Transformative Fathering

When I asked the Father how I should father my son as he is growing day by day, He surprised me with Romans 12:2.

"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world..." It is so rich and so full. 

Do not be conformed even to the pressure and the expectation of this world. 

Do not be conformed to how a 5 (turning 6) years old should act. 

Do not be conformed to my expectations of him. 

Do not be conformed to what the school or teachers require of him.

There is a whole list of 'do not be conformed...'

The child should be given the freedom (within healthy boundaries) and opportunities to explore the world, with complete acceptance and love from the father.

'Train the child the way he should go...' is not about training him according to what you think is correct and wise. It's about training him to know The Way so that The Way will guide him to know the way he should go. (punk intended)

I think society pressure and books on parenting have misrepresented how the Father sees our child. If parenting books work, you don't need the Bible. If other parents' advice work, you don't need Jesus. 

Disclaimer: I'm not saying these are useless. But your child is fearfully, wonderfully and (uniquely) made. And since God has no grandchild, only He can father our child.

Some believe that you must train your child to be diaper-free by certain age. What IF every child grows differently in different areas? What IF your child will mature and outgrow his need for diaper? What IF forcing (aka 'training') your child to be diaper-free indirectly imparts insecurity and a lack of confidence, because you force him to do what he is not ready, and as a result, he fails many times by wetting the bed? I believe that we don't have to conform to the patterns of this world.

J was breastfed from newborn to the age of 4. All thanks to my amazing wife who perseveres powerfully. Many can't handle that. As a result, J continued to latch until the age of 5. At the age of 4, we began to prepare him by communicating to him. It took one year of preparation to speak to him regularly. When he reached 5, he stopped latching altogether. He cried once. And that was it. There was no withdrawal symptom. We have heard of so many stories of how a child suffered due to (forced) weaning.

Some think that it is ridiculous for a male child to latch until he is 5, because he is a boy. That's human wisdom. What IF the child is so secured in his Mummy's love (bosom) that when he grows up, he is not even tempted by lust, because his foundation is already laid?

I challenge all of us (including me) as believers today, not to be conformed any longer to the patterns of this world ---- and don't just think of reaching the world in evangelism... it applies to parenting too. You cannot compartmentalise Christianity. It either applies to ALL AREAS or NONE.

In 2019, there are a number of things I desire to see growth in... and one of them is fathering. A transformative kind. #fathering101

Manifestation of the Holy Spirit

Taught my son how to depend on Jesus while playing tic-tac-toe.

Then I asked the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself to him at three different times.

First time: He felt Jesus touching both his hands.

Second time: He felt warm.

Third time: He felt electricity.

I love how faithful God is to His children. #fathering101

Fearing God

The Bible is full of paradoxes. God has NOT given us the spirit of fear. Yet the Bible tells us to fear Him. It’s either we fear men/demons or we fear Him.

The Bible doesn’t say that perfect Love drives out all fears. It says that perfect Love “drives out fear....” The context of fear in this passage has to do with punishment/torment (1 John 4:18). Since God’s nature is not about tormenting anyone, His Love does not cast out the fear of the Lord.

Therefore, fearing God can co-exist with loving Him. It is not either or. It is both. Someone said this about the fear of God —— imagine you standing beside the God of the Universe and realise how BIG He is beside you. It is about standing in awe of who He is and show reverence.

If we don’t understand this, we will understand when we become parents.

It is healthy for a child to fear his father, yet love him at the same time. Without such healthy fear, there won’t be any respect for the father. Loving the father encompasses reverence. If my son does not fear me as his father, I have lost every impact on his life. My son must recognise that I am “bigger” than him and thus, he will respect my views and wisdom because I “know more than him.”

Fear of God does the same thing to us. It causes us to surrender and yield to Him instead of doing everything whatsoever according to our own rationale.

Modeling Evangelism

“Papa, does Ah Gong and Ah Ma know Jesus?”

Papa: Ah Ma knows but not Ah Gong.

J: Why you never tell Ah Gong about Jesus?

Papa: I did. But he didn’t believe. We can pray.

J: I have already prayed for them. I also prayed for all my friends in school to know Jesus. I told them but they didn’t believe.

Papa: When did you pray?

J: During nap times... I prayed softly.

Papa: Can you pray for Ah Gong again?

J closed his eyes and whispered a prayer for him.

The heart of evangelism leads to the hand of evangelism. If we model out the importance of reaching the lost, our child will catch it. Some things are caught, rather than taught. #fathering101

Jesus Taught J New Song

J woke up and said, “Papa, I have learnt a new song that nobody taught me before.”

Papa: Who taught you then?

J: Jesus.

And he began to sing...

