Unity – Kawaiahaʻo Church

Wisdom, Faith, Truth, and Unity – Truth, Unity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without

reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for

the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the

wind. That person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the

Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

James 1:5-8 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jas.1.5-8.esv

When people ask me what's the one thing I ask God I want for myself, I would

say wisdom.

Wisdom comes from complete truth. One cannot be wise if the foundational

knowledge one has is false. That's why the Bible and prayer are so important.

One must go to the source to obtain the knowledge one needs to become wise.

One must have complete faith in God to understand what the words in the Bible

truly mean. Frankly, it's those who claim how the Bible has been interpreted

over the centuries that lead to false information being untrue. I would argue that

since the Bible has existed intact for 1900-plus years, it must be true because

truth never changes. I also argue a limitless, spaceless, holy being has the

power to ensure His Word remains untainted. It's that belief that drives faith

and, in turn, wisdom.

Truth can be corrupted by human beings. We see this all the time in the world

today. It's a deception that blurs truth. It's a deception that seeds disunity. Unity

cannot fully be obtained without truth because, unlike deception, truth never

changes. If everyone has the same truth, they are of the same thought and thus

are unified. It's the truth that unifies everyone because it ignites wisdom (unlike

deception which ignites ignorance and foolishness). It's the truth that extinguishes

confusion through deception.

So, if you want the truth to build wisdom, pray to God for help. Read the Bible

yourself. Clear your mind of all the opinions of what truth is. Have complete

faith God will answer your prayers for truth. Accept truth even though you don't

like what truth reveals. Once you have done this, your wisdom will improve.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Oneness – Aloha, Hawaiian, Unity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to

you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they

may be one, even as we are one.

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one so that the world

may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

John 17:11, 23 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.17.11,23.esv

I think what attracts me to Hawaiian culture is the strong sense of Unity or

oneness. Oneness was the theme in what Jesus was praying for with His

Heavenly Father. What gets me confused is when we become perfectly one,

everyone will know the Father sent the Son. I suppose one thought, one spirit, and one

harmony result in one belief. Although I can only reflect in a mortal,

three-dimensional world, I cannot see a oneness globally ever being achieved

without complete divine intervention. I guess the best I can do is keep my world

small and unified to set an example.

Imagine a world with complete ’Ohana. Living on some islands that are remote

is the greatest blessing one can achieve. It really forces one to think beyond

themselves. The boat is small so those in it need to get along or the boat tips

and everyone drowns. Can the same thing be achieved on a continent(s)? I pray

one day it happens as then we achieve complete peace, harmony, and love

through Christ.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Unity – Bible Reading Plan, Protection, Unity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I

come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in

one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and

not frightened by anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of

their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”

Philippians 1:27-28 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/php.1.27-28.esv

In John 17 Jesus prays that we are one just like the Father and the Son are one.

Paul confirms this by stating if we stand firm in One Spirit we will destroy our

opponents. United we stand; divided we fall.

The Holy Spirit within us is intended to be one. Yet, each one of us has a piece of

the Holy Spirit. When we received the Holy Spirit, we were a part of the temple,

not the entire temple itself.

I often wonder how being One is even possible. I must trust God on this one.

You see, there are multiple denominations of Churches and each has a variation

of what they see God as. We are, in a way, united through Christ but have

different thoughts on worship. Some have added books like the Book of

Mormon but still have full faith in Jesus. Others have masses that worship the

same God but structure it differently. Interpretations of verses can vary from

church to church. It’s these slight variations that break apart unity. When I talk

with other brothers and sisters about the same Bible, I am amazed at how they

get their backs up when I ask deep questions. They see it as me being rude or

condescending. I see it as trying to understand the rationale behind their

interpretations. I am really not trying to upset them. I am trying to understand

them. Yet, they seem more concerned about converting me over searching for

common truths.

I pray one day Jesus’ prayer in John 17 comes true. He and Paul are right. If we

are One with God, we will all be victorious. My hope is one day we are all One

Church with each one of our Holy Spirits combined building a strong temple for

God.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Vacuum Cleaners – Love, Unity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:01:47 +0000

“You belong to Christ, and he makes you brave. His love makes you strong. You

are able to help one another because his Spirit is in you. You can be kind to

each other, and you can forgive each other. Because of that, this is how you can

make me completely happy: In your mind, think about things in the same way

as one another. Love one another completely. In your spirit, agree with one

another. And work together for the same purpose. In the way that you live, do

not just try to help yourself. Do not be proud. Instead, respect other people.

Think about other people as more important than yourself. Do not think only

about the things that you want to do for yourself. Each of you should think also

about how you can help other people.”

Philippians 2:1-4 EASY

https://www.bible.com/2079/php.2.1-4.easy

In my work, I am taught that the client is always first. I do agree with that to an

extent. However, I wonder if when I solely focus on their needs, I am actually

enabling them to be lovers of self. It’s when I focus on them is when they

somehow become self-centered and remain needy. Although I truly love the

disabled guys that live with me, I tire of their selfishness. I tire of their focus on

their rights, their choices, and their world.

I have a lot of respect for pastors. It must be so hard to focus on God when the

congregation wants the pastor to focus on them. It reminds me of having

multiple vacuum cleaners all sucking the pastors’ strength when they want their

vacuum cleaner attached to God. I think I would make a terrible pastor because I

would be telling some members of the congregation to stop focusing on their

drama and look up. It’s not about you, it’s about God! I can see myself doing a

sermon where most of it would be praying to God and being in awe of Him. I wouldn’t

concern myself with the hymns or the theatrics to serve the congregation.

