2009 April | The Katinas

Apr 29th, 2009 16 Comments

Looking In

Matthew 7:1-6
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, and criticize their faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, “Let me wash your face for you, when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. (The Message Bible)

WOW! Need I say anything else? God’s word has a way of telling us exactly what we need to do. Even when it’s not exactly what we want to hear.

I was driving home with my two sons, Josh and Eli yesterday. We were enjoying a beautiful, Tennessee afternoon. School was out for the day, the house was cleaned, cars were washed, the yard was mowed and we were going home to throw the baseball and enjoy some good home-cooking. Everything was near perfect except for a little 5 o’clock traffic. We were turning onto Mack Hatcher Parkway, a busy intersection about 2 miles from our house. When all of a sudden out of no where, a big SUV pulls out right in front of us all the way from the other lane and cuts us off. He didn’t want to wait in traffic like everyone else so he decided to sneak up on the right- hand lane that was for cars turning right but at the last second jumped onto our lane so he could turn left. I was infuriated. If my boys weren’t in the car I might have said a few choice words and even given him the half-peace sign. It wasn’t pretty. As I embarked on a journey of resentful thoughts and “under-my-breath” insults, I was gently reminded by a still small voice about my own issues. I was confronted with my anger, impatience and lack of self control. I was amazed at how quickly I allowed something so minute to change my mood and outlook on life. I glanced in the rear view mirror and discovered my nine year old, Eli looking right at me. BUSTED! Embarrassed and ashamed, I apologized to my sons. As usual, they were gracious and merciful.

It’s so easy to blame others and exterior circumstances for our attitudes and moods. We spend a lot of time trying to fix people, mend relationships and bring solutions to our distressed surroundings when really what’s inside of us is what needs to be dealt with. When you’re confronted or even cut-off with the realities of life, be quick to “LOOK IN” and take inventory before you start trying to assess everyone else and how they need to be. Let us be people that are willing and honest enough to deal righteously with ourselves. Hopefully what you will find on the inside is the peace of God that transcends all understanding, guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus!

joe

Apr 27th, 2009 11 Comments

‘Real Videos’ With John

Apr 26th, 2009 2 Comments

Elk Grove, CA – 04/26/09 – Harvest Church

Apr 26th, 2009 0 Comments

Sacramento, CA – 04/26/09

Apr 25th, 2009 2 Comments

Sacramento, CA – 04/25/09 – Sacramento City College

Apr 22nd, 2009 21 Comments

One Life To Live

Psalm 90: 10-12; We live for 70 years or so (with luck we might make it to 80), And what do we have to show for it? Trouble. Toil and trouble and a marker in the graveyard. Who can make sense of such rage, such anger against the very ones who fear you? Oh! Teach us to live wisely and well! (The Message Bible)

It was a Thursday afternoon in Tacoma, Washington. April 21, 1988, 21 years ago yesterday, our Mother, Siainiu Liu Katina, went home to be with Jesus. She was only 50 years old but anyone who had the privilege of knowing her would tell you that she lived a full, flourishing and favorable life! She was the Mom that all of our friends and cousins wish they could have. She was beautiful, elegant, sensitive, resourceful, and loved people so readily. She battled cancer for 4 years and though it was very painful to see her decline physically, we learned the most valuable lessons of life during that time. To honor her memory, we want to share with you some of those lessons.

1. Make the best of every situation!

We moved to Samoa in 1977. It was a tough transition for our family. Dad and Mom had steady jobs in Oceanside, California and we were blessed to live in a middle-class neighborhood. Then we discovered, Samoa. To be honest it was not “the islands of our dreams” at the time. No running hot water. All of us contracted various diseases because of the change of climate and diet. Moving from village to village, living with relatives that were speaking a foreign language. And worst of all for any American-born child, “no McDonald’s”! Mom was our constant source of encouragement. She did her best to stay positive even when situations were difficult. James reminded us of how resourceful she was. She could make a great meal out of nothing. We couldn’t afford to buy clothes from the store so she would buy fabric and sew our clothes. She tried her best to stay current with whatever was in style. She wasn’t always successful, but we didn’t have the heart to tell her, “Mom this doesn’t look like what everyone else is wearing.” Like her, we tried to make the best of the situation!

