get involved in, in how they leave or go against God due to offense or unforgiveness. I know you want to give up on them, but continue to see them through the eyes of faith! They’re really depending on you to see them through those eyes. If I was there, I’d want someone to see me through those eyes! I’d want someone to fight for me and my relationship with God. I know you would want to, too!

I love being a fighter in this area! I know of people in my life personally who have been hurt and bruised relationally. But then I have recently been aware of people that I don’t know personally who are going through heartbreak and pain and who are crying out to God for some relief from their grief! There was a time when I went on Youtube and learned of a person in this situation; I remember interceding for her and crying rivers for her – I didn’t even know her! I felt what she felt in spirit though. The enemy has messed with so many people, I have a cause now!

There’s no stopping me!!! When I leave this earth – I’m going to leave fighting! If I exit a relationship that I know that God has placed into my life – I’m leaving with a fight! I’m going to do some major damage to the kingdom of darnkess in this area of relationships! He is not going to win! He is going DOWN!!! He will loose! He will concede – he’s not going to win! I had enough!

Unrequited Love – And How To Handle It

According to Wikipedia:

[ Unrequited love is love that is not openly reciprocated, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired. The beloved may not even be aware of their admirer's deep affections. ]

Hans Christian Anderson was the original author of “The Little Mermaid” which is very different than the Disney version. Hans Christian Anderson’s tales are my favorite fairy tales (he was a Christian too, by the way).

His tale of “The Little Mermaid” is the perfect example of Unrequitted love.

Have you ever “loved” someone (or love is strong word) have you ever liked someone a lot but they just didn’t reciprocate those feelings? Perhaps maybe, because they didn’t even know those feelings existed, or maybe they do, but they are taken already or don’t quite feel the same way you do.

For the most part, the people we “admire” or “like” or are interested in, don’t even know we feel that way about them. We don’t verbalize it or make it obvious to them our interests and therefore it feels as if we’re walking painfully this delicate journey, hoping that one day their light will flicker on and see us for who we are and how we feel about them on the inside.

So many people go through this, and so I thougth I’d adress it in this blog.

It’s true we must guard our hearts and ask God for wisdom regarding our interests. Maybe the “girl” you like has a boyfriend already – and that could feel disastrous if you pursue her and she has to turn you down because she’s already taken. Perhaps the guy you so admire maybe admires someone else; even though others say he’s single.

Still, the feeling of resisting comes from the fear of “rejection” or disappointment, not because you’re trying to be patient.

Last night, my pastor gave a small speech to a group of athletes in which he said,

“Play without fear! Fight for what you value! Don’t tolerate a single smidgen of fear when you’re on the field. We play to win! We must never be afraid that we’ll loose!!! When losses come, it’s not failure! We need to look at loosing as not a disappointment but something we bounce back from…”

He shared it in a very profound way that just hit me! It was one of those “Wow” moments! I’ve heard of this concept of being “fear free” before, but I just suddenly got a greater understanding of it.

It’s like when you know you’re going to win, why be afraid? Why be afraid to share what you think of someone when you know that at the end, God has someone wonderful for you anyway? That’s it! You must realize that regardless how someone else may feel about you, you need to know that God has someone for you who will love you for YOU! So in the end, you win, even though you might come across some who might not feel that way about you initially…

A friend of mine said it best. She said, “Lexi, there could be 99 guys who may never take notice of you or like you or admire you for who you are, but you don’t need “99″ guys to feel that way about you – all you need is that “one” (1) guy who will!“

Okay, let me put it into perspective (especially to those of you who are going through some type of ‘unrequited love’.)

I’m not suggesting that you should just go up to someone and say, “Hey, I like you. Wanna go out for coffee tonight?” But you shouldn’t be afraid to “Say what you need to say”! That person may or may not reciprocate affection back to you, but that shouldn’t scare you away! Either that person is or isn’t the one!

Don’t be afraid of possibilities! If she isn’t the one, well then, thank God that she isn’t the one! If it is, than it is!!! I understand that sometimes you need to wait and be patient for certain things to happen, I so understand that, but how do you know when is the right time to make a move or to just share your heart? It’s when you have the peace of God. When do you have peace? When there’s absence of fear or the presence of bravery!

