Fathering In The Midst Of Covid-19

Since all the fathers have to work from home, this may be a good time for us to spend quantity and quality time with our children. No doubt some of us are financially affected by the situation, we can still make the best use of it and take the courage to change what we can in our relationship with our children.

Mothers don’t need a ‘Mums-For-Life” ministry because they naturally know how to mother their children.

Fathers, however, are not wired that way, especially Asian fathers. If we are not first fathered by the Father, we won’t be able to father like the Father.

I’m not a perfect father, but I’m a growing father. In other words, I’m continually reflecting how I can father the way I am fathered by the Father. At times I missed it. Fathering has taught me the most about walking out my relationship with God. Ministry outside the family is way easier than ministry as a father. That’s one of the reasons why a lot of Christian ministers neglect this area but strive to do great exploits outside the family where public recognition gives them a sense of satisfaction.

That is no different from any man without God. For men are naturally wired to strive for achievements and recognition due to a lack of identity (and some also a lack of being fathered) since the Fall of Man.

If we constantly give our full energy out there ministering to others but leave the little and leftover to our own children, we are very likely striving for recognition.

Seeking external recognition reveals a lack of personal revelation on the Father’s everlasting recognition. If your recognition comes from others but not from your own children recognising the presence and the heart of the Father through you, then you have misplaced your recognition and replaced it with your need for approval from the public.

Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend, sharing how we no longer look at a person’s ministry, achievements, or how powerful or influential his pulpit ministry is, etc to determine his godliness. We look at the simplicity of a clearest indicator —— his relationship with his children. That is the decisive factor if the person is godly. Godliness is simply God-consciousness and if you are conscious of God (who is FIRST and FOREMOST your Father), then you will establish that fathering relationship with your children. Fathering reveals spiritual maturity because it reveals the fruit of the Spirit.

During this pandemic, apart from reaching out to those in need, may we not compromise the opportunity we have to reflect, re-evaluate and rekindle the heart of the Father for our children. Because only fathered fathers father.

Kingdom Modeling

Kingdom Modeling

A child learns through modeling. If he sees the parents model the way of living, the child learns likewise.

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. - John 5:19

Some charismatics take this verse to the extreme and say that Jesus always followed exactly what the Father was saying and doing. In other words, if the Father says, "Walk three steps", Jesus walked ONLY three steps. If the Father is drinking a cup of water, Jesus followed EXACTLY and drank a cup of water.

Nothing is further from the truth, because God did not create robots. He created beings who are alive and have the FREE will to choose and a heart to desire and respond.

This is the same for Jesus. For John 5:19, what Jesus was showing is simply modeling. He saw the Father's model in everything. In modeling, you catch the heartbeat, not just the action. Because many things are caught, rather than taught. Teaching requires only the head, but imparting requires the heart, which comes through modeling.

Moses knew God's ways; Israel knew His works, but Jesus knew His heart. This is why Jesus is the Way to the Father. If we know The Way, we know the heart of the Father.

In John 5:19, Jesus knew the heart of the Father. In providing to those in need, He didn't need to wait and pray, "Father, what are You doing? Are You giving now?" In healing the sick, He didn't need to wait and pray "Father, is it the right time NOW to heal this person?" In living out His life, He didn't need to wait and pray, "Father, what shall I eat today? Rice or noodles?" For His food is to do the will of Him who sent Him.

Jesus moved and did according to the heart of the Father. When you know His heart, you don't have to keep waiting upon the Lord. God is not waiting for you to wait on Him. He is waiting for you to move like Him. The church is still waiting for the move of God, when God is waiting for the church to get up and be the move of God.

Jesus learnt through modeling. A child also learns through modeling. In the Kingdom, we too, learn through modeling.

This is why we need more Christian models in the marketplace. We need businessmen who walk in integrity and live out the kingdom values. The church institution has its place to do equipping, but a pastor, evangelist, prophet, etc. cannot model to the marketplace how to live out Lifestyle Christianity in the marketplace. 

Preaching about it and living from it are completely different. A parent can teach the child how to live right, but if the parent doesn't model and live out for the child to see what he has taught, the child will not be empowered.

