Birthday reflections

"The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labour and sorrow; for soon it is cut off, and we fly away" Psalm 90: 10

This sounds rather a doleful statement, but it is true. I've lived past my 'three score years and ten' as the KJV says in the text quoted.

Celebrated my 79th birthday - had four lunches/dinners given by friends and relatives. Received lots of messages by e-mail, cards and of course Facebook. So kind of folk to remember and take the time to connect.

I've outlived all my siblings, elder brother left this world at the age of 55, younger brother went to be with the Lord at 72, my sister passed away at 70. Both my parents died in their mid seventies. There must be a reason why I am still alive. I believe there is still work to be done. Or do you believe in the oft quoted saying, "The good die young."

I still have a lot to do yet. At the moment I am concentrating on the Book of Revelation, preparing lessons for my Adult Bible class every Sunday morning. No I don't predict dates of the Second Coming for I believe no one knows the day or the hour when the Lord will come again. I search for spiritual truths to apply to our daily living and prepare ourselves for the day when He will come for us.

I am writing my autobiography and have completed 57 chapters, the last two on Hong Kong. I have yet to write on our work in the Philippines and in the South Pacific and East Asia Zone. Of course, I would like to write about what I've been doing in retirement. Whether I shall be able to complete what I've planned to do, only the Lord knows.

In the meantime, I pray this prayer,"So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12. Moses wrote these words - a summary of what we need to know if we want to make our lives count.We just have to live a day at a time.

We Live In Deeds, Not Years

We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.
And he whose heart beats quickest lives the longest:
Lives in one hour more than in years do some
Whose fat blood sleeps as it slips along their veins.
Life’s but a means unto an end; that end,
Beginning, mean, and end to all things—God.
The dead have all the glory of the world.

Philip James Bailey (1816-1902)

This is my story - 57 (Hong Kong/Taiwan)

57 – God’s provision for Dora Poh Chin

Prior to our departure from Singapore to Hong Kong, we made enquiries from Major Moira Wright, the General Secretary of Hong Kong/Taiwan Command, concerning facilities for our special 14 year old daughter Poh Chin. Her story is told in a chapter in this blog on 4th July 2009 under the caption “Dora Poh Chin”

Major Wright got in touch with a lovely Christian lady, Miss Wendy Blackmur, who with her friend Valerie Cordibear had opened the Home of Loving Faithfulness catering for mentally handicapped children. Wendy felt that Poh Chin could fit into the Home beautifully and was confident that admission would not be a problem.

However, things did not work out as we had planned. Other members of the committee raised objections. They reasoned that The Salvation Army runs its own Home for the Handicapped at Lai King and should take responsibility.

However, the superintendent of the Army’s Home, Major Charles Strickland was of the opinion that Poh Chin was too severely handicapped to fit into its programme. As this involved my own daughter, I did not press the issue, but left everything with the Lord. Surely God, who had appointed us to Hong Kong, would provide the solution to the problem. We always believe “Christ is the answer to our every need.”

When my wife had to be in office, we would leave her at the Army’s Kwai Chung Girls’ Home for the day. Major Joan Henderson was willing to let her staff and girls look after Poh Chin. This temporary arrangement suited us fine for the time being.

Some Advisory Board members came to know about our situation and unbeknown to us contributed and set up an account to pay for a worker to care for Poh Chin during week days. So a lady was employed to look after Poh chin at home while my wife was at office. During the weekend when we had to go round to the various centres to conduct meetings, we would leave Poh Chin at the Girls’ Home.

Plans had already been made for us to visit Taiwan, part of the Command. Wendy Blackmur kindly took leave and had Poh Chin with her for the duration of our welcome visit to the Taiwan Division

We continued to pray and search for a solution, believing that the Lord would show us the way. One day we were informed that there was a Day Care Centre for the mentally handicapped in Kowloon that we could apply for Poh Chin to be admitted. We prayed and then sent in the application. Soon afterwards we received a visit from the Social worker to our home and before long Poh Chin was accepted to this Day Care Centre where she remained throughout the duration of our appointment in Hong Kong.

Every morning on our way to office, we dropped Poh Chin at the Centre. Then at 4.00 p.m a bus from the Rehab Association would pick her up and take her to the Army’s Lai King Home. We then picked her up on our way home from office. It was Victoria Kwok one of the Army’s social workers who made the contact and arrangements on our behalf.

By this time Captain Keith Cheng was appointed the superintendent of the Lai King Home as well as the Social Services Secretary. He and his wife Mary were very supportive. They arranged for the staff of the Lai King Home to look after Poh Chin every Sunday when we went round to the various centres to conduct meetings. The same arrangements were made available to us when we visited Taiwan and on overseas engagements.

