We host a cell group every Friday morning. As usual we had a great time,and today, it lasted from 10.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m! What a time of fellowship we enjoyed.
Many times in the New Testament, we are exhorted to relate to one another. If all members of our church are obedient to these instructions, then truly there is real unity of love in the church.
Let me share with you some of the verses that tell us of our duties towards our fellow members of the church.
We must bear one another’s burdens whether spiritual or material. ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.’(Gal. 6: 2) We are to be a sharing community. Sometimes a brother or sister may be compelled to bear burdens due to the chances and changes of life. It comes from outside – some crisis, some emergency, some sorrow may suddenly descend upon a person. We are told to give support and in doing so, fulfil the law of Christ.
We are always to speak the truth to one another in love, even when the truth hurts. ‘..speaking the truth in love..’ (Ephesians 4: 15) Sometimes we a reluctant to speak out for fear of causing offence, but if we are genuinely concerned about the welfare of our friends, it is our duty speak the truth, but it must be in love. This ‘speaking the truth’ need not always be negative, it can be a positive word of encouragement.
We are to consider how we may ‘spur one another on toward love and good deeds.’ (Hebrews 10: 24) We live in a world where bad people incite others to do wrong. We Christians need to encourage each other to noble living. We can best do this by setting the fine example. We can do it by reminding others of our tradition of doing good deeds without thinking of reward.
Let us edify or build each other up by our speech and actions. ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up....’ (1 Thes.5: 11) We do this by our speech and actions. Honour and esteem other members of the church as better than ourselves. ‘Be devoted to one another by brotherly or sisterly love. Honour one another above yourselves.’ (Rom. 12: 10)
This list is not exhaustive, so add to it your own verses. One thing I want to emphasise – unity is a very important aspect of the well being of our church. It is a very powerful testimony to the world that we are Christ’s followers.
‘Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
We share our mutual woes;
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathising tear. John Fawcett (SASB 660 verses 1 & 3)
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Global Prayer meeting
Today is Thursday. Early morning five of us - Major Pascoe, Aux. Captains Raymond and Cathy and Yen Fong (staff at THQ Editorial Department) my wife and I left for THQ to attend the Combined Prayer meeting. This is in response to The General's call to prayer every Thursday.
Major gave a short meditation on 1 Chronicles 16. Acting in obedience, King David brought the Ark of the Covenant, symbol of God's presence back to its rightful place in the worship and life of God's people. Although David's original intention was good the first time around, he failed to ask God for direction. So when we used the new cart, he was copying the ungodly Philistines instead of following God's word.
The result was disaster! The second time he sought God every step of the way. The result - great joy and blessing for everyone. God's presence and guidance are essential.
We note - God's work must be done God's way if we are to receive God's blessing. Beware of copying the ungodly methods that are in fashion - don't hitch your hopes on 'new carts' but seek God's directions and solutions.
Praise played as prominent role in all of David's ministry. The tremendous power of praise. Don't allow the devil defeat us with negative thoughts, judgments and criticisms.
Holiness is another important requirement. God cannot stand the sight of sin. We must stand holy before Him through the blood of Jesus. Keep your temple clean and fit for our Holy God's presence.
Sacrifice, the way God lays down, is also featured in this process of bringing God back to His rightful place in worship and life. Micah 6: 8 reminds us of the sacrifice God expects from us.."to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
We first prayed using the subjects given by the General.
1. The need to deepen our spiritual life personally as a people of God. (1 Pet. 2: 9-10)
2 In this economic climate, financial resources for our worldwide mission. (2 Cor. 9: 10)
3. Renewed passion to bring people to Jesus and lead them to maturity in Him. (John 14: 6, John 3: 16
4 The courage and compassion to stand for and serve the marginalized. (Col. 3: 12)
We prayed for our territory and the international Army and ended the hour long session with the prayer of dedication.
"I would be Thy holy temple sacred and indwelt by Thee."
Major gave a short meditation on 1 Chronicles 16. Acting in obedience, King David brought the Ark of the Covenant, symbol of God's presence back to its rightful place in the worship and life of God's people. Although David's original intention was good the first time around, he failed to ask God for direction. So when we used the new cart, he was copying the ungodly Philistines instead of following God's word.
The result was disaster! The second time he sought God every step of the way. The result - great joy and blessing for everyone. God's presence and guidance are essential.
We note - God's work must be done God's way if we are to receive God's blessing. Beware of copying the ungodly methods that are in fashion - don't hitch your hopes on 'new carts' but seek God's directions and solutions.
Praise played as prominent role in all of David's ministry. The tremendous power of praise. Don't allow the devil defeat us with negative thoughts, judgments and criticisms.
Holiness is another important requirement. God cannot stand the sight of sin. We must stand holy before Him through the blood of Jesus. Keep your temple clean and fit for our Holy God's presence.
Sacrifice, the way God lays down, is also featured in this process of bringing God back to His rightful place in worship and life. Micah 6: 8 reminds us of the sacrifice God expects from us.."to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
We first prayed using the subjects given by the General.
1. The need to deepen our spiritual life personally as a people of God. (1 Pet. 2: 9-10)
2 In this economic climate, financial resources for our worldwide mission. (2 Cor. 9: 10)
3. Renewed passion to bring people to Jesus and lead them to maturity in Him. (John 14: 6, John 3: 16
4 The courage and compassion to stand for and serve the marginalized. (Col. 3: 12)
We prayed for our territory and the international Army and ended the hour long session with the prayer of dedication.
"I would be Thy holy temple sacred and indwelt by Thee."
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A great day with friends
After lunch, two good caring friends of ours very kindly drove us to see Mrs. Chee, a Salvationist of Central Corps. My wife and I have known Mrs. Chee for more than half a century. She speaks little English, but is a devout Christian.
She is now bed-ridden, unable to care for herself or even talk. She is very well taken care of by her unmarried daughter, a lawyer by profession. She employs two Filipino maids to care for her mother.
There has been a culture shift these days and unfortunately some erosion of our Asian values of caring for family. Judaism and Christianity are clear about the moral importance of filial duty.The Bible speaks of "Honouring parents" and family responsibilities, so does Confucius and other great teachers. In fact virtually all religions include some form of filial obligation.
But what we saw yesterday really touched out hearts. The daughter a lovely Christian is absolutely filial and the way she cares and provides for her Mum, is something all of us could imitate. She deliberately came home early to show hospitality to us.
It was a full day for us and we were tired, but truly blessed. We came home thanking and praising God for what we had seen and experienced. Everyday is a bonus to us and everyday we say, "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad it it."
We thank God we are still able to move around. It is a privilege to serve God. We have been so blessed for in ministering to others, we in turn are being ministered to and blessed. To God be the glory.
She is now bed-ridden, unable to care for herself or even talk. She is very well taken care of by her unmarried daughter, a lawyer by profession. She employs two Filipino maids to care for her mother.
There has been a culture shift these days and unfortunately some erosion of our Asian values of caring for family. Judaism and Christianity are clear about the moral importance of filial duty.The Bible speaks of "Honouring parents" and family responsibilities, so does Confucius and other great teachers. In fact virtually all religions include some form of filial obligation.
But what we saw yesterday really touched out hearts. The daughter a lovely Christian is absolutely filial and the way she cares and provides for her Mum, is something all of us could imitate. She deliberately came home early to show hospitality to us.
