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June 2, 2025
RECLAIM is the great new IDEAS
April 17, 2025
Great, Good, and Glorious!
Aloha and Hosanna on this Busy Holy Week!
We pray this letter finds you well and grateful as we
again rejoice in the Scriptures, songs, and ceremonies to welcome our Risen
King Jesus!
I get a bit misty reflecting on that Easter Week camp
where an unsuspecting high school kid was called by Good News applied by the
Holy Spirit to a Heavenly Father through the sacrifice of His Son. I did not sail
to that camp on Catalina Island to get to heaven. I never planned on repenting
of my sins – starting with not consuming the stuff packed in my duffle bag. I
had no plan to trust my future to a God I cannot see. But that was His
sovereign plan. Never has He failed or forsaken me…and my family!
We hope you make time this Holy Week to reflect and
rejoice in God’s grace for you.
Last month we attended the Hawaiian Islands Ministries
conference in Honolulu. We had a great time sharing what the Lord is doing
around the world through IDEAS. Our organization is not yet widely known in our
state. It was encouraging to meet people who were happy to learn about our vision
for people and communities to experience abundant life.
That is also our prayer for the mission field where we
now live. When we met the Hawaii State Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship
two years ago, we had no idea it was possible to host Gospel-outreach right on a
school campus after school hours. We rejoice in this opportunity in our state –
perhaps in yours too? This is very
needed. Many kids are now cut-off from Gospel-opportunity – no contact with
anyone to tell them God’s good news – hidden in plain sight from salvation.
We love the vision of CEF Hawaii, “that every child on
every island can hear the Gospel by the age of twelve.” After two years of
trying, we finally launched a ‘Good News Club’ on the campus of Kohala
Elementary School. https://www.cefhawaii.com/kohala
Our hope was stymied by the refusal of the school to
allow our Good News Club – not just in Kohala, but throughout the state. Very
fortunately Liberty Counsel committed to file a federal lawsuit – CEF Hawaii
vs. Hawaii State Board of Education. It did not take long for the court to
decide for the constitutional right of children to hear the Gospel. Now we are
praying for Bible-believers to establish a witness on all of Hawaii’s 210
elementary schools! Pray!!
Tomorrow, Good Friday, we plan to again “Walk the
Cross” along the main road through our two adjacent little towns – Kapa’au and
Hawi. Christians from several churches take turns to shoulder the wood – on
wheels, thankfully! – as we reflect, repent, and rejoice in the finished work
of our Savior.
Then we will celebrate twice on Resurrection morning.
First we will gather with believers from several
churches for our community sunrise service – followed by breakfast 😉! Then we will have our Easter
service at Kalahikiola Church.
The Gospel message is great, good, and glorious!
This news is great because it is true! The shores of
history are lined with wrecks of broken promises and dashed hopes. But the
claims of Jesus stand, because He stands. The New Testament unfolds the horror
of Jesus’ abandonment. Crosses were designed to make death as long and
agonizing as possible. He was broken by the cross, but He burst the bonds of
sin, death, and hell. He lives. His resurrection is one of the best established
facts in all history.
This is amazingly good news…almost hard to believe.
How can the very God we offend give His best to bring us back? Why should the
God we reject be rejected for us? For some reason we will never understand, God
loves those who will not love Him. God in His goodness has made bad people like
us good. This is the purpose of the cross. God’s justice demands sin’s penalty
be paid. God’s mercy declares He has paid it through the gift of His Son.
Romans hung thousands of people on crosses. Yet there was something unique
about Jesus death. An officer at the foot of His cross said, “Truly, this was
the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).
No other victim
of Rome was without sin. Yet the enormity of sin was seen in His suffering and
death for the sins of the world. Jesus was also a Victor over Rome. His Kingdom
is more enduring, His Lordship is eternal. Through this very bad event God
brought great good – forgiveness for sin – life from death – heaven, because He
endured our hell.
This news is glorious! Paul, a man of considerable
intellect and experience, said, “God forbid that I should glory, except in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). Of all the world’s wonders,
Paul found just one thing ultimately glorious. It seems the cross was a place
of gory, not glory! Surely the misery was unimaginable. But His incalculable
suffering achieved an eternal redemption. Paul gloried in the cross because it
changed him. And as he lifted high the word of the cross, he witnessed more
change – deep within human hearts, through all spheres of ancient cities, and
beyond the realm of established empires. Throughout eternity multitudes from
every nation, culture, tribe, and language will give glory to their Lord Jesus
Christ.
