Dad

Hi Phi

Noticed lately that you no longer call me "Daddy". You just call me "Dad". Do I like it? I love it! Somehow I feel "Dad" is more intimate than "Daddy". I felt thrilled when you call me "Dad". That's nice, really nice. Maybe I should also call our heavenly Father "Dad". I suppose God will be more than happy if we call Him “Dad”

I have heard a handful of people praying to God, calling Him "Daddy“ but I cannot recall anyone who addressed God as "Dad”. Who started it, who is the first one who addressed God as "Daddy"?

"And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."

This is taken from Mark 14:36. Jesus said the prayer. He addressed God as "Abba" which means "Daddy".

The following is from my unpublished book. My very first. The one you have been receiving via email is actually my second book.

Chapter 12 My Father

"Though I have been a Christian for 25 years, I was carrying this wound in my heart not knowing what it was. My journey to emotional healing was a long but a meaningful one. There were times I felt like God was whispering my name and ushering me closer and closer to Him. I know God loves us and He wants to have a close relationship with us. But can that make up the emotional void in my heart?

I remember an occasion I was taking care of Phileo my younger son. He was only 2 years old then. I walked away, just a short distance, to get some snack, but I kept my eyes on him. I saw something that I will never forget. Phileo started looking for me and in no time he was crying for me. That has never happened before. Phileo cried when he could not find me. That meant a lot to me. It speaks a lot of my relationship with Phileo. Like most young kids, when they lose sight of someone who is close to them, they will just ‘Wahhhhh…..’ It is natural. It is instinctive. In this instant, Phileo was crying for his daddy.

I have been crying for my daddy. I desire to have the kind of close relationship we never have. Now we are separated by hundred of miles and we only meet 3 or 4 times a year. It is like too little. Too late.

I didn’t have to wait too long for an answer. It came from someone who loves me.

-- New Living Translation 
Romans 8:15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[a] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

Abba is an Aramaic word. It is an intimate form of the word father. An endearing term. The closest modern equivalent is “papa” or “daddy.” Let’s read the verse again, Now we call him (God), “Daddy, Father.”

God is my Daddy, my heavenly father.

I don’t call Him Daddy in my public prayer. But when I am alone praying, I like to just call Him ‘Daddy….’"

This is now my favourite music video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBmwwwiHrOk

Cheeky

We did this together
Do you still remember what this was?

Family Devotion: Doing Our Best

We had our very first family devotion on 18 January 2015. Not sure it was fun for you but it was a good start for the family. I have shared many messages in Father School gatherings. I have spent hours preparing for these messages. Yet I did not spend any time doing similar things for the family. Sigh. God convicted me. So I initiated this family devotion.

Today's sharing is on "Doing Our Best".

Phi, this is my prayer for you,
"Lord, I pray that Phileo will be a person with the spirit of excellence, just like Daniel in the Bible."

Singapore Airline

I was in Seoul in early January for Father School Convention. That was the few occasions dad did not travel with you all. We always travel together. Needless to say I missed all of you. But I was not alone. I took the same flight with Brother Andrew and his wife Linda. We were going to attend the Father School Convention together.

When I was in Seoul, I did some shopping in Dongdaemun, a famous shopping area in Seoul. I bought a belt for Joshua. Mommy asked for cosmetic. That was done too. I just couldn't find anything suitable for you. I thought I could get something for you at the airport. I said a quick prayer before I left Dongdaemun.

On my last day in Seoul, I reached the airport very early. I saw some nicely packed seaweed at Terminal One. I wanted to find out if there were any toys for kids at the other terminal. So I took the air train to the next terminal where I was supposed to board the plane. The seaweed was priced in US Dollar! It is definitely more expensive than the earlier one that was tagged in Korean Won and those that are sold in Singapore. I looked around for ways to return to Terminal One. I asked the staff at the information counter for help.

"Sir, there is no way you can get back to the Terminal One."

"What! This is insane. This isn't making any sense at all!"