It was a full day for us and we were tired, but truly blessed. We came home thanking and praising God for what we had seen and experienced. Everyday is a bonus to us and everyday we say, "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad it it."
We thank God we are still able to move around. It is a privilege to serve God. We have been so blessed for in ministering to others, we in turn are being ministered to and blessed. To God be the glory.
Fellowship at HOPE Centre.
After chapel service at HOPE Centre, Peacehaven we spent some time chatting with the residents. Of course, we listened to the same stories every time we visit them. The residents are in different stages of dementia.
Sitting right at the front row was a Noreen Chan Chin Chai who 53 years ago was the bridesmaid at our wedding! She was also one of the four cadets of our Session called the "Shepherds" in 1954. After serving for a few years, she resigned and wandered away from the Lord. Since we came home for retirement, we met her a couple a couple of times.
God has a wonderful way of bringing His lost sheep home. Recently she was brought to Peacehaven by TOUCH Community Services, non profit charitable organisation founded by Pastor Lawrence Khong of Faith Community Baptist Church.
She does not recognise us these days, hardly speaks, but when we sing the old hymns like "Jesus loves me, this I know" she joins in the singing. Yesterday, I was standing right in front of her leading the singing. She kept staring at my concertina. I am sure in her mind she was going back to the old days. The nurse brings her to chapel service every week. We can never fully understand God's ways, but we know they are for our good.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
Sitting right at the front row was a Noreen Chan Chin Chai who 53 years ago was the bridesmaid at our wedding! She was also one of the four cadets of our Session called the "Shepherds" in 1954. After serving for a few years, she resigned and wandered away from the Lord. Since we came home for retirement, we met her a couple a couple of times.
God has a wonderful way of bringing His lost sheep home. Recently she was brought to Peacehaven by TOUCH Community Services, non profit charitable organisation founded by Pastor Lawrence Khong of Faith Community Baptist Church.
She does not recognise us these days, hardly speaks, but when we sing the old hymns like "Jesus loves me, this I know" she joins in the singing. Yesterday, I was standing right in front of her leading the singing. She kept staring at my concertina. I am sure in her mind she was going back to the old days. The nurse brings her to chapel service every week. We can never fully understand God's ways, but we know they are for our good.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Back at Balestier
It was the William Booth Corps 9th anniversary, but we were not able to join them on Sunday except to attend the prayer meeting in the morning. We had already scheduled to conduct meeting at Balestier in the absence of the Corps Officer (pastor) Captain Hary Haran.
We had a great time with the folk at Balestier. We really enjoyed the fellowship with the comrades, a number of them we've known for many years. The hall was quite full. As mentioned earlier, it was the second corps to be opened by the then Brigadier Herbert Lord pioneer of our work in Singapore in 1936. So the Corps in 1937was only a year old when I at the age of five with my two older siblings walked into the Balestier Corps hall - a shophouse at Balestier Road itself. My first contact with The Salvation Army - 75 years ago at Balestier! What memories!
The Corps closed down during the Japanese occupation (1942-1945). The work was re-established after the war and The Army built an attap house on the land owned by Mrs. Palmer, a Home Leaguer. There was no electricity or water connected to the building! So no toilets. taps or wash basins and we had to go to Mrs. Palmer's house across the road to make use of the facilities! Or to the Ong family on Balestier Road. Kerosene lamps were used for lighting. Paper fans were provided for the congregation.
One day the Lord spoke to Mrs. Palmer and she sold the land to the Army for only $3,000.00, a token sum! Although it was at Martaban Road, the name Balestier Road Corps was retained. Later the word "Road" was dropped and it became just Balestier Corps.
When the Army sold the land (which upset many local Salvationists) the Corps moved to the Command Headquarters and has been using the chapel on the ground floor. A number of folk left the Army, others moved to other corps, but a few faithful remained. Meetings can only be held in the afternoon as Central Corps and Chinese Corps have theirs in the morning.
The Corps has been through tough times. We believe Captain Hary is there for such a time as this to lead the troops to a new location. The Corps will move into their new premises soon. It was formerly an Eye Hospital. The official opening and dedication will be on 11th November - an easy date to remember 11-11-11. I wish the Army could do the dedication at 11.11 a.m. on that day!
It will be Back to Balestier! We shall retrace our steps to move forward!!
"If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
Soren Kierkegaard
Forward! be our watchword, steps and voices joined;
seek the things before us, not a look behind;
burns the fiery pillar at our army's head;
who shall dream of shrinking, by our Captain led?
Forward through the desert, through the toil and fight;
Jordan flows before us; Zion beams with light.
Forward! flock of Jesus, salt of all the earth,
till each yearning purpose spring to glorious birth:
sick, they ask for healing; blind, they grope for day;
pour upon the nations wisdom's loving ray.
Forward, out of error, leave behind the night;
forward through the darkness, forward into light!
Glories upon glories hath our God prepared,
by the souls that love him one day to be shared;
eye hath not beheld them, ear hath never heard;
nor of these hath uttered thought or speech a word;
forward, marching eastward, where the heaven is bright,
till the veil be lifted, till our faith be sight.
To the Father's glory loudest anthems raise;
to the Son and Spirit echo songs of praise;
to the Lord Jehovah, blessed Three in One,
be by men and angels endless honor done.
Weak are earthly praises, dull the songs of night:
forward into triumph, forward into light!
We had a great time with the folk at Balestier. We really enjoyed the fellowship with the comrades, a number of them we've known for many years. The hall was quite full. As mentioned earlier, it was the second corps to be opened by the then Brigadier Herbert Lord pioneer of our work in Singapore in 1936. So the Corps in 1937was only a year old when I at the age of five with my two older siblings walked into the Balestier Corps hall - a shophouse at Balestier Road itself. My first contact with The Salvation Army - 75 years ago at Balestier! What memories!
The Corps closed down during the Japanese occupation (1942-1945). The work was re-established after the war and The Army built an attap house on the land owned by Mrs. Palmer, a Home Leaguer. There was no electricity or water connected to the building! So no toilets. taps or wash basins and we had to go to Mrs. Palmer's house across the road to make use of the facilities! Or to the Ong family on Balestier Road. Kerosene lamps were used for lighting. Paper fans were provided for the congregation.
One day the Lord spoke to Mrs. Palmer and she sold the land to the Army for only $3,000.00, a token sum! Although it was at Martaban Road, the name Balestier Road Corps was retained. Later the word "Road" was dropped and it became just Balestier Corps.
When the Army sold the land (which upset many local Salvationists) the Corps moved to the Command Headquarters and has been using the chapel on the ground floor. A number of folk left the Army, others moved to other corps, but a few faithful remained. Meetings can only be held in the afternoon as Central Corps and Chinese Corps have theirs in the morning.
The Corps has been through tough times. We believe Captain Hary is there for such a time as this to lead the troops to a new location. The Corps will move into their new premises soon. It was formerly an Eye Hospital. The official opening and dedication will be on 11th November - an easy date to remember 11-11-11. I wish the Army could do the dedication at 11.11 a.m. on that day!
It will be Back to Balestier! We shall retrace our steps to move forward!!
"If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values - that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
Soren Kierkegaard
Forward! be our watchword, steps and voices joined;
seek the things before us, not a look behind;
burns the fiery pillar at our army's head;
who shall dream of shrinking, by our Captain led?
Forward through the desert, through the toil and fight;
Jordan flows before us; Zion beams with light.
