Christian Early Math Launching Event

Admin / 2025_S1

To Celebrate: Free Coupons for Early Adopters As we begin offering these materials to sincere learners around the world, we’d love to celebrate this milestone by offering free download coupons to early adopters who are eager to explore our resources and support our mission. ⸻ Click the button below for FREE COUPON!!! 1. Click the button below to copy the COUPON code into your clipboard. 2. Choose one of our carefully curated selection of Christian early math printable from our “Launching event” category HERE. 3. Enter the coupon code during the checkout process. 4. Look for a field, labeled “Coupon Code”, and paste or type in the code. Then, click the “Apply Coupon” button. ⸻ Thank you for being part of this journey! Your participation and support mean a lot to us! Get 100% FREE Coupon RH2QEBYU

Christian Early Math Launching Event Read More »

Good Shepherd And A Hired Hand

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

Did you know that Jeung Island in Korea boasts an impressive 90% evangelization rate? This island is not only known for its spiritual significance but also for its stunning natural beauty. The remarkable evangelization rate can be attributed to the late Missionary Jun Kyung (J.K.) Mun, who faced significant challenges in her early life. After being abandoned by her husband and becoming a widow, she supported herself through sewing. One day, she encountered the gospel and embraced Jesus as her savior. Following her theological studies, she returned to Jeung Island to establish churches, inspired by the influential Rev. Lee, a prominent revivalist of her time. During that era, fishing villages in Korea presented harsh living conditions and posed challenges for women in general. Cultural norms even restricted women from approaching fishing boats, as they were believed to bring bad luck. Despite these obstacles, Missionary Mun traveled extensively across Jeung Island and neighboring islands, spreading the gospel, establishing prayer centers, and planting churches. It is said that while most people wore one pair of shoes a year, she wore nine pairs due to her relentless dedication to evangelism, walking tirelessly along many paths. Missionary Mun was killed and martyred by Communist soldiers during the Korean War. She made the “different” choice” despite her colleagues’ advice against it and went in to protect the people of Jeung Island, and ended up losing her life. Many believers and ministers of our time have been influenced by her life to follow the Lord’s path. Even today, we need to make “different” choices for our children. Today, sending our children to schools, academies, and institutions has become so commonplace that it is no longer a “different” path. Many parents choose to work more hours themselves to provide best education possible and higher financial support for their children. It’s not uncommon for parents to work more than two jobs to send their children to private schools. So what are the “different” choices for our children in this day and age? I want to share a poignant story about my wife and her friend Jane. After graduating from college, my wife entered the workforce, got married, and eventually decided to leave her job when her first child was born. In contrast, Jane, who graduated alongside my wife, also got married around the same time but chose to continue her career while raising three children. After my wife left her job, they lost touch for several years. They finally reconnected when Jane’s child faced bullying in elementary school, prompting Jane to confide in my wife about her worries. During their conversation, my wife became acutely aware of the challenges faced by career women. She expressed to Jane that she was at a pivotal moment in her life, needing to choose between her career and family. When a woman gets married, she has two new priorities in life: a devoted partner and a nurturing mother. As my wife elaborated on these roles, Jane grew visibly uncomfortable and interjected, “What about ‘my’ life? Where is ‘my’ life? I’ve worked hard for the past 30 years, striving to succeed in a career that I fought for. Don’t you think God has a plan for me in my work?” The wife responded gently, saying, “Absolutely, your education, your career, and everything you do at work are significant. However, I believe that a woman’s greatest priority is to be a loving companion to her husband and a nurturing mother to her children. This is the Biblical mission entrusted to you, and I encourage you to reflect on your priorities. Right now, your child truly needs your undivided attention. Jane, it’s important to understand that your life doesn’t end when you leave your job. In fact, it can flourish as you embrace your role as a partner to your husband and raise your children with love and patience. That’s the essence of a fulfilling life according to the Bible.” Hearing such a perspective, which is often overlooked in society and even in church, Jane felt a bit unsettled. However, she quickly recognized the truth in my wife’s words and requested our prayer for the strength to embrace this path. Many parents find themselves sacrificing precious time with their children in pursuit of career advancement and financial gain. We often choose to delegate their care to others, believing we can keep our hands clean by entrusting them to “good” hands. We rely on schools and teachers for intellectual education, churches and ministers for spiritual guidance, and screens for emotional support. However, parents may not realize that this approach is not Biblical at all. God has entrusted the holistic education of our children to their parents. As it is written, “These words that I command you today shall be in your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7a ESV). This is why it is essential for parents to take a primary role in teaching and caring for their children. We must not fall into the misconception that church ministers will bear the responsibility for our children’s faith. This isn’t due to any weakness in the church or a lack of ministers, nor is it a reflection of the quality of schools and institutions. The truth is, no one in the world can love and guide our children as their parents can, with the patience and persistence that only a parent can provide. God designed and created us this way, ensuring that parents are the primary teachers and ministers in their children’s lives. But in today’s society, there are so much work to do and parents are so busy doing it, and it is pushing parents to give up on nurturing their children’s souls so easily. Our bold advice may be upsetting to some of you at first. But we can’t help but tell you the Biblical truth: If both parents are working, one of you need to give up your career to care for your children. Why? Because you can

Good Shepherd And A Hired Hand Read More »

Don’t Be Too Hard On Your Kids?

