We continued with our studies on the Book of Revelation and yesterday it was our 30th lesson. Chapter 12 deals with John's vision of "The Woman, the war with the dragon and the wilderness." John sees the picture of a woman clothed with the brightness of the sun standing on the moon and wearing a crown of stars. She is pregnant and in the pains of labour. Then he sees a dragon with seven heads and ten horns, wearing seven crowns. The dragon strikes down one third of the stars and throws them to earth, desiring to devour the baby to whom the woman is giving birth. She gives birth to the child who is to lead the nations, and he is taken away by God so the dragon cannot get him. The woman flees into the wilderness where she is cared for by God for the time.
Wow a picture! John is using apocalyptic language. We spent time trying to understand the literature and metaphors. The hour passed extremely quickly any many questions were asked and discussed.
Actually we were swept back through the centuries to a date preceding the Advent of Christ. This leap shows us the important point about time in Revelation which embodies a series of visions, but not necessary of visions of successive events. John Stott puts it, "This book is not like a film showing the continuous unfolding of one story, but a series of lantern slides depicting the same landscape from different angles." This is not to deny that there is any chronological progress. Revelation does portray real development in history, moving towards the End.
Here is no mistaking who the Child was - the Messiah.We learned in our lesson the portion refers to two main themes - One is the Exodus how God led His people, then continuing to show images that depict spiritual warfare. Satan can inflict much harm, but he cannot stop the work of Christ. The day will come when "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. "Philippians 2: 10-11
I am glad in retirement I am able to concentrate on my Bible study and share with my fellow church members the truths of the word. We can learn much from the Book to help us in our everyday living. Revelation is essentially a book of worship. True it predicts future events, but is is important that while on earth we live lives pleasing to God and eventually we shall meet Him face to face.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
This is my story - 52
52 – Salvation Army publication – The War Cry
As Corps Officers (pastors) in The Salvation Army, my wife and I used to sell the War Cry in restaurants, service clubs, and many other places. Frequently I have been asked why The Salvation Army chose such a title. I don’t know the real reason, but it is not difficult to understand the reason for the choice of name.
The first issue of the War Cry came out on 27th December 1879. It was during the time when boys played Red Indians with war paints and war cries. The papers had stories of the Zulu wars.
The Christian Mission founded by William Booth became The Salvation Army in 1878. Military terminology was widely used. The Salvation Army was and still is at war with the world, the flesh and the devil, so one can understand for the choice of name of our paper – the War Cry.
Brigadier Herbert Lord the pioneer Officer Commanding and the General Secretary Major Charles Davidson and no doubt with the help of their wives started the War Cry in the then Malaya Command which included Singapore. The Salvation Army here does not have the first copies of the first War Cry in our Archives. A lot of our records were destroyed during the period of the Japanese occupation 1942-1945.
Among the pioneering officers was a Captain William A Price. He set up the Public Relations Department before the war. After the war in 1945 the Army recommenced work and Captain Price assumed the responsibilities of Public Relations Officer with additional responsibility of the War Cry. He was a gifted writer and proficient wordsmith. When he was appointed the General Secretary, Major Stanley Gordon took over the responsibility with the designation, Public Relations Secretary and Secretary for Literature.
When the then Brigadier and Mrs. Gordon were transferred to Africa, Brigadier Edward (Roy) Page was appointed to take over the Public Relations Department. Mrs. Page became the Editor of the War Cry (In those days the next rank to a Major was Brigadier)
When Brigadier and Mrs. Page returned to the United Kingdom to retire, Brigadier R Geus a Dutchman from Indonesia was appointed as the Public Relations Secretary. Both Brigadier and Mrs. Geus were fluent in Indonesian and Dutch of course, but somewhat limited in knowledge of English. So someone else had to take over the editorship. It all depended on who in Headquarters was able to do the job. So either the Officer Commanding his wife or the General Secretary had to edit the War Cry.
The War Cry came to the desk of the General Secretary when there was no one else to do it or when the editor was away on homeland furlough. In any case I was responsible for the column “From the General Secretary’s Desk” where I gave the news of what was happening in the Command.
Modern technology has made the production of the War Cry much easier. Our Territorial War Cry today is a magnificent production which we can be proud of. It is a far cry from the one The Army printed in the seventies. However, the message is the same – to proclaim Christ and bring glory to God.
Let us value our publication – the War Cry. Read it, enjoy it, ponder over the messages and share it with someone or better still buy a few to give to your friends. As a teen ager, I used to sell the War Cry to my classmates in school. Every one knew I belonged to The Salvation Army.
And by the way, the Army’s official letter head used to have a question printed on it at the bottom of the page “Have you read the War Cry?” I wonder how many of my colleagues remember this.
As Corps Officers (pastors) in The Salvation Army, my wife and I used to sell the War Cry in restaurants, service clubs, and many other places. Frequently I have been asked why The Salvation Army chose such a title. I don’t know the real reason, but it is not difficult to understand the reason for the choice of name.
The first issue of the War Cry came out on 27th December 1879. It was during the time when boys played Red Indians with war paints and war cries. The papers had stories of the Zulu wars.
The Christian Mission founded by William Booth became The Salvation Army in 1878. Military terminology was widely used. The Salvation Army was and still is at war with the world, the flesh and the devil, so one can understand for the choice of name of our paper – the War Cry.
Brigadier Herbert Lord the pioneer Officer Commanding and the General Secretary Major Charles Davidson and no doubt with the help of their wives started the War Cry in the then Malaya Command which included Singapore. The Salvation Army here does not have the first copies of the first War Cry in our Archives. A lot of our records were destroyed during the period of the Japanese occupation 1942-1945.
Among the pioneering officers was a Captain William A Price. He set up the Public Relations Department before the war. After the war in 1945 the Army recommenced work and Captain Price assumed the responsibilities of Public Relations Officer with additional responsibility of the War Cry. He was a gifted writer and proficient wordsmith. When he was appointed the General Secretary, Major Stanley Gordon took over the responsibility with the designation, Public Relations Secretary and Secretary for Literature.
When the then Brigadier and Mrs. Gordon were transferred to Africa, Brigadier Edward (Roy) Page was appointed to take over the Public Relations Department. Mrs. Page became the Editor of the War Cry (In those days the next rank to a Major was Brigadier)
When Brigadier and Mrs. Page returned to the United Kingdom to retire, Brigadier R Geus a Dutchman from Indonesia was appointed as the Public Relations Secretary. Both Brigadier and Mrs. Geus were fluent in Indonesian and Dutch of course, but somewhat limited in knowledge of English. So someone else had to take over the editorship. It all depended on who in Headquarters was able to do the job. So either the Officer Commanding his wife or the General Secretary had to edit the War Cry.
