The Great Adventure

Here’s an article I wrote recently for ‘Dads for Life‘, a new website with resources that help us be the dads we were meant to be. (Dads for Life is a national movement to inspire and involve fathers to be good influencers in their children’s lives for life.)   Hope you enjoy reading it.

Being a Dad with 3 young kids – 9, 6 and 5 years old, it’s not always easy to find a family activity that all can participate and enjoy together. But I’ve found one that not only promises lots of fun and bonding, it costs only 60 cents and gets my car cleaned! =)

I must admit I’m more of a spontaneous kind of Dad. I don’t have a meticulous plan for weekly family outings or activities. I prefer to integrate the daily things we have to do with the time I spend with my kids. Often I would take one child along when I run an errand.

My child and I would enjoy the time alone with each other while getting the task done which gives us an interesting topic to talk about.

So back to our weekend activity. I enjoy taking all my 3 kids out to go get the car washed! They go crazy when I tell them “Let’s go for a carwash with Daddy!” They simply love it! And I must confess they’ve helped me enjoy what was previously a chore too!

I love to see them go wild as they do their best to ‘help’ me wet the car, soap the car, rinse it off etc. The truth is, it’s Daddy who really gets the car sparkling but I delight in seeing them have so much fun. I will never forget the time when my youngest son lifted the quarter-filled pail of clean water over his head, while flashing me with a broad grin. At the end of the day, the task of getting the car washed is not as important as simply hanging out with the kids, going through life together.

Sure the car is not as clean as it would have been had I driven it to the carwash, but the rewards of connecting with my kids, enjoying them, and at the same time teaching them life lessons along the way is totally worth it. Try it. All it takes is a little pocket change for the water, a little courage, lots of love, and the willingness to ‘get wet’ with the kids. =)

Original article here

I recently came across this article. It’s a classic case of how we need not be unduly ‘afraid’ of technology as the church… but to carefully & prayerfully consider how these ‘new ways’ can help us better engage people for God’s glory. Read it and share your thoughts.

African Churches Use Mobile Phone to Ring Up Growth in Members

Here’s an excerpt:

“Mobile phone suspended on a belt round the waist, or from the neck, is a common sight among members of church congregations in Africa. Now, church leaders are heaping praise on mobile phones, sometimes called cell phones, because they say the instruments help congregations grow.

Mobile phone use increased rapidly in Africa about 10 years ago. At that time, however, some Christians on the continent criticised the phones for being “marks of materialism”. Now, that has changed.

“It is as if cell phones have come to revolutionise everything, even Christianity,” says Anglican Bishop Charles Gaita of Nyahururu in central Kenya. “They are making things happen quickly.”

Read the rest of this encouraging article

• Jesus Wins!! That's the key theme of Revelations. Tryin to keep my eyes open as I soak in an overview on the book of Revelations at BPJ.. #
• What did I get myself into?? #
• Cleanse me, Lord fr the pressures, illusions & pretenses tt confront me today tt my life may serve as a gift for those around me. #
• Enjoyed some chill time w 2 good friends, mutually encouraging each other. #
• ran 2.54 km on 1/3/2010 at 10:04 PM with a pace of 6'43"/km
  http://go.nike.com/09msr6fe #
• set a goal to burn 4000 calories in 4 weeks
  http://go.nike.com/2fdcrc4 #
• set a goal to workout 8 times in 4 weeks
  http://go.nike.com/07taeom3 #
• @ruthliling but u cover more distance leh… So burn more cal too! in reply to ruthliling #
• @HillaryChan hmmm…based on tt maybe I got potential. Hehe.. in reply to HillaryChan #
• @ruthliling too bad I can't b there either… Got 2visit w my urologist. Hv fun hangin out w Jesus! in reply to ruthliling #
• Can't wait 2paint the town red (or whatever lovely color) w my date tonite! Thinkin' of maybe Canele sweets…yum! #
• Haha..nvr thot of it this way RT @JeffAbram A word to the wise ain't necessary-it's the stupid ones that need the advice.-Bill Cosby @quotme #
• @zeppytoh hvn't even utilized the ones I bought the last round..haha! in reply to zeppytoh #
• @synchopat Neither! Where got time for more tv? But if u really must choose 1, I'd say StarHub.It's most established. MioTV is buggy! in reply to synchopat #
• The Frosty Baileys (at TCC) is nice but really not worth the $13.80! #
• @ruthliling alas, the Canele we picked 2go (at Raffles City) is CLOSED!! Sigh… Now at TCC savouring their frappé. Not bad,but a pricey in reply to ruthliling #
• @drewyu only if they unlock 'Monkey Island'… I remember playing the original game some 20 yrs ago!! in reply to drewyu #
• @quickbeats where at Ilumna? u playin' percussions? in reply to quickbeats #
• To open a new bank acct,they smile &escort u to a nice table &wait 4 an officer. To close an acct,they ask u 2get in a line (w abt 12-13ppl) #
• RT @RickWarren The GRAVITY of my sinful nature makes it far easier for me to put down people than lift them up. But Rom.12:10 commands it. #
• Super Saturday was quite super! Like… #fb #
• RT @pdgaither "The anecdote to weariness is not rest, it is wholeheartedness." Matt Heard #encounter10 #

