The Presence Of The Father

The Presence Of The Father

One day, I posted my son this question...

Papa: J, would you like me to earn a lot of $$$, buy you many toys (whatever you like), but I would be very busy and I would not be able to spend much time with you?

J: No. I would prefer you to have time with me and play with me.

If your child chooses toys & stuff over you, it actually means that your presence is no longer enjoyable to him and perhaps your relationship with him needs much work.

Often, we think that the best gift we can give to our child is a good and luxurious life. But what a child really needs is the PRESENCE of the father.

As believers, instead of seeking God's gifts, His presence is the greatest gift to us. It is in His presence that we have the fullness of joy and pleasures evermore (Ps 16:11).

Similarly, as fathers in Christ, the best gift we can offer to our child is our PRESENCE. It is in our presence that our child develops identity, value, love, joy and contentment.

A child will not understand pockets of quality time. He desires quantity. It is in the quantity that you find quality. This will engrave in his memory as he grows up ----- whether he has an absent father or a present father.

As I look at my son, I see that he's growing up so quickly. 8 years have passed in a fleeting moment. I have never regretted making the decision to have more time with him. For this is God's entrusted ministry to me as a father.

Don't live in regrets for not giving your child your very presence. For you do not know what's tomorrow.

Living with Conviction

How do you know if it’s a conviction?

While compliance keeps changing, your conviction does not change in the face of adversities. It stays the same despite changing circumstances.

You can make friends with anyone, but only those with similar conviction should enter your inner circle. Because those who will let go of their conviction to comply in changing circumstances will one day walk out of your life.

Conviction has no place for excuses.

Build wisely and live your life with conviction.

Kingdom Above Awards

Was there in the Spirit to receive the gift 🤣🤣 thankful for my manager to collect on my behalf.

Honestly, this is just a marketing gimmicks and I’m not afraid to say it and do it differently from majority. Since when do I follow majority? Lol. I’m first a believer. The kingdom is above my secular work, so while I am in the world, I am not of the world. My approaches and methodology must be different from the world. The love and the power of God supersedes every method you can think of.

Each time when property agents post about their awards, it’s to market himself/herself for greater awareness/publicity as well as to do recruitment. After a while, I just click “hide future similar posts” so that I don’t see these posts on my newsfeed. Cos I have many agent friends since I’m in this line and as you know, the real estate industry teaches everyone to keep posting their awards and commission earned.

Does it work? Yes. It does. If your eyes are on the world, you will bother to look at all these. If your eyes are on the Kingdom, you will see beyond all these. You see in the Spirit.

Award is least important to me (and my wife knows that I heck care about it), because I don’t like to market about this. Besides, which job keeps posting about their income? Lol. 

I’m honestly not a top producer. This is just a marketing publicity because each division is doing it. It has never been my pursuit or goal. I trust God to provide for me and my household. And I’m always ready to give this work up if God leads otherwise.

If most of my time is not spent living or preaching the Good News, then I am not a disciple of Christ.

Praying 福

“J, why don’t you show your cousins and tell them about Jesus?”

And he did. And prayed for coins to form a 福 on the wall.

Audible Voice

When I was praying in my room yesterday, J came to knock at my door.

He asked, “Yes, Papa. Did you call me, Papa?”

When I came out of my room, he said, “Did you call me just now?”

I replied, “No. But maybe it was God calling you like He did to prophet Samuel. Why don’t you go and ask Him?”

He went to pray and came back.

“Yes, He was calling me. He said that I will grow up to be a righteous man.”

For God speaks in so many ways. One of them is an audible voice.

Son’s 9th Birthday

Today, on my son’s birthday, I realise that he has the ‘gift’ of connecting with Caucasian girls. Not the first time, but more than 5 occasions throughout his life… I notice that this little Asian always connects well with the Caucasian and they would suddenly play together out of nowhere (as strangers). 🤣

Looks like we should really move to Aussie 😂

Ended off his birthday with Spider-Man celebration as he requested. As a quick learner, he’s creative, brilliant, tender-hearted and extremely sociable. With the gift of the gap, he can communicate with anyone and everyone regardless of their age. He’s such a loveable and precious gift to us. Mama and Papa love you 😘 😘😘

39th Birthday

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

I realise that I have so much more to learn in this life. I'm picking up new things from time to time, including going to pick up in-line skating at this age. Well, that's to set an example for my son that whatever I ask him to do, I should do it; and that life-long learning is a MUST.

At this point of my life, I also remember Joshua 1:9 vividly and strongly for me and my household. This was given by God when my ex-girlfriend (who is now my wife) and I came together, for we faced resistance and pressure from many sides. From that juncture, we had been stepping into uncharted waters and the road less traveled. God has been faithful to us in every season, for He is the reason for EVERY season (not just Christmas).