Forward! flock of Jesus, salt of all the earth,
till each yearning purpose spring to glorious birth:
sick, they ask for healing; blind, they grope for day;
pour upon the nations wisdom's loving ray.
Forward, out of error, leave behind the night;
forward through the darkness, forward into light!
Glories upon glories hath our God prepared,
by the souls that love him one day to be shared;
eye hath not beheld them, ear hath never heard;
nor of these hath uttered thought or speech a word;
forward, marching eastward, where the heaven is bright,
till the veil be lifted, till our faith be sight.
To the Father's glory loudest anthems raise;
to the Son and Spirit echo songs of praise;
to the Lord Jehovah, blessed Three in One,
be by men and angels endless honor done.
Weak are earthly praises, dull the songs of night:
forward into triumph, forward into light!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
William Booth Corps 9th Anniversary
On 23rd May 1981 The Haven was officially opened by the then Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Ahmad Mattar. Long before this auspicious day,Salvation Army leaders had the vision of a Corps to be established on the western side of the island.
We commenced Sunday worship services in August 1981. We had no one to appoint to take charge, so my wife and I took on the additional responsibility of running this new Corps plant. I was then the General Secretary.
On 30th January 1982 the Corps was officially opened! The first congregation comprised mainly of residents of the Haven - women from the Elderly section, youth and children from the Haven plus a few visitors. The Corps grew, new activities were added. Then on 7th July 2002, the Pasir Panjang Corps closed its doors for the last time. It was a sad moment for us. My wife and I were invited by Major Satterlee to conduct the last meeting. Twenty years earlier, I preached the first sermon at the same Corps when it was born, and now at its funeral!
The meeting ended with a time of Commitment when the whole congregation sang
All that I am, all I can be,
All that I have, all that is in me,
Accept and use Lord,
As You would choose, Lord,
Right now today!
Take every passion, every skill,
Take all my dreams and bend to Your will.
My all I give Lord,
For You I’ll live Lord,
Come what may.
This was followed by the last Chorus
All my days and all my hours.
Majors Satterlee conducted the ceremony of closure. It was a solemn occasion and seemed like a funeral service. But the mood and atmosphere changed when the whole congregation rose and sang Song 769, “Greater things, Give us faith O Lord, faith for greater things.” We closed the corps and moved on to Greater things at Upper Bukit Timah, the Corps to be renamed – William Booth Corps.
Change always brings challenge, but the officers and comrades all stood united determined to make a good start. We had to face a lot of teething problems. We sought the wisdom and grace of God. We held our regular meetings. Young people went round the Hillview and Bukit Panjang areas to give our leaflets advertising our meetings. There was a very good team spirit.
Fast forward nine years, and today Saturday 24th September 2011, we began our weekend's celebration with a picnic at Haven. It was fun time for the young and old - folk from Bukit Panjang Centre and Eratchippu joined us in fellowship and of course makan, plenty of it!
To-morrow will be a special day, but unfortunately my wife and I will not be joining the folk in the celebration as we will be conducting meeting at another Corps. We wish them God's richest blessing.
We commenced Sunday worship services in August 1981. We had no one to appoint to take charge, so my wife and I took on the additional responsibility of running this new Corps plant. I was then the General Secretary.
On 30th January 1982 the Corps was officially opened! The first congregation comprised mainly of residents of the Haven - women from the Elderly section, youth and children from the Haven plus a few visitors. The Corps grew, new activities were added. Then on 7th July 2002, the Pasir Panjang Corps closed its doors for the last time. It was a sad moment for us. My wife and I were invited by Major Satterlee to conduct the last meeting. Twenty years earlier, I preached the first sermon at the same Corps when it was born, and now at its funeral!
The meeting ended with a time of Commitment when the whole congregation sang
All that I am, all I can be,
All that I have, all that is in me,
Accept and use Lord,
As You would choose, Lord,
Right now today!
Take every passion, every skill,
Take all my dreams and bend to Your will.
My all I give Lord,
For You I’ll live Lord,
Come what may.
This was followed by the last Chorus
All my days and all my hours.
Majors Satterlee conducted the ceremony of closure. It was a solemn occasion and seemed like a funeral service. But the mood and atmosphere changed when the whole congregation rose and sang Song 769, “Greater things, Give us faith O Lord, faith for greater things.” We closed the corps and moved on to Greater things at Upper Bukit Timah, the Corps to be renamed – William Booth Corps.
Change always brings challenge, but the officers and comrades all stood united determined to make a good start. We had to face a lot of teething problems. We sought the wisdom and grace of God. We held our regular meetings. Young people went round the Hillview and Bukit Panjang areas to give our leaflets advertising our meetings. There was a very good team spirit.
Fast forward nine years, and today Saturday 24th September 2011, we began our weekend's celebration with a picnic at Haven. It was fun time for the young and old - folk from Bukit Panjang Centre and Eratchippu joined us in fellowship and of course makan, plenty of it!
To-morrow will be a special day, but unfortunately my wife and I will not be joining the folk in the celebration as we will be conducting meeting at another Corps. We wish them God's richest blessing.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Prayer for victims of sex trafficking
We just came home after attending the Global Prayer meeting. This was in response to the General's call to prayer every Thursday. Despite the rain quite a number turned up.
Twenty-seven million people are enslaved globally in various forms of sexual and labour exploitation. The General is calling Salvattionists worldwide this week to pray this prayer of Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
Today we were able to form three groups to pray specifically for the topics given.
We prayed this combined prayer:
"O God, You created both men and women and declared them good. Every single human being is precious and valuable to You. We know that Your heart is broken over the millions of people, young children included, who are living in slavery today. You understand each one. You are not indifferent to their cries for love, mercy, justice and deliverance. You sent Your Son Jesus to forgive sin and teach us how to live in victory over the evil one.
You ask us, Your church, the Body of Christ, to reach out to the vulnerable, the lost; those trapped without hope, and introduced them to Your love. You call us to stand in the gap to intercede for those who have been robbed of their dignity and human rights. Show us Father, what we can do to become peacemakers, to make a difference by understanding how we can reach out in love to the victims of violence and sex trafficking. Our heart breaks what breaks Your heart. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen."
We prayed for Salvationists worldwide to receive the courage and compassion to stand up and serve the marginalized.
We prayed for the children in our homes, corps and community ministries in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. Many are extremely vulnerable and have great burdens from past experiences.
We prayed for our Nursing Home and Homes for the Aged, plus our community programmes for the elderly.
We thank God for the privilege of prayer. Thank God we have comrades who are willing to give of their time to participate in this Global prayer meeting every Thursday.
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces of against evil …” E.M. Bounds
“Prayer is where the action is." John Wesley
Twenty-seven million people are enslaved globally in various forms of sexual and labour exploitation. The General is calling Salvattionists worldwide this week to pray this prayer of Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
Today we were able to form three groups to pray specifically for the topics given.
We prayed this combined prayer:
"O God, You created both men and women and declared them good. Every single human being is precious and valuable to You. We know that Your heart is broken over the millions of people, young children included, who are living in slavery today. You understand each one. You are not indifferent to their cries for love, mercy, justice and deliverance. You sent Your Son Jesus to forgive sin and teach us how to live in victory over the evil one.
You ask us, Your church, the Body of Christ, to reach out to the vulnerable, the lost; those trapped without hope, and introduced them to Your love. You call us to stand in the gap to intercede for those who have been robbed of their dignity and human rights. Show us Father, what we can do to become peacemakers, to make a difference by understanding how we can reach out in love to the victims of violence and sex trafficking. Our heart breaks what breaks Your heart. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen."
