Equipping Thoughts

A Encouraging Note From Pastor Wayne

Rod Shimabukuro — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:28:13 +0000

I loved being encouraged and challenged from our Pastor. Here’s a note I received from Pastor Wayne…

Praying for you “for less” in 2010

Less time on possessions………more on relationships.
Less telling ….. More learning.
Less score for me in golf when I play.
Less work and projects…….more time with my kids and grandkids.
Less excuses…….for not spending time alone with God.
Less standard of living………….more standard of giving.
Less focus on negative politics and things I can’t control…………more focus on God’s grace and our freedom in Him.
Less complaining…..more thankfulness.

I pray that your year will “richer” in the things that are really important and “poorer” in the things that are not.

2nd rate people

Rod Shimabukuro — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:07:35 +0000

As I listened to a young leader share his disheartened, defeated feelings, I felt like I was being beaten within. He and others who supposedly were experiencing the same feelings, felt like 2nd rate, under appreciated people. They felt like they were being treated as lower class servants or leaders!

On one hand, I said, NO, NO…THAT’S NOT TRUE – SO GET OVER THOSE DEMONIC THOUGHTS!“ On the other hand, I said, ”I’M SO SORRY IF I HAVE ANY PART OF YOU FEELING THIS WAY! PLEAE FOGIVE ME!“

Well, there’s more to this story, but the outcome for me was a lesson (actually several lessons!).

Listen closely to the pain people are experiencing.
Guide them gently to the Word of God.
Correct any wrong thinking or behavior.
Call them to God centeredness, out of self centeredness.
Be a leader who communicates through my life, actions and words, that NO ONE IS 2nd RATE!

We Believe that every person, Christian and non-Christian alike, is valuable to God and to His Kingdom. Because people are eternally valuable to God, they are to us as well. Responsible evangelism will always be our cause and ongoing discipleship will always be the core of the ministry.

Fight to Win

Rod Shimabukuro — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:47:15 +0000

It’s called a standing 8 count – when a boxer gets knocked down but not out. But the referee has the authority to call the fight if he feels that the boxer is not fit to continue the match.

I’ve had many standing 8’s in life, where I’ve been knocked down but not out! The difference…My God is my Coach and Cornerman, who has trained me to get up, fight and win!

Leadership is not defined by my failures and knockdowns, but by my ability to trust my Coach and stay in the fight!

My Marriage Sucks!

Rod Shimabukuro — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:37:47 +0000

C’mon couples…have any of you ever been at a place in your marriage where things just aren’t going well?? Be real now!! What about Beckie & I you ask? Well, guess no more!! Our marriage has been put to the test over the past 5-6 years. Like red wine (so I’ve heard), our marriage has become more seasoned and mature – but the enemy does not like us growing stronger and making an impact for the Kingdom of God!

3 reasons why my marriage has been rocked over the past decade:

I’m spoiled
I’m selfish
I’m self centered

Nuff said! Jesus…HELP…me and thanks for my loving and forgiving bride and best friend!

Are you being your best?

Rod Shimabukuro — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:22:12 +0000

My boxing trainer and I were talking about a man who used to come to the gym to workout. The trainer said he talked to him and said that he (the man) was discouraged because he didn’t seem to be improving. Because he was frustrated and discouraged for not being the best, he dropped out!

Over the past 25 years in ministry, I’ve seen many people drop out of church, ministry, marriage and life! The harsh reality is that people get discouraged, frustrated and for whatever reasons, they give up and drop out!

The standards and expectations of life can be challenging to the point of being overwhelming. We are constantly reminded to be better, do better – to upgrade our performance – to be the best!

Am I called to be THE BEST or to be my best? I really can’t be someone else’s best. I can never measure up if I’m always living up to someone else’s expectations or standards. Of course, it’s NOT to say that we shouldn’t challenge and call people to improvement, BUT when is enough, enough?

I’m called to be my best in God – NOT the best in what I do.
I’m called to be my best in God – NOT someone else’s best for me.
I’m called to be my best in God – NOT the best for God.

