This time, 4 yr old Deborah Hope surprised me with the following …

‎Deb: Is Jesus coming soon?

Me: Why?

Deb: Because I want to hug Him.

Me: Why do you want to hug Jesus?

Deb: Because I love Him so much!

Me: !!??

Some months back, I was asked to contribute a few points to Scripture Union’s newsletter on how “to be a super parent”.  My initial reaction was to ignore the request, or give some excuse that I had no time to meet the extremely tight print deadline.  Serene and I have never considered ourselves as super parents and we definitely did not want to give any wrong impression that we were even close to being good or great parents; that perhaps, with more than a few children, we are now more qualified than others.

Well, despite my attempts to ‘run away’ from this task, I could not ignore the persistence of the editor.  And so, I penned a few statements and sent it off for print.

Reading these statements again, after leaving it for a while, I thought it’d be good to share it on my blog.  In no way are these “super parent” tips   Just great reminders for all parents, including Serene and myself.  And if you feel others can be likewise encouraged, feel free to share.  Be blessed …

As published in Scripture Union News Oct-Dec 2011.

To my surprise, I discovered that there are only six verses in this chapter – the shortest chapter in the entire book!  And yet, it is packed with such wonderful truths and promises.  In these six short verses, you will find themes of praise, mercy, grace, comfort, strength, trust, salvation, joy, worship and exaltation!  What wonderful material for meditation!  What truths that bring joy, comfort and strength!

And in that day you will say:

“O LORD, I will praise You;
Though you were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.
Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’”

Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.

And in that day you will say:

“Praise the LORD, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted,
Sing to the LORD,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”

My favourite line is found in verse 3 … “with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”  This is a promise for every child of God.  And yet, there are so many who are parched and dry.  These are either not aware of the wells, or have forgotten to draw daily from the rivers of living water.  I will be the first to admit that I often fall into the latter category.  In my busyness and hurriedness to do the work of the ministry, I find myself “dehydrated”.  My intentions may be good, desiring to serve the Lord and give my very best, but good intentions are not enough.  Over time, I dry up and burn out, even very possibly serving out of drudgery and not with joy and gladness.

Isaiah 12:3 is a reminder for me, as for many others I believe … “with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”  How refreshing!  How revitalising!  Verse 1 & 4 declare, “In that day you will say …”  That day can be today!  Lay hold of these six verses and the promises in them!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, and fellow ministers, may you be encouraged by this as you continue to serve the Holy One of Israel!

A lovely statement of love by 6-yr-old Ruth. Theologically sound too.

Just the other day, I heard another message about God’s love. Yes, another one. The speaker shared interesting points on how we should focus more on God’s love for us than on our love for Him. That if we know and understand God’s love, everything would be ok and we would be set for life. That because God loves us so much, He wants to keep giving to us and blessing us. Then, a few days later, a few friends attended a conference to hear more about God’s love. I am told that they were so encouraged to know that their heavenly Father loves them.

These are just two recent incidents. But it made me think, “What’s with this emphasis on God’s love in recent days?” Don’t we know that God loves us? Don’t we already know Him as Abba Father when we became children of God? Apparently not, sadly.

It suddenly dawned upon me – this generation is a very broken generation! Perhaps even more broken than the ones before. With all the advancements in the world, we have lost what is truly important. Through social media, we are all supposed to be more connected than ever before, but there is still a gaping emptiness in many hearts. There is an increased driven-ness and motivation to be the best, resulting in parents and children striving for excellence, resulting in less time spent knowing each other. Sex and physical expressions have become synonymous with relationships of love, producing even more disappointment and broken-ness.

No wonder, messages about the love of God are so sought after these days. After all, there is no love like the love of God, for God is love and in Him is perfect love! People in this generation clamour to be loved. And what better way to understand that than to expose oneself to God’s love, over and over again. Indeed, I am so blessed to be a child of God, to be a recipient of the Father’s Love!

Sadly, not every Christian fully understands this, and there is still so much broken-ness, even in the Church. What is more disconcerting is that there seems to be an over-emphasis on this one aspect of God … His love … at the exclusion of all the other attributes of God. Please don’t get me wrong, as if I am saying we can ever get enough of God’s eternal and limitless love. That is not my point at all!

