#carousel #freeticket #playedtwice #superlongqueue #becausehelovesit #firstroundwithPapa #nowwithMama
Sunday 27 December 2015
Because He Loves It
You can tell that he is exhilarated by the fact that we are sitting in the mini-boat. At first, he told me, "Papa, sit on the boat another day." I knew he desired to do it today. I said, "Do you wanna play today?" He nodded in excitement.
#carousel #freeticket #playedtwice #superlongqueue #becausehelovesit #firstroundwithPapa #nowwithMama
#carousel #freeticket #playedtwice #superlongqueue #becausehelovesit #firstroundwithPapa #nowwithMama
Thursday 24 December 2015
Giving Choices
My wife and I made it a point to give J choices so that he can make his own decision. We learnt this from God our Father, who gave us freewill when He created us. Of course, we try to direct him to make the right decision so that he will grow up making right decisions on his own.
At the same time, whenever J makes a certain decision, we also allow him to face the consequence of his choice. For example, he gets to choose between eating gummy and playing in the bathtub. If he chooses the bathtub, he will not get to eat the gummy (after playing in the bathtub) despite his persistent request and cry.
Just two nights ago, my wife and I had a good laugh. He tried to imitate me but in an intelligent way. When we arrived home, we told him, "J, take off your shirt and pants and put them in the laundry bag." He did so.
Wearing only the diaper, he asked himself, "Jeshua, do you want bathtub or play toy?"
He paused and answered his own question, "Bathtub!"
Again he responded to himself, "Okay!"
In these, he was questioning and responding to himself! It was hilarious!
At the same time, whenever J makes a certain decision, we also allow him to face the consequence of his choice. For example, he gets to choose between eating gummy and playing in the bathtub. If he chooses the bathtub, he will not get to eat the gummy (after playing in the bathtub) despite his persistent request and cry.
Just two nights ago, my wife and I had a good laugh. He tried to imitate me but in an intelligent way. When we arrived home, we told him, "J, take off your shirt and pants and put them in the laundry bag." He did so.
Wearing only the diaper, he asked himself, "Jeshua, do you want bathtub or play toy?"
He paused and answered his own question, "Bathtub!"
Again he responded to himself, "Okay!"
In these, he was questioning and responding to himself! It was hilarious!
Tuesday 22 December 2015
Who Taught My Son To Hit Others?!
There are always two sides to a coin. It's the same for parenting.
Recently, J tried to hit me with his hand when he was upset. I mean, come on, he's just two years old (turning three soon). As much as I am shocked by his response, I have to reflect on my parenting.
Before I had the revelation on GRACE parenting by the Holy Spirit, I had smacked him on his hand as a form of punishment when he was a few months' old, each time when he tried to test the boundaries i.e. touching the power socket. In those days, I already felt unrest in my spirit when I used smacking as a form of discipline. I couldn't reconcile that form of discipline with the heart of our heavenly Father. He doesn't use ANY physical pain as a form of discipline. Yet in the past, I reckoned that it was the only way I should do to teach J not to test boundaries, despite the fact that I was acting inconsistently with what I believe about the Father.
I had thought that by smacking his hand (even with a rod) when he was about to touch the power socket, I would be teaching him about the danger of electricity. Most people think that a few months' old child won't understand if we try to reason with him. That is very true. But the irony is this - what makes us think that they will link smacking to the danger of electricity? Honestly, at few months' old, they will probably think like this - "I cannot touch the power socket, because I will get punished. I will get smacked. I will feel painful." In other words, when they learnt not to touch the power socket OR other boundaries, they will link it to punishment, instead of the REASON (electricity can hurt or kill) why they shouldn't touch it. This kind of teaching not only creates fear, it also cripples a child from exploring and stepping out in faith to uncharted waters. At the same time, they also learnt that it is perfectly fine to smack anyone when they are upset.
This is interesting, because the one who taught him to hit someone with his hand or a rod is ME! Though I have now tried to parent him by grace after the revelation given by the Holy Spirit, and as much as possible (sometimes, I still fail because of my lack of patience), to father him according to the heart of God the Father, I still have to teach him to unlearn what I had modeled wrongly (i.e. using punishment) when he was a few months' old.
I am convicted and convinced that how we model to a child according to the heart of the Father will impact his life for the years to come.
P.S: When a child is a few months old, we can simply carry him away from the power socket each time when he wants to touch it. Or we can direct him to engage with something else, like a toy. When he grows older, we explain to him about the danger of electricity.
Recently, J tried to hit me with his hand when he was upset. I mean, come on, he's just two years old (turning three soon). As much as I am shocked by his response, I have to reflect on my parenting.
Before I had the revelation on GRACE parenting by the Holy Spirit, I had smacked him on his hand as a form of punishment when he was a few months' old, each time when he tried to test the boundaries i.e. touching the power socket. In those days, I already felt unrest in my spirit when I used smacking as a form of discipline. I couldn't reconcile that form of discipline with the heart of our heavenly Father. He doesn't use ANY physical pain as a form of discipline. Yet in the past, I reckoned that it was the only way I should do to teach J not to test boundaries, despite the fact that I was acting inconsistently with what I believe about the Father.
I had thought that by smacking his hand (even with a rod) when he was about to touch the power socket, I would be teaching him about the danger of electricity. Most people think that a few months' old child won't understand if we try to reason with him. That is very true. But the irony is this - what makes us think that they will link smacking to the danger of electricity? Honestly, at few months' old, they will probably think like this - "I cannot touch the power socket, because I will get punished. I will get smacked. I will feel painful." In other words, when they learnt not to touch the power socket OR other boundaries, they will link it to punishment, instead of the REASON (electricity can hurt or kill) why they shouldn't touch it. This kind of teaching not only creates fear, it also cripples a child from exploring and stepping out in faith to uncharted waters. At the same time, they also learnt that it is perfectly fine to smack anyone when they are upset.
This is interesting, because the one who taught him to hit someone with his hand or a rod is ME! Though I have now tried to parent him by grace after the revelation given by the Holy Spirit, and as much as possible (sometimes, I still fail because of my lack of patience), to father him according to the heart of God the Father, I still have to teach him to unlearn what I had modeled wrongly (i.e. using punishment) when he was a few months' old.
I am convicted and convinced that how we model to a child according to the heart of the Father will impact his life for the years to come.
P.S: When a child is a few months old, we can simply carry him away from the power socket each time when he wants to touch it. Or we can direct him to engage with something else, like a toy. When he grows older, we explain to him about the danger of electricity.
Tuesday 15 December 2015
Gifted And Born With Victory
A child is born into this world with victory. He is born to be bold and gifted in many areas... until his parents and the society shut those stuff down because all they want to see is that the child is "well-behaved." A well-behaved child has many things suppressed only to manifest themselves when he finds an opportunity to do so. All these while, the parents only look at his behaviour instead of the root - his identity. On the other hand, a child who openly shows his "messy" behaviour is granted an opportunity for his identity to be affirmed so that the root of his behaviour can be dealt with. Behaviour does not change identity. Identity changes behaviour. A child is crippled and crushed if our primary focus on whether a child is good is defined by his behaviour.
Tuesday 8 December 2015
Look At My Face
As I was spending time in His presence yesterday, the Holy Spirit spoke to me - "When you ask Jeshua to look at you as a way to bring correction, you also need to use that to affirm him."
I fully understood what He meant. Quite some time ago, the Holy Spirit taught me how to bring gentle correction to my son by asking him to look at me. This is to enable him to be focused as he looks at my face. Only when he is focused, he will listen to what I say.
This is similar when it comes to our relationship with God the Father. More often than not, God is always speaking but we are not always listening. We are distracted by what we are doing and the circumstances around us. However, when we behold His face, we begin to hear His small, still voice and give ear to what He is trying to say to us. When we are focused on Him, we will listen to Him.
I have been using this whenever I need to bring correction and discipline to Jeshua. Most of the times, it is successful.
But the Holy Spirit has brought new understanding to me yesterday. Sometimes, when I say, "Jeshua, look at Papa", he will try to avoid looking at me. He knows that if he fixes his eyes on me, he will listen to what I say.
The Holy Spirit taught me that if I simply use this way for correction, my son will grow up fearful of beholding God the Father. He will think that beholding Him is equivalent to being corrected.
Apart from correction, I can use the same way to affirm him and love him. That is what God the Father would do to us.
Since yesterday, I have applied it a few times on Jeshua and I will keep applying.
Look forward to having more understanding on the Father's heart through the Holy Spirit towards Jeshua.
Monday 7 December 2015
Perseverance
Last night, I sneakily looked from outside of Jeshua's room to see what he was doing. It was intentional that I didn't want him to notice my presence.
He was trying to pack his writing materials, i.e. Crayons, markers and papers into one of the boxes before placing it into the compartment neatly. It took him quite a while to get the order right according to his own expectation.
After trying to place the box into the right compartment a few times without success, he cried for help. As I stood there watching, I wanted to rush in and assist him. But I decided not to. There were two main reasons:
1) I wanted him to grow in perseverance
2) I trusted him to accomplish the task successfully
There are times when God the Father seems slow in responding to our prayer for help. It is definitely not that He doesn't want to. For many moments, I wanted to jump in and help Jeshua. If I as an earthly father felt this way, God the Father feels it even much more! He sees what we are trying to accomplish. But He decides to wait, not because He wants to see us fail miserably. In fact, He waits because He has full confidence in us. He trusts us to accomplish it successfully. In the midst of that, we also grow in perseverance.
What a lovely reminder of a loving Father!
P.S: I'm referring to our cry for help to accomplish stuff. It is not about healing, freedom, etc. God doesn't wait to respond because He already responded on the Cross. The time is always NOW for healing and freedom.
