The calendar does not lie. The days fly past at a terrific speed. We just cannot find the time to do the things we want to do. And as age catches up with us we slow down we find it takes longer to accomplish anything. Hence nowadays, there is less blogging and will get even less.
Yesterday, Sunday was a long day for us. We began the day with attendance at Prayer meeting, then conducted the Adult Bible class and this was followed by attendance at the Sunday morning worship at church.
Immediately after the benediction, we rushed upstairs, changed and made our way to North Border Restaurant for the Wedding Anniversary lunch. We met many of our old friends who attended the lunch. It was the 54th Wedding Anniversary of our friends - Ronnie Lim and Li Ching who attend our church, cell group and Adult Bible class.
The celebration ended at about 3.30 p.m. and by the time we got home, it was 4.00 p.m, a long day for us.
We thank God for the fellowship among believers.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
Visited an elderly salvationist
Last Saturday we were invited to the birthday party of an old friend, 96 years old! She is a Salvationist but no Corps Officer has visited her for the last three years. Pastoral visitation is not a priority with our Corps Officers (pastors) any more, it seems to me.
Her children's pastor now visits her once a month to give her communion, read the Bible and pray with her. Thank God for those who care. God bless them.
Our Lord told the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd leaves the 99 safely in the fold to seek and save the lost sheep.
Peter challenges his fellow elders to "shepherd the flock of God among you" by "exercising oversight" (1 Peter 5:2.) God entrusts them with the authority and responsibility of leading the flock. Pastors are accountable for how they lead, and the flock for how they follow (Heb 13:17)
Besides teaching, the pastor exercises oversight of the flock by the example of his life. Being a pastor requires getting in among the sheep. It is not leadership from above so much as leadership from within. An effective pastor does not herd his sheep from the rear but leads them from the front. They see him and imitate his actions.
Her children's pastor now visits her once a month to give her communion, read the Bible and pray with her. Thank God for those who care. God bless them.
Our Lord told the parable of the lost sheep. The shepherd leaves the 99 safely in the fold to seek and save the lost sheep.
Peter challenges his fellow elders to "shepherd the flock of God among you" by "exercising oversight" (1 Peter 5:2.) God entrusts them with the authority and responsibility of leading the flock. Pastors are accountable for how they lead, and the flock for how they follow (Heb 13:17)
Besides teaching, the pastor exercises oversight of the flock by the example of his life. Being a pastor requires getting in among the sheep. It is not leadership from above so much as leadership from within. An effective pastor does not herd his sheep from the rear but leads them from the front. They see him and imitate his actions.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Question
Cowardice asks the question "Is it safe?"
Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?"
Vanity asks the question, "Is it popular?
But conscience asks the question, "Is it right" (By Dr Martin Luther King Jr.)
Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?"
Vanity asks the question, "Is it popular?
But conscience asks the question, "Is it right" (By Dr Martin Luther King Jr.)
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Farewell of Majors Raelton and Lynn Gibbs
We were invited to join the staff of Territorial Headquarters and representatives from the various centres to bid farewell to the Majors who will be leaving for England on 24th October 2014. They both served for one term of three years in this territory, Raelton as the Programme Secretary and his wife Lynn as the Assistant Programme Secretary and Editor of the War Cry.
As retired officers we have little interaction with them except when we see them in meetings or when we happened to meet at Territorial Headquarters. They have always been friendly and courteous.
We recall during their term of office, they came to our home twice to make pastoral visits. This was much appreciated.
God bless our comrades as they leave us to take up their new appointments in the United Kingdom Territory.
As retired officers we have little interaction with them except when we see them in meetings or when we happened to meet at Territorial Headquarters. They have always been friendly and courteous.
We recall during their term of office, they came to our home twice to make pastoral visits. This was much appreciated.
God bless our comrades as they leave us to take up their new appointments in the United Kingdom Territory.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
The Glory of the Lord
One of the daily devotionals I use regularly is "Words of Life" published by The Salvation Army. From 15th September to 8th October, the writer took us through a series of Ezekiel's visions for our meditation.
The phrase "The Glory of God" is used very often and I wonder what comes to the mind of the reader when he hears of it?
Exodus 33 gives us one of these strange occasions when a question is asked and God refuses to comply to the request. Moses has been walking with God, in fact very closely to Him and verse 18, Moses makes a request, "Now show me Your glory"
Now God gives a response seems rather strange to one whom He has been very pleased with. "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But, you cannot see my face, for no one my see me and live." (19-20)
I have been pondering over this passage. What did Moses want to see? Moses wanted to see God's character in all its fullness - God's very being! This is more than anyone can ever know. As human and being finite and morally imperfect we cannot while clothed in human flesh see God as He is. I can only see the evidence of His existence, or to use the phrase 'see God's back' or where He has passed by. We can only know Him by His acts. We cannot fully fathom God as He really is apart from Jesus Christ. "He who has seen me has seen the Father" " John 14: 9
Today we are faced with the same situation. We want to know God better. But how? How can we know anything about the glory of the Lord? Does God manifest Himself to us? Yes, the Bible tells us of the ways and means He manifests Himself. We can understand about His glory.
First we see God's glory when we look at nature and its phenomena around us. My wife and I sleep early and get up early. We love to take morning walks around the compound, hear the sound of insects, the chirping of birds; in other words enjoy nature. Psalm 19: 1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."
When we go outdoors and look into the sky we see the beauty of God's handiwork that declares the glory of God. Our minds boggle when we think of the trillions of heavenly bodies we cannot see with our eyes. God designed all these to show us His glory.
I look out of the window and see squirrels prancing around, monkeys jumping from tree to tree, birds flying, I see the glory of God.