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

This narrative takes us back to a time when our fourth son was just 18 months old. My wife was now trying to wean him off breastfeeding entirely. Some days he seemed to cope well, while on others, he would just keep whining for his mother’s milk. To address this, we initiated “reality training,” aiming to help him understand that whining wouldn’t bring him closer to his desires; in fact, it would only push him further away. Coincidentally, we had just finished family dinner and were gathered around the table enjoying dessert, with my in-laws observing the entire scene. Their concern was palpable as they witnessed the unfolding situation. Eventually, my father-in-law could no longer contain himself and remarked, “You are too hard on your kids!” Meanwhile, my mother-in-law was visibly distressed, exclaiming, “You can’t do that!” My wife attempted to clarify our approach, but their anxiety lingered. After a period of tears, my son finally settled down. I scooped him up and carried him into the living room, where his face lit up with joy at being back in his mother’s embrace. Were we so hard on our son? It’s interesting to note that many parents we encounter often remark on how calm and well-behaved our children are. While they express admiration for their behavior, they frequently overlook the fact that this is the result of consistent training. Instead, they tend to assume that our children are simply born with good manners, leading them to believe that their own children cannot exhibit similar behavior due to a lack of inherent temperament. They often resign themselves to accepting their children’s behavior, hoping that, with time, they will naturally outgrow it, all while avoiding any actions that might provoke anger. However, how many parents can honestly admit that despite our best intentions to remain calm, we often find ourselves getting angrier at our children more often than not? Take, for instance, the moments when a child spills coffee, breaks a bowl, or has an accident. In those situations, it’s common for parents to feel a surge of frustration and even raise their voices. “What’s wrong with you?!”“How many times do I have to tell you not to touch it!”“What on earth are you doing?!” While parents may view these reactions as a temporary loss of temper, the reality is that such outbursts can lead to a child becoming increasingly introverted. Afterward, the parent may feel remorseful about their reaction and attempt to make amends by offering their favorite snacks or toys to cheer them up. I can’t help but wonder if this resonates with what’s happening in your household as you read this. It’s certainly something we experience from time to time in our own home. When we think about mistakes, how can a child truly grow up to be cheerful in an environment where mistakes are not accepted? In a nurturing home, mistakes should be embraced and tolerated, much like how our legal system often shows leniency in punishing errors. But what about our own homes? In many families, the situation is quite the opposite. When children fail to listen to their parents, it’s often brushed off as a mere temperament issue, even when their disobedience seems intentional. Teaching children appropriate behavior is not about their temperament; it’s a skill that everyone needs to learn especially in their homes from their parents. A child doesn’t naturally become an extrovert simply because they’ve been free from discipline. In reality, a child thrives when parents offer hugs, comfort, and reassurance, especially after making mistakes. However, in a home lacking discipline, every moment can feel like a test. When a child errs, they are often judged and scolded on the spot. For instance, a child who hasn’t learned to control their volume in public may yell freely, and if that behavior becomes too embarrassing, the parent will confront them immediately. “How many times have I told you not to yell?!” As a result, the child grows up without a sense of discipline, makes more frequent mistakes, and faces immediate negative judgment for those errors, leading to a loss of confidence. Ultimately, they may become introverted, fearful of making mistakes and judgments that follows. Discipline is not about getting angry at your children; in fact, if you get angry, that’s the end of discipline. You can discipline your children as much as you want without getting angry. You don’t even have to suppress their temperament, because discipline is not about dealing with their temperament, it’s about dealing with their attitudes and behaviors (inherent sinful nature of all mankind). And that discipline requires constant attention and patience on your part. What did I do when I walked into the room with my whimpering little baby? I hugged him and waited patiently for him to calm down and listen to his dad. To the child who was crying incessantly and insisting, I said in a soft voice, “If you cry, you can’t go to mommy. If you don’t cry, I’ll take you to mommy. I can’t help you if you keep whinning.” And I continued to talk to him kindly, which is what love does. When he seemed to stop crying, I would move closer to the door and pretend to open it, but if he started crying again, I would move away from the door again and tell him that if he stopped crying, he could meet with his mom again. We went back and forth in the room again and again. It was a physical reminder of reality. Through this process, he learned that there are things in this world that you can’t get even if you cry about it. All of our children go through “reality training”: whenever they fussed to their mom, their dad would take them to another room and calm them down til they are ready to accept the reality. We often reminisce about the early days of our “reality training” with our in-laws. Initially, they were skeptical, much

Don’t Be Too Hard On Your Kids? Read More »