The Order Of Priority
I felt uneasy using the phrase, "Jeshua, if you finish your food, you get to go to the toy shop."
"If you eat well, you get to watch the TV."
And so on and so forth...
Unknowingly, this can create a carrot-and-stick parenting, which I am against. It is not the way God fathers us. If this carries on, Jeshua will grow up thinking that he has to do something in order to be rewarded by God the Father.
Recently, a sudden thought came to my mind. I believe the Holy Spirit was teaching me how to use the right phrase to father Jeshua.
"Jeshua, finish your food first." In this way, I'm teaching him about the order of priority. Food first, then toy shop. Or food first, then TV.
Thank You Holy Spirit!
Meal Times
Jeshua's meal times have been the most challenging part of parenting for my wife and me.
Very often, he doesn't finish his food. To make matters worse, it takes forever to get him to eat properly.
I felt frustrated after long periods of trying different ways to get him to eat. Occasionally, I lose my patience.
As I asked the Father, He showed me how it could be done and cultivated.
"Family eats together."
I realised that we haven't been very consistent in this area. Sometimes, we start feeding Jeshua after we have eaten, if he is not hungry and he doesn't want food. Sometimes, we let him eat first.
What God is saying to me is this, "Eat together as a family. As Jeshua sees us eating together regularly, he will learn to eat properly."
Past few days had been good. Jeshua ate on his own and finished a good portion. Praise Jesus!
Thursday 3 December 2015
Independence VS Dependence
Today is the third day Jeshua goes to the childcare for his pre-nursery programme.
After bringing him there, I left as I had to attend a CPD course. Though I would like to stay and monitor how he was doing, I couldn't. My wife lingered at a nearby shopping mall, lest Jeshua cries and looks for one of us.
In the afternoon, his form teacher called to provide us with an update on his progress. According to her, Jeshua did not cry at all. He has adapted well to the new environment.
Throughout these three days, he has never cried for us to be present. I am so proud of him. He has full confidence and security, knowing that his parents will be back to fetch him.
It suddenly dawned on me about the difference between an independent toddler and one who is dependent on his parents.
An independent toddler is trained by his parents. Usually, the parents will leave the toddler to cry when he was a baby if he wanted to be carried. It is a traditional Asian mindset where we are taught to let the baby cry until he breaks free from separation anxiety and the need to be carried in our arms to sleep. This trains a baby to be independent. When he enters childcare, he is able to manage when being "thrown" into a new environment.
For some, they think that it is pretty normal to let the toddler cry his heart out during the first couple of days in the childcare. The toddler is beingforced trained to be independent at a young age.
My wife and I decided to do it differently as we sensed the heart of the Father leading us to focus on providing Jeshua with love and security over the need for independence.
As I was reflecting, I realised that Jeshua is not an independent toddler. As a Christian father, I don't want him to be independent at this age. A toddler/child is not supposed to be independent at a young age. Sometimes, we want them to grow up faster than they are supposed to be. In my personal outlook, our heavenly Father does not think this way. He loves us until we mature (read Song of Solomon). He doesn't want us to be independent. He wants us to stay dependent on Him.
In the same way, Jeshua is dependent on us at this age. My role as an earthly father is to lead him to an encounter with the heavenly Father so that he learns to be dependent on Him. However, before he reaches that stage, I have to represent God the Father to him.
Why do I say that Jeshua is not as independent as those toddlers who are trained by their parents to be independent? Whenever Jeshua is at home, he will cling tightly to my wife or me (if my wife is not at home). By the way, he is still latching before he sleeps.
Yet he is able to adapt to a new environment without experiencing any separation anxiety. He understands that his parents will always be there for him. He knows in his heart that whenever his parents leave, they will be back to fetch him. That in itself, is a revelation of security and confidence built in him as we responded to his cry as soon as possible since he was a baby.
Some may think that this will "spoil" the child. But I am convinced that a child needs to be lavished and spoilt with love until security is formed in him.
There are two ways to reach the same objective.
We can do it with love.
After bringing him there, I left as I had to attend a CPD course. Though I would like to stay and monitor how he was doing, I couldn't. My wife lingered at a nearby shopping mall, lest Jeshua cries and looks for one of us.
In the afternoon, his form teacher called to provide us with an update on his progress. According to her, Jeshua did not cry at all. He has adapted well to the new environment.
Throughout these three days, he has never cried for us to be present. I am so proud of him. He has full confidence and security, knowing that his parents will be back to fetch him.
It suddenly dawned on me about the difference between an independent toddler and one who is dependent on his parents.
An independent toddler is trained by his parents. Usually, the parents will leave the toddler to cry when he was a baby if he wanted to be carried. It is a traditional Asian mindset where we are taught to let the baby cry until he breaks free from separation anxiety and the need to be carried in our arms to sleep. This trains a baby to be independent. When he enters childcare, he is able to manage when being "thrown" into a new environment.
For some, they think that it is pretty normal to let the toddler cry his heart out during the first couple of days in the childcare. The toddler is being
My wife and I decided to do it differently as we sensed the heart of the Father leading us to focus on providing Jeshua with love and security over the need for independence.
As I was reflecting, I realised that Jeshua is not an independent toddler. As a Christian father, I don't want him to be independent at this age. A toddler/child is not supposed to be independent at a young age. Sometimes, we want them to grow up faster than they are supposed to be. In my personal outlook, our heavenly Father does not think this way. He loves us until we mature (read Song of Solomon). He doesn't want us to be independent. He wants us to stay dependent on Him.
In the same way, Jeshua is dependent on us at this age. My role as an earthly father is to lead him to an encounter with the heavenly Father so that he learns to be dependent on Him. However, before he reaches that stage, I have to represent God the Father to him.
Why do I say that Jeshua is not as independent as those toddlers who are trained by their parents to be independent? Whenever Jeshua is at home, he will cling tightly to my wife or me (if my wife is not at home). By the way, he is still latching before he sleeps.
Yet he is able to adapt to a new environment without experiencing any separation anxiety. He understands that his parents will always be there for him. He knows in his heart that whenever his parents leave, they will be back to fetch him. That in itself, is a revelation of security and confidence built in him as we responded to his cry as soon as possible since he was a baby.
Some may think that this will "spoil" the child. But I am convinced that a child needs to be lavished and spoilt with love until security is formed in him.
There are two ways to reach the same objective.
We can do it with love.
Wednesday 2 December 2015
A New Season For My Son
Today is the second day of school for Jeshua.
He did not cry on the first day as I accompanied him to school and ensured that he was fully secure. I went out of the childcare centre a few times to see if he could manage well in a new environment.
This morning, he waved goodbye to me when I told him that I would be leaving the childcare centre for a while.
I walked out of the centre intentionally for a period of time to monitor how he was doing. Guess what? He had adapted well to the environment. Come on! He has grown in confidence and security. Thank You Jesus!
A child should not be made to experience separation anxiety because we are not made to experience it. The Father says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Personally, I do not subscribe to the traditional parenting style where parents simply leave their children at the childcare centre and allow them to cry. Yes, the children will eventually get over it. But the damage is done. The abandonment is felt. Separation and distrust have been formed.
If we want to apply biblical values in parenting, we have to ask, "Father, show me Your heart in fathering my child." Then we follow what the Father would do.
One of the childcare teachers said to one of the children, "Only [name] is quite good because he sits down quietly." She then asked the other boy who made some noise to stand at a corner. This boy started crying as he experienced shame and separation.
Welcome to the world's principles. At home, we really have to inculcate biblical principles and re-align our child's values repeatedly. Goodness is not defined by behaviors. A child is good because God sees him good. If he is good only because he performs, he will grow up relating to God by performance.
It is no wonder a child's foundation years plays the most crucial part of his life. It is a period when he spends most of the time immersing in the right values before he is "sent out" to face the world - one that will come against the values he learnt at home. If only we could homeschool our child...
I look forward to bringing Jeshua to his school tomorrow!
Friday 27 November 2015
Scolding Creates Fear
This morning, J couldn't finish his milk again. It's a bad habit formed when he was sick, because we allowed him to.
Few days ago, I disciplined him for not finishing his milk. By discipline, I do not mean using a cane or spanking him, for I do not subscribe to inflicting pain as biblical form of discipline. God always disciplines BY His Word. Nevertheless, I lost my patience and scolded him for not finishing his milk. Little did I know that I had created fear in him.
As I was soaking in the Father's presence this morning, it dawned on me that my wife and I were the ones who caused him to develop the bad habit of not finishing his milk. Why? We allowed him to when he was sick. It must be pretty confusing for a little toddler like him - "Didn't Papa and Mama allow that? Why is Papa scolding me now for not finishing my milk?"
Well, I have forgotten that I need to speak/remind him gently (and repeatedly) about the difference between the time when he was sick and now when he is well.
This morning, he passed me his milk bottle. There was still some milk left in the bottle. I said, "J, can you finish your milk, please?"
He responded, "Cough. I cough. Cough cannot drink." While I appeared to be calm on the outside, I was shocked on the inside. He had just lied.
But who caused him to lie? I have to take full responsibility. IT IS ME. Due to the incident when I scolded him, he learnt fear. And fear has to do with punishment. "If I don't finish my milk, Papa is going to scold me. I don't want to be punished. I better think of an alternative."
True biblical discipline does not involve punishment. I never thought of doing that. I had no intention to. But I had created fear in him due to that one incident of scolding. Fear has to do with punishment. But perfect love casts out all fear.
Immediately after he lied to me, I carried him and hugged him. "Papa loves you. I'm not here to punish you. Do not fear. I know you can't finish your milk. I'm not scolding you. So there is no need for you to lie to Papa. Do you understand?"
