The greatest of all is LOVE

One year ago I was in Mindanao, Philippines.  What a life changing, eye opening experience it was.  A third world nation.  The people have nothing, but yet they have everything.  How can two vastly different ways of life be lived in one world.  How can I be content with my walk in closet, nice car, comfortable home when majority of the world merely has a dirt floor to sleep on.  This still is a constant struggle for me.  What entitled me to live this sort of life that American culture sets forth.  Why was I chosen to be born in America, placed in the most loving of families who encouraged me to accomplish anything I put my mind to.  

The rundown small cities and streets in Tagum, Philippines were beautiful and pure to me.  It was just how it was.  There was nothing wrong with it. There is no standard for how a city is to look or better yet how a culture is to be.  Each culture has creative and unique beauty within it.  I greatly enjoyed just taking walks in our neighborhood - viewing the vast forest of palm trees and tropical greenery with such contentment in my heart.  I remember one moment specifically when I was on one of these walks that is permanently burnt into my memory.  Walking on the opposite side of the street were a group of beautiful young girls, no more than 12 years old.  My eyes opened wide in astonishment as I noticed their outfits (or lack thereof) and mannerisms.   It occurred to me that this would not be a shocking scenario in the U.S, many wouldn’t even think twice about it.  But here, in such a culture full of peace and natural beauty the scenario just didn’t fit.

Even in the Philippines the culture is slowly but obviously being transformed by media and western entertainment.  The wealthier families are beginning to get tv’s in their homes, their minds and lives being shifted by what they see on that screen.  Hollywood.  What a powerful city that influences the entire world.  I had knowledge of this previously but to see if first hand broke my heart.  After my time in the Philippines I wanted to travel the world and minister to the nations, teaching truth, identity, the hope we have in Jesus.  I even voiced out loud to God, “I will go to the ends of the world, the most remote of places, take me anywhere but please... just not America.”  After those 7 months I knew exactly where I was suppose to be.  Oh no... I have no idea what it is suppose to look like, all I knew was that I was suppose to GO.  

And now I am in the epicenter of it all.  Los Angeles.  The eruption point of fashion, materialism, media, fame, fortune.  Many striving to be somebody, anybody.  Looking to gain something, satisfaction in life, to reach a certain point which in that moment, then finally, they will be content.  How easy is it to love the Filipino people who are eagerly awaiting something more than the life they are living in physical poverty, so eager to know about God and His unfathomable love for them.  There has to be something more, what a blessing, what a miracle!  How receptive are their hearts.  But how much more difficult it is to love the woman in Beverly Hills with a spirit of pride and entitlement who offends others and defends herself that has put on a mask her entire life due to the culture she has grown up in.  Two different worlds.  Two different cultures.  But yet so similar - in desperate need of one thing.  Love.  

John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

I have no idea what lies in store for the future in my new home of LA.  But I do know I was brought here for a purpose.  Even if it is to impact and encourage just one person who may change the world through the arts and entertainment industry.  

1 Corinthians 3:13

Three things will last forever - faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.

Captivating Christmas

cap·ti·vate

   [kap-tuh-veyt]  Show IPA

verb (used with object), -vat·ed, -vat·ing.

1.

to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or 
excellence; enchant: Her blue eyes and red hair captivated him.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.  His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.  For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:14-18

What a profound truth.  We can know God - have a deep relationship with Him.  The creator of the universe that made every detail of who you are.  He wants and even desires that you may come to know Him personally and begin to walk out a life of true contentment, a life of fullness and joy despite any circumstance.  This is Christmas.  This is Jesus. Allow Him to captivate your heart this holiday season, the beauty of the true meaning of Christmas. What His promises have to offer. They never return void.

72 Hour Burn

For the last three days our team has been doing a 72 hour burn.  In our apartment we have a separate room that we turned into a prayer room.  There has been constant prayer going on for 72 hours.  Each person does 12 hours of prayer each day.  This has been a time of reflection of our outreach and just sitting at the feet of the Lord.  I can’t believe we leave in 8 days to go back to America.  This nation is like home to me.  I can’t even imagine the culture shock of going back to a country that has every comfort and luxury imaginable.  It’s not going to feel normal or right.

During my time in the prayer room I’ve been focusing on eternity.  Gaining an eternal mindset. That we were made for heaven.  These are some of my personal thoughts. 

