Philip's Prayer

“Dear God,
          I love you. You are the best Dad. Thank you for the food, Amen!”

This was the prayer of my Sunday School student, Philip. As I listened to him whisper this prayer, once again, my heart was moved. Let me now reflect on his short prayer.

Dear God – He loves God and addresses him for who He is. He is God and so He is loved. He is God and so he is dear to the boy.

I love You. – A declaration of affection, devotion and endearment. Philip knows that God receives his love and so he directs this special feeling and decision to Him.

You are the best Dad.  – He knows that God is better than his own dad.

Thank you for the food. – He acknowledges the blessing from his best dad.


When was the last time that I told God I love Him and He is the best? I think two weeks ago but then the week after that I went back to sin... I want to whisper sweet prayers to Him, too. I hope I can boldly say I love Him. But what is love when I can’t make Him happy? I screw up so many times and I failed in aligning my will to His. How can I tell Him I love Him? With my imperfection, can I still say these words?

Love must be faithful, I can’t be faithful. I know He is waiting for me to say these words over and over again, but I might just hurt Him even more, when I know that I might fall again one day.

I want to pray Philip’s prayer, too. From the abundance of his joy in being with His Father, he uttered his thoughts without reservation. A couple of months ago, out of the blue he told me, “Hey teacher, I love Jesus!”

I do love Jesus, too. I just hope that I can be faithful like Him. I do think, too, that He is the perfect Dad. I know He gives me food and all that I need every day. I perfectly know that He deserves to be acknowledged and told sweet words. But my guilt and shame stop me from uttering words of endearment.

He is worthy of my all. I must bend my knees and ask Him to help me have the courage to mean the words ‘I love you,’ too!

Floyd at Two

His giggles electrify
the sleepy soul inside me.

His cries shatter
the silence in the rooms around me.

His hugs unmask
all pretensions that I build.

His kisses awaken
this need to have my own baby.

Marco

Hey guys! I am happy to share with you another Sunday School experience that I thank God for. It's about a question of my student at church: "Is God dead?" Share it with friends and leave your comments if you wish to :)

I first knew Marco (five) when he came in to class to look after his brother. He seemed too distant and bored. All kids were so engrossed with their crayons and worksheets but he stood at the back, pouting. Wondering what the matter is, I walked toward him. He avoided my stare and I knew that this would be one of those on demand 'counselling sessions'.

Rose: Hi Marco. Don't you like to colour your sheet?
Marco: No. I am just here to look after my brother. If he's mean then I need to tell Mom.
Rose: Oh, I see... I think your brother is enjoying his work. Why don't you join him?
Marco: I don't like to do that stuff.
Rose: Why not?
Marco:  Because I am so busy and tired. I already have lots of homework from school... You know, I go to the greatest school.
Rose: Wow, that's wonderful! So, what's the name of your school?
Marco: (mentions the school's name)
Rose: I see... Yeah, that's a good school.
Marco: Have you been there?
Rose: No, but my brother had been there before. He said it is really a nice place.... Maybe we can talk about your school.
Marco: Uhmm, okay.
Rose: Let me ask you, do you talk about God at school?
Marco: Yeah...
Rose: Great! So what have you been learning about God lately?
Marco: Uhm... Uhm....
Rose: Let's start with who God is. Who is Jesus?
Marco: Uhm, God?
Rose: Yes, that's correct.
Marco: Is God dead, teacher?
Rose: Oh, what do you think?
Marco: I don't know (shrugged his shoulders).  'Cause at church in school I see a big, big God on the cross and he looks like this (closed his eyes, spread his arms, and bowed his head).
Rose: It's a picture of how Jesus loved everyone. Yes, he needed to die so that we can freely talk to God and be with Him forever. But it's not the end of the story. He is alive. (Showed him a picture of Jesus' resurrection).
Marco: I see...
Rose: He is more powerful than any of these soldiers and any heroes that you know. Because Jesus is God and He owns everything, including you and me.
Marco: Wow. So God is not dead.

Rose: So, I want you to remember that it's just a picture. The real God is in heaven and he can be in your heart, too.
Marco: Okay.

