Tuesday, August 2, 2011
True Strength
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tennessee
Friday, July 29, 2011
Now that Legacy is done, this is just the beginning, the start of something new and something good. I am currently in Australia for family vacation and wish that I stayed for the last week of Legacy and the sponsorship banquet. I heard of good things about the banquet and that it was a success! This was a awesome experience and I would've loved to rewind the tape all the way to day 1 of the retreat and do it again. I am beyond blessed to have such amazing leaders and pastors that value and care so much about the interns and I. Now that it's over, I am still helping out with New Hope Manoa with Pastor Sam Kapu until I leave for NHCC. God is working and has been faithful all the way :))
A BIG FAT THANK YOU TO LEGACY [interns/leaders/pastors/sponsors]!!!
My family and I recently went to the Sydney Tower, Australia's tallest tower (around 880 ft) and It was a fun experience! The view was so beautiful and I automatically thought of how big God is. This is only one part of Australia and I said to myself, "WOW, imagine how big the world is". God created the earth and everything in it...it's HUGE!!! God is bigger than life! God deserves more than we think and can ever imagine! One day left of this trip and im back in the 808! ...Thank you Lord for this trip and for providing for my family :))
Monday, July 25, 2011
A new beginning
Journey Begins!
Joaquim: you showed me how to let God rebuild your character.
Amanda: you showed me God is able to break barriers of anything.
Will: you showed me that you could worry a little, but over all God is in control!
Neyda: you showed me how to give grace.
Leslie: you showed me passion and to remain teachable always.
Billy: you showed me that God can keep molding you & still be in the process.
Joshua: you showed me that being from Hawaii is okay.
Christie: you showed me that God is still helping you progress with your low plank.
Stephan: you showed me that God is able to move in you, no matter how long you knew of Him.
Elaine: you showed me that you are a mighty confident woman of God.
Keli'a: you showed me God can use "grilling" to have good as an outcome.
Devin: youu showed me gifts are not enough, but your heart is just enough.
Zach: you showed me how to let & trust others to stand by you.
Pastors, friends, family, & Jules thank you oh so much. For helping and investing in us 14 interns. We have been the product of transformed lives by God and His people. I love and miss you all.
Have a blessed day!
Love, Litia Feagai Faitele.
Legacy 2011 is over!
Saturday was the Legacy Sponsorship Banquet and Im so proud because Im part of that because all of the Interns did their best. As a result, we nail the "do together" project!!!
I want to share my written report and leave my contacts below.
"Thank you Jesus" (Pr. Rod Shimabukuro).
Love
Joaquim Emilio de Almeida
CONTACTS
Facebook: Joaquim Emilio
E-mail: joaquimalmeida@newhope.edu
MSN: joaquim.emilio@hotmail.com
Skype: j.emilio1
WRITTEN REPORT
Legacy has changed me in many ways such as, my behavior, my personality, my marriage, my life principles, and etc. Also, the opportunity to be part of the New Hope Church for eight weeks and glean from some godly things of New Hope gems. A church which is formed of amazing people. I will remember these eight weeks forever. I have learned so much here that I need divine help to unpack all of that knowledge now.
The Fireside Chats were amazing to me because I had the opportunity to know a little bit deeper about the New Hope DNA and also to meet God's pioneers of the New Hope church. First, the New Hope Core Value # Seven caught my attention since I read for the first time. Also, I could clearly feel and see genuine love and caring relationships during the testimonies. Second, New Hope is a volunteer-driven church for sure since the way that the Levites set up the churches around Honolulu is something beyond my understanding of being a servant of God. Third, the sense of community inside of New Hope is something very powerful since it provides a safe place to everybody.
The Paddling Ministry had amplified my understanding of leadership, which was so selfish and task-oriented before. I got the first seat in the canoe this position is responsible to give pace to the canoe. So, my thought was "I would make these guys paddle really fast". As we started to paddle I was paddling faster than I can. Also, I was paddling faster than my team and I realized that I was responsible to make my team paddle together. As a result, the canoe could go faster if we paddle together. At that moment, God taught me in my heart about godly leadership that focuses on relationship because we have to paddle/walk as a team instead pushing people too hard to accomplish church goals. So, a godly leader must build up the team.
