Some of my friends tease me when the summer rolls around because they think I'm sleeping at home until noon. But for the last few years, I've been teaching summer school. So actually, I only get FIVE weeks off in the summer. LOL But our first semester of summer school finished up today. I gave them their final and decided to reward them with a movie. And no, I don't spend all of summer school showing them movies. I just thought since the fourth of July was coming up, I would show them something different then my National Geographic collection I usually show them.
I showed them a movie called "Taking Chance." Someone forwarded me an email about a Marine Lt. Col's diary of when he escorted a fallen Marine home. This was a few years ago. It was a moving tribute to his fallen comrade. But it was also a tribute to America and how we honor our heroes. It's an inside look at what happens to the remains of fallen members of our military. Their bodies are given such exquisite care from the battlefield, to the transport to Dover Air Force base. That's where they do the autopsy and get them ready for their final journey home. Then earlier this year, that journal was made into a movie.
It's one of the most moving military movies I've seen in a long time. It resonated with me deeply. Perhaps its because I live in a military town and community. I've been to my share of military funerals and can relate to this movie. I won't spoil it for you so I encourage you to watch it. Every time I see it I goose bumps and tear up. Many of us have relatives in the war zone and in the back of our minds we know that they could end up like Chance.
During the Governors recent visit, both he and tama spoke on the concept of tautua or service. In Samoan culture, there are many types of tautua. But one of the most important is tautua toto, blood service. That's what our soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen do. They provide that sacrifice, of blood if necessary, for our country. So on this 4th of July, as you enjoy the festivities with your loved ones, take a moment to remember all our men and women who have placed the ultimate sacrifice at the altar of freedom so that we could live in a free country.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
The drive thru difference
In yesterday's sermon, Tama spoke on the concept of giving. He said as Christians, we are called to give selflessly. He said this was a different type of giving than the world is used to. He said people usually are motivated to give when they know they can get something in return. But he said that Jesus calls on us to give when there is no credit due to us. In Luke 6:32-33 he says, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?”
That's the type of giving Jesus wants us to do. He told a story about helping a man get some gas who was stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the night. The man attempted to give him a large amount of money. He refused and asked the man to use if for a worthy cause. It's counter intuitive when people give anonymously. People usually like getting credit for something. But Jesus told us to give to people who have no way of paying us back. A read a story about a Christian radio station urging their listeners to pay it BACKWARDS. They said the next time you go through a drive through, pay for the car behind yous bill. The goal was to do Christ like acts of kindness for people who didn't expect it and to leave a note saying you did it because of your love for Jesus. What an awesome concept: to spread the love of Jesus through anonymous giving. Try that today. Look for ways we can give selflessly in the name of Jesus.
That's the type of giving Jesus wants us to do. He told a story about helping a man get some gas who was stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the night. The man attempted to give him a large amount of money. He refused and asked the man to use if for a worthy cause. It's counter intuitive when people give anonymously. People usually like getting credit for something. But Jesus told us to give to people who have no way of paying us back. A read a story about a Christian radio station urging their listeners to pay it BACKWARDS. They said the next time you go through a drive through, pay for the car behind yous bill. The goal was to do Christ like acts of kindness for people who didn't expect it and to leave a note saying you did it because of your love for Jesus. What an awesome concept: to spread the love of Jesus through anonymous giving. Try that today. Look for ways we can give selflessly in the name of Jesus.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Death of an icon
Last night, I was riveted to my TV as coverage of the death of pop icon Michael Jackson went on. I was at A'oga Samoa until late, so I didn't know about his death until I got home. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I was reminded of the night Princess Diana died. It was like everything stopped and we were just mesmerized by the spectacle on TV.
When I woke up this morning, there was one image of the coverage that stuck with me. That was the image of a white body bag being carried on the roof of the hospital to a waiting helicopter. That was the last "image" of Michael Jackson the world will probably see. After all the thousands, if not millions, of photographs of the star, the last one will be a body bag carried by hospital personnel. He was perhaps the most photographed person in our generation. Yet, his last photo was not a flattering one. There was another photo later of him in the ambulance. Needless to say, there weren't his best.
When we die, we leave everything behind. We don't take our riches, our fame, our bodies. All we take are our souls as we stand before the Lord to account for ourselves. Yet, we spend an inordinate amount of our time on earth worrying about money, fame and beauty. The Apostle Paul said it best: What use is it to capture the whole world but lose your soul in the process. Put your priorities on what matters, gaining access to eternity for you and your family. In the end, that is all that matters.
