Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness (New Hope Maui Message, 4.27.14)

I had the opportunity to share the message at New Hope.

We are going through a series on the Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Here is my message on Faithfulness:

Fruit of the Spirit - Joy (New Hope Maui Message, 3.23.14)

I had the opportunity to share the message at New Hope.

We are going through a series on the Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Here is my message on Joy:

Fruit of the Spirit - Introduction (New Hope Maui Message, 2.2.14)

I had the opportunity to give the message at New Hope Maui today, 2/2/14.

We are starting a series on the "Fruits of the Spirit".  My message was the introduction.

Series text:

Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Fig Tree Parable text:

Luke 13: 6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Twelve Spies story:  

Numbers 13: 21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol,[a] they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.

Remain in Me text:

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Putting our Faith in God, not man

I had the opportunity to give the message at New Hope Maui on 9.30.12 ... 



I shared about how the focus of our faith needs to be on God, not on man (or things, or ideas) ...

I spoke from 1 Corinthians, here are some excerpts ...

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 ... ¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ²² Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

1 Corinthians 3:5-15 ... ⁵ What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

It is for Freedom that Christ set us Free

I had the opportunity to share the message at New Hope Maui on 12/4/11 ... If I get any audio I will post it later.

The message was on Galatians 5:  It is for Freedom that Christ set us Free.

The illustration was that sometimes how we see the world is impaired by our bondage.

Galatians 5

 ¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

 ² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

 ⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

 ¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

 ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

 ¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Participating With God

I had the opportunity to share the sermon message at New Hope Maui on 8.21.11.

I spoke about God's challenge to me to become more intimate with Him.

The Parable of the Sower can be found in ...
     Matthew, Chapter 13; 
     Mark, Chapter 4; 
     and Luke, Chapter 8.

I also shared from 2 Peter 1:3-9

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Click here if you would like to download this message.

Don't Judge Me

I had the opportunity to share the sermon message at New Hope Maui on 3.13.11.

I spoke from Romans 14:1 thru 15:7, "Weak Faith"



Click here to download the message.

My Eldest Son - Caleb

I love my first born.  Of course, I love all of my kiddos.  Contrary to what many parents may try to tell you, you love each of your kids differently.  You have different connections with them.  They have different "languages" in which the share their love with you.  There are certainly similarities, but since no child is the same, it is impossible to love them the same.

"Hey Caleb, let me get a picture of you."

"How about a better picture?"

"Nevermind, I'll just use one from awhile ago."

I am the father of four and the first is my son Caleb.  Caleb is named for Caleb in the Bible.  He was one of the twelve spies Moses sent to Canaan to check out the promised land.  Caleb, along with Joshua, were the only two of the twelve that came back with positive, faithful reports of the land.  The other ten bemoaned the people of Canaan being giants and impossible to conquer.

Caleb is the reason all of our kids have Biblical names.  If Caleb had been born a girl, her name would have been Emily.

Caleb is from the Hebrew word Kalebh, literally meaning "dog-like".  My wife (who has her own blog) will try to tell you Caleb means "courageous", but I am not sure where she got that definition from.  The closest, alternate, meaning of Caleb's name I have found is "whole hearted".

With Caleb, we also started our effort to honor our parents.  Each of our kids shares the middle name of one of our parents.  Caleb's is name for my dad:  Caleb Miles Halverson. (Miles, btw, means "soldier".)

I am proud of my son.  He has an honest heart an accepting mind and a empathetic soul.  He has a very sensitive spirit and I pray that I teach and train him well.

Our recent conversations have been about integrity.

I love that Caleb loves things I love.  I understand it is because I am his dad, but it is still cool.  There are many things I can't wait to share with him (like the Matrix) and other things we already enjoy together (like Star Wars and Star Trek).

C ourageous
A ccepting
L oving
E mpathetic
B old

Here is a quick video of him.  Was I ever that goofy?  I love his laugh.

Running Sounds Exhausting

You may have heard it said before that our life is like a race.  In fact, the Bible, uses this analogy a couple of times:

Acts 20:24 - However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

1 Corinthians 9:24 - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Hebrews 12:1 - Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

I saw this video (below) and was reminded that too often we think that we are to run this race alone.  Certainly we have our loved ones, family and friends, there to support us, but they don't run the race.  But because we are the ones to run the race, we feel inadequate to run the race by ourselves.

I think that is the point.  God knows we are inadequate without Him.  That the race He has set before us can only be accomplished with His help.  (John 15:5 - apart from me you can do nothing.)  And that we need to be willing to rely on Him.

The Most Beautiful Woman ...

How did I get so lucky?