The Legacy program was a life changing to me. I have been married for eleven months and I didn't know that in eleven months I had deeply hurt my wife. I realized this in the retreat because a pastor shared his testimony about his marriage. I realized I wanted her to be me because I thought that I could do things better than her such as, laundry, dishes, clean, etc... but I was completely wrong because I had showed no respect to her at all. However, I came to Legacy to learn how to be a good Leader but God brought me here to teach me first how to be a godly husband. So, I will never forget the Legacy retreat because it had saved my marriage and today my relationship with my wife is softer and more gentle since she can be herself and I stop getting angry with her since I understand how to now respect her as a God's queen.
The Character Class and "to do together project" had challenged me the most and helped me with my low planks. First, I was born in a Christian family and it gave me a good Christian foundation. Moreover, the Character Class challenged all of my Christians ideas and principles, which were not wrong but they are "christianize". So, the challenges during the class help me to expand my foundation and made it stronger on God. As a result, it will help me in my future. Also, the character class showed me low planks and that I should daily ask for God's grace. Second, in the beginning of "to do together project" I took charge and I was all in but I got so frustrated during the planning time. Through this, God had used my frustration to teach how to keep my peace and to listen more than speak.
In conclusion, I'm so proud to be part of a group of interns, which became mature as a group in many ways that I have never seen before. Also, I'm so thankful for all the Legacy leaders and all the pastors that I met during the program. They had impacted my life because they are God's people. So, my behavior, my personality, my marriage, my life principles, and many other things had changed during Legacy. Finally, I learned from a pastor to pray asking for a season to apply all that knowledge to become part of my character as a godly person.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Legacy 2011
Just as the new converts to Christ were percacuted in Jerusalem and fled all over thier known world witnessing and church planting all the way; let us do the same. Victory in Jesus as we disperse and live out the Legacy.
Love and Blessings Leslie
Fin
Saturday, July 23, 2011
New Journey Awaits...Holding Close To My Heart
best thing of my entire life? i think yes.
I made lifelong friends in the interns and others.
I saw lives changed, and people come to Christ.
God revealed things to me about myself that I never realized before.
He changed my entire mindset and my heart.
He brought healing.
He showed me that dependence on Him is key, and He showed me what He can do through me when I completely depend on Him.
He taught me so many lessons that will affect my life and ministry.
I am forever changed, and I am so grateful for what Gos has done and continues to do.
:)
Tomorrow
Legacy Banquet Set up
Romans 12:4-5 “ Just as our bodies have many parts and each have a special function,5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."
Friday, July 22, 2011
Warrior of God
Legacy by Nichole Nordeman
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...
This is the song that Me and Christie chose to do for tomorrow's banquet. We really felt that this was the perfect fight, that best exemplifies the Legacy program. Although we had the great opportunity of being in this program, the heart behind it was not for us to be exulted but for us to be good servants to God. This song talks about how its not about the fame and glory, but about the heart behind it all.
Be a faithful servent
Love you LEGACY!
Be a faithful servent
Matthew 25:21
This is one of the last lessons that I take from this internship is not just to be faithful but to be a faithful servant of the Lord. As Pastor Kyle said yesterday I also need to change my vision to see what is behind the dirty things. Thank you Pastor Kyle! :)
Love you LEGACY!
Lessons that I learned #2
Tonight was the last Fireside Chat for 2011 Legacy. Thank you so much Uncle Kyle to wrap up with a great lesson "keep a broken heart but not a broken mentality".
Haiku
Our last Fireside Chat
The End is Near
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Fruit Training
Friendships that will last
Fruit of What I Have Learned
slow to anger
This mornings devotional really helped me put my frustrations and stress in perspective.
Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger,
I've recently been seeing petty frustration wedging itself into relationships.
When I get ticked off, I usually end up making a comment that does nothing towards resolution and a more towards harming my relationships. a byproduct of me getting angry is saying and doing things in the heat of the moment that are impatient, defensive and hurtful.
When I'm angry, I don't see things clearly. I think I see what the resolution should be like, and the only thing I'm really resolved to doing is trying to push the situation in that direction - and it doesn't turn out well.
If I am able to see the root causes of things - If I am able to have "good sense" about situations in which myself and others are upset, anger begins to dissolve because of that understanding. If I am able to look into my heart genuinely, and see what it is in me that's causing me to feel that way or get upset at that person and their action - it immediately begins to release that anger, and instead of harming the relationship - anger can be used to see where healing needs to take place.
