Keep on learning

I have been going through my Bible study for tomorrow. We shall be focusing our thoughts on Hannah's Song, a lesson I prepared weeks ago. As I reflected on this study, new thoughts came to my mind.

We never stop learning. Henry Ford said this, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young."

The body may age and go weary, and I feel it, but I need to keep going and not let the mind deteriorate.

Dora Poh Chin's birthday

Forty four years ago, 26th April 1969, God gave us our third child and we named her Dora, Gift of God. We were pioneering the work of The Salvation Army in Kuala Lumpur. The location, an area called Petaling, five miles from the city of Kuala Lumpur and not too far from Petaling Jaya was where we were based.

The political situation was tense and on 13th May racial riots broke out in Kualu Lumpur. This led to the declaration of national emergency. A 24 hour curfew was imposed and we were all confined to the house. The atmosphere was tense, food was scarce, Poh Chin kept vomiting and cried most of the time. From our bedroom window we could see armed men carrying sticks, changkul and whatever weapon they could get hold of parading our area. We witnessed a group of men smashing vehicles followed by riot squad and police. When the police were not around, I sneaked out to try to get some food and milk powder for Poh Chin.

A lot of things have happened during the period of 44 years. One thing is certain, God never changes and we believe He has sent us many friends who have given us support throughout the years. They have blessed Poh Chin and in turn have been blessed. She is well cared for by a team of devoted nurses and caregivers.

Yesterday at Prayer meeting, we met Major Lim Chee Kwee who told us that  he and his wife Annie visited Poh Chin. They sang to her and prayed with her. We appreciate the pastoral care given by them and the chaplain of the Nursing Home, Mr. Jimi Tan. Poh Chin may or may not understand, but I believe she can feel the warmth of these caring visitors. Poh Chin belongs to Changi Corps. The monthly pocket money we give her goes straight to the church. She tithes 100% of her income!  We do this for her!

Pope Francis has called on the world's priests to bring the healing power of God's grace to everyone in need, to stay close to the marginalised and to be "shepherd living with the smell of sheep."

We believe in  priesthood of all believers - this means we are to care and pray for each others.

Prayer - our relationship with God

As usual we were at the Prayer meeting at Territorial Headquarters this morning. We were blessed as we shared fellowship with like minded believers to pray.

“When all the trimmings are peeled away, prayer must be seen basically as a relationship. It is our individual personal relationship with God the Father. The way for this to happen was provided by Jesus Christ on the Cross. He shed His blood for the remission of sin, the sin that separates us from God. Through Jesus, our sin is forgiven and our fellowship with God restored. Then, and only then, does prayer take its true form. We now love God because He first loved us and paid the price to bring us to Himself.
Prayer is the chief way we express our love to God and the chief way we receive God’s love for us. It is the most exquisite expression of our personal relationship.
If we can understand that through prayer our divine love affair with the Father is cultivated, we can more accurately assess the value of time in prayer. All we know about human love relationships tells us that clock time together is essential if the relationship is to grow.
Every day? If we feel we cannot schedule a daily time with God, we need to admit that our relationship with God is not one of our personal priorities. If this is true, spiritual disaster could be right around the corner.” Peter Wagner

Our spiritual relationship with God is cultivated and nurtured the very same way human relationship grow towards intimacy.
When we master prayer in the private place, we then go on to unite in prayer with others. Be challenged by Jesus’ example and don’t cheat yourself out of God’s strength and direction in your life and ministry.

Poh Chin's birthday celebration.

We were at Peacehaven this morning to visit the residents and conduct chapel service at HOPE centre. We had a good time, chatting with the residents, staff and nurses offering words of encouragement.

Most people think we have two children and six grandchildren all living not far from were we live.

But not many are aware or perhaps have forgotten that we have a third child Dora Poh Chin who will be 44 years old on Friday 26th April. She was born in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia at a time when the country was going through political turmoil which later led to the racial riots. We were caught in the storm raging in the country.

Then we received a change of appointment to Ipoh where things were very difficult. The area called Tambum where the Home was situated was under curfew. Besides there was trouble among the staff and boys.

Somehow we noticed Poh Chin was different from her older siblings but we consoled ourselves that each child was different. It was in 1970 when we were appointed to Singapore that we saw the paediatrician who made that statement that shook us "You child is mentally retarded."