We prayed for Salvationists worldwide to receive the courage and compassion to stand up and serve the marginalized.
We prayed for the children in our homes, corps and community ministries in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. Many are extremely vulnerable and have great burdens from past experiences.
We prayed for our Nursing Home and Homes for the Aged, plus our community programmes for the elderly.
We thank God for the privilege of prayer. Thank God we have comrades who are willing to give of their time to participate in this Global prayer meeting every Thursday.
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces of against evil …” E.M. Bounds
“Prayer is where the action is." John Wesley
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Proverbs - a book worth reading.
The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament covers a wide range of topics, including such subjects as youth, discipline, family life, self control, resisting temptation, marriage, wealth, poverty, wisdom etc. I find it very interesting and am considering doing a series for our Bible class.
I understand the French banned the teaching of Proverbs in schools in 1969. Teachers were told to remove lessons on Proverbs from the curriculum but now primary schools are being told to bring them back as part of the drive to teach moral values to a generation often depicted as lost.
"I'm bringing morals back to school," said Luc Chatel the Education Minister. He has instructed all primary school principals to organise lessons on 'the precepts of the honest man' as often as possible, preferably every morning. I want children to learn about good and evil, truth and falsehood, dignity, courage and honesty." he said. Wisdom indeed.
Abraham Lincoln said, "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of those about me seemed insufficient for the day."
"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them." Proverbs.4:5
"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding." Proverbs 23:23
I understand the French banned the teaching of Proverbs in schools in 1969. Teachers were told to remove lessons on Proverbs from the curriculum but now primary schools are being told to bring them back as part of the drive to teach moral values to a generation often depicted as lost.
"I'm bringing morals back to school," said Luc Chatel the Education Minister. He has instructed all primary school principals to organise lessons on 'the precepts of the honest man' as often as possible, preferably every morning. I want children to learn about good and evil, truth and falsehood, dignity, courage and honesty." he said. Wisdom indeed.
Abraham Lincoln said, "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of those about me seemed insufficient for the day."
"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them." Proverbs.4:5
"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding." Proverbs 23:23
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday - Day of Rest and Restoration
God has devised a plan to suit our physical, mental, spiritual make-up. Six days of labour and one day of rest. We can choose to obey it and be blessed or we can ignore it at our own detriment.
To day we live under tremendous pressure; much is demanded of our time and we need more than ever a day of rest and restoration. We are glad many of our folk take time to come to the house of God to worship and have fellowship with God and with fellow believers.
We began the day with our usual Bible Study and this Sunday, I did Revelation 21. We've almost come to the end of this last Book of the Bible. The promises made to the overcomers in the Seven Churches find their fulfilment at last. Life in the New Jerusalem is portrayed in earthly terms. What heaven is like, no one knows, but one thing we are assured - we will be with God for ever.
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold. (Eliza E Hewitt)
To day we live under tremendous pressure; much is demanded of our time and we need more than ever a day of rest and restoration. We are glad many of our folk take time to come to the house of God to worship and have fellowship with God and with fellow believers.
We began the day with our usual Bible Study and this Sunday, I did Revelation 21. We've almost come to the end of this last Book of the Bible. The promises made to the overcomers in the Seven Churches find their fulfilment at last. Life in the New Jerusalem is portrayed in earthly terms. What heaven is like, no one knows, but one thing we are assured - we will be with God for ever.
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.
Refrain:
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open;
We shall tread the streets of gold. (Eliza E Hewitt)
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Peacehaven featured in Straits Times
Today, Straits Times gives excellent coverage of The Salvation Army Peacehaven Nursing Home. The article took up three full pages! We are proud of what The Salvation Army is doing to help the needy.
We thank the Director Low Mui Lang and her team of very dedicated workers for the wonderful ministry at this Nursing Home.
My wife and I count it a privilege to be able to do our small part in ministry every Tuesday at this Home.
Jesus said, "‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25: 35-40
We thank the Director Low Mui Lang and her team of very dedicated workers for the wonderful ministry at this Nursing Home.
My wife and I count it a privilege to be able to do our small part in ministry every Tuesday at this Home.
Jesus said, "‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25: 35-40
Friday, September 16, 2011
This is my story - 62 (Hong Kong/Taiwan)
62 – Leadership Crisis
The majority of the Heads of Departments at the Hong Kong Command Headquarters came from overseas, referred to in The Salvation Army as reinforcement officers. In the olden days we used the term missionaries. We appreciate their expertise and commitment to overseas service given not without some form of sacrifice. At the same time, we are conscious of the need to train our own nationals to take over responsibilities of leadership.
In the case of Hong Kong this need for national leadership was accentuated by the imminent return of the British Colony of Hong Kong to Mainland China. The year 1997 loomed large like the sword of Damocles. Some people had already emigrated; others were planning to do so. For the majority, they had no choice but to remain regardless of the uncertain future. It was our duty to encourage our own comrades to put their faith in Christ.
Hong Kong had gone through a very dry spell with regard to new recruitment of young people for officership. There had been no training session for about a decade! Three who had offered for officership at different times were sent to the Philippines for training. We stressed to our officers and Salvationists the urgency of getting cadets. We set goals in faith to have a training session the same year we were to move to the new Command Headquarters at Wing Sing Lane – 1985.
In faith, we appealed to International Headquarters to send someone to be the Training Principal. Commissioner Eva Burrows, Territorial Commander Australia Southern, responded to our need by offering Captain and Mrs. Robert Patterson. They were at that time staff at the Melbourne Training College.
The Lord, in answer to our prayers touched the hearts of our Salvationists and soon quite a number of our youth accepted the challenge and offered for full time service. Seven candidates entered the “Proclaimers of the Gospel” session (1985-1987) Praise the Lord! (The present General Secretary, Major Simon Tso and his wife Belinda were among the seven.)
As mentioned in an earlier chapter, the General Secretary Major Moira Wright went on homeland furlough during our first year in Hong Kong. The Financial Secretary Major Helen Prosser was leaving the Command for her retirement in America. It was a difficult time for the Command but the Lord was good to us. We had a good team of officers who gave full support and were willing to take on additional responsibilities.
It was not easy trying to find someone with the experience and expertise to run the Finance Department. The Command operated on a large budget because of the Social and Educational Services largely funded by the Government. The International Secretary was aware of our situation, so in the interim, a retired couple Colonel and Mrs. Herbert Martin were appointed to help us for a few months. The Colonel was eighty two years old, but physically fit, and mentally alert! His wife, Colonel Nancy Martin was at one time the Financial Secretary in Hong Kong prior to taking the leadership of the Philippines Command! Age was no barrier to this devoted American couple. The first thing he said to me on arrival was “We do not need any allowance as we are getting pension from our own territory. Please do not pay us.” Mrs. Colonel Nancy Martin took over the running of the Trade Department. Thank God for such dedicated servants of God who worked wholeheartedly for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan.
To show appreciation the Command paid for their return fares when they went to the Philippines for a short break to meet up again with her old Filipino friends. My wife and I kept up a correspondence with the Martins till their promotion to Glory. As we look back, we thank God for sending folk like the Martins to bless us.
