"We all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." 2 Cor. 3:18

Monday, May 7, 2012

Impaired Vision



We've seen a few signs on our trip that have to do with "impaired vision."  Denise's favorite is, "If the water's brown, then it's not good for snorkeling."  Go figure!  Brown water certainly does cloud one's vision - not to mention the fact that it's not very appealing to swim in. And, big waves do have a tendency to stir up all of the rocks and sand on the ocean's floor, making it impossible to see much of anything.
Yesterday, we made the trip to Hana to explore Waimoku Falls.  This 15 MPH single-lane road was riddled with switchbacks, the kind where you're honking your horn at every turn - not knowing what you'll encounter on the other side.  And, if you ask Denise, I didn't honk enough!  Along the way there were hundreds of signs that I've never seen anywhere else.  My favorite was "Limited Sight Distance."  Denise even commented when we saw the first one, "There's a sermon!" 

Romans 1:20 says, "Since the creation of the world God's invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made..."  But, the big waves of life's trials and the polluted water of a sinful world often make it difficult to see God clearly.  

It's in times like these, times of "limited sight distance" that we need to "fix our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith."  Precisely because "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  And, because as people of faith "we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Beware Of Falling Coconuts!

What one person views as a forecast of imminent danger, another perceives as a providential opportunity!  Such was the case on our hike to Honolua Bay, one of Maui's premier snorkeling spots.  Either chickens can read or they know where to hang out.  And, apparently they also enjoy the natural goodness of fresh coconuts.


Life is full of falling coconuts!  And, each of these 
experiences is an opportunity for either fear and 
anxiety, or optimistic expectancy.  

Recently, our CBC Mens Ministry was privileged to have Jeff Morris of William L. Morris Chevrolet in Simi Valley as our guest speaker.  Among other things, he spoke of how he has come to see dark valleys and tough trials as signals that God is about to do something amazing!  He related that a few years ago Joni Eareckson Tada was diagnosed with cancer, adding to her daily challenge as a quadriplegic.  But, what's astounding is that when Joni received this news, she responded with peace and confidence, "I feel like God is about to do something really big!"


When I heard this, I thought, "I want to have faith like that!  I want to have that kind of indomitable outlook on life!"  Romans 8:28 says, "For we know that God causes all things to work together for good, for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose."  As Christians, we constantly quote this verse.  But, do we recite it - hoping to subtly remind God of His promise to bring good out of tragedy?  Or, is it an exclamation of confident praise, confirmed by a lifestyle that chooses to focus on God's omnipotence and goodness rather than the world's disappointments. 

Hopefully the following pictures are evidence of what awaits those who persevere beyond the caution of "Falling Coconuts."











Friday, May 4, 2012

Life Is A Mixed Plate

Today, Denise and I ate at Aloha Mixed Plate on Front Street in Maui.  I could eat at least one meal here everyday - indefinitely!  The food is fresh.  There's amazing variety.  The cost is $6-$8 a plate.  All of the dining is outdoor.  And, it's right on the water - with spectacular views! 
Yesterday, I continued the proud tradition of my father-in-law by securing the first place in line at the Gazebo Restaurant at Napili Shores.  For those of you unfamiliar with the Gazebo, it opens at 7:30 AM every morning, closes at 2 PM, and the line starts forming at 6 AM!  People come from all over the island to enjoy world class breakfast & lunch, as well as unbeatable views.  You've never had omelets, or Banana Macadamia nut pancakes like this before!  And, the best part of it all is that the restaurant is only 20 feet from our accommodations!

As I stood in line, waiting for the restaurant to open, I found myself surrounded by 5 people from Seattle - all Seattle Pacific graduates.  There was an older couple that said that they live 6 months out of the year in Seattle, and the other 6 in Maui.  They commented that retirement was rough!  A younger couple in their early 30's mentioned that they had a mother and a sister who worked in the SPU financial aid office.  I'm thinking that Aubrey needs to get to know them on a first-name-basis.  The last guy raved about two beautiful old churches as well as what he claimed to be the best bakery/doughnut shop on the island, at the end of Baldwin Avenue in Makawao.  So, today we spent the better part of the morning looking for these sites and attempting to determine whether Komoda Bakery deserved this high praise.


The churches were indeed amazing.  And, the bakery was fun, but not worth the 50 minute drive.

What a day!  For dinner, we didn't feel like going anywhere so we ordered a pizza from Dollies (voted best pizza in West Maui!)  It was great and completed a day of food and fun!  Like I said, "Life is a mixed plate!"