As Glen Scrivner compellingly argues, the resurrection
makes so much sense! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_kyK3PowWc
We are very grateful for your friendship, prayers, and
support as we walk together with our Risen Lord.
February 14, 2025
Good News from Guatemala
Happy Valentine’s Day!
We are back home in Kapa’au after three weeks of
travel. Many thanks for your prayers.
We praise the Lord for His journeying mercies as we
traveled to California and on to Guatemala. It was great to visit with dear
friends in our supporting churches in San Diego, El Segundo, and Biola (west of
Fresno) as we reported about IDEAS.
It was our first time to Central America. We enjoyed Guatemala’s natural beauty, rich history, and cultural diversity - a blend of indigenous Mayan traditions and Spanish influences. Best of all we found our IDEAS colleagues faithfully making Christ known in Word and deed.
Walking through Antigua felt like stepping back in time - many restored
colonial buildings and churches. The cobble stone streets and bustling markets
teemed with foods, coffee, crafts, textiles, and produce. One lovely afternoon
we rode bikes through a coffee plantation where lush plants grow in rich
volcanic soil.
Our IDEAS team is uniquely equipped to serve the nation of Guatemala which has one of the highest numbers of spina bifida per capita in the world. In His Gospel-advancing-providence He has assembled this team which bring their skills in language and culture, nursing (three of them!), Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), community development project leadership, a certified prosthetist/orthotist (CPO), and pastoral and ministry experience. In Guatemala they are working to serve communities, families and children impacted by disability. In 2024 IDEAS helped 165 children be fitted and equipped with wheelchairs and other appropriate technology. It was a privilege to share with them and offer our pastoral care.
We went to Guatemala as part of the IDEAS Community
Life team, privileged to encourage and pray with our Associates. While there I
taught from the book of Titus to our IDEAS Guatemala team. I spoke one morning
to our IDEAS Board on “Hearing from the Lord” from Joshua 9.
We were proud to see some of the good work our IDEAS
team is doing as they provide whole-person care for people with disabilities
through training, resources, and locally appropriate assistive technology
devices. Our programs address medical and mobility needs and invite people into
a community where they are loved and valued. Our team works to help people
experience the fullness of their God-given dignity.
Learn more at: https://ideasworld.org/guatemala
Before heading home across the Pacific we enjoyed a
week with Nathan and Heather and our three grandsons in Los Angeles. Our bond
of sharing included a bad cold that found us all! But the sun came out for our
great day at Legoland.
It was good to return back to our family at
Kalahikiola Church. I started preaching through the Gospel of Luke for Advent
and plan to continue in this great inerrant declaration of the Savior of the
World, our Lord Jesus Christ. We appreciate your prayers as we long to make Him
known in our community. Later this month we will resume our Wednesday Bible
Study, stepping into 2 Corinthians.
Many are enthusiastic about what they perceive to be a
new day of opportunity in our beloved America. We certainly pray so! But
remember that only Almighty God can bring eternal, holy, just, and saving
change to any nation. That is what we most pray, labor, and hope for all
nations. Of course, this requires what we shoulder the cross as disciples
daily, renouncing our sins, and rejoicing in our Savior. May God help us in
this hard and holy calling! May He make His Name Great…forever!
Until the knowledge of Jesus fills the earth,
Mark and
Dayna Blair
January 6, 2025
"Hau'oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)" (pronounced: how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho)
We hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was great! We had a new baby boy to capture our hearts – and bring a vivid reminder of the precious Son sent from Heaven.
The little guy has a big name - Kukini nu’oli o ke Akua Kupa’a Blair. (His first name means “swift runner with the Good News of God,” middle name means “steadfast”…may God make it so!) Of course, we enjoyed his brothers and parents too! We’re very thankful that Nathan and Heather brought Kekoa, Kana, and Kini to be with us.
Kini, Nathan, Mark, Dayna, Koa, Kana, Josiah, & Heather @ Kalahikiola
And then one night during their visit, Josiah walked in the door! Dayna and I had no idea he was coming from Istanbul, he, Nathan, and Heather kept the surprise.