The War Cry came to the desk of the General Secretary when there was no one else to do it or when the editor was away on homeland furlough. In any case I was responsible for the column “From the General Secretary’s Desk” where I gave the news of what was happening in the Command.
Modern technology has made the production of the War Cry much easier. Our Territorial War Cry today is a magnificent production which we can be proud of. It is a far cry from the one The Army printed in the seventies. However, the message is the same – to proclaim Christ and bring glory to God.
Let us value our publication – the War Cry. Read it, enjoy it, ponder over the messages and share it with someone or better still buy a few to give to your friends. As a teen ager, I used to sell the War Cry to my classmates in school. Every one knew I belonged to The Salvation Army.
And by the way, the Army’s official letter head used to have a question printed on it at the bottom of the page “Have you read the War Cry?” I wonder how many of my colleagues remember this.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
I need Thee every hour.
The old hymn "I need Thee every hour" keeps coming to my mind. We don't seem to sing it so much these days, but to me it remains a daily prayer. It was composed by Annie S Hawkes, the chorus was added on by Robert Lowry. It was first sung at a Sunday School convention held in Cincinnati in 1872 and immediately became popular, spreading from there to all parts of the world. It has been translated into many languages.
This hymn was used in Changi Prison. In his book Campaigning in Captivity, Arch R Wiggins tells the story of the conversion of a backslider when he was a prisoner in the prison camp. He recalled, "The night was pitch dark, and a sailor friend and myself were walking across a meadow when a chorus reached my ears:
"I need Thee, O I need Thee,
Every hour I need Thee."
"We stopped to listen and I found myself joining in the quiet singing. Then a voice within said,'Yes, and you need Him.' I discovered that the singing was coming from the Salvation Army 'Citadel.'On the next Sunday I went to the meeting and found Jesus again."
A number of Salvation Army officers we knew personally were at that meeting. Lieut. Colonel Herbert Lord, Adjutant Frederick Harvey, Captain Stan Cottrill, Major Will Price and a many other salvationist servicemen were present. It was Major Price who wrote the sign outside the hall, "The Salvation Army Citadel" So we can say, this old hymn or song was one of the favourites of the first Changi Corps right within the Prison compound!
Here's something else I found among my notes in my scrapbook. When the writer Miss Hawkes was old and feeble, the man who wrote the music,Mr. W Martin visited her and she asked him to sing. He responded with "I shall sing my favourite hymn - I need thee every hour." She was surprised to know it was the one he loved the best. She said to him, "I will sing MY favourite hymn - "God will take care of you" one that he had written.
So two persons whose inspired poetry and music have blessed thousands were able to comfort one another in their old age. May the songs live on.
This song is not in our Salvation Army Song Book, but I recall when as a young officer (pastor) in Malacca Corps (church) (1954-1957) it was one of our favourites in this Hokkien speaking congregation. We used a Chinese Hymnal.
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Chorus
God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.
We often sing the chorus at the Peacehaven chapel service we conduct every Tuesday.
The older I get, the more I need Him, yes every moment of the day. And I get the assurance "God will take care of you."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This hymn was used in Changi Prison. In his book Campaigning in Captivity, Arch R Wiggins tells the story of the conversion of a backslider when he was a prisoner in the prison camp. He recalled, "The night was pitch dark, and a sailor friend and myself were walking across a meadow when a chorus reached my ears:
"I need Thee, O I need Thee,
Every hour I need Thee."
"We stopped to listen and I found myself joining in the quiet singing. Then a voice within said,'Yes, and you need Him.' I discovered that the singing was coming from the Salvation Army 'Citadel.'On the next Sunday I went to the meeting and found Jesus again."
A number of Salvation Army officers we knew personally were at that meeting. Lieut. Colonel Herbert Lord, Adjutant Frederick Harvey, Captain Stan Cottrill, Major Will Price and a many other salvationist servicemen were present. It was Major Price who wrote the sign outside the hall, "The Salvation Army Citadel" So we can say, this old hymn or song was one of the favourites of the first Changi Corps right within the Prison compound!
Here's something else I found among my notes in my scrapbook. When the writer Miss Hawkes was old and feeble, the man who wrote the music,Mr. W Martin visited her and she asked him to sing. He responded with "I shall sing my favourite hymn - I need thee every hour." She was surprised to know it was the one he loved the best. She said to him, "I will sing MY favourite hymn - "God will take care of you" one that he had written.
So two persons whose inspired poetry and music have blessed thousands were able to comfort one another in their old age. May the songs live on.
This song is not in our Salvation Army Song Book, but I recall when as a young officer (pastor) in Malacca Corps (church) (1954-1957) it was one of our favourites in this Hokkien speaking congregation. We used a Chinese Hymnal.
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Chorus
God will take care of you,
Through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.
We often sing the chorus at the Peacehaven chapel service we conduct every Tuesday.
The older I get, the more I need Him, yes every moment of the day. And I get the assurance "God will take care of you."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Good friends are considerate
"He who covers an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends" Proverbs 17:9 Be considerate. We accept our friends with their warts and all. We don't drop them, or kick them out because they make mistakes. We don't cut them off because of their irritable ways. I'm sure some of the things I do or say irritate others. No, hope we don't cut our friends off because of their irritable ways. Each of us has his or her own peculiarities and weaknesses. We all come from different cultures and backgrounds. So let's learn to accept one another in the name of Christ.
When someone has made a mistake, a considerate friend will not say, "I told you so' or "serve you right" or "I knew that would happen." A true friend does not rub it in, but rubs it out. When you make a mistake, true friends don't make a deal out of it. He does not call attention to it. Don't spread rumours. A rumouor without a leg to stand on can get around very quickly and cause a lot of damage. Good friends are good forgetters!
Let's practise acceptance. Being considerate means treating the other person as you would like to be treated. We do not know what the other person is going through. We may not know all the circumstances.
Two things as Christians we need to practise - forgiveness and acceptance. Forgiveness is a subject we find it easy to talk about, teach or discuss but difficult when you have someone to forgive! Isn't it true? True forgiveness only occurs when we we treat the subject as a closed matter. True, we can forgive, but it is not always easy to forget.There is no need to dredge up old quarrels or misunderstanding. If we do we have not exercised forgiveness. To have a grudge is to have a wall between ourselves and another. Forgiveness is breaking down walls and building bridges.
Let's practise acceptance and we look to Christ our Lord for the perfect example.At the cross He prayed for His enemies, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
When someone has made a mistake, a considerate friend will not say, "I told you so' or "serve you right" or "I knew that would happen." A true friend does not rub it in, but rubs it out. When you make a mistake, true friends don't make a deal out of it. He does not call attention to it. Don't spread rumours. A rumouor without a leg to stand on can get around very quickly and cause a lot of damage. Good friends are good forgetters!
Let's practise acceptance. Being considerate means treating the other person as you would like to be treated. We do not know what the other person is going through. We may not know all the circumstances.