Blink.  This is your life.  What are you filling your time with, what are you praying for – the blink or eternity?  The main thing to live this life for is eternity; it is for forever – FOREVER.  Align your heart with His.  Live for purpose and truth.  When we pray we fill golden bowls in heaven.  He is preparing a place for us.  He distinctly called us and chose us that we may know Him.  We can’t erase what we now know.  How will you respond to His calling?  In His love He gave us free will and the ability to choose.  Hunger for Him.  Desire more than just dead religion.  Do not be content and satisfied by what you ‘think’ you have or want.  Will it last for eternity or pass away with life?  Is what you’re spending your life on worth all the time and energy you are giving?  Are you living life to the fullest?  He always chooses the highest will for your life.  Eagerly and excitedly expect Him to reveal it to you.

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life; and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:11

It is impossible to be truly satisfied even with perfect circumstances without God.  You can’t find rest until you find it in God.  Everything is meaningful in walking in love with Jesus.  Every move you make is eternally rewarded and has meaning for His glory.  This is the true joy of life.  All the best things in life are still meaningless outside His love.  No matter how good something is it won’t ultimately matter if its roots aren’t grounded in passion for Him.  Everything must flow out of love for meaning and satisfaction.  Fervently seek the fullness of life in Jesus.  The book in the bible, Ecclesiastes, explains life without rest and void of true fulfillment based on world experiences, knowledge and self assertion – where the world says ‘get more experience and more things to satisfy yourself.’  You will never find ultimate fulfillment with this heart.  Enter into a life of true rest from the impartation of His love and truth.

You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

Life is all about love and intimacy with God.  We are living because of Him.  You can do as many ministry opportunities that are thrown your way, but if God’s presence isn’t in the middle of it – it is just lifeless religion.  Therefore, it all comes back to ministering to Him, being in His presence, allowing Him to refine your heart, during worship and prayer.  And He cannot wait to pour out His blessings and gifts that He has just waiting for us. 

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.

1 John 5:14-15

The Unreached, Untouched

One week left on our outreach in the Philippines.  I would say the time here went really fast but that would be a lie.  We had a set plan almost every day of the week complete with traveling all around the province of Davao del Norte, doing many different types of ministries.  Looking back now, we have done so much and such a variety of things!  Most of us are pretty excited to get back to Hawaii, mainly to get back the luxury of hot running water and toilet seats, which I will never take for granted again.  I don’t even know where to begin in sharing about everything we have done and experienced.  But there is one thing that has changed my heart and view of the world forever.   

In the first few weeks here, we talked with a Filipino pastor who told us about the areas of the Philippines where the people have not even heard about Jesus; unreached people, in the most remote area of the Philippines.  These people live with no electricity, their water is from the nearby water source, they get food from the crops that they cultivate, and sleep on the floor of their bamboo houses.  What an amazing opportunity and experience; but for me I felt indifferent about it.  If we go that’d be good but if not, no big deal.  A few weeks ago we began our trip to the tribe with a two hour bus ride that took us to the town Laak, where we then hopped on motorbikes (4 people on a bike), an hour ride to our final destination; the Gebabaon Tribe.   It was then a half hour hike on a rocky, muddy road that led to the tribe.  It was the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen in my life.  Palm trees scattered about the lush vegetation, a river running through the middle of the huts, the atmosphere was gentle and quite – total peace.  It was paradise.  It reminded me of the place that we were created for, where we were originally intended to live.  The Garden of Eden. 

The people who lived there were even more incredible than the surrounding.   Most eat one meal per day since they do not have enough resources on the land to feed everyone.  The kids walk 3km to school, so many don’t go.  The main job is to cultivate the crops and to just live. Their main concerns are getting enough food for the season and being cautious of malaria and other diseases.  Each family has about 6 children as they value family and relationships above anything - there is nothing else really to get in the way of that, nothing that may distract them.  The first night there we sat in the church and I was elected to give a sermon that night.  I thought, oh great, what do I talk about with these people, are they going to relate to anything I have to say.  It came to me that I would talk about my favorite topic ever – the love of God.  The sun went down and everything was black except the stars perfectly shining so brightly in the sky.  I’ve never experienced such peace in my heart as in that moment.  A pastor from the city came with us as an escort and translator.  He explained to us that although the Filipino people are so hospitable, since they are in such poverty, they feel like they have nothing to give and therefore many times won’t even come out of their homes.  This completely shocked me.  I never thought about that they viewed themselves as poor.  I thought they would be content about the way they live, for some reason or another.  But to be embarrassed about it?!  I felt like the way they live is more true, pure and real than our mindset of how life is lived in America.  Why is ‘our way’ we live in the Western world better than theirs?   Why is our way to live the right way? 

