Selfish Desires On My Part

Apple is releasing a new Bible program and giving away a bunch of stuff in the process. I want to win, so I wrote this blog.

So check it out. Here's hoping I win something awesome!

Logos Bible Software is giving away thousands of dollars of prizes to celebrate the launch of Logos Bible Software 4 Mac on October 1. Prizes include an iMac, a MacBook Pro, an iPad, an iPod Touch, and more than 100 other prizes!

They’re also having a special limited-time sale on their Mac and PC base packages and upgrades. Check it out!

More Posts coming soon!

Take It Back!

In my backyard I have these huge, thick, and unruly hedges that seem to grow a mile a month. It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, growing up, I had to cut them down every month or two.

It was a sure way to ruin a weekend.

But like anything, I get used to it, grew up, and soon cutting hedges became business like. I had a system and it worked.

Anyway, about five months ago, it was one of those hedge-cutting days, and I was focused and ready. What’s more, I had a friend who volunteered to help, a friend with a chainsaw.*

Before I go further, let me tell you about this hedge’s trimming history…

Growing up, I always cut them shorter, never thinner. So while we never let them get too tall, we never really kept them at a certain width. At it’s thickest, these hedges went about 8 feet.

So back to the story, we got to the backyard and eyed the monster down. My friend, being the Filipino he is, got the saw roaring, and went right at it. But instead of cutting the hedges shorter, he started going for the width, cutting into it.

I stood there in shock! I didn’t know what to do, except just let him work.

Finally I stopped him and explained to him what we usually do, but he convincingly told me, the hedges were too thick, and pitched his idea:

Let’s take the yard back.

I was convinced and we continued.

The whole time it felt weird, like we were doing something wrong. I felt like I was going to get into trouble. There was too much change, too fast.

By the time we were done, the yard looked so different. All up we probably cut about 5 feet into the hedges, thinned it out, and it looked good. Even more so, the yard was so much bigger.

We took back the yard.

I couple weeks later, after the leaves grew back a bit, I looked back at the yard and couldn’t believe we hadn’t done this years ago.

A few months after the hedge experience, I had a similar experience with my youth room at the church I work for. We have this room that was just filled with clutter. The room itself is decently sized, but over years, it began to be used more and more as a storage area. We just never wanted to throw anything away. We literally lost half of the room to boxes of junk, useless materials, and other things we might maybe (but probably not) use in the future.

Not long after I started working there, the idea was planted in my head.

I want to take back the youth room.

So we did. We threw away truckloads of junk, sold what we could at a garage sale, and donated the rest of it. Then we took everything away from the walls, bought a few gallons of paint, got to work, and after about five days, we had a brand new youth room we could hangout in, feel comfortable, and be proud of.

We took back the youth room.

This past Saturday, we had church workday and a bunch of people came to help out. We had a lot of projects we wanted to get done that day including more hedges and an overly cluttered garage.

We did some major work and got them both done that morning. It was amazing to watch both the garage get cleaned and made useful again and the hedges being cut back down to size.

We took the garage back.

Then, while through away a load of branches and watching the garage get cleaned, these three stories came to mind and an idea came to mind.

I want to take the church back.

It just seems like the way we do church sometimes is so cluttered. It’s not that it’s filled with bad things. In fact, most of the time it’s filled with good things, things we’ve done for years and years, traditions. We do things just because we do them. What if god wants something different?

Would we have room for that?

But just like over grown hedges or an overly cluttered youth room or garage, over time, things just pile up. Cluttered with things we don’t use anymore, things that don’t quite work anymore. Things that hinder us from making use of the space we have.

Here at our church we are going through a similar transition. God is calling us back to his heart and causing us to open our eyes to what is and what could be.

It is hard, it is awkward, and it can be sad.

But it’s going to be worth it.

My hedges are still there, the youth room is still sunshine hall, and the garage is the garage, but they’re better versions of itself. I am convinced that God is doing a similar work at Koloa Missionary Church.

He’s pruning us and cleaning us out. Bringing us closer to His heart, and setting us up for His plans and His purposes.

We are taking back the church.