Instead, I would attempt to have Christ completely happy. Pastors, you have my

respect for trying.

Today, I am going to start saying to my guys that the world doesn’t revolve

around them. The world revolves around something much bigger. Yes, I am here

to help and part of that helping is for all of us to start looking up instead of in

the mirror. Now that is actually showing true love toward them!

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Questioning God – Body and Mind, Unity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, “My Lord, why have you abused these people?

Why did you send me this? Ever since I first came to Pharaoh to

speak in your name, he has abused these people. And you’ve done absolutely

nothing to rescue your people.””

Exodus 5:22-23 CEB

https://www.bible.com/37/exo.5.22-23.ceb

Is Moses giving God tongue-lashing? Moses is asking God why he was sent to

save the Israelites when He thinks God has done nothing.

I have, on the odd time, questioned God on what’s going on in the World. I have

questioned Him in my thoughts that I thought were fine but was told through

Spirit they are not. The best example I can think of is when I see a pretty woman

and think to myself how beautiful they are. I am not thinking in terms of

sexuality (or at least I don’t think I am), but inside I hear that I have sinned. I ask

God, how did I sin? All I seem to get is “don’t get lippy, you sinned” so I

apologize.

Then I always remember these passages:

“My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. Just as

the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my plans than your plans. Just as the rain and the snow come down from

the sky and don’t return there without watering the earth, making it conceive

and yield plants and providing seed to the sower and food to the eater, so is my

word that comes from my mouth; it does not return to me empty. Instead, it

does what I want, and accomplishes what I intend.”

Isaiah 55:8-11 CEB

https://www.bible.com/37/isa.55.8-11.ceb

I suppose I must remember I know very little yet I have been taught to be a

critical thinker. Trust is everything with God. Yes, if it was up to me, the world

would be different. However, if I had God’s wisdom, I would leave anything

alone. Sigh, got it...don’t get lippy!

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Why do I chase them away? Let’s talk about God’s Word! – Bible Reading Plan, Unity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

I regularly research other religious systems. I don’t do it to find fault in them. I

do it to garner truth and understanding from them. If I am to love my

neighbor, understanding them is key. I need to research their beliefs at source

and compare those beliefs with the Bible. I always respect them and respect

them even more when they profess their love to Christ. As I am always a learner

of Christ, my hope is to learn from others who demonstrate sound Biblical

doctrine. However, for some reason, I seem to chase other religious groups

away when they come to my door. Why? I am willing to listen to their beliefs but

their beliefs must align with the Bible. The beliefs of the founders of their Church

must also align with the Bible as it’s the founders who dropped the first pebble to

establish the Church in the first place. For some reason, when I question another

religious group, it is seen as me being critical or ignorant towards them. This

could not be farther from the truth. I simply enquire to understand and use

credible resources to test their thoughts. Jesus did this regularly. When he was

asked a question, he answered truthfully and he wasn’t concerned about

hurting feelings. His criticisms were earned and were stated out of love. Truth

and love go hand in hand.

I remember three nice young women coming to my door to share the Good

News from their Church. I was happy to see them but had some questions and

comments based on my research. I showed them two articles from their website

that shared a series of sermons from two of their founders. These founders are

called “prophets”. The founder stated:

I will prove that the world is wrong by showing what God is...God himself was

once as we are now and is an exalted man and sits enthroned in yonder

heavens. That is the Great Secret. We have imagined and supposed that God

was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea.

Then, I showed them another sermon documented by the Church from another

one of their “Prophets.” This founder was very influential in the Church and did

set many key principles. It reads:

When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a

celestial body and brought Eve, one of his wives with him. He helped to make

and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS!

About whom Holy men have written and spoken — HE is our FATHER and our

GOD, and the only God with whom we have to do.

I asked them to compare these quotes from their “prophets” to scripture. They

were very quiet. I told them I know they are good people and want to do right.

To do right, they need to know their Church in and out, through and through, as

they will receive questions. They left and I haven’t seen them since. Too bad. I

really want to share the word of God with them and I truly mean that. You see,

when you join any Church, it is important to know whether their key beliefs

align with God’s beliefs. I do not slight the members. I just want them to know

clearly what they are sharing with others to ensure God’s Word is completely

and accurately shared. I am not out to harm them. I am out to help them.

Although I haven’t shared the source of my quotes out of sensitivity, I have

shared the original documents including the source location with Kahu Ken if you

even want to review them. I would be happy to share the original source

locations as well.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Happy Independence Day! – Love One Another, Unity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:21:00 +0000

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:8-10 NKJV

https://www.bible.com/114/1pe.4.8-10.nkjv

As a Canadian, I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and neighbors south of me. Our bond of friendship goes back a long way. We have the longest undefended border in the World! Some even say we are true Brothers and Sisters.

Just to give you one example of our enduring bond, this monument is located right on the border in Peace Arch International Park. It is an open border between British Columbia and Washington State. Canadians and Americans can freely meander between the U.S. and Canada throughout this beautiful park. You will notice the inscription which indicates a brother and sister relationship.

This bond is a wonderful example of how God wants us to act towards each other. As Jesus says, “…a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

John 13:31, 34-35 NKJV

https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.13.31,34-35.nkjv

Thank you for your friendship and bond. I am truly blessed to have wonderful neighbors like you!

Happy Independence Day and Ke Akua hoopomaikai mai a pau o ka oe!

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada