If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness,
so God sent us a Saviour.
-Roy Lessin
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
The kingdom of God
Today I did the last Bible lesson for this year. We shall continue with a new series in January 2012.
The last two Sundays our theme was on the Kingdom of God. Centuries prior to the coming of Jesus to earth to live as a man, the Jews were thinking of a Messiah who would one day come and overthrow their enemies and set up His kingdom on earth.
Sadly after being with Jesus for three years, his disciples were still vague about the Kingdom. The disciples asked Jesus a question in Acts 1:6 regarding the restoration of the kingdom of Israel.
It is the kingdom of God when members live out the teachings of Christ in their lives. The kingdom of God is peace, justice and love. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10: 27
We quite often pray using the prayer Jesus taught us and we say, "Your Kingdom some." We are asking for His help to live out the values of His Kingdom. In His sermon on the Mount the Lord gives us wise counsel to engage in Kingdom living.
The last two Sundays our theme was on the Kingdom of God. Centuries prior to the coming of Jesus to earth to live as a man, the Jews were thinking of a Messiah who would one day come and overthrow their enemies and set up His kingdom on earth.
Sadly after being with Jesus for three years, his disciples were still vague about the Kingdom. The disciples asked Jesus a question in Acts 1:6 regarding the restoration of the kingdom of Israel.
It is the kingdom of God when members live out the teachings of Christ in their lives. The kingdom of God is peace, justice and love. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10: 27
We quite often pray using the prayer Jesus taught us and we say, "Your Kingdom some." We are asking for His help to live out the values of His Kingdom. In His sermon on the Mount the Lord gives us wise counsel to engage in Kingdom living.
Wedding - Kenrick and Hui Hui
We were invited to attend the wedding of Kenrick Hor and Lim Hui Hui at the William Booth Corps (church)on Saturday 26th November. The hall was packed with their relatives and friends. It was a beautiful wedding conducted by Major Ruth Pascoe and Major Lim Chee Kwee was there to officially register the marriage.
The Hor family have been attending our church for some time now. Their first contact was through the cell group held in the home of Henry and Janet Wan. Both Kenrick and Hui Hui play in our band.
Our prayer for the two of them is that they will continue to grow in love - love for one another, love for God, and love for others. It is our desire that they have a blessed marriage and life together bringing glory to God whom they love and serve.
The Hor family have been attending our church for some time now. Their first contact was through the cell group held in the home of Henry and Janet Wan. Both Kenrick and Hui Hui play in our band.
Our prayer for the two of them is that they will continue to grow in love - love for one another, love for God, and love for others. It is our desire that they have a blessed marriage and life together bringing glory to God whom they love and serve.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Officers' Retreat
Once again we were invited to participate in the Officers' Retreat, a privilege that is given in our Territory. In many territories, retirees are excluded. In many places that I know of the retirees have their own retreats. We have very few retired officers - in Singapore there are only three of us, Major Wasagan and ourselves and in Malaysia four officers, Majors Teck Fung and Grace Lim and Majors Stephen and Esther Rengasamy)
In 2001 we were invited to Christchurch, New Zealand to conduct series of Bible studies for the Retired Officers' Convention held in Christchurch from 18- 21 October. It was called SPROC (South Pacific Retired Officers Convention) for the retired officers of the two Australian territories and New Zealand. I gave a series of studies on Psalm 139.
Anyway, Major Pascoe, Aux. Captains Raymond and Cathy Aloba plus both of us left at 2.00 p.m. from Praisehaven. It rained cats and dogs on the way. We got to the Singapore check point, when lo and behold, the immigration officer would not permit the Raymond and Cathy to leave as their exit visas have expired. So we had to return home.
While Raymond and Cathy had to go to the Immigration Department to sort out their visas, Major Pascoe and both of us left again for Johor. We checked in and had our dinner and welcome meeting.
In the meantime, Raymond and Cathy got their papers cleared and Major returned to Singapore to fetch them to the Retreat.
The theme was "Come unto me." The papers presented were good and relevant to our needs. In the evenings we had more relaxing time when children were also involved. We ended with a time of commitment to the Lord.
We left at 3.00 p.m. and arrived home about 4.00 p.m. We thank God for the fellowship we had with our officers of both Singapore and Malaysia.
In 2001 we were invited to Christchurch, New Zealand to conduct series of Bible studies for the Retired Officers' Convention held in Christchurch from 18- 21 October. It was called SPROC (South Pacific Retired Officers Convention) for the retired officers of the two Australian territories and New Zealand. I gave a series of studies on Psalm 139.
Anyway, Major Pascoe, Aux. Captains Raymond and Cathy Aloba plus both of us left at 2.00 p.m. from Praisehaven. It rained cats and dogs on the way. We got to the Singapore check point, when lo and behold, the immigration officer would not permit the Raymond and Cathy to leave as their exit visas have expired. So we had to return home.
While Raymond and Cathy had to go to the Immigration Department to sort out their visas, Major Pascoe and both of us left again for Johor. We checked in and had our dinner and welcome meeting.
In the meantime, Raymond and Cathy got their papers cleared and Major returned to Singapore to fetch them to the Retreat.
The theme was "Come unto me." The papers presented were good and relevant to our needs. In the evenings we had more relaxing time when children were also involved. We ended with a time of commitment to the Lord.
We left at 3.00 p.m. and arrived home about 4.00 p.m. We thank God for the fellowship we had with our officers of both Singapore and Malaysia.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Comparisons
Some people I know seem to enjoy comparing themselves with others. Comparisons are odious, quite often motivated by pride or low self image. They compare their children to others. "Where was your son's wedding dinner held? Ours was at Fullerton." Showing off!
"My daughter is a graduate and now working as.... Did yours go through University" Comparison - disgusting and detestable! Let me assure you friends, it is the easiest way to lose friends. Pride stinks and drives your friends away.
"Where did you buy your dress etc. I bought mine at Robinson." What does it matter where one gets things from.
Listen to what Paul has to say, "We do not desire to classify or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. When they measure themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Cor. 10: 12 NIV
Then he goes on to tell us, "Our goal is to measure up to God's plan for us." (TLB)
Let us humble ourselves before the Lord and accept and appreciate one another. Each one of us is wonderfully, fearfully and uniquely made by God.
Years ago I read a book by Dale Carnegie called "How to win friends and influence people." Perhaps someone might write one on "How to lose friends and antagonise people."
"My daughter is a graduate and now working as.... Did yours go through University" Comparison - disgusting and detestable! Let me assure you friends, it is the easiest way to lose friends. Pride stinks and drives your friends away.
"Where did you buy your dress etc. I bought mine at Robinson." What does it matter where one gets things from.
Listen to what Paul has to say, "We do not desire to classify or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. When they measure themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Cor. 10: 12 NIV
Then he goes on to tell us, "Our goal is to measure up to God's plan for us." (TLB)
Let us humble ourselves before the Lord and accept and appreciate one another. Each one of us is wonderfully, fearfully and uniquely made by God.
Years ago I read a book by Dale Carnegie called "How to win friends and influence people." Perhaps someone might write one on "How to lose friends and antagonise people."
Sunday, November 20, 2011
This is my story - 65 (Hong Kong/Taiwan)
65 – Weddings of our children in Singapore
In Singapore our two older children, Gladys and Stephen were very much involved in Salvation Army activities particularly in the musical sections. Stephen had transferred to the Pasir Panjang Corps (church) as it was nearer home and his camp where he was posted. He was doing his national service. He fulfilled the role of Corps pianist at this new Corps and played in the newly formed band.
Gladys continued worshipping in Central Corps. She was the Corps pianist and Songster organist and also took part in other sections as well. She had also joined the Continental Singers, a non-profit interdenominational ministry seeking to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of young Christians and develop the missionary spirit. They train the youth in music, in Christian witnessing and sharing the gospel through musical programmes. Gladys had gone for audition and was selected as the pianist.
It was here that she met Aw Kum Pui a young man from the Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. They decided to get married and the date was fixed to coincide with our return trip from Europe after the International Leaders’ Conference.
We arrived in Singapore a couple of days before the wedding on 19th May 1984. The marriage ceremony was held at the Presbyterian Church and the ceremony was conducted by Captain Roy Bungay, the Corps Officer (pastor) of Central Corps. Captain Bungay a Canadian was at one time the Youth Secretary and had great influence on the youth of the Command. He was one of the most enthusiastic and hard working Youth Secretaries I’ve ever met. The Central Corps Songsters, Presbyterian Choir and Continental Singers provided items for the wedding. It was the first time we had witnessed a wedding where the bridal couple sang a duet!
We stayed for the Sunday to conduct the meeting at Central Corps and left early Monday morning for Hong Kong. The next day, Gladys and Kum Pui came to Hong Kong to spend their honeymoon.
Soon they moved into their own Housing Board flat at Jurong East where they still are today.
This meant Stephen was left alone in our Clementi Housing Board flat with three bedrooms. He was already dating Dolly Quah who was renting a unit elsewhere. So they made the decision to get married on 25th May 1985. In this way Stephen could then take over from Gladys the servicing of the loan till its completion. So financially everything worked out well for the family. When we do God’s will, we need not worry about our own needs. He arranges everything for us and His timing is always perfect. This we have found to be true in every stage of our journey of life.
It so happened we received word from International Headquarters that a new ruling had just been implemented. Officers working overseas were allowed to take a mid-term furlough in the four year term. The rule was changed again later to a term of three years. So the timing was just right for us to take our mid-term furlough to attend our son’s wedding! Captain Ruth Pascoe conducted the ceremony at the Pasir Panjang Corps.
Stephen was working with Singapore Computer Systems. The company could not release him for vacation, so he and Dolly had to postpone their honeymoon till 1986. They arrived on 1st February and spent their honeymoon as well as Chinese New Year with us. Great to have them for the New Eve reunion dinner with us and Major Moira Wright the General Secretary who had been a tremendous support to us.
The time they spent in Hong Kong suited us better as in 1985, SPEACO (South Pacific and East Asia College for Officers) was held in Hong Kong and I was appointed Principal. This involved a lot of preparation and work. Good thing, I was involved in the first SPEACO held in Singapore in 1980 so had some experience working with Major Peter Chang of IHQ and Captain Lance Rive of New Zealand.
As we were working outside Singapore, both our children had to organise and planned their own weddings. They matured fast and rose to the occasion. I must add they had very good support from the officers, particularly Captains Roy and Joy Bungay, Captain Ruth Pascoe and comrades of the corps they were attending. God plans for every detail of our lives for which we thank and praise Him everyday. To God be the glory.
In Singapore our two older children, Gladys and Stephen were very much involved in Salvation Army activities particularly in the musical sections. Stephen had transferred to the Pasir Panjang Corps (church) as it was nearer home and his camp where he was posted. He was doing his national service. He fulfilled the role of Corps pianist at this new Corps and played in the newly formed band.
Gladys continued worshipping in Central Corps. She was the Corps pianist and Songster organist and also took part in other sections as well. She had also joined the Continental Singers, a non-profit interdenominational ministry seeking to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of young Christians and develop the missionary spirit. They train the youth in music, in Christian witnessing and sharing the gospel through musical programmes. Gladys had gone for audition and was selected as the pianist.
It was here that she met Aw Kum Pui a young man from the Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church. They decided to get married and the date was fixed to coincide with our return trip from Europe after the International Leaders’ Conference.
We arrived in Singapore a couple of days before the wedding on 19th May 1984. The marriage ceremony was held at the Presbyterian Church and the ceremony was conducted by Captain Roy Bungay, the Corps Officer (pastor) of Central Corps. Captain Bungay a Canadian was at one time the Youth Secretary and had great influence on the youth of the Command. He was one of the most enthusiastic and hard working Youth Secretaries I’ve ever met. The Central Corps Songsters, Presbyterian Choir and Continental Singers provided items for the wedding. It was the first time we had witnessed a wedding where the bridal couple sang a duet!
We stayed for the Sunday to conduct the meeting at Central Corps and left early Monday morning for Hong Kong. The next day, Gladys and Kum Pui came to Hong Kong to spend their honeymoon.
Soon they moved into their own Housing Board flat at Jurong East where they still are today.
This meant Stephen was left alone in our Clementi Housing Board flat with three bedrooms. He was already dating Dolly Quah who was renting a unit elsewhere. So they made the decision to get married on 25th May 1985. In this way Stephen could then take over from Gladys the servicing of the loan till its completion. So financially everything worked out well for the family. When we do God’s will, we need not worry about our own needs. He arranges everything for us and His timing is always perfect. This we have found to be true in every stage of our journey of life.
