Word of the Father now in flesh appearing

Communication is an important and essential ingredient in any relationship. There must be communication between husband and wife; parents and children, employers and employees, fellow church members, neighbours the list goes on. Failure to communicate leads to tensions, misunderstandings, frictions and conflicts. There are many ways to communicate and words are the most common vehicle used. And words are powerful. Our words can bring inspiration, hope, comfort; on the other hand words and hurt and break relationships.

Christmas is coming. The bells are ringing, carols are heard in shopping plazas, our Salvation Army band is playing outside the big departmental store called Tangs. Let me share a secret - Two Tang sisters worship at our William Booth Corps. A grandson of C K Tang also worships with us in fact he sometimes reads the scriptures in the meeting. You can see and listen to our band there every Tuesday and Saturday at the entrance of Tangs. We are communicating the message of Christmas.

Christmas is about God communicating with us. "In the beginning was the Word. The Word was made flesh and came to dwell among us. The word is Jesus Christ.

We sing, "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord"

An evening prayer

Drop thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace. John Greenleaf Whittier.

"Lord another day is almost gone and here I am bowing humbly before You.
Thank You for my family - children and grandchildren. They know You, love and serve You.

Lord save them from temptations that beset Your children. Help them to be alert to the wiles of the devil. When temptations come to them, Lord help them to look to You. I now commit them to You. Watch over them, grant them a good night's sleep and awake in the morning, refreshed, renewed, to love and serve You.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Being grandparents

When young I was very close to my grandmother, a nonya lady who wore sarong kebaya. Our family lived with her until my uncle got married, our family moved out from the Kim Keat Road home to Lorong Limau. I was about four years old.  I never knew grandma had a name as we addressed her as "Ah Ma" (meaning grandma.)

She died in 1945 when I was about 12 plus, and I found out on the tombstone she was called Cecilia Koh!  She had been a Roman Catholic but turned Taoist when she got married. When she was dying, she sent for the priest who gave her the last rites. So she was buried at Bidadari Catholic cemetery. That's how my family except me became Catholics.

So today we are grandparents to six grandchildren. Last night a grandson and his fiancee came to visit us. That was great even if it was just for a short while. We shared a prayer with them. A bonus for us to day, when we had lunch with his brother at Bukit Timah Plaza. He rushed from band practice to the Plaza to keep that lunch appointment. It was a great time of fellowship. What a beautiful sight to see him holding grandma's hand as we walked from the Plaza to the bus stop.

So when young I valued my grandma and now when old we value our grandchildren. Thank God for blessings of family.

"Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old"  Mary H Waldrip.

"A mother loves and teaches; a grandmother teaches love."  Anonymous

What is life without relationships? Cherish your families.

Keeping in touch

It's that time of the year when we think of sending out Christmas cards or letters.The number of cards we send out each year gets less and less; for two reasons. Many of our friends have gone to Glory. Most of our friends are on e-mail so it is easy to contact via the internet. We still have to send a few to those are not internet savvy. The important thing is to keep in touch. Relationships are preserved and enhanced when we keep in touch.

So during this busy time, let us not forget to keep in touch with God. Sometimes we can be so busy doing God's work we fail to keep in touch with the One whom who profess to love and serve. We fail to connect with Him to receive His blessings.

Another thought came to my mind as I pen this short message. We need also to be in tune with God. Before an orchestra starts to play the players tune their instruments to ensure that they are in tune with each other. Let's not forget to get in touch with our friends and relatives, communicate with each other and ensure we are in tune with each other.

Finally be in time for God. Be where God's wants us to be. Be available when and where He needs us.

Good night and God bless you.

Small group meeting

To day we had the last small group meeting at our home. Then we adjourned for lunch. We had intended to go to Food Haven, but this was closed for renovation.

So eleven of us made our way to Rail Mall and had our lunch at Teck Ghee Eatery. The food was good and inexpensive.

Our next meeting will be in the new year. We have hosted the cell group for the last eight years. We hope to continue hosting this group for as long as we are able. We have received much blessing in hosting and leading the group.

It is good and necessary for Christians to get together to share and experience God’s calling for our lives. We pray, encourage and strengthen each other as one body for Christ. We share the scriptures, share our struggles and victories, lift one another in prayer. We start with coffee, tea, biscuits or whatever the folk bring to share.