I know what many of you have thought over the years ... "Paul, how did you ever end up with a girl like Mandy?"  And, you know what?  I have no idea.  I often wonder about that same thing.  She doesn't know this (I don't think), but there are times when I will watch her and ponder my good fortune of having a woman like her settle with (for) a guy like me.

I remember my first "experience" with Mandy (who has her own blog).  Her brother, Philip, was in a youth group (AFG) my sister Cheryl (who has her own blog too) and I were responsible for.  AFG hung out every Wednesday night at the church (with the other youth groups).  Mandy was in the High School Group and was supposed to pick Philip up at the end of the night.  One time she never showed up and Phil said he couldn't find her.  So I looked around and, sure enough, she was nowhere to be found.  Someone suggested a group of people had gone to McDonald's and that maybe she went with them.  She had.  My impression:  Phil's sister, the irresponsible high schooler.

"Oops!  Sorry!  I forgot!"

Another time, all the youth groups were in charge of the "adult" service at church and she had offered to help hand out bulletins.  She had just had knee surgery, and I remember thinking she wouldn't be able to hand them out while on crutches, but she wanted to help.  I also remember thinking she should just go sit down and take it easy.  My impression:  Phil's sister, the I-won't-let-you-tell-me-I-can't-help high schooler.

"I am perfectly capable."

Mandy was "Phil's sister".  I really didn't know much about her except from my own experiences.  Then I went to a college retreat (from our church) for the purpose of recruiting some leadership for the aforementioned youth group (AFG).  For some reason, she was there (she was in high school).  I rembember, at some point in time, I was sitting with (Angie?) expressing my hope to find some people to help with AFG.  Mandy pipes up (I don't even remember her sitting there), "I'll help!"  My impression:  Phil's sister, not really the help I had in mind.

I would be great help!

"Um, well, er," I stuttered.  I couldn't say, "Yes."  I think, at the time, I didn't want to say yes, this was Phil's sister.  Being the quick thinker that I am, I stumbled on to say, "Well, it is your brother's youth group.  It needs to be OK with him."  I am not completely sure of the conversation that ensued between Phil and Mandy after the retreat, but she ended up helping.  I think that was the first weekend in May of 1996.  So she starts hanging out with the group and on May 22, 1996, she turned 18.  My impression:  Oh dear.

Oh dear.

Now, I'll admit, I have always struggled with that moment.  One minute she is Phil's sister the next she is Mandy and beautiful.  We (the youth group leadership) took her to Godfather's Pizza for her birthday and as she sat across from me there was this inner turmoil.  And then it happened.  She laughed so hard she spewed pop and pizza all over me.  I was in love.

I think it is important to mention that I was 23.  She just turned 18 and I was 23.  Before she was 18, I didn't really notice her ... she was just there.  After she turned 18, I noticed her because she was there.  I was worried.  I really really liked her.  But I was so much older.  What would everyone say?  What would everyone think?  How would her parents respond?  What about being in leadership at a church?  These questions consumed me.  I even tried to forget about her "in that way".  But I couldn't.  My impression:  Oh dear.

Oh dear.

And so it continued.  I was convinced I was "wrong" to like her, that it was inappropriate.  But I couldn't stop liking her.  In youth group, we played capture the flag, and I found myself performing amazing feats of rescue when she was captured.  In those few moments I could hold her hand as I saved her back to our side.  In those few moments time slowed and we were skipping across prairies of wild flowers frolicking in our love for each other.  /clear throat/ 

I remember, one night at my parents house, after they had hosted a college group party (that Mandy came to), I sat down and told my parents I thought I met the person I was going to marry.  This was how far my "obsession" had come.  I was going to marry her.  But we weren't even dating yet.  My impression:  Oh dear.

Oh dear.

Our church had a "Family Camp" weekend on July 19,20,21, and she was going.  I had decided I was going to let her know how I felt, once and for all (less the marriage part) that weekend.  Everywhere she was, I lingered, waiting for "the moment".  That weekend is really a blur for me.  I remember talking to my sister (Cheryl) about her.  I remember talking to someone else about her.  I remember being nervous and feeling awkward all weekend.  But, at some point, I found out SHE LIKED ME TOO!!!! /clear throat/ I found out she liked me too.  My impression:  Yahoo!!!

If only Paul would notice me.

That following Tuesday at TGIF's in Kirkland (where the college group went every tuesday), we went outside to "talk".  We knew we both like each other but I had to tell her some things first.  So we sat on a curb somewhere and I took her hand in mine and shared with her every "secret" I had.  Those things that she needed to know about me if we were going to be together.