To cut the long story short, she is now a resident in Peacehaven Nursing Home, very well cared for by the staff and nurses. She is in good and capable hands. We see her every Tuesday. The chaplain Jimi Tan visits her regularly to pray with her for which we are grateful.

To day was a special day for us. Majors Susan and Amaro Pereira, Regional Commanders of Myanmar came to Peacehaven and requested to see Poh Chin! So after lunch we took them to see her who by that time was in bed. She seemed happy and I saw her smile. She must have sensed the warmth of these Majors.

Earlier on a 10.30 a.m. we had celebrated her birthday in advance. The nurses surrounded her and we all sang Happy birthday to her.

Well, we have prayed for healing, but for some reason, God has allowed her to remain in this condition where she needs full time care. I believe He has a purpose, for Poh Chin touches lives and as I have often said,  she brings a new note into our ministry. Everyday we thank God for our children and grand children, Poh Chin included even if others have forgotten. God does not forget her.

You know, we all offend God, but not Poh Chin for she is eternal innocence. So one day we shall meet her in heaven and hear for the first time, "Mummy, Daddy, I love you." And we will hug her and reply, "We love you too as we have always done on earth, but you could not respond."  There in heaven she will sing with the holy angels praises unto God.

Thank you Majors Susan and Amaro for taking the time to visit our Precious Treasure. Thanks Pastor Jimi for so faithfully visiting and praying with her. Thanks to those who make the effort to visit and pray for Poh Chin even if she does not respond to you.

Dora means "Gift of God" and Poh Chin means "Precious Truth"

O the wonder of it all

Here is another one of my favourite songs written by George Beverly Shea.


There's the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.

Refrain
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.

Verse 2
There's the wonder of springtime and harvest,
The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is a wonder that's only begun.

I look up at night and see the stars and I still have that sense of wonder.I hope I never lose that sense of wonder at God's creation. It is a broken world we live in, but there are still beautiful things for us to wonder at.

And above all, with all my faults and failings, doubts and fears, the Lord still loves me and keeps me going. O the wonder of it all!

George Beverly Shea - Home with the Lord

One of my favourite gospel singers is George Beverly Shea. I read that he has gone to be with the Lord in Heaven on 16th April. I love to listen to his solos. I quite often sing the song written by Rhea Millar and Bev Shea wrote the tune.

1. I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
   I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
   I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
   I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
   
   • Refrain:
     Than to be the king of a vast domain
     And be held in sin’s dread sway;
     I’d rather have Jesus than anything
     This world affords today.
2. I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
   I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
   I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
   I’d rather be true to His holy name
3. He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
   He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
   He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
   I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

Farewell - Colonel Gillian Downer

It was the last Sunday with William Booth Corps comrades for Colonel Gillian Downer before she leaves Singapore for her new appointment as the International Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia on 16th May 2013 with the rank of Commissioner. This was the appointment I took up 20 years ago at International Headquarters and we were there for four years. My wife was the Zonal Secretary for Women's Ministries for SPEA. This was our last appointment before we entered retirement in 1997.

How the Salvation Army wheel turns. She came to work with us as a young captain when we were the Territorial Leaders for the Philippines. She was appointed as the Social Secretary.

She was a wonderful missionary and tremendously hard worker. She was  always ready to jump into a jeepney, ride in a banca, cross the waters in an overcrowded ferry, braving rough seas and facing dangers to reach the most remote area to oversee emergency operations. Of challenges there were many and we really valued her loyal support throughout the term of our leadership in Philippines. We cherished her wise discernment and contribution in our board and council meetings.

Then she came to our Territory of Singapore,Malaysia and Myanmar. We shall always remember her visits to our home especially during Chinese New Year.

We shall join others in the final farewell on 13th May at Bishan when General Linda Bond will be here.

Condemning others

It is so easy to pass judgement on others without knowing all the facts.

"One should examine oneself for a very long time before thinking of condemning others." Moliere

Majors Allen and Esther Satterlee from USA

Majors Allen and Esther Satterlee after their visit to India to conduct writers' seminar stopped at Singapore for a few days holiday. Major Satterlee is the National Editor-in-Chief of the War Cry at National Headquarters USA. Major Esther is the Circulation Manager.