Bask in His love all you want. Receive all the healing and grace that you need. Frolic in His glory and in His presence for as long as you desire. But let us not forget what God, our King and Master, has commissioned us for as ambassadors of Christ and His Kingdom. According to Paul the apostle, that’s the result of knowing and encountering God’s love … it compels us to live for Him and to impact others who need to know His love!

However, that people need to keep looking for His love only confirms how broken this generation is, how fragmented hearts are. The focus continues to be self. The love of God becomes a pill to pop just to get by another day of living in a broken world, to feel good about oneself.

I fully agree that there is nothing we can do to warrant God’s love, for His loved us all while we were yet sinners. But my personal conviction is that there comes a point when we must move on and grow up, and not abuse the love of God to be an excuse not to be obedient and faithful to the One who loved us and gave His Son for us.

As a father to seven children, I will never withhold my love from each of them. They may not understand it fully, but I love them all dearly and desire the best for them. I am thrilled each time they choose to hug me, sit on my lap, or kiss me to express their love for me, and to receive my love for them. But if they display an unusual sense of unhealthy neediness, I’d be very, very concerned. Yet, love them I would for such is the father’s love. But after that, I would be looking for signs of growth and maturity, not to mention obedience and faithfulness. Does that mean I love them less? Not at all. It is because I love them that I wish to see them grow into the persons that God has called them to be!

That is more the point I am trying to get across in this short reflection. This generation is typified by broken-ness and that’s why we crave for messages of love. The truth is that wholeness has already been secured for us all by Jesus. By faith, we can immediately walk in that truth. That said, be willing to walk in accountability with others so that we can live and grow in that truth!

The Straits Times, Thurs 8 Dec 2011, A9.

Yesterday, I flipped our local newspapers, The Straits Times, to discover yet another sign of the times we live in.

In the name of human rights, US will lead the charge to boost gay rights around the world. To be sure, the world has been blessed by many good things from the USA. At the same time, the negative influences of the world’s most powerful nation have also made its way into many countries and cultures. And now, they are wanting to champion gay causes globally. Perhaps, this is to distract people from their ailing debt-ridden economy that they are shifting focus, or to buy more votes and support from a fast-increasing group of influential people. Who knows? Whatever the reasons or motivation, whether political or not, I won’t mince words to say that there is a spiritual, demonic force behind it.

What is happening to this nation that was once built on biblical foundations? Have they taken for granted their rise to success, that it was all due to their own hard work, talents and creativity? Has this great nation forgotten God?

It is indeed worrying that the highest powers of USA have stepped out with this rallying cry to accept and promote such lifestyles. It is as if there is no shame anymore, that society is now subtly pressured to normalise such behaviour. Years ago, this would not have happened. Back in my theatre days, I came across some who struggled with their attraction to same-sex relationships. How they struggled! When they finally resolved that tension, they would “come out of the closet”. Even so, it was not widely publicised. But today, even Singapore has taken to inviting the likes of Elton John and his partner, with their adopted son, to grace our stages and opening ceremonies! How sad, that USA, with her Christian Puritan roots should today lead the world in the coming out of the closet.

Is there any stopping such a move, and others like it? I think not. And that is not due to a lack of faith in my God who does the impossible. The Bible is very clear that in the last days, these activities would increase. There will be compromises at every level; even in the Church, and those who call themselves Christians.

The world is headed for disaster. On the one hand, the World Health Organisation is battling a potential global AIDS epidemic. Yet, on the other hand, governments like the Obama Administration is pushing for gay rights, which further promotes sexual promiscuity and encourages the spread of such fatal diseases. On a smaller, but no less alarming, scale, Singapore recognises the need to strengthen the family. Yet, we also face the increasing pressure to allow and accept gay initiatives, rationalising it as needful for any nation that has come of age. Where are we headed?

Still, God has not left the world alone to die without hope. He has already made the way open through His Son, Jesus Christ; and those who would repent and believe in Him will be saved! This invitation is for all mankind. God loves all gays and lesbians, and desires that they be saved too. This is not the place to debate whether gays are born that way. All I know is that we are all born in Adam, in sin. Hence, the need to be born again, of the Spirit, through faith in Jesus Christ. And, to be sure, repentance and salvation will result in a change of values and lifestyle, one that is holy and pleasing to God.

The world may be heading for disaster. I thank God that there is hope in Jesus Christ.