If You Love Your Children, Love Your Church

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

One Sunday morning, my ten-year-old daughter came running up to me right after Sunday school, panting and excited. “Mommy, Daddy, something wonderful has happened. Today, for the first time in my life, I cried in prayer!” I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical, thinking, what’s the big deal about tears in prayer, but I listened closely to how the “first time in my life”. My daughter’s story went like this. During the Sunday school service that day, the sermon was about repentance and the preacher asked the children to pray a prayer of repentance, so she prayed, and it brought tears to her eyes. She said that the other children seemed to be crying as well. As we continued to listen to the story, we realized that it wasn’t just an incident about tears during prayer. It was the moment of her life that resolved her inner struggles. With excitement, she recounted her testimony, revealing that during the repentance prayer, she felt an enormous weight lifted from her heart! The sadness that had once clouded her heart was gone, and her heart was filled with a lightness and joy that she couldn’t quite explain. I was overjoyed to hear this, as it made me think that God had truly answered my heartfelt prayers for my children—that they would have their own personal encounters with Him and learn to love God freely, without any nudging from their eager parents! In fact, this prayer request began out of my own frustration teaching the Bible to my children. As I taught them the Bible, many times they were receptive to it, but when I found a huge gap between the Word and their lives, sometimes I found that they were unable to bridge the gap. The more I taught them, the more I felt helpless, as if the Lord was showing me, it is only up to God Himself. But that helplessness led me to a place of prayer, and God, who is faithful, answered that prayer and personally touched our daughter’s heart. I am so grateful for that. It also meant a lot to me that God had worked in my daughter’s heart through the church (community of faith). The common belief that “if I go to church regularly on Sundays, my children will do the same” seems pretty convincing at first, but unfortunately, many of us have learned that this notion is quite naïve. While there are aspects where parents can lead by example, there are also areas where the church community plays a crucial role; both have important contributions to make. From the very beginning, God intended for humanity to exist in community, and our children are no exception. Thus, it’s imperative that we help our children appreciate and fully immerse themselves in the church community so that they can grow up and mature within it. So how can we, as parents, facilitate this process? The bottom line is that parents need to love the church community, and we need to show it to our children. I’m not just talking about loving the church community when it’s going well. Parents need to show their children that they still love the church community even when it’s not going well, even when it’s particularly disappointing to be part of a church community, so that they can still love the church community when they go through similar situations in the future. Children rarely “do as they are told”; instead, they tend to “do as they see.” This is a well-recognized principle among educators: when parents live their faith with one foot in the church and the other in the secular world, balancing their commitment between the church and the secular world, their children may end up leaving their faith behind entirely. Regardless of how often we instruct them to trust in Jesus, it is unlikely to resonate, as they will follow the example set before them rather than the words we speak. I saw this happen in a church where the father had been a faithful elder, and his son, a deacon, had been a faithful member of the church for generations, loving the Lord and serving the church. But it turned out that this was a rare occurrence in that church. What seemed to be more common was that the parents were longtime members of the church, but their children only attended services and went to church. I wondered. “What on earth was causing these different outcomes? So one day I asked the deacon, whose son was a good Christian, what was the secret of his parents’ faithfulness to their faith, and how did his family manage to brew a thick broth of faith for generations, when the children of other families’ faith was so watered down? And he gave me the answer. I witnessed a poignant scene in a church where a devoted elder and his son, a dedicated deacon, had faithfully served for generations, nurturing their love for the Lord and the church community. Yet, this seemed to be an exception rather than the norm. More often, I noticed that while many parents were long-standing members, their children merely attended. This left me pondering, “What could be the reason behind these contrasting experiences?” Curiosity led me to approach the son the deacon, who exemplified strong Christian values. I inquired about the secret to his family’s enduring faith over generations and how they cultivated such a rich spiritual legacy, especially when so many parents tried but struggled to instill the same depth of belief in their children. His response was enlightening. “I believe there are a couple of key reasons for this. First, my father made it a priority to hold family worship in our home, which drew me closer to the Bible and hymns. Second, my parents never spoke negatively about the church, the pastor, or other members in our presence. I honestly can’t recall a single negative conversation about our church between them. However, as I matured

If You Love Your Children, Love Your Church Read More »