They were at one time Corps Officers (pastors) of the then Pasir Panjang Corps (church) until its closure. The church moved to the present site at Upper Bukit Timah and renamed William Booth Corps. The Satterlees continued to be in charge of the new church. He was also the Literary Secretary and Editor of the War Cry and Major Esther worked in Women's Ministries at Headquarters.

We had lunch with them and Captain Hary, Mary Tay and Sunny at a Thai Restaurant in Bishan.

Good to meet old friends again.

No wasted effort

We were at Peacehaven Nursing Home to conduct chapel service at Skylark. Here the ladies are much more responsive and it always encourages us. One lady when she first came to the Home, used to be very awkward and gave the nurses a hard time. She used to complain of ghosts in the room and wanted to return home. She was always very quarrelsome and in the end the authorities had to transfer her to another area.

Today, she is a totally different person. She seems so relax and smiles a lot. This is due to the hard work and patient caring of the staff. She now knows the Lord and this has made a big difference in her behaviour. Our hearts are encouraged as we see changes for the good in the residents.

I can recall many more instances of changes in people. To my colleagues and friends it is worth while visiting the residents. Never mind even they don't know you. We can always reach out to people for whom Christ died.

I was quite saddened when I heard someone make this remark, "No use visiting people who don't even know you, certainly those suffering dementia." In God's economy no effort is wasted. Let's keep visiting, keep caring, and keep praying for people.

We thank God for this another day. To Him be the glory.

This is my story - Hong Kong/Taiwan -78

78 – Friends of The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army all over the world has benefited from the support given by our Advisory Boards. These friends of the Army provide valuable assistance and advice to our leaders. Members are carefully chosen from local community leaders who are willing to volunteer their time and services to The Army.

In Hong Kong, we were blessed with an excellent Advisory Board and during our term there we had two excellent Chairmen both bankers and community leaders – Mr. David Li Kwok Po of Bank of East Asia and Mr. John Strickland of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank.

Working directly under the elected Chairman are chairmen of sub-committees like Property, Finance, Social, Community relations, Personnel etc and these meet regularly to discuss items submitted by the leaders for their advice and consideration.

When we first arrived in Hong Kong, we faced the problem of finding somewhere to put our youngest daughter Dora Poh Chin. The ‘Home of Living Faithfulness’ where we had planned to put her turned down our request for admission. The committee had their reasons for their refusal.

The Advisory Board members heard about it and they voluntarily contributed to pay for a lady to look after Poh Chin at home, thus releasing my wife to see to her duties in the office. This went on for several months until we found a Day Care Centre for the Handicapped which accepted our Poh Chin.

Every morning on the way to office, we dropped Poh Chin at the Centre and at 4.00 p.m. a Rehab Bus picked her up and took her to our Salvation Army Lai King Home for the Handicapped. Poh Chin was too severely handicapped to fit into our Salvation Army Home at Lai King which catered for the less severe. Then after office, on our way home, we would pick Poh Chin up. Thanks to one of our staff in the Social Department who made all the arrangements. This went on till 1988 when Poh Chin returned to Singapore and was placed in our then Lee Kuo Chuan Home for the Aged in Singapore thanks to the arrangements made by the then Officer Commanding, Lieut. Colonel Moira Wright.

Everywhere The Salvation Army is in operation we work with members of other denominations. The Army is a member of the National Council of Churches. In Singapore and Malaysia my wife and I always took an active role in the ecumenical activities. She always served in the Women’s committees, like World Day of Prayer,  Fellowship of the Least Coin etc. while I became involved in the executive committee and took an active part in the activities of the council.

The General Secretary of the National Council of Hong Kong, Rev. Kwok Nai Wong and a number of representatives from other churches were present at our welcome meeting. As leader of The Salvation Army in Hong Kong, I attended the Annual General Meeting and was elected to the Executive Council. They always arranged for someone to sit beside me to interpret for me as my knowledge of Cantonese was quite limited.

We received good support from the Council. In one of the Annual General meetings, I was invited to give the opening address and someone very kindly interpreted into Cantonese for me. As a member of the Council we were given the privilege of conducting broadcasts in English.