The Army’s William Booth Secondary School was without a principal since the last one returned to Scotland and we did not have anyone qualified to charge. We appealed to International Headquarters and Captain Laurence Hay of New Zealand was appointed to this take over the School. Mrs. Captain Margaret Hay, also an educationist came in time to serve as the Education Officer at the Training College. I’ve always proved God’s timing is always perfect. If we do His will we never need fear of lack of resources. We were now ready to open the new fourteen storeyed Command Headquarters and Training College!
Faith might faith, the promise sees
And looks to that alone;
Laughs at impossibilities
And cries: “It shall be done!”
I’ve proved the truth of these words time and again. To God be the glory!
The majority of the Heads of Departments at the Hong Kong Command Headquarters came from overseas, referred to in The Salvation Army as reinforcement officers. In the olden days we used the term missionaries. We appreciate their expertise and commitment to overseas service given not without some form of sacrifice. At the same time, we are conscious of the need to train our own nationals to take over responsibilities of leadership.
In the case of Hong Kong this need for national leadership was accentuated by the imminent return of the British Colony of Hong Kong to Mainland China. The year 1997 loomed large like the sword of Damocles. Some people had already emigrated; others were planning to do so. For the majority, they had no choice but to remain regardless of the uncertain future. It was our duty to encourage our own comrades to put their faith in Christ.
Hong Kong had gone through a very dry spell with regard to new recruitment of young people for officership. There had been no training session for about a decade! Three who had offered for officership at different times were sent to the Philippines for training. We stressed to our officers and Salvationists the urgency of getting cadets. We set goals in faith to have a training session the same year we were to move to the new Command Headquarters at Wing Sing Lane – 1985.
In faith, we appealed to International Headquarters to send someone to be the Training Principal. Commissioner Eva Burrows, Territorial Commander Australia Southern, responded to our need by offering Captain and Mrs. Robert Patterson. They were at that time staff at the Melbourne Training College.
The Lord, in answer to our prayers touched the hearts of our Salvationists and soon quite a number of our youth accepted the challenge and offered for full time service. Seven candidates entered the “Proclaimers of the Gospel” session (1985-1987) Praise the Lord! (The present General Secretary, Major Simon Tso and his wife Belinda were among the seven.)
As mentioned in an earlier chapter, the General Secretary Major Moira Wright went on homeland furlough during our first year in Hong Kong. The Financial Secretary Major Helen Prosser was leaving the Command for her retirement in America. It was a difficult time for the Command but the Lord was good to us. We had a good team of officers who gave full support and were willing to take on additional responsibilities.
It was not easy trying to find someone with the experience and expertise to run the Finance Department. The Command operated on a large budget because of the Social and Educational Services largely funded by the Government. The International Secretary was aware of our situation, so in the interim, a retired couple Colonel and Mrs. Herbert Martin were appointed to help us for a few months. The Colonel was eighty two years old, but physically fit, and mentally alert! His wife, Colonel Nancy Martin was at one time the Financial Secretary in Hong Kong prior to taking the leadership of the Philippines Command! Age was no barrier to this devoted American couple. The first thing he said to me on arrival was “We do not need any allowance as we are getting pension from our own territory. Please do not pay us.” Mrs. Colonel Nancy Martin took over the running of the Trade Department. Thank God for such dedicated servants of God who worked wholeheartedly for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong and Taiwan.
To show appreciation the Command paid for their return fares when they went to the Philippines for a short break to meet up again with her old Filipino friends. My wife and I kept up a correspondence with the Martins till their promotion to Glory. As we look back, we thank God for sending folk like the Martins to bless us.
The Army’s William Booth Secondary School was without a principal since the last one returned to Scotland and we did not have anyone qualified to charge. We appealed to International Headquarters and Captain Laurence Hay of New Zealand was appointed to this take over the School. Mrs. Captain Margaret Hay, also an educationist came in time to serve as the Education Officer at the Training College. I’ve always proved God’s timing is always perfect. If we do His will we never need fear of lack of resources. We were now ready to open the new fourteen storeyed Command Headquarters and Training College!
Faith might faith, the promise sees
And looks to that alone;
Laughs at impossibilities
And cries: “It shall be done!”
I’ve proved the truth of these words time and again. To God be the glory!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
World Wide Prayer Meeting
I count it a privilege to join my comrades at Territorial Hqrs in prayer every Thursday. The hour of prayer always passes very quickly.
This morning in spite of the rain a number of us made our way to Bishan to pray together. Our thoughts centred round the General's prayer topics for the week...
1. For a new passion for our Salvationists to bring people to Jesus and lead them to maturity in Him.
"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 16
2. The call to Prayer for Peace (Sunday 18th September)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matt.5:9
The Bible portion selected for this morning was Mark 2: 1-12. We reflected on this passage. Friendship evangelism is very effective. We have many pre-believers in our Corps and centres.
We also added the territorial subjects for the week.
One of the songs used was "Christ for the world we sing"
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with loving zeal;
The poor, and those who mourn,
The faint and overborne,
Sin sick and sorrow-worn,
Whom Christ doth heal.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
With fervent prayer;
The wayward and the lost,
By restless passions tossed,
Redeemed at countless cost,
From dark despair.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
With joyful song;
The newborn souls, whose days,
Reclaimed from error's ways,
Inspired with hope and praise,
To Christ belong.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
With one accord;
With us the work to share,
With us reproach to dare,
With us the cross to bear,
For Christ our Lord.
I've been reflecting on this lovely song the whole day. Yes, we must bring others to Him - with loving zeal, with fervent prayer, with joyful song and with one accord. The world and our friends need our prayer support.
"Prayer is not getting man's will done in heaven, but getting God's will done on earth. It is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of God's willingness."
Richard C. Trench
This morning in spite of the rain a number of us made our way to Bishan to pray together. Our thoughts centred round the General's prayer topics for the week...
1. For a new passion for our Salvationists to bring people to Jesus and lead them to maturity in Him.
"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 16
2. The call to Prayer for Peace (Sunday 18th September)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God." Matt.5:9
The Bible portion selected for this morning was Mark 2: 1-12. We reflected on this passage. Friendship evangelism is very effective. We have many pre-believers in our Corps and centres.
We also added the territorial subjects for the week.
One of the songs used was "Christ for the world we sing"
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with loving zeal;
The poor, and those who mourn,
The faint and overborne,
Sin sick and sorrow-worn,
Whom Christ doth heal.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
With fervent prayer;
The wayward and the lost,
By restless passions tossed,
Redeemed at countless cost,
From dark despair.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
With joyful song;
The newborn souls, whose days,
Reclaimed from error's ways,
Inspired with hope and praise,
To Christ belong.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
With one accord;
With us the work to share,
With us reproach to dare,
With us the cross to bear,
For Christ our Lord.
I've been reflecting on this lovely song the whole day. Yes, we must bring others to Him - with loving zeal, with fervent prayer, with joyful song and with one accord. The world and our friends need our prayer support.
"Prayer is not getting man's will done in heaven, but getting God's will done on earth. It is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of God's willingness."
Richard C. Trench
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Feelings and the Word
For feelings come and feelings go
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God,
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose word cannot be broken.
I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away
His Word shall stand forever. Martin Luther.
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God,
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose word cannot be broken.
I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away
His Word shall stand forever. Martin Luther.
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Living with limitations
We were at Peacehaven Nursing Home this morning to conduct chapel service and visit the residents there. Good to see the folk who have come to know us and appreciate our visit. Many of them are in wheelchairs, some remain in bed all the time and have to be fed with tubes.