When I woke up this morning, there was one image of the coverage that stuck with me. That was the image of a white body bag being carried on the roof of the hospital to a waiting helicopter. That was the last "image" of Michael Jackson the world will probably see. After all the thousands, if not millions, of photographs of the star, the last one will be a body bag carried by hospital personnel. He was perhaps the most photographed person in our generation. Yet, his last photo was not a flattering one. There was another photo later of him in the ambulance. Needless to say, there weren't his best.
When we die, we leave everything behind. We don't take our riches, our fame, our bodies. All we take are our souls as we stand before the Lord to account for ourselves. Yet, we spend an inordinate amount of our time on earth worrying about money, fame and beauty. The Apostle Paul said it best: What use is it to capture the whole world but lose your soul in the process. Put your priorities on what matters, gaining access to eternity for you and your family. In the end, that is all that matters.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Where He leads, He will feed
We started our annual A'oga Samoa on Monday. Every summer we have this school to help teach our children the language and culture. Every year we are always looking for volunteers because our staff is inconsistent during the summer. When Sunday School is in session, it's easier to have teachers because most people are available on Sundays. But A'oga Samoa takes place during the week and many teachers are either working or taking classes. But somehow, we always manage. To put it better, somehow God always provides.
It never ceases to amaze me how God's provisions are endless. Just when I think there's no way we can make it, we are too short staffed or don't have the materials or supplies, somehow God always provides. This year, one of most reliable teachers, who has the largest class, will be out with some medical issues. I thought, my goodness, who will teach that class. Her class loves her and she has a great rapport with them. All of sudden, we had a couple visit from Samoa. Their profession? Teachers. Would you believe it. They have been here for several weeks and leave just after the conclusion of A'oga Samoa. Auntie Mine said during Youth service this month: where He leads, He will feed. Where He guides, He will provide. Where He points, He will anoint.
That has been proven over and over. I'm an idiot because I always have anxiety; will we have enough teachers? Will we have enough students? Summer time is family vacation time, graduation time and other activities going on. I counted two students in my high school class. Yet on the first day, five showed up. Wow. And the overall enrollment this year is higher than it's been in a long, long time. It's humbling and a good reminder that we can only do so much, and the rest is up to God. We have a very transient community because of the military. We are losing people all the time due to deployments or people being reassigned. But as this example shows, when others leave, God will bring others to fill up the space. Or He will have others step up to the plate. I believe in that. He will provide.
It never ceases to amaze me how God's provisions are endless. Just when I think there's no way we can make it, we are too short staffed or don't have the materials or supplies, somehow God always provides. This year, one of most reliable teachers, who has the largest class, will be out with some medical issues. I thought, my goodness, who will teach that class. Her class loves her and she has a great rapport with them. All of sudden, we had a couple visit from Samoa. Their profession? Teachers. Would you believe it. They have been here for several weeks and leave just after the conclusion of A'oga Samoa. Auntie Mine said during Youth service this month: where He leads, He will feed. Where He guides, He will provide. Where He points, He will anoint.
That has been proven over and over. I'm an idiot because I always have anxiety; will we have enough teachers? Will we have enough students? Summer time is family vacation time, graduation time and other activities going on. I counted two students in my high school class. Yet on the first day, five showed up. Wow. And the overall enrollment this year is higher than it's been in a long, long time. It's humbling and a good reminder that we can only do so much, and the rest is up to God. We have a very transient community because of the military. We are losing people all the time due to deployments or people being reassigned. But as this example shows, when others leave, God will bring others to fill up the space. Or He will have others step up to the plate. I believe in that. He will provide.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A dear friend in pain
The last time I posted was on Friday. I talked about father's day and how we should tell our dads how much they mean to us; that we should seek to reconcile with our fathers if we aren't on good terms with them. And if they've passed on, to pause and thank God for them and all that they did for us before they were called home.
Early Saturday morning I got a call from one of my closest friends in the world. Unfortunately, it was not a joyous call. She informed me in the first ten seconds of our conversation that her dad had passed the night before. My heart sank because I could imagine the pain my friend was going through. Her dad was relatively young, in his fifties, so I knew the death wasn't expected. As we talked, it became evident that he had been facing some serious medical issues. He had been in and out of the hospital for the last few months. Still, they didn't think he was in critical or any indication of imminent death. The first hint they got was when he asked for all of his grandchildren on Wednesday. They didn't think much of it because he loved his grand kids. But in retrospect, it was perhaps and indication that he knew how serious his condition was.