Whenever leaders from mainland China visited Hong Kong, the Council would arrange welcome dinners and we would always be included. This provided valuable contacts for The Army. We always attended in our Salvation Army uniform even to dinners. The Army is remembered in China and well respected.

I received an invitation to join the Rotary Club of Hong Kong. I must confess I did not quite cherish the idea, but weighing the benefits the Army would receive and the contribution we could make to Hong Kong, I accepted the invitation. Soon I was elected to the Social Committee. This gave me an extra avenue of service in contributing to a larger community in Hong Kong.

Every year during Christmas time, it fell on my lot to give the message during their Christmas lunch. What a great opportunity to present the word to this august company of people many of them non church goers or even Christian.

One day we were invited to the Singapore Consul because the Trade Minister George Yeo was visiting Hong Kong and would like to speak to Singaporeans. We were invited to this special dinner. We were then requested to join the Singapore Association. For a small fee which we paid personally each year we became members and were invited to special functions organised by the Singaporeans working in Hong Kong. We joined their regular monthly luncheon meeting and thus kept up to date of events happening in Singapore.

The Salvation Army is well respected in Hong Kong and Taiwan. We do appreciate the support given by our many friends.  

Sharing a felllowship meal

What a great time we had as we shared lunch and fellowship with our newly appointed Chief Secretary Lieut. Colonel Lyndon Buckingham and his wife the Territorial Secretary of Women's Ministries, Lieut. Colonel Bronwyn Buckingham. Come 1st June they will be our Territorial Leaders. We believe they are sent here for such a time as this.

We recall sharing fellowship and dinner with his parents, Commissioners Hilmon and Lorraine Buckingham in New Zealand in their beautiful home many years ago. We travelled with them all the way from Wellington to Fiji and Tonga to see the work of the Salvation Army. We also spent time with them when they were stationed in Australia.

When they visited us in London, it was our privilege to have them in our home to have 'steam boat' a special Chinese way of enjoying dinner. We still remember that evening of fellowship with them.

How the Army wheel turns and now we have their son and daughter in law to be leaders in our country.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ - what a beautiful bond of fellowship we cherish. We are one on the bond of love.

Loving the giving

Someone once said, 'while it is possible to give without loving, it is impossible to love without giving.'  How true, God is love, so He gave of His only Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. See John 3: 16.

John Gowans expressed this thought in one of his poems -

"Since I began to follow,
Men have been robbing me
Left, right and centre;
Taken my time, my strength,
My wit, my warmth, myself!
The snatched my sympathy,
My pity, yes, my love,
And ran!
And left me emptied, poor;
I'll put a stop to that!
I'll not be robbed again,
Not I!
Now I will GIVE my heart,
My love, myself,
I can't be robbed
Of what I gladly give!"

Preaching the word of God

Our Corps Officer (Pastor) is away in Malacca and we did the service for her this morning. It is always a joy to be able to preach the word of God and we thank God we still have the strength to conduct church services. For me and my wife, it is a calling, yes for life!

Alexander Whyte of Edinburgh one day encouraged a Methodist minister who was getting somewhat discouraged with these words, "Never think of giving up preaching! The angels around the throne envy you your great work."

The late General John Gowans wrote this little poem called "Oracle" -

"They thanked me
For the words I spoke -
As if I could
By any word of mine
Do any good!
As if the thought that healed
Came from my mind!
I know they only wanted to be kind -
But they should know
The message isn't mine.
The word that heals
Just has to be
Divine.
And any truth
They recognize as true
Though I may speak it
Comes of course
From You!"

The preacher is only the mouth piece, the message is from God.

Wait patiently on the Lord

Nowadays we seem to be obsessed with speed and we love the word 'instant.' A lot of commodities are marked as 'instant.' We have instant coffee, instant this and instant that. I can go the dispensing machine, press the button and get instant sandwich. Good when you are in a hurry and go to the dispensing machine and get instant fried noodles when you are hungry.

Tomorrow my wife and I will be conducting the meeting at the William Booth Corps. There is no dispensing  machine where we can get an instant sermon. It has involved a lot of thoughtful preparation and prayer. I suppose I can google and get a sermon from the Internet, print it out and read it. I understand some people do this and I don't think it is right. That will be plagiarism and it will not bless anyone. The message has to come from the heart and sourced from the word of God. Preachers of the word need to sit at the feet of the Lord and get the message from Him. We always have to wait on the Lord.

