Blog & News

On Mothers Day… When Grace & Truth Bump Into Each Other

2012-05-14T22:17:30Z

My buddy's wife just posted this, and I actually cried a little with sadness because I knew it to be so true... shamefully so. And I know the CHURCH is supposed to filled with the presence of God and His love and His people acting like Him and stuff like that...

But we are human, and we tend to just mess things up sometimes. Check it out...

http://messymiddle.com/2012/05/10/an-open-letter-to-pastors-a-non-mom-speaks-about-mothers-day/

"His grace is sufficient..." 2 Cor. 12:9

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Abby’s Character Win

2012-05-09T01:57:01Z

You ever been so proud of your kids that you could hardly keep it to yourself?! (As a young man, I never imagined I'd ever say things like that!)

Last weekend, Abby scored a 24/25 at her "Bible Drill" up in St. Charles. I didn't get to go because I was coaching JoJo's soccer game. Here's how it went:

At the contest... questions were asked, and whoever among the kids knew the answer would step forward, and one would actually give the answer. Well, on one question, Abby stepped forward and then realized her answer was just slightly off. So she stepped back into the line. It seems she could have maybe just held her place since 5 other kids had stepped forward, and the judge would've only picked one of 'em.

Abby, in usual fine form, admitted her minor error, and stepped backwards, instead of just letting someone else get picked. I told her later that I couldn't possibly be more proud of her. To which my perfectionist daughter replied, "But Dad, I missed one!"

I answered, "Sweetie, I'm certainly proud of you for your hard work, effort, and excellence, but I think I'm more proud of you for your awesome character in how you handled that one that you missed. That, my dear, is MOST excellent!"

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17a

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Dads & Daughters

2012-05-01T14:31:25Z

As you might know by now, I am Abby's soccer coach. A few games ago, she scored an exciting goal, and I ran out on the field pumping my fists with my knees high in the air! A few of the parents thought that was funny and kind of cute. I think it's a good indicator too of this week's blog which is actually one from a close friend that I am sharing.

The blog is about FATHERS & DAUGHTERS and is full of many valuable truths. I love Abby so very much, and I especially tried hardest to care for in specific ways in those years that I raised her by myself. I hope and pray that my efforts are meaningful to her. I think they are.

http://blog.faithpromise.org/2012/01/fathers-be-good-to-your-daughters/

He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents. Malachi 4:6a

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Great Grace

2012-04-25T20:30:42Z

A few years ago, I watched a movie on RedBox called "Love Happens" in which a widower whose book about coping with loss turns him into a best-selling self-help guru. When I chose this movie, I had no idea how much I would resonate with it... I mean, I could certainly relate to this man who was an inspirational speaker, whose wife died in a tragic car wreck, who'd written a book about it all, etc. What's more - he was driving the car in which his wife died, and I was driving too.

The biggest difference in our situations was that his father-in-law would often show up at his speaking appearances and make rude comments from the audience in ugly ways.

The film ended late, but the next morning I quickly called my TX in-laws and I thanked them over and over for never holding it over my head, for not making me feel guilty that I was driving when Jill (my first wife) died (January 15th, 2002). They assured me that they felt anyone could have been behind the steering wheel, that it just so happened to have been me... that like Elijah went up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11), God just took Jill home to heaven, and I happened to be driving the chariot that day.

I could hardly believe it, but they meant it, and their actions have always faithfully matched their words.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph. 4:32

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An Honorable Man

2012-04-19T04:30:05Z

I just realized that I almost always blog about my kids or my wife, or occasionally about some personal belief or character quality... I always try to post something that will resonate in some way with us all.

So I am not sure how in all this time, I've neglected to ever write something about my dad, Ron Mirikitani! There are countless good things that I could say about my father. For example, he always spent gobs of time with my brother and me (almost every afternoon after school). My dad has also won many awards for wrestling coaching, and he is a black belt in three martial arts: karate, judo, and jiu jitsu.

