Some thoughts as Easter approaches part 1

"A man who stands for nothing, will fall for anything"-Alexander Hamilton/Malcolm X

Some of us have heard this before. For me, now having been a Christian for 5 years, it definitely means much more. I can reflect now on my youth and how swayed I was by the world. I remember being in the 7th grade, listening to Dr. Dre's The Chronic 2001with my friends and being SUPER into Gangster rap. In a foreshadowing to that a few years earlier purchasing Bone thugs-in-Harmony's album 1999. Then the next year, following the trend of my friends, diving into the world of TECHNO and House music. After that came what I like to call the KROQ phase, then the "Punk" phase, then the "Hardcore" phase.

My gosh! Obviously it was music and my friends that surrounded me that I found my identity in. I could look at my past and say "Well all kids go through that, trying to find their identity etc." While that may be true I definitely see examples of this still happening with "Adults"; People in their 20s, 30s, 40s, who still haven't found their identity, still being blown and tossed by the wind.

I feel moved to share about this now because having been here in Hawaii for some time, I myself have definitely been challenged about my beliefs and what I stand for. There are many causes out there. For me, obviously it is the cause of Christ that fuels my passion, my love for people, and my desire to make him famous. I'm sold out for that. Yet I ask myself, "How am I STANDING up for that cause?" You see standing is an ACTION. I could very well be content having been able to resolve that these are my causes/beliefs etc., but if my life's actions don't reflect that, aren't I just on the sidelines? Observing others as I passively let life pass me by?

So I don't share this to discourage you, I'm mulling this over in my own life. I share this to shock you into an awareness! We should KNOW what we stand for and be able to communicate that clearly. Not only that, but the way we live our lives should REFLECT that. No more being swallowed by the current of trends. Again for me it's God and his unwavering Word, his unfailing love. I've resolved to stand on something that will last forever, something I can trust.

So let's stand-up! I think this world is definitely in need of more "Stander-uppers" and less "Sitter-downers"



Ps. "Stander-uppers" and "Sitter-downers" are both words that haven't been accepted into the dictionary....YET. I'm lookin' at you Merriam-Webster.

The past month in a jiffy.

Malasadas...do you even need to ask?

Well I've definitely lagged on the posting so here goes an update for those of you following along.

Visited home and saw as many friends and family as I possibly could in a week! Celebrated Joel's marriage to Bethany AND my Birthday in the same weekend. It was possibly the most fun I've ever had in a week ever, AND the most exhausting. I had the opportunity to perform a song for my family; the first time I ever performed for them. It was a huge moment for me because up until then all I was to them was talk. It was so much fun to be able to share with them my passion.

Came back here and on Feb. 24th had our first ever combined church worship night with The Mission and North shore christian fellowship. Approx. 50 people showed up and it was a great first ever. Planning the next one sometime after Easter.

The 25th of Feb. I was able to view and support the showing of a documentary called "Sex and Money" about Human Trafficking in the United States. The community gym was packed with people hungry for awareness. It was really neat to see people united with the desire to end injustice in this world.

STN(Surfing the Nations) came with their team of interns. Most of them were from Sweden and the rest were Canadian/South African/Australian. They helped us finish some projects around the property here.

Those are the biggest events up until now. Can you believe it's already March? It's been rather rainy on this lil' Island of ours. 11 inches of rain on average for the last week. I'm afraid of losing my SWEET tan. The rain surely has me missing my friends back home but I've become quite used to meeting and connecting with new people here on the Island. 
I need more skype time with some of you! find me if you don't have me already. My email is Marsisnotspectacular@gmail.com

woohoo! Keep praying for me here folks. Things are going very well, but very stretching! Thanks so much for all your continued support!