The Inheritance Of A Lovely Day

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

As the children enter the church, they are filled with excitement. It’s heartwarming to see them reconnect with friends they haven’t seen in a week. Our children join the others, sharing giggles and playtime on the premises. As it’s nearly time to head home, we call out to our children, “Kids, let’s go home!” The children hear us, stop what they’re doing, and cheerfully respond with a “yes” as they dash over to us. It may seem like an ordinary moment, but some parents watching seem surprised, asking, “How do they just stop and come when you call them?” We then take a moment to discuss with them the importance of children obeying their parents and offer guidance. Parents typically have two reactions to these principles and tips. Some say, “Oh, that’s how you do it, we can do that,” while others respond, “This is too strict for us. It’s not our approach, and we don’t think we could do that.” Do parents need to be strict to teach their children obedience? In conclusion, yes, to some degree, but more importantly, parents need to be firm rather than strict. Whether it’s strictness or firmness, one key principle must guide parents in disciplining their children: the entire process of training and nurturing should be founded on love. Did I just state the obvious? You might ask, “What kind of parent doesn’t love their children?” And you’re right, all parents love their children. But today, we’re discussing how much they actually express that love. There’s a difference between having love and expressing love. As parents, we need to remind our children often with words like “Daddy loves you” and “Mommy loves you.” We should say it whenever we can and make a conscious effort to create opportunities to express it. There’s no need to be concerned that loving your child too much will spoil them. In her book The Family Principle, Dr. Jung states: “A child who is loved unconditionally can never go wrong. Problems emerge from loving them in the wrong way or not disciplining them properly, not from unconditional love.” We must keep telling our children that we love them, whether they’re young, adolescents, or adults. Each time we do, we help strengthen the foundation of their character, self-esteem, and faith, healing any cracks or brokenness we are unaware of. The home is the only place where a person can find unconditional acceptance and learn that it’s okay to fail. In all other places, people are judged in some way. Thus, the home is where we can cultivate endless possibilities on the foundation of unconditional love. As believers, we should constantly remind our children, “Jesus loves you.” While knowing that Jesus loves us is fundamental, the more foundational it is, the more it needs reinforcement. Jesus’ love is precious and a blessing to hear repeatedly. Those who have experienced Jesus’ love time and again are resilient when rebuked and are more readily led to repentance than those who haven’t. This is why building a solid foundation of Jesus’ love is so fundamental. In our home, we love to tell our children just how much we care. I try to do it even more often, even though I already say it quite a bit. “Jesus loves you soooo much!” “Daddy is soooo happy to have you!” Then I give them a big hug, and their hearts just soar. Sometimes they show their love by giggling, sometimes they hug us tightly, and other times they jump for joy! This is how you leave the inheritance of a lovely day. There’s no better education than this. When our children experience a lovely day, they will be able to share one with others. In time, they will pass on the inheritance of a lovely day to their own children when they eventually become parents themselves. Dad calls his children. They have been playing in the living room and their curious faces light up as they turn to him and answer, wondering what exciting news he might have. “Yes?” Dad beams at his attentive audience and shares the most wonderful message: “I love you all!” They respond with a giggle and say, “Yes, we love you too!” and keep playing. That’s all. I just wanted to tell my children one more time that I love them, and because of that one simple expression of love from their father, they experience love. They also experience what a happy family is. They grow up to love others and be loved. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35 KJV) https://youtu.be/747AOlkkeSM?feature=shared

The Inheritance Of A Lovely Day Read More »

The Purpose of Education

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

When parents come together for a chat, it’s not unusual for one to admit, “I find it nearly impossible to teach my own kids.” Those who have attempted to teach their children, whether in math, music, or other subjects, know the struggle. We’ve all faced moments where patience runs really thin, and even explodes leading to very unpleasant memories. We began with humor, but this is indeed a serious matter. Many of us parents experience a certain fear or avoidance when it comes to teaching our own children. It’s almost as if we’re overwhelmed by the task, and often the first thing you think about is how to get a tutor for them (someone else to do the job). An older couple with four grown children once admitted to me that, during their parenting journey, they realized their kids didn’t always learn what they intended to teach. Instead, the children picked up on areas they never intended to teach and excelled in school because of it. It was a humbling reminder that children are constantly learning from us, even when we don’t realize it. In that sense, all of us parents are educators. Like it or not, we’re teaching our children every day, both directly and indirectly. Whether it’s faith, knowledge, or attitude, children absorb lessons from us in every aspect of life. This reality makes me both grateful and overwhelmed. Parents often strive beyond daily home education, immersing their children in diverse educational settings to achieve academic excellence. Yet, it’s crucial to seriously reflect on what we genuinely want our children to learn. Whether it’s to help them play the piano better, solve math problems faster, or think more logically through an essay or science experiments, parents are constantly on the lookout for better schools, tutors and sometimes they follow the latest trends and send their kids to whatever is trending. And nowadays, it is said that college entrance exam preparation starts as early as age 7, and high school students who have just finished the SAT are taking employment seminars. The driving force behind all this education appears to be securing a place in a prestigious college and landing the best job available, right? That’s why our children are constantly being educated from the time they can barely read the Alphabet. But what is the “ultimate” purpose of all this education we’re doing, if there is any? Tests, scores, rankings, and the promise of a good life are merely outcomes of education. While they may be necessary to some degree, can we really allow these outcomes to dictate our educational philosophy or serve as the ultimate goal? No! These outcomes do not represent the essence of life, and deep down, we all know that they cannot define our educational philosophy, even if it’s not explicitly stated. It is surprising that secular education lacks a clear answer to the question of its ultimate goal. The relativity of values in secular education makes it challenging to determine the ideal person it endeavors to produce, often resulting in education becoming an end in itself, with a focus on diligent teaching rather than an ultimate purpose. I once asked a highly experienced educator, who had served as a vice chancellor and founded and consulted on various schools globally, about the ultimate purpose of education. His surprising answer was, “I don’t know.” Even a seasoned educator with such extensive experience and accomplishments admits that there is no definitive answer to this question, highlighting the complexity of defining the ultimate purpose of secular education. The ultimate purpose of education was found in the Bible, not in any other secular educational theory or ideology. It came from Jesus Christ Himself. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:20 ESV) I was struck by this: the ultimate purpose of education is to “teach so that they observe(obey) the commandments.” And Jesus was so clear about what we were to teach: “all that Jesus has taught(commanded) us so that they may be observed(obeyed).” This could truly be the Great Commission, because it summarizes everything. In our home, we are committed to raising our children with the purpose and direction given to us by Jesus Christ Himself. As they engage in learning various skills and knowledge, we ensure that they learn to observe all that Jesus has taught us. The transformation of this journey has been nothing short of beautiful. Imagine the joy of watching our children mature into individuals who observe Jesus’ teachings and glorify God! What an exhilarating prospect! We really encourage other families to set aside some time each week to teach their kids about Jesus’ commandments and help them practice teachings of Jesus in everyday lives. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s important to start. Before the day comes when our children grow up and leave us. Our children are growing up today, and their today is never coming back. Many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time his bones are formed, his mind developed. To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today. – Gabriela Mistral –

