Issues @ Haili Congregational Church
10/31/24
3/29/24
3/17/24
3/11/24
2/19/24
12/16/23 This is a conversation between Peter and I on a social network site Nextdoor.
Peter: What's with all the appeals for money? Is that what this group is for?
Me: Peter rather than question why not give some pointers regarding go fund me accounts. For example, know who you're giving to. Research the cause and the person. Never give blindly not knowing who's behind it. As you well know I had to generate a go fund me account because of your insistence on taking me to court ignoring the judge's comment that you didn't have a strong case. You failed in your assault of the first amendment attempting to silence my criticism in your involvement of a fire at Haili apartments and your slanderous lies toward Kahu. Go fund me accounts can be helpful if needed in a righteous cause. It sure did help me. Unlike you I was not going to court without representation.Peter: Readers: Since this commenter has raised certain issues in this public forum, I will respond to them in the forum he chose. Though using this commenter’s input as a place to respond, however, my response is not to the commenter, but to anyone else reading his outlandish and inappropriate input.
The commenter, a former deacon at Haili Church (and, briefly, head deacon), was under a temporary restraining order dated 3/31/2021 because, as the State of Hawaiʻi put it, “Recent or past acts of harassment by Respondent(s) have occurred, [and] Threats of harassment by Respondent(s) make it probable that acts of harassment may be imminent against Petitioner.” (That TRO was not sustained by the judge in the 4/12/2021 court appearance, but the commenter was of course still under the terms of the TRO for those thirteen days.)
The judge’s comment to which the commenter refers would have occurred at the 4/12 hearing, which is after-the-fact, a detail which the commenter has obviously confused (a normal and routine occurrence for this commenter). Regardless, his First Amendment right of free speech was in fact legally curtailed, or, as he put it, he needed to “put a cork in it.” Indeed.)
In addition, as the commenter well knows, since 3/9/2021, he has been under a Cease & Desist order, the terms of which he has of course violated here.
Finally, he seems oblivious to the nature of the First Amendment, since it obviously does not protect anyone in all cases, as those found guilty of defamation will attest, as well as those under a TRO, those who yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater or make bomb-related comments at an airport, etc.
As to the accusations he lobs, it would be just as inappropriate for me to discuss them in this forum as it is inappropriate for the commenter to have raised them here (not to mention irrelevant).
Finally, this is the only comment I plan to make; the commenter is therefore free to have the last word.Me: Peter, I have known you for years and love you like a
brother. I have grave concerns about your unrepentant behavior. I must respond
to your statement that I was outlandish and inappropriate.
So, the truth has been reduced to outlandish
inappropriateness. I was only doing my duty both as a deacon at Haili and a
Christian to confront unrepentant sin among fellow Christians. You state in your
failed attempt to slap a TRO on me the SoH said I” harassed and threatened”
you. That statement is preprinted on every TRO petition and must be proven in
court. The temporary TRO was granted until the court date because of your
claims that were a result of your exaggerated sense of a persecution complex.
The TRO was denied because as the judge put it, “Any reasonable man would not
be offended” by what I did. There was no harassment or threats proven. My
confrontations were my duty as a Christian and a deacon to address your sin.
Peter, how can I lie about what the judge said? It’s on the
court record. Would you like a copy of it? In the first hearing the Judge told
you didn’t have a strong case after he offered you arbitration, which you
refused, saying to the judge you would rather have him adjudicate the case. That
was foolish refusing legal counsel.
As for the cease-and-desist order. Anyone can obtain one of
those if you’re willing to pay for it and give the necessary information. It is
granted based on the petitioner’s word. A judge will grant the order solely on
the petitioner’s word assuming what was reported is true and the defiant broke
the law. I did nothing illegally.
As for you, Peter, your involvement in a fire at Haili apartments
is well documented. When it was first discovered a fire took place you
responded that police were called, and the perpetrator arrested but his
identity could not be disclosed due to HIPPA regulations. The whole story you
presented was not true. As we well know HIPPA rules do not apply in this case.
Case in point; the name of the alleged murderer at HSH was disclosed, as well
as many of the names on the police blotter are mental health patients. We could
have let you off the hook as that confabulation could have been the result of
your partner’s influence, but you sent an email giving a date and time you
spoke to the police. Police records show the police were not called to Haili on
that date nor anywhere near that date you gave to investigate a fire. Yet
again, later after your failed TRO hearing you felt the need to change your
story again and stated you don’t recall when you spoke to the police, and it
wasn’t about the fire. Changing your story three times demonstrates you were
complicit in the whole affair. Only the deacons ever made a report to the
police which was well after the fire occurred. The delay was due to your covering
it up. If you knew about the fire, why in God’s name did you not call the
police?
In addition, the slander you committed against Kahu is also well
documented including the libelous letters written to the Church Office of
Ministry. All your accusations against
Kahu were discredited and proven to be based on rumors, hearsay, and lies. My
only regret is you have never confessed to those sins and remain unrepentant. I
pray your heart will soften and we can become friends again.