It would not make sense to get the US$-priced seaweed which was more expensive than those being sold in Singapore either. But I really wanted to get something for my baby. In my desperation I prayed to God. After that I boarded the plane. As I was heading towards the cabin, I saw Aunt Linda. She was talking to the air stewardess. I saw something the air stewardess was holding. I asked Aunt Linda if she was interested in those complimentary toy. She said her grand kids are all girls. That was how you got your Star Wars toy.

There is no co-incident in God's world. God is always faithful  

You asked me why God is jealous for us

You asked me why God is jealous for us. When we love someone, we will naturally feel so

Koi Pond

There was a place where I usually 'hang out' with God. This place is near the Polo Club. I go there to pray. There was one evening I saw a Malay man feeding the fish in the mini stream. I know you like feeding fish. So I brought you there. The fishes were kind of small. The biggest one was probably about 5cm. Little did I know God has a better idea for you. He knows you love feeding fish. A few days after that, I discovered a pond nearby with big Koi fish. Surely that is not by chance. God has arranged all this for you. So here's the photo I took while you were feeding the big Koi fish.

Just tell Him, "God, You are generous".

You told me a couple of days ago that I was generous. You probably didn't know what the remark did to me. I felt really good about that. "Me, your dad, is generous?" For too long I am not known to be one who is generous. It is always measured. But I really like what you said about me. Those were the times I just want to hug you tightly and give you whatever you ask for from Toy r Us. Why not tell the same to God? I'm sure He will be pleased too. When you are older, there will come a time when many people will tell you how you can get things from God. You really don't have to do that. It is in God's heart to bless you because He loves you. Just tell Him, "God, You are generous". You will see how God shower you with His blessings without you even telling Him what you want.

You must have learned this from the Sunday School.
Something about the birds in the air in Matthew 6.
"Daddy, God feeds the birds with worms. God loves the birds. God loves us too."
That was a teaching moment. How could I miss this. So, I reiterated
"Yes, God loves the birds and God loves us!"
"What about the worms?"

I asked you,
"Do you have many friends in school?"
You told me yes.
"Am I your friend?"
You said no.
I asked you,
"Why?"
"You are too big. My friends are very small."

I waited so long for you

When I came back from work yesterday (Dec 12), you told me something I will never forget.

"Daddy, I waited for you to bathe me. I waited so long and you did not come. So Aunty Analyn bathed me."

As you were telling me this, there were tears in your eyes.
I can see that how much you wanted me to bathe you and play with you.
But I did not appear.
Those tears were precious to me. It speaks of your desire to be with me. It touched my heart deeply. I was moved.

There was a man in the Bible. He is Jesus' friend. Jesus loved him dearly. His name is Lazarus. He was very sick. He waited for Jesus to come for him. He waited so long and Jesus did not turn up. Eventually he died. He was not the only one waiting. His sisters, Mary and Martha waited for Jesus too. The moment they saw Jesus, they said,

"If you had been here, Lazarus would not have died."

We can see how much they wanted Jesus to be there. But He did not appear on time. Lazarus died while waiting for his friend.

Those remark made when Jesus arrived must have touched Jesus' heart.

"..if you had been here my brother would not be dead" (John 11:21 Bible in Basic English)

I could hear Mary and Martha crying,
"Jesus, I waited for you to heal my brother. We waited so long and you did not come. So now Lazarus is dead."

I guess there must be tears in Jesus' eyes because they waited for Him. They wanted and desired Him to be there. Jesus must have felt wanted.

"Daddy, can you bathe me? I want to play with you."
Daddy is sick. I am having a cold. I would love to play with you but I can't get too close to you.
When we are sick, we cannot get close to our loved ones.
In the same way, when we have sin in our life, we can get close to God. Sin is like sickness. It stops us from getting cozzy with God.

Not only you can draw well, you have also used your talent to bless others.

God gives us gift so that we can be a blessing to others.

What a blessing you have been to mommy when you leave your love notes at the doorstep when she returns from work daily.



Here's one of the love notes, your favourite, 'jelly fish'!