J nodded his head and walked off happily to watch his Barney show.
There is so much to learn about the heart of our heavenly Father. The more I know Him, the more I have to unlearn what I have learnt. I want to represent Him well to my son.
Few days ago, I disciplined him for not finishing his milk. By discipline, I do not mean using a cane or spanking him, for I do not subscribe to inflicting pain as biblical form of discipline. God always disciplines BY His Word. Nevertheless, I lost my patience and scolded him for not finishing his milk. Little did I know that I had created fear in him.
As I was soaking in the Father's presence this morning, it dawned on me that my wife and I were the ones who caused him to develop the bad habit of not finishing his milk. Why? We allowed him to when he was sick. It must be pretty confusing for a little toddler like him - "Didn't Papa and Mama allow that? Why is Papa scolding me now for not finishing my milk?"
Well, I have forgotten that I need to speak/remind him gently (and repeatedly) about the difference between the time when he was sick and now when he is well.
This morning, he passed me his milk bottle. There was still some milk left in the bottle. I said, "J, can you finish your milk, please?"
He responded, "Cough. I cough. Cough cannot drink." While I appeared to be calm on the outside, I was shocked on the inside. He had just lied.
But who caused him to lie? I have to take full responsibility. IT IS ME. Due to the incident when I scolded him, he learnt fear. And fear has to do with punishment. "If I don't finish my milk, Papa is going to scold me. I don't want to be punished. I better think of an alternative."
True biblical discipline does not involve punishment. I never thought of doing that. I had no intention to. But I had created fear in him due to that one incident of scolding. Fear has to do with punishment. But perfect love casts out all fear.
Immediately after he lied to me, I carried him and hugged him. "Papa loves you. I'm not here to punish you. Do not fear. I know you can't finish your milk. I'm not scolding you. So there is no need for you to lie to Papa. Do you understand?"
J nodded his head and walked off happily to watch his Barney show.
There is so much to learn about the heart of our heavenly Father. The more I know Him, the more I have to unlearn what I have learnt. I want to represent Him well to my son.
Thursday 26 November 2015
Showing Love - The Way of Parenting
Today, I raised my voice at J. As I shared before, it's not part of disciplining him. It's due to my own impatience. Once again, I apologised to him.
As I was soaking in the Father's love reflecting on why I did what I did, He began to speak to me beautifully.
A child can be abused and hurt so badly (as we have often heard in abusive families), yet he will continue to love the one who abuses him. He does not hold any grudge. But it does not mean that the wound in his heart is healed. He simply can't manage the hurt at a young age. All he knows is to overlook whatever has happened and continue to love. When he grows up, the hurt he experienced as a little child will begin to manifest, both into his teenage and adult life. By then, much restoration and healing would need to take place.
An adult, on the other hand, bears grudges when he is hurt. It takes much struggle for him to manage the hurt. If an adult finds it difficult to deal with his own hurt, what more a child who couldn't manage his hurt at such a young age?
A child's heart is very tender. Let's not think that a child will simply forget because he is too young to understand what has happened. We have to be conscious and deliberate in the way we parent him. Every child is a gift to be treasured. He is meant to be loved so that he grows up loving people. Only loved people love people. And hurt people hurt people. It all begin in the family unit.
The school teachers cannot provide that love.
The Sunday School teachers and pastors cannot provide that love.
The presents we buy cannot provide that love.
The wealth we have cannot provide that love.
The comfortable lifestyle we have achieved cannot provide that love.
Don't say that we work hard to provide for our family. That is NOT love.
Only our PRESENCE can provide the love that our child needs.
As I was soaking in the Father's love reflecting on why I did what I did, He began to speak to me beautifully.
A child can be abused and hurt so badly (as we have often heard in abusive families), yet he will continue to love the one who abuses him. He does not hold any grudge. But it does not mean that the wound in his heart is healed. He simply can't manage the hurt at a young age. All he knows is to overlook whatever has happened and continue to love. When he grows up, the hurt he experienced as a little child will begin to manifest, both into his teenage and adult life. By then, much restoration and healing would need to take place.
An adult, on the other hand, bears grudges when he is hurt. It takes much struggle for him to manage the hurt. If an adult finds it difficult to deal with his own hurt, what more a child who couldn't manage his hurt at such a young age?
A child's heart is very tender. Let's not think that a child will simply forget because he is too young to understand what has happened. We have to be conscious and deliberate in the way we parent him. Every child is a gift to be treasured. He is meant to be loved so that he grows up loving people. Only loved people love people. And hurt people hurt people. It all begin in the family unit.
The school teachers cannot provide that love.
The Sunday School teachers and pastors cannot provide that love.
The presents we buy cannot provide that love.
The wealth we have cannot provide that love.
The comfortable lifestyle we have achieved cannot provide that love.
Don't say that we work hard to provide for our family. That is NOT love.
Only our PRESENCE can provide the love that our child needs.
Wednesday 25 November 2015
Jesus Loves Me This I Know
Papa: Papa loves you. Mama loves you. Jesus loves you the most. Do you understand?
J: Yes. Jesus loves Shua Shua.
Papa: Yes. Do you like Jesus?
J: Yes.
Papa: Where is Jesus?
J: Church!
Papa: No. Jesus is not just in church. He is in your heart. He is right here with you.
It is important for me to teach my son about the presence of Jesus. I do not want him to grow up having a form of religion by religiously going to church without understanding the relationship Jesus wants to have with him.
In addition, while we love him deeply, he has to come to the place of understanding that parents may fail him in showing unconditional love. But there is One who never fails.
Tuesday 24 November 2015
Identity VS Behaviour
Me: Why is Papa upset?
J: Shua Shua.
Me: No. Papa is not upset with Shua Shua. Papa is never upset with you. I love you. But I'm upset with your behavior.
It takes effort to separate a child's identity from his behavior because this is not what we have learnt from our upbringing. This is not what we have learnt in school and society. But the more we see how the Father relates to us, the more we need to grow in our style of parenting. I don't know how many times I have apologised to my son in the process of learning to represent the Father accurately. Always thankful for His grace.
Monday 9 November 2015
Representing Jesus
This afternnon, I asked Jeshua..
Me: Jeshua, Papa is working as an agent. Okay?
Jeshua: No. Papa is working as Jesus.
Me: (Surprised). No. What is Papa working as?
Jeshua: Jesus.
At first, I thought this was rather hilarious. But I realised that I am "Jesus" to Jeshua. I represent Jesus to him before he comes to a personal relationship with Jesus.
We all represent Jesus to the world around us. Let's keep on representing Him accurately.
Saturday 7 November 2015
Parenting By Grace
In the Old Covenant, the people experienced carrot-and-stick treatment because they were under the Law. They were both rewarded and punished for their behaviors and actions. "If you obey, you get rewarded. If you don't, your privilege will be removed and you will be punished." As a result, they did not know the heart of the Father. Their hearts were not changed. Today, many parenting methods follow the Old Covenant. "If you finish your food, I will bring you to the playground. If you don't, you don't go."
In the New Covenant where we live in, Jesus doesn't use carrot-and-stick treatment because we are under Grace. We are not rewarded and punished for our behaviors and actions, though of course, there are still self-inflicted consequences. The full reward and the full punishment already happened on the Cross. This revelation of grace and truth allows us to know the heart of the Father. As a result, we are changed by His love. The difference now in parenting becomes, "Finish your food, BECAUSE I am going to bring you to the playground." This is based on my promise and grace.
This is a tough parenting method that I'm still learning and growing. To me, it's Parenting by Grace. Grace-based parenting doesn't have any fixed method. It requires us to draw from our personal relationship with the Father because as we see how God fathers us, we will learn to do the same. I am determined to do it differently from how I was brought up and what majority are doing.
Train up a child in THE WAY he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6
Jesus answered, "I am THE WAY..." - John 14:6
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age... - Titus 2:11-12
The way to train our child is to teach him THE WAY - Jesus. It is by grace.
In the New Covenant where we live in, Jesus doesn't use carrot-and-stick treatment because we are under Grace. We are not rewarded and punished for our behaviors and actions, though of course, there are still self-inflicted consequences. The full reward and the full punishment already happened on the Cross. This revelation of grace and truth allows us to know the heart of the Father. As a result, we are changed by His love. The difference now in parenting becomes, "Finish your food, BECAUSE I am going to bring you to the playground." This is based on my promise and grace.
This is a tough parenting method that I'm still learning and growing. To me, it's Parenting by Grace. Grace-based parenting doesn't have any fixed method. It requires us to draw from our personal relationship with the Father because as we see how God fathers us, we will learn to do the same. I am determined to do it differently from how I was brought up and what majority are doing.
Train up a child in THE WAY he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6
Jesus answered, "I am THE WAY..." - John 14:6
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age... - Titus 2:11-12
The way to train our child is to teach him THE WAY - Jesus. It is by grace.
Friday 6 November 2015
Discipleship In The Most Natural Sense
Every morning, when I am in the secret place with Jesus, I do not like to be interrupted. However, I have to fight against time, as my son will somehow wake up and "interrupt" my precious moment with Jesus. It has happened many times. At times, he will wake up late in the morning after I come out of the secret place.
Today, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, "This is discipleship." I wondered, "What do You mean?" He said, "When you let your son interrupt and watch what you are doing every morning, you are discipling him in the most natural sense." I got it. He will see what I do as a lifestyle and pick up the same lifestyle in time to come.
Today, I told him, "Papa is worshiping Jesus." He said, "Yes." After drinking his milk, he quietly lay on his small mattress, enjoying the atmosphere of worship. This is awesome!