Two things as Christians we need to practise - forgiveness and acceptance. Forgiveness is a subject we find it easy to talk about, teach or discuss but difficult when you have someone to forgive! Isn't it true? True forgiveness only occurs when we we treat the subject as a closed matter. True, we can forgive, but it is not always easy to forget.There is no need to dredge up old quarrels or misunderstanding. If we do we have not exercised forgiveness. To have a grudge is to have a wall between ourselves and another. Forgiveness is breaking down walls and building bridges.
Let's practise acceptance and we look to Christ our Lord for the perfect example.At the cross He prayed for His enemies, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Pleasant surprise.
News reached us via the ubiquitous grape vine that there was a Salvation Army seminar on in Changi Village. We gave no further thought to this news until a friend from the Philippines wrote in Facebook that her husband would like to see us as he had a gift for us. Changi is on the other end of the island. We heard no more. Sorry we did not have the opportunity to meet Lient. Colonel Menia one of the representatives.
Then on Saturday about lunch time, we received a telephone call from Captain Jenny Wu that she would like to visit us before leaving for Taiwan the next day. She had time in the afternoon. She made her way by bus, train and taxi to our home and what a great time we had.We knew Jenny when she was in her teens and it was such a delight to see her again.
We came to know her parents, Majors Arthur and Maria Chen when we were stationed in Hong Kong from 1983- 1990. We visited Taiwan many times as it was part of the Command. They served for period at the Kwai Chung Corps where we soldiered during our time in Hong Kong. So we came to know the family well. They have been very good friends of ours.
Some eleven years ago, Jenny and her husband Jonah were sent to do relief work at Puli after the earthquake or typhoon. They planted a Corps (church) and Salvation Army work has grown rapidly. The Puli Corps is now the largest in the Region complete with a band and Youth Hostel. We were greatly inspired by her report, enthusiasm and vision for the future. Well, I believe the Lord sent Jenny to encourage and inspire us.
The time of fellowship passed very quickly and soon it was time for her to leave in the pouring rain. I accompanied her to the station where she took to train back to her hotel in Changi.
God has blessed us with many good friends all over the world.
Then on Saturday about lunch time, we received a telephone call from Captain Jenny Wu that she would like to visit us before leaving for Taiwan the next day. She had time in the afternoon. She made her way by bus, train and taxi to our home and what a great time we had.We knew Jenny when she was in her teens and it was such a delight to see her again.
We came to know her parents, Majors Arthur and Maria Chen when we were stationed in Hong Kong from 1983- 1990. We visited Taiwan many times as it was part of the Command. They served for period at the Kwai Chung Corps where we soldiered during our time in Hong Kong. So we came to know the family well. They have been very good friends of ours.
Some eleven years ago, Jenny and her husband Jonah were sent to do relief work at Puli after the earthquake or typhoon. They planted a Corps (church) and Salvation Army work has grown rapidly. The Puli Corps is now the largest in the Region complete with a band and Youth Hostel. We were greatly inspired by her report, enthusiasm and vision for the future. Well, I believe the Lord sent Jenny to encourage and inspire us.
The time of fellowship passed very quickly and soon it was time for her to leave in the pouring rain. I accompanied her to the station where she took to train back to her hotel in Changi.
God has blessed us with many good friends all over the world.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
This is my story - 51
51 – Ecumenical relationships
When our appointment was announced in the War Cry and the local paper The Straits Times we received many congratulatory messages from our friends and well wishers, local and overseas. This was the first time a Singaporean was appointed as the General Secretary, the second in Command. A reporter from the Straits Times called at the office, conducted an interview and reported it in the paper the next day.
The President of The Bible Society of Singapore and Malaysia, Rev. Khoo Siau Hua, on behalf of its Executive Committee approached the Officer Commanding Lieut. Colonel James Sloan for me to join their Board. Up till then The Salvation Army had been represented by expatriates and the Society felt it was time a national be appointed as the Army’s representative. Lieut. Colonel Sloan needed no prompting for he felt the same way and immediately agreed to the proposal. So I was the Army’s representative till we received a change of appointment to go to Hong Kong in January 1983.
Bible Societies all over the world exist to translate, publish and distribute the Bible so that no one would be denied the Word of God. By being part of that effort to spread God’s Word to all corners of the globe, the Bible Society of Singapore is in effect going into the world and making disciples of nations. I was glad of the privilege to be part of this organization which The Salvation Army has always supported.
During our fourteen years of service in Malaysia, we had always been involved in ecumenical relationships. “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body.”1 Corinthians 12:12-13. In the state of Penang and Selangor, I served as chairman of the local state council.
The Malayan Christian Council, which was established in 1948 to promote Christian unity among the Churches and Christian organizations in Malaya and Singapore, was succeeded in 1961 by the Council of Churches of Malaysia and Singapore. As an association of churches and other Christian organizations, each believing that it is God’s will that His Body, the church should again be visibly one, and each desiring to work towards this end.
Later, in view of Malaysia and Singapore having separated and become independent sovereign nations, it was considered desirable to have separate Councils of Churches for each nation and, therefore, the National Council of Churches of Singapore was duly constituted in Singapore on 24th July, 1974 to carry on and fulfil the vision and aspirations of the founders.
My involvement in these ecumenical bodies resulted in friendships with many prominent Church leaders, like Rev. T C Nga, and Rev. Alfred Yeo, Wong Hoon Hee, Dr. George Wan of the Methodist church, Canon James Wong, Bishop Chiu Ban It, Dr Moses Tay of the Anglican church, Dr. Chung Chee Pang of the Lutheran church and many more from other denominations like the Presbyterian, Mar Thoma Churches.
There were some church leaders who felt uncomfortable associating with the National Council of Churches as a body because of its link with the World Council of Churches. A number of us felt the need to include the fast growing number of evangelical churches in the advancement of the gospel. Some of these were new denominations while others had been around for a long time. They had played prominent part with us and the para churches in evangelistic efforts, like the Dr. Billy Graham Crusade in December 1978. Two hundred thirty seven churches took part. At that time Lieut. Colonel George Engel played a significant role in the Billy Graham Committee. The Colonel was always very active in ecumenical relationships. When we were stationed in Kuala Lumpur, he would often travelled to the capital of Malaysia to attend the Council’s meetings.