The Internet is changing so rapidly that it is hard to keep up. Jesse Thomas has artistically wrangled this statistical juggernaut, in his video State of the Internet, to give us a visual of where things stand … at the moment. Watch it to get a sense of astounding growth (& potential!)

Wanna learn & grow more in your understanding of how the Internet & Technology can integrate with your faith, and how it helps you connect & reach others? Join me at IED@SG this coming April!

• @denverstreetcar lookin fwd 2catch up w ya. in reply to denverstreetcar #
• Enjoying some free & easy time…b4 the team summit starts this pm. Like… #
• @denverstreetcar Welcome to Singapore, bro!! Good rest last nite? Heard ur flight was delayed…How u like the warm weather so far? in reply to denverstreetcar #
• ran 2.83 km on 24/2/2010 at 4:46 PM with a pace of 7'44"/km
  http://bit.ly/bUdv2N #
• Had a great time w my fellow co-workers in CreaComm at our 1st Staff Summit. Wht a joy &honor 4me 2work w this fine grp of people! #fb #
• @ruthliling yep..it's pretty toasty today!! in reply to ruthliling #
• Enjoyed time w @denverstreetcar jus now. Appreciated the heart &vision of this man! #
• RT @RickWarren The primary purpose of marriage is to make you holy, not merely happy. Nothing challenges our self-centeredness more. #

• Going to say Happy New Year to the President of Singapore. Hopefully he's home… #
• I like this quote: RT @JeffAbram Carrie Fisher – "Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." #
• feels like eaten enuf to last till tmr's lunch… #
• @chinluke I guess CNY goodies hv a way of slowing or even shutting down our 'engines' in reply to chinluke #
• can't sleep… listening to tmr's worship songs, tryin out Google Buzz at 3.03am =( #
• 10 years ago this time I became a father. Happy Birthday @lightzapper #