10/09/23
6/27/23
6/1/23 Why is it when I explain God's stance on pride I am silenced, censored, red-flagged and canceled? According to the Bible, pride is a sin and God hates it. Proverbs 8:13b says “Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Psalm 10:4 explains that the proud are so consumed with themselves that their thoughts are far from God: “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” James 4:6 says “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” What has become of the virtuous lifestyle? The distortion of right and wrong has become the norm. Maranatha!
Peter: Readers: Since this commenter has raised certain issues in this public forum, I will respond to them in the forum he chose. Though using this commenter’s input as a place to respond, however, my response is not to the commenter, but to anyone else reading his outlandish and inappropriate input.
The commenter, a former deacon at Haili Church (and, briefly, head deacon), was under a temporary restraining order dated 3/31/2021 because, as the State of Hawaiʻi put it, “Recent or past acts of harassment by Respondent(s) have occurred, [and] Threats of harassment by Respondent(s) make it probable that acts of harassment may be imminent against Petitioner.” (That TRO was not sustained by the judge in the 4/12/2021 court appearance, but the commenter was of course still under the terms of the TRO for those thirteen days.) The judge’s comment to which the commenter refers would have occurred at the 4/12 hearing, which is after-the-fact, a detail which the commenter has obviously confused (a normal and routine occurrence for this commenter). Regardless, his First Amendment right of free speech was in fact legally curtailed, or, as he put it, he needed to “put a cork in it.” Indeed.) In addition, as the commenter well knows, since 3/9/2021, he has been under a Cease & Desist order, the terms of which he has of course violated here. Finally, he seems oblivious to the nature of the First Amendment, since it obviously does not protect anyone in all cases, as those found guilty of defamation will attest, as well as those under a TRO, those who yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater or make bomb-related comments at an airport, etc. As to the accusations he lobs, it would be just as inappropriate for me to discuss them in this forum as it is inappropriate for the commenter to have raised them here (not to mention irrelevant). Finally, this is the only comment I plan to make; the commenter is therefore free to have the last word.Me: Peter, I have known you for years and love you like a
brother. I have grave concerns about your unrepentant behavior. I must respond
to your statement that I was outlandish and inappropriate.
So, the truth has been reduced to outlandish
inappropriateness. I was only doing my duty both as a deacon at Haili and a
Christian to confront unrepentant sin among fellow Christians. You state in your
failed attempt to slap a TRO on me the SoH said I” harassed and threatened”
you. That statement is preprinted on every TRO petition and must be proven in
court. The temporary TRO was granted until the court date because of your
claims that were a result of your exaggerated sense of a persecution complex.
The TRO was denied because as the judge put it, “Any reasonable man would not
be offended” by what I did. There was no harassment or threats proven. My
confrontations were my duty as a Christian and a deacon to address your sin.
Peter, how can I lie about what the judge said? It’s on the court record. Would you like a copy of it? In the first hearing the Judge told you didn’t have a strong case after he offered you arbitration, which you refused, saying to the judge you would rather have him adjudicate the case. That was foolish refusing legal counsel.
As for the cease-and-desist order. Anyone can obtain one of those if you’re willing to pay for it and give the necessary information. It is granted based on the petitioner’s word. A judge will grant the order solely on the petitioner’s word assuming what was reported is true and the defiant broke the law. I did nothing illegally.
As for you, Peter, your involvement in a fire at Haili apartments is well documented. When it was first discovered a fire took place you responded that police were called, and the perpetrator arrested but his identity could not be disclosed due to HIPPA regulations. The whole story you presented was not true. As we well know HIPPA rules do not apply in this case. Case in point; the name of the alleged murderer at HSH was disclosed, as well as many of the names on the police blotter are mental health patients. We could have let you off the hook as that confabulation could have been the result of your partner’s influence, but you sent an email giving a date and time you spoke to the police. Police records show the police were not called to Haili on that date nor anywhere near that date you gave to investigate a fire. Yet again, later after your failed TRO hearing you felt the need to change your story again and stated you don’t recall when you spoke to the police, and it wasn’t about the fire. Changing your story three times demonstrates you were complicit in the whole affair. Only the deacons ever made a report to the police which was well after the fire occurred. The delay was due to your covering it up. If you knew about the fire, why in God’s name did you not call the police?
In addition, the slander you committed against Kahu is also well
documented including the libelous letters written to the Church Office of
Ministry. All your accusations against
Kahu were discredited and proven to be based on rumors, hearsay, and lies. My
only regret is you have never confessed to those sins and remain unrepentant. I
pray your heart will soften and we can become friends again.
3/2/23 Jesus was a controversial teacher. Sometimes the truth hurts. His style blessed or offends depending on their position. Jesus focus was soteriological.
