Singapore Garden Festival

My family had a wonderful time at The Singapore Garden Festival 2008, a biennial garden and floral extravaganza featuring floral creations from all over the world. We were all mesmerised by the beauty and enchanting designs of the displays. I had the feeling of being in the Garden of Eden!

Even though we may not have paid attention to the exotic names of the flower and plant species, the kids enjoyed themselves very much.

Here are some of the pictures taken at the fiesta and of course, God's wonderful creations.

Biblical Context of "Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child"

Just the night before, we had our family movie night. It was "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" DVD which we bought some months ago. Well, both Geraldine and I thought we could take the opportunity to explain the reasons on the different outcomes of the children characters at the end of the factory tour. We talked about humility, pride and arrogance, disobedience, tantrums and compassion to our children. It was to me, a great time of sharing of how there are unfortunate people around us, and how God has been blessing our family with our physical needs.

While the methods of discipline in the movie seem apalling, yet humorous, I can't help but wonder of the true biblical context of "discipline". What exactly is the definition of "discipline"? We've heard of "positive discipline" in parenting classes and literature, yet how is it different in our guiding principle for raising disciplined children?

What comes immediately to mind is Prov 13:24:

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him".

Dr James Dobson advocates appropriate spanking for a child's attitude adjustment in the shortest and most effective route and that there are no scientific bearings that allure to spanking by a loving parent breeding violence in children ("Solid Answers", James Dobson, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, 1997). Dr Dobson also stresses the importance of embracing our child in love after punishment as an assurance that it is the misbehaviour that brought disapproval and not our dislike for the child personally.

Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo underscore the importance of "heart-training", that is the need for parents to reach out to the hearts of the children in shaping their hearts and characters. ("Growing Kids God's Way", Gary & Anne Marie Ezzo, Growing Families International, 2007). The scripture never refers to a child as a fool but that the untrained heart of a child contains foolishness. This is true biblical discipline.

From here, I learn that disciplining our children is to love them. Appropriate use of the cane corrects the heart conditions of misbehaviour. Encouragement and constant reassurance of our love for them is the best medicine in the whole disciplinary process!

My First G12 Meeting at Pastor Joe's Cell

Yesterday was my first visitation to Pastor Joe's cell meeting as I was covering Patrick during his vacation back in the USA.

Even though I had been warned by Patrick of the friendly nature of Pastor's dog, Buddy, I was totally unprepared when I was "mobbed" by Buddy during our first encounter (You see, Buddy is a huge and affectionate 2-year-old Labrador Retriever).

I had a wonderful time of fellowship with Pastor's other 11 disciples, fully blessed by Pastor's sharing and prayers for me in my area of needs.

Faith's First Birthday

Birthday celebration at KFC, Playground (formerly Big Splash) @ East Coast


Cell group photo, together with the birthday girl

The cell group had a wonderful time at KFC@Playground, celebrating Andy's daughter Faith's first birthday. And yes, Chicky was there to hug the kids!

Launch of New Book: "Give Me The Multitudes!"

Senior Pastor Lawrence Khong autographing his new book for the mothers in the church at the end of the church service.

There was a new buzz last Sunday 11th May 08 in church. Senior Pastor Lawrence Khong has released his new book entitled "Give Me The Multitudes!: Obeying God's Call into the Media World". The memoir recounts Senior Pastor's venture into the entertainment world --- from God's relevation for him to use the entertainment arena as the real pulpit to share His truth to the millions, to the inner struggles and misunderstandings he faced inside and outside the church. I was deeply moved by pastor's conviction to continue with his quest even when the odds of failure besieged him along the difficult journey.

I pray for great success for the coming "MagicBox" performance at Esplanade in July 08 and that the church will redeem the entertainment platform for Christ.

Psalm 127

Today's headline news: "Oil rises to US$122 on fresh supply fears" (The Straits Times, 7 May 08). The past weeks' sombre reports -- rising food and housing prices, sky-high inflation rate, staple food shortages, tight job market due to the impact of the United States going through a recession cycle, among others -- drive home a compendium of complaints from friends and colleagues. Just last week, one of my church friends was lamenting the unaffordability of raising a family, especially having children.

I read Psalm 127 with comfort and conviction that God's intention for us is that children are "a heritage from the Lord" and that they are "a reward from Him". As Christians, we should not think of raising children as a liability. We are guardians of our children and our duty is to raise godly children in accordance to His will and purposes. It is myopic to avoid such a God-given responsibility by choosing to remain childless after marriage. After all, when we have God's blessings, we will lack nothing. Parenting comes with many responsibilities and challenges along the way. We just need to have faith that God will strengthen us along the way in dealing with those unforeseen challenges ahead of us.

Let us lay claim to Psalm 127:1: "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.". And in verse 3: "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.".

Thank God for the relevation and assurance at such times of uncertainty.

Psalm 125

Psalm 125 was alleged to be written during a time where the people of God were under the oppression of wicked leadership.

Taking reference to verses 1 and 2 ("Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures for ever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and for evermore."), I searched the Internet for the ancient map of Jerusalem and discovered that the City of David was built on Mount Zion. The whole ancient city was also surrounded by mountains, which acted as natural line of defence for the city. It conjures a sense of security (spiritual protection) for the people of God, that God's protection is like the surrounding mountains for Jerusalem, shielding us from our enemies. Those who trust in the Lord can also stand secured on the grounds of Mount Zion where it symbolises the spiritual stronghold of the Almighty God.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being my protector. I can stand tall in bad times by putting my trust in You and knowing that You will do good to those who are righteous. Search my heart daily so that I will do what is righteous in Your eyes. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Psalm 118

Psalm 118 has a sentimental meaning to me as Psalm 118:24 was chosen by both my wife and I as our wedding verse for our church wedding almost 10 years ago: "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. ".

A general search on this psalm reveals some very interesting facts:

- Psalm 118 is at the centre of the Bible
- There are 594 chapters in the Bible before Psalm 118
- There are 594 chapters in the Bible after Psalm 118
- There are therefore 1188 chapters altogether (... "118-8", "Psalm 118:8")

If there is a central theme for the Bible, Psalm 118:8 fits in nicely with God as the centrepiece: "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. "!

Verses 6 and 7 that prelude it assure us that God is in control and that with Him, we will lack no fear for any adverse circumstances that come before us: "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. ".

Thank you, Lord for the revelation of Your Word. Let Psalm 118:8 be our steadfast prayer for those who seek You. May You manifest Your presence to them and bless them and their loved ones with Your gift of salvation. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Psalm 110

This psalm segues from being a great testimony of Jesus Christ as the Messiah to Christ's mighty authority over the rulers of the earth.

What a powerful manifestation of God's truth that Christ is indeed the Messiah when nothing can be more blatant than verse 1 in revealing Christ's lordship:

"The LORD says to my Lord:
'Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.'" (Psalm 110:1)

And in verse 5-7:

"The Lord is at your right hand;
he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
He will judge nations, heaping up the dead
and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
He will drink from a brook beside the way;
therefore he will lift up his head." (Psalm 110:5-7)