What God doing in your life? What are the hedges in your life that are overgrown? Where is the youth room of your life that exists but could be so much more? How can the garage of your life be brought back to its purpose?

Is your life too cluttered, too full?

Go do some work.

Take back your life.

Grace and Peace

Ernie

*That friend was Josh Tamaoka. I love and appreciate him. He’s the kind of guy that is there when you need him.

Broken and Beautiful

I’d like to start to start this post by saying I’m not exactly sure where this one is going. So let’s find out!

So I work at this rad church full of good people, great people, and I get to spend a lot of time there. The backdrop is straight out of a movie. Tropical perfection, consistent and refreshing cool breezes, huge trees that are decades old, and just down the road, not just one, but many world class beaches… There are worse places to live. J

Anyways, in the back of the church, where all the trees are, we have this old beat up basketball court. A long time ago, the roots of these trees got under the cement and cracked its once smooth surface, making a proper game of ball ridiculous at best. What’s more, these trees like to shed their leaves all over the surface, leaving it not only broken, but messy and dirty too.

In short, the court is a mess and no one really uses for anything. Until just recently…

As of late, two little blond girls about eight or nine years old have been visiting this broken dirty court, playing and pretending. For example, I walked past them the other day, one of them pretended to be a photographer, snapping pictures of the other little girl pretending to be America’s next top model, walking a line like a catwalk, full of confidence and strength.

It was amazing! They love that court! So I let them do their thing and keep walking.

I guess what I want to say is that on one hand, I’m surrounded by beauty: beautiful scenery, beautiful weather, and beautiful people. But on the other hand, I’m surrounded by brokenness: the broken court, broken families, broken people, etc.

Last night, some friends and I went camping out at Polihale (which if you don’t know, is one of the most epic beaches in the world). It’s located on the Westside of the island; so naturally, it boasts some pretty extraordinary and often very moving sunsets.

The weather all day was perfect. No clouds. Then about the time the sun was going to set, the wind picked big, and blew in a lot of clouds. I was bummed!

We continued to watch the sunset, and then everything just went epic. The rays of the sun penetrated the clouds and out came SO much different shades of different colors! It was so beautiful! So much better then just a normal sunset. So much better then what I was hoping for.

I guess God knew what he was doing. He definitely knew better then me.

God not only uses the epic beautiful things, but also, and mostly I think, He uses the broken things for His glory. He makes foolish the wise and the wise foolish. He gives grace to the humble, but stands against the proud. He says the greatest must be last and the servant of all. He is close to the broken hearted and sets the captives free. He is.

When you truly love, then anything is beautiful.

God knows what He is doing. I hope we are wise enough to be want to be a part of it.

He knows better then us.

Grace and peace

Ernie

ALIVE?

"To have the Spirit of God dwelling within the heart of someone who chooses a domesticated faith is like having a tiger trapped within a cage. You are not intended to be a spiritual zoo where people can look at God in you from a safe distance. You are a jungle where the Spirit roams wild and free in your life. You are the recipient of the God who cannot be tamed and of a faith that must not be tamed. You are no longer a prisoner of time and space, but a citizen of the kingdom of God - a resident of the barbarian tribe. God is not a sedative that keeps you calm and under control by dulling your senses. He does quite the opposite. He awakens your spirit to be truly alive."

- Erwin McManus, The Barbarian Way

2 WEEKS AND COUNTING

Just saying...

WE ARE PENN STATE

-A loyal fan

p.s. God is SO much more epic and fulfilling then this... and coming from me that's a big deal.

Though I kind of wish had a video of this many young adults, screaming, and believing with all their hearts, "We are the Church."

Then lived it out.

Take the Plunge!

Have you ever felt like you were on the verge of doing something big? You ever stood at the edge of a cliff psyching yourself to jump or like the kid in the picture, contemplated the sheer awesomeness of what could be?

I know I have.

In my neighborhood we have a hill that was pretty big and pretty steep, maybe not quite so steep as the wild child above, but big, steep, and curvy. Growing up, we used to fly down this hill with our bikes and skateboards.

