Fulfilling Your Destiny Matters Who Are With You

By Ianpassion
Photo was taken at the mangroves plantation, Tamalang, Satun, 2017 

King Solomon said that one who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

Let us remember that we have a destiny. Often it is hard to fulfill this only by ourselves. However, the Father has already arranged for certain people to come along with us.  They believe and speak faith in us. 

A Lesson From A Glass Of Water: Change Your Focus

By Ianpassion 

Allow me to share this short story hoping that you will be inspired. 

There was a lady who talked to his brother, the leader of her group.

Lady: Brother I won't come to our group gathering anymore.

Brother: What's going on?

What If Our Good Is Not Good Enough?

By Ianpassion

I was having my morning Thai coffee and grilled sticky rice while reflecting on our involvement in developing our communities and reaching out to the less fortunate— the poor and the marginalized.

It is in our nature to be good to someone, whether a friend or a community that is suffering. However, have we ever asked ourselves: What if our good is not good enough?

Fears Took Over My Life

By Ianpassion

My life changed when I encountered the Father’s love. I was like the eldest son in a parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). What I understood work is the benchmark for approval. 


I used to believe that if I work very hard and go to bed late then the Father would love me. I thought I would be accepted if I performed well and produced impressive results.

What Your Passion Is So Important?

By Ianpassion
The photo was taken at Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines.

Our passion is vital because it defines what truly excites us and makes us come alive. It is the core of our vision, affections, desires, ambitions, and dreams. As Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Our heart encompasses the entirety of our life's passions, shaping what we deeply love and care about.

Each of us has unique passions, much like our distinct fingerprints. What excites one person might seem mundane to another. It’s essential to recognize that our individual passions are valuable, even if they aren’t shared by everyone around us.

Thai Children Day and My Reflection- Nurturing our Children's Spirituality

By Ianpassion

Every January 13 is a Children day in Thailand. Kids wait for this day every year. Those who are near the Prime Minister Building in Bangkok can have a chance to sit the chair of the Prime Minister. Those who are in the provinces can enjoy amusements and gifts-giving organized by each local government.

As it was our schedule to be in Hatyai (the main city in the South of Thailand), we decided to go to the airfield of the Royal Thai Air Force. There were many people. Everyone cheered when a fighter plane got wild in the sky. It sounded very loud, like rumbling and echoing the entire atmosphere. Nana and Nemi pointed up - airplane, airplane, airplane...they were so happy. 

How the Father's Love Revealed in this Christmas Season?

By Ianpasion
Photo credit: washington.com

I was so busy in the past few days, but today I have some time to write about my reflection on the Father's love revealed at the place where the Son was born. 

You might ask, what is new about the birth of the Son? It is a kindergarten story. Whatever possible reasons you have, allow me to simply elaborate on three important things about the Father's love through the birth of His Son. It is a fact that Christmas history began with the story of the Son 2,000 years ago when Rome was still in power. Some might deny this fact, but history tells us that there was a baby wrapped and placed in a manger. 

Jingle Bells Abroad: True Meaning of Christmas

By Ianpassion

When you are abroad especially in a far country, miles away from big cities, Christmas might not be an unimportant event. Villagers may think that Christmas is a western celebration about Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, and jingle bells. Having no theological foundation for Christmas may fall following unscriptural traditions or copying rituals from others.

Here I discuss three important basic points which Christmas is not all about. I hope that after reading this, you may reflect again on the true meaning of Christmas and realign yourself back to the real essence of the celebration.  

What Does Helping Others Rise Up Mean?

By Ianpassion

  

We would never reach our goals if nobody helped us. Someone pushes us up instead of pulling us down. This person might be our friend, our teacher, or someone who is highly respected in our society. Whoever they are, one thing is certain: this person is not just with us, but they are for us.

I emphasize "for us" because not everyone who is with us is genuinely supportive. Some are only with us because they can still use us. Often, such individuals are opportunists and manipulators.

An Open Letter Of The Father For His Child

By Ianpassion 

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you
(Psalm 139). 

I know when you sit down and when you rise
(Psalm 139:2). 

I am familiar with all your ways
(Psalm 139:3).

What Is A Spiritual Family?

By Ianpassion

Our Heavenly Father did not create man because He is lonely. He is already completely satisfied with Himself because He is Love (1 John 4:8). He created you and me to share the beauty of His family with us.

His nature is relational, as He has revealed in family terms: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. The Trinity exemplifies what a family should be like, with each member agreeing and supporting one another. Since then, the Father, Son, and Spirit have shared the most important value: Love. 

He Wanted You To Be His Child

By Ianpassion

Many believers these days still do not understand their real identity, or maybe you are one of them. You have reached a crossroads of your spiritual confusion and began to ask yourself,  "Who Am I?. Am I a servant or a  child of Loving Father?”  

Like Moses, he was confused if he was a foreigner or a chosen. So when he saw a slave-master maltreating his fellow, he ended this by putting the law in his own hands. He was afraid so he hid. He asked himself, "What if the Emperor would know that he sided with the slaves?” 

Simple Tips on How to Study the Scripture

By Ianpassion 

There is no “the only correct method” of studying the Scripture. But there are general principles that you need to use to dig the intended meaning of the Scripture and avoid misinterpretation.

You may come across reading passages in the Scripture which are hard to understand.

Short Message: What is Christmas?

By Ianpassion

I have been meditating...CHRISTMAS. 


Without the Christmas tree, the colored lights, and the gifts prepared by my wife, I would never feel it is coming. 

Is Joel Osteen a False Teacher?

By Ianpassion

A friend of mine asked what is wrong about Joel’s messages. He said that Joel is misleading and you should be careful. His message is always about blessings with less teaching about sin and repentance.

The way how my friend described Joel’s preaching somehow charged him like a false preacher. What’s wrong with Joel’s teaching? Do you think you need to stop reading his devotionals articles and books? Is there some truth in his teachings?