When certain ones, by their perverseness, hinder the salvation of the multitude, the preacher and the teacher should not fear to offend those men, in order that he may ensure the salvation of the multitude.’So when the scribes and Pharisees presented such an obstacle, ‘Our Lord, undeterred by their taking offence, publicly taught the truth which they hated, and condemned their vices.’. ST III 42, 2
But when people take offence at the truth, the truth is not to be sacrificed to please the multitude: ‘If scandal arises from truth, the scandal should be borne rather than the truth be set aside.’ ST III 42, 2 ad1 Aquinas quotes Gregory the great Lib 1 hom. 7 (PL 76, 842)
Also, the excellence of his teaching was of the sort ‘which cannot be expressed in writing’, for his doctrine was ‘ “the law of the spirit of life” (Rom. 8:2) which had to be “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshly tables of the heart”, as the Apostle says (2 Cor. 3:3)’ ST III 42, 4
01/08/23 Aloha, word has come to me that is very concerning. It’s obvious the progressive movement has darkened the doorstep of Haili. One of your trustees has come out of the closet. I do not hold grudges, nor do I seek revenge. I only seek the truth and because of that I have become enemies to some. They consider me an enemy but all I have is love for them. I have continued to pray for Haili but the bitter root continues to spread. I have made every attempt to bring the truth to light but have only irked some. For that I am truly sorry.
The Bible verses quoted here aren't about condemning homosexuals, gays, lesbians, or transgender people. Rather, they are God's loving warning and offer of grace for those who have strayed from His will for sex. We live in a fallen world with a fallen nature, but in Christ, we can be new creations. Homosexual behavior remains a sin no matter how one wishes to justify the behavior. Even though the word is not found in the bible doesn’t mean the behavior is not condemned. Moses writes it is an abomination in Lev 18:22. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed due to in part because of the practice. In Judges 19:22 is a terrible story of horror, tragedy, and death. At its root though is an event where a group of men from the tribe of Benjamin attempt to homosexually rape a Levitical priest. The result is that most of the men of the Jewish tribe of Benjamin are wiped out. In Rom 1:21 Paul writes of the results of ungodly behavior. Other places the behavior is describe as sexual immorality. It is works of the flesh and sinful. The behavior demonstrates a lack of self-control and self-gratification.
Now I suspected Peter Braun was delving into homosexual behavior. He once asked me what was the book I quoted regarding dealing with sin. Lord knows I should have followed up. I
didn’t say anything as to not start rumors or spread gossip, but his man purse
gave it away. Why has he not said anything till now? The answer in my opinion
is because of guilt and shame. He denied he was at fault with his divorce, which
now rings as untrue. I will not recount what I have said before regarding his
lies but as this sin comes light, he has no business continuing as a
leader. He has stated before it is necessary to lie because the “ends
justify the means”. The Holy Spirit cannot be present with this behavior. His
behavior is immoral, unethical, and works of the flesh. The Holy Spirit cannot
move unless this issue is addressed. Confession is not enough. True repentance
is essential. Do what is right.
In Christ, Kevin
10/21/22 Peter Braun:
9/20/22
6/30/22.
4/6/22
4/4/22
1/8/21 2How long, exalted men, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah 3 Know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him. 4 Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.1 Peter, I love you dearly and this hurts me more than you know what our relationship has become. I am here because of God’s calling. I am writing this to uphold the standards of God. I have spoken the truth all times except one and you hold the one mistake over my head. I will always confront sin head on for sin is not petty. Sin is ugly, awful, worldly, and self-defeating; sin is the way to death. If I am labeled a bully for Christ so be it. I am surprised you have not taken down the post. The post is very selfincriminating. There was a reason I included you on the meme I posted. There is no qualifier needed due to the last line in the meme; “You are blessed, believe it”. I didn’t create the repost (thank you Peter for the complement implying I created it but I can’t take credit for that would be a lie), only stating: “Peter this is especially for you”. I expected your reaction. You have demonstrated the works of the flesh so often your behavior is predictable. You were baited and bit, hook, line, and sinker. How does it feel to have a hook in your mouth? You became livid ‘Fits of anger’ (Gal 5:20), gossiped (2Cor 12:20) and attempted to cause division and strife (Gal 5:20). The post served as a teaching tool and a had purpose. I needed to prove a point. This is the way the people @ our church is treated when they post honest opinions. They have been quickly chastised the past. I was almost this time but when the facts came to light your deception became clear. Your gossip no longer works so I suspect you felt you had to go public because you were not getting any traction at church. The deacons have grown in spiritual maturity. I will not stop until you are held accountable for your behavior and repent. This is my suggestion; Apologize to Kahu and his wife for way you have treated them. Peter, I told you your behavior was pharisaical. The bible tells us not to judge but that does not mean there is no judgement. We are not to judge as the pharisees did. They pointed the finger without applying the judgment to themselves also. Judge not or you will be judge (Mat 7:1). Also, Peter, I warned you will reap what you sow. You will reap the fruit of your sin. Peter, I wish to have peace with you (Jms 3:18) but you will have none of it. It seems you have a difficult time admitting your faults. Let us look at your character, Peter. Remember way back in earlier 2020 you called me a liar in Facebook. On June 17th I shared a post regarding “LIFE-ALTERING advice for battling anxiety”. You expressed your displeasure in me including your name and exclaimed I lied. As a matter of fact, you use exclamatory language often. In that post I did not lie by any means. You stated I did not say what I did in fact say. Therefor you lied. You did not admit your lie than and fail to admit your lies now. It is all-in print. You associate with an admitted lair. In fact, you vouched for him, when many in the church decried the many inconsistencies in his story, including me, demonstrating your lack discernment. You associate with gossips and base your judgements on hearsay and rumors never attempting to confirm the story. You have demonstrated lawlessness by entering Kahu’s office without authorization and made many false accusations, which is slander, attempting to cover up your behavior. Peter, you moved here to get away from your problems and but problems you have created continue here. Your character came with you. You are a broken man that even you admit needs healing. Let us look at your reputation. Your unemployed. Walked away from a good job for reasons you refuse to disclose. Your divorced, with 3 of your 4 children refusing to talk to you. What does that imply about your character? What is your responsibility in all that? Peter, I wish I did not have to do this. I forgive you and pray that you turn to light and truth. You refuse to reason with me and work something out. I love you but detest your behavior which has caused several members to walk away from church. This is not speculation. I have proof you are the reason they are no longer attending. Please repent and turn away from the works of the flesh. Let us come together in unity and demonstrate the fruits of spirit. I have pointed out on numerous occasions that you continue in participate in ‘cancel-culture’ a worldly behavior that has no place in church. Yet the roots of cancel culture and social justice are in the church. This worldly behavior has a strong grip and run deep in the world. I will do everything I can to pull out the worldly roots with the help of God. Peter, I have told you the truth. With the truth on my side, you have no hope of continuing your behavior at Haili. Amen?