We are humbled by your continued support for our Kingdom service. We regularly connect and pray with IDEAS colleagues in Jordan, Kazakhstan, China, India, and Bangladesh. They encourage and inspire us! We had the privilege of being part of an IDEAS conference in Jordan in April. We are booked to share in meetings with IDEAS Board and Associates in Guatemala in January 2025. Most of all, we are grateful for your prayers.
We pray you
and yours will have a wonderful year of our Lord 2025. How wonderful to know Him who came to free us from our sins -
who comes to fill us with His joy - and who will come again to finish God’s
forever new creation!
Gratefully in Him, Mark and Dayna Blair
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
(2 Corinthians 9.15).
The calendar
we use says that one week after the day to consider the gift of God for eternal
life is a day of crisis: an end and a beginning. I just recently learned to
write 2024, now I must get used to 2025.
When baby
Jesus grew to manhood, he was a divider. Some in Israel called him Messiah,
others had him murdered. Some called him liar; others call him Lord. Now all
history is split Before Christ or Anno Domini (Latin for ‘in the year of the
Lord’). He will carry you to Heaven or sentence you to Hell. He will be your
Savior or your Judge.
By the mercy
of God most of us will see the year of our Lord 2025. But let it be a reminder
that the final, final, buzzer will sound. This year of new beginnings is a time
to repent of our sin and receive the Savior – for ourselves, our ohana, and all
those we know and love. Like His first visitors, those who really know Him
cannot keep quiet, “…the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (Luke 2.20).
October 28, 2024
Should a Pastor tell you How to Vote?
Aloha, from lonely Kapa’au,
My family are all across the
oceans enjoying one another, without me…I did not know that could be
possible??!
Our wonderful new is that
our tribe is increasing…
Heather and Nathan welcomed
their third son, Kukini nu’oli o ke Akua Kupa'a Blair. He was a big baby, nine
pounds! But his name is even bigger. Those Hawaiian words express his parent’s
prayers for God to use his life.
"Kukini” - a
messenger/runner, “nu’oli” – Good News, “o ke Akua'” – from God! Runner/messenger that brings good news from
God.
"Kupa'a" means
Steadfast. Dayna woke up from a dream the morning after his birth encouraged to
share that name with his parents. Her prayer was that God make him “steadfast”
as Paul exhorted the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15.58).
I am so glad Dayna is there
enjoying this little guy and his family. I figured that this big lug would be a
bit too much for them all at this time.
Here’s the family a couple
days before “Kini” launched…
The rest of our immediate
family converged in Istanbul. Granddaughter Maylee flew from Kazakhstan to Papa
Josiah and then Aaron and Kara came for a visit too! So glad they could enjoy
several days together.
I was going to add a photo
of myself all alone crying. I have had my moments - but I am coping. I have
tried to guilt the church members into inviting me over for meals, and
calculated I will make it by turning my underwear inside out for week two.
We continue to enjoy our ministry
with IDEAS. We have been very encouraged through meeting with colleagues serving
in Kazakhstan, China, and India. When we lived in war-torn Uganda in the 1980’s
it could take six months to receive a tattered letter. Talking to, and even
seeing, someone – through waves and wires I don’t understand - was beyond our
wildest imagination! But God has let us live long enough to do just that!
It's not like the
irreplaceable role of their presence, but we have a small part in helping our
colleagues stay on-site and touch lives with the Good News of Jesus. With all
the noise swirling around November 5, its easy to lose sight of God’s heart for
“every nation, tribe, people and language (to be) standing before the throne
and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7.9). And, we lift them up in prayer – no
phones needed for that most powerful connection!
There are lots of
encouraging updates on our IDEAS website. Here is one by a young lady we hope
to meet early next year in Guatemala: https://ideasworld.org/stories-of-transformation-alma
Bear with me as I stick my toe into the stormy political waters. I wrote the article below for our Kalahikiola Church newsletter. I hope it might give some hope and perspective….
Should
a Pastor tell you How to Vote?
I have been a pastor for
over 40 years, and very rarely have I wondered what political party, if any,
people prefer. As a follower of Jesus, I am much more interested in one’s
faith. That has not changed.
But whether I like it or
not, the politics-free-zone in public life is growing ever smaller. Political
labeling happens quickly, and then pigeonholing soon follows. Neighbor love
gets shut down because of allegiances to politicians six time zones away from
Hawaii. Shouting replaces sharing. Attacks stifle exchanges of ideas. Lord,
have mercy on our nation!