Similarly, the pulpit can teach what is right, but it won't empower believers to live out what is right. So many Christians (and I have encountered alot in my industry) in the marketplace are living as though they have never been to church. This is why we need models to model to them what the pulpit cannot do. For we all learn through modeling.

By His grace, may we arise and grow to become the models, and represent Christ in the marketplace. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few..." Someone said, "Missions is about the state of the heart." You don't need to drop everything and become a missionary in another country. You are already a missionary. You just need to step out and influence your present culture. Jesus!

Child Author

Child Author⁣

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J saw the book that I have authored and he suddenly said, “I want to write a book like Papa. Like an author.”⁣

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Then he proceeded to spend some time writing on his own. I didn’t know what he was doing as I was busy with my work.⁣

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When it was bedtime, after our usual prayer & bible verses, he said, “Papa, let me show you my book.”⁣

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Man... I was blown away. He actually came out with his own story, ‘authored’ this mini-book and drew his own stuff. That completely shocked me.⁣

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Maybe he’s also gifted in writing —— an untapped area that I didn’t know. Yay God! This is the power of homeschooling. Thanks to my wife. #homeschooljourney

P.S: He even left a memory quote like bible memory verse 😆😆😆

Homeschooling Journey Part 8

Homeschooling Journey Part 8

Two months of homeschooling have passed. There were definitely ups and downs in the process. To be precise, there were more ups than downs.

We have yummy home-cooked food made by my gifted wife. It’s a real blessing to have your wife cook great food for you and your son. What’s more? She’s passionate about cooking. I can’t imagine if I have a SAHM who can’t cook. Thank God for her!

We have flexibility. This is a big part for homeschooling. We take J off from “school” for unschooling what school is. He doesn’t get bound by the four walls and rigid classroom environment. We want him to be street smart and grow in wisdom, not studious.

He gets to grow in loving learning instead of forced learning. On some days, he stops earlier than planned when his mind could no longer absorb or when he has a lack of attention. Forcing information down a child when he can’t learn further academically is simply a waste of time. It’s not going to go into his head anyway.

Kudos to my wife.... for some subjects like Math, he is way in advance. Homeschooling allows your child to learn faster in the area where he can go faster, and slower in the area where he can’t catch up. It’s a customised and child-directed learning to boost up his confidence and identity. Why are children suffering from mild depression and stress nowadays? It’s often the parents and the school that induce these on the little ones. We almost forget that they are still growing cognitively and emotionally.

There are many other ups to talk about but it won’t be truthful without the downside.

1) Homeschooling is actually much easier if you have more than one child. When there are two or more kids, they get to motivate one another. They get to play with one another. They don’t need as much attention from the parents because they have their own playmates right at home.

It is in fact, harder to homeschool when you have only one child. Ask me how I know 😂 On some days, he needs so much of our attention that we can’t focus on doing other things.

2) Whether you are tired or not, esp for my wife, she has to stick with extended parenting, which means that you can’t have a long break (unless I am free and  step in to help on that day). Your child will BE with you forever and ever more. If you put him in school, you have a few hours’ break daily. If you put him at home, there is endless work 🤣 This is why I respect all homeschooling mums. It’s an amazing job that requires full dedication. A homeschooling mum cannot just decide what she wants to do. Not all wives can take it, hence many won’t choose homeschooling, not because they can’t, but because they prefer not. I’m so proud of my wife!

3) It takes a different approach when you are teaching your own child. In school, your kids will listen to the teachers either because the teachers shouted and screamed, or because the peers are doing so. Therefore, it’s about monkey-see-monkey-do. In a classroom setting, any child also can appear listening but is actually daydreaming. Well, no one knows.

But when the parent is the one teaching the child, he will interrupt, voice out his opinions, together with scores of questions. My son happens to like to talk a lot (unlike the father who is a man of few words 😂). This makes going through a lesson long and sometimes draining. This requires lots of patience and understanding.

On side note, asking questions is a good thing, because the child gets to process his thoughts. It’s about learning to manage the questions and help the child stay focused. It’s a journey of learning for all of us. #homeschoolingjourney

Fathering Through Trust & Obedience

In the last few days, J had been refusing to listen and obey to us immediately. He had his own thinking concerning some stuff. Thus, he would try to reason (argue) with us.