Today, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, "This is discipleship." I wondered, "What do You mean?" He said, "When you let your son interrupt and watch what you are doing every morning, you are discipling him in the most natural sense." I got it. He will see what I do as a lifestyle and pick up the same lifestyle in time to come.
Today, I told him, "Papa is worshiping Jesus." He said, "Yes." After drinking his milk, he quietly lay on his small mattress, enjoying the atmosphere of worship. This is awesome!
Wednesday 28 October 2015
Yeah!!!
On Sunday, Jeshua finally attended the toddler ministry on his own!
I am so proud of him! He was there from 11.30am-2pm as the sermon in main service was long.
He didn't experience any separation anxiety or insecurity. I checked with the teachers. He did not cry at all. He understood that I will be back to fetch him.
That was the first Sunday I attended the main service with my wife in New Creation.
If this works for toddler ministry, it will work for childcare too.
Wow!
Two nights ago, Jeshua surprised both my wife and me.
He could literally remember the Thomas storybook sequence by sequence and word for word.
We tested him with another storybook and he could complete the sentence whenever we read halfway.
Is that super memory or something?
We didn't ask him to memorise. We simply read the stories a few times to him.
When I tested him with the Bible, he couldn't really remember. This made me realise that I shouldn't read a different passage of Scriptures each night with him. Instead, I should repeat the same passage a few times. That will empower him to remember the Scriptures clearly.
Here we go!
Wednesday 21 October 2015
The Father's Protection VS Providence
In the world's perspective, providence comes first. We work hard to provide for our family so that they can have a comfortable and good lifestyle (Not necessary a good life. Because many rich families are living broken and wounded lives.)
In the kingdom's perspective, protection comes first. We work hard to protect our family so that we build a loving family.
God's first command for Mankind is not, "Provide for your family." Instead, He said, "Tend the Garden." Tending the Garden includes stewardship of whatever Adam had been given and the first thing Adam was given is family (Eve). As he took care of the Garden, God continually provided for him and his family. But when sin came in because he failed to protect his family, he was cursed and ended up toiling all his life to provide for his family. The equation went upside down. Thank God that Jesus had come to redeem us from that curse.
Yet the world continues to get it upside down, which is the subtle lie of the enemy. "Work harder to earn more money so that you can provide a good life to your family." (That is obviously going back under the curse.) Well, many rich families do not have a happy home. Their children are wounded. They have a good lifestyle but not a good life. Because their parents are spending a lot of time providing instead of protecting.
True wealth is not about having more and more money to provide for the family. True wealth is having more and more time to protect the family.
In the world, success is measured by how rich your family is. But in the kingdom, success is measured by how STRONG your family is.
In the kingdom's perspective, protection comes first. We work hard to protect our family so that we build a loving family.
God's first command for Mankind is not, "Provide for your family." Instead, He said, "Tend the Garden." Tending the Garden includes stewardship of whatever Adam had been given and the first thing Adam was given is family (Eve). As he took care of the Garden, God continually provided for him and his family. But when sin came in because he failed to protect his family, he was cursed and ended up toiling all his life to provide for his family. The equation went upside down. Thank God that Jesus had come to redeem us from that curse.
Yet the world continues to get it upside down, which is the subtle lie of the enemy. "Work harder to earn more money so that you can provide a good life to your family." (That is obviously going back under the curse.) Well, many rich families do not have a happy home. Their children are wounded. They have a good lifestyle but not a good life. Because their parents are spending a lot of time providing instead of protecting.
True wealth is not about having more and more money to provide for the family. True wealth is having more and more time to protect the family.
In the world, success is measured by how rich your family is. But in the kingdom, success is measured by how STRONG your family is.
Monday 19 October 2015
Separation Anxiety?
There are two schools of thoughts:
1) Leave your toddler to cry until he gets used to it. Then he will learn to be independent and grow up fast. Good for parents too - because it saves the time, energy and trouble.
2) Don't leave your toddler alone to cry. Shower him with love so that his security is strong. Talk to him until he is ready to let you leave him. Bad for parents - because it will take much time, energy and patience before the toddler gets comfortable to be alone.
My wife and I choose the latter option. Our Heavenly Father said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Security and love is the priority in the life of a toddler. We don't have to make him grow up according to our expectations. We have to stop comparing with what other toddlers are doing. Just because they can do more does not mean they are more secured on the inside. Our role is to impart love, security and confidence in our son.
1) Leave your toddler to cry until he gets used to it. Then he will learn to be independent and grow up fast. Good for parents too - because it saves the time, energy and trouble.
2) Don't leave your toddler alone to cry. Shower him with love so that his security is strong. Talk to him until he is ready to let you leave him. Bad for parents - because it will take much time, energy and patience before the toddler gets comfortable to be alone.
My wife and I choose the latter option. Our Heavenly Father said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Security and love is the priority in the life of a toddler. We don't have to make him grow up according to our expectations. We have to stop comparing with what other toddlers are doing. Just because they can do more does not mean they are more secured on the inside. Our role is to impart love, security and confidence in our son.
Tuesday 6 October 2015
Leaning On Him
Jeshua was unwell last Thursday and Friday. I kept him at home to take care of him.
On Friday, as he was going to take his usual nap in the afternoon, he said, "Papa, I want to lie here." He was pointing to my chest. He fell asleep on my chest.
The feeling of having my son leaning on my chest is awesome. No wonder Jesus loves it when we lean on His bosom.
God is most delighted when we simply lean on Him and rest in Him.
Tuesday 29 September 2015
Giving Instructions
This morning, my son had been giving me instructions.
"Papa, sit here."
"Papa, stand."
"Papa, carry."
"Papa, put your mouth here."
"Papa, press."
"Papa, come."
I was wondering if I'm his father or he is my father. Haha.
Yet I responded to his request by doing what he asked.
My son was not looking to give me instructions. He was looking for a relationship with me. Furthermore, he knew that he could speak what he wanted to his father, having a child-like faith that I would do what he said.
More often than not, we approach God the Father in a reserved way, thinking that we should not give Him any 'instruction' because He is God.
Yet the Father desires that we come to Him boldly and speaks what we want. The deeper we understand Him through a personal relationship, the bolder we will ask from Him.
He is our FATHER.
Wednesday 23 September 2015
Jeshua's First Healing
Was having slight sore throat due to some exposure to the haze.
I asked Jeshua to pray for me. He laid his hand and said, "In Jesus' name, no more sore throat. Amen."
Guess what? The sore left immediately!
This is his first healing at two years old. Wow!
Monday 21 September 2015
Amazed!
Accidentally closed the door on my fingers and I went "Ouch!"
Jeshua ran to me and asked, "What happened?" Then he laid his hand on me and prayed, "In Jesus' name, no more pain. Amen!"
I'm surprised and amazed! Thank You Jesus!
Thursday 17 September 2015
Restoring The Heart Of The Father
There is a consistent theme in my personal devotions, the season of my life and what has been spoken / is happening around the world.
This is the season where God is restoring the heart of the Father to the children, that they may simply do nothing but rest and soak in His love. The Father is not looking for performance. He is looking to pour out His unconditional love on His children who are trying to work for affirmation and approval.
"This is My beloved son, in whom I am WELL PLEASED."
Monday 14 September 2015
Honoured
As I carried my son before we went out today, he suddenly said, "Thank you, Papa."
I was surprised. At the same time, something stirred in my heart. He might not fully understand what he just spoke. But it meant a lot to me. I felt as though he was saying, "Thank you, Papa, for coming out of church ministry so that you have more time with me."
I feel honoured by him. This made everything I do worth!
I was surprised. At the same time, something stirred in my heart. He might not fully understand what he just spoke. But it meant a lot to me. I felt as though he was saying, "Thank you, Papa, for coming out of church ministry so that you have more time with me."
I feel honoured by him. This made everything I do worth!
Sunday 13 September 2015
Heaven Is Still Opened
If we are still praying for heaven to be opened, we don't fully understand what Jesus had done and our identity as a child of God.
Isaiah 64:1 - "Oh, that You would rend the heavens!
That You would come down!"
This was a prophetic prayer made by OT prophet Isaiah which was fulfilled by Jesus (more than 2000 years ago).
Mark 1:9-11 - It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The word "parting" is the word "rend" in Greek. It is like splitting/tearing something violently into pieces.
More than 2000 years ago, God fulfilled Isaiah's prayer. He rent the heaven and came down in the Person of Jesus.
When Jesus died on the Cross, the same thing happened.
Mark 15:38 - "Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."
The word "torn" is the same word "rend."
When Jesus died on the Cross, the veil between heaven and us is permanently rent and left opened. We no longer need to pray for heaven to be opened. To make that prayer is to say that the finished works of Jesus is not enough.
The first rending of heaven was the revelation of God in the Person of Jesus. The second and last rending of heaven was the revelation that we can be like Jesus - having that perfect communion with the Father.
The first rending of heaven was for the Holy Spirit to descend upon Jesus. The second and last rending of heaven was for the Holy Spirit to descend upon us.
Jesus came to show us how to live under open heaven. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him and rested on Him. The Father said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
My son loves to copy what my wife and I say/do. Just now, he said, "I am well pleased with you." My wife and I laughed.
Today, we have the same Holy Spirit as Jesus. We are God's beloved children. He is well pleased with us. The heaven above us is already opened. It's not about praying for the heaven to open. Now it is about seeing what the Father is doing/saying and we just copy like a little child.
Isaiah 64:1 - "Oh, that You would rend the heavens!
That You would come down!"
This was a prophetic prayer made by OT prophet Isaiah which was fulfilled by Jesus (more than 2000 years ago).
Mark 1:9-11 - It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The word "parting" is the word "rend" in Greek. It is like splitting/tearing something violently into pieces.