It so happened we received word from International Headquarters that a new ruling had just been implemented. Officers working overseas were allowed to take a mid-term furlough in the four year term. The rule was changed again later to a term of three years. So the timing was just right for us to take our mid-term furlough to attend our son’s wedding! Captain Ruth Pascoe conducted the ceremony at the Pasir Panjang Corps.
Stephen was working with Singapore Computer Systems. The company could not release him for vacation, so he and Dolly had to postpone their honeymoon till 1986. They arrived on 1st February and spent their honeymoon as well as Chinese New Year with us. Great to have them for the New Eve reunion dinner with us and Major Moira Wright the General Secretary who had been a tremendous support to us.
The time they spent in Hong Kong suited us better as in 1985, SPEACO (South Pacific and East Asia College for Officers) was held in Hong Kong and I was appointed Principal. This involved a lot of preparation and work. Good thing, I was involved in the first SPEACO held in Singapore in 1980 so had some experience working with Major Peter Chang of IHQ and Captain Lance Rive of New Zealand.
As we were working outside Singapore, both our children had to organise and planned their own weddings. They matured fast and rose to the occasion. I must add they had very good support from the officers, particularly Captains Roy and Joy Bungay, Captain Ruth Pascoe and comrades of the corps they were attending. God plans for every detail of our lives for which we thank and praise Him everyday. To God be the glory.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Birthday Celebration
Yesterday was an important day for my wife. She celebrated her 75th birthday. She makes no attempt to keep her age a secret.
We had a stream of visitors who called us on. First to arrive were Sister Joy Goh and her nephew god son, Raymond. Joy first came to The Salvation Army in Malacca when Cadet Teoh Poh Leng and I went there to conduct cadets' campaign in 1954. She was still in school then.
Later when I was appointed to Malacca Corps as the Corps Officer (pastor) in October 1954, her cousin Edward started coming to the Sunday school and Youth Group. Later another young girl called Pauline Ho came to the youth group. Edward and Pauline later got married and had two children. Raymond is the younger of the two boys. Raymond came to Singapore for his education, later when to Australia for his university education and now works for Bank Negara, Kuala Lumpr. What a joy to see our friends again.
We have a wonderful cell group which meets at our home every Friday morning. Brothers Bill Lutz and Ronnie Lim hosted a lunch at North Border, Rochester Park for the eleven of us. It was a lovely lunch plus great fellowship.
We met again this morning for our cell. We did not want to cancel the meeting as it is our last for the year 2011. We shall have recess as all of us will be busy with Christmas activities, like kettling etc. We thank God for friends who care. This mutual caring support for each other build each other up.
We had a stream of visitors who called us on. First to arrive were Sister Joy Goh and her nephew god son, Raymond. Joy first came to The Salvation Army in Malacca when Cadet Teoh Poh Leng and I went there to conduct cadets' campaign in 1954. She was still in school then.
Later when I was appointed to Malacca Corps as the Corps Officer (pastor) in October 1954, her cousin Edward started coming to the Sunday school and Youth Group. Later another young girl called Pauline Ho came to the youth group. Edward and Pauline later got married and had two children. Raymond is the younger of the two boys. Raymond came to Singapore for his education, later when to Australia for his university education and now works for Bank Negara, Kuala Lumpr. What a joy to see our friends again.
We have a wonderful cell group which meets at our home every Friday morning. Brothers Bill Lutz and Ronnie Lim hosted a lunch at North Border, Rochester Park for the eleven of us. It was a lovely lunch plus great fellowship.
We met again this morning for our cell. We did not want to cancel the meeting as it is our last for the year 2011. We shall have recess as all of us will be busy with Christmas activities, like kettling etc. We thank God for friends who care. This mutual caring support for each other build each other up.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Official Opening of Balestier Corps
What a delight it was to be in The Salvation Army's new building - 126 Balestier Road, next door to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. It was formerly an Eye Hospital. The dedication of the new Balestier Corps and Community Centre coincided with the
75th anniversary of the Corps.