A generator was brought into the church to light the small wood structure, and it was completely packed, both nights we were there.  We had translation during our sermons and testimonies and I realized something.  Even though at first glance these people don’t really have anything in common with me, they still struggle with the same things as the Western world.  Alcoholism, the craving for love and acceptance, purpose for their life, the desire to be successful – there truly is no differences in any human heart across the world, no matter what culture or nation.  That’s when the reality of Jesus became so real to me, He truly is the answer for anyone and everyone.

There are about 75 people in the tribe.  Although most couldn’t speak English at all, they were just blessed and overjoyed by our presence there.  That we would care enough to come to them, to spend time with them, give them hope, serve them in any way possible, and to share our faith with them.  Most all of the people have never seen a white person before.  Can you even imagine that?  The last missionary that came to the tribe was in 1990, a Korean missionary.  They stayed for an hour…  And before that an American missionary came in 1966.  I was completely blown away.  Here I was with my thoughts of two days before, not even caring if our team came to this tribe or not, when to them, our presence is life changing.  To these people it is something they have been waiting for over 40 years.   How was I so naive, and blind to the reality of the situation?  I was completely convicted but honored and overjoyed at the opportunity that we were there.  It seriously was a privilege.  I felt that my experience at the tribe was more a gift and life lesson that God gave to me.  My eyes were opened to the reality of life in this world, what is truly important, and gave me a heart check, revealing my own tunnel vision that has such tendency to focus on myself.

But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in him.

1 John 2:27

The Love of God

Jesus.

Fully man.  Fully God.   The signs, miracles, and wonders that Jesus performed, that shows that he was God right?  No, in fact, that shows that he was fully human.  Jesus was a human, completely.  He was completely limited, just as we are.  Jesus, as a human, had no power within himself to heal anyone.  He was just as dependant on God as you and I are.  But he was the first human being to live that trusted his life completely and fully to God and to allow God’s power to be at work within him and through him.  Jesus had an intimate relationship with God, and through that he was able to express Gods heart and was willing to go into any circumstance.  When Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, performed signs and miracles, Jesus was doing this, but what you are actually seeing is God in Jesus.  He is the first human to fully live out the design a human was created to live for – living out of God.  Continually being in His presence, His peace, abiding in His love.

A bird is defined not by being grounded but by his ability to fly.  Remember this, humans are defined not by their limitations, but by the intentions God has for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in His image.  (The Shack)

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.  Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  This is my command: Love each other.

John 15:9-13,16-17

We do not obey God because we want Him to love us, we obey God because of His captivating love He has for us.  When we get revelation of His infinite love for us, we can’t not obey Him, but we desire to do so, that we can know Him more -  continuing to purify ourselves just to get a little bit closer to Him, to get another glimpse of who He is.  It is not a command but a longing in our own hearts.  We do not choose God but He chooses us.  He already has chosen us, that we might know Him fully and the truth of life.  And He is waiting and hoping that we choose Him back.  It is nothing you or I can ever do but what He has already done for us. 

What is true love?  How do we know when we are in love that it really is love and not just what we think love is like?  In the search for love, there is only one answer.  God is love.  It is His very core characteristic.  If there was one word to describe God, it is love.  We can call God many things ‘Savior, Lord, God Almighty etc etc,’ but it is the desire of His heart that we know Him as Father.  This is how He wants us to see Him, which is hard to processes with our human heart, especially if our earthly father has fallen short of this love that we desire.  He is our ultimate Father because He adopted each and every one of us into His kingdom.  It is His deepest desire that you know how much He loves you.  How jealous He is for your heart.  He longs to have a relationship with you, His child.

Ephesians 3:17-19.  The love of the Father surpasses all human knowledge.  We cannot even begin to fathom the depth of His love because our human brains cannot comprehend it.  He see’s each and every one of us as perfect, blameless, pure.  His love for you is far beyond any feeling of love you have ever had on earth.  Do not limit God by just what you have seen humans do and how they act. 

1 Corinthians 13 describes all about the love of God.  Because God is love you can substitute God for the word love in this passage.  This is true love.  God is patient.  God is kind, God does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud.  He is not rude, self seeking or easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs.  He does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  He always protects, always trusts, always hopes.  God always perseveres.  God never fails.

