We are in God's hands.

The Year 2016 is coming to an end. Soon it will be 2017. God has blessed us in the past and we are confident, He will continue to do so in years to come. I'm in... His hands!

1.
I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me;
The God I serve is one who cares and understands.
Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me,
Of this I am assured: I'm in his hands.
Chorus
I'm in his hands, I'm in his hands;
Whate'er the future holds
I'm in his hands,
The days I cannot see
Have all been planned for me;
His way is best, you see;
I'm in his hands.
2.
What though I cannot know the way that lies before me?
I still can trust and freely follow his commands;
My faith is firm since it is he that watches o'er me;
Of this I'm confident: I'm in his hands.
3.
In days gone by my Lord has always proved sufficient,
When I have yielded to the law of love's demands;
Why should I doubt that he would evermore be present
To make his will my own? I'm in his hands!
Stanley E. Ditmer

God is with us

How good to know that God is with us still.

We must have tested well, His patient love,

Our waywardness, our protestations shrill

Must long have wearied angel hosts above.

We do not merit God’s great constancy,

So much He does, and gives, yet we reject,

His views by right should be hostility

And yet we still remain, His own elect.

He then is with us, with us every day,

In patience, wisdom, strength and gentle grace,

Is with us in our work and in our play,

And puts the light of heaven on our face.

 
Immanuel, that praise laden name,

At once our hope, reality and claim.   Commissioner Harry Read

 

An Unusual Christmas Gift

 
Corps Treasurer Ng Fook Kum was a real trophy of grace. The seed of the gospel was first sown in his heart many years ago before the war when a young Lieutenant, Lim Siok Chin sold him a copy of The War Cry. He read it, put the paper away and gave no further thought to it.

Years later, after the war, he saw a group of people singing, testifying and preaching at an open air meeting at Dhoby Ghaut (so named because Indian laundry men used to wash clothes by the river). He remembered reading The War Cry.

 When the open air meeting ended, he accepted the invitation and followed the Salvationists to their hall Temporary Hall at 30 Oxley Road. He enjoyed the meetings and later was wonderfully converted.

Thus began a life of great adventure for Christ. He became a salvationist, then local officer – first as Corps Sergeant Major and later, Treasurer till he was promoted to Glory. Every Saturday, Ng Fook Kum, armed with a bundle of papers, The War Cry, could be seen selling them to the queues of people outside the Cathay, Rex and Capitol Theatres. In those days, cinema goers had to line up for their tickets. There was no television and not many theatres then.

He was very active at the Central Corps (church) where we were appointed pastors 1970- 1974 and again in retirement for three months in 1997.
He brought his whole family to the Army and they, too, became salvationists. In December 1970, he was seriously ill and was admitted to the Singapore General Hospital. As the CO (pastor), I suggested to the band and comrades of the Corps that we should visit our Treasurer and sing carols to him. He himself had been a faithful caroler for many years. In those days we used to go caroling for two weeks before Christmas. There was no kettling then like we have today.

Permission had to be sought, so I wrote to the Chief Medical Officer requesting permission for the band to play in the hospital compound adjacent to the ward. What little faith I had! I dared not ask permission to sing carols in the ward. I waited several days but there was no reply. We thought then we would just visit the hospital to pray with him anyway.

Mrs Ng, his wife happened to visit the hospital and met Professor Freda Paul, whose father, Reverend Paul, a retired Methodist pastor, was in the next bed. Dr Freda Paul asked Mrs Ng if it would be possible for the Army band to play and sing carols in the ward.

Mrs Ng wasted no time to contact me. On Sunday afternoon, the band and carolers visited the hospital. On arrival, we were met by the Sister in charge of the Ward and escorted right to the bedside of Treasurer Ng and Reverend Paul! The band played, others sang, we read the Scriptures and prayed for the two men. Later on we were provided with refreshments by courtesy of the Hospital!

The next morning the reply came from the Chief Medical Officer, expressing regret that permission could not be granted for us to sing in the compound of the Hospital. Never mind, we had already done it – not in the compound but inside the ward!

I believe the Lord’s hand was in this. Who could have thought of a more wonderful Christmas gift – a delayed letter!

God works in His own time as He has eternity in His hands. Delays are not necessarily denials.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4: 4-7"

Second Anniversary of our move to Changi

To-day 16th December 2016. Exactly two years ago, we moved from Praisehaven in the west of Singapore to Peacehaven in the East! We have occupied this lovely unit on the rooftop of Peacehaven Nursing Home. We call it our Penthouse with a lovely garden.
 
When my wife and I retired in 1997, we first stayed with our son and family at Choa Chu Kang, till the unit at Hillview Park was ready - it was a very small unit, but lovely surroundings.

Then when Praisehaven was ready, we moved to a unit at The Salvation Army Praisehaven on the fourth floor. We were not far from our children and grandchildren.

Visiting our youngest special daughter, Dora Poh Chin at Peacehaven Nursing Home was no problem when I could still drive and a vehible was available. Later we had to depend on public transport it was difficult. The journey plus waiting time takes two hours each way. As we aged, we are more restricted in our movements.

Anyway the grandchildren are all grown up - two are married, and the youngest grandson is old enough to look after himself, we decided to move to our present unit.

We believe it has been God's plan. Our children and grandchildren visit us regularly. God has indeed been very good to us. We are well supported by the staff of Peacehaven Nursing Home. When we have to visit the Polyclinic or Hospital, one of the off duty nurses or caregivers would accompany us to give support. We both use walking sticks, but embarking and disembarking from vehicles pose a challenge. God has His lovely angels caring for us.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Praying for each other.

We've been living in our present unit above the Peacehaven Nursing Home for almost two years. We are not residents of the Home. We have a wonderful ministry here with the residents and nurses, particularly the Indonesians as they live in the hostel attached to the Home. Twice a week they meet at our home for fellowship, devotion, singing and supper. We take a break during the month of December. We shall recommence our fellowship next month, January 2017

On Friday evening, three girls turned up at our home to say farewell. It was their last day in Singapore. We spent some time together, read the Bible and I prayed with them like we always do when visitors drop in our home. 

Then one of the nurses, Mentari  gave us a pleasant surprise when she said, "we want to pray for you Opa and Oma." She prayed a beautiful prayer in Indonesian asking the Lord to bless Opa and Oma (grandpa and grandma) abundantly and to grant us good health." What a thoughtful and good salvationist from Palu!  How touching to have one of them praying for us.