The officers and comrades of Balestier Corps gathered outside the building and we marched in to the music from the William Booth Corps Band (a few of Central Corps bandsmen augmented the players)
The meeting began with the singing of the song, "Stand up and bless the Lord" led by the Chief Secretary Lieut. Colonel Bob Lee. He had entered training college from Balestier Corps! It was a lovely spirit of rejoicing especially for the Balestier comrades after being 'homeless' since 2007. In the interim they worshipped in the THQ chapel.
The Territorial Commander Colonel Gillian Downer cut the ribbon and officially opened the new building with James Lim one of the older members of the Corps, Rachael a youth and a child. James was one of my Sunday School pupils and now he is numbered among the seniors! How the years have flown past. James' father Norman Lim was my Sunday School teacher in those early days.
There was the showing of the video of the history of the Corps. Terence Nah and Anne Kwong prepared this video. Terence, Anne and myself had gone to the spot where the Army first began, the Boys' Home. We had visited the area where the Army used to hold open air meetings. They wanted me to be the narrator because of my involvement in the Corps from the early days in 1937. I was only five years old when my older siblings and I made our way to Balestier Road Corps after witnessing the open air meeting in Lorong Limau where we lived.
In 1957 I was appointed as the Corps Officer (pastor) for the Corps. I got married and my wife who was from Central Corps joined me in ministering to the folk till November 1959 when we farewelled and appointed to Penang.
The following officers brought greetings from the various Corps and Centres - Captain Lim Chee Kwee representing the east, Major Ruth Pascoe the west, Lieut. Colonel Tan Thean Seng for Chinese Corps and Lieut. Colonel Wendy Lee for Central Corps. It was significant that we sang "They shall come from the East, they shall come from the West and sit down in the Kingdom of God."
Balestier Corps ladies provided a timbrel item. They marched into the hall to the music from the bagpipe played by Sister Olivia Low. All the ladies were smartly dressed in Army uniform. Then the William Booth youth provided a dance.
The Territorial Commander gave the message urging the people who are now back in Balestier to heed the General's call to One Army, One Mission and One Message.
As I look back my heart is filled with praise and thanksgiving to God. No one would have dreamed on that day the five year old lad would be standing on the platform in the new Balestier Corps Hall to pronounce the benediction, Marvellous is the grace of God. To God be the glory.
Yes the Army is back at Balestier. The neighbourhood with many Housing Board flats provides a great opportunity for the Army to serve the people.
75th anniversary of the Corps.
The officers and comrades of Balestier Corps gathered outside the building and we marched in to the music from the William Booth Corps Band (a few of Central Corps bandsmen augmented the players)
The meeting began with the singing of the song, "Stand up and bless the Lord" led by the Chief Secretary Lieut. Colonel Bob Lee. He had entered training college from Balestier Corps! It was a lovely spirit of rejoicing especially for the Balestier comrades after being 'homeless' since 2007. In the interim they worshipped in the THQ chapel.
The Territorial Commander Colonel Gillian Downer cut the ribbon and officially opened the new building with James Lim one of the older members of the Corps, Rachael a youth and a child. James was one of my Sunday School pupils and now he is numbered among the seniors! How the years have flown past. James' father Norman Lim was my Sunday School teacher in those early days.
There was the showing of the video of the history of the Corps. Terence Nah and Anne Kwong prepared this video. Terence, Anne and myself had gone to the spot where the Army first began, the Boys' Home. We had visited the area where the Army used to hold open air meetings. They wanted me to be the narrator because of my involvement in the Corps from the early days in 1937. I was only five years old when my older siblings and I made our way to Balestier Road Corps after witnessing the open air meeting in Lorong Limau where we lived.
In 1957 I was appointed as the Corps Officer (pastor) for the Corps. I got married and my wife who was from Central Corps joined me in ministering to the folk till November 1959 when we farewelled and appointed to Penang.
The following officers brought greetings from the various Corps and Centres - Captain Lim Chee Kwee representing the east, Major Ruth Pascoe the west, Lieut. Colonel Tan Thean Seng for Chinese Corps and Lieut. Colonel Wendy Lee for Central Corps. It was significant that we sang "They shall come from the East, they shall come from the West and sit down in the Kingdom of God."