A number of us like Dr. Benjamin Chew, Rev. Alfred Yeo, Mr. Liew Kee Kok and Dr. William Wan worked tirelessly to form Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore. Originally it was called Singapore Evangelical Fellowship or SEF but the Registrar suggested the change to EFOS. It exists for the furtherance of the gospel in its simplicity and splendour as ‘the power of God for the salvation of those who believe.” (Rom. 1: 16) It is committed to maintain and defend the faith of the gospel as defined authoritatively in the God-inspired Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. (2 Tim. 3: 14-17)
Another area I was very much interested and involved in was the Keswick Convention. It was in July 1875 that Canon T D Harford-Battersby, the Vicar of St. John’s Church, Keswick in collaboration with his friend Mr. Robert Wilson a Quaker industrialist erected a tent seating 600 people in his vicarage grounds and held the first convention. – little thinking that he was inaugurating an annual gathering which would continue to grow many times from its original size. It spread to many parts of the world including Singapore.
The first Keswick convention was held at NTUC hall at Shenton Way and later at the National Theatre at Tank Road. (The National Theatre has been demolished) The Salvation Army has always placed great emphasis on the teaching of the doctrine of holiness. In fact our Sunday morning meeting traditionally has been known as the Holiness meeting. In many territories Brengle Institutes or Holiness convention are held regularly and my wife and I have had the privileged of being invited to speak at these conventions in Australia, New Zealand and United States.
Rev, Prabhu Das, Rev.Alfred Yeo and a few others worked closely every year to organise the Keswick meetings. We invited outstanding international speakers such as Dr. Alan Redpath, Dr. Philip Teng, Dr. Paul Rees, Dr. Stuart Briscoe. I took my share in leading the meetings and introducing the speakers. This was something we all looked forward to every year. The National Theatre was always packed and late comers were refused entry because of fire regulations.
I need also add my wife was actively involved in Women’s organisations like the World Day of Prayer Committee and Fellowship of the Least Coin serving as Treasurer. In fact in 1978 she was selected as the Singapore representative to the Asian Church Women’s Conference in Gotemba Tokyo. I took furlough to look after Poh Chin during the time she was away.
As we look back, we give thanks to God for calling us to this vocation as Salvation Army Officers. God’s grace sustained us as we tried to balance time for family, for our own work in the office dealing with business of The Army and at the same time, wisdom and strength to do our share for the wider community – our involvement with other denominations and para church groups for the sake of His kingdom and glory of God.
When our appointment was announced in the War Cry and the local paper The Straits Times we received many congratulatory messages from our friends and well wishers, local and overseas. This was the first time a Singaporean was appointed as the General Secretary, the second in Command. A reporter from the Straits Times called at the office, conducted an interview and reported it in the paper the next day.
The President of The Bible Society of Singapore and Malaysia, Rev. Khoo Siau Hua, on behalf of its Executive Committee approached the Officer Commanding Lieut. Colonel James Sloan for me to join their Board. Up till then The Salvation Army had been represented by expatriates and the Society felt it was time a national be appointed as the Army’s representative. Lieut. Colonel Sloan needed no prompting for he felt the same way and immediately agreed to the proposal. So I was the Army’s representative till we received a change of appointment to go to Hong Kong in January 1983.
Bible Societies all over the world exist to translate, publish and distribute the Bible so that no one would be denied the Word of God. By being part of that effort to spread God’s Word to all corners of the globe, the Bible Society of Singapore is in effect going into the world and making disciples of nations. I was glad of the privilege to be part of this organization which The Salvation Army has always supported.
During our fourteen years of service in Malaysia, we had always been involved in ecumenical relationships. “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body.”1 Corinthians 12:12-13. In the state of Penang and Selangor, I served as chairman of the local state council.
The Malayan Christian Council, which was established in 1948 to promote Christian unity among the Churches and Christian organizations in Malaya and Singapore, was succeeded in 1961 by the Council of Churches of Malaysia and Singapore. As an association of churches and other Christian organizations, each believing that it is God’s will that His Body, the church should again be visibly one, and each desiring to work towards this end.
Later, in view of Malaysia and Singapore having separated and become independent sovereign nations, it was considered desirable to have separate Councils of Churches for each nation and, therefore, the National Council of Churches of Singapore was duly constituted in Singapore on 24th July, 1974 to carry on and fulfil the vision and aspirations of the founders.
My involvement in these ecumenical bodies resulted in friendships with many prominent Church leaders, like Rev. T C Nga, and Rev. Alfred Yeo, Wong Hoon Hee, Dr. George Wan of the Methodist church, Canon James Wong, Bishop Chiu Ban It, Dr Moses Tay of the Anglican church, Dr. Chung Chee Pang of the Lutheran church and many more from other denominations like the Presbyterian, Mar Thoma Churches.
There were some church leaders who felt uncomfortable associating with the National Council of Churches as a body because of its link with the World Council of Churches. A number of us felt the need to include the fast growing number of evangelical churches in the advancement of the gospel. Some of these were new denominations while others had been around for a long time. They had played prominent part with us and the para churches in evangelistic efforts, like the Dr. Billy Graham Crusade in December 1978. Two hundred thirty seven churches took part. At that time Lieut. Colonel George Engel played a significant role in the Billy Graham Committee. The Colonel was always very active in ecumenical relationships. When we were stationed in Kuala Lumpur, he would often travelled to the capital of Malaysia to attend the Council’s meetings.
A number of us like Dr. Benjamin Chew, Rev. Alfred Yeo, Mr. Liew Kee Kok and Dr. William Wan worked tirelessly to form Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore. Originally it was called Singapore Evangelical Fellowship or SEF but the Registrar suggested the change to EFOS. It exists for the furtherance of the gospel in its simplicity and splendour as ‘the power of God for the salvation of those who believe.” (Rom. 1: 16) It is committed to maintain and defend the faith of the gospel as defined authoritatively in the God-inspired Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. (2 Tim. 3: 14-17)
Another area I was very much interested and involved in was the Keswick Convention. It was in July 1875 that Canon T D Harford-Battersby, the Vicar of St. John’s Church, Keswick in collaboration with his friend Mr. Robert Wilson a Quaker industrialist erected a tent seating 600 people in his vicarage grounds and held the first convention. – little thinking that he was inaugurating an annual gathering which would continue to grow many times from its original size. It spread to many parts of the world including Singapore.
The first Keswick convention was held at NTUC hall at Shenton Way and later at the National Theatre at Tank Road. (The National Theatre has been demolished) The Salvation Army has always placed great emphasis on the teaching of the doctrine of holiness. In fact our Sunday morning meeting traditionally has been known as the Holiness meeting. In many territories Brengle Institutes or Holiness convention are held regularly and my wife and I have had the privileged of being invited to speak at these conventions in Australia, New Zealand and United States.
Rev, Prabhu Das, Rev.Alfred Yeo and a few others worked closely every year to organise the Keswick meetings. We invited outstanding international speakers such as Dr. Alan Redpath, Dr. Philip Teng, Dr. Paul Rees, Dr. Stuart Briscoe. I took my share in leading the meetings and introducing the speakers. This was something we all looked forward to every year. The National Theatre was always packed and late comers were refused entry because of fire regulations.