We thank God for His provision. In a wonderful way, He sent us friends who went the extra mile to be helpful – good friends among the Advisory Board members, our own officers, staff and Salvationists. When we do God’s will, we need never fear the lack resources. The Lord certainly provides.

Changes

Yesterday morning at our church service, one of the songs used was "Abide with me, fast falls the even tide." I cannot recall singing this old hymn in recent years during worship service except at funerals! In my younger days, we used to have two Sunday meetings - one the the morning called the Holiness meeting, and one in the evening called Salvation meeting. This old hymn was used often in the evening.

One of the lines struck me yesterday. "Change and decay in all around I see." Note change is linked with decay! Of course the hymn writer was comparing this line with the next which says, O Thou who changest not, abide with me." Nature changes but our Lord never changes. That's a fact.

Does change always lead to decay? Change can be for the better. Nature decays, but renews. Change can be for good or otherwise. Remember the other saying, "If ain't broke don't fix it."

The world wants change. Recent events happening in the Arab world and elsewhere highlights the importance of change. Time to change - leaders and systems that don't work anymore must go! We feel the ripple effects here in our country.

The recent General Election in Singapore highlights that important word 'change' and our leaders are listening hard and are working on change. First the cabinet changes and now a committee has been formed to study Ministers' salaries! I see our ministers are going to get a pay cut! Well, as our Prime Minister has said, being a Minister should be a calling! Good to hear that word, 'CALLING'- that's what we've been emphasising in the church and I hope our pastors or ministers, vicars, bishops, Salvation Army officers remmember this. I notice too during election time, the word 'repent' was used. Our nations is getting religious using words like 'calling' and 'repentance' 'renewal' etc. They must have been attending church and listening to sermons.

Governments, movements, societies, organisations, churches need to re-examine their policies, methods procedures, reflect and make changes when necessary to be relevant to our modern world. The older we get, the harder it seems to make changes. I am speaking from experience. To those involved in change, it can be frightening. We all love the status quo- 'as it was in the beginning and is now and ever shall be Amen' sounds more comfortable! Change is often accompanied by uncertainty as routine is disrupted as new methods and procedures are introduced.

We shall see many changes soon. Like it or not change can be for better or for worse and we'll be affected. Someone once said,"In times of mega change, we have to keep a mega grip on God."The Lord delights in the way of the man whose steps he has made firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." Psalm 37: 23-24

I end this rambling reflection with the words of Anna L Waring

"Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me;
The changes that will surely come,
I do not fear to see;
I ask Thee for a patient mind,
Intent on pleasing thee.

I know who holds tomorrow -

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I don’t know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I don’t know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I’m covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand. Ira Stanphill
_____________________________________________________________________
“…he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” –Psalm 23:2-4

Adult Bible class at William Booth Corps

Glory and Doom – Revelation 14

The portrait of the beast in Revelation 13 is ugly, but not fantastic – this realism about the monster of evil. He storms and rages for he knows his end is near. Christ’s witnesses are not intimidated. They have to choose between worshipping the beast or die. Faced with these stark alternatives and pressured by the economic monopoly of the Antichrist some caved in, others triumphed.

These last two Sundays, we focussed our thoughts on Chapter 14. The first vision is one of assurance of the struggling church. The Sermon on the Mount claims that rejoicing in persecution is possible, sustained by the hope of future reward. (Matt. 5: 11) John’s visions encourage us with foreviews of ultimate glory.

This morning we concentrated on the message of the three angels. The first calls the world to worship. The message is the eternal gospel. There is hope still for all before the final trumpet is blown – the seventh trumpet.

The second angel announces the everlasting doom of the lost. We are given the messages of ‘fire and brimstone’ – traditional symbols of destruction, dating back to the fate of Sodom of Gomorrah in Genesis 19. The doctrine of hell is not a popular one in our generation. We cannot avoid it simply because we do not like it.

Torments meted out to the impenitent, the rebellious, the wicked are self imposed. They do not express Divine vindictiveness. God is love and does not delight in the suffering of His children.

John is not writing to frighten pagans, he is writing to fortify Christians. The beast had set before them the ultimatum “Bow down or die.” God through John has His alternatives “Refuse the beast and suffer physical death” or “Reject the gospel and Christ and suffer eternal death.” This message in John’s vision reinforces the teaching of Jesus in the gospels.

Let us keep God’s commandments, heed His warnings. The lesson ends with a beautiful verse often used at funerals, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. They will rest from their labour…” This is where we get the phrase, “Rest in peace” in short RIP.