God bless the three girls as they return to their homeland this morning. We have been blessed by the nurses and care givers serving at Peacehaven Nursing Home. This morning while I saw to housework, one of the 'off duty' Indonesian nurses Ester accompanied my wife to Changi Hospital. God surrounds us with His ministering angels!

Better world

 

The broken world in shattered fragments lie,

From ev’ry corner hear its children’s cries;

  Its famished millions ask in vain for bread;

 The very souls of men are left unfed.

   The Saviour calls for saviours in His name

  To take the broken bits and build again

Among the ruins of what might have been,

And in the darkness where no hope is seen,

  Illuminate the cross where Jesus died.
  Disclose his love which cannot be denied.

Go spend yourselves in service for the lost,

And like your, Lord refuse to count the cost. John Gowans

If crosses come (I'll not turn back

The Power of Influence

The Power of influence

A pastor had been busy packing, preparing to move to another church. Finally he breathed a sigh of relief when he had packed the last box and said, “Thank God, now I’ve packed everything” A friend who had been helping him retorted, “No, you haven’t. You have left something behind.”

“O what is it? He queried.
“Your influence.”...was the response.

How true, we all leave our influence, good or bad behind us.
Some leave behind an influence that corrupts. It was said of Jeroboam that he “made Israel to sin.” What an epitaph to tag to a man in such a high position!

Dr. James Edwin Orr (1912-1987) a well-known Baptist minister, writer and composer of hymns during his visit to New Zealand overheard some Aborigine girls singing a Maori Song of Farewell.

This tune stuck in his memory and led him to compose the song based on Psalm 139:23-24 I pray this prayer daily asking the Lord to search my own heart, just in case I cause someone to sin.

Search Me, O God
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word, and make me pure within.
Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy Name.

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,start the work in me.
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,O Lord, I humbly plead.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Some have an influence that cancels when we do not practise what we preach. Father and son live together in the same house – Dad a Doctor of Divinity and son a medical doctor. The telephone rang, and one of them responded “This is Dr… speaking”

The voice on the other side of the line then asked a question, “Are you the doctor who preaches or the one who practices” We all need to ask this question sometimes, “Am I the Christian who preaches, or the one who practises.” Let us practise what we preach.

May we all exude an influence that counts. Jesus tells us to be salt of the earth. Salt has tremendous influence. It adds to taste, it preserves from decay. It is a commodity we cannot do without.

Jesus tells us to be light in the world. Its influence in our world is great – it gives warmth, heat and illumination plus other functions.
Genuine Christians are like salt and light in our world. May the Lord enable us each one to be a reflex of His holiness.

Saviour if my feet have faltered

 Charles Dickens many years ago wrote the following as the introduction to his book, “A Tale of Two Cities.” 

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity. It was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.”

Our world has not changed much. We today still have to face life’s challenges – good times, bad times, happy times, sad times and at all times we need to focus our eyes upon Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”

A couple, good friends of ours from Perth Australia visited us recently. They attended our church service then came upstairs to our humble home to have a cup of tea with us. There was so much to talk about as we shared experiences. it was well past lunch time. When about to leave for the café nearby he requested that we should first sing Albert Orsborn’s song,

“Saviour if my feet have faltered by the pathway of the cross.”

We moved to the keyboard and four of us sang

Saviour, if my feet have faltered
On the pathway of the cross,
If my purposes have altered
Or my gold be mixed with dross,
O forbid me not thy service,
Keep me yet in thy employ.
Pass me through a sterner cleansing
If I may but give thee joy!

Chorus
All my work is for the Master,
He is all my heart's desire;
O that he may count me faithful
In the day that tries by fire!

Have I worked for hireling wages,
Or as one with vows to keep,
With a heart whose love engages
Life or death, to save the sheep?
All is known to thee, my Master,
All is known, and that is why
I can work and wait the verdict
Of thy kind but searching eye.

I must love thee, love must rule me,
Springing up and flowing forth
From a childlike heart within me,
Or my work is nothing worth.
Love with passion and with patience,
Love with principle and fire,
Love with heart and mind and utterance,
Serving Christ my one desire. Albert Orsborn

Albert Osborn went through a crisis period when he was a Divisional Commander. His growing Division was to be divided and he resented the decision from his leaders. He became rebellious and resentful. He was running after a bus, slipped and fell and injured his knee. He was taken to Highbury Nursing Home for officers. In an adjacent room some officers were singing in their prayer meeting,

“Nothing from His altar I would keep. To His cross of suffering I would leap.”

 He joined in the singing and yielded to the Holy Spirit and even wept. In these circumstances the song was born and it has blessed thousands through the passage of time.

Who among us have not at times faltered and fallen in the journey of life? Physically, i slipped and fell twice two years ago within the space of two months. Today, my wife and I both use walking sticks when we go out. We need more than walking sticks, we need to stretch our hands and hold on to Him who walks and talks with us on life’s journey. My prayer is

Hold Thou my hand; so weak I am, and helpless,
I dare not take one step without Thy aid;
Hold Thou my hand; for then, O loving Saviour,
No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid.
Frances Crosby

Good friends inspire each other

The Lord has given us with many friends who are of great blessing to us. Many live locally here, others reside elsewhere; Where they live is immaterial. It is a small world and with modern technology we can always connect with each other.

I recall the year 2002 when my wife and I were invited to visit Perth to preach and conduct Bible studies at Floreat Park Corps (church) The following week we took on responsibility of preaching at the Perth Chinese speaking Corps. The officers in charge, Keith and Mary Cheng were originally from Hong Kong where we were the leaders from January 1983 for seven and half years. Keith was then the Social Services Secretary.

This couple resigned and emigrated to Australia where Keith worked for the Australian Government as a social worker for quite a number of years. However, one day they decided to return to The Salvation Army. They were reaccepted as officers of The Salvation Army and appointed as the pastors of the Chinese Ministry at Perth. We were invited to preach to his congregation.

Keith introduced us to his brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Wendy, a lovely devoted Christian couple belonging to the Anglican church. They were very hospital to us, invited us to their home for dinner and I recall we spent a whole evening singing hymns and Salvation Army songs.

We learned that day that Kenneth was formerly a Salvationist of Kowloon Central Corps Hong Kong in his younger days! He was one of the delegates to the Salvation Army International Youth Congress held in London! I could sense his heart was very much "Army."