One day, cruising at the top of the hill with our bikes, someone said, “What if someone went down that hill with no hands and just conquered it?” Everyone was stoked, but no one really wanted to do it.

No one but me.

I eyed that hill, volunteered, and before anyone could call me out, started to peddle. Once the hill’s arc, momentum overtook me, I let go of the handlebars and was coasting! I felt home free. That is until I hit the first turn.

I leaned into the turn, felt the speed wobbles, lost control, and hit the road hard! As I lay there hurting, my friends rode down to me laughing!

So just to prove I wasn’t scared and wasn't defeated, I got up, walked my bike back to the top of the hill, eyed that hill, fully committed, and went for it again!

I hit that first turn perfectly and started to pick up speed. I was pretty much at the bottom and was stoked. Everything was fine, until I started to get cocky, lost my concentration, and went down. I scraped my face pretty bad that second time. But I didn’t care.

I didn’t even care that I didn’t make all the way down. I conquered that sucker. Even my friends were pumped.

With fall comes a new season for many of us. Some of us have graduated high school and are going to college, while others may still be in college but are now older and wiser, ready for something new. Still others of us might be entering into a new job or are quietly looking for the next big adventure. Whatever part of life you may be in, consider your situation, and dare to jump into something big! I know some of us feel like we are on the verge of something BIG. What are you looking at?

The Bible says if that we have faith as big as a mustard seed, we can move mountains! Some of us just need to step up, commit, and jump! And if you mess up or fail, it’s okay! You can get back up!

Woody Allen said, “If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign your not doing anything very innovative.”

Life is for LIVING. Jesus wants us to have life to the FULLEST. Life ABUNDANTLY. Take a risk. Rise up and challenge yourself. Find a dream and reach for it. Be deliberate and don’t let life make your life decisions for you.

Sometimes you try something and you fail. But at least you tried.

Other times, you step out and by grace, you find you’re not made out of glass, you’re stronger then you give yourself credit for, you rise out of your failures, and you conquer.

The Knot

About a month ago, I got to be a part of a week long sports camp the churches put on for the kids every summer. I was a basketball coach and my team of boys dominated the competition! But that’s not the story I want to tell. I mean so what if my boys could physically pounded the opposition into the ground!

The story I want to tell is about a little boy with a little problem.

One rainy morning, it might have been a Tuesday, a little boy with sandy blond hair and a few missing teeth came up to me and grudgingly stuck out his shoe and said, “Coach Ernie, can you help me untie this knot! UGH. I can’t get it out.” He was visibly frustrated.

So I bent down to help him and realized this kid must of used all his strength tugging on that shoelace, because the sucker was as tight as a snare drum. I realized this was going to take some effort. I had the boy take of his shoe and give it to me. From there, it probably took me about 5 minutes to loosen the knot and untie the shoe.

I gave the shoe back to the kid and asked him why he didn’t just ask for help in the first place. To which he replied:

“I thought if I just pulled hard enough I could do it myself.”

Laughing to myself, I imagined this kid yanking that knot into submission, unbeknownst to himself, that with every pull, he further ensured his own failure.

You ever just fight with God? You ever stood toe to toe with God, looked him the eye (figuratively of course), knew exactly what He wanted you do, and whether you felt it was too hard, would cause too much sacrifice, or would take too much of your own time, you just flat out refused or simply ignored Him?

I know I have.

So we try our best to solve our problems, our way. We hold on to what we should let go of. Maybe God calls us to do something or live a certain way, and we feel we just don’t live up to the call. It just seems too hard. And instead of trusting that God will pick up where we fall short, or believing God will replace (in His own way and His own time) what He calls us to give up, we just keep living the way we always were. As if we believed that if we just tried harder, we could make it work or do it ourselves.

We’re just pulling the knot tighter and tighter.

Then after we pull till we can’t pull anymore, and that problem is as heavy as we can stand, we finally give up, give it to God and say or maybe even beg, “Please help. Please fix it.”

And you know, God does. But, all the while, God is just wishing you would just trust Him and let Him help you.

So you carrying something? You pulling at a knot you just can’t seem to untie, and you find it getting harder and harder?