There are lots of things that will never be instant. There is no instant growth, not instant maturity. Many things in life can only be achieved, acquired or gained at slow tempo and patient waiting.

Blessings of water

We watch the Media Corps series "On the Red Dot" by Cheryl Fox every Wednesday evening 9.00 p.m. We find it very interesting as she examines issues close to the hearts of Singaporeans.

About 40% of Singapore's own water needs are supplied through desalination and reclaimed water. PUB is aiming to double this figure to 80% by 2061 before the second water agreement with Malaysia ends.

Water is a blessing many people just take it for granted. Thank God for water without which we cannot survive. Palm 104:10 says "He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains." Picture the scene of springs, rivers of water for God's creatures "They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst." (11)

Then we lift our eyes up and see the birds sitting on the branches singing. (12) What a beautiful sight.

Our God, we love and serve is a great God who created this wonderful world for us to live in. Sad when man mess about with the environment.

Man, beast and fowls of the air are able to exist because God supplies water. Let's value God blessings. Don't waste water, every drop is precious.

Pray for someone.

There is always someone 'standing in the need of prayer.'  I certainly stand in need of prayer and all through my Christian pilgrimage, people have prayed for me, otherwise I would not be here typing this message. We often receive requests 'Please pray for me' and I am encouraged when someone says to me, 'I'm praying for you.' Let's engage in mutual prayer support. We all need it. One of the first things the new Pope Francis requested in his opening message was for their prayers.

Jesus said this to Peter,  "I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus knew Peter like all of us had his strength and weakness. Our Lord believed in Peter and He prayed that Peter would have the faith to keep trying, keep persevering, keep pressing on despite failures.

Peter was self confident. Subsequent incidents proved that when the real test came Peter was weak and fearful. Let's pray for each other that whatever comes our way, our faith in God will not fail us.

We often get visitors to our home - family and friends. We always make it a point to pray with them before we part. We visit our friends and we always end with a word of prayer. We go round to visit the residents of our Salvation Army Nursing Home and if the residents agree, we pray with them.

We all stand in need of prayer. Pray for someone, pray for yourself that our faith do not fail.

1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
   That calls me from a world of care,
   And bids me at my Father’s throne
   Make all my wants and wishes known.
   In seasons of distress and grief,
   My soul has often found relief,
   And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
   By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
   The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
   Of those whose anxious spirits burn
   With strong desires for thy return!
   With such I hasten to the place
   Where God my Savior shows His face,
   And gladly take my station there,
   And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
   Thy wings shall my petition bear
   To Him whose truth and faithfulness
   Engage the waiting soul to bless.
   And since He bids me seek His face,
   Believe His Word and trust His grace,
   I’ll cast on Him my every care,
   And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
4. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
   May I thy consolation share,
   Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
   I view my home and take my flight.
   This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
   To seize the everlasting prize,
   And shout, while passing through the air,
   “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!” - William W Walford

 

 

Prayer and fasting - connecting with God.

I have not posted for the last couple of days; the simple reason, there was no Internet connection. So anyway I decided to have a blogfast. A friend of mine in England had a week of FaceBook fast and he spent the week at a church, reading, meditating and praying.

We seem to be rushing around with so many things to do, it is good to take a break and reflect on the goodness of God.

When we think of fasting, we tend to associate this with food alone. That's good and if we can do it, but some with health or other reasons cannot afford that kind of fasting. We can take a TV fast, an iPod, iPad fast and spend the time in quiet meditation on the word of God.

"Be still and know that I am God" says the Lord.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future, as in ages past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow for forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last. 
(Katharina von Schlegel, translated by by Jane Borthwick)

In times like these

 “In the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (II Tim. 3:1-5).

“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (II Tim. 4:2-4; cf. II Pet. 3:3-4)

"The Solid Rock", lyrics and music by Ruth C. Jones.

In times like these you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

Refrain
This Rock is Jesus, Yes He's the One
This Rock is Jesus, the only One
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
2

In times like these you need the Bible
In times like these O be not idle
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
3
In times like these I have a Savior
In times like these I have an anchor
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

The Certainty of Death

It has come to me very forcefully these couple of days that we must come to terms with the transitory nature of life, and the certainty of death. We may try to outsmart death in different ways- health clubs,  strict diets. capable doctors, exercises etc. Good, but when the time comes, we just have to go whether we like it or not.

