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By Ianpassion Cooking on the firewood |
The student sat down quietly and said, “Teacher, I’ve decided not to join the others for worship anymore. I can pray to the Father by myself. I don’t need to gather with them.”
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By Ianpassion Nemi's Drawing 2025 |
What I’ve noticed lately is how different my son is from the group and from what is usually done. He likes to stand out, not just for the sake of being different, but because he follows his own way rather than the traditional crowd.
I can even see it in the small things, like the way he places his water bottle on the table after drinking at the taekwondo gym, completely unlike the other athletes. His uniqueness also shines through in his drawings.
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By Ianpassion Cassava I harvested |
I recently harvested the cassava I planted last year. It all began when an excavator passed by our house to dig a trench for the village water pipeline. After the work was finished, the soil was left soft and loose. I decided to plant cassava trunks in that ground, and after a year, we were able to harvest them. My wife shared some with one of the Agape members, who used it to make a Thai dessert, while I boiled the rest with coconut milk and a little salt.
As I reflected on this, I was reminded of the parable the Son told about the sower. He taught that seed planted in good soil will surely grow and produce a harvest, some thirty, sixty, or even a hundredfold. But seed that falls on rocky ground, among thorns, or on the path will not bear fruit.
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By Ianpassion Refreshing river stream in Manang, Satun, Thailand |
I went into the forest for a hike.
What refreshed me most was the stream of fresh, cold water where I washed my face after hours of hiking and sweating. With the Thai scarf on my head, I took it off to dry my face.
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| By Ianpassion With Nana and Nemi |
Fathers, our presence is more important than perfection
(think about your own dad). Our children may or may not remember our mistakes,
but what they will surely remember is that we were with them when they fell and
when they celebrated their victories.
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By Ianpassion A narrow road at the border passes through the neighborhood |
As we continued heading toward the Thai-Myanmar border, the road became narrower, and early in the morning, visibility was dangerously low due to thick fog. I had to slow down and carefully navigate some sharp curves.
But through it all, we thank the Father Almighty for His protection and for the opportunity to experience the culture and language at the northernmost border of Thailand. This has also been a meaningful experience for our children, allowing them to witness firsthand what it means to immerse themselves in local life and to be a resource when needed.
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| Seasami Leaf |
I’ve lived in Thailand for many years, but I hadn’t found it until recently, when my wife took us to a food shop that included sesame leaves in their serving. Finally! A simple desire, almost like a small prayer, was granted in His time.
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| Painted by Angie & Therese 2025 |
As parents, we are not only responsible for preparing a "nest" for our children, a home where they feel loved, safe, and nurtured...but also for creating a spiritual environment where their beliefs can take root and grow. In a world increasingly shaped by secular culture, digital distractions, and values that drift far from the truth of the Almighty Father, we are called to raise our children intentionally, grounding them in wisdom and higher understanding.
The way we live, the way we offer guidance, the values we embody, and the conversations we have all contribute to shaping our children's spiritual awareness and connection with the Almighty Father.
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| @picture is not mine, it belongs to the right owner. |
Thank The Almighty Father for His protection. We thank The Almighty Father that in our area in Satun, Thailand, we barely felt the impact of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Thailand and the 8.6 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar. When the earthquake occurred, we were busy constructing the hut for fellowship and family gatherings behind our home. I only noticed the news of the earthquake when I went to the construction shop, and the owner asked if I knew about it. I didn’t know anything about it.
When I arrived home, I checked the news on my phone, and that’s when we learned that it was a very unusual earthquake. Thailand and Myanmar, especially in places like Bangkok and Mandalay, are not prepared for such an event, as most buildings in these regions are not built on bearing pads. You can tell from how the buildings shake that their bases are not isolated, which resulted in the collapse of some buildings and cracks in the walls and foundations.
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By Ianpassion Picture was taken when our children visited the flower garden in Trang, Thailand 2025 |
Positive energy is crucial in the family because it fosters love, unity, and peace—principles deeply rooted in the word the Father. G reminds us in 1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Love is the foundation of positive energy, creating an environment where family members feel valued, understood, and supported. Without this, emotional walls can form, making it difficult to connect with one another. You may feel a huge barrier between you and a family member, leaving you isolated and disconnected.
The Word of the Father provides a solution to breaking down these walls. In Ephesians 4:15, we are encouraged to "speak the truth in love," emphasizing the importance of honest communication. When families engage in open, heartfelt conversations with the purpose of reconciliation, they can begin to dismantle emotional barriers. This process aligns with Matthew 5:9, which says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of the Father." Seeking peace and reconciliation restores positive energy, allowing family members to feel filled, peaceful, and free in their interactions.
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| Photo belongs to the right owner. |
The wildfires in California have left behind significant destruction and loss, but in the midst of this tragedy, there are valuable lessons we can reflect upon. I have three in mind:
1. The Importance of Safety and Preparedness
The devastation in California was exacerbated by a lack of preparation in certain areas. One major issue was the scarcity of water, which could have been a vital resource in preventing the fires from spreading. There weren’t enough water hydrants, pumps to add pressure to the water, or even automatic water systems installed around homes to prevent fires from catching. I can't imagine that this is happening in America. In fire-prone areas, we should always be vigilant and proactive. We must recognize the dangers and take necessary precautions. The Bible reminds us to be wise and prepared: “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3). If we know the risk, we should not ignore it.