Balestier Corps ladies provided a timbrel item. They marched into the hall to the music from the bagpipe played by Sister Olivia Low. All the ladies were smartly dressed in Army uniform. Then the William Booth youth provided a dance.
The Territorial Commander gave the message urging the people who are now back in Balestier to heed the General's call to One Army, One Mission and One Message.
As I look back my heart is filled with praise and thanksgiving to God. No one would have dreamed on that day the five year old lad would be standing on the platform in the new Balestier Corps Hall to pronounce the benediction, Marvellous is the grace of God. To God be the glory.
Yes the Army is back at Balestier. The neighbourhood with many Housing Board flats provides a great opportunity for the Army to serve the people.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Funeral of Lim Tee Houw
Our good friend Lim Tee Houw went to be with the Lord on Tuesday 8th November. We felt a terrible sense of loss when we received an sms from his wife Soo Noi. We have known them before they were married. Mrs. Lim was my wife's Sunday School teacher. We were at their wedding and they attended ours in 1958.
Lim Tee Houw, Chia Cheong Fook, Mary Yeo, Tan Khia Fatt and Mak Su Lan were delegates to the International Youth Congress held in London in 1950. Tee Houw was the Corps Secretary for the Singapore Central Corps for many years. His wife was the Corps pianist. In later years they joined the Methodist Church, but occasionally would attend the Army's special meetings. We remained very good friends.
The last time they attended Salvation Army meeting was at the official opening and dedication of the Army's Headquarters at Bishan in 1995. We were stationed in London then and came as the International Seceretary for South Pacific and East Asia to perform the ceremony.
When we saw him in Changi Hospital he was very sick. That was the last time we saw him alive. We were able to share a prayer with him.
My wife and I were away from Singapore for many years - twenty eight years in total. We spent 14 years in Malaysia, both East and West, and the last 15 years we were in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Phlippines and England. We quite often invited to their home to share meals with them on our visits to Singapore and enjoyed many hours of fellowship together. They came to visit us when were were stationed in Hong Kong.
We attended the Wake at Mount Vernon Sanctuary, Tranquility Hall at Upper Aljunied Road on Thursday and met their lovely family whom we had not seen for many years.
The funeral was on 11 November and we joined their many relatives and friends to say our last farewell.
The mourning of the followers of Christ is sorrow for one who has left temporarily. The word of God assures us that our trust in Jesus, we shall meet again in Heaven where the Lord has gone to prepare a place for us. Those who put their trust in the Lord Jesus will be together with Him.
Saying goodbye is always a sad thing. Good bye means 'God be with you.' The literal translation of the term 'good bye' in Chinese is 'meet again.'
God be with you till we meet again,
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you,
God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again,
’Neath His wings securely hide you,
Daily manna still provide you,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again,
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put His arms unfailing round you,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again,
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Smite death’s threat’ning wave before you,
God be with you till we meet again.
Lim Tee Houw, Chia Cheong Fook, Mary Yeo, Tan Khia Fatt and Mak Su Lan were delegates to the International Youth Congress held in London in 1950. Tee Houw was the Corps Secretary for the Singapore Central Corps for many years. His wife was the Corps pianist. In later years they joined the Methodist Church, but occasionally would attend the Army's special meetings. We remained very good friends.
The last time they attended Salvation Army meeting was at the official opening and dedication of the Army's Headquarters at Bishan in 1995. We were stationed in London then and came as the International Seceretary for South Pacific and East Asia to perform the ceremony.
When we saw him in Changi Hospital he was very sick. That was the last time we saw him alive. We were able to share a prayer with him.
My wife and I were away from Singapore for many years - twenty eight years in total. We spent 14 years in Malaysia, both East and West, and the last 15 years we were in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Phlippines and England. We quite often invited to their home to share meals with them on our visits to Singapore and enjoyed many hours of fellowship together. They came to visit us when were were stationed in Hong Kong.
We attended the Wake at Mount Vernon Sanctuary, Tranquility Hall at Upper Aljunied Road on Thursday and met their lovely family whom we had not seen for many years.
The funeral was on 11 November and we joined their many relatives and friends to say our last farewell.
The mourning of the followers of Christ is sorrow for one who has left temporarily. The word of God assures us that our trust in Jesus, we shall meet again in Heaven where the Lord has gone to prepare a place for us. Those who put their trust in the Lord Jesus will be together with Him.