2. Pray!

She prayed about everything. For several years, our house was just a shell without walls. It was divided by curtains. We would hear Mom just about every night, crying out to God for our salvation. She wasn’t gifted musically, but she constantly prayed that her children would be used to bring people to Christ. She prayed fervently for her siblings, nephews and nieces. She prayed that they would accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. It’s amazing that even after her death; those prayers are still bearing fruit today! It always seemed like when Mom prayed, God answered.

3. Love People!

She would say this to us continually, “Love People!” They were words she lived by. Occasionally, we would have troubled teenagers or homeless families living with us. Dad’s discipline and strict rules would keep them in check and give them a house to stay in. But Mom’s love and tender heart would bring transformation and provide them with a home. We literally saw lives changed because of the depth and sincerity of Christ’s love in her. She embodied so many great qualities. But her greatest attribute was love.

We could do a 52 week series and still have plenty to say about Mom. But I’ll close with this. She lived each day, the way she lived her 50 years, “to the fullest”! I often wonder what it would be like if she could have met her Grandchildren. She never got to see any of them. I wonder how proud she would be of the wives we chose. I imagine she would enjoy visiting with each of them and telling them our childhood stories. What would it be like to have her at one of our concerts? What would she think of the men she raised and prayed for? She never got to see us perform a full concert. She died shortly before our first recording came out.

I am certain of one thing, the legacy she left behind still speaks loud and clear. She lived her life wisely and well! You and I have the opportunity today to do the same. We have “one life to live!” Live it wisely. Live it well.

Until next week,

Live Strong!
-joe

PS We will continue the “Looking” series next week.

Apr 19th, 2009 0 Comments

Omaha, NE – 04/19/09 – Eagles Nest Worship Center

Apr 18th, 2009 0 Comments

Lincoln, NE – 04/18/09 – Pershing Center

Apr 15th, 2009 24 Comments

Looking

Today’s constant uncertainty and economic chaos has found many of us in a plight we’ve never experienced before. Questions are being asked but very few answers are given. People are wondering where to turn, what to do and how to make it through. What about you? Does your conduct agree with your creed? In moments like these, where are you looking? Do you feel like ol’ Waylon when he sang?

Looking for love in all the wrong places,
Looking for love in too many faces,
Searching your eyes, trying to find traces….and so on, and so on.

For the next 3 weeks, I want to encourage you on where to be “looking” so that you don’t get distracted from reaching your destiny. It’s easy to start focusing on the problem and not the answer. Don’t get caught “rubbernecking”! You’ll start a traffic jam and maybe even another accident. Get your eyes on the prize!

1. LOOK UP!

Psalm 121:1-2
I lift my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Luke warned us that these days would come. Luke 21:28 encourages us to “LOOK UP” for our redemption is coming. He tells us to stand up with your our heads high. Help is on the way! There is light at the end of the tunnel. We’re getting closer and closer to our destination. I’m not suggesting that we all pack our bags, move to the hills and get ready to leave. No! God has so much for us to do here. There are lives to be changed and nations to be reached with the Gospel of Jesus. If you are reading this, God has plenty for you to do. However, it is so important that you keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Keep your mind stayed on Him, and He will keep you in perfect peace! The stock market has definitely seen better days. Job security as we once knew it no longer exists. Our great country seems more polarized than ever before. However, our God still reigns! He is the same yesterday, today and forever! He is Shalom, our peace! El Shaddai, God Almighty! Jehovah Rafa, our healer! Jehovah Jireh, our provider! He still comforts the hurting. He promises to make the weak, strong. He will never leave you. He is here with me and there with you simultaneously. Time cannot hold Him. Death couldn’t keep him.