What we take with us into eternity is not material possessions; but our faith and character. Let seek His grace to keep us faithful even unto death.

The hour passed very quickly. I’ve been much encouraged by the response from our folk who love the Scriptures and feel it is worth their while to get up early to join us in searching the Scriptures.

Visit to Peacehaven

After an absence of three weeks because of medical appointments, we were back at Peacehaven Nursing Home this morning. What a joy to greet Madam Low Mui Lan the hard working Executive Director. She has boundless energy, excellent administrative skills, a heart of compassion for people. I believe she is here with The Salvation Army for such a time as this.

We saw our daughter Dora Poh Chin at PARTRIDGE Residents' Lounge Area. She was in a wheel chair waiting to have her hair cut. Volunteers were there to cut the hair of the residents. We thank God for the kind hearted ladies who give of their time to bless our residents.

We then made our way to SPARROW Residents' Lounge Area for Chapel Service. We were met by a young lady at the door, one of the students of Nanyang Polytechnic sent to the Home for training. She had a lovely smile, and greeted us warmly. Somehow from her demeanour and brief conversation, I knew she was a good Christian. In response to my enquiry, she told me she belonged to the River Life Church. Miss Chau Man Kam, that's her name, entered wholeheartedly into the chapel service. We were greatly encouraged today and I believe God put her there not only for her training in looking after the residents but for our encouragement. We were truly blessed today.

Today we hear so much about youth, their thoughtlessness and rebelliousness. We see on television screen youth on the rampage. But I believe there are many youths today like Chau Man Kum who really care for others and are doing much for society.

Singapore Polling Day

Saturday 7th May- Polling Day. We both arrived at Polling Station at 8.20 a.m. Chestnut Drive Secondary School to cast our votes. The staff on duty were very friendly. After checking our identity and polling cards, we were directed to the Express Lane reserved for senior citizens and the handicapped. We were then taken by a lady officer to the desk to for registration, then to the polling booth. Everything was very well organised. We cast our votes, for which party? Sorry we cannot tell you as the vote is secret.

We did not stay up the whole night to hear the results. Early the next morning at 5.00 a.m, our usual time for waking up, we heard the results over BBC. The results were as most Singaporeans had expected - the ruling party to return to power with a credible opposition. Now that election is over, we hope and pray our people will get back to work, support the Government and be loyal to our nation.

We felt sorry for two people - George Yeo the Foreign Minister, a very gracious man. He will be hard to replace. The other is Chiam See Tong a great man who truly loves Singapore. I really admire these two gentlemen. Singapore is proud of them. May God bless and comfort them.

Mother's Day - Sunday 8th May

This morning at our Church we celebrated Mother's Day. After the service, we adjourned to the social hall where we had our lunch together. It's been a custom in our church.

In some cultures there is the observance of "breakfast in bed" for Mum plus the exhortation "to put your feet up, we'll do everything for you." Even if it is burnt toast, or tea made with water poured from a flask, it is the thought that matters!

In our Singapore culture, some people make it a point to take Mum to a restaurant for a nice meal together, of course with Dad tagging along! Good idea, only that there appears to be price increase for meals on such occasions. There are those who would go for gifts such us toiletries, chocolates or 'bak kwa' (roast pork). In any case, Mum will not eat them all herself; certainly she will share with the rest of the family.

Churches like ours provide flowers and folk are asked to "take a flower for Mum" and you trust some children to take more, (after all it's free, Singapore mentality!) This morning the men were asked to go to the front to take flowers for their wives or mothers.

It is fitting that motherhood should be celebrated with a day of its own. The relationship between mother and child has exerted a powerful hold over civilisation. It is one of the ways of bonding, preserving and enhancing relationships.

I think whatever the cost, it pales into insignificance the commercial exhortation offered to parents come Christmas time.

Let us instill into youngsters that love is shown not just in material tributes, or a mother's day card once a year, but also through spontaneous personal gestures and expressions of regard sustained beyond a single day - Mother's Day. Come to think of it - a mother, after all is for life; not just for one Sunday.

Perhaps those reading this blog have not done anything yet. What about sending an sms to Mum. "Happy Mother's Day. I love you." That's simple isn't it? Better still go to your computer and send an e-card Mother's Day greeting. It's free!

Honour your father and your mother, the word of God tells us.