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds…”

- Colossians 3:15 AMP

This type of confidence settles you either way, whatever happens! You don’t have fear! Perfect love cast away all fear, and Christ is perfect love!!!

For the guys only: sometimes, pursuing a lady is waiting to see if she’s worth pursuing! If you see something amazing in a woman and you’re like “I need what she has as a part of my life”, than that can help you settle in your heart that she’s worth going after – even though there’s the possibility that it may lead to failure, to the point even where you know her and pursuing her with the possibility that she may reject you is more worth it to you than not doing anything.  Sometimes, that takes time (because you have to learn of her character and integrity and how she handles herself through various situations) I understand your pressure, guys! You go through a lot and it’s not easy having to have all the pressure of making the first move and choosing someone (Kinda glad I’m not a guy! )

For the girls: I think this arena is more being confident and secure in who you are. I don’t advise girls to pursue guys, but sometimes you’ll feel the need to share to a guy that you like him. If you don’t have peace about it, don’t do it! If you’re nervous and you battle in your mind “should I tell him?” the answer will be “no”! But I had friends who confidently, without a care in the world share with their friends how much they admire them. Most of the times, if the guy isn’t a bit interested in them, they are at least honored to be admired. But at all possible, if you’re able to communicate – than communicate! But you have to be secure in that whatever happens, you know you’re amazing and it shouldn’t be a big deal anyway if a guy likes you or not – your heart is in God’s hands, where it is safe. If you can get that revelation, there should be no fear!

Don’t look to an external sign to make a move, look for the inner peace of God – that’s what’s more reliable than anything you can figure out with your mind that happens on the outside. But really take your cues from wisdom – if the person’s married, that person’s off limits for sure. If that person has a boyfriend (girlfriend) than don’t try to claim that relationship  or believe that they’ll break up – that’s cruel and is a sign of insecurity. That’s crossing the line into “arrogance” which destroys relationships.

There should be freedom in God to be open to others, especially when you have that peace. Unrequited love is most present in the lives of those who admire someone but are afraid to show it. Let the wisdom of God be your guide, and let the peace of God be your umpire. Above all, be secure in who you are in Christ and true to who you are in Christ, that way, you’ll never feel that love hasn’t been returned back to you.

Don’t Judge Me!

We all do not like being “judged” – meaning, we don’t like people forming critical opinions about ourselves based upon what we do, how we think and what we say. Why don’t we like this? Because many times we feel misunderstood by how other people judge us.

We have gone clubbing, drinking, swearing, premarital sex, mistreating others, gossiping, partying late at night when we should be doing homework, going out with people we shouldn’t be going out with, etc.

“Lexi, don’t judge me! Yeah, I’m not going to church now, yeah, I’m doing this ’sinful’ thing, yeah, I’m doing that ‘wrong’ thing, yeah, I dyed my hair purple today – so what are you going to do about it? This is me!!!”

This is a personal message from me to you:

I don’t want to be silent to you. I know that you know that you know what you’re doing – maybe you don’t know the full jist of it, but I know God speaks to your heart every time you do something. I want to encourage the voice of God on the inside of you! Maybe sometimes I don’t encourage rightly, meaning, maybe I come off as “offensive” or “judgemental” and I admit that has happened – but when I see a friend do their own thing to get what they want, I’m afraid they’re going to loose it becaues they were so close to getting it when they were doing it with God! I wanted to intervene so many times in so many situations – only to have those friends shove me off to the side and say,

“Lexi, stop judging me! God will deal with you for judging me!”

I really love you, but I’m not judging you. I know you know for the most part what you’re doing. I know I tend to be interviening at times, it’s a weakness that I’m learning to harness, but please understand my heart – I may try to interviene with words or actions – but ultimately I know you make your own choices in life and I’ll be there for you regardless. I’m not going to ex you out of my life.  I believe God has put you in my life for a purpose, I’m not going to give up on you, I will still be a friend, a sister, a leader, a colleague, a co-worker, etc. Special people in my life mean so much to me and they are benefitted by my life; and that benefit doesn’t change because of certain things you may do that affect your life personally. I’m committed to fulfilling my purpose in your life.