More than 2000 years ago, God fulfilled Isaiah's prayer. He rent the heaven and came down in the Person of Jesus.
When Jesus died on the Cross, the same thing happened.
Mark 15:38 - "Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom."
The word "torn" is the same word "rend."
When Jesus died on the Cross, the veil between heaven and us is permanently rent and left opened. We no longer need to pray for heaven to be opened. To make that prayer is to say that the finished works of Jesus is not enough.
The first rending of heaven was the revelation of God in the Person of Jesus. The second and last rending of heaven was the revelation that we can be like Jesus - having that perfect communion with the Father.
The first rending of heaven was for the Holy Spirit to descend upon Jesus. The second and last rending of heaven was for the Holy Spirit to descend upon us.
Jesus came to show us how to live under open heaven. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him and rested on Him. The Father said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
My son loves to copy what my wife and I say/do. Just now, he said, "I am well pleased with you." My wife and I laughed.
Today, we have the same Holy Spirit as Jesus. We are God's beloved children. He is well pleased with us. The heaven above us is already opened. It's not about praying for the heaven to open. Now it is about seeing what the Father is doing/saying and we just copy like a little child.
Saturday 12 September 2015
Loved By The Father - Anointed
Jesus took me to my Garden. He was holding a beautiful vase of flowers with His hand. The flowers looked beautiful on the outside. But when I looked into the vase, I realised that the flowers were dying. They had the form of beauty but without any substance. They did not grow in My Garden. They were not placed in the right environment.
I looked at all the other flowers in my Garden. They were growing well and strong.
Jesus said, "It's not about portraying ourselves to be "beautiful" on the outside. Neither is it about trying to look good on the outside. It's about abiding in the right environment - the Garden of My love. That produces true beauty and growth."
Song of Solomon 1:3 (The Passion Translation) - "Your presence releases a fragrance so pleasing - over and over poured out."
God's presence releases anointing. It is that anointing that gives the fragrance. There is unlimited supply of anointing oil being poured out in His presence.
Psalm 23:5 says "You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows."
When we dwell in His presence to receive His love, we are anointed. We are not anointed because the Holy Spirit comes upon us. We are not anointed because we can preach well or perform miracles, signs and wonders.
"You anoint my head with oil." This paints a picture of a host honouring and loving his guest who steps into his house.
We are anointed because we are abundantly loved and honoured by the Father.
As Christians, we are already anointed. Everyone of us has equal measure of anointing. We don't seek for more anointing from another man of God or special prayer.
The more we receive the love of the Father, the more we will walk in that anointing. His anointing doesn't come by a certain measure. It comes by His fullness.
When we soak in His love, our cup of blessings overflows.
While we dwell in His loving presence on the inside, something changes on the outside. Blessings naturally overtake us. 3 John 2 says "I wish that you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
Our soul prospers when we dwell in His presence to receive His love. He anoints us with His love as we soak in His presence.
The only response we can have towards His love is adoration.
I looked at all the other flowers in my Garden. They were growing well and strong.
Jesus said, "It's not about portraying ourselves to be "beautiful" on the outside. Neither is it about trying to look good on the outside. It's about abiding in the right environment - the Garden of My love. That produces true beauty and growth."
Song of Solomon 1:3 (The Passion Translation) - "Your presence releases a fragrance so pleasing - over and over poured out."
God's presence releases anointing. It is that anointing that gives the fragrance. There is unlimited supply of anointing oil being poured out in His presence.
Psalm 23:5 says "You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows."
When we dwell in His presence to receive His love, we are anointed. We are not anointed because the Holy Spirit comes upon us. We are not anointed because we can preach well or perform miracles, signs and wonders.
"You anoint my head with oil." This paints a picture of a host honouring and loving his guest who steps into his house.
We are anointed because we are abundantly loved and honoured by the Father.
As Christians, we are already anointed. Everyone of us has equal measure of anointing. We don't seek for more anointing from another man of God or special prayer.
The more we receive the love of the Father, the more we will walk in that anointing. His anointing doesn't come by a certain measure. It comes by His fullness.
When we soak in His love, our cup of blessings overflows.
While we dwell in His loving presence on the inside, something changes on the outside. Blessings naturally overtake us. 3 John 2 says "I wish that you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
Our soul prospers when we dwell in His presence to receive His love. He anoints us with His love as we soak in His presence.
The only response we can have towards His love is adoration.
Friday 11 September 2015
SingKids @ Vivocity
Brought Jeshua to SingKids indoor playground at Vivocity. He enjoyed himself very much.
I noticed one thing. For every difficult obstacle he tried to do, he would look at me. He wasn't looking at me to gain approval. He was looking at me to make sure that I was looking at him. That, somehow, gave him confidence to carry on.
When we fix our eyes on the Father, we receive confidence to face whatever circumstance that comes our way. If we can't see the Father in the midst of a storm, we lose that assurance and confidence, we start to tremble, fear and even sink (i.e. Peter walking on water).
Father, turn my eyes upon You, for every step that I take. Because You are with me, I can walk through every circumstance.
I noticed one thing. For every difficult obstacle he tried to do, he would look at me. He wasn't looking at me to gain approval. He was looking at me to make sure that I was looking at him. That, somehow, gave him confidence to carry on.
When we fix our eyes on the Father, we receive confidence to face whatever circumstance that comes our way. If we can't see the Father in the midst of a storm, we lose that assurance and confidence, we start to tremble, fear and even sink (i.e. Peter walking on water).
Father, turn my eyes upon You, for every step that I take. Because You are with me, I can walk through every circumstance.
Tuesday 8 September 2015
A Father Always Provides
"You make me lie down in green pastures." - Psalm 23:2
Green pastures are where the sheep feed on. Because the supply is abundant, the sheep can simply lie down and enjoy.
We can rest in God's abundant providence for our lives. The Psalmist said, "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want."
We don't work for His blessings and providence. We REST and TRUST in Him to provide. Adam did not work for God's providence. In Genesis 1 and 2, when God created man, He ALREADY provided for him. The only work that God commanded Adam to do is to tend the Garden and take dominion over the earth.
"Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it." - Gen 1:28
This is the order:
1) Blessed and provided for
2) Then go and work
Alot of times, we get the order wrong. Myself included. This is what the enemy wants us to believe in - go and work, then you can be blessed and provided for. When stress comes, we get the order upside down. But when rest comes, we get the right order. When we believe rightly, we will receive rightly.
"And God said, “See, I have given you..." - Gen 1:29
God had given Adam providence BEFORE Adam worked. The kingdom of God is received, not achieved. It's about trusting, not trying. It's about resting, not stressing.
We work not because we want to have providence. Providence comes from the Lord. We work because we want to represent Christ - taking dominion and influencing people.
"Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." - Gen 2:15
To tend is to work. To keep is to steward. We are called to steward what God has already given and work with what we have, not work for what we do not have.
If we work FOR the providence, we are looking for the providence. But if we work with what is provided, we are looking at the Provider.
This is a season where I want to grow deeper in this area. Many people (even Christians) have spoken to me about finances. They meant well but it is not according to kingdom perspective. It is a thin line between human wisdom and the kingdom's ways.
Father, teach me to trust in You as my Provider. You have provided. I can rest in Your providence. My work is to focus on representing Christ and taking dominion. I don't work for Your providence. I work because You have provided everything in Christ.
Green pastures are where the sheep feed on. Because the supply is abundant, the sheep can simply lie down and enjoy.
We can rest in God's abundant providence for our lives. The Psalmist said, "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want."
We don't work for His blessings and providence. We REST and TRUST in Him to provide. Adam did not work for God's providence. In Genesis 1 and 2, when God created man, He ALREADY provided for him. The only work that God commanded Adam to do is to tend the Garden and take dominion over the earth.
"Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it." - Gen 1:28
This is the order:
1) Blessed and provided for
2) Then go and work
Alot of times, we get the order wrong. Myself included. This is what the enemy wants us to believe in - go and work, then you can be blessed and provided for. When stress comes, we get the order upside down. But when rest comes, we get the right order. When we believe rightly, we will receive rightly.
"And God said, “See, I have given you..." - Gen 1:29
God had given Adam providence BEFORE Adam worked. The kingdom of God is received, not achieved. It's about trusting, not trying. It's about resting, not stressing.
We work not because we want to have providence. Providence comes from the Lord. We work because we want to represent Christ - taking dominion and influencing people.
"Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it." - Gen 2:15
To tend is to work. To keep is to steward. We are called to steward what God has already given and work with what we have, not work for what we do not have.
If we work FOR the providence, we are looking for the providence. But if we work with what is provided, we are looking at the Provider.
This is a season where I want to grow deeper in this area. Many people (even Christians) have spoken to me about finances. They meant well but it is not according to kingdom perspective. It is a thin line between human wisdom and the kingdom's ways.
Father, teach me to trust in You as my Provider. You have provided. I can rest in Your providence. My work is to focus on representing Christ and taking dominion. I don't work for Your providence. I work because You have provided everything in Christ.
Tuesday 1 September 2015
Why I Left Church...
A number of people had come up to me in recent weeks. They asked, "Wilson, is everything okay? How are you doing?"
They received news that I would be leaving Toa Payoh Methodist Church. Some thought that it was too sudden. Actually, I had given six month's notice to the church.
In 2004, I was invited to a Christmas service by my financial planner (insurance). Back then, I didn't even know what a Christmas service was. I had never entered into a church for 20 over years since I was born. My parents forbade me to do so. But that one visit changed my life. Totally.
After visiting the church (together with other churches) regularly for about one and a half years, I received Jesus in April 2006. From that moment onwards, my life changed. By His grace, I have been pursuing Him wholeheartedly (He was the One who pursued me) ever since then. I was hungry for His word and His presence.