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By Ianpassion The picture was taken while I was preparing breakfast on the balcony of our accommodation. This picture speaks to me about the future as I look at the horizon where the mountain ranges and the blue sky meet. |
This year, I believe will be the Year of Jubilee, which a year of restoration, reaping, and spiritual renewal. In the Scripture, the Year of Jubilee is a time when the Father Almighty commands a release of debts, restoration of land, and freedom from burdens. It is a year of celebration, forgiveness, and a fresh start. I believe this year will be a time for us to harvest what we have sown, the efforts, prayers, and hard work we’ve poured into our lives, families, careers, and ministries over the past years. I am filled with excitement and anticipation as I see in faith that this year will bring increase and fruitfulness, as the Father promises come to life in our lives.
In the past, I’ve thought about the prophet Habakkuk, who struggled to see the fruits of his labor, much like many of us do. He worked hard, yet he couldn’t immediately see the results. But he didn’t lose hope, he chose to trust the Father's plan. Habakkuk knew that even though it may not seem like things were happening in the natural, The Father was working behind the scenes. He had faith that the Father's timing and plans are always perfect, even when we can’t yet see or feel it. In this, I see a powerful connection to the Year of Jubilee, because sometimes we feel like we are sowing in tears, facing hardship, or waiting for restoration, but the Jubilee reminds us that in the Father's timing, the harvest comes. The debts are forgiven, and restoration follows.
Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year. There’s a unique joy and peace that fills the air during this season—an intangible warmth that manifests in decorations, lights, music, the giving of gifts, and even in the coolness of the weather. However, this joy is most profoundly experienced by those who recognize and appreciate the true origin of this holiday.
In different cultures, Christmas is celebrated for various reasons. For many business people, it's seen as an opportunity to increase profits, with consumers out buying gifts and decorations. But for me, every year I ask myself: What is the deeper meaning of Christmas? To understand this, I always turn to Scripture.
By Ianpassion My daughter Nana is using a sack of fertilizer to protect herself from the rain.
I listened to a Rick Warren podcast about having an awesome family. He uses the raincoat as an analogy to describe the concept of an awesome family. We use a raincoat for protection from the rain; imagine if you didn’t have a raincoat when you were outside. Just as a raincoat protects us from the rain, a family provides protection and support in the face of life's challenges and problems.
In this illustration, the raincoat represents the family, and the rain represents the challenges or problems we encounter in life. Imagine our children suffering rejection, loneliness, fears, and more without the support of a family. It's no wonder that when Satan wants to destroy a nation, he starts with the family. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), so when a family is broken, we lack protection when the rain comes.
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| By Ianpassion |
This morning, we were saddened by the news of someone we knew in the village passing away at the age of 38. He was rushed to the hospital last night due to a heart problem. During the day, everything seemed normal, and he appeared healthy. However, last night he struggled to breathe, and later we found that he had passed away.
Instances like these remind me that life is a precious gift. Some are on the brink of death, yet their time has not come, and I believe I am one of those. I always consider my life on earth as temporary, and as long as I have life, I live not for myself but for the One who has given it to me.
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| By Ianpassion Nana's drawing when she was 6 years old |
When my daughter was six years old, she wrote a story about Briya's pets. Although her English skills weren't good yet, her creativity shone through. The tale featured Tea, a dog, and Present, a rooster, who kept Briya company, echoing the assurance that she was never alone.
Reflecting on this, I saw parallels with the Son's promise to always be with us, akin to the companionship Briya found in her pets. Witnessing her connection with the Son at such a young age, expressed through her writing and drawings, filled me with awe. My hope is for her relationship with the Son to deepen as she grows.
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By Ianpassion
Nemi doing her homework
Last night, during dinner, my son Nemi was in tears,
expressing his unwillingness to go to school. Concerned, we immediately probed
the reason behind his distress. To our shock, he revealed that one of his
teachers had not only shouted at him but had also resorted to physical
aggression, hitting him twice with her hand. The first blow struck his back,
and the second landed on his lap.
Naturally, we sought an explanation for such
unacceptable behavior from the teacher. Nemi explained that he couldn't finish rewriting
Thai letter activities in his book within the allotted time. Although he had
diligently worked on the task and was close to completion, he couldn't keep up
with the pace. The news filled me with anger, and I felt an intense rush of
heat in my head. No teacher should ever treat our son or any student in such a
manner.
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By Ianpassion My father is 76 years old, 2023 |
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By Ianpassion My son punching bag toy |
Now, here comes the funny part. I decided to give my son
some advice on how to handle the situation. I told him to avoid a physical
confrontation and find peaceful solutions instead. But, guess what? Later that
evening, he asked if he could hang his punching bag toy. Without really
thinking it through, I agreed and set it up for him. Oh boy, was that a
mistake! Just a few minutes later, I walked back into the room only to find the
punching bag completely destroyed. Naturally, I asked my son what happened. And
you know what he said? He said, "You know, Papa, I punched it until it
broke!" I couldn't help but smile and told him that he's a little Hulk in
the making.