Where is my love note?

I was absolutely clueless.
I can't draw. Josh can't draw.
I supposed it is the same for you.
You are like mommy. You can draw and draw well you did.
Here's something you drew for aunty Analyn.






Do you know what you have drawn?
Daddy & mommy are thinking hard whether we should send you to paiono lessons as well?
You are gifted!

I waited for you

When I came back from work yesterday, you told me something I will never forget.
"Daddy, I waited for you to bathe me. I waited so long and you did not come. So Aunt Analyn bathed me."
As you were telling me this, there were tears in your eyes.
I can see that how much you wanted me to bathe you and play with you.
But I did not appear.
Those tears were precious to me. It speaks of your desire to be with me. It touched my heart deeply. I was moved.

There was a man in the Bible. He is Jesus' friend. Jesus loved him dearly. His name is Lazarus. He was very sick. He waited for Jesus to come for him. He waited so long and Jesus did not turn up. Eventually he died. He was not the only one waiting. His sisters, Mary and Martha waited for Jesus too. The moment they saw Jesus, they said,

"If you had been here, Lazarus would not have died."

We can see how much they wanted Jesus to be there. But He did not appear on time. Lazarus died while waiting for his friend.

Those remark made when Jesus arrived must have touched Jesus' heart.

"..if you had been here my brother would not be dead" (John 11:21 Bible in Basic English)

I could hear Mary and Martha crying,
"Jesus, I waited for you to heal my brother. We waited so long and you did not come. So now Lazarus is dead."

I guess there must be tears in Jesus' eyes because they waited for Him. They wanted and desired Him to be there. Jesus must have felt wanted.

God always carries us,right?

Aft listening to this song,"Carry To The Table", you asked me,"God always carries us,right?"

What do you think is the answer?

You have just started learning to write.
Our nanny, aunty Analyn told me you could now write our family name, "Lee".
It wasn't so easy for you initially.
For a moment all of us became "Eel"s because you put the letter "L" at the back instead of in front.








Welcome to the "Eel" family!

Why do you love me?

I asked you 3 days ago,
"Why do you love me?"
You said,
"Because you are cute"
I didn't know I'm cute. No one has ever said I'm cute.
2 days ago, I asked you again,
"Why do you love me?"
You said,
"Because you are handsome"
I guess I'm, in your eyes

One day I will write you a song like this singer.



Loving you eternally,
Dad

Mommy is in Japan.
Joshua is in school camp.

I asked if you miss both of them.
You told me, "I don't miss 'kor kor' Joshua. I miss mommy."

When you love someone, it is natural to miss the person you love. We may be texting each other, Skyping or do MSN chat, but nothing beats being with the one you love.

Do I miss God? Yes. I may be talking to Him everyday. I still miss Him because I can't be with God in heaven. I can only make long distance call to Him. But I am looking forward to see Him. Just like you are looking forward to see mommy.

You were looking for me

-- Living Bible
Hosea 11:3 I trained him from infancy, I taught him to walk, I held him in my arms...I myself have stooped and fed him.

It's almost a ritual. Most of the time when daddy and mommy are awake, you are still soundly asleep. As we go about preparing ourselves to work, inevitably, you will stagger your way around as if you were drunk, and throw yourself at one of us. It does not matter whether it's me or mommy. We will then pick you up and you will rest your head on our shoulder and continue your sleep. Sometimes I am not sure if you were dreaming, half-awake, or you are simply pretending to be asleep. I will then carry you in my arms and pray for you that you will be tall like me, that you will grow up to be like Jesus, that you will be healthy, etc...

I guess it's the same scene everyday when we wake up early in the morning, and stagger ourselves into God's arm. This is my daily routine. Though I may be dreamy and can barely open my eyes, I throw myself into God's arm and mumble my prayer.

Phileo, continue this routine even when you have grown. You may not want to come to me anymore when you are a young man. Or maybe you just want to sleep late. That's fine. You can still go to God the moment you are awake. Let it be the first thing you do everyday. He is always there waiting for you.