But one description of my dad that especially rises high is his level of HONOR. I understand that his Japanese heritage plays a significant role in that development, but I know few people as honorable as him, with as much integrity as my dad.

What a tremendous example he set for me!

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track... Proverbs 11:3a

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Planting Trees

2012-04-09T19:25:53Z

For several Facebook posts recently, I have showed JoJo glimpsing at his newly blossoming pear tree that we planted last fall. As a dad (and as a pastor), I'll admit that I often look for teachable moments or things that illustrate the truths of life. Well, I would say that this tree-planting effort really has come through (and our son is certainly a teachable one) besides being tons of fun.

This song by one of my favorite artists explains exactly what I mean about this tree planting picture and the significance of producing meaningful "harvest" or "fruit" from what you've worked to "plant"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TM2Ju6vkRU

“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.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8

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Life is Precious

2012-04-02T17:16:02Z

This past week, my wife Christe lost a high school softball friend who had been struggling with cancer... what a horrible tragedy for someone so young (with 4 daughters) to die! There were just no words of sufficient comfort for her relatives or husband. (My empathetic presence seemed slightly helpful.)

Christe's mom reminded us of a fun memory of how Laura was always hopeful, from a high school experience. After a tough soccer loss, she said, "That's okay. We've got Christe in softball, & she's really good... We can win state in softball!" Then Laura coined the phrase, "State in '88"... which, indeed, came to pass (with Christe on the mound [I can brag on my wife, right?!]).

I post this Blog this week especially to ask you to pray for Laura's widower, Mark, and her 4 daughters... and to remind us all that our lives are certainly precious gifts.

This song is a sweet reminder - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSkYaDlCv8k

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Unsinkable JoJo

2012-03-27T19:37:01Z

While there are gobs of things I love about both my children, something that I love about our youngest in particular is his unsinkable spirit, his eternal optimism. Not to be gross, but he could literally just have thrown up, and he would wipe off his mouth and be ready to race one of us, issuing challenges of who he's gonna beat! So we, of course (among other nicknames) have titled him, the "Unsinkable JoJo."

Yesterday, for example, his left eye was having an allergic reaction, some pinkness and swelling after some time outside, but he was raring to go hiking down the creek with me and Abby (about a quarter mile)! The hike was, in fact, way cool... we ended up at this cool tunnel where we pulled out headlamps and looked around for our own mini-adventure. He was so gleeful the whole time that I almost forgot that the nurse would soon be calling me with instructions on caring for his eye.

On another occasion, at a church kids event, he dressed up like Veggietales "Bob the Tomato" (because Abby had dressed up like a character too). When no one else his age had costumes on, several laughed at him. When I asked him how this made him feel, he said, "Oh, that's okay, they probably just wish they had a cool Bob costume too. No biggie." Unsinkable.

http://www.metatube.com/en/videos/38424/Boundin-Pixar-HD-Short-Film-Walt-Disney/

My hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5b

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The Real St. Patrick

2012-03-16T14:22:36Z

While doubtful legends are told about St. Patrick driving out snakes from Ireland, he was definitely an amazing man who did fantastic things through faith in God. Here's the real story as told with Lego's! (Having studied church history in seminary, I know it's true.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QQPqGf_ZAo&feature=related

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7

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Amid Tragedy, “Thank God”

2012-03-05T16:17:35Z

At the gas station, I saw this headline: "Amid Tragedy, 'Thank God'." It raises questions,

HOW?
WHY?
Does God understand?

The Bible says to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1Thess. 5:18), BUT... in tornadoes, car accidents, etc.??

What do you think??

I have learned that while life is awfully challenging and difficult, God is an "ever-present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1), who is also full of compassion and kindness... who walks with us through our times of suffering.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid. You are with me. Psalm 23:4a

http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2012-03-05-Tornadoes-print_CV_U.htm

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To a Child, Love is Spelled T-I-M-E

2012-03-01T22:34:50Z

This past week, poor Christe was sick in bed with strep throat! Since JoJo could no longer hang out at all with Mom, & I was able to stay home from work, we had lots of fun... which, besides playing tons of games, actually included making water-balloons & throwing 'em on the patio!