There is a place for reasoning, but there is a place for obedience. Not everything requires a clear understanding before obedience. Obedience must supersede understanding, for this is the way when it comes to the kingdom. We must not parent in a way that contradicts the kingdom values. There will be times when he doesn't understand why God wants him to do some stuff, but he has to act on obedience above understanding.

After disciplining him, we spoke to him while lying on the bed. He was pretty upset. We gave him a hug and said, "Papa and Mama love you."

Then we continued, "Is being disrespectful something Jesus would like?"

J: No. That's what satan wants.

Us: Is being disobedience something Jesus would like?

J: No. That's what satan wants.

Us: To refuse to listen... is it something Jesus would like?

J No. That's what satan wants.

Us: If you know that is the case, why do you still keep doing that?

J: But I'm trying... I'm trying not to.

Us: J, it's not about trying. You can't try to become better. It's not about using your own effort. You can try and keep trying, but you will not be able to change by trying.

Us: Do Papa & Mama love you?

J: Yes.

Us: Do we love you more than teachers and friends?

J: Yes.

Us: Then trust us. We love you and we want what is good for you. You can't try to obey... you can't try to listen to us by yourself. You cannot change by trying. You have to trust our love for you.

Us: Don't look to your ability to change. Look to Papa and Mama. Remember how much we love you. When you realise that, you will trust us naturally. And when you trust us, you will obey. You can only obey us IF you trust us and our love for you.

J nodded before he was put at ease to go to bed.

We are fathered by the Father through His love. We learn to trust Him because of His love. Obedience is born out of that trust. In the same way, we teach our child to trust us (his earthly father/mother) and our love for him. We need to break that self-effort and 'try-try-try' to change. It's impossible for a child to change by trying. It will get him exasperated or frustrated in the long run. #fathering101

Self-Journaling

Wow he’s journaling on his own when I was out at work and he heard Jesus speaking to him about 1 John 4:4. Come on! #homeschoolingjourney #greatful #newadjective #onejohnfourversefour

Homeschooling Journey: Hearing His Voice With Foundation of The Word

Homeschooling Journey: Hearing His Voice With Foundation of The Word

Religion has made hearing the voice of God difficult. It appears to be something spectacular and sometimes, even flaky.

This should not be the case, since Jesus Himself said, “My sheep hears My voice.” Hearing the voice of God is the rights of every single believer. It is NOT reserved for the spiritually mature, since sheep are pretty dumb.

A baby is born into the world to hear his father’s voice. Similarly, a spiritual baby is born into the world to hear the heavenly Father’s voice. It is often the religious churches that have made it hard.

We have even become accustomed to learning and hearing God’s voice (the prophetic) for others, and find it easier to prophesy and release words for others THAN for ourselves! 

This should not be the case, since God is first and foremost, “MY Father.” My son is born into this world accustomed to hearing his father’s voice directly. He doesn’t find it easier to hear my voice through a medium (someone who “prophesies” my voice to him). By no means! It is easiest for him to hear me directly.

Similarly, as children of the most High, it should be natural and easier for us to hear our Father’s voice. It should be easier for us to hear Him prophesying and releasing words to us directly. This is the same as healing. He is “MY Father”. We should have easier access to healing and health directly from our Father, instead of finding it easier to minister healing to others. 

I think many have gotten it the other way round. And it’s time to restore the norm.

Part of J’s curriculum includes hearing God’s voice daily (through journaling) and writing/reading the Scriptures. There is no junior Word of God nor the Spirit. He cannot be a man of the Spirit without the Word as the foundation. This is where some charismatics go to the extreme and hear the so-called voice of god when it is not found in the Word.

The Word must be what J has to hear His voice. #homeschoolingjourney

Homeschooling Journey: Bible

Homeschooling Journey: Bible

The flexibility of homeschooling curriculum allows us to factor in biblical studies at this age.

If there is no junior Holy Spirit, there is no junior Bible. We don’t need a child to learn bible stories. We need a child to learn Scriptures —— the Word of God.

When I was young, my parents didn’t know how because they weren’t believers. Now that I am a believing parent, I can change the course of schooling.