A princess can be a saint, then again, she could be the most obnoxious, bratty individual in the whole kingdom – regardless what she does or who she is – she’s still the “King’s Daughter” – and she still has certain advantages and priviledges that others who might behave better than her, do not have.  Yet, I’m sure that it would bless the King to see His daughter walk in integrity, character, and honor – but if she didn’t, He’d still love her the same and call her “princess”.

And that’s what you are to me, regardless how you act or how you feel about yourself.

———————–

I know how you feel too, because I know how it feels to be judged. Yes me! And the person that I’m judged by is YOU! Yes, you.

Maybe I don’t hang out with your friends, do the things you do on a nightly basis – okay, so I am diligent in going to church (even though I work at my church) I attend church even when on vacation. I have to discipline myself to go just like anyone else. Okay, so I really do pray and read the word and LOVE God! So I am a life group leader and I go to a life group and I talk about God almost all the time. And for that, I get labeled “religious” – “hyprocrite” – “Holy Roller” – “Holier than thou” – “Goody Two Shoes“.

Calling me religious or unrelevant is like telling me in the face that I’m not genuine about my values and convictions. How many people have told me that they believe that I think I’m better than them? They said those things, not me.  How many people have felt uncomfortable around me or walk the other way when I come – when I haven’t even did anything to make them feel that way? I haven’t condemn them or judged them, I haven’t even had one of those “intervening conversations” with them!

I get judged a lot as someone who is “fake” because

“No one could possibly enjoy going to church!” or “Someone like you only prays and reads the bible so that they can say they ‘DID IT’ and be this self righteous person!”

I’ve had that said to me believe it or not.

Did it ever occur to anyone that I do these things because I love God, like, sincerely love GOD! Anyone can understand this, including YOU! If you have a boyfriend (or girlfriend for the guys) and you’re just completely head over heals with him – that’s how I feel about God! You go to your boyfriend (or girlfriend’s house) all the time, right? I love going to my Boyfriend’s house, I mean, God’s house. You like spending time with that special *someone* right? Well, Gee Oh Dee is a special SPECIAL someone in my life! Just because you can’t see Him, doesn’t mean He’s not real.

Maybe I don’t have sex before marriage or I believe in waiting for God’s best – maybe because I understand what that means to me! I’m not trying to be better than anyone! And what is it about waiting that makes me better than you? I’m really no different than you, I just have different convictions than you.  We’re both really great people I’m sure, this is not an issue of “whose better”, it’s just a differing of convictions. Maybe because I love God and just want to please Him!!! There’s nothing wrong with that.

I don’t like it or appreciate that people call me “religious” because that indicates that it’s something I only do on a once in a while basis, and I don’t think people have the right to judge my relationship with God.  It’s like me telling a girl,

“You really don’t know your boyfriend, you only love him on Mondays!” She’ll get pipping hot mad at me and she’d have every right to!

Listen, I have close friends of mine who feel like they have made mistakes – and if you ask them if I ever judged them, I’m pretty sure they’d tell you otherwise. I’m not here to judge you. I’ll intervene, but it’s because I would like someone to intervene on my behalf. Anything I say to someone, I would like someone to say to me if Ifind myself in that situation.

And that’s the point! I am not better than you. I have made mistakes and I might make many more before Jesus comes. If I ever do find myself in your situation – I’d want someone to agressively reach out to me. I’d want to hear truth and be given an opportunity to repent.  I’m sowing into my own future. I know people will be there for me to intervene on my behalf should I be going down a spikey road. I’ve sown a lot of love in people only because I know I need that as well!

I’m not going to judge you and I hope you don’t judge me. I hope that you don’t feel like hiding from me or go the other way. I’m not going to change for you and you’re not going to change for me, but there’s one thing we both can do together – let’s change for God!

We’re “Friends” Again!

Tonight, I am inspired to write about “reconciliation”. We hear all the time of struggles in relationships and friendships that we hardly hear of the greatness of “reconciliation”.

To me, reconciliation is the most greatest thing that can happen in relationships. God’s ministry at heart is “reconciliation” – between Him and us.