What do we expect when we pray for those taking exams?  This may sound ridiculous, silly even, but is it not an interesting question to consider?  What are we really asking for?

Take, for example, a conversation I had with a mother some years back.  She was really upset and disappointed with God.  I don’t think she was going to give up her faith, but she sure sounded like she was close to that decision.  When the PSLE results were announced, her son did well, but not well enough to get into ACS(I).  As such, he had to settle for ACS (Barker) – considered ‘second-class’ in the ACS family of schools.  To this mother, God did not answer her prayer, nor her son’s.  What made it harder for her to accept was that God seemed to have answered the prayers of the other parents – since their sons got into ACS(I) – and these were less-devoted Christians, and some non-believers!

You may be smiling at this true account   But I daresay such reactions are rather common in results-oriented, academics-crazy Singapore.  It sure makes me wonder what parents really expect God to do for their children when they prepare and sit for exams?  Perhaps they want God to supernaturally increase the academic capability of the child, to reveal all the questions and answers, to change the tough questions to easier ones for their child only, to blind the teachers’ eyes to wrong or inappropriate answers, etc.  Even more interesting, I hear of prayers for those collecting the results.  Are these praying for good results after knowing how well they did or struggled through the paper?  Are these praying for the marks and grades to miraculously change from D to A?  Or from A to A*?

Can God not do all these, you ask?  Of course He can for nothing is impossible for Him.  I have heard testimonies of how God had revealed the questions so the individual knew what to study.  But does He do it all the time?  For all?  I’m not too sure about that.  You may not agree with me entirely.  But if you are so convicted, I’d really encourage you to offer a course “How to ace your exams supernaturally!”  Not only will you have immediate sign-ups, you will have great opportunity for evangelism too.  Think about it … believe in Jesus, and get straight As!

Ok, coming back to praying for exams.  Of course, when the child does well, praise are offered to God.  But when the results are less than satisfactory, why question God?  Why accuse Him for not answering?  Do you really expect every Christian student to score As?  If so, you might as well believe in the properity gospel that suggests every Christian should be materially rich, wealthy and prosperous!

We need to get our perspectives right again.  The academic system needs a means of testing and evaluation and it’s called examinations.  In any group – in a class, a school, a precinct, a country – there will be those who do better and those not so well.  That is a given.  In the odd event everyone does equally well (or bad), you can expect the system to be adjusted to again separate the best from the not-so-good’s.  Given the emphasis on education and academic excellence in Singapore, we can safely assume that it will only get tougher, not easier.

As parents, we value the place of education in our children’s lives.  However, if we are not careful and mindful, it is also easy for education to take the place of God.  Simply put, we trust education more than we trust God.  We are so worried and anxious that without making it to the top 10%, we fear our children will lose out in life.  They will have to work under someone, or have their career opportunities curtailed.  At the end of the day, it’s all about landing a good job, for a good salary, to secure a good life.  Where is God?  Of course, He is there … but only to ensure exams scores are good that our goals for our children are realised.  How we pray and later respond reveal very clearly how much we truly trust God, or grades.

If one chooses to remain in the academic system, the pressure to perform and out-perform others will always be there.  Even for us, as homeschoolers, the pressure is still there, however subtle.  The key is to always have the right perspective.  I’ve found it useful to constantly ask myself, “Is it about education, academics and grades?  Or is it about learning life and knowing God?”  This is our prayer for each of our children – that they learn life and know God.  We recognise their strengths and weaknesses.  Not all may be academically-inclined to perform well in a school system; but all are individually gifted and talented, and capable of serving the Lord in whatever capacity He enables them in.

Also, not all bloom or mature at the same time – some earlier, some later.  It’s not a one-size fits all – whether you make it or you don’t. Sadly, school systems are much like production lines. If you don’t fit the mould, sorry!   You are promptly moved to the next line or category.  That’s what makes parenting and homeschooling so tough.  We need to know our children that we may encourage them along the right path at the right pace with the right perspective.  We too have been guilty of being a little impatient at times, only to discover that given just a few months more, the child suddenly gets it.

As a Singaporean parent, I am equally susceptible to the pressures and demands of our society.  Honestly, it’d be nice if each of my seven children do well academically and attain PhDs.  I’d be one proud father   But that is not my pre-occupation at all.  If the Lord so leads them that way, praise be to God.  If not, praise Him still!