Starting from John chapter 1. Slowly but surely. #homeschoolingjourney

Homeschooling Journey: First Day Of School

Homeschooling Journey: First Day Of School

The first day of school for J is uncommon. He woke up at 9.15am joyfully, anticipating a day filled with fun activities.

Here we were at the 'Not Back To School' picnic (photo snippets) with other homeschooling families and kids. I secretly think that the organiser purposely named the picnic event with a streak of rebelliousness LOL. 

The event was set to start at 10.30am. However, families started streaming in gradually as the children experienced an “unrushed” school schedule with lots of smiles, laughters and satisfaction on their faces. This is the PLACE of learning because learning must be enjoyable and fun for children!

What I love about homeschooling is this... parents are directly involved in educating their own children in values and academic learning, spending quantity and quality time during their formative years. Make no mistake. Children do not know quality time ---- it's a term that we adults come out with. They want quantity. It is in the quantity that you find the quality. We adults like to say that quality time is enough, because we need to find a reason to do other things that matter to us and our desires. And I'm here to break the news that children really need both quantity and quality time from parents.

One common phrase we love to say is “No Choice”. I used that occasionally too. But it’s not the best phrase. For God has given us the power of choice. It's one of the, if not, the most powerful gift from Him. Every single person has the power of choice. Even if you decide not to make a decision, that in itself is already a choice made.

My wife and I chose this kind of schooling. I have shared a number of times that it actually involves sacrifices. We have to lay down our rights, our desires and our finances. There are many things that we have to put aside and surrender in order to travel this path where the majority avoids. 'Parenting sanity' is also what we have decided to lay down.

Parenting is spelt surrendering —— crucifying self-centredness. It is a journey for all parents.

While many Singaporean parents move their homes closer to the schools, we move the school closer to home.

That is the power of choice. #homeschooling

P.S: If you are considering to homeschool your kids, feel free to connect and join activities for further exploration. I personally think that it’s going to get tougher to apply for homeschooling in near future.

P.P.S: This is not a post to create any guilt trap for parents in the mainstream education. It’s to provide an emerging and alternative voice to schooling, education and parenting.

Homeschooling Journeying Part 7

Yay God! It’s finally approved today!

Application for Homeschooling today is tougher than the past. For those who are considering to do homeschooling, it would be good to put it into action. We can foresee that it will only become tougher to apply in the years to come.

All credits go to Jesus and my wife. She handled the rigorous interview so well when the officer came down to question her approaches and know-hows of the customised curriculum. We were told that some had to be interviewed a few times without approval because they simply cut & paste curriculum without knowing their own specific purpose and objective.

The primary school was calling us to get our child to report to school on 2 January and to collect his name tag. Unless we have the homeschooling approval, they want us to send our child to school (but we won’t 😂).

So on 2 January, we will be having fun at homeschooling picnic connecting with homeschooling families. Woo hoo!

This calls for a celebration!

A Child Must Be Motivated By Love, Not Fear

A Child Must Be Motivated By Love, Not Fear

In recent times, I found myself getting frustrated trying to get my message across to my son. It was way easier when he was young. At the age of 6, the nature of Adam has never been clearer than before. With a strong mind of his own, he will question, contend and decide if he should follow what I say.

Some kids, especially girls, are born to be submissive and follow the parents more easily. There are always two sides of a coin.

To look on the positive side, J definitely has leadership qualities. Having a strong mind is one indication of leadership as he is not easily moved by varying opinions. On the other hand, it also breeds disobedience (or delayed obedience), which must be trained from young.

Some train their kids obedience by using the cane, and/or scolding and/or punishment. This induces fear, which is not the way of our Father in heaven. Even if the child learns immediate obedience through those methods, the means does not justify the end. For we are imparting a wrong value to train obedience.

Personally, I believe that the Father always trains by love. While I do not always represent the perfect Father accurately, I was recently disturbed by the challenge to get my son listen and move according to what I say —— obedience before reasoning. It boils down to the word ‘trust’. There were times when I found myself raising my voice to get the message across. This is definitely not the right approach. It only shows that I lost control of my authority. 

Any parent who shouts / raises voice at their child reveals the inability to correctly appropriate their authority.

With this nudging my heart, I looked to the Father. A thought came to my mind and I decided to use it.