Lord would you give me understanding, would you let me see the hurt and unresolved things in my own heart that are overflowing into hurtful words and actions. Would you lessen my desire to be right, and increase my hunger to see your truth in situations.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Lessons that I learned #1
i love you guys. :)
I am amazed that God handpicked each of us to be here. He had a reason for bringing this specific group together at this time. And I am so blessed that He gave us the capacity to love each other. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we all deeply love each other, and that does not always happen in life and ministry. We don't always get along with the people we work with. In those cases, we need to love them anyway and learn to work with them, and God definitely could have given us that challenge. But instead, He gave us a group that enjoys each other's company. It is such a blessing to have these amazing, lifelong friends that I have been able to share life with during the past two months.
From me to you (in alphabetical order haha):
Amanda: I have always wanted to get to know you, and I am so glad that we had this opportunity to become friends! I am super happy that we have gotten close and have had so many great times together. :)
Billy: I'm amazed at all that you do, and how well you do it. You are definitely gifted, and God is using you in amazing ways. It is so cool to see you continually ministering to the people around you. :)
Devin: It has been really cool being in the same group as you and seeing you grow. God has done some amazing things in you! And He will continue to do amazing things in and through you! :)
Elaine: I loved all the time we were able to spend together! I am so grateful for all of the laughter and the great life and God conversations we had. :)
Joaquim: It is so awesome to see how God has been working in your life the past two months! Your heart for serving God and His people is amazing. :)
Josh: I love your love for the Bible and for God. It's so cool to see how excited you get when God teaches you new things. :)
Keli'a: Girl, it is SO incredible to seeing you grow in Christ. Wow! God has done amazing things through you, and I loved getting to know you and am SO happy you are coming to NHCC!!!!!! :)
Leslie: I love how you most definitely have the gift of hospitality. :) You are such a blessing, always cooking for us and planning get-togethers. :)
Neyda: I loved how it seemed like we were always partnered in our ministry skills classes, and we got to talk and work together. You are such a joy! :D And girl, you can saanng!!! Keep using that amazing voice God gave you for His glory!! :)
Stephan: It has been super cool to see God working in you. Seeing you lead worship and preach, and all of the artistic stuff for Fuse and the banquet; it's so awesome to watch you stepping out and using your gifts for God. :)
Tia: You are such an amazing encourager. It is such a blessing. And you always bring so much to a group. :) I loved all the time we spent together! :)
Will: You are real and consistent. My first impression of you is exactly what I've seen everyday since then, and that is such a great quality; to not be inconsistent or fake. :)
Zach: You are such a blessing! I love your smile and the joy of the Lord that you have in you. :)
I love ALL of you! I am so glad to go back to school with those of you who are going to NHCC, and I will miss those of you who are not. I am so glad that God brought you all into my life. You are all amazing men and women of God! God is going to use each and every one of us in amazing ways! And I am so excited. :)
Within yourself.
A heart for Christ
Hebrews 11
Scripture: Hebrews 11:
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
I need to build my faith. Instead of just recognizing that things are happening around me, to realize that and believe in faith that it is God's will. I cannot please God without faith. I need Him to be the center of my life, and grow deeper and deeper and deeper in Him. I can see here that God also rewards those who seek Him, specifically those who seek Him earnestly. I need an earnest faith, not just understanding.
Last
Dependence
My thoughts
Monday, July 18, 2011
New Hope Core Value 7
I am astonished because I could see and feel caring relationships and genuine love to my wife and I since we arrived here. Also, the sense of community inside of New Hope Church is something that I will care inside of my heart forever and I want to apply it into my life. I am not a relational person at all but I would like to say thank you New Hope Church to teach me how it is important.
In conclusion, the core value 7 is real inside of New Hope and it is a good sentence to be in my life as one of my personal core values.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
pressing on.
Along with quoting Philippians 4:13 and refusing to give up, one thing that helped me succeed was my fellow interns. We could encourage each other and help each other along the way. And when we made the trek back down, it wasn't even a big deal because we were just talking and enjoying ourselves. Before we knew it, we had reached the bottom!