Why not just surrender, stop trying to do it by yourself, and let God handle it.

Aloha,

Coach Ernie

Lions, Tigers, and Bears... Who's Next?

Much like the man who built his house on the Rock, another young man defied the defiant and unrelenting storm, and defeated the undefeated and unrepentant giant. In utter confidence, he stood tall amongst the cowed, a man fearless among the fearful.

One wonders what inspired in him such confidence? I’ve heard it said, “When you find yourself crippled by fear, simply pretend you are brave and act accordingly.” Such was not the case for this young man. This man did not pretend. Bravery was already deeply sowed within his heart. His confidence and valor already tested many times over. This giant, this goliath was simply next on the list.

But what was the secret to his valor, the mystery behind his confidence? This young man didn’t grow with sword in hand. He was no warrior, not even close. The young man grew up with staff and sling, guiding his sheep. He was the youngest in his family. The lowly shepherd boy.

Though young, untested this boy was not. Time and time again, alone in the wilderness, he defended his sheep from attacks from lions and bears. Without fail, the LORD gave the young man victory. The shepherd began to realize, “The LORD is my shepherd, and I have everything I need.” “The LORD is my rock and foundation, why should I be afraid?” Defiant in his confidence in the LORD, the heart of the man knew, “If the LORD was with him, there was no reason to fear.” Before long, this up and coming warrior would know the LORD was also his sword and shield, and nothing could stand against Him.

Later, the young man found himself at a battle many believed he was too young to face. A boy among men, his faith character showed true. When all of the men were too fearful to face the giant, the shepherd boy stood before the king and said:

David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth."

But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and smote him and delivered it out of his mouth; and if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him and killed him.

Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."

And David said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."

And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"*

So our hero went and faced the giant Goliath. Fearless and full of faith he stood before him. Here is the account of the battle:

And when the Philistine looked, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, ruddy and comely in appearance.

And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field."

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and he will give you into our hand."

When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.

And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone, and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine, and killed him; there was no sword in the hand of David.**

Today I face my giants. As many of us know, it seems easier to run and hide from our hardships, allowing them to rule and taunt us. But I know that even though the future seems bleak, just as the LORD delivered the shepherd from the lions, bears, even goliath, so He has brought me through my own struggles. Today I face my goliath. I will face my fears. My God will bring my family and I through our hardships.

I will face my goliaths and see them fall. Then I will ask, “Who’s next?”

In His grip,

Ernest Walter Johnston Jr. – My father’s son.

* 1 Samuel 17:32-37 (NSV)

** 1 Samuel 17:42-50 (NSV)

*** Picture Credit: http://drawn.ca/wordpress/wp-content/images/ltbe.jpg

I’m Back on the Wagon: Emmanuel

About a month ago I got a phone call that completely shattered my world, and I figured this blog was going to be one of its many casualties, just another thing I would leave behind. But as it turns out, life, though forever changed, continues to move forward. Transmissions of Transitions is not dead. I was just thrown off the wagon, thrown hard and far. If anything, I have more to share now. Everything has changed. It’s like I have new eyes as I see, new ears as I hear, and a new mind as I take everything in. Things might not ever be the same again, but I know that one they will be good again. I’m back on the wagon. I just hope my wounds and scars will act as bridges to other’s broken hearts. I also hope and pray that my family will be made whole once more.

About and hour ago, I sat down to write, I decided I wanted to listen to happy music that would give me hope. As I searched through my itunes library for the perfect playlist, almost by accident, my eyes struck gold, Christmas Music! What’s happier then singing about the birth Jesus Christ, the Hope of the world? Mix Christmas music with the musical genius of Shane and Shane and you’re in for a good time.

One song hit me hard and gave me such hope, “Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel.” The first verse goes something like this:

Oh come Oh come Emanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appears

REJOICE REJOICE EMANNUEL

SHALL COME TO THEE OH ISRAEL

The lyrics describe a nation trapped, enslaved, exiled, desperate for help, desperate for hope., and ends with command to one’s self to REJOICE! Not once, but twice does the lyricist call trapped, hurting, and captive Israel to REJOICE!