Every now and then we would go out and have a meal together in a restaurant perhaps to celebrate a member's birthday or a couple's wedding anniversary.

Officers' Retreat

My wife and I were privileged to attend the annual officers' retreat held at Le Grandeur Hotel at Johor, Malaysia, a short drive across the causeway.

Five of us left by car on Monday 18th November at 2.00 p.m. and arrived about 3.30 p.m.

The programme was balanced and well planned. We had our meetings where we received our spiritual food. There were quiet times for reflection and meditation. There were also times when we had fun and games.

We could sense the beautiful spirit of unity among us.

We had our final meeting on Thursday morning. Then after lunch we parted and we made our way home. We thank God for blessings received at this year's officers retreat.

Thoughts on my wife's birthday.

My wife and I always make it a point to read our Salvation Army's daily devotional every morning. We always get a blessing. We feel we are connected with the rest of our friends in the Army world.

This morning when I opened the book and read "It's my birthday..." I thought it was my wife's message.  She shares the same birthday and sentiments as the editor!

Well this evening she thought she should drop the writer a note to thank her. We have been blessed by her writings, but did not get round to dropping the editor Major Beverly Ivany a note.

Way back in 2004, at the request of the then editor, Barbara Sampson, a good friend of ours, I wrote the Christmas meditations.

Christmas is coming so let me share what I wrote on 28th November 2004. As the season approaches let me  share this message written nine years ago.

"It is that time of the year again. As one gets older the season of Advent seems to come round much more quickly, giving us less time to make preparations. The pressure begins to mount. There is the rush to send Christmas cards, a necessary task when it is the only time we make contact with many of our friends. Somehow for the rest of the year we are too busy to write or send a message in spite of our intention to do so.

Out come the artificial tree, the lights and the decorations. Then the rush to the departmental store to buy new decorations to replace those we need to discard. We purchase gifts for loved ones and make sure they are properly wrapped and labelled. There are parties to attend plus a thousand and one things to see to before the actual day arrives.

A busy time indeed! And it is good to be busy. However, let us not to be too preoccupied by the things of the season that we forget the real significance of the event. Let us not push ourselves till we are too weary to enjoy it.

Christmas - let us keep our focus. The season can be a time of celebration or desperation as we rush from one thing to another. We need to take time to reflect on the incarnation as recorded in the Bible. Let us not only sing the carols, but also reflect on the words the poets have so wonderfully penned for us.

O may we keep and ponder in our mind
God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
John Byron, SASB 78

This is my story - 89 Philippines

89 – Our first Christmas and New Year in the Philippines

Christmas is always a busy period for us in The Salvation Army. A lot of activities are planned for the occasion – carolling, parties, visiting hospitals and Homes for children and elderly. Generally it is reaching out to the people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As leaders in the Philippines we wanted to maximise our time and reach out to as many people as possible in the territory during the festive season.

Thanks to some of our overseas friends, we were able to invite the officers from Territorial Headquarters to our home for dinner – a typical Singaporean cuisine and we finished off with apples (not affordable normally) and also minced pies, the filling my wife’s own concoction. We had sufficient funds provided by our prayer partners to give every officer a book entitled “City Shepherds” written by a missionary pastor working in the Philippines. Christians on mission are all shepherds to the people we seek to serve.

We conducted the Christmas meeting in the one of the Corps in Manila. Two days later we went to the Northern Division and taking advantage of the public holidays for the New Year to visit eight centres. Nicanor Bagasol our THQ employee drove us up to Urdaneta Divisional Headquarters where we were billeted for the first night. At my suggestion he took time off to visit his own friends while I did my own driving.

From there on, my wife and I were on our own going round visiting the various Centres. We wanted to learn how to get around the territory which to me was quite a challenging experience. A couple of days later, on our journey we discovered the car had a flat tyre. I had to change the tyre myself. There was no way to contact Nic as telephones were rare in those days let alone mobile phones as we know it today. Even in Manila our Chief Secretary did not have a telephone in the quarters although The Army had made application for one years ago.