In the meantime, my prayer is for them to have the right attitude towards exams, to do their best and to never give up, regardless the results.  I believe God can use any result and every life experience to shape them for His purposes.  And in the end, if each would love, know and serve Him passionately wherever they are placed, I’d really be one proud father

You may be wondering why I am featuring the latest cover of Cosmopolitan in my blog.  Well, this morning, I was standing in line to pay at the petrol station and the magazine caught my eye.  No, not the model, but the feature article, “Love Booster. SEXY TOUCHES HE CRAVES: How to tell him he’s the best boyfriend ever!”

Just the night before, I was having a WhatsApp exchange with a church member about relationships and how casual sex has become between interested parties.  Just two occasions of going out together and they are already sleeping with one another, I am told.  I then remarked, “Interesting how such info is shared so freely.”  Apparently, the younger ones have no issue talking about their sexual escapades!

The title of the feature article only confirmed what is taking place in the lives of young couples today.  Or more accurately, it is precisely such media trash that is propagating such loose values in our society.  Notice how the terms are used.  To boost or enhance love, the young woman is told that the man needs to be touched … sexily.  Love has become synonymous with sex.  In other words, without sexy touches, don’t expect your relationship to go anywhere.  Next, it is something the man craves, and expects.  So ladies, give him what he wants and expects.  If not, be prepared to lose your man.  Finally, it’s your boyfriend we are talking about.  Not your husband, but your boy friend.

In today’s language, no one would bat an eyelid, I’m sure.  But do you see how we are all being brainwashed and desensitised?  This is the media trash our young women are picking up, reading and internalising.  I am not picking on this particular magazine title, which incidentally was banned for 22 years before being allowed to hit Singapore newsstands recently.  If I am not wrong, it was considered too raunchy and too bold for our conversative society many years ago.  See how things (and values) have changed.  Pick up any other magazine and you will see the same type of articles.  It’s all about having great sex, satisfying your partner, getting the most out of a relationship physically, dressing provocatively.

Hey, don’t get me wrong please!  I am all for sex!  After all, God created sex when He created Adam and Eve and in His own words, “It was very good!”   That is true!  But God intended sex to be enjoyed within a love relationship called the institution of marriage, between a husband and a wife.  Sadly, this has been thwarted and perverted ever since the fall.  Today, in society, to be open means to embrace and engage in free sex.

To my dear sisters-in-Christ, don’t fall for this lie!  Don’t succumb any longer to media trash that tell you how to dress, how to behave and how you need to have body enhancements to be attractive!  Don’t compromise yourselves in a relationship with a man.  If he cannot wait for you, he isn’t worth it at all – and I don’t care if he attends church, leads a cell group or can memorise Scriptures well.

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.” Ezekiel 36:22 (emphasis mine)

This chapter contains the prophecy of how God would bring His people back to their land after years of being dispersed throughout the world.  Today, in our time, we can look back and see how God has faithfully fulfilled this prophecy through the re-birth of Israel as a nation in 1948.  Well, praise the Lord for that, but that wasn’t the message this morning in my time with the Lord.

Often, we look at Israel as God’s chosen people with all the covenant promises and how God goes through great lengths to save, deliver and prosper them.  Applying it to ourselves, as new covenant people, we too stand on such covenant promises.  But coupled with an over-emphasis on self, and a distorted view of God’s love and grace, we tend to think that there is nothing God would not do for us.  How wrong we are?!

The Lord reminded me this morning … it was not because Israel was good nor deserving that they were brought back to the land, but that God is faithful to keep covenant and to His own great name!  It was not about Israel, nor for their sakes at all – and they went through no small amount of discomfort and persecution as God’s chosen people – it was for God’s own name sake!

Through the centuries, people have laughed at God and Israel … these are the chosen of God, look at them now, persecuted and mistreated, and countryless, so much for the promised land, so much for the covenant!  Because of Israel’s disobedience, God’s name was profaned amongst the nations.  So, for the sake of His name, God will show His power and faithfulness through His people once again.  Not because of Israel’s obedience but because God’s name must and will be exalted in the end!