“God has you

God has you

He gives you toys

He gives you books

He gives you eyes

He gives you mouth

He gives you hands

He gives you legs

He gives you everything

Jesus loves you the most

He loves you most

More than anyone in the world

Trust Jesus

Trust Jesus

And you will go heaven

I want to go and see Jesus

I want to go and see Jesus

New earth blue and brown

New earth blue and brown

Jesus loves you.”

He blew my mind away once again. He sang spontaneously and prophetically. Never underestimate how your child can encounter Jesus in his own secret place.

Our role is simply to expose our child to His Presence so that he can be fathered by the True Father. #fathering101

Finances - God Is Faithful

God is so good!

He is never early. But He is never late. He does things suddenly at the right time.

In between that, it can make you really edgy, so that you have no choice but to trust and lean on Him. #sogood

Tongues & His Voice

I was speaking in tongues when J asked me to speak in normal languages because he doesn’t understand.

So I said, “You can ask Jesus for interpretation. You can speak in tongues and ask Jesus to show you what you are speaking too.”

Then I added, “Can you ask Jesus for a Word for me?”

He nodded and started speaking in tongues...

Then he said, “I know! I saw it! I saw Papa sliding down a rainbow.”

Immediately, I felt Jesus saying, “Rest on and enjoy My promises.”

It was a timely Word because I am waiting for something.

You never know how a child can speak life into your life. #fathering101 #tongues #interpretation #hearingHisvoice

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ 

Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat,[d] the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, 27 the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of ADAM, the SON OF GOD. - Luke 3:23-38 (emphasis added)

The last Adam (Jesus) was the Son of God. The first Adam, too, was the son of God.

If Adam was a son to begin with, the true intent of the Gospel is NOT about saving sinners. It is not about the wretched trying to escape the wrath of God. 

The Gospel is about RESTORING LOST SONS. The Gospel is not about going heaven and hell. The Gospel is about returning to the Father, the One who gave you the original identity.

Jesus is NOT the way to heaven. The Bible doesn't say that. Jesus is the Way TO the Father (John 14:6).

It is family. 

It is sonship. 

It is identity.

We are not trying to reach sinners. We are reaching the lost ------orphans who do not know their true Father and their true value. If we can see from that perspective, we will find Christ in everyone of them.

P.S: There are also Christians who don't know their true Father and their true value. Because they believed in a different Father from the original good, good Father.

New Earth, Heaven, Hell, Rapture & Stuff

J asked about the new earth, since he has been learning about Stars and planets.

It was a good opportunity to talk to him on the importance of sharing Christ with his friends; the new earth, rapture, heaven, hell as well as Satan.

J: Yes. I tell my friends about Jesus. But they don’t know how to pray.

J: In the new earth, will there be lions?

Papa: Yes. But the lions will not be eating people. They will be good. There won’t be any more pain. There won’t be any crying and sadness. Everyone will be happy.

J: What happens when Jesus comes back?

Papa: We will go up with Him. But only for those who believe in Him.

J: Why?

Papa: Jesus loves everyone. This is why it is very important for us to pray for people and share with them, so that they can get to know Him. Those who don’t believe will be caught by the bad guy. His name is Satan.

Papa: They will stay on the earth while we go up.

J: What will happen to the earth?

Papa: There will be fire, earthquake and many other stuff going on. Many people may die. But it is the time for them to believe in Him.

J: Will I get to see my Jie Jie and Kor Kor?

Papa: Yes you will. You will see them up there. When the new earth is set up by Jesus, we will all be there together.

A 5-year old can receive more than we think they can. Because there is Someone called the Holy Spirit. Don’t let our human mind hinder the child’s understanding. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Law Of First Mention

This little boy wanna read encyclopedia about space... Jesus-motivated learning.

One word from Jesus is more powerful than one year of talking.

Took the opportunity to educate him, because I am sure that this book will talk about Big Bang Theory.

“J, do you remember your stars and planets book?”

J: Yes.

Papa: There is something wrong in the book.

J: Yes. Uranus. The colour is wrong.

Papa: Yes. Not everything in the book is correct. Even in this new book, there are wrong stuff. But Papa will teach you the right stuff.

J: Okay!

Papa: Who created the Universe, the stars and planets?

J: Jesus!

Papa: Absolutely correct.

The law of first mention is vital. And our child should have first-hand info from us, not from books.

J Had A Dream

J told me, “The colour of Uranus is blue, not green. So the book that I have is wrong.”

Baffled (since I’m not into the colours of the Planets), I asked, “Are you sure the book is wrong?”

J: Yes. Jesus told me it’s blue. He painted it blue.

Me: Where did Jesus show you?

J: Some time ago. In a dream. He painted it blue.

I googled it and it is indeed blue.

Jesus created the Universe and He painted Uranus blue. So biblical. God is revealing Himself to J as the King of the Universe. So good.

J’s Newfound Interest

J has a newfound interest: Stars & Planets. He has been reading, watching and drawing them.