Why should they rejoice? What reason could they have? They are beaten and conquered. They are people without a land, exiled. However bleak, they hope, they have a defiant hope because EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US.

I can imagine the old faithful, though beaten down, gathering their people and telling them, “Remember what LORD your God has done. Remember how He brought us out of slavery, through the desert, and into the land. Remember the LORD is with us and will bring us back. Remember.”

I am reminded of the answer the LORD gives to Moses after Moses questions the Lord, “The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come through for you.”* God is with us even now. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for the Lord is with me. Nothing is too hard for him. I am confident He will bring my family and I through.

I am confident that He will bring you through your storm as well. “Every scar is a bridge to someone’s broken heart.”** Even now, God is with us.

Emmanuel,

Ernest Johnston

* Numbers 11:23

** Thrice Lyrics: Vheissu

Something Jon Lee taught me: We Show What's Important

What do people see when they see me? What do people see when they see you?

I served on staff with YWAM Newcastle for about 3 years before college and I loved it. Looking back, I feel like it was very much a growing up time in my life. During my time there, I was stretched and trained, led and loved. I arrived a boy with hopes and dreams (undefined and unknown), and left a man with hope, faith, passion, direction, and purpose. There are many lessons to learn on one’s journey to manhood. I have learned far from all of them. My friend Jon Lee taught me this particular lesson I want to share with all of you. He taught me that it was important to remember that image you portray for others is, for better or for worse, usually what they tend to see.

When I first arrived in Newcastle, I quickly discovered that here in YWAM Newcastle, people loved Hardcore Music. One could walk down the hall and find multiple rooms sampling the brutal roars of Josh Scogin of Norma Jean or playing air drums along with the breakdowns of Underoath. You could even hear its influence in our weekly worship times. Most songs had a breakdown during the bridge. Every song had potential for some half timed symbol crash, and every so often the worship leader or background singer would blow the roof off the place with a roar that broke our chains and led us to the throne of God. Needless to say, I quickly became a fan and soon learned to love hardcore music. I loved it, and I thought I was really cool because I loved it.

YWAM life is a life of seasons. With every different season, students arrive from all over the world to come experience God on our schools, while the older students either go back home or leave for outreach. With every new student, came a new opportunity for a new set of first impressions.

I really loved hardcore music back then and wrapped a bit of my identity into that. So when a new batch of students came along, I, like some of the staff that came before me, would leave my room door open, and play my music super loud. Making it loud and clear that I was into hardcore music, the heavier and crazier the better. I thought I was so cool.

My neighbor in the next room over was a guy called Jon Lee, the legend, the rock star, the wise guy, the man himself. Jon was on staff for about a year before I got there and was well liked by all. I thought he was a rock star and wise man mixed into one. More then that, he was a good friend of mine. Needless to say, I respected him a lot and valued his opinion.*

One day, while blasting my music, feeling good, I noticed Jon Lee in his room, listening to hardcore music quite softly by himself. I went over and we talked about nothing for a while. Later I asked him, “Hey Jon, why don’t you ever play your music super loud?”

His answer still challenges me today. He looked at me, took a big breath, sighed**, and said, “I just don’t want other people to see me as just a hardcore kid. Don’t get me wrong, I love the music, but that’s not who I am. I figure I have one chance to make a first impression, and I’d rather them see me as man of God. That’s what I want to be known for.”

I agreed, went back to my room, and turned my music down. See what Jon wanted to portray was the thing that was most important to him. The image we willingly portray says a lot about what really matters to us. I'm not against playing your music really loud, dressing a certain way, sporting your favorite team, or something else. What matters is your intentions behind said action. It scares me a little when I think about the image the typical college guy projects. What is manhood? What do we project? Guys today pretend they don’t care about anything. Even worse, they might not actually care about anything, anything beside themselves that is.

I’m far from perfect and am still learning. I’m trying to figure out this manhood thing. I want to live as Jesus did. David Livingstone once said, “God had an only son and he was a missionary. A poor, poor example of him I am. But in his work I now live. And in this work, I wish to die.”

I too fall way short. Despite my constant failures, I want to portray that which is most important to me.