Things in life that are set before us sometimes seem daunting and impossible. When we're in the middle of overwhelming circumstances, we may feel like giving up. But we need to keep in mind the prize of "the upward call of Christ." Also, God has placed people in our lives, and when we partner to further the kingdom instead of going solo, the results are amazing!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Real Life, Real People, Real God
Friday, July 15, 2011
New
I'm not ok. I am still really broken, I have lived a selfish, wrong-direction, sinful life until God began revealing Himself, His greatness and His unconditional, and immeasurable grace unto me. And since then (about 2 years ago) I have been spending a lot of time around healed people. And I am now realizing that during much of that time, I have tried to make my restoration towards holiness happen on my own. I saw it in others, and I tried to get it myself (Christian books, disciplines, practices..etc) I tried to make it happen without submitting to God doing it - however he wants - because it is for His glory, not mine.
God can go into my mind and cause a shift. ""Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name. They shall forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they dwell securely in their land with none to make them afraid," Ezekiel 39:25-26.
It is still so hard to revisit those treacherous places. But He will make me forget them or see them anew.
I hear the Lord say today, "Son, if you only knew how big my Grace really is. Your past and your idolatry, and your disobedience is more wrong than you'll ever know. But please stop trying to equalize it - you will never be able to come close - it's impossible. Impossible.
Please look at the Cross. The perfect redemption that you don't even know you're looking for is there."
Pastor Justin Smith's Interns.
DISCIPLINE.
Firesite Chat with Pastor Wayne and Anna
LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE!!!
7-14-11 I submit as an act of LOVE.
Romans 9:20-21
S 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[a] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
S Should men talk back to God? Should man even have the right to ask God whom formed them, why did you make me like this? Does God (the potter) have the right to do what ever it wants to with men,(the clay). Does God not have the right to use the vessels (men) the way he wants to, because he made them he can make certain men (vessels) to be used for special purposes and then other vessels (men) for common use? Whatever God creates he has complete authority over its use.
A I need to wield to God and quit asking those questions such as why me? I need to bite my tongue every time I try and tell God how I want to be used and how I think he should do things in my life and the life of others. I am an idiot if I think I can out smart God who created all of this earth, man, beast, the heavens, and the oceans how to do things. I need to learn to cultivate the art of submitting to God as a gift to him and myself.
P Lord how dare I speak to you the way I have at times, trying to give you direction and insight into my mind and heart. Forgive me Lord and direct my every thought and step for your glory and honor. I willingly give you my submission, respect and submission as a gift to the one I love. You are my God and I am your child as I sing out daily you are my God and I am so glad that you would choose to use me just the way that I am, a common vessel meant for your use.
Last week of LEGACY!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
FUSE West- I love ya guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Transformed Lives
Working on the Heart
righteousness is good, but it can hurt getting there.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
As I was reading proverbs last night, the idea of righteousness and integrity kept coming up. Handfuls of instances in my life began surfacing that I had previously looked at as 'minor and insignificant' using my roommates condiments/socks/towels without asking them, things like that...
It was really convicting, feeling challenged on something I previously thought 'okay.' having furthered and my boundaries stretched towards zero-compromise. I found myself uncomfortable and getting defensive about the convictions and accusations that I was feeling.
Then I read "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid" and the fear and defensiveness started to become excitement. Knowing that the reproof of selfishness and non-integrous living is a draw into holiness - I was encouraged and motivated. Staying here and staying mindful is the trick
The power of the Blood of Jesus Christ.
Give Praise to the Lord at all Times!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Honest Mistakes
I learned this morning about Honest Mistakes, which means I did mistakes because of my ignorance and my desire to do better. Anyway, it was a mistake that I don't want to do again because I have learned how to do right now.
Thank you LEGACY to allow me be part of the program also the Legacy leaders and interns who have supported and helped me to grow as a Christian who has the desire to be a godly person.
Dying Daily!!!
Wow, I now know how crucial and essential it is to "die daily." It is difficult to be on my guard all the time. But with the Holy Spirit, I am to be on my guard and do it. But I must reevaluate myself constantly. It was a great time to reflect and see if God and I are one today. I am learning so much through this internship. I am growing and building "new muscle" everywhere, physically and mentally. This internship is coming to an end, and it is okay because God has placed us specifically where he needs us. Thank you Lord for your small reminders and especially your grace everyday and every minute we have on earth! Amen.
Again, even if I set in the darkness He will be my light.
A: I can not give up, I can not stop to have faith, I can not stop to dream because when I fail I will ask Him to show me His light and HE WILL.
P: Dear Lord my savior, I love you, thank you for be my light even when I fail. Please teach me how to walk in your light and to not have thoughts that are not from you, Be a light in my marriage.
In Jesus name,
Amen.