And so we started dating (7/23/1996).  Apparently, she didn't hear anything I said.  To this day, she still says all she could think about was that I was holding her hand.  So much for confession.

Despite the fact that I was almost six years older, we had the blessing to "date" from everyone.  My parents, her parents, the church leadership, everyone.  In fact, a few people said that our "age" difference was of no consequence. Or, that we were perfect for each other.  My impression:  I really couldn't argue.

Rare AFG PDA.

It didn't take long for us to talk about marriage.  I don't know how it happened, but it was obvious we would be together forever.  I proposed to her on April 11th, 1998 (click here to read the engagement story) and on November 14th, 1998 we were married.

Best Wedding Ever

So that's how it happened, for those of you that have been wondering.  It really is like a fairytale.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Luckiest guy in the world.

I Have the Best In-Laws!!

(I know what you are thinking.  "Paul, aren't your in-laws coming to stay with you?  Is this a post to butter them up for their stay?"  And the answer is, "Perhaps slightly ...")

Pat and Jeanette = Best In-Laws

It is true that my wife's parents are coming to stay with us.  From May 18 to June 7.  Now, you might think that is a long time to have your spouse's parents stay with you, but ... this brings us to the purpose of this post.

Over the past couple months ... as this time has been approaching, it has become more and more a part of my everyday conversation.  It is not unusual for those of us who live in Maui, to ask each other who has stayed with you, is staying with you, or will be staying with you.  In our (my wife (who has her own blog) and my) first 10 years of marriage, we maybe had 10 nights* where someone had stayed "over" at our house.  These last 13 months living in Maui, we have had 70 nights**^,*** where someone has stayed "over".

Don't get me wrong.  Mandy and I love having guests.  We have always tried to express our hospitality to those around us, and living in Maui allows us to bring it to a whole new level.

So, living in Maui, we ask one another "Who was, is or will be staying with you?"

So recently, my answer has been, "My wife's parents."  Or, "My In-Laws."  And sometimes I would add they were staying with us for 3 weeks.  Inevitably, some people would gawk or respond negatively.  "Good luck with that," they would say.  Or, "Ugh, I couldn't handle that."  I have to admit, it caught me off guard.

"No, no.  It's not like that!." I would exclaim.  "I don't mind at all."  "Really!?" they would say in utter surprise.

Over the past couple months, and more recently ... er recently.  I have found myself saying, "I have the best in-laws."

  

Brothers and Sister In-Law too

When Mandy told me Pat and Jeanette were coming to stay with us, I didn't even think twice about it.  "It'll be for three weeks?" she asked.  "OK," I said (perhaps even with a shrug).  It really doesn't bother me because I have the best in-laws.  Of course, there is that weird ImarriedyourdaughterandIhopeyouthinkIamtakinggoodcareofher vibe, but that is mostly me dealing with my "issues."

There is a bit of a stigma regarding in-laws in our culture.  You often see or hear of negative portrayals of the family of those that we marry.  When I fell in love with their daughter, my biggest concern wasn't whether they were good parents-in-law, but whether they would accept me as their son-in-law! (I was [slightly] older than their daughter).  I am certain I got the better end of the deal.

Best wedding ever.

I love you Pat and Jeanette, you are my parents, my Mom and Dad.  Thank you for accepting me and for praying for me (your daughter's future husband).  Thank you for making me a part of your family.  You can stay with us anytime because you are the best in-laws.

I married into an awesome family.  A husband could not be any luckier.

____________________

*we never really kept track and 10 years is a long period of time to remember accurately.

**now we have a guest book, kind of.

***We have lived in Maui 391 days from April 21, 2009 to the date of this post May 16, 2010.  Cheryl has inspired me to figure the percentage of 70 nights to the time we have lived in Maui.  It is 17.9%**** (feel free to double check my math.  I, of course, did not make any sweeping assumptions). After Mandy's parents' stay, that percentage will increase to 21.8%.

****as compared to .003% before we lived in Maui.

We are a New Creation.

I had the opportunity to share the message at New Hope Maui, 12/27/09.

The text of the message is 2 Corinthians 5:11 - 6:2







Click here to download the message.

If God is for us ... who can be against us?

I had the opportunity to share the message at New Hope Maui, 11/1/09.
The service started with everyone standing and reading aloud Romans 8:18-39.
The main story from my message is in 1 Kings 18:16-40






Click here to download the message.



The verses read at the end in closing were (in order):

Romans 5:6-8
Isaiah 1:18-20
2 Peter 1:3-4
Deuteronomy 20:3-4
Psalm 18:29-32
Ephesians 6:10-13
2 Timothy 1:7
1 Peter 2:9-10
John 15:14-17
Romans 8:31-39