• @ruthliling @ongster For once Mondays r not considered blue Mondays…well at least this one in reply to ruthliling #
• Just got bk fr Singapore Airshow. Our fam was blessed w 5tix. The theme 'Too hot to miss!' shld prob b renamed 'Too hot!! To miss.' #
• @ongster @henrytanth I dun mind doin' it but unfortunately my 'fees' is prob more exorbitant that taxi uncle's in reply to ongster #
• @ruthliling nerd specs? New?? in reply to ruthliling #
• RT @human3rror "God is more committed to your full potential than you are." – John Ortberg #
• @henrytanth Can. But the stylus pen is in my bag. When u need it? #
• Thkful 4this am's support appt. Glad it happened after re-scheduling for 3-4times Blessed 2see how He is placing strategic ppl in mktplce #
• @davidmak who so unkind 2u, treat u like a mat? Tell uncle, and uncle will make a mat out of him/her #
• Blank screen when turned on my MBP…yieks! Hope my Applecare not expired #
• Now home wireless router went kaput!! Power supply jus died… Whatz goin' on? #
• Pleasantly surprised by Singnet's service! They'll send someone 2do a modem exchange. Cool! Thkful… Hopin Applecare service is gd exp too #
• My laptop is officially ill… #
• Tmr am is the procedure to remove the stent fr my kidney/ureter. Mixed feelings… Lookin fwd it, yet somewhat apprehensive. #fb #
• Just popped in a painkiller (Arcoxia)… now waiting 4 the procedure to remove the ureteral stent. Hope it's not too painful/uncomfortable #
• It's out! the small rubber tubing in my body the past mth.It wnt well. Some pain& discomfort but bearable. Lookin fwd 2complete healing #
• Very fruitful mtg abt IED@SG 2010 w @zeppytoh, @chinluke, laykuan & paul. Thkful 4all the fun ideas 2activate the church 2engage&explore IE #
• @nemasu what's tt? where's the pic taken? in reply to nemasu #
• @chinluke thks for joining us. Gr8 stuff happening w VLM at campus. Excited for u guys! in reply to chinluke #
• Anyone keen 2do something for CreaComm or SCCC?? RT@human3rror Tutorial: Creating an iPhone App for Your Church -http://bit.ly/bpibu7 #
• @nemasu wow…nice! Enjoy! in reply to nemasu #
• @ruthliling come to Pasir Ris for ang-pows in reply to ruthliling #
• @allysont it called Murphy's Law! The line u think is the shortest always ends up the slowest. in reply to allysont #
• Fortune cookie msg I got today: 'We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.' #
• @allysont ya, I hvn't met Murphy in a while too… Let's keep it tt way! in reply to allysont #
• @rkweblog IN n OUT!! That's a must 've too everytime I'm back in So Cal! in reply to rkweblog #
• Wishing everyone a blessed Chinese New Year! 新年快乐，新年蒙福!

  ＂主恩常随年年新
  主爱满溢岁岁增＂ #

• RT @JohnPiper: Don't marry so you can stop pursuing women. Marry so you can perfect the pursuit one woman for a lifetime. http://ow.ly/16kX7 #
• @mackeane @pierrefong haha… It's a 对联 that my Dad wrote. And I like it Feel free to share the blessings… #
• @denverstreetcar @chinluke haha…it was another conf call to plan for IED@SG 2010 http://ied.sg #

• It's time for a new look #
• Haha RT @larissalam my husband's fortune cookie said "generalities are false, in general" generally speaking, who writes these things? #
• Enjoyin watching the sunset w my da… then dinner at Sushi Teh for her birthday #
• Starting leadeship discussions soon on CC in 2010 and beyond. Need all the brain juice & wisdom…pls pray. #
• getting ready for a conference call to talk thru broad strokes for a gathering of global leaders in arts, music, media ministries. #
• Into our 3rd day of our planning… But first some fresh French press coffee, specially done by Carl #
• After 8hrs of continuous planning …it's time for a treat. We're now hanging out eating Botak Jones! #
• @dittee that's great! Enjoy the rest of ur time there! in reply to dittee #
• Before the Presentation–How to Train Students to Engage Evangelistically http://bit.ly/9pVmwb #
• Finally found some fairly decent DRY hand-made noodles in Pasir Ris Satisfied…yum! #

• NLT retreat officially starts now… I think my butt will hurt fr sitting on this wooden chair =( #
• Short but fulfilling 1/2 day back in the office. Thkful. #
• Aches in the kidney kept me up last nite…*yawn* #
• 60mins goes by really fast in a conference call! (Now rushin onto a offline in person mtg) #fb #
• Brought kids down 2cycle but they got distracted,& stared kickin a coconut ard and abandoned their bikes… #
• @ongster =) in reply to ongster #
• What a honor…and I get to do it! So blessed… #