There is nothing you ever have done or ever could do that would put you outside of His love.  He knows every tiny piece of your heart, what makes you you; and He loves it all… because He created you.  And He takes great pleasure in His creation.  His masterpiece.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

My life was completely changed once I got just a taste of the Love our Father has for us.  It was all with the man Jesus.  God came to earth to save His greatest love, His creation.  Even when we still rejected Him, He humbled himself and came to save us.  He lived a perfect life, as an example of how to live, for the best life on earth.  And then as an innocent sinless man took the place of our sin and died for us.  This is how much He loves us.  The ultimate example of sacrificial love.  We are free from sin, it has been paid for.  Jesus came to set us free.  We are restored to our Father.  God came and suffered for us, in our place, so we can live with Him forever in the place we were originally created for.  Heaven.  This is how much God loves you.  Specifically you!  Even if you were the only person in the entire world, He would still come to earth, and live to die to wipe away all your sins.  So He can have a relationship with you, personally.  This is how badly He desires You.  He did all this for you in hopes that you will choose Him in return.  What do you have to lose?  But you may have everything to gain.

It wasn’t until I truly understood Gods love for me, that He is the true love I’ve always been looking for.  Nothing else compares in this life to knowing God.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:7-8

For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Romans 8:24-25

The Physical and Heavenly Realm

There are two realms, the physical realm in which we have our senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, taste, and then there is the unseen realm or the heavenly realm.  In a sense the unseen realm is more real than the physical because it was there before.  Therefore do not be fooled and act/respond by only what you see and your five senses tell you.  Choose to live in and be a part of the unseen realm now.  Because if you only live in the physical and are ignorant of the unseen it can cause so much difficulty, ruin and hardship in your life.  The world is a tough place to live.  There is so much more than just what we see.   Just like the wind.  You cant see it or its source, but you see its affects.  We were created for heaven.  To dwell with Him for eternity.  God created us for relationship with Him.   

Our lives, what we see, are influenced and affected by what is going on in the unseen.  What is going on in the unseen realm presents itself and manifests itself in the physical.  God formed the universe with a spoken word.  When He spoke the world came into existence.  Can you even imagine the power of the words?  We are made in His image; our words have the same power; He gave us that authority.  In the words we speak we create or destroy.  We have the power to create – the environment, atmosphere, others attitudes, when we speak things are shifted in the unseen.  Things move and are changed.  And the words from your mouth will either be as a blessing or a curse.  There is no grey, there is not in between.  Just like living for what you believe.  It’s all or nothing.

A few weeks ago we went to the city Carmen.  There is a large town center area with a stage, it is like a festival that is never ending.  A local pastor asked if we would do open air evangelism there.  Which was crazy to me that we even had the freedom to do it.  I gave my testimony along with some others and we did the ‘Everything’ skit (youtube it if you haven’t seen it), our normal routine.  A large crowd gathered.  Zion then proclaimed that if anyone had any questions, if anyone was in need of prayer or just wanted to talk with us they are invited to do so.  Many people stayed for prayer.  We encouraged, edified, championed those who came up.  David was especially anointed this day.  A man came up to him who had cysts in his ears.  He has had pain for years and was unable to hear clearly.  David put his hands over the mans ears and began to pray for him, not only for God to give him new ears but also to renew his heart, to heal spiritually as well as the physical.  The man didn’t speak much English and another person was in line right behind him.  The man was lingering around so David asked if he could pray for him again, there was a person who spoke fluent English and Bisaya that interpreted for the man.  The man responded “No I don’t need any more prayer.  I have no pain! My ears are clear.”  David was in shock, as well as the rest of us.  A man with glaucoma then came up.  His eyes were cloudy and he was unable to see well.  Hands were placed over his eyes and prayers poured out.  When the hands were removed, as the man blinked away the tears he cried you could physically see the difference.  His eyes were completely clear.  He could see.

The spoken word has power.  Prayer has power.  Things change and shift.  And it is not the precise words that are spoken and the eloquence of your speech, but it is the heart behind it and the heart condition of the receiver.  

Team Phil

My amazing family.

Backrow - Alex:New Jersey, Eric:S. Korea, Esther K:Cali, Esther S:Brazil

David:Oregon, Johanna:Germany, Rayelle:Wisconsin, Jess:England

Front row - Me, Jamie (On the NY/LA team now), Zion:Canada, Jen:Arizona