The Purpose of Education Read More »

Reality Discipline

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

Have you ever experienced something like this? “Oh no, mac and cheese again, I don’t like mac n’ cheese…” You know your child enjoyed mac n’ cheese just yesterday, but now there’s a tantrum at the dinner table.As parents, we understand that your child doesn’t want the same meal two days in a row. Yet, it’s notalways easy to handle these dinner table complaints. So, what can we do in this type of situation? This is how we handle things in our house. I picked up this approach from a book by the renownedpsychologist and child educator Dr. Kevin Leman*. First, when a child throws a tantrum, the parent orcaregiver maintains a calm and peaceful demeanor. Then, you look your child in the eye, smile, and say, “I see, you don’t like mac n’ cheese. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to eat it.” Then, you calmly pick up the plate (as your child watches with wide eyes) and dispose of its contents inthe trash bin. You might say, “Now, you can choose to sit with us and watch while the rest of the family eats, or you can go to yourroom and do something else you need to do. Just so you know, there won’t be any other meals or snacksuntil tomorrow morning.” The child walks back into his room with his shoulders slumped, surprised and sullen. Several timesthroughout the evening, he/she comes to you and complains that he/she’s hungry. Each time, you say, “I’m sorry, but you made your choice, and you’re learning to take responsibility for the consequences.I’m not going to force feed someone who complains about what’s on the table, so let’s wait until wehave breakfast tomorrow morning. Okay?” Kevin Leman calls this method ‘reality discipline’. The idea is that by letting children face reality, we cantrain them to take responsibility for their choices.After such an exhausting night, the child usually wakes up very early the next morning. If there’s stillsome leftover mac n’ cheese from last night’s family dinner, you’ve got the best training conditions. Thatmac n’ cheese is right there in front of the child. Guess what happens? Nine times out of ten, the child will start gobbling up the mac n’ cheese – literally “inhaling” the food –and they’ll learn a lesson. They’re learning the consequences of complaining at the dinner table. God has graciously granted everyone the freedom of choice, and He fully honors those choices.Consequently, each person faces the consequences of their choices. Our God also fully honors theseconsequences, honoring the reality that emerges from our choices. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7b KJV) Reality training isn’t about deliberately testing our children’s limits; it’s about thoughtfully providingthem with a clear understanding of what life(reality) will entail when they eventually step into the world(adulthood). As described in the example above, when a child throws a tantrum at the dinner table, many parentsmight threaten, “If you keep complaining, I won’t give you any food!” and then proceed. If the childpersists, the parent, eager to avoid further disruption, serves different food they might like. This caninadvertently teach the child an unintended lesson: “If I keep throwing tantrums, I’ll get what I want.” It’s not merely about having or missing a meal; it’s about the real world they’ll soon enter. The reality isthat the world doesn’t simply hand over what we want just because we threw a tantrum. We often want to shield our children from the harshness of reality, which is a natural part of wanting thebest for them. However, through reality discipline, we’ve discovered a healthy way to use authority thatguides them in the right direction while still providing loving support. We have a rule in our house that children can’t get what they want by throwing tantrums. They knowthis because it’s already been explained to them on several occasions. For example, when two children are growling over a toy, each claiming it’s theirs, dad calmly picks it up,puts it away in his drawer. He explains, “I bought you this toy because I wanted you to be happy, but if it’s causing fights, that’s not what Iwanted. I will put it away for a week.” The children attempt to argue, but dad remains firm. One thing is certain: they can’t play with the toyanymore. Although they’re initially disappointed, they quickly accept the reality and play with somethingelse. They’ve learned the reality that shouting or fighting won’t get them what they want. Last Saturday, unlike weekdays, the children took advantage of the weekend to sleep in. During theweek, we usually wake them up early for breakfast, but because it was on the weekend, they slept in.When they finally woke up, still a bit groggy, they asked,“Mom, do we have anything to eat?” I chimed in cheerfully, “I’m sorry, but mommy can’t prepare breakfast now. Since it’s already past breakfast time, let’s wait fora delicious lunch at 12:30. Okay?” With no snacks until lunchtime, the kids’ appetites grew. When lunchtime arrived, they relished everybite and declared, “I am never sleeping in again.” Guess what happened the following Saturday? They surprised us by waking up early and preparing breakfast on their own! As parents, we are given the sacred authority by God to train our children in our homes. It’s easy forparents to misuse their authority, either by being authoritarian or by neglecting their children to avoidthat label. The longer it takes parents to use their authority healthily, the bigger the eruption ofsuppressed emotions will be, and when it finally erupts, it leaves a deep scar in our hearts. My wife and Ioften stumble, yet we humbly acknowledge that reality discipline is a valuable tool in our parentingjourney. Perhaps God has been using “reality discipline” to guide humanity all along. * Reference:Making Children Mind without Losing Yours, By Dr. Kevin Leman https://youtu.be/0ALbmiNZabE