Government under God is part
of the Lord's plan for His original, very good, creation. Governments, of all
varieties, have one thing in common: the legal use of force.
Government is a blessing,
especially when it sticks to the tasks that God has given it. Most politicians
used to stay in their own lane. Back in the day, politicians focused mostly on
civic and economic affairs. Schools, businesses, media, churches, health care,
and families were usually free from political over-reach.
Now those walls of
separation have fallen. The political world has invaded God's jurisdiction. Did
God create men and women? That basic assumption was a fence for generations.
Today both political parties have declared war on the worldview of Genesis chapter
one - the origin and purpose of life, male and female made in the image of God,
marriage and family, and the authority of God the Creator.
Government now tells schools
what to teach, hospitals who to save – and kill, businesses who to serve,
people who they are, media what to say, families what they are, and churches
who to fear. Politicians boldly attempt to occupy the throne of God. Do they
know God made King Uzziah a leper when he thought the Holy Place was his lane?
Here are some thoughts about
Christians and politics.
First, all of us Christian citizens should engage in the
political process. Vote! The statistics are embarrassing! Voter turn-out in
Hawaii is woefully low. And we Christians are not setting a good example. Many
of us do not vote. Voting is not just a privilege but a responsibility. Joseph
and Daniel faithfully honored the true and living God while serving pagan
empires. To not be political is to be political - casting a vote for the status
quo.
Dayna and I worked almost thirty
years in nations where their citizens have limited opportunities to express
their thoughts and opinions. Our dear friends in Uganda, Kazakhstan and China
would envy our opportunities to freely think, speak, act, and vote as we are
privileged to do in the United States. Those we vote into office will spend our
money, shape our thoughts, disciple our kids, dictate our healthcare, defend
our safety, and protect our freedoms.
Strive to know what that politician will do – and has done - as your
government employee. It can be hard to
turn your head from the shiny objects of their sound bites to examine their
substance. It is not easy to hear through the spin and find what a candidate
really believes. But find out we must! How did they vote on key issues? Who
funds their campaigns?
Second, I have no interest in telling anyone how to vote. I
agree with the Johnson amendment of the U.S. tax code that prohibits non-profit
organizations – like churches - from endorsing or opposing political
candidates. Martin Luther said the church should be a “mouth house” of the good
news of Jesus Christ. People of all political stripes and colors should feel
welcome into God’s family. God forbid that His Church become a red zone, or
blue zone, or a rainbow zone. Jesus and the cross should be the only “stumbling
block” to enter– not our allegiances to frail men of dust. We declare, and
should be ready to die for, a Kingdom that endures forever – established
through the blood and righteousness of our Redeemer. God forbid that any person
or party should rival our loyalty and witness to the Lord Jesus Christ, Savior
of the world.
Third,
New Testament Christians are trusted by God to be led by the Spirit. We are
exhorted to be mature, not childlike, “all who are led by the Spirit of God are
sons and daughters of God” (Romans 8.14 ESV). “The law was our guardian until
Christ came…but now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for
in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (Galatians 3.24-26
ESV).
Believers in the Old
Covenant lived under a law system that detailed much of their daily lives. But
Jesus in His New Covenant summarized that “guardian” with two commands – love
God and neighbor. Peter’s bullet point for God’s extensive Mosaic law for the
“elect exiles” was, “Be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1.15 ESV). Now, the
way God intends us to glorify Him is to grow in our knowledge of Christ, be
filled with the Spirit as we study the Scriptures and spread His Good News. Do all that in all you do.
The Bible does not tell us
how to vote. As Christians we need to do our homework and make our choices for
God’s glory. And as family members with all Christ’s followers, we need to
respect each other’s political choices.
In Christ you are trusted by God as His child and ambassador. Voting for
creatures of dust in this passing world is small stuff compared to the eternal
impact of Christ’s Kingdom.
Fourth, we need to balance the tension of our dual
citizenships. The Apostle Paul wrote Philippian Christians who were proud of
their favorable status with Rome. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we
await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3.20 ESV). Birth in
Philippi gained them Roman citizenship, a privileged status held by a minority
in the Empire. Like us, Philippian Christians had a dual citizenship.
We should be loyal to both.
But our primary loyalty is to the King of kings, and Lord of lords. The Apostle
urged these citizens to glory in their eternal, blood-bought, citizenship.