At present he and his wife worship at a Church in Perth where the pastor and his wife were formerly from Trinity Christian Church Singapore! In fact she is Angelina Yeo of Balestier Corps (church) and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Yeo!  My wife dedicated Angelina when she was a baby! What a small world.

Kenneth and Wendy Cheng decided to attend Changi Corps (church) on Sunday and  I happened to be the preacher for the meeting. After the service we went for lunch and spent the whole afternoon together reminiscing the past. They are here to visit their daughter and family who are now Singaporeans.

We had a great time together and felt truly blessed by their company. We thank God for our many friends like the Chengs.

A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” Anon.

“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”– Albert Schweitzer

Mak Soo Lan (Mrs. Tan)

Another good friend of ours Mak Soo Lan (Mrs. Tan)was promoted to Glory at the age of 92 on 15th September. We met the family at Mount Vernon on 18th September to have prayer with them.

She was one of the five delegates to the Salvation Army International Youth Congress in 1950. She and her husband were given a concertina which she later passed it on to me as they had no use for it. I learned to play it and used it for many years.

The Malaya Command as this territory was then called, sent five delegates all from the Singapore Central Corps. Senior Captain and Mrs Walter Stan Cottrill the Corps Officers and comrades of the Corps worked very hard to raise funds. One of the concerts was held at the Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. I recall paying 50 cents for my ticket to attend. It was  lot of money in those days for a school lad like me from Balestier Corps.

In 1954 I was appointed to Melaka and she and her husband were... of good support to me, a bachelor then. I had an open invitation to their home every Friday for dinner. She treated me like her younger brother. If they had to go out in the evening, they would put on a pile of records on the player and I spent quiet time at their home listening to classical music. Later she and her family returned to Singapore and she joined St Andrew's Cathedral and remained an active Anglican. We know we shall meet her in Heaven and spend eternity with our Lord and many friends.

Lim Kim Lui - promoted to Glory

Lim Kim Lui promoted to Glory on 15th September 2016.

Let me share a little from the history of The Salvation Army which began in 1935.
By 1938 the Army was able to open its first Training College. Seven cadets, four men and three women formed the "THE ENTHUSIASTS SESSION."

A year later 1939 five new cadets formed the 'HOLD FAST SESSION'
Each session of cadets has a sessional name given by the General for every territory and Command. So by 1939 the Army already had 13 national officers!

In 1941 two Candidates were accepted for the next session. Colonel Lord was waiting for more to apply for officership. Sadly, war came. Colonel Lord accepted these two women candidates - Esther Lau and Lim Kim Lui as Lieutenants without any formal training.

Esther Low later married Lieutenant Foo Kia Pang. She was promoted to Glory on 15th September 2015. In retirement we made it a point to visit these ladies we know very well. Mrs Foo was the No. 1 soldier on Central Corps roll.

Sadly many officers resigned after the war, most joined the Social Welfare. We recall visiting the Foos at Perak Boys' Home and Lim Kim Lui at Toa Payoh Girls' Home, both belonged to the Social Welfare Department when we were Corps Offcers (pastors) of Central Corps 1970-1974. and again in 1997 in retirement for a brief period.

In retirement my wife and I were able to give pastoral visits to these elderly folk. We are glad Majors Lim Chee Kwee and Annie share in this pastoral ministry.

The first Changi Citadel and the Present Changi Corps

The Salvation Army Changi Corps – First one in Changi Prison and Present Changi Corps

At the corner of Jalan Mayaanam and Upper Changi North Road stands The Salvation Army Complex of Peacehaven Nursing Home and the Changi Corps (Church where my wife and I worship) God has wonderfully provided the suite of buildings for our ministry to the people.

Let me take you back to 15 February 1942, a very bleak Chinese New Year for Singapore. The British who had been defending the island finally surrendered to the Japanese. Before long, Colonel Herbert Lord and all our officers from overseas, together with hundreds of others, civilian and soldiers, were taken prisoners of war. More than 4,000 civilians were interned in Changi Convict Prison, a place built for 600 prisoners. The population ultimately grew to 12,000! Here they were to remain for three-and-a-half years.

Salvationists at first gathered in a small cell for worship and fellowship The singing was so good and inspiring that those in neighbouring cells often requested encores. The Salvation Army flag was nailed to the wall, but the Japanese guards pulled it down. The enterprising Major Will A. Price found some chalk and drew an Army crest and wrote “Salvation Army Citadel” over the door.

Anglican Bishop of Singapore, John Leonard Wilson brought the portable organ from Central Corps in his car to the hospital. Later it was smuggled into the camp under a pile of rice sacks. (Lord. forgive the kind bishop for smuggling!) Here was the spirit of Christian unity in operation, even in smuggling an organ! The Bishop had a Christian officer friend Andrew Ogawa who had given him permission to remain free to minister to the people, but a year later, higher authorities considered the bishop a threat so was sent to Changi Prison.

Among the internees was Brigadier(*) Charles Davidson, the General Secretary of The Salvation Army in the then Malaya Command which included Singapore. He had seen service in Japan before; in fact for some years he was the Private Secretary to Commissioner Gunpei Yamamuro, the first Salvation Army Japanese Territorial Commander of Japan.

A Japanese soldier, although not a Christian, but admirer of The Salvation Army, used to secretly supply Brigadier Davidson with insulin for a number of internees suffering from diabetes. This required tremendous courage, for if he was discovered, he and the Brigadier would face certain death by execution. The Brigadier was a man of wisdom, discretion and compassion, and did much for the fellow internees in his counseling.

Later the Salvationists were allowed to put up their own “building.” They held ‘open air meetings’ in the prison compound. Soon there was a thriving Changi Corps. Inside the Citadel (**) a platform was built, complete with a lectern. On the Mercy Seat (Altar) were the words, "Jesus Never Fails." Above this was the Army flag made by Candidate Laurence Smith. He used pieces of cloth dyed in various liquids to obtain the colours – yellow, red and blue. Another flag made by Treasurer Stanley Leeder was placed at the back of the hall. It had the crest, the name of the corps and the date of its opening – October 11, 1942. A copy of the flag is now on display at Territorial Headquarters in Singapore.