I need also add my wife was actively involved in Women’s organisations like the World Day of Prayer Committee and Fellowship of the Least Coin serving as Treasurer. In fact in 1978 she was selected as the Singapore representative to the Asian Church Women’s Conference in Gotemba Tokyo. I took furlough to look after Poh Chin during the time she was away.
As we look back, we give thanks to God for calling us to this vocation as Salvation Army Officers. God’s grace sustained us as we tried to balance time for family, for our own work in the office dealing with business of The Army and at the same time, wisdom and strength to do our share for the wider community – our involvement with other denominations and para church groups for the sake of His kingdom and glory of God.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Chap Goh Meh
Today is the 14th day of Chinese New Year. According to Chinese tradition it is in order to make visits to relatives and friends during this period of fifteen days. The festival culminates with the Lantern Festival to conclude the New Year festivities tomorrow, in Hokkien Chap Goh Meh.
It has also been called 'Chinese Valentine's Day.' Unmarried women in the olden days lived rather secluded lives. They would be allowed out on the evening of the fifteenth day to see the display of lanterns. It is the night when ladies put on their best garments to show themselves off to the admiring young men. They would go to the sea front and throw oranges into the sea to wish for a good and handsome husband.
Well we don't indulge in these superstitions. When we have faith in God, He will guide us to the right partner in His time.
"The Lord will guide you always" Isaiah 58: 11
"You guide me with your counsel." Psalm 73: 24
It has also been called 'Chinese Valentine's Day.' Unmarried women in the olden days lived rather secluded lives. They would be allowed out on the evening of the fifteenth day to see the display of lanterns. It is the night when ladies put on their best garments to show themselves off to the admiring young men. They would go to the sea front and throw oranges into the sea to wish for a good and handsome husband.
Well we don't indulge in these superstitions. When we have faith in God, He will guide us to the right partner in His time.
"The Lord will guide you always" Isaiah 58: 11
"You guide me with your counsel." Psalm 73: 24
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A model of faithfulness
Mr. Goh Seow Kiang is 93 years old this year. He left China in 1940 for Malaya and met The Salvation Army in Penang. He got converted, became a Salvationist when Adjutant Frederick and Mrs. Harvey were the pioneering Corps officers (pastors) During the war years he came to Singapore and has remained here ever since.
He went back to China, got married and brought his wife to Singapore. They raised up a family. When we were Corps officers we visited them regularly. She accepted the Lord shortly before she was promoted to Glory.
Mr. Goh has been attending regularly Central Corps at Bishan with his daughter Christina. Mr Goh does not speak a lot of English, but he has remained faithful serving the Lord. He has a wonderful testimony which encourages those whom he meets.
He shares an HDB flat with his unmarried daughter Christina at Tanglin Halt, but now spends most the time with his youngest daughter Karen at Hillview Heights just across the road from where we live. Karen and her family are Methodists, beautiful Christians loving the serving the Lord and take very active part at the Fairfield Methodist Church.
As it is still within the fifteen day period designated as Chinese New Year, I called on him to pay my respects for the festive season. We had a good time together as we recalled old times.
He spends the morning having his quiet time and does his exercise or watch television. The daughter has a Filipino maid to see to the house. The maid cooks lunch of porridge for him before he leaves for his afternoon fellowship with his friends in China town.
It's always a joy to see people who keep their faith and maintain their allegiance to the same church for years. Today we seem to get a generation of people who go church shopping and hopping or as one comrade put it - on auto roam! When they don't like the pastor or have a misunderstanding with someone, would leave the church and join another one. We thank God for many faithful salvationists who have sunk their roots deep in Christ and in the church they belong.
He went back to China, got married and brought his wife to Singapore. They raised up a family. When we were Corps officers we visited them regularly. She accepted the Lord shortly before she was promoted to Glory.
Mr. Goh has been attending regularly Central Corps at Bishan with his daughter Christina. Mr Goh does not speak a lot of English, but he has remained faithful serving the Lord. He has a wonderful testimony which encourages those whom he meets.
He shares an HDB flat with his unmarried daughter Christina at Tanglin Halt, but now spends most the time with his youngest daughter Karen at Hillview Heights just across the road from where we live. Karen and her family are Methodists, beautiful Christians loving the serving the Lord and take very active part at the Fairfield Methodist Church.
As it is still within the fifteen day period designated as Chinese New Year, I called on him to pay my respects for the festive season. We had a good time together as we recalled old times.
He spends the morning having his quiet time and does his exercise or watch television. The daughter has a Filipino maid to see to the house. The maid cooks lunch of porridge for him before he leaves for his afternoon fellowship with his friends in China town.
It's always a joy to see people who keep their faith and maintain their allegiance to the same church for years. Today we seem to get a generation of people who go church shopping and hopping or as one comrade put it - on auto roam! When they don't like the pastor or have a misunderstanding with someone, would leave the church and join another one. We thank God for many faithful salvationists who have sunk their roots deep in Christ and in the church they belong.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Cell group celebration - Chinese New Year-9th Day
We had our usual cell meeting this morning and spent our time discussing customs, traditions and superstitions of the Lunar New Year. Culture, superstition and religious background are easily intertwined. Culture has to do with beliefs and behaviour patterns passed down from generation to generation. It is our way of life and we cannot separate it from religion.
We live in a fallen world, tainted with sin so cultures can be good or bad. Each culture must be measured by the tenets of the Word of God. The Lausanne Covenant states “Culture must always be tested and judged by Scripture.” Some cultures are rich in beauty and goodness, others not quite. We need to seek God’s wisdom to know the difference.
After prayer together, we adjourned for lunch. We had "Lo hei" and right in the centre of the table was our "Yushen" dish so beautifully prepared by one of our members, Vicky. It was a wonderful time of celebration, fellowship and meal together.
Then we went to Lower Delta Road to visit Brother Bill Lutz and his wife Mary. the latter had a stroke, so the couple had not been to our cell meeting for some time. Thank God we can share new year blessings with one another.
Let me conclude with this prayer of Thanksgiving written by George Herbert.
"Thou has given so much to me,
Give one thing more - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleases me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days;
But such a heart whose very pulse may be
Thy praise."
We live in a fallen world, tainted with sin so cultures can be good or bad. Each culture must be measured by the tenets of the Word of God. The Lausanne Covenant states “Culture must always be tested and judged by Scripture.” Some cultures are rich in beauty and goodness, others not quite. We need to seek God’s wisdom to know the difference.
After prayer together, we adjourned for lunch. We had "Lo hei" and right in the centre of the table was our "Yushen" dish so beautifully prepared by one of our members, Vicky. It was a wonderful time of celebration, fellowship and meal together.
Then we went to Lower Delta Road to visit Brother Bill Lutz and his wife Mary. the latter had a stroke, so the couple had not been to our cell meeting for some time. Thank God we can share new year blessings with one another.