Come to think of it, all of us have to live with some form of limitation. Singapore is only a small island state - a city without a country or as former Indonesian President Habibie called it, 'the little red dot.' Being small we have to live limitations, for example, the Government has to place restrictions on the number of vehicles. So we have what is called the COE (certificate of entitlement) and ERP etc.
We don't own a car so have to depend on public transport or travel on Shanks mare.
For me and my wife, we have been privileged to live outside Singapore for a large portion of our lives -almost 29 years outside this island; in Malaysia (14 years), in Hong Kong and Taiwan (7 1/2 years) Philippines (3 years) and London (4 years)
Finally it was our joy to return to this little red dot.
G K Chesterton writing out Robinson Crusoe said, "The charm of Rebinson Crusoe is not in the fact that he could find his way to a remote island, but in the fact that he could not find any way of getting away from it." Here is truth of human experience. We all have to learn to live with limitations. It is a fact of life that freedom does not mean living out in limitlessness of time and space. You and I are confined to a particular period of time and to a certain portion of the earth. Life as we know it is limited at the very beginning by the circumstances of the time and place of birth.
I was telling someone this morning that I began life at a little kampong at Norfolk Road, grew up in Kim Keat Rd and Lorong Limau in the Balestier area and now living on the western side of Singapore - Upper Bukit Timah. I suppose I shall end life here or rather take off from here. It does not matter where I take off from, the important thing is where I am going to live for eternity. For this I am assured, my Lord has promised me, He has gone to prepare a place for me and one day will come to take me to Himself. Yes, from a life of limitation, to heaven not bounded by place or time!
All of us have to live with limitations while on earth. Despite the limitations we are free in Christ.
Come to think of it, all of us have to live with some form of limitation. Singapore is only a small island state - a city without a country or as former Indonesian President Habibie called it, 'the little red dot.' Being small we have to live limitations, for example, the Government has to place restrictions on the number of vehicles. So we have what is called the COE (certificate of entitlement) and ERP etc.
We don't own a car so have to depend on public transport or travel on Shanks mare.
For me and my wife, we have been privileged to live outside Singapore for a large portion of our lives -almost 29 years outside this island; in Malaysia (14 years), in Hong Kong and Taiwan (7 1/2 years) Philippines (3 years) and London (4 years)
Finally it was our joy to return to this little red dot.
G K Chesterton writing out Robinson Crusoe said, "The charm of Rebinson Crusoe is not in the fact that he could find his way to a remote island, but in the fact that he could not find any way of getting away from it." Here is truth of human experience. We all have to learn to live with limitations. It is a fact of life that freedom does not mean living out in limitlessness of time and space. You and I are confined to a particular period of time and to a certain portion of the earth. Life as we know it is limited at the very beginning by the circumstances of the time and place of birth.
I was telling someone this morning that I began life at a little kampong at Norfolk Road, grew up in Kim Keat Rd and Lorong Limau in the Balestier area and now living on the western side of Singapore - Upper Bukit Timah. I suppose I shall end life here or rather take off from here. It does not matter where I take off from, the important thing is where I am going to live for eternity. For this I am assured, my Lord has promised me, He has gone to prepare a place for me and one day will come to take me to Himself. Yes, from a life of limitation, to heaven not bounded by place or time!
All of us have to live with limitations while on earth. Despite the limitations we are free in Christ.
Monday, September 12, 2011
"Be still and know that I am God"
Yesterday, I could not help but recall and reflect with sadness on the scene I first saw ten years ago on television - 7/11. Psalm 46 which I recite often came to my mind. Think of it - 'earth give way, mountains fall into the heart of the sea, waters roar and foam, mountains quake with their surging' Where is God when it hurts? He is there as He was in the Garden of Eden, as He was at Calvary, as He was when disaster struck at New York on that fateful day - 7/11, as He will be when Christ returns. Our God is here right among us. He is our Immanuel - God with us!
One day we shall see Him face to face and all mysteries will be made known. He says to me again, "Be still and know that I am God."
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow(Words by Ira Stanphill, 1950)
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.
_____________________________________________________________________
“…he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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
One day we shall see Him face to face and all mysteries will be made known. He says to me again, "Be still and know that I am God."
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow(Words by Ira Stanphill, 1950)
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.
_____________________________________________________________________
“…he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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
Friday, September 9, 2011
This is my story - 61 (Hong Kong/Taiwan)
61 – Typhoon Ellen struck Hong Kong
Singapore’s climate is hot and humid. This island referred to as a ‘little red dot’ on the map does not have clear-cut seasons like spring, summer, autumn and winter. Normally November has the highest rainy days and according to the National Environment Agency, Singapore receives 2342.2 mm of rain fall in an average year.
Eight months after our arrival in Hong Kong we experienced one of the worst typhoons that ever hit Hong Kong. The Stand-by Signal, No. 1, was hoisted at 5.00 a.m. on 7 September 1983 when Ellen was about 420 nautical miles east-southeast of Hong Kong. By 7.45 a.m Strong Wind Signal, No. 3, was in place and the wind became fresh to strong during the afternoon. The Northeasterly Storm Signal, No. 8 was hoisted at 4.45 p.m. and by 1. a.m. the signal was further raised to Storm Signal No.9. In the middle of the night at 2.00 a.m it was announced that the warning signal was upgraded to Hurricane Signal, No. 10. What I had seen in films was now a reality before my eyes. The trees in our compound swayed and some were uprooted. Branches snapped like matchsticks!
Hurricane force winds continued to affect Hong Kong for the next several hours. When the storm subsided, I looked out of our window and saw the devastation the typhoon had wrought. The whole compound was littered with leaves, tree trunks, branches and debris. Our telephone wires were cut. I tried to clear the debris, but tripped and fell, dislocating my elbow. I was in pain, so went back to the quarters and rested on the sofa.
During this time the General Secretary Major Moira Wright was on homeland furlough. The other house in the same compound was unoccupied. We were the only occupants on this compound on a hill facing the sea.
My wife walked to the village of Sam Cheng (famous for roast goose) some distance away, borrowed a telephone and rang up Major Andrew Lo, the Divisional commander at Kwai Chung. He and his wife came immediately and took me to Princess Elizabeth Hospital where I was warded. There were no beds available; a camp bed was set up for me. A few days later, I returned home with my arm in a plaster and sling. I could not drive but the Lord sent His angels to help us.
Months earlier Jim and Marjorie Webb had already planned to have holidays in Hong Kong with us. They arrived after the typhoon and stayed with us for about a week. During that time, Jim became my chauffer and drove us to office everyday. They then took the train and went for their tours in Hong Kong. They were always back in time by 5.00- 5.30 p.m or so to drive us home! What a coincidence, but I believe it was all Divine providence. God’s timing is always perfect.
The Webbs, Salvationists from United Kingdom supported us for many years in Singapore when he was working with Cooper Lybrand. Jim has gone to be with the Lord, but Marjorie, now in a Home for the Elderly keeps contact with us. Lately she has learned to use the computer and is sending out e-mail!
That was a great experience to be in the midst of storm and typhoon. God was preparing us for our next appointment - the Philippines a land frequently hit by natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes and drought. An average of twenty typhoons hit the Philippines every year!
Former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino said, “Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.”