One of the places visited was Santa Anna on the last Sunday of the year. Two single women officers were stationed in this church and community centre. There I learned a new skill - drawing water from the well. In order to help these ladies I volunteered to draw water for them. To my mind it was a simple matter – just pump the gadget above the covered well. I tried several times, but no water came through the tap. Captain Florida Oalang had to come to my rescue. She smiled and said to me, “Colonel, look at that bucket of water near the pump; you need to pour some water into the pump first.” What I had to do was something new - to prime the pump! In life we are always on the learning curve. Mutual sharing is beneficial. You see, for city dwellers like me I had to learn a new skill. A leader has a lot to learn from those he leads! There were many more lessons I had to learn from these gentle patient Filipinos.

All through the years The Salvation Army had installed many of these pumps in the villages to benefit the community. Funds for these had come from overseas territories. It was part of our caring ministry to the community.

What a great time we had that day in Santa Anna. Five junior soldiers and two senior soldiers were enrolled and eleven recruits accepted during the Sunday morning Holiness meeting. As usual at the close of the meeting the Mercy Seat was lined with seekers.

A United Women’s Rally was held on New Year’s Eve at Urdaneta Corps. More than 200 women took part. One of the highlights was ingathering of the Territorial Home League Helping Hand for the Army’s work in Bangladesh. The Corps representatives were dressed in the costumes of different countries as they brought in their contribution and presented to my wife the Territorial President. The ladies loved dressing up and it was a most enjoyable time for all who attended.

Our next stop was Asingan Corps where we had a youth rally. The building was quite new then. From there we moved to a small Corps at Piaz where the comrades did not get too many visitors. We decided to stay the night at the quarters with the two single women officers. It was an old building in a dilapidated state. We had to climb up a ladder to get to the quarters above to stay for the night. Toilet facilities were outside the building. It was good to share fellowship with these two ladies.

We did the meeting at Alcala Corps on the first Sunday of the New Year. This corps was on the verge of closing down until new officers were appointed. They were in good spirits and set their mind to work to revive the Corps. In the Holiness meeting we had the privilege of dedicating their baby daughter and also enrolled a new soldier. This man had been in the military for about 25 years and served overseas for 14 years. At the time of our visit he was already retired and served as the barangay (village) secretary. He gave a wonderful testimony and pledged to spend the rest of his life as a faithful Salvationist serving the Lord in his home village. At the end of the meeting there were seekers among them the barangay captain.

It was a long and tiring week for us that first Christmas and New Year in the Philippines and we gave thanks to God for the privilege that was ours in serving the people of the territory.

Nic and his family joined us on our journey back to Manila. I was glad of his support. Throughout the three years, I never once had to pump petrol or wash the car. Nic did everything to keep it in tip top condition. When we had to travel out of Manila, we would drive to the airport, park the car and Nic would pick it up later to leave it at Headquarters. When we returned from our trips he would always be there to meet us. Faithful Nic was always there for us when we needed him. We thank God for him and his wife Connie who served as a secretary at the Finance Department. Such faithful and loyal Salvationist employees keep the Army work going smoothly through the years.

77th Corps anniversary - Balestier Corps.

A great day at my home Corps - Balestier now situated at 126 Balestier Road.It was the celebration of their 77th Corps anniversary. It was their second year in this building, formerly an Eye hospital.

Folk from Kallang Outpost joined in the celebrations. The meeting began with the usual courtesies of welcoming the people. Present with us were former Territorial Leaders Commissioners David and Grace Bringans now on holiday in Singapore.

Brother John Ooi who first came to The Salvation Army when it was still in Martaban Road gave his testimony. This was translated by one of our newer soldiers, Brother Alvin into Mandarin.

It was also our Self Denial Altar Service. We managed to combine the two events. I spoke on "Barnabas the son of Encouragement." He sold his land and gave the proceeds to the church and missions. The sermon was also translated by Brother Alvin into Mandarin for the benefit of our Kallang folk and also new people from Whampoa.

The hall was packed to full capacity and our own folk stood throughout the meeting at the back of the hall.

After the meeting, we went upstairs to have lunch provided by Sister Irene Ong, daughter-in-law of the late Mr. and Mrs.. Ong Kay Sung the first salvationists of Balestier Corps.