Reality Discipline Read More »

The Purpose Of Marriage

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

“All these children are yours? Really? Wow~” asked one Chinese lady with a look of disbelief. During our ministry trip to mainland China, our family of eight frequently met surprised local residentsasking about our large family numbers. Given China’s previous one-child policy, which was in effect from1979 to 2015, our large family attracted raised eyebrows from passersby filled with both astonishmentand admiration. In my country South Korea, the government has implemented various policies to encourage childbearingdue to one of the lowest birth rates in the world. However, many Koreans remain hesitant to get marriedand have children. This situation contrasts with other parts of the world where people can’t havechildren due to government policies preventing them even if they desire to have children. It was a verystrange feeling to see the disparity between two opposite ends. It’s also really fun to see the reactions we get in Korea. Friends who are raising kids around the same ageas mine ask us. “Six? Wow, that’s really great! But you are not having another one?… Are you?” When using public transportation, elderly passengers frequently smile and comment upon seeing our sixchildren walking in a line, saying, “Their parents are patriots, true patriots.” Amidst the lowest birth rate in South Korea, numerous elders consider parents with more than threechildren as patriots (if you have six, you are definitely true patriots), believing that such large familiesplay a huge role in addressing the birth rate crisis. During visits to my in-laws, my mother-in-law frequently expresses her concern for her daughter’swell-being, urging me “Isn’t it about time to close the baby-making department for good?” I understandher concerns about the physical toll of multiple pregnancies and the long-term demands of child-rearing. However, why do our family’s values and lifestyle choices differ significantly from the current social normin South Korea? This disparity raises questions about our motivations, which could range from a simplelove for many children to a lack of awareness about current social trends, or maybe I am just planning tostart a huge farm with as many children as possible. People around us are naturally interested in whether or not we will continue to have more children, butthe truth is that it is not our goal to simply have as many children as possible. What we have learnedfrom the Lord is that He has his plan for each and every family. It’s not about the number whether it isone, two, or even ten, but we all need to humble our hearts before God’s plan for us. We have learnedthat lesson through five heartbreaking miscarriages, a process that has been incredibly painful. Our values on family planning have shifted in our modern world. We’ve become so accustomed to theprocess that we plan the size of our own families and there is little place to none for God. But the ideathat I can replace God’s plan with my own is really no different than the idea that I can limit andmanipulate God’s will, aren’t we essentially playing God? It’s a slippery slope. Once we start believing wecan manipulate and limit God’s will whenever we feel uncomfortable, where does it really end? It’s humbling to think about how we once believed we had total control over when and how many we’dhave children. Looking back, that idea seems so naive and even foolish. We’ve come to understand thatwe are no creators but mere creatures. We’re simply invited by the grace of God, through our love andunion, to take part in His incredible work of creation. But you know what? The privilege of participating in the work of life creation by bearing and raisingGod’s gift to us, children, is the highest purpose of marriage. It’s the most realistic purpose of marriage. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, andsubdue it (Genesis 1:28a KJV) You might find it surprising to hear that the Bible says the purpose of marriage is to have and raisechildren. It’s natural to ask, “Isn’t the purpose of marriage to be happy ever after?” since that’s whatmost of us have been led to believe. Everyone seems to dream of romantic marriage as the path to truehappiness together with your loved one. Happiness and marriage are indeed related, but it’s crucial to understand that happiness is a fruit of amarriage, not its main goal. Ironically, people who marry with the expectation of finding happiness areoften more likely to end up feeling unhappy. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. (Luke17:33 KJV) When God designed marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman, His vision reachedfar beyond just the couple. He not only had a plan for just two people, but He saw the countless soulsthat would spring forth from this blessed covenant of marriage. He had a blueprint for the birth andgrowth of God’s holy people set apart through the sacred bond of marriage. What a wondrous testament to God’s providence! To think that the God Almighty had a plan to build upHis people from generation to generation through us is truly humbling. We can only echo the sentimentsof those great men of faith: “Who am I, O Lord, that You would choose me and my lineage to build Yourpeople?” Just as Abraham was struck with awe at the promise of countless descendants as numerous asdust (Genesis 13), and David was overjoyed at the assurance of his everlasting throne (1 Chronicles 17). People often say that we can’t take anything with us to heaven. We all know and agree that money,houses, and other tangible things won’t accompany us beyond this life. But, to our delight, there is oneexception, something we can hold, something present with us now, and something that will journey withus to heaven. My wife and I were overjoyed when we discovered this truth. Can you guess what it is? It’sour children! God has granted us the privilege of taking our holy children with