3/25/22
3/15/22 Narcissistic personality disorder
11/22/21
Cancel
culture is divisive, hurtful, fosters gossip and lacks forgiveness. Cancel culture is a worldly behavior. False assumptions, dishonest opinion,
deceitful speculation, lies, slander, and libelous accusations, as well as
gossip and creating division has no place in the body of Christ. Asking others to take sides based on
non-existent evidence is not helpful and well not bring people together.
5/5/20
Peter described to the deacons several objections to Mama Kahu apology basically
displaying unforgiveness by not accepting her apology. In the letter he suggested Kahu and his wife
stand before the church and state a lie they resisted discipline. He went on to bring up what he perceived as a
pattern. In his address he demonstrates gossip,
unforgiveness, and false accusations based on the incredulous speculation.
6/5/20 The
deacons responded with a letter given to him by Andrew and Darren this is a
sin. Peter has yet to respond.
Around that
time Peter with Kelcey entered Kahu’s office w/o authorization to document
their false assumption he broke the law.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Yet they continued to slander Kahu and the trustees spent hours
investigating only to find it was not true.
Peter also
wrote to the COM several libelous statements on numerous occasions regarding
accusations of perceived ethical violations if found to be true would have been
career ending. The COM found the
accusations baseless exonerating Kahu and give him a leadership position.
End of
July. A fire takes place at Haili Apartments which would have never come to our
attention if Kahu did not offer to help the resident. Reports from Peter and Kelcey do not match. Both
also made a false claim regarding HIPPA.
After months of trustee complicity, it was finally confirmed the police
were never notified. Yet Peter in three
emails to the trustees states the police were present investigating the incident. He even gives a date and who was with him when
he talked to police regarding the fire.
Yet now he has changed his story stating he is unclear of the date. Police activity is a matter of public record. It is another lie because the police records
show no calls from the apartments from months before or months after the
incident.
9/1/20 A
deacon influenced by Peter addresses the deacons without first confirming the
facts stating Kahu is the problem of all issues the church has experienced
apparently based on half-truths Peter used to address the COM. The deacons not realizing what the deacon was
doing (behavior demonstrating cancel culture) voted to admit the letter that slanders
Kahu with false accusations and gossip.
Spring 2021
Peter summons me to court to slap a TRO on me upset that I, based on the
prompts of the Holy Spirit, continue to press for accountability on his sinful
behavior. When the incident regarding
the fire came up and my lawyer asked him if anyone talked to him about it, said
no (lied). Kahu and Daniel spoke to him
that Saturday before the hearing.
Several times the judge told him any reasonable person would not be
unset regarding my behavior. Cases was
dismissed.
I feel good today. I
had an opportunity to address the church.
I was able to discuss my experiences of suffering as being threatened
several times, yelled at, and dragged into court for saying what the Holy
Spirit prompted me. I was able to speak
of the low level of spiritual maturity and lack of discernment. I recommended we participated in a spiritual
cleansing to address the strongman and pull out the bitter root that runs deep
in the church. By doing this we need a discipleship class to bring unity to the
body.
However, Peter objected saying the first part of my report
has nothing to do with evangelism. Excuse
me but wasn’t the apostles arrested for boldly speaking what the Holy Spirit
prompted? Was their job not evangelism? Sadly, the strongman has a tight hold on some
in the church.
How Do We Grieve the Holy Spirit? (Eph 4:30)
We have all been told that as believers we should not grieve the Holy Spirit. I think it is safe to say that what we normally think this means is that if I commit a sexual sin, or some other kind of sin, the Holy Spirit who lives within me is grieved. I have also heard it said that the Holy Spirit is grieved when I don’t pray enough. He wants to have communion with me. After all, as a believer I am a temple of the Holy Spirit. While all of this is no doubt true, I am convinced that this is not what Paul means in Eph 4:30. The usual way of understanding this verse has too much emphasis on the individual.