Singapore’s climate is hot and humid. This island referred to as a ‘little red dot’ on the map does not have clear-cut seasons like spring, summer, autumn and winter. Normally November has the highest rainy days and according to the National Environment Agency, Singapore receives 2342.2 mm of rain fall in an average year.
Eight months after our arrival in Hong Kong we experienced one of the worst typhoons that ever hit Hong Kong. The Stand-by Signal, No. 1, was hoisted at 5.00 a.m. on 7 September 1983 when Ellen was about 420 nautical miles east-southeast of Hong Kong. By 7.45 a.m Strong Wind Signal, No. 3, was in place and the wind became fresh to strong during the afternoon. The Northeasterly Storm Signal, No. 8 was hoisted at 4.45 p.m. and by 1. a.m. the signal was further raised to Storm Signal No.9. In the middle of the night at 2.00 a.m it was announced that the warning signal was upgraded to Hurricane Signal, No. 10. What I had seen in films was now a reality before my eyes. The trees in our compound swayed and some were uprooted. Branches snapped like matchsticks!
Hurricane force winds continued to affect Hong Kong for the next several hours. When the storm subsided, I looked out of our window and saw the devastation the typhoon had wrought. The whole compound was littered with leaves, tree trunks, branches and debris. Our telephone wires were cut. I tried to clear the debris, but tripped and fell, dislocating my elbow. I was in pain, so went back to the quarters and rested on the sofa.
During this time the General Secretary Major Moira Wright was on homeland furlough. The other house in the same compound was unoccupied. We were the only occupants on this compound on a hill facing the sea.
My wife walked to the village of Sam Cheng (famous for roast goose) some distance away, borrowed a telephone and rang up Major Andrew Lo, the Divisional commander at Kwai Chung. He and his wife came immediately and took me to Princess Elizabeth Hospital where I was warded. There were no beds available; a camp bed was set up for me. A few days later, I returned home with my arm in a plaster and sling. I could not drive but the Lord sent His angels to help us.
Months earlier Jim and Marjorie Webb had already planned to have holidays in Hong Kong with us. They arrived after the typhoon and stayed with us for about a week. During that time, Jim became my chauffer and drove us to office everyday. They then took the train and went for their tours in Hong Kong. They were always back in time by 5.00- 5.30 p.m or so to drive us home! What a coincidence, but I believe it was all Divine providence. God’s timing is always perfect.
The Webbs, Salvationists from United Kingdom supported us for many years in Singapore when he was working with Cooper Lybrand. Jim has gone to be with the Lord, but Marjorie, now in a Home for the Elderly keeps contact with us. Lately she has learned to use the computer and is sending out e-mail!
That was a great experience to be in the midst of storm and typhoon. God was preparing us for our next appointment - the Philippines a land frequently hit by natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes and drought. An average of twenty typhoons hit the Philippines every year!
Former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino said, “Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.”
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Global Call to 24/7 Prayer
My wife and I joined our comrades at Territorial Headquarters for the Global Prayer meeting. We are glad we are part of the Global Call to 24/7 Prayer - A Day and Night Cry for Justice. This call comes from the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18: 7-8, where Jesus said,"And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night? I tell you, He will see that they get justice and quickly."
We started our prayer meeting with the great song of praise, "How Great Thou art." We were gathered in prayer because of our firm conviction that the Lord is great and not only that He is also good and gracious. Each of us was asked to pray a sentence prayer for praise, then we joined in the singing of the Song, "There is none like You."
"There is none like you, No one else can touch my heart like You do,
I could search for all eternity long, And find there is none like You."
Our prayer subjects for this week included Myanmar. There has been extensive flooding in the north resulting in some bridges being swept away and affecting access to as number of our Salvation Army centres.
We are sorry that the Regional Officers, Majors Mick and Colleen Marshall will need to conclude their service in Myanmar on 21st September to return to New Zealand for family reasons. They have not been in Myanmar long and have done great work. We shall miss them, more so for the folk in the Region. Major Colleen Marshall has been contributing articles for our War Cry.
In the meantime, Major Samuela will be responsible for the Region until someone is appointed. We've never been so short of officers in the territory as today and a number of our corps have no officers in charge.
The kyat rate has dropped significantly resulting in much hardship for the people. It has impacted grants from The Salvation Army Headquarters and project funding. Some of the projects have to be put on hold.
We also prayed for International Headquarters which has to give financial support to many developing and third world countries.
We ended the prayer sessions with as song of joy, "Rejoice, Christ is in you, the hope of glory in your hearts."
Life is hard, there is much pain and suffering, but we know the Lord is on the throne and He will remember His own. Hallelujah.
We started our prayer meeting with the great song of praise, "How Great Thou art." We were gathered in prayer because of our firm conviction that the Lord is great and not only that He is also good and gracious. Each of us was asked to pray a sentence prayer for praise, then we joined in the singing of the Song, "There is none like You."
"There is none like you, No one else can touch my heart like You do,
I could search for all eternity long, And find there is none like You."
Our prayer subjects for this week included Myanmar. There has been extensive flooding in the north resulting in some bridges being swept away and affecting access to as number of our Salvation Army centres.
We are sorry that the Regional Officers, Majors Mick and Colleen Marshall will need to conclude their service in Myanmar on 21st September to return to New Zealand for family reasons. They have not been in Myanmar long and have done great work. We shall miss them, more so for the folk in the Region. Major Colleen Marshall has been contributing articles for our War Cry.
In the meantime, Major Samuela will be responsible for the Region until someone is appointed. We've never been so short of officers in the territory as today and a number of our corps have no officers in charge.
The kyat rate has dropped significantly resulting in much hardship for the people. It has impacted grants from The Salvation Army Headquarters and project funding. Some of the projects have to be put on hold.
We also prayed for International Headquarters which has to give financial support to many developing and third world countries.
We ended the prayer sessions with as song of joy, "Rejoice, Christ is in you, the hope of glory in your hearts."
Life is hard, there is much pain and suffering, but we know the Lord is on the throne and He will remember His own. Hallelujah.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Last outfit
Strait Times reporters and the Lien Foundation combined and embarked on a strange project to find out the kind of outfit one would wear at one's funeral. People normally are reluctant to talk on the subject of death. Anyway fifty people were approached and responses to the question were varied.
One lady wanted to be dressed as a mermaid; another in sarong kebaya and so on. Madam Low Mui Lan, the Executive Director of Peacehaven, a salvationist from Changi Corps was interviewed. Her photograph appeared in the Straits Times with this comment. "Last outfit - Salvation Army uniform This uniform expresses who I am and why I am doing what I am doing. When Jesus sees me in my uniform, I hope to hear Him say, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'" What a testimony. I feel proud of her for the stand she takes.
Singaporeans, please read The Straits Times, Saturday 3rd September - Caption "Last Outfits.
Needless to say, as a Salvation Army officer, I will be buried in my uniform.
The "S" on our uniform signify, "SAVED TO SERVE" - a motto that expresses SPIRITUALITY - we are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It also speaks of SERVICE. Our faith is to be put into practice. So we have two S's, like two sides of a coin - Faith is to be expressed in Works. William Barclay puts it, "No man will be moved into action without faith; and no man's faith is real until it moves him into action."
The church of which The Salvation Army forms a part believes in a twin philosophy. Social concern forms an integral part of the gospel of which we proclaim. The 'heart to God' philosophy is married to the 'hand to man' philosophy and the twain are one, let no man put asunder.