We are a family that might seem aloof, because as we grow older (and hopefully wiser), we find it less important to connect superficially. You just need a few to go after the Kingdom. Less is more. We hardly or almost never sought help from anyone (not even from our own extended family or parents/siblings). This is not because of pride, but we find that each one already has their own responsibility and load to take). God has supplied everything we need whenever we need (including strength).

At the same time, this allows us to step out quickly (without a lot of entanglements) whenever God calls us to.

We are often not with the mainstream, and not of the mainstream, which makes Joshua 1:9 even more powerful for our household. God and us are the majority, since He promises to be with us wherever we go, and have proven to be true in our history with Him.

My quest has not changed. After 8 years, I am more zealous about seeing people healed and set free today than when I first started. Sickness and disease must be crushed. There is no stopping until I see the results Jesus had on earth. I need to be so laser-focused that everything else around me fades in comparison. I have no capacity to minister and help in many other areas, because I must give my full attention and energy to the assignment that God has given me. To say "Yes" to one God-thing, I have to say "No" to other good things.

So if I say "No" to you, it's not because you are not important. It's because I am not God and I don't have the capacity. Yes, you will be disappointed. And I might feel bad. But I don't allow my feelings to move me. I let my assignment move me. God is your Father, so He can and will provide help for you in whatever means. Your eyes should not be on me. I'm not your Saviour. Jesus is.

At 39, I have become less tolerant towards nonsense, lies and sugar-coating words. You only dominate what you don't tolerate. I am for truth. I don't listen to someone just because of their profession. If what you say does not line up with the Word of truth, I will disregard it. So is the present world news that we are listening to. Much of them are nonsense. Period. 

If you know me, you will know my intent and my heart. If you don’t, you can get offended and you have to deal with it because I think that this life is too temporal to be offended by or with anyone. My life is free from offense, so that I can continue to offend the devil.

By the grace of God, the more we get into the Word of truth, the more we can easily expose lies in the world. It's not that difficult. We just need to have the single-minded pursuit of truth.

At 39, I don't know everything and I still have many things to learn (including marriage and fathering). But I know one thing that is more and more important: The WORD OF GOD. You can receive many prophecies; you can be passionate in spending time in songs of worship; you can be zealous in intercessory prayers, you can listen to many sermons and attend many seminars, etc. But the Word of God (aka the Bible) is the only foundation that protects you from deception. It is the only solid ground you can stand on in every circumstance. You cannot be shaken if the Word has taken root in your heart and mind. We need to give ourselves to it.

So on my birthday, I hereby wish you all (including myself) more of the Word-Life. And for my friends who are not believers, I wish you all God's grace and love.

P.S: Creative cake toppers done by my son. It’s the first in my life 🤣❤️

The Pivotal Point

It's great to love and protect your child as a father.

But it's even greater to show him that he is already loved and what he already has so that he can protect himself.

Just as the Cross is the pivotal point where God's love has been established, we need to find a pivotal point where our child can look at and realise that our love for him has been established.

#fathering101 #homeschooling

Take A Stand for The Next Generation

Suddenly, the homeschooling exploratory chat group grew from 2xx to 5xx pax in one day. It’s 3xx members increment within a day.

This is still too little.

If SG parents make a stand, we are the majority. And we can easily decide and do what is right.

Unfortunately, many are still worried and scared about this and that. This is why we continue to give those people a blank cheque.

We have been the “same, lame and tamed” (taken from a pastor’s conference).

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein.

If we don’t take a stand, the next generation is finished. This is a call for awakening. You have slept enough.

It’s Time To Fight

It's Time To Fight

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. - Ps 127:3

Fight and break what is necessary to protect the Lord's heritage, not just for your children, but for THE children.

Many will still succumb to it. But we, parents and godparents, both biological and spiritual, must fight because we have a passionate and fiery Love that overcomes all circumstances.

Do not blame anyone else when you hold the final decision and responsibility as parents. Don't expect answers to come from the world when your Master is the Lord.

Honesty & Repentance

J asked me before his Bible writing time.

J: Papa, why do I have to write this everyday?

Papa: You may not understand what you are writing, and you may not think that it’s important. But when you grow up, you will be thankful, because the Holy Spirit in you remembers. You will be ready to face challenges when He brings to your remembrance all that you have read and written.

He’s supposed to copy out 7 verses each day from the Bible systematically.

After writing a few verses, he came to me and said, “Papa, can I tell you something? But please do not scold me.”

Papa: What is it?