As a leader, I want to be careful not to place undue or unnecessary pressure on others to perform – to be the best at…something. I want them to be their best – to do their best – unto God. So I will push, challenge, call and encourage others – to be their best for the God who loves them and deserves their highest devotion, attention and service

A Word for our Evange’leaders!

Rod Shimabukuro — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:40:48 +0000

Hello Evange’team (short for Evangelism Team!),

Here’s a Word for us to ponder as Evange’leaders!
Jude 1:10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them.

It’s a powerful word that I don’t want to take out of context, relating to people who slander and reject the Lord’s authority and delight in doing evil. But here’s what I sense, is the Word of Lord to ponder… “Be careful Rod, not to speak too quickly, with words and tone’s that tear others down. Especially when you “THINK” you have complete understanding of a person or situation. Even when I “have understanding,” develop instincts to hear MY voice, so you can speak from MY heart – so you are not destructive to others hearts and relationships.”

With a heart to shepherd our leadership to Jesus

Rip me, repair me, restore me, renew me!

Rod Shimabukuro — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:54:59 +0000

…for Your glory Lord!

Do I mean this prayer?
Do I want this prayer answered?
Am I ready to live through this prayer?
Am I ready to live out this prayer?
What does this prayer mean O lord?

I’m shallow in understanding – but deeply committed to You!
I trust You Lord!

I’m all in!

I love Conflict…NOT!

Rod Shimabukuro — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:52:50 +0000

There are a rare minority of people who love to handle conflict. I guess most of these become lawyers, judges, police officers, pastors and ministry leaders!

One of the greatest attributes I learned from a VP of Operations in my management career, is the ability to handle, confront and resolve conflict. There is much skill, art and tons of the heart of courage to be able to accomplish this.

The past couple weeks, I see the poor life skill of people avoiding conflict, neglecting long term resolution at the expense of fear, hurt and pride.

The other extreme of avoiding conflict are people who lack self control and go out of control – because they lost control of a situation or person. In this case, these people love to fight. Unfortunately they choose to fight the “wrong fight, with the wrong person” causing more hurt, division and conflict!

People, let’s learn to resolve conflict in a manner worthy of the Lord, Biblically sound and peacefully uplifting!

Lord within me…I want to make it my aim to be pleasing to You. I aim for harmony and building others up! Ready, Aim…Live fired up for Jesus!

Romans 14:19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

p.s. Don’t Be A Cry Baby!

Rod Shimabukuro — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:23:15 +0000

A brother came to me grumbling about a situation which of course included people. Some people were making decisions apart from him, without his input.

Have you ever felt un-included – left out, not befriended or accepted. OUCH! The feeling and experience of rejection is like a dagger piercing the soul. Maybe these kinds of experiences are our test of maturity, strength and security? Rather than grumble, be embittered and burn bridges in relationships, maybe we need to consider growing up in Christ.

This is where the the living and powerful Word of God comes in! When I’ve been in a “poor me-bad them, rejection mode”, I clothe my mind and heart with His Word.

Forgive.
Give preference to one another.
Be a peacemaker.
Return good for evil (or what I may take as evil).
Above all things – love.
Love believes, hopes and endures ALL things!
I don’t wrestle against flesh & blood, but against the evil one.
Speak truth – IN LOVE!

So clothe your heart and life with His Word – put on the whole armor of God – and obey the Holy Spirit in tough situations.

p.s. – Don’t be a cry baby!

Rooting up evil

Rod Shimabukuro — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:55:26 +0000

I helped a friend dig a trench! Not too hard…but the challenge? The bamboo roots among rocks was horrendous! There were so many roots that I couldn’t even use a shovel to dig. I had to start of using an axe! These roots were thick and plentiful and it took an axe to chop through 4-6 inches before I hit dirt!

Although these roots were not evil, they did hamper the trench project. Besides the blisters, sweat that could fill a 5 gallon bucket and a sore back and muscles, I gained wisdom. From one bamboo shoot, grew 2, then 3, then 20, then 50, then 100, then…! From 1 person hurting us through gossip, cold shoulders or whatever it may be, could produce many poisonous roots that could destroy you and others around you.

Hebrews 12:15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

My take home…Root up all evil attitudes in my heart. Help me Lord!!