A couple of years ago, GES had a national conference on the Book of Ephesians. One of the things that came out in that conference is that the Book of Ephesians emphasizes the church. That made me take a closer look at what it means in Ephesians to grieve the Holy Spirit.
The verse in question occurs in a section that runs from 4:25-32. Even a casual reading of these verses indicates Paul is talking about how believers treat one another within the Body of Christ. In the verse immediately before this section, Paul speaks of the “new man” (v 24). This is a reference to the church. The exact same phrase occurs in 2:15, where Paul specifically says the new man is the church.
We should notice how Paul speaks of the fact that we are “neighbors” and “members of one another” (v 25). Believers are to “share” with each other (v 28). We are to speak in a way that builds up others in the body (v 29). Members of the body are to be kind to “one another” and forgive one another. All of these things show the importance of how believers treat each other.
The command not to grieve the Holy Spirit is given right in the middle of these verses. In the previous verse (v 29), Paul tells the believers in Ephesus to speak to each other in a way that builds others up and is gracious. We are not commanded to be gracious to ourselves! We are to be gracious towards others. Within the body, our words to each other should not be “corrupt.” The word has the basic meaning of bad or useless. In other words, within the church, we should speak in a way that builds up the body and does not tear it down. The very next sentence is: don’t grieve the Spirit.
It seems to me that in this context Paul is saying that believers grieve the Spirit when they do and say things that are not edifying the believers around them in the church. If we remember that it is the Spirit that has united us to the Body of Christ, this makes sense. If the Spirit has unified us, when we forget that we are united and manifest it by treating other believers badly, the Spirit is grieved. What I am trying to say is that the grieving of the Spirit here is talking about how a church operates. It is talking about a corporate thing. The Spirit is grieved when the body is not functioning in a godly way. A picture of what Paul is discussing is a church that is full of dissension. Such a church breaks the heart of the Holy Spirit.
It is hard for us to think in this manner. We automatically think of our spiritual well-being in a very individualistic way. Paul is saying that it is not all about us as individuals. The church is extremely important to God. It is not just the individual Christian that is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit as well (1 Cor 3:16). He is pleased when He sees healthy churches where the believers grow as a body.
From How Do We Grieve the Holy Spirit? (Eph 4:30) – Grace Evangelical Society (faithalone.org) Highlights mine.
What does bring glory to God entail? Through sanctification,
reaching out with love, encouragement, building up one another, supporting each
other. Those of the body are not to be
like the world. Refusing to talk to fellow
believers, as some trustees do, is a worldly behavior. Such behavior does not glorify God and has no
place in the body of Christ because we are not of the world. We are called out
from the world. The love of God has been given His body. There is no love when fellowship is refused. His grace is enough to overcome worldly
behavior. Worldly behave must be put
aside. By His grace we have faith. Moule brings out these two aspects of grace: “grace is God for
us, grace is God in us.” [1] Paul
relates graces as a gift, a gift to be used in the service of God. Rom 1:5 His
grace brings faith to help us reason together and address all the
concerns presented in the body.
For there are many concerns. Gossip, slander, outbursts of
anger. Why all the hakaka? Where is the pono?
We as a church must put worldly behaviors. However, is not clear leaders understand what
worldly behaviors are. This includes
both the deacons and trustees. For
example: gossip. When someone feels offended.
Then discussing the offense with others is gossip. Remember gossip can include both true and
false accusations. By not including the
person spoken about, the discussion becomes one sided and attempts to have
those listening take sides causing division.
The major cause of gossip is disunity.
Ambrosiaster wrote gossip and slander are manifestations of
an already existing, though concealed, malignity. Reading Romans through the
centuries pg.26. Behavior comes from
what is in the heart. The condition of
the heart is of prime importance. There
is a malignity at Haili. It has been
present for decades. A bitter root that
runs deep. 15 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root
of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.[2]
Therefore, speaking ill of Kahu, making false accusations, attempting to end his career is a worldly act. Such actions are rebuked in the bible. Furthermore, “Anyone who claims that they have a one true opinion-rather than acknowledge that there are “diverse, yet true, opinions”-is a liar, to put it succinctly (Confessions XII, 25.34)[3] Augustine was dealing with several controversies and was appalled that some had the audacity to say only their opinion is correct when there were others also true. So therefore, liars are to be held accountable. Peter has lied on numerous occasions. Dating back to when he first addressed the deacons last year. We are all entitled to opinions, good or bad. Only opinions must be honest by those in the body and must be collaborated. Opinions that are false only harm the body. False accusations are lies. Lies have no place in the body. We must, as those called, as Paul said, ἀληθεύειν ἐν ἀγάπη (speak truth in love). Augustine once said, “Let those burn with hatred against you, who do not know how much pains it costs to find the truth, how hard it is to guard against error;—but I, who after so great and long wavering came to know the truth, must bear myself towards you with the same patience which my fellow-believers showed towards me while I was wandering in blind madness in your opinions.”[4] Lets live in truth and not opinions.
[1]
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the
Romans. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans;
Inter-Varsity Press. Italics mine.
[2] The Holy Bible:
Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Heb 12:15).
Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Greenman
& Larsen eds. (2005) Reading Romans Through the
Centuries (pg73)Grand Rapids, MI;
Brazos Press
[4]
Schaff, P. (Ed.). (1886). Prolegomena: St. Augustin’s Life and Work. In The Confessions and Letters of St. Augustin
with a Sketch of His Life and Work (Vol. 1, p. 15). Buffalo, NY: Christian
Literature Company.
- Acts 2:17. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Aloha,
I have been praying as always because I was extremely
disappointed about the last deacon meeting.
When I signed off, I seriously considered leaving Haili. I have been praying to God about what to do
and where I should go. I miss my friends. I have numerous good friends in ministry here
and on the mainland. My friends listen to
me and my opinions. My friends value my opinions
and respect my voice as one who walks and talks with God. They do not call me ‘Rabbi’ for nothing. I
pray I only boast because of Jesus in me. I don’t know what He is telling you but this
is what He said to me last week “you are here for Me”;
and He also said these other things in the recent past “I see you”; and “Stop this behavior now” I listen to Him and I will not go anywhere
but where He sends me. I am staying.
Now that said, therefore I was disappointed. There was no mention of how we are to address
the sin in the body of Christ. Yes, I
know sin is a dirty, filthy subject. It
is a topic no one wants to talk about and is extremely hard to admit to. That is understandable. Sin impacts everything in the church. If it is not addressed Haili will die. There will be no healing if it is not
confronted. I am concerned about health
of the body of Christ, and the roots of the world run deep in Haili. Confronting sin will affect relationships. This can be not avoided.
Gossip is Idle talk which foolishly or
maliciously spreads rumors or facts. The effects of gossiping are divisive and
destructive.[1]
Gossip is talking about other people and their perceived shortcomings even if one
has not heard about it firsthand. Rm 16:17 tells us to turn away from those
promoting objective disunity and ones causing offence. Gossip is providing information that could be
true or not, but the purpose is malicious.
The apostle John said, “This is why,
if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with
malicious words.”[2]
Paul wrote at least four letters, two of
the which were lost, to the Corinth church specifically addressing the fussing,
fighting and division they were experiencing. There was chaos. The church was remarkably
diverse due to its location near busy ports.
Sailors and traders came from everywhere. He pleaded with them to come together as one
body and likeminded as him. To be
imitators of Christ and follow His example.
By doing this they would partake in the riches that is not perishable
and be servants to each other, glorifying God, which is our duty.
Here is what the apostle Paul had to deal with, “For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be
what I want, and I may not be found by you to be what you want; there may be quarreling, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions,
slander, gossip, arrogance, and
disorder.” [3]
God has given us a mandate. We are to walk in the light. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and
the truth is not in us.[4]
Remember repentance is not a one-time deal.
We must deal with sin daily because sin is not dead. So, lets deal with it the sooner the better.
Here again Paul is speaking to them in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 from Phillips Translation
6-8 Your pride in
your church is lamentably out of place. Don’t you know how a little yeast can
permeate the whole lump? Clear out every bit of the old yeast that you may be
new unleavened bread! We Christians have had a Passover lamb sacrificed for
us—none other than Christ himself! So let us “keep the feast” with no trace of
the yeast of the old life, nor the yeast of vice and wickedness, but with the
unleavened bread of unadulterated truth!” Amen?
Blessings, Kevin
[1]
Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible
Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies.
London: Martin Manser.
[2] The Holy Bible:
Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (3 Jn 10). Nashville:
Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] The Holy Bible:
Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (2 Co 12:20).
Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Jn 1:8). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
Aloha,
God says, “I see you. I see the hakaka”. This includes
me.
I have a reputation as well as all of you. At New Hope I was given several nick names; ‘boy haoli’ and ‘rabbi’. One Hawaiian man, a Godly man (may he r.i.p.) called me ‘Hawaiian’ because I live here. Another called me ‘Kamaaina’. We all have “the same Father but different mothers”. We are all characters, children of God, created in His image (Gen 1:27) Let us try to look more like Him please. I have heard much of several of the church leaders, but I do not judge on hearsay and rumors, and will not be a party to gossip. My name came up in the council meeting but has anyone who brought my name up spoke to me about it? That’s gossip my friends. When a member went behind my back on numerous occasions and spoke to the deacons without my knowledge for the simple reason to split fellowship. That’s gossip my friends. When members addressed the deacons reporting facts not in evidence without the common courtesy of speaking with those who know about the incidents firsthand. That’s gossip my friends. Only do I judge by God’s standard (Gal 5.22-23); His fruit.
If you say my actions are bully behavior, so be it. I will continue to stand on God’s word and demand people be held accountable. Some members will continue to make every attempt to split fellowship. This behavior worked on several members. I know how to address people demonstrating this behavior. We must be on the same page and unified, redirecting anger and not buy into drama and stand on the word of God. By these actions we are not allowing others behavior that disrupts unity, splits fellowship, and we will not be a party to gossip. God bless each and every one of you.
Blessings Kevin
I have always called it as I see it.
I am straight shooter using the word of God as my weapon. Yes, I have sinned. I lied to member thinking I had the full
support of the deacons and I confessed and repented. It was a mistake, I acted poorly, and I paid
dearly for it but that is no reason to discount what I am saying now.
