tradional birthday crab

I don't remember when exactly this crab dinner started. It's my eldest son's favorite for his birthday. Today Paul celebrates his 14th birthday! Im awes trucked the small boy is now a young man! I remember putting candles on a steamed crab for his birthday during his younger days, yes crab instead of a cake. After a song and prayer we all dig in for the feast! Those precious moments of being a family. Paul being a minister's so grew in a simple home, im sure he is not all the way appreciative of what he has in a pastor's home and being a PK is a tremendous pressure.

Today his 14th birthday almost slipped away, thank God it didn't. Mama was not with us, we took Fitz with us and use his new car. We went to a chinese resto for a crab! No regrets when i heared my visa card cranked, this is for my son, nothing is too precious than this night! Nothing dramatic happened oh how teenagers detest emotions especially from an emotional dad like me. I tried my best to simply listen (God knows how i restrained), Paul's thoughts were honest and deep answering the query of uncle Fitz on how it is to be a preacher's kid, he spoke of tremendous pressure and high expectations that he has to contend with. I just sighed feeling load for the boy and silently offered a prayer for grace to abound. What about the perks of being a PK? i eagerly await what he will say, then the bite of reality " I am still trying to find out the perks" oooouch. Hurt? actually its more an awakening in my part and a silent prayer again for God to dash some gladness in his young heart. It's not a complaint or anger, i simply sensed honesty out of his heart.

It was a fine evening of deep thoughts for me, perhaps a lesson on grace and a challenge to bend down and see the world from his view. i pray that despite this all one day Paul will finally find the right words to describe the perks of being a PK. I love you son! Til the next crab dinner!

Watchout!

War on Greed!

Camouflaged greed is not easy to detect because they look so safe and it is covered by good noble intentions such as “it has helped a lot of people already”. Who can detect this deadly enemy? This greed virus has crept into the hearts of many, not only among those who defiantly reject God, but even those who sincerely follow God. This hellish weapon comes as a spiritual stealth undetected by our religious radars.

The Lord Jesus has never failed to warn us against all kinds of greed, remember the parable of the rich fool? Recorded in the gospel of Luke chapter 12 verses 13 -21 is the complete detail. It all started with an interruption coming from someone in the crowd, asking Jesus to be an arbiter against the internal family squab regarding the issue of inheritance, sounds familiar to me. Go into the records of our courts and up to the highest court of the land the Supreme Court and you will find a lot of similar cases. Greed proves to be thicker than blood! What is supposed to be an interruption Jesus took it as a timely opportunity for instruction and spiritual insights? For though it came as a personal request it reveals a general curse that has infected mankind – the problem of greed!

Jesus calls the rich man in this parable a “fool” not because he is rich, not because he built a larger barn, not even because he planned to eat drink and be merry. What is then why Jesus called him a fool? It is because of his greed! It’s a case of a man possessed by his possessions. Remember the warning of the Lord is to watch out, be on guard, to all kinds of greed, can you detect your kind of greed? May the Lord help us see the destruction that greed brought and the deception that it has wrought even among those who are working for this glory? WATCH OUT is timely warning.

· GREED FOR GLORY

· GREED FOR GOLD

· GREED FOR GAINS

· GREED FOR GADGETS

· GREED FOR GRADES

· GREED FOR GARBAGE

· GREED FOR PLEASURE

· GREED FOR PRAISE

· GREED FOR MORE

May we remember the words of Christ “real life is not measured by how much we own” Yes we all know this from our cranium, the question is have we experience its effect deep down our hearts? Has it redefined our priorities? Redirected our pursuits?

Let the words of Jesus disturb our peace with greed so there will be a sense of helplessness in us to fight it then we call for Help, then deliverance from greed happens!