Birthday celebration

We met as usual for the weekly small group meeting at our home this morning. After that we adjourned to North Border Restaurant, Rochester Park for a lovely birthday celebration lunch hosted by our good friend Bill. What a time of fellowship as we celebrated Mary's birthday.

We have been hosting this small for the last eight years. Some members have left us, others have joined us. Now our weekly average attendance is 12, most are retirees like us.

Just over sixteen years have passed since we moved from active officership to active retirement. There has never been a dull moment. Quite often we ask the question - where has all the time gone?

So many of our friends have left us to dwell in the mansions above. We cherish happy memories of these folk. And we have added new friends who continue to bless us. God is good.

Aux. Captain Keith Tremain

A few moments ago the telephone rang and we received news from Mrs. Mavis Tremain that her husband Keith had been promoted to glory on 5th October.

They were stationed in Singapore during the time when my wife and I were serving overseas. They were first appointed to the Haven and later transferred to the Salvation Army Home for the Aged at Upper Bukit Timah. Our daughter Dora Poh Chin was in the Home then and whenever we visited Singapore during furlough or on transit here, we would visit the Home. We came to know this lovely couple, very committed Salvationists  who truly cared for the people they were sent to serve. They were also very active at the Corps and served as the Command Bandmaster.

When we were in the Philippines, once a week we received a letter from Mavis telling us about Poh Chin. Every morning she would visit our special daughter to pray with her. She did that to other residents too. What great love they had for the people under their care.

Keith could not speak Chinese. But he thought of an innovative way of getting vegetables and rice for the Home. He got someone to write on a placard in Chinese "Please donate to The Salvation Army" .
He in his Salvation Army uniform would walk round the wholesale market at Pasir Panjang. The wholesalers were very willing to donate their vegetables, rice and whatever they could spare. He received plenty and was able to share with other Homes. On days when Keith could not go to the market, these kind people would send their donated goods to the Home! The lesson for us - make friends, and keep in touch with people.

My younger brother Anthony used to be in charge of a Government Home for the Aged at Yew Tee not far from the Salvation Army Home. He used to visit Poh Chin regularly and became very good friends with the Tremains. This Yew Tee Home received a lot of donations in kind like rice, biscuits etc. The Home had a caterer who provided cooked food for the residents. So Anthony used to send the surplus donated goods to The Salvation Army Home for the Aged!

What happy memories we have of this lovely couple - so committed to God and the people they were sent to serve. We continue to pray for Mavis who lives alone in New Zealand.

Thank God for sending so many good people into our lives.

Visitors to William Booth Corps

It's always a joy to welcome visitors to our church. This morning we welcomed a number of comrades from other Corps who were here for Advisory Council of Salvation Army Soldiers. The Territorial Commander, Colonel Lyndon Buckingham has set up this council comprising members from different Corps in Singapore and Malaysia. The Colonel seeks grassroots input on various subjects that are important as we move into mission action. We pray for the following members.

CSM Tan Keng Tong from Kuching Corps
CSM Tan Seow Hwee from Penang Corps
CSM Michael Lau from William Booth Corps
CSM  Anthony Simon from Kota Kinabalu Corps
CSM  Palan Mani from Singapore Eratchippu  Corps
YL     Esther Cheah from Kuala Lumpur Corps
MML Vincent Wong from Singapore Central Corps
Sister Elaine Hwee from Singapore Central Corps
YL Rachael Yeo from Balestier Corps
CML Evelyn Ho from Balestier Corps

These comrades have been sharing in their first meeting during the weekend at Praisehaven Retreat Centre.

We also welcomed Commissioners David and Grace Bringans, former Territorial Leaders who are in Singapore for holidays.

How pleased my wife and I were to meet some good friends from the Philippines. Lieut. Colonels Virgilio and Maria Luis Menia. We were stationed in the Philippines when they got married. We cherish happy memories of times spent with them especially during our visit to their Corps to conduct Harvest Festival at Malingau. They are spending a short vacation with mutual friends, Lieut. Colonel Paul and Evelyn Posadas.

We thank God for bringing into our lives so many friends who have been a blessing to us.

Do good

"It seems nonconvertible that if we are even to begin to follow the real Jesus, and to walk in His shoes, we must seize every opportunity to do good. Our good works will show the genuineness of our love, and our love will show the genuineness of our faith." John Stott in "Walk in His shoes."