Let me conclude with this prayer of Thanksgiving written by George Herbert.
"Thou has given so much to me,
Give one thing more - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleases me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days;
But such a heart whose very pulse may be
Thy praise."
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Ren-ri - Day 7th- Chinese New Year
Wednesday 9th February 2011, the better half was out with the Home Leaguers at Bukit Panjang to celebrate Chinese New Year. I was alone and some thoughts came to me about the seventh day of the Lunar New Year.
Among the many customs carried over to Singapore is the Southern Chinese tradition of observing "Ren-ri" meaning "Man's Day." The special dish for this day is the "Yu Shen". "Yu" meaning fish and "shen" meaning raw, in other words eating raw fish. Of course with fast transportation and Singapore's connectivity, we can always get fresh fish from overseas. Raw fish is cut into very thin slices and eaten with a mixture of seven types of vegetables similar to western salad, with condiments, plum sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, pounded roasted groundnuts and other concoctions of the housewife, cook or chef.
Singaporeans like to celebrate the Lunar New Year and have "Lo hei" eating "yu shen"; not necessarily on the seventh day.
Chinese like to play on words. "Yu" for fish sounds like "extra, excess, abundance"; Shen for "raw" sounds like "life." Therefore to eat raw fish or "yu shen" is to have abundant life. I am reminded of the words of the Jesus about abundant life. He comes to give us life, yes abundant life.
Here is Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus 3: 20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen
Ponder over Paul's thoughts in Romans 5: 17 "For if, by the trespass of one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of God's righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."
Among the many customs carried over to Singapore is the Southern Chinese tradition of observing "Ren-ri" meaning "Man's Day." The special dish for this day is the "Yu Shen". "Yu" meaning fish and "shen" meaning raw, in other words eating raw fish. Of course with fast transportation and Singapore's connectivity, we can always get fresh fish from overseas. Raw fish is cut into very thin slices and eaten with a mixture of seven types of vegetables similar to western salad, with condiments, plum sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, pounded roasted groundnuts and other concoctions of the housewife, cook or chef.
Singaporeans like to celebrate the Lunar New Year and have "Lo hei" eating "yu shen"; not necessarily on the seventh day.
Chinese like to play on words. "Yu" for fish sounds like "extra, excess, abundance"; Shen for "raw" sounds like "life." Therefore to eat raw fish or "yu shen" is to have abundant life. I am reminded of the words of the Jesus about abundant life. He comes to give us life, yes abundant life.
Here is Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus 3: 20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen
Ponder over Paul's thoughts in Romans 5: 17 "For if, by the trespass of one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of God's righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."
Monday, February 7, 2011
Chinese New Year visitation
It's Monday, 5th Day of Chinese New Year. Traditionally Chinese or Lunar New Year lasts fifteen days. One can understand in ancient and rural China this was observed, but not today. In Singapore we have two days declared as public holidays. So today, Monday is a normal working day. Children are back in schools.
At 9.00 a.m the corps officers (pastors of Balestier Corps) came to pay their respects. It was good as we were able to spend quality time with them. Balestier is my home Corps (church) where I first met The Salvation Army at the age of five, a long time ago. Naturally they were able to up date us on the status of the new hall at Balestier Road. The building formerly housed the Eye Clinic. The Salvation Army bought the property and it is now undergoing extensive renovation. It is hoped the official opening will be in November 2011. It will be a great day of celebration as the Balestierians return to Balestier - Balek kampong. What a day of rejoicing this will be. We hope we shall be able to join them in celebration. Please pray for Captains Julian and Jane the Corps Officers.
At 10.00 a.m. our grandson David came to take us visiting some elderly folk. Unfortunately the people were not home, they had gone to hospital. So David on his way to University for lectures, dropped us at the home of Mary and Grace, two handicapped ladies both in their seventies.
Good news! They are now attending church. TOUCH run by Faith Community Baptist Church have been picking them up every Sunday to attend their church at Changi. Every Sunday their bus would come for them to take them for worship and send them home again. Wheelchairs are also provided and the pastor himself help to push the wheelchairs. As soon as they get home after service, each is provided with a lunch box. We thank God for Christians who care.
We have been very concerned for these folk as they had not attended church for a long time, hence our regular visit to minister to them. I believe God has wonderfully sent these kind people to bless these two elderly handicapped ladies.
So it was a real Chinese New Year joy for us to know these people are well cared for by good Christians. Thank God for TOUCH ministries.
At 9.00 a.m the corps officers (pastors of Balestier Corps) came to pay their respects. It was good as we were able to spend quality time with them. Balestier is my home Corps (church) where I first met The Salvation Army at the age of five, a long time ago. Naturally they were able to up date us on the status of the new hall at Balestier Road. The building formerly housed the Eye Clinic. The Salvation Army bought the property and it is now undergoing extensive renovation. It is hoped the official opening will be in November 2011. It will be a great day of celebration as the Balestierians return to Balestier - Balek kampong. What a day of rejoicing this will be. We hope we shall be able to join them in celebration. Please pray for Captains Julian and Jane the Corps Officers.
At 10.00 a.m. our grandson David came to take us visiting some elderly folk. Unfortunately the people were not home, they had gone to hospital. So David on his way to University for lectures, dropped us at the home of Mary and Grace, two handicapped ladies both in their seventies.
Good news! They are now attending church. TOUCH run by Faith Community Baptist Church have been picking them up every Sunday to attend their church at Changi. Every Sunday their bus would come for them to take them for worship and send them home again. Wheelchairs are also provided and the pastor himself help to push the wheelchairs. As soon as they get home after service, each is provided with a lunch box. We thank God for Christians who care.
We have been very concerned for these folk as they had not attended church for a long time, hence our regular visit to minister to them. I believe God has wonderfully sent these kind people to bless these two elderly handicapped ladies.
So it was a real Chinese New Year joy for us to know these people are well cared for by good Christians. Thank God for TOUCH ministries.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
4th Day Chinese New Year
We had our usual Adult Bible class from 9.30 t0 10.30 a.m. Despite it being Chinese New Year, folk turned up to study the difficult book of Revelation.
After the lesson we joined the bigger group at the main hall for our Holiness meeting. The Major based her message on Ephesians. The topic - "God's Ang Pow blessing." She spoke about Jesus' love and provisions for us to enjoy.
After the meeting we were blessed with the visit of some friends. Mrs. Colonel Alice Lau of Hong Kong and her son Michael and daughter-in-law Gina. She has been here since before Christmas and will be returning to Hong Kong this week. Good to have them with us and naturally we talked much about our many Hong Kong friends.
Our Corps Secretary and his wife, Terence and Sze Hian also came to visit us and we enjoyed the time spent celebrating Chinese New Year.