“J, if you think that Papa doesn’t love you, you can choose to do what you want. But if you think that I love you, listen to me.” He responded immediately with “okay” without reasoning and argument. This has been working thus far, because he knows that I love him.

Love is and must be the motivation for obedience.

You don’t really need to grow in the power of patient love when you are out there in the missions field, healing the sick and preaching the Gospel. But fathering will challenge us to represent Him more accurately each day, because it reveals our imperfection and the need to grow in this pursuit of godliness.

Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth...” When all authority that is given to me is used for love, love becomes the greatest authority to move anyone. #fathering101

Homeschooling Journey Part 6

Homeschooling Journey Part 6

It is getting closer to the reality of homeschooling where the journey ahead is unknown yet exciting.

The CE Officer will be coming this week to do a home assessment and interview (about 2-3 hours) for our homeschooling application. There is no revision needed for the curriculum thus far. Pray for us to clear the last lap and get the approval as soon as possible.

We have gotten the shelves ready, as well as some books for J to begin his learning journey. This evening, he read 5 new books aloud (both fiction & non-fiction). Our hope is that he continues to cultivate the desire to read and learn. The day you stop reading is the day you stop learning.

On hearing that I would be embarking on homeschooling for my son, a non-believing friend (whom I seldom keep in touch with) called. He said, “Among all my friends, I realise that you are the one who really surprises me and the one who takes the most interesting road that is so different from majority.”

He asked, “So I’m curious... are you doing all okay financially to step into this?”

I replied, “I’m not there yet. But we have decided that finances cannot be the determining factor for our child’s learning journey.”

He said, “I know you. 你是打不死的.”

I grabbed this opportunity to share various stuff as well as some testimonies on why I chose homeschooling. Then I shared about my personal healing and Jesus, which intrigued him to talk about the subject of faith because he recently visited Vatican City.

I know God is drawing him as he enters the process of searching for relief and faith. I’ve sent him my book as his immediate boss is going through some health challenges.

I realise that the decision(s) we make not just have an impact on us. It also has an impact on others who are looking from afar. People want to know why you do what you do, especially when it differs from the majority. This is when we can give an answer to the Hope that we have and the reason why we alter our lives from taking the common path to walk in a path that requires faith, courage and boldness.

As believers, we need to walk out what we believe instead of simply saying. If we say that we believe in Him for our child’s education, but we are as kiasu as the world’s approach, then we have allowed the culture of the world to penetrate and change the culture of the kingdom within us. We either demonstrate heaven on earth or we don’t. There is no middle ground.

And may we not relegate heaven on earth to just miracles, signs and wonders. Heaven on earth is in every aspect of our practical living, which includes a child’s education. #homeschooling101

Homeschooling Journey Part 5

My wife has finally submitted the full curriculum. Yay! This calls for a celebration for the hard work and time she put in. Next, we'll need to prepare the room for home visitation once the curriculum is approved. Apparently, the requirement for this 6-year curriculum thingy only started not long ago. Application for homeschooling today has indeed become tougher than the past.

I received a call from the primary school where we had declined the vacancy. The admin staff said, "It's the first time we encounter someone declining the vacancy to go for homeschooling. So we are also not very sure what to do initially." She told us that we still needed to go down and fill up the forms. Thus, I brought J to go and take a look at the school environment. In a nutshell, he said, "I still prefer to be homeschooled." 

I mean... which child doesn't like homeschooling?

Last night, J was pretty upset with some stuff. This morning, he recounted the reason as his eyes grew teary. To protect the external party, I won't be sharing the details here.

But this makes me think that it is worth the sacrifice for homeschooling. It will not be easy peasy for parents to choose this road. But it will be beneficial for the child.

A number of people have told me this.... "It is better for the child to face the reality of this world. He eventually has to... so why would you want to take him out of this society? Just put him in."

I personally think that this perspective is not well thought out.

Will you put a baby in the streets to survive on its own, since he will still be walking in the streets one day?

Will you put someone in the battlefield without first training him to war?

Will you put a new believer in a dark environment without giving him any foundation of who God is?