The closer to get to someone, the more friction comes. Close friends and/or significant others are bound to come along with conflict, misunderstandings, miscommunications, mis – everything! The most beautiful thing to me is when there’s reconciliation, because in those moments when two people or more decide,

“Whatever happened between me and you that would cause such division, cannot compare to the person you are to me – that is more important than all the things that could ever come between us.”

Reconciliation to me is pure God. Reconciliation humbles us, doesn’t it? Reconciliation makes us take a good hard look at the person we’re needing to reconcile with, and acknowledging how amazing they really are to us, huh? Reconciliation says, “I need you in my life, because God put you there – and you need me too.” – Reconciliation adds value, sees worth and promotes unity in a relationship.

I am so proud of those who choose to fight for a relationship through reconciliation instead of let go through resentment.  Sometimes to save a relationship requires surrender, even when you don’t feel like you did anything wrong. When you attempt to save a relationship through reconciliation, you show that person that you care about them, that they mean something to you. Sometimes the simple act of “reconciliation” shows a person so much about their place in your life – and that brings a lot of healing.

I just thought I’d share this because I was inspired tonight.  I love it when others reconcile, and I’m sure God loves it too!

Why My Vote Mattered!

Tonight was another milestone in american history, we just lived through a very historical election.

My vote went against the grain, and I knew that the odds were against my candidate of choice, Senator John McCain.  So many people told me,

“Lexi, Why vote for McCain when you know Obama’s gonna win?”

And here’s why my vote mattered.

——————————

Whether we like it or not, change was headed for Washington – our nation. I believe change was coming with a McCain administration! The media did their objective to make sure that that truth was very well hidden, but it wasn’t a mystery if you REALLY paid attention to the debates and the policies. Many people voted for Obama because they wanted their vote to be “historical” that there is a black president in our nation, some wanted the “change” that was very well delivered by our nation’s media in favor of Obama, and that’s why they voted for him, and others are just caught up in the whole excitement that someone different, new, young and fresh could be in office.

As much as I would’ve probably wanted to vote for those purposes, when it comes to leadership of the country and the values that govern our nation, I can’t vote that way.  I have to take a look at the background of a candidate, the character, the principles and values of an individual.  McCain wasn’t favored by the media, he didn’t have stars galore, he didn’t have any Oprah Winfrey’s or admirable politicians or movie stars endorse him; he didn’t have as much money as Obama – but yet, he had his principles, he had his experience; he had a determination to do what he knew was right, even though it wasn’t popular.

When I voted for McCain, against all odds, against all of my friends (majority of them) who voted for Obama; against the rederick that the media was giving McCain – I placed my vote not only for a presidential candidate, but a vote for the godly values and principles that the man stood for and had strong convictions about, even his runningmate, Palin, who got slaughtered in the media (but shouldn’t have).

Sometimes, the right thing to do is not always the most popular – I mean, I could’ve voted for a candidate simply because I felt that he was going to win anyway, even though I don’t agree to his policies – just to be a part of the majority.  But, I must also remember and realize, that what I do sows a seed into my future. Who I vote for (regardless if that person wins or not) makes an impact on my personal life – personally. I know that my vote was a seed sown into my character, my integrity, my stance – and most importantly, the character and integrity and “principle” of my future children.  My vote matters more than I think, and everyone is going to be accounted for their vote – yes everyone! Everyone has sown a seed in themselves and thier futures (personally) by voting for their candidate of choice!

It’s disheartening to hear of Michael Moore, Bill Mahr and other people put down McCain – that tugs deeply onto my heart in anger.  I am glad my political views do not even come close to theirs, and I only pray that God has the mercy and grace on their lives for bashing a godly woman like Sara Palin  or a John McCain – and don’t get them started on our president, George Bush.  Even though George Bush is unpopular right now – he still is our president (until Obama gets sworn in) – AND he still is a man of God – and you don’t mess with men of God, you can disagree with them (to your own discretion) but you must respect them because they are leadership, and God appointed Him too – even Senator John McCain and Govenor Sara Palin. This is for all Obama supporters, not just the ones that love Obama but Hate McCain.