Stanley had exchanged one of his blankets with another prisoner who happened to possess a blanket that had the necessary colours for the Army flag. He managed to take the original to pieces with his jack knife, then proceeded to make the flag on 6 April 1942. The only materials available to him were a draining needle, cotton and an old woollen sock. All the letters and star were cut with the jack knife and the flag was completed under the bright moonlight at 11:30 pm on Saturday 11 April and used the next day.
Local officers (elders and deacons) were appointed at Changi Corps. There was a male voice choir. Evangelistic meetings were organised. Attendance increased from 15 to 65. The hall was opened all day for prayer. Early in the morning, the men would gather in the hall to pray before beginning their hard labours.

Later, the camp had three meetings on Sundays. During the week there were Soldiers’ Meetings, Bible Studies, Prayer Meetings and choir practices. They even had the Self-Denial Appeal and raised S$72.50. The amount was sent to the Women’s and Children’s (Civil Internee) Fund. Even Mothers’ Day and the Harvest festival were observed. The internees printed the equivalent of the official organ of the Army, The War Cry, and called it The Liberator. There were only four typed written copies in circulation monthly. Many among the prisoners were led to Christ. Others received regular counselling on spiritual matters. The Soldiers’ Roll of this first Changi Corps was 92, which included many nationalities.

War brings with it misery and suffering, but Christians who love the Lord are more than conquerors through Jesus. In spite of their suffering, they were able to sing and praise God.

Today Changi Corps has a beautiful auditorium for worship. It is is air-conditioned with carpeting and cushioned seats – a far cry from the first Changi Corps. And for good measure it has even a small stained glass window! It still reaches out to prisoners and their families.

My wife and I live on the rooftop of Peacehaven Nursing Home – A Pent House!! We moved into this unit on 16th December 2014 God is good!
________________________________________________________________________* The rank of Brigadier in The Salvation Army was below that of a Lieutenant Colonel. This rank is now obsolete.
** Citadel, a word used in the United Kingdom and some Western countries for the church. We use the word Corps here.

Unto the Hills

The Lord - Our Helper and Keeper

The Lord – our Helper and Keeper

“ The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121: 5-6

We are on our pilgrimage from earth to heaven. The Psalm highlights two dangers and in the original setting they were more than figures of speech. They were two real perils that the pilgrims feared most – the dangers of sunstroke and moon stroke. To be exposed to the sun for long periods of time, one can die of thirst. Climate change in our generation is affecting the whole world. Living in Singapore, near the equator, O how I wish for the four seasons like we enjoyed when we lived in England for the last four years of our active service.

There is a lot of superstition leading to fear of moon stroke. Think of the word ‘lunacy.’ What picture comes to mind? Insanity, madness. mental illness, unsound mind. mental instability, psychosis; the survivors plunged into despair and depression.

Pilgrims on the journey of life face real dangers. Thanks be to God, He watches over us, guards us, protects us from the perils of day and night when we lift up our eyes to Him in faith. Living in this sin sick world, we cannot escape these dangers. But we should not allow them to terrify us for the Lord watches over us and guards us from all harm.

“I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me; The God I serve is one who cares and understands. Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me, Of this I am assured: I'm in his hands.”

Chorus - I'm in his hands, I'm in his hands; Whate'er the future holds I'm in his hands, The days I cannot see have all been planned for me; His way is best, you see; I'm in his hands. Stanley E. Ditmer

 

 

 

Visit of Ng Kim Loh of Melaka

On Monday 15^th August, we received a pleasant surprise. Our doorbell rang and when I opened the door, there stood two men and a woman! I immediately recognized Ng Kim Loh, one of my former young people Melaka Corps. His sister and husband are Singaporeans. Lily was a little girl of four when I was the pastor in Melaka. What memories!

Sixty two years ago at the age of 22, I took up my first appointment as the pastor of Melaka Corps (church) On the Thursday following Commissioning the Public Relations Secretary, Major Stanley Gordon, fetched me to the Sing Liang Malacca/Singapore Express Bus terminal at Beach Road to begin a six hour journey by bus to Malacca. It had to cross two ferries, at Batu Pahat and Muar. There were no expressways then!

On arrival, I was met by my predecessor, Lieutenant Douglas Kiff. He and his newly married wife, Jean, had delayed their departure for Penang in order to conduct my welcome meeting. Douglas and I sat in one trishaw, while all my worldly possessions, comprising a suitcase, a small bag and a carton of books, went into another. We did not have far to go from the bus station to 69-A Wolferstan Road. Malacca Corps occupied the premises above the wine shop.

On the front of the building was the sign board with the words THE SALVATION ARMY in English, Malay and Chinese. Directly below it was another signboard - CHOP SI SOON, WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS. What a strange juxtaposition!

We ascended a narrow staircase and entered the corps premises. The main floor area was the corps hall, with 30 chairs. A small corner at the back was partitioned off for quarters - a cubicle, which served as a bed-sitting room cum office for the Corps Officer. It was most convenient for the officer to get out of bed and there was the office desk to work! At the back was a small kitchen and bathroom, but toilet facilities were downstairs. To get there meant descending the spiral staircase, walking past the living area of the people living downstairs, past a fierce German shepherd, tied up during the day and freed at night to roam the backyard!

There was plenty to occupy me – Sunday Holiness meeting in the morning, and Salvation meeting at night, the Sunday School in the afternoon and an open-air meeting prior to the night salvation meeting. During the week there was a tuition programme, Joy Hour and Thursday night Holiness meeting. Later on I added Youth fellowship, plus Saturday night English meeting.

Ng Kim Loh  then 16 years old was one of my young people. He helped his Mum run a provisions shop in the village. I managed to persuade his parents to let me teach him English. He progressed very well and I was able to get him into a Christian School for those who were overaged. He had only four years of formal education, then entered training and started to teach in Muar. He continued his studies and returned to teach at the ACS Melaka till he retired.

Memories! How precious they are to us as we reflect on the past. Thank God for calling me to be a Salvation Army Officer.  Sixty two years have gone by, thanks be to God.

God is watching over you

“He that keepeth thee will not slumber” Psalm121: 3

Dr. William Alfred Quayle, American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church wrote many books specially to help young ministers. He recalls once he was burning the midnight oil. Tired and sleepy, he happened to turn his eyes to Psalm 121 and read this verse “He that keepeth thee will not slumber.” He sensed that it was a message from the Lord telling him , “ there is no need for both of us to stay awake. You go to bed and sleep, I’m always awake anyway.”