I think you get the point. A child is defenceless when it comes to the internal. His heart is innocent, tender and sensitive. This is why if you bruise a child's heart early in life, he will struggle a big deal when he grows up. There are many adults today with major 'heart' (internal) issues who still behave like a child. Research in psychology will tell you that an adult with mental/emotional challenges usually faced some kind of trauma or was wounded when he was a child. Yes, God can do the supernaturally to heal, etc. 

But for many, it is too late (or rather extremely difficult) to deal with it when the child has grown up. Don't mistake academic success as true success. If we can't lead our hearts and direct the internal, it is not true success. When the heart is not built properly, no matter how high you go in the corporate world, you will fall greatly.

A child's early years of development is the time for us to build him up in foundations, especially in identity. When he is geared up, he will be ready to be sent out into the world and the society to face the battle and harsh reality. It does not mean that he won't be hurt in the process, but he has his heart better trained and values better shaped to overcome the challenges.

A child is God's gift to us. What we do with the child is about stewardship. How do we steward what God has given to us?

At the end of the day, God is not just looking at how great your ministry is or how successful you are in your work. He is going to ask, "As a father, what have you done with the child I have given you?" This is what we have to account for. #homeschooling101

A Wave Of Change ---- Election 2021

This is off fathering topic but it came when I was with J...

Recently, I played some old NDP songs with videos for J to watch so that he has a glimpse of how the little red dot has changed over the past 50 years.

As I listened to the old songs such as "We Are Singapore", I couldn't help but experienced a wave of sadness in my heart, even though I am not of the Pioneer or Merdeka generation. I can't speak for all, but I can speak from my perspective.

Singapore has lost her identity and the spirit that the first generation of leadership had. I wonder if things have to always go downhill by the second generation, in this case, the leadership. This is not uncommon among believers too.

In 2016, more than 40% of Singaporeans (who took the survey) said that they would want to migrate to other countries. More than 20% said that they were unsure. The remaining 30% said they would stay. I believe the number of those who want to migrate has increased by now.

There are many reasons but the main two reasons are as follows:

1) Wanting a transparent government (more than 70% said that)

2) High cost of living (more than 50% said that)

There is a difference between a generation who fought from the place of survival and a generation who has an inheritance without the need to fight for anything. The former identifies with their people aka Singaporeans; the latter identifies with growth. I'm not saying that either one is better. But I do think that there is a place to marry both (and if only one can be chosen due to a forced situation, people must always come first). That's servant leadership.

Alot of foreigners and PRs think that we as Singaporeans are being ungrateful. I think it's too quick to make that superficial or holier-than-thou judgment. Until we stand in the shoes of those who are struggling, we will never understand how much 'slavery' is masked in our nation. Crazy Rich Asians do not mean true wealth in our body and soul. We are far from that.

The fight is not against flesh and blood. It is against another kingdom at work through our gahmen. It is a yoke upon our people to prevent us from being the Antioch City. We are enslaved in such a subtle way that we do not even realise that we are running the rat race without purpose. 

The world looks at us and applauds. But we look within and realise that we are one of the most unhappy people in the world. It is noted that "a society’s unhappiness level is not related to how poor it is, but rather how big the gap is between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’."

A report in 2011 reveals that Singaporeans are the least positive people in the world among 148 countries. The constant state of anxiety has put us in that place.

Another report found that non-fatal diseases for young Singaporeans from 10 to 34 years old in 2017 were largely driven by MENTAL DISORDERS. In that report, an average Singaporean spends 12.5% or more than 10 years of his life in ill-health.

We are known to show the best for what is on the exterior and hide the mess for what is on the interior. Show-and-tell is probably one of our strongest 'gifts'. I was in the military sector for 6 years. And my family has those in civil service for more than few decades combined together. Ask us how we know. 

After an extended period of reign, people will always be a reflection of their leaders. Why are Singaporeans like that (singlish)? Just look up and you have the answer.

Disclaimer: Granted. We still have the power of choice not to succumb to the ways of majority. But it is not as easy for everyone because not everyone starts from the same-level playing field.

In the Scriptures, we are clearly commanded to submit to authorities. Some mistook submission as blind obedience. Of course, rebellion is witchcraft and that's a totally different story altogether. While it is necessary that we (as believers) honour our leaders in the nation of Singapore, it does not mean that we cannot challenge (or question) the thoughts and ways through proper means. 

