My Strategic/Ideation/Activator Maximizer/Adaptability Gift!
Dear Unified … family,
Recently I took an online test recommended by Danny Silk which identified my top 5 strengths. It was called “Strength Finders 2.0.” The test identified my strengths as strategic, ideation, activator, maximizer, and adaptability. In simple terms, “I am a person who strategically thinks of ideas to either start things or to improve on what is already there. I guess the Lord knew that I also needed “adaptability” to keep in balance and temper the other four gifts. He also had to give me a redemptive mercy gift and put me on servant land to fully express my God given design. Why an I sharing all this? It really have to do with a suggestion I have for our Unified … families which I have been thinking about.
Here goes …
I realize that many of our couples because of the busyness in raising a family or the lack of family support are not able to have regular dates nights with their significant other. The more kids and the younger the kids, the harder it gets. I want to propose an idea which may help.
1) Families partner with other families to share in the responsibility of caring for each other’s children to provide time for a date night. I think it should be a shared thing because our culture is so strongly tied to shame and obligation that it can become less than productive if there is only receiving from one couple and not contributing to others.
a) I would suggest getting to together with a few couples in your area where you live and work something out to share the load of watching each others kids. Details can be worked out between the couples.
2) Secondly, I am looking to implement date nights where the church can provide a “quarterly” night out for couples. The church would have an activity where kids could be dropped off so couples can plan to go out with other couples and get to meet people within our fellowship. This could serve to strengthen the Unified … family bond between the individual families.
Saying this, I feel the second option would work best if it is being first implemented in each home.
I am open to suggestions and feedback. Let me know what you think. But please keep it short as I may have plenty to read. Love you all!
Blessings,
Pastor Dean (and Kerry)
Gene’s Surgery was a Success! Please continue to pray!
Dear Unified … family,
I was just informed by Pastor John that Gene Fujii’s surgery was a complete success. He had a quadruple bypass. He is out of recovery and in the ICU resting. Marie thanks everyone for your prayers.
Give Jesus a praise but don’t let your guard down yet. Stay vigilant and continue to pray for no complications or infections. We want a speedy and miraculous recovery for Gene.
Blessings,
Pastor Dean
Arthur Burk’s Saturday Seminar Recording! “The Land, Your Spirit, and Your Brain!”
Dear Unified … Family,
TheSLG.com owns the copyright so we cannot sell Saturday’s seminar recording. It was an SLG event. We were the host. If you want a copy you will need to contact Arthur’s ministry directly. Their website is www.TheSLG.com .
Thank you for your understanding …
Pastor Dean
Thank you Unified … family!
Dear Unified … family,
Thank you so much for joining us in honoring Pastors Cal and Joy. They shared how much they felt honored by you, our Unified … family. It warmed Kerry and my heart as your spiritual parents to see you embrace them and receive them as part of our Unified … ohana. Heaven smiled on us and I know God is well pleased with what transpired today. Kerry and I are so proud of you.
All our love,
Dean and Kerry
What An Amazing Treasure Hunt!
Dear Unified .., family,
Last night was another amazing Treasure Hunt night. Fifty people formed six groups and went to three locations, Kahala Mall, Ala Moana, and Walmart. They prayed for an estimated 150 people with three salvations. Yah God!
Awesome job Uyeda’s in facilitating the hunt!
I love how the Lord works so I want to share a testimony from Lissa Cockett. This story is sooo God, sooo good, sooo funny, and soo awesome! You are amazing too, Lissa!
Blessings,
Pastor Dean
*******
Treasure Hunting tonight with Paul & Betty leading the way was a redeeming time, the Lord brought a treasure right to me at Ala Moana this evening. I apologize for a long testimony but it was so rich with the hand of God and I wanted to capture what happened without cutting too many corners.
I had “circus” on my location list among many other details.
I was also feeling sluggish about blessing people tonight but honestly I was with 4 youth and was feeling the pressure to be a good example to them, ha!
I wandered into the foodcourt at Ala Moana by myself as the gals & I split up to find our treasures.
I went and stood by the doors leading out of the market to the covered parking when I spotted someone with a circus circus shirt on so I paused to access and plan my next move.
As I stood there a man approached me and immediately told me he was an athiest, moved here from L.A. to write a book about athiests view of GOD…go figure? His name is James.
I asked him if knew anything about Jesus and he laughed and realized that I was probably a Christian based on that question. Regardless, he liked my “vibe” and wanted to chat some more about how Christians are selfish, judging etc
He asked me if I would give him a $1000 no questions asked, thinking that Jesus might do the same.
I told him I would, that I would give him $10,000 if Jesus told me to…no questions asked. He gave me his address in case I get the green light to send him some money, ha!
The Lord told me to ask James about his Mom at one point. He said, so what do you want to know about her? I said, she is still alive right? He said yes. She isnt in your life anymore is she? And he said, no she isnt but she lives somewhere on Oahu and “I am trying to find her”! It sounds like he maybe had some exchanges with her along time ago and he was always upset with her so she has totally kept away from him. He isn’t even sure of her name.
So I asked him, if you don’t know her name, but you know what she looks like and what her occupation is where did you get these clues? He responded reluctantly by pointing up to recognize the LORD! The Lord had given him these clues over the years!
My heart just opened up to pour out everything I have experienced being rejected by MY own parents and family and shared that with James that his Mom didn’t leave “HIM” but it is out of her brokenness that caused this division with NO reflection of who he is…how do I know this I asked, because I have been rejected by parents out of THEIR brokeness, it had NOTHING to do with me.
I told James that my Papa God, however has never forsaken me even though my earthly parents have etc. I told him that in order for him to reach his book writing dreams and the fullness of his destiny that he needed to release his mom from his anger and unforgiveness.
We talked for 30 min’s, much was said. I hadn’t even told him I was on a treasure hunt yet! As the conversation continued he shared he has many health issues and I could see the pain mounting the longer he stood talking to me. He self medicates with alcohol to manage the pain of the illness and the rejection.
So as he stood there I asked him if I could pray to get rid of the pain and he said “no no no” a few times. Finally, I said just stand there (a few feet from me) God is going to relieve you of this pain and without waiting for his response I started praying healing from heaven along with the peace of heaven to cover him. I saw the peace ON him, like a portal opened over him, and could feel the annointing on him, though he wouldnt admit he felt it, he got wrecked…I KNOW HE DID!
I then pulled up JAMES 1:1-5 on my phone and started reading it to him and he actually came over and read it with me! I asked him if he has ever tested out his theories of God by actually asking HIM to take away the pain or bless him financially and he said NO. So I told him he needs to do it, that this meeting wasn’t chance, that the LORD loves him so much to make this divine encounter so he could be reminded of his greatness, that he is AMAZING and so much more.
I told him numerous times what a wonderful man he was and he said “we’ll see” and I replied each time “NO, you ARE amazing right now!” And finally I asked James, “Do you know why I came here tonight in the first place?” It was a riot telling him that I was there to find a treasure and he was IT!
I was so blessed and I know that as I (we all) am able to share my journey and speak into others lives that I get even more healing as God continues to REDEEM! I felt a bit ambushed tonight and can only imagine what James is feeling! Also, James actually came up to ME! God made it so easy and others testified to that tonight as well.
Times are super crazy good with Papa! xxoo Love in Jesus, Lissa