I wasn't ready to get married. I had spent much of my savings on my part-time degree course, YWAM course, conferences, seminars and daily expenses. I was almost left with nothing in my bank account. How could I possibly think about marriage? It is unusual for a normal person to think of getting married without some savings and a stable income. I said, "God, You have to give me a confirmation."
On the following day after God had spoken to me about marriage, my YWAM school leader, Samuel Koh, met me for a final debrief. This is the normal practice after someone has completed Discipleship Training School (DTS). Throughout the conversation, he was constantly persuading me to join YWAM as a full-time staff. He also suggested that I should consider attending School of Biblical Studies (SBS). I declined the offer. All of a sudden, he changed his opinion. I knew that this must be the work of the Holy Spirit. He abruptly said, "Have you considered Carol? Are you wearing a pair of glasses with your limited perspective? Have you considered getting married first before other things?"
Instantly, I knew that God was confirming what He spoke to me through Samuel. By faith, I decided to prepare for marriage. There were other amazing testimonies on how God provided for this marriage to be possible. Praise Jesus!
They received news that I would be leaving Toa Payoh Methodist Church. Some thought that it was too sudden. Actually, I had given six month's notice to the church.
In 2004, I was invited to a Christmas service by my financial planner (insurance). Back then, I didn't even know what a Christmas service was. I had never entered into a church for 20 over years since I was born. My parents forbade me to do so. But that one visit changed my life. Totally.
After visiting the church (together with other churches) regularly for about one and a half years, I received Jesus in April 2006. From that moment onwards, my life changed. By His grace, I have been pursuing Him wholeheartedly (He was the One who pursued me) ever since then. I was hungry for His word and His presence.
Two and a half years later, I left my job with Air Defence, ready to step into a seminary. I knew that the Lord had called me into full-time church ministry a few months after I became a Christian. He spoke to me deeply through Matthew 28:19-20 when I spent time with Him one day.
While I was looking at ATCEM seminary's curriculum, God nudged my heart. He said, "Wait." One week later, a YWAM friend invited me to sit through one week's course at YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS). I sat all the way at the back because the front was reserved for the students. A prophet from Malaysia was teaching. During ministry time, he walked all the way to the back, skipping the students and came to me. He started prophesying stuff that I would never have imagined before. I still keep an audio record of it because it means alot to me. I knew it was God, because my spirit bore witness at that time. This prophet said many things. One of the key things he mentioned is that I am a man of the Spirit and of reformation. He prophesied that he saw me standing with my bible opened and declaring the Word of God and God would teach me how to use this Spirit. Immediately, I knew that I would be standing at the pulpit and preaching someday. Of course, I wondered how it would be possible because I had fear when it comes to public speaking.
After that week, God spoke to me to go into YWAM. I resisted at first. I argued that there would not be any accreditation. But God is God indeed. He changed my heart desire. I became convicted that I should go into YWAM - my desire revealed what He wanted. So often, we are waiting for God to give us direction. But more often than not, He leads us from within - our heart desire. Our heart is not deceitful because we have a new heart when we receive Jesus. A brand new heart - one where He writes the Law in; one where He puts His desire in.
I went to YWAM DTS and part-time night SBS (Night School of Biblical Studies). By then, God has transformed my heart. I used to be a person who had strong logical mind. The journey in YWAM shortened the learning distance between my head and my heart. My heart became very sensitive to the Lord. I would break down so easily in His loving presence. I grew much in the Spirit. I am very thankful that I didn't enroll into a seminary first. Many who went into seminary without building a foundation in their heart knowledge of God came out of seminary putting Him into a box. God has no box.
I came out of YWAM DTS in 2009. Not knowing what to do, I prayed, "God, I know that I'm called to enter into full-time church ministry. This is my heart desire and I know You are the one who gave it to me. Open a door for me." Meanwhile I went to apply many jobs and I prayed, "God, You hold the key to every door. Shut every door if it is not from You. Only open the door that is from You." True to His nature, He responded to my prayer. I sent out so many resume applications with only two responses. I went for both interviews and I was not selected. I almost went into MOE. They rejected my application despite that I have a good second class (upper) honours degree. My ex-girlfriend, who is now my wife, Carol, told me that it could only be God.
Before I checked into a local hotel for three days and two nights for a personal retreat, God spoke to me on 16 Feb 2009. He gave me a vision - I saw a pair of spectacles. God said, "You are wearing this pair of spectacles. You are seeing things from your limited perspective. See from My perspective. It's time to get married first."
Before I checked into a local hotel for three days and two nights for a personal retreat, God spoke to me on 16 Feb 2009. He gave me a vision - I saw a pair of spectacles. God said, "You are wearing this pair of spectacles. You are seeing things from your limited perspective. See from My perspective. It's time to get married first."
I wasn't ready to get married. I had spent much of my savings on my part-time degree course, YWAM course, conferences, seminars and daily expenses. I was almost left with nothing in my bank account. How could I possibly think about marriage? It is unusual for a normal person to think of getting married without some savings and a stable income. I said, "God, You have to give me a confirmation."
On the following day after God had spoken to me about marriage, my YWAM school leader, Samuel Koh, met me for a final debrief. This is the normal practice after someone has completed Discipleship Training School (DTS). Throughout the conversation, he was constantly persuading me to join YWAM as a full-time staff. He also suggested that I should consider attending School of Biblical Studies (SBS). I declined the offer. All of a sudden, he changed his opinion. I knew that this must be the work of the Holy Spirit. He abruptly said, "Have you considered Carol? Are you wearing a pair of glasses with your limited perspective? Have you considered getting married first before other things?"
Instantly, I knew that God was confirming what He spoke to me through Samuel. By faith, I decided to prepare for marriage. There were other amazing testimonies on how God provided for this marriage to be possible. Praise Jesus!
I was still waiting for His direction, apart from knowing that I should get married.
It was a journey of waiting and trusting. One day, Samuel (by now, he is no longer with YWAM) called me and told me of an opening in an Anglican Church. I went for the application. It was a position for a one-year internship to assist the Youth Pastor of the church. Out of the three applicants, I was the least qualified. I was only three and a half years old as a Christian. I didn't have much ministry experiences. But I had a heart full of passion for Jesus. I was ready to do whatever He tells me to do.
It was a journey of waiting and trusting. One day, Samuel (by now, he is no longer with YWAM) called me and told me of an opening in an Anglican Church. I went for the application. It was a position for a one-year internship to assist the Youth Pastor of the church. Out of the three applicants, I was the least qualified. I was only three and a half years old as a Christian. I didn't have much ministry experiences. But I had a heart full of passion for Jesus. I was ready to do whatever He tells me to do.
God doesn't choose the qualified. He qualifies the chosen. By His grace and favour, the Senior Pastor called me on the following day. He said that they had decided to choose me. Not only that, what caught me by surprise is what he said afterwards. "Wilson, we would also like you to be our Youth Pastor. Because our current one has just resigned."
I was in total shock. "God, how can this be possible?" Carol was right beside me. She said, "Dear, this can only be God." What blew my mind away is not just the fact that I was chosen as the youth pastor, but that God had orchestrated everything over three and a half years; He had aligned the timing and situation just FOR ME - from the time I left Air Defence to the time I almost enrolled into a seminary; from the time He said "Wait" to the time I entered into YWAM; from the time I was in YWAM to the time I left YWAM; from the time of waiting to the time of application for the position in the church. God, in His sovereignty, had purposed every single detail. He aligned everything --- He knew that the current youth pastor would leave and I would respond to His call and replace the youth pastor. Looking back, I couldn't help but be thankful and grateful towards God. I'm holding back my tears even as I'm writing this. This is too good to be true. God is way too GOOD!
A Father's heart that's for me
A never-ending story
Of love that's always chasing me
I will sing of all You've done
I'll remember how far You've carried me
From beginning until the end
You are faithful
Faithful to the end
There wasn't a day that You weren't by my side
There wasn't a day that You let me fall
All of my life, Your love has been true
All of my life, I will worship You
Bethel Music - "Faithful To The End"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V22xT07uv4
A Father's heart that's for me
A never-ending story
Of love that's always chasing me
I will sing of all You've done
I'll remember how far You've carried me
From beginning until the end
You are faithful
Faithful to the end
There wasn't a day that You weren't by my side
There wasn't a day that You let me fall
All of my life, Your love has been true
All of my life, I will worship You
Bethel Music - "Faithful To The End"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V22xT07uv4
A young Christian assumed the role of a youth pastor... I knew nothing about pastoring. I knew nothing about youths. I knew nothing about preaching and discipleship. It didn't help with the fact that I was young in age and I looked like a teenager. I remember the youth leaders and the youths were doubting my ability to pastor and lead them.
I prayed hard throughout my time there as a youth pastor. I really needed to depend on God. It was in those days that I started a lifestyle of fasting regularly. This is still a lifestyle that I persist on (I still don't like fasting), because I know how much I need to depend on Him.
By His grace, He equipped me. No one taught me how to preach. I didn't attend any homiletics course on preaching. My first preaching was a flop. But I didn't give up. Within a short period of time, God empowered me to grow rapidly in the art of preaching. The youths were ministered.
God's calling comes with His gift and grace. The gift of preaching is given to me because of His call. At the same time, the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
By His grace, the youth culture was changed. When I first went in, the youths liked to pray quietly in their hearts. Before I left, they were praying boldly in tongues. I loved them and I enjoyed serving the youths. Over the course of two and a half years, I learnt so many things about pastoring, preaching and discipleship. By the grace of God (and my ignorance), I pioneered the youth service in that church. If I were to turn back the time, I would not have started the youth service.