The Purpose Of Marriage Read More »

King David’s Puberty

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

What image comes to mind when you think of teens? Puberty? Mood swings? But guess what? Just over 100 years ago, puberty was a pretty nebulous concept, and it wasn’t until the1920s and 30s that the word ‘teenager’ was first used in the U.S. Before that, there were only twogenerational distinctions in traditional societies: children and adults, and by the time children turned 15to 18, they were already treated as adults and got married. In that sense, adolescence and puberty can be understood as a social phenomenon and a social conceptthat arises from the delayed social acceptance of adulthood. In the Bible, there are several stories of great people who were used by God during their adolescence.David was probably around 14 or 15 years old when he defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Esther was ayoung, beautiful queen who became queen as a teenager, and then when Haman tried to wipe out theJews, Esther was about 20 years old when she risked her life to go before the king and save the nation(Esther 4). Daniel, on the other hand, was probably around 18 when he and his three friends decided notto eat food sacrificed to idols (Daniel 10). There is one common trait that all of these people have in common: they were simple, almost ignorant,and brave enough to put their lives on the line for what they believed was right. Adolescence is a timewhen the simplicity and innocence of a child coexists with the emotional and physical capabilities of anadult, which is why teens like to argue and are often unwilling to move a finger unless they areunderstood, but they also want to be part something important and have a very strong sense of justiceabout what is happening around them. Take a look at David when he faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17). From a modern adult perspective, he shows asomewhat excessive sense of justice, arguing with his elder brothers about risking their lives for thejustice of God. Would it make more sense if I told you that David was in the midst of puberty at the time?He had that burning sense of righteousness that is often found in teenagers of that age, and when giventhe opportunity, he throws the sling that he used to chase beasts and takes down the invincible giant. Hisbrothers look down on him, but God gives him the opportunity to use his burning sense of justice in agreat way. I would like to share with you the life story of Dr. Wess Stafford, the former president of CompassionInternational (Christian humanitarian aid organization). As the son of missionaries from the U.S. to theIvory Coast. Wess grew up in one of the remote villages of Africa. His own family as the only whitepeople around, young Wess grew up speaking the local language, going to the local school, hanging outwith local friends, being cared for by local adults in the village, and being a thoroughly integratedmember of the local community. His only prayer at the time was, “Dear Lord, when I wake up tomorrowmorning, please let my skin be darker.” Reflecting on his childhood, he notes that in the African agricultural society he belonged to, children andteenagers were entrusted with tasks that were important to be performed by adults. Teenagers wouldsow seeds with the adults, fetch water, and look after their younger siblings just like adults. TeenagerWess and his African friends had to guard the cornfields at night to keep wild monkeys out from stealingcorn, throwing stones to chase them away. This task was very important to keep the community aliveand fed. In Wess’ experience, teenagers in such societies do not undergo puberty like we do. Instead, childrenand teenagers naturally grow up learning and performing adult tasks. They are entrusted with significantresponsibilities within the local community, which helps them develop a strong sense of belonging andleaves no room for delinquency. As a teenager in a remote African village, Wess recalls having highself-esteem when reading the story of David defeating Goliath in the Bible, thinking to himself, “That’ssomething I can do too!” Quite fascinating, isn’t it? The modern world, however, does not offer such “important” tasks and opportunities to teenagers. Athome, in church, or schools, teenagers are often viewed as passive learners, subject to adult supervisiondue to concerns about potential misbehavior. This reality of ours can be traced back to the IndustrialRevolution of the 19th century, which created a distinct separation between adult and child throughwork and formal education. This reality of ours persists even today.What can we do about it? One simple, and yet highly effective solution is to provide teenagers with opportunities to undertakesignificant responsibilities within our community. We need to avoid the stereotype that our children aretoo young for any significant responsibilities. Rather, we must acknowledge that, given the appropriateopportunity, they possess the capability to surrender their lives to the Lord and their community. Here are some real-life examples: Instead of parents feeding our children, we can give our teenagersopportunities and train them to feed their younger siblings. Instead of just having them study the Bible,how about giving them opportunities to teach the Bible to their friends and younger siblings. Instead ofjust studying hard on their own, how about encouraging them to help their younger siblings with theirhomework and reach out to their classmates who are struggling to learn. “We grow when we help othersgrow,” is one of the mottos of the 4/14 movement, a movement that seeks to reach children ages 4 to 14with the gospel and empower them to become disciple-makers themselves. It’s hard to grow whenyou’re always in the position of a taker, but it’s easy to grow when you’re living the life of a giver. It is essential to create opportunities for our teenagers to give, not just receive. In our household, weintentionally train older siblings to care for younger siblings, which is necessary given the number ofchildren and household responsibilities that come with it. Older siblings are tasked with preparing andadministering formula when younger siblings are distressed, assisting parents with bathing

