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How did Jesus pray?

When I first became a Christian I remember people telling me that they were going to pray in their prayer closet. I always wondered why people would try to smash themselves into a closet to pray. After a few years I finally realized that a “prayer closet” does not really exist is just something people say.

A lot of people think they dont know how to pray. A lot of people are intimidated to pray. To help us understand how to pray I thought a good place to start is by looking at what Jesus says about prayer…

1. Pray in faith.
22And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matt 21:22

2. Do not pray so that people can admire you.
7″And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matt 6:7

3. Pray in Gods will.
24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

January 18, 2012 | Categories: Jesus | Leave A Comment »

Build a church or make disciples?

I love the church.  As a pastor I spend many hours thinking of how we can get more people in the church.  Programing, classes, outreaches, meetings and a bunch of other stuff has and many times continue to fill my schedule.  As I read scripture however I find that I am not supposed to build the church.

Jesus tells his disciples that He will build His church.
18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of  hell shall not prevail against it.  Matthew 16:18

If this is true what is my job?

Jesus gives us OUR job description in Matthew 28:19… 19Go therefore and make disciples of  all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Our job is NOT to spend all of our time creating activities for Christians.  Our job is NOT to create great Sunday programming.  Our job is NOT to spend countless hours in meetings creating policy for church leaders.  Our job is to make disciples.  Our job is to help people who are far from Jesus find and walk with Jesus.

Jesus gave Christians very clear instructions to make disciples.  As a Christian who loves and wants to obey Jesus we MUST make disciples.  If we have not and are not making disciples we might need to ask ourselves if we are really Christians.

 

December 26, 2011 | Categories: discipleship | Leave A Comment »

Alexa Tabitha Tokushige

We are still waiting for Alexa.

As of Saturday 10/29 Liz was dilated 3cm and 40% effaced. I am not really sure what this means, but I do know that we need to get to 10cm and i am guessing 100% is the goal.

As we are in the final stages of waiting for Alexa, I thought I would post some thoughts of a dad to be having a girl.

-praying for a healthy normal baby girl.
-i need a gun
-i hope she looks like her mom
-i cant wait to take her on dates
-i will set the bar so high that she wont even waste time talking to loser boys that do not know how to properly treat women
-we are going to be a family of 4.
-i have a lot of pink stuff around the house
-a 2 year old and a newborn sounds like sleep is not going to happen much for a while.
-thank you Jesus for a healthy pregnancy so far
-super appreciate my wife for carrying this baby for 9 months
-we keep changing this kids name. hoping alexa sticks.
-tokushige’s facing a bunch of transitions again. trusting Jesus.
-praying for a house that we can build our family in.
-God never ceases to amaze me as He provides for our family

please continue to pray for Liz and Alexa.

November 4, 2011 | Categories: tokushiges | Leave A Comment »

discipleship is everyone’s job

August 27, 2011 | Categories: discipleship | Leave A Comment »

build with us

While living in the Philippines Liz and I had the privilege of being a part of the team that helped start Victory Greenhills.  I would consider some of the men and women on this team some of my best friends in the world.  Recently the Greenhills team made a huge announcement that will mean some big changes in the San Juan community.

Huge props to Dennis and the team.  I am definitely with yall and am cheering you guys on.

If you are reading this I would like to encourage you to sow a seed into the tremendous work that God is doing in San Juan.

 

August 17, 2011 | Categories: church | Leave A Comment »

The Goal of GBCK small groups

We have been working non stop to try to create a culture of discipleship.  In an another effort to get people to understand what discipleship is all about we will begin to post a series of videos through facebook, twitter, blogs and any other medium possible to create this culture that will lead to changed lives.

Here is the 1st video that I made.

May 24, 2011 | Categories: discipleship | Leave A Comment »

Discipleship is Relationship

The function of a single lego piece is to be connected to another piece.  If it is not connected to another piece it does do much.  Lego is all about connecting.

Lego can teach us how discipleship is supposed to happen.  Legos know that they need to be connected.

We have to understand what legos already know.  We need to be connected to Jesus and connected to each other.

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:35

Discipleship is about relationships that push each other toward Jesus.

Discipleship as all about us working to connect with others so that we can connect them to Jesus.

Discipleship is not about 1 super religious person teaching others how to be a christian.  Discipleship happens as we process our lives with Jesus and each other.

May 17, 2011 | Categories: discipleship | 1 Comment »

How to create a discipleship culture?

A few weeks ago I gathered our youth staff and through this question out to them.  I love our team and the way they contribute to creative solutions to some pretty complex questions.  Here is a list of some of the ideas that we generated and will begin to execute this year.

  • Once a month training after Youth service
  • once a month training in service
  • pulpit
  • individual small group outings
  • combined groups
  • scripture on discipleship (weekly)
  • T-shirts
  • advertising of small groups
  • sports league
  • community outreach (rice crispy treats)
  • continual follow up
  • fliers with all the groups
  • sign up card
  • video training
  • testimonies
  • pictures
  • pictures of activities
  • small group awards
  • reward for new members and those who invited them
  • prayer and fasting

April 16, 2011 | Categories: church, discipleship | Leave A Comment »

Will everyone go to heaven?

April 4, 2011 | Categories: world | Leave A Comment »

Easter Plans 2011

Easter is always a pretty busy time for the church. We try our best to build up to Easter empowering our members to be praying for and reaching out to their friends and family. Here is what we got going down at GBCK gearing up for Easter.

March 12: Beverage Blast
Passed out free drinks to people at the parks in Kapolei who were participating in sports.

March 26: Womens lunch outreach
The women of the church invited others and gathered for a time of outreach and fellowship.

April 20: Easter Supplies
We will set up a table after school at Mauka Lani Elementary (the school that we meet at every Sunday) and pass out supplies for parents who want to give Easter baskets to their kids, but might need help providing this for their kids.

April 23: Prayer and Door Hangers
We will walk the community praying and hanging door hangers with plastic easter eggs with candy and small gifts inside. The door hangers will also have an invitation to our Easter services.

March 30, 2011 | Categories: church | Leave A Comment »

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