On the same note, I know that now we need to embrace our president. God appoints leadership; and He does so based upon the condition of the people’s hearts. In the bible, God appointed every single king – even though not every single king stood for godly principles like King Josaiah, even though not every king was wise like solomon.  Still, we need to honor our kings (our leaders and presidents) and respect them and support them. Likewise McCain supporters need to do the same.

King Saul did not stand for godly principles, he even wanted to kill David, but David respected King Saul nonetheless.  You know the story! Obama is our president, and that settles it for me! If he’s our president, than he deserves my respect, my honor.  He said something really good that I hope he sincerely meant; and he pleaded with those (like me) who didn’t vote for him, and he shared how he heard our voice – and he wanted our help; and how he would be our “president”.  He promised a lot of things to the public – things that aren’t necessarily the greatest things, but I know that the king’s heart is in God’s hands.

I believe that godly principles and values can still prevail! I believe regardless of the “vessel” chosen, that God can still have his way; as long as we keep on praying for our elected officials.  Everyone else can have their satisfaction that their candidate won – but if God can but even use Obama to exalt His righteousness, and that’s a possibility, than with God – we will win!

In the words of McCain, “I’d rather loose an election, than loose a war.” The war isn’t between “people” but “principles” – you’re not voting into “popularity” but you are voting because you’re sowing a seed!What that seed is must be known, recognized and understood by everyone who votes (or even supports) a candidate. I’d rather loose an election, than loose that war – the war of my principles and values.

I have to admit, I was so caught up in the presidential elections that I forgot to study up on the other candidates – such as my district representative (who by the way, didn’t have anyone running against him) and my OHA trustees.  In this case, I had to make the most spirit led decision! I asked the Holy Spirit to lead me in my choices. Come to find out, the candidates I voted for happened to be good candidates (I learned this after the fact too) – I think if more Christians asked God who to vote for than asking their friends or hearing it from the media; than we would make more better decisions, even though we don’t know all about the candidates!

I know who I’m voting for in 2012 – do you?

Tasi, LUA, Tolu, Fa, Lima!

So yesterday, I witnessed our Samoan Church’s 2nd year anniversary.  I did Pastor Kuna’s notes and it was really awesome.  They had what’s called a “Children’s Day” event to go along with their 2nd year anniversary – this is a special service that had originated with the first missionaries that came to Samoa. The Samoan culture is all about “adults” – in other words, the adults and elders of the culture run the show! But every so often they would allow the children to have “their day” – so it’s the youth that run the whole service – from Praise and Worship; to preaching the word; to alter call, and the ending prayer.

So they had this presentation with the youth of their church.  It was very anointed and it touched Pastor Kuna a lot to see that.  There’s a certain spirit about the “Samoan” Culture that draws the presence of God! I sense it so much in their services (I had attended their 1st year anniversary, and it was amazing!).

Prior to the showing, I had spoken to one of my girls who was involved with the service. She had a small child with her (he was 3 years old) a baby named “Kepa”. He was soooo cute! He ran around and I “caught” him! Holding him in my arms, I taught him how to count to “5″ in Samoan.

“How old are you, Kepa?” I asked. He just looked at me and smiled.

“He’s 3″ she said.

“You are ‘tolu’? Kepa, say ‘tolu’.”

He said “tolu”.

I melted. Here I was, teaching a samoan baby how to speak his language! He was sooo cute!

Pastor Kuna went up and shared a powerful message – it was a message on “unity” and letting down pride to make room for “humility” – all of which I’m sure had spoken to the heart of this culture. Pastor Kuna prophetically sang a song from the heart of God regarding the samoan people. I almost wanted to cry, because I know God really loves the samoan people and how when they are really sincere about their passion for God – my how they exude it! Pastor Kuna even shared how non samoa people will be drawn and captivated by their services – I knew that to be true because it was already happening!

We’ve celebrated 2 years…2 years of acknowledging a group of people so dear to God’s heart! A people group who have grown so much throughout their two years of existence…numerically (their youth ministry is huge!). And a culture that has captivated my heart.

I feel so blessed! Blessed that I know God and that He would give me the honor and privilege of being a part of what He wants to do to further His Kingdom through these people! I can’t wait to see all that God has instore for them.