There is an important lesson to be grasped … it is not about me at all!  Sadly, in the church today, we have made it all about us.  It is as if God exists just for us, to bless us and to make us great.  It is as if God is so lonely and desperate for a people to love that He would do anything to protect that relationship.  I know it sounds absurd but is this not the gospel we hear today?  Worse still, we, the church, think we are doing much better than Israel, who previously messed up and deserved to be scattered.  And that’s why we are the more privileged ones today.  What arrogance!  But is it not true that is what we are being taught?  We have made ourselves the centre of attention when Jesus is to be the centre of everything!?!  It is for His name’s sake, nor ours!

What a timely reminder for me even as I recount the activities and achievements of a year that has gone by all too quickly.  I am tempted to pat myself on my back, to think that I did really good for God.  That for my sake (after all I am giving up quite a bit to serve Him and His Kingdom), God will remain faithful to all I do.  How wrong and selfish  I am if I keep holding on to this view.

Everything is done for the sake of His glorious name!  There is no one else who will share in that glory that belongs only to God, the Creator of heaven and earth.  That I am given this opportunity to participate is in itself an honour and a privilege to serve my God and Master.  And when I have done my part, I can only say, “I am an unprofitable servant. I have done what was my duty to do.” Luke 17:10

Beautiful sign of God's presence with us in Davao.

I was resting in my hotel room when Karen knocked on the door to let us know there was a double rainbow in the sky.  I drew the curtains and there it was … a beautiful sight to behold!  In our hearts, we knew it was God’s way of telling us that He was with us in Davao, and will continue to be with us through the entire ministry trip.

This is our second trip to Davao: 9-14 Nov 2011.  I was invited by Ps Joel again to speak at this year’s Young Adults Conference.  Except for Cam Yew and Edward, the rest of the team came with me.  Karen was the only first-timer on this trip … and she was the first to spot the rainbow, on her birthday   Isn’t God good?!

The team at Terminal 2 all ready for battle!

Outside CAP Auditorium with Rev Dave Walker and Rev Yoel Sukardi.

I am so thankful to be able to minister alongside my friend from TCA, Rev Yoel Sukardi.  We had good fun catching up and reminiscing about the good old days, fellowshipping and singing in the Students Lounge.  I also had the privilege to meet his friend, Rev Dave Walker, an American with a big heart for missions.  It was such a blessing for me to learn from these two men of God, hearing missionary stories and of how God is so faithful in each and every situation.

Sis Linda and Sis Gret sharing a song item with David on keyboards.

Another song item by Sis Linda, with David on electric guitar.

Once again, the energy and passion of the young adults there never fails to inspire me.  They have such hunger and desire to serve the Lord and to make a difference in their communities.  Each time, when they respond to the altar call, I can sense their deep cry for God to transform and use them for His glory.  What a mighty army that will be raised for Jesus!  I firmly believe that many of these will be used powerfully by the Lord in the days ahead.

The highest point for me was when Bro Nor Rai-Rai took to the stage and ministered in song.  It was an awesome moment for me as this dear brother, born with a disability, shared and sang.  You can read about this in a separate post, A Song Just For Me.

Praying for all who responded to the altar call.

With Pastor Joel Acaso after the morning worship services.

On Sunday, I spoke at both morning services at Holy Ground Family Fellowship.  As usual, I enjoyed the time of praise and worship, led by Ps Rowena and the HGFF Worship Team.  There is lots our own worship team can learn from our Filipino brothers and sisters.  When they sing and play, they really give their all and very best to the Lord!  It was high energy all the way from the depths of their hearts.  I had to restrain myself from singing and shouting so my voice is preserved for preaching

Children's Community Outreach and Feeding Programme.

That afternoon, we headed out to a village for a Children’s Community Outreach and Feeding Programme, organised by the Young Adults Network, a loose co-operative amongst Young Adults Ministries in Davao.  The weather was fine and the activities moved seamlessly with the children participating enthusiastically!  Our Singapore team contributed a short skit through which each showcased their creative acting and dancing talents

Surely this deserves an Oscar! From left: Sis Karen, Sis Linda, Sis Gret, Bro David, Sis Elsie.

David should be very used to this, playing big brother to little sisters.

On the final morning, prior to checking out, our team came together for a time of sharing and reflection.  Although we were there to give and to serve, everyone agreed that we received a lot more from the Lord and the people of Philippines.  God’s goodness and faithfulness was experienced in new and fresh dimensions, as was His love and grace.  We praise and thank God for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of what He is doing in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines.

From left: Rev Dave Walker, Rev Felix Carsano, myself & Rev Yoel Sukardi.