God then called me out of that church for various reasons. I was looking for another church to work with the youths. I told God, "God, I came from an independent church. Please don't send me into another traditional church (the Anglican one was one)." I had three choices - a charismatic AG church, a small independent church and a Methodist Church. The Senior Pastor of the AG church invited me to preach at his youth service. I totally enjoyed myself there. The atmosphere was what I loved. I thought it would suit me well. But there was no peace in my heart as I prayed.
God often leads with unrest. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit in us. It is normal to have peace within us. If there is no peace within, it is likely not from Him.
I went into the Methodist Church (traditional again) because I felt an unusual peace as I prayed about it. This is where I served in youth and prayer ministries. I totally enjoyed my time here. The office culture is healthy and strong. There is hardly any politics. I have learnt alot from my Senior Pastor Reuben Ng. I thank God for placing him in my life. He is one of the best church leaders/pastors I ever met.
In recent years, God has put His passion in me in the area of healing and evangelism. In fact, evangelism has always been on my heart since I became a Christian. But I am convinced that power evangelism is the key to bring people to Christ. Like what Bill Johnson said, "I owe the world an encounter with God." I may be the only "Jesus" that some people ever see. I have to represent Him accurately - both in character and power.
At Kingdom Invasion 2014, God revealed His call for my life. I know that I am called to focus on healing and evangelism. He has put a few things in my heart. One of them is to see the sick healed and the wounded set free in Jesus' name.
I'm passionate about this. I try my best to live that out in the streets, restaurants, food courts, shopping malls, coffee shops, departmental stores, airplane, etc. and everywhere that I go to. I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is primarily FOR the lost to encounter Jesus. The Gospel is not just meant to be preached in the church. The Gospel has to be preached outside the four walls of the church. We are called to BE the Gospel.
By God's grace and love, I have seen many healings taking place. I keep a record of them as testimonies so that I can remember what God has done, thank Him for His goodness and trust Him for more. I also want to leave a "legacy" for my son to carry on what I have done. I want him to know the nature and goodness of God and not allow different kinds of teachings to toss him around in the understanding of the will of God concerning healing. My ceiling shall be his floor. He shall step on my shoulders and go way further.
I desire to see greater breakthroughs in this area. I want to see cancer and terminal diseases leaving the human body; I want to see stroke patients healed completely; I want to see every single person whom I pray for coming out of wheelchair. If Jesus has done it, I am to do it. I am called to do the same works and even greater works (John 14:12).
God ever spoke to me through a dream that I am to go to dark places where people are not willing to go. That is where light will shine its best. I started visiting Hindu temples and ministering to the people.
The desire grows stronger each day...
However, during an extended fast in mid-Feb this year, even though I wasn't praying about ministry direction, God spoke to me clearly - "Your highest call is to be a father." He told me to give my time to focus on my son during his foundation years. Actually I had plans to do more in ministry. I wanted to do more street outreaches. I wanted to go for more missions trips. I had plenty of desires in these areas. I still have...
At Kingdom Invasion 2014, God revealed His call for my life. I know that I am called to focus on healing and evangelism. He has put a few things in my heart. One of them is to see the sick healed and the wounded set free in Jesus' name.
I'm passionate about this. I try my best to live that out in the streets, restaurants, food courts, shopping malls, coffee shops, departmental stores, airplane, etc. and everywhere that I go to. I believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is primarily FOR the lost to encounter Jesus. The Gospel is not just meant to be preached in the church. The Gospel has to be preached outside the four walls of the church. We are called to BE the Gospel.
By God's grace and love, I have seen many healings taking place. I keep a record of them as testimonies so that I can remember what God has done, thank Him for His goodness and trust Him for more. I also want to leave a "legacy" for my son to carry on what I have done. I want him to know the nature and goodness of God and not allow different kinds of teachings to toss him around in the understanding of the will of God concerning healing. My ceiling shall be his floor. He shall step on my shoulders and go way further.
I desire to see greater breakthroughs in this area. I want to see cancer and terminal diseases leaving the human body; I want to see stroke patients healed completely; I want to see every single person whom I pray for coming out of wheelchair. If Jesus has done it, I am to do it. I am called to do the same works and even greater works (John 14:12).
God ever spoke to me through a dream that I am to go to dark places where people are not willing to go. That is where light will shine its best. I started visiting Hindu temples and ministering to the people.
The desire grows stronger each day...
However, during an extended fast in mid-Feb this year, even though I wasn't praying about ministry direction, God spoke to me clearly - "Your highest call is to be a father." He told me to give my time to focus on my son during his foundation years. Actually I had plans to do more in ministry. I wanted to do more street outreaches. I wanted to go for more missions trips. I had plenty of desires in these areas. I still have...
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. - Proverbs 19:21
God spoke so deep in my spirit through a vision that I couldn't help but broke down in tears. He told me to lay down my desires for a while to pick them up again in the next season. For this season, I am to focus on my son. Church ministry has taken my time away from my son. I'm not spending as much time with him as an average working father does.
To be honest, entering into full-time church ministry is never a personal decision. It involves the family. It didn't just involve me alone. It involved my wife. As I served in the church ministry, she too, indirectly served in the same ministry. Why do I say so? Without her support, I would never be able to do what I was doing. When I was busy in the church, she took care of everything in the house. She took care of our son. While she did find it difficult to manage at times, she understood the call of God in my life.
I always joked with my wife that we are called to step into uncharted waters from time to time. Our age difference is already unusual. I appreciate her for standing with me each time I took the step of faith to respond to God by walking on the road less traveled. I don't easily conform to the opinions and traditions of men if God says otherwise. Even if I make a sincere mistake, I trust my sovereign God to direct my path because He is greater than my sincere mistakes. This is the goodness and the beauty of God in which I can boldly take risk for Him.
To say that we had no disagreement throughout my six years in church ministry is an obvious lie. I believe it is the same for the family of every full-time church minister and pastor. The family is always fighting for extra time. Whenever one spouse decides to enter full-time church ministry, the other spouse will also enter full-time - supporting his ministry indirectly. It requires a sacrifice from the spouse. Many of my wife's female friends don't understand or rather, are unable to comprehend her struggles. They either have domestic helpers, parents, parents-in-law or husbands who have time for them and who can help out often with their children. My wife took care of all these alone, though I tried my best to help whenever I could.
Church ministry is one where you don't stop working after office hours. Church ministry involves people. I had to respond to various messages, especially concerning the youths. There were so many whatsapp groups in my phone that I had to mute the notifications for some groups which I know were not urgent. People often think that full-time church ministry work is pretty good as you only work on the weekends. Ask any of my colleague. I can't represent all churches, but I can say that all my colleagues work very hard.
Throughout these six years, I hardly had much time with my parents. I know it's not easy for them to understand. But when you already don't have alot of time with your own family, you will want to spend your time with your family first, followed by your parents.
For those who want to enter full-time church ministry, first, it has to be the call of God. Second, you have to count the cost.
For me, I know it's the call of God and I have counted the cost. I totally enjoyed working in the church. Else I wouldn't have done it for the past six years. I will not trade these six years for any other thing. I would not have left, if God didn't ask me to lay down my ministry desires for this season. My wife knows that I won't leave unless God said so.
I want to thank my wife, Carol, for releasing me to answer the call of God for the past six years. This call has not changed. I believe that the call of God in my life is still there and it is irrevocable. But the season has temporarily changed.
It's good to have passion for ministry. But it is more important to have passion for what God says. I trust Him. Therefore, I must obey Him. God is calling me out of church ministry in this season for an important role that I must play - fathering. This is why I left Church.... full-time ministry.
There were many encouraging words that I received from various people. One of the youths sent me a long WA message that was very uplifting. It reminded me to be faithful to the call of God in my life - preaching the Gospel and loving people.
One youth cellgroup designed a huge encouragement card for me. At the back of the card, it says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where you go." - Joshua 1:9
When people were against Carol and I coming together, God spoke to us with Joshua 1:9.
When I stepped out of the Anglican Church (where I worked), God spoke to me with Joshua 1:9
Now that I have stepped out of full-time church ministry, God assured me again with Joshua 1:9. He is so faithful!
I didn't think of stopping ministry work. Yet I have to come out of it for a season - at least, for my son's foundation years.
After God spoke, I realised something. If my highest call is to be a father, then my son IS my ministry. There is no greater call than to be a father. Because God is first and foremost our Father.
I understood.
God spoke so deep in my spirit through a vision that I couldn't help but broke down in tears. He told me to lay down my desires for a while to pick them up again in the next season. For this season, I am to focus on my son. Church ministry has taken my time away from my son. I'm not spending as much time with him as an average working father does.
To be honest, entering into full-time church ministry is never a personal decision. It involves the family. It didn't just involve me alone. It involved my wife. As I served in the church ministry, she too, indirectly served in the same ministry. Why do I say so? Without her support, I would never be able to do what I was doing. When I was busy in the church, she took care of everything in the house. She took care of our son. While she did find it difficult to manage at times, she understood the call of God in my life.
I always joked with my wife that we are called to step into uncharted waters from time to time. Our age difference is already unusual. I appreciate her for standing with me each time I took the step of faith to respond to God by walking on the road less traveled. I don't easily conform to the opinions and traditions of men if God says otherwise. Even if I make a sincere mistake, I trust my sovereign God to direct my path because He is greater than my sincere mistakes. This is the goodness and the beauty of God in which I can boldly take risk for Him.