J: I have been writing 4-5 verses instead of 7 verses. I didn’t do the full thing for many times.

Papa: So why do you tell me now?

J: Because you told me the reason for writing them.

I gave him a hug, and said, “Thank you for being honest. This is the Holy Spirit convicting your heart. He shows you what is right.”

Tears came down from his eyes.

Repentance and honesty should be celebrated, not shamed.

#fathering101 #homeschooling #holyspiritistheteacher

Roasting Coffee for The First Time

Roasting my first batch of 100g green beans using air fryer.

Medium roast. Now de-gassing.

At $25 per kg, it works out to be 25 cents per cup of joe (Pour Over) or 75 cents per latte (with milk).

That’s right. You can do all things through air fryer which empowers you.

Hao Lian

Swimming class is finally resumed. After his class, he said, “Papa, there are only two of us. The other boy is also wearing level 4 cap, but he couldn’t do proper strokes. I do proper strokes and it’s very fast.”

He added, “I’m not sure why I’m so fast.”

I replied, “Can you not hao-lian?”

He answered, “You said that we should not show off outside. But we can only show off at home. So I’m only hao-lian here with you, not outside.”

Gonna swallow back my own words, cos a man swears to his own hurt and does not lie.

Responsibility

We have a practice at home —- that is, we try not to help J if it’s something which he can take responsibility for. So that he grows to become responsible.

He left abit of green in the basin after gargling his mouth with water after dinner.

Me: Did you leave the green there?

J: Yes, Papa.

Me: Is there a maid to help you clear it?

J: No.

Me: Then who are you waiting for to clear it?

J: Waiting for you to help me clear lor.

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Sowing & Reaping for Christian Businessmen & Salespersons Part 3

Sowing & Reaping for Christian Businessmen & Salespersons Part 3

The context of this sharing can be found in Part 1 & Part 2. 

It's purpose is to stir up more Christian businessmen/salespersons to walk in the ways of the Kingdom and represent themselves with integrity and moral ethics.

In my limited exposure for close to 7 years, I honestly haven't met one top/rich businessman/salesperson who stays true to the King in the ways he/she handles businesses. I would love to connect with one.

In the previous post, I shared that 𝐬𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 keeps you in complete rest, so that your trust is in God, and not your shrewd ability to l̵i̵e̵ ̵a̵n̵d̵ ̵c̵o̵m̵p̵r̵o̵m̵i̵s̵e̵ close deals. 

To me, it's not called 'ability and smartness' if you need to use 'sales tactics' to close deals. Anyone can do that and be a top producer. I encountered a Christian rookie who suddenly became a top producer within a short period. Guess what? He used l̵y̵i̵n̵g̵ sales tactics in front of my client.

Therefore, such top producers (with many awards) in the eyes of men are zero in the Kingdom. I have no respect for them, regardless of their million dollars' achievement and their countless times receiving awards on stage. They have received their reward in full (Matt 6:2)

The principle of sowing and reaping does not just apply to the preaching of the Gospel. It also applies in business deals. When you realise that God is indeed your Provider, you no longer see the deals as your provider. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨. Christians compromise when they think that the deal is 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 to God's providence. So they cannot afford to lose that deal.

In the context of the Gospel, you keep sowing. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐰. Period. You might reap what you sow directly, but you might also reap what you did not sow directly.

The same perspective is to be applied to business deals. Your job is to sow. You might not close the deal that you are handling (sowing) directly. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐩 (Gal 6:9), even if it is not the deal that you have been sowing. Ask me how I know...

Because it happened so many times in the past 7 years that I began to notice the pattern and the ways of my faithful & loving Father. When He said that 'I will never you nor forsake you', He meant it in the context of Providence (Heb 13:5). He never lies!

You can be working hard (sowing) in one deal, and you don't close it because you stick with integrity and do not compromise. And God will remember your sowing and drop another deal for you to reap in time to come. Because He is your Father who provides. He keeps no record of wrong, but He keeps records of faith. Each time when you trust Him and don't take things into your own hands, He records it as faith. When you believe, you will receive (Mark 11:24).

I have not heard anyone shared this when it comes to business deals before. But this is something that God has taught me as I sought Him. It's a biblical principle that will put you at rest when you represent the King in the business/sales industry. Be blessed and walk in Him!

P.S: In the past, I always didn't want to do any recruitment, because I wasn't a top producer. Recently, I felt God speaking to me to start recruiting, so that I can impart Kingdom values in the marketplace, in a cut-throat industry where many Christians have succumbed to Mammon.

If you are keen to stay true to the King in the midst of businesses, drop me a PM or text, and I'll be happy to connect with you.