Knock Three Times

Remember Tony Orlando and Dawn? Yes, the infamous Knock Three Times, which was recorded in 1970 while we were in High School, at least some of us, were. This famous song sold 9 Million copies in 1971 and became number 1 hit in January that year. Remember the 45 single? This song was released in that format with Candida on the flipside.

Why did I mention this song? 

Well I was just reminded of a day while I was in our small town in Bulacan, Philippines way back in that era. While I was walking along our lonely highway, a gravel truck passed by coming from the other side of the town going towards the cemetery. I noticed that the band at the back of the truck was playing "Knock Three Times" while they were seated around a small white, homemade small coffin. The coffin was obviously for a small child. I was told that when a baby is being buried, the band, hired by the bereaved, would play upbeat songs, which is not true, of course when an adult dies. Well "Knock Three Times" is certainly upbeat.

But could you imagine what chaos would have happened if there were really knocks coming from the small coffin. This is the making of a Filipino slapstick movie where normally, Dolphy, the Filipino comedy king would be very successful to make moviegoers laugh! Can you imagine him, those of you who have seen his movies especially in his younger years? The guy is almost 83 you know and his last movie was just last year. Can you imagine him as one of the musicians who would hear the knocks and then he will get into his hyperventilating fit as if he is having a serous asthma attack. Well as you know the only faithful companion of this guy is his life-long asthma. He was married many times, had relationships with countless women and fathered at least 10 kids in the process. He is still married to Zsa Zsa Padilla, 35 years younger than him.

Well let me get back to why I mentioned this famous Tony Orlando and Dawn song. Three days after I left Manila to come to Toronto, I received a disturbing news from Manila that Audrey heard three knocks from outside her bedroom window that night as she was sitting at her desk. Twice she heard it, which made her run to her mom who was in the adjacent room which is our bedroom. These two ladies were the only ones in our rented home in Manila. Needless to say, those made me think if I should not abandon my plans here in Toronto to rescue my ladies from this dangerous, scary situation. My very composed wife, Rosie, called the security guard from the gate of the subdivision and also the manager of World Team's guesthouse, which is only 10 minutes away from us. They all came to our home to check on my family who remained safe for that evening and even to this day. Thank you Lord and to all who were there while I was not!

I realize how helpless we are in any situation of our lives. Events like these make you realize that no one can really give us the assurance apart from God and His love. God's love for us is 1. unconditional, 2. sufficient, and 3. reliable.

"31 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? 32 If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? 33 And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? 34 Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us - who was raised to life for us! - is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. 35 Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: 36 They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. 37 None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. 38 I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, 39 high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." Romans 8:31-39 The Message

The song goes:

if you look out your window tonite

pulling the string with the note that’s attached to my heart

read how many times I saw you

how in my silence I adored you

and only in my dreams did that wall between us come apart

chorus

Oh my darlin

knock three times on the ceiling if you want me

twice on the pipe if the answer is no

oh my sweetness

means you'll meet me in the hallway

twice on the pipe means you ain't gonna show

More beautiful to our ears than the song is the fact that we don't even need to knock ones to be heard by God:

"5 "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? 6 "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. 7 "The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. 8 Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. 9 With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply." Matthew 6:5-9

Enjoy your day!