King David’s Puberty Read More »

Live By Faith, Not By Sight

Song Y. Lee / 2025_S1

Children get very excited when they go shopping with their parents to their favorite mall. “Mom, I need this and that!”“Dad, I need this and that too!” children shout with joy. But your eyes are filled with worries as you stare down at the price tags. And because it’s not just about price, parents’ concerns go deeper: is it educationally sound to buy ornot? ‘Why do children need this these days…? Is it right to buy this for my child? This is so confusing!’ But they’re so sure of it, and then they tell you that all their friends have them. And to top it all off, theytell you that they can’t hang out with their friends without them. ‘I can’t help it. This will have to do.’ And parents reluctantly pick it up and head to the checkout. Sound familiar? There’s a widespread culture of buying our kids more stuff than they actually need, and Irecently read an article about parents buying their elementary school kids backpacks that cost $900. My initial assumption that I could protect my family as long as I didn’t embrace secular cultures aroundus has proven to be too naive. As we can see from the worldwide usage of smartphones, a highlysymbolic product of the latest technological advancements, to the remotest corners of the world, no oneis immune to ever growing secular culture. Does this mean all hope is lost? No! We live by faith, not by sight. (1 Corinthians 5:7, NIV) This is it. This is why we have hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Eve and Adam were also excited by what they saw. The serpent came and tempted Eve. The fruit looked“good and pleasant to the eyes” to the excited Eve. After tasting the fruit, Eve went to Adam and toldhim the news. Adam felt what we would call “peer pressure,” and he too fell. (Genesis 3) It’s a viciouscycle that repeats itself in many forms today – not just with adults, but with our children, who are just asinnocent as Adam and Eve in Eden. I gathered my children and talked about our family’s values. In order to help them understand that ourfamily’ live by faith and not by sight’, I had to share with them my own past mistakes. I confessed therewas a time when I, too, had been deceived by the shiny things of the world and longed for fancy cellphones, cars, computers and so forth. I also appealed to the “fact” that you can still be happy andconfident without wearing the latest fashion, makeup, jewelry, etc. I also added that I actually meetpeople who are truly happy and confident because they ‘live by faith and not by sight’. The children seemed to be getting it, but they still needed more convincing. I could see that they weretorn between the excitement of being able to have the items they wanted and their love for the Lord.“It’s not a sin to want something, but it’s the state of your heart where it counts. If you think, ‘I’ll behappier if I get the thing I’ve been longing for, and I’ll be accepted by my friends if I have it,’ then you liveby sight; but if you think, ‘God, there’s something I’ve been longing for, and I wonder if you’ll give it tome,’ then you live by faith. Which life do you want to live? By faith? Or by sight?” “And it’s also about the state of your heart when you finally get what you really wanted. If you brag andsay, ‘I’m so happy because I finally got what I wanted,’ you live by sight. But if you can say, ‘Thank you,God, you are the one who gave this to me, and I am willing to give this to someone else anytime youwant me to,’ you live by faith.” Is it okay to not brag but still show what you have to others? Some children can have innovative ideas. But No! If you have no intention of giving it, but you’re still showing it off, that’s what we call bragging. Please ask your children to join you in prayer. It is okay to wait for your children if they are not ready yet. After the prayer, I could see that my children’s minds were somewhat cleared. After few days, my firstborn daughter ran into my arms with excitement, and said, “Dad, you know what? I think I lived by faith today!” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Do you remember I really wanted to have that pencil case we saw in the mall. I didn’t think about it thewhole day! Even when my friend asked me about it, I just said “Okay” and walked past. Isn’t thatamazing?” Even my daughter was surprised by what happened to her. She was obsessed about it. Thinking andtalking about it all day. And just like that, the storm of worldly temptations passed. It occurred to me that maybe it’s time to fillthe hearts of our children with the wind of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:21-30) https://youtu.be/dfNQhQITZsw

Live By Faith, Not By Sight Read More »