We attended a wake last Wednesday evening and today I received a request over the phone for prayers for an elderly lady who suddenly had to be rushed to Hospital in an ambulance. Twenty minutes later Jessie Chiam rang to say that her mother had gone to be the Lord. She passed away before she could get to hospital.

I've been thinking of Job who came to terms with death. Ten children were killed in a tragic disaster. It would be normal for him to get upset and question God. Why? Why must this happen to me and my family. His faith was such he could say, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1: 21.)

Notice, the Lord gave. Well, life comes from God. He gives and He has the right to take it away when the time comes. We need to always remember His sovereignty.

General John Gowans who was promoted to Glory not so long ago wrote:

It's really rather silly
To say that people 'die'.
Of course it's only human
To regret they've 'gone'
And cry.
But in our inner hearts
Deep peace at last
Replaces pain,
As comes the reassurance
That of course
We'll meet again.

The farewell isn't final
So, Lord, it can't be right
To talk of folk as 'finished'
Who are simply out of sight!

Come to think of it - Out of sight, but not out of mind; still remembered with fond affection.
We shall meet our loved ones there in our Heavenly Home.

"Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?"

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord"

For all we know, this might be my last message I put on this blog. Who knows, God knows!

Zahrah and Craig Smith from Scotland

What a great time we had yesterday when we met up with Craig and Zahrah Smith from Scotland. They are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Zahrah was born in Kuching when her parents Captain and Mrs. Keith Sharp were in charge of the Boys' Home there.

They were appointed from England to succeed us in 1965 when we were posted to take charge of Penang Boys' Home and Primary School.

Zahrah was born in Kuching. Later the Sharp family were moved to Singapore to take charge of the Boys' Home situated at that time in Changi, the present site of Peacehaven Nursing Home.

Later they received a change of appointment and moved to Headquarters, as the Publie Relations Secretary. My wife and I worked together them until we were moved to Hong Kong.

Major and Mrs. Sharp ( Keith and Doreen) and their three children, Paul, Estelle and Zahrah were very active at the Central Corps where we were the Corps Officers. They were very good supporters of Church activities taking part in Band, Songsters and Musicals etc. The family participated in a number of musicals like Jesus Folk, The Old Corps,  Glory, Hosea etc. They were totally integrated with our local people.

The three children went to local Schools - first at Changkak Changi School, then Newton School and the spoke Singlish, plus Hokkien.

After a few years in England, Major and Mrs. Sharp were appointed to Taiwan to be the Regional Officers in the 1990's. Now they live in retirement in Scotland.

We had a great time and Zahrah is going for her favourite local dishes. She had her 'yong tau foo', ice kachang, bubo cha cha, and poh piah etc. We could not get satay for her at Bukit Panjang. Anyway the next couple of days she should be able to eat all her favourite local dishes. She is very street wise and is taking her husband to see the old haunts. Hope she will be able to get her rojak, atap chee, mee siam, char kway teow etc before they leave Singapore on Saturday for Scotland.

The old missionary officers like the Sharps were very committed and lived just like local folk. The three children used to travel by bus all the way from Changi to the church for Sunday School and other activities.

Good to meet up with old friends again and we thank God for them. Happy memories!

In my soul as Easter morning!

We were at Peacehaven Nursing Home to conduct chapel service in one of the Residents' Living Areas and visit the folk in other areas. As it is the Easter season, we kept to the topic of Christ's death and resurrection.

Easter was an event in history and it is also a continuing living experience for those who have accepted the Risen Lord into their lives. Easter opened the eyes of the disciples and Easter continues to open our eyes and hearts of people of our generation. We all know the Risen Christ by faith in a personal relationship with Him.

Every Sunday when we meet for worship on the Lord's Day, we affirm once again the glorious message and experience of Easter.

"Lo, a new creation dawning!
Lo, I rise to life divine!
In my soul an Easter morning;
I am Christ's and Christ is mine. (SASB 520 v 5)

I am glad I know the Risen Lord and feel His presence everyday.