Rose: Do you want God, who is so alive to be in you?
Marco: Yes!

After a few weeks, Marco came back. Again, he's late. But this time, he took the initiative to get his crayons and worksheets. During Bible Story and Gospel Sharing time, I saw his face lightening up as he gave answers to my questions. 

Rose: Where is God's home?
Marco: In heaven!
Rose: Can Jesus make our hearts his home, too?
Marco: Yes!!
Rose: Would you like to welcome Jesus in your hearts?
Marco and his classmates: Yes!
Rose: Let's say sorry to Jesus then and ask Him to be in our hearts, then!

My reflection: All behaviour in class is an outflow of what's in the students' hearts. Indeed, it is challenging to explain deep concepts of God's power, Jesus' death and resurrection and the necessity to repent and welcome him to be Lord of our lives. But there's a God-shaped hole that only He can fill. And by faith, God's word will work on their hearts. We just need to be willing to be vessels for God's work.

Our role as Sunday School teachers is to be more sensitive to the needs of kids and tap on those needs before presenting the Gospel. Marco was initially reactive because he thought I would scold him or force him to join the big group, but then when he felt that I was there to just talk to him, he started to open up and ask that big question.

After Marco prayed the prayer of acceptance, I also talked to his Mom. Teary eyed, she thanked me and gave me a commitment to look after her son's walk with the Lord.

It is so humbling to be a part of this ministry, for it's an eternal investment.:) What about you, have you paused from a day's busy work to care for a child's need? Please share with me your story!

‘Courageous’: A Free Movie About Cops and More

If you’re a father who struggles in leading your family, the film ‘Courageous’ would encourage you a lot. Packed with Biblical truths and situations that could happen in real life, it focuses on the generational effect of sin in families and communities.

The story of ‘Courageous’ is about four daddy cops. One denied his responsibility to his child born out of wedlock and one cloaked his drugs smuggling activity through churchy talk. One was wounded by his father’s absence in his life. One led them all to make a commitment to be courageous in serving the Lord Jesus Christ by leading and protecting their families in the right way.

Tests of faith, of friendship and of integrity are the scenes that would make you re-think the way you father your children. You would ponder on the loving grace of God to a community being patrolled by flawed men who were dependent on Him.

‘Courageous’ offers hope to everyone who seeks to appreciate God’s design for families. Using the tagline ‘Honor begins at home,’ the independent film directed by Stephen Kendrick and produced by Provident Pictures stars Alex Kendrick, Kevin Downes, Ken Bevel and Ben Davies. The film was well received by movie goers in its first opening week in the United States. It had a production budget of $2 million and grossed more than $34 million.

CCF Alabang is privileged to have a re-run of this film for FREE on March 23, 2011 at 7:00 PM. This is open to the public. Bring your family and friends! Click here to see CCF Alabang’s map.
View the film's trailer and share it and use devotionals and Bible study guides with its theme. Click here to go to ‘Courageous’’ official website.

Related Links:
Parenting Resources: http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/
Pre-school Parenting Tips: http://ccfalabangnxtgen.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/tips-for-preschool-parents-what-your-preschool-teacher-wishes-you-knew/

Walk the Talk

The most challenging thing to do in class is to walk the talk. 

Last Sunday, I was talking about obeying the Lord Jesus in class. I asked the kids of their ideas on how to follow Jesus. Some said 'Finish my food!', 'Make friends!', 'Follow Mommy!'. I was so pleased to hear that these kids know exactly what to do.

After a few minutes, a boy crumpled his coloring sheet. A girl played with her chair and she almost fell. A nanny left the room to talk to someone on the phone so a child followed her so I ran to the door to stop her from coming out of the room. The nanny knocked at the door in the middle of my Bible story. My heart sank. For I was about to transition to my lesson point. The kids were distracted. I was distracted. And so I said, 'Next time, please stay outside before the lesson begins! It's hard to teach kids, you know!' in an angry tone.

And I completely knew, my message to the kids did not come really come through.

Floyd

The beauty of this child's smile just melts my heart. When he giggles, my cares fade away. When he rests in my arms, God whispers to me 'See, that's what faith is all about.'