Saying goodbye is always a sad thing. Good bye means 'God be with you.' The literal translation of the term 'good bye' in Chinese is 'meet again.'
God be with you till we meet again,
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you,
God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again,
’Neath His wings securely hide you,
Daily manna still provide you,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again,
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put His arms unfailing round you,
God be with you till we meet again.
God be with you till we meet again,
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Smite death’s threat’ning wave before you,
God be with you till we meet again.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Visit to Changi Corps
There has been no Internet connectivity since last Friday. Anyway, Jason Loh from the IT department came and within minutes fixed the problem for us. We thank God for our friends at the IT Department who are always ready to help us when we need them.
We were at Changi Corps last Sunday to conduct the meeting and Self Denial Altar Service. Our day began early. Charles and Helen Lim and their son Ian were here at Praisehaven to fetch us to Changi. We had a great time of fellowship. Good to meet up with our Changi comrades again and to hear their testimonies of the Lord's leadings in their lives.
After the meeting, Charles and Helen took us out for lunch at the SIA Club House. Both Charles and Helen work for SIA. I have known Charlie for many years. We were all part of Balestier Corps (church). I recall I was at the Corps many years ago when announcement was made that a new baby boy was born to the Lim family and they have named him Charles! I was a teen ager then.
We thank God for friends. They are God's gifts to us.
A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following:
"One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable."
"One who understands our silence."
"A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."
"A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down."
The winning definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."
We were at Changi Corps last Sunday to conduct the meeting and Self Denial Altar Service. Our day began early. Charles and Helen Lim and their son Ian were here at Praisehaven to fetch us to Changi. We had a great time of fellowship. Good to meet up with our Changi comrades again and to hear their testimonies of the Lord's leadings in their lives.
After the meeting, Charles and Helen took us out for lunch at the SIA Club House. Both Charles and Helen work for SIA. I have known Charlie for many years. We were all part of Balestier Corps (church). I recall I was at the Corps many years ago when announcement was made that a new baby boy was born to the Lim family and they have named him Charles! I was a teen ager then.
We thank God for friends. They are God's gifts to us.
A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following:
"One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable."
"One who understands our silence."
"A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."
"A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down."
The winning definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Visit of International Secretary & Zonal Secretary for Women's Ministries
We were privileged to join our fellow officers for a meeting at Territorial Headquarters. This was held to welcome Commissioners Alistair and Astrid Herring the new Zonal Leaders. They are on their official visit to our territory and at the time of writing are visiting the Myanmar Region accompanied by the Territorial Commander, Colonel Gillian Downer.
The world wide Salvation Army is divided into five zones - Africa, Americas and Caribbean, Europe, South Asia and South Pacific and East Asia. The Singapore/Malaysia/Myanmar Territory come under the SPEA Zone. Each zone is headed by a Commissioner with the designation of International Secretary.
We first came to know the Commissioners some 25 years ago when the were captains. They were among the delegates to the New Zealand Brengle Institute where my wife and I were invited to be the speakers. Brengle Institute is actually a Holiness retreat for officers.
During the officers' meeting on Wednesday, Commissioner Astrid Herring gave a brief summary of the happenings in the zone using power point. It was most interesting to see what is happening around our zone.
Commissioner Alistair Herring gave the message emphasising on the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We were truly blessed as we met in fellowship on Wednesday.
After the meeting we share lunch together.
The world wide Salvation Army is divided into five zones - Africa, Americas and Caribbean, Europe, South Asia and South Pacific and East Asia. The Singapore/Malaysia/Myanmar Territory come under the SPEA Zone. Each zone is headed by a Commissioner with the designation of International Secretary.
We first came to know the Commissioners some 25 years ago when the were captains. They were among the delegates to the New Zealand Brengle Institute where my wife and I were invited to be the speakers. Brengle Institute is actually a Holiness retreat for officers.
During the officers' meeting on Wednesday, Commissioner Astrid Herring gave a brief summary of the happenings in the zone using power point. It was most interesting to see what is happening around our zone.
Commissioner Alistair Herring gave the message emphasising on the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We were truly blessed as we met in fellowship on Wednesday.
After the meeting we share lunch together.
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