I have experienced the battle of powers and principalities such
as the cancel culture at work in Haili.
I have seen spiritual immaturity, lawlessness, slander and lies, and gossip.
Some of it is polemic behavior using deceptive
rhetoric to evade responsibility for lying to further the narrative of accusations.
I have seen misuse of quotes, misunderstanding of past
incidents, and willful use of rhetoric to mislead creating an illusion people
are not good enough. That disagreements are wrong and require judgement by
those offended. Basically, it’s a
character assignation.
‘In
Nehemiah we have a prime example of a dedicated, faithful, wise, and energetic
leader’[1]
who knows how to handle opposition and crisis.
He writes of the ‘psychological warfare’ [2]
when building the wall in Neh 4. Ridicule such as gossip and rumors, are ‘works of the
flesh and will cause strife… outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, and factions.’[3] It’s like the gossip is taking advantage of
the ‘truth’. Taking incidents that happened
years ago and distorting the truth. Information
regarding the incidents obtained by gossip and twisting the ‘truth’ to fit the narrative.
One can offer an opinion but if the opinion is a lie it has no place in the
church. The gossip creates doubts regarding those accused. The conclusion reached misses the mark because
the actions of a few were done in darkness without the knowledge of the whole
church. By never talking to the accused regarding the perceived conclusion, leaves the accused in the dark and creates a one-sided
narrative. Mono, on one’s own, leaving God out because no darkness is in Him.
John says, ‘If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in
darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth’.[4]
To confront
the lie Nehemiah prayed. Prayed to the most high God. We must pray that God
shines light on the sin. ‘Do not cover their guilt or let their sin
be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked the builders’.[5] God
we ask You to judge injustice and to thwart the plans of those who would hinder
Your work.[6]
Church
unity has been provoked. We are trying
to build the church and disunity threatens that growth. Help us Lord to walk in
the light and focus on unity. Help us
Lord to work together.
As
Christians Jesus admonished us to love our enemies. Paul implores us to fulfill the law as Jesus also
did. ‘For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement:
Love your neighbor as yourself’.[7] This should be written on our hearts. We are
encouraged to treat everyone with ‘gentleness and respect’. 1 Pet 3.15
Rumors and gossip have been spread disheartening the church. Do not be afraid. We serve a great and
awesome God. Pray the worldly behavior
and sin be addressed in the church.
Please pray for the church. ‘For it is God who is working in you both to will
and to work according to his good purpose.’ [8] I
pray to God, please help us demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit when
confronting this crisis. Amen Kevin
[1]
Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah,
Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 193). Nashville: Broadman
& Holman Publishers.
[2]
Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah,
Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 193). Nashville: Broadman
& Holman Publishers.
[3] The Holy Bible:
Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ga 5:20). Nashville:
Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard
Bible. (2020). (1 Jn 1:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible
Publishers.
[5] The Holy Bible:
Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ne 4:5). Nashville:
Holman Bible Publishers.
[6]
Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah,
Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, p. 195). Nashville: Broadman
& Holman Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard
Bible. (2020). (Ga 5:14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible
Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard
Bible. (2020). (Php 2:13–14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible
Publishers.
All we need is Love
Eh pule Kako
Prayer is a serious business. We are coming to You. We are in Your presence. Thank you. Use us use me. Use this message to Your Glory. Help us focus on the job You gave us. Give us insight to Your plan. Help us to walk circumspect fully, loving and Glorying You in all we do. Amen
Oh The Hawaiian language. It’s just Beautiful. The only city in America without consonants is Aiea. The only word ever printed in Hawaiian books with two consonants together is Kristo. I love Proverbs. This one is taken from “The Polynesian Family Structure in Kau” in the introduction:
ee wawa eeya ka hale kanaka
Nawai eh wawa ka hale kanaka `o-key
Voices are heard around an inhabited house
Who hears voices around an uninhabited one?
Hopefully I will close with that.
Please think on that while I get down from this lofty pedestal to get up close and personal. Although it is nice to pray from lofty places I want to be closer to you. Man o man does this church have history. I am honored and feel it’s a privilege to be apart of this historic church. A church that Hawaiian royalty once attended. I hope to talk about God’s house. God loves us more than we know.
I struggled long and hard to develop an introduction. To me that’s the hardest part of the sermon. I needed to let God take over and He will make the closing easy.
I’m keeping it real simple. One Job, God gave us one job. Our job is to glorify Him. Everything else is secondary. I want to thank my wife for helping me. She is my editor & chief. I was going to present a psychological assessment on Kevin Hedlund but she said no. BTW I am a masters level counseling psychologist.
I consider myself a modern-day Jonah. I definitely have been called by God but was doing my own thing and swallowed by the whale. The whale to me was the state. First 9 years in the Navy than 32 years in social service. I came to Hawaii via the Navy in the early 80’s on my first shore leave in the states and was stationed at Pearl for shore duty in 85. I have lived here ever since.
Let’s talk about God’s calling. I pray every one of you recognize God’s call because He has given us a job. His calling is what I like to say an encounter of the God kine.
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;[1]
I take that to mean God is still speaking to us. He uses anything to help us recognize Him.