One lady wanted to be dressed as a mermaid; another in sarong kebaya and so on. Madam Low Mui Lan, the Executive Director of Peacehaven, a salvationist from Changi Corps was interviewed. Her photograph appeared in the Straits Times with this comment. "Last outfit - Salvation Army uniform This uniform expresses who I am and why I am doing what I am doing. When Jesus sees me in my uniform, I hope to hear Him say, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'" What a testimony. I feel proud of her for the stand she takes.
Singaporeans, please read The Straits Times, Saturday 3rd September - Caption "Last Outfits.
Needless to say, as a Salvation Army officer, I will be buried in my uniform.
The "S" on our uniform signify, "SAVED TO SERVE" - a motto that expresses SPIRITUALITY - we are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It also speaks of SERVICE. Our faith is to be put into practice. So we have two S's, like two sides of a coin - Faith is to be expressed in Works. William Barclay puts it, "No man will be moved into action without faith; and no man's faith is real until it moves him into action."
The church of which The Salvation Army forms a part believes in a twin philosophy. Social concern forms an integral part of the gospel of which we proclaim. The 'heart to God' philosophy is married to the 'hand to man' philosophy and the twain are one, let no man put asunder.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Our unity in Christ
It was quite an international group which met yesterday at our prayer meeting at our Bishan Headquarters. We had nationals from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore all praying in English. Every Sunday when we meet at our church, we have an international group of people. The older I get the more I cherish our internationalism. The Internet connects us with friends all over the world. What a privilege! The Kingdom of God has no national boundaries.
Every Friday we hold a small group meeting at our home. It is quite an international group. Gary the American left last night for America, and to day, we have two visitors, Jim and his wife Molly Pascoe, both Kiwis visiting their sister Major Ruth Pascoe our Corps Officer, pastor. They just fitted in so beautifully into the group and participated in the discussions. We were all blessed by their presence and participation.
In Paul's letters he speaks of the believers in Christ as many and yet one, one and yet many. Many members, but one body; many bodies, but one Spirit; many believers but one spiritual community. We are to be one with each other, with Christ, and with the Father. Jesus tells us 'That they all may be one..' There is to be no exception, no option either, but the universal rule of the divine society and the law of the Kingdom of God who profess to embrace.
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.
Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.
We are to be one in spite of time. I have been writing my memoirs and as I reflect on the past, I thank God for people who have made great impact and influence on my life. Where would I be today, had it not been for the saints, those missionaries who came to Singapore to minister to us. Where would I be had it not been for my mentors here in Singapore, many of them have gone to Glory.
There are many of the present, some of the past and some of the future. Not merely those who came and went, forefathers of our faith are in this unity, but the children of the faith to the last generation. I am under obligation to pass the baton on to others; they are part of this unity in Christ.
We are to be one despite space. Believers are separated by place and distance. We live in different countries, under different time zones, in different political systems. We are all part of this unity.
As I write I recall the Tennyson's poem which I learned in school more than half a century ago and it remains indelibly printed in my mind,
"Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are people better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friends?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God." Lord Alfred Tennyson
Thank God for friends, local and overseas.
Every Friday we hold a small group meeting at our home. It is quite an international group. Gary the American left last night for America, and to day, we have two visitors, Jim and his wife Molly Pascoe, both Kiwis visiting their sister Major Ruth Pascoe our Corps Officer, pastor. They just fitted in so beautifully into the group and participated in the discussions. We were all blessed by their presence and participation.
In Paul's letters he speaks of the believers in Christ as many and yet one, one and yet many. Many members, but one body; many bodies, but one Spirit; many believers but one spiritual community. We are to be one with each other, with Christ, and with the Father. Jesus tells us 'That they all may be one..' There is to be no exception, no option either, but the universal rule of the divine society and the law of the Kingdom of God who profess to embrace.
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.
Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.
We are to be one in spite of time. I have been writing my memoirs and as I reflect on the past, I thank God for people who have made great impact and influence on my life. Where would I be today, had it not been for the saints, those missionaries who came to Singapore to minister to us. Where would I be had it not been for my mentors here in Singapore, many of them have gone to Glory.
There are many of the present, some of the past and some of the future. Not merely those who came and went, forefathers of our faith are in this unity, but the children of the faith to the last generation. I am under obligation to pass the baton on to others; they are part of this unity in Christ.
We are to be one despite space. Believers are separated by place and distance. We live in different countries, under different time zones, in different political systems. We are all part of this unity.
As I write I recall the Tennyson's poem which I learned in school more than half a century ago and it remains indelibly printed in my mind,
"Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are people better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friends?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God." Lord Alfred Tennyson
Thank God for friends, local and overseas.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
World Wide Prayer Meeting.
This morning we woke up early at 4.30 a.m. half an hour earlier than unusual. We wanted to join our comrades in the Prayer meeting at Territorial Headquarters at Bishan. We did our usual, exercise, devotions, breakfast then left home with Major Pasoce, Aux. Captains Raymond and Cathy Aloba for THQ. At that hour traffic was not heavy; we arrived at 7. 00 a.m.
The Prayer meeting was led by Major Pascoe, the Spiritual Life Developement Secretary. We began the meeting with a song of praise, "To God be the glory." She gave us some thoughts of Joshua 3: 1-17 and highlighted the following.
Verse 3 "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way." We all need a view of God's presence.
Verse 4 gives the reason. To know how to move forward into the future, never been to to morrow and only God knows the way.
Verse 5. 'Concentrate yourself' Make proper preparations in your own soul to approach God Who is holy.
Recognise God is holy and the only source of truth; then practise in your mind, emotions nd will the distinctiveness of God's truth.
Put yourself in God's hands so His glory, authority and power can be released and celebrated within you.
Prepare for the glory of God to shine through your faith and challenge.
Verse 17. In God's presence step out in faith.
We gathered in groups of four to pray for our territory and to pray for one another.
We have all been requested to participate in prayer every Thursday morning between the hours of 5.00am and 8.00am for at least half an hour.
Beginning 1 September 2011 come, join us at the THQ Chapel @ 20 Bishan Street 22, between 7.30am and 8.30am every Thursday to seek the Lord in prayer and intercede on behalf of our Territory and the Army around the world.
Do not miss the blessing of intercession!
The Prayer meeting was led by Major Pascoe, the Spiritual Life Developement Secretary. We began the meeting with a song of praise, "To God be the glory." She gave us some thoughts of Joshua 3: 1-17 and highlighted the following.
Verse 3 "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way." We all need a view of God's presence.
Verse 4 gives the reason. To know how to move forward into the future, never been to to morrow and only God knows the way.
Verse 5. 'Concentrate yourself' Make proper preparations in your own soul to approach God Who is holy.
Recognise God is holy and the only source of truth; then practise in your mind, emotions nd will the distinctiveness of God's truth.
Put yourself in God's hands so His glory, authority and power can be released and celebrated within you.
Prepare for the glory of God to shine through your faith and challenge.
Verse 17. In God's presence step out in faith.
We gathered in groups of four to pray for our territory and to pray for one another.
We have all been requested to participate in prayer every Thursday morning between the hours of 5.00am and 8.00am for at least half an hour.
Beginning 1 September 2011 come, join us at the THQ Chapel @ 20 Bishan Street 22, between 7.30am and 8.30am every Thursday to seek the Lord in prayer and intercede on behalf of our Territory and the Army around the world.
Do not miss the blessing of intercession!
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