There are many reasons we stay awake all night. Perhaps fear or worry. The child may be afraid of the dark, the adult fear lots of things. Sleep is a gift from God. And here’s a wonderful assurance, given in this Psalm.

At the end of the day let us pray using the words of the Psalmist. “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for Thou O Lord, only makest me dwell in safety” Psalm 4:8  

“Abide with me from morn till eve, For without Thee I cannot live; Abide with me when night is nigh, for without Thee I cannot die” John Keble.

Saved and kept by the grace of God

Psalm 121: 3-6 "Saved and kept by the grace of God."
"He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper;The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night."

How comforting to hear these words form the Lord. Every night when we go to bed, we pray for our family, friends and the Peacehaven Nursing Home below us. We commit the these to the Lord as ask Him to watch over them.

The Lord is our keeper, He takes care of us His children.
During the time of famine in China a man who could not swim at all jumped into the river to commit suicide. Soon he was struggling in river. A passerby noticing the plight jumped into the swift flowing river and pulled him out to safety.

The man who hand been rescued, on recovery stood up and confronted his rescuer aggressively. "Why didn't you leave me to drown and let me die? Why did you save me?"
The rescuer puzzled and annoyed answered "Look I saved you, aren't you grateful."
He received the response, "Yes, you saved me, can you keep me?"

The Lord saves and keeps us. The Lord is our keeper.
Thank You Lord for Your saving and keeping power.

	I know not why God’s wondrous grace   To me He hath made known, Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love   Redeemed me for His own.
	But “I know Whom I have believed And am persuaded that He is able To keep that which I’ve committed   Unto Him against that day.”
	I know not how this saving faith  To me He did impart, Nor how believing in His word   Wrought peace within my heart.
	I know not how the Spirit moves,  Convincing men of sin, Revealing Jesus through the Word,   Creating faith in Him.
	I know not what of good or ill   May be reserved for me, Of weary ways or golden days,   Before His face I see.
	I know not when my Lord may come,   At night or noon-day fair, Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,   Or “meet Him in the air.” Daniel W Whittle

May favourite Psalm 121 "I will lift up my eyes to the hills"

My favourite - Psalm 121. I recite it often - the KJV. It has been a source of strength for me especially in times of crisis. The opening words "I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence cometh my help." It suggests the pilgrims found strength in looking at the hills, part of God's creation.
Later versions punctuate the sentence differently. "I will lift up my eyes to the hills." then the next part, "From whence cometh my help?". The the answer "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

The punctuations made the difference.
Note, not the hills, but the Creator of the hills, our Sovereign God the Source of our security. He is the One we look up to for help and security.
Someone once said, "In crisis we look inwards and bcome afraid, we look around us and become confused, we look upwards and become serene."

I love this old hymn -

Unto the hills around do I lift up
My longing eyes;
O whence for me shall my salvation come,
From whence arise?
From God the Lord doth come my certain aid,
From God the Lord, who heav’n and earth hath made.

He will not suffer that thy foot be moved:
Safe shalt thou be.
No careless slumber shall His eyelids close,
Who keepeth thee.
Behold, He sleepeth not, He slumbereth ne’er,
Who keepeth Israel in His holy care.

Jehovah is Himself thy keeper true,
Thy changeless shade;
Jehovah thy defense on thy right hand
Himself hath made.
And thee no sun by day shall ever smite;
No moon shall harm thee in the silent night.

From every evil shall He keep thy soul,
From every sin;
Jehovah shall preserve thy going out,
Thy coming in.
Above thee, watching, He whom we adore
Shall keep thee henceforth, yea, for evermore.
(John Douglas Sutherland Campbell)

40 Days 2016

My wife and I use The Salvation Army's daily reading -Words of Life. It's an excellent devotional and when we use it we feel our unity with Salvationists all over the world.

Another excellent devotional which we always look forward to receiving comes round once a year - 40 Days prior to our National Day published by Love Singapore. In using this we are united with fellow believers in Singapore praying for our nation. The year we focused our thoughts on the letter of James.

We have been reading and meditating on this letter and have been truly blessed.

Majulah Singapura! God bless our nation.

Lieut. Colonels Edward and Shelly Hill

Last Sunday we attended the welcome meeting for Lieut.Colonels Edward and Shelly Hill from USA Western Territory.

The combined meeting was held at Singapore Central Corps and led by the Territorial Commander Colonel Lyndon Buckingham.

In his welcome message to the people in our territory, he spoke about the "5 g Christian" based on 1Thessalonians 1: 1-5. Christians should be people of
Grace, Gratitude, Growth, Godliness and Grit. His message was short and simple, yet profound. I am sure those who heard will remember the message for a long time.

God bless the Colonel and his dear wife.

Prayer

I LOVE THIS INTERPRETATION OF PRAYER

Prayer doesn't just happen when we kneel or put our hands together and focus and expect things from God. 

*Thinking positive and wishing good for others is   prayer.* 

When you hug a friend. *That's a prayer.*

When you cook something to nourish family and friends. *That's a prayer.*

When we send off our near and dear ones and say, 'drive safely' or 'be safe'.*That's a prayer.*

 When you are helping someone in need by giving your time and  energy.

 *You are praying.* When you forgive someone by your heart. *That is prayer.*

*Prayer is a vibration. A feeling. A thought. Prayer is the voice of love, friendship, genuine relationships, genuine concern. Prayer is an expression of your silent being*

 

 

 

Indonesian Care Group

Every first and third Friday of the month, we host a Care Group for the off duty Indonesian nurses and Care givers at our home. The attendance vary - sometimes we have as many as 12, at other times two or three depending on how many get time off. Besides there are times when their friends and relatives come from Indonesian to visit them and they have to go sight seeing or shopping.

We enjoy their visit to our home. We have time for fellowship, singing, prayer, a short devotion and supper. Our daughter and her husband visit Batam Indonesia and she brings home Indonesian "kueh lapis" meaning "layer cake" made from local or imported ingredients, imported butter from Australia or New Zealand and egg yoke and even dried fruit added. The Indonesians enjoy them, but we refrain because of the high cholesterol content!

These Indonesians attend our Corps (church) services and participate in the various activities.

We moved to Changi from Upper Bukit Timah one and a half years ago. That was the time, the majority of Indonesians, more than twenty came at the same time. We were requested to host these for three months and help them to settle down. The three months have extended to one and a half years. We'll carry on as long as they desire to come. We take it as the ministry God has given us.

"Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith". Galatians 6: 10 (New Living Translation)

A Prayer - by John Baillie

For my devotions I have been using John Baillies' "A Diary of Private Prayer." My book is worn and tattered, but the prayers are indeed helpful.
This morning after meditating on the passage from "Words of Life
I prayed with the writer.
"Let me go forth, O Lord my God, to the work of another day, still surrounded by Thy loving kindnesses; still pledged to Thy loyal service, still standing in Thy strength and not my own.
...

Let me today be a Christian not only in my words, but also in my deeds:
Let me follow bravely in the footsteps of my Master wherever they may lead:
Let me be hard and stern with myself:
Let there be no self- pity or self-indulgence in my life today:
Let my thinking be clean, my speech frank and open and my action be courageous and decisive.
I would pray, O Lord, not only for myself but for all the household to which I belong, for all my friends and fellow workers, beseeching Thee to include them all in Thy fatherly regard. I pray also:-
for all who will today be faced by any great decision:
for all who today will be engaged in settling affairs of moment in the lives of men and nations.
for all who are moulding public opinion in our time;
for all who write what other people read;
for all who are holding aloft the lamp of truth in a world of ignorance and sin;
for all whose hands are worn with too much toil and for the unemployed whose hands today fall idle:
for those who have not where to lay their head.
O Christ my Lord, who for my sake and my brethren's dids't forgo all earthly comfort and fulness, forbid that I should ever again live unto myself. Amen

Does God really care?

One day Jesus and His disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Suddenly a storm came. The disciples panicked and went to look for Jesus who being exhausted was fast asleep. They woke Him up and cried out, "Teacher, we are sinking! Do you not care?"

Good question. Have we not at some time or other asked this same question? Our world today is in a sorry state. Disaster, distress, violence are everywhere.

In this incident, Jesus woke up, faced the storm and commanded it to be still. The winds and waves obeyed Him and there was calm. Is that the way God works today. Not always, but that does mean He does not care.

'God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.
He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.'

At the moment there is tension in the China Sea; Brexit has brought some real problems and the Prime Minster Cameron has resigned. He has stated he will remain in his position to steady the ship, but not remain the captain. He will step down in three months' time.

There are tensions everywhere. Are we tempted to ask, "Does God really care?"

From my own experience, there are times when God seems rather indifferent. But I believe He is aware of what we are going through. Many times the positive answers come instantly. Other times we get a delayed answer. Sometimes He seems to leave us to suffer pain, but our of our suffering He works out His sovereign will.

In this world of trial and tribulation, let's keep our faith in our Sovereign God who is still on the throne.

GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE,
AND HE WILL REMEMBER HIS OWN;
THOUGH TRIALS MAY PRESS US
AND BURDENS DISTRESS US,
HE NEVER WILL LEAVE US ALONE;

GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE,
AND HE WILL REMEMBER HIS OWN;
HIS PROMISE IS TRUE,
HE WILL NOT FORGET YOU,
GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. Kittie L Suffield.

Let's look up, keep our faith in Him.

House warming plus Elias' one month celebration

About 40 relatives and friends gathered at the new HDB flat of Daryl and Christine to have house warming and also Elias' one month old celebration. The family have not moved in yet as they are still waiting for the furniture to be delivered.

There were five great grand parents the oldest 96! The rest were in their eighties.

The last time we met most of them were at the wedding of Daryl and Christine in 2014.

Servanthood

I have been much blessed reading the writings of Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle.  Those who make use of our Salvation Army Library at the School for Officer Training, at Praisehaven, you can borrow the set of books.

 

"The Word That Stoops,"

Samuel Logan Brengle was an accomplished orator who had been offered a highly prestigious position in a large Methodist church. So when he traveled to England to offer his services to William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, Brengle was surprised that Booth expressed reservations. “You belong to the ‘dangerous classes,’ ” Booth said. “You’ve been your own boss so long that I don’t think you’ll want to submit to Salvation Army discipline.” Worse, on his second day at the Salvation Army’s training college, Brengle was assigned to polish the boots of the other cadets in training:

The devil came at me, and reminded me that I had graduated from a university, had attended a leading theological school, had been pastor of a metropolitan church, had just left evangelistic work in which I saw hundreds seeking the Savior, and that now I was only blacking boots for a lot of ignorant lads. But I reminded my old enemy of the example of my Lord, and he left me, and that little cellar was changed into one of heaven’s anterooms, and my Lord visited me there.

Serve. It is a word easily forgotten. And it is not enough to say, “Oh, sure, I would scrub floors for my brother,” or “I wouldn’t hesitate to serve others.” Jesus didn’t say, “I have set you an example that you should be willing to do as I have done for you.” He didn’t say, “I have set you an example that you should agree in theory with what I have done for you.” He said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (John 13:15, NIV).

Redeeming the time.

Where has all the time gone? Come 30th May I'll be 84! I am praying this beautiful prayer written by Charles Wesley, one of my favorite hymn writers.

 

I would the precious time redeem,

And longer live for this alone,

To spend, and to be spent for them

Who have not yet my Saviour known;

Fully on them my labours prove,

And only breathe to breathe thy love.

May 20th 2016 - A day to remember

My wife had not been well for a week and on 20th May she was in such a state of pain that Madam Low Mui Lang had to take her to the A & E Changi General Hospital nearby.

I could not accompany her as I had an appointment at the same hospital on the same day to have surgery on my thumb. It is healing well and I know it is not "just sticking out like a sore thumb." It is a sore thumb with stitches yet to be removed. Everyday our nurses at Peacehaven visit me to dress it. God bless our nurses.

What a coincidence for both of us to have surgery on the same day. Mine was done in the afternoon at about 1.00 p.m. One of the Peacehaven nurses Melsi who was off duty volunteered to accompany me. She patiently spent the whole day supporting me and seeing to my needs.

My wife had her surgery on that day for appendicitis and is still in hospital on the road to recovery. We think she will be discharged soon.

God has been good. In life we have our pains and gains that we must learn to accept. We are assured, we are His hands.

"Lord, send the fire"

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4

"Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame,
Send the fire, Send the fire!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin,
Send the fire. (William Booth)

Fire and wind are two of the many symbols of the Holy Spirit.