Clearly, kids spell love, T-I-M-E, as I definitely moved up in his eyes those few days!

Check out this video - http://www.tacmovie.com/

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14

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To My Valentine

2012-02-14T17:11:33Z

Although I don't sing very well, I do play the guitar, and I occasionally like to write some songs. A little over 4 years ago, I wrote a story song about Abby, Christe, & even a little about JoJo... but its focus really is Christe. So I wanna put it out as my Blog today, telling everyone that she is, indeed, "My Delight."

My Delight
By Jason Mirikitani
January 2008

Once a man had a delight
And though she was quite small,
To him she was so sweet and dear
That to her he gave his all.

So in her little heart and soul
He focused all his time,
And loving, faithful, Immanuel
Equipped his one-tracked mind.

But then one day God turned his eyes
To see a pretty treat
They met, they talked, and soon he saw
This one was also sweet!

And she was smart too, he learned,
She was exactly right.
Before he knew it, the man had found
A completely new delight.

The little one loved her too, of course,
And soon there came along
In all their lives a newdelight
To make them four smiles strong!

BRIDGE:
The man now has three delights,
And they are four smiles strong! (2x)

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Marks Made… Part 3: Faith

2012-02-09T23:45:06Z

The last few weeks, I’ve been blogging about specific ways I have changed in the past decade since my tragic car accident, ways that I am markedly different. I will conclude with one that is both significant and understandable.

After my car wreck, my miraculous recovery, the way things came together with parenting Abby alone, and how things worked out so well with Christe (who is also an amazing chiropractor, whose skillful medical adjustments brought physical relief to over 4 years of physical pain!)…

A huge difference in me was my increased FAITH. (Of course it was!)

Scripture defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Jesus told people that just a little bit of faith was enough to accomplish really big stuff (Mt. 17:20). So I’ve come to realize a valuable truth: the size of one’s faith doesn’t matter at all. What counts is the size of the One in whom the faith is placed. And He is awfully big and strong.

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Marks Made… Part 2: Self-Reliant to God-Reliant

2012-01-30T16:06:57Z

Last week, I mentioned that just over 10 years ago on January 15, 2002, my life and hopes were shattered when my first wife died and my skull was fractured in the horrible car accident that occurred. So in these blogs, I'm explaining the 3 most significant ways I've been changed over this past decade as we stand at the 10 year mark of that life-changing event.

Today's is a particular shift from SELF-reliance to GOD-reliance...

...which I now believe is literally one of the main reasons for our times of suffering, or sort of a "why answer"... i.e. why a good God lets us suffer -- to cause us self-reliant people to depend on Him more.

You see, between the apostle Paul's two letters to the church in Corinth, they suffered (and so did he), which is why 2 Corinthians 1:9 says, "In our hearts we felt the sentence of death. This happened so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raised the dead."

A very, very tough lesson to learn, but oh so valuable.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a

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Marks Made… Part 1: Perseverance

2012-01-26T20:34:38Z

Just over 10 years ago on January 15, 2002, my life was shattered when my first wife died and my skull was fractured in the horrible car accident that occurred.

As a preacher, I shared with our church's congregation 3 of the most significant ways I had been changed over this past decade, as we stand at the 10 year mark of that life-changing event. I'll do my best to explain them over the next few blogs here.

The first one is the character point of PERSEVERANCE (endurance) that grew significantly in me. In the original Bible text, perseverance means to "endure under pressure," like a warrior in battle with a shield, pressing on toward the enemy while under attack. Scripture says that trials produce perseverance (James 1:3). In our words, it simply means "never quitting," "never giving up," or "always pressing forward."

More to come...

And that's not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4

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