To say that we had no disagreement throughout my six years in church ministry is an obvious lie. I believe it is the same for the family of every full-time church minister and pastor. The family is always fighting for extra time. Whenever one spouse decides to enter full-time church ministry, the other spouse will also enter full-time - supporting his ministry indirectly. It requires a sacrifice from the spouse. Many of my wife's female friends don't understand or rather, are unable to comprehend her struggles. They either have domestic helpers, parents, parents-in-law or husbands who have time for them and who can help out often with their children. My wife took care of all these alone, though I tried my best to help whenever I could.
Church ministry is one where you don't stop working after office hours. Church ministry involves people. I had to respond to various messages, especially concerning the youths. There were so many whatsapp groups in my phone that I had to mute the notifications for some groups which I know were not urgent. People often think that full-time church ministry work is pretty good as you only work on the weekends. Ask any of my colleague. I can't represent all churches, but I can say that all my colleagues work very hard.
Throughout these six years, I hardly had much time with my parents. I know it's not easy for them to understand. But when you already don't have alot of time with your own family, you will want to spend your time with your family first, followed by your parents.
For those who want to enter full-time church ministry, first, it has to be the call of God. Second, you have to count the cost.
For me, I know it's the call of God and I have counted the cost. I totally enjoyed working in the church. Else I wouldn't have done it for the past six years. I will not trade these six years for any other thing. I would not have left, if God didn't ask me to lay down my ministry desires for this season. My wife knows that I won't leave unless God said so.
I want to thank my wife, Carol, for releasing me to answer the call of God for the past six years. This call has not changed. I believe that the call of God in my life is still there and it is irrevocable. But the season has temporarily changed.
It's good to have passion for ministry. But it is more important to have passion for what God says. I trust Him. Therefore, I must obey Him. God is calling me out of church ministry in this season for an important role that I must play - fathering. This is why I left Church.... full-time ministry.
There were many encouraging words that I received from various people. One of the youths sent me a long WA message that was very uplifting. It reminded me to be faithful to the call of God in my life - preaching the Gospel and loving people.
One youth cellgroup designed a huge encouragement card for me. At the back of the card, it says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where you go." - Joshua 1:9
When people were against Carol and I coming together, God spoke to us with Joshua 1:9.
When I stepped out of the Anglican Church (where I worked), God spoke to me with Joshua 1:9
Now that I have stepped out of full-time church ministry, God assured me again with Joshua 1:9. He is so faithful!
I didn't think of stopping ministry work. Yet I have to come out of it for a season - at least, for my son's foundation years.
After God spoke, I realised something. If my highest call is to be a father, then my son IS my ministry. There is no greater call than to be a father. Because God is first and foremost our Father.
I understood.
When God first spoke to me, I struggled. But it's interesting that when I began to see what the Father sees, my desire suddenly changed. Once again (just like the time before I went YWAM), He has put His desire in me. I no longer struggle with the fact that I had to leave church ministry for this season. I'm excited about what's going to happen. I know that God is always faithful. He will provide for our family. He will also see to it that His call for my life is fulfilled.
Stepping out of the comfort zone is what I have learnt when I entered YWAM. Stepping out of church ministry is stepping out of my comfort zone. I know that this is not going to be easy. It's time for me to step into uncharted waters. You can get comfortable working in a familiar environment, though there are, of course, challenges to deal with.
To be honest, it is easier for me to stay than to leave. I can stay in my comfort zone. Why should I leave and take extra effort to learn brand new things which I have no clue and no experience about?
To be honest, it is easier for me to stay than to leave. I can stay in my comfort zone. Why should I leave and take extra effort to learn brand new things which I have no clue and no experience about?
Yet I realised that I learnt the most when I'm out of my comfort zone. We are never called to be comfortable. We are meant to be pushed into uncomfortable zones so that we can depend on our Comforter, the Holy Spirit.
Before I confirmed my resignation, I asked God for a confirmation. Being a gracious Father, He gave me four confirmations.
There were attractive and good offers presented to me, but I know that God's call is first and foremost, trust and obedience. What is the one thing that God is calling me to do? Focus is very important.
I shared with my wife and she shared her perspective. It dawned on me that good options can come as a test to see if I'm certain of what God is calling me to do. They either change my focus or strengthen my focus.
I know that building Jeshua in his foundation years has to be my focus. I have to say "No" to anything that will distract me from this very purpose. Even if it is at the cost of my ministry desires, for this is only for a season.
What should I be doing when I'm out of church ministry? It is very timely that Samuel (my ex-DTS school leader) is in Real Estate and he spoke to me after I decided to leave church work. He came at the right time. I prayed through and I had peace to enter into this industry (despite what the news and others are saying) because it gives me the flexibility to spend time with my son. I have a number of friends in this industry where they have more time to spend with their family too. Of course, if you desire to earn big bucks, then you won't have the time. Once again, focus is very important.
This industry is not easy, because I had no background on Real Estate. I have to learn everything from the scrap. Everything. At times, this sharp learning curve makes me feel helpless. But it also allows me to depend on God even more. If I step into uncharted waters, it should require me to place my faith in Jesus. This is rightly so. I realise that I'm leaning towards Him more than before, which is the key in building relationship deeper with Him.
Alot of people have pre-conceived notion about real estate agents. They think that they are out there to cheat. But when I was attending Real Estate Salesperson Course, there was a Christian trainer who intentionally brought in biblical values in his lessons. I thought that was very encouraging. There were also cases where the real estate salesperson acted as a mediator to reconcile marriages. Isn't that awesome?!
I am new in this industry. But I know that if God is for me, who can be against me? If God's favour and face shine on me, I will shine as His light in the midst of darkness. I look forward to serving people through this industry.
Recently, I read an article about life lessons for those in the 30s. It was compiled by more than 600 people who have crossed into 40s and above. Three things struck a chord with me: Focus, Taking Risk (Faith) and Family.
1) Focus
I know that it's time for me to streamline everything - my gift, passion, heart inclination, etc. I cannot be a jack of all trades and master of none. It's time to focus on what God has called me to do.
Steve Jobs was fired by Apple at the age of 30. In his 30s, he remained focus and steadfast. Although he was not a believer, I love what he said at the commencement address in Stanford University.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future."
I'm not sure if the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew was a believer. I hope he was. Somehow, I believe that when he meditated on Jesus in the last few years of his life, the Holy Spirit had touched him. He was a man of great vision and focus. He became Singapore's first prime minister at the age of 35. Once again, it's in the thirties that one should really be focused.
This is the new season of my life. I felt that I need to start to be focused.
2) Taking Risk (Faith)
It's easy to stay in a comfort zone. Six years in Air Defence had built much comfort level in me, so when I left, I stepped into uncharted waters. Six years in church ministry did the same thing to me. Now I'm back into uncharted waters. I remember that when I was in DTS YWAM, it was so comfortable. Everyone was like-minded. It felt like one big family. But I knew that it wasn't a reality. In my personal opinion, we were staying in a bubble. The world is bigger than the bubble. The environment in the bubble was too good to be true. We are called to be salt and light. We are meant to live life outside of the bubble where we show the world how to live abundantly in Christ.
I must always be ready to take risk for Jesus.
3) Family
This is what God is calling me to do in this season. Fathering. Family.
I look forward to spending time with my son! He is highly favoured, exceedingly blessed and abundantly loved by God the Father.
This industry is not easy, because I had no background on Real Estate. I have to learn everything from the scrap. Everything. At times, this sharp learning curve makes me feel helpless. But it also allows me to depend on God even more. If I step into uncharted waters, it should require me to place my faith in Jesus. This is rightly so. I realise that I'm leaning towards Him more than before, which is the key in building relationship deeper with Him.
Alot of people have pre-conceived notion about real estate agents. They think that they are out there to cheat. But when I was attending Real Estate Salesperson Course, there was a Christian trainer who intentionally brought in biblical values in his lessons. I thought that was very encouraging. There were also cases where the real estate salesperson acted as a mediator to reconcile marriages. Isn't that awesome?!
I am new in this industry. But I know that if God is for me, who can be against me? If God's favour and face shine on me, I will shine as His light in the midst of darkness. I look forward to serving people through this industry.
Recently, I read an article about life lessons for those in the 30s. It was compiled by more than 600 people who have crossed into 40s and above. Three things struck a chord with me: Focus, Taking Risk (Faith) and Family.
1) Focus
I know that it's time for me to streamline everything - my gift, passion, heart inclination, etc. I cannot be a jack of all trades and master of none. It's time to focus on what God has called me to do.
Steve Jobs was fired by Apple at the age of 30. In his 30s, he remained focus and steadfast. Although he was not a believer, I love what he said at the commencement address in Stanford University.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future."
I'm not sure if the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew was a believer. I hope he was. Somehow, I believe that when he meditated on Jesus in the last few years of his life, the Holy Spirit had touched him. He was a man of great vision and focus. He became Singapore's first prime minister at the age of 35. Once again, it's in the thirties that one should really be focused.
This is the new season of my life. I felt that I need to start to be focused.
2) Taking Risk (Faith)
It's easy to stay in a comfort zone. Six years in Air Defence had built much comfort level in me, so when I left, I stepped into uncharted waters. Six years in church ministry did the same thing to me. Now I'm back into uncharted waters. I remember that when I was in DTS YWAM, it was so comfortable. Everyone was like-minded. It felt like one big family. But I knew that it wasn't a reality. In my personal opinion, we were staying in a bubble. The world is bigger than the bubble. The environment in the bubble was too good to be true. We are called to be salt and light. We are meant to live life outside of the bubble where we show the world how to live abundantly in Christ.
I must always be ready to take risk for Jesus.
3) Family
This is what God is calling me to do in this season. Fathering. Family.
I look forward to spending time with my son! He is highly favoured, exceedingly blessed and abundantly loved by God the Father.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)