Samuel Chadwick  wrote, "The supreme need of the church is fire. The one persistent prayer of them that 'cry and sigh' baptism of the Spirit is for the fiery baptism of Pentecost. Spirit filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with the love of that glows. They believe with the faith that kindles. They serve with the devotion that consumes. They hate with the sin with a fierceness that burns." (The Way to Pentecost)

Soldiers of Jesus Christ, let the Holy Spirit fill you and be on fire for God!

Welcome to Elias our first great grandson

We welcome our first great-grandson Elias on 10th May 2016! We thank God for his safe arrival at Singapore General Hospital. Christine our grand- daughter-in-law is well.

God has been good in giving us three children, six grandchildren, and now one great grandson. Four of our grandchildren have graduated and are now gainfully employed and happy in their jobs. And the most important they love the Lord. Two are still studying.

Never in our wildest imagination have we ever dreamed of of seeing this day - see a great grandchild.

Visit to Batam, Indonesia - 30th April - 2nd May 2016

At our age, we are somewhat reluctant to leave the comfort of our own home and go to another country. In our life time, we had travelled much especially during the last four years as the International Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia prior to retirement. Altogether, we had visited 26 countries and lived in six during our active officership.

Anyway, we  responded positively to an invitation to join a group to visit Batam, Indonesia. They Army has started work on this island. So on 30th April, Madam Low Mui Lang, Ivoine Tang, Helen Ho, my wife and myself formed the group.

We left on Saturday and spent the weekend there. Monday being Labour Day was a public holiday in Singapore. The ferry was crowded, but we got there safely. We were warmly welcomed by the officers and taken to one of the Outposts where we had the welcome meal given by the hospitable Indonesians.

We went to our Hotel some distance away - Hotel Punuin. We had a good night's sleep and woke up early to have breakfast. We attended the Sunday morning meeting at the Outpost.  I was asked  to give my testimony. I complied and spoke in Malay which is similar to Indonesians. Madam Low also testified.

It was a good meeting conducted by the Corps Officers - the wife led and husband gave the message in Indonesian. He kept on emphasizing on our One Army, One Mission that is to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. After the meeting, we were treated to a lovely lunch provided by Indonesian salvationists. They came from different parts of the country as far as Jakarta and Palu.

That evening we were taken to another Outpost. The officers informed us that they hope to purchase the adjoining land and build our church. The building was made of wood and zinc, very simple structure. The attendance was good. My wife was asked to give her testimony. This time Captain Eko Wandono led the meeting and his wife gave a powerful message.

In between meetings were  able to tour the island.

By the time we got back to the hotel it was quite late, We had to be up very early at 5-00 am. and left the hotel at 5.30 a.m. without breakfast. The van took us to the harbour where we boarded the 7.20 a.m. ferry for home.

Well the best part of the roaming is the homing. We had a lovely weekend, Praise be to God.

John and Narrelle Rees

What a thrill to see John and Narrelle Rees once again. We first met them in 1970 when we were appointed to Singapore Central Corps as the pastors in January 1970 - 46 years ago! 

They arrived on Saturday 30th April, the day we left for Batam Indonesia. They took part in the meetings at Central. John brought his cornet and played in the band. Ng Seng Chow used to play in the Central band with them. At that time most of the bandsmen were from overseas serving in Singapore like John.

What a joy to have them for lunch and fellowship in our home on Tuesday. Memories of our days spent together in Singapore and later in Australia.

A few weeks earlier David and Christine Rees visited us and we spent a very pleasant afternoon together . David is the twin brother of John.

Janice and Malcolm McInnes

We were pleasantly surprised to receive a call from our good friend Sister Yeo Soo Hong last Sunday telling us she would bring two old friends to see us. They were Janice and Malcolm McInnnes originally from New Zealand and now living in Australia. They still consider themselves as Kiwis. But we had a very busy day with tight schedule so could not fit them in. So arrangements were made for them to come to our home last Tuesday 26th April.

These lovely people served with ANZAC in the early 1970's and while in Singapore attended the Singapore Central Corps where my wife and I were the Corps Officers (pastors) for four years. They gave good support at the Corps. They played in the Band, Malcolm on the bass and Janice on tenor horn. They integrated well with local people plus servicemen from UK and Australia.

What a lot to talk about after forty years! Time went very quickly; They had other appointments in the evening and we had to attend the Bible Class at the Corps. Anyway we promised to keep contact and now with modern technology this is made easy.

God has blessed us with many friends - some make regular contacts via e-mail, face book etc. Others nearer home make telephone contacts. Some we hear maybe once a year during Christmas. Families and Friends are God's blessings to us.

Susan Lim Miang Cherng -Promotion to Glory

This wonderful Christian lady went to be with the Lord last Saturday 23rd April from Assisi Hospice. The funeral was held on Sunday at 5.30 p.m at The Salvation .Army William Booth Corps, (church) Upper Bukit Timah Rd. The Cremation was on that same evening at the Mandai Crematorium

We were able to attend the wake on Saturday evening and also the funeral on Sunday.

I refer to my blog on 28th March 2016 "Pleasant Easter Surprise" I mentioned about this gracious lady a good friend of ours for more than 40 years.

As Christians we know death is not the end. She is with the Lord in Heaven and we shall meet her one day never to part.

Outing with friends.

As we get older each day and being far from the city, we seem to be quite comfortable staying home, just the two of us. There are times when friends would invite us to share their outings and visit some tourist spots.

We had an extremely busy and interesting weekend. We had some visitors from Indonesia. The Executive Director decided to take these visitors to spend an evening at Gardens by the Bay and we were included. We had dinner at the Kopitiam selling local dishes and from there proceeded to the see the lights. What an interesting evening and we toured the gardens.

What a thrill to soak in the beautiful experience of lights dancing in the Garden and be dazzled by the sight of our "Supertrees" and listen to the “Garden Rhapsody.” This was the first time we visited the Gardens by the Bay in the evening. 

From there we made our way to see other parts of "the little red dot" called Singapore!
It may be tiny in comparison with our neighbours, but there is much to see and enjoy.

Thank God for friends who care and share our joys and sorrows. We are glad we belong to The Salvation Army. It has been our privilege to serve in so many countries. We have friends all over the world, thanks be to God.

Abide with me fast falls the eventide

Abide with me – A presence at eventide

 Shortly before we left England, on the weekend 3/4^th May 1997, my wife and I visited a small Corps (church) at Brixham, a coastal town in Devon to conduct services. It was in this small town that the hymn ‘Abide with me’ was written.