This is my story - 56 (Hong Kong/Taiwan)

56 – Cold weather, but warm welcome to Hong Kong

The morning after our arrival in our new appointment, the General Secretary, Major Moira Wright took us to the Command Headquarters at 547-555 Nathan Road, Kowloon. On the way, we dropped our daughter Dora Poh Chin at the Girls’ Home at Kwai Chung where Major Joan Henderson the superintendent had arranged for the staff and girls to look after her for the day.

We were introduced to the staff at Headquarters, most of them local, but the majority of the Heads of Departments were reinforcement officers.

Brigadier Thomas Lau To San, the most senior national officer was the Editor and Literary Secretary. He and his wife were near retirement. They and their family lived on the building.

Major Helen Prosser the Financial Secretary not only saw to the finances of Command which ran to millions of dollars, she was also in charge of our large Trade Department. It supplied uniforms to Salvationists both local and overseas. Our schools, kindergartens, day care centres ordered their uniforms through our Trade Department which had contacts with tailors. It sold all sorts of Salvation Army paraphernalia – ties, tie pins, trimmings, flags, gifts, souvenirs etc. The profits from our Trade Department helped towards the maintenance of our work in Hong Kong.

Captain Basil Saunders from United Kingdom was the Education Secretary. He was ably assisted by his wife Elizabeth. She was responsible for the eight kindergartens, each with two sessions daily. She did a lot to train our kindergarten teachers. Seminars for the teachers were held regularly in fact one of our teachers was seconded to the Government to form the research team on kindergarten training. The Army ran eight primary schools, two sessions daily and the William Booth Secondary School

Major Joseph Wilcox from Australia Southern Territory was the Property Secretary. He and his wife were not too far from retirement. Plans were underway for the building of the new fourteen storeyed Headquarters at Wing Sing Lane. This took up much of his time.

Captain John McPherson from Australia Southern Territory was the Public Relations Secretary. He was also responsible for our work among the refugees in Lantau Island. He arranged for worship meetings on Sunday and also during the week. The Army had a flourishing Sunday School on the island. There was a counselling centre manned by the Army.

After the departure of Major and Mrs. Glen Gilden in 1982, Captain McPherson took on additional appointment as the Acting Social Services Secretary. We were then the second largest social agency in Hong Kong running seven Day Care centres, four clinics, a Home for the Handicapped, a Girls’ Home, a Boys’ Home and Hostel, five Homes and a number of Day Care centres for the Elderly. The Army also ran a number of Youth and Community Centres.

Major and Mrs. Colin Fairclough from United Kingdom were appointed to take over the department in January 1983 but somehow they never arrived in Hong Kong at all.

There were two divisions in the Command. Major and Mrs. Andrew Lo Wai Hin and Captain and Mrs. James Lau Man Kin were the Divisional Leaders for the Hong Kong and Taiwan Divisions respectively. There were a total of twenty one Corps and one outpost in the Command.

On 8th January there was the Public Welcome held at the Kowloon Central Corps Hall led by Major Wright. In those days, there was no installation for Officers’ Commanding. Only Territorial Commanders were installed. Rev. Kwok Nai Wong, General Secretary of the Hong Kong Council of Churches spoke words of welcome on behalf the churches. Bishop Peter Kwong of the Anglican Church was also present.

Box Hill Songsters which was touring Hong Kong at that time provided a number of items during the welcome meeting. It was great to get the support of these Australians.

Hong Kong was Cantonese speaking and all our meetings were conducted in Cantonese. My wife is Cantonese, but I am a Teochew. During the meeting we spoke in English as we felt our Cantonese was not up to standard. However we had excellent interpreters.

My wife during the welcome meeting told the congregation “I have come home to the land of my birth.” The congregation responded with delight and loud applause. Then she went on to give her testimony of the Lord’s dealings in her life and expressed her joy in being appointed to serve the people of Hong Kong.

At that time, there was much anxiety prevailing in Hong Kong. The year 1997 loomed like the sword of Democles over the heads of people. Many people were worried about the future when Hong Kong would revert to Communist China. A number had either emigrated or making plans to emigrate.

This was our first overseas appointment. We did not know then that we would spend seven and half wonderful years in Hong Kong. That night my wife and I before we went to bed, recommitted our lives to Him. It was an awesome responsibility to be the leaders of Hong Kong and Taiwan for such a time as that.

In God's Hands

In His Hands
We should fear only if the Holy Spirit were not with us...
We should be dismayed only if Christ were not in us...
We should cower only if God were not for us.
The important thing is to not worry if your grip on God is firm enough to survive your difficult times; remember-it is His hand that has taken a grip on yours!
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
-Roy Lessin, DaySpring co-founder and writer
Excerpt from the devotional gift book In His Hands by Roy Lessin.