Father's Day

Today my local church (First Assembly of God Church, Pudu) had our Father's Day Celebration. We brought forward our celebration because next week is the closing ceremony for the ongoing Live to Grow Campaign. The picture beside is my father (wearing white shirt). He is really a joy giver in our family. I designate this post to my dad, the person I respect.

I really learned a lot from the speaker in today's message. He preached with the acronym F.A.T.H.E.R.

F - Family Man not Forgetful Man
A - Amiable not Accusing
T - Trainer not Terrorist
H - Head not Herd
E - Educator not Enemy
R - Revivalist not Recidivist

I have a good father.As I reflect upon today's message, I am glad that My dad really portray the above quality. He cares for the family. He is approachable. He teaches us to love our mother. He shows us how serious he is with his faith. He make decision in the family and he impart his value system to us.

Living in a healthy and lovely family, I grown up with a good progress. I really agree with the speaker that without the father's love, we will face problem with our identity, our social skills, our moral values, and our lifestyle.

So, all the fathers out there! Be a good father. Take responsibility. Don't just tell your children what to do, but show them with your life.

Children like me, be glad that you have a father on earth who cares for you. Uphold your dad in your daily prayer. May God bless the fathers around the world that they will be godly, matured, lovely, resourceful and responsible.

Happy Father's Day!

Family Members are Part of God's Plan too!

Today, as I do my morning devotion, I read the devotional email that I subscribe at Purpose Driven Life website. The text was Luke 2:4-5:

“And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.”

Jon Walker (the author of that devotional article) explained that even Jesus have family to move Jesus into that Holy purpose. Jesus, son of the living God, yet was chosen to born in a simple and ordinary family. The father was a carpenter, and as a result, Jesus too became a carpenter before He started His ministry.

As I reflected upon what has being written, I come to understand that God may use anyone in my family to mold me and clashes with me so that I will be able to fulfill my purpose on earth. I come to understand that God purposefully put me in this family, to see the reality of a Christian life, to be able to balance my view, to be able to form Christ-like character.

My mother and father, they were not able to receive higher education due to the culture in the past, but they have demonstrated a life of love, discipline, self-control, and responsibility. My grandparents, although we have quite a generation gap, but they have reveal God's patient and persistence in their daily life. My brothers who have always be my "iron sharpener" and help me to keep myself on the ground.

There are many unhappy time in the family, but I just realize all this while, the conflicts and disagreement, made me to understand my role in God's family better. All this, God is not unaware. He has carefully plan and taking care of me. Thank you God for your wonderful providence!

I pray that God will continue to direct the course of my life, that I be able to help those around to be more Christ-like and fulfill their God-given purposes.