He will “make all things
new” (Revelation 21.5 ESV). His policies manifest God’s wisdom, enforced by
God’s power, and applied by God’s love – forever and ever! He alone is worthy
of our hope, love, and loyalty. As we await the coming of Jesus, let us grow in
knowing Him. Do you spend more time listening to your AI designed political
newsfeed than reading your Bible? Do you know more names of politicians than
books of the Bible? How does prayer shape your life and thoughts? Do those who
know you identify you as a follower of Jesus or a voter for _______?
Tim Keller made the helpful
point that key pillars of our Christian responsibility mean we do not fit
neatly into either major American political party.
“Christians should be
committed to racial justice and the poor, but also to the understanding that
sex is only for marriage and for nurturing family. One of those views seems
liberal and the other looks oppressively conservative. The historical Christian
positions on social issues do not fit into contemporary political
alignments…The biblical commands to lift the poor and to defend the rights of
the oppressed are moral imperatives for believers…However, there are many
possible ways to help the poor. Should we shrink government and let private
capital markets allocate resources, or should we expand the government and give
the state more of the power to redistribute wealth?... The Bible does not give
exact answers to these questions for every time, place and culture…thoughtful
Christians, all trying to obey God’s call, could reasonably appear at different places on the political spectrum, with loyalties
to different political strategies.” (Timothy
Keller, “How Do Christians Fit into the Two-Party System?” New York
Times, September 29, 2018)
Fifth, our Twenty-first Century West is sinking to be very
much like the First Century world – a minority of Jesus-followers surrounded by
an aggressive, idolatrous, and immoral majority. The light of the Risen Jesus grew and
flourished amidst the dark moral, civil, and political world of Rome. As Jesus
prayed, His followers were “in the world…but not of the world…and sent into the
world as His witnesses” (John 17.11,14,18 ESV).
The Early Church proclaimed
two truths we often miss in our day. One, have no fear, our God reigns as
Sovereign! Too many Christians today throw up their hands in panic, crying,
“What can we do, the world is so terrible!!” The Apostle Paul’s back was massively
scarred by whip lashes, ever reminding him of the darkness of the human heart
and the fierce opposition of Satan. But
he continued his Gospel death-march in kindness and love. The Apostolic record
shows believers were more afraid for the world than of the world. “Some trust
in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God”
(Psalm 20.7 ESV).
Two, many American
Christians place too much hope on politicians. Whoever we elect will be mortal,
fallible, and disappointing. Even the best government employee will never live
up to the hype of their campaign spin. Brothers and sisters, we are loved by
Almighty God! “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred
us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the
forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1.13,14 ESV). We have the only real Good News.
Finally, the Church especially needs to be ready to serve our
nation after November 6 and beyond. After this consequential election half of
our nation will be upset! It is very important for Christians to show up and
vote November 5. But it will be equally important to serve King Jesus
faithfully after the election.
There is no Biblical command
to vote. But we are clearly commanded to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2.1-2), and submit to them (1
Peter 2.13). Once we have chosen a leader, we must respect the office they
hold. Our nation will move forward best when all citizens strive to help our
leaders succeed, even those we did not vote for. It is hard to pray sincerely
for someone and talk stink about them. Everyone in our nation needs grace and
mercy, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain”
(Psalm 127.1 ESV). If God gave us what we deserved, we would all be in hell!
That grim reality should humble us and move us to extend kindness.
We can thrive in earth’s
kingdoms when we are fueled by the vision of God’s Kingdom. As we Christians
share our broken world with those who do not know the Lord, we can point them
to solid hope. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government
shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his
government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over
his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with
righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of
hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9.6,7 ESV).
Jesus came to earth and
accomplished His mission. God’s Kingdom was purchased. He will come again soon
and perfect it. The prophets saw it from afar, “For the earth will be filled
with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk
2.14 ESV). John saw it in a vision, “The kingdom of the world has become the
kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever”
(Revelation 11.15 ESV). And one day all citizens of the Kingdom of our Lord
will fully see, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I
know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1
Corinthians 13.12 ESV).
“Be subject for the Lord's
sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to
governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do
good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence
the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your
freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone.
Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 3.13-17
ESV)
Mark Blair, pastor,
Kalahikiola Church, Kapa’au, Hawaii, October 2024