God has blessed us with many friends and we have been greatly enriched by our association through the years. Good to have them visiting us during this festive season. So far, there has been more than eighty visitors this year.
We also had an unwelcome visitor who appeared in the garden. It was a monkey looking for food. Now we have to make sure when we are not around to have our doors and windows shut. It has already paid a visit to Major Pascoe's flat. Strange it should appear as it is not the year of the monkey. We are in the year of the rabbit and should one appear, we might catch it and make rabbit stew. No, I won't dare kill a rabbit, no not even a chicken.
After the lesson we joined the bigger group at the main hall for our Holiness meeting. The Major based her message on Ephesians. The topic - "God's Ang Pow blessing." She spoke about Jesus' love and provisions for us to enjoy.
After the meeting we were blessed with the visit of some friends. Mrs. Colonel Alice Lau of Hong Kong and her son Michael and daughter-in-law Gina. She has been here since before Christmas and will be returning to Hong Kong this week. Good to have them with us and naturally we talked much about our many Hong Kong friends.
Our Corps Secretary and his wife, Terence and Sze Hian also came to visit us and we enjoyed the time spent celebrating Chinese New Year.
God has blessed us with many friends and we have been greatly enriched by our association through the years. Good to have them visiting us during this festive season. So far, there has been more than eighty visitors this year.
We also had an unwelcome visitor who appeared in the garden. It was a monkey looking for food. Now we have to make sure when we are not around to have our doors and windows shut. It has already paid a visit to Major Pascoe's flat. Strange it should appear as it is not the year of the monkey. We are in the year of the rabbit and should one appear, we might catch it and make rabbit stew. No, I won't dare kill a rabbit, no not even a chicken.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Chinese New Year - Day 3
It has been a quiet day for us and we have been able to clean the house, see to laundry and other chores and here am I with time in my hands to pen (or rather type) a few random thoughts. This is not a theological treatise,or a well thought out essay.
Time is sacred, a precious gift from God to all His people. Rich or poor, intelligent or ignorant, we are all given the same amount of time - 86,400 seconds that tick away furiously, 1400 precious minutes or twenty four hours. There is no balance of time to be carried over to the next day! We can waste time, or use the allotted time wisely for our needs and God's glory. Well has the psalmist put it, "My times are in your hand."
Every year is the same - anticipation of the New Year, it comes and we enjoy the time spent with family and friends. We reaffirm our relationships and make new friends. Well, for the last two days, we have had more than seventy visitors! Great to have them. We've been blessed with many good friends who care for us.
I am writing this on the third day of Chinese New Year. Superstitious people consider this day as 'unlucky' day. They reckon there are bad influences around that might lead to quarrels and breaking of relationships! Remember I said, New Year should be the time to reaffirm relationships. No one wants the opposite to happen.
So to prevent or avoid misunderstandings or quarrels, they counsel we should stay home, eating the left-overs, drinking and playing cards or mahjong. Let me caution you, please don't gamble! Gambling is a sin.
I believe there is a reason for this advice to stay home and rest on the third day. There has been a lot of preparation leading to the New Year. Plenty of hard work making cakes and goodies, cleaning the house, making new garments. Then comes the New Year when everyone celebrates. When it comes to the third day, it stands to reason, we are all tired and need a rest. When we are physically weary, we are extra sensitive and more likely to get upset. Don't you think this is a good reason to stay home on the third day than calling it unlucky day. Everyday is a day of blessing from the Lord.
In any case, this is Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath and we should prepare ourselves for tomorrow, Sunday the Lord's Day to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and to celebrate His goodness to us.
"I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord" Psalm 122:1. Let us worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness.
Time is sacred, a precious gift from God to all His people. Rich or poor, intelligent or ignorant, we are all given the same amount of time - 86,400 seconds that tick away furiously, 1400 precious minutes or twenty four hours. There is no balance of time to be carried over to the next day! We can waste time, or use the allotted time wisely for our needs and God's glory. Well has the psalmist put it, "My times are in your hand."
Every year is the same - anticipation of the New Year, it comes and we enjoy the time spent with family and friends. We reaffirm our relationships and make new friends. Well, for the last two days, we have had more than seventy visitors! Great to have them. We've been blessed with many good friends who care for us.
I am writing this on the third day of Chinese New Year. Superstitious people consider this day as 'unlucky' day. They reckon there are bad influences around that might lead to quarrels and breaking of relationships! Remember I said, New Year should be the time to reaffirm relationships. No one wants the opposite to happen.
So to prevent or avoid misunderstandings or quarrels, they counsel we should stay home, eating the left-overs, drinking and playing cards or mahjong. Let me caution you, please don't gamble! Gambling is a sin.
I believe there is a reason for this advice to stay home and rest on the third day. There has been a lot of preparation leading to the New Year. Plenty of hard work making cakes and goodies, cleaning the house, making new garments. Then comes the New Year when everyone celebrates. When it comes to the third day, it stands to reason, we are all tired and need a rest. When we are physically weary, we are extra sensitive and more likely to get upset. Don't you think this is a good reason to stay home on the third day than calling it unlucky day. Everyday is a day of blessing from the Lord.
In any case, this is Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath and we should prepare ourselves for tomorrow, Sunday the Lord's Day to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and to celebrate His goodness to us.
"I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord" Psalm 122:1. Let us worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Reflections on Chinese New Year
Yesterday was a busy day for us. Of course, our own children and grandchildren visited us as usual to pay their respects. We give thanks to God for them and pray for them everyday. They are very near and dear to us. We also remember we have one more child who cannot share in our celebrations. She is Dora Poh Chin a resident at Peacehaven Nursing Home.
Poh Chin was born 1969. she is God's special child. (see blog on 4th July 2009) When we first returned to Singapore we used to bring her home for Chinese New Year, but this is not possible or practical as age catches up with us. Besides she is happy in her own environment where she receives tender loving care.
There was a whole stream of visitors to our home yesterday - we counted more than thirty people came to pay respects. We had Indian, New Zealanders, Australians, British, Malaysians and of course Chinese. Glad we belong to an international Salvation Army. Singapore comprises people of all races living peacefully with each other. We give thanks to God for the peace and harmony that we enjoy and we don't take this for granted. The majority of population in this island are Chinese, or ethnic Chinese. It has been said that the sun never sets where the Chinese are today.
Chinese everywhere hold on to their culture and traditions. There are slight differences in the observances of these traditions in the different countries. In any case tradition is a living thing and as such is subject to change. I cannot expect future generations to observe in exactly the same way.
Take for example the reunion dinner. It used to be held in the home of the patriarch or matriarch, the eldest or most senior the the family. We held ours, as mentioned early at our son's place. This is more practical and everyone is happy. Some families have their reunion dinner at Restaurants.
