This morning my son woke up early. He was just lounging in the living room half-awake as I was getting ready for work. As I went up to the room to say goodbye to my wife, I heard the bathroom door open, then the toilet flush. Next thing I saw was my son going straight to the living room and about to eat with his hands. “Wash your hands after you go to the toilet”, I reminded him.

Then things got weird. He didn’t want to wash his hands! I have no idea what was going in his little head, but he was so vehemently against washing his hands. I stood my ground and said, “Son, you have to, you don’t want to get germs in your tummy. You’ll get a tummy ache”. We went back and forth like that, and I was so dumbfounded why we were even having that exchange. 

I went from asking, to pleading, to eventually commanding him. I thought, no matter how much I explain to him, at his age he can’t comprehend the reasons and consequences. He probably will not get sick if he doesn’t wash his hands today, but he needs to develop the habit – even if he doesn’t want to. I also needed him to learn to obey me, because there will be times when I will tell him to do something (for his safety, for example) and will need him to obey – and to obey right away.

Eventually, him grudgingly and crying, I washed his hands. He was still saying “I don’t want to”, and kept repeating “but why?” Then, almost as fast as it happened, he calmed down.

The reason I am writing this now is because of how much I can see similarities with my relationship with my son, with my relationship with my Heavenly Father..

1. I disobey, and want my own way, many times for no logical or valid reason. It’s weird. I’m weird.
2. I don’t always see the consequences of my actions, inaction, disobedience, etc. Especially if it is long-term. And even if it is explained to me, I would deny or disregard it. What’s wrong with me. 
3. God is patient, and He deals with me in stages. Not always gentle, not always harsh, but He will adjust according to my situation and the severity of the consequences. 
4. God desires for us to have a good and abundant life, and He knows far more than we do. If He has to personally guide us to obey, he will. And He did – through Jesus. And He still does – through the Holy Spirit. He is a hands-on Father. 
5. It’s all about love. Not once did I feel anger toward my son, even though my voice might have sounded angry. The whole time I was thinking about his well-being and how much I love him. Don’t misunderstand God’s discipline as anger. He is angry at sin, not at us.
6. Our relationship is stronger after this. Maybe it’s a small thing, but it’s a step in the right direction. 

As I was typing this, I got a voice message from my son (thanks to my wife of course). He said, “I’m sorry Daddy, I love you.” I sent a reply right away, “I love you too son”.

I’m sorry Lord, I love you..

I almost didn’t do my quiet time today.. I just feel really unnerved, annoyed, maybe even angry. But God brought me here, and I’m very thankful.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. (‭Psalm‬ ‭146‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

There an ongoing trend of sincere, happy, joyful Christians. They are putting out music, books, films – very creative and passionate people. It’s quite inspiring. This verse reminds me of them… and maybe who I was? Who I can be.

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. (‭Psalm‬ ‭146‬:‭3-4‬ ESV)

Very timely for me. As the next verses say, my help and my hope is, and should be, on the Lord. Creator, Judge, Provider, Savior, Healer, Restorer, Protector and Defender.

A common question asked when Christians gather (sadly, because we should be jumping at every opportunity) is, “Who wants to pray?”

1 Timothy 2:8: “…the men should pray” 🙂

It’s probably a terrible interpretation of the passage, but it works – somehow.

In a mixed group of men and women, the men should pray. Man up. Then for an all-men group, well… this separates the boys from the men. Real men pray. Haha.

In a more serious note, the last part of this chapter – on how women should be in church – is usually the focus of many debates. I won’t (can’t) get into that. For me, as a man, I feel that while the passages are addressed to women, there is actually an underlying charge to men. Man up. Take the charge. Take the responsibility and be responsible. 

Back to back difficult passages.

Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, and Thanksgivings… what is the definition of each? From a quick web search : Supplications are requests that we can get involved in, Prayers (the particular type of prayer used in the original text) are requests only God can fulfill, Intercessions are requests / petitions in behalf of another person, Thanksgivings are “thanks givings” ^_^

Be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions… pray for everyone, though leaders get a special mention. Maybe because while we are comfortable to pray for our peers, leaders are sometimes neglected. We maybe don’t want to pray for them because we might think they already have so much, that they seem to be able to handle things on their own, or simply because we don’t like them, or that they are heavy-handed on us. It’s tough to be a leader. 

The purpose of this “First of all” command is so that we are able to, “lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified.” Sounds like a great way to live. 

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭3-4‬ ESV)

It is important to note that this is in the context of corporate worship. We can apply this right away.

(to be continued)