Again, he was normal on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday morning, my friend said she was to go home to get ready for something that day. But when she picked up her husband from work that morning, for some reason he drove to the hospital instead of going home. She told him they were supposed to go home, but they were already close to the hospital. Well, withing minutes of arriving at the hospital, things began to take a serious turn for the worse for her dad. In less than an hour, he was called home by God. Again, in retrospect, she thinks that her dad had made her come to the hospital. Perhaps it was God's way. She was very strong. Her voice was strong, not once quivering or shaking. I found it quite astonishing because this girl worshipped her dad. She loved him more than anything. She even commented that her husband and family had been shocked at how composed she was. And she credits all of that to her closer relationship with Christ. We had helped encourage each other in our walks with Christ, through texts and social networking sites.
She shared with me that she was concerned about her sisters, who weren't as strong in their faith. They were attempting to place blame for their fathers death - on the doctors, on their mom, on whatever their grief told them to blame. I counseled her to talk to her sisters and make sure they realize that their father's death was no one's fault. That it was just his time. King Solomon said that there is a time for everything.: a time to live and a time to die; a time for joy and a time for sorrow. When we start going down the blame game, that's a never ending abyss that some of us never get out of. There are many people that let grief take over their life and often become bitter because they are trying to find blame on something that happens to all of us.
She said she found comfort in knowing that this life is not the end. That she will see him again. The pain is real. The loss is real. But the separation is temporary. Giving our lives to Christ and becoming a Christian won't spare us from the pains, trials or challenges of this life. But it will give us the freedom to know that no matter what THIS life throws at us is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us in the next life.
Early Saturday morning I got a call from one of my closest friends in the world. Unfortunately, it was not a joyous call. She informed me in the first ten seconds of our conversation that her dad had passed the night before. My heart sank because I could imagine the pain my friend was going through. Her dad was relatively young, in his fifties, so I knew the death wasn't expected. As we talked, it became evident that he had been facing some serious medical issues. He had been in and out of the hospital for the last few months. Still, they didn't think he was in critical or any indication of imminent death. The first hint they got was when he asked for all of his grandchildren on Wednesday. They didn't think much of it because he loved his grand kids. But in retrospect, it was perhaps and indication that he knew how serious his condition was.
Again, he was normal on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday morning, my friend said she was to go home to get ready for something that day. But when she picked up her husband from work that morning, for some reason he drove to the hospital instead of going home. She told him they were supposed to go home, but they were already close to the hospital. Well, withing minutes of arriving at the hospital, things began to take a serious turn for the worse for her dad. In less than an hour, he was called home by God. Again, in retrospect, she thinks that her dad had made her come to the hospital. Perhaps it was God's way. She was very strong. Her voice was strong, not once quivering or shaking. I found it quite astonishing because this girl worshipped her dad. She loved him more than anything. She even commented that her husband and family had been shocked at how composed she was. And she credits all of that to her closer relationship with Christ. We had helped encourage each other in our walks with Christ, through texts and social networking sites.
She shared with me that she was concerned about her sisters, who weren't as strong in their faith. They were attempting to place blame for their fathers death - on the doctors, on their mom, on whatever their grief told them to blame. I counseled her to talk to her sisters and make sure they realize that their father's death was no one's fault. That it was just his time. King Solomon said that there is a time for everything.: a time to live and a time to die; a time for joy and a time for sorrow. When we start going down the blame game, that's a never ending abyss that some of us never get out of. There are many people that let grief take over their life and often become bitter because they are trying to find blame on something that happens to all of us.
She said she found comfort in knowing that this life is not the end. That she will see him again. The pain is real. The loss is real. But the separation is temporary. Giving our lives to Christ and becoming a Christian won't spare us from the pains, trials or challenges of this life. But it will give us the freedom to know that no matter what THIS life throws at us is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us in the next life.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Ula from my daughter
This is Father's Day weekend and I wanted to pause to recognize the fathers and their central role in the family, church and society at large. I'm a social studies teacher and my wife is a social worker by trade even thought she's in the teaching profession now. One of our ongoing conversations is a dialogue that pertains to the social breakdown of our society, particularly Samoan communities. To be fair, there is a lot that is right with our society. We have made unimaginable technological advancements. We have afforded opportunities to more people than ever before. And we live in a relatively peaceful time compared to the past.
But one cannot avoid the decline in a lot of indicators of our society: the teenage pregnancy rate. the suicide rate amongst our young people, and the poverty that seems to grip a large segment of our population. One of the biggest factors in all these ills is the lack of fathers in the home. Study after study has pointed out the devastating fact that households with only one parent usually has a detrimental affect on the children, especially if those children are males. A survey was recently done of the male prison population in California and a majority of them stated that they did not have a father in the household growing up. All the government policies and programs cannot replace the father. In fact, some experts feel that these policies and programs have contributed to absentee fathers.