 The author Henry F Lyte (1793-1847) pastored a poor parish church among the fisher folk in Brixham. He battled with asthma and tuberculosis throughout his life. Despite physical frailty, he laboured diligently and was much loved by the people. When admonished to spare himself, he coined the well known phrase, ‘It is better to wear out than to rust out.’

His health worsened and he was forced to seek for warmer climate in Italy. It was recorded that he almost had to crawl to the pulpit to preach his last sermon in 1847. Shortly before his move, weakened by lung disease and sorrowing to leave his parish, he walked by the sea with a very heavy heart. He watched the setting sun and the thought came to him, his own life was ebbing at the close of ‘life’s little day.’ During those sad moments he pondered the prayer. He returned to his study and wrote the poem “Abide with me.’

Francis Lyte never made it to Italy. He was overtaken by death en route.

The poem was based on Christ’s appearance to His two disciples on the Emmaus Road and their request ‘Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.’ (Luke 24: 29) The tune was composed in just ten minutes by William Monk (1823-1889) who wrote it while experiencing deep personal sorrow.

 Every believer travels on the road of disappointment and sorrow at times. We get discouraged and ask questions. The risen Lord comes alongside us, sometimes unrecognised. He walks with us, talks with us and opens to us the glowing meaning of His word and His mighty work on our behalf.

 The words of the hymn are essentially about death, hence it is often used at funerals, but we need not confine to such occasions. It can be our daily prayer as we ponder over the ebbing tide of life, the deepening darkness as we read the newspapers and watch the television screen, the fading glories as we think of global warming and consequences for us. The song climaxes with the shadows fleeing before the breaking of heaven’s morning.

As we journey through life, we all need the abiding presence of God’s Holy Spirit. Make this your prayer today.

 ‘I need Thy presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.’ (SASB 670 verse 3)

The way to communicate - simply.

How do we communicate in our speech or written word. Here's an example of pompous language.

 

"A research team proceeded towards the apex of a natural geologic protuberance, the purpose of their expedition being the procurement of a sample of fluid hydride of oxygen in a large vessel, the exact size of which was unspecified. One member of the team precipitously descended, sustaining severe damage to the upper cranial portion of his anatomical structure; subsequently the second member of the team performed a self rotational translation oriented in the same direction taken by the first team member."

Why not put it simply the nursery rhyme. A child in nursery understands it straightaway.

Jack and Jill went up a hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.

Habakkuk 1: 1-4 tells us

I will take my stand at my watchpost

and station myself on the tower,

and look out to see jwhat he will say to me,

and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith

 

And the Lord answered me:

“Write the vision;

make it plain on tablets,

so he may run who reads it.

  For still lthe vision awaits its appointed time;

it hastens to the end—it will not lie.

If it seems slow, wait for it; 

it will surely come; it will not delay.

 

Preach the word, write the message - simply.

 

 

 

Pleasant Easter surprise.

In her younger days, my wife used to make hot cross buns for Easter. In recent years when we lived at Upper Bukit Timah we used to buy some each year from the nearby supermarket Cold Storage. Yes, hot cross buns for Easter and minced pie for Christmas - a tradition we observe.

Last year when we moved to Changi, we did not know where to buy hot cross buns. We mentioned this to someone who quickly got us some. We were indeed grateful to  two friends who got us the buns.

God knows the desires of our heart. On Good Friday, after the meeting, Major Pascoe handed me a parcel and in it were four hot cross buns! This came from our very good friend, Susan Lim Miang Cherng who is now staying at the Assissi Hospice. She knows her days on earth are numbered and she will see the Lord face to face in Heaven soon. In her condition she still thought of us and made arrangements to ensure we had hot cross buns for Easter. How touching!

We are reminded of the incident recorded in 2 Samuel 23: 13-17. King David was taking refuge in a cave and in a moment of weariness, expressed his longing for water from Bethlehem. Three of his very  loyal mighty men, at great risk to their lives made their way to the well at Bethlehem now under enemy control to get the water for David. He was so touched, he could not drink it but poured it out as an offering to the Lord.

We felt like David, but did not do as he did. We kept it for Easter morning and as we ate the buns, thought and prayed for the many relatives and friends who have blessed us like Susan. Yes, we have them all over the world.

Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday morning. We were up early and attended the Sunrise Service at 6.30 a.m. held outside the corps (church) building.

This was followed by the fellowship breakfast for the folk who came. Then a film was shown.

I was asked to give the Easter message at this meeting and my wife read the Scripture. I based my sermon 1 Corinthians 15 - a whole chapter devoted to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. 


Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, John 11: 25   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

The Lord is risen. Hallelujah

The Old Rugged Cross

Alone the Saviour prayed in Gethsemane

Jesus took three of His disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. They were to be His praying companions. But they were too tired to concentrate and fell asleep. Twice He had to wake them, after that He left them and went alone to pray.

A song writer has beautifully described the scene in the garden.

It was alone the Saviour prayed 
    In dark Gethsemane.
Alone He drained the bitter cup
    And suffered there for me.
Alone, alone, He bore it all alone;
   He gave Himself to save His own.
He suffered, bled and died alone. Ben H Price

Jesus had to bear the impending cross alone. The mission to save the world rested on Him alone.

Alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, He made that final submission - "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42

The Last Supper - the Missing cup

During Holy week, my thoughts turn to the events leading to Calvary where our Lord was crucified on the cross. One of the scenes that came to my mind was the Last Supper. I turned once again to Leonardo DaVinci's painting of the event.

The artist worked painstakingly for a period of three years to complete the painting. In the picture the disciples were on either side of Jesus; on each side two groups of three. The arms of Jesus were stretched out and in His right hand He was holding the cup.

He invited a good friend to view his painting and give his honest opinion. This friend was very impressed and mentioned specially about the cup in Jesus's hand. "That cup is so real, I simply cannot keep my eyes off it."

DaVinci immediately took his brush and drew it across the sparkling cup. He did not want anything or anyone to detract attention from Jesus. He must be the main character and remain preeminent. He said to his friend, "If the cup affects you in that way, it must nor remain, nothing shall distract attention from the figure of Christ."

Years rolled on, people still admire the painting by Leonardo DaVinci - Jesus and His disciples but on the table there is no cup.

^"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2) (NASB)

Paul writing to the Colossian believers sail, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:2-3)

I love the song written by Helen H Lemmuel many years ago. It is still my prayer and share it with you.

 O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free! 

 

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!