Today is the second day of the New Year and while waiting for visitors to arrive, I am using the time to blog expressing the random thoughts that come as I type.
Poh Chin was born 1969. she is God's special child. (see blog on 4th July 2009) When we first returned to Singapore we used to bring her home for Chinese New Year, but this is not possible or practical as age catches up with us. Besides she is happy in her own environment where she receives tender loving care.
There was a whole stream of visitors to our home yesterday - we counted more than thirty people came to pay respects. We had Indian, New Zealanders, Australians, British, Malaysians and of course Chinese. Glad we belong to an international Salvation Army. Singapore comprises people of all races living peacefully with each other. We give thanks to God for the peace and harmony that we enjoy and we don't take this for granted. The majority of population in this island are Chinese, or ethnic Chinese. It has been said that the sun never sets where the Chinese are today.
Chinese everywhere hold on to their culture and traditions. There are slight differences in the observances of these traditions in the different countries. In any case tradition is a living thing and as such is subject to change. I cannot expect future generations to observe in exactly the same way.
Take for example the reunion dinner. It used to be held in the home of the patriarch or matriarch, the eldest or most senior the the family. We held ours, as mentioned early at our son's place. This is more practical and everyone is happy. Some families have their reunion dinner at Restaurants.
Today is the second day of the New Year and while waiting for visitors to arrive, I am using the time to blog expressing the random thoughts that come as I type.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chinese New Year
It's New Year Eve and the highlight of the day is the Reunion Dinner where members of the family sit down together for the special meal. This is the symbol of peace and harmony. It is a demonstration of love and respect that binds the family together.
During our period overseas from 1983-1997, we could not observe this special day with our own family, but we made it a point to invite some friends to join us for this special dinner. In 1998 the first year home in Singapore, we had our reunion dinner at our small flat at Hillview Park.
What a joy to have our son and family come to our home to participate in the reunion dinner. This went on for a few years until Stephen and Dolly came up with the wise suggestion that we have the reunion dinner at their place. It was a great and thoughtful idea for as we get older we are finding it hard to cope with all the preparation. Age has restricted our mobility somewhat and we take more time to do things. They have a bigger house and a maid to help with the preparation and cooking. So for the last few years, the family reunion dinner is held at their home. We are very happy with this arrangement.
Gladys and family go to Kum Pui's parents' home for their reunion dinner as Chinese tradition dictates. But the two families make it a point to visit us on the first day of Chinese New Year.
In our younger days, Balestier Corps always had a Chinese New Year Watchnight Service on the eve of Chinese New Year. They would invite other corps folk to join them. Usually the service was a short one, as the families had to fit in with their own reunion dinner. Many of the 'ang moh' or westerners, officers and servicemen would join in the Watchnight Service.
According to the Chinese way of counting the hours of the day, 11 p.m marks the beginning of a new cycle, so the traditional Chinese would start ushering the New Year when the clock strikes eleven.
New Year' Day is a time to reaffirm family and friendship ties - the younger ones visiting the elders. Many still observe the ancient custom of showing respect to one's elders by offering them two mandarin oranges with both hands. The host makes it a point to reciprocate the compliments.
In turn unmarried children receive 'ang pows' - red packets containing money, all in new notes. Red is an important colour to the Chinese because it symbolises life, happiness and blessing. It is considered rude to open the red packets in front of the givers.
We always have an open house during Chinese New Year and relatives and friends call on us to pay their respects. We do not issue invitations to anyone as it is common knowledge that all are welcome. Asians maintain open house during special festivals like Chinese New Year or Hari Raya Puasa.
We often hear the greeting "Kong Hee Fatt Choy" in Cantonese or "Gong Xi Fa Cai" in Mandarin. It means wishing a person - prosperity for the New Year, usually meaning material wealth which does not normally bring joy, happiness or peace. So we don't use that greeting. Instead we use one of the following.
"Xin Nian Kwai Le" meaning "Wishing you joy for the New Year."
"Xin Nian Ping An" meaning "wishing you peace for the New Year" or Shalom
"Xin Nian Men En" meaning "may the grace of God be with you for the New Year"
Let our thoughts dwell on the joy, peace and grace of God for the New Year. this is my New Year prayer for you. "The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever." Psalm 121: 7-8
During our period overseas from 1983-1997, we could not observe this special day with our own family, but we made it a point to invite some friends to join us for this special dinner. In 1998 the first year home in Singapore, we had our reunion dinner at our small flat at Hillview Park.
What a joy to have our son and family come to our home to participate in the reunion dinner. This went on for a few years until Stephen and Dolly came up with the wise suggestion that we have the reunion dinner at their place. It was a great and thoughtful idea for as we get older we are finding it hard to cope with all the preparation. Age has restricted our mobility somewhat and we take more time to do things. They have a bigger house and a maid to help with the preparation and cooking. So for the last few years, the family reunion dinner is held at their home. We are very happy with this arrangement.
Gladys and family go to Kum Pui's parents' home for their reunion dinner as Chinese tradition dictates. But the two families make it a point to visit us on the first day of Chinese New Year.
In our younger days, Balestier Corps always had a Chinese New Year Watchnight Service on the eve of Chinese New Year. They would invite other corps folk to join them. Usually the service was a short one, as the families had to fit in with their own reunion dinner. Many of the 'ang moh' or westerners, officers and servicemen would join in the Watchnight Service.
According to the Chinese way of counting the hours of the day, 11 p.m marks the beginning of a new cycle, so the traditional Chinese would start ushering the New Year when the clock strikes eleven.
New Year' Day is a time to reaffirm family and friendship ties - the younger ones visiting the elders. Many still observe the ancient custom of showing respect to one's elders by offering them two mandarin oranges with both hands. The host makes it a point to reciprocate the compliments.
In turn unmarried children receive 'ang pows' - red packets containing money, all in new notes. Red is an important colour to the Chinese because it symbolises life, happiness and blessing. It is considered rude to open the red packets in front of the givers.
We always have an open house during Chinese New Year and relatives and friends call on us to pay their respects. We do not issue invitations to anyone as it is common knowledge that all are welcome. Asians maintain open house during special festivals like Chinese New Year or Hari Raya Puasa.
We often hear the greeting "Kong Hee Fatt Choy" in Cantonese or "Gong Xi Fa Cai" in Mandarin. It means wishing a person - prosperity for the New Year, usually meaning material wealth which does not normally bring joy, happiness or peace. So we don't use that greeting. Instead we use one of the following.
"Xin Nian Kwai Le" meaning "Wishing you joy for the New Year."
"Xin Nian Ping An" meaning "wishing you peace for the New Year" or Shalom
"Xin Nian Men En" meaning "may the grace of God be with you for the New Year"
Let our thoughts dwell on the joy, peace and grace of God for the New Year. this is my New Year prayer for you. "The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever." Psalm 121: 7-8
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