No. We didn’t expose him to it at all. Neither did we share anything about it.

Papa: Why do you suddenly like stars and planets?

J: Because Jesus told me about it. He came to my dream and tell me.

Some things are indeed amazing to witness as a father.

Youth Day - F&S Day

Spent the whole youth day with this little ‘youth’... 

Father & son’s bonding day.

From Mac breakfast at East Coast to fun at outdoor playground, kite flying, lunch at Northpoint City, haircut, swimming, bathing, napping, kite flying again at Seletar Aerospace area, dinner at Seletar Country Club before heading back home. What a long yet enjoyable and fulfilling day!

Am proud of his confidence to climb higher and higher at the children confidence course.

On top of that, we ministered healing to the hairdresser through word of knowledge; we ministered healing to the waitress... she felt tingling at the back of her neck and heat on her breast area (due to some growth in the tissue), and we prophesied on her. Another waitress who got healed the last round took down our contact number. We did a follow-up check with two of them who were healed previously —- they remain healed. Jesus! 

The point is... the kingdom life is a lifestyle. So it doesn’t matter what you are doing and where you are at. You are naturally supernatural. The Gospel is a “as you go” Gospel. You don’t set aside special time to reach out. Your life is an outreach by itself.

What happens if we have 1500 Singaporeans walking in this lifestyle? And that these 1500 reproduce another 1500 over and over again?! Stay tuned for School of Power and Love 2018 in December. The third speaker Robby Dawkins will be coming. Yay God!

#fathering101 #father #fathering #fatherandson #dadsforlife #dads #dad #fathers #father #parenting #parents #parent #family #families #daddy #baby #child #children #kids #son #sons #babies #kid #fatherhood #love #fatherlove #mum #mummy #mother #blogger #powerandlove2018

Prayer & Jeshua

I'm still blown away by what my son said today when we had a conversation about prayer.

J: Papa, sometimes, Jesus doesn't speak in voices.

Papa: That is absolutely correct. He speaks in different ways. Sometimes in images; sometimes in feelings; sometimes in pictures; sometimes in words...

J: Ya. When I close my eyes, I see it.

J: Jesus told me that I have been whining. He is so good.

Papa: Awesome.

J: Last night, Jesus told me to remove my blanket because I had blocked nose. After that, the blocked nose is gone.

Papa: Wow.

He's beginning to have more conversations (aka prayer) with Jesus. He's realising that Jesus is really real. He's aware of another Person in the house and in his life.

And I love it. #fathering101 #maybeitistimeforhimtopreach

What Does The Father Say About Preaching?

After preaching yesterday, there was one comment that made me deeply ponder...

"Wilson... God is the super star. But today, you are the super star. You got to be very careful."

I was reflecting through this comment. "Did I not preach a Christ-centred message?" "In what way did I draw the attention to myself?" "How can I avoid this?"

Jesus preached and it often drew multitudes to Him. Yet He often withdrew from the crowd when they wanted to 'crown' Him. Jesus never once liked the attention, even though His message & life drew their attention.

I have seen those who said that they never like the attention, but their actions speak otherwise. The things they post on Facebook reveal otherwise.

I guess this is the pitfall of those on the stage - and this includes worship leaders. There is a thin line between receiving affirmation and liking affirmation. The former acknowledges God before us, but the latter acknowledges us before God. It is a very, very thin line and only God truly knows the heart.

I'm not a superstar. Yet I get to feel a very little of what Francis Chan experienced when he was a superstar. This was an area he struggled deeply within. He was a popular public figure. He preached well and strong. But he struggled with liking the affirmation and working towards getting it. His books were bestsellers. His messages were high in demand. The whole thing crushed him. Because he wasn't ready to handle the popularity.

Well, of course, I'm not comparing myself to him. I'm just a father with a son. A simple man. Likes coffee and chips. Period. And I desire to show everyday, normal believers, that everyone can walk in power and love.

Yet this one comment got me really wonder how I should approach the pulpit ministry.

A couple of people texted me few days before the service that they were looking forward to my preaching. A few texted me that they were kind of disappointed that they couldn't be there due to church camp. On the day of service, some told me that they were waiting for me to preach.

But these are precisely the danger of pulpit ministry. I want to do it well because I believe that the message should be preached well. It's about taking the pulpit ministry seriously.

I thank God that I have left full-time church ministry, which means that I won't get to regularly preach at the services. After all, I enjoy reaching out to people in the streets one soul at a time. Life is always simple in the secluded place.

I asked the Father, "How can I handle this?"

He replied, "It doesn't matter if someone looks upon you as a 'superstar', as long as you come to Me and know that I am the One who spoke through you. As long as you know it is Me."

It requires continual communion and gratitude towards Him, to stay in the place of knowing who He is and who I am to Him.