We were invited to attend the annual Officers' Fellowship held at the La Grandeur Hotel, Johor, Malaysia. We had a great time. Our guests this year were Commissioners Robert and Janet Street, retired UK Officers.
We first met them in England when he was the Divisional Commanders at Norwich, England.
We were invited to speak at the Divisional Soldiers' Rally held at the Norwich Corps in March 1997, shortly before we left England for retirement. We stayed with them for the night. The next morning we did the Sunday's meetings at the Norwich corps. Major and Mrs. Barry Wilson were the Corps Officers.
Commissioner Robert Street has been a Salvation Army Officer for more than 40 years, during which time he has served at Corps, Divisional, territorial and international levels. As an author and editor he enjoys communicating the truths of the Christian faith in an easy-to understand style and has written numerous books. Mrs. Street, formerly Janet Adams has been an officer for the same number of years and a great support to her husband.
We found the couple to be very humble people and integrated freely with the officers young and old. We certainly have been much blessed in the fellowship.
We were at the Retreat from Monday 23rd to Thursday 26th November. We thank God for this special privilege to be part of the group.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Friday, November 20, 2015
Priority - what does it mean?
After selecting the items I needed at the supermarket, I made my way to the section with the sign "Priority for Senior Citizens." I dutifully lined up, but to my surprise, it was a long queue of people including those in their thirties and forties. The cashier took no notice of the sign and served everyone in the queue. I had to wait a long time for my turn.
Maybe the cashier was unaware of the sign, or the shoppers were all illiterate. Why put up the special queue when the rule for Senior Citizens is not adhered to?
Yesterday, I decided to avoid the Priority for Seniors queue. There was only one person ahead of me, and I got through paying very quickly. Now I know, avoid the Priority Queue, or be patient and wait.
All of us need to learn the lesson of patience.
Maybe the cashier was unaware of the sign, or the shoppers were all illiterate. Why put up the special queue when the rule for Senior Citizens is not adhered to?
Yesterday, I decided to avoid the Priority for Seniors queue. There was only one person ahead of me, and I got through paying very quickly. Now I know, avoid the Priority Queue, or be patient and wait.
All of us need to learn the lesson of patience.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Deepavali - public holiday in Singapore
Hindu families all around the world turned their homes into enclaves of warm golden light even as they offer prayers, exchange gifts and share sweetmeats with each other.
Singapore is a multiracial country and Tuesday was a public holiday - Deepavali. This is celebrated by Hindus to mark the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The celebration begins with the simple act of lighting an oil lamp
In his Facebook post our Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugararetnam explained the tradition of lighting up oil lamps in homes to celebrate the festival. "It's about the flame of the human spirit - overcoming the darkness of ignorance and bigotry with learning and understanding."
Public holidays or not, life remains the same with us. Last night we had our usual Bible class where we dealt with the conversion of Saul - a most unlikely candidate to become a Christian. He was all out to get rid of Christians when he met Christ on the road to Damascus. What an event. Saul the persecutor of Christians met Christ the Light of the world and was wonderfully transformed. The persecutor saw the light and vision of Christ and heard His voice. He submitted to Divine authority and became a wonderful disciple of Jesus bringing thousands to the light of Christ.
Singapore is a multiracial country and Tuesday was a public holiday - Deepavali. This is celebrated by Hindus to mark the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The celebration begins with the simple act of lighting an oil lamp
In his Facebook post our Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugararetnam explained the tradition of lighting up oil lamps in homes to celebrate the festival. "It's about the flame of the human spirit - overcoming the darkness of ignorance and bigotry with learning and understanding."
Public holidays or not, life remains the same with us. Last night we had our usual Bible class where we dealt with the conversion of Saul - a most unlikely candidate to become a Christian. He was all out to get rid of Christians when he met Christ on the road to Damascus. What an event. Saul the persecutor of Christians met Christ the Light of the world and was wonderfully transformed. The persecutor saw the light and vision of Christ and heard His voice. He submitted to Divine authority and became a wonderful disciple of Jesus bringing thousands to the light of Christ.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Visit to the Columbarium
We went to the Columbarium to visit the niches where my wife's aunt's ashes were placed. She went to be with the Lord 60 years ago at the age of 59. When my wife's mum died at the tender age of 26, this aunt took over the guardianship of her and her sister.
We went to see my father's niche nearby. He left this world in 1965 at the age of 79- fifty years ago. What a life he lived, when at the age of 12 he left China as a stowaway and the ship brought this illegal boy immigrant to Singapore. He was a survivor, what trials he went through.
The thought came to my mind - how old is old. Some died in their twenties, thirties, some even only two years old. Today some people do not consider themselves old even at 80!
I could not help reading the details written on the neighbouring niches - one died at the age of two, another just 2 days, others in their 30's and 40's ,not many in their eighties.
This journey to the Columbarium probably would be our last visit. As age catches up with us, we face challenges like negotiating stairs. There are no lifts at the columbarium. A sense of gratitude overwhelmed me. God has been good, He has given us good children and grandchildren we can be proud of. He has granted us all these years to see our children and grandchildren grow up.
Aging is an inevitable process. The Bible tells us of the average life span of 'three score years and ten' My wife and I have gone past this line. Everyday is a bonus. Thank God for life, thank God for eternal life given through His Son Jesus Christ.
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Praise the Lord.
We went to see my father's niche nearby. He left this world in 1965 at the age of 79- fifty years ago. What a life he lived, when at the age of 12 he left China as a stowaway and the ship brought this illegal boy immigrant to Singapore. He was a survivor, what trials he went through.
The thought came to my mind - how old is old. Some died in their twenties, thirties, some even only two years old. Today some people do not consider themselves old even at 80!
I could not help reading the details written on the neighbouring niches - one died at the age of two, another just 2 days, others in their 30's and 40's ,not many in their eighties.
This journey to the Columbarium probably would be our last visit. As age catches up with us, we face challenges like negotiating stairs. There are no lifts at the columbarium. A sense of gratitude overwhelmed me. God has been good, He has given us good children and grandchildren we can be proud of. He has granted us all these years to see our children and grandchildren grow up.
Aging is an inevitable process. The Bible tells us of the average life span of 'three score years and ten' My wife and I have gone past this line. Everyday is a bonus. Thank God for life, thank God for eternal life given through His Son Jesus Christ.
For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Praise the Lord.
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