We lived in England for four years. One winter's morning it was my delight to watch from the comfort of our lounge, snow flakes falling on the grass. It was a beautiful sight. Nature declares the glory of God.
We are surrounded displays of God's workmanship. As we look at God's handiwork in nature and in the heavens we thank and praise Him and give Him the glory. Let us not be so busy that we do not stop and meditate on His glory.
"Almighty God, thank you for surrounding us with such beauty. We stand in awe as we ponder how you place the stars in place, the heavenly bodies move with such precision in accordance with Your Divine planning. We give You praise and glory."
The phrase "The Glory of God" is used very often and I wonder what comes to the mind of the reader when he hears of it?
Exodus 33 gives us one of these strange occasions when a question is asked and God refuses to comply to the request. Moses has been walking with God, in fact very closely to Him and verse 18, Moses makes a request, "Now show me Your glory"
Now God gives a response seems rather strange to one whom He has been very pleased with. "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But, you cannot see my face, for no one my see me and live." (19-20)
I have been pondering over this passage. What did Moses want to see? Moses wanted to see God's character in all its fullness - God's very being! This is more than anyone can ever know. As human and being finite and morally imperfect we cannot while clothed in human flesh see God as He is. I can only see the evidence of His existence, or to use the phrase 'see God's back' or where He has passed by. We can only know Him by His acts. We cannot fully fathom God as He really is apart from Jesus Christ. "He who has seen me has seen the Father" " John 14: 9
Today we are faced with the same situation. We want to know God better. But how? How can we know anything about the glory of the Lord? Does God manifest Himself to us? Yes, the Bible tells us of the ways and means He manifests Himself. We can understand about His glory.
First we see God's glory when we look at nature and its phenomena around us. My wife and I sleep early and get up early. We love to take morning walks around the compound, hear the sound of insects, the chirping of birds; in other words enjoy nature. Psalm 19: 1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."
When we go outdoors and look into the sky we see the beauty of God's handiwork that declares the glory of God. Our minds boggle when we think of the trillions of heavenly bodies we cannot see with our eyes. God designed all these to show us His glory.
I look out of the window and see squirrels prancing around, monkeys jumping from tree to tree, birds flying, I see the glory of God.
We lived in England for four years. One winter's morning it was my delight to watch from the comfort of our lounge, snow flakes falling on the grass. It was a beautiful sight. Nature declares the glory of God.
We are surrounded displays of God's workmanship. As we look at God's handiwork in nature and in the heavens we thank and praise Him and give Him the glory. Let us not be so busy that we do not stop and meditate on His glory.
"Almighty God, thank you for surrounding us with such beauty. We stand in awe as we ponder how you place the stars in place, the heavenly bodies move with such precision in accordance with Your Divine planning. We give You praise and glory."
Monday, October 6, 2014
Servants together. Spiritual Leadership Conference 2014
This conference is being held during the weekend 4th to 6th October 2014. Eighty Delegates came from all over the territory to participate in this conference organised by Major Ruth Pascoe. Today is the last day and many delegates will be leaving after lunch at 12.30 p.m.
The delegates from Myanmar and Sabah will be staying on a little longer and leave during the week.
On Sunday we were invited to join them for Prayer Breakfast and I was asked to pray the Prayer of blessing just before the benediction.
The emphasis is on being "Servants Together." Yes we need to emphasise the importance of emulating the example of our Lord who left the precincts of Glory to come down to us to take on human flesh and blood and eventually died the cross for our sakes. May the Lord grant us this attitude of Christ.
Make me a servant like you, Dear Lord,
Living for others each day
Humble and meek,
Helping the weak,
Loving in all that I say.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart
Here's my life, take ev'ry part.
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Help me draw so close to You
That Your love comes shining through
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart,
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Make me a witness like You, Dear Lord,
Showing the love of the cross,
Sharing Your Word till all have heard,
Serving whatever the cost.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart
Here's my life, take ev'ry part.
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Help me draw so close to You
That Your love comes shining through
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart,
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart. (Ron Hamilton)
The delegates from Myanmar and Sabah will be staying on a little longer and leave during the week.
On Sunday we were invited to join them for Prayer Breakfast and I was asked to pray the Prayer of blessing just before the benediction.
The emphasis is on being "Servants Together." Yes we need to emphasise the importance of emulating the example of our Lord who left the precincts of Glory to come down to us to take on human flesh and blood and eventually died the cross for our sakes. May the Lord grant us this attitude of Christ.
Make me a servant like you, Dear Lord,
Living for others each day
Humble and meek,
Helping the weak,
Loving in all that I say.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart
Here's my life, take ev'ry part.
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Help me draw so close to You
That Your love comes shining through
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart,
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Make me a witness like You, Dear Lord,
Showing the love of the cross,
Sharing Your Word till all have heard,
Serving whatever the cost.
Give me Lord, a servant's heart
Here's my life, take ev'ry part.
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart.
Help me draw so close to You
That Your love comes shining through
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart,
Give me, Lord, a servant's heart. (Ron Hamilton)
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Wedding of Cheryl Heng and Mark Foo - 4th October 2014
We attended the wedding of Mark Foo and Cheryl Heng, We have known Cheryl for the last seventeen years. When we took over the Central Corps (church) as Acting pastor for three months in 1997 it was a privilege to have the Heng family worshipping with us.
The wedding was held at the Bethesda Church at Bedok. Mark is the son of the senior pastor of this church. God bless the Cheryl and Mark.
.
The wedding was held at the Bethesda Church at Bedok. Mark is the son of the senior pastor of this church. God bless the Cheryl and Mark.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)