I didn't want to get on a soapbox today, but I wanted to recognize all the fathers out there that did the right thing and have raised their children. Children are a heritage from God. The Bible instructs fathers not to aggravate their children. Taking care of our children is a command from God.
Before my daughter came into my life, I would always feel funny during Father's Day when they'd invite all the dads to the stage for their candy ula's. But now, one of my favorite things in the world is to get that ula from my daughter. The best Father's Day present. I'd also like to wish my dad a happy father's day. He's the best dad a person could ask for. Always provided for us and was always there for us. As in all relationships, we've had our rough patches but I thank God for him being in my life, as well as my families. My daughter adores her papa and I thank God we live close enough that they can have that bond. I love you dad. Happy father's day.
But one cannot avoid the decline in a lot of indicators of our society: the teenage pregnancy rate. the suicide rate amongst our young people, and the poverty that seems to grip a large segment of our population. One of the biggest factors in all these ills is the lack of fathers in the home. Study after study has pointed out the devastating fact that households with only one parent usually has a detrimental affect on the children, especially if those children are males. A survey was recently done of the male prison population in California and a majority of them stated that they did not have a father in the household growing up. All the government policies and programs cannot replace the father. In fact, some experts feel that these policies and programs have contributed to absentee fathers.
I didn't want to get on a soapbox today, but I wanted to recognize all the fathers out there that did the right thing and have raised their children. Children are a heritage from God. The Bible instructs fathers not to aggravate their children. Taking care of our children is a command from God.
Before my daughter came into my life, I would always feel funny during Father's Day when they'd invite all the dads to the stage for their candy ula's. But now, one of my favorite things in the world is to get that ula from my daughter. The best Father's Day present. I'd also like to wish my dad a happy father's day. He's the best dad a person could ask for. Always provided for us and was always there for us. As in all relationships, we've had our rough patches but I thank God for him being in my life, as well as my families. My daughter adores her papa and I thank God we live close enough that they can have that bond. I love you dad. Happy father's day.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
DIet and exercise
I was in the lunchroom at work today and overheard some colleagues, palagi colleagues, having a conversation about diet and exercise. Mind you, these two ladies weighed less than one of my legs, but they went on and on about how much weight they'd put on. I was sitting there going, "are they trying to send me a subliminal message about my weight?" Because this happens a lot. I don't know if it's just that this is all palagi people talk about or it's because it is lunch that we meet at and we're eating. But they seem obsessed with their weight and work out regimen. Or maybe I'm just weird. But it always makes me feel insecure because of my weight.
Then the other day, several people in my church started discussing the same thing. They would tell me how fat they USED to be until they started exercising. Again, I'm sitting there thinking to myself, "these people do know I fit the category they USED to be." Are they trying to tell me in a roundabout way to exercise and didn't want to tell me directly for fear of hurting my feelings? Have any of you fellow "healthy" people ever been in this situation? Or am I blowing this way out of proportion? It's like me talking to a person with bad acne and telling them about how I USED to have bad skin.
I am not a person that normally lacks in confidence or easily embarrassed. But we all have our areas of vulnerability, and mine is my weight. I'm just reminded the passage where the Bible talks about the power of words. Words are a rudder that steers a giant ship. Paul exhorts us that our words must have two purposes: to encourage the listener and be a benefit to them. I'm not saying those people knew how their words affected me. I'm just asking that we consider the affect our words have on the recipients of them.
Then the other day, several people in my church started discussing the same thing. They would tell me how fat they USED to be until they started exercising. Again, I'm sitting there thinking to myself, "these people do know I fit the category they USED to be." Are they trying to tell me in a roundabout way to exercise and didn't want to tell me directly for fear of hurting my feelings? Have any of you fellow "healthy" people ever been in this situation? Or am I blowing this way out of proportion? It's like me talking to a person with bad acne and telling them about how I USED to have bad skin.
I am not a person that normally lacks in confidence or easily embarrassed. But we all have our areas of vulnerability, and mine is my weight. I'm just reminded the passage where the Bible talks about the power of words. Words are a rudder that steers a giant ship. Paul exhorts us that our words must have two purposes: to encourage the listener and be a benefit to them. I'm not saying those people knew how their words affected me. I'm just asking that we consider the affect our words have on the recipients of them.
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