Election is one proper platform that is created for such purpose. We must not think that all in the opposition parties are bad. Neither should we think that all in the ruling party are good. To perceive it in either one way or the another is being naive. There are good and bad ones in any party but that's not the point. The point is... who is FOR Singapore?

If those in either parties are FOR Singapore, then we must welcome BOTH. It is never 'either or'. It is both!

I have heard people using United States as a warning against democracy. Again, that's making an assumption without considering that Singapore is not United States and will never be the same because of cultural differences and so many other factors. Just take a look at Taiwan ---- they are different from United States. Why don't we compare with the good stuff in Taiwan and progressively move towards democracy? The point here is not about comparison. Don't point to one country that is bad but overlook the other that is good.

I'm sensing a wave of change coming... for the good of our nation. Leadership is appointed by God, but it doesn't mean that God cannot replace leadership. We have been praying one-sided prayers instead of asking God to take the reign. (Disclaimer: I'm not saying that the party is changing.)

There are a few things that PSP Mr Tan said that are obvious and we cannot deny them.

The 79-year old former PAP MP said, "I believe the processes of good governance have gone astray. I worry because I see the foundations of good governance eroding."

Some said that we need to question the motives of Mr Tan, since he was probably upset with the policy that disempowered him to go for Presidential Election. But I think that as believers, we need to let God judge the motives. We are only called to judge the fruit. In the same way, it doesn't mean that those in the ruling party always have pure motives. We don't know and we don't need to know.

We must not confuse the ruling party with Singapore. Neither should we assume that opposition parties are opposing Singapore. Singapore does not belong to any political party. Besides, I'm not for any party except for the heavenly one. Joke aside. We should be supporting anyone who is FOR Singapore, particularly for our people. Because everybody wins when the goal is all about One People, One Nation, One Singapore.

In the words of our Finance minister who said that "Singapore's tax system must remain progressive", our political system and leadership should also remain progressive. Majulah Singapura!

Homeschooling Journey Part 4

Homeschooling Journey Part 4

Today is supposed to be J’s P1 Admin Day in one of the top schools. It boasts to have one of the best academic foundations in the country. While it is purely by the grace of God that we got a vacancy in Phase 2C without doing anything (except being kinda forced to apply for P1), we dropped the whole idea of following our traditional education system.

Wifey is about 80% done with the preparation of a 6-year homeschooling curriculum which is required to be submitted to the CE department for approval. We are thankful that the officer seems to be pleased with what she has shown him thus far.

One of the main strong reasons for homeschooling is to impart the culture and values we want to see in our son. Academic is important but it is never the priority in our eyes as his parents. I have personally seen many young people who are great in academic results but don’t know what basic respect is. The way they talk to their parents and elders require some slapping (no violence intended 😂)

The value of respect has been greatly lost in the new generation. Teachers are no longer respected by the children because the children did not learn respect from home. 

With the stress of life and the high cost of living in our nation, we have many parents who give presents but are not actively present. The gift of Presence supersedes any gift or present. It is definitely not easy to live in SG in today’s context but there are still deliberate choices we can make. Our priority, therefore, is our responsibility. We decide by what we choose to honour and what we choose to sacrifice. 

When I look from eternity’s perspective, I understood why we are never told to build up treasures/riches on earth. Because we cannot bring these to the other world. 

The reality is this... what we do now has an impact on eternity. Therefore, we need to choose wisely.

There are wide road and narrow path. The latter is never easy because nobody likes to be uncomfortable. As for me and my household, we will align to the culture above and not the culture beneath.

J is coming to 7 years old in less than 3 months. I’m proud that he doesn’t know how to use an iPhone/iPad, except a little scrolling and a little typing because of being exposed by his pre-school teachers. Most people may think that this is not good, because he doesn’t know technology, which is a must in this modern society. But we have a very different perspective.

We rather that he builds on social intelligence and grows in communication. Foundations are vital. Technological skills can be trained later in life. The new generation today doesn’t know how to communicate actively. We must not blame it on the new gen or the society. We need to take responsibility for what we did not cultivate as parents.

Homeschooling may be going against the usual flow. But it is worth a different flow. #homeschoolingjourney101