I don’t want to be a hardcore kid. I want to be a man of God.

What are you? What do you want people to see when they see you?

Ernie

* And still very much do.

** For those of you know who know Jon, the breath and sigh thing before he answers a question is classic! For example:

Me: “How you doing Jon?

Jon: Deep breath, big sigh, “I’m good.”

To Fail and Fail Again

A couple days ago, I decided to go to Starbucks fairly early in the morning.* The weather was perfect, so I decided to enjoy my coffee outside. As I sat and drank, an old man in a crisp vintage brown suit walked past me, stopped and looked back at me and said, “The only real failure in life is the failure to try.” Then without further explanation, he winked, turned around, and went on his way. I’m pretty sure this guy was an angel because he brought me the word. To say the least, it hit me between the eyes.

You see, lately I’ve been thinking about fear, brokenness, change, hope, bravery, faith, the seemingly impossible, and believe they are all related. I am proud to say I have lived a pretty full life so far. I got to experience cultures and places that have shattered my idea of normal and expanded my view of God, laughed until I cried countless times, saw a faithful God come through in the clutch more times then I can remember, took risks that worked out well and some not well at all, jumped off 60 foot cliffs, sat on a cliff where on one side of me I looked into the ocean and saw a crazy lightning storm and on the other side a meteorite shower, and lots more. And yet, looking back at life, both recent times and distant memories, because I was afraid of looking stupid, being less then average, getting rejected, not measuring up, or put simply, because of a fear of failure, I missed out of so much LIFE.

How can a man call himself a man if he is not willing face and respond to his failures? Though I won’t commit to failure, I do commit to the possibility of failing. Abraham Lincoln once said, “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” A truth I have come believe is that often times success is only a few steps past failure.

I believe the process of risk taking and failing is the way of the Kingdom of God. The process will keep us humble and reveal our character. Jesus puts it this way, “The greatest among you will be the servant of all.” Paul said it like this, “Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” Again in Romans, Paul writes, “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”** As a people, we must descend into greatness.

I want to do all the things I am afraid of, even if I fail every time. Who knows, maybe I might be good at some of these things! Life is happening all around me, and I don’t want to miss any of it. When I fall in life, I will get back up. I find that in times of hardship and situation where I am uncomfortable or in need, I run to God. When we are willing to fail, we constantly put ourselves in a place of discomfort, compelling us to live by faith in God

When I look to the future and think about the vision God has given me, I have to be a man who does the hard thing, takes risks, and is willing to fail. I won’t be satisfied with only small victories I already knew I could win. I want the big victories. Bill Gates once said, ““Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

I will learn from failure. I won’t let it stop me from trying.

Will You?

Ernest Johnston

*When I say fairly early, that means 10:15 am! Don't judge me.

** Matthew 23:11, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 12:3

Sickness

To all my faithful and not so faithful readers!

It's been long and sickly week. I haven't written anything in a while because of health reasons and good old fashion busyness, but rest assured, I've had some good ideas brewing. Who knows, maybe I'll write something tonight.

It's been an odd week, but a good one. Here are some highlights:

- Lot's of sleep (exhausted sick sleep)

- Got hangout with Sarah McCutcheon for the first time since 2006! She is legendary.

- Watched two heavy documentaries that broke my heart. I will be writing about them.

- Went to entertaining, challenging, and enlightening conference about Songs of Solomon with the guys from the DGroup.

- Learned about failure, brokenness, and fear.

So expect this blog to pick up in the near future. Thanks for reading and being a part of my life.

Much Aloha. We are so blessed.

Ernie

A Defiant Confidence

There was once a man,

Who many consider quite foolish,

He built his house upon the sand.

But when the storms stormed and the floods flooded,

His house, standing so grand,

soon crashed and fell, even thudded.

Then there was another man,

This man was quite wise; you see he had a plan

He built his house upon a rock.

When the rains raged and the winds blew,

His house, though shaken,

held firm and steady, ever true.

The wise man’s hope founded on reliance,

Allows him to live loud, with confidence, shouting defiance.

