Fragile – Kawaiahaʻo Church

Kapuna – Bible Study, Fragile, Today

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is

being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us

an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things

that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are

transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/2co.4.16-18.esv

Whenever I read this passage, it becomes clear why I can sense those with

strong, beautiful spirits. It also explains why some of my most enriching times

were with Kapuna. Even though many Kapuna usually has more health

challenges, they just seem to have stronger internal spiritual strength. It

reminds me of when I was in my 20s and I was terrified to lose my hair. Now, I

don’t give two hoots about being bald and actually rejoice because I just shave it

off for free instead of paying 30 dollars for a hairstyle. My outer self is slowly

wearing but my inner self gradually transforms closer to God.

As we get older, we are ever reminded that this world is temporary. Most of us

increasingly don’t care about our stuff as we age and focus our energy on the

unseen. As my mom gets older, she spends more time telling me what I am to

do to dispose of her house, farm, and cash. It’s like she is naturally preparing for

something so much better. Her prized things now are our long conversations

together about God and the great memories we both have. Even 5 years ago,

these conversations just didn’t come up very often.

For you younger folks, having long conversations with Kapuna can be so valuable

because Kapuna gradually values the unseen. They value their memories,

relationships, learnings, wisdom, and character-building more and more. As their

outer self wears, their inner self pyramids up. Being younger, it takes a bit to

hone in because our sense of the future is completely different than Kapuna's. Being

younger, most think more of dating, earning money, and acquiring. It’s just so

refreshing looking through the lens of Kapuna because their thoughts in the

future gradually focus on succession and closure on this earth. Their outer sense

of mortality kicks in and their inner sense of what’s more important than is

unseen becomes keen.

God Bless our Kapuna! Their inner sense of what’s truly important is so valuable

for the rest of us.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Bad Things Happen to Good People? – Fragile, Spending Time with Ke Akua

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 04:47:00 +0000

“At that time, some people were with Jesus. They told him what happened to some people from Galilee. They had been burning animals as a gift for God. Pilate sent some soldiers to kill them. Jesus replied, ‘Think about those people from Galilee. Perhaps you think that they had done more bad things than other people from Galilee. Do you think that is why they had to die? No! But I tell you this. All of you have done many bad things. So you must change how you live and you must turn to God. If you do not, you will also die as they did. And you remember what happened to those 18 people in Siloam. A high building fell down and it killed them. Perhaps you think that they had done more bad things than the other people in Jerusalem. But I tell you, no, they had not. All of you have also done many bad things. So you must change how you live and you must turn to God. If you do not, you will also die as they did.’”

Luke 13:1-5 EASY

https://bible.com/bible/2079/luk.13.1-5.EASY

Why do horrible things happen to seemingly good people? The news is just filled with terrible accidents and catastrophes. The answer to this question is answered by Jesus himself.

The crowd asked Jesus why worshipers in Galilee were butchered by the Romans while they were providing burnt offerings to the Lord. These people appeared to be good people as they were God focused. Jesus replied by saying we are all sinners who need to repent. You never know when you will die on this earth so the bigger question is are you ready to meet the Lord as a sinner at all times? When we hear of these tragedies, it is a reminder to repent and prepare. Life on this earth is unpredictable and fragile. The only thing predicable is if we don’t repent, we will have everlasting death.

God always uses situations in attempts to bring us close to Him as we are so fragile. He reminds us of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25 illustrating that Christ comes quickly. Thus, we need to be prepared at all times or we get locked out of the banquet. Tragedies are a wakeup call.

Jesus comes quickly (Matthew 24:44) and unexpectedly. That’s why regular repentance, prayer, acknowledgement to the Lord that we need His help and spending daily time with God is so important. Thinking you are a good person is self-deceptive. You are a sinner like all of us who needs regular support from the Savior.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

The Crop – Fragile, Integrity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 05:56:00 +0000

““What about the seed that fell by the path? That is like the people who hear the teaching about God’s kingdom but do not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away what was planted in their hearts. “And what about the seed that fell on rocky ground? That is like the people who hear the teaching and quickly and gladly accept it. But they do not let the teaching go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up. “And what about the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That is like the people who hear the teaching but let worries about this life and love for money stop it from growing. So it does not produce a crop in their lives. “But what about the seed that fell on the good ground? That is like the people who hear the teaching and understand it. They grow and produce a good crop, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more.””

https://www.bible.com/406/mat.13.19-23.erv

Jesus explained the crop of Christians very well. Which seed are you?

1. Are you the seed on rock? This seed will not grow because the Devil snatched the seed away. Verses in the Bible just make no sense or have any meaning. You had no ability to accept or receive the Holy Spirit. Your seed blew away.

2. Are you the seed on Rocky soil? You know of Christ. This seed initially might take root but dies because the soil is poor. If you are like I was, you were an on and off Christian. You will run from Christianity the minute challenges happen. You are easily side tracked. Your Spirit slowly dies.

3. Are you the seed in the weeds? You know of Christ but you are too busy making money and getting worldly stuff. God is low on your list. I was this seed for a bit.

4. Are you the seed in good soil? Maybe my seed accidentally blew on good soil. Gosh, I pray it stays there. Roots, please hang on! You pray daily, read the word daily, have a daily, loving, personal relationship with God and have no plans to change your daily routine. You are in it for the long haul. Your Spirit grows and you sense, see things you thought impossible. Reading the Bible gets easier and you actually understand some verses have multiple meanings. You see truth more clearly by the day. As a matter of fact, you will start to understand why you did certain things in the past that were memorable. You understand Spiritual growth is a daily exercise. God is put First in your life at all times. You fully trust in Him. He gives you love in return that dwarfs anything imaginable. You are almost addicted to God because of the love you feel. You make it clear to Him that you will do anything he wants. Believe me, you might be asked to do some life changing or things you just can’t understand why.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Caution, Fragile. – Fragile

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 06:15:00 +0000

“This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

https://www.bible.com/111/jer.17.5-9.niv

I have worked with the Marginalized for over 30 years now with wide ranges of disability issues. One common thread that repeatedly jumps to top of mind is how fragile we human beings are. I literally have worked with folks who went from being an A game doctor or lawyer to wheel chair bound with brain injuries in a heartbeat. I have worked with multi-millionaires, high powered business people who now are completely dependent on others feeding and taking of them. It’s amazing that all it takes from being able to disabled is a sudden accident or health concern.

We are all very fragile and that’s why we need to lean on the strength of Christ. He holds you up when you are down. He loves you regardless of your health or (lack of) wealth and family. He prepares a place for you where suffering and sickness is gone (John 14:2). You are never alone. Finish the race with Him regardless of your trials and tribulations (2 Timothy 4:7).

When we think about how fragile we are, it solidifies why a relationship with Christ is so important. It is from His strength where we garner ours no matter our situation. That’s why faith is crucial for all of us.

Father,

Thank you for being there with me no matter what happens. You are the bedrock to my life. My faith in you never waivers because I know you are strong and I am weak in need of your support. When I can’t get up, your strong hand pulls me up. If I become ill, you will get me through it here or enroute to heaven. When I am alone, you are there to comfort and love me. I trust you. I love you and I look forward to seeing you one day. In Jesus name.

Amen.

by Kent Brosh - Calgary, Alberta - Canada

@ Kawaiahao Blog Contributor