My very 1st calling as a very young keiki at my Kupuna’s (Grandparents) house was Hawaii Calls. The show stopped me in my tracks, and I would sit and listen to an invitation of melodic tones. The music was mesmerizing. Tuning into the melodies reached down to my soul. Hey Hawaii called me. I’m here now how can I help?
Another encounter was when I was pushing prayer for hours as an adolescent.
What I feel is my most important encounter of the God Kine was my call to the ministry @ 19. God spoke to me through a preacher. A Timothy of a preacher who was the professor of my class in Preaching in Bible College.
I was trained in ministry at a Bible college of the Restoration Movement in eastern Atlanta for 5 years in the Bible belt. In Bible College I learned about this wonderful book and the restoration movement. Church history is another wonderful subject. The Restoration Movement comes from the same roots as Haili and their both about the same age.. The restoration movements goal was to restore the Apostolic Church. The Church of the New Testament a worthy goal and a challenge set before us to get back to the basics. The history of the Bible is also a fascinating subject too. Right now my Bible is the Holman Standard Translation. It is the Apologetic Study Bible. Apologetics is reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine. Basically a defense of my faith. Let me tell you the existence of God is logically sound. IKR He is perfect in everything.
Half way through Bible college I was kicked out for smoking pot. By the grace of God they let me back in but I have been working on recovery for most of my life.
As a keiki some 60 years ago I fell off a bridge maybe 4’ to 6’ into a rocky crick. I was in and out of consciousness but recovered in the ER if you could say that and sent on my merry way. Unfortunately, I suffered a closed head injury. What they now call TBI (Traumatic Brian Injury). I thank God it was not serious. Back than they didn’t understand the condition and I was left undiagnosed until I realized it last week. There was plenty of residual effects. A severe speech impediment (lots of blocking and stammering), memory problems and slight Dyslexia. Thank God for speech therapy. The pathologist really helped.
As I was growing up I faced many challenges. I was badly teased and bullied. School work was difficult. I failed the 4th grade always being told I was not living up my potential. My mother repeatedly told me I would forget my head if it was tied on.
I was huhu, an angry boy and made all kine pilikia (trouble). People were always asking what my problem was, but they and I never made the connection.
Needless to say I was a confused young man but I thank God He is at work straightening me out. I struggled to understand love. We find the word everywhere. Music, literature, TV, movies. I feel with all this exposure the world cheapens it. God shows us a better way. 16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. [2]
God is good. Like I said we have one job to do; To glorify God and all we need is love to do it. Let’s go over our job. We all have many hats. Husband. Father. friend. I’ m a veteran. I thought I was to take my social service hat off by leaving my place of employment. Not a chance I still have the skills but no longer have both hands tied behind my back. Contracts and such demand church and state be separate. That’s a bunch of hog wash if you ask me but nobody is asking. Those types contracts draw lines. I am not one to pay attention to lines. I have always had trouble staying between the lines. I’m still a mental health professional but I can come out of the closet now and tell you I’m an evangelist and prophet. 32 years in Social Service. Mind you in the trenches, on the streets in their homes. I have run the gamut of conflict and resolution working with the SMI. All of my experiences here in Hawaii. Only by the Aloha Spirit this boy haoli was able to do it. One hat I pray we all wear is the Christian hat.
Oh what a great opportunity with every one today to do the Lords work. The Mauna is calling us. Remember He is our Rock from which the church is built. Kapu Aloha is Ke Akua (The Lord) is talking to us. I have never heard His voice, but He is Sacred and He is Love. A Sacred Love from our one true God. With God no lines are drawn. He freely gives.
The Aloha Spirit embodies our Job. But it goes much deeper than that. In Hawaii of old there was ohana and they shared island style from the mountains to the ocean from the windward to the leeward side. The Aloha spirit is not an emotion it is a choice helping each other out.
I found this acrostic somewhere. I even had a poster at one time lost to mold and mildew
A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia'i'o, truthful honesty
H, ha'aha'a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance
Put that all together means love to me. Our job is to Glorify God by practicing Kapu Aloha His Sacred Love. IDK about you but choosing to love all the time is hard.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.[3]
Let’s turn to 1 Cor. Paul struggled to help God’s people understand what their job was. Salvation is free but sanctification requires action. Sanctification is a growing process of becoming more like God. Putting on the mind of Christ takes work.
The Corinthians was a sorted lot. A sea port with lots of different people. There was all kinds of clicks and ununitifing behavior. God shows no partiality wanting all of us to be united in Him and Paul was doing his job bringing them together with love. The Love of God. ἀγάπηa: to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation and high regard[4]. My professor in college defined it as a love that is unconditional. It was a word that didn’t have much use in archaic Greek but is full of meaning to us. God is Love
Ist C 4Love is ahonui patient, ” to demonstrate patience despite difficulties[5]” love is kind, Only here in the New Testament[6], to provide something beneficial for someone as an act of kindness[7], It does not envy, we do not keep up with the Jones, it does not boast. ha'aha'a humility. It does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, Lokahi, is not easily angered. No record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. oia'i'o 7 It always protects ‘It keeps out resentment as the ship keeps out the water, or the roof the rain’.[8], always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres Ala.
8 Love never fails.
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