His hope isn’t in things or chance,

And when the earth quakes, his foundation holds firm his stance.

God gives us HOPE that defies words like impossible,

He might lead you to a sea of red,

Or call you to build a house knowing there are storms ahead,

But I say this to you,

Trust God, build your house, and watch Him come through,

Ask for HOPE,

A defiant confidence that our God's character is ever TRUE

A Brief Case for my Briefcase: My Life Through Bags

Age: Kindergarten-2^nd Grade: Dinosaur Bag

Upon entrance into kindergarten, I was given my first bag. It was a bright (and very cool), multicolored backpack with a dinosaur on it… and I loved it. I don’t really remember what I put in it, aside from the usual sharpened pencils, random ruler, and when the situation called for it, the occasional scissors. I felt old with it on, well, I felt like I was one of the big kids, ready to go have fun and maybe learn.* Though not exactly, it looked similar to this.

Age: 3^rd-9^th Grade: Jansport

My second major man bag was given to me by my mom on the occasion of going to a new school. I loved this backpack. It was simple and durable dark green, but more importantly, it was a “big kid” backpack. At this stage of life, I started to do homework, and began to come into my own personality.

We went through a lot together. With everything from going through and finishing elementary school together, as well as the turbulent Jr. High years. We went through endless soccer games, with him always carrying my cleats, countless sleepovers, long and often successful adventures, and more. We quickly became old friends, my backpack and I, my constant companion.

Though mine was dark green, it looked like this:

Age: 10^th-12^th Grade: Bass Case

As they say, “All good things must come to an end,” and after 6 good well used years, my old friend, and constant companion finally snapped. Literally. The straps ripped, and with that, that season of life ended.

In the tenth grade I bought my first bass guitar. It was a cheap Squire P Bass, and it became a big part of my life. I loved playing in bands, feeding off the energy of the crowds, and the close friendships it brought. We played as many shows as we could, one mosh pit at a time.

Of course, every bass needs its case, and I mine was a simple gig bag. My case was cheap thing, offering little to no protection, just the illusion of safety. It was black and had two straps, serving as a backpack. If I wasn’t at home, school, or at the beach, there was a good chance you would see me with my bass, and of course, its case.

Age: 18-22: Traveling Backpack

For three and half year, I lived abroad in Australia, working as a youth worker and missionary to the city of Newcastle, and the surround nations. For much that, I lived out of a backpack, enjoying life as traveled through different cultures, loving people as best as I could, and living out adventure. This backpack and I traveled and saw the world. I miss using this backpack and the lifestyle that came with it.

Unlike other bags I owned, rather then laying it down to rest when I moved on, this backpack continued to see the world. I gave it away when I was done living abroad to a friend just beginning his journey. Hopefully it’s still out there, rather then in some closet.

Age:23-26: Dakine Backpack

Once again, I entered a new chapter life, and with it came a new bag. Not surprisingly, it was another backpack. The new model was all back, durable, big, and comfortable backpack, complete with a waterproof laptop pocket. This sucker was big and it served me well. I tend to carry a lot of things with me as go. This bag was cool and practical.

This bag has traveled a completely different journey then all my previous companions, an academic and enlightening journey. I don’t know if I love this backpack, but it was solid and dependable.

Age: 26-Present: Brief Case

I recently graduated college and felt like it was time for a change. With graduating college comes a sense of completion, a sense of professionalism, a sense of adulthood. My whole life I’ve had backpacks, and I felt it was time to grow up. So I decided to get a briefcase. Luckily, at a white elephant Christmas party, I spotted the perfect case, my ninja turtle brief case! It has everything I need, space for a computer, charger, books, glasses, and more. But best of all, it has no straps, but a handle.

Looking back to my first backpack, I guess I haven’t really come too far. My briefcase is bright and colorful, and has the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on it… and I love it. My first backpack was bright and colorful, with a dinosaur on it. Maybe that means I am an adult, but a kid a heart.

The funny thing is that when I walk around with my new briefcase, I feel older. J

I’ve had some good bags and some good times with some good people. Looking forward to another 25 years more of the same.

Aloha,

Ernie

*Mostly just having fun!